Scotland qualify for men’s World Cup for first time since 1998

Scotland have secured their place at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998 after a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark, sealed by stunning second-half stoppage-time goals from substitutes Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.

Scott McTominay opened proceedings in the third minute with a glorious 12-yard overhead kick, but Steve Clarke’s side then faced intense pressure from the visitors in a fiercely contested encounter marked by numerous challenges.

Scotland centre-back John Souttar came off with a warm-up injury, and Ben Gannon-Doak was stretchered off after 21 minutes. Rasmus Hojlund then equalised from the spot in the 57th minute, momentarily quieting the Tartan Army.

His team-mate Rasmus Kristensen was sent packing in the 61st minute for picking up the second of two yellow cards and as the game took yet another twist, substitute Lawrence Shankland restored Scotland’s lead in the 78th minute only for Patrick Dorgu to level three minutes later.

However, in six minutes of added time, Tierney fired in from 25 yards with McLean scoring from the halfway line to top Group C in one of the great nights in Scotland’s history.

The packed-out national stadium on a wet and bitterly cold night was at fever pitch for the winner-takes-all Group C fixture, albeit a draw would have suited the Danes, who began the night one point ahead of their opponents at the top of the section.

Denmark’s shock 2-2 draw at home to bottom side Belarus on Saturday had given the Scots an automatic qualification lifeline, despite their 3-2 defeat in Greece on the same night.

There was team news drama before the game when Souttar pulled out with an injury.

Dropped Grant Hanley returned to partner Scott McKenna, with striker Lyndon Dykes replacing Che Adams while captain Andy Robertson won his 90th cap.

The home side got off to a blistering start.

McTominay’s goal was a work of art, the Napoli midfielder rising 12 yards from goal to execute a perfect over-head kick from Gannon-Doak’s chipped cross.

The Danes had Hojlund back from sickness and he raced clear five minutes later only to see his shot saved by Craig Gordon but the offside flag was up.

The move preceded heavy Denmark pressure and there was more injury woe for the Scots when Gannon-Doak was replaced by McLean after appearing to be injured as he stretched.

Hojlund had the ball in the net soon afterwards but the goal was ruled out for a shove on right-back Aaron Hickey and the Napoli striker then came close with a couple of headers.

Scotland could hardly get out of their own half and were relieved to hear Polish referee Szymon Marciniak’s half-time whistle.

Gordon saved a drive from Hojlund just after the break as Denmark resumed their attack on the home goal.

There was a lengthy penalty check by VAR when Robertson tackled Gustav Isaksen at the edge of the Scotland box and when referee Marciniak eventually checked his monitor he pointed to the spot and Hojlund sent Gordon the wrong way with a confident spot kick to level.

Denmark were soon reduced to 10 men, however, when already-booked Kristensen was shown a second yellow by Marciniak for a tug on John McGinn.

Immediately, Ryan Christie and Dykes were replaced by Che Adams and Shankland and then Hickey made way for Tierney but Denmark remained in control.

When the Hearts skipper knocked in from Lewis Ferguson’s corner it turned the game back in the Scots’ favour – but only until Dorgu slid in an equaliser from 12 yards as the home side failed to deal with another cross.

However, Hampden again exploded in joy in added time when Tierney picked up a loose ball 25 yards from goal and curled past keeper Kasper Schmeichel and to add further elation to the night, McLean flighted the fourth in from the halfway line.

Trump defends Saudi crown prince over killing of journalist Khashoggi

Donald Trump welcomed Mohammed bin Salman to the White House on Tuesday for the Saudi Crown Prince’s first visit to Washington since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The president berated a reporter who asked about the killing.

Trump lost his temper and began yelling at ABC News reporter Mary Bruce after she raised the issue of Saudi Arabia’s role in the September 11 terror attacks and also asked the Crown Prince about the 2018 murder of the Washington Post columnist by Saudi agents acting on his orders.

As Bruce pressed him on whether his family should be doing business in the oil-rich kingdom during his presidency and asked the Saudi leader on why Americans should trust him given his role in Khashoggi’s murder, Trump angrily interrupted her and asked her to identify her employer. After she said she worked for ABC News, he shouted at her: “Fake News. ABC, fake news, one of the worst, one of the worst in the business.”

He angrily denied having anything to do with his eponymous real estate and hotel company’s multiple partnerships with Saudi developers and claimed his sons, who currently run the company, have “done very little with Saudi Arabia”.

Trump also attempted to dismiss the question about the killing of Khashoggi — a US permanent resident at the time of his murder — by calling the slain journalist “extremely controversial.”

“A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about, whether you like him or didn’t like him. Things happen, but he knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that,” he said before chiding Bruce for “embarrassing” the Saudi leader.

The Crown Prince, who is commonly known by his initials MBS, jumped in at that point and calmly responded to the ABC News journalist’s question by stating that he felt “painful” about the effect of the September 11 attacks on the families of those who were killed but suggested that it was necessary to “focus on reality.”

He then claimed that al Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi construction heir, had “used Saudi people” to commit the terror attacks with the aim of destroying U.S.-Saudi relations.

Prince Mohammed then addressed the matter of the Washington Post journalist Khashoggi whose 2018 abduction and murder the CIA determined he had approved, by claiming it had also been “really painful” to hear of “anyone … losing his life … for no real purpose or not in a legal way.”

“And it’s been painful for us in Saudi Arabia. We did all the right steps of investigation, etc, in Saudi Arabia, and we’ve improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that, and it’s painful and it’s a huge mistake, and we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again,” he said.

The 2021 report by by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the journalist’s murder and dismemberment found: “We assess that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey, to capture or kill” Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia rejected the finding as “negative, false and unacceptable.”

The president lashed out at ABC’s Bruce again a short time later after she asked him why he would not order the Department of Justice to release case files from FBI probes into the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein instead of forcing Congress to pass legislation that would force the Department of Justice to release the same documents.

He told her: “It’s not the question that I mind. It’s your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter. It’s the way you ask questions.”

Trump then laid into her for having asked the Saudi crown prince “a horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question” and accused her of being “all psyched up” to ask it.

“You’re a terrible person and a terrible reporter,” he said before launching into a separate rant about Epstein, the convicted sex trafficker with whom he once shared a close friendship.

“As far as the Epstein files is, I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert, but I guess I turned out to be right,” he said.

He then once again claimed the entire controversy over the Epstein case files is a “Democrat hoax” before accusing Bruce — and ABC — of being “one of the perpetrators.”

“Your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. And I’ll tell you something. I’ll tell you something. I think the license should be taken away from ABC, because your news is so fake and it’s so wrong,” he said.

It was the Crown Prince’s first visit to the White House since the Khashoggi murder left Americans on both sides of the political aisle outraged, with then-former vice-president Joe Biden vowing to make Prince Mohammed a “pariah”.

Five years later, Trump happily welcomed him back to Washington for two days of activities, including a black-tie dinner planned for Tuesday and an investment forum scheduled for Wednesday.

At one point during the media availability, the president marvelled at how he was “sitting here … with a future king” and about the fact that the two of them were answering press questions.

He called the Crown Prince “a man who is respected by everybody … that doesn’t have to be doing this, really.”

“I don’t have to be doing it either. And yet we’re sitting here taking questions and there’s never been transparency like this,” he said.

Plans to reform NHS have ‘chilling echoes’ of HS2 failures, MPs warn

Plans to reform the NHS have “chilling echoes” of the failures around HS2, MPs have said as they warn Labour is at “serious risk” of not meeting its pledge to cut waiting lists.

The public accounts committee (PAC) warned that “poor practices” seen in the troubled project to build the high-speed rail link were being replicated in the health service and could lead to “wasted effort” to overhaul the NHS.

HS2 has been described by politicians as an “appalling mess” after billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money were wasted amid years-long delays.

The criticism came as MPs warned that initiatives to reduce waiting times for pre-planned care in England have not met their goals under “extremely variable” management of programmes.

MPs on the cross-party committee highlighted how billions have been spent to transform diagnostics and surgical services, yet the pace of change is still “too slow”.

The report also highlights plans to axe NHS England and absorb its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care, while reducing local health management teams, with the health department set to take responsibility for managing the initiatives to cut waiting lists.

“Unless it gets a grip on the programmes, there is a serious risk that it will not meet its target for 92 per cent of the waiting list to be treated within 18 weeks by 2029,” MPs wrote.

Sir Keir Starmer’s plan for change pledged that by July 2029, 92 per cent of patients will be seen within 18 weeks for routine hospital treatment such as hip and knee replacements.

Clive Betts, Labour MP and deputy chair of the PAC, said: “Every unnecessary day that a patient spends on an NHS waiting list is both one of increased anxiety for that person’s unresolved case, and if they are undiagnosed, a steady increasing of risk to their life.

“Every penny of funding spent to put the NHS back on a pre-pandemic footing must be precisely targeted, or the system itself becomes an obstacle to proper care.

“Unfortunately, our report establishes that billions have been poured into the system over the past few years without the requisite focus on making sure that money does what it was intended for – improving outcomes for patients.”

He also said that they are now seeing “chilling echoes of past failures on HS2” as he urged the government to provide reassurance and detail on how it hopes to take its plans forward.

MPs on the committee also raised concerns about the plans to restructure the top of the health service, amid concerns that changes are being announced “without either delivery plans or funding in place”.

Last week, health secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that thousands of NHS staff redundancies will now go ahead after funding for the estimated £1bn cost was agreed with the Treasury.

The government has already announced that headcount across both NHS England and the Department of Health will be cut by around 50 per cent, with around 18,000 administrative staff and managers, including on local health boards, set to go.

The new PAC report states: “We do not accept that it is prudent to make a major change, such as the structural changes that are being made to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and NHS England without ensuring there is funding in place to pay for the changes, and without conducting an impact assessment or taking other steps to safeguard value for money.

“These changes, especially the planned cuts to ICBs (integrated care boards), could have a significant negative impact on patients and on the healthcare workforce through the level of uncertainty they create, and because they may limit the ability of NHS organisations to plan for the future.

“We are concerned that these poor practices, previously seen with the New Hospitals Programme and the High Speed 2 programme are being replicated here and will lead to wasted effort.”

The report comes as doctors stage a five-day strike over pay – the 13th such walkout since March 2023.

Shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew told The Independent: “Wes {Streeting] has taken his eye off the ball. I imagine No 10 have grown tired of the showboating and are looking to clip his wings.”

A DHSC source told The Independent: “Waiting lists increased every year for 14 years under the Conservatives. Thanks to Labour’s investment and reforms, waiting lists have been cut for the first time in 15 years. That’s the difference Labour is making.”

“Whether it’s the staff retention crisis, Andrew Lansley’s reorganisation, or chronic underinvestment, Wes is cleaning up the mess the Tories left and rebuilding our NHS.”

A DHSC spokesperson said: “This government inherited a broken NHS, with waiting lists soaring and elective services in dire need of modernisation. This report focuses on the previous government, and we have taken immediate and robust action to tackle waiting lists and modernise elective care.

“Through record investment and modernisation, we’ve cut backlogs by more than 230,000 and smashed our target for additional appointments, delivering more than five million extra. Health service productivity is up 2.7 per cent on last year.”

Map: Where 25cm of snow is forecast to hit UK this week in Met Office warning

An amber weather warning has been issued as parts of the UK are set to see as much as 25cm of snowfall this week as temperatures plunge in the first cold snap of the winter.

The Met Office has warned that the next seven days will be “markedly colder” than it was last week, with “harsh frost” and snow expected on some days.

Parts of Yorkshire including York and Scarborough are now subject to an amber weather warning from 5am to 9pm on Thursday, with travel delays and power cuts likely.

The forecaster has issued multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice affecting parts of Scotland and northern England from Monday to Thursday, with sub-zero temperatures expected.

Three are in place on Tuesday, while four cover northern Scotland, the south west, and the east coast on Thursday. Forecasters have warned of potential snowfall in Wales, Yorkshire, and norther Scotland towards the end of the week.

It comes as yellow and amber health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency for cold weather came into place on Monday.

The amber warning is in place for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, while a yellow alert is in place for the rest of England until 8am on Saturday.

Wet weather is expected across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern and western parts of England and Wales on Tuesday.

“With that cold air we have across us, no wonder we are going to see some sleet and snow mixed in with that as well,” Met office meteorologist Alex Burkill said.

Icy patches are expected across the country on Tuesday, which may lead to some “difficult, slippery conditions”, and parts of Scotland may see snow.

He continued: “There is an area of low pressure that’s pushing its way southwards as we go through Tuesday night and into Wednesday, and that’s bringing the focus for that burst of showery rain, with a bit of sleet, bit of hill snow mixed in, but a lot of that is going to be clearing away towards the south as we go through the morning.”

Temperatures for much of the UK will be down “a couple of degrees” on Wednesday, including across the south where it will turn colder than average for this time of year.

Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree explained: “Wednesday to Friday will be the coldest part of the week, and this period has the greatest potential for impactful weather, with multiple warnings in place.

“Overnight, temperatures could get down to minus ten, with a significant wind chill from the strong northerly wind making things feel even colder.

“I’m not sure how much wintry stuff we’re going to see across the southern areas, mostly just falling as rain.”

He added: “Northern parts of Scotland seeing plenty, and also down the eastern side of England and eastern Scotland as well – plenty of these rain, sleet and snow showers.”

By Wednesday, most of the country will be under a cold Arctic airmass, with a strong and cold flow making temperatures feel colder. There are four yellow snow and ice warnings in place covering northern Scotland, the east coast from Newcastle to Hull, and southwest Wales and parts of Devon and Cornwall.

Two yellow ice warnings are in place covering the southwest and northwest and central Scotland.

Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said this would be the coldest part of the week, with temperatures expected to get down to minus ten.

Wintry snow showers are expected to extend south through Wednesday and into Thursday, mainly affecting north facing coastal areas.

Forecasters said the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds could potentially receive 15-25 cm of snow by Thursday, warning of potential disruption. Yellow snow and ice warnings remain in place for the east coast from Newcastle to Hull, northern Scotland, and southwest Wales and parts of Devon and Cornwall.

Mr Crabtree said: “With sub-zero temperatures in the first ‘cold snap’ of the year, updates to the current warnings are possible, so its important people keep up to date with the forecast.”

Home secretary tells Farage to ‘sod off’ after invite to join Reform

Shabana Mahmood has told Nigel Farage to “sod off” after he accused her of copying his policies on curbing illegal migration, even making a tongue-in-cheek offer to her to join his party.

The home secretary responded angrily to a series of jibes by the Reform leader in response to her controversial new proposals, telling Sky News: “Nigel Farage can sod off. I am not interested in anything he has to say.”

Ms Mahmood gave the same response when challenged about her proposals being backed by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, saying: “He can sod off too.”

It is the second time in less than 24 hours that the outspoken home secretary has used profane language in defending the government’s latest attempt to reduce the number of asylum seekers.

Accused in the Commons by Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson of fuelling racial tensions, Ms Mahmood, whose parents immigrated to the UK from Pakistan, shot back: “I wish I had the privilege of walking around this country and not seeing the division that the issue of migration and asylum system is creating across this country.

“Unlike him, unfortunately, I am the one that is regularly called a f***ing P*** and told to go back home.”

It came as Ms Mahmood unveiled a raft of hardline measures on Monday aimed at discouraging asylum seekers and making it easier to remove those who have no right to remain in the country.

Her retort to Mr Farage came after he had reacted to her proposals to slash immigration by releasing a provocative statement that said: “The home secretary sounds like a Reform supporter.”

Asked about his remarks, Ms Mahmood told Sky News: “I’m not really interested in anything that Nigel Farage has to say. I think that there are various individuals, at the moment, that are seeking to make mischief.”

She added: “Honestly, Nigel Farage can sod off. I’m not interested in anything he’s got to say.”

Pressed on whether she was comfortable with comparisons being made between Labour and Reform, Ms Mahmood said: “He’s making mischief, so I’m not going to let him live rent-free in my head. Just because he said something doesn’t mean to say that I have to respond to it.

She added: “The Reform Party currently has a policy to rip up indefinite leave to remain for those who have been long-term settled in our country. That is immoral. It’s deeply shameful, and it is the wrong policy.”

When asked about Tommy Robinson’s backing of Labour’s asylum plans, Ms Mahmood added: “That individual – he can sod off too.”

The home secretary’s plans have come under fierce attack from as many as 20 Labour MPs.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan, a former immigration lawyer, said that ministers’ rhetoric “encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities”, and warned: “We have taken the wrong turning.”

Mr Vaughan said that plans to review refugees’ status every few years would divert “huge amounts of resources away from making our asylum system work”.

Sarah Owen, chair of the women and equalities committee, labelled the policies “repugnant”, while Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, said the changes were “performatively cruel”, adding: “It doesn’t have to be like this. There is a better way forward, rooted in Labour values, that also ensures control at our borders.”

But Ms Mahmood has won further support from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who has vowed to back aspects of the government’s plans.

Ten compelling reasons to have your next adventure in Missouri

Missouri is the true heart of America, surrounded by eight states and roughly halfway between the north and south of the country. Known for its breathtaking national parks, sizzling barbecue, and even hotter jazz and sports scene, Missouri has more than meets the eye.

Springfield celebrates 100 years of the “Mother Road” in 2026. The birthplace of the famous 2,448-mile highway will host a music concert, vintage car parade and family events. Missouri’s Route 66 highlights include Meramec Caverns (once a hideout for the infamous Jesse James), St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park, where refurbished original neon signs are on display, and Red Oak II, which is both an art installation and living museum.

visitmo.com/in-the-spotlight/route-66

You’d be forgiven for not knowing that sliced bread was invented in Chillicothe, Missouri, which is why this charming museum celebrates the pioneers who brought sliced bread to the world in 1928. The Sliced Bread Innovation Center includes a replica of the first slicing machine and a bread-themed escape room. Located on the “Way of American Genius,” or Highway 36 as your Sat Nav might call it, the scenic 200-mile route connects picturesque towns linked with American innovation, including Walt Disney’s childhood home and the town that inspired many of Mark Twain’s novels.

thehomeofslicedbread.com

americangeniushighway.com

St. Louis Gateway Arch might be the tallest arch in the world at 192m, but it’s located in America’s smallest national park of just 91 acres. Completed in 1965 in the heart of downtown St. Louis, the arch symbolises the westward expansion of the United States. A tram of small cylindrical pods carries visitors to the apex where they’re greeted with panoramic views across the Mississippi River and state of Missouri beyond.

gatewayarch.com

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is one of Missouri’s best spots for spending the day on the water. The riverways are comprised of 134-miles of federally protected winding river, springs, caves, and forests. Wallow in the crystal-clear waters of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers and camp at the beautiful Alley Spring Campground. While you’re there, hike to see the beautiful spring and the big, red, century-old mill that sits on its bank. Go to a local outfitter to get a canoe, kayak or inflatable tube to float downstream.

nps.gov/ozar

Illegal gambling, prohibition speakeasies and a rowdy jazz scene christened Kansas City as the “Paris of the Plains” in the 1920s, but these days the grand boulevards and Beaux-Arts architecture combine with modern additions that give Kansas City a spirit of its own. Follow the bassline to 18th and Vine Jazz District or seek out a potent Rendezvous cocktail and live jazz at VOO Lounge, inside the historic Muehlebach Hotel.

vookansascity.com

Kansas City and St. Louis are known for their legendary barbecue joints, but you can get mouthwatering meals outside the big city. Roadside shacks like Missouri Hick BBQ in Cuba, Missouri, serve pulled pork and slaw on Route 66, or stop for slow cooked ribs at Wabash BBQ in Excelsior Springs, housed in the old train depot. Missouri is renowned for its spicy rub and thick, sweet and smokey tomato-based barbecue sauce, especially slathered over the “burnt ends” of beef brisket.

missourihick.com

wabashbbq.com

Known as “The Cave State,” with more than 7,500 caves hidden within its limestone rocks, Missouri’s landscape holds many treasures. At Mark Twain Cave in Hannibal, wander the subterranean labyrinths that inspired part of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Marvel Cave, located under Silver Dollar City in Branson, is the state’s deepest cave. It’s main cavern, the Cathedral Room, is so massive it once held three hot air balloons.

marktwaincave.com

With over 115 wineries and eight wine trails, you won’t get thirsty. Van Till Winery in Rayville is Missouri’s first regenerative vineyard and sustainably produces around 25 wines, including a full-bodied dry red pressed from the official state grape, Norton. Make a day of it and sip your way along the Northwest Missouri Wine Trail, visiting nine wineries nearby.

vantillfarms.com

missouriwine.org

The Pony Express, America’s first horsepowered mail delivery service, originated in Missouri, but RS Ranch Trail Rides in Bourbon offers more leisurely horseback fun. Follow outlaw trails on a native Foxtrotter horse, hop aboard a hayride, or get back to nature with a cowboy-style Chuckwagon cookout under the stars.

rsranchrides.com

Missouri and sports go together like ribs and sauce, which means baseball, hockey, American football and even soccer are a big deal. As Kansas City gears up to host World Cup 2026, you can catch a game every season at one of the state’s two professional soccer teams or many league matches. Kansas City Current proudly plays in CPKC Stadium, the first stadium in the world purpose-built for a women’s professional sports team.

kansascityfwc26.com

kansascitycurrent.com

stlcitysc.com

Trump says he will sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia

Donald Trump has announced he will be selling F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia in a major policy shift as he welcomed crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House.

It forms one of several trillion-dollar deals announced by the leaders during a friendly summit in the Oval Office on Tuesday, the first meeting since relations became strained after the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents.

It is understood that the US president is trying to nudge Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel and join the 2020 Abraham Accords, which was brokered during his first administration and saw countries such as the UAE and Bahrain establish diplomatic ties with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Asked if this had been discussed, the crown prince, often referred to as MBS, said “we want to be part of the accords”, but added that he also wants to be sure there is a clear path to a two-state solution with Palestine.

He said he had a “healthy discussion” with Mr Trump on the topic, with the president adding they had a “very good talk” about it where they talked about “one-state, two-state… a lot of things”.

The crown prince announced Saudi Arabia was increasing its planned investments in the US to $1 trillion, up from $600 billion initially promised when Mr Trump visited the kingdom in May.

The president also dismissed questions to the crown prince about the journalist Khashoggi’s killing. His death at the hands of Saudi agents in Istanbul prompted outrage worldwide, with US intelligence concluding that MBS approved his capture or killing.

Relations with the US have improved in the past seven years since Mr Khashoggi’s murder. While MBS has accepted responsibility for the killing “because it happened under my watch”, he has insisted that he did not order it.

“Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen,” Mr Trump said of the international incident.

Mr Trump, with the prince by his side, commended the Saudi leader for the strides made by the kingdom on human rights without providing any specific details. MBS is the son of the 89-year-old king, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, but is widely considered the country’s de facto leader.

“I’m very proud of the job he’s done,” Mr Trump said. “What he’s done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else.”

Mr Trump warmly received Prince Mohammed when he arrived at the White House on Tuesday morning for a pomp-filled arrival ceremony that included a military flyover and a thundering greeting from the US Marine band.

With footballer Cristiano Ronaldo also in tow, the summit is due to end with an evening White House soiree, organised by first lady Melania Trump, to honour the prince.

Mr Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi club al-Nassr, has become an important sporting ambassador for the kingdom and recently referred to the prince as his “boss”.

The Portuguese forward has not been to the US since 2014. His absence came after sexual assault allegations were made against him by model Kathryn Mayorga, who has waived her right to anonymity, during a holiday in Las Vegas in 2009.

The allegations, first detailed by German newspaper Der Spiegel in 2017, have always been vehemently denied by Mr Ronaldo, and no charges have ever been brought.

The footballer recently praised Mr Trump in an interview with Piers Morgan.

He said: “He is one of the guys who can help to change the world. One of the most important guys is the US president.”

He added: “He is one of the guys I wish to meet to sit and have a nice talk. If it is here, or in the US, wherever he wants, I know he was here in Saudi with our boss MBS.”

Sales of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia mark a major policy shift, while also having a significant impact on the balance of military power in the Middle East, particularly in an era of high tensions between Israel – the only country in the region to currently own F-35s – and its neighbours.

The Saudi government has requested to buy 48 of the jets, which are produced by Lockheed Martin, despite concerns from the Pentagon that giving Riyadh access to the jets could lead to China being given access to their advanced and sensitive stealth technology.

A coalition of 11 human rights groups, ahead of the crown prince’s visit, called on the Trump administration to use its leverage to press Saudi authorities to make concrete commitments on human rights and press freedom during the visit.

The activists say Saudi authorities continue to harshly repress dissent, including by arresting human rights defenders, journalists, and political dissidents for criticism against the kingdom.

Human rights organisations have also documented a surge in executions in Saudi Arabia that they connect to an effort to suppress internal dissent.

British national among five tourists killed during snowstorm in Chile

A British national is among five tourists killed in a powerful snowstorm in Chile‘s Torres del Paine National Park, in the southern region of Patagonia.

Four more who were reported missing had been found alive in the remote area, amid heavy snowfall and winds reaching up to 120mph.

Two Germans, two Mexicans and one British national were killed, authorities said, adding the harsh weather was making it difficult to recover the bodies.

Jose Antonio Ruiz, the presidential delegate for Chile’s southern Magallanes region, said talks had begun with the representatives from the victims’ countries of origin so their bodies could be repatriated.

“I extend my deepest condolences,” President Gabriel Boric said on social media in a message to victims’ families. “Know that you have the full support and collaboration of Chilean authorities and institutions during these difficult times.”

Guillermo Ruiz, presidential delegate for the province of Ultima Esperanza, said the tourists became lost near the national park’s Los Perros camp, reachable only by a four- to five-hour trek from the closest accessible point by vehicle.

The area was struck by a snowstorm, causing whiteout conditions with fierce wind speeds surpassing 193kph (120mph), equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.

The Torres del Paine National Park, with its jutting mountain tops and subpolar forests, spans about 1,810 square kilometres (700 square miles) and hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.