Former pope Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff to resign in some 600 years, has died aged 95. Pope Francis, who replaced him as head of the Catholic Church, had asked the faithful to pray for him at the end of his general audience on Wednesday morning. The Vatican said Benedict’s body will lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica from …

Having failed to secure interest from any significant football club in Europe,  CRISTIANO RONALDO has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr to become the highest-paid sportsperson EVER. The Portuguese superstar – who has been a free agent since his Manchester United contract was ripped up last month – will earn £173MILLION a year in the Middle East. Cristiano Ronaldo has …

Former President Donald Trump’s tax returns have been released, ending a bitter six-year long battle to gain greater insights into his finances. Ever since his entry into politics, critics have been keen to get Mr Trump – whose foundational pitch to voters had been that his money kept him immune to the special interests and bribes that make politicians dirty …

Pele began his football career at Brazilian side Santos in 1956 He joined the club at 15, making his senior debut in 1956. He’d go on to score 643 goals over 19 years in a golden era for Santos. He was player of the tournament four years later, as Brazil assembled one of the greatest sides ever and lifted the …

Brazilian football star Pele has died at the age of 82, his agent has told the Associated Press. The former Santos FC star, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, had been at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo since 29 November. A medical report just before Christmas showed that he needed care for cardiac and …

CHELSEA are willing to pay the £105MILLION release clause of World Cup star Enzo Fernandez in the January window. Benfica midfielder Fernandez, 21, shone for Argentina in Qatar, winning Young Player of the Tournament as they defeated France in the final on penalties earlier this month. Enzo Fernandez has a release clause worth £105millionCredit: Getty Liverpool and Manchester United are also …

The US has announced new Covid-19 testing requirements for all travellers from China, joining other nations imposing restrictions due to a surge of infections in the country. The rise in cases across China follows the rollback of its strict “zero Covid” policies, which kept infection rates low but fuelled public frustration and crushed economic growth. Beginning January 5, all travellers to the US from …

At least 61 deaths have been linked to a severe storm that continues to batter the US and Canada. The US has recorded 57 fatalities, with a further four dead after a bus rolled over on icy roads in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Of the US deaths, 25 are from Erie County in the state of New York, …

EDOUARD MENDY snubbed a six-year contract offer  — because Chelsea are not showing him enough “respect” over wages. The Senegalese keeper has been back training with his club since last week after reaching the World Cup last 16 —  but there is still no sign of an agreement. Mendy, 30, earns around £100,000 a week and wants parity with his Blues rival Kepa Arrizabalaga who picks up …

CHELSEA are on the verge of signing striker David Datro Fofana from Molde. The Ivorian is having a medical today and will sign for the Blues for £10.5million. And the news does not stop there for Todd Boehly’s side, who are also set to complete the signing of Brazilian wonderkid Andrey Santos. The midfielder has been identified by the new …