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UK couple freed from Taliban captivity struggle to adjust to life back home

In September, the Taliban freed Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a couple who had been held in captivity for approximately seven and a half months.

Following their seven-and-a-half-month detention by the Taliban in Afghanistan, a British couple has spoken about the significant cultural adjustment they have experienced since returning to the UK.

Barbie Reynolds and Peter Reynolds sitting on a sofa in the BBC Newsnight studio — Barbie and Peter Reynolds were released by the Taliban in September

Peter, 80, and his wife Barbie Reynolds, 76, stated that they were not informed of the reasons behind their detention or their subsequent release in September.

The couple, who have been operating a charity program in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, shared with BBC Newsnight that their experience in the UK over the past five months has been vastly different from their previous life.

According to Barbie, their ordeal has had a profound impact on them, saying, "Our experiences, particularly over the past year, have changed us and influenced the way we think and perceive things."

She added that their perspective has shifted, and they now view things differently than they did before their detention.

During their time in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province, Barbie adhered to local customs by wearing a Hijab at all times and was not permitted to venture out in public without her husband.

Barbie noted the stark contrast in freedom between the two countries, stating, "The level of freedom here is striking, with people having the ability to dress as they choose and move about freely."

The couple's detention began on 1 February 2025, after they took a chartered flight from Kabul to Bamiyan province with their friend Faye Hall and a translator, who were later released.

The Taliban claimed that the couple had violated Afghan laws and were released after a judicial process, but the reason for their initial detention remains unclear.

The couple's release was facilitated through Qatari mediation, but Peter expressed that the circumstances surrounding their detention remain "a complete mystery" to them.

The couple, who married in Kabul in 1970, previously reported being held in 10 different prisons and, at one point, feared they would be executed.

Peter recounted the uncertainty he faced during their separation, saying, "I was unsure if Barbie was still alive."

Barbie described the harsh conditions she endured, sharing a prison block with 240 women and noting the presence of numerous other blocks housing women and 40 children.

The prison conditions were cramped, with inadequate toilet facilities and frequent issues with the showers and drains, according to Barbie.

During Ramadan, Barbie received one meal per day, and although the quantity of food remained the same after Ramadan, it was divided into two meals.

As a result of the poor living conditions, Barbie became malnourished and developed anemia, with Peter noting that she appeared to have aged significantly when they were reunited.

Barbie's health declined to the point where she struggled to walk and became quite ill.

Taliban officials maintained that the couple received proper medical care and were treated in accordance with their human rights during their detention.

One of the prisons where the couple was held was Pul-e-Charkhi, a maximum-security facility near Kabul that houses some of the country's most dangerous criminals.

For two months, they were held in basement cells without windows, but in the final weeks of their detention, they were moved to an area with better living conditions, where they received kind treatment and access to improved food.

Peter expressed shock at Barbie's condition when they were reunited after months apart.

He described her as appearing much older than her 76 years, saying she seemed to be in her 90s and struggled with walking due to her frailty.

The couple has expressed a desire to forgive those responsible for their detention, with Peter stating that they wish to "hug" their captors.

Peter emphasized that he does not hold a grudge against those who imprisoned them, saying, "I'd want them to know that I'm not holding any resentment towards them."

He also expressed his willingness to continue working with the Afghan government, stating that his goal is to benefit the people of the country.

The couple extended a message of hope to Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who were detained by the Taliban in January 2025.

Barbie urged them to remain hopeful, saying, "Hang in there, don't lose your hope."

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Hull City Match Marred by Discriminatory Chants, Multiple Arrests Made

Authorities have taken individuals into custody in connection with reported instances of discriminatory chanting that occurred during the FA Cup fourth round contest between Hull City and Chelsea.

The crowd at Hull City's match against Chelsea was cautioned about engaging in discriminatory chanting, which occurred during the team's loss.

Following multiple arrests at the FA Cup fourth-round match between Hull City and Chelsea, a fan group denounced homophobic chanting, labeling it a "blemish on the sport".

A warning was issued over the public address system during the first half of the game at Hull City's MKM Stadium, notifying spectators that discriminatory chanting would not be tolerated and that CCTV footage was being reviewed.

In the second half, it was confirmed that action had been taken against those responsible, resulting in arrests.

The exact number of arrests was not disclosed by the club, and Humberside police have been contacted by BBC Sport for further information.

A message displayed on the stadium's screens read: "Discriminatory chanting has been reported from the crowd. This behavior is unacceptable and must stop immediately."

This incident occurred a day after Hull City released a statement on Thursday emphasizing that chanting of a homophobic, racist, or discriminatory nature would not be accepted and would result in severe consequences.

The club stated that fans found engaging in such behavior would face immediate removal from the stadium, potential banning orders, and possible prosecution.

Chelsea Pride, the official LGBTQ+ supporter group of Chelsea, issued a statement condemning the homophobic chanting directed at their supporters, describing it as "completely unacceptable".

The group acknowledged Hull City's efforts to address the issue, including making stadium announcements, monitoring CCTV, and making arrests, emphasizing that taking action and holding individuals accountable is crucial.

Chelsea Pride expressed concern that such chanting still occurs in 2026, considering it a "blemish on the sport".

Chelsea, a Premier League team, secured a 4-0 victory over their Championship opponents, advancing to the fifth round.

Chelsea's manager, Liam Rosenior, stated that he was unaware of the chanting during the game, focusing on the match instead, but emphasized that discriminatory language is unacceptable and should be addressed.

Rosenior mentioned that the fourth official had informed him about an issue, but he was too focused on the game to be aware of the details.

Hull City's manager, Sergej Jakirovic, condemned the behavior, stating that it has no place in the stadium or in public, and supported the arrests made.

Jakirovic emphasized that the stadium is not an appropriate setting for such behavior, which is why those responsible were arrested.

For the latest updates on your favorite team, visit BBC Sport.

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Shaidorov Claims Gold as Malinin Stumbles Twice in Free Skate Upset

A major upset occurred at the 2026 Winter Olympics as 21-year-old Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan secured the gold medal in men’s figure skating, while top contender Ilia Malinin of the USA finished eighth, having stumbled twice during his free skate program.

In a stunning upset at the 2026 Winter Olympics, 21-year-old Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov claimed the top spot in men's figure skating, while American Ilia Malinin, a strong contender, finished eighth after a disappointing performance that included two falls during his free skate.

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Manchester City dominate to raise the bar in the WSL

Manchester City delivered a dominant performance, defeating Leicester 6-0 and establishing a high benchmark in the WSL, with the bottom-placed team unable to contain their opponents.

Manchester City is on track to secure its first Women's Super League title since 2016, with a strong performance this season.

According to Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz, motivation is not an issue for his players, who are well aware of their position in the league and their accomplishments.

Jeglertz expressed his admiration for his team's display, stating that he was impressed and proud of their efforts.

These comments followed a convincing 6-0 victory over Leicester City, which allowed Manchester City to reclaim its 11-point lead at the top of the Women's Super League.

This season, Manchester City has won 14 out of 16 matches, including all nine home league games, with the only dropped points coming from defeats at Stamford Bridge and Emirates Stadium against the reigning WSL and European champions.

After a surprise loss to Arsenal the previous Sunday, Manchester City bounced back with an outstanding performance against Leicester, demonstrating their ability to respond to setbacks.

Although the teams chasing Manchester City have at least one game in hand, the gap between them remains significant, with Manchester United trailing by 11 points, Chelsea by 12, and Arsenal by 13.

As the season progresses, it appears unlikely that any of the chasing teams will be able to catch up with Manchester City and prevent them from claiming their second WSL title.

Despite scoring six goals against Leicester, Manchester City may feel that they could have scored even more, given their dominant performance.

The team's statistics were impressive, with 31 shots on goal, 15 on target, an xG of 4.61, and 232 passes in the final third, all of which are the highest totals for a WSL team this season.

The win over Leicester increased Manchester City's goal difference to +34, nearly twice as good as Manchester United's +18, and brought their total goals for the season to 47, averaging 2.94 per game.

Lauren Hemp had a notable performance against Leicester, delivering 14 crosses and taking four shots.

Manchester City's commitment to excellence is exemplified by Lauren Hemp's attitude, as she provided two assists and created 11 chances for her teammates, earning her the player of the match award.

When asked about her satisfaction with the game, Hemp replied, "I'm happy to have contributed, but I think I need to work on my shooting – I didn't score a goal." However, she expressed overall happiness with the team's performance.

"We're really pleased with the result," Hemp said. "The whole team is confident, and everyone is contributing, including the substitutes."

Having missed out on a Champions League spot last season, Manchester City has played 22 games in all competitions this season, whereas their rivals have played more, with Chelsea having played 25, Arsenal 27, and Manchester United 28 by the end of the weekend.

The extra rest appears to have benefited the squad, particularly star striker Khadija Shaw, who has scored 15 league goals this season, surpassing her total of 12 from the previous campaign.

Despite the upcoming Asia Cup and the potential departure of key players like Yui Hasegawa, Manchester City seems well-equipped to succeed, with record signing Sam Coffey making an impressive debut start in midfield.

Former Manchester City captain Steph Houghton, commenting on Sky Sports, noted the team's determination to succeed this season.

Houghton observed that being at the top of the league with a significant points difference can bring added pressure, and players may feel this pressure in the days following a loss, such as the one to Arsenal.

However, Houghton felt that Manchester City's response to the setback was perfect.

With six games remaining, Manchester City needs 12 points to secure the title, and if results go in their favor, they could potentially win it at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 29.

This achievement might be enough to satisfy Jeglertz and his ambitious group of players.

The Women's Football Weekly podcast, hosted by Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie, returns for another season, with new episodes available every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, along with interviews and additional content from the Women's Super League.

For the latest news and updates on the Women's Super League, visit the dedicated page.