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FORMER Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has made a shock career change after retiring from football.

The German-born Wold Cup winner has entered the world of POLITICS.

Ozil has become a member of Turkey’s ruling AK Party’s central council at a congress meeting in Ankara.

The legendary midfielder was one of 39 new appointees into a key decision-making body called the Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK).

Ozil, who ended his club career with Istanbul Basaksehir, has been a longtime supporter of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Tens of thousands gathered in a sports hall grand congress as Erdogan secured his ninth re-election as AKP’s leader.

The congress was attended by 31 representatives from 16 political parties across 13 countries, along with 62 ambassadors and 34 mission representatives

In 2019, Ozil chose Conservative leader Erdogan as the best man at his wedding to Amine Gulse, a former Miss Turkey.

His association with Erdogan has previously sparked controversy.

A 2018 photo of Ozil and fellow German star Ilkay Gundogan alongside Erdogan triggered a political backlash in Germany.

Ozil, previously held up as a symbol of a multicultural Germany, retired from the German national team soon after.

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He accused fans of racism saying: “I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose.”

The third-generation Turkish-German was born in Gelsenkirchen and was a key member of his country’s 2014 World Cup-winning side.

He won 92 caps and was voted the national team’s player of the year five times since 2011 by fans.

Now, with his political career taking shape, Ozil is set to play a new role within Turkish politics under Erdogan’s leadership.

But in his prime, he was regarded as one of football’s best playmakers.

Ozil scooped trophies with Werder Bremen, Madrid and Arsenal during a glittering club career.

SCENES featuring One Direction star Liam Payne could be drastically cut back in the upcoming series of boyband search, Building the Band.

I understand bosses at Netflix are trying to find a way that the singer can remain as a presence in the final edit of the show when it drops on the streaming service later this year.

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Scenes featuring One Direction star Liam Payne could be drastically cut back in the upcoming series of boyband search, Building the Band[/caption]

He signed up to be a guest judge on the contest and filmed his section in the UK last year, just months before he died in tragic circumstances in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October.

But the streaming giant wants to avoid a backlash from viewers, who might think that having him feature in the show too much is insensitive or in poor taste.

A TV insider said: “The feeling among execs at Netflix is that they want to err on the side of caution, and if that means having Liam in the least amount of scenes possible then that’s the step they’re willing to take.

“They want to strike the right balance between having him feature in the show, doing the thing he loved, with having him feature too much, which would be a lot for his loved ones to contend with.

“Discussions are ongoing with Liam’s family, and their views are a crucial consideration for Netflix.

“But fans may be surprised by how little he ends up featuring in the finished series.

“The one option they probably don’t have is to remove him entirely from the show, even if they wanted to, because he’s an intrinsic part of the process the boy bands go through on the series.”

Those close to Liam’s family were surprised that Netflix confirmed in January that Building The Band would air later this year.

They thought they would have a final say on the show and that discussions were ongoing.

Netflix were approached for comment.

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Liam died in tragic circumstances in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October[/caption]

LOZZA IN THE MAD HOUSES

FRESH from the jungles of Costa Rica on Netflix’s Celeb Bear Hunt, Laurence Llewellyn Bowen is returning to his creature comforts with another round of his Channel 4 series.

The king of interior design will be back to explore more wild, weird and wonderful houses in a second series of Outrageous Homes.

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Laurence Llewellyn Bowen is back for a second series of Outrageous Homes[/caption]

In it, Laurence discovers what inspires homeowners to be different by banishing all things bland, and uncovers the hard work put in to finish each project.

He said: “Twenty-eight years ago when I filmed the first episode of Changing Rooms, I suspected this nation wasn’t the aesthetic blandscape it appeared to be.

“Now, with Season Deux (The Glampire Strikes Back), I’ll be up to the armpits in weird.

Applications to appear on the series are open now.

NAT APPY TO CHAT

FILMING for EastEnders, joining Beeb comedy Boarders and starting a consumer series might keep Natalie Cassidy busy but she still has time for her fans.

In fact, she texts them.

BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Natalie Cassidy talks to fans over WhatsApp[/caption]

Natalie, who plays Sonia Fowler on the soap, tells listeners on her podcast Life With Nat to text on WhatsApp.

She told the Monday Mile podcast: “I get messages every day, it’s like a real community.

“I text them back.

“Not all of them, or you could be doing it all day, but I will reply, ‘Thanks’, and they’re like, ‘Is this really you’ – so if I have time, I put voice notes in.

“I want people to feel part of it.”

Natalie will leave Albert Square this year, and will play an eccentric maths teacher in Boarders, and host consumer series What’s The Big Deal.

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

What’s in a name? Apparently a lot for these Hollywood stars, who’ve been bidding adieu to their famous monikers. For as long as most can remember, stage names have been a common practice in Hollywood. Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm) changed her moniker to appear more theatrical. Elton John (a.k.a. Reginald Kenneth Dwight) ditched […]

Mike Flanagan has proven himself a master of horror stories with several hit shows and movies under his belt. Altough Flanagan is best known for his work on The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, his filmography remains criminally underrated with movies like Oculus and Hush being some of the best […]

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New Delhi, Feb 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Virat Kohli’s masterful unbeaten century against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy left cricket fans in awe, as social media erupted in celebration of yet another clutch performance by the...

The post ‘King Kohli delivers again’: Fans erupt as India beat Pakistan in CT 2025 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Nepo baby Patrick Schwarzenegger insists he made it to Thailand without his parents' help.

Spend a few minutes on popular social media platforms and you might not find a single positive comment regarding the Phoenix Suns right now. 

DANCING On Ice fans have hit out at the judging panel after disagreeing with them on the scores given for one couple.

Fans of the show were up in arms and quick to slam the judges for ‘overscoring’ Mollie Pearce.

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Mollie Pearce skated with Colin Grafton once again on Dancing On Ice tonight[/caption]

Asking “are they watching something different?” after Mollie and Colin took to the ice, fans didn’t agree with the 35.5 score the pair nabbed.

For Musical Week, Mollie & Colin skated to Mamma Mia! and received three scores of 9.0.

The pair did the headbanger during their routine, which is always met with baited breath – but the pair smashed it.

Although the couple seamlessly carried out the risky headbanger, fans didn’t agree with their high score.

Ashley gave the pair 9.0, Oti followed suit with a score of 9.0, and so did Jayne who gave 9.0, while Chris gave the pair 8.5.

After he scores were given, fans rushed to social media to fume over the high scores dished out to Mollie and Colin by the judges.

Fans were disappointed with the high scores the couple received, with many quick to say how Mollie needed to skate on her own more.

One person on X said: “Overmarked I think, not much solo skating for me. Pretty sure they told her last week they wanted to see more solo skating #dancingonice.”

A second then echoed: “I love Mollie but that was overmarked #dancingonice #doi.”

“Mollie still being carried around and scores 9s! How she keeps getting through week after week beats me,” penned a third.

“9.0 for Mollie and Colin. Are they watching something different?!” asked a fourth.

While a fifth pleaded: “Ice skate on your own mollie please… the others get told why dont she…”

And a sixth added: “I agree with Chris about Mollie – there were a few jolty moments I loved the Headbanger though and Mollie & Colin are a brilliant couple.”

ANTONY has continued his stunning form since joining Real Betis – leaving Manchester United fans furious.

The Brazilian, 24, notched up another assist as Betis took on Getafe in LaLiga on Sunday.

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Antony has bagged another assist for Real Betis[/caption]

Antony joined the Spanish side last month on loan from the Red Devils.

The £85million flop infamously left Old Trafford after clocking up more yellow cards than goals over the past three seasons.

But he looks like a player reborn under Manuel Pelligrini at Betis.

Antony has netted three times since heading to Spain on loan, bagging three Player of the Match awards in the process.

And he turned provider for pal Isco during Sunday’s contest at Getafe’s Coliseum.

Antony picked up the ball well inside his own half, beating two men for pace as he burst forward.

The Brazilian cut back onto his left foot, before finding Isco in the box with a perfect pass.

Former Real Madrid star Isco did the rest, giving Antony his second assist since leaving Old Trafford.

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One Man Utd fan raged: “This is getting out of hand, Antony is actually cooking in La Liga.”

Another said: “Antony deserves an apology. My man is on fire. POTM for sure atm.”

While a third claimed: “Something must be in the waters in Old Trafford.”

And a fourth joked: “Love the look of this Antony, we should sign him!”

Antony now has more goals and assists for Betis in six games than he managed in his last 41 for United.

The 24-year-old appears to have immediately settled in Spain.

And he puts his success down to being happy, suggesting he feels more calm and at ease in Betis.

Antony told AS: “I’ve had a great time in Manchester too, I won two titles and I’m very grateful.

“But when I say that I’ve found myself here, I’m happy, the people are like us in Brazil. The sun helps a lot.

“I’m very happy here. I wake up every day with a smile and that’s very important.

“I have a lot of friends who played here and they left me very calm so that I could sign here.

“I was sure in my heart that coming here was the best decision for me. I hope to continue like this.”

Cucuzza’s sons, Lou Jr. and Rob, now run the visiting and home clubhouses, respectively, at the Stadium.