Chelsea have agreed a season-long loan deal with Roma for Romelu Lukaku, the PA news agency understands. The Serie A side will pay £8million to take the wantaway striker for a year as a solution to the stand-off between player and club appears finally to be in sight. PA understands that there is no obligation for the club to make the deal permanent. The uncertainty surrounding Lukaku, who joined Chelsea for £97.5m in 2021 but scored only eight Premier League goals in 26 games before being loaned out to Inter Milan last season, has hung over the early weeks of Mauricio Pochettino’s time in charge. The manager hinted last week that he would be willing to consider reintegrating the Belgium international into his squad if no deal for him to leave could be reached before Friday’s transfer deadline. But that impasse was averted on Monday night after a deal was struck for the 30-year-old, who spent three years on Chelsea’s books between 2011-14 but made just 10 appearances between loan spells at West Brom and Everton, to join up with ex-Blues boss Jose Mourinho in the Italian capital. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Vladimir Putin was reportedly left “paralysed” when the Wagner coup began and no orders were given that day. The mercenary group launched its short-lived mutiny on 24 June, driving its forces towards the Kremlin and preaching open rebellion against Russia’s military leadership – only to abandon its mission just hours later. Now, security officials from Ukraine and other parts of Europe have spoken out, claiming the Russian president was unable to act when he first heard the news. According to intelligence assessments shared with the Washington Post, Mr Putin got a warning from Russian security services that the leader of the Wagner Group Yevgeniy Prigozhin was possibly planning a rebellion, two or three days before it began. But while security was increased at some strategic facilities, such as the Kremlin, including increasing the presidential guard and handing out more weapons, no other action was taken in response to the threat. One European security official, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Washington Post: “Putin had time to take the decision to liquidate [the rebellion] and arrest the organisers. “Then when it began to happen, there was paralysis on all levels … There was absolute dismay and confusion. For a long time, they did not know how to react.” This account of the standoff, which is being viewed as one of the most severe threats to Mr Putin’s presidency in 23 years of his rule, has reportedly been corroborated by officials in Western governments. It’s also consistent with the public comments from William J. Burns, the CIA director, who said that for the majority of the 36 hours when the coup was happening, the military, security services and decision-makers “appeared to be adrift”. According to the analysis, Mr Putin’s indecision shows his fear of countering a warlord like Mr Prigozhin. The Wagner Group leader had played an essential role in the Kremlin’s global ambitions, having previously run troll farms which disseminated disinformation in the US and paramilitary operations in the Middle East and Africa. He then took up the Wagner leader position in the war against Ukraine. But Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, denied the “paralysis” claims, telling the Washington Post, they were made by “people who have zero information”. European security officials added that Mr Putin’s lack of direction meant local officials were then left to decide what to do. Acting without any clear orders, local military decided not to try to stop the Wagner troops, which were heavily armed, as they advanced towards Moscow. Such lack of action led some people to believe the Wagner troops were acting with at least some agreement from the Kremlin. This was despite Mr Putin’s televised address on 24 June saying he promised there would be tough action against the rebels. The way the events unfolded also shows serious cracks and a worsening divide in Russia’s military and security over how the Ukraine war is being handled. Many individuals in the upper sections of the military and security services have reportedly shown support for Mr Prigozhin’s efforts to overturn Russia’s military leadership. Critics of Russia’s president say his lack of direction during the rebellion has left him a lot weaker. Former colonel in the Russian security services and now an opposition politician in exile, Gennady Gudkov, told the Washington Post: “Putin showed himself to be a person who is not able to make serious, important and quick decisions in critical situations. He just hid.” A month after the coup, thousands of Wagner group mercenaries have arrived in Belarus, prompting Nato member Poland to reinforce its eastern border against the “potential threat” they pose. Between 3,450 and 3,650 soldiers have travelled to a camp close to Asipovichy, a town 230 kilometres (140 miles) north of the Ukrainian border, according to Belaruski Hajun, an activist group that tracks troop movements within the country. Read More Why are Wagner mercenaries in Belarus – and would they try to invade Poland? Russia-Ukraine war – live: Putin launches fresh drone strikes on Kyiv as air raid sirens wail across capital Putin signs off law banning Russians from changing gender in latest blow to LGBT+ community The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary

Adele stopped in the middle of her performance to defend a fan who appeared to be getting a telling off from security. During her 'Weekends With Adele' Las Vegas residency show at Caesars Palace on Saturday night (25 August), the singer abruptly paused her performance of 2015 song 'Water Under the Bridge,' when noticed the commotion around fan Juan P. Lastra. "Look behind you, everybody's upset," the security guard told Lastra, who was standing up and filming himself with a selfie stick. To which Lastra's pal beside them asked: "We can sing though, right?" It was by this point, the conversation caught the attention of Adele herself as she stopped singing and asked: "What is going on there with that young fan who’s been bothered so much since I came on for standing up?" @juanp_lastra Adele thank you so much for this breathtaking night and for standing up for me, so that I could live your concert as it should be. I’m also sorry that I didnt respond back to anyrhing you asked me. you started talking to me and I literally stopped breathing. I had been planning to come to this concert for over a year and I finally had the opportunity to come see most beautiful glorious woman this earth has gotten. I still can not wrap my head around the fact that I was in the same room as ADELE, sang every song with her, and she even stopped the show to defend me. I did not expected everyone in my section to be mad at me for having the time of my life and wanting to stand up and sing with her but I honestly did not care at all about what anyone was saying to me I just was in awe with the master piece I was watching with my own eyes. I did not have time for them haters. @Adele Access #adele #weekendswithadele #lasvegas #ceasarspalace?? “What’s going on with him? Yes, you, with your hand up, yes you!” "Why are you all bothering him?” Adele once again. “Can you leave him alone, please? They won’t bother you anymore, darling. You enjoy the show. Leave him alone.” Another security guard then came over to Lastra and reassured him: "You don't have to sit down, you're fine," and told the other two security guards: "It's all done" and signalled for them to leave. "Sorry, guys. He’s been bothered the whole show by security and other people sitting behind him. He’s here to have fun. All of you are here to have fun," Adele added. “Let’s start again,” she then said as she began to sing 'Water Under the Bridge' once again from the top. Since then, clips of the moment have been going viral on social media, including the video from Lastra himself who recorded what happened from his selfie stick. Posting to TikTok, he said: "Adele thank you so much for this breathtaking night and for standing up for me so that I could live your concert as it should be." "I’m also sorry that I didn't respond back to anything you asked me. you started talking to me and I literally stopped breathing." Lastra noted how he had been planning to attend this Adele show for over a year and "did not expect everyone in my section to be mad at me for having the time of my life and wanting to stand up and sing with her." He added that he "honestly did not care at all about what anyone was saying to me," and "did not have time for them haters" instead he was just "in awe" of Adele's performance. Many people have also sent messages of support to Lastra and said they too would have been standing up to sing and dance at the show. One person said: "CAUSE WHY ARE THEY ALL SITTING DOWN??? I would stand up too and vibe with adele" "I saw the other POV first and this legit made my cry!! Shows are meant for SINGING, STANDING AND DANCING!! GO OFF KING," another person wrote. A third person added: "I’m so happy you didn’t let those people bring you down and adele stood up for you." "Why do people come to concerts to sit and be boring!?!? I will never understand!! Sing your heart out king!" a fourth person commented. Someone else replied: "I like how once Adele started talkin the security guard DIPPED. Like no no. Tell her what you were sayin." It's not the first time an artist has defended a fan from security during a live performance, Taylor Swift previously went viral after she told security to stop bothering fans while she performed 'Bad Blood' on her Eras Tour. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings

Despite its attempted rework, Apex Legends Ranked Reloaded has only further exacerbated the problems with matchmaking, players say.

In late July, a programmer at Estonia’s CoinsPaid, the world’s biggest crypto payment provider, met over video link

While the film showcases the familiar action sequences, there's a notable difference behind the scenes, the use of rubber guns instead of real firearms

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has backed England to complete a “remarkable” double by winning the World Cup. Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses face Spain in Sydney on Sunday morning hoping to add the most coveted title of all to their Euro 2022 success, and Magpies head coach Howe is firmly in their corner as they provide fresh inspiration for future generations. Asked if the success of the England team was good for football in general in this country, he said: “One hundred per cent, I’ve got no doubts about that. “When you look at the people that I interact with on a daily basis at the training ground or around Newcastle, a lot of those people will be young girls who are Newcastle fans, and that’s great to see. “A lot of that is down to the success of the women’s team recently, and long may that continue because we want it to be a game for everybody. “I was at the Euro final and loved that experience. The atmosphere was an amazing thing. I took my boys to the game and they loved it – that’s one of their best memories. “I certainly hope they can do it. Winning the World Cup off the back of the Euros would be a remarkable achievement for a similar group of players and the manager, so I wish them all the best.” Wiegman, who led her native Netherlands to Euro 2017 glory and the 2019 World Cup final, has enhanced her reputation since taking up the Football Association’s offer of employment to prompt suggestions she could thrive in the men’s game. Howe said: “Just look at the job she has done – I think it’s been remarkable. She’s very calm. I actually really enjoy watching her on the sideline. She never gets flustered, always calm. “I’m always looking at her thinking she’s thinking and analysing what to do next. A lot of the time when I’m watching games, I’m trying to put myself in the manager’s shoes. I think she’s done an incredible job.”

Epic Games dropped a teaser for Fortnite Ranked Play, a competitive playlist with eight different ranks for players to progress through as they win matches.

Looking for Unsullied Hearts in V Rising? Here's what you need to know.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has made a surprise visit to Ukraine, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and touring the war-torn country as it fights Russian aggression

Brad Pitt's role as the drifter JD in 1991's ‘Thelma & Louise’ was one of his first prominent roles and shot him to fame

How to replace Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan in your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) teams, picking out which defenders could come in for the South American.