Cambridge University’s wealthiest college is putting the long-term lease of London’s O2 arena up for sale.

Sky News has learnt that Trinity College has instructed property advisers to begin sounding out prospective investors about a deal.

Trinity, which ranks among Britain’s biggest landowners, acquired the site in 2009 for a reported £24m.

The O2, which shrugged off its ‘white elephant’ status in the aftermath of its disastrous debut in 2000, has since become one of the world’s leading entertainment venues.

Operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group, it has played host to a wide array of music, theatrical and sporting events over nearly a quarter of a century.

The opportunity to acquire the 999-year lease is likely to appeal to long-term income investment funds, with real estate funds saying they expected it to fetch tens of millions of pounds.

Trinity College bought the lease from Lend Lease and Quintain, the property companies which had taken control of the Millennium Dome site in 2002 for nothing.

The college was founded by Henry VIII in 1546 and has amassed a vast property portfolio.

It was unclear on Friday why it had decided to call in advisers at this point to undertake a sale process.

Trinity College Cambridge did not respond to two requests for comment.

Downing Street has indicated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived on British soil following an international arrest warrant being issued for him.

On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defence secretary Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in Gaza.

The UK government was reluctant to commit to saying Netanyahu would be arrested if he came to the UK but Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman said the government would “fulfil its legal obligations” in relation to the arrest warrant.

“The UK will always comply with its legal obligations as set out by domestic law, and indeed international law,” he said.

He added the domestic process linked to ICC arrest warrants has never been used to date by the UK because the country has never been visited by anyone wanted by the international court.

Earlier on Friday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it “wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment” on the processes involved as the ICC is independent, although the UK is a member.

She told Sky News: “We’ve always respected the importance of international law, but in the majority of the cases that they pursue, they don’t become part of the British legal process.

“What I can say is that obviously, the UK government’s position remains that we believe the focus should be on getting a ceasefire in Gaza.”

However, Emily Thornberry, Labour chair of the foreign affairs committee in parliament, told Sky News: “If Netanyahu comes to Britain, our obligation under the Rome Convention would be to arrest him under the warrant from the ICC.

“Not really a question of should, we are required to because we are members of the ICC.”

After winning July’s election the government said it would not oppose the ICC’s right to issue the warrants.

Ireland, France and Italy have signalled they would arrest Netanyahu if he came to their countries.

Asked if police would arrest the Israeli leader in Ireland, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Yes, absolutely. We support international courts and we apply their warrants.”

Germany said it would make a decision if Netanyahu came to Germany but said it is one of the “biggest supporters of the ICC”, partly as a result of history.

A German government spokesman said: “At the same time, it is a consequence of German history that we share unique relations and a great responsibility with Israel.”

An ICC arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al Masri, the mastermind behind the 7 October attacks in Israel, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel claims Al Masri was killed earlier this year but the ICC said that has not been confirmed, so it was issuing the arrest warrant.

Netanyahu’s office said the warrants against him and Gallant were “antisemitic” and said Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions”.

Neither Israel nor the US are members of the ICC. Israel has rejected the court’s jurisdiction and denies committing war crimes in Gaza.

Read more:
What satellite images tell us about North Gaza
Hamas ready for Gaza ceasefire ‘immediately’

US President Joe Biden described the warrants against Israeli leaders as “outrageous”, adding: “Whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas.”

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were a “mark of shame” for the ICC.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the ICC’s decision sent a “terrible message”.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday he would invite Netanyahu to visit Hungary and he would guarantee the arrest warrant would “not be observed”.

The ICC originally said it was seeking arrest warrants for the three men in May for the alleged crimes and on Thursday announced that it had rejected challenges by Israel and issued warrants of arrest.

In its update, the ICC said it found “reasonable grounds to believe” that Netanyahu and Gallant “bear criminal responsibility” for alleged crimes.

These, the court said, include “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts”.

It is the first time a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice.

It’s November and the fantasy baseball offseason is, pardon the pun, in full swing. Right now, most sports fans are devoting the majority of their attention to the NFL, NBA and NHL, where the games (both real and fantasy) take center stage — and understandably so.

So, perhaps you’re only hearing about the latest baseball buzz in passing, if at all. That’s perfectly fine. We’re paying attention to what’s going on and are here to let you know about the top stories of the past week. Are they something you need to file away for Draft Day or are they likely to have little impact when all is said and done?

Read on and find out whether these breaking developments are truly news or if they’re just noise.

Baltimore Orioles adjust left field fences for 2025

The Orioles did their pitchers a favor entering the 2022 season when they moved the left field fences back further and higher, seeking a more balanced hitting environment. It worked, but perhaps too well. Camden Yards ceased being among the friendliest places to hit a baseball, though some wondered if the team went too far. This week, the Orioles announced the fences will be moved in — perhaps as much as 20 feet in some areas — and lowered in height.

Precise changes have not been made clear. Still, for Baltimore’s right-handed pull hitters, especially 1B Ryan Mountcastle (who has lost 11 home runs to the adjusted LF fence over the past three seasons), 3B/1B Coby Mayo and others, this should matter. Mountcastle smacked 33 homers in 2021, but he has averaged only 18 per season since then. Don’t assume he returns to hitting 30 homers and don’t make him a top-100 fantasy pick, but do consider the changes for his ilk — and Orioles pitchers — on draft day.

Fantasy impact: News

New York Yankees add 2B/3B Caleb Durbin to 40-man roster

Organizations revised their rosters this week to protect eligible minor leaguers from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Durbin, who hit .312/.427/.548 in the recently completed Arizona Fall League while compiling a record 29 stolen bases in 24 games, is a name fantasy managers need to know. Durbin, 24, was named the AFL’s MVP. The Yankees want to incorporate his speed and contact skills and, depending on whom the team adds (and loses) from their roster this offseason, Durbin may see considerable playing time.

Myriad others with statistical upside were also added to MLB 40-man rosters, including Chicago White Sox SS and top prospect Colson Montgomery, Colorado Rockies OF Zac Veen, Chicago Cubs OF Owen Caissie, Tampa Bay Rays OF Jake Mangum and Miami Marlins 1B Deyvison De Los Santos.

Fantasy impact: News

Cincinnati Reds SP Nick Martinez accepts qualifying offer

Martinez became only the 14th player to accept a team’s qualifying contract offer since baseball’s new rules adjusted in 2012. The other 13 players eligible for the offer this offseason — including Juan Soto and Alex Bregman — all declined so that they could negotiate more lucrative, long-term deals. Martinez, the only player in the group not headed to free agency, will earn the average of the league’s top 125 salaries for 2025, in this case a cool $21.05 million.

It may seem incongruent with how Martinez, 34, performed in 2024, but perhaps fantasy managers should look closer at his September, where he went 4-1 with a 0.83 ERA over five starts as a precursor to a larger breakout. The Reds clearly are invested. This is a viable late-round sleeper.

Fantasy impact: News