41 m. ago Flawless Queensland defy odds to stun NSW and claim State of Origin series

Billy Slater’s team win 24-12 in Game 3 decider in SydneyMaroons’ 25th series victory comes despite losing opening gameQueensland captain Cameron Munster learned life is never perfect when his father died at age 58 on the weekend, but in one of the great State of Origin performances his teammates delivered a just about flawless display in Wednesday’s decider, securing the shield for 2025 in a 24-12 victory.The Maroons completed all 21 sets in an extraordinary first stanza, scoring three tries and kicking four-from-four to secure a 20-0 lead. Desperate defence held out the Blues for much of the second, allowing the Maroons to escape from Homebush with the shield in front of 80,256 mostly Blues fans hushed by the spectacle. Continue reading...

Politics

42 m. ago England permutations: What Lionesses need to qualify for Euro 2025 knockout stages

Sarina Wiegman’s side had the worst possible start to their summer campaign

Politics

56 m. ago Coronation Street star Mikey North casts doubt over soap future as exit date 'sealed'

The actor got his big break in the ITV soap in 2008, joining as Gary Windass, but the character is currently in a bad way

Politics

82 m. ago DAN HODGES: I've learned Labour's deranged new 'masterplan'... Starmer and Reeves have gone mad

After 12 short but tumultuous months, the pressures of government have finally become too great. The weight of the seals of office are crushing them.

Politics

1 hour ago Euro 2025 England vs Netherlands: Lionesses have to go back to doing what they do best

The Lionesses must get back to doing what they do best - getting through to knockout football - reports The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood from Switzerland.

Politics

2 h. ago EastEnders fans 'work out' heartbreaking death twist after eery 'foreshadowing'

EastEnders fans believe they've spotted 'clues' in recent episodes which point towards one character being killed off soon

Events

3 h. ago Nacka ferry crash LIVE: Passenger boat with 150 people on board smashes into quay

A passenger ferry with 150 people on board has crashed into a quay in Sweden at high speed after failing to stop in time - multiple people have been confirmed injured

Events

3 h. ago State of Origin 2025 Game 3 live: NSW Blues v Qld Maroons – latest updates

Updates from the series decider at Accor StadiumKick-off time in Sydney is 8.05pmAny thoughts? Get in touch on emailJack Snape sets the scene for the Origin decider.This is the first decider at Homebush since 2019, when a last-minute James Tedesco try won the shield for the Blues. But that was only the second NSW victory across five deciders at the Olympic Stadium, a record that undermines the assumed benefit of home crowd support.So too does last year’s game three at Queensland’s Lang Park home, which was evenly poised midway through the second half before Bradman Best and Mitchell Moses scored the tries to win the shield for the travelling Blues. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Over 1,000 scouts evacuated from Polish summer camps ahead of rain warning

Heavy downpours slammed the regions on Wednesday

Events

5 h. ago Russia fires a record 728 drones and 13 missiles at Ukraine, Ukrainian air force says

Ukraine's air force says that Russia has fired a record 728 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight as well as 13 missiles

Events

5 h. ago UK politics live: Macron visits No 10 as Starmer tries to seal ‘one in, one out’ small boats crisis deal

First day of Macron’s state visit demonstrates entente cordiale still remains strong between UK and France

Politics

5 h. ago How early has a defending champion exited an international tournament?

Plus: more non top-flight teams playing in Europe, alumni of semi-finalists and England captains in one teamMail us with your questions and answers“The Lionesses will be out of Euro 2025 after two games if they lose to the Netherlands on Wednesday and France avoid defeat against Wales,” laments Sarah Cassidy. “Would that be the earliest a defending champion has been eliminated at a major international tournament?”In a less deathly group, England’s 2-1 defeat by France on Saturday would have been a wake-up call rather than a final warning. But that’s what it was, and if England lose to the Netherlands their title defence will probably be over after two games. Even a draw would leave them needing favours from other teams. Continue reading...

Society

5 h. ago The Knowledge | How early has a defending champion exited an international tournament?

Plus: more non top-flight teams playing in Europe, alumni of semi-finalists and England captains in one teamMail us with your questions and answers“The Lionesses will be out of Euro 2025 after two games if they lose to the Netherlands on Wednesday and France avoid defeat against Wales,” laments Sarah Cassidy. “Would that be the earliest a defending champion has been eliminated at a major international tournament?”In a less deathly group, England’s 2-1 defeat by France on Saturday would have been a wake-up call rather than a final warning. But that’s what it was, and if England lose to the Netherlands their title defence will probably be over after two games. Even a draw would leave them needing favours from other teams. Continue reading...

Society

13 h. ago Women's Euro 2025: Fixtures, results, latest table standings as Sweden and Germany qualify for quarter

Group phase is underway and four teams have qualified for the knockout phase

Politics

13 h. ago Pundits praise Joao Pedro as Brazil forward’s brace seals place in Club World Cup final

The 23-year-old produced two brilliant finishes to seal a win against his old side in New Jersey

Sport

15 h. ago Fluminense vs Chelsea LIVE: Club World Cup result, latest updates and reaction after Blues reach final

Blues seal a place in the Club World Cup final after a comfortable win

Society

15 h. ago Fluminense vs Chelsea LIVE: Reaction as Blues seal a place in the Club World Cup final

Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea: Joao Pedro brace helps Enzo Maresca’s side book place in Club World Cup final

Society

15 h. ago Blackstenius seals Sweden’s knockout place as victory eliminates Poland

Sweden are purring and will fear nobody in the knockouts. This was a routine victory and, make no mistake, tougher tests lie ahead than the obstacle posed by a limited Poland. The underdogs could, and really should, have been put far out of sight before Lina Hurtig completed the scoring and the only quibble for Peter Gerhardsson may be that his players were not more clinical.Nonetheless they will top Group C if they avoid defeat against Germany and, with Stina Blackstenius and Kosovare Asllani opening their accounts either side of the break, have enough stars hitting form to sense opportunity knocking. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Vivianne Miedema makes telling England assessment as 'All or nothing' game looms

Manchester City star Vivianne Miedema has the chance to knockout some current and former team-mates when the Netherlands take on England in a huge Euro 2025 clash

Politics

18 h. ago Anthony Elanga arrives on Tyneside as Newcastle close on signing

The winger is close to joining Sweden international team-mate Alexander Isak at St James’ Park.

Politics