7 h. ago French sees off Leigh to put Wigan in Grand Final after week of acrimony

Super League playoff semi-final: Wigan 18-6 LeighWigan grateful to Jai Field’s amazing second-half tackleIt was a week which began with unexpected controversy and the prospect of this game not even taking place. But in the end, there was an all too familiar outcome to a bristling derby as the reigning Super League champions moved to a place in the Grand Final and the verge of yet more history.Wigan Warriors’ stunned the rugby league world on Wednesday morning with a statement alleging that Leigh Leopards’ owner, Derek Beaumont, wanted to withdraw from this game in a row over ticket allocations, merely adding an extra layer of intrigue to the playoff semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago BBC MasterChef winner crowned as Gregg Wallace 'silently disappears' from final week

The 21st amateur cook to take home the MasterChef crown has been announced for 2025 after a tense final.

Events

7 d. ago AFL grand final fatigue? Not for Cats fans desperate for Geelong to get their dues | Geoff Lemon

Geelong followers’ sustained hunger for success is really about wanting a club that has been this good for this long to get its adequate rewardAll your questions answered in our guide to the AFL grand finalIn the week leading up to the AFL grand final, official footy media has been united in polite admiration. Geelong may not be the finalist that most excites the narrative, but there is mutually agreed praise for the fact that they are here again, contending again, another year defying the AFL cycle driven by salary caps and draft picks that sifts teams down to the bottom half of the competition after a season or five near the top. Deeper into the crevices of the internet, politeness fades, with diehards of other footy allegiance more likely to say that they are sick of the bloody Cats who should piss off and give someone else a turn.On pure statistics, this is fair. As a fully disclosed Geelong person claiming no objectivity while anxious for another win, I might be accused of glut...

Sport

7 d. ago Sports quiz of the week: Ryder Cup, Rugby World Cup final and a rebrand

Have you been following the big stories in football, rugby union, golf, athletics, cricket and the NFL? Continue reading...

Sport

8 d. ago Timed to perfection: Patrick Dangerfield can cement legacy and power Cats to AFL grand final glory | Jonathan Horn

Geelong’s success has made it easier to manage the veteran in his final years and they can now reap the rewards at an opportune momentAll your questions answered in our ultimate guide to the AFL grand finalPatrick Dangerfield hit last week’s preliminary final like a typhoon. Early in the game, as distress signals flared up all over the field, he’d shown enough to suggest that he was sharp and engaged – a slips catch that ended in a Shannon Neale goal and a smother on Jack Ginnivan, just when Hawthorn had all the momentum.But with a couple of minutes to go in the first half, he adopted an interventional approach. When play resumed, he was thrown into the middle and Hawthorn copped the full brunt. Any shred of malice or anger he possesses was directed at a bobbling ball. He’d see the footy, stick his bum out, put his head down and steamroll anyone in his path. I’ve never seen a footballer better at scrambling on his hands and knees, and at generating power and momentum from that posit...

Politics

8 d. ago The late Giorgio Armani's presence is felt in his final Emporio Armani collection

Giorgio Armani's final Emporio Armani collection has been previewed during Milan Fashion Week

Politics

1 week ago Welsh rugby consultation enters final week amid WRU Board split and crunch talks

The WRU is nearing the conclusion of its consultation process, which will end next Tuesday

Sport

1 week ago Potts in contention for England’s Ashes squad as Woakes faces race to be fit

Chris Woakes a risk after dislocating shoulderRehan Ahmed also in frame as second spinner Matthew Potts could be handed a spot in England’s main Ashes squad when Rob Key and the selectors finalise their plans for Australia. While the head coach, Brendon McCullum, has said to expect few surprises after a settled period for the Test side, Jamie Overton’s withdrawal from first-class cricket – plus uncertainty over the fitness of Chris Woakes – does mean there are final decisions to be made this week as regards the seamers.The core of this group picks itself, with Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue all considered bankers – none are expected to play the final round of the County Championship – and optimism that Mark Wood is on track for a return after undergoing knee surgery in March. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago How England’s breakdown brilliance denied France — and could decide World Cup Final

The ruck contributions of Hannah Botterman and Meg Jones proved key in the semi-final - and slowing Canada’s scintillating attack will be vital next week

Politics

1 week ago Brisbane blow away Collingwood to roar into AFL grand final against Geelong

Lions defeat Magpies 15.10 (100) to 11.5 (71) in preliminary final at MCGMcCluggage stars with 37 disposals to lead second-half fightbackDuring finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletterReigning premiers Brisbane will meet Geelong in next Saturday’s AFL grand final after blowing away Collingwood in the last quarter of their preliminary final.Lachie Neale watch will now be a key feature of grand final week after the Lions kicked away in the last quarter on Saturday at the MCG and won 15.10 (100) to 11.5 (71) before a crowd of 96,033.During finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Kneecap tell Trump 'release the files' as state visit addressed at Wembley gig

The concert on Thursday coincided with the final day of the US president’s visit, a week after Sir Keir met with Israel’s president at Number 10.

Politics

2 w. ago Björn Borg takes life ‘day by day’ after ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer diagnosis

Tennis legend told diagnosis was ‘really, really bad’Borg also recalls drug use after early retirementBjörn Borg, the five-time Wimbledon tennis champion, has said he is taking life “day by day, year by year” after his “extremely aggressive” prostate cancer diagnosis.The former world no1, who won 11 grand slam titles before retiring aged 25, revealed the diagnosis in the final chapter of his autobiography, which will be published this week in the UK and next week in the US. The Swede is in remission, having had an operation in 2024, but described the diagnosis as “difficult psychologically”.Read Bjorn Borg’s interview with Simon Hattenstone on theguardian.com from 4pm UK time on Thursday Continue reading...

Science

2 w. ago 'Give me a f***ing break': Searing response of Elon Musk's trans daughter Vivian to my questions about Charlie Kirk's assassination... in an interview that takes a tearful turn

Thirty seconds into my interview with Vivian Wilson, trans activist and daughter of Elon Musk, she got emotional. We spoke backstage ahead of her fourth and final New York Fashion Week Show.

Politics

2 w. ago Hollyoaks' Lacey Findlow announces sudden exit and their final scenes air next week

Hollyoaks star Lacey Findlow has announced that she has quit the Channel 4 soap after nearly a decade and her exit scenes will play out in episodes that air next week

Politics

2 w. ago Hollyoaks star confirms shock exit after eight years and final scenes will air next week

Hollyoaks star Lacey Findlow has confirmed her final scenes as Dee Dee Hutchison will air next week after playing the character in the Channel 4 soap for eight years

Events

2 w. ago Ricky Hatton's Dancing On Ice partner shares final texts between them a week ago as she says he 'seemed in good form'

The boxing legend was a contestant on the 2024 series of the ITV skating show

Politics

2 w. ago Brisbane crush Gold Coast to remain king of Queensland and book preliminary final spot

Lions 14.16.100 defeat Suns 6.11.47 in second semi-final at the GabbaBrisbane bounce back to set up clash with Collingwood on SaturdayDuring finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletterIt was billed as the biggest game in Queensland ever: reigning AFL premiers Brisbane against their state rivals from down the M1. The long-derided Gold Coast had finally arrived as a force, winning an elimination final in an ecstatic finish over Fremantle, via a last-gasp point to retiring club great David Swallow.For a short time, the semi-final looked like it might live up to its billing. And then it fell apart. The Suns barely fired a shot after half-time, overpowered by a manic Lions side desperate to atone after being humiliated by Geelong in Melbourne last week. Brisbane now face Collingwood in a preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday. Gold Coast are done.During finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Brisbane crush Gold Coast to remain king of Queensland and book AFL preliminary final spot

Lions 14.16.100 defeat Suns 6.11.47 in second semi-final at the GabbaBrisbane bounce back to set up clash with Collingwood on SaturdayDuring finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletterIt was billed as the biggest game in Queensland ever: reigning AFL premiers Brisbane against their state rivals from down the M1. The long-derided Gold Coast had finally arrived as a force, winning an elimination final in an ecstatic finish over Fremantle, via a last-gasp point to retiring club great David Swallow.For a short time, the semi-final looked like it might live up to its billing. And then it fell apart. The Suns barely fired a shot after half-time, overpowered by a manic Lions side desperate to atone after being humiliated by Geelong in Melbourne last week. Brisbane now face Collingwood in a preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday. Gold Coast are done.During finals sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Why isn't Matthew Goode in Downton Abbey 3? Actor confirms reason for absence

The final Downton Abbey film is set to be released this week, but one character will be missing from the action. Henry, played by Matthew Goode, will not appear in the film

Politics

3 w. ago Strictly Come Dancing pro says 'we can all tell' who will make the final from week one

Oti Mabuse has said that she can usually tell who will reach the Strictly Come Dancing final after week one but revealed which factors it all depends on

Politics