1 hour ago How Canada can end New Zealand’s reign in Women’s World Cup semi

After recording their first win over the Black Ferns last year, Canada have understandable belief that they can end the world champions’ reign

Politics

16 h. ago Elina Svitolina seals Ukraine’s spot in Billie Jean King Cup semi

Ukraine will take on Italy in the last four.

Politics

17 h. ago Elina Svitolina takes Ukraine past Spain into Billie Jean King Cup semi

Ukraine’s triumph meant Spain fell short of the semi-finals for the first time since 2008

Politics

22 h. ago Black Ferns blow as Jorja Miller ruled out of Rugby World Cup semi

Injury to New Zealand flanker one of four changesFly-half Ruahei Demant set for landmark 50th capJorja Miller has been ruled out of New Zealand’s semi-final against Canada in a huge blow to the Black Ferns’ hopes of defending their Rugby World Cup crown. New Zealand are in for a tight game on Friday against Canada, who are ranked No 2 in the world as they seek a place in a third straight World Cup final. Their most recent meeting ended in a 27-27 draw in the Pacific Four tournament.The 21-year-old Miller has been one of the Black Ferns’ best players this World Cup in both attack and defence, scoring four tries and missing two tackles of the 39 attempted. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago New Zealand suffer injury blow as rising star Jorja Miller ruled out of Women’s World Cup semi

Flanker Miller has enjoyed a standout tournament

Events

36 h. ago England counting on pyjamas and pampering ahead of ‘Le Crunch’ – Rosie Galligan

The Red Roses will hold a team bonding night on Wednesday before the World Cup semi-final.

Politics

38 h. ago Berthoumieu’s ban cut to nine games and Feleu also out of Women’s Rugby World Cup

Player’s remorse for biting Wafer a factor in reductionFrance captain banned for two games after citing upheldAxelle Berthoumieu’s ban for biting Ireland’s Aoife Wafer has been reduced to nine matches but Manaé Feleu’s citing was upheld by a disciplinary committee meaning both will miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup. France play England in the semi-finals on Saturday.The pair were cited on Sunday after their 18-13 quarter-final win against Ireland. Berthoumieu was cited for biting Wafer and, while the flanker accepted the foul play, she was appealing against the length of the initial 12-match ban a disciplinary committee proposed on Monday. That had already been reduced from the starting point of 18 matches but was taken down to nine because of her clean previous disciplinary record, remorse and public apology. Continue reading...

Sport

60 h. ago Berthoumieu banned for biting Wafer in blow to France before England clash

France flanker handed 12-match suspensionManaé Feleu also banned owing to a high tackleThe France flanker Axelle Berthou­mieu has been banned for biting the ­Ireland back-row Aoife Wafer in their ­Women’s Rugby World Cup ­quarter‑final and the flanker will miss the semi‑final against England on Saturday.Manaé Feleu, the France captain, will also miss the England clash as she has been banned for a high tackle in the Ireland game. Both players are appealing against the sanctions. Continue reading...

Events

65 h. ago Bad Rangers Hampden memories fuelling St Mirren ace's League Cup semi

It's been eight seasons since Declan John's only appearance at Hampden and it did not end well

Politics

4 d. ago Sophie de Goede shines in Canada’s formidable win over Australia

Quarter-final: Canada 46-5 AustraliaCanucks will face New Zealand in semi-finalsExpansive attacking rugby? Tick. Pick and go tries? Tick. Impressive defence and holding up tries? Tick. Canada’s performance underlined why they are among the tournament favourites and had everything to set-up a tasty semi-final against the defending champions, New Zealand, on Friday.The wing Alysha Corrigan was a bright spark, scoring twice, as was Karen Paquin while the dependable Sophie de Goede had another solid outing for the side she used to captain. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago New Zealand survive scare against South Africa to progress to Women’s World Cup semi

New Zealand 46-17 South Africa: The Women’s Springboks impressed in Exeter but the class of the Black Ferns eventually told

Events

4 d. ago New Zealand blitz South Africa after break to reach World Cup semi

Quarter-final: New Zealand 46-17 South AfricaBlack Ferns score six tries in second-half rompIn New Zealand rugby the female of the species is currently deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier but, after a stuttering first half, the Black Ferns raised their game significantly in the second to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.The scoreboard tells only half the story of a contest often as notable for collective South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago New Zealand blitz South Africa after break to reach Women’s Rugby World Cup semis

Quarter-final: New Zealand 46-17 South AfricaBlack Ferns score six tries in second-half rompIn New Zealand rugby the female of the species is currently deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier but, after a stuttering first half, the Black Ferns raised their game significantly in the second to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.The scoreboard tells only half the story of a contest often as notable for collective South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Who appeared in both film versions of West Side Story? The Saturday quiz

From Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers to rollers, tunnellers and dwellers, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz1 Which German state sent its own team to the 1952 Olympics?2 Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is what story-telling genre’s all-time bestseller?3 Which halogen is widely used as an antiseptic?4 Which band was formed by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers?5 What type of beetles are categorised as rollers, tunnellers or dwellers?6 Who sits on the Woolsack?7 Nicknamed the “big hoose”, what is Scotland’s largest prison?8 Who appeared in both film versions of West Side Story?What links: 9 Australia; Canada; Eastern Caribbean; Jamaica; New Zealand; US?10 Northern; southern; Masai; reticulated?11 Dorothy Ashby; Alice Coltrane; Brandee Younger; Amanda Whiting?12 Korea, 1945; Vietnam, 1954; Aldi supermarket, 1960?13 John Hannah; Ken Stott; Richard Rankin?14 Castello; Cannaregio; Dorsoduro; San Marco; San Polo; Santa Croce?15 Awesome (Nile civilisation); Vicious (Norse raiders); Terr...

Politics

9 d. ago Kristi Noem joins 'Five Eyes' ministers at border security meeting in London

Interior and security ministers from the "Five Eyes" alliance of the U.K., U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand have met in London to discuss border security and migrant-smuggling gangs

Politics

1 week ago How the hairdryer treatment from a science teacher over a flunked exam changed my life | Michael Akadiri

After my whole class flunked a mock GCSE, Miss T’s home truths helped instil a work ethic that has been crucial to my career“Fix up. It’s not me who needs their GCSEs – it’s you!” These words were barked at my year 10 science class by our science teacher and form tutor, Miss T. And deservedly so, because we had just suffered the ignominy of collectively flunking a GCSE mock exam. All 30 of us.Miss T was relatively young, but she was old-school in her approach – she had a low threshold for nonsense. While I considered this mock an inconsequential test – a pre-season friendly, if you will – she treated it like an FA Cup semi-final. To put it another way, it was half-time and we were losing badly, so she gave us the hairdryer treatment: a relentless, 15-minute tirade berating us for our lack of aptitude and our attitude.Michael Akadiri is an award-winning standup comedian and junior doctor. His debut Edinburgh fringe show, No Scrubs, was nominated for the Biggest Award in Comedy and is...

Society

1 week ago Mahmood to meet Five Eyes for border talks in first major Home Office job

The newly appointed Home Secretary will meet counterparts from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand in London.

Society

1 week ago New home secretary hit with immediate crisis as small boat Channel crossings top 30,000

Shabana Mahmood will host representatives from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to discuss ways to ‘smash the gangs’ as new figures reveal the scale of the migrant crisis she has inherited as the new home secretary

Events

2 w. ago Khadija Shaw: ‘Sometimes you have to take a step back and think about your mental health’

In an exclusive interview, the Manchester City striker talks about the horrific racist abuse she suffered last season, playing with Viv Miedema and her hopes for 2025-26“It’s difficult,” says Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. “Sometimes you have to take a step back and think about you and your mental health because if you’re not in a good place you won’t be able to perform. I wasn’t in a good place. It was about more than what happened in that match. There’s a lot that people didn’t and don’t know about.”Shaw is speaking for the first time about her decision to withdraw from Manchester City’s League Cup semi-final against Arsenal in February, four days after she had suffered horrific racist abuse following a 4-3 loss against the same side in the Women’s Super League. Manchester City said they were “appalled” and reported the matter to the police. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Lucy Lawless: ‘I’ve got bag lady hair. I look like I’ve just had sex in a dumpster’

The actor and director on struggling with Dostoevsky, her love of Maggie Smith and flossing in her carBorn in Auckland, New Zealand, Lucy Lawless, 57, studied drama in Canada. In the 1990s she starred on television in Xena: Warrior Princess. She went on to appear in Battlestar Galactica, Spartacus, Parks and Recreation, Agents of SHIELD and Salem. Her films include Spider-Man, EuroTrip, Boogeyman, Bedtime Stories and Minions: The Rise of Gru. In 2024 she made her directorial debut with Never Look Away. She plays Alexa Crowe in the crime series My Life Is Murder; all four series are now available on DVD and digital. She is married for the second time, has three children and lives in New Zealand.What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Laziness. Continue reading...

Society