1 week ago The other clásico: Barcelona and Real Madrid’s rivalry thrives on the basketball court too

The showdown channels centuries of Spanish tension and pride – and may soon collide with the NBA’s ambitions to expand into EuropeScores of fans filed past the silhouettes of cranes and construction work surrounding Barcelona’s Camp Nou last Friday night. But they weren’t there for the world famous soccer stadium. Instead, the sea of Barça jerseys was heading for the club’s basketball arena, the Palau Blaugrana. There was an expectant but apprehensive buzz in the air – the night marked a big occasion: Real Madrid were in town.It’s widely accepted that the biggest rivalry in basketball is between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics; between them they have won almost half of all championships in NBA history. The Lakers-Celtics showdowns of the 1980s went beyond basketball and embodied different Americas: West Coast glitz versus East Coast grit; flashy fastbreak basketball versus fundamentals; and, frankly, though perhaps sometimes oversimplistically, Black versus white. Continue...

Events

1 week ago How the Rybakina revival proves women’s tennis is stronger than ever

A high-quality edition of the WTA Finals produced something of a surprise winner, but Elena Rybakina’s return to the top of the sport is an indication that it’s in rude health

Politics

2 w. ago Aryna Sabalenka in tears after missing out on biggest payday in women’s tennis history

Despite her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the final, Sabalenka set a new WTA record for season earnings at just over $15m

Events

2 w. ago Elena Rybakina sinks Aryna Sabalenka to claim WTA Finals and record prize

Former Wimbledon champion wins 6-3, 7-6 (0)Unbeaten Rybakina takes home £3.98mElena Rybakina re-established herself as one of the significant players in women’s tennis as she closed out a week of devastating performances against the best in the world by completely overpowering Aryna Sabalenka to capture one of the biggest titles of her career at the WTA Finals in Riyadh with a 6-3, 7-6 (0) win.Having finished the season-ending tournament unbeaten in her five matches, Rybakina is now $5.235m (£3.98m) richer, earning the greatest prize money haul in the history of women’s sports. The victory marks the 26-year-old’s fourth big title after wins at Wimbledon in 2022, and Indian Wells and the Italian Open a year later. This is her third title of the season and her 11th title on the WTA Tour overall. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago WTA Finals live: Rybakina topples Sabalenka to win biggest payday in women’s tennis history

Rybakina produced a flawless performance to defeat World No 1 Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) and win the $5.23m prize

Politics

2 w. ago WTA Finals prize money: How much is on the line as Sabalenka and Rybakina compete for biggest payday in women’s tennis?

World No 1 Sabalenka could earn more for winning the WTA Finals undefeated than she did for winning the US Open title

Economics

2 w. ago Sabalenka to face Rybakina in WTA Finals decider after holding off Anisimova

World No 1 triumphs 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in epic semi-finalRybakina battles back to defeat Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3Aryna Sabalenka will attempt to close out one of the greatest seasons of her career by winning the WTA Finals for the first time as she rekindles her rivalry with Elena Rybakina in the final of the season-ending championships.In the final stages of a tournament that has spectacularly produced both drama and quality, semi-final day in Riyadh further underscored the fierce competition at the top of women’s tennis today with two excellent three-set contests. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago 'Tis the season to be sexy! Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP has Christmas all wrapped up with a $1,300 sex toy advent calendar

The unconventional calendar, which offers a series of sexually charged gifts, was unveiled by the Oscar-winning actress and her popular lifestyle blog in October, just in time for the festive season.

Politics

2 w. ago Selling Sunset's Emma Hernan reveals real reason she reunited with Blake

Selling Sunset star Emma Hernan reunited with her on-and-off boyfriend Blake Davis after the latest season wrapped filming.

Politics

2 w. ago Watch: Micky van de Ven sparks Lionel Messi comparisons with Tottenham wondergoal

Spurs defender may have wrapped up the goal of the season competition already

Politics

3 w. ago The US hurricane season that wasn’t: Experts explain why we’ve had a lucky break

The Atlantic season wraps in under a month but no hurricanes have directly struck the contiguous U.S. in 2025

Politics

3 w. ago Women’s tennis thriving on the court as season wraps but WTA must catch up

Sabalenka and Swiatek head to Saudi finals after epic year yet organisers remain dire at marketing their productThe final weeks of the women’s tennis season showcased one last twist in the furious race to determine the qualifiers for the WTA Finals. Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, finally caught fire after a year of near misses, bulldozing through her opponents to win a title in Ningbo, China that solidified her spot in Riyadh among the eight best players in the world.Just as significant as Rybakina’s qualification, though, was its consequences for the player she usurped. Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old prodigy who won WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells this year, had seemed like a sure bet to qualify in singles for the WTA Finals. Her failure to do so underscores the fact that this year has been the toughest and most competitive women’s tennis season in years. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Only Murders in the Building season 5: what time is episode 10 out on Disney+ and Hulu? US and UK timings

Only Murders in the Building’s latest season is about to wrap-up 🔍📺

Events