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Match at FMG Stadium Waikato kicks off at 8am (BST) Your guide to all 736 players at the Women’s World Cup Share your thoughts with Sarah via email or on Twitter And while Australia fight to stay in a home World Cup , co-hosts New Zealand exited the tournament yesterday after drawing 0-0 with Switzerland: Later today Canada take on co-hosts Australia in a crucial match for both sides in order to progress. We will be covering the match live but here is a good feature to read before Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jul/31/costa-rica-v-zambia-womens-world-cup-2023-live

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto says the Belt and Road scheme has not benefited his country.

Erik ten Hag’s side fall 3-2 to Bundesliga side in Las Vegas Diogo Dalot and Antony on target for understrength United Situated across from Dean Martin Drive, cocooned in the $1.9bn Allegiant Stadium from the 40C heat and sirocco blowing across the Mojave Desert on which Las Vegas is built, Manchester United’s US tour closed with a record of one win and three defeats following this 3-2 reverse to Borussia Dortmund that was an unwanted comedy of errors. The German side’s winner derived from a third defensive malady of United’s evening. Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s loose pass went to Marco Reus who, after a one-two with Julian Brandt, slid the ball across for Youssoufa Moukoko to beat André Onana. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/31/manchester-united-vs-borussia-dortmund-scores-results-us-tour-las-vegas

The forward wasn’t expecting to play a crucial role for the USWNT. But injuries and her willingness to work on all aspects of her game have reaped rewards Here’s the thing about Trinity Rodman’s journey to the 2023 World Cup: It wasn’t always part of some long-term plan she laid out when she turned professional two years ago. “It sounds silly, but it wasn’t even in my mind just because of how young I was and still am,” Rodman told the Guardian in an interview prior to the World Cup. “I think I’ve always just been trying to build my game.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/30/trinity-rodman-from-million-dollar-teenager-to-usas-world-cup-cutting-edge

The online marketplace has come under fire for putting 75% of sellers' takings on hold for 45 days.

The Consumer Duty should put more onus on financial firms to ensure customers are dealt with fairly.

The prime minister is expected to announce millions of pounds of funding for a carbon capture project.

Big tech firms like IBM are no longer asking for degrees when hiring staff.

Gustavsson refuses to reveal whether captain trained Coach bats off repeated questions day before Canada game The mystery surrounding the fitness of Matildas star Sam Kerr has continued on the eve of the team’s must-win Women’s World Cup clash with Canada, with coach Tony Gustavsson repeatedly refusing to say whether the striker trained with the team on Sunday. The Australian national team trained in Brisbane on Sunday morning before flying to Melbourne ahead of the match, which will take place on Monday night at the Melbourne Rectangular stadium. The Matildas must beat the Olympic champions to guarantee progression to the next round. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/30/sam-kerr-injury-matildas-tony-gustavsson-womens-world-cup

The US rapper was accused of violating the rules on the social media platform now known as X.

The Filipinas’ first World Cup win was a decade in the making – but the team’s rise has picked up speed since the Australian arrived It took 32 years for the Filipinas to reach the heights of the Women’s World Cup. But it took them just two matches to secure their first World Cup win, against co-hosts New Zealand on Tuesday . The unexpected victory leaves the Philippines on the brink of the round of 16, if they can pull off another remarkable result on Sunday against Norway, a team featuring some of the best players in the world. But since he was appointed in late 2021, Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic – who formerly led the Matildas until a contentious exit ahead of the 2019 World Cup – has consistently delivered the unexpected. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/30/ex-matildas-coach-alen-stajcic-is-taking-the-philippines-to-new-heights

Musk is an admirer of Chinese mega-app WeChat, which combines messaging, social media, finances, dating, and more.

Midfielder left World Cup win over Denmark on stretcher Hope in England camp that Walsh has avoided ACL injury The knee injury suffered by Keira Walsh in England’s 1-0 defeat of Denmark may not be as serious as first thought. There were fears that the midfielder had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but the Observer understands that, although the injury is still being assessed, there is hope it is not as serious as it seemed. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/29/england-keira-walsh-knee-injury-womens-world-cup

‘Waru’ was crocheted by star forward Klara Buehl Teammates have been taking turns looking after cuddly koala As the German national team gathered before their opening match of the Women’s World Cup, a convincing win over Morocco in Melbourne, a curious knitted mascot sat on the grass in the middle of the huddle. Lying on top of a shirt bearing the name and number of defender Carolin Simon, who was ruled out through injury on the eve of the tournament, sat a koala named “Waru”. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/29/waru-the-knitted-koala-crocheted-mascot-becomes-germanys-secret-world-cup-weapon

Updates from the Group G clash in Wellington Kick-off is 8.30am BST/5.30pm AEST/7.30pm NZST Any thoughts? You can email Sarah or tweet her Here are some key players for today’s match, you can click through and view any player from the tournament: Everything at the tournament is not rosy with players still facing issues in the sport. Have a watch: Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jul/29/sweden-v-italy-womens-world-cup-2023-live

‘I’m definitely going to be available,’ says Australia captain Co-hosts must beat Canada on Monday to avoid early exit Sam Kerr has declared herself fit to play against Olympic champions Canada in the Matildas’ must-win final group stage match at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Speaking at a press conference in Brisbane on Saturday, the first time she has answered questions about a calf injury suffered 10 days ago, Kerr said she was in a position to be picked against Canada. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/29/sam-kerr-injury-fitness-calf-womens-world-cup-2023

Andrew Griffith's comments come after PM Rishi Sunak refused to back Sir Howard Davies.

People will not be able to use standard stamps without a barcode after Monday 31 July, says Royal Mail.

The 77-year-old company warned in April that it could go bust unless it quickly raised new financing.

Argentina and South Africa settled for an exciting 2-2 draw in their Women’s World Cup Group G clash at Dunedin Stadium on Friday that kept both teams alive in the tournament but dented their hopes of progressing. Sophia Braun and Romina Nunez scored goals in a five-minute span late in the second half, rallying Argentina. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/28/womens-world-cup-2023-argentina-vs-south-africa-results-score-2-0

From Brisbane to Sydney’s Little Lagos restaurant, and back across to Perth, Nigeria’s exiles lap up a famous win over the Matildas All of a sudden, you could hear the clink of cutlery on plates. Emily van Egmond had just slipped home the opener for the Matildas against the Super Falcons and one of Sydney’s much-loved Nigerian restaurants fell silent. What had been a boisterous chorus of African-Australian football fans was replaced by exhales and murmurs. A room of anxious looks. In the lull, thoughts of tomorrow started creeping in. But this night – to these expectant fans, this famous night – wasn’t going anywhere just yet. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/28/proud-to-be-a-nigerian-australian-diaspora-celebrates-stunning-world-cup-victory

US movie and TV writers have been on strike since May with artificial intelligence a core issue.

A charity says batteries for e-bikes should require third-party approval before being sold in the UK.

Around 50,000 fans to cram into Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for Australia’s second round match against Nigeria Matildas’ attacking versatility means goals will come Get our morning and afternoon news emails , free app or daily news podcast Rosie Sullivan was aged nine when she watched her first Matildas game in a half-empty stadium in Parramatta in 2013. Striker Lisa De Vanna secured a nail-biting 2-1 victory against China, but the thrilling match failed to attract many headlines. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/27/womens-world-cup-2023-matildas-family

The comments come as Mattel reported a 12% fall in sales for the three months to the end of June.

USA and Netherlands play to 1-1 draw in Group E blockbuster Lindsey Horan’s header cancels out Jill Roord’s opening goal Thursday’s meeting between the United States and the Netherlands was billed as the decisive match of Group E at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but clarity will have to wait a few more days. The USA and the Netherlands played to a 1-1 draw in Wellington in a first half dictated by the Dutch before Rose Lavelle entered the game and the Americans found their rhythm. Jill Roord opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the 17th minute with a low strike from 17 yards out that went through USA midfielder Lindsey Horan’s legs and into the far corner of the goal. The goal came after Lieke Martens broke through the USA midfield, and evaded a challenge from Andi Sullivan before hitting the ball wide to Victoria Pelova, who had two cracks at finding an open team-mate. It was the first goal the USA have conceded in the group stage since the opening match of the 2015 World Cup.

Email Beau with your thoughts or tweet @duresport Sign up for Soccer with Jonathan Wilson: our free newsletter Teams meet in replay of 2019 World Cup final The Guardian network’s profile writer, Steven Kooijman , says coach Andries Jonker ditched the 4-3-3 to run with a 5-3-2 with wingbacks. Today’s formation is listed as a 3-5-2, but the difference between a 5-3-2 and 3-5-2 is really a question of attitude, isn’t it? Forward Lineth Beerensteyn will miss this game with an injury. Vivianne Miedema, sadly, will miss this entire tournament. Miedema ranked sixth in The Guardian’s most recent listing of the top 100 players in the world. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jul/26/usa-v-netherlands-womens-world-cup-2023-soccer-live-score

A $300m bond for Tottenham Hotspur tycoon Joe Lewis is secured by his luxury boat and private jets.

Updates from the Group C match in Dunedin Kick-off time is 5pm local/3pm AEST/6am BST Any thoughts? Email or tweet @_jokhan The two teams are out and about warming up. Group C standings Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jul/26/japan-vs-costa-rica-live-updates-womens-world-cup-2023-jap-v-crc-latest-score-football-soccer-wwc-news-

MPs criticise HMRC over "failure" to keep young people informed about their Child Trust Funds maturing.

Forward to miss game with mild concussion from training Aivi Luik also ruled out for one match with concussion The Matildas’ injury woes at the Women’s World Cup have been compounded with striker Mary Fowler and veteran defender Aivi Luik ruled out of the team’s encounter with Nigeria on Thursday. On Wednesday morning the Matildas revealed that Fowler and Luik had sustained mild concussions in separate incidents at training on Tuesday, which prevent them from playing against Nigeria. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/26/mary-fowler-ruled-out-concussion-matildas-injury-aivi-luik-womens-world-cup-nigeria-game

Dame Alison Rose is to resign after coming under pressure in row over Nigel Farage account.

A group of charities wants the government to speed up plans to overhaul private renting in England.

Tournament in Australia and New Zealand to be most attended ever Broadcast views and merchandise sales higher than past events The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be the most-attended edition of the tournament yet, with more than 1.5m tickets sold just days into the month-long event. The previously best-attended Women’s World Cup, in Canada in 2015, saw 1.35m spectators through the gates across the tournament. Already more than 1.1m tickets have been sold to matches in Australia alone. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/25/womens-world-cup-2023-ticket-sales-australia-new-zealand-records

A victim paid just £2 an hour describes her ordeal as investigators make the care industry a "top priority".

Thousands of people scan their irises on first official launch day of "dystopian" crypto project.

Opening matches at World Cups are often a practice in figuring out what works. The USWNT’s 3-0 win over Vietnam to launch their three-peat bid suggests they’re not yet an entirely finished product Sophia Smith admitted that she was nervous – and she is never nervous. Savannah DeMelo? She had some nerves, too, after finding out less than 24 hours earlier that her first international start would take place in the United States’ opening match of the 2023 World Cup. “I mean, it’s a World Cup,” Smith said of the nerves. “I feel like that just shows how much it means.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/jul/22/usa-vietnam-world-cup-analysis

Haiti give the Lionesses a scare in their World Cup opener and progress is required before the sterner test of Denmark After months of buildup, England took to the World Cup stage in Brisbane with a frail defensive display. For a side whose success in the Euros last summer depended so heavily on their ability in defence, they were made to look fragile, and at times chaotic, by a fast and tenacious Haiti side who took the game to the European champions. The Lionesses’ backline was always going to be a focal point when Millie Bright was declared fit by Sarina Wiegman a little over 24 hours before kick-off. The England captain played her first 90 minutes of competitive football since injuring her knee in March. While she had received some minutes in a behind-closed-doors game last week against Canada, the cobwebs were clear to see. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/jul/22/england-haiti-womens-world-cup-mary-earps

A spectacular 94th-minute winner sealed a dream debut for the Argentinian at Miami’s sold-out home ground, where Messi Mania has reached fever pitch “As soon as I saw the free kick was given, I thought: ‘This is the way it’s meant to end,’” a teary-eyed Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham – who knows a thing or two about planting dead balls into top corners – said at full time. It unfolded just as the owner foresaw, with the absurd inevitability of his new signing’s brilliance. In the 94th minute, the debutant Lionel Messi curled in a signature 25-yard strike to secure a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, a tournament between clubs from MLS and Liga MX. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/22/lionel-messi-inter-miami-debut-free-kick-goal

Updates from Group G match in Auckland (7am BST) Women’s World Cup 2023: your guide to all 736 players Email Sarah here or tweet her @rendellx Jamaica won their first ever point at a World Cup yesterday when they held France to a 0-0 draw. Read all about it: Have you been keeping up to date with our women’s football transfer tracker? There have been over 300 transfers in the five biggest leagues in Europe, you can check it out here: Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jul/24/italy-v-argentina-womens-world-cup-2023-live

For the first time in a World Cup, the nine host cities will be referred to by the dual names in all signage, broadcasts, stadiums and online material The Women’s World Cup has kicked off in Australia and New Zealand and fans would notice every city hosting a match has been identified by two names. One is the English placename people are most familiar with; the other is the language of the Indigenous nation whose land the city sits on. The tournament got under way in Auckland-Tāmaki Makaurau with the first match between co-hosts New Zealand and Norway. Across the Tasman a few hours later, people packed the stands of Stadium Australia to watch Australia play the Republic of Ireland – that game was in Sydney/Gadigal. As the tournament progresses, teams will play in cities including Melbourne/Naarm, Perth/Borloo and Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/24/naarm-gadigal-tamaki-makaurau-indigenous

Amanda Ilestedt’s 90th minute winner gave Sweden a 2-1 win over South Africa in their Women’s World Cup Group G match on Sunday after a fortuitous equaliser from Fridolina Rolfo had cancelled out Hildah Magaia’s opener. In pouring rain in Wellington, the lanky Ilestedt jumped highest and squeezed the ball home to save her team’s blushes after they were left frustrated by the African champions for much of the opening hour of the game. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/23/sweden-south-africa-match-report-womens-world-cup-2023-football

Matildas striker and captain remains sidelined with calf injury Kerr will miss Australia’s pool game against Nigeria on Thursday It was mixed injury news for the Matildas as the Australian national team returned to the training field on Sunday for the first-time since their Women’s World Cup opening night win over Ireland . The team had enjoyed a rest-day on Saturday having travelled back from Sydney on Friday, but were back in action in sunny conditions at their Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre home-base on Sunday morning. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/23/were-a-team-of-23-matildas-rally-around-sam-kerr-as-injured-star-sits-out-training

Updates from the teams’ opening match in Wellington Kick off time is 5pm local/3pm AEST/6am BST Any thoughts? Email or tweet @JPHowcroft Desiree Ellis has just given an interesting interview to the world feed broadcaster, indicating she has selected goalkeeper Kaylin Swart ahead of the expected Andile Dlamini because she’s concerned about the wintry conditions and plumped for the shot-stopper who can send the ball furthest downfield. If your idea of a World Cup is a sunkissed tournament in the northern hemisphere summer, this is going to come as a major shock to the system. It is midwinter on this stopping point to Antarctica, and Wellington, a famously windy city is blustery and cold on this Sunday afternoon. Temperatures are around 10C (50F) with a northerly breeze not helping matters. Showers are always on the cards here, with more persistent rain probable late in the piece. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jul

UK inflation and interest rates are high but if you include growth, jobs and taxes its a mixed picture.

Arsenal 0-2 Manchester United Rice, Havertz and Timber start for Gunners; Onana not ready to play Drawing any certainties from a summer tour game can be foolish, so the shrewdest conclusion to offer from this encounter is that those new signings of Manchester United and Arsenal who featured can be content with their outings. And if pre-season is a phoney war, at least this meeting could be cast as a little more real due to Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, and his Arsenal counterpart, Mikel Arteta, identifying the other’s team as a rival when the new campaign begins next month. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/23/bruno-fernandes-manchester-united-arsenal-friendly

World Cup Group D: 10.30am BST/7.30pm AEST kick-off Moving the Goalposts newsletter: sign up | And email Rob Sarina Wiegman speaks [On picking Alessia Russo] It was really hard because we have three good centre-forwards, but I decided to go with Alessia. Lauren James was also close to starting. There’s huge competition on the wings, and today we’re starting with Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly. It’s really good that [Millie Bright] is back. She’s happy, we’re happy, and of course she brings lots of experience. Haiti have some things in their game that will threaten us. I hope we dominate the ball, and when we’re on the ball they can’t use that. They have speed and unpredictability in their game, and they’re reelly dangerous in transition so we want to defend that. I have interviewed a couple of the players and everyone seems excited. The environment seems really good. A young or new player coming into this squad should be thriving because they are part of a winning team with an aur

Funeral vehicle left abandoned in centre circle as masked men drove off in second car after apparent protest A football match was abandoned at half-time after a hearse was left in the centre of the pitch by masked men in an apparent protest. The incident took place during Gateshead’s pre-season friendly against local rivals Dunston in north-east England on Friday evening. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/21/football-match-called-off-after-hearse-spins-circles-on-tyne-and-wear-pitch

Smith (twice) and Horan score as USA top Vietnam 3-0 Top-ranked Americans face Netherlands on Thursday Never in modern times has the United States women’s national team entered a World Cup surrounded by so many questions. The scrutiny that follows the team is constant, but endless injuries and constant player turnover recently created uncertainty. United States coach Vlatko Andonovski’s starting lineup on Saturday against Vietnam for the team’s opener exemplified as much. In most scenarios, the number of surprises would have been seen as a risk too many to start a major tournament, but the United States won as expected, 3-0 over an overmatched but dogged Vietnam side making their tournament debut. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/21/uswnt-vietnam-world-cup-match-report

Argentinian scores brilliant free-kick deep into injury time Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in Leagues Cup match If this is Lionel Messi’s farewell tour, it looks like it’s going to be a compelling one. The Argentinian’s Inter Miami career didn’t start very well: he came off the bench against Mexico’s Cruz Azul in a Leagues Cup match on Friday night, and his new team soon conceded a goal. No matter: deep in injury time, Inter Miami were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out. He duly fired a perfect strike into the top corner, winning the game, and was mobbed by jubilant teammates. Not long afterwards, the referee blew the whistle and the 2-1 victory was complete. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/21/lionel-messi-inter-miami-debut-free-kick-winner-cruz-azul

The expansion of the service is expected to benefit over 400,000 children this year.

Bayern Munich’s 27-0 win in a friendly has garnered plenty of attention, but there have been far more shocking scorelines There can’t be a much better start to pre-season than winning a match 27-0, which is exactly what Bayern Munich did this week against the unfortunate Rottach-Egern, who play in Germany’s ninth tier. Just imagine the damage if Thomas Tuchel’s side had secured their summer target Harry Kane . (In truth, there probably is a better start to a pre-season, and that’s to play a friendly that provides an actual challenge – Bayern beat the same opposition 23-0 in 2019 …) Though it might seem unlikely that a match that had a scoreline of 18-0 at half-time – and in which three players eventually scored five goals each – is nowhere near the heaviest defeat of all time, there have been plenty of lopsided scorelines throughout football history. Here we take a look at some of the more surprising, excruciating and scandalous. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian h

Public finances are boosted by tax receipts and lower interest payments but figures remain high.

Updates from the match at Dunedin Stadium Any thoughts? Email or tweet @mike_hytner 2 mins : Fifa head honcho Gianni Infantino is in the crowd. Wonder how he’s feeling today. 1 min : And we’re off in the day’s second game! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jul/21/philippines-vs-switzerland-live-womens-world-cup-2023-updates-score-phi-v-sui-swi-group-a-kick-off-start-time-scores-football-soccer-fifa-wwc-latest-news

The striker’s calf muscle has been thrust into the spotlight and prompted a debate about how the revelation was handled by the Matildas camp “I can’t at this time give away too much – I keep it close to my chest.” With those words on Wednesday evening, barely 24 hours before Australia began their Women’s World Cup campaign with a narrow win over Ireland , Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson did nothing to hint at the bombshell he would later drop. The question had not been intended to elicit anything of the magnitude of the news that would break the following day, that Sam Kerr would miss at least the first two matches of the tournament . It was an innocuous query, a request for a fitness update with two players – Tameka Yallop and Kyah Simon – known to be nursing injuries. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/21/womens-world-cup-2023-sam-kerr-injury-calf-matildas-timeline-how-long

Taiwan-based TSMC says semiconductors manufacturing at its Arizona plant will no longer begin in 2024.

Embraer says it will build electric aircraft with hopes they will take flight from 2026.

Only users from a single household will be able to use an account, the streaming giant has said.

Updates from the Football Ferns’ Group A opener in Auckland Kick-off time at Eden Park is 7pm NZST/5pm AEST/8am BST Any thoughts? Email or tweet @_jokhan Tickets might have been slow to shift at first in New Zealand but it seems fans are ready to get behind the Football Ferns now. Hit me with your predictions! How do you think the 2023 Women’s World Cup will unfold? Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/jul/20/new-zealand-v-norway-womens-world-cup-2023-group-a-live-updates-scores-nz-vs-nor-start-time-kick-off-results-eden-park-first-game

The company reported that its profit margins have been squeezed as it faces tough competition.

Russia announces it will treat ships heading for Ukrainian ports as potential military targets.

We report this percentage every month but here are three things you may not know.

Exclusive: 11 British female artists have joined forces for a new anthem to give young girls ‘something to shout and sing together’ The high drama and unplumbable emotional depths of England’s footballing adventures have long been heightened by song, from official tournament tie-ins such as New Order’s World in Motion to fan-generated favourites such as dance track turned terrace chant Freed from Desire. Now, ahead of the Women’s World Cup kicking off on Thursday in Australia and New Zealand, the England women’s team hope to have a crowd-pleasing singalong of their own: Call Me a Lioness. A starting 11 of female-identifying British artists, including Melanie C and Self Esteem, have come together under the moniker Hope FC to record the unofficial track for England’s World Cup campaign. Songwriter Glen Roberts was hit by inspiration as the Lionesses won Euro 2022 and co-wrote it with producer Joel Pott and singer-songwriter Olivia Dean. Rather than focusing on the sometimes miserable

The 2023 tournament spanning five time zones presents a number of firsts and the co-hosts will be hoping it leaves an indelible mark How to watch the Matildas’ Women’s World Cup games in Australia Shaded by the Harbour Bridge with a direct view of the famous sails of the Opera House, Sydney’s Circular Quay is one of Australia’s most dazzling attractions – if the hordes of tourists, watercraft and high-end diners are anything to go by. After all, a penthouse apartment nearby was the country’s most expensive residential purchase last year, at A$70m (£‎36m). On this prestigious piece of real estate the most visible statement of the coming Women’s World Cup has emerged. The US broadcaster Fox has constructed not one but two pop-up studios that dominate the waterfront. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/18/womens-world-cup-2023-australia-matildas-legacy

Big games in Australia sell out with 1.5m total sales targeted But uptake for games hosted in New Zealand has been slow Ticket sales for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand have set a new record, one day out from the start of tournament. Close to 1.4 million tickets have been purchased for the 64 matches running until 20 August, surpassing the record total for the tournament eight years ago in Canada. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/19/womens-world-cup-2023-record-breaking-ticket-sales-australia-new-zealand

The rate of price rises in the UK fell to 7.9% in June, down from 8.7% the previous month.

Yakub Zakriev is a deputy prime minister and the agriculture minister of the Russian republic of Chechnya.

Atlas Lionesses reached the Wafcon final and has enough talent to make it to the knockout stages This article is part of the Guardian’s Women’s World Cup 2023 Experts’ Network , a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 20 July. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/19/womens-world-cup-2023-team-guides-part-31-morocco

Dozens more former and current staff allege they faced bullying and harassment at the fast food chain.

The embattled Chinese property giant has reported its long overdue earnings for 2021 and 2022.

With software getting better and venues cutting budgets, could AI replace DJs and producers?

Gruelling work hours and a dismal job market are forcing young Chinese to make unusual choices.

Woods is lead presenter for Champions League coverage Channel replaces BT Sport from Tuesday morning Laura Woods will be the lead presenter for the Champions League as TNT Sports enters the British and Irish market in replacing BT Sport. The former Sky and current ITV presenter heads a female-fronted presentation team for the new venture’s football properties. Lynsey Hipgrave will continue to present weekend Premier League coverage, Reshmin Chowdhury will also anchor Champions League matches and Jules Breach will head up Europa League coverage, also acting as touchline reporter. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jul/18/laura-woods-heads-tnt-sports-new-female-fronted-presentation-team

A British family will pay on average £943 for six weeks of holiday childcare for a school-age child, a charity has found.

The move comes after officials impounded 172 watches worth £10,700 from its rainbow-coloured Pride collection.

A year after the start of the crisis, life looks normal in Colombo but is the country out of the woods?

Companies are using augmented reality labels on their products to share videos and animations.

A company is testing an aircraft engine that emits no CO2, and says it will be commercially available in 2025.

The jobless rate of 16 to 24 year olds in urban areas rose to 21.3% last month, official figures show.

Under a new order, the Danone and Carslberg units have been put in "temporary management" of the state.

Argentinian joins MLS team co-owned by David Beckham Former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets also signs for team Lionel Messi followed in the footsteps of Dwyane Wade, Dan Marino and LeBron James on Sunday as he was unveiled as Miami’s latest sporting superstar. Messi is in the twilight of his career, and is unlikely to match the achievements of those three stars during his time in Florida, but he comfortably equals them in pedigree. His first official appearance as an Inter Miami player – he announced his decision to join the club in June – was televised live, and took place in front of thousands of cheering fans at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. There was a slight delay as one of Florida’s familiar summer storms pounded the area before the Argentinian took to the stage to roars of appreciation from the packed stands and a firework display in the skies above the stadium. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/16/l

The tax system is opaque - and abused, with politicians and private citizens lining their pockets.

Banyana Banyana were overawed on their debut four years ago but the African champions believe they will fare better this time around This article is part of the Guardian’s Women’s World Cup 2023 Experts’ Network , a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 20 July. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/17/womens-world-cup-2023-team-guides-part-27-south-africa

Aslef train drivers are refusing to work overtime, while members of the RMT will walk out later this week.

The business secretary's comments come as she signs off a new deal with 11 Asia and Pacific nations.

Pavard, a right-back and central defender, plays for Bayern Walker open to move but clubs remain in talks over a deal Manchester City have made Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard their number one target if Kyle Walker joins the German champions. Walker has given Bayern approval to advance negotiations but a contract has not been finalised and talks over a deal are continuing between the clubs. Walker, who has one year on his current deal, is open to playing outside England for the first time. The 33-year-old is admired by Bayern’s manager , Thomas Tuchel, and was not always a first-choice pick for Pep Guardiola last season. He had a spell in March and April when he was left out of the first XI and was then a substitute in the Champions League final. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/14/manchester-city-target-benjamin-pavard-kyle-walker-bayern-munich-move

Netherlands defender signs five-year contract Timber says he has been an Arsenal fan since childhood Arsenal have announced the signing of the defender Jurriën Timber from Ajax. The 22-year-old becomes the club’s second summer acquisition after Kai Havertz , and confirmation of Declan Rice’s move from West Ham will follow. Arsenal are paying €40m (£34.3m) plus €5m in add-ons for Timber and have given him a five-year deal. Timber has 15 Netherlands caps and is believed to have been signed predominantly to play at right-back. He is also comfortable at centre-back and can operate in midfield. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/14/arsenal-sign-jurrien-timber-from-ajax

It may sound like an official has leant on their keyboard - but it's an acronym we'll hear more often.

Women’s World Cup warm-up called off after 20 minutes Daniela Caracas tells Colombia fans Irish players can ‘eat shit’ Vera Pauw, the head coach of the Republic of Ireland women’s team, said her players “feared for their bodies” in their abandoned World Cup warm-up match against Colombia. The 60-year-old was also shocked by the angry response from their opponents in the wake of the behind-closed-doors fixture. In an interview in Brisbane with Off The Ball, Pauw said what was happening on the field was “outside the rules of the game”. She added: “We do not fear any physical contact, you know that, we are ourselves a team that, within the rules of the game, we are a very tough playing team.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/15/republic-of-ireland-players-feared-for-their-bodies-in-colombia-womens-world-cup-friendly

Mortgage rates are at a 15-year high, but there are reasons why the pain may not be as bad as it could be.

After a formidable academic and athletic career at Stanford University, the Californian is an integral part of the defending champions’ World Cup campaign Each Saturday morning as a young child growing up in San Jose, California, Naomi Girma would show up to the park to play a version of soccer that was “as informal as you can think”, she says now. The children were divided by the adults into three groups: little, medium, and big. From there, the kids would scrimmage, their voices cutting through the crisp, California air uninterrupted by any formal coaching. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/14/naomi-girma-uswnt-center-back-world-cup-soccer-2023

Portland Thorns striker ‘loves the spotlight and pressure’ of having a big role to play in America’s quest to defend their title Where Sophia Smith goes, confidence follows. Take for example the viral Michael Jordan-esque, shoulder-shrug celebration of her goal four minutes into last year’s National Women’s Soccer League Championship. The goal clinched her team, Portland Thorns, a third NWSL title and secured Smith the MVP game trophy to cap off her MVP season. “I just did it,” Smith said after the match. “There’s been a lot of people who don’t think that I deserve to win MVP. So that was a little bit of, you know, that’s that.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/15/sophia-smith-usas-next-torch-carrier-with-a-world-cup-legacy-to-preserve

The Reggae Girlz are back and better than in 2019 but getting out of the group is a daunting task This article is part of the Guardian’s Women’s World Cup 2023 Experts’ Network , a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 20 July. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/15/womens-world-cup-2023-team-guides-part-23-jamaica

A kilo of tomatoes now costs more than a litre of petrol in the country. Here's why.

Ynon Kreiz, CEO of toymaker Mattel, talks about the future of the Barbie brand.

Spurs must decide between the more developed Leverkusen defender or the quick and versatile Wolfsburg prospect By Ben McAleer for WhoScored Tottenham’s failure to convince Brentford to lower their asking price for David Raya skewed their summer plans a little. The Bees were demanding £40m for the Spain international, this despite Raya entering the final year of his contract and Mark Flekken arriving from Freiburg. Spurs instead brought in Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli , and while the Italian is a fine capture, his signing also presented a problem. Raya was born in Barcelona but actually fits the criteria for a homegrown player having moved to Blackburn aged 17 years. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2023/jul/14/tapsoba-or-van-de-ven-comparing-tottenhams-targets-at-centre-back

Some 160,000 performers stop work, bringing most US film and TV productions to a halt.

A US watchdog has lost its latest bid to temporarily stop the technology giant's $69bn Activision takeover.

Michele Bullock will succeed Philip Lowe, who has led the Reserve Bank of Australia for seven years.

Can Brazil give Marta the World Cup farewell she craves? Recent results have sparked optimism This article is part of the Guardian’s Women’s World Cup 2023 Experts’ Network , a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 20 July. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/14/womens-world-cup-2023-team-guides-part-21-brazil

Some companies are giving shares to environmental groups, or putting such advocates on their board.

The industry says it has been blindsided by the government's "catastrophic" tax decision.

The US Secretary of Commerce was among those impacted by the breach, according to reports.

France Under-21 forward earmarked as Pulisic replacement Lyon want to keep Cherki despite finances being monitored Lyon are determined to resist Chelsea’s interest in signing Rayan Cherki despite speculation that their owner, John Textor, may have to sell players this summer to balance the books. Chelsea are understood to have already sounded out Textor over his willingness to part with the France Under-21 forward, who is a product of Lyon’s celebrated youth system. Cherki has been earmarked as a replacement for Christian Pulisic, who is completing his move to Milan for €22m (£18.8m) having arrived in Italy on Wednesday for his medical. However, Lyon want to keep the 19-year-old who was part of the France squad at the Under-21 European Championships. This is despite the announcement this month that the club’s transfer activity and wage bill will be monitored by French football’s financial watchdog, the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG). Continue reading... from

The deal follows $2bn in financial support from Saudi Arabia for the crisis-hit nation.

Suumit Shah, founder of an e-commerce website, said that his firm had laid off 90% of its support staff.

The deal between France's Renault and the Chinese maker of London taxis will support 19,000 jobs.

Threads is a social media app for some and a nightmarish BBC movie from 1984 for others.

Its ethics watchdog is also investigating a gold company over use of forced labour in China operations.