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Stokes set for first game since England retirement
Ben Stokes is set to play his first match since retiring from international cricket, turning out for Durham in the One-Day Cup against Derbyshire on Tuesday. His return matters because it marks the next step in his career after a sudden England exit and shows how county cricket has become central to his future in…
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Labour should ditch triple-lock pensions promise, says OECD
The OECD has urged Labour to abandon the state pension triple lock, arguing that the policy is putting growing strain on the UK’s public finances and creating long-term fiscal risks. The intervention matters because it adds international weight to domestic calls for reform at a time when the government is trying to balance weak growth,…
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The World Cup of Calvinball: Fifa’s hasty changes turn refereeing into a free-for-all | Beau Dure
Beau Dure argues that Fifa has made World Cup refereeing unnecessarily chaotic by introducing newly revised laws at the tournament before they have been properly tested in major competitions. He says this has turned matches into a confusing, improvised spectacle, with officials, players and viewers all trying to adjust on the fly. The point matters…
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Viewing guide for England v Argentina World Cup semi-final
WIRED’s article is a practical viewing guide to the closing stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, centred on England’s semi-final against Argentina. It explains when the remaining matches will be played and how audiences can watch them, at a point when the enlarged tournament is nearly over and only four teams remain. The piece…
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ITV, Jeff Pope & Lauren Cowell Teaming On “Devastating” Drama About Social Media’s Impact On Kids
EXCLUSIVE: ITV and Oscar-nominee Jeff Pope are teaming on a drama examining the devastating impact of social media on children, an idea that came to the broadcaster from Simon Cowell’s partner Lauren Cowell. The as-yet-untitled series will follow the story of multiple families and campaigners including Ellen Roome, who believes that the tragic death of…
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London City sign Diani for more than £500,000
London City Lionesses have signed France forward Kadidiatou Diani from Lyon on a three-year deal for a fee reported to be more than £500,000. The move is significant because it underlines the newly promoted club’s ambition to challenge quickly in the Women’s Super League and potentially qualify for the Champions League. It also adds to…
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We shouldn’t confuse politics and football – Scaloni
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said his team’s World Cup semi-final against England should be treated strictly as a football match, not as an extension of political tensions between the two countries. Speaking before Wednesday’s game in Atlanta, he said it would be disrespectful to conflate sport with the legacy of the 1982 Falklands War, describing…
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Heating oil suppliers told to compensate customers for price surge at start of Middle East conflict
The Competition and Markets Authority has told heating oil suppliers to compensate customers who were overcharged when prices spiked at the start of the Middle East conflict. Its investigation found possible breaches in cases where orders were cancelled and customers were then offered higher quotes, leaving some rural households facing sharply inflated bills. The issue…
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Keane was Kane’s England team-mate – this week they are on different paths
The article contrasts the very different careers of former England youth team-mates Harry Kane and Will Keane, showing how injuries and timing can reshape a footballer’s future. While Kane is preparing for a World Cup semi-final against Argentina, Keane is attending the PFA’s pre-season camp for out-of-contract players as he looks for a new club.…
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World Cup 2026: Spain stun listless France to reach final; England v Argentina buildup – live
Spain reached the 2026 World Cup final after beating France 2-0 in the semi-final, with the live blog presenting the result as a clear and deserved win over a subdued French side. The significance lies not only in Spain’s progress to the final, but also in the scrutiny now facing France and Didier Deschamps, whose…