Archive August 1, 2025

Freddie Flintoff reunites with ‘superhero’ medics who treated him after Top Gear crash

After his Top Gear crash in 2022, the former cricketer and presenter expressed his “eternal gratitude” to the team of healthcare professionals who treated him.

Freddie Flintoff has returned to St George’s Hospital to reunite with the doctor’s show treated him(Image: PA)

Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has returned to the hospital where he was treated after his devastating Top Gear crash to thank the team of “superheroes” who cared for him.

The former cricketer and presenter, 47, suffered severe facial injuries when he flipped a three-wheel car whilst filming an episode of Top Gear in December 2022. He later revealed that he thought he “was dead” and remembered being “frightened to death”.

Freddie was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, southwest London, where he underwent surgery and has since returned to the hospital. It comes after Top Gear host admitted he ‘never got along’ with Jeremy Clarkson as he made a bold statement.

When Freddie returned to St George’s, he said, “I just want to say a huge thank you to the St George’s staff. I needed assistance from them, which was probably the lowest I’ve ever been, and their expertise, love, and compassion were unmatched. He continued, “I’ll be utterly marvellous – absolute superheroes.”

Freddie Flintoff with St George's Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Jahrad Haq
Freddie Flintoff with St George’s Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Jahrad Haq(Image: PA)

Jahrad Haq, a maxillofacial surgeon, was on call the moment the presenter arrived with his injuries, and Freddie and him met. As Haq stated, “I knew this one was serious because a lot of injuries are managed at a more junior level before escalating.” This was one of the most complicated trauma cases I’ve seen in over 20 years.

The surgeon explained that Freddie’s injuries included broken and lost teeth and that some of his upper jaw bone had been displaced and fractured in the Disney+ documentary Flintoff, which was released earlier this year.

According to Haq, Freddie “lost a very significant portion of his upper lip, some of the underlying muscle, and also his lower lip.”

Freddie Flintoff with St George's staff Linda Holden (left), Lead Dental Nurse and Sonia Steer (right), Principal Orthodontic Nurse
Freddie Flintoff with St George’s staff Linda Holden (left), Lead Dental Nurse and Sonia Steer (right), Principal Orthodontic Nurse(Image: PA)

Meanwhile, Freddie asserted that he didn’t believe he would be able to handle the situation, saying, “Part of me wishes I’d been killed. I wish I had passed away, a part of me says. I fought not to commit suicide. The two things shouldn’t be confused, I hope. But I was considering, “This would have been so much simpler.”

The sports star claimed that after finding himself being dragged along the track during the accident, his “biggest fear” was that he no longer had a face. He said, “I believed my face had sunk.” I was terrified to death.

Following the crash, BBC Studios released a statement referring to an independent investigation held in 2023. It said: “[The review] found that while BBC Studios had complied with the required BBC policies and industry best practice in making the show, there were important learnings which would need to be rigorously applied to future Top Gear UK productions.”

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Wales suffer heavy Australia loss as World Cup looms

The Huw Evans Agency

Summer women’s television program

Australia (21) 36

Cons: Wood 3, Moleka, Amosa, Tuinakauvadra 2, Tuinakauvadra 2, and Tries: Stewart, Moleka, Moleka, Amosa, and Wood.

Wales (5) 5

In their final World Cup warm-up, Wales suffered a significant defeat from Australia.

After a strong performance in the first Test in Brisbane, Sean Lynn’s side were completely outclassed at the Oval.

Alex Callender, who had only four minutes to limp off and then came back to the sidelines using crutches, had a foot injury that was perhaps more concerning.

Before Wales’ World Cup opener against Scotland, she now has just over three weeks to recover.

Wales were consoled by a try for Jasmine Joyce-Butchers on her 50th appearance, while Faitala Moleka, Katalina Amosa, and Ashley Marsters also made the scoresheet.

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In the opening 10 minutes, Wales predominated possession and territory, playing the majority of the rugby in Australia’s 22 before Gwenllian Pyrs and Gwenllian Pyrs came close, but it was the hosts who attracted first blood.

Wales was forced to run in the opening try by a cut-out pass from Caitlyn Halse, who had already rushed in the previous try.

Wales responded with Pyrs once more leading the charge as the game progressed against the run of play.

Wales found Joyce-Butchers in a rare space, and she didn’t need another invitation to cross, despite the driving rain.

That would prove to be Lynn’s side’s only hope in a disappointing evening.

With a show-and-go, Moleka eased her way over with a clinical edge that had been lacking last weekend.

After the break, Australia continued to advance from where they left off.

Tuinakauvadra had always been a threat, and she drove over in the corner as Wales struggled to cope with the Wallaroos’ physicality.

Then, when Australia was in a more promising position, Pyrs was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on.

Five minutes later, Wales were forced to score again with Tuinakauvadra bulldozing over the defense, which was a record-setting defeat to Australia, which happened last year at WXV2, where they lost 37-5 to South Africa.

In the final five minutes, Australia’s replacement Marsters swept Welsh wounds with salt. In the final seconds, she crossed again, but Wales’ relief was met with the recognition that the effort had been made.

Sean Lynn, the head coach of Wales, stated to the women at the conclusion, “We’re looking to build on our previous World Cup successes.”

“Always give it to Australia, I thought they put pressure on themselves.” When we had opportunities in those first 15-20 minutes, we didn’t do it well enough.

We as coaches wanted to have all 30 players have minutes when they came out.

Caitlyn Halse, Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Samantha Wood, Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, and Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Emily Chancellor (capt).

Waiaria Ellis, Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, and Alapeta Ellis are the replacements.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Gwen Crabb, Abbie Fleming, Kate Williams (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (co-capt).

related subjects

  • Welsh Rugby
  • Rugby Union

Wales suffer heavy Australia loss in final World Cup warm-up

Picture agency for Huw Evans

Summer women’s television program

Australia (21) 36

Cons: Wood 3, Moleka, Amosa, Tuinakauvadra 2, Tuinakauvadra 2, and Tries: Stewart, Moleka, Moleka, Amosa, and Wood.

Wales (5) 5

In their final World Cup warm-up, Wales suffered a significant defeat from Australia.

After a strong performance in the first Test in Brisbane, Sean Lynn’s side were completely outclassed at the Oval.

Alex Callender, who had only four minutes to limp off and then came back to the sidelines using crutches, had a foot injury that was perhaps more concerning.

Before Wales’ World Cup opener against Scotland, she now has just over three weeks to recover.

Wales were consoled by a try for Jasmine Joyce-Butchers on her 50th appearance, while Faitala Moleka, Katalina Amosa, and Ashley Marsters also made the scoresheet.

JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.

In the opening 10 minutes, Wales predominated possession and territory, playing the majority of the rugby in Australia’s 22 before Gwenllian Pyrs and Gwenllian Pyrs came close, but it was the hosts who attracted first blood.

Wales was forced to run in the opening try by a cut-out pass from Caitlyn Halse, who had already rushed in the previous try.

Wales responded with Pyrs once more leading the charge as the game progressed against the run of play.

Wales found Joyce-Butchers in a rare space, and she didn’t need another invitation to cross, despite the driving rain.

That would prove to be Lynn’s side’s only hope in a disappointing evening.

With a show-and-go, Moleka eased her way over with a clinical edge that had been lacking last weekend.

After the break, Australia continued to advance from where they left off.

Tuinakauvadra had always been a threat, and she drove over in the corner as Wales struggled to cope with the Wallaroos’ physicality.

Then, when Australia was in a more promising position, Pyrs was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on.

Five minutes later, Wales were forced to score again with Tuinakauvadra bulldozing over the defense, which was a record-setting defeat to Australia, which happened last year at WXV2, where they lost 37-5 to South Africa.

In the final five minutes, Australia’s replacement Marsters swept Welsh wounds with salt. In the final seconds, she crossed again, but Wales’ relief was met with the recognition that the effort had been made.

Sean Lynn, the head coach of Wales, stated to the women at the conclusion, “We’re looking to build on our previous World Cup successes.”

“Always give it to Australia, I thought they put pressure on themselves.” When we had opportunities in those first 15-20 minutes, we didn’t do it well enough.

We as coaches wanted to have all 30 players have minutes when they came out.

Caitlyn Halse, Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Samantha Wood, Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, and Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Emily Chancellor (capt).

Waiaria Ellis, Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, and Alapeta Ellis are the replacements.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Gwen Crabb, Abbie Fleming, Kate Williams (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (co-capt).

related subjects

  • Welsh Rugby
  • Rugby Union

Wales suffer heavy Australia defeat in final World Cup warm-up

Picture agency for Huw Evans

Summer women’s television program

Australia (21) 36

Cons: Wood 3, Moleka, Amosa, Tuinakauvadra 2, Tuinakauvadra 2, and Tries: Stewart, Moleka, Moleka, Amosa, and Wood.

Wales (5) 5

In their final World Cup warm-up, Wales suffered a significant defeat from Australia.

After a strong showing in the first Test in Brisbane, Sean Lynn’s team had already left Sydney feeling completely underwhelmed at the Oval.

Alex Callender, who limped off early in the first half and then retreated to the sideline on crutches, suffered a foot injury that was perhaps more concerning.

Before Wales’ tournament opener against Scotland, she now has just over three weeks to recover.

Maya Stewart crossed for the hosts in her first appearance since May, while Tabua Tuinakauvadra scored twice.

In the opening 10 minutes, Wales predominated possession and territory, playing the majority of the rugby in Australia’s 22 before Gwenllian Pyrs and Gwenllian Pyrs came close, but it was the hosts who attracted first blood.

Wales was forced to run in the opening try by a cut-out pass from Caitlyn Halse, who had already rushed in the previous try.

Wales responded with Pyrs once more leading the charge as the game progressed against the run of play.

Wales found Joyce-Butchers in a rare space, and she didn’t need another invitation to cross, despite the driving rain.

That would prove to be Lynn’s side’s only hope in a disappointing evening.

With a show-and-go, Moleka eased her way over with a clinical edge that had been lacking last weekend.

After the break, Australia continued to advance from where they left off.

Tuinakauvadra had always been a threat, and she drove over in the corner as Wales struggled to cope with the Wallaroos’ physicality.

Then, when Australia was in a more promising position, Pyrs was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on.

Five minutes later, Wales were forced to score again with Tuinakauvadra bulldozing over the defense, which was a record-setting defeat to Australia, which happened last year at WXV2, where they lost 37-5 to South Africa.

In the final five minutes, Australia’s replacement Marsters swept Welsh wounds with salt. In the final seconds, she crossed again, but Wales was relieved to see that her effort had been saved for a knock-on.

Caitlyn Halse, Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Samantha Wood, Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, and Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Emily Chancellor (capt).

Waiaria Ellis, Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, and Alapeta Ellis are the replacements.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Gwen Crabb, Abbie Fleming, Kate Williams (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (co-capt).

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  • Welsh Rugby
  • Rugby Union

Is winning all that matters or must Lions deliver more in final Test?

Images courtesy of Getty
  • 57 Comments

third Test match between Australia and the British and Irish Lions

Accor Stadium Date: Saturday, August 2nd, 2019 12:00 BST

Finn Russell put it in the first place. The fly-half insisted that the job was not yet done in Australia and would only be done if the Lions turned the 2-0 from Melbourne into the 3-0 in Sydney after the Lions secured the series against the Wallabies last Saturday in the passageway beneath the MCG.

They came here for a clean sweep, and they need a clean sweep to have their name remembered exactly how they want to be remembered. The Lions must bring up the final whistle. They are better than anyone else when they speak to them this past week.

One Lion after another has been robbing about the impact of a landslide, which has only grown since Melbourne.

Andy Farrell was questioned about his players’ bravado the day before. He said, “I never believe that you should avoid trying to shoot for the stars because you could end up on the moon.”

“I don’t think you should be afraid to challenge one another, and I’m hoping it’s somewhere near.” It reinforces what delivering means in my mind. What can a shy person do? Every team, every staff, players, Lions fans, want to win every game. That is not a fright for you.

So we’re standing. The Lions are the favorites to win their third Test in a row (probably not the case since they won 4-0 on their first appearance on a tour in 51 years) and if they do, it will be their first time winning three straight against a score of a pair.

According to their estimation, they haven’t required a flawless performance to advance this far. It has taken fifty minutes to complete this and fifty more to complete this.

They claimed that if they were to win the second Test, they would need to be significantly better if they were going to do so. They still won despite being much worse than the Wallabies in many areas.

Of course, to their credit, but you can’t be great Lions if you can’t defend your position against moderate foes.

The first two games were fantastic because we won two games, but there is still a sense that we haven’t put together the pieces in a way that we know we can, according to captain Maro Itoje. We want to bring down the performance we have been looking for, the company says.

The Irish top eight, Jack Conan, had his own unique perspective on the Lions, who continue to lack the things they believe they can do.

Ben Earl trains with the British Lions in AustraliaImages courtesy of Getty
These Lions have the potential to be a very fine team with a strong lineup of world-class players, as some have suggested. The Wallabies, who are shorn once more of the wonderful Rob Valetini in their back row, are reportedly going to the cleaners if they click.

A performance that knocks the door off is required by The Lions. In the event of a Wallaby shellacking, the issue is that even then, in the best case scenario, we will wonder how effective the Lions would have been if they had had better foes, such as the Springboks or the All Blacks, had they been on the opposite end of the spectrum.

That is a question that has no apparent response. Never will be certain. Ben Earl stated at some point in the journey that he wanted his team to be remembered as one of the best Lions teams ever.

Although Earl wasn’t present in either 1971, 1974, or 1997, these pantheon tours are legendary. The Lions haven’t had enough of the Lions’ desire to join them, which is exactly the right attitude. However, you need real competition to reach greatness. It is true for them, not to blame.

Joe Schmidt donned a boffin’s hat to present his version of events, which the Wallabies have been fuming about the past week. When Morgan hit him, his flanker Carlo Tizzano, who had almost 2200 rads of rotational force, went through his neck, which is enough to cause serious injury.

Schmidt is well-versed in rotational force and G-force, but he was unable to persuade his team to arrive on time for the Wallaby team bus to the MCG. Five days after the incident, he was still making up his rants about the Tizzano incident.

The Wallabies were ruined by Hugo Keenan’s late-try. Nobody knows how they can reunite themselves, but without Valetini, the job would be much harder.

The Springboks have two Tests against them scheduled for this month, and Schmidt is already mentioning those games as if the final Test were more about rugby championship preparation than Lions face-saving efforts. They are doomed if the Wallabies lose their focus.

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Making it 3-0 is important for the Lions’ players, the coaches, and especially Farrell. In his world, a game of tiddlywinks would be a big deal, to be honest. In a room full of journalists, Farrell’s full personality is not revealed, but his players, the Irish men who are familiar with him and the others who are not, speak in almost reverential language.

Huw Jones, one of the 11 players who will start their third Test series in a row on this tour, described his coach as “really good at bringing everyone closer” on Thursday. “I don’t know how he did it, but it worked,” he said. Although I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from the outside, he tends to be very quiet and composed frequently and is quite aggressive when he’s on.

He never skips a beat when we’re training. He comprehends everything. There is no place to hide. His standards are very high. He is not required to be intimidating. He is perfect. Not in a negative, positive way. He commands respect for it exactly. Some individuals simply possess that physical presence.

Would Farrell be able to do it again in 2029? Do you mind? Would you please give me a break? Let’s get to Saturday, please. Sincerely, it has been fantastic for me. I have absolutely loved every minute of it, and I already knew I would because I adore everything the Lions are all about. I don’t think much about the future until I get home and do a little reflection on it.

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  • Irish Lions and British &
  • Rugby Union

In the wake of new tariffs, how are US-China trade talks going?

Donald Trump, president of the United States, has introduced new reciprocal tariffs on imports from dozens of nations, starting at 10 percent and increasing to 41 percent, helping to advance his efforts to reform global trade.

Some 69 trading partners and their respective “adjusted” tariff rates were included in a statement released by the White House on Thursday, entitled “Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates.”

Since the tariffs were announced on April 2 (and then halted until August 1), the day Donald Trump referred to as “Liberation Day,” have there been any changes to import taxes. Most nations’ rates have decreased, but not all. The new tariffs will start enacting in large part on August 7.

Imports from about 40 different nations will be subject to a new 15% duty rate on goods they export to the United States, while higher duties will be applied to those exported from other countries. Both Australia and the United Kingdom will receive 10%.

China, the US’s third-largest trading partner, makes a notable exception to Trump’s most recent tariff list. What’s the current state of play between the two nations then?

What is the state of US-China trade talks?

During the most recent round of discussions held in Stockholm, Sweden, top US and Chinese officials argued against extending a 90-day pause on tariffs on Tuesday.

Trump will ultimately decide whether the pause is renewed, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is scheduled to end on August 12.

The talks, which took place in Rosenbad, the country’s top government location, were meant to end a fresh trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Just two days after Trump announced a new trade deal with the European Union, Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng for Beijing attended the most recent meeting.

The US and China had already slapped each other with tariffs exceeding 100% in an escalating trade war at the time of the third meeting since April.

A costly logjam that had impacted trade was eased by the two on May 12 when they agreed to a 90-day tariff pause in Geneva. US tariffs have been cut from 145 percent to 30 percent, and Chinese duties have decreased from 125 percent to 10 percent during the pause.

However, if US and Chinese tariffs resume to triple-digit levels, which would result in a bilateral trade embargo, global supply chains could experience additional turmoil.

What took place at the Stockholm meeting?

Both sides were “fully aware of the importance of safeguarding a stable and sound China-US trade and economic relationship,” according to Li Chenggang, China’s deputy commerce minister.

He claimed that “candid and constructive exchanges” had taken place between the two parties.

Bessent, a senior US official, claimed at a briefing on Tuesday that the US’s relationship with Japan and the EU had gained momentum. He remained optimistic about China.

The meetings were very productive, just to tamp down that rhetoric. He claimed that simply the sign off has not been done.

Nothing can be agreed upon until we speak with President Trump, Bessent remarked.

On Wednesday, he added, Trump was scheduled to receive a briefing from the Treasury Secretary and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer regarding the Stockholm discussions.

Bessent added that if Beijing continued to purchase Russian oil, China could face high tariffs as a result of US secondary tariff legislation on sanctioned Russian oil. &nbsp,

In addition to a 25% tariff on Indian exports, the US recently announced an unspecified penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil.

What are the main concerns raised by the trade talks?

This week’s discussions are supposed to have focused on technology exports, specifically chips used in artificial intelligence. US security officials have expressed concern that China’s military might use high-tech American semiconductor chips in particular.

Trump was planning to halt Nvidia’s H20 chip’s exportation in April, in line with Biden’s export restrictions. However, Trump changed his mind following Jensen Huang’s direct appeals.

In preparation for the talks this week, according to the UK’s Financial Times newspaper, Washington had imposed export restrictions on rare earth minerals and frozen restrictions on technology sales to China in order to ease negotiations and prevent Beijing from retaliating.

17 elements, including military hardware, automotive parts, and clean energy technology, make up the group of 17 elements. They are also a significant topic in trade negotiations.

China has long been the world leader in the production of related components, such as rare earth magnets, as well as in the mining and processing of rare earth minerals.

Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, US trade representatives have been particularly concerned about China’s influence on the sector.

Before the recent truce, how was US-China trade?

Trump has long criticized Beijing for what he believes to be unfair trade practices, including import quotas, government subsidies, and tax breaks. He even asserts that the US’s trade deficit with China, which reached $20 trillion between 1974 and 2024, constitutes a national emergency.

Trump made an exception for China when he paused&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp tariffs on dozens of nations on April 9. Beijing then retaliated with own import taxes.

Tit-for-tat exchanges quickly grew into jaw-dropping sums. By April 11, US duties on US products entering China had increased to 125 percent, while US tariffs on Chinese goods had increased to 145 percent.

In May, Bessent and He Lifeng reached a truce that reduced their respective tariffs by 115 percentage points for three months, easing tensions.

While China’s tariffs on US goods have fallen to 10%, the US has currently set US duties at 30%.

What will follow?

Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could have a meeting in the coming weeks, despite Trump’s claim on Tuesday that he would go out of his way to ask for one.

A face-to-face meeting has “the potential to be significant,” says Thomas Sampson, an economics professor at the London School of Economics. However, he claimed that there might be nothing worthwhile to be discussed at the “grip-and-grin style summit” he said.

Due to China’s dominance of rare earth minerals, Sampson continued, adding that the US-China negotiations are more complex than those with other Asian nations.

Sampson said he thinks the “mood around the]Sweden] talks seem to be more positive than it did earlier this year. It appears that the two parties have come out of the woods. His expectation is for a “more restrained trade war” to be resumed.

White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt stated on Friday that Washington and Beijing are still in “direct communication” and that trade negotiations are “moving in the right direction.”

What other recent trade agreements has Trump reached?

The most recent US-China discussions follow Trump’s tariff blitz on Thursday and follow previous agreements with both the EU and Japan.

A month-long standoff between two economic giants was finally resolved last Sunday by Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

After the deal enters force, the EU will start imposing a 15% tariff on the majority of its exports, while the bloc’s average tariff rate on US goods will decrease to 1%.

In addition to existing commercial agreements, Brussels added that it would purchase $750 billion worth of American energy products and invest $600 billion more in the US.

The deal struck on Sunday was characterized as a “dark day” for the EU, according to France’s Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who claimed the EU had capitulated to Trump’s trade threats.