Archive May 10, 2025

Bristol beat much-changed Bath in showpiece game in Cardiff

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Gallagher Premiership

Bristol (19) 36

Tries: Ibitoye, Lane, Oghre, Harding, Capon, Mata Cons: MacGinty 3

Bath (7) 14

Bristol overcame their own ill-discipline and much-changed league leaders Bath to claim a 36-14 victory in a Premiership showpiece match at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Ciaran Donoghue opened the scoring for Bath but a trio of tries from Gabriel Ibitoye, Rich Lane and Gabriel Oghre gave the Bears a 19-7 lead at the break despite two yellow cards.

Fitz Harding added Bristol’s fourth try after the break before Ewan Richards pulled one back as the Bears were reduced to 13 men for a second time.

Branded the ‘Big Day Out’, the match saw Bristol swap Ashton Gate for Wales’ flagship international stadium with 51,095 tickets sold – just under twice the capacity of their 27,000 home ground.

With Bath already having cemented a home semi-final in the play-offs, head coach Johann van Graan fielded a fledgling team who will feel nonetheless disappointed to have come away with nothing.

Bristol failed to convert three early visits to Bath’s 22 into points, only to rapidly be reduced to 13 men.

Max Lahiff was first to be shown yellow for repeated infringements as Bath’s forwards pushed for a try that was twice held up.

Joe Cokanasiga reacted fastest to a charged-down kick, bursting forward and passing to Donoghue to make it 7-0 to Bath, before Benhard Janse van Rensburg was also sent to the bin for tackling Richards in the air.

Bristol impressively survived the numerical disadvantage and, back at full tilt and at their fifth time of asking in Bath’s red zone, Ibitoye scored his 11th Premiership try of the campaign to shift the momentum.

Janse van Rensburg then fed Lane to cross in the corner and Oghre added their third before half-time from a driving maul to open a 12-point advantage.

Ibitoye drifted through Bath’s line and Harding stretched over for the bonus-point score quickly after half-time, but Bath were far from down and out.

Replacement Will Jeanes – on his league debut – thought he had scored only for the try to be chalked off for a forward pass, while James Williams made a try-saving tackle to deny Austin Emens.

Richards then impressively closed the gap, throwing a dummy and ghosting behind two tacklers to dive under the posts.

Bristol’s indiscipline again almost cost them as Joe Batley – on his first appearance since November due to injury – was sent to the bin, quickly followed by Mata, reducing them again to 13.

Their defence held firm to hold Bath at bay during a crucial 12 minutes and with the clock running down they sealed the win in style.

Bristol: Lane; Ravouvou, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Lahiff; Caulfield, Batley, Luatua, Harding (c), Mata.

Replacements: Capon, Y Thomas, Kloska, Dun, Owen, Marmion, Naulago, S Grondona.

Sin-bin: Lahiff (13 mins), Van Rensburg (18 mins), Batley (59 mins), Mata (61 mins)

Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Hennessey, Bailey, Emens; Donoghue, Shreuder; Van Wyk, Spandler, Griffin; Richards (c), Molony, Bayliss, Staddon, Green.

Replacements: Tuipulotu, Cordwell, Verden, Jeanes, Cowan, Carr-Smith, McConnochie, Reid.

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Explosions, violations reported after India and Pakistan agree ceasefire

India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after days of military escalation, deadly cross-border attacks, accusations and counter accusations, had raised acute concerns that the two nuclear-armed neighbours would engage in an all-out war for the fifth time since 1947.

But violations of the truce were reported later on Saturday as explosions rang out across parts of Indian-administered Kashmir.

Military officials from both countries had spoken to each other and agreed that all fighting would stop at 17:00 Indian time (11:30 GMT) on Saturday, bringing a halt to all firing and operations by land, air, and sea. This followed heavy overnight exchanges Friday into Saturday.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two military chiefs would speak to each other again on May 12.

“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity,”  Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said.

The announcement had met relief and joyous scenes by residents in both countries and in the areas of disputed Kashmir that each administers.

But just hours after the ceasefire was announced, explosions were heard across the city of Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir, according to Omar Abdullah, chief minister of the federal territory. “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar,” Abdullah posted on X.

Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Lahore, Pakistan, said, “People are welcoming the ceasefire, but we are also reminded how precarious it is; ceasefire violations are already happening across the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.”

“We’ve been hearing from local sources that there has been an exchange of fire in multiple locations in the Kashmir region, and there are some projectiles that have entered the Pakistani airspace, as well”, he said.

“We’re also hearing the loud explosions in Srinagar, similar to what was heard early Saturday and in the afternoon. Air sirens are all across, and there’s a power shutdown,” journalist Umar Mehraj told Al Jazeera from Srinagar.

“I can see projectiles flying, projectiles in the sky. It’s very unclear if they are missiles or air defence intercepting these attacks. Similar reports of the explosions are being heard in Baramulla and Jammu,” said Mehraj.

Electricity was cut off across multiple localities, adding to the confusion. With no official clarification on the nature of the blasts, some residents described feeling “abandoned and unprepared”.

“One of the blasts was so powerful it made the walls tremble. Authorities are not clarifying what is going on; we do not have any shelters, nor did we hear any sirens. We do not know what to do. There is only fear,” one Srinagar resident told Al Jazeera.

The ceasefire appears to have been mediated by international actors, but there are conflicting reports as to which countries played a crucial role.

US President Donald Trump claims it was the US – he was first to declare it on Truth Social post: “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE”.

“Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence,” he wrote.

Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna, reporting from Washington, DC, noted, “There are questions about why the US did announce first. What sort of leverage does it have over India and Pakistan? We do know that it was a multilateral attempt to get a ceasefire. We do know, as well, that the United Kingdom has just signed a major trade deal with India, so it would also have great sway in this. Still, the US appears to be taking it further.”

However, Dar told broadcaster Geo News that Pakistan and India had agreed to a “full-fledged” and “not partial” ceasefire, adding that three dozen countries were involved in the diplomacy that secured it.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement also includes plans for broader talks at a neutral venue, which conflicts with a statement published on social media by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that says, “There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place.”

Indian army soldiers stand guard in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, May 10, 2025 [Mukhtar Khan/AP Photo]

Broader Issues

Amid the cessation of hostilities, India and Pakistan have also agreed to a broader dialogue on various issues.

Two government sources told the news agency Reuters that all measures taken by India against Pakistan after April 22, including on trade and visas, remain in place.

Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Lahore, Pakistan, said that for the Pakistani side, the water issue is crucial “because India has suspended its related treaty with Pakistan, which affects the livelihood and agriculture in this country”.

Four government sources told Reuters that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, remains suspended.

The treaty regulates the sharing of water from the Indus River and its tributaries between the South Asian nations. India pulled out of it last month. It is crucial to agriculture in both nations.

“There are real fundamental political issues that need to be addressed so we don’t find ourselves again in a militarised crisis,” Elizabeth Threlkeld, director of the South Asia programme at the Stimson Centre, told Al Jazeera.

“The timing is significant since there is significant water flow between India and Pakistan because of the season at the moment. But in a few months’ time, that will start to dry up,” she said.

India does not necessarily have the infrastructure to meaningfully divert water right now, but it will gain that capacity when there’s less flow. So, that will have to be on the agenda of the talks if the two sides are to come together,” she added.

Interactive_Kashmir_LineOfControl_April23_2025

‘God has been kind to us for now’

Following the announcement of a ceasefire, residents on both sides of the Line of Control in Kashmir expressed a sense of relief, with many praying for a lasting solution to the Kashmir conflict.

“I was extremely anxious about what was happening,” 25-year-old Rumaisa Jan, a resident of Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir who has her wedding scheduled next week, told Al Jazeera. “This is the wisest decision taken after so many lives have been lost. We want peace and an end to all these hostilities.”

Firdous Ahmad Sheikh, who runs a travel agency in the city, said he was frustrated by Kashmir being turned into a “battleground” by the two countries.

“My only fear is that things could escalate again in future. These countries must sit together and find a political solution to Kashmir once and for all. I pray our children don’t have to witness such times again.

“God has been kind to us for now.”

pakistan
Pakistani people flashing victory signs stand over a tank as they celebrate after the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, in Multan on May 10, 2025[ Shahid Saeed Mirza/AFP]

In Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, residents welcomed the ceasefire, saying they hope it will bring long-awaited relief to a region that has borne the brunt of recurring conflict.

Sarries crush Falcons to boost play-off chances

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Gallagher Premiership

Saracens (33) 75

Tries: Gonzalez (3), Dan, Earl (2), Van Zyl, Itoje, George, Bracken, Willis Cons: Burke (7), Johnson (3)

Newcastle (14) 28

Saracens boosted their hopes of reaching the Premiership play-offs with a thumping 75-28 win over bottom-of-the-table Newcastle at StoneX Stadium.

Regularly overpowering the visitors in the first half, the home side established a comfortable cushion, scoring tries through Juan Martin Gonzalez, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Ivan Van Zyl and Maro Itoje.

Newcastle struck back with scores from Sam Stuart and Freddie Lockwood, but further efforts from Gonzalez, Jamie George, Charlie Bracken and Tom Willis put the game beyond Steve Diamond’s side.

The home side had the better of the early exchanges and it did not take them long to get on the scoreboard.

Van Zyl drove up to within inches of the line from a quick-tap penalty, before Gonzalez forced his way over for the first score of the afternoon.

Minutes later, Saracens were in again. Theo Dan emerging from the bottom of the pile following a five-metre line-out drive that was helped over the whitewash by the arrival of various Saracens backs.

Stung by those early concessions, Newcastle quickly halved the deficit.

Alex Hearle stole through a gaping hole in the home side’s defence before feeding Stuart, who fought off the attempted tackle of Tobias Elliott to slide over the line.

But whatever hopes the visitors’ had were soon dashed, as newly announced Lion Earl ran through two Falcons defenders off the back of a scrum for Saracens’ third.

Having been so close to scoring earlier on, Van Zyl then got the try he deserved.

Following a flowing set-piece move initiated from the Saracens half, neat interplay between Nick Tompkins, Alex Goode and Elliott put the scrum-half through to dot down in the shadow of the posts.

Itoje, having been named Lions captain on Thursday, then capped a fine week with a score of his own.

Following another catch and drive deep in the Falcons half, the second row drove over as the visitors’ defence fragmented under the pressure.

Falcons overpowered and outplayed

Things did not get any easier for the Falcons early in the second half with Gonzalez adding to his earlier effort, scything through the Falcons line and past the despairing Stuart.

The Argentine then gained a third, the ball spilling invitingly out the back of a Falcons ruck allowing the back rower to stride through untouched.

Not to be outdone, Stuart then bagged a second for the Falcons, darting off the back of a five-metre scrum as Saracens defenders proved slow to react to the threat.

Even with such a commanding lead, Saracens’ intensity never let up and resulted in a further four tries.

George fought his way over following another short-range driving maul before Ben Stevenson secured a try bonus point for the Falcons after Brett Connon’s break in the midfield.

Bracken then claimed Saracens’ ninth score of the afternoon from close range before Earl and Willis forced their way over late on as Newcastle wilted in the sunshine.

Saracens: Goode, Elliott, Daly, Tompkins, Segun; Burke, Van Zyl; Mawi, Dan, Clarey, Itoje, Isiekwe, McFarland, Gonzalez, Earl.

Replacements: George, Crean, Beaton, Willis, Onyeama-Christie, Bracken, Johnson, Hall.

Newcastle: Obatoyinbo, Hearle, Clark, Arnold, Stevenson; Connon, Stuart; Brocklebank, Blamire, McCallum, De Chaves, Hawkins, Lockwood, Neild, Chick.

Replacements: Fletcher, Rewcastle, De Bruin, Usher, Gordon, Davis, Pepper, Spencer.

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Relegated Southampton Hold Man City In Blow To Champions League Hopes

Manchester City were held to a shock goalless draw by relegated Southampton on Saturday, slowing their charge for a Champions League spot as Brentford and Brighton kept up their push for European qualification.

Pep Guardiola’s men were expected to waltz to three points on England’s south coast and pull level with second-placed Arsenal on 67 points.

But although they dominated possession, they could not break the deadlock, despite the return to action of Erling Haaland.

Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder #17 Kevin De Bruyne (L) and Manchester City’s Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland (R) during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 10, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

The point for Southampton takes them to 12 for the season, meaning they have avoided the tag of being the joint-worst team in Premier League history.

They are now one point clear of Derby’s tally of 11 in the 2007/08 campaign.

Despite the draw, third-placed City remain well-placed to finish in the top five, which would secure qualification for the Champions League next season.

With two games to play they are four points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, though their rivals all have a game in hand.

City’s title defence came off the rails in November and December during a season that Guardiola has admitted has been the toughest of his 16-year managerial career.

READ ALSO: Maresca Ready For Chelsea’s ‘Huge’ Newcastle Test

Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder #17 Kevin De Bruyne (L) misses with this freekick during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 10, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

The away side dominated possession at St Mary’s Stadium and had 26 shots but managed just five on target during a frustrating afternoon.

Saints had picked up just two points out of a possible 33 in their previous 11 games and were given little chance of getting anything from the match.

Brentford beat already relegated Ipswich 1-0 for their fourth straight win, climbing to eighth in the table, which may be enough for European football next season.

Kevin Schade headed home from Bryan Mbeumo’s corner in the 18th minute for his 11th Premier League goal of the season.

Brighton, also chasing European football, beat Wolves 2-0 at Molineux and are behind Brentford only on goal difference.

Danny Welbeck scored a first-half penalty and Brajan Gruda added a second in the 85th minute to secure the three points.

Everton went into their match on a poor run of form following a sharp uptick when David Moyes returned to manage the club but they have long reached safety in the top flight.

Raul Jimenez put mid-table Fulham ahead at Craven Cottage but Vitalii Mykolenko levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Two second-half goals in three minutes from Michael Keane and Beto made it 3-1.

Aston Villa travel to Bournemouth in the Saturday evening kick-off, still dreaming of securing a Champions League spot for next season.

Fourth-placed Newcastle host Chelsea, a place below them, on Sunday, with Forest in action against relegated Leicester.

Champions Liverpool play Arsenal, who are not yet certain of finishing in the top five despite being the closest challengers to Arne Slot’s men this season.

Sky News legend Kay Burley poses alongside rarely seen son as she announces big move

Former Sky News star Kay Burley posed alongside her son and shared snaps from over the years as they bid farewell from their family home and prepared to move on to pastures new

Kay Burley shared photos of her rarely seen son, Wolfie(Image: Instagram)

Kay Burley smiled alongside her son, Alexander ‘Wolfie’ Kutner, as they bid farewell to their family home. The 64-year-old former Sky News host reflected on her time in the home that is located in a historic village within the boundaries of Greater London.

Kay, who was married to businessman Steve Kutner in the early 1990s, and shares her only child with him, took to social media to mark the “end of an era”. The TV star uploaded a number of photographs on Instagram showing herself and her son at vairious points over the decades.

Snaps also showed Kay testing out her guitar skills, and their adorable family dog leaning in for snaps too. Uploading the images on Friday, Kay wrote: “End of an era. Moving day from Harrow on the Hill.”

The news reporter continued: “I have spent half my life in this street and my son @wolfiekutner has spent his whole life here. He went to school a stone’s throw away from the front door and we often had a house full of his schoolmates playing cricket in the garden.

“I spent most of my working life at Sky based in this street. I remember being woken by my head of news and driving up the road in the dark on 31st August, 1997 not knowing what the day would bring – it was the morning Diana died.”

Kay Burley shared photos of her rarely seen son, Wolfie
The Sky News star is moving from her family home(Image: Instagram)
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She added: “We will leave many memories behind.” The collection of images drew attention from fans as they rarely see her with her son.

Wolfie has a number of social media accounts that suggest he deals in luxury cars and luxury watches. Meanwhile, Kay appears to be easing herself into retirement life.

In February this year it was revealed that Kay was retiring from Sky News after an impressive 36 years of service. Recapping highlights from her career at the station, the star signed out from her breakfast show for the final time that month.

She told viewers: “From a standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news, it’s been an honour and privilege to work with some of the best and hardest working teams in the business.

“News by its very nature is often devastating and together we’ve covered so many life-changing events – from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster.

Kay Burley shared photos of her rarely seen son, Wolfie
Kay shared a selection of snaps from her home from over the years(Image: Instagram)

“But we’ve also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven’t we – the thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and DAYS waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing.

“But after over a million minutes of live TV news – more than anyone else in the world – it’s time for me to indulge in some of my other passions – including my love for travel.

“So, after covering 12 separate general elections – including Sir Keir Starmer’s victory last year – I am retiring from Sky News – let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news!

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“Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three and a half decades: You’re awesome.”

She went on to vow that she would keep fans in her life by sharing updates via social media – a promise she has gamely kept since bowing out from the spotlight.

Collins ends Swiatek’s Italian Open defence

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American Danielle Collins completed a comprehensive straight-set victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Italian Open.

Collins capitalised on a poor serving display from world number two Swiatek to cruise to the opening set before battling back from a break down in the second to clinch a 6-1 7-5 victory.

It was just her second win in nine matches against the five-time Grand Slam champion and first on clay – the 23-year-old Pole’s preferred surface.

Collins, 31, will face Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the fourth round, while Swiatek must now regroup before the French Open, which begins on 25 May.

The five-time Grand Slam champion had won the Italian Open in three of the past four seasons but struggled for her best form in the run-up to this year’s event in Rome.

Swiatek has not won a WTA tournament since claiming her fourth French Open women’s singles title in five years at Roland Garros 12 months ago.

She started poorly, serving double faults when facing break point in her first two service games, and lost her third to love as 29th seed Collins raced into a 5-0 lead.

Swiatek finally got on the board in the sixth game, but was promptly broken for a fourth time to lose the opening set in just 24 minutes.

She broke Collins in the opening game of the second set, but was again unable to cement the break.

Collins battled hard to keep on level terms for the remainder of the second set before pouncing in the 12th game, claiming a sixth break of serve in the match to seal victory with her second match point as Swiatek flashed a backhand wide.

Collins’ next opponent, 16th seed Svitolina, came through a three-set battle with 23-year-old American Hailey Baptiste, beating the world number 90 6-4 3-6 6-4.

Elsewhere, Italian number one Jasmine Paolini – the sixth seed – got past an out-of-sorts Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-3 to seal a place in the last 16, where she will meet 17th seed Jelena Ostapenko, of Latvia.

Australian Open champion Madison Keys is out as the fifth seed was downed by fellow American Peyton Stearns in three sets. Stearns will play either Marie Bouzkova or Naomi Osaka next.

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