Great Britain’s Oliver Rowland has secured the Formula E title for the first time after a fourth place finish in Berlin, Germany.
The Nissan driver won the championship with two races to spare and becomes the 10th different champion in 11 seasons.
Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein was Rowland’s closest title rival, but the German slipped down to 16th in Sunday’s race despite starting on pole at Berlin’s old Tempelhof airport.
“Honestly, I was just thinking before the race not to have too much damage going into [the final round in] London,” said Rowland.
“I can’t believe it, I have no words. It’s incredible. I was trying to play it safe but everybody was so aggressive, so at some point I was all in.
“Thankfully I stayed out of trouble.”
It has been a dominant season for Rowland, with victories in Mexico, Jeddah, Monaco and Tokyo, before Sunday’s in Germany.
He has 184 points going into the final two races of the season in London (26-27 July), while Wehrlein sits on 125.
Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy won Sunday’s race as Jake Dennis (Andretti) finished second and Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Penske) came home in third.
A stunning late burst from Brydon Carse kept England alive on an utterly captivating fourth day of the third Test against India at Lord’s.
Bowling with supreme rhythm from the Pavilion End, Carse pinned both Karun Nair and India captain Shubman Gill leg before.
With the final ball of the day, Ben Stokes bowled nightwatchman Akash Deep to leave India 58-4, 135 adrift of their target of 193.
It was a dramatic end to a wonderful Sunday, one played on a surface that suddenly became venomous. India’s bowlers were brilliant to dismiss England for 192.
Jasprit Bumrah somehow only claimed two wickets, the main damage done by off-spinner Washington Sundar’s 4-22. England lost their last six wickets for 38 runs.
In a chaotic morning, Harry Brook was bowled trying to sweep seamer Akash Deep for 23. Joe Root dropped anchor for 40, Stokes even more guarded for 33.
Both the captain past and present were bowled by Sundar, part of a total of 12 home batters that have lost their furniture – an England record for a Test in this country.
Jofra Archer bounced out Yashasvi Jaiswal for nought, but Chris Woakes could not cling on to a return catch off KL Rahul when he had only five.
England were drifting out of the game until Carse’s intervention, before the talismanic Stokes had the final say. It will be a grandstand finale on Monday morning.
Torpid Test explodes into life
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Finally, after three torpid days, this Test exploded into life. The pitch became a snake pit, there was tension between the teams after the Saturday evening handbags and the Lord’s atmosphere was sizzling.
From the second over of the day, when Bumrah got one to spit at Zak Crawley off a length, the action was never anything less than riveting.
India’s bowlers were outstanding, the seamers in the morning and Sundar across the afternoon. England’s approach can be questioned, especially Brook’s dismissal, but the fact a maestro like Root had to face 96 balls for his 40 runs, with only one four, shows how difficult batting was.
Bumrah was mesmeric. As he stalked in during the evening, the large number of India fans chanted his name, a foreboding din. It was equally as loud when Archer removed Jaiswal.
It was the India fans enjoying the evening sun until Carse charged down the slope. Nair misjudged to play no shot and Gill, who had already overturned being given caught behind, was undone by a nip-backer.
Muddled England still alive
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England owe much to Carse after their batting buckled. No doubt run-scoring was tough, though the home side did not help themselves with their decision making.
Whether it was the toughness of the conditions, or the feeling between the teams, England got carried away in the morning session. Ben Duckett played a needless swipe and Crawley, who bravely fended off Bumrah, fell with a familiar loose drive.
At what point does his untouchable place at the top of the order come into question?
Most infuriating was Brook. Twice he ramped Deep for four, then hit the same bowler for a straight six. Next over, Deep moved a fielder fine on the leg side, so Brook attempted a sweep and was bowled.
England might feel aggrieved that India used substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel, who was excellent standing up to the seamers. Still, standing back he conceded the majority of his 25 byes, without which the game might already be as good as gone.
Root threatened one of his epics to dig England out of trouble, Stokes never got to the stage where he flicked his trademark switch. The wickets fell in a cluster of four, then six, either side of their stand of 67.
India create shot at history
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India have been the better team across this series, now they have the chance to lead it and grab a slice of history – only once before at this ground has a side conceded so many runs fielding first and gone on to win, an Australia side containing Don Bradman in 1930.
The tourists’ main area of supremacy has been their bowling and they were collectively outstanding on Sunday. Right from the beginning, with Bumrah creating havoc from the Nursery End, England were given no respite.
Getting peppered by Bumrah, England tried to get after Mohammed Siraj, still fired up from the third evening. When Duckett hacked to mid-on, the two players brushed shoulders, then Ollie Pope was lbw on review.
Just like the first innings, Nitish Kumar Reddy found movement down the slope, and suckered in Crawley. Deep was targeted by Brook, but held his line to uproot middle stump when Brook aimed the needless sweep.
Root and Stokes dug in, India turned to Sundar. In theory, he was attempting to turn his off-breaks up the slope, but it was his drift in the air that proved so tricky. Root was bowled around his legs attempting a sweep, Jamie Smith was back when he should have been forward, Stokes missed a sweep of his own.
‘Absolutely gripping’ – reaction
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England batting coach Marcus Trescothick on Test Match Special: “We would have loved 250 and beyond but we would have taken 190 and our chance to bowl on that pitch and it’ll come down to who holds the pressure best.”
India all-rounder Washington Sundar, speaking to TMS: “We’d have loved to have about nine wickets [in hand]. It is what it is and we’ll definitely win the game.”
On which wicket gave him the most pleasure: “All four of them, honestly. Lord’s Test, big Test, it’s going to be amazing when we win the game and go 2-1 up in the series so every wicket was very very crucial.”
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Barely a few hours after the death of Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will head to the United Kingdom to accompany the late former president’s body back to Nigeria.
The ex-president, who had battled a prolonged illness, died in London at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the age of 82.
Buhari’s former special adviser, Garba Shehu, confirmed the news of his passing in a statement.
In a separate release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu confirmed the death of his predecessor and revealed that he has conversed with Buhari’s wife, Mrs Aishat Buhari, while expressing condolence.
The statement further disclosed that President Tinubu has directed national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the late leader.
Buhari was twice elected as Nigeria’s president, serving from 2015 to 2023.
Fighting between Bedouin tribes and local fighters in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida in southern Syria has killed several people.
Sunday’s clashes are the first outbreak of deadly violence in the area since fighting between members of the Druze community and security forces killed dozens of people in April and May.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said at least eight people were killed, six Druze and two Bedouin.
Citing medical sources, local outlet Sweida 24 gave a preliminary toll of seven people killed, “including a child, and about 32 others wounded as a result of armed clashes and mutual shelling in the Maqus neighbourhood”, east of Sweida city.
It also reported the closure of the Damascus-Sweida highway because of the violence.
A Syrian government source, speaking anonymously to AFP news agency, said authorities sent soldiers to de-escalate the situation.
Call for restraint
Sweida Governor Mustapha al-Bakour called on people to “exercise self-restraint and respond to national calls for reform”.
Syria’s Druze population numbers about 700,000, with Sweida home to the sect’s largest community.
Bedouin and Druze factions have a longstanding feud in Sweida, with violence occasionally erupting.
Since the overthrow of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, concerns have been raised over the rights and safety of minorities under the new authorities, who have also struggled to re-establish security more broadly.
Clashes between troops and Druze fighters in April and May killed dozens of people, with local leaders and religious figures signing agreements to contain the escalation and better integrate Druze fighters into the new government.
The Mirror goes behind the scenes of Neil Young’s incredible BST Hyde Park show as we speak to tour insiders about the star’s life on the road
Neil Young delivered a BST Hyde Park masterclass
At 10.32pm on Friday night – two minutes after the strict curfew in London’s Hyde Park had passed – Neil Young’s guitar finally fell silent. After a blistering encore of Rockin’ in the Free World, with three false endings, festival bosses had no choice but to fade down the volume to zero.
For a man who took on the BBC over its Glastonbury coverage and won, he had met his match when it came to Westminster Council’s licensing laws. Not that the fans seemed to mind.
To them, Neil’s little act of defiance was the perfect ending to what has been billed as one of the all-time-great BST performances. “You could tell he was just goading them into that, it was glorious,” said one.
At 79-years-old, it would appear Neil is still very much a rule-breaker. In fact, the UK leg of his Love Earth world tour has been an exercise in doing things differently. Just ask both Emily and Michael Eavis. They were left poleaxed after Neil pulled out of Glastonbury earlier this year accusing it of being “under corporate control”.
He later reversed his decision but then took on the BBC and only allowed them to live-stream his set at the last minute. It’s not available on iPlayer.
Council red-tape aside, it was more plain sailing when it came to his second UK show in Hyde Park. For all his no-nonsense reputation, insiders say the opposite is true when you actually meet the Heart of Gold musician.
Glastonbury wrangle: Neil Young (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Many backstage at BST were surprised by how “incredibly down to earth and laidback he was ….with barely any entourage and just wife Daryl Hannah and a few family and friends.” One said: “Neil made the effort to go around thanking everybody, particularly all the security staff who remarked how lovely he was afterwards.”
Unlike other big A-list stars, it was very much a low-key affair with no fuss. Staff had laid on a table football table which “went down well”, as well as fridges loaded with Grolsch and Peroni.
Front of house, it was a markedly different atmosphere with a guest list spanning fashion, music, film and sport all clamouring to watch him. “It was almost like a pilgrimage…..Kate Moss, Owen Wilson, Dua Lipa, John McEnroe, Derek Chisora were all there,” says one insider.
Supermodel Moss is a particularly enthusiastic fan of the godfather of grunge. But despite being side of stage for support act Van Morrison, she didn’t have any such luck with Neil and watched from the crowd instead.
For a man who is turning 80 this November, this may have been because of Covid protocols. All staff working around the headline area were asked to take a Covid test before entering.
“It was a precaution but an important one not least as his tour goes on for many months,” said one.
But it would appear Neil still got to enjoy a taste of Britain. For a man who doesn’t do many interviews, many of the glimpses into the Canadian’s life comes from his website where he updates fans in his own inimitable style.
In staccato, short sentences, he said how the morning after Hyde Park he “went for a walk to the river…beautiful morning meadow…not too hot…nice breeze.”
Of the show itself, he admitted: “A lot of our family shared yesterday and the music was there for us…good to see and feel everyone.” He then chronicled his trip to Paris via Eurostar, where he was set to play last night (Sunday)
“Beautiful english countryside rolls by….may not see it til spring or summer next….want to return soon… missed too many old friends,” he says.
Neil Young has an amazing body of work(Image: Getty Images)
He added: “Sitting at the ferry dock watching so many cars coming off the ferry, arriving cars and home trailers…Everyone wants to visit England…so beautiful, open and friendly.”
Being on Eurostar, he said, reminded him of “playin’ trains with Ben..be nice to see him again soon.” Neil has previously told how he built an intricate miniature train set for him and his son Ben, who has severe cerebral palsy, to bond over.
For many fans, the beauty of the tour so far has been in its unpredictability. He is known to chop and change his set-list around at the last minute keeping the audience – and his band the Chrome Hearts – on their toes.
For a man whose back catalogue spans six decades including seminal albums Harvest, After the Gold Rust and Rust Never Sleeps, he is not short of material. And many believe this incarnation of the band has given Neil a new lease of life.
Certainly on stage, it seems like he is having a whale of a time, while both his haunting voice – and guitarmanship – remain as strong as ever. Says an insider: “The BST show was one of the best shows Neil had done…and the new band seems to have galvanised him.”
Of course, the singer is as famous for his activism as he is for his music. Just a few months ago he predicted that his outspoken attacks on Donald Trump could see him banned from entering the US for that leg of the tour.
Neil Young performs on stage at Wembley Stadium, in 1974(Image: Getty Images)
“When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminium blanket,” he wrote.
Even Neil’s train trip to Paris at the weekend was not without reflection about the state of the world.
After popping out the other end of the Channel Tunnel, he wrote: “On the way I saw the respect for earth’s beauty of France….no advertising billboards……pristine natural lands showing the beauty of Earth without disruption respect for earth beauty…appreciation…not a corporate $ checkbook. …They care in France…..it sure looks like it. ……music tomorrow..”
FIVE STAR REVIEW BY TOM BRYANT, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
It would take some effort to eclipse what was a magical show on Worthy Farm two weeks ago.
But as the sun set on W2, Neil Young did just that with a spell-binding performance for the ages.
All the focus had been on the star’s Glastonbury show in the build-up to his European tour. Not least the controversy over whether he would allow the BBC to screen his performance. But here in Hyde Park it was all about the music – and the 79-year-old rocker delivered with aplomb.
There was no scrimping on a hits-packed set list including Old Man, Harvest Moon and the Needle and the Damage Done. There was even a rare outing for his 1970 tear-jerker After the Gold Rush which made its tour debut.
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Sat astride a piano, it was a moment of perfection and you could hear a pin drop in the hushed royal park. Otherwise, the godfather of grunge was at his rocking best, generating an inordinate amount of noise as they jammed into the night with a thrilling encore of Rockin’ in the Free World.
Snoop Dogg appeared in Swansea City’s kit launch and the Championship side have hinted that the rapper could also buy a stake in the club, joining former Real Madrid star Luka Modric
Snoop Dogg helped Swansea launch their new kit(Image: Swansea City)
Swansea City have hinted that Snoop Dogg could invest in the club after the rapper helped launch their new home kit. Swansea unveiled their new kit by taking a jab at fellow Welsh club Wrexham, who are owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham launched their new kit earlier this week and Reynolds shared a snap of himself wearing the shirt while holding on Instagram. “Been waiting a year for this kit to make its debut – and it did not disappoint,” the Deadpool actor wrote.
“Available NOW in the Wrexham online store. Link in stories. Dog not included.” And Swansea poked fun at Reynolds’ post, sharing an image of Snoop Dogg in their new kit with the caption: “Dogg included @SnoopDogg Nuthin’ But A Wales Thang, the Jacks are ready. We’re the Pride of Wales.”
They also posted a video of Snoop Dogg saying: “Hail to Wales and to Swansea City. It’s your boy big Snoop Dogg. Coming to a hood near you. Oh yeah, these are the new jerseys.”
And Swansea have now hinted that the rapper may even invest in the club, with a spokesperson saying: “We appreciate the considerable interest and enthusiasm generated by Snoop Dogg’s appearance in a Swansea City shirt.
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“While we are not in a position to share specifics with you all just yet, we will be able to provide more details soon and we’re excited about what’s to come.” Swansea are currently under the ownership of Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Nigel Morris and Jason Cohen, who took majority control from Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan last November.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is also a co-owner, having acquired a minority stake in the club back in April. “This is an exciting opportunity,” the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner said at the time.
“Swansea has a strong identity, an incredible fanbase and the ambition to compete at the highest level. Playing at the highest level, I believe I can provide my experience to the club. My goal is to support the club’s growth in a positive way and to help to build an exciting future.”
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Swansea’s chief executive Tom Gorringe added: “I am excited that Luka has come on board as an investor and co-owner. There is no better role model in the game for our players, from the academy right through to the first team.
“His endorsement of our ambition and willingness to support us on our journey will be instrumental as we aim to continue to improve our results on and off the pitch.
“In our conversations, he has demonstrated his passion for the club, his knowledge of how we are performing, and a genuine passion to help us improve. I am really looking forward to working with him more closely to drive us forward.”
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