Syria’s Civil Defence teams are battling wildfires sweeping through northeastern Syria, with the coastal region of Latakia among the worst hit. Emergency workers expressed concerns that unexploded ordnance from the war might be contributing to the rapid spread of the flames.
A lick of paint or something more substantial? As the first Netball Super League season since its relaunch reaches a climax with Sunday’s Grand Final, what has changed?
Player pay rises averaging about 60% have only led a small contingent to commit to full-time professionalism.
So where is the growth, where might it come next, and what else has been happening?
Trimming the league from 10 to eight teams for this season involved controversially cutting sides from Guildford, Bath and Worcester, plus Scotland’s lone representative, Glasgow-based Strathclyde Sirens.
Teams sprung up in Nottingham and Birmingham – Forest and Panthers finishing fifth and sixth respectively – as the league looked to become a big-city operation, with its stronghold in England, given England Netball is the league’s organisers.
Loughborough Lightning are outliers in a sense – a university-based team with a long track record of success.
Bath, also with university ties, enjoyed huge success before losing their place in the elite, but Loughborough surely have greater security. England Netball has its headquarters in the Leicestershire town, and the team continue to set high standards.
The season’s opening night served up a cruel reminder that netball players risk serious injury every time they take to the court.
Teams are offering better training facilities and more opportunities to spend time in the gym, but women in sport remain far more susceptible to non-contact serious injuries than men.
That was highlighted when London Mavericks’ Vicki Oyesola crumpled to the court floor after landing a little awkwardly against Cardiff Dragons.
It was the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury, the bane of many a netballer’s career – a season-ender on day one.
NSL says women are six times more likely to sustain such a non-contact injury than men, while a National Ligament Registry study has shown there are only more ACLs suffered by women in skiing than in netball.
More setbacks have followed, with Birmingham Panthers goal shooter Sigi Burger suffering a complete tear of her medial collateral ligament.
Manchester Thunder captain Amy Carter, who is a junior doctor and missed the 2022 season with an ACL injury, explained to BBC Sport why netballers suffer so badly.
“It’s a few different things. Your hips are a little bit wider, your knees are a bit closer together, you’re more likely to do your ACL,” Carter said.
“You’ve got the menstrual cycle to take into account, which can increase your risk when you’re on your period. The nature of the game, the change of directions, the high impact, the stopping still straight away, that can also contribute to it. “
More than 50% of games have been played in major arenas this season and there has been a sharp climb in attendances.
Average regular-season crowds have been estimated at about 1,500 in 2024, and league officials announced there was a 42% rise this year.
For a first season of the so-called NSL 2. 0 era, the rise signals strong progress.
The move to switch the Grand Final from Birmingham to London’s O2 reflected an ambition to see netball played in the biggest possible indoor venues.
The introduction of a two-point super shot this season raised eyebrows.
In play for the final five minutes of each quarter, NSL hoped it would lead to closer matches. There was also the prospect it could spark thrilling comebacks or blowout wins.
Some players and coaches liked the idea, some did not. NSL has contentedly reported a 23% increase in games with less than a five-goal winning margin.
Off the court, the Women’s Sport Trust said NSL enjoyed a 524% increase in TikTok views amid a push to connect with potential new fan bases.
But there are issues to examine, with video assistant referee (VAR) technology worthy of ongoing discussion.
Leeds Rhinos were upset when they controversially lost to Birmingham Panthers in May.
Rhinos were beaten 71-69 after extra time but felt they deserved the win in regulation time after what they believed was a two-point super shot was only credited as a one-point shot.
Beauty icon Victoria Beckham has amassed plenty of praise for her best-selling eyeliner range at Victoria Beckham Beauty, as makeup shoppers and celebrities alike are obsessed with its pigment, blendability and staying power.
Shoppers have been raving about this eye make-up essential as it continues to receive high praise as a best-seller, but the adoration doesn’t stop there, as plenty of celebrities have been voicing their love for this eyeliner. One known fan of the Satin Kajal Liner is Claudia Winkleman, who swears by Victoria Beckham’s eyeliner to create her iconic eye look.
Courtney Cox has now joined the list of stars singing the praises of this liner. She shared on Instagram earlier this week that she uses it to create the 90s smokey eye she opts for repeatedly.
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Claudia is mostly married to a classic black liner look, and Courtney Cox has just revealed she too opts for the same black eyeliner, and explained why. The Friends star told her Instagram followers that she had her eyelids tattooed to create a permanent eyeliner effect without the need for makeup to complete the look, or needing constant touchups throughout filming. That said, Courtney explained that she had done it so long ago that the tattoos were now faded, and she needed a good, pigmented black liner to cover the old marks.
The Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner comes in a total of 21 other shades , including navy, bronze, and burgundy, as well as more unusual hues like mint green. Shoppers can choose from matte, shimmer, and jewel finishes, and each liner costs £32, either directly from her website or at Selfridges.
The VB eyeliner is perfect for achieving Courtney’s iconic smudgy effect that recreates the 90s smokey eye Courtney has rocked since Friends season one. It boasts a creamy texture that glides on in a single stroke with no dragging or pulling. You can use it to create a sharp, crisp line or blend and smudge it out to create a more lived-in look.
It’s also packed with skin-loving ingredients which are suitable for all skin types, and it’s completely smudge-proof and waterproof, so once you’ve got it how you want it, it’ll stay put all day. The eyeliner has also been created to be vegan and completely cruelty-free.
The luxurious eyeliner promises “low maintenance glamour” with just one swipe across the eyelid, while also offering bendability and flexibility that means your new eyeliner can seamlessly blend into any eye look you want. And with grunge makeup making a comeback, these beauties are perfect for that messy, smudged style that won’t budge for the rest of the day.
And it’s not just Courtney who loves this award-winning eyeliner from Posh Spice’s brand, as plenty of 5-star reviews rack up. One 5-star reviewer raves: “Absolutely in love with the Kajal liner. Glides on like velvet. “
Another adds: “This eyeliner goes on smooth and smudges great. Once it sets, it stays in place all day. The colour is really pretty also. “
And another satisfied shopper beams: “This is the best eyeliner I have ever used. It’s easy to put on and lasts all day. The sharpener is a great tool too. “
A fourth beauty fan writes: “Beautiful colour and probably the best liner I have ever bought. Stays without smudge all day. “
Another reviewer added: “I’ve been using this soft, long-lasting eyeliner for a while now, and I’m absolutely hooked! The formula is smooth and glides on effortlessly, making it super easy to create a variety of looks. It stays put all day without smudging or fading, even during those long days. The colour payoff is fantastic, and it’s really easy to build up the intensity. And let’s not forget about the packaging! It’s sleek and stylish, making it a pleasure to use. ”
However, one left a three-star rating, commenting: “The eyeliner goes on like a dream but you have to be careful not to get it into your waterline otherwise it transfers under the eyes. I end up with blue/purple looking panda eyes after a few hours. To prevent this I have to apply very carefully and it blunts the pencil quickly. I never got this with my No7 kohl liner. ”
They were founder members of Serie A and once boasted some of Italian football’s most famous names, but now Brescia have been wiped out of existence after a financial crisis.
How did such a historic club fall so far, so quickly? And what happens next?
Brescia were founded in 1911, when professional football in Italy was in its early stages, and earned promotion to the top flight two years later.
When Serie A was formed in 1929 to implement a stronger two-tier structure throughout the country, they were among the 18 clubs included.
A solid 10th-placed finish in that debut campaign was an early sign of the relative anonymity to follow. The industrial town of Brescia, population 200,000, has always been in the shadows of regional powerhouse Milan, 50 miles to the west, and the same was true on the football field.
So, for the next nine decades Brescia were remarkably unremarkable: a mid-size provincial club plodding along between relegations and promotions, never winning anything but always on the scene, with no major trophies and their sole ‘achievement’ was holding Italian football’s longest unbroken spell in Serie B (1947 to 1965).
An exceptional burst into the spotlight came at the turn of the century, when divinely pony-tailed genius Roberto Baggio – one of Italy’s greatest players – ended his injury-hit career with a successful four-season spell at Brescia.
The flamboyant forward was briefly joined by another iconic veteran, Spain’s Pep Guardiola, along with rising midfield star Andrea Pirlo, who was born locally and came through the club’s youth system to launch his legendary career.
Inspired by Baggio, Brescia flourished. Finishing eighth in 2001 was the club’s best season and led to a spot in that summer’s Uefa Intertoto Cup, a now-defunct tournament for Europe’s mid-ranking teams.
Stepping onto the continental stage for the first time, Baggio’s penalty was not enough to avoid defeat by Paris St-Germain on away goals in one of three finals – the other two ‘champions’ were Aston Villa and Troyes…yes, three champions…it was a strange tournament.
Baggio retired in 2004, Brescia were relegated a year later, and that was that: the club’s brief flirtation with the elite was finished and the previous routine of relegation-promotion-relegation was resumed.
In the summer of 2017, the club was taken over by businessman Massimo Cellino.
His first football club ownership was Sardinian club Cagliari, where he earned the nickname ‘Manager Eater’ after hiring and firing 36 coaches in 22 years.
Cellino then turned his attention to English football, taking over at Leeds United in 2014. But, a controversial and divisive figure, he sold up in 2017 after being banned by the Football Association for 12 months for breaching the rules on football agents.
Instead he purchased Brescia, who had spent the past six years in Serie B.
A promotion and immediate relegation quickly followed, as well as 24 coaching changes in eight years, with 13 of the incumbents lasting fewer than 100 days in charge.
Then, in May, it was revealed an investigation into financial irregularities at the club had been taking place, including missed payments to players, staff and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
It led to a four-point deduction, sending Brescia – who had finished 15th – into the relegation zone and handing a reprieve to Sampdoria, who survived via a relegation play-off that was abandoned in the second leg because of crowd trouble.
On Thursday, the FIGC formally upheld its decision on Brescia, banning Cellino – as well as his son, and board member, Edoardo – for six months and revoking the club’s licence to operate at professional level.
Brescia had effectively been wiped out of business, apparently left with the only option of reforming the club in the amateur, regionalised Serie D.
Even before Brescia’s fate was formally announced last week, hopes had been building that resurrection was already around the corner.
The town is home to Feralpi, a leading steel manufacturer, whose president Giuseppe Pasini has been working with town mayor Laura Castelletti and another local company, A2A, to ensure professional football continues.
They are planning to form effectively a ‘new’ club, operating as a separate legal entity from the old Brescia that was banished last week by the FIGC, and similar to the process that revived another Italian club, Vicenza, in 2018.
The deadline to complete all the paperwork and register for next season’s Serie C is 15 July, so time is tight.
The old club’s Rigamonti Stadium is owned by the town council, but they signed a lease until 2028 with Cellino, who insisted that contract remains in place and has reportedly failed to return the keys.
But the council countered that by saying missed payments and the club’s disqualification by the FIGC invalidates the terms of the lease, and on Saturday locksmiths were sent in to reclaim the site.
At the moment, things look on track for Feralpi’s takeover.
Mauricio Pochettino’s start to life as head coach of the United States men’s national team has not been as convincing as he and the fans would have liked, but a promising run in this summer’s Gold Cup might have begun to turn things around.
A win against Mexico in Sunday’s final would deliver a trophy and start the process of instilling some much-needed belief.
It’s a victory that Pochettino and his players need if they are to demonstrate that things are moving in the right direction before a World Cup on home soil next summer.
By now, the US should have some clarity in their preparations for the 2026 tournament, but there remains an unfinished, rocky feel to the foundations they have been laying since Pochettino took over in September 2024.
Questions were being asked of the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris St-Germain boss following consecutive defeats by Panama and Canada in the Nations League finals, and Turkey and Switzerland in Gold Cup warm-up games.
Though they were only friendlies, those last two losses had USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) fans worried.
These games, more so than those against regional opponents, are seen as the type of test they will face in the World Cup – and they failed both.
With the big tournament less than a year away and only one more competitive game to play, it can be easy to slip into a last-minute panic.
There has been a lack of consistency in both personnel and results. The squad appears unresolved, with the group of players called up differing for each camp, something that has mostly been beyond Pochettino’s control.
Fifty-five players have made appearances for the USA under the Argentine since he was appointed 10 months ago, making it difficult to build momentum and togetherness.
The Gold Cup is Concacaf’s Euros and Copa America equivalent. Sunday’s final against Mexico is the United States’ last competitive match before the World Cup, which explains the sense of urgency going into it.
Pochettino’s side have experienced a promising campaign despite missing some key players. Their presence in the final reflects that progress.
It has been a bonding experience for the players involved, but it’s likely the XI that starts their first World Cup game in Inglewood next June will look significantly different.
Due to a combination of injury, the Club World Cup and fatigue, this current squad is without familiar names such as Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, Juventus pair Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, AC Milan duo Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic and Monaco striker Folarin Balogun.
Star man Pulisic’s decision to rest this summer rather than take part in the Gold Cup was particularly controversial given the context of building for next year’s home World Cup.
The players Pochettino has been able to call upon have developed into a useful unit as the tournament has progressed and it’s the most together and determined a US group has looked since he took over.
He might wish this togetherness could have been created with his first-choice group but, on the other hand, it has given him a good chance to test fringe players in a competitive, high-pressure environment with a trophy on the line.
Some of this contingent have made a good case for inclusion in next summer’s 26-man squad.
Diego Luna has long been touted as a player with the potential to offer the United States something they’ve been missing. The 21-year-old energetic playmaker, who plays his club football for Real Salt Lake in MLS, has come into his own in the Gold Cup as one of this team’s star players.
In goal, Matt Freese, of Manchester City’s US relative New York City, has been given the nod ahead of Nottingham Forest’s Matt Turner all tournament and, bar one mistake against Haiti, has pushed for inclusion at the World Cup.
Freese’s penalty shootout heroics in the quarter-final against Costa Rica gave him a tournament highlight, doing his chances of a 2026 call-up no harm at all.
Elsewhere, midfielder Jack McGlynn, who was also eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland, has showcased his talent on the international stage, Bayer Leverkusen-linked Malik Tillman has impressed in a role just off the striker, and Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards has strengthened his claim for a starting centre-back role.
Regardless of what happens against Mexico, this Gold Cup has been a useful experience and a productive exercise – but there’s an argument it needed to be more.
If the Club World Cup is a World Cup warm-up for the US in an organisational sense, the Gold Cup is a warm-up for what they will look like as a host nation in terms of how its team plays and how it is supported.
Research from renowned US outlet Soccer America revealed that group-stage attendances have dropped compared to recent editions but, though disappointing, this isn’t necessarily a sign of things to come at the World Cup.
The clash with the Club World Cup, the absence of familiar stars and ticket pricing issues across the game will have affected turnout but the semi-final in St Louis against Guatemala was sold out.
Guatemala had plenty of support too and at times it felt like it was their home game. Pochettino, 53, believes they can serve as an example for US fans.
“[That] connection between the fans and the team, that is the connection that we’d like to see in the World Cup,” he said. “That connection that makes you fly. “
The United States doing well and encouraging sports fans to connect with its men’s team during 2026 feels more important for US soccer than merely hosting the World Cup.
The Gold Cup has been something of a tonic for Pochettino and the USMNT but the Mexico game is a similar test to those they failed to pass against Turkey and Switzerland.
This moment cares not for the profile of the competition nor the strength of the squad available to Pochettino. It cares about lifting the trophy.
Australia 21 (14)
Tries: Porecki, McReight, Wilson Cons: Lolesio 2, Donaldson
Fiji 18 (5)
Australia did not play well enough in their dramatic victory against Fiji to suggest they will “knock the Lions over”, says Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt.
Captain Harry Wilson’s try one minute from full-time denied Fiji a famous win in the Wallabies’ only warm-up fixture before their first Test against the British and Irish Lions on 19 July.
Schmidt’s side did little to worry Lions head coach Andy Farrell as Fiji – seeking their first win in Australia in more than 70 years – fought back from 14-5 down to lead 18-15 heading into the closing stages.
“We didn’t play well enough for people to have the expectation that we’re going to come bowling into Brisbane and knock the Lions over,” Schmidt added.
“But I’m not sure that expectation was there before this game.
Tries by hooker Dave Porecki and flanker Fraser McReight put the hosts in control as half-time approached.
However, debutant Salesi Rayasi, who is a former New Zealand sevens player, produced a wonderful finish to close the gap in the final play of the half.
A forward pass from Ben Donaldson ruled out a third score for Australia early in the second half as Schmidt’s side failed to master spirited Fiji.
A stunning break by Jiuta Wainiqolo from deep inside his own half set up Lekima Tagitagivalu for a try to put Mick Byrne’s side back within striking distance.
Fly-half Caleb Muntz kicked two penalties to put the Pacific Island side on the brink of another win over Australia, following their 22-15 victory at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
But Wilson showed great strength to ground the ball under enormous pressure to deny the visitors when they were in sight of victory.
“I am massively relieved, because you want to get a result,” Schmidt added.
“But I am disappointed with the performance and I know the players will be looking for more out of themselves, and that has to happen in a very short space of time.
“Thirteen days’ time, we won’t be afforded the number of errors that Fiji gave us.
“Fiji were superb. Some of the players we knew would be elusive and quick and powerful, and they turned up and were all those things. “
A further area of concern for Australia was the sight of Noah Lolesio, the likely starting fly-half against the Lions, being carried off on a stretcher after a nasty head injury.
“The first question Noah asked me was ‘did we win? ‘ He was still very much focused on the game and he appeared to be in good shape. That’s the most important thing,” the New Zealander added.
Australia: Wright; Potter, Suaalii, Ikitau, Jorgensen; Lolesio, McDermott; Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, Gleeson, McReight, Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Nonggorr, Hooper, Tizzano, White, Donaldson, Daugunu.
Fiji: Rayasi; Ravouvou, Masi, Tuisova, Wainiqolo; Muntz, Kuruvoli; Mawi, Ikanivere (capt), Ravai, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Tagitagivalu, Canakaivata, Mata.