Laura Harris, the sensational Australian who made her Warwickshire Bears debut, made history by smashing her way into the record books with a comfortable victory over Durham.
Harris made her debut just six days after arriving in the UK to participate in the T20 Blast campaign, posting her 17-ball joint-third-fast half-century in women’s T20 history.
Only Marie Kelly, who reached 50 in 15 balls for Warwickshire against Gloucestershire in 2022, and Tess Flintoff, who reached 50 in 16 balls for Melbourne Stars against Adelaide Strikers in the same year, were better at producing the barnstorming performance.
Harris and Lizelle Lee tied for third place in 2019’s Surrey Stars when they face Lancashire Thunder in a 17-ball game, with three sixes and eight fours.
At Edgbaston, a target comfortably defended by captain Georgia Davis and her team, who won by 42 runs, fellow Bear Davina Perrin put together a 61-ball 87.
Suzie Bates, a top-ranked player from New Zealand, was the only other batter to score in double figures, with 45 off 28 balls coming from England.
After tied with The Blaze in their opening Blast game on Friday night, the Bears now have their first victory in the league.
The Nottinghamshire side also resurrended their campaign with a seven-wicket victory over Lancashire Thunder at Old Trafford in the Saturday’s other game.
With a 37-ball 59, Katie Mack gave Thunder a 169-4 lead in their 20 overs.
However, opener Georgia Elwiss, who had 53 in 43 balls and Kathryn Bryce, who had added more runs, kept Blaze in the lead on day 60 with a 29-ball 49, who had already scored 53 in 43 balls.
The Red Cross reported that search teams were spotted several kilometers away from the scene of deadly flash flooding in Niger on Saturday as Mokwa, the north-central market town, reached a death toll of 150.
More than 250 buildings were levelled and two bridges were swept away in the town, according to Ibrahim Audu Husseini, a spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, as bodies were recovered close to 10 kilometers (six miles) away from the town.
Husseini warned that the number of bodies being swept down the powerful River Niger could rise even higher.
On the other side of the swampy banks of the waterway, search teams were heading toward Jebba, according to Gideon Adamu, the head of the Red Cross in Niger State.
More than 3, 000 people were displaced by the flooding in Mokwa from Wednesday night into Thursday, according to Husseini. According to Adamu, 121 people were hurt in the hospital, and more than 100 were missing.
Nigeria’s rainy season is just beginning its first full year, which typically lasts six months.
Every year, hundreds of people are killed by flooding, which is typically brought on by heavy rains and poor infrastructure.
Additionally, scientists have reaffirmed their caution that more extreme weather patterns are being fueled by climate change.
We can’t give up, they say.
According to an AFP reporter, roads in Mokwa were still flooded on Friday, with Husseini claiming his team would need to use excavators to reach victims feared buried beneath rubble.
The town’s residents were still searching for their loved ones. Families were missing a dozen people in some cases.
As long as families are crying out, according to Adamu, the head of the Red Cross, “we can’t give up the search.”
We’ll find some bodies in the farmland on the Jebba side if some were carried away by the floods.
In the busy, rural market town, 151 people were killed, 3, 018 were displaced, 265 homes were destroyed, and two bridges were ejected from the mess.
The house where Mohammed Tanko, a 29-year-old civil servant, was raised, he said to reporters on Friday, “We lost at least 15 from this house.” The property has vanished. We completely lost.”
Floods are made worse by poor drainage, construction of homes on waterways, and the disposal of waste in drains and water channels in Nigeria.
The National Emergency Management Agency stated in a statement that “this tragic incident serves as a timely reminder of the dangers associated with building on waterways and the crucial importance of keeping drainage channels and river paths clear.”
A large group of travelers staying overnight in a Mokwa mosque, according to Adamu, made the search for the missing more difficult. The building collapsed, and where the people were going were still unidentified.
Security forces were helping the disaster response, according to President Bola Tinubu.
A warning was erected.
Between Wednesday and Friday, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency issued a warning about flash floods in 15 of the country’s 36 states, including Niger.
One of the worst flood seasons in decades, according to NEMA, occurred in at least 31 of Nigeria’s 36 states in 2024, killing over 1,200 people and causing 1.2 million to flee.
A 50-year-old yam vendor named Sabuwar Bala described how she escaped the wracking waters as “I was only wearing my underwear; someone loaned me everything I’m wearing right now.” I was unable to even save my flip-flops.
With a ruthlessly effective victory over Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca in the third round of the French Open, Britain’s Jack Draper highlighted his status as one of the world’s top players.
In a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory for Draper, the fifth seed, was a cut above his 18-year-old foe.
Fonseca’s explosive style and fiery forehand have caused a stir, despite only making it to the top 100 earlier this year.
Draper quickly dissipated what could have been a challenging encounter, demonstrating his superior skill and skill right away.
Joao has caught the fans’ and the players’ attention. “Today, my experience came through,” Draper said.
The 23-year-old Englishman will face Henrique Rocha from Portugal or Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan in the fourth round. He had never won a match at Roland Garros before this week.
Brazilian energy is diffused by Mature Draper.
Draper has since grown to be a force for top positions, with the goal of challenging himself for the biggest titles.
Draper has since become a French Open contender thanks to having tools that work on all surfaces.
His early performances in Paris have bolstered his progress and his Madrid Open final appearance was a promising first step in the direction of improvement.
Mattia Bellucci, an Italian champion, and Gael Monfils, a veteran of France, required patience in victories. Similar to Fonseca, Draper quickly took control by biding his time in the rallies and picking attacking shots just in the right moment.
Fonseca struggled to control Draper’s forehand in increasingly fast-paced conditions because the Briton quickly went a double break.
Fonseca had a chance to get back on his feet after 30-30 in the eighth game when Draper rediscovered his first serve and won the opening set in 29 minutes.
In a tighter second set, the popularity of Fonseca increased, but Draper quickly stifled hope with strong service games.
After saving two break points in the tenth game, he broke for a 4-3 lead that extended to two sets.
Tempestuous adolescent is still not the real deal.
This was yet another example of how he still needs time to develop, despite the fact that the popularity of Fonseca has remained steady.
Fonseca traveled from Melbourne to Paris this year in a carnival-like atmosphere led by thousands of Brazilians.
Fans patiently line up to watch his majors matches on smaller courts, with some setting up camp at Roland Garros before his first two matches.
After home favorite Arthur Fils withdrew from the tournament with an injury, the Briton’s favor was changed to the ticket-only Court Suzanne Lenglen late on Friday evening, which was where he and Draper squared off.
Although there was plenty of Brazilian support, which Draper could identify from the splashes of yellow and green national flags and Selecao football shirts.
After defeating England Thorns 62-30 at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham to take a 2-0 lead, Australia’s men’s netball team won the Aurora Series.
The three-test series is the first that Australia has hosted in England.
On May 25, the Thorns suffered a well-fought second defeat at the Copper Box Arena in London, losing the opener 63-34.
Although the hosts were initially competitive at the beginning, Australia’s dominant performance in the final two quarters sealed the series and its success.
However, Australia’s Kelpies increased their lead to 27-15 at the break and took command with a 47-21 lead going into the third quarter.
Although their rivals have been competing on the international stage since the 1980s, England’s men only recently played their first international game in 2022.
The Kelpies, led by the impressive Josh Byron, extended their lead in the fourth quarter, demonstrating that experience and quality.
Before he began playing the role on the legendary show, breakfast show host Scott, who took over in January, claims Zoe had a few words of wisdom for him.
Scott Mills says Zoe Ball offered him some blunt advice when he replaced her on Radio 2(Image: PA)
Scott Mills has revealed that Zoe Ball gave him a stark warning before he replaced her on BBC Radio 2, telling him: “It’s a lot – you’ve always got to be on.”
Scott, 52, was unveiled as the new Breakfast Show host last year after the shock news Zoe was stepping down after six years at the Radio 2 helm. And in spite of more than two decades of experience on the airwaves, he admitted he still struggles with the pressure to deliver the best show possible. Scott told the Mirror: “The show is a lot, it’s hard work. It’s a treadmill every day.
When Zoe finished, she said, “Look, doing breakfast on Radio 2 is quite a lot. You have to be on, and it’s quite demanding. She was correct. The number of guests we have is increasing constantly. I was like, “I’m ready,” when she said it to me. And I’m at my happy place, too.
READ MORE: Vick Hope glows in first baby bump photo after confirming pregnancy with Calvin Harris
Scott Mills fronts the UK’s biggest breakfast show on Radio 2(Image: James Watkins)
“But pressure is obviously present. If you’re not feeling any pressure, you probably shouldn’t be doing that job, in my opinion. That is, however, good. I constantly put pressure on myself, and I have that inherent in me. Far from it, I’m feeling any boss pressure at all. However, I want to produce the best show possible.
You’re only as good as your last show, according to an old saying (I’m not sure if it’s an acting phrase)? And I admit that it’s a little old-fashioned, but I do agree. I get really annoyed if I’ve had a bad show for reasons that a listener might not even notice, such as when I tripped over my words. You can get beaten up about it.
Departing host Zoe had some advice for replacement Scott(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Scott has previously admitted to having battled severe anxiety and depression as a young man and has spoken out about his struggles with mental health. And he revealed that despite continuing to experience dark periods while speaking this week on the new Mercedes-Benz Vans podcast Under the Bonnet, he uses exercise to cope.
According to Scott, the podcast host, “I definitely lean into exercise to improve my mental health.” When I don’t do it, I’ve really noticed. I was the last student chosen for a sport at the time, but that’s not my thing. It’s more like a bit of a high that you get after you’ve been than it is about that feeling. And I’m doing it now, after watching the Breakfast Show, because I’ve spent the last few years dealing with depression and anxiety.
Thankfully, there hasn’t been much change, but I can already tell when a dark period is about to break out. I make time for exercise because, to be honest, it has helped me know.
The first podcast specifically geared toward van drivers in the UK is called The Under the Bonnet. The 30-year anniversary of the Sprinter and the discussion of the Under the Bonnet report, which examines how van drivers have grown to be a benchmark for contemporary Britain, are the topics of the new series.
Scott has just launched his new podcast Under The Bonnet(Image: PA)
According to the report, the typical van driver only talks about five times a day while the average person only talks about 27. And 80% attributed team sports to improving their mental health.
According to Scott, “I could really relate to that because of my own experiences.” Some of the drivers I spoke with described how lonely it felt to drive for 20 hours straight.
And it made me think of the time I was a presenter on the radio when I was making my way up. When I was 16 years old, I was first hired on radio in Southampton, and a radio station in Bristol later asked me to relocate there. I therefore relocated to Bristol without knowing anyone. And I spent my entire time on my own, aside from the time I was putting together my show. I moved from Bristol to Manchester, and I mean, I’ve never been north of Birmingham; I’m a true Southerner.
“So once again, you uproot your life, you rent a flat and you don’t know anyone. And this is, like, early 1990s, so mobiles weren’t really a thing. You weren’t really in touch with people, you know, day-to-day. I can remember my Mum coming to visit me, and crying because I was so lonely. She asked if I was going to put a Christmas tree up, and I told her I would, but that no-one would see it. It was a very isolating time.
Scott also has another podcast with his Eurovision co-host Rylan Clark(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/BBC Studios)
I made those decisions to advance my career, but I constantly wondered, “At what cost? ” You don’t realize that as you’re working it out, despite the fact that it all worked out great. People will now tell me, “Oh, you’re on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show,” but they are unaware that I’ve worked so hard for years to climb that ladder.
“To be honest, it still boggles my mind that this has occurred to me. We’ve only just begun, and it’s been four crazy months since I took over the show.
Scott, who wed his wife Sam Vaughan last year, is also celebrating his first wedding anniversary off the air this month.
He explained how their partnership works because they support one another, and revealed plans to whisk Sam away to their Spanish wedding venue.
He continued, “Our first year has been fantastic. And I’ll explain why it’s been wonderful because it’s so simple. We just help each other out whenever we can, which is the way it should be. Me and him are a fantastic team. With Eurovision, etc., it’s been a busy time lately.
Scott celebrates his first wedding anniversary with husband Sam Vaughan this weekend(Image: Getty Images for Orion Books)
However, I enjoy it, and I enjoy returning home after grueling days, with everything just being normal and calm; that sense of security that someone is there for you. It’s so beautiful.
Last night, we were talking about this, and I said, “That’s been a pretty good first year of marriage.” And I mean, it’s whipped past, passing quickly.
I’m taking him back to Spain this weekend where we got married. He still hasn’t learned this, so we will travel there tomorrow.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever, ever, ever, ever been,” I said at the time. I’m so happy that everything seems to have come together for me. I’m actually having a ball.
Continue reading the article.
The first podcast made specifically for van drivers in the UK, Under the Bonnet, is being hosted by Scott Mills. The Sprinter van’s 30th anniversary is the topic of the podcast’s launch, which also includes information on the Under the Bonnet report’s findings.
Before he began playing the role on the legendary show, breakfast show host Scott, who took over in January, claims Zoe had a few words of wisdom for him.
Scott Mills says Zoe Ball offered him some blunt advice when he replaced her on Radio 2(Image: PA)
Scott Mills has revealed that Zoe Ball gave him a stark warning before he replaced her on BBC Radio 2, telling him: “It’s a lot – you’ve always got to be on.”
Scott, 52, was unveiled as the new Breakfast Show host last year after the shock news Zoe was stepping down after six years at the Radio 2 helm. And in spite of more than two decades of experience on the airwaves, he admitted he still struggles with the pressure to deliver the best show possible. Scott told the Mirror: “The show is a lot, it’s hard work. It’s a treadmill every day.
When Zoe finished, she said, “Look, doing breakfast on Radio 2 is quite a lot. You have to be on, and it’s quite demanding. She was correct. The number of guests we have is increasing constantly. I was like, “I’m ready,” when she said it to me. And I’m at my happy place, too.
READ MORE: Vick Hope glows in first baby bump photo after confirming pregnancy with Calvin Harris
Scott Mills fronts the UK’s biggest breakfast show on Radio 2(Image: James Watkins)
“But pressure is obviously present. If you’re not feeling any pressure, you probably shouldn’t be doing that job, in my opinion. That is, however, good. I constantly put pressure on myself, and I have that inherent in me. Far from it, I’m feeling any boss pressure at all. However, I want to produce the best show possible.
You’re only as good as your last show, according to an old saying (I’m not sure if it’s an acting phrase)? And I admit that it’s a little old-fashioned, but I do agree. I get really annoyed if I’ve had a bad show for reasons that a listener might not even notice, such as when I tripped over my words. You can get beaten up about it.
Departing host Zoe had some advice for replacement Scott(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Scott has previously admitted to having battled severe anxiety and depression as a young man and has spoken out about his struggles with mental health. And he revealed that despite continuing to experience dark periods while speaking this week on the new Mercedes-Benz Vans podcast Under the Bonnet, he uses exercise to cope.
According to Scott, the podcast host, “I definitely lean into exercise to improve my mental health.” When I don’t do it, I’ve really noticed. I was the last student chosen for a sport at the time, but that’s not my thing. It’s more like a bit of a high that you get after you’ve been than it is about that feeling. And I’m doing it now, after watching the Breakfast Show, because I’ve spent the last few years dealing with depression and anxiety.
Thankfully, there hasn’t been much change, but I can already tell when a dark period is about to break out. I make time for exercise because, to be honest, it has helped me know.
The first podcast specifically geared toward van drivers in the UK is called The Under the Bonnet. The 30-year anniversary of the Sprinter and the discussion of the Under the Bonnet report, which examines how van drivers have grown to be a benchmark for contemporary Britain, are the topics of the new series.
Scott has just launched his new podcast Under The Bonnet(Image: PA)
According to the report, the typical van driver only talks about five times a day while the average person only talks about 27. And 80% attributed team sports to improving their mental health.
According to Scott, “I could really relate to that because of my own experiences.” Some of the drivers I spoke with described how lonely it felt to drive for 20 hours straight.
And it made me think of the time I was a presenter on the radio when I was making my way up. When I was 16 years old, I was first hired on radio in Southampton, and a radio station in Bristol later asked me to relocate there. I therefore relocated to Bristol without knowing anyone. And I spent my entire time on my own, aside from the time I was putting together my show. I moved from Bristol to Manchester, and I mean, I’ve never been north of Birmingham; I’m a true Southerner.
“So once again, you uproot your life, you rent a flat and you don’t know anyone. And this is, like, early 1990s, so mobiles weren’t really a thing. You weren’t really in touch with people, you know, day-to-day. I can remember my Mum coming to visit me, and crying because I was so lonely. She asked if I was going to put a Christmas tree up, and I told her I would, but that no-one would see it. It was a very isolating time.
Scott also has another podcast with his Eurovision co-host Rylan Clark(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/BBC Studios)
I made those decisions to advance my career, but I constantly wondered, “At what cost? ” You don’t realize that as you’re working it out, despite the fact that it all worked out great. People will now tell me, “Oh, you’re on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show,” but they are unaware that I’ve worked so hard for years to climb that ladder.
“To be honest, it still boggles my mind that this has occurred to me. We’ve only just begun, and it’s been four crazy months since I took over the show.
Scott, who wed his wife Sam Vaughan last year, is also celebrating his first wedding anniversary off the air this month.
He explained how their partnership works because they support one another, and revealed plans to whisk Sam away to their Spanish wedding venue.
He continued, “Our first year has been fantastic. And I’ll explain why it’s been wonderful because it’s so simple. We just help each other out whenever we can, which is the way it should be. Me and him are a fantastic team. With Eurovision, etc., it’s been a busy time lately.
Scott celebrates his first wedding anniversary with husband Sam Vaughan this weekend(Image: Getty Images for Orion Books)
However, I enjoy it, and I enjoy returning home after grueling days, with everything just being normal and calm; that sense of security that someone is there for you. It’s so beautiful.
Last night, we were talking about this, and I said, “That’s been a pretty good first year of marriage.” And I mean, it’s whipped past, passing quickly.
I’m taking him back to Spain this weekend where we got married. He still hasn’t learned this, so we will travel there tomorrow.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever, ever, ever, ever been,” I said at the time. I’m so happy that everything seems to have come together for me. I’m actually having a ball.
Continue reading the article.
The first podcast made specifically for van drivers in the UK, Under the Bonnet, is being hosted by Scott Mills. The Sprinter van’s 30th anniversary is the topic of the podcast’s launch, which also includes information on the Under the Bonnet report’s findings.
