West Indies have failed to reach the Women’s World Cup for the first time in 25 years after finishing their qualifying games 0.01 behind Bangladesh on run rate. After restricting Thailand to 166, West Indies needed to chase their target down in 10 overs to overhaul second-placed Bangladesh’s net run-rate advantage. They made a blistering...
Reigning champion Kyren Wilson holds a 6-3 lead over Lei Peifan in the first match of his world title defence at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The world number two twice missed blacks off the spot in the second frame as Crucible debutant Lei, 21, went 2-0 in front. The 33-year-old Englishman recovered to win...
Paul Glynn Culture reporter BBC Owen Wood and travel creator Alfie Watts (right), who says he is now away travelling for more than half of the year Last year, Alfie Watts went global, becoming the youngest ever winner of Race Across the World – the BBC show that does exactly what it says on the...
Remarkably, O’Sullivan was installed as one of the bookmakers’ favourites to succeed at the Crucible, well before even confirming if he would participate. ‘The Rocket’ has not competed on the World Snooker Tour (WST) since he withdrew from his Championship League group and was so frustrated with his game he snapped his cue after losing...
Seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan says he will overcome “stage fright” to take on Ali Carter in the first round of the World Snooker Championship. O’Sullivan, 49, who only confirmed his participation on Thursday, has not played competitively since snapping his cue at the Championship League in January. “Because it is the World Championship and the...
World record holder Ruth Chepngetich has pulled out of the London Marathon along with defending champion Peres Jepchirchir. Kenya’s Chepngetich, 30, became the first woman to clock a sub-two hour 10 minute time at the 2024 Chicago marathon, but said she was not ready for next weekend’s race. Chepngetich said she was “very sad to...
WHS was brought in to help make golf more inclusive. Players do not have to be a club member to acquire a handicap which can then be used at any course in the world. In line with scores submitted, golfers are given a ‘handicap index’ which will provide the appropriate number of shots for the...
All-time greats such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby and Stephen Hendry have won multiple World Championships but failed to retain the title the year after their maiden victory. O’Sullivan won his first in 2001 and went on to win again in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022. Selby won back-to-back in 2016 and 2017...
Samar Abu Elouf for the New York Times This image of a young Gazan boy won World Press Photo of the Year A haunting image of a young Gazan boy recovering from war injuries has been named World Press Photo of the Year for 2025. The portrait, taken by Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf for...
Defending champion Kyren Wilson will play Lei Peifan with Ronnie O’Sullivan set to face Ali Carter in the first round of the World Championship as he bids for a record eighth title in the modern era. O’Sullivan, 49, who is yet to confirm if he will participate, has not played competitively since snapping his cue...
Tens of thousands of Spotify users around the world have reported they were unable to stream music on the app. Downdetector, which tracks platforms, showed more than 20,000 people reported Spotify was not functioning on Wednesday afternoon from 13:30 GMT. Thousands more reported issues in the US and parts of Europe. Spotify told the BBC...
Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed the text of a legally binding treaty designed to better tackle future pandemics. The pact is meant to avoid the disorganisation and competition for resources seen during the Covid-19 outbreak. Key elements include the rapid sharing of data about new diseases, to ensure scientists and pharmaceutical...
Scotland’s hopes of progressing at the Women’s World Cup qualifier suffered a blow following a 34-run defeat by Bangladesh in Lahore. Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan each have 100% records after three matches and are well placed to claim the two available spots at the autumn World Cup in India. Scotland face Ireland in their final...
Ireland secured their first win at the Women’s World Cup qualifier in Pakistan as they defeated Thailand by 46 runs in a high-scoring contest. The Irish side’s hopes of securing a place at the World Cup in September had been been ended by defeats against hosts Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh. Amy Hunter top-scored for...
French football journalist Julien Laurens joins Ben Croucher on The Football News Show to look ahead to the Champions League second leg between Aston Villa and Paris St-Germain. He says PSG winger Ousmane Dembele has been the “best player in the world” since the turn of the year. Read full article at source...