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  • Former chess champion Kramnik banned over cheating remarks

    Former chess champion Kramnik banned over cheating remarks

    The global chess governing body FIDE has issued a one-year active competition ban to former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik, following a disciplinary ruling that found the Russian grandmaster repeatedly violated the organization’s code of ethics through aggressive verbal attacks on fellow competitors—accusations that included false cheating claims against the late American star Daniel Naroditsky.

    Per FIDE’s official announcement, the ruling concludes an investigation into Kramnik’s pattern of public behavior, confirming that he committed multiple violations of the federation’s ethics and disciplinary regulations. The 12-month active ban is paired with a suspended additional 12-month sanction that will only take effect if Kramnik commits further ethics breaches over a three-year probationary period. Crucially, the governing body emphasized that its ruling addresses the improper, public manner of Kramnik’s accusations, not the underlying validity of his claims about cheating in the sport. FIDE reiterated that rooting out chess cheating remains a top institutional priority, but stressed that all allegations must be pursued through the federation’s formal, confidential procedures rather than public harassment.

    The case carries heavy emotional weight for the global chess community, centered on Naroditsky—a beloved figure who built a massive audience of hundreds of thousands of followers across Twitch and YouTube as a player, commentator and educator, known affectionately to fans as “Danya.” Naroditsky earned his grandmaster title as a teenager shortly after winning the 2013 U.S. Junior Championship, and quickly became one of the most recognizable faces of modern online chess. He died suddenly in October 2025 at age 29, and a 2026 toxicology report confirmed his death was the result of an accidental overdose that triggered an irregular heartbeat. Before his death, Naroditsky publicly denied any wrongdoing in a final Twitch broadcast, acknowledging that the unsubstantiated cheating controversy had severely harmed his mental and emotional well-being.

    Shortly after FIDE’s ruling was announced, Kramnik confirmed via a post on X that he intends to appeal the ban. The former 2000–2007 world chess champion has long positioned himself as a public advocate for fair play in competitive chess. The ruling has already drawn broad support from leading figures across the chess world: top-ranked players including world number two Hikaru Nakamura, former world champion Magnus Carlsen, and Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin previously publicly condemned Kramnik’s harassing conduct toward other players.

  • Injury ends Williams’ Wimbledon comeback

    Injury ends Williams’ Wimbledon comeback

    One of tennis’ most iconic comebacks has hit an unexpected hurdle: 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams has been forced to pull out of her highly anticipated Wimbledon doubles partnership with her sister Venus Williams, sidelined by a lingering knee injury.

    The American sibling pair, who hold an unmatched six doubles titles at the All England Club, were set to make their first Grand Slam joint appearance since 2022 when their opening round match against Camila Osorio of Colombia and Solana Sierra of Argentina was scheduled for Saturday. The reunion had been one of the most talked-about storylines of the 2026 Wimbledon tournament, drawing excitement from fans around the globe eager to see the legendary pairing back on grass.

    The 44-year-old tennis legend sustained the knee injury during her hard-fought three-set singles defeat to 20-year-old Australian rising star Maya Joint earlier this week. Though Williams put on a gritty display that showcased the competitive fire that defined her decades-long career, the match left her knee swollen, and she has not recovered enough to take the court for doubles.

    In a candid Instagram post announcing her withdrawal, Williams opened up about her disappointment. “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” she wrote. “Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”

    In the days leading up to the scheduled match, tournament organizers had held out hope that Williams would be fit to play. After adding the Williams pair’s match to Friday’s official order of play, organizers allocated them a dedicated court slot no earlier than 16:30 BST on Saturday. This flexible arrangement was designed specifically to give Williams as much time as possible to assess her fitness, while also allowing Wimbledon to avoid major scheduling disruptions in the event of a withdrawal.

    Williams extended gratitude to the tournament’s leadership for their flexibility, and to fans for their outpouring of support during her comeback run. “I’m especially grateful to tournament director Jamie Baker and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here,” she said. “Thank you to the fans after your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful. All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you.”

    Her exit closes this chapter of her Wimbledon return, but hints at future appearances for the sporting legend, leaving fans to wait for further updates on what comes next for one of the greatest athletes in tennis history.

  • Why Europe’s top clubs are eyeing Morocco’s teenage sensation Bouaddi

    Why Europe’s top clubs are eyeing Morocco’s teenage sensation Bouaddi

    Four years after capturing global attention with a historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, Moroccan football is once again stealing the spotlight on the world’s biggest stage — and this time, a teenage midfield prodigy is leading the charge.

    At just 18 years old, Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has emerged as one of the most talked-about players at the 2026 World Cup, turning heads with a dominant display against Brazil in Morocco’s tournament opener that outshone the opposition’s star-studded midfield pairing of Real Madrid’s Casemiro and Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes. That standout showing has sent shockwaves through European football, triggering a transfer race that already includes some of the continent’s most elite clubs: England’s Manchester City and Arsenal, Spain’s Real Madrid and Barcelona, and France’s Paris Saint-Germain are all closely tracking the teenager’s progress.

    Bouaddi’s trajectory has long marked him as one of the most promising young talents in European football. Born in Senlis, just north of Paris, he made his professional debut for Lille at only 16 years and three days old, and has now racked up 96 senior appearances for the French Ligue 1 side. Last season, he set a new benchmark for under-18 players across Europe’s top five leagues: he logged more total minutes (2,329) and more first-team appearances (30) than any other player in his age group, outpacing high-profile prospects including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Werder Bremen’s Karim Coulibaly and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Mateus Mane. He also topped age-group rankings for defensive actions, winning possession 151 times, notching 59 tackles and 27 interceptions over the course of the campaign.

    Only earning his first senior cap for Morocco back in May, Bouaddi has already featured three times at this World Cup, helping the Atlas Lions book their spot in the last 16, where they are set to face Canada on Saturday. Against Brazil, his composure on the ball was unmatched: he recorded more touches (87) and more completed accurate passes (60) than any of his Moroccan teammates, anchoring the midfield through a famous upset over the five-time world champions.

    Former Moroccan international Hassan Kachloul told BBC Sport that Bouaddi’s performance against top-tier opposition revealed a rare maturity for an 18-year-old. “Against players like Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes, he showed not just quality but personality — a kind of positive arrogance,” Kachloul said. “He had confidence, a great aura and a strong presence on the pitch. He thrives in that environment.”

    Moroccan football journalist Amine el Amri compared Bouaddi’s playing style to that of legendary Barcelona and Spain holding midfielder Sergio Busquets, noting that the 6ft 1in prospect shares the iconic anchor’s ability to stay calm under intense pressure. “At first glance, he reminds you a lot of Sergio Busquets,” el Amri explained. “He is very tall but also not very muscular. Normally you would get players with muscles in the number six or eight position. What he does best is keep his cool when he has the ball and when he is pressing. He doesn’t commit a lot of fouls, which is what made Busquets a complete midfielder.” El Amri added that Bouaddi has the raw talent to become one of the greatest midfielders in the modern game, but warned that the current transfer speculation creates a delicate moment for his development. “He is 18 years old, he needs to keep his feet on the ground and not to be taken out of his context,” he said.

    Off the pitch, Bouaddi has also earned widespread respect: he earned his high school diploma in mathematics and physics, a detail that speaks to his natural intelligence and discipline, and is widely regarded as a humble, grounded figure in Moroccan football. “Everybody loves Bouaddi in Morocco,” el Amri said. “Not just because he is such a good player but off the field he is — as we say — the perfect son in law. He has got what it takes to be not only a fantastic player but a very good human being too and people in Morocco identify with that.”

    Among the suitors, Manchester City has emerged as one of the most serious contenders for Bouaddi’s signature. The Premier League giants have already agreed a club-record £116 million deal to sign England international Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and are in the market for further midfield reinforcements amid uncertainty over the long-term future of star holding midfielder Rodri, who is entering the final year of his current contract at the Etihad Stadium. City were also linked with a move for Italy international Sandro Tonali, but Tonali has already agreed a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, leaving a gap to fill.

    Sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that Bouaddi features on City’s shortlist of targets, and football tactics analysts note that the teenager’s versatility would make him a strong fit for manager Enzo Maresca’s preferred 3-2-2-3 system. Primarily a holding midfielder, Bouaddi’s ability to dribble out of tight spaces under pressure and retain possession under pressure would align perfectly with City’s possession-first style, and his composure echoes that of City veteran centre-back and occasional midfielder John Stones. He is also capable of playing at right-back, a position City are actively looking to strengthen this transfer window; Maresca favors inverted full-backs who can push into midfield when in possession, a role Bouaddi would be well-suited to fill. His aggressive pressing style can leave him exposed out of position at times, but analysts note that positional discipline is an area that can be refined with coaching, and his long frame already helps him win tackles at an impressively high rate.

    Lille has set an asking price of between £69 million and £86 million for Bouaddi, a figure in line with the current market rate for elite midfield talents, matching the scale of City’s record deal for Anderson. Kachloul noted that if Bouaddi expresses a desire to make the move, Lille will likely have no choice but to sell to the highest bidder. For now, though, Bouaddi’s full focus remains on helping Morocco exceed their 2022 semi-final finish and go even deeper in this year’s World Cup, as the teenager continues to cement his status as the most exciting young prospect in global football.

  • Eala upsets Wimbledon champion Swiatek in win for Philippines, No. 2 seed Rybakina also out

    Eala upsets Wimbledon champion Swiatek in win for Philippines, No. 2 seed Rybakina also out

    LONDON — The 2024 Wimbledon Championships delivered two stunning upsets on Saturday, as the women’s singles draw saw both the defending title holder and the 2022 champion crash out in the third round, headlined by a historic breakthrough from 21-year-old Alexandra Eala that makes tennis history for the Philippines.

    Eala’s career-best run at the All England Club reached a new high when she knocked out world No. 3 Iga Swiatek, ending the Pole’s 2023 title defense with a tight 7-6(9), 6-2 victory on Centre Court. The result is far more than a personal upset win: Eala is now the first player from the Philippines, regardless of gender, to advance to the fourth round of any Grand Slam singles tournament in the sport’s history.

    After sealing the win with a forehand winner on her third match point, the left-handed Eala dropped to her knees in disbelief before rolling onto the grass of Centre Court, overwhelmed by the moment. Speaking in an on-court interview surrounded by fans waving Philippine flags, she paid tribute to the support that has carried her to this point.

    “It’s incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on and knowing that we’re all in this together,” Eala said. “This goes out to them, this goes out to my family, this goes out to all the little girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks. It means the world.” The young rising star earned her upset after a tense first-set tiebreak, where she saved two set points to clinch the opening set before closing out the match in straight sets.

    Swiatek came into this year’s tournament as the red-hot defending champion, having claimed her first Wimbledon title last year with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 blowout of Amanda Anisimova in the 2023 final. This is not the first time Eala has gotten the better of the world No. 3: the 21-year-old, who trains at Rafael Nadal’s tennis academy in Mallorca, first announced her arrival on the global stage last year with a breakthrough run to the Miami Open semifinals that included an earlier upset win over Swiatek.

    Eala’s historic upset was not the only shocking result of the day. Just minutes before Swiatek exited the tournament, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina suffered an equally lopsided third-round exit at the hands of Belgium’s Elise Mertens, falling 7-6(4), 6-1. As the No. 2 seed in the women’s draw, Rybakina is the highest-seeded player to be eliminated from this year’s women’s singles competition. Her early exit guarantees that Aryna Sabalenka will retain her world No. 1 ranking after the conclusion of the tournament.

    Mertens, the No. 25 seed at this year’s Wimbledon who already holds two Wimbledon doubles titles, will face off against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the fourth round on Sunday.

    In other injury-related Wimbledon news on Saturday, 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from the women’s doubles draw, where she was set to compete alongside her sister Venus Williams. The 44-year-old Williams, who made her competitive singles comeback earlier this week, suffered a right knee injury during her singles match, forcing her to pull out of the doubles draw.

    “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” Williams shared in an Instagram post, confirming the news that ends the Williams sisters’ latest doubles run at the tournament.

  • Egypt uncovers lost Byzantine-era city in the western desert

    Egypt uncovers lost Byzantine-era city in the western desert

    CAIRO – Egyptian authorities announced two groundbreaking, well-preserved archaeological discoveries on Saturday, a move that comes as the country pins renewed economic hopes on its heritage tourism industry, a key driver of foreign revenue for the cash-strapped nation.

    The first and most significant find is a largely intact Byzantine-era residential city uncovered in the Western Desert’s Dakhla Oasis, a site already on UNESCO’s Tentative List, just one step removed from formal World Heritage Site designation. According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the settlement offers unprecedented insight into daily life, urban planning, and commercial activity in 4th-century Egypt, when the region fell under Byzantine imperial rule.

    Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the excavated settlement follows a grid layout: wide north-south main roads intersect with smaller east-west streets to create public plazas and open community spaces. At the northern head of the settlement, overlooking the city’s primary thoroughfares, sits a fully mapped basilica church dating to the mid-4th century, flanked by the stone remains of two watchtowers built to guard the settlement’s outer edges.

    Mahmoud Massoud, head of the archaeological mission leading the Dakhla Oasis excavation, noted the city was constructed with heavy defensive infrastructure, including thick fortified perimeter walls. Inside the walls, archaeologists have uncovered dozens of residential structures, many featuring large reception halls and distinctive vaulted roofing. One standout discovery is the home of Tisous, a documented church deacon whose dwelling dates to the second half of the 4th century. Researchers believe the home functioned as an informal house church before the larger central basilica was completed.

    Excavations have also yielded a range of everyday artifacts that paint a vivid picture of the city’s daily routines: well-preserved bread ovens, communal kitchens, and stone grinding tools used for food preparation have all been documented. The mission has also uncovered a large collection of bronze coins minted with portraits of Byzantine emperors, alongside Latin inscriptions and early Christian religious symbols. A separate cache of gold dates to the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II, who ruled from 337 to 361 CE.

    Diaa Zahran, head of the Ministry’s Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities department, added that roughly 200 inscribed pottery fragments known as ostraca have also been recovered. These fragments, commonly used as a cheap writing material in antiquity, bear inscriptions recording commercial transactions, personal correspondence, and other small details of daily life that are rarely preserved in the archaeological record.

    In a separate announcement, the ministry confirmed a second major discovery at the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, located roughly 62 miles west of the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria. The site, first excavated in 1986, is believed to be the remains of Leukaspis, a thriving Greco-Roman port city founded in the 2nd century BCE that remained active through the 4th century CE. The new find adds 18 previously undocumented tombs to the site, bringing the total number of excavated burial sites there to 48.

    Of the newly found tombs, 11 are cut deep into bedrock, averaging 8 meters in depth, while seven are built above ground from cut limestone. Artifacts recovered from the tombs include ceramic vessels, transport amphorae, oil lamps, dining plates, ritual altars, and limestone washing basins. Eman Abdel-Khaliq, head of the Marina el-Alamein excavation, said the mission also uncovered a 2.5-meter-long granite sarcophagus holding human remains that are currently undergoing analysis. Near the sarcophagus, researchers found the partial remains of a plaster sphinx statue.

    A particularly notable funerary find was four small gold pieces placed inside the mouths of some deceased individuals, a tradition archaeologists refer to as the “golden tongue,” tied to widespread ancient Mediterranean funerary religious beliefs of the era.

    For Egypt, the announcement of these finds is about more than advancing historical knowledge: alongside the Suez Canal, tourism is one of the country’s largest sources of foreign currency, a critical economic pillar for a nation facing persistent foreign currency shortages. After decades of disruption from political instability following the 2011 uprising and widespread travel bans during the COVID-19 pandemic, Egypt’s tourism sector has been steadily rebounding. Official government data shows 2025 drew a record 19 million international visitors, a 21% increase from 2024, with 6.1 million tourists visiting in the first four months of 2026, up from 5.7 million in the same period the previous year. Antiquities tourism is a core draw for international visitors, and the government hopes high-profile new discoveries will accelerate this recovery.

  • England beats India in 2nd T20 despite debut by 15-year-old Sooryavanshi

    England beats India in 2nd T20 despite debut by 15-year-old Sooryavanshi

    On a packed Saturday evening at Manchester’s Old Trafford cricket ground, 22-year-old Jacob Bethell produced a masterclass in controlled aggressive batting to deliver a four-wicket victory for England over India, overshadowing a historic international debut from Indian teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and putting the hosts 1-0 up in the five-match Twenty20 series.

    The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi entered the record books long before he stepped onto the field: at 15 years and 99 days old, he broke a decades-old record previously held by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s youngest ever senior men’s international cricketer. Opening the batting in place of rested wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson, the teenager walked out to a raucous reception from a majority Indian crowd in the stands, plus a peak-time television audience watching across India. His first international over came against fellow debutant Josh Tongue, 28 years old and yet to earn a T20 cap prior to the match. After missing his first two deliveries, Sooryavanshi got off the mark with a fortuitous inside edge that whistled past his off stump, before announcing his arrival on cricket’s global stage with two stunning sixes. The first came against Rajasthan Royals teammate Jofra Archer, a stooping stroke over the deep backward point boundary that sent the ball spiraling high into the Manchester stands. He followed that effort just four deliveries later with a second maximum, launching Tongue into the seats at wide long-on. His promising debut was cut short shortly after, however, when the 15-year-old charged down the wicket to hit Will Jacks, lost his balance while attempting to power a flat leg-stump delivery, and left stand-in captain Jos Buttler with a simple stumping off 14 runs from 10 balls.

    While Sooryavanshi’s debut captured global headlines, it was India’s Abhishek Sharma that anchored the visitors’ innings through the middle overs, building a 50-run partnership that put India on track for a big total. Mirroring his form in the previously rain-abandoned first T20 in Durham, Sharma looked set for a match-defining score until Sam Curran forced a mis-hit: a low full toss that Sharma launched straight into the hands of deep midwicket, ending his innings at 43. Curran went on to claim two more key wickets, removing dangerous opener Ishan Kishan for 49 and Shivam Dube for 5, finishing with figures of 3 for 33 from his four overs. He would have earned a fourth wicket had an attempted catch by Archer off Tilak Verma not been ruled invalid by match officials. India eventually set a competitive target of 191 runs for England to chase.

    England’s chase got off to a disastrous start, with Indian left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh removing both openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler for ducks in the very first over, leaving the hosts reeling at 0 for 2 inside six balls. Middle-order batsman Harry Brook launched a rapid counterattack, however, smashing 39 runs from just 15 deliveries including four fours and three consecutive sixes that halted Arshdeep’s early momentum and put England back in contention. By the time Brook was dismissed, England had stabilized at 51 for 3 when Bethell walked to the crease to steady the innings.

    The 22-year-old produced a perfectly paced knock, biding his time through the middle overs before turning the match decisively in England’s favor in the 17th over. Facing Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, Bethell smashed two consecutive free hits for six after Bishnoi delivered two back-foot no balls. The over leaked 29 runs, swinging full control of the match to the hosts. Bethell finished his 46-ball innings unbeaten on 76, including five fours and five sixes, and partnered with Archer to see England across the finish line with one full over to spare, securing a four-wicket win that put England ahead in the series.

  • Defending champion Swiatek & Rybakina out in Wimbledon shocks

    Defending champion Swiatek & Rybakina out in Wimbledon shocks

    Wimbledon’s 2026 tournament delivered one of its most dramatic days of upsets in recent memory on Saturday, as two recent Grand Slam champions crashed out of the women’s singles draw within hours of each other, capping off a historic afternoon for two unheralded contenders. Defending singles champion Iga Swiatek, the world’s third-ranked player and a six-time Grand Slam title holder, fell in straight sets 7-6 (11-9), 6-2 to rising Filipino star Alexandra Eala on the sport’s most iconic court, Centre Court. The upset came just 60 minutes after 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina suffered an equally surprising defeat at the hands of Belgium’s Elise Mertens, who wrapped up a 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 third-round win.

    Rybakina’s premature exit carries significant ranking ramifications: it guarantees that Aryna Sabalenka will retain her position as the women’s world No. 1, no matter how far Sabalenka advances in the remainder of the 2026 tournament. Analysts have noted that Rybakina’s upset is arguably more staggering than Swiatek’s, given the Pole has struggled for consistent form since lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish last summer. Swiatek’s title defense got off to a notoriously rocky start this year, when she broke down in tears after scraping through a tight three-set opening round clash against Taylor Townsend. Adding context to Saturday’s result, Eala already notched a breakthrough win over Swiatek at the 2025 Miami Open, a result that left the defending champion vulnerable to an upset from the rising young contender.

    The final game of the clash stretched across multiple lead changes, with Eala saving four break points before converting her third match point. After sealing the win, the rising star collapsed to the Centre Court grass and buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed by the historic result. Swiatek’s defeat extends a long drought for defending women’s singles champions at Wimbledon: no player has successfully retained the Wimbledon singles title since Serena Williams achieved the feat back in 2016. Saturday’s upset also marks the third time in five years that Swiatek has been eliminated in the tournament’s third round. The Pole has failed to claim a tour-level title in 2026, and has not won any Grand Slam title since her 2025 Wimbledon victory, extending a challenging run of results for the former world No. 1. She finished the match against Eala with 44 unforced errors, five double faults, and only one ace, capping the performance with a misfired long forehand that summed up her off-day.

    For Eala, the result makes history: she is the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of any Grand Slam in the Open Era. Eala has been steadily climbing the rankings in the months since her Miami breakthrough, and she carried that momentum into Wimbledon by claiming the WTA 125 title on the grass courts of Birmingham in the lead-up to the Grand Slam. Against Swiatek, Eala made a nervous start, with the two players exchanging breaks early on to keep the first set tight. Swiatek battled back from 5-3 down to force a tie-break, but Eala held her nerve through a series of blistering baseline rallies, clinching the first set when Swiatek fired a forehand long. A frustrated Swiatek yelled at her coaching team before heading off court between sets to reset, but she came out flat, dropping the first four games of the second set. Though she had brief flashes of her top form, Eala stayed aggressive on the big points, and closed out the win to set up a fourth-round clash against 2024 Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini.

    In the earlier upset, Mertens, a 30-year-old two-time Wimbledon women’s doubles champion, pulled off one of the biggest wins of her singles career against Rybakina, the Australian Open champion who claimed the Wimbledon title in 2022. Rybakina entered the tournament just 947 ranking points behind Sabalenka, meaning she needed to reach at least the quarter-finals to have any chance of claiming the world No. 1 ranking. She was taken to a deciding set in her opening match against France’s Lois Boisson, but cruised through the second round with a comfortable win over American Caty McNally, dropping just three games. But Mertens proved too strong on Saturday: after edging a tight first-set tie-break, the Belgian dominated the second set, winning nine consecutive points to take command of the match. Though she dropped two match points late on while serving for the win, Mertens sealed victory with a match-winning ace, booking a fourth-round meeting with 21st seed Marie Bouzkova, who came from a set down to defeat Liudmila Samsonova earlier on Saturday.

    “I have no words, actually. I’m very happy I won that first set and kept the momentum going,” Mertens said after the match. “This is definitely one of the biggest wins of my career, especially here at Wimbledon. I’ve had some success here before. I’m just very pleased with my performance today.”

    The day of upsets did not end there: 2025 Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova also exited the tournament, falling 3-6 6-2 6-3 to former Australian Open champion Madison Keys of the United States.

  • Japan stifles Italy for the first time since 2018 in Nations Championship rugby

    Japan stifles Italy for the first time since 2018 in Nations Championship rugby

    TOKYO — In a standout display of defensive grit and clinical finishing at a packed, red-and-white clad Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Japan secured a landmark 27-10 victory over Italy in the Nations Championship, claiming their first win against the European side in six years.

    Italy got off to a promising start, drawing first blood when flyhalf Paolo Garbisi slotted a pass through a gap in Japan’s defense for midfielder Juan Ignacio Brex to score, before converting the try to put Italy up 7-0. But it took Japan less than 10 minutes to turn the tide and seize control of the scoreboard.

    Buoyed by quick, clean ruck ball from scrumhalf Naoto Saito, Japan captain Warner Dearns powered across the try line to level the scores. Fullback Takuro Matsunaga, who would go on to anchor Japan’s performance with 17 total points, finished a sharp break from winger Yuya Hirose to score, converted his own try, and added a penalty kick to push Japan to a 17-7 lead. Italy closed the first half with a strong push, but Japan’s defense held firm against Garbisi’s repeated grubber kicks into the in-goal area, forcing Italy to settle for just three points from a scrum penalty. That left the host with a 17-10 lead going into halftime.

    The second half belonged entirely to Japan. The Brave Blossoms’ defense locked down, holding Italy scoreless for the full 40 minutes while notching 12 dominant tackles that left the Italian offense with no space to generate attacking opportunities. Just minutes after the break, after 16 consecutive phases of sustained pressure, man of the match Ben Gunter broke through four Italian defenders to score Japan’s third try of the match, extending the lead to 24-10.

    As Japan rotated in five fresh substitutes including veteran flanker Michael Leitch, Italy’s error rate climbed sharply under unrelenting defensive pressure. Matsunaga, who finished a perfect five-for-five on kicking attempts, slotted his third penalty just after the 60-minute mark to cap the 17-point win.

    The upset win came as a surprise to many pre-match analysts, who had questioned how Japan would perform starting without star flyhalf Seungsin Lee. Lee, who started every test match for Japan last year, finished as the top point-scorer in global test rugby with an 88% goalkicking success rate, and was set to miss the match to undergo hand surgery. His replacement, 20-year-old Ryunosuke Ito called up directly from Meiji University, delivered a composed, error-free debut that included setting up Matsunaga’s first try, quieting all pre-game concerns.

    After the match, Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada acknowledged his side’s struggles, saying: “We were tired and physically challenged, and when you lose 25 possessions it’s difficult to create opportunities.”

    Both teams will head to the Southern Hemisphere for their next matches next weekend. Japan will travel to Sydney to face Ireland, while Italy will take on the All Blacks in New Zealand.

  • Ukraine hits major oil terminal in Russia’s St Petersburg

    Ukraine hits major oil terminal in Russia’s St Petersburg

    In an escalation of long-range strikes targeting Russian war-related infrastructure, Ukrainian forces launched a major overnight drone attack that hit one of Russia’s largest oil terminals in St Petersburg, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Saturday. The attack also targeted a key Russian Baltic Fleet naval base in the nearby Kronstadt area, marking one of the deepest strikes into Russian territory from Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.

    Located roughly 850 kilometers (528 miles) from Ukraine’s border, the St Petersburg oil terminal identified by Ukraine’s military as a critical revenue source for Moscow’s full-scale invasion, which launched in February 2022. Ukrainian military officials describe the facility as one of Russia’s largest oil infrastructure hubs, with an annual output capacity of 12.5 million metric tons of refined petroleum products. Zelensky emphasized the terminal is core infrastructure that directly funds Russia’s military campaign, framing it as a legitimate military target under Ukraine’s rules of engagement.

    St Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov acknowledged the oil terminal strike in an official statement, confirming the attack came as part of what he called a “massive” drone assault on the city and surrounding Leningrad region. Beglov claimed Russian air defenses shot down 72 inbound Ukrainian drones during the attack, and reported no fatalities or injuries from the terminal strike. He urged the city’s more than 5 million residents to remain indoors until all drone threats were neutralized, and issued a warning that temporary mobile internet disruptions could occur across affected areas. The BBC has independently verified that the St Petersburg oil terminal was indeed hit, and video published by Zelensky shows a drone approaching the target followed by a large plume of black smoke rising from the site. The full extent of damage to the facility remains unclear as of Saturday afternoon, and Russia has not yet issued any official comment on the reported strike on the Kronstadt naval base.

    This attack is part of a recent intensification of Ukrainian long-range drone operations targeting Russia’s critical energy infrastructure. Kyiv estimates that these strikes have disabled nearly 43 percent of Russia’s total oil refining capacity, a claim that has not been independently verified by third-party observers. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated that Russian fossil fuel facilities are valid military targets, as export revenue from oil and gas remains the largest source of funding for Moscow’s war effort.

    In a separate development Saturday, Ukraine’s military directly refuted Russian claims that the strategically important eastern town of Kostyantynivka in Donetsk Oblast has fallen under full Russian control. Andriy Kovalyov, a major and spokesperson for Ukraine’s military, told the BBC that Kostyantynivka remains firmly under the control of Ukrainian defense forces. Kovalyov acknowledged that small Russian infantry groups have carried out infiltration attempts into frontline Ukrainian combat formations, but added that these incursion teams are being rapidly identified and eliminated.

    Kovalyov’s statement came one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Russian forces established full control over Kostyantynivka back in June, a claim Putin made without providing any supporting evidence. Responding to Putin’s claim on his official Telegram channel Saturday, Zelensky issued a sharp rhetorical challenge. “If Kostyantynivka is now under Russian control, then Putin will probably have no problem meeting me there and finding diplomatic solutions to finally end the war,” Zelensky wrote. “But still, he will not cross the front line: the truth is very different from Putin’s words.”

    Kostyantynivka is a key fortified node in Ukraine’s so-called “fortress belt” of defensive positions in the Donetsk region, most of which is currently under Russian occupation.

  • Ireland scores late try to beat Australia 33-31 at Nations Championship match in Sydney

    Ireland scores late try to beat Australia 33-31 at Nations Championship match in Sydney

    SYDNEY, Australia — The first match of World Rugby’s groundbreaking new Nations Championship delivered a thriller for the packed crowd at the sold-out Sydney Football Stadium Saturday, as Ireland pulled off a late 33-31 victory over a valiant Australian Wallabies side thanks to a match-winning conversion from flyhalf Sam Prendergast.

    The momentum swung wildly from start to finish in the 10-try contest, with the lead changing hands seven times across 80 minutes. Australia got off to a blistering start, crossing the try line twice early through winger Dylan Pietsch and fullback Jock Campbell — who was making his first Wallabies appearance in four years — to hold a 24-19 advantage at halftime. Ireland stayed within striking distance, however, with first-half tries from Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park, who dotted down just minutes before the break to keep the visitors in touching distance.

    The match’s decisive moment came with three minutes left on the clock. Replacement forward Thomas Clarkson crossed the line for Ireland to set up a conversion that would put the Irish one point ahead, and Sam Prendergast coolly slotted the kick to give Ireland the narrow lead. Australia still had a chance to steal the win in the final dying seconds: flyhalf Ben Donaldson was handed a long-range penalty attempt from more than 40 meters out, but his kick drifted wide of the posts, handing Ireland the opening match victory.

    Saturday’s result kicks off the Nations Championship, a new 12-team global tournament organized by World Rugby designed to crown an official men’s world number one. Competing sides are split into northern and southern conferences, with northern hemisphere teams traveling south for July matches and southern teams heading north for November fixtures. After six rounds of round-robin play, the top four teams will advance to a finals series hosted in London this November, where the world’s best team will be determined.

    The opening match also marked a key transition point for the Wallabies coaching setup. Current head coach Joe Schmidt is set to step down after the team’s next two Nations Championship matches: a clash with France in Brisbane next Saturday, and a match-up with Italy in Perth on July 18. Long-time rugby coach Les Kiss, currently wrapping up his duties with the Queensland Reds Super Rugby side, will officially take over the head coaching role on July 20, and will make his debut in charge for a two-test series against Japan in August. Schmidt’s tenure has been marked by recent poor form, with the Wallabies ending 2023 on a four-match losing streak, including a winless tour of the United Kingdom late last year.

    For Ireland, Saturday’s win comes off the back of a strong 2024 Six Nations campaign. Ireland finished as runners-up in the tournament behind France, with a 36-14 opening loss to the French followed by wins over Italy, Scotland, Wales and England. The wins over the home nations saw Ireland claim their 15th Triple Crown title, one of the most prestigious honors in northern hemisphere rugby.

    Two other opening-round Nations Championship matches were held Saturday. In Christchurch, New Zealand, the All Blacks pulled off a narrow 34-32 win over France, with uncapped flyhalf Ruben Love named in the starting lineup for the hosts. In Tokyo, Japan secured a comfortable 27-10 victory over Italy, with goal-kicking fullback Takuro Matsunaga scoring 17 total points for the home side. Notably, Japan head coach Eddie Jones was absent from the sideline for the match, serving the final game of a four-match suspension for verbally abusing match officials at an under-23 tournament in Australia back in April.