Author: The Guardian

SecondEngland have had a few days’ rest at home to recharge their batteries and are even more agile in their pursuit of a second successive Six Nations title. As Maro Itoje said after Saturday’s win over Wales: “When you win, life gets better – you go home with a smile on your face and your family smiles too Instead of looking at you gloomily.”Steve Borthwick also gave his players a day at home last week, apparently realizing the benefits a little rest and rest can bring. Many of these players were in training camp for five straight months last year,…

Tributes have been paid to the world marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, after his shock death, alongside his coach, in a road accident on Sunday.The 24-year-old, who won the London Marathon in April before setting the world record in Chicago in October, was reported by police to have lost control of his vehicle while driving in Kaptagat, south-west Kenya, at 11pm local time.His coach, Gervais Hakizimana, also died in the crash, while a third person is said to have been rushed to hospital.Kenya’s prime minister, Raila Odinga, was among those to pay his respects, writing on X, formerly Twitter: “Devastating…

The Super Bowl takes place tonight, Sunday, and if you’re like millions of people around the world, you’re probably wondering: when can I watch it and how?But is that all you really need to know? How about the halftime show, Taylor Swift sightings? How much does it cost to place a small ad during a game? Continue reading for all the answers…Who’s playing in the Super Bowl?This year’s Super Bowl – or Super Bowl 58 (or Super Bowl 58 if you’re not a Roman Legionnaire) – will be between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.The Chiefs are…

In a call Sunday with Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden told the Israeli prime minister that Israel should not launch a military operation in Rafah “without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the more than one million people sheltering there”.The call between the US president and Netanyahu was the first between the two leaders since Biden on Thursday used the phrase “over the top” to describe Israel’s military strikes in Gaza in response to the 7 October attack by Hamas.Biden and officials with the United Nations have warned that an Israeli military ground offensive…

Mark Moran’s email: Hi Hunter, I’m going to go against your writers on this one and predict the Niners will beat this one with a field goal. I think Christian McCaffrey’s stellar play, the quality of the ever-underrated Brandon Aiyuk and the versatile Deebo Samuel, and Bu A relatively efficient and error-free performance from Brock Purdy will be enough; it’s hard to bet on Mahomes and Reid, though. I think the Chiefs’ over-reliance on Travis Kelce could come back to hurt them. With Kadarius Toney out (arguably a plus for Kansas), perhaps a show of strength from MVS can help…

Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this feature90 min Saying which, Iheanacho plays a give-and-go on the edge of the area and has a shot very well blocked by Ndicka. Ivory Coast break and Aina is booked for pulling back Adingra.89 min Nigeria look all out of ideas. In truth they didn’t have many in the first place. There’s no doubt Ivory Coast deserve to win based on the first 89 minutes.87 min: Ivory Coast substitution Jean-Philippe Krasso and Ibrahim Sangare come on for Fofana, who is booked for taking too long to leave the field,…

David Moyes pleaded for attention after watching West Ham United suffer a 6-0 defeat at Arsenal at the London Stadium, saying the performance was down to weak defending and a lack of fight.The result equaled the club’s heaviest home defeat in the league – an 8-2 reverse at Blackburn Rovers in 1963 – and saw fans flocking to the exits, especially after former West Ham United captain Declan Rice After scoring the sixth goal in the 65th minute.Moyes struggled to find the right words at times as he picked through the wreckage but urged fans to remember the progress he…

Special counsel prosecutors have produced to Donald Trump a sealed exhibit about threats to a potential trial witness after the federal judge overseeing his prosecution for retaining classified documents ordered the exhibit turned over despite the prosecutors’ objections, people familiar with the matter said.The exhibit was a point of contention because it detailed a series of threats made against a witness who could testify against the former president at trial, and the matter is the subject of a criminal investigation by a US attorney’s office. Prosecutors had wanted to withhold it from Trump’s lawyers.But the presiding US district judge Aileen…

Italy arrived in Dublin in a positive mood after a narrow loss to England in Rome. They left completely overwhelmed by Ireland’s heavy machinery. The hosts’ hooker Dan Sheehan scored twice, just as they did when they sealed the Grand Slam last season, and the versatile Ireland backline was as precise and punishing as ever.Italy were outgunned in every aspect, suffering a series of scrum penalties, while Gonzalo Quesada’s side were unable to defend against the attacks often unleashed by Andy Farrell’s ruthless side. The hosts’ performance was such that Italy’s performance should arguably be judged on more winnable games.…

The Nato chief, Jens Stoltenberg, has said any attack on the western military alliance would be met with a “united and forceful response”, after Donald Trump invited Russia to attack member countries that he perceived as not meeting their financial obligations.Stoltenberg said in a statement: “Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk. I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed Nato ally.”He said Nato remained “ready and able to…