- Saturday, 23 August 2025
BBC
Revolutionary therapy clears girl's incurable cancer
The final stage of genetic modification instructed the T-cells to go hunting for anything with the CD7 marking on it so that it would destroy every T-cell in her body - including the cancerous ones. That's why this marking has to be removed from the therapy - otherwise, it would just destroy itself. If the therapy works, Alyssa's immune system - including T-cells - will be rebuilt with the second bone-marrow transplant.
'Happy & ready' - inside France's World Cup squad
The mood is good among the France players. When they get to a big game like this, you see their concentration and focus change. It is when they are big favourites that they struggle to not become complacent. They know this England side will be tough to beat. They are maybe slight favourites because they have Mbappe, but it will still take a huge collective effort to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
What is a mass extinction and are we causing one?
Five times in our planet's history, adverse conditions have extinguished most of life. Now, scientists say, life on Earth could be in trouble again, with some even saying we could be entering a sixth mass extinction. No credible scientist disputes that we are in a crisis regarding the speed at which nature is being destroyed.
Severe conditions to hit UK this weekend
Parts of the UK have been warned to expect severe conditions this weekend, with snow and ice forecast for Scotland and the south-east of England. Conditions could lead to travel disruption, and a small chance rural communities could be cut off. A yellow warning is in place for snow and ice for Scotland on Saturday, and ice in Northern Ireland, Wales, and south-west England.
Veteran US sports journalist dies in Qatar
A prominent football journalist from the United States has died while covering the World Cup in Qatar. Grant Wahl, 48, collapsed suddenly while watching the Argentina-Netherlands game on Friday night.
Free condoms in France for 18-25 year olds
Young people in France will have free access to condoms from January, in a bid to minimise the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The French president announced the new health measure on Thursday at an event for young people's health.
The key battles that may decide England v France
By Harry Poole, Dec. 9: England meets reigning champions France on Saturday in a tantalising World Cup quarter-final that will feature key battles across the pitch.The first major tournament knockout match between the two nations promises to be a high-quality contest at Qatar's Al Bayt Stadium, and the outcome may be determined by the finest detail.But how exactly might the game be won? BBC Sport takes a look...A tough match for right-sided defendersWhen considering how to stop France, the focus, naturally, is on Kylian Mbappe.It's certainly no secret that containing the Paris St-Germain forward, who has either scored or assisted France's past seven World Cup goals, will be key to England's hopes of reaching consecutive semi-finals, having also made the last four of Russia 2018.France is unbeaten in Mbappe's 13 starts at major tournaments - winning all nine at the World Cup - and he has been directly involved in 12 goals in those fixtures.An irreplaceable influence, he has been vital to France's attack and leads his team in a host of offensive metrics including shots (20), open play attacking sequence involvements (36) and opposition penalty area touches (46).Kylian Mbappe is heavily involved in France's attacking play and has had more than twice as many shots as any team-mateThere are similarities in the way England and France have created their opportunities, with both favouring attacks on the left.The two sides have made 41% of their attacks down that side, while no players have created more chances for their respective teams than left-backs Theo Hernandez (nine) and Luke Shaw (six).More than half of France's opportunities have come from the left, where 26 chances have provided a total of five assists.That's compared with three assists from 11 left-sided chances for England, who could deploy Shaw - second only to Argentina talisman Lionel Messi for progressive passes - and either Phil Foden or Marcus Rashford against an out-of-position Jules Kounde at right-back.Although it remains to be seen whether Gareth Southgate will choose to stay with a back four or shift to a three, there is no doubt England's right-sided defenders - potentially both Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier - are in for a busy night.But Walker in particular will feel confident. The Manchester City defender has come up against Mbappe in the Champions League on three occasions, with the Frenchman restricted to an average of 0.7 shots per 90 minutes - significantly down on his 2022 World Cup average of 6.4.The battle for midfield supremacyJude Bellingham's superb performance for England in the 3-0 last-16 win over Senegal led team-mate Foden to predict the 19-year-old will one day be the best midfielder in the world.Bellingham leads the tournament's midfielders for duels won (26) and tackles won (11), and that disruptive aspect of his game will be crucial as he seeks to control a central area featuring the engine of 22-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni and the creativity of Antoine Griezmann 31.The direct Tchouameni has carried the ball 812.6 metres - significantly more than Bellingham (531.6 metres) - while Griezmann has created the most chances (15) and big chances (five) among both squads.Griezmann has also played the most passes into the box (36) and registered the highest expected assists value (2.67 xA) on either team, so limiting his influence in build-up phases will be key for England.Antoine Griezmann's ball carries - defined as moving the ball at least five metres forward - have originated in areas right across the pitchThat job is likely to fall to Bellingham and Declan Rice, although Jordan Henderson may retain his place after Rice missed training because of illness earlier this week.Bellingham has regained possession 23 times for his side in four matches - a leading midfield tally among the two sides - and transitional recoveries in particular will be important. While England (38) leads France (29) for high turnovers, one in six of those for France ends in a shot.But England will also look to unleash one of their most creative players whenever possible.Only Shaw and Harry Kane have offered greater creativity for England than Bellingham, who has so far played seven passes into the box and became the first teenager to assist in a World Cup knockout stage game in that standout Senegal showing.A tale of two strikersNot long after Olivier Giroud became France's all-time leading men's goalscorer against Poland on Sunday, England skipper Harry Kane opened his account in Qatar.Giroud, with three goals in as many starts, and Kane both stand on 52 international goals, with the Tottenham striker now just one short of Wayne Rooney's all-time Three Lions record.Kane has marginally overperformed his expected goals (xG) value of 0.9 from his four chances to date, but it is in the build-up where he has been most effective for his team.Leading the way in Qatar with three assists among five chances created, his role in Henderson's goal (below) as he played the marauding Bellingham through against Senegal was typical of his wider influence.Kane is far more important to England's build-up than his France counterpart, recording more than double the number of touches (123) as Giroud (56) at this World Cup, and making the most progressive passes (14) among strikers at the tournament.But just 6.5% of Kane's touches have been inside the penalty area, compared with almost one in every five for Giroud.And it is in the box where the Frenchman continues to deliver, with a shot conversion rate of 33.3% and three goals from an xG of 2.37.Harry Kane has made 27 successful passes into the final third in Qatar, with a passing accuracy of 66%England's most prolific shot-taker is in fact Rashford, whose eight attempts in 132 minutes of football equate to one every 17 minutes, followed by Bukayo Saka, Foden and Kane (five).It is Kane's ability to keep the opposition defence occupied and bring others into play in his fluid role which could prove pivotal.After all, while eight of France's nine goals have been scored by either Mbappe or Giroud, England's 12 goals have been spread across eight players.
The Indian women calling themselves ‘proudly single’
In India, girls have traditionally been raised to be good wives and mothers and the most important life goal for them has been marriage. But a large number of women are now charting their independent solitary path by choosing to remain single.
Mumbai air worse than smog-filled Delhi
India's financial capital Mumbai has been witnessing "very poor" air quality in recent days. Its capital Delhi usually makes headlines for having dangerous levels of air pollution during the winter months. But Mumbai, which has a vast coastline and is considered to have better air quality, has overtaken Delhi in pollution levels this week.
-original-thumb.jpg)
France awaits 'explosive & tempting' quarter-final
Explosive, tempting, shocking - the French newspapers have gone heavy on the adjectives as they await a World Cup quarter-final against England. Their excitement is warranted as the two sides meet on Saturday at 19:00 GMT on top form, fresh from convincing wins in the last 16.
Worshippers swept away in river flash flood
Nine people have died in South Africa and eight are missing after a flash flood in a river swept away worshippers taking part in a church ceremony. Some of the more than 30 congregants were standing on rocks in the river on Saturday when a torrent of water surged through, an eyewitness said.
No more airplane mode? EU allows calls on flights
Airline passengers in the European Union (EU) will soon be able to use their phones to full effect in the sky. The European Commission ruled airlines can provide 5G technology on board planes, alongside slower mobile data.
The school dropout who became Asia's richest man
Long before the school dropout-turned-trader became a billionaire with an inveterate appetite for risk, Adani had a narrow escape. In January 1998, he and an associate were reportedly kidnapped for ransom from their car at gunpoint by a group of men in Ahmedabad.
Covid virus can survive for days on some groceries
The Covid virus can reside on some ready-to-eat groceries for days, UK experts have confirmed. Scientists carried out tests for the Food Standards Agency (FSA), purposely smearing the virus onto packaging and food products, including fruit, pastries and bottled drinks.
South African president faces impeachment threat
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa is facing a possible impeachment threat over the "Farmgate" scandal. The president has been accused of covering up a $4m (£3.3m) theft from his farm in 2020, including kidnapping and bribing the burglars into silence.
