Electronic Arts predicted Argentina will win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for the first time since 1986 and Lionel Messi will take the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball in their last collab with FIFA.

By Suban Abdulla LONDON British factory output contracted in July at the fastest pace in seven months, hit

British retailers are stepping up efforts to tackle theft, but a key source of the problem may be

Sandwich chain Subway said Thursday it will be sold to the private equity firm Roark Capital

Ukraine has rejected a number of defective German tanks after discovering they were not working properly. Ten Leopard 1 tanks, the predecessor to the superior Leopard 2, were returned after the Ukrainian army noticed they had “serious technical issues” on delivery to Rzeszów, Poland, in July. Germany admitted the vehicles were not working properly and would need further repairs before being used in Kyiv’s counteroffensive, after sending engineers to inspect them, according to German newspaper Der Spiegel. It is not clear if the fault is a result of wear and tear or their manufacture. First developed in the 1960s, the Leopard 1 received its last update in the 1990s and was decommissioned by the German army a decade ago. Military experts warned earlier this year that establishing effective logistics lines and technical training would be paramount for keeping Kyiv’s offensive going. This week, experts warned Ukraine has just four weeks to hold a “knife at Crimea‘s throat” and force Vladimir Putin into peace talks before Russia’s army recoups over winter. Professor Mark Galeotti, academic and author of more than 20 books on Russia, said Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops need to move another 10 miles southwards to be in range of striking key Russian supply routes in Crimea. “They’ve got about another month of campaign season. But if things slow down, the Russians will use the winter to regroup themselves and the whole thing will start up again in spring,” the professor, who teaches Slavonic and East European Studies at University College London, told The Independent. Dr Marina Miron, a postdoctoral researcher at King’s College London war studies department, explained Ukraine had a “heavy logistical” footprint with German Leopard and British Challenger 2 tanks, but they would be harder to use in wetter, muddier conditions, to assist a full breakthrough. “They’re just not designed for those types of terrains,” she said. “They would risk losing more equipment, getting bogged down in winter conditions than waiting it out until getting F-16 fighter jets.” Read More Ukraine ‘has one month to hold knife to Crimea’s throat’ and force Putin into peace talks Ukraine-Russia war – live: Zelensky faces showdown with Lavrov after warning ‘evil’ Putin ‘cannot be trusted’ Zelensky tells UN to not do deals with ‘evil’ Russia: ‘Ask Prigozhin whether Putin can be trusted’

In 18 months South Sudan is supposed to head to the polls for presidential elections, the culmination of a peace agreement signed nearly five years ago to pull the nation out of fighting that killed some 400,000 people

More than three-and-a-half years after Covid struck, the US still has around 2 million more retirees than predicted,

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest midfielder Chris Bart-Williams has died at the age of 49, the clubs have announced. Wednesday said the ex-England Under-21 international died in the US, where he had been working as a coach and mentor. The news came on the same day as the death of both clubs’ former striker Trevor Francis, who died aged 69. “Bart-Williams’ untimely passing mirrors that of his manager at Hillsborough Trevor Francis, who also died on this, one of the darkest days in our long history,” a statement from Wednesday said. “Our thoughts are with Chris’ and Trevor’s families and friends at this devastating time.” Sierra Leone-born Bart-Williams, who began his career as a trainee at Leyton Orient, made more than 150 appearances for Wednesday, for whom he played in the Premier League as a teenager, before earning a £2.5m move to Forest in July 1995. He played 248 games for Forest and later had spells with Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town before moving into coaching in the United States following his retirement as a player, initially working in women’s college football. Describing himself on his social media accounts as “coach, college recruiter, former footballer”, Bart-Williams was owner and chief executive officer of US College Soccer recruiting agency CBW Soccer Elite, working with college-bound players. His LinkedIn profile reads: “As a retired athlete with 35 years of international playing and coaching experience, I’m passionate about developing young adults into highly successful soccer players. “My goal is to empower kids to have the confidence and technical ability to excel in soccer while learning valuable lessons in responsibility and teamwork that will prepare them for a lifetime of success. Everything I do is designed to maximize athletes’ unique potential and propel them to their personal best in soccer and in life.” In February last year, Florida-based Dade County announced Bart-Williams had been appointed as its head coach to oversee all its football programmes. News of his death was greeted with shock by former team-mate Mark Crossley. The goalkeeper, who played with Bart-Williams at Forest, said on social media: “Devastating and I’m so upset to hear the news of Trevor Francis passing and my former team mate Chris Bart Williams, both so young, it is so sad, RIP Trevor and Chris.” Ipswich also offered their condolences, posting: “The club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Chris Bart-Williams. Once a Blue, always a Blue.” Read More Former England striker Trevor Francis, the first £1m player, dies aged 69 Trevor Francis: The ‘Super Boy’ who became Britain’s first £1m player Football rumours: Premier League clubs scramble for Kylian Mbappe ‘Beyond legendary’ – Jude Bellingham pays heartfelt tribute to Trevor Francis Football remembers Trevor Francis – Monday’s sporting social

Last year’s spike in inflation, to the highest level in four decades, was painful enough for American households

Late Monday Night, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles saw a glaring weakness in the depth of the offensive line and decided to do something about it.

The Atlanta Braves lost Ron Washington to a managerial gig with the Los Angeles Angels. Washington represents a major loss for Atlanta. Could Chipper Jones replace him?

The Texas Rangers have acquired catcher Austin Hedges from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for international bonus pool money