The UK’s National Grid Plc is preparing for a possible power crunch in January as several planned nuclear

For the teams left in this World Cup, there were mixed feelings when the USA went out, and not just because of the emotions that remarkable penalty shoot-out produced. There is obviously a general excitement that the champions are out, theoretically opening up the whole tournament. A few players watching on, however, have confided that the US were “underwhelming”. Many would have liked the chance to take the champions on and beat them, asserting their standards. Such sentiments would no doubt have aggravated the Americans, if they were in any mood to look back on this worst ever performance by a team that were defending champions. One frustrated argument within the US camp has been that it has largely been about a ludicrous amount of missed chances, and a bit of bad luck. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher pointing to the line as she disputed Lina Hurtig’s ludicrously tight penalty seemed the most apt symbolism of this. It really did come down to the narrowest of gaps. But, in truth, only on the night. This World Cup failure is indeed the story of margins and gaps, but in how the rest of the women’s game has caught up with the US, as it now looks a little isolated in terms of coaching culture. There are big questions for the federation here, but they come amid far bigger themes, even if there is fair criticism for manager Vlatko Andonovksi. The truth is that great football eras almost never end with close calls or that last fighting pride. There is almost always something close to collapse, as history-making teams inevitably stay wedded to trusted methods and players. In this case, it was in persisting with previous greats like Alex Morgan, who could no longer apply the finishing she used to. That is also the point when a valuable experience can evolve into a certain “arrogance” and “complacency”, two words that have been used by sources with knowledge of the camp. The ultimate in this remains the Spanish men’s team in 2014, whose unprecedented run of three successive major trophies ended with two humiliating defeats to Netherlands and Chile. The US didn’t play that badly, and actually performed better in general play than they are now being given credit for. They are still just like that Spain, however, in being responsible for the World Cup’s worst ever performance by defending champions. None had ever gone out before the quarter-finals. The US themselves had never gone out before the semi-finals. That reflects the scale of the disappointment - but also how the world has changed. This is where the biggest questions for the federation come, as distilled in one of the primary themes of this World Cup. US soccer has long had issues as a “middle-class sport”, where basic participation costs a lot. While this has for a long time been such a weakness in the men’s game, though, it has led to one of the women’s team’s main strengths. They benefited from a level of training beyond most nations, that primarily gave the side conditioning advantages. The US could often just overpower opposition. As women’s football has moved to a different level in Europe, so has the training. Many nations now benefit from complete professionalism, eroding some of the USA’s most immediate advantages. This has laid bare something else: tactical and technical development. The US have very quickly looked more rudimentary than the better European sides in terms of team approach. A lot of this does come down to Andanovski. A fundamental truth remains that this US team would likely have gone much further, and probably won it again, under a better coach. Other than the irony of the better performance of the Sweden match, this seemed a classic case of a talented squad being made less than the sum of the parts. As ever in such eliminations, though, it is impossible not to wonder whether other factors influenced. Has the US suffered from all but one of their squad staying at home, and not playing in the Women’s Champions League? The women’s game is following the men’s in that regard in terms of where the wealth is going, which is overwhelming western Europe. That brings a concentration of playing and coaching talent that gradually brings a vitality. Is this what we are starting to see? Many around the US squad might reasonably point to Germany going out. It’s also true that the bigger nations have generally come here a little undercooked, gradually finding their feet as the tournament has gone on. Some of them just slipped before they could stand at their strongest. That happens in tournaments. Evolution in football only happens, however, if you face up to the realities of the game. The US may have to have a serious discussion about talent production, even allowing for the development of a star like Sophia Smith. Her rise does touch on that other crucial tension, between old and new. There has been growing talk of a camp that isn’t fully united. This itself isn’t new, mind. Carli Lloyd’s criticism only followed a pattern of this in US World Cups, that perhaps inevitably influenced a great history-making team. The very success of the side has also played into another issue here. It has been harder to drop players because they are not just great footballers but icons - in the truest sense of an overused word. That obviously isn’t to refer to the tedious and unfair culture war that surrounds a truly progressive team. Some of the usual voices were already being raised about Megan Rapinoe in the wake of her penalty miss, and they don’t even warrant naming. This is really about pure football terms. That status will affect tactical execution and decisions, even if it is subconscious. It is why these empires always end with some ignominy, far away from the standards and identity that used to define them. It becomes almost self-fulfilling, and full circle. Take the USA’s one victory at this World Cup, that almost cost them more than any other game. In 2019, the team were widely criticised for applying their winning identity to the full, and raucously celebrating all 13 goals against Thailand. This time, the opportunity was there to cut loose against Vietnam, but they couldn’t. It set a tone, and certainly set a pace. The Netherlands showed they were much more up to speed with a 7-0 as the US avoided a humiliating elimination to Portugal by the width of a post. Another small gap. It is the story of this World Cup for the deposed champions. This US team changed women's football. They are now feeling the effects of that. Read More USA’s dominant era ends on a night of chaos, confusion and heartbreak From Megan Rapinoe’s miss to VAR drama: How the USA and Sweden’s penalty shoot-out unfolded Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? Who is Jess Carter? England defender in profile England vs Nigeria LIVE: Women’s World Cup 2023 score and latest updates Who are the BBC World Cup commentators? Full list of pundits

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Indian counterpart Thursday as tensions between two of Washington’s

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2023--

Speaker Mike Johnson, the little-known Louisiana congressman who emerged from a hardliner revolt as House Republicans’ new leader,

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 7, 2023--

Mark Valencia was convicted for the murders of Steven Singer and Eva Aragon at a residence in Pecos, just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico

England Under-21s suffered a 3-2 stoppage-time defeat against Ukraine in their Euro 2025 qualifier in Slovakia where they had recovered from 2-0 down. Lee Carsley’s side had coasted to a 9-1 win over Serbia at the City Ground last week to sit top of Group F. Ukraine, though, had also picked up maximum points from their opening two qualifiers and proved a much sterner test for the Young Lions, who trailed 2-0 at half-time before Noni Madueke and Charlie Cresswell looked to have salvaged a draw – only for Ilya Kvasnytsya to strike a late winner. England, captained by Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott with Chelsea winger Cole Palmer out injured, created their first clear opening in the 24th minute. A neat exchange saw Jamie Bynoe-Gittens played into the left side of the penalty area and his cutback was stabbed across goal by James McAtee. It proved a costly miss as Ukraine took the lead just after the half hour. England were caught in possession trying to play out from the back and Ukraine swiftly pressed forwards. A ball across from the right dropped through to Nazar Voloshyn at the far post, and he slotted past James Trafford. With half-time approaching, England found space again on the edge of the Ukraine area as Madueke made a smart turn, but the Chelsea forward dragged a low shot wide. Ukraine then doubled their lead with a magnificent free-kick from Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Oleg Ocheretko. Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was penalised for what looked like minimal contact on Maksim Bragaru out on the right. There did not seem to be the angle for a direct shot – but Ocheretko blasted the ball over Trafford and into the far corner. Following a low-key start to the second half, Carsley looked to inject some fresh life into his side with a triple substitution ahead of the hour mark as Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Liam Delap and Juventus forward Samuel Iling-Junior all came on. England, facing just a third qualifying defeat in 12 years, reduced the deficit in the 67th minute. Hull forward Delap was hustled off the ball at the edge of the Ukraine area, but it fell to Madueke who dispatched a neat finish back into the far corner. Iling-Junior then saw his cross fly through the six-yard box before being touched behind for a corner. England found an equaliser with just a minute left when Leeds defender Cresswell headed in at the far post after a deep cross from Elliott dropped through the Ukraine penalty area. Ukraine, though, snatched victory in stoppage time when substitute Kvasnytsya swept a low shot into the far corner following a quick break – before Delap saw his goal-bound header saved by Ruslan Neshcheret in what was the last action of the game. Read More A closer look at the five sports given the go-ahead for the 2028 Olympic Games Kyle Walker eyes ‘little bit of payback’ as England host Italy England ‘not too concerned’ despite World Cup hopes hanging by a thread Jordan Henderson set to face Italy despite England boos 5 talking points as Northern Ireland look for back-to-back wins The 2028 Olympics could be game-changing for squash – Gina Kennedy

Five people affiliated with a white nationalist hate group are suing a Seattle-area man who they say infiltrated the group and disclosed their identities online, leading them to lose their jobs and face harassment

Dealing with a team as talented as the San Francisco 49ers is difficult enough in the best of circumstances

Manchester City grabbed the early headlines on transfer deadline day as they completed the signing of Matheus Nunes from Wolves. After overcoming some minor sticking points in final negotiations over an initial £47.3m deal on Wednesday night, both clubs were able to come to an agreement on a £53million move – a club-record sale for Wolves. The 25-year-old Portugal international was keen to move to the Etihad Stadium and did not train with Wolves in order to push the move through. Nunes told the club’s official website: “I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the champions of Europe and a club I’ve admired for a long time. “The opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest managers ever, and alongside some of the best players in the world was something I couldn’t turn down. “I’ve learned so much during my season at Wolves and I’m excited to continue improving in the Premier League, a division which brings the best out of me.” Midfielder Tommy Doyle, 21, heads the other way, joining the Molineux club on a season-long loan with the option to make the switch permanent next summer. Doyle’s exit follows that of fellow City academy product Cole Palmer, who has joined Chelsea on a seven-year contract. The PA news agency understands Chelsea will pay an initial £40million for the 21-year-old with an additional £2.5m in possible add-ons. “I’m excited to get started and it feels great to sign,” Palmer told his new club’s website. “I’ve joined Chelsea because the project here sounds good and because of the platform I will have to try to showcase my talents. It is a young and hungry squad and, hopefully, we can do something special here.” It takes spending in the 16 months since the club was acquired by Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium to over £1billion, with Palmer the 12th player through the door during the summer transfer window. Manchester United confirmed the signing of Turkey international goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce. The 25-year-old has signed an initial four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further year. Bayindir is the second goalkeeper signed by the Red Devils this summer and will provide competition to fellow new arrival Andre Onana. “It is a huge honour to join Manchester United and become the first Turkish player to represent this incredible club,” Bayindir said in the statement announcing his signing. United could add further recruits on deadline day, with a loan move for Tottenham full-back Sergio Reguilon close to completion. Nottingham Forest signed Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares on a season-long loan, with the option of making it permanent. “Forest is an historic club which won two European Cups and to be part of it makes me really happy,” he said. “I’m really happy to stay in the Premier League as it’s the best league in the world and I’m thankful to Forest for giving me that opportunity.” Forest forward Brennan Johnson continued to be linked with a move to Tottenham. Aston Villa brought in French defender Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan from Barcelona. The centre-half spent last season on loan at Spurs, making 35 appearances in all competitions. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Newcastle ‘have to believe’ in star-studded Champions League group – Eddie Howe I love this team: Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s new midfield is ‘good business’ Manchester City sign Matheus Nunes from Wolves for £53million

The UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley's remarks regarding cheating on his wife have caused a stir