England boss Sarina Wiegman vowed the Lionesses would do “everything” they can to bring home a first World Cup when they begin their campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on Saturday. Wiegman also provided a welcome update on captain Millie Bright, who is fit to start tomorrow’s contest after concerns she was still recovering from the knee injury she sustained in March which required surgery. The World Cup trophy is one that has so far eluded both England and Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the final four years ago in France but fell to defeat at the hands of the United States. Asked if England could lift the trophy this year, she said: “We’re here and we have a dream, and of course there’s always a chance to win the World Cup, and many more countries can win the World Cup I think, but of course we’re going to give our everything starting tomorrow.” FIFA world number four England are ranked 49 places above Saturday opponents Haiti, who beat Chile in the qualifying play-off to reach a maiden World Cup. The Lionesses are heavy favourites to top Group D, which also includes 13th-ranked Denmark and number 14 China. Wiegman, however, was quick to dismiss the idea that facing lower-ranked opposition puts England in a position of having more to lose, perhaps more so than when they kicked off their winning Euro 2022 campaign against Austria last summer. “The pressure is always something. Everyone expected England to win anyway. This is for tomorrow and also last year, and that was also for the Austria game for the European Championships,” she added. “So that’s not different. What we’re just trying to do is play our game and focus on what we have to do and how we can win, and that’s basically what we do all the time, so bring it back to what actions we need to take as a team.” Wiegman said she has “basically decided” on her starting XI for tomorrow but would not reveal whether or not the players had already been informed. The Lionesses begin their sixth World Cup still having not come to an agreement with the Football Association over issues surrounding performance-based bonus payments and commercial structures. On Tuesday, Bright posted a statement on Twitter on behalf of the team which said they were “disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved” but would “pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament”. The skipper, who will wear a FIFA-sanctioned ‘Unite for Inclusion’ armband in Saturday’s contest, reiterated that those discussions are now fully parked. “Obviously it’s not a situation everyone wants to be in, but I think as players we’re not just programmed to play football,” Bright said. “Sometimes we have to have these conversations. But we have a very professional group and football is always at the front of everything. So as players now our heads are in the game, they always have been on the game. “Everything is on hold with those sorts of questions. We’ll address the situation at a later date, but for now it’s all about the tournament.” Earlier, Haiti manager Nicolas Delepine took a lighthearted stab at the Lionesses, who have not scored in their last three matches including the behind-closed-doors training game with Canada on the Sunshine Coast a week ago which ended in a goalless draw not for official records. He told a press conference: “It’s going to be a difficult game, for sure. And if I have to talk about the strengths of England, I’ll be here all day. “In big competitions England are tough opponents. They played well in the European Championships. “We’re expecting a high intensity game. They are a difficult team to play against, they are attacking with threats everywhere but they maybe have a problem with finishing.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Natalie Grinczer hopes to take advantage after late switch to Lifeplus-Wahoo Early starters battle overcast conditions as Tommy Fleetwood shares Open lead Football rumours: Harry Kane will not sign new Tottenham deal

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UFC 294 was set to be one of the biggest fight cards of the year, and it is arguably even bigger after undergoing two major, late changes. In the main event, Islam Makhachev defends the lightweight title against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, whom he narrowly outpointed in February, with the latter stepping in for the injured Charles Oliveira. FOLLOW LIVE: UFC 294 – Fight updates and results Makhachev submitted Oliveira 12 months ago to win the vacant lightweight belt, and their highly-anticipated rematch was scheduled to take place this weekend in the same venue – the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi – until a severe cut ruled out the Brazilian. In steps Volkanovski, however, for another tantalising rematch. In the co-main event, rising star Khamzat Chimaev will fight former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who makes his middleweight debut after replacing Paulo Costa – with the Brazilian facing a slew of surgeries on an injured elbow. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is UFC 294? UFC 294 takes place on Saturday 21 October at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The prelims are set to begin at 3pm BST (7am PT, 9am CT, 10am ET), with the main card following at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET). How can I watch it? The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Odds Makhachev – 4/9; Volkanovski – 9/5 Chimaev – 2/5; Usman – 2/1 Full odds via Betway. •Get all the latest UFC betting sites’ offers Full card (subject to change) Main card Islam Makhachev (C) vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 (lightweight title) Khamzat Chimaev vs Kamaru Usman (middleweight) Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker (light-heavyweight) Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves (middleweight) Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov (bantamweight) Prelims Tim Elliott vs Muhammad Mokaev (flyweight) Nathaniel Wood vs Muhammad Naimov (featherweight) Mohammad Yahya vs Trevor Peek (lightweight) Javid Basharat vs Victor Henry (bantamweight) Abu Azaitar vs Sedriques Dumas (middleweight) Mike Breeden vs Anshul Jubli (lightweight) Viktoriia Dudakova vs Jinh Yu Frey (women’s strawweight) Shara Magomedov vs Bruno Silva (middleweight) Read More Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC Alexander Volkanovski admits it’s ‘crazy’ to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice Conor McGregor won’t face sexual assault charges, lawyer says UFC 294 card in full as Chimaev and Usman clash in tantalising co-main event How to watch UFC 294 online and on TV tonight UFC 294 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Makhachev fight updates and results tonight

H&M has filed a lawsuit against infamous fast fashion retailer Shein for copyright infringement, according to court documents filed in Hong Kong. Hennes & Mauritz, the Swedish fashion brand more commonly known as H&M, has accused Zoetop Business Co – the Hong Kong-based entity that previously owned Shein – as well as Shein Group Ltd of copying its designs in the new lawsuit. H&M is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction to stop Shein from infringing on its copyright and trademarks. According to Bloomberg, the filing included photos of dozens of items – such as swimwear and sweaters – that H&M claimed was evidence Shein had stolen its designs. In a statement, an H&M spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg it filed a lawsuit against Shein in Hong Kong, claiming the fast-fashion competitor “in multiple cases has infringed on our designs”. The next hearing is slated to take place July 31. More follows… Read More Fast fashion retailer Shein accused of racketeering and copyright infringement in lawsuit Chinese e-retailer Temu files lawsuit in US against rival Shein, alleging antitrust violations Italian designer launches scathing attack on Shein over ‘stolen ideas’: ‘Maybe I am the fool’

The Texas attorney general currently suspended and facing an impeachment trial in the state’s Senate is lashing out at lawmakers, vowing not to participate in a process he has called illegal and politicised — despite all involved being Republicans. Ken Paxton vowed on Monday that he would not testify in the upcoming trial set to be held in the Texas state Senate over a list of accusations that paints a damning picture of corruption in his office. The embattled Mr Paxton, a known warrior for conservative causes in the court system as part of his efforts to build a statewide profile, has been accused of taking bribes from a campaign donor, then using his office’s power to shield that same donor from legal action. He’s also alleged to have retaliated against whistleblowers in his office who came forward to speak about the supposed scheme. The statement, first reported by the Texas Tribune, came via Mr Paxton’s attorney Tony Buzbee. “We will not bow to their evil, illegal, and unprecedented weaponisation of state power in the Senate chamber,” said Mr Buzbee. He added: “​​The House has ignored precedent, denied him an opportunity to prepare his defense, and now wants to ambush him on the floor of the Senate. They had the opportunity to have Attorney General Paxton testify during their sham investigation but refused to do so.” Mr Paxton has long denied the allegations against him — though evasively, as the Tribune and other state media have noted, and has focused the majority of his efforts in recent weeks on criticising the individuals behind his impeachment in the state House of Representatives. At a May press conference addressing the issue, he accused his Republican critics in the House of working to thwart his efforts to champion conservative causes in the courts. “The corrupt politicians in the Texas House are demonstrating that blind loyalty to Speaker Dade Phelan is more important than upholding their oath of office,” he said at the time. “They are determined to ignore the law. They have denied me the opportunity to present the evidence which contradicts their politically motivated narrative.” “The House is poised to do exactly what Joe Biden has been hoping to accomplish since his first day in office: sabotage our work, my work, as attorney general of Texas,” Mr Paxton added at that press conference. He has proceeded to also level unfounded charges of alcohol abuse by the speaker of the Texas House, Dade Phelan, and called for Mr Phelan’s resignation. Others, during the House impeachment process, claimed that they received threatening phone calls from Mr Paxton ahead of the vote. Lawmakers in the House and Senate of the state of Texas have shown no sign, however, of relenting in the face of his bluster. Mr Paxton’s trial is due to begin on 5 September. His wife, a state senator, will be barred on voting for or against his conviction. Read More Should domestic abusers have the right to be armed? The Supreme Court could upend protections for survivors Texas businessman at center of AG Ken Paxton's impeachment pleads not guilty to federal charges Texas Sen. Angela Paxton says she will 'carry out my duties' in husband's impeachment trial Ted Cruz accuses new Barbie movie of ‘pushing Chinese propaganda’ Conservatives go to red states, Democrats to blue as the country grows more polarized Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after ‘tragic and senseless’ spate of July 4 shootings

Former All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty on Wednesday rejoined Super Rugby champions Canterbury Crusaders for the 2024 season, after four...