Champions League: Liverpool extend winning run; Real Madrid back on track
Under the competition’s revamped format, the top eight teams advance directly to the last 16, while teams finishing ninth to 24th will enter a play-off round.
Salah scored a decisive penalty in the 63rd minute to help Liverpool overcome Girona, debutants in the tournament. (Photo: Getty Images)
By EasternEyeDec 11, 2024
MOHAMED SALAH'S penalty maintained Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a victory over Serie A leaders Atalanta.
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain secured a crucial win against Salzburg, and Bayer Leverkusen edged past Inter Milan to move into second place in their group standings. Aston Villa, participating in the competition for the first time in 41 years, continued their impressive form with a 3-2 win over Leipzig, leaving them in third place.
Under the competition’s revamped format, the top eight teams advance directly to the last 16, while teams finishing ninth to 24th will enter a play-off round.
In Spain, Salah scored a decisive penalty in the 63rd minute to help Liverpool overcome Girona, debutants in the tournament. The result gave the Premier League leaders their sixth consecutive win in the group stage. Despite the win, Liverpool coach Arne Slot expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance.
“If you ask me about all six games, I’m really pleased with all the results... (but) I’m far from pleased about the performance tonight,” Slot told reporters. “(We had) hardly any control at all over the game, maybe the second half was a bit better but then I’m trying to be positive.”
Salah’s goal was his 50th in the Champions League, placing him joint 10th on the competition’s all-time scoring list alongside Filippo Inzaghi. The Egyptian winger, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has scored 16 goals across all competitions this season, proving crucial to Liverpool’s success.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, recovered from their 2-0 loss to Liverpool in their previous match. Kylian Mbappe gave the Spanish side an early lead against Atalanta, but Charles de Ketelaere equalised with a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Goals from Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham secured a 3-2 victory, lifting Real to 18th place on nine points.
PSG, struggling in 25th place before the match, claimed a much-needed 3-0 win over Salzburg. The victory pushed the French champions into 24th position, the final spot for the play-offs.
In other results, Bayern Munich defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1, and Bayer Leverkusen became the first team to score against Inter Milan this season with a 1-0 win. French side Brest continued their strong debut campaign in European football with a 1-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven, moving them into fifth place.
Wednesday’s matches include Manchester City’s trip to Juventus and Barcelona’s visit to Borussia Dortmund.
PRIYA NAIR has been appointed as the CEO and managing director of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), effective from August 1. She will be the first woman to lead the company in its history.
The announcement was made by HUL on Thursday (10). Nair, who currently serves as president, Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, will take over the role from Rohit Jawa, who will step down on July 31 to pursue other interests.
She has been appointed for a five-year term and will also join the HUL board, subject to necessary approvals. She will continue to be a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive.
Nair began her career with HUL in 1995 and has held various roles across sales and marketing in the company’s Home Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Personal Care businesses.
Between 2014 and 2020, she served as executive director, Home Care and later as executive director, Beauty & Personal Care from 2020 to 2022. She then moved to a global role as the chief marketing officer for Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, and in 2023, was named president of the business.
Under her leadership, the Beauty & Wellbeing division has grown into a more than £10 billion global business covering hair care, skin care, prestige beauty, and health and wellbeing, including vitamins, minerals and supplements.
She has overseen brand building, innovation, revenue growth, digital transformation, and profit delivery.
Speaking on her appointment, HUL chairman Nitin Paranjpe said, “Priya has had an outstanding career in HUL and Unilever. I am certain that with her deep understanding of the Indian market and excellent track record, Priya will take HUL to the next level of performance.”
Nair’s appointment comes after Jawa’s two-year term, during which the company focused on volume-led growth. “On behalf of the Board of HUL, I would like to thank Rohit for leading the business through tough market conditions and strengthening its foundations for success,” Paranjpe added.
Over her 28-year career, Nair has built and managed several leading consumer brands. She is recognised for turning around underperforming businesses and leading cross-functional teams.
The Indian executive has also served as an independent director on the board of a publicly listed Indian company, a board member of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), and a member of several government-backed partnerships and industry bodies.
Nair currently lives in London with her husband and daughter.
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A aerial drone view of the Liberty Steel site on March 31, 2021 in Rotherham, England. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE UK government is considering a potential rescue plan for Speciality Steel UK (SSUK), part of the Liberty Steel Group, if its parent company collapses after an insolvency hearing next week.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds is reportedly exploring options, including taking full control of the business, which employs 1,450 people at Rotherham and Sheffield, The Guardian reported. This follows the government’s intervention in British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant.
A government spokesperson said: “We continue to closely monitor developments around Liberty Steel, including any public hearings, which are a matter for the company. It is for Liberty to manage commercial decisions on the future of its companies, and we hope it succeeds with its plans to continue on a sustainable basis.”
Liberty Steel, which has not produced steel at Rotherham for a year, has continued paying staff. The company has lost £340m over four years, The Guardian reported.
Sanjeev Gupta, whose GFG Alliance faced financial strain after Greensill Capital’s collapse, is seeking investment in SSUK. Talks with a major investor are ongoing, according to union Community.
The GMB union said it supports government intervention. A Liberty Steel spokesperson said SSUK remains valuable and is aligned with demand in sectors like aerospace and defence.
The group remains under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office since 2021.
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Poster of the upcoming Superman film releasing on July 11
James Gunn’s Superman reimagines the hero as a symbol of the immigrant experience.
Former Superman actor Dean Cain and conservative commentators criticise the film as "too woke."
Cain argues that Hollywood is rewriting classic characters to fit modern political agendas.
Gunn defends his interpretation, saying the story champions kindness and inclusion.
James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman has already been caught in a political storm. The director’s depiction of the Man of Steel as a metaphor for the immigrant experience has drawn criticism from right-wing voices, who accuse Hollywood of turning the iconic superhero into a tool for political messaging.
New ‘Superman’ movie sparks backlash for portraying hero as immigrant symbol Instagram/superman/reald3d
Gunn calls Superman ‘The story of America’
In a recent interview, Gunn described Superman as an immigrant who “came from other places and populated the country,” framing the nearly century-old comic book hero as a symbol of the American melting pot. The new film, he added, is about “basic human kindness”, a value he believes is being lost in today’s culture. For Gunn, this fresh take is less about politics and more about restoring a sense of empathy.
Director James Gunn attends the red carpet for the Superman movie premiereGetty Images
Dean Cain says Superman is becoming too political
Dean Cain, who portrayed Superman in the ’90s TV series Lois & Clark, sees things differently. In a video interview, Cain accused Hollywood of going too far with “woke” reinterpretations of legacy characters. While acknowledging Superman’s extraterrestrial roots, he warned that reshaping classic icons to reflect modern ideologies risks diluting their core values.
“The ‘American way’ is immigrant friendly, tremendously so,” Cain said, “but there are rules.” He cautioned against celebrating immigration without acknowledging its complexities, arguing that unlimited inclusion could lead to societal collapse.
Dean Cain accused Hollywood of going too far with “woke” reinterpretationsGetty Images
Right-wing backlash gains momentum
Cain isn’t alone in his criticism. Fox News host Jesse Watters mockingly suggested that the new Superman now stands for “truth, justice, and your preferred pronouns,” while other conservative voices took issue with the film’s social messaging. Some have gone as far as to claim the hero’s cape should bear gang symbols if he’s being used to push a political narrative.
The reaction highlights how even fictional characters can become lightning rods in America’s ongoing culture wars. Immigration, especially, remains a divisive topic, intensified by recent enforcement policies and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric under Donald Trump’s influence.
While critics decry the film as ideological, those involved in Superman are standing firm. Nathan Fillion, who plays Green Lantern in the movie, downplayed the outrage, saying, “It’s just a movie.”
Sean Gunn, the director’s brother and a cast member in the film, offered a more forceful defence: “Yes, Superman is an immigrant. If you don’t like that, you’re not American.” For the cast and creators, the backlash isn’t a deterrent. In fact, it’s proof that the story still resonates and provokes thought.
Gunn’s Superman releases internationally this week and hits U.S. theatres on Friday, 11 July. Despite the controversy, early reviews are favourable, with many praising its emotional core and even the updated relevance.
But as the debate rages on, one thing is clear: this version of Superman isn’t just about capes and villains, it’s about what it means to belong in a country still struggling with the question of who gets to call it home.
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Models depicting migrants wearing life jackets in a small boat alongside two banners reading 'Stop the boats' and 'Veterans before refugees' are displayed on top a bonfire in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by PETER MURPHY/AFP via Getty Images)
POLICE in Northern Ireland have launched a hate crime investigation after a bonfire topped with effigies of migrants in a boat was set alight in the village of Moygashel, County Tyrone.
The incident, which took place on Thursday (10) night, has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, church officials, and human rights groups.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed they had received several complaints about the display and were treating it as a hate incident.
In a statement, the PSNI said, “Police have received a number of reports regarding the bonfire in Moygashel and the material that has been placed upon it. Police are investigating this hate incident.
"Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe. We do this by working with local communities, partners, elected representatives and other stakeholders to deliver local solutions to local problems, building confidence in policing and supporting a safe environment for people to live, work, visit and invest in Northern Ireland, but we can only do so within the legislative framework that exists."
The model at the centre of the controversy showed 12 dummies dressed in life jackets inside a dinghy placed on top of the bonfire, with a banner reading “Stop the Boats.”
An Irish tricolour flag and a separate sign reading “Veterans before Refugees,” alongside images of two guns, were also attached to the structure.
The bonfire was part of the annual July 11 and 12 celebrations held by loyalist communities to mark the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
Despite calls for its removal, the bonfire was set alight around 11pm, with a large crowd watching and filming on their phones. A pipe band played music and fireworks were set off before the fire was lit.
The display comes just weeks after attacks on migrants’ homes in nearby Ballymena, where masked rioters targeted police, homes, and cars.
Condemnation came from across the political spectrum. Sinn Féin assembly member Colm Gildernew called the act “vile and deplorable” and said it was “clearly a hate crime.”
Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell described the effigy as “racist, threatening and offensive,” calling it “inhuman and deeply sub-Christian.”
Social Democratic and Labour party councillor Malachy Quinn told The Irish News, “Those responsible for this hateful display claim to be celebrating British culture. Let’s be clear – racism and intimidation are not culture. This isn’t pride – it’s poison.”
Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan called the act “vile” and “dehumanising,” warning it fuelled hatred and racism.
Ulster Unionist party leader and Northern Ireland health minister Mike Nesbitt also condemned the display “without reservation,” calling the image “sickening” and “entirely out of step with what is supposed to be a cultural celebration.”
The Democratic Unionist party, Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, issued a statement opposing the use of effigies or provocative symbols on bonfires, saying such acts “are not part of the cultural tradition.” The party added: “These should be positive cultural celebrations and we support those within our community who wish to celebrate their culture peacefully.”
However, prominent loyalist activist Jamie Bryson defended the bonfire display, arguing it was a form of political protest. He cited a European Court of Human Rights ruling that burning effigies could be considered “legitimate political expression.”
Bryson accused critics of hypocrisy, comparing the display to recent defences of performances by pro-unity rap group Kneecap.
In a social media post, the Moygashel Bonfire Association rejected claims of racism, saying the display was meant to protest illegal immigration. “This year’s bonfire ‘topper’ should not be seen as racist, threatening or offensive,” the group wrote. “We believe this unfettered invasion is the biggest threat to the UK since Adolf Hitler.”
This is not the first time Moygashel’s bonfires have drawn controversy. In 2024, a mock police car was burned on the same site, raising concerns in a region where police officers have historically been frequent targets.
Separately, the PSNI refused to help remove another bonfire in south Belfast earlier this week, despite safety concerns about asbestos and its proximity to an electricity substation that powers two hospitals. The police said after reviewing the risks, they decided not to intervene.
The July 12 bonfire tradition continues to be a flashpoint in Northern Ireland’s divided society, even decades after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement brought an end to most sectarian violence.
(with inputs from agencies)
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Root, in his 156th Test, again played a crucial role after England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat on a sunny day at Lord's. (Photo: Getty Images)
JOE ROOT finished unbeaten on 99 as England reached 251-4 at stumps on the opening day of the third Test against India at Lord's on Thursday.
England were struggling at 44-2 after Indian pacer Nitish Kumar Reddy struck twice in his opening over, removing openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. Root came in and steadied the innings, building partnerships and keeping the scoreboard moving at just over three an over, slower than England’s usual 'Bazball' tempo.
Root, in his 156th Test, again played a crucial role after England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat on a sunny day at Lord's. Stokes was 39 not out at the close, having added an unbroken 79-run partnership with Root for the fifth wicket.
Stokes appeared to tweak his groin towards the end of the day, raising concerns for England, especially as fast bowler Jofra Archer was recalled to the side after a long injury break.
Earlier, Root had shared a 109-run stand with Ollie Pope. The partnership, built over 35 overs, helped England recover after the early wickets. Pope scored 44 after surviving a close chance on his first ball.
"It's not always been the way we've gone about our cricket, but I think long term in the game hopefully that will reward us if we can kick on tomorrow," Pope told Sky Sports.
Before the match, much of the focus was on the return of Jasprit Bumrah, the top-ranked Test bowler, after he was rested in India’s 336-run win at Edgbaston that levelled the five-match series at 1-1.
However, it was Reddy who made the biggest early impact. Bowling from the Nursery End, the 22-year-old took two wickets in four balls on his debut at Lord’s, ending the day with 2-46 in 14 overs.
His third delivery dismissed Duckett (23), caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant off a gloved pull. With the last ball of the same over, Reddy bowled a full-length delivery that swung late and took Crawley’s outside edge, with Pant taking the catch. Crawley made 18.
"I feel great bowling from that (Nursery) end," Reddy said after stumps. "I don't know much about the slope, but from that end when I bowled it's been moving a lot, and after pitching also it's going good."
Root masterclass
Root reached his half-century with a glance through fine leg off Reddy, his seventh four, coming off 102 balls. He remained steady throughout the day.
Pope was dismissed to the first ball after tea, edging Ravindra Jadeja to substitute wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who was fielding after Pant suffered a finger injury.
Harry Brook followed soon after, bowled by Bumrah between bat and pad for 11. Bumrah ended with 1-35 from 18 overs.
At 172-4, Stokes came in to join Root. Stokes, who last scored a Test hundred during the Ashes two years ago at Lord's, was on 27 when Reddy’s lbw appeal was turned down on umpire’s call.
Root went past 80 with an on-driven boundary off Reddy, and play was briefly halted due to a ladybird interruption at the ground.
In the final moments, Stokes defended Akash Deep’s last two deliveries of the day, unable to rotate the strike, leaving Root one run short of his 37th Test century and eighth at Lord’s.