Halsey took full control at her recent Pittsburgh performance.
The “Bad at Love” singer stepped in just in time to save a videographer from getting burned by stage pyrotechnics during her June 14 concert.
As they noticed the cameraman coming closer to her as they sang “Without Me,” they mouthed, “Get out of the way,” and waved the videographer to the side of the stage as they knew the fire was set to appear where the videographer was approaching. After the videographer failed to pick up on the cue, the singer jumped up without missing a beat, quickly exclaiming, “There’s pyro coming! Move!” while rushing to shove the videographer off to the side of the stage just before the flames shot up.
Following the scary moment, the 30-year-old—who shares son Ember, 3, with ex Alev Aydin—quickly ran back to the center of the stage with a nervous giggle to continue singing the hit lyrics, “Tell me how it feels, sitting right there…”
Watch: After verdict is announced, Karen Read speaks to crowd
Karen Read, a US woman charged with running over her police officer boyfriend and leaving him for dead in a snowbank, has been found not guilty of second-degree murder in a case that gripped true-crime fans nationwide.
The jury also found Ms Read, 44, not guilty of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of the collision in January 2022. But she was convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OUI).
Her July 2024 trial stemming from the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe collapsed after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
She again pleaded not guilty in the retrial, with her lawyers arguing she was being framed for Mr O’Keefe’s death.
The Patriot Ledger/Reuters
Karen Read in court after the not not guilty verdict
Prosecutors and Ms Read’s attorneys agreed to a one-year probation order for the intoxication charge. It means she will avoid prison time.
As the verdict was read out, a loud cheer could be heard from outside the Massachusetts court, where a large crowd had gathered, many wearing pink to show support for Ms Read. She hugged her defence attorneys and cried.
Ms Read was greeted by loud cheers as she emerged from the building to thank supporters. The crowd chanted “Free Karen Read” and made “I love you” signs in American Sign Language. Some waved US flags and sang God Bless America.
“No-one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have,” she said in a brief statement.
Ms Read’s trial has generated intense public interest, spawning a Hulu television show, several podcasts, and an upcoming Netflix documentary.
Her father, William Read, thanked “all the content providers who helped spread the word”.
The O’Keefe family left court still without comment.
But several witnesses in the case said on Wednesday the outcome was “a devastating miscarriage of justice”.
Their statement said they “lament the cruel reality that this prosecution was infected by lies and conspiracy theories spread by Karen Read, her defense team, and some in the media”.
Getty Images
Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney signs “I love you” in American Sign Language, which has become a symbol for Karen Read’s supporters
Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney, a blogger who has publicised the case, told NBC10 local news that the verdict was “a surreal emotional experience”.
“To finally hear those words: ‘not guilty’, I have been dreaming about this… It was a happy ending.”
Kearney himself faces several charges of witness intimidation, which he denies.
His writing frequently questions the investigation into Mr O’Keefe’s death and he often publicly confronts witnesses about the case.
Ms Read worked as an adjunct professor at Bentley University and an equity analyst at Fidelity Investments.
She and Mr O’Keefe were together for about two years before his 2022 death, but their relationship had become volatile, prosecutors argued.
Boston Herald via Getty Images
Supporters cheer outside court as Karen Read is acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges
In closing arguments, state prosecutor Hank Brennan told the court Ms Read was drunk-driving when, enraged by their faltering relationship, she backed into Mr O’Keefe at the home of a fellow officer in the Boston area.
He alleged she left him to die during a snowstorm. Mr O’Keefe, who died at the age of 46, had spent 16 years with the Boston Police Department.
Ms Read’s attorneys contended that O’Keefe was instead beaten inside the home, bitten by a dog and dumped in the snow. They argued Ms Read was the victim of an elaborate plot by local police to frame her.
The jury deliberated over four days before Wednesday afternoon’s verdict was delivered.
Court filings show the jury members’ names will not be made public.
Iran’s nuclear breakout time has become a key question as President Trump considers whether to bomb the Islamic regime’s key underground nuclear facility.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in justifying his unprecedented strikes on the regional rival last week, said Iran was “marching very quickly” toward a nuclear weapon.
That seemed to diverge from U.S. assessments — voiced by Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard in a March congressional hearing — that Iran was not actively building a nuclear weapon.
Trump was clear about where he stood when asked Tuesday about Gabbard’s testimony.
“I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having one,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
Nuclear watchdogs have had limited ability to monitor Iran’s stockpiles since Trump withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear deal in 2018. For that reason and others, experts say pinning down a specific nuclear timeline is complicated.
“When people give different estimates of Iran’s breakout timeline, I think it’s because they’re talking about different things,” said Heather Williams, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, pointing to Gabbard’s testimony and Trump’s pushback.
“Tulsi Gabbard said there is no evidence that Iran is weaponizing. That can be a true statement at the same time as Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability,” she said. “If you want to talk about actual weaponization, that is a very specific activity. It involves developing trigger technologies, figuring out how an implosion device works.”
Given its current level of enrichment, experts estimate it would take Iran a week or two to produce the weapons-grade uranium needed for a nuclear weapon and another few months to build a crude weapon.
Then Iran would need to figure out how to deliver the bomb to Israel, more than 1,000 miles away, either fitting it onto a missile, dropping it from a plane, or smuggling it across the border by land.
According to CNN, U.S. officials think Iran is up to three years away from actually launching a nuclear weapon. Andreas Krieg, a lecturer in security studies at King’s College London, put that figure closer to 18 months. He said he was skeptical of Israel’s claims of a rapidly closing window to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“The assessment of what the Israeli intelligence says, we only have it filtered through the government, and the government obviously has an intention to say ‘they’re very close,’ and hence, this was a preemptive strike rather than an act of aggression,” Krieg said.
“I’m not sure whether the Israeli intelligence service really says this, or if this is the Israeli government abusing or exploiting a narrative,” he added. “No one has seen that report.”
A spokesperson for the Israeli military did not respond to questions about its latest assessments.
Israel has pounded Iranian nuclear facilities in the past week, possibly setting back the country’s nuclear program by a few months. However, experts say eliminating Iran’s near-term nuclear threat requires destroying the Fordow nuclear facility, which is buried in the side of a mountain.
Only the U.S. has the 30,000-pound bombs required to penetrate the thick concrete bunker shielding the nuclear centrifuges underground.
Trump returned early from the Group of Seven summit in Canada and summoned his national security team to the White House on Tuesday as he considers sending U.S. bombers and pilots to join Israel’s war.
Latest assessments
A day before Israel’s strikes, a quarterly report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that Iran had amassed 400 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium, a stockpile that “remains a matter of serious concern,” according to the agency tasked with monitoring Tehran’s nuclear program.
The report was the first time since 2005 that the IAEA board of governors had found Iran in violation of its non-proliferation pledges.
“The first time in 20 years that you find someone to be in breach, it is a big deal and it should be very concerning,” Williams said.
Ninety percent enrichment is considered weapons-grade, and experts have said Iran’s uranium supply is well above what would be needed for civilian use in a nuclear power plant.
The 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration included provisions for Iran to allow the IAEA significant access to its nuclear program, including installing cameras and sensors at nuclear sites.
After Trump pulled out of the deal in 2018, the Iranian government has limited inspections and removed cameras at its sites altogether, though the IAEA has been able to retain some investigatory power and access.
Since at least 2019, the U.S. has assessed that Iran is not actively pursuing a workable nuclear device.
Annual reports from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence typically included the line “Iran is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activities necessary to produce a testable nuclear device.”
Last year, American intelligence agencies shifted to say that Iran has “undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so” but maintained that Iran did not have an active nuclear military program.
Before it launched its attacks last week, Israel told the United States that Iran had renewed research efforts useful for a nuclear weapon, including studying an explosive triggering system, The Wall Street Journal reported.
But U.S. officials weren’t convinced those efforts amounted to a decision by Iran to actually build a weapon.
Different perspectives
David Des Roches, a professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, said Israeli officials were inclined to be more cautious than their U.S. counterparts when assessing Iran’s nuclear threat.
“The Americans are more capable of looking at the capability and saying, ‘yes, yes, yes, but,’ and then examining intent. I think Israeli strategic culture is fundamentally different,” he said. “Their culture is preventing annihilation while the world stands by, so their calculus is less accepting of risk.”
Gabbard told lawmakers in March that the U.S. had seen a shift in Iranian rhetoric around nuclear weapons.
“In the past year, we’ve seen an erosion of a decades-long taboo in Iran on discussing nuclear weapons in public, likely emboldening nuclear weapons advocates within Iran’s decisionmaking apparatus,” she said.
But she noted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had not reauthorized Iran’s nuclear weapons program suspended in 2003, and she said the U.S. still believed Iran was not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.
Krieg argued that any decision made by Iran to begin sprinting toward a nuclear weapon would be known by Western intelligence agencies.
“Looking at how penetrated Iran is right now, we see that the Mossad [Israel’s spy agency] has been able to operate with impunity across all levels of the regime,” he said. “If any of these decisions had been made, it would have come to all our attention.”
Passkeys can replace traditional passwords with your device’s own authentication methods. That way, you can sign in to Gmail, PayPal, or iCloud just by activating Face ID on your iPhone, your Android phone’s fingerprint sensor, or with Windows Hello on a PC.
Built on WebAuthn (or Web Authentication) tech, two different keys are generated when you create a passkey: one stored by the website or service where your account is and a private key stored on the device you use to verify your identity.
Of course, if passkeys are stored on your device, what happens if it gets broken or lost? Since passkeys work across multiple devices, you may have a backup available. Many services that support passkeys will also reauthenticate to your phone number or email address or to a hardware security key, if you have one.
Apple’s and Google’s password vaults already support passkeys, and so do password managers like 1Password and Dashlane. 1Password has also created an online directory listing services that allow users to sign in using a passkey.
In the history of the women’s European Championship dating back to 1982, only five nations have claimed the trophy: Sweden, Netherlands and England have each won once — the latter two under the guidance of Sarina Wiegman — while Norway have earned the title twice and Germany have dominated with eight victories.
Now, from July 2-27, 16 nations will compete at Euro 2025 in Switzerland for the chance to be crowned European champions.
The stakes are higher than ever, with prize money more than doubled compared with the previous tournament. The 16 teams will share €41 million, with each federation receiving at least €1.8 million and required to allocate at least 30% to players. The eventual champions stand to earn up to €5.1 million.
There are plenty of storylines, so how will it all shape up?
Emily Keogh, Tom Hamilton, Beth Lindop, Julien Laurens and Sam Marsden will be on the ground at the tournament this summer, so here is their assessment of the teams.
GROUP A
Nickname: La Nati (The National Team) FIFA rank: 23 Manager: Pia Sundhage Record in 2025: W0, D2, L4 Group stage fixtures: Norway (July 2), Iceland (July 6), Finland (July 10)
Fresh off Arsenal‘s unexpected triumph in the Champions League, Wälti remains the heartbeat of a Swiss side in transition. A composed and commanding presence in midfield, she anchors the team with quiet authority. As the long-standing captain, Wälti is the bridge between seasoned stalwarts and emerging talent. At 31, she will play at what could be her final major tournament, and it is all the more poignant that it is on home soil. In every sense, she is the team’s lynchpin.
After a season at European powerhouse Barcelona, where she shares the stage with a pair of two-time Ballon d’Or winners in Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, 18-year-old Schertenleib is primed for her first major tournament. With eight caps and two goals already to her name, she’s poised to step up as Switzerland’s new generation emerges. And there’s no better place to do it than a Euros on home soil.
Why they won’t win it all:
Switzerland’s shallow player pool means they lack depth. Emerging talents like Schertenleib, Iman Beney, and Naomi Luyet bring flair but little experience, with all three heading into their first major tournament. Meanwhile, the team’s veterans, minus the injured Ramona Bachmann (ACL), are aging out just as other nations are pivoting toward youth. The generational gap is proving costly.
Add in the pressure of hosting and the fact that experienced coach Pia Sundhage is still finding her footing with La Nati, and the team appears to be sliding backwards while their rivals surge ahead.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Switzerland have never made it past the Euros group stage, falling short in both 2017 and 2022. However, with round-of-16 finishes at the 2015 and 2023 World Cups — and a familiar-looking group to the one they faced two years ago — there’s cautious optimism. Though often inconsistent against similarly ranked sides (four losses and two draws in the recent Nations League), La Nati have shown they can grind out results. Ranked 23rd in the world, they sit behind Iceland (14th) and Norway (16th) in their group, but history suggests they have a solid chance of progressing.
With home support behind them, this could finally be the year they break their curse, though anything beyond the quarterfinals feels out of reach. — Emily Keogh
Norway
Nickname: The Grasshoppers FIFA rank: 16 Manager: Gemma Grainger Record in 2025: 11W, 9D, 8L Group stage fixtures: Switzerland (July 2), Finland (July 6), Iceland (July 10)
With a squad full of talent, Norway face an unusual challenge. No one player has stood out consistently above the rest and while many of their experienced stars thrive at the highest levels of club football, their performances for the national team have often fallen short. Still, Graham Hansen is arguably Norway’s most instinctive and creative player, and the dynamic Barcelona winger has been a driving force behind her club’s recent dominance. She brings flair, vision, and an eye for goal. Shey may also be Norway’s best hope of progression.
After breaking through with SK Brann and earning her national debut last season, Norway’s 19-year-old wonderkid has earned a spot at her first senior tournament. Surrounded by veterans nearing the end of their careers, Gaupset has the perfect opportunity to learn from the best and begin carving out her own legacy.
Why they won’t win it all:
With a star-studded squad featuring the likes of Graham Hansen, Ingrid Engen, Guro Reiten, Elisabeth Terland, and Ada Hegerberg (the first-ever women’s Ballon d’Or winner), Norway’s ongoing struggles are baffling. Despite the players shining at club level, the national team has been unable to find consistency or cohesion. Their disappointing 2023 World Cup campaign, which led to the departure of coach Hege Riise, was just the latest chapter in a puzzling decline. For a nation once considered a European powerhouse, their failure to deliver despite boasting such elite talent defies easy explanation. Something clearly isn’t clicking, and hasn’t been for a while.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
On paper, Norway’s talent is undeniable and they’re favorites to top a group in which only Iceland — with whom they drew twice in the Nations League — outrank them. Under new head coach Gemma Grainger, the team is showing signs of cautious progress, and results over the past year show modest improvement, including a balanced Nations League campaign (two wins, two draws, two losses), where they also beat group opponent Switzerland twice. Though recent years have marked a steady decline, they remain strong contenders to reach the quarterfinals. — Keogh
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All you need to know about Group A at the Women’s Euros
Take a look at some key facts for Switzerland, Finland, Iceland and Norway ahead of the Women’s European Championship.
Iceland
Nickname: Stelpurnar okkar (Our Girls) FIFA rank: 13 Manager: Thorsteinn Halldórsson Record in 2025: W2, D2, L2 Group stage fixtures: Finland (July 2), Switzerland (July 6), Norway (July 10)
Key player to watch: Glódís Viggósdóttir
Iceland’s most important player is arguably their captain. Nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2024, the Bayern Munich center back helped her team to the Frauen-Bundesliga title this season, and at 29, her quality and experience will be key to ensuring Iceland enjoy a successful tournament.
Potential breakout star: Sveindís Jónsdóttir
Scorer of a superb goal against Norway in the UEFA Nations League last month, Jónsdóttir could be one to watch this summer. In December, the 24-year-old became the first Icelandic player to score four goals in a single UEFA Women’s Champions League match, netting four times in 25 minutes for Wolfsburg in their 6-1 win over AS Roma. She has also recently completed a transfer to NWSL side Angel City FC.
Why they won’t win it all:
While Jónsdóttir is an exciting talent, Iceland simply don’t have enough firepower up front to go all the way. They’ve failed to score in five of their past eight matches, and it’s difficult to see where their goals will come from, which could prove problematic considering they have only three clean sheets in their past 10 games. While their squad is solid, it lacks the necessary star quality for a major tournament.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Iceland find themselves in one of the tournament’s most interesting groups. They are technically the highest-rated team in Group A; however, Norway have more standout individuals in their squad, while hosts Switzerland could be boosted by home advantage. Competition for one of the top two spots looks will likely be fierce, but progressing to the quarterfinals seems like a realistic aim for Halldórsson’s side. Their position in the FIFA rankings suggests they should not be taken lightly. — Beth Lindop
Finland
Nickname: Helmarit (the Boreal Owls) FIFA rank: 25 Manager: Marko Saloranta Record in 2025: W3, D2, L1 Group stage fixtures: Iceland (July. 2), Norway (July 6), Switzerland (July 10)
Known for her versatility on the right flank, AC Milan’s Koivisto is one of Finland’s brightest talents. Having excelled for Liverpool in the WSL before her move to Italy, the 30-year-old can play at fullback or on the wing and is key to the way Saloranta’s side play.
At just 19 years old, Halttunen has bags of potential. The Linkoping forward made her international debut last year, scoring in a 5-0 win over Montenegro, and with fellow striker Jutta Rantala still working her way back from injury, she could be given a chance to showcase herself this summer.
Why they won’t win it all:
Finland are in good form coming into the tournament but that comes with the caveat that many of their opponents over the past year have been in League B of the UEFA Nations League — the competition’s second string. They are the lowest-ranked side in Group A and it will be a huge ask for them to go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite if they make it to the knockout stages.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Finland have already defied expectation to reach Euro 2025, beating Scotland in a two-legged playoff last year. They are in a difficult group, with logic dictating that they’re likely to finish last. But if they can surpass expectations by finishing higher than that, their tournament can be considered a success. — Lindop
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All you need to know about Group B at the Women’s Euros
Take a look at some key facts for Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy ahead of the Women’s European Championship.
GROUP B
Nickname: La Roja (The Red One) FIFA rank: 2 Manager: Montse Tomé Record in 2025: W5, D0, L1 Group stage fixtures: Portugal (July 3), Belgium (July 7), Italy (July 11)
Key player to watch: Aitana Bonmatí
Even on a squad brimming with talent, Bonmatí stands out. The back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner is capable of running games from deep or deciding them in the final third based on the needs of the team. This is one of the trophies the midfielder is missing and, after losing the UEFA Champions League final with Barcelona, she will be desperate to bounce back in Switzerland.
Pina enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Barça, ending the season as the top scorer in the Champions League, and she appears set to take that form into the Euros. She scored twice in Spain’s recent comeback win against England and will carry a significant goal threat this summer. There are few better finishers in the game.
Why they won’t win it all:
Spain do offer up chances to the opposition. They didn’t keep a single clean sheet in their six Nations League games this year, despite topping the group. In tight games under Tomé, they have often come up short, too, paying for a lack of efficiency in the final third when it really matters. Case in point: losses to Brazil and Germany at the Paris Olympics last year. Defeat to England at Wembley in February continued that trend, but a win against the Lionesses in June showed they’re still the team to beat in Europe.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
The world champions will expect to be lifting the trophy at the end of July. There certainly won’t be any complacency, but with a manageable group, it would be a major surprise if they didn’t breeze through to the semifinals. From there, the likes of England, Germany and France can cause them problems, but this is a collective of players who, with Spain and Barça, have shown an ability to perform when it matters. This is a competition they have yet to win, and they are desperate to change that. — Sam Marsden
Portugal
Nickname: As Navegadoras (The Navigators) FIFA rank: 22 Manager: Francisco Neto Record in 2025: W1, D1, L4 Group stage fixtures: Spain (July 3), Italy (July 7), Belgium (July 11)
There is no doubt that Gotham FC forward Silva is Portugal’s biggest threat; the concern is what sort of form she will be in. Silva spent time on the sidelines earlier this year due to a damaged retina in her right eye and has yet to find her top gear since returning. With over 100 caps for her country, Portugal will need all her experience and talent if they are to get out of the group.
It could have been Kika Nazareth, but though the young Barcelona forward has been included in the squad, she may miss the tournament after suffering a serious ankle injury in March. Beyond Nazareth, 22-year-old Jacinto is one of the few players under 25 in an established squad. The midfielder, a consistent starter for Real Sociedad in Spain, will be looking to take her profile to the next level.
Why they won’t win it all:
The timing of the finals is not ideal for Portugal. Nazareth’s injury is a hammer blow to Neto’s plans, placing even more weight on Silva’s shoulders as she recovers from her eye problem. That has been reflected in recent results, A 3-0 defeat to Belgium culminated a disappointing Nations League campaign which saw them relegated to League B as they conceded 20 goals in their final four matches. With those numbers, it’s hard to see them troubling the continent’s best teams.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Portugal, in part because of injuries and other issues beyond their control, perhaps haven’t progressed as some thought they might in recent years. This is their third consecutive Euros and, after drawing with the United States in their first World Cup appearance two years ago, they should be looking to get out of the group stage for the first time in their history. However, Spain look out of reach and with Belgium and Italy both in better form, it’s going to be tough for them to make the knockouts. — Marsden
Belgium
Nickname: The Red Flames FIFA rank: 20 Manager: Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir Record in 2025: W2, D0, L4 Group stage fixtures: Italy (July 3), Spain (July 7), Portugal (July 11)
With experience in Germany, England and Italy, Wullaert, along with veteran defender Janice Cayman, leads this Belgium side by example. The 32-year-old Inter Milan striker has scored 92 times in 144 appearances for her country, including twice in a surprise 3-2 win over England in April.
As a 19-year-old, Eurlings first emerged on the international stage at Euro 2022 in England. Three years on, at 22, the OH Leuven attacker has the platform to properly announce herself to the world. If she delivers on her potential, a move away from Belgium may soon be in the cards.
Why they won’t win it all:
There is a lot of experience in this Belgium squad. In addition to Wullaert and Cayman, Davina Philtjens, Laura Deloose and Tine De Caigny all have over 100 caps. De Caigny aside, though, they are all over 30 and it’s hard to see them surprising anyone in Switzerland. That said, April’s win over England shows they can compete with the favorites.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
The Red Flames will be eyeing a second consecutive quarterfinal appearance at the Euros. Behind Spain, the battle for second place in Group B should be a good contest. Belgium got through ahead of Italy, who they face again this time, three years ago and, while they lost to Portugal in a World Cup qualifier playoff, they beat them 3-0 in a recent meeting. That will breed confidence, but even if they do get through, it’s hard to see them going beyond the last eight. — Marsden
Italy
Nickname: Le Azzurre (The Blues) FIFA rank: 13 Manager: Andrea Soncin Record in 2025: W3, D1, L2 Group stage fixtures: Belgium (July 3), Portugal (July 7), Spain (July 11)
Girelli is widely regarded to be one of the finest players to emerge from Italy’s ranks in this generation and with 53 goals in 118 appearances, her instinct for goal has been instrumental to the team’s success. Now 33, Girelli is likely approaching her final European Championship, if not her final major tournament altogether. If Italy are to make history this summer, the iconic Juventus forward will undoubtedly be at the center of things.
Though still only 18 years old, Dragoni acts like a seasoned pro with experience and skill beyond her years. She made her senior debut, joined Barcelona and played at the 2023 World Cup, all at just 16. Following a valuable loan spell at Roma, the dynamic midfielder is primed to take on a starring role in Italy’s quest for European glory.
Why they won’t win it all:
Italy are unpredictable, which can be both an asset and a liability. On one hand, opponents struggle to prepare to face them; on the other, Italy struggle to find the consistency they need to compete at the highest level. They’ve not been able to build momentum with sustained winning form, and their lack of tournament success reflects a team still searching for an identity. Despite recent progress in making the last two World Cups (after a 12-year absence), experience remains limited, and that could prove costly. Getting out of a challenging group won’t be easy and while they have the potential to spark an upset, don’t expect too much.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Italy’s past Euro runs have followed a pattern: group-stage exits in 2001 and 2005, quarterfinals in 2009 and 2013, then back to early exits in 2017 and 2022. In a tough Group B alongside world champions Spain, a Belgium side who beat England 3-2, and a Portugal team who drew 1-1 with the Three Lions recently, Italy will likely be battling for second place. They have a realistic shot at reaching the quarterfinals, but anything more feels unlikely. Still rebuilding and seeking cohesion, they may struggle to keep pace with more-polished teams. This tournament may come too soon for a historic breakthrough, but it could lay vital groundwork for the next. — Keogh
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All you need to know about Group C at the Women’s Euros
Take a look at some key facts for Germany, Poland, Denmark and Sweden ahead of the Women’s European Championship.
GROUP C
Germany
Nickname: Die Nationalelf (The National Eleven) FIFA rank: 3 Manager: Christian Wuck Record in 2025: W5, D1, L0 Group stage fixtures: Poland (July 4), Denmark (July 8), Sweden (July 12)
Germany’s squad is full of possible goal scorers, but no one has been stepping up or finding the back of the net quite like Schüller. The 27-year-old Bayern Munich forward is likely to lead Germany’s attack with her pace, technical ability and ability to dance around defenders. With 52 goals in 75 games, the position is in safe hands.
Since making her senior debut for Germany in 2022, Cerci has earned just nine caps, but has netted five goals. After an ACL injury ruled her out of Euro 2022 and she missed the 2023 World Cup, she’s back. In a period of transition for Germany, the 25-year-old is emerging as a key figure and her recent hat trick against Austria is proof of that.
Why they won’t win it all:
Germany haven’t lifted a trophy since 2013; they came agonizingly close to European glory again in 2022, but fell 2-1 to England in the final. Veteran Alexandra Popp was missing from that crucial match as she got injured in the warm up, and she has since retired from the national team. The Wolfsburg striker consistently found the back of the net for Germany, proving to be a vital figure in their tournament runs, and the absence of the prolific, tenacious and instinctive goal scorer will hurt. While Germany boast many talented forwards, none match Popp’s unique blend of poaching ability and relentless drive. As they enter their first major tournament without her, and with Wuck marking his debut tournament with the women’s team, that uncertainty could be their Achilles’ heel.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
The seven-time European champions (eight including West Germany’s title in 1989), are reigniting their dominance after a disappointing group-stage exit from the 2023 World Cup. Their recent performances — reaching the Nations League finals in consecutive seasons, and going unbeaten this year (W5, D1) — seems to suggest a return to form. With a squad that blends seasoned experience and rising talent, Germany look poised for a deep run. A place in the semifinals feels like the minimum to expect and once again, they’re one of the teams to beat. — Keogh
Poland
Nickname: Orlice (The Eaglesses) FIFA rank: 27 Manager: Nina Patalon Record in 2025: W5, D1 Group stage fixtures: Germany (July 4), Sweden (July 8), Denmark (July 12)
One of the best strikers and finishers in the world. Pajor had another great season individually and collectively (despite not winning the Champions League) with Barcelona, where she is a key player. Her movement, strike on the ball, intelligence and quality make her so lethal in front of goal. The 28-year-old already has 68 goals in 101 caps for her country.
She is only 19, but Barcelona have already identified the center back as one for the future. She joined the club’s B team in 2023 and has performed well for them, while also training with the first team. Despite not having a senior appearance for her club, she has managed 10 caps with Poland and her versatility means she can also play in midfield.
Why they won’t win it all:
Poland made history by qualifying for their first major tournament, but it has been a long journey to make the national team competitive and they are not yet ready to compete with the top European teams. This is still very much the beginning of the story for the Eaglesses. Despite having one of the best players in the world in Pajor and other players at top clubs like PSG, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Euro 2025 will come a little bit early for them to make a mark. They lack the experience and overall talent to cause much of an upset.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Finishing second and qualifying for the quarterfinals would be a massive success in itself. This is a tough group, with rivals Germany, who Poland face first, and then two good Scandinavian teams in Sweden and Denmark. There will be no pressure on Nina Patalon’s team as they have nothing to lose and they are in Switzerland to learn and improve with no real expectations apart from doing their best. Finishing third of a group like this one would be a big victory for them looking forward. — Julien Laurens
Denmark
Nickname: De rød-hvide (The Red and White) FIFA rank: 12 Manager: Andrée Alexander Jeglertz Record in 2025: W3, D0, L3 Group stage fixtures: Sweden (July 4), Germany (July 8), Poland (July 12)
In their captain, Denmark have one of the most recognizable names in the women’s game. Harder may be 32 years old, but she’s enjoyed another impressive season with Bayern Munich, registering 14 goals and five assists en route to the Frauen-Bundesliga title. If she has a good tournament, there’s every chance Denmark will as well.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has endured a slightly disjointed domestic season, picking up an injury shortly after her January move. While the 23-year-old is yet to take the WSL by storm, her superb form for Swedish side Rosengard marked her out as an exceptional talent and, if she can find that form again this summer, she could help take Denmark to the next level.
Why they won’t win it all:
Four of Denmark’s five defeats in the last calendar year have come against teams above them in the FIFA rankings. They lost narrowly to world champions Spain in Euro 2025 qualifying, were edged out by Netherlands in a friendly, and beaten 2-1 by Sweden in the UEFA Nations League. Denmark are a match for any team on their day but their recent record doesn’t suggest they have the cutting edge to topple one of the tournament’s big-hitters. Plus, their recent 6-1 Nations League defeat to Sweden — whom they share a group with — doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Denmark don’t have the best squad in the tournament, but they do have a good blend of quality and experience. As such, they should be looking to get out of their group as an absolute minimum. A run to the semifinals is not beyond the realms of possibility if they play to their full potential; although, with Germany and Sweden in their group, they could come unstuck if they fail to perform. — Lindop
Sweden
Nickname: Blågult (The Blue-Yellow) FIFA rank: 6 Manager: Peter Gerhardsson Record in 2025: W3, D3, L0 Group stage fixtures: Denmark (July 4), Poland (July 8), Germany (July 12)
A key cog in Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea machine this season (who has just signed a new contract), Rytting Kaneryd is the sort of player capable of getting fans out of their seats. Sweden have a lot of exciting attacking talent, but her speed, directness and dribbling ability make her the pick of the bunch.
Potential breakout star: Felicia Schroeder
It’s been quite the season for the BK Hacken forward, with her impressive domestic form earning a first senior call-up in May. Just 18, she shouldn’t be put under too much pressure, this tournament could really see her catch the eye.
Why they won’t win it all:
Sweden are a strong side who can beat anyone on their day, but while this squad has a broadly impressive tournament history, they’ve yet to actually win something. Gerhardsson’s side finished third at at the 2023 World Cup and reached the semifinals at Euro 2020, as well as winning silver at the 2020 Olympics. But they still haven’t shown they can get over the final hurdle, and that could be a psychological stumbling block.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Sweden made it to the semifinals in 2022 and there’s no reason they can’t do the same again this summer. They’re in a tough group so will need to be close to their best if they are to see off one of Germany or Denmark. But, make it through that, and Gerhardsson has shown he’s adept at guiding this team deep into major tournaments. — Lindop
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All you need to know about Group D at the Women’s Euros
Take a look at some key facts for the Netherlands, France, England and Wales ahead of the Women’s European Championship.
GROUP D
France
Nickname: Les Bleues (The Blues) FIFA rank: 10 Manager: Laurent Bonadei Record in 2025: W6, D0, L0 Group stage fixtures: England (July 5), Wales (July 9), Netherlands (July 13)
Former captain Wendie Renard and all-time leading goal scorer Eugénie Le Sommer are not in the squad, so Diani is the most experienced player remaining, with 112 caps and 30 goals. At 30, the forward will be one of the leaders on and off the pitch and had a good season with OL Lyon despite not winning the Champions League, notching 16 goals and 10 assists in 29 games in all competitions.
At only 21, Sombath is very much in contention for a place in the starting XI. She can play right back or center back and was excellent when she featured for OL Lyonnes this season, especially in the Champions League semifinal against Arsenal.
Why they won’t win it all:
The glass ceiling is still there for Les Bleues. Only once have they managed to go past the quarterfinals in the last few major tournaments, and that was at Euro 2022 under a different manager. This is the first big tournament for Bonadei and his choice to not call up legends Renard and Le Sommer has been very controversial in France — especially the timing of the announcement and how he did it. Outside the lack of experience of their head coach, this is also a France team that lack the depth needed to go all the way.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
Qualifying for the quarterfinals is a must, even with a tough group. They have just qualified for the Nations League semifinals and the objective in Switzerland will be to get to the semis as a minimum. They will have psychological issues to get over, and the final seems a step too far. France have never won anything at this level, and they are not among the favorites again. — Laurens
England
Nickname: The Lionesses FIFA rank: 4 Manager: Sarina Wiegman Record in 2025: W3, D1, L2 Group stage fixtures: France (July 5), Netherlands (July 9), Wales (July 13)
The likes of Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp are vital to England but if Bronze went down injured on the eve of the tournament, England would have to urgently find a Plan B. While injury and form has seen Wiegman chop and change some positions since the 2023 World Cup final, Bronze has remained a constant at right-back for England. She is indispensable.
It would have been Grace Clinton, but then goalkeeper Mary Earps retired from international duty. In the post-Earps world, Hampton is indispensable as England’s No. 1 as the options behind her (Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse) have zero caps between them. One way or another, the spotlight will be on Hampton, and she could end up as England’s most important player at the age of 24.
If England finish top of the toughest group at the tournament, they should go all the way to the semifinals where you expect they’d play Spain. If they finish second, they will be in the other half of the bracket (assuming Spain top Group B) and wouldn’t face them until the final.
Either way, Wiegman’s major tournament expertise will be key. Her record is frankly incredible, having reached the final of her last four major tournaments (and winning two of them), and the team will have to draw on that if they are to progress far. Keeping key players fit is essential, as a couple of injuries to the wrong personnel could leave them exposed. — Tom Hamilton
Netherlands
Nickname: Oranje Leeuwinnen (Orange Lionesses) FIFA rank: 10 Manager: Andries Jonker Record in 2025: W3, D2, L1 Group stage fixtures: Wales (July 15), England (July 9), France (July 13)
Key player to watch: Daniëlle van de Donk
The Lyon midfielder said “the door is just slightly open” about the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, which means Euro 2025 is likely her last tournament. That is reason enough to enjoy the Netherlands icon, who has won a European Championship (2017) and finished as a runner-up at the World Cup (2019), for one final time.
Only three years ago, Buurman was playing for amateur club SC Bemmel in a tiny Dutch town. Last summer, she joined WSL powerhouses Chelsea, but returned to PSV on loan and will be moving to London this summer. At Euro 2025, the defender might even displace the most-capped European international, Sherida Spitse (241), from the starting XI.
Why they won’t win it all
Apart from the fact that Netherlands were handed a brutal draw, their preparations haven’t been ideal either. In January, the Dutch FA announced it wouldn’t be renewing Andries Jonker’s contract, and no further explanation has been given. In April, the new coach was announced: Arjan Veurink, the assistant of England boss Sarina Wiegman.
Add to that the uncertainty surrounding star player Vivianne Miedema‘s fitness and the side are facing several distractions leading up to the tournament. Then again, the team dealing with the most distractions during the 2023 Women’s World Cup won it all: Spain.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
“We can beat anyone,” is a sentence often heard in the camp, which might remind Oranje fans of their team’s success at Euro 2017 where Netherlands knocked out Sweden and England on the way to the title. This time, surviving the group stage is going to be a big challenge as they face two of the top countries in England and France.
It’s a bold statement, but if they can survive Group D, then they will reach the semifinals at least. In a 2-1 defeat to the USWNT back in December, where Jonker’s team had 22 shots to their opponents’ five, they showed the level they can achieve. — Audrey de Ridder
Wales
Nickname: The Dragons FIFA rank: 31 Manager: Rhian Wilkinson Record in 2025: W0, D2, L4 Group stage fixtures: Netherlands (July 5), France (July 9), England (July 13)
The 38-year-old striker has smashed so many records: She heads into the tournament as Wales’ top-scorer (47 goals) and record-appearance holder (162). Fishlock, who plays for Seattle Reign FC, is the heartbeat of the side, and it’s her experience along with Sophie Ingle (if fit), Angharad James, Gemma Evans and Hayley Ladd that will be so important. She also has the capacity to produce the exceptional — check out her long-range effort in Wales’ chastening 4-1 defeat to Italy at the start of June.
It could have been 18-year-old Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies, but she limped off in their defeat to Denmark, which means the most obvious candidate is Jones. The 21-year-old midfielder has already won 37 caps for Wales, but has established herself as one of their key players. She scored the decisive goal that guided Wales past the Republic of Ireland to qualify for the tournament and is excelling for Nörrkoping in Sweden.
Why they won’t win it all:
This their first-ever major tournament, it’s all very new for them and they’ve got the most brutal draw possible. Wales have built some confidence recently with two draws against Sweden — proof they can mix it with the best — but if they get out of this group, then it’ll be one of the most monumental feats in recent history. The players are quietly confident that they are capable of causing a shock, but it’s going to need a dab of good fortune and an astonishingly high level of performance.
Realistic chances at Euro 2025:
It’s incredibly hard to see Wales even picking up a win in the group stage. Historically, their football teams (for men and women) thrive as underdogs and can produce something remarkable — this squad are drawing on what the men achieved when they got to the semifinals at Euro 2016 — but it’s incredibly hard to see them doing anything similar. If they get out of the group, it’s because they managed to pluck out three miracle performances. But you just can’t see it. The fans will bring plenty of life to games though. — Hamilton
Whitney Purvisis reflecting on the death of her son Weston Gosa Jr.
Over two weeks after she announced the tragic passing of the 16-year-old, the 16 and Pregnantalum shared that she believed the death of her son—whom she said had several health issues—”could’ve been prevented” if her ex Weston Gosa had gotten him health insurance.
“My son had diabetes, Addison’s disease, and alpha one anti-trypsin deficiency, and he had no medical insurance,” Purvis wrote in a June 18 Facebook post, “but he had a life insurance policy taken out on him. His dad bought five cars in the last six months but couldn’t pay for medical insurance.”
She added, “He brags about how much money he has and has the nerve to make a GoFundMe to help bury him when he was just going to cremate him anyway because it was the cheapest, plus he had the life insurance policy.”
The MTV star also said that Weston—whose cause of death has not been determined—should have had medical coverage due to her custody agreement with Gosa, with whom she also shares 11-year-old son River.
Better at attacking than defending has been one of the most common ways to describe Alexander-Arnold’s career to date.
A full-back who bombed forward, and sometimes in a hybrid right-back/midfield role.
For a while, then England boss Gareth Southgate even tried him as a regular midfielder.
He left Anfield with 23 goals and 86 assists as he almost changed what the idea of a full-back can be.
So all eyes were on how he would fare with a new team.
“We know Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quality on the ball,” said former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given on Dazn.
“He is a phenomenal player.
“Real Madrid in the Spanish league will have a lot of possession and Trent will play higher up the pitch.
“He will be questioned in this tournament defensively as they come up against stronger opposition. Can he step up?
“He said he wanted to go there and win the Ballon d’Or. That’s a big statement in itself.”
Alonso lined up with a standard back four in Miami – as opposed to the wing-back system he enjoyed great success with at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alexander-Arnold played at right-back and did get involved in midfield too.
But as the graphics above show he did not get as involved as much centrally as he did in his last start for Liverpool, a 3-1 loss at Chelsea on 4 May.
And he got involved in deeper positions too, to the right side of the penalty box, which is a place he was not seen as often in that game at Stamford Bridge.
But he attempted more crossfield balls than he did at Chelsea (as evidenced by the graphics below).
However – and it is something he might have to get used to until he settles in – he did not take any set-pieces for Real.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, who has been in England squads with the defender, said: “I have not seen as many people strike a ball as cleanly as him. Free-kicks, corners, set-pieces, he is going to add that to their game.
“He is going to be showing his qualities and won’t be getting challenged defensively as much.”
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism over remarks he made in which he avoided denouncing the phrase “globalize the intifada” and made a comparison of it to the Warsaw ghetto uprising during the Holocaust.
Mamdani appeared for an interview with The Bulwark, which was released on Tuesday, in which host Tim Miller asked him for his thoughts on the phrase, which has evoked strong emotions on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Many pro-Palestinian activists have said the phrase refers to Palestinians fighting for their own rights and opposing Israeli occupation, while pro-Israel activists and many Jewish people view the phrase as calling for a global uprising to commit violence against Zionists, who support Israel’s existence, and Jews more broadly.
“To me, ultimately, what I hear in so many is a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights,” he said in comments first reported by Jewish Insider. “And I think what’s difficult also is that the very word has been used by the Holocaust Museum when translating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising into Arabic, because it’s a word that means struggle.”
Mamdani seemed to refer to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
But the museum issued a rare statement weighing in on a political issue on Wednesday, denouncing Mamdani’s comparison.
“Exploiting the Museum and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising to sanitize ‘globalize the intifada’ is outrageous and especially offensive to survivors,” the museum said in a post on X. “Since 1987 Jews have been attacked and murdered under its banner. All leaders must condemn its use and the abuse of history.”
Intifada is an Arabic word literally meaning uprising, but many associate it with the First Intifada in the 1980s and 1990s and the Second Intifada in the early 2000s, during which Palestinians in the Palestinian territories and Israel took part in an uprising leading to significant violence in the area.
But pro-Palestinian activists maintain they only use the phrase to refer to Palestinian liberation.
The Warsaw Ghetto uprising took place during World War II when Jews in German-occupied Poland pushed back against the Nazis and some escaped.
Mamdani responded to the criticism he’s faced in comments at a press conference on Wednesday, saying, “There’s no room for antisemitism in this city and this country.” The conference was initially held to announce former mayoral candidate Maya Wiley’s endorsement of Mamdani’s campaign.
“It pains me to be called an antisemite. It pains me to be painted as I’m somehow in opposition to the very Jewish New Yorkers that I know and love and that are such a key part of this city,” he said.
Throughout the campaign, Mamdani has faced criticism over his stances on Israel and accusations of antisemitism over some public statements he’s made. He’s been a sharp critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and was challenged earlier this month over his unwillingness to say definitively that he supports Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
“I support Israel’s right to exist as a state with equal rights,” he said in a local media interview. “Because I’m not comfortable supporting any state that has a hierarchy of citizenship on the basis of religion or anything else. Equality should be enshrined in every county in the world.”
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is the front-runner in the race, slammed Mamdani for saying the phrase about the intifada is “subject to interpretation.” He called on all mayoral candidates to denounce the comment.
“That is not only wrong – it is dangerous,” he said in a post on X. “At a time when we are seeing antisemitism on the rise and in fact witnessing once again violence against Jews resulting in their deaths in Washington DC or their burning in Denver – we know all too well that words matter. They fuel hate. They fuel murder. As the US Holocaust Museum so aptly said, all leaders or those running for office must condemn the use of this battle cry. There are no two sides here.”
During the press conference, he also referred to his own status as a Muslim political candidate and messages of hate he’s received over it.
“I get messages that say, ‘The only good Muslim is a dead Muslim.’ I get threats on my life, on the people that I love, and I try not to talk about it,” he said, adding he wants to focus on making the city more affordable and one that “every New Yorker sees themselves in.”
“The thing that’s made me proudest in this campaign is that the strength of our movement is built on our ability to build something across Jewish and Muslim communities, across New Yorkers of all faiths and all backgrounds and all boroughs,” Mamdani said.
He addressed attacks he’s received from other candidates over this issue, arguing it’s been a political tool rather than a genuine attack.
“Antisemitism is such a real issue in this city, and it’s been hard to see it weaponized by candidates who do not have any sincere interest in tackling but rather in using it as a pretext to make political points,” he said.
Portugal
Italy
Poland
France
