Tries: Lewis, Lawton, Hadley, Pangai Jr Goals: Martin, Mourgue 5
Warrington Wolves (10) 34
Tries: Hopoate 2, Bentley, Sipley, Byrne, Williams Goals: Irwin 5
George Williams scored his first try since returning from neck surgery to help Warrington Wolves beat defending Super League champions Hull KR and close the gap on the competition’s top two.
England half-back Williams, who spent almost four months out after sustaining the injury against Catalans Dragons in April, went over for the match-defining try in their rearranged fixture against the Robins – having returned to action just five days earlier against York.
Williams’ score came before Mikey Lewis again found himself in trouble for Hull KR, with the influential half-back – who was making his first appearance after completing a four-game ban – sin-binned for a dangerous attempt to block a kick late on.
Earlier, quickfire Lewis and Karl Lawton tries just before the break put Hull KR 14-10 ahead, after well-worked scores from Albert Hopoate and James Bentley looked to have had Wolves heading into the break with a slender lead.
Toafofoa Sipley scored immediately after the interval to reclaim the advantage for the visitors and, while Arthur Mourgue landed a penalty to level things up, an Ewan Irwin kick, Liam Byrne’s try on his 27th birthday, Williams’ finish and stunning second score from Hopoate proved enough to seal a statement win for Sam Burgess’ side.
Late scores from Dean Hadley and Tevita Pangai Jr did little more than add respectability to the scoreline for the Robins after being outplayed at home.
A potentially very strong El Niño is emerging as a major risk for global agricultural markets, threatening to disrupt rainfall, raise temperatures and expose some of the world’s most important tropical crops to severe weather stress.
The U.S. Climate Prediction Center now sees a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño during the northern hemisphere autumn and winter of 2026 to 2027. For commodity markets, the concern is not simply that El Niño causes drought. Its effects vary sharply by region, meaning excessive rainfall in one major producing country can occur alongside extreme dryness in another.
That makes the phenomenon particularly important for soft commodities such as cocoa, coffee and sugar, whose production is concentrated in climate sensitive tropical regions.
Why El Niño matters for commodity markets
El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific become unusually warm as trade winds weaken. The pattern generally lasts between nine and 12 months and can alter global temperature and rainfall patterns.
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For farmers, the problem is timing. Crops can be damaged not only by drought but also by excessive rainfall, heat, fungal disease and disrupted flowering or harvesting cycles.
This year’s potential El Niño also arrives at an unusually difficult moment for agricultural producers. Farmers are already dealing with higher fertiliser and diesel costs linked to the U.S. Israeli war on Iran. Another major weather shock could therefore amplify existing production pressures.
Historically, strong El Niño episodes have been associated with substantial increases in soft commodity prices. But the effects differ considerably between crops.
Cocoa faces one of the clearest risks
Cocoa appears particularly vulnerable because production is heavily concentrated in a relatively small number of countries.
Ivory Coast and Ghana together account for roughly half of global cocoa production, while Ecuador is the third largest producer. All three can experience significant El Niño related weather disruptions.
Every strong El Niño over the past 55 years has reduced cocoa output, according to WisdomTree.
The previous El Niño illustrates why the relationship is more complicated than simply associating the phenomenon with drought. During the initial phase of the 2023 to 2024 event, West Africa experienced unusually heavy rainfall. Excess moisture contributed to fungal disease affecting cocoa trees.
Conditions subsequently shifted toward intense heat and unusually dry Harmattan winds. Trees weakened by disease struggled to flower, further damaging production.
That sequence demonstrates the real danger for cocoa: El Niño can produce multiple weather shocks during the same crop cycle.
The consequences can quickly reach global consumers. Cocoa prices nearly tripled in 2024 after the West African harvest failed, eventually exceeding $12,000 per metric ton.
A very strong El Niño could therefore revive fears of another supply deficit if weather conditions deteriorate across major growing regions.
Coffee faces a divided outlook
Coffee presents a more complicated picture because the world’s two major varieties are concentrated in different regions.
Robusta coffee is particularly exposed to El Niño because Vietnam and Indonesia, which together account for about half of global robusta production, typically experience higher temperatures and reduced rainfall under the weather pattern.
The timing is especially important. Dry conditions can hit these countries during crop development, with the consequences becoming visible during harvesting later in the year.
Citi analysts warned that dryness in Vietnam and Indonesia could significantly reduce robusta yields.
Arabica coffee presents a different picture.
Brazil, responsible for nearly half of global arabica production, can initially benefit from warmer conditions because they reduce the risk of damaging winter frosts.
But that advantage could prove temporary. El Niño typically brings hotter and drier conditions to Brazilian coffee growing regions later in the year, when the next crop is developing.
That creates the possibility of a delayed supply shock in 2027.
Sugar could be the exception
Sugar demonstrates why El Niño does not automatically translate into a bullish commodity market.
Brazil, the world’s largest sugar exporter, can experience heavier rainfall during the second half of the year. Excessive rain can disrupt harvesting and affect sugar quality.
India and Thailand face the opposite problem. El Niño generally reduces rainfall during the summer monsoon, creating additional pressure on production.
India is already expecting its lowest monsoon rainfall in 11 years, at around 90% of the long-term average. Hedgepoint estimates that even a moderate El Niño could reduce Indian sugar production by around 1 million metric tons.
Yet there is an important counterweight.
El Niño’s wetter conditions in Brazil could ultimately support the country’s following sugar crop. Since Brazil accounts for roughly half of global sugar exports, stronger Brazilian production could offset losses elsewhere.
That means sugar may not experience the same sustained price pressure as cocoa or robusta coffee.
The bigger problem is climate uncertainty
The most important market implication is not simply whether El Niño becomes “very strong.” It is where its effects materialise and when.
Agricultural markets operate on highly specific growing cycles. Rain arriving at the wrong stage can be just as damaging as drought. Excessive rainfall can create disease, while heat can interfere with flowering and crop development.
Climate change further complicates the picture.
The relationship between El Niño and agricultural weather is becoming harder to interpret because rising global temperatures can intensify the consequences of existing climate patterns. A weather event that might previously have produced manageable stress can now occur against a much hotter baseline.
This means commodity traders increasingly have to price not just the probability of El Niño, but the interaction between El Niño, climate change and already strained agricultural supply chains.
What could happen to prices?
The clearest risk is concentrated in cocoa and robusta coffee, where production is particularly exposed to adverse conditions in major growing countries.
Cocoa has perhaps the greatest vulnerability because West Africa dominates global supply and has already experienced serious weather related production problems. Another major disruption could quickly tighten inventories and push prices higher.
Robusta coffee faces a similar risk if drought develops across Vietnam and Indonesia.
Sugar is more balanced. Production losses in India and Thailand could be partly or potentially substantially offset by improved Brazilian conditions for the following crop.
The broader lesson is that El Niño is not a uniform commodity shock. It redistributes weather risks across producing regions, creating winners and losers within the same market.
Why consumers should care
The effects will ultimately extend beyond commodity exchanges.
Higher cocoa prices can increase chocolate production costs. Coffee shortages can raise prices for roasters and consumers, while sugar disruptions can affect everything from beverages to processed foods.
And because agricultural markets are interconnected, a weather shock in one producing region can encourage buyers to compete more aggressively for supplies elsewhere.
The potential super El Niño therefore arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for global food markets.
If forecasts prove correct, the next several months could test whether commodity markets have adequately priced the risks of increasingly volatile weather.
The real threat is not El Niño alone. It is El Niño hitting an agricultural system already under pressure from rising costs, concentrated production and a changing climate.
IF YOU are thinking about where to go on your next holiday, then you might want to consider Albania.
New research has found that Albania is among Europe’s fastest-growing holiday destinations.
Holiday bookings for Albania are on the riseCredit: Alamy
In fact, according to Thomas Cook, bookings are up a staggering 293 per cent year-on-year.
And it isn’t surprising as Albania has loads to explore including pretty beaches with crystal clear waters, a quiet capital city and cheap wine.
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Recently, even the cast of TOWIE were in the country, filming the latest series of the popular reality TV show in Drimadhë – a small village near the Llogara National Park on the Ionian coast.
Brits wanting to head to the under-the-radar country, can fly direct from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Liverpool during the summer.
Tirana is the capital but you won’t bump into loads of crowdsCredit: Alamy
The capital of Albania is Tirana and despite being the capital, you won’t find heads of crowds here.
The city can reach 35C in the summer and is even one of the sunniest cities in Europe with more than 2,500 hours of sunshine each year. Pints in the city cost as little as £1.50 too.
Travel reporter Cyann Fielding who visited the city recently, said: “One thing I really love about the city is it still feels completely undiscovered by Brits, lacking crowds and the typical souvenir shops on each corner that tend to come with that.
“In the heart of the city, visit Skanderbeg Square, where you’ll be able to get a clear view of the surrounding architecture – a mix of traditional Albanian villas and Soviet grey concrete buildings.
“If you want to earn your pint, climb the city’s very own pyramid, which has spectacular views of the mountains that border the capital.
“Make sure to also look out for ‘pillbox’ bunkers which are littered across the city – many of which have been turned into vibrant and quirky bars and cafes.”
You could stay at Hotel Elisa Tirana, Affiliated by Meliá with a spa, cafe and bar, for seven nights from £360 per person.
Maldives of Europe
Ksamil is known as the ‘Maldives of Europe’ with pretty beachesCredit: Alamy
Albania is also home to the so-called ‘Maldives of Europe’ in Ksamil, which earns the nickname from its pretty beaches with soft sand and crystal clear water.
You can head to Ksamil Beach, where you will also find the hand of Ksamil, which is a set of stairs up to a platform that is the palm of hand, hanging over the water.
If one beach isn’t enough, you can also head to Lori Beach ans Paradise Beach, which aren’t a long walk from Ksamil Beach. On Lori Beach you can also rent sunbeds and umbrellas.
In the town itself you will find a number of bars and spots to grab a bite to eat as well.
You could stay at the four-stay Ventus Hotel right by the beach for a week costing from £171 per person.
UNESCO World Heritage sites
There are historical destinations such as UNESCO World Heritage sites you can visit as wellCredit: Alamy
If you prefer exploring history, Albania has some beautiful historical towns such as Berat and Gjirokastra – which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Berat dates back 2,400 years and is known as the City of a Thousand Windows with boxy white houses and numerous Byzantine churches from the 13th century.
Gjirokastra, on the other hand, can be found in the Drinos River Valley and is known for its ornate 17th century houses.
Known as the ‘City of Stone’, visitors can explore a 13th century citadel as well as an old bazaar, traditional marketplace.
You could stay at the Te Gjyshi at Grandfather Hotel for seven nights costing from £199 per person.
Durres
Or visit Durres, less than an hour from TiranaCredit: Alamy
Less than an hour from Tirana, you could head to the city of Durres.
In the city, you’ll find the Durres Amphitheatre, which is one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in the Balkans.
Make sure to also head to Durres Beach, which boasts a long stretch of golden sand as well as shallow waters ideal for families.
Stop by one of the restaurants along the seafront as well, to try out a catch-of-the-day grill, often with mussels and squid.
You could stay at the four-star Hotel Alion in Durres, Albania from £165 per person, including flights.
Golem
Golem is ideal for beach lovers with along stretch of coastlineCredit: Alamy
Golem is a great destination for beach lovers, thanks to being sat on a long stretch of the Adriatic coastline.
This pretty spot is also less than an hour drive from the airport.
Visitors can head along the seafront and find a boardwalk full of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.
Golem is also the perfect place to try out different water sports such as banana boat rides.
You could stay at the four-star Martiness Hotel in Golem for seven nights from £299 per person.
THE next host of Eurovision has been announced and it is a super cheap spot for beach holidays.
Burgas in Bulgaria will host Eurovision 2027 between May 12 and 15, 2027.
Burgas in Bulgaria will host the next Eurovision competitionCredit: AlamyBurgas is Bulgaria’s fourth largest cityCredit: Alamy
Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said: “[Burgas] is a vibrant, welcoming city on the Black Sea with a strong musical and cultural identity, and it has the ambition, infrastructure and passion needed to welcome the Eurovision family.
“For the first Eurovision Song Contest ever to be held in Bulgaria, we want to create something that feels truly Bulgarian while also being unmistakably Eurovision – a celebration that brings people together through music.”
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Burgas is Bulgaria’s fourth largest city and from the UK costs as little as £18 per way to fly there direct from London Luton, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham.
When in the city, make sure to head to the Sea Garden, which is a large coastal park that runs along the edge of the Black Sea.
You can walk along paths through the park stopping off at quaint cafes along the way.
There’s also Burgas Pier, which stretches nearly 300 metres into the sea from the garden.
If you fancy a shopping spree then head to Aleksandrovska and Bogoridi Streets, where you will find most of the shops alongside street performers.
For something a little more relaxing, head slightly out of the city to Lake Atanasovsko and The Pink Mud Baths – this is a hypersaline lagoon known for its pink waters where you can just float.
Make sure to head to the many beaches as well, including Central Burgas Beach with soft, golden sand.
One recent visitor said: “Beautiful beach, very clean, sand is darker. You have shallow water for like 20 metres from the land.
It sits on the coast so has some great beachesCredit: AlamyYou can stay in a five-star hotel for as little as £110 per nightCredit: Alamy
“It is pretty accessible and not many tourists are there so it is not busy and not crowded.
“Great looking I would recommend to anyone who wants a clean beach and not very crowded and which is really close to bus and train station.”
If you fancy a pint, a beer will set you back around £1.70 from a bar – though if you head to the supermarket, it will cost you just 80p.
The average price for a hotel in Burgas ranges from around £40 per night to £104 per night.
Options include the Grand Hotel & SPA Primoretz, which is the only five-star hotel in Burgas.
The hotel sits right by Black Sea Beach and opened in 1959.
Despite its luxury rating, a room costs from as little as £110 per night.
Alternatively, you could stay at the Burgas Beach Resort, which has a range of studio, two bedroom and three bedroom apartments.
At the resort there is also an outdoor infinity poolalongside a board games room and playground.
Rooms at the Burgas Beach Resort cost from £70 per night.
Package holidays are cheap too, with seven-nights in Burgas at the Bulgaria Hotel including breakfast and flying from London Luton between September 29 and October 6 costs £389 per person.
Super League have confirmed that they have received an investment offer from the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Discussions have been ongoing between the two parties since last year.
In a brief statement, Rugby League commercial said Super League’s 14 clubs had been informed of the offer on Thursday and that details “remain confidential”.
Chairman of National Rugby League (NRL) Peter V’landys told BBC Sport last October that Super League was in danger of “a crash” if it did not find new ways to grow revenue.
In April, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said concerns that a deal between the sport’s two leading competitions would lead to a talent drain from Super League were “completely unfounded”.
“What we’re trying to achieve is to make rugby league in the UK and Europe as strong as possible,” he told BBC Sport.
“That’s the exact opposite of it becoming a feeder pathway program.”
Abdo also said that the NRL were looking for a partnership with Super League rather than a takeover of it.
At the time head of RL Commercial Rodri Jones called the negotiations between Super League and the NRL “encouraging”.
“The sport is open minded to investment,” Jones told BBC Sport.
“The NRL is a natural fit. They are probably the front leaders in the negotiations that we are currently having with various parties.”
The Super League began in 1996 when rugby league’s premier European competition moved to being a summer competition.
Hull KR won the Grand Final last year to join St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls as the only teams to have claimed the title.
The tournament from February 2 to 7 will feature Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad.
Published On 13 Aug 202613 Aug 2026
The 2027 Spanish Super Cup will be held in Turkiye at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the Spanish Football Federation has announced.
The Final Four tournament will take place from February 2 to 7 and feature Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, the federation said in a statement on Thursday.
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Saudi Arabia has hosted the competition since 2020 but was ruled out as the dates coincide with the Asian Cup, the continent’s premier men’s international football tournament.
Barcelona, the reigning Super Cup champions after beating Real Madrid in the 2026 final, said in a statement that the Superr Cup will return to Saudi Arabia in 2028.
The Spanish Super Cup features the winners and runners-up of La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
After years and years of failure and billions of pounds spent, Paris St-Germain finally won the Champions League in 2025.
And then they became one of only two teams to win consecutive Champions League trophies.
They hammered Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich in 2025 and then beat Arsenal on penalties in Budapest this year.
Only Real Madrid had won the Champions League back-to-back before – winning three in a row from 2016 to 2018.
It is something even the great teams like Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona or Manchester City, or Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, or various Bayern Munich sides have not done.
Joining Real on three is the aim for Luis Enrique’s side this season.
Going back to the start, only three other teams have managed to win three consecutive European Cups – Real Madrid, who won the first five from 1956 to 1960, and Ajax and Bayern Munich both in the 1970s.
In fact if you stretch it out to three European Cups in five years you would only have to add Liverpool (1977, 1978, 1981) to that list.
Phoebe Litchfield shows off her incredible fielding ability by producing a brilliant stop on the boundary to prevent fellow Australian Meg Lanning from scoring a six to keep Sunrisers Leeds on top in their women’s Hundred match against Manchester Super Giants.
A few hours after their season-ending defeat in the NFC championship game last January, the Rams boarded a plane for their flight home from Seattle.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford was seated a row in front of veteran receiver Davante Adams, who once again had fallen just short of finally reaching the Super Bowl.
“He’s turning around, he’s looking at me, like, ‘I’m sorry, man, I wanted that for you so bad,’” Adams recalled. “Not for him, but he wanted it for me.”
Adams, 33, is expected to get another shot at playing on the NFL’s biggest stage.
Since the Green Bay Packers selected him out of Fresno State in the second round of the 2014 draft, Adams has played in and lost five NFC championship games, including last season’s 31-27 defeat by the eventual Super Bowl-champion Seahawks.
Adams was visibly upset in the locker room — “a mess” he said — so he is aiming for a happier result if the Rams reach the conference championship game for the fourth time under coach Sean McVay.
Last season, his first with the Rams, Adams led the NFL with 14 touchdowns catches.
And that was after the three-time All-Pro got no training-camp reps with Stafford, who sat out because of a back issue.
Stafford, an 18th-year pro, and Adams struggled to consistently connect on the field through the first six games. But that changed when the Rams traveled to London to play the Jacksonville Jaguars.
McVay described what happened at Wembley Stadium as “a turning point” for Stafford and Adams.
Rams wide receiver Davante Adams jogs with the ball during training camp at Loyola Marymount on July 26.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
In the 35-7 rout, Adams caught three touchdown passes, all from two yards or closer.
“They really hit their stride,” McVay said.
Adams was sidelined the next game and the final two games of the regular season because of a hamstring injury. He returned for the playoffs and made several huge plays, including a spectacular sideline catch in a divisional-round victory over the Chicago Bears in Chicago.
Last spring, with the Philadelphia Eagles shopping wide receiver A.J. Brown, McVay acknowledged that Adams’ name had come up in trade talks.
“It’s just the way that this business goes,” Adams said at the outset of training camp. “You gotta evaluate, you gotta look at certain things, and ultimately I’m still a Ram and I’m here and I’m happy to be here.”
Stafford and Adams had scheduled rest days during camp but they still got plenty of reps together as the Rams prepared for next month’s opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.
“We’re getting a whole different start than what we did last year,” Adams said, adding, “Any time you can have these grinding days where you come out here, play ball and lock in on the details, that’ll help you be in a much better position when it’s time to really go.”
During the offseason, the Rams added All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, cornerback Jaylen Watson and defensive end Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year.
McDuffie and Watson have helped Adams and fellow star receiver Puka Nacua hone their skills.
“It’s the epitome of iron sharpens iron,” Adams said when asked about McDuffie.
For both.
Adams is the best route runner in the NFL, McDuffie said.
“The more we can keep ping-ponging back and forth against each other, the more we can keep rising our standard,“ McDuffie said. “It’s going to be a great year for both of us, so I enjoy it a lot.”
Despite being the oldest wide receiver on the roster — “This is dog years out here,” he said, laughing — Adams is learning from and being pushed by his younger teammates.
“I am the old man and I feel young because I can still go out there and do young-man stuff,” he said. “But then my body don’t necessarily feel the same way. … If I can continue to play at a high level, I’ll deal with the other stuff, whether it’s talking about me being old or a little bit of extra pain.
“It’s just a little extra work you have to do to come out of it.”
Davante Adams catches a pass at Rams training camp on July 26.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Stafford and Adams are aiming for a celebratory postgame exchange if the Rams once again reach the NFC championship.
Of his interaction with Adams on the plane after their loss to the Seahawks, Stafford noted that Adams had been a part of good teams that fell short of playing in the Super Bowl.
“As much as I wanted to go play in that game, and a lot of other guys did too, I wanted it more for other guys that haven’t either gotten the opportunity to be there or win it,” Stafford said, adding, “[It was] on my heart at the moment and I decided to tell him how I was feeling.”
Adams appreciated the sentiment from Stafford and all of his teammates.
“For them to feel that way about me and to care that much to want to get me a [Super] Bowl before I get out of here, it says a lot about who they are,” he said, “and a little bit about who I am.”
Stronger Food System Offers Cushion Against El Niño
Near-record food inventories, advances in agricultural technology and the emergence of major exporters such as Brazil and Russia have made the global food system more resilient to this year’s potentially powerful El Niño than during previous severe episodes.
Global agricultural production has generally outpaced consumption and population growth since the 1980s, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and analysts.
Higher-yielding crop varieties, increased fertiliser use, improved irrigation and better crop protection have significantly raised production of major staples including rice, wheat, corn and soybeans.
“Even during drought conditions, better irrigation management and crop science mean we can still produce marketable yields,” said Andrew Whitelaw of Australian agricultural consultancy Episode 3.
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While El Niño can still disrupt global supplies and push prices higher, improved agricultural preparedness means the consequences could be less severe than during previous major events.
El Niño Gathers Strength
The effects are already being felt across major agricultural regions.
Drier conditions linked to El Niño have disrupted planting across parts of Asia, including India, Southeast Asia and Australia. At the same time, shortages of fertiliser and diesel caused by the Iran war have created additional risks for global agricultural production.
India is experiencing a deficient monsoon season, while Australia’s major wheat-producing regions face the prospect of drier conditions. Crops in Indonesia, Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia are also suffering from insufficient moisture.
The situation could deteriorate further as El Niño is expected to intensify during the fourth quarter and early next year.
U.S.-based meteorologist Chris Hyde said the event could become one of the strongest on record, meaning the biggest impact from drought may still be ahead.
El Niño is associated with warmer ocean surface temperatures across the eastern and central Pacific. The weather pattern typically produces drier conditions across large parts of Asia while increasing rainfall across the Americas.
Previous major El Niño events in 1997-98 and 2015-16 caused substantial damage to crop production, contributing to food shortages, inflation and weaker economic growth.
Drought pushed up sugar and palm oil prices after damaging production in countries including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Tight rice supplies also prompted some Southeast Asian producers to restrict exports.
Australia suffered lower wheat production and exports, while countries in southern Africa were forced to increase corn imports.
Record Inventories Provide a Buffer
One of the biggest differences between previous El Niño events and the current environment is the level of global food reserves.
Near-record grain inventories, drought-tolerant seeds, improved weather forecasting, precision agriculture and better irrigation could help absorb some of the production losses.
India’s crop sowing has broadly recovered from an initial delay, although rainfall during August and September will remain important for crop maturity and grain formation.
India also holds a particularly important position in the global rice market. The country accounts for around 40% of global rice exports and has accumulated such large reserves that storage capacity is being stretched.
China, meanwhile, holds nearly half of global wheat stocks. As the world’s largest wheat producer and consumer, its large reserves could reduce the need for imports if drought damages production in major suppliers such as Australia.
Global palm oil inventories are also near historic highs, although Indonesia’s expanding biodiesel programme is expected to reduce stocks in coming months.
Brazil and Russia Strengthen Global Supply
The emergence of major agricultural exporters that were far less important several decades ago has also increased the resilience of global food markets.
Brazil has become the world’s largest soybean exporter, with shipments increasing more than 13-fold since the 1997-98 El Niño period.
Russia has also emerged as a major wheat supplier, with exports reaching 48 million tons last year compared with roughly 1 million tons in 1997-98.
These additional sources of supply give global markets more alternatives if weather damages production in individual countries.
Agricultural science has also improved. Drought-tolerant corn hybrids have become widely used across Africa and the Americas, while heat- and drought-resistant wheat varieties have gained ground in India and Australia.
Short-duration rice varieties are increasingly being used across South and Southeast Asia, allowing farmers to reduce exposure to increasingly unpredictable monsoon conditions.
Technology Changes the Equation
Farmers today also have access to technologies that were largely unavailable during the 1997-98 El Niño.
Satellite crop monitoring, seasonal climate forecasts, detailed soil-moisture maps and GPS-guided fertiliser application allow farmers to make more precise decisions about planting, irrigation and inputs.
AI-powered agricultural platforms are also increasingly combining weather forecasts, soil information and crop data to advise farmers on planting schedules, irrigation, fertiliser use and pest management.
The result is a food system that can identify and respond to weather risks earlier.
FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero said governments now have significantly better information and can prepare earlier because forecasting and market transparency have improved.
Wars Could Undermine the Resilience
Despite these improvements, the global food system remains exposed to risks beyond weather.
The wars in the Middle East and Black Sea region could undermine some of the protection provided by stronger inventories and agricultural technology.
The Iran war has disrupted fuel and fertiliser supplies, while higher fertiliser costs could reduce farmers’ ability to maintain production.
Torero warned that much will depend on how conditions develop during the second half of 2026, particularly because agricultural input use has been affected by the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Before its blockade during the Iran war, the Strait carried around one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Disruptions to the waterway have therefore created additional pressure on fuel and fertiliser markets.
Analysis: Is the Global Food System Ready?
The biggest takeaway is that El Niño is no longer operating against the same fragile agricultural system that existed during previous major events.
Higher productivity, larger inventories, diversified exporters and better technology provide several layers of protection. If one major producing region suffers a drought, supplies from countries such as Brazil and Russia, combined with existing reserves, can help prevent a sudden global shortage.
However, resilience does not mean immunity.
The greatest risk comes from the interaction between climate shocks and geopolitical disruptions. A powerful El Niño could reduce production at the same time that wars restrict fuel, fertiliser and transport. That combination could rapidly turn a manageable agricultural disruption into a broader food-price problem.
For now, large inventories provide an important buffer. But if the El Niño intensifies as expected while geopolitical disruptions continue to constrain agricultural inputs, the real test will be whether those reserves and technological gains are sufficient to prevent another surge in global food inflation.
Somali referee Omar Artan will make history as the first non-European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday between PSG and Aston Villa. Artan was denied entry to the US to officiate games during the World Cup despite holding a valid visa.
As the winners of the Champions League and Europa League face off, here is everything to know on the venue, history, quotes from the coaches and more.
The UEFA Super Cup is the annual game between the winners of European football’s top two competitions – the Champions League and the Europa League – and is seen as a curtain-raiser to the new season in Europe.
This year the French champions and Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will take on English Premier League side Aston Villa, who are Europa League champions.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
When is the game being held?
The match kicks off at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, August 12.
Where is the UEFA Super Cup being played?
Salzburg’s Red Bull Arena in Austria will host the final.
The 30,000-capacity stadium, which is referred to as Stadion Salzburg during UEFA matches, is usually home to Austrian Bundesliga team RB Salzburg.
General view inside Stadion Salzburg in Salzburg, Austria [File: Jasmin Walter/Getty Images]
How did PSG reach the UEFA Super Cup?
Paris Saint-Germain held their nerve in a cagey Champions League final in May to retain the title by beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties as a tense showdown ended 1-1 after extra time, cementing the French side’s status among Europe’s modern greats.
Arsenal defender Gabriel blasted his spot kick over the bar at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, his miss confirming PSG as the first club to retain the trophy since Real Madrid completed their three-year reign from 2016 to 2018.
How did Aston Villa reach the UEFA Super Cup?
Aston Villa ended their 30-year trophy drought in style as spectacular goals from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia inspired a 3-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul in May.
Unai Emery’s side took the lead late in the first half through Tielemans’ thunderous volley, before Buendia increased Villa’s advantage with a sublime curler seconds from the half-time whistle.
Morgan Rogers’ second-half goal finished off the outclassed Germans, sealing Villa’s first silverware since the 1996 League Cup and their first major European prize for 44 years.
Buendia celebrates after Rogers scores Villa’s third goal in the Europa League final [Umit Bektas/Reuters]
Who is predicted to win the match?
According to Polymarket, PSG are the clear favourites with a 55-percent chance of winning in regulation time, with the likelihood of a draw at full time estimated at 25 percent and an Aston Villa win at 22 percent.
What is the history of the UEFA Super Cup?
It was officially introduced in 1973, with the European Cup/Champions League winners playing the Cup Winners Cup champions.
After the Cup Winners Cup was abolished in 1999, the winners of the UEFA Cup (subsequently rebranded as the Europa League) played the Champions League winners.
Who are the previous winners of the UEFA Super Cup?
Real Madrid are the most successful side in the fixture, having won six Super Cups. Barcelona and AC Milan have won five, while Liverpool have won four.
PSG are the reigning Super Cup holders after they beat Tottenham 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in last season’s tie.
Last 10 winners:
2025 – Paris St-Germain
2024 – Real Madrid
2023 – Manchester City
2022 – Real Madrid
2021 – Chelsea
2020 – Bayern Munich
2019 – Liverpool
2018 – Atletico Madrid
2017 – Real Madrid
2016 – Real Madrid
How to watch the UEFA Super Cup?
In the United Kingdom, the game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.
In the United States, the game will be shown on CBC Sports.
The full list of global broadcasters can be found here.
What happens if the game ends in a draw?
If the scores are level after regulation time, the match will go straight to a penalty shootout with no extra time to be played.
Who is the referee?
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was controversially denied entry to the US for the FIFA World Cup, will officiate the Super Cup.
PSG vs Aston Villa: Head-to-head
The two clubs have met twice in recent years, both in the 2024-25 Champions League quarterfinals.
PSG won the first leg 3-1 at Parc des Princes on April 9, 2025, while Aston Villa won the second leg 3-2 at home a week later – with PSG progressing 5-4 on aggregate.
What have the coaches said about the Super Cup?
PSG coach Luis Enrique:
“There are no doubts in my mind that it’s [the Super Cup] a really important trophy and Villa will be really competitive. If we look at the Premier League, there are five or maybe six Spanish coaches at the best teams.
“I think that Spanish football is at the top of world football in every regard, be it players, coaches or directors. Our game stands for a fun way of playing football, in that we seek out the ball, having it is our priority, and we adapt through possession to being solid defensively. I think it’s a great moment for Spanish football in a worldwide context and we should be proud of that.”
Aston Villa coach Unai Emery:
“We’re trying to be successful through, firstly, [building] a winning team, and then aiming for the positive consequences after it: winning trophies.
“To play the UEFA Super Cup is another opportunity to be there, the opportunity to win a trophy, to play against Paris Saint-Germain – the [best] team in the world now and another team we can compare [ourselves] with.”
Whether you care or not about your own college reunion, we all keep getting invited to the one for the comedy troupe Broken Lizard, whose movies are always the same thing: frat guys who never grew out of the same jokes, taunts and pranks. That isn’t to say “Super Troopers 3” doesn’t also exhibit genuine appreciation for a tight bond nurtured over time, but you need to have been there (that is, enjoyed one or two of these) to revel in tapping that aggressively overpumped keg of R-rated comedy nostalgia.
The gang’s longevity, well into late middle age, is indeed impressive, even if it’s relegated to reviving their most beloved incarnation, a quintet of adolescent-minded Vermont highway patrolmen who torment citizens, razz each other and routinely examine their stunted life choices when confronted with the noxious personality of the most extreme among them, Farva (Kevin Heffernan).
The boorish, puerile Farva — imagine an “Animal House” character its writers would have discarded as too crude — is the catalyst this time around by falling in love. His shock engagement to Sarita (Hannah Simone), the brainy, beautiful sister of de facto trooper leader Thorny (director Jay Chandrasekhar), pits brother against family and bro against bro, even if Farva doesn’t register his colleague’s disgust. Thorny will do anything to keep Farva from marrying into his family, which is admittedly one of the easier campaigns for an audience to get behind.
That’s not a sentiment against true love; it’s more a nod to strained credibility and a feeling of general exhaustion. “Super Troopers 3” hardly feels like some long-awaited third go-round in a franchise spanning 25 years. Rather, it plays like the 84th episode of a time-killing cable series that people forgot was still on the air. Whatever raw charm existed in the original underdog sleeper hit from 2001 (and found some purchase in the agreeably goofy 2018 sequel) has been hardened here into a piece of machine-stamped plastic, likely in the shape of a male organ sporting a traditional sherwani, considering the incessant swirl of infantile body humor and offensive-adjacent Indian culture gags on offer.
Besides the main storyline and a dull, time-padding smuggling operation to uncover, there’s little to do for the rest of the Broken Lizard team: Paul Soter, Eric Stolhanske and Steve Emme. Inexplicably, EV cars and food-ordering apps become running gags. Marisa Coughlan is back as a cop’s wife, and the joke must be that she never gets to be funny.
There’s good news in Brian Cox returning as their cranky superior, except it looks like two days of work, tops. The best new face is Nat Faxon as the station’s insecure captain. He gets more easy, unforced laughs than anyone, especially when it comes to a bout of “scromiting.” It still isn’t enough.
“Enough” is a good retort, though, for “Super Troopers 3” overall, except for the dispiriting promise before the closing credits that more mediocrity might be coming. But fans might want to savor this one, because according to Vermont law, highway patrol mandatory retirement age is 57, the age the youngest Broken Lizard member hits this month. Sorry, guys — can we have those badges back?
‘Super Troopers 3’
Rated: R, for sexual content, nudity, language throughout and drug content
With the top three of Leeds, Wigan and Wakefield, getting plenty of attention, Warrington are travelling under the radar but that suits Burgess, with England captain George Williams set to make his comeback in one of the next two games and a home play-off within reach.
Williams’ return will boost Wire but 18-year-old Irwin and Leon Hayes, 22, proved an effective half back pairing, with the kicking both out of hand and off the tee superb.
Ethan Ryan had begun the scoring for the hosts with his 13th try of the Super League season on 14 minutes, Luke Hooley missing the extras – but that was as good as it got for the Bulls.
Ashton benefitted from slick hands by Josh Thewlis, Hopoate carried ball and Ryan over for a second before King and Irwin’s boot sent Wire in 18-4 to the good at half time.
Things might have been different had the home side’s Jamie Gill not had a try ruled out after Chris Atkin pulled back recovering defender Danny Walker, but within 60 seconds Wire were up at the other end with Philbin going over for a fourth.
It was a potential 12 points swing which sucked belief from the Bulls and from there, Warrington put their foot down.
Crowther scored six minutes later, Bradford dazzled by some dizzying angles, and Irwin’s twinkling feet added another before Ashton rounded things off with his second of the night.
Tries: Eckersley 2, French, Marshall 2, Hodkinson, Eseh, Field Goals: Smith 8
Toulouse (18) 18
Tries: Ulberg, Tropis, Rouge Goals: Rouge 3
Try machine Zach Eckersley and Liam Marshall both scored twice as Wigan Warriors overpowered Toulouse Olympique 48-18 to make it 11 wins in a row to climb to second in Super League.
Eckersley took his try tally for the season to 33 and Wigan have won 10 successive Super League games for the first time since 2023 when they were Grand Final winners.
Bevan French was magnificent and he scored the Warriors’ second try, while Noah Hodkinson, Sam Eseh and Jai Field also went over.
Toulouse had their moments and fought back to level 18-18 just before half-time as they scored through Paul Ulberg, Romeo Tropis and Cesar Rouge.
Richa Ghosh scores a quickfire half-century, before Mady Villiers takes three wickets as Manchester Super Giants beat Southern Brave by 27 runs to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages of The Hundred women’s competition.
Leeds Rhinos edged a thrilling top-of-the-table clash against Wakefield Trinity with late drama to go four points clear in Super League.
A sell-out crowd at DIY Kitchens Stadium were royally entertained as the top two served up a match worthy of a Grand Final, but it was the Rhinos fans who were celebrating at the death.
Despite trailing for all but three minutes of the contest, Leeds held their nerve to land a sucker punch with two moments of skill from the boot of Jake Connor to snatch victory.
With 77 minutes on the clock, Connor’s grubber-kick was pounced on by Chris Hankinson to level the scores at 22-22. Connor then held his nerve to kick the extras from five yards inside the touchline as Leeds claimed a memorable success and remain on course to win the League Leaders’ Shield.
This was a match in which Leeds showed grit, discipline and character to hold on to Wakefield’s tail as the hosts withstood early pressure before stretching out into a 16-0 lead with three tries all converted by Jack Sinfield.
They came from Isaiah Vagana after a clever kick from Sinfield, a bullocking run from Caius Faatili, who broke two tackles and offloaded to Caleb Hamlin-Uele, while Jayden Myers went over in the corner as Wakefield delivered a commanding yet surprising advantage.
But Leeds have shown they rarely lie down so far this season and after Brodie Croft’s 25th Super League try of the campaign gave them hope, a stunning second-half comeback, in which Cam Smith was irresistible off the bench, helped them grab the win late on.
The second half began with Wakefield extending their advantage through Sinfield, who wrestled the ball over the line and then added the extras in an impressive overall display.
But in keeping with plenty of his team-mates, they faded as Leeds surged and after Cam Scott and Hamlin-Uele had rescued Wakefield with brilliant last-ditch tackles to deny two tries, the dam burst.
James McDonnell bullied his way through the home defence to make it 22-10 with Connor’s boot adding another two to put them within 10 points of Wakefield.
The excellent Smith – who will join Wakefield next season – was again aided by Connor as he powered through three minutes later as Leeds closed the gap to four points.
With the comeback definitely on, Wakefield were creaking under huge pressure, but to their credit they held on to their advantage until three minutes from time.
Connor’s kick to set up Hankinson out wide pulled the scores level, but last year’s Man of Steel is looking as shiny as ever and he produced a nerveless kick from the left flank to seal a remarkable turnaround.
Victory delivered a major step towards a top-two finish for Leeds, who are four points clear with five games remaining in the regular season and have a points difference of over 200 on Wakefield and Wigan Warriors, in second and third respectively.
Birmingham City have signed France youth international Chancelle Effa Effa from Le Havre.
It is understood the Blues, who won the WSL 2 title last season, paid just over £100,000 for the 19-year-old striker.
She progressed from Le Havre’s academy and made her debut for the senior team at the age of 15.
Effa Effa helped the club secure promotion back to the French top flight in her breakthrough season and signed a professional contract in December 2022.
The striker, who has represented France at every age group from the U16s through to the U23s, had a year remaining on her contract at Le Havre.
“I am very happy to be joining Birmingham City – such a historic club – and experience the Women’s Super League,” said Effa Effa.
“From my very first conversations with the club, I was won over by the project. I sensed a genuine desire to build something strong, with great ambition.
“I can’t wait to start this new adventure.”
Effa Effa helped France lift the Women’s U17s European title in 2023 before reaching the Women’s U19s European final two years later.
In total, she has scored 17 goals in 28 appearances for France’s age groups.
“Chancelle is a player we’ve been tracking for some time and we’re delighted to bring her to Birmingham City,” said manager Amy Merricks.
“She’s an exciting young forward with huge potential, who has already gained valuable experience in the French top flight and has consistently performed for France at youth international level.
“We’re looking forward to helping her continue her development and seeing the impact she can make in a Blues shirt.”
St Helens interim head coach Eamon O’Carroll told BBC Radio Merseyside:
“There were far too many times when we were shooting ourselves in the foot and putting some pressure on ourselves. We’re clearly not at that level at the moment where we seem to handle that the way we’d like to or how we have in the past.
“We’ve got some young boys in there who may have got exposed at times. They will be better for this experience – I’m really proud of the young lads – but at the minute we seem to be swapping one of our younger lads for another younger lad.
“We’re then automatically asking a lot of some of our senior boys.
“I think you can see where we are at with that at the minute.”
[On play-off qualification] “It’s going to be a difficult one for us to achieve, but it’s not unachievable.”
Hull FC interim head coach Andy Last told Sky Sports:
‘It feels absolutely fantastic. I just want to dedicate that to the supporters who have stuck by us and turned up in big numbers. It was great to get a win for them.
“There were some parts of the performance I was really pleased with and some parts of the game we still need to improve [such as] individuals’ decision-making, but I’m not going to take anything away from tonight.
“To get a win at St Helens, I’m really, really pleased.’
The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday it has sold out the commercial time for ESPN’s telecast of the 2027 Super Bowl, which airs on ABC Feb. 14.
Hugh Johnston, chief financial officer for Disney, announced the sellout on the company’s earnings call. In addition to ABC, the game from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will air on ESPN, and have an alternative ESPN feed hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning. The game will be streamed on the ESPN app and the NFL+ app.
ESPN, which has carried NFL games since 1987, has never produced a Super Bowl. ABC last aired the game in 2006, when the network had its own sports division.
The Super Bowl is perennially the most watched TV event of the year, bringing in a huge pot of revenue for the media company holding the rights. Fox said it took in more than $800 million across its platforms for the 2025 game that saw the Philadelphia Eagles win 40-22 over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Disney did not divulge a price for the commercial time, although reports said the company was seeking $10 million for a 30-second spot. NBC sold several commercials at that rate last year.
Johnston said Disney sold Super Bowl spots to 58 brands across 34 product categories, including financial services, candy, personal care and software. Nine of the brands are in the game for the first time.
As the rest of traditional TV has seen ratings diminish, the Super Bowl has remained resilient, setting a viewership record in 2025, with 127.7 million viewers watching on Fox and its streaming platform Tubi, according to Nielsen. Last season’s contest drew 125 million viewers on NBC, Telemundo and Peacock.
When ABC had Super Bowl XL in 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks scored 90.7 million viewers. Nielsen did not include out-of-home viewing in its data at the time.
Live sports has become attractive to advertisers as it is one of the few ways to reach a massive audience in real time.
Ireland international Orla Prendergast took 4-18 as Welsh Fire beat Manchester Super Giants by three wickets at Old Trafford.
Playing only her second Hundred match after arriving as an injury replacement for Sophie Devine, the seamer tore through the Super Giants’ top-order as the hosts slipped to 24-4.
Prendergast bowled Super Giants captain Meg Lanning for a golden duck, had Mady Villiers caught for five and then trapped Kathryn Bryce (4) lbw, before Heather Graham had Paige Scholfield (5) stumped.
India’s Smriti Mandhana made 15 before she was run-out after being called through for a risky single, while Sophie Ecclestone (9) became Graham’s second stumping victim.
Richa Ghosh was Prendergast’s fourth wicket, caught in the covers for 11, but Ryana MacDonald-Gay top-scored from number nine, hitting an unbeaten 18 to help her side reach 85-9.
Fire reached 27 in their reply, before losing Sarah Bryce, caught and bowled by Bex Tyson for 16, while fellow opener Georgia Voll reached the same score before skying a catch off Villiers.
Ecclestone removed Freya Kemp (6) and Prendergast with successive balls, having her England team-mate clip to Lanning at short mid-on and then bowling the Ireland all-rounder. She also had Georgia Wareham caught well by Lanning for 17 in her figures of 3-14.
Graham guided Fire to a nervy victory, losing two further partners but hitting an unbeaten 16, including the winning runs as her side reached 88-7 with nine balls to spare.
The win moved Fire above Leeds Sunrisers into fourth place and two points behind Super Giants who remain third.
