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Lauren James was the toast of the England team as she helped the Lionesses storm into the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup with a dominant 6-1 win over China in Adelaide.

The Chelsea forward scored two goals and set up another three as her side took top spot in Group D, securing a last-16 clash against Nigeria in Brisbane next Monday.

The sister of England and Chelsea defender Reece James, 23, also lit up last Friday’s game against Denmark, celebrating her first start at the tournament with a stunning long-range goal.

But James, fast becoming one of the competition’s breakout stars, has rarely been in the starting line-up for England games, due to the fierce competition for forward places in manager Sarina Wiegman’s squad.

Speaking before the World Cup began, James said she doesn’t want to be known as Reece’s sister, insisting: “I want to carve out (my own name) and be known as ‘this is Lauren James’.”

The 21-year-old, winner of the Young Player of the Year Award at the Women’s Football Awards last season, is taking her chance in the absence of the injured Beth Mead.

A skillful dribbler with a fierce shot, James is always prepared to take on an opponent and regularly makes things happen on the pitch.

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But at times she has been criticised for inconsistency, with her performances in the second half of last season falling below the standards of the early part of the campaign.

England's Lauren James celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, Group D match at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Australia. Picture date: Tuesday August 1, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story WORLDCUP England. Photo credit should read: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire...RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

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How China v England unfolded

She missed out on last year’s European Championship success because of injury, but said it made her more determined to make an impact at the World Cup.

Lauren Elizabeth James was born in London in September 2001 to a father of Dominican and Grenadan descent and an English mother.

She and Reece, who used to play in the same teams at junior level, had a head start on their rivals from the start, as father, Nigel James, is a UEFA-qualified coach.

She has played for Epsom Eagles, then the Chelsea youth set-up, before moving to Arsenal where she made her first-team debut aged just 16.

A move to the newly-formed Manchester United women’s side followed, as did an impressive 22 goals in 40 appearances between 2018 and 2021, including some in the Championship, the league below the Women’s Super League (WSL).

In all, she has 38 goals from 109 senior appearances, mostly in the WSL.

She returned to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge two years ago, where she now plays alongside fellow Lionesses Millie Bright, Jess Carter and Niamh Charles.

Chelsea's Reece James with his sister Lauren James following the the UEFA Champions League final match held at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal. Picture date: Saturday May 29, 2021.
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Lauren James with brother Reece after he helped Chelsea win the 2021 Champions League

James made her senior England debut in a World Cup qualifier against Austria last September and scored her first international goal in February this year during a 4-0 win over South Korea.

In June, it was announced she had signed a new deal, keeping her at the Blues, where she won the WSL title earlier this year, until 2027 and she looks set to be talked about for many years to come.

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M4 and M48 closed after human remains found

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M4 and M48 closed after human remains found

Two motorways have been shut after human remains were found on the road. 

Several drivers reported a body on the carriageway between junctions 20 and 21 of the M4 – between Almondsbury and Awkley – at about 6.40pm this evening.

The body is believed to be that of a man in his forties, whose next of kin have been told.

A police investigation to establish how the person came to be on the motorway continues.

Parts of the M4 and M48 motorways near Bristol are likely to remain closed until the early hours of Sunday morning, Avon and Somerset Police said.

In a statement, the force said: “Police are keen to hear from anyone who was travelling along that stretch of the M4 has any relevant information or dashcam footage.”

The road closures were likely to cause significant delays in and out of Wales tonight, with closures starting on the English side of the Prince of Wales Bridge and the Severn Bridge.

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National Highways said the M4 is shut in both directions between junctions 20 and 21, while the M48 eastbound is closed from junction 1 near Aust.

The links from the M5 junction 15 south to the M4 junction 20 west, and the M5 junction 16 north to M4 junction 20 west were also closed.

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UK

Starmer asks US to stand by Ukraine with security guarantee as bad peace deal would be ‘disaster’ for all

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Starmer asks US to stand by Ukraine with security guarantee as bad peace deal would be 'disaster' for all

Sir Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to stand by Ukraine with a security guarantee as he warned a bad peace deal would be a “disaster for everyone”.

The prime minister is due to meet the US president for talks in Washington DC next week amid fragile relations between America and Europe after Mr Trump launched a verbal attack on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The US president called Ukraine’s leader a “dictator” on Wednesday and later said Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron, both of whom will visit the White House in the coming days, “haven’t done anything” to end the war.

Sir Keir Starmer leaves after a meeting in Paris with European leaders on Ukraine on 17 February. Pic: Reuters
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Sir Keir Starmer met with European leaders in Paris on Monday to discuss Ukraine. Pic: Reuters

Sir Keir said a good peace “can only be won through strength” and Ukraine “must have a voice in negotiations about its future”.

And he warned that a “peace deal which does not stop Putin from attacking again would be a disaster for everyone”.

Writing in The Sun on Sunday, he said Kyiv needs strong security guarantees “so the peace will last” and America “must be part of that guarantee”.

This could mean providing air defence and a promise that the US will come to the aid of a NATO country if Russia attacks them, the paper reported.

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So far, talks aimed at ending the war have been taking place between US and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia, which have not included the Ukrainians.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey has said “any negotiations about Ukraine cannot happen without Ukraine. We all want the fighting to end, but an insecure peace risks more war”.

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‘Turn the screws’ on Russia

The third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is on Monday.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he will unveil new sanctions to “turn the screws” on Russia on Monday to coincide with the anniversary.

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Sir Keir also said the UK must increase its defence spending and play a bigger role in NATO.

And he is open to British troops playing a role in any European force in Ukraine after a peace agreement.

He added: “This is not something I say lightly.”

Sir Keir, along with other European allies and UK opposition parties, has backed Mr Zelensky as a “democratically elected leader”.

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Conflicting views over Ukraine deal

Also, Washington has warned that Europe must shoulder more of the cost of its own security.

Sir Keir is expected to use his upcoming trip to the US to confirm a timeline to raise UK defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in a bid to ease tensions.

It comes amid pressure from defence chiefs and opposition critics including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who wrote to the prime minister on Saturday demanding he set out a plan for meeting the target.

:: Education secretary Bridget Phillipson, campaigner for global health and education Sarah Brown, and shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge will be discussing all the latest political stories in the UK and around the world on the Trevor Phillips on Sunday show on Sky News from 8.30am

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UK

Girl, 3, dies after tram and van crash in Manchester city centre

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Girl, 3, dies after tram and van crash in Manchester city centre

A three-year-old girl has died after a collision between a tram and a van in Manchester city centre.

The girl was taken to hospital but died from her injuries, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

“No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing,” the force said.

The child was a pedestrian and was not travelling in either the tram or van, GMP said.

The fatal collision happened on Mosley Street shortly before 10am, a Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) spokesperson said.

“All of our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. We are supporting police with their investigation,” a statement said.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and two air ambulance crews attended the scene.

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TfGM said there was continued disruption across the Metrolink after the incident and advised people to check the Bee Network website and app for the latest travel information.

Manchester‘s Bee Network said: “Due to a road traffic collision on Mosley Street in the city centre, no tram services are operating between St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens.”

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An X post from GMP’s traffic officers said: “Our officers are currently in attendance at a collision, involving a tram and another vehicle in Manchester city centre.

“We are presently trying to establish the circumstances however we envisage there will be a lengthy closure of surrounding streets near to St Peters Square.”

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