Lionesses face biggest test of the Women’s World Cup yet

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [The Independent]( August 07, 2023 [View online](   [Morning Headlines]( 1 /[England]([face biggest test of the]([Women’s World Cup]([yet]( [England](face their biggest test of the[Women’s World Cup]( yet as the [Lionesses]( take on Nigeria in the last-16 in Brisbane. It’s[been a tournament of shocks and surprises so far]( and [Sarina Wiegman](’s side will be wary of becoming another, after the [defending champions United States](joined Germany, Canada and Brazil in exiting the competition on Sunday. But [it means the tournament is opening up](, with England among those who are looking like contenders in Australia and New Zealand. The Lionesses produced a [brilliant performance to thrash China 6-1 last time out](, so confidence is high among the camp. England [could be boosted further by the return of Keira Walsh](, who has been passed fit after making a remarkable recovery from being stretchered off against Denmark. Wiegman now must decide whether to start the midfielder, after her key formation change against China [unlocked England’s best performance of the World Cup so far](. Nigeria are dangerous opposition: led by star striker Asisat Oshoala, [the Super Falcons stunned Australia]( and held Canada on their way to qualifying for the knockout stages.   2 /[Asylum seekers could be housed on Bibby Stockholm barge as soon as Monday despite safety concerns]( Ministers pushing on with plans to use the vessel in Portland Port, Dorset, despite safety fears and local opposition 3 /[UK’s rental shame: Tenants paying four times as much of income as homeowners on housing]( Exclusive: Spiralling costs disproportionately hitting those who don’t own their homes 4 /[Boy, 12, killed on M62 in hit-and-run ‘as he made way from central reservation to hard shoulder’]( Child struck by a vehicle on eastbound carriageway of M62 near Cleckheaton – a 36 year-old man has been arrested 5 /[UK weather: Scorching 28C heat to return after Storm Antoni downpours]( Britain hasn’t seen temperature of 25C or more since July 8 and August has been a washout for many so far THE BIG QUESTION [Can the Edinburgh Fringe survive?]( The [Edinburgh Fringe]( returns this week, and with it, hundreds of hopeful stand-up comedians, dreaming of five-star reviews and sold-out runs. Like Glasgow-based comic Larry Dean, who picked up his third Best Show nomination at last year’s Fringe with his confessional hour Fudnut and is back at the festival again this year, writes Isobel Lewis. His work-in-progress show has, impressively, already sold out. It’s a relief for any performer – but, he tells me, part of him is thinking: “I’ve managed to sell out my run and luckily, I’ll break even.” His frank admission echoes that of rising comedic talent Leo Reich, [who told me last year]( that – even with a show that nabbed him an [Edinburgh](Comedy Award nod and reams of glowing reviews – he just about made ends meet. In fact, the more performers I speak to, the more I’ve learnt this is the norm; that “breaking even” is the best you can hope for. Every summer for more than 75 years, the Scottish capital has been flooded with comedians and actors, dancers and circus performers. They arrive with hopes and dreams, aspirations of creating the next surprise hit of the Fringe. Sure, most of them leave with shin splints and a pounding hangover, but that’s part of the fun; while the largest venues curate their line-ups, the Fringe has always been proud of being open to all. But in a landscape of rising costs, gentrification, and an industry still recovering from the pandemic, is the Fringe still, in the words of Scottish theatre critic Mark Fisher, “an egalitarian playing field”, where “the amateur rubs alongside the professional rubs alongside the semi-professional”? [For the full article click here]( Enjoy a year of unlimited digital access for just £99 £20 ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more [SUBSCRIBE NOW](   Watch / [Author Lorraine Candy: ‘Perimenopausal rage made me feel I was unravelling’]( NUMBER OF THE DAY 57 – At least 57 triathletes fell ill with diarrhoea and vomiting after taking part in swimming competitions off the Wearside coast, health officials have said. [Read more]( QUOTE OF THE DAY “The government must start to focus on the net public assets of the country, and not the fiscal position, in order that much-needed investments that create large positive multipliers can be unleashed.” – [Jim O’Neill](, a former Treasury minister, was appointed by shadow chancellor [Rachel Reeves]( last year to review her party’s business and investment policies. [Read more here](   OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE [Almost 100,000 fewer students in top A-level grades this year, researchers say]( [Absentee MP Nadine Dorries ‘could be ousted from parliament by rule change’]( [Woman accused of trying to murder her husband by poisoning his coffee with bleach for months](   Articles available exclusively to subscribers [Sean O'Grady](- [Prime ministers at play: the rules of summer holidays for our leaders](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [The Race Report]( The Race Report Fortnightly Written by Nadine White [Join now]( [The View from Westminster ]( The View from Westminster Every weekday Written by John Rentoul [Join now](   The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge]( and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](: 0808 2000 247 If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.