Below, everything else you need to know about this year’s ceremony:
Alexander Payne will chair the jury
American director Alexander Payne (Sideways, The Descendants, The Holdover) will take on the role of jury president at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, succeeding Isabelle Huppert. His appointment has proven controversial, however, given the filmmaker has faced allegations of sexual assault from actress Rose McGowan.
Kim Novak and Werner Herzog will receive honorary Golden Lions
Kim Novak made her final film appearance in 1991, in Mike Figgis’s Liebestraum, before retiring from Hollywood. This summer, however, Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic muse—best known for her role as Madeleine Elster in Vertigo—will return to the spotlight to receive a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.
According to artistic director Alberto Barbera, who shared the news on June 10, the decision to honor the actress was an obvious one, as she is “one of the most beloved icons of an entire era of Hollywood films, from her auspicious debut during the mid-1950s until her premature and voluntary exile from the gilded cage of Los Angeles a short while later.”
Earlier this year, it was announced that Werner Herzog would also receive the same honor. With more than 70 films to his name—spanning fiction and documentary works created across the globe—the German filmmaker has left an indelible mark on the history of cinema. According to Alberto Barbera, Herzog has done so by “testing our ability to see, challenging us to grasp what lies beyond the surface of reality, and pushing the limits of cinematic representation in a relentless quest for a higher, ecstatic truth and new sensory experiences.”
When will the full lineup be released?
The full slate of films headed to the 2025 Venice Film Fesitval is expected to be unveiled at the end of July.
While accepting the President’s Award during the opening night of the 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival on Friday, actor Peter Sarsgaard spoke out on the current political division in the U.S., stating: “As my country retreats from its global responsibilities and tries to go it alone, it is also being divided into factions from within, factions of politics, gender, sexuality, race, Jews split over the war. But when there’s a common enemy, there is no going it alone. Enemies are the forces that divide us, that individuate us. We all know who they are.”
Asked by Variety why he decided to go political with his acceptance speech, the Golden Globe nominee says, “To me, it is not political at all to say we’re being divided into smaller and smaller groups.”
“This is the way authoritarianism works, right?” adds the actor. “They’re making you feel bigger and that person feels smaller. You are worried about your job, your status, being deported, all that sort of stuff, so if you’re safe, you are holding onto the life raft. Maybe you’re a little sad about the other person who’s drowning, but you hold on.”
Closing his acceptance speech, the American actor quoted Czech statesman and playwright Vaclav Havel, saying that “one half of a room cannot remain forever warm while the other half is cold.” Commenting on why he chose the quote, Sarsgaard says, once again, that he feels it is not a “political” sentiment. “That’s just humanitarian.”
“I don’t know that you could tell who I voted for,” he continues, bringing up the 2024 U.S. presidential election. “I mean, you could probably tell I didn’t vote for Trump, right? But I wouldn’t say that Biden was my person either. I consider myself a humanitarian. Politics are not that interesting to me.”
The actor adds that what “impressed” him about the Czech statesman growing up was “a willingness to sacrifice yourself personally for a greater good,” something he doesn’t believe the left “or even the anti-Trump group” in the U.S. possesses. “The left in my country that has been vocal is typically wealthy and satisfied. The hippies got rich and we’re just happy chilling out and not doing much. They don’t want to lose their stuff, they don’t want to go to jail. Havel chose jail over exile. No one that I know would do that.”
“While a lot of people in my country were struggling, the left was cruising by, drinking their cappuccinos,” he goes on. “It’s time to suffer, you know? My daughters are going to be willing to do that, even though they grew up in a nice, cushy environment. Their futures are on the line and they know that.”
While the actor doesn’t feel hopeful about his generation, he nurtures hope for the younger ones. “The middle and left are talking about leaving the country and handing over everything for [their] personal comfort. The United States has a huge responsibility. We have nuclear weapons, a massive economy that controls so much of the world… It’s worth fighting for. Where are you going to run to? The planet’s not that big. I don’t know what it means to fight, but I do know it means to put down your cappuccino,” he concludes, taking a sip of his coffee.
Sarsgaard, who was raised Catholic, also spoke about the religious sentiment of “love your enemy,” particularly during troubled times sociopolitically. “I was extremely Catholic, I was an altar boy and Jesuits were my heroes in high school. I didn’t have pedophile Jesuits around me. For me, Catholicism was a great experience. Love your enemy is a complicated term; it doesn’t mean everything they’re doing is ok, it’s more like being interested in them, don’t discount them. And that’s what an actor does. I don’t just play ideal people.”
Elsewhere in the conversation, the actor reminisced on coming up in the scene in the 90s and working on films like “Boys Don’t Cry” alongside Chloë Sevigny and Hillary Swank.
“There was no movie star in that movie,” he emphasizes. “It used to be like that, where you could go to watch a movie and you might not recognize every actor in it. Now I don’t know how a young actor comes up and gets into anything interesting in the States. The government doesn’t give any money to the movies, and even less now to the arts. I’ve been doing a lot of movies that are not shooting in the States, not because I don’t want to, but because it certainly has dried up.”
On working with his wife, filmmaker and actor Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard says he is “probably tougher” on her than any director he’s worked with. The actor starred in Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut “The Lost Daughter” and her upcoming sophomore effort, “The Bride.” “She says I’m very tough with her, but that’s just because I can, I guess [laughs]. But I respect her and would do anything for my wife, not just because she’s my wife but because she’s so talented. I really believe in her talent.”
Solna [Sweden], July 5 (ANI): Researchers from Sweden have discovered that the human brain continues to grow new cells in the memory region–called the hippocampus–even into old age.
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Using advanced tools to examine brain samples from people of all ages, the team identified the early-stage cells that eventually become neurons.
These findings confirm that our brains remain more adaptable than previously believed, opening the door to potential treatments for memory loss and brain-related disorders.
The study has been published in the journal Science. It presents compelling new evidence that neurons in the brain’s memory centre, the hippocampus, continue to form well into late adulthood.
The research has been done by the scientists of Karolinska Instituet in Sweden.
The hippocampus is a brain region that is essential for learning and memory and involved in emotion regulation.
Back in 2013, Jonas Frisen’s research group at Karolinska Instituet showed in a high-profile study that new neurons can form in the hippocampus of adult humans.
The researchers then measured carbon-14 levels in DNA from brain tissue, which made it possible to determine when the cells were formed.
Identifying cells of origin
However, the extent and significance of this formation of new neurons (neurogenesis) are still debated. There has been no clear evidence that the cells that precede new neurons, known as neural progenitor cells, actually exist and divide in adult humans.
“We have now been able to identify these cells of origin, which confirms that there is an ongoing formation of neurons in the hippocampus of the adult brain,” says Jonas Frisen, Professor of Stem Cell Research at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, who led the research.
From 0 to 78 years of age
In the new study, the researchers combined several advanced methods to examine brain tissue from people aged 0 to 78 years from several international biobanks.
They used a method called single-nucleus RNA sequencing, which analyses gene activity in individual cell nuclei, and flow cytometry to study cell properties.
By combining this with machine learning, they were able to identify different stages of neuronal development, from stem cells to immature neurons, many of which were in the division phase.
To localise these cells, the researchers used two techniques that show where in the tissue different genes are active: RNAscope and Xenium.
These methods confirmed that the newly formed cells were located in a specific area of the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus. This area is important for memory formation, learning and cognitive flexibility.
The results show that the progenitors of adult neurons are similar to those of mice, pigs and monkeys, but that there are some differences in which genes are active.
There were also large variations between individuals – some adult humans had many neural progenitor cells, others hardly any at all. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Imagine checking your blood pressure as easily as glancing at a smartwatch, without the squeeze of a cuff interrupting your day.
Researchers at Boston University have taken a major step toward making that future a reality. For the first time, they’ve demonstrated that speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (SCOS) can monitor blood pressure without a cuff.
“Hypertension affects nearly half of all adults in the U.S. and is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease,” said Ariane Garrett, a doctoral student in Darren Roblyer’s lab at Boston University.
“This research is a step toward a wearable device that would let people monitor their blood pressure anytime, without a cuff.”
The study shows that SCOS can capture blood flow and volume information simultaneously using a small optical device placed on the wrist or finger, providing up to 31 percent greater accuracy in estimating blood pressure compared to using blood volume signals alone.
This could improve early detection of hypertension, including masked hypertension that may go unnoticed in clinic readings.
Understanding blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body.
It’s measured using two numbers: systolic pressure (the higher number) is the pressure when your heart beats, and diastolic pressure (the lower number) is the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
Together, these numbers give a snapshot of how hard your heart is working and how relaxed your blood vessels are. A normal reading typically falls around 120/80 mmHg, but this can vary depending on age, activity, and health.
When blood pressure climbs too high – what doctors call hypertension – it can quietly damage your body over time. Your arteries may stiffen, your heart may strain, and your risk for stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems goes up.
On the flip side, if your blood pressure drops too low, your body may not get enough oxygen-rich blood, which can make you feel dizzy or faint.
Light reveals blood pressure patterns
SCOS works by analyzing patterns created when coherent laser light scatters from moving red blood cells and tissues. Previously used for brain blood flow, the technique now opens new doors for cuffless blood pressure monitoring.
“Studies show that tracking blood pressure throughout the day, and especially at night, provides a better picture of someone’s health,” Roblyer said.
“A wearable version of our device would be easier and more comfortable for patients, and could help doctors catch conditions like masked hypertension, where clinic readings don’t reflect the true blood pressure.”
The technology’s ability to monitor blood pressure continuously and comfortably is crucial because traditional cuff-based measurements in clinics often capture only a snapshot of a person’s cardiovascular health, missing critical fluctuations throughout the day and night.
Turning light into insight
The work began as a collaboration between Boston University and Meta Platforms’ Reality Labs. The team, including co-investigator David Boas, formed a key hypothesis. They believed SCOS waveforms of blood flow and volume held valuable cardiovascular data.
In 2023, they established a strong correlation between features of blood flow waveforms and blood pressure.
Their new study shows combining blood flow and volume data improves the accuracy of blood pressure predictions.
Device design. a. Principle of SCOS measurement. As blood flow and volume increase during systole, speckle contrast and intensity decrease. b. Data processing pipeline. c. Representative BFi and PPG waveforms during one cardiac pulse. d. Measurement set up. e. 532 nm and 808 nm reflective measurements are acquired at the wrist. An 808 nm transmission measurement is acquired at the finger. f. PPG and BFi waveforms at each measurement location. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Boston University
“The SCOS device enables us to measure blood pressure much more frequently than a cuff-based device,” Roblyer noted.
“There has been a lot of research indicating that single time-point measurements of blood pressure using a cuff in a clinician’s office are not a good reflection of a person’s true blood pressure in daily life,” he said. “However, it is difficult to take frequent cuff measurements due to the cumbersome nature of the cuff.”
Pressure tested during daily activity
To evaluate their system, the researchers tested SCOS on 30 volunteers. The team captured blood flow and volume data while participants were at rest.
They also collected data during leg press exercises designed to increase blood pressure. These measurements were compared with readings from a continuous blood pressure monitor for validation.
Using a machine learning model, the team trained two versions: one using both blood flow and volume signals, and another using only volume data, as current photoplethysmography devices do.
The combined model showed up to a 31% improvement in accuracy. It reached a 2.26 mmHg error for systolic pressure – a major improvement over current non-invasive methods.
“Our results showed that SCOS improves blood pressure estimation by enabling simultaneous measurements of blood flow and volume changes using the wrist or finger,” Garrett said. “This opens a new way to track cardiovascular health with optical tools.”
The path to wearable monitoring
Encouraged by the results, the team aims to develop a wearable SCOS device for continuous, everyday blood pressure monitoring.
The plan includes shrinking the system, adding onboard processing, and ensuring accuracy during movement and long-term wear.
This development aligns with a broader push in healthcare toward non-invasive, continuous monitoring, which could transform hypertension management and prevention.
Frequent, comfortable monitoring could help patients and doctors detect abnormal trends earlier, adjust treatment in real time, and empower individuals to take a more active role in their cardiovascular health.
In a world where hypertension silently affects millions, innovations like SCOS could help reduce cardiovascular disease risk. They offer a seamless way to track one of the most critical health measures – without the discomfort of the traditional cuff.
The study is published in the journal Biomedical Optics Express.
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Five of the six largest positions held by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust pay dividends.
Most of these stocks don’t pay super-attractive dividends, but one offers a solid dividend yield of 2.43%.
Growth investors could be interested in the foundation’s largest holding.
10 stocks we like better than Microsoft ›
Bill Gates could have been the world’s first trillionaire. However, his net worth today is “only” around $117 billion. He’s not hurting, to say the least.
One reason why Gates isn’t even wealthier is that he didn’t hold on to his stake in Microsoft(NASDAQ: MSFT), the software giant he co-founded. Another factor is that Gates has given away a substantial amount of money — a whopping $59 billion — to the charitable organization he and his ex-wife founded, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
This foundation has also given away a lot of money to help people around the world. However, it still boasts a sizable investment portfolio of roughly $42 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2025. And Gates has 66% of his foundation’s portfolio invested in the following five dividend stocks.
Image source: Getty Images.
Unsurprisingly, Microsoft is the largest holding for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. The company makes up nearly 25.6% of the foundation’s total portfolio, with a stake worth almost $10.7 billion at the end of Q1.
Although many tech stocks don’t pay dividends, Microsoft initiated its dividend program in 2003. The company has increased its dividend for 20 consecutive years. However, Microsoft’s dividend still isn’t all that attractive, with a forward yield of only 0.68%.
Gates donated billions of dollars worth of Microsoft shares to his foundation at its inception in 2000. The stock floundered for years, but began to take off in 2015. Its momentum continues today, thanks to a major tailwind from artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.
Waste Management(NYSE: WM) ranks as the Gates Foundation Trust’s third-largest holding, trailing Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway. At the end of Q1, the foundation’s position in Waste Management made up nearly 17.9% of its portfolio.
While Berkshire has never paid a dividend, Waste Management has paid quarterly dividends since 1998. The big waste management services provider has increased its dividend for 22 consecutive years. Its forward dividend yield currently stands at 1.48%.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust owned over 54.8 million shares of Canadian National Railway(NYSE: CNI) at the end of Q1, worth around $5.34 billion. This position comprised nearly 12.8% of the foundation’s total portfolio.
Canadian National Railway, also known as CN, operates a rail network spanning nearly 20,000 miles. The company has increased its dividend for 29 consecutive years. CN’s forward dividend yield is 2.43%.
Giant machinery company Caterpillar(NYSE: CAT) is the Gates Foundation Trust’s fifth-largest position. At the end of Q1, the foundation owned a stake in Caterpillar worth roughly $2.43 billion, making up 5.8% of its portfolio.
Caterpillar has paid a dividend every quarter since 1933. It also boasts a 31-year streak of dividend increases, with its latest dividend hike announced last month. The industrial giant’s forward dividend yield is 1.52%.
The Gates Foundation Trust had $1.67 billion invested in Deere & Co.(NYSE: DE) at the end of Q1. This stake was enough to make up just a hair below 4% of the foundation’s total portfolio.
While Deere has paid quarterly dividends for decades, the agriculture machinery manufacturer hasn’t always increased its dividend each year. However, Deere’s recent track record is impressive, with the company more than doubling its dividend payout over the last five years. Its forward dividend yield is 1.25%.
You shouldn’t buy any stock solely because a famous person owns it (or because the famous person’s charitable organization owns it). However, I think two of these dividend stocks in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust’s portfolio stand out as pretty good picks.
Income investors might like Canadian National Railways. Its dividend yield is more than twice the yield of the S&P 500(SNPINDEX: ^GSPC). CN’s business is also resilient.
I doubt that income investors will get excited about Microsoft, but growth investors should. As mentioned, AI is a key growth driver for the company. In particular, Microsoft Azure, the world’s second-largest cloud platform, should benefit tremendously from increased AI adoption.
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Keith Speights has positions in Berkshire Hathaway and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway, Deere & Company , and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Canadian National Railway and Waste Management and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Billionaire Bill Gates Has 66% of His Foundation’s $42 Billion Portfolio Invested in These 5 Dividend Stocks was originally published by The Motley Fool
Rescue workers clear rubble with heavy machinery to search for survivors and bodies at the site of multi-story building collapsed, in Karachi, Pakistan. (Pic credit: AP)
Rescue teams in Pakistan continued to search for survivors on Saturday after a six-storey residential building collapsed in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood, killing 16 people and injuring 13 others, according to local officials.The building came down around 10am on Friday in the Baghdadi area of Lyari, a densely populated and impoverished part of the city. Residents said they heard cracking sounds shortly before the collapse. Rescue workers, battling high heat and humidity, have been working through the night. At least eight people are still believed to be trapped under the debris.Summiaya Syed, a police surgeon with the provincial health department, confirmed the death toll at 16 and said 13 others had been injured.Incident left families devastatedDev Raj, 54, told AFP his daughter was still under the rubble. “She was my beloved daughter. She was so sensitive, but is under the burden of debris. She got married just six months ago,” he said.Another resident, Jumho Maheshwari, said his entire family of six was trapped inside their first-floor apartment. “Nothing is left for me now,” he said.Maya Sham Jee, whose brother’s family is still missing, called it a tragedy. “We are helpless and just looking at the rescue workers to bring our loved ones back safely.”Ignored warnings and official blame gameAuthorities said the building had been declared unsafe and that eviction notices were sent out in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Javed Nabi Khoso, a senior district government official, said, “We don’t want to impose our orders by force. We work in phases and send them notices to leave the building. They didn’t take the notices seriously.”The building had long been declared “dangerous” by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), which claimed that repeated eviction notices had been issued, according to ARY News.Locals, however, disputed the SBCA’s claims, alleging that no such formal warnings were communicated.Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, who visited the site after 13 hours, laid blame on residents who continued living in unsafe structures.SBCA data reveals that Karachi currently has 578 buildings marked as unsafe, with District South holding the highest number of structurally compromised structures.Officials also confirmed that an adjacent building to the one that collapsed has suffered structural damage and is now under observation.‘Out of senses?’However, Imran Khaskheli, a building owner and resident, denied receiving any notice. “Do you think we are out of our senses to stay in an unsafe building with our families?” he asked. He said he noticed cracks in the pillars early Friday and warned families to evacuate. “Many did not heed my warning,” he said, adding that about 40 families lived in the building.Shankar Kamho, 30, said his wife called him when she noticed the cracks. “I told her to get out immediately,” he said. His wife warned the neighbours, but one woman reportedly replied, “This building will stand for at least 10 more years”. Still, his wife and daughter left in time, just 20 minutes before the collapse.According to officials, more than 50 buildings in the district have been declared unsafe. Six were evacuated after Friday’s collapse.
At least 35 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn on Saturday, local hospital sources told Al Jazeera, as strikes intensified amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Among the dead were at least two civilians reportedly waiting for aid distribution, the sources said.
The Israeli military struck multiple areas, including the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, where at least two people were killed in an air raid on a family home. Another strike in Gaza’s az-Zarqa neighbourhood killed one person and injured others, according to Palestinian news agency.
A separate attack targeted a school sheltering displaced civilians in Gaza, killing at least five, while one of the deadliest strikes hit a makeshift tent in al-Mawasi, where seven members of a single family were killed.
The escalation comes as Hamas issued a positive response to a proposed ceasefire deal, in what observers describe as a familiar pattern of intensified bombardment ahead of potential truce agreements.
Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, an Israeli drone strike hit the town of Shebaa, near the intersection of the Lebanese, Syrian, and Israeli-occupied Golan Heights borders. Casualty details were not immediately available.
Gaza ceasefire proposal
The draft ceasefire agreement includes a 60-day pause in hostilities, to be guaranteed by US President Donald Trump, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Moreover, as part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas has agreed to release 10 Israeli hostages alive and hand over the remains of 18 others, starting from the first day of the truce.
The proposal would also allow for the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, with food and supplies distributed through established mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Red Crescent.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel would halt all offensive military actions across the territory. Military operations, including surveillance flights, would pause for 10 hours daily.
During the ceasefire, Israeli forces would be repositioned in northern Gaza, the Netzarim Corridor, and southern areas of the Strip. The plan further outlines that negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire would begin immediately once the temporary truce is in place.
Mass protests held in Yemen to express solidarity with Palestinians
Protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, shout slogans as they stand around a Palestinian flag during a rally to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Sanaa, Yemen, on July 4, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, Yemen’s Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians. Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Israel’s war on Gaza
The Israeli army has launched a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing at least 57,012 Palestinians, including 134,592 children. More than 111,588 people have been injured, and over 14,222 are missing and presumed dead.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave. The proposed deal includes a pause in hostilities, increased humanitarian aid, and negotiations on the release of captives.
Three disallowed All Blacks tries, relentless French defence, and TMO interventions throughout all combined to continue the special rivalry between the two sides before New Zealand achieved its 500th Test victory in the first Lipovitan-D series clash in Dunedin on Saturday.
The unfancied French belied all the controversy surrounding their selection for the tour with a gutsy display that was not quelled until the final moments of the game.
It was a reminder that the French in the mood can cause problems for any All Blacks side, and they took advantage of the home side’s first Test of the year to unsettle their chances of making combinations. And they gave the All Blacks a reminder of their need for better execution in the air.
There was satisfaction in the introduction of new players, with lock Fabian Holland making his mark as the All Blacks dominated the lineouts 19-5. No8 Christian Lio-Willie made some powerful runs with ball in hand, while prop Ollie Norris and flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi got a taste of how torrid Test matches can be during the final quarter especially.
France had their heroes with fullback Theo Attissogbe who under pressure, especially from the All Blacks kicking, pulled off some remarkable saves that contributed to the effectiveness of the French defence, who made 224 tackles to 121 by the All Blacks, while captain and second five-eighths Gael Fickou was a constant presence in the backline.
There was disappointment for the All Blacks 15 minutes into the game when they appeared to have scored after a break by halfback Cameron Roigard and a link with second five-eighths Jordie Barrett, who crossed. But the TMO ruled the ball had been knocked on earlier when prop Fraser Newell appeared to have completed a catch.
From the scrum, France moved the ball when Attissogbe made ground on the outside before the ball was moved inside to centre Emilien Gailleton and Fickou, who went close to scoring before No8 Mickael Guillard picked it up to cross in the 17th minute.
The response was immediate. In attempting to clear their line from the restart, French halfback Nolann Le Garrec had his kick charged down by lock Scott Barrett. The ball was moved to the left before it came back right, where Beauden Barrett threw a long ball to Will Jordan on the wing, and he crossed for his 39th try.
He was moved to the wing after Sevu Reece failed an HIA after a first-minute head knock when attempting a tackle.
The All Blacks got back into the French 22m area and built pressure before the ball emerged for replacement Damian McKenzie, who tap-danced his way through five tackles and, while finally put down, quick ball was moved by Roigard to flanker Tupou Vaa’i, who scored under the crossbar.
Capping their improved second quarter, the All Blacks made the most of some burrowing, bullocking running by flanker Ardie Savea, who gave the attack momentum. The ball was released, and while the French defence affected the fluidity, the combination of Beauden Barrett and Jordan got the ball to Jordie Barrett, who had to take a low pass and work his way around a tackle attempt to ground the ball in the corner for a 21-13 lead at the break.
A mistake at the restart by the All Blacks gave France a sniff, which they took, with Fickou taking the ball to the line before it was released to wing Gabil Villiere to score to get France back within a point.
However, the All Blacks burst back after Roigard broke to the line to create a 46th-minute chance, which saw Beauden Barrett feed the ball to Jordan running from depth to break through two tackles to score his second.
The French struck back when they made five changes for immediate effect, with Jacobus van Tonder breaking into space and only being pulled down by Roigard’s chasing tackle. However, in the goalmouth assault, it was fellow replacement Cameron Woki who scored.
After Villiere was sin-binned for a deliberate knockdown, the All Blacks looked to have scored when Billy Proctor touched down, but a knock-on was ruled and the try scrubbed.
However, within five minutes, the pain increased when the obstruction was ruled against Pasilio Tosi, which resulted in a third try being denied to Jordan.
The win broke the run of three consecutive losses to France, while their 500th win lifted their overall Test percentage success rate of 76.80
Scorers: New Zealand 31 ( Will Jordan 2, Tupou Vaa’i, Jordie Barrett tries; Beauden Barrett 4 con, pen) France 27 (Michael Guillard, Gabil Villiere, Cameron Woki tries; Joris Segonds pen; Nolann Le Garrec 3 con, pen). HT: 21-13
![Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, Yemen’s Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians [Khaled Abdullah/Reuters]](https://afnnews.qaasid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/copy-of-untitled-71751703242-0.png)
