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(CNN)Pierre Gasly secured victory at the Italian Grand Prix to claim his first ever race win in Formula One, taking advantage of one of the most chaotic races in recent memory.An uncharacteristic error from Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes during a safety car deployment opened the door for the young French driver, who was demoted from Red Bull to its feeder team last season due to poor performances.The win for the Alpha Tauri car ended a run of 146 consecutive Formula One races that had been won by either Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari, a record stretching back to the 2013 Australian Grand Prix.Gasly had only ever finished on the podium once before -- coming second in Brazil last year -- and had never previously led a lap of a grand prix. But he drove like a seasoned professional from the restart after the race had been red flagged and temporarily suspended.It meant there was an Italian team victory at the Italian Grand Prix -- just not the famous one in red that everybody would expect.Read MoreAn unlikely podium was completed with McLaren's Carlos Sainz in second and Racing Point driver Lance Stroll in third.Pierre Gasly celebrates his first ever race win in Formula One."Honestly, it's unbelievable, I'm not sure I'm realizing what's happening right now," Gasly told Sky Sports after the race. "It was such a crazy race and we capitalized on the red flag. "I have been through so much in the space of 18 months, my first podium last year and now the win in Monza ... I am struggling for words. This team have given me so much, they gave me my first opportunity in F1, my first podium and now my first win," he said. "It is just amazing day," he added. "I have said since I came into Formula 1 that we need another French winner after the last in 1996, but I never expected it to come like that."READ: Ferrari records worst home qualifying performance since 1984Gasly's dream, Ferrari's nightmareHamilton looked to be in cruise control from the start after building a commanding lead at the front of the pack in the opening few laps.His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas had hugely contrasting fortunes at the start of the race, as a sluggish start cost him dearly and he fell from second to sixth inside the opening lap. The Finn complained about a puncture over the team radio but, in truth, his driving left a lot to be desired.McLaren, meanwhile, continued its impressive weekend and had both of its drivers, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, sitting in second and third in the opening stages after blistering starts off the line.However, Ferrari's miserable weekend -- and season -- showed no signs of letting up as Sebastian Vettel was forced to retire his car inside the opening 10 laps with brake failure.The AlphaTauri team mobs Gasley after his win.The race took a dramatic twist after 20 laps as mechanical failure forced Haas driver Kevin Magnussen to pull onto the side of the track, leading the safety car to be deployed. Race leader Hamilton and Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi both pitted for a tire change, unaware that the pit lane entry had been closed due to the safety car being out on the track and were both given 10-second penalties.Ferrari's perpetual nightmare that is the 2020 season was compounded as Charles Leclerc lost control of his car almost as soon as the safety car had ended, skidding off the track and smashing into the wall. It was a shuddering collision and there was relief throughout the paddock when the 22-year-old emerged unscathed.Such was the extent of the damage, the tire barrier had to be repaired, forcing the race to be red flagged and temporarily suspended for the first time since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2017.When the race finally began again, Hamilton had to serve his penalty after the first lap and dropped all the way to the back of the grid, opening the door for championship chasers Bottas and Max Verstappen.France hadn't fielded a race winner since 1996.That left Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly -- who had never previously led a lap of a grand prix and had only once before finished on the podium -- out in front and eying up his first ever race win.In fact, only one driver in the top six had ever won a grand prix before -- the 40-year-old Kimi Räikkönen.Soon after the restart, there was a crushing blow for Verstappen as his Red Bull suffered brake failure and his chances of closing the 47-point gap with Hamilton at the top of the championship went up in smoke.Despite plenty of pressure from Sainz in second, Gasly put in a consummate drive to hold off the Spaniard and spark wild scenes in the Alpha Tauri garage. | 5sport
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Story highlightsDoctors who treated Fabrice Muamba reveal soccer star was in effect dead for 78 minutesMuamba still in a serious condition in hospital after suffering cardiac arrestThe 23-year-old's heart was shocked 15 times before it started responding to treatmentOff duty cardiologist watching the match explains how he went onto the pitch to aid MuambaBolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba did not respond to 15 defibrillator shocks and was in effect dead for 78 minutes before his heart started beating again, doctors who treated him have revealed.The 23-year-old has improved significantly since suffering a cardiac arrest during an English FA Cup match last Saturday but is still in intensive care with his condition described as serious.Muamba is responding appropriately to questions though, speaking in both French and English, and has been joking with some of his many visitors.Bolton's club doctor, Jonathan Tobin, spoke for the first time on Wednesday, talking reporters through the severity of Muamba's collapse and the frantic efforts made to save his life.Pinto: Is Muamba collapse a wake-up call for football?Tobin said he and the other paramedics who rushed onto the field treated Muamba for a total of 48 minutes on the pitch and en route to London's Chest Hospital, but it took a further 30 minutes to restart the midfielder's heart."In effect he was dead in that time," Dr. Tobin said. "Fabrice was in a type of cardiac arrest where the heart is showing lots of electrical activity but no muscular activity. Photos: Sports stars with heart problems Photos: Sports stars with heart problemsCritical condition – Fabrice Muamba collapsed during an English soccer match between his club Bolton and Tottenham on Saturday, and is in the intensive care unit of a London heart hospital. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Sports stars with heart problemsAfrica's anguish – While Muamba made it to the hospital alive, Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe could not be revived after falling to the pitch during a Confederations Cup semifinal against Colombia in 2003. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Sports stars with heart problemsSpain suffers – Spanish football has been hit by two such tragedies in recent times. In August 2009, Espanyol skipper Daniel Jarque died after suffering a heart attack while at a preseason training camp in Italy.Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Sports stars with heart problemsCardiac arrest – Two years earlier, Sevilla's Antonio Puerta died in hospital after suffering a heart attack during a Spanish league match against Getafe. The prolonged cardiac arrest damaged his organs and led to a lack of oxygen to the brain.Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Sports stars with heart problemsCardinals' loss – In 2002, St. Louis Cardinals baseball pitcher Darryl Kile was found dead in his hotel bed, having failed to turn up for pregame warm-ups following a heart attack.Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Sports stars with heart problemsNBA mourns – Basketball lost Reggie Lewis in 1993 when the Boston Celtics' NBA All-Star dropped dead on the court in an offseason practice match at the age of 27. He was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy -- one of the most common heart conditions.Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Sports stars with heart problemsA survivor – Another former NBA star, Arvydas Sabonis, survived a heart attack while in a game in his native Lithuania in 2011 at the age of 46.Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Sports stars with heart problemsNFL casualty – In the NFL, former Tampa Bay and Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams was found dead at home in 2010, with the coroner ruling it was due to cardiomyopathy.Hide Caption 8 of 8JUST WATCHEDMuamba 'In effect dead for 78 minutes'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMuamba 'In effect dead for 78 minutes' 02:47JUST WATCHEDAthletes screened for heart problemsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHAthletes screened for heart problems 02:15JUST WATCHEDMuamba's cardiac arrest preventable?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMuamba's cardiac arrest preventable? 04:11"It's something that often responds to drugs and shocks. Now heaven knows why, but Fabrice had, in total, 15 shocks. He had a further 12 shocks in the ambulance."Muamba's plight stunned players and supporters as the Congo-born star dropped to the floor with no-one near him just before halftime in the match.And Tobin explained the exasperation he felt as he sprinted onto the turf with the other medics on hand at the stadium, to try to save Muamba's life with 40,000 people looking on."I can't begin to explain the pressure that was there," he said. "This isn't somebody that's gone down in the street or been brought into accident and emergency.Bolton manager has 'brief chat' with recovering Muamba"This is somebody that I know, I know his family. This is somebody I consider a friend. This is somebody I joke with on a daily basis. As I was running onto the pitch I was thinking 'Oh my God, it's Fabrice'."The desperate effort to save Muamba was assisted by an off-duty cardiologist, who was in the stadium watching the game as a fan and was allowed onto the pitch.Dr. Andrew Deaner suggested Muamba be transferred to the London Chest Hospital, where he works, and administered vital drugs to the player in the ambulance.He says the fact Muamba is responding appropriately to questions and is able to make jokes within five days of suffering such major heart trauma is nothing short of astonishing."If you're going to use the term miraculous, I guess it could be used here," he said. Deaner also revealed he had been in to see Muamba a few hours after he woke up.'Muamba collapse proves I was right to quit the game,' says ex pro"I whispered into his ear 'What's your name?'," he explained. When Muamba said his name Deaner continued: "I said 'I understand you're a very good footballer'. And he said 'I try.'"He's made a remarkable recovery so far. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. As things stand, I think his life is not in danger at this time. His neurological function is looking very good but it is early days."Meanwhile, Bolton will be back in action on Saturday after Muamba's family gave their blessing for the club to face rivals Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League. Bolton's proposed league match with Aston Villa, scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed."We spoke together with the players as a group this morning and I talked with Fabrice's family last night," Bolton manager Owen Coyle told the club's website."Fabrice's father Marcel and his fiancée Shauna were keen that we fulfill our fixtures. Once the players knew this, there was no doubt in our minds that we would play the matches."The FA Cup quarterfinal with Tottenham that was abandoned in the wake of Muamba's collapse, will be replayed on March 27 at White Hart Lane. | 5sport
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Story highlightsYoung tennis star Grigor Dimitrov wants to shed his "Baby Federer" tagBulgarian hoping to climb up the rankings from career-high 28th this yearReveals he always dreamed of being a tennis player as a childTalks about his love of fine food and fast cars in life away from the courtBuilt like a wrestler, when Grigor Dimitrov says "don't call me baby," you'd be advised to listen.The 21-year-old has had enough with the tennis world labeling him as "Baby Federer" following comparisons with 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer.After winning the U.S. and Wimbledon junior titles in 2008, his coach Peter Lundgren at the time hailed Dimitrov as the next Federer -- a man who the former Swedish player had worked with previously.It was supposed to be a compliment -- a warning to the rest of the world that Bulgaria had unearthed a tennis player ready to emulate one of the greatest to have ever picked up a racket.But Lundgren's comment has weighed heavily on Dimitrov's shoulders ever since with the watching world awaiting his rise to stardom.It was Lundgren who oversaw Federer's first 10 ATP World Tour titles and his first grand slam title win at Wimbledon at 2003.JUST WATCHEDPat Cash takes on DimitrovReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHPat Cash takes on Dimitrov 01:00JUST WATCHEDThe story behind Sharapova's successReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHThe story behind Sharapova's success 06:26JUST WATCHEDTipsarevic's clay court master classReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHTipsarevic's clay court master class 05:03Read: The man behind Maria's millionsAnd while Dimitrov would love to follow in the Swiss star's footsteps, he wants to make it clear that he is his own man -- not Federer mark two."You know, all the comparisons, I think that I definitely want people to stop with that," he told CNN's Open Court show. "Of course we have some similarities here and there. I'm flattered with that and actually, I thought it was really cool at the beginning."But with time, I've realized what I am. It's something that is definitely not what the other person is, so I'm trying to build up my own style and when I'm on court, I do my own shots."I think that's eventually what everyone will see." Read: Wimbledon bonus for tennis starsDimitrov has been plotting his rise to the top since the very first time he stepped onto a court as a child with his father Dimitar, a tennis coach in their native city of Haskovo.His single-handed backhand, which is so unusual among players of his age group, was honed under his father's gaze."I actually never thought of any other sport," said Dimitrov, recalling his formative years."My father was a tennis coach and my mum was a former volleyball player, so I was in the sport area in general. Photos: Wimbledon to put a lid on it Photos: Wimbledon to put a lid on itFlying high – The All England Club, which organizes the Wimbledon Championship, has revealed that it will build a new roof on No.1 Court.Hide Caption 1 of 4 Photos: Wimbledon to put a lid on itCentre of attention – The iconic Centre Court has had a retracting roof in place since 2009, which has allowed players to continue their matches during rain showers.Hide Caption 2 of 4 Photos: Wimbledon to put a lid on itTaking cover – The $152 million project will see a roof put on No.1 Court, which will take the number of covered seats at the venue to 26,500.Hide Caption 3 of 4 Photos: Wimbledon to put a lid on itFinished product – This is an artist's impression of the completed project, which is expected to be ready in time for the 2019 tournament.Hide Caption 4 of 4 Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority Still motivated – Maria Sharapova won the French Open last year to become the 10th woman to claim all four grand slams. But she plans on playing for several years before pursuing her business interests. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority Comeback complete – At Roland Garros, Sharapova won her first major after undergoing shoulder surgery in 2008. Some thought she would never triumph at a grand slam following the injury. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority Shoulder woes – After a win in Montreal in July 2008, an MRI revealed that Sharapova had two tears in the tendon of her serving shoulder. Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority Not quite ready – Sharapova attempted a comeback in 2009 when she played doubles in Indian Wells. But she still wasn't ready to return. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority German success – Once self described as a "cow on ice" on clay, Sharapova began her clay-court campaign last year by beating Victoria Azarenka in the Stuttgart final. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority Another title – Sharapova defeated Li Na in last year's final of the Italian Open, the perfect buildup to the French Open. Sharapova and Li are the two highest-paid female athletes in the world and share the same agent. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority Sweet success – Sharapova launched her own premium candy line, Sugarpova, with individual bags selling for $5.99. She has plans to expand to more markets, including Asia. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Tennis still Sharapova's top priority Helping hand – Max Eisenbud, Sharapova's agent, first met the player when she was 12 at the renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Sharapova still lives nearby.Hide Caption 8 of 8 Photos: Nadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinals Photos: Nadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinalsNadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinals – Rafael Nadal stayed on course for a record-extending ninth consecutive title at the Monte Carlo Masters after beating Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the third round. Hide Caption 1 of 5 Photos: Nadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinalsNadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinals – World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, beaten by Nadal in last year's final, was again forced to test his injured ankle as he came from behind to beat Argentina's clay specialist Juan Monaco in three sets.Hide Caption 2 of 5 Photos: Nadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinalsNadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinals – Andy Murray, left, crashed out with a straight-sets defeat by Stanislas Wawrinka which means the British star will lose the world No. 2 ranking to the Swiss 13th seed's compatriot Roger Federer next week. Hide Caption 3 of 5 Photos: Nadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinalsNadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinals – Jarkko Nieminen reached the last eight of a Masters event for the first time since 2006 as the 31-year-old Finn upset Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro.Hide Caption 4 of 5 Photos: Nadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinalsNadal into Monte Carlo quarterfinals – Italy's world No. 32 Fabio Fognini will make his debut in a Masters quarterfinal after his upset win over Czech fourth seed Tomas Berdych.Hide Caption 5 of 5Read: Sharapova - Struggles made me stronger"But the only thing I was always telling my parents was: 'I just want to play tennis.'"Obviously, my dad showed me a few shots. I was six or seven and I was just playing regularly."Such was Dimitrov's talent during his teenage years that he was soon off to France to train at the prestigious Patrick Mouratoglou Academy just outside of Paris.It was there that he began to show glimpses of his future potential, winning a whole host of junior tournaments on his way to becoming the third youngest player to break into the world's top 100 in 2011.But it was his decision to leave France to join up with the "Good to Great Academy" in Sweden last November which has helped propel his career to the next level.Read: Tennis is a 'clean sport'Working alongside ex-world No. 2 Magnus Norman and the former doubles partnership of Nicklas Kulti and Mikael Tillstrom, Dimitrov reached the Brisbane International final before losing to Briton Andy Murray in January."All the guys from Good to Great Academy are amazing and all of them have incredible experiences from the tour," Dimitrov said."They all have something to bring to the table so that makes it a lot more interesting."You take a little from this one, pick a little from that one, and then the next thing you know, you're getting sort of completed and, that helps you during the weeks."While Dimitrov has yet to propel himself into the top 10 -- he has reached a career-high 28th this year -- he has begun to show signs of improvement, most noticeably during last month's Monte Carlo Masters.JUST WATCHEDTommy Haas: My daughter motivates meReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHTommy Haas: My daughter motivates me 02:26JUST WATCHEDChris Evert: Grooming future championsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHChris Evert: Grooming future champions 04:22JUST WATCHEDRafael Nadal returns to the courtReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHRafael Nadal returns to the court 06:19The young pretender gave Rafael Nadal one of the toughest tests on clay that the seven-time French Open champion has endured in recent years.Read: Djokovic takes Nadal's Monte Carlo crownA full-blooded display against the undisputed king of the surface was eventually curtailed by defeat in three sets, but the fruits of his labor were bared for all to see."I had kind of rough matches in the past weeks so it gave me of course a lot of confidence, even though I lost them," Dimitrov said."I felt quite good about myself and the way I was progressing and of course, these hours in the gym."They're just a must. You just kind of do it and it doesn't matter if it's Sunday or Saturday, you've just got to do what you've got to do."I mean basically, you've got to make it."Read: Nadal survives Monte Carlo scareAway from the court, and when he's not working out, Dimitrov has plenty of other interests to keep him busy.While he remains coy on his private life, having been linked romantically to women's tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams in the past, he is more than happy to divulge his other extracurricular activities."I enjoy good food," he said. "That's one of the things. I love good restaurants and I love cars and all these things."We're away for 25 weeks a year so you appreciate the time when you're off."If you can get it with friends and family and you know, people around that you thought you hadn't seen for a while, it's always good. "Of course if you get the chance to go somewhere to get a few days away here and there, I mean I'd definitely get that." | 5sport
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This story has been updated to reflect the latest number of fatalities from London Metropolitan Police.London (CNN)Four people were killed and scores injured when an attacker plowed a car through crowds in central London before attempting to storm the Houses of Parliament in what police believe was an act of Islamist-inspired terrorism.Police indicated they knew the identity of the assailant, who fatally stabbed unarmed police officer Keith Palmer, a 15-year-veteran, on the grounds of Parliament after ramming a car onto the crowded sidewalks nearby. Armed officers shot the attacker dead.It was the first mass-casualty terrorist attack in Britain since 2005 when 52 people and four attackers died in the July 7 bomb attacks on the London public transportation system. The use of a vehicle as a weapon of terror echoed the methods used in the past year by attackers in Nice and Berlin.Police officer Keith PalmerThe London assault, which came on the one-year anniversary of the ISIS bomb attacks in Brussels, brought carnage to Westminster, the heart of political life in Britain.London attack part of disturbing trendRead MorePrime Minister Theresa May described the attack as "sick and depraved." She said attempts to defeat through violence the values Parliament represents would be "doomed to failure.""The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech," she said.JUST WATCHEDThe moment the UK Parliament stoppedReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHThe moment the UK Parliament stopped 00:32Parliament was placed on lockdown for several hours and lawmakers were forced to remain in the main debating chamber of the House of Commons as officers rushed to the scene outside.Pictures showed scenes of carnage in the aftermath of the attack, which happened as Parliament was in session. One member of the British government gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the officer who died from stab wounds.'Islamist-related'Mark Rowley, Britain's most senior counterterror police officer, told reporters late Wednesday that authorities believe they know the attacker's identity but are not releasing it, and are operating on the assumption the incident was "Islamist-related terrorism.""This is a day that we had planned for -- that we all hoped would never happen -- but sadly it is now a reality," said Rowley, acting deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.He said Palmer, 48, was a father and a husband.Rowley said 40 people were hurt. Incident began near Westminster BridgeThe area around Westminster was teeming with people when the attack began at about 2:40 p.m. Witnesses said the attacker drove his car over Westminster Bridge and into the crowds. The vehicle hit a large number of people, including three police officers."The car then crashed near to Parliament and at least one man -- armed with a knife -- continued the attack, trying to enter Parliament," said Rowley. One of those who died was a woman, he said. Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentA car is seen crashed into a fence outside the Parliament building in London on Wednesday, March 22. Police have launched a "full counter-terrorism investigation" after an attacker rammed a car into crowds of people and stabbed a police officer on Parliament grounds.Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentAn armed police officer stands over the attacker, identified as Khalid Masood, outside Parliament. "It appeared that a car was coming towards the House of Commons mowing down pedestrians on the way," Member of Parliament Gerald Howarth told CNN. "The driver then got access to the parliamentary estate, stabbed a police officer and was shot."Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentMasood is treated by emergency services as police look on at the scene outside the Houses of Parliament. The Metropolitan Police say he was born in Kent, but is believed to have been living in the West Midlands recently. Police say Masood was also known by a number of aliases. "Masood was not the subject of any current investigations and there was no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack," Met Police said in a statement.Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentMember of Parliament Tobias Ellwood, in the glasses, tends to one of the injured people amid the chaos. The man the politician was trying to save was a police officer who died, a witness on the scene told CNN. Authorities identified the deceased officer as Keith Palmer, 48.Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentEmergency workers attend to injured people at the scene.Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentMedics treat a victim on Westminster Bridge.Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentPeople leave the Parliament building after the incident. Lawmakers were forced to remain in the main debating chamber of the House of Commons as police responded to the incident outside.Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentA person is treated at the scene.Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentMedical aid is provided outside Parliament.Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentTourists were trapped for a time in cars on the London Eye Ferris wheel, which was stopped in the immediate aftermath of the attack.Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentA police officer stands guard near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentA person receives medical treatment at the scene.Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentAt right, the car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away from Parliament.Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentAn air ambulance arrives at the scene.Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: Deadly attack outside UK ParliamentArmed police enter the Houses of Parliament.Hide Caption 15 of 15Proceedings in the House of Commons were suspended, with dozens of MPs locked inside.Police put the Westminster area on lockdown, securing roads, Parliament buildings and the Westminster underground station. The zone was soon expanded to a larger part of central London, including the London Eye Ferris wheel, which was halted for hours with people still on it. They have since been let off. JUST WATCHEDPeople trapped on London Eye following attackReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHPeople trapped on London Eye following attack 01:17The London Ambulance Service treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge.In the chaos, a woman was pulled from the River Thames alive, but with serious injuries.London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and to everyone who has been affected," he said, paying tribute to the emergency services.He announced the deployment of additional armed officers on the streets of the British capital. "We stand together in the face of those who would seek to harm us and destroy our way of life," he added. "Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism."Police appealed for anyone with photos or video of the incident to contact them.Police close off the area near the Houses of Parliament in London.The Prime Minister called a meeting of COBRA, the UK's emergency Cabinet committee.US President Donald Trump spoke with May on the phone after learning of the attack, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said. Mark Toner, acting spokesman for the US State Department, said officials were closely following the situation."Our hearts go out to those affected. We stand ready to assist in any way the UK authorities would find helpful," he said.Eyewitnesses report chaotic scenes People were photographed running in a panic from the scene, while witnesses told CNN they saw the car plow through a crowd. Robyn Lyon, 34, from Rugby, said he was walking along Westminster Bridge.JUST WATCHEDCrashed car smokes outside ParliamentReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHCrashed car smokes outside Parliament 00:26"I saw a car, the crunch of car, hitting the curb. I kind of thought the guy had maybe had a heart attack or something," he said. "The accelerator suddenly picked up so you had that revving. I expected it to hit the bridge wall and then stop, and then turn back carry up the pavement. It hit several people. I jumped out the way into a road."I stood in shock and saw carnage around me and the car carrying on up the bridge."Another witness, Radek Sikorski, said he saw one of the victims bleeding heavily from the head and another lying unconscious. JUST WATCHEDParliament attack witness: 'It was horrendous'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHParliament attack witness: 'It was horrendous' 00:46Richard Poet, 62, who was visiting London from Brighton and his partner were leaving the Tate Britain gallery when he heard "great crashes.""I thought it was a wrecking ball. It didn't sound like guns or anything."Craig Meichan, 20, a student from Ormskirk near Liverpool, was on a field trip with around 15 others and had left Parliament just a moment before. He was shaking as he told CNN his party was separated into three groups."It sounded like a car backfiring, police began shouting and they started cordoning off the area," he said, adding that he believed his tutor was still locked inside. "I'm a bit shaken up, you never expect this to happen to you. When it does it's an indescribable feeling."Chaos in Parliament As the incident unfolded outside, the Leader of the House of Commons, David Lidington, told MPs a serious incident had taken place "within the estate." Proceedings were suspended.Lidington told MPs that it appeared a police officer has been stabbed and that the assailant had been shot.Emergency services at the scene of the attack. Conservative MP Damian Collins told CNN that he was walking through an underground tunnel from his office to vote in the chamber with about 30 other MPs when he heard shouting followed by gunshots. Police shouted for the MPs to get down on the ground."Clearly, something serious had happened but no one was being told what was going on," he said. "The instant response from the police was incredible -- they seemed on top of the situation straight away."JUST WATCHEDWitnesses describe 'horrendous' Parliament attackReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHWitnesses describe 'horrendous' Parliament attack 01:23Chris Doyle, Director of Council for Arab-British Understanding, who was at a restaurant at Parliament at the time, described a moment of sudden panic. "We were in the terrace restaurant when there was a series of panicked male shouts. Everyone started getting under tables. Under the sofa by me was a small child. Only after several minutes did people get up. It became clear it was the police," he said. "We still did not know what had happened, if there was a bomb, a gunman a fire. The police directed everyone -- MPs, Lords, cooks, waiters, visitors and schoolchildren -- to the central lobby.Members of parliament were locked in and asked to keep away from windows. Hundreds were later evacuated from the Parliament buildings after hours locked inside. Labour MP Barry Sheerman posted an image on Twitter showing lawmakers in the House in the evening with food and drink.Food & drink consumed in Chamber no end to lock down yet! pic.twitter.com/Vy9xrTEGHr— Barry Sheerman (@BarrySheerman) March 22, 2017
Member of Parliament gives assistanceFull coveragePolice name London attackerLondon unites against terrorA city stilled, shocked, enragedOpinion: Attack was long overdueAnalysis: Don't bet on lone wolf Challenge of low-tech terrorPolitician rushes to victim's aid A member of the government, Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood, was pictured giving assistance to a victim in New Palace Yard, a courtyard within the grounds of Parliament.A fellow Conservative Party MP, Maria Miller said he had "given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one victim," the Press Association said. A witness told CNN that Ellwood was trying to save the police officer, who died. Eyewitness Hugh Dickinson, a 21-year-old student from High Wycombe, posted a picture of the minister on Twitter, showing the minister bleeding, but saying "he looked to be fine." Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest number of fatalities from London Metropolitan Police.CNN's Luke McGee, Laura Smith-Spark, James Masters, Schams Elwazer, Stephanie Halasz, Elizabeth Roberts, Steve Almasy, and Mark Oliver contributed to this report. | 3news
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Athens, Greece (CNN)An Australian Instagram influencer who was found unconscious on a superyacht docked in Greece died by hanging, the coroner in the case told CNN on Tuesday.Sinead McNamara, 20, regularly posted images of her travels to exotic locations, and said in a post earlier this month that she had been living and working on a boat "seeing all the world has to offer." News reports and social media posts identified the boat as the Mayan Queen IV, a 93-meter long vessel which is reportedly owned by Mexican billionaire and mining magnate Alberto Baillères, but a PR firm for his company said it had no comment.The PR company for Grupo Bal declined to confirm that the magnate owns the yacht, and said it had no comment on McNamara's death.McNamara, whose Facebook page described her as hailing from Port Macquarie in the state of New South Wales, was found in critical condition Friday on board the yacht docked in the port of Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia, said the coast guard. She died while being airlifted to hospital. My head is all over the shop today 🌪🌋 take me back to this where my only worry was not cracking my skull open 💉 A post shared by Salt Bby 💦 (@sineadmcnamara) on Aug 19, 2018 at 6:07am PDT
Read MoreCoroner Elias Boyiokas said examinations showed "no visible signs of struggle or physical abuse" but that marks left by a rope were found on the girl's neck. "It is not yet possible to say if she was psychologically pushed to act or was under the influence of drugs at the time," Boyiokas said, adding that toxicology test results would "probably take at least some weeks." Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian national who died in Greece, but would not identify the person for privacy reasons. McNamara, who had more than 27,000 followers on Instagram, wrote in one early August post that she would be seeing her family and friends in less than a month. Living & working on a boat seeing all that the world has to offer 🌝 yep I think I have it pretty good. Today's a day for being grateful anddd it's less then a month till I get to see my family & friends in Aus 🚤🏕🏄🏼♀️🏏⛳️🎣 Excitement overload!! 😸😸✨ A post shared by Salt Bby 💦 (@sineadmcnamara) on Aug 7, 2018 at 12:14am PDT
Tributes have poured in, with Instagram users posting condolences comments on her photographs.McNamara's final post included a touching anecdote about when she learned the Polish word for blue: "niebieski.""A young polish (sic) girl from my last boat taught me it when we were jet skiing around the most beautiful turquoise water in the med last year. It has been my favorite word ever since," she wrote. ɲɛbjɛski tiger stripes below 🐅💦 photo from this morning (niebieski is a polish word for beautiful blue, a young polish girl from my last boat taught me it when we were jet skiing around the most beautiful turquoise water in the med last year. It has been my favourite word ever since) A post shared by Salt Bby 💦 (@sineadmcnamara) on Aug 27, 2018 at 8:32am PDT
Elinda Labropoulou reported from Athens, Sheena McKenzie wrote in London. Josh Berlinger contributed to this report | 3news
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Story highlightsRupert Murdoch took charge of his first newspaper in Australia at the age of 22He spent the next 50 years expanding into TV, press, internet, sport, and moviesForbes estimates the 83-year-old media mogul and his family's wealth at $14.5 billionRupert Murdoch is the last of a dying breed: An old-fashioned press baron with ink running through his veins, a hefty checkbook, and a hunger for the next big story.Now aged 83, he has spent the past half century turning a business that began with one local Australian newspaper into a massive multimedia empire which spans the globe and includes TV, online, film and print interests.The phone-hacking scandal forced him to close the British tabloid that was his pride and joy, News of the World, and for a time even appeared to jeopardize his global empire, valued by Forbes at $9.4 billion. It led the powerful businessman to submit himself for questioning by British politicians, where he declared: "This is the most humble day of my life."But Murdoch bounced back from the crisis, and he remains at the helm of his global empire. In 2013, News International, the UK subsidiary of Murdoch's News Corp. was rebranded News UK, while News Corp. itself split into two separate entities. News Corp. is now focused on publishing while 21st Century Fox encompasses television and film assets.This month, Forbes estimated the net worth of Murdoch and his family at $14.5 billion, adding that stocks from the two companies had boosted his worth by more than $2 billion in the past year.The same year, Murdoch filed for divorce from his third wife, Wendi Deng. Deng had grabbed headlines when she lunged to defend her husband from a pie-throwing intruder at a 2011 parliamentary hearing in London, earning her the sobriquet "tiger wife." But speculation about the state of the couple's relationship had swirled for months before Murdoch's spokesman confirmed the divorce.One tweet fittingly declared that Murdoch had gone "from tabloid boss to tabloid prey."The media mogul was kept on the edge of the limelight from October 2013, when former employees went on trial for alleged phone hacking.The newspaper business is in Murdoch's blood. Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1931, he was one of four children -- the only son -- of a celebrated journalist and his debutante-turned-philanthropist wife.His father, Keith Murdoch, was a reporter who exposed the horrific conditions experienced by Anzac troops fighting at Gallipoli in World War I, and went on to manage a large newspaper company."I was raised in a newspaper family by a father who believed that the newspaper was among the most important instruments of human freedom," Murdoch declared in his 2008 Boyer Lectures.His mother, Elisabeth, was inspired to devote her life to "good works" as a schoolgirl. At the time of her death in 2012, aged 103, she remained a supporter of more than 100 charities, and enjoyed an almost regal status in Australia.JUST WATCHEDMurdoch's son returns to News CorpReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMurdoch's son returns to News Corp 02:18JUST WATCHEDMurdoch's empire under fireReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMurdoch's empire under fire 04:10JUST WATCHEDInside Rupert Murdoch's news empireReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHInside Rupert Murdoch's news empire 07:35JUST WATCHEDMurdoch splitting with younger wifeReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMurdoch splitting with younger wife 02:04Murdoch was studying at Oxford when his father died in 1952.Mentored -- like his father -- by press baron Lord Beaverbrook, he learned his trade as a reporter in Birmingham, England and as a £10-a-week sub-editor at Beaverbrook's Daily Express in London before returning home to take charge of the family business."I found myself a newspaper proprietor at the age of 22," Murdoch said in 2008. "I was so young and so new to the business that when I pulled my car into the lot on my first day, the garage attendant admonished me, 'Hey sonny, you can't park here.'"Despite his youth, the new boss of the Adelaide News took to the job like a duck to water, quickly getting embroiled in a newspaper war -- the first of many -- with local rival the Adelaide Advertiser."It cost a great deal," he said. "But it taught me that with good editors and a loyal readership, you can challenge better-heeled and more established rivals -- and succeed."He was soon looking to expand the company: After buying up other local papers across the country, in 1964, he set up Australia's first national newspaper, The Australian, and in 1969, moved overseas to purchase his first UK paper, News of the World, shortly followed by The Sun.The sensationalism and sex on the pages of some of his papers provoked shock and anger among his competitors on Fleet Street, and earned Murdoch a number of less than complimentary nicknames.As Ian Hislop, editor of British satirical magazine Private Eye, told CNN: "[We have] referred to Murdoch as the Dirty Digger throughout his long career, and it's not an accident; he does dig up dirt and then puts it in papers and sells it."His hunger for the latest scoops -- and his willingness to pay for them -- have ensured massive sales figures, but have also caused controversy over the years, from Christine Keeler's kiss-and-tell over the Profumo scandal, to the "Hitler Diaries" (later revealed to be fakes) to O.J. Simpson's "If I Did It" book.That desire to be first with the big news has led some to question his methods -- even before the phone-hacking scandal."He ran close to what might be considered journalistic ethics," said Lou Colasuonno, former editor-in-chief of the New York Post, which Murdoch took over in 1976."I'm not saying he broke the law, I'm not saying he did anything illegal, but I am saying he's aggressive in getting stories."Print unionsThat aggression was evident in the mid-1980s when Murdoch, by then the owner of London's Times and Sunday Times papers, broke the stranglehold of the unions on the country's print industry.After months of plotting, the media titan switched his operations from Fleet Street to Wapping, in the east end of London, and from hot metal to computerized systems overnight, forcing hundreds of printers out of work.JUST WATCHED2011: Murdoch's wife's defense skillsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH2011: Murdoch's wife's defense skills 02:41JUST WATCHEDMurdoch: I think we're okReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMurdoch: I think we're ok 01:12JUST WATCHEDReport rips Murdoch papersReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHReport rips Murdoch papers 05:46JUST WATCHEDUK panel: Murdoch 'turned blind eye'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHUK panel: Murdoch 'turned blind eye' 02:54"He was the man who tamed the print unions so that newspapers became incredibly profitable," said Martin Dunn, former deputy editor of the Sun and News of the World.Those profits were plowed into Murdoch's growing Fox network of TV and film interests in the United States, helping to create the corporate behemoth that is News Corp., which now also owns the influential Wall Street Journal, America's largest circulation daily.The thrice-married father-of-six Murdoch has long been at the center of a frenzied succession debate -- something the current scandal only complicates. His oldest four children -- daughters Prudence and Elisabeth, and sons Lachlan and James -- all have a say in the running of the company.His youngest daughters Grace (born 2001) and Chloe (born 2003), with Wendi Deng, are both said to have a financial share in News Corp.Famously hands-on, Murdoch has never shied away from getting stuck in -- whether tracking down a story, or dictating the political direction of his papers."If I see things in the paper which I think are incorrect, I'll certainly point it out and say 'so-and-so made a mistake here,' or 'this wasn't as good a report as was in the opposition newspapers,'" he told the makers of BBC documentary "Who's Afraid of Rupert Murdoch?" in 1981. "I ... have the right to insist on excellence."On the same program, Robert Spitzler, former managing editor of the New York Post said Murdoch's role went beyond commenting and suggesting."Rupert wrote headlines, Rupert shaped stories, Rupert dictated the leads of stories," he said. "Rupert was everywhere."In a 1968 television interview, Murdoch admitted that he enjoyed the power his position gave him, but -- in remarks that now seem more relevant than ever -- insisted: "We have more responsibility than power, I think."A newspaper can create great controversies, stir up arguments within the community ... can throw light on injustices, just as it can do the opposite, can hide things and be a great power for evil."But even those who may be considered his enemies recognize Murdoch's business acumen."He's a dealmaker, he's a brilliant businessman," Michael White, of the UK's Guardian newspaper, which broke the hacking story, told CNN. "He's a great strategic mind." | 3news
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(CNN)Former International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge has died at the age of 79, the organization announced Sunday.Rogge served as president from 2001 to 2013, overseeing three summer Games and three winter Games, as well as creating the Youth Olympics."First and foremost, Jacques loved sport and being with athletes -- and he transmitted this passion to everyone who knew him. His joy in sport was infectious," current IOC President Thomas Bach, who succeeded Rogge, said in a statement.Rogge was a rugby player who represented his native Belgium on the national team. He also competed in sailing, representing Belgium at the Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968, Munich in 1972 and Montreal in 1976.An orthopedic surgeon, Rogge was an athlete's representative on Belgium's national Olympic committee before he serving as its president from 1989 to 1992.Read MoreIOC President Jacques Rogge, right, stands with his predecessor, Juan Antonio Samaranch, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 12, 2010.Rogge also headed the European Olympic Committee from 1989 to 2001 before being elected president of the IOC, taking over from Juan Antonio Samaranch."He was an accomplished President, helping to modernise and transform the IOC," Bach said in the statement. "He will be remembered particularly for championing youth sport and for inaugurating the Youth Olympic Games. He was also a fierce proponent of clean sport, and fought tirelessly against the evils of doping."Bach added, "The entire Olympic Movement will deeply mourn the loss of a great friend and a passionate fan of sport."After Bach succeeded him, Rogge was named honorary president. He also served as Special Envoy for Youth, Refugees and Sport to the United Nations.Former IOC President Jacques Rogge looks on during the 132nd session of the International Olympic Committee on February 7, 2018, ahead of the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics and former chairman of the London 2012 Olympic organizing committee, wrote on Twitter that he had missed seeing Rogge and his wife at the recent Games in Tokyo. "I have a mountainous gratitude for his part in the seamless delivery of London 2012. No Org Cttee could have asked or received more," Coe wrote. "He was passionate about sport & all he achieved in sport & beyond was done with common decency, compassion and a level head. We will all miss him."Rogge leaves behind his wife, Anne, two children and two grandchildren, the IOC said.The IOC said the Olympic flag will be flown at half-staff for five days at its headquarters and museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. | 5sport
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(CNN)Inspired by a CNN investigation that revealed law enforcement agencies nationwide improperly destroyed rape kits, a Georgia lawmaker introduced legislation Wednesday aimed at preventing that from happening in his state. "We have an obligation, if and when we find the perpetrator of a sex crime, that we bring cases. And we do that with all the evidence possible to win," said Rep. Scott Holcomb, a former prosecutor. CNN's investigation, "Destroyed," surveyed more than 200 police departments and sheriff's offices around the country and found that 25 agencies in 14 states trashed rape kits in unsolved reported sex crimes while the statutes of limitations were still running. The destruction followed flawed and incomplete investigations and most kits were never tested for DNA. The practice of destroying kits was routine and occurred with little to no oversight, CNN found. While Georgia and other states have grappled with backlogs of untested kits, the destruction of that evidence is a more fundamental crisis. The kits are gone and can never be used to lock up a rapist or exonerate the wrongfully convicted. Holcomb's bill requires that any investigating agency maintain evidence containing biological material for 50 years or the length of the statute of limitations, whichever is greater. Read MoreThat mirrors the federal government's guidance. The National Institute of Justice recommends maintaining rape kits in "uncharged or unsolved reported cases" for at least 50 years or the length of the statute of limitations. In Georgia, there is no statute of limitations for rape, aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual battery as long as the suspect remains unknown. If the suspect is known, the statute of limitations is 15 years. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston applauded Holcomb's legislation. The challenge of investigating sexual assault cases, she said, is that law enforcement may have an offender's DNA and know that the same profile has turned up at other crime scenes "but it may take decades for that person to actually be identified." Many rapists are serial offenders, so when kits are destroyed, the chance to use the evidence to identify suspects and link them to multiple attacks is lost. Prosecutions are also put at risk when defendants cannot exercise their right to test original evidence used against them in court. Trashing rape kits, dozens of experts told CNN, endangers public safety. An example illustrating the power of preserving rape kits -- even beyond the statute of limitations -- is the case of the Golden State Killer who terrorized California in the 1970s and '80s. Police used DNA from rape kits to help identify Joseph James DeAngelo, who was arrested last April. He has been charged with multiple counts of murder, some involving other offenses related to rape, robbery and burglary.In Georgia, rape kit destruction is unknownIn CNN's investigation, reporters concluded that since 2010, at least 400 rape kits have been destroyed in unsolved cases while prosecutions were still viable. The number is likely higher. That's because there are an estimated 17,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States; CNN surveyed 207. In Georgia, CNN surveyed three police departments: Atlanta Police Department, Hapeville and Lake City Police. Each said they had not destroyed rape kits. (See how CNN chose each department it surveyed) There are 450 law enforcement agencies in Georgia with full-time employees, according to the FBI. The heads of Georgia's sheriffs and police organizations told CNN this week that they don't know whether agencies have destroyed or currently destroy rape kits. Frank Rotondo, executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, and Terry Norris, who heads the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, said they support keeping rape kits for the length of the statutes of limitations. They warned, however, that some agencies may complain they don't have enough space in their evidence rooms to store rape kits for 50 years. The kits are smaller than shoeboxes, they acknowledged, and smaller agencies would likely have few kits.Despite the perceived challenges, both were optimistic about working with Holcomb to do what is best for the safety of all Georgians."My initial response is to support [the bill] if it will help prosecute a case. It's a good idea and we ought to do it," said Norris. Police chief: 'No question' kits should be keptGeorgia would not be the first state to enact legislation requiring the maintenance of rape kits in unsolved cases. Missouri passed a law last year requiring that they be kept for 30 years in cases that have not been adjudicated. Idaho requires that rape kits tied to felony cases be preserved for 55 years. Idaho state Rep. Melissa Wintrow fought hard a couple years ago to pass that bill. "I'm happy to talk to anyone in Georgia about this issue because, in my experience, this is about educating folks," she said. "Rape kits don't take up a lot of space. The pushback I saw is when the counties feel like the state is making these laws without consulting them or giving them funding to help them carry out the law."Norris and Rotondo said that any bill that is passed must come with mandated funding. Holcomb said he supports state funding."I understand that many agencies are under-resourced and that has to be addressed, they have to be helped," Holcomb said. "We all have to come together on this."LaGrange, Georgia, Police Chief Louis Dekmar told CNN that the solution may lie in removing the responsibility of maintaining kits from some of the smaller agencies. Dekmar is the recent past president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which for two decades has issued best practices in sex crimes investigations.He'd like to see regional storage centers established across the state that meet the standards necessary to preserve, track and secure DNA evidence. And no matter what happens with the legislation, he said, it's got to have teeth. The law should detail some mechanism for oversight, entice agencies with incentives to follow through and spell out punitive measures if they don't."There should be no question about storing these kits, and I'm not sure we shouldn't be keeping them past the statute of limitations," Dekmar said. "What is the resistance? Tell me what that really is?"Dekmar noted that there is no time limit to prosecute murder in Georgia and there's been no opposition to maintaining evidence in those cases. | 2health
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Story highlightsUruguay 2-1 PortugalCavani double knocks out Ronaldo' s PortugalUruguay to play France in quarterfinals (CNN)The two greatest players of this generation have been sent packing from Russia in the same day.Just hours after Lionel Messi and Argentina were eliminated from the World Cup by France, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal fell to a 2-1 defeat against two-time champions Uruguay in the last 16.Follow @cnnsport
Two goals from Edinson Cavani, the second a stunning strike into the far corner, either side of Pepe's equalizer consigned the reigning European champions to defeat and set up a quarterfinal tie with France on July 6. Edinson Cavani celebrates his winning goal.READ: Mbappe scores twice to knock out Messi's Argentina READ: Donald Trump on Cristiano Ronaldo -- 'They say he is the greatest ever'Read MoreREAD: What is VAR? The Video Assistant Referee explainedCavani at the doubleRonaldo was in the tunnel before kick-off bouncing on his toes and grinning excitedly, visibly itching to get onto the pitch.These are the kind of occasions which bring the best out of him, the nights -- like that memorable one two weeks ago against Spain when he scored a hattrick -- where he craves a moment in the spotlight to add to his legacy.But it wasn't Portugal's star man who stole the show. Instead, it was one of Uruguay's talismans, Paris Saint-Germain's Cavani, who was the protagonist in another chapter of this tiny South American nation's rich World Cup history.Cavani and Suarez celebrate Uruguay's winner.Despite boasting some of the world's best attack talents, these two sides thrive in playing the role of underdogs.But neither had come to Sochi to defend, sensing a place in the quarterfinals was well within their grasp.And it was Uruguay's star strikers Cavani and Luis Suarez, a pairing who have honed their partnership over more than a decade playing together on the international stage, who took it upon themselves to lead their country into the last eight. Born in the same town, just three weeks apart, Uruguay's deadly strike duo combined for the opening goal with seemingly telepathic understanding.Cavani started the move, spraying a pinpoint cross-field pass to Suarez's feet, before continuing his run into the box.Suarez took two touches, cut inside his marker and curled a cross to the far post where Cavani was lurking unmarked. Though he miscued his header, the ball bounced fortuitously off his shoulder and into the net, setting Uruguay up for a fourth win of this tournament. Cavani's header was his 44th for UruguayWill Uruguay beat France? Have your say on our Facebook page. Ronaldo fails to inspireThough Portugal had dominated the ball, they had created very little and now faced the seemingly impossible task of scoring against a Uruguay team that hadn't conceded all year.Ronaldo had an effort from the edge of the area, which Fernando Muslera gathered with relative ease, before Goncalo Guedes won a free-kick on the edge of the area which was in the proverbial 'Ronaldo territory.'With the ball placed in an almost identical position to his stunning late equalizer against Spain, Ronaldo stepped back, pulled up the front of his shorts and puffed his cheeks.But, this time, like many of his previous attempts -- his leveler against Spain was his first direct freekick goal at a major tournament for Portugal in 45 attempts -- the ball failed to clear the wall.Uruguay's fans celebrated the winner wildly.Much of Portugal's inability to create was down to Uruguay's incessant pressing and harrying.Uruguay's success comes from a collective effort that even the two superstars leading the line don't feel is beneath them. On several occasions, Suarez and Cavani could be seen filling in at various positions in defense.But having looked so solid for the opening 45 minutes, Uruguay's defense switched off momentarily. They allowed a short corner to be taken and Raphael Guerreiro whipped a cross into the box for Pepe, arriving at the far post, to head past Muslera.Portugal had gradually grown into the game after the restart, thanks in part to coach Fernando Santos' decision to move playmaker Bernado Silva into a more advanced position, but also Uruguay's willingness to sit back and defend their lead.Cristiano Ronaldo helps the injured Cavani off the pitch.But Portugal's delight would last all of seven minutes as another Cavani goal saw Uruguay retake the lead.One long, hopeful punt upfield by Muslera fell to Rodrigo Bentancur, who rolled the ball into the path of the onrushing Cavani.Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features The prolific PSG forward opened up his body and hit the shot first time, curling the ball around Rui Patricio's outstretched arm and into the far corner.Cavani was injured in the closing stages, hurt while tracking back to defend his own area. He was helped off the pitch by Ronaldo, the man whose potential final World Cup appearance had been ended by the lethal Uruguayan's boot. | 5sport
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Story highlightsA quiz by Swedish researchers is said to estimate your risk of dying in the next five yearsIt then calculates your "Ubble age" -- the average age of people in the UK with similar riskThe questions are designed for people aged 40 to 70-years-old, living in the UK (CNN)Forget clairvoyants, fortune tellers or tarot cards: If you have a burning desire to know how far you are along life's path, this online quiz claims to be able to provide an estimate.The quiz, on the website "Ubble" (a nickname for UK Longevity Explorer), is designed for UK residents aged between 40 and 70 years old.It estimates participants' risk of dying in the next five years, then sees how that risk aligns to UK age averages to give an "Ubble age.""So for example, if you're a 53-year-old woman and your estimated risk of dying in five years is 2.4%, the most similar risk in the UK life tables is of a 56-year-old woman. So your Ubble age would be 56," co-founder of the quiz, Erik Ingelsson, said in an article on The Conversation. Designed by Swedish researchers Andrea Ganna and Ingelsson, the quiz is based on a UK Biobank study of 500,000 people and published in the "Lancet" medical journal. It's "the largest study of this kind in the world, with a very broad range of different measurements that allow you to do this kind of analysis," Ingelsson told CNN.Read MoreAn assessment of 655 variables of demographics, health, and lifestyle led to the identification of the strongest mortality predictors by a computer program, with 13 questions set for men, and 11 for women. Participants are asked whether they smoke, if they have ever been diagnosed with cancer, heart disease or diabetes, how many people they live with, how many cars they own, and whether their walking place is brisk, slow or if they never walk."I think it's important to point out that we're not saying that any of these questions are causal factors," Ingelsson said. "So the question about the number of vehicles ... I think it's a proxy for socio-economic status. That's my guess." He emphasized that hundreds of variables are contained within the few questions.Although some of the questions are similar for men and women, Ingelsson said, others, such as the number of children one has, were specific to women. And researchers say the quiz is a better forecaster of death than physical measures, such as blood pressure."I do think that's one of the most interesting finds of this study, that is highlighted in the 'Lancet' paper, is that simple questions were doing a better job than quite dedicated, specific measurements." One of its advantages is that the questions take into account many different factors, Ingelsson said.But he added, "the conclusion of our study is definitely not that you stop measuring these things. But quite surprisingly enough, it doesn't improve the risk prediction of beyond the questions." At the end of the quiz, you can see how your responses affected your estimated risk of death. But the quiz won't tell you how to change your lifestyle. "If you buy one more car, that won't make you live longer, for example," said Ingelsson. "Or if you walk faster, that won't prolong your life either." Ingelsson, a professor at Uppsala University in Sweden said that while the data could be important for health professionals and researchers, further tests would be needed before the quiz could be used by medical professionals.And what if you're distressed by the findings of the quiz? A disclaimer at the bottom of the website's homepage clarifies that it doesn't offer a medical or professional service and such information needs to be sought elsewhere. "If it raises some specific concerns then people should see their healthcare professional," said Ingelsson. "But I think the risk of that is relatively low, because most people are quite aware of their own health already." | 3news
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Story highlights Aung San Suu Kyi says she has nothing to forgive Myanmar's military rulers for She calls for a cease-fire and political reconciliation after ethnic clashesAn audience cheers as Suu Kyi says she doesn't represent government -- yetShe will collect her Nobel Prize on her first visit to Europe in more than two decadesNobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi called for the rule of law, an end to ethnic conflict and strong democratic institutions in Myanmar on Thursday as she began a historic first trip to Europe after decades of house arrest."Am I overly ambitious?" she asked, then smiled. "Well, perhaps. I am ambitious."The audience erupted in laughter and cheers as she declared that she was speaking not as a representative of government, then grinned and added: "Not yet, anyway."The democracy campaigner was speaking at the annual conference of the International Labour Organization, a U.N. agency. Worker and employer representatives, as well as government officials, attended the event.Answering questions after the speech, she said she had nothing to forgive the country's military rulers for.JUST WATCHEDRefugees flock to see Aung San Suu KyiReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHRefugees flock to see Aung San Suu Kyi 02:19JUST WATCHEDSuu Kyi asks people to invest in MyanmarReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSuu Kyi asks people to invest in Myanmar 01:00"In some ways I don't think they did anything to me. They placed me under house arrest, but that gave me time to read," she said with a smile, adding: "Sometimes when my schedule is very hectic, I look back with some nostalgia" at nearly two decades of being confined to her home.She said her country, which is also known as Burma, needs "reconciliation, not retribution," as it moves toward democracy.Suu Kyi was recently elected to parliament as her National League for Democracy won dozens of seats in by-elections. It remains a minority in parliament.Suu Kyi said she was "concerned" about ethnic and religious violence in the country after clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in the past week have left many dead or homeless."Of course I am concerned, as I think everybody else in Burma is," Suu Kyi said of the clashes in Rakhine state."We have said again and again rule of law is essential. ... Without rule of law, such communal strife will only continue," she warned, urging that the conflict be handled with delicacy, sensitivity and "cooperation of all people concerned." She also addressed ethnic violence in Kachin state, saying: "A cease-fire is not enough. We have to have a political settlement if there is to be a lasting peace."U.N. special envoy Vijay Nambiar, who returned from a visit to Rakhine on Thursday, said he had seen smoke rising from the remains of houses that had been burned."I'd like to say the worst is behind us," he told CNN's Kristie Lu Stout, but could not say that the unrest was over."Trauma, fear, insecurity" will continue for some time, he warned, and said that reconciliation in the area will be "a long haul."Violent clashes between Buddhists and Muslims prompted the government of President Thein Sein to declare a state of emergency in Rakhine on Sunday, calling in the military to help impose order.The unrest in the western coastal area of Myanmar, which borders Bangladesh, has left 21 people dead and thousands seeking shelter in refugee camps, Myanmar state TV reported Tuesday evening.Suu Kyi said part of the problem was the "porous border" and "fear that there will be illegal immigrants.""We need very clear and precise laws with regard to citizenship," she said.She urged International Labour Organization delegates to think of the people of her country as "your own people, your own children," as she described the hopelessness many young people in Myanmar face."Restless, directionless youth agonize over the fruitlessness of their existence," she said."Please encourage your governments, your businesses, your workers to build the kind of society that will build the future of our country," she said in a departure from her prepared text.She called on them "not just to look at investment opportunities" in the mineral-rich nation, but "to judge how much potential there is for good for the whole world. ... Our people have such spirit in them."The International Labour Organization has for years pressured Myanmar to eradicate forced labor, which it says is widespread in the country. On Wednesday, the conference voted to lift restrictions on Myanmar's participation in the organization's activities, ending 13 years of isolation.During her trip, Suu Kyi will finally collect the Nobel Peace Prize that she was awarded in 1991, when she was under house arrest. She said Thursday that she had been too busy preparing for the trip to think about how she would feel when she received it.While in Europe, she is also scheduled to address both houses of the British Parliament, be the guest of honor at a concert in Dublin, Ireland, and celebrate her 67th birthday with family.The trip is only Suu Kyi's second abroad since she returned to Myanmar in 1988 to care for her dying mother, and comes close on the heels of her first trip outside the country earlier this year.A military coup in September 1988 put Gen. Saw Maung in power, setting off anti-government demonstrations and a crackdown that left hundreds dead. Suu Kyi -- whose husband, Michael Aris, remained in England -- became a leading activist and co-founder of an opposition group, the National League for Democracy. She was placed under house arrest for the first time the following July on charges of trying to divide the military. She spent much of the next two decades confined to her home by the ruling junta.When her party won the 1990 general election in a landslide vote, the military rulers -- in power since 1962 -- refused to let the National League for Democracy serve, nullifying the results. The military rulers have since loosened their grip on power, allowing a series of democratic reforms. Her house arrest ended in 2010, and she was able to travel around the country during her party's election campaign this year.On Saturday, about 21 years after she was awarded the prize, Suu Kyi is expected to finally deliver her Nobel lecture at the Oslo City Hall in Norway.Cities hosting her are well prepared for the fanfare. In Dublin, a giant banner hangs from Liberty Hall ahead of her scheduled Monday arrival. There, she will be the special guest at a concert, "Electric Burma."The event is organized by Art for Amnesty founder Bill Shipsey and features a range of entertainers and personalities, including Bono, Vanessa Redgrave, Bob Geldof, Angelique Kidjo and former Tiananmen Square student activist Wu'er Kaixi. Amnesty International, which has campaigned for Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Myanmar during the past two decades, will award Suu Kyi its highest honor, the Ambassador of Conscience Award. Past recipients include Nelson Mandela and Vaclav Havel.Bono, who has long dedicated the song "Walk On" to Suu Kyi at U2 concerts to highlight her detention, will present the award. Tickets for the event sold out in 20 minutes.From Ireland, she plans to travel to Britain -- where she spent time as a student -- to celebrate her birthday Tuesday, before she addresses lawmakers at Westminster Hall in London on June 21, an honor usually reserved for heads of state.Suu Kyi's trip will end in Paris, where she will be a guest of French President Francois Hollande from June 26 to 29 in honor of her "fight for democracy and the rights of man and to reaffirm France's will to support the political transition in Myanmar," according to the Elysee Palace. | 3news
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Michael D'Antonio is the author of the book "Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success" and co-author, with Peter Eisner, of the upcoming book "High Crimes: The Corruption, Impunity, and Impeachment of Donald Trump." The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN. (CNN)On Thursday afternoon during a news conference, President Donald Trump treated the country to a spin around his fantasyland, where he is a great leader besieged by meanies, and the needless death and suffering due to his failed response to the coronavirus pandemic are not worth acknowledging. Instead, he spoke about Fox News as if it is his security blanket and bashed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for using a teleprompter during his speeches. Nothing in Trump's attitude has changed even as the world has learned he lied, for weeks on end, about the gravest threat to public health in more than a century. The President's appearance in the White House press room was prompted by the shocking revelations in recorded interviews he gave to the esteemed journalist Bob Woodward for his upcoming book, "Rage," on the Trump presidency. In those recordings, Trump can be heard saying, on February 7, that the coronavirus is transmitted through the air and "It's also more deadly than even your strenuous flus." Kayleigh McEnany has crossed a line In the weeks that followed, he publicly suggested the coronavirus threat was no more serious than seasonal flu, that it was under control and could soon disappear. On March 9, he offered as food for thought a comparison of 22 known coronavirus deaths and the country's annual death toll from seasonal flu, which was 37,000 in 2019. "Think about that!" he wrote on Twitter. On March 10, he told reporters that "We're prepared, and we're doing a great job with it. And it will go away." Perhaps no one other than Woodward knew that for weeks the President held the opposite view. On March 19, the President told Woodward he had deliberately downplayed the threat and would continue this practice because he apparently didn't believe the country could handle the truth. "I wanted to always play it down," Trump told Woodward. "I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic."Read MoreElsewhere around the world, leaders in countries such as South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Germany chose to mobilize citizens against the pandemic threat. People were required to wear face masks whenever they were in public. Officials shut down businesses and other settings where the virus could spread. The result was that many countries suffered far few deaths per capita than the US. At 584 deaths per million, the US is tenth worst in the world, far ahead of Canada, at 248, Germany at 112, and Australia at 31. It should be noted that as the President refused to wear a mask and downplayed the pandemic, federal agencies did recommend social distancing, masks and shutdowns of businesses and social gatherings. However, these responses, which other countries adopted nationally, were implemented in the US at the state and local levels. This patchwork approach contributed to the spread of the virus.Against this backdrop of Trump's own leadership in the US, which finds over 191,000 Americans dead and more than 6 million total cases, one might expect that the revelations in Woodward's recordings would've led the President to try to speak plainly to the American people. Heck, a reality-based adult might even apologize or hand over the reins of power to someone who hasn't produced so much misery. Instead, our President proved he won't apologize, and he won't assume responsibility. JUST WATCHEDTrump supporter on not wearing a mask: It's a fake pandemicReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHTrump supporter on not wearing a mask: It's a fake pandemic 02:47As always, Trump talked trash about his predecessor Barack Obama and tried to distract by telling a reporter his question about the Woodward revelations was "disgraceful." He then offered a patently false reply, "I didn't lie," before engaging in some classic pretzel logic to castigate Woodward for not making the recording public sooner if he thought Trump was doing something wrong. (This notion ignores the fact that the President is responsible for his own behavior, and journalists are not hall monitors.)About the pandemic he said, "We're doing very well all over our country," even though cases in Iowa and South Dakota are spiking and communities across the country are struggling over how or whether to reopen schools. To listen to Trump for the half-hour he stood in the press room was to hear a man so lost in his own mind that he allowed himself to drift into wistful musings about his favorite Fox News hosts mentioning, by name, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham. The way that he said the words, "Fox and Friends" gave the impression that the TV personalities on the show really are his dear friends. Somehow, Trump managed to squeeze in criticism about former FBI Director James Comey, former bureau officials Lisa Page and Peter Strzok, calling all of them a disgrace to America. Then he called his former adviser Michael Flynn, who has twice pleaded guilty to felony charges, a "wonderful person." Get our free weekly newsletterSign up for CNN Opinion's new newsletter.Join us on Twitter and FacebookLater in the day, at yet another rally where social distancing was not practiced and masks were few and far between, Trump went to rhetorical extremes to compare his leadership to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during World War II. With bombs falling in London, and Pearl Harbor devastated, those leaders urged calm while acknowledging the threats their countries faced. The difference in leadership should be obvious: Churchill and FDR didn't deceive the public as Trump did.Altogether, the President spewed grievances, attacks, complaints and denials like he was producing a highlight reel of the last four years. Ever himself, Trump seemed to show no interest in sharing the reality the rest of us know, or to take a place in the adult world where leadership requires taking responsibility. | 3news
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(CNN)It's a wrenching scene that plays out every time a natural disaster strikes. Thousands of people are homeless and searching for refuge, and many of them end up on America's doorstep.The reality of the devastation Hurricane Dorian left behind when it pounded the Bahamas is becoming increasingly clear. But details of the US response to the disaster are still taking shape.US rescue teams have been searching for survivors across the islands. And many Bahamas residents have fled to the United States since the storm hit. But some Bahamians boarding a ferry boat for Florida over the weekend heard what critics called a cruel message: If you don't have a valid visa, you have to turn back. US Customs and Border Protection officials said that announcement came because the ferry's operator didn't properly coordinate the evacuation with the US and Bahamian governments. Mark Winder of Tampa, Florida, embraces his niece, Gabriella Winder, 10, as she and her family arrive in Riviera Beach, Florida, from the Bahamas on Saturday, September 7. "There's some confusion there," acting CBP chief Mark Morgan said Monday. "We will accept anyone on humanitarian reasons that needs to come here. We're going to process them expeditedly."Read MoreAsked outside the White House on Monday whether he was prepared to offer temporary protections to Bahamas residents, President Donald Trump said the matter was under discussion. But he stressed that anyone coming to the United States from the Bahamas needs "proper documentation." "We have to be very careful," he said. This much is clear: The situation on the ground in the Bahamas remains chaotic, and tens of thousands of people need help. Here's a look at how the US government has responded to migrants fleeing countries where disaster struck in recent years, and what could happen next.Migrants from Haiti and El Salvador were protected in the US after disastersIn the past, the US government has stepped up the protections it offers migrants after natural disasters hit."If the government wants to help people to come for short stays as a reprieve, it certainly has the authority to do that," said Muzaffar Chishti, director of the Migration Policy Institute's New York office.Whether the US government will offer more protections for the Bahamas, where Dorian left an estimated 70,000 people homeless, remains to be seen, Chishti said."Fearing the numbers may be large and overwhelming," he said, "they may choose not to do that."Unidentified evacuees board a relief flight to Chicago from earthquake-ravaged Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in January 2010. One example in recent memory shows one way the United States could respond to this disaster. The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010 killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced 1.5 million more. On January 21, 2010, nine days after the temblor struck, the US government designated Haiti for what's known as temporary protected status, or TPS -- allowing Haitians who'd been in the United States since the quake hit to remain, given the "size of the destruction and humanitarian challenges" facing the country."That was a very quick reaction in recognition of what had happened in Haiti, and it did help a lot of people," Chishti said.A group of evacuees from Haiti wait for transportation as they clear customs at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, in January 2010.Congress created TPS in 1990. It's a form of humanitarian relief for people who would face extreme hardship if forced to return to homelands devastated by armed conflict or natural disasters. In the United States, more than 400,000 people from 10 countries currently have TPS, according to the Congressional Research Service, but the Trump administration has been trying to end these protections for many of them. After a series of devastating earthquakes hit El Salvador in 2001, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft granted TPS to residents of the Central America country. And more recently, Nepal was designated for TPS in 2015 after an earthquake killed more than 8,000 people there. Officials also designated Honduras and Nicaragua for TPS in the late 1990s after Hurricane Mitch.JUST WATCHEDMother: 'I have nightmares about going back'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMother: 'I have nightmares about going back' 01:40Since President Trump took office, his administration has tried to strip deportation protections from hundreds of thousands of people from these countries who were granted TPS. So far, courts have blocked those efforts. But the cases are still pending, and how long such protections will last is anything but certain. Trump says everyone needs 'proper documentation'In a letter last week, Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida asked Trump to suspend certain visa requirements for Bahamians who have relatives in the United States. By Monday, Rubio said storm survivors were already being evacuated to the United States without being required to show visas after coordinating with authorities. And Morgan, the acting CBP chief, said humanitarian cases of people evacuating from the Bahamas were being processed, excluding those with long criminal histories who've been previously denied entry to the United States.But Trump sounded less than enthused when asked whether he was prepared to offer TPS to people from the Bahamas."We're talking to a lot of different people on that," the President said, noting that parts of the United States are also recovering from the hurricane, even though damage was not as bad as feared."We have to be very careful. Everybody needs totally proper documentation, because, look, the Bahamas had some tremendous problems with people going to the Bahamas that weren't supposed to be there," he said. "I don't want to allow people that weren't supposed to be in the Bahamas to go to the United States, including some very bad people and some very bad gang members and some very very bad drug dealers. So we are going to be very very strong on that." Trump didn't provide further details. Officials in the Bahamas have cracked down on illegal immigration in recent years.Undocumented Haitian immigrants lived in some of the areas that were hardest hit by the storm.Evacuees gather at Marsh Harbour Port in Abaco, Bahamas, on Friday, September 6.For Bahamians, several options could be on the tableChishti said the US government could be weighing a range of different options as the number of residents trying to leave the Bahamas grows. Among them: • TPS - As it has with other countries in the past, the United States could designate the Bahamas for TPS. But Chishti notes there are limitations to such protections. TPS, he said, "applies only to people who are already in the United States."• Humanitarian parole - For people who aren't already in the United States and are fleeing the storm's devastation, but don't have valid visas to enter the country, the Department of Homeland Security could encourage officers to grant what's known as humanitarian parole, Chishti said. "There would have to be a guidance issued by the DHS that we are authorizing issuing of a parole for this group of people and in these circumstances," he said.• Regional response - It's possible the United States will argue it's not the only country that should be responsible for helping displaced people in the Bahamas. "The US could, I think, argue that this is not just the US's responsibility," Chishti said, "that this is a real disaster that requires a cohesive, regional response."CNN's Christina Maxouris, Eric Levenson, Paula Newton and Rosa Flores contributed to this report. | 3news
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(CNN)New York City's notorious Rikers Island jail is in the midst of an "emerging Covid-19 crisis" as the number of confirmed Covid cases among inmates has exploded over the past 10 days, and nearly doubled from Monday to Tuesday, the head of the New York City Department of Correction said on Tuesday in a letter to judges, district attorneys and public defenders. Until 10 days ago, the number of inmates testing positive for Covid hovered around 1% but on Monday, the rate had jumped to 9.5%, and on Tuesday, the rate rose above 17%, Department of Correction Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi said in the letter, which was shared with CNN."All indications suggest that our jail population faces an equal or greater level of risk from COVID now as it did from the start of the pandemic," Schiraldi said. "The combination of these data indicates that the risk to human beings in our custody are at a crisis level." Inside New York's notorious Rikers Island jails, 'the epicenter of the epicenter' of the coronavirus pandemic The biggest jump in cases at Rikers happened from December 19 to December 20, where 76 inmates tested positive, according to data from the DOC. Schiraldi urged the group to do all in their power to reduce the jail population to ease the outbreak.Read More"I implore you to ask the courts to similarly consider every available option to reduce the number of individuals in our jail," Schiraldi wrote. "Whether that means seeking supervised release in more cases or identifying cases that can be resolved with modifications to sentence length or requesting compassionate release for individuals who are at higher risk due to underlying medical conditions, I leave to your professional judgment."The population at Rikers is at 5,628 as of today, DOC spokesman Patrick said. At one point last year, the population dropped to about 3,800 after a push by city and law enforcement officials to reduce the number of people incarcerated according to statistics provided by the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice. Schiraldi says only 45% of the inmate population has received one shot of the vaccine while only 38% are fully vaccinated. Scores of inmates were released from Rikers in 2020 as a way to slow the spread of the virus and while infection rates are up officials said no inmates have been hospitalized because of Covid during the current outbreak.51 additional people released from Rikers Island due to underlying health concernThe jail has already instituted other measures to try and slow the spread by replacing in-person visits with tele-visits along with suspending other programs and services, including religious services. DOC officials also instituted other movement protocols for anyone who contracted the virus or needed to quarantine. DOC officials have tried to incentivize getting vaccinated by offering a $100 commissary credit as well as a grocery store gift card to someone in their community of their choosing, said Gallahue. The incentives have been in place since October, Gallahue added.Messages from famous New Yorkers were even shown on tablets for inmates to see, all measures to convince as many as possible to get the shots, Gallahue said.Despite all the measures, Schiraldi says it isn't enough. "I implore you to ask the courts to similarly consider every available option to reduce the number of individuals in our jail," Schiraldi wrote.Hand sanitizer is still considered contraband in some prisons around the country So far, 87% of agency workers are vaccinated, which included staff at Rikers, courthouses and their headquarters, Gallahue said. About 85% of uniformed staff at Rikers have received at least one dose of the shot, Gallahue said. Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the issue at his daily briefing, highlighting the number of correction officers who have been given at least one dose of the vaccine while stressing the current Covid surge in the city isn't as bad as the height in the spring of 2020. Dr. Mitchell Katz, CEO of NYC Health and Hospitals, followed the mayor's comments by stressing that no one at the jail has been hospitalized from the latest Covid surge. "We have opened up another unit for inmates who are infected so we can keep them isolated," said Katz. "Despite a major increase in infections, we have no hospitalizations. Gives me great pleasure to say we have no hospitalizations." | 3news
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Story highlightsRescue teams had scoured 5,500 miles of the Philippine Sea looking for MimsThe crew of the USS Shiloh continued the search and found Mims on TuesdayWashington (CNN)A US Navy sailor who was thought to have gone overboard seven days ago and was presumed dead has been found alive aboard the ship that reported him missing, the Navy announced Thursday. Petty Officer Peter Mims, a gas turbine systems technician on the USS Shiloh Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, vanished on June 8 while the Shiloh was conducting routine operations 180 miles east of Okinawa, Japan as part of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group.PACIFIC OCEAN (May 25, 2017) Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Peter Mims poses for a photo. Rescue teams from the Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan's Coast Guard scoured 5,500 miles of the Philippine Sea over a span of 50 hours searching for Mims -- ultimately suspending the ocean search on June 11.Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from USS Shiloh, USS McCampbell,and USS Ronald Reagan, as well as a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, conducted airborne searches while the Shiloh, McCampbell, Reagan, USS Barry, USS John S. McCain provided support, according to a Navy release.In message to North Korea, 2 US carriers to train together in Sea of JapanThe crew of the USS Shiloh continued to look for their missing shipmate aboard the 567-feet-long vessel, which has a crew of more than 300, and found Mims in the ship's engineering spaces on Tuesday, the Navy confirmed -- seven days after he was initially reported missing. Read More"We are thankful to have found our missing shipmate and appreciate all the hard work of our sailors and Japanese partners in searching for him," said Rear Adm. Charles Williams, commander of the carrier strike group that includes the USS Shiloh. "I am relieved that this Sailor's family will not be joining the ranks of Gold Star Families that have sacrificed so much for our country." The circumstances surrounding Mims' disappearance are under investigation, and no additional details about his recovery were provided by the Navy. Mims will be transferred to the USS Ronald Reagan for a medical evaluation, according to the service. | 4politics
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(CNN)A jury in Washington, DC, on Tuesday found January 6 rioter Guy Reffitt guilty of all five charges he faced related to the US Capitol attack, in the pivotal outcome of the first federal trial related to the riot.Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio charged with conspiracy in US Capitol attackReffitt, a Texas Three Percenter and supporter of then-President Donald Trump when he went to the Capitol on January 6, was charged with five counts -- wanting to obstruct the congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election, transporting guns into DC, carrying a Smith & Wesson handgun onto the restricted grounds of the Capitol, interfering with Capitol Police protecting the Upper West Terrace and obstructing justice by threatening his son and daughter when he returned to Texas. The jury of six men and six women in DC's federal court deliberated for just under four hours Tuesday.Reffitt sat very still, then sipped water as the verdict was read. His wife, Nicole, who had watched each day of the trial with some of her children, did not make it into the courtroom in time to watch it being read.The maximum sentence for the most severe of Reffitt's charges -- obstruction of Congress and obstruction of justice -- is 20 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8.Read MoreThe weeklong trial alternated between a painful reliving of the attack for Capitol Police witnesses, a civics lesson on Congress, and a family drama where a son testified against his father. Courtroom sketch during the verdict in the Guy Reffitt Jan 6 trial on March 8, 2022.It was the first case related to January 6 to go to trial and tested the Justice Department's ability to tie one person's actions in the crowd to the broader attack on Capitol Hill. Reffitt, 49, has been held in jail since his arrest in late January 2021. His case rose to national attention after his son, Jackson Reffitt, did major national TV interviews about turning his father in to the FBI after disagreeing with him about his Trump support and involvement in the Three Percenters. The conviction could have a dramatic effect on the more than 500 Capitol riot defendants whose cases are still making their way through the justice system. It could encourage some defendants to accept plea deals instead of facing a jury, and also may prompt appeals of the criminal law being used in many of the January 6 prosecutions. The US attorney for DC, Matthew Graves, thanked the jury members for their service."Today a jury in the District of Columbia held Guy Reffitt accountable for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, finding him guilty of five felony charges," Graves, who leads the Justice Department office prosecuting all January 6 cases, said in a statement. "I would like to thank the jury for upholding the rule of law and for its diligent service in this case." Reffitt's wife urges alleged rioters not to take pleasNicole Reffitt told reporters outside the courthouse after the jury had convicted him that "this fight's just begun," and encouraged other January 6 defendants to follow her husband's choice to go to trial and not take plea deals from the government."Do not take a plea," she said. "They want us to take a plea. ... They are making a point out of Guy, and that is to intimidate the other members of the 1/6ers. And we will all fight together."Trump and right-wing lawyer were part of 'criminal conspiracy' to overturn 2020 election, January 6 committee alleges"The verdict today is against all American people," she added. "If you are going to be convicted on your First Amendment rights, all Americans should be wary."Nicole Reffitt also criticized what she called the Justice Department's "disgusting ploy" of using testimony from her children, including her underage daughter, against their father. The daughter did not testify during the trial but spoke about her father's threats at two previous court proceedings.Case against ReffittReffitt's defense lawyer called no witnesses and instead argued that he was an exaggerator, who took credit for bringing a gun to the Capitol and resisting police when he was a bit player in the scrum. But building their case, prosecutors played on witnesses' emotional memories of the attack and Reffitt's own admissions in text messages and recordings. Last Thursday, as his father cried across the courtroom, Jackson Reffitt testified that Guy Reffitt "snowballed into a far-right extremist" following the 2016 election of Trump. Guy Reffitt joined the Texas Three Percenters, Jackson said, and became increasingly hostile toward political figures, railing about then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom he thought were breaking the law. Jackson Reffitt also told the jury about his father's comments after the riot, that should Jackson or his younger sister turn their father in, they would be traitors, and "traitors get shot." Courtroom sketch during the verdict in the Guy Reffitt Jan 6 trial on March 8, 2022.Rocky Hardie, a former member of the Texas Three Percenters group who was given immunity by prosecutors in exchange for his testimony, told the jury about meeting Reffitt prior to the 2020 election. "In life most people talk but they don't do," Hardie remembered thinking. Reffitt "seemed to be a person that actually does things." Hardie testified that he and Reffitt both packed automatic rifles in their car and brought concealed handguns to the Capitol on January 6 for "self-defense." He said they both were aware bringing weapons to the Capitol was illegal, and Jackson Reffitt produced audio to the FBI that captured him discussing with his father laws against carrying a weapon on federal property. The pair of Three Percenters also brought two-way radios and flex cuffs, "in case we need to detain anybody," Hardie said, while Reffitt wore an armored vest, a helmet and a blue jacket -- items that made him identifiable to police remembering the attack and in multiple video angles of the crowd pushing forward. Three Capitol Police officers testified about battling Reffitt outside the Capitol. They all noted that Reffitt led the mob forward, taunting police officers that they "couldn't stop all of us." Even once officers had knocked Reffitt back with chemical spray on the Upper West Terrace, rioters behind him were disassembling scaffolding and cutting white tarp nearby, following Reffitt's lead, prosecutors argued. The crowd -- which included alleged members of the Proud Boys right-wing group and the infamous QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley, who wore face paint and horns -- was ultimately able to break the police line at that part of the Capitol's exterior, opening the path for some rioters to break windows to enter the Senate side of the building. Text messages and recordings, taken by his son, from after January 6 showed Reffitt recounting how police sprayed him with chemicals and how members of Congress "scurried like rats and hid" while the mob breached the building. "I had every constitutional right to carry a weapon and take over Congress as we tried to do," Reffitt said to his family in one recording. Reffitt later said, "I'm not done yet." One of the officers who faced off against Reffitt, Sgt. Matthew Flood, told the jury he left the west side of the Capitol to help evacuate lawmakers still trapped on the Senate floor. By that point, rioters had cut off all but one escape route -- which they were able to use to rush lawmakers to safety. "They were calling us traitors, saying that we were in their way, to get out of their way. They were saying that they supported us, and we were betraying them," Capitol Police officer Shauni Kerkhoff said. "It made me feel angry because it's our job to stand in the way." This story has been updated with additional information. | 4politics
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Story highlightsEcclestone ruled F1 for 40 years Billionaire pioneered TV rights dealsLeaves legacy for new owner Liberty Media (CNN)Bernie Ecclestone may have been ousted as Formula One's supremo, but his legacy lives on. The 86-year-old frequently divided opinion during his 40 years in charge of the sport, but his impact on its fortunes (and his own) is beyond doubt. "Bernie Ecclestone is a little man with enormous energy," veteran F1 journalist Maurice Hamilton told CNN's The Circuit."He used that energy to lift himself more or less by the bootstraps from being a secondhand car salesman to one of the wealthiest men in sport." JUST WATCHEDValtteri Bottas: quickfire questions ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHValtteri Bottas: quickfire questions 01:16READ: "I can't stop racing -- it's like a drug"Read MoreEcclestone, whose personal fortune is rated at $2.9 billion by Forbes, oversaw F1's transformation from an amateurish operation in the 1970s to the $8 billion business formally acquired in January by new US owner Liberty Media. "He could see where it needed to raise its game to a professional standard," Hamilton says."The image was of greasy mechanics fettling old cars and Ecclestone stopped all that. All the teams had to make their cars look presentable." The Englishman also took the TV companies to task as he sought to optimize F1's revenue, Hamilton says. "If Bernie is to be remembered for any one specific thing, it was his ability to realize and maximize the effect of TV coverage of the sport." Instead of allowing broadcasters to cherry-pick races to televise, Ecclestone demanded they sign deals that guaranteed season-long coverage. "He made a template, if you like, for other sports to follow with regard to utilizing television to the maximum -- not only for the coverage but also financially," Hamilton adds.READ: Five ways F1 will change under US ownershipJUST WATCHEDThe Circuit guide to the F1 driver lineupReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHThe Circuit guide to the F1 driver lineup 01:10But with TV ratings now on the slide -- F1 has lost a third of its viewers since 2008 -- and Ecclestone's disdain for social media -- he once described it as "nonsense" -- the time is right for fresh leadership in the sport, Hamilton argues. "Liberty Media -- as their title suggests -- are very aware of how to promote the sport: they can see where all the faults are," he says. "It needed a boost, and I think we're going to get it."With the first race of the 2017 season starting Sunday in Australia, F1 is about to enter a new era -- but many people in the paddock at Melbourne will likely echo Hamilton's final assessment. "Along the way, of course, he made some enemies but overall Bernie Ecclestone -- the man who ruled the race for 40 years -- did a lot of good and he will be remembered as the man that made Formula One what it is today." | 5sport
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(CNN)Fourteen people involved in recent group thefts at high-end Los Angeles stores have been arrested, authorities said.Groups working in tandem stole property "using weapons and physical force to overwhelm and intimidate store employees and other patrons" in 11 instances from November 18-28, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore announced in a press conference Thursday.Among these incidents were four robberies, six burglaries and one grand theft, said Moore, who linked them to a series of what he described as smash-and grab thefts in the state and across the country. Why some US cities are facing a spree of 'smash-and-grab' crimes Not all the recent group thefts have targeted high-end stores either, as there have also been similar crimes perpetrated against pharmacies and cannabis dispensaries.Group robberies last month in California, Illinois and Minnesota have led to state and local law enforcement committing more resources toward combating organized theft. Read More"These crimes were characterized with multiple suspects working together and coordinate instances involving destruction of property, assault on store employees, and caravans of vehicles parking very close to high-end retail stores," said Moore.All 14 suspects in the Los Angeles crimes are out of custody, Moore said. Some suspects are still outstanding. The amount of property that was stolen is worth about $338,000 and more than $40,000 in property damage, according to Moore, who said the stolen items are likely being resold at a discounted price. | 3news
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(CNN)After months of exhilarating action across a host of major cities, the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) reaches its dramatic conclusion this weekend in an unmissable showdown in New York. Only one point separates this season's top two riders with Belgian Pieter Devos inching ahead of reigning champion Ben Maher in the tightest title race of the tournament's history. Despite sitting in second place, Maher may well have the upper hand over his fierce rival, with only nine scores counting in each rider's tally for the season.The Briton will regain his crown should he finish in fifth place or above, and would need to finish in 14th or higher should Devos place in the top five. READ: Ben Maher on the secrets of his successRead MoreREAD: Pieter Devos on the secrets of his successJUST WATCHEDLGCT New York: The Ben Maher showReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH (18 Videos)LGCT New York: The Ben Maher showLGCT Saint-Tropez: Springsteen triumphsLGCT Rome: Ben Maher leaps to victoryOlivier Philippaerts: Secrets of My SuccessLGCT Valkenswaard: van der Vleuten triumphsLaura Kraut: Secrets of My SuccessEdwina Tops-Alexander: Secrets of My SuccessLGCT London: Ben Maher and the London Knights on topJennifer Gates: Paris Panthers owner opens upLGCT Berlin: Dani G. Waldman takes the victoryLGCT Chantilly: Darragh Kenny jumps to victoryBen Maher: Secrets of My SuccessLGCT Paris: New dad Ahlmann clinches winLGCT Monaco: Van der Vleuten soars to winDaniel Deusser: Secrets of My SuccessPieter Devos: Secrets of My SuccessLGCT Cascais: Martin Fuchs does the doubleLGCT Stockholm: Fredricson clinches home win'Unbelievable'However, there is still an outside chance that German Daniel Deusser can cause an upset. Deusser, who is in third place, would need to rely on both men above him not qualifying for the weekend's Grand Prix event, which is unlikely given both are likely to bring their best horses -- Claire Z (Devos) and Explosion W (Maher) -- to the US. Among the big-name Americans competing in front of their home crowd at the Governors Island venue off the southern tip of Manhattan are Georgina Bloomberg, Jessica Springsteen and Jennifer Gates."This is the first time in years that we will have the best showjumping riders in the world - not just in the country, in the world - come and jump in the highest level of competition," said Bloomberg, the daughter of businessman and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg."This is really the best of the best in the world and I think that anybody who comes will really see the excitement of the sport. I think that it's going to be the one that all the top riders really want to aim for."New Jersey-raised Springsteen, who won the most recent LGCT Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez, added: "It's my home town, my whole family are coming. I think it is going to be unbelievable - I'm so looking forward to it."READ: Global Champions 2019: Schedule and results Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLPrague: The season champions walk into the O2 arena ahead of the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs. Hide Caption 1 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLTo cap a stellar season, Briton Ben Maher (center) adds the Super Grand Prix crown to his second straight Longines Global Champions Tour title.Hide Caption 2 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLMaher and his impressive mount Explosion W in action in Prague.Hide Caption 3 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLMartin Fuchs flies high on Clooney 51.Hide Caption 4 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLShanghai Swans won the Global Champions League Super Cup, the season finale for the team event.Hide Caption 5 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLNew York – New York: The iconic skyline of dominated the final round of the regular season which took place on Governors Island off Lower Manhattan. Hide Caption 6 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLBelgian Pieter Devos held a narrow lead over defending overall champion Ben Maher.Hide Caption 7 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLBut Britain's Maher took the Grand Prix title to secure back-to-back Longines Global Champions Tour crowns.Hide Caption 8 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLMaher's trusty steed was the impressive Explosion W.Hide Caption 9 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLSaint-Tropez – Saint-Tropez: Jessica Springsteen rode RMF Zecilie to her very first individual victory on the Global Champions Tour. Hide Caption 10 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLSpringsteen, daughter of famed rocker Bruce, was a popular winner at the glamorous beach side venue on the French Riviera.Hide Caption 11 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLRome – Rome: Italy's famed Carosello IV Reggimento Carabinieri a Cavallo put on a display for the Global Champions Tour spectators in Rome. Hide Caption 12 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLBritain's Ben Maher, the defending overall champion, clinched the Rome Grand Prix to climb to the top of the season standings. Hide Caption 13 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLValkenswaard – Valkenswaard: Maikel van der Vleuten and Dana Blue on the way to victory in Valkenswaard.Hide Caption 14 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLThe Tops International Arena, in the Netherlands, is a wonderful venue to host the Valkenswaard leg of the tour. Hide Caption 15 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLLondon – London: Winless all season, defending overall LGCT champion Ben Maher hits back with a bang on Explosion W on home soil.Hide Caption 16 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLShane Sweetnam goes airborne on Alejandro at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.Hide Caption 17 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLBerlin – Berlin: Dani G. Waldman and Lizziemary triumphed in Berlin.Hide Caption 18 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLGermany's Ludger Beerbaum and Cool Feeling missed out by just 0.35 seconds.Hide Caption 19 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLChantilly – Chantilly: Darragh Kenny rode to victory on Balou du Reventon in front of the spectacular Chateau de Chantilly north of Paris. Hide Caption 20 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLBen Maher and Explosion W in action at Chantilly.Hide Caption 21 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLParis – Paris: The Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars provided a stunning setting for round 11 of the Longines Global Champions Tour. Hide Caption 22 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLNew dad Christian Ahlmann jumped to his fifth victory on the global circuit.Hide Caption 23 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLMonaco – Monaco: The glitzy riviera resort of Monaco held the 10th and halfway stop of the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League. Hide Caption 24 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLDutchman Maikel van der Vleuten riding Beauville Z dazzled under the floodlights in the principality. Hide Caption 25 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLDutchman Maikel van der Vleuten won the Monaco leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour riding Beauville Z. Hide Caption 26 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLCascais, Portgual – Cascais: Switzerland's Martin Fuchs clinched double victory by winning both the Longines Global Champions Tour event and partnering Ben Maher to triumph in the Global Champions League for London Knights on the Portuguese coast.Hide Caption 27 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLBritain's Maher, the defending LGCT overall champion, rode his Explosion W to second in the individual Grand Prix in Cascais.Hide Caption 28 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLStockholm, Sweden – Stockholm: Peder Fredricson celebrates after winning the inaugural LGCT in the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm.Hide Caption 29 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLThe Swedish capital welcomed the Global Champions Tour for the first time in June 2019. Hide Caption 30 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLCannes, France – Cannes: The "City of Stars" on the French Riviera hosted round seven of the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League. Hide Caption 31 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLBelgium's Niels Bruynseels riding Gancia de Muze edged British Olympic gold medalist Scott Brash to win his first LGCT Grand Prix event. Hide Caption 32 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLHamburg, Germany – Hamburg: Home favorite Daniel Deusser rode Jasmien v. Bisschop to victory in the Hamburg leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour.Hide Caption 33 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLSpectators enjoyed lavish hospitality in the German city as the world's best show jumpers competed just yards from their seats.Hide Caption 34 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLMadrid, Spain – Madrid: Fuchs rode Chaplin to victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, as well as partnering Maher to win the Global Champions League title for the London Knights.Hide Caption 35 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLMadrid – Madrid: Van der Vleuten on Dana Blue finished a narrow second behind Fuchs in the Spanish capital.Hide Caption 36 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLShanghai, China – Shanghai: Danielle Goldstein rode Lizziemary to the Longines Global Champions Tour title in Shanghai in early May.Hide Caption 37 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCL – Israel's Goldstein beat Irishman Darragh Kenny on Balou du Reventon by just 0.08 seconds in the jump-off.Hide Caption 38 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLMiami Beach, USA – Miami Beach: The spectacular waterside setting provided a picture-perfect backdrop for the Miami Beach event. Pictured: Georgina Bloomberg riding Chameur 137.Hide Caption 39 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLBelgium's Pieter Devos and his 11-year-old Claire Z triumphed in an eight-rider jump-off for his first GCT win since 2014. Hide Caption 40 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLDevos beat Harrie Smolders and Don VHP Z by 0.04 seconds in a nail-biting finish.Hide Caption 41 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLMexico City, Mexico – Mexico City: Jerome Guery and Quel Homme de Hus celebrated their first LGCT victory in Mexico.Hide Caption 42 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCL – Guery's stallion was given to him by his best friend two months before the event but they gelled to win a 12-horse jump-off.Hide Caption 43 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCL – The Campo Marte venue, at more than 2,000 feet above sea level, hosted the equestrian events at the 1968 Olympic Games.Hide Caption 44 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCLDoha, Qatar – Doha: France's Julien Epaillard and Usual Suspect d'Auge raced to victory in the jump-off in the season opener in Doha.Hide Caption 45 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCL – The event was held at the state-of-the-art Al Shaqab Equestrian Facility in Doha.Hide Caption 46 of 47 Photos: Best images from 2019 Global Champions Tour and GCL – Britain's Maher came into the 2019 season as overall LGCT defending champion.Hide Caption 47 of 47Team battleMeanwhile, in the Global Champions League (GCL), there is all still to play for at the top of the standings after a dizzying campaign for the 16 teams involved. The St. Tropez Pirates -- represented in New York by Devos, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Dani G. Waldman -- are on top in the rankings but they are closely followed by the Shangai Swans, who sit just two points behind. Deusser, Peder Fredricson and Shane Sweetnam will ride for the Swans this weekend. Defending champions London Knights -- Maher, Martin Fuchs and Olivier Philippaerts -- are six points further adrift, despite recording the most wins this season with four.READ: Jessica Springsteen clinches her biggest career win in Saint-TropezREAD: Martin Fuchs on the secrets of his successMadrid in Motion are another six points back after a consistent season, including two wins. In addition to the GCL title up for grabs, teams will also be fighting for a place in the GC Prague Playoffs, with the top four ranked teams being fast-tracked to the semifinals.The season finale in the Czech Republic is worth an eye-watering $3.3 million and will take place between November 21-24. | 5sport
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Story highlightsEnglish football's ruling bodies face criticism after increase in bad behavior by fansViolence during Sunday's Manchester derby has sparked fury in British mediaPlayers' union chairman denies claims that the problems are getting worseHe says it is more a sign that society is finally not accepting such behaviorsRacist abuse, fan violence, attacks on players -- on the face of it, English football seems to be experiencing a return to the dark days that led to its clubs being banned from Europe in the 1980s.One respected English newspaper declared the sport to be "toxic" and "spinning out of control" following Sunday's tumultuous Manchester derby."Disturbing ... deplorable ... unacceptable" was how Football Association chairman David Bernstein described the pitch invasion, coin throwing, allegations of racist abuse and 13 arrests made during and after United's 3-2 victory at City. That the Premier League's two leading clubs could be involved in such a poor advert for one of the world's most popular and lucrative sporting competitions has led many to question its leaders.The headlines point to a descent back down the slippery slope that resulted in the 1989 Hillsborough and 1985 Heysel stadium tragedies. The latter occurred when fighting fans at the European Cup final caused a crush that killed 39 supporters of Italian club Juventus. Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derby Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derbyPassions run high – Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart of confronts a pitch invader at the end of his side's 3-2 derby defeat by Manchester United, whose defender Rio Ferdinand (at back) was left with a bloody face after being hit by a coin thrown from the crowd. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derbyBeautiful game's ugly side – Police intervened to eject the invader, and the Greater Manchester force also announced after the match that another man was arrested inside City's Etihad Stadium on suspicion of chanting racist abuse.Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derbyVan the Man – The match was settled in the second minute of time added on by Manchester United's Dutch striker Robin Van Persie.Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derbyHole in the wall – Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri (left) diverted Van Persie's free kick past Hart as he backed off from his position in the defensive wall.Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derbyRooney double – Wayne Rooney had put United 2-0 ahead inside half an hour, with the 27-year-old becoming the youngest player to score 150 goals in the English Premier League.Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derbyTurning point? – United should have gone 3-0 ahead just before the hour mark but Ashley Young's effort was ruled out in a marginal offside decision. City hit back immediately through midfielder Yaya Toure.Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derbyZabaleta the savior? – Pablo Zabaleta, right, fired an equalizer in the 86th minute to give second-placed City hope of extending a 21-game unbeaten league run that went back to last season's title-winning climax.Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: United edge fiery Manchester derbySix-point gap – However, Van Persie's 11th EPL goal since signing from Arsenal for $38 million in August left City six points behind leaders United after 16 matches. Hide Caption 8 of 8 Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chants Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chantsWest Ham controversy – West Ham have already banned one fan for life after he was cautioned by police for "racially aggravated gesturing" during their match with Tottenham on Sunday. West Ham's fans are also reported to have aired songs about Adolf Hitler. The FA are to investigate. Tottenham won the game 3-1 with Gareth Bale (left) on the scoresheet.Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chantsFA to probe chants – Neither West Ham manager Sam Allardyce (L) or his Tottenham counterpart Andre Villas-Boas were keen to wade into the controversy. Allardyce told reporters at a post match press call: "I don't want to be a political animal -- I'm here to talk about football."Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chantsBenayoun disappointed – West Ham's Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun took to Twitter to express his view of the chants. He said: "I was very disappointed to hear some of the songs yesterday and it was embarrassing. But we need to remember that it was made by a minority group of fans and I'm sure the FA together with West Ham will do everything to find and punish them."Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chantsRome attack – A group of Tottenham fans were attacked before their recent Europa League match with Lazio as they drank in the city center. One supporter is still in hospital suffering from stab wounds. West Ham's fans allegedly made reference to the incident in their chants.Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chantsAnti-Semitic accusation – A section of Lazio fans unfurled a "Free Palestine" banner during the 0-0 Europa League draw with Tottenham, which was marred by anti-Semitic chanting from the home supporters. Tottenham traditionally have a strong Jewish following.Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chantsClattenburg cleared – Just last week Chelsea's complaint that Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg aimed racist language at midfielder Jon Obi Mikel was dismissed by the Football Association due to a lack of evidence.Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chantsTerry charged – Chelsea's John Terry (L) was found not guilty in a criminal court of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand but received a four-match ban from the FA and a $356,000 fine for calling his opponent a "f*****g black c***."Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Hammers vow action on anti-Semitic chantsSuarez banned – Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez served an eight-match ban in the 2011/12 season for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. Suarez maintained his innocence but Liverpool were heavily criticized for their handling of the case.Hide Caption 8 of 8 Photos: The Heysel stadium disaster Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterA decade of disasters – In the space of four years in the 1980s, a total of 191 people died in three stadium disasters at Bradford, Heysel and Hillsborough.Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterHeysel horror – Thirty-nine fans -- 32 from Italy, four from Belgium, two from France, one from Northern Ireland, the youngest just 11 years old -- were killed in a stampede before the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus at the Heysel Stadium in May 1985.Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disaster'The English disease' – In the decade before Heysel there had been a history of trouble surrounding English supporters at European matches on the continent, notably Tottenham Hotspur in Rotterdam in 1974 and 1983, Leeds United in Paris in 1975 and Manchester United in Saint-Etienne in 1977. Violence had also ominously flared between English and Italian supporters when Liverpool played Roma in the 1984 European Cup final in Italy's capital. Liverpool won the game on penalties.Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterRecipe for disaster – Sixty-five years after its construction in 1920, Heysel was crumbling. The outer wall was made of cinder block, and fans who didn't have tickets were seen kicking holes in it to get in. Heysel's Sector Z terrace had grass poking through the crumbling concrete while flimsy wire-netting separated the Liverpool and Juve fans.Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disaster'That cursed night' – Michel Platini, who is now UEFA president, scored Juve's winning goal in a 1-0 victory, though he was criticized at the time for celebrating. "On that far away spring day I was a player who had not yet turned 30, happy go lucky, like many supporters who on that day made it to Brussels for the love of Juve and who unfortunately never returned, having been ripped away from their loved ones that cursed night," the Frenchman said in 2010.Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disaster'The cup of death' – "For me that cup will always be covered in death," wrote Juve defender Antonio Cabrini in his autobiography. "The cup of death." Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disaster'A story of forgetting' – Heysel is a story of "incompetence, violence, cover-up, shame and lies," writes British historian John Foot -- the author of the authoritative history of Italian football "Calcio."Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disaster'Thirty-nine angels' – "I'm happy that sometimes there is someone who remembers the tragedy," Rosalina Vannini Gonnelli told CNN. "Many years have passed. People had forgotten soon after it happened, so now there's no way. The 39 angels will always be in the memories of their loved ones."Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterForlorn Fagan – "Whenever I think of Heysel, the first image that springs to mind is the expression on Joe Fagan's face as the terrifying scenes of crowd violence escalated to the point where the game that had been his whole life no longer meant anything. At the end, he looked a broken man," wrote former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen of the club's manager in his autobiography "A Matter of Opinion."Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterHeysel rebuilt – Liverpool met Juventus in a competitive match for the first time since that fateful day in 2005's Champions League quarterfinal tie. Liverpool won 2-1 on aggregate and went on to to win the European Cup after beating AC MIlan on penalties in Istanbul.Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterAmicizia? – Striker Ian Rush, right, spent one season at Juve in 1987-88 between two spells at Liverpool. Before the first leg of the 2005 quarterfinal at Anfield, Liverpool supporters held up a mosaic to form the word "Amicizia" (friendship). Some of the visiting Juve fans applauded, but many turned their backs in disgust. There is also a Heysel memorial plaque at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium.Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterJuve remembrance – Juventus officials insist the Serie A club has never forgotten the victims of the Heysel disaster. "The families of the victims are always welcome at the club, the museum and the stadium -- for free," said a Juve spokeswoman.Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterCannavaro respect – Former Juve defender Fabio Cannavaro attended a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Heysel stadium disaster prior to a friendly international between Italy and Mexico in Brussels on June 3, 2010 -- the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterHeysel renamed – A decade after the Heysel disaster the ground was rebuilt and renamed the King Baudouin Stadium.The new ground had a plaque dedicated to the disaster, though it had no names of the victims, before, in 2005, a monument that did include the 39 victims' names was unveiled.Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: The Heysel stadium disasterMemories linger on – Former Juve striker Alessandro del Piero this year told Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport that Liverpool made an approach to him while he was in discussions with Sydney FC but he "thought about what happened at Heysel" before opting for a move to Australia. "Liverpool have worked hard to mend their relationship, but for a lot of people it's something that can never be forgotten," added Del Piero.Hide Caption 15 of 15English team Liverpool was also involved at Hillsborough, where 96 people died during an FA Cup match -- an independent review this year found that the fatal crush was caused by the way British police penned rival fans into small enclosures as part of its anti-hooliganism strategy.But there is another view to counter this week's media hysteria -- namely that football is only now facing up to realities deep at the heart of its foundations to which society has turned a blind eye for years.What's more, this could be a vital turning-point in trying to eradicate behavior that would not be tolerated in everyday life."Previously there were behaviors that we have just passed off as 'Ah, that's football,' " said Clarke Carlisle, chairman of the English Professional Footballers' Association."Aggressive behavior in crowds, aggressive chanting, throwing things onto the pitch, certain levels of abuse -- people have been all too happy to say 'It's at a football match,' " he told CNN. "Now the tolerance levels for behavior like that are coming right down. That's why we're seeing increased numbers of incidents reported, of fans making monkey gestures in isolation, small numbers of people throwing things on the pitch. "It has been happening for a while but now we are clamping down on these anti-social behaviors."Arrests at Premier League matches actually dropped by 30% last season, but conversely the numbers for race-related transgressions have been steadily rising.The world is watchingThe images of blood dripping from the face of Rio Ferdinand after the former England captain was hit by a coin thrown from the crowd on Sunday, and then of the Manchester United defender being confronted by a pitch-invading City fan -- all broadcast worldwide -- have been a lightning rod for criticism after a year of damaging controversies both in the Premier League and the lower divisions.But Carlisle, a former top-flight player now plying his trade in the fourth tier, believes it has just highlighted something that has been a regular occurrence for years."There have been many televised games where guys go to take corners and you see projectiles coming onto the pitch, but it's only on a rare occasion that they actually hit someone," said the 33-year-old, who in a television documentary explored the racist abuse his father suffered as a black player in a semi-pro English league."There's been a shift in people's acceptance of these behaviors," said Clarke. "We're expecting people to behave far more reasonably at football matches, we are expecting the football authorities to take control of the situation with all the technology they have available, and we are expecting repercussions for those behaviors, for people to be accountable whether it's a player, a referee, club official or a fan." Moral vacuum?However, there is a growing perception in Britain that those in power are not doing enough -- despite strongly worded statements by the likes of Bernstein.Herman Ouseley, chairman of the anti-racism group Kick It Out, has criticized the FA and the Premier League in their handling of the John Terry/Luis Suarez cases in the past year, labeling it "12 months wasted in hypocrisy."JUST WATCHEDFootball racism: Not Black & White act 1ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFootball racism: Not Black & White act 1 09:09JUST WATCHEDFootball racism: Not Black & White act 2ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFootball racism: Not Black & White act 2 05:35JUST WATCHEDFootball racism: Not Black & White act 3ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFootball racism: Not Black & White act 3 05:21Terry lost the England captaincy before being cleared in court in July of racially abusing an opponent, but was then banned for four matches by the FA almost a year after the original incident. "There is very little morality in football among the top clubs," Ouseley told British newspaper the Guardian."Leadership is so important; you have to send a powerful message that racism is completely unacceptable. But there is a moral vacuum. "The big clubs look after their players as assets. There was no bold attitude from them, to say that they would not put up with it."CNN asked the FA to respond to these accusations, but was told the ruling body would make no further comment on the Terry/Suarez cases.Clarke agrees that clubs should not just look out for their own short-term interests. "There has to be individual responsibility and accountability at the football clubs for the behavior of their employees," he said."There's an element of responsibility that needs to be addressed. The FA's sanctions for players, for entry-level discrimination, need to be far sterner."The FA has said it will review its sanctions, but no changes can be implemented until the start of next season. Clarke's PFA said on Twitter this week that it had agreed to an FA proposal of five-match bans for racial abuse.Growing problem?The Manchester incidents completely overshadowed Saturday's events at another EPL game hosted by Swansea, where a man was arrested and charged after Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong complained of being racially abused.Norwich revealed later that police are investigating four cases of racial attacks on the Cameroon international in the past fortnight, three of them on social networking website Twitter.Coming soon after two West Ham fans were arrested for alleged anti-Semitic abuse of Tottenham supporters last month, and several other troubling incidents this season, it doesn't paint a healthy picture of English football --- but shows the size of the challenge faced by the authorities.Clarke said the question of suitable punishments requires an all-inclusive approach.JUST WATCHEDFootball racism: Not Black & White act 4ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFootball racism: Not Black & White act 4 08:40JUST WATCHEDFootball racism: Not Black & White act 5ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFootball racism: Not Black & White act 5 07:06JUST WATCHEDFootball racism: Not Black & White act 6ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFootball racism: Not Black & White act 6 08:42"It's easy for me to say a fan should get 'X' punishment, just as it's easy for a fan to say a player should get 'Y,' " he said."If we have some kind of consultation across the board to establish acceptable parameters or unacceptable behavior then we will be seen to be putting something into place that everyone has had an input in."Guidelines neededThe FA is working with the British government to work out ways of dealing with football's problems, and Clarke says this will only be effective if there is a clear set of guidelines laid down for all areas of the game."The biggest change we need in football is some kind of protocol for issues that have come to pass over the past year," he said, when asked about club managers such as Kenny Dalglish and Andre Villas-Boas publicly defending their players Luis Suarez and John Terry while racism investigations were ongoing. "We haven't got any definitive outlines on what should happen when there are incidents of discrimination, especially racial abuse. It's very much a gray area. The defenses go up at the club, they have their own brand and their own assets to protect. "This is all before official investigation and procedure is taking place to ascertain whether that is valid support of the player or club. I think the first thing we need to do is to have a protocol where everyone knows exactly what should happen in these incidents, exactly what behaviors are expected of the people involved, of the club employees and of the press, as well."He said the incident involving referee Mark Clattenburg, who was accused of racially abusing a Chelsea player before being cleared, showed both the improvements football has made and yet how far it still has to go."Procedurally it was a real step forward: something was claimed, it was reported, it was investigated and conclusion was drawn. I think that was outstanding, it was done promptly as well," he said."But because the whole issue went into the press and speculative domain instantly, there were questions that were being proffered and answered that people didn't really have the grounds to answer. "A lot of speculation was drawn and it's possible and plausible that Mark Clattenburg's character had been tainted on the back of that. I believe we need a definitive outline on the protocol in such incidents." Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneer Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerWalter Tull – Walter Tull became the first black outfield player to play in the English top flight when he signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 1909. Tull was the subject of racist abuse, with one particular match against Bristol City leading to Tottenham selling him to Northampton Town.Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerTottenham's Tull – Tull had joined Spurs -- he is pictured here with his Spurs teammates sitting in the front row to the very right -- after helping Clapton F.C. win the Amateur Cup, London Senior Cup and London County Amateur Cup. He made his debut for Spurs at the age of 21.Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerFatally wounded at Favreuil – The First World War broke out in 1914, with Tull signing up to the 17th Service Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, otherwise known as The Football Battalion. He became the first black officer to lead troops into battle, although he was never officially recognized. Tull was fatally wounded by machine gun fire in the French town of Favreuil in 1918.Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerCenter stage – A play telling Tull's story is set for a run at Bolton's Octagon theatre, beginning on February 21. Nathan Ives-Moiba (left) will play Tull and he is pictured here with the Octagon's artistic director David Thacker (right). The pair are pictured alongside former footballer Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch while playing for Bolton Wanderers earlier this year.Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerRose's outrage – Parallels have been drawn between Tull's plight and that of Danny Rose, who claimed he was subjected to racist abuse during an England Under-21 match in Serbia last week. European football's governing body UEFA are investigating the matter.Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerSerbia scuffle – Rose claims he was subjected to monkey chants before, during and after the match against Serbia and had stones thrown at him by the crowd in Krusevac. Fans also ran on to the pitch and scuffles broke out after a 1-0 win secured England qualification for Euro 2013.Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerRoberts' refusal – Last weekend Reading's Grenadian striker Jason Roberts, who has played in England for the last 15 years, was one of a number of black players who refused to wear the Kick It Out T-shirt in protest at what he perceives to be the campaign group's lack of action in combating racism in football.Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerBlack footballers' association – Rio Ferdinand was another player who opted not to wear the Kick It Out T-shirt. The Manchester United defender is reportedly involved in talks to set up a separate black footballers' association.Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Walter Tull: Black footballing pioneerThe first black international – Andrew Watson is another pioneering black footballer. In 1881 he became the first black international player when he represented Scotland in a match with England.Hide Caption 9 of 9JUST WATCHEDPFA chairman: Serbia should be banned ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHPFA chairman: Serbia should be banned 01:15Cultural differencesIt has emerged that the FA is considering cultural lessons for foreign players in order to prevent a repeat of the Suarez-Patrice Evra case last season, where the Liverpool striker was banned eight matches for constantly taunting the Manchester United defender with the term "negrito" during a match.Liverpool's lawyers argued that it was an acceptable, and often affectionate, term in Suarez's native Uruguay -- but the FA ruled that it had much more negative connotations in Britain."There is very much a line of thought that we expect people to know what the levels of acceptability and tolerance are over here when it comes to abuse, discrimination etc. I don't think we should do that," Clarke said. "There shouldn't be any gray areas. If we're expecting people to adhere to certain values and a disciplinary schedule then it's our duty to ensure they know what those values are. It's an excellent idea to get rid of any ambiguities for players coming from overseas who may not be familiar with our values."A new era?Ouseley, the first black person to lead Britain's Commission for Racial Equality, is planning to stand down from his role on the FA Council, according to the Guardian.The 67-year-old has been frustrated by an apparent lack of progress by the ruling body. He would be "a big loss" to football's anti-racism cause, Clarke said. "But that opens the door for somebody else to fill that space. His experience will definitely be a loss, but it doesn't have to be a loss to the initiative -- the ideals and the ethos can still be carried forward. It's an opportunity for the FA to carry on their diversity principles." | 5sport
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Story highlightsPatrick Reed wins MastersHolds off Fowler and SpiethFirst major for 27-year-old AmericanTiger Woods finishes with a 69 (CNN)Patrick Reed repelled the challenges of fellow Americans Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth to win the Masters at Augusta Sunday and claim the coveted Green Jacket.The 27-year-old Reed battled to a one-under-par 71 for 15-under 273 to win by a stroke from Fowler, who birdied the last in a dramatic finish for a 67.Follow @cnnsport
That left Reed needing to par the final hole, draining a testing putt to close out his first major victory before being embraced by his wife Justine."It's almost impossible to put into words how I feel," said Reed, who completed his college golf career at nearby Augusta State University.Patrick Reed is awarded the Green Jacket by 2017 winner Sergio Garcia of Spain after winning the Masters at Augusta.Spieth chargeRead MoreSpieth finished a further shot back after closing with a stunning eight-under 64. He had started the final round nine shots behind Reed, but quickly cut into the deficit with five birdies in his outward half.Reed still had a comfortable buffer but 2015 winner Spieth stepped up his challenge with a further run of four birdies in five holes.The start of his back nine charge came at the short 12th where two years ago he imploded with a quadruple bogey to hand victory to England's Danny Willett.Finding the back of the green, Spieth raised his club in ironic celebration before draining the putt and starting his birdie blitz, culminating in a long-range effort on the 16th to get to 14-under..@JordanSpieth moves into a tie for the lead at 14-under par with the lengthy birdie on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/vAGnHpHyno— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 8, 2018
But a final hole bogey after a dreadful tee shot blunted his challenge and left Fowler to take up the mantle with four birdies in his last six holes, coming up just short in his bid for an elusive first major.Spain's Jon Rahm briefly threatened on the back nine, but finished four shots behind in fourth.The expected challenge from Rory McIlroy never materialized, his hopes fading after he missed an eagle putt on the second which would briefly have drawn him level with Reed at the top of the leaderboard.Other similar misses followed, leaving the Northern Irishman to contemplate another disappointing failure at Augusta as he finished tied for fifth on nine-under after a 74. He will have to wait another year at least to complete his career grand slam.Woods finishes stronglyThe early part of proceedings were enlivened by Tiger Woods' best round of the tournament, a three-under-par 69 for one-over 289.Woods, who was never able to move into contention after an opening 73, birdied the 13th and then eagled the 15th to a huge roar from the galleries.It left him in a tie for 32nd but showing promise he could be a factor in the remaining three majors as he bids to improve on the 14 he has already won, but the last in 2008.EAGLE FOR @TIGERWOODS!#theMasters pic.twitter.com/4aeRhIHotZ— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 8, 2018
Woods is just grateful to be given the chance to compete, given his debilitating back problem for which he needed spinal fusion surgery."To be just able to compete again, if you had said that last year at this particular time I would have said you're crazy, " he said.Phil Mickelson also showed the form that he made him among the pre-tournament favourites as he carded a five-under 67, but having started the day at seven-over, it was mere consolation.Shot of the week was reserved for the last day as American Charlie Hoffman as he aced the par-3 16th for the first hole-in-one of the tournament..@hoffman_charley aces No. 16 for the first hole-in-one of the Tournament. #themasters pic.twitter.com/xezbJ0cslf— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 8, 2018
It was the 20th ace in Masters history at the 170-yard hole as his six-iron narrowly missed a bunker before rolling into the hole.Another notable final round performance came from Tony Finau, who finished with a six-under 66 for seven-under 281, the same mark as world number one Dustin Johnson.Masters 2018: Tiger trails by seven as Sergio Garcia implodes with a 13Finau dislocated his ankle in the Par-3 contest Wednesday while celebrating a hole-in-one and made a remarkable recovery to play in his first Masters, mounting a strong challenge on the first day despite his discomfort.Reed's victory, succeeding Sergio Garcia, whose title defense was derailed by a disastrous quadruple bogey 13 on the first day, means that all four major golf titles are held by Americans of 27 years of age or under.Brooks Koepka will defend his US Open crown in June, with Spieth holding the British Open title while world number two Justin Thomas is the USPGA champion.Of a footnote, Reed did fail in his bid to become the first man in 82 Masters events to break 70 for all four days, but he will care little after forging his place in golfing history with such a resilient display, marked by superb putting under pressure. | 5sport
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This was excerpted from the April 8 edition of CNN's Meanwhile in America, the daily email about US politics for global readers. Click here to read past editions and subscribe. (CNN)Some of the most damaging testimony against the police officer on trial over the death of George Floyd is coming from fellow cops. The second week of evidence against Derek Chauvin, who is charged with murdering Floyd, has moved on from wrenching eyewitness accounts of the Minnesota man's death, which sparked a worldwide racial reckoning. Prosecutors are now narrowing in on Chauvin's conduct in subduing Floyd, making a case that he acted outside reasonable police procedure. The defense will argue that a combination of Floyd's health conditions that Chauvin could not have known about means there is reasonable doubt about whether he ultimately caused Floyd's death. But a succession of police officers have said Chauvin's actions were unnecessary, as prosecutors try to convince the jury that he acted with malice.Read More Lt. Richard Zimmerman, who leads the Minneapolis Police Department's homicide unit, said Chauvin's use of force while Floyd was already pinned down and handcuffed was "totally unnecessary." Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified that officers are not trained to kneel on the necks of suspects. Sgt. Jody Stiger, an LAPD use of force expert, said Chauvin had employed "excessive" force. Another police officer, Nicole Mackenzie, said officers are required to provide medical help and to call emergency services for suspects who appear in distress. Prosecutors have of course selected witnesses who bolster their case. But most of the officers who testified came across as sympathetic, subtly embroidering the wider arguments about police brutality in America. It's impossible for an outsider to know what's really going on: Is one officer being thrown overboard to shield the Minneapolis Police Department from wider claims of endemic brutality and misconduct? Or are witnesses revealing a rogue colleague whose actions left an unfair impression of the force and the police more generally? In either case, it is highly unusual to see a parade of US police officers testify so uniformly against one of their own. More often, they close ranks.Farewell to all thatIt's been likened to the burning of the Library of Alexandria -- but instead of the destruction of precious knowledge, the imminent demise of Yahoo Answers will finally close an unparalleled archive of human ignorance, the digital home to questions like Does eating hot dogs change your voice? Where can I obtain a wedgie board? Do I have to make my own wedgie board or can I buy one from a witch or a vegan? Where can I buy a frog? (Not for sexual reasons)?Most of today's surviving social networks have evolved to wield actual influence in the real world. Redditors manipulate the stock market. Facebook may sway how people vote. Twitter is a megaphone for the powerful. But over more than 15 years, Yahoo Answers never did make much impact offline, perhaps limited by its founding concept: a place for people who want answers not from actual sources of information like encyclopedias, phone books or newspapers -- but from other lost souls.The site became notorious for questions hinting at alarming personal circumstances and gross misconceptions, from the iconic urgent query "how is babby formed? How girl get pragnent?" to "how is cheese formed in a cow?" More recently, a rich vein of rhetorical political "questions" posted by trolls or conspiracy theorists has also emerged, eclipsing the more innocent era of debating how to remove spaghetti stains from underwear.Yahoo Answers closes on May 4. Until then, the site's ceaseless questions and responses offer a glimpse of the unfiltered American psyche as it fumbles, divided, with the news of the day. Take a look.Who is crazier, those who are putting an experimental vaccine in their arm or those who aren't? ?Why do I need ID to buy firearm if I do t need one to vote?I'm ugly but why instead of being humble with low self-esteem I'm very cocky rude and arrogant?its kind of disheartening to think we're in our infancy in terms of space exploration ?Why does no Western power intervene in Yemen like they do everywhere else?Is Australia in Europe?Should Trump buy Yahoo immediately to prevent Answers from being shut down?Can you point me to another site like yahoo answers where I can post about the truth regarding the left's degeneracy and ruining of the USA? | 3news
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(CNN)Hunter Biden is expected to meet with potential buyers at two of his art shows after the White House formed an agreement with the gallery to address ethics concerns. Biden is set to attend art shows in Los Angeles and New York City, with Georges Bergès Gallery spokeswoman Robin Davis telling CBS, "Oh yes. With pleasure. He's looking forward to it. It is like someone debuting in the world. And of course he will be there. "A source familiar with the agreement told CNN that while Hunter Biden is attending the art shows, he will not have any conversations related to the selling of the art. He is expected to keep the conversations focused on the creative process of his art and what his art means to him, but not the sale or price.The George Bergès Gallery did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. A representative for Hunter Biden did not respond to a request for comment.The White House referred CNN back to a previous statement on the matter.Read More"The President has established the highest ethical standards of any administration in American history, and his family's commitment to rigorous processes like this is a prime example," said Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, earlier this month.When asked about the arrangement at the daily press briefing Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, "We believe this is a reasonable system that allows for Hunter Biden to work in his profession within appropriate safeguards."Is Hunter Biden's art any good?CNN reported earlier this month that the White House was involved in forming an agreement between the gallery and Biden to address potential ethics concerns for his pieces, which are priced between $75,000 and $500,000.Two sources familiar with the sales arrangement told CNN that the purchaser of the artwork will be kept anonymous and neither Hunter Biden nor the public will have knowledge of who bid on or purchased the work. If there is any unusual behavior -- such as the offer price being too high or the collector doesn't appear interested in the work -- the gallery is expected to turn down the offer, the sources said.However, there's no clear enforcement mechanism for the standards agreed upon by the gallery and the prospective purchasers of Hunter Biden originals.White House and gallery sources had emphasized complete anonymity with the agreement, both with buyers and potential buyers.The gallerist, George Bergès, will track offers and purchases and will not share them with anyone, including Biden or his father's administration, a source familiar with the agreement told CNN. Bergès, the source said, is not allowed to share the names of any prospective or actual buyers under the agreement, and has the discretion to reject any offer.Yet Biden will be able to see who the prospective buyers are at these shows, even if he does not talk to them about the price or sale. | 4politics
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(CNN)The encounter between the teen phenom and her idol didn't disappoint as the drama continued at the women's WTA year-end championships. In this case it was the elder superstar in Simona Halep who downed the ailing Canadian trailblazer Bianca Andreescu 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-3, saving a match point in the process. Halep didn't enjoy the greatest of preparation for the elite tournament due to a lingering back complaint, but it was Andreescu's back that ultimately gave way in the grueling two-and-a-half hour thriller. This @Simona_Halep @Bandreescu_ match is a final... @WTAFinals— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) October 28, 2019 The earlier match in the Purple Group went into the record books, with defending champion Elina Svitolina winning the longest ever tiebreak at the WTA Finals 14-12 as part of a 7-6 (14-12) 6-4 triumph over Karolina Pliskova. The first two days in the event's new home of Shenzhen, China haven't disappointed -- both matches Sunday went to a third set. Andreescu's parents hail from Romania and their daughter spent chunks of time in Romania when younger. Later, she got the chance to meet Halep, who fielded questions and gave her some advice. It was the Wimbledon champion who ultimately had the right answers on court Monday against Canada's maiden grand slam singles winner. Read MoreREAD: Naomi Osaka: 'I want to leave some sort of legacy'JUST WATCHEDNaomi Osaka reflects on a rollercoaster 2019ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHNaomi Osaka reflects on a rollercoaster 2019 02:54They both beat the same player, all-time great Serena Williams, in the Wimbledon and US Open finals. Svitolina, meanwhile, lost to Andreescu in Indian Wells, California in March, when the latter truly announced herself to the tennis world. Her record this year stood at 48-5 and was even better against the top 10 -- a win-loss record of 8-1. All that despite withdrawing from the French Open in the first week and missing Wimbledon altogether with a troublesome right shoulder injury.Those figures seemed like getting even better when the feisty all-rounder led by a set and 6-5 in the second. She took it to Halep, especially when returning second serves, and was the aggressor for most of the first two sets.Simona Halep beat Bianca Andreescu in three sets at the WTA Finals on Monday. Early upper hand for AndreescuThinking on her feet -- literally -- she struck a tweener from the baseline facing the net at 2-4 in the second set and overcame a slight graze to her lower left leg that necessitated a rare medical timeout not during a changeover. One sensed it was a win for Halep just to be competing in Shenzhen after missing last year's showpiece in Singapore courtesy of the back, but she despises losing and it showed on the match point. Andreescu held the upper hand in the rally but Halep defended admirably, finally getting an unforced error from her opponent. Biance Andreescu suffered just her sixth loss of the season. Halep only struck three unforced errors in the Wimbledon final and while that wasn't the case against Andreescu, the match point sums up her counter punching brilliance. In the tense tiebreak, Halep slapped her thigh in frustration when a set point went astray, while Andreescu bounced her racket in disgust at 6-6 after a backhand miss. After Andreescu missed a second-serve return wide to end the set, Halep smiled to her box, which included influential Australian coach Darren Cahill. Both players took medical timeouts, though in Halep's case it seemed to be for a tape issue to her foot. Andreescu was in more distress and Halep, from a 2-1 break deficit in the third, cruised home. Svitolina went undefeated last year and an unblemished champion this year would give the winner a check of $4.725 million, the biggest ever payday in tennis. The counter punching Svitolina had won three in a row against ace queen Pliskova, so the Czech dropping the first set in an hour and five minutes and in such dramatic fashion was a massive blow. Tiebreak keySvitolina converted on her seventh set point in the tiebreak -- Pliskova had one.The Ukrainian broke early in the second set, Pliskova drew level but the reigning champion prevailed after hitting four good first serves to escape from 15-40 in the final game. JUST WATCHEDElina Svitolina on the WTA Finals and SerenaReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHElina Svitolina on the WTA Finals and Serena 03:25Svitolina made her grand slam breakthrough this season, making semifinals at Wimbledon and the US Open. If she wins the title in Shenzhen, the world No. 8 would become the first back-to-back winner since Williams claimed three in a row from 2012-2014. Sunday's winners, Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka and French Open titleist Ashleigh Barty, face off in the Red Group Tuesday, while Melbourne runner up Petra Kvitova meets US Open semifinalist Belinda Bencic. Osaka beat current world No. 1 Barty in the gripping Beijing final earlier this month. | 5sport
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Story highlights The court says the law doesn't violate the European Convention on Human RightsA young French woman brought the case to the courtShe says the ban infringes on her ability to live according to her faith and convictionsThe French law went into effect in April 2011The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday rejected a claim by a young Muslim woman that France's ban on the wearing of burqas and niqabs in public violates her rights.The French law banning the burqa, a full-body covering that includes a mesh over the face, and the niqab, a full-face veil with an opening for the eyes, went into effect in April 2011.It has pitted religious freedom advocates against those who say the Islamic veil is demeaning to women and inconsistent with France's rigorously enforced secularism.A 24-year-old French woman brought the case to Europe's top rights court in Strasbourg because she says the ban infringes on her ability to live according to her religious faith, culture and personal convictions.JUST WATCHED2011: Burqa ban stirs debate ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH2011: Burqa ban stirs debate 01:19JUST WATCHED2011: Fighting France's 'burqa ban'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH2011: Fighting France's 'burqa ban' 01:59But the court said Tuesday that it found that the French law doesn't breach the European Convention on Human Rights.Muslim woman's caseThe woman, a devout Muslim whose name has not been disclosed, had tried to draw on several articles of the convention to make her case. Those articles cover the right to respect for private and family life; the right to respect for freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and the prohibition of discrimination.The woman said no member of her family has put pressure on her to wear the burqa and niqab. She wears them in public and private, but not all the time, she said.The European Court of Human Rights started hearing the case in November.Debate in FranceThe French Constitutional Council said in 2010 that the law does not impose disproportionate punishments or prevent the free exercise of religion in a place of worship, finding therefore that "the law conforms to the Constitution."But critics argue the government has no business telling people what clothes to wear or how to practice their religion.The law drew criticism from some human rights and religious organizations and some Muslims as discriminatory. France has Western Europe's largest Muslim population.The French law imposes a fine of 150 euros (about $205) for wearing the items. The person breaking the law can be asked to carry out public service duty as part of the punishment or as an alternative to the fine.When the legislation came into effect, some analysts said it was largely born out of internal French politics, with former President Nicolas Sarkozy's center-right party seeking to fend off a challenge from a more hard-line right wing. | 3news
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(CNN)President Joe Biden told party leaders at the White House on Wednesday that he has approved a transfer of $15 million from the Democratic National Committee to help boost the efforts of the party's House and Senate campaign committees, officials said.The move comes as Democrats fight to protect their narrow majorities in the House and Senate. The President told Senate and House leaders of his commitment to the November midterm elections during meetings where he sat down for separate discussions with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee."Speaker Nancy Pelosi and I had a productive meeting with the President during which he made one thing clear -- he is all in on the midterms, and that starts with a significant investment in House races," Maloney said in a statement to CNN. "Together, we can tout House Democrats' incredible record of accomplishments over the past year -- from bouncing back from the pandemic to creating millions of jobs and rebuilding the nation's infrastructure by passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. If we stand together in pursuit of victory, we will hold the House in 2022."A senior Democratic Party official confirmed the $15 million transfer, which was first reported by NBC News.The Democratic National Committee called it the largest-ever midterm cash transfer, with $7.5 million each going to the two campaign committeesRead More"President Biden understands the stakes of this midterm election -- if Republicans take the Senate, they'll push the agenda of the ultra-wealthy and big corporations at the expense of working Americans," Peters said in a statement. "I'm thankful for his strong support of Senate Democrats and look forward to continuing our work together to protect and expand our Senate majority."The $15 million is in addition to previous investments in targeted battleground states, on voter protection efforts, data building and state party building.It's part of a coordinated campaign the DNC is building across eight states, where some of the top House and Senate races are playing out.The meetings with Biden and party officials come after Democrats voiced criticism of the White House political operation and its outreach to House and Senate leaders.CNN reported last month that three dozen exclusive interviews had revealed that top Democratic politicians, campaign officials and operatives were saying the White House political operation was heading into the midterms unprepared and unresponsive even to basic requests for help or information.Biden advisers told CNN at the time that the President talks politics with Pelosi and Schumer, but people familiar with both leaders say any campaign talk has been brief, and Democratic leaders have significant concerns with the White House's approach to getting the President to break through with voters. It's not just that Biden's approval ratings have tumbled. Those in charge of keeping Democrats in power doubt that Biden's team understands how to improve his political fate -- and with it, theirs.This story has been updated with additional information.CNN's Isaac Dovere contributed to this report. | 4politics
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Story highlightsAfrica's five longest presidencies are cumulatively 169 years The average age of the 10 oldest presidents is 78.5, compared to 52 in the most developed countriesDavid E Kiwuwa is Associate Professor of International Studies at Princeton University. CNN is showcasing the work of The Conversation, a collaboration between journalists and academics to provide news analysis and commentary. The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. This piece was originally published in October 2015.There is something unmistakably common in Africa: the continent's aging and long-serving presidents.Its five longest presidencies stretch between 29 and 36 years, adding to a cumulative 169 years. Their longevity in office is matched by their old age, ranging from 71 to 91 years, and a combined 390 years.Gabon's Omar Bongo had been president for a whopping 41 years when he died in office at the age of 73 in 2011. Hastings Banda, Malawi's self-proclaimed president for life, was in his late 90s when he was ousted from office in 1994. Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe is 91, making him the oldest leader in the world. The average age of the ten oldest African leaders is 78.5, compared to 52 for the world's ten most-developed economies. Arguably, compared to other continents, Africa has a very small proportion of younger leaders between 35 and 55. Paradoxically, the continent has the youngest population in the world, with a median age of 19.5 years according to the U.N.Old and out of touchRead MoreAfrica has a leadership age gap disconnect between the leaders and the led. To put it into context, 85% percent of Angolans were not born when Dos Santos came into power in 1979. 83% of Zimbabweans were born after Mugabe first came into power as prime minister in 1980, while 79% percent of Ugandans were born after Museveni took over power in 1986.On average, only between 15% to 21% of their citizens were alive when these presidents took the reins.So, with a burgeoning youthful demography at the bottom, the political top is disturbingly a graying lot. The issue here is the age at which African leaders continue to hold the fort and ultimately refuse to unclench their grip on power.Read more: 326 billion reasons Africa is on the moveThis question has been given specific relevance by the poster boy of the aging leadership, the nonagenarian Mugabe. He recently read an old state of the nation address to his parliament.This, after he had an earlier mistakenly denounced his own party, shouting "down with ZANU PF". The increasing gaffes and their frequency tell a progressively sad narrative: the old man is unable to exercise or retain the alertness needed for the job.It shows him to be obviously incapable of providing an unclouded vision that matches the pace, expectations and tongue of time. But most troubling, leaders such as him have failed to deliver on the expectations of their burgeoning youth.Why is Africa so saddled with leaders who ought to be enjoying their retirement in peace and quiet, instead of in the unforgiving political corridors, campaign trails and taxing political brinkmanship that challenge even the youngest leaders? If the average age of the continent is 19.5, why is the average age of leadership 65?Part of the explanation across the board is their mastered use of brute force and violence to cow opponents. Also, the aging leaders' supporters argue that with age and longevity in office comes wisdom, foresight and experience. But this is clearly contradicted by the abysmal performance of their economies and uncertain sociopolitical stability.Yet, such leaders still attract reverence and unbridled loyalty from their supporters. Equally, being seen as "fathers of the nation", who led independence or liberation struggles, makes them irreproachable, irrespective of their shortcomings, extending their tenure.Perhaps a broader explanation that cuts across their respective constituencies lies in the combination of political machinations, shrewd political brinkmanship through patrimonial networks and corrupt practices.Undoubtedly, it is also their longevity in the executive office that has curtailed and stifled the emergence of credible and youthful successors. But this doesn't fully explain why Tunisia, Namibia, Liberia, Ghana and others still return leaders in their twilight years. This begs the question: are African youths still unable to appreciate their ability to dictate the pace and direction of their own destinies or the correlation between their leaders' age and their floundering fortunes?Read more: What is Africa's most competitive country?Clearly the answer is in the affirmative. This paradox is informed by a binary where those at the top are stuck in the anti-colonial/Western mentality. Added to this are nostalgia of liberation struggles and distrust for youth, while those at the bottom are driven by technological innovation, globalization, the pressure of consumerism and the frustration of unfulfilled promise.Much of the progressive world embraces the innovativeness of youth -- its energy, vibrancy, adaptability, willingness to embrace change and enthusiasm to learn. Africa, on the other hand, wobbles behind, unable to keep pace, thanks to its conservative aging leaders.For as long as the leaders and their followers have differing interpretations of what the continent needs today and tomorrow, Africa will for the foreseeable future stay caught in unpredictable generational crosswinds between her past and the future.Follow @CNNAfrica
Republished under a Creative Commons license from The Conversation. | 3news
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(CNN)The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been accused of being "played by the Russians" after the country's anti-doping agency missed the December 31st deadline to hand over data from its Moscow laboratory.Sir Craig Reedie, WADA president, said he was "bitterly disappointed" that one of the conditions set when it lifted the three-year suspension on the Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA) in September had not been met. WADA's compliance review committee will meet on January 14 in Canada to consider its options, which could see the country once again banned from international events. Travis Tygart, United States anti-doping agency (USADA) chief executive, said the situation was a "total joke" and an "embarrassment for WADA and the global anti-doping system." Travis Tygart, CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features and videosRead More'No one is surprised'In a statement, Tygart said: "In September WADA secretly moved the goalposts and reinstated Russia against the wishes of athletes, governments and the public. In doing this WADA guaranteed Russia would turn over the evidence of its state-supported doping scheme."No one is surprised this deadline was ignored and it's time for WADA to stop being played by the Russians and immediately declare them non-compliant for failing yet again to meet the deadline."Statement from USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart on WADA Failure to Enforce Deadline for Russia Data Submission pic.twitter.com/tjY1Imt5iY— USADA (@usantidoping) January 1, 2019
However, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has suggested Russia would not be suspended for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, saying the country had "served its sanction" when banned from the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang last year. WADA's decision in September allowed Russian athletes to return to competition across all sports despite the country not having complied with all demands following the revelations in 2015 of a state-sponsored doping program. The suspension was lifted pending Russia meeting "strict conditions" that included a timeline for "access to the former Moscow laboratory data and samples." In November Reedie had said it was "very hard to believe" Russian authorities "won't deliver," but last month WADA was unable to extract all of the promised data with the Russian authorities reportedly saying that the team's equipment required to be certified under Russian law. Really proud that the @ukantidoping Athlete Commission were able to put together this statement. It's time for Craig Reedie, Olivier Niggli and Thomas Bach to listen to athletes.We call on WADA to do what is right by the athletes, their families, their fans and their sport. pic.twitter.com/oJo221b0lb— Callum Skinner (@CallumSkinner) January 1, 2019
The UK anti-doping athlete commission said RUSADA must be declared non-compliant and suspended. It said: "The Russian state needs to prove unequivocally that they have learned from the biggest doping scandal under WADA's watch, and that they will from this date forward be committed to a drug-free, transparent regime across international sport."Otherwise the WADA compliance review committee and the WADA executive committee must immediately declare Rusada non-compliant."WADA's leadership has the opportunity to stand up for the interests of athletes, their families, their fans and their sport. We trust that those we look to for leadership will demonstrate their resolve and commitment to clean sport."In the name of sport, it is time to do what is right."RUSADA has yet to make an official statement. | 5sport
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Story highlightsWood finishes 2 strokes ahead of Steve Stricker despite 2 bogeys in last 3 holesWoods' 76th PGA tour win puts him closer to regaining the No. 1 rankingIt is Woods' second tournament win of the young seasonTiger Woods won the World Golf Championship tournament at Doral's Blue Monster course in Florida on Sunday, boosting his comeback just weeks before next month's Masters.Woods, 37, finished Sunday's final round two strokes ahead of runner-up Steve Stricker despite two bogeys in his last three holes.Woods' 76th PGA tour win puts him closer to regaining the No. 1 ranking in the world, a status now held by Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy, 23, who finished the tournament seven strokes behind Woods and tied for eighth place.It is Woods' second tournament win of the young season, adding to the Farmers Insurance Open title he won in January. The hot start is reminiscent of a stretch from 2005 to 2007 when Woods won 21 tournaments and five majors. Woods credits his physical condition and his work with swing coach Sean Foley. "I'm finally healthy and that has a lot to do with it," he said Saturday. The major overhaul to his technique is complete, he said. "We are just making fine tunes. Each and every day you have little bitty adjustments here and there," he told reporters. | 5sport
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(CNN)Violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State was "extreme, large-scale, widespread, and seemingly geared toward both terrorizing the population and driving out the Rohingya residents," a US State Department investigation found. However, the report stopped short of calling the violence "genocide." The results of the investigation, which were quietly released on Monday, suggested that Myanmar's security forces engaged in a "well planned and coordinated" campaign of violence against the Muslim minority.The State Department worked with human rights investigators in the spring of 2018 to conduct surveys with more than 1,000 Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh. Their testimonies paint a shocking portrait of the atrocities committed over the past two years."I had to choose between my children and my mother... I had only two hands and two children," a 35-year-old male refugee described. UN granted access to Rohingya villages in Rakhine state According to the report, most of the refugees witnessed a killing, two-thirds witnessed an injury, and half witnessed sexual violence. One-fifth of the refugees in the survey witnessed a mass-casualty event with more than 100 people. Seventy-five percent said they saw members of the army kill someone. That same percentage said they saw the army destroy huts and villages. Read More"The military and BGP (Border Guard Police) slaughtered my son, who was 5 years old. When military came, I was pregnant. The situation was very horrific. I could not get all of my children. I could not go to my son. He was killed," a 25-year-old female said.Forty-five percent of refugees witnessed a rape, and most were committed by a member of the army. "About 100 women were rounded up and raped in the hills, on the road, in front of their homes, wherever they could find them," a 60-year-old female described. Although the report describes the violence as "atrocities," it does not go as far as to label them "genocide" or "crimes against humanity."An independent UN investigation released in late August called for Myanmar's military leaders to be investigated and prosecuted for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Following the release of that report, UN Secretary General António Guterres said the Myanmar government should be held accountable for "one of the world's worst humanitarian and human rights crises." The release of the State Department report came on the same day that UN Ambassador Nikki Haley announced that the US would provide more than $185M in humanitarian aid to Myanmar's Rakhine State."We continue to call on the Burmese government to do more to hold those who have engaged in ethnic cleansing accountable for their atrocities, end the violence, and allow full humanitarian and free press access. And we greatly appreciate Bangladesh's unwavering generosity in hosting and caring for the refugees," Haley said in a statement.CNN's Elizabeth Joseph, Richard Roth, Laura Ly and Steve Almasy contributed to this report. | 4politics
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S.E. Cupp is a CNN political commentator and the host of "SE Cupp Unfiltered." The views expressed in this commentary are solely hers. View more opinion articles on CNN. (CNN)Before a bombshell story in The Atlantic revealed eye-popping allegations that President Donald Trump had referred to America's fallen soldiers as "losers" and "suckers," another story was making its way into the ether without much notice. S.E. CuppIn February of 2020, the Pentagon ordered Stars and Stripes, the longtime publication serving United States' service members, to shutter, demanding that the last newspaper publication be September 30, 2020. That's according to a little publicized memo from Col. Paul Haverstick, Jr., recently obtained by USA Today, in which he claims the administration has the authority to red-line the $15.5 million annual subsidy for Stars and Stripes in the President's fiscal year 2021 Defense Department budget, indicating the order comes from the top. It's no surprise, given President Trump's seething disdain for the media and its coverage of him. After a wave of outrage at the news, Trump seemed to realize the move would not endear him to a key constituency. He tweeted, triumphantly and as if totally divorced from the initial demand: Read More"The United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to @starsandstripes magazine under my watch. It will continue to be a wonderful source of information to our Great Military!" What happens if we don't know who our president is on Election Day? Ultimately, this will be Congress's decision. And they would be wise to ignore the DoD order. Stars and Stripes is not just any publication. It's been a vital resource for US troops and veterans for more than 150 years, making this decision an infuriating one for those who believe the military deserves better than to be a casualty of Trump's petty politics of revenge. Stars and Stripes is, in one aspect, the local news provider on US military bases around the world. It is read by enlisted and deployed troops here and overseas, veterans and civilians for its coverage of important stories to the military community. It is also an important agent of investigative journalism. From veteran suicides and sexual assault to Covid-19 on bases, military housing issues and defense spending, Stars and Stripes has been on the literal front lines for more than a century. I spoke to several current and former Stars and Stripes reporters, editors, photojournalists and loyal readers, who expressed a deep sense of concern and urgency over the decision, and they explained why Stripes is such an important part of their community. Bryce Dubee, a veteran and former Stripes reporter, was an active duty Army soldier when he was assigned as a reporter to the Tokyo Bureau for three years. For him, the newspaper is invaluable to families stationed overseas. Retired general: Look for this in your next president "We covered everything from local crime stories, base housing policy issues, education reporting, high school sports, hospital billing mistakes, off-post restaurant reviews, changes to local laws that Americans need to be aware of -- I even did some volcano coverage once," he remembers. "Military public affairs just won't cover a lot of those topics, and when you're a young service member or spouse who suddenly finds yourself stationed in another country, possibly for the first time in your life, Stripes is literally the only local news source that's there for you to give you that information." Geoff Ziezulewicz, a senior reporter for Military Times, was a Stripes reporter from 2005 to 2012 in Germany, England, Italy and in repeated downrange embeds in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to important local stories, it's also the news from home that is so appreciated. "Deployed troops used to tell me that reading a copy of Stripes, even if it was days old, was a high point in their days in Iraq or Afghanistan. I think reading NFL recaps or the comics was a tether to deployed service members because life downrange can feel like you're on another planet." Steve Beynon told me he read Stars and Stripes on a mountain in Afghanistan when he was a 19-year-old aspiring journalist. He is now the publication's Veterans reporter. The '60-day rule' for elections Barr may be willing to bend for TrumpFor that community in particular, he worries about the impact the potential closing of the publication will have. "Between 2005 and 2017," he says, "78,875 veterans took their own lives and the VA has seemingly not been able to put a dent into the crisis. To lose Stars and Stripes would not only cripple access to news for military families and troops, but it would also kneecap accountability of the institutions which consume the bulk of taxpayer dollars." Indeed, it's hard to justify the potential savings of shutting down the outlet when compared to the billions of taxpayer dollars Stars and Stripes holds accountable at DoD. According to a letter to DoD Secretary Mark Esper signed by a bipartisan group of Senators, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Sen. Shelley Capito, the $15.5 million saved by eliminating the paper would have a "negligible impact" on its $700 billion budget. According to Stars and Stripes' own reporting, Esper moved to strip the funding after a review of Pentagon spending, deciding to divert that money to "higher-priority issues," like purchasing modern weapons. It's exactly that kind of decision that justifies the important and necessary journalism of Stars and Stripes -- an organization that is uniquely a part of but independent from the military. Where we need the most diverse team of advisers for US safetyErnie Gates, who served one term as Stripes' ombudsman from 2012-2016, and is serving his second term currently, addressed that complex but important role. "My charge is to hold the newsroom accountable to journalism standards, and to defend its independence from command interference. What DoD proposes would be fatal interference for a unique First Amendment organization that has served US troops reliably for generations." As Gates explained, Stripes' value lies in its singularity. Its "independent content is not duplicated by other news organizations," nor are its far-flung reporting and distribution abilities hindered by the limitations of profit-oriented operating models. Stripes has likewise adapted to the digital era, delivering news and content on print, web, tablet, mobile, podcast and other platforms. The print product is especially vital in geographic areas with no internet service. Communities all over America have suffered from the slow death of local news. One in five newspapers in the US has shuttered over the past 15 years -- almost 1,800 papers since 2004 -- according to research from the University of North Carolina. The impact is demonstrable.The real reason Trump wants to talk about Pelosi's hairAs one Florida resident, whose local paper was shuttered, told The New York Times: "After years without a strong local voice, our community does not know itself ... We are a nameless and faceless town defined only by neighborhoods." An editor and publisher of a now-defunct New York newspaper had this bleak warning: "We were a check on governments, on endless environmental and zoning hearings, on budgets that we often published in detail, on misdoings and good doings. There is now a void. No one took up the slack." Local news is vital to every community, large and small. When it comes to our military community at home and around the globe, this could not be more crucial. I asked the publisher of Stars and Stripes, Max Lederer, Jr., about the mood there in the wake of the order. "It's not great right now," he said. "There's a lot of anxiety, especially for people who have worked for the organization for a long time and deeply believe in its mission, who see this as a symbol of a big loss to the military community and the country as a whole." Congress must do what's right. The House has already approved a budget that restores funding to Stars and Stripes. The Senate has yet to act, but that bipartisan letter to Secretary Esper made the point clear, that "Stars and Stripes is an essential part of our nation's freedom of the press that serves the very population charged with defending that freedom." Get our free weekly newsletterSign up for CNN Opinion's new newsletter.Join us on Twitter and FacebookThe President's disaffection for democratic institutions like the free press has already put too many communities in jeopardy. When you silence the press, you empower the already powerful, and open doors for corruption, injustice and systemic abuse. Willfully pulling a curtain over the military and the Department of Defense, as too many recent examples have proven, is a truly terrible and costly proposition. As Lederer said, "We are closing up and darkening the way the government works, in this case, the Department of Defense, which is not healthy for democracy." But also for the countless Americans who put on a uniform or who died wearing one, cutting off this lifeline would also be a travesty and an unforgivable slap in the face. | 3news
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London (CNN)Four years on from the UK's Brexit vote, a majority of British voters would now opt to remain inside the European Union, says new research. According to the European Social Survey (ESS), a pan-European poll carried out every two years, 56.8% of respondents in the UK indicated that they would vote to remain inside the bloc, an increase from 49.9% the last time the survey was published in 2018. The most recent survey shows that of those questioned in the UK, 34.9% said they would vote to leave and 8.3% said they would not vote at all. The findings -- shared exclusively with CNN -- come in the same week that marked the fourth anniversary of the 2016 referendum. The intervening years have seen the UK engage in divisive internal debate about precisely what form Brexit should take, complicated negotiations with Brussels on how the country would leave the bloc, and painful political deadlock that only ended on January 31 this year, when the UK finally left the EU.The survey also reveals that support for the EU has grown broadly across the continent.The latest survey of 26 countries, four of which are not member states, reveals an increase in support for EU membership, suggesting that speculation that other countries would quickly follow the UK to exit the union is possibly unfounded. Read MoreOf the 19 countries that participated in both the latest and previous ESS, all EU member states saw support for EU membership rise. There was little change in Norway and Switzerland, which are not member states. The latest data was gathered while the UK was still negotiating its exit from the EU as a member state."Brexit had an early uptick in support among member states, but for most EU citizens, Brexit hasn't been on their radar for a long time," says Georgina Wright, an EU expert at the Institute for Government. "Over the past few years there has been more of a sense that Europe isn't static. At the last EU election we saw lots of parties who backed EU reform elected to the parliament, which I think suggests citizens are increasingly positive about the EU's ability to change with the times."Outside of the bloc there is a mixed picture. In the Balkans there are majorities in Montenegro and Serbia for joining. However, support remains strong for staying outside in non-member states that have a far closer relationship with the EU than the UK government currently claims to want. Switzerland, for example, is part of the EU's Schengen Area and operates in line with large areas of EU law in order to participate in the EU's Single Market. Just 11.2% of respondents in the country would be in favor of joining. Norway, where 21.5% of respondents were in favor of joining the EU, is a full member of the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, by contrast, has stated on numerous occasions that the UK will not fall in line with EU law and seeks only a free-trade agreement with the bloc. Any deal would need to be in place by December 31 of this year, when the UK's current transition period with the EU expires. Although the survey shows a significant swing in British support for EU membership compared to 2016, it paints only part of a murky picture in the context of British politics. Johnson won an 80-seat majority in a landslide election victory back in December on the simple platform of "Get Brexit Done," suggesting that leaving the EU was popular after more than three years of indecision. "A lot of people, regardless of their preference for leave or remain, believe that the referendum was a democratic vote, regardless of what they think of the outcome. So in the words of the PM, they might agree that we needed to get Brexit done," says Will Jennings, Professor in Politics at the University of Southampton. "Asking people hypothetically how they would vote if the referendum were happening now, you might get an interesting answer. But it is a fundamentally different question." Whatever is happening in the UK, the apparent trend of increased support for the union among its own ranks will be welcome news to Eurocrats. Brussels has been careful to prevent Brexit setting a trend for increased Euroskepticism and has myriad internal problems due to disagreements between member states on issues like China and migration. "Our latest data suggests that the UK remains divided on Brexit, however, in the rest of the union, support for remaining in the EU remains very high and is actually rising," says Professor Rory Fitzgerald, Director of the European Social Survey at City, University of London. "Support for remaining ranged from 66% (Czech Republic) to 89% (Spain), suggesting that the anti-EU sentiment seen in the UK is not spreading to other countries." However, he also notes that if the UK is successful in striking a deal with the EU before the end of the year, then Britain's Europe question could be settled once and for all."Only in countries outside the bloc like Norway and Switzerland do we see higher levels of anti-EU sentiment than in the UK. However, this suggests in the longer term, being outside the union might see support for re-joining decline."Whether that happens will largely come down to what kind of deal, if any, Johnson manages to strike with Brussels. "The softest deal that this government wants to strike is far harder than many of the people in this country are comfortable with," says Simon Usherwood, professor of politics at the University of Surrey. "When people start to see the impact that has on the country and the economy, we might soon learn that the European question is far from settled as new battle lines are drawn." Brexit negotiations between the EU and UK have continued through 2020 via videoconference, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both sides have previously told CNN that the lack of human interaction has made the negotiations more fraught. And while both want to reach an agreement, there is still significant distance between the two sides, and very little time left, unless either London or Brussels makes a major concession. | 3news
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Story highlightsEdward Snowden leaks info on U.S. spy programs; he's charged in the U.S.Last summer, Russia granted him temporary asylum; the term expires July 31His lawyer says Snowden made a formal request to extend his asylum in RussiaEdward Snowden is hoping to stay in Russia a little, or perhaps a lot, longer.The former National Security Agency whistleblower, who leaked secret information about U.S. spying programs, has formally requested that Russia's government extend his temporary asylum, Russian state news reported Wednesday. The asylum request was filed with the Moscow branch of the Federal Migration Service, said Snowden attorney Anatoly Kucherena, according to state-run Itar-Tass and RIA Novosti.As to how long Snowden might extend his stay, RIA Novosti reported that Kucherena said, "We won't say yet in what status we would like to receive the extension because that decision is up to the Federal [Migration] Service."Kucherena noted that Snowden's temporary asylum in Russia ends on July 31. He'd been holed up at a Moscow airport for five weeks before the Russian government granted asylum for one year on August 1. Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – John Walker ran a father and son spy ring, passing classified material to the Soviet Union from 1967 to 1985. Walker was a Navy communication specialist with financial difficulties when he walked into the Soviet Embassy and sold a piece of cyphering equipment. Navy and Defense officials said that Walker enabled the Soviet Union to unscramble military communications and pinpoint the location of U.S. submarines at all times. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors promised leniency for Walker's son Michael Walker, a former Navy seaman. Click through the gallery to see other high-profile leak scandals the United States has seen over the years.Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – Military analyst Daniel Ellsberg leaked the 7,000-page Pentagon Papers in 1971. The top-secret documents revealed that senior American leaders, including three presidents, knew the Vietnam War was an unwinnable, tragic quagmire. Further, they showed that the government had lied to Congress and the public about the progress of the war. Ellsberg surrendered to authorities and was charged as a spy. During his trial, the court learned that President Richard Nixon's administration had embarked on a campaign to discredit Ellsberg, illegally wiretapping him and breaking into his psychiatrist's office. All charges against him were dropped. Since then he has lived a relatively quiet life as a respected author and lecturer.Hide Caption 2 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – Jonathan Pollard is a divisive figure in U.S.-Israeli relations. The former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst was caught spying for Israel in 1985 and was sentenced in 1987 to life imprisonment. Previously, the United States and Israel discussed his possible release as part of efforts to save fragile Middle East peace negotiations, according to sources familiar with the talks. On July 28, 2015, Pollard's lawyer announced that the convicted spy had been granted parole and would be released on November 21 -- exactly 30 years after his arrest.Hide Caption 3 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – Wen Ho Lee was a scientist at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico who was charged with 59 counts of downloading classified information onto computer tapes and passing it to China. Lee eventually agreed to plead guilty to a count of mishandling classified information after prosecutors deemed their case to be too weak. He was released after nine months in solitary confinement. Lee later received a $1.6 million in separate settlements with the government and five news agencies after he sued them, accusing the government of leaking damaging information about him to the media.Hide Caption 4 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – Members of the Bush administration were accused retaliating against Valerie Plame, pictured, by blowing her cover in 2003 as a U.S. intelligence operative, after her husband, former Ambassador Joe Wilson, wrote a series of New York Times op-eds questioning the basis of certain facts the administration used to make the argument to go to war in Iraq. Hide Caption 5 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – In 2007, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, was convicted on charges related to the leak of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame. Libby was convicted of obstruction of justice and perjury in connection with the case. His 30-month sentence was commuted by President George W. Bush. Cheney told a special prosecutor in 2004 that he had no idea who leaked the information. Hide Caption 6 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – Aldrich Ames, a 31-year CIA employee, pleaded guilty to espionage charges in 1994 and was sentenced to life in prison. Ames was a CIA case worker who specialized in Soviet intelligence services and had been passing classified information to the KGB since 1985. U.S. intelligence officials believe that information passed along by Ames led to the arrest and execution of Russian officials they had recruited to spy for them.Hide Caption 7 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – Robert Hanssen pleaded guilty to espionage charges in 2001 in return for the government not seeking the death penalty. Hanssen began spying for the Soviet Union in 1979, three years after going to work for the FBI and prosecutors said he collected $1.4 million for the information he turned over to the Cold War enemy. In 1981, Hanssen's wife caught him with classified documents and convinced him to stop spying, but he started passing secrets to the Soviets again four years later. In 1991, he broke off relations with the KGB, but resumed his espionage career in 1999, this time with the Russian Intelligence Service. He was arrested after making a drop in a Virginia park in 2001.Hide Caption 8 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – Army Pvt. Bradley Manning was convicted July 30 of stealing and disseminating 750,000 pages of classified documents and videos to WikiLeaks, and the counts against him included violations of the Espionage Act. He was found guilty of 20 of the 22 charges but acquitted of the most serious charge -- aiding the enemy. Manning was sentenced to 35 years in military prison in 2013.Hide Caption 9 of 10 Photos: Sharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaksSharing secrets: U.S. intelligence leaks – Former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden revealed himself as the leaker of details of U.S. government surveillance programs run by the U.S. National Security Agency to track cell phone calls and monitor the e-mail and Internet traffic of virtually all Americans. Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia after initially fleeing to Hong Kong. He has been charged with three felony counts, including violations of the U.S. Espionage Act, over the leaks.Hide Caption 10 of 10JUST WATCHEDSnowden: 'I was trained as a spy'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSnowden: 'I was trained as a spy' 01:04Since that time, Snowden has kept busy working for a Russian website and speaking out about the disclosures about the U.S. government's spying programs and processes that he helped make public.Snowden's disclosures in 2013 made him in an icon among those who praised him for risking his future to expose these secrets and a villain among those who accused him of being a lawbreaker who betrayed the United States.The former government information technology contractor collected information on spy programs -- in which the NSA mined phone and Internet metadata from thousands of people inside and outside of the United States -- and exposed the programs to the media.U.S. authorities have charged him with espionage and theft of government property.Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commented on Snowden's case in an interview this week with the German magazine Der Spiegel."I think he is a poor messenger for the message that he's trying to take credit for," she told the magazine."I think he could have provoked the debate in our country without stealing and distributing material that was government property and was of some consequence," Clinton said.Opinion: A year after Snowden, the real costs of NSA surveillanceEdward Snowden's interview: 10 things we learnedReview board finds potential for abuses in NSA surveillance | 3news
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Story highlightsThe plane crashed July 17 in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 on boardThe crash report says the plane was brought down by "high-energy objects"The Dutch foreign minister said one passenger was found with an oxygen maskA passenger on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was found wearing an oxygen mask when the victim's body was recovered in eastern Ukraine, the Dutch foreign minister and public prosecutor's office said."They did not see the missile coming; but you know that someone was found with an oxygen mask over (his or her) mouth? So (he or she) had time to do that," Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans told the Dutch talk show "Pauw" on Wednesday.READ: Nun, athlete, family: The MH17 victimsThe Dutch public prosecutor confirmed the minister's account, saying that "during the identification process an oxygen mask was indeed found on a victim.""The mask was attached around the victim's neck with an elastic strap. The Netherlands Forensic Institute examined the mask for fingerprints, saliva and DNA, but the results were inconclusive," the prosecutor's office said in a statement Thursday."It is not known how and at what point the mask came to be around the victim's neck. The passenger's relatives were informed at the time. None of the other victims recovered were found to be wearing oxygen masks."JUST WATCHEDReport details final moments of MH17ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHReport details final moments of MH17 02:25JUST WATCHEDHow complicated are Russian missiles?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHHow complicated are Russian missiles? 03:27JUST WATCHEDMH17 crash site abandoned amidst warReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMH17 crash site abandoned amidst war 01:24New information raises questionsThe statements raise questions about what happened in the moments after the Boeing 777 was allegedly hit by a missile over eastern Ukraine July 17, in an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists. The fact that a passenger was able to put on an oxygen mask seems to dispel the idea that all 298 people on board were killed instantly in the air.The United States and Ukraine accused pro-Russian separatists operating in the region of downing the plane with a missile, a charge the rebels denied.A preliminary report by the Dutch Safety Board last month supported that theory, saying the plane was hit by "high-energy objects," but it did not cast blame. About two-thirds of those who died in the incident were Dutch. The plane was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.READ: An arsenal that can reach the skies'I should not have said it'Timmerman's remarks appear to have been off-the-cuff. On Thursday, he said that he regretted revealing the information about the oxygen mask, because not all the victims' relatives had yet been informed."I should not have said it," he said in a statement released by the foreign ministry. "I feel enormously for the next of kin. The last thing I want is to in any way worsen their suffering."The foreign ministry said the government had previously informed the family of the victim who was wearing the mask, but had not distributed the information further because "no conclusion" could be drawn from the fact that the victim was wearing a mask, and "more research is needed."The victim was not of Dutch nationality, the foreign ministry said, but it did not specify where the victim was from. All next of kin have now been informed. | 3news
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Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen are co-founders of the non-profit HFC, a coalition member of the Paid Leave Alliance for Dementia Caregivers. The opinions expressed in this commentary are theirs. View more opinion articles on CNN. (CNN)Last year will be remembered as a year of loss and heartache for millions of families, including ours. After 15 long, difficult, years, we lost Lauren's mother to the relentless march of Alzheimer's.Lauren Rogen We were a young couple when we first found out Lauren's mom, Adele, was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's, a disease that affects up to 5% of the more than five million Americans living with Alzheimer's. It took her as it takes so many -- bit by bit, day by day, slowly robbing her of her thoughts, her memories and those corny jokes she loved to tell. Seth RogenAs part of her care team, we learned what it meant to parent a parent as the illness cheated Lauren's mother of her ability to do for herself the daily tasks we take for granted, from eating to bathing to dressing. We lived those early years in the shadows in a way -- it was a time when people quietly whispered about the disease. And it was through our caregiving experience that we learned that government and most employers provide people -- especially young people -- with little to no caregiving resources. We learned the ugly truth that the United States is the only industrialized nation without a national paid family leave policy to help people balance care for older loved ones while working. Read MorePresident Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal, currently before Congress, includes an expansion of paid leave, and would make at least two weeks of paid leave mandatory for every American employee, "plus an additional 12 weeks to take care of children or family members for coronavirus-related reasons at two-thirds of their pay," the Washington Post reported. That's a critical first step, and Congress must pass it -- and make it permanent. In 2012 we founded the non-profit HFC (which stands for Hilarity for Charity) to help close the existing gap in support for family caregivers, as well as to educate young people about living a brain-healthy lifestyle, and activate the next generation of Alzheimer's advocates. In 2019, HFC awarded more than $1 million in grants that provided 50,000 hours of in-home respite care for 371 families. These resources were a lifeline for these families but obviously the need is far greater. How women can wipe out Alzheimer'sToday, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the care crisis in America and shown how desperately we need policies like paid family and medical leave if we are to rebuild the nation's economy. Yet, the last pandemic relief package Congress passed, in December, left out these essential provisions for all caregivers, from parents to caregivers of older adults. As a new presidential administration and a new Congress chart a path for long-term economic recovery, now is the moment for us to yell and scream for the relief needed by those of us working day and night to care for our parents and the other people we love.The millennial generation -- already the poster children for high debt and living paycheck to paycheck -- is hit particularly hard when their parents have Alzheimer's or related diseases. According to the non-profit advocacy group UsAgainstAlzheimer's, nearly two million millennials provide care for a loved one living with Alzheimer's or a related dementia, and experience high levels of emotional distress and disruptions to their ability to work -- 14% have left the workforce entirely due to dementia caregiving responsibilities. Meanwhile, 40% of employed caregivers in this generation say they or someone at home has had to borrow money or go further into debt caring for a loved one.Even as our family struggled with our mom's diagnosis, we know we've been luckier than most caregivers in our situation. Our family was in a position that allowed us to care for Lauren's mom without worrying about making difficult financial decisions. But with almost 80% of millennial caregivers experiencing emotional distress, we know that so many need more support. JUST WATCHEDShe works as a dishwasher to see her husband amid Covid-19ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHShe works as a dishwasher to see her husband amid Covid-19 01:41We joined the Paid Leave Alliance for Dementia Caregivers, convened by UsAgainstAlzheimer's, because we know paid leave could be a lifeline for the caregiver community, and especially its younger people, who need more of a foothold as they struggle to navigate care and work at a critical time in their lives. Congress and the Biden administration have an opportunity to reshape family caregiving by making paid family and medical leave central to building a stronger and family-focused economy. We urge they them to:--Include families caring for older adults, not just parents caring for children, when they consider paid leave benefits, flexible schedules and job security for employed Americans; --Provide relief for at-home caregivers who have had to leave jobs or take lower-paying jobs to care for their loved ones at home due to closures of adult-day programs; --Provide households with stimulus payments big enough and for long enough that caregivers can make good choices about how care is provided without the worry of settling for poor or inadequate services;--And establish flexible workplace policies to let employed caregivers accompany their loved ones to medical visits, including visits related to clinical trials and life-saving research.Get our free weekly newsletterSign up for CNN Opinion's new newsletter.Join us on Twitter and FacebookAdele, Lauren's mom, was a teacher for 35 years. She taught her young students and her children what it means to belong to a community. She taught us how to use our voices and actions for good.And she taught us how to care for the people we love -- and also how important it is to show up for them.Her children and the generations of children she taught carry those lessons with them today. It's time for elected leaders to do the same. | 3news
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(CNN)One of Naomi Osaka's Japanese sponsors has apologized after releasing an advertisement which has been widely accused of "whitewashing" the tennis star's skin tone. The 2018 US Open winner is featured in the ad as an anime character for instant noodle giant Nissin, alongside fellow Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori.Critics allege the cartoon depicts Osaka, who is half Japanese and half Haitian, as having pale skin, light brown hair and Caucasian features.A screengrab from a commercial produced by Japanese noodle maker Nissin, featuring tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori."I was truly disappointed to see that there was no woman of color to speak of in the commercial. Instead, I found a white-washed representation of Osaka," Baye McNeil, an African-American columnist who writes for the English-language Japan Times, said in his "Black Eye" column. Noodle maker Nissin said that it did not intend to whitewash the 20-year-old tennis star, who holds dual Japanese and American citizenship.Read More"There is no intention of whitewashing," Nissin spokesman Daisuke Okabayashi confirmed to CNN. "We accept that we are not sensitive enough and will pay more attention to diversity issues in the future."He said that the video had been shown to Osaka before it was released, adding that Nissin would stop using the ad and remove it from YouTube following a request from the player's management company, IMG.The Japanese company has apologized for the perceptions formed around the ad, which it said were unintentional. The ad was illustrated by anime artist Takeshi Konomi, famous for his "Prince of Tennis" cartoon. The company did not say whether it would be discontinued following the backlash.Osaka, who is in the semifinals of the Australian Open following her straight-sets victory over Ukraine's Elina Svitolina Wednesday, is ranked 4th in the world and won her first grand slam title at Flushing Meadows last summer.It was also the first time a Japanese player had won one of tennis' four Grand Slams. Photos: Naomi Osaka: US Open champion's career in pictures - After turning professional in September 2013, Osaka made her WTA main-draw debut at the 2014 Bank of the West Classic. The then 16-year-old showed her promise by defeating former grand slam champion Samantha Stosur in her opening match. The eventual winner of that tournament? Serena Williams. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Naomi Osaka: US Open champion's career in pictures - Fast forward a year and the young Japanese player was beginning to work her way up the world rankings. She ended 2015 by winning the 2015 Rising Stars Invitational exhibition, defeating Caroline Garcia in the final.Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Naomi Osaka: US Open champion's career in pictures - Osaka reached her first grand slam at the 2016 Australian Open. The 18-year-old qualifier progressed to the the third round, before being roundly beaten by eventual winner Victoria Azarenka. Osaka went on to reach the third round at both Rolland Garros and the US Open later that year. Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Naomi Osaka: US Open champion's career in pictures - Osaka finished 2016 by reaching her first WTA final. After being handed a wildcard to compete at the Toray Pan Pacific Open, the youngster (left) finished runner-up behind Caroline Wozniacki (right). The successful year yielded rich rewards for Osaka. She broke into the world Top 50, signed a worldwide marketing agreement and was voted newcomer of the year at the WTA Awards. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Naomi Osaka: US Open champion's career in pictures - Osaka built on her breakthrough 2016 by playing in all four grand slams in 2017. Performing consistently on the biggest stage enabled the youngster to test herself against the world elite. Perhaps her most notable victory came in the first round of the 2017 US Open. Osaka defeated defending champion Angelique Kerber in straight sets, before being knocked out in the third round. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Naomi Osaka: US Open champion's career in pictures - After achieving her best grand slam finish at the 2018 Australian Open (fourth round), Osaka won her first WTA title at the 2018 BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells. She cemented herself as a future star with wins against former world No.1's Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep on her way to victory. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Naomi Osaka: US Open champion's career in pictures - In March 2018, Osaka was pitted against her tennis hero for the first time, in the first round of the Miami Open. It was Serena's fourth comeback match since giving birth and Osaka ran away with a comfortable straight sets victory. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Naomi Osaka: US Open champion's career in pictures - The pair then met for a second time, at the 2018 US Open final. Serena was aiming for her 24th Grand Slam title and Osaka was competing in her first grand slam final. Amid controversy involving her opponent and the umpire, the 20-year-old Japanese star deservedly won in straight sets for her biggest career win to date, earning $3.8 million in the process. Hide Caption 8 of 8The final, in which she beat Serena Williams, was overshadowed by controversy surrounding the 23-time major winner's outburst at the referee. That saga also prompted an allegedly racist cartoon, when an Australian cartoonist depicted Williams with large, exaggerated lips and a nose reminiscent of racist depictions of black people in the US during the Jim Crow era. In that image, Osaka was portrayed as a blonde woman with pale skin. The US-based National Association of Black Journalists said the cartoon was "repugnant on many levels."Osaka's grand slam win captured the attention of Japan, which has not produced a female player in the world top 10 since 2004.Correction: This story has been updated to clarify the name of the sponsor on first reference. | 5sport
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(CNN)Are you a Detroit Pistons fan and want to own a piece of team history? Well, you're in luck.The Palace of Auburn Hills, the NBA team's home from 1988 to 2017, is auctioning off thousands of items. Whether it's seats or team memorabilia, there are over 3,000 items available in the online auction.According to CNN affiliate WDIV, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Detroit Pistons Foundation.The arena was part of some of the most memorable Pistons moments. The team has won three titles, all of them during its tenure at the Palace of Auburn Hills. There were back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990, and the latest came with an upset of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004.Of course, the Palace is also a part of one of the most infamous moments in NBA history. In what became known as "the Malice at the Palace," players from the Pistons and the Indiana Pacers brawled before some fought with fans in November 2004. | 5sport
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Moscow (CNN)Cuba's new President Miguel Díaz-Canel will begin an official trip to Russia on Thursday, a visit that will have historic resonance.It's the first time a Cuban president will be visiting Moscow since leadership there passed to a generation not old enough to remember the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. And it comes as Cuba casts about for support amid tighter sanctions and travel restrictions imposed last year by the Trump administration.Ties between Moscow and Havana have traditionally been strong. The Soviet Union was Cuba's main patron during the Cold War, and the Soviets once maintained an important electronic listening post at a base near Havana. And the Russians have long been an important trade partner: Cubans may excel at keeping their 1950s American cars going, but they also love their Soviet-era cars.JUST WATCHEDCuba: Return of the LadasReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHCuba: Return of the Ladas 02:07Díaz-Canel was only an infant when Fidel Castro made his famous visit to Red Square in 1963. And while the island may no longer be an arena for a military confrontation between superpowers, military cooperation between Russia and Cuba is likely to be front and center during the Cuban president's visit.Fidel Castro, pictured left, and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev during a four-week official visit to Moscow in May 1963.Speculation in particular has focused on potential new arms deliveries to Havana: The Russian business daily Kommersant recently reported about a possible $50 million loan to Cuba to buy Russian military hardware. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the subject of possible military cooperation "will be prominently featured on the agenda" when Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Díaz-Canel, but declined to comment specifically on that report.Read MoreThe Russians will be throwing other lifelines to Cuba. Ahead of Díaz-Canel's visit, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov told reporters on a visit to Cuba that Russia had signed "serious contracts" worth a total of around $260 million for the modernization of Cuban infrastructure, state news agency RIA-Novosti reported Wednesday.Opinion: Cuba's new leader just a rebranding of repressionPerhaps equally important, the visit gives Russia a platform to express solidarity with a country that is also in a confrontation with the US. Russia has been under US and European sanctions after the annexation of the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014. In addition to facing tighter US sanctions, Cuba has disputed claims that US diplomats in Havana have come under deliberate sonic attack.The Russians are already rolling out the red carpet. In a show of support for Cuba, Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, adopted a statement Wednesday on the need to end the US economic and trade blockade of Cuba, the Russian state news agency TASS reported. | 3news
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Story highlights Little progress in a meeting in Kiev Saturday to ease tensions in eastern Ukraine Separatists in Eastern Ukraine ignore international deal Putin says he won't give in over to Western demands U.S. to take part in military exercises in Poland and EstoniaTwo days after an international pact was brokered with the stated goal of easing tensions in Ukraine, the major players met again in Kiev to hash out plans to push it along.While there was little indication of what, if any, progress was made Saturday in defusing tensions, all sides agreed to allow a 57-nation organization with a history of stepping in to mediate crises to moderate talks. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said in a statement it planned to send its deputy chief monitor to eastern Ukraine to help implement an international pact reached among Russia, Ukraine and its Western allies in Geneva earlier this week. "In this regard the meeting's participants recognized the need to take immediate concrete steps towards de-escalation," according to the OSCE statement. The OSCE says the Ukrainian government has already taken steps to do this.OSCE also said the participants in Saturday's meeting in Kiev also agreed "to meet regularly" as they work to resolve the continuing unrest in some eastern Ukrainian cities.JUST WATCHEDFatal shooting raises tension in UkraineReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFatal shooting raises tension in Ukraine 02:21JUST WATCHEDUkrainians pray for peaceReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHUkrainians pray for peace 02:30JUST WATCHEDMission to avoid a civil war in UkraineReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMission to avoid a civil war in Ukraine 07:38Donetsk separatists stand their groundMeanwhile, Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine did not agree to the Geneva Statement, and in defiance of the international deal, have dug in their heels. But they have not seized any new buildings or infrastructure sites since the deal was signed.However, in Donetsk and other cities, they have refused to leave the buildings they do occupy or to lay down their arms. A key element of the Geneva pact calls for them to vacate the buildings and disarm in exchange for amnesty.The separatists' self-declared leader, Denis Pushilin, who leads a group called the Donetsk People's Republic, says the separatists did not sign the deal.Pushilin said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who signed the deal, was not acting on his behalf. "He signed on behalf of the Russian Federation." Pushilin has called for a referendum by May 11 on the separation of eastern Ukraine from the country as a whole. Such a move could prove popular among Ukrainians who view the country's interim authorities as illegitimate. The current government took power in February after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.Putin says Russia won't back down under threat of U.S. sanctionsThe Geneva Statement has not stopped the war of words between Russia and Western powers. JUST WATCHEDRubin: 'Little chance' of calm in UkraineReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHRubin: 'Little chance' of calm in Ukraine 03:27JUST WATCHEDU.S. military to train in Eastern EuropeReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHU.S. military to train in Eastern Europe 04:41JUST WATCHEDUkraine peace talks lack specificsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHUkraine peace talks lack specifics 02:31The U.S. has accused Russia of fomenting instability in Ukraine and has imposed sanctions on some Russian officials.The West has repeatedly called on Russia to withdraw some 40,000 troops that NATO says it has massed near Ukraine's border. Moscow insists they are there for military exercises.In an interview posted on Russia's state-owned Rossiya 1 website, President Vladimir Putin said he won't give in to Western demands.But on Saturday Putin said he saw no reason why relations between East and West shouldn't return to normal, according to state news agency ITAR-Tass."This does not depend on us. Or not on us only. This depends on our counterparts," he is quoted as saying. "I believe there is nothing preventing (the) improvement of relations and ... normal cooperation." U.S. military exercises in eastern EuropeThe diplomatic back-and-forth came amid word from a Western official that U.S. troops will take part in military exercises Eastern Europe. The official, with direct knowledge of the plan, said the exercises will take place in coming weeks in Poland and Estonia.Both countries are U.S. allies and share a border with Russia. Officials in Poland and Estonia have both expressed concern over recent Russian military movements and actions in and around Ukraine. Putin aims to reward Russian troops for Crimea The Russian government has plans to reward the nation's troops who took part in the annexation of Crimea last month.Putin announced those intentions during an interview that aired on Russian state TV Saturday."I don't think we will know (those who participated in that mission) in the near future, but government awards will certainly follow."READ: Shooting adds tensions to 'Cold War' standoff in Ukraine READ: Opinion: Why Geneva accord on Ukraine is tactical victory for RussiaREAD: Opinion: How Ukraine crisis could pull U.S. to war | 3news
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(CNN)Alex Murdaugh, a South Carolina lawyer whose wife and son were killed in June, was arrested Thursday in connection to an insurance fraud scheme that court documents say involved Murdaugh arranging for his own killing so his surviving son could collect the life insurance payout.He faces charges of insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report, according to a statement from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The case will be prosecuted by the state Attorney General's office. A SUV containing Murdaugh pulled up to the Hampton County Law Enforcement Center late Thursday morning, and Murdaugh was seen exiting the vehicle shortly after it pulled through a gate."I can assure you that SLED agents will continue working to bring justice to anyone involved with any criminal act associated with these ongoing investigation," SLED Chief Mark Keel said in the statement. "The arrests in this case are only the first step in that process."As authorities investigate the Murdaugh family killings, here's a look at who's whoThe killings of his wife and son on June 7 have not been solved, and Murdaugh has denied responsibility.Read MoreMurdaugh was shot in the head on a roadway September 4 but survived. A family spokesperson had previously blamed the shooting on an unidentified man in a blue truck. But Murdaugh admitted to authorities on Monday that he had conspired with a man -- identified by police as Curtis Edward Smith, a former client of Murdaugh -- to kill him as part of the scheme, according to an affidavit to support charges against Smith.Murdaugh decided to end his own life but believed his life insurance policy had a suicide exclusion, his other attorney Dick Harpootlian told NBC's "Today Show," and that the scheme "was an attempt on his part to do something to protect" his eldest and only living child.Murdaugh appeared in court Thursday, where Hampton County Magistrate Judge Tonja Alexander set a $20,000 personal recognizance bond. Murdaugh was required to surrender his passport to SLED and sign a waiver of extradition. Harpootlian said in court that Murdaugh would be returning to an out-of-state rehabilitation center where he's being treated for an opioid addiction that Harpootlian says contributed to his financial issues.Murdaugh entered court handcuffed, wearing a beige prison jumpsuit and a mask, his glasses perched on top of his head. At one point Murdaugh appeared to wipe tears from beneath his glasses while Harpootlian described the killings of his wife Margaret and son Paul and the toll their deaths had on him. "He has fallen from grace," Harpootlian said. "But before any of that falling happened, his wife and son were brutally murdered, and that has had an extraordinary effect on him. So we'd ask you to allow him to go and help heal himself." If Murdaugh leaves the facility without permission, the judge said, his bond will be revoked and a bench warrant will be issued for his arrest. South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, seen in this booking photo, was arrested Thursday after turning himself in on charges related to a failed insurance fraud scheme.Former client charged in suicide schemeSmith, 61, was charged Wednesday with assisted suicide, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, pointing and presenting a firearm, insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.On Thursday, Hampton County Magistrate Judge Alexander set bond for Smith at $55,000. Asked if he was interested in a public defender, Smith replied, "I'm probably going to look at one, yes," adding he would likely apply for one early next week. Alexander ordered Smith to appear for roll call on October 25 at the Hampton County courthouse. Smith must obtain an attorney within 15 days or his bond will be revoked, Alexander said, and he must keep the court notified of any changes of address.Curtis Edward Smith, 61, allegedly shot Alex Murdaugh in the head as part of a conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, according to an affidavit.Smith had a separate bond hearing Wednesday in Colleton County and received a $5,000 cash surety bond for a meth charge and a personal recognizance bond for a marijuana charge. He was transferred to Hampton County custody Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.After he was shot September 4, Murdaugh called 911 to report he had been shot on a road in Hampton County, according to SLED, and he was taken to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia.Authorities initially described Murdaugh's injury as a "superficial gunshot wound to the head," though Murdaugh's attorneys said his skull was fractured in the shooting.Murdaugh allegedly provided Smith with a firearm and directed Smith to shoot him in the head. Smith admitted Tuesday to being present at the shooting and to disposing of the firearm afterward, the affidavit states. Murdaugh had represented Smith as his attorney on at least two occasions dating back to 2010, according to court records from the Colleton County 14th Judicial Circuit. He first represented Smith in a personal injury lawsuit that Smith brought against a land management company. Murdaugh is also listed as Smith's attorney for a 2013 traffic infraction, the court documents show.Alex Murdaugh walks into his bond hearing on Thursday, September 16, 2021, in Varnville, South Carolina.Authorities now investigating multiple deathsMurdaugh's arrest Thursday is the latest development in what's become a sprawling, high-profile crime saga unfolding in the southern region of the Palmetto State, where the Murdaugh family has been a powerful legal dynasty for decades. Over 87 consecutive years, three generations of Murdaughs served as the 14th Circuit Solicitor, an office that controls the prosecutions in Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.Tragedy first struck in early June, when Alex Murdaugh's wife and son, Margaret and 22-year-old Paul, were shot dead outside the family's home in Islandton, about an hour north of Hilton Head Island, according to SLED. Colleton County Sheriff's deputies determined both victims had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.At the time of his death, Paul Murdaugh was facing charges of boating under the influence (BUI), causing great bodily harm and causing death in connection to a 2019 boat crash that claimed the life of 19-year-old Mallory Beach, court records show. Paul had pleaded not guilty and court records show the charges were dropped after his death.About two weeks after the killings, SLED announced that, based on information gathered in the course of the investigation, it was reopening an investigation into the death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old whose body was found on a Hampton County road in 2015.South Carolina law enforcement opens criminal investigation into 2018 death of Murdaugh family's housekeeper Then, on Wednesday, SLED said it was opening a criminal probe into the death of the Murdaugh's housekeeper in February 2018. Gloria Satterfield, who spent more than two decades working for the family, died in what was described as a "trip and fall accident" at the Murdaugh home, according to the attorney representing her estate, Eric Bland.The investigation was opened, SLED said, at the request of the Hampton County coroner, who highlighted inconsistencies with Satterfield's stated manner of death, as well as information gathered during SLED's other ongoing investigations involving Alex Murdaugh."The decedent's death was not reported to the Coroner at the time, nor was an autopsy performed," the coroner's request to SLED said. "On the death certificate the manner of death was ruled 'Natural,' which is inconsistent with injuries sustained in a trip and fall accident."Murdaugh's shooting September 4 came a day after he resigned from his law firm following allegations he had misappropriated funds. Two days later, he released a statement saying he was entering rehab and that his law license had been suspended. CNN's Eric Levenson, Amanda Watts, Gregory Lemos, Melissa Alonso, Caroline Kenny and Christina Maxouris contributed to this report. | 3news
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Story highlightsAttorney for Jerome Valcke says allegations against him are outrageous lies54-year-old Frenchman has been secretary general of the organization since 2007FIFA is embroiled in a bribery scandal (CNN)FIFA announced Thursday that Secretary General Jerome Valcke was suspended, effective immediately, while the organization investigates allegations he participated in a scheme to profit off the sale of World Cup tickets on the black market.Valcke was relieved of his duties until further notice, the international governing body of soccer said.The organization's brief statement to the media said FIFA's ethics committee will investigate the series of allegations involving Valcke, the No. 2 man in FIFA after President Sepp Blatter.FIFA: Sepp Blatter showered with fake money by British comedianThe claims, reported in several major international newspapers, come from a sports marketing company consultant, Benny Alon, who said that Valcke and FIFA agreed to provide tickets to World Cup matches in 2014 that were sold on the black market for much more than their face value. Read MoreComplete FIFA coverage "Jerome Valcke unequivocally denies the fabricated and outrageous accusations by Benny Alon of alleged wrongdoing in connection with the sale of World Cup tickets," said attorney Barry Berke. "Mr. Valcke never received or agreed to accept any money or anything else of value from Mr. Alon. As has been reported, FIFA entered into an agreement with Mr. Alon's company, JB Sports Marketing. That agreement and FIFA's subsequent business dealings with Mr. Alon were vetted and approved by FIFA and its legal counsel."The decision comes as investigations continue into allegations that bribery helped determine the hosts of past and upcoming World Cups. Ex-FIFA official Jack Warner promises to spill secrets of FIFA, Sepp BlatterFIFA has been embroiled in scandal since a grand jury in the United States indicted 14 people, including nine top FIFA officials, on corruption charges in May. Federal prosecutors have alleged that FIFA officials took more than $150 million in bribes to provide "lucrative media and marketing rights" to soccer tournaments.The U.S. indictment accuses Jack Warner, FIFA's former vice president and a member of parliament in Trinidad and Tobago, of taking a $10 million bribe to vote for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup. The indictment says South Africa was willing to pay $10 million to the Caribbean Football Union "to support the African diaspora" in exchange for Warner's and two other conspirators' votes to put the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, instead of Morocco. The South African bid committee has denied any impropriety in the payment.Valcke has strenuously denied any wrongdoing in connection with the $10 million payment.Swiss investigators are also looking into the controversial 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process, which saw Russia and Qatar come out as the victors, respectively.Valcke, 54, has been FIFA's secretary general since 2007, following three years as the director of marketing and television. His duties include the group's finances and the organization of the World Cup. Valcke, a Frenchman, was expected to leave his post in February when Blatter steps down. FIFA: 'Additional charges' likely, says U.S. Attorney GeneralCNN's Pierre Meilhan contributed to this report. | 5sport
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(CNN)Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has continued his ongoing spat with fellow player Casper Ruud in an explosive tweet Thursday. Kyrgios labeled the Norwegian "boring" in response to comments made by Ruud about the pair's first meeting at this year's Italian Open, in which the Australian was disqualified for throwing a chair in rage.Ruud, who had passionately celebrated his default victory, later said his opponent was "totally crazy" and an "idiot on court" in an exclusive interview with TennisportalenI Wednesday. Kyrgios, who initially took to Twitter in May to laugh at Ruud's reaction to the win, reignited the bitterness after the latest dig. "Next time you have something to say, I would appreciate you say it to my face, I'm sure you wouldn't run your mouth so much after that," he tweeted at Ruud. Read More"Until then I will continue to rather watch paint dry then watch you play tennis, boring af." Kyrgios added: "But again, I also understand why you have to keep my name in your mouth because people don't even realize that you play tennis. Goodluck in Milan champ x."READ: Nick Kyrgios smashes two rackets and curses at umpire in Cincinnati defeatREAD: Is Nick Kyrgios good for tennis?Hey @CasperRuud98 next time you have something to say, I would appreciate you say it to my face, I'm sure you wouldn't run your mouth so much after that. Until then I will continue to rather watch paint dry then watch you play tennis, boring af.— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 24, 2019 History of controversyKyrgios is no stranger to controversy and is on probation for his on-court behavior. He was initially fined $113,000 for smashing two rackets and calling chair umpire Fergus Murphy a "f***ing tool" in his three set defeat by Russia's Karen Khachanov at the Cincinnati Masters in August.However, the sport's governing body identified a pattern of behavior and put him on probation for six months with the stipulation he consults a behavioral management expert. In 2016, he was banned for eight weeks and fined $25,000 for failing to "give best efforts" at the Shanghai Masters.In March, he became engaged in a verbal spat with a heckling fan at the Miami Open, which resulted in the fan being removed from the court.More recently, he labeled the ATP as "pretty corrupt" during the US Open. | 5sport
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(CNN)When Gareth Bale arrived at Real Madrid in September 2013, for a then-world record fee, it looked to be a match made in heaven.The forward was regarded as the next Galactico, the player to help Real through a golden period in the club's history and the man who would eventually fill Cristiano Ronaldo's shoes.Bale has lived up to most of the lofty expectations heaped upon him, winning four Champions Leagues, a La Liga title, and the Copa del Rey.But after six trophy-filled years in Spain, the 30-year-old is now being treated as a costly irritant: booed by his club's own fans and unwanted by his manager. READ: Guardiola hits back at Chinese media criticisms Read MoreREAD: Bale appears close to leaving Real How did it all get so ugly and what next for a winger who was once the world's most expensive player? During his first season in Spain, the Welshman scored the winning goals in the Champions League and Copa del Rey finals, the latter a stunning individual effort that displayed the pace, power and skill that had convinced Real to part with $120 million. In 2018 he scored what is widely regarded as the greatest goal in a Champions League final as he came off the bench to down Liverpool. But fast forward to the present day and Real boss Zinedine Zidane -- back for his second spell in charge -- is having to deny accusations of disrespect from Bale's agent, who took umbrage with the Frenchman saying: "We hope he leaves soon. It would be best for everyone."Bale didn't feature in Sunday's 3-1 pre-season defeat to Bayern Munich, though Zidane says that was the Welshman's decision. The relationship between player and manager appears to have broken down. Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring a stunning solo goal to win the Copa del Rey final."I have not disrespected anyone," the Real Madrid coach told reporters ahead of Tuesday's match against Arsenal in Washington. "The club is dealing with his departure. Period."The other day [against Bayern], Gareth didn't play because he didn't want to. He said the club was trying to negotiate his departure, and he didn't want to play because of that."Bale hasn't asked not to play tomorrow [Wednesday] ... so far. His situation is known by everyone and will not change. The club is going to do what they have to do with him."Bale came off the bench against Arsenal and scored to help Real Madrid come back from 2-0 to earn a draw, before missing a penalty in his team's victorious penalty shootout."He put in a good performance and I'm pleased for him," Zidane said. "He played today, he wanted to and he did a good job. He wanted to be with us today, he trained normally and played the match. "I make the decisions and he played one half. We'll have to see what happens. He's still here with us at this stage. "Nothing has changed, you know the situation," he added.Club legend?Had Bale performed as he has done for the past six years at any other club, he would be revered as a legend -- but this is Real Madrid and its fans have earned a reputation.When the going gets tough, the fans stop going -- or start booing.By the end of 2018 -- during the first somewhat barren spell this club had endured in the last seven years -- average attendances at the Bernabeu dwindled to 62,000, leaving almost 20,000 empty seats.Gareth Bale's relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane has reportedly deteriorated.That Bale is set to depart Real to no great eulogy or grand farewell from either fans of manager should perhaps come as no surprise, either. After all, Real fans whistled at goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Madrid born and bred, towards the end of his 25-year association with the club. Casillas had won every trophy there was to win -- three Champions Leagues, five league titles, a World Cup -- he was the club's captain and had made 725 appearances for his boyhood team, but aged 34 he departed with the relationship between him and Real soured. And these are the fans who once whistled at Ronaldo; the club's record goalscorer, the most successful player in the club's history. Bale has also been criticized for his love of golf. Reports emerged in some media outlets last season that the Cardiff-born star plays too much, does not mix with his teammates and goes to bed early. As far as crimes committed by professional athletes go, playing golf and early nights are not exactly up there.But the fans' frustration with his lengthy absences in recent seasons because of injuries is understandable. Muscle complaints have largely prevented Bale from filling the void left by Ronaldo, after the Portugal star departed for Juventus last summer. Indeed, the winger has been injured so much during his time in Spain that last year some members of the Spanish media gave him the moniker "Mr Glass."Though he made 29 league appearances for Real last season, he was mainly on the substitutes' bench towards the end of the campaign and did not join his teammates for the end-of-season lap of honor at the Bernabeu. Gareth Bale came off the bench against Liverpool to score the winning goal in the 2018 Champions League final.Where next?But it's impossible to deny that Bale's time at Real has been anything other than a success. Only Ronaldo has more Champions League titles than the Welshman -- Zidane won the competition once during his illustrious playing career.In his time at the Spanish club, Bale has collected 14 major trophies and his 102 goals and 65 assists in 231 matches -- 0.72 goals or assists every game -- is undeniably impressive. Bale has made more Real appearances and scored more goals for the Spanish giants than Zidane, whose playing career at Real was deemed a huge success. The former Tottenham star has undoubtedly produced for Real on the big occasions -- Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas and Ronaldo are the only players to have scored more goals in European Cup finals. No British player has won more major titles or scored more top-flight goals abroad but, despite the statistics and the successes, Bale finds himself at a crossroads. Gareth Bale will likely be playing his football away from the Bernabeu in the new season.The player's agent told Sky Sports News Tuesday that his player will not move on loan. "There will be no makeshift deals to get him out of the club. Gareth is one of the best players on the planet. I can guarantee you he will not be going on loan to any club," said Jonathan Barnett. With three years remaining on his reported $18.7 million per year contract, Europe's top clubs will perhaps be unwilling to take that risk on an injury-prone 30-year-old, which is why he has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League. The transfer window in China closes next Wednesday and Bale will reportedly have offers of wages totaling more than $1 million per week should he choose to move to Asia. It feels like an undeserving and underwhelming way for the career of a Real legend to peter out, but such is the circle of life at one of the world's most ruthless and successful clubs. | 5sport
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(CNN)Rafa Nadal criticized fans for showing a lack of respect at the ATP Cup following Spain's defeat by Serbia in Sydney. The world No. 1 fell 6-2 7-6 to Novak Djokovic as Serbia clinched the inaugural team event 2-1.The Spaniard appeared to be irked when he trailed 5-2 in the first set, speaking with the match umpire before giving a sarcastic thumbs up to a noisy section of the crowd. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features"Honestly the crowd was fantastic every single day but sometimes people from some countries, they probably don't understand how tennis goes," Nadal told reporters after the loss. Read More"They think it's (like) football and stuff and the atmosphere in tennis is different. The respect for the players should be there and at some points I think the respect from a small part of the crowd (wasn't) there."Rafa Nadal looks on as Novak Djokovic gives his victory speech following the ATP Cup final. READ: Serena Williams wins first title since having her daughter three years agoSpain's Roberto Bautista Agut had defeated Dusan Lajovic in straight sets before Djokovic's singles win leveled the tie. Dear 🇪🇸 #TeamSpain We know you will be back and fight hard again.Thank you.❤️ #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/KNt39JqONw— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 12, 2020 Djokovic, alongside Viktor Troicki, triumphed in the doubles decider against Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Carreno Busta to secure the title for Serbia. The ATP Cup, which introduced a second team event to the tennis calendar on top of the Davis Cup, saw 24 countries compete across three Australian cities -- Brisbane, Perth and Sydney -- over 10 days. Last year's Davis Cup, in contrast, started with qualifying rounds in February before concluding on November 30 when Spain defeated Canada.READ: Novak Djokovic leads Serbia to title at first-ever ATP CupBut Nadal said that more work needs to be done to prevent the tournaments being scheduled two months apart. "We need to find a way to make a deal (between) the ITF and ATP to create a big world team cup competition, not two world cups (within two months)," said Nadal."I think that's a confusion for the spectators and we need to be clear in our sport."The swing of tournaments in Australia culminates with the Australian Open, which gets underway in Melbourne on January 20. | 5sport
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(CNN)Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's writings, remarks and decisions as she wrestled with the highly sensitive issue of child pornography crimes are the focus of a new GOP line of attack on President Joe Biden's pick for the Supreme Court.Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley zeroed in on that area of Jackson's record, with a Wednesday night Twitter thread highlighting examples that he sensationally described as "a pattern of letting child porn offenders off the hook for their appalling crimes" -- including a law review note she published as a law student, her work on the US Sentencing Commission and her approach to cases as a judge."Every parent in America cares about child porn offenders. I do," Hawley told CNN on Thursday. "I think everybody watching these hearings is gonna want to hear these questions asked." But a CNN review of the material in question shows that Jackson has mostly followed the common judicial sentencing practices in these kinds of cases, and that Hawley took some of her comments out of context by suggesting they were opinions, rather than follow-up questions to subject-matter experts.Other Republicans have signaled that they expect the issue to come up in her confirmation hearings, which start on Monday, with Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn's office telling CNN she planned to bring it up during next week's proceedings. More broadly, the line of attack fits in with the "soft-on-crime" criticisms Republicans are already launching against Democrats in the context of her nomination. Read MoreSenate Democrats and the White House are pushing back on Hawley's narrative, with White House spokesperson Andrew Bates calling it "toxic and weakly-presented misinformation that relies on taking cherry-picked elements of her record out of context -- and it buckles under the lightest scrutiny." As long as Senate Democrats keep their caucus unified behind Jackson, they will have the 50 votes they need for her confirmation. And recognizing this reality -- and the lower stakes of Jackson replacing a fellow liberal justice -- Republicans have generally previewed that they will keep temperatures cooler around this nomination than the contentious fights that have surrounded other recent Supreme Court nominations. But at stake is also whether Jackson's nomination will be a political boon to Democrats, as Biden fulfills a historic promise he made during the campaign to nominate a Black woman to the highest court. Any line of attack that undermines the widespread support she's received and helps rally the GOP base will be of value of Republicans, who so far have publicly struggled to coalesce around a strategy for Jackson's nomination.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that he was "not at all concerned" about the line of attack. "They do this all the time," Schumer said. Jackson's record on the benchHawley pointed to seven specific cases where Jackson -- who spent eight years as a trial judge and sentenced more than 100 people -- handed down lighter sentences for child pornography offenders than what the Justice Department was seeking and what was recommended by the US Sentencing Guidelines, a formula based on statutes. Hawley told CNN on Thursday that he had not found a "single" Jackson case of that kind where she sentenced within the guidelines and that her sentences were "almost always below the government's recommendation." Her approach to child porn cases did not come up in her 2021 appellate court confirmation hearing, but in a 2020 opinion she wrote that "the possession and distribution of child pornography is an extremely serious crime because it involves trading depictions of the actual sexual assault of children, and the abuse that these child victims endure will remain available on the internet forever." Jackson's specific record, as well as the bigger picture of how courts tend to approach these cases, put her in the mainstream, and not the outlier that Hawley describes. According to the White House, her sentences in five of the seven cases were the same as or greater than what the US probation office recommended.The individual reports the probation office offers the court -- which analyze the offender's background and other factors that lead the office to suggest increasing or lowering a sentence -- are kept out of the public view. But a public filing from the defendant in one case highlighted by Hawley shows that Jackson's sentence of 60 months came after the probation office recommended that exact sentence.It's also not surprising that Jackson's sentences ended up lower than the guidelines, as it has become a norm among judges to issue sentences below the guidelines in these child porn cases that don't involve producing the pornography itself. The guidelines are viewed as out-of-date by many judges, particularly for how they treat the use of computers and other elements that can enhance a sentence under the guidelines."Many of the judges don't apply (the enhancement) because it is so archaic," attorney Kira Anne West, who represented one of the defendants in the relevant cases, told CNN.Less than a third of non-production child porn defendants received sentences within the guidelines in 2019, according to a report last year from the US Sentencing Commission, and for 59% of the offenders, the variance was downward."It is clear that Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is not an outlier," National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers President Martín Sabelli told CNN. He pointed to 2021 commission data showing that, in the hundreds of child porn cases where the sentence varied downward from the guidelines, the average variance was 50 months. "She exemplifies the approach of the vast majority of federal judges in this context and in other contexts."This context helps explain why, in two of the cases highlighted by Hawley, federal prosecutors also recommended sentences lower than what was established by the Sentencing Guidelines, while in several others the prosecutors' recommendation was at the very bottom of the guidelines.In three of the seven cases singled out by Hawley, Jackson filed sentencing statistics to the dockets that show that her ultimate sentences in those case were either just below or above the what's typical for equivalent offenders.Jackson's role on the Sentencing CommissionHawley says he's troubled not just by her judicial record, but the views she's elaborated on the policy for how these cases should be handled.As a vice chair of the US Sentencing Commission from 2010-2014, she was at the center of what has historically been a push-and-pull between Congress and the courts over the discretion judges should be given in sentencing.The topic of sex crimes was put squarely in front of the US Sentencing Commission, which studied the guidelines for child porn cases while she was vice chair.Hawley has highlighted three comments she made during a 2012 commission hearing, suggesting these were positions she took showing leniency toward child pornography. But a fuller reading of the transcript indicates she was asking questions to clarify comments made by experts who had been testifying.The Sentencing Commission hearing focused on child abuse offenses, the gravity of certain crimes, offenders' motivations and the serious consequences for all child victims.At the hearing, the GOP-appointed Vice Chairman William Carr called it "one of the most difficult and controversial guidelines we deal with."The Jackson remarks now being spotlighted by Republicans represent a small portion of her questions and responded specifically to testimony offered by the many experts who testified. A review of the hearing transcript and interviews with two experts who testified belie the claim that Jackson showed leniency toward child pornography during the daylong session.In one of the Jackson comments being highlighted by Republicans, she asked those appearing before the commission whether there could be "a less-serious child pornography offender who is engaging in the type of conduct in the group experience level because their motivation is the challenge, or to use the technology." The full transcript shows that she was basing this question on the specific testimony that was just given by one of the witnesses.Hawley, in a press release defending his critiques of Jackson, said that her words "speak for themselves." "When she does quote from or refer to previous testimony, she does so with approval and indicates the witness has changed her mind on child porn offenders," Hawley said.An expert who testified at the hearing told CNN on Thursday that judges could distinguish between serious and less serious offenders -- a point he said that Jackson picked up on in the 2012 hearing."These are all horrible crimes, but you have to differentiate them, and it's fair to ask whether there should be different sentences," University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Professor Brian Levine told CNN on Thursday. Levine, who is in the College of Information and Computer Sciences, testified at the hearing regarding his forensic work for investigations related to child abuse materials.Levine added that the targeted remarks were "pulled out of a very complicated context" and, he said, "This is a very emotional issue. Nobody wants to hear about these horrible crimes. But there are pedophiles who don't abuse children and people who abuse children who are not pedophiles."Another hearing witness, Jennifer McCarthy, then of the Sex Offender Treatment Program at the New York Center for Neuropsychology and Forensic Behavioral Science, told CNN that Jackson's comments did not stand out during the witness testimony. "I wanted to give them some idea that this is not a one-size-fits-all problem, to give them some insight into the different types of offenders and treatments." McCarthy, who is now in private practice, said on Thursday, of Jackson. "Her questions were in keeping with the discussion, in general, about these types of offenders. Republicans are also pointing to Jackson commentary dating back to her days studying at Harvard Law, where she published a 1996 law review note now being touted by Hawley.She argued that courts were applying "problematic" and "unprincipled" frameworks to decide whether various sex crimes regulations -- like registries, communication notification requirements and DNA testing -- were constitutional. Her conclusion was what Hawley highlighted in his tweets. Jackson wrote that "in the current climate of fear, hatred, and revenge associated with the release of convicted sex criminals, courts must be especially attentive to legislative enactments that 'use ... public health and safety rhetoric to justify procedures that are, in essence, punishment and detention.'"A 'collision' with CongressThe GOP skepticism to Jackson now echoes how Republicans -- including Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who will get to question Jackson next week -- viewed the judges' call for retooled guidelines in these cases then.Grassley and other Republicans submitted a letter to the commission in 2012 expressing concerns that "the Federal judiciary fails to appreciate the severity of child pornography to the victims and to the society at large."The tension between Congress and the courts was on Jackson's mind as well, according to notes from a 2011 commission forum that are now being referenced in a research document prepared by the conservative group, Article 3 Project. "[I]s this an area in which Congress and the Judiciary are headed for a collision?" said the notes, which were included in her publicly released Senate confirmation documents. "What, if anything, can the Commission do to bridge the gap between the branches on the question of the appropriate sentences for child pornography offenders?"Notably, when the commission published the 2012 report on its work studying child porn sentences, the report was issued unanimously. The commission includes several Republican appointees, and among those signing off on the report was Dabney Friedrich, who was later appointed to the federal bench by former President Donald Trump. On Thursday, Jackson was asked by CNN about Hawley's allegations as she traveled through the Capitol halls. She did not comment, but at next week's hearings, it's almost guaranteed she'll be asked to explain some of the cases and comments Hawley has zeroed in on. "I mean, this woman's record has been carefully reviewed three different times and ended up with a bipartisan support. She has the support of law enforcement, victims' rights organizations, and it's just a lie to suggest that," said Durbin, who is the Senate's no. 2 Democrat.Hawley insisted he wasn't trying to tarnish her reputation or degrade the proceedings that Republicans have promised will be substantive and above board."This is her record. This isn't a personal attack on her," he told CNN. "This is her record, her cases. These are her words, her statements and it's on a really serious policy issue."CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the number of cases, among those being scrutinized, in which Jackson handed down a sentence that was the same as or greater than what the US probation office recommended.CNN's Jessica Schneider, Joan Biskupic, Ariane de Vogue, Manu Raju, Lauren Fox and Ted Barrett contributed to this report. | 4politics
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(CNN)The reviews are in for Arsenal's performance against Brentford in the English Premier League's opening match on Friday and they make for grim reading if you're a Gunners fan."Weak and bullied," was how Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher described Arsenal's defending when Brentford scored its second goal in the newly promoted team's 2-0 victory."This is pathetic," tweeted Arsenal fan Piers Morgan. "We're being bullied off the park by a team of players who've never performed in the Premier League. "Even by Arteta standards, a new low," added Morgan referring to the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. "I can't do this for the next nine months."Brentford's Sergi Canos scores his side's first goal against Arsenal.READ: PSG now has 'no excuses' in quest for Champions League dominationRead More'Struggle'Carragher's comment and Morgan's tweet might be brushed off by Arsenal's hierarchy as a passing media storm, but the fact that Rwandan President Paul Kagame was moved to tweet three times after the Gunners' defeat is arguably more embarrassing.Not least because Arsenal's jersey had 'Visit Rwanda' emblazoned on the sleeves.Long readsAustralia's first international cricketers won fame abroad. At home, they were betrayed'The Fight of the Century': A divided US nation 50 years onFootball club founded by Turkish immigrants creates stir in Germany Olympian pressured to 'perform better' and lose a few poundsThe Visit Rwanda website says Arsenal is the organization's sleeve sponsor, while French club Paris Saint-Germain is described as a "premium partner."The partnership also allows the East African country to "gain global exposure through branding on matchday LED boards at the Emirates Stadium [Arsenal's home ground], all the interview backdrops and a broad range of other marketing rights," according to the website."Brentford deserved to win and they did," tweeted Kagame, who in the past has described himself as a "committed fan" of his "beloved club Arsenal.""The game itself aside Arsenal and the fans don't deserve to kind of get used to this," continued Kagame, who went on to criticize Arsenal's transfer strategy."It's been a struggle of about decade(s) -- ups&downs -- more downs until this point. Can't we have a plan that really works?? One part to look at is how we deal in the market -- players we buy to execute the plan. The touch&go mentality does not bring change.Brentford's Christian Norgaard, center, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Arsenal.READ: Man Utd signs Varane; thumps Leeds as Fernandes scores hat-trickArsenal driftUnder former manager Arsene Wenger, Arsenal won the Premier League title in 1998, 2002, and 2004 and clinched seven FA Cups. Arsenal won the league and FA Cup Double in 1998 and 2002.Wenger was Arsenal's manager for 22 years before he stepped down in 2018. He was succeeded by Unai Emery and Arteta, but the club's drift has continued.Arsenal announced a three-year tourism partnership with the East African country in May 2018."The media has been speculating around £30 million but what I can tell you it's not £30 million ($41.5 million), it's less than that," CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi, told CNN at the time. "Thirty-five million people (will be) viewing their (Arsenal's) shirts every single day," Akamanzi said.Rwanda's President Paul Kagame speaks during an interview with international media at the presidency office in Kigali, on May 28, 2021.READ: Ditching Man Utd to support my local team. Now they're in the Premier LeagueWhen the sponsorship deal was announced, critics said the money should have been spent alleviating the chronic poverty in the country. "I think when millions of Rwandans are living on less than a pound a day ($1.28), that's fairly obscene," UK Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen told CNN at the time."The public have a right to know how our aid budget is being spent, and the people of Rwanda have a right to know how their president is spending their money."Arsenal did not respond to CNN's request for comment -- by phone and email -- on when and whether the sponsorship deal had been renewed and Kagame's criticism of the club's transfer policy. However, the East African website reported the deal had been extended until 2023.Visit Rwanda didn't respond to CNN's request for comment about the partnership deal."We had really high hopes and we didn't get the result that we wanted or the performance we wanted," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (left) after his team's 2-0 defeat by Brentford.READ: Lionel Messi's 20 career defining moments'Blame the owners'This isn't the first time Kagame has tweeted about Arsenal.When Wenger stepped down as manager three years ago, Kagame said "this should not have been the kind of ending of an era."The coach is leaving and club trophy-less it was long coming! I am still a committed fan going forward. Blame the owners."The relationship between Arsenal and Rwanda has also raised eyebrows given allegations of systemic human rights abuses in the East African country"Football has spent the past decade being bought and sold by sovereign states, used to puff, gloss and scour international reputations. What's another friendly despot? wrote the Guardian's chief sports writer Barney Ronay, who pointed to Human Rights Watch assessment of Rwanda."The ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) continues to target those perceived as a threat to the government," according to Human Rights Watch. "Several high-profile critics have been arrested or threatened and authorities regularly fail to conduct credible investigations into cases of enforced disappearances and suspicious deaths of government opponents."The Rwandan government hasn't responded to CNN's request for comment in recent reporting regarding attacks against its critics. | 5sport
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Story highlightsFour Americans win athletics gold medalsIranian and Jordanian win historic medals (CNN)It was a terrific day at the track for the United States, and one that also featured one of the Olympics' most odd moments in athletics history.Americans won the decathlon, men's shot put, both 400-meter hurdles races and put their women's 4x100-meter relay team into the final.The latter almost didn't happen as during qualifying the US relay team dropped the baton on the second exchange. But the Americans appealed, saying a runner had been interfered with, and won. But what to do? Officials couldn't just add them to the eight-team field for Friday's gold medal showdown. So instead the US was given a chance to run by itself to see if it could qualify on time.An Olympic race with only one competitor. The US came through, running the best time and pushing China out of the final.Read More"It was different, it was really weird. But we walked out and people were cheering for us," Allyson Felix said. "I think it uplifted us a little bit and encouraged us."Also Thursday Ashton Eaton wrapped up his second consecutive Olympic decathlon title, a feat accomplished only by Bob Mathias of the USA and Great Britain's Daley Thompson. Other US winners Thursday were 400-meter hurdles champs Dalilah Muhammad and Kerron Clement, and shot-putter Ryan Crouser.By the way, that Usain Bolt guy won again. He now has eight gold medals all-time, one short of the track record. His last 2016 Olympic race comes Friday night in the 4x100-meter relay.Tommie Smith reflects on winning gold, iconic salute nearly 50 years laterMore US swimmers head home as officials apologizeRyan Lochte has insisted he and three teammates were robbed in Rio on Sunday but four days later it appears no one is supporting his story anymore. Police say the group lied, and the US Olympic Committee has apologized to the hosts of the Games and to all Brazilians for the behavior of the pool quartet.And teammate James Feigen spoke to police Thursday and gave a revised statement, according to the USOC.
But while the USOC apologized and said one of its athletes had committed an act of vandalism, it also said the forced payment for damages came after armed security guards demanded restitution.The other two swimmers, Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz, got their passports back Thursday and got the heck out of Brazil. Olympic swimmer case adds extra layer to delicate US-Brazil dynamicGiant figures take over the city for the Olympic GamesTeen wins platform goldChinese diver Ren Qian was born in this century. And at just 15 years and 180 days old, she's an Olympic champion.Winning big meets isn't new to her; she won the platform event at worlds in February."I'm young, but I got the medal," Ren said. "I think from now on I'll train harder, I'll work harder so I can focus on my future."In case you were wondering, the youngest Olympic champion was also a diver -- Marjorie Gestring, who was 13 years, 268 days at the 1936 Olympics. That's slightly younger than China's Fu Mingxia, who won gold at Barcelona in 1992 when she was 13 years, 346 days.British sailors to savor these Rio memoriesHannah Mills and Saskia Clark are enjoying this trip to Rio de Janeiro much more than their last one.In December 2014 the two sailors from Britain were robbed at knifepoint during a training trip.JUST WATCHEDThe hair tie that binds ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHThe hair tie that binds 00:59This time the duo felt more prepared as visitors and showed they were extremely prepared as competitors.They won the women's 470 class Thursday.Mills was able to celebrate her victory with her mom."It's such an amazing moment to be able to share with everyone," the 28-year-old from Cardiff, Wales, said. "You're on the water doing it on your own, it's nice to be able to come in and see everyone."Two more medal firstsJordan joined the list of medal winners Thursday when Ahmad Abughaush won gold for his nation in the 68-kilogram division in taekwondo."I can't believe it," he said, according the Jordanian Olympic website, after beating Alexey Denisenko of Russia. "I dedicate this medal to His Majesty King Abdullah II and all the people of Jordan. This is for you."منا الصورة ، ومنكم التعليق .. علق على صورة أبو غوش ومدربه الرائع عراب انجازاته فارس العساف #احنا_الأردن #ريو2016 pic.twitter.com/P1VI7SSQyv— Jordan Olympic (JOC) (@JordanOlympic) August 19, 2016
He also thanked his coach, his family and "all those who believed in me."Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin, just 18, became the first woman from Iran to win an Olympic medal. She beat Nikita Glasnovic of Sweden 5-1 to win bronze in the -57kg class. Huge upset in wrestlingAmerican Helen Maroulis won the first gold medal for a US woman in wrestling, and she beat legendary Saori Yoshida from Japan to do it.Against Yoshida, a three-time Olympic champion and 13-time world champion, Maroulis was nearly perfect. She scored a takedown with 59 seconds left in the match and won 4-1. "The opponent is stronger than me," Yoshida said after the match, according to the USOC. Maroulis said it was an honor just to wrestle against Yoshida and that she didn't pay attention to the high stakes in the match. "And then when it was done, I was like, 'Oh, I get a gold medal now. Cool.'"Both wrestlers dropped from their natural wrestling weights of 55 kg to the Games' new weight of 53 kg, and Maroulis said the weight loss was the hardest part of her training. She said she skipped Christmas dinner and missed out on dinners out with friends.So with a gold medal in hand and a victory over a wrestling legend, what's Maroulis most looking forward to now? "A buffet."Gold medal roundupAthletics, Men's 200 meters -- Usain Bolt, JamaicaAthletics, Men's 400-Meter Hurdles -- Kerron Clement, United StatesAthletics, Men's Decathlon -- Ashton Eaton, United States
Athletics, Men's Shotput -- Ryan Crouser, United StatesAthletics, Women's 400-Meter Hurdles -- Dalilah Muhammad, United StatesAthletics, Women's Javelin -- Sara Kolak, CroatiaBadminton, Women's Doubles -- JapanBeach Volleyball, Men -- BrazilBoxing, Men's Light Heavyweight -- Julio Cesar La Cruz, CubaCanoe Sprint, Men's Canoe Singles 200 Meters -- Iurii Cheban, UkraineCanoe Sprint, Men's Kayak Doubles 200 Meters -- SpainCanoe Sprint, Men's Kayak Doubles 1,000 Meters -- GermanyCanoe Sprint, Women's Kayak Singles 500 Meters -- Danuta Kozak, HungaryDiving, Women's Platform -- Ren Qian, ChinaHockey, Men -- ArgentinaSailing, Men's 49er -- New ZealandJUST WATCHEDHow are medals made for the Olympic Games?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHHow are medals made for the Olympic Games? 02:10Sailing, Men's 470 -- CroatiaSailing, Women's 49er FX -- Brazil Sailing, Women's 470 -- Great BritainTaekwondo, Men's 68 kilograms -- Ahmad Abughaush, Jordan (country's first medal ever)Taekwondo, Women's 57 kilograms -- Jade Jones, Great BritainTriathlon, Men's -- Alistair Brownlee, Great Britain Wrestling, Freestyle 53 kilograms -- Helen Louise Maroulis, United StatesWrestling, Freestyle 63 kilograms -- Risako Kawai, United StatesWrestling, Freestyle 75 kilograms -- Erica Elizabeth Wiebe, Canada | 5sport
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(CNN)The squads of both Ajax and Dynamo Kiev have been decimated by positive Covid-19 cases ahead of their respective Champions League matches.Ajax announced on Monday that 11 players had tested positive before it's tie against Danish side FC Midtjylland on Tuesday.As a result, the Dutch club will travel to Denmark with just 17 players for their third Group D game.Under UEFA rules, Ajax must play the game if 13 or more first-team players are available."There are few players who can play in the Netherlands but did not get permission to enter Denmark and it's a bit strange," Ajax manager Erik ten Hag said during a press conference on Monday.Read MoreREAD: Lionel Messi scores as Cristiano Ronaldo misses Barcelona's victory over JuventusAjax manager ten Hag during its match against Feynoord."They have no symptoms or complaints. If they might still be able to play rests in the hands of the medical personnel and the authorities. I have strong hope that they can play but I am not sure."Ajax lost its opening game in the Champions League to reigning Premier League champions Liverpool while it earned an 2-2 draw to last season's quarterfinalists Atalanta last time out.Elsewhere, six Dynamo Kiev players and five members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of its Champions League Group G match against Spanish giants Barcelona on Wednesday."Testing showed a positive result in several players of the team: Georgy Tsitaishvili, Denis Garmash, Mikkel Duelund, Alexander Karavaev, Tudor Belutse and Mykola Shaparenko," the club said in a statement.Shaparenko controls the ball during the Champions League match against Ferencvaros."In addition, the tests of assistant head coach Emil Karas and four representatives of the team's staff gave a positive result."It also added that those who had tested positive were in self-isolation and doing well.Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosDynamo are third in Group G with one point, five behind leaders Barcelona.Meanwhile 25-year-old Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule also tested positive ahead of the German's club clash with Red Bull Salzburg while Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Eder Militao recorded a positive test. | 5sport
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Story highlightsFormula One will introduce a whole host of new regulations for 2014 seasonRed Bull's Sebastian Vettel is poised to win a fourth consecutive drivers' titleMcLaren believes changes in rules means teams will face adaptation problemsSebastian Vettel has dominated Formula One for the past three years and looks set to win a fourth straight drivers' championship -- but that could all change in 2014 when the winds of change are unleashed on the sport.Vettel's Red Bull has been the standout car, with the German consistently faster than his rivals at Ferrari, Mercedes, Lotus and McLaren.However, McLaren's sporting director Sam Michael says the introduction of new technical regulations next season means a new order may emerge in the world of F1.Cars currently use 2.4-liter engines but they will be forced to bring in 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engines next year, while there are also changes to aerodynamics and energy systems.Read: Honda agrees McLaren engine deal"When you get a big rule change the engineering structures are not fast enough to respond, even if you're given two or three years to design cars for 2014," Michael told F1's official website."Although we're a world away from where we were 20 years ago in terms of preparation -- ultimately until you get out there and run properly you're not going to have as much reliability as you do on the current cars. JUST WATCHEDNiki Lauda on F1's most dangerous yearsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHNiki Lauda on F1's most dangerous years 02:27JUST WATCHEDWill Ferrari's drivers deliver success?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHWill Ferrari's drivers deliver success? 02:57JUST WATCHEDPaul di Resta's Italian ancestryReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHPaul di Resta's Italian ancestry 02:09"So do I think it will mix things up? Probably. There'll be different results that wouldn't occur like they do now. It's just another thing that's part of rule changes and it's something that you have to cope with."Read: F1 revolution ahead?Vettel has won seven races so far this season and sits well clear at the top of the drivers' championship, with nearest challenger Fernando Alonso of Ferrari 60 points adrift.But Michael believes next season could be a far closer affair.He says the introduction of a new powertrain will give teams early reliability problems, while narrow front wings, a reduction in nose height and prohibiting of exhaust blowing will also cause trouble for mechanics."When you have such a big change to the powertrain from a mechanical side, you will build in more margin than what you would have done previously," he added."Let's say we hadn't made any changes to the powertrain for next year; what you'd be doing is taking an extremely well-known product and chipping away at marginal gains -- a little bit of weight here, a bit of friction there, maybe a change in packaging. Read: McLaren drivers - We can't compete"That's all gone out of the window for 2014 and you'll be in one of two positions -- either you've pushed it too far and you'll be unreliable, or you'll be too heavy and you'll want to take some weight out of the car."Both of those things take time. You won't have got it bang on in all areas of the car, so everyone will be in the same game."The slope that you get on when you have such big rule change is very steep compared to normal, so I think the development race -- trying to claw back as much downforce as you can -- will be a significant part of the 2014 season." | 5sport
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(CNN)It's one of the greatest underdog stories in sport -- Leicester City's run to the English Premier League title in 2016.Leicester had fired manager Nigel Pearson in June and entered the season as a 5,000-1 long shot. Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri replaced Pearson, and the move paid instant dividends.Striker Jamie Vardy set a Premier League record of 13 goals over 11 consecutive matches from August to November. Leicester shocked football by going to the top of the table in November, a full year after finding itself at the bottom of the league.Read MoreIt stayed in contention throughout December and from mid January stayed clear, finally clinching a remarkable title following a 2-2 draw between Tottenham and Chelsea on May 2. "It was pure happiness," Christian Fuchs told CNN in the aftermath of the miraculous achievement. Watch CNN World Sport's 2016 report at the top of the page. | 5sport
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(CNN)Sweden's center-left prime minister was toppled after losing a confidence vote in parliament Tuesday, forcing the country into a period of further political turmoil.The center-right opposition parties voted with the far-right Sweden Democrats to depose Stefan Löfven, two weeks after a tumultuous general election that delivered a hung parliament.The newly elected speaker of parliament, Andreas Norlén of the Moderates, will now consult with parliamentary parties over a new prime minister. Those discussions are likely to be tortuous, as the Democrats have pledged not to enter a formal coalition with the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats. The speaker's eventual choice for prime minister must be put to a vote. If no more than half of the politicians -- at least 175 members -- vote against the speaker's nominee, the appointment would go through, CNN's Swedish affiliate Expressen reports. Norlén has four attempts at proposing a new prime minister. If he fails to get enough support in parliament and the deadlock continues, Sweden would need to hold a new election within three months. Read MoreLöfven, who has served as prime minister since 2014, will lead a transitional government until further notice, the speaker's office said Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference after the vote, Löfven told reporters: "I'm still Sweden's prime minister. I am prime minister in a transitional government."How Sweden stacks up to Europe on the key issuesWhen asked if he thought he could be named as the next prime minister, he said "I see good opportunities for that, yes. ... I am at the disposal of the speaker. I want to continue serving our country."Löfven's party, the Social Democrats, came first in the September 9 election but won just 28.4% of the votes, its worst showing in more than a century. Its center-left coalition won 40.7% of the vote, just a hair's breadth ahead of the opposition center-right bloc, which gained 40.3%. Meanwhile, the Sweden Democrats made significant gains with 17.6% of the vote, upending the political landscape.Amid the political stalemate, Löfven told Swedes he would stay in office. That had the effect of forcing the center-right parties to vote with the Sweden Democrats if they wanted to remove him. | 3news
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Story highlights CNN legal analyst: "The prosecution got exactly what they wanted" The boat where police found Dzhokar Tsarnaev could be a key piece of evidence Jurors say they'll be open-minded and are willing to consider the death penaltyBoston (CNN)The jury chosen to decide the death penalty case against accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokar Tsarnaev includes 18 people from across the socioeconomic spectrum, but the group is almost exclusively white. Race has been an issue raised by Tsarnaev's defense during four unsuccessful attempts to move the death penalty trial from Boston. His attorneys argued that the way the court issues jury summons led to picking a panel that's older and whiter than the community at large. But prosecutors argued that the jury had been picked properly. And now, the trial is set to begin Wednesday.It took nearly two months of juror interviews -- 256 people over 22 court days -- to reach this point. "The prosecution got exactly what they wanted," said CNN legal analyst Mark Geragos, who is a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles. Middle-aged white jurors tend to be more likely to support death penalty verdicts, he said.Read More"It's a target demographic for a death penalty jury."Just one juror seemed to combine youth and ethnic diversity. A college student who is taking a break from his studies, he said his mother was born in Iran and converted from Islam to the Baha'i faith. On Wednesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys are set to lay out their cases in opening statements that will bring back vivid memories of the carnage caused by two pressure cooker bombs that exploded 12 seconds apart at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon.Three people died in the blasts, and more than 260 people were maimed and injured. A fourth person, an MIT police officer, was ambushed and killed in his patrol car three days after the bombings as Tsarnaev and his brother, Tamerlan, allegedly ran from police; Tamerlan, 26, was killed in a gunbattle with police. Boston Marathon bombing timelineProsecutors are expected to focus on the compelling stories of the survivors and family members of the victims. Their evidence includes graphic videos and full-body autopsy photos of the victims. The defense is expected to argue that Tsarnaev was under the sway of his dominant older brother, a former Golden Gloves boxer who married an American and embraced radical Islam.Will boat be brought to court?The "Slip Away," a boat in which Tsarnaev sought cover after the police gunbattle, also is expected to be a key piece of evidence. The prosecution is seeking to remove a panel on which Tsarnaev allegedly scrawled incriminating messages so that jurors can see it with their own eyes.Assistant U.S. Attorney William Weinreb says the boat is too large to bring into the courthouse. "This is a very large boat," he said Monday during a pretrial hearing. "We don't want the jurors getting into the boat. The boat is filled with dried blood and broken glass. The defense, however, wants the jury to see the entire boat, complete with bullet holes. Defense attorney David Bruck argued that cutting out a panel would take the written words out of context and wouldn't fairly reflect Tsarnaev's state of mind. Court papers have already given the public a glimpse of several statements Tsarnaev allegedly wrote inside the boat: "The U.S. Government is killing our innocent civilians," he allegedly wrote. "I can't stand to see such evil go unpunished." "We Muslims are one body. You hurt one, you hurt us all.""Now I don't like killing innocent people. It is forbidden in Islam but due to said (unintelligible) it is allowed." "Stop killing our innocent people and we will stop." Jurors say they'll keep an open mindTsarnaev is charged with 30 counts, including conspiring with his brother to detonate weapons of mass destruction at a crowded public event. He and his brother allegedly set off homemade pressure cooker bombs filled with nails and shrapnel near the marathon's finish line.Seventeen of the counts carry a possible death sentence. Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty. The jurors said they believed he was guilty or were unsure. Nobody said he was innocent. All of them said they'd keep an open mind and base any decision on his guilt on the evidence they heard in court. "That's all you have is the ability to filter through and see what's BS and what isn't," a house painter who's on the jury said. Massachusetts hasn't had the death penalty on its books in three decades, and the state hasn't executed anyone since 1947. But the death penalty is an option because the case is being prosecuted in federal court. Federal law allows for the death penalty as punishment for some crimes, including terrorism. Some of the jurors were personally opposed to the death penalty, but said they would be willing to keep an open mind and consider it. "If you had asked me this question 20 years ago, I would have said 'definitely not,'" said a woman who has a masters degree in social work. Raising kids changed her view, made her "less naïve," she added. "Sometimes bad things happen out there and there needs to be some consequence."Another woman who manages a restaurant, was able to step back from her personal views and consider her job on the jury. "I don't feel like I'm sending someone to death or life in prison," she said. "Their actions got them there, I'm following the law."Who will decide?The jury of 10 women and eight men includes a house painter, an air traffic controller, a fashion designer, a nurse, a legal assistant, a restaurant manager, a volunteer, three public employees and five people who are either retired or between jobs. The youngest were in their 20s -- a nurse who is taking a break to travel in an RV with her boyfriend and an auditor who said he was fired over "productivity" issues but had served before on a jury in a criminal case. Here's a more detailed look at the 18 jurors, identified by their original juror numbers. It hasn't been decided yet which jurors will be chosen for the main panel and which will be alternates. Their comments came during jury selection questioning.Juror 35 -- A middle-aged white man, he works for the Massachusetts Department of Energy. He believes the war on terror has been "overblown." Juror 41 -- She appears to be in her 40s and works as a senior executive assistant. She has prior jury experience in a civil case. "I'm not one way for the death penalty, or one way against," she said. Juror 83 -- He's taking a break from college. His mother was born in Iran and he speaks some Farsi. His mother converted from Islam to Baha'i. "In certain cases, a life in prison can be an eye-opening experience," he said.Juror 102 -- A nurse, she appears to be in her late 20s or early 30s and eager to be on the jury. She had a trip planned for April, when her lease expires but is willing to delay the trip and live in an RV during her jury service. "I can't make a decision whether he is guilty or not until I hear evidence," she said.Juror 138 -- He works for the Water Department for a city outside Boston. "Death can sometimes see like an easy way out. It can go both ways, I guess," he said. Juror 229 -- Her husband is a financial adviser and she volunteers at a hotline for victims of domestic violence. A former social worker, she says she quit because, "I didn't want to pay somebody else to raise my kids." If she were in the defendant's position, or someone in her family was, she says, "I'd want that fair trial." Juror 286 -- She works as a general manager at a restaurant. She's aware of the events, saying, "I'll tell ya, I watch the news. I've seen reports." She has been a juror before, and the experience filled her with pride. She wore a Boston Strong T-shirt at Disneyland, and says people pointed to it and said, "Cool shirt." Juror 349 -- She has a new job at a fashion design company, and thinks Tsarnaev is guilty, but will keep an open mind. "I think there was involvement. I think anybody would think that." She remembers reading about defense attorney Judy Clarke. "I think I'm a pretty fair and equitable person, and intelligent. I think I'd think it through."Juror 395 -- She's an executive assistant at a law firm. She always assumed she was against the death penalty, "but once you think about it, things change." Juror 441 -- He's an auditor who has served on a criminal jury before. He appears to be in his 20s and is perhaps the youngest of the jurors. Juror 480 -- He's a middle-aged telecommunciations engineer and was working on the phone system as Massachusetts General Hospital on the day of the bombings. He says he was aware of "a buzz in the air" and knew something was going on that day, but was far from the action. Juror 487 -- She has four kids: a college student, a high school senior and 8-year-old twins. She says Tsarnaev "obviously, seemed (to play) a role in it" but "I understand you are not guilty until proven guilty." Juror 552 -- He's one of the older jurors, with white hair. He's retired and has kept busy as a school bus driver. "I just have a notion that a person is innocent until proven guilty," he said. He thinks life in prison is "a worse situation than being put to death." Juror 567 -- He's an air traffic controller, and works for a contractor for the U.S. Coast Guard on Cape Cod. He thinks Tsarnaev was "somewhat involved" and looks at the death penalty "with some trepidation." Juror 588 -- She leads digital sales at a suburban Barnes & Noble bookstore. "You don't know if someone is guilty or not until the case is over, that's kind of a point of a trial," she says. She is personally opposed to the death penalty but knows she has to follow the law, even if she doesn't like it. Juror 598 -- A house painter, he says jury duty would be a hardship but he's "willing to serve my country." He's open-minded. "I think I could be impartial because any preconceived notion doesn't matter. What matters is there are two sides to any story."Juror 608 -- She and husband are retired. She was an actuary. He was a public school music teacher. She worries about executing an innocent person and would tend to err on the side of a life sentence. "It's the prosecutor's job to put on a good enough case to convince me," she says. She isn't convinced the death penalty is the harshest punishment. "Just because society says the death penalty is the worst, I don't necessarily look at it that way."Juror 638 -- She works for the state, teaching life skills to the developmentally challenged. She is open to the death penalty if "enough evidence was presented that it was absolutely horrific. "CNN's Ann Roche, Yon Pomrenze and Chris Welch contributed to this report. | 3news
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Story highlightsVideo of Sooners RB Joe Mixon talking to police is released TuesdayHe tells police a woman blew smoke in his face, knocked his glasses off before he hit her (CNN)A University of Oklahoma football player told authorities he was shocked that a woman hit him "so hard" in a 2014 altercation; "It felt like a dude hit me," according to a police interrogation video made public Tuesday.The 2-year-old video showed Joe Mixon explaining to officers what led to him punching the woman in the head after she accosted him.Mixon, who is a sophomore running back for the Sooners, is seen in surveillance video released last week assaulting Amelia Molitor at a restaurant in 2014. That graphic video, released Friday by Mixon's attorneys, shows the woman shoving and slapping Mixon. Mixon then lunges at Molitor and punches her in the head.The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently ruled the surveillance video had to be released to the public.CNN, as well as other media outlets, on Tuesday obtained a copy of the video of Mixon's 2014 interrogation with police.Read MoreIn the video, Mixon said Molitor intentionally blew smoke in his face and knocked his glasses off before shoving him. Mixon also said one of Molitor's friends directed a racial slur toward him.Below is part of Mixon's account to police in the interrogation video, after Mixon alleges Molitor blew smoke into his face."The gay dude, he was like, he was just like, he called me something," Mixon said to police. "He was like, '(expletive).' So then I was like, 'Well, you got me messed up.' And then I called him a (expletive)."And after that, the girl, she dropped her purse. That's when she came in my face, pushed me, and then my glasses came off, and then, like, I had, like, jumped at her, like, to watch out. I was like, 'Watch out.' And then she came in my face. I put my head down. And she swung on me."And after that, like, I was so shocked, because she hit me so hard. It felt like a dude hit me. And, like, after that, like, my face went boom, my reaction was just right there."According to multiple reports, including from CNN affiliate KFOR, Mixon accepted an Alford plea deal, which is when a defendant doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges the prosecution has enough evidence for a conviction.The KFOR report said Mixon received a one-year deferred sentence, meaning he didn't serve any time. He also was sentenced to 100 hours of community service, ordered to undergo counseling and faced roughly $1,200 in fines.Molitor, who suffered numerous broken bones in her face from the assault, has a civil suit pending against Mixon.On Friday, after the video of the punching was released, the University of Oklahoma issued a statement."University officials were made aware of the content of the video prior to taking action with respect to Joe Mixon," the statement said. "Based on that information, the university immediately suspended and removed Mr. Mixon from the football team for one year, during which high standards of conduct were expected and maintained. It was made clear to Mr. Mixon at the time of his suspension that violence against women will not go unpunished at the university."The Friday statement also said that head football coach Bob Stoops "has been proactive in presenting training for his team aimed at preventing such behavior in the future."Mixon was suspended for the 2014 season but didn't lose a year of eligibility. He returned to the team in 2015 for his freshman year. As a sophomore, he has played in 11 games this season.No. 7 Oklahoma will face No. 14 Auburn in the Sugar Bowl on January 2 in New Orleans. | 5sport
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Story highlightsRussia dismisses report as biased and seeking to whitewash Kiev authoritiesThe report, compiled by 34 U.N. monitors, covers April 2 to May 6Crimean Tatars also face problems of harassment and intimidation, U.N. saysU.N. high commissioner for human rights urges those with influence to rein in armed menA new U.N. report shows an "alarming deterioration" of human rights in eastern Ukraine, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, said Friday.The report paints a troubling picture of the situation in Ukraine's east, citing cases of targeted killings, torture, beatings, abductions and sexual harassment, as well as intimidation of the media.While many peaceful rallies take place in Ukraine, the findings show "an increasing tendency in some critical urban areas for rallies of opposing groups to be held simultaneously, often leading to violent confrontations," according to a statement from Pillay's office.The 36-page report also notes "repeated acts of violence against peaceful participants of rallies, mainly those in support of Ukraine's unity and against the lawlessness in the cities and villages in eastern Ukraine.""In most cases, local police did nothing to prevent violence, while in some cases it openly cooperated with the attackers," it states.JUST WATCHEDUkraine FM: Portions of Ukraine in chaosReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHUkraine FM: Portions of Ukraine in chaos 03:30JUST WATCHEDUkraine ballots can they get to voters?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHUkraine ballots can they get to voters? 02:18The report, compiled by 34 United Nations monitors on the ground, covers the period from April 2 to May 6.Unrest in the region has increasingly flared into violence in recent weeks, as pro-Russian separatists clash with rival groups and Ukrainian security forces.Pillay urged "those with influence on the armed groups responsible for much of the violence in eastern Ukraine to do their utmost to rein in these men who seem bent on tearing the country apart."The report also highlights the issue of missing persons, including 83 still unaccounted for who vanished during the street protests in Kiev that led to the February ouster of pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych.While some of those who were abducted have been released, the bodies of others have been found dumped in rivers or elsewhere, particularly near Slovyansk in the Donetsk region, the statement said, with a local militia group "heavily implicated." Accusations of killings and forced disappearances have also been made against state security services, the statement said.Report: Crimean Tatars face problemsU.N. monitors in Ukraine also report serious problems emerging in Crimea, Pillay said, especially in relation to the minority Crimean Tatar population.Ukraine's southeastern Crimea region was annexed by Russia in March after a controversial referendum.Russian speakers make up a majority of the Black Sea peninsula's residents, but about 12% are Crimean Tatar, a predominately Muslim minority that was oppressed during the Soviet era. Since the annexation, the U.N. monitors say, the Tatars have faced harassment if they did not meet a deadline to apply for Russian citizenship. The report also notes curbs on the freedom of movement of Tatar leaders, cases of physical harassment, restrictions on Tatar media and fears that practicing Muslims will be persecuted. Crimean leader Sergei Aksenov this week banned demonstrations in the region, only days ahead of a planned rally by Tatars to mark the 70th anniversary of the deportation of ethnic Tatars from Crimea under Josef Stalin. Aksenov posted a message on his Facebook page saying no demonstrations would be allowed in the peninsula until June 6 in the interest of preventing extremism. Tatars were forced out en masse on May 18, 1944 and only allowed to return to Crimea after Stalin died. Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed the findings of the U.N. report in a statement Friday."The U.N. report has little to do with the real situation related to the human rights in Ukraine," it said. "The complete lack of objectivity, total inconsistencies and double standards (of the report) don't leave any suspicion in that its authors are carrying out a political order to 'whitewash' the self-proclaimed authorities in Kiev."Kiev and the West have condemned the annexation of Crimea and accuse Moscow of backing the pro-Russian militants in Ukraine's east. Moscow blames the unrest in Ukraine on far-right ultranationalist groups.Billionaire opposes split from UkrainePro-Russian activists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk staged their own referendum on independence last weekend, which was condemned as illegitimate by Kiev and the West.One of the richest men in the world, Donetsk-based steel and iron ore billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, took his own public stand against the separatists in a video message Wednesday.Akhmetov said he favored a decentralization of power under a new constitution in Ukraine, but opposed his region joining Russia or trying to remain an independent "Donetsk People's Republic."Either scenario, he said, would result in sanctions, and a loss of jobs and industry. "We will come under huge sanctions, we will not sell our products, cannot produce. This means the stopping of factories, this means unemployment, this means poverty," he said.Forbes magazine lists Akhmetov as the 92nd richest man in the world, worth $12.2 billion. On Thursday, representatives of two of his factories in the restive eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol co-signed a memorandum calling for public order and security after armed conflict in the city on May 9.Ideological differences are not a reason for bloodshed, the declaration says. It calls for the disarming of the militias that have sprung up in Mariupol, as well as urging the government in Kiev to dismantle roadblocks into the city. The city police, trade unions, NGOs, and a local representative of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic were among those who signed the memorandum.However, the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic distanced itself Friday from the document, saying on Twitter that "the government of the DPR did not sign the memorandum."Steelworkers from Akhmetov's factories also have joined local police and representatives of the Donetsk People's Republic on joint patrols in Mariupol, local journalists and a spokeswoman for pro-Russian separatists in the city told CNN on Friday. Irina Voropayeva, the spokeswoman, denied reports that the steelworkers themselves had removed barricades in the city, saying it was the separatists who had started it and the steelworkers joined in. Ukraine's interim government, which took power after Yanukovych fled to Russia in February, is looking at constitutional reforms ahead of presidential elections scheduled for May 25. | 3news
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(CNN)Michelle Burnett just landed a new job, and she's excited to be heading back to work next week for the first time in months. But there's another upcoming date that's filling her with dread: the first day of school.Like parents across the country, the 43-year-old single mom in Vallejo, California, spent many days this past spring struggling to help her children navigate online classes. She watched her daughters falling behind, but often wasn't sure how to help. And to make the situation even tougher, she was unemployed. Burnett says she lost her job in April after asking for time off to pick up a school-issued laptop for her youngest daughter. Now she's worried her new job could be in jeopardy, too, since the schools her daughters attend will begin the year teaching online once again. "With them doing distance learning, I have no way of knowing if I can keep a job, and what kind of hours I can work," Burnett says. And even more distressing, she says, is the ground she sees her children losing academically. Read More"I don't feel like my children learned anything (last spring)," she says, and she fears the new school year, which starts August 17, will bring more of the same.JUST WATCHEDSingle mom brought to tears about schools possibly not reopeningReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSingle mom brought to tears about schools possibly not reopening 01:57Some of the nation's more than 56 million K-12 students are thriving in the new remote learning environment. But the shift toward distance learning during the pandemic has exposed long-simmering inequities throughout the US education system, highlighting digital divides along socioeconomic, regional and racial lines. Millions of school-age children live in households without home internet service, high-speed internet, access to computer devices or help from parents who know how to use them, an expert at Duke University told reporters this week. "About 8.6 million children, K-12 age, do not have the necessary equipment at home to participate in online learning," says Kenneth Dodge, a professor who studies early childhood development. "That's about 1 in 6 children in America." 'Going to Public School'W. Kamau Bell explores inequities in public education through two very different school districts near Cleveland, Ohio. Watch "United Shades of America" Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.And parents like Burnett who spoke with CNN say they're worried for their children's futures as the school year approaches. Some say they're desperate to help their kids, but unsure of where to turn."When you make a choice for the world, it needs to fit the world, not just certain groups of people in it," Burnett says. "I feel like decisions that are being made by the government right now, they don't impact some people as much as they impact others."This essential worker tried to watch her son on a webcamShe couldn't stop going to her job in the strawberry fields, even though her teenage son was home from school and taking classes online. So Carmen, a single mom in Oxnard, California, who asked to be identified only by her first name, set up a camera to keep an eye on him via her phone while she worked. Carmen works in an Oxnard strawberry crew inspecting every pack of strawberries from every worker. This is how she protects herself from #Covid19. Since her son's school has been cancelled, she set up a WiFi camera to make sure he's okay. #WeFeedYou pic.twitter.com/w4Ggex2Puo— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) March 28, 2020
Seeing her 14-year-old son sitting at a table with his tablet gave the farmworker peace of mind -- until she started hearing from his school."Suddenly I started getting messages from his teachers that he hadn't completed his work," she says. "Even though I was monitoring him, I saw him there on his tablet, he wasn't really working. He left a lot of work undone."We need to address the digital divide causing an educational crisisCarmen says she's frustrated and doesn't know what to do once the school year starts up again. She's seen firsthand how easy it is for kids who don't have a parent at home with them during the school day to disconnect or fall behind. "It's a problem that certainly disproportionately affects low-income families who cannot provide that extra support," Dodge says. "But not only low-income families. Ten million school-age children in America have parents who are health care workers or first responders, police, fire, etc., and they're not at home. "There's a false assumption that everybody, all adults, are at home with nothing to do and can supervise their children."Her daughter's laptop kept breakingRaquel Lopez Romero says it happened again and again. The school-issued laptop her 9-year-old daughter needed for her classes broke several times over the spring. And each time, Lopez says, it would take days to fix it since there were others waiting to get their laptops repaired, too. "You'd have to sign up for an appointment and wait," she says.Because of that, Lopez says her daughter and countless other students missed days of learning. The mom in Calexico, California, wishes their family could afford to buy a more reliable computer. But she says while her husband is still working, she's had to leave her farmworker job to take care of their kids during the pandemic, and their family is struggling to make ends meet with far less income."We have to pay rent, electricity, water. ... We can't buy a computer," she says. "You either eat, or you buy things like that."Jose Escobar holds his laptop in Brighton, Massachusetts, on May 21, 2020. Escobar told The Boston Globe the laptop given to him by his school for online learning did not work. It's an issue that haunts Lorena Tule-Romain."When I think about our students, I think about how we're going to see them in the future, what they're able to achieve, where they are academically, because of the lack of resources they had in this particular moment. ... That's what I think scares me the most," she says, "knowing that there are bigger disparities of access."Tule-Romain is a co-founder of ImmSchools, a Texas and New York-based nonprofit that supports undocumented students. The pandemic, she says, has added to growing list of stresses immigrant families face."We're going to be feeling the consequences of this long-term," she says.Data on what's happened so far is still emerging. Researchers from McKinsey last month pointed to models predicting the "learning loss" resulting from the shift to online instruction will be most acute among low-income, Black and Hispanic students.But things could play out differently in the new school year, thanks to additional planning time, says Jennifer Darling-Aduana, an assistant professor of learning technologies at Georgia State University."I'm sure there will still be kinks, and there will be last-minute changes if infection rates change or increase over time," she says. "But I know how much educators and administrators are working right now to try to make this fall run more smoothly."He's seen what happens when students struggle to get internet at homeDavid Lopez, a school administrator in Houston, says making sure students had access to computers and high-speed internet was a challenge when classes shifted online last year.Teachers and students quickly realized the lower-cost internet plans many turned to weren't fast enough to handle online classes."It was really hard to have video conferencing with a teacher to try to get support when your internet is too slow for it," he says.Lopez says one family he works with was forced to make the decision to cut off their internet over the summer because they couldn't afford it. That meant their son couldn't attend summer school. "It was not a priority bill for them, because the money was already short and they needed to pay rent," he says. "Parents are having to make decisions to cut access to kids' education because they have to pay rent and find food."Parents and children pick up laptop computers for remote learning in Bell, California on April 15, 2020. Last spring, some schools warned they were seeing a growing number of students missing online classes.It's a trend that could repeat in the fall."Almost one-in-three low-income students in America will not be able to participate adequately in remote education unless we do something, because they don't have access. That's compared to only about 7.5 percent of middle-income students," Dodge says. "So about four times as many low income students are going to be shut out of remote education."That could lead to a growing achievement gap with long-lasting consequences, Dodge says."A year in the life of a 9-year-old child is a huge proportion of that child's life," he says, "and that child will permanently lag behind unless we attend to these problems."She fears her special needs student is 'getting left in the dust'Burnett says she's especially concerned about what's next for her 13-year-old daughter, who has autism and ADHD. "I just feel like she's going to get left in the dust," Burnett says.Burnett finally felt like they'd gotten to a good place in school after her daughter's diagnosis in 2019. But she fears the last few months have undone the progress they'd made."Right now she's in the same situation as all the other kids, but worse, because she doesn't have the same mind state as all the other kids," Burnett says. "Along with being swept under the rug, just like them, she's being extra swept under there, because she doesn't even know what's going on."Many students who require extra assistance in a traditional classroom, such as English-language learners or students in special education programs, didn't get that as the pandemic forced a rapid shift to virtual learning, says Darling-Aduana of Georgia State University."That's going to be an ongoing struggle," she says. "There are opportunities and there are ways technology can actually be used to provide a more individualized or personalized type of learning...but in the short term the education of a lot of students who have specific needs and those with different individualized education plans may not have had the highest quality education provided."Michelle Burnett sits with her 13-year-old daughter Alayjah and 9-year-old daughter Namarhianna at their home in Vallejo, California.Darling-Aduana, who's worked with schools to help them develop better online education programs, says she's spoken with some families who've seen improvement in their students' learning at home."I've heard from parents on both sides of it. For instance, a parent with a student with ADHD -- all of the sudden being able to have a little bit of extra time to run around has been helping them focus," she says.
Interactive: A guide to helping and getting help during the coronavirus crisis
Burnett says her daughter does seem more relaxed about learning at home and might flourish with a more structured distance learning program, but she worries that schools are so focused on the big picture they aren't considering how to help students with special needs.She's taken comfort over the past few months in the realization that there are so many families like hers out there -- worried about losing their homes, their jobs and, most of all, crucial years of their kids' education."I had to do a lot of getting outside of my own self. ... I realized I wasn't the only one," she says.Burnett now knows she's not alone. She wishes officials would realize it, too.CNN's Cody McCloy contributed to this report. | 3news
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Story highlights Putin, Poroshenko speak over phone, discuss prospect of peace Merkel, Hollande speak with PutinNATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen: "We now see a new Russian military buildup"Ukraine's President has announced plans for a unilateral cease-fire with separatistsThe leaders of Ukraine and Russia talked peace on Thursday amid the longstanding tensions between the countries over the grinding unrest in eastern Ukraine.Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin chatted over the telephone, according to Poroshenko's office. Putin also spoke with the German and French leaders amid regional concern over the crisis.Poroshenko discussed the main points and the implementation of a peace plan for eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian authorities have been at odds with pro-Russia separatists. Putin, according to the statement, backs an effort to de-escalate tensions in eastern regions and a process to forge a cease-fire and a peace plan.Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a tense standoff since March, when Russia annexed Crimea and massed troops along its border with Ukraine. In recent months, there have been pro-Russian separatist stirrings in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukraine's government in Kiev has accused Russia of allowing weapons and military equipment, including tanks, to cross the border illegally into the hands of pro-Russia separatists.On Wednesday, Poroshenko announced plans to implement a unilateral cease-fire to ease the crisis in the restive eastern part of the country. Ukrainian forces are putting their arms down only briefly, he said, referring to a time in which he expects separatist groups to disarm. The plan offers amnesty to those who didn't commit serious crimes, the President said. An escape corridor will be offered for those who disarm to leave Ukraine. "We expect that hostages and seized premises will be liberated. We expect that a large number of civilians will use the security guarantees for the citizens of Donbas," Poroshenko said, referring to Ukraine's eastern region. The plan would also include the closure of the Ukraine-Russia border and changes to the constitution to decentralize power. In his conversation with Putin, Poroshenko stressed the need for the release of Ukrainian hostages and to establish effective security controls on the border with Russia.Putin spoke about Ukraine in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.They called for "an early halt to the fighting in eastern Ukraine, in order to stabilize the security situation and to create the conditions for a real de-escalation," Hollande's office said.Citing Poroshenko's unilateral peace effort, the two leaders asked Putin "to make every effort to convince armed groups and move as quickly as possible towards a cessation of hostilities. Otherwise, the international community may adopt further measures that would affect relations with Russia."Amid international talks, the fighting continues. Ukraine's government has been carrying out what it calls an anti-terrorist operation, centered in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, to try to regain control from pro-Russian separatists.At least four Ukrainian troops died in clashes with militants Thursday, military spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said. He said 200 militants were killed in fighting.NATO spots Russian military buildupNATO, meanwhile, has seen a "new Russian military buildup" near the border with Ukraine, NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday, a development that may alarm Kiev and the West.Rasmussen, responding to a question from a Russian journalist at an event in London, warned that any Russian intervention across the border could prompt tougher international sanctions."Yes, I can confirm that we now see a new Russian military buildup -- at least a few thousand more Russian troops deployed to the Ukrainian border, and we see troop maneuvers in the neighborhood of Ukraine," Rasmussen said.Of the new forces, Rasmussen said, "If they're deployed to seal the border and stop the flow of weapons and fighters, that would be a positive step. But that's not what we're seeing. I consider this a very regrettable step backwards and it seems that Russia keeps the option to intervene further."Rasmussen warned that "the international community would have to respond firmly if Russia were to intervene further. That would imply deeper sanctions which would have a negative impact on Russia."The United States and European Union already have imposed economic sanctions on targeted individuals and firms in Russia.In his speech at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, Rasmussen talked of plans for a future NATO that, he said, "answers the questions raised by the new security realities of the 21st century."Rasmussen is also due to meet Thursday with UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague.Ukraine will sign an Association Agreement with the European Union on June 27, Poroshenko's office said late Wednesday. Such treaties create a framework for across-the-board cooperation with the EU, and in certain cases are viewed as a step toward membership in the EU. Displeasure with the pro-Russian stance of Ukraine's former president was among the reasons for the protests that led to his leaving office. Poroshenko, who is pro-EU, is moving Ukraine to closer partnerships in Europe. JUST WATCHEDOfficial: Ukrainian plane shot downReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHOfficial: Ukrainian plane shot down 02:46JUST WATCHEDBattle for Slovyansk intensifiesReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHBattle for Slovyansk intensifies 01:58JUST WATCHEDCrisis in UkraineReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHCrisis in Ukraine 04:33Russian television reporter killed in UkraineCNN Money: Russia cuts off natural gas supplies to UkraineDay of mourning declared after Ukrainian military plane shot down | 3news
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(CNN)Here's a look at the life of Sir John Major, former prime minister of the United Kingdom.PersonalBirth date: March 29, 1943Birth place: Carshalton, SurreyBirth name: John MajorRead MoreFather: Abraham Thomas Ball, stage name - Tom Major, performerMother: Gwen (Coates) Major, dancerMarriage: Norma (Johnson) Major (1970-present)Children: James and ElizabethOther FactsLeft school at age 16.Worked at a bank prior to entering politics.Was appointed financial guardian of Prince William and Prince Harry after Princess Diana's death.Timeline 1968-1971 - Member of the Lambeth Borough Council.1974 - Unsuccessfully runs for a seat in parliament.1979 - Wins a seat in parliament, representing Huntingdonshire.1983 - Becomes assistant government whip.1984 - Becomes treasury whip.1985-1986 - Serves as undersecretary state for social security.1986 - Is appointed minister of state for social security.1987-1989 - Serves as chief secretary to the Treasury.July 1989 - Is appointed foreign secretary.October 1989 - Is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer.November 28, 1990 - Becomes prime minister of the United Kingdom.1990-1997 - Serves as prime minister of the United Kingdom.June 1995 - Resigns as the head of the Conservative Party and calls for a parliamentary election to establish leadership of the party. He wins the election. May 1, 1997 - Loses election to the Labor Party and Tony Blair.1999 - "John Major: The Autobiography" is published.2001 - Retires from Parliament.2002 - Admits to having a four-year affair with Edwina Currie, a fellow MP, during the 1980s.2005 - Is made a Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth II.2007 - Major's book, "More Than A Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years," is published.2012 - Major's book, "My Old Man: A Personal History of Music Hall," is published.December 2015 - According to the BBC, Major states that "flirting with leaving the European Union at a time when the whole world is coming together is very dangerous and against our national interests."February 27, 2017 - During a speech at Chatham House, Major encourages the UK to avoid what he calls a "hard Brexit" as people in the UK "have been led to expect a future that seems to be unreal and over-optimistic."August 30, 2019 - Announces that he intends to join the legal action brought by anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller, who wants to stop his successor Boris Johnson from closing down Parliament for five weeks. The following month he submits written testimony outlining his opposition that Johnson's act to suspend Parliament was "in fact substantially motivated by a desire to obstruct Parliament from interfering with the Prime Minister's plans." In October, the Supreme Court unanimously rules that Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful. | 3news
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Story highlightsThe English Premier League has revealed the amount spent by its clubs on agentsBig-spending Manchester City lead the way, splashing out $15.2 million on agentsWorld Soccer's Gavin Hamilton argues players should pay for their representationHe also argues against players and managers at the same club sharing an agentThe vast sums of money made by football's middle men continues to soar, with English Premier League clubs this week detailing huge amounts paid to agents for helping to seal multi-million-dollar deals during the last 12 months.Big-spending table-toppers Manchester City predictably had the highest outlay, paying agents to the tune of $15.2 million between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011 for aiding the transfer of players such as Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko.Immediately behind City were Tottenham Hotspur ($12 million) and Liverpool ($11 million).These figures beg the question, what do England's biggest clubs gain from the use of agents and why are the payments made to them so large? The total £71.87 million ($112.8 million) spent in that period is a rise of almost $7.5 million."It's very hard to know, to be honest -- clubs need to give us some answers," World Soccer Magazine editor Gavin Hamilton told CNN. "There's no reason that they should be that high, because most of those clubs have very good scouting networks."Poland and Ukraine primed for Euro 2012 kick-offJUST WATCHEDWhirlwind tour of Euro 2012 co-hostReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHWhirlwind tour of Euro 2012 co-host 05:28Hamilton believes that with clubs now possessing wide-ranging global scouting networks, the need to pay such large sums to agents should be lessened."They discover and scout players themselves, and the clubs that aren't scouting players are relying on agents. They don't need to be doing that. They've got their own scouting network," he said.With agents primarily employed to negotiate deals on behalf of players with their respective clubs, Hamilton argues it is the footballers themselves who should foot the bill for their services."It's the player that hires the agent to secure them a transfer, a new contract, so the players really should be paying the fees," he said. "It's a big surprise to me that clubs continue to cover agents' fees, rather than insist the players, who are so well paid, reward their agents for the work they've done."While the spending on agents could be considered as an unnecessary expense, Hamilton praised England's top division for showing the sort of transparency lacking in other top European leagues."I think it's a positive that the Premier League actually publishes the information," he explained. "The Premier League has to be applauded for publishing the figures."It's a good thing that they're published, it's a bad thing that they're so high."Hamilton also outlined the danger of having agents who represent managers and players employed by the same club, such as when manager Mark Hughes and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez were both at Manchester City while being represented by Israeli Kia Joorabchian."I think certain clubs rely on particular agents who are not just representing players, but also representing managers," he said."Managers now have agents. The Sunderland appointment, replacing Steve Bruce, there are a number of managers in the frame for the job who are with agents who also have high-profile players."There's a clear conflict of interest there and clubs tend to rely on managers who share an agent with players, and I think that is a dangerous situation to get into."Hamilton wants stronger regulations placed upon agents, and hopes that financial fair-play regulations set to be introduced by European football's governing body UEFA will help improve the situation.The new rules are aimed at preventing clubs across Europe spending beyond their means in pursuit of on-field success."It's the nature of the modern game at the moment, it's unregulated and the money is going out of the game into the bank accounts of agents," Hamilton said. "I think over the next few years we are going to see more regulation with UEFA's financial fair play."What they're trying to do with financial fair play is have a system in place where clubs regulate their own spending, and clubs are aware that they can't just be throwing money at players and wages."I think UEFA are moving in the right direction, but it's the clubs who have got take up the initiative. There will always be agents around trying to take money out of the game." | 5sport
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Story highlightsBarcelona soccer star Lionel Messi breaks world record for goals in a calendar yearArgentina forward scores twice in opening 25 minutes of match against Real BetisThe 25-year-old matches then surpasses the 1972 milestone set by Gerd MullerUnbeaten Barcelona win 2-1 at fifth-placed Betis to extend record start to La Liga seasonLionel Messi needed just 25 minutes to dispel any doubts that he would break Gerd Muller's longstanding world record of 85 goals in a calendar year on Sunday.Having made a quick recovery from the midweek injury that threatened to curtail his bid, the Barcelona soccer star drew level with the German after 16 minutes of the Spanish league match against Real Betis.A mere nine minutes later, the 25-year-old added another accolade to his collection as he put Barcelona 2-0 ahead to surpass Muller's 1972 milestone with a possible three more matches to play in 2012.Fifth-placed Betis hit back before halftime through Ruben Castro, but could not prevent unbeaten league leaders Barcelona from registering a 14th win from 15 matches to extend the club's record start to the season."I've said it a lot -- it's nice to beat records but the win for the team is what is important and the points difference at the top," Messi told reporters after Barca retained a six-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid.JUST WATCHEDLionel Messi breaks goal scoring recordReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHLionel Messi breaks goal scoring record 01:51 Photos: Messi moves past Pele milestone Photos: Messi moves past Pele milestoneMessi magic – Lionel Messi, center, celebrates with Barcelona teammates Cesc Fabregas, left, and Xavi Hernandez after matching Pele's 75 goals in a calendar year.Hide Caption 1 of 6 Photos: Messi moves past Pele milestoneSecond best – The Argentina star then moved past the Brazil legend with his second goal of the match against Mallorca, which left Messi nine short of the best tally for a year held by Germany's Gerd Muller.Hide Caption 2 of 6 Photos: Messi moves past Pele milestoneProud dad – The 25-year-old has had a new celebration since the birth of his first child, son Thiago, earlier this month.Hide Caption 3 of 6 Photos: Messi moves past Pele milestoneAward winner – Messi is in line to win a fourth successive world player of the year award in January. Pele presented him with the Ballon d'Or at the start of this year.Hide Caption 4 of 6 Photos: Messi moves past Pele milestoneGolden boot – Pele scored 75 goals in 1958, when he launched onto the football scene as a 17-year-old and helped Brazil win that year's World Cup. Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: Messi moves past Pele milestoneGoal machine Gerd – That feat was surpassed in 1972 by Muller, who scored 85 goals as West Germany won the European Championship and his club Bayern Munich lifted the Bundesliga title.Hide Caption 6 of 6 Photos: Champions League action Photos: Champions League actionDown and out – Fernando Torres scored twice as Chelsea crushed Danish side Nordsjaelland 6-1 at Stamford Bridge but it wasn't enough to save them from elimination from the Champions League. Juventus picked up a 1-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk to secure its place in the last-16 and dump Chelsea into the Europa League.Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Champions League actionJuve joy – Juventus secured its place in the next round with a 1-0 win in Ukraine courtesy of Olexander Kucher's 56th minute own goal. The victory also enabled the Italian club to snatch top spot from Shakhtar with the Donetsk side finishing second.Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Champions League actionCeltic surge – Gary Hooper and Kris Commons were the stars as Celtic claimed a 2-1 win over Spartak Moscow to clinch its place in the knockout phase. Hooper's 21st minute strike gave the Scottish champions the lead, only for Ari to equalize six minutes before the break. Commons fired home the winner from the penalty spot with nine minutes remaining.Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Champions League actionMessi misery – Leo Messi endured a miserable night after he was forced off with injury during Barcelona's 0-0 draw with Benfica. The striker, who started the night on the Barcelona bench with his side having already qualified for the next stage, has scored 84 goals in 2012 and was hoping to break Gerd Muller's record of 86 goals in a calendar year which the former Bayern Munich and Germany forward set back in 1972.Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Champions League actionBATE battered – Mario Gomez and Xherdan Shaqiri were both on target as last year's finalist Bayern Munich secured top spot in Group F with a 4-1 win over 10-man BATE Borisov. Thomas Muller and David Alaba were also on target, while Denis Polyakov was sent off for BATE.Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Champions League actionVamos Valencia – Jonas fired Valencia to a 1-0 win at Lille with a 36th minute penalty. The Spanish club was already through to the last-16 before the game and will now look forward to the knockout phase.Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Champions League actionYes for Yilmaz – Burak Yılmaz struck his sixth goal of the Group Stage to inspire Galatasaray to a 2-1 triumph at Braga. The win takes the Turkish side into the last-16 at the expense of Romanian side Cluj. Mossoro had given Braga a first-half lead, but goals from Yilmaz and substitute Aydın Yılmaz sealed the victory.Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Champions League actionBittersweet for Cluj – Cluj missed out on the last-16 of the Champions League despite becoming the first Romanian team to win at Old Trafford. Luis Alberto's 56 minute strike gave Cluj victory in United manager Alex Ferguson's 200th Champions League match in charge.Hide Caption 8 of 8Messi's next challenge is to become the first man to win the world player of the year award four times, as he heads the shortlist for January's ceremony along with clubmate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo."If Iniesta wins, it will be well-deserved for all that he has done, for the way he plays. Again, it will also be a prize for the dressing room," Messi said of the Spain midfielder, who beat him to last season's top European award.Click here to see a map of Messi's first 84 goals of 2012He is already Barcelona's alltime leading scorer, having in March surpassed the 232 goal mark set by Cesar Rodriguez in the 1950s.Last season he scored a record 50 goals in La Liga, and he already has 23 this term. Of his 86 for 2012, 74 have been for Barcelona and 12 for his country.The world has yet to see the best of Messi on the international stage, as he has yet to win a senior title with Argentina -- and that is the challenge he next faces if is to be known as a true great, according to British football journalist Henry Winter."Pele did it for Brazil and Maradona for Argentina. In the 2014 World Cup on Brazilian soil it'll be wonderful to see Messi show the world what a special, special player he is," Winter told CNN on Sunday.Messi vs. Muller: The goal kings"They say top players hit their peak at 27 or 28 when they have the maturity and the game craft and still the athleticism of youth. I think we'll see a player like Messi who's very humble, very grounded, continuing to work and develop with the great Barcelona players he's got around him, like Xavi and Iniesta. "He'll be the first to pay tribute to his teammates as well, because they are important." Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacks Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacksSpanish duopoly – Barcelona's Lionel Messi (left) and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (right) -- widely considered the two best players in the world -- shake hands before the 'El Classico' derby between Spain's two biggest clubs. But is the huge wealth of Barca and Real damaging the rest of Spanish football?Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacksRevenue dwarfs rivals – Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho (left) and Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova (right) shake hands at the derby between the two clubs. Real's revenue is $695 million, $42 million more than Barca and $526 million more than that of Valencia.Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacksTalent at a price – Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo were all nominated for the prestigious Balon d'Or award this year. The last time the Barca-Real league monopoly was broken was in 2004 when Rafael Benitez's Valencia won La Liga.Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacksWill Falcao stay at Atletico? – Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is arguably the best striker in the world, but the Colombian is likely to be sold at the end of the season.Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacksOviedo fans show support – Real Oviedo fans show their support for the club in the Estadio Carlos Tartiere with a banner reading "For the future of Real Oviedo". The third-tier club's financial problems are so great that they have turned to their fans for help, offering them the right to buy shares in Oviedo.Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacksFund raising – The Real Oviedo team huddle on the pitch before taking on Real Madrid's reserve team in Asturias. Oviedo need to raise $2.4 million to save the club.Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacksFans protest – Real Oviedo fans hold up banner as they march through the city on their way to the league match to protest against the possible closure of the club due to financial difficulties.Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Spanish football hit by sponsorship cutbacksSpanish austerity – The Spanish financial crisis has led to a raft of anti-austerity measures. Protests against cuts have been seen on the streets of Madrid, where a minority of protesters have been involved in violent clashes with the police.Hide Caption 8 of 8 Photos: Paraguayan player's Indonesian tragedy Photos: Paraguayan player's Indonesian tragedyTragic end – Diego Mendieta's former teammates carry his coffin at the Paraguayan footballer's funeral in Solo, Indonesia. Hide Caption 1 of 5 Photos: Paraguayan player's Indonesian tragedyWidow's grief – He passed away at the age of 32, dying in hospital after contracting an infection. Mendieta was unable to return home to his wife and children because he was owed four months' wages. Hide Caption 2 of 5 Photos: Paraguayan player's Indonesian tragedyLoss of father – Mendieta is mourned by wife Valeriana Alvarez and their children Bele (left) and Gaston.Hide Caption 3 of 5 Photos: Paraguayan player's Indonesian tragedyIndonesian infighting – Mendieta's plight has highlighted the schism in Indonesian football, where two organizations are fighting for control of the game following the creation of a breakaway league. The players' union says 13 clubs are behind in promised salary payments. Hide Caption 4 of 5 Photos: Paraguayan player's Indonesian tragedyHappier times – Mendieta (left) celebrates with Persis Solo teammates Romuald Noah and Yanuar Ruspuspito after scoring in a match against Persip Pekalongan.Hide Caption 5 of 5 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Lotte Smiseth Sejersted of Norway crashes during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup women's downhill on February 18 in Sochi, Russia.Hide Caption 1 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – John Wall of the Washington Wizards hits the floor after taking a shot against Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 11 in Chicago.Hide Caption 2 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The car driven by Kamui Kobayashi of Japan flies through the air after crashing during the start of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco on May 27 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.Hide Caption 3 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Devin Funchess of the University of Michigan celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen on September 15 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.Hide Caption 4 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Luke Patience, left, and Stuart Bithell of Great Britain celebrate after finishing second and winning the silver medal in the men's 470 Sailing on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10 in Weymouth, England. Hide Caption 5 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Allen Craig of the St. Louis Cardinals breaks his bat during a hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 24 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Hide Caption 6 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Dare To Dream, who is trained by Bart Cummings, enjoys eating grass after trackwork on October 30 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.Hide Caption 7 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – A gymnast performs during warmups before the start of the artistic gymnastics women's team final on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31 in London.Hide Caption 8 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Maksim Veraska of Ukraine competes in the men's 200m IM - SM12 heat 2 on Day 5 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 3 in London.Hide Caption 9 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Brigetta Barrett of the United States celebrates after a jump during the women's high jump final on Day 15 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 11.Hide Caption 10 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Derrick Martin of the New York Giants makes a video of head coach Tom Coughlin while they celebrate in the locker room after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 22 in San Francisco.Hide Caption 11 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The Oracle Team USA flips over during a fleet race in the America's Cup World Series on October 6 in San Francisco.Hide Caption 12 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Running back Trent Richardson of the Cleveland Browns hits the ground hard after a play against the Baltimore Ravens on September 27 in Baltimore, Maryland.Hide Caption 13 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Spectators celebrate Abingdon School winning The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, a rowing event, during the fifth day of the 2012 Henley Royal Regatta on July 1 in Henley-on-Thames, England.Hide Caption 14 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Berlin, right, battles with Hovex Lass during the 7th race at the Coral Brighton and Hove Greyhound Stadium on March 21 in Brighton, England.Hide Caption 15 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Aisen Chen and Huo Liang of China dive during the synchronized men 10-meter platform final on Day 4 of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix on May 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Hide Caption 16 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Senyue Deng of China competes in the individual all-around rhythmic gymnastics on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympics Games on August 9.Hide Caption 17 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Bernie Ibini of the Mariners competes for the ball during the round seven A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners on November 17 in Melbourne, Australia.Hide Caption 18 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – A competitor runs along the beach during the 2012 Bondi Barefoot Race at Bondi Beach on May 27 in Sydney, Australia.Hide Caption 19 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Ning Ding of China plays a forehand during the women's singles table tennis quarter-final match against Ai Fukuhara of Japan on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31.Hide Caption 20 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The Syracuse Orange and San Diego State Aztecs play during the Battle On The Midway college basketball game on the deck of the USS Midway on November 11 in San Diego, California.Hide Caption 21 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Robin Nahas of the Richmond Tigers is tackled during an AFL match against the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 2 in Melbourne, Australia.Hide Caption 22 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Xin Wang of China reaches for a shot hit by Xuerui Li of China in the women's singles badminton semi-final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3.Hide Caption 23 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Switzerland's Fabienne Suter falls during the super combined slalom of the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup event on January 27 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.Hide Caption 24 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees injures his leg playing against the Detroit Tigers during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 13.Hide Caption 25 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Kei Nishikori of Japan serves during his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on Day 10 of the 2012 Australian Open on January 25 in Melbourne, Australia.Hide Caption 26 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – A young fan runs in front of the peloton during stage two of the USA Pro Challenge on August 21 in Sapinero, Colorado.Hide Caption 27 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Ryan Harwood of the Brisbane Lions and James Magner of the Melbourne Demons compete for a mark during an Australian Football League match on July 1 in Brisbane, Australia.Hide Caption 28 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Julianna Naoupu of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic lies amongst the confetti after winning the Australian and New Zealand Netball League Championship match against the Melbourne Vixens on July 22 in Melbourne, Australia.Hide Caption 29 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Alviro Petersen of South Africa fields the ball during day five of the third Test match between New Zealand and South Africa on March 27 in Wellington, New Zealand.Hide Caption 30 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Dong Cheng, left, of China fights against Erika Cruz Hernandez, right, of Mexico in the Women's 60kg preliminary match during the AIBA women's world boxing championships on May 14 in Qinhuangdao, China.Hide Caption 31 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Fans watch from the stands as Kurtley Beale of the Australian Wallabies looks to pass during the International Rugby Test match against Wales on June 23 in Sydney, Australia. Hide Caption 32 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – A surfer rides a wave at Bronte Beach on May 8 in Sydney, Australia. Hide Caption 33 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Jonte Green of the Detroit Lions loses his helmet while being stiff-armed by Bobby Rainey of the Baltimore Ravens as Ricardo Silva tackles him on August 17 in Baltimore, Maryland.Hide Caption 34 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Athletes compete in the women's marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5.Hide Caption 35 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Golfers dressed in outfits from the 1930s play on Monifeith Links course during the 8th World Hickory Open on October 8 in Monifeith, Scotland.Hide Caption 36 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka of the Minnesota Twins attempts to make a throw to first base during a game against the Cleveland Indians on August 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.Hide Caption 37 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Riders race in the AAMI Victoria Derby during Victorian Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3 in Melbourne, Australia.Hide Caption 38 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Papiss Cisse of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 2 in London.Hide Caption 39 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The No. 8 DP Starworks Motorsports Ford Riley driven by Enzo Potolicchio, Ryan Dalziel, Alex Popow, Lucas Luhr and Allan McNish runs off the track during the Rolex 24 endurance race at Daytona International Speedway on January 28.Hide Caption 40 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Competitors help pull each other up a mud hill during the 2012 Tough Mudder on April 1 in Phillip Island, Australia.Hide Caption 41 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point in his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic on day nine of the 2012 Australian Open on January 24 in Melbourne, Australia. Hide Caption 42 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Athletes rest at the finish line of the women's marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympics on August 5.Hide Caption 43 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Justin Maneri of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks dives into the scorer's table after attempting to save the ball in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 16.Hide Caption 44 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – North Korea's Mi Gyong Choe, in red, competes against Poland's Monika Ewa Michalik in the women's freestyle 63-kg wrestling match on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympics on August 8.Hide Caption 45 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Eight cars wreck during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 24, in Daytona Beach.Hide Caption 46 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – John Daly of the United States plays a shot from the trees during the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on November 15.Hide Caption 47 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Kofi Kingston, bottom left, competes in the ring against The Miz during the WWE SmackDown World Tour on November 2 in Hamburg, Germany.Hide Caption 48 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Supporters of the local team cheer prior to the Bundesliga match between FSV Mainz 05 and VfL Wolfsburg at Coface Arena on April 20 in Mainz, Germany. Hide Caption 49 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Great Britain competes in the women's teams synchronized swimming free routine final on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10.Hide Caption 50 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 5 in New Orleans. The Saints won 28-13.Hide Caption 51 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer competes during the first round of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup event at the 60th Four Hills Tournament at Bergisel on January 4 in Innsbruck, Austria.Hide Caption 52 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Aaron Hill of the Arizona Diamondbacks safely slides in to score a run past catcher Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on April 8 in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 7-6.Hide Caption 53 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Richard Whitehead of Great Britain celebrates winning gold in the Men's 200-meter T42 final on Day 3 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 1.Hide Caption 54 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Athletes compete in the Men's 15-kilometer mass start during the IBU Biathlon World Championships at Chiemgau Arena on March 11 in Ruhpolding, Germany. Hide Caption 55 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – No. 1 Tavon Austin and No. 12 Geno Smith of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrate after Austin caught a 37-yard touchdown reception thrown by Smith in the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the Discover Orange Bowl on January 4 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Mountaineers won 70-33.Hide Caption 56 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – South Korea's Woojin Hwang is thrown from his horse Oscar Shearwater during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's modern pentathlon riding show jumping event at Greenwich Park on August 11. Hide Caption 57 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Allister Carter of England competes against Ronnie O'Sullivan of England during the final of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship on May 6 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. Hide Caption 58 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The Vanuatu women's national cricket team celebrates during a match against Japan at Independence Park during the ICC East Asia Pacific Women's Championship on May 17 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Hide Caption 59 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Jason Richardson, left, and Carmelita Jeter celebrate after placing third in the women's 200-meter and men's 110-meter finals at the London 2012 Olympics on August 8.Hide Caption 60 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – French rugby player Sebastien Chabal, right, packs down against another player during a Balmain Club rugby training session at King George Park on February 23 in Sydney.Hide Caption 61 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Great Britain's Micah Richards, top left, goes for the ball against South Korea's Jung Sung-ryong and Ji Dong-won in the men's football quarterfinal match on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 4 in Cardiff, Wales.Hide Caption 62 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Thailand's Kaokaew Pornchai returns a shot to Indonesia's team in the men's kick volleyball semifinal during Day 3 of the ISTAF Super Series on February 25 in Palembang, Indonesia.Hide Caption 63 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Manuel Minginfel of the Federated States of Micronesia competes in the men's 62-kilogram weightlifting on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 30.Hide Caption 64 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – C.J. Sapong of Sporting KC does a backflip after scoring during the Major League Soccer game against the Toronto FC on June 16 in Kansas City.Hide Caption 65 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Nikki Johnson of the Western Conference is tackled during first game of the Lingerie Football League All-Star Tour on June 2 in Brisbane, Australia. Hide Caption 66 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – James Reveley falls from Wayward Frolic during the Gain Horse Feeds Novices' Steeple Chase on November 6 in Exeter, England.Hide Caption 67 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Hampshire batsman Simon Katich is run out by Yorkshire keeper Jonny Bairstow during the final of the Friends Life T20 between Hampshire and Yorkshire at SWALEC Stadium on August 25 in Cardiff, Wales.Hide Caption 68 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Riders take a jump in the men's BMX cycling semifinals on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10.Hide Caption 69 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates his 7-5, 7-5 win against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semifinal of men's singles tennis on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3 in London.Hide Caption 70 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys dives to makes a catch for a 30-yard touchdown as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on November 11 in Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 38-23.Hide Caption 71 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – From left, Rafal Murawski and Marcin Wasilewski of Poland vie for the ball with Sergei Ignashevich of Russia during the Group A preliminary round match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Poland and Russia in Warsaw, Poland, on June 12.Hide Caption 72 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Competitors run under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Sydney Running Festival on September 16.Hide Caption 73 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – John Kuhn of the Green Bay Packers dives in for the touchdown over Aaron Ross of the New York Giants during their NFC divisional playoff game on January 15 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Hide Caption 74 of 75 Photos: Photos: Amazing sports moments of 2012Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The United States women's soccer team celebrates a gold medal win against Japan on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 9. Hide Caption 75 of 75Winter paid tribute to the humility of Messi, who became a father for the first time last month."He's a fantastic role model, not just for his club but for football generally," Winter said. "He doesn't cheat -- he gets whacked by some serious tackles, but he's strong mentally physically -- even though he's not the tallest or most imposing of individuals. "He just keeps going because he's got this great lust for goals, for scoring, for setting up his teammates. He's the ultimate team player, an ambassador on and off the pitch."Messi's exploits came after it appeared he might be upstaged by Atletico Madrid's freescoring Radamel Falcao, who became the first player in more than a decade to net five times in a La Liga match.The Colombia international took his league tally to 16 this season as second-placed Atletico kept the pressure on leaders Barca with a 6-0 thrashing of bottom team Deportivo La Coruna.Falcao joined Ronaldo on 13 goals with a first-half double, then completed his hat-trick with a penalty after being fouled.He added two more to seal Atletico's eighth successive home win and guarantee that speculation about his future will intensify ahead of the January transfer window, with some of the world's biggest clubs interested in signing the 26-year-old former Porto player. | 5sport
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(Reuters)China's Eileen Gu took a chaotic path to the top of the podium in the halfpipe competition at the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup in Calgary this week after briefly losing her passport and nearly missing her flight to Canada.Gu beat American Hanna Faulhaber and Canadian Rachael Karker on Thursday for a second halfpipe World Cup win this season but arriving in time for the event was a victory in itself for the 18-year-old, who is tipped to win gold in the Beijing Olympics."Yesterday I was in a different country with a lost passport and had no idea how I was going to get here," said Gu, who arrived at the Canada Olympic Park for the first time only on the day of competition."But I figured it out at the last moment, got to my flight, was the last person on my flight, forgot my phone charger, no mom, no coach... everything was just kind of chaotic."Gu spent 45 minutes training at the venue before putting on an impressive run that included signature moves as well as a new combination -- left alley-oop flat 540 mute into a right alley-oop flat 540 safety -- to finish in style.Read More"I've been talking to my mom and my coach on the chairlift and getting amazing support from my friends here, so it's been good," Gu added."We made it work. I wanted to come out here and have fun... That was the goal and I had a great time tonight."Gu tops the World Cup halfpipe leaderboard with 200 points, followed by Karker with 140, and Faulhaber with 125.The Winter Games begin on Feb. 4. | 5sport
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(CNN)British politicians have each been given access to an additional £10,000 ($12,450) in order to help them work from home during the coronavirus crisis.All 650 elected lawmakers will have access to the funds, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), which regulates expenses, stated in new guidance.How to work from home without losing your sanityMembers of Parliament (MPs) already have access to a budget of up to £26,050 ($32,420) to run their constituency offices, and this cash will be made available on top of that. The document, dated March 26, says the £10,000 is available to help "support the setting up of working from home arrangements," including the purchase of equipment such as laptops and printers.MPs can also claim for electricity and heating costs, plus phone bills.Read MoreThe monthly credit card limit for MPs has been increased from £4,000 ($4,980) to £10,000 ($12,450) and the single transaction purchase limit upped from £2,000 ($2,490) to £5,000 ($6,220).The UK's 'coronavirus dashboard' may be under-reporting deaths significantlyMPs will also have their usual 90-day deadline for expense claims suspended, and can submit them without a receipt."If you do not have a receipt or invoice due to the coronavirus and you cannot wait for reimbursement, you may submit your claim. Please include an explanation of why the evidence is unavailable, and we will pay the claim, asking you to submit the evidence later," the guidance states.The UK, which is one of the worst impacted countries with more than 7,000 deaths so far, has been on lockdown since March 24. Millions of workers, including politicians, have been told to work from home and many others having lost their income. | 3news
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Story highlightsIn press conference during flight, journalists asked Pope about Trump Francis was returning from a five-day trip to Mexico, including Mass at U.S. border (CNN)Thrusting himself into the combative 2016 presidential campaign, Pope Francis said Thursday that GOP front-runner Donald Trump "is not Christian" if he calls for the deportation of undocumented immigrants and pledges to build a wall between the United States and Mexico.The Pope, who was traveling back to Rome from Mexico, where he urged the United States to address the "humanitarian crisis" on its southern border, did not tell American Catholics not to vote for Trump. But Francis left little doubt where he stood on the polarizing issue of immigration reform. "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel," the Pope told journalists who asked his opinion on Trump's proposals to halt illegal immigration. Trump immediately fired back, calling Francis' comments "disgraceful." Read More"No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man's religion or faith," he said in statement. Trump added that the government in Mexico, where Francis spent the past five days, has "made many disparaging remarks about me to the Pope.""If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS's ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been president," Trump said. By Thursday evening, the GOP candidate had softened his tone. "I don't like fighting with the Pope," Trump said at a GOP town hall debate in South Carolina hosted by CNN. "I like his personality; I like what he represents." He added that he thinks Francis' remarks were "much nicer" than the media reported and that the Pope had been misled by Mexican officials. Trump also said that the Pope has an "awfully big wall" himself at the Vatican. That may be true, Catholic priests said, but Vatican City also has an awfully big door. About those Vatican walls ...The tussle between Trump and Francis -- two outsized personalities who seldom shy from speaking their minds -- seems to have been building for some time. Before the Pope traveled to Mexico, Trump cast the pontiff as a political naif who "doesn't understand the dangers" at the U.S.-Mexican border.The Pope, 'The Donald' and the wall between themTrump social media director Dan Scavino suggested the pontiff's comments were hypocritical. "Amazing comments from the Pope- considering Vatican City is 100% surrounded by massive walls," he tweeted.Amazing comments from the Pope- considering Vatican City is 100% surrounded by massive walls. pic.twitter.com/g3iVLDVGe5— Dan Scavino (@DanScavino) February 18, 2016
During the wide-ranging press conference aboard the papal plane, Francis also seemed to suggest that contraception may be used to prevent the transmission of the Zika virus and praised Saint John Paul II's "holy friendship" with a Polish woman. But it was his comments on Trump that seem sure to dominate the political conversation, perhaps handing a gift to Trump's GOP opponents and opening Francis to criticism that his papacy is too partisan and his policies too liberal. Polls indicate that while Democrats adore the Pope, Republicans view him a little less favorably. Asked whether American Catholics should vote for Trump, Francis demurred. "As far as what you said about whether I would advise to vote or not to vote, I am not going to get involved in that. I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that."The Pope appeared somewhat unaware of Trump's exact stance on illegal immigration, though, saying that he would give him "the benefit of the doubt" until he had heard exactly what the billionaire businessman had said. The Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, said Tuesday that the Pope knows "Trump expresses himself in an expressive way," but "is not always up to date on the latest statements."Trump has pledged to build an $8 billion wall along the United States' southern border and says he will force Mexico to pay the tab. Trump has also said that, if elected president, he would eject some 11 million undocumented immigrants from the country."You have people coming in, and I'm not just saying Mexicans -- I'm talking about people that are from all over that are killers and rapists, and they're coming into this country," Trump told CNN's Jake Tapper last June. JUST WATCHEDWhat it would take to build Trump's border wallReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHWhat it would take to build Trump's border wall 02:34Before the Pope left for Mexico, Trump called Francis "a very political person" and suggested that the pontiff, who celebrated Mass Wednesday near the U.S.-Mexican border, was a pawn of the Mexican government.The Pope made light of Trump's accusations. "Thank God he said I was a politician because Aristotle defined the human person as 'animal politicus.' So at least I am a human person," he said. "As to whether I am a pawn, well, maybe, I don't know. I'll leave that up to your judgment and that of the people." The White House weighs inWhite House spokesman Josh Earnest, asked about Pope Francis' comments on Donald Trump, referred back to President Barack Obama's remarks last month at the National Prayer Breakfast.He said Obama "talked about how his own personal Christian faith informed his view of the values and priorities that he has chosen to champion in the White House.""A number of those values and priorities are not shared by Mr. Trump," Earnest said, before taking a jab at Trump's questioning of Obama's Christian faith."I will however extend to Mr. Trump the courtesy he has not extended to the President and not use this opportunity to call into question the kind of private personal conversations he is having with his God," Earnest said.The Pope in Mexico The Pope's comments on Trump came on his way home from an emotional trip to Mexico, where the first Latin American pontiff was greeted by boisterous crowds that often burst into songs or tears as he approached. Celebrating Mass on Wednesday in Ciudad Juarez, a city just across the border from the United States, Francis delivered a stinging critique of leaders on both sides of the fence, calling the "forced migration" of thousands of Central Americans a "human tragedy" and "humanitarian crisis.""Being faced with so many legal vacuums," the Pope said during his homily before a congregation of more than 200,000 people, "they get caught up in a web that ensnares and always destroys the poorest."As he prepared to leave, Francis thanked Mexicans for opening their doors and their lives to him. "At times, I felt like weeping to see so much hope in a people who are suffering so much."At Mexican-U.S. border, Pope delivers a stinging critique of both countriesCNN's Kevin Liptak contributed to this story | 4politics
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(CNN)President Joe Biden on Thursday signed into law sweeping workplace reforms designed to free victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault to seek justice in court, flanked by one of the most prominent advocates for the effort and the bipartisan lawmakers who drove the bill through Congress. Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox anchor who has worked to ban arbitration clauses since she sued Roger Ailes, then the network's CEO, for sexual harassment, attended Thursday's signing ceremony. Carlson was joined by four survivors who testified on Capitol Hill in support of the bill, as well as the four lawmakers who helped shepherd the bill to passage in the House and Senate.The legislation ends the use of forced arbitration clauses specifically for sexual harassment and sexual assault claims, allowing victims the option of bringing up the dispute in federal, tribal or state court. It will also apply retroactively to previously resolved cases unless the cases are pending. "When it comes to sexual harassment and assault, forced arbitration shielded perpetrators, silenced survivors, enabled employers to sweep episodes of sexual assault harassment under the rug and it kept survivors from knowing if others have experienced the same thing in the same workplace, at the hands of the same person," Biden said before signing the bill.He also acknowledged that "there will be cases where victims want their claims resolved in private, but some survivors will want their day in court and that should be their choice and nobody else's choice." Read MoreMore than 60 million workers are subject to mandatory arbitration clauses in the workplace, according to a White House official, often without realizing it until they come forward to bring a claim against their employer.What the workplace harassment law reform will mean for youMandatory arbitration clauses have long been a standard workplace practice, included in millions of employment contracts. The clause limits the legal options for employees who are victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault and makes it difficult to hold companies and employers accountable for wrongdoing. Arbitration can be very costly, which also places a large burden on workers, and it does not allow for the option of an appeal.In remarks preceding the President at the signing ceremony, Carlson said, "A lot of good will come from this law change," adding that she believes it "will have a dual effect." "It's going to help companies get on the right side of history and be more transparent. But I believe it's also going to stop the bad behavior, because now everyone will know that women's voices can be heard," she continued. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, and Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, attended the bill signing. The bipartisan duo co-sponsored the Senate version of the bill. They were joined by their House counterparts, Reps. Cheri Bustos, an Illinois Democrat, and Morgan Griffith, a Virginia Republican. Biden -- who was once close with Graham before their relationship frayed during the 2020 presidential campaign -- took a dig at Graham while acknowledging lawmakers in attendance."By the way, Lindsey used to be a really close friend," Biden said after casting a sideways glance at the South Carolina Republican. "I'm gonna work on it again."Vice President Kamala Harris, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh were also in attendance. For Biden, the signing marks a significant bipartisan legislative achievement and the delivery on one piece of his campaign pledge to ban employers from requiring employees to enter arbitration agreements. The White House is continuing to push for broader legislation to expand the crackdown on other forced arbitration matters beyond sexual assault and sexual harassment, including arbitration of claims regarding discrimination on the basis of race, wage theft, and unfair labor practices, the official said. During Tuesday's State of the Union address, Biden called on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or PRO Act. Among its provisions, the PRO Act would limit employers' ability to require their workers to engage in arbitration agreements. At Thursday's bill signing, the President reiterated his call for Congress to pass legislation to stop forced arbitration in all types of employment disputes, saying, "I think it's all wrong, and they should be banned." For Carlson and other advocates, the signing of the bill into law marked the culmination of years of work sparked amid the rise of the #MeToo movement. It shined a light on these types of legal provisions in employment contracts, which prevent victims from being able to sue their perpetrators in court, instead confining them to often-secretive, costly proceedings that many say are biased toward employers.Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have worked for more than four years to pass this significant measure overhauling the nation's laws regarding the rights of sexual harassment and assault victims. CNN's Sam Fossum contributed to this report. | 4politics
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Story highlightsThe baby will become fourth in line to the British throne"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," the palace saysAs in her first pregnancy, Catherine is suffering from acute morning sicknessBritish Prime Minister David Cameron says he is "delighted by the happy news"Another royal baby is on the way.Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to become parents for a second time, Buckingham Palace announced Monday."The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," the palace said. It didn't say when the due date will be.As during her first pregnancy, Catherine is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, the palace said. The condition involves nausea and vomiting more severe than the typical morning sickness many women suffer during early pregnancy.She is being treated by doctors at Kensington Palace and didn't accompany Prince William on a planned visit Monday to Oxford.The decision to announce the pregnancy was made when it became apparent Catherine was not well enough to go on the Oxford trip and that a number of other forthcoming engagements could be affected, a royal source told CNN.Royal baby: The new line of succession Photos: Will and Kate's royal family Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThis autumn 2020 image provided by Kensington Palace shows the 2020 Christmas card of Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with their children, Prince George, left, Prince Louis, center, and Princess Charlotte.Hide Caption 1 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Kate visit 282 East Ham Squadron, Air Training Corps, in East London on April 21. During the visit, the squadron paid tribute to the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who served as Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps for 63 years.Hide Caption 2 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Kate attend the funeral service of William's grandfather, Prince Philip, inside St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, on April 17.Hide Caption 3 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWill and Kate are pictured during a visit to Westminster Abbey, where a Covid-19 vaccination center has been set up, on March 23, in London.Hide Caption 4 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWill and Kate arrive with their three children to attend a pantomime performance of the National Lotterys Pantoland, at the London Palladium Theatre, on December 11, 2020, to thank key workers and their families for their efforts throughout the pandemic.Hide Caption 5 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWill watches as Kate pours a tray of bagel dough into a container during a visit to Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery in London, on September 15, 2020.Hide Caption 6 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe royal family meets with naturalist David Attenborough at Kensington Palace in London, in September 2020, after a private screening of Attenborough's latest environmental documentary, "A Life On Our Planet," which focuses on the harm that has been done to the natural world in recent decades.Hide Caption 7 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyPrince Harry, Duke of Sussex, top left, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, second from right, follow Prince William and Catherine as they depart Westminster Abbey with Prince Charles, bottom center, after attending the annual Commonwealth Service in London on March 9, 2020.Hide Caption 8 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Kate visit a settlement of the Kalash people in Chitral, Pakistan, on October 16, 2019.Hide Caption 9 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Kate escort Princess Charlotte, accompanied by her brother, Prince George, as Charlotte arrives for her first day of school at Thomas's Battersea in London, on September 5, 2019.Hide Caption 10 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe family is photographed during Trooping the Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, on June 8, 2019, in London.Hide Caption 11 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyKate shows Queen Elizabeth and Will around the "Back to Nature Garden" that Kate helped designed during their visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London, on May 20, 2019.Hide Caption 12 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyPrince William, Duke of Cambridge, kisses Prince Louis as they pose next to Princess Charlotte and Prince George in Norfolk in a handout photo taken by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in 2019.Hide Caption 13 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyFrom left: Prince William, Catherine, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, arrive to attend a Christmas Day church service at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018, in King's Lynn, England.Hide Caption 14 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyKate holds Prince Louis on their arrival for his christening service at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London, on July 9, 2018.Hide Caption 15 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyBritain's Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, hold their newborn baby son outside a London hospital on April 23, 2018. The boy, whose name was announced several days later as Louis Arthur Charles, is their third child.Hide Caption 16 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyPrince William holds the hands of his other two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as they visit the hospital to meet their new brother.Hide Caption 17 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWill and Kate attend the Royal Foundation Forum in London with Will's brother, Prince Harry, and Harry's fiancee, American actress Meghan Markle, on February 28, 2018.Hide Caption 18 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe couple attends the BAFTA Awards in London on Sunday, February 18, 2018.Hide Caption 19 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyDuring a visit to Norway, Catherine is escorted to dinner by King Harald V of Norway on February 1, 2018. William is escorted by Norway's Queen Sonja.Hide Caption 20 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe image, used for the Duke and Duchess' 2017 Christmas card, shows the couple with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.Hide Caption 21 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyPaddington Bear dances with Catherine while Prince William looks on during a charity event in London in October 2017.Hide Caption 22 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe royal family arrives at the airport in Berlin for a three-day visit in Germany in July 2017.Hide Caption 23 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThis photo of Charlotte was taken in April 2017 by her mother. Charlotte is fourth in line to the British throne behind her grandfather, Prince Charles; her father, Prince William; and her big brother, Prince George.Hide Caption 24 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyCharlotte is held by her mother as her family ends an eight-day tour of Canada in October 2016. At left is her brother and her father.Hide Caption 25 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released new photos of Prince George to mark his third birthday in July 2016. Here he plays with the family's pet dog, Lupo.Hide Caption 26 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyMembers of the royal family gather on a balcony in June 2016, during celebrations marking the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. From left are Princess Anne; Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; Princess Charlotte; Prince George; Prince William; Prince Harry; Queen Elizabeth II; and Prince Philip.Hide Caption 27 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyKensington Palace released four photos of Princess Charlotte ahead of her first birthday in May 2016.Hide Caption 28 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyUS President Barack Obama talks with Prince William as Catherine plays with Prince George in April 2016. The President and his wife were visiting Kensington Palace.Hide Caption 29 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyPrince George gets a boost from some foam blocks for a special family photo in April 2016. The portrait, featuring the four generations of the House of Windsor, was commissioned by the Royal Mail and would be featured on a series of stamps to commemorate the Queen's 90th birthday. Hide Caption 30 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Catherine pose with their children during a trip to the French Alps in March 2016.Hide Caption 31 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe family poses for a Christmas photo in December 2015.Hide Caption 32 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyPrincess Charlotte plays with a stuffed dog in this photo taken by her mother in November 2015.Hide Caption 33 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Catherine pose with their children at Charlotte's christening in July 2015.Hide Caption 34 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyPrincess Charlotte is seen with her big brother for the first time in a photo released by Kensington Palace in June 2015.Hide Caption 35 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Catherine present their newborn daughter as they leave a London hospital in May 2015.Hide Caption 36 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe royal family celebrates Prince George's first birthday with a trip to the Natural History Museum in July 2014.Hide Caption 37 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe royal family waves to a crowd before boarding a plane in Wellington, New Zealand, in April 2014. They went on a three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand.Hide Caption 38 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe royal couple attends the Tusk Conservation Awards at the Royal Society in London in September 2013.Hide Caption 39 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Catherine start an ultra marathon in Holyhead, Wales, in August 2013. It was Catherine's first public appearance since the birth of Prince George. Hide Caption 40 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe couple are pictured with their newborn boy, Prince George, in 2013. The new parents released two family photographs taken by Michael Middleton, Catherine's father.Hide Caption 41 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe Duke and Duchess and their newborn son depart St. Mary's Hospital in London in July 2013.Hide Caption 42 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyIn April 2013, Harry, Catherine and William make magic on the set used to depict Diagon Alley in the "Harry Potter" films.Hide Caption 43 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe couple attends a St. Patrick's Day parade as they visit Aldershot, England, in March 2013.Hide Caption 44 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyIn September 2012, the couple drank coconut milk from a tree that Queen Elizabeth II planted decades ago in the South Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Hide Caption 45 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyCatherine and William celebrate during cycling events at the Olympic Games in London in August 2012.Hide Caption 46 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe Queen, William and Catherine stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the finale of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 2012.Hide Caption 47 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyAs part of their charity work, the couple attended a "healthy living cookery session" in London in December 2011.Hide Caption 48 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe newly married royal couple watches a rodeo demonstration at a government reception in Calgary, Alberta, in July 2011.Hide Caption 49 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyCatherine shovels soil during a tree-planting ceremony in Ottawa in July 2011.Hide Caption 50 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyYou can feel the love as the happy couple attends a Snowbirds air show during Canada Day celebrations in July 2011.Hide Caption 51 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyUS President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama meet with the royal couple at Buckingham Palace in May 2011.Hide Caption 52 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe newlyweds walk hand in hand from Buckingham Palace the day after their wedding in April 2011.Hide Caption 53 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyAfter their wedding on April 29, 2011, the couple drove from Buckingham Palace to Clarence House in a vintage Aston Martin.Hide Caption 54 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyWilliam and Catherine kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony in London. Hide Caption 55 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe pair returned to their alma mater in St. Andrews, Scotland, in February 2011. They launched a fundraising campaign for a new scholarship. Hide Caption 56 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe couple poses for photographers to mark their engagement in November 2010. Catherine received the engagement ring that belonged to William's late mother, Diana.Hide Caption 57 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe couple cheers on the English rugby team during the Six Nations Championship match in London in February 2007.Hide Caption 58 of 59 Photos: Will and Kate's royal familyThe couple takes a photo after graduating from the University of St. Andrews in June 2005. They met at school and even shared a house with others while students.Hide Caption 59 of 59 Photos: House of Windsor babies Photos: House of Windsor babiesPrince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019.Hide Caption 1 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesBritain's Prince Louis of Cambridge is carried by his mother, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on their arrival for his christening service at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace in London on July 9, 2018. Prince Louis is fifth in line to the British throne.Hide Caption 2 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesCatherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge leave The Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital with their newborn daughter, Princess Charlotte, on May 2, 2015 in London. Charlotte is fourth in line to the British throne, behind Prince Charles, William and her big brother, George.Hide Caption 3 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesPrince George of Cambridge arrives with parents Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, for his christening on October 23, 2013.Hide Caption 4 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesZara Phillips holds daughter Mia Grace, born in January, during horse race trials in July. Phillips, a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, is the daughter of Princess Anne and a cousin of Princes William and Harry. She is married to rugby player Mike Tindall. Hide Caption 5 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesAutumn Phillips, the wife of Peter Phillips, attends the Gatcomb Horse Trials in Minchinhampton, England, with daughters Isla and Savannah in September 2013. Peter Phillips is the oldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.Hide Caption 6 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesPrince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, leave Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, England, with their second child, James, Viscount Severn, in December 2007. Edward is the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.Hide Caption 7 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesPrince Edward and Sophie pose with their first child, Lady Louise Windsor, in January 2004.Hide Caption 8 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesSarah, Duchess of York, holds 1-week-old Princess Eugenie of York outside London's Portland Hospital in March 1990. She is the daughter of the Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who is the son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.Hide Caption 9 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesPrince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York, with their 2-week-old daughter Princess Beatrice at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in August 1988.Hide Caption 10 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesPrince Charles, Princess Diana and 3-month-old Prince Harry at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England, in December 1984. Charles is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.Hide Caption 11 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesPrince Charles and Princess Diana with their oldest son, Prince William, on a royal tour of Australia in November 1982.Hide Caption 12 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesPrincess Anne leaves St. Mary's Hospital in London with 3-day-old Zara Phillips in May 1981. Anne is the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. She was married to Mark Phillips from 1973 to 1992.Hide Caption 13 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesMembers of the royal family with Peter Phillips after his christening in December 1977. Phillips is the son of Princess Anne, seen holding him, and Capt. Mark Phillips and the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, center, and Prince Philip.Hide Caption 14 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew with newborn Prince Edward, the queen's fourth child, in Buckingham Palace's music room in June 1964.Hide Caption 15 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesQueen Elizabeth II holds newborn Prince Andrew in the music room of Buckingham Palace in March 1960. Prince Charles, from left, Prince Philip and Princess Anne are by her side.Hide Caption 16 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesThen-Princess Elizabeth with Prince Charles and newborn Princess Anne in September 1950.Hide Caption 17 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesThen-Princess Elizabeth holds son Prince Charles after his christening at Buckingham Palace in December 1948.Hide Caption 18 of 19 Photos: House of Windsor babiesThe future King George VI and Queen Mother with their daughter Elizabeth, now queen, at her christening in May 1926.Hide Caption 19 of 19Why does the 'spare heir' matter?"The couple only found out very recently. The Duchess has not even reached the crucial 12-week stage," the source said.William told reporters in Oxford that the couple were thrilled and Catherine was "feeling OK.""It's been a tricky few days," he said. "We're hoping things settle down soon and she feels better."The couple's first child, Prince George, was born in July 2013.The second child will become fourth in line to the British throne.Prince Charles is first in line, followed by William, Prince George and then eventually the new baby. The new child will knock future uncle Prince Harry down to fifth.British Prime Minister David Cameron was among those quick to welcome the royal announcement. "Many congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge," he tweeted. "I'm delighted by the happy news that they're expecting another baby."Read: Prince George turns 1: Five things to knowRead: Royal baby name: The history behind George Alexander Louis | 3news
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Miami Gardens, Florida (CNN)Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills criticized the team's owner, Stephen Ross, for his plan to host a fundraiser for President Donald Trump. He told CNN he doesn't mind the blowback he may receive. That has included death threats.On Thursday, following a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Stills said he's gotten "five to 10" death threats in the last 24 hours on social media for his stance."For me I'm trying to lead by example I'm trying to do the work that I feel like God has placed in my heart to do. If it comes with a little bit of kickback, that's okay," he told CNN in Miami Gardens, Florida.At Thursday's game, Stills also knelt during the national anthem. Read MoreRoss will host a roundtable luncheon Friday where attendees will pay up to $100,000 for a photo with the President and $250,000 to listen in on a roundtable discussion, according to the event invitation. Ross is a billionaire real estate developer who is the majority owner of the Related Companies, which oversees luxury gym Equinox Fitness and SoulCycle.The luncheon has resulted in threats to boycott Ross' Equinox and SoulCycle businesses.Stills spoke out on Twitter on Wednesday, saying that Ross' support of Trump does not align with the mission espoused by the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality.🤔 You can't have a non profit with this mission statement then open your doors to Trump. https://t.co/sNBWfEXvLn pic.twitter.com/nNkRf2wJep— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) August 7, 2019
He said he was "baffled" seeing the work that RISE did to eliminate racial discrimination and comparing it with the work that President Trump has done. He said he just didn't see it aligning."There's no hard feelings or beef between us but I think someone has to have enough courage to let him know that you can't play both sides of this," Stills said. "If you're going to associate yourself with bad people then people are going to know about it."Who is the billionaire Equinox owner taking heat for backing Trump?Ross said in a statement to CNN that he still champions inclusion."I have always been an active participant in the democratic process. ... I have known Donald Trump for 40 years, and while we agree on some issues, we strongly disagree on many others and I have never been bashful about expressing my opinions. ... I have been, and will continue to be, an outspoken champion of racial equality, inclusion, diversity, public education and environmental sustainability, and I have and will continue to support leaders on both sides of the aisle to address these challenges," Ross said.Stills hasn't spoken to Ross about his tweet, he said. But even with the potential backlash, Stills says his comments were not meant to be divisive."Everything that I've done in my career is to bring people together. I'm not here to have any divisive conversations or get back in this back and forth about politics. It's just about human beings and like loving and respecting each other and that's not what we're doing right now," Stills said.CNN's Madeline Holcombe wrote this story in Atlanta. CNN's Coy Wire reported from Miami Gardens, Florida. | 5sport
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Here's a look at the life of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. PersonalBirth date: July 3, 1971Birth place: Townsville, Queensland, AustraliaFather: John ShiptonRead MoreMother: Christine (Hawkins) AssangeChildren: with Stella Moris: Max and GabrielOther FactsWhen he was a year old, his mother married Brett Assange, who adopted him. Guest-starred as himself on the 500th episode of "The Simpsons" in 2012. He recorded his lines over the phone from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he was granted asylum for nearly seven years.Timeline2006 - WikiLeaks is founded by Assange. 2007 - WikiLeaks posts the procedures manual for Camp Delta, the US detention center in Guantánamo Bay.April 5, 2010 - WikiLeaks posts a video showing a US military helicopter firing on and killing two journalists and several Iraqi civilians in 2007. The military claims that the helicopter crew believed the targets were armed insurgents, not civilians. July 25, 2010 - WikiLeaks posts more than 90,000 classified documents related to the Afghanistan war.August 20, 2010 - Swedish prosecutors issue an arrest warrant for Assange based on allegations of sexual assault. August 21, 2010 - The Swedish prosecutor's office announces it is rescinding the arrest warrant.August 31, 2010 - Assange is questioned by Stockholm police and told of the charges against him.October 22, 2010 - WikiLeaks publishes classified military documents from the Iraq war.November 20, 2010 - The Stockholm Criminal Court issues an international arrest warrant for Assange.November 28, 2010 - WikiLeaks begins publishing diplomatic cables from US embassies. December 7, 2010 - Turns himself in to London authorities. Assange is remanded in custody.December 16, 2010 - Is released on bail and put on house arrest.February 24, 2011 - A judge rules in support of Assange's extradition to Sweden. Assange's lawyers file an appeal. April 24, 2011 - WikiLeaks begins releasing classified military documents providing details on the behavior and treatment of detainees being held at the US Navy's detention facility at Guantánamo Bay.September 2, 2011 - WikiLeaks releases its archive of more than a quarter million US diplomatic cables. November 2, 2011 - Appeals court judges in London rule in favor of Assange being extradited to Sweden.November 15, 2011 - The UK Judicial Office announces Assange has applied to take his appeal against extradition to Sweden to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.May 30, 2012 - The British Supreme Court denies Assange's appeal against extradition to Sweden but grants him two weeks to file an appeal. This is unusual, because rulings are supposed to be final.June 19, 2012 - Assange enters the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, requesting political asylum.August 16, 2012 - Ecuador announces it has granted asylum to Assange.August 19, 2012 - Makes a public address from the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, demanding that the United States drop its "witch-hunt" against WikiLeaks. September 26, 2012 - Delivers a speech via satellite to a full conference room at the United Nations, asking the US government to end its actions against him and his website. The event is held by the Mission of Ecuador on UN grounds but is not officially sponsored by the world body.November 2012 - Assange's book, "Cypherpunks: Freedom and the Future of the Internet," is published.February 10, 2015 - Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe tells LBC Radio the operation guarding Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London is "sucking our resources in" as costs spiral to more than 10 million pounds ($15.3 million).May 11, 2015 - The Swedish Supreme Court denies Assange's appeal to dismiss an arrest warrant for allegations of sexual assault.July 3, 2015 - France rejects Assange's request for "protection" after he publishes an open letter in national newspaper Le Monde.August 13, 2015 - Swedish prosecutors announce they are dropping allegations involving sexual molestation and coercion as statutes of limitations in the investigation run out this month. However, the allegation of suspicion of rape still stands, and he may be investigated until 2020, Swedish prosecutors have said.February 5, 2016 - A UN rights working group says its investigation found that Assange is being arbitrarily detained by the governments of Sweden and the United Kingdom. May 25, 2016 - A Swedish court upholds the arrest warrant for Assange, with a Swedish prosecutor saying there's still probable cause to prosecute him on a rape allegation and that "the risk of him evading justice is still large."July 22, 2016 - WikiLeaks publishes nearly 20,000 emails from Democratic National Committee staffers. The hacked emails appear to show the committee favoring presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders during the US presidential primary. On July 29, Assange tells CNN's Anderson Cooper that the email release was timed to coincide with the start of the Democratic National Convention.September 15, 2016 - WikiLeaks announces via Twitter that "If Obama grants Manning clemency, Assange will agree to US prison in exchange, despite its clear unlawfulness," referring to Chelsea Manning, the imprisoned former Army intelligence analyst convicted of violating the Espionage Act. September 16, 2016 - A Swedish appeals court states again that the arrest warrant for Assange on allegations of rape still stands. This is the eighth time the European arrest warrant has been tested in a Swedish court. All eight judgments have gone against Assange.October 7, 2016 - WikiLeaks begins publishing hacked emails from Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta. November 14, 2016 - WikiLeaks tweets that Assange is giving a statement in the presence of a Swedish prosecutor regarding allegations he sexually assaulted two women in the country six years ago.January 3, 2017 - During an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News, Assange says that the Russian government was not the source of the hacked DNC emails. He also denies talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin and says he did not have contact with the campaign for US President-elect Donald Trump.April 20, 2017 - US Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces that the Department of Justice is preparing charges for Assange, and that his arrest is a "priority."May 19, 2017 - Swedish prosecutors drop their investigation of rape allegations against Assange, ending a nearly seven-year legal impasse.December 12, 2017 - Becomes a naturalized citizen of Ecuador.March 27, 2018 - Assange's internet communications outside of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London are suspended for at least the second time since October 2016. The government accuses him of failing to commit to an agreement not to release messages interfering with other nations' affairs.October 19, 2018 - Assange directs his legal team to launch proceedings against the government of Ecuador for "violating his fundamental rights."October 29, 2018 - Assange's lawsuit against Ecuador is rejected by an Ecuadorean court. During a video-linked hearing, Judge Karla Martinez alerts Assange he will have to abide by the new rules imposed by Ecuador's embassy in London.November 2018 - An inadvertent court filing in a case unrelated to Assange reveals that the WikiLeaks founder has been charged under seal in a US federal court. "Another procedure short of sealing will not adequately protect the needs of law enforcement at this time because, due to the sophistication of the defendant and the publicity surrounding the case, no other procedure is likely to keep confidential the fact that Assange has been charged," prosecutors wrote in the August 22 filing that was unsealed on November 8. The US Justice Department investigation of Assange and WikiLeaks dates to at least 2010.November 27, 2018 - The Guardian reports that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort secretly met with Assange several times inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, including around the time Manafort was made a top figure in the Trump campaign. The Guardian, citing sources, reports Manafort met with Assange in 2013, 2015 and in the spring of 2016. Manafort denies ever meeting Assange.April 11, 2019 - Assange is arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London on an extradition warrant from the US Justice Department. He is charged with conspiracy to attempt to hack a computer in connection with the 2010 release of classified military info obtained via Manning. Assange's attorney says the indictment is troubling because of its implications for freedom of the press. On May 23, it is announced that Assange has been charged with 17 additional counts under the Espionage Act.May 1, 2019 - Is sentenced to 50 weeks in a UK prison after he is found guilty of violating his bail conditions when he entered Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden in 2012. Judge Deborah Taylor says Assange will be eligible for release after serving half the sentence, but that any parole would be "subject to conditions and outcome of any other proceedings" against him.July 15, 2019 - CNN reports on newly obtained documents that describe how Assange transformed the Ecuadorian embassy into a command center and orchestrated a series of damaging disclosures that rocked the 2016 presidential campaign in the United States. A day later, former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa says his country was aware that Assange was interfering in the 2016 US presidential election while staying at the embassy.November 19, 2019 - Sweden's deputy chief prosecutor announces that authorities are ending their investigation into an allegation of rape against Assange. The investigation into Assange was reopened in May following his removal from Ecuador's embassy in central London the previous month.April 11, 2020 - In a video posted online and shared by Wikileaks, Stella Moris reveals that she and Assange had two sons while he was living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Moris is part of the international legal team working for Assange, but she is not involved in the current extradition case. June 24, 2020 - The US Justice Department announces a second superseding indictment against Assange. The Justice Department alleges Assange recruited hackers to obtain information for WikiLeaks, but does not add any new charges.January 4, 2021 - A British judge rejects a US request to extradite Assange to America, ruling that such a move would be "oppressive" by reason of his mental health.January 6, 2021 - A British judge denies bail for Assange, ruling that "there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr. Assange is released today he would fail to surrender to court and face the appeal proceedings."July 26, 2021 - The Judicial Branch of Ecuador rules in favor of revoking the citizenship of Assange. The court's decision nullifies Assange's status as a naturalized citizen of Ecuador, which was granted to him in 2017. December 10, 2021 - US authorities win their bid to overturn a British judge's ruling that Assange should not be extradited to face charges in the United States, on the basis of assurances given about his treatment there. | 3news
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(CNN)The committee investigating the deadly Capitol Hill riot on January 6, 2021, has issued scores of subpoenas to individuals and organizations as part of its probe into circumstances and coordination leading up to the storming of the US Capitol.And the panel has sent letters requesting that others voluntarily appear or provide information.From targeting some of former President Donald Trump's closest allies both in the White House and from the Trump campaign, to key organizers of the rally and events preceding the January 6 attack, the committee has shown a keen interest in deciphering what role Trump and his orbit played in spreading misinformation about the presidential election results and how that misinformation fueled the January 6 attack. Here's a look at the key figures and organizations contacted by the committee:Contacted for voluntary interviewsRead MoreKevin McCarthy, House minority leaderJim Jordan, House lawmaker Scott Perry, House lawmaker Sean Hannity, Fox hostIvanka Trump, the former President's daughter and former senior White House adviserJalen Drummond, former White House assistant press secretary who was with then-President Trump often on January 5 and 6, according to a source familiar Close Trump allies subpoenaed1. Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff 2. Daniel Scavino, former White House deputy chief of staff for communications3. Kashyap Patel, former Defense Department official 4. Stephen Bannon, former Trump adviser5. Rudy Giuliani, a central figure in Trump's bid to overturn the 2020 election on the basis of unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud.Trump family members whose phone records were subpoenaed6. Eric Trump, the former President's son who played a prominent roles in his father's "Stop the Steal" efforts. The panel subpoenaed and obtained records of a phone number associated with Eric Trump, sources told CNN. 7. Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is engaged to Donald Trump Jr. and spoke at the January 6 rally on the Ellipse that preceded the attack on the Capitol. The committee subpoenaed and obtained records of a phone number associated with Guilfoyle.Organizers of rallies and events preceding January 6 attack subpoenaed8. Amy Kremer, founder and chair of Women For America First (WFAF)9. Kylie Kremer, founder and executive director of Women For America First (WFAF)10. Cynthia Chafian, submitted the first permit application on behalf of WFAF for the January 6 rally, and founder of the Eighty Percent Coalition 11. Caroline Wren, listed on permit paperwork for the January 6 rally as "VIP Advisor"12. Maggie Mulvaney, listed on permit paperwork for the January 6 rally as "VIP Lead"13. Justin Caporale, of Event Strategies, Inc., listed on permit paperwork for the January 6 rally as "Project Manager."14. Tim Unes, of Event Strategies, Inc., listed on permit paperwork for the January 6 rally as "Stage Manager."15. Megan Powers, of MPowers Consulting LLC, listed on permit paperwork for the January 6 rally as "Operations Manager for Scheduling and Guidance."16. Hannah Salem, of Salem Strategies LLC, listed on permit paperwork for the January 6 rally as "Operations Manager for Logistics and Communications."17. Lyndon Brentnall, of RMS Protective Services, listed on permit paperwork for the January 6 rally as "On-Site Supervisor."18. Katrina Pierson, former Trump campaign official, reportedly involved in the organization of the January 5 and January 6 rallies and was in direct communication with the former President about the rallies.19. Ali Alexander, connected to permit applications for the "Stop the Steal" rally20. Nathan Martin, connected to permit applications for the "Stop the Steal" rally21. Stop the Steal, LLC, organization affiliated with "Stop the Steal" rally22. Dustin Stockton, a key player in the "Stop the Steal" movement after the 2020 presidential election who helped organize a series of rallies including the rally held at the Ellipse in Washington, DC, on January 6. Engaged to Jennifer Lawrence, who was also subpoenaed by the committee. According to the committee, Stockton raised concerns that the January 6 rally at the Ellipse could be dangerous and those concerns were escalated to Meadows. 23. Jennifer Lawrence, engaged to Stockton, also helped a key player in the "Stop the Steal" movement after the 2020 presidential election who helped organize a series of rallies including the rally held at the Ellipse.24. Taylor Budowich, according to the committee solicited a 501c(4) organization to conduct a social media and radio advertising campaign encouraging attendance at the Ellipse rally. Budowich is currently the primary political spokesperson for Trump and serves as communications director for the Save America PAC. 25. Roger Stone, longtime Republican operative and Trump ally who was reportedly in Washington DC on January 5 and 6. Stone spoke at the rally on January 5 and was slated to speak at the rally on January 6 where he previously said he was planning to "lead a march to the Capitol" from the rally. 26. Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist who worked with rally organizers to facilitate a donation to provide what he described as "eighty percent" of the funding for the January 6 rally. The Select Committee claims that Jones stated he was told by the White House to lead a march from the January 6 rally at the Ellipse to the Capitol. 27. Bryan Lewis, who had a rally permit for outside the US Capitol on January 6 and whose purpose was to urge Congress to invalidate electoral votes, the committee says.28. Ed Martin, an organizer with the "Stop the Steal" movement, who the panel says was involved in financing the January 6 rally on the Ellipse.29. Kimberly Fletcher, who is tied to an organization called Moms for America. Fletcher helped organize the January 5 rally at Freedom Plaza and the January 6 rally at the Ellipse, according to the committee. Individuals who advised on election fraud claims and rallies subpoenaed 30. James P. "Phil" Waldron, a retired Army colonel who spread misinformation about election fraud and circulated a PowerPoint document detailing ways to undermine the 2020 presidential election outcome. Waldron told The Washington Post that he had spoken with Meadows "maybe eight to 10 times" and visited the White House on multiple occasions after the 2020 election.31. Andy Surabian, a strategist who served as an adviser to Donald Trump Jr. and was communicating with individuals including Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle regarding the January 6 Ellipse rally.32. Arthur Schwartz, a strategists who, like Surabian, served as an adviser to Donald Trump Jr. and was communicating with individuals including Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle regarding the January 6 Ellipse rally.33. Jenna Ellis, an attorney who pushed various election fraud conspiracies on Trump's behalf.34. Sidney Powell, another attorney who pushed various election fraud conspiracies on Trump's behalf.Department of Justice officials subpoenaed35. Jeffrey Clark, former Department of Justice official reportedly involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential electionTrump campaign officials subpoenaed36. William Stepien, Trump 2020 campaign manager37. Jason Miller, former senior adviser to Trump 2020 campaign38. John Eastman, an attorney who helped craft Trump's argument that the election was stolen39. Michael Flynn, former Trump national security adviser who was involved in meeting about how the Trump campaign wanted to promote the lie that the election was stolen40. Angela McCallum, national executive assistant to former Trump's 2020 reelection campaign41. Bernard Kerik, participated in a meeting at the Willard Hotel centered around overturning election results.42. Boris Epshteyn, a former Trump campaign adviser who was among those working with Giuliani at the post-election Willard Hotel "command center."43. Michael Roman, a former Trump campaign official who was in charge of Election Day operations in 2020. 44. Gary Michael Brown, a Trump campaign official and deputy to Michael Roman. The pair "reportedly participated in efforts to promote allegations of fraud in the November 2020 election and encourage state legislators to appoint false 'alternate' slates of electors," according to the committee.Trump White House officials subpoenaed45. Nicholas Luna, Trump's personal assistant46. Molly Michael, Trump's special assistant to the President and Oval Office operations coordinator47. Ben Williamson, Trump's deputy assistant to the President and senior adviser to then-chief of staff Mark Meadows48. Christopher Liddell, former Trump White House deputy chief of staff49. John McEntee, Trump's White House personnel director50. Keith Kellogg, national security adviser to then-Vice President Mike Pence51. Kayleigh McEnany, former White House press secretary under Trump52. Stephen Miller, Trump senior adviser53. Cassidy Hutchinson, special assistant to the President for legislative affairs54. Kenneth Klukowski, former senior counsel to Clark, Assistant Attorney General55. Max Miller, former White House senior adviser and current Ohio congressional candidate. The panel says Miller met with Trump in the White House on January 4 to discuss the January 6 rally on the Ellipse and who would be speaking.56. Robert "Bobby" Peede Jr., former deputy assistant to the president. The panel says Peede was with Miller when he met with Trump on January 4 to discuss the January 6 rally. 57. Brian Jack, the former director of political affairs for Trump. The panel says Jack reached out to several members of Congress on behalf of Trump to ask them to speak at the rally on January 6 at the Ellipse.58. Ross Worthington, a former White House official who helped draft Trump's January 6 speech for the rally at the Ellipse.59. Marc Short, a former chief of staff to Pence. Short remains one of Pence's closest advisers and is a firsthand witness to many critical events the committee is examining. Three sources with knowledge of the committee's activities previously told CNN that Short is cooperating with the panel. 60. Judd Deere, a former deputy White House press secretary who helped with "formulating White House's response to the January 6 attack as it occurred," according to the committee.61. Peter Navarro, Trump's onetime trade adviser, who following the US Capitol riot has consistently defended efforts to overturn the election.Groups and individuals linked to the Capitol Hill riot on January 6 subpoenaed62. Proud Boys International, L.L.C, a right-wing extremist group whose members have called for violence leading up to January 6. At least 34 individuals affiliated with the Proud Boys have been indicted by the Department of Justice in relation to the January 6 attack on the Capitol, according to the committee. 63. Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, chairman of the Proud Boys organization. The committee says Tarrio was prevented from entering Washington, DC on January 6 but was allegedly involved in the preparation the Proud Boys did leading up to the events at the Capitol.64. Oath Keepers, another right-wing extremist group whose members have been found to be participating in the attack. According to the committee, 18 members of the group have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly planning a coordinated attack to storm the Capitol.65. Elmer Stewart Rhodes, president of the Oath Keepers who the committee says repeatedly suggested the organization should engage in violence to ensure that Trump remain president. The committee claims that Rhodes was in contact with several of the Oath Keepers who were indicted before, during and after the Capitol attack, even meeting some of them outside the Capitol.66. 1st Amendment Praetorian/Robert Patrick Lewis, an organization that the committee says provided security at multiple rallies leading up to January 6 that sought to protest the 2020 presidential election results. Robert Patrick Lewis is the chairman of this group. The committee points to tweets from Lewis on January 6 and 7 that seem to incite violence.67. Nicholas J. Fuentes, who is affiliated with the far right groups "America First" and "Groyper." Fuentes promoted unsupported theories about election fraud and was "present on the Capitol grounds" on January 6, according to the panel.68. Patrick Casey, who is also affiliated with "America First" and "Groyper." Like Fuentes, Casey promoted unsupported theories about election fraud and was on the Capitol grounds on January 6, the panel said. Individuals tied to fake electors subpoenaed(The select committee subpoenaed individuals listed as chairperson and secretary of each group of alternate electors, across seven states)69. Nancy Cottle, chairperson, Arizona. Cottle is listed on the Arizona Federation of Republican Women's website as being the group's vice president.70. Loraine B. Pellegrino, secretary, Arizona.71. David Shafer, chairperson, Georgia. Shafer, the chair of the Georgia GOP, was a plaintiff in some of Trump's long-shot lawsuits to overturn the election in Georgia.72. Shawn Still, secretary, Georgia. Still was the Georgia GOP's finance chair and is now running for a Georgia Senate seat.73. Kathy Berden, chairperson, Michigan. Berden was a national committeewoman at the Republican National Committee and served as a Trump delegate at the 2016 GOP convention.74. Mayra Rodriguez, secretary, Michigan. Rodriguez unsuccessfully ran for a Michigan House seat in 2020.75. Jewll Powdrell, chairperson, New Mexico. Powdrell recently told the Albuquerque Journal that he had signed the fake certificate at the behest of former Rep. Steve Pearce, the head of the New Mexico GOP.76. Deborah W. Maestas, secretary, New Mexico. Maestas previously served as the chairperson of the state GOP.77. Michael J. McDonald, chairperson, Nevada. McDonald serves as the Nevada GOP chairman and reportedly promoted false voter-fraud claims in 2020. 78. James DeGraffenreid, secretary, Nevada. DeGraffenreid's Facebook page says he is a national committeeman from Nevada for the RNC.79. Bill Bachenberg, chairperson, Pennsylvania. Bachenberg is a board member of the National Rifle Association and spoke at a pro-Trump fundraiser in 2020.80. Lisa Patton, secretary, Pennsylvania.81. Andrew Hitt, chairperson, Wisconsin. Hitt is a former chairman of the Wisconsin GOP and a staffer for former Gov. Scott Walker.82. Kelly Ruh, secretary, Wisconsin. Ruh is an alderperson from the city of De Pere. 83. Douglas Mastriano, a Republican state lawmaker from Pennsylvania.84. Mark Finchem, a Republican state lawmaker from Arizona.85. Kelli Ward, chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party.86. Laura Cox, former chairwoman of the Michigan GOP.This story and headline have been updated to include additional subpoenas and voluntary requests for appearances and information that the committee has made. | 4politics
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Potsdam, Germany (CNN)Public life changed considerably for most Germans on Monday as the wearing of masks became mandatory in many public spaces across the country.In an interior design store on the main shopping street of Potsdam, just outside of Berlin, all the customers were sticking to the new regulations.Store manager Carolin Hucke said the masks made both her and her patrons feel calmer. "I can tell that people are more at ease," Hucke said while wiping shopping baskets with disinfectant, and adding, "they keep their distance and are more sensitive to the situation, but they are also less stressed and just watch out for each other."From last week, Germany loosened many of the restrictions on public life that were designed to halt the spread of coronavirus. Shops no larger than 800 square meters (8,600 sq. ft.) were allowed to reopen. So were car dealers and bicycle stores, regardless of their size.But there is a patchwork of rules and penalties across Germany on the use of masks. Fines for not ensuring that face coverings are worn range from €15 ($16) to €5,000, with rates differing across the country's 16 federal states. Some states are not imposing any fines.Read MoreMerkel warns Germany is on the 'thinnest ice' as Europe realizes social distancing is here to stayWhen Chancellor Angela Merkel's government announced the relaxing of the regulations, it only recommended wearing face coverings when going back into public spaces. ''It is recommended that masks be used in public transport and while shopping,'' Merkel said on April 15.As the restrictions were lifted, scores of people flocked into pedestrian zones in cities and towns around the country, eager for a slice of normalcy after weeks of near lockdown. And some states got creative in interpreting the rules, allowing even larger shopping centers to open as long as the single stores inside didn't exceed 800 square meters, or allowing larger stores to open the maximum permitted area while cordoning the rest off.This led Merkel to warn that Germany risked squandering the gains it had made in beating back Covid-19. She said she fully supported the measures to loosen restrictions, "but their implementation worries me. Partially, they appear to be very bold, maybe too bold."Germany has a decentralized system, and the federal government cannot force states into lockdowns or make masks compulsory. But the states all separately made laws making masks a requirement, even though the details vary. In most states, people are required to cover their mouths and noses while taking public transport or when going into stores. A man walks down an empty street in Berlin.The type of masks themselves is not specified either. They can vary from surgical masks to even a scarf covering the mouth and nose. Germans call these "Alltagsmasken" or "everyday masks."The theory behind mask use is that while they will do little to stop people from getting Covid-19, they will stop people from transmitting the virus, and the more people that wear them the more effective they will be, especially in places where social distancing rules may not always be 100% maintained.Just as the rules for wearing face coverings vary across Germany, so do the penalties for failing to put them on. The state of Berlin is the most lenient, it has no fines and will even allow people to board buses and subways without masks. Bavaria, meanwhile, the hardest region hit by the pandemic, is the strictest with fines of €150 and even up to €5,000 for store owners who don't ensure that their staff are wearing masks.Related coverageLive updates on the pandemicNew Zealand says it has "eliminated" the virusWill Germans use a Covid-19 tracking app?But with masks in short supply globally, the German government is scrambling to beef up its inventory, not just for medical professionals but also for general use. The world's largest cargo plane, the Antonov AN-225 -- chartered by the German military -- arrived a shipment of 10 million masks from China at Leipzig airport on Monday. Two further flights are expected to deliver another 15 million protective masks in the coming days. ''A sufficient number of protective masks are crucial for (the) further lifting of coronavirus restrictions," Germany's defense minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said, adding the masks would now be distributed to the country's 16 federal states who will then decide which facilities will get them.Germany's police union criticized the differing regulations across the country. "It cannot be the police's job to explain the differences in the rules of the states," the head of the police union in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern said.But throughout Monday, German media reported that people generally seemed to be accepting the measures. Hucke, the interior design store manager, also said things were going smoothly. "I had one customer who simply forgot and immediately put a cloth in front of her face when she realized. I have not had any problems so far," she said. | 3news
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Story highlightsBad weather forces six helicopters to landVillagers flock to a field for the surprise visitThey mayor of the small village of Gruta regrets they didn't feed the U.S. soldiersWhen a flight of military helicopters descended into a field in the small village of Gruta, Poland, on Tuesday, residents had reason to be alarmed. After all, the village is only about 100 miles (161 kilometers) from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. And with current tensions between Poland and its NATO allies and Russia over the situation in Ukraine, well, it would be natural to worry.But it turned out this was more treat than threat.The six copters were U.S. Army. The five Black Hawks and one Chinook were on their way back to their temporary base in Poland from NATO exercises in Lithuania when bad weather forced them to land in the Gruta field, a Polish military spokesman told Bloomberg News.Whoever could in the village of 1,600 people flocked to the scene, according to the town's website, chatting with the U.S. troops and posing for pictures."It's a big treat to be able to see up close such a colossus," the website said of the twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook. Town residents posed for pictures with the troops and the machine."Thank God it was the Americans," the town's mayor, Halina Kowalkowska, told Bloomberg. But she said the town's excitement may have made residents forget their hospitality."Now, when I think about it, we could have served them some food, but we were in shock and the boys had to go," Bloomberg quoted her as saying. | 3news
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(CNN)Russia is facing new forms of resistance in the cities it has seized in Ukraine, where attempts to abduct and replace political leaders have been met with legal pushback and defiant public protests.Russian troops have detained the mayors of at least two regions, Ukrainian officials say, replacing one with a pro-Kremlin opposition member. Lawmakers in a third Russian-occupied city say the groundwork is being laid for a political coup.Despite overcoming significant Ukrainian military resistance to occupy the territories, attempts to oust local leaders have led to new difficulties for Moscow.Ukraine's prosecutor general has opened a treason investigation into Galina Danilchenko, the newly installed mayor of Russian-occupied Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine, after the city's elected mayor, Ivan Fedorov, was arrested by armed men on Friday.Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov was arrested by armed men on Friday.The move follows a plea on Sunday by the city's lawmakers for a criminal investigation of Danilchenko over what they called "the high crime of treason, for attempting to set up an occupying government in Melitopol." Read MoreThe city council accused Danilchenko -- who is a former member of the city council, according to the Zaporizhzhia regional administration's website -- of dissolving the city government and transferring its powers to a People's Deputies Committee. Danilchenko declared herself the local leader and immediately said in a televised address Sunday that "Russian TV channels" would begin broadcasting in the city, which has been occupied by Russia since the first days of the invasion. Top US and Chinese officials hold high-stakes meeting in Rome Her ascension was met by angry protests on Saturday, when several hundred people demonstrated outside the city hall, chanting "Freedom for the Mayor" and "Fedorov." The Russian-backed regional prosecutor of Luhansk, a separatist-controlled region nearly 300 miles from Melitopol, claimed the rationale for Fedorov's arrest was that he had committed terrorism offenses. A second mayor -- Yevhen Matveyev, the leader of Dniprorudne, a small city north of Melitopol -- was abducted by Russian troops on Sunday, according to Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba."Today, Russian war criminals abducted another democratically elected Ukrainian mayor, head of Dniprorudne Yevhen Matveyev. Getting zero local support, invaders turn to terror. I call on all states & international organizations to stop Russian terror against Ukraine and democracy," Kuleba tweeted on Sunday.CNN could not independently confirm the claim.Residents of Russian-occupied Kherson protest on Sunday. And in the southern city of Kherson, a political battle is underway to prevent the occupied city from being transformed into a breakaway pro-Russian republic.Ihor Kolykhaiev, Kherson's mayor, has said mass protests show that "Kherson is Ukraine" and insisted that he retains administrative control of the city.Speaking in a video posted on Facebook on Sunday, Kolykhaiev said, "the city is living in a normal mode, the City Council is working, all the deputies are at work, all the utility establishments are up and running. Kherson mayor's office has a flag waving in the front. Kherson is Ukraine."Kherson has been occupied by Russian forces since March 3. In recent days, at least one Kherson regional council official warned that occupation forces were laying the groundwork for the "Kherson People's Republic."Earlier Sunday, hundreds of demonstrators flocked the streets of the Russian-occupied city to protest the suspected Russian plans. The mayor said it was a "a peaceful protest to show that the citizens' position is that Kherson is Ukraine."Pregnant woman and her baby die after Mariupol maternity hospital bombing Alluding to reports of Russian political maneuvering, Kolykhaiev warned that there "seem to be behind-the-scenes talks held, and the people who want to change the political structure of our country and the south of Ukraine are trying to influence this situation."As Russian forces slowly encroach upon other major Ukrainian cities, the levels of defiance in occupied locations could signal a long and difficult battle for Moscow to consolidate political power, if it succeeds in its immediate military objectives.Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation for Ukrainians in occupied cities continues to deteriorate.Kolykhaiev said Kherson had been cut off from humanitarian aid and was running out of resources, less than two weeks into its occupation.He said the city "can't receive humanitarian cargo. Food is finishing in the stores, we are running out of gas, we only have diesel oil left at the gas stations. We are running out of medications and insulin.""Our main weapon is unity," he said.CNN's Tim Lister and Jonny Hallam contributed reporting. | 3news
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Story highlightsDutch dementia facility shows new way of providing long term careIt lets residents roam while staff work in village shops to keep an eye on themLiving quarters are furnished to reflect a person's younger daysHealth experts from across Europe and Japan are looking at the Dutch modelTheo Visser was thirsty. He got up from his seat during the half-time break in a soccer match to purchase a drink from the concession stand."There she was, standing behind the bar," he recounts, 58 years later. "It was love at first sight." Theo asked the young woman out to a movie -- and the rest, they say, is history.It's quite a shame, then, that Corrie Visser doesn't remember any of this. Or if she does, she can't say so. Corrie is one of 152 residents at Hogewey, a cutting-edge elder care facility on the outskirts of Weesp, the Netherlands, just minutes from downtown Amsterdam.'Dementia Village' - as it has become known -- is a place where residents can live a seemingly normal life, but in reality are being watched all the time. Caretakers staff the restaurant, grocery store, hair salon and theater -- although the residents don't always realize they are carers -- and are also watching in the residents' living quarters.Residents are allowed to roam freely around the courtyard-like grounds with its landscaped trees, fountains and benches -- but they can't leave the premises.Their two-story dormitory-style homes form a perimeter wall for the village, meaning there is no way a resident can accidentally wander out. Photos: Dementia care gets a makevover Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – Corrie Visser suffers from severe dementia and is now living in a cutting-edge facility in Holland.Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – From outside, Hogewey does not look special but its approach to dementia care is attracting health care leaders from across Europe and as far away as Japan.Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – The two-story buildings form a courtyard where residents can roam on their own and where they are watched by carers, some of whom staff the site's shops.Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – Theo Visser, who could not provide the at-home 24-hour-care his wife needs, visits Corrie every day.Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – Other visitors spend time with their relatives in the courtyard village where carers and volunteers keep an eye on the residents.Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – Furniture and art in the center's living areas are picked to reflect décor that residents are familiar with from their earlier years.Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – Ada and Ben Picavet can't hold conversations anymore but they still enjoy making music together.Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – Yvonne van Amerongen, one of Hogewey's founders, was inspired to find a new way of providing nursing home care after her father died -- and she realized she wouldn't want him to have lived at a nursing home.Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Dementia care gets a makevoverDementia care gets a makevover – Despite the efforts to make their lives as normal as possible, all of the residents suffer severe dementia and require 24-hour-a-day care.Hide Caption 9 of 9JUST WATCHEDGupta: Residents say they're happierReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHGupta: Residents say they're happier 04:30JUST WATCHEDResidents shops as caretakers watchReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHResidents shops as caretakers watch 04:25JUST WATCHEDMusic is an important therapyReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMusic is an important therapy 04:47And if they do approach the one exit door, a staffer will politely suggest the door is locked and propose another route.Elderly Germans try to avoid care homesPlacing an aging family member here is far less expensive than round-the-clock, in-home care. It also takes an enormous amount of stress off family members who don't have ample time or proper training to care for their loved ones.Corrie has received a diagnosis of severe dementia, meaning she requires attention and support 24 hours a day. That clinical indication is necessary to gain admittance into Hogewey.The burden of caring for Corrie eventually became unmanageable for Theo and his daughters, so together, they made the decision to place her here.He says: "It's perfect. I wouldn't know a better place for her. It's 100% good."Nearly every day of the week, Theo drives 15 kilometers (10 miles) each way to spend a few hours with his 80-year-old wife."I do it for myself," he says. "I need it for myself. She (still) recognizes everyone... so it's important I be here every day."Although they can't chat with each other, Theo and Corrie will often sit for hours, holding hands and lovingly look into each other's eyes. Every so often, Corrie offers a smile, a laugh, a squeeze of the hand. At least part of her memory, it seems, is still intact, though she can't verbalize much these days.Like other residents of Hogewey, Corrie may not know exactly where she is, but she always feels right at home. That's precisely the idea.For Yvonne van Amerongen, one of Hogewey's founders, the need to create the small village was deeply personal."It was the moment my mother called me and told me my father had passed away suddenly," she recalls. "Nothing was wrong with him. He just had a heart attack and he died. One of the first things I thought was, 'Thank God he never had to be in a nursing home.' That's crazy that I have to think that! I'm in the management of a nursing home and I don't want my father to come here."Five things CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta learned at the centerVan Amerongen sat down with her colleagues in November 1992 to discuss how they could transform the typical nursing home into more worthwhile living.They created a 1.5 hectare (four-acre) complex, completed in 2009, that is home to 23 housing units and seven different "lifestyle themes," such as crafts, culture, religious and urban.Art lovers get paintings on the walls and music is always playing while the religious get more conservative décor and Christian crosses on the walls.The simple goal: provide the most normal possible life, reminiscent of each individual's formative years.From the furnishing of her unit to the decorations and the type of food served, Corrie is led to believe that nothing in her life has changed. It's this sense of normalcy that they strive for day in and day out at Hogewey.Study finds loneliness linked to dementiaIn some ways, this is similar to the manufactured reality depicted in the movie "The Truman Show," where a man played by Jim Carrey discovers his entire life is actually a TV program. Everything he thinks is real is in fact a mirage, created by television producers for the viewing public's entertainment.Van Amerongen dismisses any accusations that she and her staff are duping their residents. "We have a real society here," she says. "I don't think people feel fooled. They feel fooled if we just tell them a story that's not true and they know it. We're not telling stories."But telling stories is exactly what some of the residents do, all day long, including Corrie's housemate, Jo Verhoef. Like all of Hogewey's residents, Jo's dementia is rapidly progressing. Her "loop" is getting shorter; the conversations she carries and the questions she asks are becoming more repetitive in a shorter amount of time."Do you know Steve Matthew?" she asks, multiple times over the course of an hour. Of course, no one does, but each time she seems surprised that we haven't met. *Steve may be a relic of Jo's past, a distant, foggy memory of a baseball player she says lived with her for a short time when she was younger. Or, he may be a figment of her imagination. Sadly, we'll never know.Brain map seeks to unlock mysteries of the mindWorldwide, 35.6 million people have dementia, according to the World Health Organization, with 7.7 million new cases being diagnosed every year. At that rate, the number of people with dementia is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. This will be an additional burden for governments already struggling to contain the runaway costs of health care.In Holland, everyone pays into the state health care system during their working years, with the money then disbursed to pay for later-in-life expenses - and that means living in Hogewey does not cost any more than a traditional nursing home.Could this innovative model work in other countries? Health care industry leaders in Germany, England, Switzerland and Japan are all beginning to take notice. At Hogewey, says van Amerongen, "We have Dutch design, Dutch cultures, Dutch lifestyles, but the concept is to value the person, the individual... to support them to live their life as usual, and you can do that anywhere."On a physical level, residents at Hogewey require fewer medications; they eat better, and yes, they live longer. On a mental level, they also seem to have more joy. It's a difficult thing to measure, but that is the most important thing here at Hogewey.So could this work in other parts of the world? That's the next question. | 3news
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Story highlightsAtlanta United have taken MLS by stormCould become only second side to win MLS Cup in inaugural season (CNN)Atlanta United's Trinidadian striker replies almost instantly. "Absolutely mind-blowing," he says with a smile.Kenwyne Jones is describing what it feels like to be a player in his club's brand new, state-of-the-art stadium.Follow @cnnsport
The 33-year-old is what a seasoned football fan would call a journeyman striker. Since 2004, the Trinidad & Tobago international has mainly played in England, most notably with Sunderland, Stoke City, and Southampton. He has also represented his country on the biggest stage of them all: The World Cup. So it's safe to say that Jones has been there, and done that. But it speaks volumes for the rapid rise of MLS new boys Atlanta, that when he tries to sum up the experience as a player in their $1.5 billion Mercedes Benz Stadium, in a team the talk of the football world, that he's been blown away by the experience.JUST WATCHEDKenwyne Jones on "mind-blowing" Atlanta UnitedReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHKenwyne Jones on "mind-blowing" Atlanta United 01:31Read MoreSuccess storyOne of two new additions to Major League Soccer this season, along with Minnesota United (who have not had nearly the same impact), Atlanta have taken to MLS as if they were 20-year veterans rather than scrappy upstarts. On the field, with the regular season just finished, the Five Stripes ended up in fourth place, meaning they've secured a home game in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday in their attempt to win the MLS Cup in their debut season, a feat which has only been achieved once by an expansion side, Chicago Fire, in 1998. Boasting the fourth-best goal difference in a single season in MLS history, Atlanta is a force to be reckoned with on and off the field. READ: The football club that's also a 'country'READ: Meet football's first chief tattoo officerManaged by Argentine Tata Martino, who had a certain Lionel Messi in his ranks for both club -- Barcelona -- and country, his charges have blended South American swagger up front with a steeliness at the back.Josef Martinez of Venezuela and Paraguay's Miguel Almiron have lit up the league with goals and assists, while US veterans Brad Guzan and Michael Parkhurst have kept an American identity flowing through the side.JUST WATCHEDIs this sport's first chief tattoo officer?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHIs this sport's first chief tattoo officer? 01:30The hiring of Martino was arguably the most significant appointment made by the club and instantly turned them from a new franchise trying to find their feet into serious contenders. It was a mightily impressive statement of intent from the club's owner, Arthur Blank, who craves success for both his NFL team, the Falcons, as well as being literally United behind his soccer franchise. "It's been a great team effort," says Darren Eales, Atlanta United President, who was brought over from English Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur, where he was Director of Football Administration."It starts with Arthur Blank our owner, right at the very top who had a commitment to soccer in building this stadium, a $1.5 billion-dollar stadium -- but built just as much for soccer as it is for American football," continues Eales. "And then the city of Atlanta has just got behind the team in the most incredible way. This year we've already had a crowd of over 70,000 against Orlando. "We're averaging around, or are on track for, about 48,000, that would put us about 22nd in Europe ahead of teams like Paris Saint-Germain. So it's just amazing to see this happen in the city of Atlanta."JUST WATCHEDTim Howard talks about his former teammatesReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHTim Howard talks about his former teammates 01:33Record breakersThis past Sunday, the team broke their own record by eclipsing the Orlando attendance with a crowd of 71,874, who witnessed a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw against league leaders Toronto, which would have graced most of Europe's top leagues. JUST WATCHEDLA Galaxy searches for star talentReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHLA Galaxy searches for star talent 03:42Among all attendances in global football that weekend, Atlanta's crowd was only eclipsed by two teams: Tottenham and Barcelona. The season ticket holders have been beyond supportive -- literally -- with nearly 22,000 season seats sold in advance, resulting in the team becoming the sixth-best attended MLS team in history before a ball was even kicked (in total, Atlanta sold the most tickets in a season in MLS history with 819,404).Since taking to the field in March 2017 -- playing at their temporary ground of nearby Bobby Dodd Stadium for the opening five months, while the finishing touches were put on their swanky new digs -- the club have now amassed more than 35,000 season ticket holders. READ: Arsenal legend Vieira remains loyal to former boss Arsene WengerREAD: How football's 'Culture' club wins with the help of Swan Lake performancesAnd by playing with such swagger, Eales is equally confident in stating that, "on any given day ... [Atlanta United] could give some of the teams in the Championship and lower Premier League a run for their money."JUST WATCHEDKaren Bardsley: Manchester Derby is a 'battle for rights'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH (15 Videos)Karen Bardsley: Manchester Derby is a 'battle for rights'Is this the year Ajax reclaim European supremacy?Teqball World Championships pave the way for Olympics inclusionAlexia Putellas is hungry for more success in 2022Kylian Mbappé is hungry for more World Cup success in QatarKylian Mbappe on playing alongside Messi at PSG and what's in store for his futureTackling discrimination on a Chelsea matchdayAdnan Januzaj on Real Sociedad's rise in La LigaQatar 2022: How a unique World Cup will play out as seen from the airAxel Witsel: Borussia Dortmund's elder statesmanKhalida Popal and Andrea Radrizzani on evacuating the Afghan women's soccer teamGianni Infantino sees 'great evolution' in Qatar human rightsPeter Schmeichel: I want the next coach to 'get Manchester United under his skin'Lilian Thuram says players need to walk off the pitch when subjected to racial abuseThe footballer who changed his shirt number to highlight the climate crisisWorld Cup failureThe Toronto match marked the first time the team had played a home game since the US men's national team surprisingly missed out on a first World Cup since 1986. Yet the feeling persists that Atlanta, as with much of MLS -- a league now in its third decade with 22 sides, set to announce another two new teams by year's end -- don't need the USMNT as much as they arguably once did. JUST WATCHEDDavid Villa: Pep made me a better playerReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHDavid Villa: Pep made me a better player 02:40Not only does the attractive brand of domestic football keep the fans returning, but in many regions of the country, including Atlanta, so much of the crowd are from other countries, where soccer is the main sport.This means that the linking of US club to successful national results is a moot point (whether that's good for MLS and/or the USMNT is a topic for another time). Yet it did not go unnoticed that Toronto's highest profile American players, the captain Michael Bradley and striker Jozy Altidore, were booed throughout. "It's not going away anytime soon," says Altidore in the dressing room after the match -- while Atlanta's US goalkeeper Guzan received louder than usual cheers.While Eales reiterates that the US not going to Russia "was a real missed opportunity ... this chance every four years to be able to bring that fence sitting fan into the fold is a missed opportunity," he's far more bullish than hesitant about the future. "I think there is a danger in this call for radical change," he clarifies, referring to the clamor for US soccer to undertake a root and branch review. "Things have happened over the last 10 years that are bearing fruit now and you can't expect it to happen instantly. So yes, I think there are some changes that can be made."But I do think there is a danger of saying 'panic stations -- let's change everything.'"Fans watch the match between the Atlanta United and Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 22, 2017. $2 hotdogs and craft beersAtlanta are most certainly looking for continuity rather than change. Their stadium is a wonder to behold, befitting of already being awarded the MLS All-Star Game for 2018, as well as the 2019 Super Bowl, and the eminently sensible pricing policy for food and drink -- $2 hotdogs! -- is here to stay. JUST WATCHEDMLS commissioner talks expansionReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMLS commissioner talks expansion 02:29The venue is simply breathtaking, resembling the sort of stadium you would design from scratch with your friends, if you could incorporate everyone's desires. Craft beers jostle for space among the 1,264 beer taps in total. How about a window looking out on a downtown view of the city? Absolutely. And what are the chances of having the world's largest video board, which if stretched out, would be longer than the Eiffel Tower? Consider it done. The enormity of the accomplishment hasn't been lost on MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who admitted to CNN that success of this size wasn't on his radar. "Frankly we didn't see what Atlanta would be as a great MLS city the way that Arthur Blank did," says Garber. "When you connect all those dots it gave us something at Major League Soccer that we never really thought we'd be able to see, which is a big important market deep in the south of the United States that loves Major League Soccer in ways that are unprecedented." JUST WATCHEDMLS: Bedoya talks politics and soccerReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMLS: Bedoya talks politics and soccer 03:44To think that this is still a club in its infancy is nothing short of staggering. In the words of Kenwyne Jones, "It's been amazing, we never thought that the fans here in Atlanta would have received the team like this and we've been overwhelmed from the very beginning."Atlanta isn't exactly known as a city that lifts trophies. They can boast but one World Series title in baseball by the Atlanta Braves in 1995. As recently as this year, the Falcons infamously blew a 28-3 lead to lose the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots. But if the other football team -- who have become a paean to the beautiful game, backed by a passionate fanbase that worship them in this cathedral of sport -- wins the biggest prize in MLS in its debut season, there would only be one way to adequately describe the achievement. Absolutely mind-blowing. | 5sport
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(CNN)Thousands of federal inmates who were released from prison to complete their sentence from home as a preventative measure to combat the spread of Covid-19, will be allowed to remain on home confinement, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday.Since March 2020, the federal Bureau of Prisons has placed more than 36,000 inmates on home confinement, according to the agency's website. While more than 25,000 have completed their sentences, 7,700 remain on home confinement.In January, the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel concluded that when the pandemic emergency ends, BOP would be required to recall all prisoners placed in extended home confinement who are not otherwise eligible for home confinement. The office reversed that ruling Tuesday.Attorney General Merrick Garland personally read the CARES Act statute and asked the OLC to reconsider its earlier opinion given his reading of the law, according to a Justice Department spokeswoman. The attorney general also met with several people who are on home confinement on Tuesday to learn about their experience and how it could be improved.Read More"Thousands of people on home confinement have reconnected with their families, have found gainful employment, and have followed the rules," Garland said in a statement Tuesday. "In light of today's Office of Legal Counsel opinion, I have directed that the Department engage in a rulemaking process to ensure that the Department lives up to the letter and the spirit of the CARES Act."Whether inmates on home confinement would be sent back to prison has been a hot-button issue with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who have questioned BOP policies and why more inmates haven't been released, either on home confinement or compassionate release.The Justice Department's OLC, in its released opinion, concluded that "BOP's preexisting authorities does not require that prisoners in extended home confinement be returned en masse to correctional facilities when the emergency period ends."Garland went on to say, "We will exercise our authority so that those who have made rehabilitative progress and complied with the conditions of home confinement, and who in the interests of justice should be given an opportunity to continue transitioning back to society, are not unnecessarily returned to prison."This story has been updated with additional details Tuesday. | 4politics
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Story highlightsFormer Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola is wanted by RussiaHe is joined on 13-man wish list by Fabio Capello and Marcello LippiRussians also targeting Marcelo Bielsa, Harry Redknapp and Rafael BenitezDick Advocaat left Russia job after Euro 2012 to return to club coachingThe Russian Football Union has drawn up an ambitious wish list of some of the sport's biggest names to replace departed coach Dick Advocaat.Top of the bill is undoubtedly ex-Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola, who quit the former European and Spanish champions at the end of last season in order to take a break from the game.Former England coach Fabio Capello is also on the 13-man list, posted on the RFU website on Tuesday, along with his fellow Italian Marcello Lippi -- a World Cup winner in 2006, and now with Chinese team Guangzhou Evergrande.Former Argentina and Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa is also being considered, despite insisting that he wants to stay at Athletic Bilbao in the wake of an argument with the Spanish club's board.The RFU is also targeting two men with less international-level experience but a good club pedigree: Rafael Benitez and Harry Redknapp.Former Liverpool and Valencia boss Benitez has not held a coaching position since being sacked by Inter Milan in December 2010, while Redknapp is a more recent addition to the unemployed ranks after being sacked by English club Tottenham in June.JUST WATCHEDGuardiola to end Barcelona reign ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHGuardiola to end Barcelona reign 05:25JUST WATCHEDWhy did Capello quit England? ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHWhy did Capello quit England? 05:12JUST WATCHEDRedknapp cleared of tax evasionReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHRedknapp cleared of tax evasion 02:57 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photos Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain's soccer team celebrates with the Euro 2012 trophy on a double-decker bus during the victory parade in Madrid on Monday. Spain defeated Italy 4-0 in the final match on Sunday. Euro 2012, bringing together 16 of Europe's best national soccer teams, began June 8 in Poland and Ukraine. Look back at the action and atmosphere.Hide Caption 1 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Supporters of Spain's national soccer team are hosed down before the team's victory parade in Madrid on Monday.Hide Caption 2 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain's team arrives at Cibeles Square on top of a double-decker bus Monday after parading through Madrid.Hide Caption 3 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Juan Mata, left, and Santi Cazorla of Spain hoist the Euro 2012 trophy during Monday's celebrations.Hide Caption 4 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans celebrate in Cibeles Square during the victory parade. Organizers had the crowd cooled off with hoses.Hide Caption 5 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain fans gather in Madrid to congratulate their team on Monday.Hide Caption 6 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Captain Iker Casillas of Spain lifts the trophy after the team defeated Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final on Sunday, July 1, in Kiev, Ukraine.Hide Caption 7 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cesc Fabregas of Spain jumps on his teammates as they celebrate after Fernando Torres scored his team's third goal against Italy.Hide Caption 8 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Mario Balotelli reacts to Spain's fourth and final goal in Sunday's match.Hide Caption 9 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain celebrates after defeating Italy on Sunday. It was the team's third successive major international trophy.Hide Caption 10 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fernando Torres of Spain celebrates scoring his team's third goal against Italy.Hide Caption 11 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon looks on during Sunday's match against Spain.Hide Caption 12 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain's Fernando Torres nudges the ball toward the goal past Italy's Gianluigi Buffon.Hide Caption 13 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Gianluigi Buffon of Italy looks back at the ball as Spain's Fernando Torres scores.Hide Caption 14 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cesc Fabregas of Spain runs with the ball past Leonardo Bonucci of Italy.Hide Caption 15 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Goalkeeper Iker Casillas of Spain celebrates after his team's third goal against Italy.Hide Caption 16 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fernando Torres of Spain speaks with his daughter, Nora, after Sunday's match against Italy.Hide Caption 17 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jordi Alba of Spain celebrates after scoring his team's second goal as Leonardo Bonucci of Italy kicks the ball in frustration.Hide Caption 18 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain's Sergio Ramos of Spain reacts next to Mario Balotelli of Italy during the match on Sunday.Hide Caption 19 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Daniele De Rossi of Italy falls to the ground Sunday after battling David Silva of Spain for the ball.Hide Caption 20 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Iker Casillas of Spain, center, stretches for the ball in front of teammate Sergio Ramos, right, as Mario Balotelli of Italy attempts a goal on Sunday.Hide Caption 21 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ignazio Abate of Italy, left, shows his dejection after Spain scored a second goal.Hide Caption 22 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Federico Balzaretti, left, and Leonardo Bonucci of Italy challenge Spain's David Silva during Sunday's final match.Hide Caption 23 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – David Silva of Spain celebrates after scoring the opening goal in the Euro 2012 final match against Italy on Sunday.Hide Caption 24 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain's Sergio Ramos slides in to tackle Mario Balotelli of Italy.Hide Caption 25 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ignazio Abate of Italy, center, grabs the shirt of Spain's Andres Iniesta.Hide Caption 26 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – David Silva of Spain, right, celebrates with teammate Alvaro Arbeloa after scoring the opening goal against Italy.Hide Caption 27 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Antonio Cassano of Italy battles for the ball during the final match against Spain.Hide Caption 28 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans enjoy the atmosphere ahead of the Euro 2012 final between Spain and Italy.Hide Caption 29 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Mario Balotelli of Italy warms up ahead of Sunday's match againt Spain.Hide Caption 30 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy fans cheer ahead of the match against Spain.Hide Caption 31 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A fan rallies before the Italy-Spain final.Hide Caption 32 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – The national flags of the competing nations are carried around the pitch during the closing ceremony before the Euro 2012 final in Kiev.Hide Caption 33 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain fans gear up for the match against Italy on Sunday.Hide Caption 34 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – The Italian team celebates their victory over Germany at the end of the Euro 2012 football championships semifinal match on Thursday, June 28, at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland.Hide Caption 35 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – German defender Mats Hummels, center, heads the ball by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, in red.Hide Caption 36 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon fails to stop a penalty.Hide Caption 37 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italian forward Antonio Di Natale vies with German goalkeeper Manuel NeuerHide Caption 38 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – German forward Miroslav Klose lands on the ground while vying with Italian defender Federico Balzaretti.Hide Caption 39 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer grabs the ball.Hide Caption 40 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini heads the ball.Hide Caption 41 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sami Khedira of Germany, in white, battles for the ball with Riccardo Montolivo of Italy. Hide Caption 42 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Balotelli, right, of Italy battles for the ball with Mats Hummels of Germany.Hide Caption 43 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Balotelli of Italy celebrates after scoring his team's second goal.Hide Caption 44 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italian forward Mario Balotelli shoots to score his second goal of the match.Hide Caption 45 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi and German midfielder Mesut Ozil try to get control of the ball.Hide Caption 46 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – German midfielder Ilkay Guendogan vies with Italian defender Andrea Barzagli.Hide Caption 47 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Claudio Marchisio of Italy and Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany battle for the ball.Hide Caption 48 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italian forward Mario Balotelli, in blue, heads the ball into the goal, scoring the first goal in the match.Hide Caption 49 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini slides under German midfielder Sami Khedira.Hide Caption 50 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi goes airborne past German forward Lukas Podolski on Thursday.Hide Caption 51 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – The Spanish national team celebrates its win in the Euro 2012 semifinal match against Portugal at Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday, June 27. Hide Caption 52 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cesc Fabregas of Spain scores the winning penalty.Hide Caption 53 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas jumps for the ball during the semifinal match.Hide Caption 54 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo lies on the ground as Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa tries to help.Hide Caption 55 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas is tackled by Portuguese defender Joao Pereira.Hide Caption 56 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho, right, vies with Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta.Hide Caption 57 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio stops a shot during the penalty shootout.Hide Caption 58 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho reacts after he fails to score a penalty shot against Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.Hide Caption 59 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas stops a penalty kicked by Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho.Hide Caption 60 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portuguese coach Paulo Bento talks to his players.Hide Caption 61 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Alvaro Negredo of Spain and Bruno Alves of Portugal slam into each other. Hide Caption 62 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Bruno Alves of Portugal and Alvaro Negredo of Spain challenge for the ball.Hide Caption 63 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles heads the ball.Hide Caption 64 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal jumps for a high ball in front of Jordi Alba of Spain.Hide Caption 65 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Portugal fan shows his support.Hide Caption 66 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A sea of Spain fans show their colors.Hide Caption 67 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spanish midfielder David Silva, in red, vies with Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao, left and Portuguese defender Bruno Alves.Hide Caption 68 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta, left, falls while vying with Portuguese defender Joao Pereira.Hide Caption 69 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Andres Iniesta of Spain shoots past Pepe and Joao Pereira of Portugal.Hide Caption 70 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sergio Ramos of Spain challenges Cristiano Ronaldo of PortugalHide Caption 71 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's national team celebrates after winning the penalty shootout in the quarterfinal match against England on Sunday, June 24, in Kiev, Ukraine. Hide Caption 72 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Joe Hart of England reacts during the match against Italy.Hide Caption 73 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wayne Rooney of England attempts an overhead kick on Sunday against Italy. Hide Caption 74 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – England's Wayne Rooney maneuvers against Italy.Hide Caption 75 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – The English players line up during the penalty shootout against Italy.Hide Caption 76 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Daniele De Rossi of Italy reacts after a missed goal during the quarterfinal match.Hide Caption 77 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Scott Parker of England and Andrea Pirlo of Italy compete for the ball Sunday.Hide Caption 78 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Joleon Lescott of England and Mario Balotelli of Italy share a moment during a break in the match.Hide Caption 79 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Balotelli of Italy strikes the ball as Joleon Lescott of England looks on.Hide Caption 80 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Riccardo Montolivo of Italy reacts during the match against England.Hide Caption 81 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Mario Balotelli kicks the ball during the quarterfinal match against England.Hide Caption 82 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wayne Rooney of England and Ignazio Abate of Italy go after the ball.Hide Caption 83 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – James Milner of England competes with Italy's Leonardo Bonucci.Hide Caption 84 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Danny Welbeck of England and Andrea Barzagli of Italy jump for the ball.Hide Caption 85 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Balotelli of Italy strikes the ball as Glen Johnson of England looks on.Hide Caption 86 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wayne Rooney of England goes after the ball during the match against Italy.Hide Caption 87 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Daniele De Rossi of Italy and Scott Parker of England compete in Sunday's quarterfinal match.Hide Caption 88 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Gianluigi Buffon makes a save during Sunday's quarterfinal match against England.Hide Caption 89 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wayne Rooney of England heads the ball as Ignazio Abate of Italy challenges during the quarterfinal match.Hide Caption 90 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Balotelli of Italy and Ashley Cole of England compete for control of the ball.Hide Caption 91 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Balotelli of Italy challenges Joleon Lescott of England.Hide Caption 92 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Gianluigi Buffon of Italy makes a save as Wayne Rooney of England runs in during the quarterfinal match.Hide Caption 93 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Joleon Lescott of England challenges Mario Balotelli of Italy.Hide Caption 94 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Federico Balzaretti of Italy runs after James Milner of England.Hide Caption 95 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – An Italy fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of Sunday's quarterfinal match.Hide Caption 96 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Balotelli of Italy gears up for the match against England on Sunday.Hide Caption 97 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Xabi Alonso of Spain scores the second goal from the penalty spot during the quarter final match between Spain and France at Donbass Arena on Saturday, June 23, in Donetsk, Ukraine.Hide Caption 98 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery of France look dejected after defeat during the quarter final match between Spain and France.Hide Caption 99 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Xabi Alonso of Spain scores the second goal from the penalty spot during the quarter final match between Spain and France.Hide Caption 100 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Franck Ribery of France and David Silva of Spain challenge for the ball.Hide Caption 101 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Xabi Alonso of Spain challenges Florent Malouda of France during the quarter final match between Spain and France.Hide Caption 102 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Xabi Alonso of Spain celebrates after scoring the first goal with Cesc Fabregas during Spain's quarterfinal match against France.Hide Caption 103 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Franck Ribery of France challenges David Silva of Spain.Hide Caption 104 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Gael Clichy of France and David Silva of Spain contend for the ball.Hide Caption 105 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Anthony Reveillere of France is closed down by Andres Iniesta of Spain.Hide Caption 106 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – At least two fans of Spain and France were able to put aside their differences for Saturday's Euro 2012 quarterfinal game.Hide Caption 107 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – The Spanish team lines up ahead of the quarterfinal match between Spain and France.Hide Caption 108 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jordi Alba of Spain challenges Yann M'Vila of France during a Euro 2012 quarterfinal match Saturday.Hide Caption 109 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Xavi of Spain challenges Florent Malouda of France.Hide Caption 110 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cesc Fabregas of Spain reacts during the quarterfinal match between Spain and France.Hide Caption 111 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Spanish fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the quarterfinal match between Spain and France.Hide Caption 112 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jordi Alba of Spain in action with Mathieu Debuchy of France.Hide Caption 113 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Xabi Alonso of Spain scores the first goal past Hugo Lloris of France.Hide Caption 114 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Xabi Alonso of Spain celebrates after scoring the first goal during the quarterfinal match between Spain and France.Hide Caption 115 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A giant German football shirt is seen in the crowd during the quarterfinal match between Germany and Greece at The Municipal Stadium on Friday, June 22, in Gdansk, Poland. Hide Caption 116 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Dimitris Salpigidis of Greece fouls Mats Hummels of Germany during the quarterfinal match between Germany and Greece.Hide Caption 117 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Manuel Neuer of Germany dives the wrong way as Dimitris Salpigidis of Greece (not pictured) scores from the penalty spot during the quarterfinal match between Germany and Greece.Hide Caption 118 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Georgios Samaras of Greece dribbles by Sami Khedira, left, and Jerome Boateng of Germany during the quarterfinal match between Germany and Greece.Hide Caption 119 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany tackles Nikos Liberopoulos of Greece during the quarterfinal match between Germany and Greece.Hide Caption 120 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Miroslav Klose of Germany scores their third goal during the quarterfinal match between Germany and Greece.Hide Caption 121 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Georgios Samaras of Greece scores the team's first goal past Manuel Neuer of Germany.Hide Caption 122 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sami Khedira of Germany celebrates scoring the team's second goal with Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany against Greece.Hide Caption 123 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sami Khedira of Germany scores the team's second goal past Michalis Sifakis of Greece.Hide Caption 124 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Marco Reus of Germany celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal with Mesut Ozil.Hide Caption 125 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Greece's Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Germany's Sami Khedira compete for the ball.Hide Caption 126 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Germany's Miroslav Klose clashes with Greece's Dimitris Salpigidis.Hide Caption 127 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Germany's Marco Reus celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal with Jerome Boateng during the Euro 2012 quarter-final match against Greece at The Municipal Stadium in Gdansk, Poland.Hide Caption 128 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Georgios Samaras and Kostas Katsouranis celebrate scoring a goal that tied their game against Germany, 1-1, during a quarterfinal match at Euro 2012 in Gdansk, Poland.Hide Caption 129 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sami Khedira celebrates scoring a goal that put Germany ahead 2-1 against Greece on Friday, June 22, during a quarterfinal match in Gdansk, Poland.Hide Caption 130 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Georgios Samaras scores Greece's first goal past German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.Hide Caption 131 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Philipp Lahm, Marco Reus and Miroslav Klose celebrate a goal that put Germany ahead of Greece 1-0 in Friday's quarterfinal match.Hide Caption 132 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Tens of thousands of fans in the Memorial Stadium watch as the German team celebrates after a goal.Hide Caption 133 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Germany's Holger Badstuber chases down Greece's Georgios Samaras during the Euro 2012 quarterfinal match at the Municipal Stadium in Gdansk, Poland.Hide Caption 134 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Vasilis Torosidis of Greece shadows Marco Reus of Germany during their Euro 2012 quarterfinal match in Gdansk, Poland.Hide Caption 135 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger beats Greece's Georgios Samaras to the ball.Hide Caption 136 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Greek fan watches the quarterfinal match against Germany on Friday.Hide Caption 137 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Miroslav Klose of Germany and Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Greece fight for the ball.Hide Caption 138 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, tackles Giannis Maniatis of Greece.Hide Caption 139 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans for Germany show their spirit in the Municipal Stadium in Gdansk.Hide Caption 140 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jan Rezek of Czech Republic and Pepe of Portugal battle for the ball during the quarterfinal match between Czech Republic and Portugal on Thursday, June 21. Hide Caption 141 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Petr Jiracek of the Czech Republic and teammates look dejected after conceding the opening goal to Portugal.Hide Caption 142 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the quarter final match against the Czech Republic.Hide Caption 143 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Tomas Sivok and David Limbersky of Czech Republic defend the attack of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.Hide Caption 144 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Tom Hubschman of Czech Republic defends against Portugal's Nani during the quarter final between Czech Republic and Portugal at The National Stadium on June 21, 2012 in Warsaw.Hide Caption 145 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Joao Pereira of Portugal and Vaclav Pilar of Czech Republic jump for the ball.Hide Caption 146 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portgual's Cristiano Ronaldo attempts an overhead kick during the Euro 2012 quarter final match between the Czech Republic and Portugal at the National Stadium on Thursday, June 21, in Warsaw, Poland.Hide Caption 147 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Czech Republic fan celebrates during a quarter-final match between the Czech Republic and Portugal on Thursday in Warsaw, Poland.Hide Caption 148 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Portugal fan holds up a sign during the quarter-final match between the Czech Republic and Portugal.Hide Caption 149 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Miguel Veloso of Portugal and Vladimir Darida of Czech Republic battle for the ball during the quarter-final match between Czech Republic and Portugal.Hide Caption 150 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Helder Postiga of Portugal tackles Tomas Sivok of Czech Republic during the quarter-final match.Hide Caption 151 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ziatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden scores the opening goal during the group D match against France on Tuesday, June 19. Hide Caption 152 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Franck Ribery of France goes past Andreas Granqvist of Sweden during the match between Sweden and France.Hide Caption 153 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden celebrates his goal during the group D match against France.Hide Caption 154 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Karim Benzema of France is challenged by Jonas Olsson of Sweden during the match between Sweden and France.Hide Caption 155 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Marko Devic of Ukraine reacts during the match between England and Ukraine.Hide Caption 156 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wayne Rooney of England scores their first goal during the match between England and Ukraine on Tuesday.Hide Caption 157 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Head coach Oleh Blokhin of Ukraine shouts instructions during the match between England and Ukraine.Hide Caption 158 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – John Terry of England clears an effort from Marko Devic of Ukraine off the line during the match between England and Ukraine.Hide Caption 159 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden celebrates his goal with Jonas Olsson, left, and Martin Olsson during the match between Sweden and France.Hide Caption 160 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wayne Rooney of England controls the ball during the match between England and Ukraine.Hide Caption 161 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photoseuro 2012 tues 06 – Yaroslav Rakytskyy of Ukraine and Danny Welbeck of England compete for the ball during the match between England and Ukraine.Hide Caption 162 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wayne Rooney of England clashes with Denys Garmash of Ukraine during the match between England and Ukraine.Hide Caption 163 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Franck Ribery of France is tackled by Anders Svensson of Sweden during the match between Sweden and France.Hide Caption 164 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – England fans soak up the atmosphere during the match between England and Ukraine.Hide Caption 165 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Danny Welbeck of England beats Yevhen Khacheridi of Ukraine to the ball during the match between England and Ukraine.Hide Caption 166 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A young Ukraine fan shows enthusiasm ahead of the match between England and Ukraine on Tuesday, June 19. Hide Caption 167 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – England's fans get ready for the match against Ukraine at Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine.Hide Caption 168 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wayne Rooney of England breaks past Denys Harmash of Ukraine during Tuesday's match in Donetsk, Ukraine.Hide Caption 169 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Emir Bajrami of Sweden gets tackled by France's Hatem Ben Arfa, left, and Yann M'Vila during a Group D match Tuesday in Kiev, Ukraine.Hide Caption 170 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa and Croatia's Ivan Strinic fight for the ball during the group C match at Municipal Stadium in Gdansk, Poland, on Monday, June 18. Hide Caption 171 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ireland fans do the Poznan as they enjoy the atmosphere during the match against Italy.Hide Caption 172 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Antonio Cassano heads in the opening goal against Ireland.Hide Caption 173 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Andrea Barzagli tackles Ireland's Kevin Doyle on Monday.Hide Caption 174 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jesus Navas scores Spain's first goal during the group C match against Croatia on Monday.Hide Caption 175 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Croatia's Luka Modric looks on after Spain's Jesus Navas scores a goal.Hide Caption 176 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Claudio Marchisio jumps to control the ball during the match against Ireland.Hide Caption 177 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Mario Balotelli smiles at Ireland's Shay Given.Hide Caption 178 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Kevin Doyle of Ireland and Daniele De Rossi of Italy jump for the ball on Monday.Hide Caption 179 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Badges adorn an Ireland fan's scarf ahead of the group C match between Italy and Ireland.Hide Caption 180 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – An Irish fan attempts to catch a snapshot of the action ahead of match between Italy and Ireland.Hide Caption 181 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Kevin Doyle of Ireland tackles Andrea Pirlo of Italy.Hide Caption 182 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A fan awaits the action before the start of the match between Croatia and Spain.Hide Caption 183 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Spanish fan waits for the start of the match between Croatiia and Spain.Hide Caption 184 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Luka Modric of Croatia is closed down by Alvaro Arbeloa and Xavi of Spain.Hide Caption 185 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Danijel Pranjic of Croatia and Alvaro Arbeloa of Spain compete for the ball.Hide Caption 186 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Lars Bender of Germany celebrates with Miroslav Klose after scoring the team's second goal against Denmark in L'viv, Ukraine, on Sunday, June 17. Hide Caption 187 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates with his teammates as Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands looks dejected during Sunday's match in Kharkov, Ukraine.Hide Caption 188 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jores Okore, William Kvist and Lars Jacobsen of Denmark face defeat in the match against Germany on Sunday.Hide Caption 189 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Germany's Lars Bender celebrates during the match against Denmark.Hide Caption 190 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, bottom left, celebrates with teammates Miguel Veloso and Custodio after scoring the team's second goal against the Netherlands.Hide Caption 191 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts to his goal against the Netherlands.Hide Caption 192 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer of Germany walk toward the ball after Michael Krohn-Dehli of Denmark scored.Hide Caption 193 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portugal's Bruno Alves battles Joris Mathijsen of the Netherlands for control of the ball.Hide Caption 194 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Dutch fan makes a heart shape with her hands before the start of the team's match against Portugal.Hide Caption 195 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal competes with Ron Vlaar of the Netherlands.Hide Caption 196 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Michael Krohn-Dehli of Denmark reacts after scoring the first goal against Germany.Hide Caption 197 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Miguel Veloso of Portugal challenges Robin van Persie of the Netherlands on Sunday.Hide Caption 198 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates scoring the first goal against the Netherlands.Hide Caption 199 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo kicks the ball past a Dutch defender during Sunday's match.Hide Caption 200 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Lukas Podolski of Germany celebrates scoring the first goal against Denmark.Hide Caption 201 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Rafael van der Vaart of the Netherlands scores the opening goal past Miguel Veloso of Portugal.Hide Caption 202 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans of Portugal rally ahead of the team's match against Netherlands in Metalist Stadium.Hide Caption 203 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sami Khedira of Germany and Christian Eriksen of Denmark compete for the ball.Hide Caption 204 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans of Germany dress up for the match against Denmark.Hide Caption 205 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on before the match against the Netherlands.Hide Caption 206 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Danish fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the team's match against Germany.Hide Caption 207 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Dutch fans cheer during the match against Portugual on Sunday.Hide Caption 208 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Georgios Samaras, Giannis Maniatis and Giorgos Tzavelas of Greece celebrate victory during the match between Greece and Russia on Saturday, June 16.Hide Caption 209 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Giorgos Tzavelas of Greece celebrates during the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 210 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Damien Perquis of Poland lies on the pitch at the final whistle during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 211 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Poland fans look on during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 212 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Giorgos Karagounis of Greece, center, celebrates Greece's victory over Russia and and adnvancement to the quarter finals during the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 213 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Robert Lewandowski of Poland sits dejected at the final whistle during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 214 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Aleksandr Anyukov of Russia and Georgios Samaras of Greece battle for the ball during the group A match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 215 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sergey Ignashevich, Aleksey Berezutskiy and Igor Denisov of Russia look dejected during the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 216 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Petr Jiracek of Czech Republic celebrates scoring the first goal with Milan Baros of Czech Republic during the group A match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 217 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Dariusz Dudka of Poland goes in to win the ball during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 218 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Giorgos Karagounis of Greece reacts after he receives a yellow card for diving from referee Jonas Eriksson during the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 219 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Giorgos Karagounis of Greece, center, celebrates scoring the opening goal with teammates, left to right, Kostas Katsouranis, Giannis Maniatis and Sotiris Ninis during the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 220 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Giorgos Karagounis of Greece scores the opening goal past Vyacheslav Malafeev of Russia during the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 221 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Eugen Polanski of Poland brings down Vaclav Pilar of Czech Republic during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 222 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Giorgos Karagounis of Greece scores the opening goal under pressure from Yuriy Zhirkov of Russia during the match between Greece and Russia on Saturday.Hide Caption 223 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Yuriy Zhirkov of Russia jumps over the challenge by Dimitris Salpigidis of Greece during the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 224 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Football fans enjoy the atmopshere during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 225 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Petr Jiracek of Czech Republic looks on during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 226 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Robert Lewandowski of Poland tackles Theodor Gebre Selassie of Czech Republic during the group match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 227 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photoseuro 2012 sat 33 – Andrey Arshavin of Russia falls under the challenge by Giorgos Tzavelas of Greece during the the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 228 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Greece fan enjoys the atmosphere ahead of the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 229 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Russian fans enjoy the atmosphere ahead of the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 230 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Kostas Katsouranis of Greece and Denis Glushakov of Russia tussle for the ball during the match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 231 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jakub Blaszczykowski of Poland jumps to avoid a challenge from Petr Cech of Czech Republic during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 232 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Football fans enjoy the atmopshere ahead of the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 233 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – The Greece team celebrate during match between Greece and Russia.Hide Caption 234 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – David Limbersky of Czech Republic is tackled by Dariusz Dudka of Poland during the match between Czech Republic and Poland.Hide Caption 235 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Martin Olsson of Sweden celebrates after Glen Johnson of England fails to stop Olof Mellberg of Sweden's goal during the group D match between Sweden and England on Friday, June 15, in Kiev, Ukraine.Hide Caption 236 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sweden celebrates after Olof Mellberg of Sweden scored its first goal during the match between Sweden and England.Hide Caption 237 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Olof Mellberg of Sweden scores Sweden's second goal against England in the Sweden-England matchup.Hide Caption 238 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden and John Terry of England clash during the match between Sweden and England.Hide Caption 239 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Danny Welbeck of England scores the third goal past Andreas Isaksson of Sweden.Hide Caption 240 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sweden fans show their support before the group D match between Sweden and England.Hide Caption 241 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – England fans soak up the atmopshere ahead of the Sweden-England matchup.Hide Caption 242 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Andy Carroll, right, of England celebrates the first goal with captain Steven Gerrard during the match between Sweden and England.Hide Caption 243 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Andreas Granqvist of Sweden is tackled by Andy Carroll of England during the Sweden-England matchup.Hide Caption 244 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Andy Carroll of England heads the first goal during the match between Sweden and England.Hide Caption 245 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Yohan Cabaye of France scores the second goal past Oleh Husyev of Ukraine during the match between Ukraine and France.Hide Caption 246 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Yevhen Selin of Ukraine and Yevhen Khacheridi put pressure on Jeremy Menez of France during the group D match between Ukraine and France.Hide Caption 247 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Yohan Cabaye of France celebrates a goal with Karim Benzema of France during the Ukraine-France matchup.Hide Caption 248 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A man looks on after play was suspended due to bad weather during the match between Ukraine and France.Hide Caption 249 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Painted Ukraine fans enjoy themselves before the Euro 2012 group D match between Ukraine and France.Hide Caption 250 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – After minutes of playing, torrential rainfall caused the Ukraine vs. France game to be temporarily suspended on Friday. Hide Caption 251 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans endure the rains during the match between Ukraine and France.Hide Caption 252 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ukraine's Yevhen Konoplyanka, right, battles France's Mathieu Debuchy for control of the ball Friday in a group D match.Hide Caption 253 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Players leave the field Friday after weather caused the Ukraine vs. France game to be suspended.Hide Caption 254 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Shay Given of Republic of Ireland tosses the towel during the group C match between Spain and Ireland in Gdansk, Poland, on Thursday, June 14. Hide Caption 255 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sean St Ledger, Shay Given and Richard Dunne of Republic of Ireland sit dejected after Fernando Torres of Spain scored Spain's third goal during the Spain-Ireland match.Hide Caption 256 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Shay Given of Republic of Ireland makes a save during the match between Spain and Ireland.Hide Caption 257 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Republic of Ireland fans look on during the Spain-Ireland match.Hide Caption 258 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jonathan Walters of Republic of Ireland clashes with Xabi Alonso of Spain during the match between Spain and Ireland.Hide Caption 259 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fernando Torres of Spain celebrates scoring the team's third goal during the match between Spain and Ireland.Hide Caption 260 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans make their voices heard during the Group C match between Spain and Ireland.Hide Caption 261 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fernando Torres of Spain scores the team's first goal against Ireland.Hide Caption 262 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – David Silva of Spain battles for the ball with Damien Duff of Ireland.Hide Caption 263 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Croatia's Mario Mandzukic and his teammate Darijo Sma celebrate the team's game-tying goal against Italy in Poznan, Poland, on Thursday, June 14. Hide Caption 264 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Balotelli of Italy makes his case during Thursday's match against Croatia.Hide Caption 265 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ognjen Vukojevic and Ivan Perisic of Croatia stand by after a flare was thrown onto the field.Hide Caption 266 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Gianluigi Buffon of Italy gestures during the match against Croatia.Hide Caption 267 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Gordon Schildenfeld of Croatia and Sebastian Giovinco of Italy battle for the ball.Hide Caption 268 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Luka Modric of Croatia is marshalled by Mario Balotelli of Italy.Hide Caption 269 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Emanuele Giaccherini of Italy clashes with Darijo Srna of Croatia.Hide Caption 270 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Stipe Pletikosa of Croatia fails to stop a goal from a free kick by Andrea Pirlo of Italy.Hide Caption 271 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Andrea Pirlo of Italy celebrates scoring the opening goal against Croatia.Hide Caption 272 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – An Italy fan cheers during the team's Group C match against Croatia.Hide Caption 273 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans enjoy the atmosphere during the match between Italy and Croatia in Poland on Thursday.Hide Caption 274 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Giorgio Chiellini of Italy and Nikica Jelavic of Croatia compete for the ball.Hide Caption 275 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans revel during the Italy-Croatia match on Thursday.Hide Caption 276 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Philipp Lahm of Germany controls the ball during the Group B match between Netherlands and Germany on Wednesday, June 13. Hide Caption 277 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – John Heitinga of the Netherlands and Sami Khedira of Germany compete for the ball during the Group B match between Netherlands and Germany. Hide Caption 278 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Manuel Neuer of Germany celebrates after Mario Gomez scored the opening goal against the Netherlands.Hide Caption 279 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – John Heitinga of the Netherlands and Mario Gomez of Germany fight for the ball.Hide Caption 280 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal clashes with Simon Kjær of Denmark during the Group B match between Portugal and Denmark.Hide Caption 281 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Pepe of Portugal, left, celebrates scores the team's first goal against Denmark.Hide Caption 282 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Nicklas Bendtner of Denmark beats Pepe of Portugal to head in Denmark's second goal.Hide Caption 283 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Silvestre Varela of Portugal celebrates scoring their third goal against Denmark with Joao Moutinho of Portugal.Hide Caption 284 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Portugal fans rally before the Group B match against Denmark in Lviv, Ukraine. Hide Caption 285 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal gestures during the match against Denmark.Hide Caption 286 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Pepe celebrates after Helder Postiga of Portugal scored the second goal against Denmark.Hide Caption 287 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Dennis Rommedahl of Denmark fights for possession with Fabio Coentrao of Portugal.Hide Caption 288 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Denmark's Simon Kjær battles for a header against Helder Postiga of Portugal on Wednesday.Hide Caption 289 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jakub Blaszczykowski of Poland celebrates after scoring Poland's equalizer in the 1-1 draw with Russia in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday, June 12. Hide Caption 290 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Poland captain Blaszczykowski scored in the 57th minute as the co-hosts denied Russia the satisfaction of becoming the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals, Tueday. Hide Caption 291 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Polish fans cheer during the group A match between Poland and Russia, Tuesday.Hide Caption 292 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Roman Shirokov of Russia and Dariusz Dudka of Poland vie for control of the ball during their match, Tuesday.Hide Caption 293 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Aleksandr Kerzhakov of Russia and Marcin Wasilewski of Poland jump to avoid colliding with Poland's goalkeeper, Grzegorz Sandomiersk.Hide Caption 294 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Poland fan looks thoughtful ahead of the team's match against Russia, Tuesday.Hide Caption 295 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Petr Jiracek of the Czech Republic scores the opening goal against Greece in Wroclaw, Poland, on Tuesday, June 12. Hide Caption 296 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Greece's Dimitris Salpigidis reacts during Tuesday's match. His team went on to lose 2-1 to the Czech Republic.Hide Caption 297 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – The Czech Republic's Vaclav Pilar, right, scores the second goal of the match against Greece.Hide Caption 298 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Fans cheer for Greece during its Group A match against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.Hide Caption 299 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Pilar of the Czech Republic celebrates scoring the team's second goal against Greece.Hide Caption 300 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A fan cheers during the Greece-Czech Republic match Tuesday at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw.Hide Caption 301 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Jiracek scores the Czech Republic's opening goal against Greece and Jose Holebas on Tuesday.Hide Caption 302 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Andriy Shevchenko of Ukraine reacts to scoring the team's second goal during the Group D match against Sweden in Kiev, Ukraine, on Monday, June 11.Hide Caption 303 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring Sweden's first goal against Ukraine.Hide Caption 304 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ukraine's Andriy Voronin vies with Swedish defender Andreas Granqvist.Hide Caption 305 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Swedish fan soaks up the atmosphere ahead of Monday's match against Ukraine.Hide Caption 306 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Yevhen Selin of Ukraine and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden battle for the ball.Hide Caption 307 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ukraine's Anatoliy Tymoshchuk tackles Kim Kallstrom of Sweden.Hide Caption 308 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Goalkeeper Joe Hart of England blocks Samir Nasri of France during the Group D match in Donetsk, Ukraine, Monday, June11.Hide Caption 309 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Players compete for control of the ball during the England-France match on Monday.Hide Caption 310 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Scott Parker of England fights for possession with Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema of France.Hide Caption 311 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Joleon Lescott of England scores during the first half of the match against France.Hide Caption 312 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Steven Gerrard of England celebrates after Joleon Lescott's goal against France.Hide Caption 313 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Samir Nasri of France celebrates his goal against England.Hide Caption 314 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mathieu Debuchy of France flies through the air as he battles England's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.Hide Caption 315 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A France fan shows her colors during the game against England.Hide Caption 316 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of England and Adil Rami of France fight for possession.Hide Caption 317 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – England fans wearing Queen Elizabeth II masks watch the match against France on Monday.Hide Caption 318 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Kevin Doyle of Ireland and Vedran Corluka of Croatia battle for the ball in Poznan, Poland, on Sunday, June 10. Hide Caption 319 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Mandzukic of Croatia celebrates after scoring the team's third goal against Ireland on Sunday.Hide Caption 320 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Goalkeeper Shay Given of Ireland fails to stop Croatia's Mario Mandzukic from scoring.Hide Caption 321 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ireland's Jonathan Walters competes with Croatia's Vedran Corluka.Hide Caption 322 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Croatia fans ignite flares during Sunday's match against Ireland.Hide Caption 323 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Mandzukic celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Croatia during the match against Ireland.Hide Caption 324 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ireland's Sean St Ledger ties up the game against Croatia.Hide Caption 325 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ireland fans enjoy the atmosphere before Sunday's match against Croatia.Hide Caption 326 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Gordon Schildenfeld of Croatia clashes with Kevin Doyle of Ireland.Hide Caption 327 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Sergio Ramos of Spain and Mario Balotelli of Italy compete for the ball duing their match in Gdansk, Poland, Sunday, June 10.Hide Caption 328 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Mario Balotelli takes control of the ball in Sunday's match against Spain. Hide Caption 329 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Gianluigi Buffon gestures duriing the match against Spain.Hide Caption 330 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Mario Balotelli looks up after a fall during the Spain-Italy match.Hide Caption 331 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Antonio Di Natale celebrates after scoring Italy's first goal against Spain. Spain was held to a 1-1 draw.Hide Caption 332 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Italy's Antonio Di Natale kicks the ball past goalkeeper Iker Casillas of Spain.Hide Caption 333 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Spanish fans get into the mood ahead of Sunday's match against Italy.Hide Caption 334 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – An Italy fan cheers before Sunday's match against Spain.Hide Caption 335 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Daniele De Rossi of Italy tackles Cesc Fabregas of Spain.Hide Caption 336 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Thiago Motta of Italy takes a fall while playing against Spain on Sunday.Hide Caption 337 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Sami Khedira of Germany fight for the ball in a match on Saturday, June 9.Hide Caption 338 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Mario Gomez celebrates Germany's first goal during the match against Portugal.Hide Caption 339 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Lukas Podolski of Germany and Raul Meireles of Portugal battle for the ball.Hide Caption 340 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Lukas Podolski of Germany in action during the Germany-Portugal match.Hide Caption 341 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany holds off a challenge from Joao Moutinho of Portugal.Hide Caption 342 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Michael Krohn-Dehli of Denmark scores the team's first goal past Maarten Stekelenburg of the Netherlands during a Group B match Saturday.Hide Caption 343 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – A Danish fan mugs before the match between the Netherlands and Denmark.Hide Caption 344 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands heads the ball during the match against Denmark.Hide Caption 345 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Ibrahim Afellay of the Netherlands goes airborne as Daniel Agger of Denmark defends.Hide Caption 346 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Robin van Persie of the Netherlands misses a chance at goal against Denmark.Hide Caption 347 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Dutch fans look dejected at the final whistle during the Netherlands-Denmark match.Hide Caption 348 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Goalkeeper Stephan Andersen of Denmark celebrates with teammate Lars Jacobsen during the match against the Netherlands.Hide Caption 349 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Arjen Robben lies dejected on the pitch after the Netherlands' loss to Denmark on Saturday.Hide Caption 350 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Alan Dzagoev of Russia scores against Czech Republic on Friday, June 8.Hide Caption 351 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Alan Dzagoev of Russia celebrates scoring the team's third goal against Czech Republic.Hide Caption 352 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Roman Shirokov of Russia scores the team's second goal past Petr Cech of Czech Republic.Hide Caption 353 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Night settles over the Russia-Czech Republic match.Hide Caption 354 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Konstantin Zyryanov of Russia and Jan Rezek of Czech Republic collide.Hide Caption 355 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Wojciech Szczesny of Poland fouls Dimitris Salpigidis of Greece for a penalty.Hide Caption 356 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The best photos – Dimitris Salpigidis and Georgios Samaras of Greece celebrate their first goal against Poland.Hide Caption 357 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Lukasz Piszczek of Poland and Georgios Samaras of Greece battle for the ball during the opening match.Hide Caption 358 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Robert Lewandowski of Poland celebrates scoring the opening goal during the match against Greece.Hide Caption 359 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Polish fans cheer before the match between Poland and Greece.Hide Caption 360 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Players warm up before the match between Poland and Greece.Hide Caption 361 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – A young woman blows a kiss as she takes part in a parade before the opening match.Hide Caption 362 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Police officers stand in front of a poster showing a giant ball.Hide Caption 363 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Polish fans hold up banners before the Euro 2012 match between Poland and Greece.Hide Caption 364 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Fans of Poland's national soccer team wave from a train window.Hide Caption 365 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Greek and Polish fans cheer for their teams before the match.Hide Caption 366 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Mascots Slavko, left, and Slavek, right, pose before the match between Poland and Greece.Hide Caption 367 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Czech Republic fans cheer a few hours before the opening match.Hide Caption 368 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – Fans attend the Dutch team's training session.Hide Caption 369 of 370 Photos: Euro 2012: The best photosEuro 2012: The Best Photos – German and Portugese fans show off their nations' flags.Hide Caption 370 of 370Redknapp had been widely favored to replace Capello as England coach, but the 65-year-old missed out as Roy Hodgson was instead appointed ahead of Euro 2012.Valery Nepomnyashchy, who took Cameroon to the quarterfinals of the 1990 World Cup, is one of seven Russians on the list.Former U.S.S.R. international Valery Gazzaev coached the national side from 2002-03, while Anatoliy Byshovets was in charge in 1998 and led the Soviet team to Olympic gold a decade before that. Dynamo Kiev's Yury Syomin had a brief spell as Russia boss in 2005.Of the others, former Dynamo Moscow manager Andrei Kobelev and Yuri Krasnozhan (ex-Anzhi Makhachkala) have had no top-level international experience, while Nikolai Pisarev coaches the Russia Under-21 team.Russia's last two coaches have been Dutchmen, with Advocaat following Guus Hiddink.Hiddink took Russia to the semifinals of Euro 2008, but then failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup as the team surprisingly lost to unfancied Slovenia in a playoff. He is now coach at Anzhi.Advocaat helped Zenit St. Petersburg become only the second Russian club to win a European title in the second-tier UEFA Cup in 2008, and was named Russia coach after a short spell in charge of both Belgium's national side and Dutch team AZ Alkmaar.He announced before Euro 2012 that he would stand down after the tournament to return to his homeland with PSV Eindhoven, and Russia crashed out in the group stage after failing to follow up the impressive opening 4-1 win over the Czech Republic. | 5sport
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Paris (CNN)French president Emmanuel Macron said France will continue using the country's health pass to ensure uptake of booster shots of the vaccine in a national address Tuesday evening.Announcing the opening of third shots for those aged over 50 from the beginning of December, Macron also said that from mid-December proof of a third shot would be necessary for those aged over 65 to revalidate their health pass. Those aged over 65 have been able to request a third dose since September 1 in France.The health pass has been an essential tool for the French government in boosting vaccination rates, banning entry to public transport and a variety of public and private spaces for those without proof of full vaccination.Masks will remain obligatory in schools and are currently required indoors and on public transport.Read More "The fifth wave has started in Europe," Macron said, citing the WHO, adding that the UK and Germany are now recording 30,000 new Covid-19 cases daily. "We have not finished with the pandemic," he said.Europe's fifth waveLarge swathes of Europe are battling to beat back surges of the Delta variant amid the relaxation of restrictions and stuttering vaccine rollouts in some countries, with the WHO warning half a million Europeans could die of Covid-19.The continent's Covid-19 fortunes have shifted dramatically in recent months. By the end of the summer, many countries had done away with tough restrictions after nations particularly in the west of the bloc charged ahead with vaccination programs and cases plummeted.Now as other parts of the world reopen, Europe could again be facing a winter of renewed clampdowns. The Danish government has proposed reintroducing a digital "corona pass," according to Reuters, and Austria this week banned unvaccinated people from restaurants and hotels. Iceland too has reintroduced masks and social-distancing rules.In France, Macron shot down any hopes that Covid-19 health regulations might be relaxed in the near-term, "even if I know how difficult that is," he said. He made a "call of responsibility" to the 6 million French people who have yet to receive a single dose of the vaccine, adding that "we will have to live with the virus until the global population in its entirety is immunized." He said that France remained committed to "international solidarity" on vaccine provision. | 3news
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(CNN)John Bain -- a British video games critic known as TotalBiscuit -- has died at age 33.The vlogger had fought a yearslong battle with cancer before dying on Thursday. His YouTube channel of game review videos and podcasts had 2.2 million subscribers. His wife, Genna Bain, posted news of his death on Twitter, along with the words to the poem "Love Constant Beyond Death" by Francisco de Quevedo.Rest in Peace my Dearest LoveJohn @Totalbiscuit BainJuly 8, 1984 - May 24, 2018 pic.twitter.com/hg9ytHsItJ— Genna Bain (@GennaBain) May 24, 2018
Fans on Reddit celebrated Bain as a passionate advocate for gaming consumers who supported indie developers through his videos and The Co-Optional Podcast. Bain was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014 and he announced it was terminal the following year. It appeared to have spread to his liver and other parts of his body.Read MoreBain wrote just over three weeks ago on Reddit that he was retiring, as he was no longer responding to chemotherapy, in what he said would likely be his last public health update. "I'm retiring as a critic to spend whats (sic) left of my life sharing my love of gaming with my wife and all of you via co-op videos and streams," he wrote.Sad beyond words to hear this news. You fought like hell John, Rest In Peace.— JonTron (@JonTronShow) May 25, 2018
"Sad beyond words to hear this news," wrote YouTube comedian and reviewer Jonathan Jafari, better known as "JonTron".John bain, aka @Totalbiscuit did more good for the gaming community than most of us could do in 10 lifetimes.He believed in me when I did not believe in myself. He encouraged me to become the person I am.A mentor. A friend. So much more.He will be missed. Rest in peace.— Boogie2988 (@Boogie2988) May 24, 2018
"John bain, aka @Totalbiscuit did more good for the gaming community than most of us could do in 10 lifetimes," posted video blogger Steven Williams, or "Boogie" on YouTube. | 3news
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Wellington, New Zealand (CNN)Henny Ansell is effectively in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend -- but her boyfriend is only a few miles away.Ansell and Michael Bryan live in Wellington, the harbor-side capital of New Zealand. For the next four weeks -- at least -- the couple won't be able to see each other in person.That's because the country is in lockdown in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19."At first, we didn't really understand the rules -- we kind of thought, it will be fine, we'll be able to see each other once or twice a week," says 25-year-old Ansell, who has been with her boyfriend for five years. "And then it kind of dawned on us that that's probably not good."Bryan invited her to stick out the lockdown in his flat, but another flatmate's girlfriend was already staying. Besides, she wanted to be at her own place -- and it was a bit small for him to stay with her. Henny Ansell and her boyfriend Michael Bryan are doing long distance for the next month, although they're both in the same city.Read MoreSo instead, the couple -- who met while working at a local pizza chain -- will spend the next few weeks chatting virtually, even though they live around 8 kilometers (5 miles) apart. They already text each other good morning and good night, but instead of in-person hang outs, their immediate future looks set to feature constant texting and watching Netflix shows together but apart. "It's very tempting (to meet up), and it's frustrating because it's like, oh surely we could just meet up and hug," Ansell says. "But you can't -- that destroys the whole purpose of it."It's very tempting (to meet up), and it's frustrating because it's like, oh surely we could just meet up and hug. But you can't -- that destroys the whole purpose of it.Henny AnsellAs countries impose strict lockdown measures and travel restrictions to combat the coronavirus pandemic, couples all over the world are facing similar predicaments. While some -- like Ansell -- are choosing to stay apart, others have found coronavirus has brought them closer together.The question of how couples should handle lockdowns is so widespread that it was even brought up at a press conference last week with Jenny Harries, the United Kingdom's deputy chief medical officer."I'm clearly going to start a new career here in relationship counseling, so I shall tread very carefully as I work through this answer," quipped Harries. "Test really carefully your strength of feeling, stay within the household either together or apart. But keep it that way." Together, apartOn the other side of the world in the United Kingdom, 21-year-old James Marsh and his girlfriend Kiera Leaper were due to celebrate their one-year anniversary on Monday.Instead, the country went into lockdown.James Marsh and Kiera Leaper are spending the next three weeks apart due to the lockdown.The pair -- who study together at the University of Leeds -- had seen it coming. When it looked like the country could go into lockdown, the pair squeezed in one last hangout before Marsh retreated to his family home at the opposite end of the country from Leaper. The lockdown is set to continue for at least three weeks. "We normally see each other every day, we stay with each other pretty much every night," Marsh said. "To go from that to this is obviously quite a big change."This will be the longest time we've gone without seeing each other since we've been officially together." This will be the longest time we've gone without seeing each other since we've been officially together.James MarshSo far, the couple have FaceTimed every day, and spend time together with their friends on online video chat platform Houseparty. They're trying to keep busy -- Marsh with his course work, and Leaper with exercise. But there are challenges. Marsh and many of his friends are in the final months of their three-year undergraduate degrees, and they're sad they won't get to celebrate together. "We'll just sort of go away with coronavirus being the memory of our third year," he said.And while technology was helpful for keeping Marsh and his girlfriend connected, it wasn't the same as being in the same room, he said.Even so, he thinks this time apart will strengthen their relationship."I think it's really important to be able to tackle stuff like this ... you can't always just rely on that person being there if you want to stick it out for the long haul," Marsh said."You might get a job that requires you to go away for work or stuff like that, and you can't have a dependency on that person in that case."Secret loveHemangay, a University of Delhi student, hasn't heard his boyfriend's voice for about a week.The 19-year-old, who asked not to use his real name as he is not out to his parents, lives with his family in New Delhi, the capital of India. For the past few months, he's been dating his 22-year-old boyfriend -- in secret.Searching for love in the time of coronavirusOn Tuesday, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the country of 1.3 billion was going into lockdown for the next 21 days. That means no one is allowed outside. Public transport is shut, so Hemangay wouldn't be able to make it to his boyfriend's house on the other side of Delhi, anyway. And because Hemangay can't take walks, he hasn't been able to phone his boyfriend -- he's too worried that his parents would find out about their relationship if he calls him from the family home."I'm still a student, I'm not that independent that I can go out and survive my life on my own terms," he said. "Once I become independent, then maybe I can take that risk." Since I'm not out with my family, I just can't openly contact him or chat with him. It's really tough for us to communicate.Hemangay"Since I'm not out with my family, I just can't openly contact him or chat with him," he said. "It's really tough for us to communicate."So for the next few weeks at least, one of the only ways they can communicate is messaging over WhatsApp. It's a far cry from their normal lives, when they would meet up almost every day after university. Hemangay last saw his boyfriend two weeks ago, before the measures -- and they had no idea what was to come. "That is the worst part about this, that I didn't know this would be the last time," he said. Hemangay is dreading the next few weeks of separation, but he knows there's nothing he can do. "I have never felt so helpless in my entire life," he said.Love in a time of uncertaintyApril was meant to be the light at the end of the tunnel for Isobel Ewing, 30, who has been in a long distance relationship with her boyfriend. Ewing, a broadcast journalist, moved to Budapest, Hungary in mid-January. She had been looking forward to April, when she would see her boyfriend of almost two years, Sam Smoothy, for the first time in months. A professional skier, Smoothy had been in North America for a few months, and had planned to come and spend time with her in Hungary. But coronavirus has thwarted those plans. Isobel Ewing and Sam Smoothy were meant to see each other in April. Coronavirus got in the way.After United States President Donald Trump announced on March 11 that he was banning travel from continental Europe to the US, they became afraid Smoothy would get stuck in North America. A few days later, Hungary closed its borders to foreigners, meaning Smoothy could no longer visit. That meant Smoothy was forced to go back to New Zealand instead of Hungary -- and their plans were on hold. Now, Smoothy is in New Zealand, self-isolating at Ewing's family holiday home. Ewing needs to stay in Budapest for work. She works from her Budapest apartment, and goes for runs in the hills and alongside the Danube River. They don't know when they'll be able to see each other again. "With long distance you get used to being apart," Ewing said. "But it's so key to have that time together to look forward to. And then to just have that plucked out from under us ... I'm kind of still processing it." Moving fasterFor three years, Anika, 32, has wanted to marry her partner, but things outside their control kept getting in the way.Finally, the New Delhi-based couple set their dates. They would register their marriage in court on March 20, hold a big dance party on April 10 with 400 people, and then have the wedding ceremony on April 12. Then the coronavirus outbreak happened.As the Indian government began taking more measures -- including suspending all tourist visas -- the couple grew more worried about their wedding. Anika, who asked not to use her real name for privacy reasons, started thinking of a plan B.We didn't want to postpone it again. What if something else went wrong? What if nothing changes? We wanted to start our lives together -- we didn't want to wait.AnikaAs the situation evolved, their wedding plans kept changing. Finally, with only days to spare, they decided they would get married on March 20, and hold a small ceremony after the court proceedings. "That entire week was pretty traumatic," she said, adding that they ended up uninviting guests to keep numbers down to 30 or so people for social distancing purposes. "We were sending last minute messages just apologizing to people."In the end, it was a sweet, intimate wedding, Anika says. There were nods to the crisis unfolding outside -- the couple updated their wedding hashtag to #loveinthetimeofcorona, and kept sanitizing and fumigating the space."Sometimes it's destiny," she said. "At that time yes, you feel stressed and disappointed. But now in retrospect, I think it was perfect."Even though it wasn't the wedding they had dreamed of, Anika and her husband didn't want to postpone it. In India, it's not culturally acceptable for couples to live together before marrying. Now, the pair have gone straight into life together -- under lockdown. "We had been seeing each other for a really long time, we'd been planning this wedding for a really long time," she said."We didn't want to postpone it again. What if something else went wrong? What if nothing changes? We wanted to start our lives together -- we didn't want to wait." | 3news
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Story highlightsSoccer star David Beckham appointed ambassador for Chinese footballParis Saint-Germain player will help to promote the game in China and abroadChinese football has been hit by high-profile match-fixing scandalsDidier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka recently left Chinese club Shanghai ShenhuaDavid Beckham was a key figure in London's drive to win hosting rights for the 2012 Olympics, and now the sports icon is taking on the challenge of boosting the image of China's troubled soccer industry.The world's most populous nation has recruited the veteran Paris Saint-Germain midfielder as a global ambassador to help promote the Chinese game both at home and abroad as it combats a serious image problem caused by recent match-fix scandals and the premature departure of two high-profile foreign imports.According to a statement released by Beckham's management, the Chinese Football Association was drawn to the former England captain's "credibility as one of the most admired sportsmen and iconic figures in the world as well as his outstanding sportsmanship and professionalism."Read: Chinese football -- emerging super power or vanity project?"I am honored to have been asked to play such an important role at this special time in Chinese football history," declared 37-year-old Beckham, who is a worldwide celebrity following stints with Manchester United and Real Madrid in addition to his high-profile off-pitch endorsement deals. Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audience Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audienceBeckham mania – Hundreds of fans and journalists flocked to the Paris Saint-Germain training ground Wednesday to get a glimpse of David Beckham in action on the practice field. The interest in Beckham's move to the French club has caused huge excitement with the anticipation building ahead of the midfielder's possible debut on Sunday.Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audienceBonjour Becks! – David Beckham took part in his first training session with his new Paris Saint-Germain teammates less than 24 hours after watching them claim a 2-1 win at Valencia in the last-16 round of the Champions League. on Tuesday. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audienceGetting stuck in – Beckham, 37, was put through is paces at the club's open training day where more than 100 journalists turned up to witness the event. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is hoping to make his debut against Sochaux on Sunday, but it's not known if his pop star wife Victoria will be in attendance. Beckham's family has remained in London where his children Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz attend school following their move from Los Angeles.Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audienceWorking out – Beckham, who won 115 caps for England, has signed a five-month deal with the Qatari-backed club, but has revealed that his salary will be donated to a Paris children's charity. He will now hope to force his way into the side and link up with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi with the team six points clear at the top of Ligue 1.Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audienceWelcome wave – Beckham waves to the waiting press pack as he makes his way out at the club's Camp des Loges training center in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris. The session, which was led by PSG's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, was shown live on French television.Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audiencePretty in pink – Beckham shows off his new pink boots, a pair of which even Posh Spice might approve of. While Beckham is busy preparing for his debut, fashion designer Victoria was having her latest designs shown off by models in London.Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audienceHot stuff – After working up a sweat, Beckham throws off his top and gets back to work with the players who didn't feature in Tuesday's win at Valencia. If Beckham doesn't play against Sochaux on Sunday, he could line-up the following week against fierce rival Marseille and fellow Englishman Joey Barton.Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audienceLife's a beach – Beckham takes to the sand as he steps up his training regime. Running on sand has several long-term benefits which includes strengthening the lower body muscles, burning more calories and is supposed to be easier on the joints as opposed to grass.Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: 'Box Office' Beckham thrills French audienceBecks and Leo – Beckham watched PSG's win at Valencia alongside the club's sporting director Leonardo. The pair looked on as their side edged out Valencia 2-1 in the first leg thanks to goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off late on. The Swede will miss the second leg in the French capital on March 6.Hide Caption 9 of 9 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. game Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – David Beckham ended his five-year stint in America's pro soccer league in style Saturday as his team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, won the MLS Cup. The Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1 to win the cup for the second year in a row. Nearly two weeks ago, the team announced that Saturday's game would be Beckham's last with the team. Pictured, Beckham addresses the media after the game on Saturday, December 1, in Carson, California.Hide Caption 1 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham drinks out of the MLS Trophy after the victory.Hide Caption 2 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Fans hold up signs for Beckham at The Home Depot Center during the game.Hide Caption 3 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham looks on while taking on the Houston Dynamo.Hide Caption 4 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Galaxy captain Landon Donovan holds up the MLS Trophy as David Beckham, lower left, and other teammates celebrate their win.Hide Caption 5 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham attacks as Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall tries to stop the ball in the second half.Hide Caption 6 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham has a free kick in the second half.Hide Caption 7 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham waves to fans as he walks off the pitch after the game.Hide Caption 8 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham kicks a corner kick.Hide Caption 9 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham leaps over Houston's Brad Davis in the second half.Hide Caption 10 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham celebrates in the second half.Hide Caption 11 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham and Houston's Ricardo Clark go for a header in the first half.Hide Caption 12 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – Beckham attempts to disrupt an inbound pass by Houston's goalie Tally Hall in the second half.Hide Caption 13 of 14 Photos: Photos: David Beckham's last U.S. gameDavid Beckham's last U.S. game – After the win, Beckham celebrates with his sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.Hide Caption 14 of 14 Photos: China's football ambition Photos: China's football ambitionDrogba deal done – Didier Drogba has signed a two-year contract with Shanghai Shenhua. The former Chelsea star is the latest in a line of high-profile soccer stars to head to the Chinese Super League.Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: China's football ambitionLippi heads east – Veteran Italian coach Marcello Lippi was announced as coach of Guangzhou Evergrande last month. Lippi led Italy to FIFA World Cup glory in Germany in 2006.Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: China's football ambitionGuangzhou dig deep for Dario – Eyebrows were raised when Argentine playmaker Dario Conca joined Guangzhou from Brazilian club Fluminense for a Chinese record transfer fee in July 2011.Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: China's football ambitionA short stay in Shanghai – French Euro '84 winner Jean Tigana was unveiled as the new coach of Shanghai Shenhua in December 2011. But the former Fulham manager did not last long in the post, resigning from the position last month.Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: China's football ambitionAnelka arrives – One highlight of Tigana's reign was the arrival of French striker Nicolas Anelka from Chelsea in January 2012. The 33-year-old enjoyed a prolific career across Europe, playing for clubs such as Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool.Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: China's football ambitionNicolas' new role – In addition to his playing duties, Anelka also had a brief spell in a coaching role at Shenhua following Tigana's departure in April. Drogba's arrival means Anelka will be reunited with his former Chelsea teammate.Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: China's football ambitionRecord-breaker Barrios – Guangzhou broke the Chinese transfer record once more to capture Lucas Barrios from German champions Borussia Dortmund. The Paraguay striker officially joined the club on June 1.Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: China's football ambitionYearning for Yakubu? – The latest player to be linked with a move from England to China is Yakubu. The Nigerian striker, currently contracted to recently relegated Blackburn Rovers, is reportedly set to sign for Guangzhou Fuli.Hide Caption 8 of 8"I'm excited by the prospect of promoting the world's greatest game to Chinese sports fans as I've seen firsthand the growing interest in football there," added Beckham, who also spent five years in Los Angeles with his former popstar wife Victoria and their four children. "This is a wonderful sport that inspires people across the world and brings families together, so I'm relishing the opportunity of introducing more fans to the game."Beckham's appointment coincides with the 20th anniversary of professional football in China, which is home to 1.3 billion people.Read: Key match-fixing suspect "assisting" police"We are pleased to invite Mr. Beckham to visit China at this special moment," said a CFA official, who was not named. "While in China, he will attend the Chinese Super League (CSL) and visit clubs to get a deeper insight into football in China."He will also help us to inspire and motivate many children to participate in this beautiful game."Beckham will hope to improve the reputation of Chinese football, which has been blighted by numerous scandals.Last month Shanghai Shenhua was stripped of the CSL title it won in 2003 as part of a crackdown on match-fixing which also saw 33 lifetime bans from the sport handed out."There has been major corruption in the past but there have been some severe punishments of late," Asian football writer John Duerden told CNN. "Consequently, the situation seems to be much better. The game is cleaner and sponsors and fans have returned. JUST WATCHEDDavid Beckham shows off undies in new adReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHDavid Beckham shows off undies in new ad 02:24JUST WATCHEDDavid Beckham's U.S. soccer legacyReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHDavid Beckham's U.S. soccer legacy 01:44"It is hard to say that is completely clean but recent events have shown that no country can say with any certainty that it is free of corruption."Read: Brand Beckham moves to City of LightShanghai made headlines around the world after embarking on a recruitment drive which included the signings of strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka from English club Chelsea, which won the European Champions League last season.But the two transfers have not been the success Shenhua had hoped, despite paying both players more than $200,000 a week.Drogba recently signed an 18-month contract with Turkish club Galatasaray after just 10 months in China, while Anelka joined Italian champions Juventus on a five-month loan deal in January."It put China in the international news and excited fans back home," Duerden said of the duo's move to Shanghai last year. "It was good for the brand of the country's football, especially at home. Other stars followed in their footsteps ... the two just went to the wrong club, perhaps the worst-run club in China."Despite recent controversies and the departures -- both permanent and temporary -- of Anelka and Drogba, Duerden suggests the reputation and popularity of the CSL is on the rise."The popularity of the Chinese Super League is growing," he said. "There is a lot of money there, the facilities are good and the attendances are the highest in Asia. There's still a long way to go but it's growing."Part of Beckham's new role will be to encourage China's youth to embrace soccer at a time when the country's government is attempting to grow the sport."In schools, a massive program has just started to help train Chinese kids for the first time," Duerden said. "It is a systematic approach and well-funded. It remains to be seen how successful it is but it certainly can't do any harm." | 5sport
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Story highlightsUEFA has opened disciplinary action against LazioMove comes following Lazio's goalless draw at TottenhamItalian club could be hit with $42,000 fineBulgarian side Levski Sofia hit with $39,000 fineUEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Lazio over allegations a section of their supporters chanted racial abuse at Tottenham players in the Europa League on Thursday. Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and Andros Townsend appeared to be subjected to racist abuse -- including monkey chants -- during the goalless draw at White Hart Lane, a game that was watched by UEFA president Michel Platini.Members of Football Against Racism in Football (FARE) who were at White Hart Lane plan to file reports to UEFA to assist with their investigation.Romanian referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan and match delegate Adonis Procopiu have already submitted their reports of the match's events.Tottenham held by Lazio in Europa League"UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against S.S. Lazio for the improper conduct of the club's supporters (racist behavior) during the UEFA Europa League group stage match on Thursday 20 September between Tottenham Hotspur FC and the Italian side," read a UEFA statement.JUST WATCHEDFinancial fair play too late for some?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFinancial fair play too late for some? 02:52JUST WATCHEDFootless footballer to meet MessiReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHFootless footballer to meet Messi 02:26"The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on 18 October 2012."Lazio could be hit with a fine of $26,000 if their fans are found guilty of racial abuse, while UEFA could also force the club to play their next game behind closed doors.Racism remains "significant" problem in English footballEarlier this week Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel had to close his Twitter account after receiving racist abuse online.Chelsea issued a statement condemning those responsible and has informed the police following the matter.The statement read: "We've been made aware of racist tweets targeted at Mikel which are totally unacceptable, disgusting and abhorrent."We've informed the police and support taking the strongest possible action."This season UEFA has fined Bulgarian side Levski Sofia $39,000 for racist behaviour by their fans during the club's Europa League second qualifying round match.Levski fans unveiled a racist banner during their game against Bosnia & Herzegovina's Sarajevo on July 19."Fans should realise that the club is responsible for all of their extreme or irrational actions," Levski said in a statement.Meanwhile on Thursday, two AIK Solna supporters suffered stab wounds while in Naples for their side's Europa League game against Napoli. A 41-year-old and a 23-year-old were both wounded in the leg, but the club do not believe the attack was football related. | 5sport
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Story highlightsVictoria Azarenka pulls out of WTA tournament in TorontoTwo-time Australian Open winner has a back injury She lost in the final of Carlsbad tournament to Samantha StosurMontreal Masters starts Monday with Novak Djokovic cefending titleAustralian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has joined the growing list of injury casualties at the WTA Rogers Cup tournament in Toronto.The Belarus star has moved to second in the world rankings, despite losing to Samantha Stosur in the final of the Carlsbad tournament in California.But after Sunday's straight sets defeat Azarenka pulled the plug on her appearance at the prestigious hard court tournament in Canada, citing a lower back injury."I'm so disappointed that I can't make it to Toronto as I added it to my schedule knowing what an important event it is," Azarenka said in a statement."I am sorry to all my Canadian fans and I will work hard to get healthy and back on the courts as soon as possible."JUST WATCHEDAzarenka on 'amazing' Australian winReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHAzarenka on 'amazing' Australian win 02:24JUST WATCHEDWomen's tennis top stars talk personalReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHWomen's tennis top stars talk personal 01:14JUST WATCHEDHow do you beat Serena Williams?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHHow do you beat Serena Williams? 01:19Azarenka had only just recovered from the knee injury which forced her out of Wimbledon after the first round.Read: Sharapova pulls out of Rogers Cup Maria Sharapova, who also sustained an injury in the second grand slam of the season, was an earlier withdrawal from the Toronto event.It will leave both of them short of match practice on hard courts ahead of the final grand slam of the season at Flushing Meadows for the U.S. Open.Britain's rising young star Laura Robson joined them on the sidelines before hitting a ball. The World No.32 pulled out ahead of a first round match against Belgian Yanina Wickmayer with a wrist injury.Azarenka's withdrawal has meant she will be replaced in the draw by former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, with the Dane given a first round bye.World No.1 Serena Williams is top seed as she builds up to her defense of the U.S. Open title later this month.Meanwhile, the men's Montreal Masters also started Monday, with No.1 Novak Djokovic as defending champion and new Wimbledon champion Andy Murray as his main challenger. First day action saw Germany's Florian Meyer beat Australia's Bernard Tomic 5-7 6-3 6-3 in a match between up and coming stars of the circuit. | 5sport
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(CNN)International Women's Day is a time to celebrate female achievement and also take action. CNN's 'Impact Your World' has identified ways you can help a variety of important causes for women everywhere. Gender equalityThis year, the International Women's Day 2022 campaign #BreakTheBias is asking all of us to call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping. The goal is to help break down the biases that make it difficult for women to move ahead. According to the World Economic Forum, equality is actually in retreat, and it will take another century for both genders to stand on equal footing. You can help by supporting these organizations working toward gender equality:Read MoreCAREGirl UpPlan InternationalThe US National Committee for UN WomenEducationAfghan girls raise their hands during English class in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2006. The Taliban have announced new restrictions on girls' education.Education is key to unlocking opportunity, but according to a UN estimate, only two-thirds of countries have achieved gender parity in primary school enrollment. Worldwide, 129 million girls are unable to attend school. Here are some of the organizations helping girls get greater access to education:Camfed Room to Read The Malala FundChild bridesThe rescue of Parwana: 9-year-old child bride is taken to safety in AfghanistanAs many as 15 million girls each year become child brides, destroying childhoods, killing freedoms and blocking opportunities. The nonprofit Unchained At Last reports that girls who are married at age 18 or younger are 50% more likely to drop out of school, more likely to earn low wages and are three times more likely to be beaten by their spouses than those who marry as an adult. These organizations are fighting the practice of forcing girls into marriage: Girls not BridesUNICEF USAViolence against womenJUST WATCHEDWe asked women around the world if they feel safe after dark. Here's what they told usReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHWe asked women around the world if they feel safe after dark. Here's what they told us 03:42Safety is a paramount concern for women. The World Health Organization estimates 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence. And a recent study in The Lancet finds 1 in 4 women have experienced domestic violence from an intimate partner.They also face the threat of being kidnapped. At least 71% of human trafficking victims, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, are women and girls who are usually sold into marriage or sexual slavery. This global public health challenge affects one in four women. Where's the outrage or the plan?You can find a global list of anti-trafficking organizations at CNN's Freedom Project. Here are organizations working to stop violence against women, and provide help to victims who need a way out:Love is RespectRape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) V-DayCNN Impact Your World has launched a campaign with charity aggregator Public Good to help you support the organizations included in this article. To join the effort, click on the button below or follow this link. | 3news
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(CNN)An outside review of Minneapolis' response to protests in the spring of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd by a city police officer, found widespread chaos and poor communication among city leaders that contributed to an unorganized police response to violent unrest that later spread across the country. The mayor's office failed to follow its own "well written, comprehensive" emergency operations plan, the city's Office of Emergency Management "minimally engaged in its coordination role," and the city's police and fire departments didn't use the plan to guide their response, according to the report, produced by Hillard Heintze, a security risk management firm. Distrust that existed before the murder of George Floyd, the report added, exacerbated already fractured relationships between police and the community. Voters will decide on the future of policing in Minneapolis. The question goes beyond 'defunding the police'Cities across the country saw protests after Floyd's death, ranging from peaceful marches to rampant property destruction and violent street fights between officers and rioters. Several cities launched after-action reviews of some sort, through inspectors general or other government review systems, or by outside law or security firms. "I had never seen that kind of raw emotion as we saw in the streets, in Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Ferguson, St. Louis, all over the place, all over the world," Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis city council president, told CNN. "So, had we followed plans to the letter, I don't think we would have necessarily had a better outcome. We would've definitely been able to feel confident we did all we can do. Right now, clearly, the report shows we weren't able to do everything we should have done."Read MoreThe Minneapolis report mirrors others in noting that cities were surprised by the tenor of unrest, and that senior law enforcement and elected officials were wholly unprepared for protests, property damage and violence. In Philadelphia, a review found that the city was "simply not prepared to address unanticipated mass protests coupled with civil unrest occurring in multiple locations throughout the city." Police in Chicago resorted to forming ad hoc groups to get downtown using public transit buses, and senior leadership said they didn't have any reason to suspect protests because the Chicago Police Department "had not received any intelligence in advance which might have predicted them."People sit on the street in front of a row of police officers during a rally in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 29, 2020 after the death of George Floyd.In Los Angeles, a review found the city unprepared for "small groups" responsible for violence among larger groups of protesters, and the police department's "lack of adequate planning and preparation" left police in a reactive position. But the Minneapolis review went further. It faulted government officials at all levels -- and the structure of the Minneapolis government itself -- for the disjointed and chaotic response to protests that overtook the city after Floyd's death, including a police precinct that was overrun by rioters and torched. The review found a "concerning" lack of documentation for patrol ranks who were using less lethal rounds on protesters. Poor management of the protests, the review added, contributed to the traumatization of residents, business owners, city workers and elected officials. Meanwhile, the report said residents felt abandoned by the city and had to resort to forming their own patrols to protect property. "After more than 18 months, community members are still deeply shaken, and emotions are still high about Floyd's death and the events that followed," the report stated. "Many community members and government officials, including members of the MPD, are awaiting answers to understand what went wrong with aspects of the City's response to the protests and unrest and how to prevent violent unrest from occurring again." 'Inconsistent' messagingThe report highlighted public disagreements between Minneapolis' mayor and Minnesota's governor. Some interviewed by investigators thought city council members created "more issues than necessary" by counteracting police actions and talking about abolishing the police. And some said city council members fed into rumors that created stress and fear among residents. The mayor has "already directed staff to implement a plan for improving our emergency response process," a spokesperson for Mayor Jacob Frey told CNN. "Trainings are underway, new structures are being put in place, and we are in routine contact with multi-jurisdictional partners to enhance communications and operational preparedness."Lisa Bender, city council president at the time of the unrest, and Medaria Arradondo, chief of police during the unrest, weren't immediately available to comment. Nine city councilors gathered in Powderhorn Park after the unrest and stood near an "Abolish the Police" sign. Then Bender said the group was committed to "dismantling policing as we know it in Minneapolis." With nine votes the city council would have a veto-proof supermajority of the council's 13 members, Bender said.Why Minneapolis voters rejected policing overhaul ballot measure prompted by George Floyd's murderSome of those interviewed said city council members "were feeding into rumors and creating stress and fear in people," and that "political differences played a part in slowing down the crisis management responses." The report also faulted Minneapolis' style of government as contributing to "inconsistent" messaging and "a lack of information that the publicly desperately sought." The city had a unique structure that gave the city council and mayor shared oversight of most departments and the mayor command of the police department."We had mutual aid groups come up, neighborhood watch groups, we had neighbors and small business owners sitting in front of businesses with rifles and guns," said Jenkins, the city council president. "It was a mess. Do I think that the report accurately depicts the challenges with our gov't structure? I think it does." That structure became the subject of 18 months of political debate that resulted in voters having a chance to restructure government. In the days after the unrest, some elected officials began a campaign to split the police department from the mayor's control, do away with a requirement to employ a minimum number of officers, and put control of any remaining police officers under a broader public safety department. Protesters hold up their fists as flames rise behind them in front of the Third Police Precinct on May 28, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Opponents waged a counter campaign, asking voters to give the mayor control of all city departments that were overseen by the city council and to reject the plan to reorganize the police department. Voters sided with the mayor, in what was locally seen as a referendum on the "defund the police" movement that came into national prominence because of the image of city councilors in Powderhorn Park. "It is all the mayor's problem now. But how do I tell that to my constituents? 'Call the mayor?' I can't say that," Jenkins said. "They're not trying to hear that. They want to know what I'm going to do. But in reality it's all the mayor, all on his plate now." 'No direction, objectives or rules of engagement'The report describes the Minneapolis Police Department as lacking consistent leadership, with morale affected by uneven rules enforcement and leadership capability among supervisors. It also depicts the department as lacking consistent standards, and hampered by Covid-19 in its ability to continue training for large-scale events. This contributed to "angst among personnel in the field" who "desperately sought information, guidance and approvals ... and found those calls went unanswered or delayed." The report noted that some officers "operated effectively in the chaos, despite -- and seemingly because of -- the lack of guidance they received." A meeting of police leaders occurred the day after the first violence, according to the report, but it didn't result in a command structure or plan for future protests. Some interviewed for the report thought the 2015 occupation of a police station by protesters, following a different fatal shooting by police officers, should have given police commanders reason to anticipate some civil unrest. But "many supervisors and command-level MPD officers stated that generally, the (police department) does not plan and rather just hopes for the best outcome.)""We should know who all had chemical weapons, who had less-than-lethal munitions, and even who used them," Jenkins said. "There was no real command centers, even on incidents, that first day of not having a plan snowballed." The fire department's attempt to bring in extra staffing was initially slowed by a "password issue" that didn't allow them access to an internal mass communication tool to reach fire department members, according to the report. Beyond that, the system wasn't kept up to date. This prevented leaders from bringing extra firefighters to work. They tried a phone tree, according to the report, but it took so long that it was abandoned as shift-change time approached. At times, different city departments were monitoring city cameras, and in some cases a person would move one camera only to have it moved by someone else across the city. Additionally, some officers were outfitted with protective gear police found leftover from the 2008 Republican National Convention, and officers often were working without.Exclusive: Derek Chauvin jurors speak out for the first time, recalling 'traumatic experience' and that light-bulb momentThe lack of coordination and supervision contributed to confusion among lower-ranking officers and a breakdown in accountability, particularly pertaining to so-called 40-millimeter less-lethal rounds fired by police during the unrest, according to the review. It found that the less-lethal rounds were widely used, but there wasn't good documentation for their use, which sometimes wasn't compliant with policy. The degree to which officers complied with policy seemed to differ depending on whether they were with the SWAT team or patrol, though the review found violations with both. The report found that some field-level supervisors "received no direction, objectives or rules of engagement" and absent some commander, "chain of command is lost. This "exponentially increase(d) the level of stress of officers standing on the line as they face angry crowds throwing objects at them and can lead to less desirable outcomes with those protesting ... it creates situations wherein officers act independently. Those independent actions may not align with any department policies or desired command-level objectives communicated to the field."When the time came to request the National Guard, investigators found that those making requests were "unfamiliar with the process," and that caused a delay in the eventual approval. Mayor Frey, according to the report, made a "verbal request to the governor" followed by a written request, but it lacked specific information germane to deploying guardsmen. Residents were left to news reports, group chats and "informal ad hoc neighborhood meetings" to get information about what was happening. Investigators heard from residents who saw rioters setting fires but had no guidance from the city about whether they should flee or stay sheltered in place. And through it all, the police department's ability to respond to normal calls for service was severely hampered. The report describes an instance where a woman was stabbed in a Target parking lot. When officers arrived, they had to form a perimeter around the victim, use gas and non-lethal rounds to keep a crowd back, and carried her to a police van on a flatbed cart. Officers took her to the hospital in the back of the van. | 3news
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(CNN)England rugby union bosses are reviewing the use of the slave-era song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as a chant by fans, saying many may not be aware of its "historical context."The Rugby Football Union (RFU) did not immediately respond to CNN but in a statement released to British media the organization said it was determined to "accelerate change and grow awareness," as the Black Lives Matter movement prompts corporations and institutions to rethink how they operate.In recent weeks following George Floyd's death, a number of British organizations, such as the Bank of England, and businesses have been reviewing their historical associations with slavery."The RFU has stated we need to do more to achieve diversity and we are determined to accelerate change and grow awareness," the governing body said in a statement."The Swing Low, Sweet Chariot song has long been part of the culture of rugby and is sung by many who have no awareness of its origins or its sensitivities.Read More"We are reviewing its historical context and our role in educating fans to make informed decisions."English rugby union fans at the HSBC London Sevens at Twickenham Stadium on June 2, 2018 in London.Former England rugby union player Maggie Alphonsi spoke out about why she no longer sings the song, writing on Twitter: "I will NEVER stop using my voice!!"Brian Moore, a former English rugby union player and commentator said: "The world has moved on and, rightly, things that were normal then should not necessarily be normal now ... It should be celebrated in its rightful context." But former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan posted a news story about the issues around the song on Instagram with the caption: "Please tell me if I am wrong ... but this surely can't be right !!??"READ: 'A slap in the face of history' -- Should a slave-era song be used as chant?Is it right for rugby fans to sing a slave-era song?The song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is one of the most recognized African-American spirituals. Revered, emotive, and rooted in the horrors of US slavery and the oppression of race.But for the last three decades, the familiar melody has also been the adopted anthem of England's rugby union team, its haunting chorus a common echo in stadiums where the national team plays.And therein lies the problem.Cornell Brooks, President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).In 2017, CNN Sport examined whether it's right that a slave-era song -- one which is believed to be a coded message for those slaves seeking the underground railroad to freedom -- is used to galvanize a national team to sporting glory.Should lyrics which are about suffering and despair be sung by thousands of England fans who are often middle-class, often White?"A slap in the face to the history of slavery," Cornell William Brooks, then president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), described the use of this spiritual in a sporting arena. Brooks is now Hauser Professor of the Practice of Nonprofit Organizations and Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership and Social Justice at the Harvard Kennedy School. Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of anti-racism group Kick it Out in 2017, said singing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" to cheer a rugby team was a matter of "ignorance, lack of sensitivity and arrogance,' while American academics have called it cultural appropriation.Three years ago, when asked by CNN whether the RFU would be reviewing the use of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," an spokesperson for English rugby's governing body said: "Swing Low has been associated with rugby and rugby clubs for decades. It is sung by fans to get behind the England rugby team." | 5sport
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Story highlightsNASCAR pit crews are key to a driver's successCrews aim to complete the stop inside 12 secondsHead coach of the 48 pit crew at Hendrick Motorsports explains the art of pit crewDuring a NASCAR race, drivers do hundreds of laps at speeds of more than 300 kilometers per hour. But the seconds spent during a pit stop -- changing tires and refueling the car -- may be the most crucial moments of any race.Greg Morin is head coach of the 48 pit crew at Hendrick Motorsports, the team that helped one of NASCAR's most successful drivers, Jimmie Johnson, win six championships."It is safe to say that if you don't have a well performing pit crew that executes well on pit road, you are going to affect the overall outcome of the race in a potentially hugely negative manner," says Morin.He adds: "Our goal is to hit a 12-second pit stop, hit five lug nuts off, five lug nuts on (on each wheel) ... get it full of fuel and ship it down pit road."Watch the video above to see the Hendrick Motor Sports' 48 pit crew in action. | 5sport
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Story highlightsSex workers will operate from garage-style structures with alarm buttons and guardsThe move is intended to take prostitution off the streets of Zurich, says project leaderSome 30 to 40 women are expected to work at the site in Sihlquai each nightThe women can get health checkups on site, as well as advice from social workersIn an attempt to reduce open street prostitution and to improve security for sex workers, Switzerland's largest city, Zurich, is opening "sex drive-ins" Monday. The nine garage-style structures, located in Sihlquai, a former industrial zone in the city, are equipped with alarm buttons and guarded by security personnel to ensure the safety of the prostitutes. Customers are not allowed to leave the area with the sex workers.Read more: Brazil drops 'happy being a prostitute' ad campaign"Prostitution has escalated in the city," said Michael Herzig, from the Zurich social services department. "It was done out in the open on the street and men harassed passers-by. "It was noisy and dirty because men took the prostitutes to a side street and left used condoms on the streets. The drive-ins are more discreet and safer."Herzig leads the project, which has cost 2.4 million Swiss francs ($2.6 million) to set up.JUST WATCHEDSex workers learn English for World CupReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSex workers learn English for World Cup 01:55JUST WATCHEDSpain making money from prostitutesReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSpain making money from prostitutes 01:59"The project is extremely controversial. Prostitution is about morals and religion. But we leave these things aside and see it as a business. The humanitarian aspect is more important for us," said Herzig.Around 30 to 40 women are expected to work at the site each night. Sex workers have to pay 5 Swiss francs per night to make use of the so-called "sex boxes," but customers don't have to pay an entrance fee. Read more: Ahead of Brazil World Cup, free English classes planned for prostitutesThe drive-ins are open daily from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and can only be accessed by car. Drivers have to follow a clearly marked route to get to the area, where customers and sex workers can discuss the services offered and agree on a price. The client can then drive into the allocated box, where the service is provided. There are also showers, toilets, a kitchen and washing machines for the women to use, as well as an advice center where they can seek help from social workers. A gynecologist comes in once a week to offer health checkups for the women. The city's social services department is running the whole operation and also offers crash courses in German and self-defense courses for the women on site. "All of this will enhance the sex workers' living and working conditions," Herzig said.Prostitution and consumption of paid sex are legal in Switzerland. Prostitutes are considered self-employed and are liable for taxation. "We are trying to promote the independence and self-determination of the sex workers," he said. "It's not a unique concept. We went to Utrecht in the Netherlands and Cologne and Essen in Germany, where similar projects exist, to speak to organizers. In Utrecht it's been successfully implemented since 1986."As well as backing from the authorities, the project in Zurich has a democratic mandate: A referendum was held in March 2012, with 52% of voters in favor. | 3news
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(CNN)Phoebe Robinson is U2's biggest fan, a worshipper of all things Oprah, and someone with an unapologetic love of "the Aidan years" of "Sex and the City."This "2 Dope Queens" host was not the best student in school, but she loved "The West Wing," so it made it feel, in her word, "studious." She refers to Michael B. Jordan as her potential baby daddy. It used to be Michael Fassbender. These are all things you learn about Robinson, a comedian, author and podcaster, in just a few minutes if you ask the right questions. She speaks like she has nothing to hide and her comedy is a reflection of the openness with which she seemingly operates. There's a whole section in her book, "Everything's Trash, But It's Okay," where she writes about how everyone has what she calls "trash tendencies" -- like watching "The Bachelor" or getting gassy during massages. In these low-brow moments, she says, we should find a common ground instead of shame. Read More"I think the value in sharing that is, it sort of makes all of us feel like, 'I'm not alone. I'm not some big old garbage pile, and everyone else is amazing,'" she says. "I think people can laugh at my mistakes and see themselves in them." The Ohio native's approach to humor can make the comedy club feel like your hilarious best friend's bedroom. You walk out feeling lighter somehow. She doesn't hesitate when asked who she sees as her target audience. Pop culture fans, certainly. People who care about "the greater good," those who can laugh at themselves, and anyone who is willing to learn a little bit about the world around them. Absolutely. And "Riverdale" fans. "I'm going to say 'Riverdale' teens to early 40s, early 50s," she says. Then quickly adds: "I mean, Oprah's a fan. So maybe I'm universal?" | 1entertainment
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Story highlightsVictor Barrio, 29, was killed in Teruel Spanish towns hold annual bull running festivals every summer (CNN)A professional bullfighter was gored to death by a bull during a competition on live television in Spain over the weekend. Victor Barrio, 29, was killed in Teruel, in the eastern Aragon region. Plaza de Las Ventas bullring, where he's worked as a bullfighter fox six years, announced his death in a statement Saturday. It said a moment of silence will be held in his honor.Spanish bullfighter Victor Barrio performs in Madrid in 2011. He was gored to death by a bull Saturday. Spanish towns hold annual summer festivals in which bulls dash after humans in a short run that seems like an eternity.Spanish matador takes baby to work, sparks outrageRead MoreIn Pamplona, where Spain's famous bull run is held, the event dates to 400 years. It gained fame worldwide after author Ernest Hemingway wrote about it in his 1920s novel, "The Sun Also Rises." The annual festival is so popular that Pamplona's population of 200,000 can triple during the eight consecutive days of running in July.Throngs of revelers travel to Spain every year for a chance to watch from the barricades and balconies. In Pamplona's San Fermin festival, a 33-year-old Japanese man was gored in the chest, one of 14 people injured Saturday, the local government said on its website.'Expert' gored by bulls says he'll run with them againFollow @faithcnn CNN's Dominique Heckels contributed to this report. | 3news
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(CNN)Heavily armed Russian troops are pushing rapidly towards Ukraine's capital of Kyiv, and US officials are warning the city could fall within days.The military capabilities of these two nations are so imbalanced that Ukraine's defiant president, Volodymyr Zelensky, implored his Western allies overnight to do more than impose sanctions to get Russian troops off Ukrainian soil.Here's how the two country's military capabilities stack up. Defense spending Russian tanks move across the town of Armyansk in northern Crimea. Just a look at the amount of money the two nations spend on defense gives an indication of the gap between the two. Ukraine spent $4.7 billion in 2021, just over a tenth of nuclear-armed Russia's $45.8 billion, according to "The Military Balance" report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), published last week. Read MoreWhile the Russian government launched a drive in 2008 to modernize its military, after a brief war with Georgia laid bare equipment shortfalls, Ukraine's weapons are still largely from the Soviet era. In its ambitions to join NATO, however, Ukraine has reorganized the structure of its armed forces, and has plans to re-equip its air force with Western combat aircraft by the mid-2030s. It also plans to improve its naval capability. ManpowerUkrainian servicemen sit atop armored personnel carriers on a road in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine on Thursday.Where Russia has 900,000 active personnel in its armed forces, and 2 million in reserve, Ukraine has 196,000 and 900,000 reservists. Ukraine on Wednesday began conscripting reservists aged 18-60, according to IISS.In land forces alone, Russia has a twofold advantage, with 280,000 troops to Ukraine's 125,600. And its air force is nearly five times as strong, with 165,00 to Ukraine's 35,000.But in terms of how many troops are in this particular operation, Yohann Michel, a research analyst who worked on the IISS report, said Russia had an estimated 200,000 personnel in and around Ukraine. "That's including around 60 battle groups. The situation is evolving rapidly and that number could change, but it's very large, and that's important. It's one of the largest in eastern Europe that we've seen in years -- in my lifetime," Michel told CNN. "Ukrainian numbers are more difficult because everything they have is now mobilized and they have called in reservists."Weaponry and vehiclesA Ukrainian infantry combat vehicle standing guard on the outskirts of Kyiv on Tuesday. There is a lot to compare here -- attack aircraft, armored vehicles, surface-to-air missiles -- but in general, Russia simply has more of everything. Russia has more than 15,857 armored fighting vehicles, for example, to Ukraine's 3,309. It has more than 10 times the aircraft -- 1,391 to Ukraine's 128, and 821 helicopters to Ukraine's 55, if you include Navy aircraft. And where Russia has 49 submarines, Ukraine has none, according to IISS."There are big difference between the two forces -- Russia has a much more capable air domain, its air defenses are stronger," Michel said. "There is a huge difference on helicopters and planes available at every level -- from transport aircraft to fighter aircraft to attack helicopters." Combat willUkrainian military vehicles move past Independence square in central Kyiv on Thursday. Ukrainian forces have, however, launched some successful counterattacks. Michel notes that the sheer combat will among Ukrainian troops to fight has been the armed forces' greatest strength. "I'm really surprised at what I'm seeing. The fact that Ukrainian fighter jets are still flying, they actually took off is impressive."If Russia takes the capital soon, it will be difficult for Ukraine to fight back. But if it is unsuccessful, the conflict could become protracted. And that's the scenario where Ukraine's will may prove a powerful weapon, Michel said. ModernizationBut with fighting going on across the country, the number and quality of armory is a major factor. Nick Reynolds, a Research Analyst for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, said that Ukraine's air force was now largely knocked out. "There have been serious issues with modernization due to Ukraine's economic problems since 2014, so the military lacks modern air defense and artillery, particularly counter-battery artillery radar and other surveillance equipment to detect enemy artillery and at least stand some chance of suppressing it with their own," Reynolds told CNN. "These capabilities are critical for Ukraine's army to be able to maneuver and resupply itself." | 3news
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(CNN)There were eight gold medals up for grabs on Wednesday at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.Here's a breakdown of who is taking home gold for their delegations on Day 12 of the Games.Alpine SkiingMen's slalom: Clement Noel, France BiathlonRead MoreWomen's 4x6km Relay: SwedenCross-Country SkiingWomen's team sprint classic: Germany Men's team sprint classic: Norway Freestyle SkiingMen's freeski slopestyle: Alexander Hall, USAMen's aerials: Qi Guangpu, ChinaShort Track Speed SkatingMen's 5000m relay: CanadaWomen's 1500m: Choi Min-jeong, South KoreaThe full medal table can be found here. | 5sport
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With imprecision punished by a ball landing in the lava fields, Icelandic golfers have an extra incentive to make the fairways. Some courses lie inside old volcanoes and require players to battle howling winds as they hit shots over expanses of ocean. The golf season only lasts from May to September, before the elements take hold and the sensible take shelter indoors. It couldn't be further from the azaleas of Augusta National. And yet, for all the obstacles, golf in the land of fire and ice is thriving. Just ask Ólafía Kristinsdóttir, the country's first ever professional golfer. "Icelanders, I think we are kind of cool in that we believe anything is possible," she tells CNN Sport. Kristinsdóttir only joined the elite LPGA Tour in 2017 but has such strong self-belief that she says she wants to be the "Roger Federer of women's golf." But her rise through the ranks — capped with a hole in one at this year's ANA Inspiration — is symptomatic of a wider trend.
Icelanders, I think we are kind of cool in that we believe anything is possible.
As the country's footballers continue to punch above their weight, her success could be just the tip of the iceberg. Haraldur Magnus, 27, belied a world ranking of 1,052 to qualify for July's Open Championship at Carnoustie, becoming the first Icelandic man to compete in a major, while Valdis Thora Jonsdottir, 28, has enjoyed victories on the Challenge Tour and now plies her trade on the Ladies' European Tour where she finished third at this year's Australian Ladies Classic in Bonville.'Golf crazy'Haukur örn Birgisson, whose name literally translates as "Hawk Eagle son of Birgir," is the president of the Golf Union of Iceland. "I'm told I have literally the coolest golfing name ever," he says. "You can call me Hawk." Birgisson joined the union around the turn of the millennium for a summer job during law school and has been there ever since. In that time, the number of registered players in Iceland has more doubled. "The situation has changed dramatically in the past 15 years," he tells CNN Sport. "It's a small country. We have a total population of a little over 300,000, but we now have around 17,000 registered members. So that's a lot." It's now the second largest sport in Iceland, with over 10% of the population (some 40,000) playing on a regular basis — at least five to six times per summer — according to surveys conducted by the Union. None more so than Kristinsdóttir, who earned $219,134 during her rookie year on the LPGA Tour.
And everyone plays. It's not an upper class or upper-middle class sport here. Everyone plays.
Read MoreShe first picked up a club when she was 10 years old, playing on the handful of courses dotted in and around the capital of Reykjavik. There are only about 65 scattered across the country, which might not sound like a lot, but Iceland is said to have more courses per capita than any other nation on the planet. "I think it's fair to say, per capita we are golf crazy," says Birgisson, attributing the sport's growth to the number of courses open to the pubic. "You can play wherever you want and it's relatively cheap, with green fees from around 20 to 60 euros ($23-$69). And everyone plays. It's not an upper class or upper-middle class sport here. Everyone plays."Big leaguesWhen Kristinsdóttir earned a sport scholarship at Wake Forest college in North Carolina, a professional career in golf was still little more than a pipe dream. It was uncharted territory, after all. The closest anyone from her homeland had come to the upper echelons of the game was college golfer Olafur Loftsson's appearance at the 2011 Wyndham Championship on a sponsor's exemption. "I was a good golfer but I was no prodigy when I was a kid," Kristinsdóttir admits. "When I went to college I improved a lot and that's when I kind of saw, 'Ah, I have a chance.' Then the dream was more realistic, so I just gave it a try. And it was the best thing I ever did."The 25-year-old hasn't looked back, becoming a member of the Ladies European Tour at her first attempt before quickly making the step to the LPGA Tour. While a first tournament victory still eludes her, a recent fourth-place finish at the Indy Women in Tech Championship where she chipped in for eagle at 18 proved she could rub shoulders with the best. It was "weird" to suddenly be playing alongside the figures she knew from television, particularly Michelle Wie, but Kristinsdóttir quickly appreciated there was no secret to their success. "The biggest thing for me was that I was imagining how they'd play to be something extraordinary," she says. "Actually they play very simple, good golf. Hit the fairway, hit the green, one or two putts. There was no magic. So I just tried to simplify my game too: to have a solid technique and be good under pressure." It's not all been plain sailing; some "scary" double jaw surgery in December 2016 kept her in bed and out of action for six weeks. By the end of 2017, Kristinsdóttir had made 15 cuts in 26 starts and finished No. 74 on the LPGA's official money list — no mean feat for someone used to only five hours of daylight in winter. "I educated myself a lot," she says, adding she wouldn't have gone to qualifying school if she didn't think there was a chance she "could actually do this." "I read a lot of books on the mental side of the game and know myself a lot better now. I know what works for me and what doesn't work for me. I think I'm also just better at practicing; I have more quality practice. Back in the day I didn't really know what I was doing, so now I know." Small worldIt speaks volumes for Iceland's size and wherewithal that Kristinsdóttir's first mental coach was Sigurður Ragnar Eyjólfsson, then the manager of the women's national football team. Remarkably, the golfer also spent two years working with Olafur Sigurðsson, the older brother of English Premier League footballer Gylfi Sigurðsson. Olafur was a competent golfer himself and once finished fourth at the European Amateur Championship. It's the people you surround yourself with that give you that "extra 1% here, 1% there," she contends. And in the end it was Kristinsdóttir, not Gylfi Sigurðsson, the star of the country's historic journey to the Euro 2016 quarterfinals, who was named Icelandic Sportsperson of the Year in 2017.Kristinsdóttir, the first golfer to receive the honor, unsurprisingly continues to take "great inspiration" from the exploits of the football team. Birgisson, meanwhile, believes the underdog mentality channeled by the country's footballers can be translated into the world of Icelandic golf. "It doesn't matter what sport — as long as you have athletes that come through and prove themselves on the big stage, that will always affect other people coming up," says Birgisson. "The success will have an impact on how Icelandic golfers play in the future, handball players, basketball players, whatever. It just goes to show you that it's possible. And once you achieve that, it will always be easier for the next person in line to achieve great things." That next person could be making their way to an Icelandic golf club right now. Indeed, one statistic Birgisson is "particularly proud of" during his tenure is the increase of female participation, from 10% to a third of the overall membership."That's something we've been putting focus on for the past 15 years and we've been successful in doing so," he says. "In the UK it's about 12% ... our aim is 50/50." Kristinsdóttir relishes the idea she's inspiring others to take up the game. "My coaches always say there has never been so many small girls starting golf," she says. "Kids' programs are growing so that's really cool because golf is now getting attention in Iceland."
In the UK (female golf participation) is about 12% ... our aim (in Iceland) is 50/50.
But, fiercely determined behind her light-hearted smile, Iceland's first professional golfer doesn't just want to be remembered for paving the way for those who follow. With Tokyo 2020 on the horizon she's also not ruling out one day becoming her country's first ever Olympic champion ... in any sport. Birgisson certainly thinks there's "no reason to doubt she can go all the way," but where does Kristinsdóttir see herself in five year's time? "I am hopefully on my path to becoming the Roger Federer of female golf!"As she puts it: "Even if we're small, why not us?"
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Story highlightsLindsay McCormick says NFL Network asked in an interview: "Do you plan on getting knocked up?"She does not name the employee who asked the question (CNN)A female television sports reporter and host has shared her story following the news of NFL Network and ESPN suspending five former football players who are accused of sexual harassment while they worked for NFL Network."I've been quiet about this for too long," Lindsay McCormick wrote in an Instagram post. "In my last interview with NFL Network a few years ago, the head of hiring talent said to me, 'If we hire you, do you plan on getting knocked up immediately like the rest of them?'"'Them' as in badass working women who deserve to have a family life as well? 'Them' as the women who work their tails off to be taken seriously in a man's world? Or 'them' who bring you a new audience and a tremendous amount of viewership?"Because while I don't plan on 'getting knocked up,' I do plan on being like the rest of those brilliant women that our future daughters will one day look up to and see you can have it all."McCormick said later in the post: "Kudos to NFL Network for eventually removing this man from his position and for the actions they've taken this week."Read More A post shared by Lindsay McCormick (@lindsaymccormicksports) on Dec 12, 2017 at 9:39pm PST On Monday, a former wardrobe stylist for NFL Network filed a suit alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination. The suit involves current and past on-air talent for the network.The ex-employee, Jami Cantor, has some explosive allegations in her lawsuit, claiming instances of groping, lewd comments and that she was sent explicit photos, videos and texts by co-workers.In a statement to CNN, NFL Network says three former NFL players have been suspended with pay while there is an investigation. Those three are Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor and Heath Evans, all on-air talent for the network.Donovan McNabb and Eric Davis, who now work for ESPN, were also named in the suit. ESPN said in a statement to CNNMoney that the network is investigating, adding that the two former players will not appear on its networks as that investigation proceeds.Merriam-Webster's word of the year for 2017 is 'feminism'Also named in the suit is Hall-of-Famer Warren Sapp, who was fired by the NFL Network in 2015 after he was arrested in Phoenix on allegations of propositioning a prostitute after covering the Super Bowl.One non-athlete named in the suit was a former executive producer at the network, Eric Weinberger, who is now president of The Ringer, a sports and popular culture website.The Ringer has placed Weinberger on indefinite leave "until we have a better understanding of what transpired during his time at the NFL, and we will conduct our own internal investigation," the site said in a statement.None of the men accused in the suit responded to CNNMoney's requests for comment on Tuesday.The NFL Network, which is owned by the National Football League, has yet to respond to CNN's request for comment on McCormick's post.Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that The Ringer is owned by Vox Media. It has a business relationship with Vox, but is not owned by it.CNN's Chris Isidore contributed to this report. | 5sport
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Story highlights Double winner of women's wheelchair race dedicates her victory to Boston victims Supporters voice solidarity with Boston as they cheer on the London runnersRunners joined a 30-second start-line silence in tribute to the Boston bombingSecurity is ramped up for the event, with more police on the streetsDespite the spring sunshine, the start of the London Marathon on Sunday was a somber occasion.Thousands of runners joined in a 30-second silence on the start line to remember those killed and injured by the blasts near the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday. Before the tribute, signaled by a whistle blast, an announcer told the massed runners: "We will join together in silence to remember our friends and colleagues for whom a day of joy turned into a day of sadness."Let us now show our respect and support for the victims of the tragedy in Boston."The runners, many also wearing black ribbons as a Boston tribute, then poured over the start line to begin the 26.2-mile race. Along the route, the mood became more festive, with loud cheers and applause for the passing runners from the spectators lining the barriers.JUST WATCHEDBoston wheelchair champ racing in LondonReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHBoston wheelchair champ racing in London 02:27JUST WATCHEDOpen Mic: London MarathonReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHOpen Mic: London Marathon 01:42JUST WATCHEDSecurity increased for London MarathonReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSecurity increased for London Marathon 02:10Prince Harry also made an appearance, visiting the finish line to show his support for the race stewards. READ MORE: Silence falls over London MarathonTatyana McFadden, who won the women's wheelchair marathons in London on Sunday and in Boston last week, dedicated her Sunday victory to those who died or suffered in last week's Boston bombings. "We hope such small acts will help the healing process. Other efforts are in the works," her mother, Deborah, told CNN. McFadden, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, spent her early years in a Russian orphanage -- walking on her hands because she had no wheelchair -- but embraced athletics after she was adopted and brought to the United States by her new family.The winner of the men's wheelchair race was Australia's Kurt Fearnley, and the winning runner in the men's elite race was Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia.The first-placed runner in the elite women's event was Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya. Fellow countrywoman Edna Kiplagat came in second.The race is being staged amid heightened security, as police take extra precautions after the Boston Marathon bombing six days ago.Although some spectators admitted to slight apprehension about coming out Sunday, the prevailing mood seemed one of solidarity."If you live your life just scared of what's going to happen, you won't do much," one man near the finish line told CNN. "I think it's important everyone comes and just shows that there are thousands of people who are here for the right intentions."More than three-quarters of those taking part in Sunday's race are raising money for charity.Race organizers are also donating 2 British pounds to the One Fund Boston -- set up to help those most affected by the Boston bombing -- for each runner to cross the finish line. With about 35,000 runners, that's expected to come to about $100,000.Mayor of London Boris Johnson tweeted Sunday to wish all those involved in the event good luck and "a great day out," adding, "@bostonmarathon our thoughts are with you today."Race director Hugh Brasher urged participants in an e-mail Friday not to lose sight of what the London Marathon stands for."One of the original aims of the London Marathon was 'to provide some fun and a sense of achievement in a troubled world,' " he wrote. "Following the tragic events in Boston earlier this week, that goal will be even more meaningful when the running community comes together on the start line of this Sunday's race."Several hundred additional officers were on the streets for the event, a move the Metropolitan Police said was intended to "provide visible reassurance to the participants and spectators."Police also appealed for anyone there to take extra care with their belongings, to avoid sparking security scares.Hundreds of thousands of spectators usually turn out to support those taking part in the race.WATCH: Boston wheelchair champ races LondonChief Supt. Julia Pendry, police commander for the event, said police worked with the organizers, partners and other emergency services to ensure the right plans were in place."Following the terrible events in Boston, we are providing additional visible reassurance to the public in what is naturally a worrying time," she said."I would stress there is no change to the threat level to London and nothing at this stage to link the Boston bombings to the London marathon."Will Geddes, managing director of threat management company International Corporate Protection, told CNN this week that it is "very difficult" to secure a marathon because of the length of the route.Any potential terrorist "will be looking for the largest number of casualties they can achieve, so the start point and the finish point will no doubt be two areas the Metropolitan Police will be focusing on and how they can secure those," he said. But, he added, "to a certain degree, there is only so much they can do."The course, which starts in southeast London, wends through the Canary Wharf business district and passes by some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including Tower Bridge and Westminster, before finishing near Buckingham Palace.Last summer, authorities implemented a huge security plan to keep the city safe during the London Olympics.And they sought to reassure the public ahead of Sunday's race, with calls for supporters to come out in droves to show solidarity after the tragic events in Boston.Sport Minister Hugh Robertson told the UK public broadcaster, the BBC, "The best way for us to react is to push ahead with the marathon, to get people on the streets and to celebrate it as we always do in London -- and to send a very clear message that we won't be cowed by this sort of behavior."The London Marathon's chief executive, Nigel Bitel, also said, "It's a great occasion, the London Marathon, and I know that people will want to come out and send a message of support to runners on the day." | 3news
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(CNN)Drew Brees, after announcing his retirement from the NFL on Sunday, has said he will now be working with NBC.New Orleans Saints longtime quarterback Brees announced his retirement on Sunday via social media. During an appearance Monday on "The Today Show," Brees announced his new role as a football analyst for NBC Sports."I'm excited about that journey. I'm excited to stay very closely connected with the game of football. It's been such an important part of my life. And I continue to be able to talk about it and show a passion for it," Brees said Monday.Brees played 20 seasons in the NFL, 15 of those with the Saints. Brees was drafted out of Purdue University in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers (now the Los Angeles Chargers), where he played five seasons.The 42-year old retires as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, with 80,358 yards, and completions, with 7,142. Brees is second in the NFL record book with 571 passing touchdowns.Read MoreIn 2010, Brees led the Saints to a win in Super Bowl XLIV and was named Most Valuable Player in that game.In his retirement announcement Brees said, "After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time I retire from the game of football. Each day, I poured my heart & soul into being your Quarterback. Til the very end, I exhausted myself to give everything I had to the Saints organization, my team, and the great city of New Orleans."He added: "I am only retiring from playing football, I am not retiring from New Orleans. This is not goodbye, rather a new beginning. Now my real life's work begins!"Brees's four children helped him make the announcement, saying in a video that he was retiring to spend more time with them.Tom Brady, who sits in second place behind Brees in all-time passing yards and completions, passed along his congratulations on Twitter. "Congrats my friend on an incredible career. Thank you for the inspiration and dedication on and off the field! Look forward to seeing what's next @drewbrees," Brady wrote. | 5sport
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(CNN)As the old adage goes "if you can't beat them, join them."During 2020, no golfer has arguably been more talked about than Bryson DeChambeau.The addition of 40 pounds of muscle during lockdown catapulted him to the top of the PGA Tour's driving distance rankings. That prodigious driving also helped DeChambeau blitz his way to his maiden major victory at the US Open.But it's the methods he's employed to revamp his game -- which initially others questioned -- which has made some of his contemporaries sit up and take notice and start to experiment with their own training regimes and approach to golf.Former world No. 1 Justin Thomas recently told CNN Sport's Patrick Snell that he is "trying to get stronger" after seeing what DeChambeau has done.Read MoreMeanwhile four-time major winner Rory McIlroy admitted that he's also looking to bring some added speed to his game in an attempt to just keep up with the 2020 US Open winner."For the last couple weeks, I was working on some stuff," said McIlroy ahead of the CJ Cup in October. "I think as a golfer, we're so ingrained to trying to hit the ball where you're looking, and I think that's one of the great things that Bryson's done."Bryson, when he speed trains, he just hits the ball into a net, so he doesn't really know where it's going," added McIlroy."He's just trying to move as fast as he can ... and sort of making the target irrelevant for the time being and then you can sort of try to bring it in from there."From what I've done and what I've been trying -- you know, sort of experimenting with the last couple weeks -- it's the fastest I've ever moved the club, the fastest my body has ever moved."DeChambeau plays his shot from the ninth tee during the final round of the 120th US Open on September 20, 2020.READ: Masters miracle: Written off as 'gone, done,' the 'Golden Bear' had other ideasIn a league of his ownIt's not as if McIlroy is struggling for driving distance. In the early stages of the 2021 PGA Tour season, he had the third highest average of 333.4 yards. He's now in fifth on 325.3, but in 2017 and 2018, McIlroy led the tour in average driving distance.But DeChambeau is still streaks ahead of the Northern Irishman in terms of average driving distance, averaging 344.4 yards this season.During the American's explosive six-shot victory at Winged Foot Golf Course at US Open, McIlroy was tied for eighth spot, a whopping 10 shots behind DeChambeau.And the 31-year-old found it "hard to really wrap" his head around what DeChambeau was doing."He's worked his ass off to do that and it's paying off hugely," McIlroy said.McIlroy plays a shot from the second tee during the third round of The CJ Cup. "I think it's the way the game's going. I got sent a really good article last weekend, it was in the Wall Street Journal, just about every single sport becoming faster, longer, stronger, and I don't think golf's any different. I'm just trying to keep up with the way it's going."As players fine tune their preparations for the Masters, which starts on Thursday, November 12, by playing in other events, DeChambeau has adopted a different approach, according to golf.com.There were four PGA Tour events between the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October and The Masters. DeChambeau chose to not to take part in any of those events.After competing at the TPC Summerlin tournament, DeChambeau says he was planning to work "out like crazy" in attempt to add even more muscle, before focusing on his driving."I don't know how many drivers I'll hit, but I'll hit as many as I need to," DeChambeau said. "And from a speed-training perspective, I could probably go upwards of over 1,000 to probably 2,000, around 2,000 drives the next four weeks trying to get my speed up."And according to Justin Rose, there's a "trickle down effect" inspired by DeChambeau."I'm hearing kind of rumors out on the range, everyone's trying to crank it up a little bit, get a few more miles an hour," Rose told reporters.Even 2017 PGA Championship winner Thomas, who admits he thought DeChambeau's attempts to overhaul his game weren't "going to work that well," is now full of praise for the 27-year-old.READ: US golfer Kirk Triplett explains why the Black Lives Matter movement is so important to himThomas looks on over the 18th green during the final round of The CJ Cup. "He just won a major at one of the hardest golf courses in the world. And at the end of the day, as far as he hits it, as strong as he's gotten, as much weight as he's put on, he putts the crap out of it to be perfectly honest. I mean, he putts it really well and that's why he won that US Open."It's not because he can hit it 360 yards. It's because he putts it really well and he's a complete golfer. And I think that's starting to show. But it's definitely an advantage how far he hits it. And it's pretty cool."He's getting some of us out here to try to find that extra gear. But at the end the day, he's going to continue to work hard and try to get stronger. "And you just hope that he doesn't hurt himself like a lot of, I guess, other people have trying to get stronger and get fit. But I know that's what I'm doing. I'm trying to get stronger. But most importantly, I'm trying to continue to play injury free." | 5sport
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Story highlightsRory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki pictured together at Dubai Tour ChampionshipReports had claimed the couple ended their relationship a few months agoMcIlroy shoots two under at European Tour's final event at the Jumeirah courseHenrik Stenson on course to add Race to Dubai crown to his FedEx Cup victoryAre one of sport's most high-profile power couples back together? Or did they never part?The sight of golf's two-time major winner Rory McIlroy and former World No. 1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki striding down the fairways in Dubai certainly set a few tongues wagging.A mass of media reports had claimed the duo were no longer an item, both parties remaining tight lipped whenever they were quizzed about their relationship in recent weeks and months.But Wozniacki followed the Northern Irishman for all 18 holes of his opening round at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai -- the climax of the European Tour season.Read: Lesson learned for Garcia after Tiger slurThe Dane had tweeted a picture of McIlroy playing tennis the previous day as she begins her preparations for the new tennis season. Photos: Crazy golf test makes Dubai splash Photos: Crazy golf test makes Dubai splashTest drive – It's a par three, but not as we know it. A full 100 meters above sea level on the 22nd floor of the Atlantis Hotel, a clutch of the world's top golfers were set the challenge of hitting a tiny green in the ocean as part of the build up to the European Tour's 2013 finale in Dubai.Hide Caption 1 of 6 Photos: Crazy golf test makes Dubai splashSomething fishy going on – The prize for the golfer who got nearest the target was a five-night stay in one of the two underwater suites at the Atlantis, complete with your own aquarium full of 65,000 fishy inhabitants. Regular punters would have to fork out nearly £5,000 ($7,846) a night to stay under the sea.Hide Caption 2 of 6 Photos: Crazy golf test makes Dubai splashTaking flight – Former world No. 1 and 2010 PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer was among the group of golfers who took on a shot to nothing, aiming for a tiny target 235 yards out to sea.Hide Caption 3 of 6 Photos: Crazy golf test makes Dubai splashGo Westwood – England's Lee Westwood, also a former world No. 1, set the early pace, smashing a seven iron to within eight feet of the pin.Hide Caption 4 of 6 Photos: Crazy golf test makes Dubai splashSealed with a seven iron – Despite FedEx Cup winner Henrik Stenson running him close, Westwood sent another golf ball sailing towards the target, landing this one four feet from the pin to seal victory and a five-night stay under the sea.Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: Crazy golf test makes Dubai splashWhat a nice plaice – Westwood comes face-to-face with his new fishy friends in the underwater suite. No doubt there will be a pack of sharks circling to take the title off the 40-year-old in next year's competition.Hide Caption 6 of 6JUST WATCHEDTiger Woods tonight on UnguardedReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHTiger Woods tonight on Unguarded 00:15JUST WATCHEDGarcia sorry for 'fried chicken' slur ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHGarcia sorry for 'fried chicken' slur 01:04Despite her support McIlroy occasionally cut a frustrated figure out on the Jumeirah course, carding an opening round of one-under-par, having been three under for his first four holes.McIlroy is five shots off the lead, held by Spain's Alejandro Cañizares, with Henrik Stenson -- who is aiming to be the first golfer to win the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup series as well as the Race to Dubai -- on four-under."It's much better than it has been the last few months and I am playing better, which is important," McIlroy told the official European Tour website."It's good that the game is back on track. I have this event and two more so it would be great to get a win before the end of the season."Sweden's Stenson carded a round of 68 -- his only bogey of the day coming after he missed a short putt on the final hole.If making history wasn't enough motivation for Stenson perhaps his bet with another potential winner -- England's Ian Poulter -- might be.Read: Tiger Woods reveals 'nerdy' sideSome months ago Stenson agreed to act as drinks waiter for the pair on a night out should Poulter overhaul him and get the 345,000 points he needs to win the Race to Dubai title.At his pre-tournament press conference Stenson told reporters: "That's probably my biggest motivation, not to become his servant for a day. He is certainly not going off that bet and I know he is up my tail."JUST WATCHEDMythbusters: Edoardo MolinariReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMythbusters: Edoardo Molinari 02:37JUST WATCHEDHistoric golfer's big triumphReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHHistoric golfer's big triumph 05:39JUST WATCHEDExciting world of golf appsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHExciting world of golf apps 04:44But Stenson is well placed to fend off the challenge of Poulter, as well as other potential winners, 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, who won the U.S. Open in 2010."It has been a lot of hard work all season and I just let my focus slip on the last," Stenson told the official European Tour website of his solitary bogey."That sucks, but I am still in good shape and playing nicely. The guys are running on fumes so everybody is looking forward to getting done."You can't win a tournament on Thursday but you can certainly play your way out of it. I would have taken four-under at the start of the day so I just have to let the disappointment of the last slip away."Poulter is only a shot further back but was frustrated he didn't make more of the opportunities he gave himself."I am annoyed," Poulter said. "I made two putts which were outside birdie chances and took a couple more but the rest were missed. I am frustrated but happy to be only three behind."I need to continue to be aggressive and see if I can nick it at the end. It's a good mix to be really angry being three under par and still being in there for the next three days." | 5sport
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Koblenz, Germany (CNN)A German court has sentenced a former Syrian army colonel to life in prison, in the first-ever torture trial against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.Anwar Raslan, a senior regime official, headed the investigation unit at a notorious Damascus detention center known as Branch 251. On Thursday, he was found guilty of all the counts brought against him, with the court finding him to be a co-perpetrator in at least 4,000 cases of torture, 27 murders and two cases of sexual assault.The judges described the crimes as systematic and part of decades-long practices by the Assad regime.Raslan may be eligible for parole after 15 years in prison. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which represented the joint plaintiffs, initially reported that he had been convicted on 30 counts of murder and five cases of sexual violence before revising its numbers.Raslan's co-defendant, Eyad al-Gharib, a junior officer who also served in the facility, was convicted in February 2021 for aiding and abetting torture and deprivation of liberty as crimes against humanity. He is serving a four-and-a-half-year sentence. Read MoreAnwar Raslan (R), seen inside the courthouse in Koblenz on Thursday.Raslan is the most senior regime official to be punished for torture, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence believed to have been systematically committed by members of Assad's forces. He defected from the Syrian regime in 2012 and fled the country, and had denied all the charges against him.'A victory for the victims'Joumana Seif, a Syrian lawyer who is part of the plaintiffs' legal team, was one of those who waited outside the courthouse from 6 a.m. to hear the verdict. "It's a real recognition of [the survivors'] suffering," she told CNN as news of the conviction came out, her voice faltering with what she described as tears of joy. "This will hopefully restore their faith in justice."Yasmen Almashan, a Syrian campaigner for the Caesar Families Association, waits outside the courthouse in Koblenz, western Germany on Thursday."[The life sentence] was the least we could have done for them," said Yasmen Almashan, gesturing to photos of her five brothers who disappeared in Assad's prison system. "This is just the first step in a long path to justice.""I'm happy because this is a victory for justice," said Anwar al-Bounni, a Syrian human rights lawyer and former political prisoner. "I'm happy because it's a victory for the victims sitting inside [the courtroom]. I'm happy because it's a victory for the victims in Syria who couldn't make it here." Syrian campaigner Samaa Mahmoud shows a picture of her uncle, Hayan Mahmoud, as she and others wait outside the courthouse in Koblenz, western Germany, on Thursday.The landmark ruling comes as the Assad regime -- accused of killing hundreds of thousands of civilians with conventional and chemical weapons -- has been repairing diplomatic ties with former regional foes, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The United States and the European Union have criticized its Arab allies for bringing Assad into the regional fold, but have said they can do little to stop the rapprochement.'Maximum pain' One unnamed female witness described being examined naked, as well as being beaten at the detention center. She detailed her encounter with Raslan after having been taken to him with her clothes torn from the assault, saying he ordered her blindfold removed, and offered her coffee. The next day, according to a summary of her interactions with Raslan by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, she was transferred to another district and released.JUST WATCHEDSyrian refugee and activist: 'You either leave or you die'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSyrian refugee and activist: 'You either leave or you die' 08:25Co-plaintiff Wassim Mukdad, a Syrian musician living in Berlin, said he was hit on the soles and heels of his feet and on his knees during interrogations. "They knew exactly how to inflict maximum pain," he told the court.In their closing statements, the plaintiffs delivered emotional speeches, praising the court and berating Raslan for denying the charges against him. More than 100,000 people are believed to have been abducted, detained or gone missing in Syria, the United Nations has said, and one co-plaintiff criticized the judicial process for excluding enforced disappearances from the charges.The co-plaintiff, Hussein Ghrer, recalled that his captors at the detention center said he would "disappear behind the sun." He told the court that to his loved ones he was like Schrödinger's cat, appearing both alive and dead at the same time. He said he was "banished from life without actually dying."In world first, Germany convicts Syrian regime officer of crimes against humanity"Regardless of how long [Raslan] will be imprisoned, he will have a clock near him, he will see the sun and know when it rises and when it sets," Ghrer told the court. "He will have medical care when needed, and he will receive visits from relatives who will know how he is doing, just as he will know how they are doing." Raslan's trial was seen as the culmination of nearly a decade of evidence collected by activists and lawyers seeking to hold the Assad regime accountable for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the early years of Syria's uprising-turned-war, which began in 2011, volunteers known as "document hunters" smuggled out hundreds of thousands of documents from abandoned regime facilities. Many said they braved an onslaught of bullets and rockets to smuggle out papers that served as evidence in investigations against the regime. In 2013, a defector codenamed Caesar smuggled tens of thousands of photographs showing prisoners allegedly tortured to death in Assad's jails. The images were also part of the evidence in the landmark trial. Attorney Patrick Kroker, center, and co-plaintiffs Wassim Mukdad, left, and Hussein Ghrer, right, answer journalists' questions outside the courtroom in Koblenz, Germany, at the start of the trial in April 2020.Lawyers and activists have vowed to continue to pursue the prosecution of former and current regime officials implicated in crimes. In Germany, Raslan and Gharib were arrested under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which gives a state jurisdiction over crimes against international law even if these did not occur inside that state.The Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA), which provided evidence to the court, welcomed what it described as a "historic conviction" Thursday, saying it was "a critically important measure of justice for the survivors and victims of the Syrian regime.""As our investigators continue collecting evidence of Assad's atrocities and tracking regime officials in Europe, we expect to see more such trials in the near future," the CIJA statement said. "Our thoughts are with our Syrian colleagues whose selfless clandestine work behind the scenes of the world's most dangerous conflict continues to feed investigations and prosecutions in Europe."The Syrian regime cannot be tried at the International Criminal Court because it is not party to it. Syria could be investigated by the ICC if the United Nations Security Council refers it, but Russia and China have blocked a previous attempt to do so by the UNSC. In July 2021, a German prosecutor indicted a Syrian regime doctor, Alaa Mousa, who is accused of burning the genitals of at least one prisoner. His trial begins in Frankfurt this month."We all agree that this can only be a first step," Patrick Kroker, a lawyer with the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights representing the joint plaintiffs, said in a Monday news conference. "There are international arrest warrants still outstanding against even higher-ranking persons and we hope and we demand that these will be pursued. "There will be no safe haven in the world for these people."Correction: This story has been updated to correct the details of Anwar Raslan's sentencing. He may be eligible for parole after 15 years in jail. | 3news
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Story highlightsThe cause of the fire at the Penly nuclear plant is under investigationThere was no release or radiation, and there were no injuries, the owner saysThe plant is on the English Channel coast in northern FranceA fire broke out inside the reactor building at a nuclear power plant on France's northern coast, but there were no injuries or release of radiation, French utility EDF reported Thursday.The cause of the blaze in Unit 2 of the Penly nuclear power plant, near the English Channel port of Dieppe, was still under investigation, EDF said. The fire was extinguished Thursday afternoon, and inspectors were inside the unit, the company said. The reactor shut down automatically when the fire broke out, and regional authorities were notified immediately, EDF said. Nuclear power provides more than three-quarters of France's electricity. The two pressurized-water reactors at Penly, designed by the French nuclear company Areva, went online in the early 1990s. | 3news
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Story highlightsYulia Tymoshenko has been on hunger strike since April 20 to protest her treatment in prisonThe ex-Ukrainian prime minister is serving a seven-year sentence for abuse of authorityShe will be transferred to a hospital for treatment by Wednesday, a spokeswoman saysFormer Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has agreed to end her nearly three-week hunger strike and receive medical treatment, her spokeswoman said Tuesday.Tymoshenko, who has been on hunger strike since April 20, will be transferred to a hospital in the eastern city of Kharkov by Wednesday, according to spokeswoman Marina Soroka.Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year prison sentence after she was convicted last year of abuse of authority. She went on hunger strike last month to draw attention to "violence and lack of rights" in her country after she said she was beaten unconscious in prison.The prosecutor said his office investigated her claim of abuse and found no proof to substantiate her allegations, but European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said last month that the Ukrainian Ombudsperson's Office confirmed the report.Ashton called on Ukraine "to examine promptly and impartially any complaints of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment."U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also expressed concern over Tymoshenko's treatment, saying in a statement last week that photos released by the Ombudsperson's Office "further call into question the conditions of her confinement."In October, a Ukrainian court found Tymoshenko guilty of abuse of authority for signing overpriced gas contracts with Russia and sentenced her to the seven-year prison term.The prosecutor said the gas deals inflicted damages to the country amounting to more than 1.5 billion hryvnias (almost $190 million at the current exchange rate). The court ruled she must repay the money.Amnesty International has slammed the verdict as "politically motivated" and called for the release of Tymoshenko, who was prime minister from January to September 2005 and December 2007 to March 2010.Clinton also called for the release of Tymoshenko and other members of her government "and the restoration of their full civil and political rights." | 3news
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Story highlightsCroatian group would be willing to drop charges if Dylan publicly apologizes, lawyer saysIconic singer Bob Dylan is accused of likening the Croatian people to NazisThe remarks were quoted in an interview for the French edition of Rolling Stone magazineThe complaint was brought by a body representing Croatians in FranceBob Dylan is being investigated on suspicion of inciting hatred in Paris over comments he made in Rolling Stone magazine, French prosecutors said Tuesday.An organization representing Croatians in France pressed charges against Dylan for allegedly comparing the conflict between Croatians and Serbs to the Nazis' persecution of Jews in an interview last year for the French edition of Rolling Stone."If you got a slave master or Klan in your blood, blacks can sense that. That stuff lingers to this day. Just like Jews can sense Nazi blood and the Serbs can sense Croatian blood," the influential singer-songwriter was quoted as saying.While a Croatian group has said Dylan was referencing the violence that came with the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, it's unclear whether the long-outspoken musician was referring to Yugoslavia or the crimes committed when the Ustasha ruled Croatia during World War II. The Paris prosecutor's office said Dylan was placed under formal investigation last month by the Paris Main Court for "public injury" and "incitement to hatred."Vlatko Maric, secretary general of the Representative Council of the Croatian Community and Institutions, told CNN his organization had brought the case almost a year ago.Explaining the council's decision to pursue the case against Dylan, Maric said the artist's remarks in Rolling Stone were of a "rare violence" that had deeply shocked people from a nation still wounded by the conflict of the 1990s. Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generation Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationBob Dylan smokes a cigarette circa 1966. Dylan's music spoke to a generation of people during the 1960s, a tumultuous decade that forever changed America. He went on to become a rock 'n' roll legend and influence many musicians to come. In October 2016, the Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Dylan for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."Hide Caption 1 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan performs in 1961 at The Bitter End club in New York City. His first album, "Bob Dylan," debuted in 1962 and consisted mostly of old folk songs.Hide Caption 2 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationJoan Baez and Dylan perform during the March on Washington, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, on August 28, 1963.Hide Caption 3 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan performs on stage in the 1960s. Dylan was known in his early career for playing the guitar and the harmonica, and for his distinctive vocal phrasing.Hide Caption 4 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan listens to recordings of his album "Highway 61 Revisited" in 1965. It contained "Like a Rolling Stone," which went to No. 2 on U.S. charts.Hide Caption 5 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationGeorge Harrison and Dylan perform in the Concert for Bangladesh, held August 1, 1971 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The concert earned them the Grammy Award for Album of the Year along with Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, Leon Russell, Ravi Shankar and Ringo Starr.Hide Caption 6 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan appears on set for the film "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" in 1973. Dylan also recorded the soundtrack for the film.Hide Caption 7 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan performs on stage at Madison Square Garden in 1974.Hide Caption 8 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan performs with Robbie Robertson of The Band, right, and Van Morrison at The Band's farewell concert in 1976.Hide Caption 9 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan performs with Tom Petty at Farm Aid in Chicago in 1985.Hide Caption 10 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan poses for a photo with David Bowie in 1985.Hide Caption 11 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan and Bruce Springsteen perform together in 1990.Hide Caption 12 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationPerformance artist Michael Portnoy is taken off stage during Dylan's performance at the Grammy Awards in 1998. Portnoy had been hired as part of the background dancers for the performance, but his shirtless interruption was not planned and he was carted off stage.Hide Caption 13 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan performs in Brighton, England, in 2002.Hide Caption 14 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan appears with actress Jessica Lange during a news conference for the movie "Masked and Anonymous" in 2003. Dylan co-wrote the movie and starred in it.Hide Caption 15 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan poses for photos at the University of St. Andrews after he received an honorary degree at the Scottish school in 2004.Hide Caption 16 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationDylan performs during the Grammy Awards in 2011. Dylan has won 10 Grammys in his career, as well as one Golden Globe Award and one Academy Award.Hide Caption 17 of 18 Photos: Bob Dylan: Voice of a generationPresident Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dylan in the East Room of the White House in 2012. The award is the country's highest civilian honor. "I remember, you know, in college, listening to Bob Dylan and my world opening up, 'cause he captured something about this country that was so vital," Obama said. Hide Caption 18 of 18"An entire people is being compared to criminal organizations" like the Nazis or the Ku Klux Klan, he said. "The Croatians are peaceful people who respect Bob Dylan as an artist, but we must remind him that he can't make such remarks."We have nothing against him, but the Croatians do not want to be insulted."Lawyer: We'd like a public apologyA lawyer for the Croatian organization told CNN on Tuesday that his clients would be willing to drop the charges if Dylan publicly apologized for his remarks."An apology is a better repair than a financial compensation," Ivan Jurasinovic said, adding that this would be a far more positive outcome for everyone. "Bob Dylan is someone who is very much admired in Croatia," he said.Asked if his clients had already contacted Dylan to request an apology, he said that the process was "ongoing" and that "they hoped something could be arranged." Representatives of Dylan and Rolling Stone have not yet responded to requests for comment.Dylan received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2012, just one of many accolades to come the musician's way during half a century in the public eye. He was also named an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters this year.Bloody conflictsBetween 1941 and 1945, Croatia's Ustasha erected numerous concentration camps "to isolate and murder Jews, Serbs, Roma (also known as Gypsies), and other non-Catholic minorities, as well as Croatian political and religious opponents of the regime," according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.Croat authorities murdered an estimated 320,000 to 340,000 ethnic Serbs in Bosnia and Croatia under Ustasha rule, the museum says.Decades later, the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s caused the bloodiest conflict on the European continent since World War II, with more than 100,000 people believed killed.The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, a U.N.-backed court, continues to prosecute war crimes committed during that time.The tribunal has said "the most significant number" of its cases have dealt with alleged crimes by Serbians or Bosnian Serbs. But there have been convictions for crimes against Serbs by others, including Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Kosovo Albanians. | 3news
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(CNN)President Joe Biden on Tuesday made an appeal for diplomacy to continue as the world watches to see if Russian President Vladimir Putin orders an invasion of neighboring Ukraine, but also warned that a Russian attack on Ukraine will "be met with overwhelming international condemnation."In a speech at the White House, Biden said to Russian citizens that the US and its allies are not a threat to them and that there's "plenty" of room for diplomacy with Russia to avoid a conflict in Europe."The United States and NATO are not a threat to Russia. Ukraine is not a threat to Russia. Neither the US nor NATO have missiles in Ukraine. We do not -- do not -- have plans to put them there, as well. We're not targeting the people of Russia. We do not seek to destabilize Russia. To the citizens of Russia: you are not our enemy," Biden said.The President told Russians he did not believe they wanted "a bloody destructive war against Ukraine, a country and the people with whom you share such deep ties of family history and culture."He harkened back to World War II, pointing out that Americans and Russians had "fought and sacrificed side by side in the worst war in history."Read More"World War II was a war of necessity, but if Russia attacks Ukraine, it would be a war of choice -- a war without cause or reason," he said, adding that he was not trying to "provoke," but instead wanted to "speak the truth.""If Russia does invade in the days and weeks ahead, the human costs for Ukraine will be immense, and the strategic cost for Russia will also be immense," the President warned. "If Russia attacks Ukraine, to be met with overwhelming international condemnation.""The world will not forget that Russia chose needless death and destruction," he said. "Invading Ukraine will prove to be a self-inflicted wound."Biden sounded optimistic that diplomacy would resolve the crisis after Russia publicly proposed to continue talks, saying, "We should give the diplomacy every chance to succeed and I believe there are real ways to address our respective security concerns." The President said the US is "proposing new arms control measures, new transparency measures (and) new strategic stability measures," adding that "these measures apply to all parties -- NATO and Russia alike." "We're willing to make practical, result-oriented steps that can advance our common security," he continued. "We will not sacrifice basic principles, though. Nations have a right to sovereignty and territorial integrity. They have the freedom to set their own course and choose with whom they will associate. But that still leaves plenty of room for diplomacy and for de-escalation. That's the best way forward for all parties in our view."Despite his optimism about a path forward through diplomacy, Biden also cautioned that the US has not yet verified that Russia has begun the withdrawal of some troops following the completion of recent military drills. "We have not yet verified the Russian military units are returning to their home bases. Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position," Biden said. The President also underscored that "Russia has more than 150,000 troops circling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine's border, and invasion remains distinctly possible." That amassing of troops has continued to raise fears among Western and Ukrainian intelligence officials that an invasion could be imminent.The Russian defense ministry said troops from its Southern and Western military districts -- parts of which are next door to Ukraine -- had begun to return to their home stations, though the announcement did not say precisely where those troops were permanently based, where they had been exercising, or how many of them were withdrawing.Russia announced earlier Tuesday that some of its troops would return to base after completing recent drills, but stressed that major military exercises would continue.Biden, on Tuesday, said that though the US is "not seeking direct confrontation with Russia," he's been clear "that if Russia targets Americans in Ukraine, we will respond forcefully." "If Russia attacks the United States or allies through asymmetric means, like disruptive cyberattacks against our companies or critical infrastructure, we're prepared to respond," Biden said.He also addressed the consequences Americans will face if Russia moves into Ukraine, saying that "the American people understand that defending democracy and liberty is never without cost."The US is prepared to respond to higher energy prices and the potential for cyberattacks, he said. "I will not pretend this will be painless," Biden noted. Biden held phone calls with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the weekend.A senior Biden administration official called the Putin call "professional and substantive," but said, "There was no fundamental change in the dynamic that has been unfolding now for several weeks." And a White House statement on Sunday's Ukraine call indicated that Biden said the US would respond "swiftly and decisively" if Russia takes further steps toward invasion.Last week and through the weekend, Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, publicly warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen in the coming days. "We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day now -- that includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics," Sullivan told CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday's "State of the Union."He added, "The way they have built up their forces, the way they have maneuvered things in place, makes it a distinct possibility there will be major military action very soon. And we are prepared to continue to work on diplomacy, but we are also prepared to respond in a united and decisive way with our allies and partners should Russia proceed."The US and other nations have warned their citizens in recent days to leave Ukraine. And on Monday, US announced it would be temporarily relocating its embassy in Kyiv to Lviv, a city in western Ukraine "due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday accused Western countries and the press of spreading a "large-scale disinformation campaign" about an allegedly impending Russian invasion of Ukraine "in order to divert attention from their own aggressive actions.""At the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, the global information space faced a media campaign unprecedented in its scale and sophistication, the purpose of which is to convince the world community that the Russian Federation is preparing an invasion of the territory of Ukraine," the Ministry said in a statement published on its website.CNN's Stephen Collinson writes the Ukraine crisis is largely a creation of Putin and his personal and disputed version of history, which that holds that the country, which was part of the Soviet Union until its breakup in 1991, should be part of greater Russia. There is also a deep resentment about how the Cold War ended with the admission of former Warsaw Pact nations, which were aligned with the Soviets -- like Poland, Romania and the Baltic states -- into NATO. While the alliance is defensive in nature, Putin sees its move into eastern Europe as a direct threat to Russia and his notion that Moscow is entitled to a sphere of influence in the region. Ukraine is not a NATO member so the US will not send troops to defend it. But Washington also says it should not be up to Putin to decide the destiny of another independent, sovereign democracy. In effect, Putin is holding Ukraine hostage with a demand for the withdrawal of NATO forces from eastern Europe that would amount to a major rewriting of the post-Cold War world that Washington will never accept. But he may perceive a historic moment in which he can open divisions in the alliance, forever crush Ukrainian dreams of joining the West, avenge the fall of the Soviet Union and advance his notion of Russian greatness.As tensions have escalated, Western allies have offered increasing forms of aid and assistance, including lethal aid. The US has shipped weapons supplies and ammunition to Ukraine and offered a sovereign loan guarantee to Ukraine of up to $1 billion to support its economic reform agenda and continued engagement with the International Monetary Fund.This story has been updated with further developments on Tuesday.CNN's Kevin Liptak, DJ Judd, Nikki Carvajal, Ivana Kottasová, Nathan Hodge and Uliana Pavlova contributed to this report. | 4politics
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