
Kedarnath: 'I sat on a tree for days amid deadly floods'
Ten years after devastating floods ravaged India's Uttarakhand state, a survivor looks back.
2023-06-16 09:16

Lionel Messi to Inter Miami: Apple deal, MLS contract, salary, debut and everything we know
Lionel Messi has confirmed the stunning news that he will join Inter Miami and move to the United States after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentine is now poised to become the latest superstar to feature in MLS. Rejecting reported offers from Saudi Arabia and a return to Barcelona, Messi is now ready to touch down in the Florida city for the final stages of what has been a glittering career. Messi may prove a transformative figure for the league just like Pele in the 1970s, with football now emerging as the second-most popular sport in the USA for participation at a pivotal moment in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup. Here’s everything we know about Messi’s impending move to Inter Miami: Why did Messi choose Inter Miami over Saudi Arabia and Barcelona? Lionel Messi said in an exclusive interview to Sport and Mundo Deportivo: “I’m going to join Inter Miami. The decision is 100% confirmed. “If it had been a matter of money, I’d have gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me. The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money”. Messi reportedly rejected a deal from Saudi Arabia worth approximately $400m. While Barcelona, who faced FFP struggles in their attempt to bring Messi back to the Camp Nou, appeared upset at his decision to move to the United States, with a statement reading: “President Joan Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years.” What is the deal Inter Miami are offering Messi? The exact terms of Messi’s new salary and the length of the contract are yet to be known. A report from Sport details Messi is due to sign a four-year contract, while another Spanish report claims his salary could be worth $54m per season. Regardless of the exact final figure, Messi is almost certain to become the highest-paid player in MLS, with Chicago Fire’s Xherdan Shaqiri currently the top earner on $8,153,000, according to Spotrac. Messi may also be handed a purchase option for part of an MLS team once he retires, in a similar manner to David Beckham’s contract with the LA Galaxy signed 16 years ago that allowed him to purchase Inter Miami. Who owns Inter Miami? Inter Miami is owned by David Beckham and Jorge Mas, an American businessman. Beckham had the option to purchase an MLS expansion team for $25m as part of his contract signed when playing for LA Galaxy. Beckham and the ownership team were awarded MLS’s 25th franchise in late January 2018. Why are Apple and Adidas involved? Apple and Adidas are involved in the deal, sources have told The Independent. Apple and MLS signed a 10-year, $2.5bn deal earlier this year and see Messi as a key player to expand interest in the league. Apple is especially invested in Messi, having made a four-part docuseries surrounding Messi’s five World Cup appearances, which will soon stream on Apple TV+. Adidas, meanwhile, a corporate sponsor of MLS, has looked into a profit-sharing agreement with Messi, sources tell The Independent, which will be aligned to any future increase in MLS-related sales linked to the player. The sportswear giant, which has sponsored Messi since 2006, has been tied to MLS since its inception in 1996 and will continue to supply kits to all 29 teams and provide the league’s official match ball until 2030 after penning a six-year, $830m extension. Who will be Messi’s new teammates? Messi's future teammates include Venezuelan forward Josef Martínez, the 2018 MLS golden boot winner. Former Newcastle defender DeAndre Yedlin and designated players Rodolfo Pizarro and Leonardo Campana will also line up alongside Messi. Reports suggested Messi would be joined by former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in Florida, but the Argentine has rejected those rumours. “It’s another of the things they said, that I was going with Busi and Jordi to Saudi Arabia, that we had everything arranged. I was obviously aware of them, what they were going to do, but we never agreed to go anywhere together,” Messi said. “I made my decision for myself and I don’t know what they’re going to do. I don’t have anything agreed with anyone.” When will Lionel Messi make his Inter Miami debut and how much will the tickets cost? Prices for rumoured Messi matches for Inter Miami have skyrocketed. Messi is due to join the club on 5 July, when the league’s secondary transfer window opens. Inter Miami will travel to D.C. United on 8 July but Messi is not guaranteed to play at Audi Field. That hasn’t stopped fans from taking a risk, with tickets for D.C.’s next league match at home to Real Salt Lake available on Ticketmaster (the club’s official ticketing partner) for as little as $29. But when Miami visit, the cheapest ticket is $186 without fees at the time of writing. More than 4,500 tickets have been sold since the announcement. A trip to St Louis on 15 July follows, with cup matches against Cruz Azul on 21 July and Atlanta on 25 July other potential options to watch the legendary player in action. A potential home MLS debut will likely have to wait until 20 August when Miami play Charlotte. Read More First golf, now football? Saudi Arabia’s grand plan and the 72 hours that changed everything Lionel Messi agrees ‘in principle’ on next move after PSG exit There is finally something new to say about Lionel Messi, World Cup winner Man City’s holy grail and Pep’s tactics – Champions League final talking points Lionel Messi confirms he will sign for US side in shock move First golf, now football? Saudi Arabia’s plan after 72 hours that changed everything
2023-06-08 19:07

Pakistan's premier meets with the head of IMF in Paris, hoping to unlock $6B deal to avoid default
Officials say Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has met with the head of the International Monetary Fund in Paris on the sidelines of the global financing summit in a last-ditch effort to unlock a $6 billion bailout package to help avoid a default
2023-06-22 18:26

Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys cast in Hallow Road
Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys have both signed up to star in the psychological thriller 'Hallow Road'.
2023-11-16 18:00

UAE lifts visa restrictions for Nigerians
The United Arab Emirates has lifted a year-long visa ban imposed on Nigerian travelers, authorities in the West African country said Monday.
2023-09-12 00:56

NASCAR opens investigation into Wallace's hacked radio channel at All-Star race
NASCAR has opened an investigation into how a derogatory message was broadcast on the radio channel of Bubba Wallace’s race team during last weekend’s All-Star race
2023-05-25 06:53

Ukraine Plans to Seize Sense Bank From Russian Billionaires
Ukraine plans to nationalize Sense Bank, one of the country’s systemically important lenders, from its Russian owners as
2023-07-07 23:59

Jaylen Brown scores 30 points as Celtics pound Bulls 124-97
Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, Jayson Tatum had 21 and the Boston Celtics routed the Chicago Bulls 124-97 in the final round of group play in the NBA In-Season Tournament
2023-11-29 11:06

Hailey Bieber candidly addresses her and husband Justin Bieber’s wildly different styles
Hailey Bieber has addressed the ongoing chatter about her and husband Justin Bieber’s extremely different styles. The model, 26, spoke candidly about her and her partner’s clothing choices in the public eye during an interview with GQ Hype, published on 24 October. Her remarks came as their looks have continued to make headlines, since Justin has often opted for sweatpants and a sweatshirt while Hailey typically chooses more glamorous looks. Speaking to GQ Hype, Hailey said that she found humour in how fans react to their very different outfits, while noting that Justin is usually the one dressed before her when they go out. “It’s so funny because I see so many people talk about this,” she said. “He may want to wear baggy sweats to dinner, and I might want to wear a tiny little dress just because that’s how I’m feeling.” The Rhode Beauty founder specified that she and Justin – who’ve been married since 2018 – aren’t concerned about having coordinating outfits. “We can’t sit there and be like: ‘So I’m going to wear this and you’re going to wear this,’” she added. In August, fans were quick to poke fun at the pair when Hailey wore a glamorous red dress and Justin wore a pair of casual sweat shorts to a Rhode Beauty event in New York City. At the time, they celebrated the launch of Rhode’s strawberry glaze lip treatment at a Krispy Kreme, with the model wearing a mini-dress and matching heels, which she paired with strawberry-shaped earrings and a necklace with a large, silver “B” hanging from the chain. She also had her hair up in her signature, slicked-back bun. @katebartlett and they both serve every single outfit ?????? ♬ original sound - kate bartlett Meanwhile, her husband opted for a much more casual look: A grey sweatshirt and matching sweat shorts, which he wore with a pink cap and pair of yellow crocs. On social media, many fans poked fun at the couple’s opposite styles, with influencer Kate Bartlett claiming on TikTok that “nine times out of 10, [Hailey and Justin] are never dressed for the same event”. In the comments of her video, one fan quipped: “It’s giving he came to pick her up but she made him come in and say hi,” while another added: “I feel like he accidentally showed up.” During the interview with GQ Hype, Hailey’s longtime friend, Kelia Moniz, expressed how she took issue with the viral commentary about her pals’ outfits during the Rhode Beauty event in August. “It’s like, it wasn’t Justin’s day. It was Hailey’s day,” she said. “He’s there to support his wife, period. But also, he still looks cool, so you can’t hate the guy.” Read More Hailey Bieber responds to ‘disheartening’ pregnancy rumours Fans praise Justin Bieber for custom-made artwork for wife Hailey Britney Spears tells story behind matching double-denim moment with Justin Timberlake Britney Spears tells story behind matching double-denim moment with Justin Timberlake How to do Halloween make up and still take care of your skin The story behind Princess Diana’s Philadelphia Eagles jacket
2023-10-25 02:24

'Ben Affleck smoking cigarettes' is a total mood as fans find 'Air' actor-director's expressions hilarious
Ben Affleck enjoys smoking a bit too much and it shows, especially when he is unwinding on quick breaks with a lit stick
2023-11-22 17:18

See how Newcastle fared previously after they clinch Champions League spot
Newcastle have qualified for the Champions League for the third time in their history and the first in 20 years after securing a top-four Premier League finish. Head coach Eddie Howe has joined an exclusive club alongside Kenny Dalglish, who guided the Magpies side he had inherited from Kevin Keegan into the competition for the first time in 1997, and Sir Bobby Robson, who matched his feat five years later. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how the club have fared on their previous encounters with Europe’s big boys. Temuri and Tino If full-back John Beresford was the unlikely hero as the Magpies secured a 2-1 qualifying round first-leg victory over Croatia Zagreb with a place in the 1997-98 Champions League group stage at stake, it was Georgia international Temuri Ketsbaia who snatched the headlines in the return at the Maksimir Stadium when his strike in the last minute of extra-time secured a 2-2 draw on the night and a 4-3 aggregate win. Dalglish’s men launched their Group C campaign in style when Faustino Asprilla scored a superb hat-trick in a stunning 3-2 victory over Barcelona, with Luis Enrique and Luis Figo on target for the visitors, but things went downhill from there. A 2-2 draw with Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine was followed by back-to-back defeats at the hands of PSV Eindhoven and Michael Reiziger’s strike at the Nou Camp saw Barca – where Robson had been moved upstairs to make way for Louis Van Gaal – gain revenge before the adventure ended with a 2-0 home win over Dynamo. Back to Barca Kieron Dyer’s expert finish in Sarajevo and a 4-0 home win in which Alan Shearer scored the final goal saw Newcastle ease past FK Zeljeznicar to reach the competition proper for the second time in 2002. Dynamo Kiev ensured they got off to a disappointing start with a 2-0 away defeat and their hopes of emerging from Group E looked to be over when Feyenoord won 1-0 at St James’ Park before two Alessandro Del Piero goals handed Juventus a 2-0 victory in Turin. However, Andy Griffin fired Robson’s side to victory over the Italians on Tyneside and Shearer’s penalty snatched a 2-1 win against the Ukrainians to set up a memorable night in Rotterdam on which Craig Bellamy struck late to claim a 3-2 win over Feyenoord and send his side through to the second group stage as the first side to make it after losing the first three games. Their reward was a daunting draw which pitched them into battle with Inter Milan, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen, and their hopes were dealt a significant blow by a 4-1 home defeat by Inter in which Bellamy was sent off and Shearer later suspended on video evidence after a clash with Fabio Cannavaro. A 3-1 defeat in Barcelona rubbed salt into the wound and although they beat Leverkusen home and away – with Shearer plundering a hat-trick on Tyneside – and drew 2-2 in Milan, Barca’s 2-0 win at St James’ meant the quarter-finals were beyond them. The one that got away Having finished third in the Premier League at the end of the 2002-03 season, Robson and his players were anticipating a second-successive crack at the Continent’s biggest and best, but after Nolberto Solano’s goal saw them return from Partizan Belgrade with a 1-0 win, they lost the home leg of their qualifying tie 1-0 and eventually went out on penalties. Their consolation was a UEFA Cup run which was ended at the semi-final stage by Marseille striker Didier Drogba’s double. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Football rumours: Manchester United lose patience with Anthony Martial On this day in 2015: James DeGale world title win secures British boxing history Fun the priority of new coaching campaign to boost activity among young people
2023-05-23 15:00

Stock Traders Get Back to Believing Everything Is Just Perfect
In the boardrooms of Corporate America, one big fear has been palpable for more than a year now:
2023-09-02 04:21
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