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Ukraine dam: Rebuilding shattered lives after Ukraine’s dam collapse
Ukraine dam: Rebuilding shattered lives after Ukraine’s dam collapse
Despite water shortages, losing loved ones, homes and crops, people affected by the collapse of Ukraine's Kakhovka dam are determined to rebuild.
2023-10-07 09:08
Ducks hire former Leafs, Islanders assistant Greg Cronin as head coach
Ducks hire former Leafs, Islanders assistant Greg Cronin as head coach
The Anaheim Ducks have hired Greg Cronin to be their head coach
2023-06-06 00:51
RBA Sees a ‘Credible Path’ to Inflation Target at 4.1% Rate
RBA Sees a ‘Credible Path’ to Inflation Target at 4.1% Rate
Australia’s central bank sees a “credible path” to return inflation to its 2-3% target with interest rates at
2023-08-15 10:43
Jamaica uses crowdfunding, focus to hit Women's World Cup high point against France
Jamaica uses crowdfunding, focus to hit Women's World Cup high point against France
Jamaica, a team that needed crowdfunding to help get to the Women's World Cup, holds top contender France to a scoreless draw Sunday to score its first-ever World Cup point
2023-07-23 22:31
Declan Rice move echoes Jack Grealish – and is Arsenal’s statement signing
Declan Rice move echoes Jack Grealish – and is Arsenal’s statement signing
A dozen years ago, Arsenal sought reinforcements at the heart of the midfield. The callow pair of 20-year-olds, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey, had started the historic humiliation of an 8-2 thrashing at Old Trafford. Arsene Wenger promptly signed a leader for who the prospect of playing for Arsenal had a greater allure than a lucrative contract to stay in David Moyes’ team. The similarities between Mikel Arteta and Declan Rice may end there; the former West Ham captain marked his arrival at Arsenal by speaking of a determination to spend “my best years at this great club” whereas, for the old Evertonian, it amounted to his last years as a player and, arguably, Goodison Park saw his him at his peak. At £105m, Rice cost rather more than his new manager. He arrives with Arsenal not at a low ebb but at a relative high, following their highest finish for seven years and with their best points total since the Invincibles. Manchester has a different pertinence now. By preferring Arsenal to Manchester City, he may have done the Premier League a wider service; Arteta needed Rice more and pursued him for longer but had Pep Guardiola secured the services of his former assistant’s top target, it would have been still harder to envisage anyone overhauling the champions. There is a cold logic to Rice’s decision, too, and not merely in the way his England sidekick Kalvin Phillips has floundered at City: tempting as it must have been to be presented as Ilkay Gundogan’s replacement, Rodri’s presence means Rice would only have been second choice for his optimum role. Instead, a team is being rebuilt around him. At Arsenal, he will have a significance commensurate with his record price tag; a new trio of Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Rice has a bold look. There are dual reasons why Arteta’s choice of a midfielder has particular intrigue. One is his background in the position, and the other his managerial apprenticeship at Guardiola’s shoulder. It is notable that one of his midfield recruits so far – the January arrival Jorginho – was a target when they were together at City and that Oleksandr Zinchenko, converted into an inverted left-back by them at the Etihad, has adopted the same duties in the capital. Rice can seem the anti-Jorginho: less a regista, more a driving runner, scarcely a metronome, but often an all-action figure. It also makes him the antithesis of Arteta the player. Arteta the manager, however, has shown a fondness for defensive midfielders, whether the incumbent Thomas Partey, the new recruit Rice or Moises Caicedo, a wanted man in January, with the physical power he lacked. Rice’s move has echoes of Jack Grealish’s transfer to City for another nine-figure sum and not merely because each has traded the captaincy at one of the Premier League’s middle class for a place in the ranks among the aristocracy. Despite the huge outlay, the former Aston Villa man was given different duties by Guardiola; for Rice, too, the job description may change. He has spent much of his time at West Ham in a pair with Tomas Soucek, often with the quite old-fashioned division of labour where one can go forward if the other remains back. Arsenal’s midfield has a lone pivot and, with Havertz coming in and Granit Xhaka leaving, seems to have acquired a more attacking aspect. Rice will have to shoulder a huge responsibility. Unless he is teamed up in tougher games with Partey or Jorginho, the closest thing he may have to a partner could be Zinchenko in his hybrid role of full-back and wing-half. There will also be a stylistic shift: West Ham tended to have under half of possession, even when finishing in the top seven. Arsenal have rather more and Rice can expect greater involvement on the ball. But a theme of Rice’s career has been the way he has risen to challenges and surpassed expectations, and not merely those of Chelsea when they infamously released him. On day one at Arsenal, he spoke of having “more levels to go up to”. Improvement has been a constant in recent years and Rice can cast a gaze at new teammates and see a host who have progressed significantly under Arteta. He belongs in the same bracket as others for different reasons. Arteta came to the Emirates Stadium in the austerity era under Arsene Wenger where most of the prices were small, buys were generally designed to produce profits and the occasional loss-making deal felt a greater problem. Under Arteta, there has been more of a willingness to stretch themselves and there are several, such as Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale, for whom Arsenal were initially accused of paying over the odds; there is, though, a logic to paying over the odds for the right player, if not the wrong one, and sometimes fees can soon seem more justifiable. He will be part of an English core, too, even if it is possible that only Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and him start in the strongest side. Arteta has a youthful local contingent, just as Wenger did with Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs when the Spaniard signed. Yet in another respect, there is only one parallel with Rice in the Frenchman’s long reign. Not since Sol Campbell has an automatic choice for England joined Arsenal. Rice’s move across London is more costly and less controversial but if there is pressure on Arsenal’s record buy, there is less rancour around him. But, like Campbell 22 years ago, he is a statement signing nonetheless. Read More Declan Rice signs for Arsenal in record £105m transfer deal The eye-watering sums behind Declan Rice’s record transfer to Arsenal ‘Please don’t say you’re going Arsenal’: Stormzy reacts to Declan Rice’s transfer news How Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal compares with other big-money transfers Declan Rice confirms ‘tough’ West Ham departure with Arsenal move imminent Declan Rice leaves West Ham for record fee with Arsenal move imminent
2023-07-17 14:51
Twitter walks back some login requirements
Twitter walks back some login requirements
It seems that Twitter is already walking back some of the unpopular decisions it made
2023-07-06 05:16
Mikel Arteta heaps praise on players as Arsenal pull four points clear at summit
Mikel Arteta heaps praise on players as Arsenal pull four points clear at summit
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised his side as they scored two early goals to down Wolves and open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League. With closest challengers and reigning champions Manchester City not in action until Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s side took full advantage as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard struck in the opening 16 minutes before a nervy ending brought about by Matheus Cunha’s strike. The Gunners ultimately ran out 2-1 winners on an afternoon where their early goals were the peak of a performance that promised more than it provided. Having thrashed Lens here 6-0 on Wednesday to ensure safe passage into the last 16 of the Champions League, Wolves proved they were made of sterner stuff and stayed in the contest until the last. But despite seeing his side labour after racing ahead, Arteta was still left pleased with the performance. “I can only praise the players,” he said. “They were excellent. We played against a really good side and generated so much and conceded almost nothing. The scoreline should have been very different. We were very unlucky because we hit the post three times I think. “At the end we made an error close to the goal – in the Premier League you get punished big time for that. Then at the end, it’s game on. Overall I’m really happy with how he performed again.” Arteta also backed Oleksandr Zinchenko – the full-back having made a number of minor errors during the game, including losing possession for Cunha’s consolation. The Ukraine international had earlier set up Odegaard for the crucial second and Arteta was in no mood to criticise the former Manchester City man. “You have to love him, how he is,” added the Spaniard. “Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Alex has many more strengths. This happened and it can happen to any player. “We have to learn from it because there are certain areas where it’s a big no to play, especially after certain things in the previous phase. That’s it. We will get better.” While Wolves left north London empty-handed, manager Gary O’Neil was pleased that his team did not capitulate after such a poor start. “When you concede two early goals, you know it might be a long afternoon,” he said. “We knew we’d suffer against Arsenal because everybody does. “The first goal was disappointing. There were so many bodies around Saka. For him to wriggle through and for us to look hesitant in the penalty area is disappointing. “The second goal was a great goal. We should have prevented it, but it happens. We stuck to the plan, tried to be aggressive and maybe didn’t carry as much of a threat as we would have liked, but not many teams do against Arsenal. “We managed to hang in and create a bit of a scare, and the lads should take a lot from that.” Read More Kevin Sinfield greeted by Sir Gareth Edwards after latest fundraising challenge Paul Heckingbottom stands by his work as Sheffield United lose again Neal Maupay makes the right impression on his manager Will Jacks looks at positives after England central contract snub Brentford beat Luton with strong second-half show Five-star Burnley crush Sheffield United at Turf Moor
2023-12-03 02:48
Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury
Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury
England midfielder Katie Zelem admits it was bittersweet to make her World Cup debut knowing close friend Keira Walsh’s injury was the reason why. Manchester United captain Zelem started in England’s 6-1 victory over China, while Walsh has stepped up her recovery from the knee problem she sustained in the 1-0 victory over Denmark. Zelem, 27, was not part of boss Sarina Wiegman’s squad to face Brazil and Australia in April and confessed there was a time she did not think she would be on the plane to the World Cup. She said: “I think it’s a tough situation, to be honest, especially when Keira is one of my closest friends in the team. “I think you never want to be playing on someone else’s misfortune, but luckily we found out that Keira’s injury obviously wasn’t too long-term or serious, so that is brilliant news. “To be honest when I found out I wasn’t picked for the April camp I actually thought that was my World Cup dream over. “I think that was one of the hardest moments to take, especially following the Euros last year when I wasn’t selected. “It just kind of felt like there’s not another camp before obviously the selection. “I think for a couple of days I really thought I’ve worked so hard all season, and it’s just not meant to be, but we had some really important games at Manchester United, obviously fighting for the league title and the FA Cup final. “I think that really helped shift my focus to being the best I can for club and hopefully whatever I did was enough.” Walsh joined her team-mates at the Central Coast Stadium on Friday, though the Champions League winner took part in an individual programme while the remaining 22 Lionesses trained on the pitch. On Sunday they will travel to Brisbane ahead of Monday’s last-16 meeting with world number 40 side Nigeria, who emerged from Group B while Olympic champions Canada – 33 places above them in the global rankings – were sent packing alongside debutants the Republic of Ireland. Wiegman, who before this tournament had the reputation of being unfailingly consistent – starting the same XI for every match of England’s Euro 2022 triumph – has now shown she is willing to switch between players and systems to optimise the Lionesses’ chances of winning against sides with vastly different philosophies and approaches. The decision to switch to a 3-5-2 against China turned out to be an inspired choice, while new connections numerous players insisted were forming in training seemed to really start clicking as England played with more fluidity. On the flip side, even in the absence of Walsh, a regular place for someone like Zelem, who made not just her World Cup debut but earned her first senior England start in the final game of the group stage, is nowhere near a given. She said: “As much as we’re all pushing each other and fighting for the starting 11 spot, I think it really is a team effort. “You can see when different players come on and when different players start the sort of impact they make.” Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-08-05 18:47
The 1975 cancels its shows in Jakarta and Taipei after band's same-sex kiss controversy in Malaysia
The 1975 cancels its shows in Jakarta and Taipei after band's same-sex kiss controversy in Malaysia
British pop rock band The 1975 has announced it was canceling its shows in Jakarta and Taipei after the Malaysian government cut short a music festival, a day before, as the band’s lead singer slammed the country’s anti-gay laws and kissed a male bandmate during their performance
2023-07-23 16:12
Donald Trump slams election indictment on eve of court hearing
Donald Trump slams election indictment on eve of court hearing
As security measures ramp up for his arraignment, Mr Trump decries "corruption, scandal, & failure".
2023-08-03 06:20
Eddie Nketiah ready to step up again after Gabriel Jesus’ injury
Eddie Nketiah ready to step up again after Gabriel Jesus’ injury
Eddie Nketiah is relishing the prospect of starting the new season as Arsenal’s main striker and insists manager Mikel Arteta knows he can deliver the goods. England’s record goalscorer at under-21 level is likely to lead the line for the Gunners when the campaign gets under way after fellow forward Gabriel Jesus was ruled out. Jesus recently underwent a minor operation on a knee issue he has had since picking up an injury while with Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. The initial surgery sidelined him for three months but Nketiah stepped up in his absence and hit six goals in six games when domestic football returned. His goals helped keep Arsenal at the top of the Premier League until Jesus’ return and he is ready to repeat the feat. “I don’t think I’m here to fill in for anyone. I’m here to play and contribute to the team,” he said after captaining Arsenal and scoring in a 1-1 Emirates Cup draw with Monaco on Wednesday night. “Obviously, I believe in my abilities and I know I can contribute. The manager has got a tough decision and whenever he calls me, he knows I can deliver and I can help the team, so it’s just about us all collectively playing our part to to achieve our goals. I pride myself on always being ready and whatever role the manager needs me - I will always make sure I do my best Eddie Nketiah “I just really enjoyed it and was able to improve myself, test myself, I played some really big games and I was able to help. “So that’s what it is about, obviously playing at the highest level, competing for trophies and that’s what I want to do. “I pride myself on always being ready and whatever role the manager needs me – I will always make sure I do my best and to the best of my ability so I can help the team – that’s what it’s all about.” Despite hitting a purple patch when he first came into the team after the World Cup, Nketiah has not scored a competitive goal since his last-gasp winner against Manchester United on January 22, a run of 14 games and nearly 10 hours without finding the back of the net. The 24-year-old, however, is ready for the pressure of starting the season as the man up top for Arteta’s side. Asked if he was relishing the challenge amid added expectation on the whole team, Nketiah replied: “Yes, of course. It’s what we play football for. “We train hard every day to get the opportunity to play at the weekend. So not just myself, there’s many players that can obviously play in that position. “So we’re all ready, we’re all good players, we’re all able to contribute at different points in the season, everyone’s going to have different roles. So it’s just about being ready and contribute and hopefully I can do that throughout the season.” Arsenal’s Premier League title tilt gets under way at home to Nottingham Forest next weekend but, before then, Nketiah is aiming for Community Shield success against last season’s treble winners Manchester City. “We want do well, we want to go out there and win the trophy, that’s what it’s about,” he added. “So we will be working hard throughout the week and we’ve had a good game against Monaco, so hopefully that can put us in good stead, make sure we compete and hopefully we can get a trophy on Sunday.”
2023-08-03 19:00
Tina Turner's widower Erwin Bach plans to transform lavish $71M weekend retreat estate into museum
Tina Turner's widower Erwin Bach plans to transform lavish $71M weekend retreat estate into museum
The estate has its own pond, swimming pool, and boat deck in the posh neighborhood which also serves as the home to tennis legend Roger Federer
2023-05-29 11:47