Guatemala paralysed as pro-democracy protests run into second week
Protesters are demanding the removal of the attorney-general, whom they accuse of undermining democracy.
1970-01-01 08:00
Closing arguments to begin in manslaughter trial of officers who arrested Elijah McClain
Closing arguments are set to take place Tuesday in the trial of the two Aurora, Colorado, police officers who arrested Elijah McClain, an unarmed 23-year-old Black man who died after he was subdued by police and injected with ketamine by paramedics in 2019.
1970-01-01 08:00
Euro 2028: Will host nations get automatic qualification?
Euro 2028 will be played across the UK and Ireland after Uefa announced the hosts following a meeting of it’s Executive Committee on Tuesday morning. The UK and Ireland bid delegation included a presentation from the five Football Association leaders and Wales’ former captain Gareth Bales with six football youth ambassadors on hand to explain how they will support the development and diversity of the game around their local communities. It was a formality that the UK and Ireland would be awarded the tournament after Turkey’s withdrawal left them as the only remaining bid for Euro 2028. However, not all the host nations are guaranteed to be participating in their home tournament. Usually, staging a major tournament means the hosts automatically qualify for the competition but with Euro 2028 being spread across an unprecedented five nations that is likely not going to be the case for this edition of the European Championship. In its bid guidelines, Uefa says: “In case(s) of more than two joint-host associations, the automatic qualification of all the host teams cannot be guaranteed and shall be subject to a decision to be made in conjunction with decisions concerning the qualifying competition.” Basically, as the UK and Ireland bid has more than two hosts Uefa will decide if all five should qualify automatically. They are unlikely to offer more than the two automatic places already in place so, in theory, three of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could miss Euro 2028 entirely. But is there a way all five nations could still qualify? Yes. The teams can qualify for the tournament through merit, making it through Uefa’s qualification rounds as though they were not hosting the tournament. The English FA has already informed Uefa that they will be rejecting an automatic qualification spot for England. Of the five nations involved in hosting Euro 2028, England are the most likely side to successfully make it through qualifying which also leaves the automatic spots open for two of the other sides. The FA also believes playing competitive qualifying games would provide the team with better preparation for the tournament than a series of friendlies in the build-up, something which Euro 2024 hosts, Germany, are currently struggling with. There is also talk about all five teams going through qualifying with the possibility of two ‘backstop’ qualification spots available for those who may miss out. In that case, the highest-ranking nations who failed to qualify would go through or the two sides that come closest to qualifying. However, this approach is said to have some reservations within Uefa about offering a ‘backdoor’ entry to nations who have failed to qualify, as well as its potential impact on the normal qualifying process. As it stands, qualifying through merit seems to be the only guarantee of all five host nations featuring at Euro 2028 but time and compromise may lead to other avenues being explored. Read More Cardiff, Glasgow, Dublin... The Euro 2028 final should be staged anywhere but Wembley Sunak says jointly hosting Euro 2028 will deliver ‘massive boost’ to economy Euro 2028 venues: UK and Ireland name 10 stadiums as Anfield and Old Trafford miss out FA reveal tournment plans after UK and Ireland confirmed as Euro 2028 hosts UK and Ireland confirmed as joint hosts of Euro 2028 How Fifa and Uefa turned choosing tournament hosts into a ‘stitch-up’
1970-01-01 08:00
Factbox-Soccer-Reaction to UEFA naming 2028 and 2032 Euros hosts
The United Kingdom and Ireland will host the 2028 European Championship, while Italy and Turkey will stage the
1970-01-01 08:00
Much of Europe Faces Increasing Probability of Warm Winter
There is an increasing probability that Europe will experience a significantly warmer winter than usual, potentially reducing the
1970-01-01 08:00
Israel-Gaza violence: The conflict explained
Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians date back decades, but what are the key issues?
1970-01-01 08:00
Israeli soldier and militants killed in confrontation on Lebanon frontier
An Israeli soldier was killed on Monday in a clash with Palestinian gunmen who crossed from Lebanon.
1970-01-01 08:00
Jalen Hurts continues to play lights out for the Eagles
Jalen Hurts continues to play lights out for the Eagles
1970-01-01 08:00
Hamas hostages: 'The terrorists have her and her babies'
Yossi Sneider says his cousin and her two children were taken from their home in southern Israel.
1970-01-01 08:00
Andrew Haigh says themes of grief and loss compelled him to make All of Us Strangers
'All of Us Strangers' director Andrew Haigh was compelled to make the film because he was so moved by the original book 'Strangers' by Taichi Yamada.
1970-01-01 08:00
People struggle to leave Israel after more flights cut
BA, Virgin Atlantic and El Al are now the only airlines with direct flights from Israel to the UK.
1970-01-01 08:00
Ivory Coast asylum seeker becomes top Welsh language activist
Ivorian Joseff Ngabo is the first person of colour to lead a Welsh language campaign group.
1970-01-01 08:00
