
Gabon's ousted leader has been freed and is allowed to travel abroad, military junta says
The military leaders who staged a coup in Gabon have freed ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba and he is now allowed to travel abroad, a junta spokesperson said Wednesday.
1970-01-01 08:00

Sofyan Amrabat names his Man Utd idols
Sofyan Amrabat has named Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and David Beckham as his all-time favourite Man Utd players.
1970-01-01 08:00

Qatar country profile
Provides an overview of Qatar, including key dates and facts about this Middle Eastern country.
1970-01-01 08:00

Analysis-Biden doubles down on emerging markets as Xi snubs G20
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Nandita Bose WASHINGTON U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at this weekend's Group of 20
1970-01-01 08:00

Con artist Larry Sinclair's claims of 'cocaine-fueled sex' with Barack Obama sparks meme fest online
Fraudster Larry Sinclair made these claims during an interview with Tucker Carlson on X
1970-01-01 08:00

Real Madrid star admits he expected Kylian Mbappe signing this summer
Dani Carvajal admits he thought Kylian Mbappe would join Real Madrid this summer.
1970-01-01 08:00

Kendall Jenner reveals why she hasn't started her own beauty brand
Kendall Jenner has no plans to launch her own company in the beauty world.
1970-01-01 08:00

'Fox & Friends' hosts share their doubts about the looming attempt to impeach President Joe Biden
Kilmeade was especially unhappy with Congressman Gaetz's strategy to impeach Biden with no planning
1970-01-01 08:00

Virginia's bellwether elections could reshape the commonwealth -- and its governor's political future
The crowd of Democrats gathered on the sweltering tiki-themed deck of Kilroy's, a sports bar in deep-blue Northern Virginia, knew better than most people what's at stake in their state's November elections. But Tim Kaine, one of their party's two US senators, reminded them anyway.
1970-01-01 08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo fans aren’t happy as he’s snubbed by Ballon d'Or for first time in 20 years
Cristiano Ronaldo has missed out on being nominated for the men’s Ballon D’Or, football’s biggest individual prize, for the first time in 20 years. The annual list of the world’s top footballers includes his long-time rival Lionel Messi – but Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr appears to have put him out of the reckoning for the award. Meanwhile, Spain's Aitana Bonmati is nominated for the women’s prize after leading her country to World Cup glory in August. The ceremony is set to take place in October. Ronaldo, who is training with Portugal ahead of a round of international fixtures this week, said: “Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi and vice versa. “We’ve done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that's the most important thing. “He’s followed his path and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe. From what I’ve seen, he’s been doing well and so have I. “The legacy lives on, but I don’t see the rivalry like that. We shared the stage many times, it was 15 years. I’m not saying we’re friends, I’ve never had dinner with him, but we’re professional colleagues and we respect each other.” However, the 38-year-old’s army of fans on social media didn’t appear to see it that way. One person pointed out that Ronaldo “remains the last Premier League player to win the Ballon D'or,” adding that this record was likely safe this year because of Messi’s “robbery expertise” when it comes to the award. Another person said: “Most nominations in the history of Ballon D’OR: Cristiano Ronaldo 18 times, Lionel Messi 16 times. Remember. The one whom the system hates, is always the hero.” And one other commented: “Ronaldo has never 1. Robbed a [European Champions League], 2. Robbed a World Cup, 3. Robbed a Ballon d’Or. Messi has done all three.” Argentine Messi could win the award for a record eighth time this year after winning the men’s World Cup in 2022. His main challenger looks set to be Manchester City star Erling Haaland, who scored 52 goals in all competitions last season. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Why Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland may turn ugly, quickly
It was a disconcerting sight: Sean Strickland, with his hands low and a sheepish look across his face, shuffling towards one of the most devastating punchers in the UFC. There is no ‘but’ to follow; Alex Pereira swatted the American down to a knee with a signature left hook, Strickland’s arms flailing helplessly before he stood up into a right cross, which sent him cascading dangerously to the canvas. The manner of this demise at the heavy hands of the Brazilian brought to mind a mythical image: that of a lemming wandering mindlessly off a cliff. Yet Strickland’s approach until that point had actually been understandable – not as understandable as grappling with Pereira, as most expected him to, but sensible in a certain sense. The southpaw was pressing forward relentlessly with constant output, fighting behind a jolting jab, trying to prevent Pereira from setting his feet to muster power. Pereira, however, exploited Strickland’s reflexes. With kicks and jabs to the body, Pereira gradually lured Strickland’s habitual parries away from his head. Then, with one subtle, feinted crouch, Pereira created space to curve a left hook onto the chin of the American. With that, Strickland was undone – as was his six-fight win streak, which had stretched from 2022 back to 2018. In his next fight, the 32-year-old was again beaten, losing a split decision to Jared Cannonier. Just a few weeks prior, Pereira had stopped champion Israel Adesanya against the fence, moving to 3-0 overall against his old kickboxing rival, despite the latter’s vast experiential advantage in MMA. Adesanya would bounce back five months later, regaining the middleweight title at the first attempt with his own knockout of Pereira, who would make a quick turnaround with a successful debut at light-heavyweight in July. All the while, Strickland followed the examples set by Adesanya and Pereira, bouncing back with a victory; two, in fact. First, the controversial, outspoken American would outpoint Nassourdine Imavov in January, stepping in as a late-notice replacement. Then, in July, Strickland proved wrong many fans by stopping Abus Magomedov in the second round, before making an impassioned callout of Adesanya – whom he has mocked regularly in recent years, from a distance and from mere metres away. Still, the UFC seemed set to overlook Strickland, who once expressed his desire to ‘kill’ an opponent someday (not that they would have overlooked him because of that or any kind of controversial comment, based on past cases). “If I killed somebody in the ring, it’d f***ing make me very happy,” he said in 2021, demonstrating that he is better at employing his fists – and he is often criticised for that ability, even – than using any filter. “Like, if Uriah [Hall] hits me and maybe I have a brain aneurysm and die, you’ll hear me saying: ‘I’m okay, that’s a good death.’ We’re all going to die sometime. You know, might as well end in a good way. We’re all going to the same place, man. It’s either gonna be then or now. Just enjoy it.” Meanwhile, his teasing of Adesanya, who is as flamboyant outside the ring as he is in it, has relied heavily on outdated jibes with an uncomfortable undertone. In response to one recurring slight, Adesanya has vowed to knock out Strickland with fists adorned with painted nails. And the Nigerian-New Zealander, 34, will get the chance to do that on Saturday, when he defends his middleweight title in the main event of UFC 293 in Sydney. For Strickland’s campaign to fight Adesanya eventually paid off, specifically when Dricus Du Plessis – towards whom the champion holds a grave grudge – was taken out of the title picture due to injury. Adesanya vs Du Plessis may yet come to pass, and if it does, Adesanya will likely have more harsh words for the South African, at whom he has already lashed out viciously. It is worth noting at this point that Adesanya himself has gotten away with distasteful comments before, and that many fans believe he has misconstrued certain points made by Du Plessis. In any case, first up for him is Strickland. Adesanya has been the betting favourite in all but one of his UFC bouts, even his rematch with Pereira, and that is no different against Strickland. The “Last Stylebender” is expected to dissect and damage his challenger at will. While Adesanya possesses less power than Pereira, he is an even more dynamic striker than the Brazilian, and he can employ the kind of counter-strikes that Strickland risks walking straight into – if the latter’s approach against Pereira is anything to go by. Adesanya’s fans are excited by that prospect. Many of Strickland’s fans have been more enthused by the verbal warfare than the impending physical warfare. Some have forgiven Strickland for certain comments due to his recollections of a concerning, upsetting relationship with his late father. Adesanya, who lives for nights and atmospheres like Saturday’s in Sydney, will not allow himself to forgive Strickland for a single word. The champion has always harnessed anything and everything to hype himself up for a title showdown. The build to UFC 293 has already threatened to turn ugly. Adesanya, famed for his beautifully destructive performances, will hope to turn things ugly for Strickland when the cage door closes. Read More Adesanya vs Strickland live stream: How to watch UFC 293 online and on TV this weekend Jared Cannonier revealed as back-up fighter for Adesanya vs Strickland at UFC 293 Conor McGregor finally receives black belt in jiu-jitsu Back-up fighter revealed for Adesanya vs Strickland at UFC 293 Mark Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions on speedboat UFC 293 card in full as Adesanya defends title against Strickland this weekend
1970-01-01 08:00

The long road winding down at the World Cup, where semifinals await Team USA
This seemed so far away in the beginning
1970-01-01 08:00