List of All Articles with Tag 'person'

The PFA have unveiled the six nominees for the 2022/23 PFA Players' Player of the Year award.

By Laurie Chen and Yew Lun Tian BEIJING With China at risk of tipping into prolonged stagnation and

Just hours after former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows was dealt state charges accusing him, along with 18 other defendants including Donald Trump, of taking part in a broad criminal conspiracy to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results, he mounted an effort to move his case to federal court.

Russia is in the process of equipping its new nuclear submarines with hypersonic Zircon missiles, the head of Russia’s largest shipbuilder has said. “Multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the Yasen-M project will... be equipped with the Zircon missile system on a regular basis,” Alexei Rakhmanov, chief executive officer of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, told RIA. “Work in this direction is already underway.” Yasen-class submarines, also known as Project 885M, are nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines built to replace Soviet-era nuclear attack submarines as part of a programme to modernise the Russian navy’s fleet. Sea-based Zircon hypersonic missiles have a range of 560 miles and can travel at several times the speed of sound, making them extremely difficult to defend against them. What are hypersonic missiles? Hypersonic missiles, like the Zircons or the Kinzhal (”Dagger”) rockets the Russian Air Force has allegedly already deployed in its war in Ukraine, are thought to represent the next generation of arms. The Kinzhals can travel at exceptionally high velocities – up to ten times the speed of sound, which is around 8,000mph. By comparison, a subsonic cruise missile like the US Air Force’s Tomahawk rocket moves at a relatively sluggish 550mph. Kinzhals are typically carried by MiG-31K fighter jets and can hit targets as far away as 1,250 miles, their speed, mid-flight manoeuvrability and ability to fly at low altitudes making them difficult to track using radar on the ground and therefore near-impossible to stop. Perhaps most alarmingly, the Kinzhal can carry a nuclear warhead as well as a conventional explosive, a strategy it has been feared Russia could resort to as its war becomes ever-more desperate and drawn-out than expected due to the heroic resistance put up by the locals, well armed by their international allies. Which countries have them? Australia, the UK and US, together known as the Aukus nations, previously announced a plan to expand their military pact to collaborate on the development of hypersonic missiles and anti-hypersonic weapons. In April 2022, the then-prime ministers of Australia and Britain, Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson, joined Joe Biden in issuing a joint statement saying their countries would “commence new trilateral cooperation on hypersonics and counter-hypersonics, and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as to expand information sharing and to deepen co-operation on defence innovation”. “These initiatives will add to our existing efforts to deepen cooperation on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities.” The Aukus deal was initially signed to concentrate on nuclear submarine development with a wary eye on potential Chinese aggression in the Pacific, but focus has now shifted towards the threat posed by Vladimir Putin. Russia’s defence ministry has already said its forces have fired hypersonic ballistic missiles in the conflict, claiming to have destroyed a fuel depot in the Black Sea city of Mykolaiv and an underground ammunition store in western Ivano-Frankivsk. How effective are they? Military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer has argued that the use of such weapons will make little difference on the ground and that their true value is “giving a certain psychological and propaganda effect”. In other words, inspiring terror. Mr Putin has boasted of Russia’s investment in such “invincible” weaponry, justifying doing so as a response to what he considers to be Nato military expansion on his country’s doorstep in Eastern Europe. The US and China are said to be working on their own versions, as are the navies of Britain and France, who are understood to have been collaborating on one known as Perseus since 2011, although it is not expected to enter service for another seven years or so. What’s happening in the US? Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the US Air Force’s acquisition team, told politicians in March this year that his team would not go ahead with purchasing the hypersonic AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon after the prototyping phase ended. There were problems with the weapons during testing. Mr Hunter, in written testimony, told the House Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee the service planned to finish the ARRW programme’s last two all-up round test flights to collect data that might help with future hypersonic programmes. Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Moscow’s ‘convict’ assault squads straining Kyiv’s forces in northeast Ukraine’s intelligence service claims responsibility for Crimean Bridge drone attack Wagner mercenaries issue a chilling message on Poland’s doorstep: ‘We are here’ The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary

Spain’s newly elected Parliament meets on Thursday to choose the chamber’s speaker and presiding council in votes that could indicate the potential future color of the next government

US women's national team coach Vlatko Andonovski has resigned, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The move comes less than two weeks after the Americans were knocked out of the Women's World Cup earlier than ever before. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move had not been officially announced. An announcement was expected Thursday. The four-time tournament champions struggled throughout this World Cup. A victory over Vietnam to kick off the group stage was followed by a pair of draws against Netherlands and Portugal — barely enough to get the team into the knockout stage, The Americans played well in the Round of 16 against Sweden, but ultimately fell on penalties after a scoreless tie. The U.S. scored just four goals over the course of the tournament. The United States had never finished worse that third in the tournament. The 46-year-old Mr Andonovski was named coach of the United States in October 2019, taking over for Jill Ellis, who led the United States to back-to-back World Cup titles. He finished 51-5-9 during his time with the team. It wasn't just the World Cup that hurt Mr Andonovski's chances of keeping his job. The United States also finished with a disappointing bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Kate Markgraf, general manager of the U.S. women's team, stuck with Mr Andonovski following the Olympics and the team focused on developing young players ahead of the World Cup. The United States was bitten by injuries in the run-up to the tournament, losing a pair of key players. Mallory Swanson injured her knee during a friendly in April, and captain Becky Sauerbrunn couldn't recover from a foot injury in time. The World Cup was challenging for many elite teams because of the ever-growing parity in the women's game. Germany, Brazil and Canada, the winners in Tokyo, also got knocked out early. Andonovski was head coach of Seattle's OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League when he was hired. During his seven years in the NWSL, he led the now-defunct FC Kansas City from the league’s inception in 2013 until the club folded in 2017, winning two league titles with the team. Andonovski, a native of Skopje, Macedonia, played for several teams in Europe before embarking on a professional indoor soccer career in the United States. His predecessor, Ms Ellis, was named coach of the team in 2014 and led the US to eight overall tournament titles, including victories at the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. Over the course of her tenure, the United States lost just seven matches. Now the process will start to find a replacement, and the timeline is relatively short. The United States has already qualified for the 2024 Olympics in France. Read More Women’s World Cup LIVE: England prepare for final against Spain and latest reaction to win over Australia What time is the World Cup final on Sunday and who will England play? A timeline of Donald Trump’s spat with Megan Rapinoe: ‘Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!!’ USA face ‘critical’ decision as Andonovski exits after disastrous World Cup Support grows for bank holiday if Lionesses win World Cup final Ella Toone’s PE teacher reveals why it’s no surprise she’s in the World Cup final

Mikel Arteta has not ruled out returning to the transfer market as he expects Arsenal to be without Jurrien Timber for the season after the summer signing suffered a knee injury against Nottingham Forest. It was confirmed earlier in the week that Dutch defender Timber will go under the knife after tests showed ligament damage – with Arteta also insisting the number of serious injuries suffered so early into the campaign is a “big worry” for player welfare. Timber limped out of Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Forest on Saturday, with the club confirming on Wednesday he suffered ligament damage. The PA news agency understands Timber felt no immediate pain after a challenge with Brennan Johnson just before half-time and underwent stringent tests during the interval. Club medical staff believe the outcome of the injury would not have changed had he been substituted immediately instead of playing on for five minutes of the second half before being replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu. Asked about Timber’s situation, Arteta said: “Huge blow. Especially for him after just joining the club. To have the injury he has is a huge blow. “It is for the team because we recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident and he’s not going to be able to do it this season for us. We have to adapt. These things happen unfortunately and we have to move on. “He’s been very good to be honest. He’s a special character. He knows, he’s starting to realise the extent of the injury and the amount of time he’s going to be out. But he’s in a good place. We are willing to help him obviously and be close to him, but we know it’s going to be a long journey.” Kieran Tierney appeared set to depart the Emirates Stadium this season but, with Timber now sidelined and Oleksandr Zinchenko struggling for fitness, the Scotland left-back could now be retained. Arteta, too, suggested Arsenal could dip their toe back into the market following the injury setback. “We didn’t plan with this injury. We have to assess what the options are, what are the best players that we have because, as I said, my challenge is to get the best from the players that we have. I cannot assess anyone who is not here. It is too much for the players Mikel Arteta on player welfare “We are always open and we have to be open as well to react if something happens, not only with an injury but if something happens in the market as well. That’s what we’re doing.” Timber was not the only player to suffer serious injury in the opening weeks of the new season, with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa also forced off. Arteta also highlighted a number of other injury issues when asked if the problems could link back to the amount of football that players are being asked to complete. “Also Emi Buendia, (Thibaut) Courtois, it happened to (Eder) Militao as well – there is something there,” he added. “In the past you can say: ‘yes there have been games, there have been tours as well’. But with games, tours, the World Cup in January, plus this, plus that, plus internationals. It is a lot. It is too much for the players. “It is incredibly demanding, when you see the next 36 months of the calender for these players it is just better not to look at it because it is incredible what they are going to be doing. “We have to look after them but, as a club, when do you look after them? To prioritise other competitions? Then we are the ones that have to look after them – what we really need is to be sitting down (discussing plans), but I think it is too late, at least for the next 36 months it is too late already. “I don’t know who needs to raise a voice here, but there are worries, big worries on that.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Support grows for bank holiday if Lionesses win World Cup final Ella Toone’s PE teacher reveals why it’s no surprise she’s in the World Cup final Erling Haaland one of three Man City treble winners on shortlist for PFA award

Adin Ross announces that UFC fighters Sean O'Malley and Aljamain Sterling join his stream, coinciding with their UFC 292 main event clash on August 20, 2023

In a recent interview, Jenna Bush Hager shared insights into her personality and approach to sharing personal aspects of her life

By Ju-min Park and Soo-hyang Choi SEOUL North Korea may launch an intercontinental ballistic missile or take other

By Mariya Gordeyeva ALMATY Kazakhstan-based Freedom Holding, the latest target of Hindenburg Research, plans to keep working with

The government has ruled out an extra bank holiday if the Lionesses win the Women's World Cup this Sunday. After the Lionesses beat Australia 3-1 in the semi-final yesterday, they became the first English women's football side to reach a World Cup final. They will face Spain this weekend and if they win, they will become the first England team to win a World Cup since 1966. But there are "no plans" for an extra day off if the Lionesses secure a famous victory, the government said. Asked if there could be a change of heart this time around, a government spokesperson told the BBC: "We congratulate the Lionesses on their fantastic achievement in getting to the Women's World Cup final. "The current pattern of public and bank holidays is well established and there are no plans to change this." In a later statement, a government spokesperson added: "Winning the World Cup would be a massive moment for the country and make no mistake we'll find the right way to celebrate. "As Sarina Wiegman herself has said, the first thing to do is focus on the final and the whole country will be rooting for the Lionesses this weekend". There has never been an extra bank holiday held in the UK to mark a sporting occasion despite multiple appeals, including calls for an extra day off in the run-up to the Lionesses' Euros win in 2022, and a petition calling for a bank holiday in the event the men's team won Euro 2020. This is because of money. It is not exactly clear how much it would cost but a 2010 a House of Commons library report said an extra holiday would cost £2.9bn, and both the Bank of England and Office of Budget Responsibility say it negatively impacts growth. Nevertheless, other countries sometimes declare bank holidays for sporting wins. Argentina got a day off last year after winning the men's World Cup. Panama declared a national holiday in 2017 for qualifying for the World Cup for the first time and Saudi Arabia held one for beating Argentina in last year's group stages. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had called for a bank holiday there if his team won the cup. Meanwhile, there is some support for an extra holiday in the UK. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer backed calls for an extra bank holiday after the Lionesses won the semi-final. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also backed the call, describing the England team an "inspiration" and saying a final win would "absolutely" deserve to be marked with a bank holiday. Regardless of the extra bank holiday or not, if the Lionesses win it will be a cracker of a day. 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.