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CNN Staff

2022-02-11 10:48:58

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/sport/super-bowl-lvi-samsung-infinity-screen-sofi-stadium-tech-spc-intl/index.html

The 1,000-ton screen bringing Super Bowl LVI to the lucky fans inside SoFi stadium - CNN

A big game requires a big screen, and the one at SoFi Stadium certainly fits the bill.

sport, The 1,000-ton screen bringing Super Bowl LVI to the lucky fans inside SoFi stadium - CNN

The 1,000-ton screen bringing Super Bowl LVI to the lucky fans inside the stadium

(CNN)At Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, both teams will be playing with more than 1,000 tons hanging over their heads.Suspended 122 feet above the field, the 120-yard long, oval-shaped Infinity Screen by Samsung is the largest videoboard in the history of sports, according to the Korean electronics giant. But while it's been in place since mid-2020, it won't have had a showcase quite like the Super Bowl before.The screen is a key feature inside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, a massive, reportedly $5 billion facility shared by two NFL teams -- one of which happens to be playing in this weekend's big game. When the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals clash on Sunday, fans inside the 70,000-capacity arena will have access to all manner of game data as a result of the giant screen. Instant replays and close-ups, statistics, scores and interactive updates will all be programmed on the screen in panels ranging from 20 to 40 feet high. SoFi Stadium photographed on February 8, 2022 ahead of Super Bowl LVI.With 70,000 square feet of ultra-high-definition screen totaling 80 million pixels on its inside and outside surfaces, fans sitting lower down watch the screen inside the oval, while fans higher up will see the outside. Basically, there are no bad angles.Read MoreThe display is making a lot of noise -- literally. It's fitted with the equivalent of 1,500 home theater speaker systems, meaning there's no chance of missing a referee's call.To Infinity, and beyondThe Infinity Screen in action on January 2, 2022. The screen displays in-game analysis, replays and stats. Though SoFi stadium hosted its first game in September 2020, Covid protocols meant fans weren't allowed inside until the following April. The Super Bowl represents something of a Hollywood premiere after a season of previews.The stadium was designed by HKS, and Samsung worked with architectural drawings to optimize the spectator experience, says Mark Quiroz, vice president of marketing for Samsung Display Division. "The pure complexity of the building, from concept to design to construction was a challenging feat," he told CNN."Timing was also a very real challenge, ensuring that the Infinity Screen was ready for the NFL season opening day, a day that cannot be moved," he added. "This was also coupled with the early days of the pandemic, and the ability to put proper health protocols in place to protect the workers." Its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport means the playing field at SoFi Stadium has to be below ground level.The need to innovate was paramount, however.Some sports fans argue -- in many cases rightly -- that they can see more of the game and receive more in-game analysis from the comfort of their homes, and teams are having to work harder than ever on their stadium experiences.Related: How athletes are pushing boundaries with the help of wearable tech"There is always going to be competition, as the home viewing experience has become so good with larger and sharper screens, requiring venues and technology providers (to) raise the bar on what the live fan experience needs to become to continually attract fans and guests," Quiroz said.High stakes on the field, high tech off itSuper Bowl LVI is set to be the most high-tech iteration to date of the largest sporting event in the US. The Super Bowl has dabbled in virtual reality since 2017, when highlights were available via the Fox Sports VR app. The technology has evolved and proliferated, and this year the entire game will be available to view in an immersive virtual theater run by VR events company Bigscreen in partnership with Meta. Meanwhile for those watching on TV, broadcaster NBC will use new augmented reality (AR) functionality to integrate statistics and icons into the feeds delivered by around 40 cameras capturing the game.A preview of "the Super Bowl Experience" exhibition at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 4 showcased a history of Super Bowl Halftime Shows while teasing what is to come when artists Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar perform this weekend.Commercial tie-ins are also turning to new user experiences on the "second screen" (a mobile or tablet while watching television).High-speed drones are revolutionizing how we watch winter sportsPepsi's Halftime Show mobile app will offer exclusive content and AR features linked to the show's performers Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar. Many brands plan to make the most of their astronomically expensive ad spots by supplementing their air time with AR to bring their products and characters into viewers' living rooms. And it doesn't end with the final whistle. After the game, rock band Foo Fighters will perform a concert in VR via Horizon Venues, an app available on Meta Quest headsets and Facebook Live. Samsung's next project is at Citi Field, home of baseball's New York Mets, where it aims to create the "most technologically advanced ballpark in the Major Leagues."And before you ask, yes, it's going to involve another giant screen.

Tim Lister and Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN

2022-02-10 23:13:38

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/10/europe/russia-military-buildup-images-intl/index.html

New satellite images show continuing Russian military buildup on three sides of Ukraine - CNN

New satellite images released by a US-based technology company appear to show continuing Russian military buildup in Crimea, western Russia and Belarus, as pressure continues to mount on Ukraine from three directions, underscoring fears that the Kremlin is planning an incursion into Ukrainian territory.

europe, New satellite images show continuing Russian military buildup on three sides of Ukraine - CNN

New satellite images show continuing Russian military buildup on three sides of Ukraine

(CNN)New satellite images released by a US-based technology company appear to show continuing Russian military buildup in Crimea, western Russia and Belarus, as pressure continues to mount on Ukraine from three directions, underscoring fears that the Kremlin is planning an incursion into Ukrainian territory. In Crimea, a large deployment of troops and equipment was observed by Maxar in images collected Thursday, according to Stephen Wood, a senior director at the company. The deployment is at the formerly disused Oktyabrskoye airfield, north of the Crimean capital Simferopol. This satellite image from Thursday shows the formerly disused Oktyabrskoye airfield in Crimea. Maxar assesses that more than 550 troop tents and hundreds of vehicles have arrived at the site. Other sites in Crimea have also seen an influx of troops and equipment, including at Novoozernoye, where there have been extensive artillery deployments and training exercises. A new deployment was identified by Maxar for the first time near the town of Slavne on the northwest coast of Crimea, including armored vehicles. New satellite images show advanced Russian military deployments in BelarusThe new deployments in Crimea were observed on the same day that several Russian warships, including large amphibious landing ships, arrived in Sevastopol, Crimea's main port. Read MoreThe warships are expected to participate in scheduled naval exercises that would block off large parts of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, raising protests from Ukraine that commercial shipping routes would be choked. The Kremlin has denied that shipping routes will be blocked.The exercises are part of joint military drills by Russia and its ally Belarus, starting Thursday in Belarus' territory and expected to last 10 days. Moscow's deployment in Belarus is believed to be its biggest there since the Cold War, and the United States has expressed reservations about the buildup of Russian troops in the country, which shares a border with Ukraine. In Belarus, Maxar observed what it calls a "new deployment of troops, military vehicles and helicopters" at the Zyabrovka airfield near the city of Gomel, some 15 miles (25 kilometers) from the border with Ukraine. It is the first time helicopters have been seen in the area. There also appears to be a field hospital at the site. Maxar's satellite images show what they called a "new deployment of troops, military vehicles and helicopters" at the Zyabrovka airfield in Belarus. Additionally, troops and multiple battle groups remain deployed near the Belarusian city of Rechitsa -- less than 30 miles (45 kilometers) from the border with Ukraine. Previous satellite imagery had shown the establishment of tent encampments near Rechitsa. When combined with recent videos, they suggest a growing Russian presence in the area, which is some 200 miles (320 kilometers) east of where joint Russian-Belarus exercises got underway Thursday. Social media videos have shown substantial movements by Russian military units in the past few days to the east of Ukraine, around the cities of Kursk, Rostov-on-Don and Bryansk. This satellite image shows an area near Kursk, Russia.Maxar reports what it calls "a large deployment of troops and military forces" that have "recently arrived at the Kursk training area to the east of the city -- approximately 110 kilometers (75 miles) to the east of the border with Ukraine. " "Additional equipment continues to arrive in the area and preparations are being made to accommodate more troops and equipment," Maxar said. As Western nations look for diplomatic avenues to ease the crisis, US President Joe Biden urged Americans in Ukraine to leave the country immediately, warning that things could go sour very quickly. Speaking to NBC News' on Thursday, Biden said: "It's not like we're dealing with a terrorist organization. We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly.""There's not" a situation that could prompt him to send US troops to rescue Americans attempting to exit Ukraine, Biden told NBC, adding, "that's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another."HIs remarks came after a frosty exchange in Moscow between UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The latter described their talks as "a dialogue of the deaf," while Truss warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would have "massive consequences." Discussion has turned to the Minsk Agreement, which was hammered out during talks in 2015 but never fully implemented, as a possible way out of the current crisis.But the Normandy Format -- a four-way conversation between representatives from Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France that has been aimingjoi to broker peace in eastern Ukraine since 2014 -- failed to come to an agreement after nine hours of talks in Berlin on Thursday.Russia has repeatedly denied it is planning to attack Ukraine, despite Moscow's massive troop buildup in the region. The Kremlin is believed to have assembled 70% of the military personnel and weapons on Ukraine's borders that Russia would need for a full-scale invasion, according to two US officials familiar with Washington's latest intelligence estimates.CNN's Tara John, Maegan Vazquez, Kevin Liptak and Sam Fossum contributed to this report.

Tara John, Joseph Ataman, Xiaofei Xu and Anna Chernova, CNN

2022-02-11 13:07:36

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/europe/france-emmanuel-macron-pcr-putin-meeting-intl/index.html

Macron-Putin meeting: Why the big table in Moscow? French leader refused a Russian Covid test - CNN

There's socially distanced, and then there's French President Emmanuel Macron sitting on the opposite end of an enormous table during talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Monday.

europe, Macron-Putin meeting: Why the big table in Moscow? French leader refused a Russian Covid test - CNN

Why the big table in Moscow? Macron refused a Russian Covid test

(CNN)There's socially distanced, and then there's French President Emmanuel Macron sitting on the opposite end of an enormous table during talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Monday.There is now insight as to why: The French leader declined the Kremlin's request for a Russian Covid-19 test, the Elysee Palace said Thursday. On Friday, an Elysee spokesperson refused to comment on media reports that Macron did not want Russian doctors getting their hands on his DNA. The two men spent more than five hours sitting at the table -- estimated to be up to 20 feet (six meters) long -- for head-to-head talks on how to diffuse a potential conflict in Ukraine. Macron was seeking to stop the massive Russian military buildup of more than 100,000 soldiers from turning into war and to assuage Russia's security grievances, which include demands that Ukraine and Georgia be blocked from ever becoming members of NATO and for the alliance to draw down troops in Eastern Europe.Biden on Ukraine situation: 'Things could go crazy quickly'But the table itself drew significant attention, with its length shocking many observers and triggering a wave of internet memes. Read MoreOn Friday, an Elysee spokesperson explained the French side "judged that the conditions that allowed for a shorter distance [between the presidents during their talks] were not acceptable to us and we chose the other option proposed by the Russian [Covid-19] protocol. That is all." "The president has of course always done what he has to do when he travels," the spokesperson said. "The question is just based on the test conditions."As to the Reuters report about Macron not wanting Russia to have access to his DNA, the spokesperson said it "did not merit launching into particular fantasies."While refusing to provide details of the test conditions, the spokesperson said there were concerns about who would do the test, how the tests would be taken and their timings."The president has doctors who define with him the rules that are acceptable or not in terms of the health protocols relating to him. Period," the Elysee spokesperson added.The conditions that would have allowed a meeting with less distance imposed a Russian health protocol which "seemed neither acceptable nor compatible with our agenda constraints," the Elysee Palace said on Thursday. The Kremlin confirmed that the French side was unwilling to comply with the Kremlin Covid-19 testing protocol that would have led to a more intimate setting.What is the Minsk agreement and is it a way out of Ukraine crisis?Asked if Macron decided not to take a PCR test administered by Russian doctors, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday: "Yes, indeed.""In some situations, Putin meets with his guests sitting very close by one another, they shake hands," he said. "With others, negotiations are held at a table, at a distance of approximately six meters."Peskov added: "This is due to the fact that some leaders follow their own rules and they do not interact with the host side in sharing tests. We treat this with understanding, this is a normal global practice but, in this case, there is a protocol of additional measures to protect the health of our president and our guests as well. A larger distance is applied. The meeting ended with the Kremlin pouring cold water on reports that the two leaders had agreed to de-escalate the tense standoff on Ukraine's border, where tens of thousands of Russian forces have massed in recent months, drawing warnings from Western officials of an impending invasion.As Putin tests the West's resolve, Macron has thrust himself to center stage, taking former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's place as leading mediator for Europe as he readies himself for a reelection bid at home. Currently at the helm of the European Union's rotating presidency, Macron has spoken several times per week with Putin, and placed his third phone call in a week to US President Joe Biden on Sunday evening.CNN's Eliza Mackintosh contributed to this report.

Wayne Sterling, CNN

2022-02-11 10:24:05

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/sport/super-bowl-lvi-bengals-rams-preview-spt-intl/index.html

Super Bowl LVI: Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals face off in Los Angeles - CNN

A new Super Bowl champion will be crowned for the 17th consecutive season, extending the longest streak without a repeat winner in NFL history.

sport, Super Bowl LVI: Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals face off in Los Angeles - CNN

Super Bowl LVI: Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals face off in Los Angeles

(CNN)A new Super Bowl champion will be crowned for the 17th consecutive season, extending the longest streak without a repeat winner in NFL history. The Los Angeles Rams will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI (56) on their home field at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m local time) on Sunday. Los Angeles is the second straight team to host the title game, joining Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers who won Super Bowl LV last year at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. In the first 54 Super Bowls, no team hosted the game. Both teams are number four seeds, matching the highest combined seeding in the game since seeding began in 1975. The chase for the LombardiRead MoreLos Angeles, the NFC champion, is appearing in its fifth Super Bowl, second in the last four seasons. The Rams are seeking the franchise's second Super Bowl title, but first in LA. The Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV against the Tennessee Titans in Atlanta when the organization was in St. Louis in 2000.Meanwhile, AFC champion, Cincinnati, is making its third trip to the big game, first since the 1988 season. The Bengals started the 2021 season tied with the third-longest odds at 125-1 to reach the game, according to Caesars Sportsbook. Cincinnati has never won the Super Bowl. As of Thursday, Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favorite to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy.More than 180 countries and territories will televise the game live. The contest will be broadcast in about 25 languages.Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals in action on January 30, 2022.The starting quarterbacksThe starting quarterbacks, Bengals Joe Burrow and Rams Matthew Stafford, are making their Super Bowl debut.Both were selected number one overall in their respective drafts, making this the second Super Bowl matchup between two number one overall signal callers. The first one was Super Bowl 50, Denver Broncos Peyton Manning and Carolina Panthers Cam Newton.Just two seasons ago, Cincinnati finished with an NFL-worst 2-14 record. But for that futility, Bengals secured the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft and selected Burrow out of LSU. Burrow is the first top overall pick to reach the Super Bowl within his first two seasons, and with a win, the 25-year-old can become the first quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, a college national championship and a Super Bowl. Cincinnati is the first team ever with a 4,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher (Joe Mixon) and two 1,000-yard receivers (Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins) each under the age of 26. The dynamic duo of Burrow and Chase, who also went to LSU, will look to replicate their collegiate success when they take on a tough Rams defense.Led by All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and Super Bowl 50 MVP and eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller, who was traded to LA in November, Rams defense had the third most sacks (50), allowed the second least passing touchdowns (17) and were tied for third in interceptions made (19) in the league during the regular season.After 12 years with the Detroit Lions, Stafford was traded to LA on January 30, 2021. Exactly one year later, Stafford and the Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, earning a Super Bowl berth. Prior to this season, the 34-year-old never won a postseason game.In the regular season, Stafford finished in the top five in passing yards, passing touchdowns, passing first downs and yards per attempt.His main target, Cooper Kupp, was selected to his first Pro Bowl. Kupp became the fourth player in NFL history to win the receiving Triple Crown by leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Stafford will also be relying on another in-season acquisition, Odell Beckham Jr. In eleven games with the team, including three in the playoffs, Beckham Jr. has 46 receptions for 541 yards and six touchdowns.A view of SoFi Stadium as workers prepare for Super Bowl LVI.Youngest coaching matchupThis will be the youngest head coaching matchup in Super Bowl history.Rams head coach Sean McVay, 36, is seeking his first Super Bowl win after losing his first, Super Bowl LIII to the New England Patriots in Atlanta after the 2018 season. In five seasons with LA, McVay is 55-26 in the regular season, 6-3 in the postseason.Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, 38, is making his Super Bowl head coaching debut. Taylor was on McVay's offensive staff from 2017-2018, appearing in the Super Bowl as quarterback coach. After going 6-25-1 in his first two years at the helm, Taylor led the Bengals to a 10-7 regular season record, 3-0 in the postseason.In 2019, McVay beat Taylor in the only game they faced each other, a 24-10 Rams' victory in London.Sunday's game will be played at the 3.1 million square-foot stadium So-Fi Stadium, the largest in the league and first open-air, indoor-outdoor venue.The stadium can accomodate approximately 70,000 fans, and for special events, expandable up to 100,000. The league said "65,000 or so" spectators are expected to attend on Sunday. Nearly 25,000 fans were at last year's Super Bowl because of the coronavirus pandemic.Los Angeles is hosting the game for the first time in nearly 30 years and eighth overall, third most behind Miami (11) and New Orleans (10). Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams in action on January 30, 2022.'An unforgettable cultural moment'Hip-hop icons - Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar - headline the star-studded halftime show in what Dr. Dre says, "will be an unforgettable cultural moment."For the first time ever, the five multi-award-winning artists - who have 43 Grammys and 22 number one billboard albums combined - will perform together on stage.This will be a homecoming performance for Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar who are from Compton, California and Snoop Dogg who is from Long Beach, California."Artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg were at the forefront of the West Coast hip hop revolution." Todd Kaplan, Pepsi Marketing Vice President said in a statement."So to be able to bring them back to LA, where it all began alongside Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will prove to be an epic, unforgettable celebration of the impact hip hop has today."Mickey Guyton, a multi-Grammy-nominated artist, will sing the National Anthem. Guyton's 2021 debut album, "Remember Her Name," earned her a Grammy nomination for best country album, the first-ever for a Black artist.

Lizzy Yee, Arnaud Siad and Aleks Klosok, CNN

2022-02-11 18:14:26

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/sport/usada-prosecute-russia-kamila-valieva-doping-spt-intl/index.html

Travis Tygart: US could prosecute Russians in Kamila Valieva case, says USADA chief - CNN

The United States could prosecute Russian individuals allegedly involved in figure skater Kamila Valieva's doping case under the American Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA), the head of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, told CNN on Friday.

sport, Travis Tygart: US could prosecute Russians in Kamila Valieva case, says USADA chief - CNN

Travis Tygart: US could prosecute Russians in Kamila Valieva case, says USADA chief

(CNN)The United States could prosecute Russian individuals allegedly involved in figure skater Kamila Valieva's doping case under the American Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA), the head of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, told CNN on Friday. The RADA bill, named after whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov who helped expose the Russian doping scandal, was signed into law by former US President Donald Trump in December 2020. The bill enables the US to impose criminal sanctions on individuals involved in doping at major international sports competitions that feature US athletes, sponsors and broadcasters.Penalties for violating the law include up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for organizations."As more facts are developed, I think the Rodchenkov Act potentially could come into play," said Tygart.Read More"If there's a doctor, or a coach, or state officials, sport official, who conspired to dope her [Valieva], then [the Rodchenkov Act] fits like a glove, because it is an international major competition, as defined by the Rodchenkov Act, which includes U.S. money, companies broadcasting, or sponsoring, the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) code applies, there's more than three foreign athletes, and there's more than one US athlete competing," he added."Russia's doping, state sponsored and otherwise, has taken away from what we ought to be celebrating, which is the Olympic values, competition done the right way, athletes who win because they're doing it the right way," Tygart added.Russia's Kamila Valieva attends a training session on February 11, 2022,'Tremendous amount of sympathy'Speaking about 15-year-old Valieva, Tygart said there was "a tremendous amount of sympathy for this young athlete (...) at the center of a global media firestorm, due to no fault of her own.""People in the world don't want to watch a rigged games," he added.The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) announced Friday it has launched an investigation into Valieva's support staff following the Russian's positive doping test.Earlier on Friday, The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed that the 15-year-old failed a drug test taken in December, ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.Valieva, who helped the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) take gold in Monday's figure skating team event, was allowed to compete despite failing the test, after a provisional suspension which had been placed on her over the matter was lifted by RUSADA.Meanwhile, the Court of Arbitration (CAS) announced Friday that is has received applications from both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA appealing the RUSADA decision to lift a provisional suspension on Valieva following a doping violation.Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos"The applications will be consolidated," said the CAS in a statement. "A Panel of arbitrators will be appointed shortly to decide the matter. The Panel will issue procedural directions, including directions for a hearing. "The date and time of the CAS decision will be announced after the hearing."

Allegra Goodwin, CNN

2022-02-11 17:44:40

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/europe/north-macedonia-bullied-girl-president-intl-scli/index.html

North Macedonia's President walks bullied 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome to school - CNN

The President of North Macedonia walked an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome to school after he heard she was being bullied.

europe, North Macedonia's President walks bullied 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome to school - CNN

An 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome was being bullied. So her country's President walked her to school

(CNN)The President of North Macedonia walked an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome to school after he heard she was being bullied. President Stevo Pendarovski held Embla Ademi's hand as he walked her to her elementary school in the city of Gostivar on Monday. Embla has experienced bullying at school due as a result of having Down syndrome -- a genetic condition that causes learning disabilities, health problems and distinctive facial characteristics -- a spokesperson for the President's office told CNN. Pendarovski also sat down with Embla's family and gave her gifts, according to a video shared by his office.Pendarovski "talked to Embla's parents about the challenges she and her family face on a daily basis," and discussed solutions, his office said in a press release. "The President said that the behavior of those who endanger children's rights is unacceptable, especially when it comes to children with atypical development," the statement said. Read More"They should not only enjoy the rights they deserve, but also feel equal and welcome in the school desks and schoolyard. It is our obligation, as a state, but also as individuals, and the key element in this common mission is empathy." "It will help children like Embla, but it will also help us learn from them how to sincerely rejoice, share and be in solidarity," the president added."In a video shared by Pendarovski's office, the President can be seen sitting down with Embla's family and giving her gifts. He is also seen waving the 11-year-old off at the school gate as she walks into the building. "We are all equal in this society. I came here to give my support and to raise awareness that inclusion is a basic principle", the press release quoted Pendarovski as saying. Bullying can cause both short- and long-term damageThe President said he "encouraged and supported" Embla's parents in their fight for the protection of the rights of children like their daughter. "Prejudices in that context are the main obstacle to building an equal and just society for all," Pendarovski said, according to the press release. He also stressed there was "a legal and moral obligation to provide inclusive education, in which the main focus is on developing skills and abilities in children with different developmental processes" and emphasized the need to raise public awareness of the issue. Once part of Yugoslavia, North Macedonia is a small landlocked country in southeastern Europe with a population of around 2 million.

Jacob Lev, CNN

2022-02-11 04:30:17

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/10/sport/aaron-rodgers-wins-nfl-mvp-spt/index.html

Aaron Rodgers is named NFL's Most Valuable Player for the 2nd year in a row - CNN

For the second straight year, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named AP NFL Most Valuable Player.

sport, Aaron Rodgers is named NFL's Most Valuable Player for the 2nd year in a row - CNN

Aaron Rodgers is named NFL's Most Valuable Player for the 2nd year in a row

(CNN)For the second straight year, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named AP NFL Most Valuable Player. The award, announced at Thursday's NFL Honors Awards, marks the fourth of his 17-year career, as he also won for his play in the 2011, 2014 and 2020 seasons.Rodgers finished the 2021 season throwing for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns, and four interceptions while leading the Packers to the top seed in the NFC with a 13-4 record. The Packers would go on to lose in the NFC Divisional Round to the San Francisco 49ers.Aaron Rodgers claims his 'divisive' vaccination status was the 'only reason' people wanted Packers to lose in the playoffsThe 38-year-old has played his entire career in Green Bay and won Super Bowl XLV in 2011, where he was named the game's most valuable player. Only one other player has won more season MVPs in his career, according to the team's website -- Peyton Manning with five. Rodgers, who has been unclear about his future in the league, said after winning the award, "It's been an amazing 17 years. So thankful for the memories and the moments over the years."

Story by Reuters

2022-02-11 17:34:19

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/sport/beijing-olympics-tiktok-maddie-mastro-spt-intl/index.html

Maddie Mastro: From clothing hauls to TikTok trends, Gen Z Olympians show new side of Games - CNN

American snowboarder Maddie Mastro has captured the hearts of millions on the internet by showing both the highs and lows of being an Olympian, sharing everything from try-on hauls to competition prep on her TikTok account.

sport, Maddie Mastro: From clothing hauls to TikTok trends, Gen Z Olympians show new side of Games - CNN

Olympics: From clothing hauls to TikTok trends, Gen Z Olympians show new side of Games

(Reuters)American snowboarder Maddie Mastro has captured the hearts of millions on the internet by showing both the highs and lows of being an Olympian, sharing everything from try-on hauls to competition prep on her TikTok account.Mastro, 21, is part of a growing number of athletes who are using their popular social accounts to connect directly to newly-converted fans, answering questions about their training routines, accommodation and Olympic merchandise at the Beijing Games.Mastro, who was in Beijing to compete in the women's halfpipe event, has been called a "trusted source" for all things Olympics-related by some of her followers on TikTok, who say they've become more invested in the Games because they feel they know her."2 weeks ago I had no idea who you are. Now I'm invested in what you wear to dinner and can't wait to cheer you on!" one TikTok user commented this week ahead of the qualifiers.Eileen Gu, a star freestyle skier, has been posting regular Instagram updates, including a video of her walking a "catwalk" in her room after trying on all of Team China's different uniforms.Read MoreWith the Beijing Olympics held during a global pandemic and not open to public spectators, athletes like Mastro's natural social persona have helped drive traffic to more mainstream broadcasters, who are carrying the Games.Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of Olympic Broadcasting Services, called social media a "huge area of potential," at a Thursday press conference, singling out TikTok as the social platform generating most of the Olympics conversation.Gen Z were particularly active in contributing to the Olympics hype, Exarchos said.Mastro has 540,000 TikTok followers.'Real feelings'Ahead of the women's halfpipe qualifiers, Mastro posted NBC's streaming schedule for the event after some users asked where they would able to cheer her on.After Mastro failed to advance to the halfpipe final, she waited some time before updating her more than 540,000 followers."Yesterday was not a good day. I'm so bummed on the outcome," she said as she sat on her bed wearing what she has called her "trusty red beanie"."I wasn't able to show the snowboarding I wanted to show in the qualies (qualifiers) ... and I'm just really, really bummed," she said, tearing up on camera.The post has since been viewed nearly 500,000 times and attracted more than 3,000 messages of encouragement telling the snowboarder to remain positive despite the disappointing result."Ridiculously cool to see somebody come out and show the real feelings behind this," one of the commenters said.

Amy Woodyatt, CNN

2022-02-11 13:41:57

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/sport/tottenham-y-word-change-intl-spt/index.html

Tottenham Hotspur ask fans to 'move on' from using 'anti-Semitic' Y-word - CNN

English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur has told supporters it is time to "move on" from using the "Y-word" -- deemed anti-Semitic -- after conducting a review of the term among the club's fanbase.

sport, Tottenham Hotspur ask fans to 'move on' from using 'anti-Semitic' Y-word - CNN

Tottenham Hotspur ask fans to 'move on' from using 'anti-Semitic' Y-word

(CNN)English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur has told supporters it is time to "move on" from using the "Y-word" -- deemed anti-Semitic -- after conducting a review of the term among the club's fanbase.The review, which had over 23,000 responses, found that 94% of those surveyed acknowledged the Y-word can be considered a racist term against a Jewish person, the club said on Thursday. The word "yid" has inoffensive origins within the Jewish community, but it took on a new meaning in the 1930s -- especially in the UK -- when it was used as a derogatory term for a Jew or a person of Jewish origin.UK anti-Semitism reaches record high in 2021, report says A north London-based club, Tottenham is known for having a large number of Jewish supporters and Spurs fans, both Jewish and non-Jewish, have adopted the words "Yid," "Yiddo" and "Yid Army" as a proud self-identifiers in an attempt to nullify the derogatory meaning."Our supporters' use of the Y-word was initially taken as a positive step to deflect anti-Semitic abuse that they were subjected to at matches more than 40 years ago from opposition fans, who faced no sanctions for their actions," Tottenham said in a statement.Read MoreBut the club said that while it believes "our fans have never used it with any deliberate attempt to offend," it acknowledged there is a "growing desire" among supporters to stop using the word.Among the respondents to the survey, 11% identified themselves as Jewish.Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammate Danny Rose after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 10, 2019 in London.Spurs said that it prided itself on being "an inclusive and progressive Club" and was "aware of the growing cultural sensitivities globally.""We recognise how these members of our fanbase feel and we also believe it is time to move on from associating this term with our Club," the club added. Jewish groups have appealed to the club in the past to take action over fans' use of the word, though other prominent members of the Jewish community, who are also Spurs fans, have differing views on the matter.The English Football Association has also warned that such practices are no longer acceptable as it continues its fight against discrimination in the English game.More incidents of anti-Semitism were recorded in the United Kingdom in 2021 than at any point since it began recording such incidents in 1984, UK charity Community Security Trust (CST) said in report released Thursday.The charity, which according to its website works to protect British Jews from anti-Semitism and related threats, said it recorded 2,255 anti-Jewish hate incidents across the country during 2021 -- a 34% increase from the 1,684 it recorded in 2020. Calum Trenaman contributed reporting.

Jacob Lev, CNN

2022-02-11 03:50:54

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/10/sport/nfl-washington-commanders-congress-spt/index.html

NFL tells Congress that Washington Commanders are blocking access to documents from team investigation - CNN

NFL officials argued in a letter to two US representatives that the Washington Commanders are withholding documents pertaining to the investigation into team owner Dan Snyder.

sport, NFL tells Congress that Washington Commanders are blocking access to documents from team investigation - CNN

NFL tells members of Congress that Washington Commanders are blocking access to documents from team investigation

(CNN)NFL officials argued in a letter to two US representatives that the Washington Commanders are withholding documents pertaining to the investigation into team owner Dan Snyder. The letter from the league's legal counsel, obtained by CNN and dated Wednesday, was to Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, and stated that the league tried to "obtain and review" approximately 109,000 team documents collected by the Wilkinson Stekloff law firm that were in possession of an e-discovery vendor used by the firm during its investigation. The league's lawyers added that the vendor refused to turn over the documents unless the team consented because of "its concern that it could be sued by the team or owner."The House Committee for Oversight and Reform, of which Maloney and Krishnamoorthi are members, is conducting an investigation into Snyder and the team. Earlier this month, the committee sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell demanding the league cooperate with the committee's investigation and release the full findings of its internal probe.The NFL says the league, not the Washington Commanders, will investigate sexual harassment allegations against team owner Dan Snyder According to the letter from the league, the team did not consent. Read More"The NFL promptly directed the team to provide its consent to the vendor, but the team repeatedly has refused to do so," the league said in the letter. "As the Committee also knows, the team has insisted that it will only authorize the vendor to release those documents to the team, so that the team's counsel can review the documents for privilege first (even though these are all documents the team itself previously shared with Wilkinson Stekloff) before deciding unilaterally which documents it will provide to the NFL for production to the Committee."The letter continued, "The NFL viewed this as an unacceptable approach because it would prevent the NFL from ensuring that it can produce all responsive, non-privileged documents to the Committee and would delay our production decisions. On Monday, the team approached the NFL about a proposed alternative resolution involving assurances to them that their release of the documents would not result in any waiver of privilege by them."Snyder denied these claims on Thursday through his lawyer, Jordan Siev. "The Commanders have never prevented the NFL from obtaining any non-privileged documents and will not do so in the future," he said. Oversight committee raises concerns over NFL investigation into workplace culture a day after hearing new allegation against team owner Dan SnyderWhen asked for comment, the team shared the same statement. On Wednesday, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said the league, and not the team, will conduct the investigation. This followed the Commanders announcing earlier on Wednesday the hiring of an independent firm to investigate.Goodell was asked Wednesday about Washington's earlier announcement that the team retained Debra Wong Yang, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP in Los Angeles and a former judge, to manage an independent investigation into Tiffani Johnston's allegations against Snyder.The commissioner told reporters at a Super Bowl news conference, "We'll do an investigation. ... I do not see any way that a team can do its own investigation of itself."Johnston, a former cheerleader and marketing and events coordinator for the team, told a House Oversight Committee roundtable last week that Snyder allegedly put his hand on her thigh during a dinner and aggressively pushed her toward his limousine with his hand on her lower back as she fended off advances.Washington Football Team settled sexual misconduct claim against owner Daniel Snyder in 2009, per reports Goodell said the league treats Johnston's claims "very seriously."Johnston's attorneys, Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, released a statement Wednesday: "Apparently the NFL also recognized how absurd it was to think Dan Snyder could investigate himself."We await communication from the NFL about whether it intends to undertake this investigation independently, and without any common interest agreement with Snyder. If the investigation is truly independent, and the NFL commits to make the findings public, my clients will be happy to participate."In 2020, the NFL conducted a yearlong investigation into the Washington franchise's work environment, and last July handed Snyder a $10 million fine. The investigation concluded that Snyder was responsible for the club's unprofessional and intimidating culture and that he failed to establish a respectful work environment.

Joseph Ataman, Lianne Kolirin, Mick Krever and Aliza Kassim Khalidi, CNN

2022-02-10 12:20:13

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europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/10/europe/paris-freedom-convoy-banned-intl/index.html

Paris and Brussels ban protests linked to French 'Freedom Convoy' - CNN

Authorities in both Paris and Brussels have announced a ban on protests linked to the so-called "Freedom Convoy" that is scheduled to arrive in the French capital from Friday.

europe, Paris and Brussels ban protests linked to French 'Freedom Convoy' - CNN

Paris and Brussels ban protests linked to French 'Freedom Convoy'

Paris (CNN)Authorities in both Paris and Brussels have announced a ban on protests linked to the so-called "Freedom Convoy" that is scheduled to arrive in the French capital from Friday.Following the "Freedom Convoy" in Canada -- which has seen truckers protesting against vaccine mandates, Covid-19 restrictions and the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- demonstrators in France have launched a similar initiative against the country's vaccine pass, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.One convoy of around 100 people left Nice on Wednesday morning bound for Paris, according to BFMTV.A map from the French convoy organizers shows protesters coming from across the country along five main routes toward the city. It also highlights the demonstrators' plans to then drive north to Brussels, Belgium's capital. The convoys are due to reach Paris between February 11 and 14.On Thursday, Paris police announced restrictions on protests in the city from Friday to Monday, "due to the risk of public order offenses which could stem from this gathering." The convoys had the objective of "blocking off the capital."Read MoreA man puts a poster reading "Liberty Convoy" on a van before departing for Paris, in Bayonne, southwest France, on Wednesday.The mayor of Brussels also banned the convoy from entering the Belgian capital the same day.Philippe Close said that in conjunction with the Belgian Minister of the Interior and the Minister-President of the Brussels Capital Region, the city made the decision to deny admission to the convoy "because there was no application" for the protest.In a tweet, he wrote: "Resources are being put in place to prevent the blockage of the Brussels Capital Region."The police zones, with the help of the federal police, will divert motor vehicles coming to the capital despite the ban.""This cooperation between the three levels of government aims to influence public order in the capital as little as possible," Close added.An unvaccinated truck driver died from Covid-19. His mom has a message for protesting Canadian truckersCanada's "Freedom Convoy" began at the end of January in Ottawa as an objection to a vaccine mandate requiring truckers entering the country to either be fully vaccinated or face testing and quarantine requirements. Other protesters then joined to rail against mask mandates, lockdowns, restrictions on gatherings and other Covid-19 preventative measures. The protests have been jumped on by the far-right and Covid conspiracists around the world. In the United States, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shared her support of the convoy on social media, while anti-vaccine mandate activists have created Facebook and Telegram groups to also organize a descent on Washington DC. A Facebook page linked to the protests in France said the event was for "liberty" and "fundamental rights" and to "stop the sacrifice of our children and youth." Posts from the page also repeatedly used the French hashtag "#findesrestrictions," meaning "end of restrictions." A placard that reads, "We are liberty" is held out of a car window as one convoy leaves Bayonne on February 9.On Wednesday, French European Affairs Minister Clément Beaune slammed the protesters as anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists, saying in an interview with French broadcaster LCI that "it is a bit paradoxical to pretend to be for freedom when the project is to block people's lives.""Let's not twist words here, it's not the 'Convoy of Liberty' that we see here, it's the convoy of shame and selfishness. These are not patriots, they're irresponsible," he said.

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-10 17:04:34

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/10/sport/olympics-gold-medals-thursday-spt-intl/index.html

Here's who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday - CNN

There were eight gold medals up for grabs on Thursday at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

sport, Here's who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday - CNN

Here's who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday

(CNN)There were eight gold medals up for grabs on Thursday at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Here's a breakdown of who is taking home gold for their delegations on Day 6 of the Games.Alpine SkiingMen's Alpine Combined: Johannes Strolz, AustriaCross-Country SkiingRead MoreWomen's 10km Classic: Therese Johaug, NorwayFigure SkatingMen Single Skating: Nathan Chen, USAFreestyle skiingMixed Team Aerials: United States of AmericaLugeTeam Relay: GermanySnowboardMen's Snowboard Cross: Alessandro Haemmerle, Austria Women's Snowboard Halfpipe: Chloe Kim, USASpeed SkatingWomen's 5000m: Irene Schouten, Netherlands

Nathan Hodge, Tara John and Anna Chernova, CNN

2022-02-10 10:31:13

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/10/europe/ukraine-russia-news-thursday-military-exercises-intl/index.html

Ukraine: Russia and Belarus hold joint military exercises - CNN

Russia and Belarus began 10 days of joint military drills Thursday amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis over fears that the Kremlin is planning an incursion into Ukrainian territory.

europe, Ukraine: Russia and Belarus hold joint military exercises - CNN

Russia and Belarus hold joint military exercises as diplomatic talks ramp back up

(CNN)Russia and Belarus began 10 days of joint military drills Thursday amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis over fears that the Kremlin is planning an incursion into Ukrainian territory. The military drills, called "Allied Resolve-2022," began in Belarus and will end February 20, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced Thursday in a statement. "The purpose of the exercise is to work out the tasks of suppressing and repelling external aggression while conducting a defensive operation, countering terrorism and protecting the interests of the Union State," the statement said.Russia is also planning naval exercises that would block off large parts of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, raising protests from Ukraine that commercial shipping routes would be choked. The Kremlin has denied that shipping routes will be blocked.Moscow's deployment into Belarus is believed to be its biggest there since the Cold War, with "an expected 30,000 combat troops, Spetsnaz special operation forces, fighter jets including SU-35, Iskander dual-capable missiles and S-400 air defense systems," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said last Thursday.Read MoreThe United States has also expressed concerns about the buildup of Russian troops in Belarus, a close ally of Russia.Experts are speculating over Russia's next move. They may want to check Ukraine's weather forecastOn Thursday, the top US general spoke with his Belarusian counterpart, marking the first time the two have had any official communication. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley tried to "reduce chances of miscalculation" in his call with Belarus Maj. Gen. Viktor Gulevich, according to a readout of the call.Milley has frequently spoken with NATO allies and European partners over the past few months. On Wednesday, he spoke with Lt. Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, the top Ukrainian general. It was the fourth time the two had spoken in about one month.But even as European leaders have held occasional talks with Russia, including French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the Kremlin earlier this week, most of the US engagement has been with allies and partners. Milley hasn't spoken to his Russian counterpart, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, since late-December.Russia has repeatedly denied it is planning to attack Ukraine, despite Moscow's massive troop buildup in the region. The Kremlin is believed to have assembled 70% of the military personnel and weapons on Ukraine's borders that Russia would need for a full-scale invasion, according to two US officials familiar with Washington's latest intelligence estimates.On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry posted images of six large amphibious landing ships at the port of Sevastopol in Crimea, after they transited into the Black Sea earlier this week.Russia has declared a wide swath of the Sea of Azov and Black Sea unsafe as it performs missile and artillery fire exercises between February 14 and 19, the Ukrainian Naval Forces Command said in a Thursday statement shared by the Defense Ministry."By blocking the recommended sea lanes, the Russian Federation has made it literally impossible to navigate in these areas and allow ships to enter Ukrainian seaports, especially in the Sea of Azov, that is a clear violation of both the spirit and the conditions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea," it said. Ukrainians prepare for war at the site of the world's worst nuclear disasterThe planned exercises would restrict commercial traffic, warned Michael Carpenter, US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, on Twitter. "We see Russia escalating its brinksmanship by conducting provocative exercises along Ukraine's borders and in occupied Crimea, as well as in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. This chokes off commercial traffic in both bodies of water."The Ukrainian Defense Ministry appealed for international help over the planned exercises off the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. "We expect a strong response from the partners: when the Russian Federation's vessels will be not able to entry easily civilized ports, they will see the price for their impudence," Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a statement. "If there is no joint reaction from the world to these attempts of pressure, the Kremlin, and not just the Kremlin, could use such tactics around the globe," Reznikov said.The US Navy is increasing the presence of warships in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean amid rising concerns over the Russia-Ukraine crisis, according to a US defense official. Four US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers have deployed in recent days to Europe to support NATO, the official said.Russia has denied that the exercises would block off shipping traffic. When asked to comment, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday: "All military maneuvers and movements of Russian ships in the water area of the Black Sea are carried out in strict accordance with international regulations of maritime law."S-400 and Pantsir-S air defense systems arrive ahead of the Russian-Belarusian military drills, which began Thursday.BMP-2 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles are shown ahead of the Allied Resolve-2022 joint military drills by Belarusian and Russian troops. The day before, Peskov said the military drills have scaled up as both Russia and Belarus face "unprecedented threats" from NATO."[The drills] are held regularly," Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. "Yes, the scale may be larger than before, but the situation is much more tense now."Pressed further on the purpose and political meaning of these exercises, Peskov said both countries feel a growing threat from NATO."Yes, we can say so," Peskov said. "Both Russia and Belarus are facing unprecedented threats, the nature and concentration of which, unfortunately, are now much higher and much more dangerous than before."While Russian President Vladimir Putin is not scheduled to attend the drills, Gerasimov, the Chief of the Russian General Staff, arrived in Belarus ahead of the joint exercises, Russian state news agency TASS reported Wednesday."During the exercise, measures will be taken to strengthen the protection of the state border to prevent the penetration of armed groups of militants, block the channels for the delivery of weapons and ammunition, search, block, destroy illegal armed formations and sabotage and reconnaissance groups of a mock enemy," the Russian Ministry of Defense statement said. The drills are taking place around Belarus, including "Domanovsky, Gozhsky, Obuz-Lesnovsky, Brestsky, Osipovichsky training grounds," while the "airfields of Baranovichi, Luninets, Lida and Machulishchi are also involved," it wrote. Satellite images, taken Saturday, by US-based technology company Maxar showed camps being established close to the Belarusian border with Ukraine, hundreds of miles from where the exercises are taking place.More diplomacyThe exercises begin as Western nations look for diplomatic avenues to ease the crisis. US President Joe Biden is expected to speak Friday with European and NATO leaders about Russia's buildup of troops near Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the plans.Biden spoke Wednesday with Emmanuel Macron about the French President's diplomatic efforts in Moscow -- after which the Kremlin poured cold water on reports that the two leaders had agreed to de-escalate the tense standoff on Ukraine's border.Press secretary Jen Psaki said she expected Biden "will speak with a number of other European counterparts as the week proceeds."French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in an interview Thursday that a further round of talks between the countries in the so-called Normandy Format would be a "good sign." The Normandy Format is a four-way conversation between representatives from Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France that has been trying to broker peace in eastern Ukraine since 2014.Talk has turned to the Minsk Agreement, which was hammered out during talks in 2015 but never fully implemented, as a possible way out of the current crisis. Advisers from all four countries are due to meet Thursday in Berlin to discuss tensions around Ukraine. Here's where Alliance forces are deployed across Eastern EuropeMeanwhile, Boris Johnson met NATO's Stoltenberg in Brussels on Thursday, where the UK Prime Minister "set out his plan to bolster UK military commitments to NATO" by sending warships to Eastern Europe and increase the number of British fighter jets stationed in southeast Europe, "to provide reassurance and support to allies in the region," according to Downing Street. "Today I have agreed with the Secretary General a package of support to strengthen further our collective security, sending troops, planes and ships to defend NATO from north to south," Johnson said during a news conference. Johnson later traveled to Poland where he met Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The leaders "agreed that European security was vital for wider global stability and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions on the Ukrainian border," a Downing Street spokesperson said. UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss met in Moscow with her counterpart Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who gave a gloomy assessment of their talks. Lavrov called it a "a dialogue of the deaf," saying at a joint press conference Russia was considering withdrawing non-essential diplomatic personnel from Ukraine. "We are listening but we can't hear each other," he added. "Our most detailed explanations fell on unprepared ground."Truss in turn urged Russia to take a diplomatic route to avoid war over Ukraine. "There is no doubt that the stationing of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border is directly put in place to threaten Ukraine," she said, noting that Russian authorities have also attempted to undermine the sovereignty of Ukraine through cyberattacks and other activities. "No one is undermining Russia's security. That is simply not true," Truss added. "And it is perfectly proper for sovereign nations such as Ukraine to defend themselves and to seek defensive alliances."CNN's Olga Voitovych and Tim Lister reported from Kyiv. Oren Liebermann, Kevin Liptak, Barbara Starr, Lauren Kent, Uliana Pavlova, Joseph Ataman and Camille Knight reported from Washington, London, Moscow and Paris.

Hada Messia, Sharon Braithwaite and Hannah Ryan, CNN

2022-02-09 13:54:34

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europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/europe/italian-woman-two-years-dead-intl-scli/index.html

Body of 70-year-old Italian woman found sitting in chair, two years after her death - CNN

The body of a 70-year-old woman has been found in her house in northern Italy, two years after her death.

europe, Body of 70-year-old Italian woman found sitting in chair, two years after her death - CNN

Body of 70-year-old Italian woman found sitting in chair, two years after her death

(CNN)The body of a 70-year-old woman has been found in her house in northern Italy, two years after her death.Marinella Beretta lived alone near Lake Como in Lombardy. Her decomposed body was discovered on Friday by the Como fire brigade following complaints that a tree had fallen in her garden as a result of overgrown vegetation, Como City Hall press officer Francesca Manfredi confirmed to CNN on Wednesday.Beretta's body was found sitting in a chair in the living room, CNN affiliate SkyTg24 reported on Monday.Coumboscuro: The Italian village that doesn't speak ItalianManfredi told CNN that the cause of Beretta's death is unknown, and the examiner has established that she died sometime toward the end of 2019, based on the extent of decomposition.No relatives have yet come forward, Manfredi said, adding that police are investigating whether she had any surviving family.Read MoreBeretta's body remains at the morgue, and a funeral date has not yet been set, Manfredi added.Como Mayor Mario Landriscina has invited the town's residents to attend Beretta's funeral. He told Italian press on Tuesday that the local government would take care of the funeral arrangements."I will try to be there and I invite the city to be present," Landriscina said, adding: "This is the moment to be together, and even if this woman had no relatives, we could become her relatives."The Italian city unchanged since the RenaissanceHe said Beretta was not on the list for assistance from local social services.On Facebook, Elena Bonetti, Italy's minister for family and equal opportunities, mourned Beretta's solitary death. "What happened to Marinella Beretta in Como, the forgotten loneliness, hurts our consciences," she said. "Remembering her life is the duty of a community that wants to remain united."Bonetti added: "Taking care of each other is the experience of families, institutions, of our being citizens. No one should be alone."

Tim Lister, CNN

2022-02-09 12:04:38

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/europe/minsk-agreement-ukraine-russia-explainer-intl/index.html

Minsk agreement: Could it be a way out of the Ukraine-Russia crisis? - CNN

As world leaders scramble to find a diplomatic solution over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine tensions, talk has turned to the 2015 Minsk Agreement as a possible way out of the crisis.

europe, Minsk agreement: Could it be a way out of the Ukraine-Russia crisis? - CNN

What is the Minsk agreement and is it a way out of Ukraine crisis?

(CNN)As world leaders scramble to find a diplomatic solution over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine tensions, talk has turned to the 2015 Minsk Agreement as a possible way out of the crisis. The agreement, the second of its kind (and the one that matters), was hammered out in the Belarusian capital in a bid to end what was then a bloody 10-month conflict in eastern Ukraine.But Minsk II has never been fully implemented, with its key issues still unresolved. Here's what you need to know:Who are the key players?A rare meeting between Russian, Ukrainian, German and French leaders in February 2015 sought to bring peace to areas of Ukraine that had been taken over by pro-Russian separatists the year before. Those areas, in Ukraine's Donbas region, became known as the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) and the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). The Ukrainian government in Kyiv asserted the two regions were in effect Russian-occupied.Read MoreThe talks also aimed to work towards a political settlement for the region. The result, Minsk II, was signed by representatives of Russia, Ukraine, the separatist leaders and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). It was subsequently endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution. What were the conditions of the agreement? A ceasefire. In February 2015, there was still heavy fighting in some areas between Ukrainian forces and Russian-supported rebels, with the Ukrainians taking heavy losses. The withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the frontlines.That the OSCE -- a 57-member security organization that also includes the US and Canada -- monitor the frontlines.Russia pours cold water on Ukraine crisis de-escalation, as Macron meets with ZelenskyA dialogue on local elections in areas occupied by pro-Russian rebels.The restoration of full economic and social links between the two sides, so that, for example, pensions could be paid.That Ukrainian government control be restored over the border with Russia.The withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries.Constitutional reform that would provide some autonomy to the regions of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region no longer under the central government's control.What happened after Minsk II was signed?The worst of the fighting stopped, and OSCE monitors moved in. To this day, the OSCE patrols the frontlines and reports ceasefire violations along the border. However, there is much less fighting and fewer casualties than in 2014-15. From that perspective, the agreement was, at least, partly fulfilled.Still, there are 1.5 million internally displaced people in Ukraine, and nearly 14,000 people have died in the conflict.A burned military vehicle in front of a destroyed building in Uglegorsk, Ukraine, in February 2015.But there's a catch The Minsk Agreement was devised very hastily. Russia was a signatory but its role in the conflict was not acknowledged. Indeed the word 'Russia' does not appear anywhere in the text. Ever since, that's allowed the Kremlin to say that it is merely an observer and that agreement must be reached between the Ukrainian government and the rebels in the country's east -- despite evidence showing that Russia supports the separatists. Kyiv, meanwhile, refuses to talk directly to the rebels.In addition, the agreement's language is imprecise -- with Russia and Ukraine interpreting its political roadmap to mean very different things. Ukraine wants first to regain control of its international border before local elections are held in rebel-held areas. It also wants Russian forces (point 7 above) to leave. Russia, of course, says it doesn't have any forces in the rebel-controlled areas.Moscow wants elections while the region is still under the control of the separatists -- and before Ukrainian authorities regain control over the border. Efforts by Western diplomats to square this circle have gone nowhere.What are the other issues?The status of the rebel-held areas of the Donbas have never been defined (point 8 above).Kyiv's view is that the region should have the same sort of autonomy as other Ukrainian regions do, within a federal structure. Moscow points to language in the Minsk Agreement that refers to "the special status of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions" and interprets that as allowing these regions to have their own police forces and judicial system, among other advantages.But any Ukrainian government that agreed to giving the Donbas special status might not survive a public backlash. In 2015, then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko put forward constitutional amendments on decentralization that were bitterly opposed by Ukrainian nationalist groups. Riots in Kyiv left three law enforcement officers dead. Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackDenis, a soldier in the Ukrainian army, holds a machine gun in Marinka, Ukraine. The 38-year-old was previously a welder. Now he's on the front lines just a few hundred yards away from Russian-backed separatists.Hide Caption 1 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackFighters with the Right Sector, a paramilitary organization that has also become a political party, eat lunch at the group's headquarters in Novohrodivka, Ukraine. The Right Sector formed in 2013 during the Maidan revolution in Kyiv, and in 2014 and 2015 it fought many battles against Russian-supported separatists.Hide Caption 2 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackUkrainian soldiers walk past a destroyed building in Marinka.Hide Caption 3 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackUkrainian Navy Capt. Oleksandr Hrigorevskiy stands on the dock of Mariupol's port with his ship, the Donbas, behind him. "I don't expect a war at sea with the Russians," he said.Hide Caption 4 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackUkrainians coming from the separatist-held territory stop at the Novotroitskoye checkpoint.Hide Caption 5 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackAnna Yvleva, a 30-year-old member of the Ukrainian military, commands an infantry squad of six men. She is married to an officer in the same battalion. Her four children are being cared for by their grandmother while their parents are deployed on the front lines. Yvleva told photographer Timothy Fadek she was a teacher before she joined the military four years ago.Hide Caption 6 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackZoya Kralya, 66, is one of the last remaining residents of Vodyane, Ukraine, a tiny hamlet in the Donetsk area. Ever since her husband died a few years ago, she has lived alone and tends to her goats and a number of dogs and cats. "If there is war, I will shelter in the basement, stocked with food and water in case I have to be underground for weeks," she told Fadek. "The conflict in 2014 and 2015 was the worst thing I experienced in my life. I don't want to live through it again."Hide Caption 7 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackUkrainian soldiers are posted in Marinka.Hide Caption 8 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA member of the Ukrainian military holds a periscope as he climbs down from a lookout point near Shyrokyne, Ukraine.Hide Caption 9 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackLocal residents drive past an apartment building in Marinka. The building was badly damaged during fighting in 2015 between the Ukrainian army and Russian-backed separatists.Hide Caption 10 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA Ukrainian soldier mans a gunner position in a front-line trench in Avdiivka, Ukraine.Hide Caption 11 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA Ukrainian soldier is seen at a front-line position in Marinka.Hide Caption 12 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackUkrainian soldiers take shelter in a front-line trench in Pisky, Ukraine. This trench was about 100 meters (109 yards) from separatist positions, Fadek said.Hide Caption 13 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackBoys fish for carp and perch in Marinka. "They don't read the news and have no opinion about the Russian military buildup," Fadek said. "But they said their parents were extremely worried and watch television news constantly."Hide Caption 14 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA Ukrainian soldier walks through a destroyed industrial zone in Avdiivka that, in some areas, is only 50 meters (about 55 yards) from the separatist trenches.Hide Caption 15 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackZhanna, 42, is a lieutenant and doctor in the Ukrainian army, based in Avdiivka. Before joining the army last year, she was a pediatric physician in a local hospital. Her husband is an officer in the army. "I'm not sure that there will be an attack by Russia," she said, "but I am ready to treat the soldiers in case they are wounded in fighting."Hide Caption 16 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackSoldiers keeps watch at their front-line position in Avdiivka.Hide Caption 17 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA Ukrainian soldier holds a cat in Avdiivka.Hide Caption 18 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackUkrainian soldiers keep watch on the front line in Avdiivka.Hide Caption 19 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackSoldiers sit in the back of a truck in Slov'yanoserbs'k, Ukraine.Hide Caption 20 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA soldier stands in a trench in Avdiivka.Hide Caption 21 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA resident rides a bicycle in Marinka. "Although this small city is less than 15 miles from the separatist front line, residents try to continue their lives as normal as possible," Fadek said.Hide Caption 22 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackViktoria, right, watches television with her 10-year-old daughter and her son and his girlfriend in Marinka. When asked if she had a message for the world leaders involved in the conflict Viktoria said: "Stop. Just stop. It's enough. Think about your children if they were here."Hide Caption 23 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA woman walks past a damaged apartment building in Marinka. "The mood was somber, depressed and resigned," Fadek said. "People are going through the motions of their daily lives."Hide Caption 24 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA look inside a Ukrainian trench on the front lines.Hide Caption 25 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackUkrainian soldiers guard a front-line trench position.Hide Caption 26 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA Ukrainian soldier keeps watch in Avdiivka.Hide Caption 27 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA destroyed car is seen outside a damaged building in Avdiivka.Hide Caption 28 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA Ukrainian soldier walks through the industrial zone in Avdiivka.Hide Caption 29 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackMen play billiards in Marinka during a local tournament.Hide Caption 30 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackIn the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, near the front lines, life goes on for teenage rock band Metamorphoza. Maksym, 14, is the drummer. Valeria, 15, is on bass guitar, and Vadim, 15, plays lead guitar and is the main songwriter. All are from Avdiivka, and they have been playing together for two years. "Sometimes we can hear the shelling at night, but we try to block it out," Maksym said. Valeria added, "We are used to it."Hide Caption 31 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA Ukrainian soldier walks through a destroyed industrial zone in Avdiivka that has seen heavy shelling over the years.Hide Caption 32 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA farmer in Muratove, Ukraine, chops wood while family members collect it to sell to a nearby Ukrainian army base.Hide Caption 33 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackThese Ukrainian soldiers Fadek spent time were extremely relaxed, he said. "They have embraced the inevitability."Hide Caption 34 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA woman sells dried fish on the road leading to Kramatorsk, Ukraine.Hide Caption 35 of 36 Photos: On the front lines, Ukrainians brace for possible attackA soldier walks with dogs in a front-line trench. "I've been in the trenches many times before in the summer," Fadek said. "This is the first time it was in the winter. Visually, because the trenches and the landscape are covered in snow, it reminds me of World War I trenches. Cold misery."Hide Caption 36 of 36Why does Vladimir Putin regard Minsk as so important?If interpreted in Moscow's favor, it's potentially a way that Russia can retain its influence in Ukraine for and through pro-Russian groups in the Donbas.It would give Russia the ability to control the territory -- without annexing it, as they did with Crimea in 2014 -- and a say in Ukraine's national affairs.Experts are speculating over Russia's next move. They may want to check Ukraine's weather forecastFurther complicating matters, Russia has issued passports to hundreds of thousands of residents of Donbas. That could also give Russia a role in Ukraine's parliament through its proxies -- and the chance to derail any distant Ukrainian effort to join NATO or the European Union -- a key demand that Russia says must be met to defuse current tensions. Depending on how elections were organized, people with Russian citizenship and those who have been granted amnesty for killing Ukrainians might conceivably end up in the Ukrainian parliament.That would further destabilize Ukraine. What do world leaders have to say? French President Emmanuel Macron sees the Minsk Agreement as the most promising off-ramp to avert conflict, saying on Tuesday that "the shared determination [to put into effect the Minsk Accords] is the only way allowing us to construct peace and build a viable political solution." He said that during his meetings he was able "to obtain a very clear and explicit commitment from Presidents Putin and [Volodymyr] Zelensky to commit themselves to the strict basis of the Minsk agreements," but gave no further details.Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbas volunteer battalion take part in clean-up operations in the Lysychansk district of the Luhansk region in January 2015. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that the United States and Ukraine are "united" in supporting the Minsk agreements as the way forward to resolve the conflict. But he also hinted that the agreement alone isn't a one-stop solution, highlighting the challenges that the agreement presents. "Minsk does not spell out some issues of sequencing when it comes to the steps that the parties need to take," Blinken said, adding: "Ukraine's been approaching this in good faith. We have not to date seen Russia do the same."Duncan Allan, associate fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Program at London's Chatham House think tank, wrote that ultimately the argument about Minsk is this: "Is Ukraine sovereign, as Ukrainians insist, or should its sovereignty be limited, as Russia demands?"

CNN Editorial Research

2013-06-27 18:41:51

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europe

https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/27/world/europe/prince-charles-fast-facts/index.html

Prince Charles Fast Facts - CNN

Read CNN's Fast Facts on Prince Charles, heir apparent to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

europe, Prince Charles Fast Facts - CNN

Prince Charles Fast Facts

(CNN)Here's a look at the life of Prince Charles, heir apparent to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.PersonalBirth date: November 14, 1948Birthplace: Buckingham Palace, London, England Birth name: Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor Read MoreFather: Prince Philip, the Duke of EdinburghMother: Queen Elizabeth II Marriages: Camilla Parker Bowles (April 9, 2005-present), Lady Diana Spencer (July 29, 1981-August 28, 1996, divorced) Children: with Princess Diana: William (June 21, 1982), Henry "Harry" (September 15, 1984)Education: Trinity College, Cambridge, UK, B.A., 1970, Royal Air Force College Cranwell, Lincolnshire, UK, 1971 Military: Royal Navy 1971-1976. In 2012, Queen Elizabeth appointed him honorary five-star ranks in the three military branches of army, navy and air force: He is Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal and Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Photos: Prince Charles: Still in line Photos: Prince Charles: Still in linePrince Charles follows his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as they leave Westminster Hall in April 2002. The Prince of Wales has spent the past six decades living in his mother's shadow as the heir apparent to the throne. In 2013, he became the oldest "monarch-in-waiting" to the throne in almost 300 years. Here's a visual journey of Charles trailing his mother:Hide Caption 1 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineThe prince and Princess Diana are seen behind the Queen during the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland in September 1981. Hide Caption 2 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineThe Queen with Charles and his sister, Princess Anne, arrive at Windsor Great Park to watch events in the European Horse Trial in 1955. Hide Caption 3 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineThe Queen waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace as Charles, stands behind her, during the finale of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations on June 5, 2012, in London. Hide Caption 4 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineThe Queen Mother, left, Charles and Princess Margaret Rose in the royal box at Westminster Abbey watching the coronation ceremony of his mother, now Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. The prince was just three years old when his grandfather George VI died.Hide Caption 5 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineCharles strolls behind his mother in a top hat and umbrella on day two of the Royal Ascot Meeting 2013 horse race in Berkshire.Hide Caption 6 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineThe Queen and Charles attend the 2006 Braemar Gathering in Scotland.Hide Caption 7 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineCharles, out of focus, smiles at the camera while following his mother and his father, Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. for the first day of the royal meeting at the new state-of-the-art course at Ascot in Berkshire in June 2006. Hide Caption 8 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineCharles looks over at his mother as they attend the 2009 Braemar Highland Games in Scotland. Hide Caption 9 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineThe Queen is followed by her sons, Prince Edward (left) and Prince Charles, with Diana close behind, outside the Clarence House In London in 1989. The estate is the former home of the Queen Mother, Charles' grandmother.Hide Caption 10 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in linePrince Charles and Princess Anne follow their mother and Princess Margaret in London in 1956. Hide Caption 11 of 12 Photos: Prince Charles: Still in lineCharles and his mother share a laugh at the Smiths Lawn Polo Club in Windsor, Britain, in June 2004. Hide Caption 12 of 12Other FactsHis full title is: His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.He is the longest serving British monarch-in-waiting. Prince Charles is the first royal heir to earn a university degree.He is president of The Prince's Trust and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is also president or patron of more than 400 charitable organizations.He enjoys playing polo, skiing, fishing and hunting. His hobbies include gardening, painting and writing. As a child, he acted in school productions, sang in the school choir, played the trumpet, the cello and the electric guitar.His other interests include architecture and its effects on the environment, farming, alternative medicine and different religions.TimelineFebruary 6, 1952 - Three-year-old Prince Charles becomes the heir apparent, when his grandfather dies and his mother ascends the throne.July 26, 1958 - Is named Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, by his mother before Parliament. He is the 21st Prince of Wales and the first since 1936.July 1, 1969 - He is invested as the Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester during a televised ceremony at Caernavon Castle. February 11, 1970 - Takes his seat in the House of Lords. September 1971 - Earns his wings for jet aircraft flying at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell and joins the Royal Navy.1974 - Qualifies as a helicopter pilot and joins the 845 Naval Air Squadron on the HMS Hermes. Two years later he completes his military service, taking command of a coastal minehunter, the HMS Bronington. 1976 - Founds The Prince's Trust, a philanthropic venture to help disadvantaged youth.July 29, 1981 - Weds Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul's Cathedral. December 9, 1992 - Prime Minister John Major announces the separation of Charles and Diana.1993 - Affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles becomes public when the transcript of a 1989 intimate phone conversation between the two is made public. June 29, 1994 - A televised documentary, "Charles: The Private Man, the Public Role," airs; in it he admits to adultery.September 1997 - Charles accompanies the body of Princess Diana from Paris to London and during the funeral procession walks behind her coffin with his father, sons and Diana's brother, the Earl of Spencer.January 28, 1999 - First public appearance as a couple with Parker-Bowles, when they are seen leaving the Ritz Hotel in London after a party.June 2000 - Formally introduces Parker-Bowles to Queen Elizabeth II at a party held at Highgrove, the prince's country estate.2003 - Clarence House becomes the official London residence of Prince Charles and his sons. The estate is the former home of the Queen Mother, Charles' grandmother.April 9, 2005 - In a civil ceremony at Guildhall in Windsor with a blessing at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Charles and Camilla wed. November 1-8, 2005 - Makes his first official visit to the United States since 1994.October 2006 - Announces plans for second multi-faith coronation ceremony, if/when he is made king, to include all non-Christian faiths, and for Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, to be crowned Queen at the same time. January 27, 2007 - Receives the Global Environmental Citizen Award from the Harvard Medical School Center for Health and the Global Environment, presented by former US Vice President Al Gore.November 16, 2010 - Announces the engagement of eldest son, Prince William, to longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton.December 9, 2010 - Student demonstrators breach security on the streets of London's West End and attack the 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI carrying the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall to a performance at the London Palladium. The couple escapes any physical harm. The students are protesting the hike in tuition fees.May 8, 2013 - Attends the opening of Parliament for the first time in 17 years. This is first time he and the Duchess of Cornwall have attended the opening together.March 2015 - Visits the United States with Camilla. The trip includes a tour of Mount Vernon, a meeting with President Barack Obama and a festival in Louisville, Kentucky.May 19, 2015 - Meets Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. This is the first meeting between a member of the British Royal Family and the leader of Sinn Fein.November 27, 2017 - Announces the engagement of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle.April 20, 2018 - Leaders of the Commonwealth agree that Prince Charles will succeed Queen Elizabeth as the next head of Commonwealth.May 19, 2018 - Walks his daughter-in-law Meghan down the aisle in her wedding ceremony to Prince Harry. November 8, 2018 - A televised documentary, "Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70," airs; in it he promises not to meddle in controversial affairs once he takes on the role of the monarch.March 25, 2020 - Announces that he has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating in Scotland.

Rob Picheta and Henrik Pettersson, CNN

2022-02-10 05:03:25

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europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/10/europe/nato-troops-eastern-europe-map-intl-cmd/index.html

NATO: Here's where Alliance forces are deployed across Eastern Europe - CNN

The threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has placed heightened importance on the United States' and NATO's defenses across eastern Europe, which for decades have acted as a buffer between Russia and the West.

europe, NATO: Here's where Alliance forces are deployed across Eastern Europe - CNN

Here's where Alliance forces are deployed across Eastern Europe

(CNN)The threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has placed heightened importance on the United States' and NATO's defenses across eastern Europe, which for decades have acted as a buffer between Russia and the West.NATO has four multinational battalion-size battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, which operate on a rotational basis. Each is led by the UK, Canada, Germany or the US, and contains troops from several member countries. The alliance said last month that all four groups are "robust and combat-ready forces."Its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also said it is prepared to rapidly reinforce that presence further by sending additional forces and capabilities into the area.And the NATO deployments are supported by US troops. The US has its own bases in Lithuania and Romania, along with several in Poland. President Joe Biden last week formally approved the deployment of 3,000 more US troops to Poland, Germany and Romania, with 8,500 others personnel on heightened alert.Read MoreNATO does not have any troops in Ukraine, and no plans have been announced to send troops from the alliance into the country. But although Ukraine is not a NATO member, the alliance also provides strategic-level advice to the country and has described the relationship as "one of the most substantial of NATO's partnerships."Other assets at NATO's disposal in the region include a missile defense system in Romania, designed to "detect, track, engage, and destroy" ballistic missiles in the atmosphere. A similar facility in Poland is set to become operational this year.

Sandy Thin, CNN

2022-02-07 17:23:31

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/sport/natural-selection-tour-drone-snowboard-spc-intl/index.html

Travis Rice's Natural Selection Tour is being filmed by racing drones - CNN

The Natural Selection Tour is bringing competitive freeriding to wide open natural terrain, and it's using custom-built high-speed racing drones to film the snowboarders.

sport, Travis Rice's Natural Selection Tour is being filmed by racing drones - CNN

High-speed drones are revolutionizing how we watch winter sports

(CNN)There's an age-old tension in the world of snowboarding between competition and style. Between sport and entertainment. Between manufactured snowpark slopes and off-piste backcountry runs.But through his star-studded new series the Natural Selection Tour, legendary big mountain freerider Travis Rice thinks he's finally brought both worlds together. The series takes place in North America over three separate weeks in three large terrain venues, bringing competitive freeriding to wide open natural terrain. But the key innovation is the way it is being filmed, combining sporting drama with cinematographic ingenuity. Custom-built high-speed racing drones cast a dynamic lens on the riders -- the first time this level of technology has been used in live broadcast. Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourThe YETI Natural Selection Tour started its second season in January at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The series aims to bring together the best of competitive freestyle snowboarding with open mountain backcountry venues. Pictured, Austen Sweetin riding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, January 25, 2022.Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourThe tour is the brainchild of Jackson local Travis Rice, widely considered to be one of the best all-round snowboarders of all time. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourThe live broadcast filming is key to the way this competition has been conceived, with custom-built high-speed racing drones following the riders down their runs.Pictured, Torgeir Bergrem and a drone at Jackson Hole, January 25.Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourThe sheer scale of the venues -- with more than 60 features and myriad possible routes down the mountain -- means that more traditional broadcast forms, like static cameras or follow-riders with handheld GoPros, would be unable to capture the action in the way the racing drones can. Pictured, Elena Hight in Jackson Hole.Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourBuilt by professional drone racer and aerial cinematographer Gabriel Kocher, the drones have eight motors, a customized rotating gimbal, full broadcast system and stabilization platform, and can travel at up to 100 miles per hour. Pictured, Danny Davis and a drone in Jackson Hole.Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourAmerican halfpipe specialist Elena Hight (pictured) took victory in the women's competition at Jackson Hole, while Olympic gold medalist Sage Kotsenburg claimed victory in the men's. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourKocher says that he has to tap into his seven years' experience as a professional drone racer in order to keep up with the riders -- simultaneously predicting their routes, engineering the best possible filming angles, and avoiding the trees dotted across the mountainside. Pictured, Sage Kotsenburg and a drone in Jackson Hole.Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourAlongside Kotsenburg (pictured), the tour boasts a roster of X Games champions and Olympic freestyle riders. According to Rice, it's the "free nature of the venues" and opportunity for "full spectrum snowboarding" that has attracted such a high caliber of competitors.Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: A drone's-eye view of snowboarding's Natural Selection TourThe Tour now moves on to Baldface Lodge in British Columbia (February 20 - 27), before the final stop of the season in the Tordrillo Mountain range in Alaska (March 20 - 27).Hide Caption 9 of 9The sheer size of the venues makes drone filming not just aesthetically desirable but also a logistical necessity. Read More"Even here at the smallest event on the tour, there is about a thousand feet of vertical drop," Rice told CNN, from the first event of the season at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "That is roughly 18 to 20 acres, with over 60 features that we've been designing and building over the past three to four years."The scope and variety of routes available with that kind of scale render more traditional forms of broadcast inadequate; static cameras placed at strategic positions on a course, follow-riders sporting handheld GoPros behind the competitors, or cable systems strung up above the mountainside all lack the range and adaptability provided by the racing drones."Over the years of trial and error with filmmaking, we realized pretty early on that the nature of this event, and how large and complicated the event venues are, meant it had to be captured in a special way," said Rice.Bringing experiences from working on more than 20 snowboarding films, the 39-year-old viewed this new series as a chance to deliver "an immersive experience" more akin to a video game than a traditional sports broadcast."People are used to looking at that third-person shooter angle (following from a close-up rear viewpoint) -- that's what video games are like," he explained. "So being able to provide a really familiar way of experiencing and watching something, I feel like reduces this barrier to entry."Racing dronesThe man to help realize that vision was Gabriel Kocher, a Swiss aerial cinematographer who doubles up as a professional drone racer, twice finishing second in the World Drone Racing Championships. When Rice first approached him, Kocher explained the challenges they would face. "You can't just buy a drone to do this, I'm going to have to spend some serious time building it," he recalls telling Rice. "But by the time it was go-time, I had a system together and it all worked out."Torgeir Bergrem and a camera drone in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, January 25, 2022.The system he created uses an X8 drone platform, built for cinematography, with eight motors, a customized gimbal (a rotating camera support), full broadcast system and a stabilization platform, to enable extreme agility and speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. To control such a system takes more than your average drone cameraman, and Kocher has had to tap into his seven years' experience in drone racing just to keep up with the riders as they descend the mountain. JUST WATCHEDWhy the future of sports training could be wearable ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHWhy the future of sports training could be wearable 05:51"It requires an athlete's performance to capture the athlete's performance," he explains. "When they run the easier line and they're just going smooth, I'm trying to tap into my cinematography background, but sometimes they're just gunning through the trees and I just basically need to throw the drone through some turns just to catch up with them."It's definitely a culmination of the drone racing skillset and the love for riding and snowboarding, to see them and be able to anticipate what's going to happen."While more basic drone filming has been used in sports for many years, the speed and agility of Kocher's custom-built models have already inspired other competitions to follow suit, such as the legendary Kitzbuhel downhill skiing race.Attracting the world's bestThe opportunity to compete in these unique venues has attracted some of the world's best freeriders, from X Games champions to Olympic gold medalists, with more stars set to join the tour's second event in Baldface Lodge in British Columbia after the Beijing Winter Olympics. Travis Rice in Jackson Hole, January 25 2022.At the first event in Jackson Hole, it was Olympic slopestyle champion Sage Kotsenburg and halfpipe specialist Elena Hight that took the victories, both coming with a wealth of experience not just in competitive snowboarding, but also filmmaking. In 2020, Hight filmed her first backcountry feature, "Blank Canvas," with Rice, while Kotsenburg shot his own film, "Halcyon," at Jackson Hole, with fellow Natural Selection Tour finalist Jared Elston.Rice believes high-caliber athletes have been attracted to the difficulty of the competition with riders having to interpret the mountain terrain and set their routes in real time, in a way they don't when competing in Olympic-style park events."It's not a park, you don't get a practice. This is really difficult," he explains.Without a chance for practice runs down the course, the athletes prepare by using VR headsets to watch Kocher's drone runs, in order to decide how best to tackle the mountain when it comes to competition. The future of action sports broadcasting?While spider-cams suspended from cables make sense for the aerial shots of smaller stadium sports, Kocher's technology and style of shooting could become the standard for more "open-world" competitions."It lends itself really well to all of the action sports that are out there, extreme sports," says Kocher. "Its place is in bigger outdoor venues where it's impossible to just rig cameras everywhere," he adds, citing car racing, mountain biking and skiing. "I can see a lot of applications for this."

Kevin Dotson and Steve Almasy, CNN

2022-02-09 01:05:14

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/sport/mlb-trevor-bauer-no-charges-spt/index.html

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer won't face criminal charges following allegations of assault - CNN

Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer will not face criminal charges for sexual assault accusations, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office says in a charge evaluation sheet obtained by CNN.

sport, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer won't face criminal charges following allegations of assault - CNN

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer won't face criminal charges following allegations of assault

(CNN)Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer will not face criminal charges for sexual assault accusations, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office says in a charge evaluation sheet obtained by CNN. A California woman accused Bauer last June of assaulting her during sex -- allegations Bauer has denied from the onset."After a thorough review of all the available evidence including the civil restraining order proceedings, witness statements and the physical evidence, the People are unable to prove the relevant charges beyond a reasonable doubt," Deputy District Attorney Fernanda Barreto wrote.Bauer, now 31, was placed on paid leave in July by Major League Baseball (MLB) following the allegations.Bauer released a video statement Tuesday afternoon welcoming the district attorney's decision not to press charges. He said, in part:Read More"In August, the Los Angeles Superior Court reviewed a host of information and testimony, and after a four-day hearing denied a request for a permanent restraining order against me, as the Court correctly found that there was no basis for this request. More importantly, in doing so, the Court also found that no sexual assault, act of abuse, or non-consensual sex occurred between me and the woman seeking the restraining order. "And today, the District Attorney's Office announced that they are declining to press any charges. Both my representatives and I have expected this outcome from the beginning, and we are grateful that each of these neutral, third party arbiters have reviewed the relevant information and made clear and informed decisions on this matter. I have cooperated with the Pasadena Police Department's investigation and my version of events has not wavered because it's the truth."An attorney for the accuser, Marc Garelick, said in January that his client, whom he referred to as "Ms. Hill," has "sought and obtained an order for Protection from the Court against Mr. Trevor Bauer, under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act.""The order is a result of a recent assault that took place at the hands of Mr. Bauer where Ms. Hill suffered severe physical and emotional pain," Garelick said. "Our goal is to keep Mr. Bauer from contacting our client in any way possible."CNN has reached out to the legal team representing the accuser for comment.Bauer's accuser also petitioned for a permanent restraining order against the pitcher, which a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge denied in August, a court spokesperson told CNN at the time.MLB is investigating the allegations and can still discipline Bauer."MLB's investigation is ongoing, and we will comment further at the appropriate time," league officials said in a statement on Tuesday.The league's policy on domestic violence, sexual abuse and child abuse says players may face "disciplinary action for just cause by the Commissioner for a violation of this Policy in the absence of a conviction of a plea of guilty to a crime involving a Covered Act." The acts covered under the sexual assault policy are defined as "a range of behaviors, including a completed nonconsensual sex act, an attempted nonconsensual sex act, and/or nonconsensual sexual contact."Dodgers officials said the organization would not comment until the MLB investigation is concluded.CNN has reached out to the Major League Baseball Players Association for comment.Bauer pitched in 17 games last season before he was placed on administrative leave and missed the rest of the year. He was 8-5 with a 2.59 earned run average (ERA). He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2020 when he led the Cincinnati Reds with a 1.73 ERA during a pandemic-shortened season. He then moved to Dodgers in the offseason, signing a three-year, $102 million contract, according to salary tracking website Spotrac.CNN's Cheri Mossburg contributed to this report.

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-02-08 22:55:47

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/sport/chloe-kim-defend-halfpipe-title-beijing-2022-spt-intl/index.html

Chloe Kim: US snowboarding phenomenon out to defend her Winter Olympics crown - CNN

It's a testament to Chloe Kim's remarkable career that she comes into the 2022 Winter Olympics as a seasoned veteran, despite being only 21 years old.

sport, Chloe Kim: US snowboarding phenomenon out to defend her Winter Olympics crown - CNN

After a whirlwind four years, snowboarding phenomenon Chloe Kim is out to defend her Winter Olympics crown

(CNN)It's a testament to Chloe Kim's remarkable career that she comes into the 2022 Winter Olympics as a seasoned veteran, despite being only 21 years old.The snowboarding sensation already boasts five X Games gold medals, two world championships and, four years ago in Pyeongchang, announced herself to the world with a near-perfect score to win her first Winter Olympic gold medal aged only 17.It was incredible halfpipe performance, executed under the intense pressure that came with being the favorite. The Winter Games have seen numerous slips and crashes over the years as athletes crack under the weight of expectation -- but not Kim.On the morning of the final, she seemed more concerned with what she was going to eat. In a tweet posted early that day, Kim said that she hadn't finished her breakfast and was feeling "hangry."Her opening score was already good enough to secure gold, but Kim went on to put on a show for the crowd, scoring 98.25 out of 100 in her final run, finishing eight-and-a-half points clear of Chinese silver medalist Liu Jiayu.Read MoreDuring her final run, she became the first woman in history to land back-to-back 1080s in the halfpipe at the Olympics.READ: 'Oh my gosh, are you that snowboarder?' Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim goes to PrincetonChloe Kim of the United States celebrates during the victory ceremony after the halfpipe final.'Kind of a struggle for me'However, Kim admitted that she struggled to deal with the fame and attention that came with her Olympic success.She spoke to CNN in 2021 about her first day at Princeton, recalling that "everyone was kind of staring at me, taking pictures.""It was kind of a struggle for me. I just felt like I was never going to be able to adapt and stay because I just felt like everyone was watching me and knew who I was, when I didn't know anyone," she added."It changed my life quite a bit. I don't think I expected like so many people to watch, so many people to know or care afterwards; but they did, which was really, really funny for me."I kind of just expected to go there and compete and then just come back and go back to my normal, everyday life. But that wasn't the case."What is curling? Everything you need to know about this winter sportIn a recent interview with TIME magazine, which named Kim in their 2018 Time 100 list of most influential people following her Olympic victory, the American said she threw her gold medal in the trash when she got back to her parents' house.Kim admitted she "hated life" around that time and grew increasingly frustrated that she couldn't do every day activities without being noticed, such as going to the bakery near her home without everybody staring."The minute I come home, I can't even go to my goddamn favorite place," Kim told TIME. "It makes you angry. I just wanted a day where I was left alone. And it's impossible. And I appreciate that everyone loves and supports me, but I just wish people could understand what I was going through up to that point. "Everyone was like, 'I just met her, and she's such a b*tch.' I'm not a b*tch. I just had the most exhausting two months of my life, and the minute I get home, I'm getting hassled. I just want to get my f**king ham and cheese sandwich and go."Beijing 2022After taking a break from competitive snowboarding while at Princeton, Kim is now hungrier than ever to get back on the Olympic slopes and defend her crown.She comes into the Beijing Games as the overwhelming favorite to win halfpipe gold and is once again under intense pressure -- even more so than four years ago.It was a long wait for her fans to see her back on the biggest stage, in particular those from America and her parents' native South Korea, where she became a national icon following her win four years ago.They weren't disappointed either, as Kim unsurprisingly secured top spot in Wednesday's halfpipe qualifying on her first run with a score of 87.75.🙌 CELEBRATION!!! 🙌Drinking a cold one after your daughter wins the Gold one. Chloe Kim's dad, Jong Jin Kim@chloekimsnow 🇺🇸 🥇 🇰🇷 #Pyeongchang2018 #OLYMPICS pic.twitter.com/M4EucnAftY— Coy Wire (@CoyWire) February 13, 2018 Those fans will be almost as eager to see her father, Kim Jong Jin, who became a viral star after he was pictured drinking a beer to celebrate his daughter's victory.Lost Sports of the Winter Olympics: Speed skiers burning snow and skinKim Jong Jin emigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1982 with $800 cash. He quit his job to support Kim's career and would wake up at 1 a.m. most mornings to drive his daughter to California's Mammoth Mountain to train.After Chloe secured gold in Pyeongchang, Jong Jin was picked up by the microphones saying "the American dream" as he pointed to himself.Much has changed for Chloe Kim in the four years since she shot to global fame, but her singular focus of becoming Olympic champion remains the same.Kim told CNN last year that she quit Princeton -- for now -- to go back to being "a full-time snowboarder" as she attempts to become the first woman in history to defend her Olympic halfpipe title.She's been making history throughout her short but illustrious career, so don't bet against Kim making some more.

Aleks Klosok and Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-09 11:35:50

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/sport/lindsey-jacobellis-usa-first-gold-beijing-2022-spt-intl/index.html

Lindsey Jacobellis wins Team USA's first gold medal at Beijing Games with victory in women's snowboard cross - CNN

Lindsey Jacobellis secured Team USA's first gold medal at the Beijing Olympics with victory in the women's snowboard cross big final on Wednesday.

sport, Lindsey Jacobellis wins Team USA's first gold medal at Beijing Games with victory in women's snowboard cross - CNN

Lindsey Jacobellis wins Team USA's first gold medal at Beijing Games with victory in women's snowboard cross

(CNN)Lindsey Jacobellis secured Team USA's first gold medal at the Beijing Olympics with victory in the women's snowboard cross big final on Wednesday.After near misses at previous Games, the 36-year-old finally topped the podium at her fifth Winter Olympics."This feels incredible because this level that all the women are riding at is a lot higher than it was 16 years ago," Jacobellis told reporters."So I felt like I was a winner just that I made it into finals, because that's been a challenge every time. "All these ladies out here have the potential to win and today it just worked out for me that my starts were good, that my gliding was great, and everything just worked for me today."Read MoreJacobellis crosses the finish line of the women's snowboard cross.Jacobellis infamously won silver in Turin at the 2006 Winter Olympics. The American, who was 20 at the time, looked set to win gold in snowboard cross' Olympic debut after racing into a huge lead with the finish line in sight.But with victory seeming inevitable, Jacobellis appeared to showboat on the penultimate jump by grabbing her board.The result was catastrophic. She fell to the ground and watched on in horror as Switzerland's Tanja Frieden sped past to win gold and leave Jacobellis in second.Despite the disastrous outcome in 2006, Jacobellis said after becoming an Olympic gold medalist that she doesn't feel a sense of redemption. "I never thought of it that way. That was not in my mind. I wanted to just come here and compete."It would have been a nice, sweet thing, but I think if I had tried to spend (time on) the thought of redemption, then it's taking away focus on the task at hand, and that's not why I race."Silver medal winner Jacobellis (right), gold medal winner Tanja Frieden (middle) and bronze medal winner Dominique Maltais (left) celebrate on the pdium after the women's snowboard cross on February 17, 2006 in Turin, Italy.'Pressure on me to be the golden girl'After Turin, Jacobellis finished fifth at Vancouver 2010, seventh in Sochi 2014 and fourth in PyeongChang four years ago.Experience and nous, though, won the day for the American at Beijing with Chloe Trespeuch of France taking the silver and Canada's Meryeta O'Dine getting the bronze.Jacobellis was already the most-decorated snowboard cross athlete with five world titles, two World Cup crystal globes, and eight X-Games titles.She can now add an Olympic crown to her name.Asked whether she would have won the gold medal in Beijing if she had won gold at Turin in 2006, Jacobellis says that experience helped shape her future. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosJacobellis crosses the finish line to win the gold medal during the women's snowboard cross big final."Probably not, and I probably would have quit the sport at that point because I wasn't really having fun with it."There was so much pressure on me to be the golden girl. I'd won so many races going into it and it's a lot for a young athlete to have on their plate."That's definitely something that the media doesn't always understand and you don't realize how young some of these athletes are."

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-09 15:15:22

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/sport/ski-jumping-women-disqualified-olympics-spt-intl/index.html

Sara Takanashi: Japanese ski jumper apologizes amid 'too big' suit disqualification controversy - CNN

Japanese ski jumper Sara Takanashi has issued an emotional apology after she was disqualified for violating suit regulations at Beijing 2022.

sport, Sara Takanashi: Japanese ski jumper apologizes amid 'too big' suit disqualification controversy - CNN

Sara Takanashi: Japanese ski jumper apologizes amid 'too big' suit disqualification controversy

(CNN)Japanese ski jumper Sara Takanashi has issued an emotional apology after she was disqualified for violating suit regulations at Beijing 2022. Takanashi was one of five women ski jumpers disqualified for violating guidelines on the suits they wore while competing in the mixed-team ski jumping final on Monday. Austria's Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, Katharina Althaus of Germany, Norweigan duo Anna Odine Stroem and Silje Opseth as well as Takanashi were the jumpers penalized."The used suits that led to the disqualifications were too big and offered an aerodynamic advantage to the athlete," said the International Ski Federation (FIS) in a statement sent to CNN.The 25-year-old Takanashii had recorded a huge jump of 103 meters to give Japan a promising start as the mixed event debuted at the Beijing Games. Read More"I am very sorry that the chance of winning a medal has been taken away from the Japanese team," said Takanashi in an heartfelt message on Instagram."It is an undeniable fact that my disqualification changed everyone's lives. Even if I apologize the medal will not be returned." According to the FIS guidelines: "An athlete may only take part in a FIS Competition with equipment which conforms to the FIS regulations."The equipment is checked during a competition on a random basis. If it does not meet the requirements it results in a disqualification of the athlete. An athlete is responsible for the equipment he uses."Takanashi was disqualified as her suit was two centimeters wider than permitted around her thighs, according to Reuters. Takanashi reacts after her jump during the ski jumping mixed team final at the 2022 Winter Olympics.'No official protest by a team'Japan just missed out on a medal, finishing fourth at Zhangjiakou National Ski Jumping Centre. Slovenia won gold while the Russian Olympic Committee claimed silver and Canada secured bronze.While Takanashi apologized, Germany's Althaus, who won a silver medal in the individual event, was more critical of her disqualification."We were looking forward to the second (women's) competition at the Olympics. FIS destroyed that with this action -- they destroyed women's ski jumping," Althaus told Reuters. "I have been checked so many times in 11 years of ski jumping, and I have never been disqualified once. I know my suit was compliant."In a statement sent to CNN, the FIS said that all nations were checked during competition, and that "in order to guarantee fairness and equal opportunities during the Olympic Games, the controls during the Olympic competitions are very precise and are carried out by two controllers (usually one person)."During these controls, five athletes were disqualified for using suits that did not comply with the rules," it said. "The suits used were produced exclusively for the Olympic Games and were therefore not previously tested by the FIS EC.Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos"A test of the suits had been offered by the FIS competition management to all teams before the competitions."Only a few teams took this opportunity (For example Daniela Haralambie from Romania).There was no official protest by a team against any of the disqualifications."Japan's National Olympic Committee did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.

Nathan Hodge, Mitch McCluskey, AnneClaire Stapleton and Gawon Bae, CNN

2022-02-09 09:46:42

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/sport/medals-ceremony-figure-skating-team-event-delayed-spt-intl/index.html

Figure skating medal ceremony delayed after positive drug test, reports say - CNN

Figure skaters have not yet received their medals in the figure skating team event at Beijing 2022 after one athlete on the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) tested positive for a prohibited substance, Russian newspaper RBC and CNN Sports analyst Christine Brennan reported Wednesday.

sport, Figure skating medal ceremony delayed after positive drug test, reports say - CNN

Figure skating medal ceremony delayed after positive drug test, reports say

(CNN)Figure skaters have not yet received their medals in the figure skating team event at Beijing 2022 after one athlete on the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) tested positive for a prohibited substance, Russian newspaper RBC and CNN Sports analyst Christine Brennan reported Wednesday.The ROC team won the gold medal, followed by the US team which took silver. Bronze went to Japan and Canada came in fourth place.RBC Sport reports that a sample taken in December from one of the six Russian team members tested positive for trimetazidine, according to a source familiar with the situation, and a source in the Russian Figure Skating Federation.Brennan, who is also a USA Today sports columnist, attributed the positive test to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.Trimetazidine is a drug used to treat people with a heart condition known as angina. It is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) banned list.Read MoreHere's who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday"In a doping sample taken... in December, no drugs were found. We are talking about trimetazidine, in minimal proportions," said one of the sources.The medal ceremony was due to be held on Tuesday evening local time but was removed from the events list.In a media briefing, International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman Mark Adams said the ceremony had been delayed due to "legal consultation." He said those concerned were doing "absolutely everything" to sort the situation out as soon as possible.Earlier on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he was waiting on further details before commenting."So far we have not heard the official statements, let's still judge by the official statements. So far, these are only sources in the media. Let's wait for clarification either from our sports officials or from the IOC," Peskov said.The Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation also said it was premature to comment on the postponement of the awards ceremony, according to Russian sports channel Match-TV."The position of the Russian Federation is to steadily and consistently oppose all types of violations of sports rules and Olympic ethics," the ministry said, according to Match TV.Russian athletes are unable to compete in the Olympics under their country's name due to sanctions from the IOC and WADA for failing to cooperate with anti-doping rules in the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang. However, athletes who can prove that they are clean from performance enhancing drugs are able to compete under the ROC flag.CNN has reached out to the IOC and ROC, and the International Testing Agency for comment but has not yet received a response.CNN's Homero De La Fuente and Aleks Klosok contributed to this report.

Hannah Ritchie and Mayumi Maruyama, CNN

2022-02-09 09:20:21

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/sport/darya-dolidovich-belarus-poland-olympics-intl-spt/index.html

Darya Dolidovich: Belarusian skier flees to Poland after she was barred from Winter Olympics - CNN

Skier Darya Dolidovich has fled Belarus after being barred from competing in the Winter Olympics over accusations regarding her involvement with the country's opposition movement.

sport, Darya Dolidovich: Belarusian skier flees to Poland after she was barred from Winter Olympics - CNN

Belarusian skier flees to Poland after she was barred from Winter Olympics

(CNN)Skier Darya Dolidovich has fled Belarus after being barred from competing in the Winter Olympics over accusations regarding her involvement with the country's opposition movement. The 17-year-old cross-country skier's International Ski Federation (FIS) code -- which is required for athletes to compete in events run by the governing body -- was changed to "not active" approximately three weeks ago. It followed a decision from the Belarus Ski Union, according to Reuters. Dolidovich told Reuters in December that the ban -- which precluded her from competing in the Beijing Winter Games -- came after sports officials accused her of "supporting" the country's opposition. CNN has reached out to the Belarus Ski Union and the Belarus Cross-Country Skiing Federation for comment on Dolidovich's case. Ukrainian athletes prepare for 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics under shadow of Russia tensionsIn a statement to CNN, the FIS said: "FIS has reached out to the Belarus Ski Association to ask the reason why the status was changed, but has not yet received an update."Read MoreDarya's coach and father, Sergei Dolidovich, is a seven-time Olympian who has spoken out publicly against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's regime and took part in street protests following the disputed presidential election in August 2020, which was marred by fraud.Darya confirmed that her family had relocated to Poland during a video interview with Reuters Wednesday."I couldn't have imagined, even in a nightmare, that I would end up leaving my country three-four months ago. It feels like tomorrow I'll take the plane or car back," the teenager said."I had planned to finish school in Belarus, but my parents said that we were moving. I think it's for the best for my father as well. I'm upset, of course," she continued.Sergei told Reuters the family had been targeted over their political views, and that his daughter's right to compete had been taken away."Darya has been stripped of her right to do sports or take part in competitions. I don't see the possibility of her continuing her career in Belarus. It all happened due to such made-up reasons. I see no chance for her to continue doing what she loves and make her dream come true," he said.Dolidovich is one of several Belarusian athletes who have been banned from competing or forced to flee the country in the last year, due to their criticism of sporting authorities or President Lukashenko's regime.Belarusian sprinter Kristina Timanovskaya received a humanitarian visa from Poland in August, following her abrupt departure from the Tokyo Summer Olympics after she said team officials tried to forcibly send her home over her public criticism of national sporting authorities.

Travis Caldwell, Ray Sanchez and David Close, CNN

2022-02-09 11:24:53

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/sport/roger-goodell-press-conference-wednesday-hiring-practices-nfl-spt/index.html

Roger Goodell takes heat at news conference over alleged NFL hiring discrimination - CNN

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday admitted the league has fallen short by "a long shot" in ensuring head coaching opportunities for Black and minority candidates and vowed to see if policies need to change.

sport, Roger Goodell takes heat at news conference over alleged NFL hiring discrimination - CNN

Roger Goodell says NFL 'won't tolerate racism' and will look at policy changes

(CNN)NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday admitted the league has fallen short by "a long shot" in ensuring head coaching opportunities for Black and minority candidates and vowed to see if policies need to change. "I don't think you take anything off the table until you have people look at that, help us independently say, Is there something flawed with our process?" he said of the league's embattled interview process. "And if there is, What can we do to resolve that and fix that?"Goodell's remarks, during the "State of the League" address leading up to the Super Bowl, follow a federal class-action lawsuit filed last week by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores -- who accused the league, along with three NFL franchises, of alleged racial discrimination.Goodell noted what he called the league's "tremendous amount of progress" in pursuit of diversity but acknowledged those advances have not reached the head coaching ranks. The commissioner said the league "had really focused to try to get the kind of results that we would expect and we fell short ... by a long shot."Read MoreFlores and other critics of the NFL are calling into question the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule, which was adopted in 2003 and at the time mandated teams conduct at least one head-coaching interview with a minority candidate. "So what we're going to do is step back and look at everything we're doing today," Goodell said Wednesday."Everything from looking at the Rooney Rule and seeing what changes should be made to that -- if any changes or should it be removed, which some people have suggested. All of those things are part of that." No one expected Brian Flores to disrupt the NFL like this. But that's exactly what he didGoodell, who has headed the NFL since 2006, regularly participates in his "State of the League" address leading up to the Super Bowl, but Wednesday was not the first time he has had to speak about team hiring practices. The subject dominated this year's event."We won't tolerate racism. We won't tolerate discrimination," Goodell said. "If there are policies that we need to modify, we're going to do that ... If we see evidence of discrimination, we will deal with that in a very serious way." At last year's news conference, Goodell noted minority coaches were selected for two of the seven available head coaching jobs and said it "wasn't what we expected, and it's not what we expect going forward."The league -- which had just finished a tumultuous 2020 season amid the Covid-19 pandemic -- pointed to three franchises hiring Black general managers as well as improved diversity among coordinator positions, according to NFL.com. Yet Goodell said, "We're not satisfied, and we feel like we can do better and we're going to." One year earlier, Goodell again expressed concerns over a lack of minority head coaching hires.The NFL made a rule to boost diversity in upper ranks. It's not what 'my father intended it to be'"Clearly, we are not where we want to be on this level," he said, according to the league's website. "We have a lot of work that's gone into not only the Rooney Rule but our policies overall. It's clear we need to change and do something different."The Rooney Rule was amended twice over the last two years, with the league stipulating that teams interview at least two external minority candidates for open head coaching positions and at least one external minority candidate for a coordinator job.But now, a league in which roughly 70% players are Black faces further scrutiny for only having two Black head coaches among its 32 franchises. Flores lawsuit alleges team wrongdoingThe lack of opportunities provided to Black and minority head coaching candidates is a key part of Flores' class-action lawsuit.Flores, who is Black, was fired from his job as head coach of the Dolphins last month despite his team winning eight of their last nine games this season and nearly making the playoffs. Flores had two winning seasons in his three years in Miami.The 40-year-old says in his lawsuit that a later interview with the New York Giants for their vacant head coaching job had been conducted under disingenuous circumstances, as Flores had found out three days before his interview that the Giants had already decided to hire another coach.Flores told CNN's "New Day" that he went through a "wave of emotions" upon finding out that he was attending what he called a "sham interview."JUST WATCHEDEx-NFL coach speaks out about 'humiliating' Bill Belichick textReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHEx-NFL coach speaks out about 'humiliating' Bill Belichick text 02:57Flores alleges in his lawsuit that the interview was a ruse so the Giants could "demonstrate falsely to League Commissioner Roger Goodell and the public at large that it was in compliance with the Rooney Rule."The NFL and the three franchises named in Flores' suit -- the Dolphins, the Giants and the Denver Broncos, who interviewed Flores in 2019 -- have all denied any wrongdoing.Criticism mounts against leagueThe NFL will review its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, Goodell said Saturday in a leaguewide memo sent to club executives and presidents, calling the lack of Black head coaches "unacceptable." No Black first-time head coaches were hired in the latest offseason cycle. Lovie Smith, who is Black and was recently hired by the Houston Texans, has previous head coaching experience with two other teams. The other Black head coach in the league, Mike Tomlin, has led the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007.There are two other non-Black minority head coaches -- Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders and Robert Saleh of the New York Jets. The Dolphins, who fired Flores at the end of last season, have hired Mike McDaniel, who is multiracial.Here's how the 3 NFL teams that Brian Flores accused of racial discrimination have responded"We understand the concerns expressed by Coach Flores and others this week," Goodell wrote. "While the legal process moves forward, we will not wait to reassess and modify our strategies to ensure that they are consistent with our values and longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion." Goodell met with civil rights leaders Monday to hear concerns about whether minority candidates are receiving fair consideration for positions."However well-intentioned, the effect of the Rooney Rule has been for team decision-makers to regard interviews with candidates of color as an extraneous step, rather than an integral part of the hiring process," National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said in a statement Monday."The Rooney Rule has been proven to be something the owners used to deceptively appear to be seeking real diversity," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who was also in attendance Monday. "We must have firm targets and timetables."The NFL said in a statement after Monday's meeting, "We had a productive and thoughtful conversation as the NFL shares the goal of ensuring that everyone has equitable access to opportunity. We look forward to continuing the dialogue."CNN's Kevin Dotson, Homero De la Fuente, Wayne Sterling, Kara Scannell and Delano Massey contributed to this report.

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-02-09 10:52:20

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/sport/mikaela-shiffrin-crashes-out-again-beijing-2022-spt-intl/index.html

Mikaela Shiffrin: 'A really big let down,' says US skier after she crashes out for the second time at Beijing 2022 - CNN

Mikaela Shiffrin sat at the side of the slope, her arms on her knees and her head bowed.

sport, Mikaela Shiffrin: 'A really big let down,' says US skier after she crashes out for the second time at Beijing 2022 - CNN

Mikaela Shiffrin: 'A really big let down,' says US skier after she crashes out for the second time at Beijing 2022

(CNN)Mikaela Shiffrin sat at the side of the slope, her arms on her knees and her head bowed.The American, who is so accustomed to success as one of the greatest to ever put on a pair of skis, has now suffered two bitter disappointments in the space of three days in Beijing.Just two days after she crashed out of her first run in Monday's giant slalom, Shiffrin also failed to make it past five gates in Wednesday's slalom after skiing off line just seconds into her opening attempt."It's probably a culmination of the other day and today," she replied when asked what she thinking while sat at the side of the course. "It feels like a really big let down."I was trying to look back and think about the last days and what I've been trying to do, what I've been doing with my skiing that would suggest that on the fifth gate I would push myself a little bit too hard to actually be able to stay in the course. Read More"[But] my skiing has been really solid. My entire career has taught me to trust in my skiing if it's good skiing, and that's all that I have to rely on on these race days."And when the pressure is high -- and of course the pressure is high, but that didn't feel like the biggest issue today -- and there are some nerves and the feeling that I want to do well, I always just go back to that fundamental idea that good skiing will be there for me. "It's not the end of the world and it's so stupid to care this much, but I feel I have to question a lot now." READ: 'I won't get over this' -- Defending Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin crashes out of giant slalom on first runMikaela Shiffrin crashes out of her opening run in Monday's giant slalom.'Feels like a lot of work for nothing'Shiffrin had come into these Games with high hopes of making history as the first US alpine skier to win three medals at a single Winter Olympics. Those hopes are now appear to be all but over.The 26-year-old, who was the defending Olympic champion in the giant slalom and the 2014 Olympic champion in the slalom, has now had two of her best chances at a medal melt through her fingers.Prior to Beijing 2022, Shiffrin had recorded just two DNFs in the last four years. She now has two in three days."It's a let down of everything, letting down myself, letting down other people," she said. "I think there were some people that expected I might win, maybe hoped I might win. "I know that for the people working closest to me, we were all crossing our fingers and also doing all of the work I could possibly do to give myself the best chance. It's a let down for them, we came all this way. "We are not done yet but GS and slalom, those were my biggest focuses. It really feels like a lot of work for nothing. They will try to say: 'This happens and it's OK, and don't be too hard on yourself,' but it is a lot of work for a grand total of five gates in the GS and five gates in the slalom. That's not lost on me."READ: Mikaela Shiffrin doesn't want to have to choose between 'morality versus being able to do your job' at the 2022 Winter OlympicsJUST WATCHEDMikaela Shiffrin: Don't want to have to choose between 'morality vs being able to do your job'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHMikaela Shiffrin: Don't want to have to choose between 'morality vs being able to do your job' 02:44'I don't know how to handle it'Wednesday's contest was supposed to be skiing's marquee event at Beijing 2022, with Shiffrin and Petra Vlhova -- by some distance the two best slalom skiers in the world -- competing in a mouth-watering clash for a gold medal.But despite Shiffrin's early crash it was still a brilliant battle at the top, as Slovakia's Vlhova came from behind after her opening run to pip Katharina Liensberger of Austria to gold by just 0.08 seconds, with Switzerland's Wendy Holdener securing bronze.Shiffrin had said before the Games that she planned to ski in all five individual alpine skiing disciplines, with the downhill, super-G and alpine combined still remaining in Beijing.However, a now downbeat Shiffrin hinted that may no longer be the case."I will try to re-set again, maybe try to re-set better this time but I also don't know how to do better because I just don't," she said. "I have never been in this position before and I don't know how to handle it. "The hill and the ski track looks pretty incredible and I think it will be a pleasure to ski, but I also have some teammates who are really fast and we have the athletes who can fill the spaces, so if I am going to ski out on the fifth gate, what's the point?"

Allegra Goodwin, CNN

2022-02-09 13:26:37

news

uk

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/uk/united-airlines-london-rape-arrest-scli-intl-gbr/index.html

Man arrested on suspicion of rape on flight to London's Heathrow Airport - CNN

A man arrested on suspicion of raping a woman on a United Airlines flight to London Heathrow Airport has been released under investigation.

uk, Man arrested on suspicion of rape on flight to London's Heathrow Airport - CNN

Man arrested on suspicion of rape on flight to London's Heathrow Airport

London (CNN)A man arrested on suspicion of raping a woman on a United Airlines flight to London Heathrow Airport has been released under investigation.Police at Heathrow were alerted to "an incident on inbound flight," at 6.39 a.m. local time (1.39 a.m. ET) on January 31, London's Metropolitan Police told CNN on Wednesday. "Officers met the aircraft on arrival and arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of rape. He has been released under investigation," police said in a statement. "The complainant, a 40-year-old woman, is being supported by specialist officers and enquiries are ongoing," they added. A spokesperson for United Airlines told CNN: "Our crew called ahead and notified the local authorities as soon as they became aware of these allegations. We will cooperate with law enforcement on any investigation."

Hannah Ryan, CNN, and Reuters

2022-02-08 17:42:34

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/sport/kurt-zouma-cat-intl-scli-spt/index.html

Kurt Zouma: West Ham United defender filmed kicking and slapping cat - CNN

Footage of West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma kicking and slapping ​a cat has emerged online, leading the French center-back to issue an apology and the Premier League club to condemn the video content​, according to Reuters.

sport, Kurt Zouma: West Ham United defender filmed kicking and slapping cat - CNN

West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma filmed kicking and slapping cat

(CNN)Footage of West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma kicking and slapping ​a cat has emerged online, leading the French center-back to issue an apology and the Premier League club to condemn the video content​, according to Reuters. In a video first published by the Sun newspaper Monday, Zouma is filmed seemingly hurling shoes at ​a cat ​in what looks to be a private residence, slapping it across the face, chasing it around the room and kicking it across the floor. Laughter can be heard in the background of the footage. CNN has not independently verified the video."West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated," the Premier League club said in a statement, Reuters reports."We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally, but we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals."Zouma has also issued an apology, the Sun and Reuters report.Read More"I want to apologize for my actions. There are no excuses for my behavior, which I sincerely regret. I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video," the former Chelsea defender said."I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy. They are loved and cherished by our entire family. This behavior was an isolated incident that will not happen again."West Ham and Zouma's representatives did not respond to CNN's requests for comment.Zouma, photographed on the pitch for West Ham, has apologized for the footage.The first video clip -- in which Zouma appears to kick the animal across the kitchen -- is accompanied by the caption "sa commence" in French, which translates to "it is starting." The captions for the other clips feature laughing emojis.According to the Sun, it was posted to Snapchat on Sunday afternoon -- a day after Zouma made an appearance for West Ham in an FA Cup match.On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) -- the UK's leading animal welfare charity -- said in a statement: "The two cats are now in RSPCA care. Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats."They've been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues."We're grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation. "We continue to investigate so we cannot comment further at this time." Maheta Molango, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), has described Zouma's actions as "not acceptable." The PFA is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales."It is not for us to discipline him... it is for the employer to discipline him, but I think our role is to say to [the] player the truth, which is this type of behavior is not acceptable," Molango told a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Tuesday."It is not acceptable at all, with or without [a] camera. It's not just a question of because it's visible then it's bad. It's just bad. Full stop and it shouldn't be happening."I haven't seen the video, but I've read that he has apologized, which hopefully is a sign of him acknowledging that this type of behavior is not acceptable."

Hannah Ryan, CNN

2022-02-09 18:04:56

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/football/kurt-zouma-fined-intl-scli-spt/index.html

Kurt Zouma, West Ham United player, fined by club for slapping and kicking cat in video - CNN

West Ham United's French international defender Kurt Zouma has been fined by the English Premier League club and is facing an investigation from the UK's leading animal welfare charity after a video emerged online that showed him kicking and slapping a cat.

football, Kurt Zouma, West Ham United player, fined by club for slapping and kicking cat in video - CNN

West Ham fines defender Kurt Zouma 'maximum amount' for slapping and kicking cat in video

(CNN)West Ham United's French international defender Kurt Zouma has been fined by the English Premier League club and is facing an investigation from the UK's leading animal welfare charity after a video emerged online that showed him kicking and slapping a cat. On Wednesday, West Ham released a statement on its website, saying Zouma and the club are "co-operating fully" with an investigation by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) -- the UK's leading animal welfare charity.The statement added "the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including delivering his family's two cats to the RSPCA for assessment."The fine and RSPCA investigation comes after Zouma was filmed seemingly hurling shoes at his pet cat, slapping it across the face, chasing it around the room and kicking it across the floor in what looks to be a private residence.The video was first published by the Sun newspaper on Monday. Laughter could be heard in the background of the footage. CNN has not independently verified the video.West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma filmed kicking and slapping cat Read MoreWest Ham added that the French defender is "extremely remorseful and, like everyone at the club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need for action to be taken."The club also said Zouma had been fined for the actions: "Separate to the RSPCA's investigation and pending further sanction once the outcome of that process is determined, West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum amount possible following his actions in the video that circulated. "The player has immediately accepted the fine and has requested that it is donated to animal welfare charities."West Ham said it wanted to "reiterate our condemnation of Kurt's actions and make it clear that the matter continues to be handled with the utmost seriousness."Marc Overmars quits Ajax after sending inappropriate messages to female colleaguesThe club said it believes "it is now important to allow the RSPCA to conduct their investigation in a fair and thorough manner" and that it will be "making no further comment at this stage."In a statement issued to CNN on Wednesday, an RSPCA spokesperson said: "The two cats are now in RSPCA care. Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats."They've been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues."We're grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation." In the wake of the incident, Adidas told CNN Wednesday that it was dropping its sponsorship of the player. "We have concluded our investigation and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an adidas contracted athlete," an Adidas spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday.Mikaela Shiffrin: 'A really big let down,' says US skier after she crashes out for the second time at Beijing 2022Meanwhile, West Ham has seen one of its sponsors -- Vitality, a health and life insurance company based in the UK -- suspend its relationship with the club.In a statement posted to Twitter on Wednesday, the company said it was "very distressed by the video" of Zouma and that it condemned animal cruelty and violence of any kind. Vitality said it was suspending its sponsorship of West Ham effective immediately and would be "engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation."A petition on Change.org calling for Zouma to be prosecuted for animal cruelty has over 100,000 signatures.In a statement to CNN on Tuesday, London's Metropolitan Police force said: "We have received and are aware of such reports and have been in contact with the RSPCA who look into, and if necessary, investigate any complaints made about animal welfare."Zouma's management team did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-09 15:32:59

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/sport/olympics-gold-medals-wednesday-spt-intl/index.html

Here's who won gold medals on Day 5 of the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday - CNN

There were six gold medals up for grabs on Wednesday at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Here's a breakdown of who is taking home gold for their delegations on Day 5 of the Games.

sport, Here's who won gold medals on Day 5 of the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday - CNN

Here's who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday

(CNN)There were six gold medals up for grabs on Wednesday at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Here's a breakdown of who is taking home gold for their delegations on Day 5 of the Games. Alpine SkiingWomen's Slalom: Petra Vlhova, SlovakiaFreestyle SkiingMen's Freeski Big Air: Birk Ruud, NorwayRead MoreLugeDoubles: Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt, GermanyNordic CombinedIndividual Gundersen Normal Hill/10km, Cross-Country: Vinzenz Geiger, GermanyShort Track Speed SkatingMen's 1,500m: Hwang Dae-heon, Republic of KoreaSnowboardWomen's Snowboard Cross: Lindsey Jacobellis, USA

David Close, CNN

2022-02-09 17:44:45

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/sport/dan-snyder-washington-commanders-investigation/index.html

NFL says the league, not the Washington Commanders, will investigate sexual harassment allegations against owner Dan Snyder - CNN

An independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder will be conducted by the NFL and not the team, a National Football League spokesperson said Wednesday.

sport, NFL says the league, not the Washington Commanders, will investigate sexual harassment allegations against owner Dan Snyder - CNN

The NFL says the league, not the Washington Commanders, will investigate sexual harassment allegations against team owner Dan Snyder

(CNN)An independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder will be conducted by the NFL and not the team, a National Football League spokesperson said Wednesday.The Commanders earlier had announced the hiring of a private firm headed by two former federal prosecutors to investigate the allegations against Snyder. The Commanders said the firm, Pallas Global Group LLC, retained Debra Wong Yang, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP in Los Angeles and a former judge, to manage an independent investigation into Tiffani Johnston's allegations against Snyder. "Last week, the league stated that we will review and consider Ms. Johnston's allegations as we would any others regarding workplace conduct at the Washington Commanders," NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy said Wednesday. "The league, not the team, will conduct an independent investigation and will be retaining an investigator to determine the facts shortly."Johnston, a former cheerleader and marketing and events coordinator for the team, told a House Oversight Committee roundtable last week that Snyder allegedly put his hand on her thigh during a dinner and aggressively pushed her toward his limousine with his hand on her lower back as she fended off advances. Read MoreOversight committee raises concerns over NFL investigation into workplace culture a day after hearing new allegation against team owner Dan SnyderJordan Siev, an attorney for Snyder, said in a statement: "The Commanders have now engaged an independent oversight firm to engage and oversee independent legal counsel and conduct a full investigation of Ms. Johnston's newly-raised allegation, which allegation was not made under oath. The independent investigators and independent legal counsel will release their findings publicly."Siev said last week that the allegations are "false, and have been categorically denied by Mr. Snyder."NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, addressing reporters before the Super Bowl on Sunday, said he could not see how a team can investigate itself. He said the league takes the allegations "very seriously." "We need to understand what really, truly happened in those circumstances and treat that in the best and most serious way we can to make sure we preserve the type of culture we want in the NFL," Goodell said Wednesday. CNN has asked the NFL and the Commanders to clarify details of the investigations. Johnston's attorneys, Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, said in a statement Wednesday, "Apparently the NFL also recognized how absurd it was to think Dan Snyder could investigate himself.Roger Goodell says NFL 'won't tolerate racism' and will look at policy changes "We await communication from the NFL about whether it intends to undertake this investigation independently, and without any common interest agreement with Snyder," the statement said. "If the investigation is truly independent, and the NFL commits to make the findings public, my clients will be happy to participate."At the Congressional roundtable, former employees and cheerleaders also accused Snyder of asking staff to compile lewd video clips of cheerleaders without their knowledge or consent.A former video production manager alleged that he was asked to produce a lewd video featuring nude outtake clips of cheerleaders from a photoshoot without their knowledge at the request of Snyder.In a statement, the Commanders said the founders of Pallas, former Assistant United States Attorneys Bonnie Jonas and Tiffany Moller, will manage the team's investigation. The team said the investigation findings will be released to the public at the conclusion of the inquiry.The House committee said Friday it requested more than 2,000 previously unreleased documents over "newfound concerns" regarding the NFL's own inquiry into Snyder in 2020.Many of the previous allegations were first detailed by The Washington Post in 2020, which also reported that the team paid $1.6 million to a former employee in 2009 to settle a sexual misconduct claim against Snyder, though neither Snyder nor the team acknowledged any wrongdoing in the agreement.In 2020, the NFL conducted a yearlong investigation into the Washington franchise's work environment, and last July handed Snyder a $10 million fine. The investigation concluded that Snyder was responsible for the club's unprofessional and intimidating culture and that he failed to establish a respectful work environment.CNN's Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.

Eliza Mackintosh and Nathan Hodge, CNN

2022-02-08 15:29:31

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/europe/ukraine-russia-news-tuesday-intl/index.html

Ukraine Russia crisis: Emmanuel Macron visited his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky as Russia pours cold water on de-escalation - CNN

As French President Emmanuel Macron visited his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Tuesday for diplomatic talks on the country's crisis with Russia, Moscow indicated there were "points of convergence" laid out by Macron during his five-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier.

europe, Ukraine Russia crisis: Emmanuel Macron visited his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky as Russia pours cold water on de-escalation - CNN

Russia pours cold water on Ukraine crisis de-escalation, as Macron meets with Zelensky

(CNN)As French President Emmanuel Macron visited his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Tuesday for diplomatic talks on the country's crisis with Russia, Moscow indicated there were "points of convergence" laid out by Macron during his five-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier.But the Kremlin has poured cold water on reports that the two leaders had agreed to de-escalate the tense standoff on Ukraine's border, where tens of thousands of Russian forces have massed in recent months, drawing warnings from Western officials of an impending invasion.The Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday would not confirm any tangible steps toward a resolution, casting a cloud over the French president's shuttle diplomacy as he addressed the media in a joint press conference alongside Zelensky.Putin's use of crude language reveals a lot about his worldviewMacron told journalists in Kyiv that his trip to Moscow had delivered concrete solutions for stability on the European continent and that Putin said he "would not be the cause of an escalation." He added that the Russian president had promised to respect the Minsk agreements, a ceasefire protocol signed by Ukraine and Russia in 2015 after Russia annexed Crimea and fomented a rebellion in Ukraine's east. Despite the agreement, the two sides have not seen a stable peace.Putin on Monday insisted in no uncertain terms that Zelensky must implement the peace plan in a press conference with Macron on Monday. "Like it or don't like it, it's your duty, my beauty," Putin said of Zelensky.Read MoreZelensky recently stated that he does not like a single point of the Minsk agreements, which requires Ukraine to give autonomy to two Russian-backed separatist regions in the country's east. To critics, the accord could give Moscow sway over Ukrainian politics.Responding to a question about Putin's stark, undiplomatic language, Zelensky responded in Russian, saying bluntly: "We are not his." Diplomatic efforts to defuse the tensions around Ukraine continued on Tuesday with Emmanuel Macron, right, arriving in Kyiv for talks with Ukraine's president.As Putin tests the West's resolve, Macron has thrust himself to center stage, taking former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's place as leading mediator for Europe as he readies himself for a re-election bid at home. Currently at the helm of the European Union's rotating presidency, Macron has spoken several times per week with Putin, and placed his third phone call in a week to Biden on Sunday evening.The Elysee Palace trumpeted a list of key takeaways from Macron's meeting with Putin, including Russia's "commitment not to take new military initiatives, which allows for de-escalation" and that Moscow would withdraw troops from Belarus.But when asked about the statement from the French presidency, Peskov said he did not know anything about it: "I can't comment on it, I do not quite understand what French colleagues were talking about."And though Putin's spokesman did confirm that Russian military forces will leave Belarus once joint exercises between the two countries conclude, he did not give further specifics or a sense of the timeline for withdrawal. Ukrainian intelligence officials fear Russia could use Belarus as a "full-fledged theater of operations," having ramped up its military presence from several thousand troops in January to an estimated 30,000 sometime this month. "We are talking about allied exercises, and it is understood that upon completion of these exercises, the troops will return to their permanent bases," Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. Asked if a concrete date had been given by Putin, Peskov said, "No." Macron meets with Putin, leading Europe's diplomatic efforts to defuse Ukraine crisisBased on the latest US intelligence estimates, Putin has assembled 70% of the military personnel and weapons it would need for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but US officials say they still don't know whether Russia's leader has decided to launch an attack. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied it is planning an incursion, but has argued that NATO support for the country constitutes a growing threat to Russia.Speaking at the joint press conference, Zelensky said: "We stand for the de-occupation of our territory." He added that the talks with Macron were "fruitful."Ongoing diplomacyAs Russia deploys more troops onto Ukraine's border and the US moves thousands of forces to bolster NATO's eastern front, the Kremlin's noncommittal comments on Tuesday have put a damper on another busy diplomatic day for Macron.The French President also met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday in Berlin.Macron, who in 2019 said bluntly that Europe was facing the "brain death of NATO," caused by American indifference to the transatlantic alliance, and has called on the EU to take on a larger role in Europe's defense, is now getting a chance to lay out his vision for what a Europe more independent from US influence might look like. Speaking alongside Scholz and Duda, Macron told reporters that diplomatic efforts in the last few days have "allowed the emergence of new leads" to de-escalate the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.Experts are speculating over Russia's next move. They may want to check Ukraine's weather forecastHe said the first objective of the ongoing diplomatic efforts is to "avoid war."The second objective, Macron said, is to "defend Europe and its allies" with the third being the defense of "principles that have made Europe in the past 30 years, in particular the respect of the sovereignty of all states, the territorial integrity, and values."Macron also reiterated the importance of dialogue with Russia to avoid any escalation and to "build stability and peace on the long run." To Moscow, Macron has presented himself as a "quality interlocutor," as Putin described him, according to an official in the French presidency. The stakes could not be higher. Macron is seeking to stop the massive Russian military buildup of more than 100,000 soldiers from bubbling over into war and soothe Russia's security grievances."No one is naive," Macron told reporters Tuesday. "France, since the beginning of this crisis, has never made excessive statements on the subject, but in the same way I do not believe that this crisis can be resolved by a few hours of discussion."CNN's Stephanie Halasz, Pierre Bairin and Anna Chernova contributed to this report.

Sana Noor Haq, CNN

2022-02-06 11:56:23

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/sport/athletes-to-watch-beijing-2022-winter-olympics-spt-intl/index.html

Top 15 athletes to watch at the Beijing Winter Olympics: - CNN

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is the second Games to take place during the coronavirus pandemic, after Tokyo 2020 last summer.

sport, Top 15 athletes to watch at the Beijing Winter Olympics: - CNN

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: Top 15 athletes to watch

(CNN)The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is the second Games to take place during the coronavirus pandemic, after Tokyo 2020 last summer. But even a global pandemic hasn't stumped the ambitions of the nearly 3,000 Olympic hopefuls who are scheduled to compete this year. Athletes from about 91 nations are set to participate in 109 events across seven sports, where we'll no doubt see nail-biting stories of gold glory -- and tear-jerking tales of loss. From record-holding veterans to newcomers who are full of promise, here are 15 athletes to look out for at Beijing 2022. Eileen Gu, People's Republic of ChinaEileen Gu celebrates after her final run in the women's ski superpipe final on the Dew Tour on December 17, 2021.Hailing from San Francisco, Eileen Gu chose to compete for China rather than the US -- it is unclear whether Gu renounced her American citizenship, usually a requirement for Chinese naturalization, since China does not allow dual citizenship -- at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.Read MoreBetween being offered a place at Stanford University to becoming the first Chinese athlete to win the superpipe and slopestyle events at the X Games in 2021, the 18-year-old freestyle skier is one of the teen prodigies hoping to claim gold for hosts China at this year's Winter Games.She'll be competing in the women's freeski halfpipe, women's freeski slopestyle and the women's freeski big air events. Kamila Valieva, Russian Olympic CommitteeThe ROC's Kamila Valieva in a training session at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on February 2, 2022. At the age of 15, figure skater Kamila Valieva has already broken her own world record. She became the first women's athlete to smash the 90-point barrier in the short program at the European Figure Skating Championships in January. "Gliding on the ice and the speed are awesome," she said of figure skating, according to the Olympics website.Valieva is scheduled to participate in the women's single skating event, and has already been in action in the team event, with the 15-year-old winning the women's short program in qualification with 90.18 points.After the second day of the three-day competition, the ROC have 45 points, three ahead of the USA team, which had led on Saturday."I was a little nervous going into the competition, but once I got to the ice, I skated well. I was in control of my program and showed the result I wanted," said Valieva after the women's short program."I had so much energy going into the end of this short program. I'm skating for my grandmother (who) passed away."Mikaël Kingsbury, CanadaCanada's Mikael Kingsbury trains during the Men's Freestyle Skiing Moguls ahead of Beijing 2022.Nicknamed the King of Moguls, Canadian Mikaël Kingsbury enjoys golfing, surfing, ice hockey and skateboarding when he's not breaking freestyle skiing records, according to the Olympics website. Aside from clinching gold in the men's moguls event at PyeongChang 2018, Kingsbury has won the most medals of any male participant ever at the Freestyle World Championships.He's set to compete in the men's moguls event at Beijing 2022. Chloe Kim, United StatesChloe Kim on a warm-up run before competing in the women's snowboard superpipe final of the Dew Tour at Copper Mountain.It seems Chloe Kim was destined for Olympic glory, having started snowboarding at the age of four.The story goes that her father immigrated from South Korea to the US with $800 in hand, later giving up his job to support his daughter's snowboarding ambitions."My parents put everything into me and my career, I guess, and it worked out, and I'm so thankful every day," she told CNN Sport's Don Riddell last year. Kim was 17 years old when she won the women's halfpipe event at PyeongChang 2018, making her the youngest woman to earn an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding.She's scheduled to compete in the women's halfpipe event at this year's Games. Ireen Wüst, NetherlandsIreen Wüst of the Netherlands competes in the 1,000m Ladies ISU World Cup Speed Skating race on January 31, 2021 in Heerenveen, Netherlands. A legend of speed skating, Ireen Wüst has revealed her plans to retire from the sport after Beijing 2022, making this year's competition her fifth and final Winter Games, according to the Olympics website.She's the most decorated speed skater in history, having won 11 medals throughout her career. Wüst could add to her stellar tally in the women's 1,000m, women's 1,500m and women's 3,000m speed skating events this year. Yuzuru Hanyu, JapanYuzuru Hanyu competes in the Men's Free Skating at the 90th All Japan Figure Skating Championships on December 26, 2021.Having won successive gold medals at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu has won over the hearts and minds of Olympics fans.Hanyu isn't just going for gold at Beijing 2022 -- where he'll be competing in the men's single skating event and the team event -- he also wants to perform the quad axel.It's a jump that involves four-and-a-half rotations in the air and has never been completed on competitive ice, according to the Olympics website."The people are fascinated by his personality, his performance and his charm," Yasuo Saito, vice president of the Japan Olympic Committee at the time, told CNN Sport's Coy Wire in 2018.Erin Jackson, United StatesAmerican Erin Jackson during a speed skating practice session ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.World No. 1 speed skater Erin Jackson's hopes of competing at Beijing 2022 were nearly dashed when she failed to qualify for the 500m during the US Trials in January.However Jackson received a spot after compatriot Brittany Bowe renounced her place, saying at the time, "No one's more deserving than her to get an opportunity to bring Team USA home a medal." But in a fortuitous twist, Bowe will still be able to compete in the 500m after the US picked up an extra spot when some countries returned quota slots for the event. Bowe will also participate in the women's 1,000m and 1,500m events. Even though Jackson has only been speed skating for five years, she's a favorite for gold in the women's 500m and women's 1,000m events. Benjamin Alexander, JamaicaJamaica's Benjamin Alexander skies down a slope during a training session at the Kolasin ski resort on December 21, 2021. DJ-turned-alpine skier Benjamin Alexander first developed an interest in snow sports after attending a client's Christmas helicopter and skiing trip in 2015, according to the Olympics website. While setting his sights on Olympic glory, he began training with various coaches -- even seeking advice from legendary Jamaican bobsledder Dudley 'Tal' Stokes. His ambition to become Jamaica's first alpine skier at the Winter Games became a reality after he qualified for Beijing 2022 in January. Alexander is scheduled to take part in the men's giant slalom event on 13 February.Charlotte Kalla, SwedenCharlotte Kalla during the women's Cross Country Skiing 10km Classic event at the 2018 FIS Nordic Skiing World Cup in Ruka, Finland. Charlotte Kalla began skiing when she was seven years old, before earning multiple junior world championship medals, according to the Olympics website. At her fourth Winter Games, she's one of Sweden's favorites for gold in cross-country skiing, having won nine Olympic medals across Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.Three-time Olympic champion Kalla could add to her track record of gold glory at Beijing 2022, where she's set to compete in the women's cross-country skiing event. Timothy LeDuc, United StatesAshley Cain-Gribble (L) and Timothy Leduc (R) during the pairs' free skating program event at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Sweden.Beijing 2022 could be a competition of firsts for figure skater Timothy LeDuc. The American is set to become the first openly non-binary athlete at their maiden Winter Olympics. "My hope is that the narrative shifts more to queer people can be open and successful in sports. We've always been here, we've always been a part of sports. We just haven't always been able to be open," LeDuc said in January, according to NBC Sports.LeDuc is scheduled to compete in the pair skating event with partner Ashley Cain-Gribble and the team event at this year's Olympics. Su Yiming, People's Republic of ChinaChina's Su Yiming performs a trick during a Men's Slopestyle training session ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on February 2, 2022.He may be just 17, but Su Yiming is already making history. Last year, he became the first Chinese snowboarder to ever make a World Cup podium in the slopestyle or the big air at Steamboat, Colorado, according to the Olympics website. He's part of an 176-athlete roster -- China's largest ever contingent at the Winter Games -- which is hoping to bring home gold at Beijing 2022.Su is set to compete in the men's snowboard slopestyle and the men's snowboard big air events. Johannes Thingnes Bø, NorwayJohannes Thingnes Bø competes at the shooting range during the men's 4x7.5 km relay event of the IBU Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen, Austria, on December 12, 2021. Johannes Thingnes Bø started training in biathlon, which involves cross-country skiing and shooting, in 2009. He would go on to win three Olympic medals and become the only Norwegian biathlete to claim gold at the Winter Games in 2018.Beijing 2022 could be the 28-year-old athlete's penultimate Winter Games, as he has plans to retire after Milano Cortina 2026, according to the Olympics website. On day one of Beijing 2022, Bø was part of the Norwegian team that won gold in the biathlon mixed relay 4x6km. Nathan Chen, United StatesNathan Chen poses for a portrait during a Team USA Olympic shoot on September 12, 2021. It seems like Nathan Chen is set in good stead for Olympic glory this year, having broken his own US scoring record in the men's short program at the US Figure Skating Championships in January. The three-time world champion considers US figure skater Michelle Kwan as one of his sporting heroes, according to the Olympics website.This year, he's scheduled to take part in the men's singles skating event and the team event, in which he won a bronze medal at PyeongChang 2018. Arianna Fontana, ItalyItaly's Arianna Fontana in the women's 1,500m short track speed skating semifinal at PyeongChang 2018.With eight medals under her belt, Arianna Fontana joins Apolo Anton Ohno of the US and Russia's Viktor An in being the most decorated short track speed skaters. She became the youngest Italian athlete to earn a medal at the Winter Games, when she claimed bronze in the 3,000m relay event at Torino 2006. Fontana is a firm favorite for gold in the women's 3,000m relay event at Beijing 2022. Maame Biney, United StatesMaame Biney during a short track speed skating practice session ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.After PyeongChang 2018, where she became the first Black woman to represent Team USA in the short track speed skating team, Maame Biney was close to hanging up her skates. But now, she's hoping her successful recovery will shine through at Beijing 2022, where she's scheduled to compete in the women's 3,000m relay event. Biney told CNN Sport's Coy Wire in January that she wants to inspire spectators at this year's Games: "If people are able to laugh and cry of joy and happiness, have love in their life, then their life is going to be more fulfilled. I hope that me being there will help them achieve that."

Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-02-08 12:08:53

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/sport/ester-ledecka-czech-slalom-olympic-gold-spt-intl/index.html

Ester Ledecka: Czech defends women's parallel giant slalom Olympic title - CNN

Another Winter Olympic Games, more history made by Ester Ledecká.

sport, Ester Ledecka: Czech defends women's parallel giant slalom Olympic title - CNN

Ester Ledecká: Czech defends women's parallel giant slalom Olympic title

(CNN)Another Winter Olympic Games, more history made by Ester Ledecká.The 26-year-old retained her women's snowboarding parallel giant slalom title in Beijing on Tuesday to become only the second Czech woman to win three Winter Olympic golds.Her first title came four years ago in Pyeongchang alongside a gold in the alpine skiing Super-G event, Ledecká receiving world acclaim as the first woman in Winter Olympic history -- and the first athlete in 90 years -- to win gold medals in two different sports at the same Games.Alongside speed skater Martina Sáblíková, she is now the most decorated Olympian in Czech history.Daniela Ulbing of Austria won silver after falling during her final run, with Slovenia's Gloria Kotnik taking bronze to complete the podium.Read MoreLedecká, Ulbing and Kotnik take to the podium."It was fun, I was trying to be consistent and just staying in my line with what I was doing the whole day," Ledecká said."I made a good job, I'm very proud of my team, so thank you very much to them, especially Justin [Reiter], my American coach. "They made an amazing job and I'm happy that I was able to finish like that."Attention will now turn to Friday's Super-G race and whether Ledecká can repeat her stunning double act feat from South Korea four years ago, wherein she shocked overwhelming Austrian favorite Anna Veith to win the ski event by just 0.01 seconds.Ledecká, front, and Natalia Soboleva of the Russian Olympic Committee compete during the women's parallel giant slalom qualification run.'I was not celebrating at all'Due to compete in the women's downhill skiing next week, Ledecká could yet leave with three Olympic golds, though she will have to wait for today's triumph to sink in first.Despite Ulbing's tumble, there was a peculiar lack of initial celebration from Ledecká following the completion of her race, with the Czech revealing that she had been expecting another run."I was so concentrated until the end that I didn't even know if we had to go up one more time or not," Ledecká said."I was not celebrating it at all, it's still not sunken in. I'm super happy, but in my head, I'm just still a little bit in the race."Ester Ledecka: The snowboarder who stunned the ski worldUlbing impressed on her Olympic debut, and despite not finishing the final race, the 23-year-old had no regrets about pursuing a high-risk strategy in an attempt to unseat the defending champion."I had to risk it all to try to beat Ester," Ulbing said."That's what I did and mistakes happen, but I'm pretty happy I ended up second. I'm really happy, it's amazing. I don't know what to say more, I'm just happy."Ulbing waits to see her score following her quarterfinal run.Karl claims gold at lastUlbing's Austrian compatriot Benjamin Karl won gold after a thrilling final race in the men's event, ending his long-running search for an Olympic title.The 36-year-old won silver in Vancouver in 2010 and a bronze eight years later in Pyeongchang but defeated Slovenia's Tim Mastnak in the Beijing final to finally add Olympic gold to his five world championship titles in the same discipline.Karl finally achieved his gold medal dream in Beijing."I can't describe with words, I'm just happy and satisfied," said Karl of his victory. "I'll enjoy it during the rest of the day."The Russian Olympic Committee's Victor Wild claimed bronze -- his third Olympic medal after two golds at Sochi 2014.CNN's Aleks Klosok contributed to this report

CNN Editorial Research

2019-08-13 16:58:08

news

uk

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/13/uk/boris-johnson-fast-facts/index.html

Boris Johnson Fast Facts - CNN

View CNN's Fast Facts on Boris Johnson to learn more about the prime minister of the United Kingdom.

uk, Boris Johnson Fast Facts - CNN

Boris Johnson Fast Facts

(CNN)Here's a look at the life of Boris Johnson, prime minister of the United Kingdom.PersonalBirth date: June 19, 1964Birth place: New York, New YorkBirth name: Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson Read MoreFather: Stanley Johnson, environmentalist, writer, former politician Mother: Charlotte Johnson Wahl, painterMarriages: Carrie Symonds (2021-present); Marina Wheeler (1993-2020, divorced); Allegra Mostyn-Owen (1987-1993, divorced)Children: with Carrie Johnson: Romy, Wilfred; with Marina Wheeler: Lara, Milo, Cassia and Theodore; with Helen Macintyre: StephanieEducation: Balliol College, University of Oxford, B.A., 1987Religion: Baptized as a Catholic, confirmed as an Anglican while a teenagerOther FactsBrother Jo Johnson is also a Conservative politician.Johnson was the fourth prime minister to study at Balliol College. The other three were H.H. Asquith, Edward Heath, and Harold Macmillan.Johnson has written books on politics, history and British culture, such as "The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History" and "The Dream of Rome." JUST WATCHEDBoris Johnson's history of controversyReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHBoris Johnson's history of controversy 02:07Timeline1973 - The Johnson family moves to Belgium.1987 - Becomes a trainee reporter for The Times.1988 - Fired from The Times for making up a quote.1989 - Appointed Brussels correspondent for the Daily Telegraph.1999-2005 - Editor for the weekly magazine The Spectator.2001 - Johnson is elected a member of the House of Commons in Parliament, winning the seat in Henley for the Conservative Party. 2003-2004 - Vice chairman of the Conservative Party.2004 - Serves as shadow minister for the arts. Fired over allegations of an affair with journalist Petronella Wyatt.December 2005-July 2007 - Serves as the shadow minister for higher education.May 2008 - Johnson is elected mayor of London. He is reelected in 2012.August 2012 - Johnson gets stuck on a zip line during a Summer Olympics event in London's Victoria Park. May 2015 - Reelected to Parliament, representing a seat for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. July 13, 2016 - Johnson is appointed foreign secretary by Prime Minister Theresa May, and serves for two years.February 21, 2016 - Johnson announces he supports the Brexit campaign.July 9, 2018 - Johnson resigns as foreign secretary due to his disagreement with May's approach to Brexit. September 2018 - Johnson and Marina Wheeler announce their separation and pending divorce.July 23, 2019 - Johnson is elected leader of the United Kingdom's Conservative party, and will take over for May as prime minister, pending approval of the Queen.August 28, 2019 - Queen Elizabeth approves Johnson's request to suspend UK parliament from mid-September, shortening the time available to lawmakers to block a no-deal Brexit. The news is met with opposition from politicians who denounce it as potentially unconstitutional and undemocratic. In a televised interview, Johnson denies that he was seeking to prevent Parliament from limiting his Brexit plans. September 4, 2019 - Johnson suffers a defeat after lawmakers in the House of Commons approve a bill to block a no-deal Brexit., 327 votes to 299. It instructs Johnson to request another Brexit extension if he cannot secure a deal with the European Union by the October 31 deadline. Hours after, the House of Commons dismiss demands for an election, falling short of the required 434 supermajority to pass.September 5, 2019 - During a speech in Wakefield, in northern England, Johnson says he'd rather be "dead in the ditch" than ask Europe to delay Brexit. The same day Johnson's brother, Jo Johnson, announces he will step down as MP because he is "torn between family loyalty and the national interest."September 25, 2019 - Lawmakers return to work after the UK Supreme Court rules Johnson's decision to unilaterally suspend Parliament until mid-October -- just two weeks before the UK is due to leave the European Union -- was "unlawful, void and of no effect," a huge defeat for the prime minister.October 17, 2019 - Johnson announces that UK negotiators have struck a Brexit deal with their European counterparts, setting the stage for a vote on the proposal in Parliament. October 19, 2019 - UK lawmakers withhold approval of Johnson's Brexit deal, voting for an amendment to delay ratification. The amendment required Johnson to send a letter requesting an extension from the European Union and Downing Street later confirms the letter was sent. December 12, 2019 - Johnson's conservative party wins in a landslide election, securing 365 of the 650 seats in the House of Parliament, well ahead of Labour's 203 seats. The election gives Johnson a comfortable majority in the House of Commons and paves the way for Brexit to take place at the end of January.January 31, 2020 - Britain formally leaves the European Union, entering a transition period until the end of 2020 during which the United Kingdom must negotiate its future relationship with Europe.February 29, 2020 - Johnson and Carrie Symonds, a former communications official for the Conservative Party, announce they are expecting a baby and are engaged to be married.March 27, 2020 - Johnson announces that he has tested positive for coronavirus.April 5, 2020 - Johnson is admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London for tests as part of a "precautionary step" due to Johnson's lingering coronavirus symptoms, the Prime Minister's Office says in a statement.April 6, 2020 - Johnson is moved to an intensive care unit after his condition with coronavirus symptoms "worsened," according to a Downing Street spokesperson.April 12, 2020 - A Downing Street spokesman announces Johnson has been discharged from the hospital.April 29, 2020 - Johnson and Symonds announce the birth of a baby boy.May 2, 2020 - Johnson and Symonds announce the name of their newborn son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson. He was given the middle name Nicholas in honor of two doctors who treated Johnson while he suffered from coronavirus.May 6, 2021 - In the British elections, Johnson's conservative party holds onto mayoralties in key battleground areas and increases its share of local councils.May 29, 2021 - Johnson and Symonds wed in a "small ceremony" carried out in secrecy at Westminster Cathedral in London.December 9, 2021 - Johnson and Symonds announce the birth of a baby girl.January 31, 2021 - A long-awaited government report into "Partygate" is released, outlining an investigation of Johnson which uncovered multiple parties, some of which Johnson personally attended, a culture of excessive drinking and a "failure of leadership" in his government while the rest of the country was living under strict Covid-19 lockdown rules.

David Close, CNN

2022-02-07 02:21:12

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/sport/miami-dolphins-mike-mcdaniel-head-coach-spt/index.html

Miami Dolphins announce Mike McDaniel as next head coach - CNN

The Miami Dolphins announced Sunday night the hiring of Mike McDaniel as the team's head coach, replacing Brian Flores, who was fired after the regular season wrapped and later initiated a class-action lawsuit against the league alleging racial discrimination in its hiring practices.

sport, Miami Dolphins announce Mike McDaniel as next head coach - CNN

Miami Dolphins announce Mike McDaniel as their next head coach

(CNN)The Miami Dolphins announced Sunday night the hiring of Mike McDaniel as the team's head coach, replacing Brian Flores, who was fired after the regular season wrapped and later initiated a class-action lawsuit against the league alleging racial discrimination in its hiring practices. McDaniel, 38, was most recently the offensive coordinator of San Francisco 49ers, which advanced to the NFC championship game this season before losing to the Los Angeles Rams. We have agreed to terms with Mike McDaniel. Welcome to Miami, Coach! pic.twitter.com/Hk5gIQsc6l— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 6, 2022 Since joining the 49ers in 2017, he served as the team's run game coordinator and run game specialist, according to the team's website, and earlier was part of the coaching staff of the Atlanta Falcons' squad in the 2016-17 season that advanced to Super Bowl LI. McDaniel is also multiracial, making him the first head coach of color hired this cycle. Flores, who is Black, sued the Dolphins organization earlier this week along with the NFL and two other NFL teams alleging racial discrimination.The NFL commissioner called league's lack of diversity 'unacceptable' and vowed for change. Brian Flores' attorneys aren't convincedRead MoreThe 58-page lawsuit castigates the culture of the NFL and the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview two external minority candidates for head coaching positions. The lawsuit says the rule hasn't worked to increase the hiring of coaches of color.The NFL and all three teams deny wrongdoing, with the league calling the allegations "meritless."Roughly 70% of the players in the NFL are Black, yet only one head coach in the league -- Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers -- is Black. There are two other non-Black minority coaches -- one of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent and one of Lebanese descent.CNN's David J. Lopez contributed to this report.

David Close, Holden Perrelli, Kevin Dotson and Amir Vera, CNN

2022-02-08 02:26:33

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/sport/lovie-smith-houston-texans-head-coach-spt/index.html

Houston Texans hire Lovie Smith as head coach - CNN

The Houston Texans announced Monday the hiring of defensive coordinator Lovie Smith as the franchise's next head coach.

sport, Houston Texans hire Lovie Smith as head coach - CNN

Houston Texans hire defensive coordinator Lovie Smith as head coach

(CNN)The Houston Texans announced Monday the hiring of defensive coordinator Lovie Smith as the franchise's next head coach.Smith has previously served as a head coach twice in the NFL for 11 seasons with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He joined the Texans' staff prior to the 2021 season from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was the school's head football coach from 2016 to 2020.Smith, who is Black, is the second person of color to be hired as an NFL head coach this offseason. The Miami Dolphins announced Sunday they hired Mike McDaniel, who is multiracial, as their new head coach.The NFL made a rule to boost diversity in upper ranks. It's not what 'my father intended it to be'"I have so many friends, family, teammates and coaches to thank for supporting me and helping me continue to do what I love, which is teaching and developing players," said Smith, per a team statement. "I understand the responsibility I have to this organization and this city to develop a championship-level program. I'm ready to get to work and build it together.""A proven winner, Lovie has shown the ability to develop players both on and off the field for years," said Texans general manager Nick Caserio. "We had numerous discussions with countless coaches, executives, and players, and what revealed itself is that Lovie has both the leadership and people skills it takes to lead us forward.Read More"We both understand how much work is in front of us, but we embrace the responsibility and look forward to continuing to build a program that can have sustained success."Smith takes over as head coach of the Texans from David Culley, who was fired at the end of the regular season.Smith spoke on the NFL's diversity issuesDuring a news conference Tuesday, Smith did not shy away from addressing the limited number of Black head coaches in the NFL when asked about the issue."I realize the amount of Black head coaches there are in the National Football League. There's Mike Tomlin and I think there's me, I don't know of many more. So there's a problem, and it's obvious for us. And after there's a problem, what are you going to do about it?" Smith said. Smith also voiced his opinion on how to bring greater diversity to the NFL coaching ranks, saying people in positions of power -- head coaches and general managers -- need to be deliberate about "trying to get more Black athletes in some of the quality control positions just throughout your program."The NFL commissioner called league's lack of diversity 'unacceptable' and vowed for change. Brian Flores' attorneys aren't convinced"If you get that, they can move up, that's one way to get more," he said. "It's not just an interview, if you're interviewing a Black guy, it's about having a whole lot of guys to choose from that look like me. And it's just not about talk, you look at my staff, that's what I believe in. And letting those guys show you who they are. That's how we can increase it, then it's left up to people to choose. We all have an opportunity to choose, and that's how I think we'll get it done."Caserio said no one can refute the lack of Black coaches in a predominantly Black league. "That's an issue the league has to address, and I think they're committed to addressing, and I think collectively all of us, whatever our roles are, we have to be willing and committed to be part of that change too, whatever that looks like."Brian Flores, the former Dolphins head coach who is currently suing the NFL, New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Dolphins for alleged racial discrimination, was interviewed for the head coaching position with Houston.After the hiring of Smith was announced, lawyers representing Flores said they were happy the team hired a Black man to lead the Texans but "would be remiss not to mention that Mr. Flores was one of three finalists for the Texans' head coach position and, after a great interview and mutual interest, it is obvious that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to stand up against racial inequality across the NFL."Caserio said at this point, the lack of diversity in coaching in the NFL just needs a solution. "I certainly don't have all the answers," he said. "I can't even begin to fathom what that answer or solution is, but to be a part of the solution, that's what we can make a commitment to doing."

David Close, CNN

2022-01-22 07:40:05

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/22/sport/krystof-hrabik-suspended-racist-gesture-spt/index.html

AHL suspends Krystof Hrabik for 30 games for racist gesture toward Boko Imama - CNN

The American Hockey League (AHL) on Friday suspended San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik for 30 games for directing a racist gesture toward Boko Imama of the Tucson Roadrunners during a game earlier this month.

sport, AHL suspends Krystof Hrabik for 30 games for racist gesture toward Boko Imama - CNN

American Hockey League suspends player for 30 games for racist gesture toward Black player

(CNN)The American Hockey League (AHL) on Friday suspended San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik for 30 games for directing a racist gesture toward Boko Imama of the Tucson Roadrunners during a game earlier this month.Multiple reports describe Hrabik imitating monkey-like movements in the direction of Imama, who is Black, during a January 12 game in San Jose, California. A spokesman for the AHL told CNN that the reporting of the gesture is accurate. "The AHL believes that individual inclusion learning is a key element of improving league-wide culture," said the league in a statement. "As such, as part of his suspension, Hrabik will be provided the opportunity to work with the National Hockey League's Player Inclusion Committee to participate in education and training on racism and inclusion."The AHL is the developmental professional league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Ukrainian Hockey League criticized for 'pathetic' punishment for racist gestureHrabik, 22, is a Czech Republic national in his second year with the San Jose Sharks' minor league affiliate. He would be eligible to return to play on April 3, according to the AHL's website.Read More"People should know that I had absolutely no inappropriate intent. The gesture was made in the heat of battle and while I didn't mean anything racist by what I did, I realize now through my own ignorance how my gesture could be interpreted," Hrabik said in a statement obtained by Elliotte Friedman of Canadian station Sportsnet. "I fully accept the consequences of my actions and am not appealing the discipline imposed by the AHL." CNN has been unable to reach out to Hrabik for comment.Imama, 25, was drafted 180th overall in 2015 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He spent four years with the Los Angeles Kings franchise before signing with the Arizona Coyotes' AHL affiliate in Tucson last summer."Even though I honestly believe the sport has made positive strides, WE still have a long way to go to educate the ignorant and to make hockey a safe place for everyone," Imama said on Twitter. "My hope is that people learn from this and that some day hockey will truly be for everyone." The Barracuda said it and the Sharks "were appalled to learn of this incident.""We offer our sincerest apologies to Boko, the Roadrunners organization, the AHL, our fans, and the entire hockey community," they said in a statement.

Travis Caldwell, CNN

2022-02-08 03:51:54

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/sport/nfl-roger-goodell-civil-rights-leaders-meeting-spt/index.html

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell meets with civil rights leaders to discuss concerns over hiring practices - CNN

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with civil rights leaders Monday amid concerns that the league and its teams are not doing enough to promote Black and minority coaches for head coaching opportunities.

sport, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell meets with civil rights leaders to discuss concerns over hiring practices - CNN

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell meets with civil rights leaders to discuss concerns over hiring practices

(CNN)NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with civil rights leaders Monday amid concerns that the league and its teams are not doing enough to promote Black and minority coaches for head coaching opportunities. The meeting came less than a week after a federal class-action lawsuit was filed by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who is suing the league along with three other franchises for alleged racial discrimination.Participants in Monday's meeting included National Action Network founder the Rev. Al Sharpton, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, and National African American Clergy Network co-convener Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner. Also participating were National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and National Coalition on Black Civic Participation President and CEO Melanie Campbell.The NFL made a rule to boost diversity in upper ranks. It's not what 'my father intended it to be'The five leaders called on Goodell to replace the "Rooney Rule," a league-instituted mandate requiring teams to interview a diverse range of candidates for coaching, general manager and executive jobs. It requires every team to interview at least two external minority candidates for open head coaching positions, according to the league's football operations site.Read More"However well-intentioned, the effect of the Rooney Rule has been for team decision-makers to regard interviews with candidates of color as an extraneous step, rather than an integral part of the hiring process," Morial said Monday in a statement.Flores, who is Black, was fired from his job as head coach of the Dolphins last month despite his team winning eight of their last nine games this season and nearly making the playoffs. The 40-year-old says in his lawsuit that a later interview with the New York Giants for their vacant head coaching job had been conducted under disingenuous circumstances, as Flores had found out three days before his interview that the Giants had already decided to hire another coach. Flores told CNN's "New Day" that he went through a "wave of emotions" upon finding out that he was attending what he called a "sham interview."Critics of the league and its teams are highlighting the lawsuit as further evidence the "Rooney Rule" is used only for show and not a legitimate measure to increase the number of Black head coaches in the league. Hue Jackson says he wasn't paid to lose NFL games with the Browns but his situation had similarities to that of Brian Flores"The Rooney Rule has been proven to be something the owners used to deceptively appear to be seeking real diversity," Sharpton said in Monday's statement. "We must have firm targets and timetables."CNN has reached out to the NFL for comment. After the firing of Flores and Houston Texans head coach David Culley in the offseason, only one Black head coach -- Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers -- remained in a league with 32 franchises. The Texans have since hired Lovie Smith, who is Black, and the Dolphins have hired Mike McDaniel, who is multiracial. There are two other non-Black minority head coaches -- Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders and Robert Saleh of the New York Jets. On Saturday, Goodell said the league will review its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, calling the lack of Black head coaches "unacceptable," in a league-wide memo sent to club executives and presidents. The NFL and the three franchises named in Flores' suit -- the Dolphins, the Giants and the Denver Broncos, who interviewed Flores in 2019 -- have all denied any wrongdoing.CNN's Delano Massey, Ben Morse and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.

Wayne Sterling, CNN

2022-02-08 16:21:45

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/sport/olympics-gold-medals-tuesday-intl-spt/index.html

Here's who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday - CNN

Ten gold medals were won on Day 4 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Here's a breakdown of who's taking home the gold.

sport, Here's who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday - CNN

Here's who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday

(CNN)Ten gold medals were won on Day 4 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Here's a breakdown of who's taking home the gold.Alpine SkiingMen's Super-G: Matthias Mayer, AustriaBiathlonMen's 20km Individual: Quentin Fillon Maillet, FranceRead MoreCross-Country SkiingWomen's Sprint Free: Jonna Sundling, SwedenMen's Sprint Free: Johannes Klæbo, NorwayCurlingMixed Doubles: ItalyFreestyle SkiingWomen's Freeski Big Air: Eileen Gu, ChinaLugeWomen's Singles: Natalie Geisenberger, GermanySnowboardWomen's Parallel Giant Slalom: Ester Ledecká, Czech RepublicMen's Parallel Giant Slalom: Benjamin Karl, AustriaSpeed SkatingMen's 1,500m: Kjeld Nuis, Netherlands

Analysis by Nathan Hodge, CNN

2022-02-08 15:00:03

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/europe/putin-coarse-remarks-ukraine-intl/index.html

Analysis: Putin's use of crude language reveals a lot about his worldview - CNN

Russian President Vladimir Putin set Russian media abuzz Tuesday following his news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

europe, Analysis: Putin's use of crude language reveals a lot about his worldview - CNN

Putin's use of crude language reveals a lot about his worldview

(CNN)Russian President Vladimir Putin set Russian media abuzz Tuesday following his news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.The subject of Putin's remarks? The Minsk agreements, a ceasefire protocol signed by Ukraine and Russia in 2015, and whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could abide by them. But it was Putin's coarse language, rather than the technical details of the truce that generated the most clicks in Russia. "As for the Minsk agreements, are they alive and do they have any prospect or not?" Putin said. "I believe that there is simply no other alternative. I repeat once again, in Kyiv, they either say that they will comply, or they say that this will destroy their country. The incumbent president recently stated that he does not like a single point of these Minsk agreements. 'Like it or don't like it, it's your duty, my beauty.' They must be fulfilled. It won't work otherwise." Experts are speculating over Russia's next move. They may want to check Ukraine's weather forecastOnce again, Putin has given the world a sense of his soul. The Kremlin leader's position on the Minsk agreement is not new. But his crude vernacular -- addressing Zelensky in condescending and gendered language -- left some Russian journalists wondering openly if the president was, in essence, making a crude joke. Asked in a conference call with reporters if those remarks might be "hinting at a sexual subtext," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov gave an anodyne response. "The president meant that if a state committed to certain obligations, if there is a signature of the head of state [under them], then these commitments must be fulfilled," he said. Read MoreA reporter pressed further: Was Putin, perhaps, familiar with the work of a Russian-language folk-punk band that apparently had a line similar to Putin's in one of their songs? Peskov gave a firm no. "I am quite convinced that Vladimir Putin is not familiar with the work of this group," he said. "And I suspect that perhaps at some point this group might have borrowed it [the line] from Russian folklore." Have you read these yet? Oscar nominations 2022: See the full list of nominees Peloton is replacing its CEO and cutting 2,800 jobs Dramatic photos cast Europe's ancient castles in a new light Analysis: Chris Christie said what many Republicans are thinking about Jan. 6 Folklore or not, the remark laid bare Putin's bullysome attitude toward Ukraine, which the president has made clear he doesn't see as a real country. And it was also reminder of a strain of unrepentant misogyny in both Putin's politics and his public remarks. For starters, the talk about forcing a "beauty" lie back and take abuse is coming from the same person who, exactly five years ago, decriminalized forms of domestic violence. Putin's trash talk pops again and again, and has reportedly included making light of rape. The Russian leader's tough-guy talk is sometimes explained away as a sort of folksiness that is a performance for a domestic audience, but Putin's choice of verb терпеть in his remarks on Monday (to take it, or to endure) shows an ugly underlying sentiment about the role of women. Asked about Putin's remarks, Zelensky reformulated the Russian leader's words in a language Putin would understand. Macron meets with Putin, leading Europe's diplomatic efforts to defuse Ukraine crisis"Of course, there are some things we can't argue about with the president of the Russian Federation," Zelensky said. "Ukraine is a beauty. As far as 'my' is concerned, that's a slight overstatement." Regarding the line about being dutiful and taking it, Zelensky added, "I think Ukraine is very patient. Because that's wisdom. I think that's important not just for Ukraine, but for all of Europe." It's not the first time Putin has used such language. One of his most famous quotes dates back to 1999, when he was still prime minister, when he vowed to crush Chechen separatists, saying, "If they're on the toilet, we will waste them out in the outhouse."The same applies to the current crisis. When he discards the diplomatic language, Putin speaks that we may see him.CNN's Anna Chernova and Darya Tarasova contributed to this report.

Ben Church, CNN

2022-02-08 12:34:44

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/sport/josh-neuman-iceland-plane-crash-spt-intl/index.html

Josh Neuman: US skateboarder, 22, among four people killed in Iceland plane crash - CNN

US skateboarder and filmmaker Josh Neuman was one of four people killed in a plane crash in Iceland, local authorities confirmed.

sport, Josh Neuman: US skateboarder, 22, among four people killed in Iceland plane crash - CNN

US skateboarder Josh Neuman, 22, among four people killed in Iceland plane crash

(CNN)US skateboarder and filmmaker Josh Neuman was one of four people killed in a plane crash in Iceland, local authorities confirmed.Neuman, who produced skateboarding videos for almost 1.2 million YouTube subscribers, had been in the country sightseeing and shooting a commercial when a plane he was in went missing on February 3. On Sunday, authorities found four bodies in Lake Thingvallavatn, near the capital Reykjavik. "The remains of four people at the bottom of the lake have been found and located at a depth of 37 meters (about 121 feet) or less," read a statement from Icelandic Police. Neuman was known for his daredevil videos, including skydiving from a plane and racing down mountains on his longboard. One video of him skating downhill in 2020 attracted more than 106 million views on YouTube.Read MoreNBA reveals new Kobe Bryant Trophy awarded for All-Star Game MVP"Josh represents the side of humanity we all strive to achieve. The way he not just touched, but impacted lives was on a scale of its own," read a family statement posted on Neuman's Instagram page."In his quest for adventure, thirst for creativity and passion for a personal reflection, he truly impacted all those he touched."It added: "As the world sheds a tear, we should know that he passed doing what he loved, having just experienced the Northern Lights in Iceland for the first time commenting, 'This is the happiest day of my life.'" Authorities said the mission to recover the bodies had to be abandoned on Sunday due to dangerous weather but would continue once conditions improved. The 22-year-old had been in Iceland to shoot commercial content alongside Belgian fashion brand Suspicious Antwerp, which released a statement on its official website. "It is with tremendous sadness that we are to report that the occupants consisted of a Suspicious Antwerp employee, two content creators, and an Icelandic pilot," it read."We are enormously distressed by the news and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends. "We are in close contact with them, as well as with the authorities, and we're doing everything we can to assist them during these difficult times."CNN's Arnaud Siad contributed to reporting.

Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-02-08 10:39:49

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/sport/nathan-chen-world-record-skater-beijing-spt-intl/index.html

Nathan Chen: US figure skater sets new world record to edge closer to dream gold - CNN

A spellbinding routine from Nathan Chen set a new short-program world record in the men's figure skating event in Beijing on Tuesday, lifting the American to the top spot and within sight of a dream first Winter Olympic gold medal.

sport, Nathan Chen: US figure skater sets new world record to edge closer to dream gold - CNN

Nathan Chen: US figure skater sets new short-program world record to edge closer to dream gold

(CNN)A spellbinding routine from Nathan Chen set a new short-program world record in the men's figure skating event in Beijing on Tuesday, lifting the American to the top spot and within sight of a dream first Winter Olympic gold medal. The 22-year-old's near-flawless performance was rewarded by judges with an unprecedented 113.97 points, sending him over five points clear at the top of the rankings with the deciding free skate final to come on Thursday.Chen's score broke the previous world record of 111.82 set in 2020 by two-time Olympic defending champion Yuzuru Hanyu.Many had tipped the Japanese icon to be the main barrier to Chen's pursuit of gold, but an uncharacteristic error early in Hanyu's routine left him in eighth with a score of 95.15.Chen holds top spot after the short program.After winning bronze in the team event at PyeongChang in 2018 and silver in the same category yesterday, Hanyu's mistake further boosts Chen's chances at an as yet elusive gold, but the American said he is taking nothing for granted.Read More"When I heard that [Hanyu's score], I [thought], 'Stick to my game plan, nothing changes, focus on what I can do, try to do the best that I can,'" Chen said."You certainly can't ever count him out. He's two-time Olympic champion for a reason. Also, no matter what he does in the future, he will always, always be a true figure skating icon, one of the greatest ever, if not the greatest ever."'Pretty close to my best'Coined the 'Quad King,' Chen emphatically lived up to his nickname by executing a multitude of difficult maneuvers -- kicking off his routine with a quad flip and never looking back. Before the Games, Chen admitted he was disappointed with his performances in PyeongChang, but he arrived in Beijing off the back of three straight world championships and a 6th consecutive US title.Chen's short program routine was a new world record.Continuing his upward trajectory, Chen said that his routine was "pretty close to my best," a performance that rewarded him with top spot heading into Thursday."Obviously, there are always things you can improve on, there are always things you can do a little bit better, but overall, I'm very happy," Chen said."But the competition's not one program. Whatever happens in the short program is not indicative of what will happen in the free program."Nathan Chen: Balancing act of Yale student and Olympic figure skating favoriteHe is pursued on the remaining podium places by Japanese pair Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno -- the only other skaters to break the 100 point mark -- with scores of 108.12 and 105.90 respectively. Their compatriot Hanzu was left to rue a missed opening jump that has dampened his aspirations of a third consecutive gold, the Japanese skater revealing he felt a "hole" in the ice."I feel really shocked," Hanzu said."I didn't feel anything bad until takeoff. When I took off, I was under some hole, maybe [caused by] some other skater's toe [loop] or flip or something."Hanyu sits in eighth after a costly early error.Devastated Zhou withdrawsChen's perfect day contrasted with an agonizing blow for his compatriot Vincent Zhou, who withdrew from the event on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19.The 21-year-old had helped the US to their silver medal in the team event on Sunday and had been tipped to challenge for the podium places in the individual event.Announcing his withdrawal on his Instagram, an emotional Zhou said the positive test felt "unreal" after trying so hard to avoid testing positive for the virus."I have been doing everything in my power to stay free of Covid since the start of the pandemic," Zhou said."I've taken all the precautions I can. I've isolated myself so much that the loneliness I felt in the last month or two has been crushing at times."I've already lost count of the number of times I've cried today. But I'm happy to say that at least one of those times was happy tears, and that was when I found out that I became an Olympic silver medalist."Zhou in action during the team event.Speaking after his short program routine, Chen expressed his sympathy for his teammate."It definitely brings people to edge, and I'm really, really upset for him," Chen said."He definitely deserves to be here. He worked so incredibly hard. We've been through so much together as competitors since we were very young, so to see that happen right before the short program is so tough."He's been a really great sport about it so far and staying very positive."

Eliza Mackintosh, Nathan Hodge, Uliana Pavolva Dalal Mawad and Nada Bashir, CNN

2022-02-07 18:04:52

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/europe/ukraine-russia-news-monday-intl/index.html

Macron meets with Putin, leading Europe's diplomatic efforts to defuse Ukraine crisis - CNN

In the tense standoff between Russia and Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron has emerged as a central figure in Europe's diplomatic efforts to diffuse potential conflict.

europe, Macron meets with Putin, leading Europe's diplomatic efforts to defuse Ukraine crisis - CNN

Macron meets with Putin, leading Europe's diplomatic efforts to defuse Ukraine crisis

Moscow (CNN)In the tense standoff between Russia and Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron has emerged as a central figure in Europe's diplomatic efforts to diffuse potential conflict.As the United States moves forces to Eastern Europe to support its NATO allies and Russia deploys more troops onto Ukraine's border, Macron visited his counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow on Monday to demand a de-escalation to the crisis, before traveling to Kyiv.The two men appeared at a press conference after spending more than five hours locked in head-to-head talks. Macron said that he and Putin were able to find "points of convergence" over the crisis and that it was "up to us to agree, jointly, concrete and specific measures to stabilize the situation and to de-escalate tensions.""There is still time to preserve peace," Macron said.Read MorePutin, who had sharply critical words for NATO and Ukraine, suggested "further steps" were possible on the diplomatic front."A number of his proposals and ideas, about which it is too early to speak, I consider quite possible in order to lay a foundation for our further steps," Putin said, adding that the pair would speak again after Macron's trip to Kyiv on Tuesday.Despite the diplomatic overtures, Putin accused Ukraine of violating the rights of its Russian-speaking population and said that its government is "ignoring all possibilities for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Donbas," referring to the separatist regions in Ukraine's east.Macron is kicking off a week of intense diplomacy that will see him travel to Moscow and Kyiv.Putin has assembled 70% of the military personnel and weapons it would need for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, based on the latest US intelligence estimates, but US officials say they still don't know whether Russia's leader has decided to launch an attack. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied it is planning an incursion, but has argued that NATO support for the country constitutes a growing threat to Russia.Macron praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "sangfroid" on Monday, saying that he has shown "self-restraint" in the face of growing Russian military activity on its borders. "President Zelensky is the president of a country on whose borders there are 120,000 Russian troops, and I would say that that would make one worry," Macron said.The crunch talks between Putin and Macron came as US President Joe Biden met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Washington, DC on Monday. Ukraine was top of the agenda, Biden said. The US President said that the two leaders "developed a strong package of sanctions that clearly demonstrate international resolve and impose swift and severe consequences if Russia violates Ukraine's sovereignty," warning that "it cannot be business and usual if Russia invades."While the Biden administration has sought to demonstrate a united Western front against Putin's aggression, Scholz has largely watched from the sidelines as the crisis escalates -- drawing criticism and questions over Germany's willingness to confront Moscow.On Monday, one key sticking point between the US and Germany appeared to remain: the future of the contentious Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which is meant to bring natural gas from Russia to Germany.Biden was explicit the project wouldn't go forward if Russia invades Ukraine, however Scholz refused to even name the project during a news conference, and declined to commit to ending the pipeline if an invasion moves ahead. Scholz, who succeeded Angela Merkel in December, has, so far, taken a softer approach on Russia than the US and its allies. Germany has not joined the US, France, Spain and other allies in bolstering troops along NATO's eastern flank. It has also been reluctant to provide lethal aid, refusing to allow NATO ally, Estonia, to send German-made howitzers to Ukraine and drawing mockery for sending thousands of helmets instead of weapons. Some experts have suggested that the pipeline project may be the reason why it's not taking a more prominent role. In an apparent attempt to refute that criticism, Scholz will visit Russia and Ukraine later this month. Germany's Scholz meets Biden as the new chancellor's resolve on Ukraine is tested As Putin tests the West's resolve, Macron has thrust himself to center stage, taking Merkel's place as leading mediator for Europe as he readies himself for a re-election bid at home. Currently at the helm of the European Union's rotating presidency, Macron has spoken several times per week with Putin, and placed his third phone call in a week to Biden on Sunday evening. According to a statement from the Elysee Palace, Macron and Biden agreed Sunday to capitalize on the "positive progress" made in the Normandy Format -- a grouping of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia -- to bolster the Minsk agreements, a ceasefire protocol signed by Ukraine and Russia in 2015 after Russia annexed Crimea and fomented a rebellion in Ukraine's east. Despite the agreement, the two sides have not seen a stable peace.The French president, who in 2019 said bluntly that Europe was facing the "brain death of NATO," caused by American indifference to the transatlantic alliance, and has called on the EU to take on a larger role in Europe's defense, is now getting a chance to lay out his vision for what a Europe more independent from US influence might look like.To Moscow, Macron has presented himself as a "quality interlocutor," as Putin described him, according to an official in the French presidency. The official told reporters Friday that among Macron's agenda for the talks was to try to balance "the new order of security in Europe, including guarantees of regional security and the role and capacity of the European Union in taking charge of its own security," alongside his commitments to the US and NATO.The stakes could not be higher. Macron is seeking to stop the massive Russian military buildup of more than 100,000 soldiers from bubbling over into war and soothe Russia's security grievances, which include demands that Ukraine and Georgia be blocked from ever becoming members of the alliance and a drawdown of troops in the region. "I'm reasonably optimistic but I don't believe in spontaneous miracles," Macron told reporters on the flight to the Russian capital, according to CNN affiliate BFM TV, which was traveling with the French president.Moscow, on the other hand, had been more cautious about the planned meeting. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier on Monday the Russian government had seen "nothing new" in response to its security demands."For now, the atmosphere remains extremely tense," Peskov added.CNN's Joseph Ataman and Camille Knight in Paris contributed to this report.

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-08 09:14:57

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/sport/curling-questions-answered-winter-olympics-beijing-2022-spt-intl/index.html

Curling: Your top questions answered - CNN

When the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games come around every four years, there are many sports which compete to grab the attention of viewers around the world.

sport, Curling: Your top questions answered - CNN

Curling: Your top questions answered

(CNN)When the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games come around every four years, there are many sports which compete to grab the attention of viewers around the world. However, there is one in particular that seems to capture the hearts and minds of many every time: curling.Whether it be the seemingly manic brushing done in front of the stone or the incredible skill needed to accurately slide stones into precise positions from so far away, curling becomes must-watch TV. The game earned the moniker, The Roarin' Game, from the roar sound which comes from the granite stone as it travels over the ice.With the competition underway in Beijing, we're here to help you understand "what is curling" and answer some of your other top questions.Canada's Ryan Fry delivers the rock while teammates Ryan Harnden (left) and E.J. Harnden (right) sweep the ice during the men's curling gold medal game against Britain at the 2014 Winter Olympics.Read MoreHow many ends are there in a match? Traditional curling -- teams made up of men or women -- is played over 10 ends on a strip of ice -- called a sheet -- which is over 45 meters long and a maximum of five meters wide. In each end, each player throws two stones, in consecutive order. However, the format changes slightly for mixed doubles curling. Games are played over eight ends, with each team playing five stones each. One player plays the first and fifth stones while the other player plays stones two, three and four.How do you score? At each side of the playing surface, there are a series of rings similar to a target -- the house. This helps players determine which stones are closest to the center.Once an end is completed, a team scores one point for each of its stones in or touching the house that are closer to the center than any of the opposition team's stones.Only one team is able to score in an end. If neither team's stones are touching the house, no points are scored -- this is called a blank end.When sliding the stones, each player must release them before a certain line, coined the hog line, for them to be in play.Although teams can concede before the 10 ends are up, an average game of championship curling can last up to three hours.South Korea's Kim Seonyeong and Kim Yeongmi compete during the curling women's gold medal game between South Korea and Sweden during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.What is the hammer? Throwing last in curling tends to provide a significant advantage to the team which has the opportunity to do so. Teams alternate throwing the stone down the ice as they aim towards a target which is known as the house.Therefore, with all bar one stone on the field of play, the team which has the final throw can play kingmaker, knocking away opponents' stones or knowing where their stone needs to finish for them to win the end. This last stone is called the hammer -- and it's often decisive in the outcome of the match. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosSweden's Margaretha Sigfridsson (left) and Maria Prytz hold onto their brooms during the women's curling semifinal against Switzerland at the 2014 Winter Olympics.The team which doesn't score during an end will get the hammer in the following end, which sometimes causes teams to avoid scoring a single point, instead choosing to retain the hammer and attempt to score more heavily in the subsequent round. However, in mixed doubles, a non-scoring end causes the hammer to be passed to the following end.

CNN Sport staff

2022-02-07 15:37:21

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/sport/zhu-yi-winter-olympics-figure-skating-spt-intl/index.html

Figure skater Zhu Yi focused on 'coping mentally' after falling in team event at Winter Olympics - CNN

American-born Chinese figure skater Zhu Yi broke down in tears following her free skate performance in the team competition at the Winter Olympics in Beijing on Monday.

sport, Figure skater Zhu Yi focused on 'coping mentally' after falling in team event at Winter Olympics - CNN

Figure skater Zhu Yi focused on 'coping mentally' after falling in team event at Winter Olympics

(CNN)American-born Chinese figure skater Zhu Yi broke down in tears following her free skate performance in the team competition at the Winter Olympics in Beijing on Monday.The 19-year-old Zhu came under heavy criticism on Chinese social media after falling in the short program earlier in the competition, and in Monday's event, she fell twice as she placed fifth for her routine with 91.41 points.Amid the abuse she received after the short program, social media users questioned why Zhu was chosen to represent China at the Winter Olympics over an athlete born in the country."I am relieved because [there is] a lot of pressure and people are expecting a lot," Zhu told reporters after the free skate event. "But right now, I'm just going to move on and focus on my individual events."She added: "Honestly, I've trained really hard and I think the main thing is coping mentally. I'm trying not to get distracted by outside influence."Read MoreThe Russian Olympic Committee's Kamila Valieva placed first in the free skate, wrapping up the gold medal for her team.Zhu reacts after competing in the free skate of the figure skating team event at the Winter Olympics. After the short program in the team competition on Sunday, Zhu -- who is competing at her first Olympics -- said she was "upset and a little embarrassed" by her performance, adding: "I guess I felt a lot of pressure because I know everybody in China was pretty surprised with the selection for ladies' singles and I just really wanted to show them what I was able to do."Chinese athletes have come under intense public scrutiny during these Games, with medal counts hailed as a symbol of national strength by the Chinese government.In particular, much of the spotlight has fallen on US-born athletes who are representing China at Beijing 2022. In contrast to the treatment Zhu has received on social media, freestyle skier Eileen Gu -- who was also born in California and is a year younger than Zhu -- has charmed the Chinese public with her fluent Mandarin and familiarity with Chinese culture.In the process, Gu has become the unofficial face of Beijing 2022 and is tipped to win at least one gold medal for China.Born in Los Angeles to a Chinese immigrant family, Zhu chose to compete for China in 2018 and gave up her American citizenship, as well as changing her name from Beverly Zhu to Zhu Yi.But she has also faced criticism in China for not being able to speak fluent Chinese.China, which has won two gold and two silver medals so far at the Olympics, finished fifth in figure skating's team event.Zhu will now prepare to compete in the singles competition, which begins on February 15.

Toyin Owoseje, CNN

2022-02-07 17:52:39

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/sport/channel-4-paralympics-presenters-intl-scli-gbr-spt/index.html

Channel 4's presenting team for the Beijing Paralympics is all disabled people - CNN

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has announced that its coverage of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will be fronted by a team consisting entirely of disabled anchors and pundits.

sport, Channel 4's presenting team for the Beijing Paralympics is all disabled people - CNN

UK TV network Channel 4 is sending an all-disabled line-up of hosts and pundits to the Beijing Paralympics

(CNN)UK broadcaster Channel 4 has announced that its coverage of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will be fronted by a team consisting entirely of disabled anchors and pundits. In what it described as a "global first" for a world-class sporting event, the network's line-up will include former champions presenting on the ground in China when the games begin next month. A daily highlights show will be helmed by Ade Adepitan, an award-winning host and wheelchair basketball player, Channel 4 said in a press release Monday. Day 3 of the 2022 Beijing Winter OlympicsParalympic champion triathlete Lauren Steadman will host the breakfast show alongside quadriplegic former professional rugby player Ed Jackson.Steadman took home a gold medal victory from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and also won silver at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio. Read MoreThe presenting line-up also includes recently retired Paralympic swimmer Ellie Robinson, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Games aged just 15. She will be joined by British racing car driver Billy Monger. Former sit-skier Sean Rose has been recruited as a pundit, and Channel 4's overnight sports coverage will be led by Tokyo 2020 presenter Arthur Williams. Ian Katz, Channel 4's director of programs, said in a statement that the move is "testament to the brilliant disabled presenting talent we have in the UK and underlines our commitment to providing opportunities for people with disabilities and making our output truly representative of the entire population." Beijing 2022 poster child Eileen Gu revels in 'historic moment' of reaching freeski big air final Andrew Parsons, the president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), praised the channel as "a world-leading organization in disability inclusion" that had "improved the broadcast landscape on para sports." He added: "This latest landmark decision is important because representation matters. There are over 15 per cent of persons in Great Britain with a disability and they should be able to switch on a TV and see wonderfully ordinary persons with disabilities like them in front of the camera. This is change starting with sport." The Beijing Paralympic Games will take place from March 4 to 13.

Jack Bantock. CNN

2022-02-07 10:41:23

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/football/marc-overmars-quits-ajax-inappropriate-messages-spt-intl/index.html

Marc Overmars quits Ajax after sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues - CNN

Marc Overmars will leave his position as Ajax's Director of Football Affairs after sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues, the Dutch football club announced on Sunday.

football, Marc Overmars quits Ajax after sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues - CNN

Marc Overmars quits Ajax after sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues

(CNN)Marc Overmars will leave his position as Ajax's Director of Football Affairs after sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues, the Dutch football club announced on Sunday.The 48-year-old former Dutch international -- who played for Ajax, Arsenal, and Barcelona, among others, during his playing career -- had held the role since 2012.Overmars had told the club's Supervisory Board and CEO Edwin Van Der Sar of his desire to quit following discussions over the last few days, his departure confirmed with "immediate effect," according to a statement released by Ajax."A series of inappropriate messages sent to several female colleagues over an extended period of time underlies his decision to leave the club," the statement added.Overmars spent five years as player at Ajax between 1992 and 1997 before a move to English Premier League club Arsenal. Read MoreThe Dutchman played for three years in North London before transferring to Barcelona in 2000 to become the most expensive Dutch footballer of all-time.With 86 appearances for the Dutch national team, he is the 13th most capped player in Netherlands history.Overmars during the UEFA Champions League match between Sporting CP and Ajax Amsterdam on September 15, 2021 In a statement to Ajax's website, Overmars said that he was "ashamed" of his "unacceptable behavior."" Last week I was confronted with reports about my behavior. And how this has come across to others," Overmars said."Unfortunately, I didn't realize that I was crossing the line with this, but that was made clear to me in recent days. "I suddenly felt enormous pressure. I apologize. Certainly for someone in my position, this behavior is unacceptable. I now see that too. But it is too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax. "This also has a major impact on my private situation. That is why I ask everyone to leave me and my family alone."'It is devastating for the women who had to deal with the behavior'In December, Overmars' contract -- due to run till November 2024 -- was extended by Ajax's Supervisory Board until June 2026.The 48-year-old had played a key role in the buying and selling of players for Ajax. The Dutch club has established a reputation for developing young players and then selling them to many of Europe's leading clubs for a huge profit.The Supervisory Board's chairman, Lee Meijaard, said that the club had acted "immediately" -- consulting Van Der Sar as well as "an external expert.""This is a dramatic situation for everyone who is involved in any way," Meijaard said. "It is devastating for the women who have had to deal with the behavior. "Marc is probably the best football director that Ajax has had. We upgraded and extended his contract for a reason. But, unfortunately, he has really gone over the line, so continuing as director was not an option, as he recognized himself. "It is extremely painful for everyone. I want to express the wish that everyone involved is given the peace and privacy to process this."Overmars playing for Ajax against Feyenoord on August 16, 1995.Van Der Sar, a former teammate of Overmars for both Ajax and the Netherlands, said that he agreed with Meijaard's comments, stating that the situation was "appalling for everyone.""In my role, I also feel responsible to help colleagues," Van Der Sar said. "A safe sport and working climate is very important. We will pay even more attention to this in the near future."Marc and I have been playing together since the early 1990's ... and we have been colleagues in the management of Ajax for almost 10 years now. That has now come to a very abrupt end. "We are working on something very wonderful here at Ajax, so this news will also be a blow to everyone who cares about Ajax."The Dutch club tops the Eredivisie -- Ajax is five points clear of PSV Eindhoven after 21 matches -- and is due to play Benfica in the last 16 of the Champions League on February 23 in Lisbon and then in Amsterdam on March 15.Overmars playing against France during the European Championships in 2000.Playing career Overmars began his club career with Dutch team Go Ahead Eagles in 1990, moving to Willem II before signing for Ajax in 1992.He won three Eredivisie titles and a Champions League title in Amsterdam before a move to Arsenal in 1997, wherein he added a Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season.He became the most expensive Dutch footballer of all time and the most expensive player in Barcelona history when he signed from the Gunners in July 2000 for a fee of around 36 million euros ($41.17 million). In 2004, a 31-year-old Overmars announced his retirement -- citing a recurring knee injury -- but returned to football in 2008 to play one season at the club where he started his career, Go Ahead Eagles.

Tim Lister, CNN

2022-02-06 12:30:13

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/europe/russia-military-images-intl/index.html

New satellite images show advanced Russian military deployments in Belarus - CNN

New satellite images released by a US-based technology company appear to show that Russia's military has advanced deployments at several locations in Belarus, a move likely to concern Ukraine and NATO amid fears that the Kremlin is planning an incursion into Ukrainian territory.

europe, New satellite images show advanced Russian military deployments in Belarus - CNN

New satellite images show advanced Russian military deployments in Belarus

Kyiv, Ukraine (CNN)New satellite images released by a US-based technology company appear to show that Russia's military has advanced deployments at several locations in Belarus, a move likely to concern Ukraine and NATO amid fears that the Kremlin is planning an incursion into Ukrainian territory. The deployments are likely linked to joint exercises between Russian and Belarus forces that are due to begin on Thursday. However, other photographs show camps being established close to the border with Ukraine, hundreds of miles from where the exercises are taking place. Russia has repeatedly denied it is planning to attack Ukraine, despite Moscow's massive troop buildup in the region. The Kremlin is believed to have assembled 70% of the military personnel and weapons on Ukraine's borders that Russia would need for a full-scale invasion, according to two US officials familiar with Washington's latest intelligence estimates. However, it is unclear how long it would take Russian forces to ramp up further, or if they would need full capabilities in order to invade. The images from Maxar -- taken Saturday -- are consistent with recently posted social media videos showing Russian forces moving through Belarus and creating field camps within 20 miles of the Ukrainian border. Some of the imagery shows Belarus' Luninets airfield, where Russian fighter jets have deployed ahead of the exercises, dubbed Union Resolve 2022. Photographs show Russian S-400 air defense systems and Su-25 attack aircraft at the airfield. The Russian Defense Ministry released video on Saturday of the arrival of the planes at Luninets. This satellite image shows Luninets airfield on Saturday.SU-25 aircraft are seen at the Luninets airfield on Saturday.Read MoreOne of the S-400 battalions has traveled from Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East, a journey of more than 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers), according to Zvezda, a Russian Ministry of Defense publication.Other photographs from Maxar show Russian forces establishing themselves at some distance from where the exercises are planned -- including at Rechitsa, a Belarusian city about 170 miles (270 kilometers) east of Luninets close to where the borders of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine meet. The force gathered there includes tanks, howitzers and infantry fighting vehicles.Forces are seen gathering at Rechitsa in this satellite photograph taken Saturday. Maxar's satellite images show that for the first time several tent encampments have been created at Rechitsa.The images show that for the first time several tent encampments have been created at Rechitsa. That development and recent footage from the area suggest a growing Russian presence there. Videos posted to social media show Russian troops entertaining local people in Rechitsa, with music and demonstrations at an event called Two Nations, One History, One People.Several other images from Maxar show a growing Russian presence southwest of Rechitsa, and within 15 miles (25 kilometers) of the Ukrainian border, in rural areas close to the town of Yelsk.Maxar assesses the deployment near Yelsk to include short-range Iskander ballistic missiles, which have a range of about 250 miles (400 kilometers.) Analysts at IHS/Janes, a military intelligence firm, believe there are elements of at least three Russian Battalion Tactical Group at Yelsk. This photograph shows what a Russian deployment near Yelsk on Saturday, according to Maxar. According to Maxar, this photograph shows the possible deployment of a short-range Iskander ballistic missile.The massive troop buildup has caused alarm among US and European leaders. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Moscow's deployment into Belarus is the biggest since the Cold War. One European diplomat called the massing of forces a "big, big worry," noting this would be the missing piece that Moscow would need to launch a quick attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which is less than two hours from the border of Belarus.Based on publicly available weather calculations, the optimal time for a Russian invasion would be while there is a hard ground freeze, so heavy equipment can readily move. US officials have said Putin would understand he needs to move by the end of March. The White House, however, has stopped saying a potential Russian invasion is "imminent" due to concerns that the term suggests President Vladimir Putin has already made a decision to invade Ukraine."We still don't know that he's made a decision," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last week. Ukraine presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said Sunday there was no evidence Russia will take "critical steps for a full-scale invasion" of the country, but added that Kyiv and its partners are preparing for any possible scenarios. "The situation is completely under control. One way or another, we are not reducing the activity of diplomatic work to ensure a sustainable and full-fledged de-escalation," Podoliak told state media. He noted that the "threatening concentration" of Russian troops at Ukraine's borders remains, but stressed that it has been "going on for several years."CNN's Barbara Starr, Jennifer Hansler and Joshua Berlinger contributed to this report

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-07 15:00:39

sport

golf

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/golf/jordan-spieth-cliff-shot-golf-spt-intl/index.html

Jordan Spieth says he's glad he 'didn't fall off' cliff after hitting 'life and death' shot - CNN

Jordan Spieth's knack of salvaging an errant shot has become a trademark of his game.

golf, Jordan Spieth says he's glad he 'didn't fall off' cliff after hitting 'life and death' shot - CNN

Jordan Spieth says he's glad he 'didn't fall off' cliff after hitting 'life and death' shot

(CNN)Jordan Spieth's knack of salvaging an errant shot has become a trademark of his game. The three-time major winner took those recovery skills to another level at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Saturday's third round in what proved to be a bit of a cliffhanger.After his drive on the par-four eighth hole landed precariously near the edge of a cliff, rather than taking a drop to move his ball -- that would have cost a shot -- Spieth decided to take it on. Harold Varner III sinks monster eagle putt on final hole to win the 2022 Saudi InternationalHe addressed and readdressed the ball a few times, adjusting his footing to ensure his stance was stable. And despite the almost 70-foot drop just inches in front of him, Spieth connected cleanly with the ball, quickly moving himself back from the edge of the cliff as soon as he'd made contact. Read MoreAfter playing the shot, Spieth could be heard on TV cameras saying to his caddie Michael Greller: "That was by far the most nerve-wracking shot I've ever hit in my life." 'Awfully close'Perhaps understandably Spieth was still talking about that cliffhanger moment after he'd finished his round."I'm glad I finished the round and didn't fall off that cliff on eight," Spieth said in an interview with CBS."It was by far the most nerve-wracking shot I've ever hit. Like Michael (Greller) said afterwards: 'I should have grabbed the ball and thrown it in the water' because he was trying to get me not to hit it. I was like: 'Michael, please don't walk up there' because then he would've seen definitely not to hit it. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos"It was awfully close. I've never had a life and death situation on a shot before. So I thought I wouldn't really have nerves the rest of the day after that one."Remarkably, Spieth was able to salvage a par from the hole, with the perilous shot landing just over the green. From there, he was able to chip onto the green and roll home a 10-foot par for par. Spieth is known for taking on shots from awkward lies. A clip of him hitting an almost vertical shot at the Ryder Cup last year -- after which, he almost ran into Lake Michigan -- went viral.

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-02-07 16:34:11

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/sport/eileen-gu-reaches-freeski-big-air-final-beijing-2022-spt-intl/index.html

Beijing 2022 poster child Eileen Gu revels in 'historic moment' of reaching freeski big air final - CNN

It's hard to fathom the pressure that Eileen Gu would have been feeling as she waited to drop into her third jump of freeski big air qualifying on Monday.

sport, Beijing 2022 poster child Eileen Gu revels in 'historic moment' of reaching freeski big air final - CNN

Beijing 2022 poster child Eileen Gu revels in 'historic moment' of reaching freeski big air final

(CNN)It's hard to fathom the pressure that Eileen Gu would have been feeling as she waited to drop into her third jump of freeski big air qualifying on Monday.The 18-year-old -- who elected to represent her mother's native China over the United States, her country of birth -- has become the poster child for these Winter Games, her face adorning billboards across the country.Gu is among the favorites to medal at Beijing 2022, having secured gold at the 2021 X Games in halfpipe and slopestyle, as well as bronze in big air.Eileen Gu is the poster child for a new type of Chinese athlete. But one wrong move could send her tumblingHowever, after landing her opening qualifying jump, Gu failed on her second after losing a ski during the attempt. With the two best scores of three jumps counting towards the skiers' qualification totals, Gu needed to land her third to have any chance of reaching Tuesday's final.Much to the delight of the fans in attendance -- and no doubt the millions more watching across the country -- she did enough with her third jump to qualify in fifth place.Read More"It's a relief," she admitted after securing her spot in the final. "The wind switched in between the first and second runs and you could see a lot of people were going slow."I was the fifth person to drop, but I didn't notice it until it was too late, so my ski popped off. After that, my coach made an adjustment, so it didn't happen in the third run. Of course, there was a lot of pressure going into it. READ: Eileen Gu is the poster child for a new type of Chinese athlete. But one wrong move could send her tumblingEileen Gu made it through to the freeski big air final."I wouldn't be satisfied not making finals, but I was just focusing on my trick. I know there are people watching me, it's a pressure on me. But I knew I could do that trick, I've been doing it since I was nine, so I was just talking to myself in the right way."Gu has seen her popularity in China soar in the lead up to Beijing 2022 as she has been featured on magazine covers and promotional videos for the Games. She boasts nearly two million followers on China's Twitter-like social media platform Weibo and has secured multiple Chinese sponsorship deals. One headline in state-run media Xinhua dubbed her the "Snow Princess."But Gu appears to have taken this pressure in her stride, managing the weight of expectation with maturity that belies her years."This [pressure ahead of the third run] will stand me in good stead for the final," she said. "I'm happy to be able to perform under pressure, and it speaks a lot to the amount of mental training I've been doing."I'm excited for tomorrow [Tuesday]. This was just qualifying and the goal is not to win qualifiers, it's to make the final. Tomorrow is the big show and, hopefully, I can put on a big show for everyone."Gu has become a household name in China since choosing to represent her mother's country of birth.'Greater sense of purpose'Gu's controversial decision to choose to represent China over the US in 2019 prompted some criticism.Fox News labeled her the "ungrateful child of America," a sentiment found frequently under her social media posts."This was an incredibly tough decision for me to make," she wrote in an Instagram post at the time. "I am proud of my heritage and equally proud of my American upbringings."Gu explained "the opportunity to help inspire millions of young people where my mom was born" helped her make the decision, calling the chance to represent China at Beijing 2022 "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help to promote the sport I love."After her third jump, an emotional Gu felt vindicated in her decision as she saw the number of fans that had come out to support her, as well as seeing the sport's popularity grow in China."I am so grateful for all the fans out here," she said. "It's a Covid Olympics and the volunteers have to go through quarantine, the fans have to go through quarantine just to come out here and support myself and the rest of the field.Eileen Gu competes during the freeski big air qualification on Monday."That support means so much to me and I'm sure it does to the other athletes. To be able to make the final of the first freeski big air in Olympic history, that's a historic moment for myself, for China, for the sport of free skiing."So just to have been a part of it and to have motivated just a bit of that freeski spirit that is growing at an extreme rate right now in China. To have made even the tiniest impact in that makes me feel like I've already met my goal."In 2015, just after China was awarded the 2022 Winter Games, the country set the target of getting 300 million people involved in snow sports by the time the Olympics began.In the lead up to the Games, China claimed it had far surpassed that figure with 346 million people taking part in winter sports activities.When she was nine years old, Gu says she came up with the idea of hosting a slopestyle competition in China, which became the first contest of its kind in the country."That was my idea," she recalled. "I competed in it and won it, and now I'm competing in the first big air in Olympic history in China, so it really is a full circle moment. "To see those milestones being hit now, to see those 300 million people on snow here in China. Eileen Gu has become the poster child for Beijing 2022."Even girls internationally, being able to read DMs (direct messages), to read comments and feel as though I am doing something bigger than just skiing and flipping through the air because it's cool."It is cool, but feeling like I have a greater sense of purpose means a lot to me."Gu said it has been "a lot" to become a role model for millions aged just 18, "but you're never too young to make change," she said. "I don't really believe in the concept that you have to wait until you're older to be able to have some kind of global impact."Especially now, with the digital generation, it's our time to make change and speak out on topics we find relevant and personal to ourselves. As a young person, I am just doing my duty."Additional reporting by CNN's Jessie Yeung

Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-02-07 17:48:10

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/sport/max-parrot-canada-snowboard-olympics-cancer-spt-intl/index.html

Max Parrot: Canadian snowboarder wins Olympic gold, three years after cancer diagnosis - CNN

Snowboarder Max Parrot won an Winter Olympic gold medal in Beijing on Monday, just over three years after the Canadian was diagnosed with cancer.

sport, Max Parrot: Canadian snowboarder wins Olympic gold, three years after cancer diagnosis - CNN

Max Parrot: Canadian snowboarder wins Olympic gold, three years after cancer diagnosis

(CNN)Snowboarder Max Parrot won an Winter Olympic gold medal in Beijing on Monday, just over three years after the Canadian was diagnosed with cancer.Having won silver in the men's slopestyle event at PyeongChang four years ago, the 27-year-old went one better at the Genting Snow Park to secure his first ever Olympic gold medal.His best score of 90.96 was enough to beat Chinese 17-year-old Su Yiming's best attempt of 88.70, and compatriot Mark McMorris' bronze medal performance made it two Canadians on the podium.Diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in December 2018, Parrot underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy before announcing in July 2019 that he had "won" against cancer.Speaking after triumph in Beijing, Parrot reflected on his "nightmare" journey over the past four years.Read More"It's definitely amazing," Parrot said."They were really hard times and, at times, I felt like I was a lion in a cage because I wasn't able to do what I love the most, which is snowboarding."That was the first time in my life that I had to put my snowboard in the closet. Snowboarding is all I know, so it was really hard for me."Canadian pair Parrot and McMorris celebrate their medals.New perspectiveA seven-time X Games champion, Parrot said that his cancer battle has given him a new-found love for snowboarding, as well as a new perspective on life itself."As a person, I used to take life for granted before, and now I don't," he said."Every time I strap my feet onto my snowboard, I appreciate it so much more than before. I appreciate being able to do my passion every day."You're smiling more, everything's more positive. You put less pressure on yourself, less stress on yourself."Parrot during his final run.This attitude underpinned what Parrot described as "the biggest run" of his career, the Canadian landing two consecutive triples on his second attempt to edge past Su. "I kept telling everyone I want to grab a gold. And to have it finally at my third Olympics feels really amazing," Parrot said."This is so incredibly special, especially with the run I did today. I've never done two triples in a row in a run, with that difficulty as well, and everything was so clean."I am extremely proud of myself and to take gold on that run means so much for me."Parrot performs a trick en route to gold.ControversyHowever, the result did not come without controversy, with Parrot appearing to grab his knee, rather than his board, during a jump of his pivotal second run -- a mistake that could have seen his score penalized by judges.Such a removal of points may have been significant enough to move Su into gold medal position, with BBC commentator Ed Leigh saying that judges were "distraught" after their alleged mistake.China's Su Yiming competes during the final.The change may also have affected Parrot's compatriot McMorris, who narrowly missed out on silver with his best score of 88.53 on his final run.It marks a third consecutive Olympics bronze for the 28-year-old, having finished 3rd at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.That bronze four years ago came just 11 months after the Canadian nearly died in a snowboarding accident.After suffering a fractured jaw, ruptured spleen, internal bleeding, multiple broken bones and a collapsed lung, McMorris said he was "pretty sure he was going to die," but recovered to win an Olympic medal within a year.

Gianluca Mezzofiore and Tim Lister, CNN

2022-02-07 10:04:49

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/07/europe/yelnya-russian-hardware-ukraine-border-intl/index.html

Russia accelerates movement of military hardware towards Ukraine, satellite images show - CNN

New satellite imagery obtained by CNN shows that a large base which held Russian tanks, artillery and other armor near the Ukrainian border has been largely emptied, with the equipment apparently being moved much closer to the frontier in recent days.

europe, Russia accelerates movement of military hardware towards Ukraine, satellite images show - CNN

Russia accelerates movement of military hardware towards Ukraine, satellite images show

(CNN)New satellite imagery obtained by CNN shows that a large base which held Russian tanks, artillery and other armor near the Ukrainian border has been largely emptied, with the equipment apparently being moved much closer to the frontier in recent days.The base is at Yelnya, southeast of the city of Smolensk and some 160 miles from the Ukrainian border. Large amounts of weaponry were moved there late in 2021 -- including some 700 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and ballistic missile launchers. Much of that equipment is now gone, according to radar satellite imagery acquired on February 6. Cloud cover had prevented photographic imagery of the site for several days previously. The images show the tracks of departing vehicles. Stephen Wood, senior director at satellite imagery company Maxar, told CNN: "It looks to me like a considerable amount of the vehicles [tanks, self-propelled artillery and other support vehicles] have departed from the northeastern vehicle park; additional armored vehicles departed from the more central vehicle park."'Entering the new stage of the build-up'Read MoreKonrad Muzyka, an expert in tracking military movements with Rochan Consulting, says what has happened at Yelnya is one of several "important changes in Russian force compositions and their locations."He told CNN: "We are entering the new stage of the build-up where we are seeing pre-positioned units being manned with additional personnel and that equipment is being moved probably to staging areas."Social media videos shot in the last few days show some of that equipment on trains and roads much further south in the Bryansk region, which is close to Ukraine. The armor and vehicles are identifiably from the same units that had pre-positioned at Yelnya. "We know that Yelnya hosts elements of the 41st army of the CMD [Russia's Central Military District] that arrived from Siberia last spring to a training ground near Voronezh and whose vehicles were later moved to Yelnya," Russian journalist Rusland Leviev of the Conflict Investigation Team (CIT), a Russian open-source intelligence group, told CNN.Social media videos around Bryansk show military vehicles with "76" and "87" codes on their number plates which denote the CMD, he pointed out. Leviev added that the CIT believes the vehicles are moving to Bryansk, "because we saw two videos of the same convoy in Smolensk region and then in Bryansk region to the south," which the group geolocated against crowdsourced dashcam footage and satellite imagery."We also saw videos of several trains that were posted by social media users from Bryansk region. On the carriages we could read 8-digit identification codes, which, when checked against openly accessible databases, trace the train's origins to Yelnya.""This is important because those vehicles previously were several hundred kilometers away from the border, and now [they] are stopping in mere dozens [of kilometers away]."New satellite images show advanced Russian military deployments in BelarusThomas Bullock, an analyst at Janes, wrote: "There are now multiple indicators suggesting troops have begun deploying to forward camps to join up with their prepositioned equipment." He also added that videos posted on social media indicate that troops from Siberia, whose equipment has already been moved to sites in Smolensk and Bryansk, are in the process of deploying.A US intelligence document dated December 3, 2021 included satellite imagery showing that the site at Yelnya was empty in June -- but by November was home to five Battalion Tactical Groups, each of which contains about 1,000 troops and supporting elements. Much of the equipment belongs to the 41st Combined Arms Army, which is normally based in Russia's CMD and has its headquarters in Novosibirsk in Siberia.Muzyka says there are substantial Russian movements elsewhere. "We are seeing a massive influx of vehicles and personnel in Kursk," he tweeted Sunday. Kursk is some 70 miles (100 kilometers) from the border with Ukraine.Phillip Karber of the Potomac Foundation in Washington, who has also studied Russian troop movements in detail, told CNN: "Russia's strongest offensive formation -- the First Guards Tank Army, which is normally stationed in the Moscow area -- has moved south 400 kilometers and is assembling in the optimum area for a rapid armored offensive on the Khursk-Kyiv invasion route."A closer view of the vehicle parks at Yelnya on January 19, before the equipment departed.On Sunday, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC News: "We believe that there is a very distinct possibility that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine. It could take a number of different forms. It could happen as soon as tomorrow or it could take some weeks yet."Separately US officials told CNN at the weekend that Russian President Vladimir Putin has now assembled 70% of the military personnel and weapons on Ukraine's borders he would need for a full-scale invasion of the country.This includes a growing force in southern Belarus. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any plans for a military offensive against Ukraine.

Story by Reuters

2022-02-06 15:51:45

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/europe/austria-deadly-avalanches-intl/index.html

Austria avalanches: Eight killed in two days after third deadly avalanche hits Austria - CNN

One person was killed and four others injured in an avalanche in western Austria on Saturday, police said, a day after two other avalanches killed seven skiers as heavy snowfall followed by warmer weather made for unusually dangerous conditions.

europe, Austria avalanches: Eight killed in two days after third deadly avalanche hits Austria - CNN

Eight killed in two days after third deadly avalanche hits Austria

(Reuters)One person was killed and four others injured in an avalanche in western Austria on Saturday, police said, a day after two other avalanches killed seven skiers as heavy snowfall followed by warmer weather made for unusually dangerous conditions.Austrian broadcaster ORF said the person killed in Saturday's avalanche in the municipality of Schmirn, in the state of Tyrol, was a 58-year-old local man.In the same province, a 42-year-old Austrian mountain and ski guide and four Swedish skiers, all men in their 40s, were killed on Friday when an avalanche near the town of Spiss on the border with Switzerland buried them completely, police said.Another member of the group, a 43-year-old Swede, was able to phone for help and was rescued, police said.One member of the group, a 43-year-old Swede, was able to phone for help and was rescued.Two Austrian skiers were killed in a third incident.Read MoreEmergency services found the bodies of the two Austrian skiers, a woman aged 61 and a 60-year-old man, at 00:40 a.m. local time on Saturday after their relatives raised the alarm when they could no longer be contacted, police said.The pair had set out in the Tyrol region on Friday afternoon and the man told a contact by phone at 3:30 p.m. local time that they had reached the 1,868-meter (6,129-feet) Breitegg peak. That was their last contact."After they could no longer be reached, relatives made an emergency call at around 9:40 p.m.," police said in a statement.

Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-02-06 14:00:53

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/sport/sadowski-synnott-new-zealand-gold-winter-olympics-spt-intl/index.html

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott: Kiwi is taking snowboarding 'to the next level' as 20-year-old wins gold - CNN

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott wasn't even born when New Zealand ended its 40-year wait for a Winter Olympics medal in 1992. On Sunday, she soared through the air at Beijing's Genting Snow Park to claim her country's first ever gold at a Winter Games.

sport, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott: Kiwi is taking snowboarding 'to the next level' as 20-year-old wins gold - CNN

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott: Kiwi is taking snowboarding 'to the next level' as 20-year-old wins gold

(CNN)Zoi Sadowski-Synnott wasn't even born when New Zealand ended its 40-year wait for a Winter Olympics medal in 1992. On Sunday, she soared through the air at Beijing's Genting Snow Park to claim her country's first ever gold at a Winter Games.The 20-year-old put in a remarkable final run to claim the gold in the women's snowboard slopestyle event, snatching victory from Team USA's Julia Marino at the death.The youngest and oldest Winter Olympians competing at Beijing 2022 Sadowski-Synnott had thrown down the gauntlet with a benchmark setting 84.51 on her first effort, but a disastrous second round opened the door for Marino to edge ahead with 87.68 heading into the third and final run.It left the Kiwi requiring a near-flawless performance in the most pressurized of circumstances, and the 20-year-old delivered emphatically -- a jaw-dropping final run rewarding her with a 92.88 score, over five points clear of Marino's best attempt in second, and a historic gold medal."I tried to think last night what it would mean if I managed to land my run and come away with gold, and it feels unreal," Sadowski-Synnott told reportersRead More"I am super proud of where my snowboarding has come in the last few years and super proud to be Kiwi and show the world what Kiwis are made of."I really hope my performance here will inspire young kids and anyone to take up snowboarding because I reckon it's the funnest sport ever." Sadowski-Synnott takes to the skies during the final.Golden landingHaving looked destined to crash as she hurtled towards the ground on that final jump, a miraculous landing following a stunning 1080 double cork was testament to the youngster's fearlessness and strength of character. Four years ago Sadowski-Synnott won bronze in the big air event at the PyeongChang Games at the age of 16, making her New Zealand's youngest ever female medalist.Sadowski-Synnott celebrates after her Olympic victory with runner-up Marino (r).She has since won four Winter X Games gold medals, the most recent two coming at Aspen, Colorado in January."I had a pretty crazy mindset going into my last run and I knew I had to put down the run that I put down at X Games to win gold," Sadowski-Synnott said."Julia [Marino] did an absolutely amazing run. I mustered up everything I had in me to pull off that last jump, and it came off."I knew I was going way too fast, and in the air, I was like, just do anything you can to just land."'She's so inspiring'Sadowski-Synnott, Marino, and Australia's Tess Coady -- who won bronze -- embraced when the results were announced, a memory that the Kiwi said she would "never forget." US-born figure skater Zhu Yi under attack after fall on Olympic debut for ChinaSadowski-Synnott's dramatic final landing meant Marino narrowly lost out on a first Olympic gold, but the 24-year-old American expressed nothing but admiration for her rival."She stomped her last trick on the last line," Marino said. "She's got the strongest legs ever because it sounds like she cracked the landing pretty much with that."She's taking it to the next level doing these big tricks and other girls are like, 'Wow, I think we can do that, too'. She's so inspiring."Sadowski-Synnott, Marino, and Coady celebrate after the women's slopestyle finals.'This is insane'Bronze medalist Coady took home Australia's first medal of Beijing 2022, her podium finish sealing a perfect redemption arc for the 21-year-old after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the run-up to PyeongChang in 2018."This last four years has been so insane for me, but in the best possible way," said Coady, who won a bronze at the World Championships in Aspen in 2021."It was so hard, being on the sidelines and watching everyone progress, but it got me so motivated to work hard and get back and get better and catch up to all the girls.""Seriously, [it means] the world. It means so much to me. I'm so incredibly grateful."Meanwhile Marino's US compatriot Jamie Anderson, one of the sport's most iconic figures and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, struggled to find her rhythm and thee 31-year-old finished in ninth with a best score of 60.78 on her second attempt. Sunday's medal tallyCross-Country SkiingMen's 15km+15km Skiathlon: Alexander Bolshunov, Russian Olympic CommitteeFreestyle SkiingWomen's Moguls: Jakara Anthony, AustraliaLugeMen's Singles: Johannes Ludwig, GermanySki JumpingMen's Normal Hill Individual: Kobayashi Ryoyu, JapanSnowboardWomen's Snowboard Slopestyle: Zoi Sadowski Synnott, New ZealandSpeed SkatingMen's 5000m: Nils van der Poel, Sweden

Sana Noor Haq, CNN

2022-02-06 13:06:23

news

australia

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/australia/orcas-hunt-kill-adult-blue-whale-intl-scli/index.html

Scientists record orcas hunting and killing an adult blue whale for the first time - CNN

A pack of orcas hunting and killing an adult blue whale has been recorded for the first time, scientists say.

australia, Scientists record orcas hunting and killing an adult blue whale for the first time - CNN

Scientists record orcas hunting and killing an adult blue whale for the first time

(CNN)A pack of orcas hunting and killing an adult blue whale has been recorded for the first time, scientists say.The stalking episode took place in March 2019 at Bremer Bay, Western Australia, according to research published in the latest edition of the scientific journal Marine Mammal Science. Two more separate killings of blue whale calves were captured in the same area in 2019 and 2021. Even though there have been reports of orcas sporadically attacking blue whales and causing significant injuries, there has been no confirmed kill of an adult or calf until now, the research added. When scientists spotted the first hunt in March 2019, 12 to 14 orcas were already attacking the adult blue whale, which had a deep wound exposing bone on its rostrum -- or snout. Bite marks indicated that the majority of its dorsal fin had also been chewed off. Read MoreThe orcas -- referred to in the study as "killer whales" -- continued to attack their prey for 20 minutes, while the adult blue whale was "slapping and swiping its tail," as a defense mechanism, the research said. The pack killed the whale within an hour of being spotted. More orcas proceeded to join the pack as they fed off the carcass, making the total headcount about 50. They tore off pieces of flesh and dispersed into feeding groups, with almost 30 orcas still feeding when the crew left the scene. In the second predation, which took place 16 days later, the blue whale calf appeared to be dead after the crew had been observing the attack for 15 minutes. Scientists identified 26 whales that also participated in the third hunting episode. The final hunting episode lasted for nearly three hours, and the number of orcas present ranged from about 50 to 75. At least 16 of the same orcas took part in all three attacks.Adult female killers could be more likely to start attacks because they have young to feed, and therefore require sustenance more often than adult males. The first predation attracted numerous seabirds, including flesh-footed shearwaters, Wilson's storm-petrels, white-faced storm-petrels and at least one black-browned albatross. "These guys are ferocious with a preference for squid, fish and beaked whales. In recent years recordings of the number of beaked whales taken have increased, in this region they are known to also predate on humpback and minke," John Totterdell, a researcher at the Cetacean Research Centre who was involved in the research, said. "It's suggested that killer whale predation has impeded gray whale population recovery in the Northwest pacific, yet in Australia, with many whale species known to be targeted by killer whales, the impact of their predation on these populations remains unknown."This study, combined with our recent research, highlights the need for increased understanding of killer whale population ecology so we can better determine their impact on the marine ecosystem in Australian waters."Orcas are the biggest member of the dolphin family, but were dubbed "killer whales" by ancient sailors who noticed groups of orcas preying on larger whale species, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation, a non-profit organization.Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, and can weigh up to 33 tons -- that's about 33 elephants, according to the World Wildlife Fund. An endangered species, the main threats to their survival include the climate crisis and habitat loss, and becoming tangled in fishing gear.

Kevin Dotson and John Sinnott, CNN

2022-02-06 22:50:49

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/football/sadio-mane-senegal-afcon-spt-intl/index.html

Sadio Mane penalty secures African Cup of Nations final victory for Senegal - CNN

Handed a chance of redemption, Senegal forward Sadio Mane didn't pass up the opportunity to make history for his country.

football, Sadio Mane penalty secures African Cup of Nations final victory for Senegal - CNN

Sadio Mane penalty secures African Cup of Nations final victory for Senegal

(CNN)Handed a chance of redemption, Senegal forward Sadio Mane didn't pass up the opportunity to make history for his country.JUST WATCHEDSadio Mane's journey from Senegal to the top of the footballing worldReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSadio Mane's journey from Senegal to the top of the footballing world 02:30Having missed a penalty early on in the African Cup of Nations final against Egypt on Sunday at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Mane struck the decisive spot-kick in a tense shootout as Senegal won its first ever continental championship against the seven-time winner of the tournament.Mane's miss came in the seventh minute when the Liverpool star's powerful penalty was saved in spectacular fashion by goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal, also known as Gabaski, who had a superb game for Egypt.Neither team was able to break through during the first 90 minutes, with Senegal in control for most of the game, though Egypt gained momentum late in the second half.Senegal's forward Sadio Mane looks on ahead of a penalty shootout during the Africa Cup of Nations final.After 30 minutes of extra time, which featured a pair of stellar saves from Gabaski and Senegalese keeper Edouard Mendy, the game moved to penalty kicks.Read MoreBoth teams spurned a penalty each before Mendy saved Mohanad Lasheen's spot-kick to set up Mané's moment of redemption.This time the 29-year-old Liverpool star made no mistake, thumping the ball past Gabaski to give Senegal a 4-2 win on penalties.Mane's decisive penalty sparked joyous scenes of celebration among the Senegal squad, though the Liverpool forward found time to console club teammate Mo Salah.The tournament was completed in the shadow of the deadly stadium crush where at least eight people were killed and 38 injured during the game between Cameroon and Comoros on January 24 outside the Olembe Stadium.The AFCON finalists are due to play two-legged play-off in March to decide which country will to go the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Eric Levenson, CNN

2022-02-06 15:01:45

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/sport/kelly-slater-surfing/index.html

Kelly Slater: Surfing great wins Billabong Pro Pipeline days before his 50th birthday - CNN

Just days shy of his 50th birthday, legendary pro surfer Kelly Slater won the Billabong Pro Pipeline in Hawaii on Saturday against the son of a former rival.

sport, Kelly Slater: Surfing great wins Billabong Pro Pipeline days before his 50th birthday - CNN

Surfing great Kelly Slater wins Billabong Pro Pipeline days before his 50th birthday

(CNN)Just days shy of his 50th birthday, legendary pro surfer Kelly Slater won the Billabong Pro Pipeline in Hawaii on Saturday against the son of a former rival.The final of the Pipeline pitted Slater against Seth Moniz, a 24-year-old whose father Tony competed against Slater decades ago. With a "frothy Backdoor mutant" and a "well-threaded Backdoor barrel," per World Surf League, Slater took down the younger competitor to win the Pipeline for the 8th time."I was out there telling myself, just be in the moment, no matter how much tension there is. Just breathe," he said shortly after winning. "I committed my life to this, to all of this. To all of the heartbreak and all of the winning and all of this crap. I've hated lots of it, but I just savor this. This is the best win of my life."Kelly Slater pictured as he wins the Billabong Pro Pipeline 2022 Surf Tournament at The Banzai Pipeline in Haleiwa, Hawaii.Seth Moniz and Kelly Slater embraced after Slater won the Billabong Pro Pipeline.The win was the 56th career victory for the ageless Slater over three decades of high-level competitive surfing. He has won 11 world titles and is both the youngest and oldest champion in men's history, as he claimed the 1992 title at age 20 and the 2011 title at age 39, according to the World Surf League.The Billabong Pro Pipeline was the first competition of the 2022 season, so Slater now leads the pack for a potential 12th world title.Read MoreHowever, his uncertain Covid-19 vaccination status could impact his hopes.Two World Surf League events are set to take place in Australia in April and May. As evidenced by the detention and deportation of tennis star Novak Djokovic last month ahead of the Australian Open, the country has required competing athletes to be vaccinated. Slater has not revealed his vaccination status."I think we've been pretty clear with the Novak Djokovic case of no vax, no play," Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said in January to Australian broadcaster Channel 9."It's a pretty simple message, doesn't matter what sport, we're evenhanded. I hope he (Slater) gets vaccinated, and I hope he competes."

Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-02-06 10:44:43

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/06/sport/the-cart-cincinnati-bengals-super-bowl-spt-intl/index.html

Super Bowl secret weapon: The Bengals' viral sensation 'The Cart' is headed to Los Angeles - CNN

Move aside Joe Burrow, the true franchise star of the Cincinnati Bengals is rolling towards Super Bowl LVI -- get ready for 'The Cart.'

sport, Super Bowl secret weapon: The Bengals' viral sensation 'The Cart' is headed to Los Angeles - CNN

Super Bowl secret weapon: The Bengals' viral sensation 'The Cart' is headed to Los Angeles

(CNN)Move aside Joe Burrow, the true franchise star of the Cincinnati Bengals is rolling towards Super Bowl LVI -- get ready for 'The Cart.'More commonly found in high-school classrooms, the Bengals' three-tiered metal cart went viral in October after being wheeled out for media conferences.Joe Burrow: NFL's 'Joe Brrr' is proving quite a diamond for the Cincinnati BengalsThe contraption was initially used by the Bengals to conduct interviews outdoors as a result of Covid-19 restrictions with journalists placing microphones, recorders or phones on the cart.Like all true sporting comeback stories, the improvised mic stand was initially mocked before becoming a beloved in-joke of the Bengals team and fans. The journey of a lifetime. OFFICIAL: The Mic Cart is going to the #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/HMv359Cm6X— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 3, 2022 It even has its own unofficial Twitter account, further reinforcing affection for the cart by running a campaign of support for local Cincinnati charities in the run up to the Super Bowl on February 13.Read MoreAnd as the Bengals get ready to take on the Los Angeles Rams on their own turf -- only the second time in NFL history a team has played the Super Bowl at their home stadium -- the mic cart is having a bit of a Hollywood moment."Starting route to SoFI Stadium," the GPS voiceover says, in a video posted on the Bengals' official Twitter account.'The Cart' was the starring actor in the hype video."The journey of a lifetime. Official: The Mic Cart is going to the Super Bowl," the accompanying tweet read.The cart's emergence has coincided with an unprecedented stellar season for the Bengals, with the Cincinnati team playing in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989. A dramatic overtime victory over the favored Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game stamped their ticket to the big game in Los Angeles, putting the Bengals a victory away from a first ever Super Bowl triumph.And should the Bengals triumph, don't be surprised to see the Vince Lombardi trophy being paraded on that very special four-wheeled chariot in Ohio.

Arnaud Siad and Hannah Ryan, CNN

2022-02-05 15:51:09

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/europe/dead-fish-french-coast-intl-scli/index.html

France launches inquiry after huge dead fish spill off Atlantic coast - CNN

A spill of more than 100,000 dead fish in the Atlantic Ocean off the French coast has been described by the French Maritime Minister as "shocking" in an incident that has drawn the attention of environmental activist groups.

europe, France launches inquiry after huge dead fish spill off Atlantic coast - CNN

France launches inquiry after spill of over 100,000 dead fish off Atlantic coast

(CNN)A spill of more than 100,000 dead fish in the Atlantic Ocean off the French coast has been described by the French Maritime Minister as "shocking" in an incident that has drawn the attention of environmental activist groups.The French arm of Sea Shepherd -- a non-profit marine conservation activism organization -- posted photos of the spill to its Twitter page on Thursday. "Here is what is happening right now in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of La Rochelle," the tweet said. "Four factory boats operate in that area, including the Margiris -- the second largest trawler in the world (banned in Australia)." The images posted by Sea Shepherd show an astonishing mass of dead fish -- which are blue whiting, a sub-species of cod -- floating on the water. The Dutch-owned Margiris has been described as a "mammoth super-trawler" by Greenpeace. The Pelagic Freeze-Trawler Association (PFA) -- which represents the vessel's owner -- released a statement on Friday addressing the incident and said it fully "understands the emotions such images can bring."The dead fish formed a huge white carpet in the Bay of Biscay, off the coast of La RochelleThe PFA also said: "We would like to clarify that around 5.50am on 3 February 2022, an amount of blue whiting was involuntarily released into the sea from the Margiris vessel, due to a rupture in the cod-end part of its net. Such an accident is a rare occurrence and in this case was caused by the unexpectedly large size of the fish caught. In line with EU law, the incident and the quantities lost have been recorded in the vessel's log book and reported to the authorities of the vessel's flag state, Lithuania."Read MoreIn a statement to CNN, the PFA said: "The blue whiting is a target species (not by-catch) which is of great value to our members. We can tell you that it's not in the interest of our members to lose the fish. The lost fish will be deducted from the vessel's quota. The PFA's members fish only for human consumption, and we regret that the fish will now not be available for that purpose."Annick Girardin -- the French minister for Fisheries and Maritime issues -- said the sight of the dead fish was "shocking" and asked the national fishing surveillance authority to launch an investigation, to "shed light on that issue so that we identify the causes of the significant dumping of fishes."In a tweet, Girardin also added: "France supports sustainable fishing and this isn't reflected here. Should an infraction have occurred, sanctions would be taken against the responsible shipowner that will be identified."Iceland to end whaling from 2024 amid controversy and falling demandVirginijus Sinkevičius -- the EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries -- also commented on the case and called it an "unfortunate incident in the Bay of Biscay."On Twitter, he said the EU Commission "would react immediately" and are launching an inquiry to national authorities of the fishing area and the presumed flag state of the vessel, to get exhaustive information and evidence about the case."Lamya Essemlali -- the head of Sea Shepherd's French arm -- told Reuters she believed the fish were deliberately discharged.

Sana Noor Haq, CNN

2022-02-05 13:17:22

news

uk

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/uk/decapitated-roman-skeletons-hs2-rail-excavation-intl-scli-gbr/index.html

Decapitated skeletons of Roman 'criminals' discovered during rail excavation in England - CNN

About 40 decapitated skeletons unearthed by a group of archaeologists in southern England are thought to belong to "criminals" from the Roman period, researchers say.

uk, Decapitated skeletons of Roman 'criminals' discovered during rail excavation in England - CNN

Decapitated skeletons of Roman 'criminals' found during England rail excavation

(CNN)About 40 decapitated skeletons unearthed by a group of archaeologists in southern England are thought to belong to "criminals" from the Roman period, researchers say. The skeletons were found when archaeologists on England's High Speed 2 program (HS2) discovered a late Roman cemetery, thought to be the biggest of its kind in Buckinghamshire. A team of 50 archaeologists had been working the site for more than a year, where they also found sections of a Roman town in the local village of Fleet Marston, alongside more than 1,200 coins, and gaming dice, bells, spoons, pins and brooches.The residential settlement was also likely used as a stopping place for soldiers and passersby traveling through Fleet Marston, en route to the Roman town of Alchester.The cemetery contained about 425 burials in total, the rail company said in a statement. Read MoreThe number of burials, as well as the settlement itself, implied that a large number of people arrived at the town between the mid and late Roman period -- potentially as a result of inflated agricultural production. One explanation for the use of decapitation as a burial practice could be that the skeletons were once "criminals or a type of outcast," although such a process was a standard during the late Roman period, the statement added. This Roman brooch was uncovered during archaeological excavations at Fleet Marston.A complete Roman pot was uncovered during the dig.The cemetery mostly housed entombed burials because inhumation was common at the time, but there were also some cremation burials. "The excavation is significant in both enabling a clear characterisation of this Roman town but also a study of many of its inhabitants," said Richard Brown, a senior project manager at COPA JV, a consortium of archaeologists working on behalf of the project. "Along with several new Roman settlement sites discovered during the HS2 works it enhances and populates the map of Roman Buckinghamshire," Brown added. Archaeologists at the HS2 excavation program have uncovered a trove of discoveries in Buckinghamshire in recent months, including a set of rare Roman statues, and a wooden figure thought to be 2,000 years old.

Wayne Sterling and John Sinnott, CNN

2022-02-05 14:45:58

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/sport/shaun-white-retirement-announcement-spt-intl/index.html

Shaun White: 'I've decided this will be my last Olympics,' says US snowboarder as injuries take toll - CNN

US snowboarder Shaun White says a spate of injuries influenced his decision to retire after the Beijing Games, as the 35-year-old calls time on an illustrious career.

sport, Shaun White: 'I've decided this will be my last Olympics,' says US snowboarder as injuries take toll - CNN

Shaun White: 'I've decided this will be my last Olympics,' says US snowboarder as injuries take toll

(CNN)US snowboarder Shaun White says a spate of injuries influenced his decision to retire after the Beijing Games, as the 35-year-old calls time on an illustrious career."I was in Austria. The pipe wasn't the best conditions. I had this ankle issue which prevented me from competing further at the Mammoth qualification," White, who is competing at his fifth Olympics, told reporters.The Tokyo Olympics set the record for LGBTQ+ visibility. The Beijing Games aren't likely to break it"I had this knee issue from where I had surgery in the summer before, and I injured my back working out randomly," added White."And on the chairlift ride, the mountain was closing and no one was around, and I was watching the sun go down, and it just hit me. I was like, 'this is it, these are the signs.'"It was a very sad and surreal moment, but very joyous as well. I reflected on all the things I've done, and looked at that sunset going down, and I thought: 'Next time I'm here I won't be stressed about learning tricks.'Read More"I won't be worried about some kind of competition. I'll just purely be here to enjoy the resort, maybe check out other runs besides the halfpipe for once.'"White competes at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics when he won his first gold.White celebrates with fellow American Scott Lago at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. White won halfpipe gold while Lago took bronze.Once dubbed the "Flying Tomato" because of his flowing red hair, White has won three halfpipe Olympic gold medals since his Winter Games debut at Turin in 2006, adding 13 titles at the Winter X Games to become one of the sport's most iconic figures."This has all had its amazing glow to every single decision and every single competition because I've decided this will be my last Olympics," said White.The youngest and oldest Winter Olympians competing at Beijing 2022 "I've been giving it my all, there have been some ups and downs along the way to get here. But through all that, I feel I've got stronger and better."I'm just so excited about everything. Opening ceremony was incredible. The venue looks incredible, just enjoying every single moment."The men's snowboard halfpipe qualification at Beijing 2022 is on Wednesday, with the final run medal event on Thursday."I've done so much in the sport -- I hope that my riding speaks for itself. I'm always trying to push and progress and do the next biggest things and try to pick up with what trends are happening within the sport and be ahead of that curve. I'm just kind of enjoying every moment."I'm most proud of staying on top of the sport that's ever-changing for as long as I have done. That's legacy performance."White crashes out in the halfpipe finals at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.White is overconme with emotion during the victory ceremony after winning halfpipe gold at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018.Very much the face of snowboarding since 2006, White revealed he had just one regret about his sporting career."The only thing I really regret is that I maybe hung up slopestyle too soon because I love hitting jumps and I know they invented a new airbag right when I retired from the discipline."In 2014, troubled by a wrist injury, White withdrew from the slopestyle event at the Sochi Winter Olympics after admitting the course presented an "intimidating" challenge and subsequently only completed in the halfpipe."I don't know how many kids really aspire to be a cowboy and get to be a cowboy," added White. "At a young age, snowboarding is what I wanted more than anything and to be walking in these shoes today is just incredible. It feels so amazing, I'm so proud."

Arnaud Siad and Sana Noor Haq, CNN

2022-02-05 09:39:14

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/europe/iceland-whaling-to-end-2024-intl/index.html

Whaling in Iceland: Country to end controversial fishing practice from 2024 - CNN

Iceland says it will end whaling from 2024 amid dwindling demand and continuing controversy.

europe, Whaling in Iceland: Country to end controversial fishing practice from 2024 - CNN

Iceland to end whaling from 2024 amid controversy and falling demand

(CNN)Iceland says it will end whaling from 2024 amid dwindling demand and continuing controversy."There are few justifications to authorize whale hunting beyond 2024," when current quotas expire, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Svandís Svavarsdóttir said in an op-ed in Friday's Morgunblaðið newspaper.The minister wrote it was "undisputed" that whale hunting had not had much economic significance to Iceland in recent years, with no big whale caught in the last three years, except for one minke whale in 2021."Japan has been the largest buyer of [Icelandic] whale meat, but its consumption is declining year by year. Why should Iceland take the risk of continuing fishing that has not yielded economic benefits, in order to sell a product that is in low demand?" she asked.After a 30-year ban, Japan resumed commercial whaling in its waters in 2019. Read MoreCommercial whaling was banned in a 1986 International Whaling Commission embargo, but Japan withdrew from the IWC in December 2018, marking their return to whaling by harpooning two minke whales. Svandís also pointed out whale hunting has been controversial and recalled that US retail chain Whole Foods had stopped marketing Icelandic products for a while as a result. According to the IWC, whose purpose is "to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry," Iceland continued a small "scientific whaling program" after the 1986 embargo.Iceland left the IWC in 1992 but rejoined in 2002, this time taking out a "reservation" against the embargo.Iceland resumed commercial whaling in October 2006 in a move "furiously disputed by many countries angry at what they regarded as Iceland's attempt to bypass international regulations," according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), a non-profit organization.More than 1,700 minke, fin and sei whales have been killed in Iceland since the 1986 embargo, according to data from the WDC. The same report found that 852 fin whales were slaughtered in Iceland from 2006 to 2018 -- adding that there was no whaling in the 2019, 2020 or 2021 seasons. Fin whales are classed as a vulnerable species on The International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, while sei whales are categorized as an endangered. The status of minke whales is unknown, according to the Red List.

Jacob Lev, CNN

2022-02-05 07:34:34

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/sport/hue-jackson-nfl-cleveland-browns-not-paid-spt/index.html

Hue Jackson says he wasn't paid to lose NFL games with the Browns but his situation had similarities to that of Brian Flores - CNN

Hue Jackson, the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, said Friday that he was not paid to lose games when he led the NFL team.

sport, Hue Jackson says he wasn't paid to lose NFL games with the Browns but his situation had similarities to that of Brian Flores - CNN

Hue Jackson says he wasn't paid to lose NFL games with the Browns but his situation had similarities to that of Brian Flores

(CNN)Hue Jackson, the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, said Friday that he was not paid to lose games when he led the NFL team. "No, I was never offered money like Brian (Flores) had mentioned," Jackson said. "I think this is a totally different situation but has some similarities." Flores is the former Miami Dolphins head coach who filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and three teams that alleged, in part, that the Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted to pay him $100,000 for intentionally losing games.Ross, in a statement Wednesday, described the allegations as "false, malicious and defamatory."Cleveland Browns deny Hue Jackson was incentivized for losses when he was head coachJackson told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Friday night that there was a "plan" that benefited certain people when players didn't perform as well. Read More"When you talk about incentivizing a four-year plan that led to the team not being able to play as well, that people benefited off of that -- that's different. But at the same time, it has some of the same similarities to it," Jackson said, referring to Flores' situation. Jackson's remarks come after he said in a tweet Tuesday that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was "happy while we kept losing."In response to a tweet saying Haslam wasn't offering Jackson $100,000 for every loss, Jackson said, "Trust me it was a good number!" implying he was paid to lose.Haslam described the allegation as "an absolute falsehood" in a statement to the Knoxville News Sentinel on Thursday.Here's how the 3 NFL teams that Brian Flores accused of racial discrimination have responded"Hue Jackson has never ever accepted any responsibility for our record during that time period," Haslam told the local outlet. "He's been masterful at pointing fingers but has never accepted any blame."Jackson told CNN on Friday that he "absolutely" had evidence to back his claims that the ownership and executive team intended to lose games. He pointed out that he brought the issue to Haslam's attention in 2016. "I was assured by Jimmy (Haslam) that things would change, and they would get things straight," Jackson said. "I told Jimmy that what he was doing was very destructive, to not do this because it's going to hurt my career and every other coach that worked with me and every player on the team. And I told him that it would hurt every Black coach that would follow me. And I have the documents to prove this." Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores describes being offered money to lose gamesWhen pressed by Cooper on why he hasn't disclosed that evidence yet, Jackson responded, "Those things will come to light at the right time." On Wednesday, a Browns spokesperson said Jackson was not offered monetary rewards for losing games to achieve a higher pick in the NFL draft. "The recent comments by Hue Jackson and his representatives relating to his tenure as our head coach are completely fabricated," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Any accusation that any member of our organization was incentivized to deliberately lose games is categorically false."Jackson went 3-36-1 during his tenure in Cleveland, including going 1-15 in his first season and 0-16 in his second. Because of their league-worst record, the Browns had the first pick in the draft in back-to-back years. The Browns fired Jackson during the 2018 season. He was hired in December 2021 as the head coach at Grambling State University in Louisiana.Flores' lawsuit names 3 NFL teamsFlores filed the lawsuit Tuesday against the NFL, the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos and the Dolphins.The 40-year-old, who is Black, said in his lawsuit that the Giants interviewed him for their vacant head coaching job under disingenuous circumstances, as Flores had found out three days before his interview that the Giants had already decided to hire Brian Daboll.Flores says he learned this after receiving a congratulatory text message from Belichick, whom Flores used to work for, that was sent in error.The NFL made a rule to boost diversity in upper ranks. It's not what 'my father intended it to be'Flores alleges in his lawsuit that his interview with the Giants was a ruse so the team could "demonstrate falsely to League Commissioner Roger Goodell and the public at large that it was in compliance with the Rooney Rule."The NFL instituted the Rooney Rule in 2003 in an effort to increase diversity among the NFL's head coaching, general manager and executive ranks. The rule requires every team to interview at least two external minority candidates for open head coaching positions, according to the NFL's Football Operations website.The Giants called Flores' claims about the head coach candidacy "disturbing and simply false" in a Thursday statement.Flores' lawsuit claims that in 2019, he was subjected to another "sham interview," this one with the Broncos. Flores says "Broncos' then-General Manager John Elway, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Ellis and others showed up an hour late to the interview" and adds that the Broncos' delegation "looked completely disheveled, and it was obvious that they had drinking heavily the night before."Denver described the allegations as "blatantly false." Elway released his own statement Thursday, calling the claims "false and defamatory."CNN's Aya Elamroussi contributed to this report.

Isil Sariyuce, for CNN

2022-02-05 13:20:42

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/europe/erdogan-covid-19-intl/index.html

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President, and his wife test positive for Covid-19 - CNN

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife, Emine, have tested positive for Covid-19.

europe, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President, and his wife test positive for Covid-19 - CNN

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and wife test positive for Covid-19

Istanbul, Turkey (CNN)Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife, Emine, have tested positive for Covid-19.Erdogan said on Twitter that the couple had contracted the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and were experiencing mild symptoms. "We will continue our work at home. We look forward to your prayers," he said. Erdogan had traveled to Ukraine on Thursday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the ongoing tensions with Russia in the area, before returning home to Turkey. The Turkish President said he was willing to serve as a mediator and host a summit between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Read MoreErdogan had his third dose of the coronavirus vaccine in June, he said in an interview last year. Coronavirus cases have been on the rise in Turkey since the Omicron variant become the dominant strain in the country in January. More than 100,000 new cases were reported Tuesday, a new record, according to government data. At least 61% of all people in the country have received two doses of a vaccine, though authorities have been urging citizens to get booster shots -- including the domestically made Turkovac vaccine.CNN's Maija Ehlinger contributed to this report

Gabe Cohen, CNN

2022-02-03 21:21:16

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/sport/nfl-washington-commanders-dan-snyder-new-allegations/index.html

Oversight committee raises concerns over NFL investigation into workplace culture a day after hearing new allegation against team owner Dan Snyder - CNN

Former employees and cheerleaders from the NFL's Washington Commanders on Capitol Hill Thursday detailed their accusations of owner Dan Snyder, including asking staff to compile lewd video clips of cheerleaders without their knowledge or consent as well as a new claim of unwanted sexual touching.

sport, Oversight committee raises concerns over NFL investigation into workplace culture a day after hearing new allegation against team owner Dan Snyder - CNN

Oversight committee raises concerns over NFL investigation into workplace culture a day after hearing new allegation against team owner Dan Snyder

(CNN)Former employees and cheerleaders from the NFL's Washington Commanders on Capitol Hill Thursday detailed their accusations of owner Dan Snyder, including asking staff to compile lewd video clips of cheerleaders without their knowledge or consent as well as a new claim of unwanted sexual touching.At the House Oversight Committee roundtable, former cheerleader and Marketing and Events Coordinator Tiffani Johnston accused Snyder of putting his hand on her thigh during a dinner and later aggressively pushing her toward his limousine with his hand on her lower back as she fended off advances, a new allegation.A former video production manager alleged that he was asked to produce a lewd video featuring nude outtake clips of cheerleaders from a photoshoot without their knowledge at the request of Snyder.Jordan Siev, an attorney for Snyder, said allegations made for the first time this week are "false, and have been categorically denied by Mr. Snyder."Washington Football Team settled sexual misconduct claim against owner Daniel Snyder in 2009, per reports The House committee said on Friday it requested more than 2,000 previously unreleased documents over "newfound concerns" regarding the NFL's own inquiry into Snyder in 2020.Read MoreMany of the previous allegations were first detailed by The Washington Post in 2020, which also reported that the team paid $1.6 million to a former employee in 2009 to settle a sexual misconduct claim against Snyder, though neither Snyder nor the team acknowledged any wrongdoing in the agreement.Several female former employees allege that for years, Snyder created a toxic environment of abuse and sexual harassment, where female employees were directed to wear tight clothing and faced lewd language and unwanted advances."Dan Snyder rules by fear," the team's former Director of Marketing Melanie Coburn told the panel.Snyder responded to the allegations in a statement Thursday.Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder claims he's being extorted by one of team's minority owners "While past conduct at the Team was unacceptable, the allegations leveled against me personally in today's roundtable -- many of which are well over 13 years old -- are outright lies. I unequivocally deny having participated in any such conduct, at any time and with respect to any person. "Tanya and I will not be distracted by those with a contrary agenda from continuing with the positive personnel and cultural changes that have been made at the Team over the past 18 months, and those that we continue to make both on and off the field," Snyder said, referencing his wife, who was named co-CEO of the team last year. Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, attorneys representing the six witnesses who testified as well as more than 40 former employees, said in a statement Thursday that the testimonies were "an important first step in holding the Washington Football Team, and workplaces across the nation, accountable for the mistreatment of female employees."NFL's 2020 investigation under scrutinyIn 2020, the NFL conducted a yearlong investigation into the Washington franchise's work environment, and last July handed Snyder a $10 million fine. NFL has no plans to release more details from Washington Football Team investigationThe investigation concluded that Snyder was responsible for the club's unprofessional and intimidating culture, and that he failed to establish a respectful work environment. At the time, Snyder said in a statement that the workplace culture was "not what it should be" and said he felt "great remorse for the people who had difficult, even traumatic, experiences while working here."But the league never released the full findings of the investigation. Several of the accusers have demanded the full report be released to the public, calling the lack of transparency a "coverup."The House Committee for Oversight and Reform's Friday letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell demanded the league cooperate with the committee's investigation and release the full findings of their internal probe.The move comes after documents obtained by the committee raised "newfound concerns over the independence" of the NFL's investigation, according to a news release. The committee is asking for the additional documents by February 14 and said that if the league fails to comply, the committee will "consider alternate means of obtaining compliance."An NFL spokesperson on Friday confirmed that the league received the letter and would review it. The spokesperson said the league had been cooperating with the committee by sharing "nearly 80,000 pages of documents" and making others available for review and responding to questions. "The Committee has requested many documents which are clearly protected by the attorney-client privilege or are attorney-work product," the spokesperson said. "The League, and not the team, has and will determine which information it is in a position to produce."Siev, Snyder's attorney, said that neither Snyder nor the team have ever done anything to block the committee from receiving documents "that are not expressly protected by attorney-client privilege or attorney work product." Attorneys Banks and Katz again called on the league to release the report in their Thursday statement, saying employees had participated in the inquiry "based on the belief that the findings would be made public" and "lead to changes"."By keeping the investigation's findings hidden, the NFL and WFT (Washington Football Team) are trying to silence these witnesses and avoid responsibility," the statement added. "It is time for Congress to demand transparency and accountability." Correction: This story has been updated to correct some of the allegations made against Snyder. Ms. Johnston accused him of using his hand on her lower back to aggressively push her towards his limousine.CNN's David Close contributed to this report.

Homero De la Fuente, CNN

2022-02-05 21:57:20

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/sport/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-league-reevaluate-diversity-policies-spt/index.html

The NFL commissioner called league's lack of diversity 'unacceptable' and vowed for change. Brian Flores' attorneys aren't convinced - CNN

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will review its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, calling the lack of Black head coaches "unacceptable," in a leaguewide memo sent to club executives and presidents on Saturday.

sport, The NFL commissioner called league's lack of diversity 'unacceptable' and vowed for change. Brian Flores' attorneys aren't convinced - CNN

The NFL commissioner called league's lack of diversity 'unacceptable' and vowed for change. Brian Flores' attorneys aren't convinced

(CNN)NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will review its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, calling the lack of Black head coaches "unacceptable," in a leaguewide memo sent to club executives and presidents on Saturday. The commissioner's memo comes amid ongoing criticism over the league's lack of diversity in leadership positions and after a bombshell lawsuit filed Tuesday by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores alleging racial discrimination. The NFL made a rule to boost diversity in upper ranks. It's not what 'my father intended it to be'"We have made significant efforts to promote diversity and adopted numerous policies and programs which have produced positive change in many areas," Goodell said in the memo obtained by CNN. "However we must acknowledge that particularly with respect to head coaches the results have been unacceptable."Flores' attorneys on Saturday called Goodell's memo a public relations ploy, adding he has not reached out to them to initiate discussions to promote "real change."JUST WATCHEDNBA icon slams lack of diversity among NFL coaches ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHNBA icon slams lack of diversity among NFL coaches 03:44In a league in which roughly 70% of the players are Black, only one out of 28 head coaches employed by the NFL is Black; the Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin. Four teams presently are without a head coach. There are two other non-Black minority coaches in the league, Washington Commanders' Ron Rivera, who is of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent and New York Jets' Robert Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent. Read MoreIn his memo, Goodell vowed the league will reevaluate its policies relating to diversity, equity and inclusion by retaining outside experts to assist in the review and will solicit input from current and former players and coaches as well. Here's how the 3 NFL teams that Brian Flores accused of racial discrimination have responded"We understand the concerns expressed by Coach Flores and others this week," Goodell wrote. "While the legal process moves forward, we will not wait to reassess and modify our strategies to ensure that they are consistent with our values and longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion." In a response to Flores' lawsuit earlier this week, the NFL called his allegations meritless, saying in a statement, "diversity is core to everything we do."Among several allegations in the suit, Flores claimed Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross offered to pay him to purposely lose games in order to secure a higher pick in the NFL draft and encouraged him to violate league tampering rules. Flores says when he refused, Ross led a campaign to treat him with "disdain and held out as someone who was noncompliant and difficult to work with."In light of the allegation, Goodell wrote the league takes "seriously any issue relating to the integrity of NFL games," adding such matters "will be reviewed thoroughly and independently.""There is much work to do, and we will embrace this moment and seize the opportunity to become a stronger, more inclusive league," Goodell concluded. Brian Flores, who is accusing the NFL of racial discrimination, is not one to back downIn response to the memo, Flores' attorneys, Douglas Wigdor and John Elefterakis, said in their Saturday statement the NFL quickly denied Flores' allegations "without any investigation," and said instead, the league should view the lawsuit "as an opportunity to engage in real change and confront the obvious reality." The attorneys accused the league of hiding "behind the cover of foundations" supposed to protect the rights of Black players and coaches, while letting "systemic racial bias fester in its front offices.""The NFL is now rolling out the same playbook yet again and that is precisely why this lawsuit was filed," their statement said, adding they would be "pleased" to talk with Goodell about how to bring about change, but he has not reached out."In fact, nobody from the NFL has reached out to us," their statement added. "Absent such a discussion followed by unbiased and concrete change, we believe that a court or governmental agency must order a federal monitor to oversee the NFL as the NFL cannot continue to police itself."CNN reached out to the NFL in regard to the latest statement from Flores' attorneys but did not immediately hear back.CNN's Wayne Sterling and Kara Scannell contributed to this report.

Analysis by Luke McGee, CNN

2022-02-05 05:06:14

news

uk

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/uk/boris-johnson-leadership-scandals-intl-cmd-gbr/index.html

Boris Johnson: No one knows what to do about UK prime minister - CNN

What will it take to finish him off? That's the question that close observers of Boris Johnson's premiership have been asking for weeks.

uk, Boris Johnson: No one knows what to do about UK prime minister - CNN

No one knows what to do about Boris Johnson

London (CNN)What will it take to finish him off? That's the question that close observers of Boris Johnson's premiership have been asking for weeks.On Monday, a much-anticipated report by a senior civil servant into a series of lockdown-breaching gatherings held at Downing Street in 2020 and 2021, some allegedly attended by Johnson himself, delivered a verdict so damning that any other national leader might have been expected to resign. There were "failures of leadership and judgment," Sue Gray concluded, with a "serious failure" to uphold the standards expected of members of government.The evidence gathered by Gray was sufficiently serious that London's Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation. Johnson could even end up being questioned over the allegations that Downing Street staffers held boozy gatherings with little connection to their workplace activities while citizens dutifully followed the rules and said goodbye to terminally ill loved-ones over Zoom.After the report's publication, Johnson decided to hit back at criticism by falsely accusing the opposition Labour leader, Keir Starmer, a former chief prosecutor for England, of "failing to prosecute" a notorious British pedophile, Jimmy Savile. The claim -- which circulates in rightwing conspiracy theory circles -- has been debunked multiples times (a decision not to prosecute Savile was taken by a regional division of the prosecution service).Boris Johnson sips a pint of beer at a pub in Wolverhampton, central England, on April 19, 2021, while campaigning for local elections.Johnson's failure to withdraw it fully prompted his policy chief -- a longtime aide and confidante -- to quit in disgust on Thursday evening, issuing a blistering statement that reverberated around UK government circles.Read MoreFour more senior officials resigned in the following hours -- some for different reasons, but it gave the impression that Downing Street was in freefall.At the time of publication, Johnson clings on. And predictions of his demise have been made prematurely many times before. But it might now be the case that Johnson's days in Downing Street are drawing to a close.Once seen as a politician with a near-mythical ability to win over opponents with a natural charm, Johnson's personal approval ratings and his Conservative party's poll ratings have been steadily falling since the so-called Partygate scandal exploded last year. No one around Johnson or in his party is pretending that the situation isn't very bad, possibly terminal.Nonetheless, the sad reality for the numerous Conservatives who would like to see back of Johnson is that they have no idea if they are strong enough to remove him from power. And this might be what keeps Johnson in office, despite everything. There is certainly the political will to commit regicide, but there is no clear alternative -- either in personnel or ideology -- to challenge the king. To depose a Conservative leader, 15% of the parliamentary party must submit letters of no-confidence. Despite much dark talk of plots, that threshold has not yet been met. That isn't because of any overwhelming support or loyalty to Johnson. It's more that his most vocal critics are not factional leaders within the party. The vast majority of Conservatives that talked to CNN think that if a vote were triggered it would be by accident rather than design. Indeed, most are resigned to months of things getting worse before they get better and, for now, don't think there's much to be done about it. Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street to make a statement in Parliament on January 31, 2022, after receiving a version of the Sue Gray report.Why? Multiple Conservative members of parliament from across different wings of the party spoke of being exhausted, confused, angry and depressed. Those who spoke to CNN did so on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation and so they could be as honest as possible."It's all terrible, but no one's sure what to do," says a senior Conservative lawmaker. "I am not even sure removing him is the best idea (because) all alternatives are a huge, untested risk," the lawmaker adds, referencing not just the individuals who might replace Johnson, but also the ideology they would bring to government. Even those who do believe Johnson needs to be removed from office before the next general election cannot agree on when it should happen. A semi-loyal government minister who didn't wish to embarrass Johnson, but accepted his departure this year was both necessary and inevitable, said that "most in this camp want to keep (Johnson) in place until either the full Gray or police report are published, or until after May's local elections." Efforts to remove Johnson will likely gather pace if the police or the full Gray report -- which will emerge once detectives' investigation is complete -- come to the conclusion that the Prime Minister either broke the law, misled parliament or engaged in some other kind of indefensible behavior.  However, no-one knows when the that date will come, and it might not be before the next electoral test for Johnson's Conservative Party, local elections in early May.If Conservatives suffer major losses in those polls, it will be very hard not to pin them on Johnson. There is no doubt that the opposition parties' election campaigns will be almost entirely focussed on the Prime Minister, his trustworthiness and his personal conduct. Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on January 12, 2022. Johnson apologized for attending a garden party during Britain's first coronavirus lockdown, but brushed aside opposition demands that he resign for breaching his government's rules.In either event, it seems that the preferred window for replacing Johnson, among those who oppose him, is the summer parliamentary recess, when Westminster largely shuts down. This affords the time for a proper leadership contest as well as time for a new leader to build their platform ahead of the next scheduled general election in May 2024. However simple that sounds, there is one small snag for those seeking a smooth transition of power: Johnson and his allies do not want to quit and believe they can hang on, whatever happens. Multiple advisers and ministerial allies in Johnson's inner circle told CNN that they had considered calling the plotters' bluff and calling a confidence vote in the PM with an ultimatum: Back me or sack me. Historically, this has been an effective means by which embattled politicians have shored up strength. However, Johnson's allies are confident that his internal opposition is so weak that such drastic action is unnecessary. "Put it this way, if Royal Mail were relying on MPs to buy stamps to send in letters they would go out of business very quickly," said one key ally. A cabinet source told CNN that "back me or sack me implies he's fighting from a position of weakness, which we just don't believe he is." Even those most critical of Johnson agree, at least in part, with this analysis. One former minister said that "the summer might be too late, they are missing the window to get rid of him right now," citing frustration among voters that government has become paralyzed by the scandal.Boris Johnson meets medical staff during a visit to Hexham General Hospital on November 8, 2021 in northern England. A senior Conservative critic of the Prime Minister said that the best hope of removing Johnson sooner rather than later would be an "organic, uncoordinated" submission of MPs' letters that accidentally built momentum where "things would go south quickly." The critic admitted this was wishful thinking, however.  After weeks of Partygate -- and numerous missteps by Johnson himself -- Conservatives find themselves trapped.They know that Johnson is harming the party. They know that trying to remove him will be a bloody, public war that they could ultimately lose. They know that there are no guarantees that sacking him will make anything better: Johnson, after all, is probably the only politician in the country who defies gravity so regularly that it's not impossible he could ride the scandal out and carry on winning elections. And a new leader could be less effective and hand the keys to 10 Downing Street to another party at the next election.Everything is so unclear and confusing that few in the upper ranks of the Conservative party seem to have a clue as to what to do.The longer this goes on, the more MPs will find themselves tarred by whatever public position they take -- for Johnson, against Johnson, or conspicuously silent. And all the while their leader staggers on, protesting that his battering amounts to little more a flesh wound. 

Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-02-05 16:47:50

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/sport/beijing-winter-olympics-day-one-spt-intl/index.html

Beijing Winter Olympics: Norway off to golden start as China claims first gold - CNN

Having arrived in China as the most successful country in Winter Olympics history, Norway was quickly into the groove on day one of Beijing 2022 as the Nordic country got off to a golden start on Saturday.

sport, Beijing Winter Olympics: Norway off to golden start as China claims first gold - CNN

Beijing Winter Olympics: Norway off to golden start as China claims first gold

(CNN)Having arrived in China as the most successful country in Winter Olympics history, Norway was quickly into the groove on day one of Beijing 2022 as the Nordic country got off to a golden start on Saturday. Norway claimed two gold medals on Saturday to take its all-time gold tally to 134 -- that's 29 more than the United States, which sits in second on 105.Shaun White: 'I've decided this will be my last Olympics,' says US snowboarder as injuries take tollTherese Johaug won the first gold of Beijing 2022 with a dominant victory in the 15-kilometer cross-country skiing race in the women's skiathlon, the Norwegian cruising to her first individual Olympic title in 44 minutes and 13.7 seconds.The 33 year old is competing in her third Games, but missed PyeongChang 2018 due to a positive drug test in 2016."I've been training a lot for this for many, many years," Johaug told reporters, "It's been a special week for us, we just came here two days ago.Read More"At first I was really happy just to come here because we have the Covid in our team. I've trained thousands of hours for this and been away from home a lot over the years. So it's beautiful to reach this goal."It means a lot. I've never had an Olympic gold medal, it's my first one. I'm so happy."Johaug finished just over 30 seconds ahead of the ROC's Natalia Nepryaeva, who won silver in a time of 44:43.9.Austria's Teresa Stadlober completed the podium, securing bronze with a 44:44.2 finish.Johaug celebrates her victory.Three-way showdownNorway's second triumph swiftly followed in the biathlon mixed relay 4x6km -- an event that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting -- following a dramatic threeway shootout for gold amidst challenging high winds.The Norwegian quartet of Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, Tiril Eckhoff, Tarjei Boe, and Johannes Thingnes finished in one hour, six minutes and 45.6 seconds, beating the French team to gold by just 0.9 seconds.Boe had had to train for the race separately from his teammates after being identified as a Covid-19 close contact."To prepare for the relay, it was normal even if it was difficult for Johannes to be in his hotel room," said Boe."I think he also loaded his batteries quite well. We saw today that maybe it was for the better that he was in quarantine so that he could relax and save his energy for the sprint."A mere 1.5 seconds behind Norway was the ROC, though it might have been gold rather than bronze had the team fallen away in the last stretch.Norway's team of Olsbu Roeiseland, Johannes Thingnes Boe, Tiril Eckhoff and Tarjei Boe celebrate their first place on the podium."It was an amazing relay," said Eckhoff. "It was so much up and down, and I had a really tough leg, but I had amazing teammates who made it possible. "I don't know about you guys, but I think this was one of the relays with the most excitement ever, so it was very fun for us."Boe admitted that they "never had control" of the race."It went so up and down," Boe said. "You build up one hour of racing, then it's 150m left and it's three teams. That's why sport is so fantastic." A flurry of penalty loops -- wherein skiers must complete a 150m penalty lap should they fail to hit five targets -- only heightened the drama.Norway and France both suffered three penalty loops, with the ROC taking one, but Boe insisted that his team "were not scared" of having to recover from them."We had three penalty loops and in a normal world cup, you never do that," Boe said. "If you have three penalty loops, you're outside of competition. This is what we expected before racing today so we knew that most likely the winners would have a penalty loop so we were not scared to have it here."Happy hostsChina claimed its first gold medal of Beijing 2022 after winning the short track speed skating mixed relay on the event's debut at the Winterr Games.The Chinese team narrowly beat out second-place Italy by 0.016 seconds to claim China's first ever short track mixed relay gold with a time of 2:37.348, while Hungary took bronze with a time of 2:40.900.In doing so China has already matched the country's gold medal tally from PyeongChang in 2018."I've been waiting for this gold medal for 12 years," Fan Kexin told reporters. "I've waited for it for so long. I will always believe in the team. From the day I entered the national team, I have always believed in my teammates."I have been in the Chinese team for 12 years. All my teammates have accompanied and supported me, all the coaches have supported me. "Every day when we finish training, we have blood in our throats. And the moment we won, I thought it was all worth it. We've made it."The youngest and oldest Winter Olympians competing at Beijing 2022 The host's photo finish victory was met by a "huge roar" by the crowd, according to CNN's reporters at the Capital Indoor Stadium, though China came close to not making the final at all.Having finishing third in the second semifinal race, it took a judge's review to see China through, with Team USA and ROC adjudged to have blocked the Chinese skaters from properly switching in the relay. The two teams were subsequently penalized and lost their spots, sending China through to the gold medal race. After the event, a US-style kiss cam roamed the several hundred spectators in the crowd, with fans waving and dancing when appearing on screen.Dutch strike goldIn the women's 3000m speed skating event, Irene Schouten of the Netherlands pipped Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida to gold in a thrilling race as the Dutch woman won in a new Olympic record time of 3:56.93.Isabelle Weidemann took bronze to round out the podium, securing Canada's 200th Winter Olympics medal."There was a lot of pressure for myself and for the Netherlands and I'm so happy I made it," said Schouten."I was in the last pair and you see all the girls race in front of you, and they raced really fast."Four years ago I did not qualify, so I wanted this one. When I was young I had a big dream to win Olympic gold and now I have it."Eighth time's the charmThe women's 3000m speed skating saw another record set by Germany's Claudia Pechstein, the 49-year-old appearing at a record eighth Games.Pechstein is the oldest competitor -- male or female -- in Beijing this month, and now shares the record for most Winter Olympic appearances with legendary Japanese skier Noriaki Kasai.READ: The youngest and oldest Winter Olympians competing at Beijing 2022The five-time gold medalist -- who was a flagbearer for Team Germany at Friday's Opening Ceremony -- finished last, but celebrated with a double fist pump and smile. Pechstein in action on the 3000m track."I was not too fast, but I smiled because today I got my goal to race in my eighth Olympic Games. This was important for me," said Pechstein."The result of today was not so important, it was just to race and to be here. I am super proud."The opening day's two other golds were won by Sweden's Walter Wallberg in the men's moguls freestyle skiing event, and Slovenia's Ursa Bogataj in the individual women's normal hill ski jumping.Medal tallyBiathlonMixed Relay 4x6km (W+M): NorwayCross-Country SkiingWomen's 7.5km + 7.5km Skiathlon: Therese Johaug, NorwayFreestyle SkiingMen's Moguls: Walter Wallberg, SwedenShort Track Speed SkatingMixed Team Relay: ChinaSki JumpingWomen's Normal Hill Individual: Ursa Bogataj, SloveniaSpeed SkatingWomen's 3000m: Irene Schouten, NetherlandsCNN's Angus Watson, John Sinnott, Wayne Sterling and Bex Wright contributed to this report

Nadine Schmidt and Tara John, CNN

2022-02-04 11:56:08

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/04/europe/austria-covid-vaccine-mandate-intl/index.html

Austria signs into law strict Covid-19 vaccine mandate - CNN

Austria became the first country in Europe to introduce a national Covid-19 vaccine mandate for adults on Friday after President Alexander Van der Bellen signed it into law.

europe, Austria signs into law strict Covid-19 vaccine mandate - CNN

Austria signs into law strict Covid-19 vaccine mandate

(CNN)Austria became the first country in Europe to introduce a national Covid-19 vaccine mandate for adults on Friday after President Alexander Van der Bellen signed it into law.Austria's sweeping measures will see those without a vaccine certificate or an exemption potentially slapped with initial fines of 600 euros ($680). Checks to see if the mandate is being adhered to begin from March 15. Pregnant people and those who cannot be vaccinated without endangering their health are exempt from the law, according to the Austrian Health Ministry's website. The exemption also applies to people who recently caught Covid-19, and lasts 180 days from the date they received their first positive PCR Covid-19 test.The new law will last until January 31, 2024 and could see unvaccinated people face a maximum fine of 3,600 euros ($4,000) up to four times a year if they are not on a vaccine register by their assigned vaccination date.Read MoreGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz is pushing for a vaccine mandate as part of the country's Covid-19 containment strategy, and a key vote on a potential vaccine mandate is expected at the end of March. Both Germany and Austria have higher vaccination rates than the European Union average of 70.4% with two jabs, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. But their immunization rate, of 74% and 72.7% respectively, has not assuaged the concerns of health officials. Denmark becomes first EU country to lift all Covid-19 restrictionsLegislation has already passed requiring vaccines for healthcare workers starting in March.Germany has Europe's second oldest population after Italy. On January 28, German Health Minister and epidemiologist Karl Lauterbach warned that the elderly population needed protection as many in those age groups remain unvaccinated.There are four times as many unvaccinated Germans compared to the United Kingdom, and three times as many unvaccinated Germans compared to Italy, he added. Lothar Wieler, head of Germany's infectious diseases agency the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), warned at the same press conference that hospitals and intensive care units are starting to fill up again as Covid-19 infections reached record highs. On Friday, the country reported a record 248,838 new cases.Vaccines and no restrictionsAs some European countries get tough with mandates, others are dropping Covid-19 regulations despite a surge in cases fueled by the Omicron variant. Many of their leaders point to vaccines breaking the link between infections and severe illness. Denmark, where 81.5% of the population is double-jabbed, lifted all Covid-19 restrictions on Tuesday despite soaring cases."At the same time as infections are skyrocketing, [the number of] patients admitted to intensive care [is] actually going down," Søren Brostrøm, director-general of Denmark's Health Authority, told CNN. "It's around 30 people in ICU beds right now with a Covid-19 diagnosis, out of a population of 6 million."Other Nordic countries, like Norway, Sweden and Finland, announced the lifting of many of their Covid control measures this week, pointing to their highly vaccinated populations and low hospitalization figures. The Oxford Covid-19 stringency index is a composite measure based on nine response indicators including school closures, workplace closures, and travel bans. Its scale ranges from 0 (least strict) to 100 (strictest). Many European nations are easing restrictions in line with their high vaccine uptakes. The decision was taken in Norway based on the impact of the Omicron variant, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stør said Tuesday, noting the variant was causing less severe illness, helped along by the country's successful vaccination rollout.Sweden, where only 70.4% of the population has had two shots, is set to remove most Covid-19 restrictions next week, officials said on Thursday. After initially eschewing the lockdowns favored by its European neighbors, Sweden eventually imposed restrictions on public life. Restrictions were most recently tightened in early January when a curfew was imposed on Swedish bars and restaurants. According to Thursday's press release, Swedish officials have now deemed the Covid-19 situation "stable enough" to commence the ease of restrictions. This was justified by the fact that Omicron has not caused "as serious a disease as previous variants'' and the country's healthcare system has not been severely impacted, it added. CNN's Joseph Ataman, Camille Knight Henrik Pettersson and Niamh Kennedy contributed to this report.

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-04 12:03:06

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/04/sport/kobe-bryant-trophy-nba-all-star-spt-intl/index.html

Kobe Bryant: NBA reveals new trophy awarded for All-Star Game MVP - CNN

The NBA revealed on Thursday a newly designed Kobe Bryant Trophy which is awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NBA All-Star Game.

sport, Kobe Bryant: NBA reveals new trophy awarded for All-Star Game MVP - CNN

NBA reveals new Kobe Bryant Trophy awarded for All-Star Game MVP

(CNN)The NBA revealed on Thursday a newly designed Kobe Bryant Trophy which is awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NBA All-Star Game. Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, in January 2020. The trophy was renamed in the basketball legend's honor after Bryant's death, and it has been revamped with the help of artist Victor Solomon to pay tribute to specific areas of his career, as well as the achievement of being selected as an NBA All-Star. The new multi-tiered trophy, which will be awarded on Sunday, February 20 at the 2022 All-Star Game, is supported by an eight-sided base, to represent Bryant's No. 8 jersey number as well as the eight decades that the All-Star Game has been around. The 18 stars around the base of the trophy represent Bryant's 18 All-Star selections, while its two-inch base height is a nod to his 2002 All-Star MVP.Read MoreOn the first level -- which is seven inches in height to represent Bryant's 2007 All-Star Game MVP -- there are 24 stars adorning the outside which signify Bryant's No. 24 jersey number and each All-Star selected to the game. The second level of the trophy is nine inches in height, a nod to Bryant's 2009 All-Star Game MVP, and is surrounded by 10 stars to represent Bryant's USA Basketball No. 10 jersey and the 10 All-Star Game starters. The third level is 11 inches in height to commemorate his 2011 NBA All-Star Game MVP award, and is circled with five stars to showcase his five NBA championships as well as the "unity of an NBA team."The fourth and final tier is adorned with a final star -- two inches in height to represent Bryant's two Bill Russell Trophies as the NBA Finals MVP -- to commemorate his 2007-08 NBA MVP award. A photo of the top tier of the new Kobe Bryant Trophy.As well as the new Kobe Bryant Trophy, four other trophies awarded over All-Star Weekend have undergone new designs to commemorate the NBA's 75th anniversary. "For the past few years, the NBA and I have proudly and tirelessly worked to reconsider what a trophy is, has been and could be," Solomon said. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos"Redesigning the All-Star trophies gave us a special opportunity to create event awards worthy of the energy and excitement the moment creates, while introducing the full collection's visual, aesthetic language. "The occasion also gave us the privilege and responsibility to develop an entirely new silhouette worthy of being named 'The Kobe Bryant Trophy' for the Kia NBA All-Star MVP for which, in the spirit of its namesake, we threw out all conventions and challenged ourselves to reorient how we thought about 'the game.'"

Ray Sanchez, CNN

2022-02-03 20:58:35

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/sport/nfl-brian-flores-lawsuit-rooney-rule/index.html

Brian Flores lawsuit: The NFL made the Rooney Rule to boost diversity in upper ranks. It's not what 'my father intended it to be' - CNN

The son of the late Dan Rooney, the longtime Steelers chairman who championed a rule requiring teams to interview minority coaching and general manager candidates, says stronger enforcement is necessary.

sport, Brian Flores lawsuit: The NFL made the Rooney Rule to boost diversity in upper ranks. It's not what 'my father intended it to be' - CNN

The NFL made a rule to boost diversity in upper ranks. It's not what 'my father intended it to be'

(CNN)In Brian Flores' discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, the fired Miami Dolphins coach spoke of the humiliation of being subjected to "a sham interview" appearing to give a Black candidate a legitimate chance at a head coaching job.The son of the late Dan Rooney, the longtime Steelers chairman who championed a rule requiring teams to interview minority coaching and general manager candidates, said such humiliation moved his late father to seek change. The regulation, adopted in 2003, is known as the Rooney Rule."Tony Dungy, who was the youngest and first African American defensive coordinator with the Steelers," in the 1980s, "then wouldn't get job interviews or he wouldn't get picked," said Jim Rooney, who wrote a book about his father's legacy. Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores sues NFL and 3 NFL teams alleging racial discrimination"My father said many times he knew Tony was better than a lot of the people that ended up getting those (head coaching) jobs."Read MoreDungy would became the first African-American football coach to lift the Lombardi Trophy -- nearly two decades after his stint with Pittsburgh ended -- and one of the most successful in history.Today, only one of 28 head coaches employed in the NFL is Black, with four teams officially without a head coach, in a league where roughly 70% of the players are Black. That lone coach is the Steelers' Mike Tomlin, who won the Super Bowl in 2009. There are two other non-Black minority coaches -- one of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent and one of Lebanese descent.The Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday made the first official head coach hire since Flores filed his lawsuit on Tuesday. The Jaguars announced the hiring of Doug Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in 2018. Pederson is White.The NFL instituted the Rooney Rule in an effort to increase diversity among the head coaching, general manager and executive ranks. It requires every team to interview at least two external minority candidates for open head coaching positions, according to the league's football operations site.Read Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit"He would be frustrated," Jim Rooney said of his father and current efforts to diversify NFL coaching. "It's clear people are not using it as I think my father intended it to be."A diversity committee headed by Dan Rooney initiated the Rooney Rule in 2003. Flores 'really opened up a discussion'Flores' federal lawsuit, filed in New York on the first day of Black History Month, alleges discrimination by the NFL, the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins organizations. The NFL and the three teams vehemently denied the allegations. "I'm comparing it to the coaching equivalent of Colin Kaepernick taking a knee," said Richard Lapchick, the director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, referring to the former quarterback who captured the country's attention by kneeling during the national anthem during the 2016 NFL season in protest against police brutality. "It was a dramatic and courageous act on his part because history would tell anybody that pays attention that it would be really unlikely he'll get a coaching job after that," Lapchick said of Flores."To have the guts to share the things he did really opened up a discussion that was already opened but now in a much more dramatic way. This an insider as opposed to someone from the outside talking about what needs to happen and what has happened."Flores said he took legal action because "the need for change is bigger than my personal goals." The suit was filed just over a week after New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick sent Flores an accidental congratulatory text message.Accidental Belichick text at center of coach's NFL discrimination lawsuitThe 40-year-old, who was born and raised in Brooklyn to Honduran parents, said in his lawsuit that the Giants interviewed him for their vacant head coaching job under disingenuous circumstances. Flores said he had found out three days before his interview that the Giants had already decided to hire Brian Daboll."Sorry -- I f**ked this up," Belichick answered when Flores sought clarification, according to screen grabs included in the lawsuit."I doubled checked & I misread the text. I think they are naming Daboll. I'm sorry about that. BB"The lawsuit also claims that in 2019 Flores was subjected to another "sham interview," this one with the Broncos. Flores said that "Broncos' then-General Manager John Elway, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Ellis and others showed up an hour late to the interview" and added that the team delegation "looked completely disheveled, and it was obvious that they had (been) drinking heavily the night before."Elway, in a statement, refuted the claims made by Flores as "false and defamatory."Flores' lawsuit called the Rooney Rule a "well-intentioned failure.""The Rooney Rule is not working. It is not working because the numbers of Black Head Coaches, Coordinators and Quarterback Coaches are not even close to being reflective of the number of Black athletes on the field," the lawsuit said. "The Rooney Rule is also not working because management is not doing the interviews in good-faith, and it therefore creates a stigma that interviews of Black candidates are only being done to comply with the Rooney Rule rather than in recognition of the talents that the Black candidates possess."NFL, teams respond to allegationsThe NFL this week said Flores' allegations were without merit."The NFL and our clubs are deeply committed to ensuring equitable employment practices and continue to make progress in providing equitable opportunities throughout our organizations," the league said in its statement. "Diversity is core to everything we do, and there are few issues on which our clubs and our internal leadership team spend more time. We will defend against these claims, which are without merit."The Giants organization issued a statement standing by its process and its decision to hire Daboll.Brian Flores, who is accusing the NFL of racial discrimination, is not one to back down"We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates," the team's statement read. "The fact of the matter is, Brian Flores was in the conversation to be our head coach until the eleventh hour. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach."On Thursday, the Giants, in a separate statement, said Flores was "irresponsible" in basing his allegation on a text exchange with Belichick, who "does not speak for and has no affiliation with the Giants."The Giants called Flores' six-hour visit with the team an "open and thorough interview process" and added: "The specific claims against the Giants and Mr. Flores' allegations about the legitimacy of his candidacy for our head coach position are disturbing and simply false."The Broncos also challenged Flores' claims."Our process was thorough and fair to determine the most qualified candidate for our head coaching position," the team's statement said. "The Broncos will vigorously defend the integrity and values of our organization -- and its employees -- from such baseless and disparaging claims."In 2019, when the Broncos passed on Flores, the Dolphins hired him away from Belichick's Patriots, where Flores was an assistant coach.Flores led the team to a 24-25 record during his three-year tenure. Miami finished its 2021 campaign 9-8, their second straight winning season, but failed to make the playoffs. He was fired last month.Here are some of the notable passages in Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFLFlores' lawsuit said that during his tenure Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered to pay him to purposely lose games in order to secure a higher pick in the NFL draft and encouraged him to violate league tampering rules. When he refused, Flores alleged, Ross led a campaign to treat him with "disdain and held out as someone who was noncompliant and difficult to work with."Ross, in a statement, said he took "great personal exception to these malicious attacks, and the truth must be known. His allegations are false, malicious and defamatory. "Referring to reports that the NFL intends to investigate Flores' claims, Ross said he would cooperate and was "eager to defend my personal integrity" from "baseless, unfair and disparaging claims."George Cunningham, a Texas A&M professor who has studied diversity in sport for more than than two decades, said Flores' allegations are extraordinary even for a league long criticized for its dismal record on the hiring Black head coaches. "You would not believe it if you saw it on Netflix. This doesn't actually happen," he said of Flores' lawsuit. When Dan Rooney stepped inFlores alleges in the suit that his interview with the Giants was a ruse so the team could "demonstrate falsely to League Commissioner Roger Goodell and the public at large that it was in compliance with the Rooney Rule."The NFL instituted the Rooney Rule about a year after attorneys Cyrus Mehri and the late Johnnie Cochran released a report -- "Black Coaches in the National Football League: Superior Performance, Inferior Opportunities." The report found that Black head coaches were the last hired and the first fired. It also found that too few of them were involved in the interview process. The attorneys threatened to sue. "In case after case, NFL owners have shown more interest in -- and patience with -- white coaches who don't win than black coaches who do," the report said. The report was prompted by the 2002 firing of two Black head coaches: Dennis Green of the Minnesota Vikings; and Dungy, who was let go after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the playoffs four times. The NFL is down to a single Black head coach after it pledged to do better with diversityThe NFL responded by forming a diversity committee headed by Dan Rooney and the initiative that came from it became known as the Rooney Rule. Rooney, in nearly eight decades with the Steelers, led them to six Super Bowl titles. He hired Bill Nunn, a Black man, as a scout. A sports journalist, Nunn help build the Steelers' dynasty of the 1970s in part by drafting players from long overlooked historically black colleges. Rooney brought on Black assistant coaches such as Dungy. And he owned the Steelers when they hired Tomlin in 2007 -- the first Black head coach in team history. Tomlin was not the team's top choice but reportedly got the job after strong interviews with Rooney and other team officials. Tomlin was hired the same year the Super Bowl featured two Black head coaches -- Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith and Dungy, then with the Indianapolis Colts. Jim Rooney recalled this week how watching Dungy's struggle to become a head coach moved his father to push for the adoption of the Rooney Rule. "The conversations with Tony Dungy, the experiences he had with seeing Tony being humiliated, really drove my father to try and do something," Jim Rooney said. "Whether the rule is the right answer or not, or whether we need to do more, I think we should be considering those questions. But the experience of having someone you respect, under your own leadership, be humiliated, made a real difference to my father."Dungy, now a TV football analyst, this week addressed Flores' lawsuit via Twitter. "One year ago I wrote a letter to NFL owners saying the NFL had a problem only they could solve," Dungy wrote, referring to minority hiring."Not a lot has changed. Brian Flores' suit shows the frustration many black coaches have. It could be just the tip of the iceberg. Something has to change!"NFL needs 'to come down hard' on violatorsFlores told CNN his three children are part of the reason he filed the lawsuit. "When I look at them, I don't want them to go through some of the things I have had to go through," he said. "It was humiliating, to be quite honest," Flores said, referring to what he called a "sham" interview for the Giants head coaching job. "There was disbelief. There was anger."In a statement, Fritz Pollard Alliance -- a watchdog group that, together with the NFL, determines whether a team's interview process is legitimate -- said this week it was standing with Flores. The alliance is named after Pollard, who in 1921 became the first African American head coach in NFL history with the Akron Pros of the American Professional Football Association."Brian Flores' lawsuit is just the latest, dramatic call to action for the NFL and its team owners," the statement said. How 'The Kaepernick Effect' has propelled a new generation of athletes to take a stand against racial injustice"Men and women of color in the NFL community have long known that the odds of advancing in the coaching ranks and in the front office are stacked against them. The Fritz Pollard Alliance supports Coach Flores and others in their effort to level the playing field for men and women of color."N. Jeremi Duru, a professor at American University Washington College of Law and a former counsel to the alliance, said only one NFL team -- the Detroit Lions in 2003 -- has been reprimanded and fined $200,000 for conduct detrimental to the league for violating the Rooney Rule. At the time, the NFL said the next violator would be fined $500,000. "What needs to be changed with respect to the Rooney Rule is not the rule, but owners' compliance with the rule and the league's willingness to come down hard on owners when they violate the rule," he said."The rule and the concept behind the rule are, in my view, strong. Compliance with the rule is, in my view, sorely lacking and that's where the disconnect is and that's what led to this lawsuit."Duru said he hoped the lawsuit leads to a stronger Rooney Rule "with severe and stated punishments for violation."Jim Rooney believes his late father would agree. "I think somewhere you need to figure out some type of stronger enforcement mechanisms ... where people understand there's some type of consequence for not following the rule."CNN's Kevin Dotson, Ben Morse and Jay Croft contributed to this story.

Analysis by Nathan Hodge, CNN

2022-02-04 15:42:31

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/04/europe/russia-fake-news-propaganda-cmd-intl/index.html

Why Russia loves banging on the 'fake news' drum - CNN

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has a knack for soundbites, and the allegation by US officials that Russia was cooking up a "graphic propaganda video" to create a pretext for invading Ukraine was no exception.

europe, Why Russia loves banging on the 'fake news' drum - CNN

Why Russia loves banging on the 'fake news' drum

Moscow (CNN)Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has a knack for soundbites, and the allegation by US officials that Russia was cooking up a "graphic propaganda video" to create a pretext for invading Ukraine was no exception. "This is delusional, in my opinion, this kind of fabrication," he told a Russian reporter Friday. "And there are more and more of them every day, it is obvious to any more or less experienced political scientist." The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) loves a fake news story -- that is, they love to pounce on anything they can present as Western spin, dissembling or propaganda. The ministry even hosted a web page dedicated to outing what they branded as "false publications" -- a page that, alas, appears to be dormant. A US State Department briefing on Thursday further replenished Russia's stockpiles of snark, after Associated Press reporter Matt Lee and State Department spokesman Ned Price sparred over the Biden administration's reluctance to present the underlying evidence of the alleged plans for a "false flag" video. Russian Telegram channels were abuzz with video of the exchange, which was posted repeatedly by a popular reporter and shown on state TV.But it's worth remembering two things. When it comes to generating disinformation, the Russian government has a formidable track record. And the confrontation seen between Lee and Price, with a reporter holding a top official's feet to the fire, is a relative rarity in Russia.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov listens during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on January 21, 2022, in Geneva, Switzerland.Read MoreDisinformation and propaganda are not new. But the war in Donbas has taken the practice to new heights for Russia. The downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 was the textbook case. Russian media spun out a range of conspiracy theories to explain the tragedy, from the somewhat-plausible to the absurd. The Dutch Joint Investigation Team, which conducted the criminal investigation into the crash, concluded that the aircraft was brought down by a Buk missile system that ultimately belonged to the Russian army.And there was the smirking coverage of the 2018 nerve agent poisonings in the English city of Salisbury, by Russian state media, which aired a bizarre interview with the alleged Russian poisoners, who claimed to be humble salesmen of nutritional supplements with an interest in medieval architecture.To be sure, the US national-security apparatus often has a dismal record of levelling with the public. But when it comes to waging information wars, Washington often seems outmatched by Moscow. Take, for instance, the kerfuffle over the leak to Spanish newspaper El Pais of US and NATO responses to Russian demands for security guarantees. US Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland blamed that particular leak story on Russia, and the Russian Foreign Ministry had a field day with that one.A statement released by Russia's embassy to the United States accused the Americans of trafficking in "conspiracy theories." Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian MFA, took a swipe at Nuland as well, saying on her Telegram, "Victoria, judging by your statement, Russia plays [cards] openly, and American players deal marked cards." We may never know who leaked the documents. The archives or the memoirs may someday tell us, but it's worth remembering the first person who publicly raised the possibility they might be made public: Sergey Lavrov.

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-04 12:57:45

sport

golf

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/04/golf/bryson-dechambeau-saudi-international-injury-spt-intl/index.html

Bryson DeChambeau pulls out of Saudi International due to injuries - CNN

Bryson DeChambeau has withdrawn from the Saudi International ahead of the second round due to injuries.

golf, Bryson DeChambeau pulls out of Saudi International due to injuries - CNN

Bryson DeChambeau pulls out of Saudi International due to injuries

(CNN)Bryson DeChambeau has withdrawn from the Saudi International ahead of the second round due to injuries. The world No. 9 shot a three-over first-round 73, including a triple-bogey on the seventh hole, on Thursday at the Royal Greens Gold and Country Club. And the organizers of the tournament confirmed that the 28-year-old DeChambeau has pulled out due to a left hand and a left hip injury.DeChambeau's withdrawal comes amid rumors swirling about the US golf star being offered huge financial incentives to join a Super Golf League. According to UK media reports, DeChambeau was reportedly offered over $135.7 million (£100 million) to be the face of the new league. Read MoreHowever, in a reply to a post from 'Breezy Golf' on Instagram which mentioned the rumors, DeChambeau delivered a one-word response: "Wrong," though it wasn't not clear whether the American golfer was saying the figure stated was inaccurate or whether he had been approached by the new league.The Super League is reportedly a Saudi-backed proposed venture which is attempting to attract golfers away from golf's main tours -- the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour -- with offers of big money.Ahead of the Saudi International tournament, US golfer Dustin described the venture as "a really good concept.""I think it makes it a little more interesting for the fans and for the players. Yeah, I like the concept," added the two major champion.Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosDeChambeau during a practice round prior to the Saudi International.DeChambeau's early exit in Saudi Arabia continues a tough start to 2022 for the 2020 US Open champion.He tied 25th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions during the first event of the year, withdrew before the start of the Sony Open in Hawaii citing a wrist injury, and missed the cut at Farmers Insurance Open last week.It was his first missed cut since last July.

Jacob Lev, CNN

2022-02-03 03:38:05

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/sport/hue-jackson-nfl-cleveland-browns-spt/index.html

Cleveland Browns deny Hue Jackson was incentivized for losses as head coach - CNN

The Cleveland Browns on Wednesday denied claims made by former head coach Hue Jackson that he was rewarded monetarily for losing games in order to get a higher pick in the NFL Draft.

sport, Cleveland Browns deny Hue Jackson was incentivized for losses as head coach - CNN

Cleveland Browns deny Hue Jackson was incentivized for losses when he was head coach

(CNN)The Cleveland Browns on Wednesday denied claims made by former head coach Hue Jackson that he was rewarded monetarily for losing games in order to get a higher pick in the NFL Draft."The recent comments by Hue Jackson and his representatives relating to his tenure as our head coach are completely fabricated," a Browns' spokesperson said in a statement. "Any accusation that any member of our organization was incentivized to deliberately lose games is categorically false."Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores describes being offered money to lose gamesJackson, who was fired by Browns during the 2018 season, said in a tweet that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was "happy while we kept losing." The tweet came after attorneys for former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filing a racial discrimination lawsuit that also alleges Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted to pay him $100,000 for intentionally losing games.In response to a tweet saying Haslam wasn't offering Jackson $100,000 for every loss, Jackson responded, "Trust me it was a good number!," implying he was paid to lose.Read MoreJackson appeared on ESPN on Wednesday and clarified his remarks on Twitter."We were paid for it," Jackson said. "You're going to see it as losing, but the way the team was built there was no chance to win at a high level." Jackson told ESPN, "I wasn't offered $100,000 for every game but there was a substantial amount of money made within what happened in the situation every year at the end of it and I didn't really truly understand why until all those numbers, and you add it up and you go 'What is this?' Jackson went 3-36-1 during his tenure in Cleveland, including going 1-15 in his first season and 0-16 in his second. Because of their league-worst record, the Browns had the first pick in the draft in back-to-back years."You take jobs to win, your contract says win, so you don't get paid for losing. And then here I am after being 1-31, I'm kept a third year and given a contract extension that nobody knew. So that should tell everybody something right there," Jackson told ESPN. Jackson pointed out the "same people who are involved in all these transactions are still running the organization today. So, that means they must have been doing something right through all that losing."Jackson said he has had talks with the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell regarding what was going on with the team. Kimberly Diemert, the executive director of the Hue Jackson Foundation, said in a tweet that she had records that would help Flores' case. Diemert also alleged the Browns paid bonus money to Jackson and three front office executives to tank and claimed that Goodell and the league knew about it and covered it up.In response to Diemert's tweet, Jackson said, "I stand with Brian Flores. I can back up every word I'm saying."I stand with Brian Flores. I can back up every word i'm saying.— Hue Jackson (@huejack10) February 2, 2022 Jackson said on ESPN that he would be willing to join Flores' class-action lawsuit, saying, "I'm not afraid to stand behind Brian when it comes to anything, because I know what our men go through, and I don't want this for the men that come behind me, at all.CNN has reached out to the NFL and Hue Jackson Foundation for comment.Jackson was hired in December as the head coach at Grambling State University. Correction: An earlier version of this story gave the wrong year for when the Cleveland Browns fired Hue Jackson. It was during the 2018 season.

Christina Maxouris, CNN

2022-02-04 02:29:48

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/sport/nfl-teams-respond-brian-flores-allegations-spt/index.html

Here's how the Giants, Broncos and Dolphins responded to Flores' suit - CNN

In a lawsuit that rocked America's most popular sport this week, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores accused the NFL and three of its teams of racial discrimination -- allegations they strongly deny.

sport, Here's how the Giants, Broncos and Dolphins responded to Flores' suit - CNN

Here's how the 3 NFL teams that Brian Flores accused of racial discrimination have responded

(CNN)In a lawsuit that rocked America's most popular sport this week, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores accused the NFL and three of its teams of racial discrimination -- allegations they strongly deny.Brian Flores, who is accusing the NFL of racial discrimination, is not one to back downFlores, who is Black, alleges in the class-action suit that the New York Giants interviewed him for the head coaching job as a ruse, having already decided on Brian Daboll, to show NFL leadership and the public they were abiding by diversity efforts.He was subjected to another "sham interview" in 2019 with the Denver Broncos, Flores alleges, to which team leadership showed up late, looking "disheveled" and like "they had been drinking heavily the night before."Flores also alleges Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross offered to pay him to purposely lose games in order to secure a higher pick in the NFL draft and encouraged him to violate league tampering rules. Flores says when he refused, Ross led a campaign to treat him with "disdain and held out as someone who was noncompliant and difficult to work with."The NFL refuted the allegations in Tuesday's lawsuit, saying in a statement: "Diversity is core to everything we do."Read MoreHere's how the Giants, Broncos and Dolphins responded this week. New York GiantsThe Giants called Flores' claims about the head coach candidacy "disturbing and simply false" in a Thursday statement.The team interviewed "six exceptional and diverse candidates," the statement said, and decided who would be hired as head coach on January 28, a day after Flores went through his second interview.Nearly 20 years after adopting the Rooney Rule, NFL's racial diversity effort is not what 'my father intended it to be'"The allegation that the Giants' decision had been made prior to Friday evening, January 28, is false," the statement said. Flores' suit claims he found out about the Giants' alleged decision to hire Daboll three days before his interview, when he received a congratulatory text from New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick that was sent in error.That text exchange occurred before Daboll's in-person interview, the Giants' statement said. The team added they would "never hire a head coach based only on a 20-minute Zoom interview, which is all that Mr. Daboll had at that point."They further claimed they did their research and due diligence when weighing Flores' candidacy and said the decision to hire Daboll came at the end of an "open and thorough interview process.""Our hiring process and, most certainly, our consideration of Mr. Flores was serious and genuine," the statement said. "We are disappointed to learn that Mr. Flores was under the mistaken impression the job had already been awarded."Denver BroncosThe Broncos challenged Flores' lawsuit on Tuesday, calling his allegations "blatantly false." John Elway, the team's president of football operations, released his own statement Thursday, calling the claims "false and defamatory".Elway added he chose to release a public response because he could not "be silent any longer with my character, integrity and professionalism being attacked."Here are some of the notable passages in Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFLElway said he took Flores "very seriously" as a head coach candidate in 2019 and was "prepared, ready and fully engaged" during their three-and-a-half hour interview, as were the others who participated."It's unfortunate and shocking to learn for the first time this week that Brian felt differently about our interview with him," Elway said. "For Brian to make an assumption about my appearance and state of mind early that morning was subjective, hurtful and just plain wrong. If I appeared 'disheveled,' as he claimed, it was because we had flown in during the middle of the night -- immediately following another interview in Denver -- and were going on a few hours of sleep to meet the only window provided to us," he added. Elway said he interview the head coach hopeful "in good faith" and gave him the same consideration and opportunity as everyone else. Miami Dolphins The Dolphins have also "vehemently" denied the allegations of discrimination while praising their organization's "diversity and inclusion." Team owner Ross provided his own statement on Wednesday, saying as a "man of honor and integrity," he could not let Flores' allegations stand without responding. "I take great personal exception to these malicious attacks, and the truth must be known. His allegations are false, malicious and defamatory," Ross' statement read."We understand there are media reports stating that the NFL intends to investigate his claims, and we will cooperate fully. I welcome that investigation and I am eager to defend my personal integrity, and the integrity and values of the entire Miami Dolphins organization, from these baseless, unfair and disparaging claims," it added. CNN's Kevin Dotson, Jacob Lev and David Close contributed to this report.

David J. Lopez and Travis Caldwell, CNN

2022-02-04 04:57:04

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/sport/jacksonville-jaguars-doug-pederson-nfl-head-coach-hire-spt/index.html

Doug Pederson: Jacksonville Jaguars hire former Super Bowl champion as new head coach - CNN

The Jacksonville Jaguars named Doug Pederson as their head coach on Thursday -- the first such hire in the NFL since former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores initiated a class-action lawsuit against the league alleging racial discrimination in its hiring practices.

sport, Doug Pederson: Jacksonville Jaguars hire former Super Bowl champion as new head coach - CNN

Jacksonville Jaguars announce hiring of former Super Bowl champion Doug Pederson as new head coach

(CNN)The Jacksonville Jaguars named Doug Pederson as their head coach on Thursday -- the first such hire in the NFL since former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores initiated a class-action lawsuit against the league alleging racial discrimination in its hiring practices. Pederson enters the role with head coaching championship experience. His Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in 2018 for the title, yet he was fired by the team at the end of the 2020-21 season and has not coached in the league since. Before becoming a head coach, Pederson played quarterback in the NFL and was on the Green Bay Packers squad that won Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores sues NFL and 3 NFL teams alleging racial discrimination"Doug Pederson four years ago won a Super Bowl as head coach of a franchise in pursuit of its first world championship," Jaguars team owner Shad Khan said. "I hope Doug can replicate that magic here in Jacksonville, but what is certain is his proven leadership and experience as a winning head coach in the National Football League. It's exactly what our players deserve. Nothing less." The job is the fifth head coach opening to be filled this year -- all by White men. One out of 28 head coaches employed in the NFL is Black -- Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Read MoreFour job openings officially remain, with one likely already filled: Multiple reports say the Minnesota Vikings will name Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell their head coach after the Rams play in the Super Bowl. O'Connell is White.The hiring of Pederson comes two days after Flores, who is Black, sued the NFL, the Dolphins and two other teams, the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos. The Dolphins fired Flores last month.The 58-page lawsuit castigates the culture of the NFL and the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview two external minority candidates for head coaching positions. The lawsuit says the rule hasn't worked to increase the hiring of coaches of color.The NFL and all three teams deny wrongdoing, with the league calling the allegations "meritless."Roughly 70% of the players in the NFL are Black. There are two other non-Black minority coaches -- one of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent and one of Lebanese descent.CNN's Jill Martin contributed to this report.

Ben Church, CNN

2022-02-04 11:20:30

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/04/football/mohamed-salah-sadio-mane-afcon-egypt-senegal-spt-intl/index.html

AFCON: Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to face off in final - CNN

Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will come face to face in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final after Egypt booked its place in Sunday's game.

football, AFCON: Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to face off in final - CNN

Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to face off in AFCON final

(CNN)Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will come face to face in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final after Egypt booked its place in Sunday's game. Mane's Senegal was awaiting the winner of Thursday's semifinal between Cameroon and Egypt and, despite the host having the better chances, it was the Pharaohs who progressed on penalties. Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal produced two brilliant saves in the shootout before Cameroon's Clinton Njie fired his penalty wide of the post to send Egypt through after a goalless draw. Egypt will now be bidding for a record-extending eighth AFCON title while Senegal looks to win its first. Sunday's final will also be the first of three matches between the two sides in the coming months with the teams pitted against each other in a two-legged playoff for a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar. Read MoreBoth Salah and Mane have spearheaded Liverpool's success in recent seasons and they now carry the hopes of their nations on their backs. Neither have been in lightning form during this year's tournament but both have still scored goals, Mane netting three times and Salah twice. READ: The tiny island nation of Comoros at the Africa Cup of NationsMohamed Salah celebrates with teammates after winning the penalty shootout. 'Experience' is key Senegal last reached an AFCON final in 2019, eventually losing 1-0 to Algeria, and the current crop of players will certainly be feeling the weight of expectation to finally end the country's wait for a title. The current team -- the top-ranked side on the continent -- is full of talented players, representing clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich."Experience is a good asset," Mane said. Honduras players forced off due to 'extreme climate conditions' in World Cup qualifier against US"I think that has always been the case since the start of this tournament. We suffered so much with a lot of Covid cases and several injuries too."We had a very difficult time, but with our experience, we kept calm until we recovered the whole group."We played a final last time, so we have experience and we will try to win this trophy."Egypt, meanwhile, have surprised many by making it so far in the tournament and have scraped through games without producing much exciting football. Perhaps crucially, Egypt will be without manager Carlos Queiroz on the sideline for the final after the former Manchester United assistant was sent off for arguing with the referee in Thursday's match. Queiroz has been pivotal in making this Egyptian side hard to beat but will now watch from behind the scenes as the country looks to make yet more history. It will once again look to rely on Salah who has been one of the best players in the world this season. "We are happy, it's true, but we have not yet reached the final objective," Egypt's assistant coach, Diaa Elsayed, said after the match. "I can also add that our background is also due to the presence of one of the great players, namely Mohamed Salah. A very essential player in our team and who remains the centerpiece for us."Salah posted videos to his Instagram story of the Egyptian players celebrating their semifinal victory on the team bus, but he will be looking to go one further to establish himself further as a serial winner.

Jacob Lev, CNN

2022-02-04 14:34:04

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/04/us/lia-thomas-ncaa-transgender-policy-letter/index.html

Lia Thomas: 16 UPenn swimmers ask school not to challenge transgender policy that could block teammate from competing - CNN

Letter on behalf of 16 members of UPenn swim team asks school to not challenge NCAA transgender athlete policy

sport, Lia Thomas: 16 UPenn swimmers ask school not to challenge transgender policy that could block teammate from competing - CNN

16 UPenn swimmers ask school not to challenge transgender policy that could block teammate Lia Thomas from competing

(CNN)A letter written on behalf of 16 members of the University of Pennsylvania's swim team was sent to the university and the Ivy League on Thursday asking that they not pursue legal action to challenge the NCAA's new transgender athlete participation policies.The letter was written by Nancy Hogshead-Makar, CEO of Champion Women and an Olympic champion in swimming, on behalf of 16 members of swim team. The NCAA's new policies could potentially block swimmer Lia Thomas from competing in March's NCAA championships. Read MoreThomas, a transgender woman who swims for the Quakers women's swim team, won the women's 100- and 200-yard freestyle at Harvard last month and set record times on the women's team this season. She had previously competed on the men's swimming team at Penn and underwent two years of hormone therapy.In the letter obtained by CNN, the swim team members say they feel that she holds an "unfair advantage over competition." USA Swimming issues new policy on elite transgender athletes "We fully support Lia Thomas in her decision to affirm her gender identity and to transition from a man to a woman. Lia has every right to live her life authentically," the letter says. "However, we also recognize that when it comes to sports competition, that the biology of sex is a separate issue from someone's gender identity. Biologically, Lia holds an unfair advantage over competition in the women's category, as evidenced by her rankings that have bounced from #462 as a male to #1 as a female." The identities of the teammates were not revealed. The new NCAA policy states that transgender athletes will now have mandatory testosterone testing, starting with the 2022-23 academic year -- at the beginning of their season and again six months later, according to rules approved this week by the NCAA Board of Governors. Additionally, they will need to be tested four weeks before championship selections. JUST WATCHEDTransgender pro athlete weighs in on sports inclusion controversy (2021)ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHTransgender pro athlete weighs in on sports inclusion controversy (2021) 06:56 The NCAA previously required that transgender women have testosterone suppression treatment for a year before competing on a women's team. Penn Athletics said it will work with the NCAA regarding Thomas' participation in the 2022 swimming and diving championship in March.The Ivy league said it does not "publicly respond to letters submitted to our office."CNN contacted the school for comment but did not immediately hear back before this story was published. The letter comes after multiple members of the UPenn swim and diving team voiced their support of Thomas earlier this week. State Department backs Team USA athletes' freedom of expression in Beijing"We want to express our full support for Lia in her transition," the athletes said via ESPN. "We value her as a person, teammate, and friend. The sentiments put forward by an anonymous member of our team are not representative of the feelings, values, and opinions of the entire Penn team, composed of 39 women with diverse backgrounds." UPenn is next scheduled to compete February 16-19 at the Ivy League Championships at Harvard. Thomas has qualified for the NCAA championships, which are scheduled for March 16-19 in Atlanta.

Faith Karimi, CNN

2022-02-03 01:05:36

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/us/brian-flores-coach-nfl-profile-cec/index.html

Who is Brian Flores, the ex-coach accusing the NFL of racial discrimination? - CNN

Brian Flores grew up in a tough part of Brooklyn and worked long hours in his first football job as a scouting assistant. Now he's taking on the NFL -- and facing an uncertain future.

sport, Who is Brian Flores, the ex-coach accusing the NFL of racial discrimination? - CNN

Brian Flores, who is accusing the NFL of racial discrimination, is not one to back down

(CNN)On February 4, 2019, the Miami Dolphins introduced Brian Flores as the team's 13th head coach at a press conference full of smiles and heady talk about the team's future. It was the day after Flores had won his third Super Bowl as a longtime assistant coach with the New England Patriots, and his new boss sang his praises. "Two things that stand out immediately when you meet Brian are his football intelligence and leadership skills," Dolphins' general manager Chris Grier said. "Brian is widely respected throughout the NFL ... Brian sets a high standard for his players and coaches and we are completely aligned with our vision on how to build a successful organization."Three years later, things look very different. Even though Flores led the Dolphins to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in almost two decades, the team fired him last month. This week Flores sued the NFL and three of its teams, including the Dolphins, alleging racial discrimination. Read MoreFlores, 40, who is Black, told CNN his three children are part of the reason he filed the lawsuit."I have two sons, eight and seven. I got a five-year-old daughter," he said. "When I look at them, I don't want them to go through some of the things I have had to go through."Few things in Flores' life have come easy.Brian Flores arrives for a news conference announcing his hiring as the new Miami Dolphins head coach on February 4, 2019. Growing up in Brooklyn made him tough Flores is a child of Honduran immigrants and grew up in Brownsville, a neighborhood of east Brooklyn, New York, that's long been plagued by poverty and crime.He has described his mother as loving but strict. He and his brothers were expected to come straight home from school and immediately start on their homework."My parents immigrated here in the '70s and they came here to build a better life for me, my brothers and my entire family," he said at the Dolphins' 2019 press conference. "They worked hard, extremely hard. We didn't grow up with a lot but what I did grow up with -- and I feel like this is lost in a lot of the stories -- is that I had a great childhood." Even so, the family faced challenges. They lived in a 20th-floor apartment in a public housing building. Sometimes, Flores once told a Florida columnist, the elevator didn't work and they had to use the stairs.An ESPN profile of Flores said both his younger brothers were mugged at knifepoint in Brownsville, and the family heard gunfire in the streets almost every night. Brian Flores with his wife, Jennifer, their daughter Liliana and their sons Miles and Maxwell. "I was tested many times," Flores told ESPN in 2018. "I never backed down from anybody. If people see you're scared, or as somebody who backs down, you're going to deal with it every day. That was my thing. I didn't back down from anybody or any situation. Football, school, anything."Flores began playing football at age 12. His ability got him noticed by a coach at Poly Prep Country Day, a private school in Brooklyn that offered him a scholarship. By his sophomore year, he was one of the team's stars.Flores has said Brownsville helped steel him for a career in football."It shaped me in a lot of ways," he told ESPN. "It made me tough. I learned how to deal with adversity, and it motivated me to get out of there."He helped build a winning tradition with the New England Patriots Spurning other offers, Flores chose to play linebacker at Boston College, where he was part of four bowl-winning teams. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in administrative studies. An injury late in his senior year torpedoed his chances of auditioning for an NFL team. But he was hired by the Patriots in 2004 as a scouting assistant. He told Sports Illustrated the job demanded long hours and didn't pay much -- about $20,000. He slept on an air mattress in a friend's attic.Eventually he was promoted to a scout and then an assistant coach under Bill Belichick.Flores' expertise was defense. He coached safeties and linebackers for six years, then was promoted to calling defensive plays during games.In all he spent 15 years with the Patriots, during which time the franchise won four Super Bowls. Flores has said that while working with the Patriots' safeties he began to see the effect he was having on the players, which got him thinking about becoming a head coach. "I could see them developing not only on the field but off the field, and their relationships with their families, with their wives and with their kids, and it felt like I was really making an impact," he said in 2019. "I'll say this -- I was very demanding with that group, but they knew I cared, they knew I loved them, they knew I respected them."A month after he was hired by the Dolphins, Flores' mother Maria died of cancer. He had called her before every one of his games with the Patriots."The one thing I have peace in," he told Sports Illustrated shortly before she died, "is that I know I have done everything possible to make her proud and to make her happy."Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins walks the field prior to the game against the New England Patriots in January. Flores says Black people in many fields feel pressure to be exceptionalFlores' lawsuit has sent shock waves through the NFL, which has long faced scrutiny for its record on hiring minorities as coaches. In a league where roughly 70% of the players are Black, there is only one Black current head coach. There are two other non-Black minority coaches in the NFL: one of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, and one of Lebanese descent. Five other teams are looking for a head coach. In his lawsuit Flores accused the New York Giants of interviewing him last month for their vacant head coach job under "sham" circumstances. Three days before the interview, Flores said he received a congratulatory text message from Belichick, his old boss in New England, that was intended for Brian Daboll, who got the Giants job. JUST WATCHEDEx-NFL coach speaks out about 'humiliating' Bill Belichick textReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHEx-NFL coach speaks out about 'humiliating' Bill Belichick text 02:57Flores said he felt humiliated and angry when he found out he'd been invited for an interview even though the team had already decided on Daboll."I would say I felt similar pressures that Black people feel in all fields, not just football," he told CNN this week. "That we have to do more, that we have to be better, that we have to be exceptional just to stay on a level playing field."The NFL has called Flores' allegations meritless, saying the league is "deeply committed to ensuring equitable employment practices" and that "diversity is core to everything we do." The Dolphins, Giants and Denver Broncos also have denied the lawsuit's allegations. Now his life and career are at a crossroadsFlores' future in the NFL appears complicated. He remains a candidate for other NFL coaching jobs, but has said he won't drop the lawsuit if he gets hired by a team in the next few days.He could be back on the sidelines next season or ostracized by the league, as some believe former quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been.One expert believes Flores' lawsuit will create obstacles for him in pro football."In his heart, he knows he's a professional coach and he belongs in the NFL," said Louis Moore, an associate professor of civil rights and sports history at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. "He just wants the NFL to know that, and he wants the NFL to believe guys that look like him belong, too. But I also think he knows this is the end of the road for him (in the league)."Moore told CNN he believes Flores' stand will long be remembered as a key moment in pro sports."For future Black coaches, hopefully this will mean more opportunities," Moore said. "But the real change ... will be when others ... change their thinking on hiring candidates."Flores told CNN this week he understands the risk he is taking with his lawsuit. But he said it's important to him to take what he feels is a principled stand. And, sooner or later, he hopes to coach in the NFL again.

Gianluca Mezzofiore and Tim Lister, CNN

2022-02-02 12:29:53

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/europe/russia-troops-ukraine-buildup-satellite-images-intl/index.html

New satellite images show buildup of Russian military around Ukraine border - CNN

More evidence has emerged of a steady build-up of Russian military equipment and deployments around Ukraine, with new satellite images revealing a further expansion of the military presence at multiple locations in Belarus, Crimea and western Russia.

europe, New satellite images show buildup of Russian military around Ukraine border - CNN

New satellite images show buildup of Russian military around Ukraine

Zaporozhzia, Ukraine (CNN)More evidence has emerged of a steady build-up of Russian military equipment and deployments around Ukraine, with new satellite images revealing a further expansion of the military presence at multiple locations in Belarus, Crimea and western Russia.Russian forces have moved into Belarus in the last two weeks. The Russian and Belarus defense ministries say the deployments are ahead of a major training exercise this month.The imagery was collected and analyzed by Maxar. In an accompanying note, Maxar said the deployments "reflect an increased level of activity and readiness."Maxar and other satellite imagery providers said they have noticed the expansion of existing Russian military training grounds and garrisons within some 150 miles of the Ukrainian border over the last few months.Vladimir Putin says the West has 'ignored' Russia's key concerns over UkraineSome are within a few miles of the border.Read MoreMaxar said the most recent images show a new phase of Russian activity.It said that previously, "in most cases, few troops or new housing for additional personnel were observed near the deployments, suggesting that some of the units may have been pre-positioned or forward deployed."That has begun to change."During the past couple of weeks, several new significant military deployments have been observed in Belarus," Maxar said."Also, troop tents/shelters for personnel have been seen at virtually every deployment location in Belarus, Crimea and western Russia, which suggests that the units are now accompanied with troops and have increased their overall readiness level."Maxar compared images from September and late January of the same military camp at Novoozerne in Crimea. The images show a significant increase in activity, with an area of tents being erected.New satellite images show buildup of Russian military around Ukraine.This satellite image shows an increased presence of Russian military equipment.Two battle groups, tanks, artillery and tents are seen at the Pogonovo training area in Voronezh, Russia. Armored units and support equipment are seen in Yelnya, Russia.That implies the camp is ready to house troops, although there is no evidence of troops arriving as of now.Maxar also note that "local military training activity (including live-fire artillery and maneuver training) has been observed in progress at numerous training areas."The imagery shows impact craters at two training areas in Russia: Pogonovo and Persianovsky. Persianovsky is some 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the Ukrainian border. Pogonovo is some 150 miles (220 kilometers) from the border.This image from January 28, 2022 shows impact craters at the Persianovsky training ground in Russia. This image of the Osipovichi training area in central Belarus shows the deployment of Iskander short-range ballistic missiles.Konrad Muzyka, a defense analyst focusing on Russia and Belarus at Rochan Consulting, an aerospace and defense consultancy, said he believes there are now between 74 and 76 Russian battalion tactical groups (BTGs) ranged around Ukraine.Battalion tactical groups typically comprise of about 1,000 soldiers, along with support units.Muzyka says that since the first week of January, Russia has been moving its forces from the Eastern Military District -- thousands of miles away in Siberia -- to Western Russia and Belarus."The size of this deployment is significant, perhaps as many as 15-20 BTGs," Muzyka wrote in a note. He also said that Russian Ground Forces have deployed units that include Iskander short-range ballistic missiles to Belarus and parts of Russia close to Ukraine. He calculates there are at least 48 launchers near Ukraine.While Russian capabilities and movements can often be observed, the Kremlin's intentions are much more difficult to read. US President Joe Biden said last week that an invasion of Ukraine in February is "a distinct possibility."UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said that "it is highly likely that [President Putin] is likely to invade Ukraine." "There is a real threat of invasion, but we don't know what's going to happen," she told the BBC on January 30.The Kremlin has consistently denied that it has any plans to invade Ukraine.CNN's Gianluca Mezzofiore reported from London and CNN's Tim Lister reported from Zaporozhzia, Ukraine.

Analysis by Nick Paton Walsh, CNN International Security Editor

2022-02-03 09:36:30

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/europe/putin-ukraine-options-intl-cmd/index.html

Five things Putin could do to Ukraine that don't involve outright invasion - CNN

A week ago, the White House claimed Russia's invasion of Ukraine was "imminent." But there are other options available to Vladimir Putin.

europe, Five things Putin could do to Ukraine that don't involve outright invasion - CNN

Five things Putin could do to Ukraine that don't involve outright invasion

(CNN)A week ago, the White House claimed Russia's invasion of Ukraine was "imminent." But it hasn't happened yet, and the clock is ticking. In a few weeks, the ice may have begun to thaw -- or it could still be thick enough for Russian armor to roll across without getting swamped. It depends on the vagaries of Ukraine's winter -- and which weather site you are looking at. JUST WATCHEDUkrainian athlete explains how Russia-Ukraine tensions are playing out at OlympicsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHUkrainian athlete explains how Russia-Ukraine tensions are playing out at Olympics 02:41On Friday, Beijing's Winter Olympics are due to begin, and Russian President Vladimir Putin may not choose to spoil his friend Xi Jinping's games by starting a conflict thousands of miles away and distracting the world's attention. Coupled with that, Russia's critics and advocates alike agree that a full-scale invasion -- of the depth and pace the Biden administration seem convinced is going to happen -- could be catastrophic. So, what else could Putin do?Read More1. NothingMuch Western analysis of Putin's options revolves around his temperament -- which some perceive as opportunistic and driven by resentment -- and his apparent isolation from the full facts. It hinges on how his information intake is fed by the tight cabal which surrounds him, supplying him with imbalanced and incomplete data on how successful each of the strategic options in front of him might be, and how survivable any Western response could prove. Ukraine-Russia crisis: How soon might a war be and what would it look like?But that same cabal might also be capable of persuading him that no response is acceptable -- and that doing nothing looks both tactically wise and geopolitically strong. Kremlin outsiders have concluded that Moscow needs to do something in order to avoid looking weak. But insiders might convince themselves -- and their decision-maker -- that the opposite is, in fact, the case: That it is best NOT to act.2. Something we have not thought ofThis may be unthinkable to the cottage industry of war-gamers pondering the prospects of an imminent conflict, but when Putin rose from nowhere to power in the late 1990s, invaded Chechnya in 1999, used a mysterious gas to end the Moscow theater siege in 2002, arrested Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky in 2003, took Crimea in 2014, joined the Syrian conflict in 2015 (you get the idea...) he defied expectations and predictions. It is of course contradictory to try and predict what his next move might therefore be, but Putin has a lot of options for ways to make his mark without invading a neighbor. Central Asia remains chaotic, and its despots are perhaps open to more interventions, such as the one seen recently in Kazakhstan. Afghanistan is in turmoil. The Arctic is a place Russia cares deeply about and has a territorial advantage over. Sweden's Gotland and Norway's Svalbard are islands that have been on edge because of Russia's earlier military abruptness. South America, too, contains many opportunities for the Kremlin to disrupt the status quo.In short: The options are manifold, and Putin's ability to surprise is long-established.3. Seek a settlement over eastern Ukraine's separatist areasThis is by far the worst option for both sides. Peace talks over the status of the Donbas have stalled, partly as Moscow tends not to act in good faith, and partly as Kyiv is reluctant to agree to a deal which may tacitly acknowledge ceding control to Russia over the two separatist enclaves in its east (and why should it?).JUST WATCHEDHow does Russia's army compare with Ukraine's?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHHow does Russia's army compare with Ukraine's? 02:25The Minsk process -- in which European powers seek to encourage a permanent settlement -- may get a new lease of life. Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, may even talk briefly. But it is tough domestically for either side to give ground. Moscow can't -- either ideologically or practically -- unwind its proxies in the Donbas easily: They are too entrenched, as is their rhetoric about rights to the land.4. Recognize the separatist enclaves in eastern UkraineThis is something the Russian parliament -- often a rubber-stamp to Kremlin initiatives -- has suggested is an option even this week, though what form the recognition might take is unclear. Would the self-declared Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics become part of Russia? Or separate entities altogether, supported by their huge creator and neighbor? Recognition could be matched with Russian "peacekeepers" to provide protection from Ukrainian forces. In truth, though, this is a lose-lose situation for the Kremlin. It might provide a brief moment of self-assertion, but it could result in damaging sanctions from the United States and mean the economic mess of the two enclaves is entirely owned by Moscow. Putting Russian troops on the frontline would also risk dragging Russia into a full-blown war, if any were killed on the often-febrile line of contact.Ukrainian soldiers walk toward a destroyed building in Marinka, Ukraine in December. 5. Leave thousands of troops in BelarusThe US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said Monday that Russia currently has 5,000 troops in Belarus, and by early February may have has many as 30,000. This is a strategic gain telegraphed by Putin's recent moves in defense of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. As Russian assistance poured in to help quash protests there, and Moscow stood firmly by the Minsk leader -- despite his ambiguous stance towards Russia over the past decade -- many predicted Putin would want payback. The joint exercises between Russian and Belarusian troops may just peter out with Putin deciding to leave some -- or all -- of this force in place. White House says it's no longer calling potential Russian invasion of Ukraine 'imminent'It could help menace Kyiv over the years ahead, since the Ukrainian capital is just two unimpeded hours away from the Belarusian border. It could loom large over NATO members Poland to the west, and even the Baltics to the north. It would effectively subsume Belarus, Russia's smaller, weaker neighbor, whose strongman leader is an international pariah, crushing dissent with ugly, persistent cruelty. It is something Moscow could sell as a gain, and for which the US and its allies have yet to articulate a real position. JUST WATCHED'Not permanent moves': Pentagon discusses European troop deploymentReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH'Not permanent moves': Pentagon discusses European troop deployment 03:52How can Washington, with troops spread across Europe's NATO members, criticize Putin for responding to an "invitation" to leave thousands of his troops in its ally Belarus? It's a win -- and one which would leave Ukraine's security in a far worse place than it was three months ago, when all the invasion noise began, without any real consequences for Moscow.Putin's next move is -- as the White House keeps insisting -- up to him. But there are defter alternatives than a full invasion, and the Russian President has a track record of unanticipated, brutal subtlety.

CNN Sport staff

2022-02-02 17:21:23

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/sport/miami-dolphins-brian-flores-lose-games-spt-intl/index.html

Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores describes being offered money to lose games - CNN

In his Tuesday lawsuit, former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores alleged Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross offered to pay Flores to purposely lose games in order to secure a higher pick in the NFL draft and encouraged Flores to purposely violate league tampering rules.

sport, Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores describes being offered money to lose games - CNN

Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores describes being offered money to lose games

(CNN)In his Tuesday lawsuit, former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores alleged Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross offered to pay Flores to purposely lose games in order to secure a higher pick in the NFL draft and encouraged Flores to purposely violate league tampering rules.Flores described the situation on CNN Wednesday morning. The former Miami head coach was asked if Ross explicitly told him he would give Flores $100,000 for each game he would lose: "Yes he did. That's not something you make up... there were several conversations about, 'Take a vacation. We don't need to win right now. You're going to keep your job. You've signed a contract.' "I've got a group of men in that locker room that I need to look them in the eye and ... let them know I'm helping them reach their potential, we're trying to win games. I was never going to stand for that. I would say that strained a lot of the relationships in Miami." Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores sues NFL and 3 NFL teams alleging racial discriminationFlores said his refusal to accept money to lose and refusal to tamper with players contributed to him being fired. "Absolutely. 100%. I think that strained a lot of the relationships and not necessarily in the building. Read More"I implore people to talk to the people in the Miami Dolphins building. From a culture standpoint and from a relationship standpoint, I go out of my way to try to make people feel appreciated and that was certainly the case. I'm looking forward to hearing those people speak about their relationships with me."Via the Dolphins' organization, Ross released a statement denying Flores' claims. "With regards to the allegations being made by Brian Flores, I am a man of honor and integrity and cannot let them stand without responding. I take great personal exception to these malicious attacks, and the truth must be known. His allegations are false, malicious and defamatory," Ross said."We understand there are media reports stating that the NFL intends to investigate his claims, and we will cooperate fully. I welcome that investigation and I am eager to defend my personal integrity, and the integrity and values of the entire Miami Dolphins organization, from these baseless, unfair and disparaging claims."The Dolphins told CNN in a statement, "We are aware of the lawsuit through the media reports that came out this afternoon. We vehemently deny any allegations of racial discrimination and are proud of the diversity and inclusion throughout our organization. "The implication that we acted in a manner inconsistent with the integrity of the game is incorrect. We will be withholding further comment on the lawsuit at this time."When asked for comment, the NFL told CNN, "The NFL and our clubs are deeply committed to ensuring equitable employment practices and continue to make progress in providing equitable opportunities throughout our organizations. "Diversity is core to everything we do, and there are few issues on which our clubs and our internal leadership team spend more time. We will defend against these claims, which are without merit."

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-03 14:37:29

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/football/david-goodwillie-raith-rovers-apologize-spt-intl/index.html

David Goodwillie: Scottish club Raith Rovers say striker who was ruled to have been a rapist by a judge in a civil case will not be selected days after announcing signing - CNN

Scottish club Raith Rovers have apologized and said that striker David Goodwillie will not play for it just days after announcing his signing.

football, David Goodwillie: Scottish club Raith Rovers say striker who was ruled to have been a rapist by a judge in a civil case will not be selected days after announcing signing - CNN

Scottish club Raith Rovers say striker who was ruled to have been a rapist by a judge in a civil case will not be selected days after announcing signing

(CNN)Scottish club Raith Rovers have apologized and said that striker David Goodwillie will not play for it just days after announcing his signing. Raith announced the signing of Goodwillie on Monday, a decision which was criticized heavily by supporters, as well as by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. In a statement released on behalf of the board of the club on Thursday, chairman John Sim said: "We got it wrong.""This very unfortunate episode is something that we all bitterly regret, and we are now wholly committed to making things right. I can therefore confirm that, following a meeting of the Raith Rovers board, the player will not be selected by Raith Rovers and we will enter into discussions with the player regarding his contractual position."In 2017, Goodwillie was ruled by a civil court judge to have raped a woman along with a former teammate, David Robertson. Goodwillie had been with Clyde and other teams since the 2011 incident. Read More"I firstly want to apologize wholeheartedly to our fans, sponsors, players and the wider Raith Rovers community for the anguish and anger caused over the past few days," Sim said in the statement. "In reaching our original decision, we focused far too much on football matters and not enough on what this decision would mean for our club and the community as a whole. "Over the past couple of days, we listened carefully to the fans who have got in touch and I'm very grateful for their honesty. As chairman, as a board and as a management team, we have all learned a hard but valuable lesson. "We share a desire to do what is best for our club and will be doing everything in our power to regain the trust and confidence of the Raith Rovers family." Ex-Scotland international Goodwillie and Robertson, who has since retired, were ordered to pay £100,000 ($135,000) in damages and ruled to be rapists in a civil court case in Scotland in 2017. Denise Clair, who previously waived her right to anonymity, sued Goodwillie and Robertson civilly. Goodwillie was charged with rape, but several months later, prosecutors announced they would not pursue the case. Robertson was never criminally charged but gave statements to prosecutors as a witness. The Scottish justice system deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring the case to court and the charges against Goodwillie were dropped, though the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority determined Clair had been raped and awarded her $14,868. Clair alleged she was raped at a flat in Armadale, in West Lothian, after a night out in Bathgate in January 2011. Both men admitted in court that they had sexual intercourse with the woman, but that it was consensual. But the presiding judge in the civil case -- Lord Armstrong -- was highly critical of the two players' evidence and determined that the players took advantage of her when she was vulnerable after an excessive intake of alcohol. "Because her cognitive functioning and decision-making processes were so impaired, (she) was incapable of giving meaningful consent, and that they each raped her," he wrote. Goodwillie said at the time he was devastated by the judge's opinion. "I have spent the last six years and every penny I have fighting the allegations against me ... Over two days in the witness box, I spoke honestly and truthfully," he said, in a statement. "I am struggling to understand why the judge has discounted my evidence ..." It was the first civil rape case of its kind in Scotland. An appeal by the pair was dismissed later in the year. In response to Goodwillie's signing, Tyler Rattray, captain of Raith Rovers' ladies' team, announced her intention to quit the club. The women's team also sought permission to separate itself from the club. Crime writer Val McDermid, who is one of Raith Rovers' most famous fans, said she would be canceling her shirt sponsorship of the club, which plays in the second tier of Scottish football.As well as the shirt sponsorship, McDermid has a stand named after her at Raith's Stark's Park stadium.McDermid released a statement following the news Goodwillie would not play for the club, saying she welcomes "this (unsigned) statement from Raith Rovers." Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos"It's a victory of sorts for the hundreds of people who MAKE the club who were appalled at the board's original decision and who were not afraid to speak out. But it's just the first step on a long road back. "The same people who made the decision are still in charge. Those who love and value the club are still on the outside; they need to be on the inside, shaping the future for the community." Raith fan Martin Glass set up a fundraising page after the Goodwillie signing designed to allow fans to donate towards Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline. At the time of this writing, it has raised approximately $16,500 (£12,000).

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-02-03 15:36:14

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/football/honduras-players-forced-off-world-cup-qualifier-usmnt-spt-intl/index.html

Honduras players forced off due to 'extreme climate conditions' in World Cup qualifier against US - CNN

Two players for the Honduras national team were forced off at halftime in Wednesday's 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to the US due to "extreme climate conditions," the federation said.

football, Honduras players forced off due to 'extreme climate conditions' in World Cup qualifier against US - CNN

Honduras players forced off due to 'extreme climate conditions' in World Cup qualifier against US

(CNN)Two players for the Honduras national team were forced off at halftime in Wednesday's 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to the US due to "extreme climate conditions," the federation said.In total, three players -- Luis Lopez, Romell Quioto and Diego Rodriguez -- were substituted during the interval as the temperature at Minnesota's Allianz Field stadium reportedly dropped to one degree Fahrenheit (minus 17 degrees Celsius) when the match kicked off, with a wind chill of minus 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 25.5 Celsius)."Two players of the national team did not return to the second half of the qualifying game against the USA due to the extreme weather conditions prevailing in the stadium," the Honduras football federation wrote on Twitter.The US has come in for criticism for moving the match to Minnesota, with Honduras head coach Hernan Dario Gomez calling it an "inconceivable" decision.READ: Christian Eriksen joins Brentford after suffering cardiac arrest at Euro 2020Read MoreUS head coach Gregg Berhalter said they provided Honduras with warm weather gear."It's a match that is not going to dictate many things to me," Gomez said after the game. "It's unusual, inconceivable that a powerful team in every sense of the word would bring you here to play a match to get a result."I have the boys in the dressing room in discomfort, there are some on IV drips. Football is not for suffering. Playing like this is no good."However, US head coach Gregg Berhalter said that his players regularly have to contend with stifling conditions when they travel abroad to play World Cup qualifiers. "When we go down to those countries, it's 90 degrees and 90% dew point and it's unbearable humidity and guys are getting dehydrated and cramping up and getting heat exhaustion, that's the nature of our competition," he said."When we schedule this game in this location, you have to go by average temperatures, daily average temperatures, and it was the best guess. We want to minimize travel. We knew we were going to be playing in cold weather in two of the games and we figured to do it in the third game as well, instead of switching climates.A fan tries to stay warm during the match."The cold spell came through and it's something we can't control but all we can do once that happens is try to mitigate the risk by having warm weather gear and going out there and competing and we did that."Berhalter added that the federation provided Honduras' players and staff -- and the officiating team -- with warm weather gear "to make it a safe environment for them to play."The result was a much-needed win for the US as it remains in the second automatic qualifying spot, extending its lead over Panama -- which lost to Mexico -- in the playoff place to four points.Honduras remains bottom of the CONCACAF group with just three points.

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-02-03 11:06:31

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/football/senegal-afcon-final-cameroon-or-egypt-await-spt-intl/index.html

AFCON: Senegal beats Burkina Faso to book spot in final as Cameroon or Egypt await - CNN

Senegal booked its place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Wednesday with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Burkina Faso.

football, AFCON: Senegal beats Burkina Faso to book spot in final as Cameroon or Egypt await - CNN

AFCON: Senegal beats Burkina Faso to book spot in final as Cameroon or Egypt await

(CNN)Senegal booked its place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Wednesday with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Burkina Faso.Abdou Diallo broke the deadlock with a scrappy goal on 70 minutes, turning the ball home following a corner kick, before an error in the Burkinabe defense allowed Sadio Mane to set up Idrissa Gueye.However, Burkina Faso refused to go down without a fight and Blati Toure gave The Stallions a glimmer of hope with eight minutes remaining, using his knee to divert Issa Kabore's cross past Edouard Mendy in the Senegalese goal.But with Burkina Faso chasing a late equalizer, Mane exposed the defense on the counterattack and chipped the ball over the onrushing Farid Ouedraogo to seal the win for The Lions of Teranga."It shows you the momentum we have," Mane said after the match. "We knew it was not going to be at all easy to get to two straight AFCON finals, but the most important for us now is to go all the way and win it, whoever we come up against.Read More"We were up against a really good Burkina side who caused us a lot of problems. We expected a tough game, and it was, but we stayed calm and created lots of chances. I think we deserved to win tonight."READ: 'We've got a chance to win it all!' -- NBA superstar Joel Embiid discusses his love of Cameroon at the Africa Cup of NationsSenegal players celebrate after Abdou Diallo opened the scoring.Despite the country producing numerous talented players over the years, Senegal has remarkably never won an AFCON title. Aliou Cisse's side also reached the final in 2019, eventually losing 1-0 to Algeria and the current crop of players will certainly be feeling the weight of expectation to finally end Senegal's AFCON heartache.The current team -- the top-ranked side on the continent -- is full of talented players, representing clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich."I think you can see on my face how happy I am which is completely normal," Mane added. "I am really proud personally and very happy for myself, my teammates and the country."Mane said he and his teammates had "no preference" to which side they would rather face in Sunday's final, with either Egypt or Cameroon awaiting them.Egypt reached the semifinals with a 2-1 extra time win over Morocco, while Cameroon beat The Gambia 2-0.Cameroon's forward Vincent Aboubakar is the tournament's top goalscorer.The Pharaohs have some considerable injury concerns at the back, with stalwart defender Ahmed Hegazi out for the remainder of the tournament and the team's first and second choice goalkeepers also missing due to injury.It's likely third choice goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy will once again deputize after coming on during extra time of Egypt's quarterfinal.Fortunately, however, talisman Mo Salah is fit to once again lead the front line and comes into the semifinal fresh from scoring a goal and providing an assist against Morocco.Host Cameroon has no such injury concerns and, in striker Vincent Aboubakar, boasts AFCON 2021's top goalscorer and arguably the player of the tournament so far.Aboubakar has notched six goals and teammate Karl Toko Ekambi is not far behind with five. Stopping the attacking duo is a daunting task for Egypt's hobbled back line and five-time champion Cameroon will likely be considered the favorite to reach the final on home soil.

Steve Almasy, CNN

2022-02-02 05:21:34

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/sport/nfl-brian-flores-lawsuit-quotes-spt/index.html

Here are some of the notable passages in Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL - CNN

Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores initiated a federal class-action lawsuit Tuesday, alleging the NFL still discriminates against Black candidates for head coaching and other positions.

sport, Here are some of the notable passages in Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL - CNN

Here are some of the notable passages in Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL

(CNN)Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores initiated a federal class-action lawsuit Tuesday, alleging the NFL still discriminates against Black candidates for head coaching and other positions.The 58-page document names the league and three teams -- the Dolphins, the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos -- as defendants and the remaining 29 teams as John Does. Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores sues NFL and 3 NFL teams alleging racial discriminationThe document castigates the culture of the NFL and the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview two external minority candidates for head coaching positions. The lawsuit says the rule hasn't worked to increase hiring of coaches of color.The suit accuses the Giants of interviewing Flores, who is Black, for a head coaching job after the team decided to hire Brian Daboll so it would be in compliance with the Rooney Rule.Flores was subjected to another "sham interview" with the Broncos in 2019, the lawsuit claims.Read MoreThe suit also accuses Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross of treating Flores with "disdain" and portraying him as "someone who was noncompliant and difficult to work with" after Flores refused to purposely lose games to secure a higher draft pick.The NFL and all three teams deny wrongdoing.Here are some of the notable passages from the claim, which could be amended if plaintiffs are added.Unusual introduction includes quote from MLKRead Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuitIn a twist to the format of a lawsuit, attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor, Michael J. Willemin and David E. Gottlieb begin with two quotes -- one included in case evidence (from a Bill Belichick text) and one from civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. "Morals cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. The law cannot make an employer love me, but it can keep him from refusing to hire me because of the color of my skin."The lawsuit draws a slavery comparisonIn a Netflix docuseries, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick compared the NFL draft to slavery, and the Flores lawsuit also invokes a slavery analogy. "In certain critical ways, the NFL is racially segregated and is managed much like a plantation. Its 32 owners -- none of whom are Black -- profit substantially from the labor of NFL players, 70% of whom are Black. The owners watch the games from atop NFL stadiums in their luxury boxes, while their majority-Black workforce put their bodies on the line every Sunday, taking vicious hits and suffering debilitating injuries to their bodies and their brains while the NFL and its owners reap billions of dollars."NFL execs not acting in good faith with Rooney Rule, claim saysThe lawsuit says interviews with Black candidates are done to satisfy the Rooney Rule.What is the Rooney Rule? NFL's diversity push hasn't brought needed change, ex-coach says in lawsuit"The Rooney Rule may have been well intentioned, although it is hard to attribute benevolence to the NFL given the complete lack of action that it has taken post-Rooney Rule to remedy discrimination that it admits exists. However, well intentioned or not, what is clear is that the Rooney Rule is not working. It is not working because the numbers of Black Head Coaches, Coordinators and Quarterback Coaches are not even close to being reflective of the number of Black athletes on the field. The Rooney Rule is also not working because management is not doing the interviews in good-faith, and it therefore creates a stigma that interviews of Black candidates are only being done to comply with the Rooney Rule rather than in recognition of the talents that the Black candidates possess."The civil claim says coaching pipeline replete with racismThe document cites the NFL's Diversity & Inclusion Report that looked at diversity between 2012 and 2021. It said 80% of the men hired to be head coaches were previous offensive or defensive coordinators."According to the study, 31 out of 62 Head Coach positions were filled by Offensive Coordinators (where Black professionals are the most under-represented) while 18 Head Coach positions were filled by Defensive Coordinators. Moreover, only three out of 32 teams have a Black Quarterbacks Coach, which is the position that most often leads to an Offensive Coordinator opportunity. This figure is not entirely surprising given the NFL's history of racism when it comes to the quarterback position. "This shows that not only are the NFL's Head Coaches predominantly white, but that the pipeline feeding this racial disparity is fraught with discrimination. This is indicative of the structural discrimination that pervades NFL teams and likely ensures that this problem will remain."Lawsuit brings up Kaepernick and NFL 'lip service' to solidarityThe document devoted a section of 11 paragraphs to the former NFL starter."As time went on, still no team would sign Mr. Kaepernick for any role, starter or backup, despite the fact that he clearly deserved such a role based on merit, skill and experience. While some owners gave lip service to solidarity with Black players, NFL owners still collectively refused to employ Mr. Kaepernick following his racial justice protests."The lawsuit says culture has not improved"Rules have been implemented, promises made -- but nothing has changed. In fact, the racial discrimination has only been made worse by the NFL's disingenuous commitment to social equity." The league and teams respondThe NFL called the allegations in Flores' lawsuit meritless."The NFL and our clubs are deeply committed to ensuring equitable employment practices and continue to make progress in providing equitable opportunities throughout our organizations, the league said in a statement. "Diversity is core to everything we do, and there are few issues on which our clubs and our internal leadership team spend more time. We will defend against these claims, which are without merit."The Giants defended the decision to hire Daboll, saying in a statement, "We are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll. We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. The fact of the matter is, Brian Flores was in the conversation to be our head coach until the eleventh hour. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach."The Broncos strongly challenged the lawsuit, saying, "The allegations from Brian Flores directed toward the Denver Broncos in today's court filing are blatantly false."Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores describes being offered money to lose games"Our process was thorough and fair to determine the most qualified candidate for our head coaching position," the team's statement continued. "The Broncos will vigorously defend the integrity and values of our organization -- and its employees -- from such baseless and disparaging claims."Via the Dolphins' organization, team owner Ross released a statement denying Flores' claims."With regards to the allegations being made by Brian Flores, I am a man of honor and integrity and cannot let them stand without responding. I take great personal exception to these malicious attacks, and the truth must be known. His allegations are false, malicious and defamatory," Ross said."We understand there are media reports stating that the NFL intends to investigate his claims, and we will cooperate fully. I welcome that investigation and I am eager to defend my personal integrity, and the integrity and values of the entire Miami Dolphins organization, from these baseless, unfair and disparaging claims."The Dolphins told CNN in a statement, "We are aware of the lawsuit through the media reports that came out this afternoon. We vehemently deny any allegations of racial discrimination and are proud of the diversity and inclusion throughout our organization."The implication that we acted in a manner inconsistent with the integrity of the game is incorrect. We will be withholding further comment on the lawsuit at this time."

Pallabi Munsi, CNN Photographs by Betty Laura Zapata for CNN

2022-02-03 07:27:02

news

uk

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/uk/virginity-testing-hymenoplasty-ban-uk-asequals-intl-cmd/index.html

UK government bans virginity testing, but has still not apologized for past abuses - CNN

The UK government has made virginity testing and hymenoplasties a criminal offence but in the 1970s, it conducted checks on the same demographic it is now trying to protect.

uk, UK government bans virginity testing, but has still not apologized for past abuses - CNN

UK government bans virginity testing, but has still not apologized for past abuses on immigrants

This story is part of As Equals, CNN's ongoing series on gender inequality. For information about how the series is funded and more, check out our FAQs. (CNN)Last week the British government added a clause to its Health and Care Bill that would make hymenoplasty -- or "virginity repair" surgery -- illegal in England and Wales. In November 2021, "virginity testing" also became a criminal offence. According to an article on BMJ Global Health, "'virginity' testing involves visual inspection of the hymenal membrane by a medical professional. In some cases, the examination includes a 'two-finger' test to assess the size of the vaginal opening." However, studies have shown no test or exam can reliably and accurately determine whether a woman has had sex and the idea of such a test is largely sexist. In fact, the practice, doctors believe, is based on a misunderstanding of the female body and outdated notions of "purity." The member of the British Parliament who proposed the changes to the law, Richard Holden, spoke of being "tipped over the edge" after a radio story almost two years ago made him aware of these two inextricably linked practices that predominantly affect immigrant women in the United Kingdom. "I couldn't believe it was still happening or that nobody had taken it up," Holden told CNN. "I knew I had to campaign to change the law." Read MoreA government spokesperson told CNN that the amendments were evidence of a commitment to "safeguard all women and break down the pervasive myths that surround virginity and a woman's sexuality." While the proposed changes have been welcomed, Britain has a checkered history with virginity testing. In the 1970s, immigration officers did not safeguard all women with the state conducting virginity testing on the same demographic it is now trying to protect. The UK Home Office tested women as a means of immigration control and for this, a formal apology has never been issued.The clearance interview  Balraj Purewal, director of the Indian Workers' Association in the UK, remembers the day he learned about the violations taking place at UK borders.    It was 24 January 1979 and a visibly baffled young Indian man had come to the offices of the Southall Youth Movement (SYM) seeking help. The man told Purewal that he couldn't fathom why his fiancée, who had just landed in London, was bleeding and seemed traumatized. He explained to the young SYM activist that while he had been waiting for his partner at Heathrow airport, immigration and medical officers had whisked her away for a "clearance interview". When she finally came out of the room, the 35-year-old Indian school teacher wouldn't speak. "Something must have happened to her in the immigration room," Purewal recalls being told. It would take both men a few days to learn that she had undergone a so-called two-finger virginity test at the UK's largest airport.  Balraj Purewal, currently with Indian Workers' Association, was among the first to know about abuses at Heathrow.The schoolteacher's abuse received national attention after she shared her experience with The Guardian, describing how a medical inspector had examined her to confirm she had not borne children and was in fact entering the country as a virgin, to be married. Archival records from the Home Office, seen by CNN, show that immigration officials suspected the woman was lying about her age and marital status, and sought permission for a doctor to conduct the internal examination. After the story went public, the department responsible for immigration, security, law and order, the Home Office, offered the young woman £500 amid news reports that her partner had planned to file a writ against the Home Office. The evidence of the proposed payoff was later found by two Australian academics, Evan Smith and Marinella Marmo while conducting research into discrimination in British immigration history. Additional sources, including a debate in the Houses of Parliament would reveal that the Indian teacher's experience was by no means exceptional, nor was vaginal testing only happening at Heathrow. "We found that gynaecological as well as other bodily examinations were conducted on South Asian women at British High Commissions in India, Pakistan [and] Bangladesh, as well as Heathrow," Smith tells CNN. He adds that a 1980 document from the then-Foreign and Commonwealth Office estimated that "between 120 and 140 South Asian women were subject to some kind of bodily examination for immigration purposes over the decade up to 1979." Of these, 73 were in Delhi, 10 in Bombay and 40-60 in Dacca -- now Dhaka. The number of cases in Islamabad and Karachi remain unknown.   "Virginity examinations are inherently discriminatory and when conducted forcibly result in significant physical and mental suffering, thereby constituting cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or torture." Independent Forensic Expert Group In March 1977, two years before the schoolteacher's case came to light, a journalist, Amrit Wilson, received a message from a friend about a 16-year-old Pakistani national who had been detained at Heathrow. The girl had "landed in Heathrow decked up in full bridalwear, anticipating a wedding to her fiancé," says Wilson who is now a writer and activist on issues of race and gender in Britain. Instead, the teenager was held at the Harmondsworth detention center for a week. At Harmondsworth, the young woman described to the reporter how she'd undergone a mandated "sexual examination," intended to prove that she was younger than she had claimed.In her 1978 book, Finding A Voice: Asian Women in Britain, Wilson says the girl had told her that there'd been two men, one of them white, the other spoke Urdu and was probably from Pakistan. The examiner had alleged that she was not yet 16 and as a result, she was deported to Pakistan.Wilson recounts other harrowing stories. Such as that of a heavily pregnant 18-year-old from Mumbai who came to the UK following an arranged marriage. The couple were separated at Heathrow with the woman being taken to Harmondsworth where Wilson says she went into labour while being superficially examined by a doctor and a nurse. Delays getting to hospital resulted in the death of the young mother's baby. The loss of the child -- and the trauma it caused -- were both direct results of the gendered abuse in British immigration custody, Wilson explains. The hymen's a myth and virginity's a construct. It's time to let both goThe physical and psychological harm from these interventions have also been independently assessed. In 2015, the Independent Forensic Expert Group comprising "preeminent independent health specialists who provide technical advice and expertise in cases where allegations of torture are made" concluded that "virginity examinations are medically unreliable and have no clinical or scientific value." They went on: "These examinations are inherently discriminatory and, in almost all instances, when conducted forcibly, result in significant physical and mental pain and suffering, thereby constituting cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or torture." A joint statement by various United Nations agencies in 2018 echoes these views, calling virginity testing a "violation of human rights." 'A form of state rape'  The Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants is one of the British organizations which has previously backed calls for a formal apology from the state. Its chief executive, Satbir Singh, says the conclusions drawn from the tests show the UK Home Office officials were making "all kinds of assumptions about South Asian culture." The rationale of the British government, Singh believes, was that if a married woman had a hymen that was perceived to be intact -- "perceived" because the idea that the hymen completely covers the vaginal opening until it is broken during intercourse is a misconception -- this was proof that her marriage was a sham. If an unmarried woman's hymen was concluded to not be intact following the examination, immigration officials thought this must mean she was already married. After the story of virginity testing by immigration officers at Heathrow broke, the Home Office issued a news release dated 2 February 1979. In it, the department admits to carrying out tests on "rare occasions" but added that Home Secretary, "having now considered the reports" had asked that the practice be stopped. (Courtesy of Institute of Race Relations, Black History Collection) A press clipping from The Guardian, showing the headline of reporter Melanie Phillips's story that revealed that "immigrant women [were] being subjected to intimate gynaecological examination on entry to Britain." (Courtesy of Institute of Race Relations, Black History Collection) A poster from the time calling people to join a picket against "racist immigration practices." (Courtesy of Institute of Race Relations, Black History Collection) The government did itself make its logic for using these procedures known. In March 1979, David Stephen, a Foreign and Commonwealth Office adviser, issued a report  which states: "If immigration or entry certificate officers suspect that a girl claiming to be to be an unmarried dependent is in fact married, or if a woman arriving at London Airport and claiming to be a fiancée of a man resident here is in fact a wife seeking to join her husband and avoid the 'queue' for an entry certificate, they have on occasion sought a medical view on whether or not the woman concerned had borne children, it being a reasonable assumption that an unmarried woman in the sub-continent would be a virgin (sic)."    The immigration policy "was a cynical ploy using the patriarchal values of Asian communities against them," says Rahila Gupta, Interim Director of Southall Black Sisters, one of the groups that campaigned against virginity testing at Heathrow Airport. "I would say it was a form of state rape, which was an invasion of a woman's privacy of the most appalling kind." Rahila Gupta is the Interim Director of Southall Black Sisters, one of the groups that protested against virginity tests at UK borders Sweeping an unsavory history aside By the end of January 1979, organizations representing various immigrant communities in the UK -- notably Awaz (UK Asian women's collective) and OWAAD (Organization of Women of African and Asian Descent) -- began protesting at Heathrow airport and on  the streets of central London. A wave of disquiet had also swept India following reports of the practice, leading to several protests in New Delhi. Indian author and activist Urvashi Butalia, who was then in her mid-twenties, remembers the civil actions vividly. "My mother Subhadra Butalia, with her feminist group Stree Sangarsh, and lawyer Chandramani Chopra, where at the forefront of the protests. All of us landed up in front of the British Commission in New Delhi shouting slogans. My mother and some others even jumped the gates to enter the High Commission to submit a memorandum seeking to stop the practice." The public objection to virginity testing on immigrants triggered a diplomatic response as well, with then Indian Prime Minister, Morarji Desai, writing to the British government led by Labour's James Callaghan and India's Deputy-High Commissioner, Pascal Alan Nazareth, reported at the time as having "registered a strong protest" with Evan Luard, the Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office. Yielding to the growing scrutiny and condemnation, The Home Office issued a statement seen by CNN, dated 2 February 1979. In it, the department admits using virginity testing and confirms that the Home Secretary had now put a stop to the checks. Rahila Gupta, left, with colleagues at the Southall Black Sisters offices in west London.The practice stopped but the anger remains, fuelled by the lack of accountability. There has "never been an admission of guilt" by the Home Office, Singh of the Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants says. "They never admitted that they had done something wrong." The Home Office did not acknowledge CNN's request for comment on the use of virginity testing at UK borders in the 1960s and 70s, nor did it reply when asked if a formal apology was ever made to all those who were subjected to the practice. Almost 43 years to the day since the protests in the UK and India, Holden, the parliamentarian who proposed the legislation to criminalize virginity testing and hymenoplasty is keen to recognise the positive actions of the state, then and now. "We stopped doing that as a government decades ago, but also now we are ending those practices more widely in society," he says. But Rahila Gupta speaks of "the hypocrisy of the British state", which plans to safeguard vulnerable women today and yet sweeps its "unsavory history aside."Read more from the As Equals series *Top image: Photo illustration by CNN, with photos courtesy of Institute of Race Relations, Black History Collection Additional reporting by Ladan Anoushfar. Edited by Meera SenthilingamA clarification has been added to this story to name more of the organizations active in the virginity testing protests.

CNN Sport staff

2022-02-03 17:06:56

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/sport/how-to-watch-winter-olympics-tv-spt-intl/index.html

How to watch the Winter Olympics in the US: TV channel lineup live streaming and more - CNN

The Winter Olympics in Beijing get underway on February 4 with close to 3,000 athletes from 91 nations competing across 109 medal events.

sport, How to watch the Winter Olympics in the US: TV channel lineup live streaming and more - CNN

How to watch the Winter Olympics in the US and around the world

(CNN)The Winter Olympics in Beijing get underway on February 4 with close to 3,000 athletes from 91 nations competing across 109 medal events. The Games -- like last year's Summer Olympics in Tokyo -- will be held under strict Covid-19 countermeasures and feature seven different sports. There will also be new events in bobsled, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, short track and ski jumping. A detailed schedule of events is available on the Olympics website, as is a list of Games broadcasters in every country around the world. In the United States, NBC has the broadcast rights to the Games. Viewers will also be able to follow the action on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app.Read MoreRights holders in selected other countries include:Argentina -- Claro SportsAustralia -- Seven NetworkBrazil -- TV GloboCanada -- CBC, Radio Canada, Bell Media (TSN and RDS), Rogers Media (Sportsnet), Telelatino NetworkChina -- CCTV, China Mobile, Kuaishou, TencentFrance -- Eurosport, France TélévisionsGermany -- Eurosport, ARD, ZDFIndia -- Olympics.comIreland -- EurosportItaly -- EurosportJapan -- NHK, Fuji TV, Nippon TV, TBS, TV Asahi, TV TokyoMexico -- ClaroNigeria -- SupersportNorway -- EurosportPhilippines -- Cignal TVRussia -- Telesport, Russia 1, Channel 1, Match TVSingapore -- MediacorpSouth Korea -- SBS, KBS, MBCSpain -- Eurosport, DmaxSweden -- EurosportThailand -- Plan B, AIS, PPTV, T-SportUnited Kingdom -- Eurosport, BBC

Isil Sariyuce and Joshua Berlinger, CNN

2022-02-02 23:02:33

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/europe/frozen-migrants-turkey-greece-intl/index.html

19 people found frozen to death, sparking diplomatic row between Turkey and Greece - CNN

The number of people found frozen to death in a small Turkish town near the border with Greece has risen to 19, officials said Thursday, a week after a rare winter storm blanketed both countries in snow.

europe, 19 people found frozen to death, sparking diplomatic row between Turkey and Greece - CNN

19 people found frozen to death, sparking diplomatic row between Turkey and Greece

Istanbul, Turkey (CNN)The number of people found frozen to death in a small Turkish town near the border with Greece has risen to 19, officials said Thursday, a week after a rare winter storm blanketed both countries in snow. A statement from the governor's office in the Turkish city of Edirne said search and rescue activities were continuing in the region where the bodies were found.Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on Wednesday said those who died were part of a group of 22 migrants.Soylu said the 19 people froze to death in Ipsala, a border town often used by those seeking to enter the European Union.Where the migrants came from and why they were stranded in frigid conditions remains unclear, but Greece and Turkey have blamed each other for the tragedy.Read MoreSoylu alleged on Twitter that the group was turned away by Greek border officials and stripped of their shoes and clothing. He tweeted blurred images that appeared to show the dead bodies of at least eight individuals, partially clothed and lying in the mud. Soylu called the Greek border patrol units thugs, and said the European Union was "remediless, weak and void of humane feelings."Greek Immigration Minister Notis Mitarachi, however, denied Soylu's allegations of wrongdoing. The deaths on the Turkish border were a tragedy, he said in a statement, but added, "the truth behind this incident bears no resemblance to the false propaganda pushed out by my counterpart."Mitarachi said that those who died "never made it to the border.""Any suggestion they did, or indeed were pushed back into Turkey is utter nonsense," he said. "Rather than pushing out unfounded claims Turkey needs to live up to its obligations and work to prevent these dangerous journeys." The Greek foreign ministry did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment about Turkey's allegations.The Council of Europe and migrants themselves have for years alleged that the Greek Coast Guard and border patrols push back migrants, sometimes at sea. Though the United Nations Human Rights Agency has documented "credible reports" of such incidents, the Greek government has repeatedly denied them.CNN's Sugam Pokharel contributed to this report.

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-02-02 13:13:20

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/sport/brian-flores-lawsuit-interview-nfl-spt-intl/index.html

Brian Flores tells CNN his kids were inspiration to file lawsuit against NFL and 3 teams alleging racial discrimination - CNN

An accidental congratulatory text message from New England head coach Bill Belichick to Brian Flores is at the center of a lawsuit that has rocked the NFL.

sport, Brian Flores tells CNN his kids were inspiration to file lawsuit against NFL and 3 teams alleging racial discrimination - CNN

Accidental Belichick text at center of coach's NFL discrimination lawsuit

(CNN)An accidental congratulatory text message from New England head coach Bill Belichick to Brian Flores is at the center of a lawsuit that has rocked the NFL. Flores, the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday against the NFL, the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins organizations.The 40-year-old, who is Black, says in his lawsuit that the Giants interviewed him for their vacant head coaching job under disingenuous circumstances, as Flores had found out three days before his interview that the Giants had already decided to hire Brian Daboll.Flores says he learned this after receiving a congratulatory text message from Belichick, whom Flores used to work for, that was sent in error.The former Dolphins head coach says that his kids were the inspiration to fight the NFL and what tipped him over the edge to file the lawsuit against the league and three teams alleging racial discrimination. Read MoreHere are some of the notable passages in Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFLAsked about it on CNN's "New Day" on Wednesday, Flores said, "I have two sons, they're 8 and 7. I've got a 5-year-old daughter. When I look at them, I don't want them to go through some of the things I've had to go through." He said he went through a "wave of emotions" upon finding out that he was attending what he called a "sham interview.""It was humiliating, to be quite honest. There was disbelief, there was anger. There was a wave of emotions for a lot of reasons."When asked how he'll feel if it turns out he's coached his final NFL game, Flores said: "If there's change, it'll be worth it."Flores explained that as one of the few Black NFL head coaches, he felt different pressures to his White counterparts.JUST WATCHEDEx-NFL coach says owner offered him money to lose gamesReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHEx-NFL coach says owner offered him money to lose games 03:28"I would say I felt similar pressures that Black people feel in all fields, not just football. That we have to do more, that we have to be better, that we have to be exceptional just to stay on a level playing field. "And it's in a lot of ways unfair, but I know I'm not alone in that feeling. I know that. And I think we're going to get more stories similar to mine. And it's hard to step out."It's hard to do what we're doing here because, in doing so, you risk doing what you love, which is coaching the game of football. But being a Black coach in the National Football League, you know that there's a little bit of a target on you and you know you have to be better than your counterparts."Mistaken congratulatory text came days before interviewFlores says in his lawsuit that he before he interviewed with the Giants, he received a congratulatory text message from Belichick that was sent in error. Daboll, who also is a former Belichick assistant, got the Giants' job."Sounds like you have landed -- congrats!!" Belichick texted to Flores, according to screen grabs of the conversation presented in Flores' lawsuit."Did you hear something I didn't hear?" Flores replied."Giants?!?!?!" Belichick texted."I interview on Thursday," Flores wrote. "I think I have a shot at it.""Got it -- I hear from Buffalo & NYG that you are their guy," Belichick replied.Later, Flores sought clarification."Coach, are you talking to Brian Flores or Brian Daboll," Flores asked. "Just making sure.""Sorry -- I f**ked this up," Belichick answered. "I doubled checked & I misread the text. I think they are naming Daboll. I'm sorry about that. BB"Of 32 NFL coaches, just 3 are people of colorWashington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, who is Latino, praised Flores for speaking out, saying: "When you look at what Brian (Flores) has accomplished and what he has done, there is a lot of merit there."Flores, who had two winning seasons in his three years in Miami, alleges in his lawsuit that his interview with the Giants was a ruse so the team could "demonstrate falsely to League Commissioner Roger Goodell and the public at large that it was in compliance with the Rooney Rule."Flores on the sidelines during a game against the Tennessee Titans during his time as head coach of the Dolphins.The NFL instituted the Rooney Rule in 2003 in an effort to increase diversity among the NFL's head coaching, general manager and executive ranks. The rule requires every team to interview at least two external minority candidates for open head coaching positions, according to the NFL's Football Operations website.Currently, only one out of 27 head coaches employed in the NFL is Black, with five teams without a head coach, in a league where roughly 70% of the players are Black. There are two other non-Black minority coaches -- one of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent (Rivera) and one of Lebanese descent (Jets coach Robert Saleh).Flores expressed thanks for all the messages of support he has received since filing his lawsuit, saying on "CBS Mornings" it has been a "tough 24 hours."In his statement in the lawsuit, Flores acknowledged that it could be damaging for his future career prospects -- he was interviewing for two other head coach openings at the time it was released. What is the Rooney Rule? NFL's diversity push hasn't brought needed change, ex-coach says in lawsuitVisit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosFlores says he won't drop lawsuitWhen asked whether he'll drop the lawsuit if he gets hired by a team in the next few days, Flores' answer was emphatic. "No. We need change. That's what we need -- we need change. This is about changing the hiring practices in the National Football League."But creating a level playing field is more important to the four-time Super Bowl winning coach, he said."I understand the risk. Look, I love coaching football. ... And I still want to coach," Flores told CNN. "But this is bigger than coaching, this is bigger than me. The numbers speak for themselves as far as the hiring, firing and the lack of opportunities for minority and Black head coaches and executives in the National Football League, and we need the change. We need things to change."Flores spoke with CNN's Don Lemon on Wednesday night about how the league needs to progress. "The people who make the decisions and the people who are working -- the players, 70% are Black, and the people who are making decisions, the majority are White," Flores said. "And what we are trying to do with this lawsuit is really create change. I think that people talk about it. We implement a policy here, a policy there. I'm not looking for fluff policies."I'm looking for real change, and to me that starts in the hearts and minds of people who make those decisions, and that's got to come through dialogue. That's got to come from communication. That's got to come through keeping an open mind and being willing to talk to and get to know people that are different than you are used to. Quite frankly, I think that an owner is not willing to do that, he is not fit for this league."

George Ramsay, CNN

2022-02-03 10:48:50

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/sport/alex-pullin-beijing-2022-winter-olympics-spt-intl/index.html

Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin still a 'presence' among Australia's Olympic snowboarding team following his death - CNN

Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin continues to affect Australia's Olympic snowboarding team 'in a positive way' following his death, according to former teammate Cam Bolton.

sport, Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin still a 'presence' among Australia's Olympic snowboarding team following his death - CNN

Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin still a 'presence' among Australia's Olympic snowboarding team following his death

(CNN)Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin continues to affect Australia's Olympic snowboarding team 'in a positive way' following his death, according to former teammate Cam Bolton. Pullin, a two-time world champion snowboarder who competed at three Winter Olympics, died while spearfishing in Australia in 2020 aged 32. He was also the country's flag bearer at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. Ahead of Beijing 2022, Australia's snowboarding team has paid tribute to Pullin, saying he is "absolutely a presence amongst the team still.""He obviously meant a lot to a whole lot of people and to the winter community in Australia as a whole," Bolton told reporters on Thursday."I was thinking about it this morning and I think that this team that we have here in Beijing for 2022 is still so heavily affected by Chumpy, but in a positive way."Read MoreBolton speaks to the press ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which begin on February 4. The 31-year-old Bolton represented Australia alongside Pullin at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. He will compete in snowboard cross in Beijing having claimed a World Cup bronze medal in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, last week -- the fourth medal of his career. Olympian widow welcomes daughter 15 months after Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin's death Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features"Everyone has had so much positive interaction with Chumpy, so much advice, so much knowledge shared," Bolton added. "A lot of what Chumpy stood for and what Chumpy was about -- and some of those lessons he was able to pass on to other athletes -- will be very much alive here in 2022 in Beijing and I think it will be helping the team. "I think he's still a large part of everything that this team has and this team is striving towards and hoping to achieve."The Beijing Winter Olympics get underway on Friday with snowboard cross events beginning on Wednesday next week.

Eric Levenson and Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-02-02 05:06:31

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/us/washington-football-team-name/index.html

Washington Commanders: NFL franchise reveals new team name - CNN

The National Football League's Washington franchise unveiled its new team name on Wednesday -- the Washington Commanders.

sport, Washington Commanders: NFL franchise reveals new team name - CNN

Washington Commanders: NFL franchise reveals new team name

(CNN)The National Football League's Washington franchise unveiled its new team name on Wednesday -- the Washington Commanders.Accompanied by a new logo, the changes come about 18 months after the franchise ditched the "Redskins" name for its racist connotations.The team had competed as the Washington Football Team for the past two seasons but will continue to use its burgundy and gold color scheme.One legacy. One unified future. We are the Washington Commanders #TakeCommand pic.twitter.com/Eav9NOV5Mm— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022 Former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann looked to have prematurely leaked the new name on Monday after calling the team "the Commanders" on CBS Sports Radio's "The D.A. Show."Theismann's reveal was then seemingly confirmed on Tuesday after helicopter footage above Washington's FedEx Field Stadium appeared to show the new name emblazoned on a sign inside the team store. Read MoreLast month, team president Jason Wright had ruled out the new name changing to "Wolves" or "RedWolves" due to trademark issues."We are very excited about our final selection, which aligns with our values, carries forth our rich history, represents the region and, most importantly, is inspired and informed by you, our fans," Wright said.The change stems from Washington's July 2020 decision to drop its "Redskins" name and logo after decades of criticism from Native American groups who said it was an ethnic slur and a derogatory reference to skin color.Once one of the NFL's flagship franchises, Washington has won just two playoff games since Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999 and has been a consistent source of dysfunction and scandal in recent years.The rise and fall of 'Redskins'The franchise dropped its "Redskins" name and Native American logo in July 2020 under pressure from sponsors and businesses.The team was founded in 1932 as the Boston Braves, but team founder George Preston Marshall changed the name to "Redskins" a year later to avoid confusion with baseball's Boston Braves. The team moved to Washington DC in 1937.The name's reference to skin color, as well as its logo depicting a Native American with feathers in his hair, has been criticized at least as far back as 1971-72. Still, the team steadfastly resisted efforts to change its name, and Washington owner Dan Snyder told USA Today in 2013 that he would "never" do so.However, the franchise faced renewed pressure to finally do so in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd sparked mass protests seeking to end systemic racism. FedEx, which has naming rights for Washington's NFL stadium, asked the team to change the name in response to growing pressure from investors. Companies including Nike, Amazon, Target and Walmart said they would stop selling the team's merchandise.These teams faced pressure to change their Native American names. Here's what's happened sinceUnder this business pressure, Washington announced a review of its team name in July 2020 and a week later said it would drop the "Redskins" moniker altogether. Since then, the franchise has gone by the generic "Washington Football Team" with a large "W" as its logo.Other sports teams with Native American names have faced similar pressure. The MLB's Cleveland Indians changed its name to the Guardians, while MLB's Atlanta Braves and NHL's Chicago Blackhawks have resisted such a switch.Aside from the team name, the Washington franchise has had other major issues with how it is run.The NFL fined the Washington Football Team $10 million last year following the conclusion of an independent investigation that found the club's work environment was "highly unprofessional," especially for women, according to a news release from the league.The fine came after 15 former female employees and two journalists who covered the team accused team staffers of sexual harassment and verbal abuse."Bullying and intimidation frequently took place and many described the culture as one of fear, and numerous female employees reported having experienced sexual harassment and a general lack of respect in the workplace," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in the release.Snyder also apologized and took responsibility for the workplace culture in a statement, but he remained in charge of the team.The NFL has refused to make the investigative report public. However, as part of the investigation, the NFL obtained emails between coach Jon Gruden and former Washington president Bruce Allen in which the coach made racist, homophobic and misogynistic remarks.The emails were leaked to the media in October 2021, forcing Gruden to resign as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the home city of the Raiders. The team plays in Las Vegas.

Nathan Hodge, Uliana Pavlova and Darya Tarasova, CNN

2022-02-01 17:08:56

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/01/europe/vladimir-putin-west-ignored-russia-concerns-intl/index.html

Vladimir Putin says the West 'has ignored' Russia's key security concerns and NATO 'screwed us over' - CNN

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that his government was studying the responses from the United States and NATO to his security demands related to Ukraine but that it was clear the Kremlin's main complaints "had been ignored."

europe, Vladimir Putin says the West 'has ignored' Russia's key security concerns and NATO 'screwed us over' - CNN

Vladimir Putin says the West has 'ignored' Russia's key concerns over Ukraine

Moscow (CNN)Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that his government was studying the responses from the United States and NATO to his security demands related to Ukraine but that it was clear the Kremlin's main complaints "had been ignored."For weeks, Putin had said little publicly about the crisis sparked by Russia's buildup of tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's borders, which has raised fears of a possible invasion. But speaking at a Tuesday news conference following a five-hour meeting in Moscow with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Putin said: "It is already clear -- I informed the Prime Minister about this -- that the fundamental Russian concerns were ignored. We did not see an adequate consideration of our three key requirements." Putin added that Russia had not seen "adequate consideration of our three key demands regarding NATO expansion, the renunciation of the deployment of strike weapons systems near Russian borders, and the return of the [NATO] bloc's military infrastructure in Europe to the state of 1997, when the Russia-NATO founding act was signed."Putin also accused the US directly of attempting to "draw us into armed conflict" over the Ukraine crisis by using the country as a "tool" for NATO operations. He claimed that Washington's main goal is to force "allies in Europe to impose the very tough sanctions against us," or "draw Ukraine into NATO."Read MoreThe US and NATO have said Putin's demands -- which include a promise to never expand eastward to countries including Ukraine -- violate NATO's open-door policy and are non-starters in negotiations.Will Vladimir Putin turn the Second Cold War into a hot one?Putin did not offer any solutions on Tuesday, but did say he was open to more talks."I hope that this dialogue will continue," he said, adding: "I hope that we will eventually find this solution, although it is not an easy one, and we are aware of this. But what that will be, I'm not ready to say today, of course."Putin ended the news conference with a short lecture about what he characterized as NATO's history of deceptions, claiming that the alliance promised to expand "not an inch" eastward. "They said one thing, they did another," Putin said. "As people say, they screwed us over, well they simply deceived us."Russian officials have repeatedly made this claim in the past; the US and NATO have denied making such promises. Putin also reiterated his opposition to the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, and said Kyiv was attempting to retake Crimea -- the Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia in 2014 -- by military force, potentially bringing the alliance into open conflict with Russia."This [Crimea] is sovereign Russian territory, the question is closed for us," he said. "Let's imagine that Ukraine is a NATO country and starts these military operations. Then what, we should fight against the NATO bloc? So, has anyone thought about this? Looks like no."Diplomats from the US, Russia, Ukraine, NATO and the European Union have been engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent weeks. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone call Tuesday. Following that call, a senior State Department official said Lavrov did not give an indication that Moscow will de-escalate from the border with Ukraine. Blinken told Lavrov that if Putin "does not intend war or regime change," then it was time to pull back troops and heavy weaponry and engage in serious, diplomatic discussions, the official said.Lavrov responded that the escalation that the US was claiming was not occurring, the official said, but that it was merely Russia moving troops within its own borders. US State Department officials confirmed Monday they had "received a written followup from Russia" to a document of proposals the US sent to the Kremlin last week on how to defuse tensions and pave the way for further security talks in response to Russia's demands on security.On Tuesday, however, the Kremlin said that Russia had not yet sent its "main reply" to the US. "There was a mix-up," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call. "It [the Russian correspondence] regarded a different matter. The main reply on this issue hasn't been handed over, it's still being prepared."JUST WATCHEDHow does Russia's army compare with Ukraine's?ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHHow does Russia's army compare with Ukraine's? 02:25Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a press conference alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Tuesday.Johnson accused Russia of "holding a gun to Ukraine" and warned that a potential invasion of Ukraine by Russia would be a "political" and "humanitarian disaster.""The potential invasion completely flies in the face of President Putin's claims to be acting in the interests of the Ukrainian people," Johnson said.Zelensky said that should a war between Russia and Ukraine start it will be a "big war in Europe," adding that there "will be no occupation of any territory or city in Ukraine... but there will be a bloody tragedy if the invasion of our country starts."

Lianne Kolirin, CNN

2022-02-02 12:31:07

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/sport/kate-rugby-patron-gbr-scli-intl-spt/index.html

Kate takes over from Prince Harry as the patron of English rugby - CNN

The Duchess of Cambridge has become the official patron of English rugby, a role previously held by her brother-in-law, Prince Harry.

sport, Kate takes over from Prince Harry as the patron of English rugby - CNN

Kate takes over from Prince Harry as patron of English rugby

London (CNN)The Duchess of Cambridge has become the official patron of English rugby, a role previously held by her brother-in-law, Prince Harry. From Wednesday, she becomes the figurehead for the Rugby Football League (RFL) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) -- patronages bestowed upon her by the Queen. The honorary titles were returned by Harry after he stepped down as a working member of the royal family in early 2020. The move makes Kate the first royal to officially receive one of the Sussexes' former patronages.The duchess met with members of the men's and women's squads ahead of the Six Nations Championship, which begins on Saturday. Tweeting about the news, the Duchess of Cambridge said: "I am so thrilled to become Patron of the @TheRFL and @EnglandRugby"Two fantastic organisations who are committed to harnessing the power that sport can have in bringing communities together and helping individuals flourish.Read More"I look forward to working with them across all levels of the games, and to cheering England on in what promises to be an exciting year for both sports! C"Kensington Palace said the patronages were a good fit with Kate's love of sport.The announcement was accompanied by a short video clip that started with Kate, dressed in black and blue sportswear, throwing a rugby ball in the air, then appearing to pass it to a host of other players in a slickly edited montage. She is later seen spinning the ball on her index finger.Established in 1895, the RFL is the national governing body for the game of rugby league in the UK, covering all forms of grassroots and the professional game, including women's and wheelchair rugby. The Rugby Football Union is the national governing body for grassroots and elite rugby union in England. With 1,900 member clubs -- and founded in 1871 -- it is one of the largest sports organizations in the country. The roles were previously held by the duchess' brother-in-law, Prince Harry. The main difference between the two branches of the sport is that rugby league -- popular in the north of England -- is played on a smaller pitch with 13 players, compared with rugby union's 15. As England prepares to play Wales at rugby union later this month, the new role puts Kate in direct opposition to her husband, Prince William, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.Hours after the announcement, she met a host of England players, coaches and referees in the flesh on the pitch at Twickenham Stadium in London for a training session. Tennis' newest superstar Emma Raducanu celebrates return to UK by playing with Duchess of CambridgeThe duchess met with members of the men's and women's squads and their coaching teams as they prepare for rugby union's Six Nations Championship -- which begins Saturday -- while also hearing about the impact the pandemic has had on the sport. She also joined the players for a skills session on the pitch, run by head England coach Eddie Jones. A statement issued by Kensington Palace, the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, welcomed the patronages, which, it said, "closely align with Her Royal Highness' longstanding passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide, both within our communities and on an individual level." The future Queen is a keen sportswoman who, according to the Royal Family's website, believes sport "has the power to engage, educate and inspire and change lives for the better." She is royal patron of several other sport-related institutions, including the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and the Lawn Tennis Association.CNN's Max Foster contributed to this report.

Rhea Mogul and Jack Guy, CNN

2022-02-02 11:18:11

news

australia

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/australia/melbourne-human-remains-stolen-intl-hnk-scli/index.html

Human remains stolen from graves in Australian cemetery - CNN

Police in Australia are investigating links to a "satanic ritual" after human remains were stolen from a cemetery on two separate occasions, CNN affiliate 7 News reported.

australia, Human remains stolen from graves in Australian cemetery - CNN

Human remains stolen from graves in possible Satanic ritual at Australian cemetery

(CNN)Police in Australia are investigating links to a "satanic ritual" after human remains were stolen from a cemetery on two separate occasions, CNN affiliate 7 News reported. Detectives said a number of items, including a crucifix, candles and letters to Satan, were left at the Footscray General Cemetery in the city of Melbourne, according to 7 News.Nearly 200 human spines found threaded onto posts in PeruThe first incident occurred overnight from Thursday to Friday, police in the state of Victoria said in a statement Wednesday. Human remains were removed from a mausoleum, which was found desecrated after a plaque and plaster board inside it were removed, police said.A second incident at the same cemetery took place overnight from Monday to Tuesday."It's believed unknown offenders forced entry to a mausoleum before stealing partial human remains," the statement said. "Detectives established crime scenes at both incidents and are investigating whether they are linked." Read More"The human remains were the primary focus of the offender and that is what we are focusing on," Acting Inspector Ben Jarman told 7 News. "It's very distressing for the families. They expect their loved ones to be put to rest at peace."Hillsong Church leader steps down to defend charge of concealing child sex abuseNo other grave sites were damaged during the incident, police said. "This is a very rare event, we're not sure what person is motivated to do this," Jarman told local radio station 3AW.He added that the offenders must have used some kind of tool to gain access to the mausoleums."It would have to be something substantial," Jarman said.Police have increased security at the cemetery and have been working closely with site managers, they added. They urged the public to come forward if they witnessed suspicious activity over the past week.

Isabelle Jani-Friend, CNN

2022-02-02 00:03:11

news

uk

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/01/uk/uk-plants-flowering-early-climate-change-intl-scn/index.html

Climate change: UK plants are flowering a whole month earlier than they used to - CNN

Spring has sprung early in parts of the UK this year, and while British people are celebrating the unseasonal warm weather, there's actually cause for concern.

uk, Climate change: UK plants are flowering a whole month earlier than they used to - CNN

UK plants are flowering a whole month earlier than they used to, study shows

(CNN)Spring has sprung early in parts of the UK this year, and while British people are celebrating the unseasonal warm weather, there's actually cause for concern. Climate change is making plants across the British Isles flower, on average, a month earlier than they used to, a new study shows. And that might set off a chain of events that could disrupt ecosystems and potentially cause entire species to collapse.If global temperatures continue to rise at their current rate, spring could eventually start in February on a regular basis, according to the study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B."The results are truly alarming," said Professor Ulf Büntgen, lead author of the study, from the University of Cambridge's Department of Geography. "When plants flower too early, it is expected to have detrimental consequences for wildlife, agriculture and gardeners."Read MoreDuring winter, plants are able to protect themselves from frost because they put themselves in a dormant "winter sleep" mode, Büntgen told CNN. However, an early spring brings forward the "vegetation period," the phase when plants begin to grow. If a frost occurs during this time, the plants will suffer, and some may die.Plants may die if there is a late frost during their "vegetation period."Fruit trees are particularly at risk of a late frost, which could bring serious consequences for fruit farmers, who stand to lose entire crop yields.While the study speaks to a long-term trend, other parts of the world have reported recent early flowering seasons. Last March, Japan recorded its earliest cherry blossom bloom in 1,200 years. In 2019, a heat wave in the United States caused sunflowers to bloom earlier than usual, because they are susceptible to temperature changes. While people enjoyed the early blooms, the overenthusiastic flowers made it harder for farmers to plant other crops in those areas.Another cause for concern is something researchers call "ecological mismatch." Plants, insects, birds and other wildlife have evolved over time to coordinate the way they develop. A change to this cycle can initiate a chain reaction, causing damage to ecosystems."A certain plant flowers and attracts a particular type of insect, which attracts a particular type of bird, and so on," Büntgen said. "But if one component responds faster than the others, there's a risk that they'll be out of sync, which can cause species to collapse and lead to biodiversity loss if they can't adapt quickly enough."There are more than 9,000 types of trees we don't know of yet, study findsThe study is based on the analysis of more than 400,000 observations of over 400 plant species dating back to the mid-18th century until 2019. The database relies on citizen reporting, or crowd sourcing. Researchers looked at the first flowering dates of trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers in locations from the Channel Islands to Shetland in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and classified their findings by location, elevation and whether they were from urban or rural areas.The first flowering dates were compared with monthly climate records, which showed that the average first flowering had advanced by an entire month and is strongly linked to rising global temperatures.This data is stored by the Woodland Trust in what's known as Nature's Calendar, a database with 3.5 million entries that date back to the 1730s.Rather than breaking the data down to look at individual species, which can become "too noisy" and inconclusive, the study focused on a bigger sample size to ensure the data is robust, Büntgen said. "To really understand what climate change is doing to our world, we need these much larger datasets that look at whole ecosystems over a long period of time."He added that Nature's Calendar was a rich data source with high scientific value. "Alongside temperature records, we can use it to quantify how climate change is affecting various ecosystems across the UK."

Analysis by Nathan Hodge, CNN

2022-02-02 13:01:05

news

europe

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/europe/ukraine-russia-news-wednesday-putin-remarks-analysis-intl/index.html

Ukraine Russia: Long on rhetoric, short on revelations. What Putin's comments told us - CNN

The press conference that followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's five-hour meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Tuesday was long on rhetoric but short on new facts: The Kremlin leader aired many of his longstanding grievances, but declined to point the way to an exit from the tense international standoff over Ukraine.

europe, Ukraine Russia: Long on rhetoric, short on revelations. What Putin's comments told us - CNN

Long on rhetoric, short on revelations. What Putin's Ukraine comments told us

Moscow (CNN)The press conference that followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's five-hour meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Tuesday was long on rhetoric but short on new facts: The Kremlin leader aired many of his longstanding grievances, but declined to point the way to an exit from the tense international standoff over Ukraine. It's a script Putin has read from before. In concluding remarks, he complained about what he characterized as NATO's history of deceptions, saying the alliance had previously promised to expand "not an inch" eastward. "They said one thing, they did another," Putin said. "As people say, they screwed us over, well they simply deceived us." He also mentioned another key moment: The US decision to quit the landmark Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, a decision President George W. Bush announced in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.Ukraine-Russia crisis: How soon might a war be and what would it look like?That, too, has been a longstanding irritant for Putin: The move paved the way for the stationing of US missile-defense assets in eastern Europe. Back in 2016, Putin said the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty was what spurred him to develop new strike capabilities that could defeat US missile defenses. Since then, Putin has unveiled a number of advanced weapons systems, to the consternation of the West and Washington. Read MoreThe other points Putin raised -- a halt to NATO expansion eastwards and the return of NATO's infrastructure in Europe to its 1997 footprint -- were also not new. On those issues, Washington and Moscow remain far apart: The US and NATO insist on an open-door policy for new members and say Russia has no veto over new membership.So what, exactly, was the takeaway? Putin has yet to give a full, formal response to the US and NATO letters sent a week ago in response to Russia's security demands, and it is unclear when a reply is forthcoming. What was striking was Putin's return to his obsession with Ukraine and his vision of its proper relationship with Russia. In his remarks, Putin insisted the aim of the US was to "draw us into armed conflict" over Ukraine by using the country as a springboard for NATO operations. Analysis: Will Vladimir Putin turn the Second Cold War into a hot one?"Their main task is to contain the development of Russia," Putin said. "In this sense, Ukraine itself is simply a tool to achieve this goal. This can be done in different ways. Draw us into some kind of armed conflict and force -- among other things -- their allies in Europe to impose the very tough sanctions against us that are being talked about in the United States today. Or draw Ukraine into NATO, set up strike weapon systems there and encourage some Banderites [Ukrainian nationalists] to resolve the issue of Donbas or Crimea by force of arms. And thus draw us into an armed conflict!" Putin -- who published his own history paper last year outlining his belief in the unity of Russian and Ukrainian peoples -- has a thing for history. Thankfully, he spared us the lecture on the convoluted history of Ukrainian nationalism in the 1930s and 1940s. But he made one thing clear: He had yet to decide on whether to take action, military or otherwise. "I hope that we will eventually find this solution, although it is not an easy one, and we are aware of this," he said. "But what that will be, I'm not ready to say today, of course." The initiative, in that respect, remains Putin's.

Kevin Dotson, CNN

2022-02-02 00:08:49

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/01/sport/brian-flores-lawsuit-nfl-racial-discrimination-spt/index.html

Brian Flores lawsuit: Former Miami Dolphins coach sues NFL and 3 NFL teams alleging racial discrimination - CNN

Brian Flores, the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the NFL, the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins organizations alleging racial discrimination.

sport, Brian Flores lawsuit: Former Miami Dolphins coach sues NFL and 3 NFL teams alleging racial discrimination - CNN

Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores sues NFL and 3 NFL teams alleging racial discrimination

(CNN)Brian Flores, the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the NFL, the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins organizations alleging racial discrimination.Flores, who is Black, says in his lawsuit that the Giants interviewed him for their vacant head coaching job under disingenuous circumstances, as Flores had found out three days before his interview that the Giants had already decided to hire Brian Daboll.Flores says he learned this after receiving a congratulatory text message from New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick that was sent in error."Sounds like you have landed -- congrats!!" Belichick texted to Flores, according to screen grabs of the conversation presented in Flores' lawsuit.Read Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit"Did you hear something I didn't hear?" Flores replied.Read More"Giants?!?!?!" Belichick texted."I interview on Thursday," Flores wrote. "I think I have a shot at it.""Got it -- I hear from Buffalo & NYG that you are their guy," Belichick replied.Later, Flores sought clarification. "Coach, are you talking to Brian Flores or Brian Daboll," Flores asked. "Just making sure.""Sorry -- I f**ked this up," Belichick answered. "I doubled checked & I misread the text. I think they are naming Daboll. I'm sorry about that. BB"Rooney RuleWhat is the Rooney Rule? NFL's diversity push hasn't brought needed change, ex-coach says in lawsuitFlores alleges in his lawsuit that his interview with the Giants was a ruse so the team could "demonstrate falsely to League Commissioner Roger Goodell and the public at large that it was in compliance with the Rooney Rule."The NFL instituted the Rooney Rule in 2003 in an effort to increase diversity among the NFL's head coaching, general manager and executive ranks. The rule requires every team to interview at least two external minority candidates for open head coaching positions, according to the NFL's Football Operations website.Currently only one out of 27 head coaches employed in the NFL is Black, with five teams without a head coach in a league where roughly 70% of the players are Black. There are two other non-Black minority coaches -- one of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent and one of Lebanese descent.Flores' lawsuit claims that in 2019, he was subjected to another "sham interview," this one with the Denver Broncos. Flores says that "Broncos' then-General Manager John Elway, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Ellis and others showed up an hour late to the interview" and adds that the Broncos' delegation "looked completely disheveled, and it was obvious that they had drinking heavily the night before."Flores also says Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross offered to pay Flores to purposely lose games in order to secure a higher pick in the NFL draft and encouraged Flores to purposely violate league tampering rules. Flores says when he refused, Ross then led a campaign to treat Flores with "disdain and held out as someone who was noncompliant and difficult to work with." Flores: Lawsuit brings career riskThe NFL is down to a single Black head coach after it pledged to do better with diversity"God has gifted me with a special talent to coach the game of football, but the need for change is bigger than my personal goals," Flores wrote in a statement. "In making the decision to file the class action complaint today, I understand that I may be risking coaching the game that I love and that has done so much for my family and me," Flores continued. "My sincere hope is that by standing up against systemic racism in the NFL, others will join me to ensure that positive change is made for generations to come."NFL and teams defend their actionsThe NFL responded to Flores' lawsuit, calling Flores' allegations meritless."The NFL and our clubs are deeply committed to ensuring equitable employment practices and continue to make progress in providing equitable opportunities throughout our organizations," the league said in its statement. "Diversity is core to everything we do, and there are few issues on which our clubs and our internal leadership team spend more time. We will defend against these claims, which are without merit."The Giants organization issued a statement standing by its process and decision to hire Daboll."We are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll," the team's statement read. "We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. The fact of the matter is, Brian Flores was in the conversation to be our head coach until the eleventh hour. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach."The Dolphins also responded, saying, "We are aware of the lawsuit through the media reports that came out this afternoon. We vehemently deny any allegations of racial discrimination and are proud of the diversity and inclusion throughout our organization. The implication that we acted in a manner inconsistent with the integrity of the game is incorrect. We will be withholding further comment on the lawsuit at this time."2020: 'I don't see racism at all in the NFL,' Denver Broncos head coach saysThe Denver Broncos strongly challenged Flores' lawsuit, saying, "The allegations from Brian Flores directed toward the Denver Broncos in today's court filing are blatantly false.""Our process was thorough and fair to determine the most qualified candidate for our head coaching position," the team's statement continued. "The Broncos will vigorously defend the integrity and values of our organization -- and its employees -- from such baseless and disparaging claims."Flores' attorneys, Douglas H. Wigdor and John Elefteraki, said in a statement that the lawsuit seeks to "level the playing field.""On the first day of Black History Month, it is our great privilege to represent Brian Flores in his class action complaint against the NFL," they said. "This case seeks to level the playing field in the hope that future owners and coaches will be representative of the athletes who are playing this great game. We fully expect coaches and players of all races to support Brian as he embarks on his journey to create positive change."Flores was a long-time Belichick assistantFlores was 24-25 in three years with the Dolphins, including a 9-8 record this season when Miami missed qualifying for the playoffs. Before he was head coach at Miami, he worked in scouting and was a coaching assistant for Belichick with the Patriots from 2004 to 2018.He played football at Boston College but didn't play in the NFL. Lawsuit demands damages and changeThe lawsuit was filed in US District Court in the Southern District of New York and asks for monetary damages and injunctive relief. That relief would come in form of the NFL and its teams: -- Increasing the influence of Black people making hiring and firing decisions for top positions-- Creating a committee to increase ownership diversity-- Requiring teams to explain hiring and firing decisions in writing-- Creating a training program for Black assistant coaches who want to take a step up and become offensive or defensive coordinators. -- Making transparent the pay of general managers, head coaches and coordinators-- Creating monetary, draft or salary space incentives for hiring and retaining Black GMs and top coaches-- Involving more Black players and coaches in interviews for those positions-- Requiring teams to show side-by-side comparisons of criteria for employment decisionsCNN's David Close and Steve Almasy contributed to this report.

Ben Church, CNN

2022-02-02 09:06:51

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sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/sport/giannis-antetokounmpo-triple-double-michael-jordan-total-spt-intl/index.html

Giannis Antetokounmpo surpasses Michael Jordan's triple-double total as Milwaukee Bucks win - CNN

Giannis Antetokounmpo notched his fourth triple-double of the season as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the visiting Washington Wizards 112-98 on Tuesday.

sport, Giannis Antetokounmpo surpasses Michael Jordan's triple-double total as Milwaukee Bucks win - CNN

Giannis Antetokounmpo surpasses Michael Jordan's triple-double total as Milwaukee Bucks win

(CNN)Giannis Antetokounmpo notched his fourth triple-double of the season as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the visiting Washington Wizards 112-98 on Tuesday. The "Greek Freak" scored 33 points in total, adding 15 rebounds and 11 assists in yet another dominant performance.He has now surpassed Michael Jordan's total of triple doubles and sits 18th on the all-time list after recording the 29th of his career. Antetokounmpo, who failed to score in the first quarter, said the win went someway towards compensating the Bucks' defeat to the Denver Nuggets last time out. "We have to realize that in order for us to be great, we've got to play hard. We cannot expect that people are just going to hand us the game when we go out there," he told reporters after the game. Read MoreNBA to allow teams with Covid-19 issues to sign replacement players, memo says"People are coming for us. People are hunting us right now. "They get excited when they see, 'Milwaukee Bucks, world champs.' We've got to play every single night hard and build that habit."It wasn't just Antetokounmpo in fine form for the defending champions, with four other Bucks players hitting double figures at the Fiserv Forum -- Jrue Holiday with 22 points, Bobby Portis with 17, Khris Middleton with 13 and Grayson Allen with 10.The Wizards, meanwhile, have now lost six consecutive games and were without star guard Bradley Beal on Tuesday.Beal was diagnosed with an injury to his scapholunate ligament in his left wrist and will miss the next few games for Washington as they continue to assess his recovery. Next up for Antetokounmpo and the Bucks is a trip to Portland to face the Trail Blazers at the weekend, with fans hoping the 27-year-old can continue his MVP-level form.