List of All Articles with Tag 'f'

Ten-man Northern Ireland returned to the all-too-familiar feeling of defeat as Adam Cerin’s early free-kick put Group H leaders Slovenia on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2024 with a scrappy 1-0 win at Windsor Park. Saturday’s 3-0 victory over minnows San Marino ended Northern Ireland’s five-game losing streak but it proved only a temporary reprieve in an injury-ravaged qualifying campaign which has now seen Michael O’Neill’s side suffer five 1-0 defeats in eight games. The defining moment of the match came early on. While there was no doubt about the quality of Adam Cerin’s fifth-minute free-kick, Northern Ireland were fuming at referee Istvan Kovacs’ decision to award it after Jamal Lewis barely clipped Benjamin Sesko on the edge of the box. Shea Charles was booked for dissent and that proved costly just before the hour mark when the Southampton midfielder went in late on Andraz Sporar and was sent off, the first blemish on the 19-year-old’s impressive start in international football. Charles has started every game of this campaign but will now miss November’s trip to Finland, another headache for O’Neill, who was forced into further changes here with Dan Ballard out with a thigh problem and Paddy McNair suspended following his late yellow card on Saturday. The manager responded with bold choices, handing debuts to Bolton defender Eoin Toal and Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons, the 30th and 31st players to be used in eight qualifiers so far, despite more experienced options on the bench. The atmosphere inside a below-capacity Windsor Park was already flat at the start with but it fell silent after Cerin’s goal, the fans not even having the energy to resume the anti-Casement Park chanting heard before kick-off. As the night wore on, a sense of injustice would rouse the fans. Northern Ireland responded quickly when Slovenia scored early in Ljubljana last month, a 4-2 defeat, but struggled to threaten here. Paul Smyth, the star of the show on Saturday, found little joy on the right. On the left Lewis had more joy in finding space but lacked the quality of cross required. Although limited going forward, Northern Ireland were at least ensuring Slovenia’s powerful strike force had few sights of Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s goal. After one rare attack, Slovenia appeared to have been gifted a second just after the half hour. Trai Hume’s poor headed clearance went straight to Jan Mlakar and Toal got it all wrong trying to cut out his low cross, allowing Sesko to thump home from close range. However, the visitors’ celebrations were cut short after the referee checked the replay, deeming Sporar to be interfering from an offside position. O’Neill sent on Washington for Josh Magennis at the break and was planning further changes a little over 10 minutes in before Charles saw red, forcing a rethink. Conor McMenamin, amongst the goals on Saturday, had been due to come on but instead it was George Saville, Dion Charles and Isaac Price who entered the fray in a triple change. The substitutes combined for Northern Ireland’s best move in the 69th minute as Price drove down the right, exchanged passes with Washington and then pulled the ball back for Saville but the midfielder, yet to score for Northern Ireland after 49 appearances, did not get enough power on his shot. There was a let-off in the 72nd minute when Mlakar found space in front of goal but got the contact on his shot all wrong, while at the other end Dion Charles blazed harmlessly wide. Northern Ireland still pushed forward but another flowing move ended with Saville shooting straight at Oblak and other attacks were thwarted by the over-officious Kovacs. Captain Jonny Evans, who had treatment on an ankle injury in the first half, ended the game limping heavily after another strong impact when challenging for a corner. Read More Kevin Sinfield says England’s Marcus Smith now ‘world class’ at full-back Jordan Henderson has ‘no regrets’ over Saudi Arabia move despite being booed Rassie Erasmus expects England to have ‘some beef’ with South Africa Netherlands stun South Africa in massive Cricket World Cup shock Marcus Smith on ‘modified training’ as England prepare for South Africa semi-final Beth Mead ‘not close’ to England recall, Sarina Wiegman admits

England wrapped up qualification for Euro 2024 with two matches to spare as Harry Kane’s brace helped Gareth Southgate’s side secure a 3-1 comeback win against Italy. Having kicked off Group C with an impressive victory in Naples, it has long been a case of when rather than if the unbeaten Euro 2020 runners-up would seal their spot in Germany. Italy stood in their way of early progress as these nations met at Wembley for the first time since they pipped Southgate’s men to European Championship glory on penalties. England have come a long way in the intervening 27 months and emphatically bounced back from former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca’s early gut punch under the arch. Kane struck from the spot after Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought down brilliant Jude Bellingham in the box, putting the hosts on course for the point they needed to go through. But England wanted more and returned from the break with the bit between their teeth, with Real Madrid star Bellingham beginning a brilliant counter-attack that ended with him playing in Marcus Rashford to rifle home. It will have been a special moment given the England forward missed one of the penalties against Italy and Kane added late gloss as the skipper looks forward to leading the national team to next year’s Euros. Southgate made 11 alterations from Friday’s 1-0 friendly win against Australia on a night that began with a disrupted minute’s silence for those killed from UEFA members nations Israel and Sweden. England began on the front foot and dominated early possession, with Rashford hitting a 30-yard free-kick over as they looked to strike the first blow. Gianluigi Donnarumma – one of just three survivors from Italy’s Euro 2020 final line-up – soon kept his cool under pressure from Kane, inadvertently starting a move that ended with a 15th-minute opener. Destiny Udogie roared down the left before playing on to Stephan El Shaarawy, whose cross-field ball found Domenico Berardi despite a deflection. The Italy forward slipped in underlapping Di Lorenzo to hit a fizzing low cross that Davide Frattesi missed, only for Scamacca to fire into the roof of the net from six yards. England appeared to go into their shells and Scamacca whistled wide from the edge of the box as Luciano Spalletti’s revitalised Azzurri pushed for a quickfire second. The Wembley atmosphere was even worse than against Australia and Bellingham tried to whip up the crowd after seeing a headed effort stopped before a poor Italy challenge on him soon improved the mood. Di Lorenzo caught Bellingham as he attempted to stop the England midfielder in the box, leading referee Clement Turpin to point to the spot. The VAR pored over the replays during a lengthy delay that did not disturb Kane, who sent Donnarumma the wrong way with a well-struck penalty. England appealed for another spot-kick shortly after, but those appeals were waved away and an Italy break was just halted in time. Rashford saw a drilled strike denied by Donnarumma and Udogie cut away to get away a low shot saved smartly by Jordan Pickford as an even half came to an end. England returned from the break with a renewed pep in their step and a superb team move led Wembley to erupt. Bellingham tackled Nicolo Barella on the edge of England’s box and burst forwards, collecting a pass from Phil Foden after fine footwork and coolly taking it beyond an Italian defender. The 20-year-old smartly turned left to Rashford, who cut inside and surprised Donnarumma with a low, lasered 57th-minute finish which provided a fitting end to a fine move. Scamacca was denied as Italy attempted to draw level, with play halted after rusty Kalvin Phillips’ poor tackle on Barella. The already booked midfielder was fortunate not to pick up a second yellow card and was swiftly replaced by Jordan Henderson, who was largely cheered but booed again by some. England looked most likely to score the next goal as Foden and Rashford continued to threaten, with Kane eventually striking the killer blow. The Bayern Munich striker nicked thee ball off the toe of Giorgio Scalvini and held off Alessandro Bastoni before beating Donnarumma.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 17, 2023--

The summer travel season was very good for U.S. airlines, but rising fuel prices are setting up a turbulent fourth quarter

Travis Kelce doesn’t just have a passion for scoring touchdowns – he loves to score designer duds and limited-edition sneakers too. In conversation with The Wall Street Journal, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end – who’s rumoured to be dating Taylor Swift – spoke candidly about his appreciation for clothing and motivation to style himself before every game. In recent weeks, Kelce, 33, has received an increased amount of attention following speculation the NFL player is romantically involved with the “Anti-Hero” artist. And with that, fans have been noticing the standout outfits he’s worn while escorting Swift out of Arrowhead Stadium and accompanying her to the Saturday Night Live afterparty in New York City. But Kelce’s infatuation with fashion began long before his newfound relationship with the Grammy winner. According to the professional athlete, fashion has always been a big part of his pre-game ritual. Before arriving at any stadium, Kelce contemplates the look he wants to sport, and he actually prefers to do so under a time crunch. “I kind of just do it off of instinct. It really just goes down to the wire,” he told the outlet during their 16 October interview. “I kind of enjoy the creative process of the panic to just throw something together.” To be clear, Kelce isn’t rummaging through a light rotation of clothing. Rather, he’s choosing from a myriad of options with about 300 pairs of sneakers and a bedroom-turned-closet full of garments. The self-proclaimed “impulse shopper” admitted he’s constantly building his wardrobe and scouring sites like Farfetch and Ssense while watching football games on the TV or eating a meal. Though some athletes and most celebrities choose to work with renowned stylists, Kelce has always preferred to tap into his own inspiration. From donning high fashion suits designed by brands like Celine, to strutting into Paris Fashion Week shows, Kelce has an acquired taste for fashion different from that of his teammates. While many of his counterparts prefer to stick with classic sweatsuits or even traditional suit and tie combos, the younger Kelce brother isn’t afraid to stray from the masses in Louis Vuitton overcoats or reconfigured Dior suits for game and guest appearances. But his eclectic style goes beyond known brands. Kelce’s sources from smaller streetwear companies as well, such as Brooklyn-based KidSuper Studios. After Swift attended his 24 September home game, the two were spotted leaving Arrowhead Stadium in a getaway car. Swift wore Chiefs merchandise while Kelce changed out of his gear and into the brand’s 1999 Bedroom Painting set. Colm Dillane, the founder of KidSuper, noted of Kelce: “He’s an NFL player with a crazy salary so he can wear all the top brands, but then it’s really cool that he’s, like, genuinely on the internet searching for different brands “Obviously, not every look is for everybody,” Kelce said to The Wall Street Journal. “I’m not going to be offended if somebody says I look like a clown if I got a fun hat on and some wacky jeans. It is what it is, I’m gonna have fun with it.” “For the most part, I do it to put a smile on somebody’s face,” he continued. Fashion took precedence when he was younger, even when he was on the field. Kelce wanted to have all the best gear from athletic headbands to top-of-the-line shoes. The athlete admitted: “Playing a sport growing up, like I always wanted to wear a headband, I always wanted to have a certain pair of shoes.” Of course, as Kelce got older, making it to the NFL and earning a salary more than he could’ve ever imagined, his ability to stray from run-of-the-mill looks became easier. He no longer had to shop under the constraints of money. “Money gave me access to certain designers and just certain fabrics that I absolutely love now,” Kelce confessed. Most recently, Kelce was seen leaving Swift’s New York City apartment in a green Palm Angels tracksuit, black baseball cap, and matching sunglasses to go watch his brother Jason play against the New York Jets. Read More Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole addresses ‘backlash and embarrassment’ in Instagram post Travis Kelce tells Taylor Swift’s security guard to ‘step aside’ on date night Katy Perry says she ‘ships’ Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce amid rumoured romance

One of the spooky faces in this Halloween brainteaser is not like the others.

By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) -United Airlines Holdings on Tuesday reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, but forecast weaker profit in

As the Israel-Hamas War rages and the crisis in Gaza deepens, Taher Herzallah said he has exchanged frantic messages on social media with his family members who are trapped in Gaza.

WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 17, 2023--

Jordan Henderson insists he has “no regrets” about moving to Saudi Arabia despite the public backlash. The England midfielder was heavily criticised after his summer transfer from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq and then was booed off the Wembley pitch by England fans during the friendly win over Australia on Friday night. The midfielder had been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his time at Anfield and last month apologised for any hurt he caused by moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal. He says his beliefs have not changed and he can do good while playing there. Asked in an interview with Channel 4 whether he had regrets about moving to Saudi Arabia, he said: “No regrets. “I think having someone like myself, with the values that I have, in Saudi Arabia is only a good thing. Before I went to Saudi people knew the groups I supported and helped in the past. “My values haven’t changed as a person just because I’m going to a different country to play football.” Henderson says the booing may have been in part due to an interview he conducted shortly after his move where he claimed the eye-watering wages were not a factor. “After the game I got told there was a little bit going on,” the 33-year-old added. “Of course it hurts because every time you pull on that shirt it’s a proud moment and I’m playing for my team-mates, for my country and for the fans. “So of course it hurts but at the end of the day that’s part and parcel – I’ve had enough criticism over my career so far to be able to deal with stuff like that I’m not the first player to get booed and probably not the last. “I asked that question (why he was booed after the Australia game) and a journalist said it was because I play in Saudi Arabia. It was a decision I made months ago now that doesn’t change who I am as a person. “I did an interview a couple of months ago and maybe some of the stuff that came out didn’t come out in the way that I thought I said it. “An example of that would be when I said I didn’t go out there solely for the money. I think that’s a big difference – it’s not a sole reason going out there for the money.” Asked whether his international chances are harmed by playing in the Saudi Pro League, he added: “There’s no getting away from that. The fitness coaches, sport science coaches are on that and if they see a drop-off I’m sure the manager will tell me. “It hasn’t been an issue so far, I just have to keep an eye on it.” Read More Rassie Erasmus expects England to have ‘some beef’ with South Africa Netherlands stun South Africa in massive Cricket World Cup shock Marcus Smith on ‘modified training’ as England prepare for South Africa semi-final Beth Mead ‘not close’ to England recall, Sarina Wiegman admits Matthew Mott says Ben Stokes ‘spoke really well’ after shock England loss ‘Middle of 2024’ predicted for Savannah Marshall’s rematch with Claressa Shields

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 17, 2023--

One bride wanted to make sure her wedding guests were lovin’ the special day. Stephanie Arielle, known for her wedding content on TikTok, recently posted about her decision to have McDonald’s cater her wedding for the low price of just over $200. “We had 75 guests total and we ordered 100 chicken McNuggets, 25 junior chickens [a grilled chicken burger], 25 cheeseburgers and 50 small fries,” she said in an interview with Newsweek. Text across the screen of her video explains that the McDonald’s was only a midnight snack and not the actual food for the ceremony. “If you want a midnight snack at your wedding but don’t wanna get your guests off the dance floor, you’re gonna wanna hear this tip,” she said in her TikTok. “The best way to keep your guests dancing all night long is to either pass your midnight snack or put the table right at the edge of the dance floor. We did this with McDonald’s and it worked amazing. Highly recommend.” Many people loved the idea and joked in the comments section about how they wanted to do something similar at their own wedding. Others, however, assumed the McDonald’s would be cold by the time it arrived and commented on how cold fast food never tastes good. “Never cold McDonald’s,” one viewer commented, with another sarcastically writing, “Yum cold McDonald’s.” @stephanie.arielle McDonalds as a midnight snack is always a great idea ??? #midnightsnack #mcdonaldswedding #weddingtips ♬ greedy - Tate McRae One commenter wanted to know how Arielle managed to get such a large order to her wedding venue. “Okay but seriously what were the logistics of this? Did you Uber Eats? Did someone go get them from your wedding party? I want to do this.” Arielle responded in a video explaining the planning process. “We started off by researching McDonalds’ that were close by to our venue because we wanted the food to arrive hot,” she began her TikTok. @stephanie.arielle Replying to @Eli #greenscreen #greenscreenvideo the logistics of our mcdonalds late night snack ??? #midnightsnack #mcdonaldswedding #weddingtips ♬ greedy - Tate McRae “We ended up finding one that was less than 10 minutes away, so we went in to speak to the manager about a month before our wedding. We told him exactly what we wanted.” This included making sure the food arrived at 11 pm. The manager responded by saying he would make sure to have enough staff that day and would deliver the food personally himself. He put the food in smaller packages than normal to make them easier to grab and go on the dance floor. The couple then confirmed with the fast food restaurant the week before the wedding and put a serving table right next to the dance floor. Since first being posted on 6 October, the TikTok has received over three million views. Many people commented on the follow-up video too, mentioning how impressed they were with both the idea itself and how nice the restaurant’s manager was. “I don’t drink but having McDonald’s fries while drunk sounds incredible,” one commenter wrote. “He did amazing! I hope you tipped him well,” another commenter pointed out. “When we were looking for a late night snack, we immediately thought of McDonald’s," Arielle said to Newsweek. “It’s our favorite guilty pleasure food and we know that everyone loves a burger or some nuggets once they’ve had a few drinks.” The Independent has reached out to Arielle for comment. Read More Bride and groom go viral for breaking wedding tradition - and their followers love it Groom expertly handles his bride’s beauty emergency on their wedding day Bride who lost sight as a teenager has wedding guests ‘live a moment in her shoes’ with blindfolds Bride and groom go viral for breaking wedding tradition Groom expertly handles his bride’s beauty emergency on their wedding day Restaurants are charging ‘vomit fee’ at bottomless brunch