Trio of French business leaders weighs $1.2 billion bid for Casino
PARIS French business leaders Xavier Niel, Matthieu Pigasse and Moez-Alexandre Zouari have expressed an interest in bidding up
2023-06-14 17:27
Explainer-Russia's plan to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus
By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin in March announced a plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons
2023-06-14 17:24
Supreme Court could soon rule on Biden's student loan forgiveness program. Here's what borrowers need to know
Millions of borrowers may learn soon whether they could receive up to $20,000 in debt relief under President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness program. The fate of the debt cancellation program lies with the Supreme Court, which is expected to rule in late June or early July.
2023-06-14 17:24
Najmul ton guides Bangladesh to 235-2 against Afghanistan
Najmul Hossain struck an unbeaten century to guide free-flowing Bangladesh to 235-2 at tea on Wednesday's opening day of their...
2023-06-14 17:23
US students grade their schools a B- on average, according to new report
US students give their schools an overall B- grade on average, according to a new report released Wednesday that asked fifth through twelfth graders to assess their school's quality of teaching, effectiveness in preparing them for the future and mental health support.
2023-06-14 17:20
Ibrahima Konate wants Liverpool to sign France teammate
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has given his thoughts on the Reds potentially signing one of his France teammates this summer.
2023-06-14 17:19
Stock market today: Global stocks, Wall Street futures mixed after US inflation cools
Global stock markets and Wall Street futures are mixed after a cooler reading on U.S. inflation fueled hopes the Federal Reserve will postpone a possible interest rate hike
2023-06-14 17:17
Roasted grape, honey and feta crostinis are perfect dinner party canapes
This creation is heavily inspired by one of my favourite signature bakes in the Bake Off tent,” says Crystelle Pereira, who was a runner-up on the show in 2021. “I had made a focaccia during Bread Week, with roasted grapes, sharp, salty feta, crunchy walnuts and fresh fennel. “It went down a treat, and so I’ve transferred all of the same flavours and textures into crispy crostini – little bites of sweet and salty deliciousness.” Roasted grape, honey and feta crostini Ingredients: For the infused oil: 50ml olive oil 2 garlic cloves, grated ½ tablespoon dried thyme For the crostini: 240g black seedless grapes (about 24 grapes) 200g feta 10 walnuts, skin on 1 small baguette 1½ tablespoons runny honey ¼ fresh fennel bulb, thinly sliced (optional) A bunch of fresh thymea pinch of fine sea salt and ground black pepper Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180C fan/400F/gas mark 6. 2. First make the infused oil. Place the olive oil in a small saucepan with the garlic and thyme and heat very gently over a low heat for about 10 minutes, until the oil is sizzling and fragrant. Turn off the heat and set aside. 3. Arrange the grapes in a roasting tray and spoon over 3 teaspoons of the infused oil. Toss the grapes until they are coated, then place in the oven and roast for 20 minutes, until they are sizzling and the skins have shrivelled slightly. Allow to cool, then slice each grape in half lengthways. 4. Place the feta in a food processor with a splash of feta water (or a splash of milk if your feta does not have water), a good pinch of pepper and a tiny pinch of salt and blend until completely smooth. 5. Place the walnuts in a dry frying pan over a medium heat and toast for around 7 minutes until slightly browned and fragrant. Allow to cool slightly, then break into small pieces and set aside. 6. Slice the baguette diagonally into thin crostini slices (about 1.5cm thick) and drizzle a teaspoon of the infused oil over each slice. Place these on a tray and toast in the oven for 7–10 minutes until crispy and golden, or alternatively cook on a griddle pan over a high heat for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. 7. To assemble, spread 1 heaped teaspoon of whipped feta over each crostini and drizzle with honey. Top with about 4 grape halves and a scatter of fennel, crushed walnuts and fresh thyme leaves, and serve straight away. Recipe from ‘Flavour Kitchen: Vibrant Recipes with Creative Twists’ by Crystelle Pereira (Kyle Books, £22). Read More BBQ salad recipes without a soggy lettuce leaf in sight Grace Dent’s quick and easy recipes that only require the microwave How to shop for and cook Japanese food at home like a pro Crystelle Pereira: ‘This is controversial but... French food isn’t that great’ Forest Side, review: Cumbrian produce elevated to Michelin-starred proportions Showstopping BBQ main dishes for a hot grill summer
2023-06-14 17:17
Jodi Jones relishing chance to take on England after overcoming injury despair
Jodi Jones was wooed by Malta on Instagram and now he is looking for a picture perfect finish against England. The Bow-born forward is ready for Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Gareth Southgate’s side and he has been ready for some time. Three cruciate ligament injuries in just over three years at Coventry put his career on hold and thwarted a move to Leeds. His injury despair also delayed international recognition with Malta, who initially made contact with Jones via social media four years ago. But, having made his debut in last year’s Nations League loss to Estonia before winning promotion to the Football League at Wembley with Notts County this season, Jones is ready to make up for lost time. “I remember getting messages on Instagram. Obviously, I didn’t know if they were genuine but then they started contacting my family regularly,” he tells the PA news agency. “It was the president (Bjorn Vassallo) who reached out to me on there, then he got my number and was calling me a lot. It's got my love for the game back. It's been a great experience, playing international football, even just little things on a shirt like a badge that says Euro qualifiers Jodi Jones “I played against Luke (Gambin, Sutton’s Malta international) and he messaged me on Instagram saying they were asking about me out there. “Then they reached out to me not too long after that with a proper phone call and contacted the club, that’s when I thought, ‘oh, yeah, obviously this is genuine’. “I was injured at the time so I wasn’t really interested, not because I didn’t want to do it, I was interested but I just wanted to focus on getting back fit. As soon as I was and I thought I was back to my best I thought, ‘now’s the perfect time’.” A seventh appearance came in Friday’s 1-0 win in Luxembourg, a victory which may not resonate worldwide but against a team 80 places above them in the FIFA rankings it suggests quick progress in Michele Marcolini’s three games in charge. “It’s got my love for the game back. It’s been a great experience, playing international football, even just little things on a shirt like a badge that says Euro qualifiers,” says Jones. “As a kid when you get a football kit you want it to have everything on. I remember Arsenal kits when I was younger, I wanted the Champions League badge on it, I wanted the Premier League badge. I’m still like a kid when I see things like that. “It’s got my name back out there as well, which I really needed because if you mentioned my name, people say, ‘well, he’s done his ACL three times’. “Now, if you say my name they’ll say, ‘he did his ACL three times, but he’s still playing, he’s just been promoted with Notts County, he’s an international and is playing against England’. So the positives have overtaken now. “I just enjoy the little things, like just being able to play. I know how quickly things can change, especially with what I’ve been through.” The support of his family – and godparents Terry and Geraldine – has been crucial in helping Jones return from despair but it took dad Jay to remind him of how far he has come. “My godparents, they’ve sacrificed a lot for me. From the age of six they’ve taken me to football because my parents were very young when they had me,” said the 25-year-old, who made just two appearances for Coventry between November 2018 and August 2021 because of injury. “Without them I definitely wouldn’t be a footballer. I can’t thank them enough. For my parents and my partner I’d say it’s more they’re just relieved to see me back playing. “My dad said to me the other day, ‘for all you’ve been through you’ve still played at Wembley twice, you’re going to be playing against England, you’ve been promoted two or three times’. “He said for someone to have missed so much you’ve also achieved so much. “Being from England and watching England when I was a kid, playing against them would mean just a little bit more. It’ll just be a massive thing. “I’m just really excited my family can come and watch me play. I want to be able to be a role model to them, just show them to follow your dreams and they can come true.” Jones has Maltese connections on both sides of his family but more on his father’s side with Jay and mum, Frances, flying out. His partner Zoe, children and godparents will be at the Ta’ Qali Stadium for the Group C game. He also remains close with James Maddison, remaining in a WhatsApp group with former Coventry team-mates with the ribbing about trying to keep up with the Leicester star ongoing. Friday will cap his comeback season after Notts County’s dramatic National League play-off promotion. Last month, Jones’ first goal since October 2018 sent the Magpies to Wembley after his last-minute extra-time winner capped a thrilling 3-2 semi-final victory over Boreham Wood before a penalty shoot-out win over Chesterfield in the final. Jones, who made his senior debut at 16 for Dagenham in 2014, scored in the shoot-out and knows how special one more goal on Friday would be. “I’ve pictured it loads of times, whether it’ll happen is another thing,” says Jones, who joined the Magpies permanently this month after leaving Oxford. “I believe in my ability and I know if I get one chance I will take it.”
2023-06-14 17:17
Transfers LIVE: Liverpool targets, PSG-Kane talks, Why Man Utd could sign Mbappe, Rice to Arsenal news
The summer transfer window is officially open ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League season and there are already plenty of news and rumours ahead of what promises to be a busy few weeks for clubs, players and agents. Having signed Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool are keen to bring in at least two more top players, with Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram and Inter’s Nicolo Barella top of the shopping list, according to the Mirror. The same paper also reports that Paris Saint-Germain have opened preliminary talks with Tottenham’s Harry Kane. PSG are likely to be the big focus of the window with Kylian Mbappe’s future up in the air. The France forward will be a target for Manchester United, according to the Metro, should Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim buy the club. Meanwhile 90min reports Declan Rice is moving closer to Arsenal, with the Gunners preparing a bid higher than £100m for the Hammers’ captain. Follow all the latest transfer news and rumours below. Read More Football rumours: Man United, Real Madrid and Chelsea fight for Kylian Mbappe Kylian Mbappe breaks silence after speculation over PSG exit
2023-06-14 17:15
Belarus receives nuclear bombs ‘three times size of Hiroshima bomb’ from Russia
Belarus has started taking the delivery of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, president Alexander Lukashenko announced, claiming that some of these were three times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Mr Lukashenko said “the bombs are three times more powerful than those (dropped on) Hiroshima and Nagasaki”, adding to his previous statement that he didn’t simply ask Mr Putin for the weapons, but "demanded" them. The Vladimir Putin ally was speaking to Russian state TV channel Rossiya-1 on a road in a forest clearing with military vehicles and a storage facility visible in the background seen around him. This will be the first such warhead deployment by Moscow, comprising shorter-range less powerful nuclear weapons that could potentially be used on the battlefield, outside of Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. The interview was posted on the Belarusian Belta state news agency’s Telegram channel on Wednesday. This comes five days after the Russian president announced plans to start deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, even as Moscow will retain their control, after the special storage facilities to park them were ready. Mr Lukashenko further confirmed his close ally’s statement in the state television interview where he said Belarus has numerous nuclear storage facilities from the Soviet-era and has restored five or six of them. On control of nuclear weapons in Russia’s hands as a move to prevent the arsenal from being used up quickly, Mr Lukashenko played down the concern and said that Mr Putin and he could pick up the phone to each other “at any moment”. Just hours before on Tuesday, he had said that the Russian tactical nuclear weapons will be physically deployed on the Belarusian territory “in several days” and he had the facilities to host longer-range missiles too if ever needed. Mr Lukashenko further alleged that Belarus has “always been a target” for the West. "They (the West) have wanted to tear us to pieces since 2020. No one has so far fought against a nuclear country, a country that has nuclear weapons," Mr Lukashenko said, adding that the nuclear deployment will act as a deterrent against potential aggressors. Belarus has been an active participant in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as it has consistently allowed its territory to be used by Russian forces to attack Kyiv. The first announcement of tactical nuclear weapons was made in March by Mr Putin who had blamed the US deployment of such weapons in a host of European countries over many decades. The US, however, maintained that it did not see any signs of Russia’s willingness to prepare for nuclear weapons use in the continuing invasion, as it criticised the decision of deployment by Mr Putin. Read More Putin says Russian tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed to Belarus next month The dam attack in Ukraine is a ruthless act of destruction – and shows just how desperate Putin is US, allies clash with Russia, China over North Korea's failed military spy satellite launch Watchdog: Nuclear states modernize their weapons, Chinese arsenal is growing What weapons does Russia have? Deadly arms Putin uses in Ukraine from phosphorus bombs to hypersonic missiles
2023-06-14 16:59
South Korea sues rival North Korea for blowing up joint liaison office in 2020
South Korea has filed a $35 million damage suit against North Korea for blowing up a joint liaison office just north of their border in 2020, which highlighted a revival of tensions between the rivals following the collapse of larger nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea
2023-06-14 16:58
