
Lunin will start for Madrid despite Kepa arrival, says Ancelotti
Andriy Lunin will continue in goal for Real Madrid this weekend despite Kepa Arrizabalaga's loan move from Chelsea, coach Carlo...
2023-08-18 19:45

Russia says destroys drones in Moscow, Black Sea
Russian forces destroyed Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and its Black Sea Fleet, officials said Friday, the latest in a surge of attacks on the capital...
2023-08-18 19:45

'Woke won the war': Ron DeSantis's plummeting poll numbers send Internet into overdrive
Ron DeSantis presented himself as a political fighter emphasizing conservative achievements in Florida and differing from the chaotic Donald Trump era
2023-08-18 19:29

Former Austrian leader Kurz charged with giving false evidence to a corruption inquiry
Prosecutors say Austria’s former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has been charged with making false statements to a parliamentary inquiry into alleged corruption in his first government, which collapsed in a scandal in 2019
2023-08-18 19:29

I’m really happy with England: Sarina Wiegman rules out USA managerial switch
Sarina Wiegman intends to stay put as England boss amidst swirling rumours the serial winner could be tempted into the recently vacated United States manager’s chair. On Thursday, US Soccer announced Vlatko Andonovski would step down by mutual agreement following a disappointing World Cup campaign that saw the double-defending champions knocked out by Sweden for a worst-ever last 16 finish. Wiegman and Chelsea manager Emma Hayes were already among the names frequently tipped to fill the post, but the 53-year-old issued a reassuring update two nights before leading the Lionesses into their first-ever World Cup final. She said of the chatter: “I’m staying out of that. I’ve heard it. I’m with England, I’m really happy with England and I have a contract until 2025. “I’m really enjoying my job and I have the impression that people still like me doing that job. I have no plans to leave.” Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has said that his organisation would refuse an American approach for Wiegman. The 53-year-old is the first manager in history to have steered two different nations to a women’s European championship title, having done so with her native Netherlands in 2017 and England last summer. Four years ago in France, Wiegman reached a World Cup final with the Oranje Leeuwinnen but fell to the US at the final hurdle, so both boss and squad will be determined to secure the trophy that has so far eluded them when they line up against Spain in front of more than 75,000 people in Sydney on Sunday. The Dutch manager has only been in her post since the summer of 2021, but arrived with a deep appreciation of what it feels like to be a long-suffering England fan. I’m really enjoying my job and I have the impression that people still like me doing that job. Sarina Wiegman Asked if she is aware of how much is invested in the Lionesses potentially ending 57 years of hurt since the men lifted the World Cup under Sir Alf Ramsey, Wiegman replied: “I don’t hear it that much because I get out of the noise. But I know it’s there. “When we started working, I felt that the country was so desperate to win a final in a tournament. Everyone was saying that and the players too. I thought: it’s very real. “I heard again: 1966. Everyone’s talking about 1966. So let’s be at our best on Sunday and try and be successful.” Wiegman’s life changed when, in the late 1980s, she met University of North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Anson Dorrance at a Women’s World Cup prototype tournament, an encounter that eventually led the then-midfielder to move to America. If the three-time FIFA Best winner’s connection to the US concerns fans unconvinced by Wiegman’s earlier assurances, perhaps the Hague-born boss’ sheer enthusiasm for the uniquely religious fervour with which the English consume football will assuage them. She said: “Football is so big in England, it’s so in the culture. That’s incredible to experience. It’s so big. It’s everywhere.” There has nevertheless been a bit of cultural adjustment for the straight-talking Dutchwoman, who alongside her players has – perhaps reluctantly – become a household name since England lifted the Euro 2022 trophy last summer. The England boss, who chalks up her side’s growth in part to their learning – at her encouragement – to embrace mistakes, is motivated by “working with very ambitious, talented people”. Earlier in the tournament, captain Millie Bright also linked Wiegman’s arrival with the establishment of an environment devoid of hierarchy, where players feel they can speak their mind, even when the conversations can be difficult. Perhaps that has something to do with the Dutch directness Wiegman admits, despite her affinity for England, she has probably imported into the Lionesses’ culture. She added: “English people are very polite and sometimes you go ‘OK, are you now being polite or are you really saying what you mean?’ “And that’s sometimes finding a balance, because you don’t have to be rude to be direct. So I ask the players and the staff ‘you can be honest, it doesn’t mean that you’re rude. Just be direct’. “Direct doesn’t mean rude. You can just say what you think and still be very respectful.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sarina Wiegman v Jorge Vilda – a look at the World Cup final coaches Have Spain moved past player mutiny on their run to World Cup final? Owen Farrell absence dominates build-up – Ireland v England talking points
2023-08-18 19:28

Russians are flocking to bootleg Barbie screenings amid Hollywood ban in country
Russians are going to see bootleg viewings of the Barbie movie thanks to Hollywood pulling out of Russia. Warner Bros and other big Hollywood names like Disney and Netflix pulled out of the country after Putin invaded Ukraine last year. So, since then, copies of popular films have come into the country through other Russian-speaking markets, such as Kazakhstan, to work around the sanctions. To get around the system, some cinemas sell people tickets for a little-known Russian documentary or short film and then show a different film during the preview, to skirt American copyright laws and Russian laws that require distribution certificates from the Russian Ministry of Culture. But in June, the primary Kazakh-based distributor that had been illegally delivering Hollywood-licensed films to Russian cinemas announced it was pulling out of the business for financial reasons. This is how pirated viewings have started becoming popular. Nikita Zabolotskikh, 17, has spent an estimated Rbs300,000 — or more than $3,000 — bringing Barbie to the big screen in the city of Perm by acquiring a pirated copy, hiring a Russian dubbing company and rolling out an extensive marketing campaign. He told the Financial Times that he and a friend came up with the idea after reading news reports that the Kazakh company was ending its business — just as Barbie was about to hit cinemas worldwide. “The demand was unbelievable. People were losing their mind buying tickets . . . A huge number of people want to see Barbie,” he said. They now plan to show a higher-quality, re-dubbed version of the film at Kinomax, one of Russia’s biggest cinema chains — with plans to expand to 15-20 other Russian cities afterwards. “It’s the best-quality version on the [Russian] market,” he said. “And probably will be for the next two to three months.” Meanwhile, in Russia’s central city of Tyumen the Gorkiy cinema has already shown a pirated version of the film on its rooftop. Organisers noted that the quality might not suit “lovers of 4k resolution and ideal sound”. Some Moscow politicians don't like the liberal western values shown in the film. Maria Butina, a Russian lawmaker convicted in the US for operating as an unregistered foreign agent, has called for a ban on the sale of Barbie dolls and the new Mattel movie, which she labelled as an “advertisement” for the agenda of the US Democratic party. “What do we see [in the film]? Gays. Trans people. Women who have taken over the world. Nothing about the union between men and women, nothing about love,” she said in an appearance on the Russian Duma TV channel. But that is clearly not enough to stop Barbiemania. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-08-18 19:27

Sarina Wiegman commits future to England after USA speculation
Sarina Wiegman is happy as England manager and wants to see out the remainder of her contract, despite speculation linking the Lionesses boss to the United States. Wiegman, who will lead England into their first Women’s World Cup final against Spain on Sunday, is set to attract interest from the USA after the resignation of head coach Vlatko Andonovski - following their huge underperformance and last-16 exit at the tournament. The Dutch manager has an outstanding track record and is the first head coach to reach the Women’s World Cup final with two different teams, after guiding her native Netherlands to the final in 2019. Wiegman also ended England’s 56-year wait for a major trophy when the Lionesses won the Euros last summer, with the Dutch also winning the European championships on home soil in 2017. The FA said on Thursday that they would “100 per cent” reject any approach for Wiegman before the end of her contract, which is through to the end of the Euros in 2025, and the 53-year-old confirmed she would not consider any offers after the World Cup. “I’m really enjoying my job and I have the impression that people still like me doing that job,” Wiegman said on Friday. “I have no plans to leave.” When asked about the open position with the USA, the four-time World Cup champions, Wiegman replied: “I’ve heard [about] it. I’m with England, I’m really happy with England and I have a contract until 2025.” While Wiegman is preparing for Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain in Sydney, there is also the potential that the 53-year-old takes charge of a Great Britain team at the Paris Olympics next summer, ahead of the defence of England’s European title in 2025. Wiegman, meanwhile, would not comment on the pay gap that exists between herself and male counterpart Gareth Southgate, the manager of the men’s team. While Wiegman’s annual salary is £400,000, men’s boss Southgate is reportedly paid £5m a year. “Well, first of all I think I feel very comfortable with where I am right now,” Wiegman said. “The FA treats me very well. And that’s the only thing I want to say about that now because I’m really focused on the game.” Read More Women’s World Cup LIVE: Sarina Wiegman says ‘everyone’s talking about 1966’ and backs England to end 57 years of hurt Sarina Wiegman: ‘Stop talking about the result — we know what we want’ Ella Toone or Lauren James? Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup
2023-08-18 19:22

Hibernian FC reference bizarre WWE custody battle ahead of Aston Villa clash
Hibernian didn't wait a second before promoting their upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League clash against Aston Villa. They did it in fairly unique style by referencing a legendary WWE matchup that still has meaning to this day, and in a way that got Hibs legend and current Villa icon John McGinn involved. The first-leg tie at Easter Road next Wednesday has been billed as a 'Ladder Match for the custody of John McGinn' in a tweet by the Scottish side. McGinn, the current Villa captain is still beloved on the green side of Edinburgh, and it is the first time he has played against Hibernian in a competitive fixture since leaving the club. Of course, there's a deeper layer of reference in the tweet as well - and it involves WWE, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio and Rey's son Dominik Mysterio. At Summerslam 2005, a heated storyline between Mysterio and his close friend Guerrero came to a head in a match that would decide the custody of Dominik Mysterio. The build-up involved uncomfortable segments between the trio ahead of the ladder match. The stipulation of the fateful match was odd. Bizarrely, Dominik's custody papers hung in the air above the centre of the ring, with the winner being the wrestler who grabbed the papers. The would also become Dominik Mysterio's 'father'. It was a controversial story, one among many, for the 00's era WWE, and it is still referenced to this day. Dominik - a wrestler in his own right - calls Eddie 'his dad' in promos, and references the late wrestling great's moves to build heat amongst WWE fans, especially when performing his father Rey. If it needs saying, Unai Emery won't be deploying ladders against Lee Johnson, and the victor of the first-leg tie at Easter Road won't be getting John McGinn (well, unless it's Villa who already have him) - they'll just get an easier time in the second leg and a better chance of progressing in the Conference League. But it's nice to see a football club having a lot of fun - and hitting the nostalgia button. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-08-18 19:21

Ex-Trump administration officials target corporate diversity efforts
By Daniel Wiessner Activision Blizzard Inc and Kellogg Co have joined a growing list of major U.S. companies
2023-08-18 18:58

Evenepoel ends speculation to stay with Soudal-Quick Step
Remco Evenepoel has put an end to discussion about a possible move to Ineos-Grenadiers by announcing that he will respect his contract with Soudal-Quick...
2023-08-18 18:57

Chelsea sign teenage Southampton midfielder Lavia
Chelsea have signed Romeo Lavia on a seven-year contract from Southampton it was announced Friday in the latest addition to their squad after the teenage midfielder rejected a move...
2023-08-18 18:51

Justice Department asks for 30-year sentences for Proud Boys leaders convicted of sedition
The Justice Department is seeking three-decade prison sentences for the leaders of the Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspiracy for plotting and leading the crowd at the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, positioning the men as failed, thuggish political revolutionaries.
2023-08-18 18:49