peterlambb-blog - Tumblr blog

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

5 things to know for January 4: Washington, Thailand storm, Paul Whelan, ‘El Chapo’

(CNN)

Want to channel your inner Elsa? The world's largest ice and snow festival opens tomorrow in China. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. (You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)

1. Washington

President Trump meets with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other congressional leaders this morning at the White House as they try to find a way to end the partial government shutdown, now almost two weeks old. No one expects much of a breakthrough, though. The President is still demanding $5 billion for a border wall; Pelosi and the Democrats say that's not going to happen. Last night, the House, now-led by Democrats, passed bills that could end the shutdown, but they'll go nowhere in the GOP-led Senate, and even if they did, President Trump would veto them. So, the stalemate continues.

Democrats pass bills to reopen government

Against the backdrop of this shutdown showdown, members of the 116th Congress were sworn in yesterday. Washington has never seen a Congress that looked like this: a record number of women (including more women with young children and in positions of leadership); the first Native American women, the first Muslim women, the youngest woman ever elected. Just how different is the group? This picture shows the holy books of various faiths that lawmakers used to be sworn in.

2. Thailand tropical storm

Thousands of people are stuck on islands in southern Thailand as Tropical Storm Pabuk hits. The storm struck another part of the country earlier today with winds of nearly 50 mph and heavy rain. Pabuk, the first storm to make landfall in Thailand in decades, is passing through some of the country's most popular tourist destinations during its peak holiday season. Thousands of people living along coastal areas had already been evacuated. Pabuk is expected to make a second landfall over Thailand tomorrow.

Tropical storm approaches coast of Thailand

3. Paul Whelan

As Russia charged American Paul Whelan with espionage, we're hearing more about his arrest. Whelan, a corporate security director from Michigan, had classified information on a flash drive with him when he was arrested in his hotel room, a Russian news site reported. CNN hasn't independently verified that these are the official Russian allegations against him. Whelan's lawyer is trying to get him released on bail because it could be half a year before his case goes to trial. He's been visited in prison by US Ambassador Jon Huntsman. Whelan's family says he's not a spy and was only in Moscow for a friend's wedding.

Russia charges American with espionage

4. 'El Chapo' trial

How much does it cost for a drug cartel to bribe a whole nation of government officials? More than $1 million a month. That's what the Sinaloa cartel spent on police and military officials in Mexico who helped the drug traffickers carry out their operations. This eye-popping fact about the cartel's so-called "corruption budget" was revealed yesterday in testimony by a former Mexican drug trafficker during the trial of alleged kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. He's pleaded not guilty to charges of international drug trafficking and conspiracy to murder rivals in a trial that's dragged on for weeks.

Who is 'El Chapo?'

5. Birth certificates

Birth certificates in New York City now have a gender-neutral option. A law that went into effect on New Year's Day makes it easier for transgender and non-binary New Yorkers to match their birth certificate to their gender identity. An "X" label option on birth certificates is also available. New York City joins California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho in allowing a birth certificate change without the signature of a medical authority. New Jersey will allow that starting next month.

Gender-neutral licenses debut in Washington

BREAKFAST BROWSE

Hitmaker in chief

Barack Obama has been a President and won a Nobel Peace Prize. Now, he can add R&B chart topper to his list of accomplishments, thanks to "Hamilton."

Listen to Obama's Billboard charting song

There's an app for that?

Los Angeles now has an app that'll give residents a heads-up -- and possibly a few vital seconds to scramble to safety -- before a big earthquake hits.

It's superboy

Meet the 11-year-old boy who swam to the bottom of a pool and saved the life of a drowning man in Minnesota.

What goes down must come up

After a couple years of bad press and a verbal (and Twitter) pounding from President Trump, NFL ratings rebounded nicely this season.

TODAY'S NUMBERS

22%

That's how much reports of rape were up in New York in 2018. Mayor Bill de Blasio said part of the increase can be attributed to #MeToo.

How 2018 became the year of #MeToo

660

That's how many points the Dow dropped yesterday as Wall Street absorbed news of Apple's latest woes and a big decline in US factory activity.

Apple warns that iPhone sales could take big hit

TODAY'S QUOTE

"When I see Jazmine Barnes' face, I see my own daughter."

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who pledged to give his game check from this weekend's NFL playoff game to the family of 7-year-old Jazmine, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in Texas. Police released a composite sketch of a suspect.

7-year-old killed in drive-by shooting

TOTAL RECALL

Quiz time

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft took pictures of an object named Ultima Thule during a flyby on New Year's Day. What does it look like?

A. Like a reindeer

B. Like a sleigh

C. Like Santa Claus

D. Like a snowman

Play "Total Recall: The CNN news quiz" to see if you're right. And don't forget, you can also find a version of the quiz on your Amazon devices. Just say, "Alexa, ask CNN for a quiz."

AND FINALLY

Winter wonderland

It's just cute dogs chasing snowflakes because, really, what else do you want for the first weekend of 2019? (Click to view.)

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Originally Published Here: 5 things to know for January 4: Washington, Thailand storm, Paul Whelan, ‘El Chapo’ ************************************ =>

5 things to know for January 4: Washington, Thailand storm, Paul Whelan, ‘El Chapo’ was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Babalwa Latsha: From South African township to Springboks

Cape Town (CNN)When South African women's sevens player Babalwa Latsha took up rugby a few years ago it wasn't just a new sport she had to master.

"There would be times where I would like to go for an evening run, but I can't because I live in a township," the 24-year-old tells CNN of her area of Khayelitsha, based in the Western Cape section of Cape Town. "It's not the safest thing to do."

As she pursued both her sporting and academic ambitions, Latsha then moved out of her family home and into a place of her own.

"It was the best thing to happen, actually, for my academics and also for my rugby," says Latsha, who was part of the inaugural South African Rugby Legends Association's (SARLA) development program in 2014.

She did not, however, abandon her roots, and still lives in the township of Khayelitsha.

"I'd say it is a tough place to live, but I don't think that I would want to change it for anything," she says. "Khayelitsha has its own flavor, if you like.

"It requires a specific way of life, if you know what I mean. So, it's a special place, really."

Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features and videos

With her astonishing work ethic -- she is also studying law at the University of the Western Cape -- Latsha has had to develop a powerful physique to help deal with the demands of playing the prop position.

She has also found herself trailblazing a new path for South African women's sports.

"Whether I like it or not, this is not about me as an individual. It's about the person who looks at me and thinks, 'Maybe I can do the same,'" she says, speaking in a manner that evokes wisdom beyond her years. "In my heart that is what it's about."

South Africa unites with 1995 Rugby World Cup win

READ: How to build a ruby player -- Inside England's Under-20s camp

READ: Cape Town Sevens: Blitzboks to wear jersey to honor Nelson Mandela

'Inspiration to all of us'

This year Latsha captained the Springbok women for the first time in a sevens tournament against Spain, Italy and Wales, and was named South Africa Rugby Women's Top Achiever for 2017.

"She's an inspiration to all of us," SARLA chief Stefan Terblanche told South Africa's Independent Media of Latsha.

Another person to be inspired is her 12-year-old sister, who is already following in Latsha's footsteps as a primary school rugby player.

"She copies everything I do, basically, so for her the next best thing was to start playing rugby. Actually, she's quite good," Latsha says. "I hope to leave a legacy, so she'll continue it."

Latsha also represents Western Providence in the 15-a-side format of the game and aspires to qualify the Springboks for the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

South Africa first developed a women's rugby union team in 2004. Since then it has played in three World Cups, collectively winning two matches and losing 13 before missing out on 2017 qualification.

Having a world class talent like Latsha could be transformative to the Springbok Women, however.

Balancing act

Should her game continue to develop, a rugby team from one of the more competitive women's leagues in the UK or continental Europe could come calling.

But prying Latsha away from South Africa will be difficult, considering she's on path to become a lawyer, a dream she has had since childhood.

"As early as I can remember, I was always fascinated by how lawyers spoke so eloquently and all those gowns," she recalls. "In my eyes, they were champions of justice and all of those things."

Balancing the intense training required for rugby and the mound of reading for her legal studies has not been easy.

"I think time management is a very important thing because I need to train," she notes. "Somehow, I've managed to find a way up until now, and it works."

"Look, a law degree is really demanding, in terms of time," she adds. "In order to do that, there's a whole process that you need to undergo. So, I've decided to embark on that journey and actually embrace the process."

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Post Source Here: Babalwa Latsha: From South African township to Springboks ************************************ =>

Babalwa Latsha: From South African township to Springboks was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

The 10 best-selling vehicles in the United States in 2018 were mostly trucks and SUVs

(Getty Images)

Americans bought over 17 million vehicles for the fourth year in a row in 2018, and 68 percent of them were trucks and SUVs, continuing a years-long trend away from cars that’s been driven by increasing choice, low gas prices and improving fuel economy.

Here’s how the top 10 stacked up:

1. Ford F-Series - 909,330

(Toyota)

The Rav4 inherited the title of "best-selling vehicle that's not a pickup truck" from the Camry last year and has been running with it ever since.

5. Nissan Rogue/Rogue Sport - 412,110

(Nissan)

Nissan fudges its numbers a little bit by adding up sales of the Rogue and smaller Rogue Sport, which are two completely different vehicles, but whatever works.

6.Honda CR-V - 397,013

(Toyota)

Camry sales dropped 11.3 percent, but with Ford and Chevrolet abandoning the midsize segment soon, there may be hope.

8. Chevrolet Equinox - 332,618

(Chevrolet)

With sales this good it's no wonder Chevy is giving up on sedans.

9. Honda Civic - 325,760

(Honda)

The Civic tries hard with a variety of models that include a coupe, sedan, hatchback and the racy Type R.

10. Toyota Corolla - 303,732

(Toyota)

If the economy keeps humming the way it has been, 2018 may be the last year you see the Corolla on the top 10 list, but if things go bad you can be sure the consumate economy car will climb right back up the charts.

Gary Gastelu is FoxNews.com's Automotive Editor.

Trending in Auto

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Read More Here: The 10 best-selling vehicles in the United States in 2018 were mostly trucks and SUVs ************************************ =>

The 10 best-selling vehicles in the United States in 2018 were mostly trucks and SUVs was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

World Anti-Doping Agency accused of being ‘played’ by Russia

(CNN)The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been accused of being "played by the Russians" after the country's anti-doping agency missed the December 31st deadline to hand over data from its Moscow laboratory.

WADA's compliance review committee will meet on January 14 in Canada to consider its options, which could see the country once again banned from international events.

Travis Tygart, United States anti-doping agency (USADA) chief executive, said the situation was a "total joke" and an "embarrassment for WADA and the global anti-doping system."

Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features and videos

'No one is surprised'

In a statement, Tygart said: "In September WADA secretly moved the goalposts and reinstated Russia against the wishes of athletes, governments and the public. In doing this WADA guaranteed Russia would turn over the evidence of its state-supported doping scheme.

"No one is surprised this deadline was ignored and it's time for WADA to stop being played by the Russians and immediately declare them non-compliant for failing yet again to meet the deadline."

However, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has suggested Russia would not be suspended for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, saying the country had "served its sanction" when banned from the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang last year.

WADA's decision in September allowed Russian athletes to return to competition across all sports despite the country not having complied with all demands following the revelations in 2015 of a state-sponsored doping program.

The suspension was lifted pending Russia meeting "strict conditions" that included a timeline for "access to the former Moscow laboratory data and samples."

In November Reedie had said it was "very hard to believe" Russian authorities "won't deliver," but last month WADA was unable to extract all of the promised data with the Russian authorities reportedly saying that the team's equipment required to be certified under Russian law.

The UK anti-doping athlete commission said RUSADA must be declared non-compliant and suspended.

It said: "The Russian state needs to prove unequivocally that they have learned from the biggest doping scandal under WADA's watch, and that they will from this date forward be committed to a drug-free, transparent regime across international sport.

"Otherwise the WADA compliance review committee and the WADA executive committee must immediately declare Rusada non-compliant.

"WADA's leadership has the opportunity to stand up for the interests of athletes, their families, their fans and their sport. We trust that those we look to for leadership will demonstrate their resolve and commitment to clean sport.

"In the name of sport, it is time to do what is right."

RUSADA has yet to make an official statement.

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Read More Here: World Anti-Doping Agency accused of being ‘played’ by Russia ************************************ =>

World Anti-Doping Agency accused of being ‘played’ by Russia was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

‘My sports coach kissed me when I was 17’

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption "Megan" first met the sports coach in her early teens, and they began a secret "relationship" when she was 17

"When I was 16, we started messaging a bit more and it wasn't just the sport. I was quite naive and vulnerable."

Megan - not her real name - says she was 17 when she first kissed her sports coach, an older man who had acted as a guardian on trips away and was someone her parents trusted "implicitly".

While it is illegal for teachers and care workers to have sexual relations with 16 and 17-year-olds in their care, this does not apply to sports coaches.

Campaigners want this to be changed.

They have accused the UK government of "backtracking" on proposals announced in 2017 to add coaches to the list of professions covered by the law designed to prevent the abuse of positions of trust.

The Ministry of Justice said it continued to keep the law under review.

Megan was in her early teens when she first met the man she later accused of taking advantage of her.

As she began competing at a higher level she trained seven days a week. She said she often found herself unexpectedly alone during sessions with her coach.

'Big age difference'

"I thought everyone was having individual sessions but in fact it was just me. He told the others that training was cancelled so we could have training by ourselves," Megan said.

She said her coach had her phone number to arrange training sessions and meetings.

When she was 16 - the standard age of consent - he began asking her personal questions about her sex life.

Megan said they kissed after a night out and had several more intimate encounters in his car when he gave her a lift, making her feel like they were "in a relationship".

"It was a secret so I felt like we had to delete all of our messages," she said.

"It didn't feel nice to keep it a secret because I felt like I was lying. There were a lot of feelings of guilt involved."

Megan said the relationship continued until she "realised what a big age difference there was" and broke it off.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption "He's just got away with it... it was very upsetting"

'Bold change' urged on rugby injury risks

Gender stereotypes: Teen called lesbian for playing football

Girls and women 'missing out' on benefits of sport

She said she finally told her parents who were "devastated" and reported it to the police.

The coach - who disputed her account and denied any wrongdoing - was arrested and bailed, but the matter was dropped by police as no criminal offence was deemed to have been committed.

"He's just got away with it… it was very upsetting," Megan added.

Position of trust

Des Mannion, the national head of service for NSPCC Wales, said the law as it stands "isn't adequate".

"We know there are individuals who are wronged but have no redress," he said.

Mr Mannion said he was calling for the UK government to introduce legislation to protect all children and young people, not just when they are in a classroom.

"We're talking about a power relationship where an older adult has a position of trust and power over a young person," he said.

"We know that individuals who have a sexual interest in children will seek positions of power and influence so they can offend against them."

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Megan considered quitting her sport

The Ministry of Justice said it remained "absolutely committed to protecting children and young people from sexual abuse".

"We already have a wide range of criminal offences under which to prosecute and sentence those who carry out such acts," a spokesman said.

For Megan, the relationship left her feeling her beloved sport had been "ruined".

She considered quitting but is working hard to get back on track.

Related Topics

Ministry of Justice

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Read Full Article Here: ‘My sports coach kissed me when I was 17’ ************************************ =>

‘My sports coach kissed me when I was 17’ was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Authorities release sketch in hunt for the driver who gunned down a 7-year-old girl

Houston (CNN)Investigators on Thursday released a composite sketch of a suspect in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl in the Houston area over the weekend.

The sketch was compiled from descriptions given by Jazmine's mother and three sisters, who also were in the car. Authorities said a man in a red or maroon pickup drove up next to them around 7 a.m. and opened fire for no apparent reason.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office also released an enhanced surveillance video of the suspect's pickup.

"We're not going to rest until we find justice for Jazmine," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters.

The sketch compiled with information from Jazmine's mother and sisters, who are grappling with the trauma of seeing Jazmine killed, may be key to finding the killer. The sketch shows a white man in his 40s with a 5 o'clock shadow. He was driving a red, extended-cab pickup.

'My baby is not responding at all'

In an interview with CNN, Jazmine's sister, Alexis Dilbert, and mother, LaPorsha Washington, recalled the truck pulled up to their passenger side before going around to Washington's driver's side as the family made an early morning coffee run.

"I didn't even hear the first gunshot. All I remember is my glass shattering on my window, and then I heard the shots go off," Washington, 30, said.

"I think I'm hit in my arm," Washington recalled saying to her daughters. She was later hospitalized for her injury.

Washington said she realized Jazmine had been shot after Alexis, who is 15, called Jazmine's name and she didn't answer.

"When she said Jazmine the third time, I turned the light on in the car and turned around and looked at my baby," Washington said. "She was leaned over on the door and blood was everywhere."

Call 911, Washington told another daughter in the backseat with Jazmine and her 6-year-old sister.

She told Alexis, who was in the front seat, to search the internet for the nearest hospital: It was seven minutes away.

Washington said she made a U-turn and hopped back on the Sam Houston Tollway, speeding, heading for the hospital.

But her car started to shake.

"When my car started to shake, I told my babies ... 'ya'll, the tire is out,' " she said, sobbing. "I can't make it no further. I'm sorry."

"Get help. Please, get help," she said she told her two teenage daughters, who jumped out and tried to flag down drivers on the freeway.

Alexis said: "Me and my sister got out the car and we just started, like, shouting for somebody to come and nobody was stopping. Everybody just kept passing us by."

Washington said she kept passing out during the wait for help. A good Samaritan stopped and called 911, Washington said.

"Sir, can you just get my baby and get her to the hospital?" she said to the man. "I think my baby's not responding at all."

Washington said she suspects the attack may have been racially motivated. She said she didn't have tinted windows, and the gunman could see "a black mother with four beautiful children, girls, in this car."

The sheriff has said the family didn't appear to do anything to incite the truck's driver.

'We're missing our set'

Washington's hand was in a sling as she sat in her home Thursday. She laughed recalling the memories of her daughter.

She said Jazmine was her "love child," who would hug and kiss everyone, even strangers. She liked the color purple and dressing up in her mother's clothes.

Her favorite song was "Wake up in the Sky" by Bruno Mars, Gucci Mane and Kodak Black, Washington said.

In the car, she usually sang louder than the radio, her mother said.

"I swear, they keep me on my toes 24/7. They're so amazing," Washington said of her children. "We're missing our set."

Washington said her youngest, the 6-year-old who witnessed the shooting, drew a picture on Thursday: It was of her and Jazmine playing.

"It's like what can I say to her, what can I do for her? ... I don't know what to do because I can't even fix myself," Washington said, sobbing.

No one except the gunman knows why he shot into the car.

But out of this tragedy came solidarity in grief.

A $100,000 reward is now available for information leading to the arrest of the killer, social justice activist Shaun King announced,

And more than 1,800 donors have contributed to a GoFundMe account for Jazmine's funeral expenses and family.

A community rally and funeral

Jazmine will be memorialized Tuesday during the "Justice for Jazmine Barnes Community Rally."

The event will honor "all murdered victims in Houston/Harris County," organizers said.

Services for Jazmine will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday with a viewing at Green House International Church, followed by her funeral at noon.

Afterward, mourners will release purple balloons in her memory.

The widespread impact of Jazmine's death

The inexplicable killing has afflicted mourners near and far.

Bernice King, the youngest child of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said there needs to be more public dialogue about what happened to Jazmine.

"Just a baby," King tweeted. "It is truly unconscionable what's happening to children in America and how the murder of this precious little Black girl isn't permeating our media as much as a wall. Does America care about Black and Brown babies inside or outside of its borders?"

Even for officers accustomed to horrific crimes, Jazmine's death has had a profound personal impact.

"Help us find this monster before he murders another innocent child," tweeted Joe Gamaldi, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union. "Prayers for Jazmine's family, no parent should have to bury a child."

Attorney S. Lee Merritt, who is advising Jazmine's family, said the grief is compounded by the unknown.

"The inability to capture or even identify this killer is really weighing heavily on that family," he said.

Jazmine's father, Christopher Cevilla, thanked the countless supporters who are trying to help. He also had a message for anyone who might know about the attack:

"I just want anybody, whoever, out there that knows anything about the murder of my daughter, to just please step up as if it was your own," Cevilla told reporters. "Just put yourself in my shoes, in my family's shoes."

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Article Source Here: Authorities release sketch in hunt for the driver who gunned down a 7-year-old girl ************************************ =>

Authorities release sketch in hunt for the driver who gunned down a 7-year-old girl was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Petra Vlhova upsets Mikaela Shiffrin in New Year’s Day slalom showdown

(CNN)Slovakia's Petra Vlhova brought Mikaela Shiffrin's unbeaten World Cup slalom run to a halt by claiming the Oslo city event on New Year's Day, beating the American in the final.

Follow @cnnsport

The record-breaking Shiffrin was unbeaten in her favored discipline in the current World Cup campaign and had won 13 of the last 14 to underline her dominance.

But Vlhova, showing brilliant technique in the head-to-head parallel slalom racing, was first across the line in both legs of the final against Shiffrin, long her nemesis.

"It's amazing, I don't really know what to say, I finally did it," she said.

Just 23 like rival Shiffrin, Vlhova was claiming her seventh World Cup victory, six in slalom or parallel slalom.

The other, last week in Semmering, came in giant slalom, where Shiffrin was relegated to fifth place in pursuit of her 50th World Cup victory.

Shiffrin quickly made amends with a slalom victory the next day to set new marks for wins in a calendar year, 15, and overall slalom successes, 36, to go ahead of Marlies Schild at the top of the all-time list.

Notably, Vlhova pushed Shiffrin hard on the second leg of that victory and carried that form into the knockout event held on a floodlit course at the famous ski jump venue of the Holmenkollen.

Wendy Holdener of Switzerland beat Sweden's Anna Sven Larsson in the run off for third place and valuable World Cup points.

The first three on the podium also top the overall World Cup standings, with Shiffrin looking to retain that title.

Schwarz denies British first

The men's event saw a first World Cup triumph for rising young Austrian Marco Schwarz, who beat Dave Ryding in the final.

Ryding was bidding to become the first British skier to win a World Cup alpine skiing event and caused a major surprise by eliminating Austrian great Marcel Hirscher in the quarterfinals.

But his hopes of overall victory were dashed as he could not match Schwarz's speed over the two legs in the showdown for first place.

"The night event here is always special and I'm really happy with my first first victory," said Schwarz.

Visit CNN.com/Sport for more news, features and videos

Ramon Zenhaeusern of Switzerland beat veteran Swede Andre Myhrer for the final place on the podium.

The floodlit event was the first of the year as the competitors build up to the world championships in Are in Sweden next month.

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Article Source Here: Petra Vlhova upsets Mikaela Shiffrin in New Year’s Day slalom showdown ************************************ =>

Petra Vlhova upsets Mikaela Shiffrin in New Year’s Day slalom showdown was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

The big things to look out for in 2019

Image copyright Getty Images/Netflix

Image caption Expect to see more of Rihanna, Stranger Things and the Welsh rugby team in 2019

If you thought 2018 was busy, get ready for what's gearing up to be another full on 12 months.

From new episodes of the biggest TV shows to major political change, sporting events and movie releases - 2019 is set to be jam-packed.

Here's a run-down of some of the things to keep an eye out for, get excited about or even get ready to avoid this year:

Music

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Rihanna's last album was released in 2016

Victoria might not be there but expect Girl Power to take over again as the Spice Girls go back on tour for the first time in more than a decade. The tickets sold out straight away and fans are really excited.

She's confirmed she's been in the studio, so expect new music from Rihanna in 2019. There have been rumours that there could even be more than one album in the works.

Glastonbury is back after a year off and Stormzy will be headlining - he'll probably have new music to show off there too.

Here's a bigger list of what music to expect in 2019.

Gaming

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionSony began its PlayStation 4 event with a trailer for The Last of Us Part II

By Newsbeat gaming reporter Steffan Powell

Expect the official announcement of the PlayStation 5 sometime in the next 12 months, but before that's available to buy there are some big releases to look out for.

If you like a bit of nostalgia in your games then the remake of Resident Evil 2 and the new Mortal Kombat could be the ones for you.

For fans wanting something new, games like Anthem and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are worth considering. They're both new projects from development teams with a history of making classic games.

2019 could be the year that we finally get a sequel to one of my personal favourites - The Last of Us.

Announced in 2016, many expect to see The Last of Us: Part II on the shelves this year but we can't be 100% sure (and will it include the main character from the original, Joel?)

It could also be the year that the much anticipated role-playing game Cyberpunk 2077 is finally on your Christmas list.

TV and film

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer won the 2018 series of Love Island

Applications are now open for Love Island, so if you're not happy to just sit and watch, you could always try to be on it in 2019?

Lots of major shows have a new series on the way, Game of Thrones and Stranger Things are just some of them - there's a full list here.

RuPaul's Drag Race is coming to the UK and we're saying goodbye to the Big Bang Theory.

On the big screen, Toy Story is back nearly 25 years after the original was released.

It'll be another major year for Marvel as the Avengers: Endgame and its first female-led film Captain Marvel come out.

We'll also get to find out who Rey's parents are (or will we?) in Star Wars: Episode IX.

Brexit

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption MPs will vote on Theresa May's deal on 15 January

By Newsbeat politics editor Jim Connolly

You may have avoided it over the Christmas break or it may have been the source of a few rows over your turkey dinner, but Brexit is back and is the big political issue of 2019.

On 15 January MPs will vote on the prime minister's proposed withdrawal agreement with the European Union.

If she manages to get enough support for her deal, then the UK will leave the EU on the 29 March as planned and the focus will shift to how we trade with the EU in the future.

If the deal is voted down, then all we know for certain is the government has 21 days to make a statement on what happens next.

Labour would probably lodge a motion of no confidence in the government - which could lead to a general election and increase the pressure on whoever is in charge to hold another referendum.

Sport

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Wales are currently third in the World Rugby Rankings

2019 is a year full of world cups.

In September, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will be competing with 16 other teams in Japan to be crowned rugby union world champions.

June will see England and Scotland's female footballers taking part in the FIFA Women's World Cup with Phil Neville's side in with a serious chance of winning it.

The Cricket World Cup is also being held in June in England and Netball's global showcase is being hosted in Liverpool in July.

Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here.

Related Topics

Film

Stranger Things

Game of Thrones

Gaming

Star Wars

Brexit

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Learn More Here: The big things to look out for in 2019 ************************************ =>

The big things to look out for in 2019 was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Christian Pulisic: Forward signs for Chelsea to become most expensive soccer signing in US history

(CNN)European soccer's January transfer window is barely a day old, but already a high-profile signing has been announced with American soccer star Christian Pulisic signing for English Premier League side Chelsea for a fee in excess of $73 million.

The move from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea makes the 20-year-old -- widely touted as one of the world's best young players -- the most expensive American player in history.

"It's a privilege to have signed for such a legendary club and I look forward to working hard towards being a contributor to their team of world class players," Pulisic said on social media.

Pulisic, who joined Dortmund's academy in 2015 and made his first team debut aged 17, will remain on loan with the Bundesliga outfit until the end of the season.

Visit CNN/com/sport for more news, features and videos

'Been an honor to wear the black and yellow'

The rise and rise of Christian Pulisic

"It feels like only yesterday that I arrived in Dortmund as a raw, excited, very nervous but exceptionally proud 16-year-old from a small American town called Hershey," Pulisic -- the youngest goalscorer in U.S Soccer history -- added.

"I had no idea what lay ahead but I soon discovered that as a young Schwarzgelben, I would be in the best possible hands.

"I would not be where I am today without the Club and their belief in giving young players a chance. It's been an honor and a dream to pull on the black-and-yellow in front of the Südtribüne [the famous south end of Dortmund's stadium]."

Pulisic has earned 23 caps for the US national team, scoring nine times. He has made 80 appearances for table-topping Dortmund but has faced competition this season for a starting berth following the emergence of 18-year-old Englishman Jadon Sancho.

READ: 'No reason' the USA can't win the World Cup, says Christian Pulisic

In a statement, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: 'We are delighted to have signed one of Europe's most sought-after young players.

"Christian has shown his quality during a fantastic spell in Germany and at just 20, we believe he has the potential to become an important Chelsea player for many years to come.

"We look forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge in the summer and wish him and Dortmund every success for the remainder of the season."

For Dortmund, meanwhile, the club's management felt Chelsea's offer was one that couldn't be turned down.

"It was always Christian's biggest dream to play in the Premier League. It's something to do with his American background and consequently it wasn't possible to extend his contract," said sporting director Michael Zorc.

"He stressed it was with this in mind that we have decided -- in view of the small amount of time his contract has to run -- to accept the extremely lucrative offer from Chelsea.

"Christian is by character an impeccable player. I'm sure that he will do everything in the coming months to bring his quality to the team and to help them to achieve their sporting goals with his teammates at Borussia Dortmund."

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Source Here: Christian Pulisic: Forward signs for Chelsea to become most expensive soccer signing in US history ************************************ =>

Christian Pulisic: Forward signs for Chelsea to become most expensive soccer signing in US history was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Warming seas linked to bluefin tuna surge

Image copyright Getty Images

Growing numbers of bluefin tuna are being seen in the waters around the UK because of the warming impact of a long term ocean current say researchers.

These large, speedy fish are a globally endangered species and almost disappeared from the UK around 40 years ago.

Scientists say that their recent rise is connected to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO).

Now in a warm phase, the current makes UK waters more hospitable for the species.

Calls to fish endangered bluefin tuna

Could big-game fishing return to the UK?

Giant tuna causes 'frenzy' at salmon farm

Bluefin tuna are one of the largest and fastest fish on the planet - they can weigh up to 900kg and can travel at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour (43mph).

In the 1930s, the species was a common sight in the seas off Scarborough and was highly prized by big-game fishers.

However, from the 1940s, the species began to decline and by the early 1990s had all but disappeared.

But over the past five years or so, sightings of the warm blooded fish have increased off the UK once again with many of these encounters captured on social media.

Skip Twitter post by @adsrawson

Bluefin Tuna feeding frenzy in Falmouth Bay. (Video by Peter Green, taken from Facebook) pic.twitter.com/z2Ydwt2e1x

— Adam Rawson (@adsrawson) August 17, 2017

Report

End of Twitter post by @adsrawson

This situation has been mirrored in the Nordic seas, in the waters between Greenland and Norway which witnessed a spectacular collapse in tuna numbers in the 1960s, when the fish declined dramatically in just two years.

Researchers now believe that the warming and cooling impact of the long term current, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation is key to the ebb and flow of the species.

The scientists' new paper has been published in the journal Science Advances. The team looked at the changing abundance and distribution of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic over the past 200 years.

They've concluded that the major factor influencing the movement of bluefin is the AMO.

"The ecological effects of the AMO have long been overlooked and our results represent a breakthrough in understanding the history of bluefin tuna in the North Atlantic," said lead author Dr Robin Falllettaz from the University of Lille.

He believes that while current numbers of sightings of the UK may indicate that the species is doing well, this may not be the case everywhere.

"When water temperature increases during a positive AMO, bluefin tuna move further north. However, the most positive (warming) phases of the AMO also have a detrimental effect upon recruitment in the Mediterranean, which is currently the most important spawning ground, and that will affect adult abundance a few years later."

"If the AMO stays in a highly positive phase for several years, we may encounter more bluefin tuna in our waters but the overall population could actually be decreasing."

What is the AMO?

It's a measure of a naturally occurring climate cycle in the North Atlantic that see sea surface temperatures rise and fall over long time periods.

Approximately every 60 to 120 years the AMO switches between positive and negative phases. During positive (warm) phases, Ireland and the UK experience warmer weather but it also brings more hurricanes and drives drought in the US midwest. A cooler AMO can lead to drought in many parts of Africa.

Will tuna fishing be allowed in the UK again?

Right now the fishing of bluefin tuna in British waters is prohibited. But the recent rise in bluefin numbers has encouraged campaigners to petition the government to allow amateur fishers to catch the endangered species.

The Angling Trust want to establish a "catch and release" licensed fishery which would they believe would have enormous economic benefits for areas such as Cornwall.

But the scientists involved with the latest study are cautious about this approach.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Bluefin numbers in the Mediterranean have declined while increasing around the UK

"Bluefin tuna have been extensively overfished during the 20th century and the stock was close to its lowest in 1990, a fact that further indicates the recent changes in distribution are most likely environmentally driven rather than due to fisheries management and stock recovery," said co-author Dr Richard Kirby from the Secchi Disk Foundation.

"Before we further exploit bluefin tuna either commercially or recreationally for sport fishing, we should consider whether it would be better to protect them by making the UK's seas a safe space for one of the ocean's most endangered top fish."

What about climate change?

According to experts, the impact of global warming on top of the AMO is likely to alter the familiar patterns seen in bluefin tuna over several hundred years.

The authors believe that increasing global temperatures may see the species persist for longer in cooler waters around the UK and in the Nordic seas.

It might also cause the fish to disappear from the Mediterranean sea, the world's most important bluefin fishery.

Follow Matt on Twitter @mattmcgrathbbc

Related Topics

Fishing

Climate change

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** See More Here: Warming seas linked to bluefin tuna surge ************************************ =>

Warming seas linked to bluefin tuna surge was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

‘Outrageous’ cost to be football mascot

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Swansea City charge up to £478 for a match-day mascot experience

Swansea City may play in football's second tier but they are charging parents Premier League prices for children to be mascots.

It costs up to £478 for a match-day mascot "package" at the Championship club, research by BBC Wales found.

Only three teams in the Premier League charge more, while the experience is free at most of the top clubs. Cardiff City charge £255.

Swansea City said prices were reduced this year following relegation.

Consumer groups have branded the higher prices as "outrageous".

For many youngsters, the chance to walk out onto the pitch with their football heroes is a dream come true.

Indeed many clubs tell parents the package is the "ultimate gift your child will never forget".

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Many clubs sell the experience as "once in a lifetime"

Yet while many of the biggest clubs in the country, including Premier League champions Manchester City, do not charge for the opportunity, others are cashing in more than £700 per child.

Most packages include full kit, match tickets, photographs and autographs as well as walking onto the pitch before kick-off.

But a £270 deal at Fulham does not include kit while a £185 package at Bournemouth does not come with a ticket to the game.

Martyn James, of consumer website Resolver, said: "It's absolutely outrageous that some richer kids can effectively buy their way to the top of the mascot list.

"When I was younger, being a mascot was a reward for super loyalty or for having been through a great deal.

The Premier League's oldest mascots?

Mascot to wear 'Swansea City legs'

"Charging any money for these packages is unacceptable - and it's pretty unknown too.

"It makes a mockery of all the things that our national game is supposed to represent."

Supporters on fan forums have slammed the prices as "unfair" and "scandalous".

Swansea City said the "truly once in a lifetime experience" includes four hospitality places, a meal and half-time penalty competition on the pitch.

A spokesman added: "We've reduced prices this year following relegation, from £450 plus VAT to £399 plus VAT for weekend, and £349 plus VAT for weekday matches.

"We also give one space free to charity every match and this was brought in this season."

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Swansea City give one free mascot place to charities and good causes each game

Mascots at the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are picked at random from their junior fan club and are free.

Cardiff City offer the chance for children aged between four and 10 to turn "dream into reality" for £255 and have sold out for many of their most popular home fixtures.

Claire Blake, of Penarth, arranged for her eight-year-old son Cian to be a mascot before the Bluebirds' game against champions Manchester City as a birthday gift in September.

"We were lucky to get such a big game but I'm not sure we would be happy paying the same amount for games against other teams," she said.

"Cian got a kit, signed photos and met Neil Warnock and had a great time, but the seats were poor and it was a bit rushed meeting the players."

Image copyright Family photo

Image caption Cian Blake had "a great time" as a Cardiff City mascot this season

Season-ticket holder Tracy Morgan paid for her eight-year-old son Leo to be a mascot.

She said: "It was very expensive but it was worth every penny to see my son's face - and my husband's."

Ryan Moore bought a mascot package as a Christmas gift for his six-year-old son Niall.

He said: "It's free for some big clubs like Liverpool but a money-making scheme at others and there are so many mascots that it dilutes the experience.

"But we were pretty happy with the whole day. Niall loved it - apart from the team being hammered 4-1."

Premier League mascot prices

West Ham United £700

Leicester City £600

Tottenham Hotspur £405

Wolves £395

Crystal Palace £375

Brighton £350

Burnley £300

Fulham £270

Cardiff City £255

Watford £250

Bournemouth £185

Free: Arsenal, Everton, Chelsea, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Newcastle United and Southampton.

Clubs have been urged to find a "good deal" for fans.

The Football Supporters' Federation said: "Clubs should speak to their supporters about what they think represents a good deal for parents and if fans have specific concerns, we'd be happy to look into it.

"Our campaign focus will primarily remain on affordable ticket prices - particularly fair concessionary and fair young adult prices."

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Mascot packages for Cardiff City's most popular games were sold out at the start of the current 2018/19 season

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Learn More Here: ‘Outrageous’ cost to be football mascot ************************************ =>

‘Outrageous’ cost to be football mascot was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Here Are 21 LGBTQ Celebrity Coming-Out Stories That Shaped 2018

In spite of recent social strides, the number of LGBTQ people who say they’ve experienced discrimination on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity appears to be on the rise.

Such figures, of course, only serve as a reminder of the significance of queer visibility, and seeing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer actors, artists and other public figures live authentically remains both empowering and subversive.

2018 saw some celebrities, including Janelle Monáe, Lucas Hedges and Amandla Stenberg, share their sexualities in interviews with high-profile outlets. Others, like “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jake Borelli and professional golfer Tadd Fujikawa, took a more direct route by using social media to speak about their authentic selves with fans.

In some cases, they stoked a fair share of controversy, too. Rita Ora revealed she’s been in relationships with women after releasing a song, “Girls,” that many deemed problematic for the LGBTQ community. Jason Mraz was accused of cultural appropriation online after using the Native American term “Two Spirit” to describe his experiences with men and women.

Below, check out 21 celebrity coming-out stories of 2018. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, each of these famous faces helped drive the global conversation on LGBTQ acceptance by sharing their truths.

Janelle Monáe

CHRIS DELMAS via Getty Images

In an April interview with Rolling Stone, Monáe said she identifies with aspects of pansexuality and bisexuality.

“Being a queer black woman in America ― someone who has been in relationships with both men and women ― I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker,” the Grammy-nominated singer-actress said. Though she initially identified as bisexual, she said, “Later I read about pansexuality and was like, ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too.’”

Read more here.

Lucas Hedges

Bravo via Getty Images

The "Boy Erased" and "Ben Is Back" star told Vulture in a September interview that he “exists on a spectrum” but stopped short of using terms like “straight,” “gay” or “bisexual” to label his sexuality.

“In the early stages of my life, some of the people I was most infatuated with were my closest male friends,” he explained. “That was the case through high school, and I think I was always aware that while for the most part I was attracted to women, I existed on a spectrum.”

Recalling a middle school health class discussion, he added, “I recognize myself as existing on that spectrum: Not totally straight, but also not gay and not necessarily bisexual.”

Read more here.

Josie Totah

Jerod Harris via Getty Images

The "Champions" and "Spider-Man: Homecoming" actress opened up about her gender identity for the first time publicly in August, telling fans in a Time magazine essay that she identifies as transgender.

“I know now, more than ever, that I’m finally ready to take this step toward becoming myself. I’m ready to be free,” wrote Totah, who began her career on the Disney Channel series “Jessie,” where she presented under a different name and identity. “My pronouns are she, her and hers. I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. And my name is Josie Totah.”

Read more here.

Brendon Urie

Leon Bennett via Getty Images

A longtime ally to the LGBTQ community, the Panic! at the Disco singer came out as pansexual in an interview with Paper magazine published in July.

“I’m married to a woman and I’m very much in love with her but I’m not opposed to a man because to me, I like a person,” Urie said. “If a person is great, then a person is great. I just like good people, if your heart’s in the right place. I’m definitely attracted to men. It’s just people that I am attracted to.”

"I guess this is me coming out as pansexual," he added.

Read more here.

Amandla Stenberg

Rodin Eckenroth via Getty Images

"The Hunger Games" actress revealed she identifies as gay in June as part of a moving conversation with singer/songwriter King Princess in Wonderland magazine.

The star first came out two years ago as bisexual during a Snapchat interview with Teen Vogue. In her Wonderland interview, however, she said she now knows she’s gay ― and the moment she realized her truth, she felt a “profound sense of relief.”

“Socialization is a bitch and a half and kept me from understanding and living my truth for a while,” she told Wonderland. “I was so overcome with this profound sense of relief when I realized that I’m gay ― not bi, not pan, but gay ― with a romantic love for women.”

Read more here.

Jake Borelli

Mitch Haaseth via Getty Images

Life imitated art in November for the “Grey’s Anatomy” star, who spoke publicly about his sexuality for the first time after his character, Dr. Levi Schmitt, enjoyed a same-sex kiss on the show.

After the kiss aired, Borelli announced in an Instagram post that he is gay. “This is exactly the kind of story I craved as a young gay kid growing up in Ohio," he wrote, "and it blows my mind that I’m able to bring life to Dr. Levi Schmitt as he begins to grapple with his own sexuality this season on 'Grey’s Anatomy.' His vulnerability and courage inspire me every day, and I hope he can do the same for you.”

The actor later told HuffPost, “I’m in a position right now where I have a platform, and I think it’s really important to be honest and to put myself out there so that other people don’t feel as alone.”

Read more here.

Alyson Stoner

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images

The “Step Up” and “Cheaper by the Dozen” star revealed she’s “attracted to men, women and people who identify in other ways” in a poignant essay for Teen Vogue.

In the essay, published in March, Stoner recalled the time she fell in love with a female dance instructor. Reconciling that relationship, however, with her faith was a challenge, she said.

Since then, however, she's learned to accept herself for who she is. "I can love people of every gender identity and expression,” she wrote. “It is the soul that captivates me. It is the love we can build and the goodness we can contribute to the world by supporting each other’s best journeys.”

Read more here.

Tadd Fujikawa

Sam Greenwood via Getty Images

The professional golfer identified himself as gay in an emotional Instagram post on Sept, 10, World Suicide Prevention Day.

“I spent way too long pretending, hiding, and hating who I was,” wrote Fujikawa, who is Japanese-American. “I was always afraid of what others would think/say. I’ve struggled with my mental health for many years because of that and it put me in a really bad place. Now I’m standing up for myself and the rest of the LGBTQ community in hopes of being an inspiration and making a difference in someone’s life.” The announcement reportedly made him the first male professional golfer to publicly identify as LGBTQ.

Read more here.

Tessa Thompson

Rebeca Figueiredo Amorim via Getty Images

In June, the "Westworld" and "Thor: Ragnarok" actress told Porter magazine that she was "attracted to men and also to women."

"I want everyone else to have that freedom and support that I have from my loved ones,” Thompson said. “But so many people don’t."

As for her relationship with Janelle Monáe, which has been the subject of media scrutiny for some time, she said simply, “We love each other deeply. We’re so close, we vibrate on the same frequency. If people want to speculate about what we are, that’s OK."

Read more here.

Ronan Farrow

Kevin Winter via Getty Images

The journalist identified himself as "a part of the LGBT community" while being honored by the Point Foundation for his reporting work in April, according to excerpts of the speech published by The Advocate and Billboard.

"Being a part of the LGBT community, which recognized that reporting I was doing early on and elevated it, and has been such a stalwart source of support through the sexual assault reporting I did involving survivors who felt equally invisible — that has been an incredible source of strength for me," he said after being being presented the Point Courage award, according to The Advocate.

"LGBT people are some of the bravest and most potent change agents and leaders I have encountered," he continued, "and the most forceful defenders of the vulnerable and voiceless, because they know what it’s like to be there."

Read more here.

Abbi Jacobson

Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images

When asked by Vanity Fair about her sexuality in April, the "Broad City" co-writer and star said, “I kind of go both ways; I date men and women.”

Though Jacobson stopped short of using “lesbian,” “bisexual” or other labels, she said she’s open to being approached by prospective suitors, both male and female.

Her one stipulation? “They have to be funny, doing something they love," she said.

Read more here.

Jason Mraz

Tim Mosenfelder via Getty Images

Mraz addressed his sexuality in an interview with Billboard published in July.

“I’ve had experiences with men, even while I was dating the woman who became my wife,” the singer-songwriter told the magazine.

“It was like, ‘Wow, does that mean I am gay?’ And my wife laid it out for me. She calls it ‘Two Spirit,’ which is what the Native Americans call someone who can love both man and woman. I really like that,” he added.

The Grammy winner's explanation sparked accusations of cultural appropriation. Perhaps he worded it better in 2005, when he described himself as being “bisexually open-minded,” even though he'd “never been in a sexual relationship with a man” at that time.

Read more here.

Garrett Clayton

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images

The star of Disney’s “Teen Beach Movie” and NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” revealed in a September Instagram post that he’s in a relationship with another man (screenwriter Blake Knight) but stopped short of using terms like “gay” or “bisexual.”

Clayton cited his latest film, “Reach,” as having influenced his decision to speak out. The actor played a socially awkward band geek in the movie, which explores teen bullying, suicide and other hot-button issues.

“These topics ― not always easy to discuss ― are all close to my heart, and, knowing how serious they are, I wanted to share this with you all,” he wrote in his post. “This film has come from the perspectives of people who care deeply about these issues, and if watching it helps even one person ... then it was all worth it.”

Read more here.

Kevin McHale

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

In April, the "Glee" star made headlines when he described Ariana Grande's hit single "no tears left to cry" as being "gayer" than he is in a tweet.

Speaking to entertainment journalist Marc Malkin weeks later, McHale said the remark did, in fact, reflect his identity as a gay man.

“If somebody was a big fan and following everything I was doing [on social media], like the people I interact with on Twitter on a daily basis, I think there was zero surprise,” he said.

Read more here.

Rita Ora

Gotham via Getty Images

In May, the singer teamed up with Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX for "Girls," which she deemed a “real gender-fluid freedom record.”

The song, which many interpreted as Ora’s acknowledgment of her own bisexuality, sparked the ire of a number of prominent LGBTQ artists, who felt it perpetuated stereotypes.

Ora responded to the controversy with a lengthy statement on Twitter. “Girls,” she wrote, is “an accurate account of a very real and honest experience.”

“I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey,” she said and offered an apology anyone she hurt with the way she expressed herself.

Read more here.

Lee Pace

VCG via Getty Images

The Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor opened up about his sexuality for the first time publicly, though he opted not to use labels, in an interview with W magazine in February.

“I’ve dated men. I’ve dated women. I don’t know why anyone would care. I’m an actor and I play roles,” said Pace, who was starring in "Angels in America" on Broadway at the time. He appeared to be taken aback, adding, “To be honest, I don’t know what to say ― I find your question intrusive.”

Many interpreted Pace's comments as the actor’s reluctant coming out. Days later, he clarified the remarks on Twitter, saying he had been “momentarily at a loss” for words during the interview.

"As a member of the queer community, I understand the importance of living openly, being counted, and happily owning who I am," he said. "That’s how I’ve always lived my life."

Read more here.

Cory Michael Smith

Roy Rochlin via Getty Images

While promoting his film "1985" in March, the "Gotham" star told the Daily Beast that he identifies as queer.

Speaking about the movie, Smith said he connected to the role of Adrian, a gay man who heads home to Texas for the holidays after being diagnosed with AIDS.

"There’s something special about telling a story that feels closer to home,” he said. “I’m from Ohio. I’ve been living here [in New York] for a while, and there are stretches when I don’t see my family often. Going home and that whole charade is very familiar. The first family dinner after a while. Coming out to a family, the fear of that.”

Read more here.

Collin Martin

Shaun Clark via Getty Images

The midfielder for Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United came out as gay in June, ahead of his team’s planned Pride celebration before a match against FC Dallas.

“As we celebrate Pride night, I want to thank my teammates for their unconditional support of who I am,” Martin said. “In light of my experience as a professional athlete, I want to take this moment to encourage others who play sports professionally or otherwise to have confidence that sport will welcome them wholeheartedly.”

He continued, “June is Pride month, and I am proud to be playing for Pride, and to be playing as an out gay man.”

Read more here.

Jeff Rohrer

CNN

The former Dallas Cowboys linebacker came out as gay in a New York Times profile published in November and also revealed his plans to marry skin care magnate Joshua Ross.

“I’ve given at least five people heart attacks with this news,” Rohrer joked. “But for the most part, many of my closest friends, including some of my former teammates with the Cowboys, could not have been more happy and supportive.”

Rohrer, who tied the knot with Ross on Nov. 18, became the first current or former NFL player known to be in a same-sex marriage.

Read more here.

Jake Choi

ROBYN BECK via Getty Images

The star of ABC's "Single Parents" said in September that he identifies as fluid.

"Every day I would think, 'What does it mean when I’m talking to a guy and connect with him emotionally with intimate energy?' Maybe it’s not just sexual but it could be," he told Very Good Light, a men's lifestyle site. "Maybe, shit, I’m attracted to everything."

He continued, "Maybe it’s more feminine or more androgynous. I realized yeah, I’m fluid. It’s not black or white. It’s grey.”

Read more here.

Hurley Haywood

Hoch Zwei via Getty Images

The endurance race-car legend who won the Rolex 24 at Daytona five times publicly came out as gay in an interview with Autoweek in February.

Haywood said he'd been inspired to open up about his sexuality because of an encounter he had with a high school student who was interviewing him for a term paper. At one point in the interview, Haywood said, he began consoling the teen, who said he'd been bullied at school for being gay.

Haywood later received a phone call from the student's mother, who said he'd helped save her son's life. “Hearing from that mother — well, it was very emotional,” he recalled. “And I thought, if my voice is strong enough to help one kid, it might help two kids, or five or a hundred.”

Read more here.

Download

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Read Full Article Here: Here Are 21 LGBTQ Celebrity Coming-Out Stories That Shaped 2018 ************************************ =>

Here Are 21 LGBTQ Celebrity Coming-Out Stories That Shaped 2018 was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Why sports stars get passionate about charity

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionSpeaking ahead of his fight with Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury said he wants to help homeless people by donating some of his prize money

New year, new ideas, time to broaden your horizons? For sporting stars, this might involve participating in a high-profile charitable campaign. After all, nothing announces your arrival as a sporting legend quite like attaching your name to a good cause.

Former top footballers such as David Beckham and Didier Drogba have been involved in widely publicised ventures in Africa, while boxer Tyson Fury recently vowed to donate his substantial purse from the Deontay Wilder fight to the homeless.

"When I go home I'm going to build some homes for the homeless and set up some funds for drug addicts and alcoholics," he said in the US last month.

Others, such as athlete Dame Kelly Holmes, have established their own foundation or fund, to assist chosen causes such as social inclusion or literacy.

Tyson Fury to donate funds from fight to homeless

Ex-footballer Colin Cooper to wind down charity fund

Charity watchdog to 'engage' with PFA

Indeed in the modern world it is hard to find a sporting celebrity - from Cristiano Ronaldo to Serena Williams - who has not dipped into their resources of money or time for charitable causes.

The former has helped earthquake victims and the latter has help establish educational centres in east Africa, among their varied philanthropic ventures.

What's the motivation?

But why would high-earning and high-profile sporting names who seem to have it all - jet-set lifestyles, adulation and huge material wealth - choose to get involved with altruistic initiatives?

Are they merely PR and brand-building exercises, a means of countering public perceptions that sportspeople are pampered and overpaid?

Prof Jen Shang is a philanthropic psychologist at Plymouth University, and says that the reasons for getting involved can be complex, and are not usually driven by cynical concerns such as monetary gains or fame.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Serena Williams has supported a number of causes including education in Africa

"Looking at philanthropy in sport, and other professions, one may start out in one's career being motivated by external factors such as money or honours. But after a period of time it is unlikely that people are motivated so much by external rewards, and more by internal drives," she says.

"Top sportspeople might say to themselves, 'I am achieving so much in my regular role, I would like to branch out and see what is out there in the wider world.'

"And when they become involved in philanthropy, they then find the same sense of reward that they experienced when they started their careers."

'Wellbeing'

Prof Shang adds: "The reason people choose to give money to a cause that is not materially benefitting them is because it is meeting some need.

"By 'need', in my research I use the definition of psychological wellbeing. One's philanthropy can make a major difference, not just to others but to one's self."

Image copyright Tullio M Puglia/Getty Images

Image caption Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has been an ambassador for Save the Children

Prof Shang says that, if they so desire, sportspeople can eventually become "fluent in philanthropy" by using skills learned in their sporting careers - attributes such as risk management, business management and people skills.

She adds: "They are faced by challenges they would not get in their normal environment. Often they have to provide money, time and a lot of tenacity if they are to make their ventures sustainable.

"Problems can be more complex, which is why they often need time and space to develop their philanthropic identities."

A charitable foundation: Liverpool footballer James Milner

Image copyright Getty Images

James Milner officially launched his charitable foundation in the 2011-12 season, and since then has donated around half a million pounds to charitable causes including leukaemia organisation Bloodwise, the NSPCC and Help For Heroes.

Two recent high-profile events have included a Celtic v Liverpool legends Match for Cancer at Celtic Park in front of 20,000 fans, and the foundation's annual ball, attending by Liverpool teammates and manager Jurgen Klopp.

Some £170,000 was raised at each event.

"He is fairly quiet and not usually in the news, but it is good to see him now getting some recognition as a model professional and highly respected player," says PFA players' union official John Hudson, a trustee of the player's foundation.

"Off the pitch he has been a massive advocate for putting something back. James has been really passionate about wanting to go along this road."

'Sustained commitment'

Footballers can often set up charities as an after-thought to a benefit year, or as a way of attempting to manage the many charitable requests put to them by different causes.

"I get a lot of calls from agents saying, 'My player wants to set up a charity,'" says John Hudson, director of corporate social responsibility at footballers' union the PFA.

"I tell them to get the player to call me, and that it is about doing things for the right reason, because you are interested in a cause."

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Former player Jason Roberts assists causes in Grenada and London

But as Mr Hudson, who for the past five years has been offering advice to players about charities and wider social responsibility issues, says, it is not something to be done lightly.

"Charitable foundations might not always be the right thing for a player. Often they don't realise it involves trustees, company guidelines, Charity Commission guidelines, financial and legal frameworks.

"It is really important that it is set up the right way. We help with funding for players who want to set up a charity, we pay the legal costs to establish the proper regulatory framework.

"If they do want to go ahead I tell them they will need the right people as trustees. There then needs to be sustained commitment. There is nothing worse than a charity that is dormant."

'Raising awareness'

He points to charitable organisations that are run by footballers doing good work away from the glare of the spotlight, but which have highly committed backers.

These include the Russell Martin Foundation run by the Walsall player and former Scotland international, and the Jason Roberts Foundation, run by the ex-Grenada international and West Brom, Portsmouth and Blackburn star.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Stephen Darby has been forced to quit football for medical reasons

The PFA is now working with former Liverpool, Bradford and Bolton player Stephen Darby, whose career was brought to a halt at the age of 29 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

"We are looking to set up a foundation with him, as he wants to raise awareness of the illness," says Mr Hudson.

"As well as getting the message out there he wants to do something practical, such as raising money for things like specialist physios."

Related Topics

Tyson Fury

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Read More Here: Why sports stars get passionate about charity ************************************ =>

Why sports stars get passionate about charity was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Liverpool goes six points clear in EPL as Man City loses at Leicester

(CNN)Liverpool's pursuit of the English Premier League title received a festive boost as a 4-0 win over Newcastle saw Jurgen Klopp's side stretch its lead at the top to six points as defending champion Manchester City lost at Leicester City.

Goals from Dejan Lovren, Mo Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho gave the Reds a comfortable Boxing Day victory at Anfield while a stunning strike from Ricardo Pereira saw City beaten 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.

Follow @cnnsport

City had led through an early Bernardo Silva goal but the danger signs were there when Jamie Vardy set up Marc Albrighton to head the equalizer before halftime.

A spell of prolonged City pressure looked set to give the visitor the three points it needed to keep pace with Liverpool until from a half cleared corner Pereira blasted an unstoppable shot past Ederson.

Fabian Delph's 89th minute red card completed a miserable afternoon for Pep Guardiola's team, who now trail Liverpool by seven points in third spot having lost successive matches.

"We have enough points to be champions, but the other teams make more, they are better than us at the moment," he said.

"The game was there but it took a fantastic goal to punish us," added Guardiola whose team romped to the title last season and looked firm favorite until a recent poor run.

Leicester manager Claude Puel, reportedly under pressure, has seen his team beat Chelsea and now Manchester City in successive games to move into seventh spot.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur maintained its emerging title challenge with a 5-0 rout of Bournemouth at Wembley, making it 11 goals in two games for Mauricio Pochettino's men, to leapfrog City into second place in the standings.

Bournemouth made the better start and might have taken the lead until a deflected Christian Eriksen strike put Spurs in front.

Son Heung-Min made it two and Lucas Moura, in for the injured Dele Alli, scored the third before halftime.

Son's second, to follow on from a double in the 6-2 rout of Everton, and a Harry Kane goal completed the scoring in the second half.

Solskjaer's dream start

The other highlight of a full program of fixtures was a first home win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker Manchester United boss as Paul Pogba netted twice in the 3-1 win over struggling Huddersfield.

Following on from the 5-1 away rout of Cardiff City in his first game in charge, Solskjaer is clearly relishing his new role after the sacking of Jose Mourinho following United's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool earlier this month.

A sluggish start at Old Trafford was enlivened by Nemanja Matic's tap-in after Victor Lindelof's header header had been cleared off the line in the 28th minute.

French World Cup star Pogba, sidelined by Mourinho before his departure, put the game out of Huddersfield's reach with two fine goals in the second half to underline his quality.

Mathias Jorgensen got a consolation for the Terriers just before the end.

"Paul knows he can score more goals and create chances," said Solskjaer, who admitted he was still finding his feet.

"I've not got used to it yet. It's humbling knowing I'm leading this team out."

Liverpool marching on

Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season was never seriously under threat from visiting Newcastle, managed by former boss Rafa Benitez.

The opener came from an unlikely source as central defender Dejan Lovren struck with a sweet half-volley on 11 minutes

The second came from the penalty spot as Mo Saleh converted after being pulled back by Paul Dummett early in the second half.

The influential Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho added the other goals in a comfortable win, the 16th of the season with three draws at its halfway point.

Klopp though, celebrating his 100th Liverpool win, is in no mood for complacency: "The six-point lead means nothing," he said.

"We have to win our games, we have to be focused, we really need to be in the mood with having tunnel vision."

Elsewhere, Everton rebounded from its defeat against Spurs to thrash Burnley 5-1 while Crystal Palace and Cardiff shared a goalless draw and Fulham was held 1-1 at home by Wolves.

Visit CNN/com/Sport for more news, features and videos

In the late kick offs, Eden Hazard scored a double for Chelsea in a 2-1 win at Watford to move into fourth place, with Arsenal, in fifth, held 1-1 at Brighton.

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Source Here: Liverpool goes six points clear in EPL as Man City loses at Leicester ************************************ =>

Liverpool goes six points clear in EPL as Man City loses at Leicester was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Man City bounces back but Guardiola says it must beat Liverpool to keep EPL title race alive

(CNN)Smarting from a run of defeats that undermined its English Premier League title defense, Manchester City eased past struggling Southampton Sunday to end 2018 on a high note, but with a warning from manager Pep Guardiola.

The 3-1 victory has lifted City above Tottenham Hotspur, shock 3-1 losers to Wolves Saturday, into second place in the standings but still seven points adrift of Liverpool.

Follow @cnnsport

The top two face off at the Etihad Stadium Thursday in a match which looks key to the eventual destination of the title and with leader Liverpool in top form after its 5-1 demolition of fifth-placed Arsenal in its latest fixture of the crowded Christmas program.

"We wanted to bounce back and we did it brilliantly today," said City manager Pep Guardiola, relieved after a run of three defeats in four EPL matches.

But he is warning his players they can't afford to make any mistakes against Liverpool if they want stay in the title hunt.

"With the position of Liverpool, if we drop points then it is over, it is finished, it would be almost impossible," he told reporters.

"Of course they are going to drop points, but not too many," he added in a frank assessment.

Any thoughts Guardiola's side might be suffering a hangover from damaging successive losses to Crystal Palace and Leicester, were put to rest by an early goal from David Silva after a cutback from Bernardo Silva on 10 minutes.

More might have followed as Southampton was pinned back in its own half, but a mistake by Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko led to an equalizer eight minutes before the break.

Zinchenko, replacing Fabian Delph in the problematic left-back slot for City, was caught in possession and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg charged forward to poke home a strong shot past Ederson in the visiting goal.

Appeals for a home penalty after James Ward-Prowse went down under challenge from the shaky Zinchenko were waved away as Southampton enjoyed its best spell, but it proved short lived.

Raheem Sterling charged in on goal from the left and his effort was deflected past Alex McCarthy by the unfortunate Ward-Prowse.

On the stroke of halftime, Zinchenko made amends for his earlier error with an accurate cross for Sergio Aguero to head his 14th goal of the season to make it 3-1.

There was no further scoring in the second half, despite the continuous attacking threat of Sterling, with Aguero striking the crossbar with an effort before being substituted with Thursday's match in mind.

With five minutes left, Hojbjerg blotted his copybook with a heavy challenge on Fernandinho, whose welcome return to the City side coincided with its return to form.

"Speak with any club in the world and they all have important players and Fernandinho is one for us," said Guardiola.

The Danish international was shown straight red, leaving Southampton down to 10 men for the final moments, its recent revival under new manager Ralph Hassenhuttl halted by the reigning champion.

Earlier Sunday, Chelsea kept pace with the leading trio with a narrow 1-0 victory at struggling Crystal Palace.

N'Golo Kante scored the only goal of the match after 51 minutes as he latched on to a through ball from David Luiz.

Chelsea, which stays fourth, two points adrift of Tottenham, also hit the woodwork twice in a match it controlled against a team that has mustered just five goals at home all season in the Premier League.

Visit CNN.com/Sport for more news, features and videos

At the other end of the table, there was some relief for Burnley, with a 2-0 home win over West Ham to draw level on points with Southampton but still in the bottom three.

Pogba double lifts resurgent United

In Sunday's late kickoff, Manchester United continued its revival under new caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Paul Pogba scored twice for the second straight game in the 4-1 home win over Bournemouth.

The French World Cup star did the damage in the first half with fifth and 33rd minute strikes to put United firmly in command, its grip on the game tightening when the excellent Marcus Rashford scored the third just before halftime.

But there was just time for Nathan Ake to head a Bournemouth reply before the break and keep his side in the match.

Pogba continued his excellent play in the second period, coming close to a hat-trick as he rattled the woodwork and setting up substitute Romelu Lukaku for United's fourth.

A late sending off for United defender Eric Bailly for a reckless challenge on Ryan Fraser could not spoil the afternoon for Solskjaer with his team winning three straight and scoring 12 goals since he took over.

Pogba believes United has a more attacking mindset under Solskjaer than previous boss Jose Mourinho.

"We are more offensive and creating more chances and that is how we want to play," he said.

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Post Source Here: Man City bounces back but Guardiola says it must beat Liverpool to keep EPL title race alive ************************************ =>

Man City bounces back but Guardiola says it must beat Liverpool to keep EPL title race alive was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes

peterlambb-blog · 5 years

Text

Records tumble as Mikaela Shiffrin ends 2018 with slalom success

(CNN)Mikaela Shiffrin began 2018 with a New Year's Day victory in Oslo. She ended it with the most World Cup wins by any competitor in a calendar year, surpassing her childhood idol as the most successful female slalom skier in history.

Her victory in Saturday's slalom at Semmering in Austria was the 23-year-old American's 15th World Cup win of 2018 and 36th overall in slalom, beating the record of the Austrian great Marlies Schild.

It did not come easy. Under pressure from her arch rival Petra Vlhova, Shiffrin held off the charging Slovak by 0.29 seconds after two runs on the Zauberberg, with Swiss Wendy Holdener in third place.

A disappointing fifth place in giant slalom the day before, in a race won by Vlhova, had left seeds of doubt. But Shiffrin reasserted her dominance in slalom to claim her 51st World Cup win in all disciplines.

It also broke her out of a tie for 14 wins in a year, a record she shared with Austrian Marcel Hirscher, who has also proved dominant in 2018.

Neither will race again until the New Year's Day event in Oslo, where Shiffrin will look to win the parallel slalom event under the lights in the Norwegian capital for the second time in a row and begin 2019 in identical fashion.

For someone who professes to care little for records, Shiffrin's tally is remarkable but not her main driving force.

READ: Mikaela Shiffrin: Training an Olympic champion

"It's a little bit distracting," Shiffrin told reporters after her latest triumph. "Because I'm not chasing these records and sometimes it gets in my head like I should be thinking about the records and the thing that helps me ski fast is focusing on my skiing."

Schild, who claimed her victories in a 10-year span from 2004 until her retirement in 2014, was an inspiration for Shiffrin in her formative years.

"She was the best slalom skier of this generation and I wouldn't be here if I didn't have her to inspire me," she said.

"I hope my record doesn't stand forever. Because that means that I inspired some girl as much as Marlies inspired me and then the sport is coming to a new level," she added.

Shiffrin has won 13 of the last 14 World Cup slaloms, including two parallels, and all five run this season, including one parallel.

Only the great Ingemar Stenmark stands ahead of her for overall World Cup wins in the discipline, the Swede totaling 40 in his career.

Vlhova has emerged as her main rival and came close to an upset as she made inroads into the near half a second lead Shiffrin had compiled in a dominant first run.

"I think the big thing was I had a really good first run. So I had a little bit of time to play with," Shiffrin said.

Shiffrin has a near-500 point lead over Vlhova in the overall World Cup standings, having also secured two wins in super-G and a giant slalom victory to show her burgeoning versatility as more records are set to fall in the future.

Dominik Paris was another skier to finish 2018 on a winning high, underlining his dominance on the Stelvio course at Bormio to win the super-G, the final men's World Cup race of the year.

Visit CNN.com/Sport for more news, features and videos

It completed a stunning double on home snow for the Italian, who took the downhill on Friday and has now compiled a record four World Cup wins at the venue.

Paris edged out Olympic super-G champion Matthias Mayer of Austria, with Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde in third place.

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Read More Here: Records tumble as Mikaela Shiffrin ends 2018 with slalom success ************************************ =>

Records tumble as Mikaela Shiffrin ends 2018 with slalom success was originally posted by Travel and Sport - Feed

#Travel and Sport - Feed

0 notes