Wagner to be declared a terrorist organisation by UK
It will become illegal to be a member of or support the Russian mercenary group.
2023-09-06 05:19
Jill Scott says World Cup kiss saga ‘overshadowed’ Spanish women’s team playing ‘great football’
Euro 2022 winner Jill Scott has voiced “disappointment” that the World Cup kiss saga has detracted attention from the Spanish women’s team win. The former England midfielder told The Independent that issues within Spanish football have “overshadowed” the team’s “great football”. Her comments come after the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales has come under sustained criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain secured their 1-0 win over England last month. Rubiales, who was also condemned for grabbing his crotch after Spain won the women’s world title for the first time in history, has refused to step down over his behaviour but was suspended by Fifa. It comes as Jorge Vilda, head coach of Spain's women’s team, was fired on Tuesday after he was among those who praised Rubiales’ refusal to step down. Scott said she felt “disappointment” that the kiss has been “the main talking point”, rather than Spain actually winning the World Cup. “I know that there were girls that decided not to go to the World Cup because they weren’t happy with the way things were going. And that for me is just so sad to hear because it’s a dream to play in a World Cup. “I was so fortunate that I got to do that four times, and it’s something that you dream of from being a young girl, and to think that was taken away from them. First and foremost, that is sad.” Speaking to The Independent in a wide-ranging interview, the Lioness also discussed the bullying she endured as a young girl playing football at school. She said people often thought she was a boy because she played football and questioned how girls could play the game. The 36-year-old said it was “unusual” to see girls playing football back then and said she sometimes suffered worse bullying from parents rather than her classmates. “Sometimes for parents, if a young girl back then – I’m going back 30 years – beat their son, it was a bit of an embarrassment,” she added. Scott said she would attend football camps where she was the one girl alongside 50 boys, as well as going to football tournaments where she was the only girl. The former footballer said even though she was better at football than some of the boys she “never wanted special treatment for being a girl”. Scott added: “I just wanted to play football and as a young kid, I didn't understand why it was such an issue that I just wanted to play football.” She continued: “Once I stepped over that white line, that was where I wanted to be. I could escape everything.” Her comments come as new research by Starling Bank found three in 10 girls stop playing football when they get to their late teenage years – a far higher proportion than the one in ten boys who give up the sport. Researchers, who polled 2,000 11 to 16-year-olds in the UK, found that over a quarter of girls quit football over pressures to perform well at school. Meanwhile, 14 per cent stop playing because of insecurities about their body image and eight per cent bow out of football for being bullied for playing the game. Scott, who is an ambassador for the bank, said social media pressure was partly to blame as it puts pressure on girls to make them feel like they should look a particular way. “It’s kind of this perfect world isn't it, in a sense,” she reflected. “And I think we're all guilty of doing it. We don't want to post a picture unless you look good or if it’s filtered.” Scott explained she has coached football to girls aged between 13 and 15 and you can see they do not want to get “stuck into a tackle” or do not “want to get sweaty” due to anxiety about how they will look. Read More Spanish FA chief blames player for World Cup kiss and shouts ‘I am not resigning!’ in chaotic press conference Spanish soccer federation fires women's national team coach Jorge Vilda amid Rubiales controversy ‘He wasn’t raping her’: Woody Allen offers staggering defence of Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales ‘History in the making’: Lionesses’ Euros success sparks booming interest in women’s football Lioness Demi Stokes says misogynistic abuse online ‘really affected’ England players’ game
2023-09-06 01:18
British policewoman, 22, dies ‘falling’ on Corfu holiday
A female police officer has died while on holiday on the Greek island of Corfu. The 22-year-old has not been named but was a serving officer with Surrey Police, and is believed to have been killed in an “accidental fall”. Greek authorities believe the fatal injuries she sustained are compatible with a “low level accidental fall”, the Mirror reports. The Greek town has long been a favourite amongst British tourists. A Surrey Police spokesperson said: “On Friday, 1st September we were sadly made aware of the sudden death of a serving officer whilst they were on holiday in Corfu, Greece. Have you been affected by this incident? If so, email holly.evans@independent.co.uk “We are working to support both their family and their colleagues here during this extremely difficult time. “An investigation into the circumstances of the death is being led by the Greek authorities and we await further updates from them as they conduct their enquiries.” In a statement online, the Surrey Police Federation added: “Devastating news with the confirmation that a 22-year-old Surrey Police officer has died off duty on holiday in Greece. “The officer’s name has not been released and the circumstances into her death on Friday are being investigated. “The thoughts of all at Surrey Police Federation are with the officer’s family, friends and close colleagues at this time. “Both the Federation and the force are supporting them.” More follows on this breaking news story Read More Police must have ‘zero tolerance’ policy to shoplifting Girl, 3, mauled in ‘horrific’ dog attack outside pub suffers serious face injuries as man arrested Fundraising appeal for funeral of toddler hit by vehicle tops £16,000 Fugitive stepmother of girl found dead at home should return to UK, says cousin Man charged in connection with break-in at Chelsea star Raheem Sterling’s home Sara Sharif’s grandfather urges fugitive son to hand himself in
2023-09-04 22:19
Afghan interpreter's anger over son's visa denial
Sajid, who worked for the UK armed forces, says he cannot be reunited with his three-year-old son.
2023-09-02 23:21
Pakistan cable car: From panic to relief, survivors recall harrowing ordeal
"It felt like we were standing right at the edge of our own graves," one survivor tells the BBC.
2023-08-26 08:25
US existing home sales slide again, but prices up from a year earlier
By Safiyah Riddle (Reuters) -U.S. existing home sales dropped to a six month-low in July as home owners who are
2023-08-23 01:22
British tourist drowns jumping into lake to cool off during family holiday to Turkey
A British tourist, aged 43, has reportedly drowned after he jumped into a lake to cool off during a family holiday to Turkey. The man was part of an organised tour at the Manavgat Dam in Antalya, when he dove into the water for respite from the 33C summer, according to news reports. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed a British man had died in Turkey and that it was “in touch with local authorities” in a statement. He reportedly entered the water from a pier platform connected to a riverside restaurant. Shortly after, he appeared to struggle and reportedly made desperate attempts to stay afloat. Local media reported that while some onlookers rushed to help the man, others alerted authorities about the incidents. Officers from Turkey’s Gendarmerie General Command, rescue divers and emergency service providers responded to the scene. Divers reportedly retreived the man’s lifeless body from around 40ft beneath the water’s surface. Medical staff reportedly waiting on dry land pronounced the man dead, as his body was sent to the Antalya Forensic Medicine Institute for a post-mortem examination. It is currently not clear why the man drowned, and it is hoped the autopsy will provide more details into the tragic incident. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office told the Evening Standard: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Turkey, and are in touch with local authorities.” Antalya, known for its blue waters and stunning coastline, is a popular Turkish holiday destination that accounts for around 30 per cent of the country’s foreign visitors. Last month, temperatures in Antalya touched 44C as a heatwave swept across many European countries, including Spain, Greece, and Italy. Read More Lucy Letby news – latest: Whistleblower hits out at NHS failings after concerns about killer nurse ignored Pakistani rescuers try to free 6 children and 2 men from a cable car hundreds of feet in the air Eighteen bodies found in Greek forest hit by fire believed to be migrants Turkey says UN lost neutrality after world body condemns Cyprus roadwork, assault on peacekeepers Major wildfires burn in Greece, Spain's Canary Island of Tenerife A bus crashes off the road in central Turkey, leaving 12 passengers dead
2023-08-23 00:51
ChiefsAholic's Attorney Gives Very Sporty Quote About Innocence of His Client
VIDEO: ChiefsAholic's attorney speaks.
2023-08-22 03:48
Cuban priest's fight to claim asylum in UK
Father Juan Carballosa says he faces imprisonment in his home country.
2023-08-21 13:52
California braces for imminent storm Hilary arrival
Storm Hilary lashes Mexico's Baja California state and is headed for the south-western US.
2023-08-21 00:53
Canada wildfires: At least 30,000 households told to evacuate as fires approach
Officials have restricted travel to Kelowna, a waterside city of 132,000 people.
2023-08-20 16:48
Teen survivor of migrant boat sinking among four arrested over disaster in English Channel
A teenage boy who survived a migrant boat sinking that left at least six people dead in the English Channel has been arrested has part of a probe into the incident. The Sudanese boy, aged 16 or 17, was rescued and taken back to France after the boat suffered engine damage and capsized. He is suspected of “activiely participating” in the crossing in exchange for reduced rate for his own passage to Britain, according to French authorities. He is among four people being detained as part of an investigation into the incident, with alleged offences including manslaughter and criminal association. The probe was announced as official figures showed another 444 people arrived in small boats on Wednesday, pushing the total for this year over 17,000. A pregnant woman and young children were among those rescued, as crossings surged just days after Saturday’s disaster. The teenager and another Sudanese man in his 20s were among 38 survivors who were taken to safety in France following the sinking. Twenty-three more were rescued and brought ashore in the UK. At least six people, thought to be Afghan refugees, died. Authorities fear other victims may have drowned but remain missing at sea. Two Iraqi men who were allegedly part of the smuggling network that organised the crossing have also been detained on French soil. The specialist Junalco organised crime unit, which leads major people smuggling investigations in France, said the sinking happened around 12 miles from the French coast on the night of 11 to 12 August. “Investigations at this stage have made it possible to establish that the makeshift boat had suffered engine damage and had torn at sea, when most of the passengers did not have life jackets,” a spokesperson said. “Almost all of [those on board] were of Afghan nationality and had passed through the ‘Jungle’ camp in Calais, before setting off from a beach further from the town.” A passing commercial ship saw the dinghy sinking and called the emergency services at around 4.20am local time (3.20am BST), authorities said, and several nearby ships were diverted to the area. A Navy tugboat, French rescue crew, two British rescue boats and helicopter were deployed to locate the boat, but several people were already in the water. One person was declared dead after being pulled from the sea and evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Calais, while another five bodies were recovered. Searches continued into Saturday afternoon but no other people were found, and survivors’ accounts suggested others may have boarded the vessel in France. Junalco said it had made a request to British law enforcement for assistance with its ongoing investigation, following interviews of survivors in the UK. More than 50 people are thought to have drowned attempting to cross the Channel since 2018, while others have lost their lives attempting to board lorries and trains in France, or walk through the Channel Tunnel. On 10 August, several people were rescued from a sinking dinghy that had reached British waters. The RNLI said it pulled several people from the water but believed everyone was accounted for. The previous day, French authorities reported six children suffering from hypothermia had been taken to hospital after their boat went down off the coast near Sangatte. More than 17,200 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, around 15 per cent down on the over 20,000 seen by the same point in 2022. Weeks of unseasonably windy weather and rough seas had suppressed crossings, but high numbers are expected if calm and fine conditions continue in the coming days. Prime minister Rishi Sunak has made “stopping the boats” one of his top five priorities ahead of the next general election, but government attempts to deter crossings have so far failed amid a lack of alternative safe and legal routes for asylum seekers. Afghans are now the most common nationality making the journey, following the collapse of resettlement schemes after the 2021 Taliban takeover. There has been an increase in Sudanese asylum seekers after conflict broke out earlier this year, and the government refused to set up a route for people fleeing the country. Read More Six dead and dozens rescued after migrant boat capsizes in Channel as search continues Sudanese refugees face deportation from UK as government fails to set up safe and legal routes Bibby Stockholm migrants won’t be back on barge ‘for weeks’ after Legionella scare Small boat arrivals continue as Channel crossings set to top 17,000 Ministers urged not to ‘abandon’ Afghans on anniversary of Taliban takeover Minister vows to make Afghan resettlement schemes ‘work properly’
2023-08-17 19:54