Ballon d’Or 2024: Ademola Lookman only African nominated for men’s award

Jude Bellingham (England and Actual Madrid)

Ruben Dias (Portugal and Manchester Metropolis)

Phil Foden (England and Manchester Metropolis)

Federico Valverde (Uruguay and Actual Madrid)

Emiliano Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa)

Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester Metropolis)

Nico Williams (Spain and Athletic Bilbao)

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen)

Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine and Roma)

Toni Kroos (former Germany and Actual Madrid)

Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Actual Madrid)

Dani Olmo (Spain and Barcelona)

Florian Wirtz (Germany and Bayer Leverkusen)

Martin Odegaard (Norway and Arsenal)

Mats Hummels (Germany, free agent)

Rodri (Spain and Manchester Metropolis)

Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich)

Declan Rice (England and Arsenal)

Vitinha (Portugal and Paris St-Germain)

Cole Palmer (England and Chelsea)

Dani Carvajal (Spain and Actual Madrid)

Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona)

Bukayo Saka (England and Arsenal)

Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey and Inter Milan)

William Saliba (France and Arsenal)

Kylian Mbappe (France and Actual Madrid)

Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria and Atalanta)

Antonio Rudiger (Germany and Actual Madrid)

Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain and Bayer Leverkusen)

Governor Newsom proclaims State of Emergency in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom as we speak proclaimed a state of emergency within the Metropolis of Rancho Palos Verdes to guard public security amid ongoing land motion that has resulted in disrupted utility companies and evacuation warnings for impacted residents.
 
Town is situated on 4 out of 5 sub-slides that comprise the Better Portuguese Landslide Advanced. Land motion at a part of the Advanced has considerably accelerated following extreme storms in 2023 and 2024.
 
A replica of the proclamation will be discovered right here.
 
The Governor’s Workplace of Emergency Companies has been coordinating with town and county for almost a 12 months to assist the response to the land motion, together with offering technical help, supporting the native help heart, facilitating a federal mitigation grant for groundwater work within the space, and serving to officers with preliminary harm estimates.
 

Joaquin Phoenix Threw ‘Joker 2’ Script Out, Rewrote Scenes ‘Often’

 “Joker: Folie à Deux” director Todd Phillips not too long ago instructed Selection for a canopy story that the aim in making the anticipated sequel to 2019’s “Joker” was “to make it really feel prefer it was made by loopy individuals. The inmates are working the asylum.” It seems the director bought his want partially from his main star Joaquin Phoenix, who would throw out the script on a whim and collect with Phillips and co-star Girl Gaga in his trailer to rewrite whole scenes from the bottom up.

“We’d fairly often meet in Joaquin’s trailer and typically we’d simply tear the script up and begin throughout,” Gaga not too long ago instructed Vainness Truthful for her personal cowl story. “It was a very cool, liberating course of.”

Phillips confirmed Gaga’s story and instructed the publication: “My line about Joaquin is that he’s the tunnel on the finish of the sunshine. You suppose, ‘Okay, this scene works, let’s simply go shoot it.’ And Joaquin’s like, ‘No, no, no, let’s simply have a fast assembly about it,’ and it’s three hours later and also you’re rewriting it on a serviette. What’s nice about Girl Gaga is that she actually holds her personal, each off digital camera after we’re within the trailer tearing issues aside — which she in all probability spent the night time earlier than studying — but additionally on digital camera. It was not a small feat.”

“She places herself round very highly effective individuals,” Phillips later famous about his main woman. “I imply, Bradley Cooper, to be throughout from him out of the gate. To be throughout from Adam Driver [in ‘House of Gucci’], who’s a beast, and Joaquin who’s a beast. She’s in it — she went full in.”

“Joker: Folie à Deux” picks up the story with Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck standing trial for homicide after he capturing a late-night host lifeless on stay tv. Whereas incarcerated at Arkham Asylum, he befriends Gaga’s Lee and the 2’s burgeoning romance impacts the course of the trial.

It’s not out of the bizarre for Phoenix to generate rewrites in his mission. Ridley Scott revealed to Empire throughout final yr’s “Napoleon” press tour that casting Phoenix because the French emperor resulted within the script being fully rewritten to make the actor extra comfy.

“Joaquin is about as removed from typical as you will get,” Scott mentioned on the time. “Not intentionally, however out of instinct. That’s what makes him tick. If one thing bothers him, he’ll let you realize. He made [‘Napoleon’] particular by continuously questioning.”

“With Joaquin, we will rewrite the goddamn movie as a result of he’s uncomfortable. And that type of occurred with ‘Napoleon,’” the director continued. “We unpicked the movie to assist him concentrate on who Bonaparte was. I needed to respect that, as a result of what was being mentioned was extremely constructive. It made all of it develop larger and higher.”

“Joker: Folie à Deux” opens in theaters Oct. 4 from Warner Bros.

Shock: “Joker 2” Draws Mixed Reviews In Venice as Musical “Slog” and “Impressively Odd,” “Bad On Purpose”

Todd Phillps’ “Joker 2: Folie a Deux” is getting combined evaluations from its Venice Movie Pageant debut.

The sequel to “Joker” is a musical starring Joaquin Phoenix and Girl Gaga. Warner Bros. has downplayed the musical classification however in any case, that is Girl Gaga concerned.

The evaluations vary from good to terrible, so the screening definitely affected its first audiences.

Indie Wire says: Boring, flat, and such a felony waste of Girl Gaga that we should always demand a public listening to, “Folie à Deux” tries and fails to make a degree of our personal frustrations with it.

Joker, aka Arthur Fleck, meets Gaga’s Harley Quinn in jail. There’s singing and dancing. The Guardian writes: “the entire film lastly seems to be oppressively, claustrophobically and repetitively becalmed in that oddly unreal Gotham-universe jail with Phoenix and Gaga saved aside for lengthy durations – and Phoenix’s personal efficiency is as single-note as earlier than, although definitely as forceful and his display screen presence is potent.”

Selection: “desperate-to-be-darkly-irreverent however really reasonably clunky and earthbound musical sequel”

The Wrap — which oddly marked it as “Contemporary” on Rotten Tomatoes — : It’s a tragic, pensive, and impressively odd movement image that makes use of the theatricality of film musicals to undermine its hero’s ambitions as an alternative of elevating them. There’s no enterprise like present enterprise? It’s, like… no. It’s enterprise, ?

Hollywood Reporter: Gaga is a compelling live-wire presence, splitting the distinction between affinity and obsession, whereas endearingly giving Arthur a shot… Their musical numbers, each duets and solos, have a vitality that the extra usually dour movie desperately wants.

It doesn’t matter what the evaluations are from Venice, audiences will clamor to see this movie. I do know I’ll, and I actually need to hear the music from Girl Gaga.

SPOILER ALERT: from an interview Phillips did this morning, there’s a sign that Arthur Fleck doesn’t make it out of the film alive. When requested if he may make one other “Joker” movie, Phillips responded within the destructive. “Have you ever seen this movie?” he stated.

Scandal at Deauville Movie Fest as Famed Musician Ibrahim Maalouf Ousted from Jury After #MeToo Exoneration

WFU Expert: Next week’s Harris/Trump presidential debate

(Winston-Salem, N.C. – September 3, 2024) – Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to face off of their first presidential debate on September 10.

Wake Forest College political communications knowledgeable Nate French can supply perception on why the timing of this presidential debate issues and the way it may set the stage for a profitable White Home marketing campaign. 

French, who’s following North Carolina politics and the 2024 race for the White Home, is an affiliate educating professor. He can present pre-and post-debate evaluation, talk about what points will resonate effectively with voters and consider how Harris and Trump carry out throughout their televised matchup.  

French seems to be at each verbal and nonverbal communication.

“This debate shall be about who regarded presidential, who was in a position to talk that they’re commander in chief,” mentioned French. “Did they persuade the undecided or safe their base and which candidate received their level throughout the most effective?” 

It’s seemingly that prime points together with the financial system, immigration and reproductive rights shall be a part of the dialogue.

Along with the controversy content material, French mentioned the timing of this occasion can be vital.

“The controversy is so near the election, and it issues,” he added. “Early voting is simply across the nook in North Carolina and different states. The matchup can be totally different this time. How does it look gender primarily based? For those who bear in mind, we’ve seen Hillary Clinton in 2016, however we haven’t seen one other lady on the primary presidential stage. The final time we noticed Trump was within the debate with President Biden, and he carried out effectively, however will we see that once more? So, there shall be emphasis on how the candidates not solely reply to the moderator’s questions, however how effectively they do in entrance of the thousands and thousands of individuals watching this debate.”

French has been featured in politics-related tales and interviews by a number of information organizations together with WGHP Fox 8, Australian Broadcasting Company in Sydney, ABC Information Radio Australia and  CTV Information, a CNN affiliate primarily based in Toronto, Canada.

The presidential debate will air stay on Tuesday, September 10 at 9:00 p.m. EDT and is hosted by ABC Information.

One other vital matchup is the vice presidential debate on October 1 between Democratic candidate Tim Walz. (D) Minnesota, Harris’s choose and Republican candidate JD Vance, (R) Ohio, Trump’s choose.

In individual early voting in North Carolina takes place from Oct. 17 – Nov. 2. The overall election will happen on Tuesday, November 5.

Notice: To schedule an interview with Nate French, contact Keri Brown media@wfu.edu or 336-971-4442 or C: 336-971-5402.                                                                                                             

                                                              ### 

Wake Forest College’s motto, Professional Humanitate, displays a dedication to tutorial excellence and to utilizing concepts, information and abilities on behalf of humanity. The College’s Winston-Salem, N.C. campus is dwelling to almost 9,000 college students with extra learning at Wake Forest areas in Charlotte, N.C., Washington, D.C. and all over the world. Along with the undergraduate Faculty, the College encompasses the Graduate College of Arts and Sciences, in addition to Colleges of Enterprise, Legislation, Drugs, Divinity and Skilled Research. Based in 1834, Wake Forest embraces a College-wide strategy to creating leaders of character and integrity. Be taught extra at www.wfu.edu.

 

Jeremy Kyle denies humiliating guest who died as inquest views unseen TV footage

The clip, proven to the inquest, confirmed the recording persevering with backstage.

Mr Dymond was filmed pleading: “I swear to God.

“I’m being so straight, I’ve by no means been extra straight.”

Mr Kyle instructed the inquest: “From the second Steve Dymond got here out, I referred to as him ‘mate’, I referred to as him ‘pal’.

“I de-escalated, I calmed it down, I pushed it backstage.

“And that was what the present was all about – battle decision.”

The presenter was requested by inquest counsel Rachel Spearing whether or not he felt Dymond was “humiliated” on the present.

Jeremy Kyle replied: “No. I’ve learn that I referred to as him a traitor. No I did not. It was the present as I understood the present.

“Unhappy as it would sound, it was a typical half.”

He added that the present insisted on a health care provider agreeing to let Mr Dymond come on, and supplied aftercare companies.

Jeremy Kyle defends ‘direct’ presenting style following death of chat show guest

Steve Dymond, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, is believed to have taken his personal life seven days after filming for the Jeremy Kyle Present in Could 2019.

Mr Kyle informed Winchester Coroner’s Court docket that clips from the programme that includes the case of Mr Dymond and his associate, Jane Callaghan, confirmed he had “de-escalated… calmed it down”.

He additionally denied encouraging the viewers to take in opposition to 63-year-old Mr Dymond, telling the inquest: “By no means – I requested them to provide them a spherical of applause.”

Jeremy Kyle stated his chat present was about ‘battle decision’ and he was not concerned within the choice of the company (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Mr Dymond had taken a lie detector take a look at for the programme after being accused of dishonest on Miss Callaghan, from Gosport, Hampshire.

The court docket was proven various clips from the present, together with Mr Kyle telling Mr Dymond: “Be a person, develop a pair of balls and inform her the goddam reality.”

One other featured the presenter asking “Has anybody bought a shovel?” as Mr Dymond tried to clarify why he had been messaging one other lady.

An additional clip confirmed Mr Kyle saying: “The studio thought you have been telling the reality, I wouldn’t belief you with a chocolate button, mate.”

The presenter defined that he felt he had a “double safety blanket” of the checks carried out by his manufacturing crew and a GP letter to reassure him that Mr Dymond had been an applicable visitor for the present.

Mr Kyle stated he had not been given any steering by the manufacturing or aftercare groups that he ought to “modify” his presenting model for Mr Dymond.

Rachel Spearing, counsel to the inquest, requested Mr Kyle on Thursday: “Do you imagine he was humiliated?”

The broadcaster replied: “I don’t, and I’ve learn over time apparently I known as him a traitor – I didn’t – that he was cowering. I did what I all the time do and all the time did, it was what the present… as I understood the present is, unhappy as it would sound, it was a typical half.”

He added: “It was a present with my title on it, with a manufacturing crew and an aftercare crew behind it.”

Defending his presenting model, Mr Kyle stated: “I believe that individuals who got here on the present… I believe the present had been on air for 15 years, and I imagine the strategy for battle decision was all the time the identical.

“Sure, it was direct, but it surely was empathetic, it was sincere.”

Referring to Mr Dymond’s case, Mr Kyle added: “I de-escalated, I calmed it down and I put them backstage.

“That’s what I all the time believed the present was about – battle decision.”

Maya Sikand KC, representing Mr Dymond’s household, requested Mr Kyle if he had been “belittling” over his dealing with of the visitor in the course of the recording.

She quoted Mr Kyle asking Mr Dymond: “Did it hassle you that she didn’t have an orgasm or are you a typical male and don’t give a toss.”

She stated he responds: “I can’t bear in mind when” with Mr Kyle persevering with: “You’re mendacity once more aren’t you? You may’t bear in mind when she did.”

Ms Sikand stated Mr Dymond then says: “I cross my coronary heart,” then Mr Kyle says: “Simply give me the outcomes.”

She requested Mr Kyle: “That is fairly belittling isn’t it?

He replied: “I wouldn’t agree with you, I’d say it’s the half, from the start I had a joke with him, he did get upset however he wasn’t upset from the start, that’s the journey and that’s the way in which the Jeremy Kyle present was.”

Mr Kyle informed the court docket he was “not concerned within the choice of company” for the present.

He stated: “I wish to make some extent: I’ve, in my 14-and-a-half years, not been concerned within the choice of company. I used to be employed completely because the presenter.”

He stated he was despatched a file the evening earlier than filming which detailed the roughly 20 company concerned in a day’s recording.

“I had no involvement within the technique of choice or something like that,” he stated.

He later added: “The manufacturing, the manufacturing, the aftercare, the lie detector take a look at weren’t my accountability, I used to be the presenter.”

Steve Dymond is believed to have taken his personal life seven days after filming The Jeremy Kyle Present (Household handout/PA)

The presenter stated he had created a persona for the present however had not been educated in dealing with emotional company.

He stated: “The present developed, it was a personality, a component, by understanding that, from day one, as I hold saying, it’s battle decision so it concerned many features of many tales and many alternative approaches.”

Mr Dymond had rung ITV 40 to 50 occasions in “determined” makes an attempt to turn into a visitor on the present, the inquest beforehand heard.

He had been identified with a depressive dysfunction in 1995 and had taken overdoses on 4 events – in January 1995, twice in December 2002 and in April 2005, the court docket was informed.

It additionally heard he had tried to hurt himself in December 2002.

On Thursday morning, Chris Wissun, director of content material compliance at ITV on the time, informed the inquest that the present had a “standing rule” to not enable company with “present melancholy” to take a lie detector take a look at and the aftercare crew “regularly assessed” their welfare.

The listening to was informed that after the filming of the present had completed, Mr Dymond had informed a researcher: “I want I used to be lifeless” and he had additionally stated: “Life is nothing with out Jane.”

Mr Wissun stated the aftercare crew provided Mr Dymond eight to 10 periods of cognitive behavioural remedy for self-worth and confidence constructing after the present to assist him deal with together with his “drawback with mendacity”.

He stated {that a} researcher known as Mr Dymond the day after the recording to inform him that counselling was being organized for him and added: “Sadly, due to Mr Dymond’s demise that didn’t go forward.”

Graham Stanier, the director of aftercare for the Jeremy Kyle Present between 2005 and 2019 and who was additionally the present’s on-air counsellor, stated in an announcement learn to the inquest that Mr Dymond was topic to “steady evaluation” following his acceptance to be on the present.

He stated this included background checks together with his work colleagues and Miss Callaghan and her daughter.

He stated he had solely stated “hi there” to Mr Dymond and was not concerned in his pre-show evaluation.

He stated: “So far as I can I recall no points have been flagged to me on the subject of Mr Dymond.”

– The Samaritans might be contacted on 116123 or electronic mail jo@samaritans.org.

Linda Sun, former Kathy Hochul aide, accused of scheming to advance interests of China

Linda Solar, a former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, schemed to advance the pursuits of China whereas working in New York State authorities, federal prosecutors alleged in an indictment unsealed Tuesday.

The indictment prices Solar with failure to register as a overseas agent, visa fraud, alien smuggling and cash laundering conspiracy.

Her husband, Christopher Hu, allegedly facilitated the switch of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in kickbacks for private acquire, prosecutors stated.

Solar and Hu every pleaded not responsible throughout their arraignment in Brooklyn federal court docket Tuesday afternoon. Solar appeared in a black pantsuit with a pink shirt, whereas her husband appeared in slacks and a pale gown shirt.

Whereas working for the Cuomo and Hochul administrations, Solar allegedly acted as an unregistered agent of China whereas her husband allegedly laundered the proceeds, enabling them to purchase a $3.6 million home in Manhasset and a $1.9 million rental in Hawaii, prosecutors stated.

Linda Solar in a photograph posted to Twitter.

LindaSun84/Twitter

Solar allegedly blocked Taiwan representatives from entry to the governor, labored to stop conferences with Taiwanese officers and sought to “form the general public statements” the governor made on China, prosecutors stated.

“That is no extraordinary monetary fraud,” Assistant U.S. Lawyer Alexander Solomon stated in the course of the arraignment.

Prosecutors stated Solar and Hu operated greater than 80 completely different accounts and many of the proof is in Chinese language, together with a WeChat message by which Solar is quoted telling a Chinese language official, “I’ve executed many issues to make the connection … flourish.”

Solar was launched on a $1.5 million bond, and her husband was launched on a $500,000 bond. Below the phrases of her launch, Solar is to not have any contact with the Chinese language consulate. Their subsequent court docket look has been scheduled for Sept. 25.

In a press release to ABC Information on Tuesday night time, attorneys for Solar referred to as the fees “inflammatory.”

“We’re dissatisfied by the submitting of those prices, that are inflammatory and look like the product of an excessively aggressive prosecution,” the assertion from her attorneys, Jarrod Schaeffer and Ken Abell, learn. “We’re additionally troubled by points of the federal government’s investigation. As we stated immediately in court docket, our shopper is keen to train her proper to a speedy trial and to defend in opposition to these accusations within the correct discussion board—a court docket of legislation.”

Linda Solar is seen in {a photograph} included in her federal indictment.

Consulate of China in New York

Solar and her husband had been arrested at their Lengthy Island residence Tuesday morning, in keeping with federal prosecutors from the Japanese District of New York and the FBI. The FBI had searched the Manhasset residence in July.

Solar was employed by the Government Chamber greater than a decade in the past, earlier than being fired final 12 months, in keeping with Avi Small, Hochul’s press secretary.

“We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering proof of misconduct, instantly reported her actions to legislation enforcement and have assisted legislation enforcement all through this course of,” Small stated in a press release to ABC Information.

Whereas Cuomo was in workplace, his rep advised ABC Information that Solar had “little to no interplay with the governor.”

“Nationwide safety is crucial and should be free from overseas affect,” learn a press release from Wealthy Azzopardi, who reps Cuomo. “Whereas Ms Solar was promoted to Deputy Chief of Workers within the subsequent administration, throughout our time she labored in a handful of businesses and was one in every of many neighborhood liaisons who had little to no interplay with the governor.”

Solar labored in state authorities for about 15 years earlier than she was fired final 12 months from her job as deputy commissioner for strategic enterprise growth on the New York State Division of Labor. She beforehand served as Hochul’s deputy chief of workers and within the administration of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to the press after attending a gathering with President Joe Biden and different Democratic governors on the White Home in Washington, D.C., July 3, 2024.

Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters, FILE

The indictment alleges that, performing on the request of Chinese language authorities officers and representatives of the Chinese language Communist Celebration, Solar blocked Taiwanese authorities officers from gaining access to high-level New York State officers, modified New York State officers’ messaging about China and organized conferences for visiting delegations from the PRC authorities with New York State authorities officers.

In return for these and different actions, Solar allegedly acquired financial and different advantages from China, together with the facilitation of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in transactions for the China-based enterprise actions of Hu; journey advantages; tickets to occasions; promotion of an in depth household good friend’s enterprise; employment for Solar’s cousin within the PRC; and Nanjing-style salted geese ready by a PRC authorities official’s private chef that had been delivered to the residence of Solar’s mother and father, in keeping with the indictment.

“As alleged, whereas showing to serve the individuals of New York as Deputy Chief of Workers inside the New York State Government Chamber, the defendant and her husband truly labored to additional the pursuits of the Chinese language authorities and the CCP,” United States Lawyer Breon Peace stated in a press release. “The illicit scheme enriched the defendant’s household to the tune of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.”

A “livid” Gov Hochul referred to as the allegations in opposition to Solar “brazen,” “stunning” and “a betrayal of belief” throughout an look on WNYC.

“The scope of what she was able to doing was stunning. I’m livid, outraged by this habits and we are going to let the method play out,” Hochul stated.

Hochul declined to disclose the character of her actions, saying, “It is going to be popping out in court docket hearings.” She stated her administration reported the misconduct to the Justice Division.

“She primarily labored for Andrew Cuomo for a lot of extra years. She was with me simply a short while, about 15 months,” Hochul stated.

Portugal v Croatia – UEFA Nations League result as Cristiano Ronaldo nets 900th career goal in spectacular style

WHAT FOOTBALL IS ON TNT SPORTS?

TNT Sports activities will present over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Convention League, in addition to unique Premier League video games throughout the 2024-25 season.
The streaming house for TNT Sports activities within the UK is discovery+, the place followers can take pleasure in a subscription that features TNT Sports activities, Eurosport and leisure in a single vacation spot.

Any matches that fall throughout the Saturday blackout window within the UK can’t be proven stay. The blackout window prohibits matches being proven on tv between 14:45 and 17:15 within the UK.

REPORT: RONALDO NETS LANDMARK 900TH GOAL AS PORTUGAL BEAT CROATIA

Cristiano Ronaldo grew to become the primary footballer to attain 900 profession objectives to assist Portugal overcome Croatia 2-1 within the UEFA Nations League.

Portugal have been the higher facet all through however solely held a two-goal lead for a matter of minutes, as Diogo Dalot turned the ball previous his personal goalkeeper in the identical half that he opened the scoring for the hosts.

But even with out the load of historical past, Ronaldo’s purpose was the choose of the bunch as he burst onto a Nuno Mendes cross and volleyed previous Dominik Livakovic to set off raucous celebrations in Lisbon.

Dalot’s first purpose seemed set to precipitate a rout after neat work by Bruno Fernandes at shut quarters arrange his Manchester United team-mate to fireplace house, and although Croatia didn’t concede for the final hour of the sport they supplied treasured little going ahead as Luka Modric’s star continues to wane. Learn extra…

FULL TIME: PORTUGAL 2-1 CROATIA

Costa’s purpose kick soars into the Lisbon air, and it is full time! On an evening of historical past, Portugal kick off their UEFA Nations League marketing campaign with a win courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half strike that made him the primary participant to attain 900 profession objectives.

Diogo Dalot struck in each nets however Croatia have been missing critical inventive spark for a lot of the sport as their growing old core continues to say no.

90+4′ – LAST CHANCE SALOON

Matanovic will get one other probability however loops his header over the bar, and that appears like all she wrote.

As Croatia push for an equaliser, San Marino are on the point of historical past. Scotland have fought again to 2-2 whereas Denmark and Slovakia have constructed second-half leads.

Portugal are fortunate. Goncalves is lastly on for Vitinha in time to take care of a harmful nook that Costa did not actually take care of.

Croatia hold possession on the sting of the world and Sucic’s cross reaches Kramaric on the far submit… just for the veteran to shins his shot into the facet netting.

However is he subbed off? There’s some confusion, it seemed like Bruno Fernandes was the person earmarked to get replaced by Pedro Goncalves however Martinez takes too lengthy delaying to see if Vitinha can proceed and in the end solely will get the one change full.

It is a large change although – Ronaldo will get the hero’s reception from the Lisbon crowd and Diogo Jota is on.

Ronaldo hared down the precise flank on the break earlier than pulling it again to Semedo, who’s by no means scored for Portugal.

And that file continues because of the pinnacle of Sutalo, with Martinez ready to play his closing two playing cards.

Zlatko Dalic has performed his full hand. Ivan Perisic is at the moment a free agent however has been chosen for the nationwide workforce and replaces Kristijan Jakic, whereas Modric makes method for Petar Sucic.

For Portugal, Antonio Silva is on for Inacio however instantly will get crushed to a header by (guess who?) Matanovic, his effort is not distant both.

76′ – WOULD’VE BEEN A STUNNER

Whistles ring out as Croatia look unhurried in possession, however they virtually catch Portugal napping.

Matanovic has been full of life since his introduction and flashes free within the space to satisfy a Sucic cross and volley it simply previous the submit.

Matanovic dispossess Vitinha and the referee blows up, with Modric rapidly sprinting over to protest.

Regardless of his standing as captain permitting the legend to talk to the referee, it is apparently too vehement and he enters the guide consequently.

It is a goal-saving intervention by Dalot. Pasalic discovered a chasm between the Portuguese centre-backs and bore down on Costa’s purpose, however Dalot comes out of nowhere with a protracted slide to ultimately dispossess the striker who was anticipating a one-on-one alternative.

It is his final act too, Luka Sucic takes over for the rest of the sport.

64′ – CROATIA STILL PRESSING

Martin Baturina’s had a good sport, a part of the post-Modric way forward for Croatian soccer aged simply 21. His race is run although as Igor Matanovic trots on for his debut, and instantly fires a long-range shot right into a sea of Portuguese gamers.

It is luscious from Portugal. Fernandes introduced a protracted ball to heel and flicked it again to Silva, who managed it then shuffled a move to the onrushing Ronaldo in simply two touches.

Livakovic stands up properly to the captain, then the linesman’s flag goes up for Fernandes’ preliminary run.

59′ – MENDES AND RONALDO COMBINE AGAIN

It is the opposite method this time, Nuno Mendes fed by Ronaldo earlier than firing excessive and central.

It was a disjointed build-up although, Fernandes went down like he’d been shot after upper-body contact from Pasalic, who was then muscled off the ball himself.

The subsequent purpose will probably be completely essential – you think Croatia cannot begin one other two-goal comeback once more.

Ronaldo tried to make that occur after Mendes discovered him following a mazy run, however Caleta-Automotive deflects it excessive and vast.

51′ – ALMOST AN EQUALISER!

First Pasalic tames a protracted Josip Sutalo ball sufficient to take a shot that is blocked behind for a nook, then Croatia get a head on the supply round 10 yards out! Sadly for them, it is straight at Costa.

Each of Portugal’s vast attackers are off, Rafael Leao changed by Joao Neves and Nelson Semedo on for Pedro Neto who had that probability simply earlier than half-time.

Zlatko Dalic was sweating on Duje Caleta-Automotive’s health forward of this one and he is been given the second half, for Marin Pongracic.

46′ – SECOND HALF UNDERWAY

And Martinez has made a double-change. Portugal are switching to wing-backs after beginning the sport in a 4-3-3, Mendes is instantly on the assault.

The sport actually hasn’t seemed as at the same time as these numbers recommend:

San Marino have a real probability at their second victory tonight and are nonetheless in it after Liechtenstein noticed a purpose disallowed, it will be Whipping Boys’ first win for 20 years and the primary in a aggressive fixture.

For the house nations, Paddy McNair and Daniel Ballard have netted at Windsor Park whereas a Robert Lewandowski penalty doubled Poland’s lead over Scotland after Sebastian Szymanski’s opener.

Consequence: Azerbaijan 1-3 Sweden (Group C)

Denmark 0-0 Switzerland (all A)

Northern Eire 2-0 Luxembourg (all C)

San Marino 0-0 Liechtenstein (D)

HT – WHAT FOOTBALL IS ON TNT SPORTS?

TNT Sports activities will present over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Convention League, in addition to unique Premier League video games throughout the 2024-25 season.
The streaming house for TNT Sports activities within the UK is discovery+, the place followers can take pleasure in a subscription that features TNT Sports activities, Eurosport and leisure in a single vacation spot.

Any matches that fall throughout the Saturday blackout window within the UK can’t be proven stay. The blackout window prohibits matches being proven on tv between 14:45 and 17:15 within the UK.

HALF-TIME: PORTUGAL 2-1 CROATIA

Sosa turns it behind for a nook however with just one added minute, the referee decrees that there is no time to take the set-piece.

Although Portuguese gamers encompass the officers, they’re unmoved and all of it ends in smiles as Modric lastly drags Ronaldo away and the previous teammates share a joke disappearing into the tunnel.

What a end to this half! Neto is flying down the left and because the defence scrambles he simply retains on trucking, earlier than launching an laser from shut vary. It has Livakovic crushed however slams into the bar and away from Ronaldo.

41′ – GOAL!!! PORTUGAL 2-1 CROATIA (DALOT OG)

He is scored in each nets right now and out of nowhere, Croatia are again on this! Livakovic’s fast pondering sparks a break and Kramaric – who was caught offside earlier – instances his run completely to take the ball on the precise of the penalty space.

He holds it up properly earlier than scything a low cross to the onrushing help, it appears like the prospect has gone however Borna Sosa slides to nudge the ball again into the six-yard field and Dalot unknowingly fires it over Costa.

Livakovic has truly been certainly one of Croatia’s greatest gamers tonight and gambles appropriately to race out and deny Mendes.

37′ – CROATIA LOOKING RAGGED

The place have been this Portugal within the Euros?

They have been clinically incisive and have left Croatia within the mud – the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists have been creaking all sport as Leao virtually will get away from the again 4 however loses management of the ball.

34′ – GOAL!! PORTUGAL 2-0 CROATIA (RONALDO)

It is the second all of them got here to see, purpose quantity 900 for Cristiano Ronaldo!

And it was brutally easy too, a fizzing Nuno Mendes cross from deep that the legend reacts quickest too of anybody within the penalty space, latching onto the ball together with his proper boot straight previous a helpless Livakovic.

As Kramaric forces an acrobatic save from Costa, a reminder that we’re additionally overlaying Spain-Serbia stay tonight. This is how the entire different UEFA Nations League motion has performed out to date with half an hour gone:

Consequence: Azerbaijan 1-3 Sweden (Group C)

Denmark 0-0 Switzerland (all A)

Northern Eire 2-0 Luxembourg (all C)

San Marino 0-0 Liechtenstein (D)

Croatia play their very own nook brief however Modric misplaces a easy five-yard move to Martin Baturina, a sight you by no means used to see.

Ultimately Kramaric fashions a weak capturing alternative that bounces vast from the sting of the field, the guests are trying laboured proper now.

The gang are determined to see historical past made tonight and so they virtually get their second as Ronaldo latches onto a cute Rafael Leao backheel at full pace.

Although he produces a well-placed low shot, it is a tight angle, and Livakovic positions himself completely to make the save and concede solely a nook.

21′ – WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?

Ronaldo wins a free kick in capturing vary and… permits his teammate to take it? It is swung into the far submit dangerously however Croatia survive.

18′ – LULL IN PROCEEDINGS

One other long-range effort was straight at Costa, and Portugal have now elected to exert some management on the sport, sparking a Mexican wave within the stands.

Wow that is a laser from Modric. Mario Pasalic lays the ball off to the midfielder arriving to the sting of the world from deep and he curls a shot in direction of the close to submit that may’ve had Diogo Costa crushed however flies simply vast.

Bernado Silva concedes a nook however it results in a Portugal probability! They hoof it upfield on the break and Livakovic has to run virtually to the centre circle to snuff out the hazard with a sliding clearance.

7′ – GOAL! PORTUGAL 1-0 CROATIA (DALOT)

What a begin for Portugal! It is Fernandes on the coronary heart of issues once more as he ghosts in from the left and has loads of choices to select from, discovering the Manchester United full-back’s completely timed run with a deft flick.

Dalot nonetheless had a bit to do operating away from purpose and was tracked by Borna Sosa however he is in a position open up his physique and hearth underneath Livakovic to take the lead!

The Estadio de Luz buzzes as quickly as Ronaldo will get on the ball however it’s Fernandes who forces Dominik Livakovic into the primary save – the ball ricocheted to him on the sting of the penalty space and his snapshot is not far sufficient away from the keeper.

Portugal have opted for 3 attacking midfielders and so they move their first check, limiting Croatia in possession earlier than Andrej Kramaric strays offside.

After an elongated captain’s dialog between Ronaldo and Modric and a second’s silence for Benfica legend Adolfo Calisto, we’re underway! Portugal kick off in gray, in opposition to a Croatia facet clad in blue.

19:40 – PLAYERS ARE IN THE TUNNEL

Simply 5 minutes till kickoff on this one!

Pepe’s retired and Roberto Martinez dropped Joao Cancelo, Danilo Pereira and Francisco Conceicao amongst others with some recent faces within the squad together with 17-year-old Geovany Quenda who’s made simply 4 senior appearances. Nevertheless it’s a reasonably acquainted beginning XI:

(4-3-3): Costa, Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes, Silva, Vitinha, Fernandes, Neto, Ronaldo, Leao.

In the meantime accidents have left Zlatko Dalic in need of full-back cowl so he is switched formation in Lisbon:

(3-5-2): Livakovic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Jakic, Modric, Baturina, Kovacic, Sosa, Pasalic, Kramaric.

Whereas we’re faffing round with the struggle for qualification for the quarter-finals of this competitors, San Marino have one thing far more necessary at stake tonight.

They face Liechtenstein with the very actual risk that they may very well be celebrating their second win of all time, first since 2004 and first ever aggressive victory tonight. So keep watch over that one too…

19:25 – AROUND THE GROUNDS

It’s a brand new season, and there’s two groups already on the board after 4 second-half objectives in Baku earlier. Right here’s tonight’s fixtures and a choose take a look at the weekend forward, with Spain-Serbia additionally lined on TNT Sports activities…

Azerbaijan 1-3 Sweden (Group C)

Serbia v Spain, Scotland v Poland, Denmark v Switzerland (A); Belarus v Bulgaria, Estonia v Slovakia, Northern Eire v Luxembourg (C); San Marino v Liechtenstein (D) – all 19:45 KO.

Friday 6/9: Wales v Turkiye (B, 19:45); Saturday 7/9: Eire v England (B, 17:00 – all UK instances).

Not the gamers for probably the most half, as we’ve lined. Having heard considerations about participant welfare, UEFA have sacrificed further matchday income to cut back the variety of ga- no solely joking, they’ve added extra playoffs to the rotation.

Groups who end third of their pool will play a second-placed workforce from the group under over two legs, with the victor going into the upper group for the 2026/27 competitors.

The exception is Group A, whose 4 runners up will face the pool winners within the Nations League quarter-finals, additionally over two legs in March 2025. The winners of these video games then head to the semi-finals and closing, hosted in a single nation like beforehand.

It additionally has implications for World Cup qualification however by the point issues get to that stage you will have forgotten all of the ins and outs anyway so we’ll save that clarification for now.

A common view as gamers of Spain have fun as Irene Paredes of Spain lifts UEFA Girls’s Nations League trophy after her workforce’s victory in the course of the UEFA Girls’s Nations League 2024 Closing match between Spain and France at Estadio La Cartuja on February 28,

Picture credit score: Getty Pictures

WHAT FOOTBALL IS ON TNT SPORTS?

TNT Sports activities will present over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Convention League, in addition to unique Premier League video games throughout the 2024-25 season.
The streaming house for TNT Sports activities within the UK is discovery+, the place followers can take pleasure in a subscription that features TNT Sports activities, Eurosport and leisure in a single vacation spot.

Any matches that fall throughout the Saturday blackout window within the UK can’t be proven stay. The blackout window prohibits matches being proven on tv between 14:45 and 17:15 within the UK.

19:10 – RONALDO LEADS THE LINE FOR PORTUGAL

Likewise Roberto Martinez names a well-known workforce for Portugal, with an uber-familiar title up prime.

19:05 – MODRIC CAPTAINS CROATIA

He turns 39 subsequent week however Luka Modric is concerned as soon as once more tonight in a facet that sees simply three modifications from their Euro 2024 elimination.

19:00 – HELLO AND WELCOME

The Nations League is again, and larger than ever! And with it, the daybreak of a brand new cycle in European worldwide soccer because the Euro 2024 slate is cleaned and groups look forward to the expanded World Cup in two years’ time. At the very least in idea.

However for Portugal and Croatia, right now’s sport feels extra like enterprise as ordinary. Nothing reinforces that greater than Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued presence of their respective sides, with 77 years and extra trophies than a Victorian large sport hunter between them.

Portugal have been the most effective workforce in Euros qualification and most of that nucleus remains to be getting into or of their prime whereas Modric is joined by Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric for Croatia, all veterans of the 2018 World Cup closing.

So maybe (at the least) the following 12 months are extra of a final hurrah and the prospect to choose up some further silverware – there’s double the prospect of constructing the UEFA Nations League knockouts this time round, however extra on that later. This one kicks off in 45 minutes!

Cristiano Ronaldo und Luka Modric

Picture credit score: Getty Pictures

TNT Sports activities will present over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Convention League throughout the 2024-25 season. The streaming house for TNT Sports activities within the UK is discovery+, the place followers can take pleasure in a subscription that features TNT Sports activities, Eurosport and leisure in a single vacation spot.

These are the 2 students and 2 teachers killed at Apalachee High School in Georgia

Up to date September 05, 2024 at 15:23 PM ET

The 4 victims of Wednesday’s mass taking pictures in Winder, Ga., have been essential to the interwoven material of a highschool. Some taught math and soccer. Others dreamed of what they might do sooner or later as grownups. All of those that misplaced their lives within the Apalachee Excessive Faculty assault have been cherished of their households and group.

The violence got here simply after the varsity had accomplished its first month of the brand new college 12 months. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has recognized the lifeless as college students Christian Angulo, 14, and Mason Schermerhorn, 14, and lecturers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53.

Not less than 9 different folks have been injured and brought to the hospital for therapy. The suspected killer, a 14-year-old, was taken into custody on the college. He had beforehand been investigated by federal and native businesses over “on-line threats to commit a faculty taking pictures,” in line with the FBI.

Right here’s what we all know in regards to the 4 victims who died:

Mason Schermerhorn

Mason had simply began highschool final month. Photographs of him present a smiling younger man carrying glasses. On a fundraising web page, he’s being remembered by his sister as a young person who was humorous and appreciated to inform jokes.

“Relations described Mason as somebody who was all the time constructive and all the time regarded on the vibrant aspect of issues. Considered one of his favourite hobbies was taking part in video video games on his PS5 and VR headset,” in line with Atlanta TV station Fox 5.

Christian Angulo

Like Mason, Christian was a freshman at Apalachee.

“He was an excellent child and really candy and so caring. He was so cherished by many,” his oldest sister, Lisette, mentioned as she launched a GoFundMe web page to pay for her youthful brother’s funeral.

“We’re really heartbroken,” she added, saying that whereas donations would assist pay bills associated to his funeral, “We additionally would recognize any prayers presently.”

/ Apalachee Excessive Faculty

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Apalachee Excessive Faculty

Richard Aspinwall was a well-liked coach at Apalachee Excessive Faculty, the place he additionally taught math. He’s survived by his spouse and two younger youngsters; Aspinwall is seen right here in a photograph from the varsity’s web site.

Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall

Aspinwall was a math instructor who additionally coached soccer at Apalachee. He and his spouse, Shayna, previously taught collectively at Mountain View Excessive Faculty. The couple have two younger daughters.

Aspinwall’s associates and colleagues are mourning a popular and revered coach who specialised in protection. His former gamers describe him as a job mannequin who took a deep curiosity of their futures.

“For me particularly, he believed in me after I did not consider in myself. He pushed me to have excessive aspirations by the religion he had in me,” Marquel Broughton, certainly one of his former gamers at Mountain View, instructed the Gwinnett Every day Publish. “His love was real, and his coronary heart was pure. His legacy will perpetually stay on by these he touched. Coach A will perpetually be generally known as a hero.”

/ Apalachee Excessive Faculty

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Apalachee Excessive Faculty

A photograph from Apalachee Excessive Faculty’s web site exhibits Christina Irimie, 53. A math instructor on the college, Irimie was killed in a mass taking pictures on Wednesday.

Christina Irimie

Irimie, a math instructor at Apalachee Excessive Faculty, was cherished by many and cared deeply for her college students. Her loss is particularly heartbreaking for Gabrielle Buth, certainly one of her good associates.

Irimie’s birthday simply handed on Aug. 24, so to rejoice she baked a cake and introduced pizza for her class on the day she died “so she might rejoice along with her youngsters,” Buth mentioned. That’s simply the form of individual Irimie was, she mentioned.

Irimie was born in Romania and nonetheless has household there, together with a brother — who now has to inform their mom, who simply had an emergency surgical procedure final weekend, that her daughter has handed away, Buth mentioned.

“The investigations are ongoing for the time being and we notice lots of our questions could by no means be answered nevertheless we might love the world to know what a ravishing soul she was and the way devoted she was to her college students,” Buth wrote of her pal in a message to NPR. “She was so jovial and vigorous. She all the time answered the telephone (in Romanian) — ‘Hi there my love,’ I can nonetheless hear her now — ‘Da Iubita’. Christina was an individual who made you are feeling welcomed and vital and she or he was so, SO humorous. Simply vigorous.”

The calling to turn into a instructor got here to Irimie a couple of years in the past, Buth mentioned.

“Years in the past, when she determined to return to high school to turn into a instructor we requested her why and she or he mentioned she felt the calling to show and care for youngsters in her soul. Christina and her husband weren’t capable of have any organic youngsters of their very own so she determined to show round and love her college students as her personal,” she mentioned.

Irimie saved shut ties with the Romanian group and was particularly built-in within the Atlanta Romanian Orthodox group, Buth mentioned. She was even a conventional Romanian people dancer, she added.

Her husband, Dorin, whom Irimie “cherished” dancing with, “cannot deliver himself to grasp why any of this has occurred to his love,” Buth mentioned.

Copyright 2024 NPR