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☆ Manchester United and City suffer losses on day of surprises in the Premier League
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Manchester United’s terrible start to the season continued Saturday as Erik ten Hag’s team fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the English Premier League. The defeat to London-based Palace was United’s second successive home defeat and fourth in seven league games, leaving Ten Hag’s team 10th in the league on nine points. It is United’s worst start to a Premier League season after seven games – and the club’s worst in the top-flight since the 1989-90 season, according to Reuters. City had won every league game this season and was expected to beat a Wolves team which had won just once in the league. But Pep Guardiola not only suffered a first league loss of the campaign but the second of the week, following the League Cup defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday.

Persons: Erik, Joachim Andersen’s, Michael Regan, Pep Guardiola, “, ”, Guardiola, Rúben Dias, Julian Álvarez’s, Hwang Hee, chan Organizations: CNN, Manchester, Crystal, English Premier League, Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Premier League, Reuters, League, United, Wolves, Newcastle, Molineux Locations: London, Old Trafford, Manchester

REUTERS/Kevork Djansezian Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 27 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Microsoft’s (MSFT.O) gaming master plan is slowly coming together. But Microsoft’s gaming revenue was still around 8% of group sales, or $15 billion, for the year ended June 2022. Given these risks, it makes sense for Nadella to grow his exposure to those parts of the gaming market which are less likely to be upended by cloud gaming. It remains possible that cloud gaming is a dog that doesn’t bark – or at least not for some time. As a result of the Activision deal, Nadella has a hedge of sorts against cloud gaming happening too fast.

Persons: Kevork, Satya Nadella’s, Ampere, ”, GamesIndustry.biz, Nadella, George Hay, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Activision, REUTERS, Reuters, Bethesda, Microsoft, Satya Nadella’s Activision, Ampere, Sony, Nintendo, Reuters Graphics, Netflix, Gamers, Xbox, PlayStation, Big Tech, Apple, HK, reckons, Competition, Markets Authority, CMA, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Ubisoft Entertainment, Ubisoft, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, United States, U.S

☆ Asian Games: South Korea's Esports stars target medal success -- and a military exemption
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

For South Korean male participants, winning a gold medal in the Asian Games or Olympic Games not only brings honor but also grants them a military exemption. However, the mandatory duty can be waived for some athletes, in particular those who win an Olympic medal or a gold medal in the Asian Games. Seven games will be featured as official medal events at the 19th Asian Games, building on the success of the pilot event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games. The venue for the Asian Games esports competitions is state-of-the-art and an impressive sight to see. With its inclusion as an official Asian Games medal event, the possibility of esports becoming a part of the Olympic Games is a topic of growing debate.

Persons: Suga, Oh, Wang Zhao, Son Heung, ” Shin, ”, esports, ” Kim Sa, “, ” Lee Kyung, Kwak, hyouk, it’d, ” Kwak, Thailand’s Teedech, Lee Sang, –, Michael Chow, Yoonjung Seo, Michael Jordan, ” Chow, Faker, JUNG YEON, Philip Fong, Rowan Crothers, “ I’m, I’ll, ” Crothers, Jess Bolden, Chow, Niko, Young Organizations: CNN, Gaming, Hangzhou Asian Games, Asian Games, Games, BTS, Asian, Getty, Premier League soccer, Tottenham Hotspur, Marine Corps, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, “ Times, CNN Sport, FIFA, Hangzhou, South Korea, Believer Company, Riot, South, Team Korea, League, “ League, SK Telecom, Riot Games, Microsoft Studios, Xbox, Studios, International Federation of, Phonographic Industry, EA Sports FC Online, PUBG, of Valor, of, Olympic, International Olympic Committee, Maekyung Media, Paralympic, IOC, Kodikara, International Federations, Niko Partners Locations: South Korea, Hangzhou, AFP, Seogwipo, Jeju, Republic of, Seoul, esports, Jakarta, South, . South Korea, Palembang, Asia

☆ 2023 Women's World Cup semifinals: Everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

With just two games standing between them and World Cup glory, let’s have a look at everything you need to know about the four semifinalists. SpainLa Roja’s run to its first ever Women’s World Cup semifinal hasn’t been a straightforward one and the road has been filled with highs and lows. SwedenSweden has shown remarkable determination to reach its second straight Women’s World Cup semifinal – and its fifth overall. Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty ImagesSo who is the favorite to win the Women’s World Cup? The lack of previous Women’s World Cup winning experience has made the semifinals and final even more exciting if that’s even possible.

Persons: Jorge Vilda, Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas –, Phil Walter, –, Salma Paralluelo, Zećira Mušović, Amanda Ilestedt, Mušović, Sweden's, Catherine Ivill, Australia It’s, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Anthony Albanese, “ I’ve, it’s, ” Albanese, ”, Tertius Pickard, Sarina, Lauren James, Colombia –, James, Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie, Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Kiera Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, Bethany England, Lauren, Charlotte Wilson, what’s Organizations: CNN, Zambia, Roja, Putellas, Sky Sports, FIFA, Japan, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Canada, France, ABC, Australia, England England, Colombia, Chelsea, Brisbane Locations: Spain, Sweden, Australia, England, Spanish, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden Sweden, South Africa, Japanese, Swedish, Serbian, Republic of, Nigeria, Denmark, 7Plus, New Zealand, China, Nigeria’s, Georgia, Gracenote

☆ Marta: How Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer became the greatest of all time and an ‘icon’ in her country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

10, it the greatest women's player of all time and has become an 'icon' Brazil. Marta has won the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award an unprecedented six times. The only achievement missing from a glittering CV is a major title with her beloved national team. Australia and New Zealand 2023 is her sixth and final Women's World Cup. If it weren’t for Marta, women’s football in Brazil would probably still be a very incipient thing.

Persons: CNN —, ” Sissi, “, Sissi, Vasco da Gama, Marta Viera da Silva, ”, Marta, chuckles, Stuart Franklin, wasn’t, Marta ’, John Walton, ’, that’s, ” Marta, Feng Li, Brazil’s, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Dida, Tina Ellerston, Ellerston, –, Juca Kfouri, Ronaldo O Fenômeno, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, ” Kfouri, Doug Pensinger, Pelé, Marta “ Pelé, Raphael Alves, she’s, Neymar, ‘ Marta ’, King, Marta –, Paul Currie, Kfouri, “ Marta Organizations: CNN, Brazil, Rio, Vasco, CNN Sport, FIFA, Nigeria, women’s, Champions League, Copa Libertadores, Germany, United, United States Women’s National, AFP, Getty, Brazil ” Locations: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, United States, men’s, Germany, USA, nestling, Australia, New Zealand, Alagoas, Marta’s, Brazilian

☆ How to watch Women’s World Cup games as Sweden and France kick off their tournament
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Women’s World Cup enters its fourth day of fixtures with some of the tournament heavyweights kicking off their campaigns. Sweden takes on South Africa, Women’s World Cup debutant Portugal faces the Netherlands and France plays Jamaica in an action-packed day. In the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Sweden finished third after an impressive tournament, defeating England in the third-place playoff. Banyana Banyana made its Women’s World Cup debut in 2019, losing all three of its group stage games, but will be buoyed by its form since. In 2022, South Africa won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the nation’s history.

Persons: Gerrit Van Cologne, Kosovare Asllani, Banyana Banyana, Kosovare, Molly Darlington, Vivianne, Lieke Martens, Miedema, Leah Williamson, Andrew Couldridge, Wendie Renard, Corinne Diacre, Eugénie Le Sommer, Hervé Renard, –, Bunny ” Shaw, Shaw, Read, Bob Marley Organizations: CNN, Portugal, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, FIFA, South Africa, Getty, South, Sweden, England, Africa, of Nations, Reuters, Portugal Portugal, Arsenal, Jamaica France, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, French, Super League, Manchester City Locations: Sweden, South Africa, Netherlands, France, Jamaica, Australia, United Kingdom, South, Portugal, South Africa Sweden, Africa, Reuters Netherlands, Reuters France, England

What is the Naadam festival? “Naadam means ‘games’ in the Mongolian language and it includes three main competitions, Mongolian wrestling, archery and horse racing,” he explains. The Naadam games took place virtually for two years, from 2020-2021, because of the pandemic. Kyodo/APIn addition to the major festivities held in Ulaanbaatar, there are Naadam games – of different scales – held across Mongolia in the countryside. A female archer strikes a pose at a small Naadam festival at the Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia's Gobi Desert in 2019.

Persons: Genghis Khan, Here’s, Naadam, It’s, ”, “ Naadam, Genghis, Barry Lewis, –, Yesunge, Tessa Chan, Alison Wright, David, Goliath, Wu Hong Organizations: CNN, Manly Games, Nomadic Expeditions, “, UNESCO, Intangible, Heritage, Humanity, South China Morning, Mongolian Government, Mongolian, Mongolia, Archery, Kyodo, AP, Archery Field, Shutterstock Locations: Mongolia, gers, Mongol, Ulaanbaatar, Uliastai, Western Mongolia, South, Mongolian, Australia, New Zealand, Ulaanbataar

☆ A North Korean stunned world soccer when he scored in Serie A. Then Han Kwang Song went missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Gawon Bae | Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

But the Covid-19 pandemic led to North Korea fully sealing its borders, making it impossible for Han and fellow repatriated North Korean nationals to return home. PyongyangHan was born in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang in 1998. The opening of North Korea through sport seemed like a door that would not be closed any time soon. They followed the Olympics and soccer,” former North Korean men’s soccer national team head coach Jørn Andersen told CNN Sport, adding that he had limited contact with the North Korean public during his time in Pyongyang between 2016 and 2018. Holding a North Korean passport, Han was no exception to these sanctions, despite his preternatural soccer talent.

Persons: Han Kwang, Qatar’s, Han, –, Hahn, hea, Kim Jong, Pyongyang Han, Kim Jong Un’s, Kim, Alberto Mier, Jørn Andersen, ” Andersen, Han Kwang Song, Enrico Locci, YuMi, Rome –, Choe, “, Mario Berreta, ” Cagliari’s, Max Canzi, ” Canzi, ‘ Tell Mario, ”, Canzi, Nicholas Pennington, Tullio M, Pennington, ” Han, Juventus –, Duhail, Sandro Stemperini, Qatar Han’s, Andersen, hasn’t, he’s, ” Anderson, regretfully Organizations: CNN, Juventus, Little North, South, CNN Sport, United Nations Security Council, North, Pyongyang International Football School, CNN North Korea, Korean, soccer, team, North Korean, Bundesliga, Liga, KCTV, FIFA, Cagliari's Serie, Chievo Verona, Academy, ISM Academy, AC Perugia Calcio, Cagliari, Canzi, Serie A, Perugia, Getty, AC Perugia, Juventus ’, Serie, ISM International Scouting Center, UNSC, North Korea, DPRK, Democratic People’s, Al, Qatar’s, Qatar Stars, Qatar, UN, Fiorentina, Sport, Qatar Stars League, “, Qatar Airways, – Locations: Korean, Italian, Pyongyang, South Korean, North Korea, Qatar, London, South Korea, Germany, Italy, England, Spain, Perugia –, Italy’s, Umbria, Rome, Europe, “, Cagliari, Puglia, Seoul, North Korean, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Qatari, Korea, North, Ahli, ”, Doha, China, Russia

☆ Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-IttihadIn the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media. Rice, who was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then West Ham, was voted Conference League player of the season.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema –, Karim Benzema, Ittihad, Benzema, Frenchman, Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid Jude Bellingham, Florencia Tan Jun, Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, N’Golo Kanté, Ittihad N'Golo Kanté, Justin Tallis, Kanté, Christopher Nkunku –, Chelsea Christopher Nkunku, Annegret Hilse, Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku, Nkunku, Todd Boehly, Kai Havertz, Germany's, Maja Hitij, Kai Kavertz, Mikel Arteta, Havertz, Boehly, Declan Rice –, Declan Rice, Richard Heathcote, Rice, West Ham’s, Mateo Kovačić –, Mateo Kovačić, Pep Guardiola’s, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, Alexis Mac Allister, Alex Pantling, Lionel Messi, Mac Allister, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Roberto Firmino’s, Rúben Neves, Al Hilal Rúben Neves, Naomi Baker, Al Hilal, Neves Organizations: CNN, Super League, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Al, Real Madrid, League, La Liga, Real, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, English, Ittihad N'Golo, France, Getty, Benzema, Chelsea, Premier League, FA, Europa League, UEFA Super, Leicester, Leipzig, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Reuters, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Ukraine, Gunners, Manchester City, football’s, Europa Conference League, Gent, Manchester United, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester, Argentina, Brighton, Liverpool, Anfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves, Everton, Molineux, Portugal Locations: England, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Portuguese, Saudi Arabian, Karim Benzema – Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Bellingham, Dortmund, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Leicester, Paris, Leipzig, Bremen, Germany, Declan Rice – West Ham, West Ham, Mateo Kovačić – Chelsea, Madrid, Spain, Croatian, Brighton, Argentina, Qatar, Barcelona

☆ Chess photography: Body language, knowledge of the game and luck
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“That’s always a very difficult question,” Emelianova told CNN Sport when asked how she would describe the art of chess photography. So like people who know very little of chess and of the personalities can kind of get very close to the game and feel like they are right next to this chess game. She went on to become a professional chess player before taking a break from competitive chess. Lennart Ootes“My mother was doing some photography stuff when she was younger in university, but it was analog photography,” Emelianova explained. But I already know enough to even, like – to catch a really, really subtle head shake or sitting like too straight or pretending to be very relaxed,” she said.

Persons: Maria Emelianova, Emelianova, “ That’s, ” Emelianova, “, ” Ian Nepomniatchtchi, Ding Liren, –, Carlsen, Lennart Ootes “, ”, Mobina, gazes, it’s, she’s, Emelianova –, don’t, Jennifer Shahade, Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, British, “, Moscow State University Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Khanty, Mansiysk, Moscow, Uzbekistan, India

☆ Potential Olympics sponsorship deal tests LVMH heir Antoine Arnault
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Mimosa Spencer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Discussions on the Olympics deal, being negotiated by Antoine, revolve around promotions focused on LVMH as a group, its two biggest fashion labels - the Louis Vuitton and Dior brands - as well as champagne. However, the behind-the-scenes role of the oldest of Arnault’s four sons, Antoine, hasn't been widely known. Although Antoine Arnault's work shepherding LVMH's sponsorship of the Olympic Games is taking place behind closed doors, the outcome would be highly public. Steve Martin, global CEO of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, said that while LVMH is already associated with France, a formal sponsorship of the Olympics would help to further differentiate LVMH from luxury rivals. “If we get involved it would be to help out,” LVMH fashion group CEO Sidney Toledano told Reuters.

Persons: Antoine Arnault's, Antoine Arnault, Bernard Arnault's, Bernard Arnault’s, Delphine Arnault, Dior, Antoine, Louis Vuitton, Bernard Arnault, hasn't, Tony Estanguet, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, ”, Steve Martin, LVMH, Martin, Sidney Toledano, –, we’re, Toledano, Mimosa Spencer, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Deal, Dior, FIFA, Olympic, Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, Olympic Games, Reuters, Thomson Locations: PARIS, LVMH, Paris, France, Qatar, Atlanta, London

CNN —A string of sports games and practices have been postponed as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to choke the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast parts of the United States. Around 75 million people are under air quality alerts as wildfire smoke shrouds major US cities, with Major League Baseball (MLB), the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) forced to postpone games due to concerns over dangerous air quality. Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies warms up at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday. Following consultation with the NWSL Medical and Operations staff, it was determined that the match could not be safely conducted based on the projected air quality index,” the NWSL said in a statement. Smoke from Canada’s fires has periodically affected the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for more than a week, raising concerns over the harms of persistent poor air quality.

Persons: Zack Wheeler, Mitchell Leff Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Women’s Soccer League, MLB, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Yankee, WNBA, New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, New York Racing Association, NWSL, Operations, Phillies, Tigers, Yankees, White Sox, Belmont Locations: Northeast, United States, Belmont, New York, New Jersey, Harrison, Canada, Alberta, Elmont , New York

☆ Iga Świątek continues defense of French Open title with straight sets victory over American Coco Gauff
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Iga Świątek remains on course to retain her French Open title after easing past Coco Gauff 6-4 6-2 to reach the semifinals at Roland-Garros. In a rematch of last year’s final, Świątek ultimately had too much quality for Gauff to handle as her relentless power and consistency eventually broke the American down. It wasn’t easy, especially with the wind today, but I’m happy I’m through to the semifinal.”Swiatek remains on course to successfully defend her French Open title. It proved to be the beginning of the end for Gauff, who was powerless to stop Świątek’s inevitable march to victory. Świątek, according to Opta, is the first player since Conchita Martinez in 1995 to reach the semifinals at the French Open having dropped 15 games or fewer.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Garros, Świątek, Gauff, Beatriz Haddad Maia, “, Swiatek, Julian Finney, Lesia Tsurenko, Conchita Martinez, Sabalenka, Karolína Muchová, Ted Lasso, ” Świątek Organizations: CNN, Roland, WTA, Tennis, Getty, Świątek, Garros, Madam Locations: Paris

☆ Gun-loving Texas, where most households own a firearm, has become an epicenter of mass shootings
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Emma Tucker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

CNN and the GVA define a mass shooting as a shooting that injures or kills four or more people, not including the shooter. They argue that more firearms and higher gun ownership increases public safety – a stance that continues to be at odds with gun violence experts and data. The area around the Robb Elementary School signs has become a memorial dedicated to the victims of the May 24 mass shooting. Mass shootings are just a piece of that, and the strategies that we’re laying out will impact mass shootings. They’ll also impact a lot of other types of gun violence and that’s absolutely critical to saving lives,” Horwitz said.

☆ World Transplant Games: The unexpected journeys of four athletes to one of the biggest competitions you've probably never heard of
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Eryn Mathewson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

British supporters gesture during the opening ceremony of the XXI World Transplant Games 2017 in Malaga, Spain on June 25, 2017. Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty ImagesWhat are the World Transplant Games? The World Transplant Games is not a household name like the Special Olympics or the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The Road Race starts at the 2019 World Transplant Games in Newcastle-Gateshead, United Kingdom. Price is currently recovering from a non-transplant related surgery, but said she’s ready to make her second appearance at the World Transplant Games.

☆ Bills will try to ride emotional rollercoaster to top of AFC
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"It's going to be a celebration of life an ongoing life," Beane told reporters looking ahead to Sunday's game. "It will be a challenge for our team to manage the emotions, there's going to be tears out there. PLAYOFF RACEWhile Hamlin and the Bills will be at the emotional centre of the weekend there is plenty of suspense up and down a full slate of games. While a victory would earn the Chiefs a first round bye it might not necessarily bring them home field advantage. Should the 49ers and Eagles both fall the Dallas Cowboys could snatch the NFC crown with a win over the Washington Commanders.

☆ Kylian Mbappé is reaching speeds of 22 miles per hour at the World Cup. Can anyone stop him?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ahead of its World Cup quarterfinal against France, England has a problem to solve. But the 23-year-old has showcased more than just clinical finishing at the World Cup, terrorizing opponents with his phenomenal speed and ability to get behind the defensive line. “I do understand what I need to do and that’s obviously to stop him,” Walker told reporters this week. It will be an intriguing encounter at the Al Bayt Stadium, pitting two of the World Cup highest-scoring teams against each other. I’m sure he’s going to be the best midfielder in the world.”With some of the best players of the tournament going toe-to-toe, this quarterfinal has all the ingredients of a World Cup classic.

☆ Croatia vs Brazil: Vatreni have 'nothing to fear' ahead of quarterfinal clash against 'terrifying' Seleçao, says head coach
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“I try to adapt to the characteristics of the players,” Tite told reporters after the match, according to Reuters. “Sure, some love to complain when they see other people’s happiness and we Brazilians are a joyful people, so it will always bother,” Vinícius told reporters, per Reuters. Croatia has a remarkable recent record in World Cup knockout matches. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images“Brazil is the favorite, let’s face it,” Dalić told reporters, per Reuters. “Brazil is the most powerful and the best national team at the World Cup.

☆ Jiang Zemin: China's Xi calls for unity at former president's memorial service
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on the country to unite around his leadership as he addressed a memorial service for former leader Jiang Zemin, following an unprecedented show of dissent over his zero-Covid policy and authoritarian rule. At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi led hundreds of China’s political and military elites to pay final tribute to Jiang, who died last Wednesday at the age of 96. Chinese leader Xi Jinping leads other officials to bow during a formal memorial for late former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin in Beijing on December 6, 2022. Coming to power in the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, Jiang led China out of international isolation and guided its integration into the global market. On Tuesday, in his first public speech since the protests, Xi praised Jiang for ensuring the party’s survival from the “political storms” of his time.

☆ Why are there so many shock results at this World Cup?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

We’ve seen plenty of World Cup shocks over the years, but this year’s edition has seen more than most. Lionel Hahn/Getty ImagesA World Cup like no otherThis World Cup is a first for many reasons. The World Cup’s natureGiven the nature of the World Cup – teams thrown together in a tournament setting from across the globe – fans often see clashes which they’re not accustomed to. This concoction has, over the 90 years of the World Cup, regularly led to shock results. From the US beating England in 1950 and North Korea upsetting Italy in 1966 to Senegal beating defending champion France in 2002 and Algeria – in its World Cup debut – beating West Germany in 1982, World Cup history is littered with surprises.

☆ Masks at World Cup: Why are South Korea star Son Heung-min and others wearing them?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Son for a masked vigilante as he’s been wearing a superhero-like mask at the 2022 World Cup. Son is wearing the mask – which covers his eyes and nose – as a protective measure. After playing in Korea’s opening game of the World Cup against Uruguay – the first in the mask – Son said he felt “comfortable.”“I’m just happy that with the mask, I can play,” Son told reporters, per Reuters. But Son is not the only player to be playing at the World Cup wearing a protective mask. Gvardiol looks at the ball during Croatia's game against Canada at the 2022 World Cup.

☆ Iran faces USA in winner-takes-all match to progress to World Cup knockout stages
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The knockout stage has already arrived for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) at the World Cup – nothing less than a win on Tuesday will suffice when it takes on Iran in a winner-takes-all match. In the build-up to the game, Iran state media called for the US to be kicked out of the 2022 World Cup after US Soccer changed Iran’s flag on its social media accounts to show support for the protestors in Iran. In the other Group B match, England looks to seal its almost certain place in the knockout stages against Wales. If England defeats Wales, the USMNT would qualify in second place in the group providing it beats Iran; while if England loses, the USMNT would finish first. Tuesday’s fixturesNetherlands vs Qatar: 10pm ETEcuador vs Senegal: 10pm ETWales vs England: 2pm ETIran vs USA: 2pm ETHow to watchUS: Fox SportsUK: BBC or ITVAustralia: SBSBrazil: SportTVGermany: ARD, ZDF, Deutsche TelekomCanada: Bell MediaSouth Africa: SABC

☆ Goalless draws at World Cup come from cautious approach
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 26 (Reuters) - A cautious approach from many teams in the opening round of the World Cup was behind a record-approaching number of goalless draws at the tournament in Qatar, FIFAs technical study group said on Saturday. At the last World Cup in Russia, there was a single goalless draw, when Denmark and France failed to produce goals in a group phase clash. "Clearly many teams are relying on a cautious approach," added colleague Alberto Zaccheroni, who won Serie A with AC Milan and the Asian Cup when he was coach of Japan. There have been 14 goals at the tournament in Qatar from crosses in comparison to three at the same stage at the last World Cup four years ago. "This is a very different World Cup in that players get to sleep in the same bed every night and each team has its own base.

☆ Gerard Piqué: Barcelona defender announces retirement at age 35
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué has announced his retirement from football, saying Saturday’s game against Almería will be his last. The defender played 615 games – including 396 in the Spanish league and 126 in the Champions League – with Barcelona, winning eight La Liga title and the Champions League three times. This season, Piqué has fallen down the pecking order as Barcelona attempt to transition to a new era, meaning he’s found his playing time limited. Outside of football, Piqué became the owner of Andorran club, FC Andorra, in 2018. Last season, the club – which plays in the Spanish league system – was promoted to the second tier of Spanish football for the first time in its history.

☆ The Winter Olympics don’t really represent the world: Costs, climate and quotas keep the majority off the podium
▼ + stars: | 2022-02-21 | by ( Amy Woodyatt Cnn Graphics Carlotta Dotto Marco Chacon | Amy Woodyatt | Marco Chacon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +25 min

That’s five times more than the number of teams represented in the first Winter Games in Chamonix, France in 1924. “They want to keep the girls pretty, in a special way,” Bonaly told CNN Sport as she reflected on her career. India has never won a medal at the Winter Games and does not have a prominent winter sports federation, Keshavan told CNN Sport. Shiva Keshavan of India reacts following run 3 during the Luge Men's Singles on day two of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Hopefully, it just encourages more and more Black athletes to come out to winter sports and not just Black athletes, winter sports for everybody.

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