World
Canadian women’s football staff sent home from Olympics over drone incident
![Canadian women’s football staff sent home from Olympics over drone incident Canadian women’s football staff sent home from Olympics over drone incident](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AP24205467686944-1721846799.jpg?resize=1920%2C1440)
Canada head coach Bev Priestman apologies to New Zealand, says spying scandal does not represent team’s ‘values’.
Canadian women’s football coach Bev Priestman has removed herself from opening match duties at the Paris Olympics while an assistant coach and a team analyst were kicked out of the Games after a spying scandal engulfed the tournament.
The sport’s governing body FIFA said on Wednesday that it had begun disciplinary proceedings after New Zealand’s women’s team said a training session this week had been disrupted by a drone flown by a Canadian team staff member.
Canada and New Zealand will face each other in the opening match of Group A on Thursday.
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) also said it had taken action to remove two staff members from the team’s Olympic squad, who were gold medallists at the Tokyo Games.
“Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately,” COC said in a statement.
“Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Mr Lombardi reports to, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately.”
Lombardi, 43, was also given a suspended eight-month prison sentence for flying the drone over the New Zealand training session on Monday in Saint-Etienne.
In a statement, Priestman – the Canadian team’s head coach – said she had decided to “voluntarily withdraw” from the match against New Zealand on Thursday.
“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologise to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada. This does not represent the values that our team stands for,” Priestman said.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) reported the incident to the police and to the International Olympic Committee’s integrity unit.
The NZOC said it and New Zealand Football “are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games”.
“At this time the NZOC’s main priority is to support the New Zealand women’s football athletes and wider team as they start their campaign,” it added.
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World
How Fast Is That Going?
![How Fast Is That Going? How Fast Is That Going?](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/07/24/multimedia/2024-05-21-olympic-speeds-index/2024-05-21-olympic-speeds-index-facebookJumbo.jpg)
You won bronze!
Lindon Victor, an Olympic decathlete from Grenada, threw this at [46] In competition, the discus can reach over [50]
Flying Objects at the Games
The birdie and the shot-put could not be more different. The birdie is about the fastest projectile you’ll see at these Olympics, and it’s as light as a feather — literally. It’s made of 16 goose feathers and weighs less than two-tenths of an ounce (about five grams).
Compare that with the men’s shot, one of the heaviest and slowest objects at the Summer Games. It weighs a whopping 16 pounds (7.26 kilograms) — the maximum weight of a bowling ball. To win an Olympic medal, an athlete will need to put it more than three-quarters of a basketball court.
When you’re watching the Games, keep in mind just how much an object’s speed can determine the outcome. Follow The New York Times Olympic coverage.
Methodology: The speeds of the objects were collected using a sports radar gun. Speeds were tracked throughout the flight and the peak speeds were used for this game.
Sources: U.S.A. Archery; Lancaster Archery Academy; Seng Ming Tan, Long Island Badminton Center; Chris Huffins, Olympics bronze medalist in decathlon and current decathlon coach; Marissa Chew, assistant coach, combined events/vertical jumps, Texas Christian University; Yu Shao, New York Indoor Sports Club; U.S.A. Volleyball; Guinness World Records
World
Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his first House of Commons grilling from lawmakers
![Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his first House of Commons grilling from lawmakers Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his first House of Commons grilling from lawmakers](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/Britain-Politics.jpg)
Newly elected British leader Keir Starmer faced a House of Commons milestone on Wednesday, fielding lawmakers’ queries at the boisterous weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session.
It was the first such session since Starmer’s Labour Party won a landslide election victory on July 4, returning to power after 14 years. The center-left party won 412 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons.
KEIR STARMER ELECTED NEW UK PRIME MINISTER AFTER BIG LABOUR PARTY WIN
Starmer is more accustomed to asking the questions after spending four years as leader of the opposition to a Conservative government. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak now fills that role as leader of the defeated Conservative Party.
Starmer was greeted with a loud cheer by Labour lawmakers packed onto the green benches in the Commons. The often rambunctious spectacle of PMQs struck an unusually cordial note, as Sunak and Starmer stressed their mutual commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers Questions session in parliament in London, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
The prime minister told the opposition leader he “wholeheartedly agree” on the need to arm Ukraine and set it on the path to NATO membership — words not often heard between them.
The two politicians also sent best wishes to British athletes at the Paris Olympics, although, Sunak added, “I’m probably not the first person they want to hear advice from on how to win.”
Labour won a landslide election victory over the Conservatives on July 4 on a promise to get the U.K.’s sluggish economy growing, unleash a wave of housebuilding and green energy projects and patch the country’s frayed public services.
Labour’s large majority means Starmer should easily be able to pass legislation. But he has already had to quell a rebellion, suspending seven Labour lawmakers for voting against the party over social welfare.
The government is under pressure from anti-poverty groups and many Labour lawmakers to scrap a policy introduced by the Conservatives that limits a widely paid welfare benefit and tax credit to a family’s first two children. The new government says it can’t afford to immediately abolish the two-child cap.
On Tuesday night, seven Labour lawmakers on the left of the party sided with an opposition call to scrap the limit. The party said the seven, who include former deputy leader John McDonnell, had been suspended from Labour’s parliamentary caucus for at least six months. They will remain lawmakers, but will sit as independents.
Zarah Sultana, one of the suspended legislators, said she had “slept well knowing that I took a stand against child poverty that is affecting 4.3 million people in this country.”
“It is the right thing to do and I am glad I did it,” she told broadcaster ITV.
World
‘Love Is Blind: U.K.’ Reveals Cast and Trailer as Hit Netflix Dating Show Moves Across the Pond
![‘Love Is Blind: U.K.’ Reveals Cast and Trailer as Hit Netflix Dating Show Moves Across the Pond ‘Love Is Blind: U.K.’ Reveals Cast and Trailer as Hit Netflix Dating Show Moves Across the Pond](https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/love-is-blind-uk.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1)
“Love Is Blind” is moving across the pond.
The U.K. version of the hit Netflix dating show revealed its full cast and trailer on Wednesday, teasing plenty of drama to come when the first episodes launch on Aug. 7.
“Love Is Blind: U.K.” shares the same synopsis as the U.S. version, following 30 singles who “have signed up for a less-conventional approach to modern dating, and will choose someone to marry without ever meeting them.” The singles hail from Dublin, London, Edinburgh and everywhere in between, range in age from 27 to 38 and include a chicken restaurateur, a techno DJ and a baby photographer.
“Over several weeks, the newly engaged couples will move in together, plan their wedding and find out if their physical connection matches their strong emotional bond developed in the Pods,” the synopsis continues. “When their wedding day arrives, will real-world realities and external factors push them apart, or will they marry the person they fell blindly in love with?”
“Love Is Blind: U.K.” is hosted by Matt and Emma Willis, who have been married since 2008 and share three children. Matt is best known as the singer of pop-punk band Busted, while Emma has presented “Big Brother” as well as the U.K. edition of Netflix competition series “The Circle.”
The 11-episode series premieres on Netflix Aug. 7 with four episodes. The next four will premiere on Aug. 14, and the last two on Aug. 21.
Watch the trailer for “Love Is Blind: U.K.” below and scroll down to meet the cast.
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Aaron
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 33, Milton Keynes, Chicken Restaurateur
@amurrell1
Since coming out of a long-term relationship, businessman Aaron has enjoyed being single, but the party lifestyle is starting to feel empty for him. He wants to find a partner to settle down with which would delight his close-knit family – Aaron’s role models are his own parents who have been together for 34 years and he is hoping to find a lasting love like theirs.
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Benaiah
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 33, Preston, Structural Landscaper
@benaiahgb
Globe-trotting Benaiah has been single for 11 years following a breakup he found difficult to recover from. He loves adventure and the outdoors but is yearning for a deeper connection with someone and finally feels ready to let his guard down and open up.
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Bobby
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 33, Staffordshire, Luxury Shopping Guide
@bobbyj4k
Losing his cousin Danny in tragic circumstances has made Bobby realize that life is too short to spend it alone. After travelling the world with his job, he is ready to find the right girl and settle back in the U.K. Spiritual Bobby writes and records his own music and says his mum is the most important person in his life.
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Catherine
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 29, Jersey, Dental Nurse
@catrichards94
Catherine reckons living on the small island of Jersey is hampering her chances of finding an eligible bachelor and she needs to cast her net further afield. Catherine was adopted as a baby and has never met a man who understands how this has shaped her life which has, in turn, impacted her relationships.
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Charlie
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 34, Hertfordshire, Gym General Manager
@charlie.mawson08
Cheeky chappy Charlie has been single for five years and is searching for a physical spark with someone who can also be his best friend. His mum is just as keen for him to settle down and even took over his dating apps last year in a bid to help him find love.
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Conor
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 31, Dublin, Health Food Business Owner
@griffindoor92
Cheeky, flirtatious and down to earth, Conor has been single for seven years. Since his last relationship ended, he has struggled to find anyone he can truly connect with. After losing his mum three years ago, he started his own health food business in her memory, determined to make her proud. Now he’s keen to start a family of his own.
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Demi
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 30, London, Safeguarding and Attendance Manager
@demisantanabrown
Sporty Demi loves boxing and playing football which she thinks some men are intimidated by. She says she’s used to guys seeing her only as a friend but then suddenly finding her attractive when she gets dressed up and puts some makeup on. Demi, who has mixed Caribbean and Maltese heritage, wants to meet someone, have kids and bag the fairytale ending.
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Ella
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 27, Derbyshire, Social Worker
@ellalilianaa
Fun-loving half-Italian Ella has tried many ways to meet a partner but without success. She was bullied in school and over the years this affected her confidence. Now, she works with young people and enjoys helping those going through the same experiences she had. Ella likes to play tennis, run, sing and bake in her spare time and says the family dog Dolly is her best friend.
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Elle
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 27, London, Graphic Designer
Elle was predominantly raised by her dad, who was her best friend and describes him as “husband goals”. Single for the last year, Elle has been dating but hasn’t been able to find someone who wants the same things out of life. She dreams of getting married and building a big family – something she never had.
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Freddie
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 32, Bolton, Funeral Director
@freddieppowell
Gym-loving Freddie was brought up by his mum and is very close to his brother Jack who has Down syndrome. He says the empathy their bond has instilled in him has helped in his career as a funeral director. A romantic at heart, Freddie doesn’t like being single and is hoping to find someone he can buy flowers for, take to dinner and travel the world with.
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Jake
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 32, Leicestershire, Civil Engineer
@jake.shill
Sensitive Jake is the agony uncle for all his friends and admits to being “soppy” when in a relationship. After going through a breakup and losing his mum, Jake realised that he is eager to settle down and start a family. Jake says he is ready to find the one and is known for falling in love quickly.
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Jasmine
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 29, London, Mental Health Nurse
@thejaycee_
All Jasmine’s friends have settled down, but she has been steadfastly single for four years and says she never gets approached. She describes her childhood as a “rollercoaster” due to moving from Norwich to the Philippines when she was 8. Jasmine wants to walk down the aisle and thinks she’d make a good wife.
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Joanes
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 31, Luton, Resident Service Manager
@joanes11
Salsa king Joanes prefers old school romance to playing text tennis and mind games. Born in Angola, he moved to the U.K. when he was 1 and says it’s important to him that any future partner loves to travel and experience different cultures. Joanes is known to charm the ladies with his linguistic skills but is ultimately hoping to meet someone who shares his Christian values.
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Jordan
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 33, Surrey, Fashion Tech Founder
@jordybaker
Sharp-dressing business owner Jordan is slow to build trust in a relationship and doesn’t take chances, which is where he feels he may have been going wrong in the past. After watching his friends start to settle down and have families, Jordan thinks now might be the time to throw caution to the wind and take a risk on love.
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Lisa
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 34, Edinburgh, Baby Photographer
@lisahendrie
Lisa falls in love easily but is tired of being judged for her looks. She is looking for a relationship of substance that’s all about what’s on the inside. As a photographer specializing in newborn shoots, Lisa finds herself getting broody and longing for a baby of her own.
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Maria
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 30, Southampton, Makeup Artist
@mariabenkh
Maria is hoping for a traditional relationship and is looking for a man who can protect and care for her. She’s a fiery, outgoing and passionate woman who speaks her mind. Maria’s dad died in 2020 and losing him has been the biggest personal challenge she’s had to face so far.
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Natasha
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 32, Cheshire, Career Coordinator
@tashwaters
Since splitting from her long-term partner two and a half years ago, a heavier Tash felt it was time she motivated herself to have a more healthy lifestyle and stay fit and is now keen to meet her “forever person.” She says she frequently gets friend-zoned by guys but looks to her parents, who have been married for 42 years, and hopes to have that for herself one day.
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Nicole
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 29, Surrey, Head of Brand and Marketing
@theholisticnicole
Nicole was previously married but divorced shortly after and as a result threw herself into her career. She was raised Catholic and still believes there is life after divorce. She still hasn’t given up on love and is hoping to be second-time lucky! Nicole has mixed Ghanaian and Lebanese heritage and has lived in Ghana but is now settled in the U.K.
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Olivia
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 28, London, Creative Project Director
@LivLavelle
Olivia puts being single down to the fact she’s spent years being extremely work-focused. However, after living and working in L.A., she is now back in the U.K. and feels ready to share her life. Since her last relationship ended, Olivia has taken time to get to know herself and is hoping to find true love.
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Ollie
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 32, London, Software Sales
@ollie1sutherland
Smooth talker Ollie hasn’t been in a serious relationship for six years. He admits that he often goes for the “Instagram hot” girls and it never develops into anything deep or meaningful. Ollie says he’s now ready to fall in love with someone’s heart rather than their looks – his nights out are now turning into friends’ weddings and he wishes he had a plus one.
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Priya
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 37, Berkshire, Procurement Manager
@priyanka__grewal
Priya has been engaged before – but only for 24 hours, calling it off after realizing she’d made a mistake. She feels now might be the time to step back into the dating world and explore her options. She is looking to build a lasting connection with someone that goes beyond their physical attributes. Priya’s parents had an arranged marriage and she sees them as a prime example of a loving relationship.
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Ria
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 34, London, Commercial Contracts Manager
@reelouise31
Ria is ready to meet someone but feels she’s exhausted all the options – apart from “Love Is Blind.” Ria has five nieces and nephews who she adores and she loves being the cool aunty, but she’s tired of friends and family asking when she’s going to settle down herself.
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Richie
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 30, Gloucestershire, Sports Turf Maintenance Director
@trickyy
Sports-mad Richie admits to needing a lot of reassurance from a partner and describes himself as caring with a lot of love to give. Any love interest coming into Richie’s life would have to get along with his sister who is also his best friend and confidant.
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Ryan
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 31, Edinburgh, Techno DJ and Cellist
@thescottishkorean
Korean-born musician Ryan has been single for two years, having struggled to hold down a relationship because of his lifestyle which involves late nights and travel. He has dated older women in the past and at 6ft 3in tends to be attracted to tall girls, although he is open to anything the pods might have to offer. He is hoping “Love Is Blind” will help him find someone who values commitment as much as he does.
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Sabrina
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 35, Belfast, Director of Marketing and Communications
@sabrinavittoriaegerton
Unlucky in love Sabrina is hoping to meet the man of her dreams in the experiment. She hasn’t had much luck with men in her dating life which has led to her being hyper independent. Sabrina believes the pods will give her an opportunity to get deep with men from the get-go. She hopes to find someone who has worked through their own issues and wants to grow with her to be the best versions of themselves.
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Sam
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 31, London, Product Design Manager
@sam_klein
Sam believes his progression up the career ladder has come at a cost as it’s left little time for love. Having had his heart broken twice, he is hoping that the next person to come into his life will be third time lucky. Privately-educated Sam enjoys traveling and says he often feels the pressure from his mum to find The One.
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Sharlotte
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 35, London, Global Communications Director
@sharlotteritchie
High-flyer Sharlotte feels her career has gotten in the way of her love life and has found that men are intimidated by her success. Single for eight years, she was briefly engaged to the guy she was with from the age of 19, but knew deep down they had grown apart and fallen out of love. Sharlotte’s twin sister has recently moved in with her boyfriend and so her desire to find her own Mr Right is now stronger than ever.
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Shirley
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 27, London, Junior Doctor
@shirleybekker
Shirley admits that in the past she has enjoyed the thrill of the chase but tends to fall for men who are emotionally unavailable. This is something she’s working on and she realizes now that she wants a partner she can build a life with and hopes to start a family as soon as possible. Born in the Netherlands, she came to the U.K. as a young girl and has recently graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in medicine.
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Steven
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 37, London, Gym Owner
@stvnsmthy
Steven has been single for four months following a whirlwind romance which ended when she moved back to the States. Loyal, thoughtful and ambitious, this Brummie lad is only interested in relationships he sees as leading to marriage, knows exactly what he wants and refuses to compromise when it comes to love.
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Tom
Image Credit: Johan Paulin 38, London, PR and Advertising Consultant
@stroudtom
Tom has been single for six years and says his 30s have been focused on personal growth and preparing to settle down. He is a self-confessed mummy’s boy but has worked hard to build a successful career in PR and advertising and is now ready to fall in love and share his life with someone special.
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