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Proud to play: Europe’s elite gay athletes make coming out normal

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Proud to play: Europe’s elite gay athletes make coming out normal

When Jake Daniels got here out earlier this yr, the Blackpool FC participant turned the primary overtly homosexual top-tier footballer in England in three a long time.

Daniels, 17, was supported by his teammates, sponsors, membership administration and homeowners in a transfer that is perhaps a watershed in Europe.

Regardless of liberal social attitudes in direction of LGBT+ points in lots of international locations on the continent, there may be nonetheless solely a tiny variety of skilled male athletes in crew sports activities who really feel they are often totally open about their sexual id. 

A handful of high-profile examples just lately in soccer, rugby and ice hockey round Europe give some hope that attitudes are altering. 

“I feel it is nice that a youngster has come out. I’ve associates of their 20s and they’re fully completely different from my expertise of being that age,” explains Jim Dolan, founding father of Pride of Irons, the official LGBT+ supporters’ group on the Premier League’s West Ham United.

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“They only know themselves. They know who they’re, they know their place on the earth.” 

“A part of it’s, if you’re a homosexual footballer, what are you going to do by way of analysis to arrange for presumably popping out? You are going to turn into conversant in Justin Fashanu’s story even when you weren’t conscious of it earlier than, and that form of factor goes to have an impact I am certain,” Dolan informed Euronews.

Justin Fashanu was the final — and solely — high-profile English footballer to come back out in direction of the top of his enjoying profession in 1990.

A sequence of salacious tales he bought to the tabloids about his personal intercourse life noticed him fall out of favour with followers and managers. He was branded an outcast by his brother and ended up enjoying for decrease league sides in England and Scotland earlier than shifting overseas to play and coach. 

An allegation of intercourse with an underage boy in America noticed Fashanu flee again to England the place he dedicated suicide in 1998, believing he wouldn’t get a good trial within the US due to his sexuality. 

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Jim Dolan says that any gamers now fascinated about popping out will be capable to have a look at the optimistic expertise of Jake Daniels as an indicator of the right way to deal with their very own popping out journey. 

“He is undoubtedly opened the door, as a result of what numerous the gamers did not have is a view of what occurs subsequent. And I feel numerous these ‘what ifs’ are actually going to be answered for them,” he stated.

“There is a security in numbers factor. If you happen to’re the primary one it will be harder than when you’re the second or third or fourth.

“You hope that Jake Daniels goes to have the ability to encourage individuals who wish to come out and see it is probably simpler than they maybe thought.” 

Altering attitudes in skilled rugby

There are encouraging indicators on the earth of rugby union as effectively that popping out doesn’t imply the top of a profession, or being shunned by followers and teammates. 

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This week, scrum-half Nick McCarthy, who performs professionally for Leinster in Eire, got here out as homosexual having informed his teammates and coaches earlier within the yr. 

He describes the entire expertise as a weight off his shoulders. 

“I am actually comfortable that I did it,” McCarthy stated in an interview on his membership’s web site

“I struggled with popping out for some time and it was beginning to affect on me and my happiness so it was the appropriate determination,” he stated, including that he thought of quitting the sport fully as he was unsure it was attainable to come back out as knowledgeable sportsman. 

“It isn’t frequent for a male athlete to come back out in sport, by no means thoughts skilled rugby, and it is in all probability one thing that I did not wish to imagine or settle for myself both,” he stated, describing the expertise since popping out as “totally optimistic”. 

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McCarthy was not alone at Leinster both. His teammate Jack Dunne had come out as bisexual whereas he was nonetheless at school and by the point he turned skilled, his sexuality was previous information. 

Dunne will transfer to Exeter Chiefs for the upcoming season, making him the primary out participant within the English Premiership.

Homosexual rugby golf equipment round Europe

An indication of the altering attitudes to homosexual males in crew sports activities in Europe is the raft of inclusive rugby golf equipment which have launched in latest a long time to welcome beginner gamers – just like the Stockholm Berserkers, Madrid Titanes and Kings Cross Steelers in London. 

Many of those are model new organisations, however in Scotland, a legacy membership based again in 1893, Dunfermline Rugby, turned one of many first in Europe to launch an inclusive crew for homosexual and bisexual males inside their current membership organisation.

Germany’s first homosexual rugby membership Berlin Bruisers have been enjoying for practically a decade, and began off simply staging pleasant matches towards native groups. It took them two years to method the regional league to ask to formally be part of. 

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“We needed to affix the bottom league out there right here within the Berlin area and I went to the primary assembly to signal us up, with no concept of the attitudes we would encounter,” stated Alex Arc, one of many Berlin Bruisers’ membership organisers. 

“We went with some apprehension, and after I began my speech to clarify concerning the Bruisers I realised there was a little bit of bewilderment.” 

“They did not perceive why I used to be doing all of the speaking. At one level somebody requested ‘do you wish to play rugby with us or not?’ And it wasn’t a difficulty in any respect” that we have been a homosexual crew, he informed Euronews. 

The crew misplaced a lot of their early video games by massive margins, however tenacity — and bloody noses on the pitch — earned the underdogs respect from opponents.

“We did not even get feedback from particular person gamers. When issues began to get extra heated it wasn’t anti-LGBT sentiment, it was as a result of we turned a extra aggressive crew,” Arc stated. 

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Out on ice

When Finnish ice hockey participant Janne Puhakka got here out in autumn 2019 he had already retired from the sport professionally. 

There are nearly no examples of elite hockey gamers popping out in Europe throughout their careers — Danish goalkeeper Jon Lee-Olsen is among the uncommon exceptions. 

So in a rustic the place ice hockey stars are placed on a pedestal — the Finns are at the moment World and Olympic champions — it triggered a media frenzy when the nation’s greatest newspaper picked up an Instagram publish Puhakka had written about his relationship standing. 

“It truly turned loads larger factor than I anticipated simply because I used to be pondering I had already been finished enjoying so I did not count on all that spotlight,” Puhakka informed Euronews.

The 27-year-old, who was recognised for his advocacy this month at Finland’s Queer of the 12 months Awards, stated that everybody has their very own causes for not popping out throughout their enjoying profession, however in his case, there have been various elements concerned. 

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“I used to be very younger and nonetheless centered on my profession and I did not need any limitations to going additional in my profession,” he stated.

“If you happen to come out if you’re nonetheless enjoying there are specific international locations the place hockey is kind of large and it’d shut some doorways. In order that was undoubtedly one purpose. 

“And there is only a few examples of anybody who has finished it and the way it has affected their careers,” Puhakka provides. 

Now he is hopeful {that a} completely different, youthful, extra open-minded technology of gamers and coaches will make it simpler for skilled athletes to come back out. 

“I imagine that the worry of popping out is extra within the heads of the people. It isn’t like when you’re homosexual you need to come out. It is about you having the ability to inform your crew mates who you’re, and having the ability to be your self,” stated Puhakka.

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“However we have reached the purpose the place we want a pair extra examples of popping out to point out it will not injury your profession.”

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Jon Hamm’s Your Friends & Neighbors Renewed at Apple TV+ Ahead of Series Premiere — Get Release Date

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Jon Hamm’s Your Friends & Neighbors Renewed at Apple TV+ Ahead of Series Premiere — Get Release Date


Jon Hamm ‘Your Friends and Neighbors’ Apple Series Cast, Release Date



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Israel keeping its ‘eyes open’ for Iranian attacks during Trump transition period, ambassador says

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Israel keeping its ‘eyes open’ for Iranian attacks during Trump transition period, ambassador says

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon tells Fox News Digital that his country is keeping its “eyes open” for any potential aggression from Iran during the Trump transition period, adding it would be a “mistake” for the Islamic Republic to carry out an attack. 

The comments come after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed earlier this week that Iran would retaliate against Israel for the strategic airstrikes it carried out against Tehran on Oct. 26. Araghchi was quoted in Iranian media saying “we have not given up our right to react, and we will react in our time and in the way we see fit.” 

“I would advise him not to challenge us. We have already shown our capabilities. We have proved that they are vulnerable. We can actually target any location in Iran. They know that,” Danon told Fox News Digital. 

“So I would advise them not to make that mistake. If they think that now, because of the transition period, they can take advantage of it, they are wrong,” he added. “We are keeping our eyes open and we are ready for all scenarios.” 

ICC REJECTS ISRAELI APPEALS, ISSUES ARREST WARRANTS FOR BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, YOAV GALLANT 

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Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon tells Fox News Digital that his country is “ready for all scenarios” coming from Iran during the Trump transition period. (Fox News)

Danon says he believes one of the most important challenges for the incoming Trump administration will be the way the U.S. deals with Iran. 

“Regarding the new administration, I think the most important challenge will be the way you challenge Iran, the aggression, the threat of the Iranian regime. I believe that the U.S. will have to go back to a leading position on this issue,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“We are fighting the same enemies, the enemies of the United States of America. When you look at the Iranians, the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, all those bad actors that are coming against Israel… that is the enemy of the United States. So I think every American should support us and understand what we are doing now,” Danon also said. 

IRAN HIDING MISSILE, DRONE PROGRAMS UNDER GUISE OF COMMERCIAL FRONT TO EVADE SANCTIONS 

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House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Elise Stefanik

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is acknowledged by President-elect Donald Trump alongside Speaker of the House Mike Johnson during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 13, 2024. Stefanik has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. (Allison Robbert/Pool via REUTERS)

Danon spoke as the U.S. vetoed a draft resolution against Israel at the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. 

The resolution, which was overseen by Algeria, sought an “immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire” to be imposed on Israel. The resolution did not guarantee the release of the hostages still being held by Hamas within Gaza. 

Israeli military planes

Israeli Air Force planes departing for the strikes in Iran on Oct. 26. (IDF Spokesman’s Unit)

 

“It was a shameful resolution because… it didn’t have the linkage between the cease-fire and the call [for] the release of the hostages. And I want to thank the United States for taking a strong position and vetoing this resolution,” Danon said. “I think it sent a very clear message that the U.S. stands with its strongest ally with Israel. And, you know, it was shameful, too, to hear the voices of so many ambassadors speaking about a cease-fire but abandoning the 101 hostages. We will not forget them. We will never abandon them. We will continue to fight until we bring all of them back home.” 

Fox News’ Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this report. 

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Fact-check: What do we know about Russia’s nuclear arsenal?

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Fact-check: What do we know about Russia’s nuclear arsenal?

Moscow has lowered the bar for using nuclear weapons and fired a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead into Ukraine, heightening tensions with the West.

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Russia’s nuclear arsenal is under fresh scrutiny after an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying an atomic warhead was fired into Ukrainian territory.

President Vladimir Putin says the unprecedented attack using the so-called “Oreshnik” missile is a direct response to Ukraine’s use of US and UK-made missiles to strike targets deep in Russian territory.

He has also warned that the military facilities of Western countries allowing Ukraine to use their weapons to strike Russia could become targets.

The escalation comes days after the Russian President approved small but significant changes to his country’s nuclear doctrine, which would allow a nuclear response to a conventional, non-nuclear attack on Russian territory.

While Western officials, including US defence secretary Lloyd Austin, have dismissed the notion that Moscow’s use of nuclear weapons is imminent, experts warn that recent developments could increase the possibility of nuclear weapons use.

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Here’s what we know about Russia’s inventory of atomic weapons.

How big is Russia’s nuclear arsenal?

Russia holds more nuclear warheads than any other nation at an estimated 5,580, which amounts to 47% of global stockpiles, according to data from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

But only an estimated 1,710 of those weapons are deployed, a fraction more than the 1,670 deployed by the US. 

Both nations have the necessary nuclear might to destroy each other several times over, and considerably more atomic warheads than the world’s seven other nuclear nations: China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

Of Moscow’s deployed weapons, an estimated 870 are on land-based ballistic missiles, 640 on submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and potentially 200 at heavy bomber bases.

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According to FAS, there are no signs Russia is significantly scaling up its nuclear arsenal, but the federation does warn of a potential surge in the future as the country replaces single-warhead missiles with those capable of carrying multiple warheads.

Russia is also steadily modernising its nuclear arsenal.

What could trigger a Russian nuclear response?

Moscow’s previous 2020 doctrine stated that its nuclear weapons could be used in response to an attack using nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction “when the very existence of the state is put under threat.”

Now, the conditions under which a nuclear response could be launched have changed in three crucial ways:

  1. Russia will consider using nuclear weapons in the case of a strike on its territory using conventional weapons, such as cruise missiles, drones and tactical aircraft.
  2. It could launch a nuclear attack in response to an aggression by a non-nuclear state acting “with the participation or support of a nuclear state”, as is the case for Ukraine.
  3. Moscow will also apply the same conditions to an attack on Belarus’ territory, in agreement with President Lukashenko.

Is there a rising nuclear threat?

The size of the world’s nuclear stockpiles has rapidly decreased amid the post-Cold War détente. The Soviet Union had some 40,000 warheads, and the US around 30,000, when stockpiles peaked during the 1960s and 70s.

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But FAS warns that while the overall number is still in decline, operational warheads are on the rise once again. More countries are also upgrading their missiles to deploy multiple warheads.

“In nearly all of the nuclear-armed states there are either plans or a significant push to increase nuclear forces,” Hans M. Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), said in June this year.

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Is the West reacting?

When Putin approved the updated nuclear protocol last week, many Western leaders dismissed it as sabre rattling.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Germany and its partners would “not be intimidated” and accused Putin of “playing with our fear.”

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But since Russia used a hypersonic ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead in an attack on Dnipro, European leaders have raised the alarm.

“The last few dozen hours have shown that the threat is serious and real when it comes to global conflict,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday.

According to Dutch media reports, NATO’s secretary-general Mark Rutte is in Florida to urgently meet President-elect Donald Trump, potentially to discuss the recent escalation.

NATO and Ukraine will hold an extraordinary meeting in Brussels next Tuesday to discuss the situation and the possible allied reaction, according to Euronews sources.

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