The Italy international striker is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a variety of clubs while agent Mino Raiola has touted him as one of the bargains of the summer and team-mate Alassane Plea has dubbed him a player worth €100 million. Balotelli has scored 14 times in Ligue 1 this season, making him Nice’s top scorer, and winger Srarfi has hailed what the 27-year-old brings to the side....
Scott, a Democrat elected mayor last November, tested positive despite being vaccinated against the virus. A statement from Scott’s Communications Director Cal Harris said that the mayor was “proactively working” with health officials on contact tracing people he may have come in contact with at outdoor events over the weekend, having last tested negative on Friday. “Mayor Scott tested positive for COVID-19 late this morning, and is currently self-isolating at his home in Northeast Baltimore,” Harris said....
Over the weekend, Trump took to Twitter to criticize House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, declaring that his district in Baltimore was a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess” where “no human being would want to live.” The president also suggested that Cummings, who represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional district, should not criticize the conditions on the U.S. border, where migrants and asylum seekers are detained in squalor, because the situation in Baltimore is worse....
Formerly known as Lady Antebellum, the band changed its name in June as a response to the Black Lives Matter movement, distancing itself from the name’s association with slavery. After the band’s announcement, White said in an Instagram post that she had not been consulted by the band’s representation before the name change was announced. “How can you say Black Lives Matter and put your knee on the neck of another Black artist?...
The trend has also created a sharp divide among experts, officials and drone companies. Some feel the cost of such restrictions is too high, while others argue the measures remain justified nonetheless. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) first announced in October 2019 that it would pause the use of all drones either made in China or with parts originating from China over cybersecurity concerns. In January of last year, the DOI issued Secretariat Order 3379, which temporarily grounded the entirety of its fleet of 800 drones....
Obama, a Democrat, told The New York Times in a podcast released Monday that his former vice president was unlikely to override “that sort of identity politics that has come to dominate Twitter, and the media” while in office. But he hinted that the White House could shift thinking on the margins, and said changing the minds of even 5 percent of the electorate “makes a difference” politically. Speaking to The Ezra Klein Show podcast, Obama said: “If they’re successful over the next four years, as I think they will be, I think that will have an impact....
Boxer objected to the certification of former President George W. Bush’s 2004 win in Ohio, joining with former Ohio U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones to initiate the second-ever debate that Congress has held over the certification of Electoral College votes. The challenge failed by a vote of 74 to 1 in the Senate, and 267 to 31 in the House. In a Wednesday night tweet, Boxer said that was “alarming” that the “Democratic party is now the democracy party and the GOP is now the Trump dictatorship party,” before calling on Georgia voters to help to tip the Senate balance of power away from Republicans by voting for Democratic challengers Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in next week’s runoff elections....
The two sang Streisand’s hit “Enough Is Enough,” a duet she originally did with the late Donna Summer in 1979, and the audience at her “The Music, the Memories, the Magic” tour collectively lost their minds. But it wasn’t just the fans who went crazy, Grande herself said she was left “shaking and crying.” Even Streisand was taken by Grande, posting many tweets and Instagram pictures of the two preparing for the performance....
Even back in 2015, as he helped Barca win a treble which was capped by a Man of the Match performance in the Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin, it was said that he was “back”. Yet the player himself was surprised. “Back,” he replied to a reporter. “I have never been away!” And he has not been away since, either. Iniesta was Spain’s standout player at Euro 2016 and has remained at a consistent level for Barca since....
Iniesta was taken off on a stretcher following a heavy challenge from Enzo Perez in the first half of Saturday’s La Liga match with Valencia. The Spain international appeared to jar his right leg as Perez slid in with a robust tackle after 14 minutes at Mestalla. Iniesta immediately signaled to the bench as he clutched at his lower knee, and he was carried off on a stretcher after being treated by medical staff on the pitch, with Ivan Rakitic replacing him....
The 24-year-old was restored to Ernesto Valverde’s starting XI for the 6-1 derby victory over Girona on Saturday, but was forced to leave the pitch in the latter stages of the game after pulling up. Barca were forced to see out the game with just 10 men having made all three substitutions earlier in the tie, though a Luis Suarez hat-trick, two goals from Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho’s stunner meant the Camp Nou club eased comfortably to victory....
David Luiz ’took a risk and a pay cut’ to return to Chelsea Madrid secured the signing of the 16-year-old from Flamengo after they met his €45 million release clause , although he will remain in Brazil until July 2018. After agreeing the deal, the attacker stated he “did not decide anything”, but his agent, Frederico Pena, said he was persuaded by the sporting objectives in the Spanish capital. “Barcelona offered more money than Madrid, the player would’ve earned more” he told Golboesport....
It was reported that Neymar’s father and agent held up the €222m deal in order to trigger a loyalty payment that would be owed after July 31, as part of the new contract the player signed with Barca last October. However, Barca spokesperson Josep Vives says Neymar’s talks with PSG meant he was in breach of the terms of that agreement and that the fee, reportedly totalling €26m, would not be paid....
The Brazil international was the first signing made by Barca following the departure of his compatriot Neymar in a world-record €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, with many Blaugrana fans underwhelmed at his arrival. Paulinho was then widely mocked after stumbling over tricks in his presentation following the completion of a surprise €40m switch from Guangzhou Evergrande. But after hitting six league goals to be the most prolific midfielder in La Liga this season, striking a brace in a 4-0 defeat of Deportivo La Coruna last time out, Paulinho has shrugged off stinging criticism ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Santiago Bernabeu....
The Catalan heavyweights have revealed, in their annual report, that the club is now €1.2 billion (£1.1b/$1.5b) in debt. Mismanagement on and off the field is considered to have contributed to those struggles, with considerable sums invested in big-money transfer flops, while the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has hit sporting institutions across the planet hard – even those with the deepest of pockets. What has been said? “Messi generates more money for the club than he receives in salary....
With the recent agreement to sign Sevilla star Jules Kounde, the Catalan club are poised to take their transfer spree this window past €150 million (£125m/$152m). While Franck Kessi and Andreas Christensen have arrived on free transfers, Kounde along with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowksi haven’t come cheaply. To further complicate matters, Barcelona have only pocketed a transfer fee for Philippe Coutinho so far this window with four other players leaving for nothing at the end of their contracts....
Chelsea beat City to Rangers wonderkid Dybala is yet to sign a new Juve contract amid lengthy negotiations, but is still tied to the Italian champions until 2020. Barca have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old as a potential replacement for Neymar if he were to leave Camp Nou, with reports suggesting Manchester United would be willing to trigger the Brazil international’s €200 million release clause. Dybala has also been linked with Real Madrid, and Barca technical secretary Robert Fernandez confirmed any potential movement involving the former Palermo star would be closely watched....
Arena officials introduced the complimentary service this week at the 4-year-old facility. It’s tied to a one-year sponsorship Barclays Center signed with Zappos.com, the online retailer that got its start selling shoes in 1999. MORE: Cool photos of ice removal at Nassau Coliseum | Coliseum’s best photos The retrofit replaces an old GQ-branded barber shop, which will relocate to a different location in the arena. The shoe shine stand, situated on the main concourse near center court, is accentuated by blue neon lights....
In their professional lives, however, such players are attracted to marked-down merchandise like post-Christmas shoppers are drawn to Macy’s. Picking through the discard bin and sifting through marked-down inventory of formerly hot products is a highly respected investment strategy. But efforts to catch such falling knives depend on perfect timing. Stick your hand out too late, and you get nothing. Grab the handle at precisely the right moment, and you’ve got yourself a set of Wüsthofs on the cheap....
Ter Stegen extends Barca contract Former Barcelona defender Bartra was the only player significantly injured in the three explosions that damaged the vehicle and he later underwent surgery on his right wrist. But the 26-year-old, who returned to action against Werder Bremen on the final day of the Bundesliga season, has now said that he initially thought the incident could force him into an early retirement as he was trapped in his seat....
