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Wilfried Zaha received racist abuse, death threats after Crystal Palace's draw with Arsenal

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Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has said he received racist abuse and death threats after winning a late penalty against Arsenal in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park. Zaha was tripped in the box by Granit Xhaka, who was deputising at left-back, which allowed Palace to level the match in the 83rd minute, ending Arsenal's 11-game winning streak. After the game, Zaha was accused of diving on social media, and responded to the "hate" he has been receiving with a message on Instagram. "For all the people taking it one step further and being racist and wishing death on my family, I wish you and your families the best too," Zaha wrote. "My life is still very good despite your hate." Xhaka himself acknowledged after the game that he had made contact with Zaha. "I think it's a clear penalty because I touched his knee," Xhaka said. source is ESPN
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Vatican embassy: Human remains found at Rome property

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Human remains found at a property in Rome owned by the Vatican could hold the clue to a 35-year-old mystery. The bone fragments were found during construction work at the Vatican's embassy to Italy, near the city's famous Villa Borghese museum. A Vatican statement said experts were trying to determine the age and sex of the remains, and the date of death. Italian media have speculated they may be those of a teenage daughter of a Vatican employee who vanished in 1983. Orlandi's brother Pietro, has campaigned for decades to find out what happened to her. He has accused the Vatican of remaining silent in the case. But the remains could be those of Mirella Gregori, who disappeared in Rome 40 days before Orlandi and was also aged 15, media also report. The disappearance of 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi has been widely linked either to organised crime or to an attempt to force the release from prison of Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish man who tried to assassinate P...
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See the new world's tallest statue

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India has unveiled the world's tallest statue, which cost 29.9bn rupees (£330m; $430m) to build. The 182m (600ft) high structure in the western state of Gujarat is a bronze-clad tribute to independence leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the "statue of unity" would serve as a major tourist attraction. But locals say this is as a waste of public money and that the funds could have been put to better use. Mr Modi, who unveiled the statue at a grand inaugural event, said it is "a symbol of India's integrity and resolve." Air Force planes showered flowers on the statue, which was designed by decorated Indian sculptor Ram V Sutar. According to local reports, thousands of policemen have been deployed across the district, which has witnessed incidents of violence and protests over the effigy. Police also detained farmers and tribal activists who were protesting on Tuesday. The statue has become a rallying point for l...
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Cristiano Ronaldo challenges Ballon d'Or contenders to surpass his, Lionel Messi's success

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Cristiano Ronaldo has challenged this year's Ballon d'Or contenders Mo Salah, Kylian Mbappe and others to emulate himself and Lionel Messi and dominate the game for the next decade. Messi and Ronaldo have won the Ballon d'Or -- awarded to the planet's best player -- five times each over the last ten years, trading the individual honour while their clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have ridden roughshod over Spanish and European football for much of the period. Ronaldo found the net 44 times in as many competitive outings for Madrid last season, including a spectacular strike in the Spanish giants' third successive UEFA Champions League final triumph. Though he was unable to help Portugal beyond the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup, another hugely impressive year at club level means he remains one of the main challengers to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or. In an interview released on Tuesday in France Football, Ronaldo admitted competition would be s...
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Helicopter crashes outside Leicester City's King Power Stadium after match

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The helicopter belonging to Leicester City's owner crashed outside of the club's King Power Stadium on Saturday night after the Foxes' Premier League match. More than an hour after the 1-1 draw against West Ham, the helicopter took off from the centre of the stadium's pitch, cleared the stands and crashed seconds later. There were no immediate details   There were no immediate details about who was on board. In the past, Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has used the helicopter on matchdays to travel between the stadium and London. Officials from King Power, the Thai duty-free retail giant owned by Srivaddhanaprabha, told Reuters on Sunday they could neither confirm nor deny whether the billionaire was on board.  "We cannot say anything and no statement can be given yet," one of the King Power officials said. Srivaddhanaprabha bought Leicester City in 2010 for a reported £39 million ($50m). Six years later, the club won the Premier League at...
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Neymar 'camera kick' after Paris Saint-Germain draw was not disrespectful - Thomas Tuchel

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Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel defended Neymar after he allegedly kicked out at a camera following Wednesday's Champions League draw with Napoli at the Parc des Princes. Angel Di Maria salvaged a point with a stunning late equaliser but Neymar was quick to make an exit without shaking hands with the Napoli players or acknowledging the PSG supporters. On his way to the home dressing room, Neymar allegedly kicked out at the base of a camera, but Tuchel rejected suggestions that he had been disrespectful. "It is normal," the coach told his postmatch news conference. "Perhaps Neymar wanted just one last chance to win. "It was totally emotional. The referee blew his whistle and it was an emotional reaction, but not a lack of respect. "Neymar was not happy -- he wanted to win. He is a player who wants to win. It is not a lack of respect, not at all." Neymar, along with Thomas Meunier, was given permission to miss Saturday's 5-0 wi...
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Romelu Lukaku's goal drought should come as no surprise to Manchester United

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There are many opinions and theories making the rounds right now about Romelu Lukaku's loss of form at Manchester United, but amid all the noise and conjecture, perhaps the reality is that the Belgium striker is performing just as he always has. Maybe, as galling as it might be for Jose Mourinho and United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, the club got exactly what they overpaid for when investing what could end up being as much as £90 million in the forward in July 2018. Lukaku is a goal scorer -- 31 goals in 64 games in a United shirt emphasises that -- but he is also an inconsistent one, prone to the kind of lengthy barren runs that he is enduring once again this season. The 25-year-old goes into Sunday's clash with former club Everton having failed to score in any of his last eight games for United, dating back to his goal in the 2-1 win at Watford on Sept. 15, so his performances are now understandably the subject of intense scrutiny. Some beli...
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China says Trump should swap iPhone for Huawei amid bugging claim

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China has jokingly suggested that US President Donald Trump should swap his Apple iPhone for a Chinese model, after denying a report claiming Beijing was bugging his private calls. The report in the New York Times said that China, and Russia, were intercepting calls made on Mr Trump's personal iPhone to try to gain an insight into his thinking. It said aides had warned the president such calls were insecure. Mr Trump dismissed the report. In a tweet, he insisted he only used government-approved phones.   The New York Times has a new Fake Story that now the Russians and Chinese (glad they finally added China) are listening to all of my calls on cellphones. Except that I rarely use a cellphone, & when I do it’s government authorized. I like Hard Lines. Just more made up Fake News! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018 Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying gave a humorous response at a news conference on Thursday. "Reading this rep...
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'Students among dead' in Jordan flash floods

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At least seven people have been killed and 16 more are missing after flash floods struck an area near the Dead Sea in Jordan, officials say. Most of those killed and missing were students on a trip, civil defence sources said, but this was not confirmed. Prime Minister Omar Razzaz is reported to be overseeing a rescue operation at the Zara Maeen hot springs area. Search teams have so far rescued 11 people, Reuters reported. Some of them are said to be in a serious condition.
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Sahle-Work Zewde becomes Ethiopia's first female president

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Ethiopian members of parliament have elected Sahle-Work Zewde as the country's first female president. Ms Sahle-Work is an experienced diplomat who has now become Africa's only female head of state. Her election to the ceremonial position comes a week after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed a cabinet with half the posts taken up by women. After being sworn in, President Sahle-Work promised to work hard to make gender equality a reality in Ethiopia. Addressing parliament, she also pledged to promote peace: "I urge you all, to uphold our peace, in the name of a mother, who is the first to suffer from the absence of peace.'' President Sahle-Work (left) is the ceremonial head of state and Prime Minsiter Abiy Ahmed (right) holds the political power
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Top Stories Sir Philip Green UK billionaire named over the me too claims

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Retail billionaire Sir Philip Green has been named in Parliament as the businessman accused by a newspaper of sexual harassment. Peter Hain, who identified him in the Lords, said it was his duty to name him, given the "serious and repeated" nature of the allegations. On Tuesday, the Telegraph ran an article accusing an unnamed businessman of racial and sexual abuse of staff. A legal injunction prevented the Telegraph from publishing his identity. The Court of Appeal's ruling on Tuesday, blocking publication of Sir Philip's name, remains in place, but Lord Hain's statement, made under parliamentary privilege, has been widely reported in the UK media. Lord Hain said publication of the story was "clearly in the public interest". The Daily Telegraph said it had spent eight months investigating allegations of bullying, intimidation and sexual harassment made against the man in question.
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FIFA rankings: Belgium overtake France at No. 1; Gibraltar on rise

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Belgium have edged ahead of France to take outright top spot in FIFA's world rankings, released on Thursday, while tiny Gibraltar were the biggest risers thanks to their first two competitive wins this month. Belgium and France had been tied at the top last month and while both sides won one game and drew another in October, the Belgians -- with 1,733 points -- moved ahead by a single point under the formula for calculating the rankings. Belgium beat Switzerland in the Nations League and drew with Netherlands in a friendly. World champions France defeated Germany in the Nations League and were held by Iceland in a friendly. Brazil, one of only two non-European sides in the top 10 along with Uruguay, remain third, followed by Croatia and England. Gibraltar, who only became FIFA members in 2016, rose eight places to their best ranking of 190th thanks to their Nations League wins in Armenia and at home Liechtenstein. Madagascar, who earlier this month qualified fo...
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Poisoned baby food: German jailed for attempted murder

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A man who contaminated adult and baby food in Germany has been sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in prison for attempted murder and extortion. The 54-year-old admitted placing poisoned jars of food in supermarkets and blackmailing retailers by offering to identify items, local media report. He targeted retailers in the southern city of Friedrichshafen last year. The food jars contained enough ethylene glycol, an odourless toxic liquid, to kill a child, prosecutors said. Traces of the toxin were found in several products in large enough quantities to justify finding the man guilty of five counts of attempted murder, Germany's Deutsche Welle reported. The colourless substance used for the contamination, which is an ingredient used in antifreeze, has a sweet taste and is known to attract children and animals. As he appeared at the court in the town of Ravensburg on Tuesday, the man admitted sending threatening emails warning that food would be poisoned throughout Eu...
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WWE's Roman Reigns gives up title due to leukaemia

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WWE star Roman Reigns is giving up his Universal Championship title because he has leukaemia. The four-time world champion told fans on Monday he had been diagnosed with the disease 11 years ago but was in remission. But he says the leukaemia has returned which means he can no longer "be that fighting champion". Fans sent messages of support on social media and the hashtag #ThankYouRoman has been trending on Twitter. Roman, a former American football player, made the announcement in the ring at Monday Night Raw. . @WWERomanReigns has to relinquish the Universal Championship due to a battle with leukemia. #Raw pic.twitter.com/EhomllNwjK — WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018 Addressing the crowd, the 33-year-old said: "Y'all have made my dreams come true. "It didn't matter if you cheered me or you booed me, you've always reacted to me and that's the most important thing and for that I have to say thank you so much." Roman, real name ...
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Man United's Jose Mourinho warned, Chelsea's Marco Ianni charged with improper conduct

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Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has escaped a touchline ban after being issued with a warning by the Football Association following his spat with Chelsea assistant coach Marco Ianni. The pair clashed at Stamford Bridge on Saturday when Ianni appeared to goad Mourinho after Ross Barkley's stoppage-time equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Chelsea. It promoted Mourinho to attempt to confront Ianni before being held back by members of his coaching staff. Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri apologised for the incident after the game but Ianni has been charged with improper conduct, while there will be no further action against Mourinho. "Marco Ianni has been charged following the game against Manchester United on Saturday," an FA statement read. "It is alleged that his behaviour in the 96th minute constituted improper conduct. He has until 6pm on Thursday 25 October 2018 to respond to the charge. "In relation to this incident, Jose Mourinho has been form...
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Chinese staff forced to drink urine and eat roaches

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Managers at a Chinese firm have been jailed for making staff who failed to reach sales targets drink urine and eat cockroaches, local media report. Police took action after videos emerged showing workers being whipped with a belt and drinking a yellow liquid. Social media posts alleged staff were also told to eat cockroaches if they did not meet targets. Three managers were jailed for five and 10 days over the incident, the South China Morning Post reports. A widely shared video posted on Chinese social media site Weibo shows a male employer standing in the middle of a circle, getting whipped with a belt. Other staff, said to be employees of the home renovation company in the city of Guizhou, can be seen drinking yellow liquid from plastic cups while holding their noses. Screenshots of what were said to be messages from the managers threaten staff that they will have to eat cockroaches for poor performances. According to media reports, other forms of shaming and pun...
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HK billionaire to pay $14m in tuition fees for Chinese students

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Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-Shing has pledged to pay the tuition fees for a class of Chinese university students through his charitable foundation. The Li Ka-Shing Foundation will fund Shantou University's 2019 incoming class for up to five years. Mr Li, aged 90, is worth $30.4bn (£24.2bn) according to Forbes. Last month billionaire Robert F Smith made a similar move, saying he would pay the loans of a US college class. The Li Ka-Shing Foundation will cover full tuition for four to five years for undergraduates, starting with the incoming class of 2019 at Shantou University, in the Guangdong province of China. The move will cost 100m Chinese yuan ($14.4m; £11.5m) a year. "The Foundation hopes this scheme can alleviate financial burdens for families and encourage the pursuit of personal interests and further learning to better prepare graduates for the challenges of an increasingly complex global economy," the foundation said in a statement. 'Super...
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How to take night sky images with your phone

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Main image: The Moon, photographed with an iPhone. Credit: Jamie Carter We all know about the amazing quality of today’s smartphone cameras, but how often have you pointed one at the night sky? Smartphone astrophotography is not going to match those images from the Hubble Space Telescope, or from a DSLR camera attached to a telescope on an equatorial mount, which follows stars as they appear to move. However, what you can capture with your phone – from close-ups of planets and the craters and mountain range of the Moon to timelapses and star-trails – will astound you. Get ready, Instagram, for some astronomically good phone images. Manual control apps The sensitivity of the sensor in your smartphone's camera may be set, but how you control it is not. While the native camera app on your phone is pretty restrictive, there are a raft of apps that give you manual control of ISO, exposure, shutter speed, and even allow you to capture in raw rather than JPEG. That...
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