A bald, bearded man carrying two backpacks walked down the stairs of a plane before he extended his right hand in a greeting. His black T-shirt had an image of a stormtrooper, a soldier from George Lucas’s Star Wars movies. Below the character, there were four words: “Your empire needs you.” The 42-year-old Pablo Gonzalez Yague, also known as Pavel Rubtsov, a Spanish-Russian journalist – and apparent Star Wars fan – was part of the biggest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Awaiting his arrival and also extending his hand at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport…
Author: THE CONNECTING NEWSPAPER
Team USA’s Brooke Raboutou won silver in the boulder and lead sport climbing final at the 2024 Paris Games on Saturday. The 23-year-old from Boulder, Colorado, made history in the processes, becoming the first American woman to medal in the sport. It’s the second medal in sport climbing for Team USA after Sam Watson won bronze in the men’s speed event — and broke the world record in the process. Janja Garnbret, the Slovenian who won the combined gold when sport climbing made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games three years ago, overcame Raboutou for the victory on the last climb of the…
By Mickella Anderson-Gordon KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – An additional $1.4 billion has been allocated to help rebuild the agricultural and fisheries sectors, following the recent passage of hurricane Beryl, announced by portfolio minister, Floyd Green. The sum will continue the work already started by an earlier allocation of $700 million. “Of that $1.4 billion, we’re going to help our fishing beaches. A number of our fishing beaches suffered significant damage,” the Minister said, as he pointed to a $100-million allocation to help rehabilitate these spaces. Speaking on Tuesday at the 70th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show…
Millions of displaced people in Sudan, already suffering from the devastating impact of a nearly 16-month-long war, are now grappling with worsening conditions due to heavy seasonal rains and flooding, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday. The conflict, which erupted last April between rival militaries – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left over 12 million people displaced, both within Sudan and across its borders. “Heavy rains and flooding have already impacted tens of thousands of people across Sudan, causing further displacement, injuries and deaths,” UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado told journalists…
Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign Matthijs de Ligt ahead of the 2024/25 season.The Athletic confirmed exclusively on its website on Saturday, August 10, 2024, that the centre-back will move to Old Trafford in a deal worth €45million, plus €5m in add-ons. However, the deal is subject to medical, Matthijs De Ligt is expected to join United on a five-year deal which include the option to extend by an additional 12 months.There are also reports that the Red Devils and the Bavarians have also reached an agreement for full-back Noussair Mazraoui in a separate…
The two-time Olympic gold medalist, 32, was arrested in February as she tried to leave Russia, where she had been playing basketball in the WNBA offseason.She testified in court that she used prescribed cannabis oil to treat pain from sports injuries, but had forgotten the cartridges were in her luggage when she hastily packed for her trip.US diplomats are under intense pressure to negotiate a prisoner swap for Griner and Paul Whelan, who was arrested in 2018 and accused of being a spy.Speaking to reporters at the White House after Tuesday’s midterm elections, President Joe Biden said there had been…
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk reportedly turned down a trade to another potential suitor.Despite not participating throughout the 49ers’ training camp, Aiyuk has been stealing all the headlines as his rumored trade saga continues.San Francisco already had a deal in place to trade Aiyuk to the Cleveland Browns, according to NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco. The deal was said to be for a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and a five-time Pro Bowler in return.However, the Browns reportedly were “not one of Aiyuk’s preferred destinations,” which eventually led to the deal falling apart. Aiyuk doesn’t have a no-trade clause…
Making extra cash is easier now than ever. Just ten years ago, finding odd jobs to do for friends and family was difficult. Now, you can make money from home through your phone with the help of apps. The Best Money Making Apps If you want to make an extra hundred dollars (or more, if you really hustle) every month, you can do so with the aid of these free money making apps and websites. Whether you want more money to donate, treat yourself, or help with groceries, let’s dive in and learn how to do just that. Survey Junkie…
Beirut, Lebanon – The first time Eliah Kaylough, 26, heard the thunderous blast, he was so terrified, he instinctively ran for cover. On Tuesday this week, he had just started his shift as a waiter at a restaurant on bustling Gemmayze Street in east Beirut when he was suddenly startled by the sound of a major blast. For Kaylough, it immediately triggered memories of the massive port explosion in 2020 and he was terrified the city was either experiencing a new explosion or that it was under attack. But as he was racing out of the restaurant, a man from…
Simone Biles’ father, Ronald Biles, got the most amazing gift from Snoop Dogg at the 2024 Summer Olympics. The elder Biles, who is celebrating his 75th birthday with his family in Paris, was given a Death Row Records chain by the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper, which he proudly displayed around his neck. Snoop has memorably been living his best life at the Olympics for NBC as a special correspondent and has been spotted dancing in the crowd at competitions and acting as a play-by-play announcer alongside his BFF Martha Stewart. He also watched track alongside Biles and posted a video to X showing them taking in…