bbcbreakingnews

[bbcbreakingnews]

Most and least vaccinated states show differences in case rates; FDA issues new warning on J&J vaccine: Live COVID-19 updates

When looking at the disparities between the most and the least vaccinated states, the COVID-19 case rates indicate stark differences.

Over the past week, states that have fully vaccinated more than half of their residents have reported an average case rate of about a third of the one in states that have vaccinated less than half of their residents, according to a CNN analysis of data.

The U.S. averaged 19,455 new COVID-19 cases per day over the last seven days, a 47.5% increase from the previous week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. And 43 states saw an increase in cases last week from the week before, a sign that the pandemic endures in the United States. More than 99% of deaths are now among people who have not been vaccinated, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

“If [patients] are sick enough to be admitted to the hospital, they are unvaccinated. That is the absolute common denominator amongst those patients,” Dr. Howard Jarvis, an emergency medicine physician in Springfield, Missouri, told CNN on Monday. “I can see the regret on their face. You know, we ask them, because we want to know, are you vaccinated? And it’s very clear that a lot of them regret (not being vaccinated).”

Also in the news:

►The Tennessee state government on Monday fired its top vaccination official, becoming the latest of about two dozen states to lose years of institutional knowledge about vaccines in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

►Utah Gov. Spencer Cox apologized Monday after his administration discovered a state agency misstated last week that 70% of residents in the state had received one dose. The percentage, once corrected, fell to 67%.

►Federal health officials stuck to their position that Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 don’t need a booster shot after meeting Monday with representatives from vaccine maker Pfizer.

►Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday ordered a COVID-19 state of emergency for Tokyo. The plan aims to contain a resurgence in coronavirus infections and curb the movement of people during the Olympics, which run from July 23 to Aug 8.

Today’s numbers: The U.S. has had more than 33.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 607,300 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: more than 187.2 million cases and more than 4 million deaths. Nearly 160 million Americans — 48% of the population — have been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

What we’re reading: As many adolescents and young adults prepare to return to the classroom in the fall term amid the spread of the delta variant, the lagging vaccination rates among Generation Z are raising concerns among experts.

Keep refreshing this page for the latest news. Want more? Sign up for USA TODAY’s Coronavirus Watch newsletter to receive updates directly to your inbox and join our Facebook group.

California prohibits K-12 students from campus without a mask

New California state rules prohibit K-12 students from attending in-person classes without a mask, according to the new state regulations released on Monday.

The rules go against the CDC’s recommendations that allow vaccinated students to attend classes without masks. California added stricter rules in addition to federal recommendations.

State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond told the Los Angeles Times that part of the reason is that those 12 and under are still not eligible to be vaccinated. Masks are a helpful addition when physical distancing may be difficult with full attendance.

“That makes it more tenable that everyone can come back, and everyone can be safe,” Thurmond said. “So I see this as a commonsense measure of promoting safety but giving everyone the ability to get back.”

The California Department of Public Health tweeted Monday that school guidance will be clarified regarding mask enforcement and safety. 

FDA warns about possible link between J&J vaccine, autoimmune disorder

The Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine is once again raising concerns.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday warned about a possible link between that vaccine and the autoimmune disorder known as Guillain-Barré syndrome. In a statement, the agency said the data “suggests an association” between the vaccine and a higher risk of the condition, but not enough “to establish a causal relationship.”

The Washington Post reported there have been about 100 instances of the possible connection, mostly among men and in many cases among those age 50 and older. Some 12.8 million doses of the J&J shot have been administered.

The CDC says on its website that people who have had Guillain-Barré syndrome can be vaccinated against COVID-19 and that no cases of the disorder were reported in clinical trials for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. One case was reported in J&J trials.

Use of the J&J vaccine, hailed for its single-shot convenience, was paused for 10 days in April while federal health agencies investigated reports of six women developing rare but severe blood clots within two weeks of receiving the jab. The agencies later determined the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks.

Contributing: The Associated Press.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/most-and-least-vaccinated-states-show-differences-in-case-rates-fda-issues-new-warning-on-jj-vaccine-live-covid-19-updates/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Covid in Scotland: Sturgeon to announce decision on restrictions

“Starting with cases we see a decline in the seven-day average – 2,650, down from 3,800 a week before that. We have got more people in hospital now – just under 470 people – and we have three or four health board areas or hospitals that are definitely under strain, but others are coping . And the average deaths is about three or four a week which is regrettable.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/covid-in-scotland-sturgeon-to-announce-decision-on-restrictions/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Which Nintendo Switch model is right for you?

CNN —  

The Nintendo Switch family just got bigger. Arriving on Oct. 8 for $349, the Nintendo Switch OLED upgrades Nintendo’s beloved games machine with an advanced 7-inch display alongside a few neat quality-of-life improvements. It also brings the total number of Nintendo Switch models to three, meaning you might be scratching your head over which version to actually buy.

While the Nintendo Switch OLED is looking like the model to get for those who haven’t joined the Switch party yet, there are still plenty of good reasons to pick up the $299 Nintendo Switch and $199 Nintendo Switch Lite. In order to help you figure out which Nintendo Switch you should drop your cash on, we’ve broken down all three models — and who they’re for.

You should get the Nintendo Switch OLED if…

You want the best possible display for playing in handheld or tabletop mode

The Nintendo Switch OLED’s biggest upgrade is — you guessed it — the system’s new 7-inch OLED display, which is both bigger and more advanced than the LCD screens on the standard 6.2-inch Nintendo Switch and 5.5-inch Switch Lite.

As we’ve experienced in our own testing, OLED screens generally deliver deeper blacks and bolder colors than a typical LCD display, which should make titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Metroid Dread really pop on this new system. When you combine that with improved onboard speakers as well as a new kickstand that allows for multiple viewing angles (and shouldn’t be as wobbly), the Switch OLED is shaping up to be the best Switch for getting an impromptu Mario Kart 8 session started on your kitchen counter.

It’s worth noting that while the new Switch display uses OLED, it still carries the same 720p resolution as previous versions, meaning you won’t see much of a bump in overall detail when playing on the go. And it still outputs to 1080p on a TV — the mythical 4K Switch continues to elude us, and for now, many TVs will actually upscale that 1080p input to 4K. The Switch OLED is also powered by the same Nvidia Tegra X1 processor as the existing models, so don’t expect better performance or faster loading times.

You want the Switch with the best ports and most internal storage

There are some other notable perks to the OLED model that go beyond the display, including a built-in Ethernet port and double the internal storage at 64GB. If you’re a big online gamer, the option to connect to wired internet without an adapter for a more solid connection is a nice benefit. This port resides on the Switch OLED’s dock (which you’ll also be able to buy separately for your existing Switch), so you’ll need to be on big screen mode to take advantage of it. And if you plan on buying most of your games digitally, the Switch OLED’s 64GB of free space can hold a lot more titles than the 32GB Switch and Switch Lite — though you can expand the storage of all three models with a microSD card.

You should get the Nintendo Switch if…

You play most of your games on a TV (and want to save $50)

If you mainly play games in TV mode, you’ll be just fine with the standard Switch — both the OLED and the standard model deliver the same 1080p performance when connected to a display.

You’ll still get access to the same thousands of Switch titles that are currently out there, as well as the ability to play them in handheld mode, on a tabletop or on your big-screen TV. Your games just won’t look quite as snazzy when you’re playing on the go, but you’ll also be paying $50 less for the same exact living room experience.

You should get the Nintendo Switch Lite if…

You play mainly in handheld mode (or just want the most portable, prettiest Switch)

Jacob Krol/CNN

The Nintendo Switch Lite is a dedicated handheld device, meaning you can’t connect it to a dock in order to fight Bowser or beat up your friends in Smash on the big screen. Fortunately, it achieves its singular purpose quite well, with a design that’s comfortable, compact and arguably cooler-looking than its larger siblings.

The Switch Lite has a cohesive design that really pops in turquoise, coral, blue and yellow, and unlike the standard Switch, it can actually fit in some pockets. Plus, the Lite’s built-in directional pad is more precise than the four separate directional buttons on the left Joy-Con, making the smaller Switch ideal for playing platformers and fighting games on the go. The Lite even lets you pair wireless controllers, so if you spring for a dedicated stand, you can still get some tabletop multiplayer sessions going.

You want the cheapest Switch available

Jacob Krol/CNN

At $199, the Switch Lite is significantly more affordable than the $299 Nintendo Switch and $349 Nintendo Switch OLED, making it a great entry point for younger players or anyone on a budget. And since it can play virtually every Switch game out there, you’re really only sacrificing the ability to play on a TV at that lower price.

Should you upgrade to OLED?

Each Switch model has a pretty clear use case, but what about existing Switch or Switch Lite owners who are thinking of upgrading to the OLED model? We’ll have to get our hands on the new console to make a definitive recommendation, but based on what we know right now, the Switch OLED seems pretty skippable for folks who already own the standard Switch.

That larger OLED screen will likely provide a nice visual boost in handheld mode, but many of the Switch OLED’s other perks can be enjoyed without you having to buy an entirely new system. For starters, Nintendo will be selling the new Nintendo Switch dock separately, for those who want to take advantage of the new built-in Ethernet port or simply love that new white color option. There’s no price for the new dock just yet, but Nintendo sells the current model on its own for $60.

While the bump to 64GB of storage is nice, you can add much more than that to your Switch for cheap by getting a microSD card. We recommend that any Switch owner who buys a lot of digital games should get at least a 128GB microSD card — like this SanDisk model that currently goes for just $19.

Now, if you’re a Switch Lite owner who’s ready to step up to the full Switch experience, the OLED model makes a lot more sense. Going from a 5.5-inch LCD display to a 7-inch OLED screen is a pretty significant bump, and you’ll get all of the other benefits of the new model (Ethernet port, better speakers, more storage) for just $50 more than the standard Switch.

We look forward to getting our hands on the Switch OLED later this year to see how it truly stacks up to its smaller siblings, so stay tuned for more.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/which-nintendo-switch-model-is-right-for-you/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Marcus Rashford: Hundreds of messages left on mural

“There needs to be active discussion about racism in this country, within sport, within society, on social media, and I think it’s heartening this sorry incident is allowing us to have those discussions because that’s the way we will move forwards as a country.”

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/marcus-rashford-hundreds-of-messages-left-on-mural/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Damon Albarn reflects on first shows in 18 months

The former lead singer of Blur is performing at the Manchester International Festival.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/damon-albarn-reflects-on-first-shows-in-18-months/

[bbcbreakingnews]

20 Amazon products our readers were obsessed with in June

CNN —  

Curious about what your fellow CNN Underscored readers are buying? Every month we’ll round up our readers’ favorite products — those products readers like you scooped up the most over the past 30 days.

Summer is finally in full swing! Last month saw readers buying products to look their best, gear up for outdoor adventures, and make their homes run smoothly. From smart light bulbs to cold brew makers, check out the 20 products Underscored readers loved most in June.

Swedish Dishcloth Cellulose Sponge Cloths ($19.95, originally $24.99; amazon.com)

Swedish Dishcloth Cellulose Sponge Cloths

Readers continue to scoop up these reusable dishcloths, which are an eco-friendly alternative to regular paper towels. Use them to mop up messes and then just give them a spin in the washing machine when you’re done. Read our review of them here.

Amazon 4K Fire TV Stick ($49.99; amazon.com)

Amazon 4K Fire TV Stick

Amazon’s bestselling streaming stick works with Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max and more, making it easy to access summer blockbusters right from your couch.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter ($17.47, originally $29.95; amazon.com)

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

LifeStraw’s ultra-portable filter weeds out 99.9% of bacteria, parasites and microplastics. Toss it into your backpack to stay safely hydrated on all your summer hiking and camping trips.

Anker Powerline II USB-C to Lightning Cable ($14.99; amazon.com)

Anker Powerline II USB-C to Lightning Cable

Anker’s affordable cable aced our charging and stress tests, making it our pick for the best Lightning cable around.

Apple AirPods Pro (starting at $237.32; amazon.com)

Apple AirPods Pro

We love Apple’s AirPods Pro for their excellent sound, noise-canceling and seamless pairing with other Apple devices.

Oyoco Patio Umbrella Light ($11.95; amazon.com)

Oyoco Patio Umbrella Light

’Tis the season of barbecues and patio drinks. Grab this highly rated, easy-to-hang light to keep the party going after dark. Check out more outdoor Amazon goods here.

Amazon Echo Dot 4th Generation ($44.99, originally $49.99; amazon.com)

Amazon Echo Dot 4th Generation

Make life run a bit more smoothly with Amazon’s fourth generation Echo Dot, which lets you check the weather, listen to music and turn on the lights using just your voice. Read our review of it here.

Fitbit Inspire 2 Health & Fitness Tracker ($96.50; amazon.com)

Fitbit Inspire 2 Health & Fitness Tracker

The Fitbit Inspire 2 is our favorite fitness tracker of the year. With its slim profile, intuitive setup and, importantly, its accuracy, it’s a worthy companion whether you’re just starting out on your fitness journey or training for your next marathon.

Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker ($17.99; amazon.com)

Primula Burke Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker

Beat the heat and make your own refreshing cold brew right at home with Primula’s popular carafe. The Burke Cold Brew Maker is also dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Check out more of our favorite cold brew makers here.

Mavogel Cotton Sleep Eye Mask ($9.98; amazon.com)

Mavogel Cotton Sleep Eye Mask

Mavogel’s eye mask features a nose wire that helps keep the mask in place while blocking out all (seriously, all) light. It’s also our pick for the best sleep mask of 2021.

Sengled Smart Light Bulbs ($14.99; amazon.com)

Sengled Smart Light Bulbs

These smart bulbs pair with Amazon Alexa devices to let you adjust brightness, set on/off schedules, change colors and more using your voice. (We’ve got more about what to look for in smart light bulbs here.)

Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers ($19.99, originally $24.99; amazon.com)

Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

Treat yourself to a spa-like experience every time you shower with these aromatherapy steamers, which will fill the air with scents like relaxing lavender or invigorating peppermint.

Drill Brush Power Scrubbers ($14.95, originally $18.95; amazon.com)

Drill Brush Power Scrubbers

Attach these power scrubbers to any compatible drill to give your bathroom an ultra-deep clean. The brush heads are safe for use on all bathroom surfaces, including porcelain and fiberglass.

Planters Pistachio Lover’s Mix Resealable Canister ($16.68; amazon.com)

Planters Pistachio Lover’s Mix Resealable Canister

This yummy nut mix features almonds, cashews and, of course, plenty of pistachios, all roasted in peanut oil and with a sprinkling of salt.

Jall Wooden Digital Alarm Clock ($19.98; amazon.com)

Jall Wooden Digital Alarm Clock

Jall’s clock not only features a clear display, useful settings and great sound: Unlike a lot of clocks, it will actually look good on your nightstand, too! That’s why we named it the best alarm clock of 2021.

23andMe Health + Ancestry Service ($199; amazon.com)

23andMe Health + Ancestry Service

23andMe makes “the go-to” DNA test for those looking to learn more about both their ancestry and their predisposition to certain genetic traits.

Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips ($47.88; amazon.com)

Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips

Get those pearly whites even whiter with Crest’s bestselling kit, which promises to remove years of stains starting in just three days. This kit also comes with two Express Whitestrip treatments for a brighter smile in an hour.

Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion (starting at $5.99; amazon.com)

Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion

While mineral sunscreens are notorious for being thick and difficult to rub in, Coppertone’s Pure & Simple lotion applies smoothly and feels gentle on the skin. That’s why it’s our choice for the best mineral sunscreen of the year.

Command Broom and Mop Grippers, 2-Pack ($11.10; amazon.com)

Command Broom and Mop Grippers, 2-Pack

Take advantage of unused wall space with Command’s ingenious grippers, which let you hang up your mops, brooms, Swiffers and so on. (Want more great kitchen organization gadgets? We’ve got you covered.)

Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones 700 ($379, originally $399; amazon.com)

Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones 700

Bose’s headphones proved the most comfortable over-ear models in our testing of the best noise-canceling headphones of 2021. We also love their excellent volume-reducing capabilities, crisp playback and strong bass.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/20-amazon-products-our-readers-were-obsessed-with-in-june/

[bbcbreakingnews]

State reps. leave Texas, Gov. threatens arrests

Democrats in the Texas Legislature on Monday bolted for Washington, D.C., and said they were ready to remain there for weeks in a second revolt against a Republican overhaul of election laws. Governor Greg Abbott is threatening to arrest them. (July 13)

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/state-reps-leave-texas-gov-threatens-arrests/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Johnson-Thompson fully fit for Tokyo

British heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson said she is fully fit after recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and is ready to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/johnson-thompson-fully-fit-for-tokyo/

[bbcbreakingnews]

£12.5m grant for Cairngorms climate emergency projects

“This project, Cairngorm 2030, we feel is really ground breaking in terms of the way it’s looking holistically at the communities and life in the Cairngorms National Park, but also really pushing the essential climate change work that has to happen in that area to deliver Net Zero,” she said.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/12-5m-grant-for-cairngorms-climate-emergency-projects/

[bbcbreakingnews]

What are the new sports at the Tokyo Olympic Games?

It’s been a long time coming, but finally, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are almost upon us.

Everyone has their favourite sports that they make sure not to miss when the Games roll around, but there are plenty of new additions to get excited about this year.

The International Olympic Committee added five sports – and 34 new events in total – to the Tokyo programme in a bid to attract younger audiences and reflect “the trend of urbanisation of sport”.

So what’s new? Let’s get you up to speed.

Karate

THE BASICS

Karate originated on the Japanese island of Okinawa, and there are two disciplines of the martial art being contested in Tokyo – kata and kumite.

Kata – which means ‘shape’ or ‘model’ – is a solo discipline, in which competitors, or karatekas, are judged on a series of pre-approved choreographed offensive and defensive movements.

Kumite, on the other hand, is a combat discipline, and sees karatekas go head-to-head in a three-minute fight. There are three weight classes and they are awarded points for the techniques used.

There will be 80 athletes competing in karate events at Tokyo 2020 – 60 in kumite and 20 in kata. Both will have an equal split of men and women competing.

ONES TO WATCH

Japan have long dominated karate’s World Championships and Ryo Kiyuna, who from the sport’s heartland, Okinawa, is a three-time kata world champion.

But watch out for Spain too – Damian Quintero and world champion Sandra Sanchez are the top-ranked karatekas in the kata discipline.

DID YOU KNOW?

Spain’s multi-world and European medallist Damian Quintero is also an aeronautical engineer, but quit his job to focus on karate full-time when it was announced as an Olympic sport.

Sandra Sanchez is a six-time kata European champion

Skateboarding

THE BASICS

There are two disciplines of skateboarding, street and park. Competitors perform individually and are ranked for the overall level of difficulty and originality of their routines.

Street skateboarding sees athletes take on obstacles including rails, stairs, kerbs, benches, walls and slopes, using each section to demonstrate their skills and tricks during a set time limit.

Park skateboarding takes place on a hollowed-out course that features complicated curves. Competitors climb the curves at speed to perform mid-air tricks, accompanied by music.

Eighty athletes will compete among four medal events, with men and women competing in both disciplines.

ONES TO WATCH

Hers is probably a name you’ve heard by now, but Britain’s Sky Brown could well be a contender in the women’s park, having won World Championships bronze in 2019. She has just turned 13 and is Team GB’s youngest ever summer Olympian.

In the men’s event, Americans Heimana Reynolds and Tom Schaar will be up there, the latter being the first skateboarder to land a “1080”, which is three revolutions.

American Nyjah Huston has won the last three street world titles and 12 X Games crowns but hosts Japan will be hoping Yuto Horigome can spring a surprise.

Brazil’s Leticia Bufoni is among the favourites in the women’s street, but youngsters Pamela Rosa and teenager Rayssa Leal, both of Brazil, plus Japanese skater Aori Nishimura have put her under pressure in recent years.

DID YOU KNOW?

Japan are tipped to win half of the skateboarding medals at Tokyo 2020, but the sport is still considered “an activity for unruly kids” in the country, according to team coach Daisuke Hayakawa.

Sky Brown has also won American TV programme Dancing with the Stars: Juniors

Sport climbing

At the Olympics, athletes will compete in all three disciplines of climbing – speed, bouldering and lead.

For the speed event, two athletes climb a 15m-high wall side-by-side on identical routes. It’s simple – the first to the top wins.

In bouldering, climbers complete a set number of routes, known as problems, in as few attempts as possible on 4.5m-high structures (boulders) with steep overhangs.

Lead climbing is likely to be what you picture when you think of indoor climbing. It will see athletes climb as high as they can within six minutes on a 15m wall.

At the end, their rankings are multiplied to give a final score, with the top eight progressing to the final where they do it all again.

There will be 40 climbers at Tokyo 2020, 20 each in the men’s and women’s events.

ONES TO WATCH

Bouldering specialist Shauna Coxsey will be the sole climber for Team GB in Tokyo, and could be among the medals having won combined bronze at the 2019 World Championships.

Slovenia’s six-time world champion Janja Garnbret is the favourite to win gold, while young Italian Laura Rogora is an up-and-coming talent who could also be in with a shot of a podium place.

In the men’s event, five-time world champion Adam Ondra of the Czech Republic is a favourite, while French siblings Mickael and Bassa Mawem will be competing against each other.

Look out too for Spain’s Alberto Gines. The 18-year-old is from the very flat region of Extremadura and previously said reaching the Olympics was “like a surfer from the Sahara making it”.

DID YOU KNOW?

Climbing shoes are so tight that athletes’ toes curl up. This makes it easier for them to cling to walls with their feet.

Shauna Coxsey started climbing at the age of four after seeing French climber Catherine Destivelle on TV

Surfing

The surfing competitions will take place at Tsurigasaki Beach, some 100km away from the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.

During 30-minute heats, athletes will try to catch as many waves as they can, typically around 10-12. Only their two highest-scoring waves are counted.

With no two waves the same, a panel of five judges will assess their performance using a five-point system based on criteria including degree of difficulty, innovation, speed, power and flow.

The competition is a knockout format, although no-one will be eliminated in the opening round, with lower-ranked surfers going into a repechage-style round.

Early heats will feature four or five athletes at one time, before they become head-to-head from round three onwards.

There will be 20 men and 20 women competing.

ONES TO WATCH

The top surfers will come from Australia and the US, but watch out too for Brazil, who have won four of the last six men’s world titles – two of which went to Gabriel Medina.

Two-time world champion John John Florence pipped the ‘Michael Jordan of surfing’ Kelly Slater to the final US spot, while in the women’s, Carissa Moore, who like Florence is from Hawaii, heads to Tokyo with four world titles to her name.

But don’t forget Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore who, with seven world titles, is one of the most decorated professional surfers ever.

DID YOU KNOW?

The four days of the surfing competitions will be held during the Olympic Surfing Festival from 25 July-1 August. This allows the dates of the competitions to be moved to ensure the best wave conditions possible.

Gabriel Medina was the first person to land the ‘backflip’ move in competition

Baseball/softball

Technically, baseball and softball aren’t ‘new’ sports on the Olympic programme, but they haven’t been contested at a Games since Beijing 2008.

The basics for both sports are simple. Make the most runs from hitting the ball, before running around bases to reach the home plate.

They key difference between them, however, are that in baseball, the pitcher bowls overarm, while they do so underarm in softball.

Both sports will start with a round-robin format, before baseball progresses into knockout games and softball moves straight to the medal matches.

There will be six teams in each sport, but no British representation in either. Baseball will be played by men only, and softball women only.

Unlike basketball, many of the sport’s biggest stars will be absent from the Games as the Olympics clash with the Major League Baseball (MLB) season in the US.

ONES TO WATCH

The United States have won the last two softball World Championships and will be looking to win back the Olympic title they lost to Japan back in 2008.

In baseball, Japan won the 2019 Premier12 tournament – an international championship featuring the 12 highest-ranked national teams in the world. They’re likely to be among the medals on home soil.

DID YOU KNOW?

Baseball is hugely popular in Japan, with the sport’s popularity rocketing after World War II due to the influx of American soldiers. In a 2018 study, 48% of respondents said it was their favourite sport.

What else is new?

There will be nine new mixed gender events across seven sports:

Archery – mixed team

Athletics – mixed 4x400m

Judo – mixed team

Shooting – mixed 10m air rifle, mixed 10m air pistol, mixed trap

Swimming – 4x100m mixed medley relay

Table tennis – mixed doubles

Triathlon – mixed relay

There are also nine further new events debuting at the 2020 Olympics. They are:

Boxing – women’s featherweight, women’s welterweight

Canoe slalom – women’s C1

Canoe sprint -women’s C1 200m, women’s C2 500m

Cycling – women’s madison

Rowing – women’s coxless four

Swimming – men’s 800m freestyle, women’s 1500m freestyle

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/what-are-the-new-sports-at-the-tokyo-olympic-games/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Ariel Helwani opens up on ESPN exit, relationship with UFC’s Dana White: ‘He raised hell to try to stop me’

Now that he is no longer attached to ESPN and doesn’t have to worry about its business relationship with the UFC, Ariel Helwani feels very comfortable talking about his time with “The Worldwide Leader in Sports.”

During an appearance on Monday’s edition of “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz,” the MMA journalist spoke at length about his time at ESPN and his rather rocky relationship with Dana White. The UFC president has never been Helwani’s biggest fan, most notably kicking him out of UFC 199 and banning him from all future events after Helwani accurately reported about Brock Lesnar’s UFC return. (The ban was later lifted.)

HALE: Why Conor McGregor’s injury was the best thing for him

That incident occurred in 2016 while Helwani worked for MMAFighting.com, but White didn’t warm up to him after he joined ESPN in 2018. Earlier this year, White called Helwani “a douche” in response to Helwani’s criticism of former MMA fighter Gina Carano, who had received intense backlash for controversial social media posts comparing the current political climate to Nazi Germany.

Helwani’s three-year contract with ESPN expired in June, and he decided to pursue other opportunities with Vox Media, Spotify, Substack and BT Sport. But Le Batard wanted to know if it was truly Helwani’s decision to leave ESPN, or if White played a role in his exit — not completely inconceivable considering ESPN and the UFC agreed to a five-year, $1.5 billion deal in 2018 that gave ESPN the company’s entire rights package.

His full response:

“So, I can’t answer that question with yes or no, but I will explain it like this. From the moment it was made public that I was joining ESPN — unbeknownst to me on my life, on my kid’s life — I didn’t know when I was hired by ESPN, I didn’t know that they were in talks with the UFC. I had no idea. At the time, they really had, like, one MMA guy on the staff. I thought, ‘All right, the sport is growing, Conor McGregor, they want to beef up the coverage.’ I had no idea about the other stuff. And then if you recall — and you can go back and look — initially they signed them to a 10-card deal, ESPN+ only. And then I was like, ‘All right, they’re not the sole, exclusive broadcast partner. I can live with that.’ And then it became the whole freaking thing, and then I started to get nervous. So from the moment it was made public in mid-May that I was going to ESPN and, at that time, it had already been out that they had signed this deal with ESPN, the UFC did, Dana White tried to get me not even to make it to my first day. I mean, he raised hell to try to stop me — my first day was June 15 — tried to stop me [from getting to] the first day. Now, to the credit of a lot of the executives there, they all said no. They all had my back. They gave me shows. They gave me opportunities. But, for the next three years, it was one roadblock after the next. It was one issue after the next. It was all kinds of stuff.

“I’ll tell you a story. I’ve never even shared this story. When I would be at events, Dan and everyone — and let’s say it’s the weigh-ins, right? — and there’s a desk there and I’m doing something beforehand, but Dana White is coming as a guest in 30 minutes or something. I would have to be escorted out of the venue because, per his request, I couldn’t be in his vicinity or his line of sight. So here I am, on the set of a company that I work for, and security, the nicest people in the world who are embarrassed that they had to do this, would tell me, ‘I’m sorry, Ariel. We have to walk you out.’ You know how that makes someone feel? ‘We have to walk you out of the venue because Dana White doesn’t want you in his line of sight.’ I said, ‘I’ll sit right over there. I won’t even look at him. I’ll look at my phone. What are we doing here?’ So that’s the kind of stuff that I had to deal with. I couldn’t go backstage. I couldn’t do a lot of other stuff.”

While Helwani has no “ill will” toward anyone at ESPN, he did admit that he was “disappointed” by the offer he received after his previous contract expired.

“For the record, they did give me an offer, and it was an offer that I think a lot of people covering MMA would be thrilled with,” Helwani said. “At the end of the day, there was an offer that I had to turn down. They could have easily said, ‘Thanks for your time. Let’s just go our separate ways.’ But they did give me an offer. It was not an offer that I felt was fair or that was what I was looking for or even reflective of the work that I had done for the past three years. I was 100 percent disappointed by the offer. It was not what I was expecting.”

The 39-year-old added that he never expected to only work three years for ESPN, but he feels everything “kind of worked out.” Helwani is now more “free” and “independent” as an MMA reporter. 

“[White] probably thinks he ran me out,” Helwani said. “He’s probably — in fact, I know he’s celebrating that I’m not there anymore, but I would argue that he did me a massive favor as a result of all of his complaints over the past three years.”

You can watch Le Batard’s full interview with Helwani below.

[embedded content]

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/ariel-helwani-opens-up-on-espn-exit-relationship-with-ufcs-dana-white-he-raised-hell-to-try-to-stop-me/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Tokyo 2020: Ovie Soko presents Olympic basketball greats

GB basketball player Ovie Soko presents a rundown of some of the biggest basketball legends to have won medals at the Olympic Games, featuring superstars such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Watch the Tokyo Olympic Games across the BBC

Available to UK users only.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/tokyo-2020-ovie-soko-presents-olympic-basketball-greats/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Black female WWII unit to get congressional honor

An Army battalion that made history as the only all-female, Black unit to serve during World War II is set to be honored by Congress. The unit, known as the 6888, sorted and handled mail for millions of American service members and civilians. (July 13)

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/black-female-wwii-unit-to-get-congressional-honor/

[bbcbreakingnews]

The Djokovic Years

Why the iron man of tennis is the real GOAT in waiting…

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/the-djokovic-years/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Biden forced to pivot foreign policy focus to crises in neighboring nations

CNN —  

President Joe Biden has staked his presidency on America’s return – a return to normalcy amid the coronavirus pandemic, a return to the global stage following four years of Trump-era isolationism and, arguably, a return to many of the policy positions adopted by the Obama administration.

But recent incidents in the Caribbean mark a moment in which the Biden administration may be in uncharted territory.

While issues related to Russia, China and the Northern Triangle have been at the forefront of the Biden administration’s foreign policy priorities, violence and demonstrations taking place just off of America’s coast have forced the White House’s response.

First came a presidential assassination in Haiti.

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was killed during an attack last week on his private residence in the capital of Port-au-Prince. Haiti’s first lady, Martine Moïse, was also shot in the attack and evacuated to a hospital in Miami for treatment.

The assassination has left the nation in deeper turmoil, leaving a power vacuum and coming as Haiti has been dealing with a wave of extreme violence, a growing humanitarian crisis and a worsening Covid-19 pandemic.

Then came rare demonstrations in Cuba.

Thousands of Cubans took to the streets on Sunday to protest a lack of food and medicine as the country undergoes a grave economic crisis aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic and US sanctions.

The dual crises come at a time when the President would rather be focusing his attention on domestic issues like infrastructure and voting rights, a subject on which he’s set to give a major speech on Tuesday. When it comes to foreign affairs the White House has been preoccupied with the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and resetting American foreign policy to focus on powers in the Eastern Hemisphere like Russia and China.

To a certain extent, the dealings with those nations are ones that previous administrations also had to figure out how to handle, but the issues bubbling up in the Caribbean will be among the first unique foreign crises to test Biden and his team.

Biden on Monday indicated that the US is “ready to provide assistance” to both Cuba and Haiti, but it’s unclear exactly what form that help will take.

The Haitian government last week requested US troops to help protect infrastructure, ports, airports and energy systems, Elections Minister Mathias Pierre told CNN. Mathias said the request was for a limited number of around 500 troops and that he anticipated the threat to be “potential mercenaries.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that request is still under review.

A US delegation traveled to Haiti on Sunday at the Haitian government’s request and that delegation briefed Biden on Monday morning after their return. The State Department disclosed Monday that they are aware of a third American citizen detained in Haiti after the assassination. CNN reported Monday evening that several of the men involved in the operation that killed Moïse previously worked as informants for US law enforcement, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, another complication for the US response.

Psaki said the US is assessing how the country can directly aid the Cuban people. She said it is too early to predict any potential policy change when it comes to Cuba. So far, that has come in statements encouraging the Cuban regime to listen to the protesters and words of support for the people of Cuba.

Biden expressed support for the Cuban people on Monday, calling on Cuban President Miguel Diàz-Canel’s regime to “hear their people and serve their needs.”

“Folks, I want to start recognizing remarkable protests taking place in Cuba,” Biden said when speaking to reporters at the White House. “I don’t think we’ve seen anything like this protest in a long, long time – quite frankly, ever.”

Biden said the Cuban people “are demanding their freedom from an authoritarian regime,” and asserting “their universal rights.” He also warned the Cuban government against “attempts to silence the voice of the people of Cuba.”

But earlier this spring, Psaki indicated that Cuba was not among the administration’s top policy priorities.

“A Cuba policy shift or additional steps is currently not among the President’s top foreign policy priorities. But it is an issue, of course, we will remain engaged in and focused on,” Psaki told reporters in April.

Pressed on whether the weekend events in Cuba have changed the administration’s priorities, Psaki said on Monday, “We will be looking to provide support to the people of Cuba. We certainly, you know, support the freedom of speech, the freedom of press, the freedom of – when we believe they deserve to have access to the economic support and medical support, health supplies that many of them are asking for.”

In nationally televised remarks Sunday, Díaz-Canel placed blame for the economic conditions on sanctions from the US.

Under the Obama administration, Cuba oversaw the reopening of embassies and relaxing of many restrictions long in place since the embargo. But the Trump administration enacted some of the toughest economic measures against Cuba in decades, reinstated travel restrictions and before leaving office, named Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism.

The Biden administration has yet to take action, but Cuba’s actions haven’t exactly encouraged the administration to move quickly to change policy.

The country has continued to support oppressive Latin American regimes and crackdown on dissidents. Brain injuries that have appeared to target Americans diplomats abroad have also included many originating in Cuba, leading to the name “Havana Syndrome.”

One major voice of opposition to returning to Obama-era Cuba policies is New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who told CNN he’s offered a list of policy recommendations to the White House.

Asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday why Biden had not yet taken action to lift the Trump policies on Cuba, Menendez said on “The Lead,” “I think the President has had time to review the actual policies under President Obama and all of the openings that President Obama made, which were one-sided – unilateral in terms of concessions – showed themselves to create absolutely no change inside of Cuba.”

“The regime enriched itself. The Cuban people never saw any benefit from it. So the result of that, I think, is that the Biden administration looked and said, ‘Wait a minute – that didn’t seem to work. We have to think about what exactly we should do in this regard,’ ” Menendez continued.

CNN’s Betsy Klein and Nikki Carvajal contributed to this report.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/biden-forced-to-pivot-foreign-policy-focus-to-crises-in-neighboring-nations/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Olympic Swimmer Katie Ledecky Reveals Secret Rituals That Help Her ‘Relax’ Before Competing

Katie Ledecky speaks to HollywoodLife about the upcoming 2021 Tokyo Olympics, her partnership with grooming brand BIC, and more!

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/olympic-swimmer-katie-ledecky-reveals-secret-rituals-that-help-her-relax-before-competing/

[bbcbreakingnews]

Blackhawks trade Duncan Keith to Oilers for Caleb Jones, third-round pick

Duncan Keith‘s historic run with the Chicago Blackhawks, which includes three Stanley Cups and nearly 1,200 games played, has come to an end. 

The veteran defenseman was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Caleb Jones and a third-round pick. The Blackhawks aren’t retaining any of Keith’s $5.5 million cap hit for the remaining two seasons on his contract.

A previous report stated that Keith, who has a full no-move clause, was seeking a trade so he could be closer to his son, who lives in Western Canada.

The move gives Chicago much more financial flexibility this offseason and allows the franchise to pursue one of the top available defensemen on the market, including Seth Jones and Dougie Hamilton. 

Keith has seen his game drop off in recent seasons with a steady decline in his offensive numbers. The 37-year-old notched just four goals and 11 assists for a career-low 15 points in 54 games this past season. 

According to The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus, only Hawks captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are left from Chicago’s Stanley Cup-winning seasons in 2010, 2013 and 2015. 

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/13/blackhawks-trade-duncan-keith-to-oilers-for-caleb-jones-third-round-pick/