A News Aggregator That Covers The World's Major Wars And Conflicts. Military, Political, And Intelligence News Are Also Covered. Occasionally We Will Have Our Own Opinions Or Observations To Make.
Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has blasted Russia's decision to don kits in tribute to the USSR during recent ice hockey matches against his homeland.
Russia and Finland faced off at the 'Channel One Cup' in Moscow at the weekend, when the visitors beat their hosts 3-2 in overtime to win the competition outright.
The event serves as part of the warm-ups for the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February as well as the IHF World Championships in May, which the Finns will host in Tampere and Helsinki.
A few years ago, China was aiming to become a major player in world football. International stars were lured to the domestic Super League and investors bought up European clubs. This is all over.
Imagine the following scenario: Borussia Dortmund win the Bundesliga and then a few months later are banished by the German Football League (DFL). Sounds unthinkable, right?
Not so in China. There, Jiangsu Suning were still celebrating winning the championship in November when the eastern Chinese club had their license revoked. The Chinese Football Association was out to make an example of the club.
WNU Editor: You do not make money from a sports team. You only make it when you decide to sell it. This is not a smart business decision from Beijing. And it looks like President Xi is not a fan of soccer.
The last game of the NBA Finals - arguably the most important game of any NBA season - posted ratings that were about 66% lower than last year's Game 6, according to Breitbart. It is the latest bad news in a stunning collapse in ratings for the league and, specifically, for the NBA Finals series this year.
For comparison, Sunday night's Seahawks versus Vikings regular season NFL game, featuring one team that hasn't won a game all year, had nearly twice the views of the game where LeBron James clinched his fourth NBA Championship, according to ShowBuzzDaily.
WNU Editor: I am not a basketball fan, but I have watched every NBA final for the past 20 years. Not this year. Could not even be bothered. I am not surprised that the Sunday night football game had more viewers than this NBA final. Bottom line. If you go woke, you will go broke. The bottom survey pretty well sums up why some people are becoming more and more "turned-off" with professional sports.
Both Game 1 and Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the L.A. Lakers and the Miami Heat have suffered the worst ratings crash in the league’s entire TV broadcast history.
Despite the matchup including two of the league’s biggest stars (LeBron James and Anthony Davis), Game 1 of the Finals on Wednesday was a huge ratings disappointment for the NBA.
Game 1 averaged only a 4.1 rating and 7.41 million viewers on ABC, “comfortably the lowest rated and least-watched NBA Finals game on record (dates back to 1988),” Sports Media Watch reported.
But if the league thought things might improve for Game 2, it had a bitter pill to swallow because the second in the series did even worse than the first.
Game 2 cratered with just 4.5 million viewers and a dismal 1. 9 in the ratings. This embarrassing showing was down 68 percent over Game 2 in 2019.
The 2020 Game 2 event now rates as the lowest ratings ever for an NBA Finals game. Until Friday, Wednesday’s Game 1 was the lowest-rated in league history. So, it seems the Finals keep going down.
WNU Editor: The last thing that I want to watch at a sports game is politics or a sport thrashing my views. But that is what American sports has become today. Speaking for myself. This is the first year in almost 25 years that I did not even bother to watch one NHL Stanley Games playoff. I totally ignored baseball. I have no clue on what is happening in the NFL. And as for the NBA. I was not aware that they are playing their finals until I read this Breitbart post this evening. Sighhh .... thank God for soccer.
* Fans tweeted their frustration and anger about how political messages appear to have infiltrated the NFL
* Some teams knelt for the national anthem while others locked arms and raised fists
* Several stadiums have been adorned with 'Black Lives Matter' and 'End racism' messaging
* Colin Kaepernick spoke out against the NFL on Sunday as the opening games were getting underway
* Kaepernick appeared to be angered by the NFL pushing its social justice initiatives while his former teammate Eric Reid remained a free agent to start the season
Fans of the NFL have been expressing their dismay at how the NFL has become 'politicized' in the wake of recent Black Lives Matter protests.
Teams opening their seasons in empty stadiums on Sunday knelt, locked arms, raised fists in protest or stayed off the field entirely for the 'Star-Spangled Banner' and the Black anthem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' as the once-reluctant league brought racial injustice to the forefront on the NFL's first full slate of games.
But the gesture has provoked strong feelings among a segment of fans who were already unhappy when players knelt for the national anthem which started when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first took a knee in 2016.
The issue has since been further aggravated after the NFL said they would add 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' before all the opening games of the 2020 season.
WNU Editor: I grew up in the Soviet Union where sports and Communist politics walked hand-in-hand .... and I hated it. And now .... I see the same thing in the U.S. and Canada .... and I hate it also. Here is an easy prediction. It is going to take a generation or two for the NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL to regain their fan-base to what it was before Kaepernick first took his knee in 2016. And maybe even longer if this radical politicization of American sports continues.
* The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texas opened the 2020 NFL season on Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium with 17,000 socially distanced fans. Attendance was limited to 22 percent capacity due to the pandemic
* The Texans remained in their locker room during the national anthem in a coordinated display meant to bring awareness to Black Lives Matter and other social justice initiatives amid national unrest over racial injustice
* The Chiefs stood along their sideline during the anthem. Most of them had their hands over the hearts
* The two teams then met at midfield to shake hands while messages such as 'We believe Black lives matter' and 'It takes all of us' played on the screen. They then lined across the field in a show of solidarity
* Many of the 17,000 fans in attendance could be heard booing during the pregame demonstrations
* Chiefs players lined up along the goal line about 30 minutes before kickoff in a show of solidarity for social justice initiatives while a video played on the screens in each end zone of Arrowhead Stadium
* The video showcased Alicia Keys performing the song 'Lift Every Voice and Sing.' It was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson and set to music by his brother. It is often referred to as the 'black national anthem'
* Chiefs fans have been banned from wearing headdresses and war paint amid the NFL's push for racial justice
* After a slow start, the defending-champion Chiefs won, 34-20, as Patrick Mahomes tossed three touchdowns
Kansas City Chiefs fans booed a moment of silence aimed at promoting racial justice, the Houston Texans remained in the locker room during the Star-Spangled Banner, and the reigning Super Bowl champions lined up for a singing of 'the black national anthem' on Thursday night as the NFL opened its 2020 campaign under dramatically different circumstances than any other season in league history.
'With everything going on in this country, we wanted to show that we're unified as a league,' Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told NBC after throwing three touchdowns in a 34-20 win. 'We are not going to let football distract us from making a change in the world.'
Not only was the limited crowd of 17,000 fans asked to follow social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic, but spectators were also prohibited from wearing Native American headdresses and war paint as the NFL attempts to combat racism following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.
WNU Editor: The two sports that I love to watch are also the two sports that I played when I was young .... soccer and hockey. I started watching NFL football about 15 years. I gave up on the NFL about 3 years. I gave up on hockey this year. Politics and sports is not a mixture that I like. Throw in political correctness, and you then lose me forever. I still watch soccer. The sport that I play, though not much in the past two years, is golf. I can never watch golf.
Los Angeles (AFP) - Basketball superstar LeBron James was accused of turning a blind eye to Chinese repression on Tuesday after he criticized a Houston Rockets executive for angering China with a "misinformed" tweet supporting protesters in Hong Kong.
James told reporters that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey "wasn't educated" on Hong Kong and should have kept his mouth shut, as the outspoken Lakers forward waded into a charged debate that other high-profile NBA figures have shied away from.
"So many people could have been harmed not only financially but physically, emotionally and spiritually. So just be careful with what we tweet, and we say, and we do," James told reporters when asked for comment in Los Angeles after returning from the NBA's annual China tour.
WNU Editor: LeBron James had three choices. Say nothing. Support the protesters in Hong Kong. Or condemn those who are supporting the protesters in Hong Kong. He decided to side with his Chinese hosts and condemn those who are supporting the people in Hong Kong. For a person who is always trying to cultivate an image of being socially responsible, these remarks now make him look like a hypocrite. Not surprising, he is trying to backtrack his remarks (and is failing at that) .... The Sports Report: LeBron James clarifies his Daryl Morey comments (Los Angeles).
* Eliud Kipchoge is the first runner to finish a marathon in under two hours
* The Kenyan completed the course in Vienna with incredible time of 1:59:40
* The time will not be an official world record but is nonetheless a historic moment
* Kipchoge said after: 'I want to inspire many people, that no human is limited'
Amid jubilant scenes in Vienna on Saturday morning, Eliud Kipchoge became the first runner to finish a marathon in under two hours.
The 34-year-old Kenyan completed the course in Vienna, in an incredible one hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds.
He celebrated with his arms outstretched and waved to the crowds as he sprinted over the line before he was greeted by a loving embrace from his wife Grace.
WNU Editor: This is not an official world record. The venue was deliberately chosen to help Eliud Kipchoge in his attempt to beat the 2 hour mark, and he was also "assisted" during the race. But this is still an incredible achievement.
* A public relations staffer shut down a CNN reporter's attempt to ask Rockets stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook about the NBA's PR crisis in China
* Houston Rockets general manager recently tweeted out his support for millions of protesters in Hong Kong, who openly oppose the Chinese government
* Harden and Westbrook previously apologized to Chinese fans after the tweet
* On Thursday, following a Rockets exhibition in Japan, CNN's Christina Macfarlane asked both players about any hesitation to speak out in the future
* Recently NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league will not censor players
* Neither player responded. The question was followed by a shot exchange between Macfarlane and the PR staffer, who insisted: 'Basketball questions only'
* The NBA has since released a statement saying that the PR staffer was wrong to prevent Macfarlane from getting an answer to her question
A Houston Rockets public relations staffer promptly shut down a CNN reporter's attempt to ask NBA All-Stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook about social activism amid ongoing friction between the league and China over team general manager Daryl Morey's support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.
'The NBA has always been a league that prides itself on its players and its coaches being able to speak out openly about political and societal affairs,' CNN's Christina Macfarlane said at Thursday's press conference following a Rockets exhibition in Japan. 'I just wonder after the events of this week, and the fallout we've seen, whether you both feel differently about speaking out in that way in the future?'
'Excuse me, we are taking basketball questions only,' a voice can be heard telling Macfarlane.
WNU Editor: In the past I almost always watched an NFL game on Sunday. My down time in the afternoon or when I am making a big dish for supper. This year .... I have not even seen one game. Watching the game is not the same for me anymore.
• Kenyan adds record to Olympic gold medal won in Rio
• Previous record was set by Dennis Kimetto in 2014
At Eliud Kipchoge’s training camp in Kenya, where he never misses his turn to clean the toilets or draw water from the nearby well, his fellow athletes call him “the boss man”. And on a pleasant autumn day in Berlin the 33-year-old lived up to that reputation – as well as reinforcing his case to be considered the greatest distance runner of all time – by obliterating the marathon world record.
Kipchoge’s time of 2hr 01min 39sec was staggering enough, given it took 78sec off the previous best set by Dennis Kimetto in 2014. But the fact that he did it while going solo for the last 17 kilometres (10.5 miles) – embracing the loneliness of the long-distance runner – after his pacemakers dropped out much earlier than intended, was almost as breathtaking.
Shares of Nike Inc (NKE.N) fell 3 percent on Tuesday as calls for a boycott of the sportswear giant gained traction on social media following its choice of Colin Kaepernick as a face for the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” slogan.
Former San Francisco quarterback Kaepernick, the first NFL player to kneel during the national anthem as a protest against racism, posted a black-and-white close-up of himself on Instagram on Monday featuring the Nike logo and “Just do it” slogan, along with the quote: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
WNU Editor: So Nike made the decision that by announcing Colin Kaepernick to be the new face of Nike .... even if it meant dissing-off half of America (if not more) .... they would actually sell more product and make more money. Here is an easy prediction .... sales will drop and people in Nike are going to be fired over this. Talk about damaging your brand name. My only regret is that I wish I knew they were going to do this before they had announced it .... because I would have shorted Nike stock big time.
Atlanta (CNN)NFL players this season must stand during the National Anthem, team owners decided Wednesday in Atlanta, a reaction to fierce backlash against some who took a knee in symbolic opposition to the systemic oppression of people of color, including by police.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a news conference that team owners unanimously agreed that the NFL can fine a team whose players protest on the sidelines during the National Anthem but that each team will set will its own rules regarding players who want to kneel. Players will not be fined individually by the league and will have the option to remain in the locker room while the anthem is played.
Previously, there had been no rule that prevented players from protesting.
WNU Editor: The NFL owners finally figured out who their real fans are. Americans may be surprised .... but this story has (and is) being followed by many internationally.
The San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Reid says the NFL wants to use breast cancer awareness and “Salute to Service” funds to buy off protesting players.
In an interview with Slate on Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Reid said he’s been told the NFL is planning to allow owners to shift money that’s been pledged to other charitable giving campaigns into a newly announced, seven-year $89 million program to fund social justice causes. This apparent plan to redistribute funding from breast cancer awareness and military service initiatives was one of a number of reasons Reid says he has walked away from the Players Coalition. That group, led by the Philadelphia Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins and retired wide receiver Anquan Boldin, led the way in striking a tentative deal with the NFL this week.
WNU Editor: Talk about alienating even further your fan base. And not surprising .... people are not showing up to the games .... There were so many empty seats at the start of the Cowboys-Redskins game (For The Win). I have not seen a football game this season (I usually have a game or two in the background when I am blogging on Sundays) .... and guess what .... I am not missing it. I am sticking with hockey this winter.
The New Orleans Saints are firing back at a retired Navy commander who declined to be honored at their game Sunday because of players protesting during the national anthem, calling his decision “unfortunate and disappointing.”
Retired Navy Cmdr. John Wells, executive director of the Louisiana-based Military Veterans Advocacy, was selected by the Saints to receive its Peoples Health Champion Award for highlighting the “health and well-being of our military, veterans and their families,” according to the team’s statement Thursday.
But Wells told the organization Wednesday not to expect him at the game, since he’s unable “in good conscience” to enter an NFL stadium where some players continue to “disrespect” the American flag by kneeling or sitting before or during the national anthem.
Fox and ESPN do not plan to air the national anthem live during this weekend's and Monday night's games.
The networks don't usually air the pre-game ritual live except during major events, but began showing it after President Trump lashed out against players who took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality, CNN reported.
Networks did not broadcast the anthem last week, but Vice President Mike Pence pushed the controversy back into the forefront when he left the Indianapolis Colts-San Francisco 49ers game Sunday when several 49ers kneeled during the anthem.
President Donald Trump on Monday morning doubled down on Vice President Mike Pence's trip to the Indianapolis Colts game Sunday, saying it was "long planned."
"The trip by @VP Pence was long planned. He is receiving great praise for leaving game after the players showed such disrespect for country!" the president wrote on Twitter.
Pence left an Indianapolis Colts game on Sunday after several players on the opposing San Francisco 49ers team kneeled in protest during the national anthem.
"I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem," Pence wrote on Twitter on his official @VP account following his departure.
WNU Editor: The media and opponents to Trump are still having a meltdown from what Vice President Pence did yesterday .... calling this a stunt .... It’s not the cost of Pence’s trip that was galling. It was the preparation for it.(Washington Post). More here .... Donald Trump just used Mike Pence for a PR stunt(CNN). What's my take .... DUH!!!!! .... this is what push-back looks like. For those who love the NFL and who are seeing it under attack in the matter that it is .... this push-back is something that people are applauding. And while some players and many in the media are condemning VP Pence on what he did .... like I have said more than once .... no one has a monopoly on righteous anger and moral .... least of all players who earn tens of millions of dollars who feel that because they can play football elevates them to this "beyond-reproach" status. And as for those who oppose President Trump .... they still cannot accept the fact that when they push against him .... he pushes back .... something that even members of the Republican party still have trouble accepting .... Republican U.S. Senator Bob Corker Warned On Sunday Tthat President Trump is Putting The U.S. On A Path To World War Three.
Vice President Mike Pence spoke out on Sunday about why he left a football game between the Indianapolis Colts-San Francisco 49ers game, the same day it emerged that former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has said he'd stand for the national anthem if if given a chance to play football in the NFL again.
“I left today's Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,” Pence tweeted.
Several 49ers players reportedly kneeled for the anthem on Sunday in Indianapolis.
WNU Editor: Every week that these protests continue will only continue to undermine the game among its core fans. As for the person who started this protest movement, it appears that he is willing to stand-up for the anthem if someone gives him a contract .... Colin Kaepernick confirms desire to play in NFL, explains silence(Sporting News). What's my take .... it is not going to happen. No one in the NFL is going to sign up Colin Kaepernick knowing too well that the blow-back against the team that does this will be huge .... huge enough that no owner is going to take a risk. There has been some news that the CFL team in Montreal may sign him .... but from what I am reading and hearing .... it is not going to happen. Bottom line .... Colin Kaepernick's days as an athlete are over.
NFL Football - Miami Dolphins vs New Orleans Saints - NFL International Series - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 1, 2017 New Orleans Saints players take the knee before the start of the national anthem Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Over just one month of player, coach, and owner protests of the flag and National Anthem, the National Football League has gone from America's sport to the least liked of top professional and college sports, according to a new poll.
From the end of August to the end of September, the favorable ratings for the NFL have dropped from 57 percent to 44 percent, and it has the highest unfavorable rating – 40 percent – of any big sport, according to the Winston Group survey provided exclusively to Secrets.
WNU Editor: It hit me when I was reading the above post from the Washington Examiner .... I have not watched a NFL football game since this entire controversy blew up. I usually watch a game over the weekend, or I have it playing in the background when I am doing this blog. But not once have I even bothered to turn on the TV or read-up on what's new in the NFL. Instead .... I am sticking with the CLF (Canadian football), and grateful that the hockey season has started. On a side note .... the last time that I felt like this on a sports story is when the entire Russian Olympic doping scandal finally blew-up a few years ago. The end result .... I lost interest in Russian sports when that happened, and guess what .... I am still no longer interested.
I have been involved in numerous computer science projects since the 1980s, as well as developing numerous web projects since 1996.
These blogs are a summation of all the information that I read and catalog pertaining to the subjects that interest me.
