PoliticsReuters VideosDemocrats blast Trump for Stone commutation
Democrats condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to spare his longtime friend and advisor Roger Stone from prison. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement, “Congress will take action to prevent this type of brazen wrongdoing.” Republican reaction was largely muted, but Senator Mitt Romney denounced the action on Twitter, saying: "Unprecedented, historic corruption: an American president commutes the sentence of a person convicted by a jury of lying to shield that very president." Trump commuted Stone’s prison sentence late Friday, intervening to protect him in a criminal case. He painted Stone as a victim. "Roger Stone was treated horribly. Roger Stone was treated very unfairly. Roger Stone was brought into this witch hunt, this whole political witch hunt and the Mueller scam, it is a scam because it's been proven false." Stone, who had been convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, expressed relief upon hearing the news from Trump. “And at 67 years old, with a history of respiratory problems and other underlying health issues, the danger was very real. This, I think, is demonstrated by the point that the prison in Jesup, Georgia, to which I was supposed to go on Tuesday, has in the last two weeks released a violent sex criminal who is both a pedophile and a child pornographer, to protect them from infection by Coronavirus, a second violent sex criminal who was also a pedophile, and a bank robber." Stone was scheduled to report by Tuesday to a federal prison in Jesup, Georgia, to begin serving a sentence of over three years.
NewsStoryfulNew 'Recruit' Wombat Wombles Around Australian Police Station Office
A wombat became a “new furry recruit” of a police station in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, after an officer took in the orphaned animal in June.Monaro Police District’s Senior Constable Tori Murray, who looks after ‘Ted’, has volunteered with animal rescue group Wildcare for the past five years, according to the New South Wales Police.Murray took in eight-month-old bare nosed wombat, after his mother was struck and killed by a car in late June. The wombat is due to be returned to the wild in a year. Credit: NSW Police via Storyful
SportsReuters VideosSterling scores hat-trick as City hit Brighton for five
VIDEO SHOWS: POST-MATCH NEWS CONFERENCE WITH MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER PEP GUARDIOLA / STILLS FROM MATCH IN WHICH MANCHESTER CITY BEAT BRIGHTON 5-0 RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 11, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER, PEP GUARDIOLA, ON UPCOMING CAS DECISION, SAYING: "It's the decision, so it's so important, of course it is. But we have done what we've done, which is win our qualification (for next year's Champions League) on the pitch. No one can doubt that. So, after an outstanding season from Liverpool in the Premier League, and congratulations to them again, so the level we played today is similar to how we played the season. And now, we're going to wait until Monday (July 13) when the decision will be made." JOURNALIST, ASKING: "Are you confident?" GUARDIOLA, SAYING: "A lot." BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 11, 2020) (POOL VIA REUTERS PICTURES VIA ACTION IMAGES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE) 2. STILL PHOTO OF MANCHESTER CITY'S KEVIN DE BRUYNE IN ACTION WITH BRIGHTON'S YVES BISSOUMA 3. STILL PHOTO OF MANCHESTER CITY'S RAHEEM STERLING CELEBRATING SCORING SIDE'S FIRST GOAL BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 11, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER, PEP GUARDIOLA, ON RAHEEM STERLING, SAYING: "All my respect, all the credit goes to him (Sterling). Not just the three goals, what we have in front of us is also important. And his development as a player is because he trains and wants to improve and we are so delighted with his performance today." BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 11, 2020) (POOL VIA REUTERS PICTURES VIA ACTION IMAGES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE) 5. STILL PHOTO OF STERLING SCORING FIRST GOAL 6. STILL PHOTO OF STERLING SCORING THEIR THIRD GOAL BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 11, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER, PEP GUARDIOLA, ON RAHEEM STERLING, SAYING: "No, I don't have to tell many things to Raheem. Raheem himself knows exactly what he has to do. He's a huge competitor and self-confident, aggressive. He loves to score goals. And I like that we have wingers that have the qualities to score goals. This is so important." BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 11, 2020) (POOL VIA REUTERS PICTURES VIA ACTION IMAGES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE) 8. STILL PHOTO OF STERLING SCORING THEIR FIFTH GOAL, HIS THIRD ON THE NIGHT 9. STILL PHOTO OF STERLING CELEBRATING WITH TEAM MATES STORY: Raheem Sterling struck a hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Brighton 5-0 at the AmEx Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday (July 11). Second-placed City had lost their previous three away games but never looked likely to extend that streak against a Brighton side that struggled from the outset. Sterling, who has now netted 27 goals in all competitions, opened the scoring in the 21st minute when he collected a nod-down from Gabriel Jesus outside the box and superbly drove it into the bottom corner. Jesus made it 2-0 just before the break, turning in from close range after Rodri had headed a corner goalwards. City took total charge in the second half, with Kevin De Bruyne striking the post in the 51st minute and two minutes later Sterling heading in a fine curling cross from Riyad Mahrez. Bernardo Silva made it four and then Sterling bundled in the fifth in the 81st minute, the ball bouncing in off his head after he had fallen to the floor. The result ensures that City, on 72 points, will finish in the runners-up spot, although they will have to wait for the decision from the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) on Monday (July 13) to find out if they will be able to compete in next season's Champions League. City have been banned from European competition for two years by UEFA but appealed to CAS in a bid to overturn the decision. Whatever the outcome of that ruling, City remain in this season's competition with the second-leg of their last 16 game against Real Madrid coming up in August. (Production: Kurt Michael Hall)
NewsStoryfulProtesters Confront Pittsburgh Police in Riot Gear During Demonstration
Protesters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, confronted police in riot gear during a Black Lives Matter demonstration on July 11.Marchers chanted for Antwon Rose on Saturday to commemorate what would have been his 19th birthday. Rose was shot and killed by a Pittsburgh police officer in 2018. He was also celebrated on Juneteenth 2020.Footage posted by 1 Hood Media shows protesters demanding answers from police in riot gear. According to reports, the peaceful protests were organized for the Black Lives Matter movement and transgender rights. Credit: 1 Hood Media via Storyful
NewsReuters VideosDisney World reopens amid Florida's virus surge
Guests were welcomed back to, what some consider, ‘the Happiest Place on Earth'... when, on Saturday, Florida’s Walt Disney World reopened to the public for the first time in four months. Some staff wearing face coverings cheered as guests walked along Main Street into the sprawling Orlando complex. In handout video from Disney - Mickey and Mini Mouse waved from a distance… visitors had their temperatures checked… socially distanced while waiting for rides… and accepted hand sanitizer. THIS - as Florida has emerged as an epicenter of COVID-19 infections. New daily cases of the virus rose over 10,000 again on Saturday. Over the past two weeks, Florida reported over 100,000 new cases - more than any other U.S. state. More than four dozen hospitals in Florida have reported full intensive care units. Governor Ron DeSantis, who has called the spike a ‘blip’ on Saturday said it was important to protect the elderly from the virus: (DESANTIS): “Given that you see more prevalence of this in the community today than we did, say in the middle of May, you know, it is important for those in the at-risk groups to avoid crowds and minimize the close contact with people who they don't live with.” According to a Reuters tally - new cases of COVID-19 rose by over 69,000 across the country on Friday - setting a record for the third consecutive day.
- SportsStoryful
Palace of Auburn Hill Destroyed in Controlled Demolition
The Palace of Auburn Hills, the former home arena of the Detroit Pistons, was imploded in a controlled demolition on July 11.This footage, taken by Rick Vestuto, shows explosive detonations and the eventual collapse of what remained of the stadium, which workers had been demolishing since March.The arena opened its doors in 1988, and hosted its last Pistons home game in 2017. That year, the Pistons moved to Little Caesars Arena, located in central Detroit. Credit: Rick Vestuto via Storyful
EntertainmentStoryfulSpitfire Flies Over King's Lynn Hospital in NHS Salute
A restored Spitfire emblazoned with “Thank U NHS” flew over the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn on July 10, video released by the facility shows.The flyover was part of a celebration of the NHS’ 72nd anniversary, which was officially marked on July 5. After flying over King’s Lynn, the plane was scheduled to continue onward to nearby Norwich University Hospital.New coronavirus cases in the United Kingdom have fallen off steeply since their April heights, though the country remains seventh globally in total confirmed cases, with over 290,000, and has recorded the third highest number of deaths — nearly 45,000 as of July 11. Credit: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust via Storyful
NewsReuters VideosFay weakens over eastern New York
The deafening wind gusts and heavy rain that lashed New Jersey Friday has weakened into a post-tropical low pressure system Saturday as Fay moved over Eastern New York. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the storm will likely cross western New England over to southeastern Canada later in the day and night. Earlier Saturday morning, Fay had packed maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour just north of New York City. It's expected to produce up to 3 inches of rain in the Mid-Atlantic states and parts of New England. The storm prompted the White House to postpone President Donald Trump's campaign rally that had been set for Saturday night in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
PoliticsReuters VideosTrump's plan for 'dreamers' will not include amnesty -WH
U.S. President Donald Trump's planned executive order on immigration will not include amnesty for migrants, known as Dreamers, who are in the U.S. illegally but arrived in the country as children. That’s according to a White House spokesman who issued a statement Friday after Trump said his executive order would involve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. That program - known as DACA - currently protects hundreds of thousands of such immigrants from deportation and provides them work permits… but does not offer a path to citizenship. Trump on Friday told the Spanish-language TV network Telemundo - quote - “I am going to do a big Executive Order, I have the power to do it as President and I'm going to make DACA a part of it.” And, the president said: “We will give them a road to citizenship.” The White House statement, however, said Trump's executive order would establish a merit-based immigration system and said Trump would work with Congress on a legislative solution that "could include citizenship…” but no amnesty. This all comes after the U.S. Supreme Court last month blocked Trump’s bid to end DACA, which was created in 2012 by then-president Barack Obama. But that ruling did not prevent Trump from trying again to end the program.
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Disney World Parks Reopen With Safety Protocols in Place
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks reopened on Saturday, July 11, with safety protocols in place to ensure visitors maintain social distance from others to limit the exposure to the coronavirus.According to Disney’s website, visitors were also required to wear face coverings and submit to temperature screenings at the park.This video taken by @thrillgeek shows the park on opening day. “About every 10 minutes there is a parkwide Health and Safety announcement. Reminding guests to distance, wear their mask and more,” they wrote on Twitter.Photos from @thrillgeek also show signage and sanitation stations.According to reports, Florida reported more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases on July 11, bringing the total across the state to over 250,000. There were 95 new deaths reported on July 11 connected to the virus. Credit: @thrillgeek via Storyful
PoliticsReuters VideosSingapore's ruling party stung by election results
Singapore's ruling party is stung by its worst ever election results on Saturday (July 11). The People's Action Party - PAP- signaled a possible delay to its meticulous succession plans. Here's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. "On the outcome of the election, the popular vote is 61.2 percent, we won 83 seats out of 93, we have a clear mandate. But the percentage of the popular vote is not as high as I had hoped for." He added the results showed "a clear desire for a diversity of voices." Singapore's politics have been defined by stability and predictability. Dominated by PAP since its independence in 1965, it has been crucial in developing the city-state into a global financial hub. Lee is the son of Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who had said he was preparing to hand over the reins to the new generation of leaders in coming years. However, his designated successor, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, scraped through with 53% of the vote in his constituency in the first real test of his popularity. With an overwhelming parliamentary majority, the PAP rarely has to court public opinion on policy or government plans. Heng had been selected by his peers as a future leader in a secretive process compared to how cardinals pick a pope.
NewsStoryfulSevere Weather Recorded in Rapid City, South Dakota
The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings in western South Dakota on July 10. A tornado warning was also issued.Local residents recorded intense weather in the area, including hail and heavy rainfall.This video was recorded in a rural area in the vicinity of Rapid City. Thick storm clouds can be seen, as well as lightning. Credit: Tim Lundahl via Storyful
PoliticsReuters VideosHong Kong opposition kicks off primary elections
Hong Kong's opposition camp kicks off primary elections on Saturday (July 11). The primaries aim at selecting democracy candidates who stand the best chance of success in Legislative Council elections in September. Candidates set up polling booths across the Chinese-ruled city, including pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong. "Now is the second week after the implementation of national security law. Our voice hope to be represented by our vote and let Beijing realise people in Hong Kong choose not to kowtow to China." This come less than two weeks after Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on the Asian financial hub, stoking concerns that wide-ranging freedoms not seen in mainland China will be crushed. The law punishes what China describes broadly as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with up to life in prison. It also allows mainland security agents to operate officially in Hong Kong for the first time. On the eve of the primaries, police searched the office of independent pollster Robert Chung, whose Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute helps organize the election, raising concerns among activists of interference in the poll. While the primaries are only for the opposition camp, observers are watching closely as they say the turnout at the election will serve as a test of broader opposition to the national security law.
NewsReuters VideosSwimmers dive back into England's outdoor pools
For swimmers in England, it’s now safe to go back in the water. After months without the opportunity to get their feet wet, the public were welcomed back to outdoor leisure pools on Saturday (July 11). It comes just days after the UK government announced that it was now safe to reopen the pools and for Joe Rham who looks after one such facility in south London, getting everything ready has taken some doing. "It's been a challenge to kind of inform the staff, to let the customers know what to expect, get all the systems up and running and then make sure the center is COVID secure in terms of customer journey and that everyone knows what to expect." Swimmers have to book time slots in advance and the lanes have been widened to allow people to maintain their distance. For the time being anyone looking to work on their backstroke in this facility has been asked to refrain for now. Life in England is slowly starting to return to normal, with indoor pools and gyms also set to reopen in two weekends time.
ScienceStoryfulHeavy Rains Pour Through Ceiling at Queens Subway Station
Heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Fay led to flooding in New York City subway stations on July 10.This video was taken in the Court Square station in Queens, and shows water pouring onto the platform from the ceiling.Flooding was reported elsewhere in the system, including in Times Square in Manhattan and 149th Street in the Bronx.Elsewhere in the northeast, flooding was recorded in a number of locations along the Jersey Shore. Credit: Nicole Johnson via Storyful
PoliticsStoryfulFirefighters Rescue 10 Puppies From St Louis House Fire
Members of the St Louis Fire Department rescued ten puppies from a house fire in north St Louis, Missouri, on Friday, July 10.According to reports, firefighters responded to a house on fire on the 4500 block of Martin Luther King Drive at around 12:25 pm.Footage released by the fire department shows firefighters giving the puppies oxygen and dousing them with water.Ten people were displaced by the fire, a department spokesperson said. No other injuries were reported. Credit: St Louis Fire Department via Storyful
NewsReuters VideosRussian Navy's first all-female crew on patrol
In a first for the Russian Navy, an all-female crew carried out patrols on the Black Sea on Friday (July 10). The crew fulfilled a broad array of drills in preparation for the country's Navy Day celebrations later this month. The voyage marks a symbolic step in Russian women's quest to play a more active role in the armed forces, an institution dominated by men. Olga Chelkova, a senior engine mechanic in the crew hailed that this is an experiment that women have never taken part in before. The navy still holds barriers to entry for women. A decree signed by President Vladimir Putin in 2000 lists 456 jobs in 38 industries which women are barred from doing. It says those jobs would entail "heavy work and work in harmful working conditions". The Russian government plans to shorten the list of jobs women are barred from holding next year.
BusinessReuters VideosMusk overtakes Buffet as world's 7th richest man
Tesla CEO Elon Musk's wealth has just raced passed fellow billionaire Warren Buffet and made him the world’s seventh richest person. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk's fortune rose by a staggering $6.07 billion on Friday (July 10) which followed an almost 11% jump in the electric carmaker's stock. The switch with Buffet came in the same week as he donated $2.9 billion of Berkshire Hathaway's stock to charity. Tesla is enjoying a particularly successful period, shares have surged 500% over the past year as the company increased sales of its Model 3 sedan. Musk is now in line for a stock option payday potentially worth $1.8 billion dollars, which could set him on the road to overtaking Amazon’s Jeff Bazos as the world’s richest man.
PoliticsReuters VideosProtesters rally against Serbian President
Protests turned violent in Belgrade on Friday (July 10). Thousands rallied against the President Aleksandar Vucic and government policies, including it's handling of the coronavirus crisis. Police in full riot gear and mounted units were deployed outside the parliament building to prevent the President's opponents from storming in. Earlier on Friday, the President accused his political opponents of orchestrating protests. "The problem is that they become violent because they see they have no political solutions, they have nothing to offer to people. And that's why I'm worrying a lot to tell you the truth. I'm worrying a lot because the infection is not under control to the extent that I would like to see it." This week's demonstrations were at first driven by frustration over economically stifling measures to contain the pandemic, but soon evolved into anti-government rallies. Critics say the government's decisions to allow some gatherings to resume in May and parliamentary elections to go ahead on June 21 are to blame for the new surge in infections. The President dismissed those claims.
PoliticsReuters VideosTrump spares longtime adviser Stone from prison
Donald Trump’s has used the power of the Presidency to commute the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone on Friday (July 10), sparing him from prison. Stone was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and had been due to report to a federal prison in Georgia by Tuesday. Upon hearing the news Stone was grateful to the President. "Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for giving me the offer. Thank you for saving my life because I don't think I at my age and in my medical condition, I would have survived in a COVID infested prison.” Democrat’s quickly criticised Trump’s actions including Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff who tweeted “With Trump there are now two systems of justice in America: One for Trump's criminal friends and one for everyone else.” Previous uses of Trump's use of this executive clemency have often benefited his allies and well-connected political figures.
SportsReuters VideosLeague is not done yet says Zidane, doesn't comment on James future
RESENDING WITH SCRIPT VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE WITH REAL MADRID MANAGER ZINEDINE ZIDANE / B-ROLL OF JAMES RODRIGUEZ SHOWS: MADRID, SPAIN (JULY 10, 2020) (LA LIGA / MEDIA PRO - NO RESALES) 1. REAL MADRID MANAGER ZINEDINE ZIDANE WALKS INTO NEWS CONFERENCE 2. SOUNDBITE (English) REAL MADRID MANAGER ZINEDINE ZIDANE SAYING: "We are always here to try and win La Liga. All of them are enjoyable. We know how difficult this league is and there are still three games left and we are not completely sure it is going to get done. I have always said that La Liga is a tough one to win, a very complicated league and that is what we have to do, keep going, there are three left, effectively three finals left to play. We have to rest up, rest up well. Of course we rest up better if we get the win. Of course we play on Monday, in 48 hours, and we have to rest up well." MADRID, SPAIN (JULY 10, 2020) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 3. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF ZIDANE AND KARIM BENZEMA 4. STILL PHOTOGRAPH BENZEMA AND MARCOS ASENSIO 5. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF REAL MADRID PLAYERS CELEBRATING MADRID, SPAIN (JULY 10, 2020) (LA LIGA / MEDIA PRO - NO RESALES) 6. JOURNALIST ASKING ZIDANE WHETHER JAMES RODRIGUEZ WILL PLAY FOR REAL MADRID AGAIN 7. SOUNDBITE (English) REAL MADRID MANAGER ZINEDINE ZIDANE SAYING: "I don't know" MADRID, SPAIN (JULY 1, 2020) (REAL MADRID TV - NO RESALES, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO) 8. VARIOUS OF JAMES RODRIGUEZ DURING REAL MADRID TRAINING STORY: Real Madrid took another step towards their first La Liga title in three years by beating free-falling Alaves 2-0 at home on Friday (July 10), overcoming a number of high-profile absences to secure their eighth consecutive victory. Real were missing three of their first-choice defenders as captain Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal were suspended and Marcelo was injured but they again showed their defensive solidity and recorded a fifth consecutive clean sheet. Zinedine Zidane's side got off to a comfortable start as Karim Benzema converted from the spot in the 11th minute after Ferland Mendy was judged to have been fouled by Ximo Navarro just as he entered the area. It was the third game in a row in which Real had broken the deadlock thanks to a penalty and they sealed the win when Benzema turned provider and allowed Marco Asensio to tap into an empty net early in the second half. Real moved on to 80 points, restoring their four-point lead over second-placed Barcelona with three games remaining. Alaves meanwhile fell to a sixth consecutive defeat which left them in 17th place, hovering three points and one position above the relegation zone. It was their first match under new coach Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz after Asier Garitano was dismissed and they made a bold start as former Real forward Joselu headed against the crossbar in the opening minute and Raphael Varane was forced to clear a shot on the rebound from Lucas Perez off the line. The struggling visitors still managed to cause plenty of problems for Real's makeshift defence after going behind, with Scottish winger Oliver Burke forcing Thibaut Courtois into a good save and later teeing up Joselu, whose shot ballooned over the bar. Real's second goal was initially ruled offside but awarded following a VAR review. VAR also worked in their favour for the penalty, following a week in which Barca's president and coach raged against how the technology has been used recently. "The noise about VAR does not bother us, we can only control the attitude we continue to show on the pitch," said Real defender Varane. "We are focused on our objective and we have three finals left. It was vital to win and it was important to keep another clean sheet and that gives us a lot of confidence."
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Fire Breaks Out Near Miami Metrorail Station
The Metrorail in Miami, Florida, was delayed on July 10 after a fire broke out near the track.Fire crews and police attended the scene. A shuttle service transported metro passengers during the stopage.This footage shows a train stopped just a short distance from the blaze. Credit: Pedro Diaz Jr via Storyful
SportsReuters VideosUsman, Masvidal make weight for UFC 251 showdown at new "Fight Island" in Abu Dhabi
SHOWS: ABU DHABI, UAE (JULY 10, 2020) (UFC - MUST COURTESY 'UFC') 1. WELTERWEIGHT CHAMP KAMARU USMAN WALKING ON STAGE TO WEIGH IN 2. USMAN ON SCALE AND HIS WEIGHT BEING ANNOUNCED AT 170 POUNDS (77.1 KGS) 3. WELTERWEIGHT CHALLENGER JORGE MASVIDAL ON SCALE WEIGHING IN AT 170 POUNDS 4. MASVIDAL ON SCALE AND HIS WEIGHT BEING ANNOUNCED 5. USMAN AND MASVIDAL STARE DOWN 6. FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHTERS ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI AND MAX HOLLOWAY STARE DOWN 7. BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE FIGHTERS PETR YAN AND JOSE ALDO STARE DOWN STORY: Co-headliners Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal made weight Friday (July 10) ahead of this weekend's UFC 251 welterweight title fight at the new "Fight Island" venue. UFC 251 will be the first event to take place at the new venue in Abu Dhabi, with three title fights and a set of health and safety measures in place due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The card is the first of four to be held at a purpose-built facility which is part of a "safe zone" on Yas Island, east of the city of Abu Dhabi and close to the airport. The zone contains the fight venue and training facilities as well as several hotels and restaurants, and access is strictly controlled. Fighters have been instructed to gather at one of a number of departure points to be tested and quarantined before traveling to the United Arab Emirates, with further tests on-site both before and after the event. With the sporting calendar virtually wiped out by the pandemic, mixed martial arts was one of the first sports in the U.S. to stage events again, with three cards in Jacksonville, Florida in May followed by five at the UFC's APEX facility in Las Vegas. Despite the organizers' best efforts, COVID-19 has still had an impact on the UFC 251 card as contender Gilbert Burns was ruled out of his welterweight title clash with Kamaru Usman following a positive test for the virus. He will be replaced in the main event by the hugely popular Jorge Masvidal, while Alexander Volkanovski puts his featherweight title on the line against Max Holloway and Petr Yan and Jose Aldo go head-to-head for the vacant bantamweight belt. The venue will host further events on July 15, July 18 and July 25 before UFC returns to Las Vegas. Volkanovski, however, said the venue makes little difference to the fighters. (Production: David Grip)
PoliticsStoryfulDemonstrators Rally in Chicago Against Police Violence, Mass Incarceration
Protesters marched in Chicago, Illinois, on July 10, in a “Free Them All! Free Gerald Reed!” demonstration, rallying against police brutality and mass incarceration.Gerald Reed was allegedly ‘tortured’ by the Chicago Police into confessing to a double murder he did not commit.The protest, organized by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, began at the James R. Thompson Center and ended at Governor JB Pritzker’s mansion.Footage shows protesters marching through Chicago’s North Side. A violinist played “Lift Every Voice”, demonstrators played a recorded message from Gerald Reed, and some wrote messages in chalk outside the Governor’s mansion. Credit: @delvecchiograce via Storyful
SportsReuters VideosNHL to resume virus-interrupted season next month with Stanley Cup tournament in Canada
SHOWS: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (FILE - JUNE 27, 2020) (WASHINGTON CAPITALS - Broadcaster and Digital: MUST COURTESY 'WASHINGTON CAPITALS') 1. ALEX OVECHKIN WALKING OUT OF LOCKER ROOM AT MEDSTAR CAPITALS ICEPLEX WHERE WASHINGTON CAPITALS TRAIN 2. VARIOUS OF OVECHKIN AND CAPITALS TEAM PRACTICE SESSION TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (FILE - MARCH 12, 2020) (USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES - Broadcasters and Digital: MUST COURTESY 'USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES') (MUTE) 3. STILL PHOTO OF EXTERIOR OF SCOTIABANK ARENA WHERE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS PLAY HOME GAMES AND WILL SERVE AS HUB CITY FOR EASTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (FILE - FEBRUARY 29, 2020) (USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES - Broadcasters and Digital: MUST COURTESY 'USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES') (MUTE) 4. STILL PHOTO OF TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS PLAYERS CELEBRATING AFTER SCORING GOAL AGAINST THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS AT SCOTIABANK ARENA EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA (FILE - MARCH 13, 2020) (USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES - Broadcasters and Digital: MUST COURTESY 'USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES') (MUTE) 5. STILL PHOTO OF EXTERIOR OF ROGERS PLACE WHERE EDMONTON OILERS PLAY HOME GAMES AND WILL SERVE AS HUB CITY FOR WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS AND THE STANLEY CUP FINALS EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA (FILE - JANUARY 18, 2020) (USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES - Broadcasters and Digital: MUST COURTESY 'USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES') (MUTE) 6. STILL PHOTO OF EDMONTON OILERS FORWARD CONNOR MCDAVID (#97) CELEBRATING WITH TEAMMATES AFTER SCORING A GOAL AGAINST THE ARIZONA COYOTES AT ROGERS PLACE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES (FILE - JUNE 12, 2019) (USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES - Broadcasters and Digital: MUST COURTESY 'USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES') (MUTE) 7. STILL PHOTO OF THE ST. LOUIS BLUES POSING FOR PHOTO AFTER DEFEATING THE BOSTON BRUINS AT TD GARDEN TO WIN STANLEY CUP AND FINISH THE 2018-19 NHL SEASON INTERNET (JULY 10, 2020) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE) 8. STILL IMAGE FROM NHL PUBLIC RELATIONS TWITTER PAGE, SAYING: "NHL and NHLPA ratify four-year CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) extension and Return to Play Plan. #StanleyCup Qualifiers to begin August 1." 9. STILL IMAGE FROM THE STANLEY CUP'S TWITTER PAGE, SAYING: "I'm Back." STORY: The National Hockey League will resume its virus-interrupted season next month with a Stanley Cup tournament in Canada after players ratified a return-to-play plan and extension to a labor deal, both sides said on Friday (July 10). An expanded 24-team Stanley Cup Playoffs will now start on Aug. 1 in Edmonton and Toronto without fans, nearly five months after the NHL halted its season due to COVID-19. "Today the NHL and NHLPA announced a significant agreement that addresses the uncertainty everyone is dealing with, the framework for the completion of the 2019-20 season and the foundation for continued long-term growth in our league," Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We know that all of our fans are excited about our return to the ice next month and that has been our goal since we paused our season on March 12." NHLPA executive director Don Fehr called the deal "a meaningful step forward for the players and owners, and for our game, in a difficult and uncertain time. "Most importantly, we are pleased to be able to bring NHL hockey back to the fans," he said. A key part of the labor agreement, which will extend the current deal that ends September 2022 for four years until 2026, is a pact to have the world's best ice hockey players return to the global stage in 2022 and 2026 after the NHL sat out the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The decision to return to the Olympics, however, is still pending negotiation with both the International Ice Hockey Federation and International Olympic Committee. There were three weeks and 189 games left in the NHL's 2019-20 regular season when play was suspended in March, but the league eventually declared the regular season over in favor of getting right into the post season. Absent a COVID-19 outbreak that brings a halt to action, the Stanley Cup, traditionally awarded in June, would be presented in October. The concept of staging the playoffs in two hub cities is the NHL's attempt to minimize COVID-risk by limiting travel for the participating teams, who will all be tested prior to departure and on a regular basis once inside the secure zone. The NHL's Western Conference teams will play in Edmonton while the Eastern Conference teams will start competition in Toronto. Edmonton will host both conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final. Under the unique playoff format, the top four seeds in each conference will receive byes through a play-in tournament but would take part in a three-game round-robin to stay fresh. The other 16 teams would compete in a play-in round featuring best-of-five series to determine the rest of a traditional 16-team Stanley Cup playoff bracket. (Production: David Grip)