European football club chiefs defend controversial changes to Champions League qualification March 29, 2022 European football club chiefs have defended proposals to give more Champions League places to historically successful teams, saying they are “fair, add value and make sense”. The changes are set to take effect from 2024, when the competition’s group stage expands from 32 to a single 36-team league. Under plans approved by leading clubs, two [...]
Mystery surrounds Roman Abramovich poisoning in Kyiv but seen as ‘firm warning’ to Chelsea owner as fresh details emerge March 29, 2022 The suspected poisoning of Russian billionaire and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich was not intended to kill him and the two Ukrainian representatives, the lead Russia investigator with investigative news outlet Bellingcat has said. Christo Grozev told Times Radio the “most plausible” explanation for the alleged poisoning was that it was a warning to Abramovich. [...]
Jacksonville Jaguars returning to Wembley Stadium for three more years March 29, 2022 NFL team the Jacksonville Jaguars have committed to playing a game at Wembley Stadium for the next three years. The Jags have played in London every year since 2013 except 2020, when fixtures were cancelled because of Covid-19. The Florida-based franchise switched to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last year but will return to Wembley this [...]
Will Smith should get the sack – his violence wouldn’t be tolerated in an office March 29, 2022 It’s bizarre to think of Will Smith getting the sack. He probably doesn’t ‘need’ work in financial terms, so being let go has a lesser value for him than others, but nevertheless he should be booted out. Yesterday at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Smith physically assaulted Oscars host Chris Rock live on stage [...]
Who replaces Root if he moves on as England Test captain? March 28, 2022 There’s a growing sense of inevitability about England cricket captain Joe Root stepping down from his role. It might not be today or tomorrow, it may not be next week or beyond, but following another Test series defeat in the Caribbean there’s a general consensus that the day is coming. Root has won more matches [...]
RML Short Wheelbase review: a supercar with soul March 28, 2022 The RML Short Wheelbase combines classic styling with modern comfort and tech. Not forgetting a naturally aspirated Ferrari V12 engine...
BFI Flare festival: The best LGBTQ films from the festival to watch at home March 28, 2022 BFI Flare LGBTQ film festival has rolled to a close for another year. Returning to premiere more queer short films and feature-lengths in 2023, here’s a remedy if you’ve got withdrawal already: a selection of some of the best films from across this year’s festival. First up, read our feature on the festival, where we [...]
Europe’s top football clubs back new spending cap in place of financial fair play March 28, 2022 The influential European Club Association (ECA) has backed the proposed scrapping of football’s controversial financial fair play (FFP) rules in favour of a new cost-control system based on a soft spending cap. Uefa’s planned shake-up is the biggest change to the financial regulation of European club competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League [...]
Colourful, hip Copenhagen is a city that’s always changing March 28, 2022 THE WEEKEND: The original Scandi city break, Copenhagen is straight out of a fairy-tale. Royal palaces, looming church spires, cobbled streets and higgledy-piggledy rainbow-bright houses punctuate the serene canals. Yet there’s nothing old-fashioned about the Danish capital, which is always changing. This hip, seafront city is as contemporary as they come, with futuristic architecture, a [...]
As tourism returns, we say: ‘Good morning Vietnam!’ March 28, 2022 Like much of the world, Vietnam was on its knees these last few years. Around 18 million foreign tourists visited in 2019 compared to a paltry 3,500 in 2021. But now visitors are flocking back. What’s more, there’s never been a better time to go: some high-end resorts are offering 25 per cent discounts on [...]