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Jacopo Prisco, CNN

2021-07-15 02:46:59

news

world

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/world/tusimple-autonomous-truck-spc-intl/index.html

There's a shortage of truckers, but TuSimple thinks it has a solution: no driver needed - CNN

The e-commerce boom has exacerbated a global truck driver shortage, but could autonomous trucks help fix the problem?

world, There's a shortage of truckers, but TuSimple thinks it has a solution: no driver needed - CNN

There's a shortage of truckers, but TuSimple thinks it has a solution: no driver needed

(CNN)Right now, there's a shortage of truck drivers in the US and worldwide, exacerbated by the e-commerce boom brought on by the pandemic. One solution to the problem is autonomous trucks, and several companies are in a race to be the first to launch one. Among them is San Diego-based TuSimple.Founded in 2015, TuSimple has completed about 2 million miles of road tests with its 70 prototype trucks across the US, China and Europe. Although these are simply commercially available trucks retrofitted with its technology, TuSimple has deals in place with two of the world's largest truck manufacturers -- Navistar in the US and Traton, Volkswagen's trucking business, in Europe -- to design and build fully autonomous models, which it hopes to launch by 2024. Photos: The Yara Birkeland is what its builders call the world's first zero-emission, autonomous cargo ship. The ship is scheduled to make its first journey between two Norwegian towns before the end of the year. Click through to see more forms of transport set to transform the future.Hide Caption 1 of 13 Photos: Pictured here as a rendering, Oceanbird is a wind-powered transatlantic car carrier that cuts carbon emissions by 90%, compared to a standard car carrier.Hide Caption 2 of 13 Photos: It's not just maritime ships that are going green. Cities around the world are adopting electric ferries. Norwegian startup Zeabuz hopes its self-driving electric ferry (pictured here as a rendering) will help revive urban waterways.Hide Caption 3 of 13 Photos: In China, a new Maglev high-speed train rolls off the production line in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on July 20. It has a top speed of 600 km per hour -- currently the fastest ground vehicle available globally. Hide Caption 4 of 13 Photos: Reaching speeds of up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) per hour, Hyperloop could be a sustainable replacement to short-haul flights. Dutch company Hardt (shown here as a rendering) started work on its Hyperloop test facility in Europe, anticipated to open in 2022.Hide Caption 5 of 13 Photos: Hyperloop is like a bullet train, without tracks and rails. Floating pods are propelled through a low-pressure steel tube using magnetic levitation. Virgin has been running tests with passengers on its XP-2 vehicle, pictured here.Hide Caption 6 of 13 Photos: Low carbon travel isn't just about switching to sustainable fuel sources -- it's also about redesigning the transport itself. A "Flying-V" plane designed by Delft's University of Technology in the Netherlands and Dutch airline KLM can cut fuel consumption by 20%. Ultimately, researchers hope to switch out the kerosene with a sustainable fuel source, like liquid hydrogen.Hide Caption 7 of 13 Photos: Hydrogen aviation could provide a sustainable solution for short and medium-haul flights. In September, Airbus unveiled plans for three hydrogen-powered, zero-emission aircraft which can carry 100 to 200 passengers. It hopes to launch the first ZEROe aircraft in 2035.Hide Caption 8 of 13 Photos: In December 2019, Canadian airline Harbour Air flew the world's first all-electric, zero-emission commercial aircraft. The six-seater seaplane was retrofitted with magniX's magni500 all-electric motor. Harbour Air -- which carries half a million passengers annually -- hopes to become the world's first all-electric airline. Hide Caption 9 of 13 Photos: In the case of electric bikes, the future is now: one retailer reported the sale of e-bikes and e-scooters had increased 230% this year. E-bikes give the user a boost to their pedaling, allowing them to go further with less effort. E-bikes are now even available on ride-share apps, like Uber.Hide Caption 10 of 13 Photos: While sleeper trains or buses might be the way most of us get some shut-eye on overnight travel, this rendering of a self-driving hotel suite from Toronto-based designer Steve Lee of Aprilli Design Studio might offer a plush alternative in the future.Hide Caption 11 of 13 Photos: In the UAE, these futuristic-looking pods are undergoing testing on a 400-meter line in Sharjah, which borders Dubai. Belarus-based uSky Transport says its pods can help cities solve traffic problems.Hide Caption 12 of 13 Photos: The Coradia iLint by French rail transport company Alstom is the world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train. It began testing in Germany in 2018, and in September 2020 entered regular service in Austria.Hide Caption 13 of 13No sleepTuSimple's latest road test involved hauling fresh produce 951 miles, from Nogales, Arizona to Oklahoma City. The pickup and the dropoff were handled by a human driver, but for the bulk of the route -- from Tucson to Dallas -- the truck drove itself. Read More"Today, because the system is not fully ready, we have a safety driver and a safety engineer on board at all times when we're testing, but we drove in full autonomy: the driver wasn't touching the wheel," said Cheng Lu, TuSimple's president and CEO. The journey was completed in 14 hours versus the usual 24 with a human driver, mostly because a truck doesn't need to sleep. "In the US, a driver can only work 11 hours a day. We simply had a handoff when our first pair of drivers had to stop because they reached their 11 hours of operation," said Lu. That, of course, negates the advantage of an autonomous system, so the idea is that once TuSimple's trucks hit the market, there will be no need to have anyone onboard. Picking up the watermelons still required the human touch.Unlike self-driving cars, which are a still a way from being commercially available, TuSimple trucks won't be required to operate in bustling city traffic, but only on stretches of highway that have been thoroughly mapped via the company's own software. "We collect data from the roads, and we create this very detailed, high definition map of each route. That adds another layer of safety for the vehicles," said Lu. As a result, TuSimple's trucks will only be able to self-drive along these pre-mapped trade corridors, which Lu calls "virtual railroads," and nowhere else. This swarm of robots gets smarter the more it worksAccording to the company, in the US 80% of goods travel through just 10% of the nation's trade corridors, so even selective mapping allows for capturing a large portion of the business. TuSimple is currently mapping routes between Arizona and Texas, and plans to have mapped routes across the nation by 2024. Its plans are dependent on state legislation, however, because currently some states do not allow for testing of autonomous trucks on public roads. Happier drivers?The technology will add about $50,000 to the cost of a truck, making the final price roughly $200,000. According to Lu, that's still cheaper than paying for a human driver. "If you take $50,000 and divide it by 1 million miles, the average lifespan of a truck, that means you're adding five cents per mile. But you're saving the cost of a human driver, which based on average US wages is about $80,000 to $120,000 per year -- or 80 cents to $1.20 per mile. Today, the direct labor cost is about 50% of the cost of operating a truck," he said. Read: A robotic 'Ironhand' could protect factory workers from injuriesThat doesn't mean driverless trucks will take away jobs, according to Lu. By focusing on the "middle mile," rather than on the pickup and delivery of the goods, TuSimple believes it can create new freight capacity without creating new demand for drivers, while at the same time protecting existing jobs. "A UPS driver is dropping off 200 packages a day -- that's not what autonomy is meant for. We believe that every driver will be able to retire as a driver, even if they enter the workforce today," said Lu. TuSimple's autonomous fleet.Instead, TuSimple aims to take over the routes between terminals and distribution centers, which involve long stretches of monotonous driving. "Take Phoenix to El Paso: that's a six-hour drive. A person cannot make the round trip, because it's more than 11 hours. But the truck can go back and forth all day, the most mundane job that drivers don't want to do. That means you free up that human driver to do the first and the last mile (pickup and delivery).They get to work a full day, which is a more efficient use of their time, and they get to go home at night to their family," said Lu.No distractions Although Lu says that the reliability of both the software and the hardware still needs to be increased, TuSimple is planning its first fully autonomous tests, without a human safety driver in the cabin at all, before the end of the year. The results of such tests will indicate whether the company can meet its goal to launch its own trucks by 2024. Lu says that 7,000 have been reserved in the US alone. Photos: The robots running our warehouses Photos: The robots running our warehousesRobots are an increasingly familiar presence in warehouses. At the south-east London warehouse run by British online supermarket Ocado, 3,000 robots fulfill shopping orders. When an order is sent to the warehouse, the bots spring to life and head towards the container they require. Scroll through to see more robots that are revolutionizing warehouses.Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesIn response to the coronavirus pandemic, MIT collaborated with Ava Robotics and the Greater Boston Food Bank to design a robot that can use UV light to sanitize the floor of a 4,000-square foot warehouse in just 30 minutes. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesSeven-foot "Model-T" robots produced by Japanese startup Telexistence have been stacking shelves in two of Tokyo's largest convenience store franchises. Featuring cameras, microphones and sensors, the Model-T uses three "fingers" to stock items such as bottled drinks, cans and rice bowls. The robot is controlled by shop staff remotely.Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesUS company Boston Dynamics has become known for its advanced work robots. "Handle" is made for the warehouse and equipped with an on-board vision system. It can lift boxes weighing over 30 pounds. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesStretch is the latest robot from Boston Dynamics and can work in warehouses and distribution centers. Designed to keep human workers out of harm's way, Stretch's tentacle-like grippers mean it can manipulate boxes. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesAlthough not specifically designed for warehouses, Boston Dynamics' dog-like robot "Spot" can lift objects, pick itself up after a fall, open and walk through doors, and even remind people to practice social distancing. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesThis robot is used to plant seeds and check plants at the "Nordic Harvest" vertical farm based in Taastrup, Denmark. The indoor farm is one of the biggest in Europe.Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesRobots sort packages at a warehouse run by JD.com -- one of China's largest e-commerce firms, in Wuhan, China, ahead of the annual Singles Day online shopping bonanza, in 2019.Hide Caption 8 of 8 TuSimple has prominent competitors, such as Google spinoff Waymo and Uber-backed Aurora, but those are working on a wider range of self-driving vehicles, including passenger cars. TuSimple is working exclusively on driverless trucks, like US companies Plus and Embark. Grayson Brulte, an autonomy expert at consulting firm Brulte & Co., believes TuSimple is on the right track. "The biggest competitive advantage that TuSimple has over its competitors is that their technology was purpose-built for trucking. They're not trying to port an autonomy system built for passenger vehicles in dense urban environments to trucking or to build a virtual driver which can both drive passenger vehicles and class-8 trucks. These are different skills and different systems altogether," he said. Removing the human element on long trucking routes has other benefits. The company says its trucks react 15 times faster than human drivers, and can see farther down the road, even at night. "In the US every year there are about 5,000 fatalities involving trucks, and most are due to human error," said Lu. "The truck doesn't get tired, doesn't watch a movie or look at a phone. It doesn't get distracted."

Stephanie Bailey, CNN

2021-05-12 07:52:09

news

world

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/world/ironhand-exoskeleton-glove-spc-intl/index.html

Bioservo's robotic 'Ironhand' could protect factory workers from injuries - CNN

Working in a factory can mean doing the same task over and over, which could lead to chronic injury. A battery-powered glove from Swedish company Bioservo could help workers by taking some of the strain.

world, Bioservo's robotic 'Ironhand' could protect factory workers from injuries - CNN

A robotic 'Ironhand' could protect factory workers from injuries

(CNN)Working in a factory or warehouse can mean doing the same task over and over, and that repetition can lead to chronic injury. Now, a battery-powered glove could help workers by taking some of the strain.The "Ironhand" glove strengthens the wearer's grip, meaning they don't have to use as much force to perform repetitive manual tasks. Its developer, Bioservo, says it can increase the wearer's hand strength by 20%. The Swedish company describes the system as a "soft exoskeleton." Exoskeletons are an external device that supports and protects the body, typically increasing strength and endurance. Most have a rigid structure, but the Ironhand is soft, like a regular glove. Photos: The robots running our warehousesRobots are an increasingly familiar presence in warehouses. At the south-east London warehouse run by British online supermarket Ocado, 3,000 robots fulfill shopping orders. When an order is sent to the warehouse, the bots spring to life and head towards the container they require. Scroll through to see more robots that are revolutionizing warehouses.Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesIn response to the coronavirus pandemic, MIT collaborated with Ava Robotics and the Greater Boston Food Bank to design a robot that can use UV light to sanitize the floor of a 4,000-square foot warehouse in just 30 minutes. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesSeven-foot "Model-T" robots produced by Japanese startup Telexistence have been stacking shelves in two of Tokyo's largest convenience store franchises. Featuring cameras, microphones and sensors, the Model-T uses three "fingers" to stock items such as bottled drinks, cans and rice bowls. The robot is controlled by shop staff remotely.Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesUS company Boston Dynamics has become known for its advanced work robots. "Handle" is made for the warehouse and equipped with an on-board vision system. It can lift boxes weighing over 30 pounds. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesStretch is the latest robot from Boston Dynamics and can work in warehouses and distribution centers. Designed to keep human workers out of harm's way, Stretch's tentacle-like grippers mean it can manipulate boxes. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesAlthough not specifically designed for warehouses, Boston Dynamics' dog-like robot "Spot" can lift objects, pick itself up after a fall, open and walk through doors, and even remind people to practice social distancing. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesThis robot is used to plant seeds and check plants at the "Nordic Harvest" vertical farm based in Taastrup, Denmark. The indoor farm is one of the biggest in Europe.Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesRobots sort packages at a warehouse run by JD.com -- one of China's largest e-commerce firms, in Wuhan, China, ahead of the annual Singles Day online shopping bonanza, in 2019.Hide Caption 8 of 8Reducing fatigue"When you have the glove on, it provides strength and reduces the effort needed when lifting objects," says Mikael Wester, Bioservo's marketing director. "It's all in order to reduce fatigue and prevent strain injuries in the long run."The Ironhand system was developed with General Motors as a partner.Read MoreThe system consists of a backpack, which houses the power pack, and artificial tendons that connect to the glove. There are sensors on each fingertip which switch on the motor when a user grabs an object. A remote control or app can be used to adjust the strength and sensitivity of the grip.Wester says applications include assembly on the production line in the automotive industry, using tools in construction and lifting heavy objects in warehouses.Each Ironhand system costs around €6,000 ($7,275). The device also collects data that allows the company to assess the wearer's risk of developing strain injuries. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, work-related neck and upper limb disorders are the most common occupational disease in Europe, costing national economies up to 2% of their gross national product.From NASA to General Motors The glove was originally intended for workers in a very different setting to the factory floor. NASA developed an early version of the technology, called "Robo-Glove," to help astronauts grasp objects and carry out work in space. The Ironhand system being used for assembling parts in the automobile industry. Bioservo licensed the design in 2016 and then partnered with auto manufacturer General Motors (GM) to develop the glove for its workers. Why online supermarket Ocado wants to take the human touch out of groceries"Ergonomics is really the field of trying to fit the jobs to the workers, instead of the workers having to conform and adapt to the job," says Stephen Krajcarski, a senior manager with GM's ergonomics team."By using tools such as the Ironhand we are really trying to mitigate any potential concerns or physical demands that may eventually cause a medical concern for that individual operator." Krajcarski says GM has helped Bioservo to test and improve the Ironhand by piloting it in a variety of jobs at its manufacturing plants. He says some workers have found it easy to use but adds that it's not suitable for all situations.The Ironhand is just one of the exoskeletons GM is looking into. According to market research firm ABI Research, the exoskeleton market will grow from $392 million in 2020 to $6.8 billion in 2030."If you look at exoskeletons, this is just one of the tools that are out there," says Krajcarski. "But this is an exciting technology."This story has been updated to correct the cost of the Ironhand system.

Words by Stephanie Bailey, video by Zahra Jamshed

2021-06-16 02:51:30

news

asia

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/15/asia/swarm-robots-hong-kong-warehouse-hnk-spc-intl/index.html

This swarm of robots gets smarter the more it works - CNN

In a Hong Kong warehouse, a swarm of autonomous robots works 24/7. They're not just working hard, they're working smart; as they operate, they get better at their job.

asia, This swarm of robots gets smarter the more it works - CNN

This swarm of robots gets smarter the more it works

(CNN)In a Hong Kong warehouse, a swarm of autonomous robots works 24/7. They're not just working hard, they're working smart; as they operate, they get better at their job.The Autonomous Mobile Robots were developed by Chinese startup Geek+. As they move around the warehouse they're guided by QR codes on the floor, and using AI they are able to make their own decisions, including what direction to travel and what route to take to their destination. Photos: The robots running our warehousesRobots are an increasingly familiar presence in warehouses. At the south-east London warehouse run by British online supermarket Ocado, 3,000 robots fulfill shopping orders. When an order is sent to the warehouse, the bots spring to life and head towards the container they require. Scroll through to see more robots that are revolutionizing warehouses.Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesIn response to the coronavirus pandemic, MIT collaborated with Ava Robotics and the Greater Boston Food Bank to design a robot that can use UV light to sanitize the floor of a 4,000-square foot warehouse in just 30 minutes. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesSeven-foot "Model-T" robots produced by Japanese startup Telexistence have been stacking shelves in two of Tokyo's largest convenience store franchises. Featuring cameras, microphones and sensors, the Model-T uses three "fingers" to stock items such as bottled drinks, cans and rice bowls. The robot is controlled by shop staff remotely.Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesUS company Boston Dynamics has become known for its advanced work robots. "Handle" is made for the warehouse and equipped with an on-board vision system. It can lift boxes weighing over 30 pounds. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesStretch is the latest robot from Boston Dynamics and can work in warehouses and distribution centers. Designed to keep human workers out of harm's way, Stretch's tentacle-like grippers mean it can manipulate boxes. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesAlthough not specifically designed for warehouses, Boston Dynamics' dog-like robot "Spot" can lift objects, pick itself up after a fall, open and walk through doors, and even remind people to practice social distancing. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesThis robot is used to plant seeds and check plants at the "Nordic Harvest" vertical farm based in Taastrup, Denmark. The indoor farm is one of the biggest in Europe.Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: The robots running our warehousesRobots sort packages at a warehouse run by JD.com -- one of China's largest e-commerce firms, in Wuhan, China, ahead of the annual Singles Day online shopping bonanza, in 2019.Hide Caption 8 of 8A team tracks these movements and uses the data to improve their algorithms, making the robots more efficient.Robots have become commonplace in warehouses worldwide and Geek+ says it has more than 15,000 robots in over 30 countries, including in Nike and Decathlon warehouses. Managing director Lit Fung says having robots that become more efficient over time helps companies meet demands for fast delivery, as well as reducing labor costs and human error. Read More"Everyone is looking for an automation solution to apply to their warehouse," he says. Watch the video for the full story.

Kathryn Vasel

2022-03-18 14:37:21

business

success

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/success/pandemic-work-from-home-career-changes/index.html

Two years later, remote work has changed millions of careers - CNN

Here's a look at how the pandemic reshaped people's careers in ways they never expected.

success, Two years later, remote work has changed millions of careers - CNN

Two years later, remote work has changed millions of careers

The pandemic thrust the working world into a new reality in March 2020 as offices closed and millions of people were forced to learn how to do their jobs from home.Two years later, employers and workers are still adapting to a new normal and trying to figure out what the future of work might look like.Some companies are determined to return to the way things were and get everyone back into the office. And some have embraced remote work, allowing employees to work from home full time or part of the time.But many workers are deciding to chart their own course. Some have found that they love working from home and never want to step foot in an office again. Others are itching to go back -- missing the in-person collaboration and socializing with peers. And some want a little bit of both worlds. That has prompted many workers to rethink or even switch careers and make some other big changes. Here's a look at how the pandemic reshaped people's careers in ways they never expected: Read MoreMoving cross country to start a new lifeAfter her job went fully remote, Chelsea Pruitt decided to move from California to Alabama. Chelsea Pruitt, 31, has lived in California for nearly her entire life. Now, she's headed to Alabama. Prior to the pandemic, Pruitt had thought about moving, but it wasn't until she started working remotely that the decision became a lot easier to make. "I feel like my chapter in life in San Francisco is changing," she said. "My perspective on things is changing. The things I want out of life are changing."Pruitt started working for long-term housing rental company Zeus Living in January 2020, right before the pandemic hit the US. At the time, she was going into the office five days a week. But once the pandemic began to shut things down in March, she started working remotely full time. That was just what Pruitt needed to make her decision. She had visited a co-worker in Birmingham, Alabama, a few times and decided that was the place she wanted to live."I love the vibe of the city, the change, and I loved [that] it's more leisurely, slow and less stressful and obviously a lot more affordable [than San Francisco], which I am really excited about."The high cost of living in San Francisco meant she always had to have roommates. "In San Francisco, I don't see myself being able to own a home unless I am married and have a dual income," she said. But since her pay will remain the same after the move to Birmingham and the cost of living will be significantly less, she'll be able to save more, and hopefully buy a home of her own and pay down her student loans."I am looking forward to that mental relief knowing that my cost of living is lower and I can save more," she said.Finally taking the leapCarlos Ortiz started his own consulting business during the pandemic. Carlos Ortiz had been working as an inspector with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for 19 years before the pandemic hit. He had been considering leaving his job for a few years, but was nervous about making such a big change. A lot of my friends are entrepreneurs and business people and I've never worked in the private industry ... so I decided, let me give it a shot" Carlos Ortiz"I started re-evaluating life and opportunities," Ortiz, 48, said of that time. "[But] I was very comfortable getting a paycheck every two weeks."But in April 2020, when businesses were shutting their offices down across the country, he realized he wanted more control over his life -- especially when it came to his work. So he began planning the launch of his own business."A lot of my friends are entrepreneurs and business people and I've never worked in the private industry ... so I decided, let me give it a shot," he said.At the start of 2021, he quit his full-time job and launched a consulting business to advise companies on how to comply with government regulations. To help provide some financial cushion as he launched the new venture, Ortiz had been saving up unused leave, which he got paid out for when he left his job.At first, "it was very scary," he said. Now, he's making slightly less than he was at his old job, but he's only working 20 hours a week. Ortiz said he also has more control over his schedule, and since most of his business is done over the phone and on video calls, he's been able to work from anywhere. So far, he's worked from Geneva, Switzerland, San Antonio and Anchorage, Alaska."I am getting back into my art and reading a lot more ... and exercising a lot more. And I am doing my chores as I've always done, but now I am just not exhausted."Enjoying the hybrid lifeAfter working from home for two years, John Pearson missed the collaboration and socialization that happens in the office.John Pearson used to have a hard deadline of 6:00 a.m. in order to be out of his driveway and on his way to work each morning."Otherwise, the commute goes from an hour to something much worse," said Pearson, 55, who is a senior vice president at PTC, an industrial software company in Boston. But for the past two years, his commute has been a quick walk down the hall to his home office. I can get through more complex problem solving much faster in a room with two or three people and a whiteboard than I can through Zoom" John PearsonAt first, he said he was more productive and less distracted when working from home. But now that he has periodically started going into the office, he realizes there are some advantages to in-person work. "I can get through more complex problem solving much faster in a room with two or three people and a whiteboard than I can through Zoom," he said.He also realized he missed talking to people in the office about simple things, like their kids or what they've been watching on TV. "When you are jumping from 30-minute call to 30-minute call on video, you just don't do that as much."His company plans to offer a flexible model to its employees -- something Pearson prefers. His goal is to be in the office two to three days a week. And as much as he didn't like the commute, he started to realize the role it played. "It really is a firm break in which you walk away and you close your laptop."The WFH convertRashmi Bhankhede used to prefer being in the office five days a week. Now she hopes to work remotely full-time.Rashmi Bhankhede never really liked the idea of working from home. "Before the pandemic...I definitely preferred working face-to-face in this open-office environment," she said. "I thought it was the most productive way for everyone." As a senior manager of software engineering at Capital One, she manages two teams. She used to want her teams to come into the office to collaborate, discuss projects, hold feedback sessions and interact on a more social level. But the pandemic has changed her approach. It doesn't matter where you are. If you have good processes to connect with your peers and [direct] reports, working remote can be very productive" Rashmi Bhankhede After two years of working from home, she's hoping to make remote work permanent. Capital One has said it will be on a hybrid schedule when it reopens its offices. "It doesn't matter where you are. If you have good processes to connect with your peers and [direct] reports, working remote can be very productive," said Bhankhede, 43.She added that the flexibility helps her manage her time better and that her team has become closer -- even though they haven't seen each other in person for two years. To better define the boundary between work and her personal life, Bhankhede gets dressed in her work clothes every morning and changes at the end of the day, followed by a relaxing activity like a walk. Working from home has also meant spending more time with her two sons and learning new hobbies since she no longer has to commute. "I started growing peppers and tomatoes and cucumbers ... and got back into sewing," she said. "I am still not good at it."Turning a hobby into a new career Cody Irion went back to school and switched careers during the pandemic.The pandemic hit right as Cody Irion's busy season was about to start. In 2020, he owned a horse transportation business in North Carolina. Typically, April through August were his most lucrative months, but when stay-at-home orders started sweeping the US, he quickly decided to close his business, sell the equipment and go back to school to get a degree in computer science. "I had the choice of going into a massive amount of debt to keep going or change careers," said Irion, 35. "I had started learning software development as a hobby and I really enjoyed it, so I didn't hesitate." He enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and since the majority of his classes have been virtual, he didn't have to move closer to campus until his final year, saving him a lot of money. He also believes he had more internship opportunities last summer since so many companies were still operating remotely.Irion is set to graduate this May and already has a job lined up at a financial services company. "I had never even considered software engineering before I started it as a hobby because I grew up in Southern Illinois with race horses," he said. "I knew nothing about the industry other than I liked computers and I started learning it and realized I was pretty good at it." Turning a side business into a full-time job Mabel Frias (pictured on the left with her sister) left her full-time job during the pandemic to fully commit to her side business, Luna Magic. Mabel Frias had been juggling two jobs at the beginning of the pandemic, but eventually had to make a decision: stay with the security and safety of her full-time job or pursue a riskier life as an entrepreneur. In March 2020, Frias was a little more than a year into working what she described as her "dream job" as director of digital merchandising at lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty. Meanwhile, she was also trying to grow Luna Magic, a beauty brand she launched with her sister in 2019.But as the pandemic forced many workers to do their jobs remotely, Luna Magic started gaining more traction and demanding more of her time. "Because we were in a Zoom culture, people still wanted from the face up to look good. You still wanted to have a level of presentation while you are on the screen," Frias, 35, said. While working two jobs meant long hours during the week and weekends, Frias was nervous about leaving her full-time job and the financial security it brought. So she set certain benchmarks for Luna Magic to hit, including partnerships and business opportunities, before she could feel comfortable walking away. "Part of the challenges a lot of entrepreneurs have is they jump to soon," she said. "I don't like to have economic anxiety. I am also a mother and practical about these things."Soon enough, the company was meeting her goals. In 2020, Walmart.com started selling the company's products, which includes makeup and other cosmetics. And in 2021, Walmart and Target started carrying products in some stores, as well as online. "I had to trust myself. I liked the idea of growing something from scratch," she said. In 2020, Frias applied to be on ABC's Shark Tank and was accepted. The show, which features entrepreneurs pitching their businesses to a panel of investors, aired in January 2021 -- the same day Frias quit her job. "I love the magic of creating something out of nothing. I saw our company as we get to bring even more beauty into the world at a moment when people are looking for it," Frias said.Just graduated and can't wait to work in personRachel Zipfel started her new job working fully remote, but hopes to eventually be in the office five days a week.Rachel Zipfel finished her college courses in the same place she started her first full-time job: in a room at her parents' house. Zipfel, 23, graduated from the University of Missouri, St. Louis in August 2021 with a degree in marketing. But because of the pandemic, her classes were remote for nearly her last two years of college. She's now working remotely for a digital marketing agency and has met her colleagues roughly five times in person. She feels like working from home has made it harder to get acclimated to the working world. When she first started, she found it challenging to learn the ropes. "If you are trying to ask someone a question, you don't know what they are doing on the other side of the computer, so what could be a five-minute question in person [could turn] into maybe two hours of waiting for an answer," she said.Zipfel started going into the office about once a week in January, and said she feels more productive. She hopes to eventually be there five days a week. "I've noticed a world of difference," she said. "There are none of the distractions that are at home. It's so much easier to get work done. If the person is there that I need to talk to I can get my question answered in five seconds versus two hours. I love being in the office and I cant wait for it to be back open again."Quit a job that wanted him back in the office When Ryan Bernsten found out his employer wanted him to come back into the office, he found a new job.Ryan Bernsten had only been working at his new job as a copywriter for a few weeks in March 2020 when he was sent home to work remotely.At the time, he was worried about how it would work. "Work from home? What would that even look like? I am going to miss out on all the social interaction -- I am new here," he recalled. If they aren't going to validate that I enjoy working from home, that I am better at home, and I enjoy my lifestyle at home, I need to find a job that will,"Ryan BernstenBut eventually he adapted. Now two years later, he prefers remote work. Working from home, he said, enables him to be more productive and have a better work-life balance. So when he learned he was going to be required to return to the office a few days a week, he started looking for a new job that allowed him to stay remote. "If they aren't going to validate that I enjoy working from home, that I am better at home, and I enjoy my lifestyle at home, I need to find a job that will," he said. It took him less than a month to get a new, fully remote job."I never ever have to go back to the office," Bernsten, 29, said. "You get to see people at their best. If we fly to San Francisco for a meeting, the adrenaline is there, we are excited to see people, we're going to make it count. But you don't have to see people every day ... when they have a cold, are in a bad mood or in a fight with their partner." And not only did he get added flexibility, he also got a higher salary. "I don't believe everyone needs to work from home," he said. "But some people work better from home. I never wake up dreading work because I am in the comfort of my home." Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated how long Mabel Frias worked at her previous employer.

Paul R. La Monica, CNN Business

2022-03-19 11:41:08

business

investing

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/investing/march-stock-market-volatility/index.html

Why March is so volatile for stocks - CNN

March Madness isn't just for college basketball fans. That phrase is also an apt description of the volatility on Wall Street, and this March is no different.

investing, Why March is so volatile for stocks - CNN

Why March is so volatile for stocks

New York (CNN Business)March Madness isn't just for college basketball fans. That phrase is also an apt description of the volatility on Wall Street, and this March is no different.Just look at what stocks have done so far this month. It began with worries about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the spike in oil and gas prices. The Dow plunged nearly 800 points on March 7 as energy prices surged.And if that weren't enough, the market was girding itself for the Federal Reserve's first rate hike since late 2018. The Dow was down nearly 4% for the month as of March 8. JUST WATCHEDPrice of oil drops below $100. That's good news for gas pricesReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHPrice of oil drops below $100. That's good news for gas prices 02:30It has since come roaring back and is now up 2.5% in March. The S&P 500 has risen 2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq has gained 1%. At one point this month, the index plummeted as much as 9%.March has often been a dramatic month for stocks. The dot-com boom of the late 1990s ended in March 2000 when the Nasdaq peaked and subsequently crashed more than 10% that month. Read MoreAnd just two years ago, stocks plunged in March after the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in America ground the US economy to a halt. Hopeful signs despite awful start to the month?The Great Recession (aka the 2008 Global Financial Crisis) peaked in March 2009. Stocks bottomed that month, after a nearly 60% decline from a high in October 2007, putting an end to a brutal bear market.If you have the stomach for it, you can do reasonably well in March. According to data from Yardeni Research, which looked into returns dating back to 1928, the S&P 500 on average rises 0.5% in the month. Stocks have gone up 57 times in March during that time frame and have fallen 37 times.Covid. War. Inflation. Recession fears. The stock market can't keep upLPL Financial chief market strategist Ryan Detrick looked back at how the S&P 500 fared in the 17 times since 1957 when the market fell in January and February and found that stocks usually rebound. The S&P 500 rose by an average of 1.1% in March of those years and wound up with a nearly 4% gain over the final 10 months following the drops in January and February."Seeing the first two months of a new year in the red isn't a great feeling, but the good news is lately it hasn't been a major warning sign," Detrick said in a report. Soothing comments from Fed chair Jerome Powell about the economy after the Fed's rate hike Wednesday could also be good news for stocks for the rest of March."There has been no doubt that it has been a rocky start to the year," said Angelo Kourkafas, investment strategist with Edward Jones. "Powell struck a positive note about the strength of the economy and the market's ability to withstand rate hikes."

Chris Isidore, CNN Business

2022-03-20 11:36:43

business

investing

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/investing/stocks-week-ahead/index.html

Stocks week ahead: Big Oil rakes in billions as prices soar. Lawmakers want them to pay us back - CNN

As crude prices surge, oil companies are raking in money -- enormous profits gained from practically no extra investment.

investing, Stocks week ahead: Big Oil rakes in billions as prices soar. Lawmakers want them to pay us back - CNN

Big Oil rakes in billions as prices soar. Lawmakers want them to pay us back

A version of this story first appeared in CNN Business' Before the Bell newsletter. Not a subscriber? You can sign up right here. New York (CNN Business)As crude prices surge, oil companies are raking in money -- enormous profits gained from practically no extra investment.ExxonMobil (XOM) made a $23 billion profit in 2021, its largest in seven years. And as oil prices rise, it's expected to make nearly $33 billion this year. BP (BP), meanwhile, earned $12.8 billion in 2021 and is forecast to earn $15.6 billion in 2022.This level of enormous earnings growth has driven talk on both sides of the Atlantic about the need for a windfall profit tax on Big Oil. Those taxes could provide direct financial assistance to consumers struggling with high energy costs. Both the United States and United Kingdom have imposed windfall profit taxes in the past in with broad political support. But this time around, support has been mostly limited to liberal parties in both nations.Oil 'emergency': Work from home and drive slower, IEA saysPrime Minister Boris Johnson has opposed the idea. His finance minister, Rishi Sunak, is expected to lay out the British government's plans to help citizens deal with rising energy costs Wednesday. Read MoreIn Washington, Democratic supporters of a windfall profit tax argue it's the only fair way to help people who can't afford to drive or heat their homes."We need to curb profiteering by Big Oil and provide relief to Americans at the gas pump — that starts with ensuring these corporations pay a price when they price gouge," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of the 12 co-sponsors of the measure in the Senate. The UK opposition Labour Party is calling for taxes on profits made by North Sea oil and gas companies to be raised for a year to help pay for a variety of financial relief measures. The US bill would tax the profits Big Oil companies make on crude prices above recent historical levels. It would pay hundreds of dollars annually to low- and middle-income taxpayers.But that assumes average oil prices of $120 a barrel — and prices surged past that level two weeks ago. Though prices have since fallen back, it highlights the challenge of writing legislation around a volatile commodities market. Brent oil closed Friday at just under $108. Retail gasoline prices have ticked down slightly, though at a much slower pace than oil prices have fallen.The US bill taxes the profits big oil companies get on crude prices above recent historical levels. But that assumes average oil prices of $120 a barrel. Prices surged past that level two weeks ago but have since fallen back.Russia could lose 30% of its oil output within weeks, IEA warns But the Biden administration has yet to voice any support for the windfall profit tax proposal, and the Senate lacks sufficient votes to pass it, argued Greg Valliere, chief US policy strategist for AGF Investments.Trade groups for both the American and British oil industries argue the windfall profit tax proposals would work against calls to increase domestic production in those countries as a way of making up for the loss of Russian crude oil."Lawmakers should focus on policies that increase US supply to help mitigate the situation rather than political grandstanding that does nothing but discourage investment at a time when it's needed the most," said Frank Macchiarola, senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs for the American Petroleum Institute.Deirdre Michie, CEO of Offshore Energies UK, argues that a windfall profit would result in oil companies further cutting their investment in oil production, "just when we most need our own oil and gas supplies," Michie said.But oil companies haven't been particularly eager to invest in more US or UK production. "Oil and gas companies do not want to drill more," Pavel Molchanov, an analyst at Raymond James, said recently. "They are under pressure from the financial community to pay more dividends, to do more share buybacks instead of the proverbial 'drill baby drill,' which is the way they would have done things 10 years ago. Corporate strategy has fundamentally changed."Still, Molchanov said proposals for a windfall profit tax are "political posturing, plain and simple, at a time when consumers are unhappy about high fuel prices," adding that "micromanaging tax rates based on short-term price swings, whether up or down, is counterproductive." he argued. Putin's moneyThe sprawling billion-dollar palace that sits on a hilltop overlooking the Black Sea is seen by some Kremlin critics as the ultimate emblem of Russian President Vladimir Putin's legacy of corruption.Dubbed "Putin's Palace," the 190,000 square-foot mega-mansion was purportedly built for his personal use with funds from billionaire oligarchs, whom he allegedly allowed to flourish in Russia's notoriously corrupt economy so long as they shared the wealth -- with him.The property has its own amphitheater, underground hockey rink and private seaport, according to a documentary produced by jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny's anti-corruption group. There is a no-fly zone in the skies above and a no-boating zone in the surrounding waters.The magnificent fortress stands in stark contrast to the tiny 800-square-foot apartment Putin claims in his official 2020 financial disclosure.Yet, despite the opulence of the hilltop retreat, "I would be very surprised if Putin ever sets foot in there again," Nate Sibley, an expert on Russian corruption who advises members of Congress, told CNN.Sibley said the palace symbolizes what he sees as a bygone era of Putin pursuing, through the wealth of oligarchs, a luxurious lifestyle that he could never afford on his government salary. While Putin is believed to have amassed a hidden fortune by such means earlier in his career, Sibley said, he has since become less reliant on his wealthy benefactors over the years and has surrounded himself instead with government and military loyalists who share his hardline nationalist views.That shift, some Russia experts told CNN, may make it more difficult to make Putin personally feel the sting of economic sanctions the US and its European allies have imposed to punish him for invading Ukraine.Putin has positioned himself, as Sibley put it, "above the fray."For more on the Russian leader's wealth, check out the full story from CNN's Curt Devine, Casey Tolan and Majlie de Puy Kamp. Up nextMonday: Earnings from Nike and Tencent Music; Russia bond payment dueTuesday: Earnings from Carnival and AdobeWednesday: US new home sales; EIA crude oil inventories; Earnings from General Mills and KB HomeThursday: US unemployment claims; Earnings from Darden Restaurants and NIO; IEA meeting in Paris with US energy secretary

Matt Egan, CNN Business

2022-03-18 14:26:26

business

energy

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/energy/oil-russia-emergency-plan/index.html

Oil 'emergency': Work from home and drive slower, IEA says - CNN

Governments around the world must consider drastic steps to slash oil demand in the face of an emerging global energy crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the International Energy Agency warned on Friday.

energy, Oil 'emergency': Work from home and drive slower, IEA says - CNN

Oil 'emergency': Work from home and drive slower, IEA says

New York (CNN Business)Governments around the world must consider drastic steps to slash oil demand in the face of an emerging global energy crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the International Energy Agency warned on Friday.The energy watchdog detailed a 10-point emergency plan that includes reducing speed limits on highways by at least 6 miles per hour, working from home up to three days a week where possible and car-free Sundays in cities.The recommendations for advanced economies like the United States and European Union would aim to offset the feared loss of nearly one-third of Russia's oil production due to sanctions leveled on Moscow. Other steps in the emergency plan include increasing car sharing, using high-speed and night trains instead of planes, avoiding business air travel when possible and incentivizing walking, cycling and public transportation.Oil spikes back above $100 as Russia fears growIf fully implemented, the moves would lower world oil demand by 2.7 million barrels per day within four months -- equal to the oil consumed by all the cars in China, the IEA said. And the impact would be greater if emerging economies like India and China adopted them in part or in full.Read MoreHowever, the emergency steps would disrupt or even slow down a world economy that remains largely addicted to fossil fuels, especially for transportation. The IEA is suggesting the headaches would be better than the alternative."As a result of Russia's appalling aggression against Ukraine, the world may well be facing its biggest oil supply shock in decades, with huge implications for our economies and societies," IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a statement.The proposals reflect a recognition that the world has few realistic options to quickly replace oil supplies from Russia, the world's No. 2 oil producer in 2021. OPEC has signaled it's in no rush to ramp up production and the release of emergency oil stockpiles has done little to ease shortage fears. "The US and other IEA countries now realize that the potential loss of Russia's oil exports constitutes a bigger supply shock than either strategic stock draws or accelerated OPEC+ production hikes can solve," said Bob McNally, president of consulting firm Rapidan Energy.The Russia-Ukraine crisis has sent oil prices surging over the past month, driving up gasoline prices in the United States to record highs. Although oil prices have pulled back from their recent highs, oil soared back above $100 a barrel on Thursday on renewed concerns about the impact to Russian energy supplies.

As told to by Chris Wellisz, International Monetary Fund

2022-03-20 12:57:36

business

perspectives

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/perspectives/imf-digital-currencies/index.html

Opinion: Technology is transforming the nature of money. Here's how it will affect our lives - CNN

The convenience of digital payments to both consumers and businesses makes it highly unlikely that cash will survive much longer.

perspectives, Opinion: Technology is transforming the nature of money. Here's how it will affect our lives - CNN

Technology is transforming the nature of money. Here's how it will affect our lives

This interview has been edited from its original version. It was originally published in its entirety in the International Monetary Fund's Spring 2022 issue of Finance & Development magazine. Eswar Prasad is the Tolani Senior Professor of Trade Policy at Cornell University. He is also a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. In his latest book, "The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution Is Transforming Currencies and Finance," Cornell University professor Eswar S. Prasad describes how digital currencies and other financial technologies are reshaping everything from consumer banking to monetary policy and international payments. In a conversation with the International Monetary Fund, Prasad lays out the advantages and perils of the new forms of money. IMF: Is cash destined to wither away?Prasad: The convenience of digital payments to both consumers and businesses makes it highly unlikely that cash will survive much longer. In China there are two private payment providers, Alipay and WeChat Pay, that have blanketed the entire Chinese economy with very low-cost digital payments. You can use those for something as simple as buying, say, a piece of fruit or a couple of dumplings from a street vendor. In advanced economies like Sweden, the private sector is doing an equally good job of providing very low-cost digital payments.IMF: Is it likely that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin will be used to buy a cup of coffee or pay the rent?Read MorePrasad: Bitcoin has not worked very well as a medium of exchange that can be used for day-to-day transactions. One main reason is that Bitcoin has very unstable value. It's as though you took a bitcoin in with you to a coffee shop, and one day you could buy a whole meal with it and on another day just get a small cup of coffee. In addition, Bitcoin is somewhat slow and cumbersome to use.IMF: Some countries are considering the adoption of a so-called central bank digital currency (CBDC). What is the rationale?Prasad: For some developing countries, the objective is that of broadening financial inclusion. There are many people in those countries who don't have access to digital payments. They don't have access to basic banking products and services. In countries like Sweden, where most people do have access to bank accounts, the imperative is a little different. The Swedish central bank, the Riksbank, envisions the e-krona, or the digital krona, as essentially a backstop to the private payment infrastructure.The US dollar could go digital. Here's what you need to knowIMF: How about China?Prasad: The Chinese government is very concerned about two payment providers that have come to dominate the payment system and are blocking effectively the entry of new competitors who could provide innovations. The Chinese central bank views a digital yuan as essentially a complement to the existing payment systems, but one that could in principle increase the amount of competition.IMF: How does a digital currency affect the ability of a central bank to control inflation and ensure full employment?Prasad: Let's say all American citizens had, in effect, an account with the Federal Reserve, then it would be a lot easier for the Fed to undertake certain operations such as stimulus payments. When the pandemic hit, the initial coronavirus stimulus bill involved a large amount of money being transferred to American households. Many households that had direct deposit information on file with the Internal Revenue Service were able to get direct deposits to their bank accounts, but households that did not have that information on file with the IRS ended up getting prepaid debit cards or checks, many of which were lost in the mail and some of which were misappropriated or mutilated.IMF: Could central bank digital currencies be used to fight tax evasion and other crimes?Prasad: If you cannot use cash to pay your gardener or babysitter, it's much more likely that those payments will get reported to the government. And especially for large-value transactions, that will certainly make a difference in terms of tax revenues. Having digital money also reduces the use of cash for illicit transactions, say for drug trafficking or money laundering.IMF: Are there risks for private sector banks and payment providers?Prasad: If the government is in effect providing a very low-cost digital payment system, that might make it very difficult for private payment providers to continue their services because after all, what private corporation can compete with the deep pockets of the government? There is another risk, which is that commercial banks, which are very important in modern economies in terms of providing credit that fuels economic activity, might find that their deposits are being swept away into central bank accounts. In troubled times depositors might feel that ultimately their deposits are going to be safer with the central bank or other government institution compared to a commercial bank, even if the commercial bank deposits are insured.IMF: Is there a solution to that problem?Prasad: The experiments with CBDCs that are underway in China and Sweden are suggesting that what might work more efficiently is a dual-tier system of CBDCs. The central bank would provide the underlying payment infrastructure and provide the CBDC essentially in the form of digital tokens, but the actual digital wallets in which those CBDCs are maintained would be held by the commercial banks.China's digital yuan shows why we still need cryptocurrencies like bitcoinIMF: Do you see a digital yuan threatening the dollar's dominant position as a global currency by virtue of China's status as a fast-growing world economy?Prasad: It's not just the economic size or the size of the financial markets of a country issuing a particular currency, but also the institutional framework in that country that maintains the trust of foreign investors. And these elements of trust include the rule of law, an independent central bank, and an institutionalized system of checks and balances. In all these dimensions, I think the US still retains a dominance relative to much of the rest of the world.IMF: The US Federal Reserve has a cautious attitude toward CBDCs. Why?Prasad: One needs to think about what the user case really is for the CBDC in each country, and in the US certainly we have certain issues with our payment systems. A lot of payments are intermediated through credit cards, which are actually quite expensive for merchants to use because of the very high interchange fees. And many of those costs are passed on to consumers. About 5% percent of households in the US are still unbanked or underbanked. So you and I can use Apple Pay, but to use Apple Pay, we need to have that linked to a bank account or a credit card, and many households simply don't have access to that. So a CBDC might at the margin increase financial inclusion, but the Fed already has a major project underway called "FedNow" to increase the efficiency of both retail payments as well as wholesale payments; that is, payments among businesses and financial institutions.IMF: Do official digital currencies pose broader dangers for society?Prasad: You could see an authoritarian government using a digital version of its central bank money essentially to surveil its population. And even a benevolent government might decide that it wants to make sure that the money its central bank issues not only is not used for illicit purposes, but is also not used for purposes it might regard as not necessarily socially beneficial. You might well start seeing money being used as an instrument not just of economic policy, but potentially even social policy. That would be dangerous for the credibility of central bank money and for central banks themselves.

Paul R. La Monica, CNN Business

2022-03-18 17:14:11

business

investing

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/investing/smartphones-price-plans-inflation/index.html

Inflation is everywhere. Except your cell phone bill - CNN

Inflation is everywhere: grocery stores, gas stations, retailers and the housing market. But one important part of the economy has remained immune to higher prices: cell phone bills.

investing, Inflation is everywhere. Except your cell phone bill - CNN

Inflation is everywhere. Except your cell phone bill

New York (CNN Business)Inflation is everywhere: grocery stores, gas stations, retailers and the housing market. But one important part of the economy has remained immune to higher prices: cell phone bills. And telecom stocks are paying for it.Even as Americans pay more for just about everything else, the average price of mobile plans continues to drop. That's in large part because of the intense competition between Verizon (VZ), CNN parent company AT&T (T) and T-Mobile (TMUS). Price wars are as prevalent as ever, even after T-Mobile merged with Sprint in 2020 — a deal that some feared would lead to more pricing power for the industry's giants. Dollar stores are battling over $1 pricesThe decline in wireless service bills stands "in such stark contrast to the prevailing inflation that is seemingly everywhere else," analysts at Wall Street research firm MoffettNathanson wrote in a report titled "The Industry Inflation Forgot."And it's showing in financial results. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all reported fourth-quarter drops in average revenue per user (ARPU) — a key price metric in the wireless business. AT&T posted the biggest decline at 1.1%, while Verizon and T-Mobile prices each fell less than 1%.Read MoreThe analysts argue that this may be the key reason why shares of Verizon and AT&T haven't taken off this year. Verizon is flat and AT&T is down 6%. While that's not as bad as the S&P 500's nearly 7.5% loss, it's still nothing to call (or text) home about."Against a backdrop of terrifying geopolitical risks and disquieting financial ones, it is not surprising that telecom stocks have outperformed," the MoffettNathanson analysts wrote. "If there is a surprise, it is that they haven't outperformed more."They point out that the top US wireless providers have no exposure to Europe, where recession risks are higher and consumers are feeling an even bigger crunch from skyrocketing oil and natural gas costs. Wireless stocks still should do well even if economy slumpsTypically, telecom companies are also considered good defensive bets when the economy is slowing."If there is a U.S. recession, their services are, by and large, indispensable. Verizon and AT&T are both stable dividend payers," the analysts added. Both companies pay dividends with yields significantly higher than long-term Treasury bonds. "They are ideally suited, it would seem, for the times. What they lack, however, is pricing power," the analysts added. JUST WATCHED'Why so many Americans are sour on the economy:' Romans breaks down inflation reportReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH'Why so many Americans are sour on the economy:' Romans breaks down inflation report 01:15T-Mobile's stock has held up better, gaining about 10% this year thanks in part to market-share gains and low level of customer churn (i.e. subscribers changing their wireless provider). "Only T-Mobile appears well positioned to weather this storm," said the MoffettNathanson analysts. "With still many growth opportunities ahead...we believe T-Mobile's share gains are poised to accelerate."As part of its deal with Sprint, T-Mobile said it would not raise prices for existing customers for three years. But AT&T and Verizon seem to recognize that they may need to boost prices. At AT&T's analyst day earlier this month, chief financial officer Pascal Desroches predicted that there will be a "more normalized industry backdrop" and what he called "surgical" price hikes later this year. The goal is"stable ARPU," he added.And Verizon chief financial officer Matt Ellis said during the company's earnings call in late January that there is "good news" for the company on the expenses front. Many of the company's costs are tied to longer-term contracts, he said, which means Verizon is "not necessarily going to see the full impact of inflation and at the same pace that other industries are seeing."But Ellis didn't dismiss the threat of further pricing pressures."Inflation is out there. And certainly, we'll see some of that," he said. "It's real. We'll take actions to address that."

Jordan Valinsky, CNN Business

2022-03-18 11:32:30

business

business-food

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/business-food/burger-king-russia-joint-venture/index.html

Burger King partner 'refuses' to close 800 Russian locations - CNN

Burger King is trying to suspend its operations in Russia, but that's proving difficult. A business partner controlling 800 restaurants has "refused" to close them, the company said.

business-food, Burger King partner 'refuses' to close 800 Russian locations - CNN

Burger King franchise 'refuses' to close 800 Russian restaurants

New York (CNN Business)Burger King is trying to suspend its operations in Russia, but that's proving difficult. A business partner controlling 800 restaurants has "refused" to close them, the company said.The burger chain, owned by Restaurant Brands International (QSR), has a joint venture partnership with businessman Alexander Kolobov in Russia. RBI controls just 15% of its Russian Burger King business, and Kolobov is responsible for the "day-to-day operations and oversight" of its locations in the country.That means Burger King can't just snap its fingers and close up shop. "We started the process to dispose [of] our ownership stake in the business," said David Shear, president of RBI's international operations, in an open letter. "While we would like to do this immediately, it is clear that it will take some time to do so based on the terms of our existing joint venture agreement."A Burger King restaurant at a St. Petersburg shopping center. McDonald's (MCD), by contrast, owns more than 80% of its restaurants in Russia outright. That made exiting the country significantly easier.Read MoreShear said that RBI has "demanded" that the joint venture immediately close the Burger Kings, but Kolobov has "refused to do so." Burger King entered Russia about a decade ago, operating the joint venture with Kolobov, Investment Capital Ukraine and VTB Capital, a Russian bank that has been hit with sanctions.Shear explained that a "complicated legal process" is preventing it from shutting down the partnership and businesses. McDonald's transformed Russia ... now it's abandoning the country"There are no legal clauses that allow us to unilaterally change the contract or allow any one of the partners to simply walk away or overturn the entire agreement," Shear said. "No serious investor in any industry in the world would agree to a long-term business relationship with flimsy termination clauses."Last week, Burger King pulled corporate support from its businesses in Russia, including suspending operations, marketing and supply chain assistance.This issue highlights the problems some Western companies and banks face in pulling out of Russia, complicated by joint ventures or partnerships that they don't have complete control over. For example, a Papa Johns (PZZA) franchisee in Russia refused to close about 200 locations even after the pizza chain suspended corporate support for it.

Oliver Darcy, CNN Business

2022-03-19 02:51:46

business

media

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/media/axios-ukraine-article/index.html

White House 'appalled' at Axios over Ukraine article - CNN

The White House spent much of Friday frustrated by an Axios report that it believes was based on a fabricated letter purportedly written by Ukraine's top national security official.

media, White House 'appalled' at Axios over Ukraine article - CNN

White House 'appalled' at Axios over Ukraine article

New York (CNN Business)A version of this article first appeared in the "Reliable Sources" newsletter. You can sign up for free right here.The White House spent much of Friday frustrated by an Axios report that it believes was based on a fabricated letter purportedly written by Ukraine's top national security official. The Axios story, written by reporter Zachary Basu, said that Oleksiy Danilov had asked the US earlier this month "to go beyond traditional military aid and provide the country with the funding, training and weaponry to support a long-term resistance movement." But Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova later told Axios that she believed the letter was "falsified." And officials at the National Security Council also told Axios they have no record of receiving such a letter from Danilov.Here's what I have gathered after talking to a senior administration official familiar with the matter: White House and CIA officials told Axios off the record on Thursday that they had no record of receiving Danilov's supposed letter and that they could not confirm its authenticity. In other words, they tried to wave Basu away from it. When Basu published his report anyway, the White House connected the outlet with Markarova so that she could relay that she believed it to be inauthentic. Markarova did so on Friday. Meanwhile, the White House repeatedly asked Axios to retract its story — all to no avail. "We were appalled that Axios apparently did not have time to verify with Ukrainian officials whether or not this letter was a fake, but made sure to reach out to a former Trump official with no knowledge of the situation for a 'gotcha' quote," the senior admin official told me. "And then we were even more appalled it stayed up all day despite our repeated asks to take the story down when became obvious the letter was a fake — which Axios should have dug up before publishing in the first place."Read MoreShortly after I contacted Axios for comment Friday evening, the outlet updated its story. Axios changed the headline — which initially read "Scoop: Ukraine sought long-term resistance funding" — to "Ukraine's ambassador disputes letter asking U.S. for resistance support." The new story, which included Markarova saying the document appeared "falsified," cited a "former senior Ukrainian official close to Danilov" who told Axios "that they had received the letter from Danilov's office, and that it was also distributed to Ukrainian American groups and think tank experts in Washington." But crucially, the source also told Axios that he or she could not confirm the letter was officially transmitted to the US government — essentially the crux of the initial story.Notably, at that point, the article didn't include a correction or retraction, despite it seemingly having no real legs to stand on. Later in the evening, a proper correction was ultimately appended to the top of the story. It read, in part, "This corrects an original version of this story that stated the Ukrainian government 'asked' for additional assistance from the U.S. government, when Axios was unable to confirm the letter was actually sent." Still, given that Axios is now conceding it was "unable to confirm" the main point of its initial story, it is surprising that a more forceful correction or full retraction wasn't issued.NSC spokesperson Emily Horne went on the record about the whole episode. In a statement to me, she said, "We told Axios that we had not received this letter and were unable to verify its authenticity. There's a lot of disinformation and misinformation being pushed around about Ukraine right now. This is a moment where taking the extra time to verify reporting is even more essential than usual."

Ramishah Maruf, CNN

2022-03-20 20:50:32

business

media

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/media/reliable-sources-kyiv-independent/index.html

How Ukrainian news outlet Kyiv Independent is protecting its journalists - CNN

As Russia's attack on Ukraine continues to intensify, reporting from the war zone is becoming increasingly difficult — and dangerous. Four journalists have so far been killed reporting on the war and many more are injured or missing.

media, How Ukrainian news outlet Kyiv Independent is protecting its journalists - CNN

How this Ukrainian news outlet is protecting its journalists

New York (CNN)As Russia's attack on Ukraine continues to intensify, reporting from the war zone is becoming increasingly difficult — and dangerous. Four journalists have so far been killed reporting on the war and many more are injured or missing. Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna has been missing for more than a week, and her outlet believes she is being held by Russian forces. However, Olga Rudenko, editor-in-chief of the Kyiv Independent, said journalist Oleh Baturyn, who was kidnapped last week in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Kakhovka, was just released by Russian fighters. The Kyiv Independent is a fairly new publication but has earned acclaim for its war coverage. "It's gone from being a three-month-old startup and a relative unknown in the Western world to now one of the leading sources of information on the war in Ukraine," CNN chief media correspondent Brian Stelter said on Reliable Sources Sunday.Rudenko said no one on her team has been directly targeted yet, but reporting on the conflict is a "daily risk."Read More"We have to remember that this is an invasion by an authoritarian regime that has been targeting journalists and media consistently for decades now," Rudenko said. Rudenko said the outlet is learning as they go when it comes to protecting employees who have suddenly found themselves war correspondents. Several of the Independent's reporters already had experience working in a war zone following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Now they are once again working in dangerous locations, including Kyiv.One of the outlet's biggest fears is that Russian forces may cut off internet connections, hindering their ability to publish news."We do not concentrate" in one place, Rudenko said. "We are in different locations."Work goes on, but there is an emphasis on avoiding unnecessary risks. "We are also telling reporters that safety is a priority," Rudenko said. "No story is worth a human life." But the psychological impacts will last after the war, Rudenko said. "Just being thrown into this," Rudenko said of the toll the fighting is taking. "This new reality where we cover this horror every day and every hour."

Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Business

2022-03-19 12:10:14

business

business

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/business/kohls-stock-department-stores-activist-investor/index.html

How Kohl's became such a mess - CNN

In 2018, Kohl's was a bright spot in the beleaguered department store sector.

business, How Kohl's became such a mess - CNN

How Kohl's became such a mess

New York (CNN Business)In 2018, Kohl's was a bright spot in the beleaguered department store sector.Sales were growing, Kohl's (KSS) stock price was booming and new CEO Michelle Gass was earning widespread praise for her creative approach, including partnering with Amazon (AMZN) to offer free Amazon returns at Kohl's stores.Out of the three largest US department store chains — Kohl's, Macy's (M) and Nordstrom (JWN) — Kohl's looked to be in the strongest position.Not anymore. Kohl's is in turmoil today. The chain's sales are lower than before the pandemic, despite strong consumer spending and as its rivals enjoy big gains. Activist investors are circling Kohl's and demanding leadership changes. A sale of the company could be on the horizon.Read More"We see a company that's lost its way," said Jonathan Duskin, managing partner at Macellum Advisors, an activist investment firm that has become Kohl's third largest shareholder.Kohl's is under heavy pressure from investors and retail rivals.Macellum and a group of activist investors took a stake in Kohl's last year. The group reached a settlement with Kohl's in April, but Macellum has recently revived its effort to overhaul Kohl's because of continued stock price weakness and market share losses.Kohl's "should be doing better than Macy's, not worse," Duskin said. "We see a lot of initiatives that sound okay, but never really result in growth."In a statement, a Kohl's spokesperson blasted Macellum, saying the firm was "using a misinformed, shifting and hollow narrative" to push for changes that would not improve Kohl's and result in "poorly qualified and inexperienced" board directors.The spokesperson said Kohl's has made "substantial progress in transforming our business and positioning the Company for long-term success.""We are already delivering results," the spokesperson added, pointing to the company's record earnings in 2021, operating profit margins reached two years ahead of schedule and an increase in the company's quarterly dividend.Kohl's is attempting yet another makeover to turn things around, but its success is far from guaranteed.Fighting the tideWith more than 1,100 US stores and around $19 billion in annual sales, Kohl's is the largest department store chain in the United States.The department store sector has been in structural decline for years against pressure from Amazon, growing big-box chains including Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT), and discount clothing stores like TJMaxx. Companies such as Sears, JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, Barney's and others have filed for bankruptcy in recent years. Department stores including Kohl's have been undercut on prices by discount players from the bottom, and prestige by luxury stores at the top, said John Fisher, a senior lecturer at Boston College's Carroll School of Management and former CEO of Saucony running shoes."It's hard to be unique," Fisher said. "I think Kohl's is caught right now by death in the middle."Kohl's CEO Michelle Gass has been considered one of the most innovative executives in retail.Kohl's has lost around 17% of its market share since 2011, primarily to off-price retailers such as TJMaxx (TJX), as well as Amazon, according to UBS."[F]orces like consumers' migration to online and preference for value have contributed to this erosion," UBS analyst Jay Sole said in a recent report. "This will likely continue after the pandemic."Since Gass, a former top deputy to Howard Schultz at Starbucks (SBUX), took over as Kohl's CEO in 2018, the company has attempted a handful of approaches to draw customers and stave off competitors.In addition to the returns partnership with Amazon, Kohl's expanded its athleisure clothing business with brands such as Nike (NKE) and Under Armour (UA). Kohl's also shrunk the size of a handful of stores and leased out the extra space to Aldi and Planet Fitness, made a bigger play for Millennials with new brands such as PopSugar and, more recently, opened Sephora beauty stores inside Kohl's.These strategies have not led to major improvements. Kohl's has improved its athleisure business and other areas, but its women's clothing business has slumped. In 2018, sales inched up 0.7% from the prior year. In 2019, they dropped 1.2% before plunging 20% in 2020 due to store closures and Covid-19 restrictions.Last year, after stores reopened and shoppers refreshed their wardrobes, sales bounced back 23% — but that was still below pre-pandemic levels.Competition has become more cutthroat in the four years since Gass took over, and "a lot of Kohl's stores feel tired," said Neil Saunders, managing director of retail at GlobalData. "It has been very easy for customers to switch away from Kohl's to others offering something better."And brand partnerships with Amazon and Sephora do not address core issues, he added. "Kohl's needs to look to improving its own brand rather than relying on others to lift it."A sale looming?Over the last few months, activist investors have been pressing for changes at Kohl's. One firm, Engine Capital, urged Kohl's to spin off its e-commerce business from its stores or find a buyer to take the company private. "Even the most patient long-term shareholders cannot be expected to endure the punishing underperformance and perpetual value disconnect seen at Kohl's," Engine Capital said in December. A month later, Macellum Advisors said it would nominate a slate of new board members at Kohl's because Kohl's board and leadership "spent another year materially mismanaging the business." Private equity firms also made buyout offers for Kohl's, which the company rejected.To fight off pressure, Kohl's last week laid out plans for a "complete reinvention of our business model and our brand" at an investor day. JCPenney and Tide tried to get rid of coupons. It was a disasterKohl's said it would add Sephora mini-shops to roughly 75% of its 1,100 US stores, open 100 new locations at half the size of its traditional outlets in the next four years and increase its popular Kohl's Cash rewards program to 7.5% on purchases, up from 5%. Kohl's also unveiled new strategies to grow online, including self-service for pickup orders and returns."We're evolving our position from a department store to a more focused lifestyle concept centered around the active and casual lifestyle," Gass said in a presentation.But to Duskin at Macellum Advisors, the plan was "disappointing."He believes the strategy won't meaningfully change how consumers see Kohl's — and he says it's time for a new board and, possibly, a new CEO. Kohl's has not fully taken advantage of its stores being located away from traditional malls, which are losing foot traffic, he said, and he questions whether the investment in Sephora is worth the cost.Kohl's said last week that it has engaged with more than 20 potential buyers for the company, a sign of wide interest. Hudson's Bay Co., the owner of Saks Fifth Avenue, also is considering a bid, Axios reported Wednesday.Kohl's board has an "ongoing dialogue with potential bidders" and will measure any offers against its own "compelling standalone plan," a spokesperson said.Duskin expects Kohl's to accept a buyout offer, he said. "This company can easily be turned around."

Analysis by Brian Stelter, CNN Business

2022-03-21 03:21:05

business

media

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/media/disney-bob-chapek-reliable-sources/index.html

Disney braces for further walkouts as employees express discontent with CEO Bob Chapek - CNN

Disney versus Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is far from over.

media, Disney braces for further walkouts as employees express discontent with CEO Bob Chapek - CNN

Disney braces for further walkouts as employees express discontent with CEO Bob Chapek

New York (CNN Business)A version of this article first appeared in the "Reliable Sources" newsletter. You can sign up for free right here.Disney versus Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is far from over. And Disney is the state's largest private-sector employer, so this is a battle between giants -- one that DeSantis clearly welcomes as he plots a run for president.At issue: Florida's Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill, that would ban classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity before fourth grade. Disney CEO Bob Chapek tiptoed around the bill at first, was pilloried by employees, and then publicly criticized the bill after it passed the state's legislature. Chapek apologized to LGBTQ employees, but his words did little to lower the temperature. Some employees staged brief walkouts last week, ahead of a "full day walkout" slated to take place on Tuesday.How many will participate? No one knows. "It's unclear whether it will draw a crowd" among studios employees, CNBC's Julia Boorstin wrote, "as only a fraction of employees have been coming in to work on the lot."But the earlier walkouts garnered a lot of attention, and "the act of protest will culminate" on Tuesday, as The AP's Mike Schneider put it. Three new stories have outstanding insight into this issue...Read MoreChapek's decision backfiredThe WSJ's Robbie Whelan, Erich Schwartzel and Joe Flint nailed it with this lead:"Chapek made a decision at the start of the year: Disney was staying out of politics. The strategy was meant in part to help the entertainment giant avoid the culture clashes between executives and employees that have plagued many companies in recent years, said people familiar with his thinking. Instead, it backfired."Chapek's mishandling of the Florida fight "managed to offend both progressives, who wanted the company to do and say more to fight the bill, and conservatives, who wanted Disney to stay out of the debate and now claim it is bowing to liberal agitators within its ranks.">> Chapek's contract is up for renewal next February, so "several current and former Disney executives described the next 11 months as a critical period for the CEO," the WSJ team added...The view from FloridaCNN's expert in all things Florida politics, Steve Contorno, is out with an excellent new story about how the Disney dispute has further bolstered DeSantis's standing within the GOP. It has also "exposed a widening chasm between the current crop of Republican leaders and the corporations that have traditionally curried favor with the GOP," Contorno wrote...>> Christopher Miles, a Miami-based GOP consultant, told Contorno that watching a Florida governor go after Disney was "not a world I expected to be living in a couple of years ago." But DeSantis, like Donald Trump, has gained popularity by bucking conventional wisdom...Chapek and Iger at oddsIn media insider circles, the weekend's #1 read was Alex Sherman's story for CNBC about the falling out between Chapek and his predecessor Bob Iger. It's a rift that now "looms over Disney's future."In the wake of the Florida debacle, several Disney employees have called Iger "to express their disappointment in Chapek," Sherman reported. But "while public controversies generate headlines, it's likely to be Chapek's internal changes, and how successful they become, that will determine his future as Disney's CEO."One of the key changes is the elevation of Kareem Daniel, who has profit and loss oversight over Disney's media and entertainment businesses. Daniel has "one of the most powerful jobs ever created in media," Sherman wrote. Daniel has not given any interviews since his October 2020 promotion. Read all about the internal intrigue here...Moments of silence on ESPNWe noted on Friday that ESPN announcers Carolyn Peck and Courtney Lyle showed solidarity with fellow employees by going silent for two minutes at the start of the NCAA women's tournament. During Sunday's tournament coverage, they did it again, remaining silent "for about two minutes as the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Miami Hurricanes tipped off," per Analis Bailey of USA Today."Announcers Stephanie White and Pam Ward also observed a moment of silence during Saturday's game in Connecticut," Bailey added. And Elle Duncan mentioned the walkouts on the air on Friday...

Ramishah Maruf, CNN

2022-03-20 20:44:33

business

business

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/business/disney-native-american-logo/index.html

Disney said it regrets racist cheer by high school team - CNN

Disney said it regrets a performance at its Orlando theme park by a high school cheerleading squad after it received backlash for the routine's depictions of Native Americans.

business, Disney said it regrets racist cheer by high school team - CNN

Disney said it regrets racist cheer by high school team

(CNN)Disney said it regrets a performance at its Orlando theme park by a high school cheerleading squad after it received backlash for the routine's depictions of Native Americans. A widely circulated video of the Port Neches-Groves High School "Indianettes" from Texas shows the team dancing and chanting "scalp 'em Indians, scalp 'em" while performing moves that appear to appropriate Native American culture in a parade at Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park. Disney employees are staging walkouts over company's response to the 'Don't Say Gay' bill"The live performance in our park did not reflect our core values, and we regret it took place," Disney spokesperson Jacquee Wahler said in a statement. "It was not consistent with the audition tape the school provided and we have immediately put measures in place so this is not repeated." Tara Houska, an Ojibwe tribal attorney and advocate, tweeted the video. "Shame on @DisneyParks hosting this," Houska wrote. "Nostalgic racism is RACISM." Read MoreOn its website, the school district said the "Indianettes" drill team has been a tradition for over 50 years. CNN reached out to the school district on Saturday and Sunday for comment but did not hear back. The school district's Twitter account has been deleted. In a statement to KFDM, a spokesperson from the school said the team had performed the routine at Disney before with no issue."This is our eighth time at Disney," the spokesperson said. "They don't ask what you're going to do as far as a performance. It's just contest video and they see the uniforms. They asked for nothing else. This is the same performance we've done all eight times."Port Neches-Groves High School has previously faced calls to change its mascot, which is listed on its website as "Indians," and depicted by a Native American man in a feathered headdress.The Cherokee Nation said it has reached out to the school district and board in the past several years "asking them to cease using this offensive imagery, chanting, symbolism and other practices in their school traditions," Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Friday in a statement addressing the recent performance in Orlando.Disney CEO apologizes for 'silence' on 'Don't Say Gay' billThe online reaction to the parade follows a controversial week for Disney.Last Friday, Disney CEO Bob Chapek issued an apology for his previous public silence on a controversial Florida bill that would ban certain instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity for children from kindergarten to third trade. Critics have dubbed it the "Don't Say Gay Bill." Chapek initially said the company would not publicly condemn it. Some of the company's employees staged brief walkouts in protest.The organizers of the Disney walkout have not identified themselves, but they have a Twitter account, @DisneyWalkout and a website, whereischapek.com. Last week they wrote an open letter posted on their website, saying that Disney's recent statements "have utterly failed to match the magnitude of the threat to LGBTQIA+ safety represented by this legislation."It's unknown how many employees are taking part, but Disney's LGBTQ+ employee resource groups are not involved, a source familiar with the matter told CNN earlier this week.Chapek later apologized for his initial response. "Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was," Chapek wrote in a letter to employees last Friday.-- CNN Business' Frank Pallotta contributed to this story.

Brian Fung, CNN Business

2022-03-18 18:33:51

business

tech

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/tech/social-media-russia-government-accounts/index.html

Social media platforms tread carefully when it comes to the Russian government - CNN

As its troops have gotten bogged down in Ukraine, the Russian government has been fueling a conspiracy theory on social media about the purpose of US-funded biolabs in Ukraine.

tech, Social media platforms tread carefully when it comes to the Russian government - CNN

Social media platforms tread carefully when it comes to the Russian government

(CNN Business)As its troops have gotten bogged down in Ukraine, the Russian government has been fueling a conspiracy theory on social media about the purpose of US-funded biolabs in Ukraine.In posts spread across Facebook, Twitter and YouTube viewed by CNN this week, Russia's foreign and defense ministries have repeated claims that Ukraine had been researching biological weapons — an assertion that's previously been rejected as false by the United States, its allies and a top United Nations disarmament official. In fact, the US-supported labs are part of a program to develop vaccines and perform peaceful research, the United States has said, while White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has described the Russian claim as "propaganda" and a potential pretext for Russia to deploy chemical or biological weapons itself in Ukraine.The issue marks yet another front in the sprawling information war over Ukraine. And it highlights the challenge for social media platforms posed by Russian government accounts that critics say are freely allowed to spew disinformation to millions of users, even as those same platforms have moved to restrict Russian state media content over similar concerns.Rather than announce blanket restrictions on Russian government accounts, as they've done with Russian state media, tech platforms have instead taken a more surgical approach by removing individual posts by government accounts that violate platform rules. Read MoreHowever, as the information war continues, and as US officials increasingly blast the Russian government for spreading false claims, tech platforms may come under more pressure to crack down on accounts linked to the Kremlin, disinformation experts say."We're in a serious crisis situation right now, and we're in an information warfare situation where maybe suspending these accounts, if not banning them for all eternity, would make a lot of sense," said Alina Polyakova, president of the Center for European Policy Analysis, a think-tank that receives support from some tech giants including Google and Microsoft. "For now [the platforms] have stuck to a more free-speech approach rather than a blocking approach, which I also understand, but again, we're in a very different situation when it comes to what's happening in Ukraine right now."Why Ukraine war misinformation is so hard to policeCalifornia Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell put it more bluntly in a tweet last week: "RT NOW if @twitter should BAN the baby-killing country of Russia from its platform."Earlier this week, Facebook removed a post by Russia's embassy in the UK for disputing reported facts about the bombing of a hospital in Mariupol. The post violated Facebook's policy against denying violent events, said Drew Pusateri, a spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Similar posts by Russian embassy officials were also removed from Twitter for violating that platform's policy against denying violent events, company spokesperson Katie Rosborough told CNN. The affected Russian accounts remain active on both websites, along with the Russian foreign ministry and ministry of defense. On Twitter, an account run by the office of Russian President Vladimir Putin still shares Kremlin promotional photos and links to press releases. And on YouTube, a Russian government channel broadcasts speeches by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov."We don't remove accounts even when we disagree with the content they post — but we do take action when they violate our rules," said Meta's Pusateri. "The world deserves the opportunity to hear and scrutinize the content of Russian leaders at this moment." Like Facebook, Twitter labels government-run accounts, including Russia's, for transparency. Twitter added Wednesday that its moves to restrict Russian state media has led to a 30% decrease in that content's reach, and that it has also begun labeling accounts belonging to the Ukrainian and Belarusian governments. Facebook and YouTube say they removed Zelensky deepfake"While we've had a policy around state-affiliated media and government accounts for years, the war in Ukraine raises a complicated set of challenges in how we handle the accounts," Rosborough said in a statement. "Our goal is to consistently enforce our rules while balancing the public interest."Ivy Choi, a spokesperson for YouTube, said the platform's policies apply equally to all users, including Russian government channels, and that "our teams continue to monitor the situation closely." Asked to name an account linked to Russia that has been banned from the platform, Choi said YouTube had terminated Vladimir Solovyov, a pro-Russia broadcaster, for repeatedly violating YouTube policies, including its policy against incitement. But the company did not identify any official Russian government accounts that have been banned.Russia has objected to what it's described as censorship at the hands of western tech platforms, and has moved to block Facebook, Instagram, and to a lesser extent, Twitter within its borders. Russian internet users have flocked to digital circumvention tools in response to defeat the government's information blackout. Analysis: Russia and QAnon have the same false conspiracy theory about Ukraine Differences among platforms and how they work have in some cases led to varying policies and approaches to enforcement, said Polyakova, adding that greater regulation could lead to more uniform policies across the industry. "We've seen this hodgepodge approach that hasn't always been coordinated or consistent; in general, this creates a lot of vulnerabilities and openings for spreaders of disinformation," Polyakova said.Social media sites' handling of Russian government accounts also echoes how the companies have dealt with individual politicians for years. Tech companies famously grappled with how to handle claims by Donald Trump — both before and during his presidency — with most platforms arguing it was important for users to hear what public figures have to say, if only to help keep them accountable. While some may argue it's in the public interest for Russia's claims to be documented and preserved, said Polyakova, there will always be ways to access Russia's propaganda without giving it a megaphone on social media.The posts viewed by CNN this week containing the debunked claims about Ukrainian biolabs were not accompanied by content warnings or labels, though the platforms did label the Russian accounts as government-run in accordance with existing policies.The rapidly unfolding military, political and diplomatic situation may prompt platforms to hesitate in many scenarios, said Karen Kornbluh, a disinformation expert at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. "It's a tough balancing act for platforms," Kornbluh said. "They do not want to call the shots in foreign policy disputes."But even though tech companies may be wary of getting caught in an uncomfortable position, Kornbluh said, social media platforms should nevertheless consider applying to Russian government accounts some of the same restrictions they've applied to Russian state-run media, "especially when that same government is criminalizing truth in Russia with the new 'fake news' law" that threatens over a decade of jail time for contradicting official narratives about the war.

Laura He, CNN Business

2022-03-17 11:14:49

business

business

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/business/china-russia-sanctions-friction-intl-hnk/index.html

China Russia: 4 ways China is quietly making life harder for Russia - CNN

China is quietly distancing itself from Russia's sanction-hit economy.

business, China Russia: 4 ways China is quietly making life harder for Russia - CNN

4 ways China is quietly making life harder for Russia

Hong Kong (CNN Business)China is quietly distancing itself from Russia's sanction-hit economy.The two states proclaimed last month that their friendship had "no limits." That was before Russia launched its war in Ukraine. Now, with Russia's economy being slammed with sanctions from all over the world, there is growing evidence that China's willingness and ability to aid its northern neighbor may be limited. Beijing has refused to condemn Russia's attack on Ukraine but wants to avoid being impacted by the sanctions it has repeatedly denounced as an ineffective way of resolving the crisis."China is not a party to the [Ukraine] crisis, and doesn't want the sanctions to affect China," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday during a phone call with his Spanish counterpart.Beijing also gave its full backing Wednesday to comments made earlier this week by China's ambassador to Ukraine. "China will never attack Ukraine. We will help, especially economically," Fan Xianrong was quoted as saying in a press release from the Lviv regional government. Read MoreFears that Chinese companies could face US sanctions over ties with Russia had contributed to an epic sell-off in Chinese stocks recent days. That slump was reversed Wednesday when Beijing promised it would pursue policies to boost its sputtering economy and keep financial markets stable.US officials told CNN on Monday that they have information suggesting China has expressed some openness to providing Russia with requested military and financial assistance. China dismissed that as "disinformation." Analysts say that China is attempting to strike "a delicate balance" between supporting Russia rhetorically but without further antagonizing the United States. Beijing and Moscow share a strategic interest in challenging the West. However, Chinese banks cannot afford to lose access to US dollars, and many Chinese industries cannot afford to be deprived of US technology.Analysis: China can't do much to help Russia's sanction-hit economyWhile China is Russia's No. 1 trading partner, Beijing has other priorities. Trade between the two countries made up just 2% of China's total trade volume. The European Union and the United States have much larger shares, according to Chinese customs statistics from last year.Here are some measures Beijing has taken in the last few weeks to distance itself from the isolated and crumbling Russian economy.Letting the ruble drop China's currency, the yuan, doesn't trade completely freely, moving instead within bands set by officials at the People's Bank of China (PBOC). Last week, they doubled the size of the ruble trading range, allowing the Russian currency to fall faster.The ruble has already lost more than 20% of its value against both the dollar and euro since the start of the war in Ukraine. By allowing the Russian currency to fall against the yuan, Beijing isn't doing Moscow any favors.Russians will have to pay more in rubles for Chinese imports such as smartphones and cars. Chinese phone brands like Xiaomi and Huawei are hugely popular in Russia, and were vying with Apple (AAPL) and Samsung (SSNLF) for market leadership before the war. Chinese car makers, such as Great Wall Motor and Geely Auto, occupy 7% of Russia's market, selling more than 115,000 vehicles last year. Great Wall Motor has stopped supplying new cars to dealers in Russia because of the exchange rate fluctuations.Expanding the trading band would allow the yuan to keep up with the ruble's wild swings, so that Chinese companies can "better grasp the magnitude or trend of future exchange rate fluctuations and reduce exchange risks by using hedging methods, such as derivatives," state-owned China Business Network reported last week. Currently, about $25 billion of China-Russia trade is conducted in yuan, Chinese state media reported.Sitting on reservesThe most significant help China could offer Russia is through the $90 billion worth of reserves Moscow holds in yuan, wrote Alicia García-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, in a research report on Tuesday. Sanctions have frozen about $315 billion worth of Russia's reserves — or roughly half the total — as Western countries have banned dealing with the Russian central bank. Russia's finance minister Anton Siluanov said this week that the country wanted to use yuan reserves after Moscow was blocked from accessing US dollars and euros, according to Russia's state media.The PBOC has so far not made any comment about its position regarding these reserves. If China allowed Moscow to convert its yuan reserves into US dollars or euros, "that would clearly help Russia's current impasse," García-Herrero noted. However, "the reputational risk of potentially breaching Western sanctions would be a huge step for the PBOC to take and therefore makes it highly unlikely," she said."The long-term gains of moving closer to Russia might not match the impact of Western investors suddenly losing interest in China," she added.Withholding aircraft partsSanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union mean that the world's two major aircraft makers, Boeing (BA) and Airbus (EADSF), are no longer able to supply spare parts or provide maintenance support for Russian airlines. The same is true of jet engine makers.That means Russian airlines could run out of parts within a matter of weeks, or fly planes without having equipment replaced as frequently as recommended to operate safely.Why China won't put its economy on the line to rescue PutinEarlier this month, a top Russian official said that China has refused to send aircraft parts to Russia as Moscow looks for alternative supplies. Valery Kudinov, head of aircraft airworthiness at Russia's air transport agency, was quoted by Russian state news agency Tass as saying that Russia would look for opportunities to source parts from countries including Turkey and India after a failed attempt to obtain them from China."As far as I know ... China refused," Kudinov was quoted as saying.In response to CNN's request for comment, China's foreign ministry reiterated Beijing's opposition to sanctions adding that China and Russia will maintain "normal economic and trade cooperation."China and Russia set up a civil aviation joint venture in 2017 to build a new long-haul, widebody passenger plane, seeking to rival the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus. Production of the CR929 has begun, but disagreements over suppliers have caused delays. The plane was initially expected to be offered to customers in 2024. But Russia postponed the timeline to 2028 to 2029.Freezing infrastructure investmentThe World Bank has halted all its programs in Russia and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine. It hadn't approved any new loans or investments to Russia since 2014, and none to Belarus since 2020. More surprisingly, perhaps, is the decision by the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to do the same. In a statement earlier this month, it said it was suspending all its activities related to Russia and Belarus "as the war in Ukraine unfolds." The move was "in the best interests" of the bank, it added.Frustrated by a relative lack of influence at the World Bank (based in Washington, D.C.) and the Asian Development Bank (where Japan is a major force), China launched the AIIB in 2016. In addition to hosting the headquarters, China provides the president of the bank and has 26.5% of the votes. India and Russia have 7.6% and 6% respectively. The AIIB's decision to suspend activities in Russia means $1.1 billion of approved or proposed lending aimed at improving the country's road and rail networks is now on hold. — CNN's Beijing bureau and Hannah Ritchie in Sydney contributed to this article.

Jordan Valinsky, CNN Business

2022-03-19 09:29:57

business

business

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/business/budweiser-slogan-origin/index.html

Budweiser's slogan wasn't always the 'King of Beers' - CNN

Budweiser's slogan, the "King of Beers," is as recognizable as its Clydesdales. But it wasn't always those exact words.

business, Budweiser's slogan wasn't always the 'King of Beers' - CNN

Budweiser's slogan wasn't always the 'King of Beers'

New York (CNN Business)Budweiser's slogan, the "King of Beers," is as recognizable as its Clydesdales. But it wasn't always those exact words.Let's start from the beginning: German immigrant Adolphus Busch arrived in the United States in 1857. A few years later, he married Lilly Anheuser and began working at his father-in-law's brewery. The brewery, renamed Anheuser-Busch in 1879, pioneered the pasteurization technology that allowed Budweiser to be shipped across the United States without spoiling, according to its website. Budweiser, which traces its name back to the Czech Republic town of Budweis, became the first nationally distributed beer. During this period, draught kegs and glass bottles were the only packaging formats available to brewers. Budweiser was primarily sold bottled, so the original slogan was actually the "King of Bottled Beer."A "King of Bottled Beer" cardboard sign from the 1930s."By specifically mentioning bottles in the 'King of Bottled Beer' slogan, Budweiser communicated the overall strength of the brand as well a defining feature separating Budweiser from some of its competitors," a spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) told CNN Business. The slogan was tweaked to "King of All Bottled Beers" as competition grew. Then prohibition happened, banning the production, importation, sale and transportation of alcohol in the US from 1920 to 1933. Read MoreThe company survived by making alternative products, such as soft drinks and "near-beer," which had a very low (and legal) alcohol content. After the ban was lifted, the slogan "King of Bottled Beer" returned and Anheuser-Busch once again began brewing its signature brand. A bottle of Budweiser beer.The slogan was changed to the "King of Beers" in the mid-twentieth century as aluminum cans became a more popular form of packaging. It's still in use today and is featured predominately on Budweiser labels. The slogan hasn't been technically true for a while, however. Budweiser was the country's top-selling beer until 2001, when it relinquished that crown to its sister brand, Bud Light. Shifting consumer tastes to lower-calorie options, such as spiked seltzer, as well as the increasing popularity of premium liquors, has also dented Bud's popularity.

Diksha Madhok, CNN Business

2022-03-03 05:17:39

business

investing

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/03/investing/india-cryptocurrency-investing-future-hnk-intl/index.html

India's young investors prefer crypto to gold and 'boring' stocks - CNN

India has seen a massive boom in cryptocurrency trading since the start of the pandemic, even though authorities in Asia's third largest economy have for years expressed concerns about digital currencies, and even flirted with a ban.

investing, India's young investors prefer crypto to gold and 'boring' stocks - CNN

Crypto 'superpower?' India's young investors prefer bitcoin to gold and 'boring' stocks

New Delhi (CNN Business)Indian businesswoman Swati Daga first bought bitcoin in 2017, when the cryptocurrency was trading well under $3,000. Her decision to invest in digital currencies was met with wariness by her family, she recalls. "The elders in my family told me not to throw my money away," said Daga, who runs a food business near New Delhi.But the 33-year-old hasn't regretted her decision — bitcoin's value has increased 15 times since then — and she continues to invest as much as 10% of her savings in cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin and ethereum. "I find stock markets boring," she told CNN Business, adding that she enjoys the "thrill" and "recklessness" that comes with investing in volatile currencies. She is not the only one. Read MoreIndia has seen a huge boom in cryptocurrency trading since the start of the pandemic, even though authorities in Asia's third largest economy have for years expressed concerns about digital currencies, and even flirted with banning them. Entrepreneurs in the industry told CNN Business that the country has the potential to become a crypto superpower, since it is one of the hottest internet markets in the world, with 750 million users, and hundreds of millions more yet to come online for the first time. India ranked second behind only Vietnam last year in a list of countries seeing the fastest growth in cryptocurrency adoption, according to a report published in October by blockchain data platform Chainalysis.While the government does not keep estimates of how many people trade cryptocurrencies, industry experts have suggested that the country may now have more than 20 million crypto investors. The growth is driven by younger investors — mostly under the age of 35 — and many of them are coming from smaller cities and towns, founders of two of India's biggest crypto exchanges told CNN Business. According to Sumit Gupta, CEO and co-founder of exchange CoinDCX, many Indian millennials have started "their investing journey with crypto."While 20 years ago, their parents chose to invest in gold, these youngsters "are more interested in having bitcoin as part of their portfolio," Gupta told CNN Business, referring to the fact that traditionally Indians chose to park their money in gold or savings accounts. Buying gold is both an investment and a cultural habit in India, which is one of the largest markets for the precious metal, according to the World Gold Council. It also considered auspicious by Hindus and Jains, and plays a fundamental role in many religious ceremonies.Mumbai-based CoinDCX became India's first crypto unicorn last year, achieving a valuation of $1.1 billion after raising money from investors such as Coinbase Ventures and B Capital Group. The company says 70% of its 10 million users are between the age of 18 and 34. The CoinDCX app is seen on a phone screen in West Bengal, India, in August 2021.Data shared by rival firm WazirX tell a similar story. WazirX also has over 10 million users, and called 2021 a "phenomenal year" for crypto trading in India. The company was acquired by Binance, one of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, in 2019.Over 65% of its users are under the age of 35, according to a recent company report, and it has seen a "700% increase in the number of participants from smaller cities like Guwahati, Karnal, Bareilly, thereby signaling the growing interest from rural and semi-urban areas." Pritish Kumawat, a crypto trader from a small town in the western state of Rajasthan, said that he now finds conversations about cryptocurrencies in almost every tea shop in his area. Often, the most engaged participants are college students, he said, adding that bitcoin's massive spike last year has fueled the frenzy in India. In November, bitcoin was trading at a record high of $68,990, but it has since fallen to around $43,000. In addition to bitcoin, meme currencies such as dogecoin and shiba inu are also popular among Indians, the WazirX report added. Apart from investors from smaller towns, both companies saw an increase of more than 1000% in the number of women users on their platforms, albeit on a small base.Gupta said that participation of crypto by Indian women has seen "a massive upside" in the past 18 months and is "fairly high, fairly healthy, relative to equity markets." The company's data shows that 15% of their overall users are women — which is the global trend as well.On-again, off-again relationshipThe excitement over crypto is rising in India despite the country's on-again, off-again relationship with digital currencies. The central bank has long expressed concerns that cryptocurrencies can be used for money laundering and to finance terrorism. A cryptically worded proposal posted on the Indian parliament website last year even suggested the government was exploring plans to "prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India."This year, however, started on a more cheerful note for enthusiasts. Earlier this month, the Indian government announced it would impose a 30% tax on income from virtual digital assets, which many industry experts took as a sign that crypto trading won't be banned after all. The government also said it would launch a digital rupee in the coming months. "Taxation of virtual digital assets or crypto is a step in the right direction. It gives much-needed clarity and confidence to the industry," Gupta said at the time of the announcement.Siddharth Menon, the co-founder of WazirX, told CNN Business that following the announcement, his platform saw daily sign-ups jump by over 50%. He also noticed rising interest among Indian developers and other professionals in joining the crypto industry. WazirX's website is shown in New York, USA, in April 2021."I'm getting LinkedIn messages" from senior executives in India, who are now more optimistic about the business, he said. In the past, Indian exchanges have struggled to hire and retain experienced people due to the lack of clear regulations. But the Indian government soon put a damper on the mood, by clarifying that the cryptocurrencies are not yet legal in the country."I am not doing anything to legalize it or ban it or not legalize it," Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in parliament a few days after announcing the tax rate. "Banning or not banning will come subsequently ... But I will tax because it is a sovereign right." "I think the government is not entirely sure what it wants to do from a policy perspective," said Anirudh Rastogi, founder of tech law firm Ikigaw Law, which works with crypto exchanges in India."It knows where it wants to land broadly. It wants to find the right balance where it is not disconnected from the global progress in blockchain and other tech, but it wants to also address concerns regarding cryptocurrency."Rastogi added that the "extraordinarily high" tax on crypto is a short-term fix, which will also acts as a deterrent to many investors. "This rate is typically used to tax activities that are not considered economically productive, such as lottery," he said. "So this could be an indication that the government wants to make revenue, but it does not see crypto trading as economically productive."For equities, India applies a 15% short-term capital gains tax if shares are sold in less than a year, and 10% if sold after a year.Gupta hopes that the government makes up its mind soon. India, with its vast pool of developers and enthusiastic young population, could be a "superpower in the next five to 10 years," in cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, he said. "What is missing right now is a clear regulatory framework," he added.

Diksha Madhok, CNN Business

2022-02-01 10:44:06

business

investing

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/01/investing/india-budget-digital-rupee/index.html

India budget 2022: Digital rupee and crypto tax announced - CNN

India is planning to launch a digital version of the rupee, becoming the latest country to join the rush to create state-backed virtual currencies.

investing, India budget 2022: Digital rupee and crypto tax announced - CNN

India wants to launch a digital rupee and tax crypto profits

New Delhi (CNN Business)India is planning to launch a digital version of the rupee, becoming the latest country to join the rush to create state-backed virtual currencies. The country's central bank expects to introduce the currency "using blockchain and other technologies" some time in the new fiscal year, which begins in April, according to Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.Presenting India's annual budget to parliament on Tuesday, Sitharaman said the digital rupee would "give a big boost to the digital economy." She did not give any further details about what the launch would entail, how widely a digital rupee might be used initially, or what impact it might have. India sows confusion with plan to ban 'private cryptocurrencies'Digital payments have grown dramatically in popularity in India since late 2016, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi banned the country's two biggest rupee bank notes. Apart from homegrown players such as Paytm, some of the world's biggest tech companies, including Google (GOOGL) and Facebook (FB), have joined India's cashless payments boom.The announcement comes as other major economies move forward with their own plans to launch virtual versions of their own currencies. China has been trialing its digital yuan in major cities for the last two years. It's one of only three payment methods available to athletes, officials and journalists attending the Beijing Winter Olympics this month. Read MoreEurope and the United States have also been exploring the possibilities for a digital euro and digital dollar, though both have stressed the importance of mitigating financial risk presented by any e-currency.India has for years expressed concern about cryptocurrencies and how best to regulate digital assets, at times even flirting with a ban on cryptos. A cryptically worded proposal posted on the Indian parliament website last year suggested the government was exploring plans to "prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India." The central bank has often expressed concerns that cryptocurrencies can be used for money laundering and to finance terrorism.No ban on cryptocurrenciesIn her speech Tuesday, Sitharaman suggested that authorities are willing to continue allowing crypto trading in the country, albeit with some regulations. She said that the Indian government would impose a 30% tax on income from virtual digital assets."There has been a phenomenal increase in transactions in virtual digital assets," Sitharaman said. "The magnitude and frequency of these transactions have made it imperative to provide for a specific tax regime."The budget speech was greeted with a sigh of relief from India's crypto investors, and industry experts pointed to Sitharaman's remarks as a sign that Asia's third largest economy would not ban virtual currencies."Hope to see a reduction of crypto ban fear in India." tweeted Nischal Shetty, the founder of cryptocurrency platform WazirX, on Tuesday. "Lot to unpack here but overall this is a very positive step forward for crypto ecosystem in India."Virtual currencies have become attractive to Indians since the start of the pandemic. While the government does not keep estimates of how many people trade cryptocurrencies, media reports have suggested that the country may hold as many as 20 million crypto investors, citing industry experts."Taxation of virtual digital assets or crypto is a step in the right direction. It gives much-needed clarity and confidence to the industry," said Sumit Gupta, co-founder of CoinDCX, an exchange that is also India's first crypto unicorn.

Diksha Madhok, CNN Business

2021-11-02 11:02:09

business

business

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/02/business/adar-poonawalla-risk-takers/index.html

Adar Poonawalla: He vaccinates half the world's babies. Ending the pandemic proved much harder - CNN

As Covid-19 wreaked havoc around the world last year, the 39-year-old son of an Indian billionaire was laying the groundwork for a plan he hoped would eventually end the pandemic.

business, Adar Poonawalla: He vaccinates half the world's babies. Ending the pandemic proved much harder - CNN

India's billionaire vaccine prince held the key to ending the pandemic. His plans went awry

As Covid-19 wreaked havoc around the world last year, the 39-year-old son of an Indian billionaire was laying the groundwork for a plan he hoped would eventually end the pandemic.Adar Poonawalla — the CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine maker — pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into his Indian manufacturing facility and committed to make millions of doses of a then-unproven coronavirus vaccine. That vaccine, created by Oxford University and AstraZeneca (AZN), was still in clinical trials at the time. Nobody was sure how long a vaccine would take to develop, let alone whether it would even work. "It was a calculated risk," Poonawalla told CNN Business. "But I didn't see the choice at that time, to be honest. I just felt I'd regret not committing one way or another."Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, chose to commit to making a vaccine while it was still in clinical trials.To make his plan work, Poonawalla first had to raise nearly $1 billion. And the lives of hundreds of millions of the planet's most vulnerable people were at stake, since SII had pledged to provide poorer countries with jabs. If the gamble paid off, Poonawalla would save countless lives and be hailed as a hero during a period of historic turmoil. His fabulously rich family also would stand to grow even more wealthy by profiting from a significant deal. Read MoreAs the world gave its money — and trust — to Poonawalla, things seemed to be going according to plan. The AstraZeneca vaccine received approval from UK regulators in December 2020, and Poonawalla became a household name in India. "It was a calculated risk. But I didn't see the choice at that time, to be honest. I just felt I'd regret not committing one way or another."SII CEO Adar Poonawalla, on committing his company to make millions of doses of a then-unproven Covid vaccineBut soon it became evident how badly Poonawalla had miscalculated the challenges that come with distributing millions of vaccines in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic. His company's ability to inoculate even his own countrymen was thrown into doubt earlier this year as a devastating wave of coronavirus hit India. He's also failed to keep up with his commitment to deliver shots to other nations — the consequences of which have dented his reputation and shed light on the perils of such heavy reliance on one manufacturer. From horse breeders to vaccine makersIt's easy to see why some of the biggest names in public health chose to rely on Poonawalla. Few manufacturers can come close to the scale at which SII is able to produce vaccines. The company — which was founded by Poonawalla's father, Cyrus, 55 years ago — produces 1.5 billion vaccines each year for measles, rubella, tetanus and many other diseases. The jabs are mainly distributed to low-income countries worldwide, including India. Poonawalla estimates that just over 50% of the world's babies depend on vaccines made at SII. The Poonawalla family charted an unusual path to becoming one of the world's preeminent vaccine makers. They have bred and raced thoroughbred horses since the 1940s, diversifying into pharmaceuticals, finance and real estate over the last half-century.Cyrus Poonawalla is now India's seventh-richest man, worth more than $16 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. His son Adar took over as CEO in 2011 and has focused on expanding in international markets. To prepare for the AstraZeneca vaccine production, Poonawalla said he spent $800 million on buying chemicals, glass vials and other raw materials, as well as ramping up manufacturing capacity at his plant in the Western Indian city of Pune. More than $250 million came from the company's own funds. Another $300 million came from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which SII collaborated with to provide discounted or free doses to low-income countries. The rest was paid by other countries once SII started accepting orders for vaccines. In total, SII agreed to make up to 200 million vaccine doses for as many as 92 countries, as part of its deal with the Gates Foundation and Gavi, a vaccine alliance.All of that happened, though, before regulators signed off on the AstraZeneca vaccine. Had trials for that vaccine been unsuccessful, SII would "just be making batches and then end up throwing them away," Poonawalla said.Poonawalla said he spent $800 million on materials including chemicals and glass vials to prepare for vaccine production.A business studies graduate of London's University of Westminster, Poonawalla said SII was able to make that decision more swiftly than many other companies, since it is a family-run business. "The flexibility of being able to decide on the spot very quickly was really the main game-changer that enabled us to be able to do this," said Poonawalla, whose office in India is a refurbished Airbus A320. After UK regulators approved the vaccine, Poonawalla began supplying doses to Indians and other other countries. By May, Gavi had received some 30 million jabs from SII. India's Covid-19 tsunamiBut Poonawalla's plans soon went awry when a second wave of Covid-19 hit India in the spring. At its peak the country was reporting over 400,000 cases per day, though experts say the actual number was likely much higher. At that point, only 2% percent of India's 1.3 billion population was fully vaccinated, and the country's national government had been slow in placing orders for more vaccines. Without a massive stockpile, states in India began to run out of the limited number of jabs they had.India then decided to stop the export of all vaccines, preventing SII from keeping up with its commitments elsewhere.A brutal second wave of Covid-19 hit India in spring 2021."I've always been a patriot for my country ... and if my country needs my facility first, I have to do what they say," Poonawalla said. "There was no two ways about that."The inability to export vaccines hurt some of the poorest nations in the world. The director of Africa's disease control body, for example, warned India's hold on exports could be "catastrophic" for the continent. People in several countries, from neighboring Nepal to Kenya, were left stranded after receiving the first dose of Covishield, the name of the India-manufactured vaccine.When asked why the global vaccine alliance chose to rely so heavily on one manufacturer, a Gavi spokesperson told CNN Business it had few options. At the start of 2021, "very few vaccines were approved and available for deployment," the spokesperson said, adding that it was "natural" that SII would be contracted for early doses given its size. But public health expert Jeffrey Lazarus said there were flaws in the plan. "Relying on one manufacturer was a mistake, which is easier to see in hindsight," said Lazarus, who heads the health systems research group at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.Being held to accountWhile Poonawalla cannot be held responsible for some of the issues that led to the vaccine rollout stalling — chief among them, India's massive outbreak — his detractors have questioned parts of his approach. They point out Poonawalla hasn't delivered the number of jabs he initially promised, and they claim he hasn't been transparent about how he's been using all of the money he raised for the big vaccine push."There isn't much accountability for where the money he raised went," Malini Aisola, co-convenor of health sector watchdog All India Drug Action Network, told CNN Business. In June last year, SII pledged it would make one billion doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine for low and middle income countries, with 400 million doses ready by the end of 2020. But by January 2021, the company had a stockpile of just 70 million doses. His critics weren't impressed, given the amount of capital he raised last year. SII declined to comment on the amount it has made from its vaccine production so far. Poonawalla called it "very unreasonable and naive" for people to expect companies not to profit from these efforts.The global media coverage also turned unfavorable, with headlines linking the global shortfall in vaccines to SII's problems, including the India export ban and a fire at the company's Pune facility. At the time Poonawalla said the fire had no effect on Covishield production. But he has since reversed course, saying that the incident has played a major role in hampering manufacturing.He also insists he was realistic about his goals. "We always underpromise," Poonawalla told CNN Business, when asked whether the company pledged more than it could deliver. Still, he's been dogged by other controversies that have dented his reputation. As India's Covid-19 cases were skyrocketing in April, Poonawalla lowered the price of his vaccine and referred to the move as a "philanthropic gesture" — leading to heavy criticism, with activists pointing out that even a small profit is still a profit for SII."AstraZeneca has pledged that it won't make profits from low income and middle income countries during the pandemic, but that does not seem to apply to SII," Aisola said. According to AstraZeneca, the companies the drugmaker has sublicensing agreements with, including SII, dictate their own prices. SII declined to comment on how much it has profited from the vaccine efforts so far, but Poonawalla said it is a "very unreasonable and naive way of looking at the world" for people to expect companies not to profit from the vaccine. While Poonawalla has yet to match his lofty goals, there is a chance that he and SII can get back on track, which is critical to ending vaccine inequality worldwide. India has decided to begin exporting vaccines once again as its own rate of inoculation increases. The nation had administered one billion doses by October — about 90% of which came from SII, according to the company.SII also says that it has increased its production to 220 million doses a month as of October. SII is also expanding its partnerships, having signed a deal with American biotech firm Novavax to manufacture its Covid-19 vaccine, which is awaiting regulatory approvals. It's also partnering with the Russian Direct Investment Fund on production of the Sputnik vaccine.

Diksha Madhok, CNN Business

2021-09-09 09:43:22

business

tech

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/09/tech/india-software-saas-intl-hnk/index.html

India's got SaaS, the next big thing in tech, and it could be worth $1 trillion - CNN

More than two decades ago, India began its transformation into a global IT powerhouse, ushering in an era of wealth and job creation never before seen in the country.

tech, India's got SaaS, the next big thing in tech, and it could be worth $1 trillion - CNN

India's got the next big thing in tech, and it could be worth $1 trillion

New Delhi (CNN Business)More than two decades ago, India began its transformation into a global IT powerhouse, ushering in an era of wealth and job creation never before seen in the country. Now, Asia's third largest economy is ready for the next big frontier in tech: Coming up with a new generation of software companies like Zoom or Slack.The Covid-19 pandemic has forced business around the world to make huge investments in digital infrastructure, furthering the influence of companies providing software-as-a-service, or SaaS. Businesses spent an extra $15 billion per week last year on tech as they scrambled to create safe remote working environments, according to a KPMG survey. TCS employs more than 500,000 people. It's ready to ditch office life for many in IndiaSaaS companies provide web-based applications that take care of everything from how secure the software is to how well it performs. Some of the world's most well-known SaaS companies include Zoom (ZM), SAP Concur and Salesforce (CRM), the American behemoth that owns workplace messaging app Slack.India's software-as-a-service industry could be worth $1 trillion in value by 2030 and create nearly half a million new jobs, according to a recent report compiled by consulting firm McKinsey & Co. and SaaSBoomi, a community of industry leaders.Read MoreThere are nearly a thousand such companies in India, of which 10 are unicorns, or startups worth at least $1 billion, the report said. "This can be as big an opportunity as the IT services industry was in the 90s," said Girish Mathrubootham, CEO of Freshworks, India's best-known SaaS company. It filed for an IPO last month, joining a string of other major Indian tech unicorns that are going public this year. Freshworks was founded more than a decade ago in the southern Indian city of Chennai. Like Salesforce, it provides software to help companies manage relations with their customers. It's also India's oldest unicorn in the sector, having raised funds from investors such as Tiger Global and Accel, and has more than 50,000 customers. The company was last valued at $3.5 billion in a 2019 funding round, according to data firm Tracxn. Other Indian SaaS firms have found traction by focusing on niche businesses. Zenoti, for example, is a unicorn that builds software for the spa and beauty salon industry. Of India's 10 SaaS unicorns, six reached that milestone in 2020, and investors around the world are paying attention. Last year, investors pumped $1.5 billion into Indian SaaS companies, four times more than in 2018 or 2019, according to the SaaSBoomi report. Bullish investorsInvestors are excited about SaaS because of the "massive adoption" of software over the last decade, according to Mohit Bhatnagar, managing director of Sequoia Capital India.Girish Mathrubootham, CEO and founder of Freshworks, a "SaaS" or "Software-as-a-service" company founded in Chennai, India.While India is a small player in the global SaaS market, investors say the country could eventually dominate the sector because of two things: its vast pool of English-speaking developers, and the relatively low cost of hiring them.Thanks to the rise of India's IT industry, software engineering has become one of the most sought-after career options in the country. "India actually has one of the largest developer communities in the world," Bhatnagar told CNN Business. Many of them have worked at some of the biggest global tech companies.Abhinav Asthana, the co-founder of Postman, pointed to his experience working as an intern at Yahoo in Bengaluru as instrumental in the decision to build his product. He came up with the idea to build a tool that would simplify the API (Application Programming Interface) testing process. An API is a programming code that defines how two applications communicate with each other, and Postman says it has made it easier for engineers to work together as they design and build their APIs. "We saw how software was created at these global companies, and we saw API was a key problem," Asthana told CNN Business.Now, Postman is India's most valuable SaaS unicorn, with a valuation of $5.6 billion.International clients, Indian engineersThe low cost of operating in India is a big plus. According to a report by consulting firm Bain & Company, the salary of entry-level developers in India is 85% less than their counterparts in the United States.Abhinav Asthana, CEO and co-founder of Postman in India."If you are building a SaaS company in the US, it is better to have a million-dollar client rather than a $10,000-client because you need to pay for sales and marketing in that country," said Prasanna Krishnamoorthy, managing partner at SaaS accelerator Upekkha. "When you are serving customers from India, you can have these small and mid-sized companies, as well as large ones."Most SaaS companies focus on global clients, similar to the strategy that was followed by India's IT giants such as TCS and Infosys (INFY). Investors see this as a welcome change, since most of India's oldest unicorns — from Flipkart to Paytm — have focused primarily on the domestic market.Almost 98% of Fortune 500 companies use Postman's products, according to Asthana, while Freshworks' first client was based in Australia. SaaS firms are much better placed to go global than e-commerce companies like India's Flipkart, for example. They write software once, and then are able to use it multiple times.India is churning out billion-dollar startups. Now they need to start making money"For a Flipkart you need billions of dollars [to grow internationally], but for a Freshwork you need much less capital to go global," said Mathrubootham, who is also an investor in Postman. This is because e-commerce firms require a ton of money to set up physical operations elsewhere — they have to hire delivery drivers, rent warehouses and buy inventory.Bhatnagar of Sequoia Capital said that Indian software entrepreneurs "mastered" the art of "remote sales" fairly early. "Honestly, in this last two years, the whole world has had to understand how to do better remote sales," he added.Despite the euphoria, there are some hurdles Indian companies have to overcome before they can deliver on the $1 trillion promise. Indian engineers trained in the IT services industry may find it hard to develop the discipline required to build a product-focused company.In IT services, "you are selling bodies and you say yes to everything the customer says," said Krishnamoorthy. SaaS companies, on the other hand, have to say no to 99% of [potential] customers, he added. And India's startup ecosytem is still relatively immature when compared to Silicon Valley. Despite the massive size of some homegrown unicorns, Mathrubootham said that the country does not have a "global tech powerhouse product brand." But he hoped that future SaaS companies can change that. "It is my personal dream to see India as a product nation," he added.

Diksha Madhok, CNN Business

2021-12-23 04:21:24

business

investing

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/22/investing/india-tech-ipos-2021-2022/index.html

India IPOs: 2021 was a dramatic year for tech. The hype won't go away in 2022 - CNN

It was a year of IPOs for India, with over $15 billion raised. It saw unicorns approach public markets for the first time, with IPOs from Zomato & Nykaa. It also saw one of the biggest debut day flops in history, with Paytm receiving a big thumbs down on listing day.

investing, India IPOs: 2021 was a dramatic year for tech. The hype won't go away in 2022 - CNN

2021 was a dramatic year for Indian IPOs. The hype won't go away next year

New Delhi (CNN Business)India's stock market celebrated an extraordinary year as some of the country's buzziest tech firms made their public debuts. And while one high-profile blunder cast a chill over the festivities, that's probably not enough to stop the excitement in 2022. By December, more than $15 billion had been raised in Mumbai through initial public offerings, a record amount, according to Dealogic. About $6 billion, or nearly 40%, went to tech companies — another record.This year was historic for another big reason: It's the first time any of India's tech unicorns, or startups valued at more than $1 billion, have gone public. Those milestones indicate how much of a shift happened this year for tech darlings tapping investment in Asia's third largest economy. India's unicorns have in the past focused on exclusively raising funds from private markets, fearing that the country's conservative investors would not understand their business models.Most of these high-profile startups are losing money, which was making retail investors leery, Piyush Nagda, head of investment products at Mumbai-based brokerage Prabhudas Lilladher, told CNN Business. Read MoreBut that all changed after food delivery giant Zomato made its red hot debut this summer. Nagda said the IPO sent a clear signal that "perception is changing" among investors.The party that started with Zomato's $1.3 billion IPO — the company popped 65% on listing day to reach a market value of $13 billion — swept up a handful of other tech firms as well. E-commerce company Nykaa and online insurance marketplace Policybazaar each surged on their debuts.The euphoria came to a screeching halt with Paytm's disastrous IPO last month. The mammoth listing from the digital payments firm crashed 27% on its first day of trading, and hasn't come close to reaching its offer price again.Despite that fiasco, which analysts blamed on the lack of a clear pathway to profitability and an overly high valuation, other Indian tech firms likely won't be stopped from going public in the coming years. They'll just have to be careful about how they price themselves and whether they're buying too much into the hype.Why the party could keep going There are a few reasons to remain hopeful about the Indian tech sector.Many of the country's digital startups saw a big jump in growth during the pandemic, both in terms of customers and funding. Coronavirus-related lockdowns have encouraged people outside of major cities to spend money online, speeding up digitization of businesses and opening up more opportunities for technology entrepreneurs.Tech firms in India have raised nearly $25 billion this year, the highest annual amount ever, according to data platform Tracxn. Some 34 companies have reached unicorn status.India has also attracted more attention from top global investors this year due to the crackdown on tech firms in China, where authorities have imposed sweeping curbs on private enterprise that have eaten into share prices and triggered concerns about future growth.As a result of those regulatory actions, "growth investors have shifted funds to India" said Tom Masi and Nuno Fernandes, co-portfolio managers of the emerging wealth strategy at GW&K Investment Management. They told CNN Business that the performances of the two countries have diverged this year, "with India up about 20% and China down 20%."China may have to juice its economy soon as 'stagflation' risk risesNagda also said that interest in Indian tech from global investors has made the sector more attractive to India's tech-savvy millennials. He estimates that India added about 20 million retail investors since April 2020, and between 30% to 40% of them are under the age of 40. They've been piling into the stock market since the pandemic started, and are eager to invest in the country's internet giants, he added. And, they should be getting plenty of opportunities next year, with some of India's biggest startups gearing up for IPOs, including Walmart-owned Flipkart and hotel chain OYO. Young investors don't look at companies in a "traditional" manner "where profitability and those kind of ratios were heavily looked at," Nagda said, adding that there is a "revolutionary change" underway in stock trading in India. A wake-up callEven those investors may have their limit, though.Paytm raised $2.5 billion during its IPO, with almost half of that coming from foreign investors.The company was valued at $20 billion when it launched its public offering — even though it lost hundreds of millions of dollars last year and seemed far from ready to turn a profit."Paytm was overpriced," said Masi and Fernandes. "It required investors to make growth assumptions well into the future for a business model that has not been firmly established."Some analysts describe Paytm's flop as a much-needed wake-up call for companies that need to rethink their valuations."Some rationality will prevail," Nagda said. To see Zomato-like "success stories," you need to "price the stock rightly," he added.After Paytm's historically terrible debut, some companies in fintech sector are rethinking their IPOs. Paytm's smaller rival Mobikwik said it would defer its IPO, originally planned for November, by a few months. Paytm is still struggling to convince investors after disastrous IPO"The company is witnessing strong business growth, has a clear path to profitability and will list at the right time," it told CNN Business.Some tech entrepreneurs have urged caution while chasing big money in public markets. Nithin Kamath, founder of India's largest retail brokerage Zerodha, tweeted recently that his firm won't be filing for an IPO, even though he "can potentially get ridiculous valuations.""We are in a world where companies are getting priced to perfection based on all the future growth potential. For a stock to do well, you have to outperform," he wrote. "As CEO, I dread to think how you can outperform the already really high expectations that growth companies have today."Along with managing overwhelming expectations, startups that go public will also have to adjust to the amount of company information they'd be expected to regularly reveal to their new shareholders. Privately held tech giants are less beholden to such transparency. And many investors think those requirements would be a welcome change.There will be "visibility into this for the very, very first time," said Karthik Reddy, co-founder of venture capital firm Blume Ventures. "Even I don't know what was going on in all these companies, even though I'm an industry person."

Nell Lewis, CNN Business

2022-03-14 09:52:11

business

energy

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/14/energy/energy-vault-renewable-storage-spc-intl/index.html

Gravity could solve renewable energy's biggest problem - CNN

Energy Vault's gravity-based technology can store wind and solar power longer than batteries.

energy, Gravity could solve renewable energy's biggest problem - CNN

Gravity could solve renewable energy's biggest problem

London (CNN Business)In the Swiss municipality of Arbedo-Castione, a 70-meter crane stands tall. Six arms protrude from the top, hoisting giant blocks into the sky. But these aren't building blocks, and the crane isn't being used for construction. The steel tower is a giant mechanical energy storage system, designed by American-Swiss startup Energy Vault, that relies on gravity and 35-ton bricks to store and release energy. When power demand is low, the crane uses surplus electricity from the Swiss grid to raise the bricks and stack them at the top. When power demand rises, the bricks are lowered, releasing kinetic energy back to the grid. It might sound like a school science project, but this form of energy storage could be vital as the world transitions to clean energy.35-ton blocks, made of recycled or locally sourced materials, are raised to the top of the crane where they store energy."There's a big push to get renewables deployed," Robert Piconi, founder of Energy Vault, tells CNN Business, adding that companies are under increasing pressure from governments, investors and employees to decarbonize.Read MoreBut relying on renewables for consistent power is impossible without energy storage, he says. Unlike a fossil fuel power station, which can operate night and day, wind and solar power are intermittent, meaning that if a cloud blocks the sun or there's a lull in the wind, electricity generation drops.To compete with fossil fuels, you need to "make renewables predictable," says Piconi, which means storing excess energy and being able to dispatch it when required. Battery alternativesOne solution to this problem is lithium-ion batteries, which are already linked up to power grids worldwide. They can be charged using electricity generated from wind and solar and release that energy on demand. The technology has advanced rapidly in recent decades, says Dan Shreve, global head of energy storage at Wood Mackenzie, an energy research and consultancy firm. For the most part, they have been used for short-term energy storage (up to six hours), he says, and as decarbonization ramps up, demand for more durable storage will rise.Another drawback is that lithium is a limited resource, found only in certain parts of the world, and mining it can harm the environment. While the cost of batteries has plummeted over the last decade, prices started to soar in 2021 as lithium demand outstripped supply. For these reasons, Piconi says that while batteries are great for electric cars or computer electronics, they're not "ideal for large utility-scale trade." Instead, Energy Vault decided to base its technology on a method developed over 100 years ago, which is widely used to store renewable energy: pumped storage hydropower. During off-peak periods, a turbine pumps water from a reservoir on low ground to one on higher ground, and during periods of peak demand, the water is allowed to flow down through the turbine, generating electrical energy. Piconi says Energy Vault relies on gravity in the same way, but "instead of using water, we're using these composite blocks." By doing it this way, he says the company is not dependent on topography and doesn't have to dig out reservoirs or create dams, which can have negative effects on the environment. "Simple and elegant"Since Energy Vault established its successful prototype in Switzerland in 2020, the company has pivoted from the tower model design, which could reach up to 200 meters in height, to 20-story modular buildings it calls "Energy Vault Resiliency Centers." Piconi says the company received feedback from potential clients that the tower was "too tall" and might not comply with international building codes.Energy Vault pivoted its design from giant cranes to vast energy storage buildings, as shown in this rendering.The resiliency centers will use the same bricks, made from soil and waste products, and the buildings will be around 100 meters tall. Bricks will move up and down inside the building on trolleys, controlled by an artificial intelligence system that identifies optimal times for charging or discharging energy, depending on supply and demand.The centers will vary in footprint, possibly covering between 1.5 and 20 acres depending on the storage capacity, he adds. But they are likely to be installed in places where space isn't an issue, such as near existing wind or solar plants. Energy Vault's technology is "simple and elegant," says Shreve, but he questions whether the devices can compete with lithium-ion batteries on price. Even so, the market is hungry for battery alternatives. While other startups — such as UK-based Gravitricity, which drops weights down disused mineshafts — are also exploring gravity-based energy storage, none yet match the scale of Energy Vault.In February, Energy Vault listed on the New York stock exchange, raising approximately $235 million. It recently announced that actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio had joined the company's strategic advisory board. Energy Vault's resiliency centers will be linked up to nearby wind or solar farms, as shown in this rendering. Credit: Energy Vault This year, Energy Vault will start building resiliency centers for DG fuels, which wants a continuous supply of renewable energy to create green hydrogen fuel for the aviation industry. It has also signed deals worth up to $880 million with companies including Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil producer, metal smelting company Korea Zinc, and mining giant BHP. With this backing, Piconi is confident Energy Vault can help to accelerate the energy transition.So far, customers have signed up to projects that equate to 2.5 gigawatt hours of energy storage — a significant addition to the 17 gigawatt hours of battery storage that Wood Mackenzie estimates is currently in operation in the United States. "In terms of impact, that's pretty massive," says Piconi.

Rebecca Cairns, CNN Business

2022-02-03 03:21:34

business

business

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/business/stellapps-india-dairy-hnk-spc-intl/index.html

This Indian dairy-tech startup has created a step counter for cows - CNN

Stellapps has developed a device called the mooON in its bid to make India's huge dairy industry more efficient. The company's farm-to-consumer digital platform tracks milk on its journey through the supply chain.

business, This Indian dairy-tech startup has created a step counter for cows - CNN

This dairy-tech startup has created a step counter for cows

(CNN Business)The wearables market skyrocketed over the last three years, and consumers are projected to spend nearly a $100 billion on devices ranging from smartwatches to smart patches in 2022.Now, one tech startup wants to take wearables to another market: cows. Bangalore-based Stellapps is a farm-to-consumer digital platform that uses technology to track milk on its journey through the supply chain. "We have a device which is like a Fitbit for cattle," says Ranjith Mukundan, co-founder and CEO of Stellapps. The company's "mooON" device "goes around the animal's leg, and [tracks] their activity levels," he says.When cows are sick, they move less, and when they are ovulating, they move more, says Mukundan. Stellapps combines information from the step trackers with data that farmers and vets enter into a smartphone app, which issues reminders for routine protocols such as vaccinations and artificial insemination. Healthier cows produce more milk, and by tracking and better managing their animals, farmers can increase yields, says Mukundan.Read MoreBut Stellapps isn't just creating step counters: the mooON device is one small part of a much bigger initiative to transform the world's largest dairy industry with smart tech.Farmers bring milk to village collection centers where it is weighed, analyzed and priced. This is also where farmers receive payment for their milk. Digitizing dairyFounded in 2011, Stellapps' technology is currently used by nearly three million dairy farmers across 36,000 villages in India, accounting for over 13.5 million liters of milk daily, according to Mukundan.In October 2021, the company raised $18 million, led by Dutch animal nutrition company Nutreco, which joined existing investors including the Gates Foundation and Blume Ventures. In India, farmers typically deliver milk to collection points in nearby villages. Here, Stellapps uses an ultrasonic analyzer to measure the nutritional content of the milk — allowing standardized price-setting and giving farmers updates on their cows' health and nutritional needs. The company measures the volume of milk collected with a digital scale and transfers payments directly to farmers' bank accounts via its "mooPay" platform.Milk of similar quality is then combined in digitally tagged 40-liter cannisters and sent to a larger, centralized cold storage unit. At the unit, volume sensors monitor the milk to prevent it from being watered down or stolen, says Mukundan. From there, the milk is taken to a processing plant to be pasteurized and packaged, or converted into products like cheese or yogurt. Mukundan says Stellapps can bring traceability into India's dairy industry, enabling the company to "vouch for every glass of milk." India is the world's largest dairy producer, and companies like Stellapps hope to make it more efficient with technology. A fragmented industryIndia is home to the world's large milk industry, producing 199 million metric tons in 2021.But dairy hasn't always been a staple in India, which relied on milk imports until 1970, when a rural development program called "Operation Flood" overhauled the industry.This made milk more affordable, providing a good source of protein, as well as reducing poverty in rural communities, says Thanammal Ravichandran, a dairy economist, and program manager for dairy at food producers ABT Foods. The program also turned India into a "milk-exporting country."An Indian startup could revolutionize ocean farming with its 'sea combine harvester'But despite its size, India's dairy industry is still fragmented and largely unindustrialized, says Ravichandran. Around 80% of dairy animals in India belong to smallholders who own only two to three cows. In contrast, the average size of a dairy herd in the United States was 296 cows in 2020. On the small Indian farms, productivity is often low, Ravichandran adds. On average, dairy cows in India produced five liters per day in 2019, compared to more than 30 liters daily for the United States' top dairy cows.Stellapps is not the only Indian startup looking to modernize the industry through smart technology. Like Stellapps, Prompt has created cow pedometers to monitor health and breeding cycles, and Ravichandran points to Farmtree by Inhof Technologies, which uses data to work out the efficiency and value of small farms, and Herdman by Vetware, which offers a subscription model to track data for more than one million animals. "Data can help to transform the industry," she says. The step tracker is tamper-proof, and Stellapps says it could help insurers identify and monitor cows.An expanding platformStellapps does not charge farmers for its technology and advisory services. Instead, it monetizes its product through the cooperatives that purchase the milk and additional service providers, like insurance and animal nutrition companies.Mukundan says the company is eyeing the retail end of the supply chain, too. It's developing a portal that maps the origin and journey of milk, which he believes will appeal to quality-conscious consumers.By bringing more dairy farms onto the platform, Mukundan hopes he can improve life for farmers while making India's milk products tastier and more nutritious. "Consumers are willing to pay more so that when they give it to their kids at home, they're absolutely confident that it's the best milk possible," he says.

Dan Tham, CNN Business

2022-02-28 02:00:09

business

business-india

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/27/business-india/bollant-industries-india-areca-tableware-srikanth-bolla-hnk-spc-intl/index.html

How an Indian company is transforming palm leaves into tableware - CNN

India is slated to ban most single-used plastics starting in July 2022. Bollant Industries, which makes disposable products from fallen leaves and recycled paper, stands to gain from this move towards sustainability.

business-india, How an Indian company is transforming palm leaves into tableware - CNN

How an Indian company is transforming palm leaves into tableware

(CNN)It's time for lunch in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad and locals are crowding at Prahalad Tiffin Point, a popular roadside eatery serving regional staples like dosa and idli. In the shade of the awning, customers eat standing up. They're perhaps unaware that the paper plates they're using are made of palm leaves. The plates are produced by Bollant Industries, a local company that makes eco-friendly and disposable products and packaging from the fallen leaves of areca, a species of palm, as well as recycled paper."I call myself a waste person, because I really love waste," CEO Srikanth Bolla says. "I want to recycle all the waste that I can in this world"Now aged 30, Bolla, who has been blind since birth, founded the company in 2012 to pioneer sustainability and to provide jobs for people with disabilities. His company currently employs around 400 people, a quarter of whom have disabilities, Bolla says. "Our core vision is to employ as many people as possible who are at the margins of society," Bolla says. Staff operate hand presses to transform used paper into colorful plates. Credit: CNNRead MoreHis efforts have attracted attention: In 2021, the World Economic Forum named Bolla one of its Young Global Leaders and a Bollywood biopic about him starring actor Rajkummar Rao is in the works.Valued at $65 million, with funding from investors including Indian industrialist Ratan Tata, Bollant Industries operates seven manufacturing plants, producing hundreds of tons of products each month, ranging from tableware to packaging. It's part of a wider shift in India, as the country transitions away from single-use plastic to embrace more sustainable alternatives. Eliminating single-use plasticsOn Indian Independence Day in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to phase out single-use plastic. That ban, targeting plastics that have "low utility and high littering potential," is slated to take effect this summer. It will prohibit the manufacture and import of plastic ear buds, plastic flags, and lightweight plastic bags and cutlery, among other items.India's plastic waste problem has grown in recent times. The country's Central Pollution Control Board says that per capita plastic waste generation in India has almost doubled in the last five years. According to the United Nations Development Program in India, the country generates 15 million metric tons of plastic waste each year. Kavala Krishnaiah, whose legs are not fully formed due to polio, makes disposable plates and bowls at Bollant Industries' manufacturing unit.Critics of the single-use plastics ban, however, cite a poor recycling infrastructure, relative lack of plastic alternatives, and enforcement challenges as potential barriers to success. This dairy-tech startup has created a step counter for cows Priti Mahesh, the chief program coordinator at Toxics Link, an environmental research and advocacy NGO in Delhi, says, "Yes, there's a ban, but has there been any concrete measure to identify alternatives [to plastic]? And what is done to enforce this ban on the ground will be a question."For Bolla, an outright ban on single-use plastics is not the best solution. He says that subsidies are needed to encourage manufacturers to develop new alternatives. "Plastic is such a versatile, flexible material," he says, "So we should shift to making plastic using biodegradable polymers. This is the only way we can tackle plastic pollution.""We are ready for the big shift"To make its plastic alternative products, Bollant purchases fallen areca leaves collected by farmers in the neighboring state of Karnataka and acquires used paper from local paper mills. At its manufacturing unit, staff operate hand presses to transform the leaves into cutlery and tableware, and the used paper into colorful plates. Bollant sells its products to around 200 small and medium enterprises, like Prahalad Tiffin Point, across India. Bolla says he hopes to export his line of products to the US and Europe in the future. Bollant Industries uses recycled paper to make cardboard sheets. Credit: CNNBollant is not the only Indian company innovating in this space. Delhi-based Ecoware converts agricultural waste like sugarcane residue into compostable tableware, and Biogreen in Bangalore manufactures biodegradable bags derived from corn starch.These startups are part of an expanding market. According to market research firm Valuates Reports, India is expected to be the fastest-growing market for biodegradable plastics, anticipated to grow to almost $9 billion globally by the end of 2025.Bollant Industries is currently expanding its range and developing a biodegradable product which can be used, instead of plastic, to coat and waterproof paper products. "We are ready for the big shift," says Bolla.

Stephanie Bailey, CNN Business

2021-06-09 10:56:20

business

tech

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/09/tech/robot-zaps-weeds-spc-intl/index.html

A robot is killing weeds by zapping them with electricity - CNN

UK-based startup Small Robot Company has developed robots to rid land of unwanted weeds without using chemicals and heavy machinery.

tech, A robot is killing weeds by zapping them with electricity - CNN

A robot is killing weeds by zapping them with electricity

London (CNN Business)On a field in England, three robots have been given a mission: to find and zap weeds with electricity before planting seeds in the cleared soil. The robots — named Tom, Dick and Harry — were developed by Small Robot Company to rid land of unwanted weeds with minimal use of chemicals and heavy machinery. The startup has been working on its autonomous weed killers since 2017, and this April launched Tom, its first commercial robot which is now operational on three UK farms. The other robots are still in the prototype stage, undergoing testing. Small Robot says robot Tom can scan 20 hectares (49 acres) a day, collecting data which is then used by Dick, a "crop-care" robot, to zap weeds. Then it's robot Harry's turn to plant seeds in the weed-free soil. Using the full system, once it is up and running, farmers could reduce costs by 40% and chemical usage by up to 95%, the company says. Read MoreAccording to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization six million metric tons of pesticides were traded globally in 2018, valued at $38 billion."Our system allows farmers to wean their depleted, damaged soils off a diet of chemicals," says Ben Scott-Robinson, Small Robot's co-founder and CEO. Zapping weeds Small Robot says it has raised over £7 million ($9.9 million). Scott-Robinson says the company hopes to launch its full system of robots by 2023, which will be offered as a service at a rate of around £400 ($568) per hectare. The monitoring robot is placed at a farm first and the weeding and planting robots delivered only when the data shows they're needed.The robot zapping weeds with electricity.To develop the zapping technology, Small Robot partnered with another UK-based startup, RootWave. This supplement can reduce methane in cows and make farmers money"It creates a current that goes through the roots of the plant through the soil and then back up, which completely destroys the weed," says Scott-Robinson. "We can go to each individual plant that is threatening the crop plants and take it out." "It's not as fast as it would be if you went out to spray the entire field," he says. "But you have to bear in mind we only have to go into the parts of the field where the weeds are." Plants that are neutral or beneficial to the crops are left untouched.Small Robot calls this "per plant farming" — a type of precise agriculture where every plant is accounted for and monitored.A business case For Kit Franklin, an agricultural engineering lecturer from Harper Adams University, efficiency remains a hurdle. "There is no doubt in my mind that the electrical system works," he tells CNN Business. "But you can cover hundreds of hectares a day with a large-scale sprayer ... If we want to go into this really precise weed killing system, we have to realize that there is an output reduction that is very hard to overcome."But Franklin believes farmers will adopt the technology if they can see a business case.This 'snake robot' can fix pipelines on the ocean floor"There's a realization that farming in an environmentally friendly way is also a way of farming in an efficient way," he says. "Using less inputs, where and when we need them, is going to save us money and it's going to be good for the environment and the perception of farmers."As well as reducing the use of chemicals, Small Robot wants to improve soil quality and biodiversity."If you treat a living environment like an industrial process, then you are ignoring the complexity of it," Scott-Robinson says. "We have to change farming now, otherwise there won't be anything to farm."

Ana De Oliva, CNN Business

2021-07-08 07:44:46

business

tech

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/08/tech/usky-pod-sharjah-uae-spc-intl/index.html

These futuristic pods could help free up roads - CNN

Belarus-based uSky Transport is testing a set of suspended pods to offset traffic congestion in Sharjah, UAE.

tech, These futuristic pods could help free up roads - CNN

These futuristic pods could help cities solve their traffic problems

Abu Dhabi (CNN Business)Traffic congestion is a problem for cities around the world, with some looking to electric scooters to ease gridlock, and others to AI-enabled traffic lights. But one company believes the solution is to build a network of driverless high-speed pods that ride around cities suspended from a steel track.In June, Belarus-based uSky Transport opened a 400-meter test line in Sharjah, which borders Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.From the outside, the electrically powered pods are glossy white while the interiors are designed to feel like a first-class airline suite, including mood lighting, lounge music and floor-to-ceiling windows. With two padded armchairs and two foldable seats, the vehicle being tested can carry up to four passengers.The interior of the uSky pod currently being tested in Sharjah, UAE.A fully implemented city-wide network could support 10,000 passengers per hour, uSky says, with vehicles currently able to travel up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour — although for safety reasons, they can't reach their top speed on the test track.The company says its objective is to free up roads and ground space that could be used for greenery, walkways and public leisure spaces. "The ground level is completely over-saturated, and people are tired of traffic jams. People are tired of emissions," says Oleg Zaretskiy, uSky Transport's CEO. This supplement can reduce methane in cows and make farmers moneyRead MoreAccording to uSky, while one kilometer of subway can cost up to $150 million to construct, this system costs around $10 million. And by using less structural materials, it reduces carbon emissions.The company has also developed a similar technology to transport cargo containers, carrying up to 48 tons at a top speed of 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour.Making a difference in mobilityTransport pods that travel above the ground — often referred to as "sky pods" — are sometimes compared to monorails or cable cars. But they offer greater flexibility, says Stephanie Haag, associate partner at consulting firm McKinsey & Company."In a cable car, you have one car and it always drives at the same speed," she says. "[In sky pods] you can use many different cabins on that particular infrastructure," such as ones tailored for shorter trips in urban areas or for longer distances.The uSky pod is being tested at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park.Although she cautions that it would require careful planning to avoid congestion in a busy city-wide network, Haag believes it could still be a widely adopted solution if the promises of improved mobility and sustainability are kept.Plans for future expansionLater this year, uSky plans to build a 2.4 kilometer (1.5 mile) line in Sharjah, allowing it to run the passenger pod at higher speeds and demonstrate how passenger and cargo pods can be integrated into the same network.According to Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, where uSky's test lines are located, the hope is for sky pods to boost the emirate's strategy of becoming a sustainable, futuristic hub.uSky says an AI-powered camera helps avoid potential collisions with other pods on the track.With the test line up and running, uSky has also received initial approval to build a line around the coastal town of Khor Fakkan, to the east of the emirate. Neighboring emirate Dubai is also exploring driverless pods that would operate above city traffic and other global companies, such as Virgin Hyperloop, are reportedly developing high-tech transport pods for the region. Zaretskiy says uSky is also looking beyond the UAE. "We can see that the most promising areas for us [are in the] Middle East [and] Asia -- places where there is natural growth of population ... such as India and Pakistan," he says.A robot is killing weeds by zapping them with electricity Haag adds that pods are more suited to countries where public transportation is under-developed and there is increasing demand for mobility solutions. Still, Zaretskiy says uSky Transport has received inquiries from countries including the United States and Canada.The company hopes to finalize its first commercial contract by the end of the year in Sharjah, Zaretskiy adds, meaning uSky pods could be up and running over traffic by 2024.

Nell Lewis, CNN Business

2021-07-15 08:24:45

business

business

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/business/whim-app-helsinki-spc-intl/index.html

These apps are trying to put car dealers out of business - CNN

A Finnish startup has developed a mobile app, Whim, to fix urban congestion and reduce pollution.

business, These apps are trying to put car dealers out of business - CNN

These apps are trying to put car dealers out of business

London (CNN Business)City dwellers are used to switching between apps to decide the best way to get from A to B. Is it quickest to get the train or the bus? What about a taxi or a city bike? Which provider has the nearest e-scooter?It can be inconvenient and time consuming. Which is why Finnish startup MaaS Global decided to aggregate all these services into one app called Whim. Available in more than 10 cities across Europe and Asia, users can access taxis, buses, bikes, e-scooters and rental cars. "Whim's sole purpose is to compete against car ownership," CEO Sampo Hietanen tells CNN Business.According to the International Energy Agency, transport is responsible for 24% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, most of which come from passenger vehicles. If Whim can persuade users to trade their car keys for a single app offering multiple transport options, the environmental impact could be enormous, says Hietanen. Car competitionRead MoreHe admits this isn't an easy task. To succeed Whim has to be more convenient and cheaper than owning a car. "The car represents freedom of mobility," says Hietanen — even if a city dweller barely uses it, they still keep it parked outside as a "freedom insurance."To compete, Whim offers rental cars and taxis, but Hietanen says that users tend to opt for public transport or micromobility (shared lightweight vehicles such as bikes or e-scooters). The app was launched in Helsinki but is now available in several European and Asian cities.Users can choose between multiple tiers of service, including a pay-as-you-go option and a 30-day season ticket, which costs €62 ($73) in Helsinki — where the app is most established — for unlimited public transport and short taxi rides. The ticket also offers car rental from €55 ($65) per day.While Helsinki has well-developed alternatives to driving, that's not true of everywhere. If a city "does not have a wide public transport system or a lot of rental cars or taxis in place" then it will be difficult to convince people to give up their cars, says Maria Kamargianni, associate professor of transport and energy at University College London.She says apps like Whim represent the first step in tempting people away from car ownership, and adds that the availability of alternative transport options is likely to improve as the market matures. Research firm MarketsandMarkets predicts the global mobility service market will grow from $4.7 billion in 2020 to $70.4 billion by 2030. MaaS movementOther providers include Citymapper, which launched a travel pass for Londoners in 2019, and Moovit, which launched an all-in-one mobility app in Israel last year. Whim, launched in 2016, is one of the earliest providers and has raised more than $60 million from investors such as BP (BP), Mitsubishi (MBFJF) and Toyota Financial Services. It's available in several European cities and in Tokyo, and has racked up 18 million trips globally since launch. But the business has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, says Hietanen; with fewer people traveling, revenues are lower, stalling the company's expansion into other cities.According to Whim, public transport and micromobility are the most popular ways to travel using the app. Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat recently reported that the company had spent €50 million ($59 million) on failed expansion ventures. Hietanen says the money was spent on integrating multiple transportation providers, establishing market readiness in several countries, and developing the complex technology that underpins the app. "We've known from the beginning that the investment needed to create this would be substantial," he says, adding that the company has recently secured further investment. Greener travelThough the industry is in its infancy, Hietanen is confident the demand will be there. A recent report from the International Transport Forum (ITF) says that mobility services will be vital in meeting the needs of a growing world population and fast-paced urbanization. But for growth to happen, "people must choose it over other travel options" such as private motor vehicles.This is already happening, says Hietanen. According to a company survey carried out in Helsinki, 12% of its users said that Whim had prompted them to give up their cars. "People want the more sustainable solution," he says, "but they still want the freedom of being able to go anywhere, anytime."

Milly Chan, CNN Business

2021-10-27 01:37:49

business

tech

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/tech/seatrec-bedrock-robot-seabed-mapping-climate-spc-hnk/index.html

Electric robots are mapping the seafloor, Earth's last frontier - CNN

Seatrec and Bedrock Ocean Exploration are two startups taking electric robots to new depths in an attempt to map the ocean floor.

tech, Electric robots are mapping the seafloor, Earth's last frontier - CNN

Electric robots are mapping the seafloor, Earth's last frontier

(CNN Business)For centuries, humans have explored the Earth's mountains, jungles and deserts. But despite covering more than 70% of the Earth's surface, the ocean is still a relative mystery. In fact, we know more about the surface of Mars than we do about the sea floor; just over 20% of the ocean bed has been mapped. Getting a fuller picture would enable us to navigate ships more safely, create more accurate climate models, lay down telecommunication cables, build offshore windfarms and protect marine species -- all part of what's known as the "blue economy," projected to be worth $3 trillion by 2030.Underwater robotic vehicles equipped with sensors are helping gather that data quicker and more cheaply than ever before. But many of these vehicles rely on batteries with a limited lifespan, and need to return to a boat or the shore to recharge, making it difficult for them to map more remote parts of the sea. A five-year-old startup called Seatrec is rising to the challenge, founded by oceanographer Yi Chao. While working at NASA, he developed technology to power ocean robots by harnessing "the naturally occurring temperature difference" of the sea, Chao told CNN Business. Greener and cheaperRead MoreThe power module can be installed on existing data-gathering robots or Seatrec's own floating device. This dives a kilometer down to examine the chemistry and shape of the seabed, using sonar to create a map of the surrounding area. The robot returns to the surface to send back its findings via satellite.Seatrec's float uses differences in ocean temperature to power itself.As the float moves between colder and warmer parts of the ocean, material inside the module either melts or solidifies, causing pressure that in turn creates thermal energy and powers the robot's generator."They get charged by the sea, so they can extend their lifetime almost indefinitely," Chao said.This underwater concrete attracts marine life and gets stronger at the same timeA basic float model typically costs around $20,000. Attaching Seatrec's energy system adds another $25,000, Chao said.But the access to free, renewable energy and the ability to stay in the water longer makes data gathering up to five times cheaper in the long run, according to Chao. He said the startup is making fewer than 100 devices per year, primarily for marine researchers, but the technology is easily scalable -- Seatrec's energy module can also be can be retrofitted onto existing mapping devices to extend their range. Picking up the paceNew technologies that can extend the reach of data-gathering devices are crucial for mapping more remote parts of the deep sea, according Jamie McMichael-Phillips, director of the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project. "One of the huge challenges we have is quite simply physics," said McMichael-Phillips. "Unlike mapping the Earth's surface where we can use a camera [or] satellites, at sea, light does not penetrate through the water column. So we're pretty much limited to using sonar systems." How 3D printing could help save Hong Kong's coralLaunched in 2017, the Seabed 2030 Project has increased awareness about the importance of the ocean floor, and given researchers and companies a clear goal to work towards: map the entire seafloor by the end of this decade. Some companies, such as XOCEAN, are surveying the ocean from the surface. Another startup, Bedrock Ocean Exploration, says it can provide surveys of seabed areas up to 10 times faster than traditional methods by using an autonomous electric submarine fitted with sonars, cameras and lasers; the data is then analyzed on Bedrock's own cloud platform.Bedrock Ocean Exploration uses an autonomous electric submarine fitted with sonars, cameras and lasers.The challenge aheadEven with the growing number of technologies accelerating seabed exploration, completing the map is still a logistical and financial challenge. This vegan 'tech-style' startup wants to make clothes using algae Chao estimates that it would take 3,000 of Seatrec's floats operating over the next 10 years to fully survey the ocean. The company has raised $2 million in seed funding to scale up production of its energy harvesting system.But this is a drop in the ocean of the capital needed to fully survey the ocean, which is estimated to be "somewhere between $3 to $5 billion," according to McMichael-Phillips -- "pretty much the same order of magnitude as the cost of sending a mission to Mars."Bedrock's DiMare believes it's time we start investing in our own planet."If we want to keep Earth as a place that humans can live," he said, "we have got to get a lot smarter about what's going on in the ocean."

Jen Christensen and Deidre McPhillips, CNN

2022-03-20 17:33:47

health

health

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/health/johnson-and-johnson-covid-19-vaccine/index.html

Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine worked better than it gets credit for and may play an important role in the future - CNN

The US public and even some health experts may have underestimated the Covid-19 vaccine made by Janssen, a division of Johnson & Johnson, new data shows. And there's emerging evidence that it could still play an important role ahead.

health, Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine worked better than it gets credit for and may play an important role in the future - CNN

'Reassuring' data suggests Johnson & Johnson vaccine may still have a role to play against Covid-19

(CNN)The US public and even some health experts may have underestimated the Covid-19 vaccine made by Janssen, a division of Johnson & Johnson, new data shows. And there's emerging evidence that it could still play an important role ahead. A study published Thursday in the medical journal JAMA Network Open found that the J&J vaccine remains durable and effective, even through the surge of cases caused by the Delta variant. It was 76% effective overall in preventing Covid-19 infections and 81% effective in preventing Covid-related hospitalizations. The study also showed that it provided lasting immunity at least six months after the shots.Pfizer/BioNTech seek FDA authorization for fourth Covid-19 vaccine doses for people 65 and upAnd a CNN analysis of information collected by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed the J&J vaccine had the lowest breakthrough infection rate of all the vaccines since the week ending December 25, the latest five weeks of available data. In January, during the Omicron surge, breakthrough infections were highest among those who received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, followed by those who got Moderna. Those vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson shot had the lowest incidence of breakthrough infections.As of the week ending January 22, there were 650 infections per 100,000 people with the J&J vaccine. With Moderna, there were 757 per 100,000, and with Pfizer, the rate was 862 per 100,000.Read MoreUnvaccinated people were particularly vulnerable to getting sick during the Omicron and Delta surges, just as they were with the original version of the coronavirus. They were 3.2 times as likely to get sick as people who had the J&J vaccine. The unvaccinated were 2.8 times as likely to become infected than those who got Moderna and 2.4 times as likely as those who got Pfizer. US drug overdose deaths reach another record high as deaths from fentanyl surge"What we saw in the summertime and the fall during the Delta surge is that all three vaccines protected very, very well. But breakthrough rates in August, September of last year with the Janssen vaccine were slightly higher than Pfizer, and Moderna was slightly lower. But those differences were relatively small," said Dr. Dan Barouch, director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He helped to develop and study the J&J vaccine."But what we saw over time is that those differences then narrowed," he said. "And by the first week of December, what we saw in the data is that the lines cross," with incidence rates for the J&J/Janssen vaccine becoming lower than the others. 'Reassuring' data for J&J recipientsIn March 2021, the J&J vaccine was the third to be authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration, and the initial response was more muted than the milestone authorizations of the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.The vaccines work differently. The mRNA vaccines deliver blueprints, essentially, that train your body trains to fight that particular infection and any similar infection down the road. Adenovirus-vector vaccines, like J&J's, use a virus that can act like a Trojan horse. But instead of soldiers jumping out, the adenovirus releases genes that encode the coronavirus' spike protein. The J&J vaccine stood out for other reasons, too: It came as a convenient single dose and didn't require special refrigeration, whereas the mRNA vaccines required two doses, and Pfizer's needed special cold storage. The flexibility was appealing for people who were afraid of shots or didn't have the time to get two shots. It was also better for countries without a solid health care infrastructure. Europe thought it was done with Covid-19. But the virus isn't done with EuropeBut its performance tempered some of the enthusiasm around it, especially from the public.Whereas the mRNA vaccines were hailed for "astonishing" efficacy of more than 90%, the news that J&J was 65% effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19 among clinical trial volunteers underwhelmed some.From the start, the J&J vaccine supply was more limited. After after the vaccine was authorized, the federal government briefly paused its use due to safety concerns around rare blood clotting events. Even once vaccinations resumed, the pace of J&J vaccinations never recovered.In December, the CDC changed its recommendations to say shots made by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech are preferred over J&J's. It also urges people who got the J&J shot to get a booster of one of the mRNA vaccines two months later.The protection that the Covid-19 vaccines offered has waned over time, and none of them works as well against the variants that have popped up since the original coronavirus surfaced. But the science is starting to show that people who got the J&J Covid-19 vaccine may have some advantage. Should parents be worried about vaccine effectiveness for 5- to 11-year-olds? An expert weighs inBarouch told CNN that he "wasn't surprised at all" to see that the durability of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine appears to be last longer than that of the mRNA vaccines -- Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna -- based on the incidence of breakthrough infections.The mRNA vaccine technology has been shown to quickly elicit a potent and robust immune response after vaccination, but that can wane over time. Johnson & Johnson's virus-vector platform may not spark as powerful of an immune response in the short term, but it is known to have strong durability."Over time, the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines goes down, the efficacy of the J&J vaccines remains stable, and so it is exactly as you would predict: that they will converge and they will then cross," Barouch said.The J&J vaccine also might have "a particular edge," he said."The immune system is actually made of two arms: the antibodies side and the T cells. And the type of T cells that are critical for prevention of serious illness are called CD8 T cells," Barouch said. "The J&J vaccine raises better CD8 T cells than the Pfizer and other mRNA vaccines, so the J&J vaccine might have a particular edge for variants like Omicron that largely escaped from antibody responses."Overall, Barouch called this data "very reassuring" for recipients of the J&J vaccine."They should be reassured that they received a vaccine that gives very good protection for a long period of time," Barouch said. "And I think the second message is that I think people should learn about these new data in terms of considering booster shots, as well."Prospects as a booster?David Montefiori, a virologist at Duke University Medical Center, said "the J&J vaccine has kind of gotten a bad rap because of the efficacy, but the stability of the response is intriguing." The antibody level went down with every vaccine during the Omicron surge, and that could mean people need an additional booster. More research is needed to find out.A yet-unpublished study by the National Institutes of Health looking at a mix-and-match vaccine strategy saw good results when J&J was included, Montefiori said. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team."In people who got the Pfizer vaccine initially and then a boosted with the J&J vaccine, those people made pretty high levels of neutralizing antibodies to Omicron: 10 times higher than people who got two shots with just the J&J vaccine," he said. "So the J&J vaccine might be a good booster for people who got an mRNA vaccine initially."The Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be used for primary doses or as a booster, but the CDC says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are recommended in most situations because of the risk of serious adverse events with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The J&J vaccine has been linked to rare cases of blood clots with low platelets, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome or TTS. "It occurs at a rate of about 3.83 cases per million Janssen doses and has resulted in deaths," the CDC says.Dr. Angela Branche, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Rochester, said the side effect profile of the J&J vaccine "remains something that's of concern for some groups where that risk is high." Women ages 30 to 49 years are at increased risk of this rare adverse event, the CDC says.But if that research pans out, the J&J vaccine may be useful as a booster for only certain populations. "For some groups where that risk of developing serious blood clots is not very high, like older adults, this may be a good strategy," Branche said. Montefiori said the vaccine deserves more study."I think there might still be a place for the J&J vaccine in the long-term picture of this pandemic," Montefiori said.CNN's Jacqueline Howard and Tasnim Ahmed contributed to this report.

Jen Christensen, CNN

2022-03-19 07:30:11

health

health

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/health/covid-19-youngest-children-vaccine/index.html

Where the US stands on Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5 - CNN

A month after the US Food and Drug Administration delayed key steps toward authorizing Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5, many parents are more eager for the shots than ever.

health, Where the US stands on Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5 - CNN

Where the US stands on Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5

(CNN)A month after the US Food and Drug Administration delayed key steps toward authorizing Covid-19 vaccines for children under 5, many parents are more eager for the shots than ever.Dr. Daniel Leonard, a pediatric hospitalist who is working on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine trial for these kids, said people are driving in from several states away to take part."We're here in south central Nebraska, and while many may not think that this would be the epicenter of scientific progress, the influx that I've had with people from Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa -- some driving eight or nine hours each way overnight to participate in the study," he said. "They are dedicated." Florida's top doctor is dangerously misguidedAbout 18 million US children under 5 are still not eligible for the protection of a Covid-19 vaccine. Children are less likely than adults to be hospitalized or to die from Covid-19, but at least 400 children age 4 and younger have died from Covid-19, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Experts say the wait for a vaccine may not be much longer. Read MoreModerna has said that it expects to report trial data in children 2 to 5 years of age in March, and it may seek sign off from the FDA "if the data is supportive and subject to regulatory consultation." Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine is currently authorized in the US only for adults.Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Sunday that he expects to have a vaccine for children 6 months to 4 years old "potentially in May, if it works." "And we will be ready with manufacturing," Bourla added on CBS' "Face the Nation." Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine is already authorized for people as young as 5.Johnson & Johnson, which makes the other Covid-19 vaccine authorized in the United States, has a late-stage trial of a vaccine for 12- to 17-year-olds but nothing for this younger group.Waiting for more dataFor a while, it had appeared the US would have a vaccine for children under 5 early in the first months of 2022.Initially, the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine for this age group was being tested with just two doses, but the results weren't what scientists had hoped for and the companies said they would test a third dose. But at the request of the FDA, the companies submitted a request for an emergency use authorization of two doses of the vaccine and said they would continue to test a third doses as the two doses moved through the regulatory process.Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness fell quickly for kids during Omicron surge but still offered some protection against severe disease In mid-February, the plan changed again. Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said the agency needed to see data from an ongoing trial of a third vaccine dose in these younger children in order to move forward with emergency use authorization. A February 15 meeting of the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee was delayed. Families would have to wait for the third-dose data after all."The immunogenicity analysis really showed that the immune response really wasn't where it should be," Dr. William Towner, who leads the Clinician Investigator Program for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, said of the vaccine trials. "I think the data is pretty strong that for children, this will be a three-dose series." Two doses didn't seem to do the trick, agreed Dr. James Versalovic, the pathologist-in-chief at Texas Children's Hospital, where some Pfizer and Moderna pediatric trials are under way. "The data just weren't as robust as we had hoped for in terms of immune response," particularly with children in the 2 to 4 range. Scientists working on the littlest kid trials have the benefit of observing what happens with other age groups. After seeing breakthrough infections in 2021, Versalovic said, scientists learned quickly that adults and adolescents needed booster doses."Taking these lessons to heart, we just pivoted in late December and just kept going forth full-tilt with a third dose and following these children during the trials," he said. Children who have gotten a third dose need to be followed for at least two months before the data can be submitted to the FDA. Investigators across the country confirmed that they are working as quickly and as carefully as they can to gather the data. Bourla said Sunday that the company should have data on its three-dose vaccine trial for this age group by April. US government plans to make high-quality masks available for kids, White House adviser says"The studies must be done correctly, and if it takes a bit longer, that's OK; let's do it right," said Dr. Sharon Nachman, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Stony Brook University who has been working on the Pfizer trials. "I think they need to be careful assessing what the immune response is. How long does it last? And really, what did that third dose mean?" Another Pfizer investigator, Dr. Jennifer Nayak, a pediatric infectious disease specialist who is affiliated with Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester Medical Center, said it makes more sense to evaluate all the data rather than some of it. "Really, what it comes down to is trying to get as much data as we can and be as careful as we can and make the best recommendations," Nayak said. Should parents be worried if their child's school no longer requires masks? An expert weighs inDr. Jonathan Hand, an infectious disease specialist working on the Pfizer trial in New Orleans with Ochsner Medical Center, said that all the careful work that goes into these trials should reassure parents once a vaccine is made available. "Data integrity and patient safety are so critical to this process," he said.The good news, investigators say, is that they haven't seen any safety issues. "The data is quite clear that there's good safety. It's not all published and it's not all public, but the vaccines are safe," said Dr. Janet Englund, who is working on the Pfizer trial at Seattle Children's. Keeping up with variantsThe biggest questions that remain are exactly how protective the vaccines are, what the right vaccine schedule is and what the right dose is. The results to be released in the coming weeks and months should answer that question. "We've always said that the number one goal is to prevent hospitalization, but families would like them to prevent transmission in the household, particularly if they have people in the household that are at risk like the elderly," Englund said. The Muppets are having a moment -- just when we need them mostOne challenge is that the vaccines are being tested in what scientists call a "different viral period." The Covid-19 vaccines were developed off the initial variant and tested during the Delta surge. Now, researchers are collecting data on the third shot while the Omicron variant is the most dominant. "Omicron kind of changed all bets," Towner said. "Omicron was highly mutated and obviously spread very quickly." If it's authorized, there's a chance that little kids could get a vaccine on a different schedule than what adults and adolescents get. Rather than wait four or five months before a third dose, like with older ages, they could get a third shot as soon as two months after the second shot. "Children are not simply small adults. They are growing and developing throughout childhood," Versalovic said. That affects how the vaccines work. Another Pfizer investigator, Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford Medicine and a committee chair with the American Academy of Pediatrics, said they should know what they have soon. "I do think we are getting closer to some answers," she said. With Omicron, parents of kids under 5 are even more stressedAs with any vaccine trial, Dr. Claire Boogaard, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical director of the Covid-19 vaccine program at Children's National in Washington, said it is important to remember that scientists are still learning about the disease as they look for ways to fight it. With variants, a lot can change quickly. "We want to encourage everyone to just be flexible, because that's actually what the science requires," Boogaard said. "The reality is, there are a lot of variables at play." All the scientists working on these trials said they understand parents' desire to protect their children. When the FDA postponed the meeting of its vaccine advisers, Marks said he understood parents' frustration.Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team.In the meantime, he urged parents to keep taking Covid-19 precautions: Make sure everyone around the child is vaccinated and rely on "masking procedures," although that' has become more difficult as mask mandates fall. As soon as the FDA gets the necessary data to make a decision about vaccines for younger children, Marks said, it will proceed "very rapidly."

Tasnim Ahmed, CNN

2022-03-18 22:04:23

health

health

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/health/alcohol-related-deaths-rise/index.html

Alcohol-related deaths in the US spiked more than 25% in the first year of the pandemic, study shows - CNN

The number of deaths in the US involving alcohol jumped 25.5% between 2019 and 2020, the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to research published Friday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

health, Alcohol-related deaths in the US spiked more than 25% in the first year of the pandemic, study shows - CNN

Alcohol-related deaths in the US spiked more than 25% in the first year of the pandemic, study shows

(CNN)The number of deaths in the US involving alcohol jumped 25.5% between 2019 and 2020, the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to research published Friday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This is a sharp incline from prior years; the average annual percent increase in deaths involving alcohol was 2.2% between 1999 and 2017. There were 78,927 alcohol-related deaths in the US in 2019 and 99,017 in 2020. These deaths also included motor vehicle crashes that happened as a result of driving under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol-related deaths made up 2.8% of all deaths in 2019 and 3% in 2020. "We're not surprised. It's unfortunate, but we sort of expected to see something like this," Aaron White, lead author of the study and a neuroscientist at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, said.No amount of alcohol is good for the heart, new report says, but critics disagree on scienceRead More"It's not uncommon for people to drink more when they're under more duress, and obviously, the pandemic brought a lot of added stress to people's lives. In addition to that, it reduced a lot of the normal outlets people have for coping with stress, [like] social support and access to gyms."The researchers also saw a 16.6% increase in deaths caused by any reason between 2019 and 2020, but the shift in alcohol-related deaths surpassed that in an "unprecedented leap," White said.The study analyzed death certificates provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics for people 16 and over between 2019 and 2020. The researchers identified all deaths in which alcohol was listed as an underlying cause. The researchers also looked at the CDC's provisional data for the first half of 2021. They found that January 2021 was the month with the highest number of alcohol-related deaths between January 2019 and June 2021. The spike in alcohol-related deaths in the first year of the pandemic was seen across all age groups. The largest change in alcohol-related deaths was among 35- to 44-year-olds, with a nearly 40% increase. Although more men have alcohol-related deaths, the rate for women is accelerating."These measures have been escalating faster for women. That's one of the things that's been very clear over the last 20 years," White said.US drug overdose deaths reach another record high as deaths from fentanyl surgeAs drug overdose deaths continue to hit record highs, according to the CDC, opioid overdose deaths that involved alcohol also increased about 41% during the first year of the pandemic. In fact, overdoses from alcohol, along with overdoses of other drugs in which alcohol was involved, are second to liver disease as the top underlying factors for alcohol-related deaths. Liver disease makes up a third of deaths involving alcohol, according to White.White also said that the increasing rate of deaths involving alcohol is a reflection of increasing alcohol consumption."Nationwide, there was about a 3% increase in alcohol sales, which is the biggest increase ... in 50 years," he said.The numbers reflected in the study are probably underestimates, though. White said alcohol is not always reflected in a death certificate, even if it is involved with the death. For example, death certificates "way underestimate" the role of alcohol in traffic fatalities. "Deaths involving alcohol reflect hidden tolls of the pandemic," the researchers wrote in the study. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team.Considering these trends, White said it's important for care providers to start thinking about what's causing this uptick in the first place, to increase screening to and openly ask patients about their alcohol use. "We need to help people learn how to cope in healthy ways," he said. "It's not enough to prevent unhealthy behavior. We need to go that next step and promote healthy behavior."Although the numbers are grim, White is somewhat optimistic: "I also see hope in this. We're beginning to understand what needs to be done to turn this around."

Brenda Goodman and Deidre McPhillips, CNN

2022-03-16 20:13:23

health

health

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/16/health/key-indicator-ba2-wave/index.html

Covid US: This key indicator may determine how bad a BA.2 wave could be - CNN

As America casts a wary eye on rising cases caused by the BA.2 subvariant in Europe, the immune status of adults over the age of 65 will be a key indicator of how future variants will affect the US.

health, Covid US: This key indicator may determine how bad a BA.2 wave could be - CNN

This key indicator may determine how bad a BA.2 wave could be in the US

(CNN)With a new version of the Omicron coronavirus variant picking up steam in the United States, as many as 28 million seniors remain at risk of becoming severely ill from Covid-19, either because they are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, or because it has been more than five months since their second or third dose of a vaccine, according to a CNN analysis of federal data.As America casts a wary eye on rising cases caused by the BA.2 subvariant in Europe, the immune status of adults over the age of 65 will be a key indicator of how future variants will affect the US because the risk of severe outcomes rises dramatically with age. What rising Covid-19 infections in the UK and Europe could mean for the US"It's really looking at that older age group and how much prior immunity they have, either from previous infection or vaccination, that I think has been the best indicator so far of how severe a given number of cases is going to end up being in terms of hospitalizations and deaths," said Stephen Kissler, who specializes in infectious disease modeling at Harvard's TH Chan School of Public Health.An analysis by the UK Health Security Agency shows that the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron is growing about 80% faster than BA.1, the virus that caused the last wave of infections in the US over the winter. Cases and hospitalizations are rising in the UK and several other European countries where BA.2 has become the dominant strain. Even though head-to-head comparisons with BA.1 indicate that BA.2 is not more likely to lead to hospitalization, this variant has the potential to overwhelm health care resources in the US once again if it finds enough vulnerable people to infect.Read MoreForgoing boostersThe most vulnerable group is adults over the age of 65, especially those who have little immunity against the virus. This is why Pfizer and BioNTech asked the US Food and Drug Administration this week to green-light fourth vaccine doses for older adults."It's that group that's most problematic when it comes to the severe critical and fatal disease. It doesn't mean that younger folks don't wind up in the hospital at times; it's just not at the same rate," said Jeffrey Shaman, who specializes in modeling the spread of infectious diseases at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.Hong Kong bet on zero-Covid. Now it's facing a 'preventable disaster'Shaman points to Hong Kong, which is in the throes of a severe wave caused by BA.2. It has the highest Covid-19 death rate in the world."And they have not seen the full brunt of that because it lags a little bit, but it's because they have an elderly population that wasn't very well-vaccinated," he said.US officials don't expect BA.2 to hit here as hard as it has in Hong Kong. That's because the city has pursued a zero-tolerance Covid strategy. That policy kept cases and deaths low up till now, making it a model for Covid control. But Omicron and BA.2 have overwhelmed those defenses and started to infect a population with little prior exposure to the virus. Hong Kong also relied on a slightly different mix of vaccines than the US and Europe, including the Chinese-made Sinovac shots and Pfizer's Comirnaty.Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Is America ready to take the next step in its Covid-19 recovery?Health officials are looking to the UK for clues to how BA.2 may behave in the US. But the they're not analogous in all ways; mostly notably, the UK is more highly vaccinated.Overall, in the UK, 82% of adults have had a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, something that is crucial to preventing infections and hospitalizations from Omicron because of how highly "immune erosive" these variants are, Shaman says. In the US, that number is just 36%. Among Americans over the age of 65 who are eligible to get a booster, CDC data shows that 1 in 3 have not opted to get a third dose -- leaving about 15 million older Americans without that critical extra protection.Protection wanes over timeRecent studies show that vaccine timing matters, too. Data collected by the UK's Health Security Agency shows that vaccine effectiveness against Omicron fell to 10% for infections, 35% of hospitalizations and 70% for deaths six months or more after the second dose. Boosters restored much of that protection, but their benefits have faded, too. Four to six months after a third dose, boosters were about 40% to 50% effective at preventing Omicron infections and 75% to 85% at preventing hospitalizations, for all adults.CDC estimates 140 million US Covid-19 infectionsIn the UK, about two-thirds of seniors have had a second, third or fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine within the past five months, but only about half of US seniors are within five months of their second or third vaccine dose.Comparing antibody protection from a past Covid-19 infection or vaccination, the UK comes out ahead again. By the end of February, 98% of adults in the UK had tested positive for antibodies to Covid-19, according to the Office of National Statistics. In the US, the CDC estimates that 43% of Americans have antibodies from a past infection to fight off Covid-19. Seniors are the least likely to have this protection, however, with just 23% of adults over age 65 testing positive for antibodies from a previous infection."I do still think it's a potential cause for concern that we may still see a higher case fatality rate and higher hospitalizations for Covid in the US than the UK because of the differences in underlying immunity," Kissler told CNN.So while a BA.2 wave in the US may not be as severe as it is for Hong Kong, it might not be the same experience as the UK is having, either.Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team."What we see happening in the UK is going to be perhaps a better story than we should be expecting here," said Keri Althoff, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.With perhaps a few critical weeks to prepare, Kissler and Shaman say vaccinations and boosters for seniors are an important place to start."Every additional layer of protection that we get helps, and so I would highly recommend, especially somebody who's elderly who has yet gotten vaccinated to do so, because it really can go a long way towards giving you the durable and robust immunity that you want," Kissler said. "This is definitely the time."Clarification: This story has been updated to clarify that BA.2 is growing 80% faster than BA.1 in the United Kingdom.

Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-19 14:53:21

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/entertainment/cold-war-movies-and-tv/index.html

Russian were go-to movie villains in the 1980s. What a new Cold War might bring - CNN

How will the promise of a second Cold War impact the portrayal of Russia in movies and television? To see a glimpse of what could be in the future it's worth looking to the past.

entertainment, Russian were go-to movie villains in the 1980s. What a new Cold War might bring - CNN

Russians were go-to movie villains in the 1980s. What a new Cold War might bring

(CNN)How will the promise of a second Cold War impact the portrayal of Russia in movies and television? To see a glimpse of what could be in the future it's worth looking to the past, and what Americans were watching in the 1980s, during the years immediately preceding the Berlin Wall coming down and the Soviet Union crumbling.There was no one kind of Cold War movie during that period, but a variety that tugged at different threads. The plots ranged from traditional spy fare and stock, go-to villains to Soviet invasions of the US to hopeful demonstrations of Russians and Americans finding common ground, even if their countries didn't. Others focused on the threat of nuclear annihilation, a concern exemplified by earlier movies like "Failsafe" and "Dr. Strangelove" but brought to vivid life -- and directly into living rooms -- in the '80s.That last bracket included "The Day After," a 1983 TV movie considered so provocative that the Reagan administration appealed to ABC not to broadcast it. Shown with limited commercial interruption because of the content, the movie drew a massive audience -- a cultural moment captured, fittingly, in the FX series "The Americans," which dealt with Soviet spies operating within the US. "Testament," released the same year, offered a lower-key but no less devastating view of nuclear war's aftermath, while "War Games" provided a more Hollywood-friendly spin.Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell and Charlie Sheen in the 1984 film 'Red Dawn.'That period also included "Red Dawn," in which teenagers defend the US homeland from invading forces; and "Amerika," an ABC miniseries that imagined a future America under Soviet-occupied control.Read MoreDespite Cold War apprehensions, there were plenty of broadly entertaining films built against that backdrop. "Rocky IV" actually sees the title character win over the Russian crowd against towering Soviet champion Ivan Drago, while another Sylvester Stallone franchise, "Rambo III," had the trained killing machine team up with brave Afghans against the Soviets. With its spies-among-us hook, "No Way Out" was in a way an early version of "The Americans," while Chevy Chase and Dan Akyroyd co-starred in the 1985 comedy "Spies Like Us."Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase in the 1985 film 'Spies Like Us'As for the notion of cross-national partnerships, examples range from "Red Heat," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, to "Gorky Park," with William Hurt as a Russian detective seeking to solve a trio of murders while navigating a cesspool of corruption, and for a time partnering with an American cop.As Emma Piper-Burket wrote in a 2017 article for Rogerebert.com, while many '80s films incorporated Russians and Americans cooperating despite the political climate, "After the dissolution of the USSR, however, Hollywood quickly resumed perpetuating its familiar trope of Russian bad guys."More recent series like "The Americans" and "Homeland" have offered a more nuanced view of Russian characters. During their heday, retired Gen. Michael Hayden (who had consulted on the latter) told the Washington Post that in the past, "There was a theoretical certainty — Marxism bad, totalitarianism bad. The Russians didn't need much explaining."Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys played Russian spys in 'The Americans.'The question is where the Russian image goes from here. Michael Kackman, an associate professor of television at Notre Dame whose specialties include Cold War American culture, expressed hope that the stories of individual Russians wouldn't be lost in the rush toward broad-strokes portrayals."Part of the tricky thing is in American popular culture Russians are imaginary people, or at least were during most of the Cold War," Kackman told CNN. If the goal is greater understanding, he added, it's important to remember "that Russia isn't just Putin, and to try to be reasonably empathetic" about people living within that system.One of the more memorable demonstrations of that mindset in the 1980s came not from film or TV, but Sting's song "Russians," which capsulized a vision of the path to peace with the lyric, "I hope the Russians love their children too." The musician recently issued a new version of the song as "a plea for our common humanity. For the brave Ukrainians fighting against this brutal tyranny and also the many Russians who are protesting this outrage despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment."Because it can take years for an idea to become a movie or TV show, it's difficult to say now where recent events will lead. But if the '80s are any indication -- and the content landscape has grown exponentially in the decades since -- it won't fit in just one basket.The world is complicated, and we are too," Kackman said. "All of those representations are in circulation together."

Zoe Sottile, CNN

2022-03-20 15:04:52

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/entertainment/mila-kunis-ashton-kutcher-ukraine-trnd/index.html

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher raise $30 million for Ukrainian refugees - CNN

Actors Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have raised over $30 million for Ukrainain refugees fleeing the country amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

entertainment, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher raise $30 million for Ukrainian refugees - CNN

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher raise $30 million in donations for Ukrainian refugees

(CNN)Actors Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have raised over $30 million for Ukrainain refugees fleeing the country amid the ongoing Russian invasion.The couple, who first rose to fame on the sitcom "That '70s Show," previously vowed to match all donations to the fundraiser up to $3 million. In a video shared on Kutcher's Instagram, the couple thanked supporters for their donations. "Over 65,000 of you donated," said Kunis. "We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support." She pointed out that while the donations will not solve the crisis, "our collective effort will provide a softer landing for so many people as they forge ahead into their future of uncertainty." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) "We are going to do everything we can to ensure that the outpouring of love that came from you all as a part of this campaign finds the maximum impact with those in need," added Kutcher. "As funding continues to come in, we are going to treat every dollar as if it is being donated out of our pocket."The International Organization for Migration says that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in late February, over 3 million refugees have fled the country, including at least 1.5 million children. Many of them have found refuge in neighboring countries, including Romania, Moldova, and Poland. And 6.48 million people have been internally displaced, forced to leave their homes to search for safety elsewhere in the country.Read MoreAs of early Sunday, more than $34 million had been donated through 69,300 individual donations according to the GoFundMe page.Kunis herself is a "proud Ukrainian." On the pair's GoFundMe, she explained that she was born in Chernivtsi, a city in southwestern Ukraine, in 1983 and her family traveled to the US eight years later.'I couldn't sit there and do nothing': These teens created a website matching Ukrainian refugees with hosts offering shelter"Ukrainians are proud and brave people who deserve our help in their time of need," she wrote. "This unjust attack on Ukraine and humanity at large is devastating and the Ukrainian people need our support."Donations to the GoFundMe are going to two organizations: freight transportation company Flexport, which is organizing shipments of relief supplies to refugee sites in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, and Airbnb, which is providing free, short-term housing to refugees from Ukraine.Kunis and Kutcher join other stars including Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who also pledged to match donations for Ukrainian refugees, and Gigi Hadid -- who donated her fashion month earnings to relief in Ukraine.

Lisa Respers France and Chloe Melas, CNN

2022-03-20 16:55:25

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/entertainment/kanye-west-banned-grammys-trevor-noah/index.html

Kanye West's Grammys performance being canceled had nothing to do with Trevor Noah, says source - CNN

Kanye West has been pulled from performing at this year's Grammys due to "concerning online behavior," three sources close to the artist confirmed to CNN.

entertainment, Kanye West's Grammys performance being canceled had nothing to do with Trevor Noah, says source - CNN

Trevor Noah had nothing to do with Kanye West's Grammys performance being canceled, says source

(CNN)Kanye West has been pulled from performing at this year's Grammys due to "concerning online behavior," three sources close to the artist confirmed to CNN.The decision, which was first reported by The Blast, comes days after West, who now goes by Ye, was temporarily banned from Instagram after using a racial slur directed at "Daily Show" host Trevor Noah.Noah is also the host of next month's Grammy Awards.West's derogatory social media post was in response to Noah expressing concern over the artist's recent treatment of his former wife Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend, "SNL" star Pete Davidson during an episode of his show last week."You may not feel sorry for Kim because she's rich and famous," Noah said in the segment. "But what she's going through is terrifying to watch and shines a spotlight on what so many women go through when they choose to leave."Read MoreA source close to Noah told CNN that he had nothing to do with West's performance being canceled and that he has not had any conversations with producers or the Recording Academy, who produces the show, about West."Trevor never asked the Grammys to ban Kanye from performing. He was not offended by Kanye's Instagram post and Trevor responded on Instagram. The notion that Trevor or his team asked the Grammys to ban Kanye is ridiculous," the source said.CNN has not yet received comment from the Recording Academy and West has not commented publicly.West is nominated for five Grammys this year, including album of the year. It's unclear if he plans to attend the ceremony.Noah commented on West's Instagram post, which has since been deleted, a message of support to the musician, writing it "breaks my heart to see you like this," and that his music had been an "indelible" part of his life."Early Sunday morning Noah tweeted, "I said counsel Kanye not cancel Kanye."The news of West's performance being axed from this year's lineup came as a bit of a surprise to his fans considering he had not been among the first round of performers announced last week for the 64th Grammy Awards. More performances will be announced in the days leading up to the show.Among the artists who are set to take the stage are Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, BTS and Olivia Rodrigo.The Grammys are scheduled to air April 3 on CBS.

Zoe Sottile, CNN

2022-03-20 18:36:46

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/entertainment/kyiv-calling-ukrainian-band-covers-the-clash-trnd/index.html

'Kyiv Calling:' Ukrainian punk band makes The Clash classic an anti-Russia anthem - CNN

A Ukrainian punk band has released an anti-war spin on The Clash's hit song "London Calling," with the blessing of the English band itself.

entertainment, 'Kyiv Calling:' Ukrainian punk band makes The Clash classic an anti-Russia anthem - CNN

'Kyiv Calling:' Ukrainian punk band makes The Clash classic an anti-Russia anthem

(CNN)A Ukrainian punk band has released an anti-war spin on The Clash's hit song "London Calling," with the blessing of the English band itself.The cover, which describes Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion, is called "Kyiv Calling" and calls for global support for Ukraine. "Kyiv calling to the whole world / Come out of neutrality, you boys and girls," sings the band, known as Beton."Cause Kyiv is rising," the lyrics continue. "We live by resistance." The lyrics also allude to Russia's powerful use of propaganda to tell its own citizens a warped narrative about the invasion: "And you know what Moscow said? Well, none of it was true."Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, killing hundreds of people and forcing millions of others to flee the country. As of Sunday, there were more than 3 million refugees, including at least 1.5 million children, according to the International Organization for Migration. Most of them have fled to nearby countries, including Romania, Moldova, and Poland. Millions more are internally displaced within Ukraine.The title of the original song by The Clash references World War II. The BBC World Service would use "This is London calling" in its broadcasts during the war. Its lyrics reference the political instability in Britain and across the world at the time of its 1979 release.Read MoreA video for the cover song, posted to Free Ukraine's YouTube channel Saturday, had thousands of views by Sunday afternoon. The video features the band performing spliced with footage from protests and Russian attacks on the country.The video was even shared by The Clash on Twitter.Beton said on Instagram the cover was crafted to "raise money to support our country around the world with the help of punk rock." They were asked to remake the song by the Free Ukraine Resistance Movement and delivered upon the request in just three days. The movement partners with governments and nongovernmental organizations to protect "the territorial integrity of Ukraine," according to its website.Zelensky: 'I'm ready for negotiations' with Putin, but if they fail, it could mean 'a third World War'The band has also used its own social media to condemn Russia's invasion and document their resistance. On Instagram, they posted a picture of themselves with the caption: "We're punk-hardcore band Beton from Ukraine. And instead of playing gigs we're volunteering for our army, working on-air all nights long, taking care of refugees and hiding families in shelters. All our hate is for enemy!"Among the producers who helped record and mix the cover song is Danny Saber, a seasoned audio engineer who has produced works by famous artists such as Madonna and the Rolling Stones.

Analysis by Lisa Respers France, CNN

2022-03-19 13:10:00

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/entertainment/life-beth-amy-schumer-plc/index.html

Analysis: Amy Schumer has older millennial malaise in 'Life & Beth' - CNN

In "Life & Beth," Amy Schumer plays a woman who looks to live her best life. Schumer gives us a warm and sweet comedy as only she can — with her irreverent wit.

entertainment, Analysis: Amy Schumer has older millennial malaise in 'Life & Beth' - CNN

Amy Schumer reckons with older millennial malaise in 'Life & Beth'

A version of this story appeared in Pop Life Chronicles, CNN's weekly entertainment newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. (CNN)We are past International Women's Day, but let's still hear it for the women who are doing the hard things. For starters, there's Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, who is being hailed for her role in defending her war-torn nation and also those who continue to champion Equal Pay Day, which was celebrated this week. Lots has been written about disparities experienced by women in Hollywood (where aging is basically a sin), but this week I'm going to amplify some of the projects starring them.Besides, with gas prices where they have been, don't you just want to stay home and watch or listen to something entertaining? Of course you do. Three things to watchRead More'Life & Beth'(From left) Michael Cera and Amy Schumer are shown in a scene from "Life & Beth."Rethinking one's life is a theme that resonates as we (hopefully) emerge from the pandemic.In this series, Amy Schumer plays Beth, a woman who looks to live her best life.She is making good money, has a long-term relationship with a great guy and is living well in Manhattan. Then life shifts and she's forced to revisit her old life, with plenty of flashbacks to her teen years that have her grappling with who she has become and who she really wants to be. Schumer gives us a warm and sweet comedy as only she can — with her irreverent wit."Life & Beth" started streaming on Hulu Friday.'DMZ'Rosario Dawson stars as Alma in "DMZ." Given how divided this nation is feeling these days, this one might hit a little close to home.Rosario Dawson stars as a medic who gets caught up in the second American Civil War in this limited series, based on the 2005 Vertigo comic books written by Brian Wood, with artwork from Riccardo Burchielli and Wood.Benjamin Bratt costars with Dawson in this comic adaptation.And "DMZ" really is a limited series, as it runs only four hours.It's streaming on HBO Max, which is owned by CNN's parent company.'The Julia Child Challenge'Julia Child is shown on the set of her first cooking show, "The French Chef." No single woman may have had more of an impact on how Americans cook than Julia Child.And the fact that she came into her success in her 50s is just a chef's kiss. (Bonus: CNN has a great documentary about her.)Food Network has produced a competition in which a group of Julia Child superfans try and win a three-month all-expenses-paid trip to the famed cooking school Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Can you say "ooh la la"?"The Julia Child Challenge" is streaming on Discovery+. Two things to listen toCharli XCX performs during the iHeartRadio Z100 Jingle Ball 2021 Pre-Show in New York City on December 10, 2021. "I think the people who know me and my work know that 50 percent of the time I'm entirely serious, and the other 50 percent of the time I'm a troll," singer and songwriter Charli XCX recently told Rolling Stone.That sounds like a potential recipe for some good tunes, which we will get to judge on her new album, "Crash."Her fifth album is reportedly a bit of a concept one, in which she's an "evil pop star" who has made a deal with the devil.Let's see how much that costs now that "Crash" has dropped.Gayle headlines at NYFW: The Shows x Afterpay's ShopsLA Event at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles on February 12. "A Study of the Human Experience Volume One" may sound like an intimidating title — especially for singer-songwriter Gayle's debut EP.Don't forget that she's an artist who found fame with the 2021 song "abcdefu," a clever way to use the F word on the radio."I didn't think it was offensive," she told the Los Angeles Times about that single. "But I know that a teenage girl being very comfortable in her emotions and in her anger and not being apologetic about it — that can be jarring to some people."Her EP is now out, and some fans are already swearing it's hot. One thing to talk aboutThe cast of "Abbott Elementary" are shown.I'm already on record as being a huge fan of the comedy "Abbott Elementary," so I was beyond thrilled with the announcement this week that ABC has signed it for a second season.Not only has creator and star Quinta Brunson created a hysterical comedy, but she's also done it in such a way that honors all of our teachers who we don't recognize nearly enough for what they have endured — even before the pandemic.Bring on more laughs and bittersweet moments, "Abbott Elementary." I'm so ready. Something to sip on (From left) Roger Frappier looks on as Jane Campion accepts the best picture award for "The Power of the Dog" during the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards at LA's Fairmont Century Plaza on March 13.Speaking of women (and in case you haven't noticed we have been), director Jane Campion found herself having to apologize to tennis superstars and newly minted Hollywood producers Venus and Serena Williams.During her acceptance speech at the recent Critics Choice Awards, Campion said "Venus and Serena, you're such marvels. However, you don't play against the guys, like I have to."First, that's wrong, as the sisters have played in mixed doubles matches with men. Second, the "I have it much tougher than you" stance feels pretty tone deaf when talking about two Black women who rose from a world devoid of privilege in Compton, California, to achieve all that they have.Campion has since apologized for her "thoughtless comment." It's a good reminder that we don't need women pitting themselves against each other, as the world already does that enough. What did you like about today's newsletter? What did we miss? Pop in to [email protected] and say hello! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lisa Respers France (@lisafrance)

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-18 13:33:18

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/entertainment/wecrashed-review/index.html

'WeCrashed' review: Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway can't make Apple TV+'s WeWork series pay off - CNN

If there were awards for most-annoying characters, "WeCrashed" would have a mantle full of them. As is, this meaty showcase for Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway is wrapped in a somewhat malnourished limited series.

entertainment, 'WeCrashed' review: Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway can't make Apple TV+'s WeWork series pay off - CNN

'WeCrashed' invests in Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, but the series doesn't pay off

(CNN)If there were awards for most-annoying characters, "WeCrashed" would have a mantle full of them. As is, this meaty showcase for Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway is wrapped in a somewhat malnourished limited series, with the misfortune of coming at the tail end of several better productions about high-stakes startups whose founders flew too close to the sun.Add Leto's Adam Neumann to the list of fast-talking hustlers who built vast empires, only to see them come, well, crashing down. In this case, the house of cards is WeWork, which went from a single coworking space to a global operation worth billions before its inevitable downfall.Neumann bills himself as a "serial entrepreneur," a fancy way of saying he's determined to get rich and keep throwing out ideas until one strikes gold. The problem, as the eight-episode Apple TV+ series illustrates in exhaustive detail, is that his commitment to sell, sell, sell obscures a hollow shell, covered up by the wild parties he throws and cult-like devotion he seeks to engender.Beginning in 2019, "WeCrashed" flashes back a dozen years to chart Neumann's rise, along with his courtship and marriage to Rebekah (Hathaway), who's his match in terms of the evangelical zeal that she brings to the enterprise. Indeed, as depicted she coins the idea that WeWork is "not a business. It's a feeling," talking with laughable earnestness about "the soul of the company."Still, there's a tired, repetitive quality to the way the episodes unfold, with Neumann spouting mantras like "Built to grow" and buying market share while the company hemorrhages money. The trick is staying one step ahead of his board, finding new deep-pocketed investors that he can beguile, never mind what the balance sheet says.Read MoreLeto disappears into the role, from Neumann's Israeli accent to walking around barefoot, able to go from charming people to warning a competitor "I am going to crush you" with a smile on his face.Hathaway similarly lowers her voice while turning up the intensity as Rebekah, who, faced with a dispute over her children's school, simply decides to start her own. When a friend asks, "Is Adam for real?," her assurance that he is, based on the available evidence, feels like equal parts complicity and delusion.Still, those performances play almost like a parody of start-up wealth run amok, coming in the service of a so-so series. That's certainly true compared to Hulu's "The Dropout," about Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos; and "Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber," other cautionary tales about corporate greed gone wrong. (The story was also the subject of a 2021 documentary, "WeWork: or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn.")Adapted from the Wondery podcast, "WeCrashed" ultimately shares something in common with its subject matter in one key respect: Despite a pair of Oscar winners front and center in Leto and Hathaway, it looks better on paper then it does once you start wading through the fine print."WeCrashed" premieres March 18 on Apple TV+. (Disclosure: My wife works for a unit of Apple.)

Lisa Respers France, CNN

2022-03-17 12:59:13

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/entertainment/volodymyr-zelensky-show-netflix/index.html

Volodymyr Zelensky: Netflix is streaming the series that foreshadowed his presidency - CNN

Netflix is streaming the TV series that helped make Volodymyr Zelensky a star -- and served as a springboard for his campaign to become president of Ukraine.

entertainment, Volodymyr Zelensky: Netflix is streaming the series that foreshadowed his presidency - CNN

Netflix is streaming the Volodymyr Zelensky series that foreshadowed his presidency

(CNN)Before he became president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky was a successful actor and comedian.Now Netflix is again streaming the TV series that helped make him a star -- and served as a springboard for his presidential campaign."Servant of the People" is a political satire featuring Zelensky as a high school teacher who becomes the Ukrainian president after a speech he makes about corruption in the country's government goes viral.Volodymyr Zelensky's acting career prepared him for the world stageThe series debuted in 2015. Some have credited the role with helping catapult Zelensky to Ukraine's real-life presidency in 2019."You asked and it's back!" Netflix said in a tweet Wednesday, announcing the series' return.Read MoreZelensky is currently dominating the world stage with his impassioned pleas for help following Russia's invasion of his country.

Scottie Andrew, CNN

2022-03-18 14:59:03

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/entertainment/sesame-street-emilio-delgado-luis-sonia-manzano-cec/index.html

'Sesame Street's' Maria, Sonia Manzano, remembers Emilio Delgado - CNN

Sonia Manzano, who played Maria on "Sesame Street," co-starred alongside Delgado, who played Luis, for decades. In a piece for Time, she remembered her co-star as "eternally positive" and an exceptional role model for Latino children.

entertainment, 'Sesame Street's' Maria, Sonia Manzano, remembers Emilio Delgado - CNN

'Sesame Street's' Maria, Sonia Manzano, remembers Emilio Delgado

(CNN)Emilio Delgado, best known to generations of "Sesame Street" viewers as the patient and kind Luis, died last week at 81. Who better to memorialize him than the actress who worked alongside him for more than 40 years? Sonia Manzano, who for decades played Luis' co-worker and eventual wife, Maria, remembered her late co-star as a socially conscious man dedicated to improving the portrayal of Latino characters on TV in a brief but heartfelt piece for Time. "My nephew, who is now in his 50s, told me that as a little boy, he wanted to grow up and become a man like Luis," Manzano said in the Time piece. "How wonderful that Emilio's strength, warmth, and kindness were attractive enough for children to want to emulate."Manzano and Delgado co-starred on "Sesame Street" for decades -- Manzano's Maria and Delgado's Luis ran the Fix-It Shop together before their characters married in 1988, in an emotional (and fictional) wedding attended by the human and Muppet residents of Sesame Street (Elmo was their ring bearer). Manzano and Delgado (pictured with co-star Bob McGrath, left) were good friends off-screen and played a married couple on "Sesame Street."Read MoreWhen the "widely watched onscreen wedding" aired, Manzano said, "Latinos on television were the butt of the joke." But the realistic and respectful portrayal of two Latino characters on a public TV series -- before and after their wedding -- was meaningful to viewers, she said. "Our wedding presented flesh-and-blood Latinos wanting the same things out of life as other Americans. To love, get married, have a baby, send them to daycare, go camping," Manzano said. "Our affection for each other came through so strongly people thought we had really gotten married."Both Manzano and Delgado appeared on the series from 1971 until 2015. After his stint on the series ended, Delgado joined the board of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, which highlighted his history of activism, from his early support of United Farm Workers to his work in support of Latinos in media."Emilio held children in high regard, saw adults as individuals, always defended the underdog, and was eternally positive," Manzano said. "I will miss him."

Joe Sutton, CNN

2022-03-18 00:58:37

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entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/entertainment/dolly-parton/index.html

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to keep Dolly Parton on nominee list despite her opting out - CNN

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced on Thursday they will keep singer Dolly Parton on their 2022 nomination list, despite Parton's request to withdraw her name.

entertainment, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to keep Dolly Parton on nominee list despite her opting out - CNN

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to keep Dolly Parton on nominee list despite her opting out

(CNN)The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced on Thursday they will keep singer Dolly Parton on their 2022 nomination list, despite Parton's request to withdraw her name."All of us in the music community have seen Dolly Parton's thoughtful note expressing her feeling that she has not earned the right to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to her incredible talent as an artist, her humility is another reason Dolly is a beloved icon by millions of fans around the world," a statement from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, posted to its official Twitter account, said. "From its inception, Rock & Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Country music. It is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture. Dolly Parton's music impacted a generation of young fans and influenced countless artists that followed." The statement added that Parton's nomination to be considered for induction "followed the same process as all other artists who have been considered," and her name was included in the ballots sent to its 1,200 voters earlier this month. Sixteen other artists are also nominated this year, including A Tribe Called Quest, Duran Duran and Lionel Richie. Earlier this week, in a statement shared on Parton's social media accounts, the country star said that while she was "extremely flattered and grateful" for the nomination, she didn't feel she'd "earned that right.""I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out," she said.Read MoreThe organization stood by its decision, however, saying, "We are in awe of Dolly's brilliant talent and pioneering spirit and are proud to have nominated her for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame."The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has made an effort in recent years to nominate and induct artists who aren't traditional rock artists but have made major contributions to popular music and influenced other musicians. CNN's Scottie Andrew contributed to this report.

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-18 13:35:29

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/entertainment/deep-water-review/index.html

'Deep Water' review: Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas bring unhappily married heat to Patricia Highsmith's erotic thriller - CNN

Seeing exes Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas on screen together will be an undeniable attraction (if not of the "Fatal" variety) for "Deep Water," but that shouldn't obscure the simple pleasures of this erotic thriller directed by Adrian Lyne, a crafty veteran of that genre. While the movie falls apart toward the end, the mystery -- and crackling central performances -- cruises along at a low boil much of the way.

entertainment, 'Deep Water' review: Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas bring unhappily married heat to Patricia Highsmith's erotic thriller - CNN

Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas bring unhappily married heat to 'Deep Water'

(CNN)Seeing exes Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas on screen together will be an undeniable attraction (if not of the "Fatal" variety) for "Deep Water," but that shouldn't obscure the simple pleasures of this erotic thriller directed by Adrian Lyne, a crafty veteran of that genre. While the movie falls apart toward the end, the mystery -- and crackling central performances -- cruises along at a low boil much of the way.Adapted from the novel by Patricia Highsmith ("The Talented Mr. Ripley") and relegated to a low-key premiere on Hulu, the story hinges on the strange marriage between Vic (Affleck) and Melinda ("Knives Out's" de Armas), a picture-perfect couple that outwardly have everything, including his invention-earned wealth and their adorable young daughter.The two have reached an apparent understanding, however, that allows her to compensate for his indifference and emotional distance by taking lovers, an unhappily-ever-after dynamic that causes discomfort among their friends, with whom they regularly throw neighborhood parties, mostly due to her brazenness.As for Vic, he acts unperturbed by his wife's infidelity, but there's the little matter of Melinda's one-time "friend" who has gone missing, and lingering suspicions as to whether he had anything to do with that.Vic doesn't seek to quell those rumblings, underscoring the mind games that the couple plays not only with each other, but those around them. When a pulp writer (Tracy Letts) who is new to the community observes that Vic's "a weird guy," Vic merely smiles at his wife having said much the same to him and responds, "So I've been told."Read MoreKnown for his glossy excess, Lyne practically invented this modern variant of the erotic thriller with "Fatal Attraction," "Indecent Proposal" and later "Unfaithful," the film that this movie most closely resembles in tone and topic. The irony, of course, is that while some will watch out of curiosity about the leads due to their off-screen relationship, most of de Armas' steamiest scenes happen with others.Lyne and screenwriters Zach Helm and "Euphoria's" Sam Levinson have taken liberties with the novel, but the broad outlines make for a tense, twisty atmosphere -- at least, until they pull back the curtain, sacrificing the psychological uncertainty and squandering that momentum down the stretch.It's nevertheless a strong showcase for Affleck -- whose history with the genre includes "Gone Girl" -- and de Armas, playing a character seemingly determined to test how far she can push her aloof husband, desperate to elicit some sort of emotional reaction.Despite the tabloid-tinted side of the star pairing, this once-thriving formula is no longer enough to lift the film's must-see factor out of the shallow end commercially speaking, which likely explains its debut via streaming, not theaters.Still, Affleck and de Armas' generate enough heat to make "Deep Water" worth watching, even if the movie seems destined to generate its biggest splash over what transpired off screen instead of what's on it. "Deep Water" premieres March 18 on Hulu. It's rated R.

Marianne Garvey

2022-03-18 14:13:43

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/entertainment/adam-scott-jimmy-kimmel/index.html

Adam Scott shares his 'quite illegal' fake ID debacle at age 16 - CNN

Celebrities, they're just like us.

entertainment, Adam Scott shares his 'quite illegal' fake ID debacle at age 16 - CNN

Adam Scott shares his 'quite illegal' fake ID debacle at age 16

(CNN)Celebrities, they're just like us. When it came time for a teenage Adam Scott to land a fake ID, he was all of us in trying to figure out how to get away with getting one that looked legit. So, teenage Adam Scott had an idea. He told Jimmy Kimmel on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Thursday that at 16, he pretended to be his big brother in order to get a license with an older age on it. "When I was 16 I needed a more legit fake ID, so I did something that was really quite illegal now, thinking back on it," Scott said. He went down to City Hall with his older brother Dave's birth certificate, went to the DMV, and got away with having a driver's license made with his photo and his older brother's name.Read More"I was so excited," says Scott, who adds that he eventually was busted when "After a few weeks it came in the mail, and my mom retrieved it."" allowfullscreen>Scott currently stars in "Severance" on Apple TV+.

Toyin Owoseje, CNN

2022-03-18 16:07:49

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entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/entertainment/tom-hiddleston-zawe-ashton-engaged-intl-scli/index.html

Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton are engaged - CNN

Congratulations are in order for Marvel star Tom Hiddleston and actress Zawe Ashton, who are officially engaged.

entertainment, Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton are engaged - CNN

Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton are engaged

(CNN)Congratulations are in order for Marvel star Tom Hiddleston and actress Zawe Ashton, who are officially engaged.CNN confirmed Friday that the British couple are preparing to walk down the aisle, after they sparked engagement rumors following their appearance at the the 2022 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) on Sunday.Hiddleston looked dapper in a black tuxedo and Ashton accessorized her draped blush pink gown with an oval diamond ring on her wedding finger. Justin Bieber talks wife's blood clot emergency: 'She's strong' The engagement news comes three years after Hiddleston and Ashton starred opposite each other in the 2019 Broadway revival of Harold Pinter's play "Betrayal," in which they played a married couple.Hiddleston, best known for playing antihero Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, also showed off his acting chops in films including "Crimson Peak" and "Kong: Skull Island." Read MoreIn addition to her stage work, Ashton's acting credits include the films "Velvet Buzzsaw" and "Nocturnal Animals." She will star in the upcoming "Captain Marvel" sequel "The Marvels," set to premiere next year.Adam Scott shares his 'quite illegal' fake ID debacle at age 16Hiddleston, who famously dated pop superstar Taylor Swift, previously revealed that he prefers to keep his romantic relationships separate from his life as a public figure, telling Britain's Telegraph newspaper in 2017: "Everyone is entitled to a private life." He added at the time: "I love what I do, and I dedicate myself with absolute commitment to making great art and great entertainment, and in my mind I don't conflict the two. My work is in the public sphere and I have a private life. And those two things are separate."

Chloe Melas, CNN

2022-03-18 02:54:24

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entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/entertainment/kanye-west-snl-chris-redd-interview/index.html

Chris Redd says he's ready to tell some Kanye West jokes, with one exception - CNN

At least one "Saturday Night Live" star thinks it's time to unleash his Kanye jokes.

entertainment, Chris Redd says he's ready to tell some Kanye West jokes, with one exception - CNN

Chris Redd says he's ready to tell some Kanye West jokes, with one exception

(CNN)"Saturday Night Live" may be treading lightly around the volatile situation involving cast member Pete Davidson and musician Kanye West, but Davidson's "SNL" castmate Chris Redd has some jokes ready when the time is right. "I think Pete's handling it well and you know, he's starting to talk again, and he is handling that well," Redd, who has impersonated West on the sketch comedy show, told Sirius XM's The Jess Cagle Show this week. "So, I think these jokes gonna start flying soon." Davidson is currently dating West's ex-wife, Kiim Kardashian. In recent alleged text exchanges between West and Davidson, posted to Instagram by Davidson's longtime friend and comedian Dave Sirus, Davidson stated that he was the driving force behind "SNL's" decision to avoid jokes aimed at West."You have no idea how nice I've been to you despite your actions towards me," Davidson's text read. "I've stopped 'SNL' from talking about or making fun of you which they've wanted to do for months. I've stopped stand up comedians from doing bits about you cause I don't want the father of my girls kids to look bad out there."Read MoreRedd added that some angles of the conflict are, however, off limits."When it comes to Ye, I'm always like of the mind that that I'll make fun. Look, I was raised joking. You clown. You clown people. That's kind of how we come up. We're from the same place. We know the same people, but at the same time, there is a serious layer to that situation that I just won't make fun of," Redd said. "Like, I'm not making fun of his mental health."West has publicly shared that he has bipolar disorder.He added: "You know, I have my mental health issues myself. So I'm very aware of those things. And I never come from that place of making fun of that specifically. His irresponsibility of it is what I make fun of and his ego, but it's not, it's never those things ... But I'm really tired of sitting on these jokes though. So I hope they figure that out soon. Cause I ain't got nothing to do with none of this."He also said that he's pretty sure the Grammy winner isn't a fan of his impersonation of him, citing a past interaction he had with West. "I did the impression," he said. "He was there with [Dave] Chappelle and some other folks. And I tapped him on the shoulder to say what up, and he didn't fully turn around ... And I was like, 'So he don't like it.' Yeah that was my takeaway, but it's all good. You know what I mean? Sometimes people can't take a joke and it's all good."Redd said though he and West "aren't friends," "I want the best for that dude too." "I'm still a fan of his music, you know? I hope that he like learns how to handle this, so they could just move on with their lives," he said.

Lisa Respers France, CNN

2022-03-17 15:42:57

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entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/entertainment/sarma-melngailis-bad-vegan/index.html

Sarma Melngailis and 'Bad Vegan': What you need to know - CNN

Netflix has a delicious new true crime treat for devotees of that genre.

entertainment, Sarma Melngailis and 'Bad Vegan': What you need to know - CNN

Sarma Melngailis and 'Bad Vegan': What you need to know

(CNN)Netflix has a delicious new true crime treat for devotees of that genre."Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives" is a four-part documentary series that looks to be the next Netflix project that will have people talking and memes galore.Here's what you need to know:Who is Sarma Melngailis?The storyline is built around Meingallis, who Netflix describes as "the celebrity restaurateur behind the glittering New York hotspot Pure Food and Wine." Meingallis "went from being the queen of vegan cuisine to being known as the 'Vegan Fugitive.'"Read MoreWhat is she alleged to have done? Melngallis is alleged to have stolen from her employees to finance the lifestyle of her then husband, Anthony Strangis.According to an article in Vanity Fair, she "transferred more than $1.6 million from her business accounts to her personal bank account, and Strangis spent $1.2 million of this money at Connecticut casinos." How did it happen?Strangis reportedly convinced his wife that if she continued to give him money, all of her wishes would come true, including making her beloved dog immortal.Unable to pay her employees, the couple eventually went on the run. Did they get away with it?If you don't already know, you will have to watch to see. "Bad Vegan" is streaming now on Netflix.

Lisa Respers France, CNN

2022-03-18 14:00:03

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entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/entertainment/justin-bieber-hailey-update/index.html

Justin Bieber talks wife's blood clot emergency: 'She's strong' - CNN

Justin Bieber used some technical difficulties to talk about his wife Hailey Bieber's recent health scare.

entertainment, Justin Bieber talks wife's blood clot emergency: 'She's strong' - CNN

Justin Bieber talks wife's blood clot emergency: 'She's strong'

(CNN)Justin Bieber used some technical difficulties to talk about his wife Hailey Bieber's recent health scare.In a video shared on social media from his recent concert in Denver, the singer is seen on stage after the lights went out at the show.He talked to the audience about how "life randomly throws you curve balls," adding "we can't really control much." Bieber then mentioned that many may have heard about his wife suffering a small blood clot last weekend."But she's OK, she's good, she's strong. But it's been scary, you know?," he said. "Like, it's been really scary. But I know for a fact that God has her in the palm of his hands and that's a good thing."Read MoreHailey Bieber had posted on social media about the incident. "On Thursday morning, I was sitting at breakfast with my husband when I started having stroke like symptoms and was taken to the hospital," she wrote. "They found I had suffered a very small blood clot to my brain, which caused a small lack of oxygen, but my body had passed it on its own and I recovered completely within a few hours."The couple got engaged in summer 2018 and privately married at a New York City courthouse months later.In September 2019, they married in a ceremony attended by friends and family at luxury resort Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Marianne Garvey

2022-03-18 14:08:18

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entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/entertainment/jessica-biel-hulu-candy/index.html

Jessica Biel plays an axe murderer in trailer for Hulu's 'Candy' - CNN

It's Jessica Biel as your average axe murderer in "Candy."

entertainment, Jessica Biel plays an axe murderer in trailer for Hulu's 'Candy' - CNN

Jessica Biel plays an axe murderer in trailer for Hulu's 'Candy'

(CNN)It's Jessica Biel as your average axe murderer in "Candy."The five-episode Hulu series is based on the true story of Candy Montgomery, a Texas housewife who is involved in the shocking 1980 death of Betty Gore (Melanie Lynskey.)The series follows the real life story of Montgomery, who had an affair with Gore's husband. After she was confronted about the rumors, she attacked Gore with an axe 41 times. The show details before the murder, as Montgomery and Gore become friends, then reaches the trial where Montgomery acquitted of murder. A psychiatrist, had testified that Montgomery had a "dissociative reaction" at the time of the attack. Biel also executive produced the miniseries, like she did the hit show "The Sinner." Lynskey recently starred on "Yellowjackets." Read More"Candy" also strars Timothy Simons and Pablo Schreiber." allowfullscreen>"Candy" premieres on May 9. New episodes will be released daily through May 13. See the trailer below.

Lisa Respers France, CNN

2022-03-17 21:37:56

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/entertainment/anna-sorokin-inventing-anna-podcast/index.html

Anna Sorokin, subject of 'Inventing Anna,' says she may have lied a little - CNN

Anna Sorokin, whose life as a fake German heiress is dramatized in the hit Netflix series "Inventing Anna," is speaking out from behind bars.

entertainment, Anna Sorokin, subject of 'Inventing Anna,' says she may have lied a little - CNN

Anna Sorokin, subject of 'Inventing Anna,' says she may have lied a little

(CNN)Anna Sorokin, whose life as a fake German heiress is dramatized in the hit Netflix series "Inventing Anna," is speaking out from behind bars.Sorokin, a.k.a. Anna Delvey, appeared on the latest episode of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast and talked to host Alex Cooper about everything from whether her accent is fake (she says it's not) to if she really would marry Kanye West for a green card (just a joke, according to her).Since Sorokin is currently in Immigration and Enforcement custody pending deportation, the video interview happened in fits and starts because Cooper and Sorokin had to keep reconnecting on the phone when time was up.She was accused of conning her friends whom she had convinced she was a wealthy heiress and convicted in 2019 for stealing $200,000 from banks.On the podcast, Sorokin sort of admitted to lying about her status and background.Read More"I guess I did," she said. "I mean, I cannot tell an exact instance, but I'm sure."Yet, Sorokin said she never "told any senseless lies." "Inventing Anna" tells the story -- with some creative license, according to Sorokin -- of how the young woman conned the New York elite into believing she was one of them.She told Cooper she didn't actually claim to be a German heiress."I was from Germany, which was true, but nobody ever asked me about my job," Sorokin said. "Nobody asks who are your parents and how much money do they make. It's just outrageous." She also said she doesn't really get the fascination with her or her story as she was just being herself."It was just really a surprise to me that people would be, like, so interested in the way I went about the things because it just made so much sense to me," she said. As for the possible deportation to her homeland, Sorokin said she's hoping it doesn't happen, but if it does, she has options."I can go anywhere else in the world," she said." It's not like I have to stay in Germany."

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-17 15:23:26

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/entertainment/dmz-review/index.html

'DMZ' review: Rosario Dawson stars in a dreary family drama against the backdrop of civil war - CNN

A series built around a US civil war is bound to get attention, especially in these polarized times. But "DMZ" merely uses that backdrop as a device to introduce another dystopian drama based on a DC graphic novel, basically "The Walking Dead" meets the '70s artifact "The Warriors." The result is an uninvolving miniseries that, at four parts, feels either too long or not nearly long enough.

entertainment, 'DMZ' review: Rosario Dawson stars in a dreary family drama against the backdrop of civil war - CNN

'DMZ' casts Rosario Dawson in a dreary family drama against the backdrop of civil war

(CNN)A series built around a US civil war is bound to get attention, especially in these polarized times. But "DMZ" merely uses that backdrop as a device to introduce another dystopian drama based on a DC graphic novel, basically "The Walking Dead" meets the '70s artifact "The Warriors." The result is an uninvolving miniseries that, at four parts, feels either too long or not nearly long enough.That's because the war has already happened when the story begins, finding the US divided, with Manhattan turned into a lawless "demilitarized zone" between the two riven sides. Years after being separated from her teenage son as they fled the chaos, Alma (Rosario Dawson) braves returning to that zone, determined to be reunited with him no matter what the cost.What Alma finds, though, is a population essentially divided into wary factions, working toward a vote seeking to provide greater order and unity to their society. On one end sits Alma's ex, Parco (Benjamin Bratt), and on the other Wilson (Hoon Lee), each ruthless and brutal in their own way.Adapted by Roberto Patino ("Westworld"), with a premiere directed by Ava DuVernay and the remaining episodes helmed by Ernest Dickerson, there's ample talent both behind and in front of the camera.The net effect, however, is dramatically inert, perhaps in part because there have been so many variations on this theme, and because Alma's quest -- and the idea of a mother desperate to reconnect with her now-grown child -- overshadows the more interesting or distinctive aspects, turning it into a rather generic action thriller.Read MoreNor does it help that the narrative basically joins the story in progress, without pausing or flashing back -- as, say, "The Handmaid's Tale" did -- to flesh out how America reached this sorry point.Despite her resourcefulness and history with the key players, Alma too often feels like a bystander as conflicts rage around her, through no fault of Dawson's, who is pulling double streaming duty as Ahsoka Tano. With her energies steadfastly fixed on her son, broader questions about the DMZ's fate and assorted subplots are at best underdeveloped, and at worst relegated to colorful detours.In that respect "DMZ" has a bit in common with FX's recent "Y: The Last Man," another disappointment adapted from a graphic novel that sought to balance personal family drama (including a mother-child bond) with societal collapse.While that's fertile territory in theory, like "Y," "DMZ's" alphabet soup winds up in a kind of bleak and familiar no-man's land, one that makes it a little too tempting to zone out before crossing the finish line."DMZ" premieres March 17 on HBO Max, which, like CNN, is a unit of WarnerMedia.

Sandra Gonzalez, CNN

2022-03-16 20:30:04

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/16/entertainment/oscars-2022/index.html

Oscars 2022: Here's who is presenting at the Academy Awards - CNN

The lineup is coming together for the 2022 Oscars.

entertainment, Oscars 2022: Here's who is presenting at the Academy Awards - CNN

Here's who is presenting at the Oscars so far

(CNN)The lineup is coming together for the 2022 Oscars. With less than two weeks until the big show, show producers Will Packer and Shayla Cowan have lined up some major star power to take the stage. This week, presenters added to the line-up included Halle Bailey, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Shawn Mendes, Tyler Perry and Tracee Ellis Ross. They joined the already-announced famous face Ruth E. Carter, Kevin Costner, Anthony Hopkins, Lily James, Daniel Kaluuya, Zoë Kravitz, Mila Kunis, Lady Gaga, John Leguizamo, Simu Liu, Rami Malek, Lupita Nyong'o, Rosie Perez, Chris Rock, Naomi Scott, Wesley Snipes, Uma Thurman, John Travolta and Yuh-Jung Youn. More people -- and likely a batch of performers -- are set to join the show in the coming days.Read MoreThey just have to do better than last year's hosts... 😉 Catch @MoreReginaHall, @amyschumer and @iamwandasykes host the #Oscars LIVE Sunday, March 27 on @ABCNetwork! pic.twitter.com/inzA0r0ef5— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 10, 2022 The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall acting as hosts.

Marianne Garvey

2022-03-16 15:30:24

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/16/entertainment/lisa-kudrow-romy-and-michele/index.html

Lisa Kudrow is totally open to the idea of a 'Romy and Michele' sequel - CNN

Lisa Kudrow is thinking about treating the world to a "Romy And Michele's High School Reunion" sequel.

entertainment, Lisa Kudrow is totally open to the idea of a 'Romy and Michele' sequel - CNN

Lisa Kudrow is totally open to the idea of a 'Romy and Michele' sequel

(CNN)Lisa Kudrow is thinking about treating the world to a "Romy And Michele's High School Reunion" sequel. The '90s classic, starring Kudrow and Mira Sorvino, revolves around Romy and Michele, high school best friends who are invited back for their 10-year reunion. In order to appear as successful as their classmates, they begin a lie that takes on a life of its own."Tell Disney you want a sequel!" Kudrow told ET. "Robin Schiff will figure it out. She's got ideas brewing."The "Friends" star added that she'd like to see what Romy and Michele are up to now. "Yeah, I would. I think it would be really fun," she said. "And then a little like, 'What are they like at our age?'"Read MoreKudrow and Sorvino channeled the characters at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last month, wearing bright pink and blue suits similar to the colors they wore in the movie. Kudrow currently stars in "Better Nate Than Ever," directed by Tim Federle, based on the 2013 novel of the same name.

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-15 14:11:12

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/entertainment/phoenix-rising-review/index.html

'Phoenix Rising' review: Evan Rachel Wood journeys from acting to activism in HBO documentary - CNN

Evan Rachel Wood delves deeply into allegations of domestic abuse against former boyfriend Marilyn Manson in "Phoenix Rising," a detailed chronicle of the "Westworld" star's evolution from acting to activism. Yet an equally sobering aspect of this two-part HBO documentary involves Wood's upbringing in Hollywood, and her memories of being sexualized in movies at an early age.

entertainment, 'Phoenix Rising' review: Evan Rachel Wood journeys from acting to activism in HBO documentary - CNN

'Phoenix Rising' follows Evan Rachel Wood on her journey from acting to activism

(CNN)Evan Rachel Wood delves deeply into allegations of domestic abuse against former boyfriend Marilyn Manson in "Phoenix Rising," a detailed chronicle of the "Westworld" star's evolution from acting to activism. Yet an equally sobering aspect of this two-part HBO documentary involves Wood's upbringing in Hollywood, and her memories of being sexualized in movies at an early age.The headline-grabbing foundation involves Wood's fight for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in conjunction with a coalition of other survivors, which successfully lobbied to extend the statute of limitations on such cases in California.At length, Wood describes meeting Manson, a.k.a. Brian Warner, when she was 18 (he was 37), the beginnings of their romance and disturbing allegations about how she was abused, including a music video in which their interactions prompted concern among members of the crew. Manson declined an interview, but his legal counsel provided a detailed statement to the filmmakers saying that he "vehemently denies any and all claims of sexual assault or abuse of anyone," and that former partners had "weaponized" consensual relationships into "fabricated horror stories."Directed by Amy Berg ("The Case against Adnan Syed"), much of the documentary is devoted to Wood finding her voice to speak out, acknowledging her apprehensions about doing so. She was "terrified" to name Manson publicly, she says, adding that doing so risks "retraumatizing yourself" and "putting a target on your back." In the second half, she meets with other alleged survivors of purported abuse by Manson, a segment that drags on a bit too long."Phoenix Rising" proves most compelling during the first part, which includes a step-by-step breakdown of common patterns that domestic abusers follow to control and intimidate victims. That chapter incorporates Wood's family issues and history, moving to Hollywood after her parents separated and becoming a child star, appearing in the extremely edgy "Thirteen," a stark independent film about troubled teens. Read MoreWood, who was 14 while shooting the movie, discusses her discomfort with certain scenes, including one in which she had to make out with a 23-year-old actor. After that role, she recalls being offered various "Lolita"-type parts, and notes that Manson referenced the movie when they first met.Documented with home videos and excerpts from Wood's diary, that section in particular presents a damning look at children raised on movie and TV sets, an issue Wood previously addressed in the 2020 HBO documentary "Showbiz Kids," which in some respects serves as a companion to this.The documentary clearly comes with a specific mission in mind, shining light on the issue of domestic violence through the lens of Wood's advocacy. Toward that end, HBO is partnering with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and other organizations to ensure that the embers stoked by "Phoenix Rising" don't end there."Phoenix Rising" will air March 15-16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO, which, like CNN, is a unit of WarnerMedia.

Scottie Andrew, CNN

2022-03-15 16:35:25

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/entertainment/ms-marvel-trailer-disney-plus-cec/index.html

'Ms. Marvel' trailer introduces the MCU's Muslim teen superhero - CNN

The new trailer for "Ms. Marvel" introduces viewers to Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American high schooler from New Jersey who doodles and daydreams about one day joining the superheroes she idolizes.

entertainment, 'Ms. Marvel' trailer introduces the MCU's Muslim teen superhero - CNN

'Ms. Marvel' trailer introduces the MCU's Muslim teen superhero

(CNN)Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel, a beloved recent addition to the superhero comic canon, is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) this summer. And based on the trailer for her new self-titled Disney+ series, she's every bit as endearing and relatable as her comic iteration.The new trailer for "Ms. Marvel," dotted with speech balloons straight out of a comic book, introduces viewers to Kamala, a Muslim, Pakistani-American high schooler from New Jersey who doodles and daydreams about one day joining the superheroes she idolizes. Kamala, who was introduced in comics in 2013 before getting her own series the following year, was Marvel's first Muslim-American superhero.Though one day our teenage hero (played by Iman Vellani) will become one of Marvel's most powerful crime fighters, the series appears to serve as her origin story. The Kamala we meet encounters sniping classmates who mispronounce her name and poke fun at her Avengers T-shirt. She gawks at a shirtless boy at a party surrounded by equally awed friends. And, crucially, she envisions herself as a version of Captain Marvel, a cosmic-powered icon in the MCU. The future is in her hands. Ms. Marvel, an Original series from Marvel Studios, starts streaming June 8 on @DisneyPlus. #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/k1s7HWOtaV— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 15, 2022 That daydream is pure fantasy, until it isn't: The trailer doesn't show us just how Kamala gets her powers or their extent (no spoilers here) -- she describes them as "cosmic." "It's not really the brown girls from Jersey City who save the world," Kamala says at one point in the trailer. But "Ms. Marvel" the series will likely prove her wrong. Read MoreWhat foes will Kamala face beyond high school mean girls and intimidatingly attractive classmates? Will her family learn her super-powered secret? And when will she get to join her idol Captain Marvel in defending Earth from interstellar invaders? (She's set to appear in the upcoming "Captain Marvel" sequel "The Marvels.")The MCU loves a slow build, so it's likely neither Kamala nor the viewers will get every question answered. Marvel fans have likely already begun theorizing, but they'll have to wait until June 8, when the show starts streaming on Disney+, to see how Kamala's story plays out.

Lisa Respers France, CNN

2022-03-15 13:42:27

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/entertainment/sandra-bullock-acting-break/index.html

Sandra Bullock taking a break from acting - CNN

Sandra Bullock has a new movie coming out, but she's planning on stepping back from acting.

entertainment, Sandra Bullock taking a break from acting - CNN

Sandra Bullock is taking a break from acting

(CNN)Sandra Bullock has a new movie coming out, but she's planning on stepping back from acting.While promoting her film "Lost City," which costars Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt, Bullock told "Entertainment Tonight" she's not sure how long of a break she'll be taking.But she said she does know that she wants to be "in the place that makes me happiest.""I take my job very seriously when I'm at work," she said. "And I just want to be 24/7 with my babies and my family.""That's where I'm gonna be for a while," she added.Read MoreBullock is mother to Louis, 12, and Laila, 10.And what does she have planned with her kids? Bullock said she plans on "Servicing their every need" including "Their social calendar.""Lost City" hits theaters on March 25.

Lisa Respers France, CNN

2022-03-14 19:54:44

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/14/entertainment/gilded-age-black-elite/index.html

'The Gilded Age' reminds us that the Black elite existed and thrived - CNN

The storyline of "The Gilded Age" begins less than 20 years after slavery was abolished in the US, and so the creative forces behind the historical series would have been well within their rights to feature a Black family struggling post Reconstruction.

entertainment, 'The Gilded Age' reminds us that the Black elite existed and thrived - CNN

'The Gilded Age' reminds us that the Black elite existed and thrived

(CNN)The storyline of "The Gilded Age" begins less than 20 years after slavery was abolished in the US, and so the creative forces behind the historical series would have been well within their rights to feature a Black family struggling post Reconstruction.But, instead, there is the well-to-do Scott family, whose characterization is a breath of fresh air to many viewers, especially African Americans. "It means a great deal to me to have Black folks tune in to 'The Gilded Age' and to feel represented," Erica Armstrong Dunbar, the show's historical consultant and one of its producers, told CNN. "We're in a moment where we need to see dignity, where we need to reconcile with the violence and the trauma of segregation, of anti-Blackness, but also to see how these men and women who lived in the 19th century managed to live with that and still not be dehumanized by it."The parallels between that long ago time period and the highly-charged conversations being had in the country at the moment about race are hard to ignore.The HBO series (HBO is owned by CNN's parent company) takes place initially in New York City in 1882, with the struggle between the "old money" families and the newly rich who want entry into the elite society at its center.Read MoreOne of the characters, Peggy Scott, played by Denée Benton, is a young Black woman who is an aspiring writer.Viewers soon learn she is the daughter of successful parents played by stage-winning actors Audra McDonald and John Douglas Thompson.Armstrong Dunbar said it makes sense to portray such a family in a show about wealth, especially given that the Black elite and middle class are often "not considered when we're telling this kind of larger story about America and about Black America.""I feel like the Scott's story is a really nice counterweight to the storylines of the (wealthy and White) Russells or the van Rhijn households," she said. "And ultimately this is all about how people are attempting to find wealth, hold onto wealth and pass that wealth on to future generations."The historian credits the show's director and executive producer Salli Richardson Whitfield (who is Black) and creator Julian Fellowes with wanting to portray the Scott family. Fellowes is well known as the creator of "Downton Abbey" and his and Richardson Whitfield's involvement was one of the things that inspired Baltimore Sun journalist John-John Williams IV to watch "The Gilded Age.""I like ['The Gilded Age'] better than 'Downton Abbey' actually," Williams said. "They haven't just inserted a Black person in, like in traditional pop culture when you have the Black friend and they would have no story. They would just be on screen.""[The character of Peggy Scott] actually has her own life and her own story and she exists independent of the white lead and I think that's really important," he added. "She's a rich character with her own secrets and her own mysteries just like everyone else on the show and I think that's ideal. That's what makes the show really, really pop.""The Gilded Age" airs Mondays on HBO and streams on HBO Max.

Analysis by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-05 14:58:44

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/05/entertainment/batman-history-column/index.html

As Robert Pattinson takes over, why 'The Batman's' long history casts a long shadow among fans - CNN

In Batman lore, the police summon the hero by projecting a magnified Bat-signal across the night sky. That's a fitting metaphor for the character's much-debated history in movies, which has cast an unusually large shadow thanks to fans convinced, in their minds, precisely how the Dark Knight should be depicted.

entertainment, As Robert Pattinson takes over, why 'The Batman's' long history casts a long shadow among fans - CNN

Batman casts a long shadow, especially among his most outspoken fans

(CNN)In Batman lore, the police summon the hero by projecting a magnified Bat-signal across the night sky. That's a fitting metaphor for the character's much-debated history in movies, which has cast an unusually large shadow thanks to fans convinced, in their minds, precisely how the Dark Knight should be depicted.Created in 1939, Batman isn't the first superhero or even necessarily the best. But different approaches to adapting him for the screen have provoked inordinate passion among fans, including knee-jerk reactions that border on the hysterical. That included the howls that greeted casting Michael Keaton in the 1980s (admittedly an unorthodox choice) and perhaps especially Ben Affleck in 2013.In a December interview with Howard Stern, Affleck admitted feeling "hurt" by an online petition that circulated opposing him starring in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice." For his part, Stern pointed out that Batman aficionados have a track record of complaining "no matter who gets that role."Through the years, fans seeking fidelity to the comics have had reason to be wary and suspicious of Hollywood.The key window for Batman in comics came in the 1970s, which marked shift from the lightness and camp that characterized the 1960s "Batman" TV show -- with its "Wap! Bam! Pow!" graphics -- to a darker vision of the caped vigilante.Read More"The Batman," starring Robert Pattinson, represents the latest screen incarnation of the character, and in many ways feels designed to tap into the desires of that ardent fan base. Brooding and serious, the film caters to those weaned on Batman as a creature of the night, an image honed by comic-book artists Marshall Rogers and Neal Adams in the '70s, and Frank Miller in the landmark graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns."Director/co-writer Matt Reeves has cited another comic written by Miller, "Batman: Year One," which captures an early stage in his crimefighting career, among his inspirations.Ben Affleck as Batman in 'Zack Snyder's Justice League.'Those comics evolved Batman's profile toward a more adult tone that informed director Tim Burton's 1989 movie. Yet even with its success, sequels directed by the late Joel Schumacher -- starring Val Kilmer, and then George Clooney -- revived the kind of broader camp that many comics fans saw as the bad old days.Christopher Nolan rectified that with his trilogy of "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises," which featured Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning take on the Joker -- the kind of prestige that usually eludes superhero fare.But reinvention has always been a part of Batman's screen incarnations. Toby Emmerich, chairman of the Warner Bros. Picture Group (like CNN, part of WarnerMedia), recently told the New York Times that Reeves' challenge was to "create a Batman that is compelling and dynamic and thrilling, but different than anything we've seen before."While the movie is assured of a big opening weekend, how well it lasts will be determined not just by how committed fans respond, but whether those less invested join them in marching back to theaters.When Affleck was selected, CNN's Jake Tapper jokingly introduced a segment on the overheated response as "the debate tearing this country apart: Batfleck." The next year, Affleck conceded to Entertainment Weekly that Warner Bros. warned him about possible blowback, quoting studio brass as saying, "Are you sure you want to get into this? This is part and parcel of these movies now. There's a lot of active fans with a lot of opinions." Social media has fueled that dynamic, creating echo chambers where those holding "a lot of opinions" can commiserate with like-minded souls, or conversely, argue with dissenters.The loudest voices, of course, aren't always the most representative, especially with something like Batman. But they do reflect why that Bat-signal occupies such a distinctive place in pop culture: Because so many people think they know what's right for the character, believing that he -- no matter who wears the costume -- belongs to them.

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-07 21:00:30

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/07/entertainment/turning-red-review/index.html

'Turning Red' review: Pixar's coming-of-age movie shows it hasn't lost its golden touch - CNN

Pixar has a knack for coming-of-age tales, but few that mix the touching and adorable much better than "Turning Red," a bright and appealing animated movie somewhat surprisingly headed directly to Disney+.

entertainment, 'Turning Red' review: Pixar's coming-of-age movie shows it hasn't lost its golden touch - CNN

'Turning Red' shows Pixar hasn't lost its golden touch

(CNN)Pixar has a knack for coming-of-age tales, but few that mix the touching and adorable much better than "Turning Red," a bright and appealing animated movie somewhat surprisingly headed directly to Disney+. Audiences should still warm to this mother-daughter story on streaming, but in bypassing theaters it feels like the studio is leaving some green on the table.Directed and co-written by Domee Shi (the theatrical short "Bao"), the film tells the story of 13-year-old Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), whose family runs a Chinese temple in Toronto. An honor student who craves the approval of her mother (Sandra Oh), Mei has a trio of close friends with whom she shares a passion for a boy group named 4*town, which will soon be playing a concert in her town.Budding boy mania, however, triggers another unexpected response: Mei's transformation into a furry Red Panda, a legacy of her family's mystical history. The parallels between that and the advent of puberty are unavoidable, and Shi and co-writer Julie Cho hilariously lean into them, with Mei's introduction to dawning womanhood bringing with it a series of mortifying side effects.In tone and style, "Turning Red" perhaps most closely resembles "Inside Out," another Pixar film that did an inordinately good job of addressing the pangs of this particular age in a sprightly and entertaining package. Here, the add-ons include not only a generational clash but the weight of expectations that Mei faces, trying to satisfy her mother as she begins to exhibit signs of independence."Turning Red" also gets a whole lot of mileage out of the panda gags, which, in the crassest commercial terms, should sell a whole lot of plush toys to younger tykes.Read MoreLike the best Pixar fare, the film operates on multiple levels, in ways that will be relatable to parents and older kids that are both culturally specific and broadly universal, with the added garnish of original songs by Billie Eilish.Animation has obviously been a major driver for Disney+ over the past two years, at a time when the streaming service needed content and viewers were hungry for escapes at home.Whether that logic holds as theaters are opening up is between Pixar and Disney's accounting teams, but the lack of a theatrical window right now is puzzling, with a movie that's qualitatively in the conversation with the Oscar-winning "Soul," and a cut above recent releases "Luca" and "Onward."Still, wherever one sees it, "Turning Red" delivers an exquisitely animated story that's moving as well as funny -- welcome evidence that creatively speaking, at least, Pixar hasn't lost its golden touch."Turning Red" premieres March 11 on Disney+.

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-17 15:21:38

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/entertainment/life-and-beth-review/index.html

'Life & Beth' review: Amy Schumer indulges in a personal but flawed Hulu dramedy - CNN

Amy Schumer titled her sketch comedy series "Inside Amy Schumer," which would actually be a better moniker for "Life & Beth," a Hulu dramedy that Schumer created and stars in, in addition to writing and directing most of the episodes. Personal but ponderous, it's a flawed trip down memory lane where children bear the lingering burden of their ill-equipped parents.

entertainment, 'Life & Beth' review: Amy Schumer indulges in a personal but flawed Hulu dramedy - CNN

'Life & Beth' turns Amy Schumer loose on a personal but flawed dramedy

(CNN)Amy Schumer titled her sketch comedy series "Inside Amy Schumer," which would actually be a better moniker for "Life & Beth," a Hulu dramedy that Schumer created and stars in, in addition to writing and directing most of the episodes. Personal but ponderous, it's a flawed trip down memory lane where children bear the lingering burden of their ill-equipped parents.Schumer's Beth seems to have a lot going for her as the series begins, with a longterm boyfriend and perq-filled job as a wine distributor, before being suddenly shaken by an unexpected loss. That event throws Beth into a tailspin, causing her to begin questioning her choices and reminiscing about painful memories from her youth (she's well played at that age by Violet Young).Most of those interludes demonstrate how cruel kids can be, capturing awkward and embarrassing moments in Beth's adolescence. But several deal with Beth's divorced parents, and especially her beautiful mom (Laura Benanti), who attracted men in droves and discarded them just as quickly.As for the present, Beth's relationship fizzles but she soon meets a taciturn farmer (Michael Cera, at his Michael Cera-est), who is brusque at first before the two become romantically entangled. Their interactions get complicated by her sudden interest in reexamining her life, which frequently puts more emphasis on drama, albeit not very well, than comedy."Do you ever hear yourself?" Beth's younger sister (Susannah Flood) asks, and clearly, much of the time she doesn't. Therein lies one of the show's drawbacks, which is that even with the cruel blow life has dealt her, Beth comes across as self-absorbed in a way that exhibits little awareness that others might be hurting too.Read MoreAfter starring in several movies, and with her gig co-hosting the Oscars coming up, Schumer attracts some marquee names, with David Byrne and Jonathan Groff among the guest stars, and Benanti lighting up the flashbacks as the mother that young Beth alternately loves and can't stand.Just structurally, "Life & Beth" is such a slender premise as to feel conspicuously stretched at 10 episodes, putting Beth's new relationship through various contortions seemingly as a means of prolonging it.All told, the Hulu series provides Schumer -- who has begun making the turn into dramatic fare, including the recent movie "The Humans" -- a wide berth to explore material loosely based on her own experiences. (Schumer also produced a reality show for HBO Max, "Expecting Amy," chronicling her difficult pregnancy.)There's obviously a long history of filmmakers engaging in similar exercises, just as there is in comics branching out into more serious fare; still, the stark rawness of the material doesn't translate into a particularly distinctive series."Life & Beth" eventually comes around to recognizing that despite hardship and setbacks, life goes on. Yet beyond Schumer's loyal fans, the temptation will be to come to that realization before its protagonist does."Life & Beth" premieres March 17 on Hulu.

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-03-06 14:58:58

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/06/entertainment/winning-time-review/index.html

'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' review: HBO's nostalgic miniseries doesn't conjure much magic - CNN

The equivalent of missing what should be an easy layup, "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" stumbles on the road to greatness, undermining can't-miss subject matter for basketball fans with an uneven, at times farcical tone. Although '80s-style excess clearly accounts for much of the sizzle, this exercise feels like a no-look pass that skips out of bounds.

entertainment, 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' review: HBO's nostalgic miniseries doesn't conjure much magic - CNN

'Winning Time' spotlights the Lakers' glory years but doesn't conjure much magic

(CNN)The equivalent of missing what should be an easy layup, "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" stumbles on the road to greatness, undermining can't-miss subject matter for basketball fans with an uneven, at times farcical tone. Although '80s-style excess clearly accounts for much of the sizzle, this exercise feels like a no-look pass that skips out of bounds.Produced by "Don't Look Up's" Adam McKay (who also directed the first episode), and based on Jeff Pearlman's book about the period, the 10-episode series focuses on the first season in which new owner Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) drafted rookie phenom Earvin "Magic" Johnson (standout newcomer Quincy Isaiah), winning the first of five NBA titles in a decade.In addition to their passion for basketball, the late Buss and Johnson (who has notably disavowed the project) shared a playboy lifestyle, while transforming the Forum, where the Lakers played their games, into the hottest ticket in town.What came to be known as the "Showtime" Lakers (a title left unused by HBO for obvious reasons) featured a larger-than-life collection of personalities, and a series of soap-opera-worthy twists, like coach Jerry West (Jason Clarke) quitting, but still hanging around; and new coach Jack McKinney (Tracy Letts) suffering a devastating accident that left overwhelmed assistant Paul Westhead (Jason Segel) in charge.Still, "Winning Time" feels too cute for its own good, especially in the early going, when characters keep breaking the fourth wall to chat directly with the audience, and everyone but Buss and Magic appears to be kind of a jerk.Read MoreTo be fair, the series settles down a bit after that (eight of the 10 episodes were previewed), focusing on fleshing out individual players, from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes, a mere 6'11") to Buss' daughter Jeanie (Hadley Robinson), treated abysmally by her direct bosses because she's the owner's kid.John C. Reilly as Dr. Jerry Buss in 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.'There are some memorable moments scattered along the way, such as Buss' encounter with Boston Celtics president Red Auerbach (Michael Chiklis), who sizes up the real-estate mogul as a dilettante and dismisses him as any threat to the Celtics' aspirations. Reilly also makes the most of Buss' flamboyance, spending almost drunkenly as he hangs off the edge of a financial cliff and assures everyone who asks, "Let me worry about the money."For those wondering, most of the actors are roughly six inches shorter than their real-life counterparts, but the basketball sequences -- and the clever washed-out tones used in shooting the entire production -- work quite well. Isaiah captures Johnson's charisma and infectious enthusiasm, but also his competitive streak, particularly given the attention showered on fellow rookie superstar Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small), the league's "great White hope."Yet despite its all-star lineup, which includes Sally Field as Buss' mother and Adrien Brody as future coach Pat Riley, "Winning Time" plays too fast and loose -- approaching its material with an irreverence, from snippets of animation to cheeky on-screen chyrons, in a way that's periodically off-putting. What should be catnip to those who watched ESPN's docuseries "The Last Dance" misses that target, winding up in a creative no-man's land.Buss does emerge as a visionary, someone who recognized the NBA's potential and Johnson's magnetism not just to win titles, and thanks to the rivalry with the Celtics, elevating the entire league's fortunes.It's a high-stakes, fact-based story that requires scant embellishment, one that could do for sports what "Succession" does for media.That blue-chip roster, however, only makes "Winning Time's" shortcomings more glaring. While the Lakers rose to the occasion, the series falls short of its potential in terms of conjuring premium-TV magic."Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" premieres March 6 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO, which, like CNN, is a unit of WarnerMedia.Correction: An earlier version of this story identified Red Auerbach as the owner of the Boston Celtics. During the period covered in the show he was the general manager, not the owner.

Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-02-09 22:50:28

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/09/entertainment/stream-oscar-nominees/index.html

Where to stream the best picture Oscar-nominated movies - CNN

While some Oscar-nominated movies are still playing in theaters, odds are if you want to catch up on the nominees, you'll be going to Streaming Land. Here's a guide.

entertainment, Where to stream the best picture Oscar-nominated movies - CNN

Here's where you can stream Oscar-nominated movies

(CNN)While some Oscar-nominated movies are still playing in theaters, odds are if you want to catch up on the nominees, you'll be going to Streaming Land.Streaming services backed a number of movies that secured key nominations on Feb. 8, in advance of the 94th annual Oscars, which will be televised March 27 on ABC. This means many of them are available to watch now, including "The Power of the Dog," which led among nominated films with 12 nods, and "Coda."Several best picture nominees are not available for streaming yet, but "Belfast," "Drive My Car" and "Licorice Pizza" can be viewed via digital rental. The same goes for "Dune" and "King Richard," which were featured on HBO Max but have since left the platform. "West Side Story" will soon land on Disney+, as noted below.For those eager to catch up on the major contenders, here's where you can currently find them:NetflixRead MoreMeryl Streep stars as President Janie Orlean in "Don't Look Up."Best picture: "Don't Look Up," "The Power of the Dog."Best actor and actress: Andrew Garfield ("Tick, Tick ... Boom!"), Olivia Colman ("The Lost Daughter") and Benedict Cumberbatch ("The Power of the Dog").Best animated movie: "The Mitchells vs. the Machines."Best international movie: "The Hand of God."AmazonNicole Kidman and Javier Bardem in "Being the Ricardos"Best actor and actress: Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman ("Being the Ricardos").Hulu"Summer of Soul" is nominated for best feature documentary.Best picture: "Nightmare Alley."Best actress: Kristen Stewart ("Spencer").Best animated movie: "Flee."Best documentary: "Summer of Soul" and "Flee."Disney+Ariana DeBose as Anita and David Alvarez as Bernardo in "West Side Story."Best picture: "West Side Story" (coming March 2).Best animated movie: "Encanto," "Raya and the Last Dragon" and "Luca."HBO MaxJessica Chastain in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."Best picture: "Nightmare Alley."Best actress: Jessica Chastain ("The Eyes of Tammy Faye").Apple TV+Denzel Washington in "The Tragedy of Macbeth."Best picture: "Coda."Best actor: Denzel Washington ("The Tragedy of Macbeth").

Analysis by Brian Lowry, CNN

2022-02-08 15:22:24

entertainment

entertainment

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/entertainment/academy-award-nominations/index.html

Analysis: Academy Award nominations: No Spider-Man, no Bond. Can streaming save the day? - CNN

The Oscars are about honoring the year's best movies, but they're also a TV show, devoted to attracting an audience that will benefit host network ABC and promote the movie business. And after record-low ratings in 2021, the old adage about the Lord helping those who help themselves comes to mind.

entertainment, Analysis: Academy Award nominations: No Spider-Man, no Bond. Can streaming save the day? - CNN

Oscars 2022: No Spider-Man, no Bond. Can streaming save the day?

(CNN)The Oscars are about honoring the year's best movies, but they're also a TV show, devoted to attracting an audience that will benefit host network ABC and promote the movie business. And after record-low ratings in 2021, the old adage about the Lord helping those who help themselves comes to mind.The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is surely feeling pressure to breathe some life back into ratings for the Oscars, and part of that plan has logically involved nominating movies that more people have actually seen. Yet despite expanding the best-picture category to 10 nominees, few of the major contenders in the nominations unveiled Tuesday morning meet that description -- especially if it means having seen those films in theaters.Before the nominations, producer Cassian Elwes -- known for smaller-scale films like "Mudbound" and "Lee Daniels' The Butler" -- tweeted that it was "shortsighted" for the Producers Guild's awards to overlook "the two terrific movies that saved the theatrical business this year," "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and "No Time to Die."If you subscribe to that theory, the Oscars will be inordinately reliant on movies that have primarily reached audiences through streaming, with two Netflix titles, "Don't Look Up" and "The Power of the Dog," among the 10 nominees, joined by Apple's "Coda," and "King Richard" and "Dune," which premiered simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. (The last two are from Warner Bros., like CNN, part of WarnerMedia.)As for the aforementioned movies that "saved the theatrical business," "Spider-Man" -- currently the fourth biggest domestic box-office release of all time -- received a lone nomination for visual effects, while Daniel Craig's final appearance as 007 was recognized for best song, sound and visual effects.Read MoreGranted, the belief that popular movies are key to boosting Oscar ratings doesn't always hold true, although the most-watched telecast ever remains the year that "Titanic" sailed away with best picture. Yet it seems undeniable that hit films broadly help, giving potential viewers more of a rooting interest in who and what wins.Mindful of that, the Academy flirted with introducing a "popular film" category in 2018, seeking to add a more populist streak to the ceremony. After members shot down the idea for various (mostly logical) reasons, the organization opted to expand the best picture category to 10 movies, in part hoping that at least a few widely seen titles would sneak into the mix.Smaller movies, however, have generally prevailed. And part of the challenge that the Oscars and the movie business face has stemmed from the consumer pivot to streaming, a trend that was already growing before being dramatically hastened by the global pandemic.Hidetoshi Nishijima and Tôko Miura in 'Drive My Car,' which received Oscar nominations for best picture and international film.For theaters worried about their future, the fact that people interested in catching up on nominees will find "The Power of the Dog" (this year's most-nominated title, with 12) and "Don't Look Up" on Netflix -- along with others that earned major nominations, including "Tick, Tick ... Boom!" and "The Lost Daughter" -- won't ease those concerns.Because streamers generally don't provide detailed viewing data, it's unclear how many people have seen some of these movies, but they're obviously being watched via those platforms in vast numbers. Witness the Billboard-topping songs from "Encanto," a nominee for best animated movie, which took off once that title landed on Disney+.While blockbusters (other than the sci-fi epic "Dune," a more modest box-office performer) remain scarce in the best-picture category, the Academy did recognize an international movie, Japan's critical darling "Drive My Car," as well as its director, Ryusuke Hamaguchi. That follows the historic best-picture win by "Parasite" two years ago.In addition, the Danish animated documentary "Flee" registered an impressive showing, notching nominations in the animated, documentary and international film categories.The Academy's ongoing efforts to be more representative in terms of diversity and inconclusion continue to yield mixed results, with some notable oversights (see Ruth Negga for Netflix's "Passing") but major acting nominations for Denzel Washington ("The Tragedy of Macbeth"), Ariana DeBose ("West Side Story"), and Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis ("King Richard").Inevitably, the omissions will receive as much attention as the nominees, but by now it should be clear that the Oscars can never please everybody, especially with 10 best-picture nominees and only five slots for directors.Whether that somewhat disjointed roster adds up to a menu that will lure back more viewers remains to be seen. But if the Academy does see ratings rebound, the hero will be streaming, not Spider-Man.

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-03-21 09:05:42

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/21/sport/cleveland-browns-defend-deshaun-watson-signing-spt-intl/index.html

Cleveland Browns defend Deshaun Watson signing, say they conducted 'comprehensive evaluation' - CNN

The Cleveland Browns have defended their signing of embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson, saying they carried out a "comprehensive evaluation" beforehand.

sport, Cleveland Browns defend Deshaun Watson signing, say they conducted 'comprehensive evaluation' - CNN

Cleveland Browns defend Deshaun Watson signing, say they conducted 'comprehensive evaluation'

(CNN)The Cleveland Browns have defended their signing of embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson, saying they carried out a "comprehensive evaluation" beforehand. The trade of 26-year-old Watson from the Houston Texans was confirmed on Sunday. The quarterback heads to Cleveland along with a fifth round draft pick, while the Texans receive three first round picks, a third round pick and a fourth round pick. According to NFL.com, Watson told the Texans he is willing to waive his no-trade clause for the move and will reportedly receive a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract from the Browns. It would be the highest guaranteed money given to an NFL player, according to ESPN.Last week, a Harris County grand jury declined to charge Watson over allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct. Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits, many of them alleging sexual assault and misconduct.The NFL is also investigating the accusations and if Watson is found to have violated league rules, he likely would be suspended.Read MoreNews of Watson's trade and signing led to a swell of backlash from fans, primarily on social media, directed at the Browns hierarchy, with some saying it marks the end of their fandom with the team. However, in the statement announcing the details of Watson's trade, Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said the team had done a "comprehensive evaluation" before signing off on it, with the general manager saying they had completed "extensive investigative, legal and reference work.""We are acutely aware and empathetic to the highly personal sentiments expressed about this decision," Dee and Jimmy Haslam said. "Our team's comprehensive evaluation process was of utmost importance due to the sensitive nature of his situation and the complex factors involved. We also understand there are still some legal proceedings that are ongoing and we will respect due process. "It was pivotal that we, along with Andrew Berry and (head coach) Kevin Stefanski, meet with Deshaun to have a straightforward dialogue, discuss our priorities, and hear directly from him on how he wants to approach his career on and off the field. He was humble, sincere, and candid. In our conversations, Deshaun detailed his commitment to leading our team; he understands and embraces the hard work needed to build his name both in the community and on the field."Watson drops back to pass during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium on January 3, 2021.Shortly after the trade was announced, Tony Buzbee -- the attorney for the 22 women who are suing Watson -- told CNN that no NFL teams reached out to him or his clients in an attempt to research Watson."The Browns organization did not reach out to me. I didn't expect them to do so and can understand why they didn't. But, knowing what I know, they probably should have," Buzbee said.Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosBrowns head coach Kevin Stefanksi said the team understands "the concerns and questions that exist" but are "confident in the extensive work Andrew (Berry) and his staff have done to feel confident about him joining our organization."During his five seasons playing for the Texans, Watson established himself as one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. He has been voted to three Pro Bowls and led the NFL in passing yards in 2020.

Ben Church, CNN

2022-03-20 18:02:52

sport

motorsport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/motorsport/bahrain-grand-prix-charles-leclerc-ferrari-spt-intl/index.html

Bahrain Grand Prix: Ferrari dominates as Charles Leclerc wins dramatic season opener - CNN

Charles Leclerc won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday as Ferrari claimed a one-two after a dramatic ending to the first race of the new season.

motorsport, Bahrain Grand Prix: Ferrari dominates as Charles Leclerc wins dramatic season opener - CNN

Bahrain Grand Prix: Ferrari dominates as Charles Leclerc wins dramatic season opener

(CNN)Charles Leclerc won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday as Ferrari claimed a one-two after a dramatic ending to the first race of the new season. Leclerc had started in pole position after an impressive qualifying and, after a battle with reigning world champion Max Verstappen, looked to be cruising to victory.That was until a safety car was deployed in the closing stages which saw the pack bunch up for the restart. As per the new regulations, all cars were able to unlap themselves before racing started again -- a rule clarified after the dramatic ending in last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which saw Lewis Hamilton lose the title on the final lap. F1 2022 season preview: New designs, new drivers but one familiar rivalry In Bahrain, Leclerc held on to the lead after the restart with Verstappen hot on his tail but the Red Bull driver -- who was already complaining about a steering issue with his car -- dropped out of the race entirely after appearing to lose power. Read MoreThe Dutchman was furious and could be heard berating his team over the radio as Ferrari's Carlos Sainz overtook him into second.It went from bad to worse for Red Bull as moments later the team's other driver Sergio Perez -- who was in third -- also began struggling with his car, allowing Hamilton to claim an unlikely podium position on the final lap.It was a huge result for Mercedes with the team still struggling to perfect the car -- its other driver George Russell finished fourth.But for Ferrari, who hadn't won a race since September 2019, the season could not have got off to a better start. "I'm so happy. We knew this was a big opportunity for the team and the guys have done an incredible job building this amazing car," Leclerc said. "A one-two today with Carlos -- we couldn't hope for better. It's incredible to be back at the top."Leclerc and Carlos Sainz celebrate on the podium after securing a Ferrari one-two. Not since 1983 has F1 introduced such sweeping changes to the design of the cars. It was hoped the new regulations would make overtaking easier and it certainly seemed the case with Leclerc and Verstappen trading places five times in just two laps in the early stages. But it was the safety car that yet again that caused the most drama -- only this time it was Hamilton who profited over Red Bull. It comes as the Federation Internationale De l'Automobile (FIA) revealed that the controversial season finale at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the result of a "human error" by then-racing director Michael Masi.On Saturday, the report of the investigation was submitted to the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, which concluded that the results of the title decider are "valid, final and cannot now be changed."Hamilton had all but won his record-breaking eighth world title over the eventual winner Verstappen, when Williams Racing driver Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barriers with four laps remaining, resulting in the safety car being called out.The controversy reached its peak when a message from the race director initially said lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen would not be allowed to unlap themselves -- only for Masi to appear to change his mind moments later -- leaving the Red Bull driver right behind Hamilton with fresh tires and just one lap to go.Masi's decision meant the race would restart in the final lap, with Verstappen allowed to start almost side-by-side Hamilton, despite the Brit having established a healthy lead.The FIA's investigation said Masi was acting in good faith; however, he was removed as F1 race director in February.CNN's Homero DeLaFuente contributed reporting.

Ben Morse and Amanda Davies, CNN

2022-03-19 09:39:49

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/sport/saudi-golf-league-greg-norman-spt-intl/index.html

Greg Norman: Lucrative Saudi-backed golf league is 'new opportunity' for players, says CEO - CNN

The new lucrative Saudi Arabia-backed golf league is a "new opportunity" for players and the sport, according to its chairman Greg Norman.

sport, Greg Norman: Lucrative Saudi-backed golf league is 'new opportunity' for players, says CEO - CNN

Lucrative Saudi-backed golf league is 'new opportunity' for players, says CEO Greg Norman

(CNN)The new lucrative Saudi Arabia-backed golf league is a "new opportunity" for players and the sport, according to its chairman Greg Norman. Speaking to CNN Sport's Amanda Davies, the two-time major winner said that he believes the new venture will provide a perfect environment to sustain the growth of golf while also allowing players themselves to expand their horizons. Norman explained that he believes that for the "journeymen" of golf, it can be a game-changing competition."If No. 283 (ranked player in the world), who just goes around and just plays through Asia, if he came and won $10-15 million, how great would that be for him, his family, the game of golf to actually reach out and give an opportunity for somebody, who's probably a journeyman on some tour out there, to change their lives?" Norman told Davies. "That's part of the beauty of it."Norman talks to the media during a practice round prior to the PIF Saudi International.Read MoreGrowthOn Wednesday, former world No. 1 Norman announced the formation of the new team-based, professional golf league. The venture, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), pledges to award $250 million in total prize money while hosting eight tournaments, held June through October.The news release announcing the series listed the events taking place in seven cities around the world: London; Portland, Oregon; Bedminster, New Jersey; Boston; Chicago; Bangkok; and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The eighth event -- a team championship -- does not have a venue listed.Five events occur after the end of the PGA Tour season, but three of those occur at the same time as events on the DP World Tour.The PIF is a sovereign wealth fund chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the man who a US intelligence report named as responsible for approving the operation that led to the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Bin Salman has denied involvement in Khashoggi's murder.On Saturday, March 12, Saudi Arabia executed 81 men in the biggest mass execution in decades. Rights groups have criticized the country for executing people who were minors at the time of the offenses for which they were convicted.The source of the money behind the new league has caused golf commentators to question whether it is the best idea for the sport to find funding from a source with a questionable human rights record. But when pressed on the country's human rights record, Norman pointed to all the good work Saudi Arabia has done to grow golf. "We're here to grow the game of golf. Money from Saudi Arabia has gone into the game of golf and since 2019, Saudi Arabia has put on the Saudi International," the 67-year-old said. "That was co-sanctioned by the European Tour, now the DP World Tour. So the money's been there and the other tours have co-sanctioned these tournaments by Saudi money. Golf is good for the world and golf is good for Saudi Arabia too. We've seen it. "Saudi Arabia has invested a lot of money into women's golf. They're the largest investor in women's golf today. So when you look at all the facts sitting out there, yes, our investor is Saudi money. I'm proud of that because, like I said, golf is good for the world and we're just going to grow the game of golf on a worldwide basis."Phil Mickelson and Norman talk during a practice round prior to the PIF Saudi International.OppositionRumors of the new venture have sparked speculation about which golfers will play on it. News that the big-money Saudi-league had approached some of the biggest names in golf -- including Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau -- to be its poster boys caused players to publicly distance themselves from the so-called "Super Golf League," with Johnson, DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy all reiterating their commitment to the PGA Tour. Phil Mickelson, one of the biggest names in the sport, caused controversy in February when he said he'd play in the league. He later apologized for his previous comments, lost multiple sponsorships over the controversy and said he will take some time away from golf.Although it is unclear which golfers will compete in the tournaments at the time of writing -- Norman said that "nobody's signed up because it's an invitational and the invites haven't been sent out yet" -- Norman doesn't think that they'll have any trouble attracting the biggest names. "We're not going to have a problem getting to players," he said. "I bet you we don't have a shortage of players, to tell you the truth. "It's an invitation and the invitations will be going out and we'll gladly make an announcement about who's playing in the near future as we lead up to it. And as I said to the players, if you're sitting out there and you're liking what you're seeing, go apply for a release. "From the European Tour, from the PGA Tour or whoever it is, go apply for a release. You have three releases, you have the right to go play under their rules and regulations today, go do it and go play."So you've got three out of the eight, and if you only play three then you might not get the individual world championship opportunity for the top three individual players which is $30 million at the end of the year after seven events. So the more you play, the more chance you have of catching that pool, no different to what the FedEx is for the players today." The currently established golf tours -- primarily the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour -- have expressed their opposition to the new venture. Norman told CNN's Davies that they have had to battle "white noise" which has been "controlled by other entities" to make strides towards getting off the ground. And the 20-time PGA Tour winner questioned what the PGA Tour has to fear from the new league. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosJohnson chats with DeChambeau near the green at the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational."There have been a lot of obstacles put in our path, there's no question about it. The PGA Tour have fallen great, big redwood trees across our road but we've figured it out," he said. "We're here for the long-term, I want to give the opportunity for players to have a better chance and more chance, other chances to go out there as independent contractors and go play golf. Let me ask you that question: what is wrong with that? And from the PGA Tour's standpoint, what are they afraid of, quite honestly, with us giving the opportunity for independent contractors to go out and play for additional golf? "We're 100% additive to the game of golf. We just want to make the game of golf bigger and better, have a lot more evolution to the game of golf, enhance the entertainment side of things, for the fans, for the players, for the stakeholders, everybody. So as the players understand it now, it's a totally different narrative."

Jacob Lev, CNN

2022-03-18 22:25:16

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/sport/deshaun-watson-trade-browns-spt/index.html

Deshaun Watson set to be traded from Houston Texans to Cleveland Browns - CNN

The Houston Texans have agreed to trade embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns, according to Texans General Manager Nick Caserio.

sport, Deshaun Watson set to be traded from Houston Texans to Cleveland Browns - CNN

Cleveland Browns agree to trade for Texans' Deshaun Watson

(CNN)The Houston Texans have agreed to trade embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns, according to Texans General Manager Nick Caserio.Watson posted an edited picture of himself in a Browns uniform on Instagram Friday with a caption saying, "Cleveland, LETSSSS GOOOO!! #DawgPound Ready To Work!"Last week, a Harris County grand jury declined to charge Watson over allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct. Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits, many of them alleging sexual assault and misconduct.The NFL is also investigating the accusations and if Watson is found to have violated league rules, he likely would be suspended."I felt it was the right move for our organization as we head into the new league year focused on building our roster for the 2022 season," Caserio said in a statement. Read MoreAccording to NFL.com, Watson told the Texans he is willing to waive his no-trade clause for the move and will reportedly receive a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract from the Browns. It would be the highest guaranteed money given to a NFL player, according to ESPN. The Texans said they were sending Watson and a fifth-round pick in 2024 to the Browns for a first-round pick in the next three drafts, a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round selection.Texas grand jury declines to charge NFL QB Deshaun Watson"Any transaction would have no effect on the NFL's ongoing and comprehensive investigation of the serious allegations against Deshaun Watson," NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in a statement. "Nor would it affect his status under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Personal Conduct Policy."If the league's investigation determines that Watson violated the Personal Conduct Policy, discipline may be imposed pursuant to the policy and the CBA."Texans Chief Executive Officer Cal McNair said the team made a decision that is best in both the short and long term."We're confident in our plan to build a championship program that can sustain success and our entire organization is excited to move forward together," he said.CNN has reached out to the Browns for comment. On Thursday, NFL.com and ESPN both reported that current Browns starting quarterback Baker Mayfield requested a trade from the team. NFL.com's report added that the Browns did not plan to honor Mayfield's trade request.After a grand jury declined to indict Watson, the quarterback told reporters in Houston that he was ready to get back on the field."It's definitely a very emotional moment for me. I know we're far from being done of handling what we need to handle (legally)," Watson said. "I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for letting the truth be heard."Watson is an NFL superstar, having been selected for three Pro Bowls in his five seasons with the Houston Texans. He did not play during the 2021 season because of investigations into the allegations.The Browns will travel to Houston to play the Texans next season. The date and time of the game have not been set.

Michelle Watson, CNN

2022-03-19 07:20:49

news

us

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/us/john-calyton-obit/index.html

Longtime NFL reporter John Clayton, known as 'The Professor' has died at age 67 - CNN

Longtime NFL reporter John Clayton, who was known as "The Professor" because of his encyclopedic knowledge of the game, died Friday, according to both ESPN, where he was an analyst, and Seattle Sports, where he hosted a radio show.

us, Longtime NFL reporter John Clayton, known as 'The Professor' has died at age 67 - CNN

Longtime NFL reporter John Clayton, known as 'The Professor,' has died at age 67

(CNN)Longtime NFL reporter John Clayton, who was known as "The Professor" because of his encyclopedic knowledge of the game, died Friday, according to both ESPN, where he was an analyst, and Seattle Sports, where he hosted a radio show. Clayton was 67."John was a pioneer as an NFL insider but also one of the kindest men you could ever work with,'' ESPN vice president and executive producer Seth Markman said, according to the network."He literally never said no to a show that asked him to come on -- from 6 a.m. to midnight, if you asked for the Professor, he was there for you. I'll also personally remember how he loved and cared for his beloved wife Pat as she has battled multiple sclerosis. We will all miss John greatly.''Clayton, a native of Pittsburgh, began his sports reporting career in 1972 covering the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Sports reported. Read More"We are very saddened to learn of the passing of John Clayton," the Steelers said in a tweet. "He was a Pittsburgh media icon who covered the Steelers for over a decade in the 1970s and 1980s ... Our thoughts are with his wife, Pat, during this difficult time." Later in his career, Clayton would cover the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune, said the Seahawks, who said they were "heartbroken" to have learned of his passing. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, of which Clayton was a selection committee member, expressed its condolences on Instagram, saying Clayton's, "impact and contribution to the game of football will be missed." Russell Wilson, the former star quarterback for the Seahawks, said he would miss Clayton's "words and brilliance."

Steve Almasy, CNN

2022-03-18 23:00:31

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/sport/lia-thomas-ncaa-swimming-championships-spt/index.html

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas finishes 5th in NCAA women's 200-yard freestyle final - CNN

University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas finished tied for fifth Friday in the women's 200-yard freestyle final at the NCAA swimming and diving championships at Atlanta.

sport, Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas finishes 5th in NCAA women's 200-yard freestyle final - CNN

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas finishes 5th in NCAA women's 200-yard freestyle final

(CNN)University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas finished tied for fifth Friday in the women's 200-yard freestyle final at the NCAA swimming and diving championships at Atlanta.Taylor Ruck of Stanford won the race in 1:41.12. Thomas touched the wall in 1:43.40, as did Riley Gaines of Florida.On Thursday, Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title after finishing first in the women's 500-yard freestyle event."It means the world to be here," Thomas told ESPN after that race. There were a few jeers from spectators in the venue, with one person yelling "cheater" as Thomas gave her interview.Read MoreThomas, who previously swam for the men's team at Penn, has come to personify the ongoing debate on trans women's participation in sports and the balance between inclusion and fair play.Swimmer Lia Thomas becomes first transgender athlete to win an NCAA D-I titleWith Thursday's victory, Thomas is the first transgender athlete to win a D-I title in any sport. CeCé Telfer was the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA title of any kind when she won the 2019 Division II championship in the women's 400-meter hurdles.Thomas first launched into the public eye with a stunning performance at the Zippy Invitational in Ohio in December, when she set NCAA season best times in the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle races. At the Ivy League women's championships last month, she won the 100-yard, 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle races.With success has come criticism about whether trans women should be allowed to compete in women's sports. Her face has been prominently displayed on Fox News and right-wing news sites critical of society's changing views on sex and gender.

Ben Church, CNN

2022-03-18 11:27:22

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/football/champions-league-quarterfinals-draw-spt-intl/index.html

Champions League: Reigning champion Chelsea to face Real Madrid in quarterfinals - CNN

Reigning champion Chelsea will face 13-time winner Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League after the draw for the last eight took place Friday.

football, Champions League: Reigning champion Chelsea to face Real Madrid in quarterfinals - CNN

Champions League: Reigning champion Chelsea to face Real Madrid in quarterfinals

(CNN)Reigning champion Chelsea will face 13-time winner Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League after the draw for the last eight took place Friday. Chelsea is mired in the middle of controversy after its owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government and the European Union following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Real Madrid executed a stunning comeback to beat Paris Saint-Germain to reach the quarterfinals and have experience of dominating Europe's most prestigious club competition.Questions still remain over the future of Chelsea with the club due to be sold soon. Until then, it faces restrictions which could make the tie even more difficult. Current sanctions prevent it from selling new tickets for upcoming matches until a new owner comes in and their budget for traveling to away games has also been capped.Read MoreEuropean football's governing body UEFA told CNN it was working with Chelsea on all aspects relating to the upcoming match. 81 executions in Saudi Arabia on one day and horror of Russia's invasion of Ukraine buffet the Premier LeagueThe match itself will also throw up plenty of headlines with Eden Hazard making his return to Stamford Bridge alongside former Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti."The challenge cannot be much higher," Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel told reporters, talking about the draw. "It's a big challenge and there is also big excitement around this fixture. We know what is coming and it will be an exciting match and tough challenge." Tuchel said it would be a big disadvantage for his side if fans were not able to attend the matches."The game changes so much with spectators, so hopefully we find a solution," he said. Manchester City also faces a Spanish side in Atlético Madrid, Benfica will take on Liverpool, while Villarreal will play Bayern Munich. The first leg of the quarterfinals will be played on April 5 and 6 with the return leg scheduled for the week after.Teams also discovered their potential route to the final during the live draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The winner of the Chelsea and Real Madrid quarterfinal will face either Atlético or Manchester City in the semifinals, while Benfica or Liverpool will play the winner of Villarreal and Bayern.The final will take place in Paris on May 28 at the Stade de France after European football's showpiece match was moved from St. Petersburg, Russia, amid the invasion of Ukraine.

Issy Ronald, CNN

2022-03-18 11:13:47

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/sport/davante-adams-trade-las-vegas-raiders-spt-intl/index.html

Davante Adams: Green Bay Packers trade wide receiver to the Las Vegas Raiders for draft picks - CNN

Davante Adams has been acquired by the Las Vegas Raiders from the Green Bay Packers, according to the NFL website.

sport, Davante Adams: Green Bay Packers trade wide receiver to the Las Vegas Raiders for draft picks - CNN

Davante Adams: Green Bay Packers trade wide receiver to the Las Vegas Raiders for draft picks

(CNN)Davante Adams has been acquired by the Las Vegas Raiders from the Green Bay Packers, according to the NFL website.In exchange for the wide receiver, the Packers will receive the Raiders' 2022 first and second round draft picks.Adams has also agreed to a five-year deal with the Raiders worth $141.25 million, the most lucrative contract ever for a wide receiver, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, according to the NFL website. The picks sent to the Packers will be the No. 22 and No. 53 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.This announcement comes two weeks after Green Bay placed a franchise tag on Adams that would have bound him to the Packers for another season for just over $20 million and blocked any potential transfers.Read MoreAdams reacted unhappily, telling his team that he would not play under the tag. Since he joined the Packers in 2014, Adams has formed a fruitful partnership with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Davante Adams of the Green Bay Packers after the game against the Washington Football Team at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Benefiting from Rodgers' playmaking, Adams finished third in the NFL in receiving yards (1,553) and fifth in receiving touchdowns (11) in 2021, according to NFL statistics. Such impressive statistics led to Adams' selection to the All-Pro Team for two consecutive seasons -- in 2020 and 2021.Rodgers was also in protracted contract negotiations with the Packers, but has chosen to stay with the team, even without his best wide receiver.At the Raiders, Adams will be reunited with his college quarterback and friend, Derek Carr.During their time together at Frenso State, Adams led the Football Subdivision in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, while Carr led in passing yards and passing touchdowns, according to the NFL."Welcome home," his new teammate Carr tweeted after news of the deal became public.

Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-03-18 08:38:20

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/football/premier-league-newcastle-united-chelsea-owners-spt-intl/index.html

Chelsea FC: 81 executions in Saudi Arabia on one day and horror of Russia's invasion of Ukraine buffet the Premier League - CNN

Two Premier League managers sat before the media to discuss a football match earlier this month. One faced questions on the sanctioning of a Russian oligarch, while the other was asked about the execution of 81 men in one day in Saudi Arabia.

football, Chelsea FC: 81 executions in Saudi Arabia on one day and horror of Russia's invasion of Ukraine buffet the Premier League - CNN

81 executions in Saudi Arabia on one day and horror of Russia's invasion of Ukraine buffet the Premier League

(CNN)Two Premier League managers sat before the media to discuss a football match earlier this month. One faced questions on the sanctioning of a Russian oligarch, while the other was asked about the execution of 81 men in one day in Saudi Arabia. Premier League matches might have huge global appeal and its broadcast deals are worth billions of dollars, but right now the organization finds itself at the eye of a moral, ethical, and political storm.That storm raged fiercely when Chelsea played Newcastle United on March 13, a game pitting two of the most controversial club ownerships in world football against each other. It's been dubbed the Premier League's "game of shame."The fixture was played soon after the UK government sanctioned Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as one of "Russia's wealthiest and most influential oligarchs, whose business empires, wealth and connections are closely associated with the Kremlin," according to a UK government press release.Meanwhile, Newcastle's controversial takeover by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) last year also raised ethical concerns even ​before it was approved by the Premier League.Read MoreThe PIF -- which has an 80% stake in the club as part of a three-party consortium -- is a sovereign wealth fund chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the man who a US intelligence report named as responsible for approving the operation that led to the 2018 ​murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Bin Salman has denied involvement in Khashoggi's murder.The day before the match between Chelsea and Newcastle, Saudi Arabia executed 81 men in the biggest mass execution in decades. Rights groups have criticized the country for executing people who were minors at the time of the offenses for which they were convicted. Chelsea fans during the Premier League match against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge, London on March 13.Geopolitical issuesEarlier in March, British businesswoman Amanda Staveley, who played a key role in the consortium's acquisition of Newcastle, said it wasn't "particularly fair" that Abramovich had been forced to sell Chelsea as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine."I'm sad someone is going to have a football club taken away because of a link they may have with someone," Staveley, who owns a minority stake in Newcastle, was quoted as saying at the Financial Times' Business of Football Summit in London, according to the FT."I don't think that's particularly fair to be honest, but we do have to hold all of our relationships to account. We'll always have geopolitical issues, this world is never not going to have problems," she added.The sanctioning of Abramovich means Chelsea must find answers -- and quickly -- to an array of questions: how to finish the season, how to ensure a smooth sale to a new owner, and, fundamentally, how to ensure Chelsea Football Club can continue to operate next season.But Chelsea's current predicament also raises uncomfortable oversight questions for the Premier League and the UK government regarding an approach that has often been described as "light-touch regulation."Death and destruction in Ukraine ultimately triggered Abramovich's sanctioning, yet Chelsea's owner did not suddenly become "close to Putin," as the UK government alleged in its announcement of sanctions against him, in the few weeks before or since the invasion."He [Abramovich] is one of the few oligarchs from the 1990s to maintain prominence under Putin," the UK government said in a statement following the sanctions announcement.Last month, British lawmaker Chris Bryant cited a leaked 2019 UK Home Office document that flagged concerns Abramovich had "links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices," the MP said in Parliament.Abramovich's representative did not respond to CNN's request for comment regarding the sanctions.Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea smiles following his team's Champions League final victory against Manchester City at Estadio do Dragao on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal.Premier League's Owners' and Directors' TestOver 30 spectacularly lucrative years, the Premier League built its multi-billion-dollar industry on a process of self-regulation, with the UK government content to take a non-interventionist approach as it basked in the success of a globally attractive business.Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the horror that has subsequently unfolded may be changing all that​.Suddenly, urgent questions are being asked about whether the vetting of new owners should take into consideration the issue of human rights as the UK government finds itself overseeing the sale of one of the country's biggest teams.The Premier League's Owners' and Directors' Test lays out conditions that would bar prospective individuals from owning a club, notably prior criminal convictions, bankruptcy or insolvency, and bans from sporting bodies.Prior criminal convictions, bankruptcy or insolvency, and bans from sporting bodies didn't apply to Abramovich or bin Salman, though following the imposition of sanctions by the UK government, the Premier League Board did disqualify the Russian oligarch as a director of Chelsea Football Club on March 12.One clause stipulates any individual could be disqualified "in respect of any offense involving any act which could reasonably be considered to be dishonest," whether committed in or outside the UK and regardless of whether it resulted in a conviction.Members of the media work outside Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London on March 10, 2022.Football accountancy specialist Kieran Maguire told CNN that the test presents a low bar to prospective owners and says that is very much by design."It's a relatively low hurdle," Maguire told CNN. "And part of the reason for that is because the rules are determined by the owners themselves."The last thing they want to do -- given most will eventually be looking for an exit route -- is make the criteria for selling too difficult. This would reduce the pool for buyers, which reduces the price."Asked for comment, the Premier League pointed CNN towards the evidence of its chief policy officer Helen McNamara at Tuesday's parliamentary committee hearing."This is an extraordinary, complex and unprecedented situation. It's pretty new to all of us," said McNamara, referring to the issue of Chelsea and Abramovich."We already have an independent panel, chaired by a QC, who oversee our sanctioning regime and we are in the process of putting together an independent panel that will support the Premier League board and scrutinizing their decision making on the Owners' and Directors' Test."According to Maguire, the test primarily is designed to ask whether a potential owner has unspent criminal convictions and whether they have the resources to fund the club. To change any aspect of the test, 14 or more of the 20 Premier League clubs would have to vote in favour.The exterior of Newcastle United's St James' Park stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne in northeast England on October 8, 2021.IntegrityIn 2018, Abramovich had issues with his UK visa and was subsequently granted Israeli citizenship, according to Israeli media.That visa issue came at a time of diplomatic tensions between London and Moscow after the poisoning of a former Russian spy with a nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury in March. Nonetheless Abramovich continued to own Chelsea.And despite many -- including the fiancée of late journalist Khashoggi -- voicing human rights concerns, the PIF passed the test too. When the sale of Newcastle was announced in October, the Premier League stressed that it was the PIF, rather than the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, behind the takeover.Lawmaker Julian Knight, who chaired Tuesday's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and meeting, told Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston that the Owners' and Directors' Test "wouldn't have stopped the Saudi takeover, it wouldn't have stopped Roman Abramovich taking over.""It seems to be ... if you have enough money, therefore you can buy a football club. Is that really the right way to go or should there be a more stricter outlook in terms of the integrity of the ownership of a football club?"Huddleston replied: "What I can say is that we do recognise there is a need for further refinement and more robust Owners and Directors Test and of course the integrity element of that is something that is being pushed." "We recognize — and the Premier League recognize -- that the Owners' and Directors' Test needs further work, it needs to be a more robust ... but it's really important that we continue to make sure we have a robust and very successful football ecosystem in the UK. "The Premier League is a major global success story, it's an outstanding export earner for the UK and we welcome investment."Asked if he welcomed the Newcastle takeover, Huddleston replied: "Saudi Arabia is an important partner of the UK across multiple areas including investment, intelligence, culture and other elements."That purchase was a commercial decision which the government did not take part in. That was within the law and within the restriction of the Owners' and Directors' Test of the Premier League."The Premier League logo is displayed on an LED screen prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Sheffield United at The King Power Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Leicester.Human rights clause Former Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore recently said that the UK government "actively" encourages investment by the Saudi sovereign wealth funds.​""I'm not too sure that the Premier League should take any sort of stance that is not, in some ways, consistent with UK law and governance," Scudamore told the University of Cambridge's Varsity website.Maguire believes it is "feasible" that a human rights clause could be added to the criteria, citing recent comments made by the Premier League's current CEO Richard Masters.Earlier this month, Masters told the FT's Business of Football summit ​that the league had held discussions with Amnesty International about including a human rights section to its Owners' and Directors' Test.Conceding that the test had "been under a lot of scrutiny for the last 12 months," Masters said the Premier League is seeking "external contributions" to amend the test. That comes after UK lawmaker Tracey Crouch's review of football called for the reform of the test and for it to come under the control of an independent regulator.Referencing both the test's pending review and discussions of an independent regulator, Huddleston remarked that English football was at a "turning point.""There has been a bit of a wake up call here," Huddleston said, "particularly as it relates to Russian investment ... The mood's changing -- I think we are at the cusp of quite significant change in sport."Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville during the Premier League match between Southampton and Norwich City at St Mary's Stadium on February 25, 2022 in Southampton, England.Envy of other Europeaan leaguesThe change in mood was echoed by leading pundit Gary Neville, who in recent years has been vocal about a range of issues facing the game, notably the idea of a European Super League.The former Manchester United and England defender described recent events at Chelsea as "a massive wake up call," both for himself and English football.Having initially welcomed "new money" -- be it from Abramovich, the PIF, or the Abu Dhabi United Group at Manchester City -- Neville said he was no longer quite so sure about the benefits of the investment of nation states and oligarchs like Abramovich."I can imagine the executive of the Premier League sat there looking at their owners and saying, 'What do we do with this situation?'" Neville told Sky Sports on Monday. "They'll be sat there very nervously thinking, 'We don't want to set a precedent here -- what do we do?'""Football is absolutely coming under huge scrutiny," Neville added.Meanwhile, the Premier League's bottom line couldn't look healthier.As of next season, a new $6.65 billion package will see the Premier League's international broadcasting income overtake domestic broadcasting rights for the first time, raking in a total of more than $13.8 billion dollars from broadcasting rights alone, according to The Athletic."It's indicative of the league's success and appeal to a global audience," Maguire said of the deal. "The Premier League is the envy of all the other leagues in Europe."

Issy Ronald and Jack Bantock, CNN

2022-03-12 05:01:33

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football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/12/football/roman-abramovich-ukraine-russia-chelsea-fans-spt-intl/index.html

Roman Abramovich: Death and destruction in Ukraine overshadows Russian oligarch's legacy at Chelsea - CNN

For almost 20 years, Roman Abramovich rocketed Chelsea from a club on the periphery of the elite to a global football superpower, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in his reign coming to an abrupt end.

football, Roman Abramovich: Death and destruction in Ukraine overshadows Russian oligarch's legacy at Chelsea - CNN

Roman Abramovich: Death and destruction in Ukraine overshadows Russian oligarch's legacy at Chelsea

(CNN)For almost 20 years, Roman Abramovich rocketed Chelsea from a club on the periphery of the elite to a global football superpower, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in his reign coming to an abrupt end.Bloody conflict in Ukraine and international outrage over Russia's invasion placed a renewed focus on Abramovich and his ownership of Chelsea. It's a focus that has shone a light on the jarring friction between sport and politics: Abramovich the dream-realizing football owner -- adored by much of the Chelsea fanbase -- versus Abramovich the Russian oligarch.Days after the war began, as the West responded by imposing sanctions on Russia and its oligarchs, Abramovich's assets -- including Chelsea -- appeared increasingly vulnerable to a more punitive financial environment and he soon announced his plans to sell the club.Before the sale could be completed, however, the UK government announced that Abramovich would be subject to sanctions as one of "Russia's wealthiest and most influential oligarchs, whose business empires, wealth and connections are closely associated with the Kremlin."Read MoreChelsea FC: British property developer Nick Candy "still interested in" buying club despite Roman Abramovich sanctionsOn Saturday, the English Premier League's board disqualified Roman Abramovich as a director of Chelsea.The disqualification of an owner would normally trigger the sale of their shareholding, though in the case of Abramovich the Russian oligrach had already announced his intention to sell the club and that process is underway.The UK government is open to Chelsea's sale and would consider an application for a new licence to allow for a sale to take place, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday.Chelsea will be somewhat shielded from the sanctions, allowed to continue fulfilling its fixtures under a special license. But it does mean the club is not able to sell merchandise or tickets to upcoming games, engage in the transfer market, or issue new contracts to players.Last month British lawmaker Chris Bryant called for Abramovich to lose ownership of Chelsea after seeing a leaked 2019 UK Home Office document that flagged concerns the 55-year-old had "links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices," the MP said in Parliament.According to Reuters, Abramovich has been granted Portuguese and Israeli citizenship in recent years. "Surely, Mr. Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country?" Bryant said.Abramovich's representative did not respond to CNN's request for comment on the oligarch being sanctioned.Spurred by Abramovich's enormous financial investment -- upwards of $1.99 billion according to respected football business blogger Swiss Ramble -- Chelsea has enjoyed an unprecedented period of success since his $233 million acquisition of the club in June 2003."I don't want to throw my money away," Abramovich told the BBC following the takeover, "but it's really about having fun and that means success and trophies."During the 19 years under Abramovich, the club has collected 21 major trophies, according to Chelsea. After winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi last month, Chelsea has officially won ever major trophy at the club's disposal.JUST WATCHEDHow Chelsea fans are reacting to sanctions on club ownerReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHHow Chelsea fans are reacting to sanctions on club owner 02:56'Thank you Mr Abramovich'It is gratitude for this golden era that underpinned a sweeping tide of adulation for the oligarch upon the announcement of his impending sale of the club, among fans as well as former players."The best," former captain John Terry tweeted, accompanied by a picture of him and Abramovich celebrating another Premier League triumph in 2017.A statement from the Chelsea Supporters Trust (CST) board encapsulated the broader outpouring of feeling among the club's fans on social media, thanking Abramovich for "his affection, passion and dedication" during a tenure that brought "unparalleled success.""Chelsea supporters will never forget all he has done for our club. Thank you Mr Abramovich," the statement added, published before the UK government announced the sanctions.According to Richard Weekes, who is one of the founders of Chelsea supporters' group 'We Are The Shed,' "the Roman Empire" helped realize supporters' wildest dreams."The last 20 years has enabled Chelsea supporters to live their best lives," Weekes told CNN before Abramovich would be sanctioned."Traveling around the world winning and celebrating the biggest prizes in football, you simply cannot ask for more than that and, for that reason, Roman will forever have a place in all Chelsea supporters' hearts."To have 'the Roman Empire' come to an end with Chelsea as 'Champions of the World' could not be a more fitting conclusion to this chapter in our history."'Scorched air'If the last 19 years have been jam-packed with golden memories and trophy after trophy, the coming days and months look more uncertain.In light of the sanctions placed on Abramovich and the consequential impact on Chelsea, the club released a statement confirming it would seek "permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the Club to operate as normal as possible."Amid such turmoil, the CST called for the voices of supporters to be heard."Supporters MUST be involved in any conversation regarding ongoing impacts on the club and its global fanbase," the group said in a statement on Twitter. "The CST implores the Government to conduct a swift process to minimise the uncertainty over Chelsea's future, for supporters and for supporters to be given a golden share as part of a sale of the club."Chelsea beat Norwich 3-1 in its latest English Premier League match on March 10. The sanctions also prevent a sale of the club, pending the issuance of a special license.In his initial statement published on the club's website before he was sanctioned, Abramovich said the net proceeds from the sale will be donated to a foundation set up "for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine." That statement was conspicuously vague regarding who specifically might be a victim; Abramovich's critics pointed out that the wording could also allow his new foundation to support the families of Russian soldiers. "Roman Abramovich is very sensitive to what is happening now," Mikhail Khordokovsky, an exiled oligarch and Putin critic, told CNN before the recent sanctions were announced. "I don't have any information, but I can't imagine that he's made any decision without first consulting with Putin."Regardless, this means that he's gotten a whiff of scorched air. What he smells is the fire burning under President Putin," Khodorkovsky said, referring to Abramovich's plans to sell Chelsea.What CAN the club do?Pay allowances and pensions of all employees of the Club, including the wages of Players and coaching staff.Pay reasonable costs of travel to and from Fixtures but "not exceeding the value of £20,000 per game per Club team."Pay reasonable costs necessary for the purposes of the Club hosting Fixtures at its home grounds but "not exceeding the value of £500,000 per Fixture per Club Team."Pay fees, dividends or other allowances to directors of the Club.Pay "reasonable fees" or other costs directly related to ongoing regular maintenance of the Club.Broadcasters may broadcast any Fixtures involving the Club.In 2018 the US Treasury released the names of 210 prominent Russians, dubbed the "Putin list."The administration was required to name the companies and individuals and consider whether to sanction them under legislation meant to punish Russia for its interference in the 2016 US election, as well as its human rights violations, annexation of Crimea, and ongoing military operations in eastern Ukraine.The list, which included Abramovich, reads like the US has "simply rewritten the Kremlin's phone book," said Russian senator Konstantin Kosachev in a Facebook post at the time.But if Abramovich's current wealth and apparent safety in Russia reflect an affinity with Putin, that may have been what put him at risk with the UK government. Vladimir Putin: The world of sport has shunned the Russian president. So what?"He is one of the few oligarchs from the 1990s to maintain prominence under Putin. None of our allies have yet sanctioned Abramovich," the UK government said in a statement on Thursday. Canada have since sanctioned Abramovich too.Abramovich made his fortune in steel and investments, taking advantage of the mass privatization that characterized Boris Yeltsin's premiership following the fall of the Soviet Union.Abramovich's wealth, valued at $14.5 billion in 2022 by Forbes, led to influence within Russian political circles as he was first elected to the State Duma and then appointed governor of Chukotka from 2000 to 2008.A nervous futureWhile Weekes admitted that the incoming owner's status as an oligarch had played on his mind back in 2003, he added that fans would have had little power to reverse the takeover regardless of their feelings."Chelsea fans did not choose to be bought," Weekes said, "it is unlikely any pushback would have changed the decision at the time had we stopped to think about the morality behind it."Today people are more prepared to look into things a little deeper, to understand right from wrong and, with regards to a football club, have the desire to know that who is representing their team suits their ideologies and beliefs. This is a good thing."Only time will tell if our feeling towards his character will change but, for now, there is no denying the happiness he brought to Chelsea supporters during his time here and for that we are thankful."What CAN'T the club do?Enter into transfer deals for new players or receive money for selling existing players.Issue new contracts to existing players.Sell any new tickets to upcoming games -- only season ticket holders can go to games for the foreseeable future.Sell any merchandise -- however, any third parties who purchased or produced Club Merchandise prior to Thursday are permitted to sell stock.This schism between appreciation and criticism manifested itself in Chelsea's league fixtures at Burnley on March 5 and at Norwich City on March 10.As a minute's applause was held in tribute to Ukraine before the Burnley game, chants of Abramovich's name could be heard on a Sky Sports broadcast before being drowned out by boos from the stands.The chants drew reproach from Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel after the game."If we show solidarity, we show solidarity and we should do it together. We take the knee together, if an important person from other clubs or from our club unfortunately dies, we show a minute of respect," Tuchel told reporters after the game, which Chelsea won 4-0. "It's not the moment to give other messages, it's a moment to show respect. We do this because this is what we are also as a club, we show respect as a club. We need our fans to commit to this minute of applause in the moment. "We do it for Ukraine, there is no second opinion about the situation there. They have our thoughts and our support, and we should stand together as a club."Players, officials and fans took part in a minute of applause to indicate peace and sympathy with Ukraine before Burnley faced Chelsea.Beyond this mixture of sentiment among fans is an equally strong feeling of anxiety. Rumors of potential buyers continue to abound, but as yet it remains to be seen when the club's future will be clarified.Who will the new owner be? Will they be capable or willing to invest the same funds as Abramovich? Would they try to move Chelsea away from Stamford Bridge? After almost two decades of looking ahead to nothing but success, these questions and more have Weekes' mind "whirling.""In the end Roman explicitly outlined that owning Chelsea was never for financial gain, will the new owner fell that way? Unlikely," Weekes said."That is worrying, as, on top of everything, it might be the supporters that end up paying the price."

Amy Woodyatt, CNN

2022-03-10 09:50:57

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/10/sport/ukraine-russia-putin-sports-sanctions-intl-spt/index.html

The world of sport has shunned Russian President Vladimir Putin. So what? - CNN

As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, the grim reality of war has taken center stage, with more than two million Ukrainians fleeing the country and hundreds dead, according to the UN.

sport, The world of sport has shunned Russian President Vladimir Putin. So what? - CNN

Vladimir Putin: The world of sport has shunned the Russian president. So what?

(CNN)As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, the grim reality of war has taken center stage, with more than two million Ukrainians fleeing the country and hundreds dead, according to the UN.Russia is already paying a price for its aggression -- countries around the world are imposing sanctions and the Russian ruble has plunged even further against the dollar, hitting record lows.A plethora of international sports organizations and governing bodies have also responded to the invasion targeting Russia and its athletes with sanctions of varying severity, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been stripped of multiple honorary sporting titles.Notably Russian and Belarusian athletes were not allowed to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing after multiple other countries' athletes and teams threatened not to compete at the Games, according to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended a ban for Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in international competition."The situation is monstrous, of course. This is a disgrace for the International Paralympic Committee," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters following the decision.Russian tanks emblazoned with 'Z' were first spotted on Ukraine's border. Here's how the letter became a pro-war symbolRead MoreThe IOC also announced that it had withdrawn the Olympic Order -- the highest award of the Olympic movement -- from Putin."The IOC was viewed as having a close relationship with Russia," Michael Payne, former head of marketing at the IOC, told CNN. "The fact that the IOC has now issued a set of sanctions to Russia, which, in my view, are probably the strongest sanctions the IOC has ever issued ... since probably the early 60s when the IOC banned South Africa for its apartheid regime," he said.Meanwhile, world football's governing body, FIFA, and European soccer body, UEFA, have suspended all Russian international and club teams from their competitions "until further notice."Vladimir Putin kicks a football during an event in the Red Square on June 28, 2018 in Moscow."Vladimir Putin has been passionate about both sports and using sport to project Russia's importance on the world stage and giving back to the Russian people a sense of pride in their success on the world stage."Payne added that the most immediate impact of sanctions could be to challenge the Kremlin's narrative on the conflict, with ordinary Russians wondering what has happened to events they were due to host.UEFA announced last month that this year's Champions League final will no longer take place in St. Petersburg's Krestovsky Stadium, which is sponsored by Russian state-owned company Gazprom, and will now be moved to the Stade de France in Paris to be played on the original date of May 28."There can be no misunderstanding: no amount of control of the Russian media is able to explain what's going on in the sports world, that they've suddenly been banished," Payne said.Russia is covering the country's invasion of Ukraine very differently to CNN and other western news outlets. A new law forbids media operating in Russia to use the words "war," "attack" or "invasion" to describe Putin's decision to unleash his forces against Ukraine. Instead, they are to use the Kremlin's Orwellian phrase: "special military operation."Russians' access to social media like Facebook and Twitter has also been severely restricted."Sanctions may cause ordinary Russians to ask why can't they see their Russian athletes performing? And clearly, then there's prompting the Russian people to say 'What's going on?'" Payne said.​"Will Putin care about having to give his Olympic gold order back or what the rest of the international world thinks of him? Probably not. "Will he care about what all the local Russians are saying, 'Hang on, what is going on?' Absolutely." Sports as a nationalist toolLukas Aubin, associate researcher at The French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS) and a specialist in the geopolitics of Russia and sports, told CNN Sport that Putin carefully curates his image so that observers are aware of his sporting prowess, on a national and international level."When Putin arrived at power in 2000, one of his first decisions was to invite his former coach in judo [to the Kremlin]," he said.The Russian premier has also been pictured ice swimming, fishing and bare-chested horseback riding.Putin attends a gala match of the Night Hockey League teams at the Bolshoy ice arena on May 10, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. "Today, President Putin uses sports as an element of his power. And not only as a part of his personality because he also has created a big sporting system. He's using oligarchs, politics, former athletes, to create a machine."It's a big system, where people [are] driven by Putin in the directions that they need to create a beautiful picture of Russia, in the world of sports," he added.This worked for the most part, Aubin said."It worked because in 2014, we are seeing the Sochi Olympics. Then four years after, we are seeing the World Cup. It is really very hard to say how many international sporting events Russia [has] hosted the past 10 years -- it's really a lot. At the beginning, it was a huge element of soft power," Aubin added. Vera Tolz, professor of Russian studies at the University of Manchester, told CNN Sport that Putin has used Russian nationalism "instrumentally and very systematically" as a way of legitimizing his regime since he came to power.Winter Paralympics: Ukrainian athletes' thoughts are with those fighting the invasion back home as they enjoy golden success in Beijing"Nationalism -- and the kind of national unification with promoting particular versions of history, of organizing, establishing new national holidays, and of course, sport -- has been absolutely key to his legitimation strategy," she explained, adding such tactics date back to the Soviet period, where sport was used "very intensively as a tool of building loyalty of the people to the regime.""Even the fact that the Kremlin, Russia, has gone to such lengths, in using doping, in order to win more medals, in a way shows how participating in competitions and winning, winning was key to Putin's Popular Mobilization strategy," Tolz added. In 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) unanimously agreed to ban Russia from major international sporting competitions -- notably the Olympics and the World Cup -- for four years over doping non-compliance. The ban was later halved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2020.WADA's punishment relates to inconsistencies in data retrieved by WADA in January 2019 from the Moscow lab at the center of the 2016 McLaren report, which uncovered a widespread and sophisticated state-sponsored sports doping network."Every time you let Russia into an international sporting event, you're essentially agreeing to swim with man-eating sharks. They will cheat your athletes, they will not feel bad about it, they will lie about it, if they're caught, they will blame you for calling it out," Jim Walden, the US lawyer of Grigory Rodchenkov who was instrumental in exposing Russia's initial cover-up, told CNN.Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, Putin spoke of his frustration of the "politicization of sport" and that the "the rights and interests of our athletes must be protected from any arbitrariness."The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was initially deemed non-compliant after the publication of the McLaren report in 2016.Putin looks on during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics on February 4. Commissioned by WADA, the report found the Russian state conspired with athletes and sporting officials to undertake a doping program that was unprecedented in its scale and ambition."Putin very much uses his control over sport to try to game the world and win as much as possible, and also curates the content for the Russian population so that he can get maximum popularity, which translates into maximum power to do what he wants internationally -- essentially pitting Russia against the rest of the world, at least the rest of the Western world," Walden added.Fast forward to 2022 and another doping scandal -- surrounding Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva -- overshadowed the Winter Olympics in Beijing.The 15-year-old Valieva, a breakout star of the Games who got the highest mark in the figure skating team event, was allowed to compete despite testing positive for the banned heart drug trimetazidine, which is commonly used to treat people with angina. The failed test occurred before the Winter Olympics but only came to light during the Games, and it remains unclear if the drug test controversy will see the medal revoked."Not only is Russia myopically focused on winning at any cost, but in terms of any costs, it's no holds barred, right? So murder, bribery, drug trafficking, any kind of criminality that will give them an advantage. They believe that not only will they do it, but that other people are weak for following the rules," Walden said."So they marry criminality with obstruction and put that together with sports. And that is how they have consistently won. And that's how the Russian government has used it to prop up its own popularity, so that it has more leeway to engage in troublemaking abroad," he added.Trail of moneyOlympic great Edwin Moses, who opposed the 1980 US boycott of the Moscow Olympics, has gone so far as to call for Russia to be banned from the 2024 Olympics."The boycott in 1980 was political. This is just horrible," Moses, who is Chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, said in a press release from Laureus last week."It hasn't got a lot to do with politics, it has to do with humanity, the war, the fighting, the children and innocent people getting killed, rockets and missiles, tanks ... and it's live on TV, so everyone is aware of it."I was in favor of banning the Russians because of what happened in Sochi in 2014 for really corrupting the integrity of the Olympic Games, via doping. I was on the executive committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency, and I thought the penalties were too light."What they're doing to the entire world right now in Ukraine, is exactly the same thing they've done to sport, in my opinion. Russia ought to be banned in Paris [2024 Olympic Games]."A few years ago, Moses says he met Putin."I once sat next to him at [a] table. Two seats to my left, and the translator was in between. And I spoke to him that entire evening. I know how he talked about sports, like it was the Holy Grail, and how important sport was, and how it was good where the best of everyone's country, regardless of your philosophy can compete together, and whoever wins, wins.... I realize now, it was just propaganda."CNN's Ben Morse and Ben Church contributed reporting.

Exclusive: By Don Riddell, CNN

2022-03-02 09:10:31

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/sport/oleksandr-usyk-ukraine-russia-invasion-boxing-spt-intl/index.html

Oleksandr Usyk: Heavyweight champion speaks exclusively to CNN after joining Ukrainian defense battalion - CNN

Ukrainian boxers Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko are childhood friends. They grew up dreaming of fighting their way to fame and glory, and together they conquered the world with their fists.

sport, Oleksandr Usyk: Heavyweight champion speaks exclusively to CNN after joining Ukrainian defense battalion - CNN

Oleksandr Usyk: 'My soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honor to my country,' says heavyweight champion after joining Ukrainian defense battalion

(CNN)Ukrainian boxers Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko are childhood friends. They grew up dreaming of fighting their way to fame and glory, and together they conquered the world with their fists.Between them, the 35-year-old Usyk and the 34-year-old Lomachenko won three Olympic gold medals and have since established themselves among the elite boxers in the world. But now they are facing a very different fight -- an existential one -- for the very future of their country. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Usyk and Lomachenko have traveled into Ukraine, taken up arms and joined the territorial defense battalion.Speaking via a video link from a basement in Kyiv, Usyk exclusively told CNN that it's not just invading forces he needs to look out for, but looters as well. He says that he's prepared to take a life, if necessary."If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to do it," he said. "But I don't want that. I don't want to shoot, I don't want to kill anybody, but if they will be killing me, I will have no choice."Read MoreUsyk's manager, Egis Klimas, helped coordinate the interview and translated for Usyk, who doesn't speak English. Despite the terrifying situation that many Ukrainians now find themselves in, Usyk says that he isn't afraid."Maybe, it'll sound sentimental," he explained, "but my soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honor belong to my country, to my family. So there is no fear, absolutely no fear. There's just bafflement -- how could this be in the 21st century?"He's not in Ukraine to box right now, but the noble art is still useful in this moment. "It has helped me to be calm and mentally prepared," he said, "And it helps me to help others who are panicking and nervous." Oleksandr Usyk tells CNN that his "country and my honor are more important to me than a championship belt."Both men were outside of the country when Russia invaded; Usyk had been in London, shooting sequences for an upcoming video game.He was intending to fly home just hours after the hostilities had commenced, but with the airports closed, he instead flew to Warsaw in Poland and drove almost 500 miles back home and over the border to Kyiv.Lomachenko had been visiting a monastery in Greece and returned home the next day. Instead of flying directly to his hometown of Odessa, he traveled to Bucharest in Romania, then drove for nine hours to the port and caught a ferry into Ukraine.Their manager told CNN that he didn't know they were thinking of taking up arms until they had already signed up for the defense battalion. Former world boxing champions, Vitali -- who is also the Mayor of Kyiv -- and Wladimir Klitschko, have also taken up arms in defense of their nation.Elina Svitolina: Worried for her parents, Ukrainian tennis star says she has been suffering sleepless nights'The bombing around is crazy'Lomachenko was scheduled to speak with CNN at the same time as Usyk but wasn't responding to the calls from his manager at the time. Early Wednesday morning local time, Klimas confirmed to CNN that Lomachenko was safe and sound.He and Usyk remain close: they are godfathers to each other's children and celebrate family birthdays together. Six days into the war, Usyk knows that nowhere is safe anymore in Ukraine."The bombing around is crazy," Usyk said. "They just bombed the city of Mariupol, one of my friends got a rocket in his roof. [The Russians] are not playing games." As the fighting rages, so too does the debate about whether Russian athletes should be sanctioned for the actions of their country. Usyk chose not to weigh in directly, suggesting that there are innocent people on both sides of the conflict."Russian people don't really know exactly what's going on here. They're not seeing what's going on. They are victims of their President [Vladimir Putin]."Usyk won his heavyweight title belts in a superb display in September 2021 against former champion Anthony Joshua.Usyk has only just become the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO world heavyweight champion. In September, he defeated Anthony Joshua in London in a superb boxing display to claim the belts. His manager says that talks of a rematch this summer are at an advanced stage.The lightweight Lomachenko has previously been world champion in three different weight classes and was planning to fight George Kambosos in Australia in June.But understandably, boxing is the last thing on their minds."I really don't know when I'm going to be stepping back in the ring," said Usyk, who looked exhausted and emotional in his interview with CNN. "My country and my honor are more important to me than a championship belt."Usyk has three children and, during the interview, the sound of young voices could be heard playing behind him in the basement. He says that family, friends and neighbors have been sheltering together. "When there is an air raid alarm, we hide. Of course, it's fun when there are a lot of us here -- we're having fun. But we're forcing ourselves to have fun." They're trying to keep the mood light for the kids.But in a separate conversation with CNN, Usyk's manager Klimas emphasized the gravity of the situation: "They're in big danger. When the bullets start flying, the bullet doesn't care if you're a world champion. The bullet just goes through."

George Ramsay, CNN

2022-03-20 00:27:20

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/sport/molly-seidel-marathon-distance-running-spt-intl-cmd/index.html

Molly Seidel: How distance runner overcame 'imposter syndrome' and 'blew away' her expectations in the marathon - CNN

Mastering the art of marathon running is a lifetime pursuit for some, but it seemed to take Molly Seidel roughly two-and-a-half hours on one windswept morning in Atlanta a couple of years ago.

sport, Molly Seidel: How distance runner overcame 'imposter syndrome' and 'blew away' her expectations in the marathon - CNN

Molly Seidel: How distance runner overcame 'imposter syndrome' and 'blew away' her expectations in the marathon

(CNN)Mastering the art of marathon running is a lifetime pursuit for some, but it seemed to take Molly Seidel roughly two-and-a-half hours on one windswept morning in Atlanta a couple of years ago. That was during the US Olympic trials when Seidel, competing in her first ever marathon, stunned the field to place second and qualify for the US team. Fast-forward to 2022 and, three marathons later, the 27-year-old Seidel can now call herself an Olympic medalist and the fastest American woman ever at the New York City Marathon. Having taken to the start line of her debut marathon in Atlanta hoping to place in the top 20 -- with the prospect of competing, let alone medaling, at the Olympics a remote thought -- she's the first to admit the race "blew away all of my expectations." "Life has a funny way of giving you what you need before you think you're ready for it," Seidel tells CNN Sport, weeks out from the fifth marathon of her career in Boston next month. Read MoreWhile many distance runners step up to the 26.2-mile marathon distance towards the end of their careers, Seidel was a comparatively early convert having made the switch from track racing in her mid 20s. Partly, that was due to her frustration with running 10,000m on the track -- "I kind of kept banging my head against the wall with that one," she says -- and partly due to ambitions she had held growing up. "I always kind of dreamed of doing the marathon," Seidel adds. "I think there's just this kind of like glamor and mystery around it, and especially for a younger runner who enjoys doing the distance events in high school, that's kind of the ultimate goal. Everybody wants to do the marathon."An emotional Seidel reacts to finishing second at the Olympic trials. Seidel's success at the Olympic trials wasn't without challenges. As the pandemic delayed the Tokyo Games by a year, further opportunities to prove her credentials in the marathon distance were placed on hold. "I struggled with this kind of imposter syndrome after the trials, specifically as probably the person no one expected to make the team and the person that got probably the most criticism like: Hey, why is this girl on the team?" she says. "I think I really struggled with that, and I struggled going into the Games and feeling like I belonged there and trying to prove that I wasn't a mistake on that team."The postponement of the Olympics did give Seidel the chance to compete in a second marathon -- a sixth-place finish on a modified, elites-only London course involving 20 laps around Buckingham Palace -- before gradually turning her attention to the Games.When the Olympic Marathon came around 18 months after she had qualified for the team, Seidel once again exceeded her own expectations with a typically gutsy, gritty performance in the sweltering heat of Sapporo. JUST WATCHEDSee what the US' fastest marathon runner is up to nowReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSee what the US' fastest marathon runner is up to now 03:54As leaders Peres Jepchirchir and Brigid Kosgei of Kenya pulled away in the closing stages of the race, Seidel found herself vying for a medal alongside Israel's Lonah Chamtai Salpeter. But with two-and-a-half miles remaining, Salpeter hit a wall and faded from contention. A medal was now Seidel's to lose, and she duly wrapped up the bronze with a scream of joy as she crossed the finish line -- the third US woman ever to medal in the Olympic marathon. "I struggle with confidence and I struggle with wondering whether or not I belong at this level, whether I belong as a competitor on the world stage," says Seidel. "The Olympic medal was kind of showing me: Hey, you belong here, and you can do this regardless of any insecurities that you might feel," she adds. "You can still go get beaten, you can still have a lot of work to do, but you can do this."That run at the Olympics -- brutal and energy-sapping in itself -- was made all the more draining because of the circumstances around the Games. "Yes, we were coming off this emotional high winning the medal," says Seidel, "but there had been so much just pent up stress over the course of the Games and leading into the Games with Covid, with the quarantine, wondering if the Games are going to happen. JUST WATCHEDShe missed out on the Olympics, so she broke 50km record insteadReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHShe missed out on the Olympics, so she broke 50km record instead 02:29"And so I came back and frankly, I was just tired and emotionally exhausted and spent."After returning to her family in Wisconsin -- "a detox from the amount of stress that I'd been holding throughout the entirety of the Games," according to Seidel -- she started her buildup to her fourth marathon in November, this time in New York. But obstacles -- physical as well as mental -- kept appearing. Two broken ribs she suffered ahead of the race hadn't healed with race day looming, and her coach Jon Green suggested she wasn't ready to compete. "It was an absolute disaster of a buildup," says Seidel. "It was really hard, not only with the mental stress that we had going on after the Games of just feeling, frankly, no motivation. And just trying to find that drive to re-up for another hard race right after an enormous race that I'd been training effectively two years for. "And then it was just like problem after problem after problem, and injury after injury."Seidel catches her breath at the end of the Olympic marathon in Sapporo. Even with two of her ribs broken, Seidel says she "felt incredible" during the race, setting a new course record for an American woman of two hours, 24 minutes and 42 seconds and placing fourth. She had planned to make a return to the streets of New York this weekend for the NYC Half, but announced on Tuesday that "setbacks in training" -- which are not infrequent occurrences when you're running up to 135 miles a week -- have meant she took the decision to stay at her training base in Flagstaff, Arizona ahead of the Boston Marathon. "It's super tough," Seidel said on her high-mileage schedule. "It's hard, but I think it's a matter of learning how to balance. Your body adapts over time and I make sure I'm getting sufficient rest and all that. It's a challenge, but I love the challenge of it."Seidel is no stranger to training setbacks and has previously explained how her "very high pain tolerance" has caused her to push beyond discomfort and exacerbate injuries. In her first year as a pro runner from 2017 to 2018, for example, she ran on a broken pelvis for a year. A lot has changed in her running career since then. Broken bones have healed and Seidel has established herself as one of the best marathon runners in the world. But that's not to say there are no more goals to chase, nor that there are no more lessons to learn. Each marathon, she explains, brings with it fresh experience and a renewed sense of joy. "I feel like every single time it's just kind of wild," says Seidel.

George Ramsay, CNN

2022-03-18 12:32:43

sport

motorsport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/motorsport/michael-italiano-daniel-ricciardo-f1-motorsport-spt-intl/index.html

Daniel Ricciardo: From withstanding searing heat to 'fighting tension in the body,' how F1 star's performance coach prepares driver for the season ahead - CNN

Australian personal trainer Michael Italiano previously had little knowledge of Formula One, but that soon changed when he received a surprise text message from an old acquaintance.

motorsport, Daniel Ricciardo: From withstanding searing heat to 'fighting tension in the body,' how F1 star's performance coach prepares driver for the season ahead - CNN

Daniel Ricciardo: From withstanding searing heat to 'fighting tension in the body,' how F1 star's performance coach prepares driver

(CNN)Australian personal trainer Michael Italiano previously had little knowledge of Formula One, but that soon changed when he received a surprise text message from an old acquaintance.That message came from Formula One Daniel Ricciardo at the end of 2017, who wanted Italiano to travel the world with him as his performance coach. The pair, who had met through mutual friends in Perth at the age of 12, hadn't discussed the possibility of working together before, and most of Italiano's experience of F1 had come from following Ricciardo's rise through the motorsport ranks over the years."I used to watch the races, for sure," Italiano tells CNN Sport as he prepares to enter his fifth season alongside McLaren's Ricciardo."Did I know the history behind it? No. Did I know the sport science behind it or how to train a Formula One driver? No. So 2018 was a lot of work."Read MoreThe learning process entailed picking the brains of those around him in the F1 paddock, as well as scouring Google Scholar for any available information on the physical demands of driving headlong around a track for two hours.But Italiano's responsibilities don't stop with drawing up fitness sessions for the 32-year-old Ricciardo.An F1 performance coach is charged with ensuring their driver is in prime physical and mental condition at the start of every race -- something that means the pair spend 250 days of the year together.Italiano takes responsibility for massages, nutrition, sleep, jet lag, mindfulness and anything in between to ensure race weekends run smoothly.JUST WATCHEDF1 star Daniel Ricciardo on farm life in lockdownReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHF1 star Daniel Ricciardo on farm life in lockdown 03:40"It could be making sure his laundry is getting done, or even making sure he's having breakfast on time, or just cleaning up the room and making sure his backpack is packed and ready to go," explains Italiano."Little things like that really add up [...] giving him a schedule so that he doesn't have to think [...] kind of running his week so he can just focus on racing."Neck strengthThe pair are now coming off the back of a three-month preseason in preparation for the first race of the season in Bahrain on Sunday. Italiano has worked on building Ricciardo's neck strength -- a crucial requirement for drivers to withstand the G-force of tackling sharp corners at high speed. And as the sport advances, engines get bigger and cars get faster, placing more demand on a driver's body each year, according to Italiano. "It's not about just hitting the markers with their neck strength; every year, they need to hit PBs [personal bests] pretty much," he says."A typical corner on an F1 course might see drivers fighting against four to five G, which is about pulling roughly 35 kilos [77 pounds] on your neck -- quite a big load. "You might think, 'Okay, it's a corner, it only lasts for one to two seconds.' But you're doing it for two hours, so it can add up quickly."This weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix will mark the start of Ricciardo and Italiano's fifth season together having teamed up while Ricciardo was with Red Bull. In an attempt to build Ricciardo's neck strength, Italiano says he's studied other sports like the NFL, boxing and rugby for inspiration, while he also carries a neck harness with him throughout the season for flexion and extension exercises."These guys are under tension in the body pretty much for two hours. They're fighting the car and the vibrations of the car, the resistance of the car," says Italiano.That means whole-body strength and cardiovascular fitness become an important factor, too. "These guys are in fire-resistant suits, they don't breathe," Italiano continues. "All of a sudden, thermoregulation of the body -- the ability for the body to cool down -- is heavily restricted."They're low to the ground, the bitumen is so hot; they've got an engine behind them, which is bringing in more heat. "The ability to cool down is just non-existent [...] You start becoming dehydrated, you start lacking fluids, you start to fatigue. "And if you start to fatigue, your reaction times start to hinder. That starts happening, you start losing one or two tenths per lap in a Formula One race. It could be the difference between a podium and finishing in the top 10."In the gym during preseason, Italiano has tasked Ricciardo with cardio sessions (running, rowing and cycling), strength exercises (deadlifts, squatting and bench-press) and core stability training. "We also emphasize training on the posterior chain [muscles on the backside of the body] because a lot of the braking loads -- when they're smashing that brake with their left foot -- is going through the calves, hamstrings and glutes," says Italiano.JUST WATCHEDRed Bull team boss discusses Max Verstappen's win and moreReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHRed Bull team boss discusses Max Verstappen's win and more 03:58Mental preparationItaliano's influence extends to Ricciardo's diet during race weekends -- meeting with the McLaren team chef to provide guidance on mealtimes, recipes and portion sizes -- adapting to hot climates and high altitudes, and assisting with recovery from travel and jet lag. "We hired a bit of a jet lag guru and we also have a jet lag app, which helps a lot with caffeine timing, light exposure, adapting to the time zone," he says."The meal timing on a flight is a big one, and also exercise timing when you land can aid with sleep and getting on the right time zone. There are a lot of factors that affect jet lag. It was the number one thing we really, really tried to hone down on."Then there's also mental preparation during a race weekend. "Something we talk a lot about is getting to that flow state on a Sunday," says Italiano. "The Wednesday or Thursday, it's get everything off your chest day, where it's like: 'OK, mate, what's bugging you? What's on your mind?' Just get it off your chest. "Qualifying, I like to get Daniel in a very calming state of mind because qualifying is about just perfecting the one lap. And Daniel, he performs very well in a relaxed state for qualifying. "Whereas race, we want him at an intensity level of about seven out of 10, we don't want him too intense because being too fired up can actually make your reactions worse if you're too fired up."Come Sunday when the checkered flag falls at the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Italiano will be hoping that his painstaking preparation -- from calf strength to cardio, squats to sleep schedules -- bears fruit.Ricciardo, who placed eighth in the driver standings last season, tested positive for Covid-19 last week, but has recovered in time to compete in this weekend's race. Italiano juggles his work as Ricciardo's performance coach with his own online coaching platform, MI Coaching, which seeks to make elite-level performance training accessible to the public. But F1 remains the priority. He anticipates there will be plenty of nerves as the season gets underway on Sunday, but excitement and curiosity, too. "There is an element of uncertainty and unknown," says Italiano, "not knowing which teams have made gains and which teams are a step behind. I find it quite intriguing."Those emotions are always accompanied by a sense of pride when he watches Ricciardo take to the racetrack. "It's been a massive inspiration to see a guy from the same city as me on the world stage," says Italiano. "It's just inspiring to be with him and then also helping him. It gives me belief as a coach as well."

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-03-14 15:59:25

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/14/football/messi-neymar-what-next-psg-spt-intl/index.html

Messi and Neymar booed by PSG fans after another Champions League meltdown: What next for the French club? - CNN

Even by Paris Saint-Germain's standards, the past week has been an eventful one.

football, Messi and Neymar booed by PSG fans after another Champions League meltdown: What next for the French club? - CNN

Another Champions League meltdown, star players booed and rumored departures: What next for PSG?

(CNN)Even by Paris Saint-Germain's standards, the past week has been an eventful one.It started last Wednesday with yet another Champions League capitulation, something PSG has become rather adept at.However, the recent meltdown against Real Madrid -- in which PSG conceded three goals in 27 minutes to throw away a 2-0 aggregate lead -- differed to the previous implosions against Barcelona and Manchester United in one key way: it wasn't particularly surprising.As soon as goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's dawdling had gifted Karim Benzema the first of his three goals, PSG's demise felt inevitable. But despite that inevitability, it still made for gruesome yet compelling viewing, like peaking through your fingers while watching a horror movie.The sequel to that horror show was Saturday's 3-0 win against Bordeaux, in which a significant section of PSG fans turned on their own players. During the match, most of the squad was treated to a frosty reception by the Parc des Princes crowd -- and some received a frostier welcome than others.Read MoreMost notably Neymar and Lionel Messi, both of who were roundly booed by PSG fans during the build up to the opening goal. There was a loud cheer when Neymar turned the ball into the net, but those cheers promptly turned to jeers once the initial jubilation had subsided.READ: Karim Benzema scores hat-trick in 17 minutes as Real Madrid dumps PSG out of Champions LeagueLionel Messi and Neymar were on the receiving end of jeers from their own fans.Messi arrived in Paris to much fanfare in what was arguably the most shocking player move in history, but the signing has so far been painfully underwhelming for PSG fans.The Argentine has mustered a paltry two goals in 18 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, with five more coming in the Champions League, and has looked like a shadow of the player he was even in those later years at Barcelona.UEFA investigationThe humiliation against Real Madrid on the pitch was compounded by the widely reported behavior of PSG delegates off it.After the game, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Leonardo reportedly confronted the officials in the referees' dressing room to express their anger at Real Madrid's first goal, which they believe came after Benzema had committed a foul on Donnarumma.UEFA later confirmed that a disciplinary case into the incident had been opened. "The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will take a decision in due course," European football's governing body said.PSG declined to comment on the UEFA disciplinary case when contacted by CNN.While the frustration brought on by PSG's Champions League failures were directed at the players on the pitch on Saturday, Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo haven't escaped the ire of the club's supporters.In a statement released earlier on Saturday, club supporter group Collectif Ultra Paris called for Al-Khelaifi's resignation.Lionel Messi has managed just two goals in Ligue 1 all season."How can a coach be the respected leader of the changing room when he is clearly not the true decision maker?" was one of several questions posed in the statement."We don't have a short memory. We know what our return owes to president Nasser Al-Khelaifi but it is clear he is not the man for the job."The club's current situation requires complete reorganization at all levels going forward and the daily presence of its president."On Monday, fan frustration was visible for all to see at PSG's training center and Parc des Princes stadium, where insults and calls for Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo to leave the club were sprayed onto the facilities."Nasser, Leo out," read one piece of graffiti, thought to be aimed at Leonardo rather than Messi.Likewise, head coach Mauricio Pochettino did not escape from the Real Madrid debacle without any blame. Unsurprisingly, the Argentine has faced calls for his sacking or resignation, but Leonardo insisted that wasn't a solution."We shouldn't throw everything in the bin," he told RMC Sport. "We shouldn't start from scratch after every loss. The objective is to win the Champions League, and until half time we were fine."We have to look to improve this team and maintain morale to play in Ligue 1 and to finish the season well. We should stay together. Pochettino is still part of the project for this season. It's not the time to think about that."Mauricio Pochettino has come in for criticism following the Real Madrid defeat.With 10 games left in Ligue 1 and holding a 15-point lead over second-place Marseille, PSG is almost certain to secure its seventh French league title in eight season.Following the win over Bordeaux, Pochettino said he was "sad" to hear the booing from the crowd and insisted their anger was also felt within the squad."We were all affected," he said. "We understand the disappointment and the frustration. We're all living it together, as a team. We have a duty to take responsibility for what happened. We share this disappointment with the supporters."Player departures?One player who did manage to escape the booing was Kylian Mbappe.The striker, who was cheered throughout the match against Bordeaux, is the golden boy of French football and scored both of PSG's goals in the recent tie against Real Madrid. Despite the French club boasting both Messi and Neymar in its ranks, Mbappe is perhaps PSG's most prized asset.It will come as a significant concern, then, that there is the strong possibility of PSG losing Mbappe for free in the summer. The 23-year-old's current contract expires on June 30, 2022 and so far no headway has been made on a new deal.Mbappe told CNN at the end of December, just ahead of European football's January transfer window, that he would "100%" finish the season with PSG. However, he hasn't hidden his desire to move to pastures new -- specifically pastures in Madrid.When Real submitted a $188 million bid for Mbappe in August -- a deal that was close to being agreed -- the Frenchman admitted at the time that he wanted to leave PSG."I was honest," Mbappe said. "I gave a feeling, I gave what I have in my heart. I'm happy to stay ... it's my city too. I'm French ... I want to win everything this season."Whether Mbappe is still "happy to stay" now, however, is another matter, and one that is sure to give Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo yet another headache.

Amanda Davies and Lizete Dos Santos, CNN

2022-03-19 09:08:13

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/football/paulo-fonseca-roma-ukraine-spt-intl/index.html

Paulo Fonseca: Former Roma manager shares family escape story from Ukraine - CNN

They were woken in the early hours by the sound of bombs landing within earshot of their apartment in Kyiv. Like many others, they fled Ukraine, setting off on a perilous journey to safety.

football, Paulo Fonseca: Former Roma manager shares family escape story from Ukraine - CNN

Paulo Fonseca: Former Roma manager shares family escape story from Ukraine

(CNN)They were woken in the early hours by the sound of bombs landing within earshot of their apartment in Kyiv. Like many others, they fled Ukraine, setting off on a perilous journey to safety.Paulo Fonseca, the former Shakhtar Donetsk and AS Roma football manager, and his Ukrainian wife Katerina, first attempted to flee the country by car, along with their toddler and Katerina's parents.After encountering gridlocked traffic, they were forced to spend another night in the capital inside a hotel bunker, before enduring a 30-hour car journey through Moldova to Romania. "It was really very difficult, but I think it's much more difficult for the Ukrainians which continue there in Ukraine where the situation is becoming worse and worse every single day," Katerina told CNN Sport's Amanda Davies."This war is, I believe, one of the cruelest in the story of all of the world, because the soldiers that are killing us, they are talking the same language and it's unbelievable."Read More"We left everything in Ukraine," Katerina added, including friends and relatives who have remained in the country, "All the places that mean so much for us are still there, so my heart is there and my heart is broken for everything."READ: Basketball star is the latest American to be detained in RussiaFonseca in 2018 speaking to his Shakhtar Donetsk players. More than 3 million Ukrainians have fled in a refugee exodus following Russia's invasion of the country, according to the United Nations. To put that into context, it took six months for one million refugees to leave Syria in 2013, nearly two years after that country's civil war began.Many cities in Ukraine have been devastated, Katerina said, adding that it was important to stop the war and prevent it from spreading to other European countries.The Fonseca family arrived in Paulo's home country of Portugal on February 28 and are now working with the Portuguese Football Federation as ambassadors of an initiative with Portuguese national football clubs which aims to help Ukrainian refugees find homes and jobs.After his playing career, mainly with Lisbon club Estrela da Amadora, the 49-year old Fonseca first became a manager in Portugal in 2005. He then went on to earn the distinction of best coach in the Ukrainian Premier League in 2016-17 as Shakhtar Donetsk coach, where he won seven trophies in three seasons."I'm very proud to be part of this world, to be part of football, what the people in football are doing, it's amazing. But I think we can do more," Fonseca told CNN Sport."I would like to see the great personalities of football defending the peace in Europe. I think it can be very important," he said.JUST WATCHEDUkrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina speaks out against Russian invasionReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHUkrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina speaks out against Russian invasion 03:21During the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League season, Fonseca's Shakhtar Donetsk dealt Pep Guardiola's Manchester City their first defeat in 29 games to progress to the knockout stages.Memorably, he made headlines after that famous victory when he appeared in the post-match press conference dressed as his childhood hero, Zorro.A move to Italy followed and after an almost two-year run with AS Roma, the Portuguese was last year linked with the top jobs at English Premier League clubs Tottenham and Newcastle United.Since ending his time at Roma in May 2021, the manager had engaged in various speaking events in Ukraine. He returned to Ukraine early from a holiday to help his wife and family escape.In an Instagram post announcing the Fonsecas' new roles as ambassadors for the Ukrainian refugee initiative, the former Roma manager added that the Portuguese Football Federation had "demonstrated that football can and should be used as a tool for social change."He appealed to all clubs to join in solidarity with the initiative.Katerina expressed her gratitude for the Portuguese Football Federation, saying: "They are receiving with open arms our little young players. It is a really big support for the kids, which lost all the happiness in their everyday lives."

Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Video by Amy Li, CNN

2022-03-16 13:48:47

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/16/sport/red-bull-plane-swap-skydiving-luke-andy-aikins-spt-intl-cmd/index.html

Red Bull Plane Swap: Skydiving from one plane to another -- at 14,000 feet? Wild feat of mid-air plane swap has been decades in the making - CNN

Sometimes, the most mundane sounding sentences presage something anything but ordinary: "All right, seatbelt is on tight? Here we go," skydiver Luke Aikins smiles from the pilot's seat of his Cessna 182. "Brake coming down. Power off. Autopilot engaged."

sport, Red Bull Plane Swap: Skydiving from one plane to another -- at 14,000 feet? Wild feat of mid-air plane swap has been decades in the making - CNN

Skydiving from one plane to another -- at 14,000 feet? Wild feat of mid-air plane swap has been decades in the making

San Luis Obispo, California (CNN)Sometimes, the most mundane sounding sentences presage something anything but ordinary: "All right, seatbelt is on tight? Here we go," skydiver Luke Aikins smiles from the pilot's seat of his Cessna 182. "Brake coming down. Power off. Autopilot engaged."The plane slows abruptly, then pitches down, steeper, then steeper still, settling into the most precipitous of dives, pointed directly at the ocean below. To the left of us, the door of the little Cessna has been removed. The wind rages past as the Pacific coast pulls ever closer into view.Aikins laughs as he counts the altimeter down, his hands fully off the yoke. "It's doing it all by itself! 7,000 feet, 6,000 feet, 5,000 feet ... recovery." The Cessna's engine restarts, and it eases back to a horizontal position.CNN Sport is flying high above the Californian coast town of San Luis Obispo with world famous skydiver Luke Aikins. A veteran of some 21,000 jumps, Aikins has worked as a stuntman and consultant on Hollywood blockbusters and trained US Navy SEALs.He has just given CNN a taste of one key element of a stunt that he and his cousin Andy Farrington will be attempting on April 24. Set to be broadcast live on Hulu, the Red Bull Plane Swap will be among the most ambitious skydiving stunts ever attempted.For Luke Aikins, the stunt will be the realization of a childhood dream.Read More'I'm going to skydive into his; he's going to skydive into mine'"In a nutshell, I'm going to take one plane, my cousin Andy's going to take another one, and we're going to fly up to 14,000 feet in formation," the 48-year-old explains."I'm in one plane, he's in the other one, nobody else. We put the planes in a dive, straight at the ground, and then I'm going to get out of my plane, he's going to get out of his plane, and we're going to swap planes mid-flight."I'm going to skydive into his, he's going to skydive into mine, I'll bring his plane back to land and he's going to bring mine."The stunt will be in a 1964 Cessna 182 -- a classic workhorse plane renowned for its tough practicality.It all sounds so simple, but this most extreme of stunts has been decades in the making. For Aikins, it will also be the realization of a childhood dream."When I was 16 or 17, there was a parachutist magazine that came out, and there was a picture of an old Stearman biplane in a dive, with a big parachute behind it slowing it down, and a skydiver in a yellow jumpsuit flying with that airplane," he recalls."I was so inspired by it, I thought it was so cool -- I'm getting goosebumps just talking about it -- and I thought, 'Someday, I want to do that.'"But Aikins wasn't satisfied with just copying the wild feat. "As I got older, I'm like, I don't want to do what somebody else has done, I want to take it to the next level and do something more impressive and better than what I saw."Dream to realityDreaming of the stunt and doing it were, however, two different things. Aikins knew he needed engineering expertise to design it. "This airplane weighs 2,000 pounds, if we just put this plane in a dive, normally, it would go so fast it would rip the wings off and the airplane would just disintegrate."The answer to the conundrum came at a Red Bull Air Race. "I got talking to somebody, and I was telling him about this project that I really wanted to do, and they said, 'Oh, you need to talk to Paulo.'"Paulo is renowned Brazilian aeronautical engineer Paulo Iscold, who was already aware of Aikins' reputation following a previous stunt, where the skydiver had landed in a 100x100-foot net after jumping from 25,000 feet without a parachute."I was actually working for Kirby (Chambliss), another Red Bull athlete," Iscold explains. "They went to a race, and they said, 'Hey, the guy who jumped without a parachute is here and is a Red Bull athlete.' And I said, 'Well, I want to meet that guy because he is really crazy and brave.'The two hit it off immediately."I sat down with Paulo at the lunch table, and told him I really didn't want to use a drogue chute (a type of parachute), I wanted to do something that had never been done before," Aikins tells CNN. "I wanted the plane to seem normal. He drew -- on a napkin -- this crazy speed brake system, just sketched on a napkin."No answers written anywhereLuke Aikins and Andy Farrington practice for their Plane Swap Iscold knew that the project would be far more complex than the sketch suggested."This was different to other projects that I did where you can go to the book and find the answers in the book -- this project had no answers written anywhere."To find the parts and put them together to be able to do it, that's what caught my attention, and that's why it was a big challenge for me as an engineer, to do something that nobody had done."Inspired by their first meeting, Aikins immediately set to work too. "I went home after meeting with Paulo and I bought an RC plane," he recalls."I took Paulo's design of the speed brake on the belly, and I made one on an RC plane and started flying it. These actuators would push this brake down, and I would dive the plane at the ground, and we'd measure the speed, then we'd put the brake up and measure the speed."Paulo did the math, with the weight of this and the weight of the real plane, and scaled it out."The result was a giant 21 sq. ft. speed brake, which Iscold's team worked to attach to a 1964 Cessna 182 -- a classic workhorse plane renowned for its tough practicality.In the hanger where the Cessna is being prepared, Iscold walks CNN through the bizarre looking brake. "It's composed of carbon fiber plates, which when deployed produce a lot of drag. The plates have holes in them: this is just an aerodynamic trick to reduce vibration.""But the biggest problem that we had to solve was how to attach this to the airplane because this needs to carry pretty much the weight of the airplane. The landing gear is designed to take the weight of the airplane, so why not put the speed brake on the landing gear structure?"The Cessna is also filled with sensors and a complex vector navigation system, which enables Iscold to track and monitor every aspect of its flight -- crucial given that it will be flying without a pilot during the stunt. The latest in a long line of skydivers and pilots, Aikins grew up around the sport.'Jumping out isn't the hard part'Once Aikins and his cousin leave their planes, however, the rest is entirely down to their skill as skydivers."Jumping out isn't the hard part, the hard part is getting back in," Aikins explains. "We'll fly in, chest to the ground, up to the plane, we'll grab the wing strut, and then we kind of walk our way right into the airplane."As soon as your body gets halfway into the door, there's no wind, it's all fine. You'll be able to flip the switches and recover the airplane, restart the engine, pull the speed brake up and bring it back around."The latest in a long line of skydivers and pilots, Aikins grew up around the sport."My Dad learned to fly when he was 13, flying for my grandpa, skydiving for my grandpa," he says. "My Dad flew C-130s in the Navy, we lived in Guam and Japan and kind of grew up all around the world like that. (He) taught us how to fly -- my brothers, my sister -- I have two brothers and a sister that have a pilots' license."As a husband, and the father of a 10-year-old son, Aikins doesn't shirk from the fact that the life he has chosen is a dangerous one, a point underlined by the fact that his father lost his life in a plane crash in 2017."My wife and I we have all these conversations," he admits. "We've talked about what happens if I die, what happens if this happens and, you know, we have all those hard talks, so I think that you have to have a partner, I mean, my wife goes into this with her eyes open."'I need to worry'Iscold says part of his job is to worry. "As the engineer, I need to worry about everything, that's how we make it safe. My job is to think about all the problems that can happen and talk about those problems.""We make a good team," Aikins adds, "Because he worries a little bit, I don't worry too much, and I'll leave and he'll call me and say, 'There's a couple of things I'm really concerned about,' and we talk about it, and I think we make a really good team that way back and forth. We both give a little bit, we're pretty aligned.""I'm what you would consider an extreme athlete, out doing all this stuff. But what the world doesn't see is all the research and development, all the testing, it's essentially a flight test program from the ground up."In just a few weeks, the pair will test that partnership to the absolute limit, high above a remote part of Arizona -- and a childhood dream, more than three decades old, will be brought to life at 14,000 feet.

Alicia Lloyd and Christiane Amanpour, CNN

2022-03-04 22:18:52

sport

tennis

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/04/tennis/serena-williams-grand-slam-amanpour-spt-intl/index.html

Serena Williams: 'I should have been at like 30 or 32' grand slam singles titles - CNN

Widely considered to be the GOAT of women's tennis, 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams says she's still aiming to beat Margaret Court's record of 24.

tennis, Serena Williams: 'I should have been at like 30 or 32' grand slam singles titles - CNN

Serena Williams: 'I should have been at like 30 or 32' grand slam singles titles

(CNN)Widely considered to be the GOAT of women's tennis, 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams says she's still aiming to beat Margaret Court's record of 24."I should have been at like 30 or 32 (grand slam singles titles)," Williams told CNN's Christiane Amanpour."I should have had it (the record), really, I've had many opportunities to have it. But I'm not giving up."Williams was forced to miss January's Australian Open following the advice of her medical team, announcing in December that she wasn't "where I need to be physically to compete."Speaking to Amanpour in Paris, Williams said she will play at the French Open in May -- the next grand slam in the tennis calendar -- if her body allows.Read More"Paris is one of my favorite cities, and I actually love the clay. So we'll see what happens. Hopefully if my body is holding up, then I'll definitely be there."Williams in action at the 2021 French Open.Changing the narrativeWilliams' rise from a young girl learning to play tennis on dilapidated courts in Compton, California, to become one of the most successful and decorated athletes in history is the stuff of legend.Now immortalized in the Hollywood film "King Richard" -- which Williams and her sister Venus executive produced -- their father was pivotal in the duo's development as players.Played by Will Smith, the film shows how Richard Williams catapulted his daughters to tennis stardom.Serena Williams hugs her father, Richard, after winning Wimbledon in 2012.Often portrayed as a divisive and eccentric character, Williams told CNN how the sisters aimed to change the narrative around their dad."Unfortunately, entering a new sport where it's predominantly, you know, White and having my dad have like this villain character, when it just wasn't true, just having to deal with that my entire career, from day one to the very end, was just really important for us just to tell the truth," she said.JUST WATCHEDSerena Williams is investing in diversity ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHSerena Williams is investing in diversity 03:28"You know, in order to be an athlete, especially in a single sport, it takes a lot of work, and it takes a lot of dedication. And I look at my daughter and I say, 'Wow, I don't think I could do what my dad did every single day.' It's a lot of work."Serena's older sister Venus paved the way, turning professional one year earlier than her, winning seven grand slam singles titles so far in her career. Venus still competes on the tour, aged 41.Initially, Serena lived in Venus' shadow."My sister was much better than me. I was not very good growing up. And so, everyone was focused on Venus. And in the film, it goes into that, how when we had an opportunity to have better coaches, they saw that Venus was the one."And so, that was devastating for me ... but helpful. Because if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have had the career that I have because I felt like I just had to prove and just had to win."Serena and Venus attend the premiere of Warner Bros' "King Richard" in Hollywood in November 2021.Williams turned to her mother, Oracene Price, who played a critical but often overlooked role in her success."I just had to work with mom. I didn't get to work with the prestigious coaches or anything. And my mom made me tough mentally," she added.'We had to be better'Serena, Venus and their dad came up against racism throughout their careers, most notably in 2001 at Indian Wells.Asked by Amanpour how they perceived and overcame the racism that they experienced as tennis players in a predominantly White sport, Williams responded: "We changed it from being two great Black champions to being the best ever, period. And that's what we did. We took out color, and we just became the best."And yes, we had to play harder, and we had to be better, but it made us better."And at the end of the day, every time we faced a challenge and every time we overcame that challenge, we created Venus and Serena."Williams also discussed her venture fund Serena Ventures, which this week announced $111 million had been raised to invest in founders of diverse backgrounds."It's really about diversity," Williams told Amanpour, explaining that she was spurred to action when she learnt that less than 2% of all venture capital money went to women."Because of tennis, I have a way to impact VC in a different way and bringing diversity to that as well," she said.Venus (L) defeated sister Serena in an all-Williams 2008 Wimbledon final.Double standardsAt times, Williams has shown anger and exasperation with umpires on the court, most infamously at the 2018 US Open final which she lost to Naomi Osaka.She was heavily criticized and fined over the episode.Amanpour asked Williams if she feels double standards exist in the sport, given men routinely act out at umpires, often with impunity.Williams argues with umpire Carlos Ramos during her US Open final match against Osaka in 2018.Responding to a recent incident involving German player Alexander Zverev, in which he struck the umpire's chair multiple times with his racket and was subsequently withdrawn from the Mexican Open and fined, Williams said: "There is absolutely a double standard. I would probably be in jail if I did that. Like literally, no joke."And as she chases Court's grand slam record, Williams is also aware that her career and life won't only be defined by how many titles she might win."I am who I am, I love who I am -- I love the impact that I've had on people, that I continue to have on people," said Williams, who Amanpour interviewed on February 28, four days after Russia invaded Ukraine."Right now the world in such turmoil ... when you look at what's happening in Ukraine and Russia, it's just sad to see," added Williams."Human life ... is so valuable, and it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, it should be amazing and of value."

Ben Morse and Sean Coppack, CNN

2022-02-25 09:28:10

sport

golf

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/25/golf/harold-varner-iii-gotm-spc-spt-intl/index.html

Harold Varner III says monster 92-foot eagle putt to win tournament is 'No. 1' moment in golf career - CNN

Harold Varner III's rise through golf has been a steady one.

golf, Harold Varner III says monster 92-foot eagle putt to win tournament is 'No. 1' moment in golf career - CNN

Monster 92-foot eagle putt to win tournament is 'No. 1' moment in golf career, says Harold Varner III

(CNN)Harold Varner III's rise through golf has been a steady one. As he himself documented on his Instagram, Varner was ranked 1,510th in the world in 2014.Since then, the American has seen a steady improvement year by year, rising through the ranks. But it took a moment of magic that he will never forget to finally crack the top 50 in the world. At the Saudi International earlier in February, Varner sunk a huge 92-foot eagle putt from off the green to snatch victory from friend Bubba Watson. Read MoreVarner celebrates after sinking an eagle putt on the 18th to win the Saudi International.Varner admitted to CNN afterwards that while "everyone else thought it was going in," he "wasn't sure." That dramatic victory catapulted him to 45th in the world rankings and will be a moment he will "talk about it for the rest of my life," Varner said. "I still can't believe it went in," Varner told CNN's Sean Coppack. "I knew I had a chance and that's what you want. When asked where it ranks in his professional career so far, Varner said: "It's No. 1 right now."He also recognized that his spot in the top 50 golf players in the world will open doors for him."I was wanting (to be in the top 50). That is awesome," he said in a press conference. "That's the goal, man. That gets you in the things that I haven't played in. I've played in some big events here and there, but yeah, that's why we play."I was on the cusp of it after Hilton Head and didn't execute, played a lot of golf. Frickin' A. That's all I wanted to know when I was sitting out there."Varner on the 18th green at the Saudi International.'Life happened'Not only did he shoot up golf's rankings, Varner also traveled back to the Charlotte, US, having won approximately $1 million.Since his first professional win in 2016 at the Australian PGA Championship, Varner had undergone somewhat of a barren spell. Between December 2016 and February 2022, Varner didn't win a professional golf tournament. But his belief never wavered during that time. "I've never questioned my ability," he said. "The only people that question it are the people that sit right in here, and they're like, 'Man, he needs to be winning.' But I don't march to anyone's beat in here. I do what I'm supposed to do and things come."Life happened. My wife, my girlfriend at the time, her brother died a week after that and we were celebrating. Things that I wasn't ready to be a man about. I can sit here and tell you like I just didn't know how to handle it because, I don't know, I think it's a hard thing to deal with. Those things get in the way of just focusing on golf."When you're a kid and there's nothing else to do, it's only golf. No, I wouldn't change a thing. How cool is that? It hasn't happened in a long time, and the way it happened right there, it's frickin' awesome."Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosVarner poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the Saudi International. During that time, Varner explained that he's grown a lot as both a player and a man.When asked in his press conference after his victory in Saudi Arabia whether he has become more of a spokesperson for Harold Varner than for different things, he replied: "Amen to that.""I am learning that. I think it comes with maturity. I think just learning how to articulate how to say, 'No,' like I've been struggling saying no to these little kids every time I walk around here today, and it's going to be okay, but I'm going to get them when I leave."

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-03-15 10:41:01

sport

golf

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/golf/cameron-smith-wins-players-championship-spt-intl/index.html

Cameron Smith claims PGA Tour's biggest payout after winning the Players Championship - CNN

Cameron Smith claimed the PGA Tour's biggest payout on Monday after winning the Players Championship.

golf, Cameron Smith claims PGA Tour's biggest payout after winning the Players Championship - CNN

Cameron Smith claims PGA Tour's biggest payout after winning the Players Championship

(CNN)Cameron Smith claimed the PGA Tour's biggest payout on Monday after winning the Players Championship. The 28-year-old finished a shot ahead of Anirban Lahiri at TPC Sawgrass, going home with the winner's check of $3.6 million.Smith carded a six-under 66 to finish 13-under for the tournament and claim his second title of the season and fifth of his career. When asked what he was going to do with such a large amount of money in the press conference afterwards, Smith hadn't yet made up his mind. "I really don't -- I don't have an answer for that. It hasn't sunk in," he said with a smile. Read More"That's a lot of money. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it."Smith lines up his putt on the fourth hole during the final round of the Players Championship.The win held even more significance for Smith given who was within the crowd. Amongst the fans watching Smith claim victory in Florida were his mother and sister, who he said he hadn't seen in two-and-a-half years.Smith, who lives in Florida, explained that "golf was second for these few weeks.""It's really cool to have them here. My main priority really was just to hang out with them and golf was second for these few weeks."It's nice to see them and nice to get a win for them."The tournament -- one of the PGA Tour's marquee events -- was severely delayed due to inclement weather, with rain, darkness and lightning meaning it had to be finished on Monday rather the traditional Sunday final day. When play resumed early on Monday morning, all 71 players left in the field had to complete their third rounds.And after a quick turnaround, Smith began his final round strongly with a huge 38-foot birdie putt on the first hole. He registered five birdies in his opening six holes, before three consecutive bogeys from the seventh hole weakened his grip on the lead. But, under huge pressure, Smith reestablished his lead with four straight birdies to start the back nine, giving him a three-shot lead heading into the final hole. Lahiri birdied the 17th behind Smith to cut the lead to two, while on the 18th, Smith hit his ball into the water as it looked like the title might be slipping away. However, he managed to salvage bogey, leaving Lahiri needing a birdie to force a playoff, but the Indian golfer could only manage a par, cementing Smith's victory. The victory meant he became the fifth Australian to win the famous event, moving Smith up to sixth in golf's world rankings. Smith hits out of the pine straw along the 18th fairway during the final round of the Players Championship."I felt as though one of these big ones was the next step for me," Smith said. "I've knocked on the door a few times and I just felt like it was my time.When asked about joining his countrymen in winning the tournament, Smith said: "Obviously, lots of Australians have won here, lots of great Australian golfers have won here, but the best that have ever lived have won here, as well."So it's pretty cool to have the name on the same trophy as them."

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-03-14 10:34:52

sport

golf

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/14/golf/shane-lowry-hole-in-one-players-championship-spt-intl/index.html

Shane Lowry hits hole-in-one on 'one of the most iconic holes in golf' at the Players Championship - CNN

If you watch Shane Lowry play golf, he's sure to eventually make you get out of your seat.

golf, Shane Lowry hits hole-in-one on 'one of the most iconic holes in golf' at the Players Championship - CNN

Shane Lowry hits hole-in-one on 'one of the most iconic holes in golf' at the Players Championship

(CNN)If you watch Shane Lowry play golf, he's sure to eventually make you get out of your seat. Known for being one of the most entertaining names in golf, the Irishman caused the Players Championship to erupt on Sunday, hitting a hole-in-one on the famous 17th. During the third round of one of the PGA Tour's marquee events, Lowry achieved the feat at the par-three, 124-yard island hole, which he described afterwards as "one of the most iconic holes in golf."The 34-year-old hit a pitching wedge with the ball landing approximately 10 feet past the hole before it gradually rolled towards the pin and dropped in, sparking wild scenes of celebration. He embraced his playing partner and Ryder Cup teammate Ian Poulter as the crowd went wild. Read MoreAfter picking the ball out of the hole, Lowry threw the ball into the crowd and later signed it. "It was a special thing to happen, and I'm looking forward to turning on my phone and seeing the messages I've got," Lowry explained. "Not only that, it put me back in the tournament somewhat. So it was amazing. It's been a long day today, and I'm glad to make the call and finish well today. Played the 17 hole twice and did it in three shots, so it doesn't owe me anything."I'm excited for tomorrow now. If it's a long day tomorrow, I can do something hopefully in the morning and finish it off in the afternoon."It's the 10th hole-in-one on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, and the first since Ryan Moore achieved the feat at the 2019 edition of the Players Championship. It is Lowry's second hole-in-one on the PGA Tour, his first coming at the 2016 Masters. Lowry plays his shot from the 10th tee during the third round of the Players Championship.Lowry is now four-under for the tournament, four off the top of the leaderboard. This year's Players Championship has had severe delays after inclement weather swept into the area in Florida. Because of high winds, raining and electric storms, when play resumes on Monday morning, all 71 players left in the field will still have to complete their third rounds. India's Anirban Lahiri leads on nine under.

Ben Church, CNN

2022-03-17 10:21:02

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/football/paul-pogba-burglary-manchester-united-spt-intl/index.html

Paul Pogba: Manchester United star's 'worst nightmare' realized after family home burgled - CNN

Manchester United star Paul Pogba says his family home was burgled during his side's Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.

football, Paul Pogba: Manchester United star's 'worst nightmare' realized after family home burgled - CNN

Manchester United star Paul Pogba's 'worst nightmare' realized after family home burgled

(CNN)Manchester United star Paul Pogba says his family home was burgled during his side's Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday. The Frenchman said his two children were sleeping in their bedrooms under the watch of their nanny when the family's "worst nightmare was realised."Pogba was used as a second-half substitute as United lost the round-of-16 tie 2-1 on aggregate. "The burglars were in our home for less than five minutes but in that time they took from us something more valuable than anything we had in our home... our sense of safety and security," Pogba wrote on social media Wednesday. João Cancelo: Manchester City defender assaulted during burglary at his home"This occurred during the final minutes of last night's match when they knew that we would not be home. My wife and I rushed home not knowing if our children were safe and unharmed."Read MoreManchester United sent its best wishes to the midfielder who is offering a reward to anyone with information of the break-in. Pogba also celebrated his 29th birthday on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/O3hocLUh51— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) March 16, 2022 "As a father there is no feeling worse in this world than not being there to protect your children and I sincerely hope that no one ever has to feel what I felt last night," he added. "It is for this reason that I would like to offer a reward for anyone who has a clue to help us. Please send any info to [email protected]."Greater Manchester Police was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNN.Pogba is the latest English Premier League footballer to be a victim of burglary. In December, Manchester City defender João Cancelo was assaulted during a break-in at his family home which left the Portuguese international with visible facial injuries.And, in January, Pogba's Manchester United teammate Victor Lindelöf had his home broken into while the defender was playing for United.

Issy Ronald, CNN

2022-03-17 10:55:07

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/football/juventus-villarreal-crash-out-champions-league-spt-intl/index.html

Juventus crash out of the Champions League after a 3-0 defeat to Villarreal - CNN

Italian giant Juventus crashed out of the Champions League in ignominious fashion with a 3-0 (4-1 on aggregate) round of 16 defeat to Villarreal.

football, Juventus crash out of the Champions League after a 3-0 defeat to Villarreal - CNN

Juventus crash out of the Champions League after a 3-0 defeat to Villarreal

(CNN)Italian giant Juventus crashed out of the Champions League in ignominious fashion with a 3-0 (4-1 on aggregate) round of 16 defeat to Villarreal. Three late goals from Gerard Moreno, Pau Torres and Arnaut Danjuma condemned the Old Lady to its joint largest Champions League home defeat. The result also means that Juve has been eliminated in the last 16 for the third consecutive season, while the 2020/21 Europa League-winning Villarreal will play in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2009.Ahead of the match, the two sides were level at 1-1, following a cagey affair in Spain. Juve, however, could not make its home advantage count on the return leg. The Vecchia Signora dominated the first half, creating multiple goal-scoring opportunities, all of which were saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, deflected off the goalposts or blocked by the defense.Read MoreIt wasn't until the 78th minute that The Yellow Submarine had a shot on target when Moreno converted a penalty, after Francis Coquelin had been fouled by Daniel Rugani. Seven minutes later, Torres exploited the poor Juve defense, prodding a corner ball into the back of the net.Then, nearly on the stroke of full-time, Danjuma completed Villarreal's unlikely lopsided victory, converting another penalty conceded by Matthijs de Ligt with a hand ball in the penalty area.Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma scores a goal against Juventus to complete a surprising 3-0 victory for the Spanish side.Although it was roundly beaten 3-0, Juve dominated in other aspects of the game. The Italians had more possession, more shots, more shots on target and more corners than their opponents, according to match statistics."I agree that we had to qualify today, but it was not easy," Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters after the game. "It's useless to talk now, we must remain quiet, focus on the league and the Coppa Italia to see if we can take a trophy at home." Juve currently sits fourth in Serie A, seven points behind leader AC Milan, and leads its Coppa Italia semifinal against Fiorentina 1-0 after the first leg.Villarreal now advances to the quarterfinals and will find out its next opponent at the Champions League draw on March 18.

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-03-16 14:57:17

sport

football

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/16/football/manchester-united-champions-league-atletico-madrid-spt-intl/index.html

Manchester United's chase for trophies is over in March -- where does the beleaguered club go from here? - CNN

As Diego Simeone jogged towards the Old Trafford tunnel, the Argentine did well to dodge a number of bottles and cups that were thrown his way by furious Manchester United fans.

football, Manchester United's chase for trophies is over in March -- where does the beleaguered club go from here? - CNN

Manchester United's chase for trophies is over in March. Where does the beleaguered club go from here?

(CNN)As Diego Simeone jogged towards the Old Trafford tunnel, the Argentine did well to dodge a number of bottles and cups that were thrown his way by furious Manchester United fans.Simeone's Atlético Madrid had just ended United's last hope of winning any silverware this season in the only way a Simeone team knows how.Cholismo, the sacred art of defensive nous and intense work ethic, had helped Atlético secure a 1-0 win and passage through to the Champions League quarterfinals and left United supporters staring at a fifth straight season without a trophy.Another Champions League meltdown, star players booed and rumored departures: What next for PSG?However, once their rage with Simeone and his team subsides, those United fans will likely realize their real anger is not with an Argentine coach and his divisive tactics, but rather with their own club."It's difficult to put into words how we feel now at the moment," goalkeeper David De Gea said after the match. "We did not do enough in both games to win it. It's a very disappointing day for us.Read More"We are out of one of the most important competitions so we are very sad. Of course, it's not good enough. It's hard for the club, for us and the fans. It's really hard. There are too many years without any trophies, even without fighting for trophies."This is where we are at the moment. It's a difficult situation. We have to keep fighting. I feel very sad. But we were not good enough."After Tuesday's defeat, interim United head coach Ralf Rangnick said "some curious refereeing decisions" were partly to blame for his team's demise.In truth, United was, as De Gea succinctly put it, just not good enough. Not at Old Trafford nor at the Wanda Metropolitano, where three weeks ago it looked as though the team had earned a valuable 1-1 draw.Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to impact the match against Atleti.The reality is this team hasn't been good enough for several years now and the club finds itself in a perpetual state of failed rebuilding; waiting for another unsuccessful season to end before trying to remedy that lack of success with high-profile summer transfer signings or a new manager.Since 2012, United's net spend is €1.075 billion ($1.18 billion). The club has paid €1.545 billion ($1.7 billion) in transfers while receiving €470 million ($516 million) in player sales, according to study published by Switzerland-based independent research group CIES Football Observatory.The squad United has built is unquestionably a talented one but has lacked an identity since Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013. For too long now, the team has relied on moments of individual brilliance to dig it out of holes -- see Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick against Tottenham on Saturday -- and when that doesn't come, the attack simply grinds to a halt.Chelsea made plea for 'sporting integrity,' despite oligarch owner being sanctioned after Russia's invasion of UkraineThe appointment of Rangnick -- a manager lauded for his intense, proactive style -- was supposed to help provide United with a new identity, or at least begin laying the foundations for one.Tuesday's game was the 20th time Rangnick had taken charge of this United team, but he's yet to come up with a framework to get the most out of Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho.Instead, the team continues to wander aimlessly through a barren period that is the club's worst since the late 60s, with no apparent plan in place to help guide it to success once again.United, which finally appointed a director of football in John Murtough in March last year, has continued to get decision after decision spectacularly wrong in recent years.Whether it's appointing the wrong head coach -- or taking too long to sack him -- or spending vast amounts of money on players who are either not good enough or do not quite fit a manager's system, it's easy to see why United has stagnated so badly.The difficult part, as the club hierarchy is no doubt aware, is fixing it.Cristiano Ronaldo breaks all-time FIFA record after scoring his 806th career goalMany feel getting the next managerial appointment right is the crucial first step of setting the club back on the right path, with PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag reportedly the frontrunners.However, it's difficult to see either of those men succeeding where Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and now Rangnick have failed without serious structural change.Rangnick even admitted last month he doesn't "really know" what Darren Fletcher's role at the club is, after the former United midfielder was appointed the club's first ever technical director in March 2021.But the rebuilding of the club doesn't end on the pitch. Last week, United revealed further plans it has to redevelop Old Trafford, which has been showing its age for several years.The club's chief operating officer Collette Roche said they have developed "a Masterplan for the modernization" of the famous stadium.United fans have pleaded with the Glazer family, the club's absent owners, to sell up for several years now, believing the Americans' main priority is to make money, with on-pitch success a distant second.United might not have won a trophy since 2017, but according to Forbes, the club's value is $4.2 billion.Since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, United have won just three trophies -- the FA Cup under Van Gaal in 2016, and the League Cup and Europa League under Jose Mourinho the following year -- but none of football's major prizes. United last won the Premier League nine years ago.This summer may be the most important of the Glazers' tenure.As for coming up for winning formula for the team, United need a masterplan and quickly. If the wrong decisions are made once again, it will be near impossible for United to end this rut anytime soon.

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-03-18 09:58:01

sport

tennis

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/tennis/rafael-nadal-beats-nick-kyrgios-indian-wells-spt-intl/index.html

Nick Kyrgios apologizes after smashed racket almost hits ball boy - CNN

The best and worst of Nick Kyrgios was on display in Indian Wells on Thursday, as the supremely talented yet frustrating Australian lost in three sets to Rafael Nadal in a thrilling quarterfinal clash.

tennis, Nick Kyrgios apologizes after smashed racket almost hits ball boy - CNN

'It was a complete accident': Nick Kyrgios apologizes after smashed racket almost hits ball boy

(CNN)The best and worst of Nick Kyrgios was on display in Indian Wells on Thursday, as the supremely talented yet frustrating Australian lost in three sets to Rafael Nadal in a thrilling quarterfinal clash.Kyrgios gave the Spaniard his sternest test of the tournament so far, but Nadal eventually came out on top, winning 7-6 (0) 5-7 6-4 to set up a semifinal clash with rising Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz.However, Kyrgios smashed his racket in frustration following the defeat and an unfortunate bounce meant it came close to hitting a ball boy, who was able to move out of the way in time.The incident led to the crowd booing the 26-year-old, who had previously gotten into a back-and-forth with a heckling fan during the match."I just want to apologise to that ball kid at the end of the match," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram. "It was a complete accident and was frustrated at the end of the match.Read More"My racket took a crazy bounce and was never my intention. If anyone knows who that ball kid is, send me a message and I will send a racket to him. I'm glad he's OK!"Kyrgios was able to get in touch with the ball boy, who accepted the apology and the offer of a racket, and posted their exchange on social media.READ: UK government wants assurances that Daniil Medvedev is not a supporter of Vladimir PutinMade a new friend in the process 🤍 accidents happen but we can go out of our way to make things better 🥶👑 pic.twitter.com/G0gI5QpmBy— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) March 18, 2022 During one of his service games, Kyrgios hilariously brought the watching Ben Stiller into an exchange he was having with a fan."Are you playing? Are you good at tennis?" Kyrgios asked the man in the crowd behind him. "Exactly, why are you speaking?"He then pointed at Stiller and said: "Do I tell him how to act? No!" which drew laughter from the stands.After the match, Nadal told reporters he hadn't seen the incident with the racket, but said "the ATP should review things and make decisions" if these incidents continue to happen.Last week, Nadal called for tougher punishments for players after Alexander Zverev received only a suspended eight-week ban for his petulant outburst in Acapulco, Mexico last month.Zverev smashed his racket multiple times near the umpire's feet after his doubles defeat and called the umpire a "f***ing idiot" during the match.Rafael Nadal will face compatriot Carlos Alcarez in the semifinals."I like him [Kyrgios] like a character, but of course when you cross some lines then the thing becomes different," Nadal told reporters after the match. "The problem is, in my opinion, the same. When you allow the players to do stuff then you don't know when the line is."It's a tricky thing, but probably because these situations are happening more and more often, probably the ATP should review things and make decisions. Not about today's match because I didn't see what happened, so I can't have an opinion."I hope nothing too bad happened because I wish him [Kyrgios] the best ... but if it's bad, the ATP need to make decisions to avoid that and to stop that because sometimes, even if it's very unlucky or unfortunate, going right in that moment that something negative will happen."Up next for Nadal is 18-year-old Spanish sensation Alcaraz, who defeated defending champion Cameron Norrie in straight sets.

Matias Grez, CNN

2022-03-17 10:01:40

sport

tennis

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/tennis/rafael-nadal-indian-wells-quarterfinals-spt-intl/index.html

Rafael Nadal battles past Reilly Opelka to reach Indian Wells quarterfinals - CNN

Rafael Nadal battled past American big hitter Reilly Opelka to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells and extend his perfect start to the season.

tennis, Rafael Nadal battles past Reilly Opelka to reach Indian Wells quarterfinals - CNN

Rafael Nadal battles past Reilly Opelka to reach Indian Wells quarterfinals

(CNN)Rafael Nadal battled past American big hitter Reilly Opelka to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells and extend his perfect start to the season.The Spaniard managed to grind out a 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5) win over the 6-foot-11-inch serving specialist to record his 18th consecutive victory at the start of 2022. Nadal is just the second player to start a season 18-0 since the ATP Tour launched in 1990, with only Novak Djokovic previously able to reach that milestone. The Serb has managed it twice, starting 41-0 in 2011 and 26-0 in 2020.This run -- during which Nadal won a record-breaking 21st grand slam at the Australian Open and titles in Melbourne and Acapulco -- is the 35-year-old's best ever start to a season.Novak Djokovic won't play at Indian Wells or Miami Open due to his vaccination status"He is one of the toughest opponents on Tour," Nadal said after the match, per the ATP. "It is very tough to control his weapons with his serve and forehand. Read More"I think I played my best match of the tournament so far today. I am very pleased with how I was able to win the match, with two difficult tie breaks. This victory means a lot to me."Nadal is looking for his fourth tournament win in Indian Wells after previously picking up the title in 2007, 2009 and 2013.Up next for Nadal is unseeded Australian Nick Kyrgios, who reached the quarterfinals via walkover after round of 16 opponent Jannik Sinner withdrew through illness.Kyrgios has been at his blistering best at times in Indian Wells and is yet to drop a set or a service game in the tournament so far.Before Wednesday's match, Nadal said he would be skipping the Miami Open at the end of the month as he aims to get ready for the clay court season.'I hope I live to reach 100': World's oldest tennis player staying put in Ukraine war zoneNadal didn't play in the back half of 2021 due to knee and foot injuries and says it could be "dangerous" to transition from hard courts to clay too quickly."For my body, it's not good to have quick transitions from different surfaces," he told reporters. "Clay to hard -- well, hard to clay. If I play Miami, I will not have time to rest and no time to make a swift transition to the clay. I needed to push since the beginning [of the season] very hard, so that's dangerous for my foot, for my knees."I need to make that transition step by step. I cannot make drastic changes like I did in the past, so that's why I decided to stop after here and to have, like, three weeks before the clay court season start for me."

Ben Church, CNN

2022-03-16 11:18:36

sport

tennis

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/16/tennis/daniil-medvedev-vladimir-putin-wimbledon-spt-intl/index.html

Daniil Medvedev: UK government wants assurances that Russian tennis star is not a supporter of Vladimir Putin - CNN

Grand slam champion Daniil Medvedev may have to jump through a few diplomatic hoops if he wants to compete at Wimbledon later this year.

tennis, Daniil Medvedev: UK government wants assurances that Russian tennis star is not a supporter of Vladimir Putin - CNN

Daniil Medvedev: UK government wants assurances that Russian tennis star is not a supporter of Vladimir Putin

(CNN)Grand slam champion Daniil Medvedev may have to jump through a few diplomatic hoops if he wants to compete at Wimbledon later this year.Asked at a UK Parliament select committee meeting on Tuesday about Medvedev competing at Wimbledon, British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said he may seek "assurances" that the Russian star, who won his first grand slam at the US Open last year, does not support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed or enabled," said Huddleston."We need some potential assurance that they are not supporters of Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to try and get some assurances along those lines."Huddleston said he was in touch with the tournament organizers, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), and that discussions were taking place. Read MoreNikita Mazepin: Fired Russian F1 driver announces fund to help other excluded athletesCNN reached out to the AELTC but has not received an immediate response. Current rules allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete on the men's ATP and women's WTA tour but only as neutral athletes. Russia and Belarus, which helped stage the invasion of Ukraine, are banned from team events such as the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup as sport continues to turn its back on Putin. "My message is always the same -- I want peace in all of the world," Medvedev told reporters earlier this month when asked about the war. CNN has contacted Medvedev's team about Huddleston's comments but did not receive an immediate response. Daniil Medvedev celebrates after winning a match on February 24, 2022.However, WTA head Steve Simon said he does not want players to be banned if they don't publicly criticize the "decisions of an authoritarian leadership." "You never know what the future may bring," Simon told the BBC Tuesday. "But I can tell you that we have never banned athletes from participating on our tour as the result of political positions their leadership may take."So it would take something very significant for that to change, but again we don't know where this is going."The WTA would have to change its rules should the government decide to ban Russian players but Simon said it would not be a move he supports. "I feel very strongly that these individual athletes should not be the ones that are being penalized by the decisions of an authoritarian leadership that is obviously doing terrible, reprehensible things."Wimbledon is scheduled to run between June 27 and July 10.

Ben Morse, CNN

2022-03-18 10:35:25

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/sport/saint-peters-kentucky-march-madness-spt-intl/index.html

Saint Peter's completes huge March Madness upset, stunning No. 2 seed Kentucky - CNN

It's early in March Madness, but we may not see a bigger shock in the men's NCAA tournament than Thursday night's stunning result.

sport, Saint Peter's completes huge March Madness upset, stunning No. 2 seed Kentucky - CNN

Saint Peter's completes huge March Madness upset, stunning No. 2 seed Kentucky

(CNN)It's early in March Madness, but we may not see a bigger shock in the men's NCAA tournament than Thursday night's stunning result. The No. 2-seeded Kentucky Wildcats were stunned by No. 15 seed Saint Peter's, being beaten 85-79 in overtime in Indianapolis. Daryl Banks III scored 27 points as the small school from New Jersey stunned one of the most established college basketball teams in the US, claiming its first men's NCAA tournament victory in program history. Kentucky holds NCAA records for the most men's tournament appearances, most games played and most victories.But in the face of the Goliath-like challenge, Saint Peter's didn't bow under pressure, pulling off the stunning upset and busting brackets around the world. Read More"It's huge. Putting Jersey City on the map, in New Jersey, we come from a small state," Banks said afterwards. "Probably, a lot of people probably don't even know who we are. It's huge for our school and everybody back home."Oscar Tshiebwe had 30 points and 16 rebounds for Kentucky, but Banks' free throws with 1:45 left in overtime gave the Peacocks the lead and they didn't relinquish it as time ticked down. The Wildcats bench reacts during the overtime period against the Saint Peter's Peacocks.To highlight the gulf of experience between the two teams, Saint Peter's have made half as many NCAA tournament appearances (four) as Kentucky have national titles (eight).Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosThe Peacocks, coming from a university of just 2,637 students, now advance to the round of 32. Saint Peter's will now face No. 7 Murray State, who advanced by beating No. 10 San Francisco 92-87 in OT. It's the Racers' 21st straight win -- the longest active streak in men's Division I."No disrespect to anybody, but we wasn't coming down here just to lose. We came down here to fight and we did," Saint Peter's head coach Shaheen Holloway said postgame.

Jacob Lev and Issy Ronald, CNN

2022-03-18 11:23:30

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/18/sport/baker-mayfield-trade-cleveland-browns-spt-intl/index.html

Baker Mayfield: Cleveland Browns quarterback requests trade, but team denies request - CNN

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has requested a trade from the team, according to NFL.com and ESPN.

sport, Baker Mayfield: Cleveland Browns quarterback requests trade, but team denies request - CNN

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield requests trade, but team denies request

(CNN)Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has requested a trade from the team, according to NFL.com and ESPN."It's in the mutual interest of both sides for us to move on," Mayfield told ESPN on Thursday. "The relationship is too far gone to mend. It's in the best interest of both sides to move on."The Browns, however, do not plan to honor Mayfield's trade request, according to NFL.com. Mayfield's request came a day before the Browns agreed to trade for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.On Tuesday, Mayfield posted a statement on social media, thanking the city of Cleveland and its fans.Read More"I have no clue what happens next, which is the meaning behind the silence I have had during the duration of this process," Mayfield said in the post. "I can only control what I can, which is trusting in God's plan throughout this process."I have given this franchise everything I have. That is something I've always done at every stage, and at every level. And that will not change wherever I take my next snap."Baker Mayfield passing against the Baltimore Ravens on December 12, 2021 in Cleveland. CNN has reached out to Mayfield's agent and the Browns for comment.Mayfield was drafted by the Browns first overall in the 2018 NFL draft on a four-year contract worth $32.68 million in guaranteed salary. Last season, he led the Browns to an 8-9 record, throwing for 3,010 yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 14 games, despite playing with an injury in his non-throwing shoulder for much of the year.The Browns ultimately failed to reach the postseason in 2021, while their divisional rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, reached the Super Bowl.

Homero De la Fuente, Amir Vera and Richard Greene, CNN

2022-03-17 12:51:11

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/sport/brittney-griner-russia-detention-extended-spt-intl/index.html

Brittney Griner is reportedly well and has seen her Russian legal team several times throughout her detention, source says - CNN

US basketball star Brittney Griner's legal team has seen her several times a week throughout her detention in Russia and they reported that she is well, a source close to the situation told CNN on Thursday.

sport, Brittney Griner is reportedly well and has seen her Russian legal team several times throughout her detention, source says - CNN

US basketball star Brittney Griner is reportedly well and has seen her Russian legal team several times throughout her detention, source says

(CNN)US basketball star Brittney Griner's legal team has seen her several times a week throughout her detention in Russia and they reported that she is well, a source close to the situation told CNN on Thursday. News of Griner's condition comes after a Moscow court announced it extended the arrest of Griner until May 19, according to Russian state news agency TASS."The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the US citizen Griner until May 19," the court said, per TASS.The source added that the Russian investigation is ongoing, and a trial date has not been set.According to Russian authorities, the two-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested on allegations of drug smuggling significant amounts of narcotic substance at a Moscow airport. US Rep. Colin Allred of Texas said she was arrested February 17. Read MoreWhat we know (and don't know) about the arrest of US Olympic champion Brittney Griner in RussiaRussia has a history of making false charges in other cases, experts say. "There have been a lot of allegations of planting of substances on people, particularly on the part of human rights advocates," says Peter Maggs, a law professor at the University of Illinois and an expert on Russia's civil code.The State Department in February warned Americans against going there, noting arrests of US citizens on "spurious charges."Russia's invasion of Ukraine makes everything more difficult, observers say.TASS also quoted Ekaterina Kalugina, who it said represented Moscow's Public Monitoring Commission (ONK), which observes the treatment of prisoners. A court advocate said Griner should be kept under house arrest because their jail beds are a foot too short for Griner, who is 6 feet 9 inches tall, according to the Russian news service RIA Novosti.According to TASS, Kalugina visited Griner at her pretrial detention center. Kalugina was also quoted as saying the US consul has not visited the 31-year-old, despite Russian authorities' willingness to "create all conditions" for their visit.Earlier this month, Allred told ESPN that Griner had not been granted consular access -- a circumstance he called "really unusual."The US State Department official told CNN on Thursday that Russia must provide consular access to Griner and all US citizens detained in Russia, including those in pretrial detention.Basketball star Brittney Griner is the latest American to be detained in Russia as supporters work desperately to free them"We have repeatedly asked for consular access to these detainees and have consistently been denied access," the official said. "Russia must abide by its legal obligations and allow us to provide consular services for U.S. citizens detained in Russia."On Wednesday, former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton became the latest US politician to call for her release, sharing an article on Griner with the caption "Free Brittney" in a post on Twitter. Griner plays for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg. Griner has played with the team since 2015 during the WNBA offseason. In five games this season, she has averaged 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.In 2014, the American Iranian journalist Jason Rezaian was detained in Tehran and spent 544 days in Iran's notorious Evin Prison.The Washington Post reporter was eventually released in January 2016, and he says he sees many parallels between his case and Griner's."It's the most audacious hostage taking by a state imaginable," Rezaian told CNN."I know from my own case that the supposed charges against me were not based in anything like reality, and they were used to perpetuate a narrative about why I was being held."Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, has publicly called for Brittney's release. USA Basketball, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the Phoenix Mercury and the WNBA players' union have all publicly shared their concerns for Griner.CNN's Rosa Flores contributed to this report.

Issy Ronald, CNN

2022-03-15 10:54:58

sport

motorsport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/motorsport/lewis-hamilton-change-name-mother-f1-spt-intl/index.html

Lewis Hamilton to change name to honor mother - CNN

Lewis Hamilton -- seven-time world champion in Formula One -- said that he is going to change his name, incorporating his mother's surname, Larbalestier, to honor her.

motorsport, Lewis Hamilton to change name to honor mother - CNN

Lewis Hamilton to change name to honor mother

(CNN)Lewis Hamilton -- seven-time world champion in Formula One -- said that he is going to change his name, incorporating his mother's surname, Larbalestier, to honor her.Ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton expressed his wish to race under his new name, though he hasn't yet announced what form this name will take."It would mean the world to my family (to win an eighth title)," Hamilton said at Expo 2020 Dubai. "It would mean a lot to me knowing that, for example, I am really proud of my family's name, Hamilton."None of you might know that my mum's name is Larbalestier and I am just about to put that in my name." It is unclear when the changes would take effect, but the Brit said it would happen, "Hopefully soon. We are working on it."Read MoreHamilton's parents divorced when he was a toddler, and he credits both his mother and stepmother as being positive influences in his upbringing. He lived with his mother, Carmen, until he was 12 before moving in with his father, Anthony, who played a major role in his early career.Lewis Hamilton during day three of F1 testing."I don't really fully understand the whole idea that when people get married the woman loses her name," Hamilton said, "And I really want my mum's name to continue on with the Hamilton name."Although Hamilton's relationship with his father is widely publicized -- his father worked multiple jobs to support him and acted as his manager until 2010 -- Hamilton's mother has also greatly contributed to his success.She accompanied Hamilton when he was knighted at Windsor Castle in December and frequently attends races to support her son.The first Grand Prix of the season will take place on Sunday, as Hamilton seeks to reclaim the world championship in 2022 that he lost in dramatic fashion to Max Verstappen in December at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Story by Reuters

2022-03-12 15:19:11

sport

motorsport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/12/motorsport/lewis-hamilton-pre-season-testing-mercedes-spt-intl/index.html

Lewis Hamilton plays down hopes of starting F1 season with a win - CNN

Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton played down his chances of starting the Formula One season with a win and said on Saturday his Mercedes lacked a 'considerable amount' of pace.

motorsport, Lewis Hamilton plays down hopes of starting F1 season with a win - CNN

Lewis Hamilton plays down hopes of starting F1 season with a win

(Reuters)Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton played down his chances of starting the Formula One season with a win and said on Saturday his Mercedes lacked a 'considerable amount' of pace.The season begins in Bahrain next week and Hamilton, hoping to win back the title from Red Bull's Max Verstappen after a controversial end to the 2021 season, took the underdog position."At the moment, I'm sure everyone can figure that out, we are not the quickest," the 37-year-old Briton told reporters on the final day of pre-season testing at the Sakhir circuit."I think Ferrari look to be the quickest and perhaps Red Bull and then maybe us or McLaren. We're currently not at the top."Asked whether he had any concerns about his ability to fight for the championship, Hamilton said it was too early and expressed confidence in his team's proven ability to work through any problems.F1 world champion Max Verstappen signs new deal with Red Bull Racing until 2028Read MoreMercedes have won the last eight constructors' championships.Hamilton said the new car had shown decent reliability and the team had got through their test programme but it was clear there remained much to do."At the moment I don't think we'll be competing for wins," he said."There is potential within our car to get us there, we've just got to learn to be able to extract it... we have some hurdles to overcome."Next week we'll get a much better showing of our pace but I think people will be surprised, maybe. People keep talking about (whether) we're talking ourselves down or not but it's a bit different this year."Mercedes's rivals have taken such declarations with some scepticism in the past.Last year Mercedes had a troubled pre-season, completing the fewest laps of any team, but Hamilton still won the opening race in Bahrain.Max Verstappen wins first F1 world title after dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix endingIn 2019, Mercedes had looked up to half a second off Ferrari's pace in testing and then finished one-two in Melbourne.This season has radically revised rules and Hamilton, the sport's most successful driver of all time with a record 103 wins, said it felt different."I think we have far bigger challenges this time," he said. "It will take a little bit longer. From what I'm told, we have a considerable amount of pace to find."AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly, who followed the Mercedes closely on Saturday and observed Hamilton's struggles with the car, was prepared to agree."I think they do have some work to be fighting right at the top, but it's only testing," said the Frenchman.

Story by Reuters

2022-03-09 17:33:10

sport

motorsport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/09/motorsport/nikita-mazepin-russian-f1-haas-fund-spt-intl/index.html

Fired Russian F1 driver Nikita Mazepin announces fund to help other excluded athletes - CNN

Russian driver Nikita Mazepin hit back at the US-owned Haas Formula One team on Wednesday for firing him after his country's invasion of Ukraine and announced a foundation to support athletes unable to compete due to war or politics.

motorsport, Fired Russian F1 driver Nikita Mazepin announces fund to help other excluded athletes - CNN

Nikita Mazepin: Fired Russian F1 driver announces fund to help other excluded athletes

(Reuters)Russian driver Nikita Mazepin hit back at the US-owned Haas Formula One team on Wednesday for firing him after his country's invasion of Ukraine and announced a foundation to support athletes unable to compete due to war or politics.The 23-year-old told reporters in a video call from Moscow that the "We Compete as One" foundation would be funded by money paid by Uralkali, the Russian potash company owned by his billionaire father Dmitry, to Haas.Uralkali said separately it had already paid most of the now-terminated 2022 title sponsorship to Haas and would be seeking immediate repayment while also reserving the right to claim damages.No financial details were available and team title sponsorship contracts are confidential.Mazepin said there had been no contact with his former bosses or former team mate Mick Schumacher, son of seven times world champion Michael.These are the sports that Russia has been suspended fromRead More"In situations like this you can see the true face of everybody around you," said the Russian, who had several moments of tension with his team mate last year after being out-performed by the German.Others, including Mercedes' George Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, had sent "very simple" personal messages of support, he added."They know how important the sport is to them, to their lives. They supported me in feeling for me for losing that opportunity to compete," Mazepin said. "Nothing political. Just personal, keep your head up."It was just what I believe a good human being should do."He did not discuss the war or politics.Formula One's governing body, the FIA, has said Russian and Belarusian drivers could still take part in competitions in a neutral capacity.Mazepin said he had intended to do that, citing the example of tennis player Daniil Medvedev who has been allowed to continue playing, but not under the Russian flag.He said he had not given up his dreams of competing in Formula One, would stay in race condition ready for any opportunity and had no plan to seek a license from another country.Medvedev has been allowed to continue competing.The foundation, whose name echoes F1's "We Race as One" initiative to promote diversity and equal rights, would start by helping Russian Paralympic athletes sent home from the Beijing Games, he added."The foundation will allocate resources ... to those athletes who have spent their lives preparing for Olympics or Paralympics or other top events only to find they were forbidden from competing and collectively punished just because of the passports they held," he said.Mazepin, who would have been Russia's sole F1 driver this year and whose career has been funded by his father, said the foundation planned to help athletes from all conflict zones.Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to sanctions across global sport, and Belarus, a key staging area for the full-scale invasion, has also been punished.

Amy Woodyatt, CNN Graphics by Carlotta Dotto and Marco Chacon, CNN

2022-02-21 11:32:14

sport

sport

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/21/sport/winter-olympics-elite-wealthy-intl-spt/index.html

The Winter Olympics don't really represent the world: Costs, climate and quotas keep the majority off the podium - CNN

At 38, Benjamin Alexander became Jamaica's first ever alpine skier to compete in the Winter Olympics -- just six years after he first strapped on skis.

sport, The Winter Olympics don't really represent the world: Costs, climate and quotas keep the majority off the podium - CNN

The Winter Olympics don't really represent the world: Costs, climate and quotas keep the majority off the podium

(CNN)At 38, Benjamin Alexander became Jamaica's first ever alpine skier to compete in the Winter Olympics -- just six years after he first strapped on skis. In his first few years in the sport, skiing with friends, he attracted a lot of attention. "Being the only Black representative in the group, even though I am only half-Black and being of Jamaican heritage, people kept throwing jokes, sideways jokes at me about 'Cool Runnings,' the Jamaican bobsled team and, 'You should go to the Olympics,'" Alexander told CNN Sport. Benjamin Alexander represented Jamaica in alpine skiing -- a first for the island nation.Although the Summer Games are often heralded as a melting pot -- 11,417 athletes from 206 countries and regions across 33 sports participated in Tokyo 2020 -- the Winter Games are nowhere near as diverse, with 91 delegations taking part at Beijing 2022. That's five times more than the number of teams represented in the first Winter Games in Chamonix, France in 1924. Read MoreBut athletes from Africa, South Asia, as well as those from smaller island nations still find themselves struggling to qualify for competition in the Winter Olympics due to warmer climates, the prohibitively high cost of equipment, lack of infrastructure and limited opportunities to practice and compete. And one athlete and his coaches that CNN interviewed for this story warn that continental quota systems that allowed countries and regions with smaller Winter Olympic delegations the opportunity to establish and expand in sliding sports in PyeongChang 2018 were scrapped ahead of Beijing, with a knock-on effect on African countries. A push for diversity, with limited success More countries are making their debut in the Winter Olympics.Saudi Arabia and Haiti each sent an alpine skier to Beijing while Nigeria and Eritrea competed in the Winter Games for the second time after making their debut in PyeongChang 2018. In fact, eight African countries sent athletes to South Korea four years ago, a record number. But just five African countries participated in this year's Games, where the medal tables were dominated by athletes from Europe, North America and Asia. European and North American dominance in the Winter Games can in part be explained by the fact that their climates, where ice and snow are more plentiful, lend themselves to winter sports. But climate isn't the only factor affecting Olympic participation -- when it comes to representation at the Winter Games, there is also a huge gap between wealthier and poorer nations. At PyeongChang 2018, no athlete from Africa, Central or South America won a medal, while Norway -- one of the world's wealthiest countries but with a population of just about five million -- topped the medal table as it did at Beijing 2022.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says it "aims to make success at the Games achievable by everyone." It allocates a "substantial portion" of profit from the Games to athletes and coaches through individual National Olympic Committees (NOCs) as part of the Olympic Solidarity Plan to help "athletes and coaches from countries with the greatest financial need." Some 429 athletes from 80 NOCs were awarded scholarships ahead of Beijing to "support qualification efforts," according to the IOC. But European athletes nabbed nearly 69% of 429 scholarships awarded by the IOC before the Beijing Games. African athletes took home around 4% of those 429 scholarships. Only NOCs "whose athletes had a proven winter sports track record" had access to the program, the IOC said. Meanwhile, 236 athletes (139 men and 97 women) who received these individual athlete scholarships eventually qualified to take part in the Games. Athletes in Europe benefited the most from these scholarships, receiving more than $5 million. Athletes in Asia received $955,003, the Americas $944,917, Oceania got $441,000 and Africa $177,000. European athletes received most funding from Olympic scholarships ahead of 2022 Winter Games Of the $7.5 million in scholarships issued ahead of Beijing 2022, athletes from Europe collectively received more than $5 million while athletes in Africa received just $177,000, according to the 2017-2020 IOC Olympic Solidarity report. Olympic Scholarships for athletes allocated to National Olympic Committee (NOC) ahead of Beijing 2022 (Rollover rectangles below for detail) (Tap rectangles below for detail) EuropeAmericasAsiaAfricaOceania Source: International Olympic committee Scholarships make up just a part of Olympic Solidarity assistance programs designed jointly by the IOC and NOCs, which also direct funds -- derived from Olympic revenue -- towards training of coaches, sports administrators and promoting the Olympic values, according to the IOC. CNN has reached out to the IOC for a further breakdown of funding. Racial diversity not reflected On a national level, the composition of delegations often isn't very racially diverse. "There have been Black medalists from the US and Canada and from Germany. I don't know of any other Black medalists except for those three countries," Olympic historian Bill Mallon told CNN Sport. Black athletes have proven crucial to Team USA's Olympic and Paralympic success in the Summer Games. But even as Black athletes won medals at Beijing -- speedskater Erin Jackson brought home gold, while bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor became the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history -- White athletes still made up the majority of Team USA at the Games this year. Prior to Beijing, the US has only had around 25 Black representatives on all of their various Winter Olympic teams, with over half of them in bobsledding, according to Mallon. In 1988, Debi Thomas became Team USA's first Black Olympic Winter medalist, winning bronze in the ladies' figure skating competition, and Vonetta Flowers became the first Black athlete to ever win gold in the Winter Games, when she drove to victory in the two-woman bobsled with Jill Bakken in 2002. Hockey player Jarome Iginla became the first Black man to win gold at the same Games when Canada triumphed over the US. Four years later, speedskater Shani Davis became the first African American athlete to win an individual gold medal in Turin, Italy. Overall, there have been a relatively small number of Black figure skaters, and they have rarely excelled at the Olympic level. Though she demonstrated technical excellence in her routines, Black French skater Surya Bonaly never won an Olympic medal. Surya Bonaly of France performs a backflip in her free skate routine in the women's Olympic figure skating in Nagano on February 20, 1998.Bonaly performed a one-bladed backflip at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics -- an illegal move that was perceived as an act of defiance to the judges -- which she landed on one foot. That move is still illegal and has never been tried since in an Olympic competition."They want to keep the girls pretty, in a special way," Bonaly told CNN Sport as she reflected on her career. Though now, according to Bonaly, "people are changing and trying to challenge themselves, and try to have more personality in their own style. And that's good. And it's more accepted."Bonaly added: "Now, back then ... you only came from one mold, one way."Black athletes are now prevalent in sliding sports: African American women comprise a majority of America's Olympic bobsled team. Nathan Chen skates during the Men's Free Skating program at Beijing 2022 on February 10, 2022.Asian American athletes, including figure skater Nathan Chen and snowboarder Chloe Kim, have also had a commanding presence at this year's Games. Four of the six Team USA singles figure skaters were Asian American: Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Alysa Liu and Vincent Zhou. Madison Chock competed in the ice dancing event, while Abby Roque was the first Indigenous women's hockey player in US team history. Pay to play economics Experts say that economics -- not just talent -- plays a huge part in whether athletes are able to participate in the Olympics. "That notion of economics is very key because we're looking at sports such as skiing, bobsledding, figure skating -- and that equipment alone costs so much," Akilah Carter-Francique, executive director of the Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change at San Jose State University told CNN Sport. "Pay to play is not accessible to anyone but people with money," Shireen Ahmed, senior contributor with CBC Sports, told CNN. "It becomes not just a racialized issue, it's a class issue, and those two things go hand-in-hand. Not everybody's going to be a working-class hero," she said. With stories of parents remortgaging their homes, working long hours and reducing expenses to facilitate their children's Olympic dreams, it comes as no surprise that financial barriers in winter sports can be prohibitive. Ghana's first skeleton Olympian Akwasi Frimpong told CNN Sport that competing at an elite level costs around $250,000 a year, which would pay for a dedicated full-time sliding coach, a push coach, a strength and conditioning coach, physical therapist, a mechanic, sliding equipment, hotel, air travel, ground transportation and food. "This does not include also having a family and a mortgage to pay," he said, adding that sliding sports athletes would expect to pay $80,000 to compete in smaller, non-Olympic events, outside of the Olympic season. Jamaica's first Olympic alpine skier Alexander told CNN: "I'm competing with people that have been skiing since the age of two, ski racing since the age of four, and their parents have put $50,000 a year into their improvements while they were young." "And now, their national ski federation or local club is putting in $150,000-250,000 a year for their advancement," he said. In 2020, 58% of nearly 500 athletes surveyed by the athletes' rights group Global Athlete said they did not consider themselves financially stable. The athletes who participated in the survey hailed from 48 countries. 44% were actively competing with sport as their primary profession and 31% of the athletes were Olympians. Shiva Keshavan, a six-time Olympian and India's only Olympic competitor in luge in the 2018 Winter Games told CNN that European delegations, which have a better system of recruitment and employment for athletes, dominate Olympic winter sports. "Athletes that come from developing sport nations generally have more of a challenge because you don't have the systems in place that enable a successful career. "Often, athletes are having to deal with training with less, with worse equipment or having to do their own logistics and, sometimes, without a coach," he added. Many elite skiers, snowboarders and ice skaters take expensive private lessons, hire coaches or attend private schools to facilitate their training as they're growing up. Bode Miller -- the most decorated US Olympic skier, with one gold, three silver and two bronze medals -- attended Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine on a scholarship and said in 2021 that he "wouldn't have been able to go if not for generous people in my small town of Franconia." Parents with means can expect to pay as much as $64,050 to send their children to the academy, which boasts that it has "earned more Olympic medals for skiing and snowboarding than some small countries." Privately educated athletes constituted 30.3% of athletes who participated in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, according to a 2017 study published in the journal Public Health.The study analyzed sociodemographic data for all athletes representing Canada, the US, Great Britain and Australia in Sochi. 94.9% of winter athletes were White. "If your parents ski, almost certainly, you will ski," Alexander told CNN. "If we look at minorities in America or in England, most of them are first- or second-generation immigrants, so they don't have as much disposable income as their White counterparts," Alexander said. Adding that he doesn't think" winter sports are racist at all," Alexander says diversity will continue to grow in winter sports. "I just think that as more and more minorities get equal treatment, get equal pay, and as more and more minorities spread out from urban centers by virtue of technology ... then I believe the tide will turn." In a statement sent to CNN, the IOC said it "fully supports diversity and inclusion in the Olympic Games, as well as clear and fair qualification systems that apply equally to all athletes wishing to qualify for the Olympic Games." "We have to strike a balance between attracting the best athletes in the world and universality," it added."Some sports in all reality are more accessible," James Macleod, IOC Director of Olympic Solidarity and National Olympic Committees Relations told CNN Sport, referencing running the 100 meters. "But you can't sail a sailing boat tomorrow, unless you've got access to one, or ride a horse or ski down a mountain. And there's factors in that that are socio-economic, that are political, that are climate driven," he said. "And that's not something that us at the IOC are going to change. "All sports have different levels of access," Macleod said, adding that this is something the international federations of each sport "tries to look at." The IOC said that qualification systems are developed and put in place by international federations "to ensure a fair and credible process for athletes to qualify for the Olympic Games according to their sports' structures and priorities." "Collectively, the qualification systems allow diversity at the Olympic Winter Games, however, this is not necessarily reflected at each discipline level in every sport," it added. Infrastructure challenges Winter sports infrastructure is well established in some parts of Asia -- notably in Japan, South Korea and China. But it remains an "unexplored market" in India, Keshavan said. "For India, a country that has a lot more natural resources for winter sports, compared to China, or Japan or Korea because of the Himalayan Mountain range, it is a big opportunity. "We don't really have the kind of infrastructure: ski resorts, big sports facilities," he said. This year, a single athlete, Mohammad Arif Khan, represented India's nearly 1.4 billion people, having qualified in the slalom and giant slalom events. Khan finished 45th in the giant slalom. India has never won a medal at the Winter Games and does not have a prominent winter sports federation, Keshavan told CNN Sport. Shiva Keshavan of India reacts following run 3 during the Luge Men's Singles on day two of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. "Of course, it is more difficult for athletes from these countries to train at an elite level because you need access to a certain standard of ice quality which is maintained. You need to have modified slopes, you need to have certain equipment," he said. "Skiers from India and Pakistan, even all over Southeast Asia, Oceania, have to travel and go to Europe for training," he added. Athletes and politicians alike are hopeful that South Asia will become a winter sports destination: Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan recently expressed optimism that the northern city of Skardu would turn into a world winter sports destination in years to come. Frimpong, the Olympian from Ghana, told CNN that people don't necessarily see the lack of diversity in winter sports as illogical because many countries get little to no snow. "But that doesn't matter," he explained. For six months of the year, skeleton athletes can train in pushing the sled, he said."You can do most of that in your own country in Africa. We do track and field training, we do weightlifting, I'll be able to test for three, four months at a time in areas where there are tracks. It's not like it's impossible," he said. "Infrastructure is not something that the IOC invests in," Macleod told CNN adding: "That's within the remit of the national government." "Often, when we have this discussion about African participation and in winter sports, the reality is that within African countries, there is not the infrastructure," Macleod said. "We as the IOC are not going to start building ice rinks across Africa -- that is not something that is in our mission. That has to come through the national governments, but the programs that we offer are grassroots and talent identification programs," he added. "Each of the 206 National Olympic Committees in the world has different priorities. When a NOC looks at our programs or looks at their own development opportunities, they will say, 'Actually, we're not going to invest in winter sports because that's not a priority for us.'"'We're going to invest in athletics, rowing or whatever.' And they will always have to make that choice of where they're going to put their funding and what programs from our side they're going to apply for," he said. "We put at the disposal of our stakeholders -- whether it's NOCs or the IFs (international federations) -- a range of opportunities, but we are not going to go into a country and say this has got to be your priority. They are going to decide on their own priorities," he said. Representation matters Carter-Francique told CNN that while the Olympics is billed as an opportunity for all to participate, this is not reflected in delegations' final offerings. "For many, the key to involvement in a particular sport is seeing yourself," she added. In winter sports especially, there are a lack of development programs to encourage underserved communities to participate, said Carter-Francique. "If you don't see yourself as a representative in that space, the likelihood that you would push to try to enter a space and be the first or be the only is one that not many people would do," she added. Some sports, like soccer, basketball, and even tennis, are more accessible because training facilities and equipment can be cheaper, Carter-Francique said. "But the opportunity to access a ski resort, a figure skating rink, a bobsled facility -- and have the bobsled -- is very limited in general," she added. Ahmed also points to an absence of Muslim representation in the Winter Olympics, which is contrary to the Summer Games. "We see a general trend in ... Summer Games -- you've got Central Asian athletes doing a lot of weightlifting. You've got Middle Eastern women doing judo, judokas, or karate, artists and athletes," Ahmed added. Ditching continental quotas a step backwards for inclusion Frimpong and Nigeria's Simidele Adeagbo became the first African skeleton racers to compete at PyeongChang 2018 following the introduction of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation's (IBSF) continental quota system. But the IBSF and the IOC opted to revoke the continental quota for the Beijing Games -- something coaches had warned would deliver a "crushing blow" to African athletes hoping to participate in winter sports. Coaches Brian McDonald and Zach Lund warned the IOC in a December 30, 2021 email seen by CNN that "inequitable quotas that didn't take into account the massive hurdles African athletes must clear in order to train and aspire to be Winter Olympians. "The dream of so many Africans to watch and be inspired by fellow Africans competing in the Winter Olympic Games will bear long-lasting fruit for Olympic sport," they wrote. Akwasi Frimpong of Ghana starts his men's skeleton training session at the Olympic Sliding Centre, during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on February 12, 2018.Simidele Adeagbo of Nigeria reacts as she finishes a run during the Women's Skeleton on day eight of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on February 17, 2018."An exclusion will be a crushing blow to African athletes who worked so hard and who dared to dream what once seemed impossible," they added in the email. The quota for sliding sports was removed ahead of Beijing -- a decision which directly affected Frimpong. "Giving an athlete a quota place, which is not according to the qualification criteria, would consequently imply the exclusion of another athlete qualified in the current qualification system," an IOC representative told Frimpong's coaches in a January 12 email seen by CNN. "I qualified as Ghana's first skeleton Olympian, and the first Black male skeleton athlete ever in history at the Olympic Games, both in the world as well as for Africa," Frimpong told CNN. Frimpong was 99th in world rankings ahead of PyeongChang and qualified through the quota system. "Now, I am 36 points higher than I was, which means I am 63 on the world ranking. I needed to be in the top 60 which is the prerequisite to qualify for this Olympic Games -- to be able to qualify outright," he told CNN. On December 29, hoping to compete in three final races and obtain enough points to make the top 60, Frimpong tested positive for Covid-19 and was unable to compete. He did not qualify for the Winter Olympics. Frimpong said his pre-Covid rating meant "I could possibly almost qualify outright, meaning that I am as good -- maybe not as good as the gold medalist or the top 10 Europeans or whatsoever -- but I'm good enough to be in the world class sport that is dominated by Europeans, westerners." Frimpong said his coaches emailed the IOC asking them to reinstate a continental quota for all winter sports "for qualified African athletes who can safely compete." "We're not asking them to take away a spot from any other nations, we're not asking them to give us a free way, or a free card."But if there are African athletes in winter sports that are close to qualifying, which means they are competitive and qualified and can safely compete, that quota should be in place until there's enough African athletes," he added. In a statement sent to CNN, the IBSF confirmed that the continental quota spot was not included in the Olympic Qualification System for Beijing 2022. "To address Emerging Nations and their needs, the IBSF established a wider Development Program which focused as mentioned on Emerging Nations but equally on gender equity in supporting athletes on their qualification pathway to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022," the organization said in a statement. No athlete representing an African NOC has ever won a medal. "We were looking forward to seeing more and more Africans compete in 2022. And now it's less than half, or at least half of what it was in 2018, so it's disappointing. The message is clear that inclusiveness is not a priority," Frimpong added. But there is hope -- even if only for a select few athletes.American bobsledder Meyers Taylor's bronze in the two-woman bobsled on Saturday gave the 37-year-old her fifth Olympic medal as she surpassed Davis' four. Meyers Taylor is now the most decorated woman Olympic bobsledder ever.When asked about passing Davis' record saying, she said: "That is overwhelming. It's so crazy to hear that stat and to know that I'm part of a legacy that's bigger than me. Hopefully, it just encourages more and more Black athletes to come out to winter sports and not just Black athletes, winter sports for everybody."We want everybody to come out regardless of the color of your skin. We want winter sports to be for everybody, regardless of race, regardless of socio-economic class. I think the more diversity we have, the stronger our sport can be. "So, hopefully, this is just the start of more and more people coming out and trying winter sports."UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect the IOC's most recent individual Olympic Solidarity scholarship data.CNN's Homero De La Fuente contributed reporting.

Jack Bantock, for CNN

2022-02-19 13:55:38

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https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/19/sport/kamila-valieva-eileen-gu-future-olympics-spt-intl/index.html

Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva became the teenage faces of Beijing 2022 under wildly contrasting circumstances - CNN

Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva became the teenage faces of the Winter Olympics, but their memories of Beijing 2022 are likely to be wildly different.

sport, Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva became the teenage faces of Beijing 2022 under wildly contrasting circumstances - CNN

Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva became the teenage faces of Beijing 2022 under wildly contrasting circumstances

(CNN)Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva became the teenage faces of the Winter Olympics, but their memories of Beijing 2022 are likely to be wildly different.San Francisco native Gu is now a two-time gold-medalist, the Olympics' youngest ever freestyle skiing champion, a Chinese national hero -- and a budding author.Born and raised in California, Gu chose to compete for China in 2019 -- where her mother was born -- and became the first freestyler skier in history to win three medals at a Games, winning gold in both the halfpipe and big air events."I'm writing a book," Gu told reporters on Saturday. "I've been writing diaries for years because I knew that the way I grew up was different, interesting and special, I'd like to share it with everyone in the future."Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva had polar opposite experiences at Beijing 2022.Role modelRead MoreHailed as the "pride of China" after winning her first gold, Gu has since won more medals than anyone else for the country at the Games.But Gu doesn't view her achievements at Beijing 2022 as purely a personal achievement -- they also serve a greater representational purpose, according to the 18-year-old."Extreme sports, we all know, are heavily dominated by men and stereotypically it has not had the kind of representation and sporting equity that it should," said Gu."So I think that as a young biracial woman, it is super important to be able to reach those milestones and to be able to push boundaries -- not only my own boundaries but those of the sport and those of the record books because that's what paves the past for the next generation of girls."Gu takes flight during the halfpipe final on February 18.Known as Gu Ailing in China, even before the Olympics the young star's face was everywhere in the country -- splashed across billboards, commercials, magazine covers and on state television in the build up to a home Games.Given her success at Bejing 2022, her sky-high popularity unsurprisingly continued to rocket."If you see yourself in the sport, it totally changes your perception of what you can do in it," Gu added."So my biggest goal is one, to have fun for myself, but also to break the boundaries of the boxes that people get put in."Kamila Valieva competes in the women's single skating free skating of the figure skating event during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on February 17, 2022. 'Very, very disturbed'By contrast, Valieva leaves Beijing under the cloud of an ongoing drugs test scandal and a "traumatizing" final skating performance.The 15-year-old Russian figure skater was touted to dazzle at the Winter Olympic and she did -- making history as she became the first woman to land a quad at the Games.However, a day after she helped the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to gold in the team event the Russian teenager was suspended.The suspension on February 8 came after it was discovered that Valieva had tested positive for banned heart drug trimetazidine in December 2021, though the result was only analyzed and reported to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in February.Kamila Valieva: What happens next?RUSADA needs to determine what -- if any -- sanctions to impose on Valieva as the initial suspension was only provisionalIf sanctions are imposed, WADA must decide whether or not to appeal the decisionIf WADA appeals, the case will be heard by CAS, which will make the final decision on the figure skating team event medalsOnly then will the IOC be able to award the fmedals for the team eventValieva was subsequently cleared to compete in the individual figure skating event, but a dominant start ended in tears after she fell multiple times during the deciding free skate routine to finish outside the podium places in fourth on Thursday. After the 15-year-old left the rink in tears, former US Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds described the experience as "very traumatizing" for the youngster.JUST WATCHEDReporter who saw Kamila Valieva's routine calls it 'shocking'ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHReporter who saw Kamila Valieva's routine calls it 'shocking' 02:31Edmunds' discomfort was echoed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, who said he was "very, very disturbed" when watching Valieva's performance on TV."How high the pressure on her must have been," Bach told reporters during a media conference on Friday."This pressure is beyond my imagination, in particular for a girl of 15 years old. To see her struggling on the ice, seeing how she tries to compose herself again. How she tries to finish her program."In every movement in the body language ... you could feel that this is an immense, immense mental stress and maybe she would've preferred just to leave the ice. And try to leave this story behind her."Valieva fell multiple times during her free skate routine.'Chilling atmosphere'Bach also said that he did not have "much confidence in the closest entourage of Kamila," remarking he noticed "how she was received ... with what appeared to be a tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this.""Rather than giving her comfort. Rather than to try to help her ... you could feel this chilling atmosphere. This distance. And if you were interpreting the body language of them, it got even worse because this was even some kind of dismissive gestures."Kamila Valieva saga set to run and run as blame game breaks out over Russian skater's positive drugs testKremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has pushed back at Bach's comments, saying that while he respected his opinion, he did not "necessarily agree with him.""Thomas Bach is a very reputable person in sports, he is the head of the International Olympic Committee and, of course, we respect his point of view, but we don't necessarily agree with him," Peskov told reporters in a Friday briefing. Peskov added that although Bach didn't like seeing the "tough" tactics at play, "everybody knows that in the sport of great achievements, the toughness of a trainer is the key to victory," adding, "We can see the athletes achieved these victories. And trainers. So let's be proud of our victors." Lizzy Yee, Angus Watson, Selina Wang, David Close, Jacob Lev, Jeevan Ravindran, and Ben Morse contributed to this report

Ben Church, CNN Video produced by Finn McSkimming, CNN

2022-02-19 08:52:21

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https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/19/sport/olympic-athlete-cookbook-purple-project-spt-intl/index.html

Cookbook: Secrets behind what fuels Olympic athletes are helping raise awareness of domestic abuse in the US - CNN

It's the fuel that powers performance -- few things are as important to an elite athlete as their diet.

sport, Cookbook: Secrets behind what fuels Olympic athletes are helping raise awareness of domestic abuse in the US - CNN

Cookbook: Secrets behind what fuels Olympic athletes are helping raise awareness of domestic abuse in the US

(CNN)It's the fuel that powers performance -- few things are as important to an elite athlete as their diet.Eating the right nutrients is critical to success, but so is the odd indulgent meal to keep spirits high through grueling training sessions. And as the Winter Olympics comes to an end, a new cookbook provides a glimpse into what makes top athletes tick.The Winning Recipes cookbook is the idea of the Purple Project, an organization that looks to support domestic abuse survivors, which has worked over the past year to create a gastronomic tome made up of the favorite recipes from some of the US' best Olympic athletes. "The Purple Project reached out to me out of the blue," retired Olympic skier Noah Hoffman, who was invited to take part, told CNN Sport. Read More"At first, I thought, 'That's a little strange, I'm not a chef. I don't know if I can contribute to a cookbook.' "But, of course, I love to cook. I think everybody loves to eat and I love to eat, and I have favorite recipes. "I actually sat down with my partner and we came up with the recipe together and made it once or twice to make sure that we had it correct."Hoffman's offering of 'Berry Dutch Baby' can be found in the breakfast section, but even he admits it's designed for someone with a very sweet tooth. The recipe, which involves fried frozen berries underneath a baked doughy pastry, was a favorite of Hoffman's during his career but only on the odd occasion. "Certainly, only on days off," he said laughing. "It's a little bit time intensive and maybe not the best training fuel, but a nice treat on a recovery day."READ: Canada-born Humphries wins gold medal for US after ​filing harassment complaintTwo-time Olympian Anita Alvarez (R) unloading donations with the Purple Project.8,000 calories per day Hoffman retired from competitive skiing after the PyeongChang Games in 2018 but enjoyed a long career which involved two Winter Olympic Games.He specialized in endurance events and would push his body "to the limit" during training in order to reap the rewards come race day.Hoffman says he would consume food "endlessly" during training blocks. He even remembers sitting down to eat over one pound of pasta for lunch. "There was a time in my early 20s, when I was still growing, that I was eating at least 8,000 calories a day. It's an incredible amount of food," he said, before remembering some of the tricks he used to boost the calorie intake. Noah Hoffman: Former Olympic cross-country skier is 'scared' for athletes who speak out at Beijing 2022"So you cook a whole box of pasta and you eat it all in one sitting for lunch. It's just astounding."I don't advise that for any young athlete, but I couldn't fill myself up. I was just eating constantly. It was wild."Hoffman's eating habits changed slightly as he became more successful and he worked with a dietitian for much of his career. The US ski team employed nutritionists to help its athletes reach their optimal levels of fitness and Hoffman still looks after what he eats even after retiring from competitive skiing. READ: Eileen Gu reveals mom helped her turn freeski slopestyle final around Noah Hoffman would eat around 8,000 calories a day to fuel his training regime.'Athletes are really wanting to give back'He says dietary demands have changed for competitors over the years and so has the role of athletes in general. Like many have done since the pandemic, Hoffman wants to use his platform as an athlete to change society for the better. He confesses to not knowing much about domestic abuse rates prior to working on this initiative but says he's been "humbled" to learn more about the work the Purple Project is doing. According to the organization, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the US, so the Purple Project looks to provide aid and support for emergency domestic violence shelters."I do think the role of an athlete has changed, and I think that's kind of part of a societal change where politics seem to be a little more central and, unfortunately, a little more divided as a whole."So I think that as that happens, athletes like everybody feel the need to speak out and really feel passionately and want to see the world a better place."So athletes are really wanting to give back and are understanding that they have a lot of leverage and a lot of power to help organizations that they want to help."So I was just really honored to be included in this project ... and getting to learn about the Purple Project and all the work that they do."