Showing posts with label google. Show all posts
Showing posts with label google. Show all posts

Euro 2016: All you need to know as England, Wales and Northern Ireland travel to France

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Euro 2016 will be contested by 24 teams over 30 days at 10 different venues in France.
The final will take place at the Stade de France in Paris on 10 July, with Spain hoping to retain the title they won in 2008 and 2012.
England will be appearing at their ninth finals, while Wales and Northern Ireland have qualified for the first time.

How does it work?

Good question - because, for the first time, there are 24 teams competing in the finals. That is an increase from the 16 that had taken part in every edition since it was hosted in England in 1996.
With six groups of four teams, it means the top two will qualify for the quarter-finals, plus the four best third-placed finishers. In other words, only eight teams will fail to qualify from the group stage.
One point could be enough to put your team into the last 16 - and from then the tournament goes to a knockout format.
The Euro 2016 draw
Group AGroup BGroup C
FranceEnglandGermany
RomaniaRussiaUkraine
AlbaniaWalesPoland
SwitzerlandSlovakiaNorthern Ireland
Group DGroup EGroup F
SpainBelgiumPortugal
Czech RepublicItalyIceland
TurkeyRepublic of IrelandAustria
CroatiaSwedenHungary

Who is going to win?

As Greece proved by pulling off a sensational triumph at Euro 2004, trying to predict a winner is a difficult game.
World champions Germany are understandably one of the favourites, while holders Spain are also short odds with the bookmakers.
Germany finished top of their qualification group but booking their place in France was not without its hiccups - with defeats by Poland and the Republic of Ireland. They have been beaten by France and England since qualifying but remain one to watch.
Spain dominated international football between 2008 and 2012 but failed to qualify from their group at the 2014 World Cup. Could this be a last hurrah for Vicente del Bosque's ageing but brilliant side?

What are the chances of a home victory?

France won the World Cup as hosts in 1998 - can they repeat the famous success of the team led by Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane and Laurent Blanc?
A run into the latter stages by Les Bleus is likely to help restore national morale in a country still recovering from last year's deadly Paris attacks.

France have been heavily tipped, but their form is tricky to gauge because they did not have to qualify for this tournament.
Fast on the counter and unified after years of internal division, watch out for talented midfielders Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi.


But they cannot call upon prolific Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. The French Football Federation (FFF) said he would not be picked after being investigated for his part in an alleged plot to blackmail Les Bleus team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, who did not make the squad.

What about the home nations?

Well, there are three of them in France - only Scotland missed out - plus the Republic of Ireland. It is going to get crowded too, because England and Wales are both in Group B, along with Russia and debutants Slovakia.
Don't expect much work to get done when England and Wales play each other - that match in Lens will be shown live on BBC One, kick-off 14:00 BST, on Thursday, 16 June.
Roy Hodgson's England have a good young team but doubts persist about their defence. They breezed through their qualifying group with a perfect record of 10 wins, while confidence was further boosted with March's impressive winaway at world champions Germany.
Wales have got Real Madrid star Gareth Bale and plenty of heart. Chris Coleman's side reached their first major tournament in 57 years after losing just once in qualification.
Northern Ireland might have numerous players from England's lower leagues but they finished top of their qualifying group, losing just one of their 10 matches.
Striker Kyle Lafferty could not get a game for club side Norwich during qualifying (he has since been loaned to Birmingham) but he scored seven crucial goals in nine games for his country.
How the home nations have fared at the Euros
EnglandNorthern IrelandWales
Finals appearances8DebutDebut
Best finishSemi-finals (1968, 1996)--

Who do the home nations play?


Many new faces?

With the 24-team format offering hope to traditionally less-successful nations, five countries have taken advantage to secure their European Championship finals debut.
Northern Ireland and Wales, of course, are two of them.
Slovakia, who have been drawn alongside England and Wales in Group B, have qualified for the first time as an independent state. A 1-0 win against Spain showed the 2010 World Cup qualifiers can mix it with Europe's elite. Beware England and Wales.

Albania have never been near a major finals, but edged out Denmark - the 1992 champions - in their qualifying group thanks to a shock win in Portugal. Oh, and because they were awarded a 3-0 win in Serbia by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after a riot.
With a population of roughly 330,000 (comparable to Coventry) and only 21,508 registered players, Iceland are unsurprisingly the smallest nation to ever qualify for the finals.
How did they do that? By beating the Netherlands - 1988 winners and three-time semi-finalists - home and away during qualifying. The Dutch, for the first time since 1984, will not be there.

Who will be the star players?

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who was voted the world's second best player behind Argentina's Lionel Messi in the 2015 Ballon d'Or vote, heads a star-studded cast.
Ronaldo will be leading Portugal's challenge, while Wales hope his club-mateGareth Bale - the world's most expensive player - can transform his impressive La Liga form onto the international stage.
World Cup winners Germany boast a host of stellar names who have impressed in previous tournaments, most notably Bayern Munich goalkeeperManuel Neuer and forward Thomas Muller plus Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos.
France's challenge is set to be driven by energetic Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, who is still reportedly courting the attention of several English Premier League sides.
Belgium are not short of star quality either. Premier League pair Eden Hazardand Kevin de Bruyne will spearhead their quest for a first major tournament win, but the Red Devils are without injured captain Vincent Kompany.
And Sweden superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 34, will be hoping to illuminate an international tournament for what could be the final time.
The Netherlands' failure to qualify leaves Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robbenwatching from home, while his club-mate Franck Ribery was not named in the France squad, despite suggestions he was considering ending his international retirement.

Where will the games be played?


The tournament's 51 games will be staged at 10 locations across France, including new stadiums in Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon and Nice.

The opening match - between France and Romania on 10 June - and the 10 July final will be played at the Stade de France in Paris.
Building the new venues and renovating historic grounds such as Marseille's Stade Velodrome has cost 1.6bn euros (£1.2bn) - modernisation which was necessary, organisers say, because France did not fully capitalise on hosting the 1998 World Cup.
Vibrating stands, floating roofs and adjacent slag heaps - read BBC Sport's venue-by-venue guide

What's new for Euro 2016 (and beyond)?

In March this year, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) ratified a host of revisions to the laws of the game in an attempt to remove inconsistencies and meet the needs of the modern game. The changes came into effect on 1 June, so will apply for Euro 2016.
More than 90 revisions were made, but these are some of the key changes:
Kick-off: Previously, the ball had to go forward from kick-off but the rule has been changed to allow it to go in any direction.
Pre-match red cards: Players can now be sent off before a match gets under way, although they can be replaced by another player in the match-day squad.
Leaving the pitch after treatment: If a player is injured in a challenge resulting in a yellow or red card, they no longer have to leave the field and can have a quick assessment or medical treatment. This change is designed to prevent situations where a team would be temporarily down to 10 players.
The end of 'triple punishment': A professional foul inside the area will now normally result in a yellow card for the offender, and not a red. This is to end the so-called triple punishment of penalty, dismissal and suspension, which was seen by some as excessive. There are exceptions for when the offender will receive a red which include holding, pushing or pulling and violent conduct.
Goalline technology, already established in the Premier League and elsewhere, will be used at Euro 2016.

Can I still buy match tickets?

Yes. But you had better be quick. Most of the group games - including all of England and Wales' matches - are sold out.
However, there are limited tickets available for Northern Ireland's match against Ukraine, plus other games involving some of the smaller nations. There are also tickets available for the opening game between France and Romania - at 445 euros each.

Where can I watch matches if I travel to France without a ticket?

Each of the 10 host cities will have official Uefa fan zones. The fan zones will have a giant screen for showing all of the matches throughout the tournament.
The biggest will be in Paris, where up to 90,000 supporters can gather on the Champ de Mars - in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

What about if I stay at home?

You won't miss a kick.
The BBC and ITV will bring audiences closer to the heart of the action than ever before with extensive coverage of Euro 2016.
The BBC will showcase 26 live matches on TV and streamed online within its 140 hours of programming, including highlights on BBC One, BBC Two and the Red Button plus 24 days of coverage on Radio 5 live.
The BBC's Euro 2016 digital service will feature live broadcasts of all BBC games, commentary and live text coverage of every game featuring in-game highlight clips, on-demand highlights of every goal, breaking news, exclusive features and expert analysis.
ITV will be home to 26 live games across ITV1 and ITV4, which will be simulcast live on the ITV Hub.

What about security at the tournament?

The French government has extended a state of emergency imposed after the Paris attacks in November to cover Euro 2016.
The coordinated gun and bomb attacks in Paris on 13 November killed 130 people and were claimed by so-called Islamic State.
The Stade de France, which was targeted by suicide bombers, will host the opening match of Euro 2016 and the final.
The current state of emergency gives police extra powers to conduct searches and put people under house arrest.
More than 90,000 police, soldiers and private security agents are being deployed as well.
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Modi in US: What PM Modi has achieved in his previous three trips to the nation

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Narendra Modi’s current visit to the United States is his fourth since becoming the Prime Minister of India. In his two years in office, Modi has come under the scanner for his numerous foreign trips with many questioning the importance of his frequent visits to other nations while others wonder what good it'll do if he spends millions on these trips and does not stay in his own nation for too long.
Whatever the speculations may be, there is no denying that Modi has put India back on the map in a big way. He has succeeded in selling India as a brand in the international arena.
Modi has created a buzz about India's potential in the world market and is considered by many as a proactive advocate of the nation. He is also seen as someone who is heard and respected by the international community and world powers. During his visit, from June 7-8, Modi will be meeting US President Barack Obama for the seventh time.
Let’s take a look at how his previous visits to the United States were beneficial for India:

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September 26-30, 2014

As the Indian Prime Minister, Modi first visited the US two years ago, in September 2014, for the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly and an official state visit. His visit's main agenda was to move past the diplomatic and policy hurdles that had been overshadowing the India-US relationship for quite some time. He met with US President Obama and other American political leaders in New York and presented an Indian front which seemed progressive and success oriented with an outlook to strengthen the ties between the two nations.
Modi announced a new visa and travel scheme in New York 'People of Indian Origin’ (PIO) designed to make India easily accessible for the people which in turn would also help promote business in the nation. The PIO cardholders can now get lifelong visas for travel in India while US tourists can get visa on arrival in India, boosting diplomatic ties.
Modi also met the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, marking the first bilateral meeting between Israeli and Indian leaders in more than a decade. A meeting with the PM and prominent business leaders was also organised at the US-India Business Council where Modi urged leaders to invest in India as he explained several policies that would make the country an attractive destination for investment.
Modi formed the stepping stones of his relationship with Obama in this visit where, along with speaking of their burgeoning friendship, the duo co-authored an editorial in the Washington Post highlighting their readiness to work together towards a common goal. He also invited the US President for a visit to India.
The Indian PM also struck a chord with the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in the US. He was given a rockstar welcome at Madison Square Garden where thousands cheered him and heard his plans for Make in India initiative as he charted out how he wanted India to become a manufacturing hub. The visit established Modi as hugely popular and a leader who “transcends the ancient and modern”, as worded by Obama.

September 23-28, 2015

Along with meeting world leaders and presenting a positive image of India on an international platform at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), during his second visit to the US, PM Modi also heavily focused on a visit to the Silicon valley to interact with leading entrepreneurs.
During the UNGA, Modi talked about important issues on the United Nations platform like climate change, economic growth, energy security, sustainable development and poverty alleviation. He also met separately with Obama where both the leaders discussed bilateral relations and issues like trade and investment, regional security, climate change and clean energy.
Modi’s second visit to America centred on building technology initiatives between the nations. His visit to the technology hub of US was the first by an Indian PM in over 33 years. India’s economy and technology sectors are intrinsically connected with that of Silicon Valley’s technology industries. Modi delivered a speech at the SAP Center in San Jose which drew a huge Indian American crowd. He met with several entrepreneurs of Indian origin who were involved in digital communications, successful microelectronics and biotechnology start-ups in order to promote his Make in India initiative.

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He also met with leading entrepreneurs including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, and John Chambers and put forward the ideas of his Digital India campaign. Modi also visited Facebook and Google headquarters with an assurance from Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to build wi-fi hotspots in rural India and a commitment from Google to help with providing broadband connectivity to India’s railway stations.
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Injustice 2 Promo Image Leaked, Full Reveal Expected at E3 2016

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With last year's excellent Mortal Kombat X, developer NetherRealm Studios would most ostensibly work on its other franchise, Injustice that's based on fictional universe of DC Comics - popularly known for the likes of Batman, Flash, and Superman. After all, it would be the only explanation for game director Ed Boon dropping hints on what to expect from the studio next, what with changing his Twitter display picture to the number 2 as Roman numerals.

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And now, an image of Injustice 2's promotional material has hit the Internet. Safe to say if you were expecting Mortal Kombat 11 (as 2 in Roman numerals can be misconstrued as an 11) you're going to be sorely disappointed.
The promotional shot shows Batman in some variant of armour that's either Kryptonite-infused or powered by the Green Lantern's ring squaring off against Flash. There's little else to go by and we won't be surprised to see a full reveal at E3 2016.
Injustice: Gods Among Us graced the PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360 in April 2013, this was followed by an expanded Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, and Windows PC in November 2013. An iOS game was released in line with the initial release in April 2014 while Android gamers got something similar in November of the same year. Suffice to say a sequel will follow a similar release schedule. Something Mortal Kombat X did not shy away from. Expect more information from Warner Bros at E3 2016 next week, along with the unveiling of another leaked title, Shadow of Mordor 2.
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Narendra Modi’s US visit begins with a bang as 19-gun salute welcomes him

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Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his three-day visit to Washington starting on Monday by visiting the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' at the Arlington National Cemetery.
As Modi laid a wreath at the cemetery, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
Modi was received by Defence Secretary Ashton Carter at the US' most hallowed military ground. The Arlington sarcophagus contain the remains of service members from the First and Second World Wars, and the Korea and Vietnam wars. The 3rd US Infantry Regiment has famously stood guard over the monument through howling blizzards and hurricanes since 1948.

Modi also paid tribute to astronaut Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space and her six crew members who died as the Columbia space shuttle flew apart while re-entering Earth's orbit on 1 February, 2003.
Modi interacted with Chawla's husband, Jean-Pierre Harrison, complimenting him warmly on his Gujarati Kutch embroidered jacket. A charmed Harrison presented Modi with his wife’s biography The Edge of Time. Harrison’s memoir about his wife describes how Punjab Engineering College graduate Chawla emigrated to the US in the 1980s to become an astronaut in 1994. Chawla made her first space flight in 1997 as a mission specialist and prime robotic arm operator.
After the wreath laying ceremony, Modi interacted with astronaut Sunita Williams and her father Deepak Pandya. Senior officials from Nasa also met Modi at the Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial. Nasa has a long and successful history of space cooperation with India, beginning in 1963 when India first launched a US-manufactured sounding rocket from Thumba to study Earth’s magnetic equator.
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Modi, 65, has kept the most grueling of travel schedules on his five nation tour: He scored a big win in Geneva on Monday for India's bid to be admitted to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). He touched down in Washington later on Monday afternoon to hurl himself into a flurry of activities.
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Facebook vs Google+: Mark Zuckerberg on a mission to destroy Google’s social network

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Facebook is the biggest and most successful social network today. But, back in 2011, for a relatively newer company like Facebook, prepping to face a competitor like Google could have been worrisome. Mark Zuckerberg knew what was ahead, and decided to leave no stone unturned to crush the then upcoming Google Plus. No one knew of the fate of Google Plus or Facebook then. But, Zuckerberg made it a mission to destroy the Google’s social network no matter what the cost, reveals an ex-Facebook employee.
Yes, there’s a new tell-all book – Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley – by an ex-Facebook employee named Antonio Garcia Martinez, giving us (via Vanity Fair) some of the inside tales of the shiny Zuckerberg empire. He said the moment GooglePlus was launched, Zuckerberg couldn’t think of anything but destroying it, and to such a great extent that the social network went into a lockdown state. “Lockdown was a state of war that dated to Facebook’s earliest days, when no one could leave the building while the company confronted some threat, either competitive or technical,” Martinez explained in his book.
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Zuckerberg also gave his first ‘lockdown’ speech the day Google Plus was launched, which clearly stated Rthe phrase ‘Carthago delenda est.  It meant Carthage (Google in this case) must be destroyed. Posters were put across the campus to remind employees of the mission.
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