Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham believes he was made a scapegoat for England’s Euro 2024 shortcomings. Gareth Southgate’s side lost in the final to Spain and Bellingham finished the tournament with two goals and one assist in seven appearances. However, the 21-year-old felt England’s failure was pinned more on him than anyone else and it took him several months to get over that. After helping the national team qualify for the Nations League under interim boss Lee Carsley , Bellingham posted on Instagram earlier this month he had “got his smile back”. Asked about why he had found things so difficult he said: “I’ve got to be honest, I think I lost my smile a lot after the Euros when it came to playing for England because I felt like I was a little bit mistreated in comparison to what I contributed. “I felt like some of it was a bit harsh on me. I felt I was a bit like the scapegoat. Maybe I was feeling a little bit sorry for myself.” Speaking at Anfield ahead of the Champions League clash with Liverpool he added: “I think that camp (under Carsley earlier this month) with a lot of new faces really brought out the joy in my game again and I think you can see that in the two games. “In general, I haven’t lost my smile in the Madrid shirt. I am annoyed when we lose and I get frustrated but it is never a case of not being happy. “I’m the luckiest lad in the world. I get to play week in week out for the biggest club in the world and represent my country. “I think it (the post) was more to do with a little bit of how I was treated on the back of the Euros. The smile is back.” Bellingham refused to speak to any media during the tournament, which drew its own criticism, but he justified that by saying it was a protest at the treatment some of his family had received from the press back home while he was in Germany. He said he was well-equipped for the scrutiny he received but his family did not deserve the attention they got. “For me pressure is not a problem, I understand that playing for Real Madrid the expectations are going to be high for me wherever I go with the national team,” he added. “I felt like I contributed some pretty big moments and, in the end, it kind of felt like the whole world was crumbling down on me after the Euros, especially after the three days following the final. It wasn’t a nice feeling. “There were a few things that happened during the tournament. I had some personal things going on, journalists who went to go and see members of my family whilst I was at the tournament, went to visit my grandparents and that’s something I kept to myself. “I don’t think that’s fair. I think that crosses the line of respect. I took it a little bit personally and decided I was going to focus on the football and try to let that do the talking. “Maybe I should have communicated that before so people understood my situation but that was a little bit more personal and that’s why I decided to keep my mouth shut.” After a slow start to the season Bellingham has begun to find his form, scoring his first Madrid goals of the campaign in back-to-back league matches before arriving back in England. “Criticism is part of the game and I know how to accept it but when it feels personal it does give you a bit of a new challenge to continue to shut people up,” he said. “That’s something I’ve dealt with since I was very young, coming into the first team at Birmingham when people aren’t sure you’re ready. “You take those little things and you try to use it as motivation. Like I say, it’s not something I’m really worried about. I understand it is part of the game.”
Bob Love was on the ball in lifting up those of us who stutterHYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Dec, 2024) 27th death anniversary of one of ’s greatest literary icons, Shaikh Ayaz was observed on Saturday Shaikh Ayaz’s is a vibrant tapestry of Sindhi patriotism, resonating with themes of , resistance, and the indomitable spirit of his people. He was not just a but a voice of defiance against political oppression and social injustices of his era. His verses gave courage to the oppressed and called for among the people of , emphasizing the rich heritage and cultural pride of the region. Serving as the Vice Chancellor of University , Ayaz also played a pivotal role in fostering intellectual growth and nurturing minds. Ayaz’s literary works, written in both Sindhi and , are a treasure trove of human emotions and philosophical depth. From the serene beauty of ’s landscapes to the turbulent tides of political struggles, his words evoke a profound connection to the land and its people. His poetry reflects his unflinching for , a land whose essence he immortalized in every verse.Amid some Republican Party infighting, one GOP congressman is seeking to unite his caucus behind House Speaker Mike Johnson ahead of a pivotal vote that will decide whether he retains the gavel in 2025. Appearing Sunday on ABC's "This Week," Rep. Mike Lawler of New York said Republicans are "playing with fire" if they are considering replacing Johnson as speaker of the House, pointing to the chaotic removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. RELATED STORY | Trump endorses Speaker Johnson to retain House gavel in 2025 "The fact is that these folks are playing with fire," Lawler said. "And if they think they're somehow going to get a more conservative Speaker, they're kidding themselves." "We can't get anything done unless we have a Speaker — including certifying President Trump's election on January 6th," Lawler added. "So, to waste time over a nonsensical, intramural food fight is a joke." RELATED STORY | Upcoming Congressional committees take shape on Capitol Hill Johnson won a unanimous voice vote during nominations for House GOP Conference leadership in November, but now faces a formal vote in the House when the next Congress begins in January. He will need to secure 218 votes, which means he can't afford many defections from Republicans, who are currently projected to hold a slim majority with 220 seats.
India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies at 92Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers (5-0), who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14. Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies (4-1). Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16. Memphis led by as many as 13 with about four minutes left in regulation, but UConn chipped away and eventually tied it on Solo Ball’s 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. Memphis: The Tigers ranked second nationally in field goal percentage going into the game and shot it at a 54.7% clip. UConn: The Huskies saw their string of 17 consecutive wins dating back to February come to an end. The teams were tied at 92 with less than a minute remaining in overtime when UConn coach Dan Hurley was assessed a technical foul for his displeasure with an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. PJ Carter hit four straight free throws — two for the tech and the other pair for the personal foul — to give Memphis a 96-92 lead with 40.3 seconds to play. UConn had three players foul out. Memphis attempted 40 free throws and made 29 of them. Memphis will play the winner of Colorado-Michigan State on Tuesday in the second round of the invitational. UConn will play the loser of that game in the consolation bracket. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball .Sagittarius, Weekly Horoscope, December 29 to January 04, 2025: Midweek celebrations boost morale
A young man will face court over the alleged killing and mutilation of a number of in country NSW. or signup to continue reading The 20-year-old man from the Northern Beaches was arrested after police found CCTV of an unknown car deliberately running down kangaroos in , a regional area between Newcastle and Parkes. allege the Balgowlah Heights man intentionally ran over a number of baby and adult kangaroos in the September 2024 spree. He allegedly mutilated the body of one of the animals, police said. The "extensive" animal cruelty investigation was launched by officers with the Northern Beaches Police Area Command who arrested the 20-year-old on October 18. He was charged with torturing, beating and seriously injuring an animal, recklessly beating and seriously injuring an animal and not disclosing the identity of the driver or passenger as required. The man was issued a notice to face Manly Local Court on November 27. Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
EU universal charger rules come into forceQuestion: Can you name the famous author whose brother-in-law’s baby died in Bloomington, whose mother-in-law was a feminist writer who wrote about the mistreatment of alleged witches in the 1800s and had a deep fear of tornadoes? Answer: The author is L. Frank Baum, writer of "The Wizard of Oz." Baum’s fascinating life and Bloomington connection are mentioned in the December issue of Smithsonian Magazine in the article, “The Feminist Who Inspired the Witches of Oz.” It details how Baum drew inspiration from real-life events and people to create the characters in "The Wizard of Oz" and "Wicked." (Thanks to Lou Ann Jacobs of Normal.) Vivian Kong Doctora talks about how to order at Kobe Revolving Sushi Bar Lifelong hockey enthusiast Adam Morris follows the growth of the Bloomington Bison in their first season. Are there parallels between the Bloomington Bison and their primary NHL affiliate? Columnist Adam Morris checks out the New York Rangers in person. The Bison are in their third month of existence, but their presence in Bloomington-Normal has already started to take root. After their five-game run against the Iowa Heartlanders ended with two consecutive losses, the Bloomington Bison can look forward to a change of scenery — and opponent. As we bask in the glow of holiday decorating and Thanksgiving leftovers, columnist Adam Morris takes stock of his gratitude as a Central Illinois hockey fan. When the Bison and Iowa Heartlanders play, penalties will be a factor. There have been 171 penalty minutes handed out, including 13 roughing calls and nine major penalties. Power plays, leadership and stamina: Three takeaways from the Bloomington Bison's first winning weekend at Grossinger Motors Arena. As the Bloomington Bison lose their top goaltender to a higher league, a grueling schedule in the coming weeks could become the team's proving ground. The Bloomington Bison's owners believe fans will be impressed with the higher level of play at Grossinger Motors Arena — but that only works if they're there to see it. Are you struggling to keep up with the Bison's ever-changing roster? You're not alone. Here's why the new Bloomington hockey team is uniquely positioned in its league — and how it could be an advantage. "Was it a little disappointing that the Bison did not come out of last weekend with a win? Of course. ... What I did see, though, felt just as encouraging." It's always exciting to see the start of something new. That's what fans are getting with the Bloomington Bison — on the ice and behind the glass. When the Bloomington Bison drop the puck in their preseason matchup Saturday, it will represent potentially best chance for sustained professional hockey in the Twin Cities. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
US stocks take a breather, Asian bourses rise in post-Christmas tradeHow Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ Has Kept the Party Going on Country Airplay Chart