Four Covid-19 positive football players killed in Brazil plane crash

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Watch: Weston McKennie helps Juventus beat Bologna 2-0 to close Serie A gap

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Watch: Bayern beat Schalke 4-0 to extend Bundesliga lead

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Center-right incumbent wins Portugal’s presidential election

LISBON: Portugal’s president was returned to office for a second term with a resounding victory Sunday in an election held amid a devastating COVID-19 surge that has made the European country the worst in the world for cases and deaths.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who had been widely expected to win, captured 61% of the vote.

Rebelo de Sousa, a center-right moderate and former leader of Portugal’s Social Democratic Party, will serve a 5-year term that will be his last due to term limits.

He devoted most of his victory speech to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying his first thoughts went to its victims and promising to work for an economic recovery once it was over.

Portugal has the world’s highest rates of new daily infections and deaths per 100,000 population, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, and its public health system is being engulfed.

“Everything starts with the battle against the pandemic,” Rebelo de Sousa said.

Socialist candidate Ana Gomes came second with 13% but close behind in third was André Ventura, a newly arrived right-wing populist whose 12% was a stunning development. Such a showing for Ventura would have been unthinkable until recently and will send a shudder through Portuguese politics.

Four other candidates ran for head of state.

One of the reelected president’s first tasks will be to decide next month whether to approve a new law allowing euthanasia. Parliament has passed the bill, but the head of state could try to block it or send it to the Constitutional Court for vetting.

The turnout was just shy of 40% — significantly lower than in recent elections and apparently confirming concerns that some people would stay away for fear of becoming infected with COVID-19. Political leaders said that when the pandemic began to worsen there was no longer enough time to change the Portuguese Constitution to allow the election’s postponement.

Rebelo de Sousa, 72, was long viewed as the front-runner. He is an affable law professor and former television personality who as president has consistently had an approval rating of 60% or more. He collected more votes Sunday than in his 2016 victory.

Rebelo de Sousa has worked closely with the center-left minority Socialist government, supporting its pandemic efforts.

He also has endeared himself to the Portuguese with his easygoing style. Photographs taken by passers-by of him in public places, such as one last year of him standing in line at a supermarket wearing sneakers and shorts, routinely go viral.

With the country in lockdown, the election campaign featured none of the usual flag-waving rallies but restrictions on movement were lifted for polling day.

Authorities increased the number of polling stations and allowed for early voting to reduce crowding on election day. In other precautions, voters were asked to bring their own pens and disinfectant to polling stations. Everyone voting wore a mask and kept a safe distance from each other.

Prime Minister António Costa, in a tweet, urged people to turn out for the ballot, saying that “unprecedented planning” had gone into ensuring that the vote could take place safely.

Portugal has 10.8 million registered voters, around 1.5 million of them living abroad.

Every Portuguese president since 1976, when universal suffrage was introduced following the departure of a dictatorship, has been returned for a second term. No woman or member of an ethnic minority has ever held the post.

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Dharan: A city built with people’s participation

DHARAN, JANUARY 24

Dharan, in the east of Nepal, is rich in cultural diversity. In addition to being regarded a modern city, it is also a place that developed with people’s participation.

The settlement here began with deforestation in 1894. It was gradually expanded by the Rana prime ministers, including Chandra Shumsher and Juddha Shumsher. It is also known as ‘lahure ko sahar’ (city of soldiers). The establishment of British Gorkha recruitment centre in Dharan in 1954 further increased the population.

The city was declared a municipality in 1962 and was later declared the headquarters of Koshi Zone in 1963.

Since then, Dharan has developed into a modern city with the participation of people.

There are various projects that have been set up where local people participate actively.

People from various cities in the country and foreign countries have visited the city for various purposes, including to observe the development models of the city and study the local community forest users’ groups.

People’s participation in development activities started from 1979. However, their active participation began in 1999, according to Dharan Sub-metropolitan City. In the beginning, the ratio of the participation of public and the sub-metropolis in development projects was 25:75. Public participation increased gradually up to 50:50 ratio.

Many model roads have been constructed in the city with 40:60 participation ratio of the public and the sub-metropolis.

The model of public participation in development activities in Dharan was introduced by then Dharan Municipality Mayor late Dhan Bahadur Rai.

Later, the model was implemented when Manoj Kumar Meyangbo served as mayor of the then municipality.

Dharan Clock Tower (locally known as Ghantaghar) built with funds provided by the sub-metropolis and local people and Nepalis living in Hong Kong, has been the central point of tourism.

Bijayapur Hill, Budhasubba temple, Dantakali temple, Pindeshwor temple, Panchkanya temple and Bhatabhunge Durbar are other attractions for tourists, said Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, ward 14 chair of the sub-metropolis. Famous tourist destination Bhedetar and Charles Point view tower in Dhankuta district bordering the city have added more charm to the city. UK’s Prince Charles is said to have climbed the view tower.

Famous religious tourist destinations nearby the city — Bishnupaduka, Ramdhuni, Panchayandham and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve — have added to the glory of the city.

Dharan also serves as an entry point to Dhankuta and Taplejung districts and Kumvakarna, Kanchanjunga and Makalu mountains, Barun National Park, Arun valley, Tinjure Milke Rhododendron Cave, Sabha Pokhari and Hyatung Falls.

Adventure sports such as paragliding has started at Danabari in Dharan, contributing to tourism activities in the city.

Likewise cultural diversity of the city has increased its significance as a tourist destination.

The city is famous for festivals such as Udhauli celebrated by the Kirat community, Chasok Tangnam celebrated by the Limbu community, Lakhenach, Gaijatra and Yomari celebrated by the Newar community, Shelo celebrated by the Tamang community, Rodhighar celebrated by the Gurung community and Balannach and Sangini celebrated by the Bahun, Chhetri communities.

The sub-metropolis has been providing help for the development of the city. “We will fund projects for the development of the city,” said Kishor Thulung, coordinator of the Tourism Development Committee at the sub-metropolis.

Feasibility studies on unearthing ruins of a Kirat-era palace, conservation and promotion of Charkoshe Jhadi, a dense forest, conservation of biological varieties and operation of cable car at Barahachhetra are under way, according to the sub-metropolitan city. Two view towers near Dantakali temple and Chindedanda have recently come into operation.

In a bid to make the city a major tourist destination, Dharan Sub-metropolitan City has to make a big investment in conservation and protection of ancient heritages, stakeholders said.

 

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Man United compounds Liverpool’s woes with victory in FA Cup

MANCHESTER: A scream from Andy Robertson was a forlorn attempt to distract Mason Greenwood beginning Manchester United’s comeback. The defender won’t be the only one shrieking at Liverpool after going out of the FA Cup.

Not that everything went wrong for Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah scoring twice. The Liverpool striker’s opener was canceled out by Greenwood and he leveled after Marcus Rashford put United in front. But Bruno Fernandes bent in a free kick in the 78th minute to send United into the fifth round with a 3-2 victory on Sunday.

Losing compounded a miserable 70 hours that also saw Liverpool beaten at home by Burnley on Thursday in a further blow to its title defense. It was a 0-0 draw with United a week ago that helped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side stay top of the standings in the pursuit of the team’s first Premier League title since 2013.

“We have to sort it together and that’s what we will do,” Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said.

The excitement lacking in the Anfield league encounter was on show a week later at a freezing and fan-free Old Trafford with the highest scoring match between these fiercest of English rivals since 2010.

United was joined by Chelsea, Everton, Leicester and Burnley on Sunday in advancing to the round of 16 where it will play West Ham next month.

“We gradually layer by layer are getting better and better and winning tight games,” Solskjaer said. “So the morale and the confidence of course is very good.”

Liverpool has gone 483 minutes without a league goal but remembered where the net is in the cup. Roberto Firmino thread a pass to Salah who lifted a shot over Dean Henderson from close range in the 18th minute.

But the lead lasted only six minutes. Paul Pogba’s tackle gained possession, Donny van de Beek released Rashford on the left flank by the halfway line and a diagonal pass landed perfectly at the feet of Greenwood, who withstood the yelling of Robertson to maintain his composure to score.

The favor was returned three minutes into the second half.

Greenwood played in Rashford through the center and and the striker placed the ball in bottom corner for his 15th goal in all competitions this season.

But United was made to pay for its slackness.

A sideways pass from Edinson Cavani was too casual and was intercepted by James Milner. After passing to Firmino on the left of the penalty area, Milner was inside the box as the return pass came across. But Milner’s stepover let the ball roll through to Salah who squeezed a shot through Henderson’s legs.

The introduction of Fernandes was transformative — as so often since he arrived a year ago. Presented with a chance to grab a winner from a free kick, the Portugal midfielder seized it, bending the ball around the wall into the net.

“Yesterday, he was told that he wasn’t playing so he stayed out practicing for half an hour to 45 minutes,” Solskjaer said. “But it worked and it paid off.”

CHELSEA ADVANCES

In snowy conditions at Stamford Bridge, Tammy Abraham scored a hat trick as Chelsea beat Luton 3-1 — the first two coming in a seven-minute span in the first half.

There was a rare start these days for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga but familiar error, which allowed Jordan Clark’s shot to go through him. But Abraham struck again in the 74th minute.

Not even a cup game could help Timo Werner find the net again. The German missed a late penalty to leave him with only one goal in two months, which came in the previous round.

Only the cup run is going well for Chelsea at the start of 2021, with Frank Lampard’s side losing five of its last eight Premier League games.

LEICESTER COMEBACK

Leicester staged a second-half comeback to beat Brentford 3-1 after conceding after six minutes from Mads Bech Sørensen.

James Maddison teed up Cengiz Under to equalize and Youri Tielemans put Leicester ahead from a penalty after being tripped. Maddison tapped in a rebound to seal the win.

BURNLEY ADVANCES

Jay Rodriguez struck twice for Burnley in a 3-0 win at Fulham — the 31-year-old striker’s first goals since July. Rodriguez turned provider for Kevin Long for the third.

EVERTON THROUGH

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his first goal in 50 days after returning from injury to set Everton on its way to a 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. Corners from James Rodriguez were headed in by Richarlison and Yerry Mina in the second half.

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Election Commission decides not to legitimise either of the two factions of ruling NCP

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission of Nepal on Sunday decided that neither of the two factions of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) would be accorded a legitimate status.

The polling authority late on Sunday stated that since both the groups — led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal – Madhav Nepal and KP Sharma Oli — failed to follow due procedures, they would not gain recognition.

With this decision, the commission has maintained that Oli and Dahal remain the chairs of the party as the NCP, despite a split among warring factions, continues to remain the same legally and will notify both the groups accordingly.

Meanwhile, the Dahal-Nepal faction had removed Oli from party’s general membership on Sunday itself. The group accused Oli of not providing explanation for his recent moves as sought by the leadership.

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