Olympic champion sprinter Yohan Blake of Jamaica said he would rather miss the Tokyo Games than get the Covid-19 vaccine , although getting vaccinated will not be required of the athletes competing there this summer. "My mind still stays strong, I don't want any vaccine, I'd rather miss the Olympics than take the vaccine, I am not taking it," he was quoted as saying in Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner. "I don't really want to get into it now, but I have my reasons." Blake, a one-time rival of Jamaican great Usain Bolt, will likely still be able to participate in what is expected to be the 31-year-old's third and final Games even if he does not get the vaccine. The International Olympic Committee has said getting the vaccine is "encouraged" but not compulsory for athletes. Read More READ: Semenya appeals to European Court of Human Rights Jamaica's Yohan Blake says he will not take the vaccine. "Follow your mind, don't follow the crowd," the two-time Olympic gold medalist said in a video posted to Twitter on Saturday. "At the same time, be respectful to each and every one. Don't let no one take away your choice." The Jamaican government is expected to receive its first shipment of the vaccine next week, The Gleaner reported. Blake's remarks came after a series of eight meets were held across the Caribbean island nation on Saturday, marking a return to large-scale sporting events that had been on hold due to the pandemic. The Olympics, which were pushed back by a year due to the global health crisis, are set to begin on July 23 though speculation remains the event might yet be canceled due to the ongoing pandemic. ...
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England rugby player Ellis Genge says he received death threats following Six Nations defeat by Wales
(CNN) England rugby player Ellis Genge says he received death threats after not clapping his Welsh opponents following his side's defeat in the Six Nations. In rugby, it's tradition for teams to applaud each other after a match as they walk off the pitch. "Don't know why I'm not clapping in that tunnel must be deep in thought, utmost respect for the Welsh," Genge wrote on Twitter . "As for keyboard warriors sending death threats etc..." added Genge, referring to the abuse he'd been sent over social media after footage was circulated of the incident. On Sunday, England Rugby released a statement saying that respect is a "core value" of the sport and that Wales "deserved their victory." Read More It continued: "Unfortunately, some of the reaction on social media to players and the team has not shown the level of respect the rugby community prides itself on. "We will support our players and team against online abuse and hope true rugby fans will stand with us." Twitter did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. READ: 'They get a free shot': England rugby coach Eddie Jones on the pitfalls of social media Ellis Genge came on as a second-half substitute in England's defeat by Wales. This comes after BBC reporter Sonja McLaughlan also revealed that she had received abuse on Twitter following her post-match interviews. McLaughlan asked England captain Owen Farrell and coach Eddie Jones a number of times about controversial refereeing decisions during his side's 40-24 defeat. "Toxic, embarrassing, disgraceful, appalling. Just some of the feedback I've had," McLaughlan wrote on Twitter . "Thanks for using @ sign so it's all hit home. Now imagine getting inundated with abuse for doing your job. In my car crying. Hope you're happy." In response to the tweet, England Rugby said that "abuse for doing your job is not OK and we stand with you. We will see you for the next one. Hold your head high and ...
Lady Gaga’s two French bulldogs have been returned safely, LAPD says
(CNN) The two French bulldogs violently stolen from Lady Gaga's dog walker have been returned safely, the Los Angeles Police Department said Friday. A woman, who wasn't named, met the entertainer's staff and detectives at the Olympic Community Police Station with the animals at around 6 p.m. PT, the LAPD said in a statement. "The woman found the dogs and reached out to Lady Gaga's staff to return them," the statement said. "The woman's identity and the location the dogs were found will remain confidential due to the active criminal investigation and for her safety." The LAPD also updated the condition of the dog walker, saying he was "stable" with injuries that were not life-threatening. Lady Gaga had offered a $500,000 reward for the safe return of her dogs, named Koji and Gustav. Read More Earlier Friday, she posted on Instagram , saying her "heart is sick and I am praying my family will be whole again with an act of kindness." She added: "If you bought or found them unknowingly, the reward is the same." She also praised the dog walker. "You risked your life to fight for our family," she said. "You're forever a hero." Home surveillance video shows attack Meantime, the investigation is ongoing and LAPD is still working to locate possible suspects from Wednesday's attack, an LAPD spokesperson said. Among the pieces of evidence being investigated is surveillance video from the scene. The footage, recorded by a home surveillance camera and obtained by CNN, shows the man walking on what police identified as Sierra Bonita Avenue in Hollywood when a light-colored sedan slows and stops next to him. At least two individuals can be seen exiting the vehicle, accosting the dog walker as a physical altercation ensues. The footage also contains vivid audio in which the victim can be heard telling the attackers, "No, no" as he struggles with the men. One attacker restrains the victim, as the other appears to point a gun. A ...
US commander says evidence hasn’t corroborated intelligence of Russian bounties on US troops
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan says in a new interview that he has not seen evidence to corroborate claims that Russian officials placed bounties on U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East. Speaking with NBC News, Gen. Frank McKenzie said that reports in The New York Times and other media outlets indicating that U.S. intelligence officials were investigating reports that Russia was offering bounties to Taliban fighters for targeting U.S. service members had not been corroborated by evidence he had seen personally. "It just has not been proved to a level of certainty that satisfies me," Gen. McKenzie told NBC News, adding, "We continue to look for that evidence. I just haven't seen it yet. But ... it's not a closed issue." ADVERTISEMENT The general added in the interview that he had directed officials under his command to investigate the allegations, which have been seized upon by critics of the president as evidence of President Trump Donald Trump Sacha Baron Cohen calls out 'danger of lies, hate and conspiracies' in Golden Globes speech Sorkin uses Abbie Hoffman quote to condemn Capitol violence: Democracy is 'something you do' Ex-Trump aide Pierson planning run for Congress MORE 's reluctance to criticize or confront Russian officials on foreign policy issues. Democrats and some Republicans on Capitol Hill as well as Trump's 2020 opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe Biden Biden offers support to union organizing efforts Senate Democrats nix 'Plan B' on minimum wage hike Kavanaugh dismays conservatives by dodging pro-Trump election lawsuits MORE (D), have demanded answers from the administration for months over the news reports, which indicated that some U.S. intelligence officials believed a Russian military unit was behind an offer to provide funds to Taliban insurgents in exchange for targeting U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. "I found what they presented to me very ...
GOP says Ron Klain pulling Biden strings
Republicans are attacking White House chief of staff Ron Klain Ron Klain Democrats scramble to rescue minimum wage hike Biden 'disappointed' in Senate parliamentarian ruling but 'respects' decision The Memo: Biden faces first major setback as Tanden teeters MORE as “the guy behind the curtain” and “Prime Minister Klain” as they try to push back on someone they see as formidable opponent in the battle over President Biden Joe Biden Biden offers support to union organizing efforts Senate Democrats nix 'Plan B' on minimum wage hike Kavanaugh dismays conservatives by dodging pro-Trump election lawsuits MORE ’s agenda. The GOP blames Klain for Biden’s refusal to negotiate the price down on his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, an approach they say conflicts with Biden’s campaign pledges. “We’ve gotten the impression from our members that have been in meetings down there that he’s kind of the guy behind the curtain,” said Senate Republican Whip John Thune John Randolph Thune Rick Scott acknowledges Biden 'absolutely' won fair election After vote against aid package, Golden calls for more bipartisanship Graham: Trump will 'be helpful' to all Senate GOP incumbents MORE (R-S.D.). ADVERTISEMENT Aides to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Trump shows he holds stranglehold on GOP, media in CPAC barnburner Trump rules out starting a new party: 'Fake news' Sunday shows - Trump's reemergence, COVID-19 vaccines and variants dominate MORE (R-Ky.) have taken to describing the White House chief of staff as “prime minister Klain,” an effort aimed at hurting Biden. A Republican aide said the point of focusing on Klain is to undercut public perception of Biden as a leader who is totally with it. “It plays into the theme of Biden’s not really running the show here,” said the aide. “It plays into the theme is he’s the figurehead and jovial ...
