Latest from Btolat
Indian Express
3 minutes ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Diogo Jota dies: Liverpool manager Arne Slot's heartfelt tribute to star forward, ‘Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone'
Tributes from the football world have poured in for Liverpool's forward Diogo Jota after the 28-year-old passed away in a fatal car crash with his brother Andre Silva in Spain on Thursday, only weeks after his UEFA Nations League title triumph with Portugal and recent wedding with his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso. Reports have stated that Jota was due to ferry back to England for pre-season training with Liverpool after being advised not to fly back due to a recent surgery. Liverpool head coach penned a heartfelt tribute for his 'special forward' who was part of their Premier League triumph last season. Jota had scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club after joining from Wolves in 2020, also lifting an FA Cup and two Carabao Cups with Liverpool. 'What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not,' Slot wrote in his statement. 'All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about. 'My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss. 'My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football. 'This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole. Slot recalled the qualities that made Jota a standout and also recalled his early impressions of the forward since taking over as manager at the Reds last year. 'For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a team-mate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special. 'I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be. 'There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family. The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this. 'When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities. 'That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves. 'My condolences go to Diogo's wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva. 'When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten. 'His name is Diogo.'
The Guardian
4 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Greater Manchester police investigating over 1,000 grooming gang suspects
Greater Manchester police are investigating more than 1,000 grooming gang suspects, as a new report found the force was 'trying to provide a better service to those who have experienced sexual exploitation'. The force has made 'significant improvements' in how it investigates grooming gangs and other types of child sexual abuse offences, according to the report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. The report looks at the way grooming gangs and other child sexual offences are handled by the police, health bodies and the 10 councils across Greater Manchester. It said police had live investigations into 'multi-victim, multi-offender' child sexual exploitation cases involving 714 victims and survivors and 1,099 suspects. 'We found that since 2019, when Greater Manchester police started to review its non-recent child sexual exploitation investigations, the force has improved its understanding and approach to investigating allegations of child criminal and sexual exploitation,' the inspector of constabulary for the northern region, Michelle Skeer, said. 'It is clear that the force has, for many years, been trying to provide a better service to those who have or may have experienced sexual exploitation. 'But for some, trust and confidence in the police had been lost, and the force would not be able to rectify their experiences. 'It is vital that improvements are led by victims' experiences, and if they do come forward, they are supported, protected and taken seriously.' At a press conference, GMP's chief constable, Sir Stephen Watson, said those who had failed victims in the past 'should face justice like anyone else'. He continued: 'To those who are responsible for these repugnant crimes – as is now very apparent – we will pursue you relentlessly.' The chief constable said the role ethnicity played in grooming gang offending was a 'legitimate question' and may be explored in a future national inquiry. A recent report by Louise Casey found that Asian men were significantly over-represented as suspects in grooming gangs in Greater Manchester, saying authorities were in 'denial', and that more needed to be done to understand why this was the case. GMP is the only force in the country to set up a dedicated team to investigate grooming gangs, which it did in 2021, now called the child sexual exploitation major investigation team (CSE MIT), with about 100 staff and a ringfenced budget. The force approaches child sexual exploitation as it does serious and organised crime gangs, using specialist tactics. The report identified improvements that could be made in order to better address the issue and progress investigations. These included data sharing, with local councils sometimes not willing to provide detectives with information, leading to 'significant delays in investigations'. The report said intelligence provided by Manchester city council took months to arrive and 'was so heavily redacted that some pages contained only a few words'. So far the CSE MIT and the earlier grooming gang investigations have resulted in 42 convictions, with offenders imprisoned for a total of more than 430 years. Other investigations are ongoing, with several more trials scheduled. In a statement, Greater Manchester's mayor, Andy Burnham, said: 'I am confident in my view that the Greater Manchester system is in a demonstrably different and far stronger place today than it was when the failings happened.' He added: 'The effect of the assurance review I commissioned has been to usher in widespread culture change across all GM bodies. Never again will any child here be labelled or dismissed when they come forward to report concerns. 'Now the national inquiry is being put in place, we must allow victims the space and the right climate to have their voices heard, allow the actual truth to be established and accountability delivered.'
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
13 Plants You Should Never Grow Too Close To Tomatoes In The Garden
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) may be a garden favorite, but they are notoriously picky about their neighbors. Making sure plants that are close together benefit each other can make or break your tomato harvest. While there are many companion plants you should grow next to your tomatoes that can enhance growth by deterring pests or improving the surrounding soil, others will compete for nutrients, attract more harmful insects, or even release growth inhibitors. Tomatoes are especially vulnerable to poor companion choices because they are heavy feeders that have specific sunlight and spacing requirements. Their long growing season also makes them susceptible to fungal diseases. This means the wrong neighbors can lead to reduced yield, stunted growth, or a complete failure. Usually, the worst companion plants for tomatoes fall under three categories. They are either nutrient competitors that starve your tomatoes of the essentials they need, pest magnets that attract hungry insects, or plants that release certain chemicals that could suppress the growth of surrounding plants. Other bad matches include common herbs and vegetables that thrive in similar conditions to tomatoes. This creates an underground fight for resources through their root systems. Some plants just need different care schedules that conflict with tomatoes. Learning and understanding why some plants are worse than others is important to help create the best possible conditions for your delicious tomatoes. Read more: Plants You Shouldn't Grow Right Next To Your House Corn (Zea mays) and tomatoes make horrible garden neighbors for quite a few reasons. Both are heavy feeders that will fight over your soil's nitrogen and other nutrients. This often leaves both plants undernourished and begging for food. They also share a common pest, the corn earworm, which can quickly become a tomato fruitworm. Corn also grows in tall stalks, which creates excessive shade that could block tomato plants from getting the full amount of sun they need. Both plants also require different watering patterns. Corn prefers constant moisture, while tomatoes do much better with deep, but infrequent, watering. As fellow nightshades, potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and tomatoes share numerous diseases, including early and late blight. Pllanting them close together only helps these fungal pathogens to spread between crops. They both have similar nutrient needs, which will have the two plants fighting over the potassium and phosphorus in your soil. The expansive root systems of both plants will also have them competing for underground space. The way they both grow can create problems as well. Potato leaves can shade tomatoes, and the tomato cages can interfere with hilling potatoes. There are several reasons to think twice before planting fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in your garden. It is especially bad as a tomato companion due to its strong allelopathic properties. The plant will release chemicals that can ruin the growth of nearby plants. Even when planted several feet away, fennel's tall foliage can cast unwanted shade on your sun-loving tomatoes. The taproot also digs deep, competing for water and nutrients in the same soil layers as the tomato's roots. It's best to plant fennel in a separate garden or container. If they must share the same bed, make sure to maintain at least four to six feet between them and monitor your tomatoes closely. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and other brassicas will create multiple problems when planted near tomatoes. These heavy feeders compete aggressively for nutrients, particularly calcium. Their dense foliage can block air circulation, which helps prevent tomato fungal diseases. Brassicas can attract cabbage loopers and other pests that may quickly spread to tomatoes. The plants also have very different pH preferences. Brassicas thrive in more alkaline soil, while tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil. If you're rotating crops, you'll want to avoid following any brassicas with tomatoes since both deplete similar nutrients in the soil. While young, dill (Anethum graveolens) can help tomatoes by attracting beneficial insects, but mature dill becomes problematic quickly. As the dill flower goes to seed, it releases a compound that can inhibit tomato growth. The tall umbrella-shaped flower heads can shade tomato plants, and the dill's extensive root system will compete for nutrients in the soil. Dill also attracts tomato hornworms, one of the pests you'll want to avoid. For companion planting benefits without any drawbacks, harvest dill before it flowers or plant it at least three feet away. You can also alternate plantings so that your dill matures before tomato plants need the space. Another nightshade cousin, eggplant (Solanum melongena), shares all the disease risks of tomatoes. Verticillium wilt and other soil-borne pathogens can easily spread between these two plants. They also attract the same pests, including flea beetles, hornworms, and whiteflies. The plants' similar growing patterns can quickly create space issues, reducing the air circulation required to combat fungal diseases. Eggplant's broad leaves can shade tomato plants, and both of them will fight over calcium and magnesium in your soil. If you still want to use them in the same bed, try planting basil or marigolds to separate the two plants and help deter common pests. Tomatoes planted near apricot (Prunus armeniaca) trees often struggle due to many elements. Apricot roots release substances that inhibit tomato growth, causing stunted plants and low yields. The tree's expansive root system also competes aggressively for water and nutrients. Additionally, apricot trees create excessive shade as they mature, depriving tomatoes of sunlight. Fungal diseases like verticillium wilt can spread easily from apricots to tomatoes. If you must grow both, consider planting your tomatoes in containers to avoid root competition. While rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) does a great job of deterring pests for many vegetables, it can cause problems for tomatoes when planted too close. This herb prefers dry soil conditions, which is the complete opposite of a tomato's need for consistent moisture. Since tomatoes are such heavy feeders compared to rosemary, they may deplete the nutrients in the soil. This competition can quickly lead to your rosemary dying out before it has the chance to mature. The best bet would be to grow rosemary in a container or separate herb garden nearby to get the pest control benefits without any negatives. Planting tomatoes and peppers together in your garden could be a big mistake. As fellow nightshades, peppers (Capsicum annuum) and tomatoes share a lot of the same diseases, including bacterial spots and verticillium wilt. Planting them close together allows pathogens to easily spread between the two. They also attract the same type of pests like aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms. The plants have different ideal soil conditions; peppers prefer warmer temperatures than tomatoes do. Their similar nutrient needs also have them competing for precious food, and can reduce the yield in both. This less common brassica creates multiple problems when planted next to tomato plants. Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea) has a rapid bulb formation that requires a lot of nutrients and will quickly starve tomatoes of the essential food they need. The big stem base and large leaves cover a lot of soil, which can create damp conditions that help tomato fungal diseases thrive. Kohlrabi also attracts flea beetles and cabbage worms that could easily spread to tomatoes. The plant's growth rates could also pose a problem. Kohlrabi matures quickly while tomatoes need more space later in the season. These beautiful plants make horrible tomato neighbors despite their pest-repelling reputation. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)have an extensive root system that competes for nutrients and releases growth-inhibiting chemicals that nightshades can't stand. Their height also creates excessive shade that can reduce tomato yields and promote fungal issues from a lack of air circulation. Sunflowers also attract birds that will quickly go for your tomato plants as an easy food source. If you do want both plants, try to maintain a good distance between them and consider shorter varieties that will create less shade. Often planted together, cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) and tomatoes actually compete in ways that reduce the yield of both plants. They share similar fungal diseases that will spread easily between plants. Cucumber vines can also overwhelm tomato cages quickly, while tomato plants may shade cucumbers too much. Both are heavy feeders that deplete nutrients when planted close together. Both plants need different watering schedules as well. Cucumbers prefer constant moisture, while tomatoes need deep, but infrequent watering. For the best results, try planting them at opposite ends of your vegetable garden and use trellises to keep cucumber vines at bay. There are a lot of gardening myths about walnut trees destroying other plants, and a lot of what is said is true. Walnut trees, especially the black walnut (Juglans nigra), produce juglone toxin. This chemical will stay in the soil for years after the tree removal and causes wilting, yellowing, and eventual death in sensitive plants like tomatoes. The toxin can affect the water on a cellular level, essentially starving the plants around it. Even at distances of 50 feet or more, tomatoes still show poor yield and stunted growth. If you already have a walnut tree on your property, consider using containers or a raised garden bed with fresh soil for your tomatoes. Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest.
Glasgow Times
4 minutes ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Wimbledon briefing: Day four recap, Friday's order of play and Raducanu preview
The three remaining British players will look to book their places in the last 16 on Friday, with Raducanu's mouthwatering clash with world number one Aryna Sabalenka closing proceedings on Centre Court. Here, the PA news agency looks back at Thursday's action and previews day five of the Championships. Draper's disappointment Jack Draper knows he needs to improve on grass (Benjamin Gilbert/PA) Jack Draper admitted he has a lot of work to do if he is to challenge at Wimbledon in the future after a crushing loss to Marin Cilic in the second round. The British number one is still yet to make it beyond the last 64 at his home grand slam and, having come into the tournament as the fourth seed after a brilliant season so far, the 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-4 defeat was his most painful yet. 'Even though I've had such an amazing progression the last 12 months, I've still got a lot of areas that I need to improve in my game,' the 23-year-old said. 'In some ways that's exciting, and in some ways that's hard to deal with because I thought I was ahead of where I was.' Djokovic 99 not out Novak Djokovic is one victory away from a century of SW19 match wins (John Walton/PA) Novak Djokovic racked up his 99th match win at Wimbledon and sent a message to title favourites Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The 38-year-old proved he is a major contender at this year's Wimbledon with a near-flawless performance in 6-3 6-2 6-0 victory over Britain's Dan Evans. And the seven-time champion has his eyes firmly on another title in SW19, with no time for thoughts of retirement. He said: 'I don't pause to reflect, to be honest. I don't have time. I would like to. But I think that's going to come probably when I set the racket aside and then sip margaritas on the beach with Federer and Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.' Brit watch Sonay Kartal is back into the third round (Mike Egerton/PA) British number one Emma Raducanu takes on top seed Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the fourth round of a women's draw that has only five top-10 seeds remaining. Sonay Kartal is back in the third round for the second successive year and starts as favourite against French qualifier Diane Parry, who stunned 12th seed Diana Shnaider to reach this stage. And Cameron Norrie, the 2022 semi-finalist, will also fancy his chances against world number 73 Mattia Bellucci after the British number three knocked out 12th seed Frances Tiafoe in the second round. Match of the day Emma Raducanu is ready to take on the world number one (Mike Egerton/PA) Emma Raducanu's reward for knocking out 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova was an early meeting with world number one Aryna Sabalenka. They have played once before, in Indian Wells last spring, when Sabalenka won in straight sets but in a close enough contest to give the British number one encouragement. Raducanu said: 'She's number one in the world for a reason. I'm going to have to be aggressive but pick my moments and not kind of be overly (aggressive). 'I don't think I'm going to go out there and out-power her. I think I'm going to have to try and be creative, as well.' Order of play Centre Court (from 1.30pm) Taylor Fritz (5) v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Carlos Alcaraz (2) v Jan-Lennard Struff Emma Raducanu v Aryna Sabalenka (1) Court One (from 1pm) Sonay Kartal v Diane Parry Cameron Norrie v Mattia Bellucci Elina Svitolina (14) v Elise Mertens (24) Weather Sunny changing to partly cloudy by nighttime, with a maximum temperature of 27C, according to the Met Office.
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pedro Neto may miss Copa do Brasil tie with Palmeiras
A tragedy involving the brothers Diogo Jota and André Silva could impact Chelsea. Top scorer for the English team in the FIFA Club World Cup with three goals, Pedro Neto was very close to Diogo Jota. And he might not face Palmeiras this Friday (4), in a decisive match for the quarter-finals of the competition. 📸 Buda Mendes - 2025 Getty Images Advertisement Very shaken after the tragedy, he was excused from training this Thursday (3) and will have the club's full support if he decides not to take the field at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia. "It's a decision we've given him, it's up to him to decide. We will support him in whatever he decides, whether he is on the field or not tomorrow, we will be here supporting him.", said coach Enzo Maresca in a press conference. "A very sad day. It's hard to find words, really the feeling of being helpless. I would like to send my love to his family, it's a great tragedy. It's a very great sadness. We are close to Pedro to support him at this moment.", he added. Liverpool will retire the number 20 jersey in honor of Diogo Jota Advertisement Pedro Neto and Diogo Jota played together for Wolverhampton in the 2019/2020 season. And they became athletes for the Portugal national team. They were, for example, champions of the last Nations League against Spain less than a month ago. The Italian coach also spoke about Estêvão, who will be a Chelsea player as soon as Palmeiras' participation in the World Cup ends. "We are preparing for a game against Palmeiras, not against Estêvão. He will play for them, we don't care if he will play for Chelsea in the future. We try to beat Palmeiras, not Estêvão. We think of them as a team." Advertisement Palmeiras and Chelsea will face each other starting at 10 PM (Brasília time) this Friday. The winner will face Fluminense or Al-Hilal in the semi-final. The game will be the first of the day, starting at 4 PM (Brasília time). 📸 Photo: Instagram/Playback This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
