Nick Ames
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Articles by Nick Ames
North America Is Losing 5,000 Acres of Vital Grassland Every Day
A new study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has revealed that an estimated 1.8 million acres of grasslands and other open landscapes across North America were converted into cropland in 2023. That’s the equivalent of nearly 5,000 acres of precious wildlife habitat being ploughed up every single day to make way for agriculture.
UEFA close to selecting candidate to run against Infantino in FIFA election
Uefa and its allies are close to identifying a candidate to run against Gianni Infantino in the Fifa election and could select the challenger as early as next week. The clock is ticking on efforts to oppose Infantino in March, with candidates required to confirm they are standing by 18 November, but there is growing confidence those attempts are nearing a successful resolution.
Uefa close to selecting candidate to run against Infantino in Fifa election
Gianni Infantino has embarked on an international effort to recover his position after the Fifa Forward Enterprise scandal. Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters Uefa and its allies are close to identifying a candidate to run against Gianni Infantino in the Fifa election and could approve the challenger’s identity as early as next week.
Bournemouth enjoy night to remember as 10-man Milan fail to weather storm
Bournemouth enjoy night to remember as 10-man Milan fail to weather storm Bournemouth's Amine Adli adds gloss to the scoreline with his late free-kick. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images This was a momentous night in Bournemouth's history, although the truth is they would have been given a far sterner examination by Coventry or Hull. Whatever this rotten impersonation of a Milan side was, it bore no relation to those that forged such a celebrated history.
Bournemouth enjoy night to remember as 10-man Milan fail to weather storm Original
Bournemouth enjoy night to remember as 10-man Milan fail to weather storm Bournemouth's Amine Adli adds gloss to the scoreline with his late free-kick. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images This was a momentous night in Bournemouth's history, although the truth is they would have been given a far sterner examination by Coventry or Hull. You can only beat what lies in front of you and Marco Rose's players never relinquished control against a rotten impersonation of a Milan side.
Bournemouth enjoy night to remember as 10-man Milan fail to weather storm
Bournemouth’s Amine Adli adds gloss to the scoreline with his late free-kick. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images This was a momentous night in Bournemouth’s history, although the truth is they would have been given a far sterner examination by Coventry or Hull. You can only beat what lies in front of you and Marco Rose’s players never relinquished control against a rotten impersonation of a Milan side.
Barkley and Buendía on target as Aston Villa sink Viking to maintain perfect start
For a little over 20 minutes, Aston Villa could look down on the rest of Europe. They had scaled the Champions League summit on goal difference when Henrik Heggheim put through his own net and the fact was not lost on the Holte End, who reflected their position in song and perhaps allowed themselves another glimpse back to the days when their supremacy was undisputed. “We've conquered before, we're prepared for more,” the pre-match tifo display had read.
Barkley and Buendía on target as Aston Villa maintain perfect start against Viking Original
Barkley and Buendía on target as Aston Villa maintain perfect start against Viking Ross Barkley soaks in the cheers after giving Aston Villa a first-half lead. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters "We've conquered before, we're prepared for more," read the pre-match display held up by the Holte End. Even if few would really be ready for a full-on repeat of 1982, when Aston Villa conquered Europe, the current vintage are doing an outwards impression of Champions League contenders.
Barkley and Buendía on target as Aston Villa maintain perfect start against Viking
Ross Barkley soaks in the cheers after giving Aston Villa a first-half lead. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters For a little over half an hour, Aston Villa could look down on the rest of Europe. They had scaled the Champions League summit on goal difference when Henrik Heggheim put through his own net and the fact was not lost on the Holte End, who reflected their position in song and perhaps allowed themselves another glimpse back to the days when their supremacy was undisputed.
From Dagestan to Donegal – Etihad Airways Supports Rescue of Two Brown Bears
Etihad Airways has helped transport two rescued brown bears from Russia to their new home in Ireland. Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, helped transport the two brown bears from Dagestan to their new home at Wild Ireland, a wildlife sanctuary in County Donegal. Bu, a former circus bear and Tyapa who came from a petting zoo, where rescuers reported that he was being raised to be killed for taxidermy, spent years living in poor conditions.
Infantino told by top FIFA figures to scrap or depoliticise peace prize after Trump furore
Donald Trump is likely to end up as the only political leader awarded the Fifa peace prize after Gianni Infantino was told at Thursday's meeting of Fifa council to make major changes or scrap the controversial award. The Guardian has learned that several council members demanded the award be abolished and others called for the prize to be depoliticised, with Fifa's football social responsibility committee to make a recommendation before the next council meeting in Doha on 16 December.
Infantino told by top Fifa figures to scrap or depoliticise peace prize after Trump furore
Gianni Infantino (right) awards the first Fifa peace prize to Donald Trump last December. Photograph: Chris Carlson/AP The Guardian has learned that several council members demanded the award be abolished and others called for the prize to be depoliticised, with Fifa’s football social responsibility committee to make a recommendation before the next council meeting in Doha on 16 December. Sign up to read this article Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Apologetic Infantino 'not fit' to lead FIFA, claim European FA heads after meeting
European football leaders are increasingly confident they will find a candidate to stand against Gianni Infantino in next year's Fifa presidential election, with the heads of the English and German Football Associations questioning his fitness to govern after a three-and-a-half-hour council meeting.
Joining Shakhtar as they make base in London: 'We're here to show the world that we are alive'
The morning has thinned out into low, wispy cloud. Beneath it, Shakhtar Donetsk's players are going through their paces. It is a light session for those who did not start against Veres Rivne the previous day; that means Arda Turan observes from the side, watching with the director of football, Darijo Srna. A stray ball zips towards them and Srna, after juggling it up, bends it into the goal with a familiar right-footed arc. “Modric!” exclaims Turan.
Joining Shakhtar as they make base in London: ‘We’re here to show the world that we are alive’ Original
Joining Shakhtar as they make base in London: ‘We’re here to show the world that we are alive’ Shakhtar Donetsk players wait for their flight at Rzeszow airport. Photograph: Courtesy of Shakhtar Donetsk The morning has thinned out into low, wispy cloud. Beneath it, Shakhtar Donetsk's players are going through their paces.
Joining Shakhtar as they make base in London: ‘We’re here to show the world that we are alive’
Shakhtar Donetsk players wait for their flight at Rzeszow airport. Photograph: Courtesy of Shakhtar Donetsk The morning has thinned out into low, wispy cloud. Beneath it, Shakhtar Donetsk’s players are going through their paces. It is a light session for those who did not start against Veres Rivne the previous day; that means Arda Turan observes from the side, watching with the director of football, Darijo Srna.
Viking’s two head coaches on Champions League adventure: ‘For us, it’s the best team in the world’
Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim (left) and Morten Jensen have taken Viking to Europe’s highest level. Photograph: Carina Johansen/The Guardian “When we recruit players, we say something bold.” The morning’s training session at Lyse Arena has finished and, over lunch, Morten Jensen is explaining how he and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim have propelled Viking Stavanger from mediocrity to an implausible place among Europe’s elite.
Viking’s two head coaches on Champions League adventure: ‘For us, it’s the best team in the world’ Original
Viking’s two head coaches on Champions League adventure: ‘For us, it’s the best team in the world’ Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim (left) and Morten Jensen have taken Viking to Europe's highest level.
200-Year-Old Tree Felled to Make Way for Trump’s Border Wall
A 200-year-old tree near the US-Mexico border, known as the ‘grandmother’, has been destroyed to make way for the construction of President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration border wall. In late July, protesters staged a vigil in the abandoned town of Lochiel, Arizona, taking turns occupying a platform high in the 200-year-old tree’s canopy for more than 70 days.
New WWF Study Reveals Nature Can Make a Comeback – And These Species Prove It
Comebacks for species such as tigers, tuna and green sea turtles prove nature loss can be reversed, according to a new report by the WWF. But the survey states action is urgently needed on methods of food production, tackling the climate crisis and a move away from investment in harmful practices if a biodiversity collapse is to be averted.
European FAs pushing for three-week international break to be abandoned
Europe’s football associations have raised serious concerns about the impact of the extended international break and will ask Uefa to push for a reversion to the previous scheduling. The new three-week break left European countries tasked with four Nations League games, which typically took place within 11 days.
European FAs pushing for three-week international break to be abandoned
Brian Brobbey was among the players to sustain an injury during this international window. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Uefa/Getty Images Europe’s football associations have raised serious concerns about the impact of the extended international break and will ask Uefa to push for a reversion to the previous scheduling. The new three-week break left European countries tasked with four Nations League games, which typically took place within 11 days.
‘I wanted to depart in the best way possible’: Kieran McKenna on Ipswich exit and future plans
Kieran McKenna: ‘I’m a manager who wants to enjoy having that connection with a club, a community.’ Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images It was on the Portman Road pitch, bathed in bright early May light while immersed in the relief and joy of a third promotion in five years, that Kieran McKenna realised the moment was right.
‘I wanted to depart in the best way possible’: Kieran McKenna on Ipswich exit and future plans Original
‘I wanted to depart in the best way possible’: Kieran McKenna on Ipswich exit and future plans Kieran McKenna: 'I'm a manager who wants to enjoy having that connection with a club, a community.' Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images It was on the Portman Road pitch, bathed in bright early May light while immersed in the relief and joy of a third promotion in five years, that Kieran McKenna realised the moment was right.
Wildfires Devastate Borneo’s Orangutan Population
Orangutans are at major risk from wildfires devastating Indonesia’s forests which are destroying their habitat, crippling their food sources and causing thick, choking, smog. Primate specialists from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are calling for urgent assistance to help control the fires, warning that thousands of the endangered animals could be killed, injured or displaced.
United States lined up to host first women's Club World Cup
The United States is poised to host the first Women's Club World Cup in January 2028, becoming the latest in a series of major Fifa tournaments staged in North America. Discussions to take the competition to the US are at an advanced stage, with Los Angeles and San Diego among the favoured host cities.
United States lined up to host first Women’s Club World Cup
United States lined up to host first Women’s Club World Cup
‘The emperor is naked': UEFA president Ceferin takes new swipe at Infantino
The Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, has attacked his embattled Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino in a scathing takedown of the failed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) project and other recent scandals, saying “the emperor is naked” and declaring “it is time to say ‘enough'”. In a pointed address to the European Football Clubs (EFC) general assembly, Ceferin did not mention Infantino by name but made clear his view that Fifa's leadership must change.
Europe's top-flight clubs to get share of £185m from Club World Cup
Europe's top-flight clubs will share half of the $250m (£185m) solidarity pot from the Club World Cup last year, ending a saga that had caused widespread frustration among those who did not participate in the tournament. Fifa and European Football Clubs (EFC) are close to an agreement that would bring a 50-50 split between sides in Europe and the rest of the world.
Europe’s top-flight clubs to get share of £185m from Club World Cup
Europe’s top-flight clubs to get share of £185m from Club World Cup
Europe’s top-flight clubs to get share of £185m from Club World Cup Original
Europe’s top-flight clubs to get share of £185m from Club World Cup Cole Palmer was the inspiration behind Chelsea's victory in the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in July 2025. Photograph: Adam Hunger/AP Europe's top-flight clubs will share half of the $250m (£185m) solidarity pot from the Club World Cup last year, ending a saga of which the duration had caused widespread frustration among those who did not participate in the tournament.
Ocean-Going Drone Begins 22,000km Antarctica Climate Research Mission
A small uncrewed vessel has set off from Australia to sail around Antarctica, powered by wind and sun, to help scientists better understand the climate crisis. The seven-metre long ocean-going drone, is expected to travel about 22,000km battling massive waves, freezing temperature and gale force winds. It will collect data on carbon dioxide in the ocean and atmosphere, to help scientists better understand the role that the sea plays in regulating global temperatures.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo reflects on ‘tough summer in football and life'
Cody Gakpo has reflected on a “very tough” summer that ended with the collapse of a transfer to Manchester City, revealing Liverpool changed their minds about letting him join their top-flight rivals. The forward scored a superb stoppage-time equaliser to earn the Netherlands a 1-1 draw in Thursday's Nations League game against Germany, who are coached by his former club manager Jürgen Klopp.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo reflects on ‘tough summer’ after collapse of Manchester City move
Cody Gakpo has reflected on a “very tough” summer that ended with the collapse of a transfer to Manchester City, revealing Liverpool changed their minds about letting him join their top-flight rivals. The forward scored a superb stoppage-time equaliser to earn the Netherlands a 1-1 draw in Thursday’s Nations League tie against Germany, who are managed by his former club manager, Jürgen Klopp.
Gakpo denies Klopp perfect start as Xavi’s Netherlands rescue draw against Germany Original
Gakpo denies Klopp perfect start as Xavi’s Netherlands rescue draw against Germany Cody Gakpo fires home the Netherlands' equaliser two minutes into stoppage time. Photograph: Marcel van Dorst/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock Jürgen Klopp had predicted his bow as Germany manager could be wild, a trait he would accept as long as his team looked lively. He got both in a strange, frayed and at times alarmingly pinball-like game that ended with a dramatic Netherlands equaliser and mounting injury worries.
Netherlands v Germany: Klopp and Xavi begin revival projects with derby
Before the latest instalment of a time-honoured international rivalry gearing up for two distinct new beginnings, Jürgen Klopp could not resist sprinkling a little of the old mischief. “The good thing is that we both have the exact same situation,” he said of Xavi Hernández, his counterpart when Germany visit the Netherlands on Thursday night. “We met on Monday and play on Thursday. And the coach knows the players from television. I actually know more of the Dutch players personally than Xavi does.
Will anyone topple Infantino? How Fifa president is trying to cling on after World Cup sell-off debacle
For Gianni Infantino there is no international break. The Fifa president is widely expected to make an appearance at the United Nations general assembly this week in New York, where he will lobby heads of state for their federations’ support as he continues his campaign to be re-elected next year.
Uefa and Concacaf ask Gianni Infantino to give Fifa’s billions to its member associations Original
The presidents of Uefa and Concacaf have written to Gianni Infantino requesting that Fifa release money from its $6bn (£4.5bn) reserves to its member associations, stating that the plan to fund them via the doomed Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme was unnecessary given the cash pile it is sitting on. Aleksander Ceferin and Victor Montagliani proposed a payout of at least $10m to each of Fifa's 211 member associations (MAs), initially as a one-off during the 2027-2030 commercial cycle.
One in Nine Migratory Bird Species Faces Extinction
One in nine species of migrating birds are threatened with extinction and 45 per cent are in decline due to intensive farming, hunting for food, pollution, invasive species and the climate crisis. The State of the World’s Birds report stated the migratory slender-billed curlew was officially declared extinct last year, the first global bird extinction in mainland Eurasia and Africa in centuries.
Climate Change Caused Deadly 2026 Nepal Floods Say Scientists
The climate crisis is the most likely cause of the glacier that collapsed and caused catastrophic floods with hundreds of deaths in Nepal and Tibet, according to the first scientific study of the disaster. Researchers at Imperial College, London, identified unusually warm conditions before the glacier’s destruction.
French Wine Harvest Faces 30-Year Low After Record Summer Heat
This summer’s heatwaves have been a disaster for French winemakers who are bracing themselves for a 30-year low in production, with Champagne output set to halve. Following the country’s hottest ever recorded summer, the agriculture ministry says vineyards will produce just under 34m hectolitres from this year’s harvest: a drop of six per cent on last year, and 17 per cent less than the 2021-2025 average.
‘That’s how it started’: Dambrauskas’ journey from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to Champions League
‘That’s how it started’: Dambrauskas’ journey from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to Champions League
‘That’s how it started’: Dambrauskas’ journey from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to Champions League
Valdas Dambrauskas can reel off the questions and answers without a moment’s pause. Who won the first Academy Award for best actor in 1929? It was Emil Jannings, even if someone else might have been tempted to go with Charlie Chaplin. Which country publishes the highest number of daily newspapers? India was the clear winner. Can you name the nation that produces the most electricity per capita in the world?
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