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The Future of Iran’s Internet Is More Uncertain Than Ever Iran’s internet shutdown has reduced connectivity by 99 percent, with air strikes likely causing additional outages, and few workarounds remaining. #Iran #internet_shutdown #air_strikes #additional_outages #workarounds_remaining #reduced_connectivity #causing_additional

Washington Nationals catcher Harry Ford poised to make a statement at the World Baseball Classic Harry Ford, the Washington Nationals’ young catcher, is set to take center stage at the World Baseball Classic after a standout performance in a recent tune-up game for the Great Britain team. The 23-year-old, who has British heritage, has long represented his country in international competitions and is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming tournament. His previous showing in the 2023 WBC, including a clutch home run against Colombia, has already established him as a key player for the team. Ford’s ability to elevate his game on the global stage has drawn attention, especially as he now serves as co-captain of the Great Britain squad alongside Yankees star Jazz Chisholm. Ford’s path to the Nationals was marked by a trade that sent Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners. Despite being one of the top catching prospects in baseball, Ford faced competition from Cal Raleigh in Seattle, which led to his trade. The Nationals acquired him as a 71st-ranked prospect, hoping his strong plate discipline and offensive potential would provide a fresh dynamic behind the plate. While his power and contact skills are average, his ability to draw walks and stay patient at the plate has made him a valuable asset. The Great Britain roster includes several MLB veterans, yet Ford’s leadership role at 23 has been a surprise. His performance in the recent tune-up game, where he hit two home runs, reinforced his reputation as a clutch performer. This experience could be crucial as the team prepares for the WBC, where Ford’s leadership and offensive contributions could help steer Great Britain toward a strong showing.#world_baseball_classic #harry_ford #washington_nationals #great_britain #jazz_chisholm

This Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra rival is launching outside China for the first time — and it wants to 'be your next camera' Chinese phone giant Oppo has confirmed that it's launching its flagship camera phone outside China for the first time — and it has camera-sized aspirations. #Samsung_Galaxy #Ultra_rival #Chinese_phone #giant_Oppo #camera-sized_aspirations #phone_giant #flagship_camera

Top Nationals Prospect Gets Off to Incredible Start in World Baseball Classic The 2026 World Baseball Classic has officially begun, marking the return of the global tournament after a previous edition highlighted by Shohei Ohtani's legendary performance. This year's edition promises its own share of standout moments as teams prepare for the competition. Among the emerging talents, Washington Nationals prospect Harry Ford has already made a strong impression as part of Team Great Britain. Ford, a catcher, is set to play a starring role for his team, following his breakout performance in the last WBC. Ford's early success in the tournament has generated excitement for Nationals fans, who are eager to see his potential translate to the big leagues. During exhibition games leading up to the tournament, Ford delivered a standout performance on Tuesday, finishing 3-for-5 with a two-run home run. His ability to perform under pressure has already provided a glimpse of what he could contribute when the Nationals are in contention. While Ford is not yet a daily player for the Nationals, his track record in high-stakes games has bolstered hopes for his future role. He faces competition from established catchers like Keibert Ruiz, Riley Adams, and Drew Millas, but his performance in the WBC has strengthened his case. Analysts note that some players thrive in the spotlight, and Ford appears to be one of them. The tournament serves as a proving ground for prospects like Ford, offering a platform to showcase their skills on an international stage. For the Nationals, his success could signal a bright future, especially as the team looks to build a competitive roster. Ford's potential to deliver in critical moments could make him a key asset in the playoffs, further cementing his value to the organization.#world_baseball_classic #harry_ford #team_great_britain #washington_nationals #keibert_ruiz

China Sends 70 Athletes to Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, set to begin on Friday, will see China send a 167-member delegation, including 70 athletes competing across six sports. The delegation’s participation underscores China’s growing presence in winter Paralympic events, with athletes aiming to secure medals and promote the development of para-sports nationwide. The six sports include Para ice hockey, wheelchair curling, Para alpine skiing, Para snowboard, Para cross-country skiing, and Para biathlon. Among the athletes, 62 have prior Paralympic experience, blending seasoned expertise with the energy of younger competitors. The team’s average age is 27, with the oldest athlete at 40 and the youngest at 18. The International Paralympic Committee reports that over 600 athletes from 52 countries will compete in 79 events, marking the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics. The Chinese delegation’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony are Para alpine skier Liu Sitong and para snowboarder Ji Lijia. Liu, from Liaoning Province, earned silver in the women’s sitting giant slalom and three bronzes in downhill, super combined, and slalom at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. She will compete in five alpine skiing events at Milano Cortina. Ji, from Hebei Province, won gold in the men’s UL snowboard cross and silver in the banked slalom at Beijing 2022 and will return to the same events in 2026. China’s rise in winter Paralympic sports has accelerated since hosting the 2022 Winter Paralympics, where it topped the medal table with 18 golds, 20 silvers, and 23 bronzes. At Milano Cortina, the nation aims to challenge traditional leaders like Norway, the U.S., and Austria while expanding its dominance from summer to winter events.#china #liu_sitong #ji_lijia #milano_cortina_2026 #wang_haitao

China Announces Flagbearers for Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics China has officially selected para Alpine skier Liu Sitong and para snowboarder Ji Lijia as the country’s flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics. The announcement was made by the Chinese delegation on Thursday, marking the first step in preparations for the event. Liu Sitong, 31, will compete in her third Winter Paralympics, having previously participated in the 2018 PyeongChang Games and the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. During the 2022 event, she secured a silver medal in the women’s slalom and three bronze medals across other events. She will take part in five para Alpine disciplines at Milano Cortina, a demanding schedule that requires both physical endurance and mental resilience. Ji Lijia, 23, is a rising star in para snowboarding. He claimed gold in the men’s snowboard cross SB-UL and silver in the banked slalom SB-UL at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. Building on his success, Ji won both events at the 2025 World Championships, solidifying his status as a top contender. At Milano Cortina, he will compete in both snowboard cross and banked slalom, showcasing his versatility and skill. The opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics is scheduled for Friday in Verona, Italy, where athletes from around the world will gather to celebrate the spirit of the Games. The event will serve as a symbolic start to the competition, highlighting the determination and excellence of Paralympic athletes. Both Liu and Ji represent China’s growing strength in winter Paralympic sports, with their achievements reflecting years of dedication and training. Their roles as flagbearers underscore their importance to the nation’s delegation and their contributions to the global Paralympic movement.#china #liu_sitong #ji_lijia #milano_cortina_winter_paralympics #verona

Get a grip — this world-first winter tyre can automatically deploy studs when it detects freezing road conditions Nokian's new tire tech can automatically deploy studs when the mercury drops below freezing for improved traction without the fuss of swapping rubber. #automatically_deploy #deploy_studs #conditions_Nokian #swapping_rubber #world-first_winter #winter_tyre #road_conditions

Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics 2026: Full schedule and disciplines as 665 athletes from 56 nations compete The 14th Winter Paralympic Games will officially open in Italy on March 6, 2026, with a grand ceremony at the historic Verona Arena. This edition of the event, hosted across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme, marks a significant milestone for para sport as 665 athletes from 56 countries gather to compete in six winter disciplines. The Games will run from March 6 to March 15, featuring 79 medal events and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics. The mascot for the event is Milo, a brown stoat symbolizing agility and resilience, while a new event—wheelchair curling mixed doubles—will debut. The competition will span ten days, with the opening ceremony on March 6 followed by the first medal events on March 7. Para Alpine Skiing Downhill and Para Biathlon Sprint races will kick off the action. Over the following days, athletes will compete in a variety of disciplines, including Para Snowboard, Para Ice Hockey, Para Cross-Country Skiing, and Para Biathlon. The schedule is designed to spread major events across the week to maximize global viewership. Key dates include the Para Snowboard Cross and Para Biathlon Middle Distance on March 8, followed by Para Alpine Skiing Super-G and Para Ice Hockey Group Stage matches on March 9. The week will also feature Para Alpine Combined and Para Cross-Country Sprint events on March 10. Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles Final and Para Cross-Country races will take place on March 11, with Para Alpine Giant Slalom on March 12. The final days will see Para Biathlon Individual and Para Snowboard Banked Slalom events on March 13, culminating in the Wheelchair Curling Mixed Team Final and Para Alpine Slalom on March 14.#milano_cortina_winter_paralympics_2026 #verona_arena #milan #cortina_dampezzo #val_di_fiemme

Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid: Prediction Highlights Struggles for Los Blancos Real Madrid faces another challenging encounter against Celta Vigo in La Liga as the hosts aim to extend their winning streak. Despite their recent efforts to reclaim the top spot, the reigning champions have struggled to maintain consistency, with a string of losses undermining their title ambitions. Analysts predict a tough match for Los Blancos, particularly with key players sidelined and defensive vulnerabilities exposed. Celta Vigo, on the other hand, enters the game in strong form, having secured four consecutive victories across all competitions. Their recent 2-1 win over Girona has boosted their hopes of qualifying for European competitions, and their attacking prowess has been evident, with 72% of their league goals coming in the second half. The team’s deep squad and rotation strategy have kept them competitive, with Borja Iglesias emerging as a key threat in attack. The 33-year-old forward, who has scored in three of his last five league matches, is expected to play a central role in this fixture. Real Madrid’s recent performances have raised concerns about their ability to close out matches. After briefly reclaiming the La Liga lead with a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, the team has since lost two consecutive games, including a surprising 1-0 home defeat to Getafe. These setbacks have exposed weaknesses in their attacking play, with their expected goals (xG) metrics falling short in key matches. The club’s struggles are compounded by injury concerns, with players like Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, and Kylian Mbappé sidelined, leaving limited options in the squad. The match at Balaidos is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with Celta Vigo’s attacking style and Real Madrid’s need for a win creating a volatile environment.#real_madrid #celta_vigo #borja_iglesias #girona #getafe

Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid: La Liga – teams, start, kickoff time, lineups Real Madrid faces a crucial La Liga match against Celta Vigo on Friday, March 5, at 9pm GMT, as the Spanish giants aim to recover from two consecutive league losses. The encounter at Balaidos Stadium in Vigo could be pivotal in the race for the top of the table, with Real trailing leaders Barcelona by four points. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa emphasized that the team’s focus is solely on the game against Celta, despite the challenges of recent setbacks. The last two matches for Real Madrid have been difficult, with a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna and a 1-0 loss to Getafe at the Bernabeu. These results have left the club in a precarious position, as they seek to close the gap to Barcelona. Arbeloa acknowledged the pressure but insisted the squad is determined to reverse their fortunes. “Defeat is always hard to handle at Real Madrid, but right now, the only thing we’re thinking about is tomorrow’s match,” he said. The team’s next challenge is a Champions League round-of-16 clash against Manchester City, but Arbeloa stressed that the immediate priority is the La Liga fixture. Celta Vigo, meanwhile, enters the match in strong form, having won four consecutive league games. The Galician side has also secured victories in the Europa League, showcasing their competitiveness. A win against Real Madrid could further solidify their position in the league table, though they face a formidable opponent. The match is set to be a test of resilience for both teams, with Real Madrid needing to overcome their recent struggles and Celta Vigo aiming to maintain their winning streak. The history between the two clubs is marked by high stakes.#real_madrid #celta_vigo #alvaro_arbeloa #balaidos_stadium #la_liga