The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday it is opening a formal investigation into 416,000 Tesla vehicles over reports of unexpected brake activation tied to its driver assistance system Autopilot.

The preliminary evaluation covers 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the United States after the agency received 354 complaints about the issue over the past nine months.

NHTSA said the vehicles under review have an advanced driver assistance system that Tesla calls Autopilot that allows them to brake and steer automatically within its lanes.

NHTSA said: "Complainants report that the rapid deceleration can occur without warning, at random, and often repeatedly in a single drive cycle."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-weighs-penalty-against-tesla-for-exaggerating-mileage-453748">South Korea weighs penalty against Tesla for exaggerating mileage</a>

Owners say they have raised concerns with Tesla, which has dismissed the complaints saying the braking is normal, and some have called it "phantom braking".

The owner of a 2021 Tesla Model Y told NHTSA in October that while driving on a highway at 80 miles per hour "the car braked hard and decelerated from 80 mph to 69 mph in less than a second.

The braking was so violent, my head snapped forward and I almost lost control of the car."

NHTSA in August opened a formal safety probe into Tesla`s Autopilot system in 765,000 U.S. vehicles after a series of crashes involving Tesla models and emergency vehicles.

Earlier this month, NHTSA confirmed it was reviewing consumer complaints that Tesla vehicles were activating the brakes unnecessarily.

A preliminary evaluation is the first phase before NHTSA could issue a formal recall demand.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/elon-musk-donated-tesla-shares-worth-57-billion-to-charity-last-year-453478">Elon Musk donated Tesla shares worth $5.7 billion to charity last year</a>

In May, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said dropping a radar sensor from its partially automated driving system would address "phantom braking," which some Tesla drivers have long complained about. Tesla, which disbanded its media relations department, did not respond to a request for comment.

Tesla has come under increasing scrutiny from NHTSA, which is investigating several issues and the electric vehicle manufacturer has issued 10 recalls since October, including many for software issues and some under pressure from the agency.

Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, the group that represents state highway safety agencies, said on Twitter "another day, another issue with Tesla.

Good to see NHTSA being more active in reigning this company in."

In November, Tesla recalled nearly 12,000 US&nbsp;vehicles sold since 2017 because a communication error may cause a false forward-collision warning or unexpected activation of the emergency brakes.

Watch |&nbsp;South Korea investigates Tesla on mileage

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-investigates-tesla-on-mileage-453381/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The recall was prompted after a software update on Oct. 23 to vehicles in its limited early access version 10.3 Full-Self Driving (FSD) (Beta) population.

FSD is an advanced driver assistance system that handles some driving tasks but Tesla and NHTSA say it does not make vehicles autonomous.

The recall came after NHTSA in October asked Tesla why it had not issued a recall to address software updates made to its Autopilot driver-assistance system to improve the vehicles` ability to detect emergency vehicles.

Last week, Tesla recalled 578,607 U.S. vehicles because pedestrians may not be able to hear a required warning sound of an approaching car due to loud music or other sounds played by its "Boombox" feature.

Musk said last week on Twitter "the fun police made us do it (sigh)."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday it is opening a formal investigation into 416,000 Tesla vehicles over reports of unexpected brake activation tied to its driver assistance system Autopilot.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday it is opening a formal investigation into 416,000 Tesla vehicles over reports of unexpected brake activation tied to its driver assistance system Autopilot. The preliminary evaluation covers 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the United States after the agency received 354 complaints about the issue over the past nine months. NHTSA said the vehicles under review have an advanced driver assistance system that Tesla calls Autopilot that allows them to brake and steer automatically within its lanes. NHTSA said: "Complainants report that the rapid deceleration can occur without warning, at random, and often repeatedly in a single drive cycle." Also read | South Korea weighs penalty against Tesla for exaggerating mileage Owners say they have raised concerns with Tesla, which has dismissed the complaints saying the braking is normal, and some have called it "phantom braking". The owner of a 2021 Tesla Model Y told NHTSA in October that while driving on a highway at 80 miles per hour "the car braked hard and decelerated from 80 mph to 69 mph in less than a second. The braking was so violent, my head snapped forward and I almost lost control of the car." NHTSA in August opened a formal safety probe into Tesla`s Autopilot system in 765,000 U.S. vehicles after a series of crashes involving Tesla models and emergency vehicles. Earlier this month, NHTSA confirmed it was reviewing consumer complaints that Tesla vehicles were activating the brakes unnecessarily. A preliminary evaluation is the first phase before NHTSA could issue a formal recall demand. Also read | Elon Musk donated Tesla shares worth $5.7 billion to charity last year In May, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said dropping a radar sensor from its partially automated driving system would address "phantom braking," which some Tesla drivers have long complained about. Tesla, which disbanded its media relations department, did not respond to a request for comment. Tesla has come under increasing scrutiny from NHTSA, which is investigating several issues and the electric vehicle manufacturer has issued 10 recalls since October, including many for software issues and some under pressure from the agency. Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, the group that represents state highway safety agencies, said on Twitter "another day, another issue with Tesla. Good to see NHTSA being more active in reigning this company in." In November, Tesla recalled nearly 12,000 US vehicles sold since 2017 because a communication error may cause a false forward-collision warning or unexpected activation of the emergency brakes. Watch | South Korea investigates Tesla on mileage The recall was prompted after a software update on Oct. 23 to vehicles in its limited early access version 10.3 Full-Self Driving (FSD) (Beta) population. FSD is an advanced driver assistance system that handles some driving tasks but Tesla and NHTSA say it does not make vehicles autonomous. The recall came after NHTSA in October asked Tesla why it had not issued a recall to address software updates made to its Autopilot driver-assistance system to improve the vehicles` ability to detect emergency vehicles. Last week, Tesla recalled 578,607 U.S. vehicles because pedestrians may not be able to hear a required warning sound of an approaching car due to loud music or other sounds played by its "Boombox" feature. Musk said last week on Twitter "the fun police made us do it (sigh)."

US investigates 416,000 Tesla vehicles over unexpected braking reports

Japan&nbsp;will ease its strict&nbsp;virus&nbsp;border rules to allow students and business people into the country from March, but tourists will still be barred, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday.

The move comes with growing pressure on&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;from the business community and academics to loosen the border restrictions, which are the toughest in the G7 but have broad support from Japanese voters.

Japan&nbsp;has barred tourists since the early days of the pandemic, and has in some cases prevented even existing foreign residents from entering the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-contrast-to-covids-59-million-deaths-this-malady-kills-more-than-9-million-people-every-year-453616">In contrast to Covid's 5.9 million deaths, this malady kills more than 9 million people every year</a>

Last November, the government slightly loosened the rules to allow some students and businesspeople to enter, but then quickly reversed the plan weeks later as the Omicron strain emerged.

After an Omicron-driven spike in infections, cases in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;now appear to have peaked, experts say.

From March 1, Kishida said "we will allow new visitors, except those coming for tourism", adding that a cap on daily entrants will be raised to from the current 3,500 to 5,000.

More than 400,000 people whose visas have already been approved by authorities were waiting to enter&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;as of January 4, an immigration agency official told AFP.

More than 150,000 of those are students, with another 129,000 workers hired to take part in a technical training programme that is a key source of foreign labour for several industries in the country.

While&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;has not pursued a zero-Covid policy and has avoided strict lockdowns, it has made tough border measures a centrepiece of its pandemic response.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-japan-is-whipping-up-hysteria-in-kuril-islands-row-451707">Russia says Japan is whipping up ‘hysteria’ in Kuril Islands row</a>

Even citizens and returning residents able to enter have been subject to quarantines of up to two weeks, with testing before and after entering the country.

Kishida said quarantine requirements would now be eased, going from seven to three days, if arrivals test negative.

Quarantine will be removed altogether for those with three vaccines doses coming from countries judged low-risk, he added, without specifying particular nations.

Japan&nbsp;has recorded more than 20,950 deaths in the pandemic and polls show Japanese broadly favour the tough restrictions, with nearly 60 percent of respondents in a recent survey by public broadcaster NHK backing a continued ban on entry.

Davide Rossi, an Italian entrepreneur living in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;who campaigns for students stuck outside the country, said the news was a light at the end of the tunnel, and many now hope they can enter&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;before the new semester in April.

Watch |&nbsp;Japan is set to announce easing of COVID-19 border curbs

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-is-set-to-announce-easing-of-covid-19-border-curbs-453934/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"There is a very high sense of urgency. People are really on the verge of quitting, but now, with this announcement, they have some hope," he told AFP.

But he recalled the way the border restrictions were tightened in November, just weeks after being eased.

"Hopefully this is a lesson, too, and the borders won't close again like they did in November, because that really hurt a lot of people so much. I hope things will get better from today."

Japan will ease its strict virus border rules to allow students and business people into the country from March, but tourists will still be barred, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday.

Japan will ease its strict virus border rules to allow students and business people into the country from March, but tourists will still be barred, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday. The move comes with growing pressure on Japan from the business community and academics to loosen the border restrictions, which are the toughest in the G7 but have broad support from Japanese voters. Japan has barred tourists since the early days of the pandemic, and has in some cases prevented even existing foreign residents from entering the country. Also read | In contrast to Covid's 5.9 million deaths, this malady kills more than 9 million people every year Last November, the government slightly loosened the rules to allow some students and businesspeople to enter, but then quickly reversed the plan weeks later as the Omicron strain emerged. After an Omicron-driven spike in infections, cases in Japan now appear to have peaked, experts say. From March 1, Kishida said "we will allow new visitors, except those coming for tourism", adding that a cap on daily entrants will be raised to from the current 3,500 to 5,000. More than 400,000 people whose visas have already been approved by authorities were waiting to enter Japan as of January 4, an immigration agency official told AFP. More than 150,000 of those are students, with another 129,000 workers hired to take part in a technical training programme that is a key source of foreign labour for several industries in the country. While Japan has not pursued a zero-Covid policy and has avoided strict lockdowns, it has made tough border measures a centrepiece of its pandemic response. Also read | Russia says Japan is whipping up ‘hysteria’ in Kuril Islands row Even citizens and returning residents able to enter have been subject to quarantines of up to two weeks, with testing before and after entering the country. Kishida said quarantine requirements would now be eased, going from seven to three days, if arrivals test negative. Quarantine will be removed altogether for those with three vaccines doses coming from countries judged low-risk, he added, without specifying particular nations. Japan has recorded more than 20,950 deaths in the pandemic and polls show Japanese broadly favour the tough restrictions, with nearly 60 percent of respondents in a recent survey by public broadcaster NHK backing a continued ban on entry. Davide Rossi, an Italian entrepreneur living in Japan who campaigns for students stuck outside the country, said the news was a light at the end of the tunnel, and many now hope they can enter Japan before the new semester in April. Watch | Japan is set to announce easing of COVID-19 border curbs "There is a very high sense of urgency. People are really on the verge of quitting, but now, with this announcement, they have some hope," he told AFP. But he recalled the way the border restrictions were tightened in November, just weeks after being eased. "Hopefully this is a lesson, too, and the borders won't close again like they did in November, because that really hurt a lot of people so much. I hope things will get better from today."

COVID-19: Japan eases virus border rules for workers and students but tourists will still be barred

France&nbsp;announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;due to a breakdown in relations with the ruling junta,&nbsp;after&nbsp;nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency.

The&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;deployment has been fraught with problems for&nbsp;France. Of the country's 53 soldiers killed serving in West Africa, 48 of them died in&nbsp;Mali.

"Multiple obstructions" by the ruling junta meant that the conditions were no longer in place to operate in&nbsp;Mali, said a statement signed by&nbsp;France&nbsp;and its African and European allies.

The decision applies to both 2,400 French troops in&nbsp;Mali, where&nbsp;France&nbsp;first deployed in 2013, and a smaller European force of several hundred which was created in 2020 with the aim of taking the burden off the French forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-says-iran-nuclear-deal-within-grasp-predicts-a-major-crisis-if-agreement-isnt-reached-453893">France says Iran nuclear deal 'within grasp', predicts a major crisis if agreement isn't reached</a>

"We cannot remain militarily engaged alongside de-facto authorities whose strategy and hidden aims we do not share," President Emmanuel Macron told a news conference, saying that he "completely" rejected the idea that&nbsp;France&nbsp;had failed in the country.

Macron said that French bases in Gossi, Menaka and Gao in&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;would close but vowed that the withdrawal would be carried out in an "orderly" manner.

The announcement of the withdrawal comes at a critical time for Macron, just days before the president is expected to make a long-awaited declaration that he will stand for a second term at elections in April.

Macron's priority will now be to ensure that the withdrawal does not invite comparisons with the chaotic US departure from Afghanistan last year.

France&nbsp;initially deployed troops against jihadists in&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;in 2013 but the insurgency was never fully quelled, and now new fears have emerged of a jihadist push to the Gulf of Guinea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-covid-restrictions-eased-for-vaccinated-british-travellers-452978">France: Covid restrictions eased for vaccinated British travellers</a>

'Collapse of state'&nbsp;

"It is an inglorious end to an armed intervention that began in euphoria and which ends, nine years later, against a backdrop of crisis between&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;and&nbsp;France," wrote the Le Monde daily.

Macron denied that the intervention had been in vain.

"What would have happened in 2013 if&nbsp;France&nbsp;had not chosen to intervene? You would for sure have had the collapse of the Malian state," said Macron, hailing the decision of his predecessor Francois Hollande to order troops in.

Even&nbsp;after&nbsp;the pull-out from&nbsp;Mali, however, the allies vowed to remain engaged in fighting terror in other countries including Niger.

"They agreed nonetheless to continue their joint action against terrorism in the Sahel region, including in Niger and in the Gulf of Guinea," their statement said, adding that the outline of this action would be made clear in June.

Speaking alongside Macron, Senegalese President Macky Sall said fighting "terrorism in the Sahel cannot be the business of African countries alone."

Macron warned that Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have made the Sahel region of West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea nations "a priority for their strategy of expansion."

Macron on Wednesday prepared the ground for the announcement with a dinner bringing together the leaders of&nbsp;France's key allies in the Sahel region -- Chad, Mauritania and Niger.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-urges-mali-to-end-hereditary-slavery-425038">UN urges Mali to end hereditary slavery</a>

'A void'

Around 25,000 foreign troops are currently deployed in the Sahel region of West Africa.

They include around 4,300 French soldiers, which under a reduction announced last year are due to fall to around 2,500 in 2023 from a peak of 5,400.

In&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;specifically, there is also the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA established in 2013 and the EUTM&nbsp;Mali, an EU military training mission that aims to improve the Malian military's capacity in fighting terrorists.

Macron said&nbsp;after&nbsp;the departure,&nbsp;France&nbsp;will still provide support for MINUSMA, without giving details.

But Paris' withdrawal could set the stage for other European powers like Britain or Germany to abandon their roles in the multinational missions.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said Wednesday that the departure "creates a void".

In the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea, "national armies will have to deal with problems on our national territories, and that's our philosophy", he told broadcasters RFI and&nbsp;France&nbsp;24.

Relations between&nbsp;France&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;plunged to new lows&nbsp;after&nbsp;the junta led by strongman Assimi Goita refused to stick to a calendar to a return to civilian rule.

Watch |&nbsp;France and allies announces withdrawal of its troops from Mali

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-and-allies-announces-withdrawal-of-its-troops-from-mali-454016/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The West also accuses&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;of using the services of the hugely controversial Russian mercenary group Wagner to shore up its position, a move that gives Moscow a new foothold in the region.

Macron accused Wagner of sending more than 800 fighters to the country for the sake of its own "business interests" and shoring up the junta.

France announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from Mali due to a breakdown in relations with the ruling junta, after nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency.

France announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from Mali due to a breakdown in relations with the ruling junta, after nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency. The Mali deployment has been fraught with problems for France. Of the country's 53 soldiers killed serving in West Africa, 48 of them died in Mali. "Multiple obstructions" by the ruling junta meant that the conditions were no longer in place to operate in Mali, said a statement signed by France and its African and European allies. The decision applies to both 2,400 French troops in Mali, where France first deployed in 2013, and a smaller European force of several hundred which was created in 2020 with the aim of taking the burden off the French forces. Also read | France says Iran nuclear deal 'within grasp', predicts a major crisis if agreement isn't reached "We cannot remain militarily engaged alongside de-facto authorities whose strategy and hidden aims we do not share," President Emmanuel Macron told a news conference, saying that he "completely" rejected the idea that France had failed in the country. Macron said that French bases in Gossi, Menaka and Gao in Mali would close but vowed that the withdrawal would be carried out in an "orderly" manner. The announcement of the withdrawal comes at a critical time for Macron, just days before the president is expected to make a long-awaited declaration that he will stand for a second term at elections in April. Macron's priority will now be to ensure that the withdrawal does not invite comparisons with the chaotic US departure from Afghanistan last year. France initially deployed troops against jihadists in Mali in 2013 but the insurgency was never fully quelled, and now new fears have emerged of a jihadist push to the Gulf of Guinea. Also read | France: Covid restrictions eased for vaccinated British travellers 'Collapse of state' "It is an inglorious end to an armed intervention that began in euphoria and which ends, nine years later, against a backdrop of crisis between Mali and France," wrote the Le Monde daily. Macron denied that the intervention had been in vain. "What would have happened in 2013 if France had not chosen to intervene? You would for sure have had the collapse of the Malian state," said Macron, hailing the decision of his predecessor Francois Hollande to order troops in. Even after the pull-out from Mali, however, the allies vowed to remain engaged in fighting terror in other countries including Niger. "They agreed nonetheless to continue their joint action against terrorism in the Sahel region, including in Niger and in the Gulf of Guinea," their statement said, adding that the outline of this action would be made clear in June. Speaking alongside Macron, Senegalese President Macky Sall said fighting "terrorism in the Sahel cannot be the business of African countries alone." Macron warned that Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have made the Sahel region of West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea nations "a priority for their strategy of expansion." Macron on Wednesday prepared the ground for the announcement with a dinner bringing together the leaders of France's key allies in the Sahel region -- Chad, Mauritania and Niger. Also read | UN urges Mali to end hereditary slavery 'A void' Around 25,000 foreign troops are currently deployed in the Sahel region of West Africa. They include around 4,300 French soldiers, which under a reduction announced last year are due to fall to around 2,500 in 2023 from a peak of 5,400. In Mali specifically, there is also the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA established in 2013 and the EUTM Mali, an EU military training mission that aims to improve the Malian military's capacity in fighting terrorists. Macron said after the departure, France will still provide support for MINUSMA, without giving details. But Paris' withdrawal could set the stage for other European powers like Britain or Germany to abandon their roles in the multinational missions. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said Wednesday that the departure "creates a void". In the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea, "national armies will have to deal with problems on our national territories, and that's our philosophy", he told broadcasters RFI and France 24. Relations between France and Mali plunged to new lows after the junta led by strongman Assimi Goita refused to stick to a calendar to a return to civilian rule. Watch | France and allies announces withdrawal of its troops from Mali The West also accuses Mali of using the services of the hugely controversial Russian mercenary group Wagner to shore up its position, a move that gives Moscow a new foothold in the region. Macron accused Wagner of sending more than 800 fighters to the country for the sake of its own "business interests" and shoring up the junta.

France announces Mali troop pullout after decade

Russia on Thursday (February 17) announced a new drawdown of military forces from the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula, continuing a troop withdrawal. While the United States warned that Moscow's announcement of a troop withdrawal is false.

Russia on Thursday (February 17) announced a new drawdown of military forces from the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula, continuing a troop withdrawal. While the United States warned that Moscow's announcement of a troop withdrawal is false. A senior White House official said that Russia has increased its presence on the border with Ukraine "by as many as 7,000 troops". In a statement that was published by Russian news agencies, the country's defence ministry said: "Units of the southern military district that ended tactical exercises at training grounds on the Crimean peninsula are returning by rail to their permanent bases." IN PICS | Russia's next wonder weapon: Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile The defence ministry said that tank units of the western military district had departed on a military train for their bases 1,000 kilometres away. However, no details were provided to specify the number of troops or equipment involved. Meanwhile, the senior White House official said that Russia could launch a "false" pretext to invade Ukraine "at any moment". The official added that while Russia has said it wants to reach a diplomatic solution, its actions indicate otherwise. IN PICS | Satellite pictures: New Pontoon bridge & Russian troop deployment along Ukraine Western countries have claimed that Russia has amassed well over 100,000 troops and significant military hardware near Ukraine's borders. The West also fears that such massive troops build-up could result in the potential invasion of Ukraine, which Washington says could take place "at any time". On the other hand, Russia has repeatedly denied any plans for an attack but has agreed that "large-scale" military exercises are taking place in various areas. Russia has never specified the number of troops present at the Ukraine border region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had observed only "small rotations" that did not signify any real change. ×

Russia 'pulling back more troops' but US says Moscow could launch 'false' pretext to invade Ukraine

IPL 2022: All teams and their squad list

Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo on Monday (February 14) opened up on the "horrific" home invasion when some robbers entered his home last December and assaulted him.&nbsp;

On his official Instagram, Cancelo revealed the details of the incident that took place just after Christmas. He shared a picture of himself and one can see a deep cut above his eyes. He further said that the robbers tried to harm his family.&nbsp;

The 27-year-old said that none of them was hurt in the incident and added that the four attackers had taken jewellery from his house.&nbsp;

Ahead of Man City's Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon, Cancelo said, "It was horrific, it terrorised my whole family."&nbsp;

The Portugal international said, "I know how to deal with it, but my family didn't deserve to go through that."&nbsp;

Cancelo, one of City's standout performers, signed a contract extension this month committing him to the league leaders until 2027, said he was trying to maintain a positive outlook on life.

"There have been lots of obstacles in my life and I have to get over them, I'm a stronger player mentally and that's how I want to go on," Cancelo said.&nbsp;

"I could drop my head, but I always like to think positively, and that is how I can live my life in the best way possible."&nbsp;

Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo on Monday (February 14) opened up on the "horrific" home invasion when some robbers entered his home last December and assaulted him.

Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo on Monday (February 14) opened up on the "horrific" home invasion when some robbers entered his home last December and assaulted him. On his official Instagram, Cancelo revealed the details of the incident that took place just after Christmas. He shared a picture of himself and one can see a deep cut above his eyes. He further said that the robbers tried to harm his family. The 27-year-old said that none of them was hurt in the incident and added that the four attackers had taken jewellery from his house. Ahead of Man City's Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon, Cancelo said, "It was horrific, it terrorised my whole family." The Portugal international said, "I know how to deal with it, but my family didn't deserve to go through that." Cancelo, one of City's standout performers, signed a contract extension this month committing him to the league leaders until 2027, said he was trying to maintain a positive outlook on life. "There have been lots of obstacles in my life and I have to get over them, I'm a stronger player mentally and that's how I want to go on," Cancelo said. "I could drop my head, but I always like to think positively, and that is how I can live my life in the best way possible."

'Terrorised my whole family': Man City defender Joao Cancelo opens up on 'horrific' robbery

The World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina in September that was suspended just minutes after kickoff when health officials ran onto the pitch must be replayed, world governing body FIFA said on Monday.

The match at the NeoQuimica Arena in Sao Paulo was halted in farcical fashion after five minutes when Brazilian health officials invaded the pitch to stop Argentina's England-based players, who they accused of breaching the country's COVID-19 quarantine rules, from playing.

The officials claimed the Argentines had breached Brazilian rules stating travellers who had been in the UK, South Africa or India during the previous two weeks were forbidden from entering the country unless they were Brazilian citizens or had permanent residency.

The officials claimed the players had misled border officials by declaring they had not been in a red list country during the 14 days before the game.

Argentine officials said they believed the same protocols used in the Copa America in Brazil in June were in place for the World Cup qualifiers to allow teams to travel across the continent. CONMEBOL confirmed that interpretation.

"After a thorough investigation of the various factual elements and in light of the applicable regulations, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that the match should be replayed on a date and at a location to be decided by FIFA," it said in a statement.

"In addition, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has concluded that the abandonment of the match stemmed from several deficiencies of the parties involved."

The four England-based players, Emiliano Buendia, Emiliano Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero, were each banned for two international matches by FIFA’s disciplinary committee for failing to comply with the world governing body’s COVID-19 protocols.

FIFA also fined the Brazilian and Argentine football associations 500,000 Swiss francs ($540,000) and 200,000 Swiss francs, respectively, for their failure to ensure "order and safety".

Both nations have already qualified unbeaten for Qatar, with Brazil top of the South American qualifying group, four points ahead of Argentina. Both teams have three games to play.

The last scheduled round of qualifying games takes place in late March.

The World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina in September that was suspended just minutes after kickoff when health officials ran onto the pitch must be replayed, world governing body FIFA said on Monday.

The World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina in September that was suspended just minutes after kickoff when health officials ran onto the pitch must be replayed, world governing body FIFA said on Monday. The match at the NeoQuimica Arena in Sao Paulo was halted in farcical fashion after five minutes when Brazilian health officials invaded the pitch to stop Argentina's England-based players, who they accused of breaching the country's COVID-19 quarantine rules, from playing. The officials claimed the Argentines had breached Brazilian rules stating travellers who had been in the UK, South Africa or India during the previous two weeks were forbidden from entering the country unless they were Brazilian citizens or had permanent residency. The officials claimed the players had misled border officials by declaring they had not been in a red list country during the 14 days before the game. Argentine officials said they believed the same protocols used in the Copa America in Brazil in June were in place for the World Cup qualifiers to allow teams to travel across the continent. CONMEBOL confirmed that interpretation. "After a thorough investigation of the various factual elements and in light of the applicable regulations, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that the match should be replayed on a date and at a location to be decided by FIFA," it said in a statement. "In addition, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has concluded that the abandonment of the match stemmed from several deficiencies of the parties involved." The four England-based players, Emiliano Buendia, Emiliano Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero, were each banned for two international matches by FIFA’s disciplinary committee for failing to comply with the world governing body’s COVID-19 protocols. FIFA also fined the Brazilian and Argentine football associations 500,000 Swiss francs ($540,000) and 200,000 Swiss francs, respectively, for their failure to ensure "order and safety". Both nations have already qualified unbeaten for Qatar, with Brazil top of the South American qualifying group, four points ahead of Argentina. Both teams have three games to play. The last scheduled round of qualifying games takes place in late March.

Brazil vs Argentina World Cup qualifier to be replayed after Sao Paulo farce

To make an Olympic ski jump, China clad a hillside in steel and blanketed it with artificial snow. To construct a high-speed rail line linking the venues and Beijing, engineers blasted tunnels through the surrounding mountains. And to keep the coronavirus at bay, workers are conducting tens of thousands of PCR tests on Games participants every day.

Hosting the Winter Olympics is costing China billions of dollars, a scale of expenditure that has made the event less appealing to many cities around the world in recent years. More and more of them have concluded that the Games are not worth being left with a hefty bill, white elephant stadiums, and fewer benefits from tourism than they had hoped.

But China looks at the Games with a different calculus. Beijing has long relied on heavy investments in building railway lines, highways and other infrastructure to provide millions of jobs to its citizens and reduce transportation costs. With the 2022 Games, it also hopes to nurture an abiding interest in skiing, curling, ice hockey and other winter sports that could increase consumer spending, particularly in the country’s chilly and economically struggling northeast.

Perhaps most important of all to China’s leader, Xi Jinping, the Olympics are a chance to demonstrate to the world his country’s unity and confidence under his leadership.

“For China’s international image, prestige, and face, as the Chinese would say, nothing is too expensive,” said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Still, with China’s economy already slowing, and a dimming outlook for global growth, as well as concerns that the omicron variant of the coronavirus would lead to more shutdowns and choking of global supply chains, Beijing has been wary of spiraling costs. Even Xi acknowledged the event had to be streamlined, saying last year that the aim was to hold a “simple, safe, splendid” event.

Practically every Olympic Games in recent years has triggered disputes over cost overruns. A study at Oxford University had found that the operating costs of Olympics held since 1960 have averaged nearly three times what the host cities originally bid.

The city of Sochi in Russia, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 2014, spent and invested more than $50 billion — half of which was on infrastructure. When Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008, it said it spent $6.8 billion, but that did not include the tens of billions more it used to build roads, stadiums, subway lines and an airport terminal.

This time, China has set a budget of about $3 billion, a figure that includes the building of competition venues, but not projects like a $1 billion high-speed rail line and a $5 billion expressway.

The pandemic is making the Games even more expensive. The bill for last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo included $2.8 billion in coronavirus prevention costs alone. China’s “zero COVID” strategy, which focuses on eradicating outbreaks, has meant infection control measures are much more elaborate.

China’s concerns about the pandemic have dashed hopes that the Games would draw tourists. Organizers said last autumn they would not sell tickets to foreign spectators. Then they announced last month that most Chinese residents would not get to go either, prompting a last-minute rush by hotel managers in Beijing to cut drastically the high room rates they had set for February.

Despite these difficulties, Chinese authorities have insisted that they have stayed within the operating budget.

Officials have said the lack of spectators has meant fewer employees are needed at the Games. China also saved money by canceling a welcoming ceremony for foreign visitors and shortening the torch relay to just three days, the Beijing organizing committee said in an emailed reply to questions. Beijing has also been able to reuse competition venues, a giant media center and other facilities built for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

At $3.1 billion, China’s operating budget is comparable to the average, inflation-adjusted cost of hosting previous Winter Olympics, according to the University of Oxford researchers.

“Judging by the cost of previous Winter Olympics, that should be enough to cover the cost, especially when you consider that many of the facilities have already been built,” said one of the experts, Bent Flyvbjerg, a professor of major program management at Oxford.

But it is hard to assess what portion of the coronavirus prevention costs, if any, is actually being included in the budget, Flyvbjerg said. Chinese accounting is often opaque, and there are many budgets in which health spending can be counted, he said.

The government has also pressed businesses to take on more of the cost of hosting the Games. Other host cities of previous Olympics have spent heavily to build lodging for athletes and journalists and a media center. China has taken a different approach.

In Zhangjiakou, an area near Beijing where some competitions are being held, Chinese authorities have temporarily taken over the Malaysian-owned Genting Secret Garden ski resort. The resort expanded its capacity to 3,800 rooms and vacation apartments, up from 380 before China won its Olympic bid. Lim Chee Wah, founder and co-owner of the resort, said in an interview that he had not been told how much he would be compensated by the government for the use of the resort for most of the winter season, but that he trusted it would be fair.

“We said, fine, thank you, but we’ll negotiate how to do the compensation — that will be done later,” he said.

China also doesn’t count long-term infrastructure investments made in the years before the Games.

The national government spent $2 billion building an expressway from northwest Beijing to Yanqing, where Olympic sliding and Alpine skiing events are being held, and an additional $3.6 billion to extend the expressway to the Taizicheng valley, where the ski resorts are.

Before Beijing won its bid to host the 2022 Olympics, the government began spending $8.4 billion on a high-speed rail line that whisks travelers from Beijing toward Inner Mongolia at speeds of up to 217 mph. After winning the Olympics, Beijing added $1 billion to that project to build an extra segment that peels off the main line and goes up into the mountains to Taizicheng.

“The Chinese are not counting any of that — they say they would have built that anyway,” said Andrew Zimbalist, a professor at Smith College who has published three books about the economics of the Olympics. “I question whether they were going to do it anyway, and if they were going to do it anyway, why do they have to host the Olympics.”

Resort owners like Lim of Genting hope the new infrastructure will help develop the industry. In expanding the resort 10-fold before the Olympics, he said, he had been told to expect that the national rail service would run 15 or 20 trains a day to the Taizicheng valley.

In an email reply to questions, China’s national railway said that it ran 15 bullet trains daily in each direction when the line opened at the end of 2019. But the schedule was cut drastically just a month later when the pandemic began, to five trains on most days, and an extra five on peak travel days.

China regards the Olympics as transforming Beijing, which gets only a foot of natural snow most winters, into a global destination for winter sports.

“The success in opening the Winter Olympics has brought positive economic benefits and created new sources of growth for the local economy,” said the top spokesman for the city of Beijing, Xu Hejian.

To make an Olympic ski jump, China clad a hillside in steel and blanketed it with artificial snow. To construct a high-speed rail line linking the venues and Beijing, engineers blasted tunnels through the surrounding mountains.

To make an Olympic ski jump, China clad a hillside in steel and blanketed it with artificial snow. To construct a high-speed rail line linking the venues and Beijing, engineers blasted tunnels through the surrounding mountains. And to keep the coronavirus at bay, workers are conducting tens of thousands of PCR tests on Games participants every day. Hosting the Winter Olympics is costing China billions of dollars, a scale of expenditure that has made the event less appealing to many cities around the world in recent years. More and more of them have concluded that the Games are not worth being left with a hefty bill, white elephant stadiums, and fewer benefits from tourism than they had hoped. But China looks at the Games with a different calculus. Beijing has long relied on heavy investments in building railway lines, highways and other infrastructure to provide millions of jobs to its citizens and reduce transportation costs. With the 2022 Games, it also hopes to nurture an abiding interest in skiing, curling, ice hockey and other winter sports that could increase consumer spending, particularly in the country’s chilly and economically struggling northeast. Perhaps most important of all to China’s leader, Xi Jinping, the Olympics are a chance to demonstrate to the world his country’s unity and confidence under his leadership. “For China’s international image, prestige, and face, as the Chinese would say, nothing is too expensive,” said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University. Still, with China’s economy already slowing, and a dimming outlook for global growth, as well as concerns that the omicron variant of the coronavirus would lead to more shutdowns and choking of global supply chains, Beijing has been wary of spiraling costs. Even Xi acknowledged the event had to be streamlined, saying last year that the aim was to hold a “simple, safe, splendid” event. Practically every Olympic Games in recent years has triggered disputes over cost overruns. A study at Oxford University had found that the operating costs of Olympics held since 1960 have averaged nearly three times what the host cities originally bid. The city of Sochi in Russia, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 2014, spent and invested more than $50 billion — half of which was on infrastructure. When Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008, it said it spent $6.8 billion, but that did not include the tens of billions more it used to build roads, stadiums, subway lines and an airport terminal. This time, China has set a budget of about $3 billion, a figure that includes the building of competition venues, but not projects like a $1 billion high-speed rail line and a $5 billion expressway. The pandemic is making the Games even more expensive. The bill for last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo included $2.8 billion in coronavirus prevention costs alone. China’s “zero COVID” strategy, which focuses on eradicating outbreaks, has meant infection control measures are much more elaborate. China’s concerns about the pandemic have dashed hopes that the Games would draw tourists. Organizers said last autumn they would not sell tickets to foreign spectators. Then they announced last month that most Chinese residents would not get to go either, prompting a last-minute rush by hotel managers in Beijing to cut drastically the high room rates they had set for February. Despite these difficulties, Chinese authorities have insisted that they have stayed within the operating budget. Officials have said the lack of spectators has meant fewer employees are needed at the Games. China also saved money by canceling a welcoming ceremony for foreign visitors and shortening the torch relay to just three days, the Beijing organizing committee said in an emailed reply to questions. Beijing has also been able to reuse competition venues, a giant media center and other facilities built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. At $3.1 billion, China’s operating budget is comparable to the average, inflation-adjusted cost of hosting previous Winter Olympics, according to the University of Oxford researchers. “Judging by the cost of previous Winter Olympics, that should be enough to cover the cost, especially when you consider that many of the facilities have already been built,” said one of the experts, Bent Flyvbjerg, a professor of major program management at Oxford. But it is hard to assess what portion of the coronavirus prevention costs, if any, is actually being included in the budget, Flyvbjerg said. Chinese accounting is often opaque, and there are many budgets in which health spending can be counted, he said. The government has also pressed businesses to take on more of the cost of hosting the Games. Other host cities of previous Olympics have spent heavily to build lodging for athletes and journalists and a media center. China has taken a different approach. In Zhangjiakou, an area near Beijing where some competitions are being held, Chinese authorities have temporarily taken over the Malaysian-owned Genting Secret Garden ski resort. The resort expanded its capacity to 3,800 rooms and vacation apartments, up from 380 before China won its Olympic bid. Lim Chee Wah, founder and co-owner of the resort, said in an interview that he had not been told how much he would be compensated by the government for the use of the resort for most of the winter season, but that he trusted it would be fair. “We said, fine, thank you, but we’ll negotiate how to do the compensation — that will be done later,” he said. China also doesn’t count long-term infrastructure investments made in the years before the Games. The national government spent $2 billion building an expressway from northwest Beijing to Yanqing, where Olympic sliding and Alpine skiing events are being held, and an additional $3.6 billion to extend the expressway to the Taizicheng valley, where the ski resorts are. Before Beijing won its bid to host the 2022 Olympics, the government began spending $8.4 billion on a high-speed rail line that whisks travelers from Beijing toward Inner Mongolia at speeds of up to 217 mph. After winning the Olympics, Beijing added $1 billion to that project to build an extra segment that peels off the main line and goes up into the mountains to Taizicheng. “The Chinese are not counting any of that — they say they would have built that anyway,” said Andrew Zimbalist, a professor at Smith College who has published three books about the economics of the Olympics. “I question whether they were going to do it anyway, and if they were going to do it anyway, why do they have to host the Olympics.” Resort owners like Lim of Genting hope the new infrastructure will help develop the industry. In expanding the resort 10-fold before the Olympics, he said, he had been told to expect that the national rail service would run 15 or 20 trains a day to the Taizicheng valley. In an email reply to questions, China’s national railway said that it ran 15 bullet trains daily in each direction when the line opened at the end of 2019. But the schedule was cut drastically just a month later when the pandemic began, to five trains on most days, and an extra five on peak travel days. China regards the Olympics as transforming Beijing, which gets only a foot of natural snow most winters, into a global destination for winter sports. “The success in opening the Winter Olympics has brought positive economic benefits and created new sources of growth for the local economy,” said the top spokesman for the city of Beijing, Xu Hejian.

Hosting the Olympics is costly. For China, it’s worth every billion

The two-day long Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction concluded on Sunday (February 13) after massive purchases and several bidding wars.&nbsp;&nbsp;

During the auction, some players found new homes, some were bought back by previous franchises and were snubbed. Suresh Raina, Steve Smith and Shakib Al Hasan were among the high-profile names who went unsold.&nbsp;

The 35-year-old Raina emerged as a vital cog for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), inspiring the team to victory in several matches. However, the Chennai-based franchise opted to let him go during the auction as they didn't even make a single bid.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/avesh-khan-reveals-rishabh-pants-reaction-when-he-was-sold-to-lucknow-super-giants-during-ipl-2022-auction-453303">Avesh Khan reveals Rishabh Pant's reaction when he was sold to Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2022 auction</a>

Reacting to the decision, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanath revealed it was difficult for the team to leave Raina. In a video released by CSK on their YouTube channel, Viswanath, "Raina has been one of the most consistent performers for CSK for the last 12 years. Of course, it was very difficult for us, no to have Raina."&nbsp;

He added, "But at the same time, you should also understand that the team composition depends on the form and kind of team which any team would like to have so that's one of the reasons why we thought he may not fit into this team."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-csk-or-mi-aakash-chopra-impressed-with-new-franchise-for-superb-show-at-ipl-2022-mega-auction-453268">Not CSK or MI! Aakash Chopra impressed with new franchise for superb show at IPL 2022 mega auction</a>

Former India batter Irfan Pathan was disappointed after Raina was not picked by any franchise. Taking to his Twitter, Irfan wrote, "Still think Raina could have been pushed. We have seen some foreign players who have played IPL till 40. Raina is 35! One bad season."

The two-day long Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction concluded on Sunday (February 13) after massive purchases and several bidding wars. During the auction, some players found new homes, some were bought back by previous franchises and were snubbed.

The two-day long Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction concluded on Sunday (February 13) after massive purchases and several bidding wars. During the auction, some players found new homes, some were bought back by previous franchises and were snubbed. Suresh Raina, Steve Smith and Shakib Al Hasan were among the high-profile names who went unsold. The 35-year-old Raina emerged as a vital cog for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), inspiring the team to victory in several matches. However, the Chennai-based franchise opted to let him go during the auction as they didn't even make a single bid. ALSO READ | Avesh Khan reveals Rishabh Pant's reaction when he was sold to Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2022 auction Reacting to the decision, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanath revealed it was difficult for the team to leave Raina. In a video released by CSK on their YouTube channel, Viswanath, "Raina has been one of the most consistent performers for CSK for the last 12 years. Of course, it was very difficult for us, no to have Raina." He added, "But at the same time, you should also understand that the team composition depends on the form and kind of team which any team would like to have so that's one of the reasons why we thought he may not fit into this team." ALSO READ | Not CSK or MI! Aakash Chopra impressed with new franchise for superb show at IPL 2022 mega auction Former India batter Irfan Pathan was disappointed after Raina was not picked by any franchise. Taking to his Twitter, Irfan wrote, "Still think Raina could have been pushed. We have seen some foreign players who have played IPL till 40. Raina is 35! One bad season."

'It was difficult, but...': CSK reveals why Suresh Raina wasn't picked during IPL 2022 mega auction

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction, the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bought Indian bowler Avesh Khan for an amount of Rs100.00 million. The bowler was released by Delhi Capitals (DC) after IPL 2021.&nbsp;

After LSG's successful bid, Khan became the most expensive uncapped pick in IPL auction history. The 25-year-old shattered the previous record of Rs 9.25 crore paid for Krishnappa Gowtham by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2021.&nbsp;

While interacting with Sportskeeda, Khan said that he was on the flight at that time and he had expected he would get at least Rs 7 crores.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-csk-or-mi-aakash-chopra-impressed-with-new-franchise-for-superb-show-at-ipl-2022-mega-auction-453268">Not CSK or MI! Aakash Chopra impressed with new franchise for superb show at IPL 2022 mega auction</a>

"I was on the flight at that time and I had expected I would get at least 7 crores. But since I was on the flight and couldn't watch the auction live, I was feeling a bit nervous thinking which team would pick me and for how much," he said.&nbsp;

"Upon landing when I got to know that Lucknow bought me for 10 crores, I froze for five seconds. But then things became normal, I was like okay," Khan added.&nbsp;

"Ishan Kishan and Mohammed Siraj were pulling my leg throughout the flight journey – they were just speculating how much I would go for, which all teams would be interested in me, and all that. Once we landed, the network on my phone was spotty, but then Venkatesh Iyer broke the news to me," he said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lucknow-super-giants-complete-squad-for-ipl-2022-de-kock-holder-and-avesh-among-best-buys-for-debutants-453060">Lucknow Super Giants complete squad for IPL 2022: De Kock, Holder and Avesh among best buys for debutants</a>

"Everyone clapped for me on the flight, that was a very special moment. As soon as my network became available, I continuously started receiving calls, WhatsApp messages," he added.&nbsp;

"I would miss them [Ricky Ponting and Co.] a lot because I had an emotional connect with the Delhi Capitals. After our flight landed in Kolkata, I met Rishabh outside and he held his arms wide open for giving me a hug," he added.&nbsp;

"He told me, 'Sorry, le nahin paye' (sorry we couldn't buy you). Because, they weren't left with a huge purse and had players to buy as well. When I watched the auction later, I saw that they did place a final bid for me at 8.75cr, but Lucknow eventually bid the highest. So it was a very emotional moment with Rishabh; we have played Under-19 together, we always sit together after matches, hangout together," Avesh further added.&nbsp;

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction, the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bought Indian bowler Avesh Khan for an amount of Rs100.00 million.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction, the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bought Indian bowler Avesh Khan for an amount of Rs100.00 million. The bowler was released by Delhi Capitals (DC) after IPL 2021. After LSG's successful bid, Khan became the most expensive uncapped pick in IPL auction history. The 25-year-old shattered the previous record of Rs 9.25 crore paid for Krishnappa Gowtham by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2021. While interacting with Sportskeeda, Khan said that he was on the flight at that time and he had expected he would get at least Rs 7 crores. ALSO READ | Not CSK or MI! Aakash Chopra impressed with new franchise for superb show at IPL 2022 mega auction "I was on the flight at that time and I had expected I would get at least 7 crores. But since I was on the flight and couldn't watch the auction live, I was feeling a bit nervous thinking which team would pick me and for how much," he said. "Upon landing when I got to know that Lucknow bought me for 10 crores, I froze for five seconds. But then things became normal, I was like okay," Khan added. "Ishan Kishan and Mohammed Siraj were pulling my leg throughout the flight journey – they were just speculating how much I would go for, which all teams would be interested in me, and all that. Once we landed, the network on my phone was spotty, but then Venkatesh Iyer broke the news to me," he said. ALSO READ | Lucknow Super Giants complete squad for IPL 2022: De Kock, Holder and Avesh among best buys for debutants "Everyone clapped for me on the flight, that was a very special moment. As soon as my network became available, I continuously started receiving calls, WhatsApp messages," he added. "I would miss them [Ricky Ponting and Co.] a lot because I had an emotional connect with the Delhi Capitals. After our flight landed in Kolkata, I met Rishabh outside and he held his arms wide open for giving me a hug," he added. "He told me, 'Sorry, le nahin paye' (sorry we couldn't buy you). Because, they weren't left with a huge purse and had players to buy as well. When I watched the auction later, I saw that they did place a final bid for me at 8.75cr, but Lucknow eventually bid the highest. So it was a very emotional moment with Rishabh; we have played Under-19 together, we always sit together after matches, hangout together," Avesh further added.

Avesh Khan reveals Rishabh Pant's reaction when he was sold to Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2022 auction

The newly formed Gujarat Titans (GT) bought some marquee players during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction, to build their team around the pre-picked players. &nbsp;

Afghanistan's star spinner Rashid Khan, India's Mohammed Shami and New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson star the bowling department.&nbsp;

In the batting department, the team looks solid with the likes of Shubman Gill, Jason Roy, David Miller. The team also has all-rounders Hardik Pandya, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/gujarat-titans-complete-squad-for-ipl-2022-hardik-pandya-led-line-up-invest-in-all-rounders-pacers-453170">Gujarat Titans Complete squad for IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya-led line-up filled with all-rounders, star pacers</a>

However, the health of Pandya, who is a terrific bowler and a stunning batter, has been a matter of concern as due to a lower back injury, Pandya is yet to play any competitive match post the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE which got over in November 2021.&nbsp;

Pandya did not bowl much in IPL 2021 for Mumbai and he even did not bowl much for India in ICC T20 World Cup 2021 due to injury.&nbsp;

Giving an update, Gujarat Titans' spin bowling coach Aashish Kapoor said that Pandya has begun practice and even started to bowl in the nets.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2022-who-is-pbkss-benny-howell-first-french-born-cricketer-to-feature-in-indias-cash-rich-league-453247">IPL 2022: Who is PBKS's Benny Howell? First French-born cricketer to feature in India's cash-rich league</a>

While speaking to Indian news agency ANI, Kapoor said, "Nehra has been in constant touch with him from the time we have retained him and Nehra has been talking to him. He has also spoken about how to arrange and where to arrange practice sessions for him and get those things done," he added.&nbsp;

"Asking him to play a few Ranji Trophy games before he turns up for a camp which may be in March with some point in March may be in Mid-March. So, he has been also starting to bowl that's what he has told Nehra," he said.&nbsp;

"He has started to bowl, he is bowling well and batting he has no problems in any case because mainly we want to know whether he can bowl for us like how in the Indian team," the coach added.&nbsp;

"So, if he can bowl and bat both it is an added advantage because there are not too many all-rounders in India (medium pace all-rounders). He is the only one that you can think of at the moment so if you have that all-rounder with you then I think you are on the plus side," Kapoor said.&nbsp;

The newly formed Gujarat Titans (GT) bought some marquee players during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction, to build their team around the pre-picked players.

The newly formed Gujarat Titans (GT) bought some marquee players during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction, to build their team around the pre-picked players. Afghanistan's star spinner Rashid Khan, India's Mohammed Shami and New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson star the bowling department. In the batting department, the team looks solid with the likes of Shubman Gill, Jason Roy, David Miller. The team also has all-rounders Hardik Pandya, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar. ALSO READ | Gujarat Titans Complete squad for IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya-led line-up filled with all-rounders, star pacers However, the health of Pandya, who is a terrific bowler and a stunning batter, has been a matter of concern as due to a lower back injury, Pandya is yet to play any competitive match post the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE which got over in November 2021. Pandya did not bowl much in IPL 2021 for Mumbai and he even did not bowl much for India in ICC T20 World Cup 2021 due to injury. Giving an update, Gujarat Titans' spin bowling coach Aashish Kapoor said that Pandya has begun practice and even started to bowl in the nets. ALSO READ | IPL 2022: Who is PBKS's Benny Howell? First French-born cricketer to feature in India's cash-rich league While speaking to Indian news agency ANI, Kapoor said, "Nehra has been in constant touch with him from the time we have retained him and Nehra has been talking to him. He has also spoken about how to arrange and where to arrange practice sessions for him and get those things done," he added. "Asking him to play a few Ranji Trophy games before he turns up for a camp which may be in March with some point in March may be in Mid-March. So, he has been also starting to bowl that's what he has told Nehra," he said. "He has started to bowl, he is bowling well and batting he has no problems in any case because mainly we want to know whether he can bowl for us like how in the Indian team," the coach added. "So, if he can bowl and bat both it is an added advantage because there are not too many all-rounders in India (medium pace all-rounders). He is the only one that you can think of at the moment so if you have that all-rounder with you then I think you are on the plus side," Kapoor said.

'Resumed practice, bowling well': Gujarat Titans give update on Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2022

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was tested positive for a banned substance, was allowed to compete in the women's singles in figure skating at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 on Monday (February 14).

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was tested positive for a banned substance, was allowed to compete in the women's singles in figure skating at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 on Monday (February 14). The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it had upheld the Russian Anti-Doping Agency's decision to lift a ban on the 15-year-old Russian athlete. Valieva was tested positive for a banned substance on December 25 and CAS cited "exceptional circumstances" for its decision to allow her to compete, including her status as a "protected person" -- in other words, a minor. Matthieu Reeb, CAS director-general, said: "The panel considered that preventing the athlete to compete in the Olympic Games would cause her irreparable harm in these circumstances." US is 'disappointed' The US Olympic Committee said it was "disappointed" by the CAS decision. USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said, "We are disappointed by the message this decision sends. This appears to be another chapter in the systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by Russia." Although, there is nothing conclusive on Kamila Valieva yet. However, the Western countries could press IOC to take action after further probe. Russia's tainted history of doping at Olympics In 2014 (Feb), Russia hosted the Winter Olympics in Sochi. It was the first time Russia has hosted the Olympics since the collapse of the Soviet Union, surprising the spectators, Russia finished on top of the medal table. In the same year (Dec), as per a German television channel ARD, reports emerged that there is corruption and "systematic doping" in Russia. In 2015 (Nov), an independent commission set up by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and led by Dick Pound, the agency’s first president, found a "deeply rooted culture of cheating" in Russian athletics, which it said Russian state security services colluded with. It recommended that Russia be banned from international athletics. In 2016 (May), The New York Times reported that dozens of Russian athletes who competed at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, including at least 15 medal winners, were part of a state-run doping program. In 2016 (Jul), an independent commission set up to probe the allegations in the New York Times report, led by Canadian law professor and sports lawyer Richard McLaren, revealed evidence of widespread "state-sponsored doping" by Russian athletes at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The report also revealed that the Russian Ministry of Sport oversaw the manipulation of athletes’ analytical results and sample swapping. In 2017 (Aug), Russia remained barred from athletics but 19 Russian athletes were allowed to compete at the world championships in London as neutrals after being vetted by the IAAF. In 2017 (Dec), the IOC suspended the ROC and banned the country from the Pyeongchang Winter Games the following February. However, it said it would allow Russian athletes to compete as neutrals "as long as they satisfy strict conditions that show they have a doping-free background." In 2018 (Feb), a team of 168 Russians competed as part of a neutral 'Olympic Athlete from Russia' (OAR) team. In 2018 (Sept), WADA's executive committee voted to reinstate RUSADA before it had fulfilled the requirements laid out in a "Roadmap to Compliance", which included giving access to the data stored at Moscow's anti-doping laboratory. In 2019 (Jan), WADA extracted doping data from the discredited Moscow laboratory. In 2019 (Sept), WADA said historical data supplied by the country’s anti-doping authority contained "inconsistencies". In 2019, (Nov), a WADA compliance committee recommended that Russia receive a four-year Olympic ban as part of a sanctions package to punish Moscow for having provided the agency with doctored and incomplete laboratory data. In 2019 (Dec), Russia was banned from the world's top sporting events for four years, including the next Summer and Winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup, for tampering with doping tests. In 2020, (Dec), CAS upheld doping sanctions that prevent Russian athletes from competing at major international events under the country's flag, but halved the ban to two years from four. The ban ends on Dec 16, 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

From Sochi to Beijing: Russia's tainted history of doping at Olympics

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