DUBLIN (Reuters) - A new TV deal in Britain and a focus on the European market from American mixed martial arts promotion Bellator will open more opportunities for fighters outside of the dominance of the UFC, Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh has told Reuters. Head of Bellator Europe David Green poses for a photograph at a Bellator mixed martial arts (MMA) fight week media event in Dublin, Ireland February 21, 2019. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne The Irish MMA pioneer says that Saturday’s event in his hometown of Dublin, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, will mark the start of a new era in the sport. “Saturday night is a changing point for what it is to be an MMA fighter in Ireland and the UK. Until now if you’re a pro on the local scene, you’re fighting for a couple of hundred euros. “Now with Bellator and the Sky Sports deal, there’s opportunities for guys to make a living, and not just the top guys,” … [Read more...] about Mixed martial arts-Bellator set to go toe-to-toe with UFC in Europe
Europe
Duterte defends PCOO’s Europe trip: ‘Gov’t needs propaganda’
MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday defended Palace communications chief Martin Andanar after the latter's office mounted an information campaign in Europe, which some critics said should not be used to defend the arrest of Rappler chief Maria Ressa. Speaking to reporters, Duterte said he gave Andanar ample space and authority to perform his functions as chief of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). “As long as there is no corruption and the funds are properly accounted. And he’s the mainstay in the propaganda of government. We have to have a propaganda division, you know,” Duterte told reporters in Malacañang following the oath-taking of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). “It’s a political entity, the presidency, and of course all others. But more importantly, me, because I execute the laws.” Senators Grace Poe and Francis Pangilinan earlier questioned the plan of Malacañang's … [Read more...] about Duterte defends PCOO’s Europe trip: ‘Gov’t needs propaganda’
Watch: Take a look inside Europe’s largest virtual reality lab
At Europe's largest 3D lab, participants are fully immersed in a virtual alternate reality. The 16-metre diameter Elbedome in Magdeburg, Germany uses 25 laser projectors to show a 360-degree virtual world. While in VR experiences the virtual world is usually shown on a small screen, someone wearing a headset at the Elbedome can expect the lab to be transformed into a wrap-around alternate reality. The occasional glitch is all that reminds the viewer that what they see is not real. The projectors show a virtual world in a-360 degree cylinder, with the help of augmented reality glasses and a location detection system. "You put the glasses on. Here on the top is a marker that is pinpointed by cameras in this room. So when I move the view is adjusted for my position," said Steffen Masik, head of the Fraunhofer Elbedome virtual reality dome. The dome was built in 2006 but was upgraded extensively at a cost of €2.5 million (with two-thirds of the funding coming from the European Union) … [Read more...] about Watch: Take a look inside Europe’s largest virtual reality lab
My boys are not done in Europe just yet: Rodgers
My boys are not done in Europe just yet: Rodgers BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Celtic's Europa League journey is not over yet, according to boss Brendan Rodgers. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/my-boys-are-not-done-in-europe-just-yet-rodgers-37837516.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article37838158.ece/f3e81/AUTOCROP/h342/SOCCERCel8.jpg Email Celtic's Europa League journey is not over yet, according to boss Brendan Rodgers. The Hoops are in Spain for the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie against Valencia tonight with a 2-0 defeat to overturn from the first game in Glasgow. The Scottish champions have not won in Spain in 15 attempts and are odds-on to exit the tournament, but Rodgers remains optimistic. Speaking at the Mestalla Stadium, the Northern Irishman said: "It was disappointing last week but we can come back again, and that is something that is very much within our culture. "We know it is a challenge, but if I look at … [Read more...] about My boys are not done in Europe just yet: Rodgers
Meet Benfica’s Joao Felix: The Phenom Europe’s Biggest Clubs Are All Watching
PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/Getty Images Before every Benfica home game, reporters head to a tiny room near one of the main entrances at the Estadio da Luz to collect their media accreditation and tickets. On the left end of the desk, they can usually find a piece of paper with the names of the teams scouting the match that day. That one piece of paper is enough to create a series of rumours that are turned into headlines. When the Lisbon side hosted Boavista on January 29, the list featured the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Feyenoord. The scouts were among the 41,352 fans who attended the game, scribbling notes in the hope of finding the next big thing in Portuguese football. That cold night, their eyes were all drawn to Benfica's No. 79—a small 19-year-old, with braces on his teeth and a fuzzy haircut combed to the left. His name is Joao Felix, and as soon as he touches the ball, you realise why he's already being courted by several of … [Read more...] about Meet Benfica’s Joao Felix: The Phenom Europe’s Biggest Clubs Are All Watching