Iranian players refuse singing national anthem in show of solidarity

Nov 21 2022

In apparent support for the ongoing protests in their homeland, Iran’s players refused to sing their national anthem before their first game of World Cup 2022.

Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh said ahead of the game that the team would decide together whether or not to sing the anthem in a show of solidarity for the ongoing demonstrations.

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Iran has been shaken by two months of nationwide protests since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in morality police custody on September 16.

22-year-old Amini died three days after her arrest in Tehran over an alleged breach of the Islamic Republic’s dress code for women.

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7 fun facts about the World Cup’s history

Nov 21 2022

1950 World Cup Brazil final boasts largest football match attendance with 200K fans.

The largest attendance for a football match was the 1950 World Cup final which saw Brazil going up against Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Around 200,000 people attended the match, which was won by Uruguay with a score of 2-1.

Brazil are 5 time winners: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2002. Brazil is also the only country to qualify for all 22 editions of the competition.

No team has ever won three championships straight – Brazil and Italy came close. Italy won back to back in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil won in 1958 and 1962. No one seems to be able to break the pattern of three.

Birth rates go up in countries doing well in World Cup.

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This is one of the weirdest ones. Birth rates are seen to go up in countries which are doing well in the World Cup. The reasons behind this are suspected to be alcohol consumption and excitement. In 2006, when Germany hosted and placed 3rd, the birth rate in the entire country jumped by 10% just 9 months later.

Germany’s Miroslav Klose scored the most World Cup goals: total of 16. Brazil’s Ronaldo follows close with 15 goals. Meanwhile, Just Fontaine of France scored all 13 of his World Cup goals at one World Cup.

Only 8 countries won the World Cup:
Brazil – 5
Italy & Germany – 4
Argentina, Uruguay, France – 2
England & Spain – 1

Russia hosted most expensive World Cup in 2018 at $14.2 billion after 2022’s Qatar. Other expensive World Cups include the 2014 World Cup in Brazil at $11.6 billion and Germany 2006 ($6 billion).

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Lidl are doing it again; this time with Christmas jumpers

Nov 21 2022

Lidl have proven to be connoisseurs of some downright fire and stylish merchandise, sending fans into frenzies whenever they come out with their iconic colourful products.

And now they’re doing it again, but this time keeping to the Christmas spirit by coming out with Christmas jumpers.

The Lidl Christmas Jumper keeps the eye-catching colour scheme of red, yellow, blue and white to create some festive snowflakes and Christmas trees on the design.

And it didn’t really come as any surprise to anyone that the jumper is already considered to be an absolute branded icon, with snapshots of models showing just how well they go with absolutely anything.

Fans have consistently flocked to Lidl stores to get their hands on the brand’s shoes, towels, socks, flip flops and a whole plethora of other collectibles. And judging by how close the festive season is, we probably won’t see this stock last long either.

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Valentina Rossi’s Golden Buzzer is the most wholesome thing ever

Nov 21 2022

As Malta’s Got Talent continues to show us what Malta has to offer when it comes to skill and talent, yesterday’s Golden Buzzer moment proved to be yet another wholesome moment of the show.

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This time, it was radio host and judge Valentina Rossi’s turn to hit the Golden Buzzer as she was blown away by La Voix Harmonies.

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The choir was made up of immensely talented children who managed to rile up the audience to sing, clap and move with them. With a little bit of rap thrown in there for the extra touch, this proved to be a Golden Buzzer moment for the now semifinalists.

There are still three Golden Buzzers left – one for Ray, another for Gianni and one extra golden buzzer which can only be used once all other golden buzzers have been used and the panel agrees unanimously to grant it to the act.

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