Saturday, 20 February 2016

Vermaelen: MSN are the three best players in the world
Coach Ernie Merrick is lamenting an "horrendous" schedule after conceding Wellington Phoenix's A-League finals hopes are finished.
Presented with a chance to move past Newcastle into eight spot, the Phoenix conceded the lead twice before losing 3-2 to the Jets at Hunter Stadium on Saturday to stay second-last on 19 points after 20 games.
The defeat came the day after Wellington's future in the A-League was secured for the next four years. An increase in home crowds will be one of the factors in Phoenix gaining two further three-year licences.
But for Merrick, the lack of opportunities just to play regularly at home ground Westpac Stadium this year has been a concern and a factor in the club's on-field troubles.
"I think we came out very flat. I don't think we were up for a really good game," Merrick said.
"I've never had a season like this and it's just getting worse.
"The boys - I think it's got something to do with the travel.
"The last 17 rounds, we've been in New Zealand six times, and only four at Westpac, so we don't seem to have a home advantage anymore.
"It's a fairly horrendous draw and the boys didn't cope with the heat. They weren't up for it."
Merrick took no solace from the fact they have five games at Westpac Stadium in the final seven matches.
Second-game striker Hamish Watson scored his first and second goals in the A-League for Phoenix to give them a 2-1 lead at half-time.
But the 22-year-old injury replacement signing was then sent off for a second yellow card in the 71st minute after kicking the ball away at a Jets free kick.
A 27th-minute own goal from Andrew Durante and a double to former Denmark international Morten Nordstrand in the 53rd and 73rd minutes gave Newcastle the win.
Merrick said Watson's day summed up Wellington's season.
Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Venezuela held talks on the current oil market situation in the Qatari capital of Doha on February 16 and agreed to proceed with the output freezing initiative if other countries followed suit. The proposal was later backed by Ecuador, Algeria, Nigeria and Oman.
Despite a brief rally immediately following the decision, oil prices have so far remained largely unaffected.

Oil in TurmoilA worker checks the valve of an oil pipe at the Lukoil company owned Imilorskoye oil field outside the West Siberian city of Kogalym, Russia, January 25, 2016


Wednesday, 17 February 2016

9,000 Chinese villagers are being displaced to build this massive radio telescope in search of alien life

Premier League clubs to receive Europa League bonuses

A shot of the UEFA Europa League trophy before the final between Dnipro and Sevilla in Warsaw on May 27, 2015The Premier League has discussed offering bonuses to clubs who advance in the Europa League in order to encourage them to take it more seriously.
England is in danger of losing its fourth Champions League qualification spot to Italy's Serie A in the 2017-18 season if clubs fail to improve their overall performance in European competitions, with the Europa League often considered a hindrance rather than a priority for participating clubs.
A change in the rules to the competition means that the winners of the Europa League now automatically qualify for the following season's Champions League, although at a recent meeting of Premier League sides, a further financial incentive was mooted.