Tag Archives: Belgium

Sports

Croatia vs. Morocco, Germany vs. Japan, Spain vs. Costa Rica, Belgium vs. Canada

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Groups E and F get underway on Wednesday as Spain, Germany and Belgium play their first matches of the tournament. Spain and Germany were heavy favorites to advance out of Group E, but the Germans didn’t do their part early Wednesday, losing to Japan in stunning fashion. Belgium, meanwhile, takes on Canada in the Canadians’ first World Cup game since 1986.

Spain vs. Costa Rica

11 a.m. ET Wednesday, Fox

This is a game that’s going to be played primarily in Costa Rica’s half of the field and it’s not an exaggeration to say that Spain could have 75% of the possession. It’s going to be all about how Spain breaks down a Costa Rica team that will be content to put all 11 outfield players behind the ball and hit on the counter and on set pieces whenever possible. Under 2.5 goals at +115 feels worth it.

Belgium vs. Canada

2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Fox

Belgium will be without Romelu Lukaku after he was ruled out for the start of the tournament. But there’s still plenty of midfield and attacking talent in the side and Belgium has the best player in the tournament in Kevin De Bruyne. It won’t be surprising if Canada gets a result here, but we’ll take the favorites.

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Sports

Croatia vs. Morocco, Germany vs. Japan, Spain vs. Costa Rica, Belgium vs. Canada

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Groups E and F get underway on Wednesday as Spain, Germany and Belgium play their first matches of the tournament. Spain and Germany are heavy favorites to advance out of Group E. Can either Japan or Costa Rica play spoiler in the first matches? Belgium, meanwhile, takes on Canada in the Canadians’ first World Cup game since 1986.

Morocco vs. Croatia

5 a.m. ET Wednesday, FS1

Is Croatia getting a World Cup 2018 boost in the odds? After making the final four years ago, Croatia is still led by the ageless Luka Modric. But this team is worse than the one that got to the last game of the tournament and don’t discount Morocco. This is a team easily capable of getting through the group stage. The tie could be the right side.

Germany vs. Japan

8 a.m. ET Wednesday, FS1

Germany is the right side here, though don’t discount a Japan team that got an unlucky draw. Japan would be a team pegged to get out of a lot of other groups. We’re excited to see how Germany lines up and how Jamal Musiala impacts his first World Cup game. If there’s a question about Germany it’s on the back line. Can Japan exploit that?

Spain vs. Costa Rica

11 a.m. ET Wednesday, Fox

This is a game that’s going to be played primarily in Costa Rica’s half of the field and it’s not an exaggeration to say that Spain could have 75% of the possession. It’s going to be all about how Spain breaks down a Costa Rica team that will be content to put all 11 outfield players behind the ball and hit on the counter and on set pieces whenever possible. Under 2.5 goals at +115 feels worth it.

Belgium vs. Canada

2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Fox

Belgium will be without Romelu Lukaku after he was ruled out for the start of the tournament. But there’s still plenty of midfield and attacking talent in the side and Belgium has the best player in the tournament in Kevin De Bruyne. It won’t be surprising if Canada gets a result here, but we’ll take the favorites.

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Brussels stabbing attack kills officer, local police say

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CNN
 — 

A stabbing attack in Brussels which led to the death of least one police officer is “suspected to be terror-related,” authorities said on Thursday.

“It is suspected to be terror-related. It has naturally to be confirmed by the inquiry,” the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s spokesperson Eric Van Duyse told CNN.

The incident on Thursday night saw a police patrol attacked by a person with a knife. “Other policemen came as backup and use their guns to shoot the attacker as to control the person,” a spokesperson of the North Brussels police force told CNN by email.

“The injured were brought to the hospital. The first investigative duties are ongoing,” the spokesperson added.

The attacker was shot in the leg, said prosecutor’s spokesperson Eric Van Der Sypt.

The attack took place at around 7:30 p.m. local time at Rue d’Aerschot in the Brussels municipality of Schaerbeek, according to Van Duyse.

Lawmakers sent their condolences to the family of the slain police officer following news of the attack.

Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed his condolences, saying his thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased officer.

“Our police officers risk life and limb every day to keep our society safe. Unfortunately, that is once again apparent today,” he said in a tweet.

Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden described the incident as “terrible drama and heartbreaking news.”

“My thoughts are first and foremost with the next of kin, the members of the police zone, and the entire police organization,” she tweeted.

Brussels Mayor Philippe Close called it “unbearable drama” in Brussels.

“We stand in solidarity with the police forces. The police protect us and must be protected,” he said.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said she was “shocked” at the murder of the police officer in the line of duty.

“The Belgian Police have worked so closely with (European Parliament) over the years that this feels personal for us. All our thoughts are with them, their loved ones and everyone in Belgium,” she wrote on Twitter.

Belgium has seen several terror attacks in the last decade.

In 2017, ISIS claimed responsibility for a knife attack on soldiers in Brussels. The soldiers were slightly wounded in the incident, but one managed to shoot the attacker, who later died in the hospital.

In June of that year, a suspect was fatally shot at a Brussels transit station after a failed bombing that authorities called a terrorist attack. In March 2016, coordinated attacks at the Brussels airport and a metro station left 31 people dead and more than 300 injured.

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World

Brussels stabbing attack kills officer, local police say

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CNN
 — 

A stabbing attack in Brussels which led to the death of least one police officer is “suspected to be terror-related,” authorities said on Thursday.

“It is suspected to be terror-related. It has naturally to be confirmed by the inquiry,” the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s spokesperson Eric Van Duyse told CNN.

The incident on Thursday night saw a police patrol attacked by a person with a knife. “Other policemen came as backup and use their guns to shoot the attacker as to control the person,” a spokesperson of the North Brussels police force told CNN by email.

“The injured were brought to the hospital. The first investigative duties are ongoing,” the spokesperson added.

The attacker was shot in the leg, said prosecutor’s spokesperson Eric Van Der Sypt.

The attack took place at around 7:30 p.m. local time at Rue d’Aerschot in the Brussels municipality of Schaerbeek, according to Van Duyse.

Lawmakers sent their condolences to the family of the slain police officer following news of the attack.

Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed his condolences, saying his thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased officer.

“Our police officers risk life and limb every day to keep our society safe. Unfortunately, that is once again apparent today,” he said in a tweet.

Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden described the incident as “terrible drama and heartbreaking news.”

“My thoughts are first and foremost with the next of kin, the members of the police zone, and the entire police organization,” she tweeted.

Brussels Mayor Philippe Close called it “unbearable drama” in Brussels.

“We stand in solidarity with the police forces. The police protect us and must be protected,” he said.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said she was “shocked” at the murder of the police officer in the line of duty.

“The Belgian Police have worked so closely with (European Parliament) over the years that this feels personal for us. All our thoughts are with them, their loved ones and everyone in Belgium,” she wrote on Twitter.

Belgium has seen several terror attacks in the last decade.

In 2017, ISIS claimed responsibility for a knife attack on soldiers in Brussels. The soldiers were slightly wounded in the incident, but one managed to shoot the attacker, who later died in the hospital.

In June of that year, a suspect was fatally shot at a Brussels transit station after a failed bombing that authorities called a terrorist attack. In March 2016, coordinated attacks at the Brussels airport and a metro station left 31 people dead and more than 300 injured.

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Sports

Every World Cup 2022 squad announced: USMNT, Germany, Belgium and more

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CNN
 — 

‘Tis the season for wall charts and fans gathering around to pick their starting teams for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

And with countries announcing their squads for international football’s premier competition, the debate has ramped up to the maximum.

On Wednesday, the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) announced their 26-player squad which will travel to Qatar to compete in the World Cup, with head coach Gregg Berhalter choosing a young and inexperienced group.

Berhalter’s choices didn’t come without controversy though. The biggest surprise was the decision to not pick Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

The 27-year-old, who is on loan at second-tier English club Middlesborough this season, rotated with Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner for the starting position, but has been omitted from the final squad.

“In some of the cases, it’s more about what we have than what we don’t have,” Berhalter said during a press conference after the announcement. “With the three goalkeepers listed on the roster, we feel great, we feel really good about it.

“We saw a lot of progress with Matt Turner in this last six months, we know Ethan Horvath has been competing at a good level at Luton in the Championship, and Sean Johnson has been a mainstay in this group since day one.”

The other main surprise was the selection of Haji Wright over Ricardo Pepi. Wright, who is second leading scorer in the Turkish top-flight, was chosen ahead of Pepi, who had become a favorite of Berhalter in recent games.

“In the case of Ricardo, that was a really difficult conversation that I had to have with him,” Berhalter said.

“It’s always difficult when a guy helps you get to the World Cup, he scores three goals in World Cup qualifying and isn’t going to be a part of the program. Again, it’s more about who we did add that we felt good about.”

All but one of the 26 will be making their World Cup debut at this year’s tournament and, according to the USMNT, it will be the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup.

According to the team, the USMNT’s starting 11 through its 14 qualifiers had an average age of 23.82, almost two years younger than the next closest team.

The USMNT’s first game is on November 21 against Wales.

Here’s a full list of the squads for the 2022 Qatar World Cup:

Ecuador

Manager: Gustavo Alfaro

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

Netherlands

Manager: Louis van Gaal

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

Qatar

Manager: Félix Sánchez

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

Senegal

Manager: Aliou Cissé

The final squad has not been announced yet.

Gareth Southgate: Workers in Qatar are united in wanting World Cup to happen


02:47

– Source:
CNN

England

Manager: Gareth Southgate

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Ben White

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice

Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Callum Wilson

—–

Iran

Manager: Carlos Queiroz

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

United States

Manager: Gregg Berhalter

Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath, Sean Johnson, Matt Turner

Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergiño Dest, Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman

Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan

Forwards: Jesús Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Haji Wright

—–

Wales

Manager: Rob Page

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies

Defenders: Ben Davies, Ben Cabango, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Gunter, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts

Midfielders: Sorba Thomas, Joe Allen, Matt Smith, Dylan Levitt, Harry Wilson, Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams, Aaron Ramsey, Rubin Colwill

Forwards: Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Mark Harris, Brennan Johnson, Dan James

Argentina

Manager: Lionel Scaloni

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

Mexico

Manager: Gerardo Martino

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

Poland

Manager: Czesław Michniewicz

Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczęsny, Łukasz Skorupski, Bartłomiej Drągowski

Defenders: Kamil Glik, Bartosz Bereszyński, Jan Bednarek, Artur Jędrzejczyk, Matty Cash, Nicola Zalewski, Robert Gumny, Jakub Kiwior, Mateusz Wieteska

Midfielders: Grzegorz Krychowiak, Kamil Grosicki, Piotr Zieliński, Przemysław Frankowski, Sebastian Szymański, Damian Szymański, Szymon Żurkowski, Krystian Bielik, Jakub Kamiński, Michał Skóraś

Forwards: Robert Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik, Krzysztof Piątek, Karol Świderski

—–

Saudi Arabia

Manager: Hervé Renard

The final squad has not been announced yet.

Australia

Manager: Graham Arnold

Goalkeepers: Andrew Redmayne, Mathew Ryan, Danny Vukovic

Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Thomas Deng, Fran Karacic, Joel King, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Bailey Wright

Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Aaron Mooy

Forwards: Martin Boyle, Jason Cummings, Mitch Duke, Craig Goodwin, Garang Kuol, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren

—–

Denmark

Manager: Kasper Hjulmand

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel, Oliver Christensen

Defenders: Simon Kjær, Joachim Andersen, Joakim Mæhle, Andreas Christensen, Rasmus Nissen Kristensen, Jens Stryger Larsen, Victor Nelsson, Daniel Wass.

Midfielders: Thomas Delaney, Mathias Jensen, Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

Forwards: Andreas Skov Olsen, Jesper Lindstrøm, Andreas Cornelius, Martin Braithwaite, Kasper Dolberg, Mikkel Damsgaard, Jonas Wind

21 slots in the 26-man squad have been announced, with the final five places yet to be named.

—–

France

Manager: Didier Deschamps

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda

Defenders: Lucas Hernández, Théo Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Benjamin Pavard, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Raphaël Varane

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Mattéo Guendouzi, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jordan Veretout

Forwards: Karim Benzema, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, Christopher Nkunku

—–

Tunisia

Manager: Jalel Kadri

The final squad has not been announced yet.

Costa Rica

Manager: Luis Fernando Suárez

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Esteban Alvarado, Patrick Sequeira

Defenders: Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo, Daniel Chacón, Óscar Duarte, Kendall Watson, Rónald Matarrita, Keysher Fuller, Juan Pablo Vargas, Carlos Martínez

Midfielders: Celso Borges, Bryan Ruiz, Yeltsin Tejeda, Gerson Torres, Jewison Bennette, Youstin Salas, Roan Wilson, Brandon Aguilera, Douglas López, Anthony Hernández, Álvaro Zamora

Forwards: Joel Campbell, Johan Venegas, Anthony Contreras

—–

Germany

Manager: Hansi Flick

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp

Defenders: Matthias Ginter, Antonio Rüdiger, Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck, Thilo Kehrer, David Raum, Lukas Klostermann, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Christian Günter

Midfielders: İlkay Gündoğan, Jonas Hofmann, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Müller, Julian Brandt, Mario Götze

Strikers: Kai Havertz, Youssoufa Moukoko, Niclas Füllkrug, Karim Adeyemi

—–

Japan

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu

Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida, Hiroki Sakai, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Miki Yamane

Midfielders: Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Daichi Kamada, Yuki Soma, Kaoru Mitoma, Ao Tanaka, Takefusa Kubo

Forwards: Takuma Asano, Shuto Machino, Daizen Maeda, Ritsu Doan, Ayase Ueda

—–

Spain

Manager: Luis Enrique

The final squad has not been announced yet.

Belgium

Manager: Roberto Martínez

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels, Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Arthur Theate, Jan Vertonghen, Timothy Castagne, Thomas Meunier

Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco, Thorgan Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Leander Dendoncker, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi, Charles De Ketelaere, Jérémy Doku, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard

READ: The Belgian Blueprint – How a small nation became a European superpower

—–

Canada

Manager: John Herdman

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

Croatia

Manager: Zlatko Dalić

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivusić, Ivo Grbić

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barisić, Josip Juranović, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanisić, Martin Erlić, Josip Sutalo

Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovacić, Marcelo Brozović, Mario Pasalić, Nikola Vlasić, Lovro Majer, Kristijan Jakić, Luka Sucić

Forwards: Ivan Perisić, Andrej Kramarić, Bruno Petković, Mislav Orsić, Ante Budimir, Marko Livaja

—–

Morocco

Manager: Walid Regragui

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir Mohamedi, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Roman Saïss, Nayef Aguerd, Badr Benoun, Jawad El Yamiq, Achraf Dari, Yahia Attiyat-Allal

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah, Yahya Jabrane, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Bilel El Khanouss

Forwards: Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Amine Harit, Ilias Chair, Abde Ezzalzouli, Sofiane Boufal, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Walid Cheddira

Brazil

Manager: Tite

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Alex Telles, Dani Alves, Danilo, Bremer, Éder Militão, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva

Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Éverton Ribeiro, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paquetá

Forwards: Antony, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar Jr., Pedro, Raphinha, Richarlison, Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr.

—–

Cameroon

Manager: Rigobert Song

Goalkeepers: Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Devis Epassy, Andre Onana

Defenders: Nicolas Nkoulou, Enzo Ebosse, Nouhou Tolo, Olivier Mbaizo, Collins Fai, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Christopher Wooh

Midfielders: Gael Ondoa, Samuel Oum Gouet, Pierre Kunde, Martin Hongla, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Olivier Ntcham

Forwards: Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Vincent Aboubakar, Bryan Mbeumo, Jean-Pierre Nsame, Karl Toko Ekambi, Moumi Ngamaleu, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Christian Bassogog, Souaibou Marou, Jerome Ngom

—–

Serbia

Manager: Dragan Stojković

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

Switzerland

Manager: Murat Yakin

Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Philipp Köhn, Jonas Omlin, Yann Sommer

Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Eray Comert, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schär, Silvan Widmer

Midfielders: Michel Aebischer, Edimilson Fernandes, Fabian Frei, Remo Freuler, Ardon Jashari, Noah Okafor, Fabian Rieder, Xherdan Shaqiri, Djibril Sow, Renato Steffen, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria

Forwards: Breel Embolo, Christian Fassnacht, Haris Seferovic, Reuben Vargas

Ghana

Manager: Otto Addo

The final squad has not been announced yet.

READ: Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe’s brightest young talents (2021)

—–

Portugal

Manager: Fernando Santos

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Patrício

Defenders: Diogo Dalot, João Cancelo, Danilo Pereira, Pepe, Rúben Dias, António Silva, Nuno Mendes, Raphael Guerreiro

Midfielders: João Palhinha, Rúben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, João Mário, Matheus Nunes, Otávio Monteiro, Vitinha, William Carvalho

Forwards: André Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Rafael Leão, Ricardo Horta

—–

South Korea

Manager: Paulo Bento

The final squad has not been announced yet.

—–

Uruguay

Manager: Diego Alonso

The final squad has not been announced yet.

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World

How much does it cost to travel full time? Here’s what one couple pays

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Ernestas Tyminas felt “stuck” in his role as a marketing manager at a newspaper in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

So he requested two months off to backpack through Asia, he said, landing in Beijing in January 2019.

“On the first day … I meet this one,” he said, gesturing to Darina Karpitskaya, sitting by his side.

The couple, speaking to CNBC via video from Dubai, said they met via the travel app Couchsurfing, which links solo travelers together. Karpitskaya, 31, and a flight attendant at the time, had been grounded in Beijing for two days because of mechanical problems with her return flight.

Though more solo travelers agreed to meet that day, Tyminas and Karpitskaya were the only two who showed up.

After one day together, they planned to meet again in Asia one month later.

A monthlong second date

Karpitskaya returned to Asia, and the couple’s second date was a “crazy one-month adventure” to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, said Tyminas, 29.

It was in the Philippines, he said, that he decided he wasn’t going back to his old life.  

“We were … laying on the beach under the stars,” he said. “We were kind of starting to dream about this lifestyle.”

After returning to Colorado, Tyminas quit his job, sold his belongings and moved to Europe, he said.

Karpitskaya wasn’t quite there yet, saying, “At first it sounded like: Oh my God, you’re quitting your job. You’re moving from America. Maybe it’s too soon. But at the same time, when I came back from that trip I felt like I’m living a life that I’m not enjoying.”

A dog in tow

Tyminas flew from Denver to Paris with his dog — an 82-pound Borzoi, once known as the “Russian Wolfhound,” named Cosmo, who is over 6 feet tall on his hind legs.   

“They gave me three rows of seats, and the dog was just laying on the floor,” he said.

From there, the couple traveled often — to places like Italy and Iceland — but not yet full time, they said.

Ernestas Tyminas and Darina Karpitskaya have taken his dog, Cosmo, to 26 of the more than 40 countries that they have visited together, said Tyminas. Cosmo is a great networking tool, added Karpitskaya: “We meet a lot of people walking the dog.”

Source: Dream Team Travels

Then Karpitskaya got what she called her “dream job” — a position with Emirates airline. She moved to Dubai, but the couple continued to meet and travel together.

Then Covid hit, and Karpitskaya accepted four months of unpaid leave from her job.

“We said: We have four months — we can go explore whatever is open,” said Tyminas.

The trio — including Cosmo, who traveled in a huge bed in the back of their SUV — traveled first to Croatia, then slowly across much of Europe, including many former Soviet states, said Karpitskaya.

She never returned to her job, and couple have been traveling ever since, she said.

What it costs to travel the world

In the beginning, they spent between $1,000 and $2,000 a month — all from savings — by staying in cheap accommodations, cooking at home and seeking out free activities, said Tyminas.

As money started to dry up, Tyminas took several online jobs, which netted between $2,000 and $3,000 a month, which wasn’t far from his salary of $3,300 in Colorado, he said.

Tyminas said the couple stayed longer in Romania because “we saw how the people are nice … how they how much they have to offer. Sometimes you Google and you’re like: ‘There’s nothing to do here,’ and then you get there and [realize] that’s only because nobody travels here.”

Source: Dream Team Travels

But the work was cumbersome, and it “felt like I still had a job,” he said.

So the couple decided to open a marketing and graphic design company, despite the fact that “we didn’t know a lot,” said Tyminas.

They reached out to thousands of people, they said, often working late into the night. Potential customers would ask, “Can you design book covers?” “Can you promote music?” Tyminas said his response was always the same, “Of course I can.”

In reality, he was learning on the job, he said, relying on YouTube, Google and online research. But clients were very happy, he said.  

“They paid me half of what they would pay other marketing agencies and the results, they said, were better than they had before,” said Tyminas.

In the first month, the couple made $6,000, he said. Now, sometimes they earn several thousand dollars in a day working with real estate companies and music labels, he added.

“We write blogs for people — we do everything,” said Tyminas. Plus “we don’t have to report to anybody. We’re our own bosses.”

In the past six months, the couple said they spent an average of $4,000 a month. More than half goes to accommodations, which vary by location — from $3,100 per month in Dubai to $1,500 in Lisbon, Portugal, they said. They limit stays in expensive locations, like Switzerland, to no more than a week, they said.

One way to save money is booking monthlong stays on Airbnb, which cuts down average nightly rates and reduces service and cleaning fees, said Tyminas. But even when they bounced from place to place to visit Europe’s Christmas markets last year, they still ended up paying about $2,500 that month, he said.

Karpitskaya said she doesn’t want these costs to scare people because they spent far less in the beginning. At the time, they spent about 80-100% of their income, but now Tyminas said “we spend about 30% and … save the rest.”

The couple told CNBC they still travel modestly — no five-star hotels — and they still cook most meals at home. But they spend more on activities that they film for their YouTube channel Dream Team Travels — another “completely self-taught” venture, they said.

Hiccups on the road

A life of constant travel isn’t all fun and games, they said.

They encounter dirty Airbnbs and hosts who cancel reservations at the last minute. They’ve also had their camera equipment and clothing stolen twice — once in Mexico, and more recently in France — plus an attempted theft of their belongings from their car in Barcelona, while they were sitting in it.

They have also thought about settling down when they find a place they really love, such as the beaches of Portugal or the French Riviera, said Tyminas.   

“But then … we drive somewhere else and we’re like this place is also just as good,” he said.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, quickly occupying the Kherson region where Karpitskaya’s parents live, Tyminas emailed CNBC to say that they’d stopped traveling for the time being.     

Tyminas and Karpitskaya (pictured here in Abu Dhabi) stopped traveling at the outset of the Russian-Ukraine war. Karpitskaya’s family is now out of Ukraine, except her brother, who “has signed up to be in the military to defend his country,” said Tyminas.

Source: Dream Team Travels

“The first few weeks we didn’t even leave our apartment,” he said. “We spent a lot of time arranging transportation for civilians as well as many dogs from shelters to be taken out of dangerous regions for adoption in Europe.”

By the summer, they had resumed traveling, but were still helping to evacuate Karpitskaya’s family.

“Just a week ago we were able to finally get Darina’s parents out of Ukraine,” said Tyminas, adding that they are currently in his family’s home in Lithuania. “We also did a trip to Romania to pick up Darina’s sister and her five-month-old baby from the border and took her to live in Germany.”

The couple are now in Malaysia, they said, and plan to explore Southeast Asia for the next two months.   

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US

Belgium returns Patrice Lumumba’s tooth to family 61 years after his murder | Patrice Lumumba

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Belgian authorities have returned a tooth of the murdered Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba to his children, in a new move towards recognition of atrocities that accompanied the country’s brutal exploitation of the former colony.

The relic is all that remains of Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), under its earlier name the Republic of Congo, and an icon of the struggle against colonialism in Africa, who was murdered by separatists and Belgian mercenaries in 1961. His killers dissolved his remains in acid, though some kept his teeth as macabre mementoes.

The gold-capped tooth was handed in a light blue case to a group of family members at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on Monday morning. It was placed in a casket that will be taken to the embassy of the DRC, as a first step before repatriation.

Lumumba’s son Roland said last week that the return of the tooth meant his family would be able to “finish their mourning”.

By returning the tooth, Belgium is hoping to draw a line under one of the most brutal and shameful episodes in the country’s bloody exploitation of central Africa.

Alexander de Croo, the Belgian prime minister, recognised its “moral responsibility” for Lumumba’s killing. “This is a painful and disagreeable truth, but must be spoken,” De Croo said. “A man was murdered for his political convictions, his words, his ideals.”

The Belgian prime minister, Alexander de Croo, speaks at the official ceremony in the Egmont Palace on Monday. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

Earlier this month, the king of Belgium made his first visit to the DRC, though he stopped short of offering a formal apology. King Philippe expressed “deepest regrets for the wounds of the past”, describing a “regime …. of unequal relations, unjustifiable in itself, marked by paternalism, discrimination and racism” that “led to violent acts and humiliations”.

A charismatic but volatile pan-Africanist who played a key part in the fight for independence, Lumumba became the first democratically elected leader of his country in 1960. Within a year, he had become a victim of cold war politics and internal power struggles, as order collapsed in the new state and rebel groups in the mineral-rich Katanga province sought to break away.

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Western officials worried that Lumumba would favour the Soviet Union as a protector and allow Moscow access to strategically critical resources such as uranium.

Following a military coup, Lumumba was jailed, tortured and shot dead by a hastily assembled firing squad. After 40 years, Belgium acknowledged that it bore “moral responsibility” for his death. The CIA had also drawn up plans to kill the 35-year-old politician.

However, it took decades for the truth about the circumstances of Lumumba’s murder to emerge.

In 2000 the Belgian police commissioner Gerard Soete confessed that he had dismembered Lumumba’s body and dissolved the remains in acid. In a documentary screened on German TV, Soete showed two teeth that he said had belonged to Lumumba.

In 2016, a Belgian academic, Ludo de Witte, filed a complaint against Soete’s daughter after she showed a gold tooth, which she said had belonged to Lumumba, during an interview with a newspaper. The tooth was then seized by Belgian authorities.

Lumumba remains for many in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a symbol of what the country could have become after it gained independence. Instead, it became mired in decades of dictatorship and conflict that drained its vast mineral riches.

Two years ago, the 60th anniversary of Congo’s independence prompted new calls to put Lumumba’s “soul to rest”. Protesters gathered outside the Belgian embassy in Kinshasa seeking restitution of his remains along with cultural artefacts taken during colonial rule.

In Belgium, the international protests against racism that followed the death of George Floyd in the US gave new momentum to activists fighting to have monuments to King Leopold II removed.

The government of the DRC has declared three days of official mourning before the official burial of the tooth in Kinshasa at the end of this month.

Belgium has only recently begun to address the legacy of its exploitation of Congo’s rubber, ivory and timber. As many as 10 million people died from starvation and disease during the first 23 years of Belgium’s rule from 1885, when King Leopold II ruled the Congo Free State as a personal fiefdom. Others were murdered, or deliberately maimed to encourage others to work harder to fulfil impossible quotas of lucrative resources.

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Sports

Belgium vs. Netherlands – Football Match Report – June 3, 2022

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Memphis Depay scored a double as the Netherlands ended 25 years without success against neighbours Belgium with a 4-1 thumping of their hosts in the Nations League in Brussels on Friday.

Steven Bergwijn and Denzel Dumfries netted the other two goals as the Dutch ended Belgium’s almost six-year unbeaten home record in a stark reversal for the team, who had topped the FIFA rankings for three years until being recently deposed.

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Bergwijn hammered home from outside the box in the 40th minute to give the Dutch a deserved halftime lead before Depay and Dumfries added more in the second half in a decisive performance.

Belgium, who lost Romelu Lukaku to injury early on, scored a consolation three minutes into stoppage time through Michy Batshuayi but were badly exposed at the back and the result will come as a serious setback as the prepare for the World Cup later this year.

The Dutch, who last beat Belgium in 1997 and had gone eight derbies without success since, ripped apart the home defence in the second half as Depay added the second in the 51st minute on a counter attack after a midfield steal from Davy Klaassen and a quick pass down the middle from Steven Berghuis.

Fullback Daley Blind reacted quickest to a rebound off a save from a Berghuis shot 11 minutes later to set up the third goal with a pass across the face of the goal that Dumfries tucked in at the back post.

Blind then provided another assist three minutes after that with a header into the path of Depay, who skilfully took the ball down off with his thigh before thumping it past Simon Mignolet from close range.

“That this international match comes after a gruelling season should not be an excuse. Certainly not when you play against the Netherlands,” said Mignolet.

“We must learn from this. You can’t just let such a defeat pass you by.”

Belgium did look to score a consolation goal 13 minutes from time but Michy Batshuayi was offside in the build-up to Timothy Castagne putting the ball in the net. A VAR check denied Belgium a goal but they did get a consolation right at the end of the match.

Belgium last lost a home game in friendly against Spain in September 2016 when coach Roberto Martinez took charge of his first game.

Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk said he was not surprised by the away win.

“We analysed them well and we executed our plans, we did it very well,” he said. “It was an excellent night.”

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Health

Belgium introduces mandatory monkeypox quarantine as global cases rise

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In this 1971 Center For Disease Control handout photo, monkeypox-like lesions are shown on the arm and leg of a female child in Bondua, Liberia.

CDC | Getty Images

Belgium has become the first country to introduce a mandatory 21-day quarantine for monkeypox patients as cases of the disease — typically endemic to Africa — spread across the globe.

Health authorities in Belgium introduced the measures Friday after the country reported its third case of the virus. As of Monday, the country has recorded four local cases; confirmed global infections currently number around 100.

Belgium’s compulsory measures apply only to patients with a confirmed infection. Close contacts are not required to self-isolate but are encouraged to remain vigilant, especially if in contact with vulnerable people.

“Infected persons will have to go into contact isolation until the injuries have healed (they will receive concrete instructions about this from the treating doctor),” a version of the government announcement translated from Dutch said.

The U.K. meanwhile has said those who have a high risk of catching the disease should self-isolate for 21 days. That includes household contacts or medical professionals who may have come into contact with an infected patient.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus — part of the smallpox family — with symptoms including rashes, fever, headaches, muscle ache, swelling and backpain.

Though typically less severe than smallpox, health experts are growing concerned about the genesis of a recent outbreak, starting in early May, in countries beyond Central and West Africa.

Health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and infection and the U.K.’s Health Security Agency, said they have noted a particular concentration of cases among men who have sex with men, and urged gay and bisexual men in particular to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions.

As of Saturday, the World Health Organization reported there were 92 cases in 12 countries, and a further 28 suspected cases under investigation. The U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal and Netherlands have all confirmed cases.

In this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention handout graphic, symptoms of one of the first known cases of the monkeypox virus are shown on a patient?s hand May 27, 2003.

CDC | Getty Images

The public health body said recent reported cases had no links to travel from endemic African countries, which is unusual for the disease. It usually spreads via human-to-human or human-to-animal contact.

“Epidemiological investigations are ongoing, however, reported cases thus far have no established travel links to endemic areas,” the WHO said in a statement posted on its website Saturday.

“Based on currently available information, cases have mainly but not exclusively been identified amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) seeking care in primary care and sexual health clinics,” it added.

More monkeypox cases likely

The recent surge in community cases, particularly within urban areas, is now raising concerns of a wider outbreak.

“To have it appear now — more than 100 cases in 12 different countries with no obvious connection — means we have to figure out exactly what’s happening,” Seth Berkley, CEO of global vaccine alliance Gavi, told CNBC Monday.

“The truth is we don’t know what that is and therefore how severe it’s going to be. But it’s likely that we’re going to see more cases,” he said.

Though most cases of monkeypox are mild and typically resolve within two to four weeks, there is currently no proven vaccine. The smallpox vaccine has proven 85% effective in preventing infection, and some countries have already begun stockpiling doses.

Berkley cautioned that the new outbreak, occurring even as the existing coronavirus pandemic is “not over yet,” was a warning to authorities to invest more resources into infectious diseases. He was speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where political and business leaders have gathered this week to discuss key global issues, including pandemic preparedness.

“This is evolutionarily certain that we’re going to see more outbreaks,” he said. “That’s why pandemic preparedness is so important. Look at what it can do economically when you have a pandemic hit”

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Health

Belgium introduces quarantine for monkeypox cases – POLITICO

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Belgium has become the first country to introduce a compulsory 21-day quarantine for monkeypox patients after reporting four cases of the disease in the last week.

Belgian health authorities took the decision on Friday, according to Belgian media. Monkeypox contact cases are not required to self-isolate but should remain vigilant particularly if they are in contact with vulnerable people.

Monkeypox is a disease in the same family as smallpox and symptoms include a distinct bumpy rash, a fever, sore muscles and a headache. Monkeypox is less deadly than smallpox, with a mortality rate below 4 percent, but experts are worried about the unusual spread of the disease beyond Africa where it usually circulates.

The Belgian Institute of Tropical Medicine has said the risk of a larger outbreak in the country was low, according to Belgian daily Le Soir.

On Saturday, the microbiologist Emmanuel André, who is in charge of the National Reference lab for COVID-19 in Belgium, tweeted that a fourth case of monkeypox had been confirmed in the country.

“This patient is being treated in Wallonia and is linked to the Antwerp event in which two other people were infected,” he wrote, referring to a festival in the port city held in May.

On Saturday, the World Health Organization reported that there were 92 confirmed cases in 12 different countries, with 28 suspected cases under investigation. Cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the U.K., Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, the U.S., Canada and Australia. 

In the U.K., Chief Medical Adviser at the UK Health Security Agency Susan Hopkins told the BBC on Sunday that they were “detecting more cases on a daily basis” of monkeypox. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the government was taking it “very, very seriously.”

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