Jakarta, Feb 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (Whoosh) has transported 8.01 million passengers since its commercial launch on October 17, 2023. KCIC data shows that the average occupancy rate currently stands at 60.73 per...
The post Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway transports over 8 million passengers appeared first on Social News XYZ.
LEON BALOGUN has branded Rangers’ season as ‘too inconsistent’ in a brutally honest assessment.
The central defender has been troubled by injury recently, but had earlier played his part in what has so far been an underwhelming period at Ibrox.
Though they remain comfortably clear in second place in the Premiership, they are 13 points behind rivals Celtic.
The Parkhead team bested them in the League Cup final earlier this season, and recently the Gers crashed out of the Scottish Cup in the fifth round when they lost at home to Championship side Queen’s Park in one of the worst results in the club’s history.
Despite having won their last five league games, there is still widespread discontent in the support as many want to see Philippe Clement sacked.
Speaking to SportsBoom, Balogun bemoaned the up-and-down results and labelled the situation SAD
He said: “Too inconsistent. I think that’s the most honest review I can give.
“If you look at Europe, we’ve been pretty good. We got direct qualification to the Round of 16, but domestically, too inconsistent.
“I mean, I don’t want to be short or shy for words, but that’s just the perfect description.
“We’re too inconsistent. That’s why we are where we are in the league, which is sad.”
Despite a strong start to the season from Aberdeen pushing them back, the Ibrox team now have overtaken and gained an 18-point cushion in the runner up spot.
But as the Nigerian defender notes, European performances have acted as a saving grace.
Some major results against huge teams have helped Clement’s men gain a bye to the last 16 of the Europa League, with their opponents for that stage still to be confirmed.
Balogun was on the bench for Rangers’ 2022 UEL final against Frankfurt in his last spell.
He said: “It’s hard for me to say because when I’ve played for Rangers, we’ve always been pretty good in Europe.
“And I think there’s a level of confidence that we don’t have to really be afraid or hide from anyone, as long as we stick to what we want to do.
“And obviously, sometimes you need a bit of luck. but we’ve played some big teams like Tottenham, Manchester United.
“Man United was a close call, we lost in the end. Unfortunately, probably a draw would have been fair. We got a late equaliser against Tottenham.
But overall, Europe has always been, I think, a well of joy for Rangers, in recent years at least.”
Only a penalty shootout where the German side prevailed stopped them from claiming a major European trophy three years ago.
This earned them automatic Champions League qualification, but a tough draw saw them dominated by Ajax, Liverpool, and Napoli.
Since then they’ve picked up results against Sparta Prague, Real Betis, and Benfica.
This season they’ve also beaten Nice, Union St. Gilloise, Malmo, and Bucharest.
But with a club demanding as much success as Rangers, they cannot rest on good international performance alone.
The Hoops have won the last three league titles with a fourth looking increasingly likely.
But Balogun was in the 2020/21 Light Blues squad which stopped Celtic’s 10-in-a-row by claiming their 55th league trophy, their first since Walter Smith’s 2011 triumph.
He added: “I’ve been fortunate to be part of a team that successfully broke Celtic’s dominance in the past, and I’d love to experience that again.
“However, at this moment, it’s clear that we have a lot of work to do to challenge Celtic for the title.
“As things stand, we’re behind in the race, and this season has highlighted the need for significant improvement.
“We’re fully aware of the challenge ahead, but we’re determined to put in the hard work necessary to close the gap and compete at the highest level to reclaim the title.
Celtic’s goal difference is 30 better than that of Rangers, showcasing their current ability to brush teams aside in a way that Clement’s side can sometimes struggle to do.
They’ve also fallen behind in the financial side of football, as Transfermarkt found that Celtic’s B-team have made more in players sales this season than Rangers.
Over the last 10 seasons Celtic are well over £100million clear in that aspect, with the likes of Jota and Matt O’Riley bringing huge profit.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
MET Eireann has warned of heavy showers, localised flooding, thunderstorms and heavy winds hitting Ireland in just a few days.
And a forecaster has confirmed that the Atlantic is dominating our weather again, looking set to bring wind conditions that Met Eireann could name as a storm this weekend.
The weather looks set to come about as a result of an active jet stream that will lead to a development of deep low pressure systems passing between Iceland and Ireland.
Cathal Nolan from Ireland’s Weather Channel warned that the powerful weather is “likely” to cause local disruption to power and transport services.
But he confirmed that the disruption will not reach the massive scale of chaos that was caused by Storm Eowyn last month.
The conditions set to hit Ireland in the coming days will arrive in two separate bouts, but only one of them looks likely to be a named weather event.
Nolan explained: “Refining our forecast update from yesterday we can now say that there will be two very windy episodes this week, each bringing with them strong to Gale Force winds, with a risk of Storm Force winds on Sunday in particular for parts of the west and northwest of the country, though all areas will experience some strong winds as a consequence.”
The weather boffin confirmed that the first windy episode looks set to be on Thursday night into Friday, when a “deepening secondary low” with its associated weather fronts passes over Ireland.
He added that southerly winds will bring “some locally strong gusts to coastal areas of the west, south and east of the country with some disruption to services possible”, and said the strongest winds look set to batter over the country at speeds of 100kph.
Nolan confirmed that the second windy episode will hit Ireland late on Saturday night and remain into Sunday morning when an “Atlantic storm passes close by” the northwest coast of Ireland.
He explained: “This storm depression will bring wind speeds widely across the west and northwest of the country up to 100kph with localised gusts approaching 120kph likely in exposed locations from Ceann Mhása to Mizen Head and on to Fair Head.”
Nolan said that some local disruption to power and transport services “seems likely” as a result of the winds, adding: “It is possible that Sunday’s storm could become a named storm.”
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather also confirmed that strong winds look set to make an impact this weekend.
He said: “Plenty of wind coming Thursday and Friday with strongest winds Sunday. Also spells of heavy rain Thursday, Friday and Sunday mornings.”
Currently, Saturday looks set to be the day sunny spells will make a return.
Met Eireann earlier revealed that the Dublin Airport weather monitoring station recorded zero hours of sunshine in the last week.
However, the weather boffins confirmed that the coming Saturday will be a “day of sunny spells and scattered showers”.
THE Irish meteorological service, along with the national weather services of the UK and the Netherlands, each contributed seven names to list of storm names for this season.
The new storms list runs from early September until late August the following year, coinciding with the beginning of autumn.
The system of naming storms was first launched in 2015 so that the communication of severe weather is easier.
And Met Eireann’s contributions were taken from a list of more than 500 suggestions by primary school children participating in ESB Science Blast last February.
Ireland contributed the names Conall, Darragh, Hugo, Izzy, Naoise, Poppy and Vivienne.
Letters Q, U, X, Y, Z are not included, which is in line with the US National Hurricane Centre naming convention.
The full list for 2024/25 is:
The Atlantic areas will mainly be impacted at first but conditions will extend eastwards through the morning and afternoon.
Cloud will build from the southwest later and Met Eireann confirmed that temperatures will reach their highest between 8C to 12C.
But the weather boffins warned that wet and “rather windy” conditions will move in from the west overnight.
Looking towards Sunday, the national forecaster said current indications suggest it will be a mild but rather windy day.
Met Eireann said: “Rain in the morning, heavy at times, will clear eastwards with sunny spells and scattered showers following.
“Highest temperatures of 11C to 14C in strong to near gale force and gusty south to southwest winds.”
SHANE LOWRY’S daughter was stood in the front row watching his thrilling win over Rory McIlroy in the TGL.
The Offaly golfer’s wife Wendy shared an adorable video of his eldest daughter Iris during the match.
And after his win, the mum-of-two posted a pic of the two celebrating together, declaring that she was his “biggest fan”.
The presence of his family at the event seemed to inspire Lowry to glory against his long-time friend McIlroy.
The 2019 Open Champion starred alongside Wyndham Clark, Ludvig Aberg, and Min Woo Lee as The Bay maintained their unbeaten run in the indoor golf league.
They were up against the McIlroy-led Boston Common in a triple header at the SoFi Centre in Florida on Monday night.
It came a day after Lowry and McIlroy bagged huge payouts despite underwhelming performances at the Genesis Invitational.
Sweden‘s Aberg took home top prize at the third PGA Tour Signature event of the season at Torrey Pines.
Four-time major winner McIlroy came away with $270,715 with a T17 place finish in San Diego, while Lowry took home $82,000 for his T39 position.
Åberg produced a stunning late charge, sinking four birdies in his final six holes to secure his second PGA Tour victory.
The 25-year-old edged out Maverick McNealy by a single shot after a tense battle in California.
Ryder Cup star Aberg carded a six-under 66 to win on a total of 12 under.
During the third round, Åberg made the first hole-in-one of his professional career at hole-in-one at the 140-yard, par-three third hole.
With the victory, he earned $4 million and moved to the top of the FedEx Cup ladder on the PGA Tour seasonal ranking list.
Speaking after his second tour win, the Swede was over the moon with his victory.
He credited runner-up Maverick McNealy for his fight during the final round.
He said: “It was awesome, it was a great fight.
“I felt like I was in control of the ball flight all day and really proud of the way that I finished, it was really cool.
“The [par] putt on 12 was big because I think at that point the lead was at 12 [under] and it was a putt to stay at eight.
“It was so much fun coming down the last few holes trying to win a tournament, it is a really special feeling.”
A BRITISH couple detained while on a motorcycle trip in Iran have been charged with espionage.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were on a round-the-world journey and travelled through the country despite official warnings when they were arrested.
The couple have been accused of collecting information in different locations throughout Iran, Iranian judiciary Mizan news agency reported.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
TANAISTE Simon Harris has played down the possibility of sending Irish soldiers to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission as he declared: “we’re not at that point yet.”
US and Russian officials are meeting today in Saudi Arabia for the first day of negotiations to bring about an end to the invasion of Ukraine.
A number of European leaders met in Paris yesterday to consider Europe’s response to these talks.
The White House had asked European leaders if they would be willing to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a deal is struck with Russia.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was open to sending British troops to Ukraine but only if the US provides a security “backstop”.
Poland PM Donald Tusk said he will not send Polish soldiers into Ukraine while Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni is also opposed to the idea.
Minister for Defence Simon Harris was today asked if he believes Ireland should send peacekeepers to Ukraine if a deal is struck.
He said: “Irish rules around peacekeeping are very clear.
“Obviously we have a process that has to be followed in considering any mission and that obviously involves the United Nations, it involves government and it involves the Oireachtas.
“We are simply not at that point yet. Our Defence Forces have a very proud tradition of playing majorly important peacekeeping roles in troubled and challenging parts of the globe.
“I’m very proud as Defence Minister of the work of our Defence Forces but we are not at that moment yet.
“What we should be very conscious of is that while lots of people are talking about wanting to bring peace to Ukraine we are still seeing [Vladimir] Putin engage in acts of aggression and acts of sabotage on a daily basis on Ukraine, Ukrainian people and Ukrainian infrastructure.
“So the most important thing right now is to stop the war but to stop the war in a way that is consistent with the UN charter with the territorial independence of Ukraine.”
The Tanaiste was speaking on his way into Government buildings where he was due to attend an online meeting of the European People’s Party where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will brief leaders about the meeting in Paris.
The Tanaiste spoke out against the format of the US Russia peace talks and said there should be “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” and nothing about European security without Europe at the table.
NIGEL Farage is now more popular with voters than Sir Keir Starmer – as Reform surged ahead of Labour in the polls.
The populist party leader leapfrogged the Prime Minister in YouGov’s favourability tracker for the first time today.
It will jangle nerves in Downing Street as the right-wing insurgents continue to make strides ahead of May’s local elections.
The poll revealed that if an election were held tomorrow, 27 per cent of Brits would vote for Reform, ahead of 25 for Labour and 21 for the Tories.
A Marmite figure, Mr Farage has a net favourability rating of -30, with 60 per cent of people disliking him compared to 30 per cent who like him.
That is more popular than Sir Keir’s -40 score, with 66 per cent of respondents having an unfavourable view compared to 26 per cent favourable.
It is also higher than Kemi Badenoch’s -34, from 51 per cent declaring her unfavourable and 17 per cent who like her.
While most have made their minds up on Mr Farage and Sir Keir, a chunky 31 per cent of respondents replied “don’t know” when asked on the Tory leader.
It suggests she has struggled to make an impression as yet, but still has time to win people round.
Every single party leader was in negative territory, as is often the case in British political polling.
Mr Farage’s slight uptick in February comes as he ramped up attacks on the government over mass migration and the controversial Chagos deal.
The Reform boss hopes to use May’s local elections to inflict more blows on the two main parties and fuel his long-term aim of becoming prime minister.
He has spent time professionaling the party in order to convert millions of votes into seats in Parliament.
Last July Reform won 14.3 per cent of the vote, but only 0.8 per cent of the constituencies.
By JACK ELSOM, Chief Political Correspondent
DOES Nigel Farage finally stand on the precipice of becoming Prime Minister?
The man himself certainly hasn’t been coy in revealing his ambition for the top job.
All the momentum is with Reform: a membership surge, high-profile defections, mass rallies – and a Labour and Tory party struggling to land a glove.
With such wind under his sails, it’s becoming harder for the Brexiteer to contain his trademark Cheshire Cat grin.
Farage is not naive, he knows he has a mountain to climb. He has seen this movie before.
In his heyday with UKIP, he secured 12.5 per cent of the electorate in 2015 – and returned just one MP.
In July, Reform came third on votes with 14.3 per cent – and returned just five MPs.
Farage is a world-beater at galvanising a mass supporters movement, and has proved that time over.
But if he is serious about getting to No10, he needs to do something much more challenging: break a political system that has stood for centuries.
Getting millions of votes is all well and good, yet it counts for nowt if he’s coming second in hundreds of seats.
Farage knows this and is adapting. Since becoming leader, he and his impressive chairman Zia Yusuf have been quietly professionalising the Reform outfit.
No longer a cavalier rabble, they are looking to raise serious sums of cash to pour into data-driven campaigning and advertising.
Get that right, and Reform will become an even greater force to be reckoned with.
Steve Carell’s departure from The Office in Season 7 was one of the most emotionally charged moments in television history. His character had grown so much over the years, and his farewell was a fitting send-off for the character. But what fans might not know is that the decision for Michael to leave in secrecy […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Marvel Studios recently released the 35th installment in the MCU, with the franchise firmly headed for the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga. The franchise’s second saga failed to reach the same heights it saw during the Infinity Saga. However, the franchise sorely missed one aspect from its early days that helped viewers connect the dots. […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
