Day: August 8, 2021

At least 23 people were killed and 28 others injured in two separate accidents Sunday in western Turkey involving passenger buses, officials said.

Eight people died and 11 others were injured in Izmir province when a passenger bus veered off an embankment and plunged to the ground in Kemalpasa district, Izmir Governor Yavuz Selim Kosger said on Twitter.

The crash happened after the bus driver lost control of the wheel.

Gendarmerie, health and fire crews were immediately dispatched to the scene.

All of the injured have been transported to nearby hospitals.

Earlier in the morning, a passenger bus overturned in Balikesir province after losing control, leaving at least 15 people dead. The bus, coming from the Black Sea province of Zonguldak, was en route to Balikesir’s Edremit district.

Rescue and emergency teams were immediately dispatched, but 11 people died at the scene and four later succumbed to their injuries in a hospital, despite doctors’ best efforts.

Visiting the injured, Balikesir Governor Hasan Sildak said three of the 17 people injured in the accident were discharged from the hospital following treatment.

Investigations into the causes of the accidents are underway.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The US women’s volleyball team in Tokyo earned their first-ever Olympic gold medal on Sunday.

They beat Brazil with dominant form in the final with straight sets of 25-21, 25-20, 25-14 at Ariake Arena.

Having clinched the gold medals at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, Brazil’s women’s volleyball team completed their journey at the Tokyo Games with the silver.

In the bronze medal game, Serbia sealed a win against South Korea with straight sets of 25-18, 25-15, 25-15.

In the Tokyo Games, Turkey came in fifth overall, following their Aug. 4 loss to South Korea.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The US topped the medal table at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, taking home 113 medals in total.

The US completed the Tokyo Games with 39 gold, 41silver, and 33 bronze, followed by China with 88 medals, including 38 gold, 32 silver, and 18 bronze.

Japan came third in the medal standings with 58 medals, including 27 gold, 14 silver, and 17 bronze.

Turkey placed 35th in the standings with 13 medals, including two gold, two silver, and nine bronze.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The US women’s basketball team defeated Japan 90-75 on Sunday, capturing their seventh consecutive Olympics gold.

Brittney Griner led Team USA with 30 points, five rebounds, and three blocks and broke the record for the most points in a women’s Olympic gold medal game at Saitama Super Arena.

A’ja Wilson also finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and five blocks for the US.

For the losing side, Maki Takada added 17 points, while Nako Motohashi scored 16.

The US’ Diana Taurasi, 39, and Sue Bird, 40, became the first basketball players to secure five gold medals at Olympics.

Overall, it was Team USA’s ninth Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Lionel Messi on Sunday said goodbye to Barcelona where he spent his whole professional career. In an emotional, sometimes tearful press conference, he said “I never thought of it.”

“In recent days I’ve given lots of thought to what I could say and the truth is that I can’t think of anything,” said Messi who broke down in tears.

“Now, I have to say goodbye to all of this. I’ve been here my entire life, since I was 13. After 21 years I’m leaving with my wife, with my three little Catalan-Argentine kids… I can’t promise you we won’t come back because this is my home and I promised my children that.”

Messi said he is not ready to leave Barcelona where he spent his entire career.

“This is really difficult for me after so many years, being here my entire life, I’m not ready for this and honestly last year with all the nonsense with the burofax I was convinced I knew what I wanted to say but this year is not the same.”

He added that he gave everything for Barcelona from the first day until he left.

“I gave everything for this club for this shirt. I’m so grateful for the care that people have shown me. I’ve never imagined having to say goodbye because I never thought of it.”

The Argentine superstar said that it was difficult to leave without seeing spectators who cannot attend the stadium due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“If I had imagined it, I would’ve imagined the Camp Nou full and being able to say goodbye properly.”

Pure Barcelona product Messi, who came from the club’s youth academy La Masia, became a free agent on July 1 when his contract with the club expired.

The negotiations between Messi and Barcelona failed due to financial obstacles while President Joan Laporta blamed Spanish La Liga’s rigid financial fair play regulations for Messi’s departure.

For his future, Messi said his potential move to PSG is possible despite the talks between him and the French club have not been finalized yet.

“There’s nothing closed at the moment, but we’re talking about a lot of things. After Barca’s statement, a lot of clubs showed an interest.”

Having made his senior debut in Barcelona in 2004, Messi led the Spanish club to earn 10 La Liga and four UEFA Champions League titles.

The six-time Ballon d’Or holder also won seven Copa del Rey, eight Spanish Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups, and three UEFA Super Cups.

Messi is also Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with 682 goals.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Team USA on Sunday bagged the gold medal in the women’s 4×400-meter relay final at the Tokyo Olympics.

The team of Dalilah Muhammad, Athing Mu, Allyson Felix, and Sydney Mclaughlin finished with a time of three minutes and 16.85 seconds at Olympic Stadium to claim first place.

Poland won the silver with 3:20.53, while Jamaica took the bronze with 3:21.24.

The victory was Team USA’s seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal in the event.

Source: Anadolu Agency