Cristiano Ronaldo collected his joint-record fifth Ballon dOr on Thursday in Paris in the middle of his worst domestic season for Real Madrid, but with a deserved reputation for delivering on the biggest stage of all and when it matters most. Despite equalling Lionel Messi in being named the world player of the year for a fifth time, he trails the Barcelona forward in the La Liga scoring charts, on a measly two goals to Messis 13 strikes which have helped Barca lead Real by eight points in the standings after 14 games. Ronaldo has been able to counter criticism for his dire league form by co ... Read More

Former champions League winner Marseille, Copenhagen, Athletic Bilbao and AEK Athens were among the eight teams to qualify for the knockout stage of Europa League on the final night of group matches on Thursday. Marseille advanced from Group I after a 0-0 home draw to group winner Salzburg. Bilbao clinched the top spot in Group J after a 2-0 victory at Ukraines Zorya Luhansk. In the battle for second spot in Group H behind already-qualified Arsenal, Red Star Belgrade eliminated Cologne with a 1-0 victory. Earlier, Copenhagen and Lokomotiv both advanced from the tightly contested Group F afte ... Read More

US Senator Al Franken said Thursday he will resign in the face of multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, becoming the second prominent Democrat forced out in a week over the snowballing harassment allegations convulsing the country. But in an emotional and defiant address from the Senate floor, the comedian-turned-lawmaker also delivered a parting shot at President Donald Trump and Republican politician Roy Moore, who is running for the Senate despite being accused of molesting teenagers. Facing a groundswell of demands to resign from within his own party ranks, Franken acknowledged his ... Read More

Students hid in their classrooms, some behind locked doors, as a suspect opened fire Thursday inside a New Mexico high school, killing two classmates before ending up dead. Authorities and other officials in the small town of Aztec near the Colorado border have released few details other than to say the shooter and the two victims all attended Aztec High School. No other injuries were reported, and it was not clear if the shooter died by suicide or was killed by police. Local and federal authorities are investigating what led to the shooting and did not immediately release any details about ... Read More

Arsenal will not sell striker Olivier Giroud, midfielder Jack Wilshere and winger Theo Walcott in the January transfer window despite their lack of playing time at the Premier League club, manager Arsene Wenger has said. The trio have started a majority of the clubs Europa League and League Cup games this season but are yet to start a league match, with Giroud making 12 substitute appearances while Wilshere has been limited to four and Walcott to three. Their lack of top-flight action could cost them a spot in their respective nations 2018 World Cup squads but Wenger said the trio will not mo ... Read More

A 42-year-old woman and her 11-year-old daughter were found murdered inside their home in Greater Noida near Delhi on Tuesday, with a blood-stained pair of scissors and a bat near their bodies. The police say the womans missing son, 16, is a suspect in the chilling family murders. The bodies of Anjali Agarwal and her daughter Manikarnika were found in their apartment in Gaur City, with multiple stab wounds and wrapped in blankets. It is believed that they were beaten with the bat and then stabbed with the scissors repeatedly. The teen son, believed to be the only other person in the flat at t ... Read More