June 19, 2022

ROSEN, TOP RANKED GLOBAL INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Okta, Inc. Investors with Losses to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – OKTA

NEW YORK, June 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Okta, Inc. (NASDAQ: OKTA) between March 5, 2021 and March 22, 2022, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important July 19, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Okta securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Okta class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6365 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 19, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Okta had inadequate cybersecurity controls; (2) as a result, Okta’s systems were vulnerable to data breaches; (3) Okta ultimately did experience a data breach caused by a hacking group, which potentially affected hundreds of Okta customers; (4) Okta initially did not disclose and subsequently downplayed the severity of the data breach; (5) all the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to have a material negative impact on Okta’s business, financial condition, and reputation; and (6) as a result, the Company’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Okta class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6365 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

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Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com

June 19, 2022

GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED ROSEN LAW FIRM Encourages Mullen Automotive, Inc. f/k/a Net Element, Inc. Investors with Losses to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action Filed by the Firm – MULN, NETE

NEW YORK, June 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Mullen Automotive, Inc. f/k/a Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN, NETE) between June 15, 2020 and April 6, 2022, inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important July 5, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action commenced by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Mullen securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Mullen class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=5459 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 5, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Mullen overstates its ability and timeline regarding production; (2) Mullen overstates its deals with business partners, including Qiantu Motors; (3) Mullen overstates its battery technology and capabilities; (4) Mullen overstates its ability to sell its branded products; (5) Net Element did not conduct proper due diligence into Mullen Technologies; (6) the Dragonfly K50 was not (solely) delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and (7) as a result, defendants’ public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Mullen class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=5459 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

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June 19, 2022

ROSEN, TOP RANKED GLOBAL INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Spero Therapeutics, Inc. Investors with Losses to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – SPRO

NEW YORK, June 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Spero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPRO) between October 28, 2021 and May 2, 2022, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important July 25, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Spero Therapeutics securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Spero Therapeutics class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6561 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 25, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the data submitted in support of the New Drug Application (“NDA”) of Tebipenem HBr, an oral carbapenem-class antibiotic to treat complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis for adults, were insufficient to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval; (2) accordingly, it was unlikely that the FDA would approve the Tebipenem HBr NDA in its current form; (3) the foregoing would necessitate a significant workforce reduction and restructuring of Spero Therapeutics’s operations; and (4) as a result, the Company’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Spero Therapeutics class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6561 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

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June 19, 2022

ROSEN, GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages LMP Automotive Holdings, Inc. Investors with Losses to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – LMPX

NEW YORK, June 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of LMP Automotive Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LMPX) between June 29, 2021 and May 19, 2022, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”) of the important July 26, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased LMP securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the LMP class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6635 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 26, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) LMP engaged in the improper identification and elimination of intercompany transactions; (2) LMP used incorrect estimates for chargeback reserves for finance and insurance products; (3) LMP had misclassified certain items in its financial statements which impacting balance sheet and income statement financial statement captions; (4) there were material weaknesses in LMP’s internal control over financial reporting; (5) as a result of the foregoing, LMP overstated its revenue; (6) as a result of the foregoing, LMP would restate certain of its previously issued financial statements and results; and (7) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about LMP’S business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the LMP class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6635 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

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June 19, 2022

GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED ROSEN LAW FIRM Encourages IonQ, Inc. Investors with Losses to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – IONQ

NEW YORK, June 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) between March 30, 2021 and May 2, 2022, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important August 1, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased IonQ securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the IonQ class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6703 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 1, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) IonQ had not yet developed a 32-qubit quantum computer; (2) IonQ’s 11-qubit quantum computer suffered from significant error rates, rendering it useless; (3) IonQ’s quantum computer is not sufficiently reliable, so it is not accessible despite being available through major cloud providers; (4) a significant portion of IonQ’s revenue was derived from improper round-tripping transactions with related parties; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about IonQ’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the IonQ class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6703 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

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June 19, 2022

CGTN: China stresses the need to advance economic globalization amid global crisis

BEIJING, June 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — As the world deals with major changes and a pandemic unseen in a century, China has highlighted the importance of advancing globalization even as the economic integration process faces headwinds.

To forge greater synergy for development and close the development gap, the international community needs to pool cooperation resources, platforms and networks of development partnerships, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday in a virtual address to the plenary session of the 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

“We have full confidence in China’s economic development,” Xi said. “China will continue to promote high-quality development, expand high-standard opening-up with firm resolve, and pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.”

More equitable, sustainable global development

Noting that the international community is keen to achieve more equitable, sustainable and secure development, Xi said it is important to seize opportunities, meet challenges head-on, and work on the implementation of the Global Development Initiative to build a shared future of peace and prosperity.

The Chinese president proposed the Global Development Initiative in his speech to the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly via video link in September last year. The plan charts a course for international development.

It is important that all countries strengthen the “soft connectivity” of development policies and international rules and standards, Xi told the attendees at the forum.

Attempts at decoupling, supply disruption, unilateral sanctions and maximum pressure should be rejected, and trade barriers removed so as to keep global industrial and supply chains stable, tackle the worsening food and energy crises, and revive the world economy, he said.

It is important to follow true multilateralism, and respect and support all countries’ pursuit of development paths suited to their national conditions, he said, adding that it is also important to build an open world economy and increase the representation and voice of emerging markets and developing countries in global economic governance.

He also called on countries to pursue innovation-driven development, stressing the importance of unlocking the potential of innovation-driven growth, improving the rules and institutional environment for innovation, and breaking down barriers to the flow of innovation factors.

Xi urged efforts to deepen exchanges and cooperation in innovation, facilitate deeper integration of science and technology into the economy, and make sure the fruits of innovation are shared by all.

China to continue promoting high-quality development

The Chinese president pointed out that the fundamentals of the Chinese economy – strong resiliency, enormous potential and long-term sustainability – remain unchanged.

As one of the first countries to resume work and production, the country became the only major economy to register positive growth in 2020, with its GDP surpassing 114.4 trillion yuan (about $18.1 trillion) in 2021.

A recent report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China has indicated that over 70 percent of the assessed companies have reinvestment plans in China for 2022, and 58 percent consider their overall return on investment in China to be higher than in other places.

China stands ready to work with Russia and all other countries to explore development prospects, share growth opportunities, and make new contributions to deepening global development cooperation and building a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-06-17/Xi-addresses-25th-St-Petersburg-International-Economic-Forum-1aWGtfC4wN2/index.html

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVFV29vcce0

June 19, 2022

In Yemen, Child Soldiering Continues Despite Houthi Promise

CAIRO — Yemen’s Houthi rebels are still recruiting children into their military ranks to fight in the country’s grinding civil war, despite an agreement with the United Nations in April to halt the practice, Houthi officials, aid workers and residents told The Associated Press.

Two Houthi officials told the AP that the rebels recruited several hundred children, including those as young as 10 years over the past two months. They have been deployed to front lines as part of a buildup of forces taking place during a U.N.-brokered truce, which has held since April, one official said.

The officials, both hard-liners within the Houthi movement, said they see nothing wrong with the practice, arguing that boys from 10 or 12 are considered men.

“Those are not children. They are true men, who should defend their nation against the Saudi, American aggression, and defend the Islamic nation,” one of them said. The two spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid friction with other Houthi leaders.

The Houthis have used what they call “summer camps” to disseminate their religious ideology and to recruit boys to fight. Such camps take place in schools and mosques around the Houthi-held part of Yemen, which encompasses the north and center of the country and the capital, Sanaa.

Yemen’s conflict erupted in 2014 when the Houthis descended from their northern enclave and took over Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government to flee to the south. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in early 2015 to try to restore the government to power, waging a destructive air campaign and arming anti-Houthi forces.

The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including more than 14,500 civilians and has plunged the country into near-famine, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Child soldiers have been involved in Yemen’s war for years. Nearly 2,000 Houthi-recruited children were killed on the battlefield between January 2020 and May 2021, according to U.N. experts. Pro-government forces have also used child fighters but to a much lesser degree and have taken greater measures to halt the practice, according to U.N. and aid officials.

Overall, the U.N. says over 10,200 children have been killed or maimed in the war, though it is unclear how many may have been combatants.

In April, the rebels signed what the U.N. children’s agency described as an “action plan” to end and prevent the practice. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the rebels committed to identifying children in their ranks and releasing them within six months.

UNICEF did not respond to requests for comment on the continued recruitment since, nor did spokesmen for the Houthi administration. The Houthis have in the past officially denied enlisting children to fight.

In early June, a high-ranking Houthi, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, posted a video from a visit he paid to one of the camps in Dhamar province. It shows dozens of children in uniforms standing in a military-like formation and declaring allegiance to rebel movement’s top leader, Abdul-Malek al-Houthi.

“Soldiers of God,” they shout. “We are coming.”

Four aid workers with three international organizations operating in rebel-held areas said they observed intensified Houthi efforts to recruit children in recent weeks. The Houthis’ ranks have been thinned because of battlefield losses, especially during a nearly two-year battle for the crucial city of Marib.

The aid workers spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety, and said their groups could be barred from working in Houthi-held territory. They said the rebels have pressured families to send their children to camps where they learn how to handle weapons and plant mines, in return for services, including food rations from international organizations.

One aid worker who operates in remote northern areas described watching children as young as 10 manning checkpoints along the road, with AK-47s hanging on their shoulders. Others are sent to the front line. He said children have returned wounded from fighting at Marib.

Thousands of fighters were killed in the battle for government-held Marib. The Houthis’ long attempt to capture it was finally stopped in late 2021, when government forces were bolstered by better-equipped fighters backed by the United Arab Emirates.

Abdel-Bari Taher, a Yemeni commentator and former head of the country’s Journalists’ Union, said that the Houthis are exploiting local customs to the children’s and society’s detriment. Having or carrying a weapon is a tradition deeply rooted in Yemen, especially in rural and mountainous communities, he said.

“It is a source of pride and kind of manhood for the boys,” he said.

The Houthis also condition crucial food aid on children attending the training camps, some say.

Two residents in Amran province said Houthi representatives came to their homes in May and told them to prepare their children for camps at the end of the school year. The residents, who are farmers, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

They said their five children, aged between 11 and 16, were taken in late May to a training center housed in a nearby school. One father said he was told that if he didn’t send his children, his family would no longer receive food rations.

The U.N. panel of experts said earlier this year that the Houthis have a system to indoctrinate child soldiers, including using humanitarian aid to pressure families.

Children are taken first to centers for a month or more of religious courses. There, they are told they are joining a holy war against Jews and Christians and Arab countries that have succumbed to Western influence. Seven-year-olds are taught weapons cleaning and how to dodge rockets, the experts found.

Source: Voice of America

June 19, 2022

Germany: New measures, including reliance on coal-fired power plants, to boost gas storage

Frankfurt, June 19 (BNA): Germany on Sunday announced its latest steps to boost gas storage levels to prepare for the next winter season, when it fears Russia, which has cut deliveries in recent days, could reduce or even completely halt supplies.

Germany, which relies on Moscow for most of its gas, is seeking to fill its gas storage facilities and to phase out Russian energy imports, Reuters reports.

Germany’s Economy Ministry, which is in charge of security of energy supply in Europe’s top economy, said the new measures would include increased reliance on coal-fired power plants as well as an auction system to incentivise industry to consume less energy.

It also includes 15 billion euros ($15.8 billion) in credit lines for Germany’s gas market operator, via state lender KfW, to fill gas storage facilities faster, a government source said, asking not to be named.

The measures follow a package unveiled earlier this year to provide Germany’s energy companies and economy with support payments to manage the Ukraine crisis, which has led to soaring power costs.

The ministry said bringing back coal-fired power plants into the mix could add about 10 gigawatts of capacity in case of a critical gas supply situation, adding a corresponding law would go to the upper house of parliament on July 8.

“That is painful, but it is a sheer necessity in this situation to reduce gas consumption,” Economy Minister Robert Habeck, a member of the Green party that has pushed for a faster exit from carbon-intensive coal, said.

“The gas storage facilities must be filled up towards the winter. That is the top priority,” said Habeck, referring to targets of 80% storage levels by October and 90% by November.

According to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe, German gas storage levels stood at 57.03% as of June 17, up from 29.69% on Feb. 24.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

June 19, 2022

Verstappen on pole in Canada, Alonso on front row

Red Bull’s Formula One leader Max Verstappen shone in the wet to take pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix on Saturday as Alpine’s evergreen Fernando Alonso celebrated his first front row slot in a decade.

Verstappen’s main title rivals sunk out of sight, Mexican team mate Sergio Perez crashing and qualifying 13th while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ended a run of four poles in a row by dropping to 19th due to engine penalties.

“I still expect it not to be a straightforward race,” said Verstappen after his second pole in nine races.

“But today with the tricky conditions we stayed calm and didn’t make mistakes.”

His qualifying time of one minute 21.299 seconds was 0.645 faster than 40-year-old Alonso’s surprising best, AP reports.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third fastest on a drying track and seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton fourth for Mercedes on a weekend dominated by talk of bouncing cars and driver safety.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am,” said Hamilton of his best Saturday showing so far this season.

“On pure pace in the dry we’re still a long way off but to get top four in qualifying in those conditions is awesome.”

Sunday’s race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will be the first in Canada since 2019 and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is forecast to take place in sunny and dry conditions.

Verstappen has won four of the last five races, with Red Bull chasing a sixth in a row. He leads team mate Sergio Perez by 21 points, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc a further 13 behind.

OLDEST MAN

Double world champion Alonso, the oldest man on the grid, had been fastest in final practice and Sunday will be his first appearance on the front row since 2012 when he was on pole for Ferrari in Germany.

The wily Spaniard said with a grin that he planned to attack Verstappen into the first corner and hoped to lead at least momentarily.

Haas’s Kevin Magnussen qualified fifth with team mate Mick Schumacher a career highest sixth. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon lines up seventh and Mercedes’ George Russell eighth.

“It’s something I can build on and grow from. I always loved racing in the wet conditions. On a track like this, there’s big potential for drivers showing what they can do,” said Schumacher, who has yet to score a point.

McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo qualified ninth and Chinese rookie Zhou Guanyu lines up 10th for Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo.

Qualifying was halted in the second phase when Perez went straight into the Tecpro barrier between turns three and four and could not reverse out.

The car had to be craned off and the barriers repaired before the session resumed.

Perez qualified one place ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris who failed to set a time in the second stage after reporting an issue with the power unit that the team could not fix.

Williams’ Alex Albon had also gone into the barriers at turn six earlier but was able to continue, returning to the pits for a new front wing and eventually qualifying 12th.

Aston Martin’s four times world champion Sebastian Vettel and Canadian Lance Stroll failed to progress through the rain and spray of the opening phase after they had raised hopes in final practice.

Nicholas Latifi completed a miserable afternoon for Canadian drivers in 19th place, although the Williams driver will move up a slot after Leclerc’s demotion.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

June 19, 2022

Griezmann’s struggles open door for Nkunku at World Cup

Paris, June 19 (BNA): Antoine Griezmann’s alarming drop in form means his starting place for France at the World Cup is under threat from Christopher Nkunku.

If Griezmann’s struggles continue in two international matches in September, coach Didier Deschamps could select Leipzig’s Nkunku when France begins its title defense in Qatar two months later.

“They have two different profiles. Christopher is perhaps more of a striker than Antoine, who is more of a creator,” Deschamps said recently. “Athletically they’re not the same, and not just in terms of size and physique.”

The 24-year-old Nkunku is a quick and skillful player who operates as a forward or an attacking midfielder. He was voted the German league’s best player by his fellow professionals last season after scoring 35 goals overall and providing 14 league assists. In stark contrast, Griezmann has not scored for France or Atlético Madrid since early January, AP reports.

Nkunku started ahead of Griezmann in a Nations League match against Croatia on Monday. In the match before at Austria, Nkunku came off the bench and with an astute pass set up the equalizer for Kylian Mbappe.

Nkunku’s style of play offers France a more direct approach.

“Christopher’s good in the air, too. Even though he’s not that tall he jumps well, and can make runs into space,” Deschamps said. “Antoine can do that as well, but he is more involved in the buildup and organization.”

For many years, dropping Griezmann would have been unthinkable for Deschamps, who is very close to the player and admires his unselfish attitude. Griezmann has played 108 times, but recent performances have not been good and he was taken off after 63 minutes in Austria.

“He knows he’s not in his best form. It shows in his game and his influence on our attack,” Deschamps said recently. “It’s not his best period. Some of it is physical, some of it is mental. (But) I’m not saying he’s worn out.”

Something that never changes with Griezmann is that he never stops working hard. France teammate Karim Benzema said it’s important to “look at the other things he does, the way he drops back and defends.”

“He will score at some stage,” Benzema said.

Griezmann is third on France’s all-time list of scorers with 42 goals. But the 31-year-old forward’s scoring touch has deserted him to such an extent that he managed only three league goals in 26 games for Atlético last season.

It’s a far cry from his prolific spell with the Colchoneros, when he netted 133 goals overall in 257 games before joining Barcelona in 2021. He did well in spells there, but his return of 35 goals in 102 games fell below expectations and his confidence started to wane.

Fast forward to Monday night at Stade de France, and Grizemann only came on for the last 15 minutes against Croatia. Les Bleus lost 1-0 and relinquished the Nations League title. Rock-bottom France faces the prospect of relegation to the second-tier league and must bounce back at home to Austria on Sept. 22 and in Denmark three days later.

Those games could also influence whether Griezmann is a starter or a substitute when France begins its title defense against Australia in Qatar on Nov. 22.

His squad place looks a certainty, however.

“I know his ability and his mental strength. He’s not having his best period but that doesn’t mean I’m going to question what he’s capable of doing,” Deschamps said. “I know very well what he brings.”

Griezmann started the season with Barcelona before re-joining Atlético. He said the different ways the clubs prepare for the season has affected his form in the national team.

“I was a bit tired physically after the efforts I made, just like with my club. My preseason with Barcelona was completely different to how Atlético plays,” Griezmann said after the 2-1 loss to Denmark on June 3 when he came off after 78 minutes.

He predicts he’ll be “much better physically” after a full preseason with Atlético.

Deschamps also has other things on mind, not least sorting out his squad. France looked poor in the Nations League, losing at home to Denmark and Croatia and also drawing in Croatia.

“We have to question everything. We lacked strength, character and energy. The highest level can be unforgiving,” Deschamps said. “I hope we can get our strength back and the players recover their fighting spirit. Did some of them get ahead of themselves?”

Such poor form is unbefitting France, which also reached the final of the European Championship in 2016.

“We’ll need to show a lot more if we want to maintain our status,” Deschamps said. “From the moment you’re not doing things well enough, you must do your own self-criticism.”

There were mitigating circumstances, like injuries to key midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, and central defender Raphael Varane — who only played one game.

“We’ve had far more injuries than we’re used to,” Deschamps said.

Some of the tactical choices he made were questioned, like switching from a three-man defense to a four-man unit.

“Because you have a system it doesn’t mean that you have to stick with it,” said Deschamps, sounding somewhat confused about how his own team should play.

Source: Bahrain News Agency