push James Milner eyeing glorious Liverpool era: 'We want to push on' By www.standard.co.uk Published On :: 2020-05-01T08:24:47Z James Milner is determined to ensure that last season's Champions League success will be looked back on as the start of a glorious period in Liverpool's history. Full Article
push Harry Kane will know 'very soon' whether to stay at Tottenham or push for transfer, says Tim Sherwood By www.standard.co.uk Published On :: 2020-05-02T04:02:00Z Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood says Harry Kane will know "very soon" whether he wants to push for a move away from the club. Full Article
push Conservation in crisis: why Covid-19 could push mountain gorillas back to the brink By www.theguardian.com Published On :: 2020-05-05T06:30:30Z Once a step away from extinction, their survival was a rare success story. But groundbreaking gorilla conservation is now in perilEcotourism collapse threatens communities and wildlifeAs he clambers down the forested ravine, soil slipping beneath his boots, Dr Fred Nizeyimana knows they are close. “I can smell them,” he says, just before the mountain gorillas come into view high in the canopy, plucking leaves and chomping on the vegetation. An adult female slides down a tree, a flash of black fur and elongated limb. More follow, with infants and juveniles in tow. A grunting silverback descends to join its family, the branches buckling beneath approximately 180kg (400lb) of iconic primate. Continue reading... Full Article Conservation Environment Wildlife Uganda Africa World news Coronavirus outbreak Primatology
push Prepare for liftoff: NASA deals have pushed Aerojet Rocketdyne to grow By feeds.bizjournals.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 00:04:00 +0000 The win means new, steady work for the company's Puget Sound region site at a time the region is losing tens of thousands of layoffs in aerospace manufacturing. Full Article
push Australian expat's push for universal mask-wearing catches fire in the US By www.brisbanetimes.com.au Published On :: Sat, 04 Apr 2020 13:31:05 GMT When Melbourne expat Jeremy Howard called on all Americans to wear masks three days ago it was a fringe idea. Now US President Donald Trump is considering it. Full Article
push Australia pushing for new regulations on wildlife markets to prevent future pandemics By www.abc.net.au Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 11:11:45 +1000 Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer is urging international counterparts to support the formation of new regulations and standards for wildlife markets in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Full Article Government and Politics Infectious Diseases (Other) Federal Government Food Safety Health Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Community and Society
push Airline bailout push turns ugly as Queensland Minister warns NSW Treasurer to 'back right off' By www.abc.net.au Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 07:21:02 +1000 Queensland's State Development Minister Cameron Dick is warning the NSW Treasurer to "back off" over a move to lure Virgin Australia from Brisbane to Sydney as part of a possible bailout package for the embattled airline. Full Article Epidemics and Pandemics COVID-19 Federal - State Issues Health Policy Travel Health and Safety Federal - State Issues Government and Politics Diseases and Disorders Rural Rural Tourism Travel and Tourism Lifestyle and Leisure Business Economics and Finance Company News Tourism Industry Infectious Diseases (Other) Respiratory Diseases
push Transurban pushes West Gate Tunnel deadline out a year, citing contaminated soil dispute By www.abc.net.au Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 11:54:24 +1000 Transurban reports to shareholders that construction on the West Gate Tunnel has been set back, with the project now expected to be completed by in 2023. Full Article Business Economics and Finance Industry Building and Construction Government and Politics COVID-19
push 'There's got to be a better way': Exploration company pushes to reduce plastic bags By www.abc.net.au Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 10:16:36 +1000 A small exploration company drilling for gold in Western Australia's Goldfields wants to change the perception that the resources sector is a "dirty industry" by using biodegradable bags for drill samples. Full Article Mining Industry Mining (Rural) Mining Environmental Issues Gold
push Trump uses coronavirus crisis to push other policy priorities By www.latimes.com Published On :: Thu, 23 Apr 2020 18:42:19 -0400 Trump is using the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity — or as political cover — to make sweeping changes to regulations and push controversial new policies. Full Article
push COVID-19 death toll surpasses 50,000 in the U.S. as states push ahead with reopenings By www.latimes.com Published On :: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 15:02:16 -0400 Amid the coronavirus outbreak as the U.S. death toll passes 50,000, some governors push ahead with reopening their states' economies. Full Article
push The U.S. is pushing Mexico to reopen factories even as workers die of COVID-19 By www.latimes.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 22:32:13 -0400 The United States wants Mexico to reopen its border factories, even as the coronavirus spreads and worker deaths rise. Full Article
push Morning Break: Paddock's Brain; Amazon's Pharmacy Push; Marijuana-Sex Connection By www.medpagetoday.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Oct 2017 09:15:00 -0400 Health news and commentary from around the Web gathered by the ALLMedPage Today staff Full Article
push Ousted BARDA director pushed back on chloroquine claims and faced whistleblower retaliation, complaint says By www.fiercepharma.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 19:56:27 +0000 After his surprise removal from HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority—a key agency partnered with pharma companies on COVID-19 drugs, vaccines and diagnostics—former Director Rick Bright is alleging whistleblower retaliation by HHS leadership. Full Article
push Attorney General Eric Holder Signs Agreement to Strengthen U.S.-Spanish Cooperation, Pushes for Terrorist Financing Tracking Program Agreement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 10:07:35 EDT "Whether it is in counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, money laundering, smuggling or combating international organized crime, Spain has long been and will continue to be a strong partner for the United States," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
push 'Chinese virus' and other COVID-19 racism have designers, stylists of Asian heritage pushing back By www.latimes.com Published On :: Fri, 8 May 2020 19:20:44 -0400 Enough is enough, says a growing number of creatives from the fashion industry, including designer Kimora Lee Simmons, stylist Jeanne Yang and designer Prabal Gurung. Full Article
push Shutting down fruit vegetables groceries amid peak heat and Ramzan pushes Ahmedabadis to edge By economictimes.indiatimes.com Published On :: 2020-05-09T20:13:56+05:30 The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Commissioner Vijay Nehra was already pushed into a quarantine following the rising numbers of patients in the city and Additional Chief Secretary Rajiv Gupta was brought in as in charge of the fight against Covid in Ahmedabad while CEO of Gujarat Maritime Board Mukesh Kumar was brought in as the incharge Commissioner. Full Article
push Apple push notifications with PhoneGap By www.adobe.com Published On :: Mon Nov 19 23:57:00 UTC 2012 Learn how to set up and retrieve APNs coming from a third-party server. Full Article
push Android Push Notifications with PhoneGap By www.adobe.com Published On :: Mon Dec 17 20:59:00 UTC 2012 Learn how to code server-side push notifications for Android devices. Full Article
push Analysis: Iraqi Protesters Will Likely Push Forward Despite Violence By www.belfercenter.org Published On :: Feb 7, 2020 Feb 7, 2020Since last October, Iraqis have staged peaceful anti-government protests throughout Baghdad and the southern provinces. These mass protest movements have drawn attention for their unifying nationalistic rhetoric, their irreverence for traditional societal and political figures, and for their strict adherence to peaceful means in the face of increasing brutality by the government’s forces and paramilitary groups. Full Article
push Kubica insists he pushed to the limit By en.espnf1.com Published On :: Sun, 24 Oct 2010 08:53:00 GMT Robert Kubica insists he pushed his Renault to the limit to take eighth place on the grid at the Korean Grand Prix Full Article
push 6 elements of a strategy to push back on Iran’s hegemonic ambitions By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Wed, 29 Mar 2017 15:08:23 +0000 Iran is posing a comprehensive challenge to the interests of the United States and its allies and partners in the Middle East. Over the past four decades, it has managed to establish an “arc of influence” that stretches from Lebanon and Syria in the Levant, to Iraq and Bahrain on the Gulf, to Yemen on […] Full Article
push How COVID-19 could push Congress to start reining in vulture capitalism By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:57:23 +0000 The effects of income inequality have been felt throughout society but they are especially evident in the current coronavirus crisis. For instance, workers in the information economy are able to telework and draw their salaries, but workers in the service sector are either unemployed or at great risk as they interact with customers during a… Full Article
push How COVID-19 could push Congress to start reining in vulture capitalism By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:57:23 +0000 The effects of income inequality have been felt throughout society but they are especially evident in the current coronavirus crisis. For instance, workers in the information economy are able to telework and draw their salaries, but workers in the service sector are either unemployed or at great risk as they interact with customers during a… Full Article
push ISIS is pushing Turkey in the wrong direction By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 01 Jul 2016 09:00:00 -0400 Editor’s Note: Turkey's terrorism troubles are bad and getting worse. At least 41 people died Tuesday when authorities say that ISIS attackers opened fire on crowds at Istanbul's airport and then detonated suicide vests, wreaking havoc. Dan Byman writes that Turkey's ISIS problems are bound up in its Syria policy and that the biggest danger of the attacks is that they push Turkey further toward authoritarianism and away from Europe and the United States. This piece was originally published by Slate. Turkey’s terrorism troubles are bad and getting worse. At least 41 people died Tuesday in a terrorist attack on Istanbul’s airport. Authorities say that ISIS attackers opened fire on crowds at the airport and then detonated suicide vests, wreaking havoc. For Turks, such an attack is not a surprise: The country has seen as spate of attacks throughout the country in recent years. ISIS has not formally taken credit for the attack as of Wednesday morning, but it has struck Turkey repeatedly and with growing frequency: ISIS has previously hit Istanbul twice in 2016, including a January suicide bomber attack on Sultanahmet Square that killed 12 in the heart of Turkey’s tourist district. In 2015, Turkey suffered its most deadly terrorist attack ever when more than 100 people were killed after bombs went off near Ankara’s railway station, targeting a rally opposing Turkey’s conflict with its own Kurdish population. In 2013, more than 50 people were killed when car bombs went off in Reyhanli near the Syrian border. Although ISIS is usually blamed for these attacks, Turkey’s Kurds, the Syrian regime, and Syria’s al-Qaida affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra have all been named as suspects. The sheer number of possibilities and the politicized finger-pointing reveals how daunting a challenge Turkey faces on the counterterrorism front. The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to fight ISIS, but this is only one of its problems and, so far, not its No. 1 priority. Erdogan’s government also seeks to topple the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, and manage its own and the regional Kurdish problem—tough enough tasks without having to also shore up the government’s declining legitimacy. When the Arab Spring broke out in 2011, Turkey seemed a model for aspiring democracies in the Middle East. Here, after all, was a democratic government that embraced political Islam but did so in a seemingly moderate way, was a member of NATO, a booming economic power, and a force for stability in the region. The Middle East, however, has come to Turkey rather than the other way around. Although Turkey’s economy continues to do well, Turkey has far fewer admirers in the West and is often considered part of the problem, even drawing public criticism from President Obama. For many Turks, the Istanbul attack is part of this changing landscape. Asli Aydintasbas, a Turkish analyst, described a “world turned upside down” to the New York Times: Istanbul “was a happening town, cutting edge in arts and culture. It’s the kind of place that Condé Nast would write about. Now this is a Middle Eastern country where these things happen.” Turkey’s ISIS problems are bound up in its Syria policy. Turkey’s ISIS problems are bound up in its Syria policy. Erdogan had cultivated Assad and then was outraged when the Syrian dictator proved to be, well, a dictator. Instead of making reforms to placate protesters, as Erdogan had urged, Assad reached out to Iran and commenced a brutal crackdown that would lead to a civil war in which more than 400,000 Syrians have died so far—most at the hands of the regime, not ISIS. Although the United States prioritizes fighting ISIS, Turkey sees ousting Assad as more important. Ankara has armed and trained opposition fighters and hosted Syrian dissidents. Turkey has backed more radical groups like Ahrar al-Sham, which works with the Islamic State’s affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra. The country’s policy toward ISIS should be seen in this context: Anyone opposing Assad seemed to be on the right side. Although ISIS relies heavily on foreign volunteers for manpower, Turkey dragged its feet and allowed volunteers to transit Turkey unimpeded so as to make their way to fight Assad. European governments reacted with growing concern and anger, fearing that these volunteers would come back and conduct terrorist attacks on the West. In the last year, Turkey has become far tougher on foreign fighters, but it is difficult to uproot the now-extensive radical infrastructure. ISIS attacks on Turkey have grown in response to this crackdown. In addition to public attacks, ISIS has shot and beheaded activists linked to “Raqqa Is Being Silently Slaughtered,” a non-government organization providing information and video footage of the brutal life in ISIS-controlled areas. Such acts and Western pressure have also led to more Turkish military involvement, and this too probably led to an escalation of ISIS attacks. Turkey used tanks and artillery to strike ISIS after the January bombing in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Square and has shelled ISIS positions in response to ISIS cross-border shelling. Perhaps more importantly, Turkey allows the United States and other coalition countries to base aircraft out of the Incirlik and Diyabakir air bases in southern Turkey for strikes on ISIS. Making things even more complex, Turkey’s own Kurdish problem put it at odds with Washington in the fight against ISIS. From Ankara’s point of view, there are good Kurds and bad Kurds. The good ones include Iraq’s main Kurdish organizations which have good relations and economic ties with Turkey. On the other hand, the Erdogan government sees the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) as an enemy. The group claims to represent the aspiration of Turkey’s own Kurds, which make up perhaps 20 percent of the population, and past regimes had fought civil wars with the group, leading to 40,000 deaths since the conflict began in 1984. In 1999, the PKK’s leader was captured and the conflict declined in ferocity. Peace seemed at hand as negotiations commenced secretly in 2009, and at the end of 2012 Erdogan publicly embraced the talks. The ceasefire broke down in 2015, however, when Turkey bombed the PKK’s bases in Iraq, and Kurdish violence and terrorism in Turkey returned: Many observers believe Erdogan renewed operations because his electoral fortunes were waning and he sought to stir up nationalist sentiment. With this dynamic in mind, Syria’s small Kurdish group the Democratic Union Party (PYD) has come to play an important role for Turkish policy, ISIS, and Syria. Although the group has historically been minor, its ties to the PKK made Turkey see it as an enemy. This mattered little until central government authority in Syria’s Kurdish areas collapsed. The PYD and other Kurdish groups carved out their own autonomous areas, leading to Turkish fears that the PYD would inspire Turkey’s Kurds to seek independence and would provide the PKK a base for attacks. Washington took a different view: As U.S. military training programs against ISIS proved ineffective, the PYD also emerged as a valuable military ally, perhaps the most effective foe of ISIS within Syria. Even as the United States works with Syria’s Kurds, Turkey has embargoed Kurdish areas in Syria (at a time when humanitarian conditions are desperate) and even threatened to intervene if the Syrian Kurds expand their territory near the Turkish border too much. And to make this more complex, the PYD itself doesn’t work well with other anti-Assad groups, which oppose Kurdish autonomy and are angered by the PYD’s willingness to ignore Assad, making it difficult to square with broader U.S. goals in Syria. All this would be easier for Turkey if the Erdogan government had broad support at home and abroad, but it doesn’t. Recent years have seen massive anti-government protests with the Turkish government responding by stepping up repression. Erdogan changed jobs from prime minister to the more ceremonial role of president, but he remains the power behind—or even in front of —the throne. Turkey has used anti-terrorism as an excuse to crack down on legitimate political dissent at home, straining ties with Europe and the United States. The government is increasingly authoritarian, with crackdowns on press freedom being particularly acute. (And whatever you do, don’t compare Erdogan to Gollum.) The good news is that Turkey is trying to break out of its growing isolation; the bad news is that it is doing so by mending fences with another authoritarian strongman, Russian President Vladimir Putin. [T]he biggest danger of the ISIS attacks is that they push Turkey further toward authoritarianism and away from Europe and the United States. In addition to the horrific loss of lives, the biggest danger of the ISIS attacks is that they push Turkey further toward authoritarianism and away from Europe and the United States. Dictators throughout the Middle East use legitimate security and terrorism dangers to justify delaying reforms, repressing any form of opposition, and labeling all foes as terrorists. The Turkish model, unfortunately, is a Middle Eastern one now. Authors Daniel L. Byman Publication: Slate Image Source: © Murad Sezer / Reuters Full Article
push How COVID-19 could push Congress to start reining in vulture capitalism By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:57:23 +0000 The effects of income inequality have been felt throughout society but they are especially evident in the current coronavirus crisis. For instance, workers in the information economy are able to telework and draw their salaries, but workers in the service sector are either unemployed or at great risk as they interact with customers during a… Full Article
push 6 elements of a strategy to push back on Iran’s hegemonic ambitions By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Wed, 29 Mar 2017 15:08:23 +0000 Iran is posing a comprehensive challenge to the interests of the United States and its allies and partners in the Middle East. Over the past four decades, it has managed to establish an “arc of influence” that stretches from Lebanon and Syria in the Levant, to Iraq and Bahrain on the Gulf, to Yemen on […] Full Article
push Congress pushed out that massive emergency spending bill quickly. Here are four reasons why. By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 19:23:28 +0000 Full Article
push John Mackey Steps Down As Chairman of Whole Foods: Did He Jump or Was He Pushed? By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:26:24 -0500 On Christmas Eve, John Mackey announced that he is stepping down as Chairman of the Board of Whole Foods. Full Article Business
push Will autonomous delivery robots soon be pushing pedestrians off the sidewalks? By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 07 Jul 2016 12:06:02 -0400 Nobody is actually asking the question, because pedestrians don't matter, do they? Full Article Transportation
push Pushmaster integrates a kitchen, laundry and tent into one mobile unit By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Wed, 04 Nov 2015 07:00:00 -0500 Steven M. Johnson beat the GrubHub by 25 years. Full Article Living
push Get ready for pushback in the war on plastic By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 21 Feb 2019 10:17:07 -0500 Petrochemicals are becoming increasingly important to the oil industry as cars go electric. Full Article Science
push Patagonia's new Silent Down coats push environmental standards even higher By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0500 Recycled fabric, down insulation, and fair-trade sewing make this a top pick if you're in the market for a new coat. Full Article Living
push Storing bikes? The Pushbike Arc lets anyone pack'em, stack'em and rack'em By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 20 Nov 2015 07:45:53 -0500 This Australian design takes the work out of parking bikes. Full Article Transportation
push U.S. and WWF Push for Ban on Tuna Fishing By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 13:15:00 -0500 In a belated attempt to (finally) stem the growing tide of aggressive overfishing, the U.S. is calling on the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to enact a 3-5 year ban on bluefin tuna Full Article Business
push Scottish utility goes 100% renewable, pushes electric vehicles too By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Nov 2018 06:21:43 -0500 One of the UK's "Big Six" energy companies has gone a dark shade of green. Full Article Energy
push With a push from Apple, a "revolutionary" process removes CO2 from aluminum smelting By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 11 May 2018 09:19:38 -0400 Even when made using hydro-electricity, aluminum production had a big carbon footprint. Full Article Business
push Little Brown Bat Will Be Pushed to Extinction by Spreading White Nose Syndrome: New Study By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:44:00 -0400 photo: US Fish & Wildlife Service via flickr White nose syndrome, a disease caused by exposure to a particular fungus, first discovered in 2006, has been afflicting bats in the eastern United States and appears to be spreading. Considering that it's Full Article Science
push Retailers Push for Greater Payment Security at Checkout - Retailers Push for Greater Payment Security at Checkout to Combat Fraud and Cyber Theft By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: 22 Sep 2015 15:15:00 EDT Retailers Push for Greater Payment Security at Checkout to Combat Fraud and Cyber Theft Full Article Banking Financial Services Computer Electronics Electronic Commerce Publishing Information Services Retail Broadcast Feed Announcements Survey Polls & Research MultiVu Video
push Michigan lawmakers lead congressional push to include auto industry in next stimulus bill By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 22:24:51 GMT "The projected economic fallout for the (auto) industry is grave," reads the bipartisan letter signed by nine lawmakers from Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Alabama, all states with big auto manufacturing plants. Full Article
push NYT: EU bows to pressure to soften criticism of how the Chinese government pushed disinformation about the coronavirus By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:32:59 GMT New York Times reporter Matt Apuzzo discusses his piece on how Beijing moved to tamp down criticism from the West over its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article
push Egypt has been 'pushing forward' structural reforms amid virus crisis, says minister By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 09:23:08 GMT Egypt has been implementing structural reforms in an "expedited fashion" and widening social safety nets to people who are vulnerable in light of the coronavirus outbreak, says Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt's minister of international cooperation. Full Article
push Trump 'torn' over US-China trade deal as officials push to fulfill its terms By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 02:43:12 GMT Asked if he was "breaking up" the Phase 1 trade deal, Trump said: "I'm very — I'm very torn as to — I have not decided yet, if you want to know the truth." Full Article
push White House weighs pushing tax deadline back to Sept. 15 By www.cnbc.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 20:20:08 GMT To help bolster the economy, the White House is weighing a variety of measures, including the possibility of extending the tax deadline to September or even December. Full Article
push Jonjoe Kenny: 'I came to the Bundesliga to push my comfort zone' By www.theguardian.com Published On :: 2020-05-07T18:00:05Z The Everton right-back joined Schalke on loan in pre-season and hopes to play against Borussia Dortmund on 16 MayAs Jonjoe Kenny remembers the sights and smells that defined his childhood it is tempting, more so at a time such as this, to close your eyes and travel back with him. He can tell what, with a few bumps here and there, is the textbook story of a local boy made good, and Everton games were the focal points throughout. Kenny grew up in Kirkdale, virtually on the doorstep of Goodison Park, and the glimpse of a buzzing County Road brought the kind of sensory assault that would leave thousands pining today.“It’s about a five-minute walk round the corner,” Kenny says. “On matchdays going to the stadium it was always busy in our area. The chippies were packed, the pubs were packed, and when you’re walking to the game through it all there’s no better feeling. As a kid growing up, it was such a big thing.” Continue reading... Full Article Everton Schalke Bundesliga Football Sport
push One final push for pride and glory By www.fifa.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Sep 2016 22:21:00 GMT However the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 concludes, the tournament will go down as a watershed. For the first time, the trophy will not be lifted by Brazil or Spain, with either Russia or Argentina set to claim the crown in Cali. Full Article
push India’s push to relax environmental assessment rules amid pandemic draws criticism By www.sciencemag.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 01:15:00 -0400 Government continues to greenlight projects despite reduced oversight Full Article
push #WorldCupAtHome: Brazil push Les Bleues to the limit By www.fifa.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 10:52:00 GMT Brazil push Les Bleues to the limit Full Article
push WWE's next hottest star Bianca Belair on how Mark Henry gave her the push she needed By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 22 Apr 2020 09:59:42 GMT Bianca Belair, WWE's NXT superstar, has now made it to the main roster on WWE Raw and is bringing the house down. Bianca Belair has performed for two matches on WWE Raw in the past 2 weeks and seems to be making her way to the top in the women's division. In an interview, she discusses how she was discovered, why she calls herself the 'EST', creating her own ring gear and more. How did Mark Henry first discover you? And what is the most useful piece of advice he’s given you from your tryout and beyond?“After my track career I wanted to find something I could still be competitive in, so I was doing Crossfit and I really stood out…all the other girls were just wearing regular shorts and t-shirts and I was coming out in tutu’s and big bows and just really standing out. At a lot of Crossfit competitions I was getting on the mic and, without even knowing it, cutting promos. Mark Henry came across a video of me at a Crossfit event on the internet and he contacted me and asked me if I’d ever thought of being in the WWE… He got me in the door but he made it very clear from the very beginning that “this is all going to be on you”… It gave me a lot of confidence and it really pushed me. Ever since then he has always been someone I can go to for advice” You famously declared yourself the ‘EST of NXT’, and now the ‘EST of WWE’. Can you explain to people who don’t know, what that means?“The ‘EST of WWE’ means that I am a hybrid athlete. I’m not just good in one area, I’m not just good at one thing, I’m not just strong, I’m not just someone who can go in there and do flips and be a showcase athlete. I’m someone who can do it all. I’m not just average in different areas, I’m the best in every single area. I’m the strongEST, the fastEST, the quickEST, the roughEST, the greatEST, the smartEST, I’m the bEST. All those end in EST. I just see myself as being the absolute best in every single area that you can think of.” You’re a Superstar with a host of skills, one of which is making your own gear. Has that always been a passion for you? Which ring gear have you designed that means the most to you, and why?“I have been pretty creative and pretty hands on my whole life. I get it from my dad who is always doing something, always making something. My mum is the same way. They are super creative and I just grew up in that environment. I used to sew when I was younger, my mum had this little Christmas cookie jar that had everything in it but cookies. At first I started sewing pillow cases together, I didn’t even know what I was doing, but it carried over into High School and I used to sew and make my own outfits… It carried over into WWE because I do everything the best and I do everything myself, it’s a huge part of my character. Probably my favourite gear is my Black History Month gear that I wore at NXT TakeOver: Portland. Black History Month is really important to me because I really feel that Black history is American history is World history, and I’m very passionate about that. So that’s probably my favourite gear that I’ve made and it has the most sentimental value to me.” Do you see your position as a WWE Superstar carrying a responsibility to set an example for young girls and women around the world?“The further along I get in my career the more I see that I do have a responsibility and I take that very seriously. Especially with women and young girls we are often taught to shrink ourselves, and that is a big part of my character is to never shrink yourself to soothe anyone’s insecurities, you never dim your light for anyone. You go out there and you shine bright, it’s even in my theme song: “watch me shine now”. It’s something that I really want to stress to young girls, especially within the community that I come from… Go out there and show them who you are and don’t hold back. I hold that responsibility very close to my heart and it’s not just for young girls or for women, it’s for everyone. You have to be your biggest supporter, you have to be your biggest cheerleader.” What are Bianca Belair’s future WWE ambitions?“The cliché answer is to be RAW Women’s Champion, or if I’m on SmackDown to be SmackDown Women’s Champion, or to eventually be NXT Women’s Champion. Of course, I want to be the Champion on all three brands at some particular time but, honestly, I just want to go out there and leave an impact no matter where I’m at. I feel like I did that with NXT, I left an impact. When people think back to this era in WWE history I want to be one of the names that pops up as one of the key players regardless of if I’ve won one match or one hundred matches. I want to leave a legacy, I want to leave an impact.” Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news Full Article