News

Prosecco corks cancelled from Giro d’Italia following star’s race ending injury

Published

4 years ago

May 19, 2022

Prosecco corks have been removed from podium celebrations after Biniam Girmay suffered a race-ending eye injury

Girmay made history on Tuesday by becoming the first black African rider to win a grand tour stage at the Giro d’Italia. But he was later forced to abandon the race after being struck in the eye by a Prosecco cork.

Girmay’s injury was severe saw him rushed to hospital just minutes after claiming his historic victory.

Race organisers have since moved to ensure there will be no repeat of the event.

Celebrations following Wednesday’s stage in Emilia-Romagna took place with pre-opened bottles of Prosecco.

In fact, Girmay was not the first rider in the race to be struck by an errant cork.

Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel narrowly avoided a similar fate after being hit in the neck while celebrating victory in the opening stage.

Mathieu van der Poel was also hit by a cork after the opening stage of the race. PHOTO: Fanpage.it

Star on the rise

Girmay’s absence for the remainder of the race will come as a blow to race organisers.

After a number of top five finishes, his pursuit of victory was one of the Giro’s main talking points.

https://twitter.com/IntermarcheWG/status/1526894313388625921

The Eritrean has risen rapidly in a sport too often characterised by a lack of diversity.

Earlier this year, the 22-year-old also became the first African to win a prestigious classic cycle race.

Before his withdrawal, Girmay was sitting second in the points classification. He would have been one of the hot favourites to take out the prize by the end of the race.

Bryan Hoadley contributed to this post

News

OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

20 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

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#OpenAI #SmartSpeaker #AIHardware #TechNews #Innovation #Manufacturing #AIRevenue #FutureTech

News

Putin invited to Trump’s Gaza Peace Board

Putin invited to U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza amid ceasefire efforts and reconstruction debates.

Published

20 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Putin invited to U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza amid ceasefire efforts and reconstruction debates.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly received an invitation to join the U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, according to the Kremlin. The council, created by President Donald Trump, is designed to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas while overseeing the region’s reconstruction.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow will review the details of the invitation before responding. The board has already extended invitations to several world leaders, with some nations confirming their participation.

The proposal has sparked debate because the Trump administration reportedly requires participating nations to pay $1 billion to secure a permanent seat. Putin’s potential involvement also raises concerns, given his ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

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#GazaPeace #Putin #Trump #MiddleEast #InternationalRelations #WorldLeaders #Ceasefire #GlobalPolitics

News

Trump escalates Greenland standoff as Europe weighs retaliation

Denmark boosts Greenland troops as Trump pushes U.S. control, prompting European leaders to seek diplomatic solutions amidst rising tensions.

Published

20 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Denmark boosts Greenland troops as Trump pushes U.S. control, prompting European leaders to seek diplomatic solutions amidst rising tensions.

Denmark has deployed additional troops to Greenland after President Donald Trump renewed his push for U.S. control of the island, linking the issue to what he claims cost him a Nobel Peace Prize.

The move has raised alarm across Europe, with leaders scrambling to prevent a fresh transatlantic crisis.

Trump has warned of tariffs against countries opposing American control of Greenland, calling the territory vital to U.S. security interests. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has privately raised concerns with Trump, while EU officials assess potential coordinated countermeasures.

Despite the rhetoric, European leaders remain cautious. With U.S. influence deeply embedded in Europe’s defence and security framework, the bloc is keen to avoid further escalation as diplomatic negotiations continue behind the scenes.

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