7/7 anniversary: UK remembers those lost in 2005 London terror attacks

Raymond Simonson

Ten years have passed since four coordinated bomb attacks tore apart subway trains and a bus in central London, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more.

The United Kingdom marks the somber anniversary Tuesday with a national minute of silence at 11:30 a.m. local time (6:30 a.m. ET) and ceremonies in Hyde Park, where a memorial to those killed on July 7, 2005, stands.

Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson laid wreaths there in the morning, in a commemoration timed to coincide with the detonation of the first device. An afternoon event at the memorial -- made up of 52 stainless steel pillars, each representing one of the victims -- will be attended by Prince William.

A service of commemoration is also being held at the landmark St. Paul's Cathedral, bringing together survivors of the blasts, the families of those killed and first responders.

Prince Andrew and London's mayor will be present for the service, which includes reflections on each of the four bombing sites. Priests who helped those affected by the attacks will also take part.

Terror on the Tube: Londoners remember 7/7 bombings

Buses and trains will come to a halt where possible for the moment's silence in recognition of the losses suffered on the public transit network.

The start of play at London's iconic Wimbledon tennis tournament has been delayed by 45 minutes to allow spectators and players to observe the moment's silence.

London's 7/7 bombings: On the terrorists' trail

'Walk together' call

The bombings remain the deadliest terrorist attack ever in Britain.

The capital was thrown into chaos as the bombs were set off that July day during the morning rush hour, on three subway trains and a bus. Fifty-six people were killed in total, including the four Islamist suicide bombers, and more than 770 were wounded.

The bombings happened the day after the International Olympic Committee announced London would be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

The men responsible were ringleader Mohammed Sadique Khan, age 30; 22-year-old Shahzad Tanweer; Hasib Mir Hussain, age 18; and 19-year-old GermainLindsay. 

 Ten years on, the devastation has not been forgotten, but what so many survivors and rescue workers also remember is the solidarity that followed.

Using the hashtag #walktogether, a British think tank -- backed by faith leaders and survivors -- called on commuters all over Britain to get off public transit a stop earlier than usual Tuesday morning and walk the last leg of their journey together in a show of unity.

It recalls how so many Londoners walked home from their workplaces on the day of the bombings after the public transit network was shut down

Liverpool allow Mario Balotelli leave after adoptive father's death

Mario Balotelli could fly out for Liverpool's preseason tour of the Far East and Australia on Sunday.

Mario Balotelli was given compassionate leave to miss Liverpool's first days of preseason training following the death of his adoptive father.

Balotelli returned to Italy to attend the funeral of Francesco Balotelli, who died following a long illness.

Liverpool began preseason training on Monday, but the former Manchester City forward has been allowed time off following the bereavement.

He is expected to return to the club in time to play a part in their preseason tour of the Far East and Australia, for which they will fly out on Sunday.

Balotelli, 24, left a message on Twitter following Francesco's death, which read: "Thanks everyone for the support. I really wanna thank everybody. My family thanks all of you too."

The Italy international was born to Ghanaian immigrants in Palermo in August 1990, but was placed in foster care at the age of three.

He was adopted by Silvia and Francesco Balotelli, growing up in the town of Concesio, in the northern Italian province of Brescia.

Firefighter Suspended For Flying Confederate Flag During Minnesota Parade

A volunteer firefighter has been suspended for flying a Confederate flag from the back of a fire truck during a "Third of July" parade in Albert Lea, Minnesota, according to reports.

Brian Nielsen, of the Hartland Fire Department, said he would quit if that is requested.

“I’m sorry that I hurt my city and hurt the fire department,” he said to WCCO radio.

The 43-year-old Nielsen, who acted alone, said he was not racist but made the gesture to criticize political correctness.

"It was my decision and I didn't think it was going to be a big deal, but boy was I wrong," Nielsen told The Associated Press.

According to the Albert Lea Tribune, Nielsen drove the vehicle on the route with his wife, his daughter, his daughter’s friend and his niece.

Nielsen told the Associated Press that he's willing to say he's sorry to parade organizers from the Albert Lea Chamber of Commerce during a public meeting.

The shooting massacre at a historically black South Carolina church last month hasreignited national debate over the Confederate flag's place in modern society. Dylann Roof, who's charged with murder in the nine shooting deaths, was seen in photos with the Confederate flag.

In Taraba State: 3 Youth Corpers To Repeat Service Year For Misconduct

Mr Tumba Freeman, the Taraba Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, on Friday said that three 2014 Batch `B’ Corps Members (names withheld) would repeat their service year for misconduct.
Freeman made this known at a news conference in Jalingo, saying that the culprits were punished for absenteeism at their places of primary assignments for three consecutive months.

According to him, three other corp members died in the course of the service as a result of medical complications which they had in an accident during the service year.

The coordinator said that the agency had given awards to 10 corp members for their meritorious service during the service year.

“We rewarded them for their excellent service which they totally deserved. It may interest you to know that Taraba came second in terms of the number of corp members that received honors in the country. What we are simply doing is to recognise their contributions in community development, and to encourage other corps members to follow suit’’, Freeman said. (NAN)

Van Persie in talks to leave Man Utd for Fenerbahce

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is in talks with Fenerbahce over a move to the Turkish club.

According to a report in The Guardian, Van Persie’s agent Kees Vos has spent the past48 hours in negotiations with Fenerbahce talking over a deal.

The report states that United are yet to agree a fee with Fenerbahce for the Holland international but that the player is keen on the move and wants to sign a four-year contract.

Van Persie’s future has been the subject of speculation all summer, with the player admitting that he was considering leaving the club he joined from Arsenal in 2012 for £25million.

“I must evaluate the situation,” Van Persie said last month. “The club is doing that as well. I must consider what I really want.

“If I contemplate the negative and say I won’t play much next season, that wouldn’t be good for me with Euro 2016 coming up. It’s a strange, difficult situation. A new situation, that’s a better word.

“I have to think, in a realistic way. It’s my ambition to play the next years and I’m thinking about my family and my children with every decision I take. These are very important for me.

“I’m a real family guy. I think it’s fantastic to see how happy my children and wife are. That’s something I take in consideration when I’m thinking about my future.”

Liverpool sign 16-year-old Nigerian starlet Bobby Adekanye from Barcelona

Liverpool have signed 16-year-old starlet Bobby Adekanye from Barcelona on a free transfer.

Adekanye was born in Nigeria but moved to Amsterdam in the Netherlands when he was four and arrived at the Camp Nou from Ajax in 2011.

However, he was banned for playing for Barcelona after FIFA ruled the club had broken youth transfer regulations in order to sign him and imposed a year-long transfer ban on them.

As a result, Adekanye — who has been compared to Arjen Robben — joined PSV on loan but has now opted to continue his career at Liverpool.

The left-sided winger turned down interest from PSV and Ajax and wrote on his Instagram page: “I am very happy to sign for Liverpool.”

The Dutch FA recently called him up to their under-16 side for the Algarve Cup back in February.

Germany vs. England: Highlights from Women's world cup 3rdPlace Game

After suffering a pair of rough losses in the semi-final round of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Germany and England will square off in the third-place game at 4 p.m. ET (9 p.m. BST).

Germany, which entered the tournament as the No. 1 team in the FIFA World Ranking, were dominated by the United States on Tuesday, while the Lionesses fell in heartbreaking fashion on Laura Bassett's 92nd-minute own goal against Japan on Wednesday.

On top of playing for a chance to leave Canada on a high note, both sides will be playing for national pride. England and Germany have long histories, and beating a rival on a big stage will not be taken lightly. 

Germany also have a chance to set the tone for the 2016 Olympics since they have already qualified due to their performance in Canada. Our live coverage of the Women's World Cup third-place game begins an hour before kick-off, when starting lineups are released.