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Nadine Dorries says she will encourage British sports to follow swimming's lead after its world governing body banned transgender athletes from elite women's races.The sports and culture minister says she backs the decision by FINA to forbid transgender athletes from competing in top level races if they went through male puberty.The international sports federation for swimming also vowed to set up an 'open category' which will separate transgender athletes to compete in a class of their own. It comes following an intense debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports.At the heart of the debate has been US swimmer Lia Thomas, who sparked controversy after winning a women's college event after transitioning in her late teens.Under FINA's new ruling, transgender competitors will have had to have completed their transition by the age of 12 in order to be able to compete in women's competitions - meaning Thomas will no longer be eligible to compete in female categories.Asked about the topic on LBC yesterday, shortly after FINA's announcement, Ms Dorries said: 'It is just unacceptable that trans women compete in women's sport.'I've been of the opinion FINA came to today for a long time, and have discussed this with my own department and established a policy. 'I'm going to encourage other sports (to do the same)... We're about to have a roundtable with all of the sports governing bodies.'She also said in a Tweet, sharing the news of FINA's ruling: 'Well done, this is the right and sensible decision.Fairness must always take precedence over inclusion and should be unequivocal. Also important that trans women should be able to compete in their own class.' Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries (pictured) says she will encourage British sports to follow swimming's lead after its world governing body banned transgender athletes from elite women's races It comes following an intense debate over the inclusion of transgender swimmers in female categories - including US swimmer Lia Thomas (pictured) who won a women's college event after transitioning in her late teensIt comes after former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies spoke of her 'pride' for the sport after FINA's announcement. Elite swimming is the first sport to completely forbid transgender athletes from women's swimming races if they went through male puberty, FINA announced on Sunday.The international sports federation for swimming is setting up an 'open category' which will separate transgender athletes to compete in a class of their own.The decision was made during FINA's extraordinary general congress on the sidelines of the world championships in Budapest after members heard a report from a transgender task force comprising leading medical, legal and sports figures. British Olympian Sharron Davies MBE, who has advocated for equality and fairness in sport and has spoken out against transgender swimmers in women's races, tweeted of FINA's newsBritish Olympian Sharron Davies MBE, who has advocated for equality and fairness in sport and has spoken out against transgender swimmers in women's races, tweeted of FINA's news.She wrote: 'I can’t tell you how proud I am of my sport @fina & @fina_president for doing the science, asking the athletes/coaches and standing up for fair sport for females.'Swimming will always welcome everyone no matter how you identify but fairness is the cornerstone of sport.'Her tweet was in response to her own post from Friday, which read: 'Once a male has gone through puberty there will always be a large retained performance advantage & bone structure.'Why are we asking females to accept competing with a known disadvantage before we even start? Females are not men with less testosterone. Compete with your sex.'Davies lost out on gold in the 1980 Moscow Olympics to East German swimmer Petra Schneider, who was later pinged for doping with performance enhancing drugs, including testosterone. Husain Al-Musallam, president of FINA, announced the news on Sunday afternoon.'I do not want any athlete to be told they cannot compete at the highest level,' Al-Musallam told a congress of his organisation today.'I will set up a working group to set up an open category at our meets. We will be the first federation to do that.' Elite swimming is the first sport to ban transgender athletes from women's races even if they went through male puberty, the international sports federation for swimming announced Sunday. Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, is picturedThe new policy will require transgender competitors to have completed their transition by the age of 12 in order to be able to compete in women's competitions.The policy was passed with a 71 per cent majority after it was put to the members of 152 national federations with voting rights who had gathered for the congress at the Puskas Arena.Around 15 per cent voted no to the policy on eligibility in the men's and women's competition categories, while 13 per cent abstained.Transgender rights has become a major talking point as sports seek to balance inclusivity while ensuring there is no unfair advantage.The debate intensified after University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history after winning the women's 500-yard freestyle earlier this year.Thomas swam for the Pennsylvanian men's team for three seasons before starting hormone replacement therapy in spring 2019. Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies MBE, who has advocated for equality and fairness in sport and has spoken out against transgender swimmers in women's races, tweeted of FINA's newsA wave of doctors suggested Lia Thomas - and other trans female athletes - will always have an unfair advantage in some sports because they cannot undo puberty, when their biological male bodies were flooded with testosterone. Last month, Thomas said some 'cisgender' women, which is a term used to describe someone whose gender identity is the same as when they were born', have more testosterone, bigger hands and feet and are taller than their competitors - so why should she banned when they aren't. 'I don't need anybody's permission to be myself,' she said.She also said anyone who says she isn't allowed to compete as a woman is transphobic, regardless of whether or not they support her right to transition. 'You can't go halfway and be like "I support trans people but only to a certain point". 'If you support transwomen and they've met all the NCAA requirements, I don't know if you can say something like that.'Lia Thomas has only competed in American college swim meets so far, with her last college event having been at the March 2022 NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), which is the US college sports' governing body.But Thomas has since outlined her ambitions to compete in the Olympics. Speaking to ABC News in May, she said: 'It's been a goal of mine to swim at Olympic trials for a very long time, and I would love to see that through.'Under FINA's ban, Thomas would not be able to compete in the women's races, instead taking part in the new 'open category' for swimmers whose gender identity is different from their birth sex. In a previous interview with GB News, Davies said of the transgender issue in women's sports: 'We cant feel our way out of reality. If there's an under 12s race and there's a 15-year-old that wants to "feel" its way to the under 12s, you can't do that.'If you're a heavyweight boxer and you want to "feel" your way into the bantam weight, you can't do that.'If you're a masters competer or you have a disability and you're in a particular category in the Paralympics, you can't "feel" your way into a better category where you have an advantage, and that's the whole reason we have male and female sport because otherwise just young men would win everything.'So I don't believe that feelings should be able to trump biological reality and fact.' The decision was made during FINA's extraordinary general congress on the sidelines of the world championships in Budapest after members heard a report from a transgender task force comprising leading medical, legal and sports figures. Swimmers pictured at the Women's 100m Breaststroke Semi Final on Sunday at the Budapest 2022 FINA World Championships'Trans women are not a threat to women's sport.'In response to Sharron Davies' tweet celebrating the news, many shared the same view. One wrote: 'Finally someone in sport has some commons sense. Now other sports have to follow this example.'Another said: 'It should be in all amateur sports as well, not just elite sports,' and one other similarly added: 'Now for the other sporting governing bodies.'Sports scientist Ross Tucker tweeted: 'Thank you FINA for listening to women, your own swimmers and coaches, and to science in creating a policy that respects women’s sport.' | Swimming |
Yogi Berra took a lot of ribbing for his looks when he joined the New York Yankees in the 1940s. The Pinstripes were the premier organization in Major League Baseball, and their new backstop was told he was too ugly to be a Yankee. Yet he went on to an extraordinary career in MLB, first as a player and then as a manager, making quirky, and often incisive, observations throughout, including “It ain’t over till it’s over” (although there is some doubt whether he ever uttered that phrase). A new documentary on Berra references this “Yogi-ism” in its title – It Ain’t Over, directed by Sean Mullin.The film is a sweet tribute to Berra, who died at age 90 in 2015. It recently made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, and is also screening at the Nantucket Film Festival, which starts on 22 June. Berra’s granddaughter Lindsay Berra, who features in the film, praises her grandfather’s response to jokes from teammates about his appearance.“He had the witty response, ‘I never saw anyone hit with his face,’” Lindsay Berra says. “I know he was really good at letting stuff roll off of his back.”Yogi-isms have become part of American culture, with eight included in the most recent volume of Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, more than any US president. Among them: “Slump? I ain’t in no slump. I just ain’t hitting.” As a pitchman for products from Yoo-Hoo to Aflac, he played upon this persona, befuddling the Aflac duck with statements like “and they give you cash, which is just as good as money.”Panels in the film pair various Yogi-isms with sayings from other sages throughout history, from Confucius to Einstein. “If you come to a fork in the road, take it” accompanies Robert Frost’s observation, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by.”Asked which of her grandfather’s quotes are her favorites, Lindsay Berra says she likes the existential ones, such as “The future ain’t what it used to be” and “If the world was perfect, it wouldn’t be.” She notes that the Berra family has embraced the fork-in-the-road philosophy – originally a description of Montclair, New Jersey, where both forks in a road led to Yogi’s home. The family use Berra’s saying as a reminder to stop procrastinating.The family participated in the documentary, joining forces with Mullin, a West Point graduate who served in the National Guard as a 9/11 first responder. At Ground Zero, he was the officer in charge over several months while doing stand-up comedy in the evening. His multifaceted career gave him perspective. The film seeks to present Berra beyond the quotes and other offbeat moments – such as getting into a tiff as Yankees manager over a loud harmonica session on the team bus, or his concerns about the emergence of a certain cartoon character named Yogi Bear.“This is something that’s really personal to me,” Mullin says. “Society has a very difficult time allowing somebody to be both funny and good. You can either be one or the other … I was a standup comedian for a while, then I went to West Point. People didn’t know how to place me. If you don’t fit into a box, people get nervous.” Born Lorenzo Pietro Berra in 1925, he grew up in an Italian-American section of St Louis. When Berra sat cross-armed and cross-legged watching games, it invited comparisons to a yogi. During the second world war, Berra participated in a dangerous assignment for the Navy on D-Day. A devoted family man, he exchanged poignant love letters with his wife, Carmen, whom he met when she was waitressing at Biggie’s restaurant in St Louis. The restaurant inspired his quote “Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded,” while Yogi and Carmen’s marriage of 64 years led him to reflect, “We’re together even when we’re not together.”Yogi Berra lounges on one of the gifts he received during ‘Yogi Berra Day’ prior to a game at Yankee Stadium in 1959. Photograph: Olen Collection/Diamond Images/Getty ImagesAs a player, Berra was very good indeed. His 1,430 RBIs are the most for a catcher. He excelled at hitting bad balls and coming through in the clutch. He and his Yankees teammate Joe DiMaggio are the only players to hit 350 or more home runs while striking out fewer than 400 times in their career. Berra won three American League MVP awards and a record 10 World Series titles as a player from 1946 to 1963. As the film notes, he bridged different eras of Yankee greatness, from Babe Ruth to DiMaggio to Mickey Mantle. “Even now, I think he’s underestimated as a player, and I want the documentary to make people remember just how good he was,” Lindsay Berra says.And it’s not just his family who testify to his greatness. “In the film, we were fortunate enough to interview so many incredible people,” says Mullin, who was particularly moved by one expert’s takeaway: “John Thorn is the official MLB historian and we have him on record … saying Yogi’s the greatest catcher who ever played the game.”Berra also thrived after his playing days. He added three championship rings as a coach – one with the New York Mets in the miracle season of 1969, and two with the Yankees during their mid-1970s resurgence. As a manager, he took two different teams to the World Series, the 1964 Yankees and 1972 Mets. While both lost, it was that ‘72 Mets team’s climb to the National League pennant that inspired another Yogi-ism – “You’re not out of it until it’s mathematical,” which evolved into “It ain’t over till it’s over.”Referencing Berra’s longtime manager with the Yankees, Lindsay Berra says, “One of the things Casey Stengel said about Grandpa was that he could fall in a sewer and come up with a gold watch … I know that players enjoyed playing for him and that he was really good at putting guys in positions to succeed.”However, his second stint as Yankees manager ended just 16 games into the 1985 season, when owner George Steinbrenner fired him through a subordinate. Berra’s son, Dale, was a player on that team. The firing marked a tough stretch for both father and son. Yogi vowed never to visit Yankee Stadium again, while Dale subsequently was involved in a drug scandal. Dale turned drug-free after some tough love from his father, and published a memoir about his experiences. As for Yogi, he and Steinbrenner eventually made up, prompted by team broadcaster Suzyn Waldman. When the reunion turned stormy, Carmen Berra intervened to defuse tensions. In 1999, Yogi ended a 14-year exile and returned to Yankee Stadium for Yogi Berra Day, with World Series perfect-game pitcher Larsen in attendance. The result on the field? Another perfect game, by Yankee David Cone, against the Montreal Expos.“I think Bob Costas said it best in the documentary,” Mullin says. “George Steinbrenner was a polarizing figure but obviously loved the Yankees and loved Yogi, and there was a strain on their relationship.” He adds, “Great stories involve difficult situations. I think the way it turned out ultimately, at the end, was wonderful and for the best.”How to sum up Yogi Berra? Well, with the Mets, he once noticed up-and-coming player Ron Swoboda trying to hit like Frank Robinson. Yogi’s advice: “If you can’t imitate him, don’t copy him.” Yogi Berra was truly inimitable. | Baseball |
A hard-core off-roader like the Ford Bronco would be incomplete without a Raptor variant, and as you might expect, this one does not disappoint. The Raptor is bigger, faster, meaner and more capable than every other Bronco, and it makes for an exceedingly good time when the pavement turns to dirt.The Raptor is only available with the Bronco's four-door body style, and it goes seriously wide. The Raptor is nearly 10 inches wider than other Broncos and the track grows by 8.6 inches, too. The body itself isn't much different, though, so that width is all in the hips. Those are some seriously flared fenders, y'all.This wider stance not only provides more stability off road, it allows Ford to run massive 37-inch BF Goodrich KO2 tires as standard. These tires are excellent over rocks, through the sand and in the dirt, though I'll note that if mud is in your future, BFG's KM3 tires are better suited for sloppy stuff. My test drive starts in Johnson Valley, California, my own backyard. I start off on a trail named Her Problem (seriously), which has been part of the King of the Hammers race for years. And believe me, this trail is no joke: It's littered with large boulders and a few 3-foot-tall rock obstacles called waterfalls. I have the tires aired down to 25 psi and the Raptor in its Rock Crawl mode, and I engage the standard front and rear electronic differential lockers before heading out on the trail.Rock Crawl mode immediately puts the Bronco Raptor into low-range four-wheel drive, and it disconnects the front sway bar, turns off traction control and adjusts the throttle and transmission parameters. Also helpful here is the One-Pedal Drive feature, where in order to apply the brakes, I just have to lift my foot off the throttle. This allows me to concentrate more on my visuals than my feet.The Bronco Raptor has a crawl ratio of 67.9:1. That's less than what you can get in a Jeep Wrangler, but because the Bronco's 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 440 pound-feet of torque, I have plenty of grunt to get me up and over obstacles. And while some off-road purists will bemoan an independent front suspension while rock crawling, here, on this trail, it totally works. With the sway bar disconnected I have a little more front articulation, so the wheel can drop farther away from the body and still stay in contact with the rocks.There aren't many obstacles the Raptor can't tackle. Ford And the Bronco has the necessary off-road geometry to get it done over these boulders. Ground clearance sits at 13.1 inches; the approach, departure and breakover angles are 47.2, 40.5 and 30.8 degrees, respectively. Sure, you'll still scrape a bit here and there, but that's to be expected in the rocks, and nothing on this trail can actually stop me. There are spotters guiding me along the trail, but I find myself using the forward-facing camera. I like that it projects the tire path and that it doesn't turn off above a certain speed. It's on as long as I need it.The only thing I don't like while using Rock Crawl mode is the rough shift from first to second gear. When the revs are high in first gear and the engine is really working, and the shift is enough to jerk my head back and forth. It happens again, though not as bad, when the Bronco shifts from second to third. But it's worth noting I'm driving a pre-production rig, so transmission fine-tuning might be a little different when the Raptors hit dealers.But where the Raptor truly shines is in high-speed desert running. This is what I live for and the Bronco 100% puts a smile on my face. In addition to 440 lb-ft of torque, the V6 makes 418 horsepower and the Fox live valve shocks can adjust damping rates up to 500 times a second. I really like the Multimatic DSSV shocks that General Motors uses in its trucks, but the Fox ones have seriously long travel: 13 inches upfront, 14 inches around back. Switching the Raptor to Baja mode locks out the top 5 gears of the 10-speed transmission, so the Raptor always stays in its power band. All of this makes for a perfect high-speed machine. Ford On some parts of the desert drive loop, I'm hitting 70 mph, and I have the confidence to keep my foot planted when I see upcoming holes or whoops. When I need to stop quickly, the antilock brakes are noninvasive and the pedal feels smooth with linear force. Still, I've never driven a stock SUV faster in the desert.The Bronco Raptor doesn't do badly on the pavement, either. At 5,700 pounds this SUV is heavy, so don't expect to hustle up any canyon roads, but the Raptor holds its own fairly well while driving in Sport mode. While using two-wheel drive, the transmission shifts smoothly, doing its thing in the background without any weirdness. Ford's Co-Pilot 360 driver-assistance technology is standard and includes forward-collision warning, emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring (a must, since the Bronco Raptor's sightlines can hide smaller vehicles) and lane-keeping assist. Unfortunately, adaptive cruise control costs extra.When it comes to towing and payload, I have good news and bad news. The good: The Raptor can tow more than a standard Bronco, rated at 4,500 pounds. That's enough for an open trailer and a race car or UTV. The bummer? Payload is down. While the standard Bronco can haul anywhere from 1,160 to 1,310 pounds, the Raptor can only handle 1,100 pounds.Yeah, it's huge. Ford As you might expect, fuel economy is not one of the Raptor's strong suits. This SUV has an Environmental Protection Agency rating of 15 mpg city, 16 mpg highway and 15 mpg combined. That's pretty analogous to an F-150 Raptor with 37-inch tires, but a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with less power can get you up to 23 mpg combined. Keep in mind, however, that no way in heck are you moving as quickly through desert in a Wrangler: Even the V8-powered Wrangler 392 would have a hard time.The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor starts at $70,095 including $1,595 for destination, and it doesn't have much in the way of competitors. The Wrangler 392, which would likely match the Bronco Raptor in the rocks but be left in its dust for go-fast shenanigans, starts at a whopping $81,190 including $1,595 for delivery. The Land Rover Defender V8 is another option, but it starts in six-figure territory.For now, the Bronco Raptor tops its own pedestal, and it's an SUV I would totally buy. It satisfies my need for desert speed while being more than capable at slower rock crawling. As far as stock off-roaders go, it doesn't get better than this. | Other Sports |
Four-time Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm says she’s glad the decision by FINA to restrict the participation of transgender swimmers in elite women’s competitions was made “quickly”. “I think with all the people coming forward starting to talk about it, they needed to make this decision quickly and I’m glad that it’s happened,” she told Sky News host Peta Credlin. “It’s not saying ‘no’ to transgender athletes, it’s saying ‘there is a category for you and we want to create that’ so there is that competition for them, for them to join our sports because that’s what we want, we want this sport to be inclusive still.” | Olympic Sports |
Billy Vunipola has been handed a recall for England’s summer tour of Australia by Eddie Jones, who has summoned the No 8 into his squad for the first time since the 2021 Six Nations. Jones has also included the 19-year-old London Irish full-back Henry Arundell in his 36-man squad as an apprentice and as one of eight uncapped players for the series against the Wallabies.Vunipola has been in impressive form for Saracens but Jones suggested he would be unavailable for the tour after suffering a concussion late on against the Tigers. With Alex Dombrandt ruled out with a knee injury, however, Jones has seen fit to call on the 29-year-old who is the only specialist No 8 in the squad.Elsewhere, joining Arundell as an apprentice is his London Irish teammate Will Joseph while Guy Porter is a surprise inclusion. Ben Youngs is not part of the squad but Danny Care has been selected after he made his first England appearance off the bench in Sunday’s humiliating 52-21 defeat by the Barbarians. Jack van Poortvliet is also selected among the scrum-halves.George Ford, who suffered an ankle injury in the Premiership final, is absent, as is Joe Marler and with Henry Slade, Joe Launchbury, Manu Tuilagi, Kyle Sinckler and Anthony Watson all sidelined, Jones is without a wealth of experience for the three-Test series which begins on 2 July in Perth. He is, however, boosted by the return of Luke Cowan-Dickie, who has not played since suffering a knee injury during the Six Nations.The Northampton pair of Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall are among the uncapped players, as is the tighthead prop Patrick Schickerling and the hooker Jack Walker, both of whom featured on Sunday. There is no room for either of Max Malins or Elliot Daly from Saracens with George Furbank recovering from a recent head injury.Jones has not yet named a captain for the squad with Courtney Lawes, Owen Farrell and Tom Curry all possibilities. Curry captained the side against the Barbarians while Lawes was Jones’s preferred captain during the Six Nations in the absence of Farrell, who is one of 12 players who played in the Premiership final called up.Tom Curry (above) is a contender for the England captaincy along with Courtney Lawes and Owen Farrell. Photograph: Alex Davidson/RFU/The RFU Collection/Getty ImagesJones said: “Though we have 10 players unavailable due to injury, we have picked a very strong squad capable of winning the series. This squad is a real mix of young, talented players and some very experienced, senior players and we’re looking forward to bring the group together.“This tour will be a great experience for the group and a crucial part of the team’s work towards the Rugby World Cup in 2023. We will continue to develop the base of the squad and how we want to play. We’ve put a lot of work into preparation for the tour over the past few weeks but now the hard work really begins when we finally get the squad on the plane and to Australia.”Quick GuideEngland's squad for tour of AustraliaShowBacksH Arundell (London Irish), D Care (Harlequins), J Cokanasiga (Bath), F Dingwall (Northampton), O Farrell (Saracens), T Freeman (Northampton), G Furbank (Northampton), W Joseph (London Irish), J Marchant (Harlequins), J May (Gloucester), J Nowell (Exeter), G Porter (Leicester), H Randall (Bristol), J van Poortvliet (Leicester), M Smith (Harlequins), F Steward (Leicester)ForwardsO Chessum (Leicester), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), T Curry (Sale Sharks), C Ewels (Bath), E Genge (Leicester), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester), J Hill (Exeter), N Isiekwe (Saracens), M Itoje (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton), L Ludlam (Northampton), B Rodd (Sale Sharks), P Schickerling (Exeter), W Stuart (Bath), S Underhill (Bath), B Vunipola (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), J Walker (Harlequins), J Willis (Wasps) | Other Sports |
Sports Updated on: June 19, 2022 / 6:40 PM / AP World swimming's governing body has effectively banned transgender women from competing in women's events, starting Monday. FINA members widely adopted a new "gender inclusion policy" on Sunday that only permits swimmers who transitioned before age 12 to compete in women's events. The organization also proposed an "open competition category.""This is not saying that people are encouraged to transition by the age of 12. It's what the scientists are saying, that if you transition after the start of puberty, you have an advantage, which is unfair," James Pearce, who is the spokesperson for FINA president Husain Al-Musallam, told The Associated Press. "They're not saying everyone should transition by age 11, that's ridiculous. You can't transition by that age in most countries and hopefully you wouldn't be encouraged to. Basically, what they're saying is that it is not feasible for people who have transitioned to compete without having an advantage."Pearce confirmed there are currently no transgender women competing in elite levels of swimming. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health just lowered its recommended minimum age for starting gender transition hormone treatment to 14 and some surgeries to 15 or 17.FINA's new 24-page policy also proposed a new "open competition" category. The organization said it was setting up "a new working group that will spend the next six months looking at the most effective ways to set up this new category."Pearce told the AP that the open competition would most likely mean more events, but those details still need to be worked out."No one quite knows how this is going to work. And we need to include a lot of different people, including transgender athletes, to work out how it would work," he said. "So there are no details of how that would work. The open category is something that will start being discussed tomorrow." The members voted 71.5% in favor at the organization's extraordinary general congress after hearing presentations from three specialist groups — an athlete group, a science and medicine group and a legal and human rights group — that had been working together to form the policy following recommendations given by the International Olympic Committee last November.The IOC urged shifting the focus from individual testosterone levels and calling for evidence to prove when a performance advantage existed.FINA's "deeply discriminatory, harmful, unscientific" new policy is "not in line with (the IOC's) framework on fairness, inclusion and non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations," Anne Lieberman of Athlete Ally, a nonprofit that advocates for LGBTQ athletes, said in a statement."The eligibility criteria for the women's category as it is laid out in the policy (will) police the bodies of all women, and will not be enforceable without seriously violating the privacy and human rights of any athlete looking to compete in the women's category," Lieberman said. FINA said it recognizes "that some individuals and groups may be uncomfortable with the use of medical and scientific terminology related to sex and sex-linked traits (but) some use of sensitive terminology is needed to be precise about the sex characteristics that justify separate competition categories."In March, Lia Thomas made history in the United States as the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship, the 500-yard freestyle. Thomas said last month on ABC's "Good Morning America" that she was aiming to become an Olympic swimmer. She also disputed those who say she has an unfair biological edge that ruins the integrity of women's athletics, saying "trans women are not a threat to women's sports." The University of Pennsylvania didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Thomas.Other sports have also been examining their rules around transgender athletes. On Thursday, cycling's governing body updated its eligibility rules for transgender athletes with stricter limits that will force riders to wait longer before they can compete. The International Cycling Union (UCI) increased the transition period on low testosterone to two years, and lowered the maximum accepted level of testosterone. The previous transition period was 12 months but the UCI said recent scientific studies show that "the awaited adaptations in muscle mass and muscle strength/power" among athletes who have made a transition from male to female takes at least two years. In: Transgender Swimming LGBTQ+ | Swimming |
Image caption, Festival-goers could face difficulties arriving at the site in PiltonPeople heading to Glastonbury Festival are being warned about potential travel problems due to planned rail strikes.The Somerset festival is finally celebrating its 50th year this week after the coronavirus pandemic forced organisers to cancel twice.More than 200,000 people will travel to the site which opens on Wednesday.Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 13 train operators will walk out on June 21, 23 and 25.Disruption is expected on non-strike days due to too few staff working - although many of the services to Castle Cary for the festival are specially-run trains.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sir Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish and rapper Kendrick Lamar will perform across the weekendGreat Western Railway, which operates the route between London Paddington and Castle Cary - the closest station to the festival - has said it "plans to maintain timetabled trains" throughout the course of the week.The firm added that some train times may be altered "and we will be in contact with customers who have already booked seats on board those trains".National Express, the official coach partner of the festival, will carry more than 30,000 music fans to and from the site but a spokeswoman warned of congestion in the surrounding area.She said there was a "significant increase" in both enquiries and bookings around the dates of the strikes, "including on routes that provide travel to Glastonbury".Image source, GoogleImage caption, National Express said demand for coach travel was high amid rail strikes"We are working hard to increase availability to meet additional demand where possible. Seats are selling fast, so the advice is to check services and book in advance," added the spokeswoman.She explained that the coach company was prepared to be busy but recommended that customers allow "plenty of time" when planning their journey.The Glastonbury line-up includes new acts such as Arlo Parks, Doja Cat, Easy Life, Fontaines DC and Griff alongside more established names including Crowded House, Primal Scream and Supergrass.Glastonbury 2022 takes place from 22 June to 26 June.Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected] Related Internet LinksThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. | Festivals |
Conor McGregor relaxes with fiancée Dee Devlin as they take children Conor Jr, five, Croia, three, and Rían, 13 months for a cruise on his £2.4million Lamborghini super-yacht Published: 20:12 EDT, 19 June 2022 | Updated: 04:34 EDT, 20 June 2022 Conor McGregor enjoyed the good life with fiancée Dee Devlin as they took his £2.4million Lamborghini super-yacht for a cruise in St Tropez on Sunday. The mixed martial artist, 33, relaxed alongside Dee in a photo shared with Instagram followers after showing the lavish boat off on the French Riviera. Moments earlier Conor showed off his fit physique as he wore nothing but a pair of orange shorts while standing at the helm.The Irish fighter waved to onlookers as he floated past some typical French architecture close to the shore. Good times: Conor McGregor relaxed with fiancée Dee Devlin while cruising the Mediterranean with his family on Sunday Conor shelled out more than £2million for the Lamborghini yacht, one of only 63 to be built by the Italian manufacturer, in October, and he took delivery of the vessel last month. His boat is understood to be the twelfth off the production line, a tribute to his whiskey brand, Proper Twelve.But the price is a mere drop in the ocean for the sportsman, who has an estimated net worth of £145 million. The high life: Conor took his £2.4million Lamborghini super-yacht for a cruise in Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera on Sunday after jetting abroad with Dee and their three children This is the life: Dee shared various shots as the family cruised along the French Riviera over the weekend Going for gold: Conor shelled out more than £2million for the Lamborghini yacht, one of only 63 to be built by the Italian manufacturer, in October, and took delivery of the vessel in MayConor was filmed by a camera crew during his trip as he enjoyed a day out on the water in the sun.The Tecnomar 63 has been designed and built by the Italian Sea Group and Tecnomar for Lamborghini.At 24 tons, the 63-feet long yacht can reach a top speed of 69mph (60 knots) and boasts 4,000 horsepower with its twin 24.2-litre V-12 diesels. Star power: Conor was filmed by a camera crew during his trip as he enjoyed a day out on the water in the sun Everything you need to know about Conor McGregor's £2.6m yacht NAME: Lamborghini Tecnomar 63 COST: €3 million (£2.6 million)WEIGHT: 24 tonsLENGTH: 63 feetTOP SPEED: 69 mph (60 knots)HORSEPOWER: 4,000 through two 24.2-litre V-12 dieselsFEATURES: Dashboard inspired by Lamborghini's Sián FKP 37, Y-shaped headlamps, a private bedroom space and a futuristic designInspired by the iconic car, the yacht has an angular and futuristic design with Y-shaped headlamps and the famous Lamborghini logo.There is also a dashboard based on Lamborghini's mid-engine hybrid sports car, the Sián FKP 37, a stark contrast to the typical layouts used by yachts.The yacht's exterior is inspired by the Lamborghini Miura and Countach from the 1960s and 1970s, the former of which famously appeared in the opening sequence of the 1969 film The Italian Job.Pals: Before boarding the yacht Conor was seen greeting a friend after whipping off his white T-shirt to display his body artAmong the yacht's other swanky features is a private bedroom space in the lower quarters, offering a cosy spot to relax while the boat cruises through the sea.Before boarding the yacht Conor was seen greeting a friend after whipping off his white T-shirt to display his body art.He was seen posing for a picture with his family at the dock before getting on the boat. Family affair He was seen posing for a picture with his family at the dock before getting on the boatConor and his fiancée Dee Devlin are in France with their children Conor Jr, five, Croia, three, and Rían, 13 months.The Irish athlete cuddled up to his partner as they relaxed on a lavish boat in snaps shared to Dee's Instagram on Monday.Conor showed off his muscular frame as he posed shirtless with his arms wrapped around Dee as they took selfies while soaking up the sun. Smitten: The Irish professional mixed martial artist cuddled up to his partner Dee Devlin, 34, as they relaxed on a lavish boat in snaps shared to Dee's Instagram on Monday Stunning: Dee showed off her natural good looks as she lounged on the boat, with her hair swept back in a windswept ponytail Loved-up: Other snaps also showed Conor lying across his fiancée as he wore a blue patterned shirt during their luxurious trip Romance: The couple appeared to be as smitten as ever after cementing their love for one another by getting engaged in 2020 after 12 years of datingOther snaps also showed Conor lying across his fiancée as he wore a blue patterned shirt during their luxurious trip.Meanwhile, Dee flaunted her incredible physique in a vibrant red two-piece, which she teamed with a pink patterned sarong fastened around her waist.She simply captioned the sweet snaps with a love heart emoji as she gushed over Conor. Heartwarming: Conor and his fiancée Dee Devlin are in France with their children Conor Jr, five, Croia, three, and Rían, 13 months (pictured last month)Commenting on the post, Conor cheekily wrote: 'Get cosy baby.' The couple appeared to be as smitten as ever after cementing their love for one another by getting engaged in 2020 after 12 years of dating.Conor has been making the most of his Lamborghini super-yacht as he spent time on the vessel while in Monaco for the F1 Grand Prix last month. Training: Conor has been eyeing a return to UFC after snapping his left tibia in the first round of his last fight - the third of his trilogy with Dustin Poirier - in July last year (pictured July 2021) Advertisement | Celebrity |
Matt Fitzpatrick immediately set his sights on winning half a dozen major championships and matching the European record as set by Nick Faldo after claiming his first with success at the US Open. Fitzpatrick prevailed at Brookline’s Country Club by one stroke from Will Zalatoris, his playing partner on the final day, and the world No1 Scottie Scheffler.“Six is the number,” said Fitzpatrick, when asked whether he had a majors target. “That’s the number that we all [in Fitzpatrick’s team] agreed on. I’ve got a bit of a way to go but it’s a good start.“You want to go win more now, there’s no doubt about that. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. I’m not trying to change things. I’ll probably have a sit-down meeting with everyone and just try and make the right decisions going forward. It’s easy to still go off track. I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing, and hopefully more will come. I’m delighted with one so far.”Fitzpatrick now shares a notable feat with the legendary Jack Nicklaus, having won both the US Amateur Championship and US Open at the same venue. Nicklaus achieved that at Pebble Beach.Matt Fitzpatrick with his father Russell, brother Alex and mother Susan with the trophy at Brookline. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images“Any time you’re sharing a record with Jack Nicklaus, it’s unbelievable,” said Fitzpatrick after his triumph at the course just outside Boston. “So for me to have that as well is incredible. He called me up, down there just at the presentation to congratulate me. Coming from someone like that, it means the world.“I just felt so comfortable around this place. Know where to hit it, know where to miss it. I am just happy to be unbeaten around this place.”Fitzpatrick appeared emotional when thinking of his home city of Sheffield. The golfer is an ardent Sheffield United supporter. “Not to compare it to my football team, but I feel like I’m the same deal,” he explained. “Not expected to do well, not expected to succeed. I’ve won a major today.“I feel like I certainly work hard for it. That’s kind of where I’ve grown up, that’s the mentality of everyone around there. It’s not upper class at all. It’s certainly like underdog mentality and you work for what you get.”A gracious Zalatoris paid tribute to Fitzpatrick, especially for a tremendous shot from a fairway bunker on the 72nd hole. Finding himself in the sand and 159 yards from the flag, Fitzpatrick fired an iron to inside 20ft. Zalatoris subsequently watched his birdie putt, which would have forced a playoff, slide agonisingly past the hole.“Matt’s shot on 18 is going to be shown probably for the rest of US Open history,” said Zalatoris. “I walked by it and I thought that going for it was going to be ballsy, but the fact that he pulled it off and even had a birdie look was just incredible. So hats off to him. He played great all week.” | Golf |
The Internal Revenue Service unveiled a new artificial intelligence system it says will cut wait times to resolve simple tasks and improve customer service.The technology enables the new phone system to authenticate callers by asking them basic questions, IRS officials said during a call with reporters Friday. The new system can understand complete and natural ways of speaking, they said.“For the first time in 160 years, this agency is able to successfully interact with a taxpayer using artificial intelligence to access their account and resolve it, in certain situations, without any wait on hold,” IRS Deputy Commissioner Darren Guillot said during the call.When taxpayers receive a mailed letter stating they owe money, they can use an ID number from the letter to call in and access the improved system, agency officials explained.Frederick Schindler, the agency's director of collection, said his team staggered the generation and mailing of over 3 million letters so they will arrive in mailboxes in the coming days, enabling callers to make use of the new system.In this photo illustration an IRS logo seen displayed on a smartphone.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images, FILEThe IRS’ efforts to improve its phone system come roughly three months after the statutory body said it would hire 10,000 additional employees to cut through a pandemic-related backlog.Expanding the phone bot with artificial intelligence demonstrates an improvement over the previous phone system, the IRS officials said. The previous unauthenticated phone bot could only answer basic questions and allowed callers to set up one-time payments, they said.That more basic technology, which does not allow the system to pull up a person's IRS account, is also the technology behind an online chatbox the agency uses.Because of the authentication capability of the new bot, it can access a caller’s IRS account. From there, callers can “discuss” and set up a payment plan with the bot without spending time on hold –– a process that would typically take 17-20 minutes with a human operator, IRS officials said.By allowing the phone bot to handle more simple issues, it frees up human operators for more complex matters, the IRS officials said.Treasury Department Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo recently told ABC News that “the IRS received over 200 million calls and only had 15,000 people to answer those calls” last year.Even with the intelligent phone bot, callers will still have the option to speak with a human for additional support, IRS officials said.Many callers owe less than $25,000, and can “name their price,” or the monthly amount they will commit to paying. The artificial intelligence system then computes that amount to determine whether it falls within the agency's deadline for repayment.The Internal Revenue Service building is seen in Washington, D.C, April 5, 2022.Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images, FILEThe new bot will not guide callers to pay more than the price they name, the officials explained.While officials on the call admitted the new phone bot will offer a return on investment through expanded compliance, he said increasing government revenue was not the primary focus of developing the system.“Service is part of our name,” Guillot said. “This is all about the taxpayer experience, helping customers,” he said later.But not all callers will enjoy the no-wait time the authenticated phone bot offers. It launched only on the automated collection system and accounts management phone lines Tuesday, the IRS officials said.For now, it is operating at 25% of its intended capacity, which saw the bot answer over 13,000 calls Thursday. The IRS plans to bring more of the system online through the end of next week, IRS officials said.“We have phone lines to deal with specific issues like liens or settlement proposals,” Schindler said. “In the future, there’s use cases for taking this technology, particularly as we learn more about it, to any one of our collection processes.”The bot currently operates in English and Spanish, with IRS officials hoping to expand its language offerings in the future, they said.More immediate expansion plans include programming the authenticated bot to ask questions of callers who name their monthly payments to ensure it is within their financial means, the officials said. | AI Research |
Ed Sheeran breaks record as he becomes first person get most played artist and song accolades for second year Published: 04:14 EDT, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 04:20 EDT, 20 June 2022 Ed Sheeran has broken a major record, after his track Bad Habits catapulted him to become the most played artist, as well as most played record. This makes the singer, 31, the first person to claim both accolades in two separate years.He previously made the achievement in 2017, which saw the release of his hit single Shape of You and popular album Divide. Double winner! Ed Sheeran has broken a major record, after his track Bad Habits catapulted him to become the most played artist, as well as most played recordThe only other artist to have topped both charts in the same year is Adele, with Rolling In The Deep being the most played single and her album 21 making her the top played artist of 2011.The Thinking Out Loud singer has taken the crown for the most played artist for the past five years, with the only exception being Dua Lipa in 2020 with her album Future Nostalgia. The annual charts are compiled by music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) from music usage and airplay data from radio stations and TV channels as well as public performances.Peter Leathem, chief executive of PPL, said: “Congratulations to Ed Sheeran. His chart-topping success over the last five years is a testament to not only the quality of his output but also the strength of UK music.” Record breaker: This makes the singer, 31, the first person to claim both accolades in two separate yearsFollowing Ed, was Tom Grennan, 27, who claimed the second and third mostp layed tracks of 2021 with By Your Side with Calvin Harris and Little Bit Of Love respectively.The record breaking news comes after Ed and South African artist Jeremy Loops have given a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their latest collaboration on Friday.The track titled Better Together, was released last month, but the talented duo have treated fans with footage of their writing process in a new video clip. An excited Ed could be seen as he shared his thoughts with Jeremy, 38, before the video cut to them recording in the studio. Sneak peek: The record breaking news comes after Ed and South African artist Jeremy Loops have given a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their latest collaboration on Friday At the end of the clip, Jeremy donned a dapper tan blazer and shirt, with his long hair pulled back into a bun for the official music video. Ed and Jeremy first met a few years ago and instantly hit it off at the private party that followed Ed's first stadium show in South Africa.The hitmaker joked that Jeremy was a better loop artist than him and requested to write together. Exciting: The track titled Better Together, was released last month, but the talented duo have treated fans with footage of their writing process (Jeremy pictured) Hard at work: An excited Ed can be seen as he shares his thoughts with Jeremy, 38, before the video cuts to them recording in the studioThe duo have penned a number of tracks together, working on Better Together ahead of Jeremy's upcoming third studio album, Heard You Got Love. It was co-written by Ed and the star's longterm co-writers Johnny McDaid and Steve Mac.Jeremy revealed: 'He said I was a better loop artist than he is. Very kind, but not true! But we are very similar artists, in many aspects of our jobs. We spent the night hanging out and talking shop, and he suggested we write together.' Good pals: Ed and Jeremy first met a few years ago and instantly hit it off at the private party that followed Ed's first stadium show in South Africa History: The hitmaker joked that Jeremy was a better loop artist than him and requested to write togetherNews of the musical collaboration broke two years ago when Ed was said to have come out of music retirement to write new songs with Jeremy.The Shape Of You star announced back in August 2019 that he intended to take an 'extended break' from the music business following the end of his record-breaking 258-date Divide tour.But Jeremy, 36, revealed that he had been working on an exciting new project with Ed prior to the UK's lockdown. New hit track: At the end of the clip, Jeremy dons a dapper tan blazer and shirt, with his long hair pulled back into a bun for the offical music videoSpeaking to The Sun at the time, Jeremy said: 'I arrived early in the morning and we worked all day on a few different songs. He's known to be a very fast writer. 'He's very fluid and moves quickly. He can work with whoever he wants, so there's something beautiful about the fact that he wanted to work with me.'I couldn't have called him and been like, "Yeah, I want to work together, like, get ready."'Better Together is out now and Jeremy Loop’s album, Heard You Got Love, will be released next month. Return: News of the musical collaboration broke two years ago when Ed was said to have come out of music retirement to write new songs with Jeremy (Pictured in 2020) Advertisement | Music |
Facts matter: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter. Support our nonprofit reporting. Subscribe to our print magazine.In Ralph Ellison’s famous unfinished novel Juneteenth, the Rev. Alonzo Hickman, a Southern Black church leader, has to explain to a dying white senator that the eponymous holiday is still celebrated: “We haven’t forgotten what it means,” he says. “Even if sometimes folks try to make us believe it never happened or that it was a mistake it ever did…”
Ellison’s novel uses the holiday to ask questions about what freedom means. And it swirls around how the forgetting of history, of the past, gets us to that place. Juneteenth itself is a potent example of this. States, and businesses, are increasingly recognizing it is a holiday celebrating the end of slavery. But it honors the date—June 19, 1865—when Union Gen. Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, announcing the freedom of enslaved Americans in Texas, even though President Abraham Lincoln had signed the final version of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The point is that the proclamation did too little to change the lives of many Black people enslaved in the United States. This has an unfortunate rhyme with the way the holiday has been untaught and unheralded by white institutions.
Ellison was often interested in the history of forgetting. How does the United States hide itself from the past? And what does that mean for Black Americans whose past has been hidden? In one essay, he finds particular power in art that can combat American myths: music.
“Perhaps in the swift change of American society in which meanings of one’s origin are so quickly lost, one of the chief values of living with music lies in its power to give us an orientation in time,” he writes.
Here’s a list in that spirit. If you’re looking for Juneteenth-specific music, others have collected music about the holiday and I highly recommend collections from the Library of Congress on the holiday, including interviews conducted by Zora Neale Hurston. This is a shortlist of music, instead, that orients us in time. Much of it is on Bandcamp, which is celebrating the holiday by donating shares of purchases to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Sonny Sharrock, Ask the Ages
The last album from legendary jazz guitarist Sharrock before his death, in 1994, Ask the Ages is not background music or casual listening—it is foregrounded and loud. It asks you to engage. In fact, it demands it. As Marcus J. Moore notes in the New York Times, Sharrock was part of a broader movement of black liberation jazz. The experimental nature here is a probing of what is possible. Sharrock is a bit more obscure than the names from the genre you’ve likely heard: Ornette Coleman, Pharoah Sanders, Alice Coltrane. But as one reviewer noted: With his guitar, he could “hold lightning in his bare hands.” He sought to traverse out to where free jazz went with horns and saxophones, notes exploding and overflowing. Of course, it helps on this record to have support from Sanders on saxophone and Elvin Jones on drums. I particularly like the track “Once Upon a Time.” But the record is best enjoyed in totality. —JR Beauty Pill, Please Advise
Music is just one dimension of Beauty Pill’s art. And Please Advise, the Washington, DC–based band’s latest offering, shows there’s as much measured intention behind every note and lyric as there is for how it’s consumed. Named after a throwaway sentence in Teo Macero’s infamous 1969 memo to Columbia Records about Miles Davis’ new record (“Miles just called and said he wants this album to be titled BITCHES BREW. Please advise.”), Please Advise is pure kaleidoscopic art-pop; layers of dense melodies expand into new rhythmic fractals with each listen. Beauty Pill is no stranger to turning music into art—literally—and this album is as much physical art as it is musical: each format (CD, LP, cassette) is thoughtfully packaged with its own unique art and music. It might be old-fashioned to obsess over packaging and design but, like Beauty Pill bandleader Chad Clark, I’m also a firm believer that “the whole of the record is art.” (And if you somehow needed another reason to buy this album, Clark’s late father was the general counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Synergy, y’all.) —MC Brother Ah
Brother Ah communicated with the world, and I don’t just mean that in the spiritual sense. I once interviewed the renowned jazz musician—who had played with all the greats, from Sun Ra to Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane—and he told me a story about how he once played flute for a blue crane, at the National Zoo, that was struggling to lay its eggs. He told me how he had studied the musical language of birds and was able to imitate their language to get the crane to lay eggs. You can hear how Brother Ah—whose given name was Robert Northern III—communicated with nature on his six solo albums, originally released in the ’70s and ’80s but given new life when reissued by the New York label Manufactured Recordings a few years back. Guided by Ah’s philosophy of “sound awareness” (the practice of understanding the world by listening for the music in nature) these albums are a deeply spiritual meditation. Brother Ah died on June 1 at the age of 86. But I believe that you can still hear his music in the sounds that surround you. You just have to listen. —MC | Music |
BROOKLINE — The celebratory 18th green at The Country Club was teeming with people, and the adopted son of Boston was thick in the middle of it all.Matthew Fitzpatrick, your newest US Open golf champion, had just delivered on a story that seemed too much to hope for when the week in Brookline began, winning his first professional title in America on the same course he’d won a memorable amateur crown. From US Amateur winner in 2013 to US Open victor in 2022, the 27-year-old Englishman certainly delivered a lesson in the value of familiarity or experience on a golf course, displayed with every beautiful tee shot that stayed in these wind-swept fairways or every sure-handed putt that rolled across these hard and fast greens.But the real lesson Fitzpatrick lived this week was less about comfort on the course and more about the comfort of friends. And family. And friends who become family.For Fitzpatrick, the heartbeat of his nervy, clutch and beautiful Sunday duel with American Will Zalatoris, whom he ended up defeating by one stroke in finishing at 6-under par for the tournament, was shared with his own family. With his parents, Russ and Sue, and his brother Alex, the trio who’d held their breath and held their nerves as they walked the 18 holes alongside him. But it was also shared with the Fultons, with Will and Jennifer of Jamaica Plain, with their four children, too, the six amazingly generous people who had opened their home to the Fitzpatricks in 2013 and did so again this week.Not to mention so many times in between.“They are just amazing, amazing people,” Alex said Sunday, still wearing this heady mix of joy and shock all across his dimpled face. “They were very generous to step up for us back in ‘13 and for everything since. We are incredibly appreciative for the things they’ve done for us, putting us up, treating us so well. They are the definition of extremely nice people and we definitely feel like they are family. A hundred percent family. They might not be bloodline, but a hundred percent we call them family. They are amazing.”Matt Fitzpatrick’s family watches Sunday's trophy presentation. From left to right: his host father Will Fulton, his dad Russ, brother Alex, and mother Sue.John Tlumacki/Globe StaffAs the story goes, it was late in the 2013 tournament and Matt had advanced beyond the hotel accommodations his family planned for, and everything was booked up. The call went out to the members at The Country Club for someone who could take them in, and within moments, Will and Jen raised their hands. Both working as volunteers at the time, they ran home at the end of their day and quickly changed the sheets in the kids’ bedrooms, packed their own four into a couple of rooms together, and opened their doors.In went Matt to the guest room. In went Russ and Sue to their daughter’s room. In went Alex, then working as his brother’s caddie, into a bunk bed.“We could not have asked for nicer hosts,” Russ recalled Sunday, walking toward the players’ parking lot, Red Sox cap on his head, party at the Fultons in his future. “They’re just amazing people with four amazing kids. It’s just a family that has made Matt feel so relaxed.”Games of ping pong back then — “I take my ping pong very seriously and he whipped me time and time again,” Will remembered, not so fondly, but with a laugh — morphed into games of video games to this day. But while other parameters may have changed too, such as Matt traveling now with his own chef, Sean from Sheffield who spent the week preparing breakfast and dinner daily for 11 occupants at Fulton House, the dynamics of the relationship haven’t so much changed as gotten stronger.And more impactful. In returning to Brookline this year and walking back into the Fulton family house, it was as if Matt was walking into a hug, a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere that no doubt helped him succeed.“So much,” Russ said. “It definitely had an impact because normally he’d be in a hotel or a house with just a few people. It was just genuinely like home.”Susan Fitzpatrick, Matt's mother, hugs senior director of player relations Robby Zalzeck at the end of Sunday's action.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff“We really wanted to recreate what we did in ‘13 because Matt was so incredibly successful in ‘13 and we wanted to do it this year, too,” said Will, who actually served as the general chairman of the championship, a role that is assumed by a member and does not include financial compensation, but does include a near-decade long commitment. With Jennifer overseeing the volunteer crew of 3,500 people, there’s little doubt the Fitzpatricks would have understood if having guests would have been too much.Not a chance. Not when friends become family.“My brother said at the start of the week it felt a bit like a home game, just we’re lucky to have familiar faces and just to experience this with [the Fultons] is phenomenal,” Alex said.Globe correspondent Jayna Bardahl contributed.Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @Globe_Tara. | Golf |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Will Zalatoris finished at the doorstep of winning his first major golf title again on Sunday, finishing runner-up to Matt Fitzpatrick at the U.S. Open.Zalatoris had a chance to send the tournament to a playoff between him and Fitzpatrick, but Zalatoris' putt was just inches off.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Will Zalatoris watches his shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)"I’d pay a lot of money for about an inch-and-a-half, and I’d probably be a three-time major champion at this point," he said, via PGATour.com. "I think this one is probably going to take a bit more processing than (the PGA Championship). I’ve got no regrets. I thought I played great all week, especially getting off to the start that I did today (2 over through three)."This is the second time Zalatoris has finished runner-up in a major tournament this year and third time over the last two years. He finished second at the PGA Championship in May, losing in a playoff to Justin Thomas. Last year, he finished behind Hideki Matsuyama at the Masters."It stings, obviously… to have three runners-up so far in my career in majors. But keep knocking on that door. Obviously we’re doing the right things," Zalatoris said. Will Zalatoris reacts after missing a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)2022 US OPEN: A LOOK AT THE THIRD GOLF MAJOR OF THE SEASONHe shot a 1-under 60 to lose by one shot. It marked his sixth top 10 finish in the majors since he made his debut at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot two years ago."I'm three shots away from having a chance of being a three-time major champion," Zalatoris said. "A bounce here or there."The 15th hole appeared to make all the difference. Zalatoris hit his ball into the lush grass and finished the hole with a bogey. It was a two-shot swing that ultimately sunk him."We're walking down and he goes, ‘I barely miss the fairway and I’ve got a horrible lie and he misses it by 30 yards and he’s OK,’" Zalatoris’ caddie Ryan Goble said. "But Matt played great. And yeah, it was a great experience. So you just say, ‘Yeah, we’ll get him next time.’" Matthew Fitzpatrick, left, of England, and Will Zalatoris meet after Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Zalatoris took some solace in his putting.He did not three-putt all week and made it through all 72 holes in one of the sport’s most challenging courses without a double-bogey.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"Typically, that leads to playing well in a U.S. Open. So the recipe’s there. The game’s there," Zalatoris said. "But like I said, I’ve just got to wait my turn."The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Golf |
CNN — Russian-born tennis player Natela Dzalamidze has changed her nationality to Georgian to avoid the ban Wimbledon imposed on all Russian players following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The doubles specialist, ranked No. 43 in the world, is now officially listed as having Georgian nationality on the WTA website and is eligible to compete with doubles partner Aleksandra Krunić of Serbia when Wimbledon gets underway on June 27. After Wimbledon announced the ban on all Russian and Belarusian athletes back in April, the ATP and WTA responded by removing all rankings points that players would have otherwise earned for their performance at the All England Club. Some of tennis’ biggest stars, including men’s world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev and women’s world No. 6 Aryna Sabalenka, will not be competing at SW19. In a statement published by The Times, a Wimbledon spokesperson said they were unable to stop Dzalamidze, who competed under the neutral flag at the French Open, from changing her nationality. READ: Rafael Nadal says his ‘intention is to play at Wimbledon’ for first time in three years despite lingering foot injury “Player nationality, defined as the flag they play under at professional events, is an agreed process that is governed by the Tours and the ITF,” the spokesperson said. The ban on Russian and Belarusian players has divided the tennis world, and last week, the US Open announced that it would not be following Wimbledon’s example later this year, with players from both countries eligible to compete under a neutral flag. | Tennis |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Matt Fitzpatrick needed a miracle to hold off Will Zalatoris on Sunday in the final round of the U.S. Open, and his win came down to the final hole.Fitzpatrick held a one-stroke lead going into 18. His tee shot sailed into the bunker, raising eyebrows and potentially opening a door for Zalatoris to force a playoff. However, on the second shot from the bunker, Fitzpatrick managed to lift it out of the sand and 18 feet away from the hole.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Matthew Fitzpatrick, of England, reacts after a putt on the 13th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)It was a career-defining shot for Fitzpatrick."It's one of the best shots I ever hit, no doubt about it," the Englishman said.It was Fitzpatrick’s first major victory of his career at one of the toughest courses, The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was coming off his best finish at the PGA Championship last month in which he finished tied for fifth.He is only the second player to win the men’s U.S. Open and the men’s U.S. Amateur at the same venue. Jack Nicklaus is the only other golfer to pull off the feat.2022 US OPEN: A LOOK AT THE THIRD GOLF MAJOR OF THE SEASON Matthew Fitzpatrick, of England, celebrates after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)"The feeling’s out of this world," Fitzpatrick said. "It is so cliche, but it’s stuff you dream of as a kid. Yeah, to achieve it, I can retire a happy man tomorrow."Zalatoris had a chance to send it to a playoff, but his long putt was inches away."When it was two feet out, I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, that one’s in,’ and for some reason it went off to the left," said Scottie Scheffler, who finished tied for second with Zalatoris. "It’s one of those deals. You’ve got to get the breaks."Fitzpatrick started to get hot once May started.He finished tied for second with Cameron Young and Keegan Bradley at the Wells Fargo Championship. He carried that momentum into the PGA Championship, finishing two strokes off the lead behind Justin Thomas and Zalatoris. Matthew Fitzpatrick, of England, celebrates with the trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)Though he missed the cut at Memorial, he bounced back at the RBC Championship with a top-10 finish. It all culminated in his first major championship at the U.S. Open.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHe finished his U.S. Open title with a total of 274, including a 68 in the final round. He finished Sunday with five birdies and three bogeys.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Golf |
Image of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow is beamed onto Disneyland Paris Castle following victory in defamation case - weeks after star agreed 'nothing on this earth' would tempt him to reprise Pirates roleDisney beam Johnny Depp's face on Disneyland Paris castle over the weekend First time Disney use it since dropping him in 2018 over 'wife beater' claims Depp won his defamation suit against Amber Heard who damaged his careerBut Depp said 'nothing on this earth' would get him to work with Disney again Published: 07:03 EDT, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 07:24 EDT, 20 June 2022 Disney have returned to using Johnny Depp's face again now that he has won his defamation case against Amber Heard, after foreswearing his likeness due to allegations that he was a 'wife beater'.An image of the vindicated Captain Jack Sparrow actor was projected onto the Disneyland Paris Castle over the weekend for the first time since the House of Mouse cut ties with Depp.It was projected during an impressive Pirates of the Caribbean display featuring fireworks and pyrotechnics in which a line spoken by Jack Sparrow could also be heard. During the trial, Depp confirmed to Heard's lawyer that 'nothing on this earth', not even '$300 million and a million alpacas' could get him to go back to work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film.Disney dumped Depp just four days after Heard made allegations of domestic abuse against him in a Washington Post op-ed in 2018. But last month a Virginia court found in favour of Depp against his ex-wife in his defamation trial against her, ordering her to pay him $15 million in damages.One of Depp's central claims in his suit was that Heard calling herself a 'public figure representing domestic abuse' caused him to lose his role of Captain Jack Sparrow in the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. An image of the vindicated Captain Jack Sparrow actor was projected onto the castle in Disneyland Paris over the weekend for the first time since the House of Mouse cut ties with Depp During the trial - which he won - Depp confirmed to Heard's lawyer that 'nothing on this earth', not even '$300 million and a million alpacas' could get him to go back to work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film One of Depp's central claims in his suit was that Heard (pictured) calling herself a 'public figure representing domestic abuse' caused him to lose his role Of Captain Jack Sparrow in the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean franchiseThe image was projected during an impressive Pirates of the Caribbean display featuring fireworks and pyrotechnics in which a line spoken by Jack Sparrow could also be heard at Disneyland Paris over the weekendIn 2018, Disney production chief Sean Bailey confirmed that Depp was no longer a part of the franchise's future plans, but did not ascribe the decision to the allegations against him. He told The Hollywood Reporter, 'We want to bring in a new energy and vitality. I love the [Pirates] movies, but part of the reason (writers) Paul (Wernick) and Rhett (Reese) are so interesting is that we want to give it a kick in the pants. And that's what I've tasked them with.' But the official line did not wash with many, and now fans are demanding that Disney apologise to Depp and reinstate him in the role of the beloved character.The decision clearly still rankles with Depp, who told the court that he believed it came down to the allegations that he was a 'wife beater'.He said: 'Two years had gone by of constant worldwide talk about me being this wife-beater. So I'm sure that Disney was trying to cut ties to be safe.'The #MeToo movement was in full swing at that point.'Depp also maintained that Disney still wanted to make a profit from the character despite removing him from the movie series.'They didn't remove my character from the rides,' he explained to the court.'They didn't stop selling dolls of Captain Jack Sparrow. They didn't stop selling anything.'They just didn't want there to be something trailing behind me that they'd find.' Captain Jack Sparrow became a beloved and iconic character that was the flagpole of Depp's career - until Amber Heard's allegations against him Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, from 2017, was Depp's last appearance for Disney before they dropped him in 2018 over allegations of domestic abuseSo it would seem that Depp would not be receptive to an apology from Disney executives for their decision to ditch him personally after still milking his character for profit. Heard's lawyer Benjamin Rottenborn asked: 'The fact is, Mr. Depp, if Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film? Correct?'Depp replied: 'That is true, Mr. Rottenborn.'Hollywood mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that there are two scripts were still in the works for a Pirates of the Caribbean 6, but neither featured Johnny Depp.Speaking about the prospect of a sequel with a female lead, he said: 'We're talking to Margot Robbie. We are developing two scripts – one with her, one without.'However, rumours have started to persist that Depp will return in a supporting role next to Robbie as Sparrow. Advertisement | Celebrity |
Amber Heard has THE most beautiful face in the world, according to face-mapping science... closely followed by Kim Kardashian and Kate Moss Published: 07:47 EDT, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 07:47 EDT, 20 June 2022 Advertisement Amber Heard (pictured) officially has the most beautiful face in the world, according to science. Johnny Depp’s ex-wife even beat Kim Kardashian and British supermodel Kate Moss to the top spot, becoming the world’s most beautiful woman, according to state-of-the-art face-mapping data. The 36-year-old’s face was found to be 91.85 per cent accurate to the Greek Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi - which for thousands of years was thought to hold the secret formula of perfection. She was tested back in 2016 with the latest facial mapping techniques by London's Harley Street surgeon Dr Julian De Silva. From pictures, her eyes, eyebrows, nose, lips, chin, jaw, and facial shape were measured and 12 key marker points were analyzed and found to be 91.85 per cent of the Greek ratio of Phi which is 1.618. The Greeks discovered that the ratio occurs everywhere in nature and it is thought to hold the secret formula of the world's most beautiful faces. Dr De Silva, who runs The Centre For Advanced Facial Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery in London, said: 'We have devised a brand new computer mapping technique which can calculate how to make subtle improvements to facial shapes. 'With this ground-breaking technology, we have solved some of the mysteries of what it is that makes someone physically beautiful. Pictured: A full break-down of Amber Heard's beauty features. Dr De Silva added: 'After we had created the software and the algorithms for the key marker points on the face, I thought it would be a good idea to test the system on some of the most beautiful women in the world and see if we could prove with geometry and science exactly what it is that makes a beautiful face. 'The results were startling and showed several famous actresses and models have facial features that come close to the ancient Greek principles for physical perfection.' Pictured: Dr De Silva's analysis of multi-award-winning singer Ariana Grande's face. Using the same technology, Kim Kardashian's face came second with 91.39 per cent… Kate Moss (snapped at the Burberry A/W 2023 Womenswear Collection Presentation this year) was third with 91.06 per cent… Blurred Lines model Emily Ratajkowski (pictured at the Cannes Film Festival this year) was fourth with 90.8 per cent… …and Kendall Jenner (pictured in LA last week) was fifth with 90.18 per cent accuracy of her features to the beauty ratio Phi. Amber's beauty revelations are revisited this week after she publicly admitted she can't afford the $8.3 million in damages awarded to Johnny on June 1 following a long defamation trial in the US. It is unclear whether Johnny will enforce the ruling and ask Amber to pay the high sum of money in its totality. His lawyers have hinted that might not be the case, saying his motivation behind the lawsuit, which was to restore his reputation after Amber raised claims of domestic abuse in a 2016 Washington Op-ed, has already been achieved. Speaking to NBC's Dateline last week, Heard chose to focus on the positives after the trial left her reputation severely bruised and her opportunities for work continue to decrease. The actress said that a silver lining of not being busy with work at the moment is that she can enjoy being a full-time mom to one-year-old daughter Oonagh. In a chat screened in its entirety for the first time Friday, Heard told Dateline's host Savannah Guthrie that she was 'terrified' of telling her side of the story. Heard said she had been wounded by the 'hate and vitriol' directed at her, but did not regret bringing the case. 'I know the scariest, most intimidating thing for anybody talking about sexual violence is not being believed, being called a liar, or being humiliated,' she said. Heard said she was not speaking out because she was 'vindictive'. 'This would be a really lousy way of getting vengeance,' she said. 'As silly as it is to say this out loud, my goal is - I just want people to see me as a human being.' Heard's interview raised eyebrows, with her repeating her defamatory allegations that he beat her. Despite continuing to air her allegations, Heard insists that she wants nothing more than to move on with her life, telling Guthrie: 'I look forward to living my life and I have a long one, I hope, in front of me. And I will continue to walk through this with my chin up.' In the interview, Heard (seen with Depp in 2015) admits that she 'absolutely still loves' Depp - despite branding him a 'liar' who swayed the jury with his 'fantastic acting', as well as: 'I will [stand by my testimony] to my dying day. I know what happened to me. I'm here as a survivor,' she said. 'To my dying day I will stand by every word of my testimony.' A jury ruled that Heard defamed her ex-husband by publishing a piece about being a sexual assault survivor in the Washington Post. She was ordered to pay Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, although the second payment was reduced to $350,000 per Virginia law by the judge. She was awarded a relatively paltry $2 million in compensatory damages, meaning that Depp walked away from the case with Heard owing him $8.35 million. Advertisement | Celebrity |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen took issue with the baseballs being used in games following Seattle Mariners outfielder Justin Upton getting hit in the head by a pitch Friday.Upton was hit in the head in the fifth inning on the same day he was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma. Seattle manager Scott Servais said Upton seemed to be OK.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Seattle Mariners' Justin Upton, left, goes down after being hit by a pitch as Los Angeles Angels catcher Max Stassi looks on during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Seattle. Upton left the game after the injury. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Mariners' Justin Upton, center, points to where he was hit by a pitch during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels as he is examined by a trainer, left, and manager Scott Servais, right, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Seattle. Upton left the game after the injury. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Lorenzen said the ball "slipped" out of his hands while he was throwing it."I don't know what Major League Baseball is playing with these baseballs, but that fully slipped out of my hand. It's just crazy man," Lorenzen told reporters after the game, via the SoCal News Group. "As a kid you think Major League Baseball is the greatest thing ever, and you get here, and you realize, what are they doing? All of a sudden they're going to change the baseballs. …"These baseballs are slick. They did get someone hurt. So that's on Major League Baseball for sure. I don't know what's going on. These baseballs are straight out of the package."MARLINS JAZZ CHISHOLM JR REACTS TO EJECTION, CLAPS BACK AT TROLLING FANS: 'YA MAMA' Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen stands on the mound after he gave up a solo home run to Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)Baseball manipulation accusations and the crackdown of "sticky stuff" was a major topic of conversation last season. MLB barred players from using any substance to get a better grip on a baseball and required pitchers to go through a check with the umpires after each inning.New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso also suggested MLB was manipulating the baseball to suppress the free-agent market. The team was also a literal target at the beginning of the season after getting plunked numerous times by several teams.Mets pitcher Chris Bassitt said at the time it had something to do with the baseballs."It’s extremely annoying to see your teammates constantly get hit, and if you get hit by certain pitches it is what it is, but to get hit in the head the amount that we’re getting hit is unbelievable," Bassitt said. "I had some close calls tonight, and I’ve been hit in the face [by a line drive] and I don’t want to do that to anybody ever, but MLB has a very big problem with the baseballs. They’re bad. Everyone in the league knows it. Every pitcher knows it. They’re bad.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"They don’t care. MLB doesn’t give a damn about it. They don’t care. We’ve told them our problems with them, and they don’t care."The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Baseball |
A video montage precedes Alanis Morissette’s arrival, capturing the Canadian-American angst-rock godmother’s extraordinary pop culture resonance with clips of everything from her Curb Your Enthusiasm cameo to James Corden and Justin Bieber howling Ironic on Carpool Karaoke. French and Saunders’ memorable flesh-coloured body suit parody of the Thank U video might have featured too, for a flavour of the satirical backlash that followed the singer’s late-90s celebrity zenith, but the point nonetheless remains: however big you remember Morissette to have been, she was bigger.A quarter-century later – large parts spent in self-imposed exile finding inner peace through spirituality, meditation and motherhood – Morissette has reengaged on her own terms with a music business that nearly killed her to mark a milestone for 1995’s totemic 33m-selling Jagged Little Pill. The 25th-anniversary celebrations of an album already several times rereleased, once rerecorded in acoustic form and now the subject of a hit jukebox musical have been stretched out for more than two years now. But who’s complaining? Let’s just say nobody is here in feverish anticipation of Morissette’s latest chakra-balancing ambient album The Storm Before the Calm.Effortless … Alanis Morissette. Photograph: Stuart Westwood/REX/ShutterstockStomping the stage in baggy yellow T-shirt and leather trousers, Morissette sings with a loud and pristine voice, trilling the high notes during Hand in My Pocket so effortlessly they’re practically yodelled, leaning so far back from the mic during the rousing chorus of You Learn that she may as well be in the car park. The sleazy record industry exec-shaming Right Through You near enough forewarned #MeToo, and helps explain Morissette’s renaissance among younger listeners. But most fans tonight look like long-termers, many of them almost disbelieving that the tour-shy star is finally here in front of them, windmilling her peroxide hair.Ironic is touchingly sung in memory of Taylor Hawkins, who drummed with Morissette before joining Foo Fighters. Flaming break-up song You Oughta Know has been covered by Britney and Beyoncé, but for full fierceness has to be experienced from the source.The encore frames Morissette’s tricky progression post-Jagged Little Pill, first with 1998’s Uninvited, an almost Mogwai-esque noise rock dirge which improbably sold seven million copies. The zen hosannas of Thank U were mocked in their day, coming from a singer pigeonholed as angry young woman. Today they sound like first steps on a long path to happier and healthier superstardom. | Music |
BROOKLINE, Mass. — Here’s how Scottie Scheffler described his four rounds at The Country Club:“This week I hit some of the worst shots I’ve hit in my career,” the Highland Park graduate said. “And I’ve hit some of the best ones.”The best included eagles on Friday and Saturday, and a torrid scoring stretch on Sunday that saw him seize the solo lead at the U.S. Open. The worst included a stretch of five dropped shots to start the back nine on Saturday, and back-to-back bogeys on Sunday that squashed his momentum.The good, as it often does for a world-class athlete, outweighed the bad.It was still not enough.“Unfortunately, just came up one shot short,” Scheffler said.Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer and reigning Masters winner, tied ellow Dallasite Will Zalatoris at for second at 5 under, a shot behind Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick, who won the 2013 U.S. Amateur at The Country Club.“My game is still in a good spot,” Scheffler said. “Gave myself a chance to win the U.S. Open. Performed really well today under a lot of pressure. I made some key putts there in the beginning to kind of get today going. I just played some quality golf. It just so happened the putts were going around the edge instead of in. That’s kind of what it felt like was happening most of the week. I was hitting a lot of good putts, and they just weren’t falling. A few breaks here or there, and I would be the one holding the trophy.”Scheffler, who shot 70-67-71-67 and posted his fifth top-10 finish at a major, shot 4-under through his first six holes Sunday and made the turn tied with Fitzpatrick atop the leaderboard at 6-under. But bogeys on 10 and 11 dropped him to 4-under, and it wasn’t until the 17th hole that he carded another birdie. He had a shot, on 18, to tie Fitzpatrick at 6-under, but his 24-foot birdie putt missed by an inch.“I can’t control what’s in the past,” Scheffler said. “I’ll definitely learned from what happened. Today was one of those days I was playing from behind and put myself in position to win the tournament. I played good golf, but it wasn’t good enough.”Matthew Fitzpatrick, de Inglaterra, celebra con el trofeo después de ganar el U.S. Open de golf, en The Country Club, el domingo 19 de junio de 2022, en Brookline, Mass. (AP Foto/Charles Krupa)(Charles Krupa / ASSOCIATED PRESS)Fitzpatrick’s shot on 18 clinches tournament: When Zalatoris walked past Fitzpatrick’s tee shot on 18, which landed in a bunker to the left of the fairway, the eventual runner-up deemed that he had a “1 in 20 chance” of hitting the green.Fitzpatrick, 27, did just that. He hit his approach shot out of the sand to within 20 feet of the pin. He left a birdie putt inches short, but tapped in for par to hold of Zalatoris, who missed a birdie putt on 18 that would have forced a playoff.“One good thing is the way the lie was is it forced me not to go toward the pin,” Fitzpatrick said. “It kind of forced me to go well left anyway.” Fitzpatrick shot 68-70-68-68 and co-lead the tournament through 54 holes alongside Zalatoris. Sunday’s win was his first major championship, and his first professional win in North America.“I put myself in position after two rounds and then played well yesterday,” Fitzpatrick said. “I just really believed this could be the time. Yeah, for whatever reason, because of my success here before, it just felt like this was the time.”Texas junior Travis Vick finishes as low amateur: Just two weeks removed from a NCAA team championship, and three removed from qualifying for the U.S. Open, Texas junior Travis Vick finished as the low amateur in his first major.Vick shot 70-69-76-73 and tied for 43rd at 8-over par.“It’s kind of been like a golfer’s high in a sense,” Vick said. “I qualified for the Open, and then the following week we go to the NCAAs and end up winning. Then I get here and finish low am.“It’s like Scottie did, where he went through a stretch of golf where he’s just playing incredible right now. I think in the same manner you kind of have to take advantage of the good weeks that you have, and you’ve just got to keep playing that way. So to be low am here is pretty cool.”***Related:At the U.S. Open, Dallas’ Will Zalatoris finishes runner-up at a major championship againFind more golf coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Shawn McFarland, SportsDay HS reporter. Shawn covers preps for SportsDay HS. He joined The Dallas Morning News after covering UConn basketball, football and high school sports for The Hartford Courant. A Boston area native, Shawn graduated from Springfield College in 2018 and previously worked for The Boston Globe and Baseball America. [email protected] McFarland_Shawn | Golf |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A top FINA medical official said Monday that the international governing body for elite swimming’s new policy on transgender athletes was the "best outcome" for the future of the sport.The "gender inclusion policy" will only permit swimmers who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete in women’s events. FINA members voted 71.5% in favor of the new policies with the possibility of the organization creating an "open category" on the table. The new rules went into effect for competitions beginning Monday.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Pennsylvania's Lia Thomas prepares to swim the women's 500-yard freestyle final at the NCAA swimming and diving championships (AP Photo/John Bazemore)"To my mind, FINA’s approach to this was very enlightened, it was very balanced, it was informed," David Gerrard, the vice chairman of FINA’s Sports Medicine Committee, told Reuters. "It recognized the athlete’s voice, the scientific, objective evidence and the somewhat more subjective, human rights (and) legal issues which were argued very forcefully by the lawyers present."I hope that that model is something that's considered by other sports."Gerrard, a former New Zealand Olympian, added fairness in the sport was a main issue FINA was trying to confront and predicted it will still be an issue."It is an issue that we’re going to have to confront, and the debate is going to continue," he said. "But when it comes to fairness and when it comes to safety, you’ve got to draw a line in the sand."In the 24-page policy released Sunday, FINA spelled out how transgender men and women will be allowed to compete under the new rules. University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas swims in the 500 Freestyle finals during the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 17th, 2022 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta Georgia. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)FINA said transgender men are eligible to compete in FINA competitions and set world records in the men’s category unless:FINA APPROVES 'GENDER INCLUSION POLICY' FOR TRANSGENDER SWIMMERS"For the disciplines of Water Polo and High Diving, the athlete must provide to FINA an assumption of risk form signed and dated by the athlete or if the athlete is a minor, by their legal proxy" or "All athletes who are undergoing treatment involving testosterone or other anabolic substances as part of female-to-male genderaffirming hormone treatment are required to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for that treatment in accordance with the FINA Doping Control Rules."Transgender women and athletes whose legal gender and/or gender identity is female can compete in FINA-sanctioned events if "they can establish to FINA’s comfortable satisfaction that they have not experienced any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12, whichever is later."The athlete must produce evidence they have "complete androgen insensitivity and therefore could not experience male puberty" or "They are androgen sensitive but had male puberty suppressed beginning at Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12, whichever is later, and they have since continuously maintained their testosterone levels in serum (or plasma) below 2.5 nmol/L" or "An unintentional deviation from the below 2.5 nmol/L requirement may result in retrospective disqualification of results and/or a prospective period of ineligibility or "An intentional deviation from the below 2.5 nmol/L requirement may result in retrospective disqualification of results and a prospective period of ineligibility equal or commensurate in length to periods imposed under the FINA DRC for intentional anti-doping rule violations involving anabolic steroids." The logo of the Swimming governing body FINA is displayed on a flag at the main swimming pool on July 26, 2009 at the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images)A transgender athlete who does not meet the eligibility standards may compete in "any open events" the organization could develop in the future.Lia Thomas’ sudden emergence in the pool during the NCAA swimming season shined the spotlight on the new rules. Thomas became the first transgender swimmer to pick up wins in the NCAA and the Ivy League Championships over the last few months. She swam for the University of Pennsylvania.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThomas told Sports Illustrated last month she would seek a spot on the national swimming team ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Swimming |
US saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell’s ears are forever open to scales, tunings and mantras from beyond western experience. Most recognised for his pioneering work with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Mitchell sealed the deal on this stimulating evening at the London contemporary music festival with free improvisation at its most erudite and incisive. Lines coiled, pirouetted and multiplied as Mitchell locked himself into a dialogue with his saxophones, music evolving because of inner discussion, never the small-talk of post-minimalist pattern counting. Single note thought-bubbles turned progress on a dime, obliging him to view his mind-map of improvised lines from unforeseen angles; inventions by turn abstract, raw and funky. Emerging suddenly from the back of the hall, percussionist Kikanju Baku tapped rhythms on hand percussion as he wandered through the audience towards his drum kit. Initially Mitchell met these challenges with restraint. Isolated hollers and staccato lip-smacks contoured Baku’s blasts of rhythm, before Mitchell turned the tide the other way, flooding the space with a torrential outpouring of sound.Blasts of rhythm … percussionist Kikanju Baku (right) with Roscoe Mitchell. Photograph: Dawid Laskowski/Dawid Laskowski Photography 2018Mitchell’s set was preceded by an extended sequence of experimental film shorts by Stom Sogo, DJ sets and a Fluxus classic by Ben Patterson. A collection of new orchestral pieces, conducted by Jack Sheen, was crowned by For Roscoe Mitchell by the US drummer and composer Tyshawn Sorey. Solo cello, handled with exquisite delicacy by Deni Teo, snaked around drones and pop-up orchestral clusters, the elliptical gorgeousness of atonal harmony on full display. Sorey meticulously unpicked Mitchell’s tics, like writing down the recipe of all that makes his hero cook.The audience got behind Sorey’s piece, the cogwheels of concentration palpable. Two world premieres and LCMF commissions – from sound artist Elvin Brandhi and multimedia artist Cerith Wyn Evans – were disappointing: neither had much idea what to do with a full orchestra, producing thin gruel that left the musicians doodling aimlessly. The intriguingly titled Pearly, goldy, woody, bloody, or, Abundance by Oliver Leith smudged brazenly naked tonal chords, gouging conventional orchestration out from the inside. Then turntablist Mariam Rezaei, in her set, relished pummelling the debris of familiar melodic hooks and chords into a delirious mad-dash of high-velocity sonic surrealism. | Music |
Dame Kelly Holmes broke down crying on Monday's This Morning, marking her first TV appearance since coming out as gay on Sunday.The athlete, 52, tragically admitted she 'doesn't feel she had ever been happy' but is now able to live her life authentically after years of hiding her sexuality in fear.Filling presenter Phillip Schofield with tears, who came out in February 2021, she detailed her negative experiences in the army, where it was illegal for LGBTQ+ people to serve until 2000. 'I've never been happy but now I can': Dame Kelly Holmes, 52, Dame Kelly Holmes broke down crying on Monday's This Morning, marking her first TV appearance since coming out as gayWhen asked if she had 'someone special' in her life, Dame Kelly nodded - however she had already confirmed this over the weekend.She told hosts Phillip and Holly Willoughby that after reaching her lowest point at the end of 2020, she knew she had to be honest with herself and others, saying, 'I just want to live my life.'Dame Kelly - whose new documentary Kelly Holmes: Being Me airs on ITV on Sunday - began the interview by saying she feels a 'mixture of relief and apprehension' on coming out.She said, 'When it was announced [yesterday], I was still in a bubble, still at home and to go on social media, the reaction was amazing. Candid: Filling Phillip Schofield with tears, who came out in February 2021, she detailed her negative experiences in the army, where it was illegal for LGBTQ+ people to serve until 2000Onwards and upwards! The athlete, 52, tragically admitted she 'doesn't feel she had ever been happy' but is now able to live her life authentically after years of hiding her sexuality in fear'But it still felt like it wasn't the real world and then sitting here now, it feels like the real world and it's really hard because I've been having interviews for absolutely years, but this is such a big step for me to be open and honest about the true me, that it's still a bit scary.'Phillip explained it wasn't that long ago that he sat in the same place and said her coming out will help her and other people, and Dame Kelly said, 'Absolutely. I feel like that was one reason I wanted to do the documentary. If I was going to talk about… I needed to talk about this for myself and my own wellbeing, and my own mental health.She added, 'The documentary was a way of me articulating the fear I've had for so many years and to allow me to have a platform to hopefully educate and inform people of the complexities of maybe being gay as well. I've never said that before - that I'm a gay woman - publicly on TV.'People don't realise how hard it is to say that word. I'm not ashamed and I've been it since I was 18, but it's really hard when you're documenting different parts of your life that you've had to keep inside.' Must watch: She spoke on the daytime programme to promote her Being Me documentary, which will air on ITV on Sunday Emotional: Phil warmly smiled towards the sportswoman as his eyes welled upHolly explained that part of the reason Dame Kelly kept her sexuality a secret was because she was in the army and until 2000, it was illegal to be gay in the army.Dame Kelly revealed, 'You were read the rules of homosexuality in the army - that it was illegal to be gay - and yet you can't change who you are. So I grew up with that fear in the head because I absolutely loved being a soldier in the army. It was something that I really wanted to do.'I was in there for nearly 10 years and yet I couldn't express that. It was really difficult, because there was interrogation that happened. In the documentary, I explain it a lot and I speak to people that dealt with some shocking things, but for me personally, having raids, it was scary, humiliating, embarrassing.'She continued, 'People were tipped off, the Royal Military Police would come into your barracks and literally turn everything upside down, take everything out, you'd be left with your belongings laying around. They were trying to find any evidence you might be. Strong: She told hosts Phillip and Holly Willoughby that after reaching her lowest point at the end of 2020, she knew she had to be honest with herself and othersAdmirable: Dame Kelly began the interview by saying she feels a 'mixture of relief and apprehension' on coming out'If you got tipped off… you'd put everything into a box that wasn't anything to do with your sexuality, into a box and hide it in the boot of a car because you don't want to risk being court marshalled.'She added, 'It's a career, people fight for their country, put their lives on the line. But saying that the documentary also goes through how great it is now.'I've been so scared if anyone found out… for 34 years. It was only when I had a really bad breakdown in December 2020 that I knew I had to do something because it was so bad.'Dame Kelly went on to explain she has talked 'very openly' about her mental health.She said, 'I've always been able to relate it to sport - being disappointed, having injuries and yes there was an element of that because I wanted to be an Olympic champion since 14 and it was me.' Relating: Phillip spoke on This Morning about his battles with keeping his secret and the relief of coming out last year Kind: Phil and Holly Willoughby provided support for Dame Kelly as she bravely told her storyGetting emotional, Dame Kelly added, 'But I became a self harmer, I didn't want to be here frankly at some points in my life. I've been in a bad way a lot and in 2020 I had a really bad breakdown. I knew if I couldn't release it, then I didn't know what I was going to do, so I had to do it.'Tearfully, Phillip asked her how she feels now and she replied, 'I am relieved to finally do it, but it's hard to unravel everything, so I know the relief will come gradually. The responses are really helping me, but it's that relief and that final thing of releasing myself to have my life. I can honestly say I don't feel I have ever been happy.'Phillip asked if she thinks she can be happy now and she said, 'Yes.'Dame Kelly added, 'My friends and family have been there all the time. I live my life privately, just as me… I'm more distraught they're putting my age in all of this, I'm only 39, come on guys!' 'I can't process it right now!' It comes after Kelly said she is 'overwhelmed' by the support she has received after coming out as gayKelly then spoke about losing her mum and how that was the catalyst for her to change, She said, ' My mum passed away and it was devastating, it was almost the start of me needing to change, it ripped my heart apart and she always wanted me to just live my life… I'm here now and out of everything that I feel hurts me, I do know and I hope I have an authoritative voice to change things, to make things better, that people don't live in fear and people live their life…'She added, 'I had different things that was complex because of the army and being an International athlete and no-one spoke about being gay. I had both sides that were just… I had nowhere to know where to go to be who I wanted to be. Now, at the age I am now, I just want to live my life.'It comes after Kelly said she is 'overwhelmed' by the support she has received after coming out as gay. 'Finally free'! She received an outpouring of support from both her followers and celebrities after she spoke about her sexuality for the first time (pictured 2004)The Olympic runner took to Instagram on Sunday to thank her fans and added that her late mother, Pam Norman, would be 'so proud' of her for being her true self.She received an outpouring of support from both her followers and celebrities after she spoke about her sexuality for the first time and declared that she 'finally feels free' after years of living a 'secret' life. Alongside a photo of her stood in front of a rainbow striped butterfly, Dame Kelly penned: 'The morning after the night before. Firstly THANK YOU - The support has been overwhelming- I actually don't think I can take it all in and process it right now! Strong bond: Speaking of her mum, she detailed: 'My 'Mother Dear' would be so proud of my announcement' (pictured together in 2005)'So here it is, the start of a new chapter in my long life book. This is an old picture when I just liked the fact that I was in black and making the body of a butterfly. 'It was pride month (as is this month) but nothing really to do with the rainbow. It was because the butterfly (as well as a puzzle piece) is a symbol I associate with my mother who passed away in 2017 from @myelomauk bereavement it's hell.'Speaking of her mum, she continued: 'My 'Mother Dear' would be so proud of my announcement in the Sunday Mirror she always played me the song 'You're a superstar' by love inc and wanted me to be truly me. 'True self': The Olympic star concluded: 'I have been petty oblivious and ignorant about it all but I hope one day to be an authoritative voice''This announcement is part of a journey I have been on over the past 4months filming a documentary about my authentic life and how hard it has been to not be me.' 'It's emotional so get the tissues ordered!,' she explained. The Olympic star concluded: 'Lastly the documentary taught me so much about generational and social advancements when it comes to the LGBTQ+ world. Speaking out: The outpouring of support came after Kelly publicly came out as gay after living a 'secret life' for decades (pictured this year)'I have been petty oblivious and ignorant about it all but I hope one day to be an authoritative voice and also that my doc it helps many people on all levels.' Speaking to The Mirror, Dame Kelly gushed: 'The response has been truly overwhelming. I never ever visualised this positivity and support.'There's been people from all walks of life, people who have followed me for years and new people who want to hear what I've got to say.'People have come out in their droves. I feel overwhelmed – it hasn't sunk in.' Smiling again: The athletics star admitted she was 'fully aware' of rumours about her sexual orientation but is now happy to be coming out 'on her own terms'The outpouring of support came after Kelly publicly came out as gay after living a 'secret life' for decades. The athletics star admitted she was 'fully aware' of rumours about her sexual orientation but said she was happy to be coming out 'on her own terms'.Speaking to the Mirror, she said: 'There have been lots of dark times where I wished I could scream that I am gay – but I couldn't.'I needed to do this now, for me. It was my decision. I'm nervous about saying it. I feel like I'm going to explode with excitement. Sometimes I cry with relief. The moment this comes out, I'm essentially getting rid of that fear.'Dame Kelly confirmed she has a partner but didn't want to give any further details, admitting it is the first time she hasn't introduced someone as a 'friend or PA'.She explained how her family and close friends have known for years she is gay but she worried about being in trouble for breaching retrospective rules in the Forces.At the time, the forces had a ban on LGBTQ+ soldiers, which was only lifted in 2000. Kelly had relationships with other women during her 10 years in service.Kelly, who chose to come out during Pride month, told how she first realised she was gay when she kissed another female soldier at the age of 17. Army: She explained how her family and close friends have known for years she is gay but she worried about being in trouble for breaching retrospective rules in the Forces (Dame Kelly in her Colonel role at Trooping the Colour)After the kiss, Kelly recalled writing to her stepdad who she shares a close relationship with to explain what had happened.She was 'confused and scared' but Kelly revealed her stepfather accepted her straight away before coming out to the rest of her family in 1997.Kelly, who was made a Dame in 2005, said she dated one woman between the ages of 27 and 32 but broke off the relationship in 2002 so she was able to focus on the Athens Olympics.And even her massive achievement of winning gold at the 800 and 1,500 metres at Athens were ruined due to her fears of being outed. Career: Kelly said she dated one woman between the ages of 27 and 32 but broke off the relationship in 2002 so she was able to focus on the Athens OlympicsThe TV personality, who is currently working on a documentary called Being Me, admitted she kept her true identity hidden for years and experienced episodes of self-harm has she struggled to cope.Kelly confessed that even as she celebrated her gold medal in the 800 and 1,500 metres at the Athens Olympics she feared being outed as her fame hit new heights.Before the 2003 World Championship finals, Kelly said she hit an all time low and self-harmed, recalling how she had 'no control' over herself.Kelly didn't ask for any support at the time out of fear she would be dropped from the Olympic team.In 2018, Kelly was made an Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment, which she viewed as another barrier for her coming out. Fears: In 2018, Kelly was made an Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment, which she viewed as another barrier for her coming out | Celebrity |
Ball one: Hot streak continues for Burns’ menIn a good week for red-ball cricket, Surrey found themselves in unexpectedly squeaky bum territory as a resourceful Somerset side snapped at their heels all the way into the 12th session of their match in the County Championship.After dismissing the home side for 180, Rory Burns probably thought that one decent partnership would get the leaders ahead and two would put them into a winning position. The first came in somewhat unusual circumstances (it was a match of unusual circumstances, in which one Overton concussed the other) as Hashim Amla was unable to continue, so the second wicket partnership of 136 was constructed by the captain, the Overseas signing and Ben Geddes. Will Jacks and Jordan Clark added 86 for the sixth wicket and Somerset were 200 or so behind with almost half the match to be played.But pitches are not deteriorating this season (or maybe, as in Surrey’s case, spinners are not being picked) and Lewis Goldsworthy and Lewis Gregory got their side level before Peter Siddle showed that he has lost none of his tenacity at 37. Surrey were still 39 short with half the order back in the hutch, but Jacks and Clark continued where they left off the first time round and the clearheaded Overton was at the crease when the winning runs were scored. Surrey stay top.Ball two: Hill the obstacle as Hampshire tough out winHampshire stayed on the heels of the unbeaten leaders after an even tighter win at home to Yorkshire (whose players should be commended for retaining focus in the circumstances).The win looked a long way off after the visitors had racked up 428, 21-year-old George Hill stepping up from the seconds with 131 in the opener’s slot. At 12-2, James Vince was at the crease and knew his batters would need to deliver – and they did, all but his No 11 notching at least 30 to stay in the game.Not a single Tyke could reach that mark second time around, as the experienced seam trio of Keith Barker, Kyle Abbott and Brad Wheal bagged three wickets each, leaving their batters 197 to get. Liam Dawson, whose spin had not taken a wicket, and Nick Gubbins stuck to the old-school plan of getting them quickly, scoring an aggregate 109 runs off 110 balls, but it was the wise old heads of Barker, James Fuller and Abbott (over 100 years between them) who brought the points home.Ball three: Wells digs deep in long chaseLancashire, shorn of some of their stars by England calls for both Test and ODI squads, hung on to the top two’s coattails with an impressive chase in what turned into a one-innings match at Edgbaston.After Alex Davies had, somewhat inevitably, scored a century for Warwickshire against his old comrades, Dane Vilas was looking at 329 in just over a day to win the match – even a day earlier, such a target looked stiff, but maybe things have changed since McCullumism was introduced to English cricket.Luke Wells, in a trough of indifferent form, and Rob Jones, in only his second match in the championship, were the unlikely Red Rose version of the England redheads, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. But this was no charging flurry of sixes and fours, more a calculated accumulation that kept the required rate under control and made sure the late middle order were not exposed too early. Wells’ 175 in not much shy of seven hours was cricket as it used to be played – and no less effective for that.Alex Davies on his way to a century for Warwickshire against Lancashire. Photograph: Barry Mitchell/Rex/ShutterstockBall four: Notts tie up easy win after first-innings chasingIn Division Two, Nottinghamshire beat Leicestershire and Middlesex lost to Derbyshire, with the subsequent 20-point swing sufficient to send the Midlanders top of the table.Nottinghamshire’s win offered another example of an emerging theme this season. No side is ever batted out of the match, grounds staff delivering on the request to make it harder a bowler to hit good areas at just below 80mph and wait for the ball to jag this way and that, receiving a routine 4-75 as a reward.Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed walked to the crease with the Grace Road scoreboard telling them that they were over 400 behind, but after another fine knock from Ben Duckett and plenty of support down the order (even Extras were within a run of notching a half-century) their counterparts, Hasan Azad and Rishi Patel took guard a second time over 100 behind – which must have been a little soul-destroying.Cue one of the stars of the early season, Liam Patterson-White, who added four second innings wickets to the three he bagged in the first dig, and the visitors travelled the short distance home having secured an innings victory – not something that used to happen too often after conceding 440 runs before lunch on Day Two.Ball five: The past is a foreign countryOlder readers (am I kidding myself that there are others?) may recall the days of the John Player League, with its shortened run-ups, Peter Walker on the gantry and 40 overs a side – still the ideal format for a Sunday afternoon match.Jim Laker would describe a target of 200 as “taking a bit of getting” and Richie Benaud would keep an eye on the required rate, warning us that the batting side would not want it to rise to over a run a ball.Last week at Chelmsford, Essex made 244-7 in their 20 overs and Sussex, eschewing their inner Gavaskar, had a damned good go at it, led by Ravi Bopara, back in familiar territory. They fell 11 short of a tie, but the 40 overs produced 477 runs. Somewhere Peter, Richie and Jim are nodding towards Fred Trueman, who is saying: “I don’t know what’s going off out there.”Ball six: Rehan does a RashidThe search for effective English spinners continues – hint: try the ones who spin the ball most – with Adil Rashid’s fragile shoulder as much a part of England’s white-ball success as Jos Buttler’s mighty bat.So it should be noted that Leicestershire’s 17-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed came on straight after the powerplay, defending a target of 158, and took four wickets in the crucial middle overs for just 22 runs, Durham collapsing for a paltry 106.He is only making his way in the game but Leicestershire’s faith in him is being repaid. He tops their bowling averages with 14 wickets at an economy rate of just above seven, having played all 11 matches.If we must, let’s get Liam Livingstone into the Test XI as a kind of uber biffer, but he is not the future of English spin – players such as Ahmed and Sussex’s Archie Lenham, another 17-year-old, are. After all, why can’t spinners attack as hard as batters? | Other Sports |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Cate Campbell, a four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist for Australia, backed FINA’s new policies regarding transgender athlete participation on Monday.In a speech to FINA’s congress, Campbell said the separation of the gender categories in swimming is one of the only reasons why women can be seen as equals in the sport. She said removing the distinction "would be to the detriment of female athletes everywhere."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Cate Campbell of Team Australia reacts after winning the gold medal and breaking the Olympic record for the Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on August 01, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Al Bello/Getty Images)"We see you, value you and accept you. My role; however, is also to stand up here, having asked our world governing body, FINA, to investigate, deliberate and uphold the cornerstone of fairness in elite women’s competition," she said, via The Guardian. "And it pains me that this part of my role, may injure, infuriate and potentially alienate people from an already-marginalized trans community."She said she had thought about what she was going to say and came to the conclusion that no matter what she said on the topic it would "anger" people."However, I am asking everyone to take a breath, to absorb before reacting. Listen to the science and experts. Listen to the people who stand up here and tell you how difficult it has been to reconcile inclusion and fairness," she added. "That men and women are physiologically different cannot be disputed. We are only now beginning to explore and understand the origins of these physiological differences and the lasting effects of exposure to differing hormones.FINA MEDICAL OFFICIAL HOPES TRANSGENDER-ATHLETE POLICIES ARE MODEL FOR OTHER SPORTS Cate Campbell of Australia after the 4x100m medley relay gold medal presentation during the Swimming Finals at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games on August 1, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)"Women, who have fought long and hard to be included and seen as equals in sport, can only do so because of the gender category distinction. To remove that distinction would be to the detriment of female athletes everywhere."The "gender inclusion policy" will only permit swimmers who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete in women’s events. FINA members voted 71.5% in favor of the new policies. The rulings went into effect Monday.FINA set specific eligibility requirements in a 24-page policy. There was also a proposal for a new "open competition policy." The organization said it was setting up "a new working group that will spend the next six months looking at the most effective ways to set up this new category."The Australian Olympic Committee also backed FINA’s decision. A logo of the is the international governing body of swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming and open water swimming, FINA is displayed during the FINA World Championships in Rome on July 25, 2009. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"While inclusivity must be respected, fairness in competition is a core value of sport," an Australian Olympic Committee spokesman told Reuters. "FINA has made a decision based on the circumstances in the sport of swimming to achieve that balance." Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Swimming |
The Bulls drafted Coby White with the No. 7 pick in 2019.Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images It’s NBA draft week, and you know what that means: Every sports outlet with a pulse is doing what it does best — purporting to have more than the faintest clue about what’s going to happen Thursday night in Brooklyn.Let alone what’s going to happen with all these draft prospects after that.You know what the very best thing about Sun-Times Bulls beat writer Joe Cowley’s mock draft is? He mocks it himself, promising it will go irretrievably wrong by pick No. 4. That’s how it’s done, folks.But everyone else? They’re kidding themselves. That doesn’t mean you have to let them kid you.Whom will the Bulls select at No. 18 in the first round? It could be any number of players: Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell, LSU’s Tari Eason, Santa Clara’s Jalen Williams, Auburn’s Walker Kessler or none of the above. My money’s on none of the above. And all that is assuming Bulls exec Arturas Karnisovas doesn’t trade the pick, which is an utterly unsafe assumption to make.And if the Bulls do get their man, then what? Well, he’ll turn into a great player, of course. They’re all great on draft night, just like No. 4 pick Marcus Fizer was in 2000 (“This guy has everything going for him,” Kenny Smith said) and No. 4 pick Eddy Curry was in 2001 (“A very safe pick,” Charles Barkley praised).Man, what do any of these people know? It reminds me of what some yahoo player said many years back after being taken in the first round by the Bulls:“Hopefully,” he said, “I can go in and contribute and maybe turn it around.”Puh-lease.Oh, wait: That was Michael Jordan in 1984. Never mind.Here’s what’s happening:MON 20Avalanche at Lightning, Game 3 (7 p.m., Ch. 7)Bold prediction: The Bolts will not lose a second straight Stanley Cup finals game by a touchdown and extra point. Look, these are the two-time-defending champs we’re talking about, not the Blackhawks. Lynn goes back into the fray.Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images Blue Jays at White Sox (7:10 p.m., NBCSCH)Lance Lynn takes the bump for his second start of the season, but back to what really matters: Which is better, filet or ribeye?TUE 21“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (9 p.m., HBO)Forty years after romping to her sixth and final U.S. Open title, 67-year-old Chris Evert — who won 18 Grand Slam events in her extraordinary career — opens up about her battle with ovarian cancer.Sky at Aces (9 p.m., CBSSN, CW 26)Going by record, the Aces are the best team in the league. Going by banners, guess what? Different story.WED 22Blue Jays at White Sox (1:10 p.m., NBCSCH)Four starts ago, Lucas Giolito began his day with an ERA of 2.63. Then he got a little off track, two homers by the Jays’ Alejandro Kirk happened, yada yada … it’s 4.78.Wolves at Thunderbirds, Game 3 (6:05 p.m., AHLTV)The Wolves — the AHL’s best team all season — can’t wait to hoist the Calder Cup. And they’ll have fun, fun, fun ’til they gladly put the T-Birds away.Avalanche at Lightning, Game 4 (7 p.m., Ch. 7)A sweep tonight? The Avs are ridiculously good no matter what, but blowing up Tampa’s dynasty plans in four games would be the ultimate power move.THU 23Cubs at Pirates (11:35 a.m., Marquee)A four-game set in Pittsburgh comes to a close, leaving all of us to wonder: Is there really any chance either of these teams is good enough to finish the season in third place?NBA Draft (6:30 p.m., Ch. 7, ESPN)Entering the week, the consensus top three was Auburn’s Jabari Smith (Magic), Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren (Thunder) and Duke’s Paolo Banchero (Rockets). After that, it’s all blindfolds and darts.Orioles at White Sox (7:10 p.m., NBCSCH)A four-game set begins, and one truly does have to wonder: If the Sox can’t go at least 3-1 against these guys at home, what’s the point?Sky at Sparks (9:30 p.m., Marquee)The Sparks have already fired coach Derek Fisher, still are struggling to get Liz Cambage going and have sunk near the bottom of the West standings. How did this team win the season opener at Wintrust Arena again?FRI 24Cubs at Cardinals (7:15 p.m., Apple TV+)What says baseball better than these age-old rivals playing in the shadow of the Arch on a streaming service with announcers nobody has ever heard of? OK, so it isn’t perfect.SAT 25College World Series finals, Game 1 (5 p.m., ESPN)Notre Dame? Oklahoma? Arkansas? Mississippi? Whichever team wins it all, the title really should come with a Peyton Manning “Omaha!” Award.Fire at Dynamo (7 p.m., UniMas, TUDN)Last time out, the Fire snapped a 10-game winless streak. Dare we dream of a two-game lossless streak?SUN 26Cubs at Cardinals (1:15 p.m., Marquee)You’ve got to hand it to the Cards, who are well on their way to a 15th winning season in a row. It’s almost like they don’t even realize great organizations are supposed to rebuild once or twice per decade. | Basketball |
Image source, Maria Beggs/PA MediaImage caption, Nigel Stonehouse has been attending Glastonbury Festival for 30 yearsFriends of a festival fan who has weeks left to live are raising funds to fly him by helicopter to Glastonbury to fulfil his "dying wish".Nigel Stonehouse, 58, a former bricklayer from Hartlepool, was diagnosed with cancer in mid-May.He had been due to go to the music festival in Somerset, which begins on Thursday, but is too unwell to travel without medical support.More than £13,000 has been raised with Fatboy Slim offering support.The DJ said he wanted to help fulfil "Nigel's dying wish".Folks. I’ve been contacted by the friend of a terminally ill man who wants to go to Glasto 1 last time. He’s so poorly with cancer they’re going to have to fly him in by air ambulance. If you’d join me in helping Nige’s dying wish then pls donate here. https://t.co/Nc9ljPm0jg— Fatboy Slim (@FatboySlim) June 19, 2022
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on TwitterMr Stonehouse, who has been attending the festival for 30 years and has a ticket for this year's event, was diagnosed with kidney cancer but that spread to his lungs with doctors saying it was incurable, his friends said.His close friend, Lizzie Beggs, said staff at North Tees Hospital where Mr Stonehouse is an in-patient said they would "do all they can to make this happen".She said: "This is obviously a huge undertaking, and will be costly, the palliative care team suggested commissioning a helicopter - the first quote we have had is for £12,000.Image source, Maria Beggs/PA MediaImage caption, Mr Stonehouse's friends said he was determined to see Diana Ross playing at Glastonbury"Nige was planning to be with us all at Glastonbury next week, and he has made it his dying wish to make it there, even if only for a few hours for one last time."His friends said he is "very stubborn and determined" and was looking forward to watching Diana Ross this year.Maria Beggs said: "He's feeling positive and it's given him a boost and something positive to hope for."Acts set to perform at this year's festival include North Shields-born Sam Fender, Billie Eilish and Paul McCartney.Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] Internet LinksThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. | Festivals |
The appearance of an extraordinary spiral of blue light in the sky above New Zealand has prompted amazement among stargazers - and theories ranging from aliens to black holes.Astronomer Alasdair Burns, who runs star-gazing business Twinkle Dark Sky Tours, spotted the spectacle from the country's Stewart Island.
"It was absolutely bizarre," he told Stuff news website."It was like a massive spiral. And it very, very slowly, serenely moving north across the night sky and then just sort of dissipating as it went."He told TV3: "At first sight it almost looked like a spiral galaxy just hanging there in the night sky." Jen Ross, also from Twinkle Dark Sky Tours, said: "It was like nothing we've ever seen before. Just incredible.
"Standing there looking up at it I thought it was either aliens or a black hole that was opening up that we were all going to get sucked up into." More on New Zealand Seven survivors found after New Zealand Air Force spotted two small missing boats in Pacific Ocean New Zealand welcomes back international tourists as strict COVID pandemic rules eased Girl, 12, denied residency because her autism does not meet 'acceptable standards of health' in New Zealand What actually caused the spiral of light?Professor Richard Easther, from Auckland University, explained the likely cause of the extraordinary light show."As far as we can tell it's created by the sun catching the exhaust [fumes] from the second stage of a SpaceX rocket that reignited about an hour after it had been placed in orbit at Cape Canaveral," he told TV3."It's amazing, I wish I'd seen it."While Elon Musk's SpaceX has yet to confirm it was behind the phenomenon, the company's third rocket flight in 36 hours - the Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Globalstar DM15 satellites - is widely thought to be responsible.Mr Burns, who photographed the spiral, explained how rockets could cause such an unusual celestial spectacle."If that exhaust does come out in a direction other than straight out behind, it can cause the staged part of the rocket to spin and it acts sort of like a rocket sprinkler and that exhaust goes out in a spiral," he said.Sadly, at least for those hoping the spiral was evidence of activity by extra-terrestrial beings, Professor Easther ruled out alien involvement."Yeah, I think so, that was us," he said. | Space Exploration |
Here's how NASA wants to send humans back to the moon Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. CNN — The Artemis I mega moon rocket is ready to fuel up. The fourth attempt of a final prelaunch test started on Saturday, with fueling of the rocket expected to begin Monday morning. The crucial test, known as the wet dress rehearsal, simulates every stage of launch without the rocket leaving the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This process includes loading supercold propellant, going through a full countdown simulating launch, resetting the countdown clock and draining the rocket tanks. The results of the wet dress rehearsal will determine when the uncrewed Artemis I will launch on a mission that goes beyond the moon and returns to Earth. This mission will kick off NASA’s Artemis program, which is expected to return humans to the moon and land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface by 2025. Three previous attempts at the wet dress rehearsal in April were unsuccessful, concluding before the rocket could be fully loaded with propellant due to various leaks. These have since been corrected, NASA says. The NASA team rolled the 322-foot-tall (98-meter-tall) Artemis I rocket stack, including the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, back to the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 6. The wet dress rehearsal began at 5 p.m. ET Saturday with a “call to stations” – when all of the teams associated with the mission arrive at their consoles and report they’re ready for the test to begin and kick off a two-day countdown. Preparations over the weekend will set up the Artemis team to start loading propellant into the rocket’s core and upper stages. There is currently a live view of the rocket on NASA’s website, with intermittent commentary. The mission management team chair gave a “go” to begin fueling, but the team is waiting for the launch director to officially decide when to begin. Tanking is currently on hold because of an issue identified with the backup supply of gaseous nitrogen. The launch team has already replaced the valve causing the issue. The hold could last for up to 90 minutes. A two-hour test window will begin later Monday, with the Artemis team targeting the first countdown at 2:40 p.m. ET. First, team members will go through a countdown to 33 seconds before launch, then stop the cycle. The clock will be reset; then the countdown will resume again and run until about 10 seconds before a launch would occur. “During the test, the team may hold during the countdown as necessary to verify conditions before resuming the countdown, or extend beyond the test window, if needed and resources allow,” according to an update on NASA’s website. The previous wet dress rehearsal attempts have already completed many objectives to prepare the rocket for launch, said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director for NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program, during a Wednesday news conference. “We hope to finish them off this time around and get through the cryogenic loading operations along with terminal count,” she said. “Our team is ready to go, and we’re looking forward to getting back to this test.” The mission team is looking at possible launch windows for sending Artemis I on its journey to the moon in late summer: August 23 to August 29, September 2 to September 6 and beyond. Once the Artemis rocket stack completes its wet dress rehearsal, it will roll back into the space center’s Vehicle Assembly Building to wait for launch day. There is a long history behind the arduous testing of new systems before a launch, and the Artemis team faces similar experiences to those of the Apollo- and shuttle-era teams, including multiple test attempts and delays. “There’s not a single person on the team that shies away from the responsibility that we have to manage ourselves and our contractors and to deliver, and deliver means meeting those flight test objectives for (Artemis I), and meeting the objectives of the Artemis I program,” said Jim Free, associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, during last week’s news conference. | Space Exploration |
Downing Street has today 'welcomed' a decision by swimming's world governing to ban transgender athletes from competing in elite women's races.Boris Johnson's official Number 10 spokesperson said the decision by FINA had been based upon 'fairness and inclusion'.It comes as sports and culture secretary Nadine Dorries backed FINA's decision, and said she would encourage other British sports to follow swimmings lead.Last night Fina announced it would forbid transgender athletes who went through male puberty from competing in elite women's competitions. The international sports federation for swimming also vowed to set up an 'open category' which will separate transgender athletes to compete in a class of their own. It comes following an intense debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports.At the heart of the debate has been US swimmer Lia Thomas, who sparked controversy after winning a women's college event after transitioning in her late teens.Similarly, the decision to allow British cyclist Emily Bridges - who also began transitioning in her late teens - to compete in women's races was also met with controversy earlier this year.She was blocked from competing following an 11th-hour intervention from world cycling's governing body, the UCI.Under FINA's new ruling, transgender competitors will have had to have completed their transition by the age of 12 in order to be able to compete in women's competitions - meaning Thomas will no longer be eligible to compete in female categories. Speaking about the ruling today, Boris Johnson's official spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister believes decisions are ultimately for sporting bodies but we welcome that FINA have taken a decision at the elite level which has been considered and based upon fairness and inclusion. Boris Johnson's (pictured) official spokesperson said the decision by FINA had been based upon 'fairness and inclusion' Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries (pictured) says she will encourage British sports to follow swimming's lead after its world governing body banned transgender athletes from elite women's races It comes following an intense debate over the inclusion of transgender swimmers in female categories - including US swimmer Lia Thomas (pictured) who won a women's college event after transitioning in her late teens Similarly, the decision to grant British cyclist Emily Bridges (pictured) - who also began transitioning in her late teens - to compete in women's races was also met with controversy earlier this year. She was blocked from competing following an 11th-hour intervention from world cycling's governing body, the UCI'The Culture Secretary, as she said yesterday, is looking at how we can support and bring sporting bodies together on what is a very complex issue.'Asked about the topic on LBC yesterday, shortly after FINA's announcement, Ms Dorries said: 'It is just unacceptable that trans women compete in women's sport.'I've been of the opinion FINA came to today for a long time, and have discussed this with my own department and established a policy. 'I'm going to encourage other sports (to do the same)... We're about to have a roundtable with all of the sports governing bodies.'She also said in a Tweet, sharing the news of FINA's ruling: 'Well done, this is the right and sensible decision.Fairness must always take precedence over inclusion and should be unequivocal. Also important that trans women should be able to compete in their own class.'It comes after former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies spoke of her 'pride' for the sport after FINA's announcement. British Olympian Sharron Davies MBE, who has advocated for equality and fairness in sport and has spoken out against transgender swimmers in women's races, tweeted of FINA's newsElite swimming is the first sport to completely forbid transgender athletes from women's swimming races if they went through male puberty, FINA announced on Sunday.The international sports federation for swimming is setting up an 'open category' which will separate transgender athletes to compete in a class of their own.The decision was made during FINA's extraordinary general congress on the sidelines of the world championships in Budapest after members heard a report from a transgender task force comprising leading medical, legal and sports figures. British Olympian Sharron Davies MBE, who has advocated for equality and fairness in sport and has spoken out against transgender swimmers in women's races, tweeted of FINA's news.She wrote: 'I can’t tell you how proud I am of my sport @fina & @fina_president for doing the science, asking the athletes/coaches and standing up for fair sport for females.'Swimming will always welcome everyone no matter how you identify but fairness is the cornerstone of sport.'Her tweet was in response to her own post from Friday, which read: 'Once a male has gone through puberty there will always be a large retained performance advantage & bone structure.'Why are we asking females to accept competing with a known disadvantage before we even start? Females are not men with less testosterone. Compete with your sex.'Davies lost out on gold in the 1980 Moscow Olympics to East German swimmer Petra Schneider, who was later pinged for doping with performance enhancing drugs, including testosterone. Husain Al-Musallam, president of FINA, announced the news on Sunday afternoon.'I do not want any athlete to be told they cannot compete at the highest level,' Al-Musallam told a congress of his organisation today.'I will set up a working group to set up an open category at our meets. We will be the first federation to do that.' Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies MBE, who has advocated for equality and fairness in sport and has spoken out against transgender swimmers in women's races, tweeted of FINA's newsThe new policy will require transgender competitors to have completed their transition by the age of 12 in order to be able to compete in women's competitions.The policy was passed with a 71 per cent majority after it was put to the members of 152 national federations with voting rights who had gathered for the congress at the Puskas Arena.Around 15 per cent voted no to the policy on eligibility in the men's and women's competition categories, while 13 per cent abstained.Transgender rights has become a major talking point as sports seek to balance inclusivity while ensuring there is no unfair advantage.The debate intensified after University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history after winning the women's 500-yard freestyle earlier this year.Thomas swam for the Pennsylvanian men's team for three seasons before starting hormone replacement therapy in spring 2019.A wave of doctors suggested Lia Thomas - and other trans female athletes - will always have an unfair advantage in some sports because they cannot undo puberty, when their biological male bodies were flooded with testosterone. Last month, Thomas said some 'cisgender' women, which is a term used to describe someone whose gender identity is the same as when they were born', have more testosterone, bigger hands and feet and are taller than their competitors - so why should she banned when they aren't. 'I don't need anybody's permission to be myself,' she said.She also said anyone who says she isn't allowed to compete as a woman is transphobic, regardless of whether or not they support her right to transition. 'You can't go halfway and be like "I support trans people but only to a certain point". 'If you support transwomen and they've met all the NCAA requirements, I don't know if you can say something like that.'Lia Thomas has only competed in American college swim meets so far, with her last college event having been at the March 2022 NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), which is the US college sports' governing body.But Thomas has since outlined her ambitions to compete in the Olympics. Speaking to ABC News in May, she said: 'It's been a goal of mine to swim at Olympic trials for a very long time, and I would love to see that through.'Under FINA's ban, Thomas would not be able to compete in the women's races, instead taking part in the new 'open category' for swimmers whose gender identity is different from their birth sex. In a previous interview with GB News, Davies said of the transgender issue in women's sports: 'We cant feel our way out of reality. If there's an under 12s race and there's a 15-year-old that wants to "feel" its way to the under 12s, you can't do that.'If you're a heavyweight boxer and you want to "feel" your way into the bantam weight, you can't do that.'If you're a masters competer or you have a disability and you're in a particular category in the Paralympics, you can't "feel" your way into a better category where you have an advantage, and that's the whole reason we have male and female sport because otherwise just young men would win everything.'So I don't believe that feelings should be able to trump biological reality and fact.' The decision was made during FINA's extraordinary general congress on the sidelines of the world championships in Budapest after members heard a report from a transgender task force comprising leading medical, legal and sports figures. Swimmers pictured at the Women's 100m Breaststroke Semi Final on Sunday at the Budapest 2022 FINA World Championships'Trans women are not a threat to women's sport.'In response to Sharron Davies' tweet celebrating the news, many shared the same view. One wrote: 'Finally someone in sport has some commons sense. Now other sports have to follow this example.'Another said: 'It should be in all amateur sports as well, not just elite sports,' and one other similarly added: 'Now for the other sporting governing bodies.'Sports scientist Ross Tucker tweeted: 'Thank you FINA for listening to women, your own swimmers and coaches, and to science in creating a policy that respects women’s sport.' | Swimming |
Manchester City will travel to Camp Nou on 24 August, more than two weeks into the Premier League season, to face Barcelona in a friendly to raise money for charity.The City manager, Pep Guardiola, attended Monday’s press conference at his former club to announce the fixture alongside the Barcelona president, Joan Laporta. They were joined by the club’s former goalkeeper and coach, Juan Carlos Unzué, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) two years ago. All proceeds from the game will go to Fundación Luzón, an ALS research charity.“This is an honour for us,” Guardiola said. “We want to thank Barça for inviting us to this wonderful venue. We will tell our players why this matters so much. It is admirable, and Unzue’s words show that. I am very happy to come. By doing this, FC Barcelona has once again shown why we are the best.”The game will take place after the Premier League season begins, with City visiting Newcastle United on Saturday 20 August, then hosting Crystal Palace the following weekend. Despite this, Guardiola insisted that he would bring a strong squad to Catalonia – which led Laporta to mention Bernardo Silva, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona this summer.“Right now I think Bernardo will continue with us,” Guardiola said. “Our goal, as a club, is for him to stay with us, but I have always said I don’t want players that don’t want to be with us. But Bernardo is important and I think he will stay. It’s true he could be with Barça – I don’t know what will happen.”In other news, Barcelona face competition from three Premier League clubs over their planned move for the Leeds winger Raphinha. Barça have agreed personal terms with the Brazilian, but are yet to agree a fee with Leeds, while Arsenal are in direct negotiations with the Yorkshire club. Chelsea and Tottenham have also expressed an interest in the 25-year-old, who could cost up to €75m (£64.3m).Barcelona are yet to announce any signings this summer but have also been linked with a move for Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski, Milan midfielder Franck Kessié and a trio of Chelsea defenders – Marcos Alonso, César Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen. | Soccer |
DETROIT — The Rangers are about to do the Roster Shuffle. It’s not a terribly exciting dance step, but it’s better than the one they did over the weekend that goes two steps forward and two steps back.Confronted with the chance to get back to .500, the Rangers acted like shy teenagers, leaving the floor to others. On Sunday, Detroit beat them 7-3 and didn’t seem to sweat in doing so. It followed a 14-7 Tiger thrashing.Yeah, Detroit, the team with MLB’s least-productive offense, put up three touchdowns on the Rangers after managing one run over the first two games.“It feels like a wasted opportunity,” manager Chris Woodward said. “After winning the first two, we felt like we could have easily won the series and been in position to do some real things. And we just kind of let it slip away. We just did not create a lot of pressure.”Since scrambling back from a 2-9 start, this has been the Rangers’ pattern. They seem to want to be a .500 team — or better — but recoil at every real chance to become one. Since the second week of the season, they’ve played 10 games at or within two games of .500. They are 3-7 and have lost each of the last six of those games.The coming week presents a chance to reconfigure their roster out of need and to take another run at things. It started by trimming a pitcher, reliever Jesús Tinoco, to get back to the new MLB maximum of 13 pitchers, which goes into effect Monday.That was easy enough. Tinoco was a COVID replacement. He will be replaced by the return of Mitch Garver, who had been on the COVID list. Garver DH’d for Frisco on a rehab assignment Sunday night.But there is a lot more to consider after their lost weekend in Detroit. Do they need to make a change in the starting rotation? Do they have a viable option to do so? Is Sam Huff’s diminishing playing time impacting his development? Can they carry both Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith?There is a lot to consider. Stuff like this:Rotation: Woodward couldn’t fully commit to Taylor Hearn after Saturday’s loss raised his ERA to 6.25. But one of the nagging problems the Rangers have encountered this year: None of their upper-level minor leaguers have made a persuasive case to unseat anybody in the majors.“I’d love for somebody to take the lead on that, if that answers your question,” Woodward said. “I don’t think anybody has really jumped up and said, ‘Hey, I deserve that spot if it were to open up.’ I think that’s a little concerning.”Especially considering that if Hearn is out, the Rangers begin the week with three starters. Identifying one replacement has been hard enough, but two?One spot is likely to go to Glenn Otto, who hasn’t pitched since June 4 due to COVID protocols. He is expected to make a rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday and could return to the rotation on Sunday.The other option that has emerged: Spencer Howard. He was in the opening day rotation but was eventually sent down for Otto. Howard pitched five innings at Round Rock on Sunday, allowing a run. He struck out nine and did not walk a batter. It was the third time in his last four starts he’s allowed one or zero runs. The issue: He’s not pitched more than five innings this season. It’s unlikely he will go deep into a game, essentially turning it into another “bullpen game.” The Rangers have had enough of those. They are 0-5 in such games. And that was with a nine-man bullpen.Third base: Josh Smith played his third game on a rehab assignment Sunday, and Woodward indicated the Rangers were likely to make a call on him for the start of the week.The Rangers could try to platoon Smith, a left-handed hitter, and Duran, a right-handed hitter, at third base. That might cut into the productivity of one or both. Smith can also play the outfield, and Duran has taken some work out there. The question about keeping both is whether the Rangers can find enough playing time for both.DH: If Garver returns Tuesday, then he will be the regular DH. A forearm strain prohibits him from catching. It’s going to limit some flexibility with the lineup, which could have an impact elsewhere. While Garver was out, the Rangers used five different DHs in a 10-day span.Catcher: This is where Garver’s return could have the most impact. It could limit Sam Huff’s playing time even more, perhaps forcing the Rangers to consider whether he’d be better off playing daily at Triple-A rather than infrequently in the majors. Huff has started only three of the Rangers’ last nine games. About a third of Huff’s 17 starts have come at first or DH. If those are about to evaporate, it could hinder his growth.The Rangers aren’t going to trim playing time for catcher Jonah Heim, performing at an All-Star level, or Nathaniel Lowe, the team’s hottest hitter this month, to create time for Huff.“We’re all going to put our heads together and figure out what the best move forward is for this team to be the best winning version we can be,” Woodward said. “It was just frustrating because it’s like we let that one and the series get away from us.”So better try a new dance: The Roster Shuffle. Because everybody is tired of the Rangers’ Two-Step. That’s two steps forward and two steps back.On Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant+++Related:Rangers’ Jack Leiter learned ‘Mental ABCs’ from Al Leiter’s mistakes and greatnessFind more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Click or tap here to sign up for our Rangers newsletter.Evan Grant, Rangers beat writer/insider. Evan has covered the Rangers since 1997. He has twice been named one of the top 10 beat writers in the country by the AP Sports Editors. His passions outside of covering baseball are his wife, Gina, his two step kids, two crazy dogs & barbecue. Let's not discuss the cat. Evan graduated from Georgia State University, but oddly is a Georgia fan. [email protected] @Evan_P_Grant | Baseball |
More than half of the trains due to serve the Glastonbury Festival have been cancelled because of rail strikes.Tens of thousands of revellers will be forced to find alternative routes to the site in Pilton, Somerset.Great Western Railway (GWR) is operating just five services from London Paddington to Castle Cary on Thursday, with a total of 24 between Wednesday and Friday.Almost 200,000 music fans will have to make alternative arrangements to get to the site in Pilton, Somerset, for the eagerly awaited 50th anniversary of the famous festival.The typical Glastonbury festival-goer travels 169 miles to reach the location, according a survey. Once they have overcome expected travel chaos caused by rail strikes, highlights for fans will include the festival's youngest and oldest ever solo headliners - Billie Eilish, 20, and Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, 80.GWR told passengers: 'We plan to maintain timetabled trains between Castle Cary and London Paddington throughout the course of the Glastonbury Festival.'Some services might be subject to alterations to train times and we will be in contact with customers who have already booked seats on board those trains.'Luckily for festival goers, the climes are expected to stay relatively warm throughout this week, reaching heights of 24 Degrees Celsius in Glastonbury (75.2F) on Wednesday and Thursday with a 'risk of showers' on Friday. People gather in front of the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival - which attracts 175,000 people each year Great Western Railway (GWR) is operating just five services from London Paddington to Castle Cary on Thursday, with a total of 24 between Wednesday and FridayHighlights for fans will include the festival's youngest and oldest-ever solo headliners - Billie Eilish (left), 20, and Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney (right), 80 The Somerset dairy farm plays host to one of the largest music festivals in the world Luckily for festival goers, the climes are expected to stay relatively warm throughout this week, reaching heights of 24 Degrees Celsius in Glastonbury (75.2F) on Wednesday Members of the public are also advised to top up their sun cream as UV rays will be at their peak this week, with the summer solstice due to take place tomorrow on June 21 Hay Fever sufferers are in for misery as pollen levels are very high across most of England, Wales and Northern IrelandA GWR spokesperson added: 'Other parts of the GWR network are likely to be more affected by the strike action and customers may need to consider alternative ways to travel to a station serving Castle Cary.'Rail strikes are being held across Britain on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but their effects mean services will be disrupted from Monday night until the end of the week.Roads serving the Glastonbury Festival will be exceptionally busy, with motoring groups advising drivers to avoid the region if possible.Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin said performing at Glastonbury festival on its 50th anniversary following a global pandemic will be 'one of those legendary experiences'.The trailblazing rocker, 54, made history as the first black British headliner of the festival in 1999, something that was not achieved again until Stormzy in 2019. The band, including Cass, Ace and Mark Richardson, return to the festival for the third time this year, having played for the first time in 1995 on the NME stageMeanwhile, the warm summer spell is set to continue over the next few days as revellers get in gear for the start of the Glastonbury Festival on Wednesday.Britons enjoyed a heatwave last week, with the hottest day of the year on Friday when temperatures spiked to 32 Degrees Celsius (89.6F).Luckily for festival goers, the climes are expected to stay relatively warm throughout this week, reaching heights of 24 Degrees Celsius in Glastonbury (75.2F) on Wednesday and Thursday.The Met Office stated today will be 'fine, dry and bright with plenty of sunshine and light winds for most areas. Warmer than Sunday for most. Cloudier with patchy rain in the far northwest'.Members of the public are also advised to top up their sun cream as UV rays will be at their peak this week, with the summer solstice due to take place tomorrow on June 21.Hay Fever sufferers are in for misery as pollen levels are very high across most of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.As for the days of the festival, running from Wednesday to Sunday, the Met added: 'Mainly dry with plenty of sunshine, feeling warm. Scotland and Northern Ireland cloudier at times with light rain/drizzle. More unsettled and cooler from Friday with risk of showers for most.' The warm summer spell is set to continue over the next few days as revellers get in gear the Glastonbury Festival from Wednesday to Sunday (Pictured: The Met Office's weather forecast for Glastonbury throughout this week) Sun-worshippers can rely on relatively warm weather throughout this week while partygoers in Glastonbury can expect climes to reach a height of 26 Degrees Celsius (78.8F) Members of the public are advised to top up their sun cream as UV rays will be at their peak this week, with the summer solstice due to take place tomorrow on June 21 Hay Fever sufferers are also in for misery as pollen levels are very high across most of England, Wales and Northern IrelandBillie Eilish will become Glastonbury Festival's youngest ever solo headliner when she takes to the Pyramid Stage on Friday night, followed by Sir Paul McCartney as the oldest headline act on the stage on Saturday night. 20-year-old American singer Eilish has broken numerous records in her short career. She broke on to the scene in 2015 with her debut single Ocean Eyes, which was written by her brother/producer, Finneas O'Connell.Born Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell, the singer hails from Los Angeles and was raised in a musical family. A fan of The Beatles and Linkin Park, and inspired by young Norwegian singer Aurora, Eilish began writing songs at the age of 11.The home-schooled star also joined the Los Angeles Children's Choir. After Ocean Eyes, Eilish released a string of singles and made it to number one in the US with Bad Guy.Her debut album, entitled When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, followed and topped the charts in the US, the UK and a host of other countries.It was reported to be the highest-selling debut album of 2019 and the biggest North American debut of the decade, shifting 313,000 units in the first week.She has been open about her struggles with depression and body dysmorphia, but said in an interview in September 2020 that she was in the happiest place of her life.She told the US edition of Elle magazine: 'Two years ago, I felt like nothing mattered; every single thing was pointless.'Not just in my life, but everything in the whole world. I was fully clinically depressed. It's insane to look back and not be anymore.'Former Beatle Sir Paul will mark his second time topping the Pyramid stage bill after a performance in 2004.The show will come exactly a week after he celebrates his 80th birthday and more than 60 years of making music.In May, he said his tour and Glastonbury performance this year will be full of hits from his time in the Beatles and Wings, as well as some of his best-known solo material.Speaking during rehearsals, he quipped that most of the audience 'have paid good money, have brought their mums and dads' and do not want to hear his 'deep cuts'.Sir Paul's performance is expected to attract an especially large crowd and could rival those of The Rolling Stones in 2013 and Adele in 2016. | Music |
SAN FRANCISCO — Farhan Zaidi has stocked the Giants roster with a collection of savvy moves, but those haven’t been limited to the major-league level. Two exciting prospects in San Francisco’s system also arrived via somewhat out-of-the-box methods, and both earned recent promotions.
That would be 20-year-old left-hander Kyle Harrison, who last month was called up to Double-A Richmond, and 23-year-old shortstop Will Wilson. The two overlapped for only a few weeks before Wilson was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento.
In both players, the Giants essentially paid their way into two additional first-round picks.
Harrison, a graduate of De La Salle, was set on his college commitment to UCLA unless first-round bonus money came calling. The Giants tapped switch-hitting catcher Patrick Bailey with the 13th overall pick, signing him for a below-slot bonus of $3.5 million, before selecting Harrison 85th overall and persuading him with a $2.5 million bonus (the slot value of a late first-round pick, compared to the $700,000 for the 85th pick). Wilson was the Angels’ first round pick in 2019, 15th overall, but came into the Giants’ possession via a salary-eating trade after the 2019 season. San Francisco agreed to take Zack Cozart and the $12.7 million he was due off the Angels’ hands, if they included their first selection in that year’s draft.
Early returns are showing each investment paying off.
With a dominant start to this season in High-A, Harrison ascended into one of the top pitching prospects in baseball before earning his Double-A promotion. His name appears on every Top 100 prospects list there is, rising to No. 43 on MLB.com’s most recent update and No. 45 according to Baseball America.
Harrison posted a 1.55 ERA in seven starts with High-A Eugene and — most notably — was striking out more than two batters per inning, an absurd K/9 of 18.3. It’s been a tougher go of it since arriving in Richmond, with a 5.12 ERA in his first four starts, but the ability to miss bats has transferred to a higher level: 30 strikeouts in 19⅓ innings (14.0 K/9). One source of his struggles has been command: he was walking a career-best 3.1 batters per nine with Eugene, but that figure has jumped to a career-worst 5.6 BB/9 in his first four Double-A starts.
Harrison turned in his best outing yet in his last start, striking out eight over six innings while allowing only one unearned run Wednesday vs. Harrisburg. Wilson doesn’t quite have the pedigree of Harrison — MLB.com considers him the No. 21 prospect just in San Francisco’s system — but he impressed enough to come within one step of the big leagues.
In a notoriously difficult hitting environment at Double-A Richmond, Wilson put on a power show, with eight home runs in 103 at-bats while getting on base at a .347 clip.
In 299 Double-A at-bats between the past two years, Wilson hasn’t hit for average (.189 in 2021; .233 this year) but earned the promotion nonetheless, a decision into which Giants manager Gabe Kapler, a former farm director with the Dodgers, recently provided a little insight.
“I think it’s valuable to promote a player from a less advantageous hitting environment when they’re swinging the bat well to a more advantageous hitting environment,” Kapler explained. “Even if it feels a little bit soon.”
So far, so good: Wilson has three hits — including an RBI double Thursday night — in his first four games with Sacramento.
Where’s Joey Bart?
When the Giants optioned rookie catcher Joey Bart to Triple-A last Wednesday, he owned a .156 batting average and had struck out in 49 of his 90 at-bats in the majors this season. They wanted to give him time away from the game to clear his head.
So only on Sunday did Bart report to Sacramento for his first game with the River Cats this season. Batting fifth and catching in a 12-1 win over Tacoma, Bart went 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in a run. He walked and — importantly — didn’t strike out.
After taking four days off last week, Bart resumed baseball activities last Sunday. He spent the past week working with MLB hitting coach Justin Viele to implement changes in his swing, as well as his mental approach, before joining Sacramento when the Giants hit the road.
“We’re not abandoning Joey by sending him to Triple-A and forgetting about him,” Kapler said. “We have a development plan for him. We feel there are some adjustments he can make mechanically, we feel there are some adjustments he can make from a prep and mental standpoint. … We’re going to be very invested in what happens with him.”
Here’s where we note Bart’s Triple-A stats last season (there really is a wide chasm between MLB pitching and anything else): he hit .294/.358/.472 with 10 home runs (a .831 OPS) while striking out 82 times in 252 at-bats.
A taste of the big leagues
Two other prospects a little further away from the majors got a taste of hitting in a big-league ballpark last week.
Vaun Brown and Grant McCray, two of the top performers this season with Single-A San Jose, trekked up the peninsula to Oracle Park to take hacks off Alex Cobb during the simulated game he threw while working his way back from the injured list.
“You bring a couple minor league guys up, they’re very excited about the opportunity, they’re taking it very seriously and it makes the drill go better,” Kapler said.
Brown, a 10th-round pick in 2021, even slugged an opposite-field home run over the arcade in right field. At 23, he’s a little old for the level, but he has destroyed Single-A pitching so far this season: 13 home runs in 218 at-bats while hitting .344. He’s also stolen a team-high 23 bases.
“It’s a pretty good bolt for a right-handed hitter. You don’t see that very often,” Kapler said of Brown’s batting-practice homer. “I’ve heard great reports on him. Not just his prowess at the plate but also his speed and athleticism.”
McCray was drafted two years before Brown but is two years younger. His .847 OPS and 16 stolen bases trail only Brown on San Jose.
Around the farm
*stats entering Sunday’s games
Triple-A Sacramento River Cats
Rising: IF David Villar (177 AB, .277/.399/.616, 16 HR, 47 RBIs, 30 BB, 61 K)
Falling: RHP Kervin Castro (0-3, 5.85 ERA, 20 IP, 20 BB, 19 K, 1.75 WHIP)
Note: Villar not being on the 40-man roster is one of his biggest obstacles to reaching the big leagues. Primarily a third baseman, he has started to get experience at second base, too. … Not only has Castro struggled to find the strike zone this season, his fastball velocity has taken a concerning dip, reportedly topping out at 92 mph in his most recent outing.
Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels
Rising: RHP R.J. Dabovich (4-1, 3.04 ERA, 23.2 IP, 5 BB, 33 K, 0.93 WHIP)
Falling: C/IF Brett Auerbach (176 AB, .205/.324/.352, 7 HR, 24 RBIs, 29 BB, 63 K)
Note: Dabovich, a fourth-round pick in 2020, was considered a possible fast-riser and impressed during spring training. His fastball reaches triple-digits, and he’s proven capable of controlling it in his first taste of Double-A. … Auerbach, a rare player who can capably catch and play the infield, was another spring standout, but it has been a rougher transition to Double-A, striking out in 36% of his at-bats. … C Ricardo Geneves, who initially skipped Double-A, should steal more time behind the plate after he was sent down from Sacramento to clear room for Bart. He’s 6-for-15 in his first four games with Richmond.
High-A Eugene Emeralds
Rising: IF Marco Luciano (146 AB, .288/.360/.507, 8 HR, 19 RBIs, 15 BB, 38 K)
Falling: C Patrick Bailey (128 AB, .203/.320/.352, 5 HR, 20 RBIs, 23 BB, 37 K)
Note: One of the most prospect-packed teams in the minors clinched the first-half division title in the Northwest League on Saturday. … Luciano (low back strain) has been sidelined since June 3 and recently began rehabbing in Arizona. He won’t resume baseball activities until the beginning of July. … Bailey, the Giants’ first selection in the 2020 draft, has continued to struggle at the plate while playing at the same level he finished last season. FanGraphs recently reported that “scouts in to see him are crushing his effort level and athleticism.” … LHP Seth Corry, a third-round pick in 2017, appeared in only two games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery last month. … OF Luis Matos has struggled mightily (.196/.278/.259 in 112 AB) but is only 20 years old and had a 5-for-5 night on Saturday, a game after slugging his second home run of the season. He missed about three weeks in May with a quad strain.
Single-A San Jose Giants
Rising: OF Vaun Brown (222 AB, .342/.426/.617, 13 HR, 40 RBIs, 23 SB, 25 BB, 65 K)
Falling: RHP Will Bednar (1-3, 4.19 ERA, 43 IP, 22 BB, 51 K, 1.09 WHIP)
Note: Bednar, the Giants’ first-round pick last year, has underwhelmed in his pro debut, according to scouts cited in a recent Baseball America report: “Vanilla” was the word used to describe his arsenal, and he is already drawing scuttlebutt as a future reliever. This time last year, he was dominating the College World Series, which makes his performance the lowest level of the minor leagues all the more concerning. | Baseball |
UPDATE 3:57 PM PT -- Brittany Bell has shouted out Nick after all ... albeit in a joke-y/trolling way. Here's her post. UPDATE Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. UPDATE Looks like she hired Ytiet for a personal message. Her caption reads, "I couldn’t let this go to waste. To a father who could use some help counting…Happy Father’s Day. @nickcannon" Nick Cannon is a busy man on Father's Day -- with 6 kids already out of the oven, and 2 more cooking -- but he's only getting love (publicly) from a couple baby mamas. Indeed ... the television host and media personality was shouted out Sunday, explicitly, by just two women who are currently carrying his children. That would be Johnny Manziel's ex, Bre Tiesi, who's very pregnant with a boy at this point, and Abby De La Rosa ... with whom Nick already shares twins, and has another baby with him on the way as well. ADLR posted a couple of old videos/photos of her, Nick and their kids, with a caption that read, "Happy Father's Day @nickcannon - we are so grateful for you papa!" Abby also appears to have actually been with Nick himself this weekend, or at least on Saturday anyway. In addition to the old videos/photos, she also threw up what seems to be a new clip of them celebrating with a Father's Day-themed bash, and she calls Nick "babe." Instagram / @hiabbydelarosa Meanwhile, Bre -- who announced she was expecting with Nick via a gender reveal party at the beginning of the year -- posted personal shots of her and Nick as well ... where she, too, is giving him praise as a great dad-to-be, and seems to be all in on their relationship. Bre's caption reads, "Moments like this with you are everything. You are the most gentle loving present human. I dk how you do it we are just thankful you do. Happy Father's Day to baby C's super daddy we love you so much can't wait to celebrate u @nickcannon." She posted yet another photo of the two of them during a shoot, where she calls Nick "my love" and further wishes him a happy Father's Day. What she doesn't have that Abby does ... Nick there with her, or so it seems. Another woman with whom Nick had a child -- which unfortunately passed away at a very young age -- is Alyssa Scott, who said Happy Father's Day ... but without naming Nick. Their son, Zen, died at just 5 months old after a battle with cancer, and was NC's 7th child ... something Nick addressed on his show and which left him torn up. It doesn't appear he's hanging with AS right now either. His other baby mamas -- Mariah Carey and Brittany Bell, with whom he shares 4 children between the two women -- have been relatively mum thus far on Father's Day ... at least as far as mentioning Nick is concerned. Brittany hasn't posted any Father's Day tributes at all ... meanwhile, Mariah just threw up a post honoring Juneteenth and FD, without naming NC. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Ya gotta imagine the guy's making the rounds today for all his little ones, but out of all of the mothers ... it appears Abby is the one who's staking a claim as his current SO, at least that seems to be the case. It's unclear if Nick's monogamous with anyone these days. The more the merrier, though, we suppose. Happy Father's Day!!! Originally Published -- 2:52 PM PT | Celebrity |
According to Volvo Trucks, fuel cells for the vehicles will be provided by cellcentric, a joint venture with Daimler Truck that was established in March 2021.Tomohiro Ohsumi | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesVolvo Trucks said Monday that it had begun to test vehicles that use "fuel cells powered by hydrogen," with the Swedish firm claiming their range could extend to as much as 1,000 kilometers, or a little over 621 miles.In a statement, Gothenburg-headquartered Volvo Trucks said refueling of the vehicles would take under 15 minutes. Customer pilots are set to begin in the next few years, with commercialization "planned for the latter part of this decade."Fuel cells for the vehicles will be provided by cellcentric, a joint venture with Daimler Truck that was established in March 2021."Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric trucks will be especially suitable for long distances and heavy, energy-demanding assignments," Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks, said.Alongside hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Volvo Trucks — which is part of the Volvo Group — has also developed battery-electric trucks.Read more about electric vehicles from CNBC ProThe electrification of long-haul, heavy-duty trucks poses its own unique set of challenges. The International Energy Agency's Global EV Outlook for 2021 has described long-haul trucking as needing "advanced technologies for high power charging and/or large batteries."Competition within the sector has increased in recent years. Volvo Trucks' focus on zero-emission technologies will put it in competition with companies like Tesla and JV partner Daimler Truck, which are both developing electric trucks.Like Volvo Trucks, Daimler Truck is focusing on both battery-electric and hydrogen vehicles.In an interview with CNBC last year Martin Daum, chairman of the board of management at Daimler Truck, was asked about the debate between battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell."We go for both because both … make sense," he replied, before explaining how different technologies would be appropriate in different scenarios."In general, you can say: If you go to city delivery where you need lower amounts of energy in there, you can charge overnight in a depot, then it's certainly battery electric," he said."But the moment you're on the road, the moment you go from Stockholm to Barcelona … in my opinion, you need something which you can transport better and where you can refuel better and that is ultimately H2.""The ruling is not out, but I think it's too risky for a company our size to go with just one technology."Read more about energy from CNBC ProWhile there is excitement in some quarters about the potential of hydrogen-powered vehicles, there are hurdles when it comes to expanding the sector, a point acknowledged by Volvo Trucks on Monday.It pointed to challenges including the "large-scale supply of green hydrogen" as well as "the fact that refueling infrastructure for heavy vehicles is yet to be developed."Described by the IEA as a "versatile energy carrier," hydrogen has a diverse range of applications and can be deployed in a wide range of industries.It can be produced in a number of ways. One method includes using electrolysis, with an electric current splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen.If the electricity used in this process comes from a renewable source such as wind or solar then some call it "green" or "renewable" hydrogen. Today, the vast majority of hydrogen generation is based on fossil fuels.Last week, Volvo Construction Equipment, which is also part of the Volvo Group, said it had commenced testing of a "fuel cell articulated hauler prototype." | Automotive and Transportation |
Caitlyn Jenner has backed restrictions on transgender women from taking part in female swimming competitions.The former Olympian, 72, tweeted: "What's fair is fair! If you go through male puberty you should not be able to take medals from females. Period."
She voiced her support after swimming's world governing body voted to effectively ban transgender athletes from competing in women's elite races.FINA said it would explore establishing an "open" category for transgender people in some events as part of the new policy, which requires competitors to have completed their transition by the age of 12 to compete in women's races.A transgender pressure group also backed the policy, saying the female category in swimming must be protected for "fairness". Transgender Trend, which explores trans topics and has been accused of being anti-trans, said it supports the idea of an open category in the sport.
"There are categories for a purpose and male/female is a really important category," Stephanie Davies-Arai, its founder and director of the organisation, told Sky News. More on Transgender FINA votes to effectively ban transgender swimmers in elite women's competition - and create 'open' category Jamie Wallis MP says he wants to begin gender transition process 'as quickly as possible' as he describes rape and blackmail ordeal Raquel Rosario Sanchez: Academic loses legal case against University of Bristol over 'terf' claims "Transgender people should be able to take part in sport but it can't be at the expense of women and fairness and women's sport."Ms Davies-Arai added that she thinks the open category will "make things fair" and that "it meets both requirements for inclusion".Transgender rights has become a topic of fierce debate within sport including in cycling and swimming, with organisers of both sports seeking to balance inclusivity while ensuring there is no unfair advantage.FINA's vote has proved contentious among LGBTQ athletic groups including Athlete Ally, which says the eligibility criteria is "discriminatory" and must include "all women".Advocates for transgender inclusion argue that not enough studies have yet been done on the impact of transition on physical performance, and that elite athletes are often physical outliers in any case.The vote has also split views within swimming, with athletes including former British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies supporting it.The issue of transgender inclusion in sport is highly divisive, particularly in the US where it has become a weapon in a so-called culture war between conservatives and progressives.Transgender rights have been subject to debate across the sports world, however within swimming it intensified after US swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history after winning the women's 500-yard freestyle earlier this year. | Swimming |
Choosing the perfect tennis racket can be difficult because you’re looking for that elusive combination of feel, power and control. Your racket is an extension of your arm, literally, and it speaks to your game, the way you play, even your style. The best tennis rackets, quite simply, amplify and elevate your performance on the court. Whether your goal is to drive the ball deep, hit flawless volleys or rip killer serves, we've found ... [+] the best tennis racket for every type of player. getty “Over the last couple decades, racket technology has changed the game of tennis significantly,” says Pjotrs Necajevs, Director of Tennis at Pine Lake Country Club in West Bloomfield, Michigan. “Based on the needs and style of a player, the right racket can nicely complement his or her game.” So whether you’re a tennis newbie, competing for the country club championship or considering going pro, you want to harness your full potential by finding the best tennis racket for your needs and abilities. “When choosing a tennis racket, key factors to keep in mind are grip size, weight, head size and balance,” says Necajevs. “String pattern and swing weight are more applicable for advanced players. For beginners, make sure you like how the racket looks—including color and design—so you are motivated to go out and play on a regular basis and show off your nice-looking racket.” We sat down with Necajevs and leveraged his expertise in the sport to recommend the best tennis rackets to take you to the top of your game. Best Tennis Racket Overall: Head Speed Pro 2022 Tennis Racket Best Tennis Racket for Beginners: Wilson Burn 100 v4 Tennis Racket Best Tennis Racket for Intermediate Players: Wilson Blade 104 V8 Tennis Racket Best Tennis Racket for Power and Spin: Babolat Pure Aero Best Arm-Friendly Tennis Racket: Volkl V-Cell 1 Tennis Racket Best Tennis Racket for Control and Feel: Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Tennis Racket Best Tennis Racket Overall
An All-Around Winning Racket That’s Powerful And Precise Amazon Head Speed Pro 2022 Tennis Racket For the average layperson, this racket’s sleek asymmetric design is nice to look at. But for experienced tennis players, it’s a thing of beauty for a different reason: It helps players effortlessly drive heavy groundstrokes from the baseline. “The best way to describe this racket is ‘power under control,’” says Necajevs. “The head size is 100 square inches with an 18x20 string pattern that provides optimized control. Enlarged power grommets increase string movement for additional power.” Even better, says Necajevs, “this racket is endorsed by one of the greatest of all time—Novak Djokovic.” Additional technical details include an aerodynamic beam that maximizes swing speed, and the frame is strengthened by graphene, a carbon material that is both extremely light and extraordinarily strong. Translation: Less effort, serious power. Best Tennis Racket Overall Runner-Up: “For a baseline player, the Yonex E-Zone 100 is a comfortable racket that fits everyone and does a little bit of everything really well,” says Tim Sanford, racket specialist at Gut Reaction in Greenwich, CT. “It has a lot of power but balances control, and it has a forgiving sweet spot. This racket is popular with everyone from beginners to pros.” forbes.comAmazon Promo Codes | 20% Off In June 2022 | ForbesBest Tennis Racket for Beginners
This High-Quality Racket Is Ideal For Tennis Novices Wilson Wilson Burn 100 v4 Tennis Racket New-to-tennis players typically focus their attention on keeping the ball in play and working on basic groundstrokes and volleys. As a result, they’ll need something that has a larger sweet spot—and therefore, a smaller margin of error. This racket’s parallel drilling grommet construction allows for just that. Its lightweight frame—something any novice will love—also offers significant power, control and maneuverability. “This is a great racket for beginners, young juniors that are switching to a full-size racket and adults that are beginning to play on a more regular basis,” says Necajevs. “It is priced almost $100 less than most top-of-the-line rackets, but it’s still high quality.” Best Tennis Racket for Beginners Runner-Up: “The Babolat Pure Drive is very easy to play with,” says Sanford. “It has a lot of power so you don’t have to worry about swinging hard. Instead, you can take a consistent swing and be more concentrated on your control and form.” Best Tennis Racket for Intermediate Players
Fine-Tune Your Swing And Increase Ball Control Amazon Wilson Blade 104 V8 Tennis Racket Most intermediate tennis players are looking to hone their swing, gain more ball control, and ensure consistent, powerful shots. In short, they want a racket that will improve their feel. “In this racket’s case, the bigger head size of 104 square inches provides a larger sweet spot for intermediate players but does not give away control,” says Necajevs. “A wider 16x19 string pattern gives considerable spin and power. Overall, this racket checks the boxes on several key characteristics, including control, feel, power and spin.” And the positives of this racket don’t end there: “It’s a more maneuverable racket than you’d be using as a beginner,” says Sanford. “It has a thinner beam and narrower throat, which makes it easier to hit more controlled shots with finesse, like drop shots, lobs and volleys. If you’re the type of player who’s aggressive and wants to win the point, this is a good choice.” Best Tennis Racket for Power and Spin
A Powerful Racket To Help You Put Away Shots If you’re like many of today’s players who hit with a lot of topspin, it’s a good idea to choose a style of racquet that enhances your style of play. “This racket’s signature technology—FSI Spin—uses a wider string pattern to create more friction and produce extra bite,” says Necajevs. “It also has oblong grommets at the top and bottom—a feature that maximizes string snapback, generating more topspin. Rafael Nadal endorses this racket, and he has the best topspin forehand in the world right now, and probably ever. The combination of an aerodynamic frame and grippy stringbed allows players to hit heavy, spin-loaded balls with a high trajectory—something that even the best tennis players know can be difficult to return." Best Arm-Friendly Tennis Racket
Keep Tennis Elbow At Bay With This Comfortable Racket Amazon Volkl V-Cell 1 Tennis Racket For those who struggle with tennis elbow, overuse injuries, or discomfort while playing, it’s helpful to look for a racket that will absorb shock and aid in your recovery yet still offer power and precision. According to Necajevs: “This is elbow friendly and super forgiving on the arm. The inside of the racket is made from V-Cell material, a unique cellulose-based carbon engineered to create more comfortable and stable contact with the ball. Over the years, Volkl has established its own niche with advanced technology that makes a huge difference for lots of different skill-level players so that they can play pain free.” Volkl’s V-Cell is lightweight and has a 115 square inch head, which means you likely won’t completely whiff when you make less-than-perfect contact. It’s also got an extended length (27.8 inches) to increase serve power. Best Arm-Friendly Racket Runner-Up: “The Wilson Clash is made through a carbon mapping layering process, so it has an incredible level of flexibility, but the power of a modern racket,” says Sanford. “If you’re late on a shot, it’s more forgiving and won’t put as much strain on your arm.” Best Tennis Racket for Control and Feel
The Key To Executing Smoother Tennis Strokes Wilson Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Tennis Racket “This is a great racket for advanced players that have no problem connecting with a smaller sweet spot every time they hit a ball,” says Necajevs. “Its 97 square inch head size enhances control.” Some other standout features of this Wilson racket include a dense string bed and Braid 45 construction, which is intended to increase precision and stability. So if you have a crazy-fast swing speed and you already hit a hard ball, this will give you the control to hit winners with pace all day long. “It’s no surprise that this series racket is used by one of the greatest—Roger Federer,” says Necajevs. “In 2022, the Pro Staff series offers different weights (from 9.5 ounces and up), which makes it well-suited for younger tournament players as well as those who aspire to play college tennis or possibly go pro.” Best Tennis Racket for Control and Feel Runner-Up: “The Babolat Pure Strike is a bit more comfortable than the Pro Staff, and it has a softer feel,” says Sanford. “Dominic Thiem plays with this racket.” What To Consider When Choosing A Tennis Racket
Your Skill Level
Before investing in a racket, it’s important to evaluate your skill and determine which rackets meet your needs. For instance, if you’re a beginner with limited experience, consider shopping for a racket with a larger frame that provides a sizeable sweet spot for more power. Experts, meanwhile, might consider a narrower frame that’s light and grippy for more aggressive, offensive control. After you’ve assessed your ability, you’ll find it easier to invest in a proper racket as you narrow down your options.
Your Personal Goals
Like any sport, it’s important to determine what you want to achieve before investing in equipment. Do you intend to play pickup tennis with friends on the weekends? Or do you plan on joining a local racket club where matches are more competitive? If you’re looking to seriously compete, you might consider investing in a high-end racket, or multiple rackets should one break in the heat of competition. And if you’re only looking to have fun, there’s a good chance you can get by with something far more simple.
Your Budget
Of course, there’s no sense in buying a pricey racket if you can’t afford it, which is why it’s best to establish a budget before you decide to invest. Premium rackets can cost over $200, while basic rackets might run less than $100. As the price increases, so too do the materials and design improve.
Types of Rackets
Upon first glance, tennis rackets look pretty much the same from one model to the next, but different features of each deliver different results. For example, premium rackets emphasize certain aspects of play such as power or control, and some rackets blend these two principles of play. Beginner rackets, meanwhile, traditionally come pre-strung and don’t affect your performance. Instead, they remain simple and easy to use as you refine your technique. It’s important to consider the type of racket that compliments your style of play before buying the first one that catches your eye. | Tennis |
By Mark SavageBBC Music CorrespondentImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Ed Sheeran has been the UK's most-played artist every year since 2018, except for 2020, when Dua Lipa briefly replaced himEd Sheeran was the most-played artist in the UK last year, according to new data from music licensing body PPL.The star also had the most-played song of the year with Bad Habits.It's the fourth time in five years that Sheeran has been named the UK's most-played artist, calculated by plays on radio, TV, pubs, clubs and shops.The singer last topped the most-played song chart in 2017 with Shape Of You, over which he recently won a High Court copyright case.Sheeran's continued success is "a testament to the quality of his output [and] the strength of UK music at a time when the global music landscape is more competitive than ever," said PPL chief executive Peter Leatham.But Bedford-born singer Tom Grennan could coming for Sheeran's crown. The singer, who was recently hospitalised after being attacked in New York, had the second and third most-played songs of 2021.His Calvin Harris collaboration, By Your Side, took the runner-up spot, with his solo single Little Bit of Love in third place.The Weeknd's Blinding Lights was the fourth most-played track of 2021, even though it was originally released in November 2019.The song, which has sold three million copies in the UK, was also recently named the biggest hit of all time on the US Billboard charts, overtaking Chubby Checker's 1960 single The Twist.Another long-in-the-tooth chartmaker was Miley Cyrus's Midnight Sky - a modern riff on Stevie Nicks' Edge Of Seventeen - which took ninth place on the UK chart.French DJ David Guetta also had two tracks in the top 10: Heartbreak Anthem, a collaboration with Little Mix; and Bed, which was recorded with Raye and Joel Corry.The feat helped him become the second most-played artist of 2021; while Dua Lipa took third place.Little Mix, who announced an indefinite hiatus last year, also made the top 10 for the fifth year in a row.Pink appeared at number 10, illustrating the enduring popularity of her back catalogue on UK radio. Last year, the PPL named the US star the UK's most-played female artist of the 21st century.The organisation announced its charts to coincide with its annual report. It said it had collected a total revenue of £252.8m, the proceeds of which were shared between 147,000 performers and rightsholders.Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]. | Music |
Pixar’s newest movie Lightyear did not go “to infinity” and beyond in its opening weekend in theaters. The reprise of Disney’s infamous Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear grossed $51 million for second place in the weekend’s domestic box office, behind Jurassic World: Dominion. WHY 'CASTRATE' BUZZ? PATRICIA HEATON SLAMS LIGHTYEAR OVER NO OVER NOT OVER NOT CASTING TIM ALLEN Disney's Pixar film was reportedly expected to top the charts with a $70 million to $85 million domestic opening. The newest Disney/Pixar film Lightyear disappointed in its opening weekend box office. Buzz Lightyear (right), voiced by Chris Evans, and Sox, voiced by Peter Sohn, are shown here in a scene from the animated film that released in theaters June 17. (Disney/Pixar via AP) Lightyear grossed nearly $35 million overseas for a global launch of around $86 million. In its days leading up to the theatrical opening, controversy surrounded the movie over Disney’s choice to include a same-sex kiss. Parts of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, banned Lightyear saying it did not meet their “media content standards.” The kiss was initially removed from the film, but it was restored after Disney employees protested the decision in the wake of Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, which critics have called the "Don't Say Gay" bill. Actress Patricia Heaton was also upset that Tim Allen was not selected as the voice for the character of Buzz in Lightyear. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER “Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my @ofctimallen Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns," Heaton tweeted on Tuesday. "Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?" In its second weekend, Jurassic World: Dominion saw nearly $59 million for total domestic earnings of $250 million. | Movies |
Female swimmers are reacting to the news that transgender women will not be allowed to compete in women’s swimming events, saying they are “finally happy that we have a decision.” Swimming’s governing body, FINA, announced Sunday that it would set up an “open category,” allowing transgender athletes to compete separately from women’s swimming events. “I’m really supportive of the open category that they’re suggesting that they are going to bring into competition because it gives everybody a chance to be involved in our sport,” Australian Olympic champion Emily Seebohm said. “I love my sport. I want to share it with everyone. So, let’s get everyone involved and let’s just keep it fair.” Seebohm called it a fair ruling, pointing to a science-based decision. “With this decision that was made, it was not just made by people that have no idea. It was made by people who specialize in this, who are scientists, who know the science behind it, who can back their decision,” Seebohm added. “I’m happy that there’s finally being a decision made. We can all move on. Like, we can all just go back to the sport that we love and enjoying it and know that we’re getting in the pool and know it’s going to be a fair, level playing field. That’s what we want.” WORLD SWIMMING BODY RESTRICTS TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM WOMEN’S EVENTS Fellow Aussie swimmer Cate Campbell also spoke in support of the ban, saying, “without fair competition, sport, in its elite sense, would cease to exist.” Caitlyn Jenner, who is a transgender woman, also offered support following news of FINA’s ban, tweeting “It worked! I took a lot of heat — but what’s fair is fair! If you go through male puberty you should not be able to take medals away from females. Period.” It worked! I took a lot of heat - but what’s fair is fair! If you go through male puberty you should not be able to take medals away from females. Period. https://t.co/qqZq7gnt6g— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 19, 2022 Not everyone agrees, however. Australian Olympian Maddie Groves, who withdrew from last year’s Tokyo Games selection trials over her support for including transgender athletes, pushed back against her former teammates’ support for a ban. “So you ban them from competing with their peers? You're okay with ostracising an already marginalised group? Real accepting,” Groves tweeted. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas has been at the center of controversy after the athlete became the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history to win the women's 500-yard freestyle earlier this year. Thomas, who has expressed hopes of competing for a spot in the Olympics, will be barred from participating in the women's category under the new policy. | Swimming |
Sometimes nostalgia comes with a big price tag.A sealed, near-mint condition 1986 VHS tape of "Back to the Future" recently sold at auction for $75,000, setting a new record for a videotape.The VHS copy was owned by actor Tom Wilson, who played Biff Tannen in the classic '80s film. Wilson originally listed the tape, along with others, on eBay, but took them down when he received an overwhelming response. He then reached out to Heritage Auctions in Dallas to conduct a proper sale.Wilson's collection included sealed and graded VHS tapes of "Back to the Future II," "Back to the Future III" and 1990's "Back to the Future" trilogy boxed set. What made this collection special was Wilson's offer to write a note to accompany each tape and sign each shipment.A New York-based collector won a bidding war for the "Back to The Future" VHS copy, Heritage Auctions said, adding that the $75,000 price tag was "the highest price ever paid at auction for a sealed, graded VHS tape."VHS tapes are experiencing a resurgence among collectors, with Heritage Auctions fetching big money for such films as "The Goonies," "Ghostbusters" and "Jaws.""We had no idea what was going to happen -- no one's done this before and to see the success, it's amazing," Joe Maddalena, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions, told CNN. "When you see that, it's a great sense of accomplishment, not even the financial aspect of it but just a moment of 'I knew it! I knew nostalgic VHS tapes would be good.' "Maddalena said he hopes the sale will bring renewed interest to VHS tapes, and encourage more celebrities to part with their collections.The-CNN-Wire& 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | Movies |
Director Paul Haggis attends the "Woman In Gold" premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York March 30, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew KellyRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comJune 20 (Reuters) - Oscar-winning Canadian screenwriter and director Paul Haggis is under house arrest in southern Italy on charges of sexual assault and aggravated personal injury, accusations that Haggis denies, his lawyers said on Monday."Mr Paul Haggis was detained on Sunday with an emergency measure issued by the Brindisi prosecutors and is now under house arrest in Ostuni. He will be questioned by Thursday by a judge who will have to decide whether or not to confirm the detention," his Italian lawyer Michele Laforgia told Reuters.Haggis was charged with forcing a young non-Italian woman to have sexual intercourse against her will the course of two days in Ostuni, Italy, public prosecutors in Brindisi said in a statement on Sunday.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"Under Italian Law, I cannot discuss the evidence. That said, I am confident that all allegations will be dismissed against Mr. Haggis," Haggis' personal attorney Priya Chaudhry said in a statement.Both lawyers said Haggis was pleading innocent and would cooperate with authorities."A young foreign woman was forced to seek medical care" following the sexual relations, the prosecutors said in the statement.They said that on Sunday after the non-consensual relations that man accompanied the woman to Brindisi airport, where she was left despite her "precarious physical and psychological conditions".An investigative source told Reuters the unidentified young woman will be questioned in the coming 10 days in what is known in Italy as an evidentiary incident, setting out evidence for a possible future trial.Haggis, 69, wrote "Million Dollar Baby" and co-wrote and directed "Crash", both of which he won an Oscar for.In 2018 he denied accusations of sexual misconduct made by four women, including two who accused him of rape.Haggis was in Ostuni to hold several masterclasses at the Allora Fest, a new film event being launched by Los Angeles-based Italian journalist Silvia Bizio and Spanish art critic Sol Costales Doulton that is set to run from June 21 to June 26.The Allora Fest said they "learned with dismay and shock the news", adding that the festival's directors "immediately proceeded to remove any participation of the director from the event".Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Emilio Parodi in Milan, additional reporting by Francesca Landini in Milan; Editing by Toby Chopra and Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Celebrity |
Bradley Cooper is coming for the awards circuit.
After most recently landing a Best Actor nomination for his Oscar-winning directorial debut “A Star Is Born,” Cooper is helming Leonard Bernstein biopic “Maestro,” plus co-writing, producing, and starring in the upcoming feature opposite Carey Mulligan, Maya Hawke, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Silverman, Scott Ellis, and Matt Bomer.
Nine-time Academy Award nominee Cooper revealed that he still isn’t taken seriously in Hollywood while candidly speaking with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes on their “SmartLess” podcast. The “Silver Linings Playbook” alum opened up about an awkward encounter with two stars at an Oscar party thrown by agency CAA four years ago, circa the days of “A Star Is Born,” where Cooper was up for three Oscars, including Best Picture. Cooper, who at the time had seven Oscar nominations total, added that his accolades are “crazy, it’s nuts.” At the party, he spoke with a famous actress and director; the actress, whom Cooper said is a friend of his, had three Academy Award nominations in her career, and the director according to Cooper said, “‘What world are we living in where you have seven nominations and she’s only got three?'” Cooper thought, “I’m like, ‘Bro, why are you such an asshole.’ I would never fucking forget that. Go fuck yourself.”
And that wasn’t the first time the “Hangover” star was treated like an impostor among the Hollywood elite. Cooper said that in 2011, after landing his first nomination for “Silver Linings Playbook” and competing against Daniel Day-Lewis, Hugh Jackman, Joaquin Phoenix, and Denzel Washington in that year’s Best Actor category, a “hero female actress” whom he didn’t know at all approached him to give her condescending seal of approval.
“She’s like, ‘I saw your movie. You deserve the nom,'” Cooper said. “I was like, ‘What? I’m sorry, what?’ ‘The nom.’ Then like 10 or 20 minutes later — I’m not kidding — I passed her going to the bathroom and she mouths it, ‘The nom.’ I remember [thinking], what the fuck is this town?’ Can you imagine saying that to somebody? You’ve got to be fucked up to do that.”
Cooper also admitted to having “zero self-esteem” starting out in his career, feeling “worthless” as an actor and being “insecure” with his comedy acting ability during “Wedding Crashers” and other early films. His first Oscar nod made him feel like he was “levitating” and now, a decade later, Cooper’s career is hitting a crescendo. “Maestro” has been four and a half years in the making, to which Cooper feels “very grateful” about.
“There’s the movie; a movie about marriage, a movie about family. That’s it,” Cooper summed up. “Why is it nuclear? Because it’s this fucking music. Music is nuclear.”
He added, “I had a secret weapon in ‘A Star is Born.’ It was Lady Gaga. The secret weapon I have in this movie is fucking Leonard Bernstein and Gustav Mahler. The music!” Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. | Movies |
EastEnders star Jessie Wallace - who has played Kat Slater one and off for two decades - was cautioned for the attack outside a nightclub in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, this weekendA source said the star was held by three officers after becoming abusiveJessie Wallace has admitted drunkenly attacking a police officer outside a nightclub in the early hours of yesterday morning. The EastEnders actress, 50, who plays fiery Kat Slater, was cautioned for the incident outside the Verve nightclub in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, at around 2am on Sunday. A police spokesman confirmed that a 50-year-old woman was cautioned after being held on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and drunk and disorderly conduct. A source said the star was accompanied by a man when she was held by three officers after becoming abusive. A Suffolk Police spokesman said: “A 50-year-old woman was arrested early on Sunday morning in St Andrew’s Street, Bury St Edmunds, on suspicion of assaulting a police officer / drunk and disorderly conduct and was released without charge after receiving a conditional caution.” The actress was cautioned for the incident outside the Verve nightclub To accept a conditional caution a suspect must sign a document confirming an admission to the offence along with details of what they did. Though not a conviction, it is used as an alternative to a charge and is recorded on the Police National Computer. It is marked as spent three months after the date of issue but can still be used in any possible future criminal proceedings as evidence of character. The actress, who has played Kat on and off for more than two decades, was written out of the show for two months in 2020 after an "incident while filming". She was said to have been summoned to a meeting with show bosses who suspended her for two months, ordering her to "sort herself out" before returning. Slater was banned from the road for three years in 2003 and fined £1,000 for drink driving. She was one and a half times over the drink drive limit when she was stopped in her Mercedes by police in Chelmsford. The star was previously banned from the road for 15 months some five-years earlier for failing to take a breathalyser test. | Celebrity |
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s central government and authorities in the capital joined forces on Monday to bring back home an international music festival founded by the father of singer-songwriter Dua Lipa which had been moved following a dispute with its organizers.A week ago the Sunny Hill Festival announced it was moving to neighboring Albania after a political dispute between Kosovo’s ruling party and the party in power in Pristina prevented organizers from getting permission to put on the festival, which has a daily capacity of 15,000. Dukagjin Lipa, the singer’s father and manager, who was born in Kosovo, said he had made “a difficult but necessary” decision to stage the Aug. 4-7 event in Albania’s capital, Tirana.Organizers have been asking Kosovar authorities for three years to allow them to manage a 17-hectare (42-acre) area of parkland where they say they will build the appropriate infrastructure for the annual festival and also let it be freely used for the rest of the year.A joint statement from the Culture Ministry and the Pristina municipality on Monday said they have agreed to hold this year’s edition at a location in Pristina — “where it belongs” — and also to continue to discuss holding the festival at its usual location starting from next year.A special edition with a different line-up of artists will be held in the Albanian capital, Tirana, Aug. 26-28.Organizers said this year’s artists would include Diplo, Skepta, DJ Regard, AJ Tracey, Mahmood and Albanian performers, and would also include “two world great artists” who have yet to be revealed.The Sunny Hill festival made its debut in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina, in 2018 and took place again in 2019, attracting international artists, including the British-born Dua Lipa.The festival has brought Kosovo priceless publicity. The event was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. | Music |
BROOKLINE, Mass. — Will Zalatoris had been there before.The runner-up at a major championship. Standing on the podium glassy-eyed, unpacking the highs and lows of four rounds of grueling golf while a trophy gets handed out to someone else on the 18th green. Reaffirming his belief that, sooner or later, he’d be the one celebrating after the final putt drops.It’s a situation — contending at a major — that Zalatoris believes he belongs in. But the situation — an all-too familiar one — that he found himself in Sunday came with a flavor of angst that he hadn’t tasted yet.“I think this one probably is going to take a little bit more processing,” the 25-year-old Dallas resident said.Now a three-time runner-up at major championships, Zalatoris finished one stroke behind Matthew Fitzpatrick at the U.S. Open on Sunday at The Country Club. He tied for second alongside fellow Dallas resident Scottie Scheffler. the world’s top-ranked golfer and reigning Masters champion, at 5-under 275.In just his ninth major, Sunday marked his third runner-up (the 2021 Masters and the 2022 PGA Championship are the others) and his sixth top-10 finish. His three second-place finishes all came by a single shot.“It stings obviously,” Zalatoris said. “[I] keep knocking on that door. We’re obviously doing the right things. I’d pay a lot of money for about an inch and a half, and I’d probably be a three-time major champion at this point. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.”Zalatoris, who co-led the tournament through 54 holes alongside Fitzpatrick, had a chance to force a playoff on the 18th green. His 14-foot putt for birdie missed the hole by mere inches. Zalatoris dropped into a squatting position, flipped his club over his back and dropped his face into his forearms as his shot at a second-straight major playoff trickled left of the hole.“With about 6 feet to go, I thought I had it,” Zalatoris said.Despite a down week driving the ball (he ranked 55th in strokes gained off the tee), Zalatoris kept himself in contention with clutch putting and approach shots. His 1-under 69 Sunday included a tee shot on No. 6 that stopped 30 inches from the pin, an approach shot on No. 7 that dropped 2 feet from the hole, an 18-foot birdie putt on No. 9 and an 18-foot birdie putt on 11. Through four rounds, he finished fourth in strokes gained putting and sixth in strokes gained approaching the green.Matthew Fitzpatrick, left, of England, and Will Zalatoris meet after Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Charlie Riedel / ASSOCIATED PRESS)But Fitzpatrick swung the tournament’s momentum in his favor on 13. The two were tied atop the leaderboard, both at 4-under, but the 27-year-old Englishman drained a 49-foot birdie putt that moved him to 5-under par. Zalatoris responded with an equally clutch 12-foot par putt, but Fitzpatrick shot 1-under through his final five holes to hold him off. His tee shot on 18 landed in a bunker to the left of the fairway, 156 yards from the pin. He masterfully worked himself out of danger with an 8-iron shot to 12 feet from the hole. He closed his round with a tap-in par.“Matt’s shot on 18 is going to be shown probably for the rest of U.S. Open history,” Zalatoris said. “Because that — I walked by it, and I thought that going for it was going to be ballsy — but the fact that he pulled it off and even had a birdie look was just incredible.”Zalatoris remained as chipper as one could, given the circumstances, as he spoke to reporters while cheers from the 18th green filtered past the clubhouse. He took a shot at “Instagram morons” who may be ready to critique his ball striking. He joked about taking a year off of his dad’s life on Father’s Day. He remarked that Paul Azinger, a former professional golfer and NBC analyst, said that he had the closest long putt of the day on 18. (“I was, like, thanks for the consolation prize,” Zalatoris said.) When asked if anything in his life can compare to these major championships, from an intensity point, he cracked that he doesn’t have children or a pregnant wife yet. So, no, nothing compares.He smiled. He laughed. He talked about his excitement for The British Open at St. Andrews in July, and how his finish at The Country Club only fuels an already-burning fire.Still, the freshness of another brush with victory subdued his fervor.“This one hurts in particular pretty hard, but it’s motivating,” Zalatoris said. “I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing. I know I’m going to get one sooner or later.”Sooner or later. It sure feels like that with the way the world’s 14th-ranked golfer continues to play in the sport’s most prestigious events.But, on Sunday, at one of golf’s most historic courses, it was tough to quell the sting of another runner-up.***Related:‘I belong in this situation’: Dallas’ Will Zalatoris co-leads U.S. Open after three roundsFind more golf coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Shawn McFarland, SportsDay HS reporter. Shawn covers preps for SportsDay HS. He joined The Dallas Morning News after covering UConn basketball, football and high school sports for The Hartford Courant. A Boston area native, Shawn graduated from Springfield College in 2018 and previously worked for The Boston Globe and Baseball America. [email protected] McFarland_Shawn | Golf |
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The surprise announcement by BTS last week that they were taking a break to focus on members’ solo projects stunned their global fanbase, shaking their label’s stock price and leaving many questions about the K-pop supergroup’s future.HYBE, the company behind the band, denied the group was taking a hiatus — a word used in a translation of the group’s emotional dinnertime video announcement. In the days since, band members have remained active on social media, continuing the stream of posts, photos and assurances that the band wasn’t breaking up.Despite the immediate impacts — HYBE’s stock initially dropped more than 25% and has yet to fully recover — several factors may still affect BTS’ future. One is looming military enlistment for older BTS members, as well as how engaged the group and their devoted fans, known as ARMY, will continue to be in social issues.In 2020, at the height of BTS’ success, the South Korean government revised the country’s military law that requires able-bodied South Korean men to perform approximately two years of military service. The revised law allows top K-pop stars — including Jin, the oldest member of BTS — to defer their military service until they turn 30 if they’ve received government medals for heightening the country’s cultural reputation and apply for the postponement. All BTS members meet the criteria as recipients of government medals in 2018.“Obviously, there’s a looming military enlistment so they might have thought it’d be good to do something individually before it’s too late and that’s why I think military enlistment was the biggest factor,” said Lee Dong Yeun, a professor at Korea National University of Arts.BTS arrives at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, FileThere have been calls — including from South Korea’s former culture minister — for an exemption for BTS because of their contribution to heightening South Korea’s international reputation. But critics say that such an exemption would be bending the conscription rules to favor the privileged.Jin, 29, is expected to enlist this year unless he receives an exemption.Military enlistment of members has always been a headache for HYBE; BTS once accounted for 90% of the label’s profit. Currently, the group makes up 50%-60% of the label’s profit according to a report from eBest Investment & Securities.The eBest report noted that the rapid stock plunge might have resulted from an “anticipation that the activities as the whole group might be uncertain after being discharged from the military.”HYBE has been attempting to diversify its portfolio by debuting new K-pop bands, making online games, and rolling out Korean language tutorials.As the most successful K-pop band to date with hits like “Dynamite” and “Butter,” BTS has for years commanded tremendous attention on social media and with each new music release. They recently performed several sold-out shows in the United States, became the first K-pop act to get a Grammy Award nomination, released an anthology album, “Proof,” and channeled their global influence with an address at the United Nations and a trip to the White House to campaign against hate crimes directed at Asians.“Once you achieve success like BTS achieved success, then it means there’s a constant expectation to continue doing something that is connected to what you’ve already done, where you’ve already been. In the most recent releases that BTS has brought out, also we can see how they continually reflect back on where they have been,” said CedarBough Saeji, professor of Korean and East Asian Studies at Pusan National University.She said Tuesday’s announcement signaled the band’s intention to figure out “where they are going for themselves without interference from other people” and “being able to choose their own path forward as artists.”Last week’s announcement also leaves in doubt the group’s social justice efforts, which have included vocal support for the Black Lives Matter movement and anti-violence campaigns. BTS’ legions of fans have embraced the causes, matching a $1 million donation to Black Lives Matter after George Floyd’s death.But the group has faced mushrooming questions about why it isn’t as vocal about discrimination in their own country.A leading South Korean newspaper recently published a column in which the author mused why South Korea, despite having BTS — “the ambassador of anti-discrimination and human rights” — has struggled to enact an anti-discrimination law for 15 years.“It’s an irony,” the writer said. “South Korea needs their force for good.”The country’s lack of an anti-discrimination law has led to unfair treatment against women and foreigners, among others.Jumin Lee, the author of the book “Why Anti-Discrimination Law?” told the Associated Press that there’s a dire need for the anti-discrimination law in the country.“South Korea is in essentially the same situation legally as America’s Jim Crow South. Equal protection exists as a constitutional concept, but there is no implementing legislation that allows the government to force private businesses to comply,” Lee said. “What that means in practice is that if I’m a business owner, I could post a sign on my door tomorrow that says ‘no gays’ ‘no blacks’ or ‘no old people,’ and absent extraordinary intervention by the Constitutional Court, there’s very little the law can do to stop me.”Lee recently expressed disappointment in the band for not speaking up about the important domestic issue.“BTS and their business folks know that speaking up in the US is profitable but doing the same back home would be more trouble than it’s worth. So they don’t,” tweeted Lee after the band’s visit to Washington.Despite that, Lee said the band’s silence is understandable, stating that BTS would be met with “indifference at best and hostility at worst” from politicians if they did speak up.Some South Korean celebrities like singers Harisu and Ha:tfelt have been speaking out on touchy subjects such as the anti-discrimination law and feminism, despite backlashes.After speaking out about the 2014 sinking of the Sewol ferry, which killed 304 people in one of the country’s worst disasters, Cannes-winning actor Song Kang-ho and director Park Chan-wook were blacklisted by the administration of the ousted President Park Geun-hye, noted Areum Jeong, a scholar of Korean pop culture.“So, although many idols might be politically conscious, they might choose not to discuss social issues,” Jeong said.Several BTS members said during last week’s announcement that they were struggling with the group’s successes and having trouble writing new songs.“For me, it was like the group BTS was within my grasp until ‘On’ and ‘Dynamite,’ but after ‘Butter’ and ‘Permission to Dance,’ I didn’t know what kind of group we were anymore,” member RM said. “Whenever I write lyrics and songs, it’s really important what kind of story and message I want to give out but it was like that was gone now.”While that clouds what BTS’ next steps might be, Saeji said their continued candor was necessary because of how much the group has impacted their fanbase.“They’re meeting the fans with that same honesty and saying to them, ‘You had my help when I needed it. And now I need my help,’” she said. “‘I need to be on my own. To think for myself, to know what I want to write a lyric about, to understand my own mind, to become inspired on my own.’” | Music |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! FINA, swimming’s international governing body, faced backlash over the new "gender inclusion policy" that was approved Sunday setting the standard for transgender athletes’ participation in the sport.The "gender inclusion policy" will only permit swimmers who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete in women’s events. FINA members voted 71.5% in favor of the new policies. There was also a proposal for a new "open competition policy." The organization said it was setting up "a new working group that will spend the next six months looking at the most effective ways to set up this new category."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMIn the 24-page policy released Sunday, FINA spelled out how transgender men and women will be allowed to compete under the new rules.LGBTQ+ rights groups and other swimmers said the policy would hurt transgender athletes."FINA’s new eligibility criteria for transgender athletes and athletes with intersex variations is discriminatory, harmful, unscientific and not in line with the 2021 IOC principles. If we truly want to protect women’s sports, we must include all women," Athlete Ally, an advocacy group for trans people’s inclusion in sports, wrote in a tweet.Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison also spoke out about FINA’s decision."This sudden and discriminatory decision is a blatant attack on transgender athletes who have worked to comply with longstanding policies that have allowed them to participate for years without issue. This policy is an example of swimming organizations caving to the avalanche of ill-informed, prejudiced attacks targeted at one particular transgender swimmer. We urge the FINA to rethink its policy and ensure inclusion for all athletes -- including transgender women – and allow them to participate in sports free from discrimination, abuse and harassment," Madison’s statement said. Jonathan Van Ness was among those who spoke out against FINA's policies. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)"To the young athletes who may be disheartened by this policy, know that we know and believe that every young person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and that transgender kids, like their friends, deserve the same chances to learn sportsmanship, self-discipline, and teamwork, and to build a sense of belonging with their peers."AUSTRALIAN SWIMMING STAR BACKS FINA'S 'GENDER INCLUSION POLICY'Others also chimed in on social media.FINA said transgender men are eligible to compete in FINA competitions and set world records in the men’s category unless:"For the disciplines of Water Polo and High Diving, the athlete must provide to FINA an assumption of risk form signed and dated by the athlete or if the athlete is a minor, by their legal proxy" or "All athletes who are undergoing treatment involving testosterone or other anabolic substances as part of female-to-male genderaffirming hormone treatment are required to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for that treatment in accordance with the FINA Doping Control Rules."Transgender women and athletes whose legal gender and/or gender identity is female can compete in FINA-sanctioned events if "they can establish to FINA’s comfortable satisfaction that they have not experienced any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12, whichever is later." Lia Thomas looks on after winning the Women's 500 Yard Freestyle during the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming & Diving Championship at the McAuley Aquatic Center on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology on March 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Mike Comer/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)The athlete must produce evidence they have "complete androgen insensitivity and therefore could not experience male puberty" or "They are androgen sensitive but had male puberty suppressed beginning at Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12, whichever is later, and they have since continuously maintained their testosterone levels in serum (or plasma) below 2.5 nmol/L" or "An unintentional deviation from the below 2.5 nmol/L requirement may result in retrospective disqualification of results and/or a prospective period of ineligibility or "An intentional deviation from the below 2.5 nmol/L requirement may result in retrospective disqualification of results and a prospective period of ineligibility equal or commensurate in length to periods imposed under the FINA DRC for intentional anti-doping rule violations involving anabolic steroids."Transgender athletes who do not meet the eligibility standards may compete in "any open events" the organization could develop in the future.David Gerrard, FINA’s top medical official, said Monday that the international governing body for elite swimming’s new policy on transgender athletes was the "best outcome" for the future of the sport."To my mind, FINA’s approach to this was very enlightened, it was very balanced, it was informed," Gerrard told Reuters. "It recognized the athlete’s voice, the scientific, objective evidence and the somewhat more subjective, human rights (and) legal issues which were argued very forcefully by the lawyers present. A logo of the is the international governing body of swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming and open water swimming, FINA is displayed during the FINA World Championships in Rome on July 25, 2009. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images)"I hope that that model is something that's considered by other sports."Gerrard, a former New Zealand Olympian, added fairness in the sport was a main issue FINA was trying to confront and predicted it will still be an issue.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"It is an issue that we’re going to have to confront, and the debate is going to continue," he said. "But when it comes to fairness and when it comes to safety, you’ve got to draw a line in the sand." Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Swimming |
BUDAPEST, Hungary -- World swimming's governing body has effectively banned transgender women from competing in women's events, starting Monday.The video above is from a previous report: Penn transgender swimmer Lia Thomas speaks out about backlash, future plans to competeFINA members widely adopted a new "gender inclusion policy" on Sunday that only permits swimmers who transitioned before age 12 to compete in women's events. The organization also proposed an "open competition category.""This is not saying that people are encouraged to transition by the age of 12. It's what the scientists are saying, that if you transition after the start of puberty, you have an advantage, which is unfair," James Pearce, who is the spokesperson for FINA president Husain Al-Musallam, told The Associated Press."They're not saying everyone should transition by age 11, that's ridiculous. You can't transition by that age in most countries and hopefully you wouldn't be encouraged to. Basically, what they're saying is that it is not feasible for people who have transitioned to compete without having an advantage."Pearce confirmed there are currently no transgender women competing in elite levels of swimming.The World Professional Association for Transgender Health just lowered its recommended minimum age for starting gender transition hormone treatment to 14 and some surgeries to 15 or 17.FINA's new 24-page policy also includes proposals for a new "open competition" category. The organization said it was setting up "a new working group that will spend the next six months looking at the most effective ways to set up this new category."Pearce told the AP that the open competition would most likely mean more events, but those details still need to be worked out."No one quite knows how this is going to work. And we need to include a lot of different people, including transgender athletes, to work out how it would work," he said. "So there are no details of how that would work. The open category is something that will start being discussed tomorrow."The members voted 71.5% in favor at the organization's extraordinary general congress after hearing presentations from three specialist groups - an athlete group, a science and medicine group and a legal and human rights group - that had been working together to form the policy following recommendations given by the International Olympic Committee last November.The IOC urged shifting the focus from individual testosterone levels and calling for evidence to prove when a performance advantage existed.FINA said it recognizes "that some individuals and groups may be uncomfortable with the use of medical and scientific terminology related to sex and sex-linked traits (but) some use of sensitive terminology is needed to be precise about the sex characteristics that justify separate competition categories."In March, Lia Thomas made history in the United States as the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship, the 500-yard freestyle.Thomas said last month on ABC's "Good Morning America" that she was aiming to become an Olympic swimmer. She also disputed those who say she has an unfair biological edge that ruins the integrity of women's athletics, saying "trans women are not a threat to women's sports."The University of Pennsylvania didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Thomas.Other sports have also been examining their rules around transgender athletes.On Thursday, cycling's governing body updated its eligibility rules for transgender athletes with stricter limits that will force riders to wait longer before they can compete.The International Cycling Union (UCI) increased the transition period on low testosterone to two years, and lowered the maximum accepted level of testosterone. The previous transition period was 12 months but the UCI said recent scientific studies show that "the awaited adaptations in muscle mass and muscle strength/power" among athletes who have made a transition from male to female takes at least two years. Copyright © 2022 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. | Swimming |
Double Take: The "Toy Story" spinoff has divided critics, confounded audiences, and fizzled at the box office. Is it time for Pixar to creatively course correct? [Editor’s note: The following story contains spoilers for “Lightyear.”]
This past weekend saw the release of Pixar’s return to theaters, the “Toy Story” spinoff “Lightyear,” which aims to give an origin story to a beloved, uh, toy. Styled as a movie (within a movie franchise? trust us, this actually makes more sense in practice), Angus MacLane’s space-set adventure imagines Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) as a lauded Space Ranger who accidentally strands his spaceship (and hundreds of fellow space travelers) on a distant planet, and must somehow figure out a way home. Lessons are learned, cute robots are introduced, and a motley pack of friends teach Buzz nothing less than the real meaning of life.
Both IndieWire executive editor and VP of editorial strategy Eric Kohn and executive editor, film Kate Erbland checked out the film, but while they agree on some of its bigger problems, their overall reactions diverge a bit. Audiences seem to agree: the film fell far short of its opening weekend projections, and ultimately didn’t even win the top spot at the box office. It’s the rare misstep for the animation powerhouse, but it’s hardly a death knell. Instead, perhaps it can serve as a course correction for Pixar’s own wild rocket ship ride. ERIC KOHN: The weird thing about nostalgia is that it almost always feels better than its source. Watching “Lightyear,” I couldn’t help but think about this disconnect. The whole premise of the movie is that it came out in 1995, when “Toy Story” kid Andy saw it and was inspired. The logic holds up: “Lightyear” is far more underwhelming than the iconic Pixar character behind it.
However, that issue only really kicks in during the final third, as the movie devolves into a pileup of plot twists and half-baked sentimental revelations. I actually enjoyed the time-bending premise of the earlier scenes, as they depict a man so intent on his messianic mission that he loses touch with the world around him. After several attempts to rescue his marooned people by speeding around the planet where they’re trapped, Buzz Lightyear flashes forward so many years that he’s out of touch with everything around him. It’s the most blatant meditation on mortality and aging in any Pixar movie since the opening sequence of “Up.” So why does the movie only go down from there?
I get the impression that “Lightyear” is afraid of its own intellect — it’s a studio product in a constant push-me-pull-you tension with the boundaries around it. As much as I enjoyed Buzz’s robotic pal Sox, a feline variation on HAL by way of Dug the dog, he’s just another lovable side character reverse-engineered to charm audiences whenever time allows. Call it the Baby Yoda effect: When it doubt, douse it in cuteness. “Lightyear”Disney/Pixar
Unfortunately, no amount of “aww” moments can rescue this Pixar entry from sagging into familiarity with time. I think that’s the biggest issue at play here. The “Pixar touch” generally remains intact so long as the studio subdivision has stuck to originality. “Toy Story” and its sequels are an exception because each movie plays as the latest chapter in one ongoing story. But the underwhelming nature of “Lightyear” strikes such a notable contrast to the other 2022 Pixar movie, “Turning Red,” if Disney CEO Bob Chapek wants to do some good in this world he would issue a memo to Pixar insisting it only focus on original ideas going forward. Yeah, I know, let’s get world peace on the table, too.
Am I right to assume that the IP driving to “Lightyear” is its Achilles’ heel? Did we actually need a whole new Pixar franchise with “Sox: The Movie”?
KATE ERBLAND: I enjoyed “Lightyear” more than you did, though — funnily enough — I also agree with your criticisms, which are all valid, very real, and highlight some major problems when it comes to original storytelling at both Pixar and in Hollywood itself. “Lightyear” was always destined to be reverse-engineered into being, literally created to explain the origin story (??) of a toy (??) from another beloved series (??). Pixar, however, gets a bit of leeway even with that eye-rolling blueprint, because of its proven track record (with a few bumps along the way) for crafting emotional, inventive stories about everything from, yes, literal toys to neurotic fish. It’s what they do.
And yet something else was sort of about “Lightyear” from the jump: it seemed impossible to for anyone to actually explain what it was. Even star Chris Evans, who gamely voices the eponymous superhero and clearly seems jazzed on the whole thing (Captain America himself is a major space nerd IRL), did a lot of meme-able damage with a now-infamous tweet in which he “clarified” that “this isn’t Buzz Lightyear the toy. This is the origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear that the toy is based on.” Uh, what now? It doesn’t have to be that complicated and, in fact, “Lightyear” isn’t that complicated.
“Lightyear”Disney/Pixar
All thanks to whoever (rumor has it, it was Andrew Stanton) cooked up the idea to open the film with a title card that actually clarifies what the film is about (it’s Andy’s favorite movie basically), a smart opening that was greeted in my press screening with both laughs and cheers of recognition. Now we get it, and how cute is that? It is indeed cute, but that cuteness is always at odds with the heavy subject matter you rightly point out. There are big, very human ideas at play here, but they do eventually fold into predictable enough beats. It’s satisfying, but only because it’s been engineered to be that, even if it never quite earns it on its own strength. The same can be said for Sox, who I adore, mostly because he’s been designed that way, and while I totally see the engineering that goes into turning his smarts, “meowmeowmeow,” and zippy tail into an instant marketing opportunity, I am only human. He was built to delight, and he delights. But, yes, there has to be something more here than just baseline lessons, a hinky hold on time travel, and cute robots cats. That’s what we’ve all come to expect from Pixar, that’s why the studio is so beloved.
Looking ahead, what else do you want to see from Pixar? What lessons should they learn from both the good and the not-so-good stuff at play in “Lightyear”?
KOHN: If Pixar is taking notes, they probably don’t need mine, but here goes: Play to the adults in the room. The so-called “Pixar Touch” is a magical dance between slick, kid-friendly corporate product and substantial filmmaking that appeals to more mature sensibilities. As all those Minions can tell you, the former mission is the easy one. Yet the best of Pixar’s roster has taken the hard route. From “WALL-E” to “Ratatouille,” from “Inside Out” and “Soul,” the studio’s most memorable undertakings grapple with complex storylines laced with serious intellect. Yes, they also have imaginative action sequences and otherworldly conceits, but they elevate the spectacles with ideas.
“WALL-E”
And that itself is tied to the value of original storytelling. “Lightyear” might have worked better if it had stuck to the ambitious journey of its first act, but it sags into a lesser movie in part because that lesser movie is baked into the idea from the start. It’s an easy-route movie that tries to take the hard one and fails. It would make more sense to me for this talented dream factory to double down on dreams we haven’t seen before. If the Disney overlords wants an eternity of spin-offs, let them go to Disney+ series so they don’t get in the way of the good stuff.
I suspect Pixar will continue to produce strong work. There’s too much raw talent baked into that machinery that risen through the ranks. But I also wonder if, decades after some audiences grew up on the brand, Pixar might grow up, too. We know there’s a growing frustration within the animation community about the tendency to treat the medium as a kids-only affair. Consider the open letter to the Academy from Phil Lord and Chris Smith after this year’s Oscars in response to an onstage comment that “so many kids watch these movies over and over,” as they’re the only ones that matter. And at the recent Annecy Animation Festival in France, Guillermo del Toro introduced footage from his upcoming “Pinocchio” by telling the crowd that “animation is film, animation is not a fucking genre.” All kinds of genres can work creative wonders while making money, too. Could Pixar direct its brand toward actual adult-only animated fare, the kind of bold storytelling that doesn’t need to pander to kids just to make a buck? Is it possible to make an actual major animated movie that kids can appreciate when they’re older? Can we please get an R-rated Pixar version of “Alien” starring Sox?
“Turning Red”PIXAR
OK, maybe that last one’s a step too far. But there must be some room to push beyond the youth demographic coveted by corporate overlords, because Big Disney has plenty of resources to keep them happy at theme parks, and Pixar is not a ride. You know?
ERBLAND: Having watched “Lightyear” grapple with an unexpected box office take (re: not a big enough one) over the weekend, I’ve continued to wonder where it all went wrong. Was this film really borne from a too-confusing idea? Are families now conditioned to expect their fresh Pixar films to stream on Disney+ sooner enough? Is everyone still just seeing “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jurassic World: Dominion” instead?
“Lightyear” is not a bad film, and it’s filled with the precise stuff that make people love the animation house. It looks wonderful, it’s funny, it is packed with deeply important life lessons (how could a through-line about making life the best it can be, even with crummy circumstances not strike a chord with viewers these days?), but it’s also still bogged down in the machinations of another franchise. We’ve gotta stop with that, and that’s a decree that should extend far beyond Pixar.
“Lightyear”Pixar
I don’t think Pixar will ever go whole-hog on adult-centric entertainment, but you’re right, the animation house needs to remember that even the kids that love their movies are going to turn into adults someday, and adulthood is much, much longer than childhood. And big messages and sterling creative work appeal to everyone, no matter the age. Pixar was brought up within that concept, and it’s time to get back to it.
The studio has three more films on the calendar in the coming years: two untitled projects for 2024, plus Peter Sohn’s (the voice of Sox!) “Elemental” for 2023. That film shows promise: it’s billed as being set in “a city where fire, water, land, and air residents live together, a fiery young woman and a go-with-the-flow guy are about to discover something elemental: How much they actually have in common.” It also sounds like just the ticket for Pixar right now, the kind of thing that can (forgive me for the pun), get them all back to the elements that have made them such a powerhouse to begin with.
A Disney release, “Lightyear” is now in theaters. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. | Movies |
NBA's Dejounte Murray Surprises Dad With New Truck ... Happy Father's Day!!! 6/20/2022 6:59 AM PT No tools or cologne for Dejounte Murray's dad on Father's Day ... instead, the NBA baller surprised Dad with a brand new truck -- and Pops' reaction was priceless. Murray's father was outside their family home this month when the San Antonio Spurs guard pulled up in the white ride ... and what happened next was super sweet. Everyone had their phones out and shouted at Dejounte's dad, "That's you!" "Happy Father's Day! That's you, man!" Murray's dad was overwhelmed with emotion -- and he immediately gave his son a huge hug. Eventually, he began crying. Murray shared the awesome father-son moment on his IG -- revealing he and his pops haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but they're working on their relationship. "We had our differences for almost 7-8 years and I just want a relationship with my dad before it's too late," Murray said, "and not have one of us living with regrets of not being a man and fixing the problems we had." Murray added that he loves his dad and he respects him "for taking ownership on why you wasn’t there as much as I wanted you to be as a kid." "Happy birthday and happy early Father's Day," Dejounte said, "and I hope you love the truck." This is another sweet move from the NBA All-Star -- who just gifted his baby sister with a new car for her birthday and for getting good grades earlier this year. | Basketball |
Lissyelle Laricchia / Adama Jalloh / Se Oh In honor of Pride Month, MTV News set out to spotlight the LGBTQ+ artists creating the contemporary anthems that soundtrack queer spaces and report on the new frontiers in today's streaming landscape helping them to do so. As we did last year, we've also set out to profile emerging LGBTQ+ artists and celebrate established ones making waves. Welcome to Queer Music Week. By Max Freedman Once upon a time, the Oakland ukulele-pop musician Mxmtoon thought TikTok was an app for, as she tells MTV News, “8-year-olds who play Fortnite.” That changed when her 2019 single “Prom Dress” went viral on the now-ubiquitous social media platform. There, the song has racked up 447,600 streams to date, and Mxmtoon’s TikTok channel has 2.8 million followers and 131.9 million likes. Now, the 21-year-old artist is one of many LGBTQ+ musicians using the app to make their music and full selves heard while connecting more closely with their audiences, especially their LGBTQ+ fans. In conversations with MTV News, Mxmtoon (who also goes by Maia but keeps her last name out of the public for her privacy) and other LGBTQ+ musicians say they’ve used TikTok to get their music to queer listeners more quickly and directly than many traditional promotional routes like radio airplay. The online communities they’ve built through the app have translated to sold-out live shows and major label deals, though some have used their TikTok presences to maintain a level of creative autonomy unprecedented for newly signed artists. Even as the app has admitted to shadowbanning words such as “gay,” “lesbian,” and “transgender,” as well as generally pro-LGBTQ+ content, TikTok has nonetheless become a space of connection and authenticity for LGBTQ+ musicians and listeners alike. It’s easy to think of TikTok as a COVID-era phenomenon. Surely, during early lockdown, you fell down a dance-challenge TikTok rabbit hole or watched way too many clips that use the same song. Yet as Mxmtoon recalls, TikTok was already a big deal pre-pandemic. She says that before she released “Prom Dress” in May 2019, she and her team “went into that campaign and that release with the intention of making a lot of content on TikTok so…people could interact with it for a while before we [released] the actual full-length song.” At the time, TikTok had roughly 271 million monthly active users, a mere fraction of the 1 billion monthly active users it reached in September. Throughout our conversation, Mxmtoon speaks about TikTok both with an executive-sharp marketing eye — she says “engage” and “consuming content” at least once — and continued incredulity about how uniquely the platform can help musicians. “There was a really big moment [for] ‘Prom Dress’ on TikTok before we even filmed the music video,” she says. “It was really interesting to see how massively it took off.” As her audience has grown, Mxmtoon has found a space to more fully be herself. “TikTok has played a huge part in me expressing my identity as a queer person,” she says. The near-instantaneous conversations the platform facilitates through its video replies to comments make it “very easy to have a conversation about your identity. It's very easy for me to make a video about being bisexual and reach an audience of people that also understand that experience and want to consume content representative of their identities.” She regularly responds to comments asking about her sexuality. “If I'm open and honest about my queerness,” she says, “it allows other people to be open and honest about theirs, as well.” TikTok is how the British folk-pop musician Cat Burns — who has 1.2 million TikTok followers alongside roughly 539,000 TikTok streams on the four versions of her folk-pop song “Go” — figured out her sexuality. Since TikTok “creates an algorithm for you,” the 22-year-old tells MTV News, “it knew that I was not definitive in who I thought I was and would show me particular videos and…would then continually show me those same videos, and then I would continuously like them, and then it got me thinking, ‘Oh, am I not straight?’" Now, she’s writing music made explicitly for fellow LGBTQ+ people and Black women — and reaching listeners via social media. “I want people to feel heard and represented in the music that I make,” she says. “I want to make people feel seen.” She pulled off both when she released her song “Free” in 2021, about a year after she first gained a large TikTok following during early lockdown by regularly doing singing challenges and covering songs. “Free,” which she released after signing to a major label, “immediately hit the target group that it needed to hit, and it touched the people that it needed to touch. I don't think I would be able to hit the [number] of people that I've hit without TikTok.” Through the platform, both Burns and Mxmtoon have built an audience of LGBTQ+ listeners and used the platform to share their stories with fans. Or, more accurately, further share their stories. If music is storytelling, then on TikTok, LGBTQ+ musicians are revealing their narratives to new people and building even deeper connections with longtime listeners. The Missouri-raised glam-pop musician Jake Wesley Rogers — whom some have called “Gen Z’s Elton John” — says that the connections TikTok builds have resulted in an unprecedented transfer of power from labels to musicians. Although the 25-year-old singer-songwriter published five music videos in 2021, he tells MTV News, “This year, my budgets got cut for music videos, and the explanation was, 'You're making TikToks for free, and they're doing much more to build your audience than these very expensive music videos.' Which is fair!” Rogers says that musicians “don't really need the infrastructure, the money, and the push behind a label to get out there. If you get a following, you get a following, and you have power. You own everything.” In a major-label ecosystem where musicians — including LGBTQ+ songwriter Justin Tranter, who heads Rogers’s label, Facet — still speak of an overall lacking queer presence in the industry, the power that TikTok can give marginalized musicians to take and maintain control of their stories when formally entering the industry is nothing short of game-changing. For Rogers, this power has primarily come in handy after, not before, signing to a label. Facet had already offered him a deal before he joined TikTok right as the pandemic began. His following on the platform has since grown to just under 300,000, with a few million-plus-views videos on his page, plus the “Abraham Lincoln was a queer icon” video that first took him viral in May 2020. He hasn’t needed a TikTok megahit like Burns’s “Go” or Mxmtoon’s “Prom Dress” to build a devoted following on and beyond the app. “TikTok was this way to share my music and find new people that, maybe traditionally, you would get from touring,” he says. But once touring restarted, he “saw it translate immediately. I played my first headline shows last year, and I think the reason they sold out was because of TikTok.” His listeners, he affirms, are “coming to the shows and believing in what I believe in.” Those beliefs include that “authenticity, love, and consciousness are part of us…and the world is really fucked up and there's so much beauty in it.” Also: “We contain multitudes, and I think...TikTok rewards that. It rewards a holistic person. ... I'm an artist first, but I'm a lot of things, and I can show all those things.” Rogers says that the multiplicity and contradictions that TikTok encourages are why the platform is home to a thriving community of LGBTQ+ musicians and listeners. “I think queerness is that,” he says. “Queerness is existing in that blurry state of nonconformity.” Thanks to TikTok, major labels are less hesitant than ever to embrace and uplift their artists’ creativity and identities, and LGBTQ+ musicians and listeners are finding each other more easily than ever. The app is allowing LGBTQ+ musicians to directly put forth their full selves to like-minded audiences. There, artists’ personalities are on display alongside their music, and no traditional music marketing approach can so deftly pull off that feat. “It was so much fun for me…to express facets of [myself] on the platform other than just my songs,” Mxmtoon says of her early days on the platform. Since then, she says, TikTok has “been this great tool to not only promote my music and share my songs, but also promote who I am.” Of course, TikTok comes with its challenges for musicians, even beyond the potential for censorship. The app has enforced bans in several languages on certain LGBTQ+-related words. It has also shadowbanned queer TikTok content in countries with no recent history of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. For now, these bans haven’t affected LGBTQ+ artists all that significantly, though Mxmtoon notes that TikTok’s “history of not necessarily advocating for all people and shutting down certain voices and stories” means “they still have a ways to go.” Mxmtoon also mentions that TikTok has made music “hard to think about from my business brain — how do I make a snippet of my song take off on TikTok? And from the creative side of it, I'm like, ‘I don't want [snippets] to define why I make this song and the way that I write.’” Burns says that successfully using TikTok to spread your music requires keeping up with trends, which adds another task to a list stacked with writing, recording, touring, doing interviews, and just living your life. “As long as you move with the times of TikTok, it definitely works in your favor,” she says, “but if you stick doing the same content, it never [goes anywhere].” Rogers points to another challenge with using TikTok to promote his music. “If I get too caught up in likes and comments and virality, then I'll stop making music accidentally,” he says. But he adds that TikTok continues to be worth it: “The people who have found [me] and continue to find [me] are investing, more than just following me.” They’re showing up to his shows, which means they’re actually funding his music career. And for Mxmtoon, a continued TikTok presence eliminates the longstanding “divide between artist and audience.” The platform excels at building genuine bonds between LGBTQ+ musicians and the people who would naturally be most interested in their music: LGBTQ+ listeners. Burns says that she’s “seen so many people” of all sexualities “playing [‘Go’] and using it in their videos.” After all, she adds, “That's just what music does. It connects people.” Pride Month Pop Music Mxmtoon | Music |
What's happening Prodrive has created the ultimate Subaru Impreza restomod. Why it matters Prodrive was the company that built Subaru's WRC cars for competition. While it seems like the values on all enthusiast-minded cars have been going through the roof of late, prices on Subaru Impreza coupes have been particularly wild. I know this because I've been in the market for one, and Prodrive just revealed the details on what might be the greatest GC ever created. It wouldn't be a racy Impreza without the big wing at the back. Prodrive It's the Prodrive P25, a throwback to Prodrive's rally heritage and the ultimate blend of old and new. Prodrive is the company that built the WRC Imprezas for Subaru's competition use and they're drawing on that expertise to create just 25 models of this all-wheel-drive, 400-horsepower, 443 pound-feet of torque monster.The P25 has an original Subaru Impreza WRX chassis at its core, from the GC generation that lasted from the mid-'90s until the so-called "Blob Eye" Impreza was introduced in 2000. In the eyes of many Subaru enthusiasts, this is the purest generation of Impreza, the ultimate being the 22B, a limited-edition model that produced 276 hp from a 2.2-liter engine.The P25 relies on Subaru's more modern 2.5-liter engine, here rebuilt with custom internals and variable cam timing to produce that 400 hp figure. That's mated with a six-speed, automated sequential manual transmission much like used on WRC cars, capable of automatic upshifting at launches, driving the car to 100 kph (62 mph) from a standing start in just 3.5 seconds. Power goes to all four wheels through an active center differential and limited-slip diffs front and rear. WRC-style anti-lag is here, too.Sure, the mirrors look funny, but that's what they used on the WRC car, so they're the right choice here. Prodrive The bodywork follows the style of the Subaru 22B, with swollen fenders and a big ol' wing out back, but here those panels are mostly carbon fiber -- lightweight and also extremely hard to damage. That, plus a stripped interior, lightweight racing seats, titanium exhaust and lithium-ion battery means the P25 weighs somewhere less than 1,200 kg, or 2,645 lbs. That's roughly 200 pounds less than the 22B. The Prodrive P25 will make its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this Thursday. No word on pricing, but I'm guessing the company won't have a problem finding 25 buyers. It looks amazing, but to my eye there's one glaring problem: the wheels aren't gold. Thankfully, that's an easy fix. | Other Sports |
Juneteenth Celebration Chaka, Khalid, EWF & More ... Hollywood Bowl Turns Up for Holiday!!! 6/20/2022 7:16 AM PT CNN The celebration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is a combination of solemn moments and all-out partying -- featuring multiple generations of music superstars -- to mark the occasion. The biggest party went down Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl where Chaka Khan, Earth Wind & Fire, Khalid, Billy Porter and many more took the stage and got the sold-out crowd on its collective feet. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. The concert event -- "Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom" -- aired live on CNN, and Chaka's performance was especially rousing, backed by The Roots, she belted out her hits "Ain't Nobody" and "I'm Every Woman" ... while EWF and Bell Biv Devoe also played crowd favorites "Groove Tonight" and "Poison." CNN President Biden and Vice President Harris recorded messages to address the Hollywood Bowl audience ... and called the holiday a "time to celebrate, time to educate and time to act." Meanwhile, the activist who fought hard for years to get Juneteenth federal holiday status also marked the day. 95-year-old Opal Lee completed a 2.5 mile walk in Fort Worth -- symbolizing the 2.5 years it took for the enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, TX to get the news that President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. That happened on June 19, 1865 ... hence the holiday's name, Juneteenth. While it's long been unofficially recognized -- especially in the Black community -- it didn't become a federal holiday until last year. Opal's suggestion for all Americans to recognize the holiday -- "I advocate that we celebrate from the 19th of June to the 4th of July. That would be celebrating freedom." Sounds good to us. | Festivals |
Caitlyn Jenner has backed restrictions on transgender women from taking part in female swimming competitions.The former Olympian, 72, tweeted: "What's fair is fair! If you go through male puberty you should not be able to take medals from females. Period."
She voiced her support after swimming's world governing body voted to effectively ban transgender athletes from competing in women's elite races.FINA said it would explore establishing an "open" category for transgender people in some events as part of the new policy, which requires competitors to have completed their transition by the age of 12 to compete in women's races.A transgender pressure group also backed the policy, saying the female category in swimming must be protected for "fairness". Transgender Trend, which explores trans topics and has been accused of being anti-trans, said it supports the idea of an open category in the sport.
"There are categories for a purpose and male/female is a really important category," Stephanie Davies-Arai, its founder and director of the organisation, told Sky News. More on Transgender FINA votes to effectively ban transgender swimmers in elite women's competition - and create 'open' category Jamie Wallis MP says he wants to begin gender transition process 'as quickly as possible' as he describes rape and blackmail ordeal Raquel Rosario Sanchez: Academic loses legal case against University of Bristol over 'terf' claims "Transgender people should be able to take part in sport but it can't be at the expense of women and fairness and women's sport."Ms Davies-Arai added that she thinks the open category will "make things fair" and that "it meets both requirements for inclusion".Transgender rights has become a topic of fierce debate within sport including in cycling and swimming, with organisers of both sports seeking to balance inclusivity while ensuring there is no unfair advantage. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 'Open' category for trans swimmers FINA's vote has proved contentious among LGBTQ athletic groups including Athlete Ally, which says the eligibility criteria is "discriminatory" and must include "all women".Advocates for transgender inclusion argue that not enough studies have yet been done on the impact of transition on physical performance, and that elite athletes are often physical outliers in any case.The vote has also split views within swimming, with athletes including former British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies supporting it.The issue of transgender inclusion in sport is highly divisive, particularly in the US where it has become a weapon in a so-called culture war between conservatives and progressives.Transgender rights have been subject to debate across the sports world, however within swimming it intensified after US swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I history after winning the women's 500-yard freestyle earlier this year. | Swimming |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Jack Suwinski made history in Sunday’s win against the San Francisco Giants.Suwinski hit a walk-off home run off Giants reliever Tyler Rogers to give the Pirates a 4-3 victory after losing 11 out of their last 12 games. This was Suwinski's second game-ending home run of the season, but that is not where he entered baseball history.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski hits a walk-off solo home run off San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, June 19, 2022. It was Suwinski's third solo home run of the game. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)The young slugger had three home runs in the win over the Giants. He became the first rookie to hit three home runs and end the game with a walk-off, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."I was just like, ‘No way, man. No way that’s going. That guy is hard to hit off of. Coming from that low under there, it’s not an easy at bat," Suwinski said.ANGELS' MICHAEL LORENZEN TAKES ISSUE WITH SLICKNESS OF BASEBALLS: 'THEY DID GET SOMEONE HURT' Jack Suwinski #65 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a walk off solo home run to give the Pirates a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants during the game at PNC Park on June 19, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)Pirates manager Derek Shelton said he asked Suwinski if the outfielder was ready for a third home run and Shelton said he was told "no.""I was not trying to think about that," the 23-year-old said. "You start trying to do too much, and then you just blow it or whatever. I was just trying to not think about that and just focus on what the pitcher had." Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski, center, is swarmed by teammates after hitting a walk-off solo home run off San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, June 19, 2022. It was Suwinski's third solo home run of the game. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPSuwinski is the second Pirates rookie to hit three home runs in a game. The last was Andrew McCutchen in August 2009. Josh Bell was the last Pirates player to hit three dingers in a game for Pirates. He did it in July 2019.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Baseball |
Pacino suggested the "Dune 2" star play a younger version of himself in "Heat 2." Timothée Chalamet could be turning up the heat this summer.
During a 2022 Tribeca Talk following a screening of the new 4K restoration of 1995 thriller “Heat,” star Al Pacino revealed that he hopes Chalamet takes on the role of detective Vincent Hanna in a prequel film. Pacino played Vincent in the original Michael Mann cat-and-mouse film, opposite Robert De Niro as criminal Neil McCauley.
Director Mann co-wrote “Heat 2,” an upcoming prequel/sequel novel to the film, with Edgar-winning crime writer Meg Gardiner. Guests at the Tribeca Talk were gifted a preview copy of the book, spurring a discussion as to who would play each character if the novel were adapted for the big screen.
While Pacino shouted “Timothée Chalamet!” to applause, De Niro stayed mum about his dream casting for the character of Neil. Mann’s “Heat 2” includes events both before and after the first film, including an origin story for Neil as a rising criminal battling PTSD after returning from serving in the Vietnam War. “It’s been my intention for a long time to do the further stories of ‘Heat,’” Mann told Deadline. “There was always a rich history or backstory about the events in these people’s lives before 1995 in ‘Heat’ and projection of where their lives would take them after.”
The book will be released August 9 from the HarperCollins imprint Michael Mann Books, and marks the director’s debut as a novelist after screenwriting nearly all of his own films, including “Ali” and “Miami Vice.”
However, Pacino’s wish for Chalamet to star may not come to light: Chalamet has four projects currently in the works, ranging from lending his voice to Kid Cudi’s animated Netflix series “Entergalactic” and reprising his lead role for fantasy epic “Dune 2.”
Plus, Chalamet has the Golden Ticket for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” prequel “Wonka,” playing the mysterious candy man Willy Wonka. Chalamet is also teaming up again with “Call Me By Your Name” director Luca Guadagnino for the cannibal love story “Bones and All.” The movie is finished, according to director Guadagnino, and is expected to hit the fall festivals. It also stars Taylor Russell, Mark Rylance, Chloe Sevigny, and Michael Stuhlbarg. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. | Movies |
Logan Paul The Rock Cut Ties With Me ... After Suicide Forest Vid 6/20/2022 7:29 AM PT Logan Paul says his relationship with The Rock was completely ruined amid the fallout from his suicide forest vlog in 2017 ... revealing his idol asked him to remove any traces of them together from social media following the controversy. The 27-year-old YouTuber/boxer had celebs and politicians calling for him to be canceled after posting footage of a man taking his own life to his channel after a trip to Japan ... but claims one person in particular left him truly hurt. "This was one of the saddest moments of my life, what I'm about to say." Logan said on the True Geordie Podcast. "After Japan happened, I obviously found myself in a hole -- rightfully so -- that I had never been in before. Extremely low, mentally, and I got a call from my publicist, who also repped Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson." "She's like 'Hey, Dwayne has asked that you remove every video and picture that you've done with him. Maybe in the future the relationship can be reconciled, but for now, he basically wants nothing to do with you.' Which I also understood. I get it. I made a grotesque error." "He has had things happen in his life where that incident has affected him in a vastly different way," Logan added. Johnson has previously opened up about his mother's suicide attempt when he was just 15 years old ... calling for people to look out for and take care of each other. Logan says he wishes The Rock had reached out to him personally to explain his decision to cut ties ... saying, "I feel like we had a healthy relationship, an open line of communication. I was so sad that my hero wanted nothing to do with me." "I was sad because I understood it. I really f***ed up." As for their relationship now, Paul says Johnson recently hit him up via Instagram DM and pretended like nothing happened ... but he didn't respond. Johnson also reacted to Logan's recent WrestleMania appearance, saying he was very proud of the Maverick's work .... but it sounds like this relationship is far from fixed. | Celebrity |
Topline
K-pop supergroup BTS earned their sixth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart days after announcing they were going on a hiatus to focus on solo projects. Jimin, J-Hope, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga, and V of BTS perform onstage during the 2021 American Music ... [+] Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images for MRC Key Facts BTS’ album Proof debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, which tracks the commercial success of albums. Proof, an anthology album, was released on June 10, and its success during the week ending June 16 was driven largely by CD sales—the physical version of the album included exclusive tracks not available on streaming. Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, Harry Styles’ Harry’s House, Post Malone’s Twelve Carat Toothache and Future’s I Never Liked You completed the chart’s top five, respectively. Key Background Just days after dropping Proof, BTS announced last week they would be taking an indefinite hiatus to focus on solo projects, but assured fans the break was not a break up. “We promise we will return someday,” band member Jungkook said. The group has taken several recent hiatuses, including one at the start of this year. Tangent
BTS’ reign over the Billboard 200 could be short-lived. Drake dropped a surprise dance album Honestly, Nevermind on Friday, which after one hour became the biggest dance album in Apple Music history. Songs from the album dominated nearly the entirety of Spotify’s top 10 songs on Friday in the U.S. Further Reading
BTS Announces Hiatus—Not A Breakup—To Focus On Solo Careers (Forbes) Here’s Why BTS Is Meeting With Biden At The White House (Forbes)
BTS Lands Sixth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With ‘Proof’ (Billboard) | Music |
South Korean soldiers salute in front of a huge national flag during media day for the 73rd anniversary of the Armed Forces Day, which falls on October 1, in Pohang, South Korea, September 30, 2021. Picture taken September 30, 2021. Lee Jin-man/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comJune 20 (Reuters) - South Korea will launch a bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup following China's decision to relinquish its rights to the tournament, the Korean Football Association (KFA) said on Monday.China was due to host the tournament in June and July next year but the country's efforts to follow a zero-COVID policy have resulted in the 24-team event being moved. read more The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) invited bids to stage the 2023 Asian Cup last month, saying interested parties must confirm their bid by June 30.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"The Korea Football Association is promoting the bid for the '2023 AFC Asian Cup' hosted by the AFC in Korea," KFA said in a notice on their website."Therefore, we would like to proceed with the application for bid from local governments that have stadiums that can host international games, such as domestic soccer-only stadiums and general sports grounds."South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol gave the go-ahead for a push to host the finals earlier this month, ordering his sports minister to try to secure the event. read more Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru, Editing by William MacleanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Soccer |
A woman says it was love at first sight when she first clapped eyes on ragdoll Marcelo. After a whirlwind romance, she went on to marry him and claims they've since 'started a family'Video LoadingVideo UnavailableWoman ‘marries’ ragdoll after whirlwind romance A woman claims to have fallen in love with and married a homemade ragdoll - and the pair now have a 'baby' together. Meirivone Rocha Moraes says it was love at first sight when her mother first introduced her to Marcelo, a toy ragdoll the older woman crafted. Her mum made the doll after listening to her complaints about being single and having nobody to dance with. A whirlwind romance quickly ensued and the couple decided to tie the knot during a "beautiful" ceremony, with their unique nuptials attended by some 250 guests. The 37-year-old describes family life with Marcelo as "wonderful", although she does admit her workshy husband can be "lazy." Meirivone says it was love at first sight (
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Jam Press/@meirivonerocha) Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here. She said: "It was because I didn't have a forró dancer. I would go to these dances but wouldn't always find a partner. "Then he entered into my life and it all made sense. The wedding was a wonderful day for me, very important, very emotional. It rained a lot but it was wonderful. "From the moment I walked down the aisle to the end, it was just beautiful. Then went to the wedding night with my husband Marcelo and we enjoyed our wedding night a lot." Meirivone says their wedding day was "very emotional" (
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Jam Press/@meirivonerocha) Recalling their wedding day, Meirivone, who lives in Brazil, said: "It was a wonderful day for me, very important, very emotional. He is a man I always wanted in my life. Married life with him is wonderful. "He doesn't fight with me, he doesn't argue and he just understands me. Marcelo is a great and faithful husband. He is such a man and all women envy him." However, it isn't all wedded bliss for the happy couple, with Meirivone, unfortunately, left struggling to pay the bills as the sole breadwinner. She admitted: "He has so many great qualities but the only downside is he's lazy. He doesn't work at all. But I am a warrior and I keep it going for us." Doll child Marcelinho was "born" on May 21s (
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Jam Press/@meirivonerocha) Meirivone alleges her labour was pain-free (
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Jam Press/@meirivonerocha) The newlyweds then spent a week-long honeymoon at a Rio de Janeiro beach house, before 'welcoming' a child together. The pair welcomed their doll-baby Marcelinho into the world on May 21st, accompanied by a nurse and doctor. Meirivone live-streamed the 'home birth' before an audience of 200 people. She added: "It really upsets me when people say this is fake. It makes me so angry. I am a woman of character. My father, and my mother taught me to be honest, to be a good person, and not want to take advantage of anything." Are you involved in an unusual relationship? We pay for stories. Email us at [email protected] Read More Read More | Celebrity |
Texas A&M's Jordan Thompson (31) shrugs his shoulders after hitting a double against Texas in the fourth inning during an NCAA College World Series baseball game Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Omaha, Neb.(John Peterson / ASSOCIATED PRESS)OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Trevor Werner hit a tiebreaking single in a four-run second inning and No. 5 national seed Texas A&M broke a nine-game College World Series losing streak Sunday with a 10-2 victory over rival Texas, ending the Longhorns’ season.The Aggies (43-19) spotted Texas (47-22) a two-run lead before taking control of the first CWS game between programs that had met 373 times since 1904.Their first win in five Omaha appearances since 1993 moved Texas A&M to another elimination game Tuesday against the loser of the Sunday night game between Oklahoma and Notre Dame.Aggies starter Micah Dallas acknowledged there was added satisfaction to knocking out the Longhorns.“There is a little extra oomph behind everything, especially when it’s Texas, because you just look at the fan bases, there’s a lot of like genuine hate between each other,” Dallas said. “We kind of feed off of it. We respect them. They’re a great ballclub. But there’s a little more, I don’t know, competition.”Leading 8-2, the Aggies faced a stressful situation in the sixth inning when Jacob Palisch walked Mitchell Daly to load the bases with two outs and Ivan Melendez coming to bat. Palisch struck out the national home run leader and .393 hitter, catching him looking at a fastball at the knees on the inner half of the plate.Palisch pumped his fist as he walked off the mound and Dallas (7-3), whom he replaced four batters earlier, let out a celebratory scream in the dugout and rushed to greet the left-hander.“That was a massive part of the game,” Aggies coach Jim Schlossnagle said.Dallas had two forgettable outings for Texas Tech in the 2019 CWS, and things didn’t start great for him Sunday as the Longhorns scored single runs in the first two innings. He held them scoreless the next three before Palisch came on after the first two batters in the sixth reached.Texas starter Lucas Gordon (7-2) lasted just 1 2/3 innings for the shortest of his 16 career starts, and that was after a 10-pitch 1-2-3 first inning.Grinding out long at-bats is the Aggies’ offensive identity, and they executed it perfectly in the second to put pressure on Gordon. No turn at the plate was better than Werner’s. He fouled off seven balls and worked the count from 0-2 to full during an 11-pitch at-bat that ended with him slapping a liner into left field for a two-run single and a 4-2 lead.That was it for Gordon, who threw 43 pitches in the inning before Jared Southard came on as the first of five relievers. The Aggies scored single runs in the third and fourth and two in the fifth to go up six runs.“We all had the same goal, and that was to have a dog pile at the end,” Austin Todd said. “I don’t think it’s really truly hit me yet. We fight for this and this is everything that we worked for. It’s just one of those things that we didn’t get it done today.”The Aggies also beat Texas in a regular-season game in Austin and now have won four straight against the Longhorns, who they played regularly when both were in the Big 12 and the old Southwest Conference.They’ll reunite in the Southeastern Conference when Texas becomes a member, no later than in 2025.+++Related:Sooners get on roll early, beat Aggies 13-8 in CWS opener Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Be the smartest A&M fanNews, analysis and opinion about the Texas A&M Aggies delivered FREE to your inbox.By signing up you agree to our privacy policyMost Popular on DallasNews.com123456 | Baseball |
Juneteenth Lizzo & Mariah's Personal Celebrations ... Celebs Commemorate Holiday 6/20/2022 7:42 AM PT Instagram / @lizzobeeating It's only Juneteenth's second year as a national holiday, but it's been official with Lizzo for much longer than that, and -- like many other celebs -- she's going big to celebrate. The singer says she's been celebrating Juneteenth since her childhood in Houston, but for the third straight year she's getting her fans in on the festivities with a huge giveaway that includes a chance for them to fly out and hang with her. Lizzo also posted why the holiday is so important -- "Juneteenth is about giving Black citizens of this country our own Declaration of Independence. It is about the complicated and nuanced history we have with this country". June 19, aka Juneteenth, marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in America -- in Galveston, TX -- got the word President Lincoln had abolished slavery two-and-a-half years earlier with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was finally recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Mariah Carey marked the day with a photo of her twins, Morocco and Monroe, looking at photos of Mariah's father. She captioned the Juneteenth/Father's Day post with "Celebrate your black excellence." Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. There were many others ... including Justin Bieber and Pharrell, who took a moment to share his own words after hitting the stage for Day 3 of the Something In the Water festival in Washington, D.C. The Juneteenth Foundation's Freedom Festival was also held in D.C. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. As the festival organizer said, Juneteenth is a time for all Americans to celebrate freedom. | Festivals |
Katie Price is due to appear in court on Friday after she pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order against her ex-husband Kieran Hayler's fiancée Michelle PenticostVideo LoadingVideo UnavailableKatie Price sings during car journeyKatie Price could miss her sister Sophie's wedding on Saturday 25 June as she faces being jailed after she pled guilty to breaching a restraining order. Model Katie, 44, is set to be sentenced on Friday 24 June – a day before her sister Sophie is due to walk down the aisle and wed her long-term partner Harry Brooks. Mum-of-five Katie entered a formal plea of guilty to breaching a restraining order during a hearing at Lewes Crown Court on 25 May, after she previously plead not guilty to a single charge of breaching a restraining order on 27 April and requested a crown court trial. During the hearing, Judge Stephen Mooney addressed Katie and her counsel following the plea and warned the former glamour model she is "at risk of going to prison". Katie Price risks potentially missing her sister Sophie's wedding, which takes place a day after her sentencing (
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Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock) Model Katie was told she was 'at risk of going to prison' after pleading guilty to breaching a restraining order (
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Instagram/Katie Price) Speaking in court, Judge Mooney said: "Clearly you have accepted responsibility for an offence. "You have pleaded guilty and you are aware that you committed that offence while you were subject to a suspended sentence and you are at risk of going to prison. "Your lawyer says there is a lot of information relating to the background of this offence and the offence which led to you receiving the suspended sentence. "I will need to know about the relevant parts of the background. Katie's little sister Sophie is due to marry on Saturday (
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Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock) "Be under no illusions, I am adjourning for a pre-sentence report but you do run the risk of receiving a custodial sentence." Katie's lawyer Nicholas Hamblin argued the I'm A Celebrity star should avoid prison once more because only two words "tell your" in the alleged text breach the restraining order. He said: "Were it not for those two words in the message this would not be a breach." The TV personality is currently serving a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months after she admitted to drink-driving while disqualified and without insurance after a crash near her home in September last year. Katie's lawyer perviously argued she shouldn't be jailed as only two words in the message breached the restraining order (
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Instagram/Katie Price) Model Katie Price appeared in high spirits as she spoke to her Instagram followers (
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Instagram/Katie Price) When the sentence was handed down, District Judge Kelly told Katie she was "extremely lucky" to have avoided prison as he sentence was deferred so she could get treatment at The Priory rehabilitation centre. She added: "You deserve to spend Christmas behind bars." Katie was handed a 16-week suspended prison sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work in the community as well as a further two years added to her driving ban. From secret feuds and sexy scandals to the biggest showbiz headlines - we're serving up a daily dose of gossip. Get the inside scoop on all your favourite celebs with our daily newsletter delivered straight to your inbox for free. You can sign up here. However, the former glamour model has appeared optimistic on social media after thrown Sophie an epic hen party over the weekend. Speaking in a video from the passenger seat of a car on her Instagram stories on Monday morning, Katie told her 2.7m followers: "Happy Monday! I hope everyone has a good week. "I know I've got an exciting week, all family family this week," she said before letting out a big cheer. Katie's little sister is set to walk down the aisle with her long-term partner Harry Brooks this week. Model Katie's five children are all set to take part in the nuptials as they have all been asked to be ushers and bridesmaids. Read More Read More | Celebrity |
Actor Nicolas Cage was once a top earner in Hollywood, worth around $150 million, but he didn't hold onto the fortune for long. Cage squandered it on a string of expensive and often eccentric purchases, eventually facing foreclosure on several properties.Don't miss: The best credit cards for building creditAt one point, Cage owned 15 residences across the world, including homes in California and Las Vegas and a deserted island in the Bahamas. He also bought a series of more bizarre items, including a nine-foot-tall burial tomb, an octopus, shrunken pygmy heads, a $150,000 Superman comic and a 70-million-year-old dinosaur skull, which he later had to return to the Mongolian government.What really put Cage in the red financially weren't the eccentric items, however, but his overstuffed real estate portfolio. "What is an octopus, $80? You're not going to go into dire straits buying an octopus," he told the New York Times during a recent interview.The Neidstein castle near Etzelwang, southern Germany, owned by Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage. He reportedly paid $2.6 million for the pied-a-terre, which dates back to the 16th century.TIMM SCHAMBERGER | DDP | Getty ImagesCage went through a period where all I he was "doing was meditating three times a day and reading books on philosophy" and found himself seeking out the places he had studied and read about."I started following mythology, and I was finding properties that aligned with that," he says.Don't miss: Highest-ever Amex Gold Card welcome bonus is worth up to $600 in gift cardsThis "holy grail quest," as Cage calls it, "put me on a search around different areas, mostly in England, but also some places in the States." Throughout the expedition, Cage loaded up on real estate, including two European castles, which he purchased for $10 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and a $15.7 million countryside estate in Newport, Rhode Island.He compares the journey to the process of building a personal library: "You read a book, and in it there's a reference to another book, and then you buy that book, and then you attach the references. For me it was all about where was the grail? Was it here? Was it there?"His final conclusion: "What is the grail but Earth itself?"What is an octopus, $80? You're not going to go into dire straits buying an octopus.Despite his financial ruin, Cage doesn't regret all of his purchases. "You have good investments and bad investments," he says. "The good investments came from personal interest and my honest enjoyment of the history."That includes "Action Comics No. 1," the first-ever comic to feature Superman, which he picked up for $150,000.For Cage, part of the appeal of real estate also stemmed from his childhood. Growing up outside of Beverly Hills with his professor father, he lived modestly. "I would take the bus to school, and some of the older boys were going to school in Maseratis and Ferraris," he tells the Times.Even at a young age, he longed for more. "My uncle [Francis Ford Coppola] was very generous. I would visit him for summers, and those summers — I wanted to be him," he explains. "I wanted to have the mansions. That was driving me."Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube!Don't miss: The Ben & Jerry's founders knew nothing about making ice cream—so they took a $5 classCORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Nicolas Cage's name. | Celebrity |
The Golden States Warriors will parade through San Francisco Monday morning after last week’s Game 6 victory in Boston over the Celtics to clinch their fourth NBA title in eight years.
It’s the first time in the modern era that the team is celebrating a Finals win in the city, home to their new Chase Center, with the previous three championship parades snaking through Oakland.
That decision was met with some frustration from East Bay fans who saw their team move across the Bay after the 2019 season.
Possibilities abound for this historic event. Will there be a Macy’s-style balloon of Steph Curry’s ape NFT? Will LeBron James be lurking in the crowd, lending credence to rumors he wants to play for the Warriors?
Will Draymond get a technical and foul out of the parade?
Bay Area News Group reporters and photographers will be reporting from the scene in live time, so keep checking back.
As of 6:30 a.m., both sides of Market Street were already thronged with people in camping chairs and laying on blankets (risking body contact with a downtown San Francisco sidewalk — that’s the sign of true devotion). Shouts of “Waaaaaarriors” echoed off the sides of the concrete corridor. Car horns were blasting in celebration.
Francisco Vasquez and Carlos Morales, both of San Jose, made the early-morning trip up. “We got up at 3 this morning,” Vasquez said. “My wife is still mad.”
Across the Bay, Patty Kwea was one of many fans clad in blue and gold hopping on a BART after her drive in from Dixon.
“It’s not like we haven’t done this before,” said Kwea. “But this is the sweetest.” The parade kicks off at 11:20 at Market and Main streets and runs for about 1.4 miles to Market and Eighth streets, where it ends around 2 p.m. (Here’s the NBA’s route map and our full parade guide.)
There will be no rally at the end of the parade, similar to the last Warriors’ parade in 2018, a decision that confused some fans who were looking forward to hearing from their favorite players.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to show up, so if you’re planning on attending, try to get there early. BART is operating a dozen extra trains and expects the busiest times to last from 9 a.m. until the parade starts and then from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
This story will be updated frequently before, during and after the parade. Check back for the latest information. | Basketball |
Update: This story has been updated with winners' comments at a post-ceremony news conference.FORT WORTH — At a news conference of international musicians, Yunchan Lim, 18, spoke softly and a mop of hair fell nearly to his eyes. The South Korean pianist had become the youngest gold medal winner in the 60-year history of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.Even his competitors were impressed.“This young man is just incredible,” said Ukrainian pianist Dmytro Choni.An awards ceremony Saturday night in Bass Performance Hall brought an end to a grueling 17-day schedule of solo recitals and concerto performances with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra by 30 young pianists from 15 countries (two competitors claimed double nationalities). Lim is the second South Korean in a row, after 2017′s Yekwon Sunwoo, to win the top prize.The second-prize silver medal went to the oldest of the competitors, 31-year-old Russian Anna Geniushene, and the third-prize bronze medal to Choni, 28.One of the world’s highest-visibility classical music contests, the Cliburn presents cash awards of $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 to its three top winners. More valuable almost certainly are guarantees of three years of concert tours and career management. Selections were made by an international jury including prominent concert pianists, with conductor Marin Alsop as chair.In addition to live audiences in Fort Worth, the contest was followed avidly by other pianists, teachers, conductors and artist managers around the world via livestreams and recordings.Lim’s stunningly virtuosic and mature performance of the Liszt Transcendental Etudes in the semifinal round carried the day, and he also took two other awards. Here’s an enormous talent to watch.Geniushene is clearly a solid and substantial musician. Her performances of Brahms’ Op. 10 Rhapsodies and Beethoven’s Op. 33 Bagatelles were magical.Choni offered playing at once sophisticated and natural, and he’s clearly another major talent.Lim, a student at the Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, said after the awards ceremony that he’ll need to talk with his teacher to figure out how to balance his education with his new career opportunities. When asked what he would like to add to his performance repertoire, now that he has the backing of the Cliburn, he responded with Bach’s daunting Goldberg Variations.This year's Van Cliburn gold medalist Yunchan Lim, 18, of South Korea, signs his autograph for Sophia Hackler, 15, of California, before the start of the awards ceremony.(Ben Torres / Special Contributor)Lim seems to relish tackling difficult pieces. About his decision to play the complete Transcendental Etudes in the semifinal round, he said he chose them for the challenge. These works, which 2013 Cliburn gold medalist Vadym Kholodenko also performed when he won, are among the most technically demanding in the piano repertoire.Geniushene, who is 6 ½ months pregnant, faced a different kind of challenge at the Cliburn.“It’s incredibly challenging to play octaves in the Tchaikovsky concerto with this belly,” she said, adding that she is used to playing while pregnant, having done so before her first child was born.Bronze medal winner Dmytro Choni, 28, of Ukraine and silver medal winner Anna Geniushene, 31, of Russia, take their bows.(Ben Torres / Special Contributor)The final concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, led by Alsop, featured pianists from three countries in the news lately: Ukraine (Choni), Russia (Geniushene) and Belarus (Uladzislau Khandohi).At the ceremony, Alsop congratulated the finalists. “I so enjoyed working with each of you,” she said, her voice welling with emotion. “I can’t wait to collaborate again in the near future.”She also thanked the orchestra, which played a demanding schedule of wide-ranging works, some several times. “I felt like they tried to play Rachmaninoff Three as though it were the first time, every time,” she said, drawing laughter from the audience.The Saturday night ceremony presented numerous other awards.Each of three finalists who didn’t win a medal — Uladzislau Khandohi from Belarus, Ilya Shmukler from Russia and Clayton Stephenson from the United States — received a $10,000 cash award. Semifinalists received $5,000 each, quarterfinalists $2,500, preliminary round competitors $1,000. Other awards worth thousands also were announced.Jury Discretionary Awards, $4,000 each:Patricia and Neal Steffen Family Jury Discretionary Award: Andrew Li, 18, United StatesRaymond E. Buck Jury Discretionary Award: Changyong Shin, 28, South KoreaJohn Giordano Jury Chairman Discretionary Award: Marcel Takokoro, 28, France/JapanOther awards were:$5,000 Beverley Taylor Smith Award for Best Performance of a New Work (this year, competition juror Stephen Hough’s Fanfare Toccata): Yunchan Lim$5,000 Best Performance of the Mozart Concerto: Ilya Shmukler, 27, Russia$2,500 Carla and Kelly Thompson Audience Award: Yunchan LimPandemic delayThe normally quadrennial Cliburn was delayed one year by the pandemic. The competition is named after Texas-raised pianist Van Cliburn, whose win at the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow in 1958, at the height of Cold War tensions, catapulted him to instant fame. The competition was launched four years later by Fort Worth fans of the pianist, who moved to the city in 1986 and spoke at awards ceremonies before his death in February 2013.Screening auditions identified 30 competitors ages 18 to 31. During the first three rounds, the list of competitors was narrowed to six finalists.There were some changes this year. Preliminary and quarterfinal rounds, devoted to solo recitals, were held not at Bass Performance Hall, but at Texas Christian University’s handsome new 717-seat Van Cliburn Concert Hall.Then at Bass Hall, each of 12 semifinalists played a 60-minute solo recital and, with the FWSO and guest conductor Nicholas McGegan, a Mozart piano concerto. The Mozart concerto performances replaced a chamber music round that had been a Cliburn staple.This represented a third concerto in advance of the traditional two contrasting ones in the final round. Alsop conducted the final round performances.Related:Cliburn 2022 competition finals: Day 4 is a wrap, with the last three concertosThe shadow of warThe Russian invasion of Ukraine loomed over this year’s Cliburn.The Cliburn’s decision to let Russians compete in March triggered backlash from some who thought they should be banned. Both the Dublin and Honens Piano Competitions initially decided to ban Russians, later reversing course.“We’ve been talking about giving a platform to young musicians, from wherever they are, and will not discriminate,” said Jacques Marquis, president and CEO of the Cliburn.“Naturally, if someone would have been in support of war, we would have the need to disqualify and send home anybody. But we still believe these young musicians have nothing to do with this.”Cliburn musicians from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus knew each other from the international competition circuit, and were seen talking in Russian about musical matters. At the awards ceremony, Geniushene embraced Kyiv-born Choni on stage after being announced as the silver medalist.After Choni’s final performance on Saturday, an audience member in a blue dress ran up to the stage and handed him a bouquet of sunflowers, the Ukrainian national flower that has come to symbolize Ukrainian resistance.Later, at the awards ceremony, Kholodenko, the 2013 Cliburn gold medalist who was also born in Kyiv, stirringly played the Ukrainian national anthem. He wore on his suit lapel a ribbon in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Photographers swarmed Choni, near the front of the audience, as the anthem’s lyrics appeared on a screen in Ukrainian and English.When he finished, Kholodenko bowed and left the stage in silence.Related:At Cliburn 2022 finals, Russia-Ukraine war looms over the competition | Music |
EXCLUSIVE: Moment EastEnders star Jessie Wallace is arrested for drunkenly attacking police officers after boozed-fuelled night out at clubEastEnders actress Jessie Wallace was arrested in Bury St Edmunds yesterday50-year-old actress was detained on suspicion of assaulting a police officer Suffolk Police also arrested her on suspicion of drunk and disorderly conduct Wallace was then released without charge after receiving conditional caution Published: 10:37 EDT, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 11:07 EDT, 20 June 2022 Video has emerged of EastEnders actress Jessie Wallace being arrested outside a nightclub.It comes after the star, who is known for playing Kat Slater in the BBC soap, was detained in the early hours of yesterday on suspicion of assaulting a police officer as well as drunk and disorderly conduct in Bury St Edmunds.Wallace, 50, was at Flex nightclub in Bury St Edmunds after watching a Madness gig at Thetford Forest in Brandon on Saturday, where she posed for photographs with fans.Video shows the actress being handcuff by two officers outside a Burger King in the Suffolk cathedral town. The officers then appear to lead her away.Wallace, 50, was later released without charge by Suffolk Police after receiving a conditional caution. A Suffolk Police spokesman told MailOnline today: 'A 50-year-old woman was arrested early on Sunday morning in St Andrew's Street, Bury St Edmunds, on suspicion of assaulting a police officer / drunk and disorderly conduct and was released without charge after receiving a conditional caution.'The force would not confirm she was arrested, while neither her agent nor manager responded to a request for comment. The arrest was first reported by The Sun. Jessie Wallace (left) at a party in Hackney after the British Soap Awards in London on June 11 Jessie Wallace outside a party in Hackney after the British Soap Awards in London on June 11 Jessie Wallace, pictured at the National Television Awards at The O2 in London in January 2019 Wallace is known for playing Kat Slater in the BBC soap EastEnders (pictured in August 2021) Wallace was out at Flex nightclub at Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk on Saturday night (file picture)Wallace, originally from Enfield, north London, joined EastEnders in 2000 having featured in crime drama, The Bill, a year earlier.She played the role of barmaid Kat Slater, the partner of popular character Alfie Moon - played by Shane Richie. She quickly became a fan favourite. Advertisement Read more: EastEnders star Jessie Wallace arrested for 'attacking cop after boozy late-night bust-up outside nightclub' | The Sun | Celebrity |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Massachusetts court has approved a temporary protection order against "Flash" star Ezra Miller, according to reports.The Greenfield District Court approved the order against Miller, 29, on Wednesday on behalf of the family of a 12-year-old, NBC News reported. The order "was issued without advance notice because the Court determined that there is a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of harassment," according to the petition obtained by the outlet.The mother of the 12-year-old, who spoke to NBC News on the condition of anonymity, claimed she grew concerned when Miller began to buy gifts for the child - even after the gifts had been rejected."I kept wondering why Ezra was here. Like, don’t you have Hollywood stuff to do? Don’t you have movies coming out?" the mother told NBC News. A court granted a temporary protection order against Eza Miller on behalf of the family of a 12-year-old. (Hawaii Police Department)‘FLASH’ STAR EZRA MILLER CAN'T BE LOCATED BY COURT TRYING TO SERVE PROTECTION ORDER: REPORTA representative for the actor did not respond to Fox News Digital's immediate request for comment.This is not the first protective order approved against the "Justice League" star.A court approved a protective order against Miller on behalf of Chase Iron Eyes and his wife, Sara Jumping Eagle. The two claimed Miller "physically and emotionally" abused their teenager, Tokata Iron Eyes.The parents have accused the "Flash" star of "psychologically manipulating, physically intimidating and endangering the safety and welfare of Tokata Iron Eyes," according to the petition obtained by Fox News Digital. Miller was hit with a separate protection order earlier in June by a family of an 18-year-old. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERWhile the court approved the protective order on June 7, the court has not been able to "locate or serve" Miller, according to the Los Angeles Times.Chase told the LA Times that he and the court "have no idea of knowing where Tokata and Ezra are to gain help from other jurisdictions.""They move around so much [that] we’re stuck in this legal limbo situation, and we can’t serve them in any place they’re in long enough," Chase told the Los Angeles Times. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Miller was recently arrested twice in Hawaii. (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns)"They’ve been flighty. They’ve been avoiding service, and now there’s public pressure mounting on them to make a decision, which makes us very concerned about Ezra’s volatile nature. ... We’re working very hard to get this order enforced wherever they are."Miller was recently arrested twice in Hawaii. The "Justice League" star pleaded no contest to disorderly contest. Lauryn Overhultz is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. | Celebrity |
Swimming - FINA World Championships - Budapest, Hungary - June 19, 2022 General view of Alex Walsh of the U.S. in action before winning the women's 200m medley final REUTERS/Antonio Bronic Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comJune 20 (Reuters) - Swimming's world governing body FINA has voted to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in elite women's competitions and create a working group to establish an "open" category for them in some events as part of its new policy.Here is an explanation of what the policy is and FINA's reasoning behind the change:WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THE NEW POLICY?FINA officials said the aim of the policy was to ensure fair competition in women's races.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comFINA cited scientific evidence that males who transition to being women (transgender women) retain physical advantages despite undergoing hormone therapy and testosterone reduction as part of their treatment."By 14 years or older, the difference between boys and girls is substantial. That's due to the advantages experienced due to the physiological adaptations in testosterone and the possession of the Y chromosome," said Dr Sandra Hunter, an exercise physiologist who was part of FINA's panel looking into the issue."Some of these physical advantages are structural in origin such as height, limb length, heart size, lung size and they will be retained, even with the suppression or reduction of testosterone that occurs in the transition from male to female."WHAT IS THE BIG CHANGE?The new eligibility policy for FINA competitions states that male-to-female transgender swimmers (transgender women) are eligible to compete in women's competitions only if "they can establish to FINA's comfortable satisfaction that they have not experienced any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 (of puberty) or before age 12, whichever is later".WHAT IS 'TANNER STAGE 2'?Typically boys will begin puberty at ages 11-12 and complete the process by 16-17. Tanner Stage Two is the second of five stages of puberty. While puberty timetables vary according to a number of factors, boys can have completed stage 2 and entered stage 3 by the age of 12 or 13. In some cases it may be earlier or later.Stage 2 is when physical changes begin including genital development, growth of hair around penis and under arms and an increase in height which can bring growing pains.WHAT IS THE POLICY FOR TRANSGENDER MEN?In the case of female to male transgender swimmers (transgender men), given there is no physical advantage gained, they are eligible to compete in men's competition.However, swimmers who are undergoing testosterone treatment or receiving other anabolic substances as part of hormone treatment need to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption in line with anti-doping regulations.Female-to-male transgender athletes (transgender men) who are not using exogenous androgens can compete in the women’s category.Male-to-female transgender athletes (transgender women) remain eligible for the men’s category whether or not they are suppressing their endogenous androgens.DOES THIS POLICY APPLY TO ALL SWIMMING COMPETITIONS?The policy only applies to eligibility for FINA competitions and events recognised by FINA. Those include world championships and the Olympic Games. The policy also impacts on who FINA considers eligible for a world record.While national federations and other bodies are therefore in charge of their own events, FINA stated that the policy is "intended to operate uniformly around the world".WHAT IS THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS?All athletes must certify their chromosomal sex with their national swimming federation in order to be eligible for FINA competitions.Transgender swimmers must provide FINA with a comprehensive medical history and other evidence to prove they are eligible for the competition category and be willing to undergo a physical examination.An independent expert will review the submission and make a decision on eligibility.FINA can also monitor through random or targeted testing of athlete's testosterone levels.FINA can also conduct investigations of swimmers who have not filed a declaration as a transgender athlete.Swimmers can appeal any decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.WHAT IS THE NEW 'OPEN CATEGORY'?FINA voted to set up a working group to establish a new 'open category' that could be held alongside men's and women's races.They will look into the feasibility of a category where anyone "who meets the eligibility criteria for that event would be able to compete without regard to their sex, their legal gender, or their gender identity."DOES THIS POLICY COVER OTHER SPORTS?Yes. The policy is to be applied for FINA events -- as well as swimming, they include Diving, Water Polo, Artistic Swimming, and High Diving and Open Water Swimming.WHAT HAVE LGBTQI+ GROUPS SAID?The U.S based campaign group Athlete Ally said the policy is "deeply discriminatory, harmful, unscientific" and out of line with the stance of the International Olympic Committee."The eligibility criteria for the women's category as it is laid out in the policy police the bodies of all women, and will not be enforceable without seriously violating the privacy and human rights of any athlete looking to compete in the women's category," said Anne Lieberman, Director of Policy and Programs at Athlete Ally.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Simon Evans,Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Swimming |
The Queen did not attend Royal Ascot last week, for the first time since her coronation 70 years ago, but 273,465 spectators did and though they had to make do without the track’s owner leading the daily procession, most will have headed home with overwhelmingly positive memories of the first Royal meeting with a proper crowd since 2019.The weather played a blinder, of course, with only the final hour or so on Saturday seeing any need for spectators to retreat from the lawns and take shelter in the stand. The track was also immaculate, with safe, watered good-to-firm ground providing an ideal surface for top-class racehorses to strut their stuff, and the post-Covid, seven races-a-day format helped to ensure that every afternoon had at least one moment to keep racegoers coming back for more.Baaeed and Nature Strip were both imperious on the opening afternoon, Inspiral took the breath away in Friday’s Coronation Stakes while Ryan Moore’s ice-cool slice through the field on Rohaan in the final furlong of Saturday’s Wokingham set the seal on a flawless week, as he claimed hisn inth riders’ crown at the meeting.William Buick is still waiting for his first Royal Ascot title, as is his main employer, Charlie Appleby, who was one winner adrift of Aidan O’Brien in the trainers’ contest, but both will be well satisfied with their weeks’ work, finishing with five and four wins respectively. Danny Tudhope, with four victories, matching his total in 2019, also had an excellent meeting, while Shane Crosse, Shane Foley, Sean Levey and Callum Hutchinson all gott heir first Royal winner on the board.Frankie Dettori, on the other hand, had a curate’s egg of a meeting, with a single – and spectacular – success on Inspiral and several near-misses that might have been winners had the cards fallen a little differently. One win from 22 rides was Dettori’s worst return at the Royal meeting since 2013 – when he drew a blank from 20 starts – and included an agonising three-race sequence on Thursday when Stradivarius’s defeat in the Gold Cup was followed by two second-place finishes in the Queen’s colours, on Saga in the Britannia Handicap and Reach For The Moon in the Hampton Court Stakes.John Gosden’s unstinting support has been an essential part of Dettori’s return to the pinnacle of Flat racing after his split from Godolphin, and a six-month ban for a cocaine positive, a decade ago. But the trainer was clearly unimpressed by Thursday’s events and it was still nagging away even after Inspiral’s brilliant success on Friday, as he suggested that “our hero overcomplicated” the ride on Stradivarius and added that he “should have won” on Saga.Hollie Doyle celebrates with her trophy after winning the French Oaks. Photograph: Julien de Rosa/AFP/Getty ImagesCompare and contrast to Gosden’s comments after Hollie Doyle decided to cut out much of the running on Nashwa in Sunday’s Prix de Diane (French Oaks), earning the first Classic success of her career in the process. Doyle took the ride as a result of her retainer with owner Imad Al Sagar and Gosden told reporters afterwards: “Imad asked me a few years ago about having a jockey and when he showed me the list, I said ‘Hollie Doyle’. I said horses run for her, she’s very meticulous, a fabulous rider and avery serious person with a great sense of humour. She’s got a bundle oftalent and Imad has been rewarded.”Nashwa’s hard-fought success was also a first Classic for the stable since Thady Gosden, the trainer’s son, joined his father on the licence and he added: “I’m very proud, as Thady is, because it’s the youth team that are obviously taking over here. It’s quite obvious I’ll be surplus to requirements quite soon, and it’ll be the youth with Hollie and Thady.”It was, perhaps, a throwaway remark in a moment of celebration, but Dettori might still have cause to reflect on how many true words are spoken in jest. | Other Sports |
During the practical exam for his PE A-level, Matt Fitzpatrick had all the answers. On each tee at Hallamshire Golf Club in Sheffield, he would tell his teacher exactly where the ball was going to land. For that accuracy, he earned full marks; yesterday, the same precision carried him to a first major title at the US Open at Brookline, Massachusetts.In doing so, the 27-year-old from Sheffield became the first non-American winner of the US Open and the US Amateur, which he won at Brookline in 2013 with his brother as caddy.Fitzpatrick, a Sheffield United fan and patron of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, turned professional after the 2014 US Open, with his first victory coming at the 2015 British Masters. His previous | Golf |
Selena Gomez’s journey from Disney star to pop star and serious actor wasn’t easy. The 29-year-old had to make certain sacrifices in order to reach her current career as a serious actor and pop star—including, at one point, posing nude. In a new roundtable discussion with the Hollywood Reporter, the 29-year-old vividly recalled being pressured to appear on the cover of her 2015 album Reveal sans clothes. “I was really ashamed after I did it,” she told Tracee Ellis Ross, Bridget Everett, Molly Shannon, Quinta Brunson, and her Only Murders in the Building costar Amy Schumer. “I had to work through those feelings because I realized it was attached to something deeper that was going on. And it was a choice that I wasn’t necessarily happy that I made, but I think that I’ve done my best, at least I try to be myself.”The choice to bow to the pressure was emblematic of how Gomez was pressured to do things that only fed into the “really unfair” experience of being sexualized at a young age. It was especially uncomfortable because she is “not an overly sexual person,” she explained. “Sometimes I like to feel sexy, but that doesn’t mean it’s for somebody else. It can be for me.” The cover made the public think differently, particular as releasing Reveal was one of the first moves she made after freeing herself from Disney. Her hope was that the photo would instead be interpreted as an homage to the cover of Christina Aguilera’s 2002 album Stripped, which was a big influence on Reveal.Fortunately, Gomez has reached a point in her career in which she’s free to make her own decisions. That’s truer than ever since she begun starring in and producing Only Murders in the Building, the Hulu show that finds Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short as an unlikely trio of aspiring detectives. Gomez’s character, Mabel, is easily a handful of decades younger than her crime podcast cohosts, which is part of why there’s barely anything sexual about the show. “One of my friends who didn’t watch my show, and I don’t care if they do, was like, “So, do you have any hot co-stars?” and I’m like, “In a way…,” Gomez recalled with a laugh. | Celebrity |
Cristiano Ronaldo’s £1.7million Bugatti Veyron ‘crashes into a wall in Majorca while driven by one of the footballer’s staff’An employee of Cristiano Ronaldo has been involved in an accident in Sa ComaThe accident with the luxury car happened around 11am this morning, MondayPolice are investigating the incident but have not yet made any comment Published: 11:22 EDT, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 11:22 EDT, 20 June 2022 One of the two luxury cars Cristiano Ronaldo had shipped to Majorca for his family summer holiday has been involved in an accident.The Man United striker's POUNDS 1.7 million 900 horsepower Bugatti Veyron is said to have crashed into a house in the east coast resort of Sa Coma.An employee of the footballer, rather than Cristiano himself, is said to have been driving the vehicle at the time.The accident happened around 11am this morning, Monday.Police are investigating the incident but have not yet made any comment. One of the two luxury cars Cristiano Ronaldo had shipped to Majorca for his family summer holiday has been involved in an accidentThe driver was unharmed but the front of Cristiano's expensive motor was damaged.Cristiano jetted to Majorca with his five children and girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez on June 14.They are renting a luxury home at the foot of the Tramuntana Mountains and enjoying days out on Cristiano's super yacht.It is the first time Cristiano and Georgina have holidayed with their daughter Esmeralda, whose twin brother died during childbirth in mid-April.They are expected to stay at the house for another three or four days.As well as his Bugatti Cristiano also shipped over a Mercedes-Benz G-Class for their sunshine holiday.The villa where they are staying has its own gym, pool surrounded by palm trees, several jacuzzis, a beach volleyball court and a mini-football pitch.It also reportedly has its own chapel and a rumoured "erotic room" underneath - and is the same property the Man U frontman's former teammate Sergio Ramos picked for a previous holiday with wife Pilar Rubio and their children.The footballer and his family picked Majorca for their summer holiday last year before the striker announced he was returning to Old Trafford.They stayed at a POUNDS 10,000-a-night historic seafront mansion on the island built to defend the coast from attacks by the British.The property was identified as Manresa Castle - Castell de Manresa in Catalan Spanish - after Cristiano posted pictures of him relaxing with Georgina at the start of July last year.The sensational seven-bed property where he stayed dates from 1715 and was built to ward off the British who at the time controlled the island of Menorca.This new break is the couple's first since they announced the tragic death of Esmeralda's twin brother on April 18.They had announced last October they were expecting twins and Argentinian-born Georgina revealed she was carrying a boy and girl in a touching video featuring their daughter Alana Martina, four, and Cristiano's three children, five-years-old twins Eva and Mateo and Cristiano Jr who is 11.Cristiano said in a heart-wrenching statement after the death of their child: "It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel."Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.'We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support.'We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time.'Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.' Advertisement | Other Sports |
More than half of the trains due to serve the Glastonbury Festival have been cancelled because of rail strikes.Tens of thousands of revellers will be forced to find alternative routes to the site in Pilton, Somerset.Great Western Railway (GWR) is operating just five services from London Paddington to Castle Cary on Thursday, with a total of 24 between Wednesday and Friday.Almost 200,000 music fans will have to make alternative arrangements to get to the site in Pilton, Somerset, for the eagerly awaited 50th anniversary of the famous festival.The typical Glastonbury festival-goer travels 169 miles to reach the location, according a survey. Once they have overcome expected travel chaos caused by rail strikes, highlights for fans will include the festival's youngest and oldest ever solo headliners - Billie Eilish, 20, and Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, 80.GWR told passengers: 'We plan to maintain timetabled trains between Castle Cary and London Paddington throughout the course of the Glastonbury Festival.'Some services might be subject to alterations to train times and we will be in contact with customers who have already booked seats on board those trains.'Luckily for festival goers, the climes are expected to stay relatively warm throughout this week, reaching heights of 24 Degrees Celsius in Glastonbury (75.2F) on Wednesday and Thursday with a 'risk of showers' on Friday. Tens of thousands of Glastonbury Festival revellers will be forced to find alternative routes to the site in Pilton, Somerset The typical Glastonbury festival-goer travels 169 miles to reach the location, according a survey, with around 175,000 people slated to attend this year The largest greenfield festival in the world Glastonbury Festival is now a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts Festival goers got out their umbrellas in 2017 after rainfall and face the possibility of showers on Friday despite othrwise sunny weather Glastonbury 2017 proved to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after partygoers got out their raincoats and wellies Great Western Railway (GWR) is operating just five services from London Paddington to Castle Cary on Thursday, with a total of 24 between Wednesday and Friday People gather in front of the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival - which attracts 175,000 people each year GWR told passengers: 'We plan to maintain timetabled trains between Castle Cary and London Paddington throughout the course of the Glastonbury Festival'Highlights for fans will include the festival's youngest and oldest-ever solo headliners - Billie Eilish (left), 20, and Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney (right), 80 The Somerset dairy farm plays host to one of the largest music festivals in the world Luckily for festival goers, the climes are expected to stay relatively warm throughout this week, reaching heights of 24 Degrees Celsius in Glastonbury (75.2F) on Wednesday Members of the public are also advised to top up their sun cream as UV rays will be at their peak this week, with the summer solstice due to take place tomorrow on June 21 Hay Fever sufferers are in for misery as pollen levels are very high across most of England, Wales and Northern IrelandA GWR spokesperson added: 'Other parts of the GWR network are likely to be more affected by the strike action and customers may need to consider alternative ways to travel to a station serving Castle Cary.'Rail strikes are being held across Britain on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but their effects mean services will be disrupted from Monday night until the end of the week.Roads serving the Glastonbury Festival will be exceptionally busy, with motoring groups advising drivers to avoid the region if possible.Festival-goers have said they face a travel 'nightmare' on their way to Glastonbury Festival, as rail strikes cancel services.Sujeong Yoo is travelling from Seoul in South Korea to the festival - flying first to London Heathrow on Tuesday before getting a coach to Bristol, staying overnight and then catching a train on Wednesday at about 11am to Castle Cary.The 37-year-old said the train is not currently cancelled but she is 'very worried' after getting a message from Great Western Railway (GWR) warning against rail travel.'(It's) very worrying right now... train was the safe option but now it's not (and) there isn't another option for us,' the television director said.Ms Yoo said she is worried delays may mean she is unable to collect her ticket from Glastonbury's box office, which is open until 8pm from Wednesday to Friday. Which events could see disruption this summer? The strikes, which start on the Tuesday and run until Saturday, will cause travel chaos for people going to a number of major events, including concerts, test match cricket and the Glastonbury festival.Glastonbury starts on June 22 and runs until June 26, with many festival-goers planning to travel to the site by train.Other events that week include England playing New Zealand in a test match in Leeds, the British athletics championships in Manchester, and gigs in London's Hyde Park by Elton John (June 24) and the Rolling Stones (June 25).There will also be a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London on June 24/25 and it is Armed Forces Day on June 25.The strikes could also cause disruption for voters in the two upcoming by-elections, with both seats being decided on June 23, and GCSE students sitting exams this summer. 'If there is delay or cancel train on day of departure, it's going to be a nightmare,' she said.Rosie Jacot, 30, booked a coach ticket from London to the festival in 2020 but has since moved to Wincanton in Somerset, just a short distance from the site.The 30-year-old's ticket requires her to travel via the bus service as it is there she will receive her entry pass to Glastonbury.She is now taking a coach to London on Tuesday, where she will stay with her brother overnight before heading back to Somerset via one of the festival's buses on Wednesday.'Due to rail strikes I will spend all of tomorrow and all of Wednesday on coaches up and down to London, to arrive at the site less than 10 miles from my house,' she told the PA news agency.'I don't mind about the strikers, they have every right to strike... but I think Glastonbury should be more flexible with tickets and let coach people have ordinary tickets.'I've got friends who live in London who really want my coach ticket... as they can't get there as there are no trains.'Meanwhile, the warm summer spell is set to continue over the next few days as revellers get in gear for the start of the Glastonbury Festival on Wednesday.Britons enjoyed a heatwave last week, with the hottest day of the year on Friday when temperatures spiked to 32 Degrees Celsius (89.6F).Luckily for festival goers, the climes are expected to stay relatively warm throughout this week, reaching heights of 24 Degrees Celsius in Glastonbury (75.2F) on Wednesday and Thursday.The Met Office stated today will be 'fine, dry and bright with plenty of sunshine and light winds for most areas. Warmer than Sunday for most. Cloudier with patchy rain in the far northwest'.Members of the public are also advised to top up their sun cream as UV rays will be at their peak this week, with the summer solstice due to take place tomorrow on June 21.Hay Fever sufferers are in for misery as pollen levels are very high across most of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Met Office added: 'On Wednesday there will be highs of around 24 degrees and high UV levels throughout, so a bit of a warm start to the festival.'It will be similar again on Thursday. It will stay dry with sunshine throughout the day and temperatures a little bit higher so 25 or 26 degrees possibly and high UV levels.'It will be a nice and warm start to the festival but it does look like we will start to see changes in the weather from Friday and into the weekend. Sunbathers were pictured enjoying the scorching hot sunshine and clear blue skies today at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in Dorset Sunbathers set up windbreakers and umbrellas as they enjoyed the warm sunshine today in Lyme Regis Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast looked like a picture postcard today as swimmers cooled off in the warm temperatures The warm summer spell is set to continue over the next few days as revellers get in gear the Glastonbury Festival from Wednesday to Sunday (Pictured: The Met Office's weather forecast for Glastonbury throughout this week)'There will be an increase in the risk of showers. Temperatures will start to come down to about 20 or 21 degrees as we go through Friday and into the weekend.'But when we get the sunshine it will still feel pleasant, but an increase in the risk of showers particularly into the weekend.'New acts such as Arlo Parks, Doja Cat, Easy Life, Fontaines DC and Griff will appear in the Glastonbury lineupo alongside more established names including Crowded House, Primal Scream and Supergrass.Pet Shop Boys will be headlining The Other Stage - the festival's second largest stage - in a 'long-awaited' performance.Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant will appear alongside American country and bluegrass star Alison Krauss following the release of their second collaborative album.There will also be experimental pop music from Charli XCX and Caroline Polachek.Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin said performing at Glastonbury festival on its 50th anniversary following a global pandemic will be 'one of those legendary experiences'.The trailblazing rocker, 54, made history as the first black British headliner of the festival in 1999, something that was not achieved again until Stormzy in 2019. The band, including Cass, Ace and Mark Richardson, return to the festival for the third time this year, having played for the first time in 1995 on the NME stageThree Ukrainian acts, including 2016 Eurovision winner Jamala, will bring an anti-war message to the site and there will be talks about climate change, Black Lives Matter and Russia. Tickets are sold out.Billie Eilish will become Glastonbury Festival's youngest ever solo headliner when she takes to the Pyramid Stage on Friday night, followed by Sir Paul McCartney as the oldest headline act on the stage on Saturday night. 20-year-old American singer Eilish has broken numerous records in her short career. She broke on to the scene in 2015 with her debut single Ocean Eyes, which was written by her brother Finneas O'Connell. Sun-worshippers can rely on relatively warm weather throughout this week while partygoers in Glastonbury can expect climes to reach a height of 26 Degrees Celsius (78.8F) Members of the public are advised to top up their sun cream as UV rays will be at their peak this week, with the summer solstice due to take place tomorrow on June 21 Hay Fever sufferers are also in for misery as pollen levels are very high across most of England, Wales and Northern IrelandBorn Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell, the singer hails from Los Angeles and was raised in a musical family. A fan of The Beatles and Linkin Park, and inspired by young Norwegian singer Aurora, Eilish began writing songs at the age of 11.The home-schooled star also joined the Los Angeles Children's Choir. After Ocean Eyes, Eilish released a string of singles and made it to number one in the US with Bad Guy.Her debut album, entitled When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, followed and topped the charts in the US, the UK and a host of other countries.It was reported to be the highest-selling debut album of 2019 and the biggest North American debut of the decade, shifting 313,000 units in the first week.She has been open about her struggles with depression and body dysmorphia, but said in an interview in September 2020 that she was in the happiest place of her life.She told the US edition of Elle magazine: 'Two years ago, I felt like nothing mattered; every single thing was pointless.'Not just in my life, but everything in the whole world. I was fully clinically depressed. It's insane to look back and not be anymore.'Former Beatle Sir Paul will mark his second time topping the Pyramid stage bill after a performance in 2004. The show will come exactly a week after he celebrates his 80th birthday and more than 60 years of making music.In May, he said his tour and Glastonbury performance this year will be full of hits from his time in the Beatles and Wings, as well as some of his best-known solo material.Speaking during rehearsals, he quipped that most of the audience 'have paid good money, have brought their mums and dads' and do not want to hear his 'deep cuts'.Sir Paul's performance is expected to attract an especially large crowd and could rival those of The Rolling Stones in 2013 and Adele in 2016. | Music |
Box office reporting numbers are always in flux, but not usually in favor of a film that didn't play on Friday or Saturday (and which also happens to be decades old). Forget the box office top ten estimated weekend charts published yesterday. They all left out one film: John Carpenter’s 1982 horror classic “The Thing.” The film, which played in around 730 theaters for a single showtime on Sunday only as a Fathom Events presentation, ended up in the #9 position for the three days with about $500,000 total, per industry sources.
Appearances by vintage titles on the top ten was common when theaters reopened after COVID-issued lockdowns and into early 2021, but that an older re-release — much less one with a single showing — could find a place among the biggest grossing films of a June 2022 weekend is a circumstance related to the dearth of films in theatrical release. Though the combined result of the weekend’s top titles — “Jurassic World: Dominion” (Universal), “Lightyear” (Disney), and “Top Gun: Maverick” (Paramount) — ended up with very healthy grosses, there was a steep drop among other 2022 releases. That opening provided the perfect change for Carpenter’s classic to break through. Based on the 1938 John W. Campbell Jr. novella “Who Goes There?,” the story had previously been adapted for the screen by Howard Hawks and Christian Nyby with 1951’s “The Thing from Another World.” By the early ’70s, Hollywood brass were eager for a more “faithful adaptation” of the story, which eventually landed with Carpenter after cycling through a number of directors.
Universal released the film initially two weeks after “E.T.,” on June 25, 1982. It landed at #2 behind “E.T.” with $6,150,000 (less than half of the take of Steven Spielberg’s box office juggernaut). Adjusted it would be $20,000,000 at current ticket prices. The science fiction thriller starring Kurt Russell followed scientists who discover an alien being in Antarctica that takes over other life forms had been positioned to replicate results of the smash hit “Alien.” It joined several other genre titles at the 1982 box office, (including “Tron” and “Blade Runner,” which came just after) that were all projected to do as well or better than “E.T.,” which was thought of before release as only for children.
The film was maligned by critics at the time, but has gone on to become a favorite of Carpenter fans and horror hounds alike. In 2011, Universal released a prequel starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton that was a critical and commercial flop.
With these updated returns, Carpenter’s “The Thing” replaces “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (Paramount) in this week’s #9 slot. Still up for grabs: the #10 slot, which will either go to “Sonic” or “Brian and Charles” (Focus).
And it may add more cash yet: Fathom will have a second showing of the film at the same theaters this Wednesday. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. | Movies |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Lions quarterback Jared Goff popped the question to longtime love Christen Harper – and she said yes.The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model took to Instagram on Saturday and shared a heartfelt video confirming their engagement.""6.16.22 can’t wait for forever with you," the 29-year-old captioned the video, which unveiled the 27-year-old's sunset engagement."6.16.22. the best day of my life," she wrote in a separate Instagram story.SI SWIMSUIT MODEL CAMILLE KOSTEK DISHES ON HER 'RISQUÉ’ DRESS: ‘I HAD TO PRAY THAT IT WAS GOING TO FIT’Many of Harper’s SI Swimsuit pals took to the comments section to share their excitement for the future bride."Ahhh! I love you guys!!!! Congrats!" wrote Camille Kostek."Couldn’t be happier for you sis!" chimed Ella Halikas."OMGGGGGG!!!! Congratulations!!!!!" wrote Kamie Crawford.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Jared Goff and Christen Harper attend as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit celebrates the launch of the 2022 Issue and Debut of Pay With Change at Hard Rock Seminole on May 21, 2022, in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit)"SO. HAPPY. FOR. YOU. GUYS!!!!!!!!!!" gushed editor MJ Day."Congratulations!" added Hailey Clauson.Harper and Goff have been dating since early 2019. The couple recently flew to Florida to celebrate Harper’s appearance in this year’s issue.According to SI Swimsuit, Harper grew up in Southern California and began pursuing a modeling career at age 20 to help pay her way through college. The outlet described how she often received pushback from agents and clients to lose weight, but Harper chose to continue modeling without shrinking herself to fit into the standard sizing of the fashion world. She was the winner of the 2021 Swim Search and introduced as a Rookie this year.CHRISTIE BRINKLEY, 68, SHOWS OFF ‘MY BIKINI BODY’ IN BLUE TWO-PIECE: ‘WOW YOU NEVER AGE!’ Christen Harper attends as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit celebrates the launch of the 2022 issue and debut of Pay With Change at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on May 20, 2022, in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit)"To be named a Rookie for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is more than an honor to me," Harper told the outlet at the time. "Being in the same conversation as the icons that have graced the pages of SI for decades is truly surreal. I have looked up to the women of SI for my entire life, seeing bold, smart, beautiful women with unique stories at a young age is what gave me confidence to not only walk through life but also to pursue a career in modeling.""This is truly a full circle moment for me — had I never opened up an issue of Sports Illustrated Swim 13 years ago I don't know if I would be the same woman I am today," Harper added.Harper noted that being part of the magazine "has always been my ultimate dream.""Every year I would ask my agents to try to get me a casting with SI and I never quite made it there," she said. "I realized that life is too short to wait around for opportunities to come to you. I decided to take my dreams into my own hands and go after what I have wanted for my whole life and it was the best decision I ever made!"Goff is gearing up for his second season with the Lions after being traded by the Rams last January. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. | Celebrity |
In so many ways, Matt Fitzpatrick’s unforgettable final hole of the US Open crystallized the 27-year-old’s path to his first major championship.Fitzpatrick’s drive into a left bunker off the fairway of the 18th at The Country Club put him in immediate peril of giving back his one-stroke advantage over Will Zalatoris on the final hole. Yet as so often proved the case on both Sunday and throughout the tournament, Fitzpatrick recovered to put himself in remarkable position, drilling his approach shot 161 yards to reach the green within 18 feet of the hole for an easy two-putt.That formula — staying on the fairways, reaching the greens with a chance at birdie, and faring no worse than a two-putt — worked time after time for Fitzpatrick both on Sunday at TCC and throughout the tournament that he won despite putting poorly relative to the field.Fitzpatrick reached an astounding 17 greens in regulation with an opportunity for birdies on Sunday – the most of any golfer on any of the four days of the tournament. Overall, Fitzgerald reached 52 of 72 greens in regulation during the tournament, a 72 percent GIR rate that was tied for the best at the US Open.The ability to stay on the greens and avoid three-putts allowed Fitzpatrick to win the tournament despite the fact that he needed 122 putts over the four days of the tournament — tied for 50th in the field. He ranked no better than 25th in putting average on any of the four days. Even more astonishing, on Sunday, Fitzpatrick required 35 putts — 1.94 per hole, tied for the worst average of any of the 64 golfers who made the cut.Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, needed just 28 putts (tied for 14th fewest on Sunday), and Zalatoris needed only 27 (tied for 7th ). For the tournament, Scheffler needed only 111 putts (tied for 2nd fewest) and Zalatoris needed 113 (tied for 5th ), their path to 5-under 275s for the tournament driven in no small part by their excellence on the greens. Green with envy The ability to stay on the greens and avoid three-putts allowed Matthew Fitzpatrick to win the US Open ROUND 4 (rank out of 64 players in parentheses) Matt Fitzpatrick Will Zalatoris Scottie Scheffler Fairways 11/14 (T-2) 7/14 (T-33) 8/14 (T-23) Greens in regulation 17/18 (1) 11/18 (T-26) 13/18 (T-6) Putts 35 (T-63) 27 (T-7) 28 (T-14) Birdies 5 5 5 Bogeys 3 4 2 SOURCE: USGA Yet because Fitzpatrick put himself in such consistently excellent position on his approach shots, he frequently claimed birdies and pars even with two-putts. Perhaps the most notable instance of the former came on Sunday on the 301-yard par-4 fifth hole.Fitzpatrick was the only player on Sunday to reach the green off the tee, leaving himself 25 feet from the flag with a chance for eagle. Instead, he two-putted for birdie, the fourth straight day in which he birdied the fifth.And even on a day when his aggregate putting was below field average, Fitzpatrick came up with a pair of unlikely birdies – a 49-footer on the par-4 13th (one of two putts over feet that he made during the tournament) and a 19-foot putt on the 15th that took him to 6-under.The string of three straight birdies on the 13th through 15th holes – following back-to-back bogeys on 10 and 11 – took Fitzpatrick’s odds of winning the championship from just under 20 percent after the 11th to a whopping 76.4 percent after the 15th . From there, the familiar formula of three straight greens and two-putts – and one narrow miss at a birdie attempt by Zalatoris on 18 – secured Fitzpatrick’s memorable first win in a major.Alex Speier can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @alexspeier. | Golf |
Ball one: Hot streak continues for Burns’ menIn a good week for red-ball cricket, Surrey found themselves in unexpectedly squeaky bum territory as a resourceful Somerset side snapped at their heels all the way into the 12th session of their match in the County Championship.After dismissing the home side for 180, Rory Burns probably thought that one decent partnership would get the leaders ahead and two would put them into a winning position. The first came in somewhat unusual circumstances (it was a match of unusual circumstances, in which one Overton concussed the other) as Hashim Amla was unable to continue, so the second wicket partnership of 136 was constructed by the captain, the Overseas signing and Ben Geddes. Will Jacks and Jordan Clark added 86 for the sixth wicket and Somerset were 200 or so behind with almost half the match to be played.But pitches are not deteriorating this season (or maybe, as in Surrey’s case, spinners are not being picked) and Lewis Goldsworthy and Lewis Gregory got their side level before Peter Siddle showed that he has lost none of his tenacity at 37. Surrey were still 39 short with half the order back in the hutch, but Jacks and Clark continued where they left off the first time round and the clearheaded Overton was at the crease when the winning runs were scored. Surrey stay top.Ball two: Hill the obstacle as Hampshire tough out winHampshire stayed on the heels of the unbeaten leaders after an even tighter win at home to Yorkshire (whose players should be commended for retaining focus in the circumstances).The win looked a long way off after the visitors had racked up 428, 21-year-old George Hill stepping up from the seconds with 131 in the opener’s slot. At 12-2, James Vince was at the crease and knew his batters would need to deliver – and they did, all but his No 11 notching at least 30 to stay in the game.Not a single Tyke could reach that mark second time around, as the experienced seam trio of Keith Barker, Kyle Abbott and Brad Wheal bagged three wickets each, leaving their batters 197 to get. Liam Dawson, whose spin had not taken a wicket, and Nick Gubbins stuck to the old-school plan of getting them quickly, scoring an aggregate 109 runs off 110 balls, but it was the wise old heads of Barker, James Fuller and Abbott (over 100 years between them) who brought the points home.Ball three: Wells digs deep in long chaseLancashire, shorn of some of their stars by England calls for both Test and ODI squads, hung on to the top two’s coattails with an impressive chase in what turned into a one-innings match at Edgbaston.After Alex Davies had, somewhat inevitably, scored a century for Warwickshire against his old comrades, Dane Vilas was looking at 329 in just over a day to win the match – even a day earlier, such a target looked stiff, but maybe things have changed since McCullumism was introduced to English cricket.Luke Wells, in a trough of indifferent form, and Rob Jones, in only his second match in the championship, were the unlikely Red Rose version of the England redheads, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. But this was no charging flurry of sixes and fours, more a calculated accumulation that kept the required rate under control and made sure the late middle order were not exposed too early. Wells’ 175 in not much shy of seven hours was cricket as it used to be played – and no less effective for that.Alex Davies on his way to a century for Warwickshire against Lancashire. Photograph: Barry Mitchell/Rex/ShutterstockBall four: Notts tie up easy win after first-innings chasingIn Division Two, Nottinghamshire’s win over Leicestershire while Middlesex were going down to Derbyshire effected a 20-point swing, which was sufficient to send the Midlanders to the top of the table.It was another example of an emerging theme this season. No side is ever batted out of the match, grounds staff delivering on the request to make it harder for a bowler to hit good areas at just below 80mph and wait for the ball to jag this way and that, receiving a routine 4-75 as a reward.Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed walked to the crease with the Grace Road scoreboard telling them that they were over 400 behind, but after another fine knock from Ben Duckett and plenty of support down the order (even Extras were within a run of notching a half-century) their counterparts, Hasan Azad and Rishi Patel took guard a second time over 100 behind – which must have been a little soul-destroying.Cue one of the stars of the early season, Liam Patterson-White, who added four second innings wickets to the three he bagged in the first dig, and the visitors travelled the short distance home having secured an innings victory – not something that used to happen too often after conceding 440 runs before lunch on Day Two.Ball five: The past is a foreign countryOlder readers (am I kidding myself that there are others?) may recall the days of the John Player League, with its shortened run-ups, Peter Walker on the gantry and 40 overs a side – still the ideal format for a Sunday afternoon match.Jim Laker would describe a target of 200 as “taking a bit of getting” and Richie Benaud would keep an eye on the required rate, warning us that the batting side would not want it to rise to over a run a ball.Last week at Chelmsford, Essex made 244-7 in their 20 overs and Sussex, eschewing their inner Gavaskar, had a damned good go at it, led by Ravi Bopara, back in familiar territory. They fell 11 short of a tie, but the 40 overs produced 477 runs. Somewhere Peter, Richie and Jim are nodding towards Fred Trueman, who is saying: “I don’t know what’s going off out there.”Ball six: Rehan does a RashidThe search for effective English spinners continues – hint: try the ones who spin the ball most – with Adil Rashid’s fragile shoulder as much a part of England’s white-ball success as Jos Buttler’s mighty bat.So it should be noted that Leicestershire’s 17-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed came on straight after the powerplay, defending a target of 158, and took four wickets in the crucial middle overs for just 22 runs, Durham collapsing for a paltry 106.He is only making his way in the game but Leicestershire’s faith in him is being repaid. He tops their bowling averages with 14 wickets at an economy rate of just above seven, having played all 11 matches.If we must, let’s get Liam Livingstone into the Test XI as a kind of uber biffer, but he is not the future of English spin – players such as Ahmed and Sussex’s Archie Lenham, another 17-year-old, are. After all, why can’t spinners attack as hard as batters? | Other Sports |
U.S. women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe said sports come second to transgender lives. "I think people also need to understand that sports is not the most important thing in life, right? Life is the most important thing in life," Rapinoe, 36, said in an interview published Sunday. "And so much of this trans inclusion argument has been put through the extremely tiny lens of elite sports. Like that is not the way that we need to be framing this question." Conservative states are coming down hard on a small group of transgender children and pushing them to the edge, the two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner said. PUBLIC'S BELIEF IN GOD DROPS TO HISTORIC LOW: POLL "They are committing suicide, because they are being told that they’re gross and different and evil and sinful and they can't play sports with their friends that they grew up with. Not to mention trying to take away health care. I think it's monstrous," she said. Those on the political Right are pushing a destructive narrative that is factually incorrect when it comes to transgender athletes, according to Rapinoe. "Frankly, I think what a lot of people know is versions of the right's talking points because they're very loud. They’re very consistent, and they're relentless," she said. "At the highest level, there is regulation. In collegiate sports, there is regulation. And at the Olympic and professional level. It’s not like it's a free-for-all where everyone's just doing whatever." "Show me the evidence that trans women are taking everyone's scholarships, are dominating in every sport, are winning every title. I'm sorry, it's just not happening. So, we need to start from inclusion, period." Rapinoe has confidence that society will accept transgender athletes and become more inclusive, she said. "We need to really kind of take a step back and get a grip on what we're really talking about here because people's lives are at risk. Kids' lives are at risk with the rates of suicide, the rates of depression and negative mental health and drug abuse," the soccer star said. "We're putting everything through God forbid a trans person be successful in sports. Get a grip on reality and take a step back." Rapinoe did not comment on, nor was she asked, if she would be OK with transgender women joining her on the U.S. Women's National Team. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Rapinoe's comments came the same day swimming’s governing body, FINA, announced the creation of an "open category," in which transgender athletes will compete separately from biological women. | Soccer |
Arthur Brown, singer, songwriterI’d always loved flames. I don’t know if it’s anything to do with moving to London at the end of the war, when I was three and the East End was on fire. If you look into the centre of a blaze, you get a stillness in yourself. It’s like meditation, and that inspired me.Later, after I moved to Leeds, I liked to go wandering in the hills and sing, to feel the energy. I’d been reading metaphysical poets such as John Donne and one day I wrote The Fire Poem. After we formed The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, I turned the poem into the song Fire with Vincent Crane, our organist. He eventually ended up in a mental health hospital after a bad acid trip, but before that he was a cornucopia of endless choral melodic invention. I’d just say to him: “That thing you just played, that’s the one!”We were creative guys into the surreal, folk, jazz and some classical. Drachen Theaker, the drummer, played an African rhythm and Vince played it as chords on organ. In the building where we rehearsed, two other guys [Mike Finesilver and Peter Ker] were rehearsing with an Indian singer, Elli. They had a song that I really liked [Baby, You’re a Long Way Behind], so we blended it into Fire for the “Da da daaaa” horn riff. They’re in the songwriting credits now.Pete Townshend came to see us at [legendary psychedelic haunt] the UFO club and introduced us to the Who’s managers, Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp. We made a demo at Pete’s studio, with him playing guitar. Then Kit and Chris signed us to Track Records: Kit produced us. Ronnie Wood [from the Rolling Stones] says he played bass on Fire, but I think he’s confusing it with the John Peel session version, which he did play on.I wore a flaming helmet to sing it, which proved popular in the clubs, but after the song went to No 1 there were a lot of incidents. The flames could be four-foot high: lots of clubs were left with scorch marks on the ceiling. At one gig my coat caught fire and I was running round with a burning arm. Health and safety wasn’t a big thing then.Phill Brown, tape operatorI was a 16-year-old tape operator at Olympic Studios in London, training under Keith Grant, Glyn Johns and Eddie Kramer. We did a phenomenal amount of amazing sessions – Traffic, the Small Faces, the Move, Jimi Hendrix. I was learning how to make records and I was lucky enough to be the tape op for Arthur.When we were setting up the gear this very tall figure walked in, wearing robes. I never saw him in jeans or a T-shirt. Apart from the makeup, he looked just like he did on stage. Before we started recording, he wasn’t exactly chanting but he did a lot of vocal gymnastics to warm up. He was such a character but a lovely guy, not egotistical but also trying to push the boundaries.On Fire, there’s a backwards bass drum, which is pretty far out for 1968. We turned the tape over and played the drum so when you turned it the right way it would go “pfft, pfft …” There were no plug-in sound effects back then, so if you wanted a different sound, you had to go somewhere that wasn’t the studio. The effect on the “I am the god of hellfire and I bring you … fire!” intro is a mixture of these beautiful EMT echo plates [artificial reverb] and recording in the toilet, which gave a chamber-type sound.Fire was done on a four-track, then bounced to another four-track to give more tracks to record on. Vince played bass pedals on his organ. Kit Lambert – who was more musically aware than a lot of the managers back then – decided that it needed some extra stuff, so the brass parts were added.Working on a No 1 record aged 16 was a fantastic feeling. Sadly Arthur never saw any royalties for it, which was often the case back then. I subsequently spent a lot of time working with my heroes [as producer] but I’ve got no autographs and obviously none of us had mobile phones. I’ve got one photograph of me with Sly Stone. You do a job and sometimes you become mates. It’s only much later that you look back and think: “What a week that was.” Arthur Brown’s new album, Long Long Road, is released on Magnetic Eye Records on 24 June, his 80th birthday. The band play Bush Hall, London on 25 June. Details thegodofhellfire.com | Music |
Chinese scientists say they have developed a device that can detect when a man is watching pornography by “reading” his mind.Researchers in Beijing subjected a test group of men to a series of graphic images, which are illegal in China, then sent their brainwave patterns to a “deep-learning” artificial intelligence program for analysis.From the results, the team from Jiao Tong University say they have developed a helmet-like device that can be used to identify — and sound an alarm — when a pornographic image or video is viewed.The researchers say it can be worn by Beijing’s growing army of censors known as jian huang shi, or porn appraisers, to improve the efficiency of existing AI-only systems, which scour the internet for | Emerging Technologies |
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, June 17 (Reuters) - British singer and songwriter Kate Bush topped the UK singles chart with her 1985 hit "Running Up That Hill" on Friday, setting several records with the song that has enjoyed a resurgence thanks to Netflix show "Stranger Things".“Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” peaked at No. 3 upon its original release but has found a new fan base among a younger generation in the latest season of the 1980s-set show about supernatural horrors in the fictional Indiana town of Hawkins.The song, from Bush's album "Hounds of Love", has performed well in music charts in several countries, including the United States, since the first volume of "Stranger Things" season four episodes premiered on Netflix in late May.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBush, who rose to fame in 1978 with debut single "Wuthering Heights" in which the then 19-year-old won fans with her unique voice and expressive dance moves, made a rare public comment about the song's renewed popularity and that she was a fan of the sci-fi drama created by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer.26th Screen Actors Guild Awards – Arrivals – Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 19, 2020 – Cast of Stranger Things. REUTERS/Monica Almeida"It’s very touching that the song has been so warmly received, especially as it’s being driven by the young fans who love the shows," Bush, 63, said in a statement earlier this month."I’m really happy that the Duffer Brothers are getting such positive feedback for their latest creation. They deserve it."The Official Charts Company said Bush had achieved three all-time Official Chart records on Friday: longest time for a single to reach No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart - 37 years - as well as oldest female artist to score a No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart.And 44 years since she last had a No. 1 single in the UK with "Wuthering Heights", Bush now also holds the record for the longest-ever gap between No. 1 singles in Official Chart history, it added."The way that a new generation of music fans have taken her classic track to their hearts really does cement Kate’s position as an all-time great, if that were at all necessary," Official Charts Company Chief Executive Martin Talbot said in a statement.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Music |
In an increasingly bland pop world, it’s great to see Kate Bush back at No 1 with Running Up That Hill (Report, 17 June). Not just known for her haunting melodies and poetic lyrics and sensual dance routines, Kate was an innovator. The “manual reset” of streaming ratios means classic tracks will get their due share of success and compete with new material if all record companies vie for it to become normal practice. A new generation of pop fans will be introduced to the great music and artists that they’ve been missing out on. Time to up your game everyone and let the battle commence.Diane SilvaBournemouth, Dorset | Music |
Celebrity | 6/20/2022 8:56 AM PT "Nothing is more fulfilling to me than being able to build a family with someone who I love deeply" Jennifer Lopez praised Ben Affleck as a father and family man by posting a touching Father's Day tribute video to Instagram. She captioned the post, "Happy Father's Day to the most caring, loving, affectionate, consistent and selfless Daddy ever. #HappyFathersDay my love." The clip featured a montage of photos and videos of her and her fiancé. In the video, which included a snippet from an interview, the star says "nothing is more fulfilling to me than being able to build a family with someone who I love deeply and who is just as dedicated to family and each other as we can be." Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Jennifer also honored her own father in a separate post to her social media account. "#HappyFathersDay to the best daddy ever!" she wrote alongside a carousel of images of the father-daughter duo. She also directed followers to go to her "On the Jlo" newsletter. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. In her newsletter, Jennifer thanked her father "for being gentle with me, for being kind and always supportive of my dreams and my ideas." "Thank you for not making me feel weird or alienated, but seen and sympathized with and understood when the 'fame game' came to town," she continued. "You have shown me the most important thing in life any parent could show anyone: to be a good person. You did it by your own example, I love you Daddy..." She also wrote of Ben: "My other dedication this year is to my fiancé... I have had a front row seat to watching how you father for over a year now and I have never seen more consistent, loving and selfless father. And its not just to your own kids but also without obligation to mine as well. You show up and put them first always. You are affectionate and engaged in every moment they are with you and it's honestly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Thank you for all you do for all of us. We appreciate and love you beyond measure." | Celebrity |
Klay Thompson is now well-known for his preference for boating in from the North Bay to the Warriors’ downtown San Francisco facility.
And while his commute sure beats Bay Area traffic, it does come with some different challenges and risks. And on his way to the Warriors’ parade on Monday, one of those risks hit directly.
While broadcasting Instagram live to show off the city from the San Francisco Bay, the wind took Thompson’s “2022 NBA Champions” hat right off his head and into the water. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/IKGw7UBkZj — warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) June 20, 2022 Thompson turned his boat around and spent several minutes drifting near where he thought the hat was, trying to retrieve it. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful and departed without it.
Of course, Thompson can surely get a replacement hat from the team once he gets in to San Francisco. But the environmentally-conscious star said he was trying to not litter.
But with one hat lost, Thompson did have a second one handy: the Giants’ Brandon Belt-inspired Captain’s Hat, given away on the first weekend of games this season. | Other Sports |
No microphone, no Draymond Green?
On the morning of the Warriors’ championship parade in San Francisco, the Golden State star hinted about skipping the celebration with a tweet that appeared to be critical of the parade format. Nobody speaking at the parade? Yeah I think I’m going to stay at the crib 🤷🏿♂️
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 20, 2022 Shortly after, Green sent a follow-up tweet indicating he had received instructions to “just rude and wave,” although it’s safe to assume he meant “ride and wave,” from his assigned bus along the parade route. So just rude and wave? 😂😂😂😂
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 20, 2022 Unlike many championship parades, the Warriors are not planning to hold a rally featuring speakers following their tour up Market Street. Any player and coach comments are expected to air during NBC Sports Bay Area’s live parade coverage on TV, robbing fans who attend the parade in person of the chance to hear their favorite Warriors comment following the team’s fourth title in eight seasons.
Back in 2010, San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey celebrated the club’s first championship since the club moved west from New York in 1958 by taking the podium and imploring his teammates to go win another.
Two years later, Posey and the Giants delivered.
If Green, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson or other members of the Warriors have grand visions for the team’s future, fans in attendance Monday won’t have the opportunity to hear any declarations from a stage, podium or centralized area in downtown San Francisco. | Basketball |
EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Giggs STEPS DOWN as Wales boss while awaiting trial for assaulting his ex-girlfriend with former Man United winger keen to avoid disrupting his country's preparation for their first World Cup appearance since 1958Ryan Giggs does not want his situation to act as distraction for the World CupHe remains determined to clear his name and strenuously denies the chargesClick here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates Published: 12:31 EDT, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 12:31 EDT, 20 June 2022 Ryan Giggs is to step down as Wales manager.The Manchester United legend – who temporarily left the role after being charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend - is to announce his decision in the coming days, as revealed by Mail+.Talks with FAW officials have been ongoing, with Giggs pushing to finalise the move following the country's qualification for the World Cup under interim boss Rob Page earlier this month. Sources close to the Welsh camp have disclosed that the 48–year-old – who strenuously denies the charges and who initially stepped down following the allegations in November 2020 - has decided to bring closure to the situation following the delay of his court case.Giggs does not want his situation to act as a distraction as his country prepares for its first appearance in a World Cup finals since 1958.He remains determined to clear his name, but given proceedings are now unlikely to take place until August, he feels that now is the time for clarification, sources in Wales have said. Man United legend Ryan Giggs is to step down as Wales manager, Sportsmail can reveal He is pushing to finalise the move following the country's qualification for the World Cup under interim boss Rob Page Giggs does not want his situation to act as a distraction as his country prepares for its first appearance in a World Cup finals since 1958Giggs's trial was adjourned for close to seven months to August 8 following a backlog of cases at Manchester Crown Court.He is accused of causing his ex actual bodily harm at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, in November 2020 and using coercive behaviour towards her. He has also been accused of assaulting his ex's sister. Giggs denies all the allegations.Following qualification Page revealed his contract with Wales had been extended but Giggs's pending move will remove any confusion over the situation.Read the full story on the Mail+ by clicking HERE. Advertisement | Soccer |
Guided by a deliberately monotonous first-person narration, French director Damien Odoul’s cryptic exercise in loneliness unscrolls like a visual diary. The opening half of the film has an observational documentary style, as the camera stalks about a secluded cabin in the woods where Theo (Theo Kermel), a young man with Down’s syndrome, lives with his photographer father. The line between nature and civilisation gradually erodes as the pair frequently roam around in the nude. Theo – or TO as he likes to call himself – even watches loud porn with his father sitting in the same room.When the patriarch leaves for a work trip, the film sheds its realist veneer. From its tone of deference, TO’s voiceover morphs into impotent rage and resentment, as he speaks about a near biblical hatred towards his father. Forbidden desires and fantasies flare up like an unquenchable fire that annihilates any sense of stylistic as well as narrative coherence.Unfortunately, this is when the initially intriguing slice of secluded life descends into hollow indulgence. TO’s somewhat amusing dream of becoming a trained samurai mutates into orientalist nonsense, as the film cooks up a porridge of Asian cultural practices that the young man wants to emulate, from jujitsu, tai chi, and Indian deities, to the Chinese philosophy of Qi.There’s also a juvenile delight in provocation for provocation’s sake that is simply exhausting. Repeated nude vignettes and closeups of male genitalia being played with or mutilated soon evolve from playfulness into simplistic tactics to evoke the psychosexual turmoil that takes hold of TO. All in all, the only metamorphosis worth mentioning here is the film’s own transition into the kind of tiresomeness that gives arthouse cinema a bad name. | Movies |
Rob & Chyna Settle Revenge Porn Case ... Trial Jurors Sent Home 6/20/2022 9:35 AM PT Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna don't agree on much, but were apparently able to hammer out an agreement before another nasty trial was scheduled to kickoff between the two. Jury selection in the former couple's revenge porn case was to begin Monday in L.A., however, potential jurors were informed they'd no longer be needed -- as the two had reached a settlement. We don't yet know the terms of the deal, or if it was financial ... but we do know Rob and his legal team put up quite a fight to prevent the trial from even happening in the first place. As we reported, Rob claimed he and Chyna had already struck a deal to end the revenge porn case. Rob said he had agreed to help Chyna get out of another case if she'd drop the revenge porn case ... but then claimed Chyna never held up her end of the bargain. A judge decided Rob's proof of a prior deal wasn't good enough, and ordered the revenge porn case continue ... but obviously, that changed Monday morning when the two sides figured something out. It was back in 2017 when Rob posted several naked photos of Chyna on social media. At the time, she reportedly was looking for 7-figures from Rob for the alleged damage his posting the photos did to her reputation and potential business deals. | Celebrity |
The Leinster scrum-half Nick McCarthy has come out as gay, and thanked coaches Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster for their “unbelievable” support. McCarthy added that he had previously thought about quitting professional rugby union because of his sexuality.McCarthy, who shared the news publicly on Monday having already come out to Cullen, Lancaster and his team-mates earlier this year, said his experience has been “entirely positive”. The 27-year-old added that he had taken strength from the stories of footballer Josh Cavallo and American footballer Carl Nassib, in addition to his bisexual team-mate Jack Dunne.“I struggled with coming out for a while and it was starting to impact on me and my happiness so it was the right decision,” McCarthy told Leinster’s website. “It affected me so much that I agonised over my future and contemplated walking away from rugby altogether, because I just didn’t think I could come out while playing rugby.“It’s not common for a male athlete to come out in sport, never mind professional rugby, and it’s probably something that I didn’t want to believe or accept myself either. I needed to accept being gay myself before I could address it with others. I have great friends in rugby but I didn’t know how they would take it.“My experience, since coming out though has been entirely positive,” added McCarthy, who told Cullen and Lancaster in November of last year before informing his teammates in January. “I have realised that anyone who cares about you, just wants you to be happy.”The Leinster and Ireland captain, Johnny Sexton, said he was proud of McCarthy and that his teammate will be a role model for others. “I’ve known Nick since his time in the academy so to hear him talk to us so openly about his struggles has been tough but we are now just delighted for Nick and that he can be himself.“We talk about looking after our brothers a lot in here and the last few months has been about that, looking out for Nick. And that will continue,” Sexton added. “By speaking openly about his sexuality, Nick will be a role model for others and we couldn’t be prouder of him.”Johnny Sexton has praised Nick McCarthy and said he can be a role model for others. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho/ShutterstockFellow Leinster player Dunne revealed his bisexuality last year, around the same time Nassib announced he was gay and a few months before Australian Cavallo made headlines across the world by sharing his news. Last month, Blackpool’s Jake Daniels became the first UK-based male footballer to come out as gay since 1990.“Leinster Rugby is built on brotherhood, and it’s important that we can be open and honest with each other,” continued McCarthy in his statement.“I was obviously pretty nervous about doing so, but I’m really happy that I did it. They were all delighted for me and it was immediately a weight off my shoulders.“I felt they understood my situation, added McCarthy, a former Ireland Under-20 international. “It’s hard to perform at your best when you are carrying something, anything, and that’s the same for all the lads. For me it was my sexuality, for others it could be stuff at home, or studies or whatever.”Quick GuideHow do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?ShowDownload the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhones or the Google Play store on Android phones by searching for 'The Guardian'.If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.In the Guardian app, tap the yellow button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.Turn on sport notifications.“In some ways, nothing has changed, which is great,” he continued. “If one other person, one other kid, keeps playing their sport because they see a Leinster Rugby player has come out and is accepted, that would be a great outcome.“I’d love people to see, from my experience, that coming out has been really positive, and the biggest hurdle may be in your own head. Surround yourself with good people, because anyone that cares for you, wants the best for you.“Your sexuality is just a part of who you are, and life is so much better when you can be yourself.” | Other Sports |
He gone.Former Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein is leaving Chicago and heading back East.Epstein’s successor, president Jed Hoyer, confirmed the rumor Monday on WSCR-AM670′s “Mully and Haugh Show.” Epstein’s destination is unknown, but the Boston native will be closer to family and Major League Baseball offices in New York.[ [Don’t miss] Column: From yuppies to ‘Cuppies,’ Wrigley Field bleachers are still the place to ignore the Chicago Cubs’ failures ]Since leaving the Cubs after nine seasons on Nov. 17, 2020, Epstein has worked as a consultant to Commissioner Rob Manfred, focusing on potential rules changes to improve the game. He’s long been speculated as a replacement for Manfred down the road, though Epstein has never publicly voiced interest in becoming commissioner.Epstein spent part of his final weekend in Chicago at Wrigley Field, spending time with friends in the left field bleachers Friday and with family on Sunday.According to Epstein’s friends, who asked not to be named, Friday’s excursion to Wrigley was a spin on the 1986 movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” with Epstein playing the role of Ferris — Matthew Broderick’s character who enjoys an adventurous summer day in Chicago with a stopover at Wrigley.Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein on Oct. 7, 2016, before Game 1 of a National League Division Series at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)They began at Castaways, the bar and grill on North Ave. Beach, for some pregame partying. From there, the group took Divvy bikes to Wrigley for the game, where Epstein was photographed lounging in the bleacher baskets. Photos of Epstein spread on social media, but Epstein’s friends said the photos were taken after the game.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Hoyer was invited to join the group during the game but declined.After the game, the group headed to Metro, where they watched The Strokes perform. The post, postgame party was not revealed.After a day of recovery Saturday, Epstein took his wife and two sons to the Cubs-Braves game Sunday afternoon for one last look at the ballpark, which underwent massive changes since his first day thanks in part to the revenues from the first Cubs championship since 1908.Epstein declined to comment on the farewell weekend or his future plans.[ [Don’t miss] Vintage Chicago Tribune: No more ‘city of losers’ — A look at Chicago’s golden era of sports writing ]His vision of “sustained success” for the Cubs lasted only through 2020, but Epstein changed expectations forever on the North Side, leaving Hoyer with the burden of trying to live up to those high standards.Epstein’s arrival in Chicago was first noted in the Tribune when he appeared in town on Oct. 9, 2011, for an interview with Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts. He was spotted by a Cubs fan at a Starbucks, where Epstein tried to pretend he was not himself. His tenure ends in the same low-key fashion, perhaps with the same Pearl Jam ball cap on his head as Epstein leaves Chicago for the next chapter. | Baseball |
The new rape allegations against Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis sound pretty horrific. His attorney has proclaimed his innocence, but it remains to be seen whether this new accusation will become part of the director’s narrative that he has been targeted in the past with false sexual assault allegations because he spoke out against the Church of Scientology.
As reported by the Daily Beast and other outlets, Haggis was in southern Italy for a film festival when a British woman alleged to police that she was “raped for days” by the director in a hotel room and then abandoned at an airport and given money to fly home. The local prosecutor’s office said a hospital examination showed that the woman “suffered repeated non-consenting sexual assaults” including one so violent she was “forced to seek medical attention.”
Haggis, 69, was taken into custody, then released on house arrest at his hotel, his Italian lawyer, Michele Laforgia, confirmed to the media. His first court date is Thursday, the Daily Beast said. Laforgia also said that Haggis is “completely innocent and we hope for the maximum speed of all the necessary investigations to clarify the matter.”
These new allegations come more than four years after four women separately accused Haggis of sexual assault, including rape, in encounters that took place between 1996 and 2015. These allegations were made late in 2017 and early 2018, and came amid the growing #MeToo movement of women speaking out about powerful men in Hollywood, politics, the media and other industries. The allegations also came in the years after Haggis became one of the most outspoken defectors and critics of the controversial Church of Scientology and its alleged abuses. He left the organization in 2009 after three decades of membership and after he won Oscars for directing the 2005 best-picture winner, “Crash,” and writing 2004 best picture, “Million Dollar Baby.”
His defection became the subject of “The Apostate,’ a major New Yorker story in 2011 by author Lawrence Wright. Haggis also was a leading source for Wright’s 2013 book, “Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief,” and the 2015 HBO documentary, also called “Going Clear.”
Haggis’ first accuser is publicist Haleigh Breest, who filed a lawsuit against the director in December 2017, accusing him of raping her in a New York apartment following a premiere, the Daily Beast reported at the time. Breest said she filed her lawsuit after Haggis gave an interview to The Guardian, condemning producer Harvey Weinstein as “a predator” and calling Hollywood “a sexist town.”
Three more women subsequently came forward to tell the Associated Press about encounters with Haggis that took place between 1996 and 2015, in which he tried to force himself on them. Two said they escaped; one woman says he raped her.
Before Breest filed her lawsuit, Haggis countersued, claiming Breest was trying to extort him for $9 million after what he said was a “friendly and at times flirtatious” relationship, the Daily Beast reported. At that time, his attorney said, “He didn’t rape anybody.” In January 2018, Haggis received backing from Leah Remini, the actor and leading Scientology critic who hosted the Emmy Award-winning A&E series, “Scientology and the Aftermath.” She and her co-host, Mike Rinder, released a lengthy statement defending Haggis, and suggesting that he was the target of retaliation for speaking out.
“Paul Haggis deserves, based on his record as a gentleman and humanitarian, to be judged when all the evidence has been taken under penalty of perjury in a court of law,” they wrote in an open letter posted to Rinder’s blog. They said that Scientology expects members to reveal deeply personal information, which the organization will use “against anyone who departs Scientology and speaks their mind.”
They also raised concerns about “those who accuse without going to law enforcement” or who “make accusations to the media anonymously.”
In a statement to Newsweek at the time, the Church of Scientology denied Remini and Rinder’s claim that the church had anything to do with the allegations against Haggis.
“Leah Remini, Paul Haggis and Mike Rinder have predictably thrown up a reprehensible smokescreen to turn horrific sexual assault and rape allegations made against Haggis by four women into a bigoted attack about their former religion,” the statement read, in part. The church also denied any connections to the accusers or to their attorneys.
In the new case against Haggis, the woman has spoken to police, “formalized her complaint and cited circumstances which were subsequently looked into for confirmation by investigators.” the Hollywood Reporter said. After Haggis left the woman at the airport, she was found “cowering” in a corner by a flight attendant who immediately alerted authorities, the Daily Beast reported. “She was destroyed,” the attendant told police, the Daily Beast said, citing initial investigative documents.
Haggis had been headlining the Allora Fest in the southern Italian town of Ostuni, where he also was due to teach a master class. The music and film festival immediately distanced themselves from Haggis, canceling all events he was scheduled to take part in, the Daily Beast said. | Movies |
Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp return to their adorable stop-motion superstar for a feature-length outing that is as tender as it is insightful. Editor’s note: This review was originally published at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival. A24 releases the film in theaters on Friday, June 24.
According to general wisdom, it takes 20 beings to form a real community. When Dean Fleischer-Camp’s charming “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” feature-length film opens, the anthropomorphic seashell (voiced by Jenny Slate) has long been without such a population, instead whiling his days away alongside his sassy grandmother and a rotating cast of mostly disinterested AirBNB guests. Like the trio of early short films Fleischer-Camp and Slate crafted around the stop-motion shell in the early aughts (plus a pair of best-selling storybooks), “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” adopts a breezy mockumentary style to tell the tale of the world’s most charming shell. This time, however, the duo (plus newbie partner Nick Paley, who wrote it alongside Fleischer-Camp and Slate) dig deeper into Marcel’s seemingly everyday life to unearth the usual tender feelings (he’s a tween shell! with shoes! he’s adorable!), plus a slew of insights that speak to far deeper emotions and ideas. In a time beset with films consumed by questions of connection, community, and change, “Marcel the Shell” seamlessly marries big ideas with charm and humor (and inventive stop-motion work to boot). In short, it’s the cutest film about familial grief you’ll see all year, perhaps ever. Expanding upon the mythos of Marcel — and no, a deep knowledge of the previous shorts and books is not necessary to appreciate this surprise feature, but it can’t hurt — Fleischer-Camp and Slate first focus on the young shell’s dazzling personality before plunging into a more complex story of a family torn apart. Set mostly in Marcel’s house, which used to be inhabited by the shell’s sprawling community and a young couple (Thomas Mann and Rosa Salazar), the so-called “computer hotel” (as the shells term it) is now serving as Dean’s (Fleischer-Camp) temporary home.
It’s clear that the previous occupants went through a pretty brutal breakup, complete with Mann’s Mark accidentally making off with the majority of Marcel’s family and friends, and Dean is limping his way through his own heartbreak. (Pause to mention that Fleischer-Camp and Slate first invented Marcel when they were married and the pair divorced in 2016, all of which adds a real pop to character Dean’s admissions that his breakup was mutual and affectionate; clearly, these two are still able to create wonder together.)
Marcel and his last remaining relative, Nana Connie, have grown inventive over the years, doing the best they can with just the two of them: Marcel has retrofitted everything from standing mixers to tennis balls to help accomplish everyday tasks, while Connie has beefed up her gardening skills (with the help of a few buggy friends, including one seriously inebriated bee) to feed the duo. Voiced by Isabella Rossellini, Nana Connie first appears working in her garden (a window box), sporting a tiny sun hat (an image so darling and so specific that it almost hurts, much like the entire film itself), and only continues to bring real gravitas to the role. Yes, we’re still talking about stop-motion shells here. Marcel’s trademark childlike innocence is intact — he is, after all, a child, and scenes in which we see his tiny shell compared to Nana Connie’s robust husk frequently remind us of that fact — but he’s had to grow up a lot in the past two years. Still, he has a great sense of what he wants out of his existence: “not just survive, [but] have a good life.” Dean, the first guest to really notice the duo, delights in that, filming the pair as part of a series of winsome short films he puts online to great acclaim (one of many blurring lines between fact and fiction present in the film). Marcel becomes a major hit on the net, though no one seems too bothered by the fact he’s just a shell, his provenance is of little concern to the social media mavens who flip for him.
Eventually, the project evolves into a full-scale documentary, the kind of film that Marcel explains to Connie thusly: “nobody even knows what it is while they’re making it.” Dean doesn’t know, because while he attempts to keep up a veneer of documentarian distance — at one point, a giggling Marcel catches him on camera, and he flips out when he realizes he’s suddenly on the either side of things — the tiny shell only continues to chip away at his reserve. (The film’s script also mostly eschews the usual beats of narrative storytelling, picking up and dropping arcs before settling on a focus.)
As Marcel wrestles with his newfound fame, the film grapples with the functionality of the internet (in press notes for the film, Fleischer-Camp notes that the early viral fame for Marcel was one of the most “moving” experiences of his life, but surely it was also a little scary). Marcel gets hung up on important idea early on: the difference between an “audience” and a “community,” a sage observation about the nature of internet notoriety.
But while Fleischer-Camp and Slate keep the humor rolling — Marcel’s wide-eyed observations are comedic gold — a deep pain simmers under the surface. Shakey fashbacks reveal the full extent of what the shells have endured, complete with an ill-conceived “shelter plan” that ultimately tore the clan apart. As Marcel shuffles through his missing family’s rooms and wonders about his absent neighbors, it’s impossible not to reflect back on the last few months of human existence. The world has known so much loss in 2020 and 2021, and while the grief of Marcel and Nana Connie would always be pronounced — Slate and Fleischer-Camp bring such texture and care to them — these days, it feels even more rich. Yes, again, we’re still talking about a movie about stop-motion shells. Soon, you will be, too.
Grade: B+
“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” premiered at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. | Movies |
Poland’s Maciej Rybus will not be considered for selection at this year’s World Cup after the defender signed for another Russian club, the Polish Footbal Assocaition has confirmed.While most foreign players have left Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, 32-year-old left back Rybus, who has played 66 times for Poland, moved to Spartak Moscow this month after a five-year spell with local rivals Lokomotiv. Poland is a staunch ally of Kyiv and has been one of Ukraine’s biggest financial supporters since the 24 February invasion, which Moscow describes as a “special operation”.“The coach of the Polish national team, Czeslaw Michniewicz, talked to Maciej Rybus, who was currently staying in Poland, after the training camp of the national team ended last week,” the PZPN said in a statement.“The coach informed the player that due to his current club situation, he would not be called up for the September training camp of the national team and would not be considered for the team that would go to the World Cup in Qatar.”Poland will face Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Argentina in the group stage of the World Cup, which kicks off on 21 November. | Soccer |
Nintendo is airing a new "Direct" presentation focused exclusively on Xenoblade Chronicles 3 this Wednesday, June 22.The stream kicks off at 7 a.m. PT and will showcase roughly 20 minutes of new information on the upcoming Switch RPG. The presentation will be streamed on Nintendo's official Twitch and YouTube channels. Originally slated to arrive in September, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is now launching in July. The game brings together the worlds of the first Xenoblade Chronicles and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, following a group of warriors caught between two opposing kingdoms: the militant Keves and the magic-based Agnus.Xenoblade Chronicles 3 features a similar battle system to previous games. Players can run around the battlefield in real time and select from a palette of "Arts" to attack foes. This time, characters can also temporarily fuse into a powerful, mech-like creature known as an Ouroboros during battle.Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is set to launch on July 29. Nintendo will also release a special edition of the game that includes an art book and steelbook case. That edition, however, is not yet available for preorder, and it may not arrive until after the base game launches. | Video Games |
Nas My Lyrics Are Supreme Team Influenced... Talks New Docuseries 6/20/2022 9:57 AM PT TMZ.com Nas famously immortalized his neighborhood kingpin, Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, and his Supreme Team drug empire on his classic debut album "Illmatic" — and now he’s making a movie about him! During a Q&A for his Showtime docuseries, "Supreme Team" ... Nas spoke on how McGriff and his Queens-based gang were influential in getting C.R.E.A.M. and helping pump his creative juices in the process. After rising to prominence in the early 90s at the height of NYC’s crack-cocaine boom, McGriff was eventually convicted of murder in 2007 and eventually sentenced to life in prison … where he remains to this day. ST's success in the streets and flashy wardrobe are said to directly influence the styles -- and command the respect -- of early hip hop artists, and the docuseries digs into that phenomenon. The conversation between his co-director Peter J. Scalettar and Billboard’s Deputy Director of R&B/Hip-Hop Carl Lamarre marked the end of the 2022 Tribeca Festival ... and NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Tribeca CEO Jane Rosenthal were watching the convo. Incarcerated Supreme Team leader, and McGriff nephew, Gerald "Prince" Miller called in from federal prison. "Supreme Team" premieres July 8 on Showtime. Check out the sneak-peek trailer below. | Music |
McGregor replaced Johnny Depp on Gilliam's troubled epic in 2010, but the director had harsh words for the star: "What the fuck have you been doing all this time?" Ewan McGregorAP Ewan McGregor detailed what really happened to the “Don Quixote” film he was attached to over a decade ago.
The “Obi-Wan Kenobi” star was set to replace Johnny Depp in Terry Gilliam’s long-awaited “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” about an advertising executive who travels back in time to 17th-century Spain where he meets the real Quixote. The first attempt at the film, starring Depp, was over-budget, with Gilliam saying at the time that he was “relieved” it fell apart. Now, McGregor told GQ about the time the director Gilliam approached him in 2010 to lead the script that was 20 years in the making. (The role eventually went to Adam Driver in the finished 2018 film.)
“[Terry Gilliam says, ‘What the fuck have you been doing all this time? You’ve been underplaying everything,'” McGregor recalled. “‘What happened to the guy in ‘Trainspotting’? What happened to that guy?!'” This was well after McGregor broke out of “Trainspotting” in 1996 and by then had starred in the “Star Wars” prequel films. McGregor added, “It was quite rude. It’s rare that somebody challenges you. But it stuck with me.”
Back in 2010, Gilliam said to Empire magazine (via The Guardian) that he sought out McGregor to provide the star with a different platform for which to showcase his multi-faceted acting abilities.
“There’s a lot of colors to Ewan that he’s not been showing recently and it’s time for him to show them again,” Gilliam said. “He’s got a great sense of humor and he’s a wonderful actor. He’s wonderfully boyish and can be charming — when he flashes a smile, everybody melts. He wields it like a nuclear bomb.”
However, mere months after announcing McGregor’s casting, Gilliam shared that funding had once again collapsed. By 2012, McGregor had exited the project. He went on to star in “August: Osage County” and “Jack the Giant Slayer” the following year.
Back when the film was finally released theatrically stateside in 2019, Gilliam exclusively told IndieWire that the film was worth the decades in the making. “We did something everybody said ‘don’t do,'” Gilliam said. “I didn’t take advice. I feel good when I don’t take advice…I don’t think of the film as taking 30 years to make. The film we made, we made in one year.”
Terry Gilliam was most recently in the news for an excerpt of director/actor Sarah Polley’s memoir, in which she detailed the unsafe working conditions she experienced as a child on his film “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.” Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. | Movies |
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