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Syria's Druze hope for better future without AssadFANS of I'm A Celebrity have spotted how there is a missing part of the show, with many pleading for it to be reintroduced. The iconic ITV show made a triumphant return last weekend, with a selection of famous faces uniting in the Australian jungle in the name of reality TV. Advertisement 7 Many fans are pointing out how eating trials haven't yet taken place on the show this season Credit: Eroteme 7 Fans of I'm A Celeb have spotted a major part of the show that is 'missing' Credit: Eroteme 7 Most trials this year have featured confined spaces Credit: Eroteme 7 Eating trials are a huge part of I'm A Celeb Credit: Rex Features 7 Eating trials are a fan-favourite Credit: Rex Features But fans have noticed that a fan-favourite part of the show is missing and has been since the show began on Sunday. On Reddit, fans have spotted how the celebrities in this year's series are yet to do a proper eating trial. "We’ve now had 4 trails and none of them have been an eating trail, just seems kinda strange as there is usually one in the first 4 or so," said one person. Another agreed, "Yeah all they have had is confined space trials this year." Advertisement Read More about I'm A Celeb not happy Dean McCullough 'looks fuming' as Ant takes another swipe at him after 'row' GUT PUNCH I'm A Celeb's Dean in swipe at Ant in awkward moment as he quits another trial "They're probably so desperate for a bit of animal protein thanks to Dean they'd probably wolf down whatever was put in front of them without thinking too much," said a third. A fourth then penned, "Has it only been like 4 days, and it started with a gross milkshake," referring to the disgusting shake the celebrities were given when they arrived. While a fifth said, "Eating trials seem to be quite popular. They maybe waiting for the right time. I'm guessing Saturday to help gain the viewers maybe?" And a sixth added, "I'm glad. I think they are the most boring." Advertisement Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 Exclusive 'FIGHTER' Tulisa's ex makes surprise admission about her changing face amid heath battles Exclusive FAMILIAR FACE Maura Higgins breaks her silence on awkwardly sharing a camp with ex’s dad Mum's the word Inside I'm A Celeb star Tulisa's turbulent relationship with mum beaten down I’m A Celeb’s Sam Thompson begs producers to check on 'missing’ campmate FANS PLEAD FOR EATING TRIAL Meanwhile, on X, formerly known as Twitter, fans are also questioning when an eating trial might take place. "Me patiently waiting for the eating trial," said one, along with a meme. Watch moment Ant McPartlin breaks his silence after viewers accuse him of being in a ‘feud’ with campmate "We can't be far away from the eating trial??" asked a second. And a third echoed, "Why no eating trial yet?" Advertisement This comes after two new arrivals joined the 2024 lineup of the beloved show. NEW ARRIVALS Last night, former Love Island star Maura Higgins entered the jungle with Reverand Richard Coles. I'm A Celebrity 2024 i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." When they arrived, the duo was thrown straight into the Jungle Junkyard - which may have looked disgusting, but actually had hidden advantages. Advertisement When Maura arrived at the camp, she was fuming over the living conditions. Read more on the Scottish Sun COMIC'S CASTLE Still Game star takes £150,000 hit to offload luxury £4m Scots castle HITTING THE HIGH NOTES Much-loved pub named best music bar in Scotland "It’s not liveable, we have nothing, this camp sucks," she fumed after seeing the camp for the first time. She then added, "I’m going to ask Richard to say a prayer for us tonight because I’m gonna need one." 7 Fans are counting down the days until an eating trial is announced Credit: Eroteme Advertisement 7 This year's line up will likely have some eating trials coming up soon Credit: Eroteme
Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90
Easton Cowan needs a point Sunday to tie 55-game OHL point streak record
On Saturday night, the famed reggaeton duo Jowell & Rand y capped off what was undoubtedly one of the most impressive runs of their career with a historic concert at San Juan’s famous José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum. The acclaimed stars had sold out six dates over the last two weekends, playing their hits for nearly three hours every one of those nights. The concert series was billed as the first to incorporate 3D technology at El Choli, with staff handing out special glasses to all attendees at the entrance. Once the lights dimmed, a pre-recorded skit played, featuring both Jowell and Randy interacting with popular local comedian and TV personality Raymond Arrieta. During the segment, which plays out as a fake morning show interview, Arrieta gives the duo a magic remote control with which they can “change channels” and shift reality, warning them to use the power wisely. Obviously, they don’t, because where’s the fun in that? A wormhole appeared on the screens and a sign prompted fans to put on their glasses, with a tunnel taking shape. All the while, various props and set dressings moved onto the stage to make it look like a dystopian cityscape. Then, the classic sample of Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote” rang out, igniting the crowd who recognized the opening notes of Jowell & Randy’s 2007 hit “Un Poco Loca.” In no time the twosome appear onstage, dressed in absurd muscle suits made to look like superhero costumes. Robots appeares with long mechanical tendrils that stretch out towards the audience in 3D; this was the “Sci-Fi Channel,” the first of five settings the concert visits throughout the night. Over the half dozen nights of music, various guests made appearances to show their love for Jowell & Randy. Before Saturday, names like Miky Woodz, Dei V, Tito El Bambino, Yailin La Mas Viral, Zion, and Young Miko had stopped by to regale the audience with some of their collab joints. Zion and Miko came back on the last night; Miko was loudly received by the screaming crowd as she and the duo sang their hit “ID.” At the end of each part of the concert, Jowell and Randy would segue into a quick skit where they’d use the magic remote control to reconfigure reality again. Each time, a 3D video would pop up while the stage was redressed. A horse-drawn carriage gave way to a “Western” theme, and after that, the stage became an animated “Cartoon” world with backup dancers dressed as funny animals and mascots. The duo is known for making perreo that has zero filter when it comes to sex, and their show leaned into that with a sense of humor at times, most hilariously when some of the mascots began “getting it on” onstage. Randy slid up behind one pair of mascots, saying, “I dunno if there’s a guy or girl in there, but fuck it.” Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time It’s been a hectic year for Jowell & Randy, as 2024 saw them release two full-length LPs, both with their respective tours. (The second, Mazorkeo.com , recently made Rolling Stone’s list of 50 Best Latin Albums of 2024 .) The duo also joined fellow artists at the Festival de La Esperanza rally , in an effort to bring out the vote for then-candidate for governor Juan Dalmau. Jowell, for his part, has continued lobbying for a music school dedicated to urban music , which has long been a passion project of his. They two have been making music since they were teens, and longtime fans remember how in the early-2000s they were often overlooked and relegated to the last handful of songs on compilation albums like Kilates , The Majestic , and others. Things began to turn for the better when they signed to White Lion Records, and took off in full steam after the release of their Arcángel collab “Agresivo” in 2006. Ten albums later, they’re now considered one of the top reggaetón duos of the genre. When Bad Bunny brought them out during his 2022 livestreamed concert to celebrate the release of Un Verano Sin Ti , he introduced them as “the best reggaeton duo ever.” Benito’s admiration for them has translated into multiple collaborations on stage and in the recording booth, going so far as to quietly penning a few tracks on their 2020 album Viva el Perreo . Back at the concert, with another click of the remote control the stage transformed into a “Horror” theme. Respectively dressed as a bedazzled Jason Voorhees and Chucky doll, Jowell & Randy sang hits like “Chulo Sin H,” “Soy Una Gárgola,” and “Rastrillea” as dancers wearing Freddy Krueger, Valak the Nun, and Art the Clown get-ups twerked and danced behind them. The fifth and final “channel” was a Christmas-themed world, with Randy promising the crowd special gifts for them. They did not disappoint, as a high-energy De La Ghetto came onstage to sing many of their numerous songs together, going back over a decade. The crowd’s enthusiasm was raised even more when Arcángel made an appearance. The foursome’s rendition of “Agresivo” in particular brought the house down, as neon Christmas symbols floated in the background in 3D. And then the show closed with “Safaera,” the tremendous megahit off Bad Bunny’s 2020 album YHLQMDLG that has become one of the most ubiquitous perreo songs of the genre. Floating sharks were lowered from the ceiling to “swim” around over Jowell & Randy, as a nod to the song’s sample of the Alexis & Fido song “El Tiburón.” As they sang the first half of the song, a human-sized Christmas gift box was discreetly brought to the stage. Right as they reached the track’s bridge, a spotlight shined on the box as Jowell and Randy took a pause. The crowd cheered, suspecting what was about to happen. “Call him,” yelled Randy to the fans. “Call him!” Suddenly, Bad Bunny walked out of the box and made the “Choliseo” shake. With a bottle of pitorro in hand, he and Jowell & Randy closed out the evening — and all six events — in an epic way that also brought one last rush of Christmas cheer to their fans. For a duo that has spent 24 years working to get there, it was a creative and energetic realization long in the making that proved they’ve earned their title as “los más sueltos.”Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90A Republican senator has warned his colleagues must “step up” to appoint Donald Trump’s cabinet picks or face recess appointments. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee was on ABC’s This Week that the idea of recess appointments “is and should be on the table”, adding that previous presidents in modern history including Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had utilized the constitutional clause allowing appointments when the Senate is not in session. The process would likely set up court battles and fray Trump’s relationship with GOP leaders — all while allowing him to confirm controversial choices despite concerns. “This is a constitutionally available tool,” Hagerty told Jon Karl. “What we want to see is the Democrats co-operate with us. But if the resistance movement gets as heavy as it was... I’ve been through the confirmation process myself. I turned in my paperwork on the 21st of January, I didn’t get confirmed until July.” But when Karl pointed out that Republican votes were the issue, and asked if the president-elect would use recess appointments to force through major positions, Hagerty reiterated his point with a message to other GOP senators. “What he [Trump] wants to do is see these appointments made quickly,” Hagerty replied. “I think everything should be on the table. I think if my colleagues understand that they will know they need to step up and move expeditiously to get these cabinet members confirmed.” The concept of recess appointments is a controversial one, and comes with restrictions: the appointments are temporary, and only last until the end of the applicable calendar year. They would also require the Senate to not be in session — something that members of the upper chamber of Congress could resist. The Senate has never triggered a recess simply for the purpose of allowing a president to make such appointments. But it still leaves open the possibility that Trump could make recess Cabinet appointments during one of the Senate’s scheduled breaks, including the August recess later in 2025. And the president-elect himself has made clear that he plans to utilize the tactic. “Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,” he wrote on Truth Social. Republican Senator John Thune was chosen to be the GOP’s new majority leader when the Senate convenes in January. An ally of Mitch McConnell, Thune is an institutionalist and is not likely to wield the power of the Senate to suit Trump’s whims. On policy matters and most votes, however, he’s expected to toe the White House line. The Senate is set to be held by a solid GOP majority come next year; the president’s control is not absolute, however, and he has already seen his pick for attorney general go down in flames. The chamber won’t vote on his picks until next year, but resistance from almost a half-dozen Republicans sunk the bid of Matt Gaetz to lead the Justice Department. None of Trump’s other nominees have withdrawn yet, though a number of Republican senators appear publicly skeptical towards the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence (DNI). Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, is also coming under increased scrutiny as new revelations have come out surrounding a sexual assault case he was involved in. Hegseth has denied that the encounter described in the allegations was nonconsensual. On the right, Trump is also taking flack from traditional conservatives over his nomination of a candidate for secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemerm, who supported the Pro Act — a piece of pro-union legislation that failed to pass Congress under Joe Biden’s presidency.
Yesterday, Kendrick Lamar shocked fans and critics alike by dropping an entire new album, GNX . The project quickly became one of the biggest topics on social media, as countless users shared their reactions to it. Of course, these have been mixed , but the album has been generally well-received so far. Most listeners agree that this was yet another unexpected and impressive move on Kendrick's part. Others are having a difficult time listening to it, though it may not be for the reasons one would expect. Earlier today, Kendrick's alleged ex-girlfriend Nitty Scott took to Instagram to share what appears to be her reaction to the surprise drop . Unfortunately, she admits that she can't listen to any of Kendrick's music without being reminded of an old toxic partner. According to her, the partner tried to ban her from listening to the Compton rapper in the car. "I can't listen to kendrick without having flashbacks of when my ex tried to ban me from playing him in the car [crying emojis]. IYKYK! that mf bring out the insecurity in EVERYBODY." Read More: Kendrick Lamar's "GNX" Producer Reveals He Only Gave Him The Title Track Beat Days Ago This wasn't the first time people close to Nitty Scott tried to create ample distance between the two artists, however. In 2015, she appeared on Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning , where she recalled her relationship with Kendrick. “ That was my boo . I was seeing him and him only for at least a year,” she explained at the time. “The people that were in charge of my career in the past, that was a relationship that they were not comfortable with, " she continued. "I think that’s out of pocket already simply because I don’t think your personal relationships should be determined by people you are involved with professionally. But that is what really made it so that it couldn’t flourish just because I was told that was not a good look.” Read More: Drake Looks Unbothered In New Selfie Despite Kendrick Lamar Fans’ Relentless Clowning [Via]
Remember National Victory Day to initiate future State
Somewhere over the rainbow there exists a magnificent movie version of Gregory McGuire’s 1995 wonderfully revisionist, not to mention delightfully feminist, fantasy novel “Wicked.” Alas, Jon M. Chu’s big, bland, and bloated journey through the glittering land of Oz is not it, my pretties. The two-part, $320 million film adaptation thoroughly lacks the pluck and spirit of the blockbuster Broadway musical, which made its debut in San Francisco in 2003. As a longtime theater critic, I hate to pour a bucket of water on this almost-three-hour movie adaptation. But despite its undeniable star power. this empty-headed screen adaptation melts in the imagination. Pop singer Ariana Grande does indeed sparkle as Galinda, the soon-to-be Good Witch, and she’s certainly a superb hair flipper, but she lacks sassiness and there’s zilch chemistry between her and the green goddess Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as two college frenemies who grow into the mythical witches of lore. Erivo is suitably likable as the hated Elphaba but there’s no sign of a formidable power lurking within. A lot of the plucky numbers sputter. Grande’s cutie-pie wardrobe is a real stunner, a cheeky cross between Elle Woods style and Barbie couture that fills you with an inexplicable and deep yearning to wear more pink. For all the film’s weaknesses, Paul Tazewell’s gorgeous costumes are so sharply on point they draw blood. Let’s not even talk about Glinda’s obsession-worthy assortment of shoes. The feminism may fall flat here but the fashion truly soars to new heights. Many a stocking will surely be stuffed with “Wicked” bling this Christmas. For the record, the campy cameo spotlighting Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, the original marquee stars, only serves to remind us how much their deeply-felt camaraderie buoyed the musical back in the day. Those two Broadway divas had a visceral girl-power vibe that almost made you jealous of their BFF bond, onstage and off. Their buoyant chemistry is much missed here. It should be noted that this Fiyero, the delish Jonathan Bailey, of “Bridgerton” fame,” looks as dashing as ever astride a horse and that’s no small delight. Bailey also seems more adept with a song and dance number than some of the other stars here. He imbues “Dancing through Life” with an elan and effortlessness that makes some of the other musical interludes, such as pithy hit “Popular,” come off as a tad forced. The labyrinthian revolving library set (production designer Nathan Crowley outdoes himself), which takes a page from the Hogwarts aesthetic, is also a dazzler. Sadly, however, the stalwart Michelle Yeoh, who seems like such inspired casting as Madame Morrible, the haughty headmistress of Shiz University, gets thoroughly overshadowed here and the estimable Jeff Goldblum, who should be stealing the show, as the suitably smarmy snake oil peddler turned politician, his wonderful Ozness himself, doesn’t have that much to do in the lumbering part one. Chu seems to be going for a sense of existential ennui when a good old-fashioned shake-the-rafters mood would be more fitting. It’s also unfortunate that the sluggish pacing undercuts the cautionary tale here. Look past the flying monkeys and malapropisms and there is a chilling warning about the danger of charlatans who seize political power by stoking bigotry and eroding civil rights until all but the bravest are scared into silence. L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 fable has sharper special and political resonance now than ever before. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, indeed. Perhaps the movie would cast a more bewitching spell if it weren’t dragged out into two parts. The first installment ends just as Elphaba is coming into her power, in a duly high-flying “Defying Gravity” interlude, and before any real romance can blossom. Stretching out the Broadway narrative to twice its length, while adding no discernible depth, casts the film’s flaws into high relief. The irresistible pacing and tempo that powered the stage musical have all but vanished. Die-hard “Wicked” fans may not mind but casual YA fantasy fans, like my 14-year-old, may well miss what all the fuss is about. To be sure, the real magic here comes from the marvelous special effects. Chu, deservedly beloved for “Crazy Rich Asians,” creates a glittering visual fantasia that delights the eye, from the splashy underwater wonders of the ballroom to the glittering turrets of Emerald City, but often leaves the heart and mind rather bored. Lest you think I’m far too jaded to judge this “Wicked” because I’m old enough to remember the 2003 world premiere, suffice to say my kiddo was also less than impressed by the cinematic spectacle and has informed me that she will not be accompanying me for Part 2. I’ll have to ease on down the road without her. Contact Karen D’Souza at karenpdsouza@yahoo.com.
Generative Artificial Intelligence AI In Corporate Tax Management Global Market To Reach $5.46 Billion By 2028SIOUX FALLS — As the Gayville -Volin Raiders fought toward the program’s first-ever state tournament victory, a 25-19, 25-23, 20-25, 25-16 victory over Kadoka in the seventh place match of the South Dakota State Volleyball Tournament on Saturday in Sioux Falls, Raider head coach Allison Jones made sure her team took time to celebrate what they had accomplished so far. Jones used two of her allotted time-outs to celebrate career milestones, the 1,000 th career assist for senior Britton Scheetz and the 1,0 00 th career dig for sophomore Jolie Westrum , both reached during Saturday’s match. In both time-outs, Jones gathered her team on the edge of the floor for a photo before resuming the normal time-out activities. “It’s just how we’ve always done it,” Jones said of the in-match celebrations, noting they did the same for other players during the season. “It gives them a special moment for themselves.” Maia Achen finished with 18 kills, 26 digs and four assisted blocks for Gayville -Volin, which finished with a 30-6 record. Paisley Dimmer had 11 kills. Kayden Bye posted nine kills and eight blocks (one solo). Bye, a 5-8 junior middle blocker, had success against a taller Kadoka front row. “Their defense liked to go back, so I was using over the block tips a lot. Sometimes the corners would s coot up, so the deep corners were open,” she said. “ So, we were able to pick at those. Once they corrected, there were other things open.” Also for the Raiders, Scheetz finished with 37 assists and 10 digs. Taylor Hoxeng had 35 digs. Jolie Westrum posted 26 digs. Ayla Dimmer added 10 digs in the victory. Bella Williams led Kadoka (31-6) with 18 kills and 15 digs. Kassidee Williams posted 36 assists and 11 digs. Madisyn Nemecek posted nine kills and 20 digs. Makaylan Bonenberger had 15 digs and Shaylee Porch added 11 digs for the K ougars . The Raiders, coming off back-to-back tough losses to start the tournament, needed to “come together” before their final match of the season. “We just needed to bond, and I needed to reconnect with my hitters," Scheetz said. “We needed to make sure everyone was in a positive mood.” The Raiders got off to a strong start, scoring the first four points of the match and not allowing Kadoka to score more than two straight points in the opening stanza. The Kougars built an early lead and led 15-12 before the Raiders ran off six straight points. Achen had two kills in the 6-0 run, then added three more kills — along with two from Paisley Dimmer — as the Raiders claimed a two-set lead. Gayville -Volin led 7-4 in the third set before a 4-0 Kougar run pulled Kadoka off the mat. With the third set tied at 20-20, Kadoka ran off five straight points to claim the set. Bella Williams had the final two kills to keep the Kougars alive. Kadoka jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set, but a 12-2 Raider run put the set — and the match — out of reach. “We found our fight,” Scheetz said. The match marked the final high school match for Scheetz, defensive specialist Ayla Dimmer and right side/middle hitter Teres a Stockman. “It’s bittersweet,” Scheetz said. “I love these girls, playing with them. I love the fight that they all have, and I’ll miss it. “But it was a good year.” Of the eight players who saw the floor for the Raiders Saturday, six will return next season. “It feels really good,” Bye said. “Last year we got here. This year we did, and we got a win. Hopefully we can keep this up and get back again next year.” Follow @ JCimburek on Threads and BlueSky.
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is not on the hot seat despite speculation otherwise . "Kevin Stefanski, to my knowledge, based on everything I know, is not going anywhere," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on the The Insiders Thursday (h/t NFL.com's Eric Edholm ). "I assume people will still be asking. It has been an unfortunate season. They don't have the results they wanted. But I would be beyond stunned if Kevin Stefanski was not the Browns' coach next year." Rapoport's comments would align with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting on Thursday's edition of Get Up! (h/t ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi). The 42-year-old Stefanski is in his fifth year coaching the Browns, who have bottomed out to 2-8 this season. He's led Cleveland to a 39-38 regular season record and two playoff appearances during his tenure. This year has undoubtedly been a disastrous campaign for the Browns, who are playing out the string of a lost season. Cleveland is notably second-last in points per game, much of which had to do with the historically poor performance of quarterback Deshaun Watson over the team's first seven matchups. However, the defense hasn't fared well either, landing 24th in the NFL in points allowed per game. Cleveland has given up 20 or more points in nine of its 10 matchups. This season doesn't feature any easy matchups on paper down the stretch either, with five of the Browns' final seven games occurring against teams with winning records. The other two are against the Cincinnati Bengals (who went on the road to beat the Browns 21-14 earlier this year) and the Miami Dolphins (who have fared much better of late following quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's return from a concussion). So this season could end ugly, perhaps adding more fuel to the hot seat fire. Looking at the big picture, though, Stefanski has done something (win a playoff game) that no Browns coach was able to do since the franchise's return to the NFL in 1999. Cleveland also made the playoffs just once from 1999-2019, and Stefanski has doubled that amount in his first four years. In addition, he just signed a contract extension with the team last offseason. It wouldn't make much sense for the Browns to cut bait after that decision despite one bad year. Next year is an important one for Cleveland, though. At this point, the Browns need to find a long-term solution at quarterback given Watson's performance and a torn Achilles suffered last October. The Browns' offensive fortunes could very well turn around with a new signal-caller. Backup Jameis Winston has clearly helped, to the point where he led the Browns to a massive 29-24 upset win over the Baltimore Ravens. The defense, which has clearly regressed this season, needs to find some answers too. Cleveland has some star pieces in place with edge-rusher Myles Garrett and cornerback Denzel Ward but needs to continue building around them. But by all accounts, it looks like Stefanski will be back in 2025 to try to turn the ship around. It may be tough considering the brutally competitive nature of the AFC North, but he deserves another chance given his past resume.Easton Cowan of the London Knights needs just one point Sunday evening to tie a historic mark in the Ontario Hockey League. After picking up an assist in a 6-5 win in Saginaw on Saturday, his consecutive game point streak now sits at 54 games, dating back to last season. He can match NHL Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour and former Cornwall Royal, who reached 55 straight games with a point in 1982-83, if he gets on the game sheet against Ottawa Sunday. He has a goal or an assist in all 18 games he’s played this season and set a London Knights record last year when he finished the regular season with a 36-game streak. His streak isn’t the only one the Knights are on right now. The win over Saginaw extended their winning streak to 14 consecutive games and they haven’t lost since all their NHL draft picks returned to the lineup. They have the best winning percentage and most points in the OHL and have passed the Kitchener Rangers for the lead in the Midwest Division. If Cowan’s streak wasn’t grabbing the headlines, all eyes would be on defenceman Sam Dickinson. The San Jose Sharks first round pick had a goal and five assists Saturday night and leads the team with 38 points in 20 games. He’s riding a 13-game point streak of his own. Puck drop is 4 p.m. at Canada Life Place. London Top Stories Two people airlifted, several taken to hospital due to collision Easton Cowan needs a point Sunday to tie 55-game OHL point streak record South Bruce residents vote in favour of hosting nuclear waste project in narrow referendum St. Thomas, Ont. and San Jose, Calif. celebrate hockey legend on night his jersey is retired Man charged in child abuse investigation: STPS Nuclear operator helps fund affordable housing project in Goderich video | Thousands endure heavy rain to take in Hyde Park Santa Claus parade Budget Day 2: Councillors hope for service wins, and cost savings at city hall budget deliberations CTVNews.ca Top Stories 'You're already past due': U.S. House intelligence committee chair implores Canada to increase defence spending The chair of the United States House intelligence committee says Canada needs to accelerate its defence spending targets, especially with its military in 'desperate' need of investment. Cher 'shocked' to discover her legal name when she applied to change it Cher recalls a curious interlude from her rich and many-chaptered history in her new book 'Cher: The Memoir, Part One.' Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada. Trudeau calls violence in Montreal 'appalling' as NATO protest continues Anti-NATO protesters gathered again in Montreal on Saturday to demand Canada withdraw from the alliance, a day after a demonstration organized by different groups resulted in arrests, burned cars and shattered windows. BCSPCA rescue cat caught in hunting snare prompts warning to pet owners Donations are ramping up for a BCSPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device. These vascular risks are strongly associated with severe stroke, researchers say Many risk factors can lead to a stroke, but the magnitude of risk from some of these conditions or behaviours may have a stronger association with severe stroke compared with mild stroke, according to a new study. Ants marching into spotlight as hobby of ant-keeping rise in popularity They are tiny insects that are often overlooked or stepped on, but ants are marching not only into people’s backyards, but also their homes, as the popularity of ant-keeping rises in Canada. U.S. Air Force says drones spotted near 3 bases in England last week The U.S. Air Force says a number of small drones were detected last week around three bases in eastern England that are used by American forces. 7 suspects, including 13-year-old, charged following 'violent' home invasion north of Toronto Seven teenage suspects, including a 13-year-old, have been arrested following a targeted and “violent” home invasion in Vaughan on Friday, police say. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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First Nation files claim against Ontario and Newmont mining Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont. More carrots pulled from grocery store shelves in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA Sault Ste. Marie Hockey rivalry goes to the next level on both sides of the Sault border After a year of struggle, centre that helps Sault youth to move to a building with heat $3M donation to help repair arena in Elliot Lake Ottawa NEW THIS MORNING | Indigenous boy donating hair to cancer patients, raising money for Kemptville hospital Mixed reaction from Ottawa business owners, customers on GST exemption Ottawa councillor violated Code of Conduct for daycare incident last summer, integrity commissioner concludes Toronto Walking pneumonia is on the rise in Canada, but what about Ontario? 'It's an optimistic space:' Inside Toronto's new drug withdrawal centre Routes to avoid during the 120th Santa Claus Parade on Sunday Montreal Montreal prepares to sell long-abandoned Empress theatre Santa Claus Parade draws crowds to downtown Montreal Quebec MNAs continue screen time consultations with students Atlantic 'We need answers': Protest held at RCMP detachment for suspicious disappearance of N.B. man Nova Scotia Tories appear safe with close battle for second between Liberals and NDP Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend Winnipeg Winnipeg Ukrainians commemorate 91st anniversary of Holodomor as war rages on overseas Missing Neepawa senior found dead: RCMP Snowfall warning in effect for southwestern Manitoba Calgary Snowfall warning for Calgary and southern Alberta expected to continue throughout Saturday Andersson scores shootout winner, and the Flames hold off a late Wild comeback in 4-3 win Calgary Ukrainian community gathers to commemorate the Holodomor Edmonton Hit-and-run driver wanted after pedestrian hit in southeast Edmonton How Edmonton chefs are spicing things up, and where to go for a 'trendy' meal Edmontonians gather in snowstorm to raise awareness of homelessness Regina Dinosaur discovery reveals more about ancient Saskatchewan Navy wife brings together local authors for inaugural book fair City of Regina releases snowfall response plan ahead of next blast of wintery weather, snow routes declared Saskatoon 'I'm excited to take it on': Saskatoon businesses weigh in on GST exemption Make A Wish kids get early holiday magic in Saskatoon Dinosaur discovery reveals more about ancient Saskatchewan Vancouver BCSPCA rescue cat caught in hunting snare prompts warning to pet owners Widow of Chinese businessman who was executed for murder can sell her Vancouver house, court rules Hundreds rally at Vancouver city hall calling for 'pause' to Broadway Plan Vancouver Island BC Hydro says power almost fully restored after B.C. windstorms Fall legislative sitting scrapped in B.C. as Speaker Chouhan confirmed to serve again Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend Stay Connected
The demands of achieving both one-day shipping and a satisfying orgasm collide in Halina Reijn’s “Babygirl,” a kinky and darkly comic erotic thriller about sex in the Amazon era. Nicole Kidman stars as Romy Mathis, the chief executive of Tensile, a robotics business that pioneered automotive warehouses. In the movie’s opening credits, a maze of conveyor belts and bots shuttle boxes this way and that without a human in sight. Romy, too, is a little robotic. She intensely presides over the company. Her eyes are glued to her phone. She gets Botox injections, practices corporate-speak presentations (“Look up, smile and never show your weakness”) and maintains a floor-through New York apartment, along with a mansion in the suburbs that she shares with her theater-director husband ( Antonio Banderas ) and two teenage daughters (Esther McGregor and Vaughan Reilly). But the veneer of control is only that in “Babygirl,” a sometimes campy, frequently entertaining modern update to the erotically charged movies of the 1990s, like “Basic Instinct” and “9 1/2 Weeks.” Reijn, the Danish director of “Bodies Bodies Bodies” has critically made her film from a more female point of view, resulting in ever-shifting gender and power dynamics that make “Babygirl” seldom predictable — even if the film is never quite as daring as it seems to thinks it is. The opening moments of “Babygirl,” which A24 releases Wednesday, are of Kidman in close-up and apparent climax. But moments after she and her husband finish and say “I love you,” she retreats down the hall to writhe on the floor while watching cheap, transgressive internet pornography. The breathy soundtrack, by the composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer, heaves and puffs along with the film's main character. One day while walking into the office, Romy is taken by a scene on the street. A violent dog gets loose but a young man, with remarkable calmness, calls to the dog and settles it. She seems infatuated. The young man turns out to be Samuel (Harris Dickinson), one of the interns just starting at Tensile. When they meet inside the building, his manner with her is disarmingly frank. Samuel arranges for a brief meeting with Romy, during which he tells her, point blank, “I think you like to be told what to do.” She doesn't disagree. Some of the same dynamic seen on the sidewalk, of animalistic urges and submission to them, ensues between Samuel and Romy. A great deal of the pleasure in “Babygirl” comes in watching Kidman, who so indelibly depicted uncompromised female desire in Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut,” again wade into the mysteries of sexual hunger. “Babygirl,” which Reijn also wrote, is sometimes a bit much. (In one scene, Samuel feeds Romy saucers of milk while George Michael’s “Father Figure” blares.) But its two lead actors are never anything but completely magnetic. Kidman deftly portrays Romy as a woman falling helplessly into an affair; she both knows what she’s doing and doesn’t. Dickinson exudes a disarming intensity; his chemistry with Kidman, despite their quickly forgotten age gap, is visceral. As their affair evolves, Samuel’s sense of control expands and he begins to threaten a call to HR. That he could destroy her doesn’t necessarily make Romy any less interested in seeing him, though there are some delicious post-#MeToo ironies in their clandestine CEO-intern relationship. Also in the mix is Romy’s executive assistant, Esme (Sophie Wilde, also very good), who's eager for her own promotion. Where “Babygirl” heads from here, I won’t say. But the movie is less interested in workplace politics than it is in acknowledging authentic desires, even if they’re a little ludicrous. There’s genuine tenderness in their meetings, no matter the games that are played. Late in the film, Samuel describes it as “two children playing.” As a kind of erotic parable of control, “Babygirl” is also, either fittingly or ironically, shot in the very New York headquarters of its distributor, A24. For a studio that’s sometimes been accused of having a “house style,” here’s a movie that goes one step further by literally moving in. What about that automation stuff earlier? Well, our collective submission to digital overloads might have been a compelling jumping-off point for the film, but along the way, not every thread gets unraveled in the easily distracted “Babygirl.” Saucers of milk will do that. “Babygirl,” an A24 release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for “strong sexual content, nudity and language.” Running time: 114 minutes. Three stars out of four. Jake Coyle, The Associated Press
Airwrap, Supersonic: Dyson Clears Out Stock of Its Hair Dryers with Major Price CutsBurt, the huge crocodile that rose to fame with a cameo in the movie “Crocodile Dundee” and continued to impress visitors with his fiery temper and commanding presence, has died. Burt died over the weekend, the Crocosaurus Cove reptile aquarium in Darwin, Australia , said. He was at least 90 years old. “Known for his independent nature, Burt was a confirmed bachelor — an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm,” Crocosaurus Cove wrote in social media posts. “He wasn’t just a crocodile, he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures. While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved by those who worked with him and the thousands who visited him over the years,” the aquarium wrote. A saltwater crocodile , Burt was estimated to be more than 5 meters (16 feet) long. He was captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River and became one of the most well-known crocodiles in the world, according to Crocosaurus Cove. The 1986 movie stars Paul Hogan as the rugged crocodile hunter Mick Dundee. In the movie, American Sue Charlton, played by actress Linda Kozlowski, goes to fill her canteen in a watering hole when she is attacked by a crocodile before being saved by Dundee. Burt is briefly shown lunging out of the water. But the creature shown in more detail as Dundee saves the day is apparently something else. The Internet Movie Database says the movie goofed by depicting an American alligator, which has a blunter snout. The Australian aquarium where Burt had lived since 2008 features a “Cage of Death” which it says is the nation's only crocodile dive. It said it planned to honor Burt's legacy with a commemorative sign “celebrating his extraordinary life and the stories and interactions he shared throughout his time at the park.”Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contest
Empowerment Or Illusion? The Hurdles Women Still Face In Jammu And KashmirLondon honored for supporting student mental health and eliminating barriers to care NATICK, Mass. , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Business Journal honored Uwill founder and CEO Michael London as part of its 2025 Innovators in Healthcare list . Honorees represent a cross-section of Boston -based innovators addressing some of the most urgent and pressing challenges in the health care industry. London is the founding CEO of Uwill , the leading mental health and wellness solution proudly supporting more than 3 million students at 400 institutions globally. Utilizing its proprietary technology and counselor team, Uwill pioneered the first student and therapist matching platform. The solution offers an immediate appointment with a licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness programming, realtime data, and support. "It's truly an honor to be recognized among this incredible group of innovators," said Michael London , Uwill founder and CEO. "At Uwill, our mission is to break down barriers to mental health care, delivering immediate and accessible support to students worldwide. This recognition reflects more than innovation—it underscores our unwavering commitment to addressing a vital need for students everywhere." London is a recognized thought-leader and pioneer within social impact entrepreneurship, having created more than one billion dollars in company value throughout his career. In 2013, he founded Examity, a leader in learning validation and online proctoring. Prior, London led Bloomberg Institute, an EdTech start-up funded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg . Earlier in his career, he founded College Coach and co-founded EdAssist, both acquired by Bright Horizons Family Solutions. In 2019, he was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and held a position on the Massachusetts Governor's Commission for Digital Education and Lifelong Learning. Michael is a current Trustee at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is a Member of the Advisory Board at Babson College where he graduated with honors. He also received his MBA from Boston University . About Uwill: Uwill is the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. As the most cost-effective way to enhance a college's mental health offering, Uwill partners with more than 400 institutions, including Princeton University , the Ohio State University , Santa Fe Community College , and University of Alabama - Online. Uwill is also the exclusive teletherapy education partner for the Online Learning Consortium and teletherapy education partner of NASPA. For more information, visit uwill.com . Contact: Brett Silk bsilk@uwill.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uwill-founder--ceo-michael-london-named-innovator-in-healthcare-302338655.html SOURCE Uwill, Inc