Month: August 2022

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Entertainment

“Bullet Train” Snags $30M Opening Weekend

Bullet Train Snags 30m Opening Weekend




Bullet Train Snags 30m Opening Weekend
sony pictures

The Brad Pitt-led “Bullet Train” pulled into cinemas with a $30.1 million domestic opening weekend – topping the charts but seen as a rather soft start for the $90 million-budgeted project.

Part of the problem is reviews for the film were very mediocre, with the movie sitting at a 54% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As it has little competition, it’s hoped the film will have legs for a few weeks.

Universal and Amblin’s Filipino American family-themed comedy feature “Easter Sunday” opened in just eighth place with $5.3 million. As it only cost $17 million to produce, it should come out fine.

“DC League of Super-Pets” fell to second with $11.2 million, “Nope” was third ($8.5 million), “Thor: Love and Thunder” fourth with $7.6 million and “Minions: Rise of Gru” fifth with $7.1 million.

“Top Gun: Maverick,” which added another $7 million to its total, has now supplanted “Titanic” as the seventh-biggest film ever at the domestic box office with $662 million in ticket sales.

Source: Variety






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Categories
Sports

NZ Rugby’s next move on Ian Foster to come next week but Scott Robertson is no certainty

NZ Rugby's next move on Ian Foster to come next week but Scott Robertson is no certainty

The chances of Ian Foster remaining as All Blacks coach beyond the next test in Johannesburg are diminishing, with New Zealand Rugby likely to make its intentions known next week.

It is understood chief executive Mark Robinson will remain in South Africa this week before returning to Aotearoa, but with the assessment on Foster an ongoing process rather than a definitive post-South Africa review, the All Blacks’ five losses from their past six tests weigh heavily on Foster’s prospects.

However, stuff understands any potential appointment of Scott Robertson is far from a fait accompli, with the Crusaders still entertaining a number of scenarios for 2023 – including one in which Robertson is their head coach.

Ian Foster could be in his last week as All Blacks coach.

Ella Bates-Hermans./Stuff

Ian Foster could be in his last week as All Blacks coach.

While Robertson’s strong desire to coach the All Blacks is well known, it is thought that there are circumstances under which he would not take the job.

Robertson, who recently spoke of his desire to win at least one Rugby World Cup, is likely to have clear ideas about what the All Blacks need to be true contenders in France next year.

The All Blacks will likely have to beat either Ireland or South Africa just to get to the semi-finals next year.

Former Crusaders assistant Jason Ryan’s decision to take the forwards role at the All Blacks shows that there is an established pathway from the Crusaders to the All Blacks, but it is thought that Ryan still agonized about a decision that was far less complex than any call Robertson might have to make.

The All Blacks' recent results mean that Ian Foster's future looks bleak.

Themba Hadebe/AP

The All Blacks’ recent results mean that Ian Foster’s future looks bleak.

While Ryan’s task with the All Blacks was relatively straightforward and achievable – improve the All Blacks forwards around set-piece and contact areas – the role of All Blacks head coach is immeasurably more complicated.

Robertson has been able to maintain his remarkable success rate at the Crusaders due to, in part, the level of control he exerts in Christchurch, where he can choose his assistants and work with a management team selected by the Crusaders.

When Robertson applied for the job after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he assembled a team including Ryan, Blues coach Leon MacDonald and Hurricanes coach Jason Holland. stuff also understands Sam Whitelock would have been his All Blacks captain.

In 2022, with the Rugby World Cup fast approaching, only one of those pieces is currently in place, and Robertson would also inherit a wider management team not of his choosing.

The situation is therefore untidier than it would have been had Robertson been given the job post-2019, or even if the All Blacks had made wholesale changes after losses to France and Ireland at the end of last year.

It is not known if NZ Rugby has spoken to Robertson about the job, although such talks would clearly be both prudent and expected.

Scott Robertson and Jason Ryan's coaching careers have been inextricably linked since 2013.

Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

Scott Robertson and Jason Ryan’s coaching careers have been inextricably linked since 2013.

stuff can also confirm that Robinson and NZ Rugby general manager, professional rugby performance Chris Lendrum spoke to Foster after the Ireland series, with his future part of that conversation.

The details of the discussion remain unclear, but NZ Rugby had already stated after the Ireland series that the All Blacks’ performances were “not acceptable”.

That was a clear pointer to their thoughts about Foster’s reign and the 26-10 loss to the Springboks at the weekend may have firmed up their thinking.

As a result, a win in Johannesburg this weekend may not be enough to save Foster. However, whether Foster’s exit automatically leads to Robertson’s appointment remains to be seen.

Categories
Australia

Man dies in police custody after crashing his car through fence in Melbourne

Man dies in police custody after crashing his car through fence in Melbourne

A man has died in police custody, after crashing his car through a fence in Melbourne in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Around 4am, police responded to reports a car had crashed through a fence and into the front yard of a premises on Murphy Street in Preston.

The man was having erratically inside the vehicle, police say, before getting out and confronting the officers.

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“Officers attempted to restrain the agitated man before he appeared to become unresponsive,” Victoria police said in a statement.

“Attending officers immediately called for medical assistance and performed CPR on the man however he couldn’t be revived.”

The circumstances surrounding the man’s death are being investigated by the Homicide Squad.

Due to the death occurring while in police custody, the Professionals Standards Command will oversee the investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Netball star’s painful collision with goal post

Netball star’s painful collision with goal post

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Categories
US

Raytown police investigating homicide of two juveniles

Raytown police investigating homicide of two juveniles

Raytown Police say two juveniles were killed in a shooting Sunday afternoon. One person is in custody. Police say they were called to a shooting just after noon on Sunday at E. 87th Street and James A. Reed Road. Officers found two male juveniles who had been shot. One victim died at the scene and the other was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. Police say one person is in custody and the investigation continues. If you know anything that can help police, contact the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS(8477).

RAYTOWN, Mo. —

Raytown Police say two juveniles were killed in a shooting Sunday afternoon. One person is in custody.

Police say they were called to a shooting just after noon on Sunday at E. 87th Street and James A. Reed Road. Officers found two male juveniles who had been shot.

One victim died at the scene and the other was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police say one person is in custody and the investigation continues.

If you know anything that can help police, contact the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS(8477).

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Categories
Entertainment

MacFarlane On “The Orville” S4 Chances

Macfarlane On The Orville S4 Chances

Macfarlane On The Orville S4 Chances
Hulu

“The Orville” star and creator Seth MacFarlane says that the possibility of a fourth season renewal of the show will likely depend on the streaming numbers that come from the launch of the first three seasons on Disney+ this coming week.

The series famously started out on FOX as a poorly received comedic spin on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Partway through its first season though, it found its jogging as a more old-school Trek-esque show of episodic morality tales – albeit with a bit of extra humor and up-to-date visual effects.

Reviews and fan appreciation rose, and recently the series wrapped its third season (subtitled ‘New Horizons’) on its new home at Hulu. With Disney+ having recently expanded to include more adult-oriented content, “The Orville” will now stream on Disney+ in its entirety starting August 10th.

Speaking with Screen Rant recently about the show’s future, MacFarlane says the show’s chances of being renewed are about 50-50 right now. He adds that he has nothing but praise for all the support he’s received at Hulu for the show’s recent third season release and the hope is the Disney+ release will allow the series one last push to a whole new audience only partly aware of the series:

“I have sensed a real groundswell of support from within the Hulu branch and the Disney branch. Of course, it’s a business, so the show has to be something that justifies its own existence and, at the end of the day, that’s really going to be what determines a season 4.

But the folks at Hulu and Disney have sure as hell given us the best possible chance of that happening, so it’s really all up to the audience now. I am excited for the Disney+ launch, because that’s an entirely new audience that I think is maybe dimly aware of the show but maybe doesn’t really know exactly what it is.

I think that’s been the conundrum of The Orville for a while is that people kind of put it in a box based on the initial perceptions of the show since 2017 and 99% of the time when people sit down to watch it, their expectations are completely upended, and the show speaks for itself in that way, I’m confident that it can do that. The real challenge is just going to be getting eyeballs on it so that people have the chance to discover that for themselves.”

One complication is the cast’s commitments to other projects, including MacFarlane himself in the title role in Peacock’s upcoming “Ted” prequel series. Even if a renewal order is handed out, there could again be a long gap between seasons.

Categories
Sports

Australia’s Minjee Lee wins Annika Major Award after finishing tied for fourth at Women’s British Open

Australia's Minjee Lee holds her club in her hand as she looks down the fairway after hitting an approach shot.

Minjee Lee has emerged from a day of high drama without the major spoils but with another one of golf’s most prestigious awards.

Lee fell tantalizingly short of becoming Australia’s first female golfer to capture the world-number-one ranking following a tie for fourth at the Women’s British Open in Scotland.

The Perth ace needed to win or finish second, but wound up three shots behind triumphant South African Ashleigh Buhai, who denied In Gee Chun in an epic, tension-filled sudden-death play-off that stretched four holes and ended under fading light on Sunday.

Buhai almost threw away the tournament with a disastrous triple-bogey seven on the par-4 15th before regaining her nerve to land the biggest title of her career.

After starting the day with a five-stroke leader, the 33-year-old finished at 10-under-par 274 following a closing 4-over 75.

A golfer smiles as she stands in the light holding a major trophy, with a clubhouse in near-darkness behind her.
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai won the Women’s Open on the fourth hole of a playoff with In Gee Chun. (AP: Scott Heppell)

Chun carded a 70 but could not find the birdie needed in the play-off to claim a fourth career major.

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Categories
Australia

Australian scientists shine new light on ‘The Gentleman’. Here’s who he could be

THE GENTLEMAN

Perth scientists have breathed life into a decades-old German mystery of an unknown man’s body found floating in the North Sea, using the adage “you are what you eat” to discover he may be from Australia.
The man, dubbed “The Gentleman” by investigators in 1994 after his body was found by police off the coast of the Helgoland, a German archipelago, was weighed down by cast iron cobbler’s feet.

He earned the nickname due to his smart clothing; a wool tie, British-made shoes, French-made trousers and a long-sleeve blue dress shirt.

The case has baffled German police for 28 years, but criminologists and forensic scientists from Murdoch University may have helped to unravel the mystery after they ran new tests.
They found the man spent most of his life in Australia. Investigators in the 1990s determined he was 45 to 50 years old.
The discovery marks the last day of Australia’s National Missing Person’s Week on Saturday.
Scientists made the discovery by following the principle of “you are what you eat”, performing an isotope ratio analysis of The Gentleman’s bones.

Differences in climate, soil and human activity across the globe change the isotopic compositions of food, water and even dust – reflected in the isotopic compositions of human tissue.

Analysis showed the man likely spent most of his life in Australia. Researchers from overseas universities were recently also able to obtain a DNA profile of the man.
There’s hope it could match with DNA being collected as part of Missing Person’s Week, where authorities have been calling on Australians to come forward for testing to help solve some of the nation’s cold cases.
Brendan Chapman, one of the directors of Murdoch University’s Cold Case Review team, said it was an unbelievable discovery.
“What are the chances that from this small collection of universities working on this case, one would be from the country where the man originated?” he said.
Investigators have been slowly piecing together The Gentleman’s past for years.

The iron tools he was weighed down with were only recently disclosed by police, his shoes are expensive, and his distinctive green, yellow and blue striped tie may signal he belonged to a specific organization.

Categories
US

Harris moves within six tie-breaking votes of nearly 200-year-old record

Harris moves within six tie-breaking votes of nearly 200-year-old record

Vice President Harris cast her 25th tie breaking vote with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act on Sunday, moving her within six votes of the almost two-century-old record held by former Vice President John Calhoun.

The Constitution stipulates the vice president also serves as president of the Senate and has the authority to break ties, which has occurred with some regularity over the past year and a half given the 50-50 makeup of the upper chamber.

Harris has already cast more tiebreakers than almost any other vice president, except for John Adams and Calhoun, who served from 1825 to 1832.

Calhoun has held the record of 31 tie-breaking votes since his tenure as vice president under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. John Adams, who served as vice president for nearly eight years under George Washington, cast 29 tiebreakers.

Harris, however, has cast more tiebreakers than Adams or Calhoun at the equivalent times in their vice presidencies.

She has primarily broken ties to confirm President Biden’s nominees, although she has also appeared at the Senate dais for other 50-50 splits, like when she voted to begin debate on the American Rescue Plan.

Harris’ role as a tie breaker came into the spotlight again on Sunday, when she broke the tie to advance a long-awaited $740 billion bill that includes provisions to raise corporate taxes, confront climate change, lower prescription drug costs and reduce the federal deficit. Her vote for her was met with applause from the chamber.

The bill’s passage in the Senate first required the support of all 50 Democrats given all Republicans were united in opposition.

The Biden administration and Senate Democratic leadership had been hoping to pass a larger reconciliation package last year, dubbed Build Back Better, but the bill was doomed after Sen. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.) declined to support the package.

Manchin had been negotiating behind closed doors in recent months for the slimmed-down reconciliation package, which passed the Senate on Sunday after gaining the support of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) this week, the final Democratic holdout.

The reconciliation package now heads to the House for consideration.

How often Harris casts a deciding vote during the remainder of Biden’s term will largely depend on the outcome of this year’s Senate midterm elections.

Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has predicted a close race for the Senate majority.

“I think it’s going to be very tight. We have a 50-50 nation. And I think when this Senate race smoke clears, we’re likely to have a very, very close Senate still, with us up slightly or the Democrats up slightly,” McConnell said Wednesday on Fox New’s “Special Report.”

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Categories
Business

Booking.com reveals where Aussies are booking their European summer holidays

New research conducted by Booking.com suggests that two major European locations clambered there way into the top 10 searched international destinations for the season (stock image)

Australians are clearly keen to embrace some of ‘la dolce vita’ (the sweet life) after being cooped up with Covid restrictions, with searches for Italian holiday destinations now rivaling those of more common destinations.

New research conducted by Booking.com shows that Italian cities have clambered their way into the top 10 searched international destinations for the season alongside fan favorites London, Singapore, Bali and Queenstown, New Zealand.

And while most of the European summer has passed, it’s not too late to joint the party in Italy, check out of a rooftop bar in Greece or take in the Tapas in Spain with August and September set to be memorable months – with plenty of heat – for Aussies booking travel abroad.

International fashion distributor Shaun Birley has shared his foolproof guide for nailing European summer, starting with doing your own research.

New research conducted by Booking.com suggests that two major European locations clambered there way into the top 10 searched international destinations for the season (stock image)

New research conducted by Booking.com suggests that two major European locations clambered there way into the top 10 searched international destinations for the season (stock image)

‘It’s important to search for accommodation that is in close proximity to all the places you want to eat, drink, discover and capture for the gram – it makes a holiday experience far more convenient and of course much more fun,’ he said.

‘A great way to do this is by using the map feature when using the Booking.com platform, as some hotels have multiple locations and you don’t want to find yourself in the middle of nowhere, with nowhere to snack on that panini, drink your Aperol or walk around discovering new places and meeting new faces.’

One such option in Florence is the Duomo Secret Rooftop apartment right in the center of the city.

One such option in Florence is the Duomo Secret Rooftop apartment right in the center of the city (pictured)

One such option in Florence is the Duomo Secret Rooftop apartment right in the center of the city (pictured)

AUSTRALIA’S TOP SEARCHED OVERALL INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

1. Seminyak, Bali

2.Singapore

3. London, UK

4. Queenstown, New Zealand (+2)

5. Paris, France (+2)

6. Legian, Bali

7. Canggu, Bali (+18)

8. Ubud, Bali (+2)

9. Kuta, Bali

10. Rome, Italy (+1)

TOP SEARCHED INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS GLOBALLY

1. France, Paris

2. UK, London

3. Spain, Barcelona

4. Italy, Rome

5. Turkey, Istanbul

6.Netherlands, Amsterdam

7. Portugal, Lisbon

8. Spain, Palma de Majorca

9. Italy, Milan

10. Germany, Berlin

With an unrivaled view of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore guests are mere minutes from famous pizza-focused eateries, the Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio.

And if you’re worried about the heatwave currently sweeping across Europe, fear not, this two-bedroom apartment with a hot tub is fully kitted out with air conditioning.

In Rome, Suite Laura is a must-stay just 600 meters away from the Pantheon.

It’s pet-friendly by nature and nestled in one of the more relaxing parts of the city, with a kitchenette fitted with a toaster and a stovetop, as well as a coffee machine.

Short-term rentals like these two in both urban and rural areas are a key component of Booking.com’s overarching aim to provide customers with a diverse range of great stays.

In Rome, Suite Laura (pictured) is a must-stay just 600 meters away from the Pantheon

In Rome, Suite Laura (pictured) is a must-stay just 600 meters away from the Pantheon

Of the over 29 million total reported listings on the website more than 6.4 million listings are in homes, apartments and other unique places to stay.

Mr Birley’s next tip is to pack appropriately using specialized packing cubes so you can separate your clean and dirty laundry throughout the holiday.

‘Well, these are a lifesaver. Not only can you make sure that all your tops are in one section and pants in another, but you can also use these to separate clean and dirty clothes,’ he said.

‘Super convenient and a game changer, especially if you’re on a fast-paced holiday, jumping around from destination to destination. Better yet, packing blocks help you plan outfits, so you are ready to go as soon as you land.

For those worried about losing their luggage abroad, consider using the packing cubes to take carry on only so you’re never without your most prized possessions.

If you’re up for a bit of sightseeing Mr Birley suggests booking a walking food tour that allows you to take in the key points of a city with delicious delicacies promised along the way.

If you're up for a bit of sightseeing Mr Birley suggests booking a walking food tour that allows you to take in the key points of a city with delicious delicacies promised along the way (stock image)

If you’re up for a bit of sightseeing Mr Birley suggests booking a walking food tour that allows you to take in the key points of a city with delicious delicacies promised along the way (stock image)

‘It’s such a great way to meet new people and get to know the locals. Not only are you enjoying walking around the city but eating foods that you may have never seen or heard of before,’ he said.

‘These tours also provide you with an opportunity to question your local guide about events and iconic areas that may not be mentioned in your travel book or advertised online.

‘We know so many people are getting travel inspiration from social media today, so make sure you share your top tours and attractions on your socials so others can add it to their list.’

To ensure you’re never caught with a flat phone battery and unable to Google your next port of call, Mr Birley recommends packing a power board within your luggage.

‘We know how important technology, especially over the past couple years, has proven to be,’ he said.

‘That’s not to mention the importance of it when it comes to traveling – using your smartphone for maps or Googling your next stop.

To ensure you're never caught with a flat phone battery and unable to Google your next point of call, Mr Birley recommends packing a power board within your luggage (stock image)

To ensure you’re never caught with a flat phone battery and unable to Google your next point of call, Mr Birley recommends packing a power board within your luggage (stock image)

‘If you bring a power board with you, it means you don’t have to purchase and lug around six adapters. You can charge all your devices at once.

‘Having all your tech charged is essential to being able to create and post content on the go in real time. And whilst we are talking tech, hot tip – do NOT forget to automatically backup your smartphone once you connect to Wi-Fi so you don’t lose any of your amazing holiday photos. It’s in the settings for both Android and iPhone.’

To snap the best photos of your trip Mr Birley opts for low light settings, usually in the afternoon or at ‘golden hour’, so there is no fierce sun on your face – or need to squint.

‘I love using the InShot app for transitions, color grading and editing on the go, giving a crisp finish no matter where you are,’ he said.

‘Make sure you also capture video footage with Reels and TikToks as they are a great way to look back on your holiday.’

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Categories
Entertainment

Kesha wears see-through dress on date night with mother | Photos

Kesha wears see-through dress on date night with mother | Photos

Kesha has stepped out in a completely see-through outfit for a dinner date with her mother.

The US singer, 35, dressed down for a dinner in Santa Monica, California with mum Pebe Sebert, where she was seen wearing a daring, sheer black dress.

the tik tok songstress was photographed in the risque long-sleeve ensemble, which featured sheer fabric, exposing her bare chest and a black G-string.

At one stage, Kesha put on a coat while posing for waiting photographers with her mother, who looked glamorous in a billowing white kaftan.

The mother-daughter duo had enjoyed an intimate dinner at the popular Giorgio Baldi restaurant in the California city.

Kesha, who’s last music release was in 2020 with her fourth album High Roadhas recently been busy promoting her new TV series, Conjuring Kesha.

She made an appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego last month to talk about the show, which follows the singer on her quest to explore haunted houses and locations.

speaking with comicbook.comKesha said making the eerie show “changed [her] entire life.”

“Making this show genuinely changed my entire life, because I’ve had these paranormal experiences and I think intuitively I knew they were real, but also questioned if other people had these experiences,” she said.

“All I know is that I absolutely am open to the possibility of it all. I think it’s shortsighted to say anything for sure doesn’t exist.”

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