The WNBA draft-eligibility stunt pulled by former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White has already drawn plenty of pushback from inside basketball circles. But this week it caught the attention of someone from a completely different world.
Six-time Grammy winner Gino Borri used his podcast to rip into both men, saving his sharpest jabs for White, accusing him of simply following Kanter into the controversy.
Kanter, the former New York Knicks center, sparked the latest controversy around the WNBA's ongoing transgender athlete debate when he announced that he plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The former No. 3 overall NBA pick said he had reviewed the WNBA's eligibility rules and believes he meets the requirements under its current framework.
It wasn't long before White — a former first-round pick out of Iowa State followed with a nearly identical declaration after claiming he identifies as transgender for the purpose of playing professional basketball.

#controversy

United States president Donald Trump has weighed in on the controversy surrounding FIFA after the federation's president, Gianni Infantino, proposed a plan to sell a minority stake of the organization to private investors.
In the midst of the news, other governing bodies of soccer and world leaders have expressed distrust in Infantino and suggested his position should be on the line.
"FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday, Aug. 10. "He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!"
The United States was a co-host of this summer's World Cup with Mexico and Canada. It was the largest tournament yet, with a field of 48 teams playing 104 matches in 16 cities across three countries and breaking viewership and attendance records.

#gianni

Barack Obama will discuss a half-dozen of his favorite books on a new six-episode podcast coming exclusively to Audible in September.
A Great Book With Barack Obama will find the former president and yet-to-be-announced guests talking about six books that profoundly shaped his worldview and our society. Among the ****** les chosen by Obama are Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses, Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, and Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men.
More from Rolling Stone
Barack Obama Pokes Fun at Tan Suit Controversy on Larry David's HBO Show Finale
Barack Obama's Summer Song List: Glen Hansard, the Strokes, Noah Kahan Lead Annual Playlist

#obama #audible

Amanda Knox is taking her story to a comedy stage in Edinburgh, nearly two decades after the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher thrust her into an international media frenzy.
Knox made her Edinburgh Fringe debut with her show "Cartwheel," a one-woman show that blends comedy and storytelling as she reflects on her wrongful conviction, years in an Italian prison and the challenge of explaining her past to her young daughter.
The show, which began its Edinburgh run Aug. 7, and is scheduled through Aug. 17 at Gilded Balloon, is already sold out. The show takes its name from one of the most infamous narratives to emerge during the investigation into Kercher's death, which claimed that Knox performed cartwheels at an Italian police station.
Amanda Knox: 'Twisted Tale' asks, 'in the wake of trauma, how do you rebuild your life?'
The show has reignited the controversy surrounding the 2007 murder of Kercher, with members of the British student's family criticizing Knox decision to revisit the case through comedy.

#edinburgh #kercher #murder #fringe

EXCLUSIVE: Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico bragged in a resurfaced interview that his church had stirred controversy by housing a family of illegal immigrants who were set to be deported by ICE, laughing as he said that "Christianity is just another word for causing trouble."
Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian who serves as a Democratic state representative, is running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for a Senate seat that is critical to both parties.
In a resurfaced clip of Talarico speaking on Texas Impact's "Weekly Witness" show in June 2023, he credited his faith for "why I am in politics." Asked how his faith influences his politics, Talarico pointed to examples of his church advancing progressive causes, saying, "Justice is just love out in public."
"Our church was really active in LGBTQ rights in the '90s. We caught some attention by letting an atheist join our church in the 2000s, and then in the 2010s, again stirred some controversy by housing an undocumented family, a mother and son, who were close to being deported by ICE," he said. "That was the tradition that I was brought up in. It's what led me to teach public school students on the west side of San Antonio, led me to run an education nonprofit and then led me to run for office."
Texas Dem Nominee James Talarico Invokes Faith To Defend Abortion Rights, 'The Bible Is Silent On Abortion'

#talarico #church

Natalie Portman is reportedly furious over speculation that Rachel Cusk's upcoming novel contains an unflattering portrait of her. "Life of M" follows an unnamed writer attempting to chronicle the life of a famous actress identified only as "M." Although Cusk has never confirmed that the character is based on Portman, readers have identified numerous similarities between M's career and the Oscar winner's life. Sources close to Portman now claim she feels unfairly dragged into a publicity campaign for a book she neither approved nor helped create.
Jen Lowery / MEGA
One Paris-based friend claimed the actress has been deeply upset by the discussion surrounding "Life of M." "Natalie is a very private person, that's why she moved to Paris, so Rachel's book, 'Life Of M,' has really **** her off," the insider told the Daily Mail.
The source also rejected speculation that Portman secretly cooperated with Cusk or agreed to generate controversy ahead of the novel's release. "She thinks it is a real low blow and is horrified about the rumors she was in on the book in some way, which she certainly was not," the friend continued. "The celebrity in the book is nothing like her, she is far from a diva, she is a quiet bookworm."
The insider framed the situation as particularly upsetting because of Portman's stated commitment to supporting other women. "Natalie is big on girl power and sisterhood, so this is a gross violation of her code," the source claimed. "She believes women's bonds should be nurtured and not manipulated for commerce."

#portman #natalie #based

The Johnston County Little League 12U softball team defeated Kentucky 2-0 on Sunday to win the Little League Softball World Series championship.
North Carolina has now sent three teams to the Little League Softball World Series championship game in the last four years, winning two of those finals.
It's the first national **** le for Johnston County, and it came after a near-perfect season for the team from state champion to national champions.
SEE ALSO | Miss North Carolina USA controversy sparks discussion about social media's lasting impact
For fans who couldn't make it in person, a watch party was held Sunday in Johnston County

#johnston #little #league

Despite many public hopes that the WNBA would be able to return to basketball, two fouls during Saturday's game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky essentially ensured that the media cycle the league has been stuck in for the past two weeks would continue.
The first foul will get most of the attention. In the first quarter, Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was chasing down Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Carrington was behind the play, jumped, and brought her arm down on Cunningham's face. After a review, officials decided that Carrington had wound up, made contact, and followed through, elevating the foul to a Flagrant 2 and ejecting her from the game.
Cunningham, of course, sparked controversy two weeks ago due to comments regarding transgender athletes in a story published on ESPN.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham said in the story. "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
"I'm very much in the middle," she said of her political leanings. "I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides. And that's all I've ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to ***** ume."

#fever #foul #down

Dave Portnoy has urged Caitlin Clark to 'start your own league' after her latest WNBA controversy.
The Indiana Fever star picked up her eighth technical foul of the season, which now leaves her facing a suspension.
That incident came during a win over the Chicago Sky, where Clark was penalised after making contact with an official.
Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Portnoy posted on social media: 'Hey CaitlinClark22 just go start your own league already. Sick league CathyEngelbert.'

#league #caitlin #fever #Chicago

Irish Premiership
Carrick Rangers 1 - 0 Portadown FT
Paul Heatley scored the only goal of the game as David Jeffrey's return to Irish Premiership management with Portadown ended in a 1-0 defeat by Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue
There was controversy inside the opening two minutes Heatley, who had broken through, went down following a tangle with Jack Scott, but referee Steven Gregg waved play on.
However, the Ballyclare official was forced to reach for his red card on 26 minutes to dismiss Portadown's Liam Jessop for a high challenge on Michael Place.

#heatley #david #taylors

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some distractions heading into the 2026 NFL season after a recent Aaron Rodgers interview continues to receive backlash.
Fox Sports 1 host Nick Wright is just one of several members of the sports media community outraged. Wright is always quick to deliver a quality hot take on his shows "First Things First" and "What's Wright with Nick Wright."
MORE: Rating every NFL game on the Monday Night Football schedule in 2026
However, he might be in the right on this occasion after Rodgers' controversial interview with Pat McAfee went viral for all the wrong reasons. The veteran NFL quarterback made several comments targeting ESPN's handling of the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel controversy and took a shot at Dr. Anthony Fauci.
"I'm gonna plead the 5th," Rodgers joked in front of the Steelers crowd. "Like that absolute coward Tony Fauci. Absolute coward. Are you kidding me? What are you scared of Tony? I thought you were science?"

#interview

Ashleigh Gardner's position as Australia's vice-captain has come under renewed scrutiny after her estranged wife, Monica Wright, called for the star all-rounder to be removed from the leadership role and questioned Cricket Australia's response to allegations surrounding their marriage.

In an exclusive interview with Code Sports, Wright criticised the governing body's silence after she publicly accused Gardner of having an affair with Australia teammate Georgia Voll.

Wright argued that Gardner's position of leadership should carry additional responsibility, particularly given her allegation of a power imbalance between Gardner and Voll.

"I think if you're privileged enough to represent your country and be seen as a role model, there's a responsibility to hold yourself to a high moral standard," Wright told Code Sports.

She also questioned why Cricket Australia had not publicly addressed the matter.

"What I can't understand is why Cricket Australia hasn't said anything publicly," she said.

Wright's comments come after she publicly identified Voll in an Instagram post in July, writing: "This is who my wife cheated on me with." Gardner and Wright have since separated and removed photographs of each other from their social media accounts.

Neither Gardner nor Voll has publicly responded to Wright's allegations. Cricket Australia has also not publicly commented on the specific allegations.
Wright believes the allegations should have consequences for Gardner's position within Australian cricket.

"You can't have an affair with a junior member of staff, especially when there's a clear power imbalance, and then remain in a position of leadership," she told Code Sports. "Captains are expected to set the standard, and that kind of conduct falls well short of it."

Wright's comments put the focus not only on Gardner's personal situation but also on how Cricket Australia handles relationships within its professional environment.

Code Sports reported that Cricket Australia has maintained that it regards the situation as a private matter while enforcing its workplace policies.

The controversy has not, however, affected Gardner's standing with the Sydney Sixers, whom she captains in the Women's Big Bash League.

Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said the club remained supportive of Gardner and confirmed that it intended to recommend that she continue as captain.

"She's a well-respected player within our program, an important player for us," Haynes said.

Asked directly whether Gardner would remain Sixers captain, Haynes replied: "Absolutely."

Gardner made history last year when she succeeded Ellyse Perry as Sixers captain, becoming the first Indigenous cricketer to captain a Big Bash side.
The controversy comes at a significant point in Gardner's international career. She is Australia's vice-captain to Sophie Molineux and was part of the Australian side that recently defeated England in the T20 World Cup final at L

A rare woman in the top echelons of football, the head of Norway's federation Lise Klaveness has been a thorn in FIFA's side for years.
Now, some would gladly see her take over the leadership of football's international governing body from Gianni Infantino.
The 45-year-old lawyer and former footballer who played 73 matches for Norway has been highly vocal about international football's woes under Infantino.
The Swiss-Italian has been mired in controversy since his plan to open FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors was swiftly rejected last week.
On Friday she called for him to resign.

#international #lise #gianni #fifa

Caitlin Clark once again finds herself at the center of controversy for not speaking on the transgender athlete debate making waves across the WNBA and other sports.
Her decision to keep her focus on the game instead of siding with her Indiana Fever teammate, Sophie Cunningham, who reignited the transgender athlete debate, has sparked controversy among fans and media personalities.
The latest to weigh in on this issue is media personality Stephen A. Smith, who said there are people "negatively" using her as an excuse when she should be speaking up on these issues publicly.
"Nobody's blaming Caitlin Clark for it," Smith said on Friday's episode of First Take. "I'm simply saying that there's a lot of people that are being negatively affected because they're using her as a narrative and as an excuse to throw venom and hostility towards contemporaries. I'm saying when you see something like that happen, and you have the cachet to speak up about it, you should. That goes for all of us. I'm in the media. This is the position that I sit in. If I see somebody attacking an abundance of my contemporaries, and I believe that's unfair, I'll be ***** ed if I'm gonna be quiet. Why? Because I'm in a position where I can make a difference. Caitlin Clark is in a position where she can make a difference. I understand she's 24, but she ain't 14. She's smart. She knows how to speak."
While Smith believes Clark needs to speak out on these issues, Kevin Durant's brother, Tony Durant, feels the opposite. He responded to Smith's comments in the post's section on First Take's Instagram page:

#clark #controversy

The Indiana Fever are doing their best to keep the focus on basketball, following weeks of controversy tied to comments reserve guard Sophie Cunningham made about transgender athletes participating in women's sports. After initially doubling down, Cunningham is now calling for the media to recenter the conversation around the team on basketball.
"There is so much good going on in the WNBA. I think basketball is being played at the highest level it's ever been," Cunningham told WISH-TV News in Indianapolis. "There's just so much distraction. The WNBA media, all we ever do is cover everything except basketball. It's like, what are we doing? You can talk about other things; I think those are great stories. It shows fans who people are outside of the court, but I also think we gotta keep the main thing the main thing."
"I want to get back to basketball; it's always been about basketball," she insisted. "That interview happened in February when I was asked a question. And for me, I just want to make sure the focus stays where it should."
The Fever faced off against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, and although the team may be working on eliminating distractions as the playoffs draw nearer, one player was clearly off her A game. Clark finished the game with 20 points and 8 ******* ists, but struggled immensely with her efficiency, shooting 7-for-20 from the field, including 2-for-10 from the three-point line. Her struggles in the game were not wasted on fans watching from home.
"Caitlin Clark is one of the funniest players in the league cuz to every casual she is the Greatest Player ever but to anyone who actually keeps up with the WNBA knows she has 1 good game a month lmao," one fan posted on X.

#ever #fever #clark #doing

The Mexican Federation of Football is standing with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The organization released a statement on Thursday, August 6 expressing their support for Infantino amid controversy surrounding a plan to sell a minority stake in FIFA to private investors.
"The FMF supports President Infantino's leadership in continuing to drive the development of football through institutional strengthening," the statement said in Spanish.
The statement started by saying that football is of "fundamental value" and "the best defense lies in the institutional integrity and respect of the governance and the processes that they protect."
Earlier on Thursday, the Confederation of African Football's Executive Committee unanimously confirmed its support for Infantino.

#Football #support #institutional #mexican

Few, if any, movie stars achieve the level of celebrity of Paul Newman without good fortune. No one recognized that more than the screen legend himself.

Newman's luck did not begin with his three-year stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He understood during his years in the Pacific (and then in Hollywood) that fate fell in his favor more than once.

Also Read: Why it took 2 decades for 'Patton' to make it to the big screen

While serving his country, forces beyond his control likely saved Newman's life. If a pilot in his squadron hadn't come down with an ear issue, Newman might have died at Okinawa—one of the bloodiest battles in military history. Then Newman was supposed to take part in the invasion of mainland ***** an. Dubbed Operation Downfall, Allied commanders called it off after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Newman, who died on September 26, 2008, at the age of 83, admittedly didn't fully consider the potential consequences when he enlisted.

"I thought it would be a big adventure," Newman said of joining the military during wartime. "I was really dumb. I never considered that it might be dangerous."
Academy Award-winning actor Paul Newman served in the Navy for 3 years. (U.S. Navy illustration/Peggy Frierson)
Born on January 26, 1925, in Ohio, Newman was in his first year at Ohio University when he dropped out. Newman signed up for the Navy with the intent of becoming a pilot. He never made it to the ***** pit after a supposedly routine exam revealed he was colorblind.

Newman pivoted from that diagnosis and began training as a rear gunner and radioman for Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers. In the Pacific, the Navy ***** igned Newman to squadrons that trained air crews and pilots. After a stint as a turret gunner, the plan was for Newman and his squadron to meet up with the USS Bunker Hill, an aircraft carrier stationed near the shore of Okinawa.

They never made it that far after their pilot wasn't medically cleared to fly. That turned out to be a likely life-saver after the ***** anese unleashed kamikaze attacks on the USS Bunker Hill on May 11, 1945. Nearly 400 men on the carrier died, with 264 more wounded.

It wasn't the only time that Newman, then only 20 years old, skirted death during the war. He did it again a few months later. When the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, Newman was on an aircraft carrier several hundred miles from ***** an. Three days later, another bomb destroyed Nagasaki.

Approximately 214,000 ***** anese citizens, including roughly 38,000 children, died in the attacks, per the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). Those numbers don't include those who were maimed. While President Harry S. Truman's decision remains a source of debate, but Newman didn't question it.

"I know all of the controversy about those weapons," Newman said. "But I'm one of those guys who says, 'Thank God for the atomic bomb,' because it pro

The 2026 summer transfer market is entering its most decisive and heated phase. With major deals threatening to break historic LaLiga records, political tensions within FIFA over the host of the 2030 World Cup, and surprises on the pitch during preseason friendlies, world football is not offering a single second of respite.
Real Madrid have all but sealed the arrival of Yan Diomandé from RB Leipzig. Negotiations between the two clubs have progressed at great speed, and the final agreement could be made official in the coming hours. The deal is shaping up to be the most expensive transfer in the club's history, surpassing previous record figures to strengthen Madrid's sporting project.
FC Barcelona have launched a new and aggressive push to secure the signing of Julián Álvarez. Deco, the club's sporting director, travelled to Madrid to hold direct talks with the Atlético de Madrid board. The Catalan club's intention is for "La Araña" to wear the blaugrana shirt this very season, while the Argentine forward is considering requesting a formal meeting with Atleti to help facilitate his departure.
On the institutional front, controversy has erupted following reports claiming that Gianni Infantino offered the 2030 World Cup final to Morocco in exchange for guaranteeing electoral support for his re-election as FIFA president. Although world football's governing body has flatly denied the existence of any such pact, political tensions over the allocation of the decisive match between Spain, Portugal, and the North African country continue to grow.
In a lighter vein, Pablo Gavi has grabbed all the media attention after fulfilling the promise he made before the global tournament. After being crowned world champion with the Spanish national team, the Andalusian midfielder surprised everyone on social media by showing off a striking new hairstyle dyed completely pink.

#made

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham sparked a controversy with her comments on transgender athlete participation in women's sports in a July 21 profile published by ESPN.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" she said in the feature. "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
Since the initial comments, everyone from her podcast co-host to the White House has weighed in on the hot-button topic, and rallies in support of Cunningham have been held outside of the arenas Indiana is set to play in before the Fever's games.
On Wednesday, after weeks of the debate continuing with seemingly no end, Cunningham called on the focus to return to basketball.
"I think the WNBA media, all we ever do is cover everything except basketball, and it's like, what, like, what are we doing?" Cunningham asked at practice on Wednesday. "There's so much, like, you can talk about other things. I think those are great stories. I think It shows fans, you know, who people are outside of the court. But I also think we got to keep the main thing the main thing."

#like #wednesday #comments #girls

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is the latest global official to express distrust in FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Carney spoke on Wednesday, August 5 in Toronto during a press conference about affordable housing and was asked about his thoughts on Infantino, who days earlier scrapped a controversial proposal to sell a minority stake in FIFA to private investors. Carney spent time with Infantino this summer, as Canada was a co-host of the World Cup with the United States and Mexico.
"I've run a few organizations in my time. The idea that proper governance is not to disclose to your closest advisors your chief operating officer, your fellow board members something of consequence that you're even considering let alone proposing, that's fatal, should be fatal," he said.
He continued by noting that FIFA has "their own procedures for making those determinations, but certainly I don't have confidence in Mr. Infantino after this point given what transpired and given the nature of what transpired."
Carney pointed to Carlos Cordeiro, a top advisor to Infantino, not being consulted on the deal and resigning after controversy ensued as evidence that the way Infantino is leading FIFA is problematic.

#carney #fatal #prime

NEW DELHI: Several former Pakistan cricketers could face disciplinary action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after taking part in the Asian Legends League in Zambia without the required approval, according to ESPNcricinfo. More than a dozen retired Pakistan players signed up for the tournament. The controversy began after the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU), the country's official governing body, said the event was not sanctioned, approved or endorsed by it.

The PCB said it has taken "serious notice" of the participation of former Pakistan cricketers in the tournament.

Players found to have violated the rules could be banned for two years from receiving a PCB No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in approved overseas leagues or cricket events.

They could also be declared ineligible for any cricketing, coaching, consultancy, mentoring or other roles with the PCB and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years.

"In light of the above, the following disciplinary measures will be taken on individuals found to have participated in the said unsanctioned event without obtaining the requisite approvals from the PCB," the PCB statement said. "A ban of two years from the issuance of any PCB No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation in approved overseas cricket leagues or events. [And] Ineligibility for any cricketing, coaching, consultancy, mentoring and/or other ******* ignments with the PCB and the PSL for a period of two years."

According to ESPNcricinfo, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Akmal travelled to Lusaka after signing up for the league. However, they chose not to play after learning that the required ICC approvals had not been received.

Several other former Pakistan cricketers are believed to have participated in the tournament.

The PCB said all current and former Pakistan cricketers must obtain the required approvals before taking part in overseas cricket events.

"The PCB remains fully committed to upholding the ICC regulations and safeguarding the integrity and governance of the game," the PCB statement said.

"The board reiterates that all current and former cricketers seeking to participate in overseas cricket events requiring PCB clearance must obtain the necessary approvals and NOCs prior to participation," it said.

#years #Events #league

The WNBA has been mired in controversy lately. Some of it has even turned political. NFL players know that battle all too well, having lived through plenty of off-field discourse themselves.
Yet, the WNBA is dealing with a unique situation, where there's been criticism and disconnect on the subject of transgender people competing in women's sports. Now a former NFL player is calling for action in a way some may not expect.
Some, like popular Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, don't believe that transgender people should be competing alongside women in athletic events. Of course, not everyone agrees.
One person who does agree with Cunningham's stance is former NFL defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko.
"Let's go WNBA," Fehoko said. "Y'all wanna include everyone, right? minnesotalynx. I see a certified 20/20 award-winning player for you to sign. What's the hold up? Let's go. Put your money where your mouth is. Stand on business. All that shirt wearing it's time to put up or shut up."

#people #player

Sophie Cunningham sparked a debate about trans athletes in women's sports. It's been a hot topic in WNBA discourse for the past week, and now Stephen A. Smith has something to say.
The WNBA has recently become a bit of a battleground for a culture war issue. The Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham caused a stir when she spoke against trans athletes being allowed in women's sports.
This led to a cascading reaction. While many people agreed with Cunningham, many voiced their disagreement. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was prominent among the detractors.
As the controversy has raged on, more big names from around the sport have given their takes. And now Stephen A. Smith has gotten involved, calling Reeve out in the process.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

#sophie #smith #trans #many

Jerry Falade, who had 14 different publishing houses bidding for his 'Call Me, I'll Hide The Body' novel, is now on the defensive.
An author who lost a seven-figure book deal over accusations that he used AI to write his debut novel is fighting back, denying the claims, as what was once viewed as a hallmark for a young writer has become a source of controversy.
In a series of Instagram posts, Jerry Falade stated he was "Definitely innocent!!!" while adding, "They CAN'T and WON'T stop this Black boy's light from shining."
The aspiring author had written "Call Me, I'll Hide The Body," a crime novel that immediately garnered attention and sparked a bidding war among some of the biggest names in book publishing. More than 14 publishers bid on the novel before Macmillan's Minotaur imprint reportedly acquired the U.S. rights, while HarperCollins secured the U.K. rights. In total, the publishing deal for Falade's debut book and a follow-up was around $2 million.
However, Falade's literary agent stepped in, stating that he could no longer support the book and informing both publishing houses of his concerns about the use of AI in its writing. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Falade informed the outlet that he did use AI, but only during the research phase of the novel, but not for the actual manuscript. He stated he relied on an open-source AI tool to answer research questions tied to the book's subject matter, including forensic details and opted for a locally run model because it does not retain extensive search histories.

#novel #hide

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already issued a statement on the now-viral Aaron Rodgers-Fauci situation, but Mike McCarthy has since broken his silence on the veteran quarterback's comments.
One day after the Steelers responded to Rodgers mocking Fauci by pleading the Fifth and calling him an "absolute coward," McCarthy made it crystal clear that his job is to keep everything about football, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
"You know, these are grown men," McCarthy said on Tuesday. "They all have different opinions. There's no question about that. But at the end of the day, my job is to keep it about football, keep the focus on winning. That's why we're here. We have a good locker room. We have a player council that's in place, and we had our second meeting Monday, so I think we're in a good spot."
On Monday's training camp edition of The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers completely ripped into Fauci, as well as ESPN for failing to extensively cover the alleged Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel controversy.
The Steelers already addressed the situation, stating that their players are entitled to having their own differing personal views. And now, McCarthy all but did the same.

#mike #entitled

Sophie Cunningham protests, explained: How Fever star's transgender athlete comments sparked WNBA controversy originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The WNBA has been littered with controversies in 2026, from on-court skirmishes to viral off-court comments.
Few storylines have taken on more of a life of their own than the Sophie Cunningham saga, which started with the Fever guard speaking out against transgender women who were born male playing women's sports.
Cunningham has faced severe opposition from many in and around the WNBA, as well as support from fans who have even rallied for her outside Indiana's games. Cunningham has dug in her heels and stood by her comments.
Here's a look at what Cunningham said and the wave of reaction in response.

#cunningham #comments #preferred

Arsene Wenger has sought to separate himself from Gianni Infantino as the World Cup investment controversy threatens to bring down the embattled FIFA President.
UEFA is actively working to engineer Infantino's removal from his role at the helm of world soccer's governing body. Infantino finds himself at the center of significant opposition following his announcement of contentious plans to sell ownership shares in competitions like the World Cup to external investors.
He was compelled to reverse course after UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation joined forces to oppose the confidential proposal. There is now a coordinated push to oust Infantino, who had been prepared to pursue a fourth presidential term, as per The Mirror.
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments
Donald Trump addresses Gianni Infantino's World Cup sale plans, amidst Kushner links

#infantino #gianni #Trump #plans

Some of the entertainment industry's most iconic stars have found themselves ousted from major productions, sometimes overnight, sometimes amid headline-making controversy. From drama-filled on-set disputes to personal struggles that spilled into the public eye, here's a look at the famous faces who were fired from roles that could have changed everything.
MEGA
James Remar's formidable presence has defined gritty roles, but he was famously fired from a blockbuster due to off-screen issues that made headlines, as director James Cameron's Aliens originally cast actor Remar as Hicks, but the Alien sequel replaced the troubled star due to his off-set behavior, according to Screen Rant. Despite setbacks, he rebuilt his career with stand-out performances on both TV and film, turning a career stumble into a lasting legacy. Remar's journey proves that a second act is possible in Hollywood, even after an abrupt exit.
ZUMA Press / MEGA
Colin Firth's suave elegance wasn't enough to keep him in a major film franchise after studio disagreements led to his controversial replacement, as he ended up withdrawing from Paddington during post-production, per SlashFilm. His dignified handling of the situation kept audiences rooting for him, and he quickly rebounded with acclaimed projects that only strengthened his status as a screen legend. Firth's ouster remains one of the industry's most-discussed casting changes.

#sometimes #fired #roles

While she was once a senior working royal and part of the King's inner circle, Sarah Ferguson has not been seen publicly with the monarch in nearly a year. However, the former ******* ss of York could be planning to reconnect with the monarch, a royal author claims.
Sarah's last official public appearance alongside the King was at the late ******* ss of Kent's funeral on 16 September 2025. Since then, the former ******* ss and her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have retreated from public life amid renewed scrutiny over their links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
But according to royal expert Phil Dampier, Sarah "will want to try and get back in with the King for the sake of her daughters", Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Sarah and Andrew's grown-up daughters have not completely retreated from public life, but have kept a very low profile amid the controversy surrounding their parents.
Sarah Ferguson with Charles in 1988 (Getty Images)
The author told the Daily Mail that the former ******* ss would want to "at least not upset" the monarch.

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On Monday afternoon, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers sparked plenty of reaction after making blunt and controversial remarks about former National Institutes of Health leader Anthony Fauci, who testified before Congress last week.
Although Rodgers' comments quickly generated controversy, it appears the Pittsburgh Steelers have no plans to discipline him over the remarks.
Fauci, whose medical guidance played a key role in leading the United States through the COVID-19 pandemic, drew headlines after invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during last week's congressional hearing, reigniting criticism over the government's pandemic response. Rodgers, who was a vocal opponent of the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, used his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday to once again criticize Fauci.
When McAfee posed a football-related question during the show, Rodgers bypassed the topic entirely and instead directed his attention toward Fauci.
"I'm gonna plead the fifth, like that absolute coward, Tony Fauci," Rodgers said with a big smile.

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