44 mins. ago
A manager at Childline Liverpool has paid tribute to the charity's "wonderful" founder Dame Esther Rantzen.
Dame Esther, who presented BBC One's show That's Life! for 21 years and launched the charity counselling service for young people 40 years ago, died on Wednesday at the age of 86.
Dame Esther hosted and produced the programme from 1973 to 1994 which regularly attracted 20m viewers for its mix of serious consumer investigations and light-hearted items.
Marian Blackburn, a team leader at Childline Liverpool, said the star was "kind, compassionate and formidable" and everyone was "deeply saddened" at the news.
Dame Esther launched Childline in 1986 and in 2013 set up Silver Line to help elderly people suffering from isolation and loneliness.
#dame #esther #people #wednesday
Dame Esther, who presented BBC One's show That's Life! for 21 years and launched the charity counselling service for young people 40 years ago, died on Wednesday at the age of 86.
Dame Esther hosted and produced the programme from 1973 to 1994 which regularly attracted 20m viewers for its mix of serious consumer investigations and light-hearted items.
Marian Blackburn, a team leader at Childline Liverpool, said the star was "kind, compassionate and formidable" and everyone was "deeply saddened" at the news.
Dame Esther launched Childline in 1986 and in 2013 set up Silver Line to help elderly people suffering from isolation and loneliness.
#dame #esther #people #wednesday
5 hours ago
A Worcestershire MP has recalled how a political rivalry with Dame Esther Rantzen turned into a lasting friendship, following her death at the age of 86.
Nigel Huddleston first met the veteran broadcaster and Childline founder when they stood against each other in Luton South at the 2010 general election.
But what could have been an awkward relationship between political opponents instead became a friendship that continued for many years.
"Esther and I probably should not have got on," the Conservative member for Droitwich and Evesham said, adding: "But, like so many people who met her, I was completely charmed by her and we got on like a house on fire from day one."
Dame Esther had entered the race as an independent following the MPs expenses scandal, turning what Huddleston expected to be a contest between the Conservatives and Labour into what he described as a "media frenzy".
#political #friendship
Nigel Huddleston first met the veteran broadcaster and Childline founder when they stood against each other in Luton South at the 2010 general election.
But what could have been an awkward relationship between political opponents instead became a friendship that continued for many years.
"Esther and I probably should not have got on," the Conservative member for Droitwich and Evesham said, adding: "But, like so many people who met her, I was completely charmed by her and we got on like a house on fire from day one."
Dame Esther had entered the race as an independent following the MPs expenses scandal, turning what Huddleston expected to be a contest between the Conservatives and Labour into what he described as a "media frenzy".
#political #friendship
14 days ago
1 month ago
Spanish soccer star Esther González reportedly deleted photos of her wife and child after signing with a club in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex relationships are illegal
González welcomed her first child with her wife Estefanía in January
In July, González said she was terminating her contract with Gotham FC for "strictly personal reasons"
Spanish soccer star Esther González is making headlines after signing with a Saudi Arabian club.
González, 33, signed with the team Al Qadisiyah, located in Al Khobar, according to BBC, and will play in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex relationships are not legal and punishable by law.
#wife
González welcomed her first child with her wife Estefanía in January
In July, González said she was terminating her contract with Gotham FC for "strictly personal reasons"
Spanish soccer star Esther González is making headlines after signing with a Saudi Arabian club.
González, 33, signed with the team Al Qadisiyah, located in Al Khobar, according to BBC, and will play in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex relationships are not legal and punishable by law.
#wife
2 months ago
Jennie performed at the Summer Sonic Festival, one of ***** an's premier annual music festivals, in Tokyo, where she exclusively wore custom Calvin Klein Collection.
Justin Choe & Esther Kim
Both looks were unmistakably Calvin Klein, but what made them particularly interesting was the way the house revisited its own history while tapping into two fashion conversations that continue to dominate celebrity dressing: archival references and upcycling.
For her first look, Jennie wore a custom Calvin Klein Collection outfit inspired by a Spring-Summer 1993 runway look worn by Kate Moss.
Kate's influence on fashion remains unmatched, so returning to one of her early Calvin Klein runway moments feels especially fitting for Jennie. The original look captures the stripped-back denim-and-underwear aesthetic that became synonymous with the brand in the '90s, and more than three decades later, Jennie is showing just how relevant it can still feel.
#jennie #custom
Justin Choe & Esther Kim
Both looks were unmistakably Calvin Klein, but what made them particularly interesting was the way the house revisited its own history while tapping into two fashion conversations that continue to dominate celebrity dressing: archival references and upcycling.
For her first look, Jennie wore a custom Calvin Klein Collection outfit inspired by a Spring-Summer 1993 runway look worn by Kate Moss.
Kate's influence on fashion remains unmatched, so returning to one of her early Calvin Klein runway moments feels especially fitting for Jennie. The original look captures the stripped-back denim-and-underwear aesthetic that became synonymous with the brand in the '90s, and more than three decades later, Jennie is showing just how relevant it can still feel.
#jennie #custom
2 months ago
Billie Eilish looked worlds away from her usual edgy style as she stepped onto the set of The Bell Jar in Toronto on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old singer was almost unrecognizable while filming the highly anticipated adaptation of Sylvia Plath's iconic novel, embracing a dramatic 1950s transformation for her first major acting role.
Ditching the oversized T-shirts and baggy trousers that have become synonymous with her personal style, Billie slipped into a navy blue ******* on-front dress layered with a striped cropped jacket and matching pillbox-style hat.
Her vintage-inspired look was completed with softly curled brunette hair, bold red lipstick and pearl earrings as she filmed scenes as Esther Greenwood, the novel's troubled 19-year-old protagonist.
Stepping into the world of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, Billie Eilish was spotted filming scenes for the new adaptation (Sean O'Neill / BACKGRID)
#toronto
The 24-year-old singer was almost unrecognizable while filming the highly anticipated adaptation of Sylvia Plath's iconic novel, embracing a dramatic 1950s transformation for her first major acting role.
Ditching the oversized T-shirts and baggy trousers that have become synonymous with her personal style, Billie slipped into a navy blue ******* on-front dress layered with a striped cropped jacket and matching pillbox-style hat.
Her vintage-inspired look was completed with softly curled brunette hair, bold red lipstick and pearl earrings as she filmed scenes as Esther Greenwood, the novel's troubled 19-year-old protagonist.
Stepping into the world of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, Billie Eilish was spotted filming scenes for the new adaptation (Sean O'Neill / BACKGRID)
#toronto
2 months ago
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — Europe captain Anna Nordqvist finalized her Solheim Cup team Monday by adding veteran Leona Maguire and three rookies as her picks for the Sept. 11-13 matches in The Netherlands.
Charley Hull of England easily earned one of the two automatic spots from the Ladies European Tour points list. The other went to Esther Henseleit of Germany, who surged to No. 2 in the final two events.
Henseleit finished fourth in the Women's Scottish Open and then lost in a playoff at the Women's British Open (points are double in a major) to narrowly beat Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland for the second spot.
Henseleit's 40-foot birdie putt to force a playoff with AIG Women's Open winner Shiho Kuwaki wound up costing Tamburlini a spot. Even without making it on points, Henseleit would have made her second straight team as one of the leading six players in the world ranking.
Those six spots instead fell to Solheim rookie Lottie Woad of England, Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden, Carlota Ciganda of Spain, Celine Boutier of France and Nanna Koertz Madsen of Denmark.
#points
Charley Hull of England easily earned one of the two automatic spots from the Ladies European Tour points list. The other went to Esther Henseleit of Germany, who surged to No. 2 in the final two events.
Henseleit finished fourth in the Women's Scottish Open and then lost in a playoff at the Women's British Open (points are double in a major) to narrowly beat Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland for the second spot.
Henseleit's 40-foot birdie putt to force a playoff with AIG Women's Open winner Shiho Kuwaki wound up costing Tamburlini a spot. Even without making it on points, Henseleit would have made her second straight team as one of the leading six players in the world ranking.
Those six spots instead fell to Solheim rookie Lottie Woad of England, Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden, Carlota Ciganda of Spain, Celine Boutier of France and Nanna Koertz Madsen of Denmark.
#points
2 months ago
The picks are in and, as promised, European captain Anna Nordqvist did not select herself, though her recent form and resume certainly warranted it.
After Esther Henseleit's dramatic playoff loss at the AIG Women's British Open on Sunday, the German ****** ped Chiara Tamburlini out of one of two automatic spots on the European points list – by a single point.
In the end, Tamburlini, who hasn't shown good form of late, wasn't picked.
Nordqvist went with the experienced Leona Maguire, the lion of the 2021 victory and a leader in Spain in 2023. While Maguire has struggled this season, a share of eighth at the Scottish showed some positive momentum.
The three other captain's picks are all rookies, giving Nordqvist four new faces on this year's team: Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain, France's Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes of England.
#tamburlini #form
After Esther Henseleit's dramatic playoff loss at the AIG Women's British Open on Sunday, the German ****** ped Chiara Tamburlini out of one of two automatic spots on the European points list – by a single point.
In the end, Tamburlini, who hasn't shown good form of late, wasn't picked.
Nordqvist went with the experienced Leona Maguire, the lion of the 2021 victory and a leader in Spain in 2023. While Maguire has struggled this season, a share of eighth at the Scottish showed some positive momentum.
The three other captain's picks are all rookies, giving Nordqvist four new faces on this year's team: Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain, France's Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes of England.
#tamburlini #form
2 months ago
The 2026 AIG Women's Open concludes on Sunday, August 2, with the fourth round at Royal Lytham and St. Annes in England. You can find full AIG Women's Open tee times for Sunday's fourth round at the bottom of this post.
If you didn't have Yealimi Noh in your office pool this week, you're not alone. The 25-year-old Californian arrived at Royal Lytham and St. Annes with just two top-10 finishes in majors and one LPGA Tour victory to her name.
Now, after a tidy two-under 69 on a wind-swept Saturday, she heads into the final round at seven-under, holding a three-shot lead. It's the first time she's ever been the front-runner at any point in a major.
Can Noh hang on?
To do so, she'll have to hold off a pack of pursuers. Haeran Ryu, who teed off Saturday with the lead while seeking her third consecutive major ***** le, stumbled to a three-over 74 to fall back to four-under. She's joined there by fellow American Lucy Li, Germany's Esther Henseleit, ***** an's Shiho Kuwaki and World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who is seeking her first major championship.
#open
If you didn't have Yealimi Noh in your office pool this week, you're not alone. The 25-year-old Californian arrived at Royal Lytham and St. Annes with just two top-10 finishes in majors and one LPGA Tour victory to her name.
Now, after a tidy two-under 69 on a wind-swept Saturday, she heads into the final round at seven-under, holding a three-shot lead. It's the first time she's ever been the front-runner at any point in a major.
Can Noh hang on?
To do so, she'll have to hold off a pack of pursuers. Haeran Ryu, who teed off Saturday with the lead while seeking her third consecutive major ***** le, stumbled to a three-over 74 to fall back to four-under. She's joined there by fellow American Lucy Li, Germany's Esther Henseleit, ***** an's Shiho Kuwaki and World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who is seeking her first major championship.
#open
2 months ago
We've made it to day eight of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and it's a big one for boxing with a number of semi-finals as the athletes look to upgrade on the bronze medals they have already won.
Northern Ireland's netball team play an 11th/12th place classification match against Trinidad and Tobago at the Hydro at 09:00.
Cycling action starts at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, with Esther Wong going in the women's 400m individual pursuit qualification.
Matti Dobbins will compete in the qualification of the men's elimination race while Erin Creighton and Emma Jeffers will go in the women's 10k scratch race qualification.
If they make it through the various cycling finals will take place from 16:00.
#finals #race #glasgow
Northern Ireland's netball team play an 11th/12th place classification match against Trinidad and Tobago at the Hydro at 09:00.
Cycling action starts at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, with Esther Wong going in the women's 400m individual pursuit qualification.
Matti Dobbins will compete in the qualification of the men's elimination race while Erin Creighton and Emma Jeffers will go in the women's 10k scratch race qualification.
If they make it through the various cycling finals will take place from 16:00.
#finals #race #glasgow
2 months ago
Iowa State wrestling head coach Alli St. John announced the signing of Chloe Sanders Wednesday, the program's fourth freshman addition of the summer. Sanders, a standout from Vinton-Shellsburg High School, is slated to compete in the 138-pound weight class.
Sanders arrives at Iowa State as the winningest female high school wrestler in Iowa history, finishing her prep career with a 219-12 record. During her senior season, she recorded a perfect 58-0 record and won the Class 1A 135-pound state ******* le. Of her 219 career victories, 168 were won by fall.
In February, Sanders became the first girl from Vinton-Shellsburg to win a state wrestling championship. Her high school accolades include being named the 2026 Dan Gable 1A Ms. Wrestler of the Year, earning four WaMaC Conference ******* les and being selected as the WaMaC Wrestler of the Year twice.
At Iowa State, Sanders is expected to compete for the 138-pound position alongside William Penn transfer Esther Kolawole. The Cyclones' current roster includes 17 athletes, comprising 13 transfers and four incoming freshmen.
Signees
Jumoke Adekoye – 131 – Jun.
Molly Allen – 124 – Soph.
Kailey Benson – 131 – Soph.
Greta Brus – 145 – Fresh.
Makennah Craft – 103 – Soph.
Anaya Falcon – 110 – Soph.
Piper Fowler – 180 – Soph.
Gabriella Gomez – 124 – Soph.
Persaeus Gomez – 131 – Soph.
Esther Kolawole – 138 – Jun.
Daniella Nugent – 145 – Soph.
Christianah Ogunsanya – 117 – Jun.
Tatiana Paragas – 124 – Soph.
Avy Perez – 110 – Soph.
Brooklyn Perez – 131 – Fresh.
Alezandra Robles – 145 – Fresh.
Chloe Sanders – 138 – Fresh.
#soph #state #wrestler #pound
Sanders arrives at Iowa State as the winningest female high school wrestler in Iowa history, finishing her prep career with a 219-12 record. During her senior season, she recorded a perfect 58-0 record and won the Class 1A 135-pound state ******* le. Of her 219 career victories, 168 were won by fall.
In February, Sanders became the first girl from Vinton-Shellsburg to win a state wrestling championship. Her high school accolades include being named the 2026 Dan Gable 1A Ms. Wrestler of the Year, earning four WaMaC Conference ******* les and being selected as the WaMaC Wrestler of the Year twice.
At Iowa State, Sanders is expected to compete for the 138-pound position alongside William Penn transfer Esther Kolawole. The Cyclones' current roster includes 17 athletes, comprising 13 transfers and four incoming freshmen.
Signees
Jumoke Adekoye – 131 – Jun.
Molly Allen – 124 – Soph.
Kailey Benson – 131 – Soph.
Greta Brus – 145 – Fresh.
Makennah Craft – 103 – Soph.
Anaya Falcon – 110 – Soph.
Piper Fowler – 180 – Soph.
Gabriella Gomez – 124 – Soph.
Persaeus Gomez – 131 – Soph.
Esther Kolawole – 138 – Jun.
Daniella Nugent – 145 – Soph.
Christianah Ogunsanya – 117 – Jun.
Tatiana Paragas – 124 – Soph.
Avy Perez – 110 – Soph.
Brooklyn Perez – 131 – Fresh.
Alezandra Robles – 145 – Fresh.
Chloe Sanders – 138 – Fresh.
#soph #state #wrestler #pound
2 months ago
The Federal Reserve's decision on Wednesday to hold interest rates steady or hike them is one of the most unclear in years.
Renewed tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices higher again, feeding the hawks' worries that energy prices could translate into sticky, broad-based inflation and necessitate a rate hike. At the same time, the latest inflation report showed prices cooled, giving the central bank some breathing room and bolstering the case to hold rates steady.
Former Kansas City Fed president Esther George said there's a 50-50 chance the Fed will either hold rates steady or raise them.
"The arguments you could create for them holding or raising seem pretty valid, but Kevin Warsh is not going to give you any tidbits to lead in the direction he wants to go," George said in an interview.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they hiked by 25 basis points at this meeting," George added. "The two-year [Treasury yield] is higher than the fed funds rate, so that may be enough to move people, but I think September is more likely in this sense."
#hold #hike #federal
Renewed tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices higher again, feeding the hawks' worries that energy prices could translate into sticky, broad-based inflation and necessitate a rate hike. At the same time, the latest inflation report showed prices cooled, giving the central bank some breathing room and bolstering the case to hold rates steady.
Former Kansas City Fed president Esther George said there's a 50-50 chance the Fed will either hold rates steady or raise them.
"The arguments you could create for them holding or raising seem pretty valid, but Kevin Warsh is not going to give you any tidbits to lead in the direction he wants to go," George said in an interview.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they hiked by 25 basis points at this meeting," George added. "The two-year [Treasury yield] is higher than the fed funds rate, so that may be enough to move people, but I think September is more likely in this sense."
#hold #hike #federal
2 months ago
Jenny Shin fell in love with links golf the first time she played the Women's British Open at Carnoustie 15 years ago.
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing, what I was playing," she said. "One day it was blowing 40 miles. The next day, it's just calm. I had forgotten to play when it was calm.
"So I kind of fell in love, like this is a true test of golf. You have to be so creative, and I'm quite creative around the greens and I love hitting different shots."
Shin's love is certainly shining through at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open, where she leads by five at the halfway mark. Rounds of 66-67 put her at 11 under for the tournament, taking a total of 50 putts in the first two rounds. She'll play in the final group on Saturday alongside Olympic silver medalist Esther Henseleit. Major champion A Lim Kim is six shots back at 5 under.
Shin said she's never skipped the Scottish Open, calling it her favorite stop on tour.
#scottish
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing, what I was playing," she said. "One day it was blowing 40 miles. The next day, it's just calm. I had forgotten to play when it was calm.
"So I kind of fell in love, like this is a true test of golf. You have to be so creative, and I'm quite creative around the greens and I love hitting different shots."
Shin's love is certainly shining through at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open, where she leads by five at the halfway mark. Rounds of 66-67 put her at 11 under for the tournament, taking a total of 50 putts in the first two rounds. She'll play in the final group on Saturday alongside Olympic silver medalist Esther Henseleit. Major champion A Lim Kim is six shots back at 5 under.
Shin said she's never skipped the Scottish Open, calling it her favorite stop on tour.
#scottish
2 months ago
TROON, Scotland — South Korea's Jenny Shin led the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open by five strokes after two rounds at Dundonald Links on Friday.
Shin started the second round with a bogey and shrugged it off with six birdies, including on her final hole, for a 5-under 67. She's at 11 under overall.
"Tried really hard not to make any three-putts," Shin said.
Shin was co-leader with American Lauren Coughlin on 6 under after day one of the tournament co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour. But Coughlin, who won the Aramco Championship in April and the Scottish Open in 2024, hit 2 over on Friday and dropped to 4 under and a tie for fourth with ****** an's Erika Hara.
The closest to Shin was German golfer Esther Henseleit, who carded 4-under 68 with two birdies and an eagle.
#tour #birdies #south
Shin started the second round with a bogey and shrugged it off with six birdies, including on her final hole, for a 5-under 67. She's at 11 under overall.
"Tried really hard not to make any three-putts," Shin said.
Shin was co-leader with American Lauren Coughlin on 6 under after day one of the tournament co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour. But Coughlin, who won the Aramco Championship in April and the Scottish Open in 2024, hit 2 over on Friday and dropped to 4 under and a tie for fourth with ****** an's Erika Hara.
The closest to Shin was German golfer Esther Henseleit, who carded 4-under 68 with two birdies and an eagle.
#tour #birdies #south
3 months ago
The trial of a woman accused of killing her baby by exposing her to heat from a hairdryer has heard the infant's DNA was found on the appliance.
A forensic biologist told the High Court in Aberdeen that samples taken from the hairdryer nozzle matched the DNA of three-month old Dahlia-Rose Gartshore.
Courtney Gartshore, 28, denies culpable homicide while the baby was in her care on 30 September 2023 and a series of other charges.
The court also heard that fragments taken from a partially-stained bedsheet at her flat in Peterhead were identified as belonging to the baby.
Giving evidence on the fourth day of the trial, forensic biologist Esther Combe said a "white crusty material" found on the hairdryer's nozzle had been tested and matched with Dahlia-Rose.
A forensic biologist told the High Court in Aberdeen that samples taken from the hairdryer nozzle matched the DNA of three-month old Dahlia-Rose Gartshore.
Courtney Gartshore, 28, denies culpable homicide while the baby was in her care on 30 September 2023 and a series of other charges.
The court also heard that fragments taken from a partially-stained bedsheet at her flat in Peterhead were identified as belonging to the baby.
Giving evidence on the fourth day of the trial, forensic biologist Esther Combe said a "white crusty material" found on the hairdryer's nozzle had been tested and matched with Dahlia-Rose.
