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Canadian B-boy Phil Wizard Wins Gold in Historic Olympic Breaking Final

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Paris, France – Canadian b-boy Phil Wizard (real name Philip Kim) etched his name in history by winning the gold medal in the first-ever Olympic men’s breaking competition on Saturday. The 27-year-old, visibly emotional, struggled to hold back tears as he reflected on his remarkable journey to the top of the podium.

“I never thought I’d be here in my life,” Kim said, wiping away tears. The path to Olympic glory had been anything but easy for him. He admitted to enduring several sleepless nights, “tossing and turning,” as the weight of the competition and the desire to succeed took its toll. “I cried yesterday because I was so scared to do this, and I’m just happy. I’m just happy,” he added, his voice trembling with a mix of relief and joy.

In a fierce and electrifying competition, hometown favorite French b-boy Dany Dann (Danis Civil) claimed the silver medal, much to the delight of the Parisian crowd.

The atmosphere inside the venue was electric as Dany Dann took the stage for each round, greeted by thunderous applause and chants of “Dany! Dany!” with every move he landed.

Dany’s quick and quirky style, infused with powerful moves, captivated both the audience and the judges, securing his place as one of the top breakers in the world.

American b-boy Victor (Victor Montalvo) rounded out the podium, earning the bronze medal after an intense battle against Japan’s b-boy Shigekix (Shigeyuki Nakarai).

The competition was fierce, with each dancer bringing their unique flavor and skills to the floor, making the judges’ decisions incredibly tough. These Olympic medals might be the last for breaking, at least for some time, as the dance form is not currently included in the lineup of sports for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Dany Dann, often referred to as a “local hero,” brought the house down with his vibrant personality and showmanship.

As the emcees hyped up the crowd before each of his performances, Dany Dann did not disappoint, executing moves that had the audience on their feet. His energy and connection with the crowd were palpable, making him a fan favorite throughout the competition.

Phil Wizard’s victory was not just about the moves—it was also about the spontaneity and creativity that defined his performance. “It’s my spontaneity,” Kim said when asked what set him apart from the competition. “I just go up there and whatever the music dictates me to do, I do. And I think because of that, I can create some magic moments.”

The final rounds of the competition were intense, as the best b-boys in the world faced off in battles that tested not only their skills but their endurance and creativity.

Each round saw the dancers pushing their limits, exchanging hugs and pats on the back after each battle, highlighting the camaraderie that exists within the breaking community.

The energy in the venue was unlike any other Olympic event, with the competition feeling more like a global celebration of hip-hop culture than a traditional sports event.

As the competition drew to a close, the sense of unity among the dancers was clear. “We’re all in this together,” said Montalvo, reflecting on the shared experience of competing on such a grand stage. “This is the Olympics and everyone’s watching. You know, different people that have never seen breaking, and it’s just dope seeing everyone up, like, ‘yeah, let’s go!’ Each and everyone who is here, we all bring our flavor and the crowd to see that… A win—it’s just a blessing.”

The historic significance of this event, being the first time breaking was included in the Olympics, added to the emotion and intensity felt by both the competitors and the audience.

As the medalists stood on the podium, it was clear that they had not only made history but had also showcased the global appeal and artistic depth of breaking.

apnews.com

Jordan Chiles Set to Lose Olympic Bronze Medal After Bombshell Ruling Against USA Gymnast

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Paris, France – Jordan Chiles is facing the heartbreaking prospect of losing the Olympic bronze medal she won in the women’s floor final after a shocking ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Saturday.

USA’s Jordan Chiles

The 23-year-old U.S. gymnast originally placed third in the event, behind gold medalist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil and silver medalist and fellow teammate Simone Biles.

Chiles had initially finished fifth with a score of 13.666, but her position was elevated to third after her coach successfully appealed, resulting in a 0.1 point increase to her score.

This change pushed Romania’s Ana Barbosu and her teammate Sabrina Maneca-Voinea down to fourth and fifth places, despite both having matching scores of 13.700.

However, in a stunning twist, CAS ruled that the appeal which led to Chiles’ score increase had been submitted outside the one-minute window allowed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) regulations.

The ruling stated that the original scores and placements should be restored, which would see the 18-year-old Barbosu reclaim the bronze, followed by Maneca-Voinea in fourth and Chiles in fifth.

Romania’s Ana Barbosu

USA Gymnastics expressed their devastation over the decision, while Chiles took to social media to announce that she was stepping back from social platforms to focus on her mental health.

Barbosu and Maneca-Voinea had finished with identical scores in Monday’s floor final but were initially left outside the medal standings after the appeal. Barbosu, who believed she had secured bronze after winning a tiebreaker due to a higher execution score, began celebrating with a Romanian flag before the news of the appeal changed the results.

Chiles had been the last to compete and originally received a score of 13.666, which placed her fifth. However, her coach Cecile Landi called for an inquiry into a jump that had been given a lower difficulty grade.

The appeal led to a score adjustment that temporarily placed Chiles in third, bumping Barbosu and Maneca-Voinea down the rankings.

Following the CAS ruling, Barbosu was reportedly seen dropping her Romanian flag in shock before bringing her hands to her face and breaking down in tears.

The International Gymnastics Federation later confirmed that on August 7, it had received requests from the Romanian Federation to investigate the appeal, with the FIG acknowledging that the appeal submission’s timing was a significant factor in the decision to overturn the result.

USA Clinches Fifth Consecutive Olympic Basketball Gold with 98-87 Victory Over France

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The United States men’s basketball team secured their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, defeating host nation France 98-87 in the final of the Paris 2024 Games.

Steph Curry led the American team with a stellar performance, scoring 24 points including eight three-pointers, three of which came in the crucial final moments of the fourth quarter.

The victory showcased the USA’s continued dominance in international basketball, with strong contributions from veteran players and rising stars alike.

LeBron James, in potentially his final Olympic appearance at age 39, added 14 points to the team’s tally. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker each contributed 15 points, underlining the team’s depth and firepower.

France, playing on home soil, put up a strong challenge led by Victor Wembanyama, who scored a game-high 26 points. However, the French team couldn’t contain the USA’s potent offense, particularly from beyond the arc, where the Americans shot an impressive 18-for-36.

The quarter-by-quarter score breakdown was as follows:

– Q1: France 15, USA 20

– Q2: France 26, USA 29

– Q3: France 25, USA 23

– Q4: France 21, USA 26

– Final: France 87, USA 98

This marks France’s fourth silver medal in Olympic men’s basketball, having previously lost to the USA in the gold medal games of 1948, 2000, 2020, and now 2024.

The victory not only cements the USA’s status in Olympic basketball but also potentially signals a changing of the guard.

As LeBron James concludes his Olympic career with three gold medals, attention turns to the next generation of NBA stars, including Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker, who are poised to lead the team into the 2028 Olympics.

Steph Curry’s clutch performance in the final minutes, hitting three consecutive three-pointers, exemplified his reputation as one of basketball’s greatest shooters and secured the victory for the United States.

This gold medal adds another chapter to the USA’s storied Olympic basketball history, maintaining their position at the pinnacle of the sport on the international stage.

Celine Dion Warns Trump: “We’ll Have a ‘Titanic’ Problem If You Use My Song Again!”

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Las Vegas, NV – Celine Dion has issued a strong warning to former President Donald Trump after learning that her iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” was used in a recent video at one of his rallies.

Dion, who is known for her powerful ballads and legendary performances, made it clear that she does not want her music associated with Trump’s political events.

According to TMZ, the song choice has left many scratching their heads, especially since Trump is known for making some rather unconventional picks for his pre-speech playlists.

Observers on social media noted that while Trump’s playlist included tracks from “The Lion King” and other standard choices, Dion’s video appearance was unexpected.

The use of Dion’s music in the rally has sparked discussions online, with many questioning the context and appropriateness of the song. While

Trump has a history of incorporating celebrity cameos—whether intentional or not—into his events, this one seems to have struck a particularly discordant note.

Meanwhile, in contrast to Trump’s embrace of Hollywood, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are reportedly keeping their distance from the entertainment industry.

As reported by TMZ, the Harris/Walz campaign is deliberately limiting celebrity involvement at Democratic National Convention (DNC) events, aiming to avoid the perception of the event as a “liberal Hollywood affair.” However, sources indicate that while there will be fewer celebrity appearances, they have not been entirely excluded.

Celine Dion’s sharp response serves as a reminder of the potential backlash political figures can face when using artists’ work without consent, especially when those artists strongly oppose the message or cause it’s being used to promote.

Brazil Plane Crash: Recovery of Bodies Underway After Crash Near Sao Paulo Kills 62 Passengers

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Sao Paulo, Brazil – Brazilian civil defense teams have begun the recovery of bodies from the wreckage of a plane that crashed in the state of Sao Paulo on Friday, resulting in the deaths of all 62 people on board.

The ill-fated VoePass flight 2283 had departed from Cascavel, in the state of Paraná, shortly before noon, en route to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport.

The ATR-72 aircraft lost signal around 1:22 pm local time and crashed in Vinhedo, approximately 50 miles northwest of Sao Paulo city.

The aircraft was piloted by Captain Danilo Santos Romano, who had been with VoePass since 2022. Brazilian news outlet Globo TV News reported that the ATR-72 went down while Romano was at the controls.

The three other crew members on board included co-pilot Humberto de Campos Alencar e Silva, 61, and flight attendant Débora Soper Avila, 29, according to details from the flight’s manifest.

Brazilian authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash and have successfully recovered the aircraft’s black box, which is expected to provide crucial data in determining the events leading up to the disaster.

Preliminary reports from VoePass suggest that icing may have been a factor in the crash, although further analysis is required.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on recovering the bodies and providing answers to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.

Ukraine Blows Up Russian Gas Rig in Black Sea, Killing 40 Soldiers and Destroying Recon HQ in Massive Explosion

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Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukraine has delivered another significant blow to Russian forces by targeting a gas rig in the Black Sea, reportedly killing 40 soldiers in a devastating explosion.

The rig, which was reportedly packed with “reconnaissance equipment” supporting Russia’s war efforts, was obliterated by the Ukrainian navy, according to Ukrainian media reports.

Dramatic footage captured the moment a massive fireball erupted from the rig, marking the destruction of the Russian headquarters after the strike.

The video also showed subsequent explosions as the gas reserves ignited, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky over the Dnipro River.

Kyiv announced the successful strike on the platform, claiming that up to 40 Russian military personnel were on board at the time of the attack.

Ukrainian officials stated that all those stationed on the rig are believed to have perished in the explosion.

The targeted gas rig was reportedly under Russian control, though it was originally operated by the Ukrainian company Chornomornaftogaz.

Ukrainian forces have been increasingly active in the Black Sea, seeking to reclaim and neutralize key assets used by Russian forces in their ongoing military campaign.

While the specific weapon used in the strike has not been confirmed, it highlights Ukraine’s growing capabilities in conducting precision attacks against Russian military infrastructure.

Russian sources have disputed some details of the attack, claiming that two separate rigs, rather than one, were set alight overnight.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing assessments of the damage and casualties.

In related developments, it was also reported that Ukraine successfully downed a Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter during the day’s operations.

This attack comes amid reports of increasing frustration from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is reportedly “seething” over the recent Ukrainian blitz that has forced Russian troops to reinforce positions near Kursk.

The strike on the gas rig and other recent Ukrainian advances are seen as a “slap in the face” for Putin, as Russia’s military struggles to maintain its momentum in the conflict.

Benjamin of US Outrun Tebogo of Botswana to Win Men’s 4×400 Relay at Paris Olympics

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Paris, France – Rai Benjamin anchored the United States to a thrilling victory in the men’s 4×400-meter relay at the Paris Olympics on Saturday night, holding off a fierce challenge from Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo. The American team not only secured the gold medal but also set an Olympic record with their outstanding performance.

Benjamin, who earlier in the Games claimed gold in the 400-meter hurdles, showcased his versatility and speed once again. He prevented 200-meter champion Tebogo from adding another title to his name, in what was one of the most anticipated events of the evening.

The spotlight had been on Tebogo, the 21-year-old sprinting prodigy, after his sensational win in the 200 meters on Thursday, where he edged out American Kenny Bednarek, who took silver, and Noah Lyles, who tested positive for COVID-19, who secured the bronze.

The U.S. relay team, consisting of Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, and Rai Benjamin, completed the race in an impressive 2 minutes, 54.43 seconds. This time was nearly a second faster than the American team’s performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and just 0.14 seconds shy of the world record set by the U.S. in 1993.

Botswana, with a team that included Tebogo along with Bayapo Ndori, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, and Anthony Pesela, finished a close second, just a tenth of a second behind the Americans.

Great Britain secured the bronze medal with a time of 2:55.83, rounding out the podium in what was a fiercely competitive race.

Rapper Travis Scott Released by Paris Police Without Charge

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Paris, France – Grammy-nominated American hip hop star Travis Scott has been released from police custody in Paris without facing any charges, according to a statement from his representative on Saturday.

Scott, 33, was arrested on Friday at the luxurious Georges V Hotel in Paris following an altercation with a security guard. “Travis Scott has been released with no charges,” his representative confirmed in an email sent to Reuters. The Paris prosecutor’s office also verified via email that Scott had been released without any charges.

This incident follows a previous arrest in June, when Scott was detained in the United States on charges of disorderly intoxication and trespassing after a disturbance on a yacht in Miami Beach, Florida. Known for hits like “Sicko Mode,” Scott has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards throughout his career.

Ethnic Armed Group Suspected in Deaths of 150 Rohingya in Myanmar Amid Escalating Violence

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Rakhine State, Myanmar – At least 150 civilians from Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya minority are feared to have been killed this week in an artillery and drone attack in the western state of Rakhine. Survivors of the assault believe it was carried out by a major force involved in resisting Myanmar’s military rule.

The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group based in Rakhine State, has denied responsibility for the attack, which reportedly targeted Rohingya civilians attempting to flee intense fighting in Maungdaw town by crossing the Naf River into Bangladesh.

According to a statement released on Friday by Doctors Without Borders, an international medical assistance organization, there has been a sharp increase in Rohingya patients with violence-related injuries crossing into Bangladesh over the past week. The organization reported that some survivors described seeing people bombed while trying to escape by boat, with bodies of the dead scattered along the riverbanks.

Two individuals who claimed to have survived the attack, and who spoke to the Associated Press, blamed the Arakan Army for the assault, echoing accusations made by Rohingya activists and Myanmar’s military government. If confirmed, this would be one of the deadliest incidents involving civilians in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict.

Gruesome videos have surfaced on social media, purportedly showing dozens of bodies, including those of women and children, lying along a road near the riverside. However, due to severe restrictions on communication and movement in the conflict zone, verifying the authenticity of these videos or the details of the attack has proven difficult.

The ongoing conflict in Rakhine has intensified fears of renewed and organized violence against the Rohingya, a minority group that has faced severe persecution in Myanmar. Ethnic minority guerrillas, including the Arakan Army, have been engaged in a bitter struggle against Myanmar’s military government since the military seized power in a coup in 2021, ousting the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

As violence escalates in Rakhine, the international community is increasingly concerned about the safety and human rights of the Rohingya, who continue to be caught in the crossfire of Myanmar’s civil war.

apnews.com

USWNT Clinches Fifth Olympic Gold Medal with 1-0 Victory Over Brazil in Paris 2024 Final

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The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) secured their fifth Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final match of the Paris 2024 Games. Mallory Swanson’s goal in the 57th minute of the second half proved decisive at Parc des Princes.

This victory marks the USWNT’s first gold medal since the 2012 London Olympics and concludes an undefeated run through the tournament under new coach Emma Hayes. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher played a crucial role, making a one-handed save on Adriana’s header in stoppage time to preserve the win.

For Brazil and their star player Marta, the loss represents another missed opportunity at Olympic glory. The six-time world player of the year has yet to win a Women’s World Cup or an Olympic gold medal in what is expected to be her final major international tournament.

This victory continues the USWNT’s dominance over Brazil in Olympic finals, marking their third such win following successes in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. Brazil has never finished better than silver in Olympic women’s soccer.

The gold medal performance represents a significant improvement for the US team, who settled for bronze in Tokyo 2020 and were eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Swanson’s winning goal came in her 100th appearance for the national team, adding personal significance to the historic victory. Notable figures in attendance included actor Tom Cruise and former US soccer star Megan Rapinoe.

This gold medal adds to the USWNT’s impressive Olympic record, which began with their victory in the inaugural women’s soccer tournament at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

The match, played before a packed stadium in Paris, showcased the continued global appeal of women’s soccer and the USWNT’s enduring success on the international stage.

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