The captain of Japan’s women’s gymnastics team has withdrawn from the Paris Olympics after violating team rules by drinking alcohol and smoking.
Shoko Miyata, 19, left the team’s training camp in Monaco after an investigation confirmed the violation, the Japanese Gymnastics Association (JGA) said.
In Japan, the legal age for drinking and smoking is 20.
Miyata had been expected to lead a team consisting entirely of first-time Olympians, with Japan hoping to win its first medal in the sport since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
The JGA said the women’s squad would now compete at the games, which begin on 26 July, with four athletes instead of five.
Mutsumi Harada, Miyata’s personal coach, called her behavior reckless but acknowledged she had been under extreme pressure to perform at the highest level. “She was spending her days really burdened with so much pressure,” he said, wiping away tears. “I would implore people to understand.”
Cesc Fabregas has become the head coach of Serie A club Como, having previously worked as their assistant head coach.
Fabregas, 37, has signed a four-year deal with Como, who last season got promoted back to Italy’s top flight after a 21-year absence.
The Spaniard, who ended his playing career at Como last year, has been promoted to head coach, his first full managerial role. He previously managed five matches as Como’s caretaker boss between November and December 2023.
“I am so happy to be starting this season as head coach and I thank the ownership group for trusting me with this position,” said ex-Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona midfielder Fabregas. “I share the ambitions of the group and believe this is just the start of where this club can go. It’s going to be a tough and important season but myself and the rest of the coaching staff are ready and we all believe.”
Fabregas, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010, spent the second half of last season working as an assistant to Welsh caretaker boss Osian Roberts, who has now become Como’s head of development.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, the 18-year-old daughter of Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has taken a significant step to distance herself from her father’s surname. According to reports from TMZ and In Touch, Shiloh has published a notice in the Los Angeles Times announcing her intention to drop “Pitt” from her legal name.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt
The teenager, who turned 18 in May, is seeking to change her name from Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. This move comes amid the ongoing, bitter divorce battle between her parents, which has been raging since their split in 2016.
Sources close to the situation have provided conflicting accounts of the motivations behind Shiloh’s decision. An insider told “Entertainment Tonight” that Shiloh hired and paid for her own attorney, suggesting that “Angie doesn’t know and can’t speak for it.” However, individuals from Pitt’s camp have questioned who is really behind this significant move, with one source telling Page Six, “Reasonable people should draw their own conclusions as to who was actually behind it.”
Shiloh, her mom, Jolie and her siblings.
The name change appears to be part of a broader pattern among the Jolie-Pitt children. Zahara, the eldest, made headlines in November 2023 when she proudly announced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie” during a sorority induction ceremony at Spelman College. Similarly, Vivienne, 16, used only “Vivienne Jolie” in the Playbill for a Broadway adaptation of “The Outsiders,” on which she worked as an assistant with her mother.
These actions have reportedly been deeply upsetting for Brad Pitt. A source close to the actor told People that he was “aware and upset” about Shiloh’s decision, adding, “He’s never felt more joy than when she was born. He always wanted a daughter.” The source continued, “The reminders that he’s lost his children, is of course not easy for Brad. He loves his children and misses them. It’s very sad.”
Shiloh and her mom, Jolie
The ongoing custody battle between Jolie and Pitt has been marked by numerous legal twists and turns. In 2021, Pitt initially won a 50-50 custody agreement, which was later overturned. More recently, the family’s former security guard, Tony Webb, alleged in court documents that Jolie had encouraged the children to “avoid” their father during visits.
A source from Pitt’s side claimed to Page Six, “She has used the kids as a weapon against Brad … she has separated them from him. There is a whole pattern: Any time he has a win in court, she hits back with something to do with the kids.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
The former couple, who were together for 12 years before their split, were declared legally single in 2019. However, their battles over their Chateau Miraval winery and child custody continue to rage on.
As this high-profile family drama unfolds, Shiloh’s decision to change her name adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious situation. It remains to be seen how this move will impact the ongoing legal proceedings and the relationships within this famous Hollywood family.
Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood is mourning the loss of his longtime companion, Christina Sandera, who has passed away at the age of 61. The couple’s relationship, which spanned a decade despite their 33-year age difference, was known for its low-key nature and mutual devotion.
Eastwood, now 94, released a heartfelt statement on Thursday night, saying, “Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much.” The brevity and emotion of his words reflect the private nature of their relationship, which began in 2014 when they met at Eastwood’s Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, where Sandera worked as a hostess.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros., speaking on behalf of Eastwood, informed the press that the actor would not be releasing any additional information about Sandera’s death, choosing instead to grieve privately. This decision aligns with the couple’s long-standing approach to their relationship, which, despite occasional public appearances, remained largely out of the spotlight.
Throughout their decade together, Sandera and Eastwood were seen at several high-profile events, including the Academy Awards, the Cannes Film Festival, and premieres of Eastwood’s films such as “Sully” in 2016 and “The Mule” in 2018. However, Sandera consistently shied away from media attention, maintaining no public social media presence and never speaking publicly about their relationship.
Eastwood, known for his protective nature towards his loved ones, once told CBS News in 2004, “There are other people that are involved there and they’re vulnerable people. I can protect myself, but they can’t.” This sentiment seems to have guided the couple’s approach to public life throughout their relationship.
Before his relationship with Sandera, Eastwood had been married twice – to model Maggie Johnson from 1953 to 1987 and to news anchor Dina Ruiz from 1996 to 2004. He has also had several high-profile relationships with Hollywood stars, including Frances Fisher and Sondra Locke. Eastwood is father to eight children, ranging in age from 27 to 70, and recently walked his youngest daughter, Morgan, down the aisle at her wedding.
Despite the significant age gap between Eastwood and Sandera, the couple found common ground and were occasionally spotted together in casual settings, such as running errands or grocery shopping. Their relationship seemed to bring a sense of stability and companionship to Eastwood’s later years.
As Eastwood copes with this loss, he is also in the midst of postproduction on his latest directorial project, “Juror No. 2,” which marks his 40th film as a director and his first since “Cry Macho” in 2021. The film industry and fans alike will undoubtedly be watching to see how this personal loss might influence his future work and public appearances.
The passing of Christina Sandera marks the end of a chapter in Eastwood’s personal life, one characterized by quiet companionship and mutual respect. As the Hollywood legend mourns in private, the industry and his fans worldwide join in expressing condolences for his loss.
Nairobi, Kenya – In a move aimed at stabilizing his administration amid ongoing youth-led protests, Kenyan President William Ruto announced a series of new cabinet appointments on Friday. The reshuffle retains many ministers from the previous government while addressing demands for more responsive governance.
In a nationally televised address, President Ruto unveiled 11 new cabinet appointments, retaining six ministers from the previous cabinet. This follows a dramatic mass firing last week, which was a direct response to escalating protests driven by dissatisfaction with Ruto’s economic policies and governance.
The mass firings last week were a significant concession to the demands of protesters, who had already compelled President Ruto to retract a proposed $2.7 billion tax hike. This financial policy had sparked the most severe crisis of Ruto’s two-year presidency, leading to widespread unrest and over 50 reported deaths since mid-June. Despite the government’s efforts to quell the dissent, large protests have continued, with demonstrators calling for further reforms and Ruto’s resignation.
Among the retained ministers are key figures in the interior, defense, environment, and lands departments, whose roles are crucial for maintaining national stability and managing the government’s response to environmental issues and land reforms. Additionally, the president announced changes to the portfolios of two other ministers, aiming to better align their responsibilities with the administration’s current priorities.
Kenya’s President William Ruto flanked by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi addresses the nation to announce new Cabinet Secretaries in his government, in the wake of nationwide protests over new taxes, at State House in Nairobi, Kenya July 19, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
Notably, the new appointee for the education ministry is Julius Migosi Ogamba, who was the running mate of the outgoing education minister, Ezekiel Machogu, in the 2022 gubernatorial race for Kisii County. Machogu’s loss in that election has not deterred the administration from placing Ogamba in this critical role, highlighting the government’s focus on education reform.
Other new ministers, appointed to oversee health, information, agriculture, and water sectors, lack traditional political backgrounds. This suggests a strategic move by Ruto to bring in technocrats who can deliver on specific mandates without the baggage of political affiliations. “We will be issuing next week a clear roadmap on the assignment that the new cabinet is going to have, with clear timelines and deliverables,” Ruto stated, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to tangible progress.
Despite these changes, the leaders behind the protests remain unsatisfied. These groups, which have no formal leadership and fundamentally reject the current government’s legitimacy, were quick to denounce the new appointments. One protest leader, posting anonymously on social media platform X, listed the names of the appointees with the word “Rejected” prominently stamped across each in red.
Lagos, Nigeria – Nigeria has fined Meta Platforms (META.O) $220 million, its competition watchdog said on Friday, after investigations showed data-sharing on social platforms violated local consumer, data protection, and privacy laws.
Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) said Meta appropriated the data of Nigerian users on its platforms without their consent, abused its market dominance by forcing exploitative privacy policies on users, and meted out discriminatory and disparate treatment on Nigerians, compared with other jurisdictions with similar regulations.
Meta did not immediately comment, but the FCCPC said in a statement that the company had provided some documents and have retained counsels who have met and engaged with the agency.
FCCPC chief Adam Abdullahi said the investigations were jointly held with Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission and spanned over 38 months. The investigations found Meta policies don’t allow users the option or opportunity to self-determine or withhold consent to the gathering, use, and sharing of personal data, Abdullahi said.
The final order mandates steps and actions Meta must take to comply with local laws, Abdullahi said.
In May, Turkey’s competition board fined Meta 1.2 billion lira following investigations on data-sharing on its Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp platforms.
Meta has faced pushback in Europe and other jurisdictions over alleged breaches of data protection laws. Meta’s plan to use personal data to train its artificial intelligence models without seeking consent has come under fire in Europe. Meanwhile, South Africa’s competition watchdog has announced plans to investigate whether digital platforms, including Meta, unfairly compete with news publishers by using their content to generate ad revenue.
Barcelona, Spain – The agent of Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has called on the club to renegotiate the terms of his current contract after the player’s outstanding performances at Euro 2024. A report reveals that the young talent’s recent form has sparked demands for an improved deal.
Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday while on international duty with Spain, was named Euro 2024’s Young Player of the Tournament. His contributions, including four assists, were pivotal in Spain’s journey to securing the trophy. This remarkable achievement has led to calls for a review of his contract to better reflect his rising status and contributions.
According to SPORT, Yamal’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is keen to ensure that the teenage sensation receives a salary commensurate with his performances over the past year. Yamal’s current contract, signed last summer, has two years remaining. At the time, Barcelona was constrained by regulations limiting the contract length and terms for players under 18.
Negotiations last year also resulted in a verbal agreement for a new four-year contract, which would take effect once Yamal turns 18. This future contract promises a substantial increase in salary and bonuses, aligning with Yamal’s value as an emerging star.
Mendes is now focused on formalizing this agreement, pushing Barcelona to bring forward the terms to recognize Yamal’s current form and contributions. The agent’s demands highlight the need for the club to secure Yamal’s long-term commitment and ward off potential interest from other top clubs.
Lamine Yamal’s stellar performances at Euro 2024 have not only earned him accolades but also prompted significant discussions regarding his future at Barcelona. As negotiations progress, the focus will be on ensuring that Yamal’s contract reflects his growing importance to the team and his potential to become a leading figure in European football.
In a joint operation on July 19, 2024, the Ghana Police Service and the Bank of Ghana (BoG) closed Dek-Nock Investments, a company operating in Nungua and Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region. The action was taken in accordance with Section 20(2)(g) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930).
The Bank of Ghana released a statement explaining that Dek-Nock Investments was engaged in unauthorized deposit-taking activities, which is contrary to Section 6(1) of Act 930. This breach of financial regulations prompted the swift action by the authorities.
Considering this development, the Bank of Ghana has advised all customers of Dek-Nock Investments to remain calm while the investigations are ongoing. The central bank has assured the public that all stakeholders will be kept informed about the next steps as the situation unfolds.
This regulatory action underscores the ongoing efforts by Ghanaian authorities to maintain the integrity of the financial sector and protect consumers from unauthorized financial operations. It serves as a reminder for the public to exercise caution and verify the licensing status of financial institutions before engaging in any transactions.
As the investigation progresses, customers of Dek-Nock Investments and the public are advised to stay tuned for further updates from the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Police Service regarding this matter.
International flights departing from Accra, Ghana, have been affected by a global software disruption on Friday, July 19. The issue has impacted Microsoft-based computer systems used by several airlines for their flight operations and scheduling.
United Airlines, one of the affected carriers, issued a statement to its customers in Ghana, explaining that a third-party software outage has impacted computer systems worldwide. The airline announced it is resuming some flights but expects schedule disruptions to continue throughout Friday. United has issued a waiver to facilitate easier travel plan changes for customers through their website or mobile app.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also addressed the situation, alerting travelers that the disruption is beyond the control of airline companies. IATA stated that air transport is among many industries affected by the worldwide IT issues involving Microsoft and Crowdstrike.
As the situation develops, passengers with international flights scheduled from Accra are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on their travel plans.
In a remarkable display of emergency service coordination and compassion, a team of 17 firefighters in San Fernando, Cadiz, southern Spain, successfully extracted a 300-kilogram man from his apartment using a crane. The operation highlights the unique challenges faced by individuals with rare medical conditions and the extraordinary measures sometimes required to provide them with necessary medical care.
Jose Maria Fernandez, the man at the center of this operation, suffers from elephantiasis, a rare condition that causes severe swelling in the body’s tissues. Due to his condition and extreme weight, Fernandez was unable to leave his apartment for hospital treatment without significant assistance.
The extraction process was complex and delicate, requiring careful planning and execution. The team of firefighters had to utilize a crane to safely remove Fernandez from his home, ensuring his comfort and safety throughout the procedure. This unconventional method was necessary due to the limitations of standard emergency evacuation techniques when dealing with patients of extreme weight.
Elephantiasis, the condition affecting Fernandez, is a chronic disease typically caused by parasitic infections or lymphatic system abnormalities. It results in the dramatic enlargement of body parts, most commonly the legs and genitals. The condition not only causes physical discomfort but can also lead to severe mobility issues, as evidenced in this case.
