With breathtaking cauldron lighting, the Olympics opened

With a breathtaking cauldron lighting

The host nation has the chance to dazzle the entire globe with a stunning spectacle at the Olympic opening ceremony. Rather than holding the opening ceremony in a stadium, the organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games chose to have the event within the city. This marked a departure from the typical practice. On a rainy evening, thousands of athletes and entertainers paraded down the Seine River, setting off a magnificent techno-light show that was unprecedented in its ambition. The night sky and the Eiffel Tower were also illuminated. Here are some of the night’s most striking pictures. Reuters/Pawel Kopczyński During the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, the Eiffel Tower is lit up with lights and lasers, and the Olympic sign is displayed in the front with an orchestra. Reuters/Pawel Kopczyński. The Olympic torch was given to former French football player Zinedine Zidane after a three-month journey from Greece to Paris.
Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams then took over the torch. Getty Images/Cameron Spencer When the Olympic Games open at the Place du Trocadero, the torchbearer passes the torch to former French football player Zinedine Zidane. Getty Images/Cameron Spencer. Reuters/Evgenia Novozhenina At the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, torchbearers Carl Lewis, Rafael Nadal of Spain, and Serena Williams are spotted aboard a boat holding the torch on the Seine River. Eugenia. The Olympic torch was wielded by sprinter Marie-Jose Perec and French judo legend Teddy Riner to light a cauldron that powered a massive hot air balloon, setting off a dramatic finale. Then, to announce the beginning of the greatest performance on Earth, the enormous, blazing balloon flew over Paris. Reuters/Marko Đurica This image captures the Jardin des Tuileries’ massive cauldron balloon before its lighting on the day of the inauguration ceremony.

The celebration atmosphere was enhanced by the rain

Every Olympic build-up is marked by apprehensive headlines about potential mishaps. Almost always, they fall short of the mark. Who would have thought that rain would be the most memorable aspect of this historic opening ceremony? Security, the readiness of the river, and the heat all raised worries. However, nobody asked, “What would happen if it permeates practically the whole opening event?'” The Olympic rhythm is that after the first night, all of your worries disappear and the celebrations start. That’s what transpired this evening despite the rainy weather. It was a gathering. And the challenge of the downpours just strengthened the will to enjoy ourselves.

Taking part in the Olympics is the Las Vegas Sphere

Highlights from the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics will be projected onto the exterior of the Sphere, formally known as the Exosphere, in this visually stunning Vegas attraction. NBCUniversal said on Friday that portions of the dramatic event will be televised live between 8 and 11 p.m. on West Coast primetime programming. This partnership is reportedly the first time the sphere has aired for an international occasion. As Team USA and the host nation, France, march down the Seine in the Parade of Nations, history is sure to be created. It is also promised that the Olympic Cauldron’s illumination will be showcased in the Sphere broadcast.

What takes place at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics?

The Parade of Nations, which features thousands of Olympians from 206 nations making their spectacular entrance into the Games, is the high point of the Opening Ceremony. This year they will come by boat on the Seine instead of marching into a stadium. On boats, thousands of athletes will sail the almost four-mile course. The last parts of the Opening Ceremony will take place at the Trocadéro, which is across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. The lighting of the Olympic flame, live performances incorporating the host nation’s culture, and the raising of the flag and singing of the national anthem are among the other activities.

With a breathtaking cauldron lighting
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Torch bearers French Athlete Marie-Jose Perec and French Judo Practitioner Teddy Riner light the Olympic Cauldron at the Gardens of the Tuileries during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Which channel is the opening ceremony of the Olympics on?

Over five thousand hours of live coverage of the Paris Olympics are available on NBC’s networks and digital services. These include Peacock, Telemundo Deportes, Olympic Channel, Golf Channel, USA Network, CNBC, NBC, NBC Sports, and NBCOlympics.com. As part of a full day of Olympic programming, NBC will provide in-depth coverage of the Opening Ceremony, which will be broadcast live across all time zones on the network. The show kicks off at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.

 

Gymnastics schedule for the Olympics: All events, dates, and times in Paris in 2024

Gymnastics schedule for the Olympics

With 206 countries competing in 40 sports, the 2024 Olympic Games have commenced in Paris. Gymnastics, which includes artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline events, is frequently one of the most popular sports at the Olympics. The most well-known type of gymnastics is probably artistic, which includes routines like the parallel bars, vault, and balance beam. Rhythmic gymnastics, on the other hand, consists of individual floor exercises that are similar to dance steps. latest information on the Olympics, including medal results. The Games will feature competition in gymnastics, with men’s artistic gymnastics set to host the first medal competitions on July 29. The start dates for rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline are August 8 and 2, respectively.
This summer, American superstar Simone Biles will resume her full Olympic campaign after withdrawing from the Tokyo Games due to a mental block known as the “twisties.” At the age of 27, she intends to expand her already substantial medal collection. Before withdrawing, she won four gold medals in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and added two more in Tokyo (a silver and a bronze). Biles would just need to place second on the podium in Paris to move up into the top five all-time female Olympic gymnasts.

When is the Olympic opening ceremony scheduled for 2024?

There will be something special about the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. The event on July 26 will mark the first Olympic opening ceremony to take place outside of a stadium, according to the organizers. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the previous Tokyo opening ceremony to take place in a mostly empty stadium. Athletes will navigate the Seine River in boats during the parade in Paris. On Friday, July 26, the flotilla is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. local time, which translates to 1:30 p.m. Eastern and 10:30 a.m. on the West Coast.
According to organizers, 94 boats are expected to follow the nearly four-mile course during the celebration, when athletes will be joined by entertainers and delegations on the Seine. About 10,500 competitors are competing in 206 National Olympic Committees. On June 17, 2024, one boat out of a fleet of fifty-five takes part in a technical navigation practice on the Seine River in preparation for the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony in Paris. There will be about 120 heads of state, royals, and other dignitaries present for the opening ceremony.

When is the Olympic closing ceremony in Paris?

The 2024 Summer Olympics will conclude with a ceremony in the Stade de France on Sunday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Among other things, there will be victory ceremonies, a flag procession, and an athlete parade. In Tokyo, the closing ceremony lasted for almost three hours.

When does gymnastics take place in Paris in 2024?

Events in artistic gymnastics are planned for July 27–August 1 and again from August 3–5. Events in rhythmic gymnastics, a female-only competition, are planned for August 8–10. Different abilities and equipment are tested in artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. The women’s qualifiers and women’s final are the first two events of August 2, which is when all trampoline gymnastics competitions take place. The men’s qualifying round and the men’s final take place on August 2. Gymnastics: Previews for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. On June 26, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at Target Center, Simone Biles practices in preparation for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Gymnastics Trials.
Four main events make up women’s artistic gymnastics, which includes American gymnast Simone Biles among its competitors: beam, vault, uneven bars, and floor exercises. Eight events are offered in men’s artistic gymnastics, spread over six pieces of apparatus: floor exercise, parallel bars, rings, pommel horse, and vault. The male gymnasts’ overall skills will be evaluated in two more events. The Olympic rhythmic gymnastics competition is divided into two categories: individual all-around women and group all-around women. It uses balls, hoops, clubs, and ribbons to demonstrate dexterity, flexibility, and melody.

Southwest Airlines intends to begin allocating seats, departing from a fifty-year custom

Southwest Airlines intends to begin allocating seats

As with all the other major airlines, Southwest Airlines said on Thursday that it will be doing away with its open-boarding policy, which it has employed for almost 50 years, and allocating passengers to seats instead. The airline claimed that in addition to conducting testing and customer surveys, it has been researching seating solutions. Southwest found that, in the modern traveler’s world, most people want to know where they are sitting even before they get to the airport. To load passengers quickly and reduce the amount of time that workers and aircraft sit idle on the ground without earning revenue, Southwest developed a unique boarding procedure. It made the airline run more smoothly and even managed to fit a couple of additional flights into the daily itinerary.
It was one of the reasons Southwest, out of all the American airlines, was consistently profitable up to the coronavirus outbreak. This is how it operates: Customers of Southwest Airlines check in precisely 24 hours before departure to guarantee their seats in boarding lines, as opposed to being given a seat when they purchase a ticket. The first thirty passengers to check in were assigned to the coveted “A” boarding group, which ensured them a window or aisle seat. Dawdlers ended up in either “B,” which was still fine, or “C,” which frequently meant a center seat.

Delta continues to cancel flights following an IT disruption, prompting the USDOT to begin an investigation into the carrier

Elliott Investment Management is putting pressure on Southwest to modify its seating rules. The airline, according to the hedge fund, performs worse financially than its competitors and hasn’t kept up with modern times. It seeks to remove Chairman Gary Kelly and CEO Robert Jordan. All of the big airlines’ stock prices fell ahead of Thursday’s opening bell. American Airlines Group Inc. dropped 7% and Southwest Airlines Co. lost 6%. United, JetBlue, and Delta all declined by more than 1%. Customers’ reactions to the news on Thursday seemed to be divided.
Tawan Bosley stated, “They ought to have done this a long time ago.” “I can check in comfortably and know I have a seat.” While many supporters of Southwest Airlines are cheering the announcement, others are not. “My friend may be summoned ahead of me and be able to reserve my seat. Thus, I prefer first come, first served,” stated Esi Quartey. “I’m also not thrilled about it. It’s among the distinctive features of Southwest, according to Kaycie Wilson. Southwest released a statement saying, “It is evident from the research that 86% of potential customers and 80% of current customers prefer assigned seating. Open seats are offered when a customer decides to switch from Southwest to a competitor.

Southwest Airlines intends to begin allocating seats

It contributed to the fact that, up until the coronavirus pandemic, only Southwest Airlines in the United States was consistently profitable

To guarantee their place in boarding lines, Southwest clients check in precisely 24 hours before departure, as opposed to being given a seat when they purchase a ticket. The first thirty passengers to check in were assigned to the coveted “A” boarding group, which ensured them a window or aisle seat. Dawdlers ended up in either “B,” which was still fine, or “C,” which frequently meant a center seat. Over time, the system became less democratic as Southwest began to allow customers to pay more to secure a position close to the front of the queue. Still, a lot of Southwest aficionados adore open seating. The airline anticipates adapting.
“I anticipate that some patrons will express a desire to continue having open seating. Although it’s a small percentage, we saw the same issue when we moved from plastic boarding permits, Southwest CEO Robert Jordan said to CNBC. When we removed the peanuts from the cabin, we experienced the same effect. I have faith that we can win them over. According to polls conducted by the airline, 86% of “potential” consumers and 80% of its current customers desire allocated seats. According to Jordan, passengers’ main justification for selecting an alternative airline over Southwest was open seating. Along with changing the seating arrangement, Southwest also intends to provide redeye flights for the first time and sell premium seats with greater legroom, following the lead of other major American airlines in this regard.

At Levi’s Stadium, Chelsea prevails in a friendly match against Wrexham, 2-2

Chelsea prevails in a friendly match against Wrexham, 2-2

California’s Santa Clara (AP) At Levi’s Stadium on Wednesday night, Chelsea defeated Wrexham 2-2 in a friendly encounter thanks to a goal from Lesley Ugochukwu in the 82nd minute. From the center of the box, Ugochukwu rolled a shot that went through traffic and into the right corner. In the 72nd minute, Jack Marriot scored on a counterattack to give Wrexham a 2-1 lead. Wrexham, a Welsh soccer team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, also has a goal from Luke Bolton. This year, the squad was promoted to the third division of English soccer. Phil Parkinson, the manager of Wrexham, stated, “It’s important that we show the Wrexham spirit we’ve been known for the last few years.” We occasionally had to delve deeply, and tonight was no exception. We’ve kind of established a reputation for that kind of energy, whether it’s preseason or not. Our performances must depict the wonderful environment and working-class town that we are representing. In Chelsea’s inaugural preseason game and first under new manager Enzo Maresca, former Leicester City manager Christopher Nkunku scored the game’s opening goal. Chelsea is a perennial strength in the Premier League.
“I’m very happy about the performance overall because, considering that we only started two weeks ago, it’s important that we as a staff and general public start to see the team’s identity, and I thought tonight’s performance was pretty good,” Maresca stated.

In the 72nd minute, Jack Marriot scored on a counterattack to give Worcester a 2-1 lead

Wrexham, a Welsh soccer team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, also has a goal from Luke Bolton. This year, the squad was promoted to the third division of English soccer. Phil Parkinson, the manager of Wrexham, stated, “It’s important that we show the Wrexham spirit we’ve been known for the last few years.” We occasionally had to delve deeply, and tonight was no exception. We’ve kind of established a reputation for that kind of energy, whether it’s preseason or not. Our performances must depict the wonderful environment and working-class town that we are representing.
In Chelsea’s inaugural preseason game and first under new manager Enzo Maresca, former Leicester City manager Christopher Nkunku scored the game’s opening goal. Chelsea is a perennial strength in the Premier League. “I’m very happy about the performance overall because, considering that we only started two weeks ago, it’s important that we as a staff and general public start to see the team’s identity, and I thought tonight’s performance was pretty good,” Maresca stated. After a corner kick and with help from Marc Guiu, Nkunku scored in the 35th minute from the center of the box, sending the ball past goalie Arthur Okonkwo into the left corner of the net. When Sebastian Revan connected with Bolton on a crossing pass, Bolton scored from the right flank to equalize the score for Wrexham in the 58th minute. In the 29th minute, James McLean attempted a breakaway shot, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez stopped it.

We must exhibit the Wrexham spirit for which we’ve become renowned in recent years

We occasionally had to delve deeply, and tonight was no exception. We’ve kind of established a reputation for that kind of energy, whether it’s preseason or not. Our performances must depict the wonderful environment and working-class town that we are representing. In Chelsea’s inaugural preseason game and first under new manager Enzo Maresca, former Leicester City manager Christopher Nkunku scored the game’s opening goal. Chelsea is a perennial strength in the Premier League.
“I think tonight was pretty good, and I’m very happy about the performance overall because, considering that we only started two weeks ago, it’s important that, as staff and in general, people can start to see the identity of the team,” Maresca stated. In the 35th minute, following a corner kick and with assistance from Marc Guiu, Nkunku blasted a shot from the middle of the box into the left corner of the net, beating goalie Arthur Okonkwo. Bolton scored from the right wing for Wrexham in the 58th minute, assisted by Sebastian Revan, who found Bolton through a crossing pass. In the 29th minute, James McLean attempted a breakaway shot, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez stopped it. Last season, Chelsea defeated Wrexham 5-0 in a friendly.

Chelsea prevails in a friendly match against Wrexham, 2-2

Jack Marriot’s goal on a quick counterattack in the 72nd minute gave Worcester a 2-1 lead

Luke Bolton scored a goal for Wrexham, a Welsh team that Ryan Reynolds, an actor, owns. The team was just promoted to English soccer’s third division. The 35th minute saw Chelsea take the lead. Following a corner kick, Christopher Nkunku scored with help from Marc Guiu, shooting from the center of the box into the left corner. Chelsea played their first preseason game and made their managerial debut under new boss Enzo Maresca, formerly of Leicester City. In the 58th minute, Sebastian Revan’s well-timed crossing pass to Bolton on the right side gave Wrexham a point. James McLean attempted a breakaway, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made a critical save in the 29th minute. The game was different from their previous meeting from the previous season when Chelsea defeated Wrexham 5-0.

The Age-Old Trope of “Childless Cat Ladies” and JD Vance

The Age-Old Trope of "Childless Cat Ladies"

The internet revived a 2021 Tucker Carlson interview with JD Vance last week, to much negative attention, in which the current Republican vice presidential contender identified the illness plaguing America. According to Mr. Vance, the issue was that the nation was effectively ruled “by our corporate oligarchs, via the Democrats, by a bunch of childless cat ladies.” Despite having two stepchildren, Vice President Kamala Harris was included in the list of those named. Mr. Vance believed that additional “cat ladies” and associated malcontents “live in one-bedroom apartments in New York City,” while Ms. Harris resides on the grounds of the US Naval Observatory. “They have an obsession with what they do. They have no “direct stake” in the future of the country, are fixated on their wealth and fortunes, and “hate normal Americans for choosing family over these ridiculous D.C. and New York status games.”
In actuality, when it comes to some of these choices, the “normal Americans” he extols are not all that far from the urban feminist class. For several years, fertility rates have been dropping nationwide; in West Virginia and Montana, they are about as low as they are in New York and Connecticut. But Mr. Vance said it was the “miserable cat lady” who should have stopped dumping her sorrow “on the rest of the country,” presumably drowning in her billable hours and coming home to an uninterested American bobtail and a fridge full of Spindrift. The framing relied on a centuries-old cliche, putting aside the novelty of wealthy, power-hungry, overachievers living in one-bedroom apartments: the idea that female liberty is both a hazardous civic unraveling and a form of self-regarding blindness. Childless women are a concern. More than that, women who consciously choose to choose pets over children are unstable. However, why and when were cats involved, drawn in to support our sexist cultural criticisms and strangely overused as a representation of unbridled social authority and female despair and loneliness?

Both parties have expressed displeasure over Mr. Vance’s statements

“I’ve been following JD Vance’s development over the past few years and was disgusted by the remark both then and now,” stated Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration official and Republican strategist who currently co-hosts “The View.” But a lot of the women in my life—left, right, and center—are only now realizing this and are repulsed by it. It is disrespectful to imply that women who are childless are less valuable in society. Conservative commentator Meghan McCain, who is the daughter of Senator John McCain, stated on social media that Mr. Vance’s remarks would hurt people who don’t want their reproductive status discussed or evaluated at all or who have to undergo fertility treatments to start a family.
She remarked, “I’ve been trying to warn every conservative man I know.” “Women on all sides are becoming more active as a result of these JD remarks, including my most conservative friends who support Trump. These remarks are fundamentally anti-Christian and have hurt many. We are not like this.

“There is nothing intrinsically wrong with women or cats”

There are some meanings associated with the insult “cat lady” in particular. “You are physically unattractive, or a workaholic, which makes you a deviant person; no wonder you have a pet cat because that’s the only one who loves you,” Tanenbaum states. Tell that to all the Swift fans who purchased tickets for her ground-breaking Eras tour and started responding to Vance’s remarks on social media. “I’ve enjoyed the memes that people have been responding with. Fatima Goss Graves, head of the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, adds, “It seems to me that people involved in this campaign are feeling a lot of joy and promise.” They’re letting the cruelty of those sorts of remarks roll off and responding with a lot of joy, reminding people that there’s nothing wrong with cats and there’s nothing wrong with women.”
Still, it’s serious business for young children. “These types of messages tell young girls to limit their aspirations to only being a wife and a mother,” Carr explains. “For females who desire other types of success, these messages communicate that, ‘despite your achievements and sacrifices for your career, none of that matters because you are not a mother.'”

The Age-Old Trope of "Childless Cat Ladies"

“How can you be ‘childless’ when you have cutie pie kids like Cole and me?”

Supporters of Harris were eager to point out that all US presidents have been men, and none of them had ever given birth physically. A few have also never given birth to any children. The most notable of them was George Washington, the nation’s first president, who, like Harris, assisted in raising the children of his ex-spouse. The late Republican senator John McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain, issued a warning, saying that Vance’s remarks “are activating women across all sides, including my most conservative Trump-supporting friends.” The attention on politicians’ kids coincides with the election’s emphasis on reproductive health and access to abortion, issues that Harris has long supported.
“Political figures ought to have kids. Venture entrepreneur and former congressional candidate Blake Masters, who had Trump’s endorsement, commented on X, “It is appropriate that they get married.” “If you aren’t running or can’t run a household of your own, how can you relate to a constituency of families or govern wisely concerning future generations?” he replied. Vance even went so far as to propose that parents ought to have increased voting rights in a speech from 2021. According to remarks he provided to the Washington Post, “if you don’t have as much of an investment in the future of this country, maybe you shouldn’t get nearly the same voice when you go to the polls as a parent in this country; you should have more power.” Since then, Vance’s campaign has called the remarks a “thought experiment.”

2024 NFL training camp: Each player’s team adds them to PUP and NFI lists

NFL

Not every NFL player is quite ready to go full steam ahead when training camps get underway. Some athletes have not yet received clearance to return to practices, are still healing from surgery or injuries, or are simply not well enough. The player’s team will typically place him on the non-football injury (NFI) list or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list in those situations. Players placed on the PUP list during training camp are said to be counted toward a team’s 90-man roster by the NFL. During camp, players can take themselves off the list at any moment, but they cannot be added back. Similar to the PUP list, the NFI list is for players who have had illnesses or injuries that they did not sustain while participating in NFL activities. This is a non-exhaustive list of players whose teams have placed them on the PUP or NFI lists so they can start camp.
Of all the designations, this is the most well-known, and it’s a little mispronounced. Since injured is a subcategory of injured and reserved is the categorization of importance, in this case, the formal designation is Reserve/Injured. A player designated as reserve is permitted to play during the regular season and indicates that they are a member of the team but does not count toward the roster cap. We’ll talk about other reserve categories later, but those need to be designated first. A club may designate a player as reserve or injured at any moment, which enables them to substitute another player while still counting both players’ salaries toward the team’s pay cap. Previously, a player’s season ended when they were placed on injured reserve (IR). However, in recent years, the NFL has permitted teams to designate IR players to return to action. Players will have to miss four games minimum starting in 2022. A player may be designated to return from injured reserve twice in a season, and teams may designate up to eight different players for this purpose.

Diggs of the Cowboys suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of the 2023 season

This does not imply that Diggs is running late or won’t be able to make it to training camp. It just indicates that he hasn’t received the all-clear from his doctor to resume his full practice schedule. This clearance may be granted after the athlete completes a few exercises later in camp, or—ideally—not until the regular season. The term “active” denotes that the player is being counted against the roster, which consists of 90 players in the offseason. This is the reason it’s a crucial distinction. In the offseason, there is no need for a reserve list.
Although the team can now designate two players to return from injured reserve to begin the season, the football gods do not allow for such restrictions on injuries. A player may be placed on reserve/PUP to begin the season if they miss the entirety of training camp. As a result, the athlete can take a minimum of four weeks off (compared to six weeks before 2022) before being activated as soon as they’re well. To be placed on reserve/PUP, a player must have started training camp as an active/PUP. That is the sole need. The IR designation would be their sole choice if they practiced in camp at all.

Following off-season surgery on his core muscles, Kittle says he feels prepared for camp to begin

The seasoned tight end disclosed in May that he underwent surgery shortly after the 49ers’ Super Bowl LVIII run, having struggled with a core muscle problem throughout the second half of the season. Even though Kittle had a season deserving of being named to the First Team All-Pro, playing with an injury in 2023 didn’t necessarily slow him down. He spent a significant amount of the offseason healing. After surgery, Kittle revealed that he dropped as low as 214 pounds, and he is now back to his typical playing weight just in time for football season.
“I usually play the whole season around 242 to 245 pounds, and I got back up to 243 this past week, so the weight is all back,” Kittle stated. “I couldn’t train the way I usually do, so it was sort of an unusual offseason. Although I had to recover a lot, I was able to regain my desired rhythm via OTAs in June and July, and I feel ready to begin training camp.”

In 2023, three Dallas Cowboys starting offensive linemen placed third in terms of pressure percentage allowed

The player the Cowboys intend to replace Smith with is 2024 first-round selection Tyler Guyton. It’s unclear at this point if that occurs on Day 1 or not, but one thing is certain: whoever takes over at LT will have some very large shoes to fill. Not a fantastic solution to the LT issue, either, is Chuma Edoga, a player many anticipate to be the fallback option if Guyton isn’t up to par. Throughout his five-year career, the veteran has had difficulty with pass protection; in 251 pass-blocking situations, he has allowed three sacks, 16 pressures, and three penalties most recently.
Guyton, himself, is an exceptionally undeveloped first-round pick. Although he is athletically gifted, he needs more time to mature before he can be trusted in the same manner as Smith was. A stepback is anticipated at left guard unless Tyler Smith, the projected starting left guard, mysteriously goes to tackle.

The Chief of the Secret Service mentioned a “zero-fail mission.” After the Trump rally, she is receiving resignation calls

The Chief of the Secret Service mentioned a "zero-fail mission
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testifies before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a campaign event in Pennsylvania, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Upon revealing the Secret Service’s methods for protecting the president of the United States and other dignitaries, Kimberly promised to educate aspiring agents about the “amazing responsibility” that comes with their work. Cheatle, who is currently the agency’s head, stated in 2021 on the Secret Service podcast “Standing Post” that “this agency and the Secret Service have a zero-fail mission.” “They must wear their game face and arrive every day prepared and ready.” Following an attempted assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, which resulted in damage to his ear, the Secret Service and its director are currently facing severe scrutiny on that “zero fail” mission. Politicians from all sides of the aisle are wondering how a gunman could have gotten so near to the Republican presidential nominee, who was meant to be being watched.
The agency’s admission late on Saturday that it had turned down some of the Trump campaign’s requests for more protection at his events—after first denying that it had—adds to the scrutiny surrounding this. After several inquiries by congressional committees and the Biden administration, Cheatle told ABC News that the shooting was “unacceptable” and that she would appear before legislators on Monday. In response to the question of who is ultimately most accountable, she stated that the previous president is ultimately protected by the Secret Service. Cheatle declared, “The buck stops with me.” “I am the Secret Service’s director.” She stated that the administration is currently in support of her and that she has no plans to step down. In August 2022, Democratic President Joe Biden chose Cheatle to oversee an agency beset by scandals. She endeavored to promote diverse recruiting practices, particularly about women’s representation in the traditionally male-dominated service. Cheatle, the second female head of the Secret Service, rose through the ranks for 27 years before departing in 2021 to take a position at PepsiCo as a security executive. Biden retrieved her.

Cheatle declared, “The responsibility lies with me.” “I am the Secret Service’s director”

In August 2022, Democratic President Joe Biden chose Cheatle to oversee an agency beset by scandals. She endeavored to promote diverse recruiting practices, particularly about women’s representation in the traditionally male-dominated service. Cheatle, the second female head of the Secret Service, rose through the ranks for 27 years before departing in 2021 to take a position at PepsiCo as a security executive. Biden retrieved her. Her greatest task to date is determining what went wrong with the agency’s primary duty of protecting presidents and whether she can continue to have the support necessary to make the necessary adjustments to the job itself.
Signs of problems on the day of the attempted assassination are still being worked out, including the actions taken by the Secret Service and local law enforcement to secure a structure that the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, climbed within approximately 147 yards (135 meters) of Trump’s speech. Corey Comperatore, the rally’s former fire chief, was slain, and two other people were hurt. One independent examination of the rally’s security has been directed by the Biden administration. As calls for Cheatle’s resignation grow, the inspector general of the Homeland Security Department has begun three investigations, and other congressional committees have opened probes as well. She was trailed this past week by two Republican senators who were demanding answers as she made her way through the Republican National Convention. On the social networking platform X, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, wrote, “The nation deserves answers and accountability.” “A significant step in that direction would be new leadership at the Secret Service.”

In August 2022, Democratic President Joe Biden appointed Cheatle to lead an agency plagued by scandals

Cheatle, the second female head of the Secret Service, rose through the ranks for 27 years before departing in 2021 to take a position at PepsiCo as a security executive. Biden retrieved her. Her greatest task to date is determining what went wrong with the agency’s primary duty of protecting presidents and whether she can continue to have the support necessary to make the necessary adjustments to the job itself. Signs of trouble on the day of the attempted assassination are still being worked out, including the actions taken by the Secret Service and local law enforcement to secure a structure that the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, climbed to within about 147 yards of Trump’s speech. Corey Comperatore, the rally’s former fire chief, was slain, and two other people were hurt.
One independent examination of the rally’s security has been directed by the Biden administration. As calls for Cheatle’s resignation grow, the inspector general of the Homeland Security Department has begun three investigations, and other congressional committees have opened probes as well. She was trailed this past week by two Republican senators who were demanding answers as she made her way through the Republican National Convention. On the social networking platform X, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, wrote, “The nation deserves answers and accountability.” “A significant step in that direction would be new leadership at the Secret Service.”

“A significant step in that direction would be new leadership at the Secret Service”

Noting Comperatore’s passing and stating that “we… were millimeters away from losing President Trump,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated on X that Biden had to fire Cheatle right away. It is unacceptable. In a statement released on Saturday, Representative Brendan Boyle, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, stated that “the evidence coming to light has shown unacceptable operational failures” and that, should Cheatle continue in her position, he would have no faith in her leadership. Cheatle was subpoenaed by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee to appear on Monday, and she is anticipated to do so. Acting Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo stated that the agency has “utmost confidence” in Cheatle.
Rep. James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky who chairs the committee, stated, “The American people have a lot of questions, and they deserve answers.” And tomorrow’s hearing will be the start of that process to provide the American people with an explanation for what went wrong with an organization tasked with being fail-proof. He stated on “Fox News Sunday” that Cheatle might anticipate a hearing lasting roughly six hours during which she will be asked, “hundreds of questions, and the American people will be watching.” Following the shooting, Cheatle came under heavy fire, and questions about whether she had lowered recruiting standards were raised for both her and the female Secret Service agents who had been protecting Trump. Advocators are certain that hasn’t occurred.

Why Olympic Athletes in Paris 2024 Are Sleeping on Cardboard Beds

Olympic

(Nation of News)— Athletes’ cardboard-framed beds from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics made news years ago, and stories were circulating at the time as to why the beds were used. Following the viral tweet from 2016 Olympic medalist Paul Chelimo stating that the mattresses were “aimed at avoiding intimacy among athletes,” others began to refer to them as “anti-sex beds.” Officials at the Olympics refuted this, saying that the cardboard frames were necessary for sustainability. The business that created the mattresses, Airweave, claimed that they were made of polyethylene fibers that could be melted down and used for other purposes instead of cardboard. Airweave will once again provide the Athletes’ Village, which will accommodate thousands of Olympians and sports officials throughout the games, for the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris this year. According to Airweave, they will have 16,000 beds.
“We are aware that this story has been extensively covered by the media since Tokyo 2020,” Olympic organizers said in a statement to Reuters. However, the selection of these beds for the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Paris 2024 is mostly related to a broader goal to guarantee a reduced environmental impact and a second life for every piece of equipment used during the brief Games. The cardboard bed frames, according to Airweave CEO Motokuni Takaoka, will be manufactured in France and given to institutions including the TSUJI Culinary Institute Group, the army, the Paris Opera Ballet School, Emmaüs, and Ecole Hôtelière TSUJI. “With our social good bedding, we pledge to contribute to the Paris 2024 sustainability goals,” Takaoka declared. Although some people may find the concept of cardboard bed frames uncomfortable, Airweave claims that their mattresses—which come in three firmness levels—allow athletes to customize their sleeping environment. The company’s website states that customers with “different body shapes and potential physical ailments” can also personalize their beds.

“When it’s time to turn over when you’re sleeping at night on memory foam,

In theory, this might help athletes fall asleep more quickly because of the way the plastic strands cling to one another. It is also intended to assist in lowering body temperature. But comfort seems to be more important to athletes than the technology in their mattresses. Even on the softest side, the mattress was “rock hard,” according to Australian water polo star Tilly Kearns in a TikTok video. She is not alone in having these feelings. Track and field athlete Nick Mayhugh, who placed third in the Tokyo Paralympics and took home three gold medals, wasn’t a big fan in 2021, but he’s taking things personally this year. “Knowing that Paris is going to have the cardboard beds again—the ‘anti-sex’ beds, which is not what they are for—they are very uncomfortable,” he stated to CBS Sports. Therefore, to be more comfortable than I was in Tokyo, I believe I will get a mattress topper from Amazon and have it transported there. However, perhaps I should sleep in discomfort. Perhaps that explains my four medals.” Though Chari Hawkins’ Olympic debut is in the heptathlon, she also intends to shop since she’s had enough of the mattresses.
“As soon as I get to Paris, I am going on a hunt to find a nice pillow and comforter,” she stated. “I saw the beds in the Olympic Village, and I want to make sure that I can have a great night’s sleep.” A lot of other selections have been made with sustainability in mind, including the beds. Additionally, France is not providing air conditioning at the Olympic Village. However, competitors from the US and a few other nations will have access to portable air conditioning. The organizers of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris established a target to achieve carbon neutrality by halving the greenhouse gas emissions from the previous Summer Games and offsetting any remaining emissions. All of this is consistent with the Paris Agreement, which sets the lofty target of eliminating local emissions by the year 2050.

That theory didn’t appear to hold water, though

Tokyo’s Olympic beds are composed of cardboard that has been recycled. American fencer Katherine Holmes told Business Insider’s Barnaby Lane that it’s usual for accommodations at international competitions, such as the Olympics, to be less than ideal. “I’ve participated in several gaming events. I attended two Pan American Games and two World University Games, and I was in Rio. There’s never a comfy bed. It’s okay, you know; I don’t wake up in the middle of the night wailing in pain. Although it’s not the most comfy bed I’ve ever slept on, it works. The fact that they are constructed of cardboard is kind of humorous. They’re not too weak.
You can bounce off of them. It’s kind of dumb because we would have gotten into trouble if it had broken, but we bounced on it, and it held up just fine.” According to a Paris Games spokeswoman, the mattresses have been “rigorously tested” in May to guarantee that athletes of all shapes and sizes may fit inside them. When the Olympics are over, the bed frames are recycled, and the mattresses and pillows are given to different charities and educational institutions. The Olympic Village, which is dispersed over three cities, will host the athletes. The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Games is scheduled for July 26, and it will conclude on August 11.

The USA defeats Germany 92-88 to complete their pre-Olympic exhibition trip

pre-Olympic

In their penultimate practice before the Paris Games begin later this week, the four-time defending Olympic gold medalists held off World Cup champion Germany 92-88 in London on Monday night. James scored the final 11 points for the Americans down the line. James, who was named earlier in the day as the American team’s male flagbearer for Friday night’s opening ceremony down the Seine River (the female flagbearer will be unveiled on Tuesday), performed admirably down the stretch, just as he did over the weekend when his layup with eight seconds remaining gave the Americans a 101-100 victory over South Sudan, a newcomer. For the United States, James finished with 20 points, Joel Embiid with 15, Stephen Curry with 13, and Anthony Edwards with 11. For us, it was a useful test. And I’m happy that, as we did against South Sudan the other day, we were able to maintain our poise and persist once more,” James remarked. “We had a good victory there.” Franz Wagner scored 18 points to lead Germany. Dennis Schroder finished with 13 points and 10 assists, while Andreas Obst, the hero of Germany’s victory over the United States in the World Cup semifinals the previous year, finished with 14. Moritz Wagner scored 12 points, and Daniel Theis added 13 for Germany.
The Americans concluded their exhibition schedule with a perfect 5-0 record, although only one match proved to be an absolute breeze. That was against Serbia, whom the United States will play in their first Olympic game of the summer on Sunday. Canada occasionally caused problems for the United States, Australia rallied to make the game exciting in the end, South Sudan came dangerously close to pulling off an upset as a 43.5-point underdog, and with 4 minutes remaining on Monday, the Germans led the United States. James’ turn came next. In the last 3:57, he outscored Germany 11-6 on his own. Now, Paris is in wait. This weekend is when the real games begin. Curry remarked, “We’ve experienced everything.” ” Now, it’s only a matter of turning up next week when the lights are shining. I believe we’re prepared. I believe we are ready. We must now put on a show.

After 14 turnovers and some careless play, Team USA turned things around in the fourth quarter

Devin Booker worked both ends of the court to block a jumper and then make an absurd layup to give the United States a three-point lead after Stephen Curry tied the game at 75. With just over four minutes remaining, the Germans, who had defeated Team USA in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup quarterfinals, were leading 82-81. James took over at that point, winning the game with a dunk and then converting a 3-pointer with 1:25 remaining. James would keep winning the rebounding battle, and his offensive play at the low post gave Team USA a late lead. Germany was led by Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner, who finished with eighteen points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Moritz, his Magic teammate and brother, scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. The victory on Monday came two days after Team USA defeated South Sudan 101-100 thanks to a layup by James with eight seconds remaining. Their pre-Olympic tour started with victories over Australia, Canada, and Serbia. Next up for Team USA’s Olympic preparations is a trip to Paris. They will start the competition against Serbia on Sunday and play their remaining group-round matches against South Sudan on July 31 and Puerto Rico on August 3. The American men are aiming for their eighth gold medal in the previous nine Olympics and their fifth in a row.

Summary: More is still required, at both ends of the floor, over a longer period

“I think he might be one of the most overrated players in the NBA,” Dan Favale stated during an appearance on the “Hardwood Knocks” podcast hosted by Bleacher Report. And it’s not meant as a slight. However, we are discussing him as though he nearly has this non-star worth akin to Mikal Bridges. With him, I see the vision. However, I don’t currently trust the jumper. Unless he’s in space, I don’t think he can create his shot. Additionally, the defense seems a little disorganized.
“Part of it is, it’s a glamor franchise; he’s the best version of a hot prospect that they have, and so everybody is aware of him,” Grant Hughes said. “The highlights also have that effect. A+ athletes are our favorites. Furthermore, it makes it more difficult to rationalize [how he] frequently fails to appear in the appropriate defensive positions. He doesn’t get back up. I don’t believe it’s a bad thing to remark that he’s a little overrated. But I still believe that he still has absurdly great potential.” “To what end Golden State’s responsibility for Kuminga’s enduring limitations is debatable,” Favale stated. “Until the previous season, he lacked a role that could be considered consistent. And without a doubt, the production value per minute pops off the page. However, it’s absurd to think of him as cornerstone material from both the Warriors organization’s inside and outside. Maybe one day he’ll make it there. I’m hoping he does. But he’s not quite there yet.” The four players following Kuminga are Jalen Green of Houston (No. 2), Miles Bridges of Charlotte (No. 3), and Ja.

The USA defeats Germany 92-88 to

LeBron James is beginning to resemble “him”

Ever since professional men’s basketball at the Olympics began, there has been a standout player on the roster: Kevin Durant in 2021, Kobe Bryant on the Redeem Team, Charles Barkley on the Dream Team, etc. Watching the dynamics and how great players give way to one in particular is intriguing. And James and this crew are experiencing that at the moment. “It’s quite remarkable,” Kerr remarked. His level of effort and focus on each drill is astounding. He speaks, even at a walk-through volume, shouting out a play, the plan, and setting an example for others to follow. It’s amazing. Although I’ve known it, it’s still unique to witness it up close.
James is a player who is once again defying age and plans to approach the Olympics with an NBA Finals-like commitment, as evidenced by his preparation and attacking mentality during the warm-up games. It was on purpose that the last play against South Sudan, which was meant to spare Team USA from humiliation, was written for him. “LeBron took the lead when we had struggles,” Jr. Holiday remarked. James was respected by his peers universally, and now that he is 39 years old, even more so. Not only will the world witness that on the court, but it will also be on Friday when he represents Team USA as their male flagbearer.

The Olympic torch to be carried by Snoop Dogg before the opening ceremony

The Olympic torch to be carried by Snoop Dogg

According to Paris Mayor Mathieu Hanotin, the 52-year-old rapper will carry the Olympic flame through the Saint-Denis area on Friday. Snoop Dogg has added torchbearer to his list of 2024 Summer Olympics responsibilities. The 52-year-old rapper is scheduled to carry the Olympic flame through the Saint-Denis area of Paris on Friday, as revealed by Mayor Mathieu Hanotin. The last location before the Eiffel Tower is Saint-Denis. An international cast, including @SnoopDogg, for the Olympic flame’s final journey,” Hanotin posted on Tuesday on X (Twitter). Snoop expressed his joy on Instagram by sharing a screenshot of a notice for a Rolling Stone piece along with the message, “You have to do it! Are you going to be watching? @nbcsports, @nbcolympics, #FollowTheDogg, and the Paris Olympics. Snoop Dogg, USA Team, Summer Olympics in Paris, 2024 thegrio.com
NBC News reports that Snoop will be joined by MC Solaar, a French rapper, and actress Laetitia Casta, among others. As per NBC, the rapper is scheduled to commemorate “the 67th leg of the flame’s journey,” which commenced in April “at the site of ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Games.” According to the International Olympic Committee, carrying a torch represents “peace and friendship among nations since antiquity.” This year, Snoop will be very much present at the Olympics in Paris. The “What’s My Name?” rapper will not only carry the torch during the Games but will also act as a special NBC Olympics correspondent. According to NBC, he will attend competitions, meet athletes and their friends and families, and take in the sights of the city.

It didn’t take the audience very long to get up from their seats either

It was none other than “King James” who opened the scoring, and he did it traditionally. During a fast break, the four-time MVP got up to electrify the fans with a massive dunk. Not only did the spectators witness another James dunk moments later, but the highlight reel plays continued. The Boston Celtics player Jrue Holiday passed the ball to the Los Angeles Lakers star, who slammed an alley-oop, causing the audience to erupt once more. After the first quarter, the US-led 29-19, and it seemed like there was only one direction this game could go.
Germany attempted to respond in the second, but Team USA finished the quarter on a high note. When James forcefully stopped a Dennis Schröder layup before Steph Curry made a three-pointer at the other end, the audience went crazy once more. This was a moment that basketball fans had only ever dreamed about. At that point, the new American youngsters on the block decided to come along. As the half was coming to an end, newly acquired Team USA player Joel Embiid made a massive block, and then rookie Olympian Anthony Edwards quickly ran down the floor. Then, “Ant-Man” leaped into the air and crashed it home. With a 48-41 advantage, the four-time defending Olympic gold medalists were in the lead going into the half.

The Olympic torch to be carried by Snoop Dogg

An alarm in the second half

Germany was determined to change the course of the match after the half, and they did so with an outstanding third quarter that put the Europeans ahead. There was a cauldron-like atmosphere inside the arena as German fans, who were rejuvenated after the half, celebrated every basket, rebound, and effort from the squad in red. Germany led the USA 71-68 going into the fourth quarter after outscoring them 30-20 in the third. James, though, came through in the clutch, as he has done throughout his career. In the leadup to Paris, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to lead his team to victory and extend their winning streak.
James put on another outstanding effort as the Los Angeles Lakers star scored a game-high 20 points, pulled down six rebounds, and disheveled four assists. After the game, Germany’s head coach Gordon Herbert told reporters, “Somebody named LeBron James made some pretty good plays at the end.” Although the US prevailed, James pointed out that the squad had made progress that evening. After the game, the Lakers star told reporters, “We got better tonight, and that’s most important.” ” It was a terrific test for us because we faced off against a fantastic German team that won the global title the previous year. “I’m happy that we were able to maintain our calm and persevere, just like we did against South Sudan the other day. We had a good victory.

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