In an exclusive revelation, Carly Simon provides a heartfelt glimpse into the effects her divorce from James Taylor had on their children, Sally and Ben, through an emotional new track, as reported by Page Six.

Titled “Comes in Waves,” Simon’s eagerly anticipated new album, which releases this Friday, includes “Mother of Pearl” as its fifth track, offering deep insights through its lyrics.

Simon poignantly sings, “I can see you at 7, a child of divorce. How can it be that we gave you no choice? / It was your job and Ben’s to drown out all the noise,” touching on the childhood challenges her children faced.

She further acknowledges her daughter Sally’s remarkable resilience during those challenging times.

In her lyrics, Simon praises her daughter, singing, “But my girl, oh my girl. / Even then you were shining, you were my mother of pearl.”

The song begins with Simon calling out her daughter by name. (She was born Sarah Maria Taylor, but goes by the nickname Sally.

“Sally, oh, Sarah, another song with your name,” she sings. “You’ve gone around the roses, a mustang became. / A boat in the harbor that’s called Sally Mae. / And oh girl, my girl, to me you’re my goddess, you’re my mother of pearl.”

Simon sweetly describes Sally’s Capricorn tendencies, calling her “stubborn” and “not sure when to care.”

“But when I been flat on my back, you’re still there,” she sings. “And oh girl, oh my girl, to me, you’re my best friend, my mother of pearl.”

The “You’re So Vain” singer married Taylor in 1972, but the pair divorced in 1983 amid his addiction issues and infidelity on both sides. They welcomed Sally, 52, and Ben, 49, in 1974 and 1977, respectively.

In the new album’s second track, “Maybe I Never Loved You,” Simon seemingly takes a brutal swipe at her estranged ex-husband, though she never mentions him by name.

“Maybe I never loved you / But anyway, I thought I did,” Simon sings in the song. “I married you, we had a kid / That counts for something.”

“Maybe I never loved you / Yes, and maybe I did,” she adds. “And maybe you never loved me / Although God knows, you said you did.”

The tune ends with Simon voicing her desire to make amends with Taylor and continues to question whether there was love between them.

“And maybe it’s best to bury whatever it was we had our fill of,” she sings. “Maybe I never loved you / Maybe I always will.”

The Grammy-winning artist previously shared that she still loves James despite not being on speaking terms.

“I still want to heal him, I still want to make him all right,” she told People in 2015. “And I love him so much.”

Simon also admitted that she did not know why Taylor would not speak with her.

That same year, the singer-songwriter wrote a tell-all memoir, “Boys in the Trees,” in which she described their marriage as “far from the idyllic one that the general public reads about.”

Simon has since moved on with longtime partner Richard Koehler. She was also married to James Hart from 1987 to 2007.

Outside of her long-term relationships, she was linked to several famous men, including Jack Nicholson, Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens and Warren Beatty — the latter of whom is the subject of her brutal 1972 hit, “You’re So Vain.”

Simon’s new album — her first collection of original songs in 18 years — features 12 powerful songs, which she wrote and recorded from her home in Martha’s Vineyard in collaboration with her two children.

The musician revealed last month that she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and skin cancer.

“Working on the music gave shape to days that did not always have much shape,” she wrote in a statement in July, referring to her new album. “It gave me somewhere to go without having to leave the room. It reminded me that illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life.”

“Comes in Waves” releases this Friday.

DiJonai Carrington, a standout player for the Chicago Sky, finds herself embroiled in controversy yet again following an incident where she had a fan removed from the arena during a recent game. Her grievance, however, was later deemed unfounded.

The incident took place during the final quarter of a matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday. Carrington approached the officials, raising concerns about the conduct of a fan in the courtside seats.

Following her complaint, security escorted the fan from their seat, only for them to return to the game shortly afterward.

‘The fan was cooperative after a complaint that was unfounded,’ a Valkyries spokesperson shared with ClutchPoints.

A statement from the Chicago Sky to ClutchPoints confirmed the fan received a warning but declined to provide further details on the matter.

Officials chatted to Sky head coach Tyler Marsh before Carrington spoke with referees and a Chicago staff member, likely to tell them what the fan said.

That same Chicago staffer spoke briefly to the fan, who was later seen laughing on camera with the woman sitting beside him. 

‘So, there is a stoppage right now as Chicago’s team security has stepped out along with arena security representatives,’ a commentator on the USA Network broadcast said. ‘Carrington went over to one of the officials, as you see Sarah Williams there, to say something.’

The co-commentator on the broadcast said, ‘I don’t know what was or wasn’t said. I will say respect for the players is something, especially right now, that is being taken very seriously from everybody around the league, as it should be.’

Play resumed as security escorted the fan away from his seat. Eventually, he was seen back in his spot.

Carrington finished the game with just three points and three rebounds in 24 minutes of a 91-71 loss.

Also during the game, Carrington came under fire from fans after she committed more brutal fouls just days after her vicious collision with Sophie Cunningham.

Carrington was first seen appearing to poke Cecilia Zandalasini in the eye as she tried to block a pass.

It was a move eerily similar to the one Carrington pulled on Caitlin Clark in 2024 that left the Indiana Fever star with a black eye.

But then, moments later, Tiffany Hayes was driving to the basket and Carrington had her arms in the air.

But as Hayes dribbled past her, Carrington lowered her right arm straight into the face of her oncoming opponent. She was nowhere near the ball and her arm caught Hayes straight in the face.

The Sky guard recently sparked a firestorm after her ejection due to a hard foul on Indiana Fever guard Cunningham last Saturday. After she got tossed, Carrington posted to her Threads account and simply said: ‘WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever.’

It’s not clear what Carrington was referring to, especially after she responded to a clip from the ‘Speakeasy’ podcast with former NFL player Emmanuel Acho saying she ‘never once claimed that the assessment of the foul was white privilege.’

She added, ‘I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it.’ 

Carrington claimed her vicious foul on Cunningham was ‘unfortunate’ and ‘never intentional’ when she returned to the court Monday night.

Speaking after she scored a career-high 26 points in the 97-88 loss to Seattle, Carrington said of the foul: ‘It was unfortunate that I made contact with her in the way that I did, but it was never intentional.

‘And, look, it might happen again. That’s just how I play. I’m gonna always go all out.

‘I’m not gonna just let an open layup happen. But like I said, I’m never intending to hurt anybody, regardless of the outside noise or whatever the situation may be.’

When asked whether Cunningham should have been penalized for her angry reaction to the foul, Carrington continued: ‘I would just love consistency across the board when it comes to things like that.

‘Whether it’s the foul that I commit, whether it’s the reaction or retaliation, I would just love for it to be consistent across the board, regardless of the name on your jersey or your skin color or the score of the game, whatever.

‘I don’t think we’re there yet. That’s something that I’ve talked to the league about, as well. I think that will eliminate a lot of frustrations we all have.’

The Fever and the Sky will play again on August 23.

Authorities report a fatal conclusion to a standoff in Oakland when an armed man disregarded multiple directives to discard his weapons and rushed at the police officers.

Caught on intense footage were the moments before the demise of 43-year-old Jose Angel Castillo. The authorities say Castillo brandished two impromptu spears when first confronted by officers near a homeless encampment at the intersection of 40th Avenue and International Boulevard, KTVU reports.

The footage details officers in pursuit of Castillo, commanding him repeatedly to relinquish his weapons until shots rang out.

The tragic event took place shortly after 2 p.m. on July 13 when the Oakland Police Department (OPD) was called for backup by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), according to police reports.

Video of the ordeal begins with a request for backup as an officer reports being with a man armed with two knives and behaving aggressively. As police confront him, officers can be heard ordering him to drop multiple objects, including what one officer identifies as a hammer, offering an early glimpse at the array of weapons involved in the encounter.

“We’re out with the subject holding two knives, being aggressive,” an officer can be heard telling dispatch.

The footage then captures officers repeatedly ordering the man to drop what he is holding as the confrontation escalates.

“Drop that,” one officer says. “Drop that too.”

Moments later, an officer tells the man he is being detained and orders him to put the weapons down.

“You need to drop those right now. We’re the police, man,” the officer says.

As the encounter intensifies, an officer radios that they have a “subject holding two knives” while another can be heard shouting, “Drop the knife!”

At one point, an officer announces that he has a Taser ready.

The man can later be heard repeatedly demanding, “What are you doing to me?” and asking, “What have I done?”

The standoff continues as officers again command the man to stop and drop the weapons.

“Stop right there,” an officer repeatedly yells. “Drop the knife.”

Another series of commands follows: “Drop the knives. Drop the knives!”

The man can be heard responding, “No! No! Leave me alone!”

The confrontation then erupts in gunfire. Immediately afterward, an officer radios, “Shots fired, shots fired!” as police order the man not to move.

OPD said officers encountered an armed individual and issued commands for him to comply.

According to police, the man refused those commands and lunged at officers with a weapon. Officers responded with both less-lethal and lethal force, OPD said.

Castillo was struck by gunfire, and officers immediately attempted life-saving measures, but he died at the scene, according to police.

Police initially said multiple weapons were recovered following the deadly confrontation. The video appears to show the man carrying more than one weapon, with officers referring to two knives and a hammer during the encounter. Police later confirmed Castillo was armed with “bladed weapons” when officers encountered him.

No officers or bystanders were physically injured during the incident.

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The officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy, OPD said.

The shooting has also drawn scrutiny from civil rights attorney Jim Chanin, who monitors the Oakland Police Department and told KTVU he had concerns about aspects of the officers’ use of force.

“Did it justify deadly force? There are lots of people who are threats, the question is, does it – what kind of force is justified?” Chanin told the outlet.

The shooting has now triggered multiple investigations. OPD said it is conducting both criminal and administrative investigations into the officers’ use of force, while the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is conducting a separate independent investigation.

Oakland’s Community Police Review Agency has also been notified.

“The Department remains committed to transparency and will provide further updates as they become available and as appropriate under law,” OPD said.

Police said additional information is being withheld for now to protect the integrity of the investigation.

News Media reached out to OPD to ask whether the officers remain on leave, for a response to criticism of the shooting and for any additional context surrounding the encounter.

Aaron Donald might be edging closer to rejoining the Los Angeles Rams. However, if he does make his return, it’s clear that he won’t settle for anything less than a full-fledged role.

While delving into insights on The Athletic Football Show, Robert Mays revealed a pressing question lingering after his visit to the Rams’ training camp. He was curious about the team’s plans for utilizing the formidable Donald if the three-time Defensive Player of the Year decides to end his retirement.

Mays indicated that the Rams have floated the notion of integrating Donald as merely “one of the five guys” in their defensive-line rotation. Unsurprisingly, this proposal did not sit well with the veteran player.

“He essentially stared through their souls after they said that to him,” Mays recounted. “So I don’t anticipate him coming back to be some bit rotational player. I think if he’s going to come back, he thinks he can be Aaron Donald.”

This development suggests that Donald’s potential comeback is shaping up to be far more complex—and significantly more intriguing—than just designating 25 snaps for a legendary figure in the Rams’ franchise history.

The Rams have reportedly considered a workload of roughly 30 to 40 snaps for Donald early in the season, but his recent work suggests he is not approaching a comeback casually. Sean McVay jokingly called Donald’s official workout with Los Angeles “the best tryout that we’ve ever had,” while Rams defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson recently said Donald looked “a little bit faster” during training.

If Donald expects a substantial role, someone else’s workload will have to change.

Kobie Turner played more than 75 percent of the Rams’ defensive snaps last season, while Braden Fiske was on the field for roughly 53 percent. Fiske has already said he would view Donald’s return as an opportunity to learn rather than worry about losing playing time.

The likeliest outcome may be fewer snaps across the board rather than one player disappearing from the rotation. Turner could remain the interior anchor, while Fiske shifts into a more specialized pass-rush role that keeps both players fresher deeper into games.

And then there is Myles Garrett.

The Rams already transformed their front by acquiring the reigning Defensive Player of the Year from Cleveland, and Donald’s return could change the geometry of the entire defense.

Trent McDuffie recently said he asked Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford how an offense would even protect against Garrett and Donald on the same front. Their answer, according to McDuffie, was essentially that there is no clean solution.

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Slide protection toward Garrett and Donald could be isolated inside. Devote extra help to Donald and Garrett, Turner or Fiske could find favorable matchups elsewhere.

That depth could also give Chris Shula more freedom to use five-man fronts and specialize roles. Turner would no longer have to shoulder such a heavy every-down workload, while Fiske — who generated 38 pressures on a lower snap share last season — could become an even more dangerous situational rusher.

Donald still has to decide whether he actually wants to play football again, with his potential comeback remaining unresolved entering this week.

But if Mays’ account is any indication, the question may no longer be whether Donald can fit into the Rams’ existing defensive-line rotation.

The Rams will have to reshape the rotation around him.

Christy Knowings, recognized for her role in the hit series All That, passed away at 46 after an asthma attack resulted in severe brain injuries.

According to TMZ, Knowings was admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles last Friday and placed on life support. Her family made the difficult decision to withdraw life support, and she succumbed on Tuesday evening.

The beloved Nickelodeon personality graced the screens on All That from 1997 to 2000, embodying a range of roles including Penny Lane and Jessica in the popular Whateverrr!!! sketch alongside Amanda Bynes.

She also made memorable appearances on Sesame Street, sharing the screen with her twin brother, Chris Knowings, across three episodes.

In a heartfelt statement to The Daily Mail, her representative noted, “Christy was an extraordinary talent, a creative force in singing, acting, and dancing. Her professionalism and dedication were unmatched.”

In the wake of her death, her former co-star Kenan Thompson, 48, paid an emotional tribute on Instagram, writing: ‘Man this one hit hard!!! Rest well Christy!!! Never could have imagined this day!!

‘Sending so much love to her family!! She was a real one and one of the funniest people out here!!! Gonna miss you buddy!!! Show @christyknowings some love y’all!!!  

In a 2019 interview with Bustle, Knowings reflected on her time on the show as a teen, saying: ‘My favorite moment on set was when I started to do this character in Season 6 named Gloria Bankhead. She was an over-the-top Martha Stewart.

‘I had never played any character like her! I just remember being on set and being her all-day long. Everybody loved it! 

‘The writers, the stage managers, everybody was just like, “Hi Gloria!” Gloria Bankhead was my favorite character to play. 

‘She was on set like that all the time. It was fun to just be in character like that, even when the cameras weren’t rolling. It’s what I’d do constantly.’

Knowings’ death comes seven months after the passing of her All That co-star Kianna Underwood, 33, in a hit-and-run collision in Brooklyn in January.  

The former child star got her big break on the infamous Nickelodeon sketch comedy series. 

She appeared in All That for seven episodes in 2004 and 2005, according to her IMDB page. 

The show produced several stars, including longtime Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson and Bynes. 

Underwood replaced Jamie Lynn Spears on the sketch comedy series for its tenth and last season. 

She also appeared in the film The 24 Hour Woman, starring Patti LuPone, and voiced a character in the animated movie Santa Baby!. 

The young actress also dabbled in stage production, touring with the musical Hairspray. 

Underwood didn’t continue acting as an adult and seemed to be living in New York City at the time of her death. 

On Thursday, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk made a striking announcement: authorities had detained a Russian national allegedly hired by Moscow to assassinate a Ukrainian-American citizen deemed troublesome by Russia.

Tusk detailed that the arrest was made last Friday, with the intended victim residing in Warsaw, the nation’s capital. This revelation was reported by Reuters.

“Our intelligence and police services performed admirably,” Tusk remarked, crediting them for thwarting the plot just in time. The detainee, he explained, was a Russian enlisted by Russian intelligence, targeting an individual with dual Ukrainian and American citizenship. “Owing to the intervention by the Internal Security Agency and the police, we were able to avert this intended execution, this attack.”

The News Media has approached the U.S. State Department for an official statement.

Tusk also said Thursday that it was the first time that “someone on the order of Russia” sought to attack an American citizen on the territory of another NATO country, The Associated Press reported.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with U.S. services, Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland’s minister overseeing intelligence services, told the AP.

The news agency reported that it has mapped about 200 acts of sabotage, arson and other disruption across Europe since the start of the Ukraine war that officials have linked to Russia. President Vladimir Putin claimed to the AP in May that Russia is not waging a sabotage campaign against Europe.

In June, a Russian artist who was critical of Putin was shot and killed at close range near his home in eastern Poland. Tusk said at the time that the killing had the hallmarks of a political assassination. He suggested it was possible Russia was behind it, but Polish officials have not yet attributed it to Moscow.

Last year, French officials disrupted a plot which they believe was aimed at killing Vladimir Osechkin, a Russian exile who lives under police protection and works to help military defectors flee Putin’s war.

Lithuanian officials also disrupted a plot last year to kill a Lithuanian supporter of Ukraine and another against a Russian activist.

Officials in Germany have similarly broken up two plots: one to target the head of a German weapons company supplying Ukraine, the other against a Ukrainian military official.

A vibrant new twist has arrived for your favorite confections.

In a groundbreaking move, the beloved candies M&M’s, Skittles, and Starburst will soon hit the shelves adorned in natural colors. These products—retaining their iconic allure—will be available on Amazon, offering customers the same price point as their artificially colored counterparts.

Mars Inc., the powerhouse behind these sweet treats, unveiled this change last year. The move reflects a broader shift in consumer demands, paired with the FDA’s 2025 directive to eliminate synthetic petroleum dyes from America’s food supply, due to potential health risks.

Historically, colorants like Red No. 4 and Yellow No. 5 have been staples in candy production. However, in recent years, research has increasingly associated these chemicals with hyperactivity in children and possible allergic reactions.

In response, Mars is embracing nature, using vibrant alternatives such as beet juice for red and turmeric for yellow, ensuring their candies maintain their eye-catching appeal.

Blends of turmeric, beet juice and the blue-green algae spirulina make up the green candies, including the famously flirty green M&M, while a mix of beta-carotene and carotenoids makes some candy pieces orange. As for purple Skittles, Mars is dyeing them with grape juice.

According to Claire Hewitt, Mars’ senior director of ingredient transformation, blue and brown have proven more challenging shades to produce au naturel because it’s harder for them to maintain color consistency.

“I think it’s the vibrancy,” said Hewitt in an interview with ABC’s Rebecca Jarvis on Good Morning America, which was broadcast from a lab kitchen in Hackettstown, New Jersey. “And I think the scale, we need to be consistent.”

The change comes as “wellness” becomes a national buzzword, and once-niche items like collagen supplements and organic beef tallow hit supermarket shelves and TikTok accounts at an unprecedented rate.

But Hewitt said that Mars was well ahead of the trend, spending over a decade on new research and testing, ingredient revisions and evolved manufacturing capabilities. She claims that Mars has sought the input of over 13,000 consumers in the last year alone.

When searching the Amazon link for the new candies, be sure to look for the “no FD&C colors” label to get your sugar high without the dye.