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Karl-Anthony Towns Takes Father’s Advice to Heart, Leads Team to Victory

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Karl-Anthony Towns Takes Father’s Advice to Heart, Leads Team to Victory

Karl-Anthony Towns found himself unexpectedly at Barclays Center on Friday night, heeding his father’s request. Despite not planning to play, Towns delivered an impressive performance with 26 points and 15 rebounds, leading to a narrow 93-92 victory over the Nets.

“Playing wasn’t in the cards initially. But my dad was insistent about me taking the court,” Towns explained. Although initially marked as questionable due to personal matters, he committed to participating. “I decided to play just for the night. Afterward, I’ll head back to be by his side during his recovery journey.”

Karl Sr., who once starred at Monmouth University, is a familiar face at Towns’ games, often traveling alongside the Knicks as they journey from city to city.

Towns faced the profound loss of his mother, Jacqueline Cruz, to COVID-19 in 2020.

According to sources, the medical condition affecting Karl Sr. is not considered life-threatening.


Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, looks to make a move on Josh Minott during the Knicks' 93-92 win over the Nets on March 20, 2026 at Barclays Center.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, looks to make a move on Josh Minott during the Knicks’ 93-92 win over the Nets on March 20, 2026 at Barclays Center. Jason Szenes for New York Post

The Nets still haven’t officially ruled Michael Porter Jr. out for the rest of the season, but they might as well have.

Brooklyn shut Porter down with a left hamstring strain and said he’d be evaluated in two to three weeks.

Asked if Porter could return this season, Nets coach Jordi Fernández said: “So, two to three weeks, and then obviously there’s a ramp-up to go back to competition level, so we cannot predict. But it will be close. So we’re going to go through these two, three weeks and then put the work in and so forth; and then we’ll see where we’re at.”

With three weeks being the penultimate game April 10 in Milwaukee and the finale two nights later in Toronto, any ramp-up strains credulity.

Noah Clowney missed Friday’s game with a sprained right wrist and sounds unlikely to play Sundayat Sacramento.

“Yeah, I mean obviously I had to take him out because he was really sore,” Fernández said.

“And Noah, right away when I saw that he was in pain, I was like, ‘Do you need a sub?’ And I’m like asking the guys to take a foul to be able to sub out, and I ended up calling a timeout. So he was pretty sore. He has a sprained wrist. He’ll be out [Friday], most likely he’ll be out next game, and then we’ll go from there.”

Terance Mann (illness), Egor Dëmin (plantar fasciitis), Day’Ron Sharpe (thumb) were out for Brooklyn.

Jalen Brunson, who sat out Tuesday’s win over Indiana, returned to the lineup for his 65th game, qualifying for postseason awards.

The Knicks guard is expected to land an All-NBA selection and is the reigning Clutch Player of the Year.

Josh Hart was out with runner’s knee.

Brooklyn’s Josh Minott had 22 points and hit 6-for-9 from deep.

The six 3-pointers were a career best and the scoring was two points off his career high.

He added five boards, two blocks and a steal in 25:47 off the bench.

Homeland Security Funding Stalls: What It Means for Your Airport Experience

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Homeland Security Funding Stalls: What It Means for Your Airport Experience

WASHINGTON — Efforts to secure funding for the Department of Homeland Security hit a roadblock in the Senate on Friday, as a proposal failed to advance amid mounting concerns over lengthy security lines at major U.S. airports.

Senate Democrats withheld their support for the measure, preventing it from moving forward. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York announced plans to introduce an alternative funding proposal on Saturday, focusing solely on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for screening passengers and luggage. However, this effort is also expected to face challenges during the Senate’s unusual weekend session.

Meanwhile, behind closed doors, negotiations continued in earnest on Friday. White House border czar Tom Homan engaged in a second day of discussions with a bipartisan group of senators. The talks are part of broader Democratic demands for changes in immigration enforcement practices following the tragic shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Democratic participants in the meeting with Homan remained tight-lipped afterward. However, Republican Senator Susan Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, noted that the White House has enhanced its proposal in an attempt to break the deadlock, though she refrained from providing details.

“It’s a very fair, reasonable offer,” Collins remarked, expressing hope that negotiations would resume on Saturday. “But that depends on whether the Democrats come back with a response.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that he sees “deal space” coming out of the discussions with the White House. But he also questioned whether Democrats were serious about reaching any agreement that would provide more money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“This is a pox on everybody’s house,” Thune said. “You’ve got people standing in lines at the airports. This needs to be fixed. It needs to get resolved and there are good-faith efforts being made finally on all the relevant issues.”

On the Senate floor, Schumer said he agreed that TSA needs to be reopened as quickly as possible – but not under the terms Republicans are offering, which is to fund the entire Homeland Security department. Democrats are looking to fund TSA while continuing negotiations on Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Tomorrow, America will see the matter crystal clear: which senators want to open up TSA, pay TSA workers, and end the chaos at our airports, and which senators are going to block TSA funding yet again,” Schumer said.

The vast majority of employees at TSA are considered essential and continue to work during the government funding lapse, but they are doing so without pay. Call-out rates have started to increase at some airports, leading to longer screening times for many passengers.

Democrats have demanded an array of policy changes as part of a funding bill that include requiring ICE agents to get a warrant from a judge before forcefully entering homes. They also are looking to require agents to wear identifying information on their uniforms and ban the use of masks.

“The American people have had enough of this rogue agency. We need to rein it in. And we are negotiating right now over how to do that,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Trump administration says it has agreed to several changes already, including expanded use of body-worn cameras, with an exception for undercover operations, and limited civil enforcement activities at certain sensitive locations, such as hospitals, schools and places of worship. Republicans also note that Trump has fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and put Homan in charge of operations in Minneapolis, actions they say show the administration’s intent to make changes in ICE’s operations.

Congress is scheduled to go on an extended break near the end of the month for a two-week Easter recess. Thune has threatened to keep senators in Washington if the impasse is not resolved.

“I can’t see us taking a break if the government is still shut down,” Thune said.

Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

DOJ Seeks Dismissal of Charges for Former Officers in Breonna Taylor Case

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DOJ Seeks Dismissal of Charges for Former Officers in Breonna Taylor Case


The Department of Justice has filed a motion urging a federal judge to drop the case against two former officers linked to the Louisville incident that resulted in Breonna Taylor’s death.

Breonna Taylor, a Black woman, lost her life in March 2020 during a police operation in which officers executed a warrant at her Louisville apartment. This tragic event unfolded as part of a botched operation by local law enforcement.

In August 2022, the DOJ initially charged officers Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany. The charges alleged that they had engaged in excessive force, fabricated information to justify the search of Taylor’s home, and subsequently attempted to cover up their misconduct. These allegations led to the termination of both officers from their positions.

The nationwide outrage that followed Taylor’s death was intensified by the killing of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, just weeks later. Together, these incidents sparked widespread protests decrying systemic police brutality.

Jaynes and Meany have previously highlighted in court documents that neither was actually present at the raid that led to Taylor’s tragic end. The request for dismissal, penned by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Robert Keenan, points out that the court had already reduced charges against the officers in several instances.

The DOJ made similar moves last May to drop a lawsuit accusing the Louisville Police Department of unconstitutional policing practices. They also requested a one-day sentence for another Louisville officer convicted in connection with Taylor’s death last July.

“In light of the foregoing proceedings, the Government undertook a further review of this matter. Based on that review, and in the exercise of its discretion, the Government has determined that this case should be dismissed in the interest of justice,” Dhillon and Keenan wrote in the dismissal.

Meany’s attorney, Michael Denbow, told the Courier Journal on Friday that Meany is “incredibly grateful for today’s filing” and was “looking forward to putting this matter behind him and moving on with his life.”

Jayne’s lawyer, Thomas Clay, affirmed to the Courier Journal that Jaynes “did absolutely nothing wrong.” 

“The Department of Justice’s request is not only callous but deeply disrespectful to the memory of Breonna Taylor and to her family, who have waited six long years for justice,” the NAACP’s Louisville Branch said in a statement.  “This action sends a troubling message and risks undermining public trust in our justice system.”

Brace for Impact: Cyclone Narelle Targets Far North Queensland with Unprecedented Force

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In Brief

  • Cyclone Narelle is set to make landfall at 7am on Friday (AEST)
  • The initial Category 5 storm has been downgraded to Category 4

The residents of far north Queensland are preparing for what could be the most severe cyclone in over a century, as a potential category 4 storm is anticipated to hit the area on Friday morning.

Angus Hines from the Bureau of Meteorology characterized Tropical Cyclone Narelle as an “extremely powerful weather system,” underscoring the seriousness of the situation as the cyclone approaches.

“They don’t come any more powerful than this,” Hines added, emphasizing the cyclone’s intensity.

Initially expected to strike Queensland’s far north as a maximum category five cyclone, Narelle has been gaining strength in the Coral Sea, with wind gusts soaring up to 285 km/h.

However, by 4 am (AEST), the Bureau of Meteorology revised its status to a category 4 cyclone, noting sustained winds at its core of 195 km/h and gusts reaching 270 km/h.

The monster storm is expected to make landfall about 7am (AEST) on Friday between Lockhart River and Cape Melville.

A cyclone warning zone has been declared for Lockhart River and Cape Flattery, and between Mapoon and Pormpuraaw, including Coen, Weipa, and Aurukun.

Vulnerable residents have been evacuated, tourists have returned home and schools have closed.

More than 100 emergency services personnel have been deployed as police go door-to-door to ensure locals are prepared.

After crossing Cape York, the storm is expected to lash the Northern Territory’s Top End before moving to Western Australia’s Kimberley coast.

About 500 people will be evacuated from NT’s remote Gulf of Carpentaria community of Numbulwar in the coming days.

Residents choosing to ride out the storm have been warned emergency services will not respond if conditions are too dangerous.

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Tragic Crime Scene: Man Nonchalantly Smokes Cigar After Fatal Incident Involving Wife – Shocking Details Revealed

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Tragic Crime Scene: Man Nonchalantly Smokes Cigar After Fatal Incident Involving Wife – Shocking Details Revealed

Inset: Robert Marin (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Arizona home where Robert Marin allegedly shot his wife dead and then smoked a celebratory cigar while standing over her body, covered in blood (AZ Family/YouTube).

A man in Arizona, Robert Marin, allegedly shot his wife four times and then smoked a cigar while standing over her body. Their teenage daughter discovered him in this state after hearing her mother plead, “please don’t kill me,” according to law enforcement reports.

Upon stumbling upon the horrifying scene in the garage of their Phoenix residence on Monday night, Marin’s daughter reportedly screamed, “Why would you do this?!” This detail is included in a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime.

The 60-year-old Marin allegedly responded with a mere shrug and left the garage, only to return moments later to puff on a cigar beside his wife’s lifeless body, as outlined in the affidavit. Meanwhile, their daughter attempted CPR and contacted emergency services.

The victim, Heather Marin, was Marin’s estranged wife. The affidavit notes that the couple had argued over their daughter’s stay with Marin on the night of the incident.

According to the document, Marin’s teenage daughter explained that the evening had already been tense due to a verbal dispute between her and her father. During this confrontation, Marin expressed animosity towards Heather, from whom he was separated and in the process of divorcing. The daughter mentioned that she had also raised concerns about their separation, which likely exacerbated the situation.

As things escalated, the daughter told police she “overheard Marin make a heated and angry phone call” to Heather Marin, effectively telling her that “he could not deal with their daughter anymore and did not want the daughter to stay in the home any longer,” according to the affidavit.

The daughter “retreated” to her bedroom, where she made a phone call to her boyfriend and then received two phone calls from her mother, one around 8:39 p.m. and another around 9:09 p.m., but she did not answer either of them “as she was concerned it would further upset her father,” the affidavit states.

“Sometime after the unanswered call, [the daughter] later heard screaming coming from the garage area,” the document alleges. “As she walked towards the garage entrance door from the house, she distinctly heard her mother pleading, ‘Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me,’ followed by approximately four gunshots.”

When the daughter opened the interior door to the garage from inside the home, she saw Heather Marin bleeding on the ground and Robert Marin “standing near or over her holding a firearm.”

Police believe the murder happened around 9:30 p.m. and was premeditated due to Robert Marin’s “indifference after the shooting, electing to smoke a cigar rather than render aid,” according to the affidavit, along with a number of other factors, including Heather Marin allegedly “pleading for her life before being shot multiple times.”

When cops arrived at the home, they found Robert Marin inside the garage “with blood on his clothing and shoes,” according to the affidavit. A firearm, holster, and spent casings were discovered in the garage.

“When deputies contacted the suspect, he dropped to his knees upon their arrival and was detained without making any statements,” the affidavit states. “Deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from Marin during transport to a MCSO [Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office] facility for questioning and processing.”

The daughter told cops about a prior “unreported domestic violence incident” from early February 2026, during which Robert Marin held a firearm in his hand and threatened to shoot Heather Marin in the head before killing himself, according to the affidavit.

She also described receiving screenshots of text message exchanges between her parents containing “hateful and threatening language,” police say.

“[The daughter] confirmed that Marin was an avid gun owner with multiple unsecured firearms stored throughout the residence to include pistols and hunting rifles,” the affidavit explains. “She also described a large safe in a closet within the house which also stored firearms and ammunition.”

Robert Marin was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He’s being held in the Maricopa County Jail on a $2 million cash bond.

Leah Kateb’s Pomegranate Fragrance Garners Universal Praise

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Leah Kateb’s Pomegranate Fragrance Garners Universal Praise

Could this be the new must-have gourmand fragrance? We certainly think so! Leah Kateb, who captured hearts as the runner-up on season 6 of Love Island, and now serves as SKYLAR’s Chief Creative Officer, has unveiled her latest creation: Pomegranate Princess.

Often referred to as the “people’s princess” by her admirers, this fragrance is truly fit for royalty. Pomegranate Princess boasts a sumptuous, sweet aroma with hints of pomegranate, juicy strawberries, and a touch of frosting, ensuring you smell absolutely delectable.

The inspiration behind this fragrance is rooted in Kateb’s Persian heritage, where the pomegranate stands as a potent cultural emblem of femininity, making it the centerpiece of this “clean beauty” scent.

“Pomegranates symbolize more than just sweetness for me—they represent strength, abundance, and beauty,” Kateb shared about her new product. “That’s the essence I infused into this fragrance. It’s not merely a scent; it’s a blessing. I’m eager for everyone to adore it as much as I do!”

Whether you’re a devoted Leah fan or a perfume enthusiast seeking a gourmand scent with the unique note of pomegranate, we suggest grabbing this fragrance quickly before it disappears from the shelves.

Restoration Efforts Commence Following Tropical Cyclone Narelle’s Impact on Far North Queensland

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Restoration Efforts Commence Following Tropical Cyclone Narelle’s Impact on Far North Queensland
A cleanup is under way in Far North Queensland after Tropical CycloneNarelle swept over the Cape York Peninsula, narrowly missing populated communities.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli reported that a tropical cyclone, now downgraded to a category 2 system, moved away from the east coast of Cape York, just south of Aurukun, during the night. Despite the downgrade, it still delivered considerable winds and a notable amount of rain.

“The cyclone navigated skillfully between Coen and Lockhart River, before veering just south of Aurukun as it moved off the western side of the Cape,” Crisafulli explained.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Aurukun
The cleanup has begun in areas along the Cape York Peninsula including Aurukun. (Facebook)

He added, “This path was advantageous for the region, as it avoided the more heavily populated areas in this part of Queensland.”

Lockhart River experienced wind gusts reaching 115 km/h, which resulted in trees being uprooted and branches being scattered.

In Lockhart River wind gusts reached 115 km/h, bringing down sodden trees and sending branches flying.

Wind gusts up to 109 km/h were felt in Weipa, along with rainfall totals of 217mm overnight.

“We have reports of some waves of over five metres off the coast of Weipa and we’re also getting some more intel today as we go,” Crisafulli said.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Queensland
Trees have fallen across the Cape York Peninsula as Tropical Cyclone Narelle bore down on the Cape York Peninsula. (Nine)

He said up to 400mm of rain has fallen in parts, swelling creeks and rivers.

No significant injuries have been reported.

Despite the system passing Queensland, a flood watch still exists for a large part of north and Far North Queensland.

Crews are now working to clear minor structural damage, fallen trees and fix power outages.

Authorities have warned it may take some time to get food and fuel to isolate communities after flood water cut travel by land, leaving the Cooktown airport as the only way to get people and supplies in.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle
Heavy rainfall lashed Coen as Tropical Cyclone Narelle passed between the town and Lockhart River. (Facebook)

There is significant damage on Peninsula Development Road.

“It could have been far worse, but there is some significant road damage that we will have to swiftly reconnect,” Crisafulli said.

“That is a really important road for Far North Queensland. It’s important that we get on and do that.”

Energy Queensland and Energex crews are on the ground in Weipa, Lockhart River and Coen, Crisafulli said.

Three emergency service helicopters are surveying 16 communities from the air today.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle
A home damaged by Tropical Cyclone Narelle. (Facebook)

A boat that went missing in Princess Charlotte Bay during the cyclone has made contact with emergency services and is safe, according to reports.

A decision on whether schools will be reopened will be made by 5pm tomorrow and posted to the disaster.qld.gov.au website.

“But overwhelmingly, based on the size of the system, we couldn’t have asked for a better deal out of this,” Crisafulli said.

Queensland is now assisting the NT with storm clean-up equipment.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected to again make landfall on the eastern Top End coast overnight.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected to again make landfall on the eastern Top End coast overnight. (Bureau of Meteorology)

Narelle is forecast to intensify again to a category 3 system above Groote Eylandt around 1am before crossing the eastern Top End coast, most likely between Birany Birany and Numbulwar.

Destructive winds up to 185 km/h and major rainfall are forecast for those areas.

Groote Eylandt and potentially Nhulunbuy and Nathan River could be lashed by 160 km/h winds, coupled with heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

The system will then gradually weaken to a category 2 and 1 as it moves inland across the Top End tomorrow and on Monday.

Katherine residents are on flood alert for the second time in weeks, with Narelle’s path tending towards the town.

Authorities are warning the river could again rise rapidly across the course of tomorrow afternoon and evening.

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Illinois Women’s Basketball Team Set to Face Colorado in NCAA Tournament Opener

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Illinois Women’s Basketball Team Set to Face Colorado in NCAA Tournament Opener


Published: March 21, 2026, 12:15 AM CDT

Updated: March 21, 2026, 12:15 AM CDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the NCAA Tournament unfolds, the Illinois women’s basketball team is set to make waves with its youthful exuberance. When they take the court against Colorado in the first round on Friday, they’ll be fielding the youngest team in the entire competition.

The Illini’s roster boasts an average age of just 19.83 years, a testament to their reliance on fresh talent. Leading this youthful charge are true freshmen Destiny Jackson and Cearah Parchment, pivotal players who each clock in over 28 minutes on the court per game.

True freshman Destiny Jackson and Cearah Parchment both start and play more than 28 minutes per game on average for the Illini.

It’s quite the change of pace of Illinois head coach Shauna Green, who coached a group in 2024-25 which was led by four key seniors. She says the youth has some benefits.

“It’s been really fun to coach this group,” Green said. “They’re so coachable. They want to be elite. So, they’re they’re little sponges. They listen to everything. And you can actually like you see them get better in real time… And it’s been pretty cool.”

Green and the Illini will battle Colorado with tip-off set for 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2 on Saturday.

Colorado is 22-11 overall and has won seven of its last 10 games.

Denmark’s Covert Strategy to Disable Greenland Runways and Prevent US Aircraft Access Revealed

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Denmark’s Covert Strategy to Disable Greenland Runways and Prevent US Aircraft Access Revealed

In a surprising revelation, Denmark had made preparations to sabotage Greenland’s airstrips by planting explosives, and had also transported blood supplies to the region earlier this year, due to fears of a potential invasion by the United States, according to a recent report by Danish public broadcaster DR.

This strategic move was reportedly part of a broader contingency plan. The plan involved the deployment of Danish troops to Greenland in January, equipped with explosives to potentially demolish runways. This drastic measure aimed to prevent U.S. aircraft from making landfall, as detailed by EuroNews.

The actions were documented in a Danish military operations order dated January 13, which was reviewed by DR, shedding light on the gravity of the situation.

A red-and-white flag waves on a pole against a cold Arctic sky in a coastal city.

Amid these tensions, the Greenlandic flag was seen flying in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 20, 2026, a stark reminder of the geopolitical strain over President Donald Trump’s assertions that U.S. control of Greenland was crucial for national security.

The preparations were made as tensions escalated over President Donald Trump’s statement that the U.S. should control Greenland for national security reasons.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen repeatedly rejected Trump’s demands to acquire the island.

DR said it based its report on 12 sources within the highest levels of the Danish government and military and sources among Denmark’s allies in France and Germany, the BBC said.

Danish Troops Greenland

More Danish soldiers land at Nuuk airport in Greenland Jan. 19, 2026.  (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)

“When Trump says all the time that he wants to buy Greenland … we had to take all possible scenarios seriously,” an unnamed Danish military official told DR.

Denmark and several European allies also deployed troops to Greenland under what was a NATO exercise called Arctic Endurance.

In reality, according to the sources cited by DR, the deployment was operational.

Soldiers arrived equipped not only with standard military gear but also with the medical supplies and the explosives, the report said.  France, Germany and Sweden also took part in the January deployment.

Despite the preparations, Danish authorities sought to avoid escalation with Washington.

Trump announced a vague “framework” agreement on Greenland with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Jan. 21, though details remain unclear.

Trump in Davos

President Donald Trump said in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 21 that the U.S. is the only nation that is able to control and secure Greenland.  (Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

At the World Economic forum in Davos Trump said, “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.”

On March 17, the commander of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), Gen. Gregory Guillot, said, “We are working with Denmark through the Department of State to expand some of the authorities that are in the 1951 treaty to give increased access to different bases across Greenland.

“But everything that we’re doing through NORTHCOM is through Greenland and through Denmark.”

Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture. 

Hollywood Glam Meets the Racetrack: Matt Damon Shines at Rosehill Gardens for TAB Golden Slipper Day

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Hollywood Glam Meets the Racetrack: Matt Damon Shines at Rosehill Gardens for TAB Golden Slipper Day

Renowned actor Matt Damon added a touch of Hollywood glamour to Sydney’s premier race day at the 70th TAB Golden Slipper event held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Saturday.

The star of Good Will Hunting and the Bourne series arrived looking dapper in a well-fitted suit, complemented by a yellow tie and dark sunglasses. Upon his arrival, he was guided to a private dining area, capturing the attention of onlookers.

Among the bustling crowd, Damon stood out as a major celebrity presence. Thousands gathered at Rosehill for the celebrated event, which also saw Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis enjoying the day with friends by the track.

At 53, Damon has quietly developed a connection to the Australian racing scene. He holds a stake in the racehorse Are You Kidding, trained by Leah Gavranich, alongside fellow actor Daniel MacPherson.

Although Are You Kidding was anticipated to compete at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, the horse was withdrawn earlier in the week, leaving Damon without an entrant in one of horse racing’s most prestigious events.

Hollywood star Matt Damon attends Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens, adding global celebrity presence to Sydney’s biggest race meet

Hollywood star Matt Damon attends Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens, adding global celebrity presence to Sydney’s biggest race meet

Damon arrives in suit and sunglasses before being escorted to private dining area among thousands of racegoers

Damon arrives in suit and sunglasses before being escorted to private dining area among thousands of racegoers

Damon is part-owner of racehorse Are You Kidding, which was scratched earlier in the week before race day

Damon is part-owner of racehorse Are You Kidding, which was scratched earlier in the week before race day

It is not the first time the Hollywood star has experienced the highs of racing in Australia.

Damon tasted success in January last year when his other horse, Dale, broke its maiden in Tamworth, giving the Oscar winner his first victory as an owner in the country.

The three-year-old gelding, trained by Paul Messara and Gavranich, had previously placed twice before finally saluting, earning more than $30,000 in prize money.

The horse’s name carries a personal story.

Trainer Messara revealed the unusual backstory behind the name during an interview, explaining how the idea originated from a late-night call out of Los Angeles.

‘It’s a bit of a long story really,’ Messara said.

‘It was a late night over in LA and I get a phone call saying we’ve had this great idea and we want to buy a horse, but the stipulation is it must be called Dale.’

‘The story goes that basically Matt and his daughter bonded during her teenage years watching the movie Step Brothers, starring the two characters Dale and Brennan.’

Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis and cricket personality Grace Hayden were also spotted trackside enjoying major race day atmosphere with friends at Rosehill Gardens

Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis and cricket personality Grace Hayden were also spotted trackside enjoying major race day atmosphere with friends at Rosehill Gardens

James McDonald breaks Group 1 record at Rosehill, surpassing Damien Oliver with 130th victory in historic ride

James McDonald breaks Group 1 record at Rosehill, surpassing Damien Oliver with 130th victory in historic ride

Damon’s growing ties to Australian racing mirror his broader connection to the country, where he has spent extended periods with his family and formed close friendships.

The actor regularly stays in Byron Bay, where his long-time friend Chris Hemsworth is based, and has been a familiar face at local events, from AFL matches to the Ekka in Brisbane.

His connection to Australia began during a deeply personal period following the death of his father, Kent Damon, in 2017.

‘After my dad died, we moved down there for four months and just went and camped all over the place,’ Damon said.

‘And just … I think because maybe he had never been, and it just felt like a place to go to make memories with my kids.’

The trips have since become a yearly ritual for Damon, his wife Luciana Barroso and their four daughters, with the family often choosing to spend the American summer in Australia.

‘Then every year we would return, even back during the pandemic. We were down there for about six months, and it’s just like a second home to us,’ he said.

‘We just love it and we love the people and everything about it.’

‘We just have so many friends down there, honestly. I mean 30, 40 people. Family, friends, just so many people that we love to go see.’

While Damon soaked up the atmosphere at Rosehill, history was unfolding on the track.

Champion jockey James McDonald delivered a record-breaking performance, first equalling and then surpassing the Group 1 wins mark previously held by Damien Oliver.

McDonald brought up his 130th Group 1 victory aboard Autumn Boy, with his wife Katelyn Mallyon and their children watching on trackside as he etched his name into the record books.

Speaking moments after the milestone, McDonald said: ‘I didn’t come to the races wanting to break records. I wanted to come and ride winners.’

‘It’s never been front of mind – I came here and do a job and go home happy to my girls.’

He added with a smile: ‘I’ll get to 200 – you watch.’
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