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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
Jaclyn Smith is a testament to the idea that age is merely a number.
The iconic star of “Charlie’s Angels” recently shared that her radiant appearance at 80 is more a result of love than cosmetics.
Smith made a stunning appearance on the red carpet at the Paley Honors Spring Gala in New York City, reuniting with her former co-star Kate Jackson to mark the 50th anniversary of their famed series.
When Fox News Digital inquired about her beauty secret, the television legend attributed her timeless look to “clean living, being loved.”
She elaborated, saying, “I have the best family in the whole wide world to grow up with. Great husband, two beautiful children, three granddaughters. So, it doesn’t get better than that. It’s all about love, all about family with me.”
The actress, who played Kelly Garrett from 1976 until the series wrapped in 1981, stunned on the red carpet of the event at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan.
She shared photos from The Paley Honors gala in New York alongside Jackson, reflecting on the iconic television series nearly 50 years after its debut.
“Hello from The Paley Honors gala in New York! What a treat to celebrate again with my friends from the Paley Center,” Smith wrote on Instagram.
“Kate and I were so lucky to attend and accept this on behalf of our Charlie’s Angels family, continuing in our celebration of 50 years since the launch of the series. Grateful doesn’t begin to encompass how I feel to have been and continue to be a part of that legacy.”
Fans quickly flooded the comments section with praise for the longtime actress and her timeless appearance.
“Happy 50th anniversary, you look fabulous, you’re so part of my life growing up. I looked up to you with admiration and as role models. Thank you for the memories. Good life Angels,” one fan wrote.
Others added, “you look amazing,” “still looking beautiful ladies,” and “Both you and Kate are beautiful.”
“Classic beauties,” another user commented, while one fan remarked, “Wow you both look like you haven’t aged.”
“Jaclyn Smith, a true iconic lady. Stylish, classy. timeless and we your fans just enjoy so much seeing you living your best life. Thank you,” another commenter shared.
Before she became one of television’s most recognizable stars, Smith said she had no idea “Charlie’s Angels” would change pop culture forever.
When Fox News Digital asked whether she realized she was becoming a style icon at the time, Smith said, “When I was starting out, no.”
“But I guess we did pave the way for some glamor and looking at women in a different way. We sort of paved that way for new roles for women.”
“Charlie’s Angels” became an instant sensation after premiering in 1976, turning Smith, Jackson and Farrah Fawcett into global stars almost overnight.
Fawcett famously exited after the first season, while Jackson left after Season 3 — leaving Smith as the only original Angel to stay for the show’s entire five-season run.
The Paley Honors Spring Gala honored the cultural legacy of the hit crime drama, which Jackson said still airs around the world five decades after its debut.
Jackson admitted she’s shocked by the show’s staying power.
“Oh, it’s wonderful,” Jackson said. “I mean, that we would be here 50 years later, 50 years after the debut, and it’s still on television all over the world, never has gone off. It’s just really amazing.”
These days, however, Jackson has traded Hollywood chaos for farm life in Virginia and has zero regrets.
“I’d rather be on the farm than on any red carpet any day of the week,” Jackson quipped.
The actress said life away from Hollywood’s spotlight brings a kind of peace she never found in the entertainment industry.
“I love that there’s no pressure, it’s just wonderful, there are the animals and some friends… and it’s a great way to live,” she said. “It is a heck of a lot better than… this can be a little overwhelming.”
Meanwhile, Smith’s own Hollywood journey has spanned more than five decades.
After starting out as a model in the early 1970s, she landed guest spots on shows including “McCloud,” “Switch” and “The Rookies” before “Charlie’s Angels” catapulted her to superstardom.
She later earned critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for portraying Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the TV movie “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.”
Off-screen, Smith has been married four times and eventually found lasting love with surgeon Brad Allen, whom she married in 1997 after meeting him while her father was receiving treatment at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.
A CSCS reveals five standing exercises that help restore muscle mass after 50.
Rebuilding muscle mass in your 50s involves more than just performing isolated repetitions on gym machines. Your body benefits from exercises that engage larger muscle groups, create sufficient tension for adaptation, and mimic the movements you perform daily. Movements such as squatting, hinging, rowing, pressing, and resisting rotation provide a compelling stimulus for muscle growth.
Standing exercises are particularly effective because they recruit multiple body parts simultaneously. Your legs generate force against the ground, your core stabilizes your body, and your upper body manages the load independently of machine assistance. This added complexity makes these exercises excellent for muscle development, while also enhancing balance, coordination, and self-assurance.
In my experience, clients often achieve better results when they transition from relying solely on machines to incorporating exercises that demand more comprehensive body engagement. While machines are beneficial for specific targeting, standing exercises generally offer broader benefits. These workouts encourage muscular cooperation, which is crucial after 50 for daily activities such as lifting, stair climbing, and maintaining strength in the hips, back, and shoulders.
I’ve seen plenty of clients make better progress when they move away from machine-only training and start using exercises that ask more from the body. Machines can absolutely help, especially for targeted work, but standing strength exercises usually offer more carryover. They teach your muscles to work together, and after 50, that matters for everything from lifting bags to climbing stairs to staying strong through the hips, back, and shoulders.
The five exercises below cover the biggest muscle-building patterns: squat, hinge, pull, press, and brace. Goblet squats and dumbbell RDLs train your lower body. Barbell bent-over rows build your back and arms. Single-arm dumbbell presses strengthen your shoulders while your core fights to stay steady. Band Pallof presses round it out by training the midsection to resist rotation and support everything else.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Goblet Squats
Goblet squats train your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core while forcing your torso to stay upright under load. Holding the weight at your chest makes your midsection brace harder, and your legs have to work through a deeper, more useful range rather than pushing along a fixed machine path. That makes goblet squats a strong muscle-building move after 50 because you’re training lower-body strength, posture, and control simultaneously. Stronger squats carry over to standing up from chairs, climbing stairs, lifting from low positions, and keeping your legs powerful for daily life.
Lower into a squat by bending your hips and knees.
Drive through your feet to return to standing.
Squeeze your glutes at the top.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps. Rest for 60 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Pause goblet squats, tempo goblet squats, heel-elevated goblet squats
Form Tip: Keep the weight close to your chest and drive your knees in line with your toes.
Dumbbell RDL
Dumbbell RDLs train your hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and core while teaching your hips to handle the work. As the dumbbells lower, your hamstrings lengthen under tension, which creates a strong muscle-building stimulus through the back of your legs. Gym machines can isolate the hamstrings, but RDLs also train your hinge pattern, your posture, and your ability to control load while standing. Better hinge strength helps with lifting, bending, walking uphill, and keeping your lower back from taking over when your hips should be doing the job.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold dumbbells in front of your thighs.
Brace your core and soften your knees.
Push your hips back as the dumbbells travel down your legs.
Lower until you feel a stretch through your hamstrings.
Drive your hips forward to return to standing.
Finish tall without leaning back.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps. Rest for 60 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Staggered-stance RDL, single-leg RDL, tempo RDL
Form Tip: Keep the dumbbells close to your legs and move through your hips.
Barbell Bent-Over Row
Barbell bent-over rows train your upper back, lats, rear delts, biceps, and core while your hips hold a strong hinge position. Pulling the bar toward your torso builds muscle in the back and arms, but the standing setup also engages your trunk to keep your spine steady. Machine rows can help build pulling strength, but barbell rows demand more total-body tension. That matters after 50 because a stronger back supports posture, shoulder health, grip strength, and the pulling power you use when carrying, lifting, or moving things around the house.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a barbell in front of your thighs.
Brace your core and hinge at your hips.
Keep your back flat and let the bar hang below your shoulders.
Pull the bar toward your lower ribs.
Squeeze your shoulder blades briefly.
Lower the bar with control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 10 reps. Rest for 60 to 90 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Underhand barbell rows, paused rows, dumbbell bent-over rows
Form Tip: Pull your elbows back and keep your torso still.
Standing Single-Arm Shoulder Press
Standing single-arm shoulder presses train your shoulders and triceps while your core works to keep your body from leaning. Pressing one dumbbell overhead creates an uneven load, so your midsection has to brace from your ribs through your hips. That uneven loading gives the exercise greater value than many seated machine presses, as your shoulder strength and core stability develop together. Stronger overhead pressing carries over to reaching, lifting items onto shelves, carrying weight, and keeping your upper body strong without depending on machine support.
Press the dumbbell overhead until your arm is straight.
Lower the dumbbell back to shoulder height with control.
Complete all reps, then switch sides.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps per side. Rest for 60 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Neutral-grip press, alternating dumbbell press, half-kneeling press
Form Tip: Keep your ribs down and avoid leaning away from the dumbbell.
Band Pallof Press
Band Pallof presses train your core to resist rotation while your arms move away from your body. The band tries to pull your torso sideways, and your midsection has to fight to stay square. That makes the Pallof press a smart addition to a muscle-building routine because a stronger core gives your squats, rows, presses, and hinges a better base to work from. After 50, that stability also carries into walking, lifting, reaching, and staying steady when your body gets pulled off-center.
Form Tip: Keep your ribs down and resist the band pulling you sideways.
What Helps Standing Strength Work Build More Muscle
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Standing strength exercises give you a strong return when the effort matches the goal. Pick loads that make the last few reps challenging, keep your form clean, and train these movements with enough consistency to let your body adapt. The goal isn’t to rush through a circuit. The goal is to create tension, control the weight, and make the right muscles do the work.
Prioritize compound moves first: Squats, RDLs, rows, and presses use more muscle than most machine-based isolation exercises. Start with them while your energy is highest.
Use muscle-building rep ranges: Most of these exercises work well for 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps. The final reps should feel challenging without forcing your form to fall apart.
Control the lowering phase: Lower the weight slowly during squats, RDLs, rows, and presses to keep your muscles under tension longer. More control usually means better stimulus.
Keep your core active: Standing lifts demand a strong brace. Set your ribs, tighten your midsection, and keep your posture steady before each rep.
Progress in small steps: Add a little weight, one or two reps, a stronger band, or a brief pause when the exercise starts to feel too easy. Small jumps help you keep building without beating up your joints.
Standing exercises train muscles in a way that feels useful beyond the workout. Build strength through these five patterns, give your body consistent practice, and the muscles you regain will help you move better in the places that matter most.
A new bill advancing in the House of Representatives could introduce a $130 annual national registration fee for electric vehicle (EV) owners, aimed at generating funds for highway repairs and infrastructure projects.
Spearheaded by Republican Representatives Sam Graves and Rick Larsen, the legislation proposes this fee to be adjusted every two years, eventually reaching $150.
Hybrid vehicle owners aren’t exempt, as they would face a separate annual fee starting at $35, which is set to increase to $50, acknowledging their partial reliance on gasoline.
Proponents of the bill argue that the measure will provide crucial additional funding for highway infrastructure under the BUILD America 250 Act. This comprehensive transportation package seeks to introduce new fees on battery-powered vehicles while increasing investments in roads, bridges, and railways.
Additionally, the bill aims to establish new regulations for autonomous commercial trucks.
The proposed increase comes as the Highway Trust Fund – which finances maintenance of the nation’s interstate system – faces the risk of running dry, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.
Most of the trust fund’s revenue comes from federal gas taxes, which EV drivers largely avoid paying.
That funding gap has already prompted several states to introduce separate registration fees for EVs.
A bill moving through the House of Representatives could force EV owners to pay an additional $130 annual national registration fee to help fund highway repairs and infrastructure projects
The legislation, backed by Republican Reps. Sam Graves (left) and Rick Larsen (right), would impose the fee each year, with the amount increasing every two years until it reaches $150
Gas prices are climbing amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz tied to the conflict with Iran
EV advocate Albert Gore told the The Wall Street Journal the bill would place an ‘unfair premium’ on EV drivers even as household budgets remain stretched thin
As a solution, the reps. backing the bill say the new fees would strengthen the Highway Trust Fund by ‘ensuring all highway users pay their share’.
Currently, the federal gas tax stands at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel – rates that have remained unchanged since 1993.
But as gas prices climb amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz tied to the conflict with Iran, President Trump has floated suspending the federal gas tax altogether in an effort to ease pressure on consumers.
The proposal has sparked backlash from environmental advocates and EV industry groups, who argue the new registration fees unfairly single out EV owners at a time when many Americans are already struggling with higher costs.
Albert Gore, executive director of the Zero Emission Transportation Association, told the The Wall Street Journal the bill would place an ‘unfair premium’ on EV drivers even as household budgets remain stretched thin.
In total, EV drivers could face a higher cost to use their vehicles over traditional ones which is estimated to be between $73 and $89 in gasoline taxes, according to data from ZETA.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act attempted to impose a similar fee for road maintenance, but it was left out of the final law.
The One Big Beautiful Bill attempted to impose a similar fee for road maintance, with their $250 annual federal registration fee, but that was struck down from the final law
Lawmakers hope to formally introduce the measure soon before the current transportation funding authorization expires on September 30
Critics argue the proposed EV fees would barely make a dent in the nation’s highway funding crisis
One of the biggest problems facing lawmakers is that Americans are using less gas overall, even as they are driving more.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, drivers used about 374.05 million gallons of gasoline a day in 2025, down from 2024 levels.
That’s partly because cars have become far more fuel-efficient over the years, with smaller engines and a growing number of hybrid models on the road.
Critics also argue the proposed EV fees would barely make a dent in the nation’s highway funding crisis, which has struggled for decades as gas tax revenue falls short.
At a congressional hearing in 2023, a representative from the Congressional Budget Office estimated that a $100 yearly fee on EV owners would raise around $20 billion between 2024 and 2033.
But the Highway Trust Fund is projected to face a much larger $241 billion shortfall during that same period.
EVs still make up only a small share of cars on US roads, and sales have cooled following the elimination of federal EV tax credits.
Americans bought an estimated 78,409 EVs in April – down 22 percent from the same month last year, according to Motor Intelligence.
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which drafted the bill, said lawmakers hope to formally introduce the measure soon before the current transportation funding authorization expires on September 30.
Tragedy struck in Pakistan as a devastating attack claimed the lives of at least 23 individuals and left approximately 70 others injured on Sunday morning. The attack, reported by the Associated Press, occurred when a suicide bomber targeted a passenger train, unleashing chaos and destruction.
The incident unfolded in Quetta, the bustling capital of the southwestern Balochistan province. An explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a railway line just as a passenger train was passing by. The powerful blast caused two train cars to overturn and become engulfed in flames. Balochistan has long been a flashpoint for tension, plagued by insurgencies involving separatist and militant factions.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has reportedly taken responsibility for the attack. They claimed their target was a train carrying security personnel. This event underscores the ongoing struggle for secession by the BLA, which has been a persistent issue in the region.
According to The Times of India, the train was transporting army personnel and their families from Quetta to Peshawar in anticipation of the Eid holidays. While the AP reported that the BLA’s intent was to strike a train laden with security personnel, the area is notably under a heavy security presence, adding layers of complexity to the situation.
In another alarming incident, a suicide car bomber attacked a school bus elsewhere in Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least five people. These attacks highlight the volatility and ongoing security challenges faced by the country.
Bystanders inspect an overturned train coach engulfed in smoke after a reported terrorist bombing derailed multiple cars in Quetta, Pakistan, on May 24, 2026.(Arshad Butt/AP Photo)
The blast reportedly sent shockwaves through the area.
According to witness accounts and images circulating on social media, the force of the explosion caused two train cars to overturn and burst into flames, sending thick black smoke into the sky, The AP said. Nearby buildings were also heavily damaged, and more than a dozen parked vehicles were impacted, the outlet added.
Several victims were reportedly transported to local hospitals. Among the wounded, about 20 were reported to be in critical condition, according to doctors cited by The AP.
PHOTOS CAPTURE DEVASTATION AFTER CHILE TRUCK EXPLOSION KILLS AT LEAST 4, DAMAGES AT LEAST 50 VEHICLES
A volunteer assists a survivor scaling the side of a severely damaged, overturned train car after a reported militant attack struck a rail line in Quetta, Pakistan, on May 24, 2026.(Arshad Butt/AP Photo)
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of terrorism” and saying that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“I strongly condemn the heinous bomb explosion near Chaman Phatak, Quetta, which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and left many others injured. Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan. We remain steadfast in our determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
“I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured. The entire nation stands in solidarity with the people of Balochistan in this hour of grief.”
INDIA VOWS TO HUNT TERRORISTS ‘TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH’ AS TENSIONS WITH PAKISTAN RISE AFTER KASHMIR ATTACK
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti alleged that the group is supported by Indian-sponsored proxies aimed at destabilizing Pakistan. The two countries have long been locked in a bitter dispute over territorial claims in Kashmir, though India has consistently denied such accusations.
“The terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan are proving their savagery by targeting innocent civilians, women, and children,” Bugti said, describing the group as “evil originating from India.”
Bystanders attend to victims on a railway track following reports of a deadly suicide vehicle bombing targeting a passenger train in Quetta, Pakistan, on May 24, 2026.(Arshad Butt/AP Photo)
“Those who shed the blood of innocent people deserve no leniency. Let the enemy hear this: there will be no safe haven left for terrorists in Balochistan. We will hunt down the terrorists, their facilitators, and their masterminds one by one and bring them to justice, and this war will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.”
The BLA has increasingly carried out large-scale suicide operations targeting Pakistani security forces and infrastructure in Quetta, according to The Times of India.
In 2024, at least 26 people, including soldiers, were killed in a suicide bombing at a train station in Balochistan.
Bonny Chu is a Breaking and Trending News Writer for Fox News Digital
Eleven Australians were among 400 flotilla participants intercepted west of Cyprus last week.
They have started arriving back in Australia, with some alleging mistreatment by Israeli authorities.
Warning: This article discusses topics related to sexual assault.
Australian nationals who participated in a flotilla aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza have begun returning home following their release from Israeli detention.
Among the 400 individuals detained by Israel in international waters off the coast of Cyprus were eleven Australians.
Several members of the group, including Australians, have reported experiencing mistreatment by Israeli officials during their detention. Allegations include instances of broken bones, sexual assault, being Tasered in the face, and being injected with unidentified substances.
In response, Israeli authorities have dismissed these claims, stating that the detainees were “held in accordance with the law” and labeling the accusations as unfounded.
Seven Australians were due to arrive in Sydney on Monday morning, while others will land in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Activist Violet Coco arrived at Melbourne airport on Monday morning, telling media she and other detainees were abused in Israeli custody.
She said Israeli authorities “beat, tortured and sexually assaulted” activists detained during the flotilla operation.
She also claimed detainees suffered fractures and head injuries, while some people allegedly went without insulin and blood pressure medication for several days.
Coco alleged she was pushed through a dark room, groped and repeatedly struck while in detention.
Gemma O’Toole was the first of the Australian activists to return on Sunday night and made similar allegations.
The 23-year-old student arrived at Melbourne Airport, where she was greeted by applause from friends and family.
Speaking to the ABC, O’Toole said she was “relieved” to be back in Australia but described herself as “deeply sad and traumatised” following the ordeal.
“It is going to take me a while to come to terms with what’s happened and everything I have seen,” she said.
O’Toole alleged Israeli forces subjected activists to physical abuse and sexual violence while in detention.
Surya McEwen, a dual diagnosis care worker from Mullumbimby in northern NSW, said the latest flotilla was his third attempt to deliver aid.
Surya McEwen was among Australians detained after the Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted at sea. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi
During his most recent detention, he was held for 80 hours and alleges he was beaten in a room while Israeli soldiers sang the national anthem.
Other Australians who were part of the flotilla allege they were denied food and water and physically assaulted.
McEwen likened the prison ships used by Israel to prisoner of war camps with nowhere to sleep, few toilets and platforms from which soldiers indiscriminately fired rubber bullets.
“We’re all very tired, battered and bruised,” he told the Australian Associated Press during a stopover before arriving in Sydney.
“I am physically hurting a bit but also have a strong resolve.
“While I was imprisoned, I thought of the thousands of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, hundreds among them children, and many being held without reason.”
Israel’s foreign ministry has labelled the flotilla a “provocation for the sake of provocation” and has previously denied the participants’ allegations of abuse.
Israel’s prison services said detainees were “held in accordance with the law”.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also rejected claims of abuse in a statement to the ABC.
“IDF orders require respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants on the intercepted vessels, and there are clear and established procedures in this regard,” it said.
But members of the aid delegation are speaking with lawyers about their experience.
They want evidence collated to be used at the International Criminal Court to support the abuse claims of Palestinians.
While McEwen did not yet know what the next steps would be for the flotilla mission, he said the push for Palestinian liberation was stronger than ever.
“What we know about the human spirit is that when there is overwhelming horror happening for millions, like what has been happening in Gaza, it is part of the collective nature to find a way to intervene,” he said.
“It’s not that the dangers or the struggle of this movement makes it less likely for people to be involved. If anything, we have built more resolve to be stronger and more creative and thoughtful in the way we do this work.
“All that Israel has is violence but we have love, care, community and human solidarity … [this movement] will definitely build and get stronger and the tactics will evolve.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Usher recently found himself immersed in the excitement of graduation season.
On Saturday, the renowned singer took to Instagram to share a slew of photos from the graduation ceremonies of his eldest son, Usher Raymond V—affectionately known as Cinco—along with his daughter, Sovereign Bo, and son, Sire Castrello.
The Instagram post featured clips from Cinco’s high school graduation and included heartfelt moments from Sovereign and Sire’s school milestones. One touching photo showed Usher with his daughter, while another captured Cinco’s graduation alongside Usher’s mother, Jonetta Patton.
Usher expressed his pride and nostalgia with the caption, “Graduation week for 3 of my beautiful kids Cinco, Sove, and Sire. Time flies, man.”
Cinco’s graduation was particularly momentous. The teenager has recently completed his studies at Galloway High School, marking the achievement with a special celebration attended by family and friends, including Usher and Cinco’s mother, Tameka Foster.
This fall, Cinco is headed to Howard University.
Usher has previously opened up about why his son prefers to go by “Cinco” instead of Usher Raymond V.
“He goes by Cinco because he doesn’t want to carry the Usher name around all the time,” the singer shared during an interview with LEVEL Man. “It’s like, I’m not my dad. I am who I am.”
Cinco is the oldest of Usher’s four children. The singer also shares son Naviyd Ely Raymond with Tameka Foster and daughter Sovereign Bo and son Sire Castrello with wife Jenn Goicoechea.
Usher opened up about raising children in a blended family during a 2024 interview with LEVEL Man.
“There is no disconnect when it comes to our children,” he said at the time. “They are all brothers and sisters. No steps or halves. And they love each other and protect each other to the best of their abilities.”
Usher also explained how he approaches co-parenting between households.
“My wife is my wife; me and my ex-wife have children together,” he said. “Though we have different homes, I try to implement and do whatever I possibly can in mine and I don’t worry about what I can’t control.”
SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama delivered a stellar performance on Sunday night, scoring 33 points, grabbing eight rebounds, providing five assists, and blocking three shots to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 103-82 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. This win in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals evens the series, showcasing the Spurs’ resilience against a tough opponent.
De’Aaron Fox contributed significantly with a double-double, tallying 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Meanwhile, teammates Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell each chipped in with 13 points, reinforcing San Antonio’s balanced attack. Notably, the Spurs have managed to avoid losing three consecutive games throughout the entire season, a testament to their consistency and determination.
The series now moves back to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Tuesday, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday in San Antonio. The tension is mounting as both teams vie for the upper hand in this closely contested series.
For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the top scorer, though he struggled with his shooting, finishing with 19 points on a 6-for-15 effort from the field.
Wembanyama seemed particularly motivated following Oklahoma City’s 123-108 triumph in Game 3 on Friday, taking it personally as a call to elevate his game. The towering 7-foot-4 French star responded emphatically, not only boosting his performance but also inspiring a reinvigorated effort from the entire San Antonio squad.
The Spurs limited the Thunder to 33% shooting from the field, including 6 for 33 on 3-pointers (18%).
After being outscored 76-23 in bench points in Game 3, San Antonio’s reserves scored 30 points while limiting Oklahoma City to 34.
The Spurs had another hot start in Game 4 after opening the previous game on a 15-0 run. Unlike Friday’s lopsided loss, the Spurs never relinquished that lead.
After blocking Jared McCain’s layup under the rim, Vassell tossed an alley-oop pass to Wembanyama for a dunk as part of 16-0 run that gave the Spurs a 23-8 lead with 4:19 remaining.
San Antonio had an assist on all 10 field goals in the first quarter.
San Antonio held Oklahoma City to 38 points in the first half, tied for its second-lowest half in the past four regular and postseasons. The Thunder are 2-9 when they score less than 40 points in any half over the last five seasons.
Oklahoma City’s franchise low is 65 points in a playoff loss to Memphis on May 3, 2014, and its second-fewest points had been 85 against San Antonio on May 21, 2014.
Spencer Pratt, a candidate in the Los Angeles mayoral race, has garnered attention and praise for his latest campaign ad, which underscores the dire state of the city’s streets.
At 42, Pratt, who gained fame from reality television, shared a video on his X account last Sunday. In it, he can be seen wearing a hazmat suit while using a power washer on a Los Angeles sidewalk.
The video begins with a shot of a spotless blacktop accompanied by the message: “Imagine if the streets were this clean. Spencer Pratt for mayor of LA.”
The camera then shifts focus to a woman sweeping the pavement. She criticizes current Mayor Karen Bass, claiming she faced opposition for her activism, and voices her endorsement for Pratt.
A text overlay in the video declares, “Spencer Pratt actually listens to the people trying to clean LA,” suggesting that, for the first time in years, the city’s residents feel heard.
‘We’re tired of leadership that ignores the problem. We’re tired of a corrupt mayor bringing our city down,’ it continued. ‘LA residents are doing the work City Hall refused to do.’
As of Sunday evening, the video was seen more than 437,000 times, with X users from across the country praising Pratt for the ad.
‘Already pressure washing the streets and he’s not even mayor yet,’ one woman posted, while another called it ‘brilliant advertising.’
‘One of the most ingenious and cutting-edge political campaigns ever. Pratt is shaping the future of messaging for decades to come,’ a third X user agreed.
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, 42, posted a video to his X account on Sunday, showing him donning a hazmat suit as he power-washed a sidewalk
It started off showing a cleared-off black top with stenciled writing, reading: ‘Imagine if the streets were this clean. Spencer Pratt for mayor of LA’
X users called the ad ‘brilliant,’ with one netizen saying it is ‘one of the most ingenious and cutting-edge political campaigns ever’
Others agreed that Los Angeles’ streets have to be cleaned up.
‘You got that right – I’ve visited LA from the Midwest three times over the past decade and each time it felt more unclean and more unsafe,’ an X user wrote.
‘I hope you win, you have a great vision! from the bottom up, I hope the next time we visit will be better than ever!’
An LA native also shared that: ‘Growing up in Santa Monica in the 80’s/90’s was the best childhood ever.
‘Liberal policies destroyed my beautiful hometown, and it’s the reason I joined the military, and never looked back.
‘It’s funny how everyone attacks your name, but never your policies,’ he added.
Some also suggested other politicians around the country should follow Pratt’s lead.
‘I love that you’re doing this, and I hope that it spills over in to other liberal cities that have done such a terrible job, like Portland,’ one netizen shared.
‘America is slowly healing, and when LA and NY is back, the rest will follow,’ another added.
Pratt is facing off against incumbent Karen Bass and fellow mayoral hopeful LA Councilmember Nithya Raman in the race
Pratt has hit out at incumbent Mayor Karen Bass for the city’s homelessness and drug problems
Pratt is facing off against incumbent Karen Bass and fellow mayoral hopeful LA Councilmember Nithya Raman in the race.
A primary is scheduled for June 2, with Bass considered the favorite to win. But current polling indicates the race may go to a November 3 runoff as none of the candidates have an outright majority.
As Pratt now tries to separate himself from his opponents, he has focused his campaign on the high levels of drug use and rampant homelessness in Los Angeles.
He has vowed to impose a three–week ‘grace period’ to warn criminals, drug users and homeless people to leave the west coast city.
Pratt’s policies have since earned him the recognition of former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who said the former TV star is ‘probably the most Trumpian candidate we’ve ever seen in terms of house style.’
‘Trump’s superpower was bringing in people into politics who hate politics, and that’s what [Pratt] is doing online right now,’ Bannon, 72, told NPR.
President Donald Trump has also said he would ‘like to see him do well,’ and Naughty But Nice Substacker Rob Shuter has reported that Trump has even considered endorsing Pratt.
‘Trump loves celebrity candidates, and Spencer knows exactly how to dominate headlines,’ a Republican insider told Shuter. ‘The idea of endorsing him has absolutely been discussed.’
Pratt has vowed to impose a three–week ‘grace period’ to warn criminals, drug users and homeless people to leave the west coast city
Pratt has claimed not to be affiliated with a political party
Shuter also reported that Pratt was trying to walk a fine line – attract conservative voters but not get too tied up in national politics.
He even claimed on Saturday not to be affiliated to any political party.
‘Everyone is trying to claim me for their tribe,’ the mayoral hopeful posted on Saturday. ‘There’s no R next to my name, there’s no D next to my name.
‘I’m not part of a political party, because I hate politicians.
‘I’m just Spencer, husband to Heidi, father to Ryker and Gunner, and I’m a pissed off Angeleno who loves my city and is fed up with what corrupt politicians have done to her.’
Yet Pratt’s post came just two days after he gave a CNN interview in which he revealed that he had been convinced to register as a Republican because of the party’s full embrace of gun rights.
Since 2020, Pratt has been registered as Republican but he is running as a independent community advocate.
Pratt is pictured with his wife, Heidi Montag, and their children
In the Thursday CNN chat he said: ‘You want to break some news here?’ Pratt said, pitching what he was about to say as something he’s never publicly shared before.
‘When I was a hated reality star I got so many death threats. I had so much security and police. And what did they tell me to do?
‘Get a gun,’ Pratt recalled. ‘This is real. I know people don’t like guns, but LA is dangerous if you’re hated. So, I got a gun. My wife got a gun.’
He then explained that he and his wife, Heidi Montag, needed concealed carry permits because in California, citizens are generally not allowed to open carry firearms, whether they are loaded or unloaded.
And because Republicans in California are far more supportive of concealed carry than Democrats, Pratt chose to register with the GOP.
A bystander remains in serious but stable condition after being wounded by gunfire during a shooting incident outside the White House. The incident, which occurred when a man opened fire on a checkpoint, resulted in the suspect being fatally shot by U.S. Secret Service officers.
The Secret Service disclosed that the bystander, whose identity has not been revealed, sustained a gunshot wound that is not considered life-threatening. However, the circumstances leading to the bystander being shot remain unclear.
Authorities have so far provided limited information regarding the shooting that took place early Saturday evening. According to the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect, 21-year-old Nasire Best from Dundalk, Maryland, initiated the gunfire at a White House security checkpoint. Secret Service officers responded by returning fire, and Best was subsequently declared dead at the hospital.
No officers were harmed during the incident, as confirmed by Secret Service Director Sean Curran in a statement shared on social media. “Our thoughts are also with the innocent bystander who was wounded during this incident,” Curran expressed. “The Secret Service is hopeful he will make a full recovery.”
At the time of the shooting, President Donald Trump was present in the White House.
It was the third shooting near the president in the past month, after a man stormed the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April armed with guns and knives, and Secret Service officers shot and wounded a man who fired at them earlier this month near the Washington Monument.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the suspect in Saturday’s shooting had a “possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure.” He also used the shooting to promote the ballroom he is seeking to build on the site of the White House’s former East Wing, saying the shooting “goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C.” Trump is asking Congress for $1 billion for security additions for the White House campus, including the ballroom.
Best had a previous run-in with law enforcement near the White House, according to District of Columbia court records. He was arrested last July for attempting to enter White House grounds near a different checkpoint. He failed to heed officers’ commands to stop, claimed to be Jesus Christ and said he wanted to be arrested.
Best was a track and field athlete at Dundalk High School, from which he graduated in 2023.
A woman who identified herself as Best’s mother told The Washington Post that she learned about the shooting on social media and was in disbelief. She said her son “was never violent, regardless of what people are posting.”
Concert ticket shopping has become a daunting experience for many fans, who often find themselves stuck in lengthy virtual queues, facing steep prices, and frequently coming away empty-handed. The struggle to secure tickets is intensifying, and several factors contribute to this frustrating scenario.
People are competing against bots to secure concert tickets
Fans eager to buy concert tickets are not just up against fellow enthusiasts; they’re also contending with automated bots that can snap up over 1,000 tickets per minute. Additionally, some individuals are turning to ticket bot services to gain an unfair advantage, a tactic that contravenes the terms of many ticketing platforms.
“The use of bots violates most ticketing platform policies and carries significant risks,” explained Gilad Zilberman, co-founder of SeatPick. “Users who engage in such practices risk having their accounts flagged, purchases annulled, or payments blocked.”
In certain jurisdictions, these actions can even lead to legal consequences.
“This issue surfaced recently during Ariana Grande’s ticket sales when several transactions were reportedly canceled due to breaches of Ticketmaster’s purchase terms,” Zilberman remarked. “In some countries, employing ticket bots is a violation of anti-bot laws, which can result in fines or legal proceedings.”
“This recently happened during Ariana Grande ticket sales, after a number of purchases were reportedly cancelled for violating Ticketmaster ticket purchase terms,” he noted. “In some countries, using ticket bots can also breach anti-bot laws, potentially resulting in fines or legal action.”
Ticketing platforms may think real people seeking concert tickets are bots
The anti-bot systems may, unfortunately, make it more difficult for real people to get tickets. Actions like refreshing too often, having multiple tabs open, using a VPN, or clicking too fast might be flagged as suspicious. This could result in real fans losing their place in the queue.
“Security companies working with ticketing platforms have described ticket drops as similar to cyberattacks because of the scale of automated abuse,” Zilberman said. “And whilst Ticketmaster has said it blocks hundreds of millions of bot attempts daily, it means the anti-bot systems are often tuned for maximum defence, making it likely that real fans are accidentally caught up in the process too.”
To avoid this happening, Zilberman recommended not refreshing the page, having only one tab open, and staying on one stable connection.
Other factors are working against people
Ticketmaster’s president, Saumil Mehta, recently revealed that the waiting line positions are not completely random. This has led people to believe that there could be hidden ranking systems that are working against them.
Dynamic pricing, which adjusts prices based on demand, also makes things difficult. Prices sometimes surge to astronomical levels. When some fans make their way through the queue, they might discover that all they have left to select are VIP packages that cost hundreds of dollars.
