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Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 sex crimes conviction in New York overturned : NPR

Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein ,showing in a Los Angeles courtroom in Oct. 2022.

Etienne Laurent/Getty Pictures


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Etienne Laurent/Getty Pictures

Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein ,showing in a Los Angeles courtroom in Oct. 2022.

Etienne Laurent/Getty Pictures

Editor’s be aware: This report consists of descriptions of sexual assault.

On Thursday morning, the very best courtroom in New York state overturned the 2020 felony intercourse crime conviction of former film mogul Harvey Weinstein, and ordered a brand new trial. Weinstein has been serving a 23-year sentence in New York on the idea of that conviction. The Manhattan district legal professional’s workplace advised NPR it intends to retry the case.

The New York State Court docket of Appeals present in a 4-3 choice that Weinstein had not acquired a good trial, partially as a result of the trial decide allowed testimony from girls whose allegations weren’t a part of that case. (In all, greater than 100 girls made public allegations towards Weinstein.)

On behalf of the appeals courtroom majority, Choose Jenny Rivera wrote partially within the ruling: “We conclude that the trial courtroom erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts towards individuals apart from the complainants of the underlying crimes as a result of that testimony served no materials non-propensity goal… The one proof towards defendent [Weinstein] was the complainants’ testimony, and the results of the courtroom’s rulings … was to bolster their credibility and diminish defendant’s character earlier than the jury.”

These girls testified in courtroom as “Molineux witnesses” or “prior dangerous act witnesses” — which has been allowed in New York in sure conditions going again to 1900. Critics and authorized consultants say that software of the “Molineux Rule” might be extremely subjective, and leaves verdicts extra open to challenges.

In a written assertion to NPR Thursday, legal professional Douglas Wigdor, who has represented eight alleged Harvey Weinstein victims, together with two of the Molineux witnesses within the New York legal trial, mentioned: “Right this moment’s choice is a serious step again in holding these accountable for acts of sexual violence. Courts routinely admit proof of different uncharged acts the place they help juries in understanding points in regards to the intent, modus operandi or scheme of the defendant. The jury was instructed on the relevance of this testimony and overturning the decision is tragic in that it’ll require the victims to endure yet one more trial.”

It would now be as much as the Manhattan district legal professional, Alvin Bragg Jr., to launch a brand new trial towards Weinstein. Bragg is at present concerned in one other very high-profile case: the New York trial of former president Donald Trump, who has been charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying enterprise information within the first diploma. A spokesperson for the DA’s workplace advised NPR Thursday in a written assertion: “We’ll do all the things in our energy to retry this case, and stay steadfast in our dedication to survivors of sexual assault.”

Regardless of the New York courtroom’s choice, one other conviction towards Weinstein stands for now. In Feb. 2023, a decide in Los Angeles sentenced Weinstein to a 16-year jail time period on a separate conviction of rape and sexual assault. That sentence is to be served consecutively after the New York jail time period. As of Thursday morning, Weinstein was being held in upstate New York, on the Mohawk Correctional Facility.

Matthews scores winner in the 3rd, Maple Leafs down Bruins 3-2 to even series 1-1

Auston Matthews scored the winner within the third interval and added two assists because the Toronto Maple Leafs topped the Boston Bruins 3-2 on Monday to even their first-round playoff collection 1-1.

The primary NHLer to hit 69 objectives since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 took a lob cross from Max Domi and moved in alone on Linus Ullmark earlier than making a transfer to the forehand with 7:54 left in regulation time to offer the Leafs their first lead towards the Bruins within the final six video games — together with 4 within the common season.

“World class at every little thing he does,” Toronto captain John Tavares, who scored late within the second to tie the sport 2-2, stated of Matthews. “Units the usual for us. Hell of a sport. He is driving our group.”

The aim was the primary for Matthews within the playoffs in his final seven contests.

“It is simply occurring so quick,” stated the 26-year-old sniper. “You do not actually have time to suppose. It is actually simply intuition and making an attempt to make the precise play.”

Domi and Tavares had the opposite objectives for Toronto. Ilya Samsonov made 27 saves.

The Leafs have been minus star winger William Nylander for a second straight sport with an undisclosed harm after suiting up for all 82 regular-season contests.

David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie replied for Boston. Ullmark stopped 30 pictures for the Bruins, who downed the Leafs 5-1 in Saturday’s opener with Jeremy Swayman in web.

Sport 3 on Wednesday in Toronto

Sport 3 of the best-of-seven collection goes down Wednesday in Toronto. The groups then get two days off earlier than Saturday’s Sport 4.

In different video games final night time, Zach Hyman scored three objectives and Connor McDavid had 5 assists because the Edmonton Oilers gained their opener with the L.A. Kings, 7-4. The Carolina Hurricanes took a 2-0 collection lead over the NY Islanders with a 5-3 win, whereas the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Dallas Stars 4-3 in Sport 1 of their first-round collection.

The Leafs bought the higher of the Bruins for the primary time in 9 video games — a stretch of greater than 530 days — stretching again to November 2022.

Toronto Maple Leafs middle John Tavares (91) is congratulated after his aim towards Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (not proven) throughout the second interval of Sport 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff collection, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Boston. (Charles Krupa/Related Press)

After Matthews gave Toronto the lead, Boston bought an influence play with six minutes left on the clock, however the Bruins by no means actually threatened Samsonov earlier than the puck stayed out on a mad scramble within the guests’ crease that included Matthews denying an opportunity within the closing minute.

Boston, which topped Toronto within the first spherical in 2013, 2018 and 2019, opened the scoring at 10:18 of the primary interval when Geekie completed off a pleasant sequence with Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk after Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe took an undisciplined cross-checking penalty.

Toronto pushed proper again simply 14 seconds later.

Matthews fired a shot off the crossbar and Domi, who took a foul penalty Saturday that led to a Bruins aim, buried the rebound on his second effort earlier than emphatically motioning to the TD Backyard crowd in celebration.

The Leafs bought their first energy play and Matthews, who bagged 69 objectives within the common season, had one other good probability that Ullmark stopped together with his proper pad.

The guests have been in good condition and poised to move to the intermission tied when catastrophe struck.

Samsonov misplayed a simple dump-in that led to Charlie Coyle rattling a shot off the facet of the netminder’s masks. After a delay to get some tools repairs, Tavares misplaced the offensive zone faceoff and Mitch Marner fell asleep in protection, permitting Pastrnak to one-time a blast off a candy feed from Pavel Zacha with 7.8 seconds left on the clock.

Ullmark, who bought the beginning regardless of Swayman’s 35-save efficiency in Sport 1 to proceed Boston’s crease rotation, made a terrific glove cease on Calle Jarnkrok within the second that was confirmed after video evaluate to verify the netminder’s left hand did not cross the road.

Tyler Bertuzzi — a commerce deadline acquisition by Boston final spring earlier than signing with Toronto — appeared to tie the sport 2-2 on an influence play late within the interval, however the name was reversed following one other evaluate after he was judged to have batted the puck in with a excessive stick.

However the Leafs nonetheless had virtually two minutes left on that man benefit and bought even when Tavares, who drew the penalty, took a cross from Matthews within the slot and fired previous Ullmark’s blocker as Toronto’s energy play lastly related on its sixth alternative of the collection.

Samsonov made an enormous cease at full stretch early within the third on a Marchand probability earlier than Ullmark robbed Nick Robertson, once more within the lineup for Nylander, on the different finish with the glove earlier than Matthews supplied the margin of victory.

Nylander skates

The proficient winger sat once more regardless of participating in Toronto’s morning skate. Nylander did not be part of the road rushes and wasn’t included within the power-play drills.

Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe, who had beforehand stated there can be no harm updates, left the door open for the Swede to play, however all indicators pointed to him watching from the press field.

Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery continued to play coy together with his goaltending alternative earlier than the sport — and had just a little enjoyable with reporters.

“Do you guys play Wordle?” he stated Monday morning of the favored sport. “The goalie tonight has two vowels in his first and final title.”

Ontario legislature: Individuals refused entry for wearing keffiyeh

People being barred from coming into Ontario’s legislature whereas sporting a keffiyeh say the garment is a part of their cultural id— and the one ones making it political are the politicians banning it.

On Monday, Kitchener resident Beisan Zubi drove to Toronto to take heed to Query Interval, however she wasn’t allowed within the constructing as a result of she was sporting a keffiyeh.

The headscarf, she mentioned, belonged to her mom.

“It is older than I’m. That is one thing that is been handed all the way down to me. I am very pleased with it,” she instructed CTV Information Toronto.

She mentioned she was proven a printed letter that mentioned no guests to the legislative meeting shall be allowed to put on the keffiyeh.

“In consideration of the geopolitical state of affairs within the Center East, the keffiyeh now holds sturdy political connotations affected by the Israeli-Palestinian battle and sporting the headscarf within the Legislative Meeting can be thought of a political assertion.”

“I used to be confused,” Zubi mentioned. “Is that this the one cultural, you already know, the place that’s banned? Apparently, sure.”

She says it feels as if the federal government is telling Palestinians they aren’t welcome on the legislature.

“Are you telling me I should not be proud? Are you telling me I am unable to take part in our political arenas? What’s the message right here,” she mentioned.

“That is not acceptable. That is not something that any of elected officers must be proudly saying.”

Beisan Zubi is seen on this undated {photograph}. (Supplied)

On Tuesday the Ontario New Democratic Celebration tried for a second time to acquire unanimous consent to reverse the ban, however the movement failed.

Home Speaker Ted Arnott instructed reporters that he heard some “nays” and subsequently couldn’t take any motion. Arnott was the one who initially instituted the ban, arguing there’s a “long-standing” coverage about sporting political symbols within the Home.

Premier Doug Ford has mentioned publicly that he doesn’t help banning the keffiyeh and has requested the speaker to reverse his choice.

Nevertheless he mentioned he wouldn’t pressure his social gathering members to vote a sure means.

“Members of caucus are free to help or oppose the NDP movement,” a spokesperson mentioned Tuesday.

What’s the keffiyeh?

The keffiyeh is a sq. scarf historically worn by Palestinians, Muslims and Arabs. It has come to represent solidarity with Palestinians amid the Center East battle.

Nevertheless for a lot of the headscarf is a part of who they’re.

“It is one thing that our ancestors have worn for generations. For me, it is grow to be one thing that I flip to for consolation, for satisfaction, for id,” Dania Majid with the Arab Canadian Legal professionals Affiliation instructed CTV Information Toronto.

Dania Majid with the Arab Canadian Legal professionals Affiliation speaks with CTV Information Toronto exterior of Queen’s Park on April 23, 2024.

Majid was a part of a gaggle who had been scheduled to fulfill with NDP Chief Marit Stiles to debate anti-Palestinian racism on Tuesday. They have been instructed they couldn’t come into the legislature sporting their keffiyeh.

The group refused to take action and held the assembly exterior of Queen’s Park as an alternative.

“They’re actually stripping me of my dignity and that is why we determined we wouldn’t take off our keffiyeh to go inside,” Majid mentioned whereas standing exterior of the constructing.

Zubi additionally describes the headscarf as a consolation garment, noting that Palestinians are raised to pay attention to their historical past and so they maintain it near coronary heart.

“The keffiyeh is a logo to Palestinians and it is for Palestinians. So when non Palestinians try to outline it or malign it or change the which means of it, it is clearly extraordinarily offensive and it is discriminatory,” she mentioned.

“We do not enable different members of different teams to have their cultural garb be outlined by people who find themselves not in that cultural group.”

In keeping with Zubi, the symbols on the headscarf symbolize commerce and agriculture. She additionally acknowledged that it’s typically worn by non-Palestinians in solidity with the folks.

Is it political?

Arnott has beforehand defended his choice. saying that the sporting of the keffiyeh is “is clearly supposed to be a political assertion” nowadays.

“It’s extraordinarily politically delicate, clearly, however procedurally, I consider I made the suitable choice within the sense of previous rulings of Audio system and precedents and traditions,” he instructed reporters final week.

One of many members who voted towards the movement is PC MPP Robin Martin, who launched an announcement Tuesday saying that she intends to proceed to vote towards it

“The foundations of the legislature are clear that props and clothes that makes a political assertion can’t be worn within the chamber,” she mentioned.

“These guidelines exist to maintain the peace in our democratic establishments and to make sure that we use solely our phrases to debate and persuade one another. I consider these guidelines are vital to the correct functioning of the legislature and should be upheld.”

PC MPP Lisa Macleod additionally voted towards the movement and referred to as the headscarf a “very divisive image and political image in Ontario.” She additionally urged the NDP movement to reverse the ban was antisemitic and ill-timed attributable to Passover.

“I believe that these tensions which have unnecessarily spilled over into the Ontario legislature actually have been a distraction for the work that we’re speculated to be doing right here,” she mentioned.

Unbiased MPP Sarah Jama wore the keffiyeh within the legislature Tuesday regardless of the ban. Talking to reporters she referred to as the ban ridiculous and mentioned she has worn the headscarf a number of occasions within the legislature earlier than the ban.

“Cultural clothes may be made to be political,” she mentioned, whereas including that the act of banning a chunk of garment can also be political.

“To focus on employees who have been making an attempt to enter the constructing who affiliate with the headscarf culturally is mistaken. The premier has even come up and mentioned that is mistaken, so the speaker actually must reassess his ruling on this matter.”

Unbiased MPP Sarah Jama wears the keffiyeh at Queen’s Park on April 23, 2024. (Katherine DeClerq)

A bunch of demonstrators have been kicked out of the legislature on Tuesday for protesting after the NDP’s movement to reverse the ban was denied. Guests to Queen’s Park began to yell when Authorities Home Chief Paul Calandra responded to questions concerning the ban by speaking about how his social gathering has a “numerous caucus.”

The legislature was placed on recess for quarter-hour.

When requested if the protest proves the speaker’s level, that the keffiyeh has grow to be a political image, Jama mentioned no, explaining that people are doing what they really feel is critical to have their voices heard.

Lucas Vázquez Emerges As Real Madrid’s Unlikely Clásico Hero

Midfield celebrity Jude Bellingham has caught the attention together with his eloquence and media coaching since making the transfer to Actual Madrid. Plaudits have showered him with reward for his intricate explanations and perception into the lifetime of one among soccer’s largest stars. But his submit on X following Actual Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Barcelona may need been essentially the most uncooked but. He merely posted, “Lucas Vázquez you ****ing legend”.

Few may have seen Lucas being the hero coming. Second-choice at right-back behind Dani Carvajal, he’s often solely included for such headline video games when his team-mate is not obtainable. On this case, Carlo Ancelotti opted to relaxation Carvajal, giving Lucas what could be solely his fourth full 90 minutes within the Clásico in 9 years on the membership.

Regardless of that, Lucas has lengthy been the person for the massive event. Simply earlier this week, he confirmed his composure to return on instead in extra-time and rifle house his penalty-kick within the victorious shoot-out towards Manchester Metropolis.

That very same expertise would come into play on Sunday night time’s Clásico. Pau Cubarsí naively left a leg hanging within the field, and Lucas noticed his probability to pressure the contact and go down and earn a spot kick, which Vinícius Júnior scored to stage the tie.

In a while, Lucas would get himself on the scoresheet. It could be a transfer harking back to Ousmane Dembélé’s strike towards Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain earlier within the week, clearly profiting from a spot in João Cancelo’s positioning to search out area and rating on the far-post. The same transfer in damage time, when Lucas continued to clock up the miles and burst down the flank, allowed him to whip the ball throughout the face of purpose for Jude Bellingham to faucet in a winner for Actual Madrid.

The cameras centered on Bellingham as he ran in the direction of the followers, however he was headed in the direction of his team-mate to hyperlink arms and dance as the 2 males who had mixed to safe a vital victory which will get one Actual Madrid hand on the La Liga title.

The function of the bit-part participant

Lucas is a kind of figures at Actual Madrid who add the character to the squad. Removed from the superstars or Galácticos that boss the dressing room, he is among the quiet leaders who will contribute in his personal approach, from the bench or just together with his presence.

“I all the time attempt to do one of the best I can and provides my all and carry out effectively. I all the time attempt to play in addition to I can for myself and for everybody,” he mirrored when chatting with the media earlier than a Champions League tie with Union Berlin in December.

Even so, enjoying such a job just isn’t straightforward for a participant who may begin for many high groups in Europe. The inconsistency has its drawbacks, as he himself has acknowledged, saying, “there are good moments and unhealthy moments. Whenever you aren’t getting minutes otherwise you don’t really feel necessary, you are feeling unhealthy. You must preserve your head cool and practice to the max, figuring out that you simply’re succesful and believing in your self. I don’t lack that. I’m at Actual Madrid, the place I’ve all the time needed to be, so I’ll give my all for myself and for my membership.”

Not since 2014/15, when Lucas was loaned out for normal first group motion to RCD Espanyol, has he performed greater than 2,000 minutes in La Liga. Within the white of Actual Madrid, his document stays at 1,850 minutes over the course of a league season in 2020/21.

Nevertheless, each time he is known as upon, Lucas turns up. That is simply the newest case the place he has proven as a lot. Like his companion Nacho, who he performed alongside for the membership’s B-team, Castilla, he has spent most of his profession enjoying for the membership he loves, accepting that he won’t ever be its star, however thriving when he’s most wanted. Sunday night time on the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was simply the newest working example.

Lucas’ unsure future

The 32-year-old defender has modified his place from a pacey winger to a dependable full-back, however his future stays unclear as he enters the ultimate months of his current contract at Actual Madrid.

In February, Relevo reported that Actual Madrid was eager to make him a proposal to increase his stick with the membership, however two months on there was no tangible progress in talks. Lucas himself has declared his love for the membership publicly, however has not spoken brazenly on his future.

Actual Madrid wish to strengthen in defence this summer season, the place Dani Carvajal is already first alternative, and Lucas might discover himself much more on the periphery of the first-team image. He’ll wish to add to his 343 appearances for the membership, however is aware of that the arrival of competitors will show a check, simply because the likes of Álvaro Odriozola have up to now.

On the age of 32, he could also be tempted to comply with within the footsteps of Nacho, and search for a last contract in his profession elsewhere to have a profitable finish to his profession. What is evident from this Clásico is that Lucas nonetheless has what it takes so as to add actual worth to Actual Madrid even on the largest of events.

Renewed NDP push to end keffiyeh ban at Queen’s Park fails

A second try by the New Democrats to overturn a ban on keffiyehs within the Ontario legislature has failed and now a coalition of legal professionals says it has filed a proper request with the Speaker’s workplace to reverse the transfer.

A number of authorities MPPs voted in opposition to a unanimous consent movement to overturn the ban Tuesday. The movement, launched by NDP Chief Marit Stiles, referred to as for the home to acknowledge keffiyehs as culturally vital clothes objects and permit for them to be worn at Queen’s Park. 

The controversial prohibition on keffiyehs was instituted earlier this month by Home Speaker Ted Arnott, who mentioned keffiyehs are being worn at Queen’s Park to make an overt political assertion.

In a press release Tuesday night, the Canadian Muslim Lawers Affiliation mentioned it was “appalled” that its colleagues with the Arab Canadian Legal professionals Affiliation have been faraway from the Legislature on account of the ban.

“The keffiyeh is greater than a political assertion; it’s a image deeply rooted in Arab tradition and solidarity,” it mentioned.

“By effecting this ban, the Legislature silences voices and assist for oppressed individuals and is a chief instance of anti-Palestinian racism. This discriminatory choice perpetuates dangerous stereotypes whereas undermining rules of human rights laws, together with non secular freedom and cultural expression.”

Keffiyehs, checkered scarves that are generally worn in Arab cultures, maintain explicit significance to Palestinian individuals. They’ve been a frequent sight amongst pro-Palestinian protesters calling for an finish to the violence in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues.

WATCH | Protesters disrupt query interval: 

Protest prompts Ontario legislature to recess, after 2nd NDP try to finish keffiyeh ban fails

Ontario’s New Democrats tried — and failed — a second time to move a unanimous consent movement to overturn the ban on keffiyehs within the Ontario legislature. Protests throughout query interval prompted the home speaker to recess legislature for quarter-hour.

There was a smattering of nos from the Progressive Conservative benches when Stiles’s movement was learn into the report.

“Ontario is made up of plenty of totally different cultures, and other people ought to be capable to put on their cultural apparel into the legislature and wherever else,” Stiles mentioned at a information convention earlier than bringing the movement ahead.

Premier says MPPs free to vote

Earlier Tuesday, PC MPP Robin Martin mentioned she couldn’t “in good conscience” vote in favour of the movement. Martin equally voted in opposition to a unanimous consent movement on the problem introduced ahead by the NDP final week.

“To conform to a movement just like the one put ahead on Thursday by MPP Stiles, which declares the keffiyeh to be a cultural image and never a political one, can be to disclaim the very fact and actuality that it has taken on an inherent political that means, significantly at the moment,” Martin mentioned. 

Overturning the ban would “would set up a harmful precedent” and undermine democratic establishments, she added.

“I acknowledge that I’ll personally face political repercussions due to my vote and continued stance on this movement. I settle for that,” Martin mentioned, alluding to Premier Doug Ford’s public feedback opposing the ban. 

PC MPP Lisa MacLeod additionally voted no, calling it antisemitic as a result of it got here throughout the Jewish vacation of Passover.

“I believe that these tensions which have unnecessarily spilled over into the Ontario legislature actually have been a distraction for the work that we’re speculated to be doing right here,” MacLeod mentioned exterior the legislative chamber.

“I believe that when Marit Stiles suggests that every one Ontarians are in assist of this, she is ignoring the truth that the Jewish neighborhood within the province appears like they’re below risk and below assault.” 

WATCH | Ford says he does not assist keffiyeh ban in Ontario legislature:

Ford says division over keffiyeh ‘not wholesome’

Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated Thursday that he doesn’t assist Speaker Ted Arnott banning keffiyehs within the Ontario Legislature as a result of they’re “meant to be a political assertion,” as Arnott mentioned in an e mail Wednesday.

Ford mentioned final week it “needlessly divides the individuals of our province” and publicly urged his caucus to assist the earlier NDP movement. 

Ford was not current for Tuesday’s sitting. However when talking to reporters at Queen’s Park, Ford mentioned it is as much as members of Parliament to make their choice, after the Speaker made his.

“It’s totally divisive, for my part … It is a very delicate subject for sure individuals,” he mentioned.

“We’re a really robust staff and I am completely satisfied we had an important dialog with all of the members — and so they all bought to talk freely. Possibly I am a bit of totally different than different premiers, however I let individuals converse freely and I do not punish them for talking freely.”

Unbiased MPP wears keffiyeh in protest

Shortly after query interval started, the legislature was adjourned on account of protesters within the gallery yelling “free Palestine.” A number of of them donned keffiyehs earlier than they have been eliminated by safety.

Legislative safety ejected the protesters across the similar time Sarah Jama, who sits as an impartial after being kicked out of the NDP caucus final 12 months, placed on a keffiyeh and was not requested to take away it for the rest of the hour-long query interval.

“That is the least I might do, is rise up in solidarity,” Jama, who has Palestinian members of the family, mentioned exterior the chamber. 

“It is fully ridiculous and theatrical that we’re not allowed to put on this cultural material on this place. And so I am standing up for lots of the individuals who really feel like they cannot say something proper now.”

Unbiased MPP Sarah Jama placed on a keffiyeh and was not requested to take away it for the rest of the hour-long query interval on Tuesday. She mentioned she is going to proceed carrying the keffiyeh regardless of the ban in place on the Ontario legislature. (Lorenda Reddekopp/CBC)

Arnott mentioned since Jama sits on the reverse finish of the chamber from him he couldn’t definitively see the sample on her scarf.

“[When] I are available to the chamber to begin query interval I do not do a scan of what everybody’s carrying as my first precedence,” he mentioned after query interval. “If it is drawn to my consideration by the use of some extent of order, I would clearly need to cope with it.”

Jama mentioned she would proceed carrying the headband.

Arnott mentioned the ban conforms with longstanding conventions of decorum within the legislature.

He started contemplating the prohibition after a member of the legislature complained about Jama, who commonly wears a keffiyeh at Queen’s Park. Jama was ejected from the NDP caucus late final 12 months amid tensions inside the get together concerning her social media feedback on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The entire different opposition events have additionally referred to as for the ban to be lifted. 

Lucas Vazquez won El Clasico for Real Madrid – he really was ‘f***ing brilliant’

Lucas Vazquez might be forgiven for considering that his time at Actual Madrid was coming to an finish. His contract ends on June 30, the day earlier than his thirty third birthday.

Within the first half of this season, regardless of being match sufficient to make the matchday squad for each sport, Vazquez barely featured. In Madrid’s first 15 La Liga matches he began simply as soon as — in a 3-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid. All three of Atleti’s objectives had been headers, and all three crosses got here from Vazquez’s right-back zone. He was substituted earlier than the hour mark. It stays his aspect’s solely league defeat this season.

However quick ahead six months and Vazquez was the excellent participant in El Clasico as Madrid beat Barcelona 3-2, all however confirming their title victory. It places them 11 factors away from Barca with six video games remaining, and sealing the league double over their closest challengers additionally acts as an additional half-point, ought to Barcelona one way or the other come again to complete degree. Realistically, the title is Madrid’s.

Through the first presidential reign of Florentino Perez, he famously declared that his coverage for squad composition was “Zidanes y Pavones”. This meant superstars like Zinedine Zidane and youth merchandise like Francisco Pavon — though contemplating the way in which Madrid performed all through that interval, it felt extra like he meant sensible attackers and sub-standard defenders. The crew was at all times top-heavy, and the ‘galacticos’ interval was one thing of a failure.

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Actual Madrid and Florentino Perez: A portrait of 1 man’s final energy

Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect feels nearer to what Perez meant. The distinction is that the superstars, typically, are attackers who had been signed at a comparatively younger age, and Madrid have moulded them into the gamers they need. The aspect’s common entrance three — Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham — had been signed aged 20 or youthful. One thing related applies to midfielders Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Others, reminiscent of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, had been older and extra established, however have now been round for a decade. Issues are a little bit totally different in defence, however David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger had been picked up on free transfers. Madrid have develop into extra astute within the switch market, and so they’ve additionally constructed a squad that embodies the membership. However the gamers who really feel most sometimes Actual Madrid are two thirtysomethings who got here by means of the academy and have caught round ever since. They’ve additionally been the excellent performers of their final two matches.


Nacho makes a key intervention at Metropolis on Wednesday (Paul Ellis/AFP through Getty Photographs)

Within the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on Wednesday, which Madrid gained on penalties, left-sided centre-back Nacho was glorious, serving to to shackle Erling Haaland and successful every part within the air. Now 34, the membership captain has solely not often been a daily, and by no means one of many aspect’s most glamorous gamers. Nevertheless it’s footballers like these, who’re constant, dependable, versatile and embody the worth of the membership, that assist win trophies and get you over the road in tight video games on the enterprise finish of the season.

Final evening was Vazquez’s flip. By now, we consider him as a full-back — though for a lot of his profession, Vazquez was a right-winger able to doing a job in defence. Towards Barca, partly due to accidents, Ancelotti fielded a defence that boasted three midfielders by commerce: alongside centre-back Rudiger had been Camavinga, Tchouameni and Vazquez.

Vazquez isn’t the world’s most stable right-back, however together with his expertise, he largely makes good choices. An fascinating function of his efficiency final evening was that when Barcelona attacked down the other flank — and with Lamine Yamal on that aspect, that was their most important tactic — Vazquez didn’t give attention to defending the far put up however as a substitute narrowed his place and tried to close down opponents attempting to achieve a cutback.

It is a barely dangerous tactic: if Yamal had pushed the ball throughout to Robert Lewandowski on this state of affairs beneath, Vazquez may have been caught out…

It did repay later. When Yamal’s lofted cutback was about to seek out Lewandowski in his favorite place, lingering on the sting of the field, Vazquez intercepted.

However Vazquez’s show was actually about his attacking potential, as he was concerned in all three objectives.

For the opener, he referred to as for a swap of play from Bellingham, then outwitted Joao Cancelo, driving on the surface and displaying sheer perseverance to get the ball when Cancelo stepped throughout his path — however successfully stepped throughout too far.

Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona’s proficient younger centre-back, did what you count on of a 17-year-old: he went to floor too early.

Vazquez performed the state of affairs completely — Cubarsi’s problem was really fairly distant from him, and different gamers may need exaggerated the dive. However Vazquez left his proper foot in lengthy sufficient to legitimately win the penalty.

Vazquez scored Madrid’s second equaliser himself, changing easily from Vinicius Jr’s pushed cross.

It’s value highlighting the extent to which Vazquez is tasked with stretching the play within the build-up — few right-backs would then have the presence of thoughts to assault the far put up and apply such stable contact on a bouncing ball.

And for the winner, few would have the will to make this run in stoppage time — significantly contemplating that 2-2 would have represented outcome for Madrid.

However Vazquez pushed ahead to offer Brahim Diaz an possibility down the proper after which drove a easy however good ball throughout the six-yard line. It was most likely meant primarily for substitute striker Joselu, however he made no contact together with his tried backheel.

Bellingham, simply as he did within the reverse fixture, fired residence the stoppage-time winner.

“With 5 minutes left, we had been speaking to one another, saying we’re going to win,” Vazquez stated afterwards. “That’s what this membership and this badge signify: we at all times need to win and battle till the tip. We by no means hand over.”

It was virtually corporate-speak from certainly one of Madrid’s most dependable foot troopers. Bellingham was much less reserved. “Lucas Vazquez, you f***ing legend,” was his quick response on X.

Bellingham, on a distinct planet to everybody else within the first half of the season, hasn’t fairly been at his greatest this week. The identical is true of Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, with the attackers most likely fatigued from a draining 120 minutes in Manchester.

However golf equipment like Madrid, relentless successful machines, at all times have a dependable supporting forged. Once in a while, certainly one of them steals the present. Vazquez has earned himself one other medal — and possibly a brand new contract too.

(Prime picture: Burak Akbulut/Anadolu through Getty Photographs)

Anne Hathaway says ‘gross’ chemistry test required her to make out with 10 guys for movie

Anne Hathaway stated in a brand new interview with V Journal forward of the discharge of her upcoming film “The Concept of You” that chemistry assessments have come a good distance since her auditioning days within the 2000s.

Whereas the Oscar winner didn’t cite any films by identify, she did reveal that she was as soon as required to kiss a handful of males to ensure that the crew behind the movie to search out her the proper co-star.

“Again within the 2000s — and this did occur to me — it was thought-about regular to ask an actor to make out with different actors to check for chemistry, which is definitely the worst strategy to do it,” Hathaway stated. “I used to be informed, ‘We’ve got 10 guys coming immediately and also you’re forged. Aren’t you excited to make out with all of them?’ And I believed, ‘Is there one thing flawed with me?’ as a result of I wasn’t excited. I believed it sounded gross.”

“I used to be so younger and terribly conscious how simple it was to lose all the pieces by being labeled ‘tough,’ so I simply pretended I used to be excited and bought on with it,” Hathaway continued. “It wasn’t an influence play, nobody was making an attempt to be terrible or harm me. It was only a very completely different time and now we all know higher.”

Hathaway not solely stars in “The Concept of You” however she can be a producer, which meant she had a direct say in how the crew behind the film went about discovering her a co-star. Based mostly on the novel by Robinne Lee, the movie stars Hathaway as a 40-year-old single mother who falls in love with the 24-year-old lead singer of the world’s hottest boy band.

“We requested every of the actors coming in to decide on a track that they felt their character would love, that they might placed on to get my character to bounce, after which we’d do a brief little improv,” Hathaway stated about “The Concept of You” chemistry reads. “I used to be sitting in a chair like we had are available from dinner or a stroll or one thing, we pressed play, and we simply began dancing collectively.”

Nicholas Galitzine gained the half after selecting a track by Alabama Shakes to bounce to with Hathaway, who remembered Galitzine being “so ridiculously good” for the position as quickly as he walked within the room.

“And it was simply simple,” Hathaway added. “I heard [lead singer] Brittany [Howard]’s voice and I simply began smiling. And he noticed me smile, so he relaxed, and we simply began dancing. No person was displaying off. No person was making an attempt to get the gig. We have been simply in an area dancing. I seemed over and Michael Showalter, our director, was beaming. Spark!”

“The Concept of You” debuted to sturdy evaluations on the SXSW Movie Competition final month. The film streams on Amazon Prime Video beginning Could 2.

Kid Cudi Falls, Breaks Foot After Attempting to Jump Off Coachella Set

Child Cudi‘s Coachella set was probably the most anticipated last-minute provides to the second weekend of the the 2024 competition. Sadly, the final couple songs Cudi was imagined to carry out went with out him after the singer tried to leap off stage and broke his foot within the course of.

Cudi addressed the incident on X late Sunday evening and confirmed he had damaged a bone: “Hey guys, so I broke my foot right now on the present. simply leavin the hospital. By no means damaged a bone earlier than so that is all a bit loopy. I wanna thank u all for ur issues and nicely needs!! I like yall man. I heard yall nonetheless ragin after I was offstage. Made me smile huge.”

Cudi was in direction of the top of his set on Sunday night when he injured himself in the course of singing “Finest Reminiscences,” a track he shares with David Guetta. In fan-captured video, Cudi is seen launching himself off stage and touchdown beside a safety guard. He was unable to face on his personal and needed to be escorted off the stage.

Earlier that evening, Cudi’s present attracted one of many largest crowds of the weekend on the Sahara tent the place he carried out two new songs stay for the primary time throughout his foreshortened set, “Moon Man Shit” and “Blue Sky.” He additionally carried out his hits “Up Up & Away,” “Tequila Photographs,” and extra.

The musician final appeared at Coachella in 2019 when he introduced Kanye West as a shock visitor to carry out tracks off their collaborative “Youngsters See Ghosts” album. Cudi is about to embark on a 43-date world tour in help of his new album “Insano,” and can kick off the tour’s North American leg on July 28 in Austin, Texas.

Anne Hathaway says she had to kiss 10 men during ‘gross’ chemistry audition | Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway has revealed that within the 2000s, producers on a movie she was starring in required her to kiss a succession of potential co-stars.

Chatting with V Journal, the actor mentioned that within the 2000s, “it was thought of regular to ask an actor to make out with different actors to check for chemistry. Which is definitely the worst approach to do it.”

She continued: “I used to be informed, ‘We now have 10 guys coming right now and also you’re solid. Aren’t you excited to make out with all of them?’ And I assumed, ‘Is there one thing incorrect with me?’ As a result of I wasn’t excited. I assumed it sounded gross.”

Hathaway, who gained an Oscar for her function in Les Misérables and is shortly to be seen in romantic comedy The Thought of You, mentioned that she acceded to the request.

“And I used to be so younger and terribly conscious how simple it was to lose every thing by being labeled ‘troublesome’, so I simply pretended I used to be excited and obtained on with it. It wasn’t an influence play, nobody was attempting to be terrible or damage me. It was only a very totally different time and now we all know higher.”

Hathaway, who additionally acts as a producer on her new movie, concerning the relationship between a single mom and a boy band star performed by Nicholas Galitzine, mentioned she now engineered such exams in a different way.

“We requested every of the actors coming in to decide on a music that they felt their character would love,” she mentioned, “that they might placed on to get my character to bounce, after which we’d do a brief little improv.

“I used to be sitting in a chair like we had are available in from dinner or a stroll or one thing, we pressed play, and we simply began dancing collectively.”

Galitzine selected a music by rock band Alabama Shakes, fronted by Brittany Howard. “I heard Brittany’s voice and I simply began smiling,” mentioned Hathaway.

“And he noticed me smile, so he relaxed, and we simply began dancing. No one was exhibiting off. No one was attempting to get the gig. We have been simply in an area dancing. I regarded over and Michael Showalter, our director, was beaming. Spark!”

Galitzine has additionally spoken about his expertise of their joint audition, saying that though he discovered it “extremely intimidating … there was one thing nearly non secular that type of occurred there the place I felt this fast connection to Annie, and we had a simpatico and a shared sense of humour and it was simply very simple.”

Galitzine was additionally the topic of a chaste chemistry check for romcom Purple, White and Royal Blue, wherein he performs Prince Henry, a member of the British monarchy who begins a relationship with the son of the primary feminine President of the US.

Director Matthew Lopez described the Zoom chemistry learn to Radio Instances: “Inside 5 minutes … all of us knew that we had discovered our Henry and our Alex.

“It was instantaneous. It was actually simply … fairly literal chemistry. I feel you may really feel the atoms swirling between them. Regardless that one in all them was in New Orleans, and one in all them was in LA.”

Whereas establishing a real-life frisson between potential co-stars is a extensively recognised necessity when casting a movie, chemistry exams – wherein strangers are instructed to turn into intimate – can happen in semi-private settings, normally with out an intimacy coordinator current.

One instance is the primary encounter between Twilight stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, who have been instructed to start kissing on a mattress on the dwelling of director Catherine Hardwicke.

“Rob and Kristen auditioned on my mattress,” Hardwicke has recalled, “the kissing scene, Rob was so into it he fell up and about. I’m like, ‘Dude, relax.’ And I’m in there filming with my little video digicam.

“On the finish [after the audition], Kristen was like, ‘It must be Rob.’ I might inform that they had quite a lot of chemistry, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ I assumed, ‘Kristen was 17. I don’t wish to get in some unlawful issues.’ So I bear in mind I informed Rob, ‘By the best way, Kristen is 17. In our nation, it’s unlawful to have a sexual …’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, OK, no matter.’”

Stewart and Pattinson went on to have a relationship and Twilight turned a multimillion-dollar franchise.

Kid Cudi breaks a foot, Doja Cat makes history and an Odd Future reunion

Coachella has formally come to a detailed after two weekends stuffed with particular visitors, embarrassing flops and plenty of music.

The music competition, which takes place in Indio, California, noticed a hunch in ticket gross sales this yr, however followers had been nonetheless excited to observe their favourite artists take over the desert. 

From an Odd Future reunion to Child Cudi’s damaged foot, right here had been the highs and lows of the ultimate weekend of this yr’s competition. 

Child Cudi broke his foot after leaping off the stage

Followers had been pleasantly shocked when multihyphenate artist Child Cudi was added to the Coachella lineup proper earlier than the beginning of weekend two. Sadly, Cudi’s act was minimize quick after he broke his foot whereas leaping from the stage Sunday.

“Hey guys, so I broke my foot right now on the present,” Cudi posted on X. “simply leavin the hospital. By no means damaged a bone earlier than so that is all a bit loopy.  I wanna thank u all for ur issues and nicely needs!!  I really like yall man.  I heard yall nonetheless ragin after I was offstage.  Made me smile large.”

Tyler, the Creator introduced out longtime collaborator Earl Sweatshirt

Tyler, the Creator’s current albums “Name Me if You Get Misplaced” and “Igor” have catapulted him to a brand new stage of acclaim. However many longtime Tyler followers discovered him throughout his days within the rap collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All — higher identified by the shorthand Odd Future.

Tyler, the Creator introduced out his fellow Odd Future member Earl Sweatshirt to carry out a pair songs from their early days, one from Tyler’s 2009 mixtape “Bastard” and one other from his 2013 album “Wolf.”

“Tyler, the f—ing Creator, man,” Earl Sweatshirt stated onstage. “Take a look at the most important present on Earth.” 

Some followers had hoped for an additional Odd Future cameo: Frank Ocean, who headlined Coachella in 2023. 

However Tyler, the Creator stated he didn’t know the place the artist was. Whereas introducing his track “She,” which options Ocean, the rapper informed the viewers to sing Ocean’s half as a result of he was “not popping out.” 

“We don’t know the place [Ocean] is, so it’s on y’all,” he stated. 

Doja Cat made historical past as the primary feminine rapper to headline

“Dojchella” trended on X after the rapper concluded her ultimate headlining Coachella set. Doja Cat delighted followers together with her signature eccentric efficiency type, avant-garde outfit adjustments and sharp choreography. Some even praised her improvisation expertise following a lacking microphone mishap. 

Doja Cat was the primary feminine rapper and second Black lady to headline the music competition, following Beyoncé’s efficiency in 2018.

Grimes redeemed herself after a disastrous first weekend

Grimes’ second weekend DJ set appeared to go off with out a hitch after going through main technical difficulties throughout her first run.

The electropop artist poked enjoyable at her weekend one meltdown, opening her set with a collection of pretend information clips “investigating” the reason for the malfunctions. She performed clips of herself screaming in frustration alongside quips that “she will’t DJ.” The remainder of her set went easily, and followers even praised her remix of a Blackpink track.