1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Champions League LIVE SCORES: League phase finale on NOW as Arsenal face Girona, Man City take on Club Brugge – updates
THE Champions League league phase will conclude TONIGHT – and the action is UNDERWAY.
All 36 clubs are in action this evening as the race for a spot in the last-16 heats up.
Arsenal just require a point against Girona to guarantee a top-eight finish and automatically progress to the next stage.
Aston Villa are in a dogfight for an automatic spot, with victory over Celtic needed to give them the best chance of avoiding the knockout play-offs.
Manchester City are unable to finish in the top eight following last week’s collapse at PSG, but a win over Club Brugge would secure their place in the knockouts.
Noel Clarke has failed in a bid to have The Guardian’s defence thrown out in a £10million libel court actionPAGettyStories in 2021 and 2022 accused Clarke of groping, bullying and sending sexually explicit images between 2004 and 2019 to women he met through work[/caption]
Stories in 2021 and 2022 accused Clarke, who was also in crime drama Kidulthood, of groping, bullying and sending sexually explicit images between 2004 and 2019 to women he met through work.
His barrister, Philip Williams, told the High Court that Clarke could not have sent one alleged “d*** pic” in May 2015 because he had not by then met his accuser.
Mr Williams said journalists’ message threads were modified to try to “swindle” Clarke.
Referring to Clarke, who was in court, he said of the claims: “The police were so disinterested they didn’t even speak to my client.”
Gavin Millar, KC, for GNM — which is defending Clarke’s action on the grounds of truth and public interest — said its reporting was based on interviews with 22 people.
He said the deleted threads were “routine and banal conversations” between three journalists about “minor tweaks” to stories.
Mrs Justice Steyn rejected the plea to strike out the Guardian’s defence, reserving her reasons for a written judgment.
Paul EdwardsClarke and The Guardian will now go to trial on March 3 over its claims he sexually harassed 20 women[/caption]
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on ‘Never seen him move that fast’ – Darts star forced to sprint to board to keep match alive
SIMON WHITLOCK was forced to pick up the pace in a bizarre bid to keep his match against Andy Hamilton alive.
The Aussie darts ace was taking on The Hammer in the MODUS Super Series in Portsmouth on Wednesday.
X / MSSdartsSimon Whitlock needed a checkout of 80 to save his Super Series clash with Andy Hamilton[/caption]
X / MSSdartsThe Aussie found the double 20 he needed, with the dart clinging on to the segment[/caption]
X / MSSdartsWhitlock raced to the board and somehow managed to get the call of game shot[/caption]
Whitlock was on the cusp of losing the Group A contest, only for Hamilton to squander three match darts.
The 55-year-old strolled up to the Oche needing 80 to keep the match alive.
He landed his first two darts clean in the 20, requiring double top for the leg.
His arrow landed plush in the double – but then dangled precariously out of the segment.
Whitlock raced to the board, somehow collecting the dart before it fell out and onto the floor.
Mark Webster yelled on commentary: “I’ve never seen Simon Whitlock move so fast!
“He doubled up as Usain Bolt there didn’t he.”
Whitlock’s lucky escape proved to be vital in the remainder of the match.
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Real Madrid legend Casillas pictured on ‘date’ with ex-porn star Claudia Bavel – who earns more than top footballers
REAL MADRID legend Iker Casillas has been romantically linked with a former porn star and OnlyFans model after being pictured on a “date” while they stayed at the same Barcelona hotel.
https://www.instagram.com/onlybavel/Iker Casillas has been linked with Claudia Beval[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/onlybavel/Claudia is an OnlyFans model[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/onlybavel/She has previously starred in X-rated films[/caption]
RexCasillas, 43, retired from football in 2020[/caption]
Reports in Spain suggest his latest love interest is Claudia Bavel, who is said to make around £17,000 a month from OnlyFans.
The 28-year-old brunette defines herself online as a “content creator and ex-adult film actress.”
She has nearly 250,000 followers on her ‘official’ Instagram account where she shows off her curves in a range of figure-hugging outfits.
And she has another 16,000 followers on a second account where she has published more daring selfies and a link to her Only Fans page where she describes herself as a model and influencer and adds: “My bad hot side wants you at my links.”
Casillas announced his retirement from professional football in August 2020 after a heart attack just over a year earlier while he was training with last side Porto.
Snaps of him and Claudia together in the Catalan capital, taken last Tuesday, were published by weekly glossy Spanish magazine Diez Minutos.
The pictures coincided with a visit the pair made the same evening to an event in a winery in the town of Vilanova i la Geltru around 30 miles south of Barcelona with former Real Madrid players Luis Figo and Michel Salgado.
The magazine said the pair abandoned the unnamed hotel together early the following morning, deliberately leaving separately in case they were spotted by waiting paparazzi.
GettyCasillas split from wife Sara Carbonero in 2021[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/imclaudiabavel/Claudia has nearly 250,000 Instagram followers[/caption]
It is not the first time they have been romantically linked although these are the first pictures of them side by side.
Spanish journalist Javier Hoyos claimed recently he had spotted the model and Iker, 43, enjoying a passionate kiss during a dinner date at an upmarket restaurant near the Costa Brava resort of Blanes in May last year.
Neither the former shot-stopper or Claudia have confirmed they are seeing each other but asked about him a few weeks ago in an interview, she replied: “We are two single people.”
It would be the first time Iker, popularly dubbed Saint Iker for his ability to produce miraculous saves, has decided to date an OnlyFans model.
But it would not be the first footballer partner for Claudia, who enjoyed a brief romance with Spanish-born Senegalese international Keita Balde, who is currently playing in Turkey.
Shortly after Casillas split from his former wife, who he famously kissed on air during a post-match interview after Spain won the 2010 World Cup before they officially became partners and the parents of two children, he was linked to a Malaga-based Spanish singer.
She denied she was the retired keeper’s new squeeze by posting a photo of her with her boyfriend and raging: “I hope whoever is trying to cause damage through false information pays.”
He was linked late last year to former Miss Spain Maria Jose Suarez and before that to another model Ana Martin as well as a journalist called Ana Quiles, although Casillas denied any romance with her.
https://www.instagram.com/onlybavel/Claudia promoted her OnlyFans page on social media[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/onlybavel/She has now been linked with Real icon Casillas[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/imclaudiabavel/Claudia also has a second Instagram account[/caption]
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on FNCS 2025 format and schedule explained – prize pot and how to qualify for each Major
THE Fortnite Championship Series, or FNCS, is gearing up for its first Major for 2025, as the play-ins are starting today.
FNCS 2025 comes with a revamped format based on divisional cups, followed by Majors throughout the year, each consisting of four stages.
Epic GamesEach FNCS 2025 Major will have a four-stage format, including a Last Chance Qualifier[/caption]
Epic GamesThe FNCS Divisional Cups are your key to qualify for each Major in your region[/caption]
Here’s everything you need to know about the FNCS 2025 format and schedule.
We look into the prize pot, format starting with the overall structure of the FNCS Majors and how to qualify for each.
FNCS 2025 prize pot
The FNCS 2025 is bringing a staggering prize pool of $8million this year, distributed across all Major events in each region and the Global Championship.
That’s up by almost half a million from last year’s edition of Fortnite’s top esports tournament.
Is FNCS Trios or Duos in 2025?
This year, the FNCS is being played in Trios, a change from last year’s Duos format.
Trios means that there are 99 players on the Battle Royale map at the start of a match, playing in 33 teams of 3 players each.
FNCS 2025 format: Major Play-Ins and Group Stage
Each FNCS Major consists of Play-In Stage, Group Stage, Last Chance Qualifier, and the Major Finals.
During the Play-In Stage, players who have reached Division 1 in the Divisional Cups of their respective region can team up in trios to compete for a spot in the Group Stage.
Play-Ins take place over two days, during which teams play 10 matches each day with a cumulative leaderboard
The top trios on the leaderboard advance to the Group Stage.
For the Europe (EU) and North America Central (NAC) regions, that’s the top 99 teams, and for all other regions – the top 66 trios.
During the Group Stage, teams are split into groups of 33 teams, that’s three groups in EU and NAC, and two groups for the other regions.
Five matches are played in each group, and the team that earns the Victory Royale in each group match qualifies instantly for the Major Finals.
Then, the best-performing teams in each group also qualify, the top 5 in EU and NAC, and the top 10 in other regions.
FNCS 2025 Last Chance Qualifiers
All players who have not qualified for the Major Finals by this stage, will get a last chance to earn a spot at the FNCS Major.
The Last Chance Qualifier is open to all players from Divisions 1, 2, and 3, and the best teams will enter the Last Chance Lobby.
The Victory Royale winners of each Last Chance Lobby match qualify for the Major Finals, and there will be three matches per region.
The Last Chance Qualifier for Major 1 will take place on February 12 and 13, 2025.
FNCS 2025 Major Finals
Each Major ends with the Major Finals over two days, with six matches played each day, with the top trio in each region crowned as the Major champions.
The Major champions win a share of the FNCS prize pool and will be able to wield the Blade of Champions pickaxe in-game during the next season.
Epic GamesThe Blade of Champions is the in-game prize for Major winners[/caption]
The Major Finals or Major one are scheduled for February 15 and 16, 2025.
FNCS 2025 Majors schedule
Here’s all the dates for each of the three majors of FNCS 2025.
The majors will be followed by the Fortnite Global Championship, the exact schedule for which will be announced later this year.
FNCS 2025 Major 1
Play-Ins: January 29-30
Group Stage: February 2-9
Last Chance Qualifier: February 12-13
Major Finals: February 15-16
FNCS 2025 Major 2
Play-Ins: April 9-10
Group Stage: April 13-20
Last Chance Qualifier: April 23-24
Major Finals: April 26-27
FNCS 2025 Major 3
Play-Ins: July 16-17
Group Stage: July 20-27
Last Chance Qualifier: July 30-31
Major Finals: August 2-3
How to watch the FNCS 2025
While the Divisional Cups are not broadcast, Fortnite’s official channels will be showing FNCS 2025 matches.
Each region is sending its top teams from each FNCS Major to the Fortnite Global Championship 2025, which will take place in the second half of this year.
After Major 1, Europe and North America Central are sending 2 trios each.
The rest of the regions, North America West, Brazil, Asia, Middle East, and Oceania, are sending one team, their Major champions.
Here’s a full breakdown of the number of teams that will qualify from each region after all three Majors conclude:
Europe: 11 teams
North America Central: 7 teams
North America West: 3 teams
Brazil: 3 teams
Asia: 3 teams
Middle East: 3 teams
Oceania: 3 teams
If a trio that has already qualified finishes in a qualifying spot again, then the next team on the Major leaderboard that hasn’t already qualified will earn the spot.
How to qualify for an FNCS Major in 2025
Qualifying for the FNCS 2025 starts with the FNCS Trial, which you and your teammates can unlock by reaching Gold rank or higher in Battle Royale, Zero Build, and Reloaded Ranked modes.
The FNCS Trial is a single Trios tournament session, which took place on December 7, 2024, for Season 1.
The top 200 trios from the FNCS Trial are then placed in FNCS Division 1, the next 600 go into FNCS Division 2, and the rest of the teams – in FNCS Division 3.
The Divison 3 Cup is also open again to any trios that have reached Gold in Ranked.
Each Division Cup consists of 2 days of play, and teams have to complete 10 matches per day.
The top teams from Divisions 3 and 2 climb up in the division above, while Division 1 teams compete for a spot in the Division 1 Cup Finals which gives cash prizes.
The Divisional Cups for this season ended on January 25, 2025, and players who have reached Division 1 are eligible for the FNCS Major Play-In Stage, which starts today, January 29, 2025.
In future seasons, there will be no FNCS Trial, and players will start based on their best placement in Divisional Cups across the seasons.
New Gold or higher Ranked players will then have to start in Division 3 and win their way up.
The dates for the next Divisional Cups are yet to be announced.
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy star Renée Zellweger makes glamorous red carpet appearance as cast reunite in London
CELEBRITIES dressed up to the nines as the walked the pink carpet at Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy World Premiere.
Hollywood star and leading lady Renée Zellweger, 55, looked stunning in a fuchsia gown and posed for photos with co-host Leo Woodall.
Renée Zellweger at the Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy World PremiereGettyThe Hollywood actress posed with co-star Leo WoodallRexGettyIsla Fisher looked sensational in a red gown for the glitzy occasion[/caption]
GettySarah Solemani looked elegant in a see-through lace black dress[/caption]
A host of famous famous also attended the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Wednesday evening for the glitzy event.
Hugh Grant, who plays Bridget’s former boss and ex-boyfriend Daniel Cleaver, looked dapper in a black suit and white shirt.
Movie star Hugh beamed as he posed for a photo with co-star Renee.
Other stars were also in attendance including singer Olivia Dean, who dazzled in black midi dress.
Actress Isla Fisher looked sensational in a red gown with a gold clutch bag.
Made In Chelsea stars Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo looked chic, with the blonde reality star wearing an all-black leather ensemble.
It comes after fans have been left horrified as the trailer for the fourth film revealed a huge character is killed off.
Lovers of the franchise have questioned “why would you spoil the movie” after spotting the spoiler.
Long-term fans were left ecstatic when it was revealed that actress Renee Zellweger would be getting back into character once more for a brand new movie titled Mad About The Boy.
But after the trailer dropped for Helen Fielding’s fourth book this week, fans are devastated to learn that Mark Darcy tragically dies.
And this leaves Bridget a widower who then battles motherhood alone.
The poignant beginning of the trailer sees Bridget being called a “widow,” which quickly points to Mark’s fate.
Fans quickly took to social media to share their sadness, as one person wrote: “What do you MEAN there is a fourth Bridget Jones movie releasing soon, and they KILLED MR. DARCY?!”
A second penned: “I was not prepared to cry over the death of Mr. Darcy in the new Bridget Jones movie; IS MARK DARCY DEAD???”
Another echoed: “My heart sank seeing that Mr. Darcy died in the new Bridget Jones trailer. Why couldn’t they have their happily ever after?”
That said, Bridget does seem happy about Leo Woodall’s character coming into her life – a handsome 29-year-old named Roxster.
Renee will lock lips with Netflix heart-throb Leo, who will play her love interest in the flick.
A source said: “Bridget is going to be a real cougar in the new film and she’ll be seen starting a relationship with a much younger character played by Leo.
“He was thrilled about landing the part and will have a major role as her love interest in Mad About The Boy.
“Bridget is a single mum trying to navigate a new world of social media and dating apps after Mark’s death, so she’s definitely going to end up in a pickle.
“Hugh Grant is back as Daniel Cleaver, so there will be a love triangle between Bridget’s older flame and this much younger new man.”
In Helen Fielding’s 1996 novel Bridget Jones’s Diary, the title character lists the type of boyfriend she does not want — but doesn’t mention anything about age.
The film version, released in 2001, made more than £222million at the box office.
Across her three-decade career, Renee Zellweger has won such accolades as two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.
Here is a look at some of her most memorable roles
The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1995, “Jenny”): The fourth installment in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, this slasher film marked Renee’s first starring role.
Jerry Maguire (1996, “Dorothy Boyd”): Renee starred opposite Tom Cruise in this classic sports-comedy drama.
Nurse Betty (2000, “Betty Sizemore”): For her portrayal of the title character, Renee received a Golden Globe.
Bridget Jones franchise (2001 – present, “Bridget Jones”): The actress adopts an English accent to play the title character in this franchise. The fourth instalment, titled Bridget Jones: Mad About A Boy is due to be released in February 2025.
Cold Mountain (2003, “Ruby”): Renee starred opposite Jude Law and Nicole Kidman in this period war drama film. She received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Judy (2019, “Judy Garland”): In this biographical drama, Renee portrayed the legendary actress Judy Garland, most notably known for the Wizard of Oz. She received her second Academy Award for her work in this film.
GettyJosette Simon looked incredible in a white off-the-shoulder dress[/caption]
GettyHelen Fielding wore a burgundy dress for the A-list event[/caption]
GettyOlivia Dean looked glamourous in a black dress[/caption]
GettyJamie Laing and Sophie Habboo attend the World Premiere[/caption]
GettySophie Habboo went for an all-black leather ensemble[/caption]
GettyJessie Ware wore a red and black frock[/caption]
