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US consumer inflation holds steady in September
US consumer inflation holds steady in September
Consumer inflation held steady in the United States last month, according to government data released Thursday, giving policymakers some reprieve in their battle...
2023-10-12 20:53
Christian Cowan: Designing is like dreaming
Christian Cowan: Designing is like dreaming
Designer Christian Cowan had a full circle moment when he recently dressed pop legend Kylie Minogue. “There are two moments when I decided I wanted to be in fashion, and they’re both around Kylie Minogue,” Cowan remembers. “One was in Borders bookshop in Cambridge [where Cowan grew up], my mum was getting a coffee and I was waiting – on the TV was the Can’t Get You Out Of My Head music video. I was like, ‘What is that? That is what I need to do’. “Then for my 12th birthday, my mum was really sweet and got me tickets to see Kylie’s X tour in the O2. It was right in the nosebleed seats at the back, and I was living my best life.” Cowan designed a red jumpsuit with zips for Minogue to perform in New York, and says: “To dress people like that, people who I really looked up to and still look up to is always an honour.” And Minogue isn’t the only celebrity who has worn Cowan’s colourful, whimsical designs. Pretty much any star you can think of, Cowan will have dressed – Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Heidi Klum, Cardi B, Miley Cyrus – the list goes on. While pop stars definitely seem to gravitate to his work, Cowan says there’s no real limit to who wears his clothes. “The Christian Cowan person is anyone, but it’s someone who wants to enjoy themselves, it’s someone who wants to be complimented and get attention. It’s someone who enjoys the fun of dressing up – our customers in general, they’re not really dressing for the gaze or perspective of anyone else – they’re just feeling f****** fabulous.” Cowan went to university in London and now resides in New York – and he says he gets inspiration from both major fashion hubs. The US “leans more into maximalism, and [is] not afraid of opulence and showing off, which is very much part of my brand”, he reflects. “And the UK I’d say is more [about] pushing the boundaries and trying out new things.” Ultimately, both cities are “incredibly fashionable and stylish and have created original thinkers – so I feel very lucky to be between the two”. Cowan established his eponymous label in 2016 so feels like an industry stalwart by now, but he’s still only 29 years old. “I started my brand and career very young,” he admits. “I would definitely say it’s grown up with me – the collections that I put out at the beginning are by no means the collections I’m putting out now.” But he doesn’t feel embarrassed when looking back at earlier work, instead calling his collections “like a diary”. “You can see as I grew up, the big life experiences that happened influenced [my style]. To say it has matured – maybe that’s the wrong word – but I would say my references have gotten more expansive with time. I look further than I used to – before it was like, who was next to me in the club.” While he doesn’t go to the clubs as much as he used to (“I’m like an old man!”), he occasionally pops in (“I love to see what my friends are wearing”), while getting inspiration from elsewhere as well. “I’m definitely a child of the internet, the internet is a huge part of it. I think designing is almost like dreaming – it’s a random compilation of everything you’ve seen, all smudged into one thing.” Cowan has made a name for himself as someone who loves to collaborate, and he often gets inspiration from his creative partners – ranging from the Teletubbies to Crocs, and now, Candy Crush Saga, who he’s designed an exclusive garment for. Called ‘The Sweet Seat’, it’s a one-of-a-kind, wearable garment inspired by the dreaded task of finding a seat to play on public transport. “Collaboration is the key to success in general in life – work, personal, everything,” he muses. “So when doing these collaborations, whether it’s a dress for Lady Gaga or this Candy Crush partnership, it’s always super collaborative. I want their opinion, I want their input, I want both partners involved and to be excited. “Especially with a celebrity wearing the clothes as well, you want them to feel amazing and excited to wear the piece – you don’t bully them into wearing something they’re not fully down for. You always have a better result if you collaborate.” Working with Candy Crush gave Cowan a welcome pause from designing his next New York Fashion Week collection, set to debut in September. “We’re doing a few things we’ve never done before that I think will be surprising to people – I just can’t wait. It’s our biggest show, the collection’s over double the size of any collection we’ve ever done before,” he shares. With designing collections for fashion week twice a year, making bespoke outfits for celebrities and all the extra projects in between, does Cowan ever suffer from fashion burnout? Cowan admits to having “brief moments in my past” where he’s struggled, but adds: “When you feel that it means you need to try something new, and I never had it again after I realised that. “I make sure I’m filled with creative, fun projects – I don’t think I’d ever get burnt out. I want to be doing this until the day I die.” The limited-edition Sweat Seat will be available for purchase on christiancowan.com/candycrush for £786.92 from July 26. Download Candy Crush today on Google Play or the App Store. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Deborah James’s daughter launches anniversary clothing line for Bowelbabe Fund Government has more work to do to ensure families secure quality childcare – MPs Wall squat exercises can help lower blood pressure, study suggests
2023-07-26 17:00
Eniola Aluko believes England can still clinch Great Britain an Olympic place
Eniola Aluko believes England can still clinch Great Britain an Olympic place
Eniola Aluko still believes England can secure qualification for Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Lionesses – who need to finish top of Nations League Group A1 to have a chance at claiming GB an Olympic spot – slipped to third after losing 3-2 in Belgium on Tuesday. Sarina Wiegman’s side, with six points from four games, are three behind leaders the Netherlands and one behind second-placed Belgium. Their final two group fixtures see them play the Dutch at Wembley on December 1 and then Scotland at Hampden Park four days later. Former England and Team GB forward Aluko said: “It is a tough group with the Netherlands, Belgium and Scotland. It is not an easy group at all. I think the Nations League is deliberately competitive. “Really, England have got to win the last two games to have any chance of qualifying, but if any team is going to prove anyone wrong it’s the Lionesses, and they have done so well in the last two years.” Aluko is not doubtful that England – who were World Cup runners-up over the summer, a year on from winning the Euros – could pull through because they “have everything to win those last two games”. She added: “I think sometimes there can be a bit of a hangover from the World Cup where you have a massive high and then come back to normality. “Sometimes it takes players a little bit to get going again. The season only just started again and we are only five games into the Women’s Super League. “Fatigue is not just physical – it is mental as well. There are so many games and so many tournaments. “Frankly, the women’s game is really competitive. On any given day, Scotland can beat England and Holland can beat England – that is the sort of level of competition we are dealing with.” Aluko was speaking after she collected an MBE for her services to association football and to charity on Wednesday. The Prince of Wales, who presented Aluko with her MBE at a ceremony at Windsor Castle, told her “this feels like this is overdue”, and she later said of that moment: “It was lovely and a really, really nice thing to say.” Broadcaster and football executive Aluko’s playing career included featuring at three World Cups, three European Championships and the London 2012 Olympics. She began her career at Birmingham and had subsequent spells at Charlton, Chelsea and in the United States before returning to Birmingham in 2012. Aluko rejoined Chelsea from 2012 to 2018, during which time she won two WSL titles, the WSL Spring Series and two FA Cups. After announcing her retirement from playing in January 2020 following a spell with Juventus, Aluko had stints as sporting director at Aston Villa and Los Angeles-based Angel City FC. The 36-year-old has also worked heavily with charities and organisations such as Charity Water, Common Goal and Unesco. Read More Football fan convicted of racially abusing Rio Ferdinand Welsh rugby still has deep-rooted issues that need to be sorted – Alun Wyn Jones A bit far-fetched – Eoin Morgan dismisses link with England white-ball coach job England star Alex Greenwood well enough to return home after head injury Tiger Woods-designed course gives ‘a lot of options’ ahead of PGA Tour debut Golf, fish tanks, slippy socks and stray balls – freak injuries to cricket stars
2023-11-02 01:30
Biden and Pence were also caught with classified documents. Why is Trump’s case different?
Biden and Pence were also caught with classified documents. Why is Trump’s case different?
Donald Trump’s supporters and many Republican officials contend that the former president is the target of a politically weaponised justice system that has ignored similar alleged crimes committed by his rivals. “Lock her up” chants directed at Hillary Clinton still dominate GOP rallies. House Republicans have launched committees to investigate the sitting president and his family. But in classified documents cases involving President Joe Biden and former vice president Mike Pence, both men cooperated with federal law enforcement and returned those records. Ms Clinton was not found to have deliberately mishandled classified information or obstruct justice in the recovery of communications. Mr Trump, according to prosecutors, did exactly that. A federal indictment details the alleged coordination among Mr Trump, his aides and attorneys to bring documents to his Mar-a-Lago property and, later, conceal them from law enforcement when US officials sought their return. His alleged refusal and obstruction is at the centre of the 37-count indictment against him. The indictment lays out more than 40 pages of allegations based on witness testimony and recordings allegedly showing how the former president sought to hide and keep classified documents by conspiring with his aides to obstruct an investigation into their recovery, then lied to both the government and his own attorneys about them. He faces 31 counts of willful retention of national defence information in violation of the Espionage Act, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Each count represents a different top-secret document Mr Trump held at his Mar-a-Lago property, months after he left the White House in January 2021. The indictment does not include charges connected to dozens of other documents that he ultimately did return in the course of investigations surrounding the case – underscoring some of the key differences between his prosecution and those involving the former vice presidents. Late last year, a lawyer for Mr Biden discovered a “small number” of classified documents from his time as vice president under then-President Barack Obama during a search of a Washington DC office space. Those documents were returned to the Justice Department. Another batch of documents were discovered at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. Federal law enforcement agents found more when they searched the property. In January, US Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel to investigate those documents, which is still ongoing. No charges have been filed. The Justice Department also closed an investigation into Mr Pence earlier this month after the discovery of classified material at his home in Indiana. There were no allegations of obstruction or the willful retention of such documents, and no charges were brought against him. And in Ms Clinton’s case, then-FBI director James Comey said she was “extremely careless” with her handling of sensitive information, but law enforcement officials found no clear evidence that she intentionally obstructed justice or committed any other crimes in connection with the server. He said “no reasonable prosecutor” would have brought a case against her. Those findings stand in stark contrast to the allegations in the indictment against Mr Trump, who is accused of actively concealing documents and even suggesting that a lawyer hide them or falsely state to authorities that all requested records were returned, while hundreds remained at his property. None of the nearly 200 documents that Mr Trump ultimately returned to authorities are connected to the charges against him, suggesting that if he had returned them in the first place, he may not face criminal prosecution. In January of last year, a year after leaving the White House after losing his 2020 re-election bid, Mr Trump gave 15 boxes of documents to the National Archives and Records Administration, as required under the Presidential Records Act. The agency wrote to Mr Trump in May 2021 noting that some documents were missing, noting that there are “certain paper/textual records that we cannot account for.” Around that same time, according to the indictment, Mr Trump directed aides to clear a storage room on the ground floor of Mar-a-Lago. More than 80 boxes were moved there, according to prosecutors. A few months later, he allegedly showed a “plan of attack” document prepared by the US Department of Defense to a group at his Bedminster, New Jersey club. “As president I could have declassified it,” he said, according to a transcript of a recorded conversation in the indictment. “Now I can’t, you know, but this is still a secret.” The National Archives received 15 boxes from Mr Trump in January 2022, 14 of which contained classified materials, according to prosecutors. Among them, 67 were marked “confidential,” 92 were marked “secret” and 25 were marked “top secret.” The next month, the agency alerted the US Department of Justice that classified information was discovered in those boxes. It was then that a criminal investigation surrounding the former president started to build – not from the results of the National Archives and its ultimately successful recovery of 15 boxes. A federal grand jury was opened in April of last year. In the weeks and months that followed, Mr Trump’s aide Walt Nauta began moving more than a dozen boxes out of the storage room, according to the indictment. Mr Nauta also is charged in connection with the case. On 3 June of last year, Mr Trump’s then-attorney Christina Bobb falsely certified to federal law enforcement that the former president’s legal team performed a “diligent search” for “any and all responsive documents” at his property, and that no other classified documents were found, according to prosecutors. The Justice Department received 38 documents in that file, including 17 marked “top secret,” 16 labeled “secret” and five others marked as confidential. Meanwhile, Mr Nauta and others loaded several boxes onto a plane that Mr Trump boarded out of his Florida home, according to the indictment. In August, FBI agents performed a search of Mar-a-Lago and discovered more than 100 classified documents among hundreds of government documents and photographs. In the documents outlined in the indictment, at least two of which involved nuclear secrets according to an inventory listed in the indictment, 21 were discovered by FBI agents who searched Mar-a-Lago. Ten others were turned over to federal authorities last June in response to a grand jury subpoena. Others involved intelligence briefings, foreign military activity, communication with foreign leaders, foreign military impacts on US interests, and communications with a foreign leader. According to prosecutors, Mr Trump conspired to conceal documents from a grand jury and federal officials, by suggesting that his attorneys make false statements to authorities, by moving boxes of documents to hide from attorneys, by suggesting that documents be hidden or destroyed, and by falsely certifying that classified documents were produced to authorities “when, in fact, they had not.” Prosecutors are expected to present compelling evidence that the former president knowingly and deliberately misled his attorneys about his retention of sensitive documents He also appears, on a tape, six months after leaving office, saying that a document in his possession was “classified”, “highly confidential” and “secret information” while admitting that he was not able to declassify it, because he was no longer president – undercutting a critical part of his public defence over the last several months. Read More Trump indictment - news: Trump vows revenge as he lands in Miami for arraignment on 37 federal charges Trump, Biden, Pence - who else? Inside the presidential scramble to check for classified documents How Trump’s second indictment unfolded: A timeline of the investigation into Mar-a-Lago documents ‘This is war’: Police monitoring online far-right threats and pro-Trump protests with federal indictment Handcuffs, fingerprints or a mugshot? What to expect as Trump faces arraignment in federal court Aileen Cannon: The judge with Trump’s fate in her hands was appointed by him
2023-06-13 07:04
MLS hopes Messi will boost attendance, TV viewers and market share
MLS hopes Messi will boost attendance, TV viewers and market share
After two decades competing against Real Madrid, Manchester United and Brazil, Lionel Messi will be going against the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA
2023-06-09 05:32
Ryder Cup goes to Italy. LPGA the only other major tour in play
Ryder Cup goes to Italy. LPGA the only other major tour in play
The Ryder Cup is in Italy this week and so much of the golf world has shut down
2023-09-26 21:52
All the athletes that weigh the same as Donald Trump
All the athletes that weigh the same as Donald Trump
Donald Trump has surrendered to the authorities on 13 charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. His mugshot has got people talking after being released online – and so has his weight. The former president has listed his height and weight after being booked and released from the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, and no-one is buying it for a second. While his height is listed at a believable 6 foot 3, his weight is listed at a trim 215 pounds. It’s a big drop from the last time the ex-president’s weight was divulged during his first criminal indictment in April. At the time, Trump reportedly told New York officers he weighed 240 pounds. It’s safe to say people are a little skeptical, and when compared to some of the biggest sporting stars in the US, it’s no surprise. These are the athletes who have almost exactly the same weight and height as Trump is claiming to be. CJ Stroud Houston Texans quarterback Stroud is one of the young stars to look out for in the NFL, having been the number two pick in the draft. He was officially recorded at the same height as Trump and weighing 218 pounds, just three pounds heavier. Kenny Pickett Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Pickett is officially listed as 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens star Jackson measures 6 foot 2 and 215 pounds. Evander Craft “This is 6'3" and 215lbs (left), not this (blech/right)”, said a social media user, posting a picture of University of Toledo linebacker Evander Craft. Derek Carr Others also pointed out that New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr had the same measurements, with one writing: “Wow Trump is 6’3 and 215lbs so is Derek Carr they could be twins.” Others pointed to New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr and Minnesota Vikings signal caller Kirk Cousins being in the same range. “Lol. So Trump around the height and weight of the average NFL quarterback,” a user wrote as another added: “Got Trump out here suggesting his height & weight, and finding out he’s built like an NFL QB.” Chris Hemsworth He’s not a sportsman, of course, but Hemsworth previously revealed that he weighed 215lbs during the filming of Thor. The actor spoke about his weight while discussing Formula 1 film Rush, saying he had to trim down for the movie. "The first thing Ron Howard said to me when I got the Rush job was, 'I don’t know if Thor is going to fit into a race car'. I was filming The Avengers when I got the call for Rush, so I went from 215lbs, which is how much I weigh when I'm playing Thor, down to about 185lbs," he said. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-08-25 20:20
Ocasio-Cortez Wants to Trade In Her Tesla for a Union-Made EV
Ocasio-Cortez Wants to Trade In Her Tesla for a Union-Made EV
He said she’d never date him because he “isn’t cool enough” as they clashed on social media. Now
2023-09-24 23:41
Tristan Tate offers heartfelt prayers for LeBron James' son Bronny following cardiac arrest, fans claim 'it's because he is triple vaxxed'
Tristan Tate offers heartfelt prayers for LeBron James' son Bronny following cardiac arrest, fans claim 'it's because he is triple vaxxed'
Tristan Tate's fans often connect heart attacks among youth to the Covid vaccine, though no such link has been scientifically established
2023-07-26 17:31
On This Day in 2010 – Wayne Rooney makes shock U-turn after Man Utd quit threat
On This Day in 2010 – Wayne Rooney makes shock U-turn after Man Utd quit threat
Wayne Rooney made a shock U-turn and signed a new five-year deal at Manchester United on this day in 2010. It came as quite a shock when Rooney signed a new contract just two days after the United and England striker had announced his intention to quit Old Trafford when he released a statement which questioned the club’s ambition. The then 24-year-old let rip at the club’s leadership and said he would not be agreeing new terms following meetings with chief executive David Gill. “During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world,” said Rooney. “I met with David Gill last week he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract.” Reports of Rooney’s dissatisfaction had been rumbling for a few days, with a “dumbfounded” manager Sir Alex Ferguson also confirming the forward’s desire to leave. Ferguson said: “We are as bemused as anyone can be, we can’t quite understand why he would want to leave. “I was dumbfounded. Only months before he was saying he was at the greatest club in the world.” Rumours started to spread about Rooney wanting to ditch United for rivals Manchester City, who were among many of the clubs keen to sign him, something which led to around 30 protesters gathering outside his Cheshire home. Given the strength of Rooney’s statement, nobody expected the Liverpudlian to put pen to paper on a new contract. Rooney’s U-turn came after conversations with Ferguson and the club’s owners who convinced the England international to commit his future to the club. “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this is where I belong.” Ferguson added: “I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.” Rooney, who had joined United from Everton in 2004, stayed at the club for a further seven years and went on to become the club’s record scorer with 253 goals. Read More Sevilla promise strong action against supporter who racially abused Vinicius Jr Steve Borthwick upbeat about England’s future after agonising World Cup defeat United’s first-half display did little to honour Sir Bobby Charlton – Erik ten Hag Diogo Dalot ensures Manchester United honour Sir Bobby Charlton with victory Rory McIlroy open to idea of investing in Man Utd after buying stake in Alpine Mikel Arteta pinpoints moment Arsenal made ‘phenomenal’ response at Chelsea
2023-10-22 13:00
'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah' puts Adam Sandler's kids front and center
'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah' puts Adam Sandler's kids front and center
At first glance, "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" looks like the gift for kids who have everything: A starring role in one of dad's Netflix movies. Yet Adam Sandler's daughter Sunny -- the clear belle of the ball -- quickly dampens the "nepo baby" asides with her winning, natural performance in a familiar but very nicely done coming-of-age story.
2023-08-25 20:56
Miranda King and Robert Beine: Fugitive couple accused of killing and burning man in a fire pit
Miranda King and Robert Beine: Fugitive couple accused of killing and burning man in a fire pit
The victim, William Hamblin, was pronounced dead on the scene after firefighters put out the blaze
2023-09-09 05:05