Brand trips have long been a staple — and an enigma — on our social media feeds. Our favorite influencers bring us along on their trips to exotic, lavish places like Necker Island and Bora Bora. They casually discuss the details of their trip while simultaneously dropping mentions of a brand’s newest products or taking us inside opulent locales in the quintessential Get Ready With Me (GRWM) format, while also highlighting key moments on their IG stories. The understanding from their followers is that these brands or hotels have pulled out all the stops to gift our faves with all-expenses paid trips and monetary incentives to essentially act as brand ambassadors and spokespeople for their businesses. Outlandish displays of wealth and easy publicity are usually at the center of these trips, but most recently, a trip to Miami organized by makeup brand Tarte has been the center of controversy.

Like many now working in the video game industry, Bailey McCann considers herself a lifelong gamer, but, growing up, gaming was mostly just a fun hobby that spoke to her competitive side. It wasn’t until she got to college that she discovered the esports scene. A friend found out that she played Overwatch, invited her to join their University of Maryland esports team, and the rest is history. McCann fell in love with esports and soon started working with grassroots-level organizations on planning and hosting related events and competitions.

Eyes closed, hips swaying, retiree Polly Chan danced like no one was watching at a community centre in Hong Kong, where experts warn of a loneliness epidemic...

Latest Liverpool rumours, with updates on Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde, Mohamed Salah, Benjamin Pavard & more.

Julian Alvarez is revelling in his partnership with Erling Haaland in Manchester City’s attack. The Argentinian World Cup winner continued his strong start to the season with two goals as the holders began their Champions League title defence with a comfortable 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday. An injury for Kevin De Bruyne has seen Alvarez handed a run of games in support of prolific centre forward Haaland and it is a role he is relishing. “I am very happy with the goals, to help the team,” the 23-year-old said. “We are doing well, we are winning – which is the most important thing – and playing good games. “I am trying to adapt and I continue growing in this position, where I am moving freely, to give the team another option and add to the attack.” Alavarez was the dominant figure in City’s forward line as they threatened to overwhelm Red Star in their opening Group G game at the Etihad Stadium. Yet despite creating a plethora of chances – with Haaland hitting the bar and goalkeeper Omri Glazer making several saves – City fell behind to an Osman Bukari strike just before half-time. Alvarez began the fightback with a fine dinked finish after the restart and then put Pep Guardiola’s side ahead when his free-kick was inadvertently punched into the goal by Glazer. Rodri wrapped up a thoroughly deserved victory with a typically composed finish 17 minutes from time but, again, City could have had several more. Haaland went the closest when he hit the goal frame for a second time. “We played a good game,” said Alvarez. “It was important to start with a win and three points at home in this difficult competition. We are very happy. “We had many chances we could not convert but Pep told us to keep doing what we were doing and the goals would come. “It was the same in the previous game where we were losing and came back, so it was fine. We always try to stay calm, play well in the second half and win.” Alvarez was not a regular starter last season, despite his starring role in his country’s World Cup triumph, but Guardiola believes he can do an important job in easing the goalscoring burden on Haaland. Guardiola said: “It’s the same player as last season but being a World Cup winner doesn’t mean you have to play all the time. “Last season we had Kevin and (Ilkay) Gundogan in that position. Kevin was in top form and Gundo was incredible. “In that moment sometimes it was difficult to find spaces but I never had a doubt. “Now Gundo has gone and Kevin unfortunately is injured. We need players to be close to Erling, don’t put all the responsibilities just on the shoulders of Erling to score all the goals. “That’s why when Phil (Foden) has played there, when Julian plays there, we have the feeling that we create a lot of chances.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Eddie Howe backs Newcastle to keep improving after Milan stalemate Football rumours: Ivan Toney targeted for £60m January move by London trio On this day in 2005: Neil Lennon banned after barging referee in Old Firm derby

Spanish prosecutors have charged Barcelona club president Joan Laporta with bribery in relation to the Negreira scandal.

Americans no longer have to fear the Internal Revenue Service showing up unannounced at their door.

Chelsea are close to a British record transfer for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo after Liverpool already had a £111m bid accepted.

Chelsea have signed England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton on a free transfer from Aston Villa. The 22-year-old, capped twice by her country and named in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, has signed a three-year deal after her contract with Villa expired. She brings Women’s Super League experience from stints with both Birmingham and Villa, having made 15 appearances while helping the latter to a fifth-placed finish last term. Hampton was part of England’s trophy-winning squad at Euro 2022 and also has honours to her name from the Finalissima earlier this year and 2022’s Arnold Clark Cup. In joining the reigning WSL champions, she now wants to add club silverware to her collection. “I’m very excited,” Hampton said on the Chelsea website. “It’s a massive club, it’s an honour to be a part of this and to be able to wear the club’s badge. I want to keep improving, to help the team however I can and I’d love to win some trophies with the club at the same time.” Hampton began her career with Villarreal in Spain after moving to the country as a youngster, but then returned to England with Stoke before joining hometown club Birmingham, making her senior debut in 2017 and making 50 appearances before switching to rivals Villa in 2021. Chelsea boss Emma Hayes added: “There is no doubt that Hannah is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world. Her performances have been improving year on year, and we have high hopes for her future with us.”

Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena and Texas’ Adolis García are close friends and the Rays slugger expects quite a performance when the duo meet in the first-round in the All-Star Game’s Home Run Derby on Monday

Group of Seven nations aim to send a signal to China this month by announcing a joint effort

Guernsey and Jersey sign a memorandum of understanding with Brittany for the first time.