NRL Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The NRL has gone all out in its latest Las Vegas campaign, securing one of the biggest names in American sports to promote its upcoming 2025 season opener. NFL legend Rob Gronkowski has lent his voice to help promote rugby league in the US as part of an advertising blitz ahead of the four-game extravaganza. Gronkowski is front and centre of the advertisement, which is expected to hit US screens this weekend and be shown during NFL matches watched by millions of people. The retired NFL megastar – who was Tom Brady’s go-to-guy during their Super Bowl-winning run with New England and Tampa Bay – describes some of the biggest rugby league action in the 30-second advertisement, which features NRL and Super League highlights plus footage of Australia’s women’s team, the Jillaroos. The NRL 2025 Las Vegas ad featuring Rob Gronkowski. Introduced as a “rugby league expert”, Gronkowski explains to US fans the high-octane action heading their way in March. “You feel that?,” Gronkowski asks as footage rolls of Canberra prop Joseph Tapine crunching Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh in a brutal tackle. “That’s your off-season sorted. It’s football, but not as you know it. “No pads, no armour, no time-outs.” That’s followed by North Queensland wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo levelling Leo Thompson, and monster hits involving Canterbury’s Viliame Kikau and Penrith’s Moses Leota. “The very best rugby league players from around the world collide in Las Vegas. Eight teams, four games. That’s one epic ticket,” Gronkowski says. “Get your football fix with rugby league in Las Vegas.” The NRL dipped into its extensive highlight reel from the 2024 season to provide footage for the commercial, including Melbourne Storm winger Xavier Coates’ airborne effort to score against New Zealand in one of the game’s greatest finishes. It’s followed up with a similar leaping tryscoring effort from Cronulla’s Sione Katoa scoring a try and a ridiculous AFL-style mark and put down from Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Gronkowski is no stranger to the NRL. He helped launch the inaugural double header earlier this year. Gronkowski rubbed shoulders with Aaron Woods and Billy Walters in Los Angeles during a promotional visit. Gronkowski does the “Gronk spike” touchdown celebration. Xavier Coates’ stunning try is prominent in the commercial. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images He did his trademark “Gronk Spike” with a rugby league ball after being presented with a Manly jersey with his name on it by Woods. The four-game schedule at Allegiant Stadium will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox League, and give American fans 10 hours of action across major US networks. The Raiders and Warriors match will be broadcast live on Fox Broadcast Network in the US. It will be the first time a premiership match has been broadcast on the network in the US. The Panthers and Sharks game and the Jillaroos and England fixture will be shown on Fox Sports 1, while the UK Super League match between the Sam Burgess-coached Warrington and Wigan will be televised on Fox Sports Soccer. Close to 30,000 tickets have been sold already for the event, which will kickstart the NRL season on March 2 here in Australia. More Coverage Haas reveals how Maguire has changed Broncos Martin Gabor NRL world divided over $600m ‘cash grab’ Andrew McMurtry Originally published as NFL legend stars in NRL commercial to promote Las Vegas 2025 season opener to America More related stories NRL Inside former NRL bad boy’s address to Broncos squad Reformed NRL bad boy Todd Carney has addressed Broncos players about the pitfalls on bad life decisions - and the 2010 Dally M Medal winner left a lasting impression on the squad. Read more NRL Munster weighs in on major NRL move Cameron Munster has weighed in on the NRL’s decision to bring PNG into the competition in 2028, with the Storm star listing a few possible targets for the newest franchise. Read more
AP Business SummaryBrief at 3:50 p.m. ESTSPOILER ALERT : This story contains spoilers for “ Wicked ,” now playing in theaters. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth have found their way back to Oz. Broadway’s original witches make a surprise appearance in director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked,” but not as Elphaba and Glinda. The duo, who originated the leading roles in 2003, sing a new verse in “One Short Day,” telling the story behind the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Their characters fight for the spotlight in the Emerald City, prompting Menzel’s character to shut down the competition by belting out her famous “Defying Gravity” riff. Composer Stephen Schwartz also cameos as the Oz soldier who allows Elphaba and Glinda into the Wizard’s palace, while the musical’s book writer Winnie Holzman similarly appears in the Emerald City, touting the Wizard’s ability to read the Grimmerie. “Wicked” novel author Gregory Maguire also collects Elphaba’s invitation at the gates, handing it off to Schwartz. Clad in over-the-top pink and purple poofy dresses, Menzel and Chenoweth each share a sweet moment with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande , who take on the roles they made famous. “It was so surreal. It was really extraordinary,” Grande tells Variety of sharing the screen with the Broadway legends. “I mean, to have the women who helped write and create and birth these characters embrace us and embrace our versions of them, was just so incredibly surreal. I mean, they had been texting us, and they had been supportive of us beforehand, but I don’t think they ever got to see or hear our versions of the characters until on set. So it was really emotional.” Grande previously starred in NBC’s 2016 “Hairspray Live!” with Chenoweth, who has praised her casting as Glinda the Good in numerous interviews. “I’m not sure if I’ve ever been this proud,” Chenoweth posted on social media at the time of Grande’s casting in 2021. “From the very first day I met you ... you were destined for this role.” Menzel has been similarly effusive of Erivo, telling ET , “She’s just incredible. I feel like she’s the one to hand the torch off to. You’re gonna love her.” Menzel and Erivo also presented an award together at the 2024 Tony Awards earlier this year. “I’m just gonna go off script real quick to say how excited I am to see what I know is going to be an amazing performance in that movie you’re doing,” Menzel said on stage. “Green girl power!” Marc Platt, who produced both stage musical and the film adaptations, says he’ll never forget the day the duo filmed their cameos. “I think when Kristin and Idina came onto the set, there was so much love and respect from the movie cast, particularly Ari and Cynthia and Jon Chu — almost like they were royalty! They had grown up listening to these two women sing, and you felt that sense of awe, and also legacy,” he says. “And then Kristin and Idina, where equally, in awe of these two younger women making these roles their own.” “There’s a moment where Idina fixes my hat and sends me on my way. Trying not to be cliche, it was like the passing of the broom almost,” Erivo says. “So to have almost like the blessing from the queen herself, felt really, really beautiful.” Platt says that Menzel and Chenoweth initially had reservations about appearing in the movie for fear of stealing Grande and Erivo’s thunder. “Both the girls, Kristin and Idina, were a little bit nervous about it. Kristin jumped in pretty quick, because she and Ari had had a relationship and she was excited,” he says, adding that Menzel “didn’t want to rain on anything that had to do with Cynthia. She thought, ‘This is her moment. I want her to have her moment.'” A little convincing from Platt was all it took to change their minds, though. “I said, ‘Both of you are going to want to touch the film. You’re part of the “Wicked” lore forever.’ And because we found an organic way which Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman wrote to have them in the film as part of the storytelling, ‘You’re going to want to be part of something that’s bigger than you, and so for the rest of your lives, you’ll always be part of “Wicked,” even in the film.’ And they both said, ‘Okay, you’re right.'” “I was so honored that they wanted to include us,” Chenoweth tells Variety . “I thought, ‘Should we? Is i it weird, because it’s [Ariana and Cynthia’s] now?’ And Mark Platt said, ‘You have to. What do you mean? It wouldn’t happen without you!'” “Idina and I had so much fun,” she adds about the emotional day she and Menzel filmed their cameos. “Our costumes were amazing, and we just made up our thing. We just had the best time ever. We did it in one day, and to be reunited with my with my sister was very, very special.” Chenoweth says she and Menzel arrived to the set early and got dinner to catch up: “We had a good time there. Elphie and Glinda grew up!” Chenoweth also says she’s thrilled the venerated musical has finally made its way to the big screen so a broader audience can discover the magical story. “I’m so happy they made the movie, because I grew up in Oklahoma, and it wasn’t like we could have afforded to go see a Broadway show: dinner, hotel, all that stuff. And now we have the movie, and it will be brought to new generations of people that maybe are in the same boat as I was. I’m really proud.” “Kristin and I have seen each other many times in the last 20 years, but it was wonderful,” Menzel says of the reunion. “It was wonderful to be there, to get all the feels, to rehearse together, to somewhat echo our characters a little bit, to be with Cynthia and Ari and just kind of enjoy the set in a totally different way. It was everything.” For Erivo, Menzel and Chenoweth’s support (on and off set) has been a source of comfort and inspiration as she’s put her own spin on the iconic role of Elphaba. “They’ve been really wonderful with us, and we’ve had the most incredible words of encouragement from both of them,” she says. “Those things really mean a lot to us, because they don’t have to. It’s theirs from all this time, but for them to spare those good words and to give us the space to also do what we want to do with them as well, is really meaningful, really touching.” Platt hopes that Menzel and Chenoweth’s involvement speaks to the enduring legacy of “Wicked” as a new fanbase discovers the beloved musical. “I think all of us joining joining arms felt like there’s something bigger than all of us, and that we are part of something that may live on beyond all of us,” he says. “The ability to join those two worlds, the stage world of the original and the film world, particularly for those four girls, was something no one will ever forget who witnessed that night of shooting. It was really beautiful.”Dividend Stocks: NALCO, Gillette India, Godfrey Phillips India among others to trade ex-dividend next week; Full listDolphins Should Not Activate Bradley Chubb
People are convinced movie theater etiquette is dead following Wicked ’s opening weekend. Director John M. Chu’s film adaption of the hit Broadway musical Wicked — starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba — hit theaters this past weekend (November 22), prompting many fans to sell out showtimes at their local cinemas worldwide . However, those who didn’t buy tickets for the movie musical’s opening weekend have likely already seen several sneak peeks and full scenes on social media. Across TikTok, Instagram, and X/Twitter, pictures and videos of Wicked are being posted from inside the theater, spoiling some of the movie’s best moments. Scenes from fan favorite numbers such as “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” have flooded timelines and For You Pages, sparking outrage among the fans who haven’t been to the cinema yet. On X/Twitter, one person shared a photo of the opening credits and asked others to “show ur ‘wicked part 1’ photosss.” The post quickly received more than 18.4 million views and 2,100 comments, prompting a debate over movie theater etiquette. Several fans slammed the individual for encouraging others to share spoilers, as one person said: “This is SO illegal.” “Disgraceful thread. Have some respect for the people in the same cinema as you,” another added. “Theater etiquette is dead,” a third commented, while a fourth wrote: “It’s people like you that ruin cinema experiences.” Even Alamo Drafthouse, a popular chain of dinner theater cinemas, commented from its official X/Twitter account: “Or, don’t do that.” Despite pleas from fans to stop ruining the movie, many people continued to post pictures and videos throughout the two-hour and 40-minute long film. Before Wicked’s release, some theaters issued a reminder to fans that singing is not permitted unless the screening is a sing-along version. “At AMC Theaters, silence is golden. No talking. No texting. No singing. No wailing. No Flirting. And absolutely no name-calling. Enjoy the magic of movies,” a short, Wicked -themed preshow advisory video said. According to USA Today , Wicked: Part One brought in $114 million at U.S. and Canadian theaters within the first weekend. The first part of the Universal Pictures film grossed $50.2 million in international markets, for a combined global total of $164.2 million. However, the double premiere of Wicked and Gladiator 2 failed to surpass the success of Barbenheimer — last summer’s dual release of Barbie and Oppenheimer — on opening weekend, coming in at $169.5 million domestically compared to $244 million.The accolades continue for Boise State’s historic football season. Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson became one of nine finalists for the 2024 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the Football Writers Association of America and Allstate Sugar Bowl announced Tuesday. Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson huddles up his players during their game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise. Danielson became one of nine finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, announced Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. Danielson, in his first full season as head coach, already won American Football Coaches Association Region 5 Coach of the Year and Mountain West Coach of the Year. The Broncos (12-1) won back-to-back Mountain West championships and received the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff. Ashton Jeanty ran for 209 yards and a touchdown in the win. Boise State ranks fourth nationally in scoring (39.1 points per game), sixth in total offense (470.2 yards per game) and sixth in rushing offense (250.5 yards per game). The Broncos’ defense ranks second nationally with 51 sacks and tied for third with 104 tackles for loss. Running back Ashton Jeanty is one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy and 13 other Broncos earned All-Mountain West honors. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Miami’s Cam Ward have been announced as the Heisman Trophy finalists. The Heisman has been given to the nation’s most outstanding college football player since 1935. This year’s winner will be announced Saturday in New York. The top four top vote-getters determined by more than 900 voters are selected as finalists. The voting panel includes members of the media and former Heisman winners. The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year winner will be announced Dec. 18. Danielson joins South Carolina’s Shane Beamer, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, SMU’s Rhett Lashlee, Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Army’s Jeff Monken as finalists. No. 3 seed Boise State will battle the winner of No. 11 SMU/No. 6 Penn State at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you don’t miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Don’t have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
CHICAGO (AP) — (AP) — Des Watson led Loyola Chicago with 14 points and sealed the victory with a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining as the Ramblers knocked off South Florida 74-72 on Saturday. Watson shot 3 for 15 (2 for 8 from 3-point range) and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Ramblers (8-0). Kymany Houinsou scored 12 points while finishing 5 of 7 from the floor and added seven rebounds and five assists. Jalen Quinn had 12 points and shot 4 of 8 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. The Ramblers extended their winning streak to eight games. The Bulls (5-4) were led by Jayden Reid, who recorded 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kasen Jennings added 13 points for South Florida. Jamille Reynolds had 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Justin Moore scored six points in the first half and Loyola Chicago went into the break trailing 38-35. Watson scored a team-high nine points for Loyola Chicago in the second half, including their game-winning shot in the final minute. NEXT UP Loyola Chicago next plays Sunday against San Francisco at home, and South Florida will visit Utah State on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .None
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.The internet made a stink over her ‘politics of smell’ PhD thesis
Jets running back Hall 'looks promising' to play vs. Jags, but cornerback Reed is doubtful FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets running back Breece Hall could play Sunday at Jacksonville after missing a game with a knee injury. Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press Dec 13, 2024 1:31 PM Dec 13, 2024 1:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets running back Breece Hall could play Sunday at Jacksonville after missing a game with a knee injury. Hall has been dealing with a hyperextension and injured MCL in his left knee that sidelined him last Sunday at Miami. But he was a full participant at practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. Hall was officially listed as questionable on the team's final injury report. “He looks good right now,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “So it’s promising.” Hall leads the Jets with 692 yards rushing and four touchdown runs, and he also has 401 yards receiving and two scores on 46 catches. A pair of rookies helped New York offset Hall's absence last weekend, with Braelon Allen rushing for 43 yards on 11 carries, and Isaiah Davis getting 40 yards on 10 attempts and scoring his first rushing touchdown. “We’re hopeful and we’ll see how it goes,” Ulbrich said of Hall. The Jets will get star cornerback Sauce Gardner back after he missed a game with a hamstring injury, but New York's secondary appears likely to be without cornerback D.J. Reed because of a groin injury. Reed was listed as doubtful after he didn't practice Thursday or Friday. “It’s been something that’s kind of lingered here and there,” Ulbrich said. “It’s gotten aggravated and then it went away, and then it got aggravated again. So, it’s just dealing with that.” Backup Brandin Echols is out with a shoulder injury, so veteran Isaiah Oliver or rookie Qwan'tez Stiggers could get the start opposite Gardner if Reed can't play. Kendall Sheffield also could be elevated from the practice squad for the second game in a row. Ulbrich said kick returner Kene Nwangwu will be placed on injured reserve after breaking a hand last weekend at Miami. The injury came a week after he was selected the AFC special teams player of the week in his Jets debut, during which he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and forced a fumble in a loss to Seattle. “To put him out there with a broken hand, just thought it’d be counterproductive for him and for us as a team, so it unfortunately cuts the season short and what a bright light he was,” Ulbrich said. “What an amazing future I think he has in this league. With saying that, he’s already been a really good player for quite a while, so (it's) unfortunate, but he’ll be back.” Offensive lineman Xavier Newman (groin) is doubtful, while right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and RT Morgan Moses (wrist) are questionable. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Jets and Jaguars, two of the NFL's most disappointing teams, meet amid uncertain futures Dec 13, 2024 1:31 PM Bengals and coach Zac Taylor visit the Titans and Brian Callahan needing to win Dec 13, 2024 1:09 PM Miami Dolphins release veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Dec 13, 2024 12:45 PMHeirs Insurance Launches Campaign to Bring Hope this Festive Season.
Lewandowski scores his 100th Champions League goal. He is the 3rd player to reach the milestone