Benjamin Mendy finds new club days after being cleared of rape charges
Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has signed a two-year deal with French club Lorient. Mendy left Man City last month at the expiration of his contract, having not played for the Premier League and Champions League winners since 2021. The 29-year-old was cleared of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court last week. Mendy, who progressed through Le Harve’s academy before establishing himself during three seasons at Marseille, joined City in 2017 for a reported fee of £52m after a solitary campaign with Monaco. He would go on to be involved in three Premier League title wins with Pep Guardiola’s side but his last appearance occurred during the opening game of the 2021-22 in defeat at Tottenham. Later that same month, Mendy was reprimanded in custody after being charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in August 2021. City suspended the French full-back, who was granted bail the following January but only after being charged with three more counts of rape. In May 2022, Mendy pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape, one attempted rape and one sexual assault. The next month he was charged with another count of rape, and in September he was found not guilty on one charge of rape. Mendy was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one court of sexual assault in January, but the same jury could not reach a verdict on another count of rape and one count of attempted rape. It saw a retrial and last week Mendy was found not guilty of one charge of rape and one charge of attempted rape, which has allowed the defender to resume his professional career. Lorient finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season under Regis Le Bris and the player will begin work with his new club on Wednesday. “FC Lorient is pleased to announce today the signing for two seasons of French international left-back Benjamin Mendy,” a club statement read. “The native of Longjumeau, who will wear number five with the Merlus, will take his first steps at Espace FCL today. Welcome Benjamin!”
2023-07-19 18:29
Voting fraud claims spread ahead of Spain's pivotal election
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Will 'Yellowstone' lose its home with Paramount? CBS announces show acquirement amid uncertainty over Kevin Costner's return
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Regulator says found no animal welfare breaches at Musk firm beyond 2019 incident
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2023-07-19 18:23
Mamma Mia! and The Dark Knight were the original Barbenheimer
The same-day release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has sparked a frenzy on social media in recent weeks. But as cotton candy plastic pop meets death, destroyer of worlds on Friday 21 July, it’s worth pointing out that, incredibly, this has happened before. Fifteen years ago on 18 July 2008, dark versus light had another box office showdown, when Nolan’s The Dark Knight was released on the same day as Abba-inspired musical sensation Mamma Mia! Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Of course, social media was a very different beast back then. We can only dream of what the meme machine would have churned out with Christian Bale’s foreboding Batman and Amanda Seyfreid’s bride-to-be Sophie. Or what about Heath Ledger’s terrifying Joker and Pierce Brosnan’s smooth-as-you-like Sam Carmichael? The Dark Knight won the opening weekend by some distance, bringing in $158.4m in ticket sales compared to $27.7m for Mamma Mia! However, the Abba extravaganza clawed back some ground in the end, earning $611m in total, though still far less than The Dark Knight’s $1bn. Of course, theatre fans will point to the resounding success of Mamma Mia! the musical, which is the second-most successful production of all time with $4bn in total revenue, only lagging behind The Phantom Of The Opera. And beyond the numbers, news outlet Vulture even positioned the event as a good versus evil, light versus dark battle “for the soul of America” ahead of opening weekend. Sounds familiar, right? “It’s tempting to look at this weekend, in fact, as a mandate on how Americans feel about the state and future of our great nation,” the publication wrote at the time. “Is America optimistic? Do we essentially view ourselves as attractive, tan actresses frolicking on the beach to ABBA songs? Or is the soul of America chaotic and violent, like the deranged anti-hero whose electrifying presence animates The Dark Knight?” Twitter users tried to give the 15-year-old film pairing the Barbenheimer treatment. One person wrote: “Just realised the dark knight/mamma mia release day could have been called “Abbatman”. Why wasn’t I on Twitter in 2008?” It’s too early to say which of Barbie or Oppenheimer will come out on top on their opening weekend – though analysts have predicted a win for the former. But with the films hitting cinemas on 21 July, we don’t have long until we find out. 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.
2023-07-19 18:22
Grab’s Bank to Accept Bigger Deposits, Signaling Cap Raised
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2023-07-19 18:22
Barbie has secures high Rotten Tomatoes score – and it's not even out yet
Barbie is everywhere. From Barbiecore becoming fashion's latest buzzword to billboards, to food and drink to merch collaborations – and still, the people demand more. Well now, Greta Gerwig's hotly anticipated film has secured a strong Rotten Tomatoes rating, proving it has style and substance. Barbie, set to hit cinemas on 21 July, has received an impressive 89 per cent score on the popular American film and TV review website, with film critics pleasantly surprised by the Warner Bros' production. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "Life in plastic is fantastic indeed: Barbie is a sharp, hilarious and joy-contagious satire of gender roles," Mireia Mullor from Digital Spy wrote, while Andrew Gaudion from THN described the film as "a feminist fairy tale with lots on its mind about the modern world and the gender roles within. That, and it’s also exceptionally silly and funny." Barbie | Main Trailer www.youtube.com Alice Saville from Time Out added: "This is a wonderfully fun watch that somehow manages to simultaneously celebrate and satirise the Barbie brand, its feminism and girliness pairing like gorpcore sandals with a floaty pink skirt." One glowing review from Brian Truitt at USA Today read: "Barbie is really an insightful exploration of humanity, the meaning of life and the cognitive dissonance of a woman living in the patriarchy, all with a really big heart and style to spare." Meanwhile, New York Post critic Johnny Oleksinkski didn't hold back when offering his take, calling the film "exhausting, spastic, self-absorbed and overwrought disappointment." Greta Gerwig's Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, Micheal Cera and Issa Rae, is set to hit cinemas on 21 July. 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.
2023-07-19 18:17
Who is Flora Nolan? Christopher Nolan reveals emotional reason for casting daughter in crucial 'Oppenheimer' scene
'We needed someone to do that small part of a somewhat experimental and spontaneous sequence,' said Christopher Nolan
2023-07-19 18:16
TikTokers are showing off pink outfits they’re going to wear to watch Barbie movie
For the last couple of weeks, the buzz surrounding Greta Gerwig’s new live-action film has transformed the world into “Barbie land”, as fashion fans embrace the film-inspired fads and obsess over Margot Robbie’s odes to vintage Mattel dolls on the red carpet. Between pink gowns, fur trims, polka dots, and kitten heels, Barbie has become the official summer wear trendsetter – and it’s fantastic. In preparation for the upcoming premiere on 21 July, eager TikTokers are manifesting the perfect, pink-themed party by crafting “Barbiecore” looks that they plan on wearing in theatres. While some are opting to thrift or buy new clothes, others are pulling pieces they already own to reimagine themselves as “country Barbie,” “roller skating Barbie,” or “cottage Barbie.” Popular influencer Jenny Nguyen (@jennyxngyn) brought her followers along with her as she perused a second-hand store for anything vibrant and pink. She stuck to her high standards when she tossed a lace-trimmed tank to the side because it wasn’t “Barbie cute.” However, a baby pink denim skirt and jersey T-shirt with the film’s title spraypainted across the chest stole her heart. The style enthusiast chopped the bottoms to be a “micro mini skirt” and completed the look with matching platform sandals. “This is my outfit for the Barbie movie,” she proclaimed. Commenters couldn’t believe her luck with finding the branded T-shirt. “That Barbie top!! No way,” a stunned woman wrote, while another agreed: “The Barbie shirt is perfect.” Jenny replied: “Omg, I know right!! My jaw literally dropped to the ground after seeing it.” @jennyxngyn what are you guys wearing to the Barbie movie??? #barbiemovieoutfits #allpinkoutfit #whatimwearing #barbiecore #outfitinspo ♬ original sound - Jenny Nguyen Cassi (@cassiscastle) on TikTok headed to Gap to try-on pieces from the brand’s collection for the movie. From pink and white pinstriped button-downs to logo-printed sweatshirts, tank tops, and skirts, the store was filled with viable options to wear. “This new Barbie x Gap collection is way too cute,” Cassi remarked. In a different video, the fashion lover switched between formalwear Barbie looks and casual daytime outfits with a sweet silk slip, pink crop tops, and heart-shaped sunglasses. @cassiscastle this new barbie x gap collection is way too cute!! wanted to try on my favorite items from the collection ??? #barbie #barbiemovies #barbieoutfits #tryonhaul ♬ Hi Barbie Hi Ken Barbie Movie Only In Theaters - Barbie Movie Since Warner Bros began promotions for the new film in April 2022, other brands like Zara and Crocs have hopped on the dreamhouse bus and sold-out new collections motivated by the Barbie aesthetic. Meanwhile, Maddy (@madisonhoward59) requested the help of her followers in choosing from the three outfits she created using clothes from her closet. The creator channeled the current Y2K fashion fixation with pops of pink detailing with a tight-fitting tank, halter top, and printed tube skirt. Women aren’t the only ones preparing ahead of the film’s release. TikToker @Beerrenicee proved that aspiring Kens were also readying themselves to watch Barbie on the big screen. In her 17 July video, she brought her boyfriend shopping to find a pink shirt for the premiere. “Making my boyfriend buy a pink shirt for the barbie movie so we can both pull up in pink outfits,” her caption read. The pair landed on a short-sleeve collared option. @beerrenicee He said ???? #fyp ♬ Barbie World (with Aqua) [From Barbie The Album] - Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice & Aqua One impressed viewer said: “If I had a man I would def do this and I’m being for real like bae we both matching I don’t care.” “I got my man a peach shirt at Ross and he actually like it which I’m surprised with,” a fellow girlfriend admitted. Another woman wrote: “Mine didn’t wanna wear pink so he’s wearing light blue for Ken.” “Already got my shirt, I just need someone to go with,” one man looking for his dream girl noted. Read More TikTokers are showing off pink outfits they’re going to wear to watch Barbie movie Issa Rae admits she ‘hates’ pink and plans to ‘burn’ her Barbie-inspired clothes Margot Robbie has fangirl moment over Love Island stars Ekin-Su, Davide and Liberty Barbie-inspired decor to get your pink fix at home Barbie premiere: All the best pink carpet looks as Margot Robbie film shows in London Michael Cera twinned with Ryan Gosling at Barbie premiere for sweet reason
2023-07-19 18:16
Ukraine Recap: Lula Says World Tires of War After Tense EU Meet
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has expressed ambivalence toward Russia’s attack on Ukraine, said the
2023-07-19 17:58
Hawaii governor declares state of emergency as Tropical Storm Calvin threatens to deliver strong winds and torrential rain to the Big Island
Tropical Storm Calvin strengthened Tuesday as it continued to approach Hawaii's Big Island, where more than a million people are under a state of emergency and a tropical storm warning is in effect.
2023-07-19 17:55
Kepa Arrizabalaga becomes Chelsea's longest-serving senior player after latest exit
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2023-07-19 17:52
