BET announces Usher’s speech at the 2024 BET Awards was heavily censored due to an “audio glitch”
Usher’s BET Lifetime Achievement acceptance speech was heartfelt, occasionally vulgar and lengthy. And few people listened to it. The 13-minute speech was largely censored by the network, leaving viewers desperate to know what Usher had to say. A BET spokesperson told The Associated Press that a large portion of the speech was “inadvertently muted” due to an “audio glitch.” The full speech, with some vulgarities removed, is now available on BET’s YouTube channel. Much of the speech was about fatherhood, forgiveness and his 30-year career.
According to the Associated Press, Klay Thompson is leaving the Warriors to join the Mavericks.
DALLAS (AP) — Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson is leaving the Golden State Warriors to join the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks for the first time in his 13-year NBA career, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. The move, first reported by ESPN and The Athletic, will be executed as a sign-and-trade involving the Warriors, Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets on a three-year, $50 million contract, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Thompson ranks sixth all-time in NBA 3-pointers made with 2,481.
Predators make big acquisitions of Stamkos, Marchessault as NHL teams spend $900 million on free agents
The Nashville Predators made a splash with the signings of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skey shortly after the start of NHL free agency. Marchessault, the 2023 playoff MVP, signed a five-year contract worth $27.5 million. Stamkos leaves Tampa Bay after 16 seasons that included two Stanley Cup championships and two finals appearances. Jake Guenzel signed with the Lightning to replace Stamkos.
Mbappe and France beat Belgium 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Mouani to reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals
DÜSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Kylian Mbappe and France advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Championship with a 1-0 win over Belgium on a deflected shot by Randal Kolo Mouani. Kolo Mouani’s 85th-minute shot bounced off Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen and over goalkeeper Koen Castells. France will face Portugal or Slovenia in the quarterfinals on Friday. Mbappe was wearing a mask again to protect his broken nose. He had five shots but none were on target in a low-quality game in which the teams canceled each other out.
White man in Nebraska shoots and kills seven Guatemalan immigrant neighbors, wounds them
CRETE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are not ruling out the possibility of a racist motive in their investigation into the death of a white Nebraska man who shot and wounded seven of his Guatemalan immigrant neighbors. Authorities say about 15 people were present, mostly in the victims’ yards, when 74-year-old Billy Booth opened fire on his Crete home Friday. Booth committed suicide after the shootings. The victims were related and included four children between the ages of 3 and 10. They are expected to survive. The Omaha World-Herald reported that Booth had a history of conflict with neighbors.
UEFA investigating Jude Bellingham over alleged indecent conduct at Euro 2024 match
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — England star Jude Bellingham is under investigation by UEFA for a possibly offensive gesture he made during the Euros against Slovakia. UEFA said it had appointed a disciplinary investigator to look into “potential breaches of the fundamental rules of respectful behaviour.” Bellingham appeared to make a groin gesture after scoring England’s 2-1 stoppage-time equaliser Sunday before winning 2-1 in extra time. If UEFA charges Bellingham with disciplinary matters, he could be suspended for Saturday’s quarterfinal against Switzerland.
Ian McKellan pulls out of stage tour to ‘protect his recovery’ after fall from stage
LONDON (AP) — Actor Ian McKellan is stepping down from the UK tour of his latest play, saying he needs more time to recover after falling offstage at a London theater last month. McKellan, 85, said his injury is “getting better every day,” but that he has “followed my doctor’s advice to allow myself to fully recover by not working during that time.” The “Lord of the Rings” star fell from the stage during a performance of “Player Kings” at the Noel Coward Theatre on June 17 and spent three nights in a London hospital. Producers announced Monday that understudy David Semark will continue to play the role in the national tour, which runs from July 3 to 27.
Pregnant stingray dies despite no male mate, aquarium announces
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina aquarium says a pregnant stingray has died this winter, despite not sharing a tank with a male of its species for years. The Hendersonville aquarium and shark lab announced late Sunday that Charlotte died after suffering from a rare reproductive disorder. The aquarium said in February that Charlotte had become pregnant, despite not sharing a tank with a male stingray for at least eight years. But in late May, it said Charlotte had a rare reproductive disorder, and last month said she had not given birth and was not pregnant. The pregnancy is believed to be the result of parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction.
Simone Biles leads U.S. women’s gymnastics team in search of revenge at Paris Olympics
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Simone Biles is returning to the Olympics. The gymnastics star won the Olympic Trials with ease, earning an automatic berth on the five-person U.S. women’s national team. Biles earned a total of 117.225 points during her two-day pre-Olympic warm-up. At 27, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist is as strong as ever. Biles will be back in the spotlight three years after withdrawing from multiple 2020 Olympic finals to focus on her mental health. Biles says she’s not worried about history repeating itself in Paris.
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