Steve Thompson, the champion of the Rugby World Cup, claims he was put on suicide watch

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Steve Thompson, the champion of the Rugby World Cup, claims he was put on suicide watch

As he battled early-onset dementia, Rugby World Cup winner Steve Thompson says he was “placed on suicide watch.”

Thompson, a former England hooker, is one of a group of former players who are suing the game’s governing bodies for negligence.

They claim that continuous hits to the head caused their dementia.

Sometimes I think that killing myself would be the least selfish thing I could do. That’s what this has the potential to do to me, “Thompson told the Daily Mail about it.

Thompson said after he went to a railway station “in a state” that he had been placed on suicide watch.

“You know, I’m more afraid of the highs than the lows,” he added. When I’m high, I feel amazing, but then I have to disappoint everyone because I can’t deliver on my promises.

Thompson made 195 appearances for Northampton before joining Brive in France.

In a nine-year international career, he earned 73 caps for England and three for the British and Irish Lions.

In December 2020, the front-row forward said he couldn’t recall any of the games he played in during England’s 2003 World Cup victory.

Thompson has stated that he will donate his brain to brain damage researchers.

Thompson was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probably chronic traumatic encephalopathy—the term used to denote brain deterioration presumably caused by repeated head trauma—by neurologists at King’s College, London, before speaking out in 2020.

World Rugby announced in January that 2022 would be the year of player welfare in the sport.

In 2021, the world governing body unveiled a new concussion welfare plan that included help for ex-players as well as a restriction on full-contact training to avoid injuries.

Concussion made news again in February when a head injury organisation questioned whether Wales prop Tomas Francis should have been allowed to continue playing following a collision during a Six Nations match.

Ukraine War: According to Zelensky, the country requires $7 billion a month in aid

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Ukraine War: According to Zelensky, the country requires $7 billion a month in aid

Ukraine’s president has informed world finance ministers that his country requires $7 billion (£5.4 billion) per month until the summer to stay afloat.

He was speaking via video link from Kyiv to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank conference. According to the World Bank, Ukraine has suffered physical damage worth over $60 billion.

Mr Zelensky further stated that Russia should be promptly excluded from international financial institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and others.

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has stated that Russia should be held responsible for some of the costs associated with rebuilding Ukraine following the war.

It occurred as some countries demanded that seized Russian assets be used to help rebuild the country.

Ms Yellen did warn, though, that using confiscated Russian central bank deposits in the US to reconstruct Ukraine would be a “major step” that would necessitate consultation and agreement with international partners.

Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s prime minister, who spoke at the conference in person, claimed the country’s economic production might drop by as much as 50%, with direct and indirect losses totalling $560 billion thus far.

According to the World Bank, that number is more than three times the size of Ukraine’s gross domestic product (GDP), which was $155.5 billion in 2020.

Mr Shmyhal added that Ukraine will require a reconstruction plan akin to the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild Europe after WWII.

Meanwhile, World Bank President David Malpass estimated that Russia’s invasion had caused $60 billion in damage to Ukraine’s structures and infrastructure, and warned that the sum would climb if the battle continues.

Mr Malpass stated that the first estimate of “limited” damage costs does not account for Ukraine’s expanding economic impact.

On Thursday, the US placed new restrictions on Russian ships, while the UK imposed import bans and higher tariffs on luxury commodities such as caviar, silver, and diamonds.

However, the Biden administration echoed Germany’s concerns about the European Union’s haste in imposing new sanctions on Russian energy, warning that it could end up costing Europe more than Russia.

Actors launch campaign against AI ‘show stealers’

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Actors launch campaign against AI ‘show stealers’

According to a union, artificial intelligence (AI) threatens actors’ livelihoods unless legislation changes. Equity, the union for performers, has launched a new campaign called “Stop AI Stealing the Show.”

AI may create content using samples of an actor’s voice or visage, including so-called “deep fakes.”

According to Equity, actors’ voices and likenesses can be exploited in a variety of ways. For example, actors may collaborate with AI companies to develop systems that may generate artificial voice-overs or assist them in creating digital “avatars.”

AI can also be used to create “synthetic” performances, allowing for the appearance of deceased performers in films in specific situations.

While AI-generated performances can be a beneficial creative tool, the union is concerned that actors may not always be able to control how their image is used, or that their likeness may be exploited without their agreement or for insufficient compensation.

Celebrity “deep fake” videos created by AI are becoming increasingly popular on the internet.

According to the union, most actors who work with AI businesses are unaware of their rights, and many are forced to sign non-disclosure agreements.

The organisation discovered that 93 per cent of audio artists believed AI posed a threat to their employment opportunities in a survey of 430 members.

According to the company, Equity is particularly concerned about the advancement of digital voice technology for automated audiobook production.

In 2018, the Canadian voiceover artist recorded roughly 10,000 phrases of audio for the Chinese Institute of Acoustics, a government-backed scientific organisation, to use in translations.

Ms Standing said, however, that her voice was later used by TikTok in a feature that turned writing into speech, which could then be played over videos posted to the app, often to humorous effect.

The union claims that current copyright laws do not adequately protect performers because AI “reproduces performances without making a recording or a copy.”

Equity wants the government to defend performers’ rights and change copyright rules to “keep up with technological development.”

However, there may be fears that modifications to copyright laws may impede innovation or have a harmful influence on free expression.

Watching TV in self-driving cars will be permitted under the Highway Code

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Watching TV in self-driving cars will be permitted under the Highway Code

According to planned changes to the Highway Code, those who use self-driving cars would be able to watch television on built-in screens. The government says the reforms will require drivers to be ready to regain control of their vehicles when requested.

The initial applications of self-driving technology are anticipated to be on highways at modest speeds, such as in heavy traffic.

However, it will remain unlawful to use a cellphone while driving.

Self-driving cars are not currently permitted on UK roads, but the Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that the first self-driving vehicles could be available later this year.

The anticipated code changes are expected to be implemented this summer.

The changes, which were recommended after public consultation, are defined as a temporary solution to encourage early use of the technology, with a full legal framework expected to be in place by 2025.

They will also state that users of self-driving cars will not be held liable in the event of a collision.

According to the Department for Transport, insurance companies, not people, would be liable for claims.

In April of last year, the government stated that hands-free driving in vehicles equipped with lane-keeping technology would be permitted on congested highways.

Automated lane-keeping system technology allows a vehicle to travel up to 37 mph (60 km/h) in a single lane while maintaining the ability to return control to the driver when necessary.

Motorists should be prepared to take control of an automated system when instructed, such as when approaching a highway exit, according to the new guidelines.

According to the Department of Transport, the current technology is “assistive,” which means drivers should always maintain control.

When the driver needs to resume control, experts recommend that a vehicle disable built-in screens that display material unrelated to driving.

According to Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, a motoring research organisation, driverless cars “offer a future where death and injury on our roads are dramatically reduced.”

However, he predicted that there would be a “long period of transition” during which drivers would maintain “most of the responsibility for what happens” when driving.

British composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle has died at the age of 87

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British composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle has died at the age of 87

Sir Harrison Birtwistle, a well-known composer, died at the age of 87, according to his publisher.

The Triumph of Time, a 1972 orchestral composition, as well as the operas The Mask of Orpheus, Gawain, and The Minotaur, are among his best-known works.

He died on April 18th at his home in Mere, Wiltshire, according to publishers Boosey & Hawkes and agency Rayfield Allied. 

He was dubbed a true musical giant by the Royal Philharmonic Society. Sir Harrison had an “extraordinary degree of detail,” according to Martyn Brabbins, music director of English National Opera.

In Europe, the United States, and Japan, his music has been performed at major festivals and concert series, attracting prominent conductors such as Daniel Barenboim and Sir Simon Rattle.

The Triumph of Time was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered in 1972. It is based on a painting by Pieter Bruegel, a 16th-century Flemish artist who depicts Time riding in a cart surrounded by skeletons.

The Royal Philharmonic announced that he had won five of the orchestra’s honours, saying: “His music shook the entire world.” Every note he wrote was full of intensity and potency. For decades to come, we will be awestruck by his works. 

Sir Harrison studied composition and clarinet at the Royal Manchester College of Music, where he met contemporaries such as Peter Maxwell Davies, Alexander Goehr, John Ogdon, and Elgar Howarth. He was born in Accrington, Lancashire, in 1934.

After selling his clarinets in 1960, he accepted a composition fellowship at Princeton University in the United States, where he wrote the opera Punch and Judy. Along with Verses for Ensembles and The Triumph of Time, this composition cemented Sir Harrison’s reputation as a key figure in British music.

He became musical director of the Royal National Theatre in London in 1975 and remained there until 1983.

In 1988, he was knighted, and in 2001, he was appointed Companion of Honour.

Sir Harrison is survived by his three sons and six grandchildren after his wife, Sheila Duff, died in 2012.

Pakistan: Widow alleges police harassment for moving court in her husband’s encounter case

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Pakistan: Widow alleges police harassment for moving court in her husband’s encounter case

The widow of a man killed in an alleged false encounter in Pakistan’s Jhang city claims that the police are harassing her for filing a murder complaint against them, including a sub-inspector involved in the fake encounter case.

According to Dawn newspaper, citing Bibi’s appeal to Jhang magistrate Kamran Khalid, her husband, Ghulam Jaffar, was arrested while taking a bath at hamlet Bela Bangash by satellite police sub-inspector Amanullah Qamar and other police officers, according to Bibi’s appeal to Dawn.

Her competitors accompanied the police when they came to arrest him, she claimed, and her husband was later slain in the phoney encounter. She further claimed that the police searched her home and harassed her to prevent her from submitting the petition.

These charges are false, according to Sub-Inspector Amanullah Qamar, who also stated that a judicial investigation is underway. According to Dawn, he also stated that he would record his statement before the inquiry officer.

In the last few days, the number of criminal cases in Pakistan’s Punjab province has increased.

Approximately 1,900 metric tonnes of wheat were recently captured from accused smugglers who were attempting to transfer it from Faisalabad to other districts in contravention of the ban.

According to Dawn, Faisalabad Commissioner Zahid Hussain claimed that seven cases have been filed against the smugglers and that they have conducted 216 searches across the division to stop the unlawful transportation and hoarding of wheat.

A new case was filed in Kamalia yesterday, in which a man was allegedly poisoned to death by his wife.

The deceased, Asif Jehangir Mughal (35), was transported to Kamalia Tehsil Headquarters Hospital early in the morning, where doctors directed him to the DHQ (District Headquarters) hospital, according to Kamalia City police. At the hospital, he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Mughal’s wife, Nahid Bibi, was accused by the deceased’s relatives of poisoning him. According to Dawn, the culprit has been captured.

Ukraine War: L’Occitane makes a U-turn and closes its Russian stores

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Ukraine War: L’Occitane makes a U-turn and closes its Russian stores

Just days after defending its decision to continue trading, L’Occitane announced the closure of its Russian stores and online.

The decision was made in response to “enormous human suffering and rising military action in Ukraine,” according to the corporation.

Last Monday, L’Occitane announced that it would keep its stores open to safeguard employees from “retaliation.”

Customers have criticised the corporation’s choice and have called for a boycott of the company.

Its products are offered in over 3,085 retail shops around the world, with sales of €1.5 billion (£1.3 billion) last year.

The company said last week that it had debated closing its Russian stores “at length” but had decided against it because it wanted to safeguard its employees from “retaliation.”

The cosmetics company, which has spas and stores in Russian cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, initially stated that it could not afford to close its locations.

On the other hand, L’Occitane said in a statement issued Friday evening that the decision to close its Russian operation had been accepted by the company’s board of directors.

Hundreds of international brands, including L’Oreal and Estee Lauder, have already shut their stores and stopped selling online in Russia in protest of the Ukrainian conflict.

Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld of Yale University’s School of Management lists a handful of companies as still operating in Russia.

Since Russia’s invasion, some 600 major corporations, including Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Levi’s, and Apple, have moved out or halted operations in the country.

Other foreign retailers who remain operating in Russia have stated that they are unable to close stores due to intricate franchise agreements that restrict them from doing so. The hotel chains Marriott and Accor, as well as Burger King, are among the companies whose operations are constrained by these agreements.

Over a week after the sportswear giant announced it was temporarily suspending all of its stores in Russia, several independent Nike stores were discovered to remain open on Tuesday.

Professor Vanessa Burbano of Columbia Business School in the United States believes that for businesses with operations in Russia, consistency between promises and deeds is critical.

Barcelona drew 2-2 with Eintracht Frankfurt (3-4 agg) to advance to the semi-finals

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Barcelona drew 2-2 with Eintracht Frankfurt (3-4 agg) to advance to the semi-finals

Eintracht Frankfurt upset Barcelona with a 3-2 win at the Nou Camp, advancing to the Europa League semi-finals against West Ham United.

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the Germans stormed to a 3-0 lead in the second leg and appeared to be in control until two late goals from Barcelona.

After Filip Kostic’s penalty and Rafael Borre’s spectacular shot, Kostic added a third goal after the break.

The efforts of Sergio Busquets and the penalty of Memphis Depay, though, set up a suspenseful conclusion.

Following a VAR malfunction, Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka was also sent off for a second yellow card for what appeared to be a soft foul on Luuk de Jong for the spot-kick.

In front of their over 30,000 travelling supporters, Frankfurt, who are currently ninth in the Bundesliga and won this cup in its earlier incarnation in 1980, pulled off a stunning triumph in front of their home crowd.

The fact that so many away fans were able to obtain admission to the stadium was criticised by Barcelona manager Xavi after the match.

Barcelona, who had been on a roll since Xavi took over as manager, couldn’t cope with Frankfurt’s clinical counter-attacks, and Frankfurt could have had more.

Xavi described the scenario with the fans as a “miscalculation,” as his team’s 15-game unbeaten streak came to an end.

Frankfurt’s Kostic scored the game’s first penalty after Eric Garcia was fouled, but Borre scored the game’s game-winning goal with a long-range strike into the roof of the net.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed over in the first half before failing to connect with Ousmane Dembele’s low cross in the second.

In additional time, Busquets had a goal disallowed for offside before igniting a frantic conclusion with a well-taken goal, but the hosts ran out of time as Depay’s penalty just crawled over the line.

It means Frankfurt will face David Moyes’ Hammers in the semi-finals.

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. admits to forcibly kissing a waitress.

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Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. admits to forcibly kissing a waitress.

Cuba Gooding Jr., an actor, has acknowledged forcibly kissing a woman as part of a plea deal that is anticipated to terminate his criminal case.

In 2018, the Oscar winner admitted to forcibly kissing a waitress in a bar, pleading guilty to a misdemeanour crime.

He must attend six months of counselling to avoid any subsequent arrests.

If he does, he has the option of withdrawing his plea and pleading guilty to a lesser charge of harassment. He could be sentenced to a year in prison if he does not comply.

Gooding Jr., 54, received an Oscar for his part in Jerry Maguire in 1996 and has previously appeared in films such as Boyz N the Hood and Men of Honour.

More than 20 women have accused him of groping and inappropriate touching, with three of the allegations leading to criminal proceedings.

According to his lawyer, the plea deal means all three charges will be dropped. He was accused of molesting the two women who submitted the additional complaints in 2018 and 2019.

At the end of this, his lawyer, Frank Rothman, told the AFP news agency, “If he stays out of trouble for six months, that charge [to which he pled guilty] will be removed, and he will have no criminal record at the end of this.”

“I apologise for making anyone ever feel inappropriately touched,” the actor said in court on Wednesday.

“I am a well-known figure, people come into contact with me. I never want them to feel belittled or in any way uneasy.”

One of the two other women testified in court on Wednesday, saying Gooding Jr. grabbed her breast “as if I were a piece of meat for dinner that night,” according to the Associated Press.

She said, “I’m really sorry and unclear of what I can do.”

Legal action has been filed against Gooding Jr. by a woman who claims he raped her twice in 2013, which he denies.

Fantastic Breast 3: For Chinese audiences, the film’s gay dialogue has been eliminated.

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Fantastic Breast 3: For Chinese audiences, the film’s gay dialogue has been eliminated.

For Chinese viewers, Warner Bros. eliminated references to a lesbian connection from the latest Fantastic Beasts film.

Six seconds of the third instalment, The Secrets of Dumbledore, were deleted because they hinted at Dumbledore and Grindelwald’s amorous past.

In 2007, JK Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter series, revealed that Dumbledore was gay, but the films had never explicitly stated his sexuality until recently.

Warner Bros., the film’s producers, stated that the “spirit of the film” survives.

In the Chinese version of the film, the lines “because I was in love with you” and “the summer Gellert and I fell in love” were deleted from the exchange between Jude Law’s titular character and Mads Mikkelsen’s Grindelwald.

The remainder of the movie stayed the same, including the realisation that the characters have a close relationship.

Warner Bros. said in a statement to Variety that it was “dedicated to maintaining the integrity of every film we release,” which included making “sensitively nuanced trims” for particular regions.

For more than two decades, homosexuality has been legal in China, and the Chinese Society of Psychiatry stopped classifying it as a mental disease in 2001.

However, same-sex marriage is not recognised, and some LGBT people continue to face discrimination, particularly from close family members who have traditional expectations.

According to a 2016 survey by the United Nations Development Programme, only about 15% of LGBT people in China come out to their close family members.

Xie Xiao, a member of CINEMQ, a queer movie collective based in Shanghai, said in 2020 that “some people who have already come out successfully are proud.”

“In the meantime, some people are terrified that their family members are aware of their sexuality.”

Fans of the Harry Potter franchise in the United Kingdom were dissatisfied in 2018 when it was revealed that Dumbledore would not be depicted as “explicitly” gay in the previous film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

However, filmmaker David Yates told Newsbeat that the characters had already “fallen in love with one another’s views, ideology, and each other.”

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