Bol Bowen 3-4 1-2 7, Ewin 7-10 3-5 17, Holt 1-3 2-4 5, Jackson 3-7 2-2 8, Watkins 5-6 2-4 14, Davis 1-4 3-4 6, Deng 4-6 0-0 10, Swinton 3-4 1-1 8, Thomas 3-3 2-4 10, Maluk 2-7 0-0 4, Nitu 0-1 0-0 0, Mbatch 1-1 0-0 2, Rozakeas 0-1 1-2 1, Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Simpson 0-0 0-0 0, Crawford 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 33-58 17-28 92. Hankins-Sanford 1-3 2-4 4, Rivera 4-12 3-4 12, Muhammad 0-1 0-0 0, Curry 4-9 8-9 17, Diggins 2-13 0-0 4, Guerengomba 3-11 3-3 10, Watson 1-2 2-5 4, Ndjigue 1-2 0-0 2, Worthy 0-3 2-4 2, Abdelgowad 0-0 0-0 0, Damjanac 0-0 0-0 0, Doumbia 2-2 0-0 4, Foster 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-58 20-29 59. Halftime_Florida St. 37-27. 3-Point Goals_Florida St. 9-18 (Thomas 2-2, Watkins 2-3, Deng 2-4, Holt 1-1, Swinton 1-1, Davis 1-2, Bol Bowen 0-1, Crawford 0-1, Rozakeas 0-1, Jackson 0-2), UMass 3-24 (Curry 1-2, Rivera 1-4, Guerengomba 1-6, Ndjigue 0-1, Watson 0-1, Worthy 0-2, Diggins 0-8). Rebounds_Florida St. 28 (Ewin 7), UMass 31 (Hankins-Sanford 13). Assists_Florida St. 25 (Jackson 6), UMass 8 (Diggins 4). Total Fouls_Florida St. 24, UMass 20.The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 points and Tessa Johnson scored 14 for the Gamecocks, whose road winning streak was third-longest in Division I history. It was the first time UCLA took down a No. 1 team in school history, having been 0-20 in such games. The program's previous best wins were over a couple of No. 2s — Oregon in 2019 and Stanford in 2008. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points as one of five Bruins in double figures. UCLA (5-0) dominated from start to finish, with the Bruins' suffocating defense preventing the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. South Carolina: The Gamecocks trailed by double-digits at halftime for the first time since Dec. 21, 2021, against Stanford, according to ESPN. Chloe Kitts, who averages a team-leading 14 points, finished the game with 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. UCLA: The Bruins led 43-22 at halftime. Eight different players scored and contributed to 11-0 and 7-0 runs in the first and second quarters as they shot 52% from the field. The first quarter set the tone for a game in which the Gamecocks never led. They missed their first nine shots and were 4 of 18 from the floor in the quarter. UCLA ran off 11 straight points to take a 20-10 lead into the second quarter. The Bruins dominated the boards, 41-34, and held the Gamecocks well under their scoring average of 80.2 points. South Carolina travels to Florida to meet Iowa State in the Fort Myers Tipoff on Thanksgiving. UCLA travels to the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Hawaii to play UT Martin on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballDwayne Johnson has said fans should feel free to sing in the cinema, as he attended the UK premiere of Moana 2. "Especially if you love music, that's the fun part," the US star, aka The Rock, told BBC News on the red carpet. Auli'i Cravalho and Johnson are reprising their roles as the voices of Moana and Maui respectively in the film, a sequel to 2016's musical adventure. Recently, there has been a debate on social media around whether people should sing along in cinemas, sparked by the release of Wicked a few days ago. Some have argued fans should be able to express their enjoyment as they like, while others say singing ruins other people's experiences. Johnson, however, made his views on cinema etiquette clear. “Sing! You’ve paid your hard earned money for a ticket, and you've gone into a musical, and you’re into it. Sing," he said. The original film followed an adventurous Polynesian teenage girl who sets on a mission across the ocean to save her people. Moana 2 reunites Moana and Maui three years later for a new voyage alongside a crew of “unlikely seafarers”, Disney has said. On Sunday evening, London's Leicester Square was transformed into a Polynesian island, complete with palm trees, a beach, and dancers. And, while the weather was distinctly untropical, scores of fans turned up hoping to catch a glimpse of Cravalho and Johnson. Cravalho, who was just 16 when she made her acting debut as Moana, has since starred in films including 2024's Mean Girls as well as appearing on stage. But she said she was still "so excited" to be returning to the role of Moana. “I think Moana is at the forefront of a conversation where the word princess and the word hero are now interchangeable," she told BBC News. "She is strong, she is brave, she is not afraid to grab a demigod by the ear. She looks strong as well, at the helm of her ship." Johnson, a 52-year-old ex-wrestler, voices the part of gregarious demigod Maui in the animation. When asked about the similarities between the two roles, he said there is a clear difference. “Maui [is] actually is a demigod," he said. "The difference is wrestlers think that they’re demigods, but they’re not. I know that because I was one of them," he said with a laugh. Johnson, who is also starring as Maui in the upcoming live-action Moana remake, said that his three daughters "love" seeing him take on the role. "Because they see themselves in Moana, they feel they’re represented and they feel a sense of representation from the film too," he said. Cravalho, meanwhile, said that when she was cast as Moana, she "never could have expected... just how impactful this character would be". "I knew it would change my life, but it seems to have also changed many other people’s lives as well," she said. "So sometimes when I meet kids who are at that really special age, I feel like Santa, where they look at me and say, 'You’re Moana!' And they believe it! And it warms my heart.” Many fans of the film, who were children when the original was released eight years ago, will now be teenagers or adults. Disney will therefore be hoping the film appeals both to the nostalgia audience as well as a new generation of children. But it faces tough competition, coming just days after Wicked was released. The original Moana made $687m (£540m) at the box office worldwide, and scored two Oscar nominations. It was the most streamed movie of 2023 in the US, according to Disney. A sequel was previously in development as a Disney+ series, but the company surprised fans in February when it revealed it would take the film to cinemas instead. Songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda - who was nominated for an Oscar for the original - has not returned to work on the music for the sequel. Instead, the songs have been created by four composers, including songwriting duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who rose to fame in 2022 after creating an unofficial Bridgerton musical on TikTok.
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Mary Fowler posts telling message as she takes a mental health break away from her Matildas teammates Has opted not to play in four friendlies in Australia Cited mental health and physical fatigue for the break Has shared a message to her supporters on social media By JOSH ALSTON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 23:32, 5 December 2024 | Updated: 23:32, 5 December 2024 e-mail View comments Just days after the Matildas notched up a much-needed win against Chinese Taipei, Australian forward Mary Fowler has posted a social media dump including a very telling message. The Manchester City star is currently taking time away from the sport, citing mental and physical fatigue . She missed both of the Matildas losses to Brazil and Wednesday night's win over Chinese Taipei, and will not suit up for tonight's match. Fowler is in Australia, spending time with friends, family and partner Nathan Cleary and posted a series of photos to Instagram on Friday. They included her relaxing on the beach in a bikini, hiking through a rainforest and reading the book 'What I Wish I'd Known When I Was Young' by political columnists Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson. It also included a message that appears to a screenshot that reads: 'Life is better when you decide your worth is not a group decision'. Matildas star Mary Fowler has opted to not play in the four friendlys in Australia citing mental and physical fatigue The Matildas striker posted this message along with images of her recharging while back in Australia The Matildas have struggled without Fowler, but found an unconvincing win over Chinese Taipei The post also didn't include any images with Cleary, but one of Fowler's followers confirmed they were together during her break. 'I saw you and Nathan pick up your Brother and Sister (I think) from Varsity Station and it was great to see you both relaxed and happy,' they posted. 'As a fan to see you spending valuable time with your loved ones, transcends the sport really. Best wishes for the season with City.' The Matildas have come under fire for a string of poor results since crashing out of Paris Olympics contention earlier in the year. Australian football legend Andy Harper recently said the team was having issues playing without Fowler and star striker Sam Kerr , while interim coach Tom Sermanni has warned the Matildas have not planned well enough for the future . While the national side is sorely missing Fowler, especially in the absence of Kerr, her followers have praised her strength for taking the time to heal. 'A great example on and off the field. Walking the walk and pushing pause when you need. Breathe. Picture perfect,' one posted. 'Love love your photos they are so healing and grounding,' added another. Fowler enjoys some cuddles with Nathan Cleary's dog Prince while on her downtime from the national team Fowler will not play in the Matildas final friendly against Chinese Taipei on Saturday night 'Good to see you are taking some time out to recharge. Take care of yourself,' posted yet another. Cleary is also spending time away from his sport, recovering from off-season shoulder surgery before returning to training after Christmas. He has been spending time with Fowler on her break and has posted plenty of photos to social media of his love. The Matildas will play their fourth and final friendly match in Australia against Chinese Taipei on Saturday at 6:30pm AEDT. Mary Fowler Instagram Nathan Cleary Brazil Share or comment on this article: Mary Fowler posts telling message as she takes a mental health break away from her Matildas teammates e-mail Add commentNova Scotia Liberals saw support crumble after campaign linking them to Trudeau
NoneGable Steveson is dipping his toes into as many different sporting avenues as he can. While it takes a special athlete to compete in the Olympics, winning a gold medal is an entirely different story. Try accomplishing that feat at only 21 years old, which is exactly what Steveson did in the 2020 Games when he became the youngest to ever do so in men's freestyle wrestling. Unfortunately, Steveson, now 24, has been unable to lock down a consistent means of career since. The Olympic success initially led him down a similar path as his fellow Olympian Kurt Angle, who famously won gold in wrestling "with a broken frickin' neck" before joining the WWE in the late 1990s. Steveson signed to the WWE roster in 2021 and made a handful of appearances, but was released this past May. Life, Steveson said, simply became too much of a juggling act. "When I got to WWE, everything was great, and everything went great the whole time. It just wasn't the right time," Steveson said in a candid conversation on "After I signed with WWE, I tried to go back to wrestle [in the amateurs], and you can't consistently do one foot in, one foot out of everything. As later time had gone on, it just wasn't the right thing and I wanted to keep wrestling and keep going in that direction. WWE had a different direction. Obviously, it's no hard feelings, it's never bad blood. I got to see Paul Levesque (Triple H) at the UFC (309) event and we had a brief convo and everything was very civil and very nice. It was great to see him and Stephanie (McMahon) backstage. Everything is good. There's no hard feelings on my end. "They knew at the time I wanted to keep being competitive and it was just a little bump in the road. It happens," Steveson added. Steveson's brief run in the WWE drew instant comparisons with Angle because of their backgrounds, but whether the company was trying to fashion him into the new Angle or he was always doomed to feel like a replica, fans let Steveson and WWE know their displeasure in . Add in the fact that Steveson did a lot of Angle's moves, including his signature ankle lock, and the partnership just never gelled in the way many expected. Despite the short stint and perceived lack of faith from WWE, Steveson has no ill will or regrets. If the opportunity presents itself again in the future, he's left the door open on his end. The day he found out about his release, it came as a shock, but then it was right back to practice. "If the opportunity definitely came around in the future, I would love to put both feet back in and take off and go run with it," Steveson said. "I would love that, but business is always going to be business. You gotta take risk in your life and some of the risks don't work, and that one just didn't work, and there's no problems with me. I'm hands off and time will always come back around, hopefully. "I don't regret anything. I don't regret going down that path." The NFL was Steveson's next venture. The Olympic champ signed with the Buffalo Bills this past May in an attempt to try his hand on the gridiron as a nose tackle. It was Steveson's first foray into playing any kind of organized football in his entire life, and he enjoyed the experience immensely. He said he felt as if he was just finding his rhythm when he was released in August following Buffalo's first preseason game. Between the WWE and NFL releases, each had "a certain sting to them," Steveson admitted. "Of course there's going to be disappointment," he said. "I feel like I could have done so much more in the business and I could have lasted a really long time, but like I said, business is always going to be business. Business doesn't stop for anyone, and it's not going to stop for me — especially even if I'm the Olympic champion. So there's no problem with it, I'm good to go. I'm going through college wrestling again and restarting everything and getting back to where I was." As Steveson alluded to, what's next for him is a return to the Minnesota Gophers collegiate wrestling team, where he'll look to pick back up a dominant reign of success on the mats using the extra year of eligibility that was was granted to him in 2020 due to the circumstances surrounding the pandemic. Steveson last competed in the NCAA Division I ranks during the 2021-22 season but remains one of the most decorated wrestlers in the history of the University of Minnesota. Steveson made his successful collegiate return on Sunday . However, Steveson recently made another cameo, this time in the MMA world. He served as part of the UFC 309 training camp for heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who fought and defeated Stipe Miocic. Steveson and Jones have known each other for the past few years after connecting on social media. He wasn't a major part of Jones' preparation for the Miocic fight, but Steveson still stopped through Albuquerque for a couple of weeks at a time between school requirements in Minnesota. Working alongside an all-time great like Jones is arguably the perfect situation for a blue-chip athlete to dip their toes into the MMA waters. If Steveson gets the opportunity to do it again, he'll jump at it. "I would hope he consistently picks me," Steveson said of Jones. "He's got a great foundation going on [with his team] already so no hard feelings if he doesn't, but that's my guy. I would love to. "Before the fight, I'm sitting down in the stands near his family and he's in the back with all his team and I'm just sitting watching, waiting for greatness." Steveson is still a newcomer to the striking elements of MMA but got his first licks in courtesy of Jones. Following a third-round spinning back kick knockout of Miocic, Jones shared a story in UFC 309's post-fight press conference detailing the day Steveson took a knee strike from the heavyweight champ. "Taking a knee is crazy," Steveson said. "Everybody knows taking a knee is crazy, especially from Jon Jones. We were just wrestling around and I went to take a shot, and just the reaction time that he had, especially at the age that he is, is just fascinating. I've never seen it from any other guy. I wrestled Brock Lesnar a few years ago and Jon was just so much different, and when I took that shot and took that knee, I was like, 'Oh, this is what it feels like to get hit.' "Obviously it hurts, you know that, but just my first real hit is getting kneed in the face and it goes on ESPN, which is kind of funny." After Steveson won his gold medal, pro wrestling and MMA were assumed to be his most logical next steps if he planned to actually pivot away from amateur wrestling and competing in the Olympics. Pro wrestling has already been checked off the list — for now. But a whole new world still awaits in MMA, and the heavyweight isn't at all opposed to a visit. "I've dipped and dabbed in MMA for a while now," Steveson said. "After being in that camp with Jon Jones, that definitely put a major spark in me to go out there and do MMA. Not sure the promotion yet but Jon definitely lit a fire under me and was like, 'Hey, I think you should go back to wrestling. I think you should try MMA. We got a great team here in Albuquerque if you want to join us.' And it was just fascinating how I got into something so quick. When I put on the gloves, it felt like home base. With the wrestling and the boxing work, jiu-jitsu, I felt like I got to be very good very quick. "I do not have an MMA fight [planned]. I do have a path that can lead me to somewhere great, and so we are discussing it and I think it will be a really good path for me to get out there and showcase who I am. I'm going to take some time and make sure everything's 100 percent ready, and make sure that I am physically capable of being who I am, which I know I am. You just know it's going to take time like every other thing."
SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (KGUN) — Dr. Phil and Tom Homan visited Cochise County on Wednesday, to learn more about how activity at the southern border is affecting the rural county. President-elect Donald Trump appointed Homan to be border czar. The visit served two purposes: One for Dr. Phil to film a segment for his show and two for Homan to sit down with local law enforcement. Homan had a meeting with community leaders, including Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa, Border Patrol, Cochise County Sheriff Deputies, and Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. "Now that we have this engagement you can’t say well 'I don’t want to work with you', that doesn’t serve a purpose. It’s hypocritical,” Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said. The visit comes after Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and other politicians visited the area this past election cycle. For Dannels, having anyone from the federal government come and listen to the problems he, his deputies, and his constituents face, is a step in the right direction. “We’re hoping that now that has been shared our expectations that we'd be funded properly, the resources are probably put back on the border," Dannels said. "Let the federal government do their job, let us do our job, but there is still need to be a partnership.” He's been calling for action from the federal government for years since there are limitations to what his deputies and local law enforcement can do. Dannels says the meeting went well, and that Homan shared some of Trump's agenda for illegal immigration and deportations. “The biggest threat of public safety, national security, threat to this country, are the ones that they're looking at," he said, "That's what the pride of this plan is.” Dannels expressed to the new border czar the need for resources and funding. The sheriff says border crimes is Cochise County have increased the workload for public defenders and the county attorney's office. Dannels told KGUN 9 that Homan told the group the exact plan isn’t done yet. "What matters is, how are we protecting the people in this county," he said. This is why, Dannels says they host visits like Homan's and Dr. Phil's; to help educate people. Mayor McCaa says it’s time to put aside politics and political affiliation, and find answers. "(The) ideal way forward is to make sure that people of Cochise County are taken care of," he said. "I share that way forward as we together collaborate to make sure Cochise County is safe.” --- ——- Alexis Ramanjulu is a reporter in Cochise County for KGUN 9 . She began her journalism career reporting for the Herald/Review in Sierra Vista, which she also calls home. Share your story ideas with Alexis by emailing alexis.ramanjulu@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook .Audi Crooks' winning shot leads No. 8 Iowa State to 80-78 win over Drake
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Supermarket giant Carrefour’s support for French farmers’ protests against a trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur has sparked a strong reaction in Brazil, including a refusal to supply beef to Carrefour stores in Brazil. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Supermarket giant Carrefour’s support for French farmers’ protests against a trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur has sparked a strong reaction in Brazil, including a refusal to supply beef to Carrefour stores in Brazil. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Supermarket giant Carrefour’s support for French farmers’ protests against a trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur has sparked a strong reaction in Brazil, including a refusal to supply beef to Carrefour stores in Brazil. Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard announced in social media posts last week that the French company would stop buying beef from all Mercosur countries, which also include Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bompard wrote that he agrees with French producers’ arguments that Mercosur beef is an unfair competitor due to lower production costs resulting from fewer environmental and sanitary requirements. The executive encouraged other retailers to follow suit. Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture called Bompard’s move protectionist, saying it was made “without any technical criteria.” The decision also angered Brazil’s meatpackers. Though France makes up just a tiny sliver of Brazil’s beef exports, meatpackers worried that Carrefour’s decision would hurt its reputation in other markets. Beef giants JBS and Marfrig halted supplies last Friday to Carrefour’s extensive supermarket chain in Brazil, including the food warehouse giant Atacadao. Both companies refused to comment on the boycott to The Associated Press, but Minister of Agriculture Carlos Fávaro confirmed it. “We support the reaction of the meatpackers. If Brazil ́s beef isn’t good enough for Carrefour’s shelves in France, it isn’t good enough for Carrefour’s shelves in Brazil either,” Faváro told Folha de S.Paulo newspaper on Monday. Carrefour Group in Brazil acknowledged the boycott in a statement, though it said there’s not yet a shortage of beef in stores. It said it has “esteem and confidence in the Brazilian agricultural sector, with which it maintains a solid relationship and partnership.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “Unfortunately, the decision to suspend the meat supply has an impact on customers, especially those who rely on the company to supply their homes with quality and responsible products,” the statement said. “It is in constant dialogue in search of solutions that will make it possible to resume the supply of meat to its stores as quickly as possible, respecting the commitments it has to its more than 130,000 Brazilian employees and millions of Brazilian customers countrywide.” The backdrop for the conflict is the EU-Mercosur trade deal, which would increase agricultural imports to EU countries from South America. French farmers fear it will affect their livelihoods. An initial agreement was reached in 2019, but negotiations have faltered since then due to opposition that also includes some European governments. Brazil’s agribusiness sector also fears that the pending European Union Deforestation Regulation will outlaw the sale of forest-derived products within the EU’s 27-nation bloc if companies can’t prove their goods are not linked to deforestation. Its scope includes soy and cattle, Brazil’s top agricultural exports. Almost half of the country’s cattle is raised in the Amazon region, where 90% of deforested land since 1985 has turned into pasture, according to MapBiomas, a nonprofit network. The date of its implementation remains uncertain. ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Advertisement AdvertisementHistory is filled with extraordinary moments that defy imagination in various ways that astonish, inspire, and perplex. While we often celebrate the monumental events that shape nations and transform civilisations, countless extraordinary tales remain hidden, their brilliance obscured by the grander narratives of time. These moments are not just anecdotes but stories of courage, ingenuity, tragedy, and sheer eccentricity—each offering a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of the human experience. From daring feats of resilience to bizarre acts of genius and tragedy, these astonishing tales of forgotten heroes, eccentric inventors, and uncanny coincidences are so remarkable that they read like fiction—but are all real. Read also: John Tinniswood: 112yrs old man who survived Titanic’s era, lived through history According to Ranker, here are 11 most jaw-dropping moments in history you probably missed. Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., a member of the Oglala Lakota, became a legendary figure in the Korean War for his extraordinary courage. In 1950, during a brutal firefight, Red Cloud stood his ground after being hit with multiple bullets. Despite his grave wounds, he ordered his men to tie him to a tree to continue firing, ensuring his unit could retreat. His actions saved lives and helped secure a defensive position. Red Cloud’s sacrifice earned him the Medal of Honor, and his story remains a symbol of selflessness and bravery under extreme conditions. Betty Robinson’s extraordinary story of survival captivated the world. As a teenager, she won Olympic gold in the 4×100 metre relay at the 1928 Olympics. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she was involved in a tragic plane crash in 1931. Initially declared dead, Robinson was later discovered to be alive in a morgue, barely clinging to life. Doctors initially doubted she’d ever walk again, but she fought through unimaginable pain and went on to win another Olympic gold medal in 1936, solidifying her place as one of history’s greatest comeback athletes. Victor Hugo, the legendary French author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, was not only a literary giant but also a man whose death commanded immense respect. In 1885, when Hugo passed away, his funeral became a national event. In an extraordinary show of respect, Parisian brothels—known for their open doors—closed for the day as a tribute. Rumour has it that Hugo, who had a complex relationship with love and sexuality, had been a client of the Brothels, adding an ironic twist to the story of his funeral. Read also: Samson Dauda: The Nigerian-born bodybuilder who made history at Mr. Olympia 2024 James Jameson, heir to the Jameson whiskey fortune, was a man of many contradictions. In 1887, while on an expedition in the Congo, he reportedly paid to witness the cannibalization of a young girl by a tribal group. Jameson, a passionate and controversial figure, later denied his involvement, claiming he was merely a witness. However, the disturbing sketches he made of the event and his participation in documenting the horrific scene left a stain on his legacy, raising questions about his motivations and the ethics of colonial exploration during that era. The Greek philosopher Pythagoras is perhaps best known for the theorem that bears his name – the Pythagorean Theorem. While the sixth-century BCE Ionian lives on with the geometric statement about triangles, Pythagoras is also known for his works on the soul. Pythagoras was also a vegetarian, although how strictly he avoided meat remains unclear. Regardless, Pythagoras had thoughts about food, especially fava beans. Pythagoras didn’t eat beans and forbade his followers from eating them as well. Beans were not allowed because they caused internal distress – gas – and could make it difficult to focus. Farting aside, there were also beliefs in the ancient world that beans were associated with Hades and contained reincarnated souls of the dead. Beans were also associated with poverty because poor people ate them. Another interpretation is that Pythagoras really meant politics when he said beans because voting in ancient Greece was done with beans. But stories about beans essentially causing Pythagoras’s demise contradict this explanation: When Pythagoras was chased by an angry mob, the philosopher refused to cross a field of beans to escape. He either saw them as sacred or simply feared them, but either way, he was slain as a result. The word “boycott” has its origins in 19th-century Ireland, specifically in the context of the Land War. Charles Cunningham Boycott, an English land agent in Ireland, was notoriously harsh in his dealings with tenants. In 1880, a group of Irish farmers, led by local activist Michael Davitt, began a campaign of social banishment against Boycott. They refused to work for him or provide services, effectively isolating him from the community. The term “boycott” was coined as a result, forever linking his name to the idea of collective action against unjust individuals or systems. Read also: Forced migration: Facing the largest global displacement crisis in history Anita Ekberg, the Swedish actress who captured hearts in La Dolce Vita, was not just a beauty icon but also a woman of striking courage. In 1964, she was embroiled in an altercation with a persistent paparazzo outside her home. As he tried to snap pictures of her, Ekberg grabbed a bow and arrow and aimed it at the photographer. Though the arrow missed, the incident added to her reputation as a woman who fiercely defended her privacy. Her boldness only intensified her mystique in the world of film and fashion. John Joseph Merlin, a talented inventor and mechanical engineer, created one of the first roller skates, but his debut of the invention in 1783 ended in disaster. Merlin, known for his eccentric personality, appeared at a London masquerade ball wearing his roller skates while playing the violin. However, his attempt at a graceful performance went horribly wrong when he lost control, crashing into a mirror and injuring himself. While his invention would eventually become the history and foundation for modern roller skating, Merlin’s public mishap remains one of the most memorable moments in the history of the sport. The phrase “computer bug” is often credited to Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist in the 1940s. While working on the Mark II computer at Harvard University in 1947, her team discovered that the machine was malfunctioning due to a moth trapped in one of its circuits. The team carefully removed the insect, and Hopper humorously documented it in her logbook, writing: “First actual case of bug being found.” This moment, though trivial at the time, marked the beginning of the term “computer bug,” which is still used today to refer to technical glitches. Read also: 11 key moments of 2021 Lady Meux, an eccentric and wealthy Victorian woman, became a well-known figure in London’s social scene for her bizarre and extravagant lifestyle. One of her more unusual traits was her fondness for zebras, which she had trained to pull her chariot around London. As a wealthy widow with a passion for the exotic, she owned a private zoo and often hosted lavish events at her residence, where she entertained guests with her collection of wild animals. Her bizarre use of zebras was a public spectacle that cemented her as a symbol of Victorian opulence and eccentricity. In 1835, President Andrew Jackson was presented with a 1,400-pound block of cheddar cheese, a gift from a group of supporters in New York. Rather than let the cheese go to waste, Jackson decided to throw a grand public party at the White House, inviting crowds to sample the massive block. The event quickly descended into chaos, with thousands of visitors swarming the White House, pushing, shoving, and indulging in the cheese. It was a bizarre scene, but it shifted national attention away from a political scandal, cementing Jackson’s reputation as an unconventional president.