PARIS (AP) — Coco Gauff was not thrilled about the chair umpire’s ruling that went against her during a French Open semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek on Thursday — and made that quite clear to the official.

Gauff also thinks it’s about time that tennis moved into the 21st century and relied on video replay technology at all events, the way many other sports do.

“At this point, it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it,” she said. “There are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back or (watch) online, and you see that you were completely right. And it’s, like: What does that give you in that moment?”

The 20-year-old American, who won the U.S. Open in September for her first Grand Slam title, disagreed with chair umpire Aurélie Tourte’s decision early in the second set of Swiatek’s 6-2, 6-4 victory. Swiatek hit a serve that initially was called out at around the same time as Gauff was swinging to hit a return, which landed out. The call on the serve itself was reversed to “In,” and Tourte awarded the point to Swiatek; Gauff said that was unfair because she thought she was affected by the original “Out” call.

“I have the right to finish my swing,” Gauff said.

Tourte’s reply? “It did not affect the shot,” she said.

Gauff then told Tourte she was wrong and “should be ashamed.”

“It’s a Grand Slam semifinal,” Gauff told the official. “Know the rules of the game.”

Tourte did not budge.

When action resumed, Gauff walked back behind the baseline and used her wrist bands to wipe at her eyes.

“Every point matters against anybody, but especially against her. I think it was just one of those moments, but I overcame it. I obviously won that game,” Gauff said. “I usually don’t get too frustrated with decisions like that, but I think it was just a combination of everything going on in the moment.”

Gauff did break Swiatek for the only time in the match right then for a 3-1 lead in the set. But Swiatek would take five of the next six games to reach another final at Roland Garros, where she is seeking a third consecutive trophy and fourth in five years.

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As for the larger issue of whether Tourte should have been able to examine some sort of replay to figure out whether the line judge’s shout did affect things, Gauff had zero doubt about her stance.

“I think tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the (video replay) system … (and) in other sports, there’s usually multiple refs making a decision,” Gauff said, noting that the U.S. Open did add replays for certain calls last year. “I definitely think, as a sport, we have to evolve. And have the technology. They’re showing it on TV, so I don’t get why the player can’t see it.”

Swiatek agreed with the basic premise, saying, “It would be easier to have the replay,” but added: “I don’t know how it would look, like, logistically. When can you ask an umpire to (show) a video replay or (whether) it’s up to her to do that. Because I think the umpire today was pretty sure with her call.”

Lest you ever forget, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will remind you that, as co-creator and executive producer, he’ll always be synonymous with the “Power” Universe.

Friday (July 7) marks the 10^th anniversary of the pilot episode of the original “Power;” the same date marks the season premiere of the final season of its first spinoff, “Power Book II: Ghost.” STARZ screened the season premiere Thursday night during a star-studded event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.

Cast members from all four shows — the original “Power,” “Ghost” “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” and “Power Book IV: Force” — were in attendance, including Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Michael Rainey Jr. and Naturi Naughton.

The Root was in the house for the premiere, where Jackson spoke on stage about his role as executive producer of the Power Universe’s four shows, He made sure to emphasize that the franchise’s success is far from a solo effort.

“There’s so many important pieces and so many important people that would have to work together to create a show like this. It’s never one person,” Jackson said.

He also mentioned that the original writers room consisted of eight people, six of whom are running their own shows across different networks; Fif himself now has 12 executive producer credits under his belt and works in some capacity on 34 shows across ten networks.

Jackson also acknowledged the apparent ripple effect of diverse television shows being canceled that seems to coincide with the recent rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives, including “All American: Homecoming,” “Rap Sh!t,” and “The Wonder Years.”

He went to Capitol Hill earlier this week with a similar message, pleading with Congress for diversity in the liquor business.

“Someone had the idea to push diversity. It’s going to work. It’s been working to this point and it’s going to continue to work,” Jackson said.

Jackson also shouted out (or trolled) Tyler Perry, saying that he spoke with him before he arrived at the premiere while acknowledging that he’d make a good mentor.

“I talked to Tyler on my way here. Tyler is no joke. He’ll f*** you up if he thinks you’re Madea,” he joked.

“Power Book II: Ghost” is now exclusively streaming on Starz.

29

The Los Angeles Sparks secured a dramatic 96-92 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday night, marking their first back-to-back wins of the season. Despite a strong start by the Aces, who opened the game with 14 consecutive points and led 22-7 early, the Sparks clawed back to take control.

Las Vegas maintained a slim 44-43 advantage at halftime, largely due to A’ja Wilson’s stellar performance, contributing 16 points in the first half. However, the third quarter saw a significant shift in momentum. The Sparks launched a 16-6 run, highlighted by Kia Nurse’s three-pointer, to capture a 59-50 lead with 5:39 left in the period. Cameron Brink extended the lead to 67-57 with a trey, and Los Angeles entered the final quarter with a 74-65 advantage.

Stephanie Talbot’s jumper put the Sparks up 78-71 with 8:29 remaining. The Aces responded with an impressive 11-point streak, capped by five points from Kelsey Plum, reclaiming an 82-78 lead with 4:24 on the clock. Yet, the Sparks countered swiftly. Rae Burrell’s consecutive three-pointers were part of an eight-point run that gave Los Angeles an 86-82 lead with 2:47 to play.

A crucial three-point play by Rickea Jackson expanded the Sparks’ lead to 91-86 with 1:42 left. Although Wilson’s last-second three-pointer brought the Aces within two points at 94-92, Aari McDonald’s two free throws in the final second sealed the Sparks’ victory.

The Sparks displayed efficient shooting, converting 49.2% of their field goals, including 10 of 25 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Aces shot 44.1% from the field and 11 of 26 from three-point range.

Wilson led the Aces with 31 points, eight rebounds, and a season-high six blocks, setting a league record by scoring at least 20 points for the 14th consecutive game. Plum added 24 points, and Tiffany Hayes contributed 17 off the bench. Kate Martin scored 13 points for Las Vegas, who were without Chelsea Gray (foot) and Jackie Young (illness).

For the Sparks, Dearica Hamby had a standout performance with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Jackson and McDonald each scored 16 points, spearheading the comeback from an early 15-point deficit.

The game was part of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, with Los Angeles improving to 2-2 in these matchups, while Las Vegas fell to 1-2. The Aces, now at 5-4, have lost three of their last four games, whereas the Sparks, now 4-7, seem to be finding their stride.

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23

The summer box office has officially kicked off with a bang as “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” stormed to the top, opening at No. 1 globally with a projected $104.6 million in ticket sales. The latest installment in the action-comedy franchise, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, garnered $56 million across North American screens alone.

Domestically, the film saw a strong performance over the weekend, making $21.6 million on Friday, $19.5 million on Saturday, and a projected $14.9 million on Sunday across 3,885 screen locations, including all premium large formats and IMAX. While its opening was $6.5 million lower than 2020’s “Bad Boys for Life,” which holds the franchise’s record for opening weekend gross revenue, Sony has hailed the results as a “phenomenal start.”

Sony emphasized that the film’s performance is the second-highest domestic opening for the franchise and the biggest opening weekend for an “R”-rated film since last summer. This success marks a significant comeback for Smith, making his first return to the big screen following the Oscars incident where he slapped host Chris Rock.

“With terrific audience reactions (97% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, a perfect 5-star PostTrak rating, A- CinemaScore) and a full summer of playtime, the film is well positioned for a long theatrical run,” Sony said.

In other box office news, Columbia Pictures/Alcon Entertainment’s “The Garfield Movie,” featuring Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield, finished No. 2 for the weekend. The animated film earned $2.875 million on Friday, $3.95 million on Saturday, and a projected $3.175 million on Sunday across 3,959 screens. The studio projects a $10 million weekend total, bringing its domestic gross to $68.613 million and $155 million worldwide through Sunday.

Crunchyroll/Sony Pictures’ “HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle” secured $255,000 on Friday, $318,000 on Saturday, and $247,000 on Sunday across 1,119 locations, projecting an $820,000 weekend total. Its domestic gross stands at $5.784 million.

Paramount Pictures’ live-action family film “IF,” written and directed by John Krasinski and starring Ryan Reynolds, finished No. 3 with $8 million in ticket sales. The film’s North American total now stands at $93.5 million, with a worldwide gross of $145 million.

Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line’s supernatural horror film “The Watchers,” directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and starring Dakota Fanning, opened at No. 4 with $7 million in ticket sales across 3,351 screens.

Finally, Twentieth Century Studios’ “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” added $5.5 million in revenue across 3,155 screens. The fourth installment in the rebooted franchise has earned $149 million domestically and $337 million worldwide, making it the fourth highest-grossing movie of 2024 thus far, trailing behind Warner’s “Dune: Part Two” with $711.8 million.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Social media death threats may have been one of the best things to ever happen for Michael Rainey Jr. — professionally, that is.

“When everything started really going crazy, I was like 17, 18. And at first, I’m like, ‘Dang, people crazy, bro!’ I’m like this is just a show,” said the now-23-year-old ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ lead. Whether the threats during the latter part of his tenure on the original megahit series “Power” were literal or in jest, it was indicative of the love-hate relationship fans developed with Tariq, the once-adorable son of drug kingpin James “Ghost” St. Patrick. Tariq eventually followed in his father’s footsteps.

“Shout out to the supporters that reacted because y’all helped me build a storyline,” said Rainey, a cast member for all six seasons of the original series that ended in 2020. “(Writers) see how the supporters react, and if they get a certain reaction, they literally build off of that in the next script.”

Those scripts and storylines would lay the foundation for the ‘Ghost’ spinoff, premiering in 2020, focusing on Tariq attempting to juggle illegal activity while attending a (fictional) Ivy League school. Viewers’ polarized feelings were an indicator that a new “Power” series centered around Tariq was viable.

But after three seasons, the show — consistently one of Starz’s highest viewed programs — will premiere its fourth and final season June 7. While fans and critics have voiced disappointment over the show’s end, particularly as it’s been reported it’s tied to cost containment for the network, Rainey, a car enthusiast who’s preparing to launch a car-themed episodic YouTube channel, says it took him a while to come to terms with the decision.

“I feel like there was a few other directions that we could go,” he said. “At the same time, I feel like they wanted to just end it while people still cared.”

The aspiring music producer, who will have a song with wolfacejoeyy premiere on a mid-season episode, spoke with the AP about his future, mentorship from acting veterans and avoiding being typecast. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

AP: What’s it been like knowing it’s the final season?

RAINEY: It’s definitely bittersweet. It’s been 10-plus years working with these great people. It’s just like we became family … Now, it’s basically over. But at the end of the day, it’s still — you know, it’s a blessing. And I’m super excited for what’s to come for everybody — not just me — but everyone that was part of the cast.

AP: You’ve led this series since you were 19. Do you feel like you get the respect you deserve as a leading man?

RAINEY: I feel like I do. I mean, I really only care for the respect and the acknowledgment from my crew and cast, and they give that to me … all the other people on the outside, their opinion about me being a good No. 1 doesn’t really change anything for me.

AP: It seems like you’ve had a lot of support from veteran actors and co-stars like Larenz Tate and Omari Hardwick. What does that mean to you?

RAINEY: Just having them in my corner and them just looking out for me, rooting for me is crazy. Especially like Larenz … literally every day he’s on set, he’s coming to me with the most encouraging words I’ve ever heard from anybody in my life. He makes me feel like there’s literally nothing I can’t do, especially when it comes to the art of acting.

It’s definitely a blessing to have people like that in your corner because it’s very rare, especially to meet people that genuinely care about you and your career in this business.

AP: Are you worried about being typecast?

RAINEY: I’m super excited about stepping into the next chapter and really showcasing that I could be looked at in a way different light than … just Tariq or a kid that’s menacing.

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I really want to do a rom-com or something where I’m like a nerd or something, something like completely different than what I’ve been portraying for the past 10 years.

AP: What have you learned from playing Tariq that you’ve been able to apply to your own life?

RAINEY: Don’t feel too entitled to where you deprive yourself. And I always say this because I feel like a lot of people, especially kids my age or younger, they need to really understand there’s a million other blessings in the world. Like, you think that this is the only blessing for you and it’s making you blind to 10,000-million other blessings that are literally waiting for you… That’s what I learned from 50 (Cent). I take that with me everywhere I go.

Updated on Friday, June 7 at 2:00p.m. PT: Halsey has revealed their most recent health diagnosis after posting vague yet concerning videos that day prior.

In a post to their official Instagram, the Badlands singer revealed they had been diagnosed with Lupus SLE and a rare “T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder” back in 2022. Though they got off to a “rocky start,” they shared that both diseases are thankfully in the process of being managed or in remission.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to view healthy tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them rather than actual bad bacteria and viruses. Lymphoproliferative disorders are “a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled production of white blood cells called lymphocytes. It can include leukemia and lymphoma,” according to Healthline.

“After 2 years, I’m feeling better and I’m more grateful than ever to have music to turn to. I can’t wait to get back where I belong: With you all, Singing and screaming my heart out.

See original story below.

Halsey is sharing more unfortunate news with their fans and followers.

If you’ll remember, back in 2022, they revealed that they had been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome and POTS (postural tachycardia syndrome) and Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. The diagnosis came after an eight year journey of countless tests and doctor visits.

Now, in a new post shared to Instagram on Tuesday, the If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power singer has provided yet another unfortunate update to their health. While she didn’t say what specific illness or disease she was dealing with, in a carousel of videos, they can be seen in hospital rooms going through some processes on multiple occasions. In the opening video, they also share that this is going to be the last two years that they’ll be sick before she has a “rebirth” on by the time she turns 30.

“I feel like an old lady,” Halsey said. “I told myself I’m giving myself two more years to be sick. At 30, I’m having a rebirth and I’m not gonna be sick and I’m gonna look super hot and have lots of energy and I’m just gonna get to re-do my 20s in my 30s.”

“Long story short, I’m lucky to be alive. Short story long, I wrote an album,” she captioned in her post while tagging the accounts for the Lupus Research Alliance and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

But it’s not all bad news. Amidst their health struggles, the Badlands singer also revealed that she’s working on a new album and teased its release by dropping a new song “The End.” In the nearly three-and-a-half-minute-long song, she talks about not being listened to by doctors, enduring different diagnosis and treatments, and more.

5

Calling all Black Butler enthusiasts, did you miss the hottest high tea of the season? Worry not for I, your brave anime reporting fanatic, has all the pipping hot tea about Crunchyroll’s exclusive Black Butler -Public School Arc- High Tea Pop-Up.

Imagine going into Weston College’s fancy Swan Gazebo surrounded by 300 other fans, influencers, and even some of the press! This is exactly the vibe of what happened at West Hollywood’s upscale Arden Restaurant & Bar on June 7th.

First Course: A Press Affair with Ciel and Sebastian

The crème de la crème of the event was a dedicated press hour where we got to hobnob with the voices behind Ciel Phantomhive voiced by Brina Palencia and his demon butler, Sebastian voiced by Michaelis. J. Michael Tatum, spilled the tea on the latest season, Black Butler -Public School Arc.

Second Course: A High Tea Fit for a Phantomhive and Severed By One Hell of Butler(s)

Forget about cucumber sandwiches and dry scones! This high tea was an explosion of tastes. Delectable finger foods and a variety of teas were served by waiters who looked straight out of the Black Butler universe!

The Butlers

Third Course: Picture Perfect Weston College

Everyone at the event was dressed up they had been cut out from a page in the manga version of Black Butler. Think elegant decorations that take you right into the heart of Weston College. This was the ultimate backdrop for envy-inducing social media pics with one hell of a butler and his master.

Fans at Crunchyroll’s Black Butler -Public School Arc- High Tea Pop-Up

Fans at Crunchyroll’s Black Butler -Public School Arc- High Tea Pop-Up

Dessert: A Toast to Black Butler!

This high tea event by Crunchyroll was absolutely amazing! Fans could mingle, indulge in delicious foods, and show their love for Black Butler in an immersive way they could never have imagined.

Delights at Crunchyroll’s Black Butler -Public School Arc- High Tea Pop-Up

Still thirsty for more Black Butler tea?

Here’s a quick recap of the two arcs that were celebrated:

Black Butler -Public School Arc: Ciel Phantomhive is everyone’s favorite 12-year-old demon-pact-wielder who works to solve disappearing students’ cases at elite Weston College. Can he maneuver around treacherous school politics with Sebastian by his side?

Black Butler: Ever wondered what a devilish butler does? Brace yourself for Ciel’s revenge tale as he seeks out whoever crossed him, all under the guidance of ever-composed Sebastian.

So there you have it, guys! The Black Butler High Tea Pop-Up was an absolute success. In the comments below, let us know what you liked about the Black Butler Public School Arc.

Check out our exclusive interview with the amazing Black Butler: Public School Arc cast below.

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LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday that more must be done at the federal level to prevent gun violence during a campaign stop in Maryland to support Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat whose U.S. Senate race could determine control of the chamber.

Harris, speaking on the 10th annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day, marked the occasion by underscoring the need to pass more laws to stop gun violence. The vice president also highlighted the experience of her longtime friend who served as state’s attorney as well as the chief executive in Prince George’s County in the suburbs of the nation’s capital.

“Maryland, this November you have the power to elect leaders who have actually kept our communities safe,” Harris said.

Alsobrooks defeated U.S. Rep. David Trone last month, after the congressman spent about $62 million of his personal fortune to self-finance his campaign. Now, she’s running in a competitive race against popular Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan for a Senate seat that is opening with the retirement of Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat.

A Republican has not won a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland in more than 40 years in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1 statewide. But Hogan is running the most competitive Senate race for the GOP in the state in decades.

Alsobrooks would become Maryland’s first Black U.S. senator, and the nation’s third Black woman to be elected to the Senate. Harris was the second Black woman elected to the chamber.

Alsobrooks said she would support legislation for universal background checks, a ban on military-style assault weapons and to combat illegal firearms trafficking.

The county executive, who noted that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., also said she would not back down from holding gun manufacturers accountable “for the immense harm that they have caused our state and our country.”

“And let me be crystal clear, we will not accomplish these goals to keep Americans safe without the Senate majority, and I want you to know that it has become the case that the path to the majority runs through Maryland,” Alsobrooks said.

Harris and Alsobrooks spoke at a rally that included some of Maryland’s leading Democrats, including Gov. Wes Moore and Sen. Chris Van Hollen.

Van Hollen pointed out Hogan’s former endorsement by the National Rifle Association during his 2014 campaign for governor. The senator also noted that Hogan received an A-minus rating from the NRA.

Hogan, who won enough crossover Democrats to win two terms as governor in heavily blue Maryland, has been one of former President Donald Trump’s sharpest Republican critics. But Van Hollen said Hogan’s former NRA rating suggests his politics are closer to Trump than he likes to admit.

“So I know he goes around saying that there are lots of differences between him and Donald Trump, but when it comes to this issue, the only difference is Donald Trump got an A. Larry Hogan got an A-minus from the NRA,” Van Hollen said.

Hogan later distanced himself from the NRA in his second campaign for governor in 2018, and the organization did not endorse him that year after he signed several gun-control measures.

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In an AP interview in mid April, Hogan said that he would support an assault weapons ban at the national level after not opposing a state ban while governor of Maryland.

“I’m in favor of an assault weapons ban,” Hogan told The Associated Press. “I’ve been in favor of trying to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and mentally ill. And I’m for a universal background check. We had an assault weapons ban in Maryland, which we kept in place.”

In a statement Friday, Hogan’s campaign said: “While Angela Alsobrooks is campaigning today, instead of just offering more platitudes, we urge her to tell voters how she will address the skyrocketing crime on her watch in Prince George’s County.”

The Hogan campaign also noted a recently released plan to fight crime that includes funding law enforcement, taking repeat violent criminals off the streets and getting guns out of the hands of people with mental illnesses and those convicted of violent crimes.

Democrats are clinging to a 51-49 Senate majority. They are defending seats in other states that Trump won four years ago.