Archives for April 2024

ARSENAL should have conceded a second penalty against Bayern Munich after the referee “admitted” to seeing a clear handball in the box. Boss Thomas Tuchel was left frustrated after claiming that whistler Glenn Nyberg admitted to seeing the bizarre incident. During the second-half, goalkeeper David Raya took a goal-kick short to Gabriel. Bafflingly, the Brazilian opted to pick the ball up to take the goal-kick again. Harry Kane immediately appealed to Nyberg, who was taking charge of his first Champions League knockout game, but the 35-year-old refused to give a spot-kick. After the game, Tuchel told TNT Sports: “The referee did not have the courage today to give us a deserved penalty, in a bit of a crazy and awkward situation. READ MORE ON ARSENAL “He admitted on the pitch that he saw the situation and that in a quarter-final it’s not enough for him to give a penalty for a kids’ mistake. “So he admitted that he knows about the mistake the player made. That is a bit frustrating.” In his post-match press conference, Tuchel, 50, later added: “I felt a lot of little decisions go against us… and a huge mistake in not giving us a penalty. “What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He said it’s a kid’s mistake and isn’t giving a penalty for that. Most read in Champions League “That means he’s judging handballs.” After seeing footage of the incident, TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand was left in disbelief. The former Manchester United star had been convinced that Arsenal should have had a penalty in the last minute when Bukayo Saka collided with Manuel Neuer in the box. But he was left even more incredulous after seeing footage of Bayern’s penalty shout. He said: “It’s a pen. Oh my gosh, how can that not be given? “I was so adamant that the Saka one was… I’m even more for this, it’s unbelievable! “How can he blow the whistle like that and not give it?” ‘INDEFENSIBLE’ Ferdinand, 45, then asked former Arsenal defender Martin Keown to try to defend the decision. But Keown, 57, replied: “You can’t defend the indefensible. The referee is maybe a little out of his depth. “Because we thought he had a decent game, but there’s key moments of the game, both you can look at and say they should have had a penalty.” Why would he pick it up? It HAS to be a penalty, says Halsey By Mark Halsey Arsenal could have absolutely no complaints if a penalty was awarded to Bayern Munich. The referee signalled for David Raya to take the goal kick. He did… and Gabriel picked the ball up. Why would he do that? The whistle had been blown. The only person who has made a mistake is Gabriel. Why would he pick the ball up? Once the referee has blown his whistle and Gabriel has picked it up, he has to give a penalty. Bayern were also unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty for a further incident, when Kane was wrestled to the ground by Martin Odegaard as a corner was whipped in. Arsenal had gotten their first Champions League quarter-final since 2010 off to a perfect start, when Saka fired them into the lead in the 12th minute. They were quickly pegged back, however, when former Gunner Serge Gnabry profited on a defensive mix-up to level just six minutes later. Kane came back to haunt Arsenal just after the half-hour mark, converting the penalty that Bayern did get. Mikel Arteta threw on super-sub Leandro Trossard, and the Belgian was able to rescue the situation by levelling in the 76th minute. After the match, Arteta refused to be drawn on his side’s late penalty appeal. READ MORE SUN STORIES He said: “(The referee) didn’t say anything. They said they checked it and they decided it wasn’t a penalty.” The two sides will meet again in Germany next Wednesday with the tie hanging in the balance. Surprised it wasn’t a penalty, says Halsey By Mark Halsey SOME will say that Bukayo Saka initiated the contact, but Manuel Neuer stuck out his leg. I was surprised Glenn Nyberg did not award Arsenal a penalty in real time at the end. Bayern Munich could have no complaints if it was given, they got away with one. Munich were very lucky. It is subjective, so maybe that is why VAR did not get involved. Had it been given, the decision would not have changed.

Now they’ve got bad blood. Morgan Wallen fans spitefully booed Taylor Swift Friday night after the country singer made a joke about the pop star at his concert in Indianapolis. “This is the single most attended concert in the history of this building, and we’re the first to do it for two nights in a row,” Wallen, 30, said while performing a One Night at a Time Tour show at Lucas Oil Stadium, per a fan video. “I’m going to say that until Taylor Swift comes to town,” he quipped. While some fans roared for Swift, 34, an overwhelming majority of the audience started boo’ing the “Cruel Summer” songstress. For more Page Six you love… “We ain’t got to boo, we ain’t got to boo,” Wallen said in response to the reaction from fans, before thanking them for their loyalty. “I appreciate that. I know y’all got my back, though.” Wallen’s joke didn’t appear to sit well with Swifties, who rushed to social media to defend the “Lover” hitmaker. “Taylor Swift has more class than you and your fans,” one person tweeted via X. “She would never insult you, even though you deserve to be. Drop Taylor’s name to get your name out there.” “Morgan Wallen fans booed Taylor Swift last night in Indy. They will begin to cough in 3 days,” another sarcastically added. “morgan wallen (sic) fans booing taylor swift?? what did she do to them,” a third chimed in. While Wallen made history at the Indianapolis venue, Swift has broken several records of her own this past year. In April 2024, the “Bad Blood” singer was named a billionaire by Forbes with a $1.1 billion net worth. She even boosted the US economy with her Eras Tour – which kicked off in March 2023 – as several fans rushed to purchase concert tickets, plane tickets and hotels to see her perform across the country. Swift’s latest tour landed the title of the highest-grossing tour of all time, as it brought in more than $1 billion, according to a December 2023 report from Rolling Stone. The 14-time Grammy winner was also declared to have more No.1 albums than any woman in history in June 2023. Aside from her professional life, Swift has remained in the headlines due to her romance with Travis Kelce. She and the NFL star, also 34, have been dating since September 2023.

Eight self-described “mom friends” tuck themselves into a corner booth at Qiao Lin Hotpot just west of Chinatown. As meat and vegetables cook in broth in the table’s center, and the smell of spices fill the air, they catch up — chatting about kids, husbands and the best birthday celebrations. “It’s therapeutic,” said Tammy Boyer. “It’s not just for the food.” “It’s time together. Lots of laughter, some tears, all of the above,” Barbara Chun adds as she rocks her three-month old baby. It’s not hard to pick out their group in the restaurant. Not only does the staff recognize them, but they wear colorful hot pot-themed sweatshirts that mention “sisterhood,” “friendship” and “laughter” in Chinese along with matching sparkly sneakers. They even hosted part of Chun’s baby shower at Qiao Lin. With origins potentially dating back thousands of years, Chinese hot pot is at its core a “communal” food, according to Jeff Mao, who wrote the book “Essential Chinese Hot Pot Cookbook.” It’s not a single dish, rather an “occasion” and a “way of cooking,” similar to American barbecue, Mao said. Chicago’s hot pot restaurants serve regional variations of the meal, while valuing its communal nature, attracting hot pot novices and lovers alike. Like the name suggests, hot pot is centered around a bowl of simmering, flavored broth filled with thinly sliced ingredients, from lamb to beef to fish balls. Mao said it’s common to have one spicy broth and one not, following the Chinese concept of yin and yang. Chinese hot pot is also known for its expansive sauce bars. Most of Chicago’s hot pot restaurants are in or near Chinatown — many of which are chains with spots around the world. But the broth, ingredients and cooking sauces don’t always look (or taste) the same. Liuyishou Hotpot, for example, is known for its very spicy Chongqing soup base. Mrs. Gu Skewers Hot Pot serves its ingredients on skewers, while Shoo Loong Kan dishes out Sichuan-style hot pot inside a dining room with ornate paneling and lanterns. Chicago’s Qiao Lin Hotpot, the first U.S. location of the Chinese franchise, is on the first floor of the 88 Marketplace building, an “Asian food wonderland” with a food court and what’s touted as the largest Chinese supermarket in the city. From short ribs to scallops to meatballs, there’s a variety of options on their menu. Some ingredients are a bit more adventurous, such as marinated beef tongue and duck gizzard. “I really recommend the spicy (broth), but if people are looking for more light, healthy I would say the herbal chicken (broth). If they want to do a flavorful one I would say the golden chicken soup is very popular,” said manager Oaki Cheung, who added that the price per person typically ranges from $30 to $60. Cheung noted that Qiao Lin is opening its second location in Streeterville this summer, at 200 E. Illinois St. The group at Qiao Lin started their biweekly catch-ups almost two years ago, saying it’s a form of “mom therapy.” They met through their elementary school-aged children who attend the British International School of Chicago in Lincoln Park. Some of the moms, who are in their 30s to 40s, formed a group during summer vacation, planning various activities throughout the city for their kids. After shopping and visiting Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown, one of the women suggested eating hot pot. The tasty vegan options kept them coming to Qiao Lin to accommodate dietary preferences. They also really enjoy bamboo fungus. “It was so good, and everybody liked it in our group. We talk in here. We laugh. We stay here three to four hours when we come,” said Emma Park. ‘Great food’ in Chinatown   ‘Great food’ in Chinatown
For restaurateur and chef Tony Hu, the ability to sit with friends and family, cooking and talking while eating, is what’s made hot pot so popular. It’s “so much fun,” he added, when people at the same table can choose their own favorite flavors or textures for a meal — spicy or mild, for example. Hu, a graduate of the Sichuan Culinary Institute who’s known for the embattled Lao Sze Chuan restaurant chain, also opened Shoo Loong Kan and Mrs. Gu. He said some of the most sought-after ingredients are premium beef slices, shrimp paste and premium lamb slices. “It’s very popular in China, and I’m sure it will be popular in the whole world,” he said. “1.4 billion eat it, 1.4 billion people love it. They’re happy for a reason.” When the temperature drops during the winter, he said it seems like Chicagoans are more excited to dine on warm foods. “Chicago is the biggest city in the Midwest. It’s the heart of America,” he said. “Chinatown is a great spot for great food.” While Mao said hot pot has been popular in the U.S. for a long time among Asian communities, he theorized that multinational corporations opening more restaurants in major cities and the craze for spicy foods and condiments are helping its rise. He said hot pot is also fairly easy to make at home and feed lots of people. He said the essential supplies are strainer baskets, a sauce bar and a vessel to hold the boiling broth, such as a camp stove or an electric skillet with high sides. In his book, he lays out some of his favorite recipes, such as Hainan chicken coconut broth, which he said is good for people who enjoy light-flavored broth and is inspired by the Hainan-style poached chicken dish. Sometimes there’s also etiquette to keep in mind when eating, such as deciding whether the ingredients in the hot pot are fair game for everyone or just the person who put it in, he said. “Different families or different friends will have their own variations on how they deal with that,” Mao laughs. Eating hot pot with up to 10 people was common growing up in Mao’s family, both for everyday meals and special occasions, he said. He remembers cooking as much shrimp as he could as a little kid — and not being forced to eat his vegetables — and meeting up for hot pot with his grandparents around Christmas time. “Growing up in the United States as a first-generation American, it’s a way of connecting back to culture and learning more about how food works in China as opposed to what we think of as Chinese American food,” he said. At Qiao Lin, the women snap photos, sip champagne and mix sauces during their March outing. Conversation flows from vacation plans to their young kids who are “sort of dating” to who got the angriest when one of them parked in front of a fire hydrant. When asked why they continue to meet up after two years, they agree that it’s because they love each other. “There’s a comfort about it,” said Elizabeth Tye. “Having a relaxed atmosphere where we can really talk, talk about mom life.”

50 Cent is now cracking jokes at Jason Derulo’s expense, after the singer argued that Diddy is innocent until proven guilty earlier this week. Fif shared a post dragging Derulo on Instagram after the singer spoke with TMZ about Diddy’s ongoing legal issues and sex trafficking investigation. Derulo told reporters that he hadn’t made up his mind regarding Diddy’s alleged offenses, stating that he believed in “innocence until proven guilty.” 50 caught wind of these comments and decided to chide Derulo publicly, telling the singer to keep his mouth shut while suggesting any defense of Diddy is potentially connected to the fact that the mogul secretly filmed many celebrities at sex parties, according to a lawsuit filed by Rodney Jones in February. “👀Shut the fuck up ! 😆let me find out you on one of them tapes boy. @bransoncognac @lecheminduroi,” 50 wrote. 50 Cent doesn’t seem to be slowing down his campaign against Diddy any time soon. During the 2024 Dreamville Festival over the weekend, the rapper addressed the crowd poking fun at the embattled music executive. “I love you brother, no P Diddy,” he said. “I love you even if you’re a sex worker.” 50 did the same thing during Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 tour stop in Madison Square Garden, where he took time out to publicly shame Daphne Joy, one of Diddy’s alleged sex workers and the mother of his son, Sire. As he exited the stage, 50 looked at the crowd and said, “I love you…even if you a little sex worker.”

Photo by ANDRI TAMBUNAN/AFP via Getty Images © 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved. Teens laugh and point after allegedly beating and butchering Wyoming boy who tried to protect his girlfriend April 11, 2024 Robert Dean Maher Jr. of Casper, Wyoming, reportedly received a concerned call from his girlfriend Sunday indicating that a pair of teens were stalking her and her friend around the Eastridge Mall. The chivalrous 14-year-old made his way over to help but was savagely stabbed to death. The Casper Police Department announced that they have arrested two teens in connection with Maher’s slaying. According to the Cowboy State Daily, the suspected killer is 15-year-old Jarreth Joseflee Sabstian Plunkett of Evansville. Plunkett now faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault and battery, and theft. He has been charged as an adult. He apparently did not work alone. Dominique Harris of Casper, 15, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated assault and battery, and theft. In court, police referenced cellphone footage captured by a witness revealing the victim “clearly did not want to fight,” reported the Oil City News. The victim’s friend told police that upon finding the girls at the mall, he simply tried to escort them away to keep them safe. Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson indicated that upon learning that Maher had made it to the mall, the suspects stole knives from Target then went to confront their victim. While Maher managed to make it outside the mall, the aggressors precluded him from getting much farther. According to the affidavit, one of the accused murderers, wearing a balaclava at the time, told Maher “to swing on him several times; however, (Maher) clearly did not want to fight as he is seen moving in a continuous backwards motion away from Jarreth.” “However, due to numerous other juveniles gathering around, it appeared as if he was unable to get back inside the mall,” continued the affidavit. Casper Police noted that other individuals potentially involved in the case “have been identified and questioned by law enforcement, and further action may be forthcoming.” When Plunkett allegedly brandished the large kitchen knife, Oil City News indicated Maher said, “Put the knife away, this isn’t fair.” Plunkett allegedly responded, “I don’t play fair.” In video of the slaying, Harris can allegedly be seen grabbing Maher by the waist and slamming him into the ground near the Hibachi Supreme Buffet in the mall. Plunkett then allegedly stabbed Maher twice in the chest with a “kitchen-style knife” while Harris punched the boy in the face. After the attack, camera footage showed the victim grip his bloody abdomen, stagger through the mall’s exterior doorway, then collapse, reported KGWN-TV. A third suspect apparently kicked Maher after his stabbing. “They were seen laughing and pointing as they ran through the parking lot while witnesses attempted first aid,” said Nelson. Wyoming is a death penalty state. CPD Sgt. Michael Paschke swiftly responded to the scene and took over for the adults administering CPR. The boy later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. CPD Lt. Scott Jones said, “An unfortunate thing where a young man was assaulted and died of his wounds. We feel for the family, friends, classmates of that student. Just a tragedy regardless. A tragedy because we have other juveniles involved whether suspects or bystanders,” reported the Casper Star Tribune. “In my time in law enforcement, this doesn’t happen,” continued Jones. “We’ve been seeing an increase in frequency and severity [of youth crime] over the last several years. Just an unfortunate trend of our times.” It appears this was not a random attack. Investigators indicated that Plunkett allegedly told Harris that he was going to “gut that dude” three days earlier. The victim and both suspects attended Dean Morgan Junior High together. Ashlyn Benbo, an apparent friend of the victim’s family, noted in a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $40,000 for his funeral expenses that Maher “left behind his dad Robert, his mom Mary and his 3 brothers.” Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here ! Want to leave a tip? We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today. Want to join the conversation? Already a subscriber? Joseph MacKinnon is a staff writer for Blaze News. HeadlinesInGIFs more stories Sign up for the Blaze newsletter By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time. © 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved. Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.