How Norway's ski jumping scandal led to new rules in place for the Winter Olympics

The difference between winning an Olympic medal inski jumpingor being disqualified could come down to a bit of fabric.

A larger suit can extend a ski jumper's flight by several meters but it could violate rules that have become more stringent after the Norwegian team was caught cheating at last year's world championships by manipulating the crotch area in the uniforms of its top two male jumpers.

Regulators added new measures this season before theMilan Cortina Winter Gamesto ensure all competitors play by the same rules after the scandal rocked the sport in March.

"There have been disqualifications in the past, many. It's part of the sport," said Bruno Sassi, spokesman for the international ski federation, FIS, the sport's regulatory body. "But there had never been that kind of a brazen attempt to not only bend the rules, but like downright do something ... to cheat the system in a way that it is very different from simply having a suit that is a tad too long or a tad too loose."

Ski jumping is as much a science as an art. Teams of experts test skis and clothing in wind tunnels to maximize the aerodynamics at play long before jumpers try to achieve the perfect takeoff, flying form and landing.

A study published in October in the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living showed that adding 1 cm (0.4 inches) of fabric to the circumference of the suit could increase a jump by 2.8 meters (9.2 feet) — enough to separate a winner from an also-ran.

"In most cases, enlargement of the suit is beneficial," said co-author Sören Müller, who heads ski jumping research at the Institute for Applied Training Science in Leipzig, Germany. "However, the area stretched by the V-position of the legs in the crotch area is the most noticeable and also offers the greatest advantage."

The scandal

Ski jumpers have often pushed the limits on the size of their suits but video shot by a whistleblower was stunning because it captured Norwegian team officials in the act of cheating.

Head coach Magnus Brevik, assistant coach Thomas Lobben and staff member Adrian Livelten were recentlybanned from the sport for 18 monthsfor tampering with the suits before the men's large hill event. Extra material had been sewn into the crotch to stiffen and add surface area that would help during takeoff.

The alterations could not be spotted and were only found when the seams were examined after the contest.

"We regret it like dogs, and I'm terribly sorry that this happened," Brevik said at the time.

The violation cost defending Olympic large hill ski jump gold medalistMarius Lindvika world championship silver medal and brought shame to the team from Norway, the nation that invented ski jumping and has historically dominated the sport.

Lindvikand teammate Johann André Forfang, a two-time Olympic medalist, accepted three-month suspensions that allowed them to compete in this season's events. Neither was charged with knowing about the stitch witchery butFISsaid they "should have checked and asked questions about the night-time adjustments."

The discovery caused outrage in thetight-knit ski jumping community.

"This is doping," former German Olympic champ Jens Weissflog told German newspaper Bild, "just with a different needle."

The scandal led Norway to sack its men's team leadership.

In the wake of the cheating, FIS has modified its rules and brought in a coordinator to oversee screening of gear and hired former Austrian ski jumper Mathias Hafele to work as equipment expert.

"He used to make a make a living off of trying to make the most out of the rule book," Sassi said. "Now he's on our side putting together the new rule book."

Before ski jumping events, two FIS controllers and a doctor will use improved 3-D measurements to evaluate athletes in their uniforms. The shape of the suits will make it harder to tamper with arm and leg cuffs and more difficult to lower the crotch to provide more surface area.

After suits pass the control checkpoint, tamper-proof microchips are affixed throughout the suit to prevent manipulation. Scanners will be able to tell before and after the jump if the chips are all in place.

A system like in soccer will also be applied so that anyone disqualified for an equipment violation will get a yellow card. A subsequent violation will lead to a red card and disqualification from the next event and a team will also lose a slot for a skier in the competition.

Eyes on Norway

After the scandal, Rune Velta, a former Norwegian team ski jumper, took over as head coach in June and was given the difficult task of restoring Norway's reputation.

"It's the hardest thing I've ever done," Velta said. "We are building everything around the athletes from scratch. We started five months ago with zero and now we have a team around them to make them perform."

Velta, who as Swiss coach last year had publicly criticized the cheating, feels that Norway is under more scrutiny this season.

During the summer ski jumping season when competitors slide down ceramic or porcelain tracks and land on bristly plastic mats, the team tried to adjust to the new ski suit dimensions.

"Acceptance for a kind of minor error and mistakes are really low," Velta said. "We needed this summer to understand the standards and to learn kind of the line of the control and execution of the rules."

AP Olympics coverage:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

byCosmopolite

in

January 22, 2026

How Norway's ski jumping scandal led to new rules in place for the Winter Olympics

The difference between winning an Olympic medal inski jumpingor being disqualified could come down to a bit of fabric. ...

Read More

NBA trade rumors: Will Giannis Antetokounmpo be traded by deadline?

The NBA trade deadline is exactly two weeks away, so it's time to take stock of the rumors that are out there.

It's important to note that not everything that's leaked this time of the year can be believed, at least not without appropriate skepticism. Whenever a report bubbles up that cites anonymous sources, it bears asking why one party — from the player side or from the team — would want that information to go public. Put another way: this is the time of year when posturing and negotiation can happen through the press.

Still, there has only been one trade executed thus far, whenthe Atlanta Hawks moved Trae Young to the Washington WizardsJan. 7for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.

Here's everything you need to know about the latest NBA trade rumors and what they mean ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline:

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

NBA trade rumors

Giannis Antetokounmpo,Milwaukee Bucks

Like most trade markets, this one is waiting for resolution of its biggest domino.

The teams thatmight otherwise be hesitant to make smaller moveswill be closely watching what happens with the Bucks, who have lost 20 of their last 30 games. Antetokounmpo has made it clearhe's not entirely happy in Milwaukee, though healso made it clear he won't ask for a trade, at least publicly.

Antetokounmpo seemingly wants to preserve optics and doesn't want to be the bad guy in this scenario. But Antetokounmpo, 31, is the best player in the Eastern Conference and a legitimate MVP threat when fully healthy. It's more likely that the Bucks will look to be buyers — hello, Ja Morant? — to try to appease Antetokounmpo,who's under contractthrough the 2026-27 season, with a player option the following year.

The reality here is that the Bucks — even if theydidwant to move Antetokounmpo to rebuild and recoup assets — have no incentive to do so now.

While there is the pressure of the deadline, prospective trading partners are limited in the players and draft capital they can offer. That changes over the offseason, once teams like the Lakers, Heat, Warriors and others are able to deploy further future draft capital to entice Milwaukee.

For Antetokounmpo to be on a different team Feb. 6, he would have to make it ugly and demand a deal. This one, at least right now, seems unlikely to happen.

Come the offseason, however, that may be a very different story.

Karl-Anthony Towns,New York Knicks

The Athletic reported this weekthat the Knicks, who are Antetokounmpo's reported preferred destination, might not be ruling out a trade of Towns, their 30-year-old floor-spacing big.

And while the temptation is to think Towns can be the centerpiece in a trade for Antetokounmpo, it's an odd fit, and the Bucks would almost certainly be interested in New York's wings. For one, Milwaukee just signed Myles Turner, who has a similar skill set to Towns. For another, Towns has been criticized recently — most notably from his own head coach — for his lack of effort during a game against the Kings.

The Knicks, though, made their first conference finals in 25 seasons last year. They clearly have the roster to compete in the East. Team owner James Dolan made it clearwhen he fired Tom Thibodeau in June, that it was NBA Finals or bust. He also has said that this build has enough to win a championship.

Similar to Milwaukee, New York is probably more likely to package some of its depth for another role player than it is to trade Towns.

Anthony Davis,Dallas Mavericks

A left hand injurythat's set to sideline Davis well beyond the deadline may have cratered any chance he had of being traded. Davis, already, has been an injury liability in Dallas, playing just 29 of a possible 86 games since he joined the Mavericks last February.

Given his massive salary, age, and health issues, his value is as low as it has ever been. That's the frustrating part for the Mavericks; Davis is averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds when he's on the floor. He was the headliner in theinfamous trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers.

It's challenging to see any team being comfortable with the prospect of shipping real assets for Davis, who may not align with the team's timeline. Still, a young team that has shown improvement like the Hornets, who would likely love a veteran presence, may be an intriguing option.

Could the Warriors, who have sorely lacked a consistent offensive threat in the paint and whojust lost Jimmy Butlerto a torn anterior cruciate ligament, be another potential fit? Golden State is desperate to make use of the window with Stephen Curry and does have Jonathan Kuminga to dangle in a deal.

Ja Morant,Memphis Grizzlies

This is where the reports get interesting. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported thatthe Grizzlies are very comfortablewith the idea of keeping Morant. The read here appears to be that Memphis hasn't been blown away by the market for Morant and is trying to build leverage.

NBA insider Marc Steinalso reported that Morant doesn't want to be dealt. Yet the Grizzlies are currently outside of the play-in picture in the West and will likely continue to listen to any offers that come their way. This appears to be a case where Memphis needs to feel that the offer presents suitable value.

One thing helping a potential deal: in the two games since Morant returned from a right calf contusion, he has combined to score 47 points and dish 25 assists. That type of play could entice teams like the Timberwolves or Warriors to push for a deal.

Michael Porter Jr.,Brooklyn Nets

This feels like a deal that will get done, though a knee sprain has seemingly slowed Porter, who has nonetheless been a positive for Brooklyn this year.

But the Nets are going nowhere and Porter's value has never been higher. Brooklyn has been loading up on draft capital, so this could present the best chance to leverage Porter's play into more picks.

The Pistons, Warriors, Lakers and Bucks could be potential fits.

Jonathan Kuminga,Golden State Warriors

This is another one that seems inevitable. Kuminga became eligible for a trade Jan. 15, and he simply has not been a fit on Steve Kerr's team — even with the injury to Jimmy Butler.

Kuminga is more of an athletic slasher, whereas Golden State thrives best when its role players are spot-up shooters. Kuminga's defense is also suspect, and given that the Warriors are undersized, they cannot afford to have a weak link on that side of the floor.

But Golden State also hasn't done a good job of propping Kuminga's value up, eventually removing him from the rotation; in a loss Tuesday, Jan. 20 against the Raptors, Kuminga scored 20 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting and hauled in 5 rebounds in 21 minutes. It was his first action since Dec. 18.

Kuminga is still only 23 and is on a one-year deal (with a club option for next season), so a team that deals for him may want more than a short-term rental.

The Kings, Mavericks, Lakers, Bucks and Nets may be potential destinations.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Latest NBA trade rumors on Giannis, Ja, KAT, Anthony Davis

byCosmopolite

in

January 22, 2026

NBA trade rumors: Will Giannis Antetokounmpo be traded by deadline?

The NBA trade deadline is exactly two weeks away, so it's time to take stock of the rumors that are out there. ...

Read More

McIlroy makes double bogey in 73 and opens Dubai Desert Classic 8 shots behind Molinari

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy took a double-bogey seven in a 1-over opening round of 73 to start the Dubai Desert Classic trailing eight shots behind clubhouse leader Francesco Molinari on Thursday.

Playing the 18th hole as the ninth of his round, McIlroy's chip approach for his third shot pitched in front of the green and rolled back into the water. After taking a penalty, his next approach left McIlroy six feet from the pin needing two putts.

McIlroy's playing partner, Tommy Fleetwood, also dropped a shot on the 18th after making bogey also at the 14th and 16th. The world Nos. 2 and 3 both carded 73.

The third member of thestellar groupof Ryder Cup winners, Tyrrell Hatton, shot a 2-under 70 to begin the defense of his Dubai title at Emirates Golf Club. Another Ryder Cup teammate, Shane Lowry, also was on 2 under.

Molinari hit eight birdies in a 7-under 65, including four in his first five holes starting at the 10th. He later had three straight birdies through the ninth to finish his round.

Mikael Lindberg was two shots back in second place with a 5-under 67, and Joel Girrbach was alone in third place in the clubhouse on 4 under.

A group of players on 3 under included Wenyi Ding, the 21-year-old former Arizona State University student from China.

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

byCosmopolite

in

January 22, 2026

McIlroy makes double bogey in 73 and opens Dubai Desert Classic 8 shots behind Molinari

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy took a double-bogey seven in a 1-over opening round of 73 to start the Du...

Read More

Timothy Busfield gets 70 letters of support in child sex abuse case

This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.

Since he wastaken into custodyonchild sex abuse charges, actorTimothy Busfieldhas garnered a solid support base of family friends and Hollywood colleagues.

More than 70 people wrote letters to a New Mexico judge attesting to the 68-year-old's character, according to a Jan. 16court filingfrom Busfield's legal team reviewed by USA TODAY.

The character witnesses ranged from Busfield's kindergarten friends to neighbors, former costars and family members. His wife, the actorMelissa Gilbert, her children and mother Barbara Gilbert Cowan were among the relatives who submitted letters alongside Busfield's siblings and his son, Samuel Busfield.

"The West Wing" alum's costars on ABC's Emmy-winning series "Thirtysomething," including Polly Draper, Peter Horton, Mel Harris, Ken Olin, Patricia Wettig Olin and Melanie Mayron each wrote positive messages of support, as did showrunners Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick.

Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico.

The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> During the Tuesday, Jan. 20, pretrial detention hearing, Judge David A. Murphy ruled there was no probable cause to show that "The West Wing" alum must remain behind bars due to a public safety risk. Murphy denied state prosecutors' motion and allowed the 68-year-old to be released of his own recognizance after spending a week in jail.

Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Timothy Busfield greets defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd, right, before his hearing.

Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Busfield walked into the courtroom wearing an orange prison uniform and socks with open-toed slippers.

He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.

Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Busfield takes notes during the hearing.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Busfield and his defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Busfield reviews documents with his defense attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Allen Dodd.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg talks with the director.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Busfield looks on before his Tuesday hearing.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Busfield's wife attends his hearing.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd listen as Bernalillo Country Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, left, presents arguments.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Alan Caudillo, director of photography for the television show "The Cleaning Lady," was called to the witness stand by defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (not pictured) during the Timothy Busfield hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd presents during the Timothy Busfield hearing.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> An attendee wipes away tears after director and actor Timothy Busfield arrived for a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> An exterior view shows the Bernalillo County Courthouse ahead of director and actor Timothy Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges

Actor and directorTimothy Busfieldis be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail ashe faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico.The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearfulMelissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.

Busfield is charged withtwo counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.He is accused of"inappropriate physical contact" with two child actors, who were 7 and 8 years old at the time, as they worked on the Busfield-directed Fox series "The Cleaning Lady" between late 2022 and early 2024, according to prosecutors.

One of the boys, who has allegedly been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, disclosed during a safe house interview that Busfield had touched the child's genitals over clothing several times while they were on set. His twin brother "independently disclosed unwanted touching" by Busfield and "corroborated the pattern of inappropriate physical contact," per prosecutors.

Busfield has denied all claims, alleging the accusations are an act of retaliation after the boys were recast on the show.

'Thirtysomething' costars trust Timothy Busfield 'completely'

"I know Tim up close and personal, and over time. Tim is not only a great actor and a really good director, more than all of that, Tim is a good man. Through and through," Horton wrote, in part, in his letter to the judge, noting he's known his former costar for 38 years.

As an onscreen couple in "Thirtysomething," Wettig Olin wrote, "We had two children, ages three and six. Watching Tim on the set with those kids was extraordinary. He was delightful."

"They loved him and they trusted him completely. We had intimate scenes with them where we held them in bed with us and we played with them on the floor. I admired how easily Tim could give up his personal ego and any needs of his own, so he could be present to give them his complete focus and generous heart," she continued.

"He is a wonderful man and I trust him completely."

Busfield's defense attorneys gathered the dozens of letters in the span of about a week. He'd surrendered to authorities on Jan. 13, following an arrest warrant that was issued Jan. 9. In the hours after a judgedenied the state's request to keep him behind barsuntil his trial, Busfieldwas released from jailon Jan. 20.

Melissa Gilbert's son Michael Boxleitner says 'Timothy Busfield is my hero'

Gilbert, the actor'swife of more than a decade, wrote inher letter to the judgethat Busfield is "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life. He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family."

Her mother, Gilbert Cowan, said "the world is a better place with Timothy Busfield in it," while her son Michael Boxleitner – Busfield's "youngest stepson" – wrote, "Timothy Busfield is my hero."

"Little House on the Prairie" actor Melissa Gilbert announced that she will support her husband, "West Wing" actor Timothy Busfield, amid alleged child sex abuse claims against him, in a statement provided to People magazine and Us Weekly. The couple married in 2013.

See them in pictures together through the years, beginning here at the opening night party for "Medea" at the BAM Harvey Theater on Jan. 30, 2020, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Gilbert and Busfield attend the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 20, 2023, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the Nymphes D'Or award ceremony during the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 20, 2023, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Gilbert and Busfield attend "The Butcher Boy" opening night at Irish Repertory Theatre on Aug. 1, 2022, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See actors Timothy Busfield and Melissa Gilbert together in photos

"Little House on the Prairie" actor Melissa Gilbertannounced that she will support her husband, "West Wing" actor Timothy Busfield, amidalleged child sex abuse claimsagainst him, in a statement provided toPeople magazineandUs Weekly. The couple married in 2013.See them in pictures together through the years, beginning here at the opening night party for "Medea" at the BAM Harvey Theater on Jan. 30, 2020, in New York City.

In prosecutors'motion for pretrial detention, it was revealed that the family of another alleged victim came forward.

A man, Colin Swift, told law enforcement on Jan. 13 that Busfield sexually abused his daughter "several years ago" in Northern California. The allegation is not part of the criminal complaint against the actor.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Timothy Busfield's 'Thirtysomething' costars submit letters of support

byCosmopolite

in

January 22, 2026

Timothy Busfield gets 70 letters of support in child sex abuse case

This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Since he wastaken into custodyon...

Read More

Karamo Brown Fell Out With 'Queer Eye' Co-Stars After Hot Mic Incident

The ongoing feud betweenKaramo Brownand his fellowQueer Eyecast members allegedly started from a hot mic incident.

According toTMZ, while filming an episode in Washington, D.C., Brown brought his mom to set and who was given headphones by production to observe filming. She allegedly overheardJonathan Van Ness,Tan France, andAntoni Porowski,talking negatively about Brown when he was not present.

RELATED:Karamo Brown Skips 'Queer Eye' Interviews and Says He Felt 'Mentally and Emotionally Abused' for Years

Van Ness, France, and Porowski were allegedly criticizing Brown's lifestyle choices and Brown's mother informed him of what she had overheard.

Sources told TMZ that this incident in D.C. is what created a rift between Brown and his fellow cast members. It is said that Brown has distanced himself from Van Ness, France, and Porowski ever since.

Brown recently missed several press appearances to promote the final season ofQueer Eyeand unfollowed all of his co-stars on social media except forJeremiah Brent.

RELATED:Karamo Brown Unfollowed All 'Queer Eye' Cast Members Except 1 After Missed Interview Appearances

Brown is not the onlyQueer Eyecast member to not get along with other members of the "Fab Five."Bobby Berkleft the series in 2023, and alluded to a disagreement between himself and France.

"There was a situation, and that's between Tan and I, and it has nothing to do with the show. It was something personal that had been brewing — and nothingromantic, just to clarify that," Berk said at the time of his exit.

Van Ness, France, and Porowski have not yet publicly addressed the alleged hot mic incident in Washington, D.C.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

This story was originally published byParadeon Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.

byCosmopolite

in

January 22, 2026

Karamo Brown Fell Out With 'Queer Eye' Co-Stars After Hot Mic Incident

The ongoing feud betweenKaramo Brownand his fellowQueer Eyecast members allegedly started from a hot mic incident. ...

Read More

Oscar nominations are underway. 'Sinners' could make history

Horror films have traditionally been left out ofthe Oscars, but as nominations for the 98thAcademy Awardsare announced Thursday, Ryan Coogler's vampire tale"Sinners"could make history.

Nominations are being read starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern by presenters Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman. Viewers can tune in live toOscar.com,Oscars.org, the academy's digital platforms and ABC's "Good Morning America."

The first category read was supporting actress. The nominees are Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter LilIeaas for "Sentimental Value," Amy Madigan for "Weapons," Wunmi Mosaku for "Sinners" and Teyana Taylor for "One Battle After Another."

For supporting actor, the nominees are Jacob Elordi for "Frankenstein," Sean Penn for "One Battle After Another," Stellan Skarsgård for "Sentimental Value," Benicio del Toro for "One Battle After Another" and Delroy Lindo for "Sinners."

No movie has ever landed more than 14 nominations — something achieved only by "All About Eve," "Titanic" and "La La Land." But "Sinners" could top that mark with a heap of nods for its lush craft, Coogler's writing and direction, and Michael B. Jordan's acting (it would be his first nomination).

Right with it will likely be Paul Thomas Anderson's"One Battle After Another,"which has coasted through awards season asthe clear frontrunner.The father-daughter revolutionary comedy could land 14 nominations of its own, including five or even six acting nominations.

Advertisement

Whatever the final tally is, Warner Bros. is poised for its best Oscar showing in the 102-year-old studio's history. Both "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" should lead Warner Bros. to a record haul even as the studio prepares forits sale to Netflix. Earlier this week,Netflixamended its $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to an all-cash offer, sweetening its offer over that ofParamount Skydance.

This year, the Oscars are introducinga new category for casting. That new honor helped "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" pad their already impressive stats. Along with those two films, the nominees are "Hamnet," "Marty Supreme" and "The Secret Agent."

Ten films will be nominated for best picture. Along with the two favorites, movies such as the Norwegian family drama"Sentimental Value,"the Shakespeare drama"Hamnet"and the table tennis odyssey"Marty Supreme"are expected to be in the mix.

The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will be televised live on ABC andHulu. YouTube's new dealto exclusively airwon't take effect until 2029. This year, Conan O'Brien will return as host.

For more coverage of the Oscars and nominations, visithttps://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards.

byCosmopolite

in

January 22, 2026

Oscar nominations are underway. 'Sinners' could make history

Horror films have traditionally been left out ofthe Oscars, but as nominations for the 98thAcademy Awardsare announced Th...

Read More

Tiananmen Square vigil organisers could face 10 years in prison

Three activists who organised an annual vigil marking the ChineseTiananmen Square massacrehave gone on trial in Hong Kong, facing 10 years in prison if convicted.

Hong Kong used to host yearly candlelight vigils to mark Beijing's deadly crackdown on demonstrators on June 4, 1989 – but those events have been banned since 2020.

That year,Beijing imposed a national security lawon the former British colony in the wake of huge, sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.

The Tiananmen vigil organiser, known as the Hong Kong Alliance, was shut down in 2021 after authorities arrested the three leaders now on trial. The trio and the Alliance are charged with "incitement to subversion", with the no-jury trial scheduled for 75 days.

Defendants Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan have been behind bars since 2021 and pleaded not guilty at the start of the hearing. The third defendant, Albert Ho, pleaded guilty.

Critics say their case shows that Beijing's promise to keep the city's Western-style civil liberties intact for 50 years has weakened over time. But the city's government said its law enforcement actions are evidence-based and strictly in accordance with the law.

About 70 people queued in the cold on Thursday morning for the public gallery, while dozens of police were deployed around the court.

As they entered the courtroom, Lee Cheuk-yan waved at his supporters, who waved back and said "good morning" to him. Albert Ho sat calmly. Chow Hang-tung thanked her supporters for enduring winds during the night and bowed to them.

The Alliance had repeatedly called for the "end of one-party rule" in China, which prosecutors said amounted to subverting state power, according to a case document published on Wednesday.

The prosecution will rely on company records, online material, clips of public speeches and evidence seized from the now-defunct Tiananmen museum operated by the group.

Amnesty International said on Thursday the trial was "not about national security – it is about rewriting history". Human Rights Watch urgedHong Kongto drop all charges and release the activists.

Hong Kong authorities say the prosecutions are safeguarding human rights and based on evidence.

The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China was founded in May 1989 to support protesters holding democracy and anti-corruption rallies in Beijing.

The following month, China's government sent tanks and soldiers to crush the movement on and around Tiananmen Square, a decision it has since heavily censored domestically. The death toll remains disputed to this day, butestimates range from the hundreds to the thousands.

The Alliance spent the next three decades calling on Beijing to accept responsibility, free dissidents and embrace democratic reform. Its candlelight vigils in Hong Kong's Victoria Park every June 4 routinely drew thousands.

But the Hong ‌Kong memorials have never resumed since China imposed a tough national security law and several June 4 monuments, such as the "pillar of shame" have also been removed from the city's universities.

The trial follows last month'sconviction of media tycoon Jimmy Lai, which drew international condemnation. Lai was found guilty of conspiring to commit foreign collusion.

The city's Chief Justice responded to the Lai criticisms on Monday, saying judges deal "only with the law and the evidence, not with any underlying matters of politics".

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

byCosmopolite

in

January 22, 2026

Tiananmen Square vigil organisers could face 10 years in prison

Three activists who organised an annual vigil marking the ChineseTiananmen Square massacrehave gone on trial in Hong Kong, facing 10 years ...

Read More