Josh Brolin Recalls Almost Fighting Denzel Washington on Set of American Gangster By and both starred in the 2007 crime film . But according to Brolin, the pair nearly fought while on set. What happened between Josh Brolin and Denzel Washington? Speaking during an appearance on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast (via ), Brolin recalled how he thought he was going to get into a fight with Washington while on set after an incident between the pair. “Denzel was a little late to set and there was a whole thing there,” Brolin said. “And then he showed me the lines...he didn’t change any of my lines, but he kind of changed the structure of it. He said, ‘I think I’m gonna put this down here and I’m gonna put that up there.’ But he wouldn’t really look at me. “I was trying to remember the structure, and then we rehearsed,” he continued. “It wasn’t that many lines, mostly mine. And I’m supposed to be super confident. It’s Denzel Washington, man. It’s, like, not easy — you’re just some actor who they’re trying out, seeing if he’s the real thing or not. And I forgot a line.” Brolin said that he tried to ask Washington what the line was, and did so while placing a hand on his shoulder. What happened next, Brolin said, is that Washington slapped his hand away and yelled at him, causing Brolin to go on the defensive. “And he hit my hand off and he said, ‘Don’t ever fucking put your hand on me,’” Brolin remembered. “And I was like, ‘Holy shit, I’m gonna scrap with Denzel Washington. This is crazy.’ We’re not actors anymore — at least in my mind. In his mind, he was just doing his job. He was that guy. He was Frank Lucas, period. But I didn’t know. And then we got through that moment. I said, ‘Are you OK?’ He said, ‘Yeah. You?’ I said, ‘Yeah. Can I get my line?’ He said, ‘Go for it.’ It’s like he’d said what he needed to say.” Thankfully, things didn’t escalate, and Brolin said the pair “get along very well” nowadays. Their tension also made for a movie that was critically acclaimed, and earned two Oscar nominations, for Best Art Direction and Best Supporting Actress. Anthony Nash has been writing about games and the gaming industry for nearly a decade. When he’s not writing about games, he’s usually playing them. You can find him on Twitter talking about games or sports at @_anthonynash. Share articleArtificial Intelligence 101: Using AI to find a job or even make money
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Aussie has reportedly split with her long-time partner, just months after making comments about wanting to start a family in the near future. Details emerged this week that Fox and partner Mathieu Biazizzo parted ways earlier in 2024 after nine years together. The couple are said to have quietly split in May, before . It's believed the long-distance relationship with Frenchman Biazizzo - a fellow kayaker and canoeist - took a toll. The relationship between Fox and Biazizzo was kept rather quiet during their nine years together. He is also a professional slalom canoeist and kayaker and has competed for France at a number of world championships. In 2016 he won the K1 world title. Just last year Fox had spoken about the relationship and her desire to start a family and become a mother in the not-too distant future. “There’s always a bit of competition, especially if we’re training together,” she said about Biazizzo. “It is really special to be able to share that together. And the fact that he understands what I’m going through. It also helps that we go to bed early together. “Maybe there’ll be an opportunity to see if I want to have a baby and come back. They’re conversations that we’ll definitely be having in the next few years, probably.” Fans have been sending well-wishes to Fox on social media after the split was made public on Thursday. Neither Fox or Biazizzo have commented on the news. The 30-year-old . She's won three gold medals, a silver and two bronze from four Olympic Games, as well as 22 world championship medals - the most of any paddler. But she is craving more and won't be slowing down anytime soon. "It is that question of how do you stay motivated," she told AAP late last month. "And the day that I don't have that hunger to train like it is required and to race and I lose that enjoyment for my sport, then that is the day that I stop. "For me, I am lucky. I love what I do, I have got an amazing team who help me be the best I can be and I love pushing myself in training. And next year we have got the world championships in Penrith so that is what is going to keep me hungry and excited for the next 12 months. And after that, it's that build-up to LA (the 2028 Olympics)." Fox was given the honour of being Australia's flag bearer at the opening ceremony at this year's Olympics in Paris, where she also shared the joy of seeing . The Fox sisters have shot to superstardom in the months that have followed, , while Jess won Sport NSW's athlete of the year for a sixth time and has become an A-list celebrity. "Definitely still pinching myself ... at the moment there is multi-tasking happening all the time," she said. "It has been an incredible time being at home and having that time now to reflect and to celebrate. "Winning gold obviously means it is more visible and your sport is more visible. But I didn't realise just how big that was and how many people watched and how many people were invested in for me the K1 and then the C1. "And then how many followed Noemie's journey and that whole story and family moment really resonated with people and inspired so many. It made them feel emotion. And that is what is so beautiful about this sport. You're there for the thrill of the ride and you're feeling to joy ... but it's incredible to see the impact that it has had on people."Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree
New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Aaron Rodgers “absolutely” will remain the team's starting quarterback and start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who turns 41 next Monday, has been hampered at times during the Jets' 3-8 start by various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. Ulbrich said Monday the quarterback came back from the team's bye-week break ready to go. “All I can say, and you'd have to ask Aaron if he's fully healthy, but he's better off today than he's been as of late,” Ulbrich said. "So he's definitely feeling healthier than he has probably for the past month. A healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. “So, I'm excited about what that looks like.” NFL Network reported on Sunday that Rodgers, who missed all but four snaps last season with a torn left Achilles tendon , has declined having medical scans on his injured leg so he can continue to play. “I have not been informed of that, either way,” Ulbrich said. Rodgers suffered what NFL Network reported was a “significant” hamstring injury against Denver in Week 4. He then sprained his left ankle against Minnesota in London a week later. The four-time MVP has not been able to consistently move around during games as he has in the past, when extending plays and making things happen on the run became such a big part of his game. Rodgers said leading into New York's 28-27 loss to Indianapolis last Sunday that it was the healthiest he felt in a while. But he struggled against the Colts, finishing 22 of 29 for 184 yards after a brutally slow start during which he went 9 of 13 for just 76 yards. The Athletic reported last week that owner Woody Johnson broached the idea during a meeting with the coaching staff of having the banged-up Rodgers sit after the Jets' loss to Denver in Week 4. With Rodgers' struggles and perhaps compromised health the past few games, a hot debate on social media and sports talk shows during the past week has been whether the quarterback should take a seat in favor of Tyrod Taylor. But when asked if there has been any talk of shutting down Rodgers, Ulbrich replied flatly: “There has not.” In a follow-up question, the interim coach was asked if Rodgers will, in fact, be the Jets' starting quarterback at home Sunday against the Seahawks. “Absolutely,” Ulbrich said. He added that he didn't feel the need to sit down with Rodgers and address all the reports and chatter outside the facility. “No, I feel like we are on the same page,” the coach said. Last week, Ulbrich said he and his staff would take “a deep dive” into what the team could do better after losing seven of its past eight and being on the verge of missing the postseason for the 14th consecutive year. Ulbrich opted not to make any changes to the coaching responsibilities of his staff and he will continue to run the defense as the coordinator. He also said there would not be any personnel changes coming out of the bye, barring injuries. “But definitely, we created a really clear vision of where we need to improve and found some things,” Ulbrich said. “Obviously, you find the things that you’re not doing well, you need to improve upon them, but then also found some some things that I think we can really build upon. So I was excited in both ways.” Johnson fired general manager Joe Douglas last Tuesday, six weeks after he also dismissed coach Robert Saleh. On Monday, the team announced it would be assisted by The 33rd Team , a football media, analytics and consulting group founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, in its searches for a general manager and coach. Ulbrich insisted that isn't creating an awkward situation for him, in particular, as he and his staff focus on the present while the organization begins planning for the future. “In all honesty, it’s not at all,” Ulbrich said. “My singular focus is just finishing the season off the right way, playing a brand of football we’re all proud of, myself included. And that starts with Seattle.” LB C.J. Mosley said he's “progressing” in his return from a herniated disk in his neck, but is still uncertain about his availability for Sunday. Mosley said Monday was the first time he put on a helmet since the injury occurred during pregame warmups against New England on Oct. 27. ... Ulbrich said the team is still evaluating LT Tyron Smith, who missed the game against Indianapolis with a neck ailment. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
During their conversation, President-elect Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum discussed economic, security, and migration issues. Sheinbaum characterized the session as "excellent," highlighting the collaborative tone of the talks despite concerns over Trump's latest tariff threats, France24 reported. Hours before, Mexico's Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard had issued a warning that Trump's tariffs may hurt American companies and cost them hundreds of thousands of jobs. Migration and Security at the Forefront of Talks Sheinbaum highlighted the issue of migration, noting that Mexico was taking proactive measures to manage the flow of migrants. "We discussed Mexico's strategy regarding the phenomenon of migration," she stated. The Mexican president noted that because the migrant caravans were being controlled inside Mexico's borders, they were not overflowing the southern border of the United States. Security issues were also discussed by the two presidents. Sheinbaum emphasized the significance of enhancing collaboration in the fight against illicit substances, especially fentanyl, which has contributed to the opioid crisis in the United States. As a priority for both countries, she said, Mexico is running programs to stop people from using fentanyl. Trump's strong rhetoric on border security sparked this shared enthusiasm in combating cross-border drug trafficking. Trump’s Tariff Threats and Economic Fallout Trump's promise to apply a 10% tariff on Chinese goods and a 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico was the main source of controversy. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the tariffs would be in effect until Mexico regulated drug trafficking and halted illegal immigration. “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” Trump wrote. Opposition to the proposed tariff was quick. Ebrard cautioned that American workers would suffer from such a shift. He referenced a study that estimated the loss of 400,000 American employment based on data from automakers in the United States. Ebrard pointed out that these duties would increase car costs by almost $3,000 because a significant percentage of U.S. automobiles, notably pickup trucks, are made in Mexico. U.S. and Mexico's Tensions Over Tariffs The possible tariffs, according to Ebrard, would be a "shot in the foot" for American consumers. He underlined that American households will bear the brunt of the effects, especially in sectors like the car industry that rely significantly on imports from Mexico. China, which has also criticized Trump's trade strategy, shared Mexico's worries. Similar to the difficult relationship between the two countries during Trump's first term, the Chinese leadership has warned that no party would win a trade war. China responded with retaliatory tariffs at that time after Trump placed duties on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of Chinese imports. American farmers, one of Trump's most important supporters, were disproportionately harmed by these trade restrictions. The USMCA and Trade Relations Under Threat The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which took the role of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), serves as the backdrop for this economic conflict. After asserting that the previous pact was hurting American companies, especially automakers, Trump renegotiated the accord. But the persistent threat of tariffs has sparked worries that the new trade agreement would encounter major obstacles. The future of trade ties is still unclear, despite the friendly discussions between Sheinbaum and Trump. Trump's tough approach on tariffs runs the danger of upending years of collaboration and discussion, which may cause long-term economic problems for both the United States and Mexico. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from World and around the world.Thanksgiving dinner in US cost less than last year, but Colorado’s is 4th highest in nation
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2024-- KEO World (KEO), a fintech leader in B2B digital payments and inventory financing, today announced that it has taken a significant step in its expansion. Through a partnership agreement with BTG Pactual Bank S.A., the largest investment bank in Latin America, KEO World will expand its operations in the Brazilian market. As part of the partnership, KEO's Workeo solution , in collaboration with the Amex Business Link PlatformTM, can help thousands of medium and large businesses in Brazil digitize their B2B invoice payments, which can result significant cost efficiencies and increased purchasing power. Founded in 2020, KEO has experienced rapid growth. KEO's Workeo solution, powered by KEO's flagship credit processing, provides businesses with a working capital line of credit through a digital wallet within a multi-product payment and billing rails, available via Amex Business LinkTM. Additionally, KEO offers its own proprietary blockchain payment rails, known as KEO Rails TM, to help make payments even easier. "We are delighted to have agreed to this partnership agreement with one of the largest financial institutions in South America, which will allow us to increase the reach of our B2B digital payments program and provide financing to many more companies in Brazil," said Paolo Fidanza , Founder and CEO of KEO. "In a market where less than 10% of total traditional credit is extended to SMEs, our Workeo product enables business buyers to access core inventory on credit and suppliers to increase their recurring sales, enhancing working capital management through a fully digital, frictionless, and low-cost financing and cash management platform thanks to our innovative payment rails, credit processing, and the American Express network." "Expanding the value proposition of the Amex Business LinkTM platform is one of our priorities so that buyers and suppliers can make real-time decisions that optimize their working capital and improve their operational-administrative and reconciliation processes. Thanks to this expansion, companies in Brazil will be able to access an innovative and 100% digital ecosystem that offers digital payment and billing tools for local and international transactions," said René Centeno, American Express, Supply Chain Solutions Global Head. About KEO World Founded in 2020, KEO World is a leading innovator of technology-based financial solutions with a mission to provide businesses with digital, seamless and secure ways to finance their supplies and increase efficiency in their cash flow. KEO is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with operations in the US, Canada, Mexico, and throughout Latin America. The company was the first non-bank financial institution to receive an American Express issuing license. To learn more, visit www.KEOworld.com . About American Express American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us at facebook.com/americanexpress , instagram.com/americanexpress , linkedin.com/company/american-express , twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress . American Express ® is a brand of American Express. Workeo is issued by KEO World S.A. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. under license from American Express. KEO presents Workeo, a credit solution through the Amex Business LinkTM platform. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216985773/en/ CONTACT: KEO World Media Contact Carlos Mejia Public Realtions carlos@elfashonguru.tv KEYWORD: FLORIDA LATIN AMERICA NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES BRAZIL SOUTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY PAYMENTS FINANCE FINTECH BANKING OTHER TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOFTWARE SMALL BUSINESS DATA MANAGEMENT SOURCE: KEO World Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/16/2024 05:52 PM/DISC: 12/16/2024 05:50 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216985773/en
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration is urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of those as young as 18. A senior Biden administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private consultations, said Wednesday that the outgoing Democratic administration wants Ukraine to lower the mobilization age to 18 from the current age of 25 to expand the pool of fighting-age men available to help a badly outnumbered Ukraine in its nearly three-year-old war with Russia. The official said “the pure math” of Ukraine's situation now is that it needs more troops in the fight. Currently Ukraine is not mobilizing or training enough soldiers to replace its battlefield losses while keeping pace with Russia's growing military, the official added. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia's February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. But with time running out, the Biden White House is also sharpening its viewpoint that Ukraine has the weaponry it needs and now must dramatically increase its troop levels if it's going to stay in the fight with Russia. White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett in a statement said the administration will continue sending Ukraine weaponry but believes “manpower is the most vital need" Ukraine has at the moment. “So, we’re also ready to ramp up our training capacity if they take appropriate steps to fill out their ranks,” Savett said. The Ukrainians have said they need about 160,000 additional troops to keep up with its battlefield needs, but the U.S. administration believes they probably will need more than that. More than 1 million Ukrainians are now in uniform, including the National Guard and other units. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been hearing concerns from allies in other Western capitals as well that Ukraine has a troop level problem and not an arms problem, according to European officials who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive diplomatic conversations. The European allies have stressed that the lack of depth means that it may soon become untenable for Ukraine to continue to operate in Russia’s Kursk border region . The situation in Kursk has become further complicated by the arrival of thousands of North Korean troops , who have come to help Moscow try to claw back the land seized in a Ukrainian incursion this year. The stepped-up push on Ukraine to strengthen its fighting ranks comes as Ukraine braces for President-elect Donald Trump to take office on Jan. 20. The Republican said he would bring about a swift end to the war and has raised uncertainty about whether his administration would continue the vital U.S. military support for Ukraine. “There are no easy answers to Ukraine’s serious manpower shortage, but lowering the draft age would help,” said Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "These are obviously difficult decisions for a government and society that has already endured so much due to Russia’s invasion.” Ukraine has taken steps to broaden the pool of draft-eligible men, but the efforts have only scratched the surface against a much larger Russian military. In April, Ukraine’s parliament passed a series of laws, including one lowering its draft-eligible age for men from 27 to 25, aimed at broadening the universe of men who could be called on to join the grinding war. Those laws also did away with some draft exemptions and created an online registry for recruits. They were expected to add about 50,000 troops, far short of what Zelenskyy said at the time was needed. Zelenskyy has consistently stated that he has no plans to lower the mobilization age. A senior Ukrainian official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Ukraine does not have enough equipment to match the scale of its ongoing mobilization efforts. The official said Ukrainian officials see the push to the lower the draft age as part of an effort by some Western partners to deflect attention from their own delays in providing equipment or belated decisions. The official cited as an example the delay in giving Ukraine permission to use longer-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory. The Ukrainians do not see lowering the draft age to recruit more soldiers as a substitute for countering Russia’s advantage in equipment and weaponry, the official said. Conscription has been a sensitive matter in Ukraine throughout the war. Russia’s own problems with adequate troop levels and planning early in the war prevented Moscow from taking full advantage of its edge. But the tide has shifted and the U.S. says the Ukrainian shortage can no longer be overlooked. Some Ukrainians have expressed worry that further lowering the minimum conscription age and taking more young adults out of the workforce could backfire by further harming the war-ravaged economy. The senior Biden administration official added that the administration believes that Ukraine can also optimize its current force by more aggressively dealing with soldiers who desert or go absent without leave. AP White House correspondent Zeke Miller and AP writer Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv contributed to this report.