Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin narrowly missed out on gold as she took silver at the freeski halfpipe World Cup event in China.
The 22-year-old was top of the standings after a first run score of 90.25 in the final compared to Chinese rival Eileen Gu, who registered 85.25.
However, Gu produced an impressive second run to take victory with a 91.75 run, while Atkin did not improve with her second attempt.
The result gave Atkin, who shared the overall World Cup title with China’s Li Fanghui in the women’s halfpipe last season, her 11th World Cup podium finish.
England have left their Ashes break in Noosa and will resume training on Sunday before the crucial third Test in Adelaide.
The tourists, who must win at the Adelaide Oval to keep their hopes of regaining the urn alive, flew from Brisbane on Saturday.
England spent four nights in the beach town of Noosa, a trip that was planned well ahead of the series and not altered despite defeats in the opening two Tests.
Captain Ben Stokes’ men attracted plenty of attention during their time on the Sunshine Coast.
They were pictured in bars, playing golf and on the beach. The England squad were happy to interact with locals and media alike – Stokes even posed with two radio presenters dressed in full whites carrying signs that read: “For sale – moral victories” and “Bazballers anonymous – free counselling”.
Australian newspapers have paid close attention to England’s downtime. The Brisbane Courier Mail claimed England are “not even trying anymore”, the Advertiser from Adelaide labelled the tourists “rub a dub duds” and Sydney’s Daily Telegraph carried the headline “Surfed and Turfed”.
Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie told ABC radio: “The tourism commission will be licking their lips. It’s been Noosa, Noosa, Noosa.
“There’s been a lot of criticism about the England team having a break. I don’t have a problem with it. I think it’s absolutely fair and reasonable.”
England’s decision to take the break in Noosa has continued the debate around their preparation and training on the tour of Australia.
Billed as a huge opportunity for England to earn a rare win down under and the most anticipated Ashes for a generation, this series is at risk of being over at the earliest opportunity.
Defeat in the second Test in Brisbane extended England’s winless run in Australia to 17 Tests, dating back to their last series win here in 2010-11. If they do not win in Adelaide, this will be the fourth consecutive Ashes down under that the destination of the urn will have been settled inside three matches.
England were criticised for playing only one warm-up match before the first Test – a three-day match against the second-string England Lions.
The decision not to send any players from the first Test XI to join a Lions pink-ball match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra also came under scrutiny.
1 day ago
3 days ago
‘Contradictory messaging opens England up for criticism’
“Where questioning comes of England is choosing not to get practice in Canberra under lights against the PM’s XI, then training in Brisbane and they lost that game,” said Gillespie.
“The messaging out of the England camp could have been better. Saying ‘we’ve overprepared’ for a Test – everyone would argue no. They had a great opportunity to prepare under lights with a pink ball and they chose not to because they felt it would not simulate conditions in Brisbane.
“Where was that excuse before the first Test in Perth, when they played on a low, slow wicket at Lilac Hill before a fast, bouncy wicket at Perth Stadium? The contradictory messaging coming out of the England camp has opened them up for criticism.”
McCullum is due to speak to the media on Sunday as England begin three days of training before the third Test starts on Wednesday (23:30 GMT on Tuesday).
England’s Sunday training session could provide clues to possible changes to their XI for the first red-ball Ashes Test in Adelaide since 2013 – the two since then have been day-night matches played with a pink ball.
A freshen up of the pace attack seems likely, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson as one option.
With spin likely to play a role in Adelaide, England have a decision to make over Shoaib Bashir.
Bashir has been overlooked for the first two Tests while England opted for the all-round skills of Will Jacks in Brisbane, albeit with Stokes maintaining Bashir remains the number one spinner.
Bashir has been backed by England with this series in mind, yet has struggled so far, picking up two wickets in his two tour matches. Whoever the tourists pick, they will have a significant experience disadvantage compared to Australia veteran Nathan Lyon, himself due to return after being left out in Brisbane.
The visitors may also ponder replacing Ollie Pope at number three. Pope’s position has been a long-term source of scrutiny since Jacob Bethell made his Test debut in New Zealand a year ago.
Pope’s highest score in this series is 46. He had played 14 innings against Australia without passing 50.
Though Bethell’s career has stalled since that New Zealand tour – the 22-year-old is still to make a first-class century – he made 71 for the Lions against Australia A last weekend.
Despite their 2-0 lead, Australia will also make changes for Adelaide. Captain Pat Cummins will return after missing the first two Tests with a back injury.
To make room for Cummins and Lyon, the hosts look likely to omit Brendan Doggett, then one of his fellow seamers – Scott Boland or Michael Neser.
Australia must also decide on opener Usman Khawaja, who missed the second Test with a back injury.
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has presented a 2026 Appropriation Bill of more than ₦1.031 trillion to the State House of Assembly, describing it as a “Budget of Consolidation” aimed at sustaining development gains and addressing emerging socio-economic challenges.
Presenting the budget at the Assembly Chamber in Minna, Governor Bago disclosed that the fiscal proposal comprises over ₦270 billion for recurrent expenditure, representing 26.19%, while above ₦761 billion, or 73.81%, is earmarked for capital expenditure.
He said the funding will come from statutory allocations, value-added tax (VAT), internally generated revenue (IGR), FAAC receipts, capital receipts, grants, and loans.
Governor Bago emphasised that the 2026 budget is strategically designed to build on past achievements while meeting the state’s current developmental needs, particularly in a time of global economic shifts.
According to him, the economic sector received the highest allocation of more than ₦510 billion, reflecting the administration’s focus on job creation, agricultural transformation, and sustainable economic expansion.
The transportation sector received the lowest allocation, slightly above ₦1 billion.
Highlighting the key priority areas for the 2026 fiscal year, the governor listed: Wealth and job creation, Agricultural transformation, Strengthening healthcare delivery, and Consolidation of road infrastructure.
Completion of inherited water and electricity projects, Improvement in education, enhanced internal revenue generation, Digital transformation of state-owned media, Peace and security consolidation, and Strategic partnerships for development.
He noted that the budget is anchored on fiscal discipline, strategic investment, and targeted interventions, all aimed at expanding economic opportunities and improving citizens’ quality of life.
He also reviewed the achievements of the 2025 financial year, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
READ ALSO: Bayelsa Govt Confirms Dep Gov’s Death, Declares Three Days Mourning
Governor Bago appreciated the Speaker and members of the 10th State House of Assembly for their cooperation and patriotism, which he said has continued to strengthen governance and boost public confidence in democracy.
He appealed for the timely consideration and passage of the 2026 budget to accelerate development across the state.
The governor further called on Nigerlites to support his efforts to build a secure, green, and prosperous New Niger, assuring that his administration will continue to work tirelessly to overcome challenges and harness opportunities for the benefit of future generations.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, AbdulMalik Sarkin-Daji, commended the cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms.
He praised the governor’s respect for due process, open consultations, and adherence to constitutional principles, noting that these have created an environment where development thrives.
Pulp Fiction star, Peter Greene, has sadly died after being found unresponsive in his home in New York City.
The actor, 60, who played Zed in Pulp Fiction and who starred in a whole host of films, including The Mask and Training Day, was found unresponsive in his apartment on Friday, and pronounced dead at the scene. Greene’s cause of death has not been announced.
Fans of the star flocked to social media to pay their tribute to the actor from New Jersey, who was slated to begin filming with Mickey Rourke in January on an independent production called Mascots.
Peter Greene played Zed in Pulp Fiction
Praising Greene after news of his death was announced, one fan wrote on X, “Rest in Peace Peter Greene. One of Hollywood’s most memorable actors,” as another shared, “I. used to be so scared of him when I was little watching the Mask… RIP King.”
Meanwhile, the actor’s apartment manager, Gregg Edwards, who confirmed his death, told the New York Post that Greene was a “terrific guy,” adding, that he “truly one of the great actors of our generation. His heart was as big as there was. I’m going to miss him. He was a great friend.”
Revealing that he broke the news of the Greene’s death to Mascots writer-director Kerry Mondragón, Edwards explained, “They were very upset.”
Fans flocked to social media to pay tribute to the star ( WireImage)
The apartment building manager also claimed that Greene was a perfectionist when it came to his work, adding that he always wanted his performances to be “right” each time.
“[Peter] worked with so many amazing actors and directors,” Edwards noted, claiming that his role as ruthless mobster Dorian Tyrell opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in The Mask is “arguably his best role” and added that his friend also “fought his demons but overcame them.”
Greene had a tough life before he found fame. Originally from Montclair, New Jersey, he ran away from home at 15, and ended up living on the streets of New York, where he began using drugs and then eventually dealing, according to his interview with Premier magazine in 1996.
Greene had a tough life before he found fame
The outlet reported that it wasn’t until star attempted suicide in March 1996 that he got treatment for his addictions.
After this, Greene’s career began to take off as he later landed roles in several other major hit works including, Laws of Gravity, Clean, Shaven, Blue Streak, and Training Day.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
US actor Dick Van Dyke is celebrating his 100th birthday, and to mark the occasion, we take a look at some of the Mary Poppins star’s secrets to staying so healthy
View 3 Images
Dick Van Dyke is celebrating turning 100(Image: CBS Photo Archive, CBS via Getty Images)
Legendary actor Dick Van Dyke is marking an incredible milestone today (December 13) as he turns 100. The beloved American entertainer, celebrated for his iconic roles in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is commemorating this extraordinary achievement with intimate family celebrations, charitable functions, a fresh book launch, and tributes across film and television.
While fans remain amazed by Van Dyke’s incredible fitness and energy at such an advanced age, the Missouri-born legend revealed his formula for staying young last year. In a June 2024 interview with Forbes, joined by his wife Arlene Silver, 53, whom he married 12 years ago, Van Dyke discussed his passion for performing and the workout routine that keeps him nimble and robust well into his nineties.
“[Fitness] is getting more important,” he confessed. “I’m only about five months from 99, so I find it the legs I would tell everybody who’s getting old get your legs together. If you’re going to get around, you’re alright, and that’s what I’m working on.”
Van Dyke credits his enduring energy and long-lasting career to ‘keeping moving’, highlighting the importance of physical exercise and maintaining an active lifestyle.
“My mother lived within months of 96 everyone else went in their sixties and seventies,” he remembered. “I put a book out years ago called Keep Moving, so I still exercise everyday. We try to go to the gym and do a little bit of light weight training and everything. I believe that’s it keeping moving.”
He continued by expressing his profound appreciation for his wife, attributing his health and wellbeing to her care. “Oh my God! I don’t think I’d even be here, to tell you that truth,” he said when considering what life would be like without her.
“She keeps me in shape, feeds me and I love her more everyday. We’re just getting closer and close.”
Silver also discussed how Van Dyke has transformed her own existence, observing: “I was very cynical, I think, when I first met him. He’s such a great human being and he’s so pure in his thoughts and his heart, that it’s rubbed off on me. Just all the wholesome things of life that’s what he has and he’s just made me a better person.”
The story recently fascinated Reddit users, sparking discussions about the cherished performer. One user observed: “This actor is not just a legend. He shows us why it is important to stay fit and healthy into our golden years.”
Another replied: “A big part of it is getting in shape while you’re young(er) and to maintain it. Easier to keep things maintained than to fix problems.”
One more heartfelt admirer confessed: “He reminds me a lot of my late father who was a very smiley, friendly kind of guy, so I have a very special place in my heart for Dick Van Dyke.”
The accolades kept flowing, with another admirer adding: “Such a talented man.”
In a heartwarming story, one person revealed their personal experience, saying: “My friends worked at a deli in Cave Creek Az and they said he came in all the time. They said he was super cool.”
Van Dyke also discussed his wellbeing this year, revealing he makes certain to steer clear of two particular things – cigarettes and alcohol.
The star explained he smoked and drank more during his younger years, but recognised he needed to stop if he wanted to boost his health.
According to Unilad, he said: “I smoked a lot, actually! I think I was probably in my 50s before it dawned on me that I had an addictive personality.
“If I liked something, I was going to overdo it.
“So I got rid of booze and cigarettes and all that stuff, which is probably why I’m still here.”
Van Dyke entered hospital for alcoholism back in 1972, but quickly managed to become sober. He also succeeded in giving up smoking, though he admitted that kicking the cigarette habit proved far more challenging than abandoning alcohol.
Article continues below
The actor has urged supporters who wish to mark his birthday to make a contribution to the charity he backs, The Midnight Mission. This is a non-profit human services organisation situated in the centre of the Skid Row area in downtown Los Angeles.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has hugged injured soldiers in wheelchairs at a ceremony in the capital, Pyongyang, to welcome home troops who served with Russian forces in the war against Ukraine.
State-run Korean Central News Agency said on Saturday that Kim praised the “mass heroism” of the returning 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean People’s Army, which had served in Russia’s Kursk region.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Kim hailed the regiment’s conduct during its 120-day overseas deployment, which commenced in early August and involved combat and engineering duties, including mine clearing in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainian forces had infiltrated and occupied for months before withdrawing.
“You could work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months, the task which was believed to be impossible to be carried out even in several years,” Kim said, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
“The armed villains of the West, armed with whatever latest military hardware they are, cannot match this revolutionary army with an unfathomable spiritual depth,” Kim added at the ceremony on Friday.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday welcomed soldiers from the Korean People’s Army’s 528th Regiment of Engineers, who returned from an overseas deployment in Russia’s Kursk region [KCNA via AFP]
The North’s leader also spoke of the “heartrending loss” of nine members of the regiment and announced that the unit would be conferred with the Order of Freedom and Independence. The deceased troops would also be honoured with the title Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, KCNA said, referring to North Korea’s official name.
Video footage of the ceremony released by North Korea showed uniformed soldiers disembarking from an aircraft and Kim embracing soldiers seated in wheelchairs, as other soldiers and officials gathered to welcome the troops.
The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed last month that North Korean troops, who had helped Russia repel Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk, were now involved in clearing the area of mines.
Concluding a key meeting of his ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on Thursday, Kim also praised the deployment of North Korean troops in support of Russia’s war on Ukraine, saying it “demonstrated to the world the prestige of our army”.
North Korea’s “ever-victorious army” was the “genuine protector of international justice”, Kim said.
Under a mutual defence pact between Moscow and Pyongyang, an estimated 14,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to fight for Russia, with the number of those killed or wounded ranging between 3,000 and 4,000.
The welcoming ceremony held on Friday marks the latest event to publicly honour North Korean soldiers who served in Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In October, Kim was featured embracing weeping soldiers at a ground-breaking ceremony for a planned memorial to those who fought for Russia, and in June, state media showed Kim draping coffins with the national flag in what appeared to be the repatriation of soldiers’ remains from Russia.
The welcoming home ceremony on Friday in Pyongyang, North Korea, for the Korean People’s Army’s 528th Regiment of Engineers [KCNA via AFP]
