The composer who wrote the memorable Mission: Impossible theme song, which won an Oscar, has passed away.
Ryan Schifrin, the son of Grammy-winning composer Lalo Schifrin, confirmed his father’s death on Thursday after his death was linked to complications from pneumonia.
In his six decades of film and television soundtracks, Schifrin contributed to the Mission: Impossible theme song. The actor received six Oscar nominations, including five for the original score in The Sting II, The Fox, Voyage of the Damned, The Amityville Horror, and Four Grammys. Ryan, Schifrin’s son, claimed he “died peacefully” in a statement.
Lalo Schifrin passed away at the age of 93 (source: Getty Images).
His family was by his side, according to Schifrin, who reportedly passed away peacefully. We appreciate having the opportunity to care for him. We are still attempting to grieve this loss and are moved by the support and love we have received.
In recognition of his distinctive musical style, compositional integrity, and significant contributions to the study of film scoring, Schifrin received an honorary lifetime achievement award in 2018. Clint Eastwood gave him the award.
The Argentinian composer also wrote the 1990 World Cup championship grand finale musical performance. The Three Tenors Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and José Carreras sang together for the first time, leading to their biggest success in classical music history.
Schifrin was honored with an honorary lifetime achievement award in 2018 (AFP via Getty Images).
Every film has a unique personality, says the director. In 2018, Schifrin told The Associated Press that there are no guidelines for writing music for movies. The music is dictated by the film.
However, Mission: Impossible’s iconic melody is his most enduring work. The immediately recognisable theme tune is written in an unusual 5/4 time signature, which New Yorker film critic Anthony Lane called “only the most contagious tune ever heard by mortal ears.”
On X, formerly Twitter, people have been expressing their gratitude as the sad news comes out.
“The countdown begins.” The light is on. You are suddenly in the mood as the music starts. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reported that Lalo Schifrin had genius. With the likes of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, THE FOX, BULLITT, AND THE STING II, which received six Academy Award nominations, Schifrin forged a narrative that drew audiences’ attention.
We’ll always be in the know for the composer who transformed silence into suspense and beat into a thrill.
Fans also paid tribute to the actor, stating, “What an incredible selection of film scores. The dynamic and unforgettable score to Mission Impossible. His music will be a part of his legacy forever.
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With two weeks of knockout matches still in play, FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup in the United States is now in its final group stage.
The competition, which has grown from seven to 32 teams, has been criticized for having matches that are played in extreme temperatures and frequently with low attendance.
The Club World Cup, which will feature 48 nations and take place in 16 cities across Canada, the US, and Mexico, is viewed as a purely financial tool by critics who claim that it is only intended to boost FIFA’s finances. Football’s governing body also claims that the event is necessary to prepare for the upcoming five-week World Cup, which will take place in 16 cities across the country, including Mexico and Canada.
There have been a lot of sharp contrasts in this. From incredibly one-sided thrashings, like Bayern Munich’s 10-0 defeat of Auckland City, to thrilling matches with 4-4 and 4-3 scorelines, Bayern Munich set a new record for the tournament.
Weather that is “impossible” and threats from thunderstorms
Images courtesy of Getty
There have been significant concerns about the players’ workload since the announcement of the tournament expansion, especially given that the World Cup is scheduled for in a year.
Real Madrid has now played 65 games since the start of the main European seasons in August, with the final game set for them to come after 62 games for Inter Milan, 61 for Paris St-Germain, and 61 for both Chelsea and Manchester City, respectively.
The temperatures in which the matches are being held have only made things worse. In Charlotte, North Carolina, during the game between Bayern Munich and Benfica, temperatures reached 36C, and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca claimed it was “impossible” to hold regular training sessions despite a “code red” severe heat warning in Philadelphia.
Players have been attempting to cool themselves down by hurling to the shade, frequently while sporting ice-cold towels or spraying water bottles over their heads.
Because of the threat of thunderstorms, five games in American stadiums are delayed by an additional 10 miles because of the lack of lightning.
Fantastic environments or largely empty arenas
Images courtesy of Getty
18 of the 48 group games had crowds of more than 40 000, and they all had fantastic atmospheres.
At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where Paris St-Germain defeated Atletico Madrid 4-0, was the highest attendance so far, with 80, 619 people.
Top ten Club World Cup attendances
However, many games did not sell as well, with nearly 50 000 seats unoccupied for Chelsea’s opening game against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta.
Eight of the ten matches with the lowest attendances occurred between Monday and Friday, and six of those games started between midday and 3 p.m. local time. Fifa is trying to balance the local demand for tickets, tournament prices, and match scheduling to meet the lucrative television markets in Europe and Asia.
Worst 10 teams in the World Cup’s ten teams were there
Images courtesy of Getty
Poor quality pitches that have been heavily criticised include “ball bounces like a rabbit” and “ball bounces like a rabbit.”
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Luis Enrique, the manager of PSG, has spoken out against the playing surfaces, arguing that FIFA needs to “bear in mind” the quality of both match and training pitches if it wants the Club World Cup to be “the most high-level competition in the world.”
After his team defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-0, the 55-year-old said, “I wouldn’t imagine an NBA court full of holes.”
The state of the field of play is what really matters to me. The ball bounces almost like an ant rabbit would sway.
After his team defeated Pachuca 3-1, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham also found fault with the pitch.
Teams have taken it very seriously?
Images courtesy of Getty
Simply put, take it very seriously. Given that there is a prize pot worth $ 775 million, which will be divided between the 32 teams, with the winners receiving up to $ 97 million, that is understandable.
For each round they complete, clubs will receive a specific score. They receive an additional £5.8 million for reaching the last 16, another $ 10.1 million for making the quarter-finals, $ 16.2 million for making the semi-finals, $ 32, $ 32, $ 32, $ 30 million for winning the entire thing, and a draw of $ 800, 000 for winning the group stage.
Has Europe a chance to rule Europe?
Images courtesy of Getty
Football data experts Opta reported that all 11 of Europe’s teams were the most likely to win the trophy before the competition even started.
However, three of the continent’s 12 teams left after finishing third in their respective groups, with Porto, Atletico Madrid, and Red Bull Salzburg.
Six South American teams were present, but both Argentina and Brazil were eliminated, and all four of them managed to survive, with Palmeiras and Botafogo tying up in the last-16.
Inter Miami and Mexico’s Monterrey are the only remaining Asian teams in the world, while Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal, who face Manchester City in the first knockout round, are the only other two of the five teams still in play.
All four African teams were unable to advance out of their groups, just like Oceania’s only representative Auckland City, despite their memorable 1-1 draw with Argentina’s Boca Juniors.
A photographer was found guilty of treason and sentenced to 16 years in prison for allegedly sharing information with an American journalist about underground bunkers from the Soviet era.
Following a closed-door trial, the court in Perm’s western city sentenced Grigory Skvortsov on Thursday without providing further information. Skvortsov, who was detained by Russian authorities in 2023, has denied any wrongdoing.
Skvortsov’s sentence would be served in a maximum-security correctional prison camp, according to the court.
Additionally, it published a photo of him as the verdict was read out in a glass courtroom cage dressed in black.
Skvortsov claimed in an interview with a group of exiled Russian lawyers in December that he had shared information with the Russian author of a book about underground Soviet installations for use in the event of a nuclear war.
In the interview with Pervy Otdel, Skvortsov did not identify the US journalist with whom he was working.
Russia has dramatically expanded its definition of what constitutes state secrets since its invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022, and it has imprisoned academicians, scientists, and journalists who it believes have broken the new laws.
Skvortsov, a photographer of architecture, has also spoken out in person against Moscow’s military assault on Ukraine. He alleges that FSB officers tried to press on him to confess treason after he was detained in November of 2023.
Following the verdict, a Skvortsov support group posted a message on Telegram claiming that “a miracle had not occurred” and that the photographer’s only chance of leaving jail was being exchanged as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and the West.
Skvortsov is one of those facing criminal charges that is likely “politically motivated and marked by serious legal violations,” according to the Nobel Peace Prize-winning rights organization Memorial.
New Delhi, India – Paras* and his family were supposed to have the financial difficulties over by enrolling in one of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) schools. Instead, things have only worsened due to the federal government’s long delays in dispensing Paras’s monthly fellowship allowance of 37, 000 rupees ($435).
Paras is a research fellow at the IIT looking for solutions to the world’s growing infectious disease crisis. His fellowship is a result of the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST) funding program INSPIRE.
But delays in the scheme’s payment have meant that Paras was not able to pay the instalments on the laptop he bought for his research in 2022. His savings plans and credit score fell, too.
In a drought-stricken region of western India, Paras’ parents are farmers, and their income depends on a frequently subpar harvest. So, he has resorted to borrowing money from friends, including as recently as between August and December, he told Al Jazeera.
Paras is not the only one. Nearly a dozen top institutes in India are currently and former researchers, according to the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) initiative. The interviewees studied at institutions such as the IIT, a network of engineering and technology schools across the country, and the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, another network.
Without a stipend, all had gone from three to nine months.
According to them, the fellowship’s deterioration and procedural lapses have resulted from these delays in funding and insufficient funding.
Many researchers recently took to social media to complain, tagging Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
Many of us who are pursuing PhDs under DST-funded fellowships have been receiving their stipends for more than a year, according to Sayali Atkare, an INSPIRE fellow, who posted a LinkedIn post. Many young researchers are now experiencing significant financial and emotional stress as a result.
Last year, India ranked 39th in the Global Innovation Index of 133 countries, up one spot from the year prior. In terms of innovation, it leads lower-middle-income nations like Vietnam and the Philippines. Malaysia and Turkiye are the two countries with the highest incomes, followed by China.
The federal government termed the ranking an “impressive leap” in a news release. According to the statement, India’s “growing innovation potential” has been backed by government initiatives that prioritize technological advancement, business ease, and entrepreneurship.
Modi praised India’s expanding research potential at a federal government conference in April. Under his leadership in the past decade, the government has doubled its gross spending on research and development from 600 billion rupees ($7.05bn) to more than 1, 250 billion rupees ($14.7bn), while the number of patents filed has more than doubled – from 40, 000 to more than 80, 000.
The government has made numerous efforts to ensure “talented individuals face no obstacles to advancing their careers,” Modi said, including double the spending on R&, D (research and development), double the number of patents filed in India, and the creation of state-of-the-art research parks and fellowships and facilities. > ,
However, an analysis of government documents, budgets and interviews with researchers reveals that the government is more focused on commercial research, primarily product development led by start-ups and big corporations. It doesn’t provide much funding for research conducted at the nation’s top universities.
For instance, a program that provides interest-free loans to private companies conducting research in sunrise domains like semiconductors made up of 70 percent of the Science and Technology Department’s annual budget for the current fiscal year.
At the same time, the government has made misleading statements about its investments in the country’s research institutes, including with schemes like the INSPIRE fellowship, where funds have actually been cut instead of being increased as touted by the government.
[Courtesy: Creative Commons] Researchers at some of India’s top universities claim they have struggled for months due to unpaid stipends.
Pay issues, delayed funding, and poor pay
The INSPIRE scheme offers PhD and faculty fellowships to “attract, attach, retain and nourish talented young scientific Human Resource for strengthening the R&, D foundation and base”.
Top-ranking postgraduate students and doctoral researchers are eligible to receive fellowships to conduct research in fields ranging from climate science, biochemistry, neuroscience, cancer biology, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
PhD fellows are eligible for a monthly salary of 37, 000 rupees ($435.14) to 42, 000 rupees ($493.94) for living expenses under the scheme, as well as a salary of 20 000 rupees ($235.21) per year for research-related expenses, such as paying for equipment or traveling to work.
Faculty fellows are offered teaching positions with a monthly salary of 125, 000 rupees ($1, 470) and an annual research grant of 700, 000 rupees ($8, 232).
653 fellows enrolled in the PhD fellowship program between 2024 and 2025, and 85 were in the faculty fellowship program.
A faculty member at an institution in eastern India said, “I was unable to attend an important annual meeting in our field because it required travel.” He has not received his payments since September 2024.
We’ve made endless phone calls and written countless emails, most of which leave the message unanswered or are met with ambiguous responses, according to Atkare, a PhD student who wrote about the government’s failure on LinkedIn. Even some government officials “reply” rudely.
Another INSPIRE PhD fellow told us of a running joke: “If they pick up the phone, you can buy a lottery ticket that day. Your lucky day is today.
Abhay Karandikar, DST Secretary, acknowledged the delays in funding in May and promised to fix them right away.
Karandikar told the Hindu newspaper that he was “aware” of the disbursement crisis but said that from June 2025, all scholars would get their money on time. “Every issue has been resolved,” the statement read. He said, “I don’t anticipate any issues in the future.”
Al Jazeera requested a comment from the science and technology minister, the DST secretary and the head of the department’s wing that implements the INSPIRE scheme, but has not received a response.
Dodgy math
To launch Vigyan Dhara, or “the flow of science,” in January, the federal government folded three R&, D-related initiatives to ensure “efficiency in fund utilisation.” The INSPIRE scheme had been funded under one of those schemes.
But chaos has resulted in chaos instead of efficiency.
DST requested new bank accounts from institutions during Vigyan Dhara, which caused delays in the payment of INSPIRE fellowships.
New Delhi also said that it had “significantly increased” funding for the Vigyan Dhara scheme, from 3.30 billion rupees ($38.39m) in the last financial year to 14.25 billion rupees ($167.58m) in the current financial year.
[Press Information Bureau] The Indian government claimed to have increased scheme funds.
That math, however, was not accurate. The 3.30 billion rupees ($38.39m) is what the government earmarked for the scheme, which was only launched in the last quarter of the fiscal year. The three schemes’ annual budget, which was replaced by Vigyan Dhara, totaled 18.27 billion rupees ($214.93 million). In effect, the allocation to the current budget decreased by 22%, from 18.27 billion to 14.25 billion ($167.58 million).
The allocation to Vigyan Dhara schemes was reduced by 22 percent]Union Budget FY 2025-26]
Overall, the budget for Vigyan Dhara’s constituent schemes decreased by 67.8% from the previous fiscal year, which was the same as the previous fiscal year, which was the same as the budget for the remaining schemes, which was the same as the budget for the remaining ones, which was the same as 167.6 million rupees.
According to Al Jazeera, DST officials did not respond to a request for information on Vigyan Dhara’s budgetary allocations.
Commercialisation of research
The Indian government, on the other hand, allocated 200 billion rupees ($2.35 billion) to the new R&D and innovation (RDI) initiative targeted at the private sector.
This money is a larger 1-trillion-rupee ($11.76bn) corpus that India’s finance minister announced to offer low- or no-interest rates.
These changes in schemes are intended to make India a “product nation”, get more patents filed in India, and curb the brain drain, as Union Minister Aswini Vaishnaw and DST officials explain in different videos.
Screenshot of the post-budget webinar during which DST officials explained the RDI scheme.
However, the researchers’ issues at state-run organizations continue to be unresolved.
“The government throws around big terms, but those toiling in laboratories are suffering”, said Lal Chandra Vishwakarma, president of All-India Research Scholars Association.
“Stipends should be paid in the same way that central government employees are paid. He argued that subscribers should receive their money on a consistent basis each month.
In the current scenario, most fellows Al Jazeera spoke to said that they would prefer a fellowship abroad.
“It’s not just about money; it’s also about the ease of research, which is much better in Europe and [in] the United States.” There is a lot of staff there. In India, you get none of that”, said a professor at an IIT, who supervises an INSPIRE PhD fellow who faced funding issues.
Researchers told us that researchers who are heavily funded in the private sector should downplay their funding costs to increase their chances of getting funded by government research projects.
If we lose the first few years as a result of cost-cutting, we are behind our colleagues abroad, the IIT professor said.
“Once we submit necessary documents, like annual progress reports, DST takes at least three months to release the next instalment. A theoretical mathematician who works on a PhD said, “It’s standard.”
“As of right now, I would advise only people with high-income backgrounds and privileges to work in academia.” Not because that’s how it should be, but because for others, it’s just so hard”, the IIT professor said.
Manchester City defeated Juventus 5-2 on Thursday to show their Club World Cup credentials, while Vinicius Junior led Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Salzburg to advance to the last 16.
Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia defeated Pachuca of Mexico 2-0 to defeat Salzburg in the final match of the day’s other game to claim a 2-1 victory over Wydad Casablanca.
With a victory over Juventus in front of 54, 320 spectators at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, City became the only team to have won all three of their group games.
After goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo against Pachuca, City will now face Al Hilal, the only Asian representative in the following round.
City winger Jeremy Doku opened the scoring, saying, “We played well and I’m happy with the victory.”
After Rayan Ait-Nouri’s arrival with a clever ball set him up, Doku pounced for the opening kick.
On June 26, 2025, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D football match between Italy’s Juventus and England’s Manchester City takes place at the Camping World stadium in Orlando. The match between Portugal’s No. 02 Alberto Costa and No. 11 Belgian midfielder No. 11 Jeremy Doku and No. 1 Belgian No. 1 Jeremy Doku fight for the ball. (Photo: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP)
However, in one of the few instances where Guardiola’s team let their focus wander, City stopper Ederson passed the ball to Teun Koopmeiners, who levelled for Juventus.
Pierre Kalulu resurrected City’s lead with a powerful header from Matheus Nunes’ cross.
After the break, the Premier League side stepped up a level with Erling Haaland’s introduction in an effort to make up for a poor season by their standards, which saw them finish the year without a significant trophy.
Before Savinho headed home from close range for the fifth, the Norwegian striker scored the third and assisted with the fourth for Phil Foden.
Dusan Vlahovic scored for Juve late on, but it did not detract from Rodri’s impressive comeback. City were given a first start after his protracted injury layoff, giving him his first start.
Igor Tudor, the coach of Juventus, said, “Manchester City have a lot better (quality of) players than us, that’s the truth, and that needs to be acknowledged.”
“We didn’t have the right timing for us to play better tonight,” he said.
In a meeting between two teams that were already eliminated but were hoping to seal the deal with a victory in Washington, DC, Al Ain defeated Wydad.
Cassius Mailula, a striker from South Africa, gave the Moroccans a early lead before Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba, a striker from Togo, leveled from the spot for Al Ain.
After Juve and City both fell to 5-0 and 6-0, respectively, and Paraguayan international Alejandro Romero curled home from the edge of the box to claim the team’s victory over the United Arab Emirates, the team earned its first goal of the tournament.
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Vinicius stars in Madrid’s success
At the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D football match between Italy’s Juventus and England’s Manchester City at the Camping World stadium in Orlando on June 26, 2025, Pep Guardiola’s Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola and English midfielder #47 Phil Foden. (Photo: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP)
In Philadelphia, Vinicius defeated Salzburg to claim the top spot in Group H, scoring one goal and making another with a dash of class.
On Tuesday in Miami, Real will face Juventus in the last 16.
On a rainy night at Lincoln Financial Field, the Brazil star Vinicius opened the scoring after Jude Bellingham made a superb defense-splitting pass on 40 minutes, much to the delight of the 64, 811 crowd.
In stoppage time, Vinicius then cleverly set up Federico Valverde to make it 2-0.
Gonzalo Garcia’s late goal, his second of the season, sealed Xabi Alonso’s side’s first victory of FIFA’s new competition.
Alonso told broadcaster DAZN, “I’m pleased with the boys, and now the interesting phase begins.”
Real were without top scorer Kylian Mbappe, who hasn’t played at the tournament while he recovers from illness.
“We anticipated Kylian would make it, but it wasn’t,” he said. We have four days left, and I want to be both cautious and optimistic at the same time,” Alonso said.
Pisces will look at new ways to increase their income in today’s horoscope for Friday, June 27, and Aquarius can anticipate positive communication.
Find out what’s written in the stars with our astrologer Russell Grant(Image: Daily Record/GettyImages)
One star sign will give a friend some helpful advice, while the other takes a romantic chance as it’s Friday.
There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.
These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
A friend has a relationship issue in mind, and they want to talk. You might feel compelled to help even if you are hesitant to do so. You might come to terms with offering them some helpful advice and assistance as you consider it over.
Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)
You might be accused of being overly protective of your loved ones, but today you may not feel as though you’re smothering them with love and care. You are content to let others use their devices despite your current focus on your main goals and responsibilities in business.
Gemini (May 22 – June 21)
Without a positive experience, the day won’t come to an end. You generally enjoy life. Make the most of each and every family time you have. Someone with the power of your position will make you an offer to show how impressed they are with your abilities.
Continue reading the article.
Cancer (June 22 – July 23)
You’ll understand the value of diligently monitoring your savings and income. Even if you aren’t feeling it right away, this is likely to have a positive effect on your financial situation given how hard you’re working right now. Your bank balance should eventually improve as a result.
Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)
Someone you have known for a long time will be involved in some deception or manipulation. Don’t be too harsh on them because it’s highly possible they weren’t given the full story. As long as you have some assurance that you will be able to maintain their true perspective.
Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
You enjoy being by yourself in a quiet setting despite the fact that not everyone will understand. You’ll be content if you’re left alone. You recently given finances and earnings a lot of thought, and now you’re ready to take a break to focus on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
Even though the challenges you are currently facing seem overwhelming and difficult, the truth is that things are not as bad as they appear. Try your best to provide a more in-depth perspective. Someone who is well-versed in your situation will point you in the direction of success.
Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
Even though you and a friend or colleague are developing a deep and meaningful relationship, you must maintain your groundedness, especially since their closeness causes strong emotions in you. Avoid letting false expectations influence your judgment.
Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance or support from others. People who have a good understanding of you will give you a lot of time and resources. They are eager to lend a helping hand to you because they are aware of your situation. You also feel compassion for other people, particularly your coworkers.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
Are you single, and do you have any interests you haven’t yet developed a rapport with? Why don’t you find the guts to invite them over? It will be worthwhile to take this chance because you won’t be apprehensive about it, but their response will let you know if they are interested.
Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
Communication will be positive, but having older relatives means being flexible and open to compromise. Some close friends might disagree with some of the choices you’re making. Generally a great day for socializing, traveling, and having fun with kids.
Continue reading the article.
Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
A financial issue is a bit ambiguous. In the past, you or a partner have managed money in a careless or practical manner, which has resulted in a lot of debt. Your current focus should be on restoring your financial stability. Discover innovative ways to increase your income.
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