Bryant’s Lakers debut jersey sells for $7m

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Kobe Bryant’s jersey, which he wore on his 1996 NBA debut, sold for $7 million ($5.26 million).

Bryant’s rookie 1996-1997 game-worn jersey ranks as the fourth-most expensive game-worn sports jersey ever.

The American won five NBA championships and was named the Most Valuable Player in 2008, earning him the honor for his entire career with the Lakers.

Seven years prior to Bryant and his daughter Gianna’s tragic death in a helicopter crash, the jersey was first sold for $115, 242.

The most expensive sports memorabilia item sold at auction is still Babe Ruth’s “called shot” jersey, which sold for $ 24 million in August.

The $ 9.1 million spent on Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” jersey from his final season with the Chicago Bulls is next on the list, followed by the $ 8.8 million that Diego Maradona spent on the “Hand of God” shirt worn during Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory against England.

On November 3, 1996, Bryant made his NBA debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He was named an all-star 18 times throughout his 20-year career, including 18 times in his rookie season.

Bryant's match-worn Lakers debut jerseyImages courtesy of Getty

Blake Lively sparks outrage as she’s told she ‘shouldn’t be at TIME 100 gala’

Although Blake Lively was present at the TIME 100 all-star gala in New York City on Thursday night, she was not everyone’s favorite to see her there.

Blake Lively at the TIME100 Gala (Image: WWD via Getty Images)

At the TIME100 gala on Thursday night, Blake Lively found herself in Megyn Kelly’s firing line. The Gossip Girl actress, who was named one of TIME’s Most Influential People, also attended the event in New York City.

Despite her husband Ryan Reynolds not being featured on the list, he joined the It Ends With Us actress for the glittering occasion. Ryan looked dapper in a suave tuxedo, while Blake glowed in a red gown.

Despite her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, Megyn Kelly publicly criticized Blake’s inclusion on the prestigious list. The former Fox News host made the unflinching claim that Blake “shouldn’t be here” on the red carpet of the gala.

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the 2025 Time100 Gala
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the 2025 Time100 Gala(Image: Getty Images)

In a further swipe at the actress, Kelly accused her of “b******iz[ing] Me Too allegations” due to her sexual harassment lawsuit against It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin, who has strongly refuted the claims, reports the Mirror US.

Following Blake’s initial lawsuit, Justin responded by filing a $ 400 million defamation lawsuit against her, her publicist, and Ryan Reynolds, all of whom have refuted the allegations. Additionally, Justin has filed a $ 250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times for their coverage of Blake’s allegations.

It’s a ridiculous joke, I tell you. She shouldn’t be here, Megyn claimed, making reference to Blake.

She’s lived to regret making a fake Me Too claim against [Justin], she said, adding that almost every one of her accusations has been discredited.

Megyn Kelly
Megyn Kelly wasn’t impressed with Blake’s inclusion(Image: (Image: Getty))

It’s scandalous for her to be honored for trying to ruin a man for doing that, Megyn claimed.

While she didn’t hold back in criticising Blake, Megyn also quipped that she was actually looking forward to snapping a selfie with Blake and even Meghan Markle “in the distance”, as they’ve given her “so many hours of content.”

Despite Blake’s recent legal issues, Megyn has previously found herself in a similar situation.

Megyn told investigators that Roger Ailes, her former Fox News boss, had sexually harassed her, according to the Daily Mail.

In the 2019 film Bombshell, the conservative commentator’s ordeal was depicted along with the experiences of other prominent female anchors and reporters at Fox News.

In the film Bombshell, Charlize Theron reprised Megyn’s role.

Elsewhere at the lavish event in New York on Thursday, Nicole Scherzinger stunned in a glamorous sequin gown. The former Pussycat Dolls singer turned heads as she flaunted her toned figure in the sequin number.

A stunning glittery skirt and train completed the off-the-shoulder look with a velvet and satin top. A chunky gold and diamond bracelet was elegantly paired with it.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

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‘Very flattering’ White Stuff embroidered midi dress that ‘doesn’t crease’ axed to £38 from £75

This embroidered midi dress from White Stuff is hailed as “ideal for summer” because of its flattering fit and endless styling potential. It’s now available for sale.

‘Flattering’ White Stuff embroidered dress that ‘doesn’t crease’ gets £37 off(Image: White Stuff)

Look no further than this for your next go-to outfit to make you feel stylish through the spring and summer months without breaking the bank. Over 1600 customers gave this embroidered midi dress a glowing 5-star rating, making it the best choice of its kind.

This midi dress, which is billed as the ideal outfit for any occasion, is now available for £38, down from £75 during White Stuff’s spring sale. Smart shoppers should make a quick purchase before this delectable discount disappears because this item is still available in all sizes, from 6 to 24.

READ MORE: Zara McDermott just introduced the Medik8 serum, which she claims to use to help pigmentation.

This exact silky halterneck dress is still in stock and Meghan Markle wore it this spring.

Rua Embroidered Dress in Dusty Green
The Rua Embroidered Dress in Dusty Green is now £38 down from £75(Image: White Stuff)

The Rua dress is wearable in both regular and petite sizes and is timeless and elegant. It can be worn to work or a meal out at the office.

This ensemble features two hidden side pockets, making it fashionable and practical, and features a twist on the well-known Rua dress design. For a flattering, figure-hugging look, this dress has a relaxed fit and gathered waist. It’s made with a blend of Tencel Modal and organic cotton, making it both soft and comfortable to wear.

The dress has a button-up front and a sharp color that make it ideal for work settings, along with a retro-esque balloon long sleeve and a sharp front. The dress has a midi length and a flowy skirt that allows for breathability in warmer weather.

One 5-star reviewer exclaims, “Super colors, great petite fit, and super colors.” These dresses are all amazing, and I have several of them. Depending on the occasion, they can be dressed up or down.

Another gushes, “A lovely, well-fitting dress that is ideal for summer.”

This buyer, who also wears “Beautiful dress,” causes even more adoration. Excellent, soft fabric that hangs well and doesn’t crease. Very attractive design

Fourth note: “Lovely casual dress that is very comfortable to wear. Excellent quality and a fantastic value during the sale.

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This customer raves, “Extremely comfortable style and lovely material a practical dress for all occasions.”

Pope Francis’s funeral to be less costly than his predecessors’

The Roman Catholic Church is preparing to lay him to rest as hundreds of thousands of mourners gather around the world to mark his passing, even though his funeral costs are likely to be significantly less than those of his predecessors.

The faithful can pay their respects by placing Francis’ body in St. Peter’s Basilica since Wednesday. Donald Trump’s funeral, which is scheduled for Saturday morning, is also expected to be attended by world leaders, including US President.

Francis requested a more modest burial than his predecessors. He made a change to the customary three-coffin burial customs of 2024, which included two made of cypress and oak and one made of lead, one inside the other. Popes can now be interred in a single coffin made of wood and lined with zinc in accordance with the new regulations. According to Francis’ wishes, the rule change also permits burial outside the Vatican.

He had requested a simple burial in the ground at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a church outside the Vatican’s walls. Francis will be the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since the 1600s and the first in more than 100 years.

Francis was renowned for adopting a modest lifestyle when he became papacy in 2013. The pope, who was born in Argentina, frequently traveled in modest vehicles and chose to reside in the Vatican guest house rather than the lavish Apostolic Palace.

He “always was more enthusiastic about visiting places where regular people lived, not the palaces, the halls of power, and so on.” That was very typical of him, according to Massimo Faggioli, a professor of theology and religious studies at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

Francis stated in his final will and testament that an unnamed benefactor would pay for his burial and would send it to Santa Maria Maggiore’s Papal Basilica.

Because in Catholicism, symbols are very significant, and this is one of those situations, Faggioli continued.

The financial woes of Vatican loom large.

The Vatican has kept a tight-lipped about Francis’s funeral’s specific costs, but it has not responded to inquiries for information.

Papal funerals have historically cost millions of dollars. The Vatican lost $20 million in 1978, or more than $101 million today, as a result of the pope’s deaths and subsequent conclave. More recently, Pope Benedict XVI’s election and Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005 cost $9 million (roughly $14.7 million in current dollars).

The Church made $ 12.4 million in revenue that year from a tourist influx to its museums. Donations, stocks, bonds, real estate, and other investments are additional sources of income.

However, the Church has experienced significant financial strain in recent years. Just three days before his hospitalization in late February, Francis frequently fought with cardinals about church finances. He was the author of numerous financial reforms, some of which caused backlash, including slashing executive pay.

According to two sources with knowledge of the situation, the Church experienced a $87 million budget deficit just last year, according to Reuters news agency. Since 2022, the Vatican has not released a full budget.

Because this church is much bigger, the Vatican needs money, and it needs money. There are fewer Catholics in wealthy nations as a result of the service it provides to many more people in poor nations. And so the imbalance originates, according to Faggioli.

Rome is a city of crowds.

Due to Holy Week, which attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, the city of Rome and the Vatican in particular, was already crowded.

Tens of thousands have already paid their respects to Francis’s passing or to attend the public viewing of his body, though it is still unknown how many will do so.

The crowds have been sizable in the past. In 1978, an estimated 100, 000 people gathered to mourn Paul VI. Pope John Paul II’s funeral service in Rome in 2005 reportedly attracted four million mourners. In contrast, Pope Benedict’s funeral was attended by an estimated 50, 000 people in St. Peter’s Square in January 2023, with more than 136, 000 people watching it on the Vatican’s YouTube livestream as the Church added the option for recent papal funerals for those who won’t be in Rome.

Glasgow’s Williamson fronts up as Bulls promise charge

SNS

URC: Glasgow Bulls vs. Warriors

Glasgow’s Scotsoun Stadium Date: Friday, April 25; Time: 19:35 BST

You wouldn’t be able to disagree when big Max Williamson refers to Friday night’s encounter between the Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls as a “massive battle” even though he wasn’t the size of a large tower block.

It doesn’t get much bigger until Williamson, who is recovering from four months of injury-related illness in Glasgow’s second row, wins. It’s a repeat of last year’s final and a clash of second and third places in the table this year.

Both the rhetoric and the stakes are high. When the fixtures were released, Bulls head coach Jake White claimed this week that everyone on his team’s wall had the game’s date printed on it.

It made reference to the anxiety Glasgow had over them in Pretoria last summer, when the Bulls took a 13-0 lead in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final only for the underdogs to retaliate and defeat them.

From the beginning of the pre-season, White of Friday night says, “I can promise you, 25 April was always going to be the game we were going to work hard for.”

They have thrown some gasoline on the fire themselves, to be fair to Glasgow. Prior to the start of the week, Franco Smith’s operation’s key coach, Nigel Carolan, compared Scotstoun to a slaughterhouse, spoke about the arrival of the Bulls.

That will provide the South Africans with more grist for their money than the last three URC finals. To be honest, Eddie Hearn couldn’t have done a better job of promoting this game at his most outrageously bad.

Williamson weighed in on Friday’s significance in a speech on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast. The margins are tight with only three league games remaining and only four points between Glasgow in second and the Bulls in third.

We are aware that this will be a battle.

The Warriors are in a difficult position right now. Up to eight players from their magnificent side, which won the title last year, will miss this game for various reasons, most notably injury.

Williamson has been back on the field for a while, even from the bench, so Smith needed that. Williamson specifically desired this, too. He had a fantastic autumn of playing for Scotland against South Africa at Murrayfield, but he injured himself. Without him, the Six Nations came and went.

He claims that while it was obviously difficult, it also gave me a good opportunity to hurt myself in January.

I’ve played a lot of rugby in the past year, so it was a good opportunity to develop a little. That’s how I attempted to spin it, to be honest. Being injured gives me the benefit of feeling completely unaffected.

Then, what about these enraged Bulls? Williamson says, “Yeah, huge.” It’s enormous, you know, looking at the table. We are aware that they will be arriving in light of what transpired last year. This is the game for them, they’ve said it before. We’re also prepared for that.

We are aware that Friday night will be a battle. That is what it will be. They are well aware that they are visiting for a physical contest. We want to play rugby with them in a physical conflict.

“It will undoubtedly be a feisty game,” he declared. We won’t stand back and let them do it because they always bring their physicality.

More clean breaks, more turnovers won, and more bonus points are all statistically higher for and against, as well as more tries for and fewer tries against.

You can’t put a price on aggression and rage for victory, but all the statistics indicate that they are the favorites to win. No information exists that can demonstrate the kind of unadulterated desire that White has described.

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Korda struggles at Chevron as Hall in contention

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The first-round leaderboard for the Chevron Championship

-7 Y Lui (Chn), H Ryu (Kor), -5 H Kim (Kor), -4 B Matthews, M de Roey (Bel), A Jutanugarn (Tha), H Choi (Kor), C Ciganda (Spa), L Li (US)

Selected: -3 G Hall (Eng), E G Dryburgh (Sco), + 3 C Hull (Eng), L Woad (Eng), + 4 L Maguire (Ire), + 5 N Korda (US)

After the opening round of the first women’s golf major of the year, world number one Nelly Korda shot a 77 at the Chevron Championship, Georgia Hall in England is four shots off the lead.

After a disappointing opening round, Hall finished with a three-under-par 69 in Texas, while defending champion Korda is one shot further back than leaders Haeran Ryu and Yan Liu.

Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea and Liu from China each shot a seven under par round to take the lead by two.

A late storm prevented play and 24 players from finishing.

Korda won the contest last year at The Club at Carlton Woods, earning her a fifth straight LPGA Tour victory.

The 26-year-old American was four over par after six holes, but she made bogeys on four consecutive holes instead of returning to that form on Thursday.

Hall finished the round strong with three more birdies in her final eight holes, finishing with a high after a third bogey of the day on the first, her 10th.

Gemma Dryburgh of Scotland shot a double-bogey seven at the par-five eighth, which was her penultimest hole, to post a level-par 72.

England’s top-ranked player, Charley Hull, had four holes to play, but a triple-bogey seven at her final hole enabled her to post a 75.

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  • Golf