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Review: Fun ‘Gran Turismo’ is adrift in cliches and branding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated PressIn 2006, a Nissan marketing executive had a truly insane idea to create a competition and an “academy” to turn gamers into race car drivers. Darren Cox saw an untapped market of potential car-buyers in Gran Turismo enthusiasts – the popular PlayStation racing simulator that first came on the market in 1997. And in the third year of the “GT Academy,” an actual star emerged in a 19-year-old British kid named Jann Mardenborough, who would go on to become a professional driver, just like he dreamed.It’s a fine and lucrative idea for a movie — an inspirational underdog story in which brands like Nissan and PlayStation, a Sony company which also owns the studio behind the movie, can take partial credit for and help underwrite. And it couldn’t come at a better time, when F1 is exploding in popularity in the United States thanks in part to the Netflix series “Drive to Survive.” But “Gran Turismo” h...

PSG forward Neymar trains alone because of viral infection as talks over his future continue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

Neymar trained alone away from his Paris Saint-Germain teammates on Friday because of a viral infection, the club said ahead of coach Luis Enrique ‘s news conference where the Brazil’s star’s future was expected to be one of the main topics.PSG did not give further details on Neymar’s infection, saying only that he was training indoors as he recovered.Neymar is headed for an exit from PSG. A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday that talks are moving toward Neymar leaving the club this month. The 31-year-old Brazil international was widely reported to have told PSG this week he wants to leave. He has been linked with a return to Barcelona, which sold him to PSG for a world-record fee of 222 million euros ($244 million) in 2017.PSG begins its French league title defense at home against Lorient on Saturday, with the Qatar-owned club also dealing with uncertainty over Kylian Mbappé’s future. The France superstar, who trained ap...

Sweden stakes claim as a Women’s World Cup favorite by stopping Japan 2-1 in quarterfinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Sweden first knocked off the United States and then bounced Japan to snag a spot in the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup. The Swedes, the World Cup runners-up in 2003 and three-time third-place finishers, eliminated previously unbeaten Japan 2-1 in Friday’s quarterfinal. With Japan out of the tournament, this year’s World Cup will crown a first-time winner. The sold-out crowd at Eden Park, where Sweden will play in the semifinals on Tuesday against Spain, danced to songs by Swedish rock band Abba as it was played throughout the stadium after the win. Amanda Ilestedt scored a first-half goal and Filippa Angeldal converted a second-half penalty to give Sweden the mild upset and send the Swedes to the semifinals for the fifth time.“Obviously we were very happy with the win against the U.S., but we knew we had to recharge and think about Japan,” midfielder Kosovare Asllani said. “We knew we were going to play a very skilled and technical...

Ancelotti backs Lunin as Madrid’s starting goalie even if newcomer arrives after Courtois’ injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid may consider signing a new goalkeeper after the serious injury suffered by Thibaut Courtois, but coach Carlo Ancelotti says his starter heading into the new season will be the little used Andriy Lunin.The 24-year-old Lunin is entering his fourth season for Madrid and was again expected to be rarely used as a replacement for Courtois in case of injury. Now, the Ukrainian goalie is positioned to be a key player for the 14-time European Cup winner.“We have to wish Courtois a quick recovery and place all our confidence in Lunin,” Ancelotti said on Friday, a day before Madrid kicks off its season with a Spanish league game at Athletic Bilbao.Madrid has until the summer transfer window closes at the end of the month to possibly bring in a new goalkeeper, but Ancelotti said any newcomer would arrive as a backup to Lunin. As of now, Ancelotti said that Lunin’s backup is 17-year-old Fran González, a youth team player.Courtois tore a ligament in his left kn...

Colorado students rank 6th worst for missing school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — An alarming number of Colorado students are skipping school, according to a new report from The Associated Press.The report ranks Colorado as the sixth worst state for chronic absenteeism, tied with Nevada. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing an average of 18 school days annually.Alaska takes the top spot with 49% of students missing 18 days or more. The data shows 36% of Colorado students missed about 10% of the 2021-2022 school year. Before the pandemic, it was 23%. How to get your kids into the back-to-school routine Colorado's growing trend appears to be part of a nationwide post-pandemic problem.  Nationally, the average number of chronically absent students is at 25%, which is up 15% from before the pandemic.FOX31 looked into data from the Colorado Department of Education on chronic absenteeism in Adams 12, Adams 14, Aurora Public Schools, the Cherry Creek School District, Denver Public Schools, Douglas County Public Schools and Jefferson Coun...

Aug. 11-13: Things to do in Denver this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — This weekend around Denver brings a little bit of everything from costumed monsters to bubbles to the Broncos. Friday's starting off the weekend with 90-degree weather, which will continue through Saturday and Sunday with a few scattered thunderstorms and showers. All weekend:Front Range Gardens Summer Craft and Artisan FaireFor plant gurus, Front Range Gardens hosts local vendors and plant society booths all weekend. There will be plant experts as well as jewelry stands, baked goods, sauces and Palisade peach stands. Smash Fine Arts FestivalFilmore Plaza brings together national artists for the festival on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Along with the pop-up art, there will also be live violin, piano and guitar music. Colorado brewpub named best in country World singles and doubles open racquetball championshipsPros and amateurs compete in Highlands Ranch, Centennial and Littleton for the racquetball championships. Amateur prize money amounts to $5,00...

Did you know Colorado is home to the highest Ferris wheel in the world?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The North Pole of Colorado lies in Cascade, which is an amusement park at the foot of Pikes Peak. Santa's workshop gives more than smiles, it also comes with bizarre rides and a Ferris wheel next to a sign that reads "This is the highest Ferris wheel in the world."It's true, but it's not what you're thinking. 5 fall trips to start planning for peak leaf season It is the highest in altitude. The park itself is at 7,500 feet in elevation, according to the North Pole's website, making it the highest Ferris wheel in the world. The world's tallest Ferris wheel is in Dubai and tallies at over 800 feet tall, according to Ain Dubai's website. That's about the size of a 60-65 story building. Still, the Ferris wheel at the North Pole is technically higher because of the altitude. While it's far shorter than the tallest Ferris wheels in the world, the views from the ride are still spectacular. From the top of the Ferris wheel, you can see the park is surrounded by mountains ...

X to auction off old Twitter items, from desk chairs to painting of Ellen DeGeneres’ Oscar Selfie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

New York (CNN) — Twitter has officially rebranded as X — so owner Elon Musk is holding a giant garage sale to purge the company’s HQ of remnants of the past.Items up for auction range from a standard desk chair to a large bird cage welded with a Twitter logo bird and everything in between.Since buying Twitter less than a year ago, Musk has worked to remake the social media site. He’s laid off most of the company’s employees, instituted a paywall and eliminated most account authentication, among other changes.Interested buyers can browse through numerous “#” and “@”statues, paintings of Ellen DeGeneres’ viral 2014 Oscar selfie and Barack Obama celebrating his reelection, a reconstructed barn from Montana and numerous musical instruments.On top of the more outlandish items, Twitter is looking to get rid of office equipment including desks, chairs and refrigerators.The auction, run by Heritage Global Partners (HGP), opens September 12 and runs for two days in San Francisco. Viewing is ...

Dwayne Wade set to be inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WSVN) — A former Miami Heat player is set to receive a legendary honor on Saturday after his 16-year career playing for the National Basketball Association (NBA). Dwayne Wade will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday night in Springfield, Massachusetts after he was unanimously voted in. “It’s going to take a long time for me to process that,” said Wade in a video call interview. “There’s not enough time. It’s the rest of my life.” The basketball legend’s accomplishments include being a three-time NBA Champion, 2006 Finals MVP, a 13-time All-Star, and the NBA’s points, games played, assists and steals. All of Wade’s accomplishments paired with his 14-year span with the Miami Heat make him the most successful player in NBA history. Patrick Riley, President of the Miami Heat, said he knows he made the right decision when he let Wade play for his team. “Wade is ...

Heat and Some Storms Continue into the Weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:57 GMT

As to no surprise, another hot weather day is ahead this Friday to round out the work week. Then some changes arrive this weekend as a tropical wave passes through South Florida with more moisture.Heat Advisories are posted for all of South Florida Friday for feels-like temperatures up to 110-112F from the late-morning through the evening hours.Fewer storms are the expectation with lots of sunshine in the morning, then just a few showers in the afternoon across some inland areas. Highs will remain hot, generally into the mid 90s which is a few degrees above average.By the weekend, temperatures should drop by a degree or two as more clouds move in while rain chances rise. It won’t be a washout but showers and storms will be more numerous around the region due to the tropical wave.Expect sunshine and times of showers and storms on Saturday, especially during the afternoon and across inland locations.Then on Sunday, as the Keys and east coast metro shift to the backside of the tr...