By PHILIP MARCELO, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) Portland Trail Blazers coach and basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and at least one other former NBA player. The five-time All Star, who won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, was arraigned in a federal court in New York City on money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges, both of which carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. Some of Billups’ co-defendants are also charged with running an illegal gambling business and engaging in an extortion conspiracy. Chris Heywood, his attorney, has said Billups is a “man of integrity” and denies the charges. “To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game,” Heywood said after Billups appeared in federal court in Portland, Oregon, when prosecutors first announced the indictment on Oct. 23. Billups wore a dark gray suit during the brief arraignment and spoke only to answer the judge’s yes or no questions. He has been free on bond since his initial court appearance in Oregon. Billups was arguably the most prominent name among more than 30 charged in last month’s sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports. The other defendants were also expected to appear in the Brooklyn court for Monday’s proceedings, in which the judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers will likely discuss next steps in the case. Prosecutors say the 49-year-old Denver native, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame last year, was involved in a scheme to rig Mafia-backed illegal poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons. Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also nabbed in that alleged scheme, which prosecutors say utilized a range of sophisticated technology that allowed the gambling to be rigged, such as altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras in poker chip trays, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards. Jones was also charged along with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in a separate scheme at the same time that allowed gamblers to exploit insider information about players to win bets on NBA games. Prosecutors say the poker scheme Billups was involved in defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million starting in at least 2019. They say he served as a celebrity “face card” that could draw wealthy, unsuspecting players to the games. Prosecutors said during one game, the scheme’s organizers exchanged messages saying one of the victims “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “star struck.” Prosecutors say Billups, who earned about $106 million from his playing days, received a portion of the ill-gotten gains. After one rigged game in October 2020, for example, they say he was directly wired $50,000. The scheme organizers also had to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno mob families for operating within the illegal poker games run by the New York criminal enterprises, prosecutors said. Mafia members, in turn, helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, they said. Billups was selected as the third overall pick in the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics after starring in college for the Colorado Buffaloes. He played 17 years in the NBA, with stints with the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers. But he is perhaps most beloved in the Motor City, where he earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” for his knack of making clutch shots. Billups was named the NBA Finals MVP during the Pistons’ title run in 2004 and had his No. 1 jersey retired by the team. After retiring in 2014, Billups embarked on a career as a TV analyst before pivoting to coaching. He was hired as Portland’s coach in 2021 and signed a multiyear extension with the Trail Blazers earlier this year after the team missed out on the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2024. Billups previously served as an assistant coach on the Los Angeles Clippers.
https://www.redbluffdailynews.com/2025/11/24/chauncey-billups-pleads-poker-games/
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Pi Coin Price Pattern Points to a Rally as Top Whale Hits 381M Milestone
Pi Coin price has done well during the ongoing crypto crash as it outperformed popular coins like Solana, Cardano, and Binance Coin (BNB). Pi Network remained in a tight range as these coins plunged. This consolidation could usher in a rebound as its biggest whale hits a crucial milestone. Pi Coin Price Double Bottom Pattern Has Formed The daily chart shows that the Pi Coin price has remained in a tight range since October this year. A closer look shows that the token has formed a double-bottom pattern at $0. 2025. It has remained below this level since its October 10 crash when liquidations in the industry soared. A double-bottom is a highly bullish pattern made up of two downswings and a neckline. In this case, the neckline is at $0. 2921, its highest level in October this year. Pi Network price has other bullish catalysts. For example, the three lines of the Bollinger Bands have narrowed, which could spark a short squeeze in the near term. Most importantly, the coin is in the accumulation stage of the Dow Theory, which is marked by continued consolidation. The next stage is known as the markup phase, which is characterized by high demand and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Therefore, the most likely Pi Network price forecast is bullish, with the initial target being the double-bottom’s neckline at $0. 2920. A move above that level will point to more gains, potentially to the psychological level at $0. 50. A move to that level will be a 110% surge from the current level. However, a plunge below the double-bottom point at $0. 2025 will invalidate the bullish outlook. Pi Network Whale Hits a Crucial Milestone The potential Pi Coin price forecast is backed by the ongoing whale buying despite the ongoing crypto market crash. Data shows that the top whale bought over 2. 7 million tokens worth over $637,470. This purchase happened after he bought 375, 214 coins on Sunday. The ongoing purchasing has brought his Pi holdings to over 381 million, with a current value of $91 million. A move to $0. 50 as we predicted would bring his total holdings to worth over $190 million. The whale purchases has coincided with some important Pi Network news. For example, Pi Network has applied for MICA approval, a move that would make it available to millions of users in the region. The other bullish news was its investment in OpenMind, a fast-growing player in the AI and robotics industry. Pi Network has also launched multiple upgrades to the App Studio and the node. It is also launching a new DEX platform that will boost its network activity.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/crypto/pi-coin-price-pattern-points-to-a-rally-as-top-whale-hits-381m-milestone/
Fans Go Wild Over Theory That Timothée Chalamet And Rapper Esdeekid Are The Same Person
Timothée Chalamet under a balaclava? That once fantastical notion is now trending across TikTok and X as a newly viral theory claims the A-list actor might secretly be the mysterious UK rapper EsDeeKid. In recent days, fan communities have spun an elaborate case connecting Chalamet, known for roles in Dune, Wonka, and A Complete Unknown, with an anonymous artist from Liverpool whose identity has never been revealed. The theory, though built on speculation, has gained serious traction online. Mounting Speculation Over Identity The spark for this frenzy appears to have been a TikTok video by cultural critic KJ Freeman, who laid out what she described as ‘surprisingly convincing evidence’ that Chalamet could be EsDeeKid. Freeman’s arguments centre on three main points, Chalamet’s unexpected appearance at a Fakemink concert in London (Fakemink often collaborates with EsDeeKid), his proven accent acting abilities, and their matching fashion choices. She argues that anonymity would allow Chalamet to pursue an underground rap career without jeopardising his Hollywood image, a path that might be his only way to explore his youthful rap ambitions. Fans have pointed out a number of uncanny parallels. First, the double ‘ee’ in both Timothée and EsDeeKid has not gone unnoticed. Second, side-by-side images of EsDeeKid’s eyes and Chalamet’s have fuelled debates about their resemblance. Then there is the Alexander McQueen skull scarf. Paparazzi have photographed both men wearing what appears to be the same patterned bandana, leading some to argue it is more than a coincidence. Adding to that, Chalamet has demonstrated his ability to adopt a Scouse accent in his acting, notably in The King, which conspiracy theorists say makes a Liverpool rapper persona plausible. A Rap Past and Cryptic Response Importantly, Chalamet’s relationship with rap is not fabricated. In high school, he performed under the name ‘Timmy Tim’. He also embraced a rap persona on Saturday Night Live as ‘okecheddathaassgetta’. Most provocatively, under an Instagram post about the theory, Chalamet reportedly dropped a ‘👀’ emoji, rather than issuing a denial. That brief but cryptic gesture has only added intensity to the speculation. EsDeeKid: The Masked Rapper No One Knows So who is EsDeeKid? Very little is confirmed. What is known: he emerged in 2024, hails from Liverpool, and performs with a thick Scouse accent, always wearing a balaclava that conceals his face. His breakout came in 2025 with the release of his debut mixtape, Rebel, featuring tracks such as ‘Phantom’, ‘4 Raws’, and the TikTok sensation ‘LV Sandals’. According to player and fan commentary, his shows have the energy of a metal gig with mosh pits and a loyal, almost cult-like following. Unlike many rappers, EsDeeKid maintains a covert online presence. His earliest known profiles date only to mid-2024 (on Tumblr, Bandlab, Letterboxd), and beyond that, he avoids revealing personal information. Whether or not Timothée Chalamet is secretly EsDeeKid, the theory has already made an impact. Public interest is surging, and streaming numbers for EsDeeKid’s music have reportedly spiked. Meanwhile, Chalamet continues promoting projects like Marty Supreme while staying silent on the speculation, apart from that telling emoji. For now, the mystery remains exactly that a viral internet conspiracy fuelled by fashion, fandom, and a very well-constructed narrative. Until either side confirms or denies it, fans will continue decoding every scarf, concert appearance, and eyeshot, searching for the truth beneath the mask.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/fans-go-wild-over-theory-that-timothee-chalamet-rapper-esdeekid-are-same-person-1757577
“Nature of Scotland Awards 2025: Affric Highlands Reaps Success in Rewilding Efforts”
Affric Highlands, a collaborative effort to restore nature in the central Highlands of Scotland, has been awarded the Nature and Climate Action Award at the prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards 2025, organized by RSPB Scotland. The ceremony, held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on November 20th, brought together 53 award finalists from all over Scotland to celebrate their contributions to supporting Scotland’s wildlife and natural environment. The event was hosted by BBC Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams and BBC Scotland Landward presenter Arlene Stuart. The Nature of Scotland Awards recognize individuals and organizations making a difference in local communities, schools, and businesses to support wildlife and the environment. Affric Highlands, which brings together landowners, local communities, businesses, and partner organizations, aims to restore nature across more than 200, 000 hectares of the central Highlands. “We are deeply honored to receive this award,” said Stephanie Kiel, executive director of Rewilding Affric Highlands. “It recognizes the extraordinary commitment of our partners, landowners, and local communities who have embraced this vision for a healthier, more connected landscape.” The initiative, coordinated by charity Rewilding Affric Highlands, covers a vast area stretching from Loch Ness to Kintail, including Glens Affric, Cannich, Moriston, Shiel and Urquhart. Through peatland restoration, native woodland expansion, nature-friendly land management, and reconnection of ecological corridors, Affric Highlands is boosting biodiversity, tackling climate change, and creating long-term benefits for people who live and work in the area. According to Rewilding Affric Highlands, the collaborative approach is helping to secure the future of one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, while demonstrating the power of collaboration in achieving large-scale restoration for the benefit of wildlife, climate, and rural livelihoods. In a recent development, both the world-famous Glen Affric National Nature Reserve managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and the Barrisdale Estate have joined Affric Highlands, bringing the landscape’s growing partnership to 21 landowners, covering a combined total of more than 81, 000 hectares. Each landholding has signed a memorandum of understanding and is making its own decisions on nature restoration activities, with support and guidance from the Rewilding Affric Highlands team. The initiative is encouraging more landowners to join, as the Affric Highlands landscape aims to cover over 700 square miles and is mostly owned by 56 large estates. The Nature of Scotland Awards, delivered by RSPB Scotland and headline sponsor NatureScot, have been running for over a decade and aim to recognize and celebrate the passion and hard work of individuals and organizations working towards conservation and climate action. According to Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, the awards showcase the incredible conservation work happening in every corner of the country and thank the winners for their contributions. Professor Colin Galbraith, chair of awards headline sponsor NatureScot, also praised the award winners for their creativity, commitment, and achievements in helping nature and everyone across Scotland. Affric Highlands is a member of Rewilding Europe’s family of major European-wide flagship rewilding landscapes, which include Sweden’s Nordic Taiga and Italy’s Central Apennines. In April 2025, Rewilding Affric Highlands launched as an independent charity, having previously operated as a joint venture led by Trees for Life since 2021, with support from Rewilding Europe. This followed the initiative’s first three years as Trees for Life’s East-West Wild project, which involved extensive preparation and local consultation. For more details on Affric Highlands, please visit affrichighlands. org.
https://www.businessmole.com/nature-of-scotland-awards-2025-affric-highlands-reaps-success-in-rewilding-efforts/
Another rally for Alphabet leads the US stock market higher
NEW YORK (AP) The U. S. stock market is rising again on Monday, for now at least, ahead of a week with shortened trading because of the Thanksgiving holiday. The S&P 500 climbed 0. 9% and added to its jump from Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 72 points, or 0. 2%, as of 10 a. m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1. 7% higher. Stocks got a lift from rising hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in December, a move that could boost the economy and investment prices. The market also benefited from strength for stocks caught up in the artificial-intelligence frenzy. Alphabet, which has been getting praise for its newest Gemini AI model, rose 5. 6% and was one of the strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. Nvidia slipped 0. 3% after bobbing up and down. An early gain for the U. S. stock market guarantees nothing, though, as the last few weeks have so painfully shown. Stocks have been swinging sharply, not just day to day but also hour to hour, as worries weigh about what the Fed will do with interest rates and whether too much money is pouring into AI and creating a bubble. Even within Monday’s first 15 minutes of trading, the S&P 500 rallied to a gain of 1% and then halved it. All the uncertainty is creating the biggest test for investors since an April sell-off, when President Donald Trump shocked the world with his “Liberation Day” tariffs. Still, despite all the recent fear, the S&P 500 remains within 3. 3% of its record set last month. Several more tests lie ahead this week for the market, though none loom as large as last week’s profit report from Nvidia or the delayed jobs report from the U. S. government for September. One of the biggest will arrive Tuesday, when the U. S. government will deliver data showing how bad inflation was at the wholesale level in September. Economists expect it to show a 2. 6% rise from a year earlier, the same inflation rate as August. A higher-than-expected reading could deter the Fed from cutting its main interest rate in December for a third time this year, because lower rates can worsen inflation. Some Fed officials have already been arguing against a December cut in part because inflation has stubbornly remained above their 2% target. Traders are nevertheless betting on a nearly 79% probability that the Fed will cut rates next month, up from 71% on Friday and from less than a coin flip’s chance a week ago, according to data from CME Group. U. S. markets will be closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday. A day later, it’s on to the rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. On Wall Street, U. S.-listed shares of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk fell 8. 3% Monday after it reported that its Alzheimer’s drug failed to slow progression of the disease in a trial. Bitcoin, meanwhile, continued it sharp swings. It was sitting near $86,000 after bouncing between $82,000 and $94,000 over the last week. It was near $125,000 last month. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed across Europe and Asia. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 2% for one of the world’s biggest moves. It got a boost from a 4. 7% leap for Alibaba, which has reported strong demand for its updated Qwen AI app. Alibaba is due to report earnings on Tuesday. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4. 04% from 4. 06% late Friday. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/11/24/stock-market-fed-cut-hopes/
Fed Rate Cut Odds Soar to 72%: How Gold Prices Are Responding
TLDR Gold traded near $4,065 per ounce Monday as Federal Reserve rate cut bets surged following dovish comments from policymakers Market expectations for December rate cut jumped from 40% to 72% after NY Fed’s Williams cited labor market risks Strong U. S. dollar near six-month highs pressured gold prices despite increased rate cut probability Delayed economic data including retail sales, GDP, and inflation reports set for release this week Platinum and silver posted gains while gold held above $4,000 per ounce support level Gold prices stabilized around $4,065 per ounce on Monday as investors weighed competing forces in the market. The precious metal faced pressure from a strengthening U. S. dollar while gaining support from increased expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. New York Federal Reserve President John Williams made comments Friday that shifted market sentiment. He stated that interest rates could decline without jeopardizing the central bank’s inflation objectives. Williams emphasized concerns about potential weakness in the labor market. His remarks caused a dramatic shift in trader expectations. The odds of a 25 basis point interest rate reduction at the Fed’s December 9-10 meeting climbed to 72%. This represented a substantial increase from the 40% probability seen just days earlier. Gold performs well when interest rates fall because the metal provides no income or yield. Lower rates reduce the appeal of interest-bearing assets like bonds and savings accounts. This makes non-yielding assets like gold more attractive to investors. Dollar Strength Creates Headwinds The U. S. dollar index approached six-month peak levels reached during Friday’s trading session. A robust dollar creates challenges for gold because the metal is priced in greenbacks. When the dollar strengthens, gold becomes more costly for international buyers using foreign currencies. Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, noted that investors were evaluating the likelihood of another Fed rate reduction. He said some Fed officials have taken a more cautious stance compared to Williams’ dovish tone. Major Economic Releases Ahead Financial markets are bracing for a series of critical U. S. economic reports this week. The data releases were delayed due to an extended government shutdown earlier this year. Monday’s schedule includes industrial production and capacity utilization figures. Producer price index and retail sales numbers arrive on Tuesday. Wednesday brings the heaviest data load with building permits, durable goods orders, jobless claims, and third-quarter GDP results. The Personal Consumption Expenditures price index will also be published Wednesday. This measure serves as the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge for tracking inflation trends. These September reports will offer the most recent comprehensive view of economic conditions. October data remains unavailable, leaving Fed policymakers with incomplete information as they approach their final 2025 meeting. The central bank has shown internal disagreement about whether additional rate cuts are necessary. Geopolitical and Market Factors Diplomatic efforts between the U. S. and Ukraine regarding a potential Russia ceasefire plan continued Monday. Officials were working on modifications to an earlier proposal. Progress on diplomatic fronts typically reduces demand for safe-haven assets like gold. Standard Chartered analysts noted that gold faced headwinds from concerns about Chinese demand and easing trade tensions. However, central banks worldwide maintained their positions as net gold buyers. Silver prices edged up 0. 2% to $50. 11 per ounce. Platinum climbed 2. 4% to reach $1,546. 92 per ounce. Palladium gained 0. 6% to $1,383. 50 per ounce. Gold futures for December delivery traded at $4,062. 40 per ounce. The post Fed Rate Cut Odds Soar to 72%: How Gold Prices Are Responding appeared first on Blockonomi.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/fed-rate-cut-odds-soar-to-72-how-gold-prices-are-responding/
Alibaba: Cloud AI Is On Rocket Fuel, But I Downgrade Ahead Of Q2 Earnings
Alibaba: Cloud AI Is On Rocket Fuel, But I Downgrade Ahead Of Q2 Earnings Deep Value Investing 9. 61K Follower s Comments Summary I downgrade Alibaba Group Holding Limited from Strong Buy to a more cautious stance, as I believe an EPS miss in Q2 is likely due to the heavy investments in e-commerce. China e-commerce profitability is under pressure, with Q1 FY26 adjusted EBITDA down 14% overall and 21% for the segment, while loss-making quick commerce coincides with two straight EPS misses. My thesis leans on Cloud Intelligence growth, with Q1 reaccelerating to 26% YOY, AI products posting eight triple-digit quarters and contributing over 20% of external cloud revenue. I see a mixed valuation: BABA trades at 23x next year’s earnings, cheaper than U. S. hyperscalers but more expensive than Tencent and Baidu, leaving shares priced for perfection. Looking ahead, I remain cautiously optimistic on sustained cloud acceleration, e-commerce EBITDA improvement, and quick commerce’s RMB 1T GMV target within three years. In my last coverage on Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA), I rated the stock as a Strong Buy on the expectation of growth in the cloud segment. At the time, I wrote that “I reiterate my This article was written by 9. 61K Follower s Small deep value individual investor, with a modest private investment portfolio, split approx. 50%-50% between shares and call options. I have a B. Sc. in aeronautical engineering and over 6 years of experience as an engineering consultant in the aerospace sector. The latter statement is not relevant in any way whatsoever to my investment style, but I thought to add it for self-indulgent purposes. I have a contrarian investment style, highly risky, and often dealing with illiquid options. How illiquid? Well, you can land a Jumbo on the spread and still have clearance for take-off. From time to time, I buy shares, mostly to not be categorized as a degen by my fellow investor friends, therefore the 50%-50% allocation. My timeframe tends to be between 3-24 months. I like stocks that have experienced a recent sell-off due to non-recurrent events, particularly when insiders are buying shares at the new lower price. This is how I often screen through thousands of stocks, mainly in the US, although I may own shares in banana republics. I use fundamental analysis to check the health of companies that pass through my screening process, their leverage, and then compare their financial ratios with the sector, and industry median and average. I also do professional background checks of each insider who purchased shares after the recent sell-off. I use technical analysis to optimize the entry and exit points of my positions. I mainly use multicolor lines for support and resistance levels on weekly charts. From time to time I draw trend lines, taken for granted, in multicolor patterns. Note: I tried to keep my introduction as real, and authentic as possible. I dislike empty suits, high-level BS, deep-level BS, unnecessary jargon, and self-indulgent, third-person written introductions with an air of superiority. Thanks for reading my introduction! Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of SOXL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body. Comments Recommended For You.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4847100-alibaba-cloud-ai-is-on-rocket-fuel-but-i-downgrade-ahead-of-q2-earnings?source=feed_all_articles
Will Levis’ ex-GF Gia Duddy turns heads in sequin halter backless bodysuit at Las Vegas Grand Prix
Will Levis’ ex-girlfriend, Gia Duddy, garnered attention with her stylish look on Saturday. She was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and shared a glimpse of the outing on Instagram.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-will-levis-ex-gf-gia-duddy-turns-heads-sequin-halter-backless-bodysuit-las-vegas-grand-prix
Meghan Markle ‘Slammed’ Kensington Life, ‘Incredibly Envious’ Of Kate Middleton’s Palace Home: Report
The dream of marrying a prince, stepping into a world of dazzling gowns, historic palaces, and global fame, carries an immutable romantic allure. Yet, for Meghan Markle, this fairy tale quickly curdled into a reality allegedly defined by profound dissatisfaction, confinement, and a sense of being deliberately sidelined. The alleged reality of her tumultuous introduction to life within the British monarchy was starkly different from the expectation. Following their spectacular 2018 wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were housed in Nottingham Cottage, a decision that, according to royal biographer Tom Quinn, became the painful starting point for what has since become known as her ‘royal exit’. Meghan Markle’s Palace Meltdown: Envy and the ‘Prison’ of Nottingham Cottage The couple’s first royal residence, Nottingham Cottage, was nestled within the sprawling Kensington Palace grounds. To the outside world, the address sounded impossibly glamorous, but to Meghan Markle, the two-bedroom residence quickly became a source of major discontent. The property was often described by palace insiders as a ‘cosy’ and ‘humble’ space, yet the Duchess allegedly found the cottage deeply underwhelming. Her frustration with the physical property escalated into a profound feeling of restriction. At one point, she was allegedly so critical of the ‘small’ cottage that she described her existence at Kensington Palace as a ‘kind of prison.’ Although the location offers desirable privacy and proximity to Kensington High Street, biographer Tom Quinn notes that once the ‘initial glamour’ of royal life ‘wore off,’ Meghan Markle was reportedly ‘horrified’ by the rigid daily routine of being constantly driven to official engagements from the palace. This discontent extended to perceptions of their standing within the royal hierarchy. Quinn claims that life at Nottingham Cottage ‘was the beginning of all Meghan’s troubles,’ elaborating that: ‘She felt it was so small that it must be a reflection on how the royal family were belittling her husband.’ Royal author Ingrid Seward added weight to these claims, stating that Meghan Markle was ‘incredibly envious’ of her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, who occupies the sprawling Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace. This sentiment was amplified by the contrast with the future Queen’s much larger residence, which Prince Harry himself reportedly used to call ‘my hovel’. The Frogmore Fiasco: Why Windsor Felt Like the ‘Russian Steppe’ to Meghan Markle Less than a year after their wedding, the discontent reached a peak, and the “final straw” came with the decision to relocate to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. The five-bedroom property was a generous wedding present from the late Queen Elizabeth II. The home underwent extensive renovations, costing a substantial $3. 1 million in public funds. Details included a $65,000 soundproofing system, underfloor heating, and a copper bath, with one builder noting that the property was being redesigned to resemble a ‘Californian condo’. However, the move proved disappointing. While overseeing the project, Meghan Markle allegedly complained, ‘I don’t want to retire to rural obscurity,’ solidifying the relocation as the ‘final straw’. An insider added that the Duchess soon realised the home’s secluded setting made Kensington Palace seem vibrant by comparison. This feeling of isolation led to a dramatic assessment: ‘Meghan realised that living there would be like living in the Russian steppe. Its remoteness made Kensington seem like the centre of the universe.’ Despite their hopes that Windsor would provide a peaceful retreat, Quinn writes that ‘their flight to Windsor did not mean an escape from the world’s enquiring eye; instead, it revealed to that world a lack of foresight.’ With Meghan Markle pregnant, and a substantial commitment of public funds already made, the couple had little choice but to remain, even as their growing discontent fuelled their eventual, permanent departure from the UK.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/meghan-markle-slammed-kensington-life-incredibly-envious-kate-middletons-palace-home-report-1757598
Chip Kelly Sends Classy Message After Abrupt Firing by Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll announced the firing of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly following the team’s 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. “I spoke with Chip Kelly earlier this evening and informed him of his release as offensive coordinator of the Raiders. I would like to thank Chip for his service and wish him all the best in the future,” Carroll said in a statement. The move comes after the Raiders delivered one of the worst offenses in the league. Las Vegas is tied for last in the NFL in points per game (15. 0), 30th in total yards per game (268. 9), 31st in rushing per game (79. 5 yards). The Raiders have also scored fewer than 10 points in four games — the most in the NFL and quarterback Geno Smith suffered a massive regression from the 2024 season as he sits 32nd in QBR. More Football: National Champion Coach Could Join Lane Kiffin at LSU More NFL: Al Michaels Under Fire for ‘Rough’ Bills-Texans Game Not long after he was ousted by the team, Kelly delivered a classy message for the Raiders. “I am grateful for the opportunity with the Raiders, bottom line in this league you have to win. I really loved those players, I’m a huge, HUGE Geno Smith fan, that was one of the best parts of this experience for me, working with Geno and those guys every day. But hey, we gotta win. Kelly was reportedly being paid $6 million per season. Carroll did not name Kelly’s interim replacement for the rest of the season.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/chip-kelly-sends-classy-message-after-abrupt-firing-by-raiders-11098613