Latest news with #FastandtheFurious
Atlantic
6 days ago
- Politics
- Atlantic
My Super-Special 79th Was Not Super Special
Dear Diary, I did NOT have the birthday of my dreams last weekend! Everyone knows that 79 is the tank birthday. One is paper, 77 is emoluments, 78 you get to destroy one constitutional amendment of your choosing, 80 you get to become the state, but 79 is tanks, and I was so looking forward to my tank birthday. I thought it was pretty clear what I wanted. But obviously, it wasn't!!! This was like the kind of tank parade your mom makes you lovingly from scratch, and I wanted the kind of tank parade that is made in China or North Korea. I don't want a special American tank parade where our soldiers are waving and smiling out of the tanks. I want one like my friends have. I wanted tanks, but I got OLD tanks. I wanted marching, but I got the wrong kind of marching, where they didn't even do the little high-kick thing. I wanted millions of people to come out and cheer and hold up pictures of my face and they did, but they all went to the wrong places. What does a president have to do to get the right kind of birthday tank parade? I have been dispatching troops to American cities and Stephen Miller is openly speculating about rolling back habeas corpus; it is not even subtle at this point what kind of government I'm going for! My parade was just awful. It was all about the Army, which, okay, is turning 250, but only in the literal sense. First, a guy dressed as George Washington rode by on a horse. I don't know why we make such a big fuss about this old toothless man who gave up power on purpose. We used to have a king, and now we don't, and it's all because of this loser! Also, he was obviously wearing a wig. They also retold part of the plot of the musical Hamilton, which felt like a personal affront. Then Civil War soldiers marched by, but they were in the WRONG COLOR uniform, not the one worn by the folks who all our best forts are named for, but the blue one. This is the Army's DEI at work again. Throughout the parade, they kept trying to tell us fun facts about history. Do I look like someone who wants a history lesson? No! I am somebody who wants to repeat history, not somebody who wants to learn it. It was sponsored by Palantir, which was SOMETHING, I guess. I had been thinking more along the lines of: Someone comes out to sing the national anthem and then stops, winks, turns to me, and starts singing 'Happy Birthday' in a breathy voice instead. Then the Army rolls up with an enormous cake. But wait, what's that in the cake? Could it be? I cut into the cake with a big sword to reveal A BRAND-NEW TANK! (Whoever finds the tank in the cake gets to be king for life!) Everyone claps. Whoa! What is that, parachuting out of the sky? It's another tank, like in the Fast and the Furious series of films! And who's that, lifting the lid of the tank? It's the pope! 'Sorry,' he says. 'It was all a joke about me being pope. Here, try on my pointy white hat! I know you love a pointy white hat! You will be a great pope. The best pope.' Then the tank releases special red-white-and-blue smoke to indicate that a new, better pope has been selected: red for MAGA, white for pope, and blue to indicate that the pope is a boy. Then they sing 'Memories,' from the musical CATS! William McKinley rides by on a tariff and gives me a thumbs-up! Then the Army goes by, but bigger and more excited this time. They are finally doing the high-kick thing! Then my dad climbs out of the tank and says, 'The hole in you that has never been filled is full now!' and whispers, 'I have a special surprise for you, my best boy! Look out your window, Donald, and see!' I run to the window and it's the '80s again! Finally! Everywhere I look there are flags, and so many dollars, and a bald eagle, and an oil well spouting for joy. I am the president, and the pope, and the tank has made me king for life! It is the best birthday ever! Needless to say, this is NOT what happened.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Top DJ, 47, kisses pregnant wife's bare bump at baby shower after revealing he's going to be a first time dad
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DJ superstar Steve Aoki kissed his wife Sasha's bare baby bump after revealing he's going to be a dad for the first time. The 47-year-old EDM legend announced his wife, Sasha Sofine, 27, is pregnant during a gig in Dubai in January. 4 Steve Aoki kissed his pregnant wife Sasha's bump Credit: Instagram 4 The happy couple had a baby shower in Las Vegas Credit: Instagram 4 Sasha is 20 years younger than Steve Credit: Instagram Now, they've thrown a baby shower in Las Vegas at which Steve showed his affection for Sasha and their soon-to-be-born son. Steve wrote: "From the baby shower to the after party at Palm Tree, we can't wait to welcome baby Rocky." They were congratulated by their celebrity pals, with Brody Jenner writing: "So happy for you brother. You are going to be the best Dad. My baby girl is the best thing that's ever happened to me." Diplo posted: "congrats papasan." Black Coffee shared: "Congrats [heart emojis]." The pair were joined by family and friends at the feel-good event. Dressed in a Taylor Swift vest and cap, Steve chugged drink from a baby bottle and gazed lovingly at Sasha on the day. Guests decorated plain white baby vests and displayed them on a table. Later in the day, Steve played a gig in Las Vegas and looked to be having the time of his life. The couple married last July in Montenegro, seven years after his divorce from first wife Tiernan Cowling. Fast and the Furious legends meet for the first time in franchise's history Sasha studied in Moscow, winning a regional rowing championship, and now works for LA-based social media app as Head of Community Growth. Steve's live shows are synonymous with caking audience members. Fans bring signs begging the DJ to launch huge cream cakes at them from the stage, which he happily obliges. He has worked with the biggest names in music from Linkin Park and Louis Tomlinson to BTS and Lil Yachty. 4 Steve chugged drink from a baby bottle Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Top DJ, 47, kisses pregnant wife's bare bump at baby shower after revealing he's going to be a first time dad
DJ superstar Steve Aoki kissed his wife Sasha's bare baby bump after revealing he's going to be a dad for the first time. Dubai in January. Advertisement 4 Steve Aoki kissed his pregnant wife Sasha's bump Credit: Instagram 4 The happy couple had a baby shower in Las Vegas Credit: Instagram 4 Sasha is 20 years younger than Steve Credit: Instagram Now, they've thrown a baby shower in Las Vegas at which Steve wrote: "From the baby shower to the after party at Palm Tree, we can't wait to welcome baby Rocky." They were congratulated by their celebrity pals, with Brody Jenner writing: "So happy for you brother. You are going to be the best Dad. My baby girl is the best thing that's ever happened to me." Diplo posted: "congrats papasan." Advertisement Black Coffee shared: "Congrats [heart emojis]." The pair were joined by family and friends at the feel-good event. Dressed in a Taylor Swift vest and cap, Steve chugged drink from a baby bottle and gazed lovingly at Sasha on the day. Guests decorated plain white baby vests and displayed them on a table. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Later in the day, Steve played a gig in Las Vegas and looked to be having the time of his life. The couple married last July in Montenegro, seven years after his divorce from first wife Tiernan Cowling. Fast and the Furious legends meet for the first time in franchise's history Sasha studied in Moscow , winning a regional rowing championship , and now works for LA-based social media app as Head of Community Growth. Steve's live shows are synonymous with caking audience members. Advertisement Fans bring signs begging the DJ to launch huge cream cakes at them from the stage, which he happily obliges. He has worked with the biggest names in music from Linkin Park and Louis Tomlinson to BTS and Lil Yachty. 4 Steve chugged drink from a baby bottle Credit: Instagram Advertisement
Sky News
09-04-2025
- Sky News
Universal UK: Everything we know so far about the new theme park coming to Bedford
Universal has been given the green light to build its first European theme park and resort - here in the UK. The resort in Bedfordshire is set to be one of the largest and most advanced theme parks in Europe, with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year. But thrill seekers have a bit of a wait on their hands, with the park not expected to open in 2031, following an agreement between Universal, the government and the local council. Here is everything we know about the planned attraction so far. Where will it be? The theme park will be constructed on a 500-acre former brickworks site in Bedfordshire, which Universal bought in 2023. It is about 55 miles north of London and 20 miles from Luton Airport. The park will lie between the towns and villages of Stewartby, Wooton, Wixams and Kempston, just south of the centre of Bedford. Why Bedford? Universal, which is owned by Sky News' US parent company Comcast, said the Bedfordshire site is an "ideal location" with convenient and fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport. It said it is also "well-connected for travel from all parts of the UK and Europe". Bedford Borough Council has wanted to redevelop the site for some time, according to Universal, with its size and the features of the landscape lending itself to a large-scale theme park resort. The site is near the A421, a major road connecting Cambridge through Milton Keynes to Oxford. The road will be improved ahead of the park opening. On the railways, the Thameslink line runs directly to Bedford from East Grinstead in West Sussex. The train passes through London Bridge and London St Pancras, taking just under an hour to get to Bedford. A separate 16-mile-long line known as the Marston Vale Line connects Bedford and Bletchley in Buckinghamshire. To help the area cope with increased footfall to the area, upgrades will be made to Bedford station, as well as a new station at Wixams. Additional transport improvements are set to be made, particularly on the Marston Vale Line, as part of the East West Rail project. The project also ties in with other work around the Oxford-Cambridge corridor - the development of the area between Oxford and Cambridge, which was revived by the chancellor in January after the Conservatives scrapped plans for an Abingdon-Milton Keynes train link in 2021. It will also support the expansion of Luton Airport, the UK's fifth-busiest airport last year, which was approved by the transport secretary in early April. What will be in the park? Universal says visitors to the theme park will be "fully immersed in different experiences". As well as the theme park itself, there are plans to build a 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex. Universal is known for franchises that lend themselves to themed rides, including Minions, Fast and the Furious and Jurassic World. However, the company has said it is "still too early" to sketch out details of any specific attractions and experiences. A 'job creation machine' The government has said the new theme park is set to generate nearly £50bn for the economy as well as creating around 28,000 jobs - 20,000 in the construction period and 8,000 working on the site when it opens to visitors. Sir Keir Starmer said the project will "secure real opportunities for people in our country" and "ensure our economy remains strong and competitive". Chancellor Rachel Reeves called the investment "a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business". The government estimates about 80% of employees at the theme park will come from local areas. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky's Wilfred Frost on Breakfast it is "one of the biggest investments into the United Kingdom in recent times" and a "huge vote of confidence in the UK". She said the deal comes off the back of "one of the most tumultuous few weeks in global markets", referring to Donald Trump's 10% tariffs on all UK exports setting in after British trade teams failed to agree a deal with the US. Mark Woodbury, chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations and Experiences, also told Sky News the theme park would be a "job creation machine". Speaking from the site in Bedford, he said: "This will soon be one of the great Universal destinations in the world. "We're super excited about this opportunity and how transformative it will be for the UK, and the rest of Europe for that matter. "These are long-term projects. We've travelled through many economic cycles, and we see that this is just one of those, and we're looking forward to the future. "Five years from now, we'll be opening this park, if all things go our way. And we think there'll be a bright future for all." Mike Cavanagh, the president of Universal's parent company Comcast Corporation added: "We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom." 5:25 How have local residents reacted? Residents in Bedford have largely expressed excitement about plans for the new theme park. Bedford mayor Tom Wootton said it is a "landmark moment" for the borough and will bring "exciting opportunities to our doorstep - thousands of jobs, new training and career paths, and a huge boost for local businesses". Maria Perez, a warehouse worker in the area, told the PA news agency there is currently nothing for families or young people to do in Bedford, so the park will be "really great" for the area. "It will be good for the economy, for the town and for the people. People will invest more," she said. "Prices will go up for rent, which is not good, but it's a good thing for the town and will be for the people in the area." Tanvi Mahesh, a 14-year-old who moved to Bedford from Saudi Arabia last year, said she normally stays at home because there isn't much to do in the area, but would take up a Saturday job at the theme park "no questions asked". Jagdeep Singh, a 36-year-old business change analyst from Kempton, said he thinks the park will benefit businesses and bring jobs to the area, but added he is worried about the increased amount of traffic. "I worried a bit about traffic on the bypass, what's going to happen to our hospitals if there's any accidents," he said. Another resident, 85-year-old Margaret Wilson, added that at the moment the plans are "cost-effective" but the park is still years away from completion. She said: "It will be four years until anything is built. Who knows what will happen in four years? "Before COVID, Bedford was a market town. It's not where it used to be. This won't bring it back to the same place as before, but it will be good for the area." When will construction start? A proposed start date for construction has been set for 2026. But before any building can begin, the proposals to transform the site remain subject to a formal planning decision process from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). A public consultation by MHCLG is expected to be carried out before any planning decisions are made.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Cruise gears up to save us from AI in the latest Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning trailer
With the last Mission: Impossible film, Dead Reckoning, the long-running franchise officially entered science fiction territory by making intelligent AI its villain. We've seen Tom Cruise's Ethan hunt jump off of buildings and hang from the side of planes, but how can he fight a computer program? The latest trailer for the series' next film, and potentially the last to feature Hunt, doesn't answer that question, but clearly it will involve even more death-defying stunts (like hanging on to a flipping bi-plane!), geeky gadgets and Tom Cruise running inhumanly fast. As I wrote in my review of Deck Reckoning: "As much as I love other action film franchises – like John Wick's increasingly elaborate choreography, or the sheer ridiculousness of the Fast and the Furious – Mission: Impossible remains uniquely enjoyable. It's committed to delivering astonishing practical stunt work. It's self-aware just enough to poke fun at itself. And a part of me hopes that somehow, a team of geeks can also fight back against the excesses of AI." Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning hits theaters on May 23.
