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First Post
2 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
History Today: When Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion on June 20, 1967. He refused to be inducted into the US Armed Forces on April 28 during the Vietnam War, citing religious belief. On this day in 1887, the Victoria Terminus was officially established in Mumbai, India read more A pivotal moment in the history of sports and civil rights took place on June 20, 1967, when legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion by a federal court. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. On this day in 1975, 'Jaws' directed by Steven Spielberg made its theatrical release. Also, the Victoria Terminus, present-day Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai was formally established in 1887. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that took place on this across the world. Muhammad Ali convicted of draft evasion Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion in Houston, Texas, a momentous event that sent shockwaves through both the sports world and American society. Born Cassius Clay, Ali became the heavyweight champion of the world in 1964 and shocked the public by announcing his conversion to Islam, adopting the name Muhammad Ali. In 1967, during the height of the Vietnam War, he refused induction into the U.S. Army citing religious beliefs. Ali declared, 'I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong.' He was a conscientious objector, aligned with the teachings of the Nation of Islam, which opposed participation in war. His refusal sparked national outrage and support alike. Critics saw it as unpatriotic, while civil rights leaders hailed his courage. The jury, composed entirely of white men, took just 21 minutes to convict him. Ali was sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000, and banned from boxing while being stripped of his title and license. Ultimately, the US Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction in 1978. File image/AP Ali remained free on bail while his legal team pursued appeals. His stance against the Vietnam War and his unwavering commitment to his principles made him a deeply polarizing figure, revered by many as a symbol of civil rights and anti-war activism, while condemned by others. Ultimately, on June 28, 1971, the US Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction in the case of Clay v United States. The Court found that the Justice Department had improperly advised Ali's draft board in rejecting his conscientious objector claim. The victory allowed Ali to return to boxing, though he had already lost several years of his fighting career due to his conviction and ban. His legal battle became a landmark case for freedom of conscience and had a lasting impact on the discourse surrounding civil disobedience and individual rights. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Jaws' releases in theatres On this day in 1975, the iconic thriller film Jaws premiered in theatres across the United States, forever changing the landscape of Hollywood and ushering in the era of the 'summer blockbuster.' Directed by then-27-year-old Steven Spielberg, the movie quickly became a cultural phenomenon, terrifying audiences and making countless people hesitant to venture into the ocean. Based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name, Jaws tells the story of a great white shark terrorising a New England resort town, leading to a desperate hunt by a police chief, a marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter. Despite a troubled production with a notoriously malfunctioning mechanical shark (affectionately nicknamed 'Bruce'), Spielberg's masterful direction, combined with John Williams' chilling, two-note score, created unparalleled suspense. A poster of the 'Jaws' movie that released on 1975. Representational image Jaws became the first true summer blockbuster, grossing over $470 million worldwide and holding the record as the highest-grossing film of all time until Star Wars surpassed it in 1977. Its release was historic for being one of the first films to be launched widely across hundreds of theatres simultaneously, rather than the traditional slow roll-out—a marketing strategy that redefined film distribution. Critically acclaimed, Jaws received four Academy Award nominations, winning three of them namely Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and Best Sound. It remains one of the most influential films in cinematic history, often credited with inventing the blockbuster model and elevating the thriller genre. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Victoria Terminus was established Victoria Terminus, now officially known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), was officially opened on June 20, 1887. The inauguration of the station marked a grand milestone in India's colonial railway history. It was named in honour of Queen Victoria, commemorating her Golden Jubilee. Designed by the British architectural engineer Frederick William Stevens, the construction of this magnificent structure began in 1878 and took ten years to complete. It was built to serve as the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and replaced the older Bori Bunder railway station. The terminus is a remarkable example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture blended with traditional Indian architectural influences, featuring intricate stone carvings, towering turrets, and pointed arches. It quickly became a symbol of Bombay (now Mumbai) as a major mercantile port city, earning the moniker 'Gothic City.' In 2004, it was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, recognised for its architectural brilliance and historic importance. Today, CSMT is one of India's busiest railway stations, handling millions of commuters daily and remains a vibrant part of Mumbai's urban fabric. Though renamed to honour the 17th-century Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the terminus retains its historical grandeur. This Day, That Year On this day in 1992, a new constitution went into effect in Paraguay, signalling the end of military rule. American automobile-racing driver Barney Oldfield accomplished the first mile-a-minute performance in a car in 1903. Victoria became the queen of the United Kingdom on this day in 1837.
India Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Pakistan draws 5 potential buyers for its struggling national airline
In its efforts to sell its struggling national airline, Pakistan has received expressions of interest from five parties, including business groups and a military-backed firm, the Privatisation Ministry said on bids were submitted ahead of a June 19 deadline to acquire up to 100 per cent of Pakistan International Airlines, which has accumulated over USD 2.5 billion in losses in roughly a decade. Still, following a major restructuring, it posted its first operating profit in 21 years in the year through June sale is seen as a test of Pakistan's ability to shed loss-making state firms and meet conditions of a USD 7 billion International Monetary Fund bailout. It would be the country's first major privatisation in nearly two decades. Eight parties submitted their expression of interests, but only five of them provided documents of qualification, the ministry said in a the five groups is a consortium of major industrial firms: Lucky Cement Ltd, Hub Power Holdings Ltd, Kohat Cement Co Ltd and Metro is led by investment firm Arif Habib Corp Ltd and includes fertiliser producer Fatima Fertiliser Co Ltd, private education operator The City School and real estate firm Lake City Fertiliser Company Ltd, a military-backed conglomerate, Pakistani airline Airblue Ltd and a consortium that includes Bahria Foundation, domestic carrier Serene Air and US-based Equitas Capital LLC also submitted government will review the documents and give qualified parties access to data for due diligence," the statement DIVESTMENTOnce a leading global airline, PIA resumed European flights in January after a four-year EU ban linked to safety concerns, and is seeking UK clearances, seen as key to its turnaround. Industry insiders say the winning bidder is expected to partner with a foreign airline to run operations.A previous attempt to sell the airline failed as a USD 36 million bid from real estate firm Blue World City fell short of the USD 305 million floor price, with concerns over debt, staffing and limited time, the government is offering full divestment, has scrapped the sales tax on leased aircraft, and is providing limited protection from legal and tax claims. Around 80 per cent of the airline's debt has been transferred to the state."We're targeting 86 billion rupees in privatisation proceeds this year," Privatisation Minister Muhammad Ali told Reuters. "For PIA, in the last round of bidding, 15 per cent of the proceeds were going to the government, with the rest staying within the company."He said bidders would be pre-qualified in early July, with due diligence lasting 2 to 2.5 months, and final bidding and negotiations expected in the fourth quarter of hope the sale will revive the stalled privatisation drive. Other planned deals include the Roosevelt Hotel and several power firms, by Watch IN THIS STORY#Pakistan
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson but kept it a secret when I walked into the gym… I took beatings like everyone else
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BIAGGIO ALI WALSH is related to the most famous fighter of all time but he hid it - because he wanted to take beatings just like everyone else. The 26-year-old is the grandson to boxing icon Muhammad Ali and now finds himself making his own way in MMA. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Biaggio Ali Walsh with his grandad Muhammad Ali Credit: Instagram @biaggioaliwalsh 4 Biaggio Ali Walsh is 2-0 as a pro MMA fighter Credit: Getty Biaggio once had aspirations of going to the NFL but swapped American football for MMA - where he is now 2-0. The lightweight trains at Extreme Couture - the Las Vegas gym headed up by Eric Nicksick - trainer to Francis Ngannou. When Biaggio first walked into the gym he kept his identity a secret - and it took ex-UFC champion Sean Strickland FOUR YEARS to catch on. Biaggio told SunSport: "I never walked into Extreme Couture and I would tell people, 'Oh, I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson.' READ MORE IN boxing RUMBLING ON Ali still teased Foreman about Rumble in the Jungle 40yrs on despite being pals "That's actually the last thing I want is for people to know as soon as they get to a gym. "So yeah, I think just word of mouth, people started to find out who I was. Apparently Sean Strickland didn't know till like a couple of weeks ago. "He came up to me and he's like, 'Bro, you're Muhammad Ali's grandson?' I was like, 'Yes Sean, you didn't know this? I thought like Eric or someone would have told you or something. "He's like, 'No. I didn't know, that's so cool. Like, how was he? Was he cool?' I was like, 'Yeah, he was cool, he was funny. Does the boxing make sense now?'" CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Biaggio - who shares his Islamic faith with his grandad - had seven amateur fights - winning six - before turning professional in 2024. But that came after years of learning the ropes in the gym and taking his licks in the gym - just like everyone else. EXCL Muhammad Ali would still tease George Foreman about Rumble in Jungle win 40 years on as legends became best friends Biaggio said: "In a combat sport, who you're related to means nothing, Where you come from means nothing. "You could come from a silver spoon in your mouth, your dad could be a billionaire, but when you get in that cage and it's locked, even for sparring, that's not gonna help you. "It's you that's gonna be fighting for you. When I first got to Extreme, you know, a lot of ass whoopings, a lot of ass whoopings. You pay your dues, dude. That's how it is in the sport." Biaggio - signed to the Professional Fighters League - returns to the cage on June 27 in Chicago against 2-0 Ronnie Gibbs after nearly one year out. And he said: "I think in this sport, a break like that is good because you can sharpen so many tools and get your mind right and it gives you plenty of time to just get better in everything, physically and mentally. "And that's where I feel like I am. I feel like I've gotten so much better as a fighter and I've gotten so much better in my mental too, so super excited for this fight. I'd like to get a couple more fights at the end of this year." 4 Bob Walsh, with sons Nico and Biaggio and wife Rasheda, Muhammad Ali's daughter Credit: rashedaali1/instagram
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson but kept it a secret when I walked into the gym… I took beatings like everyone else
BIAGGIO ALI WALSH is related to the most famous fighter of all time but he hid it - because he wanted to take beatings just like everyone else. The 26-year-old is the grandson to boxing icon Muhammad Ali and 4 Biaggio Ali Walsh with his grandad Muhammad Ali Credit: Instagram @biaggioaliwalsh 4 Biaggio Ali Walsh is 2-0 as a pro MMA fighter Credit: Getty The lightweight trains at Extreme Couture - the Las Vegas gym headed up by Eric Nicksick - trainer to Francis Ngannou. When Biaggio first walked into the gym he kept his identity a secret - and it took ex-UFC champion Sean Strickland FOUR YEARS to catch on. Biaggio told SunSport: "I never walked into Extreme Couture and I would tell people, 'Oh, I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson.' READ MORE IN boxing "That's actually the last thing I want is for people to know as soon as they get to a gym. "So yeah, I think just word of mouth, people started to find out who I was. Apparently Sean Strickland didn't know till like a couple of weeks ago. "He came up to me and he's like, 'Bro, you're Muhammad Ali's grandson?' I was like, 'Yes Sean, you didn't know this? I thought like Eric or someone would have told you or something. "He's like, 'No. I didn't know, that's so cool. Like, how was he? Was he cool?' I was like, 'Yeah, he was cool, he was funny. Does the boxing make sense now?'" Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Biaggio - who shares his Islamic faith with his grandad - had seven amateur fights - winning six - But that came after years of learning the ropes in the gym and taking his licks in the gym - just like everyone else. EXCL Muhammad Ali would still tease George Foreman about Rumble in Jungle win 40 years on as legends became best friends Biaggio said: "In a combat sport, who you're related to means nothing, Where you come from means nothing. "You could come from a silver spoon in your mouth, your dad could be a billionaire, but when you get in that cage and it's locked, even for sparring, that's not gonna help you. "It's you that's gonna be fighting for you. When I first got to Extreme, you know, a lot of ass whoopings, a lot of ass whoopings. You pay your dues, dude. That's how it is in the sport." Biaggio - signed to the Professional Fighters League - returns to the cage on June 27 in Chicago against 2-0 Ronnie Gibbs after nearly one year out. And he said: "I think in this sport, a break like that is good because you can sharpen so many tools and get your mind right and it gives you plenty of time to just get better in everything, physically and mentally. "And that's where I feel like I am. I feel like I've gotten so much better as a fighter and I've gotten so much better in my mental too, so super excited for this fight. I'd like to get a couple more fights at the end of this year." 4 Bob Walsh, with sons Nico and Biaggio and wife Rasheda, Muhammad Ali's daughter Credit: rashedaali1/instagram 4 Biaggio speals in As-Sabur Mosque in Las Vegas to celebrate his faith
The Sun
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson but kept it a secret when I walked into the gym… I took beatings like everyone else
BIAGGIO ALI WALSH is related to the most famous fighter of all time but he hid it - because he wanted to take beatings just like everyone else. The 26-year-old is the grandson to boxing icon Muhammad Ali and now finds himself making his own way in MMA. 4 4 Biaggio once had aspirations of going to the NFL but swapped American football for MMA - where he is now 2-0. The lightweight trains at Extreme Couture - the Las Vegas gym headed up by Eric Nicksick - trainer to Francis Ngannou. When Biaggio first walked into the gym he kept his identity a secret - and it took ex-UFC champion Sean Strickland FOUR YEARS to catch on. Biaggio told SunSport: "I never walked into Extreme Couture and I would tell people, 'Oh, I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson.' "That's actually the last thing I want is for people to know as soon as they get to a gym. "So yeah, I think just word of mouth, people started to find out who I was. Apparently Sean Strickland didn't know till like a couple of weeks ago. "He came up to me and he's like, 'Bro, you're Muhammad Ali's grandson?' I was like, 'Yes Sean, you didn't know this? I thought like Eric or someone would have told you or something. "He's like, 'No. I didn't know, that's so cool. Like, how was he? Was he cool?' I was like, 'Yeah, he was cool, he was funny. Does the boxing make sense now?'" Biaggio - who shares his Islamic faith with his grandad - had seven amateur fights - winning six - before turning professional in 2024. But that came after years of learning the ropes in the gym and taking his licks in the gym - just like everyone else. EXCL Muhammad Ali would still tease George Foreman about Rumble in Jungle win 40 years on as legends became best friends Biaggio said: "In a combat sport, who you're related to means nothing, Where you come from means nothing. "You could come from a silver spoon in your mouth, your dad could be a billionaire, but when you get in that cage and it's locked, even for sparring, that's not gonna help you. "It's you that's gonna be fighting for you. When I first got to Extreme, you know, a lot of ass whoopings, a lot of ass whoopings. You pay your dues, dude. That's how it is in the sport." Biaggio - signed to the Professional Fighters League - returns to the cage on June 27 in Chicago against 2-0 Ronnie Gibbs after nearly one year out. And he said: "I think in this sport, a break like that is good because you can sharpen so many tools and get your mind right and it gives you plenty of time to just get better in everything, physically and mentally. "And that's where I feel like I am. I feel like I've gotten so much better as a fighter and I've gotten so much better in my mental too, so super excited for this fight. I'd like to get a couple more fights at the end of this year." 4 4
