Latest news with #UCL
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant becomes part-owner of Champions League winner PSG amid trade talks
NBA All-Star Kevin Durant has purchased a stake in French football club Paris Saint-Germain. After acquiring 5% of MLS club Philadelphia Union in 2020, the Phoenix Suns superstar is strengthening his business portfolio by becoming a part-owner of the recently crowned Champions League winners. On Friday, PSG announced that Qatar Sports Investment, its majority shareholder, had signed a strategic partnership agreement with Durant. The details of the deal were not revealed. "Under the terms of the partnership, Durant — via his media and investment company Boardroom, co-founded with longtime business partner Rich Kleiman — will acquire a direct minority stake in the club," PSG's statement read. Advertisement In a comment released by PSG, Durant said, "It is an honor to partner with QSI and be a shareholder in Paris Saint-Germain — a club and city that is deeply close to my heart. "This club has big plans and I look forward to being part of the next phase of growth and exploring new investment opportunities with QSI." The club noted that the two-time NBA champion will be helping with its diversification, growth strategy and development in the United States and international markets. Durant will also use his expertise in PSG's multi-sport strategy, which includes plans around basketball. PSG currently has soccer, handball and eSports programs. Durant and Rich Kleiman's investment vehicle, Boardroom Sports Holdings, and QSI will collaborate on commercial, investment and content production efforts with the new partnership. Boardroom holds stakes in Major League Pickleball's Brooklyn Aces and NWSL's Gotham City FC. Advertisement Durant's investment comes as the NBA, FIBA and other entities are in talks about establishing a new basketball league in Europe. "Together with Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI," PSG president Nasser Al Khelaïfi said. Apart from proving their European supremacy with a 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the UCL final, PSG convincingly won the French Ligue 1 with a 26-6-2 (W-D-L) record and a 19-point lead over second-place Marseille. Durant finished his third season with the Suns and is in the heat of trade discussions after the team missed the postseason. The former MVP averaged 26 points and six rebounds per game before ending the season with a left ankle sprain.
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Science
- The Guardian
David Hopkinson obituary
My friend and former colleague David Hopkinson, who has died aged 89, was director of the Medical Research Council's human biochemical genetics unit at University College London from 1976 until its closure in 2000. Hoppy, as he was universally known, had joined the unit at its inception in 1962 because in an earlier, more junior, position he had been one of the first medical scientists to describe molecular differences in human enzymes, long before DNA sequence differences were known about. The unit was established to research the extent and significance of genetic variation to human health. As its head, Hoppy expanded its focus to gene mapping and disease genetics while also moving into the new science of gene cloning and DNA sequencing. Born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, to Albert Hopkinson, an iron and steelworks foreman, and Lilian (nee Siddal), a dressmaker, he went to Chesterfield grammar school, which fostered his early interest in organic chemistry. After completing a natural sciences degree at Cambridge University he qualified in medicine at the London hospital in 1959, working there until he joined the human biochemical genetics unit three years later. Hoppy was recruited by its inaugural head, Prof Harry Harris, becoming his right-hand man responsible for many of the unit's innovative experimental approaches, including developing novel methods of enzyme detection and electrophoresis. The unit moved in 1965 from its initial base at King's College to UCL, where I joined the unit three years later to study for a PhD under Harris. Hoppy remained there for the rest of his career. He published widely, and played an important part in teaching and supervision, being made full professor of London University in 1990. Twenty five years after his retirement, his role as mentor is remembered with great warmth by his former staff and students. Hoppy read widely and appreciated drama and music. A practical man who took pleasure in manual labour, he was an accomplished gardener and delighted in propagating plants and growing vegetables. He also enjoyed summers hiking in the Swiss Alps, and was a keen birdwatcher. In retirement, he studied architecture and German, and gained a first-class degree in geology at the Open University. He also spent many years as a volunteer at Chilterns' Citizens Advice in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. He is survived by his second wife, Prof Yvonne Edwards, and by three children, Paul, Susan and Ian, from his first marriage, to Josephine (nee Manze), which ended in divorce, and four grandchildren.
Time Out
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The 5 best free things to do in London this weekend
After a week of ploughing through work in sweltering hot weather, the weekend is a delicious prospect: we can't wait to savour the days between Friday June 20 and Sunday June 22. But do you know what's even more tasty than two whole days of freedom? Having a great time without hammering your bank balance, of course. We've found a plethora of free things to do this weekend, whether you're up for dancing all day, trying some wildly experimental crafts, or going to an old school village fete. It's time to take your pick, and save your pennies for planning a dazzling new summer wardrobe, booking a chic break somewhere beachy, or buying accessories for your creepy little Labubu doll: the choice is yours. The best free things to do in London this weekend Try a seriously leftfield craft at the Festival of Stuff Are you good with your hands? Hightail it to UCL's Institute of Making Stratford this Saturday and you'll get your mitts on any number of exciting DIY opportunities, from rope-making to basketry to enzymatic plastic recycling, all overseen by an interdisciplinary crew of scientists, engineers and makers. Other eclectic attractions include a pizza dough paddling pool and a homemade electric hovercraft you can actually ride in. Tracking down this enigmatic institute can be tricky, so follow these directions to make sure you don't miss out on the fun. The Institute of Making Stratford, E20 2AE. Sat Jun 21. Free. Dance to the free terrace DJs at Little Simz' Meltdown Each year, Southbank a legendary artist to curate its Meltdown festival, with alumni including David Bowie, Grace Jones, and ANOHNI. This year it's the turn of Mercury Prize-winning rapper, Top Boy actor and previous Time Out cover star Little Simz, and she's curated a stellar line-up of musical and cultural events. She's handpicked the DJs for this Saturday's Meltdown Terrace Takeover, with the likes of Ken Styles, Bammbs, and Ngozi Diamond taking to the decks for a mix of laidback afternoon vibes and hectic anthems as night falls. Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Sat Jun 21. Free. Ride on a carousel at Kew's village fete Kew always feels like a village, with its picturebook tree-lined streets and pretty parks. But you'll really feel like you've escaped London at its annual fete, which boasts all the fun of the fair. Head to the leafy west for over 100 stalls, a traditional Victorian fairground, a beer tent by Fuller's, a dog show, tug of war, a charity raffle and live local bands. Entry is free, but all your well-spent cash will be going to some worthy local charities. Kew Green, TW9 3EE. Sat Jun 21. Free. Sing along to musical theatre bangers at West End Live This weekend is the 20th edition of West End Live, the massive free musical festival stage that turns one of the spennier forms of entertainment in London into the cheapest fun going. This year will see performances from the casts of shows including Wicked, Operation Mincemeat, Cabaret, Hamilton, Hercules and loads more. Fair warning, it's gonna be seriously hot and seriously busy, so bring water and sunscreen and turn up at least an hour early to make sure you get a spot where you can actually see the stage. Find all the timings here. Trafalgar Square, WC2 5DN. Sat Jun 21-Sun Jun 22. Free. Catch a live broadcast by Reprezent Radio at the Barbican For generations of Londoners, crackling pirate radio stations were the unofficial soundtrack of summer. These illicit stations had a massive impact on this city's music scene, so it's great to see The Barbican celebrating the joys of pirate radio all month, with Reprezent Radio broadcasting live from a custom-built studio in the Barbican's foyer. This weekend, DJ Bid is hosting Sunday Selecta, a tribute to the joys of phone-in radio. Bring your requests or even your own vinyl to celebrate community sounds at their best. Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8AE. Sun Jun 22. Free.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
How a ‘model student' was uncovered as one of Britain's worst sex offenders
For those who attended parties at his luxury flat in Elephant and Castle, Zhenhao Zou appeared to be popular, charming and a model student. With a view over south London and costing thousands of pounds per month in rent, his apartment in the Uncle building showcased a wardrobe filled with designer clothes, a Fendi bag and a Rolex watch, with plenty of alcohol to share around. Yet when it was searched by the Metropolitan Police, the horrors he inflicted upon women soon became clear when officers found secret cameras with recordings of serial rapes, and a twisted trophy box full of his victims' possessions. Among the stashed belongings were a red lipstick, earrings, hair ties and clip-on hair extensions. Behind the facade, the 28-year-old was a serial sexual predator, targeting fellow Chinese students before drugging them and raping them while they lay unconscious. After being convicted of 11 rapes against 10 women, he has now been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 24 years, as one of the UK's worst sex offenders. Following an international appeal, a further 24 women have come forward, suspecting that they too have been raped or assaulted by Zou. The Chinese national, who was studying for a PhD in engineering at UCL, had previously enjoyed a busy social life while living in London and was described by police as seeming very self-assured. Born in China's Guangdong Province, his father works in what was described as a state-owned enterprise, and his mother is a teacher, his trial was told. Zou studied in the UK for several years and could afford to pay thousands per month in rent. He had also undergone facial surgery and had a hair transplant. Zou first came to the UK to study in Belfast in 2017, before moving to London two years later, where he was known to enjoy trips to Soho, and nightclubs around the city. While in the capital, and during trips to his native China, he would contact women mainly on social media apps such as WeChat, before inviting them back to his flat for drinks or to study. There, he spiked their drinks and raped them, often filming the attack on hidden or handheld cameras to keep as a souvenir of his depravity. Police studied the footage to work out whether the attacks had taken place in his London flat or during his trips back to China. They found sedatives in his flat as well as the drug MDMA. Zou told investigators he brought some drugs back from China, while others he bought in nightclubs in London. His crimes were finally uncovered in November 2023, when a woman told police she had been attacked by Zou and he was questioned by police. Although he had studied in the UK for several years in English, he refused to speak English during his trial at Inner London Crown Court, and used an interpreter during his police interview. After a month-long trial, Zou, was found guilty of raping three women in London and another seven in China between September 2019 and May 2023. He was convicted of 11 counts of rape, with two of the offences relating to one victim. Zou was also convicted of three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence, namely butanediol. Detective Superintendent Vanessa Britton said that on the surface, Zou was 'a model student' with an active social life. 'He came across in interview as really self-assured,' she said. 'I think the interviewers described him as charming. 'Clearly, the evidence and the videos show him in a completely different light.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside lair of serial rapist chillingly fitted out with cameras
Zhenhao Zou would go out with women, before drugging and raping them in his flat in south-east London, which was covered in CCTV to film the depravity that went on inside Serial rapist Zhenhao Zou has today been jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 24 years in prison after raping women across the world. The PhD student's last attacks are believed to have taken place inside his flat in Elephant and Castle, south-east London, which although came with an expensive rent, he lived in relative squalor. Images released by detectives today as he was sentenced for 10 counts of rape, show the chaos inside his lair. Zou would go out with women, before inviting him back to this flat which was covered in CCTV to film what when on inside. He would then drug them, making them unconscious or drowsy so they were unable to fight back or escape as he raped them. In one disturbing video of an attack, which jurors at his four-week trial were made to sit through, a woman could be heard screaming in terror as she tried to get away. In another a woman is heard telling Zou to stop while she struggles to stay awake. At one point he tells her 'the sound insulation here is very good'. Among the photographs released today are images of his bathroom, bedroom and living room, where suitcases can be seen strewn across the entrance way. An overflowing bin sits near a breakfast bar which is littered with dozens of bottles of alcohol, as a prized laptop sits on charge in a table in the middle of the room. His bedroom is just as disturbing, which although has a vista across the London skyline, has no duvet or covers on the large double bed, just two pillows and a messy desk. It is in this room after scurrying through his belongings to find his ID, that he was arrested for rape in January 2024. If was after his arrest that detectives moved in and found more and more chilling evidence of his crimes. Dozens of condoms neatly stacked in a Louis Vuitton box, a range of trophies including hair bands, a lipstick, earrings and a sock, he kept from his victims, as well, MDMA, GHB, Ketamine, and Xanax. The student, who moved to Belfast in 2017 to study at Queen's University before coming to London in 2019 to do a master's degree and then a PhD at UCL, faced a total of 35 counts. The mechanical engineering student was found guilty of 10 counts of rape and was also convicted of three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence, namely butanediol.
