Ukraine womens basketball team

Volodymyr Zelensky , the President of Ukraine , paid a historic visit to the UK on Wednesday — and surprised a compatriot with a hug during an impromptu moment during a press conference. Zelensky’s trip was only announced on Wednesday morning as he drums up support for Ukraine’s resistance following Russia’s invasion last February. During a press conference in Dorset, a BBC Ukrainian journalist rose to her feet and prefaced her question by saying she would like to give Zelensky a hug, but would probably not be allowed. “Why not?” Zelensky responded, before vacating his lectern and offering a warm embrace. Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, could be seen in the background smiling and applauding. Other reporters described the moment as “touching” as they captured the encounter on their phones. Zelensky is in the UK to request that the country supply fighter planes to the Ukrainian war effort, something Western allies have so far declined to do. He gave a … [Read more...] about Volodymyr Zelensky Surprises BBC Ukraine Journalist With Hug During Historic UK Visit

Getty Russell Westbrook 's days as a Laker have come to an end -- L.A. just finalized a trade to send the superstar point guard to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers are sending Russ and a 2027 first-round pick (1-4 protected) to the Jazz in exchange for D'Angelo Russell , Malik Beasley , and Jarred Vanderbilt , according to Shams Charania . Meanwhile, Utah's Mike Conley Jr . will join Anthony Edwards , Karl-Anthony Towns , and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota ... as well as a second-round pick. Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves are finalizing trade sending D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to Los Angeles, Russell Westbrook and first-round pick to Utah and Mike Conley Jr. and second-round pick compensation to Minnesota, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium . — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023 @ShamsCharania The Lakers acquired Russ in 2021 in a trade with the … [Read more...] about Russell Westbrook Reportedly Traded To Utah Jazz In Three-Team Deal

Editor’s note : Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series debuts and celebrates the scripts of films factoring in this year’s movie awards races. For her debut feature, filmmaker Georgia Oakley returns to 1980s Britain as Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government has introduced Section 28, a clause of the Local Government Act that seeks to prohibit “the promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities across the United Kingdom. At the time, protests were rife, but many gay women and men felt compelled to keep their sexuality a secret. Blue Jean , written and directed by Oakley, follows Jean, a school gym teacher who keeps her sexuality a secret from her colleagues. The threat is immediate and real: if exposed, her love life could cost her her job. However, Jean finds little sympathy from her girlfriend, Viv. Out and proud, Viv is part of a cooperative of similarly assertive lesbian women. Viv regards secrecy as a capitulation to an increasingly oppressive system. As … [Read more...] about ‘Blue Jean’: Read The Screenplay For Georgia Oakley’s BAFTA Nominated Debut

Whitney director Kevin Macdonald has struck a multi-project deal with rebranded Banijay label Workerbee Group. Macdonald, whose past credits include the celebrated Houston doc, Oscar winner One Day in September and Marley, will work closely with Workerbee’s new Films division to jointly identify premium unscripted projects to collaborate on. The pair have previously collaborated on hit A+E Janet Jackson doc series Janet and the new partnership has already spawned a major feature doc for a streamer, which will be announced shortly. “On a personal level I’m huge fan of Kevin’s approach to storytelling and his partnerships with our lead Director Ben Hirsh have produced our most exciting documentary projects to date,” said Workerbee CEO Rick Murray. “Knowing we are going to forge more high-profile films together is a great way to kick start our Workerbee Films division.” Macdonald added: “I’ve had a rewarding time working with Rick and the Workerbee team … [Read more...] about ‘Whitney’ Director Kevin Macdonald Partners With Rebranded Banijay Label Workerbee Group

EXCLUSIVE : Arthouse streamer and distributor Mubi has traditionally been shy about revealing performance numbers for its movies, but today we can reveal that BAFTA and Oscar hopeful Aftersun has become the company’s most streamed release globally. We’re told the Paul Mescal -starrer has now far surpassed Mubi’s previous best-performers including Portrait Of A Lady On Fire , The Worst Person In The World , Drive My Car , Decision To Leave , Shiva Baby and Titane , some of which were released during the pandemic, a boom time for streamer engagement. The film started streaming in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Latin America and a handful of other markets on January 6, 2023, and has also become the top-viewed film all time in these individual territories. It will join the platform in Germany, Austria and Spain in March, and later in France. Writer-director Charlotte Wells’ acclaimed debut has also blazed a trail for Mubi at the theatrical box office, becoming … [Read more...] about ‘Aftersun’ Becomes Mubi’s Most Streamed Movie Ever & Crosses Box Office Milestones

Prime Video is restructuring its international business along regional lines in EMEA, APAC and the Americas. Kelly Day , VP of Amazon ’s Prime Video, has rejigged the Bosch and The Boys streamer with expanded roles for Barry Furlong and Gaurav Gandhi. Furlong, currently VP of Prime Video Europe, is adding all Africa and Middle East businesses to his role and will lead EMEA. Gandi takes on a new role as lead for the APAC region, adding Japan and South East Asia to his current role overseeing India. Sushant Sreeram, Director – SVOD Business, will become Prime Video Country Director for India to replace Gandhi. Kari Roe remains in charge of the Americas (Brazil, Mexico, Latin America and Canada), Australia and New Zealand. Director of International Expansion, Josh McIvor, who has overseen Prime Video’s expansion in Africa and South East Asia, will continue to own “priority international Prime Video initiatives that sit outside a regional remit.” The changes … [Read more...] about Amazon’s Kelly Day Restructures Prime Video International

Love Is Blind is officially coming to the UK. The Netflix UK Twitter account has in the past hour posted a tweet stating “Big News: Love is Blind is coming to the UK” with a link to apply to the show. Married at First Sight indie CPL Productions will produce the UK version. Produced by Kinetic Content, the U.S. version of Love is Blind has been hugely successful across three seasons and 40 episodes. A Brazilian adaptation and Japanese adaptation have already aired. The show involves 15 men and 15 women from the same area hoping to find love who meet in purpose-built “pods” where they can’t see each other. They talk during several dates and then decide whether they want to propose marriage. From there, the couple can meet in person if a marriage proposal is accepted, and the series follows their life as they move in together and prepare to wed. The UK version would follow similar Netflix reality hits that originated in the nation such as The Circle and … [Read more...] about ‘Love Is Blind’ UK Version Confirmed By Netflix From ‘Married At First Sight’ Producer CPL Productions

Fox will be actively pursuing M&A opportunities now that it won’t be merging with News Corp. Outside shareholders of both of the Murdoch family holdings had protested after patriarch Rupert last fall asked the respective boards to explore a combination . In January, he took that off the table, opening a door to other possibilities. Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch stressed a few times today on the company’s quarterly conference call with Wall Streeters that other deal or deals are likely because “I do think scale is important.” Fox reported strong numbers for its fiscal second quarter and a solid balance sheet. Its defined focus on sports and news helped boost ad revenue in a soft market, and has been keeping the stock a favorite with investors. But it’s smaller than some of its media peers since it was spun out on its own after the rest of 21st Century Fox was sold to Disney for years ago. Major media transactions slowed after Amazon/MGM and Warner Bros. Discovery, … [Read more...] about Fox Eyes M&A After Merger With News Corp. Scrapped: “Scale Is Important” – Lachlan Murdoch

Recent Grammy winner Bad Bunny , Christina Aguilera and Jeremy Pope will be honored at the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards next month for advancing and supporting the LGBTQ community. Bad Bunny — Spotify’s most-streamed artist in the world last year — will receive the Vanguard Award for having made “a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.” Five-time Grammy winner Aguilera will receive the Advocate for Change Award for having “changed the game for LGBTQ people around the world.” And Pose alum and two-time Tony nominee Pope will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for having made “a significant difference in raising visibility and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.” Read bios for all three below. The awards show will be handed during the March 30 ceremony at the Beverly Hilton. RELATED: 2023 Awards Season Calendar – Dates For The Oscars, Guilds & More Bad Bunny’s advocacy and outspoken allyship for the … [Read more...] about GLAAD Media Awards: Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera & Jeremy Pope Set For Honors

EXCLUSIVE : Media mogul Jose ‘Pepe’ Bastón is looking to ramp up his interests in the U.S. after signing with Allied Management Group , the company founded by former NBCU exec John Pollak and actor Wilmer Valderrama. Bastón, who spent three decades at Mexican media giant Televisa, has signed with the company through its partnership with Monica Gil and Carolina Aymerich’s CRE84U. The aim is to grow Bastón and his Elefantec Global studio’s business in the English-language market in the U.S. Elefantec Global, which is based in Los Angeles, Bogota and Mexico City and has relationships throughout Latin America and the U.S., is behind projects such as Miguel Bose biopic Bose and limited series La Rebelion and has a partnership with Fox-owned MarVista Entertainment. It comes as U.S. buyers look to grow their Latino-infused content. Bastón said, “Our mission is to create cultural relevant content not only for the global Latino audience but also for worldwide audiences … [Read more...] about Jose ‘Pepe’ Bastón Signs With John Pollak & Wilmer Valderrama’s Allied Management Group