EXCLUSIVE He's the Iranian sniper accused of being a sleeper agent. Now his blue-eyed Alabama bride reveals everything
Playing Call of Duty lead to a love match Morgan Gardner never expected.
When she started to play the online game in 2020, known as a violent first-person shooter contest, she didn't think she'd meet her future husband.
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The Guardian
41 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The return of the soundtrack: how original movie music made a comeback
Posters for the Brad Pitt Formula One race car drama advertise it, with a heavy dose of cheese, as F1 the Movie. But maybe the Spaceballs-like distinction is necessary, given the existence of F1 the Album, a soundtrack nearly as starry as the movie it accompanies. Maybe starrier: Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon and Shea Whigham probably can't overpower the combination of Don Toliver, Doja Cat, Tate McRae, Ed Sheeran, Rosé, Dom Dolla and Chris Stapleton. This isn't the only recent compilation to bring back the very early-to-mid-2000s moniker of 'the Album'; Twisters: the Album, a 29-track country compilation, reached the Billboard top 10 in the US last summer. Rihanna, a massive pop star who hasn't released an album in almost a decade, put out her first new song in ages on a little record called Smurfs Movie Soundtrack (Music From & Inspired By). (She plays Smurfette in the new cartoon.) Soundtracks, those mainstays of mall CD stores, are back – in streaming and vinyl form. For decades, the idea of pop music soundtrack albums needing a comeback would have been deeply strange; they've been a presence more or less since the late 1960s new Hollywood inflection point of The Graduate, with its foregrounded Simon & Garfunkel hits and written-for-the-film Mrs Robinson. But by the late 2000s, soundtrack albums were perfectly engineered to go down with the music industry ship. For much of the 1990s, the industry did their best to steer music buyers away from cheap, easily attainable singles by often holding them from standalone release and forcing the purchase of a $19 CD for anyone who wanted a copy of a hit song. Soundtracks offered further scarcity, imprisoning non-album tracks that might have once served as B-sides on cheap 7in singles. Hardcore fans might be willing to fork over their money for a particularly good or rare one, getting exposure to some like-minded artists in the bargain. Popular ones could even inspire their own sequels. That said, the bestselling soundtracks ever have tended to be driven by a single artist; Whitney Houston and the Bee Gees may not perform every song on the respective soundtracks for The Bodyguard and Saturday Night Fever, but they're as closely identified with those records as Prince is with his Purple Rain. But there were plenty of commercially successful (and in the cases of films such as Trainspotting or Pulp Fiction, thoroughly well-curated) soundtracks that took a more varied approach. At best, they recreated the movie's whole vibe. At worst, they felt like a mall rat swindle. By the Wind-up Records years, when early superhero movies were often accompanied by compilations of the worst the nu-metal-influenced alt-rock world had to offer (welcome to the used bins, Daredevil: the Album), that compilation approach had lost its charm. Generations of music fans had grown accustomed to downloading, whether illegal or through Apple. While some labels did attempt the old withholding move, making certain single tracks only available with a full-album purchase, it didn't do much good in a post-Napster world. Even as CD prices dropped, the utility of paying $12 or $15 for a bunch of leftovers with the vaguest of theming to a bad Fantastic Four movie somehow lost its appeal. In the 2010s, streaming made the whole album format obsolete for some listeners. And for some, it still is. So how the hell did soundtrack albums, of all things, mount a comeback? Some of it has to do with the resurgence of vinyl, and the increased cachet of physical media as a collector's object more than a practical method of consuming music. Boutique labels have released limited-edition colored vinyl of countless previously obscure movie scores, so it was only a matter of time before that proceeded to cover more mainstream-friendly pop soundtrack albums – in turn incentivizing labels and studios to get together on new versions, not just endless reissues. (No offense, Clueless Original Motion Picture Soundtrack limited edition hot pink LP.) As any touring artist can tell you, there's a lot of money in merch, and not every movie lends itself well to collectible action figures or A24-style knick-knacks. Labels have also found new ways to game a new system, little consolation prizes in the post-apocalyptic music landscape. It's not just generosity of spirit that leads to F1 the Album sporting 17 tracks, or Twisters corralling a whopping 29. Albums with more songs have a chart advantage in the streaming world; it's why Drake records routinely sprawl past the 20-track mark, and one edition of Taylor Swift's last release crested 30. (At the same time, plenty of Disney musicals have reinstated the practice of separating songs from score; the regular edition of the Mufasa soundtrack has a whopping seven tracks, with the film's score available either as a separate album or part of a 'deluxe edition'.) A big, fat sampler of superstar collaborations can also make a movie like F1 feel like a throwback event – a studio's way of signaling: 'Look, this is a real movie, like you used to see. We mean it this time.' Some of these new-fangled soundtracks are able to conjure the actual mood of the movie in question – though if 29 different pop songs really play during Twisters, they fly past with all the impact of a fuzzy radio dial. But maybe super-sized lengths or special-edition packages can serve as easy substitute for those hard-to-recapture vibes. And sometimes a soundtrack really is instrumental to a movie's vibes, after all. Ryan Coogler's recent smash hit Sinners has almost as many songs as a proper musical, and its sprawling soundtrack captures both the blues sound that backdrops its characters' attempt to carve out a juke joint of their own in 1930s America, and the Irish folk tunes wielded menacingly by a group of vampires. The film itself has a very soundtracky sensibility; one of its centerpiece scenes uses the blues as a gateway for a time-bending trip through folk and popular music throughout the ages, transcending the film's 1930s setting. It's a rare case of a soundtrack that works both ways: viewers of the movie can re-immerse themselves in those gorgeous musical sequences with the album, and anyone looking for a preview of the movie's overall time-warped feel (if not necessarily its full visceral power) can check out the songs on Spotify. Not all soundtracks can perform that kind of magic. Will F1 the Album sell a single ticket to see Brad Pitt get his very own Top Gun: Maverick? Probably not; as far as we know, Doja Cat and Tate McRae themselves do not join the racing team. It's entirely possible, though, that it will out-chart any number of buzzy or legacy single-artist albums – and so will that Smurfs album by virtue of boasting that exclusive Rihanna track, just like in the old days. If records can't be fully rescued by colored vinyl and stan loyalty, well, they can sure as hell be further branded on the way down.
Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Diddy scores huge trial victory as prosecutors DROP key parts of charges
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs scored a huge courtroom victory after prosecutors decided to drop key parts of the charges against him. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian prosecutors said they will no longer pursue theories presented during the blockbuster trial, including that the music mogul was involved in attempted arson and kidnapping. The two alleged acts were initially included in the government's racketeering conspiracy charge against Combs. All charges against him still remain. The charge still alleges that the 55-year-old was involved in transportation for purposes of prostitution, bribery, witness tampering and drug-related offenses. 'The Government is no longer planning to proceed on these theories of liability, so instructions are no longer necessary,' prosecutors wrote in the letter. The decision was made as a way to streamline the jury's instructions, which are being discussed in court today between lawyers and Judge Subramanian. The arson allegation stems from rapper Kid Cudi 's testimony, when he claimed Diddy broke into his home after discovering his relationship with his long-time girlfriend and main accuser Cassie Ventura. After the alleged break in, a Porsche, owned by Kid Cudi, real name Scott Mescudi, was set on fire in his driveway. No one was ever charged in this incident. The kidnapping theory stems from Combs's former assistant Capricorn Clark's testimony, where she said she was kidnapped by Combs, who was armed with a gun, and driven to Cudi's home while he allegedly entered the residence. David S Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who is now a partner at Jones Walker in Miami, Florida, told that this decision is a 'partial victory' for Diddy. He said that prosecutors had essentially 'conceded they do not have enough proof' for the kidnapping, arson and some of the sex-trafficking claims. That is why they were 'abandoning them' right before the jury is set to hear closing arguments, Weinstein said. He said it was wrong to say that these allegations were being 'dropped' as there was no standalone charge for them in the first place. All of them were included under the racketeering, or RICO, charge. Weinstein said that in order to prove racketeering, prosecutors had to prove two or more acts that were covered by the statute. By not asking the jury to consider kidnapping, arson, or some of the sex trafficking charges, prosecutors would be leaning more heavily on other allegations. The other charges Diddy faces under RICO includes: possession of drugs with intent to supply, other parts of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, bribery and tampering with a witness. Weinstein said: 'As they closed their case the government reevaluated the evidence they presented to the jury and determined there was not enough evidence to support these specific predicate acts in the RICO conspiracy. 'In order to avoid having the jury distracted by this lack of proof, they are asking that the jury not consider those acts any more. 'It's a partial victory for the defense and the prosecution is conceding they didn't submit enough proof. 'It's an effort by the government to clean things up.' According to Weinstein, had prosecutors not done this, it would have allowed Diddy's lawyers to 'poke holes' in their case. He said: 'If those allegations are still in there that allows the defense during closing arguments to turn and point at the prosecution and say here's the list they have to prove two or more from for RICO. 'Did you hear anything about this one? You can't rely on it, there's no proof beyond a reasonable doubt. 'They're overcharging because they thought they had it. Then they can ask why you should rely on any of that witness's testimony?' Another fact could have been anxiety among prosecutors about the impending July 4th holiday, which will lead to a three-day week next week. 'Sometimes a holiday helps prosecutors, sometimes not', Weinstein said. Diddy denies racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The racketeering and sex trafficking charges against the rapper, who is currently locked up at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, carry a minimum sentence of 15 years each. Transportation to engage in prostitution carries a maximum of 10 years behind bars. Closing arguments are anticipated to take place both Thursday and Friday from 9am-5pm. For more on the case everyone is talking about - search for The Trial of Diddy wherever you get your podcasts now.
Sky News
44 minutes ago
- Sky News
Who is Zohran Mamdani? The democratic socialist who could become New York City's next mayor
Self-described socialist Zohran Mamdani could become New York City's mayor after his shock Democratic mayoral primary win. The 33-year-old candidate took the spot of favourite Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor who was attempting to make a political comeback from a sexual harassment scandal. If he were to win when voters head to the polls in November, Mr Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim and Indian American mayor. But how did he do it, what does he stand for and what is his background? Born in Uganda, raised in New York Mr Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, and was raised there and briefly in South Africa until he was seven years old, when his family moved to New York. His mother, Mira Nair, is an award-winning filmmaker and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is an anthropology professor at Columbia University. He went to a public school and attended the Bronx High School of Science, before receiving a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-started the school's first Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. He became naturalised as an American citizen in 2018, and worked as a foreclosure prevention housing counsellor. He says that job, which saw him help low-income homeowners of colour across Queens fight off eviction and stay in their homes, inspired him to run for office. But he also took a detour in the 2010s into the rapping scene, going by Young Cardamom and later as Mr Cardamom. He made a song called #1 Spice with the artist HAB for the 2016 Disney film Queen of Katwe, which was directed by his mother, while another song, Nani - a tribute to his grandmother - was released in 2019. He was elected to the State Assembly in 2020, representing a district in Queens, becoming the first South Asian man to serve in the NYS Assembly as well as the first Ugandan and third Muslim to ever be a member of the body. How did Mamdani become a candidate for mayor? The lawmaker and democratic socialist entered the campaign as a virtual unknown, but his shrewd campaigning mixed with controversy surrounding Mr Cuomo saw him win comfortably. The former governor was attempting to make a comeback from a sexual harassment scandal that saw him resign in 2021. His resignation came after a report from the state attorney general concluded that he had sexually harassed at least 11 women. Mr Cuomo has said he did not intentionally mistreat the women but had run afoul of what was considered appropriate workplace conduct. Despite the controversy, the 67-year-old had long been the favourite during the mayoral race due to his deep experience and the fact he won the backing of some of the city's biggest unions. But Mr Mamdani and other candidates continued to use the allegations against Mr Cuomo as fuel during the campaign. During the final primary debate, after Mr Cuomo and other candidates launched a series of jabs at him for his lack of political experience, Mr Mamdani said: "To Mr Cuomo: I have never had to resign in disgrace. "I have never hounded the 13 women who credibly accused me of sexual harassment, I have never sued for their gynaecological records, and I have never done those things because I am not you, Mr Cuomo." Mr Mamdani declared victory in the mayoral primary on 24 June, with Mr Cuomo conceding the race after his rival took a commanding position just hours after polls closed. The winner told the state: "I will be the mayor for every New Yorker, whether you voted for me, for Governor Cuomo, or felt too disillusioned by a long-broken political system to vote at all. "I will work to be a mayor you will be proud to call your own." In the November election he will face current mayor Eric Adams, a democrat who is set to run as an independent following an uproar over his indictment on corruption charges last year. An energetic campaign with people at its heart Mr Mamdani put cost of living concerns at the heart of his campaign. Slickly produced social media videos set out his vision of free buses, free childcare, new apartments and a higher minimum wage - paid for by new taxes on the rich. They have garnered him a following of more than 1.1 million on Instagram and around 400,000 on TikTok. His optimistic vision of NYC's future contrasted with Mr Cuomo's campaign, which largely focused on his experience and his ability to deal with Donald Trump, as well as his goal to save a city that he described as out of control with crime and homelessness. It earned Mr Mamdani the support of the party's progressive wing, including prominent progressives like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. Critics have argued that he lacks the experience to handle crises, with Mr Cuomo claiming he was unqualified during the campaign. "He's been in government 27 minutes. He's passed three bills. That's all he's done," Mr Cuomo said of his rival during a debate. When another candidate questioned his experience, Mr Mamdani said he was the most qualified "because I believe the most pressing crisis we're facing here is one of affordability, and that is something that my campaign has been laser-focused on". His critics have also suggested his hopeful visions are vague, and questioned the cost and feasibility of his proposals, many of which would need support from the state legislature and governor. His campaign aimed to stay accessible. At the top of the manifesto on his campaign site, a sentence in bold reads: "New York is too expensive. Zohran will lower costs and make life easier." Strong support for Palestinians Mr Mamdani has made his stance on the war in Gaza clear throughout his campaign, referring to Israel's offensive as a "genocide" against Palestinians and voicing support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. He has also vowed to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he were to come to the city, after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him last year. Asked during a debate about whether he thought Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state, he said "I believe Israel has the right to exist" but "as a state with equal rights" for people who aren't Jewish. On 19 June, police said Mr Mamdani had reported he had received "four phone voicemails, on various dates, making threatening anti-Muslim statements by an unknown individual".
