Latest news with #American-flag
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
GTA 6's new trailer hints at the return of a fan-favorite character from Vice City
(Image via Rockstar Games) 2:09 Phil Cassidy Could Be Making a Return Phil Cassidy could make a return in GTA 6 (Image via GTA 6) GTA: Vice City that's Phil Cassidy! Is It the Same Phil Cassidy? continuation Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2 Why It Matters Nostalgia is back: GTA 6 clearly wants to nod to its roots. Vice City, the neon-soaked city fans still adore, is a huge part of the new map. Bringing back Phil, even in a new form, is Rockstar's way of saying: 'We remember what you loved.' Ammu-Nation will play a bigger role: Having a recognizable 'face' for the gun store brand—especially one with Phil's charisma—means we'll probably see more story and commercial elements built around Ammu-Nation. Expect more fan-favorite callbacks: If Phil Cassidy made it in, who else might show up next? Kent Paul? Umberto Robina? We're officially on nostalgia watch. Rockstar just dropped the second trailer for GTA 6, and while the chaos, cars, and characters all grabbed attention, it's the blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment atthat's got long-time fans buzzing. A familiar face from the Vice City era might be back—and he's armed, iconic, and upgraded. Here's what you should know!If you grew up blasting through missions in, you probably remember Phil Cassidy—the wild, gun-loving, one-armed explosives expert who ran a weapons shop and had a flair for chaos. His loyalty, insane war stories, and love for firepower made him one of the most unforgettable side characters in the fast forward to GTA 6. At the 2:09 mark of the new trailer, there's a TV commercial playing inside Jason and Lucia's apartment. It's a flashy Ammu-Nation ad—but wait—Or at least, a reimagined version of got the same over-the-top energy, American-flag muscle tee, and "Fully Cocked" confidence. This time, though, it looks like he's no longer running a shady backlot gun shack—he's now the face of Ammu-Nation, GTA's iconic weapons chain. A full HD makeover, cleaner lines, same explosive not exactly. Rockstar hasn't confirmed if this is aof the same Phil from Vice City, or simply a rebooted version adapted for the new timeline and setting of Leonida (a fictional Florida-like state).In GTA's multiverse, characters sometimes reappear across timelines without being the 'same person.' Think of this Phil as a spiritual successor—or a modern homage. But his appearance is unmistakably deliberate. Rockstar knew fans would spot it. And they moment tells us three big things:GTA 6 isn't just a new game—it's a return to vibes fans have been craving for two decades. And if Phil Cassidy's cameo is any indication, Rockstar is about to serve up a perfect mix of new chaos and old-school charm.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
One small part of Pete Hegseth's wardrobe is a big tell
It's anybody's guess how long Pete Hegseth will be Secretary of Defense, given the wont-go-away controversy over his use of Signal to share details of an impending attack on Houthi forces in Yemen. Maybe he'll weather that storm. On the chance that he does, I have a bone to pick with him – less cosmic, but something that speaks volumes about his probity and fitness for office. It's about the flag, 'Old Glory.' Americans, most of us anyway, cherish the flag and are proud to display it (preferably the right way rather than inverted, as the U.S. Code permits, 'as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property'). President Nixon seems to have been the first holder of that office to make a practice of wearing the flag as a lapel pin. Indeed, he required White House staffers to do so as well. The practice caught on, and now it's nearly de rigueur for politicians to wear it on their attire. In fact, it's grown so ubiquitous that it has become an empty gesture, the sartorial equivalent of saying 'thank you for your service' to anyone who now serves or ever did. Overused, it tends to lose meaning. Enter Pete Hegseth, who has mastered the 'full MAGA look,' according to New York Times fashion and style reporter Jacob Gallagher. Mr. Hegseth is clearly into displays, as witness his attention-grabbing tattoos. But his tattoos are his problem – notable now mostly for the fact that they would very likely prevent him from entering the armed forces if he today sought to enlist. In any caseAlso, they are hidden from view, except when he or others circulate photos of them. More disquieting, given his role as top civilian official in the Defense Department, is the poor example he sets when displaying the flag. Video taken during his round of pre-confirmation Senate interviews shows him ostentatiously opening his suit jacket to display a garish American-flag lining. Who does this man's wardrobe? Geez. But at least a suit lining is not on perpetual display. So let's talk about his American-flag pocket square. It seems to be a permanent part of his day-to-day dress-for-political-success attire. Who even knew there was such a thing? A quick internet search reveals that flag-motif pocket squares are readily available from a variety of sources. So what's wrong? What's wrong is not merely that section 8(d) of the flag code forbids use of the flag as wearing apparel, as a letter to the editor of the Washington Times pointed out, but, more specifically, that a pocket square is a handerkerchief. And a handkerchief's purpose, other than as a fashion statement, is to keep things tidy when blowing one's nose. As a result, Mr. Hegseth's pocket square is nothing to sneeze at. Indeed, using the flag as a handkerchief has at least twice led to courts-martial. A hospitalman at the former Naval Hospital in Chelsea, Mass., was charged with, among other things, desecrating the flag by blowing his nose on one. His intrepid Yale-educated defense counsel – having precious little to work with — got the flag charge dismissed, arguing that 'but for the accident of physiognomy, the accused's deed would have been protected free speech' (or – as we say in courts-martial – 'words to that effect'). Years later, in United States v. Wilson, the Army Court of Military Review wrote: The appellant, a military policeman (MP), while preparing for a flag-raising detail, complained to his fellow MPs that the Army and the United States 'sucked.' Another MP told him that he should move to a communist country if he didn't like it. The appellant replied, '[t]his is what I think,' and blew his nose on the American flag, leaving on the flag 'a small wet circle.' After another brief exchange of words, the appellant participated without further incident in the flag-raising detail. For his action the appellant was charged with dereliction of duty in that he 'willfully failed to ensure that the United States flag was treated with proper respect by blowing his nose on the flag when it was his duty as a military policeman on flag call to safeguard and protect the flag.' Rejecting a First Amendment challenge, the court upheld Private Wilson's conviction and sentence to four months in the stockade, a bad-conduct discharge, and other penalties. If Pete Hegseth wants to show how patriotic he is, he might consider displaying a different pocket square. If he wants to set a proper example, he must do so.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump signs executive order targeting ticket scalping
With American entertainer Kid Rock at his side, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday clamping down on ticket scalping and live event pricing. The directive seeks to prevent "unscrupulous middlemen" from profiting off reselling tickets for concerts and other events at an "enormous markup". It orders the US attorney general and the Treasury secretary to use "all legal means" to stamp out soaring price gouging, and calls on the Federal Trade Commission to "ensure price transparency at all stages of the ticket-purchase process, including the secondary ticketing market." "You can buy a ticket for $100. By the time you check out, it's $170," said Kid Rock, who wore a straw fedora and American-flag emblazoned red suit to the Oval Office. The "Born Free" singer, who appeared with Trump on the presidential campaign trail in 2024, added that due to "bots" tickets were being relisted "for sometimes a 400-500 percent markup." The administration of Trump's predecessor Joe Biden also targeted scalpers, suing concert booking website Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment last year over monopoly allegations. In a statement Monday, Live Nation, which has denied monopoly allegations, said it supports Trump's order, and called for enforcement. fz-lb/mlm
Associated Press
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
US skier Lauren Macuga shows off her ‘weird dance moves' to celebrate bronze in worlds debut
SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria (AP) — First major championship. First event. First medal. Lauren Macuga certainly didn't waste any time making an impact at the Alpine skiing world championships. The 22-year-old American earned bronze in super-G on Thursday and quickly celebrated with a little dance in the finish area, rocking her arms up and down before bowing to the Austrian crowd. Dancing celebrations have become a thing in skiing this season since Lucas Pinheiro Braathen performed a snow samba to celebrate Brazil's first podium in December. 'Well, I couldn't pull that off. I don't have his dancing skills. But I do like weird dance moves,' Macuga said. 'I was hoping to be on the podium today, but I wasn't expecting it. So I was like, 'OK, I got to do something here.'' Known for her colorful bucket hats and American-flag patterned pants and shirts, the outgoing Macuga — pronounced Mah-SUE-guh — is quickly becoming a fan favorite. 'It's so important to show the fun side of skiing,' she said. 'I know when to turn on the fun and kind of dial it back to be more serious.' Macuga was the fastest skier on the top section of the Ulli Maier course, flying nearly 30 yards (27 meters) off a jump 30 seconds into her run and clocking 76 mph (122 kph) before holding on to tie for third with Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norway, 0.24 seconds behind race winner Stephanie Venier of Austria. 'I felt like I was going fast. I came off that jump, I was like, 'I'm flying, my gosh, you better keep moving,'' Macuga said. It was just the start of a big day in the Macuga family, where all four siblings — three sisters and a brother — are accomplished skiers on U.S. teams. Alli Macuga was competing in a moguls competitions later back home in Utah; Sam Macuga was ski jumping in Lake Placid, New York; and Daniel was in the middle of a Nor-Am Alpine skiing competition in Kimberley, British Columbia. Amy and Dan, the Macugas' parents, were doing their best to keep tabs on everyone. Amy was cheering on Lauren in Austria while Dan was with Alli in Deer Valley. 'We're kind of all over the place right now,' Lauren said. 'Have to split up. Divide and conquer.' All of the siblings hope to be in the same country a year from now and competing at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Thursday marked exactly one year before the Feb. 6, 2026, opening ceremony. Still in the middle of her breakout season, Lauren doesn't have a sponsor on her helmet like most of the top skiers do. Instead, she's been racing with a question mark printed on her headgear. 'I'm trying to get a sponsor that wants a crazy person that loves bucket hats,' she said. The playfulness on the ski circuit brings to mind the way Julia Mancuso, another American great who won Olympic gold and multiple world championship medals, used to celebrate by putting on a tiara. Lauren won a super-G in St. Anton, Austria, last month for her first World Cup victory and now she's done something that not even Lindsey Vonn or Mikaela Shiffrin did: win a medal in their first race at their first major championship. Vonn's debut at the biggest competition outside of the Olympics came in 2005 when she finished ninth in the super-G, before going on to claim two fourth-place finishes that year. Shiffrin finished sixth in the giant slalom in her debut in 2013 and then went on to win gold in slalom two days later at the age of 17. Vonn was on hand to celebrate Macuga's achievement in a race where the 40-year-old American great got hooked on a gate early in her run. 'She's a really free-spirited person and she's got her own style — and I love it,' Vonn said. 'She's very authentic to herself and she believes in herself and she works really, really hard. So she deserves it. And she's just an amazing talent. … This is just the beginning for her. 'All of her siblings are insane athletes,' Vonn added. 'Something must run in the family.'
