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Bangkok Post
09-08-2025
- General
- Bangkok Post
Paper bags, patriotism and mushy peas
One of the more thought-provoking stories of the week was an unnamed Thai hospital being fined after it was discovered private files on patients were being used to make paper bags for popular street snacks. Apparently some people at the business entrusted with destroying the files instead took them home and made paper bags out of them. It probably won't come as a surprise that I have personal experience when it comes to the influence of Thai paper bags. I arrived at work one day to find a package on my desk. I opened it and found it contained a used paper bag popular with street vendors. I was intrigued to see the bag was from a page of the Bangkok Post and more specifically, the PostScript column. The sender explained in an attached note that he bought some fried bananas at the market and was amused to find the bag was my column from the previous week. He added, perhaps a little unnecessarily, that he enjoyed the bananas more than the column. Actually I was quite pleased to see that the column could serve a useful practical purpose. Anyway it's always good to get feedback. Perhaps the biggest reaction to the column came when PostScript carried an Aussie's less than complementary comments on mushy peas, the famous dish from northern England. It prompted a vigorous defence the following week from numerous fans of mushy peas. One reader wrote he was "shocked, nay horrified, at the derogatory comments about one of the world's greatest unheralded cuisines." A couple of years ago PostScript came under fire again for suggesting the Great British Chip was similar to "French Fries". It prompted considerable rumblings in proud British stomachs. "Shockingly unpatriotic" was one of the more polite observations. The heroes of Makkasan Last week's item concerning keeping lions as pets sparked memories of a classic Thai story featuring a Big Cat. Long-term readers may recall the adventures of Ai Dum, a pet black panther which escaped from a Bangkok house in June 1981. For space reasons I will skip the details but for nearly six weeks the panther was on the loose with regular sightings at the overgrown Makkasan railway engine graveyard. The increasingly nervous public demanded action. After 41 days it was joyfully announced that two wildlife officials had fearlessly overpowered Ai Dum with tranquiliser darts in the railyard. The duo were dubbed the "Heroes of Makkasan". Shortly afterwards Ai Dum was released into the jungle by officials at a Uthai Thani wildlife sanctuary. But this is not the end of the story. Postcards from the jungle A few days later an irate private zoo owner showed up demanding to know what had happened to the black panther two fellows had "borrowed" from him a week before. The two "heroes" then admitted they had staged the whole thing. They had rented the "captured" panther from the zoo and had planned to return it when all the publicity had died down. What they hadn't bargained on was the authorities quickly releasing what they thought was Ai Dum into the jungle. The heroes quickly became villains. As a footnote, for several years I received postcards addressed to "Professor Crutch" and signed "Ai Dum" relating anecdotes about his life in the jungle. And of course the original Ai Dum was never caught. Play your cards right After years of being very much frowned upon because of its association with gambling, playing poker in Thailand is apparently now acceptable if played in an international tournament. One suspects there could be an awful lot of such tournaments popping up soon. This development has got bit of a U-turn feel to it although it doesn't bother me as I'm hopeless at poker. It seems to require a lot of mental acuity, concentration and skill, which rules me out for a start. According to the authorities it is ow regarded as a sport. Being a bit old fashioned, while I appreciate the skill required in poker I find it hard to accept something as a sport if you don't have to take a shower after it. Aces high The world of poker has given us many expressions we use in everyday life. The most obvious is "poker face", meaning someone who displays no emotion and reveals nothing about their true feelings. It's the kind of look you see from visiting dignitaries at the Oval Office when Mr Trump is in full flow. Other common expressions derived from poker are "ace in the hole'' or "ace up the sleeve" meaning to enjoy a hidden advantage. And "holding all the aces" needs no explanation. There are plenty more of course, including "calling one's bluff" and "raising the stakes''. I suspect the one expression I would become very familiar with is "when the chips are down." Walkies My thanks to reader Daniel Wilkinson in Khon Kaen for a final word on unusual pets: "A man bought a talking centipede from the pet shop. When he got home he whispered into the box 'do you want to go for a walk?' NOTHING. He whispered again 'I'm going for a walk in the park, do you want to come?' NOTHING. He tried a third time. This time a voice said, 'I heard you the first time, I am putting my shoes on.'"
Fox News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Dave Portnoy touts new FOX Sports-Barstool partnership, says 'the sky's the limit'
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy says the company's new partnership with FOX Sports marks a major shift from past collaborations, and it's one that finally feels like the right fit. Portnoy reflected on earlier attempts to work with major media networks, including a deal with ESPN. It's something, he admits, didn't meld with their brand. "When we did the ESPN deal, they looked like they had a sour taste in their mouth every time they looked at me," Portnoy told "Fox & Friends" Friday. "They wanted nothing to do with Barstool. They were embarrassed by it." That experience, he says, is completely different to the new partnership with FOX Sports. "Fox is the exact opposite. They're embracing everything they do," Portnoy said. "They're embracing why people like us. They are basically [going to] be a true partner." As part of the collaboration, Barstool personalities, including Portnoy and Dan "Big Cat" Katz, will be featured on FOX Sports programming. Portnoy will join "Big Noon Kickoff" this fall to cover college football, with a particular interest in representing his alma mater. "I'm going to be on the road every single week with these guys," he said. "It's about time Michigan gets represented. Since we do run the conference, it's only natural you have an alumni there." Portnoy also revealed that he'll be appearing on a new Monday show on FOX Sports 1, and that a dedicated Barstool studio is being built in Chicago as part of the expansion. "Our cast of characters will be on it," he added. "FOX Sports really wanted the Barstool feel. They want what makes us attractive, which is, you have a bunch of idiots just trying to get along in the world, make people laugh." Looking ahead, Portnoy said he's excited about what the partnership will bring for both fan bases. "It's a totally new chapter for us," he said. "We've never partnered with a network as big, as many resources, as much talent as FOX Sports that is invested in us." "They're as excited about it as we are," he added. "So, you know, the sky's the limit."
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Dave Portnoy on the brink of stunning deal to join Fox Sports
Dave Portnoy is reportedly nearing an 'expansive' deal with Fox Sports which would see the network add him to its college football pregame show and also air Barstool Sports content. As reported by Front Office Sports, talks are ongoing for Michigan alum Portnoy to join 'Big Noon Kickoff.' Earlier this week, Fox Sports cut three shows, including the Joy Taylor-hosted 'Speak' and Emmanuel Acho 's 'The Facility.' And the company reportedly looks set to fill some of its airtime with other top Barstool personalities. The Athletic's Andrew Marchand also named Dan 'Big Cat' Katz as one of the Barstool personalities who would appear on the channel. The deal has reportedly yet to be finalized, and Portnoy referred to them as 'rumors' on his X account. 'These are nothing more than rumors at this point. But all the crying from Columbus is making me feel like it's Thanksgiving Day weekend again and Michigan is pounding a hapless Buckeye team into the mud for the billionth straight year,' he wrote. More to follow
Newsweek
12-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Tiger Woods Rumors: The 2 Failed Surgeries No One Knew He Had
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Recently, Tiger Woods has been making more frequent public appearances, mostly to support his son Charlie's rising junior golf career. But while the 15-time major winner looked relatively recovered from his latest Achilles surgery, another rumor has resurfaced over the internet. This time, it is about his hair. Last week, Dr. Gary Linkov, a certified hair and skin surgeon with over one million YouTube subscribers, disclosed that Woods may have undergone two failed hair transplant surgeries. He predicted one to be around 2012, while another in 2017, totaling roughly 3,000 grafts to the frontal and mid-scalp. ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 20: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during the pro-am prior to the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 20, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas... ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 20: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during the pro-am prior to the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 20, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) More Getty Images To do this, Linkov used over 60 photos of Woods from the past three decades and traced the hair loss timeline. Per his observations, in 1994, Tiger had a full head of curly hair, but by the time the Big Cat won his first Masters (1997), there was "some frontotemporal recession." Frontotemporal recession is when there is hair loss or thinning at the front and top sides of the head. Usually, it is above the temples. "It's very mild, but it's clearly there compared to just a few years before," Linkov stated. Following years, there was still thinning of the hairline, but the major difference was spotted in 2006, the year Woods lost his father, Earl Woods. The 40-year-old surgeon pointed towards Woods' picture from his video game launch in 2006 and described it as "progressive frontal scalp thinning." #Throwback Tiger Woods in 2006 during the launch of his new 'Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007' golf video game at Leicester Square, London. — Devlina Sarkar (@devlinasarkar3) July 11, 2025 Tiger Woods Undergoes First Transplant Then came 2012, the year of his first suspected transplant. "Tiger's hairline is looking a bit stronger," Linkov said in his video, adding he saw signs of FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) scarring on the occipital scalp. FUT scarring, in simple words, means the mark left on the back of the head after a hair transplant surgery. The second surgery, according to Linkov, likely occurred in 2017, the same year Woods underwent spinal fusion surgery. "The primary population of hair in the frontal area is actually the transplanted grafts," Linkov explained. But the results didn't hold. According to the American doctor, by 2023, Woods' crown thinning had worsened, and Tiger likely didn't pursue much medical therapy after hair transplant (finasteride or minoxidil), which could have helped preserve density. Reports confirm that 25% of men experience hair loss by age 21, and by age 50, that number jumps to 70%. Woods, now 49, fits squarely into that curve. And if you skim through his photos from the 1990s to now, the transformation is pretty undeniable. As of now, the 3-time Open Championship winner is unlikely to return to competitive golf until 2026, as stated by his doctor, Dr. Charlton. More Golf: Charley Hull collapses at LPGA Major, taken off course by stretcher
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn football lands three-star LB Adam Balogoun-Ali to its 2026 haul
Auburn won the race between SEC rivals Kentucky and Missouri for the Florida linebacker. The Auburn Tigers picked up a three-star recruit on Tuesday to help bolster their 2026 recruiting rankings. Linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali committed to the Tigers Tuesday afternoon, choosing Auburn over Kentucky and Missouri. Per Nathan King of 247Sports, Balogoun-Ali visited the Tigers during Big Cat weekend in April. He is the eighth commitment for the Tigers for the 2026 class that is ranked No. 78 nationally. Auburn has needed some good news lately, with the talks of head coach Hugh Freeze frequently playing golf and players flipping their commitment to play for the Tigers. Some would believe the two are connected. Balogoun-Ali attends Cardinal Newman in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is the No. 65 player in Florida and the No. 29 linebacker. He recently visited SEC schools in Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma in June. Balogoun-Ali transferred to Cardinal Newman for the 2025 season after playing for Benjamin School. He picked up 56 tackles in 2024 with two sacks. He also played on offense, catching four touchdowns. He is the only linebacker committed to the 2026 class for the Tigers. For the 2025 class, Auburn signed three players at the position. The linebacker position is the youngest position group on the roster going into the 2025 season. Auburn still needs to do work on improving the 2026 class. With SEC media days occurring next week, Freeze should be prepared to answer questions on how he plans to improve the 2026 class. A big recruiting pitch for the Tigers will be a successful season on the field. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Phillip on Twitter @PJordanSEC
