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Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gal Gadot sports a bloodied face as she runs through central London while filming thriller The Runner after pro-Gaza demonstrations disrupt filming
Gal Gadot sported a bloody face as she filmed tense scenes for the upcoming action thriller The Runner in London on Thursday. The actress, 39, had fake blood on the side of her face as she ran down the street near Temple tube station. The Snow White star cut a casual figure in a blue top along with a pair of black leggings and red trainers. At one point, the actress was seen hunched over near the tube station as her character appeared to catch her breath. She carried a bottle of water and a light jacket with her while chatting with crew members in between takes. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The Runner sees Gal play a successful London lawyer who is thrust into a dangerous chase across the city when her son is abducted. She is forced to obey a series of mysterious demands from an unknown caller as she attempts to save her son. The film, which will be distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, also stars Damien Lewis. In recent weeks, police say demonstrators have repeatedly targeted filming locations of The Runner across the capital due to Gal's Israeli nationality. Gal, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, has previously voiced strong support for Israel's invasion of Gaza, following the October 7 Hamas attacks - a stance that has sparked outrage among pro-Palestinian campaigners. Officers from the Met were deployed on Wednesday to the central London set, aiming to identify suspects linked to earlier protests and to prevent fresh disruption. They arrested five people for harassment and offences under Section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, which prohibits obstructing access to a workplace. Of those arrested, two were wanted in connection with previous incidents, while three were detained for offences that occurred on Wednesday. She carried a bottle of water and a light jacket with her while chatting with crew members in between takes Superintendent Neil Holyoak, who led the operation, said: 'While we absolutely acknowledge the importance of peaceful protest, we have a duty to intervene where it crosses the line into serious disruption or criminality. 'We have been in discussions with the production company to understand the impact of the protests on their work and on any individuals involved. 'I hope today's operation shows we will not tolerate the harassment of or unlawful interference with those trying to go about their legitimate professional work in London.' All five suspects remain in custody. Despite the unrest, Gadot has been spotted back on set this week, filming scenes for the high-stakes thriller in the heart of London. Meanwhile, in May Gal's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was hit by warring protestors amid ongoing controversy over her 'woke' film Snow White. The actress, who plays the Evil Queen in the live action remake alongside Rachel Zegler's Snow White, looked delighted as she arrived to receive the accolade - but outside the barriers, drama was unfolding. In dramatic video captured by, police were seen running after a member of the public amid claims 'a pro-Palestine protestor stole a pro-Israel protester's flag.' Pro-Palestine protestors gathered outside the ceremony carrying signs reading: 'Heroes fight like Palestinians' and 'Viva Viva Palestina.' Israeli actress Gadot who formerly served in the IDF - is staunchly pro-Israel. The unidentified man was seen being grabbed by police and pushed against a wall, as screams rang out from the crowd. Recent claims emerged that a feud was brewing between Gadot and Zegler - who is pro-Palestine - over their opposing stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler was tellingly not in attendance at the ceremony. Gal seemed unaware of the altercation unfolding outside as she posed with her husband Jaron Varsano and their four daughters, as well as Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel and Wonder Woman director Patti Jenkins. In an interview published Tuesday with Variety, Gal spoke about how she felt compelled to speak out on politics after the October 7 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. She said: 'After October 7th [2023], I don't talk politics — because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics? I'm an artist. I want to entertain people. I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world. 'But on October 7th, when people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors, were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent. 'I'm not a hater. I'm a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz. And on the other side of my family, I'm eighth generation Israeli. I'm an indigenous person of Israel. 'I am all about humanity and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages. I am praying for better days for all,' she continues. 'I want everybody to have good life and prosperity, and the ability to raise their children in a safe environment.'
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Daily Mail
'Impossible' escape of SAS commando from Hitler's Gestapo revealed after 80 years: How lone WWII hero killed six Nazi soldiers to make mountain dash for freedom from surrounded farmhouse
The heroics of an SAS commando who achieved the 'impossible' escape from the Gestapo after blowing up a German train can be revealed 81 years on. Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant John Alcock appeared doomed when nearly 40 enemy troops surrounded the French farmhouse he was hiding in. But he orchestrated a daring escape during a close quarters shoot-out, killing six of the enemy and leaping over a wall with his adversaries in close pursuit. He then lay in wait in dense woodland and picked off the enemy one by one before carrying on towards the Allied lines on the French-German border. The final dash for freedom saw him weave his way through German frontline positions in the Vosges Mountains, the most heavily defended lines in all of Western Europe, undetected. Then he made the unorthodox decision of capturing an American machine gun post facing the German lines to prevent being shot in a 'friendly fire' incident. The Dunkirk veteran's story has been told for the first time after 30-year-old manuscripts his son Graham wrote from conversations with his father about the mission came to light. Graham Alcock also kept hold of his father's wartime archive and showed it to the historian and author Damien Lewis. He carried out further research by trawling through the National Archives at Kew and has now published his latest book, SAS Great Escapes Four. Mr Lewis said: 'It is one of the most epic SAS escapes of World War Two - an impossible getaway. 'There are so few veterans still alive today so it gets more and more difficult to tell these stories and it is a privilege to do so.' Sergeant Alcock, a former 'butcher's boy' from Goole, East Yorkshire, was dropped behind enemy lines near Audviller in Alsace-Lorraine on September 15, 1944 as part of Operation Pistol. The mission was to hit nearby railway lines and communications, then make their way to the American lines. Sergeant Alcock led a four-man team, also consisting of Corporal Holden, Corporal Hannah and Private Lyczak, behind enemy lines with no transport and minimal supplies. They did not have functioning radios and a storm which blew them off course meant they parachuted onto farmland with no cover to hide from the enemy. Friendly farmers sheltered them before they planted explosives on a vital railway line which blew up a train near Insming, severing a German supply line and killing two officers. The daring act meant they were firmly on the Gestapo's radar and relentlessly hunted from that moment forward. They were hiding out in another farm when a couple of Polish workmen betrayed them and revealed their whereabouts to the enemy. An hour later, two trucks full of German troops turned up at the farm and surrounded the farmhouse, leaving them outnumbered almost 10 to one. Sergeant Alcock, knowing they would have to shoot their way to freedom, swiftly organised his men in the rear hallway. Two Polish girls, who were loyal to the Allies and were staying at the farm, went out the front door to provide a distraction. This crucially drew the Germans who had been hiding at the rear of the farmhouse away from their positions. Seconds later, the Germans stormed into the farmhouse through the front door. Sergeant Alcock and his men, with their pistols loaded, burst through the rear hallway door into the kitchen and shot at least six of them dead. They then dashed out of the back exit and hurdled a wall before running into the forest. When they got a certain distance inside, Sgt Alcock ordered them to take their positions and shoot anyone approaching. Three more Germans were killed in the ambush, which put other pursuers off from following them into the trap. But they then heard two gunshots which were the Polish girls who had helped them being executed. Sergeant Alcock knew that under Adolf Hitler's Commando Order, were they to be captured they would suffer the same fate. On October 1, after two weeks behind enemy lines, and by now wearing civilian clothes given to them by a French farmer, they reached the German frontline positions. Sergeant Alcock led them down a stone track and they crept across a canal before weaving a route around enemy trenches towards No Man's Land. At this point, they spotted a hill in the distance which Sgt Alcock was convinced was held by the Americans. But fearful that the American machine gunner on the hill would open fire on them, Sgt Alcock decided the best option was to capture the post. Two of his men drew his fire while the others approached from the sides and captured the gunner, whose partner was sleeping alongside him. They woke the sleeping soldier up and explained to their new prisoners that they were on the same side. At Sergeant Alcock's request, he was taken to the US high command where he divulged valuable information about the German positions they had just passed. The team had carried on doing sabotage operations, including cutting communication wires, right up until they reached the Allied lines. Mr Lewis, whose book The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare was made into Guy Ritchie's film of the same name, said: 'Somehow, against all odds, Sergeant Alcock had done it. 'He had let his men to safety through the lines, evading the enemy at every turn. 'It had been a little short of miraculous that they had managed to navigate their way through. 'Since they had been dropped neae Audviller on the night of September 15, their mission had been plagued by bad weather, lack of supplies and terrain that was crawling with the enemy. 'Even so, they had successfully blown up a train, causing an important German supply line to be severed, and had emerged carrying priceless intelligence on key enemy positions. 'And while they accounted for at least 11 enemy dead or wounded, not a single man on Alcock's patrol had suffered so much as a scratch. 'Operation Pistol had, in the main, been a success, scoring victories and gathering vital intelligence. 'Its sister mission, Operation Loyton, would become infamous, as 32 SAS soldiers were taken prisoner, and duly murdered under Hitler's Commando Order, many of them personal friends of Alcock. 'The courage, tenacity and strength of will displayed by Alcock and his comrades typified the esprit de corps of the SAS during the Second World War. 'There was no other unit quite like it. 'For the freedoms we enjoy today, we owe such individuals an immense debt of gratitude.' Sergeant Alcock, who was Mentioned in Despatches for Operation Pistol, remained in the Army until 1966. He then worked for the East Riding Education Service before his retirement in 1983, spending his final years in his beloved Yorkshire. Sergeant Alcock died aged 78 in 1997.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Charity event raises £30,000 to homeless and vulnerable veterans
A charity event raised £30,000 to support homeless and vulnerable veterans. The fundraiser, organised by Alabaré, took place at the Everyman Cinema and featured a talk by international author Damien Lewis. Lewis, known for his best-selling books on the military, spoke about the early missions of the SAS during the Second World War. The event was organised with the help of Handelsbanken and Trethowans, inviting people from across the community to attend. The audience was treated to stories about the daring Operation Postmaster, one of the earliest covert operations by the SAS. READ MORE: Salisbury Fabulous Family Fun Day for Salisbury Hospice MD Peter Ames of Apsley Engineering was delighted to have the winning bid for a replica set of Paddy Mayne's medals created especially by Ubique Medals (Image: Alabaré) Exclusive clips from Guy Ritchie's upcoming film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, were also shown. Mr Lewis said: "Alabaré carry out vital work with the veteran's community across Britain, something that is very dear to my heart. "As someone who has myself been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, from my days as a war reporter, I understand the challenges all who have served on the front line face. "Alabaré endeavour to make the world a better place for all those who have sacrificed a great deal in defence of the freedoms we cherish today." The night also featured an auction led by John Axford, chairman of Woolley & Wallis and a familiar face from BBC's Antiques Roadshow. Auction items included a replica of Colonel Blair 'Paddy' Mayne's SAS medals, a bottle of SAS signature port and the chance to name a character in Lewis's next book. Alabaré CEO Andrew Lord said: "It was a fantastic evening with a truly inspirational speaker. "Damien brought to life the incredible bravery of the original SAS and reminded us of the sacrifices made. "We're deeply grateful to him, to our co-hosts Handelsbanken and Trethowans who brought invaluable support." The money raised will help Alabaré continue its work to provide housing, support, and care for veterans across their homes. Many of these veterans face challenges such as mental health issues, PTSD and homelessness after their military service.
Fox Sports
10-03-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
Does spending big in NFL free agency work? Here's what the past 10 years say
When the clock strikes noon ET on Monday, hope will spring eternal for 32 NFL fan bases, as they wait for their team to make splashy moves in NFL free agency. In the past few offseasons, there have been several teams that have spent at least $200 million in free agency, trying to bolster their roster with the goal of reaching the playoffs and beyond. There is a set salary cap for NFL teams every year, but not every team reaches that limit; this year it's $279.2 million. Teams with more offseason money may have restructured a current player's contract or have unused cap space from the season prior (teams are required to spend 89% of the cap per year minimum and any unused cap space rolls over to the next year). That said, does spending a lot of money actually work? Let's take a look at the teams that have spent the most money in free agency over the past 10 years, via Spotrac. 2024: Carolina Panthers ($259.96 million) Richest contracts: G Robert Hunt (five years, $100 million), G Damien Lewis (four years, $53 million) 2024 record: 5-12 (three-win increase) After finishing with the league's worst record in 2023 and no first-round pick to show for it, the Panthers turned to free agency to try to fix their problems. It worked out a bit, increasing their win total by three and playing a bit more respectable football down the stretch of the 2024 season. Unlike some other teams on this list, Carolina didn't hand out many lucrative contracts. Hunt's and Lewis' deals were the only ones that eclipsed the $50-million mark in total money, as the Panthers looked to improve their offensive line in front of second-year quarterback Bryce Young. As a result, the Panthers went from 30th in sacks allowed to 11th. Next top spenders in 2024: Atlanta Falcons ($259.62 million), Tennessee Titans ($238.75 million) 2023: Denver Broncos ($259.48 million) Richest contracts: OT Mike McGlinchey (five years, $87.5 million), G Ben Powers (four years, $52 million), DE Zach Allen (three years, $47.5 million) 2023 record: 8-9 (three-win increase) Head coach Sean Payton overhauled the Broncos' roster in his first offseason in Denver, spending big money on the trenches following a lousy 5-12 year in 2022. Quarterback Russell Wilson did play better in his second season in Denver, but it wasn't good enough to help him get a third year in the Mile High City. The offensive line additions marginally improved Wilson's protection as well, going from 32nd to 27th in sacks allowed that year. Defensively, though, Denver might have gotten one of the best value contracts that offseason with Allen. The defensive end was named second-team All-Pro in 2024, recording 8.5 sacks and an NFL-high 40 QB hits — all while many other top-end defensive linemen and edge rushers are earning deals upward of $30 million per year. He certainly was a big reason why the Broncos made the playoffs in 2024. Next top spenders in 2023: New Orleans Saints ($219.59 million), Falcons ($218.4 million) 2022: Jacksonville Jaguars ($272.12 million) Richest contracts: WR Christian Kirk (four years, $72 million), G Brandon Scherff (three years, $49.5 million), CB Darious Williams (three years, $30 million), LB Foye Oluokun (three years, $45 million) 2022 record: 9-8 (six-win increase) After an embarrassing 3-14 season in 2021, the Jaguars sought to make life easier for QB Trevor Lawrence in his second year in the league. The signing of Kirk, which was the richest for a wide receiver in NFL history at the time, paid off immediately when he brought in 84 receptions for 1,103 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022. Scherff also helped the Jaguars finish in the top five in the fewest sacks allowed that year. Those additions spearheaded a dramatic one-year transformation for the Jaguars, who won the AFC South and a playoff game, but they weren't able to keep the momentum going. They missed the playoffs in the following two years and traded Kirk in a cap-clearing move ahead of free agency this year. Next top spenders in 2022: Buffalo Bills ($191.57 million), New York Jets ($177 million) 2021: New England Patriots ($291.45 million) Richest contracts: LB Matthew Judon (four years, $56 million), TE Jonnu Smith (four years, $50 million), TE Hunter Henry (three years, $37.5 million), WR Nelson Agholor (two years, $26 million), S Jalen Mills (four years, $24 million) 2021 record: 10-7 (three-win increase) The Patriots are set to have the most cap space in the league when free agency opens on Monday. Their offseason in 2021 can serve as cautious optimism. Then-head coach Bill Belichick and New England spent the most money in free agency in 2021, making several transactions to round out the roster after missing the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. Many of those moves, along with a solid rookie season from QB Mac Jones, helped the Patriots win three more games than they did in 2020. They also made the playoffs in 2021 as Judon, Henry and Bourne had standout years. However, the contracts they gave out that offseason made it difficult to add more pieces in 2022, and most of the deals the Patriots gave out wound up being duds. They went 8-9 in the following season before two consecutive 4-13 finishes, only getting a one-year bump from their eye-popping offseason. Next top spenders in 2021: San Francisco 49ers ($200.99 million), Jaguars ($166.51 million) 2020: Miami Dolphins ($239.18 million) Richest contracts: CB Byron Jones (five years, $82.5 million), LB Kyle Van Noy (four years, $51 million), DE Shaq Lawson (three years, $30 million), OL Ereck Flowers (three years, $30 million) 2020 record: 10-6 (five-win increase) The Dolphins gutted their roster during the 2019 season, which led them to get a top-five pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With that pick, they selected QB Tua Tagovailoa. A month before drafting their quarterback of the future, the Dolphins replenished their roster with talent via free agency. Miami dished out several deals in 2020, including a pact that made Jones the highest-paid cornerback in the game at the time. Miami saw a quick turnaround following its pricey offseason, but the players it signed didn't play major roles. Jones had an aveerage year, recording two interceptions. Van Noy and Lawson weren't bad, either. However, they were both released after a season. Flowers was also released at the end of the year. Those contracts didn't hamper the Dolphins too much, though. The Dolphins went 9-8 in 2021 before making the postseason the next two years. Next top spenders in 2020: Cincinnati Bengals ($134.79 million), Las Vegas Raiders ($129.31 million) 2019: New York Jets ($204.54 million) Richest contracts: LB CJ Mosley (five years, $85 million), RB Le'Veon Bell (four years, $52 million), WR Jamison Crowder (three years, $28.5 million) 2019 record: 7-9 record (three-win increase) The Jets sought to build around QB Sam Darnold as he entered his second season, making a pair of notable signings on offense and another on their defense in 2019. They hit big on one of their major signings but struck out in the other. Mosley's 2019 season ended after two games, but he was an integral part on one of the league's top defenses from 2021-23. Bell, meanwhile, rushed for just 3.2 yards per carry and struggled to regain his All-Pro form after sitting out a year in 2018. The signings gave the Jets a brief jolt in 2019, but they had the league's second-worst record a year later. Next top spenders in 2019: Green Bay Packers ($185.63 million), Bills ($183.33 million) 2018: Chicago Bears ($233.57 million) Richest contracts: CB Kyle Fuller (four years, $56 million), WR Allen Robinson (three years, $42 million), TE Trey Burton (four years, $32 million), WR Taylor Gabriel (four years, $26 million) 2018 record: 12-4 (seven-win increase) In a similar theme to other high-spending teams, the Bears looked to maximize their cap situation with Mitch Trubisky entering Year 2 of his rookie contract. They gave their young quarterback weapons while strengthening their defense, matching the Packers' offer sheet to the transition-tagged Fuller before trading for Khalil Mack later that offseason. Those deals propelled the Bears to a division title for the first time in eight years, with Trubisky earning a Pro Bowl nod with the help of Robinson, but another one of their free-agent signings, kicker Cody Parkey, cost them the postseason when he infamously double-doinked the potential game-winning kick in their wild-card round loss. The 2018 season marked the high point of Bears football in recent memory. They haven't had a winning record since, though they did squeak into the postseason in 2020. Next top spenders in 2018: Jets ($202.39 million), Titans ($146.07 million) 2017: Jacksonville Jaguars ($148.95 million) Richest contracts: CB A.J. Bouye (five years, $62.5 million), DT Calais Campbell (four years, $60 million), S Barry Church (four years, $26 million) 2017 record: 10-6 (seven-win increase) Following some defensive struggles in previous seasons, the Jaguars opted to invest heavily in their defense during the 2017 offseason. That decision paid off. Their defense finished second in the league in yards and points allowed while ranking first in several other defensive categories. That unit led them to the AFC Championship Game, where they were minutes away from a Super Bowl appearance before losing to the Patriots. Even though Campbell remained one of the league's best defensive tackles, the signings in Jacksonville didn't keep the Jaguars as a contender for long. They slowly fell off over the next three seasons, missing the playoffs each year. Next top spenders in 2017: 49ers ($149.8 million), Bears ($133.11 million) 2016: Jacksonville Jaguars ($230.04 million) 2016 record: 3-13 (two-win decrease) Richest contracts: DT Malik Jackson (five years, $85.5 million), RB Chris Ivory (five years, $32 million), S Tashaun Gipson (five years, $35.5 million) A year before spending top-end money on a few top-end defensive players, the Jaguars spent even more money trying to round out the roster while quarterback Blake Bortles was still on his rookie deal. That plan didn't work out in 2016, with Gus Bradley getting fired late in the year en route to finishing with one of the worst records in football. Next top spenders in 2016: New York Giants ($213.81 million), Oakland Raiders ($156.13 million) 2015: New York Jets ($182.83 million) 2015 record: 10-6 (six-win increase) Richest contracts: CB Darrelle Revis (five years, $70 million), CB Antonio Cromartie (four years, $32 million), CB Buster Skrine (four years, $25 million) The Jets opted to bring back a franchise icon during the 2015 offseason, along with another star player from their franchise's past, as they remade their secondary. They also traded for wide receiver Brandon Marshall that same offseason, making splashy additions on both sides of the ball. Those moves ushered in a drastic turnaround in 2015, when the Jets won 10 games and journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had a career year. However, they lost in the final week of the regular season and missed the playoffs, marking the closest they've been to snapping their playoff drought that's now at 14 seasons. Next top spenders in 2015: Jaguars ($176.45 million), Dolphins ($155.45 million) Common trends and takeaways Except for the 2016 Jaguars, the team that spent the most money in free agency increased their win total by at least three in the following season. However, seven of those eight teams saw their win total decrease in the following season. The 2024 Panthers' free-agent class is still pending. Of the top three spenders in each free agency class, only two (2017 Jaguars and 2019 Packers) reached the conference championship that same year. None reached the Super Bowl that same season. Only four of the teams that have spent the most money in free agency have gone on to make the playoffs in the same year over the last 10 seasons. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? 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