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USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Matilda Lutz was 'nervous' in her 'Red Sonja' chainmail bikini. Then she owned it.
SAN DIEGO – Red Sonja has evolved a lot as a character since the days of the 1970s comic books and that unfortunate 1985 Brigitte Nielsen movie. Not everything has changed, though: The 'She Devil with a Sword' is still rocking her chainmail bikini armor. The trailer for the new fantasy action film 'Red Sonja" (in theaters Aug. 15 and video on demand Aug. 29), starring Italian actress Matilda Lutz as the title character, even hints to its impracticality, tongue fully in cheek. Sonja is trying to obtain some protection for battle and an armorer shows off what will become her signature wear. 'And that protects …?' she asks, dumbfounded, before he answers, 'Nothing. The crowd will love it,' followed by a faux sexy shimmy. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox 'I was obviously a bit nervous about being so exposed on set in a chainmail bikini,' Lutz tells USA TODAY before the 'Red Sonja' panel at Comic-Con, the San Diego pop-culture festival. But she also felt it was utilized 'in such a smart way' in the context of the movie. Directed by M.J. Bassett, 'Red Sonja' centers on the title character, chained but fearless, battling through obstacles thrown her way by Emperor Dragan (Robert Sheehan). She forms an army of warrior outcasts to take on the tyrant and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia (Wallis Day), and win their freedom. The chainmail bikini 'is used as an element of power that the emperor has over her, like a violence that he's doing to her. But then she owns it,' Lutz says. 'It was so liberating to use exposure and vulnerability that you have doing fights in a chainmail bikini, but you're fighting against these soldiers with big armor and you're still winning. It was so fun to do that.' Before she got the script and auditioned, Lutz didn't know a lot about Red Sonja, based on the crimson-haired warrior Red Sonja of Rogatino from Robert E. Howard's 1934 short story 'The Shadow of the Vulture.' But Lutz fell hard for her. 'She was everything I wanted in one character: fierce, raw, untamed, badass, but also vulnerable and full of humanity,' says the actress, who's starred in Coralie Fargeat's survival horror movie 'Revenge,' the Justin Timberlake crime drama "Reptile" and the Daisy Ridley thriller "Magpie." Lutz began reading the modern comics that dug into Red Sonja's backstory and fleshed out her persona, and sees this film as "the tip of the evolvement of this character," she says. 'The one thing that really stood out from the comics to me was that she was a warrior but she was also a survivor. "The question was like, 'She's lost everything, but what is she willing to do for others?' She kept going. And that's what I wanted to bring to the film.'
Irish Examiner
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lutz nets first Cork City goal as they eventually overcome Leicester Celtic
FAI Cup second round Cork City 3 (Lutz pen 69, Nelson 71, Curry OG 88) Leicester Celtic 0 New signing Charlie Lutz netted his first goal to the relief of manager Ger Nash as Cork City eventually shook off Leicester Celtic's challenge. The Aston Villa academy recruit argued with midfielder Evan McLaughlin over who should take their 69th-minute penalty before dispatching to the bottom corner. Kitt Nelson, who had been fouled for the spot-kick, added the clincher within two minutes to kill off the Leinster Senior League's fourth-tier side. Standout centre-back Kevin Curry was unlucky to finish with an own goal in the dying moments. Nash's first win as City manager in front of 893 fans sees them advance to the FAI Cup third round ahead of a crucial relegation dogfight against Sligo Rovers on Friday. With Seani Maguire, Greg Bolger, and new keeper David Odumosu absent, Nash made four changes for the midday kick-off. Into the team came Conor Brann, Freddie Anderson, Josh Fitzpatrick, and Lutz. Leicester Celtic's long-serving captain, Alan O'Shaughnessy, missed the game due to a clash with his wedding. A few teammates attended the Friday ceremony before joining the rest of the squad in Cork. The first-time FAI Cup participants from Rathfarnham drew a strong travelling support. They cheered every clearance, pass, and tackle, while also celebrating each of City's missed chances and overhit crosses. Curry and Daniel McCullagh stood up well to the waves of attack, while Owen Norton provided an extra layer of protection as a midfield shield. Behind them, Charles Delmotte made a series of brilliant saves. City piled on the pressure for the opening 20 minutes, but began to run out of ideas thereafter. Captain Fiacre Kelleher's early header back across goal rolled wide. Malik Dijksteel also missed the target from Fitzpatrick's cross. City came closer again in the 14th minute. Darragh Crowley and Fitzpatrick carved out a chance for Lutz. He swivelled to get off a shot which cannoned back off the post. Leicester Celtic countered for their only shot of the half. Fionnan O'Reilly cut onto his left, but Kelleher got across to block. In the 21st minute, City put the away keeper to work. Once again, Fitzpatrick fed Lutz, but Delmotte charged off his line to produce a brilliant save. From there, City's chances began to fade. They worked one clear-cut opening before the break from a smart Nelson free-kick. However, Kelleher's effort was closer to a pass than a shot as it dribbled wide. Anderson came agonisingly close from a pair of corners early in the second half. Delmotte was at full stretch to turn away his first effort, while the crossbar bailed them out from the latter chance. Curry bravely put his head in the way to stop the next shot from Cathal O'Sullivan. Leicester Celtic were getting a foothold at times, but couldn't capitalise on three early corners. Benny Couto's first involvement off the bench since April almost resulted in a goal. Nelson's shot ricocheted off the left back, and Delmotte dived across to tip away. Dijksteel was next to test the keeper with an excellent recovery and forward run. Delmotte came up with another save. When City's breakthrough came, it was from a defensive error rather than any major creativity. Nelson went over the leg of McCullagh. After a tense debate, Lutz tucked it away. With that confidence boost, Lutz's close control teed up Nelson to blast home from the edge of the box. Delmotte denied Lutz, but was beaten for a third time in the 88th minute when Couto's free-kick was turned in by Curry. CORK CITY: Brann; Feely (Nevin 75), Anderson, Kelleher, Kiernan (Couto 61); O'Sullivan, Crowley (McLaughlin 61), Nelson (M Murray 75); Fitzpatrick (Nolan 69), Lutz, Dijksteel. LEICESTER CELTIC: Delmotte; Ndee (Lawless 74), McCullagh, Curry, Bagrin (Miley 89); O'Reilly (Clancy-Kelly 74), Hennessy, O Norton, Fortune (T Norton 60), Keller; Maguire (Temple 89). Referee: D White (Dublin).
RTÉ News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Cork City eventually grind down plucky Leicester Celtic
New signing Charlie Lutz netted his first goal to the relief of manager Ger Nash as Cork City eventually shook off Leicester Celtic's challenge. The Aston Villa academy recruit argued with midfielder Evan McLaughlin over who should take their 69th-minute penalty before dispatching to the bottom corner. Kitt Nelson, who had been fouled for the spot-kick, added the clincher within two minutes to kill off the Leinster Senior League's fourth-tier side. Standout centre-back Kevin Curry was unlucky to finish with an own goal in the dying moments. Nash's first win as City manager in front of 893 fans sees them advance to the FAI Cup third round ahead of a crucial relegation dog fight against Sligo Rovers on Friday. With Seani Maguire, Greg Bolger, and new keeper David Odumosu absent, Nash made four changes for the midday kick-off. Into the team came Conor Brann, Freddie Anderson, Josh Fitzpatrick, and Lutz. Leicester Celtic's long-serving captain, Alan O'Shaughnessy, missed the game due to a clash with his wedding. A few teammates attended the Friday ceremony before joining the rest of the squad in Cork. The first-time FAI Cup participants from Rathfarnham drew a strong travelling support. They cheered every clearance, pass, and tackle, while also celebrating each of City's missed chances and overhit crosses. Curry and Daniel McCullagh stood up well to the waves of attack, while Owen Norton provided an extra layer of protection as a midfield shield. Behind them, Charles Delmotte made a series of brilliant saves. City piled on the pressure for the opening 20 minutes, but began to run out of ideas thereafter. Captain Fiacre Kelleher's early header back across goal rolled wide. Malik Dijksteel also missed the target from Fitzpatrick's came closer again in the 14th minute. Darragh Crowley and Fitzpatrick carved out a chance for Lutz. He swivelled to get off a shot which cannoned back off the Celtic countered for their only shot of the half. Fionnan O'Reilly cut onto his left, but Kelleher got across to the 21st minute, City put the away keeper to work. Once again, Fitzpatrick fed Lutz, but Delmotte charged off his line to produce a brilliant save. From there, City's chances began to fade. They worked one clear-cut opening before the break from a smart Nelson free-kick. However, Kelleher's effort was closer to a pass than a shot as it dribbled came agonisingly close from a pair of corners early in the second half. Delmotte was at full stretch to turn away his first effort, while the crossbar bailed them out from the latter bravely put his head in the way to stop the next shot from Cathal O'Sullivan. Leicester Celtic were getting a foothold at times, but couldn't capitalise on three early corners. Benny Couto's first involvement off the bench since April almost resulted in a goal. Nelson's shot ricocheted off the left back, and Delmotte dived across to tip away. Dijksteel was next to test the keeper with an excellent recovery and forward run. Delmotte came up with another City's breakthrough came, it was from a defensive error rather than any major creativity. Nelson went over the leg of McCullagh. After a tense debate, Lutz tucked it away. With that confidence boost, Lutz's close control teed up Nelson to blast home from the edge of the box. Delmotte denied Lutz, but was beaten for a third time in the 88th minute when Couto's free-kick was turned in by Curry. Cork City: Conor Brann; Rory Feely (Harry Nevin 75), Freddie Anderson, Fiacre Kelleher, Matthew Kiernan (Benny Couto 61); Cathal O'Sullivan, Darragh Crowley (Evan McLaughlin 61), Kitt Nelson (Matthew Murray 75); Josh Fitzpatrick (Alex Nolan 69), Charlie Lutz, Malik Dijksteel. Leicester Celtic: Charles Delmotte; Kimolo Ndee (Emmet Lawless 74), Daniel McCullagh, Kevin Curry, Christian Bagrin (David Miley 89); Fionnan O'Reilly (Cormac Clancy-Kelly 74), Eoghan Hennessy, Owen Norton, Ruairí Fortune (Thomas Norton 60), Hugh Keller; Kevin Maguire (Conor Temple 89).
DW
17-07-2025
- Business
- DW
Deutsche Bahn is on track for more delays and cancellations – DW – 07/17/2025
Once famed for never being late, German trains almost never run on time anymore. Deutsche Bahn has launched a refurbishment program that is likely to last at least a decade, and the costs and criticism are increasing. In Germany, where the trains were said to never run late, a route is now considered punctual if it is delayed by less than six minutes. Since 2022, only 62% of trains run right on schedule, compared with close to 99% in neighboring Switzerland. Much longer delays are commonplace, and trips are as likely to be canceled completely as they are to end prematurely. The frequent problems are exacerbated by strikes and weather conditions. If is particularly hot or cold, travelers are likely to encounter more problems. Train travel in Germany often requires time, patience and nerves of steel. In 2024, Deutsche Bahn (DB) paid passengers almost €200 million ($232 million) in compensation, nearly €70 million more than the previous year. "Deutsche Bahn is undergoing its biggest crisis in 30 years," DB CEO Richard Lutz said in May 2025. He has tried in vain to get the company back on track since becoming chairman of the management board in 2017. "We are a long way from what we set out to do and what our customers expect from us, in key areas." The run-down DB network covers about 33,500 kilometers (19,800 miles) of track. As a state-owned company, DB is dependent on subsidies from the federal government, which for decades has invested far too little in infrastructure. "We cannot ensure stable operations on an outdated infrastructure that is prone to failure," Lutz said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Some of Germany's tracks, rails, switches and signal boxes date to the 19th century. Many of them are so run down that they cannot be repaired or so outdated that they are not compatible with digitally controlled rail operations that are supposed to become the standard. DB's general refurbishment program, which was launched in 2024, focuses on 41 lines, covering 4,200 kilometers, that are essential for a high-performance network. It is the largest overhaulin DB's history to date. The 70-kilometer stretch between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim, known as the Riedbahn, was the first to be shut down. Over six months, rails and ballast, 152 switches and 140 kilometers of overhead line were torn out and reinstalled. Twenty stations, signaling technology and noise barriers were also renovated. It turned out to be more complicated than expected to install digital technology and the costs rose to more than €1.5 billion — twice as much as originally estimated. The Federal Audit Office, which reviews the government's financial management, accused the Transport Ministry of negligence, saying it should have demanded that DB provide evidence for the economic viability of its approach. "The hitherto usual market prices for construction work multiplied within a very short space of time," the Federal Audit Office wrote to the Bundestag Budget Committee in May. It added that there had also been shortages of skilled workers and construction equipment. The office determined that further funds for refurbishment plans should only be made available once the Transport Ministry had "prove beyond doubt that these are necessary and economical." As a consequence, DB announced that its general refurbishment program would be extended by six years, until 2036. Next up is the 280-kilometer line between Germany's largest cities, Berlin and Hamburg, which carries about 30,000 passengers a day, making it the most frequently used direct long-distance connection in the country. It is used by around 230 regional, long-distance and freight trains each day. It will close for nine months from August 1. Long-distance trains will have to take a detour of 100 kilometers. Freight trains will be rerouted even more extensively. Some 170 buses will replace the regional trains, covering 86,000 kilometers a day to maintain connections to the towns between Berlin and Hamburg. It is already foreseeable that the complications and disruption will be worse than on the Riedbahn. DB has considerably scaled back its plans for this massive undertaking. The introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS), a train protection system to replace the incompatible systems used by European railways, has been postponed until the next decade. This is because conventional technology still needs to be used as not all trains are currently compatible with future systems. A DB press release in May said that this was making the renovation works complicated and costly. The original number of switches has also been reduced. There were supposed to be more, as well as multiple tracks, to ensure that fast trains could overtake slower ones. Even in the planning stage, the costs have risen to €2.2 billion. Germany's government has promised DB additional funds for the renovation of the rail lines. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) spoke of investments of €107 billion by 2029. The money is to come largely from the debt-financed special fund for infrastructure and climate protection that was established earlier this year. In a report published in May, the Federal Audit Office warned that the government could not assume that money alone would solve DB's "permanent crisis." The office called for an overall strategy that should include an "adjustment" of the company structure, implying that clarity should be brought in to disentangle the hundreds of DB holdings and subsidiaries For years, there has been a discussion about whether to separate the rail infrastructure and transport in order to enable more private companies and competition in the network. For now, there is little hope that the situation will improve for DB. The Federal Audit Office does not envision that DW will be able "to meet transport and climate policy expectations" for the foreseeable future.
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Why Raiatea, French Polynesia is a must visit for New Zealanders wanting to trace their lineage
Roughly twice the size of Waiheke Island, Raiatea is believed to be the ancestral homeland of Māori and the starting point for migratory journeys that followed the track of Matariki – the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) constellation – and led to the settlement of other Polynesian islands, including New Zealand. Home to the most significant marae in the Polynesian Triangle, the Marae Taputaputea (a Unesco World Heritage site since 2017) it's a must-visit for Kiwis wanting to learn more about their ancestral roots. Part of Marae Taputapuatea, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Photo / Getty Images To make the most of the experience, we met with a Tahitian guide through Aroha Experiences, who took us through Marae Taputapuatea and Raiatea's surrounding natural treasures. Our guide Naiki Lutz explained a bit more about the marae, Taputapuatea - 'tapu' meaning sacred and 'atea' meaning faraway. She's guided many New Zealanders through this same journey, many of whom she says are impacted deeply by a sense of connection felt to their ancestral roots. The marae was once a centre of power where high priests and chiefs gathered, and today still has an incredible presence, commanding respect. But visiting here hasn't always been a guarantee, as Lutz said many generations before her were scared of visiting the site, which was considered taboo and a no-go zone due to a mass wave of Christianity and large-scale attempts to cull the ancestral stories that had come before it. Christian missionaries had a significant influence on Raiatea, starting in the early 19th century, leading to conflicts and even the destruction of the traditional Marae Taputapuatea in 1828. While the people of Raiatea initially resisted, Christian missionaries successfully converted many and managed to gain political influence. Now, Lutz and many others on the island are on a mission to preserve the Tahitian culture, retell the stories, regenerate the land and bring back parts of what was lost. While some of the stories and traditions may never be recovered, Raeatea is in itself a history book in landscape form. One of the beautiful lagoons of Raiatea in French Polynesia. Photo / Getty Images It is home to many amazing natural features, such as Mount Temehani and its Tiara Apetahi flower, which grows nowhere else in the world and blooms at dawn. The island also boasts its magnificent lagoon, rivers bathed in rituals, and lush, unique vegetation. Lutz took us in her truck through the centre of the mountains, stopping to pick a fresh mangosteen and visit a river, used by locals for centuries to bathe and fish. There she prepared a coconut scrub for us using fresh coconut husk and coconut meat, and we bathed in the same river many generations of Tahitians have. We took time to appreciate all that the land has to offer as we gave back to the eels and shrimp around us as they feasted on discarded coconut. For a quick snack break, we detoured to a local market and tried mapé chaude for the first time, a fruit that's gruelling to harvest and cook and looks like an organ, but is a delicacy among locals. The taste is somewhere between a kūmara and a banana. Mapé from the local market. Photo / NZ Herald Time felt slower on Raiatea; nobody was rushing, and there was a knowledge everywhere we went that this place was special. Connecting to it for a moment in time was an honour not to be taken for granted. Although less famous than its neighbours Bora Bora and Moorea, Raiatea captivated us with its mana, spectacular landscapes and stories. At the end of our time there, we wove harakeke with our guide and dropped it into the ocean as a gift to Ta'aroa (the Tahitian supreme creator god), thanking him for our time at such a special place. Checklist Raiatea, French Polynesia GETTING THERE Fly from Auckland to Tahiti with Air Tahiti or Air New Zealand daily. Tahiti to Raiatea is a short 45-minute flight with Air Tahiti or Air Moana. DETAILS New Zealand Herald Travel visited courtesy of Tahiti Tourism. Jenni Mortimer is the NZ Herald's chief lifestyle and entertainment reporter. Jenni started at the Herald in 2017 and has previously worked as lifestyle, entertainment and travel editor.
