Latest news with #MetroUK
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
One lucky Irish ticket wins Rs 2,200 crore jackpot — nation's biggest ever lottery victory
Someone in Ireland just hit the kind of jackpot that makes fairy tales feel underwhelming. A single ticket-holder has bagged the entire £208 million EuroMillions prize that's Rs 2,184 crore instantly turning their wallet heavier than most small nations' GDPs. The Irish National Lottery confirmed the massive win on Tuesday night and urged players to double-check their tickets. The prize had been sitting at its cap of €250 million (around Rs 2,250 crore) for two weeks before it was finally claimed. 'We are absolutely thrilled to see this incredible and record win for an Irish EuroMillions player,' said Cian Murphy, chief executive of the Irish National Lottery, in a statement to Metro UK. 'We are advising our players to check their tickets and, if they are the winner, sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact National Lottery HQ and we will guide you through the claims process.' Murphy said the location of the winning ticket would be revealed as soon as possible, adding: 'With such a big win we have procedures to follow, but we will reveal the winning location as soon as we can. While this is a massive win, it can come as a shock to a winner and we advise them to stay calm, get independent legal and financial advice and contact us as soon as they can.' Had the jackpot been won by a UK ticket holder, they would have become the biggest EuroMillions winner in British history. The winning numbers drawn on Tuesday, June 17, were 13, 22, 23, 44, and 49, with the Lucky Stars being 03 and 05. The Millionaire Maker code for the night was XPCD66044, creating a new millionaire in the UK. While the main jackpot was claimed by one lucky individual, other players also walked away with life-changing amounts. Three people matched five numbers and one Lucky Star to win £6,287,001.20 each, which is around Rs 66 crore. Sixteen ticket holders matched five main numbers and won £16,119.10 each, or approximately Rs 16.9 lakh. Seventy-seven others matched four numbers and two Lucky Stars to win £1,043.20, which converts to roughly Rs 1.1 lakh. If there had been no jackpot winner, Friday's draw would have triggered a 'Must Be Won' event in which the prize would roll down to the next winning tier. Now that the capped jackpot has been won, the top prize for the next EuroMillions draw on Friday, June 20, will reset to £14 million, or about Rs 147 crore. Although this is Ireland's biggest win, the largest EuroMillions jackpot in history remains the €250 million (Rs 2,250 crore) claimed by an Austrian player in March 2025.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Snow White Has Screened, And People Feel Strongly About Where It Ranks Among Disney's Live-Action Remakes
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A lot of controversy has surrounded the live-action remake of Snow White, but as we get closer to its release on the 2025 movie calendar, many are wondering about the film itself. Disney's live-action remakes have been hit or miss, and some are already predicting box office troubles for Snow White. However, many of those who attended an early screening of the movie have positive first reactions. Rachel Zegler portrays Disney's first princess, with Gal Gadot taking on evil stepmother duties. So what is the early response to the upcoming Disney movie? Critic Christopher Mills writes on X that the year's biggest surprise so far is that this 'controversial' and 'hated' film is actually decent. Mills praises Zegler as the titular character, saying: Snow White is not only one of their best live-action remakes in years, but it's also a film that recaptures the magic of the 1937 movie. Rachel Zegler IS Snow White, and she delivers such a magical performance. The musical numbers are unforgettable, the visuals (not the uncanny dwarves) are enchanting, and Erin Cressida Wilson's screenplay provides depth to this world that I didn't know was needed. With other Disney live-action remakes in the works including Lilo & Stitch and Moana, they may have to work hard to outshine Snow White, given what Tori Brazier of Metro UK thinks of director Marc Webb's movie. Brazier says: Well, Disney has had the last laugh with Snow White - after YEARS of backlash, they've produced one of their strongest ever remakes. Rachel Zegler is an enchanting lead, all the story tweaks work well for a modern audience and, after 88 years, it's a reimagining that makes sense. Like many Disney fans, Skyler Shuler of DisInsider was wary of this project, but after seeing it, Shuler says this is a must-see, joining others in calling it one of the best live-action remakes yet: Listen, I was worried, but let me tell you Snow White is PURE DISNEY MAGIC! This will end up being a lot of people's favorite live-action remake. … Also, Gal Gadot is very very good as the Evil Witch.. Not to be missed. Those hellbent on finding faults are going to struggle. It's a gorgeous movie. Katcy Stephan of Variety calls Rachel Zegler a 'supernova,' while also complimenting the new music and the depth that's given to the story. The love story is pretty sweet, too, Stephan says: Rachel Zegler is a shining supernova in Snow White, beautifully embodying the graceful, gentle nature of the OG Disney princess. It's a visual feast with show-stopping new musical numbers and, of course, dozens of enchanting animated animals. The screenplay wisely gives its heroine newfound depth through her fervent desire to become the leader her father believed she could be, and a love story that's sweet as apple pie. 🍎 ScreenRant's Ash Crossan's biggest complaint with the movie seems to be the princess' hair, though that doesn't stop Rachel Zegler's gorgeous voice in the overall 'charming' movie. Crossan says: Despite the bob being all over the place, Snow White is quite charming! The message lands well, the critters are adorable, and Rachel Zegler and her enchanting voice are stunning. It almost got a full tear out of me, and I've never cried in my entire life. The verdict isn't unanimous, however, with at least one critic voicing disappointment in the upcoming kids movie. Carl Kaka of Future of the Force says live-action remakes in general don't replicate the fun and enjoyment of their originals, and this movie 'just wasn't for me.' Kaka continues: While Gal Gadot is great as the evil Queen, Snow White isn't a great remake of the animated classic. Rachel Zegler is a poor Snow White, the changes to the story and lyrics are awful, some special effects are not that special and the film didn't land for me. A huge shame. Disney Plus + Hulu Bundle: $10.99 $2.99 A Month For 4 MonthsSave 72% - The most exciting deal of last year is back for 2025 – and it's come about 9 months early. The best-selling Disney Plus bundle deal we saw over Black Friday returns this March, costing just $2.99 a month for the ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu plan. Usually costing $10.99 a month, that's a hefty 72% saving. While new and eligible returning customers won't be able to enjoy the discounted rate for quite as long, you'll still get the sub-$3 bundle for the first four months of your subscription (over Black Friday, the reduced Disney Plus price ran for a whole year). Expires March 30View Deal If you want to see what all the fuss is about and draw your own conclusions about Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot and the rest, you don't have to wait too much longer. Snow White is set to hit theaters on Friday, March 21, and if you want to revisit the animated classic in the meantime, that's available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katy Perry Set To Be First Pop Star In Space As She Joins Historic All-Female Blue Origin Space Mission
Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sanchez are set to embark on a Blue Origin space mission this spring, forming an all-female crew. Sanchez reportedly played a key role in assembling the team of women who will accompany her on the historic trip. Blue Origin's New Shepard first launched in 2021, with the company's founder, Jeff Bezos, describing the feeling of weightlessness in space as a return "to the womb." Pop superstar Perry will join "CBS This Morning" anchor King, Philanthropist Sanchez, and others to embark on a groundbreaking space mission. The all-female crew, assembled by Blue Origin, was announced on Thursday, though an official launch date has yet to be confirmed. Sanchez, Bezos's fiancée, played a pivotal role in bringing the team together for what has been described as an "empowering mission." "Katy is honored to be a part of Blue Origin's first all-female crew and hopes her journey encourages her daughter and others to reach for the stars, literally and figuratively," a statement read, per Metro UK. Regarding Sanchez, the statement also noted that she "is honored to lead a team of explorers on a mission that will challenge their perspectives of Earth, empower them to share their own stories, and create lasting impact that will inspire generations to come." King, who revealed the news on "CBS This Morning," expressed excitement and nervousness about the upcoming flight. "I don't know how to explain being terrified and excited at the same time. It's like how I felt about to deliver a baby," she said. Having celebrated her 70th birthday in December, King explained that she's embracing new challenges. "I thought I wanted to open myself up to new adventures and step out of my comfort zone," King noted, per The U.S. Sun. Joining Perry, Sanchez, and King on the Blue Origin mission will be film producer Kerianne Flynn, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe. This launch will mark the 11th human flight for Blue Origin's New Shepard program. Before committing to the mission, King revealed that she sought advice from her children and longtime friend Oprah Winfrey. "Once Kirby, Will, and Oprah was fine with it, I was fine," she shared. "I thought Oprah would say, no, no. She said, 'I think if you don't do it, when they all come back and you had the opportunity to do it, you will be kicking yourself.' She's right." King revealed she was initially hesitant when approached in November, admitting that space travel had never been part of her plans. "This was never my dream," she said. "And somebody said, maybe you need to have new dreams." Reflecting on her fellow crewmates, King praised the all-female team. "These women are so bada-s," the news anchor said. "They have such amazing life stories. I feel well prepared. I believe in Blue Origin, what they're doing. I am really excited and actually looking forward to it." Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket made its historic first spaceflight in December 2021. Since then, the company has successfully completed nine additional human missions, taking travelers to the very edge of space. Bezos was one of the program's first passengers, joined by his younger brother, Mark Bezos, who is a private equity executive and volunteer firefighter. During their brief but transformative journey, the crew experienced about three minutes of weightlessness before gravity pulled them back to Earth. Bezos later described the sensation of zero gravity as unexpectedly familiar. "I'll tell you something very interesting: zero gravity feels very natural. I don't know if it's because it's like a return to the womb," he shared in a podcast interview. He also spoke about the "overview effect," a profound emotional response astronauts often experience when viewing Earth from space. "You see just how the Earth is," he reflected. "If you're not an environmentalist, it will make you one." However, not all Blue Origin passengers have shared the same sense of wonder and exhilaration. In a later flight, "Star Trek" actor William Shatner embarked on a journey aboard New Shepard, only to find the experience unexpectedly unsettling. In his memoir, Shatner described his trip to space as a dark and sorrowful experience, likening it to a "funeral." "I felt the strongest feelings of grief," he wrote, recalling the overwhelming emotions that washed over him during the flight. Shatner continued: "I love the mystery of the universe. All of that has thrilled me for years…but when I looked in the opposite direction, into space, there was no mystery, no majestic awe to I saw was death." Shatner shared that his journey ultimately left him with a newfound appreciation for Earth. "I had a different experience because I discovered that the beauty isn't out there, it's down here, with all of us," he reflected. "Leaving that behind made my connection to our tiny planet even more profound."
