Latest news with #Clarke
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Heads of State review: The action comedy starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Cena and Idris Elba is packed with fun and flair
MARKING her continued ascent as an action star, Priyanka Chopra Jonas steps into the boots of Noel Bisset, an elite MI6 agent, to protect two of the world's most high-profile leaders – John Cena as Will Derringer, an action star turned the President of the United States, and Idris Elba as Sam Clarke, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In this buddy action comedy, Clarke and Derringer, who constantly exchange barbs and make their dislike for each other public, eventually team up to save themselves and the world. The two heads of the state are forced to parachute out of Air Force One when the aircraft is attacked and their security is compromised. They land in a border area of Belarus and make their way to Warshaw in a sheep truck. From then on, the film packs a series of cross country chases, gunfights and fisticuffs that are aimed at keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The movie, however, starts with Noel Bissett getting grievously injured during a visit to Spain's Buñol on a mission when people are celebrating La Tomatina festival. Turns out she has not only survived that but she is entrusted with the task of ensuring the safety of Clarke and Derringer, who become the targets of a powerful and ruthless foreign adversary. Bissett and Clarke, it is also revealed, were connected romantically in the past while working in the forces. Caught in life-threatening situations as they are forced to rely on each other, Clarke and Derringer are also united in their belief regarding what makes the world a better place. Together they have to find a way to work together to thwart a global conspiracy that threatens the entire free world and make sure NATO continues to fulfil its objectives. A little focus on this crisis would have given the narrative more depth. ALSO READ | Priya Sachdev called Karisma Kapoor-Sunjay Kapur's kids her own, said 'friendship' is the key: 'We have four children' Even though the film occasionally becomes predictable, it remains engaging thanks to its three lead actors and slickly choreographed action sequences. As the ever-optimistic President, John Cena delivers a likable performance, while Idris Elba brings his signature coolness and wry British humour. Chopra, who Jonas has appeared as an action star in a host of movies (Don, Mary Kom) as well as series (Quantico and Citadel), in the Ilya Naishuller-directed film, seems most comfortable enacting the high-energy action scenes. The banter between the heads of state is enjoyable, if not uproariously funny. The camaraderie between Cena and Elba adds a spark to many scenes. Chopra Jonas handles the physically demanding stunts with ease. While the script by Josh Applebaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query doesn't offer many surprises, it leans into its wacky tone to deliver a consistently entertaining action-comedy. Streaming on Prime Video from June 2. Director: Ilya Naishuller Cast: John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino Rating: 3 Stars
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Victorian house in Newport on Stow Park Avenue for sale
According to the listing, the house spans three floors and covers approximately 340 square metres. It has been extended and renovated over the years, combining period features with modern updates. The property sits on a 0.3-acre landscaped plot, with views across the Bristol Channel and Gwent levels, and backs onto woodland. (Image: Mr & Mrs Clarke via Zoopla) The entrance hall features an original spindled balustrade and oak wood block flooring. Two reception rooms with double-glazed sash bay windows and original fireplaces flank the hallway. William Morris wallpaper and recent redecoration are noted in the listing. (Image: Mr & Mrs Clarke via Zoopla) The dining room includes another original fireplace and opens to patio areas, while a former butler's pantry is now used as a study. A kitchen, installed in 2018, includes Burbidge Erin oak units, granite worktops, a Smeg range cooker, Neff appliances, a double Belfast sink, and underfloor heating beneath porcelain tiles. An extension added in 2018 connects the kitchen to the dining room. A snug with a log burner and tiled flooring leads to a cellar, which is used for storage and as a gym, featuring a concrete tunnel to the lawn. (Image: Mr & Mrs Clarke via Zoopla) The first floor contains bedrooms with original wood flooring and new all-wool carpets. The main bedroom has an en-suite with underfloor heating and Italian bathroom fittings, fitted in 2021. Two other bedrooms also have en-suites. The main bathroom was refitted in 2021, retaining vintage sinks but adding an Italian shower. A balcony conservatory, restored in 2024, overlooks the Bristol Channel. (Image: Mr & Mrs Clarke via Zoopla) The second floor features two bedrooms, a fitted kitchen, and could be used as a self-contained apartment. The garden includes lawns, a magnolia and fig tree, flagstone paths, terraces, and a gazebo. The listing describes the garden as a "horticultural masterpiece."
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Desire Lines: Fashion, festivals, and a revolution on the Belltable's stage
The waistcoat Irish fashion brand NOMI, created by influencer Naomi Clarke aka @the_style_fairy, has recently launched its Solstice capsule collection. Clarke says she designs for women who want to make a statement without shouting, 'polished but never stiff, bold, but always effortless'. We love this Mia waistcoat, €110. Available in UK sizes 8 - 18. The summer treat Strawberry & Co's Dublin pop up One of life's simplest pleasures is in-season strawberries paired with fresh cream and/or rich, melting chocolate. If you've been to London in recent years, chances are you've indulged in Borough Market's famous chocolate strawberry pairing. Now, Dublin gets its own version, with Strawberry & Co's South William Street pop-up. Classic Wexford strawberries will be available with a selection of delicious toppings – drizzled in Swiss chocolate, marinated in lime with Madagascan vanilla Chantilly, or paired with pistachio cream... sure to become a TikTok favourite! The pop-up will operate daily from 11am until sold out, and run until the end of August. Prices from €9.50. The festival Mark the Science Guy is set to return to Kaleidoscope School holidays are finally here and it can only mean one thing – the return of Kaleidoscope, the family-focused festival that this year sees Texas, Ocean Colour Scene and The Coronas take centre stage. Family activity highlights include shows by RTÉ's Mark the Science Guy. A highlight on the summer calendar. The new launch VOYA's Cryo Cooling Gel VOYA, leaders in certified organic seaweed skincare, introduce their latest line: the Cryo-Cooling Gel. This ultra-refreshing gel combines cooling menthol and nutrient-rich seaweed extracts to ease weary limbs, replenish moisture, and reinvigorate the skin after exercise. Or use it to ease the impact of perimenopausal symptoms. A sense of calm to our busy lives. €37. The activity Zipit Forest Adventures has announced a new destination, due to open its gates on Friday, July 18. Zipit Forest Adventures has announced a new destination, due to open its gates on Friday, July 18. Zipit Djouce Park in Co Wicklow will mark the fourth location, adding to existing locations in Tibradden Wood, Dublin, Farran Forest Park, Cork, and Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon. The new course promises a variety of thrilling elements including a low ropes course, perfect for little explorers, aged three to six, and the challenging high ropes course, for ages seven plus. Advance bookings made in June can avail of a 10% discount using code FIRST10 online. The café Blondie: A new café has opened its doors on Ballincollig's main street, offering locals and visitors to the town good vibes and even better coffee in a welcoming, bright space. A new café has opened its doors on Ballincollig's main street, offering locals and visitors to the town good vibes and even better coffee in a welcoming, bright space. Owners of the new café named Blondie are Mark and Fiona O'Brien, salon directors of Mark Vincent Hair and Beauty on the main street. After 14 years of business in Ballincollig, the pair decided to expand their offering by opening the café in the same unit as their existing business. The original idea was to open a coffee shop, but the idea expanded, and the café now boasts a kitchen with highly qualified chefs who prepare everything on-site using the best of local produce. A day trade café open six days a week, there are already ideas swirling to create something special to cater for the town's night-time economy. The play Pat Shortt: Wreckquiem tells the story of the community of characters that orbit Dessie's Discs. Wreckquiem is the new theatre production from award-winning Irish playwright and screenwriter Mike Finn, making its world debut at the Lime Tree Theatre in Limerick until July 8. Directed by Andrew Flynn (The Cripple of Inishmaan; The Lieutenant of Inishmore; The Ferryman; From a Low & Quiet Sea) and starring Pat Shortt, Wreckquiem tells the story of the community of characters that orbit Dessie's Discs. When a developer threatens their beloved vinyl sanctuary, this band of misfits must save the day. Wreckquiem is a heart-warming comedy about hope and friendship. Compiled by Vickie Maye, Nicole Glennon and Jillian Bolger weekend@
Powys County Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Jay Clarke admits PTPA lawsuit was ‘much bigger than I anticipated'
Jay Clarke admitted he did not know what he was getting himself into when he put his name to a lawsuit against tennis' governing bodies. The 26-year-old was the only British player named as a plaintiff in the explosive case, which has pitted the Professional Tennis Players Association, a body co-founded by Novak Djokovic, against organisations including the ATP and WTA. The PTPA branded the governing bodies as a cartel, with Wimbledon and the other grand slams named as co-conspirators. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘅 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀. Today, the PTPA and over a dozen players, on behalf of the entire professional population, filed a sweeping series of legal actions against the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA to reform professional tennis. — Professional Tennis Players Association (@ptpaplayers) March 18, 2025 Djokovic notably was not named as a plaintiff and quickly sought to distance himself from some of the aspects of the case, and Clarke subsequently decided to take his name off the lawsuit. He also reached out to Wimbledon to clarify his position, and Clarke's role in the case did not prevent him being awarded a wild card for a fifth time. 'I love being here,' he said. 'I've played Wimbledon a number of times, trying to be a member here and stuff like that as well. I know a lot of the people inside. 'I don't think it's necessarily a big thing. I just needed to kind of say where I stood on it. I just think it was much bigger than I anticipated initially.' On the strong language used in the lawsuit, which accuses the governing bodies of systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare, Clarke added: '(It was) very surprising, to be honest. I think everyone was surprised by that. 'I think it kind of caught us all off guard. Obviously, we're tennis players, we're not lawyers, so it's just not something that I was comfortable doing.' Clarke does, though, support a lot of the PTPA's demands, including a better distribution of wealth and a greater focus on player welfare. The Derby player, who is ranked 199th, underwent wrist surgery in 2023 and he said: 'I played four Challengers in India, obviously coming back from wrist surgery, four weeks in a row in the same country and we're using different balls every week. And it's just these things need to be better. I think it's a really simple fix. 'I'm not alone. I think all tennis players want tennis to improve, want it to push forwards. I don't think someone on my ranking should be watching pennies trying to figure out which flight is cheaper, and stuff like that. 'I did nine weeks in India. It's a lot of travel. I had a coach with me every week. After paying flights and stuff, I was £3,000 pounds down. And the second half of the trip I won 18 matches and lost two. So it is really tough. 'I think tennis is a big enough sport, and it generates enough revenue, for more than 100 people to be benefiting from the sport. I think a lot of the other sports, they have a better revenue split and tennis is too far behind in that.' This week will certainly help Clarke's finances. A Wimbledon wild card comes with guaranteed prize money of £66,000, and that would increase to £99,000 if he can get the better of fellow British wild card Dan Evans in the first round and set up a likely meeting with Djokovic.
Leader Live
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Jay Clarke admits PTPA lawsuit was ‘much bigger than I anticipated'
The 26-year-old was the only British player named as a plaintiff in the explosive case, which has pitted the Professional Tennis Players Association, a body co-founded by Novak Djokovic, against organisations including the ATP and WTA. The PTPA branded the governing bodies as a cartel, with Wimbledon and the other grand slams named as co-conspirators. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘅 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀. Today, the PTPA and over a dozen players, on behalf of the entire professional population, filed a sweeping series of legal actions against the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA to reform professional tennis. — Professional Tennis Players Association (@ptpaplayers) March 18, 2025 Djokovic notably was not named as a plaintiff and quickly sought to distance himself from some of the aspects of the case, and Clarke subsequently decided to take his name off the lawsuit. He also reached out to Wimbledon to clarify his position, and Clarke's role in the case did not prevent him being awarded a wild card for a fifth time. 'I love being here,' he said. 'I've played Wimbledon a number of times, trying to be a member here and stuff like that as well. I know a lot of the people inside. 'I don't think it's necessarily a big thing. I just needed to kind of say where I stood on it. I just think it was much bigger than I anticipated initially.' On the strong language used in the lawsuit, which accuses the governing bodies of systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare, Clarke added: '(It was) very surprising, to be honest. I think everyone was surprised by that. 'I think it kind of caught us all off guard. Obviously, we're tennis players, we're not lawyers, so it's just not something that I was comfortable doing.' Clarke does, though, support a lot of the PTPA's demands, including a better distribution of wealth and a greater focus on player welfare. The Derby player, who is ranked 199th, underwent wrist surgery in 2023 and he said: 'I played four Challengers in India, obviously coming back from wrist surgery, four weeks in a row in the same country and we're using different balls every week. And it's just these things need to be better. I think it's a really simple fix. 'I'm not alone. I think all tennis players want tennis to improve, want it to push forwards. I don't think someone on my ranking should be watching pennies trying to figure out which flight is cheaper, and stuff like that. 'I did nine weeks in India. It's a lot of travel. I had a coach with me every week. After paying flights and stuff, I was £3,000 pounds down. And the second half of the trip I won 18 matches and lost two. So it is really tough. 'I think tennis is a big enough sport, and it generates enough revenue, for more than 100 people to be benefiting from the sport. I think a lot of the other sports, they have a better revenue split and tennis is too far behind in that.' This week will certainly help Clarke's finances. A Wimbledon wild card comes with guaranteed prize money of £66,000, and that would increase to £99,000 if he can get the better of fellow British wild card Dan Evans in the first round and set up a likely meeting with Djokovic.
