Latest news with #Funky
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Tough nut UFC fighter dies FOUR TIMES in just a MONTH
A tough nut UFC fighter has tearfully told how he died four times in the past month. Ben Askren was known for his trash talk and heavy hitting in the ring but it was outside the canvass where he met his biggest challenge. The 40-year-old American was put in hospital in June with severe pneumonia stemming from a staph infection. His condition quickly deteriorated and he had to be put into a medically induced coma. But the real kick came when he then had to have both of his lungs replaced. Askren took to social media from his hospital bed on Wednesday to give fans an update on his progress. At times losing breath and coughing, the fighter revealed that he had lost 22kg throughout the ordeal. 'I actually just read through my wife's journal cause I don't remember anything from May 28 to July 2,' he says in the video posted on Instagram. 'No recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened. We'll kind of go through it all, and I just read through my wife's journal. 'It's like a movie, it's ridiculous. So I only died four times. The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds. 'That's not ideal. I hope you guys know that but I got the double lung transplant.' Askren said that he was slowly regaining his strength. 'I made it out to the other side of it,' the father-of-three said. 'And I'm gaining quite a bit of strength and learning to use everything again. 'I was actually on a scale yesterday and I was weighing 147 pounds (about 66.6kg). I haven't been 147 pounds since 15 years old. 'It was like 50 pounds in a 45-day period. So, man, that was a battle. I don't remember most of it.' Ben Askren was feared in the ring. Credit: Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images for Triller Askren was able to get the lifesaving double lung transplant thanks to the UFC, martial arts and wrestling communities rallying around to raise the money. He said that he plans to give back and take his second chance at life by coaching the next generation of wrestlers. 'I'm more motivated than ever to keep giving and get back and do what I can and help out the best I can help out,' he said. 'I love you guys, I appreciate you guys. It's been tough not only on me, but my whole family and my close community. 'So I appreciate everything. I hope you guys appreciate the update.' Fellow fighters were quick to show their support for Askren. Ben Askren died four times while having a double lung transplant. Credit: Instagram Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier commented: 'We love you, buddy. 'You're a fighter, it's why you are fighting back. Thank God we still have you.' Cormier's fellow former two-weight champ Henry Cejudo said: 'Glad you made it through, bro. 'Really put into perspective for all of us. The Funky is back.' New heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall: 'Keep going, Ben. We're all behind you, brother.'
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Labubu fan club gets a new member, Vishwak Sen seen dangling it on his Mercedes
Vishwak Sen is currently working on his next film, Funky, but putting that aside, the actor is now hitting headlines for a whole new reason. In a recent video, the Telugu actor was seen joining the latest trend of viral Labubu dolls. Vishwak Sen gets papped with his Labubu doll Vishwak Sen was recently papped as he drove around town in his Mercedes. In the video captured by Kamlesh Nand, the actor's car can be seen having a Labubu doll dangling behind it. As the Labubu doll has become a massive fashion trend, the actor was seen sporting his blue-colored monster figure. Moreover, Viswak himself was spotted driving his suave vehicle, looking handsome in a red t-shirt. Watch Vishwak Sen's papped video here: What is a Labubu doll? Labubu dolls are the latest fashion trend that has slowly taken over the internet. These creepy-cute-looking dolls are being sported as a fashion statement by the celebrities. Many are using it on their bags, cars or just holding it. For those unaware, the figurines are charming monster dolls that stray away from the concept of traditional dolls we are all familiar with. Instead of being cute and adorable, these dolls take on a more scary look with pointy sharp teeth, mischievous eyes, yet a charismatic look. Similar to Pokémon cards, Labubu dolls come in blind boxes, with a consumer not knowing what it looks like until bought and opened. While the dolls were initially manufactured in 2019, it was in 2024 that they shot to popularity when K-Pop idol and BLACKPINK star Lisa was seen carrying one. Later on, international icons like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and David Beckham were also seen with their own collectible dolls. In contrast to usual figurines, Labubu mirrors the emotional and unhinged chaos that is settled within humans, making it a sensation amongst Gen-Z. Vishwak Sen's latest film Vishwak Sen was last seen playing the lead role in the Telugu-language action comedy Laila. The movie, directed by Ram Narayan, featured the story of Sonu, who disguises himself as a woman, Laila. The film, which is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, was a critical and commercial failure upon release. Owing to the film's failure, the actor even penned a gratitude-filled apology note to the audience. Moving ahead, the actor has films like Funky and a sequel to Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi in the lineup.
The Sun
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Welcome prayers' – UFC icon and Jake Paul rival Ben Askren ‘unresponsive' in hospital as wife reveals ‘severe' illness
MMA icon Ben Askren is "unresponsive" in hospital after being struck down by severe pneumonia. The former MMA and wrestling star infamously came out of retirement to face Jake Paul in a boxing match in 2021. 4 4 4 4 Askren, a former Olympian, was active in MMA for over a decade. News of his hospitalisation broke during UFC 316 in New Jersey on Saturday night. Funky has not been active in the squared circle since his exhibition with Paul almost four years ago. But he is fondly remembered in wrestling circles as one of the greatest grapplers of all time. Askren, 40, is currently battling "a sudden and severe onset of pneumonia". His wife Amy penned a heartfelt update on her husband's condition. She wrote on Facebook: "You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something. "He developed severe pneumonia, which came on very suddenly. "He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. "We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. Jake Paul reveals 'hefty' six-man hit-list of opponents for next fight including Anthony Joshua and world champ "We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully, so please refrain from discussing it with them for now." Fans were quick to send their well wishes to the Askren family. Former UFC champ Henry Cejudo wrote on X: "Pray for Ben Askren." One fan wrote: "You got this Ben, keep fighting." While another commented: "Wishing the best for Ben Askren and his family. Ben was an innovative and creative wrestler in his prime and now he builds up some of the best wrestlers America has ever seen. The wrestling world owes a debt of gratitude to a man like him." He's currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. Amy Askren Askren began wrestling at the age of just 6. He competed for the Missouri Tigers in college, twice becoming a D1 national champion. Askren was a member of the 2008 US Olympics wrestling team, where he lost in the quarterfinals to Cuba's Ivan Fundora on points. Following his Olympic adventure, the Iowa-native transitioned into MMA. He boasted 19 wins from 22 MMA pro fights, with his first loss coming in an infamous flying kick KO by Jorge Masvidal five seconds into their bout at UFC 239. Askren's highly publicised boxing bout with YouTuber Paul saw 500,000 PPV buys. Paul, then aged 24, won the bout via TKO in one minute and 59 seconds of the first round.
Tom's Guide
05-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
JBL Charge 6 review: JBL's got greatness playing on repeat
Price: $199 / £149 / (approx. AU$310)Colors: Black, Blue, Funky, Pink, Purple, Red, Sand, Squad, WhiteSize: 9.0 x 3.9 x 3.7 inchesWeight: 2.17 poundsBattery life (rated): 28 hoursConnectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC and AACDurability: IP68-rated JBL makes some solid wireless earbuds and headphones (Tom's Guide recommends the 4-star Live 770NC), but its portable speakers are even better and more coveted. The all-new JBL Charge 6 follows suit with notable improvements that elevate this carriable bass-blaster to top contender status. The speaker delivers vibrant sound that can be customized through the JBL Portable app (iOS/Android) while additions such as an artificial intelligence sound mode and lossless audio really impress sonically. A full charge was enough for me to entertain crowds for an entire weekend, and I also really liked that the Charge 6 doubled as a power bank to juice up handheld devices and play music simultaneously. Sadly, however, digital assistance and a speakerphone are MIA. The lack of backwards compatibility may also be a dealbreaker for those who already own previously released JBL speakers. The new Playtime Boost battery-saver mode also requires you to make a sacrifice on the audio quality front. Despite those minor issues, though, the Charge 6 is an excellent value and one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers you can buy under $200. You can purchase this speaker for $199 / £149 / AU$310 directly from the JBL website or at online retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy. The speaker is available in nine colors: Black, Blue, Funky Black (with neon pink and blue accents), Pink, Purple, Red, Sand, Squad (aka camo), and White (pictured above). The variety of bright and bold colorways is something you won't find on many competitors and I think the Miami-Vice-inspired Funky Black design looks awesome. JBL portable speakers are built with durability in mind: The Charge 6 is composed of hard post-consumer recycled plastic and dons a rugged woven fabric wrap that protects the drivers. IP68 certification keeps the speaker drop-, dust-, and waterproof up to 1.5 meters submersion for 30 minutes. It's not something you'll want to want to submerge for hours at a time, but know it'll survive an accidental drop in the water. The Charge Series' signature details like the embossed logo and physical buttons on the top remain present in the Charge 6. While the Charge 6 weighs about the same as the Charge 5 (est. 2.2 lbs.), it is heavier than most other handheld speakers like the Beats Pill (1.49 lbs.) and Sonos Roam 2 (0.93 lbs.). Luckily, it isn't cumbersome to lug around, thanks to the removeable handle strap. The strap isn't the highest quality, but it's dependable for transporting the Charge 6 from one location to another and the speaker's sturdy shell should assure you that it won't break if the strap doesn't hold up. The control scheme is a simple one: All controls are placed on the top. The playback button is flanked between the volume buttons. Above them is a flat backlit control strip with three buttons: Bluetooth, power on/off, and Auracast. Each button produces solid tactility and responds to intended commands. You'll need the buttons, as the Charge 6 does not come with voice assistance. (For comparison, the Beats Pill supports Siri and Google Assistant.) Thankfully, connectivity remains a strong point for the series. Range extends to about 40 feet before stuttering. You can pair two Charge 6 speakers together through Auracast for stereo sound or pair up to 100 Auracast-enabled JBL speakers at once. The Charge 6 isn't backwards compatible. In other words, you can't pair it with the Charge 5 or any JBL models programmed with Party Boost. Also, multipoint technology is absent, so you can't pair the speaker to two media devices at the same time. I loved the bassy, full-powered sound that the Charge 5 dished out. JBL's latest speaker is just as dynamic on the audio front and hosts a handful of features that heighten the listening experience. Bass is impactful right out of the box. JBL's 20mm tweeter and newly designed woofer transmit deep lows to your ears, along with crisp mids and highs. Instruments sound more distinctive, and vocals have more depth. Bangers like Travis Scott's 'Butterfly Effect' reverberate with intensity. The Charge 6 doesn't hold back on the track's immense boom effects and synths, which create a euphoric vibe the longer you're immersed in the track. I thought the heavily emphasized low end would create mass distortion, but that wasn't the case. Despite its reliance on thumpy sound, the Charge 6 demonstrates fantastic frequency range. The tinny hi-hats on Tupac's 'I Get Around' remain transparent over the prominent and punchy snares, while chill reggae bops like Q's 'be with ya' have resonant midrange that make the singer's falsettos more impactful and personal. Live performances are equally satisfying to hear — Fleetwood Mac's rendition of 'Everywhere' at Warner Brothers Studios made for a serene listen. Employing the customizable EQ or pre-engineered presets will either increase or decrease quality, depending on recordings. The default Signature gets you the most balanced sound. Chill brings the bass levels down a few notches and Energetic raises them higher, causing minor distortion at high volume. Another feature that can affect output is Playtime Boost, a new mode that prioritizes power preservation over sound quality. JBL's AI Sound Boost mode adjusts sound in real time based on your listening environment and is mostly effective. Anyone with detailed hearing can pick up on the clearer-sounding lows and mids. Lossless audio is becoming more common on wireless Bluetooth speakers. I loved testing the feature on the Beats Pill and found it just as enticing on the Charge 6. The differences in clarity and depth are obvious when it's connected to a wired device. One speaker is enough to fill an entire room with loud, engaging sound, and connecting two or more speakers (up to 100) creates broader 360-degree sound. The JBL Portable app is easy to navigate, looks attractive, and provides access to some features. I already touched on big ones: AI Sound Boost, Auracast connectivity, custom EQ, lossless audio, multi-speaker connectivity, and presets. Other extras include a battery level indicator, firmware updates, and the Playtime Boost mode. Everything you need is in the app. A full charge gives you up to 24 hours of battery life – the same as the Beats Pill. This is more than enough listening time for a weekend's worth of day parties. Bear in mind that high volume and special features reduce playtime by about 3 to 4 hours. Even then, you're given plenty of power to keep jams bumping at the family cookout. Playtime Boost mode extends listening time to 28 hours. Turning it on will decrease sound quality; I noticed a huge dip in bass response. The Charge 6 lets you recharge portable devices, including MP3 players, smartphones, tablets, and your dead portable chargers. Its built-in battery isn't powerful enough for laptops. According to JBL, a 10-minute quick charge nets you 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of use. There is no denying the Charge 6's greatness. Updates to audio performance, battery life, connectivity, and portability cement it as a top pick for brand loyalists and consumers who want a speaker that sounds as robust as it looks. AI Sound Boost does an impressive job optimizing playback based on surrounding ambient noise, while lossless audio results in hi-fi bliss over USB-C connection. Longer playtimes and widespread pairing of up to 100 speakers make this a terrific mini party speaker. Still, I think it's not the be all, end all of Bluetooth speakers. It's baffling why there wouldn't be a speakerphone or voice assistance on a sixth-gen product. Not having a USB-C cable bundled with the purchase is chintzy, especially when JBL is pushing lossless audio, which requires the accessory. Not having backwards compatibility with last-gen speakers also feels like a betrayal to fans who've already invested heavily in JBL's wireless audio ecosystem. Those who own the Charge 5 are within their right to stick with it since the speaker holds up well against the competition, though everyone else will want to consider picking up the Charge 6 for its futureproofing and premium perks that are unavailable on older JBL models.
