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Woke madness continues as classic Shakespeare play slapped with trigger warning because it featured violence and death

ROMEO and Juliet has been hit with a trigger warning — with audiences informed it featured violent scenes and death.

Shakespeare’s classic 16th-century love story has been “retold” as a modern ballet.

Painting of William Shakespeare.
Alamy
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been hit with a bizarfre trigger warning[/caption]

But London’s Royal Opera House deemed it necessary to warn potential visitors the production includes themes of “violence and death”.

Sir Ian McKellen, who has appeared in Romeo and Juliet productions throughout his career, previously hit out at “ludicrous” warnings.

He said: “I quite like to be surprised by loud noises and outrageous behaviour on stage.”

It comes four years after The Globe in London warned of “upsetting” themes in the play, and provided a number for The Samaritans.

They were even provided a number for the Samaritans for after the show.

Actor Christopher Biggins said: “Do we have to have signs for everything under the sun?

“It’s a joke. What they are trying to do is insulting to the mentality of theatre-goers.”

The Globe has also warned about themes of “violence, sexual references, misogyny and racism” in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as “anti-semitism” in The Merchant of Venice.

In February, the University of the West of England slapped over 200 trigger warnings on Shakespeare’s work – including “bad weather” in The Tempest.

The Royal Opera House was asked to comment.

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Heavyweight Brit teen, 15, heading to Japan to become SUMO wrestler & reveals huge sacrifices he’s making

A HEAVYWEIGHT teenager is heading to Japan — to become a sumo wrestler.

Nineteen-stone Nicholas Tarasenko, 15, will become only the second Briton to do so.

Teenage sumo wrestler in a fighting stance.
19st Nicholas Tarasenko, 15, is heading to Japan to become a sumo wrestler
Teenage sumo wrestler in Japan.
Nicholas will become only the second Briton to do so

The 6ft 3in teen has won a scholarship at a prestigious academy where he will train with ten other sumo hopefuls.

He will have strict schedules at the Minato Beya stable, which hopes to turn him into a champion of the ring.

Nicholas will see his family only occasionally, until he has achieved his full potential.

He will also be taught to cook a Japanese soup — chankonabe — which will form part of his 7,000-calorie daily diet.

Nicholas, of Hull, East Yorks, told The Sun: “I’ve been given a chance and I intend to go as hard as possible at it. My hope is to reach the high ranks. This is what motivates me to succeed.”

He fell in love with sumo wrestling when his Estonian dad, karaoke bar owner Georgi Zilkin, 47, took him on a trip back to his homeland.

Nicholas added: “My dad had connections to a sumo wrestler who reached the highest rank in Japan and he hosts a tournament every year. I managed to win somehow. My opponents were very tough.

“From then on, I realised sumo wrestling was the sport for me.”

The last British pro sumo wrestler, Nathan Strange, from Kent, quit the sport in 1990 complaining of bullying by his Japanese stablemates.

Teenage sumo wrestler stretching on a dirt floor.
Nicholas fell in love with sumo wrestling when his Estonian dad took him on a trip back to his homeland
Teenage sumo wrestler in a fighting stance.
Nicholas will see his family only occasionally, until he has achieved his full potential.

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I had affair with married man 20 years older & was branded a home wrecker – if Louis Tomlinson was a woman he’d be too

WHEN Soccer Aid kicked off tonight, all eyes should have been on the football pitch.

Instead, attention and speculation has been swirling around the love triangle between Zara McDermott, Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson.

Portrait of Emma Woolf.
Sarah Brick - Commissioned by The Sun
Emma Woolf admits she’s had the ‘homewrecker’ label chucked at her – but her lover faced little criticism[/caption]
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott reunited.
Sam and Zara dated for five years before splitting in December
Instagram
Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott kissing at a table.
BackGrid
Zara moved on with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson[/caption]

In a very awkward line-up, love rivals Sam and Louis were supposed to be playing on the same England team during the big charity match for Unicef against a World XI

Then, in a last-minute curveball on Friday, Sam pulled out, citing injury.

Given that he recently completed a 260-mile marathon over five days for Unicef, you could say it’s not surprising he had an injury.

Sam had been determined to take part in the match even after his gruelling marathon, telling his This Morning colleague Alison Hammond: “I’m still very sore, still got the torn calf. However, I am here at Soccer Aid HQ and it does not get better than this.”

But you can’t help feeling he was sore in more ways than one — and it’s his feelings that have really been injured.

I can’t imagine being in such close proximity to a love rival. I’d avoid it at all costs. And we all know there is no such thing as “letting bygones be bygones”.

But when Love Islander Zara’s ex-partner Sam and current boyfriend Louis were pictured in training last week, it was all macho smiles, back-slapping and in Sam’s words “no hard feelings”.

If One Direction singer Louis was a woman, he wouldn’t get such an easy ride.

Romantic getaways

This display of male solidarity highlighted the double standards in society.

I don’t need to look far to imagine how the narrative would have played out if these two were women. Sam would be the victim and Louis would be dragged across hot coals, regardless of whether or not there had been a crossover between the two relationships.

No matter how long they left it before starting their romance, fingers would be pointed and the new woman would somehow be to blame for the break-up.

I know, as I’ve had the “homewrecker” label chucked at me while my lover faced little criticism.

Not a word has been said against Louis, as far as I can see. And despite the whole world knowing that Louis got the girl, Sam is determined not to lose face.

The I’m A Celebrity winner did his best happy-go-lucky impression, showboating and grinning his way through training for Soccer Aid and pretending he didn’t care that his ex’s new lover was there.

I was ‘mistress’ of a married man so wife’s  pals harassed me.

Emma Woolf

It is the blokey thing to do — they don’t want to appear the loser in the game of love. They use every macho weapon in the arsenal to avoid denting their pride.

They pretend they don’t mind that their best mate copped off with the girl they had fancied for years, or a cousin had a fling with their wife when they were going through a rocky patch.

Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson at a Soccer Aid 2025 training session.
Getty
In a last-minute curveball on Friday, Sam pulled out from Soccer Aid, citing injury[/caption]
Louis Tomlinson at Soccer Aid for UNICEF training.
Shutterstock Editorial
The I’m A Celebrity winner did his best happy-go-lucky impression, showboating and grinning his way through training for Soccer Aid[/caption]

But Sam and Zara, who split in January, were together for more than five years.

Deep down, like anyone else whose long-term partner has moved on so quickly and so publicly, it must burn.

Zara was pictured with Louis by March and they were official soon after.

At first, many dismissed her new relationship with the singer. But there’s no doubt it is for real — and things are hotting up.

Louis has been flying Zara around the world on a series of romantic getaways.

On Thursday night she was sharing pictures of her home-made “creamy salmon pasta” with Louis’ guitar visible in the background.

You wouldn’t blame Sam if he was feeling devastated, betrayed and angry.

The public aspect of this heartbreak adds a whole new level of humiliation.

And you can only imagine how Sam felt at the training camp — in the changing room, in team pep-talks and at dinner with Louis, whom Zara is now obviously heads-over-heels for, with all their team-mates well aware of the situation.

His injury has come at a convenient time, as it saves him the humiliation of having the world’s media pore over their every glance or backslap during the match.

Sam and Louis seem to have assumed they could swagger through.

Emma Woolf

If this were two women, one would be the sinner, her reputation dragged through the mud. The trolls would be out in force, calling her a trashy slut and trawling through her dating history, regardless of whether there was any actual overlap.

I remember the reaction to Kristina Rihanoff taking up with her Strictly partner Ben Cohen, with the pro Russian dancer insisting they got together after Ben split from his wife Abby.

She was called a homewrecker and there were calls for her to be axed from the show, but Kristina called out the double standards.

In 2005, when Hollywood’s golden couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston split, everyone took sides.

His new lover Angelina Jolie was crucified in public as the most predatory, husband-stealing female alive — even though at the time, Brad and Jolie had not confirmed whether their relationship had started before or after he broke up with Aniston.

Whether you were for Jen or Ange was a defining cultural moment. And yet Brad Pitt, who was the married one (not Angelina) escaped with his reputation intact, if not bolstered. Once again, double standards.

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff in a dance pose.
PA:Press Association
Kristina Rihanoff was called a homewrecker after entering a relationship with Strictly partner Ben Cohen[/caption]
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at a premiere.
Getty
Angelina Jolie was crucified in public for dating Brad Pitt after he split from Jennifer Aniston[/caption]

I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end, having had an affair with a married man 20 years my senior. And I can tell you it’s always the woman’s fault.

As the much younger, single “mistress” I was insulted and harassed by friends of the wife, whereas my married lover just got gentle warnings from his mates.

Blokey banter

Despite the fact I’d told him I would not get involved with him while he was with his wife, the blame was cast squarely on me, not him.

Although there’s no evidence of any overlap between Zara’s two relationships, and no proof of infidelity, the gap between her two men wasn’t exactly respectful.

Women are made to feel so much shame that the idea of encountering your love rival face to face is excruciating.

Sam and Louis seem to have assumed it would be fine, they could swagger their way through. No woman would have had the gall to be in the same public space as their lover’s recent ex. Female love rivals tend to avoid, and spurn, each other, doing anything they can to dodge crossing paths.

If I were Zara, I’d be squirming right now. There’s nothing more embarrassing than the thought of your exes discussing you. Worse, the idea of them possibly comparing notes in the blokey banter of the football changing room.

Timeline of Louis Tomlinson's love life

Here we delve into Louis' love life since his rise to fame in One Direction.

Hannah Walker – Louis’ first girlfriend, who he dated in 2010. They split in 2011 as his band One Direction took off and the long distance romance was too much for them.

Eleanor Calder – The pair dated on and off from 2011 to 2022. They were first photographed kissing at the London Olympic Games in 2012.

Briana Jungwirth – Louis dated American Briana in 2015 and they have a son named Freddie, who was born in 2016.

Sofie Nyvang – Louis was rumoured to be in a relationship with Danish model Sofie in February 2023. They split two months later in April 2023.

Two women, trapped in the same awkward love triangle, wouldn’t even have attempted to play on the same sports team.

So while Zara squirms, we have one victor in this battle. Louis might have done the gentlemanly thing and withdrawn from the team, instead of Sam.

He might have shown some humility, or sensitivity, when they met in the public glare. But all’s fair in love and war, and for now he’s the winner.

Not only does he have Zara waiting at home for him, he’s even got her creamy salmon pasta.

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Taylor Swift shows her true colors with emotional gesture as she spends time with NFL star boyfriend Travis Kelce

TAYLOR Swift thrilled several young fans during a recent visit to a Children’s hospital.

The superstar singer, 35, headed to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Florida on Friday.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce holding hands.
Getty
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have become one of America’s favourite couples[/caption]

Several clips have emerged on social media from Taylor’s trip.

The hitmaker could be seen genuinely beaming as she made time for patients and staff members.

Swift was happy to pose for several pictures during her visit.

The hospital’s chief of surgery was one of many to take a snap with Swift.

After the star’s visit, the chief of surgery gushed, “Undeniably one of the kindest human beings I have ever had the privilege of meeting.

“Thank you Taylor Swift for making dreams come true for all of our patients, families, and staff today!”

The previous day, Swift enjoyed a date night with Travis Kelce.

Swift and Kelce had a blast as they attended Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

The couple pulled up to Amerant Bank Arena to watch the Florida Panthers battle the Edmonton Oilers.

With the superstars watching on, the Oilers triumphed 5-4 in overtime to level the series.

Amid her chaotic Eras Tour schedule, Taylor was not able to watch any of Kelce’s road games last season.

With the blockbuster tour having since concluded, the singer is set to pull up to more of the Kansas City Chiefs’ contests later this year.

A source told People: “Taylor is really looking forward to the upcoming NFL season.

“Not just because she loves supporting Travis, but because for the first full season since they started dating, she’s not juggling a packed tour schedule.

“This fall will be completely different.

NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

(All times ET)

Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers

Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

“It’s the first season where she’s not constantly flying back and forth or working around an entire touring calendar.”

The insider added: “The past two seasons were a whirlwind between performing across multiple countries, long flights, and trying to squeeze in alone time together wherever possible.

“It wasn’t easy but they made it work.

“Her schedule is much more open now and she’s genuinely excited to have the time and flexibility to show up for Travis more consistently.”

The Chiefs start their season with a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil.

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Cher’s son Elijah Blue Allman, 48, rushed to hospital after overdose as singer says she is ‘doing everything she can’

THE youngest son of Cher has reportedly been rushed to hospital after an overdose.

Elijah Blue Allman, 48, is now receiving “the best care possible” after he was found unresponsive on Saturday morning, according to TMZ.

Cher and her son Elijah Blue Allman at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards.
Alamy
Elijah Blue Allman, 48, has reportedly overdosed and is in hospital[/caption]
Cher and her son Elijah Blue Allman at an event.
Getty
Elijah and Cher attend the 5th Annual Fire and Ice Ball in 1994[/caption]
Cher at the premiere of the documentary film "Sidney."
AP
Elijah is Cher’s youngest son[/caption]

Elijah is still in the Joshua Tree hospital, California, with his current condition unknown.

An insider told the US outlet that Elijah is “very lucky to have survived”.

Cher is said to be focused on “doing everything she can to get him the help he needs”.

Elijah’s history of substance abuse has been public after Cher filed for a conservatorship to control access to his money in 2023.

The pop icon claimed her son was “substantially unable to manage his own financial resources due to severe mental health and substance abuse issues.”

Elijah’s dad is the late Gregg Allman.

He is also believed to have suffered from substance abuse issues which doctors say may have led to his death from liver cancer in 2012.

Elijah, who followed in his mom’s footsteps to become a musician, is one of six siblings.

He was a part of the rock band Deadsy for 28 years as the lead guitarist before stepping away from the group in 2023.

He is currently going through a divorce from his estranged wife, Marieangela King, according to court documents obtained by Page Six.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun

Cher and her son Elijah Blue Allman at the opening night of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Getty
Cher with a baby Elijah in 1981[/caption]

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Little-known college team with just 9,941 students and tiny 800 capacity stadium reach World Series at odds of +5000

A COLLEGE baseball team is making a historic run in 2025.

Murray State, a tiny college in Kentucky, has made it to the College World Series.

Murray State Racers outfielder Jonathan Hogart (15) rounds third base after hitting a home run.
Reuters
Murray State baseball is on a miracle run in the College World Series[/caption]
Murray State Racers baseball players Jonathan Hogart (15) and another player react on the field.
Reuters
The team only has an 800-person stadium but made it to Omaha[/caption]

The College World series is headed to Omaha, where the nations top eight teams are facing off.

Arizona, Arkansas, Coastal Carolina, Louisville, LSU, Murray State, Oregon State, and UCLA are vying for glory.

Among those teams, Murray State was an absolute longshot to make the CWS.

They are a tiny program with a tiny stadium, but they are playing exceptional baseball.

Only 800 fans can fit into Murray State’s baseball stadium.

The team’s size doesn’t matter though, as they have worked their way through tough opponents in the tournament.

They have wins against No. 15 Ole Miss, No. 18 Georgia Tech, and a series win against Duke.

Now, they start their journey against the country’s best teams.

Murray State’s first matchup is on June 14.

If they win that game, they will move on to play the winner of Arkansas and LSU.

If they lose the game, they will play the loser of Arkansas and LSU.

The CWS is double-elimination, meaning a team has to lose twice in a row to end their tournament run.

Murray State is going to have a lot of fans behind them in Omaha, as they’ve turned into a Cinderella of this tournament.

Fans are showing their love for the team on social media.

“You’ll be the fan favorites in Omaha, no question. Good luck and welcome to the show!” one fan said.

“Let’s keep it going!!!!” another fan said.

“Go Racers! So proud of my alma mater!” a third fan said.

“You young men have become America’s baseball team,” a fourth fan said.

“Good luck guys I will be watching,” a fifth fan said.

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Major food chain apologizes to shoppers as CEO speaks out about ‘limited’ supplies and empty shelves after cyberattack

Woman in a Whole Foods Market with an almost empty shelf.

GROCERY stores across the country have limited stock available after a major cyberattack.

Whole Foods and others have been impacted and supplies have remained limited.

Woman in a supermarket with an empty shopping cart and nearly empty shelves.
Getty
Some shoppers have reported stocking trouble at their local grocery stores[/caption]
Whole Foods Market sign.
Getty
Whole Foods Market was among those disrupted[/caption]

The disruption began with the hack of a wholesale food distributor, United Natural Foods, on June 5.

The unauthorized activity to some IT systems has since delayed some food distribution from UNF to its customers, like Whole Foods.

In a statement to USA Today, a Whole Foods spokesperson apologized for the disruption.

The outlet reported that some shoppers were finding partly empty shelves.

Shortages were reported at some IGA grocery stores as well.

HACKED OFF

UNF executives said the company quickly activated an incident response plan after it discovered the unauthorized access, but as of an earnings call on June 10, disruption was ongoing.

“Pursuant to our business continuity plans, we have implemented workarounds for certain operations in order to continue servicing our customers where possible, and we’re continuing to safely bring our systems back online and restore broad-based customer service as soon as possible,” UNF CEO and Director Sandy Douglas said.

The company was still delivering its goods, but on a “limited basis,” he said.

Some accounts were more heavily disrupted than others, though it was not immediately clear which UNF customers were impacted. 

“Some are further along on the recovery than others, but we are partnering with customers across the country and across our formats in various short-term modes to serve their needs as best as we possibly can and it’s getting increasingly positive each day,” Douglas said. 

“But still work in progress,” he added.

He also said the company is working with the FBI to investigate the incident.

Douglas declined to comment on approximately what percentage of customers were impacted.

“Each day is better, and we’re working in a very customized way by market and by customer to serve the capability that exists,” he said.

SHOPPERS REACT

Some have posted from their local Whole Foods, pointing out the lack of stock.

“Whole Foods is starting to look like March 2020,” one said on Facebook.

“Just went up to Whole Foods (in the rain) for the first time in like forever and there are huge gaps in stock,” another posted.

“I mean, not like avocados but like they have vanilla ice cream but not strawberry,” they said. “All the shelves are half empty.”

CYBERCRIME

The U.S. Sun has covered many cyberattacks around the world.

As hacking has become more common, it’s not unusual for disruption to impact consumers.

A recent cyberattack on Christie’s has pushed the company to pay out $990,000.

The attack led to a class action settlement.

If you qualify, you could get up to $10,100 from the agreement.

Some are getting checks due to the fallout from a 2021 cyber attack.

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