(NEW YORK) — With an impressive and powerful performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens on Wednesday, Frances Tiafoe is smashing his way through the U.S. Open tournament, proving it’s his time to shine — and making history in the process.
Tiafoe’s fast and furious play saw him finish his latest match with 18 aces and a roaring crowd as he defeated the No. 9-seeded Andrey Rublev in straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0), 6-4 in the men’s quarterfinal. The 24-year-old advances to the semifinals, ending a 16-year drought for American men’s tennis in the U.S. Open semifinals.
The last time an American men’s tennis player reached the semifinals was Andy Roddick in 2006. (Roddick made it to the finals but was defeated by Roger Federer.) Following two significant upsets in the tournament so far, Tiafoe is also the first Black man from the U.S. to reach the semifinals since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
“The training is paying off,” Tiafoe said during a post-match interview with ESPN. “I’ve been putting in the time, and it’s starting to show.”
Tiafoe, wearing Serena Williams’ GOAT sweatshirt following his dominating defeat, is proof that the Williams sisters’ impact goes far beyond the next generation of Black female tennis players, but also has an inspiring effect on young Black men, as well.
Tiafoe, currently the No. 22 seed, had a shocking and emotional upset against the No. 2-ranked superstar Rafel Nadal, abruptly ending the veteran’s run in the fourth round on Monday.
But the journey to center court was no small feat for the 24-year-old.
A son of Sierra Leone immigrants who fled home from a war in the 90s and laid roots In Maryland, Tiafoe’s father worked as a maintenance man at the College Park’s Junior Tennis Champions Center in Maryland, converting an office into a home for Frances and his twin brother Franklin. This gave Frances access to the tennis facility and coaches — a place where Frances found his opportunity to play and love the sport.
Now a fan favorite, Tiafoe awaits his next opponent, either Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz; they are set to face off later Wednesday evening, and one will meet him at center court in the first major Grand Slam semifinal of his career.
(NEW YORK) — Early onset cancers defined as cancers discovered in adults younger than 50 years old, have “dramatically increased” around the world over the last few decades, according to a new report by researchers at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Researchers said breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, liver, and pancreas cancers among others have shown a drastic rise beginning in the 1990s.
“From our data, we observed something called the birth cohort effect. This effect shows that each successive group of people born at a later time (e.g., decade-later) have a higher risk of developing cancer later in life, likely due to risk factors they were exposed to at a young age,” Shuji Ogino, MD, Ph.D., professor and physician-scientist, said in the report, suggesting increasing risk with each generation.
According to Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s report, exposures from conception to when someone’s 19 years old play a role in cancer diagnoses before a person turns 50.
The study found that rising incidence is partially attributable to early screenings for some of these cancers, however, early life exposures such as people’s diet, weight, lifestyle, environmental exposure, and microbiome may factor into what’s contributing to early-onset cancer, but more information on individual exposures is needed, according to the report.
“Even in-utero exposures can lead to cellular reprogramming, including epigenetic alterations, that might have long-lasting effects on susceptibility to chronic diseases,” researchers wrote.
Factors such as alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers, the report found. Between the 1960s to early 2010s, alcohol consumption increased in many countries.
Another study from April found that moderate alcohol consumption has increased the risk of cancer in women.
“We’re finding that probably anywhere between 5% to 10% of all cancers worldwide are due to alcohol use,” Dr. Suneel Kamath, a GI clinical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, told “Good Morning America” in April.
An American Cancer Society report from January found that almost 2 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, with over 600,000 Americans dying from cancer in 2022.
ABC News’ Mary Kekatos contributed to this report.
Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Slash are among a variety of famous musicians who recently performed live with one of a series of Ukraine-themed Gibson Les Paul electric guitars that will be auctioned this November to raise money for Ukrainian relief.
Gibson craftsmen created a limited-edition run of the Guitars for Peace Les Paul Custom guitars, which feature the azure blue and gold colors of the Ukrainian flag.
This summer, various artists played the guitars while on tour and signed special autograph books that will be auctioned to benefit the cause.
Other artists participating in the initiative include Mark Knopfler, Chic‘s Nile Rogers, Madness and Rush‘s Alex Lifeson.
The guitars and autograph books will be up for bid as part of the latest installment of the Julien’s Auctions “Icons & Idols: Rock ‘n’ Roll” sale, scheduled to take place November 11-13 at the Hard Rock in New York City and online at JuliensLive.com. Bidding for the items will start October 11.
All of the money raised by the auction of the Ukraine-themed guitars will be donated to humanitarian relief for the Ukrainian people in the wake of Russia’s invasion and to help the country rebuild after the conflict ends. The campaign was organized in conjunction with Gibson Gives, the company’s charitable arm.
“I’m happy to auction this beautiful guitar of mine to benefit the fine people of Ukraine,” says McCartney. “Hopefully it will help them through this aggressive Russian invasion.”
Adds Slash, “It is an honor to represent the brave sovereign state of Ukraine. I’m proud to support them during this conflict.”
To help raise additional funds, a Gibson Gives Guitars for Peace T-shirt is now available for purchase at Bonfire.com.
(WASHINGTON) — A federal judge granted lawyers for former President Donald Trump’s request to have a special master oversee the documents seized at Mar-a-Lago.
To break down the latest developments of the saga, a standoff between the Department of Justice and the former president, “ABC News Prime” spoke with Kan Nawaday, former federal prosecutor and ABC News contributor.
Nawaday discussed the implications of this decision, how it will affect the Department of Justice’s investigation and what he expects the next steps will be.
PRIME: ABC News contributor Kan Nawaday, [is] a former federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York. Thanks so much once again for being here. Let’s start off just with your reaction to the judge’s ruling to actually grant Trump’s request for a special master. Did that surprise you?
NAWADAY: It didn’t surprise me to grant a special master to review the attorney-client privilege documents. It was mind blowing, mind boggling that she granted the request for a special master to determine whether items are subject to the executive privilege. There really is no basis in the law and precedent for doing something like that for a former president.
PRIME: Some people are saying, ‘well, of course, she was appointed by Trump. What do you expect? Of course she’s going to rule in his favor.’ Do you think there’s anything there?
NAWADAY: I don’t think so. And I think she’s just maybe she’s just trying to be really careful, maybe she’s trying to put some of the responsibility on an independent special master instead of following, you know, what I see as a pretty clear precedent that you don’t need a special master to decide executive privilege.
PRIME: How do you think this will impact the Justice Department investigation going forward, and do you expect them to appeal?
NAWADAY: It’s going to slow down their investigation to a crawl. What will happen is Trump, the former president, is going to fight about everything, about who the special master is going to be, about the process and about everything. And there are 11,000 documents involved. I can see DOJ filing an appeal just because of how bad of a precedent this opinion sets.
PRIME: We heard Pierre [Thomas] talk about that Friday deadline. What do you expect to happen at that point?
NAWADAY: Either DOJ is going to appeal before then or they’re both, DOJ and Trump, going to put in competing submissions. It’s supposed to be a joint submission, but I think that submission is going to say, ‘we’re DOJ, we want this,’ ‘we’re Trump, we want this,’ and there’s not going to be that much overlap.
PRIME: All right. So let’s talk about the implications of the upcoming election with regard to this investigation. Of course, there’s that unwritten rule that the DOJ has or they don’t react basically or don’t act for 60 days leading into an election so that doesn’t seem like there’s anything biased or improper going on. So how will that influence?
NAWADAY: First of all, you are absolutely right, it’s an unwritten rule. The DOJ tries to avoid overt actions that could influence an election. And I think that’s important to remember. I think if there’s a grand jury out there, it’s going to continue its investigation, DOJ will continue its investigation and do all the covert things like speaking with witnesses, things like that, bringing people in the grand jury. What they likely won’t do is do something overt like charge somebody.
PRIME: Some new developments out of New Mexico where you had a public official who was removed from office after participating in Jan. 6. Explain to us the circumstances surrounding that and what that means now going forward.
NAWADAY: Well, what basically happened was there was a county commissioner in New Mexico who had been convicted federally for his participation in the events of Jan. 6. And a private citizens group brought an action to disqualify him from holding office as a public commissioner, as a public official.
And the basis for that is under the 14th Amendment, there’s a disqualification clause which says that if you are a public official and then you commit insurrection, you can no longer hold public office. So this is pretty groundbreaking. This is the first time, I believe, since the 1800s, that this disqualification clause has been used. So it could potentially be groundbreaking.
PRIME: Before I let you go, I want to go back to Trump just really quickly. We’re, of course, getting everybody’s opinion here. Everybody has one with regard to, do you think that Trump will ultimately be indicted?
NAWADAY: I think there is so much evidence there that in any other case, somebody would have charged this.
(NEW YORK) — Hillary Clinton expressed her concern over the classified documents seized at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate last month, sharing a warning that “every American” should be concerned.
On Wednesday, the former secretary of state joined “The View” alongside daughter Chelsea Clinton to share about their new docuseries, “Gutsy” on Apple TV+ premiering on Friday. Before delving into their new show, which highlights some of America’s biggest heroines, they weighed in on one of the nation’s hottest topics: the FBI’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and the documents found at the residence.
The FBI executed a search warrant for Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home on August 8. According to the inventory list unsealed Friday by a federal judge, agents gathered more than 11,000 documents or photographs without classification markings that were described as property of the U.S. government.
Hundreds of the documents retrieved during the search were considered confidential, secret and top-secret documents, as well as more than 40 empty folders with either “CLASSIFIED” banners on them or labeled “Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide.”
ABC News previously reported that the FBI remains concerned about classified records that could still be missing even after their search of Mar-a-Lago.
On “The View,” Hillary Clinton said the seized documents from Mar-a-Lago “should be taken really seriously.”
“It should concern every American, because those documents and the empty folders as they were marked suggest that there was really important secret information that is essential to our country’s defense and security,” she said.
Clinton went on to explain how classified documents were securely shared with her during her time as secretary of state under former President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013.
“A military courier would come into my office. It would be an emergency. There wouldn’t be time to get to the White House and have an emergency meeting in a SCIF,” she explained. “Usually a man — it was always a man, I remember — walked in, he would have a briefcase locked to his wrist.” A SCIF is a U.S. government–approved secure facility where sensitive information can be looked over by government officials.
“He would come into my office and he would say, ‘You have to look at this immediately, secretary.’ He would unlock the briefcase; he would stand there; he would give me this document that had really delicate, secret information about something of importance,” she continued. “I would read it, then I would sign that I read it. It would go back into the locked box attached to his wrist and off he would go.”
With that knowledge, Clinton was left puzzled as to how sensitive documents could be moved at all. “I don’t understand how [Trump] was permitted to take them, even to the residence, let alone to a country club in Florida,” she said.
Clinton went on to say that the country doesn’t have a clear understanding of what was in the seized documents, but reminded viewers on the daytime talk show that “people literally die to get our government information. They go to prison. They get exiled.”
“The idea that this would have been done, I hope everybody takes really seriously,” she added.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted a request from Trump’s legal team to appoint a special master to review documents seized in the FBI’s Mar-a-Lago search. The judge’s order halts all reviews of the documents by the Justice Department in its criminal investigation.
When co-host Joy Behar asked Clinton if Trump should be indicted over the documents found in his Mar-a-Lago estate, she said that she didn’t want to “prejudge.”
“I have been prejudged wrongly enough. I’m not going to judge somebody else, and so I think the key is what the facts and the evidence are, what the FBI and the intelligence community learn about these documents, how they ended up there, who else saw them,” Clinton responded.
She went on to explain how the public should have “two minds” about the investigation. “No one is above the law, and the rule of law in a democracy … has to be our standard.”
The public “should not rush to judgment,” Clinton continued, but “we should be concerned about it, and we should follow the facts and the evidence.”
Chelsea Clinton also weighed in on South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham claiming political violence would break out if Trump were to be indicted over mishandling of presidential records.
“I’m very worried about our country,” she said. “Sen. Graham and others … should know better and should be more responsible with their platforms.”
“After the white nationalist insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, we know that there are people who believe that violence is an acceptable tool, even in our democracy, even in the 21st century in the United States of America,” she continued.
“I’m very concerned and I’m very disappointed in the senator,” Chelsea Clinton said. “I hope that others do not follow his lead.”
Every episode of ABC’s award-winning talk show “The View” is now available as a podcast! Listen and subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts
(SASKATCHEWAN, Canada) — Canadian authorities have located and taken into custody a suspect accused of several stabbings, the Saskatchewan RCMP said Wednesday.
Brothers Myles Sanderson, 30, and Damien Sanderson, 31, are suspected of carrying out the stabbing spree that killed 10 people and injured 19 in the Indigenous communities of James Smith Cree Nation and the town of Weldon, in Saskatchewan, on Sunday, authorities said.
Damien Sanderson was found dead on Monday in a field near the stabbing sites with “visible injuries.”
Myles Sanderson has been taken into custody, authorities said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Debbie Gibson has a holiday album on the way — Winterlicious. The festive record arrives October 21 and can be preordered now. She will also kick off a Winterlicious Tour on November 25; tickets are on sale on her official website. The North American tour wraps up December 17 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Taylor Swift showed up to support the launch of pal Gigi Hadid’s luxury cashmere brand, Guest in Residence.E! News reports Gigi invited her famous friends to New York City’s Le Chalet on Tuesday. Queer Eye star Tan France, who starred in Taylor’s “You Need to Calm Down” music video, was also in attendance.
Ed Sheeran is addicted to Pokémon and shared a hilarious video of him singing the Pokémon cartoon theme song — albeit poorly. He joked that his day is booked full of naps, eating and playing his favorite game. “Lately this is what my usual day looks like,” he captioned the cheeky video.
Gwen Stefani is launching a social selling platform as part of her Gxve Beauty line. WWD reports Gxve Community will allow her fans to suggest ideas and sell Gxve products on commission. Gwen says the platform will also give brand ambassadors exclusive peeks at upcoming offerings and “learn, share, teach and express themselves through makeup.”
Meghan Trainor has a new song out on Friday — “Don’t I Make It Look Easy.” The tongue-in-cheek doo-wop song is about how people lie on social media that their life is perfect. Meghan shared a teaser to Instagram on Wednesday.
Kelly Clarkson is set to make an appearance at the Emmy Awards, as her daytime talk show scored some nods. The 74th Emmy Awards air Monday, September 12, starting at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
BLACKPINKdropped the eight-song track list for their upcoming Born Pink album. The second song — called “Shut Down” — is their title track. Rosé and Jisoo wrote track four, “Yeah Yeah Yeah.” Born Pink arrives September 16.
Billie Eilish is a Gucci girl and is the latest star in their new eyewear campaign. A promotional video sees her being stalked by her doppelgänger before the two get into a car together and say “I love you” to one another.
Em Beihold dropped “12345” and its music video. The song sounds more upbeat in nature but it tackles themes like anxiety, imposter syndrome and depression.
Five Seconds of Summer are also out with a new song, titled “Older.” Their new album, 5SOS5, arrives September 23.
Selena Gomez teamed up with Rema for the new song “Calm Down.” They also starred in the new music video, which dropped Wednesday.
Selena is also heading to next week’s Emmy Awards, as Only Murders in the Building is up for a few awards. Kelly Clarkson is also set to make an appearance, as her daytime talk show scored some nods. The 74th Emmy Awards air Monday, September 12, starting at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Jamie Lynn Spears has been cast in the special forces reality show tentatively titled Special Forces: The Ultimate Test, Variety reports. This is the American take on the popular British show, which Fox is promoting as “the ultimate celebrity social experiment.”
Charlie Puth is in his birthday suit again, posting yet another thirst trap. He shared a photo of him on a swing — with his backside facing the camera — and captioned the black-and-white photo, “What rhymes with Four.”
Meghan Trainor has a new song out on Friday — “Don’t I Make It Look Easy.” Meghan shared a teaser to Instagram on Wednesday.
HBO Max has renewed its second series in the Pretty Little Liars franchise for a second season. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin launched its 10-episode first season in July, and it didn’t take the streamer long to re-up.
“We are so proud of the incredible response both critically and from fans that Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin has received,” said Sarah Aubrey, HBO Max’s head of original content, in a statement.
“Viewers have embraced our new generation of Liars, and Roberto and Lindsay’s brilliantly dark, horror-fueled take on this iconic franchise,” she said of series creators Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon, enthusing the streamer is “thrilled” to continue the Liars legacy.
Original Sin is set 20 years before the events of its predecessor, which starred Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell.
In the first season of the follow-up series, characters played by Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria Simone and Malia Pyles are “tormented by an unknown assailant and made to pay for the secret sin committed by their parents two decades ago … as well as their own.”
Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
The producers of The Jennifer Hudson Show have revealed the guests for the first week of the EGOT winner’s forthcoming talk show.
As reported, J Hud will reunite with her former American Idol host Simon Cowell for the first installment of the syndicated program, airing on her 41st birthday, Monday, September 12.
However, it has just been announced that NBA legend Magic Johnson will grace the second episode on September 13, as will country star Mickey Guyton, who will also perform.
September 14 will see comic and Insecure star Yvonne Orji join the newly minted talk show host; September 15 will feature Emmy-wining Ted Lasso lead and Hocus Pocus 2 star Hannah Waddingham;and the first week will wrap up with The Woman King lead Viola Davis.
Incidentally, Hudson only has one trophy on Davis in the EGOT category; the Fences actress has an Emmy, an Oscar and a Tony Award, but — as of yet — no Grammy on her mantel.
