Armed rebellion led by Wagner mercenary group marks 'most significant challenge to Russian state' in recent times

David Benedict All the elements are there: a forgotten but fascinatingly tragic, true-life story about a world-changing medical discovery that saved the lives of millions; a large-cast, grand-scale production including dancers and onstage musicians; and Mark Rylance on stage in a no-hold-barred performance. Yet despite remarkably fierce energy from everyone involved, most particularly Rylance, the bio-drama “Dr. Semmelweis” ultimately proves more enervating than exciting. You would be forgiven for thinking that this play about a maverick, misunderstood savior in the middle of a public health crisis was a direct response to recent world events. In fact, workshops that formed the foundation of the play, the brainchild of Rylance and director Tom Morris (co-director of “War Horse”), predated the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the events of very recent history adds considerable perspective to an already important story, dramatized here by Stephen Brown and Rylance and set in the middle of the 19th century.

Reese Witherspoon is cringing at a past role early in her Hollywood career. Witherspoon, 47, reflected on an uncomfortable sex scene she had with Mark Wahlberg in the 1996 thriller "Fear," directed by James Foley, and said it was not a "great experience." "I didn’t have control over it," Witherspoon explained during a cover interview with Harper’s Bazaar.  "It wasn’t explicit in the script that that’s what was going to happen, so that was something that I think the director thought of on his own and then asked me on set if I would do it, and I said no.

“Fear.”The now 47-year-old reflected on the roller coaster scene she shot for the film at age 19 that involved her having an orgasm. “I didn’t have control over it,” Witherspoon claimed in an interview published Wednesday by Harper’s Bazaar, adding that she had requested a stunt double.“It wasn’t explicit in the script that that’s what was going to happen, so that was something that I think the director thought of on his own and then asked me on set if I would do it, and I said no,” she said about the James Foley-directed film.

Zayn Malik is promoting his new single “Love Like This” and spilling some tea on the reasons he left One Direction.

San Diego Union-Tribune has been acquired by an affiliate of Alden Global Capital’s MediaNews Group in a sale by the Los Angeles Times. Chris Argentieri, president and chief operating officer of the L.A. Times, confirmed the sale in a statement distributed to staff members and obtained by Variety on Monday. The message included words from owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, who purchased both the Times and Union-Tribune from Tribune Publishing in 2018. “The Union-Tribune is a great news organization with a long, distinguished history that I hope will continue to serve the San Diego community for generations to come,” said Soon-Shiong. “Our intention now is to focus on the ongoing work of transforming the L.A. Times into a self-sustaining institution. Our hometown of Los Angeles and the state of California – really, the West Coast – needs a strong, independent news organization. We believe in the L.A. Times and are committed to its future.”

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Jack White is taking aim at celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson for “normalizing” Donald Trump by meeting him at public events. The two actors, along with Joe Rogan and Guy Fieri, were photographed interacting with Trump at the UFC 290 event in Las Vegas over the weekend. White shared photos of the interactions on his Instagram account while calling out the four men. “Anybody who ‘normalizes’ or treats this disgusting fascist, racist, con man, disgusting piece of shit Trump with any level of respect is ALSO disgusting in my book,” White wrote in his post. “That’s you Joe Rogan, you Mel Gibson, you Mark Wahlberg, you Guy Fieri. This is a statement from me, not a discussion/debate. -Jack White III”

Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying dialed up the romance with a once-in-a-lifetime performance on his wedding day. The 31-year-old baritone tied the knot with Mark Manio over the weekend and marked the occasion with an original song. In a video posted to Instagram on Sunday, Hoying grabs the mic for an intimate performance of «Four» — which he wrote for his new husband.

A sci-fi comedy by Mel Eslyn and a literary noir by Alice Troughton – who are, respectively, the longtime producer for the Duplass brothers, and an award-winning UK television director (Dr. Who, Cucumber, The Living And The Dead) — debut in limited release this weekend, alongside Adele Lim’s Joy Ride, a Lionsgate wide-release – marking first-time feature film debuts by three women.

A sci-fi comedy by Mel Eslyn and a literary noir by Alice Traughton – who are, respectively, the longtime producer for the Duplass brothers, and an award-winning U.K. television director (Dr. Who, Cucumber, The Living And The Dead) — debut in limited release this weekend, alongside Adele Lim’s Joy Ride, a Lionsgate wide-release – marking first-time feature film debuts by three women.

Love is in the air!

Mark Harmon might have departed NCIS on camera, but he is still inspired by the agency every day.

News networks continued to focus on the instability in Russia, as Vladimir Putin spoke for the first time since a failed rebellion led by Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeniy Prigozhin.

Mark Wright has come out fighting in defence of his marriage to Michelle Keegan after he faced more accusations that they’re living separate lives. The TOWIE star-turned-TV presenter was photographed looking loved-up with Michelle on holiday in Ibiza last week, demonstrating that they still make time for each other.

Vladimir Putin has said he is confident of being able to implement future plans in the war in Ukraine despite the Wagner rebellion. The leader broke his silence following the extraordinary events in Russia which seen armed mercenaries advancing on Moscow.

Love Island star Montana Brown has given birth to her first child with fiancé Mark O'Connor.The reality star, 27, who appeared on series three of the ITV dating show in 2017, shared the happy news that she has welcomed a baby boy.Taking to Instagram with a first snap of the little one, she wrote: "Welcome to the world Jude Isaiah O’Connor. "We’re so smitten with you little man" The former Love Islander revealed on Christmas Eve 2022, that she and Mark were expecting an adorable bundle of joy together, with the little one due to arrive in the Summer of 2023. And in even more happy news for the pair, the loved up couple revealed in April that they are also engaged, after Mark popped the question while on a sun soaked holiday to Bermuda.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has been banished from Russia after Vladimir Putin dropped charges against him.

The head of Wagner force said he has told his troops to stop their march on Moscow and instead withdraw to their field camps in Ukraine in a bid to avoid shedding Russian blood.

Telegram post Friday that Putin’s reasoning for invading Ukraine was based on falsehoods spun by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Watch the full video below:Kinzinger: This is a massive blow to the Russian republic and a massive blow to their military effort and I will also say, it is a massive blow to the people here in the United States like Tucker Carlson, who have been parroting Putin talking points pic.twitter.com/KUyrhMSJG9Carlson, now broadcasting his views via a show posted on Twitter after being fired by Fox News in April, has for nearly a decade expressed clear support for Putin and the Russian government.

The head of the Wagner force said he has ordered his mercenaries to halt their march on Moscow and retreat to their field camps in Ukraine to avoid shedding Russian blood.

Networks have scrambled to cover the rebellion in Russia by initially drawing heavily on social media images, foreign policy analysts and correspondents in other countries, while media presence in Moscow has been limited.