The Spaniard, who spent six years in Japan and one in the UAE after leaving Barcelona, brought to a close a 22-year career with a social media post on Monday afternoon.
It included tributes from some of his former managers including Pep Guardiola, Louis van Gaal and Luis Enrique.
But it was right at the start of the video when Iniesta got choked up.
He was asked: “Andreas, what does football mean to you?”
Instantly, Iniesta became emotional as he wiped away a tear, before he only managed to say: “For me football has been…”
It then cut to a montage of his old coaches praising him.
Guardiola even revealed during his early days at Barcelona that Iniesta gave him the “boost of energy to keep going” and that he will “always be grateful” to the midfielder.
Iniesta made his Barcelona debut in 2002 and went on to appear in 674 games for the Blaugrana, scoring 57 goals and adding 135 assists.
His trophy haul includes nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
Playing alongside Xavi and Sergio Busquets, Iniesta is also considered to have been part of one of the greatest midfield trios football has ever seen.
Iniesta played 131 times for Spain and scored 14 goals, winning the World Cup and two European Championships.
He left Barcelona in 2018 to join Japan’s Vissel Kobe on a free transfer.
He would go on to spend five years in the J-League, winning the league, Japanese Cup and Japanese Super Cup.
UAE side Emirates Club, whom he joined in 2023, would prove to be his final team as he made 23 appearances for them, scoring five goals and providing one assist.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on ‘RHOSLC’ star Whitney Rose’s daughter, Bobbie, 14, rushed to ICU: ‘We need prayers’
The “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star’s husband, Justin Rose, shared a video of Bobbie sitting on a stretcher while getting wheeled into an ambulance.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Menendez brothers insist lavish spending covered up ‘horrible pain’ & label murder motive ‘absurd’ in prison interview
THE Menendez brothers have revealed the true reason they went on a spending spree after murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989 in brand new interviews.
The new film features previously unheard audio interviews with the brothers, who are both serving life sentences in California’s Donovan Correctional Facility for the murders, as they speak about the case “in their own words,” according to Netflix.
The interviews revealed new insight into the infamous killings, which prosecutors said during the trials, were motivated by greed because the brothers spent about $700,000 of their family’s fortune in the months after the crime.
However, Lyle and Erik, who were respectively 21 and 18 at the time of the murders, have always pushed back on the financial motive and claimed that the murders were in self-defense following years of abuse by both parents.
“The idea that I was having a good time is absurd,” Erik, now 53, said in a recorded phone call from prison in the new documentary.
“Everything was to cover up this horrible pain of not wanting to be alive.”
In the days after Lyle and Erik killed their parents with shotguns, the brothers spent about $15,000 on three Rolex watches, a jewelry salesperson testified at their trial.
The duo each bought new cars, and Lyle shelled out $50,000 for a personal tennis coach.
Lyle, now 56, said in the doc that the lavish spending covered up the mental anguish that he and his brother suffered.
“I was not enjoying myself as a playboy, that I was actually sobbing a lot at night, sleeping poorly, very distraught at times, and kind of adrift throughout this, all those months,” Lyle said.
The new Netflix documentary, made by director Alejandro Hartmann, is the first time Lyle’s spoken publicly since the pair’s televised interview with Barbara Walters in June 1996 following their second trial.
Erik, who has spoken out more often through his wife Tammi Saccoman, also talked in the film about the despair he felt after the murders – and revealed he still felt lingering pressure from Jose even after his death.
“One of the things that kept me from killing myself is that I was, I felt like I would be a complete failure to my dad at that point,” Erik said.
Erik’s confession about his mental health comes after he previously slammed Murphy’s dramatized take on their case.
Timeline of the Menendez brothers case
Erik and Lyle Menendez are serving life sentences in prison after being found guilty of shooting their parents to death over 30 years ago.
August 20, 1989 – José and Kitty Menendez are shot to death
March 8, 1990 – Lyle is arrested for the murders
March 11, 1990 – Erik turns himself in
July 20, 1993 – Highly publicized trial begins and ends weeks later in a mistrial
October 11, 1995 – Second trial begins
March 20, 1996 – Menendez brothers are convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder
July 2, 1996 – Menendez brothers are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and sent to separate prisons
February 2018 – Lyle is transferred to the San Diego prison where Erik is held
April 4, 2018 – Erik and Lyle are reunited
May 2023 – Attorney representing the Menendez brothers files a habeas petition
September 19, 2024 – Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story comes out on Netflix
October 3, 2024: Los Angeles authorities reviewing new evidence in connection with the brothers’ convictions
October 7, 2024 – The Menendez Brothers documentary film comes out on Netflix
Saccoman shared Erik’s statement about the new series on X on September 19.
“I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show,” Erik said.
“I can only believe they were done so on purpose. It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.”
Murphy pushed back against the criticism and said the drama series was the “best thing that has happened to the Menendez brothers in 30 years,” according to Variety.
The director also told The Hollywood Reporter, “The Menendez brothers should be sending me flowers.
“They haven’t had so much attention in 30 years. And it’s gotten the attention of not only this country, but all over the world.”
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Drivers to save on tolls as ‘dynamic pricing’ is suspended due to damaged interstate but it means longer drives
A MUCH-NEEDED discount on highway tolls has been introduced to help drivers still feeling the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.
Drivers can celebrate lower prices on stretches of highway in North Carolina, but it could mean longer commutes during rush hour.
Drivers can enjoy lower toll prices on stretches of highway in North Carolina[/caption]
On Friday, transportation service group I-77 Mobility Partners announced that dynamic pricing for toll lanes running from Charlotte to Mooresville will no longer be enforced.
Dynamic pricing in a demand-based model that charges higher prices during busier times of the day to cut down on traffic.
Typically, some drivers will find alternate routes during the cost surge, clearing some of the lanes.
However, Helene has left some alternate highways, including Interstates 40 and 25, with significant damage.
In the announcement, the company said it paused the surged costs to “help mitigate the financial impacts on drivers – especially those assisting with critical relief efforts.”
Western North Carolina was one of the worst areas hit by the Category 4 hurricane that tore through southeastern states like Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Survivors have been left homeless, searching for loved ones and trying to survive without power or cell service.
The toll relief is a small step toward rebuilding Appalachia but important for those trying to pick up the pieces.
Commuters who use I-77 can expect prices similar to what they saw before the storm.
The paused toll and redirected drivers could bring on a heavier traffic flow in the future.
However, officials say there hasn’t been a significant increase in busy roads since Helene blew through.
“Since the arrival of Hurricane Helene, the 26.4-mile I-77 Express corridor between Charlotte and Mooresville has not seen a heavy increase in traffic volume,” said Mobility Partners’ director of corporate affairs Rob Boisvert.
“The average increase between Saturday, September 28, and Thursday, October 3 was only 2%.”
Though dynamic pricing has been suspended, drivers should still expect to see prices shift throughout the day.
“Rates will change throughout the day based on predetermined rates that will be lower than pre-storm dynamic pricing,” the release states.
“However, by removing the traffic management provided by dynamic pricing, more drivers may choose to use the express lanes, which could result in slower than usual speeds.”
What is dynamic pricing?
Dynamic pricing is the practice of changing the price for a product or service to reflect changing market conditions.
This usually consists of increasing prices at a time of greater demand.
Some people refer to it as “surge pricing.”
You may have paid for surge pricing while using a rideshare app. Fares often increase during busy times when more people are looking for rides.
“We said these menu boards would give us more flexibility to change the display of featured items,” an official statement on Wendy’s website reads.
“This was misconstrued in some media reports as an intent to raise prices when demand is highest at our restaurants.”
“We have no plans to do that and would not raise prices when our customers are visiting us most. Any features we may test in the future would be designed to benefit our customers and restaurant crew members,” they further denied any future of surge pricing.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have promised to contribute federal funding to restoration efforts in North Carolina.
Harris and Donald Trump have both stepped away from their presidential campaigns to visit victims and share their plans to support rebuilding southern Appalachia.
“We’re here for the long haul,” Harris said during a trip to Asheville on Saturday.
North Carolina’s toll pause came days before Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also announced that highway fees would be suspended in west Florida, central Florida, and Alligator Alley.
Drivers who are looking to save on toll fees can use navigation apps like Waze to avoid the lanes.
E-ZPass also makes it easier and cheaper to pay for tolls in 20 states.
Plus, it’s important to sign up for mobile alerts from their state transportation departments that warn drivers of important toll updates or traffic news.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Fisherman describes horror moment they cut open shark to find body of US tourist, 68, who had been eaten on diving hols
A FISHERMAN has described the horrific moment he cut open a shark only to find the body of a missing tourist.
A fisherman found human remains in a shark’s stomach[/caption]
Rescuers spent eight days searching for the woman[/caption]
The body was discovered inside the shark’s stomach by a horrified fisherman in neighbouring East Timor.
The fisherman said: “The shark was caught but it was not in normal health. I thought it had swallowed plastic or a fishing net.
“It was cut open to find the problem and inside there were the remains of a woman.”
The 68-year-old American was with her friends around the Pulau Reong island when the incident happened on September 26.
The guide was unable to pull her back to the boat.
Rescue teams searched for eight days before finally giving up on October 3 due to the dangerous conditions at sea.
Officials in the Liquisa District said the female corpse was still wearing a black wet suit.
Officials in East Timor are contacting the coast guard in Indonesia.
They also appealed for details of anyone with missing friends or relatives due to the popularity of diving in the nearby islands, that are Indonesian territory.
Muhammad Saleh Goro, Head of the Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for the Management of the Alor Islands Marine Park and surrounding ocean, said: “We have coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Dili, and the KBRI has confirmed the truth of this information.
“The body of the woman was found in a shark in Timor Leste. It was not in Indonesian territory.
“We are now investigating the case further to confirm if they are the remains of anyone reported missing in Indonesia.
“From the diving suit worn by the victim, it is suspected that they were a diver.
“The results of the investigation will be published soon after more complete information is available.
“The anecdotal reports from Timor Leste are that the victim in the shark was foreign female.”
Ipda Giovani BM Toffy, the chief of police in Southwest Maluku where the tourist had first gone missing, said the tour guide with the diving group had initially reported her missing.
He said: “The initial search effort was carried out by the victim’s friends because they were on the same trip to the Banda Islands.
“We coordinated with the Nabar Village Government to mobilise residents to help search the coast facing Reong Island and conduct searches around the waters of Reong Island using lon
Rescue efforts for the woman have been underway since last week[/caption]
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Fears over Lee Corso’s health after missing ESPN’s College GameDay and update on 89-year-old’s retirement status
LEE CORSO has had fans fearing for his health after missing the latest episode of College GameDay.
The 89-year-old has had a number of health issues over the years, as he continues his illustrious career.
Lee Corso has been a regular on ESPN’s College GameDay since it started in 1987[/caption]
Corso has had fans worried with his health issues, and pleaded with him to retire[/caption]
He suffered a stroke 15 years ago and has struggled with his speech ever since.
That had led to compassionate viewers pleading for him to retire from the ESPN show.
But he has remained ever since, and has fought on as he gets on in age.
However, College GameDay watchers were worried after he missed the latest instalment of the show.
The program headed to Berkeley for the first time in its history on Saturday morning.
They were building up to the California Golden Bears taking on the Miami Hurricanes.
But Corso’s absence was the talk of social media networking site X.
One user said: “Oh, now Corso’s absence means fewer signature headgear moments.
“Feel better soon.”
Another added: “Corso is a legend.
“Been watching him since the first game day at ND/FSU in 93 but it’s time for him to retire.”
A third commented: “I don’t think Lee was fit for this environment.”
Another said: “Sad not seeing Lee Corso on the show.”
A fifth replied: “It might be time for Corso to retire. What a legend.”
'It was a short retirement!'
Jason Kelce didn't stay retired in the NFL for long.
The former Philadelphia Eagles lineman called it quits after the 2023 season.
But he will be part of ESPN’s coverage on Monday Night Football in 2024.
Kelce will appear on Monday Night Countdown from 6pm-8pm ET every week as well as during the halftime show.
“Turns out, it was a short retirement!” he joked.
“ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports.
“To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment.
“And, I mean it’s freaking Monday Night Football! and I’m ready for some football.”
GameDay host Rece Davis addressed his absence on the live broadcast.
He also made it clear he would be back in the near future following his health scare.
“Lee Corso, a little bit under the weather,” said Davis.
“We expect to get him back soon.
“I know LC’s watching. Speedy recovery my friend.”
Corso has been an analyst on College GameDay since it first started on ESPN in 1987.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Holly Willoughby supported Phillip Schofield through paedo brother’s arrest… before it became ‘bad for her brand’
PHILLIP Schofield was supported by Holly Willoughby following his brother Timothy’s arrest for child sex offences.
But pals said Phil was upset when she publicly distanced herself from him when Timothy went on trial last May.
Phillip Schofield now believes that Holly Willoughby – who was once his closest friend – started to put a wall up between them[/caption]
Holly has never publicly spoken about Timothy’s crimes but in messages seen by The Sun in December 2021 after his arrest, Holly spoke with Phil about him[/caption]
Phil as he appears in the Episode 2 of Channel 5’s Cast Away[/caption]
Phil now believes that Holly – who was once his closest friend – started to put a wall up between them because she knew it could look bad “for her brand”.
At the time, insiders told The Sun how the strain of Phil’s brother Timothy’s arrest for child sex offences had “added to the rift between them”.
Holly has never publicly spoken about Timothy’s crimes but in messages seen by The Sun in December 2021 after his arrest, Holly spoke with Phil about him.
After learning Timothy was being taken in by a friend after he was bailed, Holly messaged Phil and asked if the friend giving him a place to stay “knew what he had done?”
Holly also wrote to Phil about her shock and said it was “hard to believe”.
A friend said: “Phil feels that he was sacked because of the bad press around his brother. Everyone knew about Tim – including Holly.
“They had a backstage make-up room called ‘The Sanctuary’ at This Morning, where Phil first assembled trusted pals including Holly and told them, tearfully, about his brother. Holly held his hand and was super kind.
“But Phil feels she distanced herself from it publicly because it was bad for her brand. But she supported Phil and was disgusted by what his brother had done.”
The rift between them spiralled – with Phil later admitting he had lied to Holly about his affair with a colleague.
Pals said Holly cut Phil off dead, adding: “He feels so betrayed by Holly still.
“Phil acknowledges that he lied to Holly about the affair but he apologised profusely.
“She dropped him like a stone, despite everything they had been through.
“He’ll never get over what he feels is a betrayal.”
Timothy was jailed for 12 years in May last year.
Holly’s team did not comment when approached by The Sun.
Phil admitted he had lied to Holly about his affair with a colleague[/caption]
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Justin Fields taken out of Steelers-Cowboys games – but not replaced by Russell Wilson who is on $39m contract
PITTSBURGH Steelers quarterback Justin Fields took a nasty hit during the team’s Sunday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys.
However, after leaving the game for two plays, the veteran backup Russell Wilson didn’t step in for Fields in the Week 5 NFL primetime matchup.
Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Justin Fields got hit hard by Dallas Cowboys defender Tyrus Wheat during the third quarter of the Sunday Night Football game in Week 5[/caption]
Steelers backup signal-caller Russell Wilson looks on before the primetime game[/caption]
During the third quarter, Fields was looking to pass to running back Najee Harris when he was tackled by defensive tackle Tyrus Wheat.
It wasn’t any ordinary tackle, however, as Fields was viciously hit in the process, leading to a roughing the passer penalty for 15 yards.
The Steelers signal-caller went into the blue medical tent to be checked for a concussion.
Pittsburgh called on Kyle Allen to step in and he completed a 19-yard pass.
Fields returned to the contest after missing just two minutes of game action.
It was telling the Steelers didn’t ask for Wilson to replace Fields.
Wilson has missed all five games in the 2024 campaign due to a lingering calf injury.
The nine-time Pro Bowler was inactive against the Cowboys and didn’t play on Sunday night despite being suited up in his football attire on the sidelines.
Wilson technically could’ve played as Pittsburgh’s emergency quarterback.
He could’ve entered the game if Fields and Allen both suffered injuries and couldn’t play in the contest.
Instead, Fields played the rest of the Week 5 game.
The Steelers lost 20-17 to the Cowboys after a late Dak Prescott game-winning touchdown to wideout Jalen Tolbert.
Fields put together a below-average performance, completing 15 of his 27 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Both scores came in the second half and Pittsburgh went just 3-of-12 on third downs and recorded only 233 yards of offense.
Fields looks to pass versus the Cowboys during the team’s 20-17 loss[/caption]
Reports revealed that Wilson participated in all quarterback drills last week, suggesting he could be ready to play against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.
He has thrown for five touchdowns and one interception while posting three rushing scores which is second in the league to rookie star Jayden Daniels.
Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in the offseason.
The 13-year NFL veteran is making $39 million for the season thanks to the Denver Broncos, who are responsible for most of the number due to the $242.5 million contract they signed with him two years ago.
2 weeks agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Incredible video shows plan for world’s first ‘vertiport’ for FLYING CAR racing dubbed the ‘Formula One of the skies’
INCREDIBLE plans have been revealed for the world’s first “vertiport” set to host the “Formula One of the Skies” for flying car races.
The cutting-edge designs for the impressive 360-degree flying deck have been revealed in video footage that promises a future filled with high-speed air racing.
Flying cars from the future pitting against each other in the skies[/caption]
At the top of the arena is the viewing deck where the audience can be seen enjoying spectacular views of the race[/caption]
The vertiport is being envisioned as an event venue where flying F1 races could be hosted.
It is being designed as a revolutionary viewing deck that will be surrounded by air race tracks where fully crewed flying cars will pit against each other.
The league promises to be “the world’s first electric flying car racing series”.
Developed by a London-based tech firm Airspeeder, the vertiport will give an “unmatched experience” of the race.
While it is still in its concept stage, the tech startup collaborated with HOK, a global architecture firm – to develop renders of what vertiports could look like in the future.
Incredible footage shows F1-like flying cars racing in the skies around the vertiport.
At the top of the arena is the viewing deck where the audience can be seen enjoying spectacular views of the race.
And with a glass facade all around the deck, viewers get panoramic views of the event from each direction.
According to plans, the vertiport will feature “airside zones” with retractable landing pads for flying cars to land and take off – and will be used as pit stops in between competitions.
The Skydeck will feature a module design – and can be fully disassembled or expanded according to needs.
And just like F1 races, the design will initially accommodate up to 10 teams with 20 Airspeeders that race against each other at the tracks.
Stephen Sidlo, a senior executive at the tech startup, said: “We believe that flying car racing will initiate a new mobility revolution, advancing E-VTOL and EV technology to benefit the entire industry.
“This collaboration with HOK represents not just a new sport but the future of high-speed, sustainable mobility.”
Reacting to the incredible designs, one social media user said: “Cutting-edge design meets futuristic racing! Exciting times ahead for airborne motorsport.”
While another joked: “Let’s fly baby!”
Many tech companies are not putting their bets on long-term plans to develop flying cars.
The luxury means of travel will involve paying passengers booking their desired trip through an app and wait at “vertiports”, similar to today’s airports, for a propeller-powered taxi to pick them up.
Each VTOL aircraft will be able to carry four passengers and one pilot.
Travelling at speeds of up to 198 miles per hour, customers will enjoy a unique view of Dubai while making their way to their destinations.
According to Joby Aviation, the US company behind the all-electric aircraft, a flight from Dubai Airport to the glitzy tree-shaped island of Palm Jumeirah will take just 10 minutes by air taxi.
Flying ‘super car’ unveiled at CES
A FLYING car has been unveiled in a world-first international debut at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.
The car has been designed by XPeng Aeroht, which refers to itself as the largest flying car manufacturer in Asia.
The Chinese company has called the car the “eVTOL flying supercar.”
We exclusively spoke to the co-founder, vice president, and chief designer of Xpeng Aeroht, Wang Tan, about the need for flying cars in the future.
He told The U.S. Sun: “Humans are 3D animals but the transportation is 2D.
“Everybody wants to fly actually and to have another view, another angle, to see the gorgeous view.”
He added that users will be able to beat traffic and fly out of congestion zones.
Tan said he’s flown in another flying vehicle that he designed but hasn’t been in the eVTOL flying supercar as it’s still being worked on.
CES attendees witnessed a live demonstration of propellers shooting from the car.
SPEED MACHINES Incredible video shows plan for worlds first vertiport for FLYING CAR racing dubbed the Formula One of the skies,[/caption]