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Why now? Because that’s how trauma works. Get over it

Why now? Why now?

Every time a woman comes forward with her story of sexual assault, this is the first question she faces. OK, maybe the second — after some variation of “Are you a lying slut?”

At least we are consistent. But on behalf of all survivors everywhere, of any gender, identity or age, let me give you some blanket answers to “Why now?”

Survivors come forward now, whenever now is, because they have reached the point in their recovery when facing the inevitable “lying slut” accusation is less terrible than watching their abuser strut around as if that person is not a dangerous, cruel predator who is almost certainly going to hurt someone else if they are not stopped.

Whether it’s in Congress, on a movie set, in the halls of their school — wherever that predator is just living their life without consequence — there is a survivor who has been cowering in the shadows of her own life, in pain, wanting to scream to the world that this person is not what they seem.

But the price of that honesty has always been steep. Too steep. Even after #MeToo.

Ask Cassie Ventura. Ask Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Ask E. Jean Carroll. Dolores Huerta. Simone Biles.

Even powerful women can’t escape the blowback, the fear. Even powerful women are steamrolled over and over again by the overwhelming presumption that they are lying, and there is an ulterior motive for coming forward at this particular moment.

Imagine just being an average person holding that secret. Who are any of us to stand up alone against a rich and powerful man whose very freedom will depend on crushing our credibility?

P. Diddy. Harvey Weinstein. Donald Trump. Cesar Chavez. Larry Nassar. Eric Swalwell.

Those men know power, and know how to use it.

“He thought he was untouchable. He acted with total impunity. He never thought that the consequences of his actions would follow him,” Ally Sammarco, one of the women who has spoken out about Swalwell (who has previously denied allegations of misconduct), told CBS.

It’s why the women of the Epstein files stayed silent for so long. It’s why there are thousands of rape survivors out there right now who have never said a word about what they endured, and maybe never will.

“Why now?” is just a more palatable version of “lying slut,” a question based on ignorance about how trauma — and society — works. A question meant not to elicit fact, but to feed the Jezebel frenzy men always use in their attempt to escape justice.

Here’s the truth about sexual assault: There is no right way to respond to it, no right time. There is no one reaction that proves it happened or that creates the perfect scenario that will protect the survivor’s reputation while delivering justice upon the predator. In fact, there is really no way at all to respond to a sexual assault that won’t bring secondary trauma.

Wait years and face disdain — that it didn’t happen, wasn’t serious, is only coming out now for some agenda, like politics or money.

Report it immediately and be prepared for every move, every smile, every sip of a drink, to be examined for signs that this was, if not consensual, somehow deserved — a gray area of shared responsibility.

Imagine, at a moment of crushing vulnerability, when your body has been violated and your mind is reeling trying to find safe ground, being bludgeoned by these accusations, stated or implied, that you brought this on yourself.

“Why now?” becomes “Why would you?”

Even when the scenario is one in which there can be no defense — such as the UCLA gynecologist, James Heaps, who on Tuesday pleaded guilty to sexually abusing five of his patients during exams — the cost of reporting is terrible. That case has wound on for years, leaving each of the victims to constantly relive their worst moments, constantly fear that all of their courage would come to nothing.

Which is why survivors don’t always come forward. Maybe they need time to put themselves back together, even just a little bit. Maybe the fear of all that societal scrutiny is just too much. Maybe they fear they won’t be believed, and their attacker will be free to harm them again.

Maybe they just want it to all go away. Maybe they do blame themselves, and are paralyzed by an unfounded shame.

There are so many reasons why survivors stay silent — and none of them are because it didn’t happen, or because they are lying.

Lonna Drewes, the Beverly Hills model who came forward Tuesday with an accusation that Swalwell drugged and raped her in 2018, summed up the experience of many, many survivors.

“I did not want to live anymore,” she said of how she felt after the attack. “I cried all the time for years.”

So here’s the real answer to “Why now?” from a victim’s statement that one of Heap’s survivors read in court.

“What you intended to break, you did not,” she said.

That is the answer to “Why now?” Because the bravery and courage at the heart of the survivor was bruised but not defeated.

Because she doesn’t want it to happen to anyone else.

Because she deserves to be free of his secrets: Ones she has been forced to keep out of fear of him, but also of us.

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Ryanair check-in warning for Brits who risk paying extra £55 per person at the airport

It’s crucial to be well prepared before heading to the airport on holiday, and there’s one mistake to avoid, otherwise face forking out an extra £55 per person at the airport

There’s a common check-in mistake that could see Brits charged an extra £55 per person at the airport.

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to jetting off abroad; from finding the right sun-soaked destination, the most affordable flights, suitable accommodation, and a desirable itinerary. Inbetween the planning and excitement, there are also some vital pre-holiday preparations that are needed.

Whether that’s obtaining travel insurance, securing a visa, checking passport validity, arranging a lift or taxi to the airport, packing the suitcases, or booking a dog or house sitter. But during any pre-trip planning, there’s a key task that holidaymakers can miss, and it will cost extra with Ryanair.

READ MORE: Tenerife tourist goes on holiday to catch tan but comes home with something elseREAD MORE: UK’s little-known new passport rule that left Brit woman stranded in Spain

While travellers will have their flight details to hand, often via the airline app or an email, some forget to check in online. For holidaymakers flying with Ryanair, they will be charged £55 per person to check in at the airport, when they could have checked in online for free.

For a family of four, this could see them fork out a whopping £220 before their getaway even begins. It’s a mistake and an extra cost that can easily be avoided by checking into their flight when it opens online.

Ryanair passengers with a pre-reserved seat, which are usually at an extra cost, can check in online up to 60 days before their scheduled departure. Meanwhile, those without a reserved seat, which is free, can check in online 24 hours before their flight, and can often choose a seat for free if one is available.

To check in online with Ryanair, travellers must have a valid travel document, such as a passport or National Identity Card. The airline confirmed that they “do not accept a driver’s license or birth certificates for travel to any location” and advised that there are different rules for various destinations, so Brits should check these before travelling.

For anyone who doesn’t check in online, Ryanair warned: “If you do not check in online up to 2 hours before your scheduled departure time, you may check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before departure, but you will be charged an airport check-in fee.”

They added: “We urge all passengers to check in online before arriving at the airport so these fees can be avoided.”

In further information about checking in at the airport, Ryanair stated: “You will have to pay an airport check-in fee per passenger to cover the extra cost of the airport check-in service. Please see our Table of Fees.”

On the Ryanair website, they further outlined: “If you checked in but cannot present your boarding pass on the app when you arrive at the airport, you will receive a free of charge boarding pass.”

They also added: “Please note: All passengers departing from a Moroccan airport must check-in online as normal and then collect a free of charge boarding pass at the airport check-in desk.”

For more information or to check Ryanair’s details, visit their website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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Fourth person arrested in London arson attack on Jewish ambulance service

A fourth man has been arrested in the arson of several Jewish ambulances parked in front of a synagogue that belonged to a volunteer service. Three that have already been charged will next appear in court in late April. File by Andy Rain/EPA

April 4 (UPI) — A fourth man suspected of being involved in an attack on a Jewish volunteer ambulance service was arrested when he attended a hearing for three of his alleged accomplices.

On March 26, four ambulances that belong to a Jewish community organization were torched in the Golders Green area of North London in an attack that police said was aimed at terrorizing the Jewish community there.

Police on Saturday arrested a fourth suspect in the attack during a hearing for three people — two British citizens, Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, as well as a 17-year-old with dual British-Pakistani citizenship — who had already been charged in the crime, The BBC reported.

Officers, who already were aware that four people were responsible for the arson, recognized a 19-year-old man who was suspected of participating and arrested him at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Golders Green has a large Jewish population and the four people are suspected for being responsible for oxygen cylinders in four ambulances parked outside a synagogue there that exploded on March 23, The New York Times reported.

All four were arrested, although the 19-year-old arrested while entering the courthouse has not formally been charged, while the other three face an April 24 court date.

Two other men also had been arrested and released on bail, but also will be expected in court in April.

The four ambulances were operated by Hatzolah, an organization that was started in 1973 in New York by a group of Orthodox Jews trained in First Aid and CPR looking to assist their local community, according to the group’s website.

Court records show well over $1 million in damage in what prosecutors called a “premeditated and targeted attack against the Jewish community.”

Since its founding, volunteer ambulance groups associated with the organization have been established across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, South Africa and Australia, among other places.

Violence against Jewish people and organizations has increased over the course of the past year globally, including in London.

The Metropolitan Police said it has deployed “highly visible armed police patrols” to areas with larger Jewish populations because of a series of fires and attacks across Europe and the United States that have been blamed on doing business with Jewish people.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said at the beginning of the week that a claim of responsibility by a group with links to Iran was being investigated but stopped short of officially placing blame.

“Whoever was responsible, the impact is serious,” Rowley said.

Masked Palestinians hold knives and axes as they celebrate an attack on a Jerusalem synagogue while standing in front of a poster of the attackers,Ghassan and Uday Abu Jamal, during a rally in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip November 18, 2014. Two Palestinians armed with a meat cleaver and a gun killed fiver people in a Jerusalem synagogue on Tuesday before being shot dead by police, the deadliest such incident in six years in the holy city amid a surge in religious conflict. UPI/Ismael Mohamad | License Photo

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Supreme Court weighs Trump’s bid to end birthright citizenship

The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear President Trump’s claim that he has the power to revise the Constitution and to end birthright citizenship for babies born in this country to parents who were here unlawfully or temporarily.

Trump proposed this potentially far-reaching change in an executive order. It has been blocked by judges across the country and has never been in effect.

His lawyers contend they seek to correct a 160-year misunderstanding about the Constitution’s promise that “all persons born” in this country are deemed to be citizens.

The president’s executive order “restores the original meaning of the citizenship clause” and would deny “on a prospective basis only” citizenship to the “children of temporarily present aliens and illegal aliens,” Solicitor Gen. D. John Sauer wrote in his appeal.

But the first hurdle for Trump and his lawyers may concern the powers of the president.

In February, the court blocked Trump’s sweeping worldwide tariffs on the grounds the Constitution gave Congress, not the president, the power to impose import taxes.

By comparison, the president has even less power to set the rules for U.S. citizenship. The Constitution gives Congress the power to “establish a uniform rule of naturalization.”

After the Civil War, Congress adopted a civil rights act in 1866 that said “all persons born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power, including Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States … of every race and color.”

To make sure that rule stood over time, it was added to the Constitution in the 14th Amendment. Its opening line says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

In 1898, a conservative Supreme Court upheld that rule and affirmed the citizenship of Wong Kim Ark. He was born in San Francisco to Chinese parents who later returned to China.

“The 14th Amendment affirms the ancient and fundamental rule of citizenship by birth within the territory,” the court said. “In clear words and in manifest intent, [it] includes the children born, within the territory of the United States, of all other persons, of whatever race or color.”

In 1952, when Congress revised the immigration laws, it added the same provision without controversy. Lawmakers set multiple rules for deciding disputes over American parents who live abroad, but the first rule was simple and undisputed.

“The following shall be nationals and citizens of the United States at birth: a person born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” the law said.

Critics say Trump’s plan could replace a clear and simple rule with a confusing and complicated one. States would have to look into the history and legal status of a newborn’s parents to decide whether they met the new qualifications.

Until now, a valid birth certificate had been sufficient to establish a person’s U.S. citizenship.

Last week, Trump was urging Senate Republicans to pass a new election law that would require millions of Americans to present a birth certificate as proof of their citizenship if they register to vote or move to a new state.

“Proving citizenship to vote is a no brainer,” the White House said.

This week, however, Trump’s lawyers are urging the court to rule that their birth in this country is not proof of their citizenship.

There is a “logical inconsistency” here,” said Eliza Sweren-Becker, a voting rights expert at the Brennan Center.

In the legal battle now before the court, the key disputed phrase is “subject to the jurisdiction.” That has been understood to mean that people within the United States are subject to the laws here, except for foreign diplomats and, for a time, Native Americans who lived on tribal reservations.

But Sauer contends it excludes newborns who are “not completely subject to the United States’ political jurisdiction” because their parents are in this country unlawfully.

Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union called this a “radical rewriting” of the 14th Amendment, which says nothing about the parents of a newborn child.

If upheld, this order could apply to “tens of thousands of children born every month, “ they said, “devastating families around the country.” But worse yet, they said, the outcome “would cast a shadow over the citizenship of millions upon millions of Americans, going back generations.”

Some legal experts predict the court may rule narrowly and reject Trump’s executive order because it conflicts with federal immigration laws. Such a ruling would be a defeat for Trump, but it could allow Congress in the future to adopt new provisions, including a limit for expectant mothers who enter this country to give birth.

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Cheapest all-inclusives for May half term 2026 from £361 per person

All-inclusive breaks are perfect for families who want to go away without worrying about the cost of food and drink at the resort. If you fancy a few days without washing up in May half-term, here are some deals to look out for

All-inclusives can be a good option for those who are on a tight budget. While initially booking an all-inclusive holiday costs more, once you arrive, you technically don’t need to spend any extra money. This means you can enjoy your meals, cocktails, and beers without worrying about the bill at the end of the trip.

May Half Term can be a good time to book an all-inclusive holiday in Europe, as you usually get good weather across the continent but not the intense heatwaves that often hit in July and August. While it’s a busy travel time, it’s slightly less full on than the six-week holidays.

Here are a few all-inclusive deals available during half-term week based on two adults, two children sharing. Prices are subject to availability and may change.

Castell dels Hams – Porto Cristo, Majorca – 4 nights from £361 per person

This Majorcan hotel has a 4T rating from TUI and offers comfortable, contemporary accommodation surrounded by countryside. There are three outdoor pools to choose from, and if you fancy a day at the beach, there’s a free daily bus service. If you prefer a livelier break, you can enjoy activities from tennis to volleyball and a great entertainment program that includes a kids’ club and evening entertainment.

During half-term, you can enjoy four nights of AI accommodation in a standard double or twin room from £361 per person. The package includes Ryanair flights from East Midlands Airport and you can book via the TUI website.

Sungate Hotel – Sidari, Corfu – 4 nights from £469 per person

Jet2 is offering a four-night package to lively Sidari in Corfu for £469 per person, which you can book here. The price includes flights from London-Stansted, 22kg of checked baggage per person, coach transfers, and all-inclusive accommodation in a family room.

The Sungate Hotel is just 300m from the beach and has an outdoor pool, buffet restaurant, and pool bar. The weather in Corfu often hits 24C in May, meaning it’s just right for days at the pool or lounging on the beach.

Inter 2 – Salou, Spain – 7 nights from £487 per person

Another Jet2 deal for Spain includes an entire week of as much food and drink as you like, but this time in sunny Salou in Spain. Inter 2 is 500m from the beach and the lively resort town of Salou, so there’s plenty to do. The hotel has two pools and offers daytime and evening entertainment, or you can simply relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Accommodation is in a studio apartment, and your package includes 22kg of luggage and coach transfers from Reus, which take just over half an hour. Prices for seven nights, departing London-Luton on May 25, start at £487, and you can book the package here.

Magic Cristal Park Hotel – Benidorm, Spain – 4 nights from £329 per person

With a flight time of about two and a half hours, Benidorm is ideal for short breaks, and this half-term deal from easyJet Holidays starts at £329 per person. Its all-inclusive offering includes two buffet restaurants and four bars, a seasonal kids’ club, a top-floor pool and roof terrace, a games room, and much more.

Benidorm’s iconic beach is just a 10-minute walk away, and you can wander around and enjoy the colourful sights in this lively resort town. The package from easyJet holidays can be booked here and includes flights from Bristol to Alicante, hold bags, transfers, and accommodation in a standard double room.

Bone Club Hotel Svs – Alanya, Turkey – 7 nights from £367 per person

Enjoy a week in a four-star hotel on an all-inclusive basis for £367 per person this half-term. This package deal, on offer through Thomas Cook, includes Wizz Air flights from London-Gatwick and accommodation in an economy room, although you can upgrade for a small fee. There’s a buffet restaurant, snack bar, pool bar, and even a nightclub where you can enjoy your all-inclusive package.

During the day, enjoy the sunshine by the pool or the sandy beach just a short walk away. You’re also in a great spot to explore the Turkish Riviera, and the resort town of Alanya is full of places to visit, from castles and caves to traditional Turkish baths.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

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Plans for forum to replace scrapped USC governor’s debate fall apart

A proposed gubernatorial forum hastily cobbled together in the hours after USC canceled its Tuesday debate fell apart because the candidates of color who were excluded from the previously planned event were unable to show up in person at KNBC-TV’s studio in Universal City, according to multiple sources.

Facing mounting pressure that its debate selection criteria excluded every candidate of color, the university canceled its debate late Monday. On Tuesday morning, billionaire Tom Steyer — a Democrat — proposed holding an alternative face-off, with KNBC moderating. But the candidates who had not been invited to the USC debate had already made other commitments.

“A lot of this came out of nowhere — there’s a debate and you’re not invited, followed by there’s no debate, and then maybe we should all hang out and have a conversation,” said Kyle Layman, a strategist advising former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

USC officials declined to comment on Tuesday’s developments — as did KABC-TV, one of the broadcast partners of the canceled debate. KNBC did not respond to a request for comment, but someone involved with planning a potential debate there said pulling together such an event in just a few hours was impossible, and also unfair to the candidates who had made other plans after initially being excluded from the USC debate.

“We looked into the possibility of doing something. It just wasn’t possible because of the last-minute logistics. It was not feasible,” said the person, who asked for anonymity to speak candidly. “We couldn’t get everybody here.”

The fact that the candidates excluded from the USC debate couldn’t find a way to participate in Tuesday evening’s alternative forum irritated some people involved in the planning, however. Becerra, state Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former state Controller Betty Yee had loudly protested not being invited to the USC event.

“This is like probably one of the last opportunities they have to be with other leading contenders of the race, so why not take this opportunity?” said someone who took part in conversations about the proposed last-minute debate, who asked for anonymity to speak openly. “If the whole thing is about bringing your message to the voters, making sure voters have as much information as possible, talking about the issues that matter, wouldn’t you want to take every opportunity to do that?

“If you’re going to talk a big game about taking your message to voters, the importance of debates, why not do it?” this person said.

Becerra, Thurmond, Villaraigosa and Yee have reportedly formed an informal pact not to participate in any debate that does not include all of them, which Yee referenced in a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

“The idea that none of the candidates of color are going to be joining a debate is just inappropriate for a state like California,” Yee said. “We also need to have a commitment from all of the debate sponsors that they will include all of us going forward.”

Yee and Thurmond were not invited to the next major televised debate, which will take place April 1 at Fresno State University. Becerra and Villaraigosa had previously confirmed their attendance, according to a news release from the Western Growers Assn., one of the event’s sponsors.

And all four candidates of color, along with San José Mayor Matt Mahan, were not invited to a debate on April 22 in San Francisco that will be hosted by KRON-TV and broadcast on Nexstar Media Group stations throughout California.

“We don’t need gatekeepers,” Mahan said in a statement Tuesday evening. “I’m calling on my fellow candidates to work together to organize our own debates — so we can take our ideas for a better California to every corner of California. Let’s let the voters truly decide.”

The scrapped USC debate was going to be hosted by the institution’s Dornsife Center for the Political Future and co-sponsored by KABC and Univision. Six candidates had been invited to participate: Democrats Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin), former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, Mahan and Steyer; along with the leading Republicans, conservative commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Candidates and elected officials called the criteria used to determine participation in the debate biased because it included Mahan, a white candidate who is polling near the bottom of the pack but is supported by notable names in the USC community. Hours after the debate was canceled, Steyer’s campaign sought to create an alternate event that would include all of the candidates.

“We were trying to do the right thing upon learning that the debate was canceled at USC,” said a member of Steyer’s campaign who asked for anonymity to speak candidly. “Tom immediately was like, ‘We can do something alternative.’ People want to hear from the gubernatorial candidates. It was on the table. It was offered.

“NBC couldn’t get all the candidates here, but we tried,” this person said. “Given the short amount of time we were trying to put this together, it ultimately could not happen because not all the candidates could get to the studio.”

Thurmond, who was in Sacramento and Richmond on Tuesday, joined a political influencer on YouTube Tuesday evening, while Yee attended previously scheduled events with the East Area Progressive Democrats and a women’s group in the L.A. area. Villaraigosa had lined up other interviews at his Wilshire campaign office, Becerra was traveling, and Porter was scheduled to host a livestream on her Instagram account Tuesday evening.

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‘Sled head’: Lawsuits against USA Bobsled/Skeleton allege brain injury

Comic and television host Stephen Colbert knows the feeling William Person recounts in his new lawsuit alleging that USA Bobsled/Skeleton was negligent by concealing knowledge that the repeated sub-concussive blows sledders endure could cause permanent brain damage.

Shortly after taking a bobsled run with Team USA in Lake Placid, N.Y., in 2009, Colbert described the experience.

“It felt like I was being hit in the head with ice hammers,” he said . “It was like losing the worst snowball fight of your life.”

Person can relate, according to his attorneys, who wrote in the suit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court that the symptoms of brain injury have a name among bobsled and skeleton athletes : “Sled Head.”

“This action seeks justice for a decorated American athlete who, in his pursuit of Olympic glory, was knowingly sacrificed to a silent epidemic of brain injury,” the court filing said.

Person says he experienced chronic headaches, migraines, fogginess, vertigo and blackouts during his career.

“[He] currently suffers from traumatic brain injury and latent neurodegenerative disease,” the filing said. “Memory loss, cognitive decline, emotional instability, and chronic pain. These injuries have required, and will continue to require, extensive medical care.”

The action is the second brought on behalf of Person, who competed internationally for the United States from 1999 to 2007. He filed a lawsuit in December 2021 that asked USA Bobsled/Skeleton to implement a medical monitoring system to identify and treat sledders with sled head symptoms.

That lawsuit, which languished in court for five years, included a class-action component and accumulated several hundred plaintiffs. Person’s new lawyers, Kamau Edwards and Christopher Perry, are taking a different approach. They plan to file separate lawsuits and seek monetary damages for each plaintiff based on their circumstances and diagnosis.

Edwards and Perry also added new defendants. In addition to USA Bobsled/Skeleton, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Anschutz Southern California Sports Complex and former bobsledding supervisor Tracy Lamb are named.

Anschutz owns the Home Depot Center, where the U.S. bobsled and skeleton teams train. The lawsuit says the venue is responsible for premises liability and Lamb for negligent hiring and supervision.

The defendants have yet to be served with the lawsuit and declined to comment. Once served, they will have 30 days to respond through the court.

Edwards and Perry also filed personal injury lawsuits last week on behalf of two other former USA sledders — Joe Sisson and Rick Baird. Through their court filings, both recount head injuries sustained while sledding and lingering symptoms.

The New York Times published stories several years ago about former bobsled and skeleton athletes who struggled with symptoms similar to what Person, Sisson and Baird describe. A handful were posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the progressive, degenerative brain disease found in people with a history of repetitive head impacts.

Dr. Ann McKee, director of Boston University’s CTE Center, studied the brain of former Olympic bobsledder Pavle Jovanovic, who killed himself in 2020 at 43, and determined he had CTE.

Jovanovic wasn’t the first elite bobsledder to commit suicide. Steven Holcomb, who piloted the American bobsled known as the “Night Train” to the Olympic gold medal in 2010, was found dead in Lake Placid, N.Y., in 2017 from an apparent overdose of alcohol and sleeping pills.

Also, Sisson’s sledding mentor Travis Bell killed himself in 2012 at 27 after experiencing years of debilitating symptoms that Sisson believes stemmed from his career as a driver on the U.S. bobsled team.

“I’ve got survivor’s guilt big time,” Sisson told the New York Times in 2022.

Person’s lawsuit alleges that Lamb and USABS coaches witnessed his symptoms during training sessions but failed to intervene.

“They did not pull [Person] from the sled. They did not refer him for a neurological evaluation. They did not institute a concussion protocol,” the lawyers wrote. “Instead, fostering a culture of silence, they encouraged [him] to continue training through the injury, exacerbating the damage to his brain.”

The lawsuit asserts that the link between sledding and brain injury has been known since the 1980s and that officials intentionally concealed the information because “a full disclosure of the risks of CTE and permanent brain damage would deter top-tier athletes like [Person} from competing,” the suit said. “By suppressing this information, they robbed [him] of his ability to make an informed choice about his own life and health.”

Person was a track and field athlete at Weber State in Utah when he was recruited by USA Bobsled/Skeleton. He represented the United States in the America’s Cup, World Cup, Olympic Trials and World Championships from 1999 through 2007.

The dangers of sliding sports took center stage at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics when 11 crashes occurred in two days of bobsled training ahead of the Games. Gold medal bobsled favorite Beat Hefti of Switzerland suffered a concussion and luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died after being ejected from the track at nearly 90 mph during the final training run.

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NASCAR suspends Truck Series’ Daniel Dye for ‘insensitive comments’

Driver Daniel Dye has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for “insensitive comments made during a recent livestream,” the organization announced Tuesday.

The full-time driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was also suspended indefinitely by his team, Kaulig Racing.

In the video, Dye imitated IndyCar driver David Malukas. At one point during the livestream, Dye referred to the voice he had used as a “David Malukas gay voice.”

According to a NASCAR news release, Dye was punished for violating a rule that states members should not make “a public statement or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.”

“Dye used language that officials deemed unacceptable, resulting in Tuesday’s suspension,” NASCAR stated. “Dye must complete sensitivity training before he may return to competition.”

On Tuesday, Dye posted a statement on social media, in which he apologized to Malukas and others for his “careless comments.”

“I chose my words poorly, and I understand why it upset people,” Dye wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s not how I want to represent myself.

“I have some close friends in the LGBTQ+ community who I would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard. In talking with them, I realize that a true friend would know better than to act the way I did and for that I need to be a better friend. What I said doesn’t reflect how I feel about them or anyone else.

“I didn’t think enough before I spoke, and I in no way meant any harm. I know that intention does not erase impact and I need to do better.”

Malukas and his team, Team Penske, did not immediately respond on Wednesday to requests for comment.

Dye, 22, was also suspended four years ago as a driver in the ARCA series, which NASCAR owns. He had been arrested and charged with felony battery for allegedly punching a high school classmate in the groin area. He was reinstated when the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.

In 49 Truck Series starts, Dye has two finishes in the Top 5 and 10 finishes in the Top 10, earning one pole position. He is in 13th place through three races this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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10 European getaways in the Easter holidays under £200 per person… from beach resorts to cool cities

THE Easter school holidays are fast approaching and if you are thinking of a getaway for those two weeks, you are not too late to snap up a great offer.

Whether you want to head on a city break or fly and flop to a sunny beach spot, there is something for everyone.

If you are looking for a family holiday this Easter, you could head away for less than £200 per personCredit: Travel Supermarket

And many of the hotels have great kids’ facilities including outdoor pools and evening activities.

Greece

You may think Greece can be expensive, but there are a number of good deals across the country.

For example, you could head to Mitsis La Vita in Rhodes, with Love Holidays between April 11 and 15 for £199 per person.

It would be on a bed and breakfast board basis flying from London Stansted with Ryanair.

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The four-star hotel is in Rhodes town and is within walking distance of the local beach – Paralia Elli.

The hotel has an outdoor pool which is surrounded by a terrace with loungers and parasols.

Whilst in Rhodes Town, make sure to wander around the UNESCO-listed Medieval City with the Palace of the Grand Master – a 14th century fortress.

There is also the Street of the Knights, which is known as one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval streets.

Spain

Between April 5 and 8 you could head to Aparthotel Vibra Jabeque Soul in Playa D’En Bossa, Ibiza, for just £179 per person.

The hotel is self-catering and you will be flying from Manchester to Ibiza with Ryanair.

The hotel features a large pool, lined with palm trees and overlooks the ocean.

There’s also a dedicated children’s swimming area.

Or you could head to Palmanova Suites by TRH Hotel in Majorca, with Love Holidays between April 10 and 14, costing £189 per person.

For example you could head to Apartamentos Vibra Jabeque Soul in Ibiza for £179 per personCredit: Travel Supermarket

The trip is on a bed and breakfast basis and you would fly from East Midlands Airport with Ryanair.

You could also go on holiday to Gran Garbi Hotel in Costa Brava between April 8 and 12 for £145 per person.

Flights will be with Ryanair and the hotel is on a bed and breakfast board basis.

Or head to the Bellevue Club in Alcudia, Majorca between April 4 and 8 for £113 per person.

You would be flying from Teeside Airport with Ryanair.

This huge hotel features 11 swimming pools, a garden theatre, 24-hour lobby bar and an on-site shop.

And just a 17 minute walk away is Alcudia Beach.

Outdoors at the hotel, kids can enjoy waterslides and parks and in the evening, the hotel also hosts entertainment.

Portugal

If you fancy heading to Portugal for Easter, you could head to Soldoiro Hotel in Albufeira, The Algarve, from April 5 to 9 for £133 per person.

The flights travel from Liverpool to Faro and you’d be flying with Ryanair.

Albufeira Old Town and new town are both within easy reach and the self-catering accommodation is only 190metres from the beach.

The hotel also features an outdoor pool, kid’s pool and a sun terrace with a pool bar.

If you prefer Portugal, head to ChoroMar, which is a short walk from Montechoro centreCredit: On The Beach

Or opt for ChoroMar Hotel also in Albufeira from April 5 to 9 for £128 per person.

Flights are also from Liverpool to Faro, with Ryanair.

The ChoroMar Hotel is a short walk from Montechoro centre where you will find local restaurants.

Breakfast is included and snacks and drinks are also available from the bar.

For things to do at the hotel, you can enjoy an outdoor pool and sun terrace and for parents wanting a pamper, there is a spa with a hot tub, sauna and Turkish bath.

Germany

With OnTheBeach, you could travel to a&o Frankfurt Galluswarte in Frankfurt between April 8 and 12 for £113 per person.

You’d fly from London Stansted with Ryanair.

The a&o Frankfurt Galluswarte is in the prime place to explore Frankfurt, and when in the hotel you can enjoy a rooftop bar with views of the city, a sun terrace, library, games room and kid’s playground.

The rooms feature a modern style and in the morning you can help yourself to the breakfast buffet.

When in the city make sure to look out for the contrasting timber-framed houses and glass skyscrapers.

You can also head to Frankfurt’s Gothic Cathedral and climb the tower for a small fee.

For a city break, you could head to a&o Frankfurt GalluswarteCredit: On The Beach

Italy

If you want to head to Italy, there are a couple of great offers for different spots in the country.

For example, you could head to Hotel Della Volta Brescia in Brescia between April 4 and 9 for £130 per person, flying from Newcastle to Milan.

With 29 comfy rooms, the hotel comes with all the modern amenities you need and a buffet breakfast.

The hotel is in the centre of Brescia, which is known for is history, art and theatre.

For example, you could head to the Roman Forum and Capitolium.

In Italy, you could enjoy Lake Garda at Resort The Garda VillageCredit: On The Beach

Instead, you could visit Resort The Garda Village in Sirmione, Lake Garda between April 5 and 9 for £140 per person, also flying from Newcastle to Milan.

The hotel has a private beach access, an outdoor pool and bustling restaurant.

About a 10 minute walk away is Spiaggia Brema beach, which is a great spot to watch the sunset.

Rooms all boast their own kitchenette making it super easy to make food for yourself and family throughout your holiday.

For more holiday inspiration in Europe, these are the 39 best European city break destinations – and the number one is very cheap.

Plus, here are five European city breaks that are cheaper than an English train ticket.

Many of the hotels are within a short distance of the beachCredit: Travel Supermarket

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Tottenham manager: ‘Wrong person at wrong time’ – but if not Tudor then who?

Spurs may choose to look further afield – but their current options, within the search parameters as they were a month ago, appear limited.

In addition to a track record of having an immediate impact, Spurs sought someone with top level managerial experience who plays attacking football.

When Spurs initially began their search to replace Frank, himself dismissed after less then eight months in charge, former Marseille boss Roberto de Zerbi, former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and ex-Red Bull Leipzig boss Marco Rose were among the other potential short-term options.

Ex-Brighton boss De Zerbi left his role as manager of Marseille by mutual consent after just under two years in charge, three days before Spurs confirmed their appointment of Tudor.

Terzic has been out of work since asking Dortmund “to terminate his contract with immediate effect” in June 2024, after leading the club to the Champions League final.

Rose was sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025, having won 72 of his 127 matches in charge and lifted the German Cup in 2023.

Within the Premier League, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva are among the names who will be available this summer – but would any be prepared to leave their respective clubs earlier to help Spurs’ cause?

FA Cup-winning manager Glasner has confirmed he will leave Crystal Palace this summer, but his immediate future was understood to be in doubt in February amid a poor run of results.

Bournemouth are reportedly set to, external open contract talks with Iraola in an effort to ward off interest from Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Fulham chief Tony Khan has said he is confident, external Silva will stay at the club “for a long time”.

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