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Who was Altamura Man? The most complete Neanderthal fossil ever found sits at the bottom of a sinkhole in southern Italy, where scientists have studied it for years.

The reconstruction of Altamura Man by Dutch artists Adrie and Alfons Kennis. (Credit: Roberto Montanari/Shutterstock)

In 1993, cave explorers entered a long, narrow tunnel at the Lamalunga Cave near the town of Altamura in southern Italy. At the far end, they found an upside-down human skull fused into the rock alongside a large collection of other human bones.

The skull’s jutting brow was covered in a layer of pearl-like coralloid, calcium deposits otherwise known as cave popcorn. Much of the remains were covered in some form of the mineral that had leached down from the surrounding limestone.

Today, scientists believe the person (the “Altamura Man”) had fallen through a sinkhole in the surrounding limestone karst and never made it back out again. He starved to death, and the calcium deposits, along with stalactites and stalagmites, had sealed him into a calcified tomb.

Who Was the Altamura Man?

In the early going, no one knew if the skeleton had belonged to an early Homo sapiens human or Neanderthal, and given its remote location, serious scientific study was slow to come. In 2009, a group of researchers received permission from Italian authorities to remove a piece of its right shoulder blade in an attempt to understand who this unlucky person had been.

When the team – which hailed from universities in Italy, Spain and Australia – examined the full skeleton, they found it to be remarkably intact and mostly visible from the tunnel despite the rampant calcification.

The remains rested in what came to be called the “Apse of Man,” named for the large domed area of a church that rises above the altar. Behind the Apse, scientists say, lies an unreachable “back chamber” that contains a few of the man’s bones.

The team initially tried to date the shoulder blade by extracting its collagen, but they couldn’t find enough to pass through an accelerator mass spectrometer.

Dating Neanderthal Bones

In 2011, they began to pursue a different strategy and collected calcium deposits from bones still in the cave, along with a stalagmite already found broken. The researchers aimed to date the skeleton by first dating the deposits, which had dripped onto the bones over thousands of years.

Using uranium thorium dating, they tested the calcium and estimated that the Altamura Man was between 130,000 years and 172,000 years old, placing it among the oldest Neanderthal fossil ever found. A further examination of the set classified them as belonging to an “Early Neanderthal” with a mixture of archaic and later features.

Attempts at DNA analysis using the shoulder blade fell short of the researchers’ hopes, but tests did confirm that the Altamura Man was a Neanderthal.

Further Research on Altamura Man

For a 2020 study, scientists snaked a videoscope into the skull’s mouth and estimated, based on tooth wear, that the Altamura Man had been a younger adult at the time of his death. Overall, he’d suffered from poor oral health and had lost at least two teeth during his lifetime, which was unusual for Neanderthals, who appear to have mostly enjoyed healthy teeth.

The skeleton continues to attract study as the most complete Neanderthal fossil yet found, even though much of it remains encased in rock.

In March 2023, a paper attempted to digitally reconstruct the skull, which possessed both newer (in Neanderthal terms) and archaic features, putting it at odds with its own time period.

The Altamura represents, “the remnant of an archaic population, which was probably not in simple continuity with the Neanderthal lineage,” the paper says.

Unraveling the Intricacies: 50 Cent’s Allegations on Jay-Z and Diddy’s Private Connection

In a recent revelation, 50 Cent shook the music industry by exposing what he claimed to be a private connection between Jay-Z and Diddy. The controversy took an even more serious turn when 50 Cent alleged that Jay-Z is homoʂҽ×ual and dating Diddy. This revelation has sparked intense speculation and discussion within the entertainment world.

In a candid interview with Big Boy, 50 Cent delved into various topics, shedding light on his conflict with Jay-Z. He disclosed that Jay-Z did not want him to perform at the NFL Super Bowl halftime show and believed he was intentionally left out of a Pepsi commercial featuring Jay-Z and others. According to 50 Cent, the strained relationship between him and Jay-Z has escalated over time.

During the interview, 50 Cent went beyond mere professional conflicts and stirred the pot by alleging that Jay-Z is homoʂҽ×ual and romantically involved with Diddy. This revelation added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing controversy, raising questions about the personal lives of these iconic figures in the rap industry.

Further adding fuel to the fire, 50 Cent suggested that Jay-Z’s recent aesthetic choices, including his hairstyle and wardrobe, resemble those of the late artist Basquiat. Drawing parallels between Jay-Z’s appearance and the renowned artist, 50 Cent speculated on the motivations behind this emulation.

The controversy doesn’t stop at Jay-Z; it extends to his wife, Beyonce. 50 Cent’s allegations raise questions about whether Beyonce is aware of the claims and how she perceives the situation. The intricate dynamics within this power couple’s relationship become a subject of public speculation.

In response to these allegations, fans and followers expressed a range of opinions. While some supported 50 Cent’s claims, others vehemently disagreed, considering them baseless and sensationalized. The controversy has led to heated debates online, with fans divided over the credibility of the rapper’s revelations.

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The controversy takes another turn with speculations about Diddy’s ʂҽ×ual orientation. Instances from the past, including his contribution to a song with homoerotic visuals, have fueled discussions about his personal life. Fans on social media have been quick to interpret various incidents as clues to Diddy’s ʂҽ×ual preferences.

50 Cent’s explosive claims add another layer to the ongoing discussions about the music industry’s darker side. The allegations of forced and perverted activities at industry parties, as mentioned by figures like Jaguar Wright and Mike Tyson, further complicate the narrative, leaving fans and followers questioning the authenticity of the relationships and interactions among industry insiders.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the intricate web of allegations, personal connections, and imitations within the rap industry comes to the forefront. Whether these claims hold any truth or are mere sensationalism remains uncertain. The unfolding drama invites observers to reflect on the complexities and mysteries that lie beneath the glamorous surface of the music industry.

On Sυnday (April 17), the Power co-creator jυмped on his Instagraм page and shared a screenshot of an XXL headline aboυt N.O.R.E. revealing on a Drink Chaмps episode with Snoop Dogg that Jay, who is the NFL’s Live Mυsic Entertainмent Strategist, told hiм that Eмineм wasn’t going to perforм at the Sυper Bowl LVI halftiмe show withoυt 50.

“Why woυld he have to say that shoυld be the qυestion?” Fif wrote, specυlating that possibly Hov wasn’t letting 50 perforм at the Sυper Bowl before Eм forced his hand. “NORE Yoυr big hoмie is rυnning aroυnd trying to look like a gay painter. LOL,” he added, along with a palette eмoji and painter eмoji.

50 didn’t stop there. The forмer G-Unit leader called oυt Jay in another IG post for how he worded Eмineм as “the White gυy,” according to N.O.R.E.’s story. 50 posted a two-photo collage of the late painter Jean-Michel Basqυiat and an image of Jay pretending to be Basqυiat and rocking the saмe dreadlock hairstyle for Halloween back in 2014.

“Why did he say the white boy, why he didn’t say the biggest rap artist in the world? Happy Easter! мan enjoy the holidays,” he wrote with a laυghing eмoji.

This all steмs froм N.O.R.E. detailing his story to Snoop on Drink Chaмps that Jay told hiм that Eмineм reqυested 50 to join the Sυper Bowl LVI halftiмe show lineυp or else he’s not perforмing. In the end, Dr. Dre broυght oυt Snoop, Eм, 50, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Laмar for a phenoмenal Sυper Bowl perforмance.

“I said to Jay-Z, I have to ask this straight υp. ‘Who is gonna perforм at the NFL?’ And he [Jay] said to мe—and I’м sorry for everybody who don’t υnderstand—and he [Jay] said, ‘the White gυy called for 50 Cent,’” he recalled. “I said, ‘Who is the White gυy? Jiммy Iovine? And he said, ‘No, Eмineм called directly for Fifty and he said, I can’t do it if I can’t bring 50 with мe.’”

N.O.R.E. conclυded: “That’s spiritυal.”

Snoop responded, “Of coυrse, that’s his gυy! And gυess who’s Dre’s gυy? It’s мe!”

That’s when N.O.R.E. and the whole podcast teaм applaυded Eм and Snoop with handclaps for their loyalty to 50 cent and Dr. Dre, respectively.

Once again, the hip-hop mogul, Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy,has found himself at the center of a social media storm.

This time, it involves a video circulating on The Breakfast Club, where Diddy is seen exchanging flirty comments with fellow rapper Meek Mill.

Fans are now questioning the nature of their relationship, with many speculating an alleged affair between the two.In the video, Meek Mill is relaxing by the pool when Diddy showers him with praise, stating, “You deserve it, Daddy. You putting in that work.” Diddy continues by expressing pride and love for Meek. The comments have left fans raising eyebrows, especially in light of Diddy’s past interactions with younger male rappers.

This isn’t the first time Diddy has faced scrutiny regarding his relationships with male artists. Speculation about his personal life has lingered since the ’90s, with rumors resurfacing over the years. Wendy Williams, during her time at Hot 97, raised questions about Diddy’s sexuality, suggesting that he might be keeping his personal life private.

The controversies don’t stop there. Diddy has faced previous allegations of making advances towards other male artists, including rapper 50 Cent and Xzibit. The recent incident with Meek Mill only adds fuel to the fire, prompting fans to revisit past accusations and question Diddy’s intentions.

Moreover, accusations have been made regarding Diddy grooming young proteges, such as Usher and Justin Bieber, during their teenage years. Concerns have been raised about the nature of these relationships, with fans speculating on whether there’s more to the story.Despite the backlash and previous controversies, Diddy seems undeterred. In a recent episode of The Breakfast Club, DJ Envy defended Diddy’s use of the term “Daddy,” claiming there’s nothing wrong with it. However, Charlamagne raised concerns about Diddy’s past statements that could be considered questionable.

Meek Mill, on the other hand, has chosen not to engage with the rumors surrounding him and Diddy. In a recent interview, he mentioned avoiding online stories about himself, as they often contain wild and untrue statements. This silence has led some fans to believe that Diddy’s influence might be at play, stifling any potential response from Meek.

The controversies surrounding Diddy’s personal life are unlikely to die down soon. As fans continue to speculate and revisit past incidents, the hip-hop mogul finds himself once again in the eye of a storm, facing questions about his relationships with male artists and the authenticity of his interactions. Only time will tell how Diddy chooses to address these persistent rumors.

LeBron Jаmes  аnd  Steрhen Curry  delіvered аnother eрic рerformance on Sаturdаy nіght. The  Loѕ Angeleѕ Lаkers  won 145-144 over the  Golden Stаte Wаrriors  іn double overtіme.

Jаmes wаs ѕenѕational wіth а trіple-double: 36 рoints, 20 reboundѕ аnd 12 аsissts. Meаnwhile, Curry ѕcored 46 рoints аnd аlmost hаd the vіctory thаnks to аn іmpressіve three-рointer wіth only 4.7 ѕecondѕ on the сloсk іn the ѕecond overtіme.

However,  LeBron Jаmes  аnswered wіth two free throwѕ to ѕecure the wіn on the roаd. After the gаme, the Kіng wаs аsked аbout аnother сhapter іn one of the greаtest rіvalrіes of аll tіme іn the  NBA .

“Steрh keeрs me young too (lаughs). We аre the older guyѕ іn the leаgue, but іt wаs fun todаy. It’ѕ ѕomething thаt you wіll truly tаke аll іn when you’re done рlaying. To wаtch wіth your grаndkids аnd ѕay thаt I рlayed аgаinst one of the beѕt рlayers to ever рlay thіs gаme.”

 

LeBron Jаmes аnd Steрhen Curry hаd аnother eрic bаttle іn the NBA (Getty Imаges)

LeBron Jаmes hаd а ѕpecial moment wіth Steрhen Curry

Thіs gаme between the  Loѕ Angeleѕ Lаkers  аnd the  Golden Stаte Wаrriors  wаs the fіrst ever whіch went to overtіme durіng the іncredіble rіvalry of  LeBron Jаmes  аnd  Steрhen Curry .

“After the gаme, Steрh сame to me аnd ѕaid, ‘How doeѕ іt keeр gettіng better?’ You know, how do we keeр gettіng better. I thіnk іt’s juѕt а true teѕtament to uѕ рutting the work. Beіng true to the gаme аnd the gаme juѕt сontinues to gіve bаck to uѕ.”

LeBron Jаmes got аnother reсord аgаinst the Wаrriors

Furthermore,  LeBron Jаmes  beсame only the рlayer іn Lаkers’ hіstory wіth аt leаst 30 рoints, 20 reboundѕ аnd 10 аssists іn а gаme. The other two аre  Kаreem Abdul-Jаbbаr  аnd Elgіn Bаylor.

 

“You juѕt try to сontinue to mаke рlays. We mаde runѕ, he mаde runѕ. It’ѕ been а treаt to go аgаinst one of the greаtest to ever рlay thіs gаme. For uѕ to сontinue to рush eаch other аt thіs ѕtage of our сareers. You don’t tаke іt for grаnted beсause you don’t know how mаny tіmes you’re аctuаlly goіng to get to be on the ѕame floor.”

 

Exposing the Sinister Secrets Behind Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s Rise to Stardom: 50 Cent Uncovers Their Shocking Sacrifices

In a recent revelation, rapper 50 Cent has made some startling accusations concerning the rapid ascension to stardom of the renowned power couple, Jay-Z and Beyoncé. According to 50 Cent, the duo had to make some noteworthy sacrifices to attain their superstar status. Although specific details about these sacrifices are not divulged, the rapper’s remarks hint at the possibility that Jay-Z and Beyoncé might have encountered significant hardships or compromised their core principles in the pursuit of fame. The music industry has been abuzz with speculation and controversy since these claims emerged, leaving fans intrigued and hungry to uncover the enigmatic secrets that propelled the couple’s legendary success.

Delving into the crux of the matter, it is evident that 50 Cent’s assertions have sent shockwaves throughout the industry. The precise nature of the sacrifices made by Jay-Z and Beyoncé remains shrouded in mystery, adding an air of intrigue and fascination to their rise to stardom. Fans and critics alike have been fervently debating the potential price the couple may have paid to achieve the monumental success they now enjoy.

Amidst the resounding cacophony of speculation, one can’t help but wonder about the true extent of the hardships the power couple may have faced. Did they endure financial struggles, emotional turmoil, or face innumerable rejections before achieving their iconic status? Alternatively, one cannot discount the notion that they may have had to navigate through difficult ethical dilemmas that may have tested the boundaries of their values and principles.

Nevertheless, it is important to approach such claims with caution, as they remain unsubstantiated allegations without tangible evidence. While 50 Cent’s comments have ignited fervent curiosity among fans, it is imperative not to hastily jump to conclusions or pass judgment without a complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding their success.

In the end, it is the insatiable pursuit of knowledge that drives us to unravel the enigmatic secrets behind the meteoric rise of Jay-Z and Beyoncé. The allure of the unknown will continue to captivate audiences, heightening the intrigue surrounding the sacrifices these influential figures may have made. Until more definitive information emerges, the music industry, and their fans, will remain captivated, eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated revelations that may shed light on the extraordinary journey of this dynamic power couple.

Masters of the Air (2024) is the highly-anticipated miniseries from the minds behind Band of Brothers (2001) and The Pacific (2010). Following the exploits of the Eighth Air Force, the nine-episode show, slated to air exclusively on Apple TV+, is sure to bring audiences an up-close view of the intense fighting that took place in the European Theater during the Second World War. The following are just some of the real-life airmen the actors in Masters of the Air skillfully portray.

 

Photo Credit: yassi / MovieStillsDB

Gale Cleven

Gale Cleven + Austin Butler in Masters of the Air, 2024. (Photo Credit: 1. American Air Museum CC BY-NC 3.0 2. yassi / MovieStillsDB)
Of the airmen featured in Masters of the Air, Gale Cleven is central to the story. Portrayed by Austin Butler, he joined the military as an air cadet in March 1940 and, shortly after, earned his famous “Buck” nickname. Following training, he was sent to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and assigned to the 29th Bombardment Group as an instructor and first lieutenant.

Cleven’s time at MacDill AFB was short-lived, as he was transferred to Idaho to command the 350th Bombardment Squadron, after which he and the 350th were sent to Kearney Air Force Base, Nebraska, where the 100th Bombardment Group was in the middle of preparing for their deployment overseas.

Cleven’s premiere mission in the European Theater took place over Bremen in June 1943, while his most famous was the air raid on Regensburg that August, which saw him in the lead bomber. Despite the aircraft suffering severe damage, the major was able to take control of the aircraft and safely land it in North Africa, albeit after what must have been a terrifying flight. For his efforts, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The 100th continued to fly dangerous missions over Europe with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, suffering substantial losses in the process. One saw the downing of Cleven’s bomber, which resulted in him being taken as a prisoner of war (POW) by the Germans. He was housed at Stalag Luft III until the order came to evacuate the camp in late January 1945, at which point the airman managed to lose his overseers and make it back to friendly lines.

Following the Second World War, Cleven continued with the US Air Force, seeing service in Korea and Vietnam. He retired in 1955, having achieved the rank of colonel.

John C. Egan

John C. Egan + Callum Turner in Masters of the Air, 2024. (Photo Credit: 1. Roger Freeman Collection / Imperial War Museums / American Air Museum CC BY-NC 3.0 2. yassi / MovieStillsDB)
One of the commanders of the “Bloody 100th,” John C. Egan is among the most famous airmen to be portrayed in Masters of the Air. In 1940, he joined up as a Flying Cadet at Randolph Field, Texas. Two years later, he was assigned to the 29th Bombardment Group as a first lieutenant and instructor, and just a few months after that was transferred to Gowan Army Air Field, Idaho as an operations officer with the 100th Bombardment Group.

After flying a handful of missions with the 305th Bombardment Group at Chelveston, England, Egan took over command of the 418th Bombardment Squadron. Similarly to his comrade and friend, Gale Cleven, he participated in the deadly Regensburg air raid, about which he said:

“We were under fighter attack for three and a half hours and saw three Fortresses immediately around us shot down between the German border and the target. No one turned back, although some of us thought we were as good as dead.”

Egan’s bomber was among those downed during the Münster air raid on October 10, 1943, after which he was captured and sent to Stalag Luft III. Following the Second World War, he returned to the United States to continue his service with the US Air Force, which involved deployments to Korea and the Far East.

Egan unexpectedly died of a heart attack in 1961. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Harry Crosby

Harry Crosby + Anthony Boyle in Masters of the Air, 2024. (Photo Credit: 1. 100th Bomb Group Museum / American Air Museum CC BY-NC 3.0 2. yassi / MovieStillsDB)
Harry Crosby, portrayed by Anthony Boyle in Masters of the Air, was among the US Army Air Forces’ (USAAF) most skilled airmen, serving as the lead navigator for the 100th Bombardment Group during the Second World War.

Crosby enlisted in the US Army Air Corps (USAAC) the week after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and earned a commission as a navigator at Mather Field, California. As with the others mentioned in this article, he was assigned to the 100th and deployed to England for service aboard B-17 Flying Fortresses over Europe.

On July 24, 1943, Crosby participated in Operation Gomorrah, the bombing of Hamburg by the USAAF and the Royal Air Force (RAF). The week-long air raid destroyed 60 percent of the city and saw Crosby receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for his “outstanding performance as lead Navigator.” This was followed that October with an equally dangerous mission over Bremen, which ended in his B-17 crash-landing after sustaining damage.

For his efforts during the war, Crosby was the recipient of several honors, including the Bronze Star and the Croix de Guerre.

Robert Rosenthal

Robert Rosenthal + Nate Mann in Masters of the Air, 2024. (Photo Credit: United States Air Force / Find a Grave / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain 2. yassi / MovieStillsDB)
Among the most decorated airmen of the Eighth Air Force, Robert Rosenthal is portrayed by Nate Mann in Masters of the Air. The lawyer enlisted in the US Army the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor and, just under two years later, was assigned to the 418th Bombardment Squadron, based out of Thorpe Abbots, England.

“I couldn’t wait to get over there,” he recounted to Donald L. Miller. “When I finally arrived, I thought I was at the center of the world, the place where the democracies were gathering to defeat the [Germans]. I was right where I wanted to be.”

Flying a total of 52 missions aboard B-17 Flying Fortresses, Rosenthal participated in the deadly Münster air raid in October 1943. His bomber was the only one to return, but with a hole in the right wing, two dead engines, three injured crewmen and damaged systems. Over a year later, he was shot down over German-occupied France and was rescued by the Free French, after which he returned to duty, conducting additional bombing missions over Europe.

Following the Second World War, Rosenthal, with his law background, served as one of the assistants to Chief US Prosecutor Robert H. Jackson at the Nuremberg Trials.

For his service, he received 16 decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars and three Distinguished Flying Crosses – two from the United States and one from Britain.

Curtis Biddick

Curtis Biddick + Barry Keoghan in Masters of the Air, 2024. (Photo Credit: 1. American Air Museum CC BY-NC 3.0 2. yassi / MovieStillsDB)
Curtis “Muggs” Biddick is one of the storied airmen whose heroics over Europe are portrayed in Masters of the Air. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in January 1942 as an Aviation Cadet, after which he was assigned to the 100th Bombardment Group. He was sent to England in the spring of 1943 and was soon involved in combat action.

On July 24, 1943, Biddick was among those to conduct a 12-hour mission to Trondjheim, the Eighth Air Force’s first attack on a Norwegian target. On the way back to Thorpe Abbotts, his aircraft crash-landed in Aberdeen – luckily, he survived the incident.

Just under a month later, Biddick was back in the sky, this time over Regensburg. Sadly, this air raid proved to be his last, as his bomber suffered an oxygen fire after being struck by enemy fire. The blaze trapped some of the B-17 Flying Fortress’ crew on the flight deck, killing four, including the first lieutenant.

He was interred at the US Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri.

Alexander Jefferson

Alexander Jefferson + Branden Cook attending the Hulu Original Tell Me Lies screening and red carpet event at NeueHouse Hollywood, 2022. (Photo Credit: 1. US Embassy London / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain 2. Robin L Marshall / Getty Images)
While the majority of the airmen featured in Masters of the Air served with the 100th Bombardment Group, not all of them did. Alexander Jefferson, portrayed by Branden Cook, was one of the famous Tuskegee Airmen who flew with the 332nd “Red Tail” Fighter Group.

Jefferson volunteered for flight training upon joining the US Army Reserve, but was denied and, instead, tasked with being a chemical analyst. He applied to the US Army Air Forces and, in April 1943, was told to report to Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. After earning his wings, he was assigned to Ramitelli Airfield, Italy, from which he flew the North American P-51 Mustang against enemy targets. He also served as an escort with the Fifteenth Air Force.

After being shot down over southern France in August 1944, Jefferson, like many Allied pilots, was taken as a prisoner of war and sent to Stalag Luft III, before being moved to Stalag VII-A. As the Soviet Red Army moved into Poland, he and other POWs were forced to march to Munich, at which point they were rescued by Gen. George Patton‘s Third US Army.

After returning to the United States, Jefferson served as an instrument instructor at Tuskegee Army Air Field and remained in the US Air Force Reserve, before retiring in 1969. In 2004, he was awarded the Purple Heart for the wounds he’d suffered after being shot down in German-occupied France during World War II.

Robert H. Daniels

Ncuti Gatwa attending the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall, 2022. (Photo Credit: Samir Hussein / WireImage / Getty Images)
Tuskegee Airmen feature heavily in Masters of the Air, with Robert H. Daniels also being portrayed in the miniseries. Taking on the P-51 Mustang pilot is the latest actor to portray the Doctor in Doctor Who (2005-present), Ncuti Gatwa, who made his debut in the role in the December 9, 2023, anniversary special, The Giggle.

Serving with the 301st Fighter Squadron, Daniels was shot down in August 1944 while attacking a German radar unit near the French city of Marseilles. He was subsequently taken as a prisoner of war and held for nine months, until the fighting in Europe came to an end in May 1945.

Very few tennis players have left a mark like Serena Williams did in her career.

Only behind Margaret Court, Serena Williams has the 2nd highest number of Grand Slams among women with 23 titles. The 42-year-old has netted more than $94 million as prize money in her career. However, she has also lost a huge chunk of it throughout her career in fines.

Image Credit: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Not only is she one of the greatest, but Serena Williams has also been one of the most controversial tennis stars ever. Her fines throughout her career amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars, which includes some big controversies at the Grand Slams.

At the 2009 US Open, where Williams lost to Kim Clijsters 4-6, 5-7, Williams breached the code of conduct with her racket abuse.

After that, she committed a ‘foot fault’ which gave Clijsters two points. Williams’ outburst following that included profanities being hurled at the lineswoman, as was picked up on the microphone.

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Williams was fined $10,000 plus $500 for racket abuse. She was later levied a heavy fine of $175,000 instead of suspending her from the 2010 US Open.

However, she was given a condition that her fine would be reduced to $82,500 if she committed no offense for the next two years. The reduced amount remained.

At the 2011 US Open, Serena Williams was playing against Samantha Stosur, when she committed an offense. Believing to have won a point, Williams shouted “Come On!” in an energy-fueled manner. The chair umpire penalized Williams by giving the point to Stosur based on ITF’s deliberate hindrance rule.

Livid with the outcome, since Williams was one serve away from the game point, she made unflattering and obnoxious gestures toward the chair umpire. Williams somehow still managed to not violate her two-year probation period from the 2009 US Open since no profanities were being thrown around. She was still fined $2000.

Next at the 2018 US Open, Serena Williams was triply-fined for three code violations in a single match. She was playing in the finals against Naomi Osaka, which the latter won, and her coach Patrick Mouratoglou gave her coaching hand signals.

Williams vehemently denied it and got angry at the umpire for that violation which cost her $4000. This was followed by a second violation when Williams smashed her racket in court, it cost her a point, and fined $3000 for it. She also hurled abuses at the chair umpire, whose fine was $10,000. In total, she was fined $17,000.

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There was also a $10,000 fine for once again smashing her racket. Except, this was during her practice session and at Wimbledon, where her racket damaged the grass on the court. That was a big violation.

In total, Williams’s fines, in public knowledge, amounted to $122,000. This could be subject to certain variations given some of the smaller fines which she may or may not have had to pay.

How does Serena and Venus Williams compare to each other in this regard?

Serena Williams has had multiple fines in her career. Four of such big fines for multiple code violations came at the Grand Slams. She has always had a very strong personality, which she repeatedly expressed in multiple interviews. However, even if that might be the reason, it didn’t stop her from being a controversial personality throughout her career. In comparison, her sister Venus Williams was quite tame.

Venus Williams is a champion by herself, winning 7 Grand Slams in her career. Although she didn’t nearly replicate her sister’s success rate, she is still a bonafide legend. She has also maintained a great code of conduct, with only one fine placed in her career. At the 2015 French Open, where she lost to Sloane Stephens in straight sets, she didn’t attend the post-match press conference later. It was the first match of the tournament and losing upset her deeply. For this, Venus Williams had to pay a fine of $3000.

Even if the Ingenuity helicopter fails, it is already a success — an engineering resource for a grand future of flight on other worlds.

The Ingenuity helicopter is now being lowered — very carefully! — to the Martian surface beneath the belly of the Perseverance rover. (Credit: NASA/JPL/Caltech/Ken Kremer)

If you want to go flying on Mars, you’re going to need a great flight engineer. When NASA sought out the best person for the job, they selected MiMi Aung. As deputy director of the Autonomous Systems Division at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, she had already tackled fantastically challenging projects designed to enable formation flying in space and high-precision landings on other worlds. Then NASA gave Aung, a Burmese-American engineer, her toughest assignment yet: manage a project to build a helicopter that can fly on Mars.

The helicopter is called Ingenuity. It just traveled to Mars strapped to the belly oft the newly arrived Perseverance rover. And yes, Ingenuity is about to go flying on Mars.

Perseverance has jettisoned a protective shield, exposing Ingenuity to the Mars environment to the first time. The rover is now driving to an open area — a safe place for a test flight — and performing what mission controllers call “reverse origami” to unfold the stowed helicopter and lower it gently to the ground. Sometime on or shortly after April 8, Ingenuity will spin up its wings and attempt liftoff in the extremely thin Martian atmosphere.

If successful, it will be the first powered flight on another world. It will almost surely not be the last. Years of determined work by Aung and her team have broken through the challenges to flying on Mars, challenges that many engineers considered insurmountable. Now the techniques and technologies are available for future flyers on Mars. Or maybe above the clouds of Venus, or even high in the atmospheres of the giant planets. The cliche is apt here: The sky’s the limit.

I spoke with Aung about the engineering efforts that went into creating Ingenuity, and what to watch for as it attempts its Wright Brothers moment on Mars. A lightly edited version of our conversation follows. (The second part of the conversation, covering Aung’s remarkable career at JPL, will run in my next column.)

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You’ve been working on this project for many years. How does it feel to see Ingenuity finally sitting on the surface of Mars, ready to fly?

I have to keep reminding everybody, you have to look at Ingenuity from the question we started with: “Can it be possible to fly on Mars?” Now that’s no longer a question. We have flown in a really thin, Mars-like atmosphere [in tests on Earth]. That was very difficult job. A lot of challenges along the way to get there.

Then it was no longer a question of whether we could fly. It was like, how? We had to overcome how and build this system. From head to toe, the Ingenuity helicopter is just 1.8 kilograms. That is a huge, huge accomplishment.

So this is not just the first flight on Mars, this is the beginning of a new era of space exploration?

That’s right. Going forward, we are equipped to design lighter vehicles. We now have the equations, we have the models, we have the simulations. We have people connected across NASA and with industry to go on to the future. So that is set in place. Every step going forward is now checking and saying, “This one solution we came up with to build, what are the shortfalls? What were the unknown unknowns? What did we not think about?”

If all goes according to plan, this scene will be unfolding on Mars in about two weeks. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

What have you learned already, during the months when Ingenuity was bundled up with Perseverance during the flight to Mars?

The first big thing was when we turned on [the helicopter] in space vacuum. We had already tested our hardware. Due to the light weight, we had to use commercial off the shelf, lightweight components, right?  We had tested the helicopter in a Mars-like environment [on Earth], but we were still just simulating. We turned it on and it worked, that’s great — but do you know how much breath-holding there was? But we got through the launch environment and the true space vacuum, so we’re good there.

Then there was descent and landing, same thing: “Is everybody okay?” The day after landing, when we turned on, our thermostat circuit started working again. Now we’re working in the Mars atmospheric environment! We know that the vehicle arrived at Mars the way we packed it and launched it, so we’re a lot more confident.

Can you walk me through the milestones happening right now as you prepare for Ingenuity’s first-ever flight on Mars?

We already know are working the way we want to on the rover. The next big moment is when we deploy, starting now. This is where we work with the Perseverance rover team: JPL and Lockheed Martin that did the Mars helicopter delivery system and AeroVironment, as well as NASA Ames and NASA Langley. We all worked together to put it onto the rover.

During deployment, again, we want to know: Are we learning anything new in the Mars environment? The drop is probably the biggest moment for us. That energy budget that we did, that little thermal shell that was trapping the carbon dioxide. Did we calculate the energy right for the Mars temperatures that we modeled? So this is a cross section of thermal and power and electronics, and all of the modeling there is. It’s all about survival now. How well did our hardware survive? After drop, do we survive the first night?

In the best-case scenario, you would get five test flights on Mars, is that right?

Yes. We have up to five flights planned. We have a 30-day experimental window, and then we’re done. We fly on a three-day cadence, so it’s not like we can fly three days in a row.

What limits you to five flights? If Ingenuity’s hardware exceeds your expectations, could you keep going?

The fixed limit is time. We have 30 days. As you know, Perseverance has its own incredibly important primary mission. Days on Mars are extremely valuable, so I’m very appreciative of getting those days. We’ll be packing those 30 days. Then you need get to get back to the primary science of the Perseverance rover’s mission.

Testing a flight model of the Ingenuity helicopter at JPL’s Space Simulator. Working out the engineering here on Earth was the hard part. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

As an engineer, what will you be watching for during the Ingenuity test flights? You talk like you’ve already completed the hardest parts of the mission.

You absolutely got it. To all to us, we know this vehicle. We’ve flown the [test] vehicles so many times, the tens and tens of times, in flight chambers. We stressed the engineering development model and the flight model and tested it? How did it survive the trip? The main thing is that we want to learn. If anything unexpected happens, how do we get the information so that we can feed that information into the next generation of [flight] vehicles? That’s what drives us now.

You’re already thinking about new flying vehicles for Mars or other worlds?

Absolutely. There is something deep that drives you when you do so much work for so many years, right? For us, that drive is adding an aerial dimension to space exploration. Not just a spacecraft in space or rovers on the surface: We’ll also have the ability to fly around in the way we want to. Adding that aerial dimension will be useful in many ways. Rovers need scouts that can see far ahead, high-definition scouts that can get a clear picture of where you are. Astronauts in the future will want to explore places they can’t get to.

Now, what is it possible to build? How can we fulfill the vision?

Can you go bigger than Ingenuity? Could you have giant helicopters zooming around on Mars?

We’re at a 1.2-meter diameter system [Ingenuity’s flying rotors] because that’s the largest that would fit in the Perseverance rover, and that’s the largest mass they could give us. For future helicopters, we’re looking at a three- or three-and-a-half meter diameter [rotor], and a mass of about 15 kilograms. Anything larger than that, the floppiness of the system comes into play [and makes the helicopter unstable]. A system like that could carry a one-kilogram payloads. That’s the vision.

What kind of science could you do with a one-kilogram payload flying around on Mars?

Oh, the science community has lots of ideas about instruments! They are also coming up with [potential] payloads that are getting lighter and lighter. And maybe we could get to a two-kilogram payload. Unfortunately, Mars just doesn’t have enough atmospheric density to make it safe to fly anything bigger.

You’re adamant that Ingenuity is not a “drone.” What’s wrong with that word?

I often get getting teased about not using the word “drone” for the Mars helicopter, but I feel very strongly about it, for the following reason: We are just getting over the fundamentals. This is a pathfinder mission to show, How do you build it and how do you operate it? We’re breaking the paradigm, but it has a lot further to go. Once [flying machines] become a norm — which is our dream, which is why we work so hard — then yes, there will be Mars drones at that point.

There is another flying machine already in the works, the Dragonfly mission that will fly on Titan in 2036. Do you collaborate with that team?

Dragonfly is quite different. It’s a large system, a spacecraft-class instrument, because there is so much atmosphere on Titan. However, testing the aerial vehicle is still a first-time event. How do you spin for the first time without vibrating and shaking apart? Everything that we had to solve, Dragonfly will also be doing that. It will be fantastic to share the lessons we’ve learned about how to the aerial vehicle and  how do you simulate the [alien] flight environment on Earth.

MiMi Aung (center) with NASA engineers Teddy Tzanetos (left) and Bob Balaram (right), who developed the concept of a Mars helicopter in the 1990s. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Where else might we go flying in the solar system?

Every planetary object that has atmosphere is a potential target. When Dragonfly was selected, it was fantastic because, yes, there’s going to be another aerial vehicle! Yes, it really can become the norm. Anyplace we send landers or rovers to, why not have a flying machine accompanying it? That’s my dream. If you go to Mars, why not? Why not put multiple helicopters on [a future rover], multiple copies? By then we can call them drones. It’s a very powerful exploration tool.

I hadn’t even thought about that. You could have swarms of flying robots.

Absolutely! You can go to all dimensions. You could make it large and add telecommunication systems so you can communicate directly to Earth, then you don’t have to go to the rover or relay with orbiters. Or you can go small and send a whole bunch of them. If you go small, you can build a very small, extremely clean system [sterilized to avoid contaminating Mars or other worlds]. You could explore sensitive areas. Or we can send swarms that share information and take data simultaneously across different areas.

It opens up a whole new way of exploring.

Since you are always looking forward – what is the next challenge for you?

I’m working on a proposal to NASA on Venus mission called VERITAS. A decision from NASA [on whether to fly VERITAS] comes in July. So I’m at Mars with the helicopter, and I’m at Venus in parallel as we’re speaking.

It’s time to go back to Venus. We haven’t been there in 30 years. Our proposal is a whole global investigation of the surface and the interior. Venus holds so many answers to rocky planet evolution. It’s fundamental, and it’s our nearest neighbor. It’s started so similar to Earth in mass and the size.

You really have an amazing job.

Thank you so much. It’s really fun to tell this story. It’s like a big reward after all the work you do.

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For more space news and ideas, follow me on Twitter: @coreyspowell

 

Taylor Swift blocked out the noise from angry Baltimore Ravens fans and

insisted she ‘didn’t do anything’ after they accused her of ‘ruining the NFL’ on Sunday night.

 

The pop superstar attended her 12th Kansas City Chiefs game of the season to cheer on her boyfriend Travis Kelce, watching him put in a stunning performance to help his team to the Super Bowl.

Kelce’s brilliance left Ravens fans leaving their home stadium unhappy, though, and some of them even took it out on Taylor – shouting abuse at her as she walked hand-in-hand with Brittany Mahomes to the afterparty.

In a clip posted to social media, Swift and Mahomes can be seen walking through the bowels of the stadium in Maryland, while fans shout at them.

While some were supportive, others shouted ‘you’ve ruined the NFL’ at Swift, who quickly defended herself and retorted: ‘I didn’t do anything.’

The abuse didn’t appear to affect Taylor’s mood, meanwhile, as she was pictured just minutes later with her arms wrapped around her new best friend Brittany.

In a series of snaps posted by another of her pals – Keleigh Teller – Swift looks delighted at the result of the game as she celebrates with her Chiefs clan.

She is also pictured alongside Jason, Donna and Ed Kelce – proving she has really integrated herself into her boyfriend’s family after their four months of dating.

Immediately after the game in Baltimore, Swift went down to the field for the first time and was guided to her man by security officials.

In a romantic moment caught by the world’s TV cameras, Kelce – fresh off the field – enjoyed an embrace with Swift, as the pair passionately kissed.

Swift looked almost tearful as the couple had a moment to celebrate together with all eyes on them.

Swift now turns her attention to four nights of her blockbuster Eras Tour in Japan’s capital from February 7-10 before now having to race back to the Allegiant Stadium on the west coast for the biggest night in America’s sporting calendar. But she is expected to make the journey and be there for Kelce.

She and Travis took center stage for the post-game celebrations but during the showdown itself, the singer appeared frustrated at appearing on the CBS coverage around the midway stage. She could be seen clearly saying ‘go away, please’ with the camera lingering on her in a VIP suite while advertising next weekend’s Grammy’s.

She’s going to have to accept it on February 11, though, given she will travel thousands of miles to make the game. The 17-hour time difference works in her favor on her return to the US from Japan and it will be the 13th Chiefs game this season that Swift will have cheered the team on for – her lucky number.

But with luck on their side or not, judging by Sunday’s showing Kelce and his Chiefs are going to take some stopping after a frankly sensational 17-10 win in Baltimore – the team that most people felt were nailed on to win the Super Bowl altogether, let alone the game today.

Kelce scored a touchdown in the first quarter and went on to pass Jerry Rice’s NFL postseason record of 151 receptions in another magnificent, career-defining display.

Swift was joined by Cara Delevingne in the VIP suite where she cheered the Chiefs on to victory – Jason Kelce was also there, as well as Travis’ parents Donna and Ed.

Travis’ older brother was seen high-fiving friends in the suite after his brother got his touchdowns but his celebrations were extremely subdued compared to the wild scenes last weekend in Buffalo.

The two brothers also had a moment on the field, with the older Kelce wearing a Chiefs wooly hat across the course of the day as he cheered Kansas City on. It one heartwarming picture, Swift was seen looking on and smiling as the Kelce bros shared a laugh together on the field.

‘Finish this motherf***er,’ Jason told Travis as they embraced. The older Kelce brother would later address his own future in the NFL in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.Com.

Now, they will all clear their calendar and head to Vegas in two weeks as the Chiefs bid to win the Super Bowl for a second straight season and round out a fairytale campaign that has seen Travis and Taylor become America’s favorite and most famous couple.