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Lionel Messi scored two goals in Argentina's 2-0 win over Peru in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night. Messi's goals were his 105th and 106th at senior international level, and they helped Argentina to maintain their unbeaten record in World Cup qualifying.


Messi opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a clinical finish from inside the penalty area. He doubled Argentina's lead just 10 minutes later with another low strike. Messi was denied a hat-trick in the second half by a close offside call, but he had already done enough to help Argentina to victory.

 




The debate over taking a knee during the national anthem began in 2016 when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice. Kaepernick's gesture was met with mixed reactions, with some praising his courage and others criticizing him for disrespecting the flag.


The debate over taking a knee has since spread to other sports, including the NBA, WNBA, and college football. In 2020, the NFL changed its policy to allow players to kneel during the anthem without penalty.





Fassel's comments are a sign that the debate over taking a knee is still ongoing. It is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is important to remember that athletes have the right to protest, and that taking a knee is a peaceful way to do so.


My opinion


I believe that John Fassel is right. There is nothing wrong with taking a knee during the national anthem. It is a peaceful way to protest racial injustice and police brutality.





Athletes have the right to use their platform to speak out about issues that are important to them. Taking a knee is not disrespectful to the flag or the country. It is a way to show support for those who have been marginalized and oppressed.


I hope that more athletes will feel comfortable taking a knee during the national anthem. It is an important gesture that can help to raise awareness of racial injustice and police brutality.




 Authorities in Colorado are investigating how a funeral home was able to operate for years with at least 115 decaying bodies stored inside, even as its financial and legal troubles piled up.


The Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado, was shut down in early October 2023 after neighbors complained of a foul odor coming from the building. When police entered the funeral home, they found dozens of bodies in various stages of decomposition, some of which had been there for months.

The funeral home's owner, Megan Hess, has been charged with multiple counts of abuse of a corpse. She has pleaded not guilty.


The discovery of the decaying bodies has raised serious questions about the Colorado Funeral Homes Board, which is responsible for regulating the state's funeral homes. The board has no routine inspections and does not require funeral home operators to have any qualifications.

"This is a tragedy," said David Smith, a former funeral home director and now a consultant. "These families trusted Megan Hess with the care of their loved ones, and she failed them miserably."


Smith said that the Colorado Funeral Homes Board needs to be reformed. He called for routine inspections and stricter requirements for funeral home operators."The board needs to be more proactive in protecting the public," Smith said.

The Colorado Funeral Homes Board has acknowledged that it needs to improve its oversight of the state's funeral homes. The board has said that it is working on developing new regulations, including routine inspections.


In the meantime, the families of the deceased are left to grapple with the knowledge that their loved ones were not treated with respect."I'm so angry," said one woman whose father's body was found at the Return to Nature Funeral Home. "I can't believe that this was allowed to happen."

The investigation into the Return to Nature Funeral Home is ongoing. It is unclear how long Hess was able to operate the funeral home with decaying bodies inside. It is also unclear how many families were affected.


The Colorado Funeral Homes Board has said that it is committed to helping the families of the deceased. The board has set up a hotline for families who have questions or concerns.



 How do you wear fragrance? We’d venture to guess it’s less about overt seduction (a la Anchorman’s Sex Panther) and more about how it makes you feel. It’s well established that smelling good makes you feel better—and can make you more confident. That’s the idea, at least, behind YSL’s first new men’s fragrance in five years: MYSLF.


The new masculine scent, which debuts August 8, was developed as the ultimate tool of self expression. A floral, woody concoction with surprising twists and turns, MYSLF invites the wearer to be unapologetically, well...themselves. Perfumers Daniela Andrier, Christophe Raynaud, and Antoine Maisondieu combined olfactory forces to create the ultra-modern, yet somehow familiar combination of bergamot, lavender, clary sage, patchouli, and Ambrofix (a synthetic amber accord). But the real hero here is the potent heart note of orange blossom, a sweet, citrusy, floral note not typically found in men’s fragrance that adds a modern, sexy, and unexpected element.


One issue when debuting a brand new fragrance, of course, is who best embodies the ethos of said fragrance. For MYSLF, that decision was easy: Academy Award-nominated actor Austin Butler, who is known as much for his impeccable off-screen style as he is for his equally impeccable onscreen work.

 As an artist, Butler is well versed in the power of creative expression, so when YSL called, he jumped at the chance to embody MYSLF. “I’ve been such a fan of the YSL aesthetic because Yves Saint Laurent himself was such a visionary and was constantly breaking rules,” he says. “He was such a rebel. I’m really inspired by him and how that has become his legacy.”


Esquire sat down with the Butler to find out just what drew him to the scent and, most importantly, how it makes him feel.


How important is self expression to you?


As a kid, I was very shy. I repressed a lot of my own emotions and acting became this way in which I could express bits of myself that I wouldn't otherwise. We each have these unique gifts and bits of ourselves that will never exist for the rest of eternity. If you're trying to be someone else, then the world is going to be a little dimmer because it didn't have those bits of you. And so I think for all of us, getting to that pure form of expression is one of the most beautiful things.


How does your style factor into your self expression?


It is all about the mood that you want to elicit and the feelings that you want to have. Clothing changes the way you feel so much. It might even just be that if it's very comfortable; I love fabric so much—silk shirts and lace shirts and trousers that just feel good when you wear them.


The first time you smelled MYSLF, how did it make you feel?


The first thing, honestly, I was trying to figure out what is the central note was that I was smelling. Once I realized it was orange blossom, it took me right back to this orange tree that I had as a kid, which was in the house that I grew up in, in the backyard. Just the smell of orange blossoms in the air when it was blooming and picking oranges with my mother. Then as it sort of settles on your skin and you smell more of the woody warmth, it smells like that warm time of night like sunset.


Were you a big fragrance guy before this partnership?


I've used fragrance in my work. The first time I did that I was doing The Iceman Cometh on Broadway and I had a certain essential oil that I'd put on every night before I went out on stage. I did it through rehearsal, too, so it would lock me back into a certain emotional state. And since I was a kid, both my parents [wore fragrance].

 My mother wore more floral fragrances and my dad had this sort of strong, musky, woody scent that he would always wear. I'd sneak into their room and I would spray them on me. I don’t remember what brands they were, but it was more about how they made me feel when I was wearing them. Which is kind of interesting because that's what MYSLF is. It's got the floral, it's got the wood.





 Peter Mills left Chicago Fire suddenly. He decided that he was going to move to North Carolina to open a restaurant with his family in season 3, and he was never heard from again. This was tough on fans who had grown fond of the character, and there’s always been a contingency who thought he might return to the 51 at some point.


It’s been a long time since Mills step foot inside of the firehouse, so it would definitely be interesting to see him interact with the characters who were around when he was part of the team. That being said, we’re doubtful that Mills, and the actor who plays him, Charlie Barnett, will be returning for season 12.


Is Peter Mills returning to Chicago Fire?


For starters, season 3 was almost a decade ago. The character doesn’t mean as much to some viewers as he used to, and that’s not even getting into the fact that he would be seeing people who weren’t even part of the 51 team back then. He doesn’t know Violet (Hanako Greensmith) or Gallo (Alberto Rosende), so the emotional payoff would be limited.


There’s also the fact that Barnett has moved on from the show after a lengthy period of having a hard time doing so. “[The show] was a behemoth that I never really saw coming. I was thankful to be a part of it,” he told Digital Spy. “I really was sad to be let go. It broke me for quite a long time.”


The actor went on to tell the outlet that he eventually got over the shock of being written out of the show, and was ultimately thankful for the career opportunities he was able to take as a result. “It was a blessing in disguise, and they all told me that,” he recalled. “You never really see that in life, in general. You never see the bad moments becoming the good. It wouldn’t be. It wouldn’t be what it was, I think, if you did recognize it for what it is in the moment. So I’m thankful.”


Given the complicated circumstances in which Barnett left, we imagine that a cameo so long after the fact would lack the impact that a cameo would have in say, season 6 or 7.





 Khloe Kardashian has recently made an epic return to modeling for her brand, Good American. She showcased her curvy figure in an entirely black ensemble, striking poses within a garage backdrop, perched atop a sleek black Ferrari.


Khloe Kardashian Drops New Good American Clothing


In several of the pictures, the mom of two proudly displayed her well-defined abdomen, taking full advantage of a stylish shirt paired with sleek black leather pants that glistened and a jet-black long coat.


She contrasted the ensemble with her radiant platinum blonde hair which was styled in a waves.


Besides her chic leather pants we’re about to see everywhere, the primary highlight of the photo session was undeniably her boots–ones that extended beyond the knee and boasted an oversized flared design. Accompanying an Instagram post, the reality TV star enthusiastically declared, “@goodamerican boots dropping 8/10,” in the caption.


Khloe Kardashian Takes Over Italy


The 39-year-old star of the Kardashian family has been treating her followers to a series of breathtaking snapshots from her recent sojourn in Italy. Adding to her Instagram gallery this Tuesday, Kardashian uploaded a duo of self-portraits featuring herself alongside her mother, Kris Jenner.


Kardashian elegantly donned a white dress with long sleeves and an off-the-shoulder design, complemented by delicate jewelry. Her extended blonde locks were beautifully arranged in a center part, with one side gracefully tucked behind her ear.


Momager Jenner followed suit, showcasing her impeccable style in a captivating red-and-beige floral-patterned dress. Accentuating her look, she wore sizable gold hoop earrings that perfectly matched her distinctive pixie hairdo.




 When Criminal Minds Evolution season 2 returns to screens, the mysterious term “Gold Star” will play a major role in the show’s overarching story. Criminal Minds Evolution ended with series hero David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) getting taken hostage by the chilling villain Elias Voit (Zach Gilford). The BAU team spent most of Criminal Minds Evolution tracking down the prolific serial killer Voit, who went by numerous different aliases and had amassed a large network of serial killers online during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the gang did finally detain Voit, the killer claimed the life of Deputy Director Bailey (Nicholas D'Agosto) before they could stop him and survived the season's events.


7 "Gold Star" Means A Deceased Criminal Minds Character Is Alive


Judging by Messer’s comments, even the creators of Criminal Minds Evolution seem unsure of what the term means. However, there is one promising theory that suggests “Gold Star” could be a way to bring back some beloved characters from earlier in the series. While Spencer Reid’s potential Criminal Minds Evolution season 2 return wouldn’t require a magical revival, if “Gold Star” refers to agents who are thought to be dead but are secretly alive, this would allow the show to bring any number of seemingly dead characters back. Not only that but the finale gives viewers reason to believe this is what the term means.


Gold stars on the wall represent dead agents, as evidenced when Deputy Director Bailey is added to them in the final moments of season 1. However, Voit could be referring to characters from Criminal Minds who are thought to be dead but are secretly in hiding, with “Gold Star” being a codename for these members of the BAU. When the serial killer mentioned the phrase to Bailey, it worried Bailey so much that he met with Voit in person. This resulted in his death, but Bailey’s fear would make sense if Voit was saying that he knew the names and locations of agents who are thought to be deceased.


6 Gold Star Could Implicate Another Criminal Minds Character


According to Voit and Bailey's calculations when they met, there were only two people who knew about "Gold Star.” One of them then killed the other, meaning his knowledge should theoretically have become worthless. However, Criminal Minds Evolution’s cliffhanger ending confirmed that Rebecca Wilson knew what "Gold Star" was judging by her conversation with ex-girlfriend Lewis. Thus, “Gold Star” could implicate Wilson in Criminal Minds Evolution season 2, which might lead her to broker a deal with Voit. This would be a major blow for the BAU as Voit is one of the most lethal villains they have ever encountered.


5 Gold Star Has A Connection To The US Military


In the US military, a gold star is displayed by families who have lost a member in military service. Since Wilson admitted that the DOJ has some secrets she can’t share when pressed about “Gold Star,” it could stand to reason that the phrase refers to military service members whose deaths were covered up by the government. Of course, this revelation would only lead to further questions such as how Voit learned about this conspiracy, whether the military knows what he knows, and whether this knowledge helped him maintain a low profile despite his many crimes.


4 Gold Star Could Be An Secret Assassin Program


Voit’s Uncle Cyrus said that killing was in the Voit family’s blood during the Criminal Minds Evolution season 1 finale, which could mean they were part of a Bourne-style government program designed to create super soldiers. The Jason Bourne franchise’s depiction of shady programs designed to create implacable assassins popularized this trope, and Criminal Minds Evolution could explain Voit’s killing skills with a similar backstory. Judging by Voit’s almost supernatural abilities when it comes to serial killing, this theory seems particularly plausible.


3 Gold Star Could Be Manchurian Candidate-Style Mind Control


Similar to the previous claim, but with an added layer of intrigue, “Gold Star” could be a government program implemented by the DOJ that turns innocent civilians into Manchurian candidate-style sleeper agents via mind control. Voit told his wife that he came across something he wasn’t supposed to see at his job, and putting his villainy aside, this may have been true. Furthermore, this could also explain why Voit was so tough to track down. Criminal Minds Evolution’s Gold Star mystery could reveal that Voit was one of these agents, which is how he knew Bailey would react to the phrase.


2 Gold Star Is A Killer (Other Than Elias Voit)


There’s always the possibility that Elias knows about another killer who works for the DOJ via the network of serial killers he created during the COVID-19 lockdowns. This would explain why the DOJ were so worried about him knowing the term since he could expose a contract killer who they rely on for illegal assassinations. Like many of the theories outlined above, this would explain why the DOJ was willing to bargain with the villain despite the extent of his gruesome crimes. Voit must have something on the DOJ, and the identity of their killer, who could be codenamed “Gold Star,” might be that something.


1 Gold Star Lets Criminal Minds Evolution Season 2 Keeps Elias Alive


It seems like Criminal Minds Evolution is eager to hold onto Zach Gilford’s new major villain Voit, so the meaning of the term “Gold Star” could continue to be hidden as this would justify his survival. While Criminal Minds Evolution seemingly sets up an endgame for the long-running series, the show’s creators might not be ready to pull the plug on it yet. If this is the case, then “Gold Star” could continue to be Voit’s trump card for entire seasons as the Criminal Minds Evolution villain uses his secret knowledge to continually survive and scheme despite his capture.



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