It’s good to have these guys back. In the first decade of the 2000s, there were few hip-hop acts with standards as exacting as the Clipse’s. While others originated the idea of making music about moving weight, Gene and Terrence Thornton, a.k.a. Malice and Pusha T, elevated it to a high artform — every bar stylized to the max, sleek and imposing at every turn, smacking down every MPC-mashing sound sculpture their friends the Neptunes hurled their way. Their music-industry troubles were as legendary as their verbal gifts; while they were always warmly embraced by their fans, from the cross-country hustlers who nodded along to “Grindin’” in 2002 to the blog-era rap fiends who downloaded every installment of the We Got It 4 Cheap mixtape series a few years later, the major-label system consistently struggled to make the most of their talents. Now, a decade and a half after their last album together, the brothers from Virginia have reunited. What does a new Clipse album sound like in a world where they’re rightfully acknowledged as two of the greatest ever to pick up a mic?
The first thing you’ll notice after hitting play on Let God Sort Em Out is how much they’ve both grown. If the Clipse’s 2006 masterpiece, Hell Hath No Fury, led with a winking apology to their mother for a sinful lifestyle (track two, “Momma I’m So Sorry”), this one begins by honoring her memory and her impact on their lives in genuine, vulnerable terms. “Lost in emotion, Mama’s youngest/Trying to navigate life without my compass,” Pusha confesses over the contemplative piano keys of “The Birds Don’t Sing.” “Some experience death and feel numbness/But not me, I felt it all and couldn’t function.” It’s a strong contribution to the canon of great rap songs about moms — and then Malice comes in with an even more moving verse about losing their father a few months later: “The way you missed Mama, I guess I should have known/Chivalry ain’t dead, you ain’t let her go alone.” Two of the game’s most brilliant villains have matured into eloquent eulogists.
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Thankfully, the rest of the album shows they’re still the ice-cold lyrical kingpins you remember. “Chains & Whips” boasts a squeaky, freaky beat from their old buddy Pharrell (who produced this album solo, after his split from Neptunes wingman Chad Hugo) and a scene-stealing verse from Kendrick Lamar. (“I don’t fuck with the kumbaya shit,” Kendrick notes, just in case you slept through the last 15 months.) “P.O.V.” is a showcase for their finest luxury-car wordplay (“The only Audi here is driven by my au pair”); “EBITDA” makes a memorable hook out of the biz-school term for “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization”; “F.I.C.O.,” as in credit scores, recounts high-stakes turnpike trips vividly enough to send a chill up your spine. The songs that aren’t named after acronyms are just as excellent.
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When they open up emotionally, it’s always fascinating to hear, as on “All Things Considered,” which features unguarded verses from both brothers. “My homies that didn’t die was all in prison/Visits behind the glass, my mirror image,” Malice says, referencing the events that led to the Clipse’s first parting of ways 15 years ago. On the gospel-tinged “So Far Ahead,” he explains once again why he walked away from the group to make faith-based music, yielding the instant-classic hip-hop quotable “I’ve been both Mason Bethas.”
Pusha’s solo career, which he began reluctantly after his brother’s change of heart, has succeeded spectacularly well. He’s recorded some of the most impressive rap albums of the past decade on his own, carving out a new lane of high-budget, lyrically formidable grown-man music. There are times when Let God Sort Em Out feels more like a continuation of that path — a top-notch Pusha solo album with more Malice verses — than it does like a sequel to Lord Willin’ or Hell Hath. Then again, how many artists in any genre who debuted 23 years ago still sound the same as they did back then? Time passes and people change, but the important truths remain. This is an album that underscores several of them: Whatever the year, Pusha and Malice are richer than you, smarter than you, and much better at making rap music than you’ll ever be. Amen.
[This story contains MAJOR spoilers from the Squid Game season three finale, “Humans are …”]
Squid Game ended with a knowing look.
The final scene of Netflix‘s No. 1 global hit series ended with a stare between the Korean series’ antagonist, The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), and an unexpected character — a Los Angeles recruiter for an American version of the deadly Squid Games, played by the Oscar-winning Cate Blanchett in a casting coup.
There have been circulating reports that filmmaker David Fincher is set to make an English-language version of Squid Game, though sources have told The Hollywood Reporter that the cliffhanger ending of the series is not intended to set up any future stories “at this time,” and Netflix has not commented.
When speaking with series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk for the second time about the third and final season of his megahit thriller (the finale was not screened for press; see our first conversation here), Hwang clarified for THR that he did not write this ending with the sole intention of leaving the door open for an American spinoff.
Whether or not that does happen (he says he would certainly watch a Fincher take), Hwang had a very specific message that he hoped to get across to viewers with the final scene of the series. He elaborates on that below, while also revealing why he cast Blanchett in the key role, how he changed the ending from his original idea that would have kept protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) alive and why he can’t explicitly fill in the rest of that final sentence spoken by his hero.
***
I read that you didn’t initially plan to have Gi-hun die in the end. What changed your mind and how different was your original ending?
I don’t know if I can call it an original ending, but in the beginning I had a vague idea about how I would end the story. And back then, it was having Gi-hun end the game, in one way or another, and leave alive and go see his daughter in America. So originally, I thought the person who witnesses the American recruiter woman would be Gi-hun. But as I began writing the story, and as I began to think more and more about, “What do I want to deliver with the ending of this story?” And also, “What should Gi-hun’s journey and what should his destination be?” I was witnessing more and more what was happening around the world and I thought it was more fitting for Gi-hun to send this powerful and impactful message to the world [with his death] and that should be how the story comes to a close.
The world seems to be headed for the worst. It seems to be becoming, in so many different ways, so much worse ahead. I thought, “What kind of sacrifices do we need to make in the current generation for us to be able to leave the future generation with a better world?” So I wanted Gi-hun’s sacrifice to be a symbol of that.
You told me you are not interested in continuing the story in the current time, and that if you do a spinoff, you’d go back and explore the time gap between seasons one and two. I’ve seen you mention a Front Man or Recruiter (Gong Yoo played the Korean recruiter who died in season two) or Captain Park (Oh Dal-su) possible backstory. I’m curious if you’re leaning toward one of those characters more but also, this ending certainly leaves the door open for an American version of Squid Game. Did you intentionally introduce the L.A. recruiter so that the franchise could continue on, even if it’s not you making that show?
I didn’t end it on that note in order to deliberately leave room for further stories to happen. Gi-hun and Front Man, through these characters, the Games in Korea have ended. And because this story started out with me wanting to tackle issues about the limitless competition and the system that’s created in late capitalism, I wanted to leave it on a note highlighting the fact that these systems, even if one comes down, it’s not easy to dismantle the whole system — it will always repeat itself. That’s why I wanted to end it with an American recruiter. And I wrote that scene wanting an impactful ending for the show, not in order to open rooms for anything else.
Cate Blanchett as the Los Angeles recruiter in the series finale of Squid Game.
Courtesy of Netflix
How did Cate Blanchett’s casting come about, and did you write the cameo with her in mind?
In the beginning, I was tossing around different ideas. I thought, “Should it be a man that we see as the recruiter?” But I thought that, unlike in [the] Korea [version], having a woman who’s a recruiter for the American system would be a nice contrast and also quite a powerful, impactful element. So we were set on having a woman. Then I thought, “Who would be the right fit for that?” It’s a very short scene. There’s only one line, so we needed someone who had that level of presence and charisma to completely dominate the screen in that instant. And that naturally led me to Cate Blanchett. I’ve always been a fan of hers. She’s someone who can instantly grab your attention with a single stare. So that’s how we set on her.
I’m sure you’ve heard and seen the reports about a possible David Fincher U.S. spinoff of Squid Game. What can you say about that, and either way, are you interested in watching an American Squid Game version?
Honestly, nothing has been said to me officially by Netflix about this. I’ve only read it in articles myself as well. I’ve always been a huge fan of David Fincher’s work — from Se7en — and I’ve loved his films. So if he were to create an American Squid Game, I think that would be very interesting to watch. I would definitely click on it immediately after it’s released, if it were to happen.
The Front Man has been testing humanity in this series. There was much unsaid when the Front Man saw the new recruiter played by Cate Blanchett. It proved his point that the cycle continues. What do you hope viewers are thinking about after that final scene?
I didn’t have any intentions of wanting to drive all viewers into despair with the ending. (Laughs.) But the premise of the last scene was that the Front Man himself, he had heard of the other international games and recruiters being there, but he didn’t know for sure. And so he was actually also shocked to see for himself that there is this recruiter in America as well, and it was by chance that he saw her. Through the story of Gi-hun and his sacrifice, I wanted to convey the ideas of hope and also of sacrifice, and how we should never let go of it no matter how difficult things get. With the last scene, I also wanted to, however, highlight that the system is so strong and deeply rooted that it’s not something that can be easily dismantled, and therefore it requires all of our continued efforts and strong will.
Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun (right) with a Pink Guard.
No Ju-han/Netflix
How long did it take you to come up with the final line that Gi-hun speaks and would you fill it in for us? “Humans are …” What’s the answer?
It’s definitely hard to finish that sentence and define what we are in just a couple of words, right? What us sapiens are. The line of, “We are not horses, we are humans” is what Gi-hun says in season one. So through the following seasons, I wanted to ask, “Then, what are we?” I came to the conclusion that we cannot define what humans are. At one point, we have so much heart and we have so much love for other people and mankind. And then in an instant, we are heartless and extremely selfish.
So I didn’t want to give you my version of how the sentence should end, but rather, I wanted to pose this question and invite all of the audience to think about it together: “What are we?” And from Gi-hun’s perspective, rather than saying what humans are, I believe his actions have shown what he believes. I wanted that scene not to end in a way where I’m saying what humans are, but more about what humans should be.
We have to be willing to let go of some things that we had been clutching in her hands so firmly — growth, competition, greed, all of that. We should be willing to let it go and let go of the grip. I think it’s time for us to really make that decision of sacrifice so that we can leave the future generation with a better world. If we don’t do that, the world is headed for the worst and it will be irrevocable. So I think that by what Gi-hun does, he has shown what humans should be through his actions rather than his words.
***
The final season of Squid Game is now streaming on Netflix. Read THR’s take on the finale cameo and how it could set up a spinoff and the first part of our interview with Hwang Dong-hyuk.
Iranian state news on Saturday aired an apparent interview with Ali Shamkhani —a close aide to Iran’s supreme leader who had previously been reported dead by both Israeli and Iranian media.
Mystery mounted about Shamkhani’s fate in the days after he was reported dead following Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iran.
Last Friday, multiple Iranian outlets — including IRNA, Tasnim and Fars — claimed Shamkhani had not died but instead had been “severely injured and hospitalized” in the strike. They did not, however, release new photos of him.
Then Shamkhani appeared in pictures from Iranian state media coverage of Saturday’s state funeral for those slain during the 12-day conflict with Israel.
On the same day, Iranian state news agency IRIB ran what it billed as Shamkhani’s first television interview with Iranian state media since the attack.
CNN cannot independently verify his identity or the date the interview was recorded.
More on the interview: Shamkhani is shown holding a walking stick and using a breathing aid. He references an Israeli strike on his home, saying he was trapped by rubble for three hours following the attack.
“I did my morning prayer while under the rubble,” he said.
IRIB also released footage of what it said was Shamkhani’s home, reduced to broken concrete and rebar.
“At first, I thought it was an earthquake. But when I heard the sound of vehicles, I realized it was not,” he said in the interview, adding that he sustained internal injuries in the attack and that his rib cage was fractured.
“I know why they targeted me, but I cannot say,” he added.
CNN has reached out to Israeli authorities for comment.
An earthquake struck a popular tourist destination in central Italy on Monday afternoon.
The natural phenomenon could be felt in Naples just before 1pm local time at a depth of about three miles.
The 4.6 magnitude tremor was the most violent in 40 years in the Flegrean area, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.
At least three other more minor quakes followed, recording magnitudes of two or below.
An earthquake has hit a popular tourist destination in central Italy on Monday afternoon
GETTY
The epicentre is located near Bacoli, approximately 10 miles west of Naples.
Luigi Manzoni, mayor of the nearby town of Pozzuoli, said: “The earthquake we warned of was strong, but at the moment there are no reports of damage. The epicentre was in Bacoli but we are facing a situation to monitor hour after hour. Our volunteers are already out in town checking the situation closely.”
Trains in the region have been suspended out of precaution, with Naples’ subway system also out of order.
Naples is also said to be experiencing a power outage across the city.
Trains in the region have been suspended out of precaution
GOOGLE
Italy is highly prone to earthquakes due to its geological position.
It is one of the most seismically active countries in Europe due to its being at the convergence of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.
The UK Government warns that many parts of Italy lie on a major seismic fault line, which means that minor tremors and earthquakes happen regularly.
Social media images show a collapsed cliff at Punta Pennata where debris fell into the sea following the quake.
The epicentre is located near Bacoli, approximately 10 miles west of Naples.
GETTY
Social media images show a collapsed cliff at Punta Pennata, where debris fell into the sea following the quake
X
A mild tremor, with a magnitude of 1.5, was felt on June 25 at 5pm in the Campi Flegrei area, according to local reports.
A second, slightly stronger tremor was recorded two days later, on June 27, in the same region, registering at 1.8 on the Richter scale.
Local sources describe the event as “a sudden blow” and “a fast vibration”.
Japan Airlines (JAL) will hold a “Domestic Air Ticket Time Sale” from July 1 to July 2.
The lowest one-way fare is 8,800 yen for Tokyo/Haneda to Sapporo/Chitose and Osaka/Itami routes, and 9,900 yen for Tokyo/Haneda to Fukuoka and Okinawa/Naha routes. A passenger facility charge may be required at some airports. The fares are promotional. The boarding period is from August 25 to September 30.
To avoid congestion on the website, a “virtual waiting room” will be set up. If you access the website between 30 minutes before the sale starts until the start, you may have to wait in the “virtual waiting room.”
New laws in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. go into effect on July 1, legislating on artificial intelligence, data centers, health care and more.
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What laws go into effect in Virginia, Maryland and DC on July 1?
Dozens of new laws just took effect in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. on Tuesday, July 1.
The legislation deals with education, health care and other topics that impact D.C.-area residents daily.
Many of the incoming laws take on rapidly developing technology, such as artificial intelligence. Legislators have also attempted to tackle how technology impacts kids with new rules on phones in schools and compensating child influencers.
Here’s a look at some of the legislation taking effect on July 1:
Virginia
Child influencers: Parents or guardians who are making money off content online that involves kids will have to set earnings aside for those children in a trust account. Those child influencers will get access to the money when they turn 18.
Cocktails-to-go: The law makes a previous policy permanent that allows restaurants and other licensed businesses to deliver wine, beer and cocktails to-go through third-party deliver providers.
School cellphones bans: Already, Virginia school systems have been enforcing the bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions after Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order last summer. But after July 1, schools boards will officially need to create policies that limit students’ cellphone use. There will be exceptions made for kids who have disabilities or language barriers that would benefit from having access to their cellphones during the school day.
Nazi graffiti: Vandalizing property with a Nazi symbol, such as a Nazi swastika, with the intention to intimidate, will be a Class 6 felony. The law can apply to private property as well as highways or public places.
Pregnancy: Up to 10 visits with a doula will be covered by Medicaid under one law. Another requires hospitals to allow doulas and companions during childbirth when the person’s partner isn’t present.
Breast cancer screenings: Puts the cost of certain exams to screen for breast cancer on the insurance company, not the patient.
Maryland
Tech tax: Applies a 3% sales tax on lots of technology services like cloud storage, data processing and cryptocurrency mining. WTOP’s partners at Maryland Matters report it’s expected to raise $500 million as part of $1.6 billion in new taxes and fees approved for fiscal 2026.
Tenant bill of rights: Landlords will have to attach a “bill of rights” to every residential lease that sums up what tenants should know about their legal protections.
AI revenge porn: Specifies that a “visual representation” of a person made with AI could be considered revenge porn. Those victimized by those images can file a civil suit.
Bitcoin ATMs: Puts a system in place to register virtual currency kiosks — which are also referred to as Bitcoin ATMs — to buy or sell cryptocurrency.
Changes to GED test: The test adults can take to get their high school diploma will now be offered in Spanish, as well as English. The Maryland Department of Labor will also be looking into offering the General Educational Development Test in other languages too.
Health care for young people: An existing program that helps subsidize health care for young people will go forward, for now. Young residents who meet the income requirements can save by enrolling in the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace.
FBI headquarters: Funding for a potential new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt is slated in the state budget. The state would put $200,000 redeveloping the site and improving its infrastructure if the FBI opts to move.
DC
Minimum wage increase: Minimum wage workers will see a bump on their next paycheck — the District is rising the minimum wage from $17.50 to $17.95. Earlier this month, the D.C. Council voted to pause the planned increase of the tipped minimum wage in the city, which would have taken effect July 1.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story included a bill that would have called for a commission to study of historic inequality endured by African descendants in Maryland. Gov. Wes Moore vetoed the legislation, known as the reparations bill, in May. It’s also clarified the planned raise of the tipped minimum wage in D.C. has been paused.
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PITTSBURGH — Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is likely headed to the Hall of Fame as a first-ballot enshrinee. He’s viewed as one of the best quarterbacks of his generation, and will just get passed for the team’s current QB, Aaron Rodgers, is all-time passing yards this season (most likely). But in a recent list of the NFL’s greatest ever, Roethlisberger found himself below an interesting name that’s still young into his career.
Ranking the top 30 quarterbacks in NFL history, NFL columnist and reporter Tyler Dunne sits Ben Roethlisberger at No. 16. One spot ahead of the Steelers great is current Buffalo Bills QB and reigning NFL MVP, Josh Allen, who ranks 15th on Dunne’s list.
“There is no comp because no quarterback in NFL history remotely resembles the force of nature cannon-blasting through defenses in Western New York. You’d need to go full Dr. Frankenstein, piecing together Ben Roethlisberger’s size, Brett Favre’s right arm with an A-level mix of brainsandelusivenessandathleticism. But the greatest trait Allen possesses is an abundance of fearlessness,” Dunne wrote.
Even comparing Allen to Big Ben, Dunne has some very high hopes for Allen. And if the Bills superstar can win a Super Bowl or two – which Roethlisberger did throughout his career – he’ll be considered the greatest of all time.
“He’s the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 reason these Buffalo Bills are in perennial title contention. Teammates en masse would run through the nearest cement wall for Allen. When it’s all said and done — if he can hoist a Lombardi or two — we may all discuss Allen with the very best who’ve ever played the position,” Dunne wrote.
You won’t find many Steelers fans out there who will agree with Allen over Roethlisberger, but Dunne’s argument that he’s unique is fare. That being said, Roethlisberger was a rare specimen when he was in the league as well, and was able to finish two seasons as Champion and three seasons competing to be.
Steelers’ current quarterback Aaron Rodgers also tops Roethlisberger, sitting 10th on the list. Terry Bradshaw 14th.
Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes top the list at No. 1 and No. 2.
Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!
2 shot in Greenwich Village following Pride festivities, police say
2 shot in Greenwich Village following Pride festivities, police say
01:52
Two people were hurt in a shooting in New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood Sunday night. It happened steps from the historic Stonewall Inn hours after the city’s annual Pride March.
Police say two girls, ages 16 and 17, were shot just after 10 p.m. in front of a Gristedea supermarket at 3 Sheridan Square.
The 16-year-old was struck in the head and rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition, police said. The 17-year-old was hit in the leg and taken to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital in stable condition.
Pride celebrations end with gunfire in Greenwich Village
The shooting happened as the Pride festivities were winding down. Those who were out celebrating said the atmosphere was joyous during the day but, as nighttime approached, the crowd of revelers grew rowdy and out-of-control.
“Once we figured out that something had happened, we just came down to see. My friend is a medical doctor, so, just in case, maybe just to see if anyone needed medical attention or anything like that,” one woman said on the scene.
At this point, police have not said whether the shooting was connected to the Pride March.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his sadness over the violence, posting on social media, “During a time when our city should be rejoicing and celebrating members of our diverse LGBTQ+ community, incidents like this are devastating.”
So far, no suspect has been identified and there are no arrests.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via their website. All calls are kept confidential.
Two people were shot near the historic Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village Sunday night following the Big Apple’s Pride parade earlier in the day, according to police.
A 16-year-old girl is in critical condition and a 17-year-old girl is in stable condition, a police spokesperson told the Post.
Both were rushed to area hospitals.
NYPD at the scene of a double shooting near the historic Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan on Sunday. William MillerA man was shot in the head and is in critical condition, police said. William Miller
Officers responded to a report of shots fired just around the corner from the LGBTQ+ landmarked bar — which was hosting Pride celebrations throughout the day and into the night — around 10:15 p.m.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the shooting was targeted — including whether it was a hate crime related to Pride — or how many suspects were involved.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
Shellshocked bystanders still at the scene an hour after the victims were taken to the hospital were shrieking and crying as cops tried to comfort them.
“This area has been packed with people all day, and we were getting ready to party through the night, and then, all of a sudden, ‘Boom boom boom!’ — everyone’s ducking and running for cover and screaming. It was complete pandemonium,” one witness, a woman who asked not to be named, told The Post.
The Greenwich Village, specifically The Stonewall Inn where the 1969 Stonewall Riots began, is at the heart of annual Pride celebrations in NYC.
Mayor Eric Adams said he was briefed on the shooting in a statement he shared on social media.
Officers responded to a report of shots fired just around the corner from the LGBTQ+ landmarked bar around 10:15 p.m. William MillerTwo people were shot Sunday night outside the iconic Stonewall Inn after the Pride March. Citizen appNo arrests have been made. Citizen app
“Saddened to learn about the shooting by the Stonewall Inn tonight as Pride celebrations were winding down,” Adams said on X. “During a time when our city should be rejoicing and celebrating members of our diverse LGBTQ+ community, incidents like this are devastating.”
“We’re praying for the speedy recovery of the victims in tonight’s shooting,” he added. “The NYPD will work quickly and tirelessly to bring the suspects to justice.”
The shooting occurred mere hours after a false report of gunfire during Pride celebrations at Washington Square Park sparked a stampede as thousands fled the packed greenspace.
A shirtless man had unleashed bear spray during or before the mad dash in the park and was taken into custody, police said.
More than 50 people were injured during the chaos — either by the stampede or the potent chemical spray, according to law enforcement sources.
This gives Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick who went to the NBA Finals with the Suns, the chance to receive a fresh opportunity as the Trail Blazers build around their depth of young centers.
Ayton, 26, had one year and $35.6 remaining on his contract with the Trail Blazers. He was set to hit unrestricted free agency next summer, but now he’ll head to the free agency market a year early.
In the 2023 offseason, the former No. 1 overall pick was hailed as the centerpiece player acquired by Portland in the three-team trade between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks that ended Damian Lillard’s legendary tenure in Rip City.
During his past two seasons in Portland, the 7-foot center averaged 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.9 blocks per game through 95 appearances.
The summer after acquiring Ayton, the Blazers drafted 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 overall pick in 2024. Then this past week, Portland picked another rookie center by taking 7-foot-1 big man Yang Hansen with the No. 16 overall pick. The back-to-back first-round selection crowded the front-court rotation with five centers — Ayton, Clingan, Hansen, Robert Williams III and Duop Reath.
Ayton’s buyout will now clear up some of that roster space and playing time.
UPDATE: In his write-up for ESPN, Charania added this intel about the buyout news:
Ayton and his representatives approached the Blazers about a buyout and Ayton wanting to play in a winning situation, sources said.
