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UFC Atlanta loses bout between fan favorites just days before Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin …

A massive undercard bout at UFC Atlanta was scratched just days before Saturday’s event. UFC Atlanta is headlined by a pivotal welterweight matchup between top contenders Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley, taking place this Saturday at State Farm Arena. The fight marks Usman’s long-awaited return to the welterweight division, and his first Octagon appearance overall […]

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UFC Atlanta loses bout between fan favorites just days before Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin ...

A massive undercard bout at UFC Atlanta was scratched just days before Saturday’s event.

UFC Atlanta is headlined by a pivotal welterweight matchup between top contenders Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley, taking place this Saturday at State Farm Arena. The fight marks Usman’s long-awaited return to the welterweight division, and his first Octagon appearance overall in almost two full years.

The card also marks the UFC’s long-awaited return to Atlanta after a six-year absence, dating back to UFC 236. The event featured a UFC Hall of Fame fight between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum.

UFC Atlanta could make more MMA memories this weekend. But just days before the event, the card took a big hit.

Charles Jourdain speaks at the UFC 288 pre-fight press conference in Newark
Charles Jourdain speaks at the UFC 288 pre-fight press conference in Newark. Credit: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

UFC Atlanta takes a big hit as matchup between exciting bantamweights canceled

As first reported by MMA publication L’Arena MMA, bantamweight Charles Jourdain was forced to withdraw from his upcoming fight with Ricky Simon due to an eye injury. As of this writing, it’s uncertain if the UFC matchmakers will attempt to find a last-second replacement to face Simon at UFC Atlanta.

Jourdain’s withdrawal comes at an unfortunate time, after a successful bantamweight debut in November at UFC Edmonton. He defeated Victor Henry by second-round submission after making the full-time move to the 135 lb division.

Jourdain traded wins and losses in the UFC’s featherweight division, earning victories over the likes of Kron Gracie and Andre Ewell. A win over a top bantamweight like Simon would’ve moved Jourdain closer to a Top 15 spot.

Simon was set to return to the Octagon for the first time since a devastating knockout over Javid Basharat at UFC Seattle in February. The knockout win snapped a three-fight losing streak.

Charles Jourdain vs. Ricky Simon scratched due to a Jourdain eye injury

Despite the loss of Jourdain vs. Simon, UFC Atlanta remains an intriguing card with an important main event booking between Usman and Buckley. The UFC Atlanta main event winner could potentially earn a title shot for their next fight against either Jack Della Maddalena or Islam Makhachev.

Maddalena earned the UFC welterweight title by defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 last month. Makhachev will vacate the lightweight title later this month for a move to welterweight.

Buckley has been on a roll since moving down to 170 lbs, earning recent wins over the likes of Colby Covington, Stephen Thompson, and Vicente Luque. He enters UFC Atlanta on a six-fight winning streak.

College Sports

US Justice Department sues California over transgender athlete policy – NBC Los Angeles

The U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday threatened to withhold billions of dollars in federal funding as it filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Education over the policy that allows transgender student athletes to compete in girls sports, just weeks after federal officials ruled the state violated civil rights. The complaint filed in the […]

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US Justice Department sues California over transgender athlete policy - NBC Los Angeles

The U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday threatened to withhold billions of dollars in federal funding as it filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Education over the policy that allows transgender student athletes to compete in girls sports, just weeks after federal officials ruled the state violated civil rights.

The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana said the state education agency and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) discriminate against female students by “allowing males to compete against them.”

“These discriminatory policies and practices ignore undeniable biological differences between boys and girls, in favor of an amorphous “gender identity,” the lawsuit said, claiming the state’s policy resulted in female student athletes’ losing scholarships and recognitions. 

The complaint echoed the ruling the U.S. Department of Education issued last month, saing the state and CIF were in violation of Title IX, a civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon had said the state’s policy of allowing men to “steal female athletes’ well-deserved accolades and to subject them to the indignity of unfair and unsafe competitions.”

The lawsuit specifically noted AB Hernandez, transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High school, as Student 1, using the track and field athlete as an example of California’s alleged discrimination against female athletes, saying Hernandez’s records would not have resulted in medals if the student athlete had competed in in the boys’ competitions, including the ones held during the 105th California State Track & Field Championships in May.

“Student 1 placed first in the triple jump, tied for first in the high jump, and took second in the long jump,” the DOJ’s lawsuit stated. “Had Student 1 competed in the boys’ competition at that meet, his distances would have finished last in all three events, and he would not have even qualified to compete in the finals had he competed against the boys in the May 31, 2025, preliminaries.”

The Justice Department also mentioned Governor Newsom’s comments during his podcast in March in the complaint as he told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk that “it’s deeply unfair” for trans female athletes to be competing in women’s sports. 

“The Governor of California has previously admitted that it is ‘deeply unfair’ to force women and girls to compete with men and boys in competitive sports,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “But not only is it ‘deeply unfair,’ it is also illegal under federal law. This Department of Justice will continue its fight to protect equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.”

Through the lawsuit, the federal government wishes the court to force California to “permanently” reflect the U.S. Department of Education’s stance on transgender athletes while ordering the CIF to issue directives to schools, so they can prohibit “the participation of males in athletic competitions designated for females.”

The complaint also seeks to withhold $3.8 billion that’s set aside for the state for the remainder of the 2025 fiscal year. The federal funding can be issued as both discretionary grants and formula grants. 

The Justice Department said the state was projected to receive $44.3 billion in total from the federal government in the current fiscal year, which ends on Sep. 30, 2025. 

While Gov. Newsom is not the named as a defendant in the lawsuit, his office issued a statement, saying the state’s education department and CIF are following the School Success and Opportunity Act, which was passed in 2013 to allow transgender athletes to participate based on their gender identity while taking away discretion from individual school districts to determine their own policy on transgender student athlete.

“No court has adopted the interpretation of Title IX advanced by the federal government, and neither the governor nor they get to wave a magic wand and override it — unlike Donald Trump, California follows the law,” the governor’s office said Wednesday. 

“At a time when the Trump administration is withholding billions in funds for education, this ongoing attack is a cynical attempt to distract from the Trump administration’s defunding of nearly 3 million girls enrolled in California’s public school,” the statement added.

Also in response, Equality California, an LGBTQ+ civil rights organization condemned the lawsuit as a “cruel and baseless political stunt.”

“All students deserve a fair, safe, and supportive learning environment, including the opportunity to play sports. Transgender youth are not a threat, but they continue to be targeted by the Trump Administration in a coordinated campaign of hate and misinformation,” the group said.

The federal government is requesting trial by jury in their legal pursuit.

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Professional Sports

Derrick Lewis shares hilarious reason for why he believes the UFC won't book him for …

UFC star Derrick Lewis isn’t confident he’ll fight on a potential card at The White House. UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis will look to continue his rise up the rankings this Saturday at UFC Nashville. Lewis and Tallison Teixeira headline an intriguing card featuring the likes of Stephen Thompson, Calvin Kattar, and Nate Landwehr. Lewis, […]

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Derrick Lewis shares hilarious reason for why he believes the UFC won't book him for ...

UFC star Derrick Lewis isn’t confident he’ll fight on a potential card at The White House.

UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis will look to continue his rise up the rankings this Saturday at UFC Nashville. Lewis and Tallison Teixeira headline an intriguing card featuring the likes of Stephen Thompson, Calvin Kattar, and Nate Landwehr.

Lewis, the UFC’s all-time knockouts leader, is one of the promotion’s biggest fan favorites. His one-punch knockout power and unique personality have led Lewis to headline several UFC pay-per-view cards.

But if UFC CEO Dana White makes a fight card happen at The White House next year, Lewis isn’t holding his breath that he’ll be called upon to feature against another top heavyweight.

Derrick Lewis leaves the arena after a knockout win at UFC 291
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Derrick Lewis believes U.S. Government would stop him from fighting at The White House

U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines earlier this month when he announced a UFC card in the works at The White House next year to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary of its independence. Several top names, including recently retired Jon Jones, are interested in featuring on the card.

Lewis, who shouted out President Trump following one of his most iconic knockout wins, believes some of his past transgressions will prevent him from fighting at The White House.

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie‘s Mike Bohn, Lewis explained why he isn’t getting his hopes up in the UFC matchmakers giving him a call to fight at The White House.

“Yeah that’s crazy, it would be so weird to fight at The White House, in the front yard?” Lewis said.

“I for sure would just think they wouldn’t even approve me to be at The White House. I probably can’t be 500 yards from The White House, they wouldn’t let me on the yard. Because of my [criminal] record.

“But, it would be a lot of fun to perform at The White House, it would be huge.”

Lewis was charged with aggravated assault and placed on probation following an incident just two weeks after he received his High School diploma. After violating his probation, he was sentenced to five years in prison, but was released after 42 months.

Lewis has since turned his life around and has become one of the top heavyweight MMA fighters in the world. He’s looking to extend his UFC knockout record this weekend against Teixeira and close in on a potential title shot.

Derrick Lewis could face Tom Aspinall with big performance at UFC Nashville

After Tom Aspinall became the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion following Jones’s abrupt retirement, Aspinall’s first undisputed title challenger is uncertain. Lewis could potentially get his name in the mix with a triumphant performance this weekend, as he’s one of the few Top 10 contenders who Aspinall hasn’t faced.

Aspinall hasn’t fought since defending the interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last July. He’s repeatedly hinted at a looming announcement by the UFC for his next opponent.

A matchup between Aspinall and Lewis would be fireworks, especially in a potential fight on The White House lawn. But first things first for Lewis as he prepares to face the tallest fighter on the UFC roster this weekend.

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What are the Best Documentaries on DocPlay

If you’re looking for the best documentaries in 2024, as well as this year, DocPlay is the ultimate destination of factual content, with the best in the world curated to deliver thought-provoking and poignant titles straight to your screens.  DocPlay is a documentary-dedicated streaming service, offering almost 2,000 titles you can stream instantly. With several […]

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What are the Best Documentaries on DocPlay

If you’re looking for the best documentaries in 2024, as well as this year, DocPlay is the ultimate destination of factual content, with the best in the world curated to deliver thought-provoking and poignant titles straight to your screens. 

DocPlay is a documentary-dedicated streaming service, offering almost 2,000 titles you can stream instantly. With several exclusives getting added each week, there’s always something new to watch on the service. Even better, you don’t need to subscribe to explore its library—simply go to the DocPlay website and scroll through categories. 

However, if you watch documentaries on a regular basis, getting a DocPlay plan, which you can try for 14 days, is bound to be worthwhile. If you’re a Prime customer, DocPlay is available as an add-on via Prime Video channels in Australia. 

For Foxtel users, the media giant launched DocPlay as a channel, allowing you to watch DocPlay content without the need for an additional subscription—available for all Foxtel customers. 

To get started, here’s a list of top docos to watch, including some of the best documentaries 2024 and 2025 have to offer. 

Stream DocPlaywith a 14-day free trial!Watch Now

We’ve picked the Top 10 documentaries on DocPlay based on critics and audience ratings, as well as their enduring popularity on the service. Some newly released and acclaimed documentaries also made our Top 10 list. If you’re searching for the best documentaries of 2024 and 2025, you can find some of those films below.

1

Rank: #225

1

Rank: #225

2

Rank: #248

2

Rank: #248

3

Rank: #319

3

Rank: #319

4

Rank: #459

4

Rank: #459

5

Rank: #463

5

Rank: #463

6

Rank: #668

6

Rank: #668

7

Rank: #763

7

Rank: #763

8

Rank: #816

8

Rank: #816

9

Rank: #929

9

Rank: #929

10

Rank: #1270

10

Rank: #1270

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DocPlay’s content library combines Australian originals and international documentaries to stream, which makes the service a haven for doco buffs. Last year was also a great time for factual content with several documentaries released to widespread acclaim. 

Some of the best documentaries in 2024 include the Academy Award-winning piece No Other Land, as well as other nominees Porcelain War, Black Box Diaries, Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, and Sugarcane

The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes MysteryDocumentary
AUM: The Cult at the End of the WorldCrime, Documentary, History, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True StoryDocumentary, Music, Musical
Becoming Led ZeppelinDocumentary, Music
#UNTRUTH: The Psychology of TrumpismCrime, Documentary
Soundtrack to a Coup d’EtatDocumentary, History
The PoolDocumentary
Blur: Live at Wembley StadiumDocumentary, Music, Musical
The Blind SeaDocumentary
Trilogy: New WaveDocumentary
No Other LandDocumentary
Maurice And IDocumentary
Space: The Longest GoodbyeDocumentary
Aquarius
The Bibi FilesDocumentary
Ange & The Boss – Puskas in AustraliaDocumentary
Blur: To the EndDocumentary, Music, Musical
Ice MaidenDocumentary
蒸発Documentary
Black Box DiariesDocumentary

Looking for something else? Find it here.

What are the newly added documentaries on DocPlay? 

Every week, you can find new documentaries to watch on DocPlay. Some of the most notable additions recently are Johatsu: Into Thin Air, Black Coast Vanishings, Voice, Still We Rise, and One to One: John & Yoko. These latest additions are also some of the best documentaries released in 2024.

What are the documentary categories on DocPlay? 

DocPlay’s curated library covers a wide range of genres, including history, music, sports, politics, culture, health, environment, biography, and true crime, catering to all interests and ensuring there’s something for every documentary enthusiast. Categories such as Australian Stories, New Zealand Stories, Social Justice, Short Film, and many more are also available. 

What are the best true crime documentaries on DocPlay? 

Crime shows and movies are even higher-stakes when based on real events. Some of the best true crime documentaries to watch in Australia are Nisman: The Prosecutor, The President & The Spy, Dear Zachary, When Missing Turns to Murder, and Top 10 Secrets and Mysteries.  

What are the best documentaries in 2024 and 2025? 

Newly released documentaries that are now streaming on DocPlay include No Other Land, Black Box Diaries, Porcelain War, The Road to Patagonia, and Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat. You can also explore the app without a subscription to check our more of the best documentaries in 2024.

How to sign up to DocPlay Australia? 

You can sign up directly to DocPlay, which still offers a 14-day free trial. The monthly plan currently costs $9.99 per month, or you can save on plan fees when you get the annual plan at $99.99 (works out $8.33 per month).

Can I get DocPlay via Foxtel?

If you’re a Foxtel customer, DocPlay is available as a channel (ch. 119). If not, Foxtel plans start at $73 per month to access its base entertainment channels, which includes DocPlay at no additional cost. 

Can I get DocPlay via Prime Video?

You can also get DocPlay as an add-on via Prime Video, although it’s worth noting that it’s not included for free with Amazon Prime. The subscription price remains the same, but the main advantage is that you can consolidate your streaming services under one account (Amazon Prime).

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Deadly July 4th floods devastate Central Texas

Catastrophic flooding triggered by heavy rainfall in Central Texas has left over 90 people dead, with girls still missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, who were swept away by the surging Guadalupe River.Search and rescue teams continue working across 12 counties in what officials are calling the state’s deadliest flood disaster in decades. […]

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Deadly July 4th floods devastate Central Texas

Catastrophic flooding triggered by heavy rainfall in Central Texas has left over 90 people dead, with girls still missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, who were swept away by the surging Guadalupe River.
Search and rescue teams continue working across 12 counties in what officials are calling the state’s deadliest flood disaster in decades. CGTN’s Nitza Soledad Perez reports from Kerrville with one survivor’s harrowing story.

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Professional Sports

Top table tennis players take over Las Vegas

Las Vegas is known for hosting all sorts of major sporting events from a Formula 1 Grand Prix race to the biggest boxing matches. And this month, the Nevada city is hosting yet another sporting-first for the United States. CGTN’s Dan Williams has more from the World Table Tennis Grand Smash Tournament. [embedded content] 4

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Top table tennis players take over Las Vegas

Las Vegas is known for hosting all sorts of major sporting events from a Formula 1 Grand Prix race to the biggest boxing matches.

And this month, the Nevada city is hosting yet another sporting-first for the United States. CGTN’s Dan Williams has more from the World Table Tennis Grand Smash Tournament.

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Professional Sports

Schedule of events during MLB All

[embedded content] ExploreHBCU Swingman Classic to showcase talent to kick off MLB All-Star weekend It’s all about taking a break from the regular season to put on a spectacular game of baseball featuring some of the sport’s greatest athletes. And for the third time ever — and after a quarter century of waiting — it’s […]

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Schedule of events during MLB All

It’s all about taking a break from the regular season to put on a spectacular game of baseball featuring some of the sport’s greatest athletes. And for the third time ever — and after a quarter century of waiting — it’s coming back to Atlanta.

When and where is 2025 MLB All-Star Week?

The Midsummer Classic is coming to Truist Park on July 15, where players will hit the field at 8 p.m. ET. The stadium’s address is 755 Battery Ave. SE Atlanta, Georgia 30339. Those interested in learning more about the stadium can visit mlb.com/braves/apps/ballpark to download its app.

What’s there to do during MLB All-Star Week?

The All-Star Game itself is only a part of what MLB All-Star Week has to offer.

The fun kicks off with the HBCU Swingman Classic, a game featuring all-star players from historically Black colleges and universities, at Truist Park on July 11 at 7 p.m.

July 12 will feature two Truist Park competitions: the All-Star Futures game and the MLB All-Star celebrity softball game. The All-Star Futures game, which begins at 4:10 p.m., will see some of baseball’s rising stars and top minor league talent battle it out, while the celebrity softball game, which is only five innings, will start at 7 p.m. and is set to feature the likes of Big Boi, Kandi Burruss, Jordan Chiles and Jermaine Dupri.

July 13 will be a busy day for baseball fans, starting with the 2025 MLB All-Star 4.4 Miler. Held in honor of Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron, the running event starts at Center Parc Stadium at 7:30 a.m. Interested runners and joggers can sign up to race at mlb.com/all-star/4-4-miler.

The derby is the next thing on the docket. The MLB Home Run Derby X is a three-on-three co-ed competition featuring some of the biggest names from women’s baseball and professional softball. The event will be hosted at Russ Chandler Stadium‘s Mac Nease Baseball Park on Georgia Tech’s campus on July 13 at 2:30 p.m.

Later that day, the 2025 MLB Draft will be going down at the Coca-Cola Roxy in The Battery Atlanta at 6 p.m.

On Monday, 2025 MLB All-Star Week is bringing out its heavy hitters. At 8 p.m. on July 14, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby will begin. It’s a head-to-head, bracketed tournament dedicated to crowning the year’s home run champion. Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernandez took home the top spot last year.

Finally, before the big game on Tuesday, fans can catch the All-Star Red Carpet Show at 2 p.m. at The Battery, which will also be shown live on MLB Network. The MLB All-Star Game will start at 8 p.m. in Truist Park on July 15.

For tickets to all of 2025 MLB All-Star Week’s offerings, visit mlb.com/braves/fans/all-star-game.

Throughout the events, from July 12-15, Cobb Galleria Centre will host Capital One’s All-Star Village. The village will feature live entertainment, interactive games, batting cages, photo ops, food and more.

Where to stay near Truist Park

The official hotel of the Atlanta Braves, Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta, is right next to Truist Park. The team also lists six other nearby spots as “preferred hotels” for Truist Park visitors:

  • Aloft Atlanta at The Battery Atlanta
  • Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria
  • Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia
  • Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center
  • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton at The Battery Atlanta
  • Sonesta Atlanta Northwest Galleria – Marietta

Parking options near Truist park

To park at this stadium, you’ll need to purchase a spot. Truist Park strongly recommends pre-purchasing parking spots before visiting, as it stops selling parking after the first pitch.

Credit: Miguel Martinez

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Credit: Miguel Martinez

Pricing for parking changes by day, as well as by section, so visitors will want to check online at MLB.com/braves/ballpark for the most up to date prices. A map of the stadium’s different parking sections can be viewed here.

How to watch the game at home

The 2025 MLB All-Star game will air live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET on July 15. Coverage begins at 7 p.m.

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