Elmo’s X account posts racist and antisemitic messages after being hacked
Hackers gained access to the X account of the puppet Elmo over the weekend and used it to post racist and antisemitic threats as well as make profane references to Jeffrey Epstein.Sesame Workshop was still trying to regain full control on Monday over the red character’s account.“Elmo’s X account was compromised by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts.We are working to restore full control of the account,” a Sesame Workshop spokesperson said on Monday.Sesame Workshop is the non-profit behind Sesame Street and Elmo.
The account was compromised over the weekend and instead of the usual posts of encouragement and kindness, Elmo’s 650,000 followers were given antisemitic threats and racist messages,The account also made a profane reference to the convicted sex trafficker Epstein and demanded the US government release more information on him, adding to the controversy over the FBI’s confirmation that Epstein killed himself,Those tweets were soon deleted, though Elmo’s account retains a link to a Telegram channel from a user who takes credit for the hack,Sign up to TechScapeA weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our livesafter newsletter promotionX, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, did not immediately respond to a request for comment,Elmo’s social media account has lately become a place for mental health awareness.
Last year, the red fuzzy monster, eternally aged three and a half , caused a sensation when he asked: “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” It prompted responses from Joe Biden and Chance the Rapper.X has long struggled with protecting high-profile accounts that can cause major damage with a single tweet.Last year, multiple British MPs and international organizations saw their accounts breached and used to hawk cryptocurrency.
Pogacar crashes and protester disrupts finish on chaotic Tour de France stage 11
In a chaotic climax to stage 11 of the Tour de France in Toulouse, Tadej Pogacar crashed at speed before remounting to finish, an anti-Israel protester ran on to the finish line, and the Norwegian Jonas Abrahamsen took his first Grand Tour stage win, for Uno-X.As Abrahamsen sprinted towards the finish with his final breakaway companion, Mauro Schmid, a male protester, wearing a white T-shirt bearing the slogan “Israel out of the Tour”, jumped the barriers and ran on to the road, before being rugby-tackled by a Tour official, Stephane Boury.The man was understood to be shouting in French: “Israel out of the Tour, the Tour is complicit.” He was arrested and is expected to be charged with public order offences.In a statement, the Israel-Premier Tech team, who are competing in the race, said: “Israel-Premier Tech respects everyone’s right to free speech which includes the right to protest
Tour de France 2025: Abrahamsen wins fast and furious stage 11 as Pogacar falls in Toulouse – as it happened
Stage 11 race report: What a day!Such a dramatic end to a speedy and tense stage. It had breakaways, attacks, big names and chaotic scenes. Of stage 11, Ben Healy said: “I think I’ve lost a few years of my life on that stage.” That probably sums up how the peloton found today’s unrelenting stage.For today’s winner though, it was a dream come true, with Jonas Abrahamsen having broken his collarbone only four weeks ago and not even knowing whether he would make the Tour or not
Rory McIlroy must scale emotional mountain in search of home Open glory
The Northern Irishman has nothing left to prove, but still has to carry a vast weight of expectation at Royal PortrushThere was a lick of breeze riffling the long grass at Royal Portrush on Wednesday morning, and a lot of swirling talk besides. “Have you seen him?” “I heard he’s over by the putting green.” “He’s on the range.” “I heard he’s on the 1st now.” Round here everyone’s either looking for Rory McIlroy, looking at Rory McIlroy, or looking back on Rory McIlroy
Get ready for an Open thriller with fiendish unpredictability of Portrush
Stunning course, benign forecast and giddy galleries make it all but futile to predict a winner of 153rd stagingThe consensus among golf’s chattering classes in Portrush is that it may be some time until the Open returns. Two stagings inside a decade was always the plan as the R&A determined Northern Ireland could host an event of this stature. There will be a third, it just seems unlikely to land imminently. Muirfield is long overdue an Open return, so too is Royal Lytham & St Annes. When Dublin’s Portmarnock is added to the upcoming mix, Royal Portrush will be required to wait in line
R&A held talks with Donald Trump’s son over staging the Open at Turnberry
The R&A says it has held a “really good discussion” with Donald Trump’s family over the thorny issue of when their Turnberry course might stage the Open again.The governing body’s new chief executive, Mark Darbon, said he had met with the president’s son Eric and held positive talks about infrastructure improvements needed for Turnberry to host the event for the first time since 2009. “I met a couple of months ago with Eric Trump and some of the leadership from the Trump golf organisation and from Turnberry,” Darbon said. “We had a really good discussion. I think they understand clearly where we’re coming from
Oakmont bans 2023 US Open champion Wyndham Clark for damaging lockers
The former US Open champion Wyndham Clark, who is competing this week at Portrush, has been banned by the prestigious Oakmont Country Club after damaging lockers in a fit of pique during the staging of the event this year.Oakmont has insisted Clark undergoes anger management help if he wants to be allowed back in to the Pittsburgh venue. The move is as sensational as it is unprecedented towards a player of Clark’s standing. The 31-year-old represented the US in the last Ryder Cup.Photographs emerged of damage inflicted to lockers by Clark during the US Open last month
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