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Biles, Denzel Washington, Rapinoe among Winners of Top US Honor

File: Actor Denzel Washington. AFP/Kevin Winter
File: Actor Denzel Washington. AFP/Kevin Winter
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Biles, Denzel Washington, Rapinoe among Winners of Top US Honor

File: Actor Denzel Washington. AFP/Kevin Winter
File: Actor Denzel Washington. AFP/Kevin Winter

Gymnastics star Simone Biles, actor Denzel Washington and the late tech visionary Steve Jobs have been named as recipients of America's highest civilian honor, the White House said Friday.

President Joe Biden designated 17 Americans to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, three of them posthumous, The Associated Press said.

The White House said the medal recognizes "exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors."

Among the recipients is Megan Rapinoe, the Olympic gold medalist soccer star, two-time Women's World Cup champion.

Ahead of a ceremony on July 7, the White House said those honored had "overcome significant obstacles... and acted with bravery to drive change in their communities -- and across the world -- while blazing trails for generations to come."

One posthumous recipient this year is John McCain, a one-time Republican presidential nominee, long-time senator from Arizona, and Vietnam War veteran who won a Purple Heart.

Previous winners of the presidential medal include the basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Motown singer Diana Ross and the actor Robert De Niro.

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Entertainment

Charli XCX, Lola Young and Wham's 'Last Christmas' Get Ivor Awards Nods

Charli XCX poses as she arrives for the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 1, 2025. (Reuters)
Charli XCX poses as she arrives for the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 1, 2025. (Reuters)
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Charli XCX, Lola Young and Wham's 'Last Christmas' Get Ivor Awards Nods

Charli XCX poses as she arrives for the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 1, 2025. (Reuters)
Charli XCX poses as she arrives for the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, March 1, 2025. (Reuters)

Charli XCX's hit album "Brat" and Wham!'s perennial festive hit "Last Christmas" are among the musical works nominated at next month's Ivors, Britain's annual awards honoring songwriters and screen composers.

Lola Young was in the lead on Wednesday with three nominations, her first from the Ivors Academy. They included one for rising star, while her single "Messy" was among the contenders for best song musically and lyrically.

Her record "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" is nominated for best album, alongside Charli XCX's "Brat", which inspired a cultural phenomenon last year, and singer Jordan Rakei's "The Loop".

Further nominations went to rappers Ghetts and Berwyn for their albums "On Purpose, With Purpose" and "Who Am I" respectively.

Wham's "Last Christmas", which was released in 1984 but regularly returns to the UK charts during the festive season, is nominated in the most performed work category. Its writer, late singer George Michael was last nominated at the Ivors 20 years ago.

Also nominated are Dua Lipa's "Houdini", Myles Smith's "Stargazing" and "Prada" by Casso, Raye and D-Block Europe. Harry Styles' 2022 "As It Was", nominated for a third year running, completes the most performed work category list.

After winning songwriter of the year at last year's Ivors, Raye is nominated for best song musically and lyrically for her single "Genesis". Also nominated in that category are "Child of Mine" by Laura Marling, "In the Modern World" by Fontaines D.C. and Orla Gartland's "Mine".

Best contemporary song contenders are Ghetts' "Double Standards (feat. Sampha)", Pa Salieu's "Allergy", Jade's "Angel of My Dreams", Sans Soucis' "Circumnavigating Georgia" and Bashy's "How Black Men Lose Their Smile".

Last month, organizers said Irish rockers U2 would receive the Ivors Academy Fellowship, the UK-based association's highest honor, at this year's awards, their 70th edition.

Named after the early 20th century Welsh composer, actor and entertainer Ivor Novello, the Ivor Awards were first handed out in 1956. This year's ceremony will be held on May 22 in London.