-
TV soaps and diplomacy as Bangladesh and Turkey grow closer
-
Striking Boeing defense workers to vote on latest contract
-
Australia's opposition ditches commitment to net zero emissions
-
Duffy takes four as New Zealand crush West Indies to seal T20 series
-
South Korea halts flights for college entry exam
-
Trump signs bill to end record-breaking US shutdown
-
EU lawmakers to vote on unpicking green business rules
-
Smith says England speed kings could struggle in Ashes
-
Stocks stutter with focus on Fed, tech after US reopen vote
-
Record-breaking US shutdown ends as political fallout begins
-
France marks decade since harrowing Paris attacks
-
Skubal, Skenes win MLB Cy Young Awards for top pitchers
-
Record rains turn Argentina's farm-filled Pampas plains to wetlands
-
Solar storm brings new chance of vivid auroras, signal disruptions
-
Gauff and Fritz back for United Cup against Swiatek's Poland
-
World's fossil fuel emissions to hit new record in 2025: study
-
US jury: Boeing owes $28 mn to family of Ethiopian Airlines crash victim
-
G7 calls for urgent Ukraine ceasefire, de-escalation in Sudan
-
Bayern stun Arsenal, Man Utd sink PSG in Women's Champions League
-
New Epstein emails claim Trump 'knew about the girls'
-
Brazil tribal chief ready to give Lula a 'talking-to'
-
Clippers' Beal to have season-ending surgery - report
-
Dow ends at record on hopes US government will reopen
-
Portugal's Ronaldo hoping Ireland fans boo him
-
England set for Etihad start to Euro 2028 tournament campaign
-
Sinner cruises past Zverev and into last four of ATP Finals
-
US presses final penny after more than 230 years
-
Baxter says England must be 'selfless' to see off All Blacks
-
Pardoned French-Algerian writer Sansal arrives in Germany
-
Bayern battle back to shock Arsenal in Women's Champions League
-
China hopes US will 'some day' return to climate fold, official tells AFP
-
Trump 'knew about the girls,' new Epstein emails claim
-
Scotland 'optimistic' Russell will be fit to face Argentina
-
Big platforms chart gradual path to self-driving at Web Summit
-
Jane Goodall honored in Washington by conservationists including DiCaprio
-
Tuberculosis killed 1.23 million last year: WHO
-
New Zealand coach Robertson says Twickenham visit is 'why I'm doing the job'
-
Hopes of US shutdown deal fail to sustain market rally
-
US military personnel do not risk prosecution for drug strikes: Justice Dept
-
Jailed writer Sansal on way to Germany after Algeria pardon
-
Ukraine ministers resign over major corruption scandals
-
Record-breaking US shutdown to end as political fallout begins
-
Wallets, not warming, make voters care about climate: California governor
-
Astronomers spot storm on another star for first time
-
G7 foreign ministers seek to boost Ukraine war effort
-
Released Epstein emails allege Trump 'knew about the girls'
-
Rees-Zammit back in Wales 'happy place' after Test return
-
Chelsea winger Sterling's house burgled
-
Auger-Aliassime beats Shelton to get off mark at ATP Finals
-
Argentina's Milei to follow Trump in skipping S.Africa G20: spokesperson
Crypto group reportedly says it planned sex toy tosses at WNBA games
A cryptocurrency group has said it organized a spate of "stunts" in which sex toys were tossed on courts at WNBA games, US media reported on Thursday.
USA Today first reported that an unnamed spokesman for a group behind a meme coin called Green Dildo Coin had orchestrated at least some of the incidents, which angered WNBA players and led to at least two arrests.
"We didn't do this because, like, we dislike women's sports or, like, some of the narratives that are trending right now are ridiculous," the unnamed source told USA Today.
"We knew that in order to get a voice in the space ... we had to go out and do some viral stunts to save us from having to pay that influencer cabal, sacrifice our souls and the fate of the project."
On July 29, a sex toy landed on the court as the Atlanta Dream hosted the Golden State Valkyries.
In the week since, similar objects have been thrown onto the court or into the stands at several other games, including another game in Atlanta.
The WNBA confirmed that one person had been arrested in connection with one of the incidents in Atlanta and on Wednesday an 18-year-old man was arrested for throwing a sex toy at a Phoenix Mercury game which hit another fan -- who was at the game with his young neice.
USA Today reported that the meme coin group spokesman said that Delbert Carter, who was arrested for allegedly throwing a green sex toy on the court at the end of Atlanta's home game against Phoenix, was not part of the cryptocurrency group.
Nor was Kaden Lopez, who was arrested in Phoenix. According to the statement from the Phoenix Police Department, Lopez said he saw the trend on social media and bought his own sex toy to throw.
"Moving forward, we have a lot more pranks, but they're a lot lighter. They're a lot more tasteful," the unnamed source told USA Today.
The WNBA said in a statement on Thursday it was working with arena personnel to identify culprits and "ensure appropriate action is taken."
The WNBA did not immediately comment on the reports of the cryptocurrency group connection.
Q.Bulbul--SF-PST