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As often was the case amid an American society embedded in racism in the 1980s, Muhammed Ali put it best. Advising black racing driver Willy T. Ribbs, the people’s champion made his point in no uncertain terms: “There are Blacks in my sport. But there are no Blacks in your sport. “They’re going to want to kill you.” Yet for all the death threats, discrimination and abuse, Ribbs had long decided that the only option was to meet the uphill battle head-on. He made history in 1986 when he became the first Black driver to test an F1 car. Five years later, he was the first to race in the Indy 500, one of the world’s most famous events. But on the course to that journey, Ribbs faced it all. Don’t let me tell you though; let the man himself. “Of course, there were death threats, the n-word,” he reflects, in a slow but dead-pan fashion that tells you the wounds have long since healed. Instead, the metaphorical bruises are worn with pride. “But I enjoyed it. It didn’t make me mad, it was fun. I was going to dish out what they were dishing out to me, it never scared or intimidated me. I actually enjoyed it because it was motivating. I was never going to play the victim, that was not Willy T. Ribbs.” Now 68, Ribbs is an ambassador for Formula 1, raising awareness for diversity and equality. A role given a matter of months after his riveting biopic movie, Uppity, was released in 2020. So titled because that was his nickname in motorsport circles – “and he loved it.” But to this interview, he’s late. And he apologises, quipping: “Race drivers are never late, you know! Or they’re not supposed to be…” Son to William ‘Bunny’ Ribbs, an amateur racer himself, Willy’s career path was set in stone from day-dot it seems. It was the racing way or the highway. “I was born in this sport,” he tells The Independent, from his home in Texas. “I watched it from three years old when my Dad was racing, watching the likes of Jim Clark and Graham Hill. That’s all that was discussed in the family. We didn’t discuss any other sport. “I was lucky, I think. At nine years old, I knew what I wanted to do and I knew what my career path was going to be. Most kids that age don’t know what the hell they’re going to do, but I did. And I didn’t want to be an amateur at it – I wanted it to be a profession and I wanted it to be Formula 1.” He learned his craft, in the UK, racing alongside future F1 world champion Nigel Mansell in Formula Ford in the mid-1970s. He raced in NASCAR and the Trans-Am Series, later on, too. But his F1 calling, in ’86, came in the Portuguese town of Estoril. Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham team – “Bernie has always been good to Willy T. Ribbs” – gave the American the chance to buck the trend and become a true trailblazer. But the tag was not something he felt comfortable with at the time. “All that mattered was I thought of myself as a race driver,” he says. “I had two responsibilities: to myself and to my team. For those who record social history, that’s their job [to say trailblazer] – but I’m not going to carry that weight on my shoulders. “Sure. I was a role model because I was doing something no other Black kid had done. And great, if that’s the category they want to put me in and how they want to document it. But for me? It was about going fast.” It was a mindset of not bowing to the status quo, embodied most especially in the late 20th century by Ali. “What I admired about him the most was not his boxing skills,” Ribbs says of Ali. “What I admired about him was his resolve as a man, not to be squashed, manipulated or controlled. Ali said ‘you have to let them know that you can’t be killed, there’s nothing they can do to you and then they’ll leave you alone for a while.’” Now in motor racing, the baton has been passed on to seven-time Formula 1 world champion and the sport’s only Black driver Lewis Hamilton, whom Ribbs is full of praise about. “Lewis Hamilton, after seven world titles and more victories than any other human being, gets unfairly targeted,” insists Ribbs. “If you can equate it to Tiger Woods, what did Tiger Woods do for golf? He broadened the audience. The attention went off the chart. That’s exactly what happened in F1 – Lewis Hamilton has been Formula 1’s Tiger Woods. “He’s a very kind man. He’ll let it roll off, turn the other cheek – I wasn’t that way. He deals with it and in a lot of cases it’s unfair. Then again, he is in an environment which was not nearly as brutal as I was dealing with. Willy T. Ribbs was treated differently.” The third-person references point to a man who is now comfortable in his own skin; in the significance of the struggle – and what it means to many around the world. And despite a sport notoriously still dominated by white men, progress is being made. “One thing I love about Formula 1 is not only is it evolving commercially around the world, it’s evolving socially,” he says. “When F1 hired me, I asked them ‘what made you make this call?’ “They said: ‘We watched your film and we thought you’d be the perfect person for inclusion and equality in Formula 1.’ “I said: ‘Well, you called the right guy’.’” Read More Mercedes chief admits ‘embarrassment’ after Lewis Hamilton disqualification Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc post amusing joint Instagram after DSQ Red Bull chief condemns Mexican fans who booed Max Verstappen Logan Sargeant earns first F1 point in bizarre circumstances Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes react to shock disqualification from United States GP Chaos as Lewis Hamilton disqualified four hours after finishing second in US GP

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New York City and large parts of the tri-state area have been placed under Code Red air quality alerts as smoke from wildfires in Canada continue to create hazy skies. The city is currently ranked fifth for the worst air quality in the world, following Toronto, Hanoi, Dhaka and New Delhi, as the Air Quality Index on Wednesday reached “unhealthy” levels across New York and other major US cities. The poor air quality is a result of more than 400 wildfires raging in Canada, leading to mass evacuations in the province of Quebec. Meanwhile, schools in New York City and Washington DC have cancelled outdoor activities such as recess and gym. As the wildfires continue to rage on, air quality in New York is expected to get worse later Wednesday afternoon, according to forecasters. But amidst an ongoing climate crisis, many climate scientists warn that wildfires could become more frequent and intense. Many officials have urged people to limit their time outdoors and wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke. In fact, wildfire smoke carries a number of pollutants that can pose a number of risks and hazardous effects. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts to help keep yourself safe during the Code Red air quality alert. Wear a mask If the Covid-19 taught us anything, it’s that masks help keep us safe from getting sick. The same goes for wildfire smoke. Masks can protect you from deadly air pollutants found in wildfire smoke such as fine particulate matter, also known as PM 2.5. But not all masks are created equal. While surgical masks work fine in protecting your lungs from the smoke, the most preferred method of protection are N95 or KN95 masks. Both N95 and KN95 masks work by fitting tightly to the face and filtering air using multiple layers of material, which are designed to trap extremely small particles. Stay indoors, or take precaution if you need to go outside New York City Mayor Eric Adams told New Yorkers in a statement to “limit outdoor activity to the greatest extent possible.” In addition to masking up, people should also avoid performing strenuous activities outside – such as exercising or biking – and change their clothes once they return home. Air purifiers vs air conditioners Outdoor air, including fine particles from wildfire smoke, can also enter your home through open windows, vents, or window air conditioning units. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a portable air purifier to help improve indoor air quality. Indoor fans can also be used to help circulate air. The EPA also states that central AC systems, in which air is cooled and distributed through ducts, are safe to use during air quality alerts. “If you have an HVAC system with a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode, or close the outdoor intake damper,” the agency said. As for window AC units, the EPA warns against running the portable AC during “smoky conditions because it can result in more smoke being brought inside.” Take steps to save energy and reduce pollution New Yorkers are encouraged to avoid activities that could create more fine particles indoors, such as smoking cigarettes; spraying aerosol products; using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces; frying or broiling food; and burning candles or incense. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also recommends closing the blinds or shades to preserve cooled air, and limiting use of household appliances. Follow for live air quality alert updates. Read More Air quality – live: New York under Code Red alert and kids banned from outside play over Canada wildfire smoke Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next NYC and DC public schools cancel outdoor activities as wildfire smoke plagues East Coast As Pride Month begins: 5 LGBTQ+ icons who have helped shape pop culture and history Al Pacino, 83, expecting his fourth child with 29-year-old girlfriend Pest control expert weighs in on viral blue sofa debate

Another month has come and gone, and you know what that means: A fresh drop of monthly editor favorites, hot off the presses. Whether you're looking for beauty products approved me, curious about Victoria's outfit-making accessories, Kate's aptitude for excellent basics, or Alexandra's A+ home finds, our savvy editors have all of the bases covered when it comes to online shopping. We're like the Avengers, only instead of saving the world, we're saving you from buyer's remorse.

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Maria Menounos has admitted that she felt like she was “exploding inside” due to severe pain from pancreatic cancer. Before the TV host was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2023, she recalled experiencing excruciating pain after she ate a farro salad while on a flight more than one year ago. At the time, she dismissed her alarming symptoms, according to Today. “It was like that kind of pain where you felt like you were going to explode inside,” she explained to the outlet. “I thought it was the farro. I thought that I must be getting really gluten intolerant and my stomach just was not handling this well.” Menuonos, 45, decided to go to the doctor after continuing to experience symptoms - such as bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain - but despite undergoing an endoscopy and colonoscopy, doctors couldn’t find the source of Menuonos’ problems. Not only that, but a CT scan also indicated that her pancreas and other organs were fine. After the host’s “severe” abdominal pains continued, she elected to get a full-body MRI. The scan revealed that she had a 3.9-centimeter tumour growing on her pancreas, leading to her being diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. “That’s why I keep saying to people: If the symptoms persist, so should you,” Menounos said. “You have to be your own advocate and you have to keep pushing. It’s exhausting, but your life really depends on it.” “You’ve got to listen to your bodies,” she added. “For me it’s: ‘Feel something, say something, do something, and keep doing the something until someone tells you what’s happening.’” In honour of the beginning of November’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Menounos took her advocacy to the next level by appearing in a public service announcement for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). According to the American Cancer Society, more than 62,000 people are diagnosed each year with pancreatic cancer, while more than 49,800 are reportedly estimated to die from the disease in 2023 alone. One year after diagnosis, the survival rate of patients is at a low 20 per cent, and less than 10 per cent will reportedly continue to live five years later. Pancreatic cancer symptoms often don’t reveal themselves until too late. In February of this year, Menuonos spoke to People about her cancer journey. She stressed that people should seek answers about their health issues, in order to catch problems that may turn out to be much more. “I need people to know there are places they can go to catch things early,” she told the outlet at the time. “You can’t let fear get in the way. I had that moment where I thought I was a goner - but I’m OK because I caught this early enough.” Menounos’ experience with pancreatic cancer wasn’t the only time the host had been diagnosed with a tumour. In 2017, she was diagnosed and treated for a benign brain tumour. The former E! News anchor and her husband, Keven Undergaro, welcomed their first child together via surrogate in June, just five months after Menounos’ pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Read More Robert De Niro’s family: What to know about his seven children Mom explains how to raise your first baby like it’s your third Emilia Clarke feared being fired from Game of Thrones after brain haemorrhage Robert De Niro’s family: What to know about his seven children Mom explains how to raise your first baby like it’s your third Emilia Clarke feared being fired from Game of Thrones after brain haemorrhage

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Carlos Sainz will not start the Qatar Grand Prix due to a fuel system issue with his Ferrari car. The Spanish driver qualified only 12th on the grid but will not even start the race at the Lusail Circuit on Sunday. Ferrari mechanics were working frantically to fix the issue but it seems to no avail, with the team confirming just under an hour before lights out that Sainz will not take part. Sainz finished sixth in the Saturday sprint race. More to follow… Read More F1 Qatar Grand Prix LIVE: Race updates and times at Lusail Circuit Max Verstappen’s season in numbers following world title win Max Verstappen’s best moments as he wins 2023 F1 world title