The Archive of Our Own — the beloved, Hugo-winning fanfiction platform shorthanded affectionately as AO3 — was famously created by fans, for fans. It’s run by a fandom nonprofit, coded and moderated by volunteers, and reliant on its huge community of users to help it carry out its mission of preserving and protecting fans’ work. Because the history of fandom includes a long lineage of fanfic authors fighting for the right to write and publish…

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Editor’s note, February 5, 2021: This article was originally published before the 2020 Super Bowl. It has been updated to reflect this year’s game. A self-described lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan once asked me the meaning of the words that are sung as the crowd performs the “Arrowhead Chop” at Chiefs games, the beloved fan chant made up of a series of literal “oh oh oh”s. “They don’t mean anything,” I told him, disgusted and…

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The Justice Department has dropped its case against former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, erasing his guilty plea in the Mueller probe and ending a years-long saga over his sentencing. In a court filing Thursday, the Department of Justice said that “based on an extensive review and careful consideration of the circumstances … continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice.” The filing was signed by Timothy Shea, who’s currently…

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Wanda Maximoff has done a very bad thing. As the finale of WandaVision, the Marvel TV series that bears her name and airs on Disney+, wraps up its story, the superpowered witch has begun to realize the extent of the hex she cast over the town of Westview, New Jersey. The citizens of the town, wholly innocent and unsuspecting, have awakened from a dreamlike state that lasted several days and caused them to reenact old…

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Eight people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of a crowd crush at Astroworld in Houston on November 5, a concert festival headlined and founded by rapper Travis Scott, and more than 300 people were injured at the event. At least 50,000 people were in attendance, and according to a report from Rolling Stone, 528 police officers and 755 private security officers were present for the event. The deaths and injuries were the result…

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ERLING HAALAND’S future is set to be finalised by the end of next month – with Manchester City currently leading the race to sign him. Reports in Germany say the Borussia Dortmund striker’s £64million release clause must be activated by April 30. That means all clubs bidding to sign him must register their intention by then – while the Norwegian must also notify his current club of his intention to leave. Sources in Germany suggest…

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ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI is keen to leave Bayern Munich in the summer, according to reports. Lewandowski, 33, became a fan favourite when he arrived at the club in 2014. He has scored an impressive 337 goals in 365 games for the Reds, and many have labelled him as the best striker in the world. However, according to reporter Florian Plettenberg and Sky Sports, he is now looking for a new challenge. Plettenberg broke the news on…

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MANCHESTER UNITED have been urged to ditch Harry Maguire from their starting XI and replace him with ‘no-nonsense’ Antonio Rudiger. That’s according to former Red Devils defender Gary Pallister, who reckons the Chelsea star would be an upgrade on Maguire. However, he adds that the United skipper should NOT be sold, with the hope that challenging Rudiger for a place in the XI eventually makes Maguire a better player. The England ace had another torrid…

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NEWCASTLE have reignited their interest in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to reports. The Magpies were linked with the Nigerian star throughout the January transfer window, but faced competition from Arsenal at the time. According to Corriere Dello Sport, they offered around £84million to Napoli for their star man, but the two parties could not come to an agreement. However, Newcastle are now set to make an improved offer for the 23-year-old in the summer.…

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ENGLAND'S future looks bright with a plethora of budding cubs itching to burst into the national set-up and make their mark amongst the Lions. After the Three Lions' agonising defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final several youngsters are waiting in the wings, ready to usher in a new dawn for Gareth Southgate's side. Players such as Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford were the nation's young hopes at the Euros, but now…

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