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Published by BANG Showbiz English Lady Gaga has shared a first-look image of her ‘Joker: Folie a Deux’ character. The 36-year-old actress and singer is set to play Harley Quinn in the sequel to the hit film ‘Joker’ and a new close-up shot sees Gaga holding the face of co-star Joaquin Phoenix – who will reprise his role as Arthur Fleck/Joker. Todd Phillips is returning to direct the sequel that he co-wrote with Scott Silver. The movie is set to be released in October 2024 and will feature Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson and Harry Lawtey as additional cast members. Harley Quinn has been played by Margot Robbie in three movies but the Australian star is looking forward to Gaga’s turn as the Joker’s love interest and loves the idea of the character being passed around by “great actors”. She said: “It makes me so happy because I said from the very beginning, all I want is for Harley Quinn to be one of those characters, the way Macbeth or Batman always gets passed from great actor to great actor. “And I feel like in not so many cases are they female characters. “Queen Elizabeth I, but like beyond that — which I got to have a crack at as well, which I was honoured to do. I was like, ‘Wow, Cate Blanchett did Queen Elizabeth I. Now I get to.'” Meanwhile, Brendan revealed that he had joined the movie to have the chance to work with Phoenix again after the pair collaborated on the 2004 film ‘The Village’. He said: “It wasn’t the material, which is a great way to get me out of having to answer any questions about the criteria. “It was the achievement of the first film. I worked with Joaquin before on ‘The Village’… And so I knew him from then.” View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) For some, Valentine’s Day is an occasion to cosy up with a loved one and celebrate your relationship together. If you didn’t spend Valentine’s Day with a cherished partner though, the day might be a painful reminder of how difficult finding a good relationship can be. Despite the popularity of dating apps these days, many people find modern matchmaking techniques more than a tad depressing. The queer friendly dating app Taimi has taken extra steps to make sure its users are safe, when dating is getting them down. Taimi is a social media and dating app that was created first for gay men, but ha… Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet Celebrities, including Judd Apatow, Gabrielle Union, Tommy Dorfman and Wilson Cruz are four of over 100 other entertainers, activists, journalists and other public figures who signed a letter to The New York Times (NYT) alleging the publication uses “bias, fringe theories and dangerous inaccuracies” in its reporting on the transgender community, The Hollywood Reporter reports. Per The Hollywood Reporter, others who signed onto the letter include LGBTQ journalists and NYT contributors Roxane Gay, and LGBTQ organizations GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), the Human Rights Campaig… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is one of the most scandal-plagued lawmakers in living memory — and resolutely refuses to step down in the face of all calls to resign. His stubbornness is even shocking to disgraced former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner, who himself was taken down by one of the most infamous sex scandals in recent history, as NPR detailed in an interview on Wednesday. In the interview, Weiner detailed how Santos has gone beyond anything he’s ever seen when it comes to shameless behavior. “We seem to be in a national version of that schoolyard game, ‘Top this’ – that if you do wa… Read More View the full article

Published by The Street By Danni Button With new technology comes new opportunities for fraud and danger. The practice of dating continued to evolve over the last decade. Gone are the days of personal ads, speed dating, and blind dates (unless you get a specific app for that). Thanks to dating apps, single people can choose from a wider pool of potentials and get in touch more easily than ever. It’s the efficient way of dating, and like it or not, dating apps are the future of romance. Over the last decade, Tinder and its unique “hot or not” swiping technique have been mentioned in stand-up comedy, late-night talk sh… Read More View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Tom Cruise was the center of attention at the 41st Oscars Nominee Luncheon for more than one reason. The actor was seen socializing with everyone from Ke Huy Quan to Malala Yousafzai at the Monday, February 13, event, which was held in Beverly Hills. And while the actor’s peers adored the chance to meet and chat with the star — at one point, Steven Spielberg told him Top Gun: Maverick “might have saved the entire theatrical industry” — fans couldn’t help but poke fun at the dad-of-one’s new look. @kehuyquan/instagram Cruise, 60, showed up to the ritzy shindig in a navy suit, showing off a longer and more flowy hairstyle than usual. However, it was the Jack Reacher lead’s tanned skin that had all of social media buzzing. “Tom Cruise is so …orange,” one Twitter user noted, while another quipped, “Tom Cruise looks like Donald Trump now wtf.” “OH GOD why does Tom Cruise kinda look like Trump?!” questioned a third. “They both look scary as hell.” mega While critics and viewers alike raved over his performance in Top Gun: Maverick, he failed to secure a Best Actor nomination at the Golden Globes or the Academy Awards. However, the successful flick is up for Best Picture, and he isn’t letting the disappointment get to him, telling a reporter at the Feb. 13 luncheon, “This is fun. I’m enjoying it.” Though Cruise didn’t attend the Globes last month, host Jerrod Carmichael took quite the dig at him and his controversial religion, Scientology. “Backstage, I found these three Golden Globe awards that Tom Cruise returned,” the comedian stated. “I think maybe we take these three things and exchange them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige.” The star-studded crowed let out an audible gasp, as Miscavige, the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige, hasn’t been seen publicly in over a decade. mega Never miss a story — sign up for the OK! newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what OK! has to offer. It’s gossip too good to wait for! Cruise is widely known for being the Church of Scientology‘s poster boy, with former Scientologist executive Mike Rinder claiming last year that the religion will do anything to keep him satisfied. “There is a lot of time and attention and money and effort put into keeping Tom Cruise happy,” Rinder explained in a radio interview. “David Miscavige believes that Tom Cruise is the greatest asset that Scientology has, and he treats him that way.” People talked to Cruise at the luncheon. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New York state appeals court rejected Fox News’ bid to dismiss a multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit accusing the network of falsely accusing an electronic voting systems company of helping rig the 2020 U.S. presidential election to favor Joe Biden over Donald Trump. In a 5-0 decision, the Appellate Division in Manhattan said Smartmatic USA alleged in “detailed fashion” how Fox News and some anchors and guests “effectively endorsed and participated in (defamation) with reckless disregard for, or serious doubts about” whether the company engaged in election fraud. Smartmatic had sought $2.7 billion in damages, saying Fox News knowingly lied about its technology and how it was used in order to boost ratings, and keep Trump supporters from defecting to the right-wing networks Newsmax and One America News. Fox News has long said its job was to inform the public, and that airing fraud claims was protected by the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. Tuesday’s decision lets Smartmatic continue its cases against Fox News, host Maria Bartiromo and former host Lou Dobbs. It also reinstated some previously dismissed claims against Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who worked as a Trump lawyer, and Smartmatic’s case against host Jeanine Pirro. Fox News, whose lawyers also represented the hosts, said it expected to prevail in the lawsuit. “There is nothing more newsworthy than covering the president of the United States and his lawyers making allegations of voter fraud,” it said. “Freedom of the press is foundational to our democracy and must be protected, in addition to the damages claims being outrageous, unsupported, and not rooted in sound financial analysis.” Giuliani’s lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment. Smartmatic has said it provided election technology only to Los Angeles County, which Biden won. “We look forward to holding Fox News and the other defendants accountable in court,” its lawyer J. Erik Connolly said. Tuesday’s decision upheld much of a March 2022 ruling by state Supreme Court Justice David Cohen. Another voting technology company, Dominion Voting Systems, is pursuing a similar $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News in Delaware. The case is Smartmatic USA Corp et al v Fox Corp et al, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 1st Department, No. 2022-01291. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis) View the full article

Published by AFP Pharrell Williams, shown here in February 2023 arriving for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, is the new head of menswear at Louis Vuitton New York (AFP) – Pharrell Williams is the superstar behind scores of music’s earworms, whose agelessness, sharp taste and forays into design have also made him a fixture on the fashion circuit for decades. The pop culture renaissance man will now head menswear design for Louis Vuitton, stepping into the shoes of Virgil Abloh and becoming, after his predecessor, the second Black man to take on the role. The trailblazing Abloh died of cancer in November 2021, and his spot at the European luxury house has remained vacant since. Williams, 49, was not among those most rumored as the successor, but his streetwise sensibility meshes well with the brand’s recent push to attract younger audiences. Louis Vuitton head Pietro Beccari praised Pharrell’s “creative vision beyond fashion,” saying it would lead the label “towards a new and very exciting chapter.” In addition to teaming with brands including Adidas, Diesel, Chanel and Moncler, the prolific songwriter, producer and performer already partnered with Louis Vuitton, including in 2008 on a jewelry and sunglasses line. He and his longtime partner, the fashion designer Helen Lasichanh, wed in 2013. In 2016 Williams was named co-owner of jeans brand G-Star Raw, and also co-founded the Japanese clothing maker Billionaire Boys Club. He was also a fan of Abloh’s: “Virgil you were a kind, generous, thoughtful creative genius your work as a human and your work as a spiritual being will live forever,” he wrote upon the designer’s death. Music mogul Born April 5, 1973 in the coastal US city of Virginia Beach, Williams and his childhood band camp friend Chad Hugo rose to fame beginning in the 1990s as the duo The Neptunes, after they were discovered by New Jack Swing architect Teddy Riley. The polymaths shifted the sound of pop entirely, producing hit after hit, including Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” and Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U.” Their shortlist of collaborations includes Gwen Stefani, Kelis, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Madonna and Snoop Dogg. Williams also worked with major acts including Maroon 5 and Shakira — and of course Daft Punk, including the songs “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance.” Williams also is a star performer in his own right, including with the globally viral hit “Happy,” as well as “Blurred Lines” which he performed with Robin Thicke and T.I. The Oscar nominee with 13 Grammy wins last year was inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame as part of The Neptunes. That night, wearing a showstopping cherry red leather suit, the ever-luminous artist — whose porcelain, seemingly ageless skin has spawned myriad beauty articles as well as a skincare line — delivered a lengthy ode to songwriting. “When that sparkle hits you feel it in your bone, you feel it in your body,” he said. “You feel this sense of direction.” That urgent creative spirit is sure to be a boon at Louis Vuitton: Pharrell’s first collection is due to hit the runways next June during Men’s Fashion Week, the label said. View the full article

Published by DPA Karl Lauterbach, Germany's Minister of Health, speaks during a press conference on the recommendations of a commission for a reform of emergency rooms and rescue services. Philipp Znidar/dpa The International AIDS Conference will be held in Munich next year, with more than 15,000 participants expected to attend. It will be the world’s largest scientific meeting on HIV, and will take place from July 22 to 26, 2024, the city of Munich and the International Aids Society (IAS) announced on Tuesday. Scientists, physicians, health experts and activists from more than 175 countries will discuss ways to contain HIV and AIDS. Germany’s health minister, Karl Lauterbach, said his country was proud to host the event and to welcome the global HIV community in all its diversity to Munich. Experts are concerned about the sharp rise in the number of infections, especially in Eastern Europe. This is a clear reminder that the epidemic is far from over, Lauterbach said. Globally, too, the number of infections is rising. This is in part because access to care is lacking, but also because HIV and its modes of transmission are being criminalised, said Christoph Spinner, a virologist from the Technical University of Munich, who will chair the event. The conference was held for the first time in 1985. It last took place in Montreal, Canada, in 2022. In future, it will rotate between continents, with the 2026 meeting, for example, taking place in Latin America. View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega Actor Matthew McConaughey has been working overtime to make his dream of winning the White House come true, but sources revealed his ambition is a nightmare for his wife, Camila Alves, who fears it could cause tension within their marriage, RadarOnline.com has learned. Sources reveal the 53-year-old Oscar winner has already put together a team to handle finance and strategy for a planned 2028 run for the White House. mega While McConaughey eyed the governorship in his native Texas in 2021, he’s taken inspiration from Donald Trump and has now decided to aim for the top. In a speech last fall, McConaughey said his run for president “is inevitable,” adding “I didn’t choose it. It chose me.” mega But a source said that the Magic Mike hunk’s 41-year-old model isn’t on board with the move and sees danger lurking around every corner. “Camila got Matthew to pull away from acting so he could be a more present father,” said a source. McConaughey hasn’t starred in a movie since 2019 and has been concentrating on raising kids Levi, 14, Vida, 13, and Livingston, 10. @russellbrand/instagram “She fears Matthew’s bid for the presidency will consume him and has the potential to tear their family apart,” said a source. “But Matthew, when he gets a notion, he rides it like a bucking bull!” the insider spilled. Another source denied that the actor had plans to run in 2028 while pointing to his busy acting schedule. McConaughey has been married to Alves since 2012. The couple had been together for 6 years before walking down the aisle. McConaughey has been speaking on politics for years but recently became more involved. In 2020, he spoke about the need for both parties to come together to work on problems. He described the two parties as “two vehicles on either side of the political aisle are so far apart their f—— tires aren’t even on the pavement anymore.” mega The actor even criticized some colleagues in Hollywood. He took issue with certain “condescending” and “arrogant” attitudes toward those who voted for ex-Prez Trump. “There’s a lot on that illiberal left that absolutely condescend, patronize and are arrogant towards that other 50 percent,” he said during an interview with Russell Brand. “Many people were in our industry when Trump was voted in four years ago, they were in denial that it was real,” McConaughey said. View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The feud between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the College Board over Florida rejecting the AP African American studies course escalated Monday with DeSantis threatening to drop the organization’s Advanced Placement classes from Florida high schools. “So this College Board, nobody elected them to anything. They’re just kind of there and provide this service, and you can utilize those services or not,” DeSantis said when asked to comment on the College Board’s statement over the weekend that the Florida Department of Education had slandered it. “They provided these AP courses for a … Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet An Arkansas pharmacist who introduced herself as a “trans female” during a televised hearing on anti-transgender legislation was asked by a Republican state Senator about her genitals. “Do you have a penis?” Senator Matt McKee (photo) asked the woman as he began his questioning. The room erupted in anger and the woman, taken aback, paused before replying, “That’s horrible.” Sen. Mckee did not apologize, but rather blamed the pharmacist as he falsely said, “You’re the one that brought that into the discussion.” The legislation would allow people who had any form of gender-affirming medical care… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sam Smith’s look at the Brit Awards took ‘four days” to make, says its creator. The ‘Unholy’ hitmaker, 30, – who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns – donned a campy latex number with inflated arms and legs to attend the ceremony on Saturday night (11.02.23) at the O2 Arena and it took a lot of work to bring the viral look to life. Harri, the fashion designer who created Sam’s look, revealed the extent of the craft needed to take it from page to reality while appearing on ‘Good Morning Britain’ on Monday (13.02.23). Detailing how they got it into the car to the venue, he said: “They walked in it [inflated] all the way to the red carpet… I think they did a fantastic job.” After being asked if Sam relied on “talcum powder” to get into the garment, Harri explained it was custom made for the ‘Latch’ crooner. “They put it on like a tailored suit, it’s made for them.” Recently, Harri – whose real name is Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai – explained he was interested in collaborating with Sam after they received a barrage of “hate comments” including body shaming and homophobic abuse amid the release of his new music video and allegations it was “Satanic”. He said: “Sam was having a lot of hate comments recently after ‘Unholy’ about their body image. “This is my take on celebrating [their] natural form and the beauty of being one’s self. I wanted to create an image which people have never seen Sam in.” View the full article

Published by Raw Story A Florida religious college abruptly cancelled a concert after learning that one of the Grammy Award-winning troupe’s singers is gay. The British a cappella group The King’s Singers had been scheduled to perform Saturday night at Pensacola Christian College, but their appearance was called off with just two hours’ notice because officials said “one of the artists openly maintained a lifestyle that contradicts Scripture,” reported the Pensacola News Journal. “The school gave its reason for cancellation as ‘concerns’ expressed about the ‘lifestyle’ of members of our group,” the group said in a s… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP US Senator Dianne Feinstein, pictured on February 13, 2023, vowed to continue fighting for her home state of California Washington (AFP) – Veteran Democrat Dianne Feinstein, a titan of US political history who notched countless legislative achievements during a trailblazing three-decade career in the Senate, announced her retirement on Tuesday. Feinstein, the oldest senator at 89, is celebrated as a hugely effective legislator and tough check on administrations from both parties — but she has been facing calls to quit amid a number of missteps that have threatened her legacy. “I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends,” she said in a statement. The recently widowed Californian, who will be 91 when she steps down, survived an attempted bombing of her home and was also near the scene of an infamous double murder in San Francisco. Feinstein became the city’s first female mayor after the fatal shooting in 1978 of Harvey Milk, the country’s only openly gay politician, and mayor George Moscone by a disgruntled former colleague. In the US Senate she took the lead on hundreds of bills and rose to the chairmanship of the powerful intelligence committee — another first for a woman. “Even with a divided Congress, we can still pass bills that will improve lives. Each of us was sent here to solve problems,” she said. “That’s what I’ve done for the last 30 years, and that’s what I plan to do for the next two years.” Her achievements include writing the 1994 assault rifle ban and producing a 6,700-page report on the CIA torture program during the US “war on terror.” But there have been growing misgivings over her declining cognitive health, many raised by figures in her own party. Former staff have described episodes of apparent confusion, and she suffered an embarrassing lapse in front of the nation’s TV cameras in November 2020, when she asked tech guru Jack Dorsey the same question, word for word, twice in a row. Recently, the pandemic and her husband’s declining health curtailed Feinstein’s public appearances outside of Congress. “Senator Feinstein broke innumerable glass ceilings and her work has impacted the lives of millions of Americans — and especially Californians — forever,” said Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate’s Democratic majority. “Dianne Feinstein was, and will remain, a California and an American institution.” View the full article

Published by AlterNet Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday appeared to be unaware that for over a week, multiple nationwide and local news outlets have been reporting on Duval County pulling a book about baseball great Roberto Clemente from all its school shelves in response to the Florida Republican’s laws, which he claims are designed to protect parents and children. The far-right Florida governor lashed out in response to a reporter asking him about the Roberto Clemente book, first blaming “politics,” then “teachers’ unions,” then claiming the story itself was “a joke” and “manufactured” while never accepting the im… Read More View the full article

Published by Hong Kong Free Press On Sunday, athletes from around the world competed in the Hong Kong Marathon. By all accounts it was very successful, with both the weather and the virus cooperating to produce a brilliant event. Unfortunately, the marathon was marred by reports that an organisation, Out in HK, was forced to remove banners supporting gay runners and their friends after the police were called. Police said they received a report at 8:30 a.m. regarding two banners hung on a railing near the Central Ferry Piers where runners would pass by. Police determined that banners hung without permission violated the law – S… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP US President Joe Biden hugs Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, whom he appointed, before the State of the Union address on February 7, 2023 Washington (AFP) – The US Senate on Tuesday confirmed the 100th federal judge appointed by President Joe Biden, as he works to dilute the impact his predecessor Donald Trump had on the courts. Under the US Constitution, presidents appoint Supreme Court justices and federal judges for life, with Congress’ upper chamber confirming or rejecting the nominee. In theory, judges are politically impartial, but their previous legal decisions and the president who appointed them generally shed some light on their beliefs and leanings. Gina Mendez-Miro, a 49-year-old lawyer, became the latest judge confirmed to the US Federal Court for the District of Puerto Rico, after a 54-45 vote Tuesday in the Senate. Because Democrats have controlled the Senate throughout Biden’s presidency, he has been able to vet nominees like Mendez-Miro at an accelerated pace. In an effort to increase diversity in the judiciary, Biden has put forth candidates with traditionally underrepresented backgrounds: three quarters have been women and only one-third have been white, according to the American Constitution Society. He additionally nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court, marking the first time a Black woman was named to the bench. Mendez-Miro will be the first openly LGBTQ judge to serve on her court, Biden said in a statement. “I’m especially proud that the nominees I have put forward… represent the diversity that is one of our best assets as a nation,” the president said. Biden celebrated the milestone of 100 confirmed judges as a “profound moment” that highlights his administration’s productivity. Two more of his picks for judge were confirmed by the Senate later in the day. “We have made important progress in ensuring that the federal judiciary not only looks more like the nation as a whole, but also includes judges from professional backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented on the bench,” Biden said. White men The diversity push is a complete reversal from Trump’s four-year presidency: The Republican appointed more than 230 judges to the federal courts, three-quarters of whom were men and 85 percent of whom were white. And his criteria differed from Biden: To please his base, Trump promised to choose judges who opposed abortion, supported carrying firearms and defended religious freedoms. The 45th president left a lasting mark on the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, where he appointed three of its nine justices, steering the court clearly to the right. In June the reshaped Supreme Court overturned the national right to an abortion, expanded gun rights and limited the government’s ability to fight global warming. Determined to counter the US judiciary’s sudden tack to the right, Biden is moving quickly — with 50 more federal judge nominees awaiting confirmation. To help assure their replacements are appointed while a Democrat is president, several liberal-leaning judges have either retired or “taken senior status” — a process by which their seat is vacated and they have the option to handle a lighter caseload. ‘Judicial shopping’ Although Biden rivals Trump’s pace, his appointments will not have the same overall impact. Trump was able to largely replace judges appointed by Democratic presidents, changing the political tilt of the courts. Under Trump, three of the 13 influential federal courts of appeals were flipped to Republican-leaning majorities. Biden is in the process of flipping only one such court. Trump was able to achieve maximum impact with the help of then Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who laid the groundwork for the effort in the last two years of Barack Obama’s presidency. After Republicans regained Senate control in 2014, McConnell blocked most judges appointed by the Democratic president, including a Supreme Court candidate. So 100 federal judiciary judgeships remained open when Trump entered the White House. Such political games have undermined the courts’ image of impartiality and reinforced “judicial shopping,” which refers to strategically filing a case in a specific court that a lawyer knows will be sympathetic to a given cause. Abortion opponents, for example, recently filed a suit against abortion pills in Amarillo, Texas where the only federal judge, a Trump appointee, is known for ultra-conservative views. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Rebel Wilson is set to launch a dating app. The 42-year-old actress – who is in a relationship with Ramona Agruma – is launching a new dating app named Fluid and Rebel has explained how it relates to her own love life. The Hollywood star – who has a three-month-old baby called Royce, who was born via a surrogate – said: “This is the first dating app where you don’t have to actually define yourself or tick a box to say ‘I’m straight, I’m gay, I’m bisexual,’ and you don’t have to describe what you are looking for.” Rebel is one of the app’s founders and she’s proud of its inclusive approach. She told PEOPLE: “What’s really cool is, it’s open to everyone. “You might just be interested in checking out a wider dating pool like I was. It covers a lot of the LGBTQIA spectrum, but I think even if you’re straight you could use the app and have an amazing time.” Rebel actually wishes the app existed “five years ago”. The actress added: “Something like this would have really helped me and maybe I would have stumbled upon a female’s profile and been like, ‘OK, maybe I do want to message them.’ I totally would have joined up for Fluid because you don’t have to label yourself in any way. You just see who you connect with. “I know that, to me, it doesn’t matter about the gender, it just matters about the person.” Rebel also believes that Fluid is quite distinct from the better-known dating apps. She said: “I haven’t looked at every single one, but the big ones we looked at, you still had to categorise yourself, and I just think there was a real gap in the dating app market because I think the existing ones skew older maybe or don’t take into account this kind of movement of sexual fluidity.” View the full article