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Published by AFP US officials restricted the airspace over Lake Michigan on February 12, 2023, citing a potential new threat to national security, as the US and Canada respond to a series of recent air intrusions days after the shootdown of a Chinese balloon Washington (AFP) – A US warplane shot down another flying object on Sunday, this time over Lake Huron on the US-Canadian border, the fourth in a dramatic series that began with the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon a week ago. Jittery Americans have been watching the skies as the mysterious incursions unfolded against a backdrop of acute tensions with China — although only the first object has so far been attributed to Beijing. President Joe Biden ordered a F-16 fighter to shoot down the latest object “out of abundance of caution,” a senior administration official said. This new device — described as an octagonal structure with strings hanging off it — was not deemed to be a military threat to anything on the ground, but it could have posed a hazard to civil aviation as it flew at about 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) over Michigan, the official said. “We have no indication that it has surveillance capabilities but nor can we rule that out,” the official said on condition of anonymity. Reflecting the heightened state of alert, US authorities briefly closed the airspace over Lake Michigan Sunday, before the latest object was shot down further towards the Canadian border. The US aerospace command NORAD tracked the new object visually and with radar, and it was downed over the lake “to avoid impact to people on the ground while improving chances for debris recovery,” the Pentagon said in a statement. A senior Republican on Sunday accused Beijing of “an act of belligerence” regarding the first object, a Chinese balloon shot down February 4 off the US East Coast after American officials said it was engaged in spying. China has insisted it was a weather balloon blown off course. “It was done with provocation to gather intelligence data, and collect intelligence on our three major nuclear sites,” Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told CBS. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, among senior lawmakers who received a government briefing, told ABC the second and third objects — one shot down over Canada’s Yukon territory on Saturday, and one downed over Alaska on Friday — both appeared to be balloons, but “much smaller than” the first large one. Meanwhile Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was heading Sunday to the western Yukon territory, where the third unidentified object was shot down a day earlier. There, a US F-22 jet, acting on orders from the prime minister and US President Joe Biden, downed a “high-altitude airborne object” about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of the border. Canadian officials described it as small and cylindrical, roughly the size of a Volkswagen car. Recovery teams backed by a Canadian CP-140 patrol aircraft were continuing their search Sunday for debris in the Yukon, officials said. US teams were struggling with Arctic conditions as they searched near Deadhorse, Alaska, where the second object was shot down Friday. Operations were also continuing off the South Carolina coast, where the past week’s drama climaxed when the initial large balloon was shot down. ‘Real concerns’ Culminating a weekend with the military on alert, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said on Twitter that Sunday’s Lake Michigan closure was “to ensure the safety of air traffic in the area during NORAD operations. The temporary flight restriction has since been lifted.” Republicans meanwhile have harshly criticized Biden for allowing the first balloon to drift for days across the country — potentially gathering sensitive intelligence — before having it shot down. Schumer on Sunday defended Biden’s handling, telling ABC an analysis of recovered debris would represent “a huge coup for the United States.” But Biden has faced bipartisan calls for greater transparency. “I have real concerns about why the administration is not being more forthcoming,” Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told NBC. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Amy Tennery and James Oliphant PHOENIX (Reuters) – Native American groups are expected to protest the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, calling for the AFC champions to drop their name and logo as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57. The Chiefs wear the arrowhead logo on their helmet and use a large drum to kick of their home games, as fans routinely engage in what’s known as the “tomahawk chop” chant, all of which critics say draw on offensive and racist stereotypes. This is their third trip to the NFL title game in four years and Kansas City fans can be heard throughout Phoenix singing the “tomahawk chop” chant. It is a jarring contrast to the displays of Native American culture and pride that Super Bowl hosts have invited to participate in the days leading up to the game. Dancers from Indigenous Enterprise performed at Monday’s Opening Night festivities, becoming the first Native Americans to perform at the annual media mega event. In a strange juxtaposition, they took the stage minutes after Kansas City fans in attendance at the Footprint Center joined together in a loud rendition of their “tomahawk chop” chant. “What the NFL is doing inside Phoenix, by bringing in indigenous dancers and artists, that’s celebrating the authentic, which is wonderful,” said Cher Thomas, an artist, community organizer and member of the Gila River Community. She will be among those outside the game on Sunday protesting. “However, the NFL simultaneously condones Kansas City’s team and their names and monikers and their derogatory traditions.” The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chiefs supporter Benny Blades, 55, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, said he admired the team for “sticking to their guns” as he stood in Scottsdale’s Old Town, where fans broke out into spontaneous “tomahawk” chants on streets lined with shops selling Native American arts and crafts. “We can’t say anything now because you’re gonna offend one or two percent of the people in the United States,” he said. Scottsdale is directly adjacent to the Salt River-Maricopa Indian Community of more than 7,000 residents, one of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes. At Sunday’s preshow, when singer Babyface performs “America the Beautiful,” Navajo Colin Denny will provide North American Indian Sign Language interpretation. Chiefs fans are all but assured to perform the “tomahawk chop” cheer loudly in the minutes before kickoff, as they did prior to the game in their previous two Super Bowl appearances. The Chiefs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the Tohono O’odham Nation, who are partners with the Super Bowl host committee, did not respond to multiple interview requests. Another partner, Gila River Indian Community, did not make leadership available. It is far from the first time the Chiefs name and traditions have come under fire. In 2019 the Kansas City Star called for an end to the chanting and chopping hand gestures. Months later, in the days before the Chiefs’ Super Bowl triumph over the San Francisco 49ers, the team told Reuters it had “engaged in meaningful discussions with a group comprised of individuals with diverse Native American backgrounds and experiences” over the previous six years. But amid a nationwide reckoning over race propelled by the Black Lives Matter Movement, their name and the majority of their traditions remained intact, even as the Washington Redskins dropped their nickname in July 2020. The Washington team later replaced the nickname, widely seen as a racist slur, with the Commanders. A month later the Chiefs announced they would ban the wearing of headdresses at Arrowhead Stadium, where the words “end racism” were painted in the end zone and emblazoned on helmets in a nod to racial justice. “They use that hashtag #EndRacism and it’s on their helmets. And it’s tone deaf,” said Rhonda LeValdo, an Acoma Pueblo journalist who founded the Not in our Honor coalition in 2005, to advocate against the use of Native American imagery in sports. “I don’t even understand what you guys are saying and you have the Chiefs logo and you guys are doing the chop.” (Reporting by Amy Tennery and James Oliphant in Phoenix; Editing by David Gregorio) View the full article

Published by Reuters UK By Marie-Louise Gumuchian LONDON (Reuters) -Harry Styles was the big winner at the BRIT awards, Britain’s pop music honours, on Saturday, winning all four categories he had been nominated in, a week after his triumph at the Grammys. Styles took home the coveted album of the year for “Harry’s House”, song of the year for his synth pop hit “As It Was”, best pop/R&B act and artist of the year, one of two gender-neutral categories introduced last year after BRIT awards organisers got rid of female and male distinctions. The contenders for that prize were all men, which had irked many in the indust… Read More View the full article

Published by uInterview.com After nearly a decade of evasion and hefty scores in the fashion-beauty industry, Rihanna is returning to the music scene this Sunday at the Super Bowl in what is probably the most anticipated Halftime Show of all time. The nine-time Grammy winner said in a February 9 Apple Music interview that fans can expect no less than the most meticulously selected glimpses into her career, and of course, an anthem to black womanhood and her Caribbean roots. The Super Bowl is famous for headlining some of music’s biggest names, and past artists to take the stage include Beyonce, Lady Gaga and The Weeknd. … Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Beyoncé thanked fans for always supporting her as she was named International Artist of the Year at The BRIT Awards 2023. The 41-year-old singer beat Lizzo, Burna Boy, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, but wasn’t at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday (11.02.23) to pick up her trophy in person. She said in a video message in which she clutched her award, which was announced by ‘Happy Valley’ actor Rhys Connah and Georgia May Jagger: “Thank you so much for this incredible recognition. “I’d like to say thank you to all my fans out there for their continued support over the years… I’ll see y’all on tour. Thank you so much for this honour.” Beyoncé is starting her ‘Renaissance’ tour in Stockholm on May 10, before landing in the UK with a performance in Cardiff on May 17, followed by a string of dates in Europe before she finishes in New Orleans on September 27. The next winner of the night was singer Becky Hill, 28, who won best Dance Act for the second year in a row, beating Bonobo, Calvin Harris, Eliza Rose and Fred again.. in the category. Last year saw her release a deluxe version of her album and headlined final of the women’s Euros and went on her first US tour. She said in a teary winner’s speech as she held her gong – designed by London-Nigerian artist Slawn: “It’s heavy. Wow. I did try and plan something but it might go to s*** now. I wanna thank the BRITs for putting me on the shortlist of the Dance act for another year and it is such an honour to be nominated, especially alongside the amazing Eliza Rose and the incredible Rae, last year… oh God, I’m making a right pickle of this… who are an inspiration for women of colour in such an under-represented scene. “I think Beyoncé actually said it best in her Grammy speech – we all have the queer community to thank for the best genre on Earth.” Becky added about being hit by self-doubt when she was nominated for the prize: “My imposter syndrome kicked straight in when the nominations came out, and when I read all the comments I was so scared, and touched, so thank you so much.” Wet Leg – who are nominated in four categories – then performed, and host Mo Gilligan, 34, told foodie and actor Stanley Tucci, 62, during a walk-around celebrity guests’ tables he would get him a magnum-sized bottle of booze later on in the night. View the full article

Published by Hong Kong Free Press It has been more than four years since Hong Kong trans activist Henry Edward Tse began an uphill legal battle to get the government to recognise him as a man. In early January this year, he donned a smart navy blue suit, paired with a carefully-chosen blue-and-pink tie, for his appearance at the Court of Final Appeal. Standing outside court for a photo call, Tse’s necktie matched the white, blue and pink striped flag – one that represents the transgender community – he carried. He also displayed a printed prop of a Hong Kong identity card bearing his Chinese and English name, with the gender m… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Dan Benson “doesn’t question” why his OnlyFans followers are “mostly gay men.” The 35-year-old actor is best known for playing Zeke Beakerman on the Disney Channel sitcom ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ alongside Selena Gomez in the late 2000s and has been in a relationship with co-star Jennifer Stone since 2009 but now sells racy pictures on the adults-only subscription service and enjoys being able to lean into gay culture with his platform. He said: “I try to make content that lots of different kinds of people could enjoy, but the reality is, the significant portion of my followers are gay men. I don’t know what it is about me, in particular, but I don’t question it. I’m comfortable with my sexuality. I have a ton of gay friends, I’ve been immersed in the culture for a long time, so [the attraction] never bothered me, the way it might other straight men in that way. I lean into it.” Dan – who also made appearances on a number of other teen sitcoms such as ‘Zoey 101 and ‘Phil of the Future’ but has not acted on screen since starring in sci-fi movie ‘Killing Diaz’ in 2018 – went on to add that he has such a “profound respect” for the gay community and feels confident about the way in which his career is now going. He told E! News: “I have such a profound respect and admiration for the gay community and I’m working really hard at being an advocate for gay rights, trans rights. Those are the kinds of things that make it so I feel really good about the direction I’m going. I want to take that momentum and direct it toward fighting for the causes and communities that need outspoken supporters.” View the full article

Published by The San Diego Union-Tribune SAN DIEGO — San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez won’t implement a recommendation to tighten rules for booking transgender people into county jails that coincide with their gender. The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board, or CLERB, recommended last year that the current policy be revised “to mandate that an arrestee shall be taken to a facility that coincides with the arrestees’ gender identity.” But in a letter released late Thursday, sheriff’s officials said they would not be changing the policy because no change is needed. “The department believes CLERB’s desired outcome, properly boo… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News Protesters clashed outside London’s Tate Britain museum on Saturday over a drag queen storytelling event. About 30 demonstrators showed up to protest the Drag Queen Story Hour U.K. event, which featured drag performer and author Aida H Dee reading to kids and families. The protest was organized by the far-right group Patriotic Alternative, according to local media reports. Carrying signs that read “Drag reading shut down” and “Leave our kids alone,” the anti-LGBTQ protesters stood outside the Central London museum hoping to disturb the event. But according to organizers, all three planned show… Read More View the full article

Published by Stateline.org Republican lawmakers in more than half the states are continuing a party-line push to restrict doctors and other medical providers from offering some gender-affirming health care to minors, even with parents’ consent. In late January, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, signed legislation making the Beehive State the first this year to ban some medical interventions for patients under 18, including hormone therapy and gender-affirmation surgery. Adolescents who were diagnosed with gender dysphoria — a mismatch between their gender identity and sex assigned at birth — before the law took effec… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Lizzo says she and Adele got “so drunk” at the Grammys. The singers, both 34, sipped on alcoholic drinks that Lizzo snuck into the ceremony in flasks and Adele admitted they had no idea what was going on throughout the show. Speaking on ‘Elvis Duran and the Morning show’, Lizzo said: “We were like, ‘Did they do Best Artist?’ “We didn’t even know, and when it was time and they would call our names we would just be like, ‘Smile’.” Lizzo revealed that the flash she brought for herself had tequila, while Adele’s had white wine but she helped Adele to finish hers. She said: “I brought it for Adele, and then I drank hers.” The pair sat next to each other at the ceremony and Lizzo revealed: “I had zero say in where I was sitting, but Adele had 100 per cent say in where she was sitting. So therefore Adele Facetimed me when I was in Grammy rehearsal a few days before. She was like ‘Oh my God! Oh my God, we’re sitting next to each other’.” Lizzo also explains that she thinks she owes pal Harry Styles an apology for downplaying the incident during his performance where the stage malfunctioned. She said: “[Harry told me] the turntable went the wrong way.” [I told him] nobody noticed, [then I told our friend Tom] Don’t tell him we all noticed. “I would have been so scared if that was me.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English SZA will receive the Woman of the Year accolade at the Billboard Women in Music Awards. The 33-year-old singer – who released her second album, ‘SOS ‘, in 2022 – will receive the gong at the awards show on March 1. Hannah Karp, Billboard’s editorial director, said: “Since she burst onto the scene in 2017, SZA has defied genres and continually released raw, powerful songs which have landed her music on the Billboard charts. “The release of her latest album, ‘SOS’, has solidified her as a distinct force in contemporary RnB, and catapulted her into superstardom. We can’t wait to honour her as Woman of the Year.” SZA released her critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Ctrl’, back in 2017, while she’s also written for the likes of Nicki Minaj and Beyonce. Elsewhere, Becky G will receive the Impact Award, while rapper Doechii is set to win the Rising Star Award. Meanwhile, SZA previously claimed that ‘SOS’ showcased a “different” side to her personality. Speaking ahead of her album release, she explained: “It’s my first album in five years, so I’m ready to be a different person and step into this new part of my life. “Really exemplify who this character is and get to know myself better while everyone else gets to know me live at the same time.” SZA – whose real name is Solana Rowe – also admitted that the album was a “little angry” in places. She explained: “The sound is a little bit of literally everything. “It’s a little angry as an overview, but some of it is really beautiful and soft and heartfelt. It’s about heartbreak, it’s about being lost, it’s about being p*****.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA A secret team has been assigned to shield Vladimir Putin‘s public image online, working “tirelessly to crack down on the online dissent” against the Russian president. RadarOnline.com has learned media watchdog Roskomnadzor had a number of documents showing that thousands of employees are tasked with blocking material that disparages Putin, including memes that portray him as a “dwarf,” “crab,” or a “Hitler wannabe” as he continues to be a polarizing figure amid his war against Ukraine. MEGA Should they find anything questioning or downplaying his image, health, or ability to understand and reason, they are told to alert Putin’s spooks. Belarusian hackers breached a Roskomnadzor network and obtained a collection of internal data revealing that and more. It’s a gig that requires long hours, the leak revealed, as many are expected to work “over the weekend or holidays.” MEGA Roskomnadzor’s workers start their days early, signing at 8:30 AM every morning to scour the internet for any activity that could pose a threat to Putin and his image, blocking comparisons to pedophiles and serial killers, as well as depictions of him in pornographic scenes, according to independent Russian news site iStories. Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free. MEGA The leaks indicated that Putin faced more scrutiny in late September, during which time he recruited another 300,000 soldiers to fight. More negative searches were found when his 70th birthday rolled around on October 7. A former speechwriter for Putin told iStories the goal of the monitoring effort is simply to “squash unrest,” explaining, “If you are hated by your own people, then at some point the security forces will simply get rid of you, you will be unnecessary to them.” MEGA “Popularity is of great importance for the leader [of the country], including for Putin. Any regime can be sustainable only if it relies on the support of a significant group of voters,” the speechwriter added. “You see an information threat, and you make a decision how to stop it, how to deal with it. Either with the help of technological tools, creating an alternative agenda, or with the help of an administrative scenario.” View the full article

Published by OK Magazine CBS Madonna won’t be apologizing for her “unrecognizable” looks or bizarre behaviors. On Thursday, February 9, the Queen of Pop was dressed in a full denim ensemble when the award-winning artist took to her Instagram Story to confess she’s “most definitely not sorry,” just two days after the 64-year-old told haters to “bow down b**ches.” @madonna/Instagram Madonna has been clapping back at critics ever since she stepped onto the stage at the 65th annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 5. Viewers of the prestigious event were shocked to see the “Material Girl” singer’s close-up facial features, prompting them to voice their concerns she may have taken plastic surgery procedures a bit too far. @madonna/Instagram 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! After an incessant amount of backlash, Madonna informed her 18.7 million Instagram followers she has “never apologized for any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start.” The “Like a Virgin” vocalist expressed her frustration with people who chose to hone in on her appearance rather than the words that came out of her mouth. CBS “Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like __Sam [Smith]__ and Kim Petras], many people chose to only talk about close-up photos of me taken with a long lens camera. By a press photographer that would distort anyone’s face!!” Madonna declared of her disappointment. “Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in. A world that refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45 and feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous,” she continued. “I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come,” the mother-of-six admitted. “In the words of Beyoncé, ‘you won’t break my soul.'” “I look forward to many more years of subversive behavior, pushing boundaries, standing up to the patriarchy and most of all enjoying my life,” Madonna concluded. View the full article

Published by The Street By Daniel Kline The massive structure has been a source of curiosity and now, as its opening date approaches, details are still scarce. Las Vegas likes a good mystery. That’s sort of what happened as a massive UFO-like structure rose in what’s essentially the parking lot at the Venetian. Even before it had been publicly been given a name, the project was garnering attention simply because it does not like anything else on the Las Vegas Strip. On its own, just standing out on the Strip is impressive given that the 4.2-mile stretch of road hosts a version of the Eiffel Tower, a Statue of Liberty… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By James Oliphant TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) -When a newly elected Florida legislator endorsed a bill allowing residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, he was both demonstrating his fealty to Ron DeSantis and helping to burnish the governor’s conservative credentials for a possible White House run in 2024. State Senator Jay Collins’ support for the concealed-carry bill was key to DeSantis’ efforts to secure a suite of legislative victories this spring ahead of an anticipated announcement that he is seeking the Republican Party nomination, according to interviews with nearly a dozen lobbyists, lawmakers and strategists in Tallahassee. Those efforts include installing hand-picked loyalists like Collins in the Republican-controlled state legislature who could then help ensure passage of proposals on guns, abortion and other Republican red-meat issues, they told Reuters, providing DeSantis with a strong record of conservative wins. Former President Donald Trump, who is leading in national opinion polls nearly a year ahead of the first primary contests, has targeted DeSantis as a “RINO,” a Republican in name only. Yet DeSantis, 44, remains wildly popular with voters in his state after winning re-election by the widest margin of any Florida governor in 40 years, giving him a solid platform from which to launch a presidential bid. DeSantis has yet to make a final decision on a presidential run, those close to him told Reuters. But he is reaching out to potential staff and donors, raising money, and traveling around the country to raise his profile. The expectation is that DeSantis will wait until the legislative session is over in early May to launch his campaign, allies said. “Having vast political capital is an asset,” said David Johnson, a longtime Republican operative in Tallahassee. “With a cooperating Republican supermajority in both houses, DeSantis’ agenda will never have better timing for legislative accomplishment.” DeSantis’ office did not grant a request for an interview. In response to questions about how DeSantis’ goals for this spring’s session might play into his future political plans, DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin said in an email: “The governor has been clear about his priorities for Florida.” Griffin also noted the support DeSantis’ proposals receive from lawmakers. If DeSantis does enter the race for the Republican nomination, he will join a field still dominated by Trump. The former president this month unleashed a flurry of critical social media posts at DeSantis, including calling him a “RINO GLOBALIST.” In response, DeSantis said he was keeping his focus on Florida. “I don’t spend my time trying to smear other Republicans,” DeSantis said at a press conference on Wednesday. In recent weeks, DeSantis and his allies in the legislature have rolled out several proposals that the governor expects will be well received by conservatives in and outside of Florida, those close to him said. He called a special session of the legislature where lawmakers voted on Friday to strengthen the authority of DeSantis’ new election police force to investigate and prosecute voter fraud, although there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the state. The legislature also approved more interstate flights of migrants such as those he chartered last year from Texas to Massachusetts. In response to last year’s spat with Walt Disney World over its opposition to the Republican measure called the “don’t say gay” bill by opponents, the legislature on Friday granted DeSantis control over the special tax district that governs the park. When the regular session launches in March, the legislature will be poised to act on DeSantis’ priorities, introducing bills that would allow juries to impose the death penalty without unanimous agreement; stop public pension fund managers from considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) provisions in their investment decisions; defund diversity and equity programs at state colleges and weaken teachers’ unions. DeSantis has said he would sign a bill to ban abortions as early as six weeks if passed by lawmakers. He signed a bill last year banning abortions after 15 weeks. He also continues to push back hard on what he sees as efforts to impose a liberal agenda in public schools. Last month, he said Florida would not allow an Advanced Placement high school course in African American studies, contending the curriculum would indoctrinate students on “queer theory.” Such efforts are aimed at bolstering what would likely be the central theme of DeSantis’ presidential campaign: that he has transformed Florida into the most prosperous conservative-leaning state in the country. “We have articulated a vision for a free and prosperous state,” DeSantis said at his second inauguration last month. “We have, through persistence and hard work, executed on that vision.” But, he added, “We are far from done.” HANDPICKED ALLIES Allies in the legislature are part of DeSantis’ strategy. Last year, DeSantis broke with convention to endorse Collins, a former Green Beret and the sponsor of the concealed-carry bill, over the candidate preferred by Republican lawmakers. In a brief interview, Collins called DeSantis’ support “a blessing.” He resisted the suggestion that the legislature was a rubber stamp for the governor. “All three parts of our state government work together,” he said. “This is a well-oiled machine.” Blaise Ingoglia, another first-time state senator elected with DeSantis’ support, authored the death penalty bill and will chair the committee charged with helping the governor cut taxes, also an item on his wish list. A CLIMATE OF FEAR DeSantis has wielded power in Florida unlike any other modern governor, the lobbyists, lawmakers and strategists who spoke to Reuters said. Some of those Tallahassee insiders point to an episode last year involving Wilton Simpson, then president of the state Senate. Republicans in the chamber had presented DeSantis with a congressional redistricting map he disliked citing “legal concerns”. DeSantis used his executive veto power to block funding of a new sports complex and cancer research center in Simpson’s home county, and then had Simpson and other Senate leaders stand with him at a public event as he announced the budget cuts. DeSantis later presented his own, more aggressive map that was quickly approved by the Senate. “They are afraid,” said Mac Stipanovich, a retired Republican lobbyist who recently left the party. “If you are interested in being the Republican nominee in any office in the state, there is no percentage in crossing Ron DeSantis.” Simpson, now the state’s agriculture commissioner, said the rift with DeSantis over the budget was “blown out of proportion.” “The governor is a very strong man,” he said, adding DeSantis and Republican lawmakers were in “lockstep” with how to run the state. DeSantis’ hard-right stance on issues such as guns and abortion risks alienating the suburban voters he eventually would need to win the presidency in 2024. For now, allies say his actions are primed to win the primary over Trump, and he’ll worry about a general election later. DeSantis has pointed to his mammoth re-election victory as validation of his approach. “That verdict has been rendered,” he said, “by the people of the state of Florida.” (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Suzanne Goldenberg) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ has broken a record for the most live Twitch viewers. During early access, the RPG based on the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise has beaten ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ after it was watched by more than 1.2 million people on the streaming platform. The majority of viewers watched xQc’s channel live-stream, which had more than 100,000 live viewers at peak times. The record viewers come after ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ sparked controversy by adding the first transgender ‘Harry Potter’ character. The introduction of Sirona Ryan, a barkeep at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, comes amid the J.K. Rowling transgender row. Although It’s not stated in the game if Sirona is transgender, one piece of dialogue about an encounter with a goblin called Lodgok suggests as much. Sirona says: “I’ve known [Lodgok] for years. We met when I was waiting tables here as a student — well before I bought the place. “He was cordial enough, but we weren’t friends then. His mistrust of wizardkind ran deep… Hadn’t seen him in years when he came in a few months ago. But, he recognised me instantly. Which is more than I can say for some of my own classmates. Took them a second to realise I was actually a witch, not a wizard.” Warner Bros. Games has insisted Rowling is “not directly involved”, though her writing has provided the “foundation” for the title. The acclaimed scribe first caused controversy when she took issue with an online article’s mention of “people who menstruate” by tweeting: “‘People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” Among those who have since hit out at the author over her remarks are ‘Harry Potter’ actors including Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), as well as Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander), who featured in her ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films. The much-discussed role-playing title arrives on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC this Friday (10.02.23). PlayStation 4 and Xbox One follow on April 4 and Nintendo Switch players will have a while longer to wait with a date set for July 25. View the full article

Published by Fadeaway World By Nico Martinez Nets guard pays huge price for post-game slip up. The Kyrie Irving saga is finally over for the Brooklyn Nets, but that doesn’t mean they have run out of controversial point guards. After Thursday’s win over the Chicago Bulls, Kyrie’s newest replacement, Cam Thomas, took a page from his predecessor by speaking a homophobic slur during the post-game media interview. View the original article to see embedded media. “He just talking man. We already had good-looking dudes, no homo. You know how it goes,” said Thomas. Cam was quick to realize his mistake and jumped to make an apolo… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP The Super Bowl, this year between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, features top-dollar commercials New York (AFP) – After a starring role in last year’s Super Bowl broadcast, cryptocurrency firms are expected to sit out the 2023 game. But the annual advertising extravaganza — a kind of competition among marketers that runs parallel to the American football championship — features an array of beer and car companies, along with other familiar brands like M&M’s candies, which has been teasing its spot since last month. This year’s slate of commercials revives the cult hit “Breaking Bad,” whose cast reunites to pitch PopCorners chips, as well as a collaboration between General Motors and Netflix that shows an electric car navigating “Squid Games” and other settings from streaming hits. The spots garner top dollar, typically $6 or $7 million for 30 seconds of air time. That’s roughly 10 times the cost of an ad during the 2022 World Cup match between the United States and Britain. Last year’s game generated $578 million in advertising revenues for NBC, up $143.8 million from the prior year’s telecast, according to Kantar, a data analytics and brand consultancy. This year’s game is being telecast by Fox Sports. “It’s a lot of money for a media spot,” said Derek Rucker, a marketing professor at Northwestern University. But “where else can you get 100 million people to see an ad at the same time?” The ads have become such as big component of the game in the United States that among “a massive number of people, you have consumers who actively watch and discuss the commercials” at gatherings, Rucker said. Keeping it light Held each year in the dead of winter, “Super Bowl Sunday” marks an occasion for families and friends to gather for several hours of competition, revelry and entertainment. This year’s game will be between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. As always, the show includes A-list half-time entertainment, this time headlined by Rihanna. Over-the-top ads are an old tradition and include such epochal spots as Ridley Scott’s minute-long commercial for Apple in 1984 announcing the Macintosh computer. The spot, which features a female athlete smashing a screen showing a “Big Brother” figure, riffs on the famous novel by George Orwell, concluding with a vow that the computer’s arrival will show “why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984.’” This year’s most anticipated commercial may be for M&M’s, which began tiptoeing into the US cultural wars a few weeks ago. On January 24, M&M’s, which is owned by Mars, announced it was freezing a publicity drive featuring cartoon mascots of the colored candies after the campaign was criticized as “woke” by US conservatives because of stylistic changes, such as the introduction of a purple character, a color associated with the LGBTQ community. M&M’s announced an “indefinite pause” of the “spokescandies” and unveiled a new brand ambassador — the popular comedian Maya Rudolph — in a shift that was timed perfectly for grabbing public attention ahead of a splashy Super Bowl ad. Andrew Frank, an analyst at Gartner, does not expect politically controversial ads this year, predicting brands will navigate carefully in a divided country where strident messages can backfire. “The antidote to backlash is humor, keeping it light,” Frank said. “I think they would like to deescalate all of the toxicity around culture wars and things like that.” Beer bash Last year’s game featured several prominent spots on the emerging cryptocurrency market, led by the then-titan FTX and its founder Samuel Bankman-Fried. Since then, FTX has collapsed and Bankman-Fried has been indicted for fraud. The fall of FTX and Bankman-Fried has created “an appropriate time for them to take a pause,” Frank said. Countering that loss of advertising, broadcaster Fox can count on revenues from a wider range of beer companies following the expiration of a longstanding exclusivity deal with Anheuser-Busch, the owner of the Budweiser brand. Frank expects most spots will go after “leisure spending with lighthearted messages of escapist entertainment,” he said. The aim is to “impart a sense that everything is okay and that you don’t need to be so frugal about your discretionary spending.” View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Donald Trump didn’t hold back his feelings on Rihanna days before she’s scheduled to take the stage at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The former President of the United States slammed the “Rude Boy” singer as talentless and poked fun at her fashion sense in a recent social media outburst after he was reminded that she didn’t support him in the 2020 election. mega “Rihanna spray painted ‘F*** Donald Trump’ on a car at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo,” Texas congressman Ronny Jackson wrote on Truth Social, referring to an August 2020 tweet made by the Grammy Award winner in which she posed in front of a spray-painted art installation. “She’s made a career of spewing degenerate filth while badmouthing America every chance she gets,” the politician continued. “Why is the NFL showcasing this crap? Rihanna SHOULD NOT be the halftime performer!!” mega Donald quickly joined in on the vent session, sharing the post and adding, “Without her ‘Stylist’ she’d be NOTHING. Bad everything, and NO TALENT!” Rihanna has not responded to the congressman or the former POTUS regarding their inflammatory comments. The mother-of-one — who welcomed her first child with partner A$AP Rocky last May — is likely more focused on gearing up for her bombshell performance at Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, February 12. mega Rihanna famously boycotted the high profile sporting event — which is set to take place in Glendale, Ariz. this year — back in 2018 in solidarity with San Francisco 49ers alum Colin Kaepernick‘s peaceful protests. However, last year, it was announced the “Pon de Replay” artist had finally accepted the gig. “It’s going to be a celebration of my catalog in the best way we could have put it together,” RiRi revealed in a pre-Super Bowl press conference. “You’re trying to cram 17 years of work into 13 minutes, so it’s difficult,” she explained. “Some songs we had to lose because of that, and that’s going to be okay, but I think we did a pretty good job of narrowing it down.” Super Bowl LVI will air on Fox at 6:30 p.m. ET. 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! View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mirrorpix / MEGA; MEGA Suzanne Somers and her husband, Alan Hamel, ditched their Palm Springs desert home after neighbors allegedly pushed them out over her “political views,” RadarOnline.com has learned. Somers listed her sprawling Palm Springs property for $8.5 million in January 2021 and now insiders say nearby residents may have been yet another factor leading the pair to relocate. MEGA The Three’s Company actress wasn’t afraid to reveal that she approved of former president Donald Trump‘s performance in the oval office a few years ago, quipping that openly speaking out about her support may cost her some fans and be career suicide. “I’m happy about him,” she gushed in 2018, noting that one improvement she noticed was the economy at the time. Somers’ pro-Trump stance came four years after she spoke out about then-president Barack Obama‘s time in the White House. Mirrorpix / MEGA “This has been the most divisive of all the administrations that I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime,” she told Fox Business. “And it’s become divisive in the industry that if you’re not part of the group, you should probably keep your thoughts to yourself.” Insiders said that people who lived in the same area as the couple specifically took issue with her remarks on #45, who is vying for the commander-in-chief position once again. “Their vocal support of Donald Trump didn’t make them everyone’s favorite neighbor anymore,” one source spilled. “Suzanne has lost friends because of her political views. It’s sad, but she knows when she’s not wanted.” Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free. MEGA Months after listing their abode, Somers spilled about her decision to sell the compound they had called home since the late 1970s, revealing their plans to stay for a few more months while waiting for construction on their new pad to be completed. “We’re going to give parties, it’s a party house, a very sexy house,” she told the New York Post. “It sold because I finally let it go — emotionally, spiritually and physically,” Somers said. “It was not the right home anymore.” Joe Russo/MEGA Despite some critics, Somers and Hamel luckily have each other. “It’s about honoring and respecting one another and giving your partner what they need,” she said about their strong relationship during an interview with First For Women. “He starts off my day in a romantic bliss, and we just try to keep it going.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Britney Spears feels “sick to [her] stomach” over claims her loved ones wanted to stage an intervention because they feared she “would die”. The ‘Toxic’ singer – who regained charge of her personal and financial affairs in November 2021 after the conservatorship she’d been under for 13 years was dissolved – allegedly concerned her friends so much they feared she’d lose her life due to mental health issues and escalating substance abuse, and she’s now blasted reports they were planning to confront her at a safe house. She wrote on Instagram: “It makes me sick to my stomach that it’s even legal for people to make up stories that I almost died … I mean at some point enough is enough !!! (sic)” The 41-year-old pop singer insisted she was “not surprised” by the claims and warned fans she may withdraw from social media again in a bit to quiet the speculation. She wrote: ” I’m probably going to have to stop posting on Instagram because even though I enjoy doing it, there’s obviously a lot of people who don’t wish me well !!! I’m honestly not surprised at all … Again doing the best I can !!! “Again, the conservatorship has been over for almost a year … No folks, it’s not 2007 … it’s 2023 and I’m making my first homemade lasagna at home !!! I finally got my fireplace to work in my living room !!! As my hubby says it best: don’t believe everything you read !!! All that love right back at ya !!!(sic)” Britney’s comments came shortly after her husband, Sam Asghari, also maintained that his wife was still in control of her affairs. He told ‘Access Hollywood’: “An intervention did not occur. My wife is in full control of her life and will continue to make all decisions involving her care regardless of circumstances. Speculation on her health is inappropriate and should end immediately.” Sources had told both TMZ and People magazine that Britney’s inner circle were planning an intervention to express their worried about the ‘Gimme More’ hitmaker’s recent antics, but it was scrapped at the last minute. A source told the latter outlet: “Britney has been acting increasingly erratically and those around her have grown more concerned. She is often up all night, sleeps during [the] day and has a lot of anger. “Everyone had hoped Britney could be convinced to seek treatment before things got any worse but they knew it wouldn’t be easy. She’s been going through a lot and has been increasingly combative.” However, the insider did reveal Britney met with a doctor on Wednesday (08.02.23) night but while the meeting went well, it is unsure what will happen next. According to TMZ, Britney’s manager had rented a house in Los Angeles for several months and the plan was to take the ‘Womanizer’ singer there, where Sam, her team and doctors would be present, in an attempt to convince her she needed help. The plan was for Britney to live in the property for up to two months while receiving medical treatment and psychological counselling, but it was scrapped earlier this week when she became “somewhat aware” of what was being arranged. View the full article

Published by DPA After years of allowing tourists and locals to smoke joints in public, Amsterdam is now changing its policy. Oliver Berg/dpa After cracking down on Airbnb rentals, tourist buses and red light district tours, Amsterdam now wants to scale back its tolerance for smoking joints in public in an effort to improve the quality of life for locals. Tourists and residents will no longer be permitted to smoke marijuana in public spaces in the historic areas of Amsterdam as of mid-May, as Dutch officials seek to limit on the negative effects of mass tourism. In further changes, restaurants must close earlier and prostitutes halt their work earlier in the city’s Wallen red light district, according to an announcement by the city. The measure is just one of many from municipal officials aimed at making Amsterdam a more liveable city in spite of the massive tourist draw of famous galleries, canal walkways and legal marijuana. The latest moves aim to make the neighbourhood safer and more comfortable for residents, the announcement said, noting that at night, the atmosphere can sometimes be “very grim.” Locals have been complaining about the boozing, shouting and pot smoking over the years. Tourists also attract drug dealers, who in turn create crime, raising the dangers on the streets, the city said in the announcement. One reason tourists are drawn to Amsterdam are the coffee shops where tourists are permitted to purchase small quantities of hashish and marijuana. City officials are considering whether to restrict coffee shop sales to between the hours of 4 pm and 1 am. The new rules are part of a broader set of measures to protect locals, with further rules seeing pubs stop admitting patrons after 1 am. Prostitutes must close their windows by 3 am, rather than 6 am. Meanwhile, from 2024 onwards, tourist buses will no longer be allowed to drive into the centre of Amsterdam, Dutch officials previously announced, citing issues with overcrowding, pedestrian safety and the risk of damaging to historic city infrastructure. Amsterdam has been trying to curb mass tourism for years and had announced extra measures at the end of 2022. Last year, about 18 million visitors spent at least one night in the city. In addition, there are millions of day visitors. As part of a number of measures to slow tourist numbers, the city previously stopped landlords from renting out properties in central parts of the city on platforms like Airbnb, while also cracking down on guide tours through the red-light district. View the full article

Published by AFP Peter Mayhew at the Hollywood premiere Of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' in 2015 London (AFP) – A British auction house on Friday dropped the sale of “Star Wars” memorabilia once owned by actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca, after a public plea from his widow. Mayhew, who died in 2019, was a British-born actor who towered 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 metres) and played Chewbacca in the original film and sequels until 2015. He and his American wife Angie sold their house in Keighley in northern England around 25 years ago, leaving early Star Wars memorabilia behind in the attic. The next owners, who have not been named, found the material and eventually took it to local auctioneers, who were excited by the find and publicised it in national media, announcing its sale later this month. The lots included memos, scripts and call sheets from the production of the original film and “The Empire Strikes Back”, as well as signed photos and a scrapbook. Ryedale Auctioneers set modest estimates of around £150 ($180) per item but said they expected wide interest. Mayhew’s widow then posted on the Twitter account of the Peter Mayhew Foundation, a charity set up in his memory, saying: “It really breaks my heart to see our belongings auctioned off like this.” She said that when the couple moved, Mayhew’s “movement challenges made it impossible for him to get into the attic to get the rest of these memories”. She said that it was “one of Peter’s and my biggest regrets that we had to leave these items behind but his knees and joints had gotten to be so painful that he was no longer able to go into the attic to get them”. The foundation later said that it had held a video call with auctioneer Angus Ashworth and told him of “our desire that Peter’s items be returned to Angie and the Mayhew family”. The auction house on Friday removed pictures of the lots from its website. Ashworth said: “Knowing how much (the memorabilia) means to the foundation… the vendors are quite happy to donate it to the foundation to have permanently within their personal collection, not for profit, so that fans can access it in perpetuity”. View the full article