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Published by Al-Araby What we wear says something about us. What style says, however, is not entirely up to us. Cheap garments communicate poverty but even the aspirational brands worn by the working class often underline class rank. In the 90s, the popularity of Lacoste among the French lower class, especially those of North African heritage, transformed the brand into a kind of uniform for the immigrant banlieues and reinforced, rather than masked, marginalisation. Style can convey wealth, aspiration, and exclusivity. Multinational brands, however, have made the primary purpose of style more elusive: the sense of… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story On Friday, POLITICO reported that dozens and dozens of corporations that vowed in the wake of the January 6 attack to stop giving campaign money to lawmakers complicit in the plot to overturn the election, have quietly gone back to their old ways, and given around $10 million to the politicians they said they’d swear off. “Political action committees affiliated with more than 70 major corporations said they would pause or reconsider donations to those who objected to certifying the results of the 2020 election after the attack on the U.S. Capitol two years ago,” reported Jessica Piper and Zach… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters UK LONDON (Reuters) – Around 3% of people in England and Wales aged 16 or over identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, according to 2021 census data released on Friday. The census in 2021 was the first in Britain to ask about people’s sexual orientation, and the results are broadly in line with previous, smaller-scale surveys. The census, conducted by Britain’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), also asked about people’s gender identity for the first time. About 262,000 people – 0.5% of those aged 16 or over – replied that the gender they identified with was different from their sex registered a… Read More View the full article

Published by uInterview.com Noah Schnapp, best known for playing closeted gay teenager Will Byers on Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, has come out as gay. In a TikTok video posted on Thursday, the 18-year-old actor wrote, “When I finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years and all they said was ‘we know.’” In the video’s caption, he wrote, “I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought.” @noahschnapp I guess I’m more similar to will than I thought ♬ original sound – princessazula0 Last summer, after the debut of the show’s final two episodes of the fourth season, Schn… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News Dolly Parton made a surprise appearance on this week’s episode of Fox’s “Call me Kat” to pay tribute to the show’s late co-star Leslie Jordan. “Dear friend, there’ll be no sad farewell, there’ll be no tear-dimmed eyes,” the country superstar sang to Jordan in a prerecorded message that aired during Thursday’s episode of the beloved sitcom. The verse is from a song she recorded with Jordan for his 2021 album “Company’s Comin’” titled “Where the Soul Never Dies.” “I know usually at a memorial, people talk about somebody. Well, I’m going to talk to you,” Parton said. “Because there is that place … Read More View the full article

Published by AFP US Republican lawmaker-elect from New York George Santos looks on as the House of Representatives continues voting for new speaker at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 5, 2023 New York (AFP) – Republican George Santos admitted to hamming up his life story and is under investigation in America and Brazil, but he still went to Capitol Hill this week for his swearing in. The 34-year-old has defied calls to stand down and if rebel Republicans hadn’t repeatedly blocked the election of House Speaker then Santos would be a Congressman by now. For some experts, the lawmaker-elect from New York is an example of what politicians think they can get away with today in the deeply polarized United States. “There is no getting around the fact that Mr. Santos’s con game is a manifestation of a growing political phenomenon of saying or doing anything, with no automatic consequences,” Santos’s Democratic predecessor, former representative Tom Suozzi wrote in the New York Times. Joshua Tucker, a politics professor at New York University notes that “people have lied about their record forever.” “(But) what’s crazy about this story is the extent to which he lied,” he told AFP. Santos portrayed himself as the embodiment of the “American Dream” ahead of his election victory in New York’s third congressional district in November. The son of Brazilian immigrants grew up in the Queens borough of New York City and is openly gay. His story began to unravel in December when the New York Times reported many falsehoods in his CV, including on education and employment. He did not graduate from Baruch College, nor did he attend the Horace Mann School, a prestigious private school in the Bronx. Nor did he work for Citigroup or Goldman Sachs. Santos — who grew up in a Catholic family — was also accused of exaggerating reality, our outright lying, by presenting himself as “a proud American Jew.” He later said he never claimed to be Jewish, just “Jew-ish.” Reports also cast doubts on his claim that he is the grandson of Holocaust survivors who fled Nazi barbarism. Santos, who has been likened to “The Talented Mr. Ripley” or “The Great Gatsby”, has been accused of inflating his financial income and real estate holdings as well. Amid the allegations, New York’s top prosecutor, Letitia James, said she would investigate Santos’ claims while Brazilian prosecutors reinstated over-decade-old fraud charges against him for using a stolen checkbook. ‘I’m not a fraud’ Santos told the conservative Fox News channel this week that “embellishing my resume was a mistake.” But he added: “I’m not a fraud, I’m not a fake.” Santos appeared isolated in the House of Representatives on Monday, and avoided questions from journalists, but by Tuesday he was seen mixing with other Republicans. While Democrats have called for him to quit, no high-profile Republicans have done so. Some commentators say that highlights the fragile state of American democracy. “Today’s hyperpolarized political culture is fueled by a win-at-all-costs mentality in which the ends justify the means,” Ken Paulson and Kent Syler, two professors at Middle Tennessee State University, wrote in The Tennessean newspaper. Tucker sees the influence of former president Donald Trump, who is known for his flexible relationship with facts. “Trump has shown that it doesn’t really matter what your relationship to the truth is,” he said. “Maybe in this modern era, the bar for what triggers politicians to think they have behaved so egregiously that they should resign is different than it was in previous eras. “It’s sort of hard to fathom that he’s not going to resign at some point,” Tucker added. A local conservative newspaper, The North Shore Leader, raised concerns about Santos’s financial situation before his election, but the information was not picked up nationally after the vote. Some observers also criticize the Democratic Party for not spotting and highlighting Santos’s fibs earlier. So what might happen to Santos if he doesn’t quit? Experts say the House may vote to censure him when he is finally sworn in, but they add that Republicans are unlikely to expel him due to their slim 222-213 majority. Voters, armed with more facts about Santos than they had this time round, will get another say in two years’ time — if he decides to seek re-election. View the full article

Published by uInterview.com Todd Chrisley, a real estate tycoon and reality TV star, has denied allegations that he had intimate relations with his former business associate, Mark Braddock. The Chrisley Knows Best star is due to start his 12-year prison sentence after being found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion convictions. On the most recent episode of his podcast, Chrisley Confessions, Chrisley discussed with his son Chase Chrisley, 26, about Braddock’s claims of the pair’s alleged extramarital affair in the early 2000s. IN MEMORIAM 2022: 100 GREAT CELEBRITIES WHO DIED THIS YEAR! “What insulted me the most is that… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega A boycott has been called on MTV’s new LGBTQ+ show,The Real Friends of WeHo, less than 24 hours after it was announced, RadarOnline.com has learned. Angry TV watchers are coming for the network after it announced that Todrick Hall was in the cast. The controversial choreographer, singer, and social media star, who rose to fame on American Idol, has been riddled with controversy. Pals and colleagues have been vocal about their distaste for Todrick over the years, claiming he doesn’t pay up when he’s supposed to and backstabs people. Others call him annoying. It appears that the general public agrees, with many expressing their disappointment with MTV over the casting. Mega The Real Friends Of WeHo “is an unfiltered and honest look at a select group of friends living, loving and pursuing their passions in the West Hollywood community.” It follows “fierce” male friends that include stylist to the stars Brad Goreski, actor Curtis Hamilton, skincare CEO Dorión Renaud, host Jaymes Vaughan, digital entrepreneur Joey Zauzig, and Todrick. While the reality show promises to give “an up close and personal glimpse into their lives,” fans aren’t excited about giving Todrick a spotlight and took to Twitter to shout their thoughts. [This post contains video, click to play] “Will not be watching this due to Todrick Hall,” one person tweeted. “Like todrick hall? look me in the eyes and tell me u would are interested in watching a tv show with him in it,” wrote another naysayer. “I don’t even watch drag race anymore and even I know this is a bad move. You really playing with drag race (fans) for a Todrick Hall show?!” questioned a third. FYI — Todrick was a choreographer and occasional judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race for years. Others immediately called for a boycott, telling MTV they’d be switching the channel. Mega “Today, January 6, we must rise up and march to MTV headquarters and take back what is ours! Drag Race was stolen by crooked Todrick Hall and we will not accept the FAKE one hour long episodes,” a Twitter user posted, sharing a meme of someone holding a rainbow flag in the U.S. Capitol during the 2021 riot. “Not one f—— soul on this planet wants to see Todrick Hall on our tv’s every week. we’ll be changing the channel, hunties,” shared another. Despite the backlash, MTV’s The Real Friends of WeHo with Todrick is set to air on January 20. View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega A Russian national with ties to Vladimir Putin was found dead under mysterious circumstances this week, RadarOnline.com can confirm. Sergey Milyakov, who served as the chief engineer of a Russian cargo ship, was found dead early Wednesday morning while his ship was docked in Odisha, India. Mega According to Odisha officials, Milyakov’s body was found around 4:30 AM local time and no cause of death has been released in connection to his passing. As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Milyakov’s sudden death marks the fifth Russian national with ties to Putin to die under mysterious circumstances in less than two weeks. His passing also marks the third Russian to die under mysterious circumstances in India in less than 14 days. Pavel Antov and Vladimir Budanov, who were in India to celebrate Antov’s 66th birthday at the end of December, died under similar and equally mysterious circumstances within two days of one another. Mega Budanov passed away on Thursday, December 22 from an alleged heart attack while Antov – who was named Russia’s “highest-earning elected politician” in 2019 – passed away on Saturday, December 24 after allegedly jumping out of an Indian hotel room window. “On Saturday…deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Vladimir Region, Pavel Antov, fell out of the window,” the Russian Consul General in Kolkata, India confirmed at the time. “We are closely following the investigation and receiving all the information from the Odisha police.” Even more shocking are reports that Antov had criticized Putin and the Russian leader’s war in Ukraine shortly before his mysterious death. “To tell the truth, it is extremely difficult to call [the war in Ukraine] anything other than terror,” Antov said in a newly resurfaced social media post published before his mysterious passing. Mega One day after Antov’s death, Putin’s top tank commander – Alexei Maslov – died suddenly from unknown causes in a Moscow military hospital. Maslov’s death at 69 years old came as a shocking surprise because the tank commander was set to meet with Putin less than 24 hours before his sudden passing. Putin reportedly canceled the meeting at the last minute without giving a reason. Then just one week before Sergey Milyakov’s death on Wednesday, Putin’s proclaimed “rocket man” – Vladimir Nesterov – was found dead. Nesterov passed away on Wednesday, December 28 and, like Milyakov after him, his cause of death has not been revealed. View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA Prince Harry has accused his brother William of physically attacking him during a highly emotional meeting in 2019, RadarOnline.com has learned Harry’s memoir Spare is set to be released this month and excerpts have begun to leak. MEGA One chapter of the book, obtained by The Guardian, revealed the fight with William. The meeting, which was called by William, went down at Nottingham Cottage which is on the grounds of Kensington Palace. Harry said once he arrived he could tell his brother was already “popping hot.” MEGA During the meeting, Harry said William called his wife “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”. Harry said he told William that he was just repeating the press narrative about Meghan. Harry said their argument escalated quickly and William, “grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and … knocked me to the floor”. Harry wrote, “He set down the water, called me another name, then came at me. It all happened so fast. So very fast. He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog’s bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me. I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out.” MEGA After the shuffle, Harry said William told him not to tell Meghan about the incident. Harry said, “You mean that you attacked me?” To which William allegedly responded, “I didn’t attack you, Harold.” As RadarOnline.com first reported, the royal family is preparing for even more shocking accusations as sources claim Meghan has been secretly writing her own book. A source claimed, “She fully intends to write this book and leave no stone unturned. It’s just a question of timing and how long she wishes to hold out in order to preserve what’s left of her and Harry’s relationship with King Charles.” Meghan and Harry have reportedly left King Charles III and Queen Camilla upset after airing out the family’s dirty laundry during their Netflix docu-series. Harry has previously expressed hope that he can mend his relationship with both William and his father Charles. View the full article

Published by Radar Online Image Press Agency / MEGA Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons‘ beloved portrayal of the fictional character Sheldon Cooper had the actor raking in the big bucks, especially when it came to his residual earnings, RadarOnline.com can report. Parsons, who sources claim is on the verge of exposing his former castmates in an upcoming tell-all written from his very own perspective, started off earning a cool $60k per episode. Image Press Agency / MEGA As the seasons kept being greenlit and the show continued to be a success, his pockets became even fuller, topping out at $1.2 million per episode over the course of the series. The Houston, Texas-born star still earns a staggering $10 million a year in residuals, insiders dished about how his brainiac role made him rich thanks to the lucrative reruns of the television sitcom that spanned 12 seasons. As we previously reported, another bombshell book authored by Jessica Radloff titled The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series gave readers the chance to go behind the scenes and find out never-before-exposed details. Some castmates were accepting of his decision to move forward, while others were taken aback. Johnny Galecki, who portrayed experimental physicist and Sheldon’s BFF Leonard Hofstadter, felt blindsided. Kaley Cuoco, who nabbed the role of Penny on the series when she was just 21, also confirmed her own emotional reaction to the news that Parsons was leaving. Image Press Agency / MEGA When series creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre called them into his office, she expressed her surprise upon learning that the meeting was to announce Parsons’ desire to leave the show. The impromptu meeting left Cuoco “in a state of shock,” she told Variety, and during it, “everyone had their open feelings, and there were questions and tears.” Parsons, for his part, said that drama wasn’t the cause of his departure, explaining the episodes had gone far enough and he simply felt it was his time. Atlantic Images/ MEGA As RadarOnline.com reported in November, Parsons is eager to share his side of the story. “He believes he made it clear to all his co-stars he was ready to leave the show and for them to point fingers now and make it seem like he pulled the rug out from underneath them is unfair!” an insider shared. “He wants to set the record straight and lay bare the real details of his departure — and it won’t be pretty.” View the full article

Published by Reuters (Reuters) -Walgreens Boot Alliance Inc and CVS Health Corp said on Wednesday they plan to offer abortion pills following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to allow retail pharmacies to offer the drug in the country for the first time. The FDA on Tuesday finalized a rule allowing one of two drugs to be dispensed by retail pharmacies, but sellers will have to weigh whether or not to offer the pill. U.S. abortion rights were curtailed in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision. Medication abortion accounts for more than half of U.S. abortions. The decision will make the medication more accessible in states where abortion remains legal, but its impact in states that have banned abortion will be limited. “We are working through the registration, necessary training of our pharmacists, as well as evaluating our pharmacy network in terms of where we normally dispense products that have extra FDA requirements and will dispense these consistent with federal and state laws,” Walgreens said in an emailed statement. The FDA on Tuesday said mifepristone, one of two drugs used in medication abortions, can be dispensed by retail pharmacies. CVS Health also said it plans to seek certification to dispense mifepristone, where legally permissible. The health agency finalized the changes after reviewing supplemental applications from Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro, the two companies that make the drug in the United States. In several countries, including India and Mexico, women can buy the medication without a prescription to induce abortion. CVS shares fell 1% in regular U.S. trading on Tuesday; Walgreens shares rose 0.8%. (Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Kim Coghill) View the full article

Published by OK Magazine Mega Andy Cohen dropped a huge bomb on air — an F-bomb that is! During the Tuesday, January 3, episode of Watch What Happens Live, the Bravo boss majorly slipped up while calling out the social media celebrity death prank trend during his “Jackhole of the Day” segment. Mega “For the last two weeks, people have been sending me videos of their loved ones being told I’m dead,” Cohen explained, while getting visibly angry. “I have no desire to experience people’s reactions to me dying.” ANDY COHEN FEELS BRAVOCON BRINGS FANS ‘TOGETHER’ DESPITE DIVISIVE SOCIAL MEDIA ATMOSPHERE “So let me be clear: Don’t make, distribute or tag me in any f**king-” before realizing his mistake, gasping and covering his mouth with his hands as the studio audience audibly expressed their shock. The Real Housewives executive producer then got it together to finish out the rest of the segment before adding, “Why is this even a thing? It’s not even funny.” The gaffe comes as Cohen cleared up another mishap after Ryan Seacrest claimed he refused to say hello to him while they were both filming their respective New Year’s Eve specials in Times Square. Mega “I didn’t see him,” said the father-of-two said on his radio show, Andy Cohen Live. “I don’t even know what I, I didn’t see __Anderson [Cooper]__ turn around and wave. Usually what Anderson will do, and I should, I should call him back and ask him about this, frankly.” “But I think he’ll yell at me if I do… usually if he’s waving at Ryan, he’ll say to me, ‘Hey, there’s Ryan.’ You know what I mean?” he continued. “And then I’ll turn around and wave or I’ll say, ‘There’s Ryan,’ but he didn’t do that.” KELLY RIPA IS UPSET PAL ANDY COHEN ATTACKED COHOST RYAN SEACREST ON TELEVISION: HE IS HER ‘WORK HUSBAND & FAMILY,’ SOURCE SAYS Mega The misunderstanding between the two media giants began in 2021, when Cohen drunkenly called the American Idol host and everyone on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin‘ Eve special, a bunch of “losers” during CNN’s live celebration. After the cable news network announced it would not allow drinking during it’s telecast, Seacrest commented about the decision adding, “I don’t advocate drinking when one is on the air. I don’t know how that started as a tradition, but it’s probably a good idea [to scale back], CNN.” According to the Live with Kelly and Ryanhost, the statement seemingly shading Cohen may not have sat well with The Andy Cohen Diaries author, as he reportedly did not to say hello to him either on December 31, 2022. “Anderson — the best. He turns around and he says, ‘Have a good show.’ Very nice. Andy did not turn around,” he claimed during a recent episode of the morning show. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Moira Warburton and Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Three days into a standoff over who would lead the Republican-majority U.S. House of Representatives, members of the party expressed anger that a small group of hardline holdouts were squandering their chance to use the power they had won. The party’s leader in the chamber, Kevin McCarthy, was set to make another bid on Thursday for the powerful position of speaker, after being rejected in six votes by a group of 20 hardline Republicans who represent less than 10% of the caucus. “You have 20 people demanding that 201 surrender to them unconditionally. Well, I am not going to surrender,” Republican Representative Trent Kelly told reporters after a late Wednesday vote rejecting McCarthy. He was joined by 17 other Republicans who expressed similar views, with Representative John James accusing the 20 holdouts of “governing on fear.” A weaker-than-expected performance in the November midterm elections gave Republicans a smaller-than-expected 222-212 majority in the House. McCarthy would need 218 votes to be elected speaker, a role second in line to the Oval Office, and the narrow margin gives the hardliners outside influence. Members of the opposition say they are concerned McCarthy would not pursue the scorched-earth tactics they want to take to counter Democratic President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate. “Is he going to fight for us? Is he willing to shut the government down?” Representative Ralph Norman, who has voted against McCarthy all six times, told Reuters. “His history has not been that.” The leadership fight has prevented individual lawmakers from taking their oaths of office and pursuing priorities like investigating the administration of the Democratic president. The inability to agree on a leader also raises questions about how lawmakers will be able to reach accord on key issues that will arise later this year, including funding the government and addressing the nation’s approaching debt ceiling. The last time the House failed to elect a speaker on the first ballot was in 1923, during a contest that took nine ballots to resolve. ALTERNATIVES? McCarthy said late on Wednesday that he was making progress, but it was not clear whether he would win over the holdouts or if the party would have to search for an alternative when the chamber reconvenes at noon (1700 GMT) on Thursday. Possibilities include number two House Republican Steve Scalise and Representative Jim Jordan, who have both said they backed McCarthy. Jordan, who received 20 votes when nominated on Tuesday. Republicans could also look to Democrats for help, although House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that they have not reached out. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna told Reuters he and others could support a moderate Republican who would agree to share subpoena power with Democrats and to avoid brinkmanship over government funding and the debt ceiling. McCarthy’s supporters said they were sticking by him. Wednesday’s three failed votes – following three failed votes on Tuesday – also served as a rebuke to Trump, who had urged Republicans to unite behind McCarthy. Trump remains an influential figure among Republicans and is so far the only announced presidential candidate for 2024. Some in the party have blamed Trump for the failure of Republicans to win more congressional seats in the midterms. Some Republicans said the standoff was not likely to end soon. “It could go into the weekend. We hope it doesn’t, but it could,” said Representative Scott Perry, a Trump ally who has helped spread the former president’s false election claims but who opposes McCarthy. (Reporting by Moira Warburton, David Morgan, Kanishka Singh and Gram Slattery; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone and Nick Zieminski) View the full article

Published by AlterNet During the Cold War, nothing angered right-wing Republicans more than seeing a red Soviet flag. But these days, Russian President Vladimir Putin is admired by many Republicans in the United States’ far-right MAGA movement — including incels. Washington, D.C.-based journalist Natalia Antonova, in an article published by the conservative website The Bulwark on January 5, lays out some reasons why Putin is so appealing to anti-feminist American incels. The anti-feminist movement, which calls itself “the manosphere” online, contains a variety of rival factions. And those factions really hate one a… Read More View the full article

Published by PsyPost New research has found that race and ethnicity moderate the associations between the use of psychedelic drugs and major depressive episodes in a large, nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. The findings have been published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. In recent years, psychedelic substances such as MDMA and psilocybin have undergone clinical studies to explore their potential therapeutic benefits, with promising results in areas including depression and anxiety. However, this research is still in its earliest stages, and little is known about the relationship between race a… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP The feud between brothers Britain's Princes William (L) and Harry continues in the run-up to their father King Charles' coronation in May 2023 New York (AFP) – Britain’s Prince Harry recounts in his new book how he was physically “attacked” by his older brother Prince William during an argument in 2019, the Guardian reported Wednesday. According to the newspaper, the story of the incident appears in Harry’s new memoir “Spare,” which is due to be released later this month amid an ongoing row within the British royal family. Harry, 38, writes that during a disagreement in the kitchen of his London home, William called his wife Meghan Markle “difficult,” “rude” and “abrasive,” before tackling him to the ground as the pair continued to argue, the Guardian said. “He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog’s bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me,” the Guardian quotes Harry’s book as saying. Harry then told his older brother to leave. William looked “regretful, and apologized,” Harry recalled, according to the newspaper. The daily quoted the exchange between the two princes from the book: William “turned and called back: ‘You don’t need to tell Meg about this.’ ‘You mean that you attacked me?’ ‘I didn’t attack you, Harold,'” William responded, seeming to use a nickname for Harry. The latest reveal about the brothers’ tumultuous relationship comes as their father King Charles prepares for his coronation in May following the September death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II at age 96. Harry and Meghan, 41, lifted the lid on their experiences in the British royal family in a Netflix docuseries last month about the reasons behind their stunning 2020 departure for North America. In it, they blamed much of their unhappiness on racist media reports and tabloid harassment, some of which they claim the family instigated. Their move to California, Meghan’s home state, has made the two unpopular in Britain, where they are often portrayed by the media as selfish. In excerpts of a television interview to ITV in the UK and CBS in the United States out this week ahead of the book release, Harry said he wants “a family, not an institution.” “I would like to get my father back. I would like to get my brother back,” Harry said. View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Barbara Walter’s lifetime friends have all been cut out of her funeral plans, with some calling New York’s finest funeral homes in hopes of locating her to say “goodbye,” RadarOnline.com can reveal. “One of my dear friends contacted me today. She worked with her at ‘The View’ years ago and wanted to send flowers ahead of her funeral. She contacted the one obvious place she thought Babs would be Frank E Campbell Funeral home. She was informed by the attendant, ‘We don’t have her.’ So who does?” sources told RadarOnline.com. Mega “She began calling mutual friends and a few celebrities she knew to get details about the funeral, and they all said the same thing: ‘I don’t think it’s happening,'” the insider explained. “One said, ‘Maybe this is her daughter’s way of showing the world that in death we are all the same. No fanfare.'” However, other pals were not as generous. “Jackie (Barbara’s only child) had to share her mom with the world her entire life. She’s not going to do it in death,” added a pal. “No one at ABC has been contacted. They don’t expect to hear from the daughter either. Jackie is now in charge, not ABC. Even the hosts of ‘The View’ have been kept in the dark.” As RadarOnline.com reported, the television legend died on December 30 at 93. Mega Following her passing, The View paid tribute to the woman who started it all, bringing several of Walters’s past co-hosts on the show to talk about their memories of the star. Earlier this year, sources disclosed that Walters was living out her last days inside her New York pad, adding her dementia was getting the best of her. Mega “Barbara suffers from exhaustion and fatigue, as well as anxiety and agitation,” the insider revealed. “She’s very frail.” Another pal said, “Sadly, her dementia has been getting worse. [Her] caretaker gives her the opportunity to make everyday decisions, but more often than not she’ll stare at them blankly.” They said her The View co-stars were still reaching out. “On good days, Barbara can distinguish Joy Behar’s voice, but on a bad day, she might just hang up,” the insider claimed. View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega A new documentary series claimed that convicted criminal R. Kelly used a disturbing non-disclosure agreement to allegedly silence Aaliyah and her family. The R&B singer reportedly enacted an NDA after his secret marriage to then-15-year-old Aaliyah was allegedly annulled, RadarOnline.com has learned. The Lifetime documentary series, Surviving R. Kelly, revealed the alleged agreement through court documents between Kelly, Aaliyah’s family, and the late singer, who tragically passed from a plane crash in 2001 at age 22. The 55-year-old convicted predator received a 30-year sentence for federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges in June 2022. mega The docuseries examined Kelly’s accusations and sought to empower his victims by unifying their voices onscreen. The series focused on Kelly’s 2022 federal trial, where the late Aaliyah was referred to as Jane Doe #1. Aaliyah was introduced to Kelly by her uncle, music executive, and manager Barry Hankerson. Aaliyah recorded her first album, Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number, with Kelly when she was just 14 years old and he was 27. The album spurred rumors that Kelly was in a relationship with the up-and-coming teenage singer. A year later, after Kelly became Aaliyah’s “mentor,” the R&B singer allegedly secretly wed Aaliyah. mega While surviving members of Aaliyah’s family declined to comment in the docuseries, individuals close to both Kelly and Aaliyah, as well as court documents, uncovered the alleged disturbing relationship and grooming by Kelly. Kelly’s former security and childhood friend, Gem Pratt, claimed that after Aaliyah’s father discovered the marriage — which was obtained by a falsified certificate that claimed Aaliyah was 18 years old — he demanded an annulment, which was allegedly granted in February 1995. “Her dad didn’t want her anywhere near him,” Pratt stated as he recalled the terms of the alleged secret agreement. mega The former childhood friend claimed that a contractual agreement between Kelly and Aaliyah’s family prevented the family from bringing charges against Kelly after the alleged annulment was finalized. The NDA was reportedly coupled with Kelly selling the family the rights to Aaliyah’s first three albums. It was alleged that the marriage was concocted so that Kelly would avoid statutory rape charges and potential jail time for reportedly grooming Aaliyah while being her mentor in the industry. View the full article

Published by AFP Two years later, investigations continue into the participants in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol Washington (AFP) – Two years after the violent attack on the US Capitol by supporters of president Donald Trump, justice officials have arrested 950 suspects but are seeking some 350 more, the Justice Department said Wednesday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also still trying to find out who planted two pipe bombs at political party offices near Congress on the eve of January 6, 2021. Authorities increased their reward for information on those behind the pipe-bombs to $500,000 from $100,000, saying the bombs were “viable” and could have killed someone if they had exploded. “Our work is far from over,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement two days before the anniversary. “We remain committed to ensuring accountability for those criminally responsible for the January 6 assault on our democracy,” he said. Hundreds of Trump supporters stormed into the Capitol on January 6, 2021, encouraged by fiery rhetoric earlier that day from Trump himself urging them to halt the Congressional session that would ratify Joe Biden as the next president. Many attacked police protecting the building, and some caused damage inside the building and stole items, including a laptop computer of then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi. Since then hundreds have been prosecuted in one of the largest and most far-reaching investigations the FBI has ever taken. The Justice Department says of the 950 charged, 484 have pleaded guilty, to felonies like obstructing Congress, assaulting police, or misdemeanors like illegally entering the building. Of those, 351 have been sentenced, with nearly 200 being handed prison time up to 10 years. In the most high-profile case yet stemming from January 6, two leaders of the far-right Oath Keepers militia were found guilty in November of seditious conspiracy. They have not been sentenced yet, but could get as much as 20 years in prison. The Justice Department said it is seeking public help to identify and track down 350 suspects in the attack, signaling that the cases will continue well toward the third anniversary of January 6. The numbers do not include the Justice Department’s probe of Trump and others, including possibly his top aides, who are suspected of encouraging or fomenting the violence. With Trump again running for president, that investigation is now in the hands of a politically independent special counsel, and it is not clear when it will conclude. View the full article

Published by New York Daily News The new governor of Arizona kicked off her first 100 days in office by strengthening anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ state employees and contractors. Katie Hobbs signed her first executive order on Monday, shortly after getting sworn in, directing state agencies to guarantee protections in all aspects of state employment. Executive Order 2023-01, titled “Protecting Employment Opportunity,” reinforces federal non-discrimination laws and affirms Arizona’s commitment to offering equal employment opportunities to all. “Today marks a new era in Arizona, where my Administration will work t… Read More View the full article

Published by The Boot Dolly Parton rang in the new year with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus as a part of Miley’s New Years Eve Party televised special on NBC. The two spent plenty of time on the stage together, joining forces for several collaborations. Their efforts included songs from both singers’ catalogs and some covers, as well. Wearing coordinating pink and black outfits, the dazzling pair spent some time in the world of country music, covering “Walking After Midnight,” which was originally recorded by Parton’s friend Patsy Cline before diving into Parton’s iconic “Jolene.” Each took a turn belting out the vers… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Toddand Julie Chrisley are heading to prison this month, but before they were convicted for a slew of fraud and tax evasion charges, the family’s patriarch was allegedly blackmailing his oldest daughter with a “sex tape” if she didn’t lie for him — accusations which Todd denied. Former Bachelorette hunk Robby Hayes denied making a sex tape with then-married Lindsie Chrisley, saying the video was only some canoodling on a couch captured on a puppy cam, RadarOnline.com learned. Mega The revelation came after the Chrisley Knows Best stars were indicted on massive tax evasion charges — after which Todd accused Lindsie of hopping into the sack with Robby and fellow Bachelorette beefcake Josh Murray. After that, the angry offspring told cops her smooth-talking pops threatened to release a sex tape involving her and Robby if she didn’t lie for him. Robby admitted he and Lindsie were smooching at a pal’s pad — but didn’t know they were being taped by a pet cam. Meanwhile, Lindsie insisted she “never consented” to a sex tape and will “never forgive” her father for his actions. She reportedly went to the police after Todd and her half-brother Chase tried blackmailing her with the tape in a bid to cover up her father’s federal tax evasion charges. Mega At the time, her attorney said the claims were under investigation. The sex tape drama wasn’t the only daddy-daughter dispute the two have had. Lindsie left the reality show in 2017 after another falling out with her father. After the sex tape allegations, Lindsie revealed she had “no contact” with her family — that, of course, has since changed ahead of their prison time. “Of course, it’s my parents and I will always love them,” she said. “But for what they’ve done to me, I will never forgive it.” It seems like time heals all wounds because Lindsie didn’t hesitate to give fans an update about how Todd and Julie are spending their last days before prison. Mega “My parents regularly say, and I believe they’ve said on their podcast as well, that at this time it’s basically living every day like it’s your last, enjoying the moment, spending time with their kids that are in Nashville,” she revealed last month, adding they “are definitely dedicating their time in therapy and their biblical studies as well as with their children.” Lindsie said she was going to spend time with her family after the holidays. “Of course, I’m spending time with my parents over the phone because I also have shared custody [with my ex-husband William Campbell]. So I don’t have the luxury of being able to just pick up and go to Nashville and be there until January,” she told People. Todd and Julie are checking into their separate prisons on January 17. View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Britney Spears and Sam Asghari got their flirt on during a steamy dance session. The princess of pop posted a video to Instagram of the couple letting loose on an empty dance floor at a night time event. In the video, Spears — who stunned in a blazer dress — danced her way to the camera before twirling around and returning to her husband, who had a wide smile plastered on his face. @britneyspears/instagram Asghari, looking as dapper as ever in an all-black ensemble, clapped while his wife seductively danced to Prince‘s “Kiss.” As the couple joined hands and moved together, Spears lifted their arms up as she dropped it low in front of her handsome hunk. It’s unclear when the video was taken. FANS BEG FOR BRITNEY SPEARS TO RECEIVE A ‘WELFARE CHECK’ AFTER ELLEN DEGENERES REMINISCES ON POP STAR’S EARLY DAYS While fans have been begging the two to post more of each other on their respective social media accounts, Asghari recently faced backlash for doing just that. @britneyspears/instagram In late December, the actor came under fire after posting a clip of him and the “Toxic” singer enjoying some quality time on a romantic Christmas day hike. Several fans accused Asghari of tapping body doubles for the post, with one viewer commenting: “The first photo is definitely not Britney! The girl is clearly wearing a wig,” and another adding, “Fakest photo I’ve ever seen,” alongside the hashtag #whereisbritney. Spears’ social media activity has been a hot topic ever since she was freed from her conservatorship in November 2021, with many believing she still does not run her own account. @britneyspears/instagram As speculation continues to mount regarding whether Asghari is the one controlling the blonde beauty’s profile, he finally put the rumors to bed on Friday, December 30. When asked by papparazzi, “Are you controlling Britney Spears?” he comically replied: “No, man. I don’t even control what we have for dinner.” SAM ASGHARI JOKES HE DOESN’T EVEN ‘CONTROL WHAT WE HAVE FOR DINNER’ WHEN ASKED IF HE’S RUNNING BRITNEY SPEARS’ SOCIAL MEDIA Asghari also addressed the fans’ theory of him being behind the racy content uploaded to her page, saying: “Oh, man, in the past, there has been a lot of stuff going on, so I understand where they’re coming from. They’re just being protective. If anything, they’re being good fans.” Spears and Asghari tied the knot over the summer after the Iranian-American model proposed to Spears in September 2021. View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega Smitten Cher has been sporting a huge diamond ring from lover Alexander “A.E.” Edwards — and insiders revealed the superstar, 76, is now engaged to the 36-year-old music executive, RadarOnline.com has learned. As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Cher has been wanting to get hitched to Edwards for weeks. She recently shared a photo of the stunning pear-shaped sparkler on Twitter with the caption: “THERE R NO WORDS, ALEXANDER, A.E.” @cher/twitter A source revealed, “Cher is in love. She hasn’t felt this way in decades and at her age never thought she would feel like this again!” Mike Fried, CEO of The Diamond Pro, estimated the value of Cher new ring at $250k. “He bought the ring out of his own money,” said a source. An insider said the two plan to elope in a small ceremony. “The wedding will be cheap as they plan to elope. After they are married, I can see them throwing a big expensive Hollywood party — but the wedding itself will be simple,” said the source. The coy Moonstruck cougar didn’t divulge the meaning behind the bauble — but her feelings for A.E. have been no secret! mega Cher gushed she gets along “great” with her “fabulous” man — after enduring divorces from Sonny Bono and Greg Allman and countless doomed romances. But insiders also revealed the recent death of Cher’s beloved mother, Georgia Holt, weighs heavy on her heart. The Believe songbird even admitted shedding a “few tears” after realizing she couldn’t show her new ring to her late mom! A friend revealed, “Cher is facing her own mortality and wants to enjoy every single moment she has left.” “She has never cared about what other people say and knows the 40-year age difference will upset everyone — including members of her own family. But that has never stopped her before — and won’t stop her now!” mega Cher’s engagement comes as friends close to Cher have warned her to break things off with Edwards. As RadarOnline.com previously reported, a source said, “Cher has a lot of people worried for her right now. She’s saying it’s her business who she dates and she’ll make her own decisions, but the warning signs are there for everyone to see.” View the full article