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Published by Raw Story On Wednesday, The Daily Beast reported that a man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting the neighbor of gay New York City Councilman Erik Bottcher during an anti-LGBTQ protest at his apartment building. “In a statement to The Daily Beast, the New York Police Department confirmed that officers had arrested David Nieves, of Brooklyn, on Tuesday morning in connection with an assault on Bottcher’s 52-year-old neighbor,” reported Tim Teeman. “Bottcher welcomed news of the arrest, telling The Daily Beast: ‘Violence, intimidation and vandalism are never acceptable. A message needs to be sent to … Read More View the full article

Published by AFP A passenger searches through hundreds of unclaimed suitcases near the Southwest Airlines baggage claim area at Nashville International Airport after the airline canceled thousands of flights Baltimore (AFP) – Thousands more flights were canceled across the United States on Wednesday, with no end in sight to days of travel misery as the country digs out from a deadly superstorm. Officials in Erie county in western New York — the area of the country hardest hit by the massive winter storm — lifted their death toll to 34, taking the national total to at least 56. Around-the-clock work to restore electricity continued in the county’s main city of Buffalo, with the number of outages down to 500 residents, Mayor Byron Brown tweeted early Wednesday. Another kind of crisis was playing out at US airports around the country, as Southwest Airlines was forced to cancel thousands more flights to try to recover from a spiraling logistics breakdown. The airline’s woes stranded thousands of customers as well as pilots and flight attendants. Donald Sneyder, whose Sunday flight from Baltimore to Indianapolis was canceled, returned to the airport Wednesday in hopes of reuniting with his suitcase. “I didn’t try to come earlier this week, it seems to have been such a mess,” Sneyder told AFP while waiting in line at the Southwest baggage area. The storm, which descended on the United States just before the busy Christmas holiday weekend, led to unusually cold weather in much of the country, including southern states like Texas and Florida. Temperatures were moderating nationwide Wednesday, including in Buffalo, even as the region remained in triage mode. The city, on the shores of Lake Erie near the Canadian border, has seen a majority of the storm-related fatalities. As temperatures plummeted Friday night, commuters and some residents fleeing their freezing homes became trapped on highways, with first responders unable to reach them. Of the confirmed deaths, three bodies were yet to be identified, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told a news conference. The National Guard planned to conduct door-to-door wellness checks for every home in areas that lost power, Poloncarz said on Twitter, while reiterating that a driving ban was still in effect for Buffalo. “We know that some people are low on food,” he said. “We have rations available at area warming centers. Please work with neighbors and friends, walk to open stores if possible.” Southwest ‘optimistic’ Southwest Airlines was still days away from resolving its systemwide breakdown: the carrier canceled more than 2,500 flights on Wednesday, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all scrubbed US flights, according to tracking website FlightAware. In a series of media appearances, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recounted telling Southwest Chief Executive Bob Jordan that the government would “hold them accountable” in requiring the airline to compensate customers for the mounting costs of canceled flights and travel-related expenditures. Jordan said he was “truly sorry” and promised to “make things right for customers,” according to a video statement posted to Southwest’s website. “We’re optimistic to be back on track before next week,” he added. Jordan has acknowledged that the problems have underscored the need to upgrade outdated trip scheduling software that became overwhelmed in the storm. The problem has been highlighted by the flight attendants union, which has called on Southwest to invest more on employees. Several leading Southwest unions remain locked in contract negotiations after earlier pacts expired. Another union, the TWU Local 555, which represents ground workers, said the meltdown reflected Southwest’s failure to adapt its systems as its operations have evolved. “Although it can be complicated, especially during the holiday season, we need to consider better spacing of flights during extreme weather events in the bitter cold of winter — as well as the extreme heat of summer,” said Local 555 President Randy Barnes. In times of extreme weather, “we should consider slowing the entire schedule,” Barnes said. Some travelers took matters into their own hands. Recognizing that Southwest would not get them to Boston from Arizona in time for Monday’s NHL Winter Classic, Tim Maher rented a car for his six-member family and launched a cross-country drive. Maher told CNN the ride itself had been surprisingly fun, but the family did not have its luggage — a common problem for customers. “I’m thinking about people’s luggage, they’re not able to get their luggage for a week. I’m thinking this is crazy,” Maher told the network. “People have gifts or medication or electronics in those bags they just handed you, thinking they’d get it in a couple of hours.” View the full article

Published by New York Daily News The man we know as George Santos, if that is indeed his name, is a work of fiction. The character may have been a run-of-the-mill inspiring rags-to-riches story in some low-budget TV drama, where it would have been a tad tedious but ultimately harmless; instead, it manifested in a much more nefarious fashion, having propped up the political campaign of the underlying man and carried him to victory in a congressional district straddling Queens and Nassau County. To say politicians lie is no earth-shattering statement, but that belies the sheer extent to which Santos manufactured everything. The… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Former pope Benedict, a hero to conservative Catholics and who in 2013 became the first pontiff in 600 years to step down, is “very sick”, his successor Pope Francis said on Wednesday, asking Church members to pray for him. Bishops from Europe, the United States and beyond, urged the faithful to keep Benedict in their thoughts, after the Vatican followed Francis’ announcement with a statement saying Benedict had suffered a sudden “worsening” of his health. “I would like to ask all of you for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who, in silence, is sustaining the Church,” Francis said in Wednesday’s surprise announcement made at the end of his weekly general audience. “Let us remember him. He is very sick, asking the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end,” Francis said, speaking in Italian. The Vatican statement said Benedict was receiving constant medical attention and his condition was under control. Francis, who visited the former pontiff after making the announcement, has often praised Benedict, saying it was like having a grandfather at home. But the presence of two men dressed in white in the Vatican has at times been troublesome. Conservatives have looked to the former pope as their standard bearer and some ultra-traditionalists even refused to acknowledge Francis as a legitimate pontiff. They have criticised Francis for his more welcoming approach to gays and to Catholics who divorced and remarried outside the Church, saying both were undermining traditional values. Catholic Church leaders from Germany, Britain, the United States and elsewhere urged the faithful on social media to join prayers for Benedict, who was pope for almost eight years before he retired. “This morning I received the news that there is great concern in Rome about the health of the Pope Emeritus. And so we especially want to include him in our prayers,” German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich, told churchgoers. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, head of the Italy’s bishops conference, asked Italians to keep Benedict in their thoughts “in this moment of suffering and trial”. Until a few weeks ago, those who had seen Benedict said his body was very frail but his mind was still sharp. Italian news reports said he had been suffering from respiratory problems over the Christmas period. The Vatican did not give any details of his condition. There was no immediate response to a request for comment from Benedict’s private secretary. One of the latest known photographs of Benedict was taken on Dec. 1, when he met the winners of a prize for theologians named after him. He was seated and looked exceptionally weak. Since resigning Benedict has been living in a former convent inside the Vatican gardens, with his secretary, Archbishop Georg Ganswein, and a few other aides and medical staff. Benedict announced his intention to resign on Feb. 11, 2013, shocking a meeting of cardinals. He said he no longer had the physical and mental strength to run the Church. He formally stepped down on Feb. 28 that year, moving temporarily to the papal summer residence south of Rome while cardinals from around the world came to Rome to choose his successor. Francis, the first pope from Latin America, was elected to succeed him on March 13, 2013. Benedict, the first German pope in 1,000 years, had been elected on April 19, 2005 to succeed the widely popular Pope John Paul II, who reigned for 27 years. Cardinals had chosen Benedict from among their number seeking continuity and what one called “a safe pair of hands”. For nearly 25 years, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he was the powerful head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, then known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Edmund Blair) View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) The director of a Moroccan film shortlisted for an Oscar says she hopes it will provoke “a healthy, much-needed debate” around LGBTQ+ rights in the North African country. The Blue Caftan (Le Bleu du caftan), directed by Maryam Touzani, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and shared the Jury Prize at the 2022 Marrakech Film Festival with Cristèle Alves Meira’s Alma Viva. It has been shortlisted in the International Feature Film category for next year’s Oscars, which take place on 12 March 2023. The movie tells the story of a married couple who sells tradi… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News If you want to get with Mel C, you better get with her friends. The Spice Girls singer, whose full name is Melanie Chisholm, took to Twitter Monday to pull out of a New Year’s Eve gig she had planned in Poland due to “some issues” believed to be in connection with the LGBTQ community — which she supports. “In light of some issues that have been brought to my attention, that do not align with the communities I support, I’m afraid I will no longer be able to perform in Poland as planned on New Year’s Eve,” she wrote. Noting she intends “to be back there very soon,” Mel C wished her followers “a … Read More View the full article

Published by The Spun By Chris Rosvoglou Earlier this December, the United States secured Brittney Griner’s release from Russia in a one-for-one prisoner exchange. In order to bring Griner back home, the United States agreed to send arms dealer Viktor Bout back to Russia. Unfortunately, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan wasn’t included in the deal. In an interview with People, Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, responded to the criticism surrounding the United States’ prisoner swap with Russia. Griner admit that she has seen some of the harsh comments being made about it. “You can’t ignore it,” Cherelle sai… Read More View the full article

Published by PsyPost A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that psilocybin therapy may offer therapeutic benefits for patients with treatment-resistant depression. When administered alongside psychological support, a 25 mg psilocybin dose reduced depression scores among treatment-resistant patients. However, adverse effects were reported, and further clinical trials are needed. Clinical depression is typically treated with a combination of anti-depressant medication and psychotherapy. While most patients experience a reduction in symptoms with anti-depressants, a subset of people… Read More View the full article

Published by The Spun By Andrew Gould Tim Couch apparently doesn’t sit on the couch that much. Via KSR’s Matt Jones, the former Cleveland Browns quarterback posted a shirtless post-workout photo on his Instagram Stories page. The 46-year-old looks to be in excellent shape. Couch threw 73 passing touchdowns in two seasons as Kentucky’s starting quarterback. He finished fourth in the 1998 Heisman Trophy voting before the Browns made him their inaugural draft pick upon their NFL return. However, Couch completed just 59.8 percent of his passes with more interceptions (67) than passing touchdowns (64) over five underwhe… Read More View the full article

Published by PsyPost New research provides evidence that binge eating may play a role in the clinical presentation of muscle dysmorphia in both men and women. The findings have been published in the Journal of Eating Disorders. Muscle dysmorphia is a condition that causes people to have an excessive preoccupation or distress with their body shape and size. Often referred to as “Bigorexia” — especially among men — it is characterized by the belief that one is not sufficiently muscular, despite having a healthy weight and normal muscle mass for their body type. Millions of individuals suffer from this condition all … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Kari Lake and her attorneys have been ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fees after failing to overturn the 2022 election for governor. In his Tuesday ruling, Maricopa County Judge Peter Thompson said he was rejecting sanctions because “Plaintiff’s claims presented in this litigation were not groundless and brought in bad faith.” Lake avoided paying attorney fees for the defense but was hit with other “taxable costs” instead. Thompson said the defense was entitled to expert witness fees totaling over $33,000. The order also confirmed “the election of Katie Hobbs as Arizona Governor-elect.”… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Brooke Shields says her ‘Blue Lagoon’ film would never be made today. The 57-year-old actress starred in the 1980 film alongside Christopher Atkins when they were aged 14 and 18 respectively. They played cousins who were stranded on a deserted island, before falling in love and having a child. Despite the film being making $58 million (£47 million) at the box office, Brooke said on her podcast ‘Now What?’: “Never again will a movie be made like that. It wouldn’t be allowed.” Her former co-star Christopher, who was a guest on the podcast, agreed: “Animals were hurt in the movie. We were spearing fish and all kinds of crazy things. Children are naked running down a beach. Couldn’t do that now.” Brooke added on the episode producers wanted them to get close for the sake of their chemistry in the film, adding: “I remember thinking, ‘Hey, let’s get to know each other first rather than trying to make us fall in love with each other and force the situation’. I did not react well to being forced into feeling anything. “I wanted to sort of be left on my own – I hadn’t really kissed anybody, really, at that age.” Brooke said about making the film in her 2014 autobiography ‘There Was A Little Girl: The Real Story of My Mother and Me’: “You sort of desensitise yourself to anything sexual. “In ‘Blue Lagoon’, I’m using a glue gun, taping my hair, anything I can so my body doesn’t show I have boobs. “And I didn’t realise I was doing it, because I was a kid.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA Katie Hobbs has asked a judge to sanction Kari Lake to the tune of $500k as part of the Trump-backed politician’s attempt to have the November election results thrown out, RadarOnline.com has learned. Arizona’s Democratic Gov.-elect Hobbs and reps for Maricopa County to order Lake to pay $500k for their legal fees. The move comes days after the judge decided Lake didn’t have a case in court. MEGA Lake’s lawsuit claimed voters were unable to cast a vote due to long lines and other issues. The failed politician also claimed hundreds of thousands of ballots were illegally cast but failed to provide any evidence to support her claim. Lake lost the election to Hobbs by more than 17,000 votes. She has yet to concede. “Enough really is enough,” a lawyer for Maricopa County wrote in court. “It is past time to end unfounded attacks on elections and unwarranted accusations against elections officials. This matter was brought without any legitimate justification, let alone a substantial one.” “Courts are established by Arizona’s Constitution and statutes to resolve actual disputes between parties,” the lawyer added. “They do not exist so that candidates for political office can attempt to make political statements and fundraise. And they should not be used to harass political opponents and sow completely unfounded doubts about the integrity of elections. All of those things happened in this matter.” MEGA Lake told her supporters before filing the suit, “‘Rest assured I have assembled the best and brightest legal team, and we are exploring every avenue to correct the many wrongs that have been done this past week.” “What happened to Arizonans on Election Day is unforgivable,” she said. MEGA As RadarOnline.com first reported, sources claim the former news gal Lake has been plotting a return to television after her loss. A source close to Lake said, “Kari isn’t going away anytime time soon. “She’s not going to waste her newfound fame by returning to local Arizona TV —she’s got bigger plans and is talking about doing her own nightly show. FOX doesn’t seem interested but Newsmax would be thrilled to work with her!” View the full article

Published by The Moscow Times The Russian government has granted its media regulator the authority to block websites containing “LGBT propaganda” without a court order, according to a decree published on Monday. “Information propagating non-traditional sexual relations and (or) preferences” now serves as grounds for blacklisting any website in Russia, alongside those containing child pornography, information about suicide methods, and illegal narcotic production. “Propaganda of pedophilia and sex change” is also listed in the government decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The expansion of state censorship co… Read More View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Don’t Be a Sitting Duck is in the business of teaching Floridians how to safely carry a concealed handgun. The Kissimmee firearms academy offers a four-hour training session required by state law to carry a loaded gun in public. For owner and firearms instructor Bryan Villella, that just makes sense. “It is our right to be able to protect ourselves,” Villella said. “To require a level of education surrounding that, I don’t see as a bad thing.” But what Villella considers a reasonable safeguard, gun rights advocate Luis Valdes sees as a government burden on the Second Amendmen… Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet Far-right Republican culture warriors have a long history of becoming deeply upset over things that, unlike health care, the economy or foreign policy, have absolutely no effect on voters’ lives. Fox News’ Sean Hannity, in 2009, was relentlessly mocked by his critics after throwing a temper tantrum because then-President Barack Obama put Dijon mustard on a hamburger. During the 2012 GOP presidential primary, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich insisted that now-Sen. Mitt Romney (who ultimately won the nomination) wasn’t a true conservative because he spoke French. In 2014, Fox News pundits were… Read More View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) This year has again generated a lot of headlines about COVID-19, as well as outbreaks in mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), hepatitis, RSV and Strep A. But there’s a lot more out there in health news. Here are seven of our most popular articles you may have missed this year. 1. Sperm counts are fallingHuman sperm does not appear to be in great shape – and experts are warning of a looming fertility crisis. New research shows that sperm counts worldwide have halved over the past 50 years and the decline is gaining pace. The drop, the authors warned, could become a problem too big to ignore, wit… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Are wedding bells in Cher‘s future? The 76-year-old singing icon sparked engagement rumors after flashing a gigantic diamond ring from her much-younger boyfriend, Alexander “AE” Edwards, 36, on Christmas Day, RadarOnline.com can reveal. Cher made jaws drop when she flashed the sparkler on Sunday, thanking her man of only a few months for the expensive gift during their first-holiday exchange as a couple. The If I Could Turn Back Time singer snapped a photo of the opened black box to reveal the pair-shaped ring inside. The exquisite several-carat diamond stood alone without a halo, but it did come with diamonds on the band. “THERE R NO WORDS, ALEXANDER, A.E,” Cher wrote. She failed to give any insight into what the ring represented, but that didn’t stop her fans from bombarding her with engagement questions in the comments. “Did he propose?” one follower asked. “Congratulations grab happiness with both hands, but have a prenup too,” another advised. “Girl. TAKE THAT RING AND STAY SINGLE!!! You’re barely into the interview process. And anybody can be awesome for a minute. We know that. He’s on the right track, tho. I ain’t mad,” shared another. “Get your love and take that ring, Ms DivaQueen!! Engagements are good!!” Mega Others were more focused on who’s hand was holding the ring box as they sported black nail polish with neon green flames. The Strong Enough singer might not have clarified whether the rock was an engagement ring, but make no mistake — she didn’t want anyone to think she was sporting the outrageous anti-holiday nails. Reposting the diamond ring photo, Cher wrote, “I posted this cause his nails are so cool.” She later confirmed her boyfriend was rocking the flame nails. “I was wondering ‘Are those Cher’s nails,'” to which the singer replied, “no, No, & FKN NO.” Mega Cher’s attention-grabbing gift comes on the heels of RadarOnline.com’s exclusive story that the star’s inner circle is warning her to slow down with her new boy toy. A few pals are even urging her to dump “AE.” “Cher has a lot of people worried for her right now,” said a source. “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.” Cher has been moving full-steam ahead since igniting relationship rumors with the record executive in November after they were caught proudly holding hands at dinner. She later gushed about their relationship, telling Kelly Clarkson, “He’s very kind, very smart, he’s very talented and he’s really funny. And I think he’s quite handsome.” The record executive is Amber Rose‘s ex. They share one son, Slash, 3. View the full article

Published by PsyPost Two experiments recently found that children of conservative parents were more willing to punish children who were not members of their group for transgressions. Children of liberal parents punished children who were members of their groups and those that were not equally in the first experiment and punished children who were members of their own group more in the second experiment. The study was published in Psychological Science. From very early age, children are willing to accept a personal cost in order to punish wrongdoings of others, even when those wrongdoings do not affect them persona… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Adele has boosted her fortune by £11.5 million in the past year. The 34-year-old singer’s company now has cash reserves of nearly £15 million, according to the Daily Mail. Statements for her Melted Stone Ltd company show its net assets were £14,940,260 as of December 2021 – up from £3,566,954 the previous year, the publication said. It comes after Adele released her fifth studio album ‘30’ and started her delayed Las Vegas residency. Adele tearfully cancelled her scheduled concerts at the last minute in January but is now understood to be earning around £750,000 per show for the 32-night run. Tickets for the concerts were on sale for up to £200,000 each on resale sites. Other big names to have headlined Vegas in recent years include Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. Adele told fans on her opening night at Caesars Palace: “I should be giving you a standing ovation, thank you so much for coming back to me. “I really appreciate it. You look amazing and it looks just what I imagined it would look like, it’s perfect. “I’m so scared and nervous, but I am so happy, I don’t know what I was thinking putting piano ballads at the top of the set, hopefully over time my nerves will disappear. “I would also really like to thank Caesar’s because there have been a lot of rumours and they never once asked any questions, they’ve been amazing. “Only legends have been through these doors, I’m so honoured. I have no idea what I’ve embarked on for five months, but I can’t wait.” View the full article

Published by AFP Republican Congressman-elect George Santos is facing calls to step down over allegations that he falsified his CV New York (AFP) – A Republican elected to Congress in November was facing a growing clamor for his resignation Tuesday after admitting that he made up large parts of his biography — but refusing to give up his seat. George Santos’s victory in a New York district helped his party secure a narrow majority in the House of Representatives — Congress’s lower chamber. But a New York Times investigation cast doubt on key parts of his education and work history that he touted during the campaign. Santos admitted in two separate interviews Monday to significant fabrications of his resume, confessing that he’d neither worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup nor graduated from college, despite his claims to the contrary. The Republican refused to give up his seat in Congress, however, telling the New York Post, “I’m not a criminal” — inviting comparisons with disgraced president Richard Nixon’s infamous 1973 declaration that “I am not a crook.” Santos apologized for what he called “embellishing my resume” but some of his justifications for his dishonesty bordered on the absurd, particularly his defense of his false claim that he was Jewish. “I am Catholic. Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background I said I was ‘Jew-ish,'” he told the Post. Questions remain over Santos’s finances and Democrats have raised the possibility that he may have broken the law by lying in campaign disclosures. Several members of President Joe Biden’s party have demanded that House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy call a vote to expel Santos if he does not quit. “His pitiful confession should not distract us from concerns about possible criminality and corruption,” New York congressman Ritchie Torres tweeted. “The Ethics Committee MUST investigate how he made his money. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” California congressman Eric Swalwell accused Santos of “defrauding the voters of Long Island about his ENTIRE resume” while Democratic strategist Kurt Bardella urged McCarthy to “demand his resignation.” “If he refuses, Santos should not be seated by the new Congress,” Bardella added. Santos, who beat Democrat Robert Zimmerman in a newly-drawn district straddling Queens and Long Island, was at the vanguard of a Republican “wave” in New York that powered the party to a 222-212 House majority. He initially posted a statement from his lawyer accusing the Times of “attempting to smear his good name with these defamatory allegations.” McCarthy has been questioned by reporters in Congress over the allegations but has so far avoided responding. View the full article

Published by OK Magazine Mega Josh Flagg doesn’t mince words. The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star has never been afraid to deliver the honest truth exactly the way he sees it when it comes to fashion, selling homes, his famous friends or why he feels the Bravo real estate show supersedes the many others like it. Bravo Flagg spoke exclusively with OK! about his show’s ever growing ratings, why he feels his cast is more authentic than Selling Sunset or Buying Beverly Hills and which one out of his Hollywood pals has the most real estate knowledge. MEREDITH MARKS DISHES ON FOLLOWING YOUR PASSION, AUTHENTIC FRIENDSHIPS & NAVIGATING ‘RHOSLC’ DRAMA “I’m very happy about it obviously,” the broker said of the franchises’ growing audience after more than a decade on the air. “It’s very peculiar though, isn’t it? We’re on season 14, but you know, this is probably our 15th year filming. I always thought, Seinfeld only lasted like eight seasons. I don’t know how we made it this far.” With so many similar shows flooding networks and streaming services, Flagg feels there is one major difference between his fellow agents and ones he’s seen on other reality series. “We have real estate licenses,” he says bluntly. Mega “Not to say that not all those people on the shows are not brokers,” he clarifies. “But I’ve never heard of half of these people. They’re not really active in the business.” “Everyone can get a real estate license. But it doesn’t mean you’re actually doing deals or whatever,” Flagg notes. “We’re active brokers making deals, whereas the other ones are just licensed.” HEATHER GAY GIVES ADVICE FOR SURVIVING GROUP VACATIONS AFTER ‘BELOW DECK ADVENTURE’ DEBUT ‘LOCK THE DOOR!’ Although he may be busy being the King of LA real estate, Flagg also ensures to make time to hang out with his large circle of famous friends. But would he ever trust them to sell one of his listings? “I would really trust __Candy [Spelling]__,” he dishes. “She’s really quick. Candy understands that kind of stuff. But obviously, __Tori [Spelling]__ knows some things better as well. But Candy built one of the most famous houses in America.” Season 14 of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles airs Thursdays, at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Nandita Bose WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Monday accused Texas Governor Greg Abbott of endangering lives after busloads of migrants from the southwest border in Texas were dropped near Vice President Kamala Harris’ home in Washington, D.C., on a cold Christmas Eve. An estimated 110 to 130 migrants seeking asylum in the United States, many of them families with children, were placed on buses by Texas officials, immigrant aid groups said on Sunday after the migrants arrived in the U.S. capital. “Governor Abbott abandoned children on the side of the road in below freezing temperatures on Christmas Eve without coordinating with any Federal or local authorities,” White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan said in a statement. “The political games accomplish nothing and only put lives in danger,” Hasan added. The Republican Abbott, a vocal critic of Biden administration immigration policies, has not acknowledged the Christmas Eve drop and his office has not claimed responsibility. President Joe Biden is a Democrat. Texas has bused thousands of migrants to Washington, New York City and Chicago, in what some critics have labeled a stunt amid a national debate over the high levels of immigrant arrivals along the U.S. southern border. Abbott has said previously his state was purposefully busing migrants to sanctuary cities, where law enforcement is discouraged from deporting immigrants. Hasan said the Biden administration was willing to work with Democrats and Republicans on solutions to the migrant issue. Amy Fischer, an organizer with the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, told NPR the migrants were immediately transferred onto city-provided buses in Washington and moved to a church that distributed hot food and clothes. In a letter to Biden on Dec. 20, Abbott said the state was overburdened with thousands of men, women and children crossing into Texas everyday who risk freezing to death on city streets. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Howard Goller) View the full article

Published by AlterNet Doctor Anthony Fauci – the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president of the United States – reflected upon his service under former President Donald Trump in a Zoom interview published in The Guardianon Sunday. Fauci – whose retirement begins on January 1st, 2023 – “has advised seven US presidents about a long list of outbreaks including HIV, Ebola, Zika, bird flu and pandemic flu, but one stands out: Donald Trump,” the paper noted. “When COVID-19 emerged from China in late 2019 it was America’s epic misfortune to have a pr… Read More View the full article