RadioRob

Published by BANG Showbiz English Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are launching a new production company. The ‘Good Will Hunting’ stars, along with Gerry Cardinale, have unveiled plans for Artists Equity, which will seek to create “entrepreneurial partnerships” with filmmakers and aims to empower creative vision and “broaden access to profit participation”. RedBird Capital Partners are making “a significant financial commitment in launching the company” and will be “providing strategic capital and operational expertise to accelerate its development and production pipeline”, an announcement confirmed. The two actors will lead the company and its first project will feature Ben as director and Matt as the star in a movie exploring the creation of the Air Jordan brand, which will be released in 2023, one of three projects planned for next year. Ben, who will be Chief Executive Officer of Artists Equity, said: “Artists Equity was conceived from Matt’s and my longtime passion for the art of storytelling and our shared desire to help creators deliver on their vision, as we have been fortunate to do throughout our careers. “The entertainment industry is defined by great partnerships – writers, directors, producers, crew, actors – and throughout my career I have learned that collaboration is what drives success. Our goal with Artists Equity is to build a creator-focused studio that can optimise the production process with shared participation in the commercial success of projects. “We are thrilled to partner with Gerry Cardinale and the RedBird team, who have a long track record of building notable scaled platform businesses around unique IP. Matt and I are looking forward to working together to empower the current and future creative minds in the entertainment industry.” And Matt, who will be Chief Content Officer, added: “Historically, the success of a film was based on its box office performance. Now, with the rise of streaming, the business behind filmmaking has intrinsically changed. “However, Ben and I know that the power will continue to be in the hands of the creators, no matter which direction the industry evolves. “Artists Equity enables these visionaries to take ownership of their creative power, providing a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to streamline the development of their content. Ben and I are lucky to have worked with some of the best in the business, and our partnership with Gerry Cardinale and the team at RedBird continues us on that trajectory as we look to innovate and empower through the Artists Equity platform.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English A memorial service for Leslie Jordan has taken place in his hometown. The ‘Call Me Kat’ actor – who tragically died in a car accident in Los Angeles after seemingly suffering a medical emergency at the wheel last month – was remembered by hundreds of fans at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Sunday (20.11.22), with the event featuring music, singing, comedy and audience participation, as requested by Leslie’s family. Tickets for the memorial cost $20 each, with proceeds donated to one of the late star’s favourite causes, CEMPA Community Care. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly was among those who paid tribute to the ‘American Horror Story’ actor. He said: “If Leslie were here with us today, I would want to thank him for his contributions to our culture throughout his acting career, for getting us through the dark days of the pandemic with his wicked sense of humour, and for always inviting us into his heart and his world. “Leslie opened himself up to all of us and never stopped sharing the love and light he carried within.” Details of the memorial service had been posted on Leslie’s Instagram account alongside photos of him recently and as a child. The post was captioned: “We will never say goodbye. We will keep you alive in our memories and with your stories. Funeral and Memorial, 11/20/22 — Chattanooga, Tennessee.” Justin Long was among those to comment on the post, offering comfort to Leslie’s fans. He wrote: “If there is a way to access Instagram in the hereafter, I feel like Leslie is checking these messages and being ‘tickled’ by them. I remember once referring to people following him on here as “followers” and he corrected me, ‘I prefer to call them friends,’” he said. “When I got to hang out w him in Chattanooga, I witnessed him treating the fans who’d approach him with such kindness and humor – the way you would a friend. His mirth and joy of life will always remain with me – as will his one-of-a-kind voice when I say the words ‘well’ and ‘s***’ in order.(sic)” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Kanye West has confirmed he’s planning to run for president again. The ‘Stronger’ hitmaker – who has legally changed his name to Ye – ran for office in 2020 but conceded his run after winning just 50,000 votes and failing to make the ballot in several states, but he’s now declared he’ll be throwing his hat into the ring for the 2024 elections and has enlisted the services of controversial far-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos to help with his campaign. In a video circulating on Twitter on Sunday (20.11.22), Kanye said: “This is Milo right here, working on the campaign.” He was then asked: “Is that an announcement?” Milo laughed and replied: “I guess it is. Thanks, I accept.” The cameraman then asked the 45-year-old rapper if he is “running” for president. Kanye confirmed: “Yes. It’s simple ’cause ain’t nobody can tell me, you know, ‘you should say this, you shouldn’t say that,’ you know? It’s just we’re moving towards the future.” The announcement comes after Kanye’s friend Akon recently speculated that his pal’s recent shocking antics – including a string of antisemitic remarks and the wearing of a ‘White Lives Matter’ t-shirt during Paris Fashion Week – were all part of a bid to win over voters that would otherwise back Donald Trump’s bid to return to office in 2024. Akon said: “I think Kanye is smarter than y’all think. This the brilliant side of him. What is his next plan? To run for office, right. I’m just sayin’! From our knowledge, his next plan is to run for office, right? Who was his main endorser? Trump. “In order for Kanye to have a shot, he needs to have a piece of that base. This is how he’s getting it. And he knows this!” The 49-year-old singer acknowledged Kanye has angered the Black community with his recent antics but thinks they are forgiving people and will ultimately support him. He added: “He knows he’s gonna make a lotta Black people angry. But, guess what? We’re forgiving people. We are. He knows that, too.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John’s husband “hopes” he continues to perform live. The ‘Tiny Dancer’ singer completed the US leg of his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ concert series on Sunday (20.11.22) night at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium and while David Furnish – who is also his manager – stressed his spouse is definitely ploughing ahead with his plans to give up touring, he doesn’t think fans have seen the last of him. David told Billboard: “It’s really important to make a distinction between Elton retiring from touring but Elton not playing his very last public performance for the very last time. “Will Elton return as a live performer? I hope so! It’s in his blood… “I know for a fact he will not be touring in any capacity. What you’re going to see is the possibility of a special one-off or a small residency in one venue for a limited period of time.” But while many artists base themselves in Las Vegas if they stage a residency, David, 60, warned fans they’re unlikely to see Elton return to Sin City. He added: “I don’t think it will be Las Vegas. Elton feels he’s done the best he can in Las Vegas. He mounted two hugely successful residencies there. “When you’re an artist and something’s in your blood, you don’t want to shut the door completely.” And David insisted people shouldn’t take it for granted that the 75-year-old singer will return to the stage in some way as he also knows how important it is for his husband to spend more time with their sons Zachary, 11, and nine-year-old Elijah. He said: “Having said that, I know Elton, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t do any more live shows, either. He’s really looking forward to spending time with his family. That’s the number one priority in his life. “Any type of return to any type of touring is going to be a very well-considered situation, and definitely not a given, at all.” View the full article

Published by DPA Our bones, muscles and mental health are all at risk if we don't get enough sunlight to help product vitamin D. Christin Klose/dpa Five to 25 minutes in the sun, three times a week, with about a quarter of the body surface uncovered is what we should all be aiming for, health experts say. That’s because without vitamin D, we risk depression, poor sleep, fatigue and weaker bones and muscles. To stock up on it in less sunny months of the year, it helps to consciously head out into the sunlight and expose not just your face, but also arms and legs. Dermatologists say the general rule of thumb is that if your shade outside is shorter than you are tall, you’ll be producing enough vitamin D with the sun. If you have a lighter skin type with blonde or brown hair, about 12 minutes in the sun should be enough, dermatologists say. Darker skin types will need a few minutes longer. The body itself produces 80 to 90% of its vitamin D in the skin with the help of sunlight, and a deficiency of the nutrient is harmful to health. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is necessary for building and maintaining healthy bones. Researchers say it may also play a role in muscle function and the immune system. Vitamin D supplements are often readily prescribed for infants, who are born with low vitamin D stores and are dependent on breast milk, sunlight or supplements as sources of vitamin D in the first few months of life. Doctors regularly also recommend vitamin D tablets for pregnant women. However researchers say such pills are of no benefit to healthy, active adults, and excessive amounts can even cause headaches, nausea and kidney calcification. If you feel that you may need a supplement, it’s important to first have the vitamin D level in your blood checked so that a doctor can tell you how much should be taken. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John can’t socialise with his band. The 75-year-old singer began his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour – which will end in 2023 – in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic has made things “challenging” behind-the-scenes of the stage spectacular because everyone involved has to be in a “bubble” to minimise the risks of a wave of the virus sweeping through the production, meaning the ‘Candle in the Wind’ hitmaker can’t hang out the way he used to. Elton’s husband and manager, David Furnish, said: “COVID is still out in the world. It is still a risk to the health of our crew and to Elton and the band. “We put in place a very strict testing protocol. We went back out on the road last January with a regular cadence of testing, keeping everybody up to date on vaccines and boosters. We’ve kept all of that in place. “We have people in the tour in separate bubbles. Elton feels really badly, but he hasn’t been able to mix with his band. His band travels in one bubble. He and his assistants, the people who support him, his hairdresser and people in security — they’re in his bubble. “It’s been very challenging for Elton, because he always loves being with his band before he goes on stage. He always sits with them and chats and has a laugh with them. That’s not been possible.” And even when Elton – who has sons Zachary, 11, and nine-year-old Elijah with his spouse – has time off from the tour, he can’t go out and about freely because of the risks. David added to Billboard: “While he’s been home, between shows or in hotels, he has to isolate. Everybody that supports him at home is also tested regularly — all staff in the household.” The 60-year-old businessman thinks it is good for people to get out to see concerts again after so long in isolation due to the pandemic. He said: “Thankfully, COVID hospitalisations have massively decreased and there are more medical treatments than there were at the beginning, so people can make the decision as to what medical risk is appropriate for them and still come to see a show. “Lockdown was very hard for most people. It was very isolating, and nothing brings people and the world together like music. It’s emotionally and mentally and spiritually very healthy for people to get back out and see shows again. “We just had to go back on the road in the safest way possible, and that’s what we’re trying to do.” View the full article

Published by Reuters LISBON (Reuters) – The recreational use of nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas”, is on the rise in Europe among young people, producing worrying numbers of poisonings, the European Union drugs monitoring agency EMCDDA said in a study. The growing popularity of the substance, which causes a feeling of euphoria, relaxation and dissociation from reality, stems from its wide over-the-counter availability, low price, ease of use and the false perception that it is safe, the Lisbon-based agency said. It has a legitimate wide range of medical, industrial and commercial uses, particularly as propellant in whipped cream dispensers or water siphons for which purpose it is sold in compact, inexpensive cartridges online or in supermarkets. In some European countries, particular concerns have been raised since 2017, when larger cylinders of the gas that deliberately target the recreational market appeared, often luring teenagers inexperienced with drug use. The cartridges are normally consumed by filling party balloons, from which the gas is then inhaled, but more recently users have been inhaling directly from dispensers or cartridges, which poses a high risk of severe cold burns and lung injury. It also affects several brain and spinal cord networks. In Denmark, cases of nitrous oxide poisoning have increased from 16 in 2015 to 73 last year, in France cases jumped to 134 in 2020 from 10 reported in 2017, and the Netherlands had 144 cases in 2020 and reported a sharp rise in car accidents caused by driving while intoxicated or trying to fill balloons. In the United Kingdom, nitrous oxide is the second most prevalent drug among young adults aged 16 to 24 years, after cannabis, the EMCDDA said. In order to control the use of the gas, it proposes reducing the size of packages, banning sales to those under 18 or during night hours when party-goers tend to buy it. (Reporting by Patricia Vicente Rua; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Tomasz Janowski) View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Kanye West is back and hardly better than ever. The disgraced rapper returned to social media with a Jewish phrase on Sunday, November 20, after Elon Musk unbanned him from Twitter. mega “Testing, testing… seeing if my Twitter is unblocked,” West wrote before following up with a tweet simply stating, “shalom :)” a few hours later. The Hebrew word translates to “peace” and is used by Jewish people to greet or depart from one another. KIM KARDASHIAN SHARES SHE ‘LET GO OF EVERYTHING’ WHILE FINALIZING HER DIVORCE FROM KANYE WEST The 45-year-old seemingly tweeted the phrase in spite of his original suspension from the app for his vulgar antisemitic remarks. mega Although the “Heartless” rapper caused an immense uproar of hate because of his actions over the past few months, Musk — who liked West’s “Shalom” tweet — decided to give the father-of-four his account back after he purchased Twitter for $44 million in April and gained control last month. KANYE WEST ANNOUNCES HE WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024: ‘WE’RE MOVING TOWARD THE FUTURE’ Musk, 51, replied to West’s first tweet back on the app stating, “don’t kill what ye hate, save what ye love.” Many social media users remained upset after the artist’s account was reinstated, with one individual replying, “I guess Elon Musk is supportive of people announcing they want to go ‘deathcon 3 on the Jews’ on the platform he just purchased. Seems kind of antisemitic to me…” and another adding, “shame on you.” “We as a group just want love, someone says Shalom or Boker Tov and we get ecstatic, but you’re still anti-Semitic, that didn’t change, and a pretty Hebrew word isn’t a real sorry,” an offended user wrote in response to West’s tweet, as another chimed in stating, “Just stop. At what point do you learn how harmful you are?” mega West originally sparked controversy when he arrived to his runway show at Paris Fashion Week in a promotional “White Lives Matter” T-shirt alongside controversial politician Candace Owens. Since the start of his cruel and spiraling episode, Balenciaga, Adidas and GAP all ended their longtime partnerships with the rapper, while celebrities — including ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her famous family — have spoken out in support of the Jewish community. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Actor James Winburn, who played Michael Myers in the original 1978 ‘Halloween’ film, has died aged 85. James – also a famed Hollywood stuntman – is believed to have passed over the weekend from an undisclosed health issue, but his passing only emerged on Monday. (21.11.22) Monopoly Events, which last month featured James in its ‘For the Love of Horror’ fan convention paid tribute to him on Twitter. The company said on Monday: “We are extremely sad to learn of the passing of James Winburn, who joined us for @ftlohorror last month. “James was an absolute pleasure to work and shared some amazing stories with everyone over the weekend. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and fans. #RIP.” Monster-Mania Con, which also runs horror conventions, paid a similar tribute after the actor reportedly missed its 2022 event due to ill health. The firm said on Facebook: “Sad to learn of the passing of James Winburn today. “James was an absolute pleasure to work with and we had hoped to see him again for our show in Oaks, PA but sadly a health issue prevented that. “James was always appreciative of the Halloween fans and truly enjoyed meeting everyone. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and fans.” James combined his acting and stunt skills in several scenes in John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’ film, including the finale when he tumbled from a window after being shot before vanishing – starting one of the world’s biggest and longest-running horror film franchises. James returned as psychotic Michael Myers in 1981 sequel ‘Halloween II’, and was credited for stunts in acclaimed films including ‘Escape from New York’, ‘Colors’ and ‘Torn’. View the full article

Published by The Spun By Andrew Holleran Charles Barkley is trending on Twitter on Monday afternoon. The former NBA star turned “Inside the NBA” analyst is often going viral for his takes about the league, but this time, it’s for something entirely different. Barkley’s comment on the Black community and gay people is going viral. “One thing that’s always disappointed me: Black people treat gay people, we are the worst when it comes to treating gay people,” Barkley said. “It’s always bothered me.” Barkley’s comment is now going viral on social media, with many people upset. Sports fans have taken to social media to … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story A Saturday night massacre at the transgender Club Q in Colorado Springs left five people dead and twenty-five injured — the six hundred and first mass shooting of 2022. Sunday was Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors the lives of transgender victims of hate crimes. Let’s take a look at some of the terrifying footage released over the weekend from Colorado. Outgoing U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) condemned violent right-wing rhetoric following Saturday night’s massacre at Club Q. “As our nation marks Transgender Day of Remembrance, the House Democratic Caucus mourns the countles… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters DOHA (Reuters) – A U.S. journalist said he was briefly detained on Monday when he tried to enter a World Cup stadium in Qatar while wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ community in a country where same-sex relations are illegal. Grant Wahl, a former Sports Illustrated journalist who now has his own website, said World Cup security denied him entry to the United States’ opener against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan and asked him to take his shirt off. He said his phone was taken away when he tweeted about the incident. “I’m OK, but that was an unnecessary ordeal,” Wahl wrote on Twitter. He said a security commander later approached him, apologized and allowed him into the venue. He also later received an apology from a representative of FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, he said. Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment. Seven European World Cup countries earlier on Monday ditched plans for their respective captains to wear OneLove armbands after FIFA threatened to issue yellow cards to any player wearing the multi-coloured armband, which was introduced to support diversity and inclusion. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Angus MacSwan) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Danielle Broadway and Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Superstar singer and songwriter Taylor Swift won all six trophies she was contending for on Sunday at the American Music Awards, including the night’s top prize: artist of the year. The new AMA accolades lifted Swift’s lifetime total to 40, breaking her own record for most wins at the world’s largest fan-voted awards ceremony. The “Anti-Hero” singer, wearing a sparkling gold jumpsuit, said fan support in recent years had encouraged her to write more music, which made her happier. “I have the fans to thank essentially for my happiness,” Swift said to a cheering crowd at the ceremony in Los Angeles. “I cannot express how unbelievable it is to me that I still do this and that you still care,” she added. The 32-year-old released four original albums and two re-recordings in the past three years, more than her entire output of the previous decade. Songs from her most recent album, “Midnights,” took all top 10 spots on the Billboard singles chart after its October debut. In her multiple acceptance speeches on Sunday, Swift did not mention the glitches that disrupted Ticketmaster’s sales for her upcoming tour last week, prompting the company to apologize to her late on Friday. Other honors for Swift on Sunday included favorite pop album, country album and video for her re-recording of 2012 record “Red.” The singer has been remaking albums from her past because of a dispute with her former record label. For artist of the year, Swift triumphed over formidable names including Beyonce, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, Drake, Adele and Bad Bunny, who had gone into the night with a leading eight nominations. The Puerto Rican rapper and singer received two awards, for favorite male Latin artist and favorite Latin album for “Un Verano Sin Ti.” Pop singer Pink opened the AMAs show dancing and singing on roller skates to her upbeat song “Never Gonna Not Dance Again.” Later in the ceremony, she performed “Hopelessly Devoted to You” in a tribute to Olivia Newton-John, the “Grease” singer who died in August. Musician Lionel Richie, known for “All Night Long” and other 1980s hits, was celebrated with the AMA’s icon award. Stevie Wonder and Charlie Puth performed a medley of Richie songs on dueling pianos. Dove Cameron, a former Disney Channel actress who reached the Billboard charts this year with the pop single “Boyfriend,” was named best new artist. Comedian and host Wayne Brady rapped in his monologue at the start of the show. “Ain’t nobody getting slapped tonight,” Brady joked, referencing Will Smith’s infamous attack on Chris Rock at the Oscars. (Reporting by Danielle Broadway in Los Angeles;Additional reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Stephen Coates, Robert Birsel and Gerry Doyle) View the full article

Published by Raw Story Former FBI counter-intelligence official, Frank Figliuzzi, cited reports that someone matching the suspected shooter’s name, age, and hometown as the Club Q shooting called in a bomb threat. It prompted Figliuzzi to ask how the shooter was allowed access to guns. “Even the complainant may have been his mother and the target of the threat may have been his mother’s home,” he explained. “If that comes out to be accurate and confirmed, of course, it will raise questions of why this individual was permitted to possess a weapon. And the larger question of what criteria should forbid or preclude som… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Author Dan Savage had advice for the LGBTQ community following the mass shooting in Colorado. “Several patrons of a gay and lesbian nightclub in Colorado Springs are being hailed as heroes, as details unfold about a mass shooting that happened minutes before midnight Saturday at Club Q and left five people dead and 25 bystanders injured, according to authorities,” The Gazette reported. “Authorities would not release names of victims or of the good Samaritans, calling the situation complex and complicated.” Three local hospitals are treating victims of the attack. Savage posted a thread to Twit… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP Ren Kurgis (left) and Jessie Pacheco pay their respects to victims of the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs Colorado Springs (AFP) – As barman Michael Anderson cowered on the patio of a nightclub, hiding from the gunman who was killing his friends and colleagues, he was convinced he was going to die too. “I just felt alone, really alone and scared,” he said. “I didn’t even have my phone with me. I was afraid I wouldn’t even get to say goodbye to my mother.” Moments earlier he had been pouring drinks at Club Q, a long-established LGBTQ venue in Colorado Springs in the foothills of the US Rocky Mountains. Earlier there had been a drag show to mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and the music was pumping when he began hearing popping sounds. “I looked up and saw a shadow of a tall person holding a rifle. I saw the gun plainly… and then the shots continued… round after round after round. It was absolutely terrifying,” he told AFP. “I ducked down behind the bar. Glass was just flying everywhere around me, like there were just bullets breaking bottles and whatever else was back there.” Penned in and scared he was going to be targeted, Anderson crawled out to a patio where he and a co-worker wedged themselves between a wall and a booth, seeking any protection they could find. Inside, the gunman, later identified by police as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, was shooting indiscriminately at clubbers in a rampage that would leave at least five dead at 18 wounded, some of them critically. And he wasn’t done yet. “I saw a gun come out from the patio door, the barrel of a gun sticking out,” Anderson said. “And that was the moment I was most terrified. Because I knew we were next. “He was gonna find us.” ‘They saved my life’ What happened next has left Anderson eternally grateful to the people he describes as heroes. Police say at least two individuals rushed at the shooter and overpowered him. When Anderson next looked up, he saw the gunman pinned to the floor. “There were some very brave people beating him and kicking him, stopping him from causing more damage,” he said. “I don’t know who did that. But I really would like to know because I’m very grateful. They saved my life last night.” The United States is no stranger to acts of horrific violence, but for Anderson and other members of the LGBTQ community in Colorado Springs, a city of around half a million people, the threat seemed somehow remote. “The community here is tight-knit,” he said. “Everyone knows each other. We’re a family, you know where we come together. “When I started at Club Q… my general manager told me: ‘you’re a part of our family. Now we’re here for you.’ “We always thought this could never happen here; never Colorado Springs, never Club Q. “But maybe that’s something we tell ourselves so we can go out and feel safe.” Anderson said he hopes the gunman will spend the rest of his life in prison, living with the full horror of his actions. And America, he said, needs to be kinder. Less than two weeks after an election in which several candidates amped up their anti-gay, anti-trans rhetoric in the rush for votes, politicians need to rethink their strategy, he said. “The people spewing that may think that it’s harmless, and it’s just part of their culture war, but their culture war has real consequences I’ve seen firsthand.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Dove Cameron paid tribute to the victims of the Colorado Springs shooting as she accepted the New Artist of the Year accolade at the American Music Awards on Sunday (20.11.22). The 26-year-old star dedicated her win to “the queer community at large” before paying tribute to the people caught up in the tragedy at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado over the weekend, which saw at least five people killed and 18 others injured. Speaking on stage at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater, Dove – who identifies as queer – said: “I want to start by saying that every award that I ever win will always first and foremost be dedicated to the queer community at large. “You guys have carved out such a space for me to be myself and to write music about it and I’ve never felt safer or more loved or more supported and I hope I can give you some semblance of that same feeling in my music. “On the heels of the tragedy that happened at Club Q in Colorado Springs, I want to remind everyone how important queer visibility is and how important our community is.” The ‘Boyfriend’ singer then urged fans to donate to LGBTQ+ charities. She added: “And I want to direct your attention to organisations like GLAAD and the Trevor Project for what you can do right now.” Dove, who performed ‘Boyfriend’ at the ceremony earlier in the evening, concluded her speech with a message of support. She said: “I want to remind you that you are made absolutely right, and you are so loved and so held, and I want to thank you for supporting me, thank you for holding the space. I’m holding it for you, too. Thanks guys.” The ‘Descendants’ star had paid tribute to the queer community on the red carpet before the ceremony too. She told ‘Entertainment Tonight’: “I feel like I have to thank, definitely like the queer community for embracing me so wholeheartedly. “I mean everybody for really sticking with me.” View the full article

Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch There are a few political figures today more maligned by conservatives than House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, mostly because she has been so effective. From her guidance of the Affordable Care Act through Congress more than a decade ago to her steady hand through the tumultuous Trump era, she built a legacy that history will treat far better than it will her detractors. But the 82-year-old Pelosi’s decision last week to step down as the House Democratic leader is the right one, handing off to a new generation during what is sure to be a confrontational reign by a slim Republican House majority. Whoe… Read More View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) Disney has reinstated former big name boss Bob Iger amid a period of financial woe for the company. Iger ran Disney for 15 years and oversaw some of the brand’s most successful deals including buyouts of Pixar, Marvel, home of Star Wars LucasFilm, and the formerly Murdoch-owned 21st Century Fox. His tenure saw Disney take over some of the world’s most beloved and well-known franchises and saw the company increase five times in value. On his return to the post of Chief Executive Officer Iger will replace Bob Chapek, who has been in the job for less than three years. Selena Gomez: former Disney … Read More View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) Iran’s World Cup football team stayed silent as the national anthem was played before their opening World Cup match, declining to sing before the kick-off against England. During the week, their captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh had explained that the players would decide “collectively” whether or not to sing the anthem as a sign of support for the victims of the harshly repressed protests in their country. The players kept their faces totally impassive, while on the bench a member of the delegation sang. Iranian state television did not show the players lined up for the anthem before the match got … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story On Monday, The Guardian reported that former members of Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s controversial Christian organization, “People of Praise,” are demanding that she recuse herself from an upcoming case which could create further exemptions for businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ people on religious grounds. “The former members are part of a network of ‘survivors’ of the controversial charismatic group who say Barrett’s ‘lifelong and continued’ membership in the People of Praise make her too biased to fairly adjudicate an upcoming case that will decide whether private business owners have … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments starting next month testing the Independent State Legislature Theory, which would allow states to create new election rules after votes have already been cast. Oral arguments will start in weeks in Moore v. Harper, whose proponents say state legislatures absolute power over congressional districting and presidential elections, but legal expert Paul Rosenzweig wrote for The Bulwark that conservatives should be highly skeptical of the fringe theory that’s gaining popularity among Donald Trump’s allies in the Republican Party. “No one seems seriously to … Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters UK By Martyn Herman DOHA (Reuters) -The captains of England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark will not wear ‘OneLove’ armbands at the World Cup under pressure from FIFA, their associations said in a joint statement on Monday. FIFA has threatened to issue yellow cards to any player wearing the multi-coloured armband which was introduced to support diversity and inclusion. England captain Harry Kane spoke on Sunday of his desire to wear the armband in Monday’s Group B opener against Iran. “FIFA has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captai… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Kevin Mohatt COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Reuters) -Police in Colorado Springs on Monday were expected to release more details about the weekend shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub that killed five people and injured 25 more in what rights advocates suspect was a hate crime. Local authorities identified the suspect as Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, who was arrested last year after a nearly four-hour standoff with local sheriff’s deputies for allegedly making a bomb threat against his mother. Multiple firearms were found at the scene of the brief but deadly nightclub attack, according to police, who said Aldrich used a “long rifle” to shoot his victims. Further details could also emerge on Monday about patrons at Club Q in Colorado’s second-largest city who police said rushed the gunman and stopped the attack late Saturday. Police will hold a news briefing by noon local time (1900 GMT). Aldrich was known to law enforcement before the nightclub shooting. He was arrested in June 2021 after his mother reported to authorities that he had threatened to detonate a bomb and harm her with multiple weapons, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office in El Paso County, where Colorado Springs is located. Sheriff’s deputies evacuated about 10 nearby homes until Aldrich eventually surrendered. They found no explosives but Aldrich was booked into the county jail on two counts of “felony menacing” and three counts of “first-degree kidnapping,” the press release said. It was unclear when and how he was released. Leslie Bowman, 41, an account manager in Colorado Springs who rented out the room where Aldrich’s mother was living at the time of the 2021 bomb threat incident, said those charges against Aldrich had not been pursued. Bowman described Aldrich as a heavy-set man, more than six feet tall, who rarely smiled and had an imposing air. “When I heard it was him who did the shooting, I was surprised but not surprised at the same time – just knowing what he did before,” she told Reuters in a phone interview on Monday. Police said at least two people in Club Q subdued the gunman shortly after he burst in just before midnight on Saturday, preventing further carnage, but did identify them nor say whether they were shot or injured. One of the patrons grabbed a handgun from the shooter and pistol-whipped him with it, and was still on top of the suspect, pinning him down, when police arrived, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers told The New York Times. “It was quite something. It happened quite quickly. This individual was totally disabled by 12:02. That had a lot to do with the intervention of these patrons,” Suthers told the Times. Suthers also said the shooting “has all the appearances of being a hate crime.” While U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged no motive had been established, he noted in a statement that LGBTQ people have been “subjected to horrific hate violence in recent years.” The shooting was reminiscent of the 2016 Pulse club massacre when a gunman killed 49 people at the gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, before he was fatally shot by police. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in an interview on CNN on Monday noted that the shooting took place on Transgender Remembrance Day and said he hoped Aldrich would give investigators answers. “He was taken alive and there will be a full investigation, and law enforcement authorities are going to be working to make sure to bring justice to honor the victims,” Weiser said. Club Q, a long-standing venue in a modest strip mall, was described by many as a safe haven for the LGBTQ community. One of the victims was identified as Daniel Aston, 28, a transgender man and bartender at the club who also performed in shows as a dancer, according to a Colorado Public Radio interview with his mother, Sabrina Aston. “He was the happiest he had ever been,” Sabrina Aston said. “He was thriving and having fun and having friends. It’s just unbelievable. He had so much more life to give to us and to all to his friends and to himself.” Anxiety within many LGBTQ communities in the United States has risen amid a divisive political climate and after a string of threats and violent incidents targeting LGBTQ people and events in recent months. “America’s toxic mix of bigotry and absurdly easy access to firearms means that such events are all too common,” said Kevin Jennings, chief executive of Lambda Legal, a gay rights group. Colorado has a grim history of mass violence, including the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, a 2012 rampage inside a movie theater in a Denver suburb and a supermarket attack that killed 10 people last year. Colorado Springs suffered a mass shooting in 2015 when an anti-abortion gunman killed three people and injured nine at a Planned Parenthood facility. (Reporting by Kevin Mohatt in Colorado Springs, Rich McKay in Atlanta, Katharine Jackson in Washington, and Joseph Ax in New York; Writing by Daniel Trotta and Julia Harte; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Lincoln Feast and Mark Porter) View the full article

Published by Miami Herald MIAMI — In September, a debate over whether the Miami-Dade School Board should recognize October as LGBTQ history month again left board members facing a divided roomful of constituents. It was the latest strain in school board-parental relations. So, board member Lubby Navarro offered what she believed to be a timely reminder to the crowd. “We can never forget who our customers are. Our customers are our parents,” she said. “And we have to be driven to give parents what they’re asking us, this school system, for our children.” The comment drew a rebuke from the board’s student adviser, Andrea… Read More View the full article