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Published by BANG Showbiz English Jesse Tyler Ferguson has welcomed his second child via surrogate. The former ‘Modern Family’ star and his husband Justin Mikita “are overjoyed” to add another bundle of joy to their family, a son named Sullivan Louis Ferguson-Mikita on Tuesday (15.11.22). In a joint statement, the 47-year-old actor and the 37-year-old producer said: “We are overjoyed to be a family of four.” Jesse and Justin offered their gratitude to their “incredible surrogate” – whose identity they have not revealed – and the head of the California Reproductive Center in Beverly Hills. They wrote: “A special thanks to @drshahinghadir for helping us grow our family and our incredible surrogate and all of the nurses and doctors.” Jesse and Justin were “sad” to miss the latest string of performances of their smash-hit Broadway play ‘Take Me Out’ but will be back on the Great White Way next week. They wrote: “Sad to be away from my @takemeoutbway fam tonight but we ran off to welcome our newest little one.” The couple – who also have two-year-old son Beckett – were congratulated by some of their A-list pals, such as Sarah Hyland, whose August wedding to Wells Adams was officiated by Jesse. His 31-year-old former co-star commented: “The sweetest!” The couple shared the news they were “expecting” again back in May. Jesse wrote: “@justinmikita and I have some exciting news, we’re expecting No. 2! Our growing family will be a family of four later this fall! We are so excited for Beckett to have a sibling.” In March 2021, the ‘Ice Age: Collision Course’ star remarked he found parenthood “astonishing”. Jesse said: “[Parenting is] astonishing. I can be in a bad mood and seeing [Beckett] super excited, kicking and smiling, it just immediately lifts my spirits. It’s so pure and sweet. And it gives me so much joy.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Ivanka Trump has quit politics as her father, Donald Trump, confirmed he’s running for president again. The former senior White House adviser in Trump’s administration will not be involved in his latest campaign to run for the White House in 2024, as he wishes to “prioritise” her children and continue to lead a “private life”. Ivanka announced on Instagram: “I love my father very much. This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics. “While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena. “I am grateful to have had the honor of serving the American people and I will always be proud of many of our Administration’s accomplishments. (sic)” The 41-year-old businesswoman’s spouse, Jared Kushner, also acted as a senior White House adviser, but it’s not known if he will continue in the role. The former United States President – who previously held office from 2017 to 2021 – promised to “fight like no one has ever fought before” during an impassioned speech at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Tuesday night (15.11.22). He said: “In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States.” Trump, 76, took aim at current president Joe Biden, saying the country had endured “pain, hardship, anxiety and despair” under his leadership. He added: “Two years ago we were a great nation and soon we will be a great nation again.” His paperwork to confirm his candidacy – which comes after some of his aides and allies urged him to wait until after the midterm election results – was filed with the Federal Election Committee just before his speech. This marks Trump’s third run for the presidency, after winning in 2016 and then losing to Biden four years later. He is the only president to be impeached twice, with the first coming in 2019 after the House of Representatives impeached him over his dealings with Ukraine. The following year, he was acquitted by the Senate, and then in January 2021 he was impeached again and charged with “incitement of insurrection” over the Capitol riot. Trump – who is also the first president to be acquitted twice – had insisted without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen from him, and his followers then stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the results in Biden’s favour. Trump – who lost by more than seven million votes and hasn’t been able to provide evidence of widespread fraud – has continued to claim he won the 2020 election. View the full article

Published by DPA The Genesis X concept uses a folding hardtop roof that incorporates glass panels above the front occupants, which means that even when the roof is closed, passengers can have a view of the sky. Genesis/dpa Genesis has unveiled its new X Convertible concept as another look at the firm’s future. Joining the 2021 X Concept and X Speedium Coupe concept, the new X Convertible has space for four people. It uses a folding hardtop roof that incorporates glass panels above the front occupants, which means that even when the roof is closed, passengers can have a view of the sky. The X Convertible incorporates many of the Genesis trademark design touches, such as the LED quad lights, which appear to flow into the front grille. However, that front grille isn’t used for cooling, with this taken care of by smaller openings lower down on the front of the car. At the rear, there’s an integrated spoiler with horizontal lights that are similar to those found on the X Concept and X Speedium Coupe. The exterior is finished in a shade called ‘White Crane’, while the alloy wheels feature Genesis’ G-Matrix design which incorporates aero dish concave sections that help to improve airflow. Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Genesis, said: “With the Genesis X Convertible, we have built upon the stunning success X Concept and X Speedium Coupe to further propel the brand’s mission to create vehicles with even greater emotional resonance.” Inside, the main colour used is called ‘Giwa Navy’, which takes its name from the roof tiles used on South Korean houses. Much of the cabin is trimmed in recycled wool fabric, too, while a contrast orange colour is used for a lot of the stitching. Genesis has yet to confirm whether the X Convertible will enter production, though it has said that it gives another ‘glimpse’ at the future of the brand. The Genesis X concept uses a folding hardtop roof that incorporates glass panels above the front occupants, which means that even when the roof is closed, passengers can have a view of the sky. Genesis/dpa The Genesis X concept uses a folding hardtop roof that incorporates glass panels above the front occupants, which means that even when the roof is closed, passengers can have a view of the sky. Genesis/dpa View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Steve Jobs’ used Birkenstocks sold for an eye-watering $218,000 (£183,000) at auction. The late Apple founder’s crumpled leather sandals, still with the imprint of his feet, had previously been sold for $2,000 by his former house manager, Mark Sheff, in 2016. The tech mogul died from pancreatic cancer in 2011, aged 56, and left behind an array of items that ended up in Sheff’s possession. Jobs was most famous for his love of black turtleneck sweaters, but his former partner, Chrisann Brennan, previously shared the iPhone and Mac creator’s penchant for Birkenstocks. She said in 2018: “The sandals were part of his simple side. They were his uniform. The great thing about a uniform is that you don’t have to worry about what to wear in the morning.” The footwear went under the hammer at Julien’s and was only estimated to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000. A description on the auction house’s website read: “The sandals are well used, but still appear intact. “The cork and jute footbed retains the imprint of Steve Jobs’ feet, which had been shaped after years of use. The rubber soles of the sandals show heavy wear from use.” Jobs is said to have worn the shoes at key moments in his career, including the garage in Los Altos, where Jobs and his partner Steve Wozniak founded Apple. The late fashion icon Issey Miyake – who passed away from liver cancer on August 5, 2022, aged 84 – was behind the tech visionary’s style, According to Walter Isaacson’s book ‘Steve Jobs’, the latter once said: “So I asked Issey to make me some of his black turtlenecks that I liked, and he made me like a hundred of them.” View the full article

Published by Reuters LONDON (Reuters) -Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised seven additional charges against Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey for a number of sexual assaults against one man between 2001 and 2004, it said on Wednesday. The new CPS charges include one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and others of indecent and sexual assault. The new charges follow a review of evidence gathered by British police. Spacey, 63, was previously accused of five offences in Britain – four counts of sexual assault by touching, and a more serious charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. His lawyer had said in June Spacey had “strenuously” denied those allegations of sex offences. Spacey’s defence lawyer in Britain, Patrick Gibbs, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the latest charges. In the United States, Spacey last month defeated a sexual abuse case against him after jurors in a Manhattan civil trial found his accuser did not prove his claim that Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance on him when he was 14. (Reporting by Farouq Suleiman and Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Kate Holton and Toby Chopra) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Brendan Fraser has accused the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) of “closing ranks” following his sexual assault allegations. The 53-year-old star has claimed that he was assaulted by the organisation’s former president Philip Berk in 2003 and has taken aim at the HPFA for neglecting the issue. Brendan told the December issue of GQ magazine: “I knew they would close ranks. I knew they would kick the can down the road. I knew they would get ahead of the story. I knew that I certainly had no future with that system as it was.” ‘The Mummy’ star retreated from the spotlight after the incident but has now made a comeback in Darren Aronofsky’s movie ‘The Whale’ , although he is not sure if the role will provide him with “redemption”. Brendan explained: “I don’t know if this is gonna give me some big redemption in my own life. “I know that I’m proud of the work that I did, and it’s enough. It’ll live on long after me. And that’s good. The other stuff, maybe not so much. That’ll live on too, but… I think I just have to live for what’s happening for me now.” ‘The Whale’ has been tipped for success during the forthcoming awards season but Fraser confirmed that he would not attend the Golden Globes if nominated as the ceremony is run by the HFPA. He said: “I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. “No, I will not participate.” The film sees Brendan portray a 600-pound writing instructor called Charlie who is desperate to connect with his daughter before he dies and the star described the part as the most “physical” of his career. He said: “I have beat s*** up and fallen down, been lit on fire and thrown against walls, and that’s fine. That was okay. I liked that. I had fun. Yeah, it put some chips in the paint, but I’m still here, damn it. But this was probably the most heroic character I’ve ever played.” Read the full interview, ‘How Brendan Fraser Made It All the Way Back’ by Zach Baron in GQ’s December issue and on GQ.com. View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Donald Trump finally announced he’s running for president in 2024 on Tuesday, November 15, and of course, he received support from his son Donald Trump Jr., who shared the news via Instagram. Donald Trump Jr. posted a photo from Twitter of his father with the caption, “President Trump: ‘In order to make America great again and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States.” “LFG BABY!!!” he added. However, some were not pleased with the reality star’s latest endeavor. mega One person wrote, “The laughing stock of the world. Please embarrass yourself even more,” while another added, “Republicans don’t even want your dad to run. He’s ruined the Republican party.” A third person asked, “Wanna see him lose again???” A fourth stated, “Republicans don’t even want your dad to run. He’s ruined the Republican party.” DONALD TRUMP NEARLY ANNOUNCED 2024 PRESIDENTIAL BID ON THE EVE OF TUESDAY’S MIDTERM ELECTION: REPORT As OK! previously reported, unveiled his campaign on the same day Mike Pence‘s memoir was released. “America’s comeback starts right now,” the politician explained in a speech at his Mar-a-Lago compound in Palm Beach, Fla. “In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for President of the United States.” Though Trump Jr. is on board with his father’s decision, his daughter Ivanka Trump has decided to step away. “I love my father very much. This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family,” she said in a statement, which was posted on Instagram. mega MIKE PENCE RECALLS FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP CALLING HIM ‘A WIMP’ FOR NOT SUPPORTING JANUARY 6 RALLY “I do not plan to be involved in politics. While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena. I am grateful to have had the honor of serving the American people and I will always be proud of many of our Administration’s accomplishments.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Princess Diana‘s former chief of staff came out swinging, defending her mental health and accusing King Charles IIIand his team of circulating a “systematic campaign” to make the world believe she was ill. Patrick Jephson, who worked with Diana for nearly 10 years, addressed the late Princess’ emotional well-being before and after her marriage, insisting she was “one of the most sane people” he had ever met, RadarOnline.com has learned. Speaking on The Scandal Mongers podcast with Phil Craig, Jephson insinuated that Charles’ staff was behind the narrative, smearing Diana’s mental strength to protect the now King, whose affair with Camilla Parker Bowles was an “open secret” within the “establishment.” “This is not just some casual gossip, it was a systematic campaign. Okay, it was a long time ago, but … the man they were supporting is now our king and these things should not be buried, they should not be conveniently pushed to one side,” Jephson said. “They happened, in theory, they could happen again, and certainly they shouldn’t pass without censure.” Mega When Craig asked about the perception that Diana was “a bit crazy,” Jephson fired back without hesitation, saying, “I get very frustrated. That has become the official line. “If you ask people close to the current royal establishment — if you dare bring up the subject of Princess Diana, which very few people would — then I think that is the answer you would get; that it was a tragic story and that she was essentially troubled mentally, and the implication being that she was not entirely up the job, which essentially then she failed at.” He then explained that Camilla — who now has the title of Queen Consort — was made to look like Diana’s “replacement,” who is “wonderfully down-to-earth and grounded and not at all flakey or paranoid.” “When I hear people follow this line, when I see it not being challenged, I think, well, wait a minute. I knew Princess Diana probably better than almost anybody — certainly professionally — and she wasone of the most sane people I ever met,” Jephson continued. Mega Diana’s former staff member scoffed at the idea she wasn’t aware or in control, adding, “Considering the life she lived, considering the pressures she was under, she wasn’t just sane, she had a kind of ability to restore sanity to crazy situations. “As an eye witness, she could be a bit of a handful sometimes, but she was always extremely aware, sane, grounded, and funny.” He explained how her life changed in an instant when her marriage blew up. “She went from being, as far as the world was concerned, a happily married wife and mother to being a discarded ex-wife…that’s a heck of a change in anyone’s book,” Jephson stated. Mega He said that “once it became apparent her critics were trying to smear her with allegations of mental instability,” Diana took control of the narrative. “She said ‘Yes, I do have an eating disorder,’ for example, and she gave a speech about eating disorders. I can’t think of a better definition of sanity than [to] have people accuse you of being nuts, and stand up and make a speech about the condition that you do have,” he told Craig, adding, it “affects a lot of people, particularly young women. I think that is a sign of extraordinary strength and shows the essential pettiness of her accuser.” Jephson concluded his rant by reminding everyone that the stories regarding Diana’s mental health were spread “by and large, by men, about a woman in a marriage with the intention to help another man.” Diana’s marriage to Charles ended in 1996. She tragically lost her life in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, at 36 years old. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Gram Slattery and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Some of Donald Trump’s closest allies in the U.S. Congress stepped up their attacks on their Republican leaders on Wednesday, as the former president’s party struggled to come to terms with its weaker-than-expected election performance. In the U.S. Senate, a group of staunch Trump allies led by Senator Rick Scott mounted the first challenge against Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell in his nearly 16-year reign as party chief, contending that the “D.C. swamp” was to blame for the party’s inability to win a Senate majority. That bid failed, even after Trump had repeatedly called for McConnell’s ouster, and had promoted Scott as a replacement, since McConnell recognized Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. Trump, who launched his own 2024 White House candidacy on Tuesday, falsely claims he lost because of fraud. Republican Senator Mike Braun, a conservative who backed Scott, criticized McConnell’s decision not to put forward an agenda for voters during the midterm campaign. “The Democrats outmaneuver us in every election,” Braun said as Republicans met to choose their leaders for the next two years. “And, you know, we’re political wallflowers,” he added. “We don’t have an agenda. We don’t have a business plan. That doesn’t work anywhere else.” But other Republicans have said it is time for the party to move on from Trump, after many of his endorsed candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives lost races in an election that left the Senate in the hands of Democrats and Republicans with hopes of little more than a narrow House majority. “President Trump has lost three (elections) in a row. And if we want to start winning, we need a new leader,” Senator Mitt Romney told reporters. In the House, conservative Republicans continued to bash party leader Kevin McCarthy, a day after he overcame a challenger for the chamber’s top job of House speaker. “Minority Leader McCarthy still doesn’t have the votes to become the next House speaker. Yesterday’s vote shows there is increasing frustration with the status quo,” Representative Andy Biggs, who challenged the California Republican but lost in a 188-31 vote, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. “The American people want us to turn a page,” Biggs said. While Senate Republicans met in the morning to vote for party leaders, House Republicans were due later in the day to consider chamber rules for the next Congress, assuming they succeed in capturing the House. Republicans were just one seat away from securing a House majority on Wednesday, with the final outcome hanging on tight races in states such as California. The hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus, whose members include Biggs, is pushing for rules changes that would, among other things, make it easier for members to oust a speaker. (Reporting by David Morgan and Gram Slattery, writing by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A member of the far-right Oath Keepers told a jury on Wednesday that she got “swept up” in the moment when she stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, comparing it to the same feeling shoppers get on Black Friday when they rush to buy flat-screen televisions. In at times emotional testimony, Jessica Watkins admitted to some of the crimes she is charged with and apologized to police officers for impeding them from doing their duties that day. But Watkins denied having any plans to breach the building or block Congress from certifying the election, and said she has frequently asked herself why she did it. “It’s really stupid. I got swept up in it,” she said. “It was like Black Friday.” In the United States and some other countries, ‘Black Friday’ is a bargain shopping day that marks the start of the holiday shopping season. Watkins is charged along with Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and co-defendants Thomas Caldwell, Kenneth Harrelson, and Kelly Meggs with multiple felonies in connection with the Capitol assault, including seditious conspiracy, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The government contends the Oath Keepers plotted to use force to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s election victory, with defendants Meggs, Watkins and Harrelson entering the building clad in tactical gear. Prosecutors also allege the Oath Keepers staged a “quick reaction force” in a nearby Virginia hotel, a plan which entailed stockpiling firearms that could be ferried across the river into the capital if needed. More than 900 people so far have been charged in the Capitol attack, which led members of Congress to run for cover as hoards of then-President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the building. Watkins, a transgender woman and Afghanistan war veteran, also spoke on Wednesday about her struggles growing up in a conservative Christian family, and said she abandoned her U.S. Army post after she was confronted about her sexuality and called homophobic slurs. The 11th hour decision by Watkins’ attorney to call her to the stand stunned observers and visibly angered U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who lamented he wished he had known sooner before advising the jury the case was nearing its conclusion. Defense attorneys typically urge their clients not to testify in their own defense at trial, but Watkins marks the third of five defendants in the case to take such a risky move. Last week, Rhodes took the stand in his own defense, where he denied making plans to storm the Capitol, and called the decision by some of the group’s members to breach the building “stupid.” Then this week, defendant Thomas Caldwell, the only other defendant in this case apart from Rhodes who did not physically enter the building, also testified in his own defense. On Wednesday, Caldwell downplayed down some of the inflammatory texts and social media messages he sent associates on Jan. 6, saying they were inspired by movies and television. In one message where Caldwell declared “I am such an instigator,” for instance, Caldwell testified that the phrase “actually comes from ‘Bugs Bunny,'” and he quickly followed it up with a history about the line and a brief Bugs Bunny impression. Caldwell later broke down crying as he recalled his wife’s reaction on the day the FBI searched his home. “I saw the lights of their automatic weapons all over her face and her chest,” Caldwell said, choking up. “She’s so innocent. And I said…’Father God, don’t let them murder my wife.'” (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega While most of us were shocked to hear that superstar Cher is now romancing rapper Alexander “AE” Edwards, a man who’s 40 years her junior and much less famous, the latter’s pal and former colleague Ryan Fluis insisted it’s not too unexpected. Fluis explained that he came across the news on social media, quipping, “AE’s blond hair popped up and then I saw Cher and to say I was blown away was an understatement.” mega Fluis noted that his 36-year-old bandmate — the two were in the group 4Deep together — has long had a talent for charming people. CHER RESPONDS TO BRITNEY SPEARS’ REQUEST TO HANG OUT & EAT ICE CREAM: ‘I’M TAKING HER TO SAN TROPEZ’ “He’s got a gift. He’s a real cool dude with a lot of personality and charisma and he knows how to kiss ass. Always did,” he continued. “So in a way it would make sense he’d wind up with someone like Cher.” mega Though Fluis didn’t make mention of their age gap, plenty of the “Believe” crooner’s fans have, prompting her to defend their May-December romance by declaring, “Love doesn’t know math.” “I DONT GIVE AFK WHAT ANYONE THINKS,” the star, 76, tweeted back at a troll. “I’m Not Defending us. Haters are Gonna Hate…Doesn’t Matter That we’re Happy & Not Bothering Anyone.” The legendary singer’s inner circle previously noted that the relationship is “not really a shock to anyone that knows Cher” either since “she’s always loved younger men.” ‘WE KNEW THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE A STAR’: HOW CHER WENT FROM SHY YOUNG GIRL TO GLOBAL SUPERSTAR – WATCH mega “She’s just not into men her age and people in her life are pretty well used to it. They want to see her happy and this new romance has given her a great boost,” the source claimed. “She is having fun and she loves that he treats her like the Goddess she is. She doesn’t know what it will turn into, but she is loving what it is right now.” Page Six reported on Fluis’ words. View the full article

Published by Al-Araby Pakistan’s government has banned the release of ‘Joyland’, the movie that will be the South Asian country’s Oscars contender, for its ‘objectionable’ content. ‘Joyland’ tells a love story between a man from ‘a happily patriarchal joint family’ and a trans woman he meets when he joins an erotic dance theatre, according to the Cannes Film Festival website. The movie is Pakistan’s official entry for the best international feature film at the 2023 Oscars, and was due to be released in the country this week. Despite being banned in the country, ‘Joyland’ could still qualify for the Oscars if it is … Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet By David Badash, The New Civil Rights Movement On Wednesday the U.S. Senate will begin the process of debating and likely passing the Respect for Marriage Act, bipartisan legislation that merely attempts to keep the status quo on marriage equality by requiring states to recognize all legal marriages of same-sex couples. It does not require states to allow same-sex couples to marry. Despite its sponsors extreme efforts to ensure existing religious rights are not compromised, far-right-wing Christian activist Franklin Graham is making extremely false claims about the legislation and riling up hi… Read More View the full article

Published by Miami Herald Addressing a crowd of die-hard supporters at his Mar-a-Lago club on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump announced that he will run for president again in 2024. The announcement came a week after the Republican Party underperformed in the midterms, unable to win a majority of seats in the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate and possibly winning the House by a smaller margin than GOP operatives had anticipated. But despite these recent political letdowns, including the defeat by President Joe Biden two years ago, the one-term president told a cheering crowd Tuesday night that he is exactly what t… Read More View the full article

Published by Knewz By Alex Lang New York (Knewz) — As the U.S. Senate and lame duck congress debate a bill to protect same-sex marriage, a majority of voters say that gay marriage is good for society. A recent poll by the Pew Research Center found that 61 percent of people described same-sex marriage as good for society. Whereas 37 percent described it as a negative and 3 percent didn’t answer. The figure has held relatively steady from a similar poll in 2019. The polling is a stark change from earlier this century when twice as many Americans opposed allowing gay people to marry legally, Pew noted. By 2019, abo… Read More View the full article

Published by OK Magazine Mega Kevin Spacey is set to be charged with seven additional sexual assault offenses by the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service. “The CPS has authorized additional criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 63, for a number of sexual assaults against one man between 2001 and 2004,” head of CPS Special Crime Division Rosemary Ainslie confirmed in a statement on Wednesday, November 16. mega The disgraced House of Cards alum has been accused of three indecent and three sexual assault charges. KEVIN SPACEY CLEARED OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN ANTHONY RAPP TRIAL In addition to the six allegations, “the CPS has also authorized one charge of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent,” the statement continued. “The authority to charge follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation,” Ainslie added. “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr. Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.” The seven new serious offenses come after Spacey was already scheduled to stand trial in June 2023 for five previous accounts of sexual assault — to which he pleaded not guilty in July. mega Spacey’s series of sexual assault allegations span across three different men who came forward as victims of the American Beauty actor during his time as the artistic director of the Old Vic theater in London. KEVIN SPACEY ORDERED TO PAY ‘HOUSE OF CARDS’ PRODUCERS $31 MILLION The 63-year-old’s new accusations come nearly one month after a New York City jury declared Spacey not liable for battery in his civil trial against Anthony Rapp. As OK! previously reported, the Rent star sued Spacey with claims that the then-26-year-old drunkenly picked up the then-14-year-old and placed him on a bed while touching him inappropriately. After the jury deliberated for 90 minutes, Spacey was rendered not liable on Thursday, October 20, which prompted the Baby Driver actor to apologize to the alleged victim for any harm he may have caused. MEGA “If I did as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried him with all these the years,” Spacey declared after the trial concluded. “As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my behavior,” confessed the Emmy nominee. “I would have never done anything to hurt the gay community,” he stated in court. “It was wrong, it was really bad, and I’m deeply sorry.” View the full article

Published by Reuters (Reuters) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said on Tuesday it supports proposed federal legislation intended to protect gay-marriage rights, as long as it also protects the right of religious groups to believe such unions are against God’s word. The Utah-based church said in a statement posted on its website its doctrine related to marriage – that God commanded it be between a man and a woman – would remain unchanged. But the church said it would support the legislation after a bipartisan group of senators negotiated an amendment to the version passed by the U.S. House in July. The change states that the bill would have no impact on religious liberties protected under the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, the Senate version states no church can face a civil lawsuit or other legal action for refusing to provide any service or access to its facilities for any marriage it opposes. The Senate is expected to approve its version of the “Respect for Marriage Act” as soon as this week. The Mormon church said the amended legislation “is the way forward.” “As we work together to preserve the principles and practices of religious freedom together with the rights of LGBTQ individuals, much can be accomplished to heal relationships and foster greater understanding,” the church said. The bill is intended to ensure the U.S. Supreme Court does not end gay marriage rights, which conservative Justice Clarence Thomas mused was possible when the court in June ended the national right to abortion by overturning Roe vs. Wade. (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Lubbock, Texas; Editing by Tom Hogue) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate on Wednesday will hold an initial vote on legislation to protect the right to same-sex marriage, spurred by concerns that a conservative Supreme Court could reverse its earlier decision that made it legal nationwide. The bill, which is expected to pass the Senate, would serve as a legal backstop against any future Supreme Court action by requiring the federal government recognize any marriage that was legal in the state it was performed. However, it would not block states from banning same-sex or interracial marriages if the Supreme Court allows them to do so. Supporters of same-sex marriage were spurred to act when Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the court should also reconsider the legality of same-sex marriage, in a concurring opinion to the court’s overturning of federal protections for abortion in June. There are roughly 568,000 married same-sex couples in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “I’ve heard from constituents back home who are concerned and worried about the suggestion that their right to marry who they love will be taken away,” Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first openly gay person elected to the Senate, said at a press conference on Tuesday. Although same-sex marriage has gone from a political hot potato to a well-established norm in the past decade, the bill’s negotiators have still had to thread a needle between protecting a right most Americans now see as a given, and assuaging concerns from Republican senators about religious liberties. The legislation, which must get support from 60 senators in the evenly divided chamber to pass, is the result of months of negotiating by Baldwin and fellow Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, along with Republican senators Susan Collins, Thom Tillis and Rob Portman. A similar bill passed in the House in July, with the support of 47 Republicans along with all of the chamber’s Democrats. The bill will have to jump through several more procedural hoops in the Senate before going back to the House for final approval. (Reporting by Moira Warburton in Washington; editing by Andy Sullivan and Lincoln Feast) View the full article

Published by Chicago Tribune CHICAGO — When COVID-19 first hit Chicago in 2020, essential worker Elias Renaud texted his sister and a good friend from the bus on his way home from his job at a grocery store. “If something happens to me, this is where I want things to go, this is what I want done,” Renaud, who uses the pronouns he/him, remembers telling them. The 44-year-old transgender man, from Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, drew up a living will with the cautious hope that when he dies, his body would be treated with dignity. “I think by the time I die, there will be a lot of people doing death work that will have ha… Read More View the full article

Published by Al-Araby Moroccan authorities arrested four people on Sunday following a group assault against a trans woman as hate crimes against the LGBTQI+ community mount in the North African country. “Three minors and an adult, aged between 13 and 24, were arrested in connection with the incident that occurred on Saturday night in Tangier,” reported AFP. On Friday night, a group of men severely beat, harassed and dragged a Moroccan trans woman named “Haifa” in the northern city of Tangier. Before the attack, Haifa was reportedly waiting for a taxi with her two friends, also members of the LGBTQI+ community, at t… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Katharine Jackson (Reuters) – Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to runfor the White House again in 2024 has potential rivals gearing up to take on a divisive Republican leader left bruised by his party’s midterm election losses. Here is a look at his possible challengers for the Republican nomination: FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP Strategists and party leaders have said Trump, 76, remains the odds-on favorite for the Republican nomination in 2024. But the former president had a mixed record with the candidates he endorsed in the midterm elections and some blame him for Republicans’ failure to capture control of both houses of Congress. Trump’s candidacy comes as lawsuits over his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol and his business dealings continue to swirl around him. FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS Republican Ron DeSantis, Florida’s 44-year-old governor, could be Trump’s leading rival for the nomination. With a strong political base and war chest behind him, DeSantis cruised to a landslide victory last week in his bid for a second four-year term as governor. His resistance to COVID-19 restrictions, as well as clashes with liberals over LGBTQ rights, immigration and race-based discussions, have won praise from conservatives nationwide. FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE Republican former Vice President Mike Pence served as a loyal, prim No. 2 to the flamboyant Trump, only to have his boss turn against him when Trump supporters rioted at the U.S. Capitol. A Republican former congressman, Pence defied Trump on that day and certified Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential victory, as required by law. Pence has walked a fine line ever since, not risking the wrath of Trump’s base. The 63-year-old former Indiana governor is widely considered to be mulling a White House run. He campaigned for Brian Kemp, a Trump nemesis who was re-elected Georgia governor in the midterm elections. TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, endorsed by Trump in his run for a third four-year term, fended off Democratic former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke in the midterms. Abbott, 65, has pursued increasingly conservative policies during his second term, opposing COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates. He signed the most restrictive abortion ban of any U.S. state into law and is building a new barrier on the border with Mexico. Although long rumored to be a potential 2024 candidate, Abbott has not addressed the issue publicly for some time. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY Republican U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, 56, has vowed to do everything she can to keep Trump from returning to the White House and said she would decide soon on whether to run for president herself. The daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, she has played a prominent role in the congressional investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol. Cheney lost the Republican Party’s nomination for Wyoming’s single seat in Congress in August to a Trump-backed challenger after Cheney said she would not “go along with President Trump’s lie about the 2020 election.” FORMER U.N. AMBASSADOR NIKKI HALEYA former governor of South Carolina and the daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley was the highest-profile woman in Trump’s Cabinet, serving as his ambassador to the United Nations. Haley, 50, considered a rising Republican star, has alternately held Trump close and at bay. She publicly criticized him during his 2016 presidential campaign and again after the Jan. 6 riot, saying his actions after the 2020 election will be “judged harshly by history.” Her rhetoric later softened when she called him a friend who still had a role to play in the party. In June, Haley teased a 2024 run “if there is a place for me,” and said in October she would consider the idea at the start of next year. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis) View the full article

Published by New York Daily News The U.S. men’s soccer team is showing its true rainbow colors in support of the LGBTQ community at this year’s World Cup in Qatar. More than 1.2 million soccer fans are expected to travel to the small Arab nation over the next few weeks to root for their favorite teams competing for soccer glory in the world’s largest sports tournament, the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Fans who identify as LGBTQ, however, have raised concerns, as consensual same-sex activities are illegal in the conservative host nation. On Monday, the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) unveiled a rainbow-colored logo that it will displ… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News A pair of controversial comedians are among the 2023 Grammy nominees. Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K. are both finalists for best comedy album at the Feb. 5 ceremony in Los Angeles, the Recording Academy announced Tuesday. Chappelle’s nomination is for “The Closer,” a 2021 stand-up special that drew criticism over the comedian’s jokes about the transgender community. C.K., who confessed in 2017 to committing sexual misconduct, is nominated for his 2021 stand-up special, “Sorry.” Both comedians had previously received Grammy nominations after their scandals. C.K. won best comedy album at the 2022… Read More View the full article

Published by Sports Illustrated By Daniel Chavkin The center currently plays for Melbourne United in the NBL. Former Kentucky men’s basketball player Isaac Humphries has come out as gay, he wrote in a guest column for CNN on Tuesday. “Over my entire career, there was no reality that existed where I could be an openly gay man while playing basketball,” he wrote. “Until now.” Humphries grew up in Australia, where, he explained, it was difficult for him to come out. He went to an all-male private high school and wrote that he wasn’t able to be part of an LGBTQ+ community. Humphries played college basketball in the United States… Read More View the full article