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Published by Reuters NEW YORK (Reuters) -Kevin Spacey took the witness stand on Monday and denied claims made in a civil lawsuit by actor Anthony Rapp, who says the Oscar-winning star made an unwanted sexual advance in 1986 when Rapp was 14. Rapp, now 50, testified earlier this month that an intoxicated Spacey – then 26 and acting on Broadway – climbed on top of him at a party at his Manhattan apartment. Rapp, at the start of his own Broadway career at the time, said he was able to “swerve my way out” but that the experience scarred him. Spacey’s attorney asked him on Monday about Rapp’s suggestion during the trial that Spacey was a “fraud” for not coming out as homosexual sooner. “To call someone a fraud is to, I guess, say that you think they are living a lie,” the 63-year-old said. “I wasn’t living a lie. I was just reluctant to talk about my personal life,” Spacey said. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan on Monday dismissed Rapp’s claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, stating that the claim repeated his allegations of battery against Spacey. Kaplan allowed the battery claim to stand, and it will be considered by a jury after Spacey makes his case and both sides present closing arguments. Last week, Spacey’s lawyer challenged Rapp’s memory of the 1986 incident during cross-examination, questioning him on why he described the encounter of having occurred in a bedroom when Spacey lived in a studio at the time. Rapp, who starred in the Broadway musical “Rent,” sued Spacey in November 2020 and is seeking $40 million in damages for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Spacey won Oscars for best actor in “American Beauty” and best supporting actor in “The Usual Suspects,” but his career largely ended after more than 20 men accused him of sexual misconduct. Netflix dropped him from its political drama series “House of Cards” and Christopher Plummer replaced him in the role of J. Paul Getty in “All the Money in the World” weeks before the movie’s scheduled release in 2017. Spacey faces a criminal trial in London next year after pleading not guilty to five sex offense charges over alleged assaults between 2005 and 2013. (Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Lisa Shumaker and Mark Porter) View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Long before he shot to political stardom as a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump in the late 20-teens or even married model Ivanka Trump nearly a decade earlier, Jared Kushner was a New York City businessman grappling with both the real estate market — and his family’s jaw-dropping drama. From his formative years to helping his father, Charles Kushner, navigate his legal woes, here’s a look inside Jared’s life long before joining the Trump family. College Questions mega Despite graduating from Harvard University in 2003 with a B.A. in government, some suspicions have arisen surrounding how, exactly, Jared nabbed a spot at the prestigious Ivy League school. “There was no way anybody in the administrative office of the school thought he would on the merits get into Harvard,’’ an official from the figure’s former New Jersey school spilled to The Guardianback in 2016, adding that “his GPA did not warrant it, his SAT scores did not warrant it.” “We thought, for sure, there was no way this was going to happen,” they continued. “Then, lo and behold, Jared was accepted. It was a little bit disappointing because there were at the time other kids we thought should really get in on the merits, and they did not.’’ SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET: INSIDE THE KUSHNER’S FAMILY’S DRAMA & SCANDALS As such, rumors began to swirl surrounding how money may have played a role in Jared’s acceptance, with ProPublica reporting that Charles had promised a $2.5 million donation to the university as his son began scoping out colleges. A representative for Kushner Companies ultimately denied “the allegation,” as she dubbed it, explaining that any alleged connection between this donation and Jared’s acceptance was “is and always has been false.” “[Charles and Seryl Kushner] are enormously generous and have donated over 100 million dollars to universities, hospitals and other charitable causes,” Risa Heller told the nonprofit newsroom of Jared’s parents at the time. “Jared Kushner was an excellent student in high school and graduated from Harvard with honors,” she continued, though as the outlet noted, roughly 90 percent of Jared’s Ivy League could also claim the latter achievement. Dad’s Legal Drama mega The questions surrounding Jared’s college admissions isn’t the Kushner family’s only scandal. In 2003, officials began probing Charles over whether he had made any illegal campaign donations. Their efforts were aided by William Schulder, the mogul’s brother-in-law and former business associate. Upon learning that Schulder was helping with this investigation, the once highly-respected real estate developer fired back, devising a plan in which he hired a sex worker for his in-law, who was married to his sister at the time, and recorded their sexual encounter. Charles then showed the incriminating tape to his sister. Nearly two years following the initial investigation, Charles was convicted of multiple crimes, including witness tampering, illegal campaign contributions and tax fraud. He served 14 months in federal prison before completing his sentence in a halfway house, a debacle that seriously impacted Jared. “After a couple days of spending time with him and getting that situation as settled as it was going to get, I get back to New York, back to my apartment on Mercer Street and I basically just sat on the floor and I started crying,” he recalled in an interview last month. JARED KUSHNER ADMITS HE ‘SAT ON THE FLOOR AND STARTED CRYING’ AFTER HIS DAD’S LEGAL WOES WERE REVEALED Part of these intense emotions, Jared said, came from grappling with how drastically his life had changed. “I realized that there was a lot of things I was angry at,” he explained, naming that at the time, he felt irked at several parties, including both his dad as well as the individuals who prosecuted the case. Yet amid these tough feelings, Jared said he came to a realization that shaped his perspective on the world. “Any time there was a challenge, a lot of people get very angry or trying to figure out why it happened or what they could’ve done different,” the businessman revealed. “I always would just say ‘OK, well, it is what it is, how do I take the variables we have and try to make it as good as it can be?’” Dealing With Donald mega In 2007, roughly two years after Charles’ emotional conviction, Jared met his future wife, Ivanka, through a mutual friend, who seemingly introduced the pair for business reasons. “They very innocently set us up thinking that our only interest in one another would be transactional,” Ivanka recalled of her husband in 2015. “Whenever we see them, we’re like, ‘The best deal we ever made!’” Though Jared and Ivanka, who were both 25 when they first started dating, briefly called it quits in 2008 due to religious differences — the real estate mogul and his family are Modern Orthodox Jews —the pair ultimately reconciled, with Ivanka beginning the process of converting to the faith. Prior to popping the question, Jared spoke with the model’s famous father about the state of their romance in context with Judaism. “I could feel my voice shake as I managed to say that Ivanka and I were getting more serious and that she was in the process of converting,” Jared recalled in his new memoir, Breaking History: A White House Memoir. DONALD TRUMP TRIED TO INTIMIDATE JARED KUSHNER BY TELLING HIM TOM BRADY WAS ALSO INTERESTED IN IVANKA “Well, let me ask you a question. Why does she have to convert? Why can’t you convert?” his soon-to-be father-in-law reportedly quipped. After explaining that it had been Ivanka’s choice to convert to Judaism, The Apprentice icon fired back, noting that Jared had football star Tom Brady was also reportedly interested in his daughter. View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Last summer, Prince Harry shocked the masses when he announced he’d be writing his very first book. “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become. I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story — the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned — I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think,” he wrote in a press release. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.” Since then, the Duke of Sussex has rarely commented on his upcoming work, leaving the public curious as to what they can expect to read when they turn through the pages. Scroll down to learn more about the highly anticipated book. mega When Is It Coming Out? Upon the official announcement, it was stated that the tome would be released in fall 2022 — but the timeline seems to be ever-changing. In fact, over the summer, Publishing Random House didn’t include the book on in their fall lineup, leaving consumers confused. Just a couple of weeks later, an insider toldOK! the release date was being pushed in the wake of the news that Michelle Obama would be releasing a memoir on November 15. “There is no way Harry can compete with Michelle. Not only will she have another best-seller, but she will for weeks,” the source explained. “Penguin Random House wanted to have Harry’s book on shelves in time for the key Thanksgiving and Christmas markets, but because of Michelle that could all change.” How Much Money Is He Being Paid For It? Radar previously claimed the Duke of Sussex received a $15 million advance for the work, though an actual monetary figure has yet to be confirmed. However, Harry did reveal a portion of his earnings will be donated to charity. Other sources claimed he’s earning upwards of $20 million. mega What’s The Book About? In the book’s official synopsis, the publishers stated, “Prince Harry will share, for the very first time, the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him.” The summary continued, “Covering his lifetime in the public eye from childhood to the present day, including his dedication to service, the military duty that twice took him to the frontlines of Afghanistan, and the joy he has found in being a husband and father, Prince Harry will offer an honest and captivating personal portrait, one that shows readers that behind everything they think they know lies an inspiring, courageous, and uplifting human story.” Some think Harry could drop plenty of scandalous bombshells about the royal family as well, from who made comments about son Archie‘s skin color to his true feelings towards his stepmother, Queen Consort Camilla. mega Is It Being Rewritten After Queen Elizabeth’s Death? A source claimed the dad-of-two is “currently updating” the contents to “include the passing of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.” Since the work was rumored to be finished before her passing, the insider noted publishers are “so paranoid it will leak” that they “use a secret name when referring to the memoir — it’s called the ‘GKH’ project, which is the nickname his mother Princess Diana used for her beloved son. ‘GKH’ stood for Good King Harry!” What Does The Royal Family Think? Though the monarchy has yet to address Harry’s project, an insider told OK! that King Charles is pleading with his youngest son to scrap the work all together. “Once the dust settles, you can bet that Prince Harry will be summoned to speak to the King. There is no circumstance in the world where the King will not address the book before it is published,” stated the source. “He has an obligation to the protect the crown. He will beg Harry not to release the book. The bigger question is whether or not he will be able to persuade Harry to cancel it, at whatever cost.” View the full article

Published by AFP Gabriel Zarate crosses the border to work in San Diego as an English teacher during the day and returns home in the evening to Mexico Tijuana (Mexico) (AFP) – While many migrants risk their lives chasing the American dream, Gabriel Zarate fled the rising cost of living in California and moved to the Mexican border city of Tijuana. The 38-year-old Chilean American now crosses over to work in San Diego as an English teacher during the day and returns home in the evening to Mexico. “One of the biggest reasons is the cost of living in Tijuana. It’s significantly cheaper than in California,” Zarate said. Also, he added: “I love Mexican people and food.” His neighbor and fellow English teacher Mike Rachfal also made the move from San Diego, where he used to pay $1,275 a month to rent a studio. “Here it’s about half that,” the 36-year-old said. The cheaper rents can be a sensitive subject in Mexico, where wages are much lower than in the United States and people are also facing increasing living costs. Tijuana is one of the cities with the fastest-rising real estate prices in Mexico — up 10.7 percent in the first quarter of 2022 from a year earlier, according to the state-owned Federal Mortgage Society. The average price of properties bought by US citizens is around $270,000 — “three times lower than what the same property would cost in the United States,” said Ruth Sastre, president of the local realtors association. Construction boom In Tijuana, a bustling city with a reputation for gang violence, new apartment buildings are springing up with “For Sale” signs in English and prices in dollars. With more than 1,000 murders in the city already this year, security is an important consideration, but Zarate said that “in general I feel fine in Tijuana, especially downtown or around the border.” “It’s like any big city. There will always be places rougher or more complicated than others,” he added. It is a similar story just south of Tijuana in Rosarito on the Pacific coast. Following a real estate boom that began a decade ago, up to around 12,000 people from the United States now live in the resort city, said Jesus Rincon Vargas, president of the local construction industry association. In total around 1.6 million US citizens are estimated to live in Mexico, according to their country’s embassy, which does not keep official records. They can stay for up to six months with a tourist visa, or apply for residency. ‘Friendly culture’ Along with the lifestyle and cost of living, the relatively relaxed immigration rules are part of the appeal for remote workers flocking to Mexico, notably the capital. Brian McDonald, a 34-year-old software developer from the US state of Oklahoma, has spent more than a year in the Latin American country, lured by its budding technology scene. “Mexico City seems like it’s kind of a gateway for expanding companies and I like working with start-ups,” he said. “It’s a very friendly culture,” McDonald added. Office-sharing company WeWork has seen a “significant influx of digital nomads” in districts of Mexico City popular with foreigners, said spokeswoman Cristina Sancen. “Mexico City has an incomparable climate. For foreigners, it’s definitely a cheaper city. It’s also a cosmopolitan and highly developed city with start-ups and corporations,” she added. Some foreigners working for US firms are also choosing to base themselves south of the border. Kirsty Hall, 23, from Scotland, picked Mexico City as a remote working location while helping to set up a San Francisco-based tech start-up. “I can walk everywhere here. I can cycle. Today I roller-skated to work. Public transport is awesome and it’s very cheap. People are very welcoming too,” Hall said. The influx of foreigners has divided opinion among residents of the capital, some of whom see the city’s popularity as one of the reasons behind gentrification and rising rents. “I heard there’s some prejudice towards digital nomads within Mexico City but I haven’t experienced it personally,” said Blazej Mosinski, 23, from Poland, who is doing a San Francisco internship remotely “purely for financial reasons.” Other challenges of working remotely in Mexico include slower internet speeds than in US technology hubs and safety concerns. “I was robbed by the police two weeks ago, just walking home,” McDonald said. But “the rest — the good food, the cost of living — offsets all of those things,” he added. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Brad Pitt is said to have been so “embarrassed” about a spot on his bum while filming his ‘Thelma and Louise sex scene a make-up artist covered it up between takes. His co-star on the 1991 film Geena Davis, 66, made the claim about the 58-year-old actor in her new autobiography, ‘Dying of Politeness’, in which she also said Brad’s abs were sprayed with Evian water by the film’s director Ridley Scott during the shoot. She said in an extract from the memoir, quoted by The Sun on Sunday (16.10.22): “Brad, for his part, couldn’t have cared less about all the fuss over his looks. “He was just embarrassed about a tiny little pimple on his butt that the make-up gal re-covered after each take.” Geena also said she only agreed to show more flesh than she wanted in the scene for director Ridley Scott after queues of body doubles started to audition to stand in for the actress. She added in her book: “I was uncomfortable with the projected extent of skin I was being asked to show, so Ridley Scott found himself interviewing a slew of body doubles who were more used to flashing the flesh than I was. “A line of them snaked through the lot where we were filming, right past my trailer door, and I couldn’t stand it any longer – I’d worked as a model, after all – so I told Ridley I’d do it. “I needn’t have worried. Ridley seemed much more concerned about how Brad looked than I did in that scene, making sure the lighting was just so, and even personally spraying Brad’s abs with Evian.” Dad-of-six Bard, currently embroiled in an ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie, 47, recently said he was really “grateful” he got the chance from director Ridley Scott, 84, and Geena to feature in ‘Thelma and Louise, in which he played conman and petty thief JD who rips off cash from Geena’s character Thelma, sending her and Louise, played by Susan Sarandon, now 76, into a spiral of theft and disaster that famously ends with them driving off a cliff. Brad said about landing the role, and his regret he made his voice so high in the role: “I had nothing to show for myself, except for my work as an extra, and they took a chance on me. “I’m more aware of how high my voice is in it. My a** must have been clenched so tight, being the first one. “I think they (the filmmakers) were desperate, to tell you the truth. They were already shooting because a week later I was on set, working.” He added he was picked for the part at his final audition in a head-to-head with five other actors who he said included George Clooney. Brad said Geena picked him after exclaiming: “The blond one… hello!” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Jeff Mason and Mike Stone PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden described as “devastating” testimony and video from a Jan. 6 committee hearing two days ago, featuring congressional leaders in tense phone calls with Pentagon and White House officials during the assault on the U.S. Capitol. Biden was speaking to reporters during a stop at an ice cream shop in Oregon as he campaigned for Tina Kotek, who is running for governor of the state. “I think it’s been devastating,” Biden said when asked about the latest hearing. “The case has been made, it seems to me, fairly overwhelming.” Biden said he had been going out of his way not to comment on the proceedings. “Any more I say about it, you … are going to ask me if I’m trying to influence the attorney general. I’m not. I’ve not spoken with him at all,” Biden said, referring to Attorney General Merrick Garland, whose Justice Department has the authority to pursue criminal charges related to the Capitol attack. Some of the video footage came from the family of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi present at the Capitol that day. One of the clips showed the California Democrat in a call with Republican Vice President Mike Pence. “When I spoke to him, I said, ‘I’m so afraid for you to be in the Capitol still,'” Pelosi said on Saturday during remarks at a San Francisco community farming event. Pence responded that the Secret Service thought more attention would be drawn if he and his entourage left the Capitol, Pelosi said. “Lord knows what might have happened if that entourage went out there,” she added. The House committee probing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by Donald Trump’s supporters voted unanimously on Thursday to subpoena the former president, a move that could lead to criminal charges if he does not comply. The hearing followed eight others earlier this year and one in July 2021. There were no live witnesses on Thursday, but the panel presented videotaped testimony to build a case that Trump’s efforts to overturn his November 2020 presidential election defeat constituted illegal conduct far beyond normal politics. The committee’s vote on Thursday may have been its last public action before the Nov. 8 congressional elections that will determine whether Biden’s Democrats continue to control the House and Senate. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Mike Stone; Editing by Sandra Maler, Diane Craft, Paul Simao and Tomasz Janowski) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Jamie Lee Curtis has thanked her godson Jake Gyllenhaal for rebooting her Hollywood career. The ‘Halloween’ actress, 63, said the actor, 41, is responsible for getting her to star in the reboot of the horror franchise that made her name, which she said has led to a career renaissance. Jamie told NME about agreeing to reprise her role as terrorised babysitter Laurie Strode from John Carpenter’s 1978 ‘Halloween’ hit in director David Gordon Green’s 2018 take on the slasher film: “It wasn’t even a thought in my head to do another ‘Halloween’ movie. “I didn’t want to, but then I got a call from Jake Gyllenhaal, my godson who I’ve known since he was a little boy. Jake had worked with David Gordon Green and he said David wanted to speak to me. So I told him to pass my number along and the phone rang again just a minute later.” Jamie added about David’s version of ‘Halloween’: “David had hidden an indie drama in the middle of a horror film. He made something intimate that was layered in bloody tissue and exploding heads. I read it in about an hour and called him back immediately, ‘OK, let’s go’.” David’s ‘Halloween’ had the highest-grossing opening weekend for a film with a female lead over the age of 55 in history and was soon picked up for another two sequels also starring Jamie. Jamie added: “There was no mention of a trilogy when we started in 2018. I didn’t think I would do it ever again. Later, David mentioned that there were these three stories – ‘Halloween’, ‘Halloween Kills’ and ‘Halloween Ends’. And here we are. “I am a creature of habit. I am at my core loyal – and I’m loyal to Laurie. I will look back on my life and think that was a good quality. “That film (‘Halloween’ 2018) changed my entire life. More so (thank the original.) At 63, I have an entire career. “Now I’m a producer. I’m a writer, I’m a director, I’m an active boss, I’m a creative partner. I can collaborate with artists in a way that I’ve always dreamed of. I never expected to be making the movies that I’m making now. “I’m looking at this as a decade of creativity, 60 to 70, that I never expected. “I always knew I was an incredible collaborator, but all of a sudden my life has exploded creatively.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English King Charles is reportedly set to give priority to the presence of charity workers over aristocrats at his upcoming coronation. His Majesty may even scrap a lengthy section of the traditional crowning ceremony known as the “homage” – in which hereditary peers line up to honour the new royal – to give greater prominence to volunteers for good causes. The Mail on Sunday (16.10.22) also said it understands the accommodation of charity workers at his coronation will mean peers and members of the aristocracy could be required to enter a ballot to secure a seat at the event. It added experts who have spent years researching how the Charles’ coronation will be planned are on the verge of releasing a new report setting out what the UK can expect. Written by academics at the Constitution Unit at University College London, and based on interviews with royal insiders over several decades, the publication said the report will “reveal a fascinating insight into the arduous planning involved”. Dr Bob Morris from UCL’s Constitution Unit and author of ‘Inaugurating a New Reign: Planning for Accession and Coronation’, told the Mail on Sunday: “There will inevitably be many changes in the next Coronation, not least because there has been a great change in the status of the aristocracy over the past 70 years. “There are no longer hereditary peers being created and, save for the 90 left in the Lords, the peerage has no legislative function. “So, it would be very difficult to see how you could justify fitting anything like the numbers of the peerage attending Westminster Abbey in 1953. “There would have to be a ballot for a limited number from the 90 peers to attend the Coronation instead. “The King has made it clear that he is conscious that we live in straitened times, and that the Coronation will have to reflect that.” Charles’ coronation date has been announced as May 6 2023, almost 70 years after the Queen was crowned in June, 1953. The 73-year-old monarch is said to be aiming for a “slimmed-down” coronation compared with his late mother’s. It has been reported his ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London, will last just over an hour, have fewer rituals and be more diverse than the ceremony at which Queen Elizabeth was crowned. The Mail on Sunday previously reported the plans for Charles’ coronation are contained in a blueprint dubbed Operation Golden Orb, which apparently contains details on how he will reduce his coronation from the three hours of the late Queen’s. A source told the publication: “The King has stripped back a lot of the Coronation in recognition that the world has changed in the past 70 years.” The publication also reported the guest list for the event will be cut from 8,000 to 2,000, with “hundreds of nobles and parliamentarians missing out”. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel Gibson has been cleared to testify about a conversation he had with one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers. But the actor, 66, cannot be questioned on the stand about his previous anti-Semitic remarks as a lawyer requested. Judge Lisa B Lench made the rulings on Friday (14.10.22) ahead of ‘Braveheart’ actor Mel being lined up to inform a jury about a conversation he had with a masseuse, who is one of Weinstein’s latest alleged victims to come forward against the shamed Hollywood boss. Mel’s involvement was challenged by lawyers for Weinstein at the start of his latest trial in Los Angeles, which sees him on 11 charges of sexual assault and rape. They claimed Mel’s infamous anti-Semitic remarks in 2006 and 2010 meant he could be biased against Weinstein, who is Jewish. But Judge Lench ruled it had little bearing on what the ‘Lethal Weapon’ actor’s testimony may contain about his conversation with the masseuse, who will be known as Jane Doe #3 at the hearings. Weinstein, 70, is accused of committing sexual battery by restraint against the woman. Prosecutors say after getting a massage from the woman at a California hotel in Beverly Hills in May 2010, a naked Weinstein followed her into the bathroom and committed a sex act on himself. Weinstein’s attorney Mark Werksman argued for Mel being questioned about his anti-Semitic remarks by saying: “Any evidence of Mr Gibson’s racism or anti-Semitism would give rise to a bias against my client, who challenged him.” Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez said even tough Mel’s previous comments were “despicable” they had no relevance for the matter about what he knew about his conversation with the masseuse. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty in his new trial and denied any non-consensual sexual activity. He is serving a 23-year sentence for a 2020 conviction for rape and sexual assault in New York and the state’s highest court has agreed to hear his appeal in that case. Weinstein was brought to Los Angeles for a trial that began on Monday (10.10.22), five years after a string of women’s stories about his behaviour spurred on the #MeToo movement. The trial is expected to last eight weeks, and the judge and attorneys will return to the jury selection process on Monday morning (17.10.22), with opening statements set to start on October 24. View the full article

Published by Reuters (This Oct. 13 story has been corrected to clarify the circumstances under which companies in the EU can ban religious signs, including headscarves.) By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU companies can ban the visible wearing of religious signs, including headscarves, if the rules apply to all workers, the European Union’s top court said on Thursday, the latest ruling on an issue that has divided Europe for years. However, it said that if one religion is effectively discriminated against by the ban then companies may need to demonstrate to a court that there is a legitimate need for it. The ruling centred on a case concerning a Muslim woman who was told when she applied to do a six-week work traineeship at a Belgian company that she would not be allowed to wear a headscarf. The firm said it has a neutrality rule, meaning no head covering is allowed on its premises, be it a cap, hat or scarf. The woman took her grievance to a Belgian court, which subsequently sought advice from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg. “The internal rule of an undertaking prohibiting the visible wearing of religious, philosophical or spiritual signs does not constitute direct discrimination if it is applied to all workers in a general and undifferentiated way,” the CJEU judgment said. However, the court said an employer’s neutrality rule could be deemed indirectly discriminatory if it results in someone of a particular religion or belief being put at a disadvantage. It said that in this particular dispute, it would be up to a works tribunal in Brussels to determine if that was case. The court said a difference in treatment of employees would not constitute indirect discrimination if it were objectively justified by a legitimate aim on the part of the company, which the employer would have to demonstrate. The CJEU last year said that EU companies could ban employees from wearing a headscarf under certain conditions, if they needed to do so to project an image of neutrality to customers. In Germany, headscarf bans for women at work have been contentious for years, mostly with regard to aspiring teachers at state schools and trainee judges. France, home to Europe’s largest Muslim minority, prohibited the wearing of Islamic headscarves in state schools in 2004. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by John Chalmers and David Clarke) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Jeff Mason WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden will take on a potential 2024 presidential rival, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, in a November campaign event for the Democratic candidate for governor, Charlie Crist. The White House said on Sunday that Biden will travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Nov. 1 to attend a reception for Crist, a former governor and member of Congress who is trailing in polls behind the popular Republican incumbent. Biden and DeSantis have publicly played nice with each other in recent weeks in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. During a joint appearance on a trip to survey storm damage in Florida, Biden said the two leaders had worked “hand-in-glove.” But the differences between them are stark. And both men could potentially be rivals in 2024 if Biden runs for re-election, which he has indicated he intends to do, and if DeSantis runs for the Republican nomination and succeeds in beating back former President Donald Trump, who is mulling a comeback bid. DeSantis is popular in the Republican Party and has clashed with Biden on multiple policy issues including COVID-19 vaccines, immigration, and abortion rights. The president’s embrace of Crist and his attempt to boost him in the late stages of the campaign could be a sign that Democrats have not given up on hopes of toppling DeSantis in his home state. It could also reflect an effort to let Biden make a more muscular argument against a man who is a likely presidential hopeful. Biden just completed a western travel swing in which he sought to boost Democrat Tina Kotek, who is running in a tight race for governor in Oregon. Control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate is at stake in the November midterm elections, but state elections and governors’ races are also being closely watched for their potential policy impacts on abortion and voting rights. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Elon Musk has a “theory” that Grimes “isn’t real”. The 51-year-old billionaire has dated the ‘Genesis’ singer on and off since 2018 and has two children, son X Æ A-12, two, and 10-month-old daughter Exa with the pop star – whose real name is Claire Boucher – but he said to have told people that he believes he has created a “simulation” to serve as his “perfect companion”. Vanity Fair journalist Devin Gordon claims Grimes shared the theory with him herself. He explained: “She told me repeatedly that Musk has this theory of her that she’s not real. “That she’s a simulation who was created by him and exists in his cerebral cortex as sort of the perfect companion to him.” Even more bizarrely, Grimes agrees with the notion. Devin added on new documentary series ‘The Elon Musk Show’: “Which sounds a little crazy and maybe even a little creepy, except, she agrees with it. She said she does feel like this simulation which was perfectly created for him.” According to the reporter, the on/off couple initially bonded over a “scary” thought experiment and share very similar tastes. He said: “They both made a similar nerdy joke about a scary AI theory of the future called Roko’s Basilisk, which I don’t really even get. And her interests are all the same as his and her music is very technologically oriented.” Grimes and Elon announced last September they had “semi-separated” but the singer later admitted there was “no real word” to describe their relationship. She previously said: “I would probably refer to him as my boyfriend, but we’re very fluid. We live in separate houses. We’re best friends. “We see each other all the time…. We just have our own thing going on, and I don’t expect other people to understand it.” View the full article

Published by Reuters (This Oct. 13 story has been corrected to changes last percentage in paragraph 4 from 39% to 38%.) By Nancy Lapid (Reuters) – Most patients with COVID-19 who have lingering symptoms at 12 months are likely to still have symptoms at 18 months, new data suggest. The findings are drawn from a large study of 33,281 people in Scotland who tested positive for the coronavirus. Most of the results are in line with those from earlier, smaller studies. Among a subset of 197 survivors of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections who completed surveys at 12 months and 18 months, most reported lingering symptoms at both time points, researchers reported in Nature Communications. Rates of no recovery at 12 months were 11% with 51% partial recovery and 39% complete recovery. Rates at 18 months were 11% no recovery, 51% partial and 38% complete. Asymptomatic infections were not associated with long COVID. But among the 31,486 people with symptomatic infections, nearly half reported incomplete recovery at six to 18 months. A total of 3,744 participants with symptomatic infections completed questionnaires twice over the following year. At six months, 8% reported no recovery, 47% reported partial recovery, and 45% reported complete recovery. Those rates had barely changed at 12 months, with 8% reporting no recovery, 46% partial recovery and 46% complete recovery. One in 20 patients with a symptomatic infection reported no recovery at the most recent follow-up, researchers said. “Our study is important because it adds to our understanding of long COVID in the general population, not just in those people who need to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19,” study leader Jill Pell of the University of Glasgow said in a statement. Long COVID was more likely in patients who had been hospitalized and in those who were older, female, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and with pre-existing health conditions. The most common lingering symptoms included breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, and confusion and “brain fog.” Vaccination before infection appeared to protect against some long-term symptoms, the researchers also found. The researchers also surveyed nearly 63,000 individuals with only negative COVID tests, to distinguish between health problems that are due to COVID-19 and health problems that would be expected in the general population. (Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Caroline Humer and David Gregorio) View the full article

Published by AlterNet By Meaghan Ellis Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is facing scrutiny for his latest attempt to criticize Democrats. Although he claimed “The Left is beyond parody,” his attack fell flat when he was slammed for sharing a fake article that was photoshopped with reporter Abby Ohlheiser’s old byline. Blogger Parker Molloy has taken to Twitter with a series of fiery arguments laying out the case against Cruz and offering the Republican lawmaker a timeline for Ohlheiser, who is currently with The Washington Post — not The Atlantic. “So, someone created a fake story, slapped [Abby Ohlheiser]’s byline on it ev… Read More View the full article

Published by NJ.com The show will in fact go on at Cedar Grove High School after school officials backtracked on a plan to cancel a student production of the “The Prom,” a musical about a lesbian student who wants to bring her girlfriend to her school prom. The Essex County school district faced a backlash from students, parents, alumni and the LGBTQ community after word spread on social media that officials tentatively canceled the production this week due to community concerns about “inappropriate” content in the award-winning Broadway musical. However, the district’s superintendent said Friday the school will … Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Darren Hayes says his father was the first person to insult him for being gay. The 50-year-old pop star – who has been married to Richard Cullen since 2013 and was previously married to Colby Taylor – explained that his childhood was “traumatising” because his father was a “violent alcoholic” who would beat his mum and “insult him” about his homosexuality. He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “My experience was so traumatising. I had a father who was a violent alcoholic and he used to beat my mum and I was a really sensitive little kid. He was the first person to call me a gay slur and he called me the F word.The former Savage Garden star went on to explain that his maternal grandmother had taken her own life and yet his own mother – who grew up “dirt poor” and lived in a tent – continues to be a “source of love” and is the reason he was able to pursue a career in show business. He said: “And my mother’s mother – my grandma – committed suicide at the age of 49. And yet my mother is a source of love. She is so positive and so loving and everything I know about forgiveness and kindness comes from her. “But she grew up in a tent. Her dad was the kindest man. They were dirt poor, he worked repairing railways so they were called The Railway Children, living in temporary tents on the side of rail tracks with dirt floors. They had nothing yet they felt rich. And she’s always instilled that feeling in me and that’s always been my outlook in life. “That’s how I was able to come from the family I’ve come from and just watch a Madonna video and think ‘Oh I’m just gonna do that!’ I wouldn’t wish that on someone but it is like the creation of a diamond. “A diamond is created through extreme pressure and what it can create is one of the most beautiful and one of the strongest, toughest elements on earth. Some of my favourite people, like Madonna, came from a tragic moment of heartache and if you’re able to maintain a loving heart despite what happens to you – and we’ve all had stuff happen to us. “ Darren’s new album ‘Homosexual’ is out now. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Cher has listed her Malibu mansion for $85 million. The 76-year-old singer could make more than $82 million profit on the plush pad if her home sells for its asking price after she forked out just $2.95 million on the property in 1989. Potential purchasers who like to relax and ensure they are safe in their own abode might be pleased to note the ‘I Got You Babe’ singer’s seven-bedroom mansion comes complete with a meditation room, as well as a panic room. Cher’s house also appears to be the perfect place for those partial to a hairpiece, because it features a climate-controlled room for the music legend’s iconic wigs. Fitness fanatics may also want to have a walk, or a light jog, around the ‘Believe’ hitmaker’s house, because it boasts a tennis court, infinity pool, plus and indoor-outdoor gym. It’s not the first time Cher has attempted to offload the property, which took five years to build. In 2009, she set a $45 million asking price on her home – which also has picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean – but the ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ singer may not have any regrets about not selling now, because she could be set to make nearly double that this time around. What’s more, the house has a gatehouse, which tends to be used as a guesthouse, and a theatre, where the star may well have watched her turn in the likes of ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’ or 1990 movie ‘Mermaids’. In March, Cher offered her home to Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion of the country. She tweeted: “I Would Like to Sponsor Ukrainian Families in My Home. “They Would Be Safe Cared For. “MANY PEOPLE IN MY POSITION NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. “IF I WAS ALONE OR WITH MY CHILDREN, WE WERE TRAUMATIZED, I WOULD HOPE SOMEONE LIKE ME TO TAKE CARE OF US. (sic)” View the full article

Published by AFP Google says Donald Trump's Truth Social app for Android devices has been tweaked to effectively get rid of abusive and violence-inducing posts, as a condition of being allowed into the Play Store San Francisco (AFP) – Google on Wednesday said it has allowed Donald Trump’s Truth Social app in its Play Store for Android devices — after receiving assurances the app would meet the platform’s standards for moderating harmful content. The app — which Trump launched after being barred from Twitter over the 2021 Capitol riot — had been kept out of Google’s store over its lack of moderation tools, including for violent threats. Google said Truth Social has since been updated to comply with its policies barring objectionable posts, and has built in effective systems for reporting and removing unwanted content as well as blocking abusers. “Apps may be distributed on Google Play provided they comply with our developer guidelines, including the requirement to effectively moderate user-generated content and remove objectionable posts such as those that incite violence,” a Google spokesperson said in response to an AFP inquiry. Developers can make Android apps available elsewhere on the internet, but the Play Store is a main source of content for users. A Truth Social app for Android devices is available on the social network’s website and other venues that may not have Google’s content moderation rules, according to the Alphabet-owned tech titan. “It’s been a pleasure to work with Google, and we’re glad they helped us to finally bring Truth Social to all Americans, regardless of what device they use,” Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) chief executive said in a released statement. TMTG early this month announced today that a Truth Social app was freshly available for people in the United States who use Samsung smartphones, which are powered by customized Android software and have their own app shop. Samsung’s share of the US smartphone market is about 30 percent, according to industry analysis firm Counterpoint. A version of Truth Social tailored for Apple mobile devices is available at the App Store, which also enforces rules about content moderation. Trump take on Twitter Google said in August that it had notified Truth Social that its app violated Play policies and required “effective systems for moderating user-generated content” in order to be offered on the platform. The online giant said at the time that Trump’s app broke rules barring content that incites physical threats and violence, but was working on addressing those issues. Truth Social was conceived as Trump’s answer to Twitter — from which he was ejected in January 2021, days after a mob of his supporters refusing to accept his election defeat to Joe Biden stormed the US Capitol. Billionaire Elon Musk, who has made a $44-billion deal to buy Twitter, has said he would likely allow the former US leader back on the platform. After trying to walk away, Musk now says the troubled deal is back on and could close by the end of this month. Meanwhile, a merger between TMTG and a blank check company named Digital World Acquisition Corp — intended to bring in fresh funding for the Trump platform — has yet to take place. Digital World shares were up more than seven percent to just over $17 in after-market trades in the wake of the Play Store news. QAnon Excluded from major social networks, Trump has regained only a fraction of his followers on Truth Social. Trump has 4.18 followers at Truth Social, compared to the 88.8 million he had on Twitter and the 35.4 million he had on Facebook before being booted for encouraging real-world violence such as the deadly attack on the US Capitol. Truth Social has become an online haven for QAnon fans to share conspiracy theories such as prominent members of the Democratic Party being involved with satanists or pedophiles. Misinformation watchdog NewsGuard has reported finding scores of Truth Social accounts sharing QAnon content, with Trump among those resharing posts. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Harry Styles leads the list of nominees for the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs). The 28-year-old pop star – who shot to stardom as part of One Direction – has received seven nominations in total, including Best Song, Best Video, Best Artist, Best Live, Best Pop, Best UK and Ireland Act, and Biggest Fans. Taylor Swift has received six nominations in total, including one for Best Longform Video, which is a brand new category at the EMAs. Taylor, 32, will also compete with Harry for the Best Video, Best Artist, Best Pop, and Biggest Fans gongs. Elsewhere, Nicki Minaj and Rosalia have both been nominated for five awards each, including for the coveted Best Artist accolade. Rap star Kendrick Lamar has been nominated in the Best Video, Best Live, Best Hip Hop, and Video For Good categories, while Ed Sheeran is competing for the Best Live, Best Pop and Video For Good gongs. BLACKPINK, the South Korean girl group, also feature prominently on the list of nominees. The chart-topping group will compete for the Best K-Pop gong along with the likes of BTS, ITZY, LISA, SEVENTEEN and TWICE. BLACKPINK have also been nominated in the Biggest Fans, Best Metaverse Performance, and Best Video categories. The upcoming ceremony – which is being staged at the PSD Bank Dome in Dusseldorf, Germany, on November 13 – will feature a number of first-time nominees, including the likes of Stephen Sanchez, Dove Cameron, Doechii, Baby Keem, Mae Muller, Shenseea, Summer Walker, and Wet Leg. The event – which is being hosted in Germany for the sixth time – will broadcast on MTV in more than 170 countries around the world, and fans can now vote for their favourite artists via www.mtvema.com. Complete list of nominees: Best Song: Bad Bunny – ‘Me Porto Bonito’ Harry Styles – ‘As It Was’ Jack Harlow – ‘First Class’ Lizzo – ‘About Damn Time’ Nicki Minaj – ‘Super Freaky Girl’ ROSALIA – ‘DESPECHA’ Best Video: BLACKPINK – ‘Pink Venom’ Doja Cat – ‘Woman’ Harry Styles – ‘As It Was’ Kendrick Lamar – ‘The Heart Part 5’ Nicki Minaj – ‘Super Freaky Girl’ Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ Best Artist: Adele Beyonce Harry Styles Nicki Minaj ROSALIA Taylor Swift Best Collaboration: Bad Bunny, Chencho Corleone – ‘Me Porto Bonito’ David Guetta and Bebe Rexha – ‘I’m Good (Blue)’ DJ Khaled ft. Drake and Lil Baby – ‘STAYING ALIVE’ Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa – ‘Sweetest Pie’ Post Malone ft. Doja Cat – ‘I Like You (A Happier Song)’ Shakira ft. Rauw Alejandro – ‘Te Felicito’ Tiesto and Ava Max – ‘The Motto’ Best Live: Coldplay Ed Sheeran Harry Styles Kendrick Lamar Lady Gaga The Weeknd Best Pop: Billie Eilish Doja Cat Ed Sheeran Harry Styles Lizzo Taylor Swift Best New: Baby Keem Dove Cameron GAYLE SEVENTEEN Stephen Sanchez Tems Best K-pop: BLACKPINK BTS ITZY LISA SEVENTEEN TWICE Best Latin: Anitta Bad Bunny Becky G J Balvin ROSALIA Shakira Best Electronic: Calvin Harris David Guetta DJ Snake Marshmello Swedish House Mafia Tiesto Best Hip Hop: Drake Future Jack Harlow Kendrick Lamar Lil Baby Megan Thee Stallion Nicki Minaj Best Rock: Foo Fighters Liam Gallagher Maneskin Muse Red Hot Chili Peppers The Killers Best Alternative: Gorillaz Imagine Dragons Panic! At The Disco Tame Impala Twenty One Pilots YUNGBLUD Best RnB: Chloe Giveon H.E.R. Khalid Summer Walker SZA Best Longform Video: Foo Fighters – ‘Studio 666’ ROSALIA – ‘MOTOMAMI’ Stormzy – ‘Mel Made Me Do It’ Taylor Hawkins Tribute concert, London’s Wembley Stadium Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ Video For Good: Ed Sheeran – ‘2step (feat. Lil Baby)’ Kendrick Lamar – ‘The Heart Part 5’ Latto – ‘P****’ Lizzo – ‘About Damn Time’ Sam Smith – ‘Unholy (feat. Kim Petras)’ Stromae – ‘Fils de joie’ Biggest Fans: BLACKPINK BTS Harry Styles Lady Gaga Nicki Minaj Taylor Swift Best Push: Nessa Barrett SEVENTEEN Mae Muller GAYLE Shenseea Omar Apollo Wet Leg Muni Long Doechii Saucy Santana Stephen Sanchez JVKE Best Metaverse Performance: BLACKPINK – ‘The Virtual’ | PUBG BTS | Minecraft Charli XCX | Roblox Justin Bieber – ‘An Interactive Virtual Experience’ | Wave Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience | Roblox View the full article

Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer PHILADELPHIA — Doug Mastriano, John Fetterman, and Mehmet Oz have all drawn the national spotlight this year. But Josh Shapiro is quietly running the strongest campaign — and potentially building the biggest future. With a relentless and largely by-the-book effort, Shapiro, the Democratic attorney general, has built a double-digit lead over Mastriano in the governor’s race, according to all major recent public polls. If that holds up, and he wins big, it would be an eye-catching swing-state victory that could vault him to national prominence. Some people are already forecasting that Shapiro, 4… Read More View the full article

Published by The Street By Veronika Bondarenko The 13,200-square-foot Malibu mansion was finished for Cher in 1999. Before Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek and her wall of different-colored wigs, there was Cher — the 76-year-old singer earned her diva status both for her six-decade singing career and a number of iconic hair moments. Cher is known for extravagance in all aspects of her life and the homes she owns are no exception. Her 13,200-square-foot Malibu mansion has a separate climate-controlled room used to store over 100 of the singer’s wigs. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, Cher just placed this ho… Read More View the full article

Published by DPA Thousands of people gathered in the centre of Bratislava on Friday to commemorate the victims of a shooting at a gay bar earlier this week and to take a stand against hatred of sexual minorities. Dano Veselský/TASR/dpa Thousands of people gathered in the centre of Bratislava on Friday to commemorate the victims of a shooting at a gay bar earlier this week and to take a stand against hatred of sexual minorities. Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova and Prime Minister Eduard Heger attended the gathering. Caputova gave an emotional speech, apologizing to the victims. “Forgive me, I am sorry that our society failed to protect its neighbours,” she said. A man killed two men and seriously injured a waitress near a popular gay pub in Bratislava’s city centre on Wednesday. He later posted a series of hate messages and a form of manifesto containing homophobic and right-wing extremist content on social media before killing himself. The media blamed the act on internet incitement and derogatory comments by politicians about sexual minorities in Slovakia, a highly conservative nation, where most people are Catholic. The protesters laid flowers at the scene of the crime and gathered at Slovak National Uprising Square. Many cheered at Caputova’s speech as she said: “I am sorry that they still feel unwanted as members of the LGBTI community in Slovakia. They belong to us and are valuable to our society.” LGBTI refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex community. Caputova called on the population to unite against the hatred that had made the act possible. Thousands of people gathered in the centre of Bratislava on Friday to commemorate the victims of a shooting at a gay bar earlier this week and to take a stand against hatred of sexual minorities. Dano Veselský/TASR/dpa Thousands of people gathered in the centre of Bratislava on Friday to commemorate the victims of a shooting at a gay bar earlier this week and to take a stand against hatred of sexual minorities. Dano Veselský/TASR/dpa View the full article

Published by Raw Story By Ray Hartmann Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI) made a small splash Tuesday with her announcement that she was leaving the Democratic Party because “it’s now under the complete control of an elitist cabal of warmongers, driven by cowardly wokeness.” She had the cowardly part right. The Democrats should long ago have condemned and distanced themselves from Gabbard, an opportunist who has fought against Democratic values her almost of her adult life. The closest Democrats came to disowning Gabbard came after her February speech to the far-right 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPACP… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News NEW YORK — Four emerging LGBTQ filmmakers, who were selected as the first-ever recipients of NewFest’s New Voices Filmmakers Grant, will showcase their work at this year’s New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival. The initiative, a partnership of NewFest with Netflix in support of emerging LGBTQ talent, distributed a total of $100,000 in funds among the recipients, as well as one year of mentorship. The selected filmmakers will now have the opportunity to screen their work in one of the world’s largest queer film festivals. The program aims to “continue making sure that filmmakers who have historically b… Read More View the full article