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Published by Reuters By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic U.S. Representative Val Demings enters the final weeks of her campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio in a stronger position than many observers had expected in conservative-leaning Florida. Demings, a former Orlando police chief, is the underdog against Rubio, who is seeking his third six-year term in the Senate and ran unsuccessfully for the 2016 Republican U.S. presidential nomination. But recent polls show Demings pulling close to Rubio ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm election, even as the state’s Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, maintains a wide lead over Democratic challenger Charlie Crist. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, plans on Tuesday to make his first trip of this election cycle to Florida, where much of his attention is expected to be focused on DeSantis, a potential rival for the White House in 2024. Demings will not be joining Biden, whose job approval ratings remain near the lowest of his presidency. Her campaign said this is due to her commitments in Congress, though some embattled Democrats have expressed concern that joining Biden on stage could hurt their campaigns. While DeSantis is expected to easily fend off Crist’s challenge, some political observers have said that Rubio faces a closer race with Demings. Control of Congress is at stake on Nov. 8, with Democrats holding slim majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate. Democrats currently hold the Senate by the narrowest possible margin, through Vice President Kamala Harris’s tie-breaking vote in a chamber split 50-50 between the parties. While Republicans are favored to win a majority in the House, competitive races in states including Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona have increased the chances for Biden’s party to successfully defend its Senate majority. Demings is hoping to add Florida to that list. Rubio has sought to link Demings closely to Biden, saying on Twitter last month that she is “just another blame-America-first rubber stamp” and accusing Democrats of allowing a rise in urban crime. “This race is about Val Demings versus Marco Rubio,” said Christian Slater, communications director for Demings’ campaign. “We have a clear contrast in this race: A cop on the beat who is a no-nonsense, straight-shooter with voters versus a career politician.” Demings has raised more campaign funds than Rubio, pulling in $47.2 million to the incumbent’s $36.5 million as of Aug. 3, the latest figures available. “I see both running hard – anything is possible,” said a Republican strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Rubio will need a strong turnout in Florida’s heavily conservative northwestern panhandle, the strategist added. Republicans nominated untested Senate candidates including former football star Herschel Walker in Georgia, television doctor Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania and venture capitalist and author J.D. Vance in Ohio, as well as far-right candidate Don Bolduc in New Hampshire. Holding seats like Rubio’s is thus all the more important for them. Allies of Demings acknowledge that she faces political headwinds in Florida including Biden’s low popularity. Biden lost the key election battleground state to Trump by 3 percentage points in 2020. An average of opinion polls published in the past month places Demings within about 3 percentage points of Rubio, according to RealClearPolitics. Demings has leaned hard on her 27-year career in law enforcement, identifying herself in ads as “the chief” rather than playing up her six years in the House. Demings also served as one of the Democratic House managers in Trump’s first Senate impeachment trial in 2020. If elected, Demings would become the first Black U.S. senator from Florida. There are no Black women currently serving in the Senate. Jose Parra, an adviser to the Florida Democratic Party, said that for Demings to win, she would need to boost turnout among voters in south Florida, including Rubio’s birthplace Miami, and lure independents in a vote-rich corridor traversing central Florida. “It’s going to be all about the independents,” Parra said. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Will Dunham and Scott Malone) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Britney Spears says Jennifer Lopez would “never” be treated the way she was during her conservatorship. The 40-year-old pop star regained control of her multimillion-dollar fortune and various aspects of her life when a conservatorship that had been governed by her family for 13 years was terminated back in 2021 and took to social media on Sunday (25.09.22) to allege that someone of similar stature like the ‘Hustlers’ actress would never have to endure the kind of rules she had to. She wrote on Instagram: “I’d like to see somebody tell Jennifer Lopez to sit down eight hours a day seven days a week … no car. I’d like to see a management team tell Jennifer Lopez to go through what I went through … what the f*** do you think she would do … her family would NEVER allow that.” The ‘Womanizer’ hitmaker went on to allege that her family had “locked her up” before reposting an old post where she referenced the lyrics of her deubt single ‘…Baby One More Time’ as she claimed rules of her conservatorship meant that she was forbidden from performing remixes of her signature song on tour. She added: “After 14 years of telling me no to what I wanted … it’s ruined for me … but that wasn’t the worst part … the worst part was my family locking me up in that place for four months. Jesus Christ. “Here’s me playing at my house with a different version of “Baby One More Time” … the WORD as in WORDS … Show me how you want it to be … tell me baby cause I need to know … give me a f****** sign … HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME !!! The first three tours I ever did EACH song was a remix so the sound was new for my fans … it was what I was known for … for 13 years I wanted remixes to my songs during the conservatorship … to make the songs and feel new.(sic)” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star Dan Levy says fashion is “just like acting”. The 39-year-old actor – who plays David Rose in the CBS sitcom – has teamed up with British designer Steven Stokey-Daley to create an eyewear collection for his label SS Daley and he loves being able to express himself through clothes and accessories, because it is an extension of playing a character. In an interview with GQ, Dan – whose father is ‘American Pie’ star Eugene Levy – said: “I grew up in a house where my parents would give me one pair of jeans and a T-shirt to wear to school, but I’d be in the stores picking loads of different things off the racks. “I didn’t really have access to clothes until I got jobs and could buy for myself. Now to get close to designers I love is a joy. “Fashion is a variation on a theme and, just like acting, it’s a way someone expresses themselves and I love it.” SS Daley has already been worn by a host of celebrities, including Harry Styles and Josh O’Connor, and Dan feels proud to have contributed to Steven’s label. Dan – who regularly impresses with his fashion choices on the red carpet, including the 2021 Met Gala – hopes this eyewear collection will be the beginning of a long-running collaboration between the pair. He said: “Although he doesn’t need my support as he’s already doing so well, we’re playing a small part in a moment in a designer’s career which is meaningful as he ascends to greatness. “The collaboration came through Harry Lambert. We got introduced and he knew that I had an eyewear line and following that was six months of sampling, choosing acetate colours, figuring out the shapes with Steven. “I really hope we continue with the partnership, I’ve long been a fan of Steven’s work and it’s really fun to get involved.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Kanye West has compared his divorce to the death of Queen Elizabeth. The ‘Stronger’ rapper split from Kim Kardashian – the mother of his children North, nine, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and three-year-old Psalm – in February 2021 after six years of marriage, and he claimed losing his own “queen” has given him an understanding of how British people feel following the death of the 96-year-old monarch earlier this month. He wrote on his Instagram Story using his signature all-capital letter style: “London I know how you feel. I lost my queen too.” Shortly after Buckingham Palace announced the death of the queen, Kanye claimed the historical moment had given him a new perspective and he vowed to “release all grudges”. He shared photos of the monarch when she was younger and captioned his post: “Life is precious. Releasing all grudges today. Leaning into the light.” Last week, the 45-year-old rapper apologised for causing his ex-wife any “stress”. He said: “This is the mother of my children. I apologise for any stress that I have caused.” Kanye has often turned to social media platforms to discuss his issues with Kim – including repeated criticism of her then-boyfriend Pete Davidson – in recent months. But the ‘Bound 2’ hitmaker rubbished the suggestion that social media is inherently negative. Asked if platforms such as Instagram and Twitter are more “hurtful or beneficial” overall, Kanye replied: “Oh, that’s one of my favourite questions this interview. “I mean, we can use a car to rush somebody to a hospital – or we could use a car and accidentally hit somebody while we’re rushing somebody to the hospital. So it’s all in how we use it.” View the full article

Published by DPA Laughing gas, which has become a party drug sold in balloons for inhaling in some places such as Amsterdam, comes with health risks of which many users are unaware. Annette Birschel/dpa Doctors have sounded the alarm over the dangers of laughing gas, warning users it could lead to spinal injuries. Experts said that nitrous oxide, which is known as laughing gas, or balloons, has become increasingly popular but many users are unaware that it can potentially lead to spinal injury and nerve damage. Alastair Noyce, professor in neurology and neuroepidemiology at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health at Queen Mary University of London, and consultant neurologist at Barts NHS Trust, said he had seen a steep rise in spinal injuries among young people due to use of the drug. He is working with other neurologists to develop national guidance to treat people whose nerves have been damaged through use of the drug. “We are seeing more patients than even a year or so ago, and often the cases are more severe,” he said. “We used to see people with tingling and numbness in their legs or difficulty walking but this year we’ve had several people who literally can’t walk at all when they come to hospital.” The 2019/20 Crime Survey for England and Wales found that almost 9% of 16 to 24-year-olds said they had taken nitrous oxide in the previous year, up from 6.1% in 2012/13. As a result of the rise in cases, medical students at Queen Mary University have launched a campaign – N20: Know The Risks – to try to highlight the dangers of the drug. Fourth year medical student Devan Main, who is leading the campaign, said: “We want to empower people with the knowledge of the risks of nitrous oxide to inform them if faced with the decision to take balloons.” A 33-year-old man from Essex described how he felt “really ill and sick” after becoming addicted to the drug. The man, known only as Liam, said: “I was addicted to them. They were sold at #5 a balloon, but no one knew the risks, they were very understated as a drug. “I was running around playing football, but my legs were just weak, but I didn’t realise it was balloons. “I had pins and needles in my hands, and tingling. I used to feel really ill and sick. I had days where I couldn’t eat, it felt like you were bloated with gas. “Since I’ve stopped using, I’ve noticed a big increase in my energy and mood.” View the full article

Published by AFP A man sits at his workstation within the Mission Operations Center for the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spaceship, which is fast approaching its target Laurel (United States) (AFP) – NASA will on Monday attempt a feat humanity has never before accomplished: deliberately smacking a spacecraft into an asteroid to slightly deflect its orbit, in a key test of our ability to stop cosmic objects from devastating life on Earth. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spaceship launched from California last November and is fast approaching its target, which it will strike at roughly 14,000 miles (22,500 kilometers) per hour. “It’s the final cosmic collision countdown,” tweeted mission control at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland. To be sure, neither the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos, nor the big brother it orbits, called Didymos, pose any threat as the pair loop the Sun, passing about seven million miles from Earth at nearest approach. But NASA has deemed the experiment important to carry out before an actual need is discovered. If all goes to plan, impact between the car-sized spacecraft, and the 530-foot (160 meters, or two Statues of Liberty) asteroid should take place at 7:14 pm Eastern Time (2314 GMT), viewable on a NASA livestream. By striking Dimorphos head on, NASA hopes to push it into a smaller orbit, shaving ten minutes off the time it takes to encircle Didymos, which is currently 11 hours and 55 minutes — a change that will be detected by ground telescopes in the days or weeks to come. The proof-of-concept experiment will make a reality of what has before only been attempted in science fiction — notably in films such as “Armageddon” and “Don’t Look Up.” Technically challenging As the craft propels itself through space, flying autonomously for the mission’s final phase, its camera system will start to beam down the very first pictures of Dimorphos. Minutes later, a toaster-sized satellite called LICIACube, which already separated from DART a few weeks ago, will make a close pass of the site to capture images of the collision and the ejecta — the pulverized rock thrown off by impact. LICIACube’s pictures will be sent back in the next weeks and months. Also watching the event: an array of telescopes, both on Earth and in space — including the recently operational James Webb — which might be able to see a brightening cloud of dust. Finally, a full picture of what the system looks like will be revealed when a European Space Agency mission four years down the line called Hera arrives to survey Dimorphos’ surface and measure its mass, which scientists can currently only guess at. Being prepared Very few of the billions of asteroids and comets in our solar system are considered potentially hazardous to our planet, and none are expected in the next hundred years or so. But “I guarantee to you that if you wait long enough, there will be an object,” said NASA’s Thomas Zurbuchen. We know that from the geological record — for example, the six-mile wide Chicxulub asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago, plunging the world into a long winter that led to the mass extinction of the dinosaurs along with 75 percent of all species. An asteroid the size of Dimorphos, by contrast, would only cause a regional impact, such as devastating a city, albeit with greater force than any nuclear bomb in history. How much momentum DART imparts on Dimorphos will depend on whether the asteroid is solid rock, or more like a “rubbish pile” of boulders bound by mutual gravity — a situation that’s not yet known. The shape of the asteroid is also not known, but NASA engineers are confident DART’s SmartNav guidance system will hit its target. If it misses, NASA will have another shot in two years’ time, with the spaceship containing just enough fuel for another pass. But if it succeeds, the mission will mark the first step towards a world capable of defending itself from a future existential threat. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Marc Frank HAVANA (Reuters) – Cubans approved gay marriage and adoption overwhelmingly in a Sunday referendum backed by the government that also boosted rights for women, the national election commission said on Monday. More than 3.9 million voters voted to ratify the code (66.9%), while 1.95 million opposed ratification (33%), Alina Balseiro Gutierrez, president of the commission, said on state-run television on Monday. “Justice has been done,” Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote in a tweet. “It is paying off a debt with several generations of Cuban men and women, whose family projects have been waiting for this law for years,” he said. The 100-page “family code” legalizes same-sex marriage and civil unions, allows same-sex couples to adopt children, and promotes equal sharing of domestic rights and responsibilities between men and women. Preliminary results from the electoral commission showed 74% of 8.4 million Cubans eligible to vote participated in the Sunday referendum. There are no independent observers of Cuban elections, although citizens may observe the count at their precincts. Scattered local reports of district counts on social media appeared to tally with the official results. The announcement of the results came as Diaz-Canel presided over an emergency meeting as the Caribbean island prepared for Hurricane Ian to pass over its western tip early on Tuesday. Official Twitter accounts showed the room erupting in applause and the president leaning back and smiling at the news. The Cuban president led the campaign for the adoption of the code. By Cuban standards Sunday’s turnout was relatively modest, and a 33% ‘no’ vote relatively large in the communist-run country, where previous referendums have seen the government position receiving near unanimous approval. The dissent is an indication of both how Cuba is changing and the current dire economic circumstances, which have seen long power outages and lines for food, medicine and fuel. Sunday’s vote was also the first of its kind since mobile internet was legalized in 2018, which has let dissenting views spread more widely. (Reporting by Marc Frank, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) View the full article

[This post contains video, click to play] Published by BANG Showbiz English Tokischa felt an “instant connection” when kissing Madonna. The 26-year-old rapper – who also has a platform on adults-only subscription service OnlyFans – teamed up with the Queen of Pop, 64, for the remix single ‘Hung Up on Tokischa’ and explained that although locking lips was a natural occurence between them, there is nothing “sexual” about their bond. Speaking on ‘Ebro in the Morning’, she said: “As soon as we met, like, because it’s Madonna, you know, it’s somebody that’s been expressing herself her entire life, not caring. That’s actually what I do, too. It was instant — we connected right away. We were doing this together and rehearsing for the show and talking all the time, so we got really close… We were in the mic recording and all of a sudden we was kissing already, and it’s like, it’s so natural for both of us. We just kiss, just like talking… It’s not something that is, like, ‘Oh, we are so sexual…’ It’s more like a vibe.” The ‘Linda’ hitmaker – whose real name is Tokischa Altagracia Peralta Juárez – went on to stress that she and the ‘Material Girl’ songstress are simply “friends with kissing” and explained that she also loves to lock lips with her fans. Asked if she was in a relationship with Madonna, she said: “No, we are friends. With kissing. Her breath smells so good! “I did this song that talks about how I have this best friend and we kiss. After I did that song all my fans are like ‘Oh I’m gong to your show, I hope you kiss me.’ How am I gonna tell them no? No, f*** that. They’re my fans, they’re literally there to see me. The least I can do is hug them or kiss them. I love to go to my fans when I’m on the show. That’s my favourite part.” View the full article

Published by Kaiser Health News Promise: “I’m never going to raise the white flag and surrender. We’re going to beat this virus. We’re going to get it under control, I promise you.” President Joe Biden caused a stir in a “60 Minutes” interview on Sept. 18 when he declared that the covid-19 pandemic is over. “We still have a problem with covid — we’re still doing a lot of work on it,” Biden said. “But the pandemic is over.” Critics countered that the U.S. is still averaging about400 deaths daily from the virus, that nearly 30,000 Americans remain hospitalized, and that many others are suffering from “long covid” symptoms stem… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters (Reuters) – Rihanna will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in February in Glendale, Arizona, the National Football League announced on Sunday. The Grammy-winning Barbadian singer is filling one of the most coveted slots in the U.S. music calendar, watched by millions of television viewers annually. Previous halftime performers have included Michael Jackson, Prince, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Lady Gaga, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and the Who. The Super Bowl, the biggest event in American football, takes place at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium on Feb. 12. Rihanna’s fans have waited for years for the promised follow-up to her eighth studio album “Anti” from 2016, which included the hit single “Work.” (Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Will Dunham) View the full article

Published by NJ.com The Miss’d America pageant returned to Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City Saturday night to crown a new queen of the runway for 2023. After being named first runner-up of the 2022 Miss’d America contest, Miss Elaine vowed to come back this year with a vengeance — and that she did, beating out seven other contestants to take home the top prize. The Miss’d America pageant — “the one with the D” — is a pageant for drag queens and has raised approximately $500,000 over 31 years for the LGBTQ+ community in South Jersey, Philadelphia, and nationwide. Miss Elaine, born Scott McMaster, of Pennsy… Read More View the full article

Published by Miami Herald Is America a Christian nation? The United States is a secular nation with no official religion, so the answer is No. But to Republicans such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, simplifying the answer to a Yes is a powerful tool. They’ve found a political gold mine in pitting Christians against the so-called evils of the left, gay and transgender people and teachers accused of pushing a “woke” agenda. DeSantis’ flirting with Christian nationalism — the belief that America is in God’s plan and was intended to be a Christian nation — as the Miami Herald recently reported, is not new in GOP politics. Bu… Read More View the full article

Published by The San Diego Union-Tribune Linda Ronstadt encountered a pivotal problem when she teamed up with former New York Times writer Lawrence Downes to pen a cookbook featuring some of her family’s favorite recipes. “It didn’t come together because I don’t cook!” said Ronstadt, 76, a National Medal of Arts recipient, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and 11-time Grammy Award-winner. “So, we decided to turn it into a book about the Sonoran desert and how it’s strikingly the same on either side (Mexico and the U.S.), even though they put that border fence in the middle of it.” The result is “Feels Like Home: Song for the Sonoran … Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters UK OSLO (Reuters) – Norwegian police said on Monday two men had been arrested on Sunday on suspicion of involvement in a mass shooting that killed two people and wounded 21 in and around an Oslo gay bar in June. A Somali citizen in his 40s and a Norwegian one in his 30s, each with prior involvement in criminal activity, were arrested by police on Sunday, Oslo police said in a statement. Only one suspect, named by police as Zaniar Matapour, was arrested at the scene of the June 25 shooting, while an international arrest warrant has been issued for a fourth suspect. Police last week said its hypoth… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States would respond decisively to any Russian use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine and has spelled out to Moscow the “catastrophic consequences” it would face, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday. Sullivan’s remarks represented the latest American warning following the thinly veiled nuclear threat made by Vladimir Putin last Wednesday in a speech in which the Russian president also announced his country’s first wartime military mobilization since World War Two. “If Russia crosses this line, there will be catastrophic consequences for Russia. The United States will respond decisively,” Sullivan told NBC’s “Meet the Press” program. Sullivan did not describe the nature of the planned U.S. response in his comments on Sunday but said the United States has privately to Moscow “spelled out in greater detail exactly what that would mean.” Sullivan said that the United States has been in frequent, direct contact with Russia, including during the last few days to discuss the situation in Ukraine and Putin’s actions and threats. U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday accused Putin of making “overt nuclear threats against Europe” in reckless disregard for nuclear nonproliferation responsibilities. Russia also is staging a referendum in four eastern Ukrainian regions with the goal of annexing territory that Russian forces have taken during their invasion of Ukraine launched in February. Ukraine and its allies have called the referendums a sham designed to justify an escalation of the war and Putin’s mobilization drive after recent battlefield losses. By incorporating the areas of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia into Russia, Moscow could portray attacks to retake them as an attack on Russia itself, a warning to Ukraine and its Western allies. After suffering setbacks on the battlefield, Putin is mobilizing 300,000 troops while also threatening to use “all available means” to protect Russia. “This is not a bluff,” Putin said in the remarks viewed on the world stage as a threat on the potential use of nuclear weapons. Sullivan said on Sunday: “Putin remains intent … on wiping out the Ukraine people that he does not believe have a right to exist. So he’s going to keep coming and we have to keep coming with weapons, ammunition, intelligence and all the support we can provide.” (Reporting by Richard Cowan and Hannah Lang; Editing by Will Dunham) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John has been awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden for his charitable work to end AIDS. The 75-year-old pop icon established The Elton John AIDS Foundation back in 1982 and after performing hits such as ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ at A Night When Hope and History Rhyme at the White House, he was surprised with the honour by the Democratic leader and his wife First Lady Jill Biden. Upon accepting the award, Elton said: “Since I founded the Foundation at my kitchen table in Atlanta 30 years ago, I made a commitment not to leave anyone behind and will continue on this mission. We are striving for a future where people of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, and gender identities have the opportunity to live free from AIDS, stigma, injustice and maltreatment – and I’m so grateful recognition like this brings us a step closer to making that a reality. “ The ‘Candle in the Wind’ singer is been married to filmmaker David Furnish, 59, – who serves as chairman of the foundation – and has sons Zach, 11, and Elijah, nine, with him and he paid tribute to Elton as someone who “truly walks the walk” when it comes to the fight to eradicate the immunodeficiency virus. David said: “It’s on us to make the world a better, more equal place, and Elton is someone who truly walks the walk. He is so deserving of the National Humanities Medal through his constant advocacy for equality throughout his career and through the Elton John Aids foundation. We’re so thankful to the History Channel, A+E Networks and the Biden administration for giving us such an impactful platform to help us meet the urgent needs of people at risk of – and living with – HIV and AIDS.” View the full article

Published by Raw Story By Bob Brigham Authorities from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Harris County Sheriff’s Department responded to an anti-LGBTQ protest outside a Texas church on Saturday. “First Christian Church Katy is hosting a drag bingo fundraiser benefiting the ministry’s Transparent Closet, a free boutique aimed at helping young people in the LGBTQ community in the largely conservative west Houston suburb,” Jay R. Jordan reported for Axios on Friday. “Protect Texas Kids, led by North Texas’ self-described “Christian fascist” Kelly Neidert, plans to protest outside the church, according to a … Read More View the full article

Published by The Charlotte Observer Conservatives everywhere are very upset by the idea of people dressing up and entertaining kids. No, they aren’t talking about clowns, or mall Santas, or mascots, or characters at theme parks. They’re talking about drag performers who read, sing and do crafts with children. Family-friendly drag events in North Carolina and beyond have become targets for right-wing harassment and vitriol, part of a larger wave of anti-LGBTQ backlash across the country. A Drag Queen Story Hour in a Charlotte park last weekend attracted protesters after Tyler Lee, a Republican congressional candidate, unsuccessfu… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters HAVANA (Reuters) – Cubans headed to the polls on Sunday to vote on a package of measures that would upend the island’s long-held “machista” culture and legalize gay marriage even as the country wrestles with a deepening economic crisis. If approved, the 100-page “family code” would put Cuba at the vanguard of progressive social policy in Latin America, legalizing same-sex marriage and civil unions, allowing same-sex couples to adopt children, and promoting equal sharing of domestic rights and responsibilities between men and women. President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who walked with his wife to vote just a few blocks from their home in the Havana suburb of Siboney, told reporters the code abolishes prejudices and taboos that have been ingrained in Cuban society. “My expectation is that most of the population will vote ‘yes’,” Diaz-Canel said. “But regardless of whether ‘yes’ or ‘no’ wins … the popular debate that has been generated has contributed to our society.” The code, which has undergone 25 drafts, nearly 80,000 townhall-style meetings and 300,000 suggestions from the public, is expected to draw millions of Cubans to the polls. The measure requires more than 50% of votes cast on Sunday to become law. Most prior ballot initiatives in Cuba have been overwhelmingly approved, but an economic crisis that has led to long lines for food, medicine and fuel has raised the possibility of a protest vote against the government. “We have to get used to the fact that on such complex issues, where there is a diversity of criteria … there may be people who vote to punish (the government),” said Diaz-Canel. “That is also legitimate.” Sunday’s vote will be the first of its kind since mobile internet was legalized in 2018, which has let dissenting views spread more widely. There are no independent, outside observers of Cuban elections, however, citizens may observe the count at their precincts immediately following the vote. The government flooded TV and radio in recent weeks with spots celebrating diversity and inclusion to promote the code. “This code makes everyone equal,” said Jose Antonio Fernandez, a 73-year-old retired Havana resident who voted in favor of the measure on Sunday morning. Some social conservatives – including the Roman Catholic Church and evangelicals, see things differently, objecting to issues including gay marriage and complaining that government control of the media has drowned out opposing views. Havana resident Lisandra Samon, 36, said she voted on Sunday but thought it was hard to predict the outcome. “The vote will be close … aspects of this code have divided the opinions of the public, even families,” she said. (Reporting by Dave Sherwood and Reuters TV; Editing by Daniel Wallis) View the full article

Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden challenged Democratic voters on Friday that if they elect at least two more senators in November elections, it would open the possibility of Democrats removing the filibuster and restoring federal abortion rights for women. At a Democratic National Committee rally, Biden suggested the two extra Democrats would allow the Democratic-controlled Senate to remove a legislative roadblock known as the filibuster that requires a 60-vote majority to overcome. Democrats hold a bare majority in the Senate now, and two Democratic senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema, have opposed ending the filibuster. Biden’s remark suggests he would support a vote to end the filibuster, which can be decided by a simple majority. For any such move to be successful, Democrats need to retain control of the House and gain two seats in the Senate. Most forecasters suggest Republicans are likely to gain House control. Biden has made restoring protections lost in the Supreme Court’s June decision to reverse the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case a central theme of his stump speeches in the lead-up to the Nov. 8 congressional elections. “If you give me two more senators in the United States Senate, I promise you, I promise you, we’re going to codify Roe and once again make Roe the law of the land,” said Biden. Biden exhorted women voters to help elect Democrats. “I don’t believe the MAGA Republican have a clue about the power of American women. Let me tell you something, they’re about to find out.” According to the Current Population Survey, 2020 voter turnout was 68.4% for women and 65.0% for men. About 9.7 million more women than men voted. Since the Supreme Court decision on Roe, there has been a surge in women registering to vote. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Heather Timmons) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Louise Fletcher has died aged 88. The Oscar-winning actress – who was best known for playing Nurse Ratched in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ – passed away at her home in the south of France. The Hollywood star’s career spanned six decades, but she was actually a relative unknown when she appeared opposite Jack Nicholson in the psychological drama in 1975. Fletcher was handed the role after other, better-known actresses – including Dame Angela Lansbury and Ellen Burstyn – rejected the part in the film. The movie proved to be a turning point in her career, after she’d previously put her working life on hold for a decade to take care of her children. Fletcher won the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as a BAFTA and a Golden Globe, for her role in the iconic movie, which also claimed the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Screenplay gongs at the Oscars. And although her career never scaled the same heights, Fletcher still enjoyed significant success in the film and TV industries. She had a recurring role in ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ in the 1990s, while she also earned widespread acclaim for her appearances in ‘Picket Fences’ and ‘Joan of Arcadia’. Robert Hewitt Wolfe – who was a writer for ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ – has already paid a glowing tribute to the late actress, describing her as a “blazing talent”. He said on social media: “It was an honour and a pleasure to write for Louise Fletcher, one of the absolute greats. A blazing talent and a compete class act.” Fletcher married producer Jerry Bick in the 1960s, but they got divorced in 1977. She is survived by her two sons, John and Andrew. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) -Roger Federer’s trophy-laden career ended with defeat on Friday, but for once the result hardly mattered as the Swiss maestro headed into retirement with tears in his eyes and cheers ringing in his ears. With a sellout crowd of 17,500 at London’s O2 Arena willing him on, the 20-time Grand Slam champion returned after more than a year away to play alongside Rafa Nadal, the Spaniard with whom he shared one of tennis’s most captivating rivalries. With the clock past midnight, Federer could have sealed victory in the Laver Cup doubles clash when he served at match point in a tense deciding tiebreak, but it was not to be as Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe ripped up the script. Sock thumped a forehand winner and sealed a 4-6 7-6 11-9 win for Team World. After a brief moment of stunned silence around the packed arena, the crowd rose to salute the 41-year-old Federer, whose elegance, charisma and sportsmanship has graced tennis and transcended sport during a 24-year career. Federer produced moments of his trademark magic during a fiercely contested duel and kept his emotions in check. But the tears flowed afterwards as Ellie Goulding sung while a montage of Federer’s feats was projected on the black court. When he was hugged by wife, Mirka, children Leo, Lenny, Myla and Charlene, and his parents Lynette and Robert, there was hardly a dry eye in the house. “We’ll get through this somehow. It’s been a wonderful day. I told the guys I’m happy, not sad,” said Federer, who announced last week that this would be his final event after struggling to overcome a knee injury. “I enjoyed tying my shoelaces one more time, everything was the last time,” he added. “Playing with Rafa and having all the greats here, all the legends.” Federer broke down as he thanked his wife. “She could have stopped me a long, long time ago but she didn’t. She kept me going and allowed me to play, so it’s amazing – thank you,” he said. Federer’s eagerly anticipated final bow came after British favourite Andy Murray had battled against Australian Alex De Minaur for two and a half hours, but lost. Murray’s two Wimbledon titles made him a national sporting icon, but the night was all about Federer – a player who resides in the pantheon of sporting greats with the likes of Pele, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali. Even his practice sessions here have been standing-room-only affairs, and an electric atmosphere greeted him as he walked out into the cavernous arena alongside Nadal just after 10pm. “I’ve done this thousands of times, but this one feels different. Thank you to everybody who’s coming tonight,” Federer posted on Twitter earlier in the day. TEAM EVENT The crowd included Australian great Laver – the man who inspired Federer to create the team competition being staged in London for the first time. Loud cheers accompanied Federer and Nadal, or ‘Fedal’ as they are nicknamed, on to court and The Clash’s London Calling boomed out as they warmed up. An even bigger roar went up when Federer punched away a volley in the opening game – his first competitive shot since defeat by Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon last year ended his dream of a record-extending ninth title on Centre Court. During changeovers video screens showed iconic moments of Federer’s career with tributes from Nadal and his mother. But this was no exhibition match. American duo Sock and Tiafoe, pantomime villains for the night, tested Federer’s reactions with some lusty blows aimed at the Swiss maestro. Federer was equal to pretty much everything, his silky shot-making and nimble footwork on show despite a long time away from the court. The iconic pair, with a combined age of 77 and 42 Grand Slam titles between them, edged the opening set by breaking Tiafoe’s serve. But the Americans levelled as Federer and Nadal began to fade. Chants of “Let’s go, Roger, let’s go” resounded around the packed stands in the championship tiebreak as Federer and Nadal clawed their way towards a victory the occasion demanded. Even the tennis gods could not intervene to allow Federer one last victory, but nothing could take the gloss off a night to celebrate a player who led tennis into a golden era. “It still feels like a celebration for me and that’s exactly what I hoped for,” said Federer, who scaled unprecedented heights and rewrote the record books. “It’s been a perfect journey and I would do it all over again.” (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris and Gerry Doyle) View the full article

Published by BOOM Live By The Conversation In a landmark speech to the United Nations (UN), the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, demanded that Russia and other aggressors should be stripped of their veto power in the UN security council. Echoing his calls for UN reform earlier this year, Zelensky lamented that much talk about UN reform in the past has led nowhere. He called for an expansion of representation to those who remain unheard. Also speaking before the UN general assembly yesterday, the US president, Joe Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to UN reforms. He said: “The time has come for this instituti… Read More View the full article

Published by PsyPost Recent findings published in the journal Scientific Reports shed new light on the risks associated with the use of steroids among male athletes. This time, researchers found that bodybuilders with a history of steroid use were more likely to exhibit psychopathic tendencies, sexual and substance use risk-taking behaviors, and anger issues. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are human-made variations of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Though often used for bodybuilding, steroids have been associated with various health risks including dependency, medical issues, and psychological problems. Neuroim… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Fired Today anchor Matt Lauer is threatening to finally emerge from the hole he crawled into after his stunning fall from grace, boasting he’ll settle all old scores with a scathing tell-all book this year. “For the past five years, Matt’s kept his head down, but now thinks the dust has settled and it’s time to get even with everyone who threw him under the bus,” an insider dished to RadarOnline.com. Topping his hit list are his former Today colleagues Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Katie Couric. Katie Couric Trashes Matt Lauer, Calls Him ‘Reckless’ & ‘Disgusting’ In Tense Interview Mega “He’s been plotting how he should do this book, and it will be balanced between trying to emphasize all of the good he’s done while exacting revenge against others,” spilled the spy. “He knows he has little chance of a TV comeback, so he’s really got nothing to lose.” Lauer was unceremoniously booted from the popular morning gabfest in November 2017 after being accused of preying on women, including an accusation he raped a co-worker at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The ex-Today host denied all the accusations and a source said he now believes his scandalous behavior is ancient history. Mega Lauer’s toxic tell-all comes in the wake of his doomed relationship with PR professional Shamin Abas. The sex pest has been sulking in the shadow of his scandal-stalled TV career as Abas continues her rise as a shining superstar in the business. Sources told RadarOnline that Lauer fears his dynamic executive sweetie, 53, will ditch him as she’s snagged another high-profile client. “Shamin’s PR business is doing really well, and she doesn’t have as much time for Matt as she used to,” squealed an insider. “When they first started dating, Matt had the edge and thought the universe revolved around him, but now the tables have turned. Shamin’s not treating him like the top dog anymore. She’s busier than ever — and Matt doesn’t like it.” Mega Lauer’s life crumbled in 2017 following the accusations against him. Not only did he get axed from his $30 million-a-year network gig, but his 21-year marriage to Annette Roque also exploded. View the full article