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Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Fox has asked fans if she should start an OnlyFans account with Kourtney Kardashian. The actress’ question came as she posted a range of raunchy images of her and the model from behind-the-scenes at a photoshoot last year, including a photo of Kourtney straddling Megan on a toilet. She posted the caption alongside the photos of the scantily-clad pair: “BTS of my skims shoot with Kourtney. Should we start an OnlyFans?” One fan joked back: “Nah, y’all have plenty of money already.” The first shot showed Kourtney, 43, crouching on the floor in a revealing one piece alongside Megan. In the next image, ‘Transformers’ actress Megan sat on the edge of a toilet seat with Kourtney in her lap. They stuck out their tongues as Kourtney raised her arm into the air and Megan placed her hands on her back and leg. The third shot showed them posing up on the ground, with Kourtney laying out her hair on the floor and Megan in a black sports bra and underwear. The images were from a shoot the women took part in last year for Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand Skims. Final images for the campaign showed the pair posing in bras, crop tops, and underwear. Megan said at the time: “I love that Skims really understands what women want to wear and that they want to feel sexy, confident and empowered. “I loved being in this campaign with Kourtney, we had so much fun shooting together.” Megan has been engaged to Machine Gun Kelly, 32, since October 2021 while Kourtney recently married 46-year-old Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. The couple held a third ceremony in Italy after getting legally married in Santa Barbara and a holding a practice wedding in Las Vegas. View the full article

Published by Reuters (Refiles to fix typo in first paragraph) (Reuters) – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that any talks on a possible prisoner exchange involving U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner needed to be discreet and that “megaphone diplomacy” would not achieve results. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Washington has made a “substantial offer” to Moscow to release American citizens held in Russia. A source said that the United States was willing to exchange convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death.” (This story fixes typo in first paragraph) (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) View the full article

Published by Reuters KHIMKI, Russia (Reuters) -The Russian drugs trial of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner should be over “very soon”, her lawyer said on Tuesday, as the Kremlin warned the United States that megaphone diplomacy would not secure a prisoner swap for the 31-year-old Texan. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star, was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on Feb. 17 with vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. She has pleaded guilty to the drugs charges against her but has denied that she intended to break Russian law. She faces up to 10 years in prison. Lawyer Maria Blagovolina, partner at Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners law firm, said a verdict in the case was expected “very soon.” The defence and prosecution are expected to deliver their closing arguments on Thursday. The case against Griner has highlighted Russia’s fraught relations with the United States, which have plunged to a new post-Cold War low over Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. Blagovolina said Griner heard that Washington had made what Secretary of State Antony Blinken called a “substantial offer” to Moscow to release American citizens held in Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who had expressed surprise at the public nature of Blinken’s comments at the time, said on Tuesday that any talk of a possible swap needed to be discreet. “We still believe that any exchanges of information on this topic should be discreet,” Peskov told reporters on a conference call. “Megaphone diplomacy and the public exchange of opinions will not lead to results.” ‘THE END IS NEAR’ Griner, who appeared in Khimki District Court outside Moscow in a plain khaki T-shirt and round-rimmed glasses, was both focused and nervous as her trial approaches its end, her lawyer said. “She still knows that the end (of her trial) is near and of course she heard the news, so she is hoping that sometime she could be coming home,” Blagovolina said. A source said that Washington was willing to exchange convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death”. Blagovolina said a swap was “legally possible” after the verdict, which is expected no later than mid-August. Griner testified last week that she could not understand how the vape cartridges had ended up in her luggage, speculating that she had inadvertently packed them as she rushed to leave. Griner had been her way to join her Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, for the playoffs after spending time at home in the United States. (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) View the full article

Published by The Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In February 2018, as organizers of the so-called “CalExit” campaign to have California secede from the union and form its own country, a Russian national named Aleksandr Ionov sent electronic messages to a secession supporter, court documents say. Ionov offered funding for a protest that would have supporters make their way into then-Gov. Jerry Brown’s office. Ionov and the organizer traded proposed designs for posters for the event, and eventually wrote that he sent $500 to the organizer, who on Valentine’s Day led a demonstration at the state Capitol “in support of Calif… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Obi-Wan Kenobi appears to hint he may be bisexual in a new young adult ‘Star Wars’ spin-off novel. The book ‘Padawan’ by Kiersten White, published by Disney-Lucasfilm Press, has got fans in a frenzy as they believe an ambiguous conversation about the Jedi being “curious” over kissing reveals his true sexuality. First played by Sir Alec Guinness in the original ‘Star Wars’ films, the character has been portrayed by Ewan McGregor in the prequel trilogy and Disney+ mini-series. Disney Books’ description of ‘Padawan’ says: “Romantic complications, startling revelations, and a looming threat to both the planet and his new friends will bring Obi-Wan face-to-face with his worst fear: that maybe he was never supposed to be a Jedi at all.” The book sees Obi-Wan attempting to prove himself to Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn, portrayed on screen by Liam Neeson. He speaks to another teen Casul about the idea of kissing another boy, while also discussing his Jedi beliefs. Casul says: “Not many choices around here. I don’t think love is in my future, either, and I’m fine with that. As long as I have the Power to keep my family safe, that’s enough for me. “Though I will admit I’ve been curious about kissing and why Audj and Zae-Brii enjoy it so much. So if you’re ever curious, too, let me know.” The novel, published last week, goes on: “Obi-Wan blushed. ‘I will. Let you know, I mean. Not that I will do that, right now, with you. Or anyone’. “Would he ever get to a point where kissing someone felt like anything less than a betrayal of himself and the Jedi? And if he did get to that point, who would he want to kiss? The Lenahrans were confident and charismatic, which was attractive. “But he couldn’t imagine just… kissing any of them. Maybe he didn’t want to be with any of them but rather to be more like each of them. Or maybe he wanted to kiss all of them.” Young fans have taken to social media to share theories the passage means Obi-Wan would be open to kissing a man. Others believed it points to the character being asexual as he said he may not want to kiss “anyone”. The writer has not yet commented on the conclusions readers are drawing from the book. View the full article

Hope for a quick vote on the Respect for Marriage Act in the U.S. Senate this week has faded, but U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin said over the weekend that she has 10 Republican senators willing to vote for the measure and believes that vote could take place in September. The U.S. House passed the Respect for Marriage Act on July 19, by a vote of 267 to 157, just one day after Rep. Jerrold Nadler introduced it. Even though only three Republicans voted for the Equality Act in the House last year, and only two Republicans voted for an LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act in June, 47 Republicans voted for the Respect for Marriage Act. Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, points to polling that shows 55 percent of Republicans support marriage equality. A poll in June indicated that 72 percent of registered voters opposed the idea of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a decision that enabled same-sex couples to marry. Baldwin told a Wisconsin media outlet July 29 that she has five Republicans publicly committed: Senators Susan Collins (of Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rob Portman (Ohio), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), and Ron Johnson (Wisconsin). “Five additional members have indicated they are leaning in support,” But popular support for legislation has not translated into bipartisan votes on other LGBT legislation. Nearly that same percentage in another poll said they would favor laws protecting LGBT people against discrimination in jobs, housing, and public accommodations, yet only 3 conservative Republicans voted for the Equality Act. Nor are all 47 in tight mid-term elections this year. Only 17 had single digit margins of victory in 2020. Of the 27 who were scored by the Human Rights Campaign’s rating of their votes on LGBT issues, 20 scored between zero and 11. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin told National Public Radio that she thinks same- sex marriage is more acceptable now because “it’s now part of most people’s everyday reality to know somebody who has married in order to provide legal protections for their family.” Until recently, she hoped the Senate would vote before August 8, when Congress takes its summer recess. And she has emphasized that the Respect for Marriage Act has become critical because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning Roe v. Wade has “implicated” other decisions based on similar grounds. Among those cases is Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 opinion striking down state bans on marriage licenses for same-sex couples. Baldwin, the U.S. Senate’s first openly LGBT senator, is leading the charge to get the Senate to vote on the Respect for Marriage bill. With the Senate split 50-50 between Democratic votes and Republican votes, she needs all 50 Democrats and at least 10 Republicans to agree to break the inevitable Republican filibuster that would ensue with any attempt to bring the Respect for Marriage to the floor. Baldwin told a Wisconsin media outlet July 29 that she has five Republicans publicly committed: Senators Susan Collins (of Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rob Portman (Ohio), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), and Ron Johnson (Wisconsin). “Five additional members have indicated they are leaning in support,” said Baldwin, “but I think because of how crowded the [Senate] calendar is for next week, which is our last week before the August recess, and in light of the fact that we can’t have any absences — we need everybody there, and we have a few members with COVID– this is probably going to be a vote that occurs, what I would hope would be early September.” Meanwhile, it’s not clear that some recalcitrant Democrats –like Joe Manchin of West Virginia—are on board. Senator Collins told The Hill newspaper that Manchin’s recent agreements to go along with Democratic bills on climate change might cause the Respect for Marriage bill to lose Republican votes. But openly bisexual Senator Kyrsten Sinema is supporting the bill. What Respect for Marriage Act says Baldwin introduced the Respect for Marriage Act (S. 29) in the Senate on July 18, along with U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). The House bill, H.R. 8404, was introduced the same day and is slightly longer. Both bills have language to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law that barred federal recognition of same-sex marriages. That law was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 via U.S. v. Windsor. Both bills also include language to makes it clear that a marriage validly obtained in one state shall be recognized by the federal government and by other states. Neither bill says that all states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Charles Moran, president of the national Log Cabin Republican group, said he thinks the House bill got 47 Republican votes because “the GOP is calling the Democrats bluff on this issue and that’s why we saw 47 yes votes.” “The antics of [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and Nadler, in dropping this bill with less than 24 hours notice before a full floor vote, no committee hearings, etc. rankled a lot of GOP members…and some voted no as a protest to that style of governance…not because of their opposition to gay marriage,” said Moran. I believe that if I had an additional 24 hours to whip votes, we could have gotten 70+ yes votes. If I had 48 hours? Probably 100 yes votes.’ But Moran said he also thinks the 47 Republican votes are a reflection of the huge differences between the Equality Act and the Respect for Marriage Act. “The Respect for Marriage Act was a clean bill. The Equality Act is messy, [and] tramples over a lot of things like religious freedom that GOP’ers won’t go along with,” said Moran. Some ultra conservatives affiliated with religious groups say they believe the Respect for Marriage bill is an attack on them. In a July 26 letter to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, representatives of Alliance Defending Freedom and 79 other anti-LGBT and conservative religious groups write that the Respect for Marriage bill is an attempt to silence people who believe marriage can be only one man and one woman. Photo by ipse dixit on Unsplash View the full article

Published by Reuters By Gabriella Borter (Reuters) – A Michigan court on Monday ruled that county prosecutors can enforce an abortion ban that has been on the books since 1931, exempting them from a different court’s ruling that blocked state officials from enforcing the law. The decision by the three-judge Court of Appeals panel marks a victory for anti-abortion county prosecutors in Michigan, who have sought to enforce the ban after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case and enabled states to outlaw abortion. Michigan’s law, one of several state abortion bans enacted before the Roe v. Wade ruling legalized abortion nationwide nearly 50 years ago, makes it a felony to perform an abortion except to save the pregnant woman’s life. In May, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Elizabeth Gleicher issued a temporary injunction blocking Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and other state officials from enforcing the ban. The Court of Appeals on Monday ruled that county prosecutors, however, were not bound by Gleicher’s order. “The core nature of a county prosecutor is that of a local, not a state official. Because county prosecutors are local officials, jurisdiction of the Court of Claims does not extend to them,” presiding Judge Stephen Borrello wrote. David Kallman, a lawyer representing Kent and Jackson County prosecutors Christopher Becker and Jerry Jarzynka, said they were “very pleased” with the order. Both prosecutors have abortion providers in their county, and Kallman said his clients would likely prosecute in cases where abortion providers appear to have violated the 1931 law by performing abortions outside a medical emergency. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who filed a lawsuit in April to prevent the 1931 law from taking effect, has made protecting abortion access in Michigan a central part of her campaign for re-election this fall. “As we review the Court of Appeals decision, know that I will continue to fight like hell to protect a woman’s ability to make her own medical decisions with her trusted health care provider,” Whitmer wrote on Twitter on Monday. Concerned that the Republican-controlled legislature will try to restrict abortion, Whitmer is pressing the state Supreme Court to recognize the right to abortion under the state constitution. Abortion rights supporters also have filed a petition to put a state constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall, which would allow Michigan voters to decide if abortion rights are protected. Opinion polls show the majority of Michigan residents support the right to abortion. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Bill Berkrot) View the full article

Published by AFP Six years after she shook the culture with her powerful visual album 'Lemonade,' Beyonce's seventh solo studio work is a pulsating, sweaty collection of club tracks aimed at liberating a world consumed by ennui Los Angeles (AFP) – Beyonce will remove a derogatory term for disabled people from her new song “Heated,” a spokesperson said Monday, after its use was condemned as offensive by campaigners. The US pop megastar will re-record the track from her latest album “Renaissance” on which she originally sang the lyrics “Spazzin’ on that ass, spazz on that ass.” “The word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced,” a spokesperson for Beyonce told AFP via email. Co-written with Canadian rapper Drake, the dance track appears to use the word “spaz” in the colloquial sense of temporarily losing control or acting erratically. But disability campaigners noted that the word is derived from “spastic.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spasticity is a movement disorder involving stiff muscles and awkward movement, suffered by 80 percent of people with cerebral palsy. In June, US singer Lizzo re-recorded her song “Grrrls” to remove the same term following complaints that it was derogatory. Australian disability campaigner Hannah Diviney said the inclusion of the word by Beyonce “feels like a slap in the face to me, the disabled community & the progress we tried to make with Lizzo.” “Guess I’ll just keep telling the whole industry to ‘do better’ until ableist slurs disappear from music,” she tweeted. Beyonce’s eagerly anticipated seventh solo studio album “Renaissance” was released Friday, drawing mainly positive reviews with its nods to disco and electronic dance. Other collaborators on the album — which leaked online in the days prior to its official release — include Nile Rodgers, Skrillex, Nigerian singer Tems, Grace Jones, Pharrell and Beyonce’s rap mogul husband Jay-Z. In an Instagram post published soon after the album’s release, Beyonce said creating the album “allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world. “My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment,” she wrote. “A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom.” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Guy Reffitt, an associate of the far-right Three Percenters militia group, was sentenced on Friday to 7.25 years in prison for his role in storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and for later threatening to harm his own children if they ratted him out to the FBI. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Leslie Adler) View the full article

Published by AlterNet By Brandon Gage United States Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) revealed to the right-wing media outlet Real America’s Voice over the weekend that she would be “honored” if former President Donald Trump asked her to be his running mate if he wins the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in 2024. Trump is expected to announce his fourth White House bid in the near future but has made no indication of who he would add to the ticket. Greene shared her aspirations at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa, Florida. READ MORE: ‘American Taliban’: Republican rebuke… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English George Takei and William Shatner are among the ‘Star Trek’ stars to have paid tribute to Nichelle Nichols. The pioneering actress – whose portrayal of Nyota Uhura in the original 1960s TV series and six movies was seen as groundbreaking representation for black Americans – died on Saturday (30.07.22) aged 89 and her former co-stars have been left devastated by her passing. George, who played Hikaru Sulu, tweeted: “I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.” The 85-year-old star went on to post a photo of himself and Nichelle – who was best lady when he married Brad Altman in 2008 – giving the Vulcan salute. He added: “We lived long and prospered together.” William shared one of TV’s first interracial screen kisses with Nichelle in their roles as Uhura and Captain James T. Kirk, and the 91-year-old actor recognised his friend for her work on and off screen. He wrote: “I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. She was a beautiful woman and played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US and throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. Sending my love and condolences to her family. Bill (sic)” Adam Nimoy, the son of late Spock actor Leonard Nimoy, shared a photo of his dad with the late actress. He wrote: “My favorite photo of Dad and Nichelle Nichols on set. The importance of Nichelle’s legacy cannot be over-emphasized. She was much loved and will be missed.” Celia Rose Gooding, who plays Uhura on Paramount+ series ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’, paid tribute to Michelle and her legacy. She wrote: “She made room for so many of us. She was the reminder that not only can we reach the stars, but our influence is essential to their survival. Forget shaking the table, she built it! #RIPNichelleNichols (sic)” Her co-star, Melissa C. Navia – who portrays Erica Ortegas – added: “Nichelle Nichols…Her light will keep shining. Brighter stronger than ever. All the rest to her now and peace to her family. Cannot wait for the celebration of her life that is to come and all the stories that those who knew her best will share.” Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Kathryn Janeway, the franchise’s first female captain, on ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ wrote: “Nichelle Nichols was The First. She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again. May she Rest In Peace. #NichelleNichols” ‘Star Trek’s official Twitter account also shared a tribute to the actress, who they described as an “inspiration”. They posted: “We’re deeply saddened to report the passing of Nichelle Nichols – a trailblazer, an inspiration, and so much more. She will be deeply missed.” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Jennifer Rigby SPIEZ, Switzerland (Reuters) -The setting is straight from a spy thriller: Crystal waters below, snow-capped Swiss Alps above and in between, a super-secure facility researching the world’s deadliest pathogens. Spiez Laboratory, known for its detective work on chemical, biological and nuclear threats since World War Two, was tasked last year by the World Health Organization to be the first in a global network of high-security laboratories that will grow, store and share newly discovered microbes that could unleash the next pandemic. The WHO’s BioHub program was, in part, born of frustration over the hurdles researchers faced in getting samples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, first detected in China, to understand its dangers and develop tools to fight it. But just over a year later, scientists involved in the effort have encountered hurdles. These include securing guarantees needed to accept coronavirus variant samples from several countries, the first phase of the project. Some of the world’s biggest countries might not cooperate. And there is no mechanism yet to share samples for developing vaccines, treatments or tests without running afoul of intellectual property protections. “If we have another pandemic like coronavirus, the goal would be it stays wherever it starts,” Isabel Hunger-Glaser, head of the BioHub project at Spiez, told Reuters in a rare media interview at the lab. Hence the need to get samples to the hub so it can help scientists worldwide assess the risk. “We have realised it’s much more difficult” than we had thought, she said. SAFETY IN THE MOUNTAINS Spiez Lab’s exterior provides no hint of the high-stakes work inside. Its angular architecture resembles European university buildings erected in the 1970s. At times, cows graze on the grassy central courtyard. But the biosafety officer in charge keeps his blinds shut. Alarms go off if his door is open for more than a few seconds. He monitors several screens showing security camera views of the labs with the greatest Biosafety Level (BSL) precautions. SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID, is studied in BSL-3 labs, the second-highest security level. Samples of the virus used in the BioHub are stored in locked freezers, said Hunger-Glaser. A system of decreasing air pressure means clean air would flow into the most secure areas, rather than contaminated air flowing out, in a breach. Scientists working with coronavirus and other pathogens wear protective suits, sometimes with their own air supply. They work with samples in a hermetically sealed containment unit. Waste leaving the lab is super-heated at up to 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,830 F) to kill pathogens clinging to it. To date, Spiez has never had an accidental leak, the team say. That reputation is a key part of why they were chosen as the WHO’s first BioHub, said Hunger-Glaser. The proximity to WHO headquarters, two hours away in Geneva, helped too. The WHO and Swiss government are funding the annual 600,000 Swiss franc ($626,000) budget for its first phase. Researchers have always shared pathogens, and there are some existing networks and regional repositories. But the process is ad hoc and often slow. The sharing process has also been controversial, for instance when researchers in wealthy countries get credit for the work of less well-connected scientists in developing nations. “Often you just exchanged material with your buddies,” said Hunger-Glaser. Marion Koopmans, head of the Erasmus MC Department of Viroscience in the Netherlands, said it took a month for her lab to get hold of SARS-CoV-2 after it emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. Chinese researchers were quick to post a copy of the genetic sequence online, which helped researchers begin early work. But efforts to understand how a new virus transmits and how it responds to existing tools requires live samples, scientists said. EARLY CHALLENGES Luxembourg was the first country to share samples of new coronavirus variants with the BioHub, followed by South Africa and Britain. Luxembourg sent in Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants, while the latter two countries shared Omicron, WHO said. Luxembourg got Omicron samples from South Africa, via the hub, less than three weeks after it was identified, enabling its researchers to start assessing the risks of the now-dominant strain. Portugal and Germany also received Omicron samples. But Peru, El Salvador, Thailand and Egypt, all of which signalled in early 2022 that they wanted to send in variants found domestically, are still waiting, chiefly because it is unclear which official in each country should provide the necessary legal guarantees, Hunger-Glaser said. There is no international protocol for who should sign the forms providing safety details and usage agreements, she added. None of the four countries responded to requests for comment. Both WHO and Hunger-Glaser stressed the project is a pilot, and they have already sped up certain processes. Another challenge is how to share samples used in research that could lead to commercial gain, such as vaccine development. BioHub samples are shared for free to provide broad access. However this throws up potential problems if, for example, drugmakers reap profits from the discoveries of uncompensated researchers. WHO plans to tackle this longer-term, and bring labs in each global region online, but it is not yet clear when or how this will be funded. The project’s voluntary nature may also hold it back. “Some countries will never ship viruses, or it can be extremely difficult – China, Indonesia, Brazil,” said Koopmans, referring to their stance in recent outbreaks. None of the three responded to requests for comment. The project also comes amid heightened attention on labs worldwide after unproven claims in some Western countries that a leak from a high-security Wuhan lab may have sparked the COVID-19 pandemic, an accusation China and most international scientists have dismissed. Hunger-Glaser said the thinking around emerging threats must change post-COVID-19. “If it is a real emergency, WHO should even get a plane” to transport the virus to scientists, she said. “If you can prevent the spreading, it’s worthwhile.” (Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Nick Macfie) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An associate of the far-right Three Percenters militia could be sentenced to more than a decade in prison on Monday for joining the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 while armed and threatening to harm his own children if they ratted him out to the FBI. Guy Reffitt, of Wylie, Texas, was convicted by a jury in March of five felony charges, including bringing a gun onto the Capitol grounds and obstructing an official proceeding. Federal guidelines recommend a prison sentence of 9 to 11.25 years for those crimes, prosecutors say. Reffitt, who was 49 at the time of his conviction, never entered the Capitol, but video evidence showed him egging on the crowd and leading other rioters up a set of stairs outside the building. His emotionally charged trial included testimony from his estranged son Jackson, who brought his father to tears as he told the jury about how his father threatened him if he dared to call the FBI. “He said, ‘If you turn me in, you’re a traitor,'” Jackson Reffitt told jurors. “‘And traitors get shot.'” Reffitt was the first Capitol rioter to go to trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. To date, federal prosecutors have prevailed and won convictions in all but one of 13 trials tied to the Capitol attack. Federal prosecutors are asking U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich to sentence Reffitt to 15 years, more than the U.S. sentencing guidelines recommend, citing Reffitt’s crime as being “calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion.” “A member of the Texas Three Percenters militia group,… Reffitt was aware of Congress’s Joint Session on Jan. 6, 2021, to review and certify the Electoral College ballots, and he wanted to stop it,” they wrote in their sentencing memo. Reffitt’s attorney has sought to portray him as man who felt marginalized and down on his luck after losing his job in 2019. Depressed and suicidal, his attorney said he turned to political news on social media and became a fervent believer in former President Donald Trump. His daughter Peyton told the court in a letter she could see how her father’s ego and personality “fell to his knees whenPresident Trump spoke.” “You could tell he listened to Trump’s words asif he was really truly speaking to him … Constantly feeding polarizing racial thought.” His attorney F. Clinton Broden said that while his client broke the law, his actions were not as egregious as those of others who entered the Capitol and assaulted police. He noted that Reffitt will get credit for the 19 months he has already spent behind bars since his arrest, and has asked the judge to impose a sentence of no more than two years. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Scott Malone and Bernadette Baum) View the full article

Published by DPA A Long Covid patient is testing her sense of smell at Berlin's Emergency Hospital. Joerg Carstensen/dpa There are three different ‘types’ of long Covid, British researchers have said. Experts from King’s College London said that there appears to be three “subtypes” of the condition, each with their own set of symptoms. Researchers examined 1,459 people living with long Covid – defined by the study authors as suffering symptoms for at least 84 days after infection – who were taking part in the Zoe Health study. The pre-print of the study, published on medRxiv, claims that people with long Covid appear to be split into three main groups, including: – Those with neurological symptoms including fatigue, brain fog and headache – most commonly found among those who became infected when the most dominant strains were alpha and delta. – A second group experienced respiratory symptoms including chest pain and shortness of breath. This was found more commonly among those infected during the first wave of the virus. – A final group are experiencing a diverse range of symptoms including heart palpitations, muscle ache and pain, and changes in skin and hair, King’s College said. But researchers said these three subtypes were evident in all variants. Clinical lead author Dr Claire Steves, from King’s College London, said: “These data show clearly that post-Covid syndrome is not just one condition, but appears to have at several subtypes. “Understanding the root causes of these subtypes may help in finding treatment strategies. “Moreover, these data emphasise the need for long Covid services to incorporate a personalised approach sensitive to the issues of each individual.” First author Dr Liane Canas, from King’s College London, added: “These insights could aid in the development of personalised diagnosis and treatment for these individuals.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Fox News – the conservative news network that once helped Donald Trump ascend to the White House – has seemingly turned their back on the ex-president, Radar has learned. In a surprising development to come amid rumors former President Trump is preparing to announce his third campaign for the presidency, Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch has reportedly discarded Trump in favor of Republican rivals like former Vice President Mike Pence and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Mega That is the shocking revelation made by a New York Times report published over the weekend that cited Trump’s “refusal to accept his [2020] election loss” as the reason the ex-president hasn’t been interviewed on the network in more than 100 days. Although the network has aired short clips of Trump’s recent speeches – including a speech made in Washington, D.C. last week to a group of conservatives – Fox News has not conducted a proper interview with Trump since the ex-president called into Sean Hannity’s show on April 13. Instead, the conservative news network has decided to feature interviews and speeches showcasing DeSantis and Pence, two Republicans reportedly set to battle Trump in the 2024 Republican primary. On July 22, during a rally in Arizona in which Trump spoke about potentially running again in 2024, Fox News decided to air an interview between DeSantis and Laura Ingraham instead of the rally. Mega Then, last week, the network chose to air a nearly 17-minute speech by Mike Pence instead of a speech made by Trump on the same exact day. But Murdoch and Fox News’ broken relationship with Trump has not gone unnoticed by the ex-president, because on Monday, July 25, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Justice, to trash Fox and Friends after the program found DeSantis beat Trump in two polls regarding a hypothetical 2024 Republican primary race. “[Fox and Friends]just really botched my poll numbers, no doubt on purpose,” Trump fumed. “That show has been terrible – gone to the ‘dark side.’” He added, “They quickly quote the big Turning Point Poll victory of almost 60 points over the number two Republican, and then hammer me with outliers. Actually, almost all polls have me leading all Republicans & Biden BY A LOT.” Mega Despite Trump and Murdoch’s on-again-off-again relationship, and the fact Trump hasn’t been interviewed on Fox News in more than 100 days, other reports suggest Trump’s lack of coverage could easily change if he officially announces his run for presidency or gets indicted for his alleged role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riots. “Murdoch associates say his frustrations with Trump have only grown; the two have barely spoken since Trump left office,” the Washington Post reported on Saturday. “But Murdoch’s reputation for pragmatism and Trump’s political durability make it hard to say for sure where their relationship will end up.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Beanie Feldstein has bid farewell to the cast of ‘Funny Girl’ after stepping down from her role in the Broadway show almost two months early. The ‘American Crime Story: Impeachment’ star had been due to continue playing Fanny Brice on the New York stage until September 25 but she decided to leave on July 31 – and she said goodbye to her co-stars by posting pictures of them on her Instagram page. She captioned the snaps with a lyric from ‘Both Sides Now’ by Joni Mitchell, writing: “But now it’s just another show, and you leave ’em laughing when you go.” The 29-year-old actress will be replaced by understudy Julie Benko who will continue the role until ‘Glee’ star Lea Michele can take over in September. Beanie previously insisted it was an “extremely difficult decision'” to walk away from the show. In a statement, she explained: “Playing Fanny Brice on Broadway has been a lifelong dream of mine, and doing so for the last few months has been a great joy and true honour. “Once the production decided to take the show in a different direction, I made the extremely difficult decision to step away sooner than anticipated.” Beanie went on: “I will never forget this experience and from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every single person who came to the August Wilson (theatre) for the love and support you have shown me and our amazing cast and crew. “ It later emerged Beanie had been due to continue in ‘Funny Girl’ for another six months beyond September, but show bosses trimmed her contract and the actress made the decision to leave at the end of July. A representative for the show told PEOPLE: “The producers decided to take the show in a different direction and end Beanie’s contract on September 25th, six months earlier than anticipated. A month after that decision, Beanie decided it was best for her to leave on July 31st. The producers were aware of and in support of her decision. The producers and Beanie worked on this together professionally, respectfully, and graciously.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Kevin Bacon feels grateful that fans are still devoted to his hit 1984 film ‘Footloose’ almost 40 years after its release. The actor was propelled to fame after landing the lead role of a dance-crazy teenager in the musical drama movie and he’s revealed he still feels proud of the film and enjoys hearing from devotees who have passed on their love of ‘Footloose’ to their kids. Speaking on America’s ‘Today’ show, 64-year-old Kevin said of the film: “I love it. I think it’s great. It’s like all of those things that you think ‘Oh, my gosh, is it ever going to go away?’ At a certain point, you have to embrace the beast … It was a great gift to be part of that movie. I certainly took it very seriously when I was doing it and I love that people will still come up and say that they just showed it to their kids.” Kevin went on to explain he thinks the reason ‘Footloose’ has endured is because of the stage show version which premiered in 1998. The musical has played on stages around the world including on Broadway and in London’s West End and smaller tours and school productions remain popular to this day. He added: “After the Broadway show (ended) its run, it then becomes available to be done in every single high school. And there’s not that many plays, certainly musicals, where you can have a musical and a bunch of high school kids in it.” ‘Footloose’ the movie won two Oscar nominations for Best Song for Kenny Loggins’ title track and ‘Let’s Hear It for the Boy’ by Deniece Williams, while the Broadway stage show received four Tony Awards nominations. View the full article

Published by DPA A Long Covid patient is testing her sense of smell at Berlin's Emergency Hospital. Joerg Carstensen/dpa Emerging evidence suggests that catching the coronavirus a second time can heighten long-term health risks, a worrisome development as the circulation of increasingly contagious omicron subvariants leads to greater numbers of people being reinfected. Earlier in the pandemic, it was assumed that getting infected afforded some degree of lasting protection, for perhaps a few months. As the coronavirus mutates, though, that’s no longer a given. And each individual infection carries the risk not only for acute illness but the potential to develop long Covid. “The additive risk is really not trivial, not insignificant. It’s really substantial,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and chief of research and development at the Veterans Affairs Saint Louis Healthcare System. According to a preprint study examining US veterans, of which Al-Aly was the lead author, getting infected twice or more “contributes to additional risks of all-cause mortality, hospitalization and adverse health outcomes” in various organ systems, and can additionally worsen risk for diabetes, fatigue and mental health disorders. “Reinfection absolutely adds risk,” Al-Aly said. The study suggested that, compared with those infected only once, individuals who caught the coronavirus a second time were at two and a half times greater risk of developing heart or lung disease and blood clotting issues. Subsequent infections also were associated with a higher risk of potentially serious health problems, as well as death from Covid-19. It’s possible that a repeat coronavirus infection will leave someone just fine, which is what happens to most people, Al-Aly said. “But you might be one of the unlucky ones and … get some really serious health problem with an infection.” Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer recently cited Al-Aly’s pre-print study as rationale for wearing masks in indoor public settings to avoid reinfection. “They also saw that those with repeat infections had a higher risk of gastrointestinal, kidney, mental health, musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders, as well as diabetes,” Ferrer said of the study. “Moreover, the risk of developing a long-term health problem increased further with each reinfection. The risk of having long-term health conditions was three times higher for those infected compared to those who were uninfected.” Older viruses, such as those that cause measles and chickenpox, are quite stable – meaning that the vaccinations are highly effective and surviving either illness typically confers lifelong immunity. Not so with the coronavirus, which has mutated wildly since the pandemic began. Someone who got infected with the variant that dominated in many parts of the world in late 2020, for instance, was vulnerable to catching the delta variant the following summer. And those who survived delta faced the risk of catching the later omicron variant. But the reinfection landscape has been upended even further due to a family of increasingly transmissible omicron subvariants. The most recent of those, BA.5, has shown particular proficiency for reinfection – with the ability to target even those who survived an earlier omicron case mere weeks before. “This concept of building immunity, it really only works if you’re encountering the same beast again and again and again,” Al-Aly said. But in the world of Covid-19, BA.5 is actually a “very different beast” than earlier variants. It’s possible that the acute phase of a second bout of Covid-19 could be milder than the first. But a subsequent attack can still leave more extensive cumulative damage to the body than if there had been only one infection. Think of coronavirus infections like earthquake sequences: It’s possible an aftershock could be less severe than the first temblor but cumulatively could add more damage. And just because your home is still standing after one quake doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore ways to make it seismically safer. “Part of the reason why things, for many people, feel like they’re not so bad right now is because we are being very aggressive in countering the virus with vaccines, with treatments,” Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House Covid-19 response coordinator, said during a healthcare summit hosted by the Hill. “If we took our foot off the pedal, we’re going to see this virus come back in a way that’s much more dangerous. So we’ve got to stay on that front footing and continue fighting this thing.” As it relates specifically to long Covid – a condition in which symptoms can persist months or even years after an initial infection – getting vaccinated and boosted likely reduces risk, but studies differ as to the degree of protection. “I think having some preexisting immunity – whether it’s natural or from a vaccine – appears to reduce your risk of long Covid, but it’s still there. It’s not zero,” said Dr. Steven Deeks, a professor of medicine at UC San Francisco and principal investigator of the Long-term Impact of Infection With Novel Coronavirus, or LIINC, study. Another report, observing triple-vaccinated Italian healthcare workers who weren’t hospitalized for Covid-19, found that two or three doses of vaccine were associated with a lower prevalence of long Covid. A separate report suggested that even adults who had received a booster dose still have to consider the risk of long Covid. A British report said that, during the initial omicron wave, about 1 in every 25 triple-vaccinated adults self-reported having long Covid three to four months after their first infection. Still, some clinicians say that long Covid sufferers tend to be either unvaccinated or missing their boosters. “The number of patients I’m seeing who were vaccinated and boosted who are coming in with long Covid is very low,” said Dr. Nisha Viswanathan, director of the UCLA Health Long Covid Program. Long Covid also doesn’t prevent you from becoming infected with the coronavirus again. Viswanathan said she’s had patients who have seen their long Covid symptoms improve, then get sickened with another bout of Covid-19, and then see long Covid signs return. The best way to prevent long Covid is to not get Covid-19. Many officials and experts cite non-pharmaceutical interventions such as masking as key tools, since vaccinations reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the risk. “Masking is not a terrible thing to ask of people, especially in probably the places that are the most crowded, and the places that maybe are the highest risk of transmission,” Viswanathan said. Taking activities outside is also safer than being unmasked indoors. Some of Viswanathan’s patients have downplayed the risk of Covid-19, commenting how it’s become a mild illness, and adding they don’t see the point of taking precautions. But, she said, better knowledge about long Covid and its disabling effects would help people understand the importance of masking and getting vaccinated and boosted. A UCLA study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, of which Viswanathan was a co-author, found that of 1,038 patients with symptomatic Covid-19 between April 2020 and February 2021, nearly 30% developed long Covid. The most common symptoms were fatigue and shortness of breath among hospitalized patients. While many are weary of Covid-19 preventive measures after nearly two and a half years, they remain important, said Dr. Anne Foster, vice president and chief clinical strategy officer for the University of California Health system. The burden of long Covid following this wave is unknown. The official case tallies are likely vast undercounts, given that so many at-home tests are being used, and that could suggest that the burden of long COVID in subsequent months will be hard to predict, Foster said. “I know everyone has moved on and people are going back to the way things were, and I sort of get it,” Deeks said. “But people do need to be aware that there is this additional risk that’’s not going away and they might adjust their lives accordingly. “But everyone’s going to figure this out on their own.” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Jack Queen (Reuters) – Parents of a child killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre are expected to testify on Monday that U.S. conspiracy theorist Alex Jones fueled a campaign of harassment against them by claiming the shooting was a hoax. Jones, founder of the Infowars radio show and webcast, is on trial in Texas to determine how much he must pay for spreading falsehoods about the killing of 20 children and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012. Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of slain 6-year-old Jesse Lewis, are seeking as much as $150 million from Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems LLC. Jones has already been found liable for defamation by Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in Austin, Texas, who issued a rare default judgment against him in 2021. The defamation suit in Texas, where Infowars is based, is one of several brought by families of victims who say they were harassed by Jones’ followers as a result of his false claims. Free Speech Systems filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection on Friday evening. While this would normally result in the trial being halted, a bankruptcy judge on Monday allowed it to continue. Nevertheless, Jones and his company could later attempt to use the bankruptcy proceedings, commenced in another Texas court, to avoid paying the full jury award in the defamation case. During opening statements in Texas last week, lawyers for Heslin and Lewis said Jones led a “vile campaign of defamation” and must pay the price for his falsehoods. A lawyer for Jones said he has already paid a price after being deplatformed in 2018 and losing millions of viewers. Jones, who has been intermittently present in the courtroom and occasionally broadcast his show as his lawyers defended him, is set to face trial in September in a similar suit in Connecticut state court, where he has also been found liable for defamation in a default judgment. The Sandy Hook gunman, Adam Lanza, 20, used a Remington Bushmaster rifle to carry out the massacre. It ended when Lanza killed himself with the approaching sound of police sirens. (Reporting by Jack Queen; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Howard Goller) View the full article

Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday “as could be anticipated,” his physician said in a memo released by the White House, adding that the president continued to feel well and would continue his isolation measures. After having tested negative on Tuesday and Wednesday, Biden tested positive for COVID again on Saturday in what Dr. Kevin O’Connor described as a “rebound” case seen in a small percentage of patients who take the antiviral drug Paxlovid. (Reporting by Chris Gallagher and Katharine Jackson; Editing by Doina Chiacu) View the full article

Published by Raw Story By Matthew Chapman On Monday, NBC 5 News Chicago reported that a bakery in northwest Illinois that planned to host a kid-friendly drag show is being ordered by local village officials under zoning laws to stop hosting entertainment events — and the owner is alleging discrimination. “Corrina Sac, of UpRising Bakery and Cafe, said in a Facebook video posted Saturday that village officials sent a letter a day earlier threatening large fines and the revocation of its business and liquor licenses if any more events are organized,” said the report. “Sac said the letter came after a ‘very threatening… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Laura Prepon is “similar” to her character from ‘That 70s Show’. The ‘That 90s Show’ star believes she and Donna Pinociotti are “alike” in their “personalities” but differ in other aspects. The 42-year-old actress told US Weekly’s ‘25 Things You Don’t Know About Me’ featurette: “I’m very similar to Donna in that our personalities are alike. I’m different in that I left home when I was 15. Thank goodness she stayed in Point Place a little longer.” Laura says the “best gift” she has ever gotten from her husband Ben Foster is their kids; four-year-old daughter Ella and a two-year-old son. She said: “The best gift my husband has given me is our children.” The former ‘Orange is the New Black’ star admitted the “proudest moment” of her professional life was when Alex Vause became a symbol of LGBT+ resistance. Laura said: “The proudest moment of my career was when I saw Alex Vause on the side of a building in Warsaw, Poland, during Pride Month.” The Screen Actor Guild Award winner divulged her typical weekend plans to the magazine, which has a big emphasis on food. She said: “On a Saturday night, you’ll find me eating a homemade meal and watching a stand-up special with my fella.” Laura added: “On a Sunday afternoon, you’ll find me meal-prepping for the week. I tend to go plant-based during the warmer months, so in my fridge there are currently a lot of washed veggies and Vitalite dairy-free cheese.” This love of food has led Laura to declaring her kitchen the best place in her house to spend time, saying: “My favourite room in my house is the kitchen. To me, it’s the heartbeat of the home.” She also shared “the best advice” snippet she had been blessed with, declaring “there is only one you, so embrace your individuality”. View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel Central Florida LGBTQ advocates blasted a proposed ban on gender-affirming medical procedures for patients younger than 18 during a rally Sunday, saying the prohibition would increase the risk of suicide for transgender children and teens. Speakers denounced the proposal that would prohibit medical interventions like gender confirmation surgery, puberty blockers and hormone treatments for young Floridians who do not feel their gender identity aligns with their physical body. The Board of Medicine, which oversees licensing for the state’s doctors, is slated to discuss the rule during a meeting … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story By Sarah K. Burris Former President Donald Trump’s ex-wife, Ivana, died suddenly at her home in New York. The family gathered at a church to mourn, but it was later revealed that Mrs. Trump was buried at her ex-husband’s Bedminster golf resort on the first hole of the golf course. The move drew mockery from some online who compared Ivana to a family pet being buried in the backyard. But one professor noted that the Trump family has figured out a way to profit off of Ivana’s death. Tweeting on Sunday, Dartmouth Professor of Sociology, Brooke Harrington, posted some tax credits that she discover… Read More View the full article

Published by OK Magazine Mega All products featured on OK! Magazine are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, OK! Magazine may earn an affiliate commission. If there were ever two words to describe drag superstar Willam Belli and adult actress Sophie Anderson, they would be F king Smart*, a sentiment the pair proved with the premiere of their new OUTtv series earlier this summer. The self-proclaimed “sexiest queer quiz show on TV,” F cking Smart* pits the celebs against each other as team captains, tasked with leading their guests to victory as they answer burning questions about [LGBTQAI+](https://okmagazine.com/t/lgbtq/) history, pride and more. But beyond the litany of fun facts gleaned from the show’s stellar six episode run — did you know that goat eyelids were used as adult toys in ancient China? — one facet of the series particularly stood out: The team captains’ impeccable style and unshakeable confidence. Even with her bubbly and sexy on-screen persona, Anderson actually describes herself as being “very insecure,” a revelation that would likely come as a shock to fans who have come to know and love her for her hilarious and bold social media posts. While the openly pansexual star says her partner, fellow performer Damian Oliver, and the acceptance of the LGBTQAI+ community helps her muster “that confidence to be exactly who I want to be,” simply projecting self-assurance goes a long way. LGBTQ+ FOUNDED & OWNED BRANDS THAT GIVE BACK IN MORE WAYS THAN JUST DONATING — SHOP NOW “A lot of my life is faking it until you make it,” the star exclusively shares with OK!. Having the right beauty tools, she says, doesn’t hurt either. “Honestly, I go out and I’m like, ‘Right, I got my wig. I got my make-up on,’ and I can be whoever I want to be.” Willam has a similar mantra when it comes to confidence: “Fake it so you make it. And if you can’t make it, just bake it,” he quips, referencing the drag makeup technique of baking. Aside from setting powder, Willam says a fierce overdrawn lip is his secret to looking and feeling his best, a trick he picked up while learning how to apply makeup in the 1990s. Mega CitingPlayboy magazines, Baywatch and even old-school porn stars as some of his formative beauty inspirations, the drag icon exclusively shares the decade’s signature “winged little flip” has remained one of his go-to beauty techniques throughout his career. After removing foundation and other base products from around the lip line, Willam then dives in with a lip pencil, noting that thinking big is critical when drawing on the perfect pout. Contrary to popular belief, “putting lip liner on top of foundation or powder is not a recipe for success,” he notes, as it actually causes it to apply “chunkier.” ‘… & THE REST IS DRAG’: HOW DRAG QUEENS PERFECTED YOUR FAVORITE BEAUTY TRENDS — SHOP NOW “The lip line is a suggestion,” the RuPaul’s Drag Race alum says. “If you are lining your lips on your lip line, I don’t know who told you that you’re not allowed to have any fun and draw them a little bit bigger, but draw them bigger,” he advises, noting that a pop highlighter on the center of the lip can also help further the illusion of luscious lips. While Willam lists Makeup Forever, Morphe and Huda Beauty as some of his favorite beauty brands, he says he regularly picks up products from his own cosmetics company, Suck Less Face & Body, to help him perfect not only his lips, but also add extra flair to his makeup looks. “We do all the good, fun stuff,” he says of the brand, which is available at Forever 21. “We don’t do foundation. We don’t do concealer. We do lashes, lips and glitter.” Forever 21 SHOP NOW Suck Less Face & Body’s Red Lip Varnish retails for $16 at forever21.com. Forever 21 SHOP NOW Suck Less Face & Body’s Blueballs Glitter Gelly retails for $12 at forever21.com. Part of what distinguishes Suck Less Face & Body from most other celebrity beauty brands is its versatility, looking good on everyone regardless of gender, a feature Willam says is particularly evident through the brand’s false eyelashes. “If someone who’s more masculine wears them, facially bone structure-wise, the lash doesn’t hit the brow bone,” Willam explains, referencing a problem that many masculine makeup enthusiasts face. BOB THE DRAG QUEEN SAYS WINNING ‘RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE’ ‘WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS I HAVE EVER HAD TO DO’ Forever 21 SHOP NOW Suck Less Face & Body’s Day Lashes retail for $15 at forever21.com. But it’s not just beauty. Confidence is more than skin deep, also stemming from being informed on all things sex and love. EnterF *king Smart. Even with its breadth of jokes and fun, lighthearted segments, F*cking Smart* fills a crucial hole (no pun intended) in general sex education offering important information about queer sex, history and love, topics that are frequently overlooked in traditional educational settings. Although most teenagers receive “formal sex education” before turning 18 — 96 percent of teenage girls and 97 percent of teenage boys to be exact, per the CDC’s 2010 National Survey of Family Growth — not all sex education is created equal, especially when it comes to members of the LGBTQAI+ community. Just 8.2 percent of students said they received reported “LGBTQ-inclusive sex education,” according to GLSEN’s 2019 National School Climate Survey, with 17.0 percent of respondees saying they were “taught negative content about LGBTQ topics,” an oversight that can have tangible, real-world consequences. “Research shows that when young people fail to receive high-quality, inclusive sex education, they are more likely to experience negative sexual health outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and sexual violence,” Jennifer Driver, an exec at SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, told Forbes in October 2020. Covering relevant topics in the classroom, she says, can actually serve many benefits, helping young people feel seen and accepted for who they are. “On the flip side, when LGBTQ+ youth see themselves reflected in the lessons they learn at school, that type of affirmation can be life changing and, in some cases, life saving.” And it seems Willam is well aware of F cking Smart*’s importance as an information source — both in terms of public health and continuing forward with political progress. “We’re presenting educational stuff in a fun way because these are things we need to know so we don’t repeat the mistakes of history and get our civil liberties taken away again,” the performer explains, noting that “some people are “blithely unaware” of the community’s history. “Once you have them, getting them taken away is even worse,” he continues, referencing advances like the legalization of gay marriage and same-sex adoption rights. As such, Willam says the heart of the show is to empower viewers “to be as smart as they can.” “When kids don’t eat their vegetables, you need to find a way to slip them in,” he shares. “I think this is a way of slipping in info without everybody knowing, because it’s fun and entertaining and we do porn and drag.” And it seems there’s always more to learn — just ask Anderson. Even with her extensive experience in the adult entertainment world and gay icon status, Anderson says she picked up a thing or two during her “amazing time on the show.” Mega While the actress says she knew “a lot” about topics such as “sex positivity and sexual stuff” going into filming, she says “there was a lot” she didn’t know. “It was absolutely great,” she recalls of the “educational” experience. ‘MY HUMAN IS MY HUMAN’: JOJO SIWA REVEALS SHE’S PANSEXUAL AFTER PREVIOUSLY COMING OUT AS PART OF LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY But it seems Anderson gleaned more than just a few tidbits of LGBTQAI+ trivia from her time on the show. After years of “feeling alone” due to her sexuality, the star admits to OK! that serving as one of F cking Smart’*s team captains “meant the world” to her. “I cannot explain what the communities mean, becauseto be accepted for who you are is such an amazing thing,” she shares. “It’s very important not to be judged, and to really appreciate who you are.” F cking Smart is streaming now on OUTtv.* View the full article