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Published by Reuters By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A special grand jury in Georgia probing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat there issued subpoenas to Senator Lindsey Graham and Trump’s former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. A judge also ordered the testimony of other Trump legal team members Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, Cleta Mitchell and Jacki Deason. Representatives of Graham and Giuliani did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ellis, Eastman, Mitchell and Deason could not be reached for comment. The subpoenas were filed on Tuesday and signed off by Fulton Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who was overseeing the special grand jury. The special grand jury was selected in May to consider evidence in a Georgia prosecutor’s inquiry into Trump’s alleged efforts to influence the U.S. state’s 2020 election results. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had requested the special jury in January in part due to its subpoena power, which she argued was needed to compel witness testimony. The probe was launched after Trump was recorded in a Jan. 2, 2021 phone call pressuring Georgia’s secretary of state to overturn the state’s election results based on unfounded claims of voter fraud. During the phone call, Trump urged Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, to “find” enough votes to overturn his Georgia loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The transcript of the call quotes Trump telling Raffensperger: “I just want to find 11,780 votes,” which is the number Trump needed to win Georgia. Trump has denied wrongdoing in the phone call. Legal experts have said Trump’s phone calls may have violated at least three state election laws: conspiracy to commit election fraud, criminal solicitation to commit election fraud and intentional interference with performance of election duties. Separately, the vice chair of the congressional panel investigating last year’s attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters said on Sunday it could make multiple referrals to the Justice Department seeking criminal charges against the former president. (Corrects first name of Trump’s legal team member Jacki Deason in paragraph 2) (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Bill Berkrot) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Bette Midler didn’t intend to be “exclusionary or transphobic” with her tweet about the “erasure” of women. The 76-year-old actress has responded after backlash over a tweet in which she said “women of the world” are losing the rights to their bodies, lives and “even of our name”. After some followers claimed the comments were anti-trans, Midler has now shared a New York Times article which says “the word ‘women’ has become verboten” and sought to explain her position. She tweeted: “PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! My tweet about women was a response to this fascinating and well written piece in the NYT on July 3rd. “There was no intention of anything exclusionary or transphobic in what I said; it wasn’t about that.” The ‘Hocus Pocus’ star noted she has “60 years of proven love and concern” for marginalised people, and urged people to “unite” to save democracy. She continued: “I’ve fought for marginalized people for as long as I can remember. Still, if you want to dismiss my 60 years of proven love and concern over a tweet that accidentally angered the very people I have always supported and adored, so be it. “But the truth is, Democracy is slipping through our fingers. I’m all in on trying to save Democracy for ALL PEOPLE. “We must unite, because, in case you haven’t been paying attention, divided we will definitely fall.” Her original tweet – which comes after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, which removed the constitutional right to an abortion – has sparked criticism. Earlier this week, she wrote: “WOMEN OF THE WORLD! We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name! “They don’t call us ‘women’ anymore; they call us ‘birthing people’ or ‘menstruators’, and even ‘people with vaginas’! “Don’t let them erase you! Every human on earth owes you!” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English A new documentary about‘ Victoria’s Secret’ sex scandals will debut later this month. ‘Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons’ is set to follow the stream of sexual assault and harassment allegations following the iconic lingerie brand – who used to throw an annual fashion show with supermodel ‘Angel’s such as Adriana Lima, Gisele Bundchen and Alessandra Ambrosio – and its ex CEO Leslie H. Wexner and boasted the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a “close personal adviser”. Investigative journalist Matt Tyrnauer is set to focus on their dynamic and in a trailer for the Hulu documentary – which will drop on the streaming service on July 14 after a premiere at Tribeca Film Festival – reads “Truth is not what it seems as the underworld of fashion, the billionaire class, and Jeffrey Epstein are revealed to all be inextricably intertwined with the fall of this legendary brand” The ‘Valentino: The Last Emperor’ creator – and former Vanity Fair special correspondent – will also explore US corporate and shopping culture in the three-parter. Matt said: “It’s a very complex story that’s about not only fashion but the world of power and influence, and what I like to call the fashion industrial complex. It’s about the design era: the world of design and marketing, fast-fashion, but also the people behind it and the power and influence that they wield… Since a lot of my films are about power and influence in the way that certain people manipulate the various power structures, this became interesting to me.” The documentary will also feature contributions from former models, such as Frederique van der Wal and archive footage that shows a young Naomi Campbell. View the full article

Published by Reuters (Reuters) – Russia’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that detained U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner may appeal her sentence or apply for clemency once a verdict has been delivered. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Alexei Zaitsev said: “attempts to present the case as though the American woman was illegally detained do not stand up to criticism.” Griner was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on Feb. 17 on drugs charges, after cannabis-infused vaporiser cartridges were allegedly found in her baggage. In May, the U.S. State Department designated Griner as “wrongfully detained”. (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Beyonce has reportedly “run #MeToo checks” on potential collaborators. The ‘Break My Heart’ hitmaker is said to have vetted artists and producers for her upcoming album ‘Renaissance’ and rejected anyone who has faced allegations of harassment or abuse. An insider told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “Her team now run #MeToo checks on any potential collaborators. “Two songs from high-profile artists have been rejected because of allegations they are facing. “Although neither has been found guilty, she’s sending a clear message to the industry in the wake of troubling cases from people like R Kelly and Harvey Weinstein.” It’s said the AGE-year-old star “wants to set an example”, and she “doesn’t care” how people react to her decision. The source added: “She’s rubbed some people up the wrong way but she doesn’t care. She won’t go anywhere near you if you’ve been accused of going after one of her peers. “Beyonce is a leader in her business and wants to set an example that any abuse shouldn’t be normalised. “This is why her new record is about empowering women.” The report comes after Beyonce recently revealed she wants to “create a safe space” through the music on her upcoming album, as well as a project “free of perfectionism and overthinking”. She wrote: “Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world. “It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. “My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. “It was a beautiful journey of exploration. I hope you find joy in the music.” So far, Beyoncé has unveiled lead single ‘Break My Soul’, a house track that samples Robin S. hit ‘Show Me Love’ and Big Freedia’s ‘Explode’. She added: “I hope you find joy in this music. I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are.” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Pete Schroeder WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican-led states have unleashed a policy push to punish Wall Street for taking stances on gun control, climate change, diversity and other social issues, in a warning for companies that have waded in to fractious social debates. Abortion rights are poised to be the next frontier. This year there are at least 44 bills or new laws in 17 conservative-led states penalizing such company policies, compared with roughly a dozen such measures in 2021, according to a Reuters analysis of state legislative agendas, public documents and statements. While some of the individual moves have been reported, the scale and speed at which such “anti-woke” state laws and policies are ballooning and the challenges they are creating for Wall Street companies is detailed here for the first time. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “woke” as being aware of and actively attentive to issues of racial and social justice, but it is often used by conservatives to disparage progressive policies. The term has gained traction as America has become more politically polarized over issues from racial justice and LGBTQ rights to the environment and COVID-19 vaccines. Reuters counted bills considered and state laws passed in 2021 and 2022, although some state officials are also using executive powers to punish Wall Street. The growing restrictions show how America’s culture wars are creating new risks for some of the most high-profile U.S. companies, forcing them to balance pressure from workers and investors to take stances on hot-button issues with potential backlash from conservative policymakers. West Virginia and Arkansas this year, for example, stopped using BlackRock Inc for certain services, due to its climate stance, according to West Virginia’s Republican treasurer Riley Moore and Arkansas media reports. In Texas, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs have been sidelined from the municipal bond market due to laws passed last year barring firms that “boycott” energy companies or “discriminate” against the firearms industry from doing new business with the state. In many cases, the measures target a range of companies, restricting their ability to conduct state business. But financial institutions have been primary targets due to the pivotal roles they play in the economy and the early stances many took on such issues as fossil fuel and firearms financing. Republicans say the policies of such companies deprive legitimate businesses of capital. “They’re using the power of their capital to push their ideas and ideology down onto the rest of us,” said Moore. He spearheaded a law, passed in March, refusing business to banks that “boycott” fossil fuel companies and has rallied officials from 16 other states to promise to adopt similar policies. With several major financial companies stepping in to cover travel costs for employees seeking abortions after the Supreme Court last month reversed federal abortion rights, the Republican push to sanction Wall Street for “woke” stances is likely to grow. Republican Texas lawmaker Briscoe Cain said he plans legislation to outlaw such coverage and prohibit companies that provide it from receiving any Texas state business or contracts. “No corporation doing business in Texas will be allowed to subsidize abortions or abortion travel in any manner,” Cain told Reuters in an email. NO BOYCOTTS The new curbs will make it harder for financial firms to do a range of state business, from bond underwriting to managing state funds, depository accounts and government credit cards, according to interviews with more than a dozen industry sources, bank lobbyists and lawyers. Such contracts can be worth several million dollars each, public procurement data shows. JPMorgan, for example, underwrote $3.2 billion worth of Texas muni bonds last year, compared with $210 million so far this year, Refinitiv data shows. Bank of America, which underwrote $3.7 billion in Texas muni bonds last year, has done none this year. Some smaller firms, including Ramirez & Co Inc and Loop Capital Markets, meanwhile, have jumped more than 10 places so far this year in the Texas muni bond market bookrunner rankings, based on deal values. To be sure, some Democratic-led states are also looking to tilt the scales. Washington state floated a “climate resiliency fee” for institutions that fund fossil fuel projects. California is considering a bill that would stop its pension plans, the country’s largest, from investing in fossil fuel companies. But states led by Democrats are not pursuing as many punitive measures, according to the review and sources. “We’re going to see a lot more of these statutes on one side of the coin or the other,” said John Crossley, a partner at K&L Gates who focuses on energy. “It’s going to make it more and more difficult for people to operate in these markets.” Spokespeople for the above financial firms declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment. Financial firms say they aim to provide comprehensive healthcare benefits. They also argue government restrictions will drive up costs for Americans, and they dispute the characterization of their policies as boycotts. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager and a frequent target of Republican attacks, for example, has told Texas officials that while it has joined various efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, it supports fossil fuel companies. “The economy and financial system are best served when banks of all sizes can make their own banking and lending decisions about how to meet the needs of their communities based on their business model and risk tolerance,” said Joseph Pigg, senior vice president at the American Bankers Association. ANTI-WOKE PUSH The review shows “anti-woke” measures are gaining ground not only in traditional conservative strongholds such as Texas and Kentucky but also in so-called purple states – whose voters swing Democratic or Republican – such as Arizona and Ohio. The issues such measures target are also mushrooming. Guns and energy were the focus of the roughly dozen state laws and bills last year and of at least 30 legislative measures this year. But this year there were also more than a dozen bills relating to social and other issues, including “divisive concepts” like critical race theory – an academic theory that racial bias is baked in to U.S. laws and institutions – mandatory COVID-19 vaccines, or the use of “social credit scores,” the Reuters analysis shows. The latter is a theory that companies may take into account an individual’s political leanings when providing and pricing services. In April, for example, Florida made it illegal for companies to require training that might make staff feel “guilt” or “anguish” because of past actions by members of the same race. Unveiling the bill, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flagged Bank of America as one company conducting such “woke” training. A bank spokesman said the materials were offered to hundreds of companies by a nonprofit and were not part of the bank’s training materials. While the measures reviewed do not target corporate abortion policies, Cain said he expected other Republican-led states to pursue business restrictions on companies with such policies. WALL STREET DIVISIONS The financial industry is struggling to repel the onslaught, the sources said. Its trade groups are mainly registered to lobby the federal government, while state-based groups are not always aligned with Wall Street companies’ priorities. Moore, for example, said West Virginia’s community banks supported his measures. The West Virginia Bankers Association declined to comment. The Texas Bankers Association said the group had not opposed the Texas curbs because its members were not in “consensus.” Wall Street’s adversaries, on the other hand, are united. Galvanized by what they say are efforts by Democrats in the federal government to push “woke” policies, oil and gas, firearms and conservative groups, including the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), are successfully pushing such curbs, according to industry sources and advocates. “Banks should stay out of making policy choices,” said Lawrence Keane, general counsel at the NSSF, which advocated for the Texas law targeting lenders’ firearms policies. The American Petroleum Institute, a major energy group, said it opposes discriminatory policies toward the industry. Jason Isaac, a former Texas lawmaker who leads energy advocacy for the Texas Public Policy Foundation and helped craft the Texas fossil-fuel law, said he was discussing similar laws with other states, adding: “This woke political ideology will continue unless we get it in check.” (Reporting by Pete Schroeder in Washington; Additional reporting by Chris Prentice in Washington and Ross Kerber in Boston; Editing by Michelle Price, Paritosh Bansal and Matthew Lewis) View the full article

Published by Al-Araby Turkish police used teargas and pepper spray to halt an LGBTQ+ Pride march in the capital Ankara on Tuesday, detaining at least 36 people after authorities banned such marches in cities across the country for security reasons. Reuters journalists saw police pepper spraying activists and dragging them across the ground before handcuffing them and putting them in buses. UniKuir, an Ankara based group of LGBTQ+ activists, said at least 36 people were detained. tetikleyici içerik: polis şiddeti Ankara Onur Yürüyüşü’ne polis saldırısı belgeleniyor, polisin yaptığı şiddeti unutturmayacağız!#AnkaraOn… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Macy Gray has insisted that the comments she made on gender were “grossly misunderstood.” The 54-year-old singer spoke out about her views on what constitutes a woman on Monday (04.06.22) where she noted that “changing body parts” does not make a person female and faced backlash online, so took to Twitter to explain that she “supports” the trans community. She tweeted: “i got nothing but love for lgbt+ and transgender communities. i’ve been a supporter since day one and never a fake one. my statement on piers morgan was GROSSLY misunderstood. i respect everyone’s right to be whoever they wana b” (sic) The statement came less than 24 hours after she said that while she would call someone by their chosen pronouns to appease them, it still does not change the facts and claimed that there can be “a lot of judgement” for those who “just say it how it is.” Speaking on ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored’ on TalkTV, she said: “I will say this and everybody’s gonna hate me but – as a woman – just because you go change your parts, it doesn’t make you a woman, sorry. I know that for a fact. A woman is a human being with boobs. How about you start there? And have a vagina! “You want me to call you a ‘her,’ I will, Because that’s what you want but that doesn’t make you a woman just because I call you a ‘her’ and just because you got surgery. I don’t think you should be called transphobic just because you don’t agree. There is a lot of judgement and throwing stones at people for just saying what it is. Do you know what I mean? A woman goes through a completely unique experience and surgery and finding oneself doesn’t change that Being a little girl is a whole epic book, you know? You can’t have that just because you want to be a woman!” View the full article

Published by Raw Story By Matthew Chapman On Tuesday, writing for MSNBC’s ReidOutBlog, Ja’han Jones outlined how the Christian Right is facing renewed moral scrutiny and a crisis of “credibility” — at exactly the moment they have captured the Supreme Court and have begun striking down rights and protections they have long declared to be counter to moral society. Specifically, he argued, the latest rash of sex abuse allegations against conservative Christian institutions puts their moral authority on the line. The Catholic Church has long faced criticism for overlooking and shielding priests accused of molesting chil… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News NEW YORK — Monkeypox cases have doubled in New York City over the past week, according to local health authorities. A week ago, only a few dozen cases had been detected in the five boroughs, but the Health Department wrote on Twitter Tuesday that it has confirmed at least 111 people infected with the virus, which is known to cause blisters, fever and other symptoms. That’s up from 87 known cases this past Friday. “While anyone can get monkeypox, current cases are primarily spreading among social networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men,” the department tweeted. The city fa… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Eric Beech and Katharine Jackson WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday sued the state of Arizona to block a state law that requires voters to provide proof of citizenship for some federal elections. Due to take effect in January, the law violates the National Voter Registration Act by requiring proof of citizenship to vote in presidential elections or vote by mail in any federal election, the department said. “This lawsuit reflects our deep commitment to using every available tool to protect all Americans’ right to vote and to ensure that their voices are heard in our democracy,” Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, told a press briefing. Arizona has been a flashpoint in the U.S. battle over voting rights. A Republican-led review of the 2020 presidential election failed to find that irregularities marred Democrat Joe Biden’s narrow victory over Republican Donald Trump. The suit said a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision rejected an earlier attempt by Arizona to impose a similar documentary proof of citizenship requirement on applicants seeking to vote in federal elections. It contends the state law violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act by requiring election officials to reject voter registration forms based “on errors or omissions that are not material to establishing a voter’s eligibility to cast a ballot,” the department said in a statement. (Reporting by Katherine Jackson and Eric Beech; editing by Andy Sullivan and Leslie Adler) View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $100,000 Fox News ad on Monday urging Floridians to “join the fight” against Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis “or join us in California” has drawn a muted response from state Democrats and dismissals from Republicans. But it’s just the latest signal that as DeSantis’ national profile as a potential GOP presidential candidate increases, he can expect more attention from national Democrats and possible presidential opponents, whether in 2024 or 2028. “It’s an acknowledgement that DeSantis is a is a serious political threat to the Democrats,” … Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Marta Kauffman has admitted ‘Friends’ bosses made a “mistake” by using the wrong pronouns to describe a transgender character. In the show, Chandler Bing’s parent is referred to as his “dad” despite identifying as a woman and executive producer Marta has insisted bosses on the show should have done better but errors were made due to a lack of understanding at the time. Speaking on BBC World Service, Marta said: “We kept referring to her (Chandler’s transgender parent) as ‘Chandler’s father’, even though Chandler’s father was trans. Pronouns were not yet something that I understood. So we didn’t refer to that character as ‘she’. That was a mistake.” Marta went on to discuss the show’s lack of diversity which has attracted plenty of criticism over the years – describing the comments as “valid” and insisting she “feels stupid” for not recognising the problems. She said: “Friends has been criticised in a number of ways. The biggest one being that we did not have enough representation of Black people. And over the course of the last few years I’ve gotten to the point where I can say unfortunately yes, I am guilty of that. And I’ll never make that mistake again. I was clearly part of systemic racism in our business. I was unaware of that, which makes me feel stupid.” Marta went on to insist criticism of the show’s lack of diversity was justified, adding: “That was a very valid, extremely difficult criticism which still … I get emotional about. If I knew then what I know now, there are certain things I would have changed. But I didn’t know them and I have since learned.” View the full article

Published by Chicago Tribune CHICAGO — Speaking through tears, Rosemary Gamble returns again and again to the questions she would like to ask her granddaughter’s killer: Why did you do this? What could she have possibly done to you? Did you act out of hatred? Have you killed anyone else? “Before I leave this earth, I would just like to look them in the face and ask them, ‘Why? Why would you take my baby from me like this?’” said Gamble, 66, of Chicago. But five years after Gamble’s granddaughter, a transgender woman named Tiara Richmond, was shot to death at age 24, Gamble has yet to see justice, and a new analysis by the… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Darren Hayes was in a “dark place” before he came out as gay. The 50-year-old star – who is best known as frontman and singer of the pop duo Savage Garden alongside Daniel Jones – penned an op-ed for The Huff Post at the start of July explaining that he had been on the “brink of suicide” before coming out and has now claimed that his new album “saved [his] life.” He said: “I would say my new album honestly saved my life. I was in a dark place, emotionally, not understanding that just like my sexuality, my creative outlet is a huge part of the person I am, and by denying that, I was denying an essential part of me.” The ‘Truly Madly Deeply’ hitmaker – who has been married to Richard Cullen since 2013 and was previously married to Colby Taylor – released his comeback single ‘Let’s Try Being in Love’ in early 2022 and explained that his return to the public eye has been “more authentic” than in his initial heyday. He told PEOPLE: “I realized that I had never truly been myself at the height of my fame and commercial success. would have been a huge regret of mine to have retired from the public eye without having come back to the world as my true authentic self. Because I have embraced myself fully in my art, I no longer feel the shame and stigma around my sexuality or my mental health. I openly speak about both because I believe they are connected, and by speaking about what most embarrasses us, it’s my hope that bringing light to sadness drives away the darkness.” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) -The Ohio city of Akron declared a state of emergency on Monday, setting a curfew and canceling Independence Day fireworks, after protests over the police killing of an unarmed Black man turned unruly on Sunday night. The protests broke out after police released body camera video that showed eight officers shooting at Jayland Walker, 25, as he fled a traffic stop last week. Walker’s body was found to have some 60 gunshot wounds. Daytime protests on Sunday were peaceful but, despite pleas from the Walker family that demonstrations remain peaceful, Akron police declared an unlawful assembly once property was damaged. Officers in riot gear fired about a dozen canisters of tear gas to scatter protesters, WKYC-TV said. Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said a curfew for downtown Akron was in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice, and a pair of Fourth of July fireworks displays also were canceled. “There was significant property damage done to downtown Akron. Small businesses up and down Main Street have had their windows broken. We cannot and will not tolerate the destruction of property or violence,” Horrigan said in a statement. The Jayland Walker shooting marks the latest in a series of police killings of unarmed Black men, raising questions about police use of force and equal justice for African Americans, and contributing to increased polarization in the United States. White House spokesman Andrew Bates told Reuters the Justice Department, including the Civil Rights Division and the FBI field office in Akron, is closely monitoring and evaluating the situation surrounding Walker’s death. “This footage is disturbing,” Bates said. “And no family should ever have to endure the horrific pain and loss of a loved one that the Walker family is experiencing right now.” Police said Walker had a gun in his car but left it on the front seat as he fled on foot. Officers believed he fired a round from inside the car before fleeing, police said, and that Walker was “moving into firing position” when he got out of his car, prompting them to react to him as a potential threat, Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett said. VOW OF ‘FAIR’ INVESTIGATION The mayor praised the peaceful protests, which were led by the Akron chapter of the NAACP. Hundreds of demonstrators marched in the streets of the city of about 200,000 people, waving “Black Lives Matter” flags and chanting, “We are done dying,” and “Justice for Jayland.” Horrigan said the trouble began after nightfall, a pattern that was seen in the turbulent summer of 2020, when protests spread across the United States over the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes. Officers were later convicted of various charges including murder and civil rights violations in the Floyd case. On Sunday, the attorney for the Walker family, Bobby DiCello, told reporters he was “very concerned” about the police accusation that Walker had fired at officers from his car, adding that there was no justification for his violent death. “I ask you, as he’s running away, what is reasonable? To gun him down? No, that’s not reasonable,” DiCello said. The Ohio attorney general and Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation are investigating, and the file will be made public at the conclusion of the case, Attorney General Dave Yost said on Sunday. “People want and deserve answers, and they shall have them. BCI will conduct a complete, fair and expert investigation,” Yost said in a statement The eight officers directly involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, the Akron police chief said. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason.Editing by Mary Milliken and Bill Berkrot) View the full article

Published by OK Magazine Mega Barbie and Ken never looked so good! Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling took to the streets in Venice Beach, California, on Monday, June 27, as they continued to film scenes for the upcoming Barbie movie. The Suicide Squad star and the La La Land actor hit the ground running in coordinating multicolored neon outfits. Gosling rocked a combo of spandex shorts and a tank top, as Robbie stunned in a one-piece body suit. EVA MENDES & RYAN GOSLING GO ON RARE PUBLIC OUTING WITH THEIR KIDS TO DISNEYLAND The main duo in the film, set to hit movie screens next summer, have been shooting multiple scenes alongside the likes of Will Ferrell and America Ferrera. “People generally hear Barbie and think, ‘I know what that movie is going to be,’ and then they hear that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, and they’re like, ‘Oh, well, maybe I don’t…’ ” Robbie told British Vogue about signing on to the project. The blonde beauty added that playing the famous Mattel doll “comes with a lot of baggage,” considering some historical controversy over the doll. “And a lot of nostalgic connections,” Robbie continued. “But with that come a lot of exciting ways to attack it.” MARGOT ROBBIE & RYAN GOSLING DON COWBOY HATS AND WESTERN-INSPIRED COSTUMES WHILE FILMING ‘BARBIE’ MOVIE — SEE PHOTOS Scroll through the gallery to see Margot Robbie & Ryan Gosling rocking matching looks as they film the Barbie movie: Mega Gosling looked handsome from head to toe as he turned heads in the eccentric short, tank top and vest combo. Mega The Notebook star and the I, Tonya actress were joined by another costar as the two stayed in step while rocking matching roller skating gear. Mega Robbie smiled for the cameras as photographers snapped away at the two Hollywood stars filming their upcoming flick. Mega The Wolf of Wall Street actress stunned as she threw a white button-up over her multicolored workout set. Mega The two appeared to be deep in character as they seemed to be listening to a director in front of them. View the full article

Published by AFP First responders at the scene of a shooting at a parade on July 4, 2022 in Highland Park, Illinois Highland Park (United States) (AFP) – A gunman armed with a high-powered rifle shot dead at least six people at a parade to mark US Independence Day in a wealthy Chicago suburb on Monday — the latest in a series of shocking mass shootings on a holiday meant to celebrate all things American. Police launched a manhunt in the city of Highland Park for the gunman, who was still on the loose, while authorities rushed to cancel July 4 celebrations there and in the nearby town of Evanston. Along the parade route, abandoned chairs and other belongings could be seen scattered after panicked spectators fled for their lives. “Everyone thought it was fireworks,” one parade-goer, identified only as Zoe, told CNN. “My dad thought it was part of the show, and I’m like, ‘Dad, no… something is wrong.’ And I grabbed him. And I looked back at him, and then it was just a sea of panic, and people just falling and falling.” As they ran, she said that some 20 feet behind her, “I saw a girl shot and killed… saw her die.” Zoe said they first hid behind a dumpster before police pulled them into the basement of a sporting goods store with some other people, several of whom were injured, including a man who appeared to have been shot in the ear and a girl who was shot in the leg. When they were finally able to leave, she told CNN, the parade route resembled “a battle zone. And it’s disgusting.” Commander Chris O’Neill of the city’s police said the shooting began around 10:14 am, as the parade was “approximately three-quarters of the way through.” “It sounds like spectators were targeted… So, very random, very intentional and very sad,” he said. He said two dozen people had been hospitalized and six confirmed dead, adding that “several” of them had died at the scene, which was “very large.” The suspected shooter has been described as a white male aged 18-20 with longer black hair, and was using a “high-powered rifle,” O’Neill said. He said that “firearm evidence” had been located on a nearby rooftop, adding: “All indications is he was discreet, he was very difficult to see.” “All individuals are still urged to shelter in place at this time,” he said. Nancy Rotering — the mayor of Highland Park, a wealthy suburb north of Chicago in the Midwestern state of Illinois — gave the same toll and condemned the holiday violence. “On a day that we came together to celebrate community and freedom, we’re instead mourning the tragic loss of life and struggling with the terror that was brought upon us,” she said. ‘Enough is enough’ Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the state police and the local sheriff’s office, are assisting with the response. Highland Park announced that all July 4 festivities had been canceled as a result of the violence, as did nearby Evanston. “While there is no known threat to Evanston residents, the shooter is still at large; therefore, cancelations are taking place in an abundance of caution,” the city said. US Representative Brad Schneider, who was at the parade, said on Twitter that “a shooter struck in Highland Park during the Independence Day parade.” “Hearing of loss of life and others injured. My condolences to the family and loved ones; my prayers for the injured and for my community,” he wrote, adding: “Enough is enough!” The shooting is part of a wave of gun violence plaguing the United States, where approximately 40,000 deaths a year are caused by firearms, including suicides, according to the Gun Violence Archive website. The debate over gun control — a deeply divisive issue in the country — was reignited by two massacres in May that saw 10 Black supermarket shoppers gunned down in upstate New York and 21 people, mostly young children, slain at an elementary school in Texas. Congress passed the first significant bill on gun safety in decades in the wake of those killings. President Joe Biden signed it into law in late June, saying that while it falls short of what is really needed, it will still save lives. But a day earlier, proponents of tougher firearms laws suffered a setback when the US Supreme Court ruled that Americans have a fundamental right to carry a handgun in public, a landmark decision with far-reaching implications for states and cities across the country trying to rein in gun violence. View the full article

Published by AFP A rusted metal barrel, near the location of where a different drum was found containing a human body, sits exposed on the shore of Lake Mead, in Boulder City, Nevada outside Las Vegas Las Vegas (AFP) – Mobsters who end up sleeping with the fishes are usually never seen again. But climate change has a way of messing even with the mafia, and a watery grave outside Las Vegas is starting to cough up Sin City’s darkest secrets. Lake Mead, which can be reached from the Las Vegas Strip by a short ride in the trunk of a car with your hands and feet bound, is drying up in a grueling decades-long drought. Its receding waters are leaving behind the usual flotsam and jetsam of a lake heavily trafficked by weekend boaters. But also bodies. One particular find caught the attention of mob-watchers: the skeletal remains of a man who had been shot in the head, stuffed in a barrel and tossed in the lake four decades ago. “The mob had a propensity to put people in barrels, whether they’re burying them in a lake, or dumping them out in the field,” said Geoff Schumacher of The Mob Museum in Las Vegas. “That’s number one. Number two, the person was shot in the head, typical mob hit style. “And third, we know that this happened in the late ’70s, early ’80s (when) the mob was very prominent in Las Vegas.” Oasis An improbable oasis of hotels, casinos and vice sprouted in the baking Nevada desert in the 20th century. Las Vegas had been founded in 1905, but it wasn’t until work began on the nearby Hoover Dam in the 1930s that its population swelled. The influx of construction workers — mostly single men — created a market for entertainment, which was filled by sex workers, showgirls and legalized gambling. And where there is flesh, casinos and booze, organized crime is lurking in the background. “The mob played a pretty big role in the development of Las Vegas from the 1940s through the 1980s,” said Schumacher. “There was a lot of behind-the-scenes activity where the mob was controlling the management of the casinos, but also building and expanding the casinos, using in many cases, Teamsters union money.” The city grew rich in the post-World War II boom that fueled the American dream, becoming the global capital of gambling. And for every $100 that a hapless tourist lost at the blackjack table in a fug of free booze, a mafia boss in Chicago or New York wanted his cut. The skimming, which doubtless cost the city millions of dollars in lost taxes, was a double-edged sword. “They also sort of created this mystique about Las Vegas,” said Schumacher. “People wanted to come to Las Vegas, on the idea that ‘oh, maybe when I sit down at the bar, there’s going to be a mob guy sitting next to me.'” ‘Cold-blooded killers’ But it wasn’t all glamour. “The reality was that these guys were cold-blooded killers; they were thieves. If you were to cross the mob in some way… there definitely were consequences.” Las Vegas police are still investigating the body found in the barrel at Lake Mead earlier this year, and in response to AFP inquiries would only say there is an ongoing probe. But Schumacher has his theories about the identity of the dead man. One suggestion is that he was Jay Vandermark, who worked at the Stardust Hotel, an operation run by Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal on behalf of the Chicago Mob. Rosenthal — who was played by Robert De Niro in the movie “Casino” — was funneling cash back to his bosses, until the scheme drew the attention of local authorities. Vandermark disappeared shortly thereafter. A more likely candidate for the body in the barrel, however, is a man named Harry Pappas who was also connected to the Chicago Mob. “One of the extra perks for visitors to Las Vegas, if you were a high roller… was they would take you out on the boat at Lake Mead,” Schumacher said. “The Stardust had a boat out there and Harry Pappas was in charge of that whole operation. “Right before he disappeared, he told his wife he was going to lunch with someone who was interested in buying his boat. We’ve never seen Harry Pappas again.” Lake Mead is a massive reservoir on the Colorado River created by the Hoover Dam. It is now just a quarter full — the result of a drought and warming temperatures fueled by man-made climate change — and shows no sign of stabilising. As its shoreline retreats, revealing more of the lake bed, it may yield more mob secrets, said Schumacher. “I don’t know if we find another body in a barrel, but I have to believe that there could very well be a second murder victim out there.” View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega When it comes to movie stars who are equal parts handsome and successful, Brad Pitt is undeniably at the top of the list. The actor, 58, has proved time and time again he’s more than just a pretty face, having earned countless awards and dabbling in activism. Scroll down to relive his rise to the top! mega Raised in Missouri, the actor moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting dreams in the ’80s — and much like his peers, he struggled to get work at first. He eventually nabbed recurring roles in shows like Dallas, and by 1992, his flick A River Runs Through It premiered, and critics, as well as moviegoers, began taking notice. mega By the mid-90’s, the father-of-six had achieved man of the hour status thanks to iconic films like Legends of the Fall, Interview with the Vampire and Seven. While working on the latter, he struck up a romance with costar Gwyneth Paltrow. The pair got engaged but called it off in 1997. mega Pitt soon became a bonafide A-list movie star, putting out star-studded movies like Fight Club and Ocean’s Eleven. It was around that time that he and Jennifer Aniston got together, but after five years of marriage, they parted ways in 2005 — the same year his and Angelina Jolie‘s flick Mr. & Mrs. Smith debuted. Shortly after he and the Friends actress filed for divorce, Pitt and Jolie became inseparable. mega In 2006, Brangelina confirmed they were expecting their first child together, Shiloh. They welcomed twins Vivienne and Knox in 2008, and Pitt formally adopted her three other kids, Maddox, Pax and Zahara, as well. His career kept up at its steady pace, with box office blockbusters like Inglourious Basterds. He and Jolie tied the knot in 2014, but had a messy split in 2016 that involved the Hollywood hunk being investigated by child services and the FBI, though he was ultimately cleared. The exes are still embroiled in a custody case, and it’s believed the actor doesn’t get to see the children very often. mega Pitt eventually revealed he had a drinking problem, and in 2016, he decided to get sober. Over the past few years, he’s retreated a bit from the spotlight, but that hasn’t stopped him from doing what he loves, and he finally received the coveted Best Actor Oscar win for 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In a recent candid interview with GQ, he said that he spent “years with a low-grade depression,” but he’s now feeling better, explaining, “It’s not until coming to terms with that, trying to embrace all sides of self — the beauty and the ugly — that I’ve been able to catch those moments of joy.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Elliot Page has shared his new passport photograph. The ‘Umbrella Academy’ actor – who announced he was transgender in 2020 – took to Instagram to share his updated passport picture and revealed how much it meant to him. He wrote: “Never thought I would love a passport photo.” Meanwhile, Elliot, 35 – who separated from Emma Portner in January 2021 after three years of marriage – recently revealed that he is looking for love online and thanked his ‘Umbrella Academy’ co-star Ritu Arya, 28, for “guiding me on my first dating app ever”. Elliot previously explained he always knew he was a boy and couldn’t understand when people told him he wasn’t. He said: “All trans people are so different, and my story’s absolutely just my story. But yes, when I was a little kid, absolutely, 100 percent, I was a boy. I knew I was a boy when I was a toddler. I was writing fake love letters and signing them ‘Jason.’ Every little aspect of my life, that is who I was, who I am, and who I knew myself to be. “I just couldn’t understand when I’d be told, ‘No, you’re not. No, you can’t be that when you’re older’. You feel it. Now I’m finally getting myself back to feeling like who I am, and it’s so beautiful and extraordinary, and there’s a grief to it in a way.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Meta is to turn all Instagram videos into Reels. The social media giant – which is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp – launched the 90-second video feature back in 2020 after the rise of rival TikTok and is now trialling a feature that will see all of its videos take on the Reels format. Alongside a screenshot that read “video posts are now shared as reels”, industry analyst Matt Navara wrote on Twitter: “Instagram is now making EVERY video a Reel!” His claims were then backed up by Meta, who claimed that the feature was being “tested out” gradually amongst random users. A Meta spokesperson told The Verge: “We’re testing this feature as part of our efforts to simplify and improve the video experience on Instagram. The news comes a year on from claims that the social media app – which is used by an estimated 5.2 billion people worldwide and serves as a major platform for several celebrities – is “no longer” just a photo-sharing app, according to Instagram Head Adam Mosseri. Back n July 2021, he said: “Changes are coming to video. We’re no longer just a square photo-sharing app. At Instagram we’re always trying to build new features that help you get the most out of your experience. Right now we’re focused on four key areas: Creators, Video, Shopping, and Messaging. “Let’ be honest -there’s some really serious competition right now. TikTok is huge and YouTube is even biger. People are looking to Instagram to be entertained, there is stiff competition and we have to embrace that.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Drake became the “sixth member” of the Backstreet Boys when he joined the band onstage to perform his favourite song. The music star made a guest appearance at the boyband’s show in Toronto, Canada on Saturday (02.07.22) to sing on their hit track ‘I Want It That Way’ – and Drake gave a moving speech to the audience telling them why the track means so much to him. According to People.com, he said: “At 13 years old, I had a bar mitzvah, and at my bar mitzvah, for the first time in my life, this girl I was in love with came up to me while one of the greatest songs in the world was playing, and she asked me if I would dance with her. “It was the first time I ever felt acknowledged, and it was the first time I ever felt like, you know, I had a shot at being cool.” The star then joked: “If she can see me now, you know what I’m talking about?” The publication reports the band referred to Drake as their “sixth member” during the special one-off appearance together. Drake recently released his new album ‘Honestly, Nevermind’ to mixed reviews and he seemingly hit back at the criticism of the record by insisting haters “don’t get it yet”. The rapper’s latest release debuted on June 17, but was hit with lacklustre reviews with some critics branding the album “dull”. However, Drake appeared to have responded during a speech at a subsequent release party in Miami, Florida. According to Fox News, he said: “It’s all good if you don’t get it yet. That’s what we do! We wait for you to catch up. We in here, though, we caught up already. On to the next. My goodness!” A clip of the moment circulated online showing Drake making the comments while the song ‘Calling My Name’ played in the background. It’s believed to have been filmed during a bash at Miami nightclub Gala. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Adele gave a fan VIP access to her concert, in exchange for borrowing their Pride flag. The 34-year-old star draped herself in a rainbow flag at her concert at British Summer Time in Hyde Park, London on Saturday (02.07.22) to celebrate Pride and Dean William, a teacher from Essex, revealed the story behind the special moment. He wrote in a heartwarming thread on Twitter: “Last night I was invited by @Adele to sit side of stage for her performance at @BSTHydePark. Here’s how the most random night of my life happened! A thread… “I arrived with my general admission ticket at about 6pm and went straight to the toilet at the furthest point away from the stage. As I left, a woman approached my friend and I and said she saw I was wearing a pride flag, and they @Adele needed one for her performance… “She asked if she could borrow mine so…OF COURSE I SAID YES! Then we were whisked away into the Diamond VIP section and given a LOT of drinks tokens. “After we got our wristbands and drinks, we watched a bit of the amazing Gabrielle and bumped into the lovely @Charlottegshore. “We were stunned. This was a dream! Before long @adele came on stage and blew our socks off! Of course, singing Hello. “Then, after two songs the MOST BIZARRE moment of my life happened. @Adele, in front of 65,000 people asks where Jack and Dean are and calls us over to the barrier! I of course, have no footage of this as I was losing my mind!!! “We were pulled over the barrier, and told by @adele that she wanted to give us the best seats in the house… they certainly were! “Then, during When We Were Young, @adele appeared wearing the very flag we bought for eight quid at Holborn station just hours before! I cried. “To end the most magical, perfect, mind-blowing pride @adele sung Love Is A Game, looked at us directly in the eyes and blew us a kiss. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ADELE!!!! I’ll never ever forget this night and this pride!!!!” And Dean revealed that the superstar even made sure he got his Pride flag back following the performance. During the show at American Express presents BST Hyde Park, Adele played the Great Oak Stage and wowed the crowd with a 19-track headline set. Wearing a glistening black off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton gown, she told the crowd: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be here this weekend… There’s no place like London in the summer. I can’t wait to come back. I love coming home. And happy Pride!” View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega She got it from her mama! Lourdes Leon never fails to wow her followers with the sultriest of snaps on social media. The ultra famous daughter of Madonna knows how to get all eyes on her with her artistic photoshoots and high fashion ensembles. The 25-year-old model appears to take after her famous mother as she is always pushing the envelope with her risqué looks and daring aesthetic. MADONNA’S DAUGHTER LOURDES LEON BRINGS THE HEAT IN MARC JACOBS SPRING COLLECTION — AND EVEN SHOWS OFF HER UNSHAVEN ARMPITS However, Leon still gets a bit embarrassed by the “Material Girl” singer’s attention0seeking ways. As OK! exclusively reported, Madonna’s kids, who also include Rocco Ritchie, 21, Mercy James, 16, David Banda, 15, as well as 8-year-old twins Stelle and Estere Ciccone “cringe” at the way their mother provocatively dresses herself. “They can’t understand why [her behavior] needs to be so hyper and gratuitous,” a source revealed. “She’s constantly looking for ways to push the envelope, and the kids worry among themselves about where it’s all going to end.” The source noted her children love her “but it makes them cringe to see her writhing around naked and making a fool of herself,” explaining that Lordes and Ritchie have “struggled for years” with her attention-seeking behavior. MADONNA’S DAUGHTER LOURDES LEON SHARES SERIES OF RISQUE SNAPS AFTER SHADING MATERIAL GIRL FOR DRESSING PROVOCATIVELY FOR HER AGE Scroll through the gallery to see Lordes Leon’s top social media thirst traps: @SAVAGEXFENTY /@lourdesleon/instagram Madonna’s first born showed off her assets in a black bra ensemble complete with tall leather socks and a wild hairdo as she smiled for the camera. @lourdesleon/instagram Leon left little to the imagination in a light blue bikini as she lounged on the hood of a car. @SWAROVSKI ;@lourdesleon/instagram; The model posed for a Cher inspired shoot rocking a pair of jeans and a turquoise halter top as she wore her long pin straight hair down. @thisismayan / @lourdesleon/instagram Leon rocked a pair of clear glasses and showed off her unique manicure as she lounged in the pool. @indiana420bitch/@lourdesleon/instagram The super famous offspring sported a white mini skirt along with a jean bralette as she went high glamour with her makeup for the snap. View the full article