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Published by Reuters By Ahmed Aboulenein WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden will unveil a new strategy for dealing with drug addiction and overdoses on Thursday that aims to expand access to medications for opioid overdoses, increase funding for law enforcement, and expand sanctions against traffickers. The Biden administration is keen to show it is taking action on a worsening U.S. opioid crisis, which fueled more than an estimated 106,854 drug overdose deaths in the year to November 2021, a 15.6% increase from the same period a year earlier, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. “That’s an American life lost every five minutes around the clock,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of National Drug Control Policy at the White House. “For too many years, the overdose crisis has been unraveling the very social fabric of our nation and destroying American lives and livelihoods,” Gupta told reporters on a press call. The National Drug Control Strategy, which Biden will send to Congress on Thursday, seeks to double treatment admissions for populations that are most at risk of overdose deaths and ensure universal access to medications for opioid use disorder by 2025. Currently, key tools like naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, and syringe service programs are often restricted or underfunded. There are legal barriers limiting access to naloxone in some states, and even in others the drug is not always available to those most at risk of an overdose. Patients are more likely to receive a naloxone prescription if they had a prior diagnosis of opioid misuse or dependence along with an overdose compared with individuals who had those diagnoses without an overdose. The administration also aims to triple the number of drug traffickers it sanctions and increase border security, said Gupta. Biden in December signed two executive orders aimed at fighting drug trafficking and criminal networks. One order allowed for new sanctions on Chinese companies trading ingredients of the opioid drug fentanyl and on criminal gangs in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Leslie Adler) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Matt McKnight BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Reuters) – The San Francisco Bay will soon have a new fossil fuel-free ferry floating in its waters, propelled completely by hydrogen fuel cells, and officials hope it heralds change on the high seas. Aptly named Sea Change, the 70-foot (21-meter), 75-passenger ferry will service multiple stops along San Francisco’s waterfront. It was built at All American Marine shipyard in Bellingham, Washington, and was undergoing tests with the U.S. Coast Guard in nearby Puget Sound. “We’re here in the water, under hydrogen fuel cell power and it’s the first commercial vessel in the world that’s got that propulsion system,” said Pace Ralli, chief executive of Switch Maritime, standing on the bow of the ferry in Bellingham Bay. Sea Change marks another industry exploring fuel cells as clean-energy cars, trucks, trains and pleasure boats are being developed. Advocates assert hydrogen fuel cells are cleaner than other carbon-cutting methods as they only emit water and heat, but the high cost and bulky fuel cell systems have limited the use of the technology. Ralli conceived the idea for the fuel cell-powered ferry while living in New York City, trying to find ways to decarbonize the maritime industry. “There was a project in California that was being sponsored by the California Air Resources Board, and they were working on hydrogen fuel cell as a method for decarbonizing ships, so we joined up with them and funded their project in 2019,” Ralli said. As he spoke, three hydrogen fuel cell stacks whirred in the engine room, helping power two propellers that move the ferry along at a top speed of 20 knots. All American Marine project manager Jeff Sokolik helmed Sea Change, pressing buttons on a touchscreen that engage automated systems communicating with the engine room. “This is going to be the next standard in fuel-cell driven vessels. They’re clean, they’re efficient and they make sense economically on scale,” said Sokolik, who believes this eco-friendly maritime innovation could be widely adopted as soon as 10 years from now. As companies move toward a zero-emission world, the desire to hit their sustainability targets has risen. The International Maritime Organization’s Greenhouse Gas Study conducted in 2020 states that greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have increased from 977 million tonnes in 2012 to 1,076 million tonnes in 2018, a 9.6% increase in six years. “We’re focused on the shipping industry because that’s where we have expertise, but I don’t think any industry can really wait at this point,” Ralli said. “We’re really paving the regulatory framework that’s needed to take this to a larger harbor craft, whether it’s tugs and other larger ferries or even ocean-going vessels like container ships and cruise ships and tankers,” he adds. If all goes to plan, Ralli said the boat will be delivered to the Bay Area in late May and serve passengers in June, just in time for San Francisco’s summer season. (Reporting by Matt McKnight in Bellingham, Washington, editing by Ben Klayman in Washington and Richard Chang) View the full article

Published by DPA People with illnesses likely to be fatal are much more likely to end their lives, according to new research in the UK that is renewing debate about palliative care and assisted dying. Fabian Strauch/dpa People with chronic lung conditions and cancers which are likely to be fatal are around two-and-a-half times more likely to end their lives than those without such conditions, figures in the UK suggest. One year after being diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or low survival cancers, people had an elevated rate of death due to suicide, the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) found. The suicide rate for such patients was 2.4 times higher than the rate for people with similar socio-demographic characteristics who had not received a diagnosis. Campaigners said the figures show the need for a law change on assisted dying, but others called for more support for dying people and for high-quality palliative care to be extended to everyone who needs it. According to the Samaritans charity that helps those at risk of taking their lives, suicide is complex and usually a combination of individual, community and societal factors interact to increase risk. The ONS research found that 17,195 people in England died by suicide between January 2017 and March 2020, including 455 people with COPD, 465 people with chronic heart conditions and 58 with low survival cancers. In many instances, people diagnosed with these conditions would meet the definition of having a terminal illness, the ONS said. The ONS figures only cover deaths in England, so the deaths of people who travelled abroad to end their lives will not have been captured by the research. For people with low survival cancers there were 22.2 deaths per 100,000 versus 9.1 deaths per 100,000 people without a diagnosis, and the suicide rate for COPD patients was 23.6 deaths per 100,000 versus 9.7 deaths per 100,000 people. For those with chronic ischemic heart conditions, the suicide rate was nearly two times higher (16.4 deaths versus 8.5 deaths per 100,000 people without such conditions). Further research will examine suicides among people with severe health conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Vahe Nafilyan, head of the ONS Health Modelling Hub, said: “The analysis we have published today helps better understand the complex issue of suicide in patients diagnosed with certain chronic health conditions.” The campaign group Dignity in Dying said the data shows that instances of terminally ill people taking their own lives “are not isolated tragedies but warning signs” of serious patient safety implications under the current law. Chief executive, Sarah Wootton, said: “The data today confirms that the blanket ban on assisted dying is not only uncompassionate and unequal, but deeply unsafe for our terminally ill citizens, and it must act as a clarion call for Parliament to examine the full impact of the current law. “This is not simply a matter for debate but of patient safety, of the utmost urgency.” Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity Sane, added: “It is unforgiveable and inhumane that people who are dying should have to resort to ending their lives alone and abandoned, but this data indicates that this the case for many under the current law. “For those who are nearing the end of life and wish to ease the dying process, their motivation is to shorten death, not shorten life, and therefore traditional suicide prevention measures are not an appropriate response.” Care Not Killing, a UK alliance which opposes a law change, said the figures do not demonstrate the need for a change in the law on assisted dying. Chief executive, Dr Gordon Macdonald, said the numbers instead suggest that “much more work needs to be done to support dying and vulnerable people by providing them with universal access to treatment for both their physical and psychological needs”. He continued: “This means extending high quality palliative care to all those who need it, not reaching for a cheap short-term solution of facilitating a rise in people committing suicide or having their lives ended by the state.” A Samaritans spokesman said: “Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and while the data shows that there seems to be an association between certain severe illnesses and risk of suicide, there remains a significant amount which the data doesn’t tell us. “Being diagnosed with a severe illness is one of the most difficult things people will go through, creating huge emotional, physical, practical, and financial challenges. “Therefore, it is important that anyone living with a severe illness, or supporting someone who is, is aware of the support that is available.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Queen Elizabeth’s Barbie doll is a tribute to the British monarch’s influence as an “important historical female figure” who has made an impact along with other “leaders, creators and pioneers”. Mattel has unveiled the Tribute Collection Barbie to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years of service, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. The extraordinary reign of the queen – who celebrated her 96th birthday on Thursday (21.04.22) – has seen her lead with duty, support humanitarian efforts and live a life of public service, unifying the nation in celebration, reflection and community and historian-and-professor Kate Williams says the unique doll is a fitting tribute to the great woman. Kate – the author of ‘Our Queen Elizabeth’ – said: “Queen Elizabeth II’s reign has been one of extraordinary impact, holding a position that few women have. The longest reigning British monarch, and the first to reach a Platinum Jubilee, The Queen has dedicated herself to service and duty and seen the world change immeasurably. In 1952, when she came to the throne, women were not encouraged to work and politicians expressed doubts about a young female monarch – but she showed them wrong, proved herself an adept leader and diplomat. “As Her Majesty celebrates this milestone jubilee it is wonderful to see an iconic brand like Barbie share important historical female figures impact as leaders, creators and pioneers to new generations.” The Queen Elizabeth II Barbie doll is instantly recognisable in an elegant ivory gown and blue riband adorned with decorations of order. The tiara is based on Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara – famously worn by The Queen on her wedding day – and miniature medallions on ribbons are inspired by the Royal Family Orders. The pink ribbon was given to The Queen by her father George VI, and the pale blue by her grandfather George V. The silver brooch pinned underneath the sash represents the Garter Star Brooch, the insignia of the highest order of chivalry in the United Kingdom, the Order of the Garter. The doll is presented in a box inspired by the styles present in Buckingham Palace, made from a 3D ornate die-cut border which frames the doll, and an inner panel showing a throne and the red carpeting inspired by the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. The box is printed with a crest-shaped logo and a badge commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne. The Queen Elizabeth II Tribute Collection Barbie will be sold at Amazon, Harrods, Hamley’s, Selfridges and John Lewis from April 21, 2022 ahead of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend between 2nd -5th June 2022. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Lynda Carter keeps her Wonder Woman costume on stand-by in case “of emergency”. The 70-year-old actress – who played the titular role in the classic live action TV series based on the popular comic in the 1970s – revealed she never threw out her iconic outfit from her time on the show, and she joked she’s always got it close by in case she has work to do. Sharing a photo of herself holding the framed costume, she tweeted: “1. Some outfits are never sent to the back of the closet. “2. It’s really more of a “break glass in case of emergency” situation.” Fans were delighted by the post, with many hailing Carter’s impact on them growing up. One follower wrote: “I always picked to be Wonder Woman when we played super heroes as kids. You were the one who made me fall in love with superheroes. Thank you for showing the world ‘girls’ can save the world too.” Another added: “It weirdly makes me feel better about the world, knowing that Wonder Women is one pane of broken glass away.” And a different fan said: “So break the glass already! You’re needed! What are you waiting for, a written invitation?” Lynda played Wonder Woman and her alter ego Diana Prince in the classic series, while Gal Gadot took on the role in the 2017 blockbuster and its 2020 sequel ‘Wonder Woman: 1984’ – but the original star made a cameo in the latter. She made a post-credits cameo appearance as the warrior Asteria, and she will be part of ‘Wonder Woman 3’. Gadot previously said: “”First of all, Lynda has mentored me from the very first moment that I got cast as Wonder Woman. She was always there, talking to me, giving me tips and everything. “She’s a true champion of what Patty [Jenkins, director] and I have been doing, and it was so great that we managed to find the right opportunity to bring her to the last movie and now to the third one.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Robbie Williams curated an artwork collection with Ed Godrich. The ‘Angels’ hitmaker has been collaborating with the interior designer for five years and is finally ready to display the 14 pieces – including those by artists such as Damien Hirst, Banksy and Jean-Michel Basquiat – in the ‘Black and White Paintings’ exhibition celebrating 1990s rave culture, followed by an auction at Sotheby’s in London. Regarding the exhibition, which will run between 13 to 25 May, the 48-year-old singer said: “Art is really whatever you want it to be. “Just like music it has the ability to soothe and provide company when you’re lonely.” Robbie and Ed are gearing up to sell one of their own creations for the first time – a picture titled ‘Beverly’, expected to go for £20,000 at the Contemporary Curated auction – and the star believes in the “power” music and art have in affecting his approach to life. He added: “Art and music have punctuated my ups and downs but, more importantly, they both have the power to change how I feel in a moment.” The ‘Let Me Entertain You’ hitmaker compared the dynamic he and Ed share to that of a band. Robbie explained: “Ed’s and my outlook on life and sensibilities are eerily similar. In music terms, Ed plays the piano, while I write the melodies and the words. “To continue the metaphor, we also write songs separately and bring them together. We’re in a band.” Meanwhile, Ed believes the work they make together “take on the rhythm of whatever is playing”. He added: “I create art and can spend hours discussing art with Robbie because we have similar brains, which are in no way combative, just progressive and full of ideas the whole time. “Our paintings take on the rhythm of whatever is playing – and that’s usually electronic music. “Everyone will see something different in each picture, whether that’s the influence of the music playing at the time, or something else.” Robbie revealed he started “collecting” when his solo career took off after he left boy band Take That while sharing tips for “burgeoning collectors”. He said: “I started collecting when I wrote Angels, that gave me the financial capacity to collect. “For you burgeoning collectors, my advice would be to buy what you like – it hasn’t let me down. “It’s important to engage with the art you buy, and you have to have an emotional reaction to the piece.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Barack Obama‘s girls are all grown up! Michelle accidentally revealed both of their daughters, Malia, 23, and Sasha, 20, have boyfriends, and now we know who the youngest’s mystery man is! Sasha is dating Clifton Powell Jr., a 24-year-old 6’5″ hunk who already has a lucrative career in Hollywood. The former first daughter and her new beau are no longer trying to hide their romance from the cameras. Sasha and Clifton were photographed leaving the University of Southern California campus together and didn’t hide their chemistry from the paparazzi. It’s believed the youngest Obama and her boyfriend began dating after she left the University of Michigan and switched to USC. Mega Clifton played college basketball but he now works behind the scenes. Sasha’s boyfriend is a thriving commercial director and has worked with some of the hottest brands like Nike, Peloton, and Madden. While he grew up in Los Angeles, Radar has learned he went to college at the University of Santa Barbara. If Clifton’s name sounds familiar, it’s because his dad is Hollywood actor Clifton Powell. Sasha’s possible future father-in-law has starred alongside big names, acting in movies like Friday, Deep Rising, and Ray. According to insiders, Clifton was also close with Regina King‘s son Ian Alexander Jr., who tragically took his life earlier this year. Mega But Clifton isn’t the only “grown man” the former president and first lady have to look out for. On Tuesday, Michelle spilled the beans that both Sasha and Malia are dating. Up until her comment, no one knew about Clifton. Malia has been in a relationship withBrit Rory Farquharson since 2017. “They loved the Jonas Brothers. Now they are bringing grown men home,” Michelle joked to Ellen DeGeneres. “Before it was just, like, pop bands. Now they have boyfriends and real lives.” Mega If you haven’t been keeping up with the Obamas lately, let Radar fill you in. Both sisters have moved to the West Coast. Malia was first, heading to Los Angeles after graduating from Harvard. She currently works as a script writer for Donald Glover’s new Amazon project and is sometimes caught having a smoke break in the back of Amazon’s alley. Malia is now a USC student after ditching her courses at Michigan. She’s busy juggling her class schedule — and now, her new boyfriend. View the full article

Published by AFP Sixty-five chimps who were once lab research animals are now living in freedom on river islands in Liberia — they are being cared for under a 2017 settlement Marshall City (Liberia) (AFP) – Floating on a river boat near a Liberian island, vet Richard Ssuna watches intently as animal carers wade towards the shore hurling fruits and imitating chimpanzee calls as they go. The beach is empty, but the sound of rustling and chimpish grunts begins to fill the green undergrowth. Slowly, an ape knucklewalks out onto the beach to grab some food. He’s a high-ranking member of his troop, explains Ssuna, as more chimpanzees follow. The younger ones gambol and hoot in delight as carers throw them bananas, palm nuts and cassava. Sixty-five chimps are spread across six uninhabited river islands near the Atlantic Ocean, about 55 kilometres (34 miles) south of the West African country’s capital Monrovia. But their joy in feeding belies a dark past. The chimps are the remainders of a group of about 400 ex-test subjects of a US-funded research project — and have survived decades of invasive experiments. Some of the animals underwent several hundred biopsies. “They were traumatised,” says Ssuna, who’s also a director of Humane Society International (HSI), a rights group that now cares for the primates. Chimp testing in Liberia began 1974, when the New York Blood Center (NYBC) funded biomedical research related to hepatitis B and other diseases at a complex by the Farmington River. During Liberia’s devastating 1989-2003 civil war, the chimpanzees nearly starved to death as the country imploded around them. Research staff in the impoverished country had to dig into their own pockets to provide basic sustenance. The researchers retired many of the chimps to the river islands in the mid-2000s but their ordeal continued. For reasons that remain unclear, NYBC cut funding in 2015 — in a move that provoked global outrage — abandoning the apes on the tiny river islands incapable of supporting them. Activists picketed NYBC headquarters in New York and Hollywood stars such as Joaquin Phoenix and Ellen Page signed a petition urging the blood bank to reinstate funding. Brian Hare, a US-based primatologist who launched the petition, wrote at the time: “Effectively they have left these poor chimpanzees to suffer from dehydration and starvation”. ‘Victim of torture’ Liberia is one of the world’s poorest countries, where 44 percent of the population lives on less than $1.90 per day, according to the World Bank. Local staff at the research centre kept showing up to work to help the chimps when NYBC cut funding — at a time when an Ebola epidemic was raging in Liberia. Rights groups and US financial giant Citigroup also provided relief funds during the turbulent period. Under pressure, NYBC eventually struck an agreement to split the long-term care costs for the chimps with the Humane Society in 2017, pledging $6 million. NYBC did not respond to questions from AFP about why it withdrew funding. Years on, the former lab chimps now enjoy veterinary care and two daily meals. But many still bear the scars of their grim past. At another island, during morning feeding, Ssuna points to a grizzled ape who’s missing an arm. The vet says the animal is “essentially victim of torture.” The chimp, named Bullet, lost the limb as a infant when poachers killed his mother and ripped him from her arms. He then ended up at the research lab. The carers are trained to form close attachments with the chimpanzees and to be gentle, explains Ssuna, who says certain stimuli can trigger negative memories in chimps, as in humans. Bright future – None of the chimpanzees can be released into the wild, and are confined to the islands for life. They never learned to fend for themselves and there are also fears they would spread disease if humans came into contact with them. Keeping them fed is a serious operation. Carers prepare about 200 kilogrammes (440 pounds) of food every morning, and 120 kilos (264 pounds) in the afternoon — amounting to about 10 tonnes a month. Care will continue until every ape on the islands dies, according to Ssuna. He estimates that their lifelong care will last some 50 years. Many of the chimps are around 20 years old and have a lifespan of about 60. There are also a small number of babies. HSI plans to vasectomise the males to prevent further births. “The future is very bright, as much as we would like to leave them back in the wild,” says Ssuna back on the mainland after the feeding, standing near the rusted animal cages of the old research complex. “They’re in a better place.” View the full article

Published by Reuters (Reuters) – A lawyer for Alec Baldwin said on Thursday that an investigation by New Mexico has cleared his client of wrongdoing in the fatal shooting on the set of “Rust,” pointing out that its report stated the actor believed his gun held only dummy rounds. New Mexico’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau on Wednesday released the findings of a six-month investigation of the shooting during the filming of the Western movie last October. It blasted Rust Movie Productions LLC for “willful” safety lapses leading to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and fined the company $137,000, the maximum amount possible. In response to the findings, Baldwin’s attorneys said in a statement that his authority on the production was limited to approving script changes and creative casting and that he had no authority over matters that were subject to the investigation. “We appreciate that the report exonerates Mr. Baldwin by making clear that he believed the gun held only dummy rounds,” the statement posted on Baldwin’s Instagram account said. “We are pleased that the New Mexico officials have clarified these critical issues.” The agency was not immediately available to comment on the statement. Hutchins was killed during a rehearsal when a revolver that Baldwin was holding fired a live round that passed through her and struck the movie’s director Joel Souza in the shoulder, wounding him. The investigation found the production firm had been aware that firearm safety procedures were not being followed and demonstrated “plain indifference” to the hazards, the New Mexico Environment Department said in a statement. Rust Movie Productions spokesman Stefan Friedman said in a statement on Wednesday that the company disagreed with the findings and planned to appeal. The probe found that Rust management ignored concerns raised by crew members about firearm and pyrotechnics misfires on set. The report said Rust management failed to give staff responsible for firearms safety sufficient time to inspect ammunition received to ensure no live rounds were present. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Fe County District Attorney have ongoing criminal investigations into the death of the cinematographer. (Reporting by Brendan O’Brien in Chicago; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden pledged $800 million in more weaponry for Ukraine on Thursday and said he would ask Congress for more money to help bolster support for the Ukrainian military as it faces a fresh onslaught by Russia on its eastern flank. Addressing Americans from the White House’s Roosevelt Room, Biden pledged to send heavy artillery, dozens of howitzers, and 144,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as tactical drones, as he called on Congress for supplemental funding to provide additional aid for Kyiv. Biden also announced $500 million in direct economic assistance to the Ukrainian government as it battles to save the lives of people under siege by Russian forces. “We’re in a critical window now of time where they’re going to set the stage for the next phase of this war,” Biden said, referring to Russia’s tactical shift to the east. The United States and allies are “moving as fast as possible” to provide Ukraine with the equipment and weapons it needs. Biden said the new assistance will expend most of the remaining funds available for this purpose and that he will make a supplemental funding request to Congress next week. He said the amount is being discussed. “That’s being decided now. I’m asking the Defense Department to put together a proposal,” he said. The U.S. House of Representatives will consider the additional aid for Ukraine as soon as next week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters. There is strong support among Democrats and Republicans for assisting Ukraine. The Pentagon said that the new package would include 75 155mm long-range howitzers, 72 tactical vehicles to tow them, and more than 100 Phoenix Ghost drones. Biden spoke after face-to-face talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who is in Washington for a variety of meetings. The president announced plans to ban Russian-affiliated ships from docking at U.S. ports, as previously reported by Reuters, further ratcheting up pressure on Moscow. A senior administration official said the move was aimed at further isolating Russia. Biden also said his administration will allow Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion of their home country to come to the United States temporarily if they have American sponsors, a move that could affect thousands of refugees. The new arms package is the same size as an $800 million one announced last week Biden said the new weapons are needed as Ukraine battles a major offensive from Russia in the east, where the flatter terrain requires a different set of weaponry. On Wednesday, he convened U.S. military leaders in an annual White House gathering that took on special significance as the war enters a risky new phase. Russia has said it has entered a new stage of its operation and is methodically seeking to “liberate” the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Western allies anticipate Russia’s campaign could last many months, grind to a stalemate and test the battlefield capabilities of Ukrainian fighters. Biden disputed Russian claims of control of the embattled city of Mariupol, saying that “there’s no evidence that Mariupol has completely fallen.” He added that Russia “should allow humanitarian corridors to let people at that steel mill and other places (that) are buried under rubble to get out.” Russia says it launched what it calls a “special military operation” on Feb. 24 to demilitarize and “denazify” Ukraine. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext. U.S. forces are not fighting in Ukraine but are indirectly engaged, arming, training and financing its forces. The U.S. aid announced last week included artillery systems, artillery rounds, armored personnel carriers and unmanned coastal defense boats, broadening the scope of materiel sent to Kyiv to include new types of heavy equipment. Adding this week’s package brings total U.S. military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded to well over $3 billion. (Reporting by Nandita Bose, Steve Holland, Patricia Zengerle and Idrees Ali; Editing by Robert Birsel, Chizu Nomiyama, Heather Timmons and Jonathan Oatis) View the full article

Published by Reuters LONDON (Reuters) – British finance minister Rishi Sunak and his Canadian counterpart Chrystia Freeland walked out of an International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington on Thursday when Russia’s delegate spoke, a British finance ministry spokesperson said. “(Sunak) described Putin’s assault on Ukraine as an assault on the rules and norms that are the foundation of our economic way of life,” the spokesperson said. Earlier on Thursday, Britain ramped up trade sanctions on Russia, targeting luxury goods including caviar, silver and diamonds through import bans and higher tariffs, seeking to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. (Reporting by David Milliken; Editing by William Schomberg) View the full article

Published by Hong Kong Free Press A Hong Kong law firm which handled multiple cases related to the 2019 protests is to cease practising soon, the umbrella group representing the city’s solicitors announced on Thursday. The Law Society of Hong Kong notified members that Vidler & Co. intended to cease practice on June 3 after 19 years of operations. The firm, which specialised in human rights issues, had handled several controversial incidents, including an alleged police gang rape and the case of Indonesian journalist Veby Mega Indah, who was allegedly shot in the face with a police projectile. See also: Interview: Defending th… Read More View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — On the heels of the state’s so-called ”Don’t Say Gay” law, the Florida Department of Education has quietly dropped out of a 31-year-old CDC survey of students that includes questions of mental well-being, suicidal thoughts, sexual orientation and gender identity. Mental health advocates called the move “an incredibly dangerous precedent” and said the data produced by the survey is essential for understanding the struggles of adolescents and teens and guiding public policy. The department did not respond to a request to explain the decision. Norín Dollard, a senior policy analys… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online netflix Who can forget the chiseled abs, strong whiff of cologne, and mega-watt smiles when being greeted at the door? Abercrombie & Fitch was a clothing brand staple in the late 1990s that has since become overshadowed by claims of toxic work culture. The highly anticipated White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch documentary premieres on Netflix tonight, detailing the dark side of one of America’s most popular retail companies that was once a “pop-culture phenomenon.” netflix “Ambercrombie rooted themselves in discrimination at every single level,” one interviewee said. “There’s a reason people liked that brand. Exclusion is part of our society.” Former employee Carla Barrientos, who was 19 when she scored a job at her local A&F in the Valley Plaza Mall, echoed those statements. “The whole culture of what’s cool and who’s cool, it’s all fluff, it’s not important. The culture at the time really was exclusion, it looks so different than where we are, and good thing times have changed,” she explained as the doc dived into the brand’s past controversial hiring and firing practices in addition to their workplace culture. Ryan Daharsh in White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitchnetflix “I mean this was the practice,” she added. “To go into a store, and I started to notice I was hired to work on the floor and everyone who worked on the floor was white. There was something that was happening and it didn’t mirror my real life.” Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of A&F, also faced criticism for admitting they were going “after the cool kids” in terms of their marketing strategy, stating, “A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely.” He later apologized for the remarks, clarifying “we are completely opposed to any discrimination, bullying, derogatory characterizations or other anti-social behavior based on race, gender, body type or other individual characteristics.” netflix The doc notes that Barrientos along with several other ex-employees were plaintiffs in a 2003 class action lawsuit against A&F alleging discrimination. The lawsuit was settled for $40 million the next year. Abercrombie & Fitch later hired Fran Horowitz-Bonadies as CEO in 2017, who reportedly told CNBC that “we are no longer the brand that we used to be” and will be moving forward in a positive direction. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Nathan Frandino OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) – Walking into the Good Hop craft beer bar in Oakland, California, Alison Heller looks like any other patron thirsting for happy hour. But instead of heading to the bar, she goes straight to the bathroom, opens her backpack and pulls out a plastic bag with fentanyl test strips. She puts 25 strips in a jar for anyone to take for free. “If you’re going to use drugs here, you can test them,” said Heller, a co-founder of the harm-reduction nonprofit FentCheck. Strips to test drugs for the presence of the deadly synthetic opioid are becoming more commonplace in bars, restaurants and venues as the country grapples with the opioid epidemic and soaring death toll. Fentanyl has flooded U.S. streets and contributed to nearly 500,000 U.S. opioid overdose deaths over two decades, with the COVID-19 pandemic worsening the situation. Fentanyl, which is 100 times more potent than morphine, produces effects similar to other opioids, like sedation, drowsiness and nausea. Overdosing can cause respiratory failure leading to death. Fentanyl overdoses are now the top cause of death among U.S. residents ages 18-45, surpassing suicide, car accidents and COVID, according to an analysis of federal data by opioid awareness organization Families Against Fentanyl. To prevent such deaths, Heller, FentCheck co-founder Dean Shold and a team of volunteers regularly visit a network of businesses in Oakland, San Francisco, New York and Philadelphia to replenish stocks of the test strips. “We’re done with dead kids. We’re done with accidental overdoses. We are also serving people who are struggling with drug addiction,” Heller said. “They cannot make it to rehab, they cannot make it to the next step in their sobriety if they die that night.” FentCheck staples the strips from Canadian company BTNX to simple instructions for users to test their drugs. The results show up – like a pregnancy or COVID-19 test – with lines indicating positive or negative. “They are cheap, they are super easy to use and read and they give you a yes or a no that you can then use,” said Dr. Kathleen Clanon, medical director of Alameda County, which supports the distribution of fentanyl test strips and funds. “They are very sensitive, meaning that the comparison tests have shown that they are likely to show fentanyl if it’s there and I’m comfortable with that as a community test.” Melissa Myers, owner of the Good Hop, called it a “no brainer” to offer the strips to her customers and train her staff to use naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses the effect of opioid overdoses. “We fought to stay alive through COVID and I want them to be able to keep coming here, not die on the street or die at home because they’ve decided to try some new drugs,” said Myers. Some cities have gone even further in the fight against drug overdoses. One of the nation’s first supervised drug-injection sites opened last year in New York City, allowing users to inject drugs under the supervision of trained staff. Critics say the strips enable drug users. Some states treat them as illegal drug paraphernalia. Legislation to decriminalize the strips is underway in Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, among others. Dr. Joey Hensley, a state senator and physician who runs a private practice in Tennessee, voted against the bill there. “I just don’t think it’s a good policy to make it easier for people addicted to drugs to use drugs,” he said. Hensley doubts that providing fentanyl test strips would affect drug users’ behavior. “If there are studies that show differently, maybe I would change but I just didn’t think that was a good policy,” he said. Jason Lujick, owner of The Legionnaire, where test strips sit out on the bar, said lawmakers need to face the facts. “If you actually care about your constituents and if you actually look at the data that your health departments are throwing out there and you actually care one iota, grow up,” he said. (Reporting by Nathan Frandino; Writing by Richard Chang; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA A longtime pal of Liza Minnelli claims the Hollywood icon was ambushed and forced to use a wheelchair during the Hollywood broadcast. The friend insisted the star’s health fine, and the flustering in the moment was over being “sabotaged,” according to a report. During the Oscar 2022 broadcast, Minnelli appeared on stage alongside Lady Gaga to present the Best Picture award. But Minnelli was seated in a wheelchair, seemed discombobulated, and missed many of her lines. That led to speculation that Minnelli was in poor health. Gaga even told Minnelli at the end of their presentation, “I got you,” which was captured on a hot-mic and included in the broadcast. However, pal Michael Feinstein claimed on Sirius XM’s Jess Cagle Show that Minnelli had only agreed to appear if she sat in a director’s chair because of a bad back, PageSix reported. Minnelli said she wanted to look good and didn’t want people to worry about her, Feinstein said. MEGA But, minutes before going on the broadcast, a stage manager said Minnelli had to use a wheelchair, Feinstein claimed and PageSix noted. The academy declined to comment to PageSix about the claims. Minelli’s reps also did not speak about the report. “I guess they were all shaken up because of everything that had happened earlier,” Feinstein said about the infamous slap. Though, several awards were handed out between the slap and Minnelli going on the stage. Feinstein said Minnelli initially refused to sit in the wheelchair, but then relented. “[She was] so shaken that she was discombobulated,” Feinstein claimed, and PageSix reported. ` Feinstein told the Jess Cagle Show that the star was disappointed with what happened, but she is doing well. “Can you imagine being suddenly forced to be seen by millions of people the way you don’t wanna be seen?” Feinstein told the show. “That’s what happened to her.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Bill O’Reilly was caught having a meltdown in a shocking new video that shows the former Fox News host cursing out and threatening a JetBlue employee because his flight was delayed, Radar has recently learned. In a surprising development that marks just the latest incident involving the 72-year-old, O’Reilly is getting ready to board a flight set for the Turks and Caicos Islands on Sunday, April 3 before the trip is delayed for five hours – and the conservative commentator and author take out his frustration on a seemingly innocent employee. Mega That is the scene shown in a recently released clip by Daily Mail that captures the entire incident on video, shocking not only the bystanders but also the viewers seeing the clip for the first time. “What you’re gonna do…it’s three hours late,” O’Reilly can be heard saying before snapping at the airline employee. “No, no, no, you’re gonna find out.” “You f—— s——,” O’Reilly continues, jabbing his finger towards the JetBlue employee aggressively while the worker tries to calm the hot-headed talk show host down. “Don’t talk to me like that.” Making the video even more jarring is the fact that O’Reilly then attempts to identify the JetBlue individual he is talking to before allegedly threatening the worker with violence and claiming he is going to lose his job. Mega “You’re threatening me with violence, man,” the worker says at one point in the video while holding up his name tag so the struggling former The O’Reilly Factor host could read it more easily. “No, I’m not,” O’Reilly replies. “You’re gonna lose your job.” “You’re going to get that information,” O’Reilly demands, before ultimately storming away from the JetBlue counter and the airline worker. The passenger who recorded the interaction between O’Reilly and the employee recently revealed that he was taken aback by the tense incident. “I couldn’t believe how arrogant he was,” he said. “That poor JetBlue guy just works there, it’s not his fault the flight was delayed, he was just trying to do his job.” Mega But when Radar reached out for comment, O’Reilly admitted that although the situation was heated, it was the JetBlue employee who was arrogant and who falsely accused the host of threatening him. “We already referenced the situation on my broadcast: the No Spin News. Five hour delay on the Jet Blue flight JFK to Turks-Caicos. The guy was arrogant and falsely accused me of threatening him and I said: ‘your lucky I didn’t do that…’” O’Reilly told Radar. “Heated, for sure. Hope you will accurately report.” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Education has canceled student loan debt for 40,000 people and offered credits to help another 3.6 million pay off their loans under a plan announced on Tuesday designed to aid low-income borrowers and public servants. “Student loans were never meant to be a life sentence, but it’s certainly felt that way for borrowers locked out of debt relief they’re eligible for,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in the statement. The measures add to other steps taken by the administration of President Joe Biden, including a pause on nearly all student loan collection, but they stop short of demands from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party for comprehensive student loan forgiveness. In his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden called for canceling $10,000 in student loan debt for each borrower, a commitment of more than $400 billion. Since he was elected, the White House has said Congress must take action for wider student loan relief. The government said it was addressing “historical failures” to communicate to borrowers all the benefits they were eligible for in federal student loan programs. At least 40,000 borrowers will receive immediate debt cancellation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Several thousand borrowers with older loans will also receive forgiveness through income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness, plus another 3.6 million borrowers will receive at least three years of additional credit toward IDR forgiveness, the Education Department said in a statement. Those programs cap the amount lower-income borrowers are required to pay and forgive the remaining balance after a set number of years. Student loan debt is seen as a drag on the economy, burdening young professionals for years after graduation, while the wide availability of loans has contributed to rising tuition. Some 43.4 million borrowers are carrying about $1.6 trillion in outstanding student loans from the Federal Loan Portfolio, an average of more than $37,000 each, according to the Education Data Initiative. The Biden administration canceled more than $17 billion in debt for 725,000 borrowers in its first year in office while also extending a pause on loan repayment that has provided at least temporary relief for 41 million borrowers, the Education Department said. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Sandra Maler) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Michela Moscufo (Reuters) – Columbia University will add historical markers to four residence halls to acknowledge legacies of slavery and racism and to commemorate African American students, a university professor said on Tuesday. The markers, part of a university-wide project initiated by President Lee Bollinger after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, include signs at residence halls John Jay Hall and 50 Haven Avenue, formerly Bard Hall, noting that slave owners John Jay and Samuel Bard had close ties to the university. A marker at Furnald Hall will tell the story of a morning in 1924 when men in Ku Klux Klan robes and hoods burned a seven-foot-tall wooden cross near the dormitory. Furnald was home at the time to law student Frederick W. Wells, the first Black student to live on-campus at Columbia during the academic year. While the cross burned, students ran outside his door shouting racist insults. The high percentage of students of color, among them poet Langston Hughes, who lived at Hartley Hall in the early 20th century will be commemorated with a plaque there, according to Columbia Professor Thai Jones, who taught a “Columbia & Slavery” course and has led the effort to erect the markers. Columbia will join Harvard Law School, Rutgers University, the University of Mississippi and the University of South Carolina in erecting plaques in recent years acknowledging the institutions’ relationship to slavery. Columbia’s markers will be installed in the fall initially as digital monitors and could become permanent plaques, according to Jones. (Reporting by Michela Moscufo; Editing by Donna Bryson and Leslie Adler) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Ezra Miller has been arrested after allegedly throwing a chair at a woman. The ‘Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore’ actor was apprehended by police in Hawaii at around 1.30am on Tuesday (19.04.22) morning for second-degree assault after being found during a traffic stop, 20 minutes after cops had responded to reports of an alleged incident at a get-together at a private residence in the Leilani Estates subdivision in lower Puna. The Hawaii Police Department issued a news release which read: “During the course of their investigation, police determined that the individual, later identified as Ezra Miller, became irate after being asked to leave and reportedly threw a chair, striking a 26-year-old female on the forehead, resulting in an approximate half-inch cut.” The woman refused treatment for her injury, while Ezra was released after 4am pending further investigation. The ‘Flash’ star’s arrest came three weeks after they were charged with disorderly conduct and harassment following an incident at a karaoke bar. At the time,police said: “Miller began yelling obscenities and at one point grabbed the microphone from a 23-year-old woman singing karaoke and later lunged at a 32-year-old man playing darts. The bar owner asked Miller to calm down several times to no avail.” On the same evening, the ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ actor was accused of “threatening to bury” a couple he’d been staying with. The unnamed couple also accused the star of stealing their belongings and filed for a restraining order against Ezra, but later dropped their application to order the actor to stay away. In addition, Ezra is also involved in a separate case relating to an alleged traffic violation in Hilo until April 26, where the actor was said to be being “uncooperative and refused to leave the area and continued to obstruct the sidewalk.” View the full article

Published by AFP Marijuana is seen at the Sneaker Headz cannabis store April 15, 2022, in Washington, DC. Los Angeles (AFP) – Tens of thousands of Americans will gather in parks and city plazas under a fog of marijuana smoke on Wednesday to celebrate a drug that remains illegal in much of the country. April 20th has become synonymous with pot, a day when THC-infused clouds drift, people play bongos, and everyone feels a bit of love for each other. But why did 4/20 become so important? What is 4/20? Basically a day that celebrates all things Mary Jane. In more than a dozen US states where weed is legal, big rallies will take place in public spaces, with participants lighting up everything from regular spliffs to bongs to joints the size of a baby’s arm. If you can imagine it, there’s someone smoking it. Outside of the big gatherings, smaller groups of people will get together to indulge in a collective toke. Aficionados insist these more intimate smoke-ins are more in keeping with the origins of 4/20, which began as something off-the-grid but has grown into full-size festivals, complete with sponsors and the option of purchasing VIP tickets. Why April 20th? In the US system of dates, April 20 is 4/20, and the day-long celebration of reefer seems to have metamorphosed from the number. There are a few competing theories where the number came from, and none of them is commonly accepted. One holds that 420 is the number of chemicals in marijuana, though this seems to be an undershoot (it’s closer to 500, according to Vox), or an overshoot (“scientists have successfully isolated 113 discrete cannabinoids,” weed bible High Times reported.) Another theory has it that 420 is the California penal code for possession of the drug (it’s not; Penal Code 420 explains that it’s a misdemeanor to prevent access to public lands in the state, according to findlaw.com, a website for legal professionals). Many suggestions involve well-known pot heads The Grateful Dead in some way, and include the claim that 420 was the favored hotel room number on their psychedelic tours. Was it implausible for all six musicians (plus hangers-on) to be in the same room? Yes, and a band spokesman is widely quoted as saying it’s not true. Nor is 4/20 the date that Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, or Janis Joplin died. While they all passed at age 27, their deaths were in July, September and October, respectively. One of the more satisfying theories about 4/20 is that 4:20pm was the time that a group of stoners in 1970s California would gather to get high. The Waldos describe themselves as “a group of five wisecracking friends…who originated the term ‘420’ in 1971 at San Rafael High School.” Their website offers what they say is proof of the term being used as code for these gatherings and the act of smoking, in the form of letters exchanged after they left school. Whatever the truth, the term has entered the lexicon — the Oxford English Dictionary acknowledges that it is “North American slang” for marijuana, while the Encyclopaedia Britannica, no less, notes the expression is “in current use” (and also gives us “hippie lettuce” as an alternative term for the drug). View the full article

Published by AFP An activist smokes out of a glass pipe during the annual New York City Cannabis Parade and Rally in May 2021 Los Angeles (AFP) – As pot smokers prepare to light up for “4/20” — the annual counter-cultural celebration of cannabis held on April 20 — the United States’ legalization experiment blazes ahead. Here are five things to know about marijuana in America: Where is it legal? – Eighteen of the 50 US states, plus the capital Washington, have so far legalized recreational weed use for adults. Most states allow at least some medical use — ranging from oils with low levels of the active ingredient THC to near-legalization. Just a few conservative states such as Idaho, Wyoming and Nebraska have held off. Oddly, marijuana remains illegal under federal law — in fact, it is technically a “schedule one” controlled substance, on par with heroin. So in theory, a cannabis user is still breaking the nation’s laws. But in practice, federal prosecutors do not pursue people or businesses that are complying with their state’s marijuana laws, nor have they challenged those laws in court. Where could be next? – While New Jersey has already legalized recreational weed, legal sales will only begin this Thursday. Rhode Island, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Louisiana and Oklahoma are the states considered most likely to allow cannabis use next. But that could soon be moot, if efforts to decriminalize marijuana nationwide work out. A Democrat-led bill to eliminate punishments for possessing or selling the drug was approved by House lawmakers this month. It faces a sterner test in the Senate, where the Democratic majority is as thin as a rolling paper. It would also need President Joe Biden’s signature. How much is legal weed worth? Legal weed is already big business — worth around $25 billion in the United States last year — and is only expected to grow faster. Efforts are under way to clear financial red tape for legal cannabis operators, who often struggle to secure basic services such bank accounts, loans and even credit card machines at checkouts due to the sector’s “grey zone” legal status. States reported $3.7 billion in cannabis tax revenue from sales last year. And the recent House bill projected that annual legal sales will pass $40 billion by 2025. What about the illegal industry? As big as the legal sector has grown, it is still dwarfed by illegal marijuana sales. Illicit cannabis was estimated to be worth $65 billion in 2020 across the nation. This is not just confined to states where weed remains illegal. Even in California, the first US state to approve medical marijuana use back in 1996, as much as 80 percent of cannabis sales remains outside the law. These range from loyal customers sticking with their original dealers — either from preference for the product, or lower prices thanks to the lack of taxes — to counterfeit operations that consumers may assume are legitimate. Who supports it? Overall, the US public is strongly behind legalization. A Pew Research poll found last year that 91 percent of adults think marijuana should be legal, either medically, recreationally or both. Roughly half of US adults last year told Gallup they had tried cannabis, up from one-third in 1999. Legal cannabis companies have drawn celebrity funding or endorsements, from musicians Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa to actor Seth Rogen and former boxing champ Mike Tyson. Billionaire Elon Musk is also a fan, controversially lighting up a joint during a “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast livestream, and tweeting his outrage about prisoners who are still behind bars for the historical offence of selling weed. View the full article

Published by AFP 'Business is great!' declares Forest 'Ty' Hayward, 41, the proud co-owner of Sneaker Headz — one of several 'gifting shops' that have sprung up in a city now known for the everpresent fragrance of the flower Washington (AFP) – Buy a T-shirt, get a “gift” of weed: that’s how some stores operate in Washington, exploiting a perceived loophole to sidestep a ban on selling cannabis in the US capital. The situation is but one example of the hazy legality surrounding marijuana in America, despite a trend in recent years towards normalization. “Business is great!” declares Forest “Ty” Hayward, 41, the proud co-owner of Sneaker Headz — one of several “gifting shops” that have sprung up in a city now known for the everpresent fragrance of the flower. Many are African-American owned, and are seeing a lively trade ahead of national marijuana day on April 20. Hayward sees his work as “a turning point for the Black community,” which historically suffered a disproportionate rate of cannabis convictions. Since 2014, Washington residents have been allowed to possess paraphernalia and two ounces of weed, gift some to others, use it on private property, and grow up to six plants. But Congress — which approves the city’s budget — has barred legal sales. Instead stores sell items like T-shirts and stickers, starting at around $30, with which customers also receive “presents” in the form of weed buds or gummies. Cannabis was first outlawed at the federal level in 1937, “largely along racial reasoning, as well as to keep out immigrant workers or find ways to criminalize them,” Morgan Fox, political director of advocacy group NORML, told AFP. The 1970s brought the “War on Drugs,” which likewise disproportionately hit minorities — before the medical marijuana movement took root in the 1990s, and in 2012 the first states made recreational cannabis legal for adults. Today, 18 of the 50 US states plus Washington have legalized recreational weed use, while 37 have medical cannabis laws on the books. But since the drug remains a controlled substance at the national level, everyone involved is still technically breaking the law of the land. The ban makes it difficult to access banking services, stops federal funding for medical marijuana research, prevents interstate commerce, and federal regulation on best practices and protocols for marijuana. What’s more, a future presidential administration unsympathetic to legalization could go after businesses and consumers even in states where the plant is legal. Former president Donald Trump’s attorney general Jeff Sessions wanted to do this, but federal prosecutors ultimately decided it was a waste of their time. Legal trouble Still, sticky situations can arise. After Canada fully legalized cannabis in 2018, US Customs and Border Patrol officers began issuing lifetime entry bans to Canadians who answered “yes” when asked at checkpoints if they had ever consumed the drug. The same agency this month issued a warning to residents in New Mexico that it would continue to prosecute offenders caught with the substance at highway checkpoints, even after the state had legalized it. Native American nations also encounter raids with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, despite the fact they live on nominally self-governing territories. And in Washington, those caught smoking on federal grounds — including iconic monuments like the Lincoln Memorial — may have a run in with federal agents. That’s why it’s vital to pass legislation at the national level, said Fox. The House of Representatives has passed some bills, including as recently as this month, but it has yet to be brought before the Senate, where Republican opposition would likely nix it. Fox believes framing the issue in terms of states’ rights, personal freedoms, and increased tax revenue is the best way to win over Republicans, and younger conservatives who will eventually replace their elders are more cannabis friendly. For now, the community is celebrating the progress they have won. “I want to have a whole shebang, just remind everybody we’re still here to give back to the community, get high and have a wonderful life,” says Sneaker Headz’ co-owner Kashous Solomon, 22. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Bryan Cranston is set to be godfather to Aaron Paul’s newborn son. The ‘Breaking Bad’ star shared photographs of his little boy, who is named Rydin, during his appearance on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ on Tuesday (19.04.22), where he revealed his co-star and good friend has accepted his offer to take on the special role in his son’s life. Aaron told the host: “Yes, a new baby boy. Yeah, his name is Rydin, and I love him.” Fallon asked: “I know Bryan Cranston is a good friend of yours. Has he seen the baby yet?” To which Aaron replied: “He has. He has met the baby. “Ya know, I asked Bryan on his birthday if he would be our baby’s godfather.” Fallon reacted: “I’m assuming…” Aaron then quipped: “He said no.” Before he continued: “No, he’s very excited, very honoured. I love the man to death. He’s one of my best friends in the world, and, so yeah, it was just a no brainer.” Aaron’s spouse Lauren Paul – with whom he also has four-year-old daughter Story – announced they were set to welcome their second child in December. The 42-year-old actor previously admitted he couldn’t wait to have more kids, after fatherhood had changed his life. He said: “It’s easily the best chapter of my life. I think if I maybe was single, didn’t have a job and was struggling and I turned 40, it would be a lot harder, but I feel I’m in a good place. I can’t wait to have another baby, and I’m so excited to see what 40 has to offer. I’m just excited to be around, to be alive. I’m just happy to be here. Life is good. “Fatherhood has definitely changed me. Having a child is the closest thing to magic that anyone can have. I see why people rush home to be there when they get home from school. You don’t want to miss any of it.” The ‘Westworld’ actor gushed over his wife Lauren, too, saying his spouse – who he married in 2013 – is a “beacon of kindness”. He said: “[Lauren] completely changed my life, saved my life. She’s such a beacon of kindness and hope and love.” Aaron has also admitted that being a father is “a dream come true”. He said: “The fact that I have just a beautiful, healthy, happy daughter that runs and screams at me and throws her arms around me and calls me, ‘Daddy,’ is such a dream come true.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Olly Alexander is smitten with his mystery man. The Years and Years star previously revealed he has a “paramour” and though he wouldn’t name his partner, he revealed he had known him for years before they got together romantically. The ‘It’s A Sin’ actor – who was previously in a relationship with former Clean Bandit star Neil Milan – gushed that he’s never felt love like this before. He said: “I’m in love. I feel like this is a new feeling for me as well, even though I’m with someone who, we were together quite a long time ago, but now we’re kind of in a sequel. “This one has turned out to be really, really good. It’s also a bit of a pandemic rekindle.” The 31-year-old singer-and-actor loves having someone to “lean on” after years of being single. Speaking on ‘Charli XCX’s Best Song Ever’ podcast, he spilled: “I haven’t been in one place for so long, so just having this experience with someone I really love and being able to lean on someone has been amazing. “I was single for quite a while.” Olly feeling secure with his partner comes after he admitted he finds it harder to “trust” people because it’s difficult for him to have any sort of anonymity – while he also struggled to form intimate relationships. Discussing the inspiration behind the songs on his most recent album, ‘Night Call’, he said: “I was lacking a lot of things in my life like fun and connections with strangers, sex, intimacy in general. “[The songs talk about how] a hook-up could be the most transcendent, beautiful experience. I felt like it was just something that I couldn’t experience any more in my life for different reasons. Trusting people became harder . . . there are definitely places in the world where I’m anonymous, but it can feel like that’s sort of taken away from you. “It was almost getting into character and saying things that I would never have said in real life. Just pushing this more confident part of my personality.” View the full article