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Ukranian Refugees:People walk by a line of cars on the way to Shehyni checkpoint to cross the Ukrainian-Polish border. According to UN figures, 677,000 people have fled Ukraine to Published by DPA People walk by a line of cars on the way to Shehyni checkpoint to cross the Ukrainian-Polish border. According to UN figures, 677,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries since the start of the Russian attack. Pavlo Palamarchuk/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa About half a million refugees have made it on to Polish territory from Ukraine since the start of a Russian invasion into the former Soviet republic last week, according to officials in Warsaw on Wednesday. “We are obliged to help our neighbours and we are doing it. We have created a humanitarian corridor and we have sped up all processes that we can speed up from our side,” said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki before a joint visit to the Korczowa border crossing with European Council President Charles Michel. The stance earned praise from Pope Francis, who noted from Rome: “You were the first to support Ukraine, by opening your borders, hearts and doors to those Ukrainians fleeing war.” Michel said it was important for all EU member states to show solidarity as the Ukraine crisis unfolds and to do their best to support to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian attack. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which started last week after months of Russian denials that any such attack was on the cards, has prompted hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee westward to escape the fighting. “Poland is helping all the people fleeing the war, all war refugees, regardless of their country of origin,” said Morawiecki. He also urged people seeking shelter to ignore Russian propaganda about the way they would be treated at the border. He was likely referring to images recently shared on social media in which people of African origin complained they were being forced to wait at the border while other refugees of European origin were allowed through. Poland is not the refugees’ only destination. About 120,000 have made their way to Romania, though more than half have already travelled on to other countries, leaving about 46,000 still in Romania, said Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, in comments reported by Mediafax. And in the Czech Republic, authorities say they have registered 20,000 arrivals from Ukraine since the crisis began. “The wave of refugees is growing,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala. “We’re a destination country,” noting that the country had set up emergency phone lines and required intake centres in all the country’s administrative regions. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bahn reported that it and other European railroad operators had set up 40 international high-speed trains to bring refugees who have reached Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland to Germany. Travel is free, as are continuing trips for those who want to head to countries like Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or Switzerland. Since the imposition of martial law in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country. The Ukrainian border guard said Wednesday that it had arrested more than 60 Ukrainian men attempting to cross the border illegally into Moldova. The men had tried to leave the country via the Dnistr River. They were immediately handed over to military authorities. The day before, 16 men were arrested and handed over to the army. Some of them are said to have tried to bribe the border guards to facilitate their crossing. The day before, the border guard had announced that more than 80,000 Ukrainians – most of them men – had returned to the country since the war began last Thursday. A couple embraces after finding their relatives waiting on the Polish side of the border from Ukraine. According to UN figures, 677,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries since the start of the Russian attack. Attila Husejnow/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa View the full article

Published by Reuters KYIV/KHARKIV (Reuters) -Ukrainians said on Wednesday they were battling on in the port of Kherson, the first sizeable city Russia claimed to have seized, as air strikes and bombardment caused devastation in cities that Moscow’s bogged down forces have failed to capture. After nearly a week, Russia has yet to achieve its aim of overthrowing Ukraine’s government, but has, according to the Ukrainian emergency service, killed more than 2,000 civilians and destroyed hospitals, kindergartens and homes. The invasion has sent more than 870,000 people fleeing over Ukraine’s borders and retaliatory sanctions have shaken the world economy, with surging oil prices exacerbating fears of inflation. Bombing of Kharkiv, an eastern city of 1.5 million people, has left its centre a wasteland of ruined buildings and debris. “The Russian ‘liberators’ have come,” one Ukrainian volunteer lamented sarcastically, as he and three others strained to carry the dead body of a man wrapped in a bedsheet out of the ruins on a main square. After an air strike on Wednesday morning, the roof of a police building in central Kharkiv collapsed as it was engulfed in flames. Authorities said 21 people were killed by shelling and air strikes in the city in the past 24 hours, and four more on Wednesday morning. Moscow denies targeting civilians and says it aims to disarm Ukraine, a country of 44 million people, in a “special military operation”. Apple, Exxon, Boeing and other firms joined an exodus of international companies from Russian markets that has left Moscow financially and diplomatically isolated since President Vladimir Putin ordered the Feb. 24 invasion. “He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead, he met a wall of strength he could never have anticipated or imagined: he met Ukrainian people,” U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday in his annual State of the Union address. U.S. lawmakers stood, applauded and roared, many waving Ukrainian flags and wearing its blue and yellow colours. Russia said it had sent delegates for a second round of peace talks in Belarus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia must stop bombing if it wanted to negotiate. Moscow said on Wednesday it had captured Kherson, a southern provincial capital of around 250,000 people strategically placed where the Dnipro River flows into the Black Sea. Zelenskiy advisor Oleksiy Arestovych denied Kherson was fully under Russian control, saying: “The city has not fallen, our side continues to defend.” Also in the south, Russia was bombarding the port of Mariupol, which it says it has surrounded in a ring around the entire Sea of Azov. The besieged city’s mayor said Mariupol had suffered mass casualties after a night of intense strikes. He gave no full casualty figure, but said it was impossible to evacuate the wounded and that water supplies were cut. “The enemy occupying forces of the Russian Federation have done everything to block the exit of civilians from the city of half a million people,” mayor Vadym Boichenko said in a live broadcast on Ukrainian TV. On the other two main fronts in the east and north, Russia so far has little to show for its advance, with Ukraine’s two biggest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, holding out in the face of increasingly intense bombardment. “We are going to see … his brutality increase,” British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said of Putin in a radio interview. “He doesn’t get his way, he surrounds cities, he ruthlessly bombards them at night … and he will then eventually try and break them and move into the cities.” ‘ORDERS TO ERASE US’ In Kyiv, the capital of 3 million people where residents have been sheltering at night in the underground metro, Russia blasted the main television tower near a Holocaust memorial on Tuesday, killing bystanders. Zelenskiy, in his latest update to his nation, said that attack proved the Russians “don’t know a thing about Kyiv, about our history. But they all have orders to erase our history, erase our country, erase us all.” Earlier, a tired and unshaven Zelenskiy, wearing green battle fatigues in a heavily guarded government compound, told Reuters and CNN in an interview that the bombing must stop for talks to end the war. “It’s necessary to at least stop bombing people, just stop the bombing and then sit down at the negotiating table.” Russia’s main advance on the capital – a huge armoured column stretched for miles along the road to Kyiv – has been largely frozen in place for days, Western governments say. A senior U.S. defense official on Tuesday cited problems including shortages of food and fuel, and signs of flagging morale among Russian troops. “While Russian forces have reportedly moved into the centre of Kherson in the south, overall gains across axes have been limited in the past 24 hours,” Britain’s ministry of defence said in an intelligence update on Wednesday morning. “This is probably due to a combination of ongoing logistical difficulties and strong Ukrainian resistance.” It said Russia was carrying out intensive air and artillery strikes, especially on Kharkiv, Kyiv, Mariupol and the eastern city of Chernihiv. The Kremlin’s decision to launch war – after months of denying such plans – has shocked Russians accustomed to viewing Putin, their ruler of 22 years, as a methodical strategist. have been forced to queue at banks to salvage their savings, an echo of the post-Soviet economic collapse of the 1990s. Ukraine said more than 1,000 volunteers from 16 countries were on their way to fight alongside Ukrainian forces, and that it would free any Russian prisoners whose mothers come to collect them. Moscow has given no full account of its losses so far, but Ukraine says it has killed nearly 6,000 Russian troops and captured hundreds more. Pictures online have shown burnt-out columns of Russian tanks surrounded by corpses. Russia has largely eliminated domestic opposition, with Putin’s main critics jailed or forced into exile. Leading opposition figure Alexey Navalny said from prison that Russians should protest daily against the war, a spokesperson tweeted. (Reporting by Reuters bureauxWriting by Peter GraffEditing by Philippa Fletcher and Catherine Evans) View the full article

Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Top U.S. health officials on Wednesday laid out a national blueprint to manage COVID-19 going forward, vowing to prepare for any new variant outbreaks without shutting down schools and businesses and calling for additional funding from Congress. “This plan lays out the roadmap to help us fight COVID-19 in the future as we move America from crisis to a time when COVID-19 does not disrupt our daily lives and is something we prevent, protect against, and treat,” the White House said, one day after President Joe Biden acknowledged the nation’s fight against the coronavirus had entered a new phase. “America must maintain the tools – vaccines, boosters, treatments, tests, and masks – to protect against COVID-19 and dramatically decrease the risk of the most severe outcomes. We must be prepared to respond to a new variant quickly and keep our schools and businesses open,” the updated National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan said. The White House called on U.S. lawmakers to provide more funding to pay for COVID treatment and tests, among other efforts, saying many of the plan’s initiatives cannot be executed without more investments. While the plan does not mention a specific dollar amount, sources familiar with the matter last month said the Biden administration was seeking another $30 billion from Congress. The additional funding would help restock the nation’s stockpile of tests, antiviral pills and masks for Americans; strengthen the nation’s data collection and monitoring capabilities to detect emerging variants; and boost vaccine manufacturing capacity; among other needs, it said. Biden on Tuesday acknowledged that America must shift with infections declining and various precautions easing two years after COVID shut down large swaths of the country. But he cautioned against complacency against the disease, which experts have said could still surge again with new variants. “We never will just accept living with COVID-19, we’ll continue to combat the virus, as we do other diseases,” Biden said in his State of the Union speech to Congress. More than 955,000 people have died from COVID in the United States since early 2020 with a total of 79,114,386 reported U.S. cases, according to a Reuters analysis https://graphics.reuters.com/HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/USA-TRENDS/dgkvlgkrkpb of state and county data. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Susan Heavey; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Berkrot) View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Bill Gates‘ ex-wife Melinda French Gates isn’t holding back now that their $130 billion divorce has been finalized. The newly single philanthropist sat down for her first TV interview since their split to open up about the crumble of their 27-year marriage and the cheating scandal that rocked Silicon Valley. Addressing her high-profile divorce from the Microsoft co-founder, Melinda addressed the painful experience during an interview with CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King. The duo wed in 1994 and share three adult children — Jennifer, 25, Rory, 22, and Phoebe, 18. Melinda and Bill announced their shocking plans to divorce in May. Revealing she cried “a lot of tears for many days,” Melinda said her emotions got the best of her. At one point, she couldn’t even get off the floor. “How can this be? How can I get up? How am I gonna move forward?” she recalled asking herself repeatedly. Mega Like most divorcées, Melinda says she went through all the motions, including being angry at Bill. “That’s part of the grieving process,” she told King. “You’re grieving a loss of something you thought you had and thought you had for your lifetime.” When asked about her then-husband admitting he cheated during their marriage, Melinda claims she’s forgiven him, but she hasn’t forgotten. Bill Gates Warned To Stop Sending ‘Flirty’ Emails To Microsoft Employee After Company’s Lawyer Deemed Them ‘Inappropriate’ During Marriage To Melinda “I certainly believe in forgiveness, so I thought we had worked through some of that,” she stated, adding his affair wasn’t the only reason their marriage ended. “It wasn’t one moment or one specific thing that happened. There just came a point in time where there was enough there that I realized it just wasn’t healthy, and I couldn’t trust what we had.” As Radar reported, Bill admitted to having an affair with a Microsoft employee. The infidelity happened 20 years ago but was fresh news in the press due to their split. Mega Despite the pain, Melinda isn’t holding a grudge. She told King that she simply wants to move on. “I mean, this is painful stuff,” the billionaire continued. “And at the end of the day though, I started on this journey of healing, and I feel like I’m starting to get to the other side. And I do feel like I’m turning a page in the chapter now. I mean, it’s 2022 and I’m actually really excited about what’s to come and life ahead for me.” They wrapped up the end of their marriage quickly. Bill and Melinda finalized their divorce in August less than three months after announcing their split. Melinda’s full interview with CBS airs on Thursday. View the full article

Published by Fort Worth Star-Telegram FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas attorney general’s recent legal opinion that called transgender health care for minors “child abuse” cited sources in a misleading way and drew parallels that researchers say simply do not exist, according to an analysis by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a legal opinion on Feb. 18, saying that certain types of gender-affirming health care, including puberty blockers and surgery, should be classified as child abuse when used for minors. Several days later, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a letter directing state agencies to investigate tra… Read More View the full article

Published by OK Magazine MEGA Even though being on television has its perks, Bob the Drag Queen — who competed on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race — recalls the pressure he faced when starring on the reality show. “Well, the main thing I learned was just because it looks easy doesn’t mean it is. Winning RuPaul’s Drag Race was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do,” the entertainment star, who has teamed up with Verizon and Samsung for the launch of the latest Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra device, exclusively tells OK!. “I have only competed on a few television shows in my day – I competed on Last Comic Standing, America’s Got Talent, RuPaul’s Drag Race and of those three, Ru Paul’s Drag is the hardest show to win. It’s a lot of work and your talents have to span from sewing to writing, acting and musicianship. The ask on that show is really big, and I am really grateful to have been allowed to participate in it.” MEGA He continues, “I have never been on America’s Next Top Model, but it’s a combination of all of those shows into one. There is modeling, acting, singing, dancing, there’s sewing. It is Top Model, Project Runway, American Idol, America’s Got Talent and Last Comic Standing, all rolled into one. Name another show where you have to make a gown and do stand-up comedy – I dare you to name one.” Though the Georgia native, whose real name is Christopher Caldwell, now has millions of followers on social media, he doesn’t think of himself as a role model. “I am just doing my best to live my life as a visible, Black, queer person for people to see and for myself, honestly,” he says. “I really set out to be a comedian and to enact some social change.” MEGA OUT AND PROUD! 10 CELEBS WHO IDENTIFY AS GENDER-FLUID OR NON-BINARY — SAM SMITH, COURTNEY STODDEN, JANELLE MONAE, MORE Since the activist has always wanted to make people laugh, he will be able to share his jokes with others, as he is currently traveling for some shows. Additionally, he also hosts a podcast with his best friend called “Sibling Rivalry,” and in in the fall, they’ll be embarking on a tour. After staying home for so long, the entertainer is excited to see his fans in real life. “It feels nice. There is a part of me that is like that feels really nice but there’s a part of me is kind of like I think sometimes the more you grow, the more you realize there are a lot of eyes on you and you’re scrutinized more heavily, but I still find a way to have fun in the midst of all of it, and I don’t take myself too seriously,” he says. Going forward, the musician hopes to “expand the representation of who I am — a Black, queer, non-binary person,” he notes. “I know how important it was for me to see myself, and I hope I can be a reflection for other people in the world. I know that it sounds like I want to be a role model, but I just want to be visible so someone else can feel less alone,” he adds. Bob The Drag Queen enjoys his time on set with Verizon capturing content on the new Samsung S22 Ultra device.Courtesy of Verizon PROUD AND CLEAR! 25 CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE COME OUT AS GAY OR BISEXUAL In the meantime, the TV star is excited about the launch of the latest Samsung phone. “It actually felt really natural and easy for me. It was really fun, it was an honor actually,” he says of the collab. “I have always loved their cameras, but they have this night mode camera which is really exciting. I am not a cinematographer, I am not a filmmaker, I am not going to be Martin Scorsese with this phone or anything, but it does feel nice to be able to save videos.” View the full article

Published by AFP A transgender flag at a demonstration in New York on June 28 2019 Washington (AFP) – Parents of transgender American minors are under investigation in Texas as part of a controversial new order by conservative Governor Greg Abbott, who has deemed the transitioning procedures “child abuse,” according to a complaint filed Tuesday. The mother of a transgender teen was suspended by her employer, a Texas family services agency, and visited by a Child Protective Services investigator who was seeking to learn whether the 16-year-old daughter was “currently transitioning from male to female,” the court document said. The family, backed by the powerful US civil rights organization ACLU, took legal action to block Abbott’s probe, and more broadly to invalidate his directive on the issue from February 22. Abbott’s letter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), published in the middle of an election campaign, states that “‘sex change’ procedures constitute child abuse under existing Texas law.” He cites reassignment surgeries that he says can cause sterilization and mastectomies, and mentions puberty blockers which slow the body’s changes during adolescence. The DFPS is duty bound to “investigate the parents of a child who is subjected to these abusive gender-transitioning procedures,” the Republican governor writes. The unidentified plaintiffs in the petition against the initial investigation said their family has suffered anxiety and fear, and that their daughter has been “traumatized” by the prospect that she “could lose access to the medical treatment that has enabled her to thrive.” The family was joined in their complaint by a licensed psychologist with many LGBT and transgender clients, who expressed concern that the Abbott directive would force her to report those clients to authorities. Such care to transgender minors, much like participation by transgender athletes in sports competitions or the use of toilets according to the gender with which they identify, is the subject of extensive debate in the United States, where many conservative states have moved to adopt restrictive regulations. View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega Naya Rivera’s ex Ryan Dorsey and her family have reached a deal with Ventura County and have agreed to end their legal battle. According to court documents, obtained by The Blast, the Glee star’s estate and the father of her 4-year-old son Josey have informed the court of the settlement. In July 2020, the actress rented a pontoon boat at Lake Piru which is about an hour outside Los Angeles. The only other person on the boat was her son. Hours later, another boat came across the boat and saw her son sleeping alone. They immediately called the police and a massive search was launched. mega Josey told investigators they were swimming when suddenly, his mother threw him onto the boat. He claims he never saw her again. Five days later, Naya’s body was found in the lake and had to be identified using her dental records. Months later, Ryan and Naya’s family sued Ventura County and the United Water Conservation District for wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The family claimed Naya’s death could have been prevented if proper signs were in place warning of the lake’s danger. Further, the suit claimed the boat she rented did not the proper equipment. mega The lawsuit mentioned 26 other individuals have died on the lake in the past. The defendants denied liability claiming Naya was offered a life vest but failed to wear one. The family’s lawyer Amjad K. Khan released a statement about the settlement. “In Josey Hollis Dorsey and the Estate of Naya Rivera’s litigation relating to the drowning death of Naya Rivera on July 8, 2020, all parties have entered into a global settlement, which is subject to approval by the Ventura Superior Court on March 16.” He added, “Through this settlement, Josey will receive just compensation for having to endure the drowning of his beloved mother at Lake Piru. Though the tragic loss of Josey’s mother can never truly be overcome, we are very pleased that the monetary settlement will significantly assist Josey with his life beyond this tragedy.” The details of the settlement are to remain confidential. mega View the full article

Published by DPA Protesters marche during a peace demonstration through the city center on Rose Monday. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Rose Monday festival was canceled, and instead a protest march will move through the city center – past many of the motif floats that were actually built for the Rose Monday procession. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa At least 413 people were arrested in Russia during protests against the war in Ukraine on Monday, the civil rights site OVD-Info reported, bringing the total of people arrested since demonstrations started on Thursday to 6,440. Around half of the arrests, 3,126, were made during protests in Moscow, while 2,084 were in St Petersburg, OVD-Info said on Monday night. The invasion of Ukraine is driving many in Russia to protest, and Russian security forces have responded brutally to demonstrators. Russian authorities are urging people to not take part in the unauthorized rallies. They have also repeatedly banned rallies, citing the pandemic. In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell praised demonstrators in Belarus who were calling for a more democratic approach at home under long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko while protesting the war in Ukraine. “To the Belarusian people: many of you took huge personal risks struggling for a free and democratic Belarus,” Borrell said in a video posted on Twitter and subtitled in in three languages – Belarusian, Russian and English. “Now you are raising your voice against Russia’s war on Ukraine and [President] Lukashenka’s decision to support it. Thank you for your bravery. EU stands with you. #StandWithUkraine,” Borrell wrote. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people demonstrated for peace and democracy in the western German city of Cologne on Monday as the city’s traditional Carnival got under way against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Traditionally marked by a parade, “Rose Monday” this year was transformed into something quite different. “It is impressive how many people are on the streets in Cologne,” a police spokesman said. According to the Cologne Carnival Festival Committee and police, some 250,000 people took part. “This is, I think, the most important Rose Monday procession in my lifetime,” musician Peter Brings, 57, told WDR television. In speeches, Carnival President Christoph Kuckelkorn and Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker expressed solidarity with both Ukraine and anti-war demonstrators in Russia. “Mr. Putin, stop the madness! Stop the war!” shouted Kuckelkorn. Costumed and non-costumed people marched together through the streets. Many carried banners with inscriptions such as “Putin Go Home” and “Dear Russian people, be Russians not Putinians”. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Premier Hendrik Wüst also joined the demonstration. “The best way to be on your feet today is to demonstrate for peace and freedom in Europe,” he said. Protesters marche during a peace demonstration through the city center on Rose Monday. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Rose Monday festival was canceled, and instead a protest march will move through the city center – past many of the motif floats that were actually built for the Rose Monday procession. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa Carnivalists gather on Rose Monday and hold a demonstration for peace at Chlodwigplatz, following the Russian attack on Ukraine. The Shrove (Rose) Monday festival was canceled due to the Russian invasion of Ukrain and the carnivalists held instead a protest march through the city center. Oliver Berg/dpa View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Brad Pitt’s production company is taking on a ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel. According to The Ankler, a follow-up to Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy-horror is in the “early” stages of development, with the Hollywood star’s Plan B attached to make the movie for Warner Bros. It’s very early days as there is no script and no news yet on whether the original cast will reunite for the second film. Michael Keaton played the titular role, with the cast also including Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder. The cult classic follows Alec’s Adam Maitland and his wife Barbara (Geena) who die in a car accident and find themselves haunting their country residence, unable to leave the house. When Charles and Delia Deetz (Catherine and Jeffrey Jones) move in with their daughter Lydia Deetz (Winona) the Maitlands attempt to scare them away without success and their efforts attract a spirit called Beetlejuice (Michael), whose help quickly becomes dangerous for everyone involved. Plan B’s recent movies include Golden Globe winner ‘Minari’, ‘Irresistible’, ‘Kajillionaire’. Michael Keaton initially turned down ‘Beetlejuice’. The 70-year-old actor admitted he was reluctant to take on the leading role because he didn’t understand Tim’s vision and he wanted to spend time at home. He explained: “Sometimes I’m lazy. I just go, ‘Ah, I don’t know. I’m breeding one of my dogs, or I didn’t take a vacation I should go.’ “Sometimes it’s that. Mostly it’s just that I don’t know how to do it. Tim couldn’t really express what Beetlejuice was. It wasn’t so much, ‘No, I refuse’; it was, ‘I really like this guy, but I don’t know what he’s talking about.” The director and actor also worked together on the 1989 movie ‘Batman’ and Tim admitted that it was Michael’s psychological approach to the part that convinced him to cast him as the caped crusader. He said: “When it came to ‘Batman’, I’d been meeting with these beefy action-hero types, then Michael arrives… He comes in with this whole psychology, approaching it with an almost manic-depressive quality in mind. I thought: now I get it.” And Quentin Tarantino convinced Michael to star in ‘Jackie Brown’ by getting him drunk. He said: “I said, ‘You can find 10 guys who can do this better than I can do it,’ and then he got me drunk.” View the full article

Published by DPA Ireland, which previously had some of the strictest coronavirus measures in Europe, is now among the latest countries to lift most restrictions. However experts say news like this doesn't mean the pandemic is over. Brian Lawless/PA Wire/dpa Los Angeles (tca/dpa) — So how much longer will the pandemic last? No one is sure. Coronavirus cases are falling, but it would be a mistake to think the pandemic is over, experts say. The last decline in cases means that we’re likely turning to a period of calm in this pandemic, representing a “containment” of the coronavirus, but “that is not the same as the pandemic being over,” Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, wrote in the Los Angeles Times in February. “Unfortunately, when states or countries proclaim that we just need to live with the virus and end all restrictions, many people interpret that message as meaning the pandemic is actually over — for good,” Topol said. “That would be a fantasy given the myriad opportunities for the virus to haunt us in the months and years ahead.” What history tells us Recent history has shown that pandemics can last for several years. The 1918 flu pandemic persisted into a third year, with a fourth wave in 1920 even deadlier in some US cities than the better-known second wave of late 1918, John Barry, author of “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History,” wrote in a recent op-ed. Lately, scientists are studying the “Russian flu” pandemic that began in 1889 for clues to how the Covid-19 pandemic may turn out — since some scientists suspect that pandemic was actually caused by a coronavirus rather than a flu virus. There are parallels between the two pandemics. The Russian pandemic was first reported in the spring of 1889 in what is now Uzbekistan. It spread worldwide in three distinct waves over three years, Dr. George Rutherford, a University of California, San Francisco epidemiologist, said at Friday’s campus town hall meeting. But, unlike what typically happens with the flu, which is usually hardest on the very young and old, “this just got the old,” Rutherford said. And the distinctive symptoms in the 1889 pandemic included loss of taste and smell — traits similar to those seen with Covid-19. A detailed report by scientist Harald Brüssow, published last August in the journal Microbial Biotechnology, suggested plausible scenarios in which elevated levels of Covid-19 deaths could last five years or even longer. The 1889 pandemic hit England and Wales in 1890, and deaths remained high through 1892. Deaths declined over the next two years but still remained “substantially higher than in the pre-pandemic period.” “From these data, one might deduce a protracted five-year course for a Covid-19-like pandemic, suggesting that Covid-19 might occupy us well beyond 2022 if the current vaccination campaigns does not change its ‘natural’ trajectory,” Brüssow wrote. Still, the author added, “it is by no means clear whether an epidemic with similar basic characteristics will be a replay of one which occurred 140 years ago.” There are a number of differences between that pandemic and the one caused by Covid-19; such as the lack of use of masks during the 1889 pandemic, the lack of quarantine measures and the unavailability of vaccines. Growing optimism Health officials are optimistic that drugs like Paxlovid will reduce the risk of severe illness and death from Covid-19. But there is a severe shortage of those drugs — one reason why health officials in some California counties, including L.A. County, are retaining local indoor mask orders until case rates drop further, likely for a few more weeks. It’s possible the virus could still mutate into something potentially worse, overriding immunity provided by vaccines or past infection, Topol said. That’s why it’s so important to be ready for a worst case scenario, such as being able to meticulously monitor new surges, ramp up wastewater tracking of the virus, improve air filtration and work on a variant-proof vaccine, Topol wrote. Potential new variants are a big reason why it’s essential that people get vaccinated and boosted, thereby reducing the chances of yet a new mutant strain developing. “Around the world, there are billions of people unvaccinated and likely without any protection from prior infection,” Topol said. “When the virus is not contained, as is the case in the world now, its spread creates the potential for new variants.” Experts are still closely watching a sublineage of the omicron variant known as BA.2. BA.2 is probably somewhat more transmissible than the main omicron sublineage, BA.1, and there are very preliminary reports that it may cause somewhat more severe disease, Rutherford said. But BA.2 accounts for a relatively small fraction of analysed virus cases worldwide. “At this moment, it does not look like BA.2 poses a threat as a major new variant, but it would not be surprising if we see another variant in future months that deserves a separate Greek letter designation,” Topol wrote. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Tom Daley has launched the second part of his 1896 collection. The 27-year-old Olympic gold medalist diver – who delighted fans with his poolside knitting during Tokyo 2020 over the summer – launched his Made With Love brand in November, and now he’s expanded his debut range. The 1896 Part II collection introduces the Patch It Up jumber – an asymmetrical patchwork for adults in an oversized fit – as well as matching kits for children and pets. The range also includes headbands and homewear kits featuring tea pot and mug cosies, plus jumpers and cardigans. And the updated collection goes further with Made With Love’s first ever crochet kits, such as the Crotchet It Like You Mean It Beanie, the Plot Twist Headband and the Crotchet You Stay Blanket. Meanwhile, designs from the original collection have been evolved and re-imagined into new looks. In a statement, Tom said: “When I started knitting and crocheting, it was the form of mindfulness that I needed. “It gave me something to do with my hands when competing so I wasn’t focusing on the competition in between dives, and something rewarding to do at home during lockdowns to keep my mind occupied. “It’s no surprise that I love fashion so being able to combine that with my love of knitting and crochet is my dream. I want these kits to be for everyone. “I want the most experienced crafters to be able to get stuck into a big project, and people who have never picked up a pair of needles to be able to try the hobby that I’ve loved so much over the past two years.” Shop Made With Love on bytomdaley.com. View the full article

Published by DPA The Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in Geneva walk out of the hall during the screening of the pre-recorded speech of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Jean Marc Ferré/UN Photo/dpa Representatives of dozens of countries protested against the Russian war in Ukraine on Tuesday by walking out of a sitting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva ahead of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s speech. “The Human Rights Council must not be misused as a platform for disinformation,” said German ambassador Katharina Stasch, who took part in the stunt. “Foreign Minister Lavrov’s grotesque claims must be exposed for what they are: a cynical distortion of the facts.” Lavrov, who joined proceedings by video link, read out a long statement in which he justified the attack on Ukraine by accusing the Ukrainian side of human rights violations. He had initially planned to attend the meeting in person, but the trip was cancelled because of the closure of European airspace to Russian aircraft. The UN Human Rights Council began its regular spring session on Monday. In his speech, Lavrov accused Ukraine of terrorizing the Russian minority in Ukraine for years. Their human rights had been violated in many ways, he claimed, adding that the West had not only looked on but supported this. He mentioned the United States, Canada and the European Union several times. Since mid-February, more than 100,000 people have fled to Russia from Ukraine’s far eastern Donbass region, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting central government forces since 2014. The government in Kiev wants to turn its country anti-Russia to please the West, Lavrov said, according to the UN translation of his speech. Western countries are obsessed with sanctions, Lavrov said, describing the punitive measures as illegal as they target ordinary people. “The West has clearly lost control of itself in its desire to vent its anger on Russia,” Lavrov said, according to the interpreter. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected attempts by Moscow to portray the attack on Ukraine as a defence of human rights and said reports of Russia’s abuses “mount by the hour.” “Russian strikes are hitting schools, hospitals, and residential buildings. They are destroying critical infrastructure, which provides millions of people across Ukraine with drinking water, gas to keep them from freezing to death, and electricity,” he said in a video message to the council. “Civilian buses, cars, and even ambulances have been shelled. Russia is doing this every day – across Ukraine.” In the annexed Crimean Peninsula, he said, there are extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and torture. In Russia itself, anti-corruption activists and opponents of the government are persecuted, he noted. The Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in Geneva walk out of the hall during the screening of the pre-recorded speech of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Jean Marc Ferré/UN Photo/dpa A general view shows an almost empty hall as Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in Geneva left the during the screening of the pre-recorded speech of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Jean Marc Ferré/UN Photo/dpa The Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in Geneva walk out of the hall during the screening of the pre-recorded speech of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Jean Marc Ferré/UN Photo/dpa The Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in Geneva walk out of the hall during the screening of the pre-recorded speech of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Jean Marc Ferré/UN Photo/dpa Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivers a pre-recorded video speech at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Jean Marc Ferré/UN Photo/dpa View the full article

Published by Reuters By Elizabeth Culliford (Reuters) – Meta Platforms is globally demoting content from Russian state-controlled media outlets’ Facebook pages and Instagram accounts, as well as posts containing links to those outlets on Facebook, the company’s head of global affairs Nick Clegg said on Tuesday. Clegg also said the company had seen a “definitely discernable” degradation of its services in Russia since the country’s authorities announced they would restrict Meta’s platforms in the country. Speaking in a call with reporters, he said there had been an effect particularly on video and other multimedia content. Meta said on Monday, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that it would restrict access to Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik on its platforms across the European Union. Clegg said the company had also received requests from other governments outside of the European Union to geoblock Russian state media. He said he was not aware of a request from the United States government to block Russian state media on Meta’s platforms. (Reporting by Elizabeth Culliford; Additional reporting by Sheila Dang; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Bradley Cooper grabbed attention when he showed up to the SAG Awards with a noticeably different complexion and what appeared to be a brand-new face! The A Star Is Born actor made headlines after walking the red carpet on Sunday. Showing almost no wrinkles on his beautiful baby-smooth mug, the 47-year-old left everyone wondering what — if anything — has he done to his face? Sporting a snazzy black Gucci suit and a sophisticated bow tie, the Academy Award winner happily posed for photographers while revealing his crow’s feet and smile lines have virtually disappeared — or so it seems. Radar spoke with two Los Angeles-based plastic surgeons who offered insight about what Bradley may have done to his famously handsome face. It’s important to note that these doctors have not worked on the Nightmare Alley star personally, but they are experts in their field — so they know what they’re talking about. Mega Dr. David Saadat — known for his facial plastic surgery work in Beverly Hills — tells Radar how Bradley may have achieved his airbrushed look in real-life. “Obviously, Bradley Cooper is a very good-looking, highly sought-after actor. He’s not only known for his great acting but also his chiseled facial contours, although he looks a lot more smooth here,” he states. Suggesting Bradley may have “treated his wrinkles with a neurotoxin,” Dr. Saadt says that potential procedure “can be noticed through the smooth skin that has an airbrushed appearance.” Adding that the actor’s “muscles seem to be a lot more relaxed,” Dr. Saadt reveals “it is also possible he may have had a small amount of cheek filler to address the inevitable loss of volume due to aging.” The doctor is impressed with Bradley’s appearance, to say the least, adding he “looks great and very natural!” Jacques Abrahamian from the LA FUE Hair Clinic also suggests Bradley didn’t have to go under the knife for his alleged results. Mega “Talk of the town is Bradley Cooper’s glowing skin. Comparing his before and after photos from the past to the most recent shows his skin is more evenly toned, fine lines have been diminished, and looks overall refreshed,” Abrahamian tells Radar. To make your skin glowing and smooth like Bradley’s is easy, at least according to the expert. “A few non-surgical options available depending on the extent of downtime available can include PRP treatments with microneedling also known as platelet-rich plasma which uses patients own blood and the growth factors and platelets found in the PRP which can help with fine lines and hyperpigmentation with almost zero downtime compared to other treatments available,” he continues. “Another option available can be CO2 laser resurfacing which has more of a downtime typically between 7 to 10 days where the skin scabs up and the skin can become pink for a few weeks after the scabbing period which results in fresh glowing skin,” Abrahamian adds. And if all else fails, never count out Botox. Abrahamian says another “great combination with PRP can also include Botox treatments which can soften fine lines.” Whatever — if anything — Bradley is doing, he’s aging in reverse and his fans are here for it. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sam Elliott has called ‘The Power of the Dog’ a “piece of s***”. The 77-year-old actor – who is known for having starred in a string of Western films himself – was not impressed when he saw the Oscar-nominated Netflix drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch as a closeted ranch owner in the 1920s alongside Kodi Smit McPhee and Kirsten Dunst. He said: “You wanna talk about that piece of s***. I didn’t like it. This is is the guy who has done Westerns forever. It was the evisceration of the American West. Remember those guys from back in the day? They wear bow ties and not much else.[The Chippendales] That’s what all these f****** cowboys in that movie looked like. They’re running around in chaps and no shirts There’s all these allusions of homosexuality throughout the movie.” Sam then took aim at Benedict Cumberbatch, complaining that the ‘Sherlock’ star for “never getting out of his chaps” in the movie as he questioned “where the Western” was in the movie. He said: “Where’s the Western in this Western? I mean, Cumberbatch never got out of his f****** chaps. He had two pairs of chaps — a woolly pair and a leather pair. And every f****** time he would walk in from somewhere — he never was on a horse, maybe once — he’d walk into the f****** house, storm up the fucking stairs, go lay in his bed in his chaps and play his banjo. It’s like, what the f***!” The ‘Tombstone’ star went on to blast the film’s director Jane Campion for choosing to shoot the Montana-based story in her home country of New Zealand and questioned her suitability to helm the project in the first place. Speaking on the ‘WTF’ podcast, he added: “What the fuck does this woman from down there know about the American West? Why the f*** did she shoot this movie in New Zealand and call it Montana? And say this is the way it was? That f****** rubbed me the wrong way!” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Aleksandar Vasovic KYIV (Reuters) -Russia warned Kyiv residents to flee their homes on Tuesday and rained rockets on the city of Kharkiv as Russian commanders intensified their bombardment of Ukrainian urban areas in a shift of tactics after their six-day assault stalled. A U.S. official said a miles-long armoured column bearing down on the capital Kyiv had not made any advances in the past 24 hours, frozen in place by logistics problems, short on fuel and food, and perhaps pausing to reassess tactics. Russia’s defence ministry said its forces would strike targets in Kyiv used by Ukraine’s security service and also communications sites. It warned residents near such sites to leave their homes, while giving no information about where in the city of three million people those targets were located. Speaking in a heavily guarded government compound in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia must “first stop bombing people” before peace talks could make any headway. In a joint interview with Reuters and CNN, Zelenskiy also urged NATO members to impose a no-fly zone to stop Russia’s airforce, something the military alliance has ruled out. As Zelenskiy, unshaven and wearing simple khaki clothes, spoke, news came that a Russian missile had struck a TV tower near the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial site in Kyiv, killing at least five people. Rocket strikes on Ukraine’s second biggest city Kharkiv killed at least 10 people and wounded 35, Ukrainian Interior Ministry adviser Anton Herashchenko said. Similar strikes killed and wounded dozens in Kharkiv on Monday. Zelenskiy, who also spoke by phone for 30 minutes with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday, said the artillery barrages on Kharkiv, a city of 1.5 million, amounted to “state terrorism”. In their call, Biden and Zelenskiy discussed how Russia had intensified attacks on sites used by civilians and the U.S. president underscored Washington’s economic and security support and humanitarian aid to Kyiv, the White House said. ‘SHAMBOLIC’ The West has imposed heavy sanctions on Russia to shut off its economy from the global financial system, pushing companies to halt sales, cut ties and dump tens of billions of dollars’ worth of investments. Nearly a week since Russian troops poured over the border, they have not captured a single major Ukrainian city after running into far fiercer resistance than they expected. Michael Kofman, an expert on the Russian military at Washington DC’s Wilson Center, tweeted: “Looking at the Russian operation so far, they’re having tremendous problems with logistics and communications. The whole effort seems shambolic.” Many Western military analysts fear that Russia will now fall back on tactics which call for crushing bombardment of built-up areas before trying to enter them. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “One reason why things appear to be stalled north of Kyiv is that the Russians themselves are regrouping and rethinking and trying to adjust to the challenges that they’ve had.” The Russians have been surprised not only by the scale of Ukrainian resistance but also by poor morale among their own forces, some of whom surrendered without a fight, the U.S. official said. Russia still has more forces to throw into the fight even though President Vladimir Putin has drawn global condemnation and sanctions that have already sent the rouble into freefall and forced Russians to queue outside banks for their savings. Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the “special military operation” would continue until it had achieved its goals, defined by Putin as disarming Ukraine and capturing the “neo-Nazis” he says are running the country. In the south, Russia claimed to have completely encircled Ukraine’s Azov Sea coast. If confirmed, that would mean Russian forces invading from Crimea had joined up with separatists in the east and had cut off Ukraine’s main eastern port, Mariupol. Pictures released by U.S. satellite company Maxar showed Russian tanks, artillery and fuel trucks stretching for 40 miles (60 km) along a highway to the north of Kyiv. Zelenskiy said Kyiv remained the main target. Some Kyiv residents have been sheltering in underground metro stations at night. There are long lines for fuel and some products are running out in shops. APPEAL In an emotional address to the European Parliament by video link on Tuesday, a day after he signed an official request to join the European Union, Zelenskiy urged the bloc to prove that it sided with Ukraine. “Do prove that you will not let us go. Do prove that you are indeed Europeans and then life will win over death and light will win over darkness,” he said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a Geneva disarmament meeting via video link that Ukraine had been seeking nuclear weapons, but he did not provide evidence other than saying “Ukraine still has Soviet nuclear technologies and the means of delivery of such weapons.” More than 100 diplomats walked out of the hall in protest as his speech began, underlining Russia’s international isolation. Human rights groups and Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States have accused Russia of using cluster bombs and vacuum bombs, weapons condemned by many organizations. Moscow denies targeting civilians. Ukraine’s general staff said Russian losses included 5,710 personnel, 29 destroyed and damaged aircraft and 198 tanks, all figures that could not be verified. Russia has given no full account of its battlefield losses. ‘I SAW WAR’ Moscow announced a ban on foreign companies selling assets to try to halt the flight of Western companies abandoning their Russian ties. Putin also issued a decree banning cash exports of foreign currency from Russia exceeding $10,000 in value. Most effective among the sanctions so far have been those on Russia’s central bank that prevent it from using its $630 billion foreign reserve war chest to prop up the rouble. The currency came under renewed pressure late on Tuesday, a day after it hit a record low against the dollar. More than 660,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries such as Poland and Romania since the invasion began, the U.N. refugee agency said. At the Hungarian border crossing Tiszabecs, a mother cradled a baby in her arms after a four-day drive from Kyiv. “I saw war, I saw rockets,” said her older son Ivan, 15, who looked exhausted after the journey. His father had stayed behind to fight. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic in Kyiv; Natalia Zinets, Matthias Williams and Pavel Polityuk in Lviv; Kevin Liffey and Mark Trevelyan in London; and other Reuters bureaux including Moscow; Writing by Peter Graff, Angus MacSwan and Gareth Jones; Editing by Nick Macfie and Grant McCool) View the full article

Published by Reuters GENEVA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Tuesday that Russian “crimes” in Ukraine are “mounting by the hour”, with strikes hitting hospitals, schools and residential buildings. Blinken, addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, said that the forum’s urgent debate on Ukraine scheduled for Thursday, where a resolution brought by Kyiv and allies would set up an international probe into violations, is an “important step toward ensuring documentation and accountability”. “We must send a resolute and unified message that President (Vladimir) Putin should unconditionally stop this,” he said. Blinken also said that China “continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang” against Muslim Uyghurs, and called for U.N. human rights boss Michelle Bachelet to release her office’s report with findings on the situation. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Emma Farge) View the full article

Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden will lay out a strategy to address the nation’s “unprecedented mental health crisis” in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, the White House said in a statement. The plan aims “to strengthen system capacity, connect more Americans to care, and create a continuum of support –transforming our health and social services infrastructure to address mental health holistically and equitably,” it said. (Reporting by Susan Heavey) View the full article

Published by DPA The Russian Olympic Committee flag flies at the Bird’s Nest National Stadium during the closing Ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Michael Kappeler/dpa Further sporting sanctions on Russia were announced Tuesday following the invasion of Ukraine, with figure and speed skaters banned from competition and the men’s world volleyball championships moved out of the country. Skiing governing body FIS also blocked Russians and Belarusians from the remaining events of the 2021/22 season but despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommending a ban, the world aquatic governing body FINA said swimmers from the two nations could compete as neutrals. Skating’s governing ISU said officials from the countries will also be suspended from their roles. The decision means the dominant Russian figure skaters will be banned from the March 21-27 world championships in Montpellier, France, and speed and short track skaters are also ruled out of various events this month. “The ISU Council will continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the ISU activity and will take additional steps if and when required,” an ISU statement said. In alpine and Nordic skiing, the FIS said its ruling council had not taken the decision lightly, it was made to “ensure the safety and security of all athletes.” Norway and Estonia had already said Russians and Belarusians would not be permitted to compete in World Cups they were hosting this month, even as neutrals. Canoeing also said “athletes from Russia and Belarus will be suspended from competing at any International Canoe Federation events until further notice.” Volleyball’s governing FIVB said it “remains gravely concerned by the escalating situation and for the safety of the people of Ukraine” and its board “has come to the conclusion that it would be impossible to prepare and stage the World Championships in Russia due to the war in Ukraine.” Russia was due to host the worlds August 26-September 11. The FIVB had previously withdrawn Nations League games from Russia and said it will “seek an alternative host nation(s)” for the championships. FINA has not been so strict and said: “Russian or Belarusian nationals, be it as individuals or teams, should be accepted only as neutral athletes or neutral teams.” It also said “the FINA Order awarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 has been withdrawn.” FINA awarded the Order to Putin in October 2014, around 10 months after Russia annexed Crimea. Late Monday World Taekwando said it “decided to withdraw the honorary 9th dan black belt” given to Putin in 2013, following on from Sunday’s International Judo Federation decision to suspend him from his role as honorary president. The Russian Football Union (RFU) reacted with anger and disappointment to being suspended from the game. This is contrary to “all standards and principles of international competition” and against “the ethos of sporting spirit and fair play,” the RFU said late Monday. German sports firm Adidas suspended its 14-year relationship with the RFU having most recently renewed their partnership in 2018. A spokesperson for Adidas said the consequences of the decision remained open. World governing body FIFA and European body UEFA have suspended Russian teams from all competitions. This effectively hands German side RB Leipzig a walkover against Spartak Moscow into the Europa League quarter-finals and prevents Russia taking part in World Cup play-offs later this month. The RFU claimed the decision was discriminatory and said it could appeal under international sports law, likely to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, drawn in the same play-off path as Russia, refused to play Russia under any circumstances and with several other countries following suit FIFA’s hand was forced after it initially declined to take action last week. UEFA also said it would cut all links with Russia state-owned firm Gazprom. The Russian flag is pictured behind a fence during the Opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Paralympics at the Fisht Olympic stadium in Sochi. Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Colton Underwood is engaged to Jordan C. Brown. The 30-year-old TV star – who publicly came out as gay in April 2021 – has revealed his partner popped the question during a relaxing break in the Big Sur, California, after his 30th birthday on January 26. Colton told People: “After my birthday, Jordan and I went to Big Sur for a weekend getaway to decompress and relax in nature. “I couldn’t have pictured a more beautiful place to celebrate an amazing milestone in my life and relationship.” He added: “I’m extremely happy! 2021 was the most transformative year of my life. Starting 2022 off with my best friend, teammate and now fiance is something I never thought was going to be possible.” Sharing the news on Instagram, Colton wrote: “Life is going to be fun with you.” The proposal comes after the loved-up pair splashed out $3 million on their first home together in Sherman Oaks, California, after making their relationship Instagram official in December. The luxury two-storey property boasts four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Colton had shared a snap of him eating pizza and wine from the floor in an empty room with no furniture. He captioned the post: “good carbs, great wine a happy life (sic)” Colton taking the next step in his relationship comes after he recently gushed that he is “in love” and “in a good position” in his life. The ‘Bachelor’ 2019 star shared: “I’m happy, I’m in love and I’m in a good position. “Everything as far as that goes has been pretty smooth. What was so cool too was, like, after the show was over, I didn’t know what was really next. I knew that I was still coming out and I still am. So there’s still things to work through right now.” Colton previously admitted he “didn’t want to be gay”. Opening up about his struggles in his Netflix series, ‘Coming Out Colton’, he said: “I didn’t want to be gay. And the main voices in my head were just telling me, ‘You’ll get through this, you’ll get through this, you’ll get through this.'” Colton thought he would “die” with his “secret”, but ultimately came out because he felt “mortified” over his behaviour with Cassie Randolph. The duo ended their romance in May 2020 after appearing on ‘The Bachelor’ the year before, and the 26-year-old beauty subsequently filed for a restraining order against him for alleged harassment, though she dropped it two months later. Colton said: “I never thought I was going to come out, I thought I was going to die with this secret. “[I put] a poor girl through [a] hell of my own insecurities.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman is bisexual. The 33-year-old actress plays Selena Kyle’s alter ego in Matt Reeves’ upcoming movie ‘The Batman’, and Zoe has confirmed the sexuality of her character. Speaking about Selena’s friend Anika, she told Pedestrian.tv: “That’s definitely the way I interpreted that, that they had some kind of romantic relationship.” The director also spoke in detail about Zoe’s wishes for her character and how it was intended for there to be an “intimate relationship between” Selena and Anika. The 55-year-old filmmaker explained: “[The film is] very true to the character of Selina Kyle. She’s not yet Catwoman, but all the elements of how she’s going to become Catwoman are there. “And in terms of her relationship with Anika, I spoke to Zoe very early on and one of the things she said which I loved was that, ‘She’s drawn to strays because she was a stray and so she really wants to care for these strays because she doesn’t want to be that way anymore and Anika is like a stray and she loves her. She actually represents this connection that she has to her mother who she lost, who was a stray anymore’.” He added: “So I don’t think we meant to go directly in that way, but you can interpret it that way for sure. She has an intimacy with that character and it’s a tremendous and deep caring for that character, more so than a sexual thing, but there was meant to be quite an intimate relationship between them.” Zoe confirming Catwoman’s sexual orientation comes after she said she tried to “forget” past versions of the character. The star’s take on Catwoman – who has been played by the likes of Halle Berry and Michelle Pfeiffer in the past – is different because Matt had his own unique ideas for the movie. She said: “It was really about, for me, just trusting the story that Matt [Reeves]’s written, and doing my best to almost forget about the idea of Catwoman and what she means culturally and really just focus on telling the story.” View the full article

Published by The Kansas City Star KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sixteen Kansas residents are suing to block the state’s new congressional map, alleging that its redrawn district boundaries are a racial and partisan gerrymander. The ACLU of Kansas and Campaign Legal Center, a national nonprofit good-government group, jointly filed a lawsuit Monday in Wyandotte County District Court on behalf of Kansans from Wyandotte County, Johnson County and Lawrence. A separate lawsuit from the national group Democracy Docket and the Kansas-based civic engagement group Loud Light was also filed Monday in Wyandotte County. The lawsuits kick off a widely… Read More View the full article