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Published by AFP Travellers queue at a check-in counter at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on November 27, 2021, after several countries banned flights from South Africa Washington (AFP) – The United States will next week lift the travel ban imposed on several southern African nations when the Omicron variant of Covid was first detected, officials said Friday. Countries around the world restricted travel from southern Africa after the variant was detected in South Africa, which reported Omicron to the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24. WHO and the United Nations spoke out against the travel bans, and officials in South Africa said they were being punished for identifying the strain and being transparent. “The restrictions gave us time to understand Omicron and we know our existing vaccines work against Omicron, esp boosted,” Kevin Munoz, the White House assistant press secretary, said on Twitter. He said the travel ban would be lifted on December 31. A senior White House official added that with Omicron present across the United States and globally, international travelers from the eight affected countries would not have a significant impact on US cases. “During the travel pause President Biden reduced the time for pre-departure testing to one day opposed to three days… travelers from these eight countries will be subject to these same strict protocols,” the official said. – Omicron across US – The ban applied to South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. Holiday festivities are expected to further drive up Covid cases in the United States where the heavily mutated Omicron variant is pushing some stretched hospitals — and exhausted health workers — to the brink. Omicron now accounts for more than 90 percent of all cases in some regions of the country. The seven-day average of new daily cases is about to pass the Delta peak seen in September, according to non-profit website Covid Act Now. Intensive care units are running at near-capacity in some states. US health authorities are banking on vaccinations to lower the number of severe Covid cases, and inoculation numbers have been strong all week. President Joe Biden this week also announced the purchase of 500 million rapid tests by the federal government. However, the additional tests are not expected to be available until January. Infection rates are soaring across South Africa as a result of the Omicron variant, but fewer people have died or required hospital treatment compared to previous waves of Covid, local health officials say. Omicron is known to be far more contagious than previous variants of Covid-19 but appears to cause a less severe illness than its predecessors. View the full article

Published by OK Magazine MEGA ‘Tis the season to find that special someone to cuddle up next to, but these celebs don’t need a mistletoe to show their love. Whether it’s couples who have been married for years or new flames who recently sparked up a romance, it’s safe to say love is certainly in the air for everyone from Zendaya and Tom Holland to Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson. Scroll through the photos below to see what couples will be cuddling up together for the holidays. Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker MEGA PDA lovers Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have been hot and heavy ever since they first made their relationship Instagram Official shortly after Valentine’s Day, though the lovebirds heavily hinted at their romance one month prior. The famous duo had been close pals and neighbors for years before taking their relationship to the next level. After sharing NSFW snaps together on social media and making out at any and all public events, Barker decided to take the next step with the KUWTK alum. Surrounded by roses and candles in the shape of a heart, the Blink-182 drummer popped the question to his brunette babe in October. It’s safe to say these two certainly don’t need a mistletoe or the clock to strike 12 on New Years to be locking lips this holiday season. Justin & Hailey Bieber MEGA Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin Bieber are also anything but shy when it comes to flaunting their love, with the model even admitting after the two wed in 2018: “We’ve literally never been more obsessed with each other.” Whether it be the Biebers expressing their love for each other on social media or the “Baby” crooner dedicating an entire album to his wife, these two sure know how to show the public what true love looks like. Kim Kardashian & Pete Davidson MEGA While these two may be an unlikely pair, it seems Kardashian and Davidson’s romance is in full bloom, with the SNL star even copping an invite to the infamous Kardashian-Jenner Christmas Eve extravaganza. The reality star, 41, and funnyman, 28, first hit it off when Kardashian was the guest host on SNL in October. Their relationship appeared to blossom from there, with the new flames being spotted out and about together multiple times. Machine Gun Kelly & Megan Fox MEGA Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly will definitely be bringing the heat this holiday season, as the Hollywood couple often offer fans a glimpse into their steamy love life. If their tongue touching photos at awards shows weren’t enough to leave people’s jaws on the floor, then the Jennifer’s Body star’s September post teasing her followers with intimate details of the couple’s sex life, certainly did the trick. “When I tell you that the table at this air bnb saw some things ,” Fox captioned a photo of herself posing in front of a table at their recent Airbnb. MGK and the actress have been going strong ever since they made their relationship official in the summer of 2020. The “twin flames” first met on set of the thriller Midnight in the Switchgrass, where Fox said she felt an instant spark. Chelsea Handler & Jo Koy Rich Polk/NBCUniversal Chelsea Handler made everyone believe in love this year, so it’s unlikely she’ll be spending the holidays away from her long-time-friend-turned-boyfriend. Speculation surrounding her and Jo Koy‘s relationship began circulating after the two were spotted together at a Dodgers game in the beginning of September. Shortly after, the blonde babe gushed she’s “finally in love, with the best kind of guy there is,” telling her followers: “There is hope for everyone! That kind of stuff.” By the end of September, the Chelsea Lately alum confirmed she and the funnyman were an item. Since changing the status of their relationship, Handler can’t stop flaunting her newfound love — and we’re loving it! Chrissy Teigen & John Legend MEGA It’s safe to say power couple Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are looking forward to spending the holidays with their adorable brood. The loved-up parents of Luna, 5, and Miles, 3, first met in 2007 when the Lip Synch Battle star played Legend’s love interest in his music video “Stereo.” Later on, they revealed that post-filming, the two went to his hotel room and ate In-N-Out and hooked up. The EGOT winner and model know how to keep their romance alive, as Legend often shares snaps of the duo enjoying date nights. And if the two couldn’t get anymore romantic, Legend has featured Teigen in several of his love ballad music videos. Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively MEGA Hollywood’s favorite couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are the perfect example of what true love looks like, as they know when to comically troll each other on social media or praise the other for their hard work and accomplishments. Though they often gush over each other on social media, they manage to keep their relationship on the down low. The good-looking couple was first linked in 2011 and secretly tied the knot the following year. And while they like to keep their private lives private, the Deadpool star couldn’t help but recently spill the tea about their sex life. While discussing the best parts about being married to the Gossip Girl alum that the public wouldn’t expect, Reynolds touched on Lively’s amazing baking skills. “I mean, it is an obvious perk,” the actor said of the mother of his children, before quipping: “Not complaining about that or the sex.” John Krasinski & Emily Blunt MEGA There may be a lot of high-profile romances, but nothing compares to John Krasinski and Emily Blunt‘s relationship. The power duo began dating in 2011, got engaged in August 2009 and tied the knot in Italy in the summer of 2010. Looking back on when the lovebirds first met, the 13 Hours star recalled: “It was one of those things where I wasn’t really looking for a relationship and I was thinking I’m going to take my time in L.A.,” the handsome hunk explained at the time. “Then I met her and I was so nervous. I was like, ‘Oh God, I think I’m going to fall in love with her.’ As I shook her hand I went, ‘I like you.’ It’s one of those things where as soon as you meet someone you kind of know.” As for the Devil Wears Prada actress, she lovingly admitted: “Meeting John really changed my life.” Zendaya & Tom Holland MEGA New power couple Zendaya and Holland have everybody talking. Ever since the two began filming Spider-Man: Homecoming, the actors have been inseparable. While an insider previously spilled the duo has “been super careful to keep it private and out of the public eye,” the young-and-in-love cuties made their relationship official over the summer when Holland wished his brunette beauty a happy birthday on Instagram. Despite the two being close for years, Zendaya still manages to leave the actor speechless. During the Spiderman: No Way Home premiere earlier this month, the Marvel actor got distracted mid interview after he realized his girlfriend arrived to the red carpet. “I think Zendaya just showed up,” the hunky actor excitedly exclaimed, as he heard the crowd roar. “That sounds like Zendaya just showed up.” Chris Hemsworth & Elsa Pataky MEGA Long-time Hollywood couple Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have learned how to stay true to their relationship while being in the spotlight. TheThor star, 37, and his wife decided to move back to Byron Bay — the Australian actor’s homeland — in 2015 to live a more peaceful and laid-back lifestyle. Hemsworth and Pataky — who share three children — may keep their lives private, but the glimpses they offer fans is enough to let them know the couple is still happily in love. From sharing adorable photos of Pataky enjoying ice cream to her taking care of their children, Hemsworth will certainly be thankful for his stunning wife this holiday season. 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Published by Reuters By Arriana McLymore and Maria Caspani NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. airlines canceled hundreds of flights on Christmas Eve amid a surge in COVID-19 infections driven by the Omicron variant but millions of wary Americans carried on with travel plans through a second pandemic-clouded winter holiday. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines both canceled dozens of Christmas Eve flights because of staff shortages amid the surge in infections. United Airlines canceled 177 flights and Delta canceled 150 flights, data from the website FlightAware showed as of 11:56 a.m. Eastern Time (1656 GMT). More than 2,100 flights globally were scrapped, with 527 cancellations within, into, or out of the United States, according to the site. The cancellations upended some plans but many Americans pushed ahead with holiday travel. Moses Jimenez, an accountant from Long Beach, Mississippi, flew to New York with his wife and three children, even though the latest torrent of coronavirus cases dashed their hopes to catch a performance of “Hamilton” or visit some museums. “Hamilton” was one of a dozen Broadway shows forced to cancel shows this week when cast and crew members tested positive for COVID-19. Museums were scratched from the family’s itinerary because many now require proof of vaccination and the two younger children are ineligible for the shot. Instead, Jimenez, 33, said his brood would make the most of roaming city streets and parks and seeing relatives and friends. On Christmas Day, they plan to enjoy a home-cooked meal, a family tradition, at their Airbnb lodging. “We just wanted to get out of the house, really, get the kids out to the city for Christmas,” Jimenez told Reuters on Thursday at New York’s LaGuardia airport. COVID-19 infections have surged in the United States due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which was first detected in November and now accounts for nearly three-quarters of U.S. cases and as many as 90% in such areas as the Eastern seaboard. The average number of new COVID-19 infections has risen 37% to 165,000 per day over the past week, according to a Reuters tally. As Omicron spreads, the Biden administration announced it would lift travel restrictions on eight southern African countries imposed last month after the variant was detected there. White House spokesman Kevin Munoz tweeted that the restrictions had bought America time “to understand Omicron” and “know our existing vaccines work.” SURGING INFECTIONS AND TRAVEL Daily totals of deaths and hospitalizations, considered lagging indicators, were little changed nationwide over the past seven days, but have jumped 55% and 28%, respectively over the course of December. Friday’s flight cancellations were prompted by a spike in Omicron cases which “had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation,” United said in a statement. The Transportation Security Administration on Thursday screened 2,187,792 passengers through U.S. airports, a decrease of about 364,000 over the number of travelers it screened pre-pandemic on the same date in 2019. While Americans scrambled for COVID-19 tests and weighed varying public health guidance – U.S. officials have said that people who are fully vaccinated should feel comfortable proceeding with holiday travel – many were determined to enjoy some semblance of celebrations and tradition. In-person Christmas services were planned at all churches and parishes in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, which includes more than 2.5 million worshipers across 10 counties and mask-wearing and social distancing measures will remain in effect, said spokesperson Joseph Zwilling. Omicron’s rapid spread will also put a damper on New York’s iconic New Year’s Eve celebration for a second straight year. Mayor Bill de Blasio said attendance for the midnight ball drop in Times Square will be capped at 15,000, roughly a quarter of the typical pre-pandemic crowd size. Many New York holiday visitors planned to limit themselves to much smaller gatherings. Madeleine Kennedy, a ski instructor from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, flew to New York on Thursday armed with a trove of COVID testing kits ahead of a scaled-down Christmas affair with family in the borough of Queens. “The second time around, I think the world is less shocked and I think we’re going to be able to plow through this,” Kennedy said. (Reporting by Arriana McLymore and Maria Caspani in New York; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Writing by Steve Gorman and Raphael Satter; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Andrea Ricci and Howard Goller) View the full article

Published by DPA A sign with the inscription “Google” hangs in front of a training place of the company in Rennes. A Russian court has imposed large fines on Google and Facebook’s parent company Meta for allegedly refusing to delete “forbidden content.” Sebastian Gollnow/dpa A Russian court has imposed large fines on Google and Facebook’s parent company Meta for allegedly refusing to delete “forbidden content.” Google was ordered to pay 7.2 billion roubles (98 million dollars) and Meta, which also owns Instagram, nearly 2 billion roubles (27 million dollars). According to the court rulings cited by news agency Interfax on Friday, the amount of the fines was based for the first time on the annual turnover of the corporations in Russia. The US search giant Google said it wanted to study the ruling in detail before discussing further steps. Google and Facebook have already been fined several times in Russia, as have Twitter and TikTok. Russian authorities have been targeting social networks especially since the mass protests at the beginning of the year against the imprisonment of Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny. They accuse the platforms of not consistently removing messages calling for unauthorized demonstrations, child pornography content or suicide calls. Internet activists criticize the actions as repression against a free internet in Russia. The deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Anton Gorelkin, said that “very unpleasant measures” would be taken if fines did not help. The Facebook logo is displayed on a smartphone with a Meta Logo in the background. A Russian court has imposed large fines on Google and Facebook’s parent company Meta for allegedly refusing to delete “forbidden content.” Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa View the full article

Published by Reuters By Sara Cheng and Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) -Two more Hong Kong universities removed on Friday public monuments to the 1989 Tiananmen protests in Beijing, following the dismantling of a sculpture commemorating victims of the crackdown at another university this week. The removals at Chinese University and Lingnan University in the global financial hub came as authorities have been clamping down under a national security law imposed by China. Human rights activists say the law is being used to suppress civil society, jail democracy campaigners and curb basic freedoms, but authorities say the security laws have restored stability after mass protests in 2019. Just before dawn, a 6.4-metre (20-foot) -tall bronze statue representing the “Goddess of Democracy” holding a flame aloft was removed from a public piazza at Chinese University. In a statement, the university said the “unauthorised statue” had been taken away following an “internal assessment”. The sculpture, which had stood on the campus for more than a decade, was modelled on a 10-metre (30-foot) white plaster and foam statue erected by students in Tiananmen Square to symbolise their resolve to pursue liberty and democracy in China under Communist party rule. A group of about two dozen students gathered to denounce the move by their university, handing out June 4 flyers as well as missing person posters of the democracy goddess with the words: “Have you seen her?” Another read, “Bring her back”. Others placed crystanthemums, a traditional Chinese symbol of mourning, lit candles on the site where the statue once stood, and played the song “Bloodstained Glory” to remember the hundreds, perhaps thousands killed in 1989. “I feel heartbroken and shocked,” said Felix Chow, a former Chinese University student and district councillor. “This statue represents the school environment is open. It’s a symbol of academic freedom … It makes people doubt whether the school can still ensure the space is free and people can speak freely,” he told Reuters. Unlike mainland China, where authorities ban any memorials or public commemoration of June 4, Hong Kong had previously been the only place on Chinese soil where such remembrances were permissible. For the past two years, however, police, citing COVID-19 risks, have banned an annual June 4 candlelight vigil that had regularly drawn tens of thousands of people. Also before dawn on Christmas Eve, Hong Kong’s Lingnan University took down a wall relief sculpture about the Tiananmen event that depicted the “Goddess of Democracy” and a row of tanks halting before a lone protester known as “tank man”; as well as victims shot by Chinese troops. When asked by Reuters whether Hong Kong or Chinese authorities had instructed all three universities to remove these Tiananmen monuments, the office of Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, said it had no comment. The sculptor of both works, Chen Weiming, told Reuters he would sue the universities if there was any damage to his works. In the main hall of the student union at Lingnan University, a towering red drawing of the Goddess of Democracy had also been covered over in grey paint. Students responded by pasting a sheet of paper with the word “shameful” on the effaced image, but it was quickly ripped off by security guards. In an email to Reuters, Lingnan University said that items that may pose “legal and safety risks” had been “cleared, or removed and stored appropriately”. When Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997, it was promised wide ranging autonomy and freedoms by China under a so-called “one country, two systems” arrangement. Earlier this week, the University of Hong Kong dismantled and removed an eight-metre (26-ft) -tall “pillar of shame” statue to victims of the Tiananmen crackdown. The disappearances of these symbolic monuments from three universities in quick succession mean that hardly any Tiananmen monuments remain to public view in Hong Kong. “Since the Chinese communists implemented the national security law in Hong Kong, they have eradicated the freedom of press, of assembly and the freedom of expression,” Chen, the artist, told Reuters. “They want to remove the real history of the brutal crackdown … they wouldn’t allow any different viewpoints to continue to exist in Hong Kong.” (Additional reporting by Jessie Pang, Joyce Zhou, James Pomfret and Edmond Ng; Writing by James Pomfret; Editing by Michael Perry and Clarence Fernandez) View the full article

Published by AFP Several hundred huddled under a grey sky in the Bethlehem's Manger Square to watch the Palestinian scouts and bagpipers parade Bethlehem (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – The rise of the Omicron variant heralded on Friday another pandemic-tinged Christmas for billions, with Santa’s arrival and longed-for family reunions overshadowed by the prospect of yet more Covid restrictions. Festive jokes about reindeer having “herd immunity” and millions isolating “Home Alone” may be wearing thin, but the emergence of the ultra-infectious Omicron variant means the pandemic is not going away anytime soon. For the second year, surging infections have complicated yuletide plans from Sydney to Seville. In Bethlehem — the Palestinian town in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that Christians believe was Jesus’ birthplace — hoteliers have been disappointed. After a near-total lockdown last year, Israel has again closed its borders. Just several hundred huddled under a grey sky in the city’s Manger Square to watch the Palestinian scouts and bagpipers parade past. But this year, like last, midnight mass on Christmas Eve will be reserved for just a small circle of people by invitation only and celebrations on Friday were subdued. “It is a bit surreal,” American student Hudson Harder told AFP. “There is a selfish part where it’s like ‘Oh I get to see this place so empty’ but on the other hand you feel for the shops, all the money they are losing, it’s really quite tragic.” ‘Sliver of hope’ In Europe, governments are reimposing misery-inducing safety measures that are draining the fun from Christmas for many. The Netherlands is back in lockdown while Spain and Italy have made wearing masks compulsory outdoors. And with Britain hitting a record high number of Covid-19 infections again on Friday for a third day in a row, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested getting a vaccine booster shot as a Christmas gift for relatives. In France, the government urged people to get booster shots just three months after initial jabs, down from the current suggestion of five months as it sought to fight off the fast-spreading Omicron. Still, Christmas gatherings will be easier than a year ago in many other places around the world. Most Australians are allowed to travel interstate over the festive break for the first time in two years, with Sydney’s Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher saying that Christmas was “a ray of light” in dark times. Pope Francis is still scheduled to deliver the traditional Christmas Eve midnight mass from St Peter’s Basilica. Across the Atlantic, US First Lady Jill Biden took an unexpected guest to a children’s hospital in Washington: her husband Joe, who is the first sitting president to accompany their spouse for the traditional Christmas book-reading. The couple chatted with patients and doctors, showing one boy a photo of “Commander” — their new puppy — before settling into chairs beside a Christmas tree and reading a book inspired by the Disney movie “Frozen”. Biden and his wife plan to stay at the White House for Christmas — an uncommon practice for recent American presidents. The family normally rings in the New Year in the sunny US Virgin Islands but will instead go to their home in chilly Delaware, a few hours northeast of Washington. ‘Operation Present Drop’ Millions of Americans were on the move to see loved ones for Christmas, even as Covid infections surpass the peak of the previous wave and hospitals run out of beds. Thousands could face a grim holiday weekend, with major carrier United cancelling 120 flights because infection numbers had affected flight crews and other operations. But angst born from a seemingly interminable crisis, long testing queues, cancelled flights and close contact notifications was not going to prevent Santa from doing his rounds. The hirsute spreader of holiday cheer had reportedly been cleared for travel in Canada’s airspace after showing proof of vaccination and a pre-flight negative Covid test, Ottawa’s transport minister said. Santa’s flight crew — including reindeer Rudolph, whose “nose shone red and bright (but) made sure he had no Covid-19 symptoms before taking off” — had also been given the all clear. And Australian authorities said they were working round the clock to ensure “Operation Present Drop” goes smoothly. “Our air traffic controllers will be guiding Santa safely through Australian airspace,” said aviation safety authority Airservices. “He’s cleared to fly at 500 feet so he can skim the rooftops and deliver his presents quickly and quietly –- after all, his magical sleigh isn’t your average aircraft.” burs-des-bgs/ah/yad View the full article

Provincetown is lit and Magic Lights of Provincetown is a portfolio capturing the unique holiday and post holiday season in Provincetown. (Thanks to Dan McKean for great Holiday Market and Fireworks images… And to Chris Racine for shots of his work lighting Town Hall. The others are by Michael Goff) Provincetown is literally and metaphorically well lit. From lighthouses to Artists chasing the legendary reflected light for their work, to spotlights on performers, and many more. It’s another way to look at the town we love and suggests new facets to explore and understand it’s pull and hold on many of us. ‘First Light’ , Provincetown’s New Year celebration kicks off next week. Consider being part of it or having a different kind of experience in January of February. This post is sponsored by Provincetown Tourism. Provincetown is Lit. The Town Lights Its Streets, Stages and Skies To Celebrate the New Year; In Ptown, Love is Love, Light is Leitmotif; Both Help Make The Magic of An Off-season Visit 33 1. In early November each year there is a ceremonial lighting of the Monument to mark the first landing of the Pilgrims in Provincetown in 1620. That’s the start of the holiday lighting up of the town that runs through January. 2. As the days get colder and shorter on the Cape, residents and businesses creatively light the town, on and off Commercial Street, through until the end of January. 3. The lights set the tone for 4 cross-cultural holidays — each celebrating miracles of light in December. The Jews mark the miracle of lamp oil lasting eight days instead of one in a wrecked temple. Christians celebrate the old men who follow the light in the sky to witness the miracle of light born of a dark nasty manger. In December, of course we also mark the shortest day, the dark solstice but Provincetown hasn’t burned witches for years. (She always hosts the best Halloween parties, anyway.). Finally, rounding out the mystical quad is the local observance of Holly Folly an alternate spirituality that celebrates the sound of sunlight refracted through a giant Martini glass that miraculously didn’t empty day or night. All hail the patron saint of swizzle sticks, Trampolina. 3.5 Provincetown’s also got a massive light-up lobster-pot Christmas tree built each year with 60+ lobster traps ; And some of the town’s finest restaurants are open through the winter. On some nights, that experience is defined by the candle-light flickers you see walking by. The food is comfort cuisine, well prepared, and they’re waiting to serve up some comfort for you and whoever is lighting up your life at the moment. 4. Fast forward to modern day Provincetown, gay resort Mecca, and this tribe knows lighting from landscape to to get a just-right flattering bounced light, dimmers, and shadows that make stomachs look like abs. 5. Artists have sworn by the light in Provincetown, it’s said the specific properties of it are the result of reflecting off the water on three sides of the town. Bohemians and professionals have come seeking it for well over a century, making Provincetown America’s longest running artist colony. There are no reports of Thomas Kinkade, the painter of light, being here, but Charles Webster Hawthorne, who started the art colony in Provincetown, came to Cape Cod to teach painting en plein air. Galleries are open on Commercial and in the Whaler [Don’t miss the Members’ Open: Small Works Show at PAAM, the Art Museum] Provincetown is lit. Next Pg. 2–> View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Grindr has been fined £5.5 million for selling user data to advertisers. The location-based dating app – which is aimed at gay men – received the fine from the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, who claimed that sharing data without consent broke GDPR rules. Tobias Judin, head of the international department at the NDPA said in a statement: “Our conclusion is that Grindr has disclosed user data to third parties for behavioural advertisement without a legal basis. The Grind (sic) app is used to connect with other users in the LGBTQ+ community, and we are aware that many users choose not to use their full name or upload a picture of their face in order to be discrete. Nonetheless, their personal data and the fact that they were on Grindr was disclosed to an unknown number of third parties for marketing purposes, without giving the users accessible information or a genuine choice.” The Authority went on to claim that “thousands” of Grindr users have now had their data shared “unlawfully”, and explained that the gravitas of the situation justified the size of the fine. Judin added: “Thousands of users in Norway have had their personal data shared unlawfully for the commercial interests of Grindr, including GPS location and the fact that the users in question were on Grindr. Business models based on behavioural advertisement are common in the digital economy, and it is imperative that administrative fines for GDPR violations are dissuasive in order to foster compliance with the law.” Grindr now has three weeks to appeal the fine. View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA Flight logs for Jeffrey Epstein’s private jets were released as evidence in the current federal trial against Ghislaine Maxwell, and the logs allegedly show that former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton flew on the late financier and convicted sex offenders jets more often than previously believed. According to the new logs released as evidence this week, Trump flew on Epstein’s jets stretching as far back as 1993. In fact, the former president flew on the private jets four times in 1993, once in 1994, once in 1995, and once in 1997. Although there are no last names for all of the guests that flew along with Trump, the logs say that he was joined by a Marla and a Tiffany – believed to be his ex-wife wife Marla Maples and his daughter Tiffany Trump – during the one flight in 1994. Trump’s son Eric is also documented in the logs as having joined his father on the one flight in 1995 from Palm Beach to New York City. Even though Trump flew on Epstein’s planes more than previously thought, it was still not as many times as former president Bill Clinton. MEGA Clinton flew on Epstein’s private jets a total of nine times, according to the newly released flight logs that only documented the flights made between April 1991 and January 2006. Besides Trump and Clinton, other high-profile individuals documented in the flight logs include Bobby Kennedy Jr. – who was a passenger on two flights in February 1994, former U. S. Senator George Mitchell – who was a passenger on one flight in April 1994, and Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman – who was a passenger on several previously undisclosed flights between 1991 and 2006. As Radar reported yesterday, these newly released flights logs come as the prosecution and defense started their closing arguments in Ghislaine Maxwell’s federal sex-trafficking trial, where the British socialite and former lover and confidant of Jeffrey Epstein is being accused of grooming and recruiting young girls for the late sexual predator. Maxwell has categorically denied all sex-trafficking allegations against her, and claims she is being utilized as a scapegoat for Epstein’s crimes. The trial is still ongoing, but if found guilty of the charges, Maxwell is facing nearly 80 years in prison. MEGA View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis have pledged their support to the women who have accused Chris Noth of sexual assault. The ‘And Just Like That…’ actresses have been left “deeply saddened” by the allegations made against their former co-star – who reprised his ‘Sex and the City’ role as Mr. Big for just one episode of the new reboot before being killed off – and praised his accusers for having the strength to speak out. They said in a joint statement: “We are deeply saddened to hear the allegations against Chris Noth. “We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it must be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it.” Last week, two women came forward to The Hollywood Reporter to allege they had been sexually assaulted by the 67-year-old actor. A woman, identified only as Zoe, alleged he had “raped her from behind” in 2004 when she was just 22, and another known as Lily claimed she was 25 and had had a dinner date with the actor in New York before he allegedly assaulted her in 2015. The Daily Beast then published an account from a female tech executive who alleged Noth had sexually assaulted her in 2010 at a New York City restaurant where she worked as a hostess and lounge singer. The actor – who was recently fired from ‘The Equalizer’ and dropped by his talent agency in the wake of the claims – has denied the allegations. He said in response to the Hollywood Reporter piece: “The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. “These stories could’ve been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago — no always means no — that is a line I did not cross. It’s difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I don’t know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women.” Noth – who has been married to Tara Wilson since 2012 – also branded the third woman’s claim a “complete fabrication”. But he has pledged to co-operate if police get involved. His lawyer, Andrew Brettler, said: “No one from any law enforcement agency has contacted Chris or any of his representatives. Obviously if anyone does reach out, we will cooperate fully.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Andy Cohen has recovered from COVID-19 for the second time. The 53-year-old TV star has revealed he’s now “all better” after recently contracting the virus for the second time since the start of the pandemic. The ‘Watch What Happens Live’ host was asked by a fan on Twitter: “Andy, did you get the covid and was that why all the WWHLs were reruns? (sic)” And in reply, Andy – who is fully vaccinated – said: “Yes! All better now.” Andy was diagnosed with COVID-19 two weeks ago, quarantined at home and has subsequently tested negative, according to TMZ. Andy announced news of his first COVID diagnosis on Instagram, near the start of the pandemic. The TV host explained what he was “putting a pin” in his show to focus on his recovery from the virus. He wrote on the photo-sharing platform at the time: “After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for Coronavirus. As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we’re putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better. (sic)” Andy also urged his followers to adhere to the expert advice at the time. He said: “I want to thank all the medical professionals who are working tirelessly for all of us, and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves.” Andy experienced a range of symptoms during his first COVID experience – including fever, fatigue, a cough, and a loss of smell – and he previously admitted that it took him some time to regain his energy. He shared: “It took about ten or 11 days, I would say, to work through my system. You know, It takes a bit to get your energy back.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online Bonner County Sheriff’s Office An Idaho man has been charged with murder and cannibalism after allegedly killing a 70-year-old man and eating his flesh in the hopes it would “cure his brain.” According to the Bonners Ferry Herald, 39-year-old James David Russell is suspected of murdering David Flaget in September after some of Flaget’s tissue was found within Russell’s home. The victim’s body was also reportedly found in a car outside of Russell’s home on September 10. Part of the victim’s body was allegedly missing, according to newly released court documents. Authorities also found a bloodied microwave, a glass bowl, a bloodied knife, and a duffle bag at the suspect’s home. “When dealing with death and carnage it’s a shock to our conscience,” Phillip Stella, a Bonner County Detective, said last week. “As far as I know this is the first cannibalism charge in Idaho.” According to court documents, the authorities received a report about a possible murder on September 10, and once arriving at the scene they found Flaget’s dead body upside down in his truck. “There’s a lot of facets we will certainly never know,” Stella also said regarding Russell’s alleged crime. “It wasn’t the bloodiest crime scene, but it’s more of the psychological, ‘what the heck is going on here?’ and ‘why am I picking up pieces?’ It’s a walk down the dark path that we don’t see very often.” According to the probable cause affidavit, Russell allegedly killed and ate his victim because he believed he could “heal himself by cutting off portions of flesh” in order to “cure his brain.” This was also reportedly not the first time Flaget had a run in with Russell. “Flaget had several conflict-like run-ins with Russell and told the family about them,” Stella said. “The family had enough warning signs that Mr. Russell was a danger to himself or others.” According to documents, court proceedings were paused in October after a judge found Russell unable to stand trial for the charge of first-degree murder and ordered him to the Idaho Security Medical Program, although the results of Russell’s mental health evaluation on October 5 are still sealed under court order. The next time Russell is reportedly scheduled to appear back in court will be for a review hearing on December 28. View the full article

Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday accused unspecified cable television personalities and social media companies of making money by “peddling lies” about COVID-19 vaccines and spreading misinformation that can kill their viewers and followers. In a White House speech warning the unvaccinated of the dangers of the fast-spreading Omicron variant, Biden said: “The unvaccinated are responsible for their own choices.” But he added: “Those choices have been fueled by dangerous misinformation on cable TV and social media.” Biden did not identify any person or company by name, but the White House has been critical of Fox News and the network’s night-time hosts Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity. Biden previously criticized Facebook for allowing posts that spread vaccine falsehoods. “You know, these companies and personalities are making money by peddling lies and allowing misinformation that can kill their own customers and their own supporters,” Biden said. “It’s wrong. It’s immoral. I call on the purveyors of these lies and misinformation to stop it. Stop it now,” Biden said. A politically motivated disinformation campaign has helped fuel skepticism about the safety of vaccines in the United States against overwhelming medical evidence that shows they work and pose little risk. One in four American adults is not vaccinated. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Jarrett RenshawEditing by Heather Timmons and Howard Goller) View the full article

Brothers Osborne Are Releasing a Deluxe Edition of 'Skeletons' Album, With Three New Tracks 19 Published by Taste of Country Brothers Osborne have even more Skeletons to unearth in 2022. The duo have announced plans to put out a deluxe version of their third studio album, adding three songs for a total listing of 15 tracks. One of those songs is the Grammy-nominated “Younger Me,” which the Brothers put out as a stand-alone song in April. The song was co-written by the group’s T.J. and John Osborne, as well as singer-songwriter Kendell Marvel, and it’s a tender reflection dedicated to their younger selves, acknowledging that they “made it harder than it had to be” sometimes, but affirming that “Youth ain’t wasted on … Read More View the full article

The post after singing said, simply: Sit down and stay humble y’all … and kiss my motherfucking ass !!!!!⁣ ⁣ : @herb_ritts View the full article

Published by OK Magazine MEGA A cute new arrival. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed a new addition to their family ahead of the holidays. On Monday, December 20, the 79-year-old shared a photo of a German Shepherd puppy on Twitter. “Welcome to the White House, Commander,” the tweet read. MEGA FLOTUS JILL BIDEN LOOKS LOVELY IN LEMON PRINT OSCAR DE LA RENTA DRESS WHILE BOARDING MARINE ONE WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN — PHOTOS The President also shared a video on Twitter with the caption “Meet the newest Biden” where he played with the pup. “Hey, pal. How you doing? How are you?” he was heard saying in the clip. “Welcome Home, Commander!” appeared on the screen over a series of clips of the Bidens and the new pet. The family previously owned two German Shepherds, but Champ died in June aged 13. Their dog Major also seemed to struggle to adapt to life in The White House. The pooch was the first-ever rescue dog to live in the White House, as he was adopted in 2018. As previously reported by OK!, Major is said to have been involved in what was described as a “biting incident” in March with a member of White House security. GET *PUP* CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH JOE BIDEN’S DOGS, CHAMP & MAJOR—THEIR CUTEST SNAPS MEGA The dog was returned to Delaware for a period of time after the incident. He was reportedly involved in another incident weeks after he returned to the White House. The was then sent to “off-site private training” before coming back to the White House in late April, USA Today reported. According to The New York Times, Major will be living in another home. “After consulting with dog trainers, animal behaviorists and veterinarians, the first family has decided to follow the experts’ collective recommendation that it would be safest for Major to live in a quieter environment with family friends,” Jill’s spokesman, Michael LaRosa said. “This is not in reaction to any new or specific incident, but rather a decision reached after several months of deliberation as a family and discussions with experts.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sarah Jessica Parker damaged her feet after wearing heels so much during ‘Sex and the City.’ The 56-year-old actress – who played shoe-obsessed columnist Carrie Bradshaw in the hit 1990s comedy series and its new sequel ‘And Just Like That’ – revealed that she had “created a new bone” in her foot after wearing high-heels on set for up to 18 hours a day. She said: “I went to a foot doctor and he said, ‘Your foot does things it shouldn’t be able to do. That bone there … You’ve created that bone. It doesn’t belong there. For ten or so years, I literally ran in heels. I worked 18-hour days and never took them off. I wore beautiful shoes, some better made than others, and never complained.” During the original run of the show – which focussed on Carrie Bradshaw and friends Charlotte York (Kristin Davis), Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon) and Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) as they navigated life in New York City – , Carrie wore a memorable pair of a pair of blue Manolo Blahnik Hangisi heels for during her wedding to Mr Big, but for the reboot series, producer Andy Cohen explained that the fashion would now reflect that of women in their 50s. He told Us Weekly: “From what I understand, it’s going to show the women living vibrantly in their 50s and at this stage in their lives. [Carrie] is not going to be running around in a tutu and high heels, they are going to be living in their 50s as beautiful women. I think it’s going to be a wonderful message.” View the full article

Jeff GreenGreen Gone Tech billionaire Jeff Green formally resigned from the Mormon church, officially known as The Church of the Latter-day Saints, this week citing the church’s anti-LGBTQ stance among other cultural oppositions held by the Mormon church. He marked his departure from the church by donating $600,000 to Equality Utah, one of the largest LGBTQ advocacy groups in the state of Utah. “While most members are good people trying to do right, I believe the church is actively and currently doing harm in the world,” Green wrote in a letter to church president Russell M Nelson. “I believe the Mormon church has hindered global progress in women’s rights, civil rights and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.” The Mormon church, to which the majority of Utah citizens belong, has historically opposed the advancement of LGBTQ civil rights. The church put its opposition to marriage equality into action in a challenge to California’s same-sex marriage statute in 2008. The church was a driving force in rallying support and financial contributions to the successful effort to repeal Proposition 8 before marriage equality was solidified at the federal level in 2015. Many of the church’s cultural positions Green cited in his letter are present on BYU’s campus. The school hasn’t recognized the on-campus LGBTQ student group BYU Pride and prohibits same-sex dating among students. The school is among a list of religious universities named in a class-action lawsuit alleging discriminatory practices toward LGBTQ students through a Title IX exemption. “Our goal is that all our students be treated with respect, dignity and love,” read a statement from the university to NBC News. “We are concerned when any of our students do not feel this way and greatly value the contributions our students make to BYU.” Mormon Church: Previously on Towleroad Canada Transgender Pastor Sues Former Church For Being Fired After Coming Out During Pride Month Sermon Brian Bell August 12, 2021 Read More Kansas City Christian School Reportedly Tells Teachers to Oust Out LGBTQ Students or Find Another Job Brian Bell May 10, 2021 Read More UPDATES: Colton Underwood is Single; Gay Documentary for Netflix, Family, Are His Priorities ‘Rather Than Focus On A Relationship’; Cassie Speaks: DEEP LINKS Towleroad April 17, 2021 Read More ‘Golden Calf’ Trends After Massive Statue of Trump is Wheeled into CPAC: WATCH Towleroad February 26, 2021 Read More Franklin Graham Instructs Followers to Pray Against ‘Equality Act’, Says It’s a ‘Smokescreen’ Forcing Americans to Accept the ‘LGBTQ Agenda’ Andy Towle February 25, 2021 Read More Ghanaian Journalist Comes Out on Live TV Amid Battle Over LGBTQ Community Center: WATCH Andy Towle February 24, 2021 Read More Screenshot via Twitter View the full article

Published by Reuters By Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Michael Flynn, a longtime adviser to former President Donald Trump, on Tuesday sued the congressional committee investigating the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in hopes of blocking it from obtaining his phone records. Flynn alleged in a lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida, that a subpoena issued to him by the House of Representatives Jan. 6 Select Committee was too broad in scope and punishes him for constitutionally protected speech he engaged in as a private citizen. Flynn also alleged in the lawsuit that the congressional committee “has no authority to conduct business because it is not a duly constituted Select Committee.” An appeals court has rejected that argument, ruling on Dec. 9 that the committee was valid and entitled to see White House records Trump has tried to shield from public view. The committee issued a subpoena to Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, in November, seeking testimony and documents about a “command center” at Washington’s Willard Hotel set up to steer efforts to deny Democrat Joe Biden his November 2020 election victory. Trump falsely claims he lost the election because of widespread electoral fraud. In the weeks after the election, Flynn urged Trump to deploy the military to overturn the results and gave speeches sowing doubts about the vote. A spokesman for the Jan. 6 Select Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Flynn’s lawsuit is the latest in a flood of litigation by targets of the committee seeking to prevent it from enforcing its subpoenas for testimony or communications. Alex Jones, the conspiracy theorist and founder of the right-wing website Infowars, filed a similar case on Monday. Trump has similarly sought to block the committee from obtaining his White House records from Jan. 6 and the preceding days, asserting they are protected by a legal doctrine called executive privilege. An appeals court rejected Trump’s arguments last week. He is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Flynn was charged as part of former U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian influence on the 2016 U.S. presidential election won by Trump. Flynn, a retired Army general, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about interactions he had with Russia’s ambassador to the United States in January 2017. He later sought to withdraw the plea, arguing that prosecutors duped him into a plea agreement. Trump later pardoned him. (Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Editing by Peter Cooney) View the full article

Published by AFP Pop superstar Beyonce and her rapper husband Jay-Z both made the shortlist for the best original song Oscar Los Angeles (AFP) – Beyonce, Jay-Z and Ariana Grande are all in the running for the best original song Oscar, but French shock-fest “Titane” did not make the shortlist for best foreign film, as the Academy unveiled its annual shortlists Tuesday ahead of the formal nominations. Pop superstar Beyonce’s ballad “Be Alive” — penned for the tennis biopic “King Richard,” about the father of Serena and Venus Williams (played by Will Smith) — was on a list of 15 tracks, which will be whittled down to a final five before March’s Oscars. She will compete against her husband Jay-Z, who produced Netflix Western “The Harder They Fall,” and teamed up with Kid Cudi for the movie’s track “Guns Go Bang.” Grande appears in satire “Don’t Look Up,” in which her pop star character sings “Just Look Up” to implore the public to take seriously the impending threat of a comet plummeting towards Earth. Billie Eilish’s 007 theme song “No Time To Die” also made the list. So did “Dos Oruguitas” from Disney’s animated film “Encanto,” a song composed by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who only needs an Oscar to complete the coveted EGOT collection of awards — Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony. Fifteen contenders were unveiled for the international feature film Academy Award, from among 92 eligible movies. Each country is only permitted to submit one film. France boasts the most foreign film nominations of any country in Oscars history, but will watch from the sidelines this year after its selection, Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or-winning body-horror “Titane,” failed to make the cut. The ultra-violent movie about a female serial killer who has sex with automobiles, before tricking a firefighter into believing she is his long-lost son, may have proven too controversial for Academy voters. The shortlist includes frontrunners such as Paolo Sorrentino’s coming-of-age drama “The Hand of God” (Italy) and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” (Japan), based on a Haruki Murakami short story. Iran’s Asghar Farhadi — among a select group of auteurs to have won multiple foreign film Oscars previously with “A Separation” and “The Salesman” — again makes the cut with morality drama “A Hero.” The tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan is a step closer to its first Oscar nomination with “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom,” a comic drama about a reluctant young teacher who is sent to work in the world’s most isolated school. Denmark, which won the foreign film Oscar last year for “Another Round,” again has a strong contender in the form of “Flee,” which chronicles a gay Afghan refugee’s perilous journey to Europe. The animated film was also included in the shortlist for best documentary, which was also unveiled Tuesday. “The Rescue,” about the headline-grabbing 2018 race to save a Thai soccer team trapped in a cave, and Questlove’s “Summer of Soul,” about the huge but largely forgotten “Black Woodstock” festival that took place in 1969 Harlem, also made the cut. The final list of Oscar nominations will be revealed on February 8, and the awards will be handed out on March 27. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon stopped short on Monday of creating a list of extremist groups that military members cannot join and declined to say explicitly whether refusing to view President Joe Biden as America’s legitimate leader was a violation of policy. The U.S. military, like American society, is under political strain after years of divisive politics. A small minority of military servicemembers have refused orders to get vaccinated, after that issue became politicized, and some participated in the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. Following the riot, the Biden administration, which took office on Jan. 20, spent much of the year working to clarify its definition of extremism and what kinds of military participation in extremist activity to explicitly prohibit, unveiling the results on Monday. The new definition includes everything from prohibiting “liking” extremist content on social media to fundraising or demonstrating for an extremist organization. Punishment, if there is any, could be up to local commanders. Still, the Pentagon stopped short of prohibiting membership in any group, from the Proud Boys to the Oath Keepers and the Ku Klux Klan, and avoided weighing in on specific scenarios, like a soldier’s view of the legitimacy of Biden as president. Trump has repeatedly falsely claimed that his 2020 election loss to the Democrat resulted from widespread voter fraud. “If we got into coming up with a list of extremist groups, it would be only probably as good as the day we published it because these groups change,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said at a news briefing. U.S. defense officials said, however, that the restrictions announced on Monday meant that meaningful, active participation in any such group would be impossible. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the military oversight committee in the House of Representatives, praised the updated policy. “Protecting our service members from the threat of violent extremism is far too important for partisan misinformation,” he said in a tweet. The Pentagon’s announcement came just weeks after the Pentagon’s Inspector General cited 294 allegations of extremist activity by U.S. servicemembers, including 10 allegations of trespassing at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and 102 allegations of participation in domestic extremist violence. There were also 70 allegations of racially motivated violent extremist activity and 73 allegations of anti-government or anti-authority extremism. ‘INCONSISTENT TRACKING’ The Inspector General faulted the Defense Department for failing to consistently track the data in a uniform way. “Until the DoD establishes DoD-wide policy for tracking and reporting allegations of prohibited activities, the DoD will continue to have inconsistent tracking … and difficulty validating the accuracy of the data,” it said. The Pentagon, in its report on extremism, said that available data generally shows that cases of prohibited extremist activity among servicemembers were rare. Kirby said officials had found about 100 cases in total, but acknowledged the Pentagon needed to do a better job collecting data. U.S. defense officials, explaining the new policy, said it would tap into existing tools that identify terrorist threats and spies in the ranks to better weed out extremist activity. But the goals and timeline for enforcement of the new policy were unclear, including when U.S. troops might start getting punished for inappropriate use of social media. Officials said they did not plan to regularly monitor Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites, raising questions about whether the new policy was a substantial departure from existing screening of U.S. servicemembers at key moments in their careers, including recruitment. Kirby stressed that the goal of the policy was not to prohibit political activity by U.S. servicemembers – something that would be difficult to do when members of the Reserve forces, for example, include government officials. “This isn’t about political leanings or partisan inclinations,” Kirby said, adding it was about “activity.” (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Mary Milliken and Peter Cooney) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Bryan Singer’s former assistant has accused him of a “traumatising” and emotionally abusive romantic relationship. Blake Stuerman – who met the ‘X-Men’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ filmmaker in 2009 when he was 18 and the director was 43 – has made allegations about the nature of their relationship, which ended after he was fired as his assistant in June 2013. In an essay for Variety, Stuerman alleged: “Up until a few years ago, I still defended Bryan in private. “If someone brought up the rumours of his alleged behaviour, I would deny them. It wasn’t until I began receiving treatment specifically for abuse and PTSD that I accepted what had actually happened. “I am a victim of abuse by a very powerful, very wealthy and very sick man. I am a victim of Bryan Singer.” He claimed he would often visit Singer’s home for a movie night where it was allegedly “expected that [they would] have sex”. He added: “It was then expected that we’d have sex or, at the very least, I would masturbate with him… “He would get very frustrated if I fell asleep before he was finished.” Stuerman also claimed he was “traumatised” after allegedly seeing Singer – who denied the allegations – assault someone at his home almost a decade ago. He said: “I heard loud yelling coming toward me. When I turned, I saw Bryan charging toward us screaming very angrily. “He violently attacked one of the guests near me. I grabbed Bryan and took him back into the house. His eyes were wild and full of rage. I had never seen him like this before. “We went to his room and he slammed the door. I found a shattered lamp on the floor and began picking up the pieces.” Singer’s lawyer Andrew Brettler has described the allegations as “uncorroborated, inflammatory, and highly defamatory”. He claimed Stuerman asked Singer “for money, for a job, and for a place to live”. He added: “Early in their relationship, he and Mr. Singer both expressed their affection for one another, but as time passed, Mr. Stuerman grew increasingly paranoid, delusional, and needy. It was then that Mr. Singer began distancing himself from Mr. Stuerman.” He didn’t address the allegation of Stuerman witnesses an assault, nor that they had a sexual relationship. He said: “Mr. Stuerman does not want to take any responsibility and/or accountability for the decisions he made and actions he took as an adult. “Rather, he spins a tale of alleged grooming and abuse, supposedly at the hands of Mr. Singer, even though Mr. Stuerman acknowledges he was a ‘willing participant’ in the relationship.” View the full article

Published by Reuters ZURICH (Reuters) – COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna does not expect any problems in developing a booster shot to protect against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and could begin work in a few weeks, Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said in an interview. Moderna hopes to start clinical trials early next year on a vaccine to protect against the fast-spreading Omicron variant but for now is focussing on a booster dose vaccine. “It only needs minor adjustments for Omicron. I don’t expect any problems,” Bancel said in an interview with the Swiss newspaper TagesAnzeiger published on Tuesday. The company was now awaiting important information on the variant to begin development. “That will take another week or two,” Bancel said. “It will take a few months before we can produce 500 million doses after (regulatory) approval. But our capacities are much higher today than a year ago,” he said. If approval bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Switzerland’s Swissmedic require further studies, that would add at least three months. “Some authorities want a study, others are still undecided. In my opinion, it depends very much on how severely the disease progresses,” he said. Following delivery delays and lags in production in early 2021, Moderna is now able to keep up with production targets and deliver orders on time. The company made between 700 million and 800 million COVID-19 vaccine doses this year, and expects to produce a higher number in 2022, boosting production from 100 million doses a month to 150 million. Additional production lines that are being built via a deal with Swiss-based drugmaker Lonza will become operational in the first quarter of 2022, boosting production, he said, adding the company for the first time had 30 million doses in stock. After signing preliminary agreements with Canada and Australia, Moderna has begun discussions with Switzerland over a so-called vaccine subscription that could ensure supply as it develops novel mRNA vaccine, and is interested in deepening ties with other regimes. “We have a number of new vaccines in development, for example against influenza or against the RS virus, which causes a respiratory disease that is fatal in the elderly and young children,” Bancel said. “We can combine these three mRNA vaccines into one dose and propose to governments to secure supplies for a certain amount for several years and then invest in a production facility in that country.” That would give those countries priority supply in the event of a new pandemic, he said. (Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Steve-O is launching his own X-rated website to share his own “explicit” content. The ‘Jackass’ star has opened up on his new adult platform ‘Steve-O Raw’, which reportedly features an image of him completely naked in a coconut and engaging in a sexual act. Asked if the platform will feature pornography, he told Page Six: “That depends on how you define pornography. “This page hosts all of my explicit, uncensored content, and there’s a lot of that.” The 47-year-old star decided against joining a pre-existing platform like OnlyFans as he wanted more control. He explained: “On OnlyFans you have to pay to unlock each piece of content, and there’s no live-streaming. “On my page, everything is already unlocked and playable once you’ve subscribed, and I have live-streaming, as well as regular giveaways and contests.” As well as the X-rated posts, the site also promises to give fans content which has been removed from other platforms, including “never-before-seen content” from ‘Jackass’ and Steve-O’s comedy special, as well as access to ‘Don’t Try This at Home’ movies, merchandise and meet and greets. He insisted he was “so sick” of restrictions on other social media platforms, and he sees his new site as a way to remain unfiltered. He added: “I got so sick of getting in trouble with just about every social media platform for ‘violating community guidelines’. “I’m just thrilled to finally be able to post the things I think are funny and awesome, without getting in trouble.” Earlier this year, the stunt performer celebrated 13 years of sobriety as he thanked his ‘Jackass’ family for helping him on his journey. Back in March, he wrote on Instagram: “So grateful to be celebrating thirteen years of sobriety today… thanks to everyone who helped me make it this far and, as always, thanks to @johnnyknoxville for giving me the loving nudge that started my journey!” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English TikTok has overtaken Google to become the world’s most popular domain for 2021. The video-sharing app jumped six places to take the top spot from the world’s biggest search engine, which ranked at number one in 2020 following research complied by technology company Cloudflare. In a blog post, Cloudflare wrote: “Let’s start with our Top Domains Ranking and 2021 brought us a very interesting duel for the Number 1 spot in our global ranking. Google.com (which includes Maps, Translate, Photos, Flights, Books, and News, among others) ended 2020 as the undefeated leader in our ranking — from September to December of last year it was always on top. Back then TikTok.com was only ranked #7 or #8.” Data collected by Cloudflare also shows that the viral social media app – where users can share videos of them dancing, completing challenges or lip-syncing -also knocked Facebook into third place when it took the top spot. Cloudflare continued: “There are other trends we can see comparing both years — for 2020 we only show data of the end of the year, after September (Cloudflare Radar was launched that month). For example, Facebook.com was steadily number #2 across 2020, but with TikTok.com going up Facebook is now a solid #3, followed by Microsoft.com (Office365 and Teams numbers are included there) and by Apple.com (App Store and Apple TV+ numbers are included), the same trend as in 2020.” The full list of the most popular domains of 2021 as collected by Cloudflare is as follows: 1. TikTok.com 2. Google.com 3. Facebook.com 4. Microsoft.com 5. Apple.com 6. Amazon.com 7. Netflix.com 8. YouTube.com 9. Twitter.com 10. WhatsApp.com View the full article