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Published by Reuters By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Bank’s new president Ajay Banga on Friday asked the lender’s 16,000 staff to “double down” on development and climate efforts as he seeks to accelerate the bank’s evolution to tackle the most pressing global problems. On his first day in the job, the former Mastercard CEO told staff in a memo seen by Reuters that he would seek to recruit each of them to work towards his vision “to create a world free from poverty on a livable planet.” “Making good on our ambition will require us to evolve to maximize resources and write a new playbook, to think creatively, take informed risks and forge new partnerships with civil society and multilateral institutions,” Banga wrote. He also said the bank needed to become more efficient, slashing the approval time for financing projects, which can now take up to three years. “The process is overly elaborate and subject to multiple review mechanisms that not only cost valuable years but erode staff ambition,” he said, adding to a “trust deficit” among developing countries. Banga on Thursday met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who urged him to “get the most out of the bank’s balance sheet” and mobilize more private capital, the Treasury said. Yellen last year began pressing the World Bank and other multilateral lenders to revamp their business models and dramatically scale up lending resources to address climate change, pandemics, food security and other global crises. This would move the development lenders beyond the country-specific project loans they have pursued for decades, though she has demanded they maintain their core mission to reduce poverty. In his memo, which incorporated his statement to the World Bank Executive Board during an April 1 job interview, Banga said annual investments of trillions of dollars were needed to arrest the forces of climate change and fragility, while building up human capital and fighting inequality in health, education, and financial access. “We are at a critical moment in the arc of humanity and the planet. The World Bank Group is being asked to lead the way, to double down on development and climate efforts and to deliver even more impact and results,” he said. He added this would require “all shoulders to the wheel,” and all of the World Bank’s divisions working together to deliver solutions needed by the world. Banga, 63, was elected to a five-year term as World Bank president by the lender’s board of governors in May. Nominated by U.S. President Joe Biden, the Indian-born finance and development expert was the sole contender for the job. CLIMATE DEMANDS He takes over from David Malpass, who came under criticism last year after remarks that raised questions about his personal views on global warming despite doubling the bank’s climate finance during his tenure to $32 billion last year. Climate and development groups welcomed Banga and began presenting demands, including that the bank fully withdraw from financing fossil fuel projects and take stronger action to cancel the debts of poor countries. Kevin Gallagher, director of Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center, said Banga will first need to restore staff morale at the bank and quickly implement balance sheet reforms to squeeze more lending from existing resources. “On his watch, the world has to deliver on the sustainable development goals and a big tranche of the Paris climate commitments. There’s just no way he can do it without a capital increase and a major increase in resources.” (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by David Holmes and Hugh Lawson) View the full article

Published by AFP A bill making its way through the California state legislature would mandate that internet giants pay news agencies monthly 'journalism usage fees' based on viewing of stories via their platforms San Francisco (AFP) – A proposed law requiring internet giants to pay for news stories moved forward in California on Friday, despite Facebook owner Meta threatening to pull news from its platform if it passes. The California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA), which cleared the state assembly on Thursday and was in the hands of the state senate, would mandate that large online platforms pay a monthly “journalism usage fee” to news providers whose work appears on their services. The bill is designed to support local news organizations, which have been decimated in recent years as ad revenue bled away to Google and Facebook, both advertising behemoths. Meta spokesman Andy Stone on Friday told AFP that if the bill becomes law, Meta “will be forced to remove news from Facebook and Instagram rather than pay into a slush fund that primarily benefits big, out-of-state media companies.” The bill has to make its way through the state senate and be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom to become law. The CJPA is like other legislative texts pending across the globe. In Australia, Facebook in 2021 briefly blocked news articles over a similar law and Google threatened to pull its search engine from the country before they made deals to pay several media groups. In the European Union, tech giants can be asked to pay a copyright fee to publishers for links posted in search results or feeds. “The CJPA is riddled with holes, the biggest of which is that the bill primarily funds national media outlets that spread misinformation,” said Chamber of Progress chief executive Adam Kovacevich. “It’s sad the Assembly is passing the buck to the Senate rather than fixing the bill’s problems.” The chamber is a trade group with a list of partners that includes Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta. A study posted by the chamber concluded that “disinformation outlets” including Fox News would benefit most from the California law. The bill defines online platforms as those having at least 50 million monthly active users in the United States; a billion monthly users worldwide, or be valued at more than $550 billion based on its stock price. Money for reporters? Fees paid would be based on the number of views and news providers would be required to spend it on journalism and support staff, according to the text of the bill. Stone noted that the wording of the bill means revenue from the law would not have to be spent on reporters covering news. The California state assembly website indicated the bill was sent to a senate committee responsible for scheduling debates and votes on legislation, with no indication of when it would go to a vote. “Meta’s threat to take down news is undemocratic and unbecoming,” trade group News Media Alliance said in a posted statement. “We have seen this in their playbook before.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month slammed Meta after executives said it would block news for Canadian Facebook and Instagram users in response to the proposed law there. The Canada law builds on Australia’s New Media Bargaining Code, which was a world first, aimed at making Google and Meta pay for news content on their platforms. View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — The onePULSE Foundation is scaling down plans for a museum and memorial as it tries to move past losing control of the former nightclub property. Deborah Bowie, executive director of the foundation, said the organization has narrowed down a few options for a future memorial and is currently working toward converting the 47,000-square-foot industrial building it owns in Orlando’s SoDo neighborhood into a new museum. “The reality is, if the organization is committed to being a change maker in the space — meaning connecting people in the conversation to lead to change and setting … Read More View the full article

Published by AFP The sun lines up between rows of skyscrapers in Manhattan on the evening of May 30, 2023 New York (AFP) – Snapping pictures with cell phones, hundreds of New Yorkers and tourists gathered in the streets to watch the sun set in perfect alignment between rows of the skyscrapers for which the city is famous. Right on schedule at 8:12 pm on Tuesday evening, the flaming orange ball could be seen perfectly framed by Manhattan’s canyons of tall buildings on streets running east-west, such as 42nd Street, which runs through Times Square. This spectacle happens four times a year for two days, about three to four weeks before and after the summer and winter solstices. It has come to be known as “Manhattanhenge” after Stonehenge, the ancient monument in southern England where the sun also lines up perfectly during the solstices — the moments when the sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest point in the sky. “It’s a beautiful event. And it’s some totally New York moment to do,” said Jeanette Wolfson, a 47-year-old science teacher from Long Island who came into the city to take pictures for her students. She said she would remind them that “it’s not the sun actually setting. It is the Earth rotating out of the light into the darkness.” The event lures photographers with fancy lenses and regular New Yorkers and tourists who do not hesitate to stand in the streets for a few minutes, blocking traffic. Patrick Batchelder, a 59-year-old photographer, said that what matters is sharing the special moment with others. “The picture itself is not so important, just being around the crowd and seeing something unique in New York City,” he said. The city’s American Museum of Natural History recommends viewing the phenomenon from 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd or 57th streets to take in how “the city is framing the sunset”, as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson puts it. The next time it happens will be on July 12. View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Dating Raven-Symoné isn’t easy! During on the “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast in late May, the 37-year-old revealed why she makes anyone she’s been romantically involved with sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement). “All of my relationships, especially — obviously — when I started dating, I had to get people to sign NDAs,” the actress, who is now married to Miranda Pearman-Maday, told Howie Mandel during their candid conversation. “It took me a while to wrap my head around it because it’s very impersonal, but someone in our position needs to do that.” mega The TV host then asked the star what made her decide to serve the papers in the first place. “Before the naughty times come,” she stated. “No, I’m serious — right before naughty time comes,” she added. “Welcome to being a celebrity in Hollywood nowadays. It’s true though nowadays, hashtags, real life, they change the dynamic of having an intimate relationship with somebody.” Candace Cameron Bure Spills She Felt ‘Pressured’ To Represent Conservatives On ‘The View’, Reveals She Still Suffers From ‘PTSD’ Raven-Symoné Believes She Was ‘Catfished’ When Joining ‘The View’ Anneliese Van Der Pol Claims ‘Racism’ Played a Part in Initial ‘That’s So Raven’ Casting The Disney Channel alum, who tied the knot in 2020, shared what it was like to ask Pearman-Maday to sign the legal documents. “We were in New York. We were in this outdoor French type of restaurant, and my mom had been bugging me,” she noted. “She was like, ‘You got to get it signed. I’m like, ‘She’s from the industry.’ And my mom was bugging me.” “I was really reluctant because I knew something was different about Miranda,” she added. Pearman-Maday immediately felt a spark the That’s So Raven alum, which is why she didn’t “understand” why she needed to fill out the paperwork in the first place. Ultimately, Pearman-Maday came around. “We both were like, ‘This takes away the genuineness of it all, but we also understood that we live in Hollywood.’ She knows who she is. So she did it,” she shared. @ravensymone/Instagram Never miss a story — sign up for the OK! newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what OK! has to offer. It’s gossip too good to wait for! These days, the singer is happier than ever with her lady. “Miranda, she talks differently,” she gushed. “She asks me questions like I’ve never been asked before but then has wonderful conversation to go with it after — no judgment. She has her own flaws that she’s allowing me to help her with and vice versa.” View the full article

Published by DPA Our memory of events during lockdown is on a similar level to prison inmates, according to new reseach showing that many who stayed at home during the pandemic struggle to recall the timing of events. Fabian Strauch/dpa Stay at home, “meet” on Zoom, no travel beyond 5km, no pub or cinema or football or school, hospital treatments cancelled or put back, holidays out of the question, flatten the curve. For many people, after a couple of weeks of the Covid lockdown routine, days merged as a fugue of repetitiveness and lethargy clouded minds and memories. Life went on though, and with it some attenuated versions of what otherwise would be remembered as big news: the last-ditch hammering out of a Brexit deal between Britain and the European Union, the blocking for months of the Suez Canal by a stricken container ship, the mushroom cloud explosion at a fertiliser factory in Beirut, to list a few headline-grabbers. But it turns out people struggle to recall the timing of such events, going by a survey carried out by Daria Pawlak and Arash Sahraie of the University of Aberdeen, the findings from which were published in May in the medical journal PLOS One. The respondents’ recollection of the timing of events that occurred in 2021, the year before the survey was carried out, was “just as inaccurate as for events that occurred three to four years earlier” and resembled a level of recall for “those previously reported for prison inmates.” “Accurate recollection of event timing requires ‘anchoring’ life events, such as birthday celebrations and vacations, which were lacking during Covid-19 lockdowns,” said Pawlak and Sahraie. “In other words, many participants had difficulty recalling the timing of events coinciding with Covid-19 lockdowns,” the team said, describing the findings as echoing previous research that showed how “the social isolation resulting from Covid-19 lockdowns significantly impacted people’s activities and emotions.” “Prior research has shown that the pandemic triggered distortions in people’s perception of time,” they added. While the restrictions were justified by governments as a means of slowing the spread of Covid-19, “little attention was paid to the consequences that pandemic related restrictions might have on the psychological well-being of individuals,” the team wrote. Participants were asked to complete “standard evaluations” in the survey, covering categories “related to mental health, including levels of boredom, depression, and resilience,” with those who “made more errors in event timing” at the same time “more likely to show greater levels of depression, anxiety, and physical mental demands during the pandemic,” the researchers explained. View the full article

Published by Radar Online @KourtniFaber/TikTok; Mega Disney came under fire this week from conservative critics after a male employee donned a dress and makeup, RadarOnline.com has learned. The uproar first started when a Disneyland employee, identified only as Nick, was featured in a TikTok video during one family’s visit to the Anaheim, California amusement park. @kourtnifaber A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep #disneyland #bibbidibobbidiboutique #corememory ♬ original sound – Kourtni “So, my name is Nick, I am one of the Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices,” the seemingly male employee, who was seen wearing blue and purple eyeshadow as well as a matching uniform dress, said. “I’m here to shop you around and make all your selections for the day,” the employee continued as he welcomed a young girl to the park’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Mega But while the TikTok video garnered more than seven million views, the clip also caused a backlash against Disney from a host of conservative critics who did not like that a seemingly male employee was wearing both makeup and a dress while working at the park. “A man in drag is not only bizarre and inappropriate but it takes guests out of the ‘show’ – the illusion is broken,” fumed one Twitter user. “Nothing matters but the agenda and your 4 yo is a pawn they are happy to mindflay.” Ex-‘General Hospital’ Star Ingo Rademacher Accuses Disney Of Refusing To Hand Over Internal Communications In Battle Over Vaccine Mandate Johnny Depp Set For ‘Pirates’ Return? Margot Robbie Reveals Disney Nixed Female-Led Spin-Off Megyn Kelly Blasts Disney For Letting ‘Wokesters’ Influence Decision To Close Splash Mountain Due To Ride’s Racial Undertones “What’s particularly interesting about this is how intentional it is. This is a dude with a mustache in a dress. Not a ‘trans’ person,” added conservative political commentator Dave Rubin. “Think how many real girls want that job at Disney and they gave it to him for a reason…” “This is disgusting and wrong,” tweeted Jenna Ellis, a lawyer who previously worked for former President Donald Trump. “I remember when the ‘Disney Look’ didn’t even let women wear certain nail polish colors. Now THIS?!” Mega Although Disney has not yet responded to the conservative backlash against their Anaheim amusement park, the company did announce last summer that – in an effort to encourage inclusivity – the “Fairy Godmother in Training” title would be ditched in favor of “Fair Godmother’s Apprentices.” The change was reportedly made to benefit Disneyland cast members who might not identify as female. Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free. Mega “This way, cast members that might not identify as female can still be part of the process to dress up and style the children without having to refer to themselves as a female Disney character,” Disney said in a statement in July 2022. The $160 billion entertainment corporation came under fire then, with many former Disney fans calling for boycotts of the company’s various amusement parks and movies. “May you never suffer the same destruction of your legacy that poor Walt has,” Red State editor Brandon Morse said at the time. View the full article

Published by OK Magazine Andy Cohen is telling all of the behind-the-scenes secrets from the 2021 Keeping Up With the Kardashians reunion. While appearing on the Tuesday, May 30, episode of the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, the media mogul spilled the tea on the conversations he had with the famous family that never made it to air. mega “I will say that there was so much more — if there could ever be a director’s cut or my cut, I think people would be really surprised,” Cohen told Amanda Hirsch of the unseen footage from their sit down. “We had very frank conversations about plastic surgery.” “There was a moment where I was grilling Kim [Kardashian] and she was being really PC,” the Watch What Happens Live host explained. “She finally said, ‘Look we’re not going to use this but I’m going to tell you right now,’ and she gave it to me straight. It was something about her former friend or someone who was not apart of her circle.” Mega Teresa Giudice Claims Joe and Melissa Gorga Were the Ones Who Put Her in Jail During Explosive ‘RHONJ’ Reunion Trailer — Watch Andy Cohen Asks Online Trolls to Stop Hating on Tom Sandoval Despite ‘VPR’ Star’s ‘Asinine’ Affair: ‘He Didn’t Kill Anyone’ Teresa Giudice Backtracks After Accusing Caroline Manzo of Putting Her in Jail, Blames Melissa Gorga: ‘I Think You Did’ Cohen went on to say that The Kardashians stars have ownership of the footage and always have approval over the final cut — therefore, the videos will never see the light of day. Still, the Bravo boss did question the ladies during the special about the work they have or haven’t had. “Everyone says, ‘Oh, my gosh she’s had her third face transplant!’ But I’ve had one nose job — Dr. Raj Kanodia,” Khloé Kardashian said while shouting out her doctor. mega Never miss a story — sign up for the OK! newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what OK! has to offer. It’s gossip too good to wait for! “Everyone gets so upset, like why don’t I talk about it? No one’s ever asked me. You’re the first person in an interview [who’s] ever asked me about my nose,” the Good American co-founder told Cohen. “I’ve done, sure, injections – not really Botox. I’ve responded horribly to Botox.” “When the show first started, I was very secure, very secure,” she continued of why she changed her appearance. “Then, during the first couple seasons I became insecure because of the public opinions of myself. Then, I had a good run of being secure. Then, recently I’ve become now insecure again. So I guess it just goes up and down.” View the full article

Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Federal prosecutors have a 2021 audio recording of former President Donald Trump acknowledging he kept a classified Pentagon document about a possible attack on Iran after leaving the White House, CNN reported on Wednesday. CNN did not listen to the recording but cited unidentified multiple sources describing it. Reuters was not able to confirm the report. The recording shows Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, understood he retained classified material after he left the White House in 2021, according to the cable television network. Trump’s remarks indicated he would like to share the information but was aware of the limitations on his ability to declassify documents after leaving office, two sources told CNN. A Trump representative did not immediately return a request for comment. Peter Carr, the spokesman for Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office at the Justice Department, also did not immediately comment. Smith is investigating Trump’s handling of classified documents, as well as efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Kanishka Singh; editing by Tim Ahmann) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Diane Bartz WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A former employee of Amazon.com’s Ring doorbell camera unit spied for months on female customers in 2017 with cameras placed in bedrooms and bathrooms, the Federal Trade Commission said in a court filing on Wednesday when it announced a $5.8 million settlement with the company over privacy violations. Amazon also agreed to pay $25 million to settle allegations it violated children’s privacy rights when it failed to delete Alexa recordings at the request of parents and kept them longer than necessary, according to a court filing in federal court in Seattle that outlined a separate settlement. The FTC settlements are the agency’s latest effort to hold Big Tech accountable for policies critics say place profits from data collection ahead of privacy. The FTC is also probing Amazon.com’s $1.7 billion deal to buy iRobot Corp, which was announced in August 2022 in Amazon’s latest push into smart home devices, and has a separate antitrust probe underway into Amazon. Amazon, which purchased Ring in April 2018, pledged to make some changes in its practices. “While we disagree with the FTC’s claims regarding both Alexa and Ring, and deny violating the law, these settlements put these matters behind us,” Amazon.com said in a statement. The FTC said Ring gave employees unrestricted access to customers’ sensitive video data: “As a result of this dangerously overbroad access and lax attitude toward privacy and security, employees and third-party contractors were able to view, download, and transfer customers’ sensitive video data.” In one instance in 2017, an employee of Ring viewed videos made by at least 81 female customers and Ring employees using Ring products. “Undetected by Ring, the employee continued spying for months,” the FTC said. A colleague noticed the misconduct and the employee was eventually terminated, the FTC complaint said. In May 2018, an employee gave information about a customer’s recordings to the person’s ex-husband without consent, the complaint said. In another instance, an employee was found to have given Ring devices to people and then watched their videos without their knowledge, the FTC said. As part of the FTC agreement with Ring, which expires after 20 years, Ring is required to disclose to customers how much access to their data the company and its contractors have. In February 2019, Ring changed its policies so that most Ring employees or contractors could only access a customer’s private video with that person’s consent. FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya told Reuters the settlements should send a message to tech companies that their need to collect data was not an excuse to break the law. “This is a very clear signal to them,” he said. The fines, totaling $30.8 million, represent a fraction of Amazon’s $3.2 billion first-quarter profit. In its complaint against Amazon.com filed in Washington state, the FTC said that it violated rules protecting children’s privacy and rules against deceiving consumers who used Alexa. For example, the FTC complaint says that Amazon told users it would delete voice transcripts and location information upon request, but then failed to do so. “The unlawfully retained voice recordings provided Amazon with a valuable database for training the Alexa algorithm to understand children, benefiting its bottom line at the expense of children’s privacy,” the FTC said. (Reporting by Diane Bartz and David Shepardson; Editing by Anna Driver and Deepa Babington) View the full article

On Tuesday, Tan France, one of the stars of Netflix’s Queer Eye, announced that he had welcomed his second child with his husband, Rob France. France shared the news on his Instagram account, posting a photo of himself holding the newborn’s hand. He did not disclose the gender or name of the child but expressed his excitement and gratitude in the caption. This is the second child for France and his husband, who welcomed their first child, a son named Ismail, in 2019. The couple has been open about their experiences with surrogacy, and France has spoken publicly about the challenges and joys of fatherhood. Fans and supporters congratulated the couple on social media, sending well wishes and love to their growing family. France has been known for his fashion and style expertise on Queer Eye as well as partnering with Gigi Hadid on “Netflix’s Next in Fashion” a platform he’s leveraged to further advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation as well as his efforts to make the world look better in clothes. France shared the news on his Instagram account, posting a photo of himself holding the newborn’s hand. Congratulations to Tan France and his growing family! View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Neil Patrick Harris is looking forward to turning 50. The 49-year-old actor will celebrate his landmark birthday on June 15, and Neil insists that he’s excited about the next “chapter” in his life. He told PEOPLE: “I’m not going anywhere. To me, 50 is chapter two.” Neil co-produces his new Hulu series, ‘Drag Me to Dinner’, with his husband David Burtka, and the Hollywood star admits that he has actually enjoyed the experience of working behind the camera. Reflecting on the experience, Neil – who also co-hosts the series, which sees drag queens host themed dinner parties – said: “We’ve spent a lot of our lives as actors, so it’s nice that in this next chapter of our adult lives we get to be the painter and not just a colour on the palette. “[We] designed [the show] for people to appreciate these drag performers.” Neil shot to fame as a child actor, after being discovered at a drama summer camp. However, the ‘How I Met Your Mother’ star previously insisted that he’s never really been motivated by fame. Speaking to the Guardian newspaper in 2021, Neil explained: “I love process. I’ve always really been most excited about learning how things work. Fame is a bit of an ether fog and you can get overwhelmed by the treatment, as opposed to the work. “I loved being in an apartment building I’d never been in, in a town I’d never been in, and meeting people. I don’t think I was ever really caught up in the size of my dressing room or my salary or getting free sweaters from Adidas. When you get lost into that world, fame fleets, right?” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon starts her day with a spliff and cup of tea. The 26-year-old model added she has smoked marijuana since childhood, when she would sneak onto the roof of her Queen of Pop mum’s house to light up. She said in a cover interview for The Face magazine: when asked what the first thing she does when she wakes in the morning: “I make a London fog tea. (Earl Grey with vanilla and steamed milk.)” When she was told by the interviewer she actually looks at her phone first, Lourdes admitted: “Oh, well, yeah, I look at my phone! Obviously that’s what everyone does, and it’s such a bad habit. “OK, I look on my phone, I make my Earl Grey and I have my spliff.” She added about her childhood: “I would sneak up to the roof to smoke a spliff, but I wouldn’t sneak out.” But Lourdes insisted she wasn’t that rebellious, and when asked if she ever had a curfew, added: “There was no curfew to be had because there was no going out.” She said she did not start going out until her Cuban actor dad Carlos Leon, 56, “would let me go hang out with my friends sometimes on the weekends”. Lourdes added: “But I really wouldn’t consider that going out. I never went to a club until I was 19, 20 years old. I was in Michigan for a year, then I came back to New York, and that’s when I started to step out.” The model, who is a rising singer and last year released her debut EP ‘Go’ added one of her favourite artists is Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. She said about the 54-year-old: “There’s something about Thom Yorke that makes me go crazy, I just don’t understand it. “I’ve always felt this way, since I was young – he’s so beautifully scatter brained in a way where you’re like, ‘Where the f*** did that come from?’ “And then it all ends up making sense once the whole song is together. He literally will go from storytelling – writing about something very specific – to just using random words and sentences and stringing them together. I’m obsessed with him.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Ben Platt has got engaged to his fiancé Noah Galvin for the second time. ‘The Book of Mormon’ star, 29, showed off a diamond engagement ring on his Instagram Story on Monday (29.05.23) after ‘The Real O’Neals’ sitcom actor Noah, also 29, first proposed to him in November. Displaying a sapphire ring that is similar to the one Ben gave Noah in 2022, he said: “He proposed back.” He also posted a photo of their dog holding a red rose in his mouth, alongside which Ben wrote: “I said yes.” Noah joked on Instagram about their dog, who Ben calls Georgie: “GEORGE DID THE ASKING.” The pair also celebrated the second engagement with a cake that said: “Gay marriage is cool.” Ben captioned a series of Instagram snaps in November initially announcing their engagement, which happened at a restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn: “He agreed to hang out forever.” Noah added on his Instagram: “I said yeehaw and then cried for like 7 hours.” In one image, the couple were surrounded by a floral display adorned with candles. The pair have each played the lead role in the Broadway show ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, and after Ben stepped down from the part, Noah took over – sparking a friendship that lasted years before they became boyfriends during the Covid pandemic. Ben told Kelly Clarkson in an interview: “We were friends for five years, and right before the pandemic, we finally decided to really give it a shot. “We kind of skated around it for a long time.” The actor added in a chat with Out magazine he had finally found a partner “that I really love”. He said: “(Noah) has a really unique ability to help me to… be present where I am and to make the life that’s happening day to day too wonderful to not want to be on the ground for it.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega Popular fast food franchise Chick-fil-A faced backlash from conservative customers after the restaurant’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy went viral online, RadarOnline.com has learned. Conservatives rallied against the restaurant’s slogan to “Eat Mor Chikin” and called for a boycott, making Chick-fil-A the next major brand to land on the culture war chopping block. mega Chick-fil-A joined Bud Light, Nike and Target, on the ever-growing list of companies that conservatives have found issue with. Bud Light and Nike were slammed for partnering with influencer Dylan Mulvaney, a trans woman, on sponsored social media posts. Most recently, Target employees were being harassed by customers who were outraged over the retailer’s annual Pride collection, which celebrated the LGBTQ+ community during the month of June. Despite Chick-fil-A’s well-known dedication to its founder’s conservative Christian values, loyal consumers took to social media to condemn the fast food joint over a DEI employment policy. mega Gov. Gavin Newsom Considering Appointing Oprah Winfrey as Dianne Feinstein’s Senate Replacement: Report ‘What is She Doing Here?’ Dianne Feinstein, 89, Forgot the Role of Vice-President Kamala Harris in the Senate as New Details of Democrat’s Sad Decline Emerge Target Staffers Facing Angry ‘Threats’ Over Annual Pride Collection, Displays Moved Due to ‘Volatile Circumstances’ “Everything good must come to an end,” read a tweet from Citizens for Renewing America executive chairman Wade Miller. “Here @ChickfilA is stating it’s [sic] commitment to systemic racism, sexism, and discrimination. I cannot support such a thing.” Miller’s tweet included a link to Chick-fil-A’s website, where their DEI policy was listed. “One of our core values at Chick-fil-A, Inc. is that we are better together,” the fast food restaurant’s website stated. “When we combine our unique backgrounds and experiences with a culture of belonging, we can discover new ways to strengthen the quality of care we deliver: to customers, to the communities we serve and to the world.” mega While the restaurant’s statement did not specially call out “systematic racism,” Miller and his supporters suggested that a sinister message was there, if one read between the lines. When asked if he read Chick-fil-A’s full statement, Miller bizarrely responded, “It’s the sanitized version of DEI. To affirm DEI, whether reluctantly or not, is to affirm systemic racism, sexism, and discrimination.” mega Despite criticism, Miller’s post sparked a visceral reaction from supporters, who vowed to never eat the famous chicken sandwich again. “Ya, they are dead to me. You either stick to your principals or you conform. Guess we now know where they stand,” read one tweet in response to Miller’s post. Another chimed in that, “We don’t need fast-food anyway,” while others cried that Chick-fil-A had “caved to the woke mob.” View the full article

Published by The Mercury News SAN JOSE, Calif. — Margaret Cho isn’t the only comedy legend to hail from the Bay Area, but she might be the angriest. She grew up in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Francisco and began her comedy career doing sets at a local club across from the bookstore her family owned on Polk and California streets. After a few years in stand-up, Cho got her big break as the star of “All-American Girl,” a 1994 ABC sitcom based on her comedy routine. While the show was canceled after a short run, and some disruptions to her career ensued, Cho is a fighter who refuses to stay down for long. After 40 yea… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA Lil Nas X has demanded a lawsuit accusing him of throwing a massive party at a Los Angeles rental home without permission be thrown out of court — arguing he had received permission, RadarOnline.com has learned. According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, Lil Nas X [real name Montero Hill] has asked a judge to dismiss all claims against him in the case brought by a man named Daniel Fitzgerald. MEGA In his complaint, filed back in February, Fitzgerald said he owned the home in question. He claimed to have leased out the pad with the rule the tenants could not throw a party. Fitzgerald sued Lil Nas X and musicianZedd, who also performed at a massive party with over 1,000 people. Fitzgerald claimed the musicians were paid $250k each for the show. The homeowner saidLil Nas X, Zedd, and the event organizers were all aware the “no party” rule but still went through with the April 2022 party. Fitzgerald said the party upset his neighbors and caused trouble with local officials — along with causing $25k in damage to his home. MEGA Little Nas X And Coldplay Cancel Performances For 2021 Jingle Ball Show After Team Members Test Positive For COVID-19 Boosie Makes Disgusting Homophobic Remarks Against Lil Nas X, Suggests He Should ‘Commit Suicide’ Landlord Demanding Lil Nas X Pay Him $1 Million Over Wild House Party Accused Of Attending Event He’s Suing Over & Taking Photos With Rapper He said the partygoers thrashed his chairs, sofas, walls and ceilings. The homeowner said he was unable to rent the property for one month due to repairs which cost him $40k. Fitzgerald’s lawsuit demanded $1 million in damages. MEGA As we first reported, one of the party promoters demanded the case be dismissed. The company claimed Fitzgerald consented to the acts he now complains about. In court documents, a rep for the company accused the landlord of attending the party and taking photos with Lil Nas X. “[Fitzgerald] assumed the risk that he would suffer damages by allowing the party at the home,” the response reads. MEGA Now, Lil Nas X filed his official response denying all allegations of wrongdoing. He said he had consent from the leaseholders or tenants of the property to hold a birthday party. The rapper argued the home was cleaned and repaired before they left. Lil Nas X said any damage was caused by third parties who he then countersued. His cross-complaint was filed against Mike Galem, Craig Franze, Giorgios Alexatos, George Anisimowg, Noah Mckinney and Chris Sauickie. He claimed they provided consent to use the property. The musician argued that [Fitzgerald] was aware his tenants had given consent to these answering Defendants to hold the birthday party at the property and that the property was professionally cleaned afterward, leaving the property in better condition than it was before the party.” Lil Nas X has demanded the entire case be thrown out immediately. View the full article

Published by Raw Story The leader of a gun-worshipping religious sect has joined the growing ranks of MAGA rappers under the name “King Bullethead.” Pastor Hyung-Jin “Sean” Moon, who heads the Rod of Iron Ministries, is turning his far-right sermons into rap videos to spread extremist messages about LGBTQ people and other topics, reported Vice News, although YouTube took down his channel when asked for comment. “Did you hear about this group called LGTBQ/You may have heard them in your school or even your church pew/They are telling our kids they can switch to any gender/Taking hormones slicing organs like they’re p… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Yvie Oddly claimed it took “over a year” to receive her $100k cash prize in a series of explosive tweets, RadarOnline.com has learned, revealing that while the show is known for its glitz and glamor, not all is glittering behind the scenes. “The drag artists are and have ALWAYS been the lifeblood of what makes this franchise great,” the season 11 contestant wrote via Twitter on Tuesday, praising what each star brings to the table including the viral “looks, catchphrases, and memes,” as well as top-tier reality drama. mega Oddly (real name: Jovan Jordan Bridges) said that while the showcasing of talented queer stars has helped the community, the show and its producers are “ignoring the irreparable damage they cause, and creating a chokehold monopoly on how drag artists can succeed.” “They f— with real people’s lives, career opportunities, and health. They drive themselves home in their luxury cars when their contestants are sleep-deprived, depressed, and DRASTICALLY underpaid for their contributions to the cultural phenomenon,” the TV sensation claimed. “The producers are often the greediest, most-calculating, capitalist culture thieves.” ‘Rock Bottom!’ ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Admits Meth Relapse, Rehab Stint ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Cherry Valentine’s Cause Of Death Revealed ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Shangela Accused of Rape by ‘We’re Here’ Crew Member, Drag Queen Denies ‘Totally Untrue’ Allegations A bombshell report from Vice in 2021 said that contestants have to shell out a lot of dough when they appear on the show. Several former stars and the designers who dressed them said it’s normal for people to spend anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 to stand out from the competition and wow the judges. “I did not spend a lot of money,” 2016 winner Bob the Drag Queen confessed at the time. “I realistically spent maybe, maybe $3,000 to go on Drag Race.” DragRace producer RuPaulmega It was noted she later spent an additional $3,000 on her two finale looks. “If I went back on Drag Race now, I’d probably be spending $20 – 40,000,” the former contestant said. Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free. mega The negatives unfortunately came with the territory, Oddly tweeted, making it clear that she is still “so thankful for Drag Race” and the positive impact it had on her life. RadarOnline.com has reached out to a show representative for comment. View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega;@anthonyebass/instagram Jessie James Decker‘s brother-in-law is apologizing for his offensive social media posts. MLB star Anthony Bass was slammed by the public after sharing an anti-LGBTQ+ video on his Instagram Story on Monday, May 29, that called for boycotts of inclusive brands like Bud Light and Target — who have been honoring Pride month with their recent campaigns. mega On Tuesday, May 30, the Toronto Blue Jays player — who is married to the country star’s sister Sydney Rae Bass — issued an apology in front of reporters for his insensitive post. “I recognize yesterday I made a post that was hurtful to the Pride community, which includes friends of mine and close family members of mine. I am truly sorry for that,” Bass stated. @anthonyebass/instagram Jessie James Decker Hits Back at Mommy Shamers With Sexy Bikini Snap After Being Told to ‘Cover Up’ Jessie James Decker Reveals Whether Or Not She & Husband Eric Want More Kids Jessie James Decker Admits She & Eric Decker Are Intimate ‘Multiple Times A Week’: ‘Super Healthy For Marriages’ “I just spoke with my teammates and shared with them my actions yesterday,” he explained. “I apologized [to] them, and as of right now I am using the Blue Jays’ resources to better educate myself to make better decisions moving forward. The ballpark is for everybody. We include all fans at the ballpark. We want to welcome everybody. That’s all I have to say.” In a statement issued by the team, they made it clear that Bass’ stance has nothing to do with the organization. “The Blue Jays bring millions of fans together across Canada and are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all,” they stated, noting that “demonstrations of allyship all month long around the ballpark” for the month of June. mega Never miss a story — sign up for the OK! newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what OK! has to offer. It’s gossip too good to wait for! “We’re not going to pretend like this never happened,” the team manager, John Schneider, explained to reporters. “We’re not going to pretend like it’s the end and move on. There are definitely more steps that are going to follow.” Bass was drafted by the San Diego Padres and started in the MLB in 2008. In 2016, he wed Decker’s sibling, and the couple share three children together. The Toronto Star obtained the statement from the Toronto Blue Jays. View the full article

Published by AlterNet U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) exploded in a committee hearing on child care on Wednesday after he introduced a book designed to help children understand race, and declared he opposes socialism and wants schools to teach about Jesus Christ instead. Sen. Mullin, a former U.S. Congressman who once told a House Democrat to “shut up,”began by explaining how expensive it is for private companies to set up child care – the topic of the hearing – but quickly transformed the hearing into one on race, socialism, and religion. He wove a web that started with his concerns over “federalizing” educat… Read More View the full article

Published by The Spun By Andrew McCarty ESPN has found itself in the middle of a controversy as its employees argue about transgender athletes in sports. Former NFL Live host Sam Ponder made it clear she does not think transgender athletes belong in women’s sports. Sarah Spain then responded with an article from Nancy Armour suggesting Ponder is bigoted against transgender women. Ponder responded in a tweet suggesting she’s not bigoted, but clearly doesn’t support transgender athletes. “Biology is not bigotry. Loving people does not require the absence of boundaries,” Ponder wrote. While its employees duel outside … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Fox’s White House correspondent Peter Doocy is known for causing a multitude of responses from President Joe Biden with questions. In Jan. 2023, the two clashed after classified documents were found in Biden’s garage. Doocy implied that his case was the same as Donald Trump, however, Biden ensured documents were immediately returned to the National Archives or other government agencies. Trump refused to turn his over until a subpoena was enforced by a search warrant. In another incident, Biden was caught on a hot microphone trashing Doocy for “stupid” questions. On Monday, Doocy probed Biden a… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Jesse Tyler Ferguson has encouraged Sarah Hyland to enjoy married life “for a few years” before having children. The 47-year-old actor – who has Beckett, two, and Sullivan, six months, with his husband Justin Mikita – has urged his former ‘Modern Family’ co-star to delay starting a family. He told Us Weekly: “I would say, ‘Just be married for a few years.’ That’s what Justin and I did. We said, ‘Let’s do, like, five years of just being married, just the two of us, and then we’ll talk about kids.’ Hopefully that’s what they’re doing. But if they wanna (get started), I’m here for advice.” Jesse also revealed that he doesn’t plan to have any more children. He shared: “It sort of just worked out that two boys were what made sense for us. I think we’re done. I think two is it for us.” Meanwhile, Sarah recently revealed that she’s loving married life. The actress told E! News: “He’s a wonderful, wonderful husband. “I think he has to compromise – and it has been our entire relationship – of my multiple alarms in the morning.” Sarah explained that their relationship hasn’t actually changed since they tied the knot. The actress – who married Wells Adams in 2022 – said: “We were together for so long and went through a pandemic. “We were engaged for a really long time before we were able to get married, so I think the greatest thing about our marriage is that nothing has changed – other than a woman at a bar seeing his ring.” Sarah and Wells tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at a California vineyard. The loved-up couple were joined on their big day by some of Sarah’s former ‘Modern Family’ co-stars, including Sofia Vergara and Jesse. Sofia, 50, even posted some behind-the-scenes photos from the wedding on her Instagram account. The actress captioned one of the images: “#sarahandwells wedding.” View the full article

Published by Reuters KAMPALA (Reuters) -Uganda on Tuesday condemned the Western response to the East African country’s new anti-LGBTQ law, considered one of the harshest in the world, and said sanctions threats from donors amounted to “blackmail”. The law signed by President Yoweri Museveni carries the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, an offence that includes transmitting HIV through gay sex. Its enactment, announced on Monday, drew immediate rebukes from Western governments and puts in jeopardy some of the billions of dollars in foreign aid the country receives each year. U.S. President Joe Biden threatened aid cuts and other sanctions, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the government would consider visa restrictions against Ugandan officials. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the law would impact Uganda’s ties with international partners. In the Ugandan government’s first detailed comments since Museveni signed the law, Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi rejected the condemnation. “We do not consider homosexuality as a constitutional right. It is just a sexual deviation which we do not promote as Ugandans and Africans,” he told Reuters. “While we appreciate the support we get from partners, they must be reminded that we are a sovereign country and we do not legislate for the Western world. We legislate for our own people here in Uganda. So that kind of blackmail is not acceptable.” Ugandan activists and lawyers filed a lawsuit on Monday against the law. They said it encourages discrimination and stimgmatisation and allege it was passed without meaningful public participation. In an interview, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told Reuters he expects the courts to agree. “I hope that the judiciary is going to look into it and I can tell you, if they look at human rights law, their own constitution, they will find it in violation of it,” Turk said, describing the law as “devastating”. He did not elaborate on which aspect of the constitution had been violated. Asked about alleged breaches of international law, a spokesperson later added: “a whole range”, saying these included the rights to equality, non-discrimination and to life. France’s TotalEnergies, which is developing a $3.5 billion oil pipeline between Uganda and Tanzania, told Reuters on Tuesday that its CEO had expressed the company’s views on the bill to Museveni before he signed it. “Respect for others is a core value at TotalEnergies,” a spokesperson said. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Alison Williams, Aaron Ross and Nick Macfie) View the full article