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Published by The Street By Tom Bemis The Los Angeles Dodgers have been caught up in a PR nightmare in recent weeks. The team first invited, then disinvited, then re-invited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to attend its 10th annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night on June 16. DON’T MISS: Elon Musk Scores a Big Win The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a human rights group dedicated to achieving equality for the LQBTQ+ community. They’ve been credited for helping raise both awareness and finances to help with causes such as AIDS awareness and gender equality. However, their means of action have been described as anti-Christian… Read More View the full article

Published by The New Voice Read also: Petition for Pantheon of Ukraine’s Heroes at Askold’s Grave in Kyiv gets 25,000 signatures In the petition, several civil organizations urged the president to support Bill № 9103 on the institution of registered partnerships and ask the Ukrainian Parliament to pass it as soon as possible. “Overcoming severe trials, the Ukrainian state has consciously chosen to move towards European standards, the foundation of which are three fundamental values of the Council of Europe — democracy, rule of law, and human rights,” Zelenskyy’s message said. “European law assumes that respect and prote… Read More View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — Michael Sasso, a Central Florida attorney, has resigned from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Disney World governing board he joined earlier this year. Sasso was one of five members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s Board of Supervisors, the governor-appointed board at the center of DeSantis’ dispute with Disney. Sasso has not publicly given a reason for his resignation. On Tuesday, DeSantis elevated his wife, Meredith Sasso, to the Florida Supreme Court. She was the chief judge of the Sixth District Circuit Court of Appeal. Spectrum News 13first reported Sasso’s resignatio… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters MADRID (Reuters) – Killer whales severely damaged a sailing boat off the coast of southern Spain, the local maritime rescue service said on Thursday, adding to dozens of orca attacks on vessels recorded so far this year on Spanish and Portuguese coasts. In the early hours of Thursday, a group of orcas broke the rudder and pierced the hull after ramming into the Mustique on its way to Gibraltar, prompting its crew of four to contact Spanish authorities for help, a spokesman for the maritime rescue service said. The service deployed a rapid-response vessel and a helicopter carrying a bilge pump to assist the 20-metre (66 feet) vessel, which was sailing under a British flag, he added. The Mustique was towed to the port of Barbate, in the province of Cadiz, for repairs. According to the research group GTOA, which tracks populations of the Iberian orca sub-species, the incident follows at least 20 interactions this month alone in the Strait of Gibraltar between small vessels and the highly social apex predators. In 2022, there were 207 reported interactions, GTOA data showed. Earlier in May, the sailing yacht Alboran Champagne suffered a similar impact from three orcas half a nautical mile off Barbate. The ship could not be towed as it was completely flooded and was left adrift to sink. Guidelines issued by the Spanish Transport Ministry stipulate that whenever ships observe any alteration in the behaviour of orcas – such as sudden changes of direction or speed – they should leave the area as soon as possible and avoid further disturbance to the animals during the manoeuvres. Every interaction between a ship and an orca must be reported to authorities, the ministry added. Although known as killer whales, endangered orcas are part of the dolphin family. They can measure up to eight metres and weigh up to six tonnes as adults. (Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Charlie Devereux and Barbara Lewis) View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) A video of a trans woman in Milan being pepper sprayed, kicked and beaten by three police officers has caused a stir in Italy, with many drawing a link between the incident and growing transphobic rhetoric in the country. The footage shows officers repeatedly hitting the woman, a Brazilian national, as she sits on the ground without showing any kind of resistance. She raises up her arms and takes off her glasses. Then receives one last blow to the head before an officer finally handcuffs her. The facts surrounding the incident, which happened on Wednesday, are still vague. Italian media report… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA Madonna has plans to make her upcoming Celebration tour memorable and sources said she hopes to get arrested on stage, RadarOnline.com has learned. Sources revealed Madonna, 64, who once posed in handcuffs for her coffee-table book Sex, has big plans for her final stadium tour — including getting locked up. MEGA “Madonna still knows how to press people’s buttons and enjoys it!” said a source. “She knows her success has as much to do with her ability to shock as with her talent, and that’s why she’s preparing to be arrested while performing with drag queens in Tennessee, where they have laws about it. To be slapped in cuffs onstage would be the highlight of her career.” Back in the ‘90s, Madonna was nearly arrested during her Blonde Ambition tour. During her set, the pop star simulated a sexual act while singing Like A Virgin. MEGA In May 1990, Madonna was scheduled to perform at Toronto’s SkyDome. Law enforcement arrived at the venue to inform Madonna’s team that if the singer performed the act in question, she would be arrested. Madonna famously responded, “I’m not changing my f—— show.” Madonna To ‘Slowly Dissolve’ Fillers Ahead Of Upcoming Tour After Backlash Over Appearance: Source Biopic Back On? Madonna Spotted With Julia Garner in NYC After ‘Inventing Anna’ Star Teases Project Return ‘The Chemistry Is Insane’: Madonna, 64, Getting ‘Ridiculously Close’ to Singer Maluma, 29, During Tour Rehearsal Last year, Madonna spoke about the issues during the tour. She revealed police had threatened to “arrest me three times” during the set of shows. “Police threatened to arrest me three times as I traveled around the world performing ‘Like a Virgin’ during the Blonde Ambition tour,” she wrote. “The Vatican canceled all my shows in Rome! See how I paved the road for you b—–??” MEGA The tour caused such controversy the Pope instructed followers not to attend Madonna’s concert. He labeled the show, “one of the most satanic shows in the history of humanity.” As RadarOnline.com first reported, insiders revealed Madonna has been taking preparation for this tour incredibly serious. Sources said Madonna even has plans to dissolve her face fillers to achieve a more natural look for when she appears on stage. MEGA “Madonna’s hinted she wants more natural look and might be willing to get some of the fillers dissolved to speed up the process,” said an insider. “She’s desperate to undo some of the fillers and work she’s had done before she embarks on her tour.” View the full article

Published by NJ.com DEAR ANNIE: I’m potentially facing an aggressive and lethal type of cancer (esophageal), for which I’m being biopsied next week. I’ve known about this for just a few weeks. My former pastor and his wife were my friends, though there’s been a noticeable distance in the last year. They helped me through my ex-hubby’s death, as I’d been caregiving for him for years and sharing a home. Then they helped my close friend while she was dying of cancer. Despite the year of much less contact, I still felt bonded to them and reached out to the pastor to help me with my illness and possible death. I wrote… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Hanna Rantala CANNES (Reuters) – The provocatively titled film “How to Have Sex,” about three British teen girls who go on holiday with the aim of drinking, clubbing and hooking up, won the top prize in the “Un Certain Regard” competition at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday. However, there was a slight hiccup: Molly Manning Walker was not in the room when the award for her debut feature was announced. The director was on her way back from Italy and running late from the airport – prompting jury president John C. Reilly to belt out a song to distract audiences during the wait. “I just ran here from Italy, guys,” said the British director, who was out of breath when she finally took the stage in a T-shirt and jogging shorts. “Hounds,” by Kamal Lazraq, about a father and son in Casablanca who have to deal with a kidnapping gone wrong, took the jury prize, while the first Sudanese film to be included in the Cannes official selection, “Goodbye Julia,” took the freedom award. “Un Certain Regard” is a competition focused on arthouse films that runs parallel to the main competition, the Palme d’Or, which will be announced on Saturday. (Reporting by Hanna Rantala, Writing by Miranda Murray; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) View the full article

Published by Tribune News Service Zachary Jeppsen started dancing when he was 4. His dad would make playlists, and Zachary would perform for whatever group of siblings or friends or grown-ups filled his family’s living room. Even at age 4, his talent was palpable enough that one of his mom’s friends urged her to enroll Zachary at The Dance Factory, a small studio in Delavan, Wisconsin, near the farm where he and his family lived. She followed her friend’s advice, and by seventh grade Zachary was performing with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s pre-professional program. He’d found his calling. His classmates at school, howeve… Read More View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Cher is offering some insight into how her good pal and fellow superstar Tina Turner spent her final years. Two days after the “Proud Mary” singer passed away at age 83, the mother-of-two shared a few details during a Thursday, May 25, appearance on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber. mega When Turner died, her rep revealed she was secretly battling a “long illness,” but the star’s health woes were nothing new to her inner circle. “I know everybody’s really sad, but the truth is … She fought this sickness for such a long time and she was so strong, as you would think she would be,” explained Cher, 77. “But towards the end, she told me once, she said, ‘I’m really ready. I just don’t want to put up with this anymore.’ She didn’t want to do it anymore.” mega Tina Turner Looked Proud of Her Life Accomplishments in Last Photo Shared by Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll Prior to Death Late Music Icon Tina Turner’s Cause of Death Revealed Tina Turner and Husband Bought $76 Million ‘Weekend Retreat’ Property in Switzerland Less Than 2 Years Before Her Death “I started going to visit her because I thought, ‘I need to put this time into this friendship so she knows that we haven’t forgotten her.’ So we kind of all took turns going and spending time with her. And it made her happy,” the music icon recalled. “And someone said, ‘When you two laugh together, it is the funniest thing,’ because we both have such distinct laughs. She was really happy.” 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! On one occasion, Turner started off the with low energy, but the girls wound up spending “five hours laughing like crazy,” Cher noted. “She was having a good time in spite of the fact that she was really sick and not wanting people to know about it,” she said. “But she had her dialysis machine in her house. So that’s how she was doing it.” mega As OK! reported, Turner’s rep confirmed her passing on Wednesday, May 24. “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock’n Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” the message read. One day later, it was revealed the Grammy winner died of natural causes. View the full article

Published by Reuters UK WARSAW (Reuters) – Right activists who published a directory of LGBT-friendly schools in Poland condemned on Friday a plan by a parliament-appointed official to inspect the establishments on the list, saying it could have a damaging effect on young people. LGBT rights are a deeply divisive issue in the predominantly Catholic country, and the ruling nationalist Law and Justice party has maintained its opposition to what it calls “LGBT ideology” in the run up to elections this year. The LGBTQplusME project, coordinated by activist Dominik Kuc, published an online ranking of schools in Poland on … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Reacting to a blunt-talking concurring opinion submitted by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh taking on the ruling authored by colleague Sam Alito, Loyola Law School Professor Jessica Levinson suggested in a new column for MSNBC there is the makings of a schism developing within the conservative majority court. At issue was the court severely limiting the ability of the government to enforce the Clean Water Act, with Kavanaugh agreeing with the ultimate decision, but siding with the liberal wing in pointing out that the court is making law instead of interpreting it. According to Levinson,… Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet Despite all his legal woes, far-right State Attorney General Ken Paxton has been a resilient figure in Texas politics. Paxton was indicated on criminal fraud charges in 2015 (the case still hasn’t gone to trial) and has been investigated by the FBI, yet he was elected to a third term in 2022. But Paxton’s luck may be running out now that he is facing impeachment in the Texas State Legislature. And his own wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton, may be among the fellow Republicans who helps decide his fate. The GOP-controlled Texas House of Representatives has passed 20 articles of impeachment against … Read More View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — In the small south-central Florida city of Sebring, a “Bearded Lady” contest almost got an upcoming Pride celebration canceled. “Is that not really another name for a drag queen show?” Sebring City Council Member Terry Mendel asked Highlands County LGBT+ Caucus director Christopher Davies during a May 16 public meeting. Davies was seeking approval for road closures for the fourth-annual Highlands County Pride Fest on June 11. “It does seem to me that this is going to result in inappropriate displays of sexuality in front of our children, so I’m very concerned about that,” Mende… Read More View the full article

[This post contains video, click to play] Dua’s Disco Daze Paves Way for Barbie 2023 Pop icon Dua Lipa has once again made her mark in the music industry with her new release “Dance the Night.” The song serves as the lead single for the highly anticipated Barbie movie, set for release in July 2023. Not only does she lend her voice to the soundtrack, but she also makes her acting debut in the film as Mermaid Barbie. Dua Lipa’s New Song “Dance the Night” is an upbeat disco-infused track that aligns perfectly with the distinct style you’ll know from Future Nostalgia. The song was announced just a few days before its release, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement online. With lyrics that encourage dancing and good times, this song is an automatic contender for Big Gay Song of Summer. In addition to being featured on the soundtrack for the Barbie movie, “Dance the Night” will likely be included on one of Lipa’s future albums. Disco isn’t dead; it’s alive and well Dua Lipa Appearance in Live-Action Barbie Movie Lipa will make her acting debut in the upcoming live-action Barbie movie alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film draws inspiration from disco culture and focuses on diverse characters who challenge society’s idea of perfection associated with Barbie dolls. In an interview with Variety magazine, Gerwig stated that “Barbie herself is too perfect…and so what you do is you create a character who has some edges,” hinting at how they have approached storytelling within their film. Lipa plays Mermaid Barbie alongside this unique cast of characters within the Barbie universe. The Barbie Movie Soundtrack The Barbie movie soundtrack features songs from various artists, including Nicki Minaj, Ava Max, and Ryan Gosling. Produced by Mark Ronson, the full tracklist has just been revealed (see below). In addition to Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night,” the film’s soundtrack will include other tracks with disco influences. The Barbie movie aims to challenge societal norms surrounding perfection while embracing diversity. By adding a diverse cast of characters alongside a disco-infused soundtrack featuring artists like Nicki Minaj and Ava Max, they are successfully pushing boundaries within pop culture. Dua and Donatella do Ibiza; Designs for Disco Dua Lipa treated fans to an incredible visual experience with her music video for “Dance the Night.” The video showcases Lipa’s unique style and commitment to pushing boundaries. The video, according to the label’s release, is a celebration of individuality, creativity, and self-expression. It features stunning outfits and comes out just as the singer’s collaboration with Donatella Versace goes public. In the second video above, a behind-the-scenes footage shows the work that went into creating each look for Lipa’s photo shoot in Ibiza and appearances at the Versace show in Southern France. The fashion-forward video is a must-watch for both fans of Dua Lipa and fashion enthusiasts alike. Disco – Alive & Thriving The full tracklist for the Barbie album is as follows: Lizzo – Pink Dua Lipa – Dance The Night Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice – Barbie World (with Aqua) Charli XCX – Speed Drive KAROL G – WATATI (feat. Aldo Ranks) TBA Tame Impala – Journey To The Real World Ryan Gosling – I’m Just Ken Dominic Fike – Hey Blondie HAIM – Home TBA The Kid LAROI – Forever & Again Khalid – Silver Platter PinkPantheress – Angel GAYLE – butterflies Ava Max – Choose Your Fighter FIFTY FIFTY – Barbie Dreams (feat. Kali) More Dua Lipa, Disco and Barbie View the full article

Published by DPA American actress Halle Bailey attends the UK Premiere of the live action re-imagining of The Little Mermaid, at Odeon Luxe. Ian West/PA Wire/dpa Do we really need a live-action version of “The Little Mermaid,” the 1989 animated Disney musical beloved by generations? Probably not. But is the new movie, directed by Rob Marshall and starring Halle Bailey as the titular mermaid Ariel who wants to be a human girl, nonetheless adorable? Absolutely. And did I, too old to have grown up with the original and presumably too jaded to be moved by singing mermaids, tear up a bit at the end? Well, yes, but you can blame Javier Bardem, who can do the gaze-of-a-loving-father thing to perfection, even when decked out with a merman tail. Marshall and Disney have, not surprisingly, employed an enormous budget for this endeavour, and the result is a film that feels far bigger, sometimes uncomfortably so, than its predecessor. (The animated film is 82 minutes; the new one is 135, despite having basically the same plotline.) The aquatic CGI is gorgeous and colorful and kind of a lot; it feels miraculous at first, with the mermaids’ floating hair and the iridescent fishtails, but after a while you start noticing that too many of these scenes are a bit murky, even for underwater. One glorious exception: “Under the Sea,” everyone’s favorite jam from this movie, rendered with Daveed Diggs’ joyous vocals as Sebastian the crab, and performed by an enchanting rainbow of sea creatures. But technology can only take you so far; what makes a Disney film work is heart, and Marshall’s found that in his impeccable cast. The voice trio of Diggs, Awkwafina (as Scuttle the sea bird) and Jacob Tremblay (as Ariel’s fish friend Flounder) are funny and charming; particularly Diggs, who brings world-weary wit to lines like “I’m an educated crustacean!” Bardem, without a lot of screen time, has a majestic presence as Ariel’s father, King Triton, as does the elegant Noma Dumezweni as a newly created character, the Queen. Melissa McCarthy, her voice pitched to a bottom-of-the-sea register and her eyebrows impeccably arched, deliciously vamps it up as the evil Ursula, having a ball with lines like “I’ll use her as a prawn in my little game.” (Did we know that McCarthy can sing like nobody’s business? She tackles Ursula’s signature song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” like she’s been waiting all her life to do so.) Jonah Hauer-King, a handsome fellow with a big singing voice, is the perfect romantic charmer as Prince Eric. And ultimately, the film rests comfortably on the artfully scaly shoulders of Bailey’s Ariel, a sea princess who needs no human male to save her, but who nonetheless pines for a life in the sunshine. Bailey gives a glowing performance of effortless starshine; her singing voice has both sweetness and power, and her smile is the sort on which dreams dance. Watching her gracefully somersaulting through the water — her silvery tail towed, at one point, by Sebastian’s tiny pincer — you can’t help feeling something not present enough on screens these days: joy. Maybe we did need this movie after all. View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega Rockstar Tina Turner planned her own funeral as she struggled to deal with complications from a kidney transplant— and she wanted it to be bigger than Aretha Franklin’s, RadarOnline.com has learned. A source revealed in 2018, “They were heated rivals in life, and Tina’s not about to let Aretha upstage her in death!” At the time, Tina was dealing with health issues months after her husband Erwin had donated his kidney. mega The singer said, “I don’t mind the thought of dying” and was determined to go out in style. The insider said Tina wanted to make sure her send-off “eclipses Aretha’s!” Franklin, long referred to as the Queen of Soul, died in 2018, still seething over Beyoncé dubbing Tina “The Queen” at the 2008 Grammy Awards. mega The Respect singer even had her publicist issue a statement labeling the remark a “cheap shot.” Tina tired back and said of Aretha, “Her ego must be so big to think she was the only one!” Sources revealed the icons feud actually began with rumors that Aretha had an affair with Tina’s abusive husband Ike Turner — before the couple’s 1978 divorce! Aretha and Ike allegedly continued to hook up into the ‘80s when Tina’s comeback album, Private Dancer, knocked Aretha off the charts! Tina Turner’s Passing: Friends and Family Worried for Singer’s Health Following Death of 62-year-old Son Ronnie in 2022 Tina Turner’s Husband Ike Death Secrets Exposed: Musician Ex Passed While Doing Drugs and Partying With Women Tina Turner’s Horrific Life With Ike: Broken Bones, Third-Degree Burns, Sex That Ended in Beatings mega “They NEVER had a good relationship,” said a source. Another insider said Tina saw her “swan song as an opportunity to kick a little dirt on her rival’s grave.” In 2018, a source said, “Tina’s picking out a designer wardrobe for her to wear while she’s lying in repose, a custom hearse, a string of top performers and an amazing gravesite that will overshadow Aretha’s!” “It will be Tina’s last and biggest show ever,” said the source. As RadarOnline.com previously reported, earlier this week, Tina’s rep confirmed the superstar had died. mega “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow,” the rep said. “Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.” View the full article

Published by Reuters By John Kruzel and Andrew Chung WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday put another dent in the regulatory reach of the Environmental Protection Agency, embracing a stringent new test for declaring wetlands protected under a landmark federal anti-pollution law in a ruling favoring an Idaho couple who challenged the agency. The 9-0 decision authored by conservative Justice Samuel Alito overturned a lower court’s ruling against Chantell and Mike Sackett that had upheld the EPA’s determination that their property near a lake contained wetlands protected by the Clean Water Act of 1972. The Sacketts have battled with the EPA for years over their plans to build a home on the property. Although the court unanimously sided with the couple, four justices – including the court’s three liberal members and conservative Brett Kavanaugh – disagreed with the new test announced by the court that was backed by the five other conservative justices. The four justices said the test could undermine water quality and flood control in the United States. President Joe Biden said in a statement that the ruling upends the legal framework used for decades to combat water pollution and that his administration will “use every legal authority we have to protect our nation’s waters.” “It puts our nation’s wetlands – and the rivers, streams, lakes and ponds connected to them – at risk of pollution and destruction, jeopardizing the sources of clean water that millions of American families, farmers and businesses rely on,” Biden said of the ruling. The ruling marked the latest instance of the court backing a challenge to the scope of the EPA’s ability to regulate in the environmental arena under existing law. In a 6-3 ruling last June powered by its conservative justices, it imposed limits on the EPA’s authority to issue sweeping regulations involving greenhouse gas emissions from existing coal- and gas-fired power plants under a different environmental law, the Clean Air Act. The Sacketts in 2004 bought an undeveloped plot of land about 300 feet (90 meters) from Priest Lake, one of the largest lakes in Idaho, near the U.S.-Canada border. In 2007, the couple began preparing construction of a home on it. But after placing sand and gravel fill on the lot, the EPA issued an administrative compliance order stating the property contained wetlands protected by the Clean Water Act and that they needed a permit to build, which they had failed to obtain. Alito, writing for the five-member majority, embraced what is called the “continuous surface connection” test for determining if adjacent wetlands are covered by the Clean Water Act. “In sum, we hold that the (Clean Water Act) extends to only those wetlands that are ‘as a practical matter indistinguishable from waters of the United States,'” Alito wrote, adding: “The wetlands on the Sacketts’ property are distinguishable from any possibly covered waters.” The Clean Water Act bars discharging pollutants, including rocks and sand, into the “waters of the United States,” which regulators for decades have said covers not just navigable waters but adjacent wetlands like swamps, marshes and berms. Courts and regulators have been grappling for decades over how much of a connection with a waterway a property must have in order to require a permit, with the Supreme Court issuing a ruling in 2006 that led to further uncertainty. Justice Elena Kagan, joined by fellow liberals Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, accused the conservative majority of imposing its own policy preferences to curb the EPA’s reach. Noting that the Clean Water Act was adopted in the 1970s to address a widespread crisis over water quality nationwide, Kagan said the majority’s decision undermines the clear intent of Congress to address pollution, with the majority having improperly appointed itself “as the national decision-maker on environmental policy.” Damien Schiff, a senior attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation who argued the case for the Sacketts, hailed the decision as a victory for property rights, saying it “returns the scope of the Clean Water Act to its original and proper limits.” Biden’s administration in December finalized a rule expanding the definition of waterways that are protected under the Clean Water Act, in a reversal from former President Donald Trump’s era. Lower court challenges led to the enforcement of the new rule being halted in at least 27 states. Biden in April vetoed legislation that sought to overturn the rule but the Supreme Court’s decision could cast doubt on the lawfulness of some parts of the new regulation. The environmental advocacy group Earthjustice, which filed an amicus brief in the Sackett case, said the court’s decision “undoes a half-century of progress generated by the Clean Water Act,” eliminating protections from almost 90 million acres (36.4 million hectares) of wetlands. (Reporting by John Kruzel in Washington, Andrew Chung in New York and Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will Dunham) View the full article

Published by Reuters By Joey Roulette WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A spaceplane from Virgin Galactic reached the edge of space on Thursday carrying a crew of six, making its first spaceflight test in nearly two years as the space tourism firm founded by Richard Branson prepares its long-awaited commercial service. The company’s VSS Unity spaceplane dropped from its twin-fuselage carrier aircraft around 12:24 p.m. EDT (1624 GMT) over the desert of New Mexico and blasted off to the edge of space seconds later at roughly three times the speed of sound. “Successful boost, WE HAVE REACHED SPACE!,” Virgin Galactic wrote on Twitter. A live video stream from private video news group NASA Spaceflight showed VSS Unity jetting away from its carrier craft, its sole rocket engine leaving a trail of white exhaust as it climbed to an altitude of roughly 54.2 miles (87.2 km), beyond the U.S.-recognized boundary of Earth’s outer atmosphere and space. The spaceplane glided back to land at around 12:37 p.m., Virgin Galactic said. The company’s Unity 25 mission, lasting roughly 90 minutes in all, is a crucial final test flight before it flies its first commercial mission in late June, hoping to carry out a mission roughly every month thereafter. The flight comes 22 months after billionaire Branson and employees rode to the edge of space aboard its centerpiece SpaceShipTwo spaceplane. Virgin Galactic had hoped that high-profile mission would open the door to routine flights soon after. A safety probe into Branson’s flight by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration delayed the plans, as did a lengthy spacecraft upgrade period that lasted longer than Virgin Galactic anticipated. Virgin Galactic pilots Jameel Janjua and Nicola Pecile piloted the carrier aircraft, named VMS Eve, which dropped the VSS Unity spacecraft at an altitude of 44,500 feet (13,563.6 m). VSS Unity spent a few minutes in the weightlessness of space before gliding back to land. The test mission follows the type of rides Virgin Galactic intends to provide for a backlog of some 800 customers. Most have paid between $250,000 and $450,000 for a ticket. The company in April conducted a successful glide test with VSS Unity, dropping it at 47,000 feet for a free-fall back to its runway, without having ignited its engine to go toward space. Mike Masucci and CJ Sturckow piloted the spaceplane. In the cabin was the company’s chief astronaut instructor, Beth Moses, astronaut instructor Luke Mays, senior engineering manager Christopher Huie and Jamila Gilbert, internal communications senior manager. (Reporting by Joey Roulette in WashingtonEditing by David Gregorio and Matthew Lewis) View the full article

Published by Raw Story Far-right groups are complaining about being included in a Department of Homeland Security chart called the “Pathways toward terrorism” which includes research on terrorism and political violence and was written in 2008 by Sophia Moskalenko and Clark McCauley. The researchers show how radicalization generally increases from benign political involvement, “increasing extremity of beliefs, feelings, and behaviors in support of intergroup conflict and violence,” the study’s abstract explains. “Across individuals, groups, and mass publics, twelve mechanisms of radicalization are distinguished.” So,… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Diana Ross is “shocked” by Tina Turner’s death. The ‘Simply the Best’ hitmaker passed away on Wednesday (24.05.23), aged 83, following a long illness and the 79-year-old singer has paid her respects to the star and her family, including producer Erwin Bach. She posted: “Shocked. Saddened. Sending condolences to Tina Turner’s family and loved ones.” Dolly Parton also paid tribute to Tina, referencing both the lyrics to the late star’s ‘Proud Mary’ and her own ‘I Will Always Love You. She shared a simple post with white text which read: “Now she’s rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ on to glory. Roll on Tina. We will always love you.” Heart singer Ann Wilson praised Tina for the inspiration she gave people. She said in a statement shared with ‘Entertainment Tonight’: “Miss Tina lived an amazing life, full of drama and pain and in later years anchored by Buddhism. She showed what courage was and danced through her life on those mighty legs as an inspiration to us all. Rock on Angel!!” ‘Killing Me Softly’ singer Roberta Flack recalled how she first met her “friend” Tina and hailed her a “hero”. She said in her own statement: “We went to Ghana together in 1971 for the Soul to Soul Tour. Her meteoric energy on stage was in such contrast to her gentle, kind and quiet demeanor off stage. “My friend, Tina, thank you for inspiring us to always be everything we were meant to be–regardless of life’s challenges. A woman without limits. You will always be my hero.” Former president Barack Obama remembered the ‘Private Dancer’ singer as “unstoppable”. He wrote: “Tina Turner was raw. She was powerful. She was unstoppable. And she was unapologetically herself—speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy. “Today we join fans around the world in honoring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade.” View the full article

Published by The Spun By Chris Rosvoglou Bud Light is still struggling to recover from its controversial decision during the 2023 NCAA Tournament. During March Madness, Bud Light debuted its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. This led to a ton of backlash from those who have been supporting Bud Light for years. Initially, Bud Light tried to tune out the noise. However, it was getting tough for the company to ignore its decline in sales. According to Beer Business Daily, sales volumes of Bud Light dropped by 28.4 percent during the week ending on May 13. The week before that, the company saw its… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Two California transgender female high school athletes who qualified for the state track championship meet are facing vitriolic attacks, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Athena Ryan and Lorelei Barrett, who attend private schools in different parts of the state, both qualified in 1600-meter race, accomplishments that The Chronicle’s Marisa Ingemi writes “have now been woven into broader conservative campaigns targeting trans youth.” Barrett competes for Buckley School of Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles County) and Ryan for Sonoma Academy of Santa Rosa (Sonoma County). The meet is scheduled to be… Read More View the full article

Published by The Kansas City Star COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Wednesday urged the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners to enforce a ban on gender-affirming care for minors passed by Missouri lawmakers this month. But Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves has already said that the ban, which has not yet been signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson, does not include criminal penalties and would be outside of the police’s jurisdiction. Bailey, in a letter to the board Wednesday, said his demand comes after the Kansas City Council approved a resolution to declare the city a sanctuary for people see… Read More View the full article

Published by Al-Araby Ron DeSantis, who comes from a state known for Disneyworld, a diverse population and a thriving gay scene, has staked his political career on fighting the very things that characterise Florida. He announced his bid on Wednesday at a botched event with Twitter CEO Elon Musk, whose October 2022 takeover of the social media platform has spawned a proliferation of hate speech, including some of Musk’s own tweets, or what the tech billionaire had described as standing up to the “woke agenda”. As DeSantis passed a series of restrictive legislation garnering him popularity with his conservative base,… Read More View the full article