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Trump attorneys call on hush money judge to toss criminal conviction — citing Hunter Biden’s pardonHappy holidays from Bad Bunny, who announced Thursday he will release a new album Jan. 5. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! Happy holidays from Bad Bunny, who announced Thursday he will release a new album Jan. 5. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Happy holidays from Bad Bunny, who announced Thursday he will release a new album Jan. 5. “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which translates to “I should have taken more photos,” is his sixth studio album and follows in his tradition of releasing new music on unexpected dates. His debut album, 2018’s “X 100PRE,” arrived around Christmas and 2020’s “El Último Tour del Mundo” near Thanksgiving. The January release date is just before “Día de Reyes,” or Three Kings Day, and is a Sunday — unlike the industry’s standard Friday release date. The Puerto Rican musician announced the news on Instagram in a short video featuring filmmaker Jacobo Morales. He also released a new single, “PIToRRO DE COCO.” A day before, Bad Bunny teased a 17-track list on social media, with each song titled “BOMBA,” perhaps in reference to the Puerto Rican musical style and dance. “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” follows 2023’s “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” (“Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow”), which was met with mixed reviews. On that album, Bad Bunny’s reggaeton offerings were limited, returning instead to the Latin trap of “X 100PRE” in songs like “MONACO” and “GRACIAS POR NADA.” The announcement caps a busy year for El Conejo Malo. Bad Bunny made headlines after he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris shortly after a comedian at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally made crude jokes about Latinos and called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” He also canvassed North America on his “Most Wanted Tour,” which made The Associated Press’ list of the best concerts of the year. Advertisement
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Dr Manmohan Singh (1932-2024): The economist who would be PMCan Quantum Computers break RSA encryption: An analysis by GQI in partnership with the NATO Innovation FundNo turnover tax on SEZ enterprises in Gwadar: Ahsan Meeting reviewed progress in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, food & agriculture, and SEZs ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Friday chaired progress review meetings on the CPEC. According to an official announcement, made by the planning ministry on Friday, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal chaired a progress review meeting on CPEC in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Planning, members of the Planning Commission, secretaries of various ministries and divisions, and senior officials from relevant departments. The meeting reviewed progress in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, food & agriculture, and special economic zones (SEZs). The Ministry of Railways and Communications updated the meeting participants on the recent progress of the ML-1 and KKH projects and outlined their future course of action. Discussing the ML-1 project, the minister noted the commitment made by the Chinese premier for the visit of a team of Chinese technical experts to Pakistan. During a recent meeting with the Chinese ambassador, it was also agreed that a team of financial experts would accompany them to ensure simultaneous and efficient resolution of all matters related to the project. Regarding KKH, the minister directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite progress in coordination with the Chinese side to ensure its timely completion, as it is a strategic project under CPEC Phase-II. While addressing the development of industrial zones, the minister stressed China’s extensive expertise in this area. He highlighted that Pakistan had requested China to develop two model industrial zones, which would be done in turn-key basis. These model zones would serve as benchmarks for other industrial zones across the country. He also directed the Board of Investment (BoI) to finalise the availability of land for an SEZ development in Islamabad. The minister directed the Power Division and PESCO to immediately energise the internal network of Rashakai SEZ and provide electricity to meet its current requirements. Regarding Gwadar’s tax exemption policy, officials clarified that under the Finance Act, the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) and other Free Zone businesses are entitled to tax holidays and related incentives. Notifications have already been issued to relevant departments, confirming there is no turnover tax on SEZ enterprises operating in Gwadar. The meeting also reviewed progress on the training of 1,000 agriculture graduates in China. The Minister directed that experts traveling for agricultural training should be fully facilitated. These trainees, to be selected from public and private sector on merit, will learn latest technology and farm mechanisation techniques from China and help in modernising Pakistan’s agriculture. Special arrangements for halal food, including sehri and iftar during Ramazan, were also instructed. The minister reiterated the vital role of the agriculture sector in Pakistan’s development and noted that the PM will soon announce the 5Es National Economic Transformation Plan Framework, which is home-grown. This framework will be integrated into the five-year development plan, followed by formulation of a comprehensive National Agriculture and Industrial Policy to advance the agriculture sector under a structured policy framework. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to ensuring timely implementation of CPEC projects for the country’s economic growth and development. Meanwhile, sources said that China might be ready for a piecemeal approach for funding the ML-1 [Mainline-1] and KKH [Karakoram Highway] projects by adopting a phased-wise approach, but it all depends on improvement in security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.New York, NY (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to remove fluoride from U.S. water, as Israel did a decade ago under the stewardship of Yael German. (RFK Jr. by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images; German via Flash 90) TEL AVIV -- Ilana Decker, who moved from Israel to New York three years ago, says she doesn't agree often with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Arguing, as he does, that the government should not make health mandates, she said, makes her "sound like an anti-vaxxer, which I'm not." But there is one issue, she said, where she and Kennedy do line up: The man whom Donald Trump has picked as the next secretary of health and human services has publicly floated ending the decades-long policy of encouraging cities to inject fluoride into the American water supply. Decker supports the change -- and she's speaking from personal experience: Her former home, Israel, stopped fluoridating its water a decade ago. "I hate to align with RFK Jr. in any way, shape, or form, but I really do agree that it should not be in the water," she said. Citing concerns about the risk to children, she even switched her 4-year-old to fluoride-free toothpaste, though she didn't rule out its use fully. "I have a deep distrust in the government taking away individual health choices "for our own good,"" Decker said. "I can use toothpaste with fluoride, but I can't decide to not drink the water coming out of my faucet." The nomination of Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist and harsh critic of government health agencies, has cast a spotlight on debates over the role the government should play in public health -- and over the degree to which mounting distrust in science should guide policy-making. Fluoridation offers a case study in those debates. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoridation in water has been shown to reduce cavities in children and adults by about 25% over a lifetime, with the organization dubbing it "one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century." Anti-fluoride demonstrators displayed banners and handed out pamphlets outside the Department of Public Health in Sydney, Australia, in 1966. (Frank Albert Charles Burke/Fairfax Media via Getty Images) Critics of fluoridation point to studies showing that very high levels of the mineral -- beyond what is normally present in fluoridated water -- are associated with developmental problems in children; they also cite an array of conspiracy theories, including that the government is seeking to control citizens through fluoride use. Kennedy has called fluoride "an industrial waste" and "dangerous neurotoxin" and said that he would seek to end fluoridation on "day one" after taking office. (Water is managed locally, so the federal government can only advise and incentivize changes.) As with vaccines, he has said the use of fluoride should be up to individuals, not the government. "I think fluoride is on its way out," he said on NBC News shortly after Trump's election last month. "I think the faster that it goes out, the better." Those same debates lay at the root of the decision in 2013 by Israel's health minister to end water fluoridation. Now, Israel's policy change could act as a case study for how defluoridation could affect Americans. And the discourse is ongoing, with Israeli public health experts and some parents agitating for fluoride to be reinserted in the water -- citing worsening dental outcomes for children -- at the very moment when the United States may move in the opposite direction. "The success of water fluoridation serves as a beacon for public health in general, and by extension, opposition to it should serve as a warning," said Shlomo Zusman, who served as Israel's chief dental officer for over two decades and was a vocal critic of the 2014 policy change. He said modern water purification methods mean that fluoridation is far from the only way the modern water supply is altered. In addition, he noted that because 75% of Israel's potable water is desalinated, it has no natural fluoride levels at all. "The idea that water without added fluoride is "natural," as if it comes straight from a spring, is mistaken - there's no such thing, it's all manipulated," he said. Referring to a story in the Bible, he added, "The days of Rachel pumping water from the well are long gone." Israel began mandating fluoridation in nearly all municipalities decades ago, following the first local American fluoridation efforts. An Israeli Health Ministry webpage calls fluoridation "the most efficient, safest, simplest, cheapest, and most equal measure, by a significant margin, among all methods for preventing dental diseases in the general public." But in 2013, the health minister, Yael German, pledged to stop requiring fluoridation the following year, citing unnamed doctors who she said had personally told her that fluoridation presents risks to pregnant women, people with thyroid problems and the elderly. Like Kennedy and his followers, she also cited the importance of individual choice. "All things considered, and balancing all the interests, I feel that continued massive fluoridation of 100% of the water was an incorrect act," German wrote to an association of pediatricians that was one of several groups to publicly oppose her plan. "And many even believe it infringes on fundamental rights and freedom of choice." The government that succeeded German's term in office pledged to reintroduce fluoride -- prompting legal action from German -- but it has not been mandated again in Israel. Since discontinuing fluoride in tap water, Israeli dentists have observed a significant rise in children's cavities and have urged its reinstatement, even as some parents remain firmly against the idea. A study published in September found a significant increase in dental restorations and crowns among Israeli children ages 3 to 5, attributing the rise to fluoride's absence. The researchers, from the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, concluded that the results provided "further proof of the need to restore community water fluoridation in Israel." Another study, published in January 2022, analyzed six years of data from dental clinics affiliated with a national Israeli healthcare network, showing that children ages 3 to 12 required nearly double the number of restorative treatments compared to before fluoridation ended. Researchers emphasized that even Israel's expansion of free dental care for all children failed to offset the worsening dental health. With fluoridation the subject of widespread misinformation as well as ongoing research, Israel is not the only place to adjust its approach over time. Juneau, Alaska, saw pediatric dental health worsen after eliminating fluoride in 2007, according to a study that examined the cost and frequency of dental treatment for poor children. So did the Canadian city of Calgary, which recorded higher rates of cavity-related treatments under general anesthesia among children after it stopped adding fluoride to its water in 2011. Calgary has now decided to resume fluoridation. But dozens of municipalities across the United States have moved away from fluoride use in recent years, including some whose voters made the choice on Election Day last month. Signs sprung up on roadsides urging a no vote on a referendum asking residents in seven Maine towns if they want to continue adding fluoride to drinking water in 2016. (Gregory Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images) Most of Europe, meanwhile, has either dropped fluoridation or never introduced it in drinking water. Many of those countries offer fluoridated salt and milk, mitigating the potential costs of not including the mineral in water. Not everyone in Israel is convinced that reintroducing fluoride is a good idea. In one Israeli mothers' group on Facebook, several women posited that the country's cavity epidemic has less to do with the absence of fluoride in water and more to do with poor hygiene habits and children's consumption of sweets and sugary snacks. "Kids subsisting on white bread and chocolate spread isn't helping," wrote one, naming a popular Israeli snack. Another, who identified herself as a teacher with 25 years of experience, agreed that there has been a significant decline in nutrition. "I can say with 100% certainty that children's diets have deteriorated immensely and it just so happens to coincide with the removal of fluoride," she said. Sweets for sale at Carmel Market (Shuk Ha"Carmel) in Tel Aviv, Dec. 30, 2022. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Several cited a recent study from the National Institutes of Health's National Toxicology Program that suggests that high levels of fluoride exposure may be linked to lower IQ in children. The report does not question the dental health benefits of fluoride. The program reviewed more than 500 studies over nearly a decade and concluded with "moderate confidence" that fluoride exposure at concentrations above 1.5 parts per million is associated with reduced cognitive development in children. But the study, which drew criticism from the American Academy of Pediatrics, also noted that that number was far above the recommended fluoride level in U.S. drinking water of 0.7 parts per million. Another study from May of this year found that prenatal exposure to fluoride was linked to behavioral problems, with children of mothers in areas with higher fluoride concentrations showing symptoms of autism, anxiety and other disorders by age 3, though the authors stopped short of establishing causation. Zusman dismissed many of the concerns about health risks as a fad. "There was a time when they claimed fluoridation caused hip fractures, then cancer, and later stunted growth in boys" caused by osteosarcoma, he said. "Now the fashion is ADHD and IQ, so they blame fluoridation on that." He said that just like parents who oppose fluoridation, the issue is personal to him, too. "Believe me, if there were serious, professional studies showing harm, I'd be the first to say, stop fluoridating the water," he said. "I have eight grandchildren to think of." Keep Jewish Stories in Focus. JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting. Support JTA This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/ . Please coordinate with dkolben@70facesmedia.org should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit: https://www.jta.org/2024/12/24/israel/rfk-jr-wants-fluoride-out-of-drinking-water-israel-has-a-decade-of-lessons-to-offer
Chelsea’s surprise defeat at home to Fulham earlier in the day had been an unexpected gift for Arne Slot’s side and they drove home their advantage by outclassing the struggling Foxes. Having overcome the early setback of conceding to Jordan Ayew, with even the travelling fans expressing their surprise they were winning away after taking just five points on the road this season, the home team had too much quality. That was personified by the excellent Cody Gakpo, whose eighth goal in his last 14 appearances produced the equaliser in first-half added time with the Netherlands international unlucky to have a second ruled out for offside by VAR. Further goals from Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah, with his 19th of the season, stretched Liverpool’s unbeaten run to 22 matches. For Leicester, who had slipped into the bottom three after Wolves’ win over Manchester United, it is now one win from the last 10 in the league and Ruud van Nistelrooy has plenty of work to do, although he was not helped here by the absence of leading scorer Jamie Vardy through injury. It looked liked Liverpool meant business from the off with Salah’s volley from Gakpo’s far-post cross just being kept out by Jakub Stolarczyk, making his league debut after former Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward was omitted from the squad having struggled in the defeat to Wolves. But if the hosts thought that had set the tone they were badly mistaken after being opened up with such simplicity in only the sixth minute. Stephy Mavididi broke down the left and his low cross picked out Ayew, who turned Andy Robertson far too easily, with his shot deflecting off Virgil van Dijk to take it just out of Alisson Becker’s reach. With a surprise lead to cling to Leicester knew they had to quell the storm heading their way and they began by trying to take as much time out of the game as they could, much to Anfield’s frustration. It took a further 18 minutes for Liverpool to threaten with Gakpo cutting in from the left to fire over, a precursor for what was to follow just before half-time. That was the prompt for the attacks to rain down on the Foxes goal, with Salah’s shot looping up off Victor Kristiansen and landing on the roof of the net and Robertson heading against a post. Gakpo’s inclination to come in off the left was proving a problem for the visitors, doing their utmost to resist the pressure, but when Salah curled a shot onto the crossbar on the stroke of half-time it appeared they had survived. However, Gakpo once again drifted in off the flank to collect an Alexis Mac Allister pass before curling what is fast becoming his trademark effort over Stolarczyk and inside the far post. Early the second half Darwin Nunez fired over Ryan Gravenberch’s cross before Jones side-footed home Mac Allister’s cross after an intricate passing move inside the penalty area involving Nunez, Salah and the Argentina international. Leicester’s ambition remained limited but Patson Daka should have done better from a two-on-one counter attack with Mavididi but completely missed his kick with the goal looming. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/IqmAsKylLR — Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2024 Nunez forced a save out of the goalkeeper before Gakpo blasted home what he thought was his second only for VAR to rule Nunez was offside in the build-up. But Liverpool’s third was eventually delivered by the left foot of Salah, who curled the ball outside Kristiansen, inside Jannick Vestergaard and past Stolarczyk inside the far post.ITV I'm A Celebrity 2024's final four stars revealed ahead of live finalEvery president makes their mark on the White House in some way. They extend, rebuild or renew. First Ladies order new China sets or redesign the grounds. And when Joe Biden checks out on Jan. 20, the staff have to begin a rapid makeover. Unusually, however, the new White House residents have been there before–and the staff will be bringing back their creature comforts. Which is why, the Daily Mail reports, President-elect Donald Trump ’s Resolute Desk will have a vital feature re-installed: the Diet Coke button. The small red button, mounted in a wooden box with the presidential seal, sits in front of the Resolute Desk’s array of phones and was a frequent power flex for the 45th president when he conducted interviews in the Oval Office. One press and a butler brings in a chilled glass of his favorite drink. The White House staff will also rearrange furniture and the Oval Office’s collection of art, particularly presidential portraits. Biden removed Trump’s portrait of the populist Andrew Jackson and replaced it with Benjamin Franklin and also added a bust of the labor organizer César Chávez. An Azerbaijan Airlines plane which crashed in a fireball in Kazakhastan was “likely shot down by a Russian military air defense system,” an aviation security firm has said. The plane was en route to Grozny, in Chechnya, when it was diverted almost 300 miles to the east after the pilot declared an emergency. Instead of landing at Aktau in Kazakhstan, it came down almost two miles short of the runway and exploded in flames, killing 38 passengers and crew. Twenty nine people survived. Although the airline said it was diverted because of fog, UK-based Osprey , said there appeared to have been Ukrainian drones attacking Grozny at the time. A second security firm boss, Justin Crump of UK-based Sibylline, told the BBC that the damage to the plane was consistent with an air defense missile strike. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are both allies of Putin, while Chechnya is a Russian autonomous republic run by a bloodthirsty warlord who is one of Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin’s closest associates. The Kremlin has declined to speculate on the cause of the crash. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Martin Scorsese. Bill and Hillary. Martha Steward. These are just some of the people we are unlikely to meet in person, but at least we can get up close and personal with them by taking their MasterClass online courses —and at a major discount for a limited time. The expert-led platform has a robust library of educational classes on far-ranging topics: science , music, arts , personal empowerment, and more. The classes are taught by industry experts and household names, including Gordon Ramsey, Mariah Carey, David Lynch, Jeff Koons, and many more. Right now, you can score up to 50 percent off on MasterClass subscriptions just in time for last-minute holiday gifting. You do have to take a short quiz to get to the deal, but honestly, it’s worth the 60 seconds. Honestly, whether you waited until the last minute or not, you’ll be gifting the dad in your life with intelligent, cultured content and giving them the opportunity to learn something new from someone famous. The up-and-coming actor Hudson Meeks has died aged 16, days after falling from a moving vehicle in his Alabama hometown, according to his official Instagram page. The teenager, famous for his Baby Driver role as the child version of the hit film’s title character, was first injured on Dec. 19 in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia Hills. He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead two days later from “blunt force injuries.” News of the accident didn’t emerge until Wednesday after a since-edited statement was posted to his Instagram page. “His 16 years on this earth were far too short, but he accomplished so much and significantly impacted everyone he met,” the statement read, according to The Hollywood Reporter . It remains unclear how Meeks fell from the vehicle, but the case is being probed by police. In addition to his 2017 role on Baby Driver , Meeks also notched credits on the network series MacGyver and Found , and also featured in the 2024 film The School Duel . An obituary said he was a sophomore member of his high school football team and was a superfan of The Simpsons , having binged all 36 seasons. A post shared by Hudson Meek (@hudsonmeek) Chinese student s in the United States are being advised not to return home for the holidays amid uncertainty over whether it could become more difficult for them to get back into the country once Donald Trump moves into the White House. China ’s Consulate General in Chicago wrote on its website that students should “try to reduce unnecessary cross-border travel.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington is also reminding students about security concerns coming into the U.S. During the president-elect’s first term, Chinese students faced tougher restrictions with 1,000 having visas revoked in 2020 over concerns that their scientific study posed security risks, according to the Wall Street Journal . Several colleges, including UPenn and Cornell University, have also highlighted the issue of holiday travel with their foreign students. Meanwhile, the number of Americans studying in China has dropped dramatically since the pandemic, from 11,000 pre-COVID to just 469 in academic-credit courses in China in the 2022-23 year, wrote the Journal. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. Netflix is celebrating the holidays with the release of the first teaser trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 . Starring Adam Sandler, the highly-anticipated flick is a sequel to the ‘90s golf comedy, Happy Gilmore , that followed Sandler’s character as he tried to win a golf tournament to raise enough money for his grandmother’s house. For its second round on the golf course, Happy Gilmore 2 packs on a star-studded ensemble including artists Eminem and Bad Bunny, as well as Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce who opens the teaser with a cheeky, “It’s good to have you back, Mr. Gilmore.” Elsewhere in the teaser, Christopher McDonald returns as Sandler’s nemesis in the film, Shooter McGavin, much to the delight of fans. While Netflix hasn’t announced the exact date for the sequel’s release, it’s so far slated to premiere sometime in 2025. Have a HAPPY New Year with HAPPY GILMORE 2. Coming to Netflix in 2025. pic.twitter.com/aY7JVz2r5X Luigi Mangione ’s first Christmas behind bars likely involves a festive meal. In an interview with People magazine, prison consultant Sam Mangel disclosed that Mangione will be given a meal of Cornish hen and green beans. Although the consultant isn’t working with Mangione, he previously worked for other clients like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. Along with his Christmas meal, Mangel also said that Mangione is sleeping on a mattress that’s “2-inches thick at best” with a “little bump in the end for a pillow.” If Mangione is in protective custody, he’ll spend Christmas day alone in his cell, however if he’s been moved to a different unit with other inmates, he’ll be allowed an hour-long visit from family. It’s unclear what unit Mangione is in while he’s in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center. The 26-year-old was arrested Dec. 9 in Pennsylvania for his alleged involvement in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York. He faces charges in both states, as well as federal charges. He has pleaded not guilty to his murder charges in New York. Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk showed off a slimmer build in a Christmas day tweet in which he declared himself, “Ozempic Santa.” In the photo shared with the tweet, Musk strikes a modelesque pose in front of a Christmas tree while dressed as Santa Claus. In follow up tweets, Musk suggested that his smaller frame was the result of a weight loss drug. Musk added, “Like Cocaine Bear, but Santa and Ozempic!” In another tweet, he added, “Technically, Mounjaro, but that doesn’t have the same ring to it.” His post was quickly retweeted and co-signed in the dark corners of #DarkMAGA, with unhinged MAGA politico wannabe Valentina Gomez commenting, “African Santa*” under his post. Musk is only the latest political player who has been pawing for the public’s attention during the holidays. Musk’s bff President-elect Donald Trump also posted his way through the afternoon with troll worthy claims against China, Canada, and “the Radical Left Lunatics.” Ozempic Santa pic.twitter.com/7YECSNpWoz The Kardashian-Jenner clan opted for a more “low-key” Christmas eve party this year. Although the family is known for their annual star-studded bash, this year they rang in Christmas by celebrating at home with some card games and Legos. Kim also posted a video to her Instagram Stories of their guests' parting gift—a tequila bottle from her sister Kendall’s brand 818. “We’re doing a really low-key Christmas Eve party this year,” Kim told Vogue at the opening of her SKIMS flagship store in New York. “Just because we have a lot of construction going on, so we’re doing a really family intimate one that I’m really excited about.” She added they were still planning on “dressing up to the nines” because that’s “what we do.” Managing your period shouldn’t feel like a full-time job—you already have one of those. That’s why Knix’s leakproof period underwear is an incredibly thoughtful holiday gift for yourself or someone special. What makes Knix underwear special is the unique gusset. Built into the underwear’s crotch section, the gusset is a liner that—depending on the style chosen—absorbs up to five tampons worth of liquid. Knix offers more than just underwear, too. You’ll also find supportive wireless bras, silhouette-accentuating bodysuits, and ultra-comfy PJs (perfect for those tough, crampy days). Right now, you can score up to 60 percent off sitewide, including shapewear, leakproof underwear, loungewear, activewear, and more during its epic end-of-the-year sale . This is one of Knix’s biggest sales of the year, so if you’ve been wanting to try the brand or restock some of your favorite items, now’s the time to get shopping. A “stressed” Amazon driver in Massachusetts has fessed up after they ditched dozens of undelivered packages in the woods just days before Christmas, police said. The employee, who has not been identified, came clean after police stumbled across 80 discarded packages in a wooded area of Lakeville around 2 a.m. Sunday, USA Today reported . The driver told cops that they had left the packages “because they were stressed.” No charges will be filed against the driver, who said they plan to report the incident to their supervisor. “I am proud of the way our Lakeville Police officers handled and investigated this matter. At this time, we are not seeking criminal charges and are considering this a human resources matter for Amazon,” Police Chief Matthew Perkins said. It may have been the most expensive pizza pie ever sold, but all for a good cause. Dave Portnoy, the president of Barstool Sports, saved a Baltimore pizza shop from closing down on Christmas Day by gifting its owner $60,000 to keep its doors open for a year. The polarizing media mogul stopped by TinyBrickOven in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Charm City to test out a slice as part of his wildly popular One Bite Pizza Reviews series. In the nearly 6-and-a-half-minute video, which is posted on Portnoy’s @stoolpresidente social accounts and his YouTube page, TinyBrickOven’s upbeat, enthusiastic owner tells Portnoy that, because the shop hasn’t been able to attain a liquor license, it hasn’t been making enough money and will close down. Barstool Pizza Review - TinyBrickOven (Baltimore, MD) pic.twitter.com/hDqhclD45D After being impressed by the pizza—he scored it a 7.9—and the shop’s commitment to paying it forward by supporting veterans, Portnoy asks how much money it would take to keep doors open for another year: “If there’s somebody super rich right in front of your face who’s in the pizza business, and by serendipity he’s like, ‘What do you need to stay open for a year?’ you gotta give him some figure, because otherwise he’s gonna walk away.” They eventually land on $60,000, which Portnoy pledges to give before Christmas.For decades, power protected Alan Jones. Now he’s facing his own reckoning
Pep Guardiola denies rumours of a rift with Kevin De Bruyne
Alyssa Naeher announced her retirement from international soccer quietly, which is how she does most everything save for keeping the ball from crossing the goal line. News coverage of her decision last week reinforced her importance to the U.S. women's national team with a simple statement: No other goalkeeper has recorded a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. That counts as an impressive achievement (or two). But it risks reducing Naeher’s career to a trivia answer. Her time with the USWNT has been so much more impactful than that. MORE: USWNT wins on Lynn Williams goal in Alyssa Naeher finale Her greatest moment in a USWNT kit did not even come in a championship setting. As with Christian Laettner’s shot in the 1992 NCAA Elite Eight or Joe Montana’s pass touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the 1982 NFC title game, Naeher’s pinnacle came in a game before The Game. Naeher's save of an 84th-minute penalty kick attempt from England defender Steph Houghton in the semifinal of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is in the pantheon of iconic American soccer moments. That indelible play ranks alongside Paul Caliguiri’s goal to qualify the U.S. men for the 1990 World Cup, Brandi Chastain's clinching shootout kick at the 1999 Women’s World Cup and Landon Donovan’s injury-time goal against Algeria at South Africa 2010. Naeher waited until Houghton let slip a tell that suggested the kick would go to the keeper’s right, leaped in that direction and smothered the ball. The 2-1 lead that had been imperiled stood until the end of the match, and the USWNT went on to win their fourth World Cup. “Honestly, she saved our ass,” star forward Alex Morgan said following that game. MORE: Complete USWNT results from 2024, including Olympic gold Naehere's USWNT swan song, which came Tuesday in the Netherlands, was not a shutout. But the 2-1 comeback victory was a quintessential Naeher masterpiece. The 36-year-old goalkeeper produced several essential saves, including another dazzler in the 69th minute on a sliding shot by Danielle van de Donk from six feet out. That stop kept the score tied — and positioned the Americans to take the lead on Lynn Williams' goal 90 seconds later. In the first half, she made a savvy veteran move to go down with an injury — or "injury," perhaps — when the young Americans were besieged by the Dutch attack. That allowed coach Emma Hayes to gather the field players and address their early struggles. That is just the sort of calm, measured, insightful maneuver to be expected from Naeher. MORE: USWNT vs. the Netherlands: Timeline of the rivalry As her international retirement commences, her greatest contribution to the USWNT is more than any one play. She rescued the entire program from the volatility that lurked throughout predecessor Hope Solo’s decade in the lineup. Solo stands as probably the most dynamic keeper ever in the women’s game, as well as an impressive technician as her career advanced. But she also was a persistent problem for U.S. Soccer. From the comments about her semifinal benching, which then got her excluded from the team’s final game at the 2007 World Cup, to the arrest of her husband in 2015 while driving one of the team’s vans, to her postgame harangue of 2016 Olympic opponent Sweden for bunkering and eventually eliminating the U.S. in a penalty shootout – she called the Swedes “a bunch of cowards” – Solo kept the program’s headquarters furiously busy. When the USWNT finally had enough, Naeher was the likely replacement, and yet not an obvious one. She’d made 10 appearances between 2014 and 2016 and was a backup keeper at the 2015 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, but she did not play in either of those tournaments. The only thing she did obviously better than Solo was keep her thoughts to herself. As the program built toward the 2019 World Cup, the talent among the field players might have been the best, or at least closest to the career peak, of any USWNT squad: Alex Morgan at forward, Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath on the wings, Julie Ertz owning the defensive midfield and Becky Sauerbrunn a fixture in central defense. The team was so loaded that Lindsey Horan, Christen Press and Carli Lloyd were frequently – or exclusively – deployed as substitutes. The goalkeeper spot, though, seemed less secure, as team legend Brianna Scurry acknowledged: “There’s one difference this World Cup team has, the USA, that no other team previously has had, and that’s a question mark at the goalkeeper position.” Naeher entered the tournament at 31 years old as a two-time All-American in 2007 and 2008 at Penn State, Golden Glove winner for the 2008 FIFA U20 World Cup champs and 2014 Goalkeeper of the Year in the NWSL. Her résumé for the full national team, though, consisted primarily of watching Solo play. She did not start the 2019 World Cup in perfect form, as the late Grant Wahl described when writing about that memorable semifinal penalty save for Sports Illustrated. “Yes, there were worries about Naeher—worries that didn’t abate after she whiffed on a ball that ended up in the net against Chile (but was ruled offside) or after her hospital-ball pass in the back helped gift a goal to Spain in the round of 16," Wahl wrote . "Those worries were compounded when you looked in the stands and saw Solo, dropped from the team in 2016 for reasons outside of soccer, looming over the proceedings from her BBC pedestal.” In her time as the USWNT's No. 1 goalkeeper, Naeher was known for her contemplative approach, for her comfort in solitude. I sat in an outdoor cafe in Reims, France, before the United States’ opening game at the 2019 World Cup. Behind me was a table filled with Megan Rapinoe, defender Ali Krieger, backup goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and forward Jessica McDonald, all of them eating and chatting following a shopping trip to the cosmetics shop Sephora. In front of me was a table where Naeher sat, alone, working on a crossword puzzle. “As much as I am at peace with the decision – I know that, in my head, it’s the right time and I feel good about it and I feel at peace with it – it’s still the end of something,” Naeher said of her international retirement. “Change is scary. I’m going to miss being a part of these camps and this team.” MORE: Who will take over as starting goalkeeper for the USWNT? Naeher probably could have held the starting job a while longer if she wished. In major tournaments, she allowed just 12 goals in 22 starts. That includes four shutouts in six games at the 2024 Summer Games as the USWNT claimed the fourth Olympic gold medal in program history. Her performance included a leaping save with her left foot off a point-blank header by Germany in the semis, as well as her ridiculous right-handed save off an unchallenged header from Adriana in the final against Brazil. The first of those came in extra time, with the U.S. protecting a 1-0 lead and just seconds away from playing for the gold; the second was delivered in added time to secure the same score and another major tournament triumph. Whatever one thinks of talent or artistry or achievement, it’s hard to argue any U.S. goalkeeper ever produced more essential clutch saves under greater pressure than Naeher. "As soon as the whistle blew," defender Naomi Girma told Yahoo! Sports after the Olympic final against Brazil , "I was like, 'My last sprint of the tournament is to give Alyssa a hug.'" In the end, Naeher was noticed for all the right reasons in her time with the USWNT. Before leaving for the locker room after Tuesday's win, she was presented with a bouquet of flowers. And Girma made sure to hug her again, for one final time on the field of play.
Ex-sex worker testifies about awkward encounter with Nikolas Ibey before he killed housemateTeen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in ‘Baby Driver,’ dies after falling from moving vehicleSCRANTON — Retailers across the region experienced strong seafood sales leading up to Christmas and expressed optimism for continued demand heading into New Year’s as prices leveled out and supply increased for most holiday favorites. Carl Pazzaglia, co-owner of South Side Seafood on Pittston Avenue in Scranton, noted supply has been good for everything expect king crab legs. “It got real expensive at the end of the year,” he said. “It wasn’t too bad until about three weeks to a month ago, then it really spiked. A lot has to do with the Russian embargo because a lot of king crab comes from Russia. Other than that, prices are pretty stable. Fish prices are good and shrimp prices have been great all year. In the middle of the year, they were probably the cheapest they’ve been in 15 years.” Pazzaglia added the recent cold weather didn’t stop customers from purchasing holiday delicacies. “Business has been strong,” he said. “It was 5 degrees and the line went down (the block) to the funeral home.” While the typical purchases are different for New Year’s, Pazzaglia expects another swarm of customers this week. “Christmas is a little different because of the seven fishes,” he said. “New Year’s is more shrimp, lobster, clams, scallops, and maybe swordfish or halibut – it’s more of the elite fish.” During more than three decades operating the shop with his brother, Pazzaglia developed a rapport with many people and enjoys cultivating new relationships. “We see a lot of the same faces and some of the kids who came in, now they’re in here with kids,” he said. Although the price of kind crab legs are up nearly $20 from last year, Pazzaglia feels customers understand the circumstances. “Last year, it was $36 a pound for the 6-9 lb. size and this year they’re $54.99,” he said. “The people have been patient – they understand we’re not gouging (them).” Mike Manzano, 56, of Scranton visited South Side Seafood on Christmas Eve to purchase clams, muscles, scallops, and calamari and though the costs were reasonable. “I think prices are just fine,” he said. “It seems about what I paid last year.” Jack Cooper, co-owner of Cooper’s Seafood House on North Washington Avenue in Scranton, also saw a big rush right before Christmas and expects the same in the days before New Year’s. “We’ve were real busy Monday and Tuesday,” he said. “Every year seems to be getting better. I don’t know why, but it is. I guess we’re getting more well known for it.” In addition to king crab legs and lobster tail, prepared foods including crabby pretzels, crab stuffed mushrooms, blue crab dip, seafood crepes, lobster mac and cheese also popular for New Year’s, Cooper said. The prices for soups and several types of fish – cod, haddock, sole, flounder, salmon, tuna – closely resemble last year however Cooper also noticed the jump in king crab legs – up at least $15 to $20 a pound to $55 for a 6-to-9 leg size, he said. “King crab really, really expensive, but it’s still selling, he said. “And, generally speaking, business is booming. People don’t seem to mind the increases on some of the products and we don’t raise prices unless we get prices raised on us.” Customers wait in the line at South Side Seafood in Scranton on Christmas Eve. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Seafood sits in the case at South Side Seafood Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Lobster tails are for sale at South Side Seafood in Scranton Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Customers wait in the line at South Side Seafood in Scranton on Christmas Eve. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Customers wait in the line at South Side Seafood in Scranton on Christmas Eve. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Mark Bradigan, director of operations for Gerrity’s, which operates 10 supermarkets throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne and Northampton counties, has found warm and cold water lobster tails are typically the best sellers for New Year’s and their price is comparable last year. Gerrity’s is selling 8-9 oz. lobster tails for $14.99 – up from $13.99 a year ago, Bradigan said. Also, the price of snow crab clusters is up slightly from last year but Bradigan stressed it’s down significantly from several years ago when supply was scarce. “We have 5-8 oz. snow crab clusters for $8.99 a pound,” he said. “Customers were paying $9.99 to $11.99 in previous years.” Fish, which typically serves as the main course for Christmas Eve, also has a place at the New Year’s table and prices are comparable to last year, Bradigan said. “We sell a lot of fillets for New Year’s,” he said. “I think a lot of people try to start the new year off right by trying to eat healthy. We see a jump in salmon and fresh haddock.” For Jim Nixon, vice president and general manager of Valley Seafood on North Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre, seafood sales have been even better than usual this holiday season. “There has been more people than normal coming in and besides the staples like fresh haddock, clams and shrimp, there have been a lot more cold water lobster tails sold,” he said. “People want quality items and they’re willing to pay whatever the price is for them.” Jewel Silfies, a sales associate for Adelphia Seafood in Pottsville, noticed customers stopping in earlier than usual to beat the Christmas rush to buy haddock, crab, shrimp and dry scallops. “Those are our hot ticket items,” she said. “It was a little bit slower paced this year because of the day Christmas fell. We had people coming out multiple days in advance instead of just the 23rd and 24th.” Chris Brugger, assistant manager for Valley Hometown Market in Sugarloaf Twp., believes better prices helped sales in December. “We had a strong Christmas week, as far as seafood,” he said. “It was the traditional haddock that we sell a lot of, cod, lobster tails. I felt like we were cheaper this year and supply was plentiful. We have everything and we didn’t run out of anything.” Brugger anticipates lobster and clams will sell well leading up to New Year’s. “Everything is stocked and ready for this week’s business,” he said.
Donald Trump’s transition team has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Justice Department, paving the way for the team to seek FBI background checks on the president-elect’s appointees. The agreement, announced by the Trump team on Tuesday, outlines the terms of cooperation between the transition team and the DOJ, marking a significant step in preparation for the incoming administration. It comes after complaints from some Republican senators that the delay in signing the memorandum could hold up the confirmation process for Trump’s nominees. “This allows the transition team to submit names for background checks and security clearances,” the transition said in a statement. CNN previously reported that the transition team was using private companies to conduct vetting of potential candidates and not going through traditional FBI screenings for at least some of its picks. It is still unclear how many of Trump’s candidates to lead various agencies and departments will be submitted to the FBI for background checks. Trump and his allies believe the FBI system is slow and plagued with issues that could stymie the president-elect’s plan to quickly begin the work of implementing his agenda, people briefed on the plans said. While some key GOP senators have suggested openness to Trump’s Cabinet picks not undergoing full FBI background checks, as has traditionally been done, others have said they’d like to see that process followed. “As I’ve repeatedly said to you, I believe that we need an FBI background check to evaluate the allegations,” Maine Sen. Susan Collins told CNN’s Manu Raju on Tuesday when asked about Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense. North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer said he would like to see an FBI background check or “something similar,” including a review by “private entities,” and also noted that committees have “a lot of the same investigative authorities” to vet nominees. Besides clearing the way for possible background checks, the agreement with the Justice Department grants the transition team enhanced access to critical information from federal agencies, allowing for more effective preparation as they take on the challenges and responsibilities of governing. “This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day,” Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff, said in a statement. The Trump transition last week signed an agreement with the White House, unlocking key transition briefings and activities after a lengthy delay that stemmed, in part, from the Trump team’s concerns over a mandatory ethics agreement. In signing the agreement, the team made clear it would be doing things its own way, vowing to operate as a “self-sufficient organization.” The Trump team did submit an ethics plan guiding the conduct of its members throughout the transition period, but as CNN reported last week, it does not appear to include provisions for one key member of the team: the president himself. CNN’s Betsy Klein, Steve Contorno and Arlette Saenz contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information.Bad Bunny announces a new album, ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ Happy holidays from Bad Bunny, who announced Thursday he will release a new album Jan. 5. “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which translates to “I should have taken more photos,” is his sixth studio album and follows in his tradition of releasing new music on unexpected dates. His debut album, 2018’s “X 100PRE,” arrived around Christmas and 2020’s “El Último Tour del Mundo” near Thanksgiving. The January release date is just before “Día de Reyes,” or Three Kings Day, and is a Sunday — unlike the industry’s standard Friday release date. The Puerto Rican musician announced the news on Instagram in a short video featuring filmmaker Jacobo Morales. He also released a new single, “PIToRRO DE COCO.” A day before, Bad Bunny teased a 17-track list on social media, with each song titled “BOMBA,” perhaps in reference to the Puerto Rican musical style and dance. “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” follows 2023’s “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” (“Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow”), which was met with mixed reviews. On that album, Bad Bunny’s reggaeton offerings were limited, returning instead to the Latin trap of “X 100PRE” in songs like “MONACO” and “GRACIAS POR NADA.” The announcement caps a busy year for El Conejo Malo. Bad Bunny made headlines after he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris shortly after a comedian at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally made crude jokes about Latinos and called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” He also canvassed North America on his “Most Wanted Tour,” which made The Associated Press’ list of the best concerts of the year. ‘Baby Driver’ actor Hudson Meek, 16, dies in a fall from a moving vehicle VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. | Teenage actor Hudson Meek has died after he fell out of a moving vehicle in Alabama, authorities said. Meek, 16, was hurt on Dec. 19 while on a street in Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham. He died two days later, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. The Vestavia Hills Police Department, which is investigating Meek’s death, has not issued any public statements. Meek made his on-screen debut in 2014’s “The Santa Con,” and had roles in various TV series, including “MacGyver.” He was perhaps best known for his role in the 2017 film “Baby Driver,” in which he played a younger version of Ansel Elgort’s titular character. “His 16 years on this earth were far too short, but he accomplished so much and significantly impacted everyone he met,” a post on Meek’s Instagram page read. Meek played football at Vestavia Hills High School, enjoyed Bible study with his teammates and had traveled to all 50 states. He loved snow skiing, making music playlists for his friends and singing in the school choir, according to his obituary, His family plans a funeral and memorial service on Saturday that will be livestreamed on Meek’s Instagram account. Richard Perry, record producer behind ‘You’re So Vain’ and other hits, dies at 82 Richard Perry, a hitmaking record producer with a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds whose many successes included Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” Rod Stewart’s “The Great American Songbook” series and a Ringo Starr album featuring all four Beatles, died Tuesday. He was 82. Perry, a recipient of a Grammys Trustee Award in 2015, died at a Los Angeles hospital after suffering cardiac arrest, friend Daphna Kastner said. “He maximized his time here,” said Kastner, who called him a “father friend” and said he was godfather to her son. “He was generous, fun, sweet and made the world a better place. The world is a little less sweeter without him here. But it’s a little bit sweeter in heaven.” Perry was a onetime drummer, oboist and doo-wop singer who proved at home with a wide variety of musical styles, the rare producer to have No. 1 hits on the pop, R&B, dance and country charts. He was on hand for Harry Nilsson’s “Without You” and The Pointer Sisters’ “I’m So Excited,” Tiny Tim’s novelty smash “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” and the Willie Nelson-Julio Iglesias lounge standard “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.” Perry was widely known as a “musician’s producer,” treating artists like peers rather than vehicles for his own tastes. Singers turned to him whether trying to update their sound (Barbra Streisand), set back the clock (Stewart), revive their career (Fats Domino) or fulfill early promise (Leo Sayer). “Richard had a knack for matching the right song to the right artist,” Streisand wrote in her 2023 memoir, “My Name is Barbra.” Perry’s life was a story, in part, of famous friends and the right places. He was backstage for 1950s performances by Little Richard and Chuck Berry, sat in the third row at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival during Otis Redding’s memorable set and attended a recording session for the Rolling Stones’ classic “Let It Bleed” album. A given week might find him dining one night with Paul and Linda McCartney, and Mick and Bianca Jagger the next. He dated Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Fonda among others and was briefly married to the actor Rebecca Broussard. In Stewart’s autobiography, “Rod,” he would remember Perry’s home in West Hollywood as “the scene of much late-night skulduggery through the 1970s and beyond, and a place you knew you could always fall into at the end of an evening for a full-blown knees-up with drink and music and dancing.” In the ‘70s, Perry helped facilitate a near-Beatles reunion. He had produced a track on Starr’s first solo album, “Sentimental Journey,” and grown closer to him through Nilsson and other mutual friends. “Ringo,” released in 1973, would prove the drummer was a commercial force in his own right — with some well-placed names stopping by. The album, featuring contributions from Nilsson, Billy Preston, Steve Cropper, Martha Reeves and all five members of The Band, reached No. 2 on Billboard and sold more than 1 million copies. Hit singles included the chart toppers “Photograph,” co-written by Starr and George Harrison, and a remake of the 1950s favorite “You’re Sixteen.” But for Perry and others, the most memorable track was a non-hit, custom made. John Lennon’s “I’m the Greatest” was a mock-anthem for the self-effacing drummer that brought three Beatles into the studio just three years after the band’s breakup. Starr was on drums and sang lead, Lennon was on keyboards and backing vocals and longtime Beatles friend Klaus Voormann played bass. They were still working on the song when Harrison’s assistant phoned, asking if the guitarist could join them. Harrison arrived soon after. “As I looked around the room, I realized that I was at the very epicenter of the spiritual and musical quest I had dreamed of for so many years,” Perry wrote in his 2021 memoir, “Cloud Nine.” “By the end of each session, a small group of friends had gathered, standing silently along the back wall, just thrilled to be there.” McCartney was not in town for “I’m the Greatest,” but he did help write and arrange the ballad “Six O’Clock,” featuring the ex-Beatle and Linda McCartney on backing vocals. Perry had helped make pop history the year before as producer of “You’re So Vain,” which he would call the nearest he came to a perfect record. Simon’s scathing ballad about an unnamed lover, with Voormann’s bass runs kicking off the song and Jagger joining on the chorus, hit No. 1 in 1972 and began a long-term debate over Simon’s intended target. Perry’s answer would echo Simon’s own belated response. “I’ll take this opportunity to give my insider’s scoop,” he wrote in his memoir. “The person that the song is based on is really a composite of several men that Carly dated in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, but primarily, it’s about my good friend, Warren Beatty.” Perry’s post-1970s work included such hit singles as The Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance” and DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night,” along with albums by Simon, Ray Charles and Art Garfunkel. He had his greatest success with Stewart’s million-selling “The Great American Songbook” albums, a project made possible by the rock star’s writer’s block and troubled private life. In the early 2000s, Stewart’s marriage to Rachel Hunter had ended and Perry was among those consoling him. With Stewart struggling to come up with original songs, he and Perry agreed that an album of standards might work, including “The Very Thought of You,” “Angel Eyes” and “Where or When.” “We were at a back table in our favorite restaurant as we exchanged ideas and wrote them down on a napkin,” Perry wrote in his memoir. Stewart softly sang the options. “As I sat there and listened to him sing, it was clear that we both sensed we were on to something,” Perry added. Perry was a New York City native born into a musical family; his parents, Mark and Sylvia Perry, co-founded Peripole Music, a pioneering manufacturer of instruments for young people. With his family’s help and encouragement, he learned to play drums and oboe and helped form a doo-wop group, the Escorts, that released a handful of singles. A music and theater major at the University of Michigan, he initially dreamed of acting on Broadway. Instead, he made the “life-changing” decision in the mid-1960s to form a production company with a recent acquaintance, Gary Katz, who would go on to work with Steely Dan among others. By the end of the decade, Perry was an industry star, working on Captain Beefheart’s acclaimed cult album, “Safe As Milk” and the debut recording of Tiny Tim and Ella Fitzgerald’s “Ella,” featuring the jazz great’s interpretations of songs by the Beatles, Smokey Robinson and Randy Newman. In the early 1970s, he would oversee Streisand’s million-selling “Stoney End” album, on which the singer turned from the show tunes that made her famous and covered a range of pop and rock music, from the title track, a Laura Nyro composition, to Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind.” “I liked Richard from the moment we met. He was tall and lanky, with a mop of dark, curly hair and a big smile, which his big heart,” Streisand wrote in her memoir. “At our first meeting, he arrived laden with songs, and we listened to them together. Whatever hesitation I may have felt about our collaboration soon vanished and I thought, ‘This could be fun, and musically liberating.’” The end of the ‘Rust’ criminal case against Alec Baldwin may unlock a civil lawsuit SANTA FE, N.M. | The conclusion of a criminal case against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer clears the way for a related civil lawsuit by relatives of the deceased woman and efforts to depose the actor under oath, attorneys for plaintiffs in the civil suit said Tuesday. At a news conference in Los Angeles, victims’ rights attorney Gloria Allred said that the parents and younger sister of deceased cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were disappointed that prosecutors won’t appeal the dismissal of an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. The criminal charge against Baldwin was dismissed halfway through trial in July on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense. Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie “Rust” in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Baldwin, the lead actor and coproducer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired. Allred said Hutchins’ relatives are determined to pursue damages and compensation from Baldwin and “Rust” producers in New Mexico civil court, and want Baldwin to answer questions under oath in the proceedings. Hutchins’ widower and son previously reached a separate legal settlement. “With the withdrawal that was made public yesterday, we are now able to proceed with our civil case,” Allred said. “Clearly, the rights of Alec Baldwin were protected, but the due process rights of the victims — Halyna Hutchins and her parents and her sister — were violated.” Allred said she’s ready to prove that Hutchins had a close relationship with her parents and sister — a prerequisite for seeking civil damages. In November court filings in the civil lawsuit, Baldwin denied allegations that he was negligent or at fault in the shooting of Hutchins and sought to suspend the case. Attorneys for Baldwin could not immediately be reached Tuesday. Allred read a statement from Hutchins’ sister, Svetlana Zemko, that said, “Mr. Baldwin must be held accountable.” In April, a judge sentenced movie weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to the maximum of 1 1/2 years at a state penitentiary on an involuntary manslaughter conviction in Hutchins’ death. Allred condemned New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez for declining to appeal the dismissal of the criminal charge against Baldwin, calling him “the Grinch who stole Christmas” at the Christmas Eve news conference. Torrez spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez defended the decision in an email, citing “significant procedural irregularities” identified by the judge in the criminal case. “Attorney General Torrez will not prolong the grief and anguish of Ms. Hutchins’ family in the vain attempt to salvage the compromised criminal case against Mr. Baldwin,” Rodriguez said. “There are other victims’ families in Santa Fe County and across New Mexico who are awaiting justice, and our energy needs to be devoted to supporting those cases on appeal.” —From AP reports
President Biden’s Sunday move to pardon his son Hunter weeks before he was set to be sentenced for his federal convictions served as Jon Stewart’s comedy fodder this week. During Monday’s episode of “The Daily Show,” the guest host said that while he respects Biden’s decision to protect his son, the sweeping pardon is a knock for Democrats because they framed Biden’s prior insistence on respecting the outcome of his son’s trial as their “Mason-Dixon line of morality.” “Hypocrisy isn’t illegal. Nor is it particularly unusual in politics,” Stewart said. “It’s not like he’s ever going to run again, so why not take care of your kid, even if you said weren’t gonna. I respect it, I don’t have a problem with it. “The problem is the rest of the Democrats made Biden’s pledge to not pardon Hunter the foundation of their defense of America, this grand experiment,” he added before playing several clips of Democratic lawmakers using Biden’s promise as a moral threshold. Stewart then showed news clips that he said depicted “the dance Democrats have to do” in response to Biden’s switch-up. “Be honest, the only reason why they went after Hunter the way they did — and I’ve talked to many federal prosecutors about this — is because he’s the president’s son,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said in one of the clips. Biden used a similar defense in a Sunday statement explaining his decision to issue the pardon, which effectively rolled back his son’s convictions in two federal cases relating to gun ownership and taxes. “I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice,” he said. “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.” Later in his opening monologue, Stewart also joked about the timing of Biden’s announcement, which came over Thanksgiving weekend. Stewart did not reserve his digs for the Democrats, whom he conceded “have a tougher road of defending our institutions and systems as being flawed, but still valuable.” Whereas, Republicans, he said, “just run on blowing this s— up.” He also mocked President-elect Donald Trump’s response to Biden’s pardon. Trump asked on his social media platform Truth Social if Biden’s decision also includes Jan. 6 insurrection “hostages.” He also characterized Biden’s decision as “an abuse and miscarriage of Justice.” “Oh, you pardoned your son?” Stewart said, pantomiming the former president. “Well, what about the people who tried to help me overthrow the government? That’s kind of a leap there. It’s like going, you know, ‘Oh you’re going to let the kids stay up to watch “SNL,” but you’re not even going to try to help me burn the neighbor’s house down?’ ” Along with Stewart, several other late-night hosts chimed in with their own pardon-related jabs Monday night. “It was a big shopping weekend, and millions of people got great deals,” Jimmy Fallon said on “The Tonight Show.” “But nobody got a better deal than Hunter Biden.” Fox News contributor Tyrus kept the holiday theme going on “Gutfield,” quipping, “Christmas came early for this guy.”Detroit Red Wings defense prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka displayed his offensive abilities Thursday during the first day of the World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Sandin-Pellikka recorded a natural hat trick and added an assist for a four-point game in Sweden’s 5-2 victory over Slovakia. Sandin-Pellikka, the team captain, snapped a 1-1 tie with a power-play goal at 17:43 of the second period and added two goals in the third. He finished with 11 shots on goal in 20:55. “We have a lot of good defensemen who like to play with the puck, so it’s fun that we got some goals from there,” Sandin-Pellikka said in a post on iihf.com. “We played a good game overall, so we’re happy. We played with patience. We kept our cool. We had a lot of chances and knew pucks were going to go in soon enough, and they did.” Sandin-Pellikka, 19, was named the top defenseman in the tournament last year when Sweden won the silver medal. The 17th overall pick in 2023, Sandin-Pellikka now has five goals and six assists in 15 World Junior games over three years. USA 10, Germany 4: Red Wings goaltending prospect Trey Augustine (Michigan State) stopped 18-of-22 shots as the U.S. opened defense of its gold medal with a blowout win. Team USA was led offensively by James Hagens (two goals, two assists) and Gabe Perreault (two goals, one assist) of Boston College, Cole Hutson (five assists) of Boston University and Brodie Ziemer (two goals) of Minnesota. Red Wings forward prospect Max Plante contributed an assist in 10:15.Qatar tribune agencies The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that it has reached an agreement with Egypt to unlock about $1.2bn in funds to prop up the country’s troubled finances. The Washington, DC-based lender said on Tuesday that it reached the “staff-level agreement”, which is subject to approval by the Executive Board, after Cairo outlined steps to improve macroeconomic stability. Egyptian authorities agreed to raise the tax-to-revenue ratio by 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) over the next two years and accelerate the divestment of state-owned companies, among other steps, the lender said. “A comprehensive reform package is needed to ensure that Egypt rebuilds fiscal buffers to reduce debt vulnerabilities, and generates additional space to increase social spending, especially in health, education and social protection,” said Ivanna Vladkova Hollar, who led the IMF’s discussions with Egyptian authorities. The two sides also agreed on the need to speed up reforms to improve the business environment, Hollar said. “In this regard, more decisive efforts are needed to level the playing field, reduce the state footprint in the economy, and increase private sector confidence to help Egypt attract foreign investment and develop its full economic potential,” she said. Egypt in March struck a deal to receive an $8bn loan from the IMF in tranches subject to undertaking economic reforms, expanding on a $3bn, 46-month deal struck in December 2022. As part of the terms of the loan, Cairo agreed to let its currency sharply depreciate and allow the exchange rate to be determined by market forces. Copy 27/12/2024 10