Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and actor Gwyneth Paltrow appeared to be in good spirits as they jointly celebrated their 20-year-old daughter, Apple Martin, this weekend. The famous exes attended Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris, where Apple Martin made her society debut in a Valentino Haute Couture gown. Also in attendance at the fête were Martin and Paltrow’s 18-year-old son, Moses Martin, and Paltrow’s mother, actor Blythe Danner . Founded in 1994, Le Bal des Débutantes is a modernized take on the 18th century debutante ball tradition. Each year, the invitation-only event introduces about 20 young women, between the ages of 16 and 22, from about 12 countries into society. Though organizers acknowledge that the notion of a society debut may seem dated in the era of social media, Le Bal des Débutantes is meant to support the “empowerment of young women and young men as well as the harmony of nations,” according to its website. Still, Apple Martin didn’t forgo tradition entirely. Footage captured by the French outlet Paris Match shows her sharing a waltz with her beaming dad. A post shared by Paris Match (@parismatch) Of course, much of the buzz following the event was focused on Apple Martin’s sky blue gown. According to Vogue , the dress was designed by Valentino’s creative director, Alessandro Michele , and took about 750 hours to make. Michele also created custom tuxedos for both Chris and Moses Martin, while Paltrow selected a gown from Valentino’s spring 2025 collection . In addition to Apple Martin, other 2024 debutantes reportedly included Sophia Loren’s granddaughter, Lucia Ponte, and Sophie Tei Naaki Lee Kodjoe, the daughter of “Empire” and “And Just Like That” actor Nicole Ari Parker. Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone. Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. Though Saturday’s event might have marked the start of a new personal chapter, Apple Martin is not exactly a stranger to the spotlight. In 2023, she made her Paris Fashion Week debut when she joined “Stranger Things” actor Sadie Sink at Chanel’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer show. Only time will tell, however, if Apple Martin follows in her parents’ footsteps by pursuing a career in show business. In 2022, Paltrow confirmed that her daughter had enrolled in college that fall, but did not specify which school she’s attending or her field of study. Watch an “Entertainment Tonight” report on Chris and Apple Martin below. Related From Our PartnerBBC Strictly Come Dancing fans hit out at Shirley Ballas' unexpected move and start 'protest'
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A group of veterans who played key roles in the private evacuation of thousands of Americans from Afghanistan in 2021 spoke out in defense of Pete Hegseth , President-elect Donald Trump 's defense secretary pick. Hegseth's nomination has come under heavy scrutiny, putting into question the viability of him passing the Senate. Several leading veterans have come to his defense, including former Force Recon Marine Chad Robichaux. WHAT MAGA AND THE GOP WILL LOOK LIKE IN A POST-TRUMP ERA Robichaux's and his team evacuated over 17,000 people in the wake of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, an act recognized by Congress. In an interview with the Washington Examiner, he threw his full support behind Hegseth. He took particular aim at senators hesitant on voting for his confirmation, hitting them for not being hesitant when confirming current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. HOW TRUMP COULD IMPACT THE PENTAGON "That's the same Senate that's saying that [Hegseth] maybe had a few too many drinks, or whatever he did, is the same one that was silent when [Austin] left Americans behind, and when I say left Americans behind — thousands of Americans behind, in Afghanistan, when he left thousands of Americans stranded in Africa when he left thousands of Americans stranded in Ukraine," he said. Robichaux said that he had seen a groundswell of support for Hegseth, among groups previously apolitical. "There is a huge push from the military . Well, I've never seen this before," he said. "I've been around the military for 30 years. I've never seen [people] in the Marine Corps for four years, putting on social media who they want to be their secretary of defense. Most of the time, they don't even know who their secretary of defense is." "Everyone wants him in, mainly because he doesn't have a star," Robichaux said, referring to generals' stars. BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, CONGRESS, AND UNIONS TRY TO ‘TRUMP-PROOF SCIENCE’ He argued that generals were too separated from the regular troops to carry out their mission effectively, and that soldiers preferred one of their own. "Pete doesn't have to doesn't have to have lead at a strategic level. He doesn't have to have a star. He's a leader. He's he's got the right vision," Robichaux said. "And when he sits in this situation room and the nation needs him to make a decision, he's not going to do it in a silo." "He's going to be surrounded by the right people to make the right decision, to do their jobs, and that's very important for the American people to understand. He's not a Fox News host. He's a guy that served his country and in combat twice, Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) echoed this sentiment, praising Hegseth's qualifications while bashing Austin. “Pete Hegseth is exactly the kind of leader we need as Secretary of Defense. He’s a combat veteran who’s led men in battle, holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard, and has the courage to take on the root causes of our military recruitment crisis, like the destructive and divisive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion," he told the Washington Examiner. TRUMP’S ‘NO TAXES ON OVERTIME’ PROPOSAL: WHAT TO KNOW Mills put the full blame of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan on Austin, over which he filed articles of impeachment against him. "I filed articles of impeachment against Austin for his dereliction of duty because leadership matters. When Austin failed to do his job, veterans like myself who stepped in to rescue American families left behind. Pete Hegseth’s leadership, integrity, and experience are exactly what this nation needs to restore accountability and strength to the Department of Defense," he concluded. Benghazi contractor Mark "Oz" Geist also lent his support to Hegseth. "As a warfighter, Pete Hegseth stands out because he gets what it takes to win on the battlefield—he’s lived it. His firsthand experience in Iraq and Afghanistan means he understands the realities of combat, the importance of morale, and the need for a lethal, well-trained force ready to fight and win," he told the Washington Examiner in a statement. Geist contrasted Hegseth to Austin, arguing that Austin's focus had been on "bureaucracy and social agendas" to the detriment of combat effectiveness. "He knows that strength, clarity of purpose, and a no-nonsense approach are what it takes to dominate any adversary, making him a leader who would ensure the military is always ready for the next fight," he said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER After former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz dropped out as Trump’s attorney general nomination, the primary target of scrutiny landed on Hegseth. Reports emerged of past sexual assault allegations, financial mismanagement, and a drinking on the job. On Sunday the New Yorker published an article based on a whistleblower’s seven-page report detailing numerous allegations against Hegseth while he served as the president of Concerned Veterans for America from 2013 to 2016. He's pushed against the allegations, but promised Senators that he wouldn't drink if confirmed for the post. Trump’s team has publicly stood by him, decrying the accusations as false and politically motivated.Everyone should have a good blender in their kitchen and right now Amazon’s Cyber Monday sale includes a deal on the Ninja TB201 Detect Power Blender Pro that can save you a decent amount. The Ninja line of kitchen products includes tons of different appliances these days, but it started with blenders. What set them apart was their power and features for such a low price compared to high-end stuff. Normally the Ninja TB201 would cost you $139.99 if you had to pay the full price. However, for the rest of Cyber Monday, it can be yours for only $99.99. That means you end up saving $40. With the Ninja TB201 Dectect Power Blender Pro, you get a lot of functionality that will help transform anything you make. It has 1800 peak watts so it’s very powerful and should have no problem blending just about anything you would normally throw in a blender. You can use it for making smoothies, salsas, soups, and tons more. The pitcher that comes with it is also 72oz. That’s a ton of room for whatever you’re blending. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to make stuff in batches because my Ninja bullet-style blender just didn’t have enough room for all the ingredients. What’s nice about this and other Ninja blenders too is the Blendsense technology. This is a smart setting that adjusts the speed and time so that everything comes out perfectly smooth. It has more than this setting, of course, but I find it always gets the job done. There’s also a little display on the front that tells you the runtime, mode type, and more. If you don’t already have a good blender in the kitchen, don’t hesitate to pick this one up. Buy at Amazon
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COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims' families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions shared a range of emotions on Monday, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences . Biden converted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people who were convicted in the slayings of police, military officers and federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row: Dylann Roof , convicted of the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the 2013 Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they'd long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump , a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move as an assault to common decency just weeks before the president-elect takes office. Victims' families and former colleagues share relief and anger Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by an inmate whose death sentence was commuted, said the execution of “the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace.” “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.” Heather Turner, whose mother, Donna Major, was killed in a bank robbery in South Carolina in 2017, called Biden's commutation of the killer's sentence a “clear gross abuse of power” in a Facebook post, adding that the weeks she spent in court with the hope of justice were now “just a waste of time.” “At no point did the president consider the victims,” Turner wrote. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” Decision to leave Roof on death row met with conflicting emotions There has always been a broad range of opinions on what punishment Roof should face from the families of the nine people killed and the survivors of the massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church. Many forgave him, but some say they can’t forget and their forgiveness doesn’t mean they don’t want to see him put to death for what he did. Felicia Sanders survived the shooting shielding her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son, Tywanza, and her aunt, Susie Jackson. Sanders brought her bullet-torn bloodstained Bible to his sentencing and said then she can’t even close her eyes to pray because Roof started firing during the closing prayer of Bible study that night. In a text message to her lawyer, Andy Savage, Sanders called Biden’s decision to not spare Roof’s life a wonderful Christmas gift. Michael Graham, whose sister, Cynthia Hurd, was killed, told The Associated Press that Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the country means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people," Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” But the Rev. Sharon Richer, who was Tywanza Sanders’ cousin and whose mother, Ethel Lance, was killed, criticized Biden for not sparing Roof and clearing out all of death row. She said every time Roof’s case comes up through numerous appeals it is like reliving the massacre all over again. “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims' families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal,” Richer said in a statement. Richer, a board member of Death Penalty Action, which seeks to abolish capital punishment, was driven to tears by conflicting emotions during a Zoom news conference Monday. “The families are left to be hostages for the years and years of appeals that are to come,” Richer said. “I’ve got to stay away from the news today. I’ve got to turn the TV off — because whose face am I going to see?” Biden is giving more attention to the three inmates he chose not to spare, something they all wanted as a part of what drove them to kill, said Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action’s executive director. “These three racists and terrorists who have been left on death row came to their crimes from political motivations. When Donald Trump gets to execute them what will really be happening is they will be given a global platform for their agenda of hatred,” Bonowitz said. Politicians and advocacy groups speak up Biden had faced pressure from advocacy organizations to commute federal death sentences, and several praised him for taking action in his final month in office. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that Biden “has shown our country — and the rest of the world — that the brutal and inhumane policies of our past do not belong in our future.” Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, on the other hand, criticized the move — and argued its moral ground was shaky given the three exceptions. “Once again, Democrats side with depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency,” Cotton wrote on X. “Democrats can’t even defend Biden’s outrageous decision as some kind of principled, across-the-board opposition to the death penalty since he didn’t commute the three most politically toxic cases.” Liz Murrill, Louisiana's Republican attorney general, criticized the commuted sentence of Len Davis, a former New Orleans policeman convicted of orchestrating the killing of a woman who had filed a complaint against him. “We can’t trust the Feds to get justice for victims of heinous crimes, so it’s long past time for the state to get it done,” the tough-on-crime Republican said in a written statement to the AP. One inmate's attorney expresses thanks — and his remorse Two men whose sentences were commuted were Norris Holder and Billie Jerome Allen, on death row for opening fire with assault rifles during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, killing a guard, 46-year-old Richard Heflin. Holder’s attorney, Madeline Cohen, said in an email that Holder, who is Black, was sentenced to death by an all-white jury. She said his case “reflects many of the system’s flaws,” and thanked Biden for commuting his sentence. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. “Norris has always been deeply remorseful for the pain his actions caused, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure to Richard Heflin’s family.” ___ Swenson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, and Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report.
PPP MPs take govt to task on slow internet speed PPP legislators came hard on government over slow speed of internet and also the closure of social media platform X Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja tables digital Pakistan bill in the National Assembly on December 16, 2024. — Screengrab via National Assembly of Pakistan/YouTube ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the National Assembly that national secaurity was the top priority and they have to strengthen the cyber security to prevent cyber-attacks, data leakage and digital strikes from hostile elements and states. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); “The cybersecurity of citizens, entities and institutions becomes of paramount significance and in addition, it is of utmost importance to protect the data of its citizens, entities, as well as blocking websites having objectionable and offensive material under the laws of Pakistan,” she said in response to concern of legislators over the slow speed of internet and closure of social media platform ‘X’ during the Question-Hour in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Shaza stated that the government strives to take all possible steps to safeguard cyberspace as well as protect against objectionable and offensive material, as has been done by previous governments in line with obligations of the government as per restrictions imposed under Article 19. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) legislators came hard on the government over the slow speed of internet and also the closure of social media platform X. PPP’s Shazia Marri said it was funny that the Digital Nation Bill was brought at such an internet speed, and the firewalls have become deaf to the listeners. Marri said the situation of the government’s measures was ridiculous, the internet was shut down in the country and they were bringing the Digital Pakistan Bill. “We are not against social media but against its misuse. For what those who do not misuse social media are being punished,” she questioned. Abdul Qadir Patel said that he had never seen such destruction of the internet, neither X was running, nor voice notes were opening and no pictures were being uploaded, adding that business and children’s education were being damaged. Responding to the questions, the minister said X was closed due to security concerns on the advice of Interior Ministry. She said that there was no question of restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of speech, X was used by around 2 percent of people in Pakistan. Shaza said if the government was interested in restricting the freedom of speech, it would have banned Facebook and TikTok, which were most popular and used in Pakistan. Shaza, however, acknowledged some challenges to users’ experience because of the internet congestion and limited spectrum availability. The minister said average internet speed had improved by 28 percent, while usage of mobile phones surged to 24 percent. She added that IT exports in November this year increased by 25 percent. She further said that Pakistan’s internet runs at 274 megahertz, which provides limited accessibility and the government is trying to enhance spectrum density to the level of top 10 regional countries. She added that four more under-sea cables would be laid down in the next two years to improve internet connectivity and speed. Efforts were also being made to enhance investment in the telecom sector, she said. In a reply to legislator Zahra Waood Fatemi concerning the closure of social media platform X, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that in pursuance of the Ministry of Interior direction dated 17th February 2024, PTA has blocked access to X under Rule (57) of the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online content (procedure, Oversight, Safeguard) Rules, 2021. She stated that the communication plan/updates on this ban are being handled by the Interior Ministry. She told the National Assembly that the auction of 5G spectrum would be held in April 2025. In reply to a question from Shakir Bashir Awan, the minister told the House that Pakistan’s IT & IT-enabled Services (ITeS) sector was making a significant contribution to exports and foreign exchange earnings. She stated that remittances inflow from telecommunications, computer and information services surged to the highest-ever exports of $3.223 billion by the ICT (information and communication technology) industry in the fiscal year 2023-24. She further stated that a trade surplus of $2.827 billion, the highest in all services (87.71 percent of total ICT export remittances) was achieved by the IT & ITeS industry during FY2023-24, an increase of 22.31 percent as compared to a trade surplus of $2.297 billion during the last year (FY2022-23). “This is particularly noteworthy as the Pakistan services sector had a trade deficit of $2.313 billion during FY2023-24 indicating a higher import of services compared to exports,” she said. The minister stated that ICT sector exports of $3.223 billion were the highest among all services (41.29 percent of the total export of services) with ‘Other Business Services’ trailing at $1.55 billion.NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent pitchers Luis Gabriel Moreno and Alejandro Crisostomo were suspended for 80 games each by Major League Baseball on Friday following positive tests for performance-enhancing substances under the minor league drug program. Moreno tested positive for Nandrolone, and Crisostomo tested positive for Boldenone and Nandrolone, the commissioner’s office said. A 26-year-old right-hander, Moreno was released by the New York Mets’ Class A Brooklyn Cyclones on Tuesday. He was 5-1 with a 5.33 ERA in 12 relief appearances this season for Brooklyn after spending 2016-23 in the San Francisco Giants organization. Crisostomo, a 24-year-old right-hander, was released by Minnesota on Aug. 24 after going 0-1 with a 7.13 ERA this year with the Florida Complex League Twins. He signed with Boston in 2017, spent 2018 in the Dominican Summer League with the Red Sox, then signed with Minnesota and spent 2023 with the Twins DSL team. Nineteen players have been suspended this year for positive drug tests, including eight under the minor league program and nine under the new program for minor league players assigned outside the United States and Canada. Two players have been suspended this year under the major league drug program. Noelvi Marté , a 22-year-old infielder who is the Cincinnati Reds’ top prospect, missed the first 80 games following a positive test for boldenone. Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martínez was suspended for 80 games on June 23 following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug clomiphene, an announcement made two days after his major league debut . AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb'Open your doors': Notre Dame re-opens after five-year refit
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