U.S. Interior Department approves 20-year Pactola-Rapid Creek mineral withdrawalDemocracy tested in Eastern Europe amid accusations of Russian meddlingTech winners and losers of 2024: For every triumph, a turkeyNorth Korean state media mentioned South Korea’s martial law drama from December 3 for the first time on Wednesday, describing the actions of President Yoon Suk-yeol as “shocking.” The report denounced Yoon as a “fascist dictator” and South Korean soldiers who followed his commands as “gangsters.” Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) contemptuously described Yoon’s government as a “puppet regime,” presumably meaning a puppet of the United States. The North Korean agency blasted Yoon for “suddenly declaring a martial law decree and unhesitatingly wielding the guns and knives of its fascist dictatorship wrought havoc across South Korea.” “Yoon Suk-yeol, who was faced with the possibility of being kicked out, committed an insane act that was reminiscent of the coup during the military dictatorship several decades ago and that drew strong condemnation from all walks of life, including the opposition party and further ignited the public anger demanding impeachment,” the report said . “Several helicopters and fully armed martial law forces, including the gangster organization, the Army Special Warfare Command, were deployed to seal off the National Assembly,” the report said. “The international community is sternly watching, with assessments that the martial law incident exposed vulnerabilities in South Korean society – and that Yoon Suk Yeol’s political life could face an early end,” KCNA concluded. Watchdog site NK News noted that North Korea waited an exceptionally long time to weigh in on the martial law disaster, compared to its general enthusiasm for harping on any news that could make South Korea’s government look weak or corrupt. KCNA was pumping out a steady stream of critical coverage of Yoon before the martial law attempt, but stopped mentioning him at all for a week afterward. Jonathan Corrado, policy director at the Korea Society nonprofit in New York, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) the North Koreans might have been wary of covering the martial law story too quickly or closely, because even “bad” news about South Korea gives North Korea’s captive citizens a good look at someplace they would much rather be living. Corrado recalled North Korea’s gleeful coverage of South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s downfall on corruption charges in 2016 and 2017, which “revealed the extent of South Korea’s urban modernization” to the residents of North Korea’s drab cities, and “showed the North Korean public the extent of South Korea’s civil society and democracy.” North Korean defector Lee Hyun-seung, who now works as a strategist for the Global Peace Foundation in Maryland, suggested North Korea was keeping fairly quiet about the biggest South Korean political crisis in 40 years because the North Koreans are worried about accidentally changing the narrative. “North Korea believes that President Yoon will be impeached,” Lee said. “They are staying silent because they believe that if they step forward, they could provide an excuse for conservatives to oppose impeachment.” Lee also thought the North Koreans might be reluctant to draw attention to themselves because they have “organizations that operate to influence South Korea,” and they want those organizations to operate without too much scrutiny in South Korea’s moment of crisis. The UK Guardian chortled at the “irony” of North Korea – which really is ruled by a fascist dictator – hectoring Yoon for allegedly unleashing “dictatorship on the people” of South Korea. KCNA also fawned over protests against Yoon in Seoul, of the sort that would never be permitted against Pyongyang’s dictator Kim Jong-un. “Leaders in Russia, China, and especially North Korea are likely watching the political turmoil in South Korea with glee, sensing a geopolitical advantage,” Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Seoul’s Ewha University, told the Guardian. “Authoritarian regimes believe that if they manage to stay in power, they can outlast democratic rivals that eventually commit self-harm, descend into dysfunction, and fall out with allies,” Easley said. One other consideration is North Korea’s decision to get involved in the Ukraine war on Russia’s behalf. With thousands of troops on the ground in Russia, fighting against Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk province, Pyongyang might prefer not to stir up too much trouble with its southern neighbor for a while.
Pep Guardiola admits he is questioning himself after Manchester City’s latest defeat left them in danger of missing out on the Champions League knockout stages. City slumped to their seventh defeat in 10 games in all competitions as they were beaten 2-0 at Juventus in their latest European outing on Wednesday. Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie at the Allianz Stadium left Guardiola’s side languishing in 22nd place in the standings. Juventus beat Man City 💪 #UCL pic.twitter.com/H4KL15iCke — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 11, 2024 With just two games of the league phase remaining, a place in the top eight and automatic last-16 qualification looks beyond them and they face a battle just to stay in the top 24 and claim a play-off spot. City manager Guardiola said: “Of course I question myself but I’m stable in good moments and bad moments. “I try to find a way to do it. I’m incredibly honest. If we play good (I say) we played good and today I thought we played good. “Our game will save us. We can do it. We conceded few chances compared to the Nottingham Forest game that we won. We’re making the right tempo. “We missed the last pass, did not arrive in the six-yard box (at the right time) or have the composure at the right moment. “But I love my team. This is life, it happens. Sometimes you have a bad period but I’m going to insist until we’re there.” City now face a crunch trip to Paris St Germain, who are also at risk of failing to qualify, next month. Guardiola accepts the top 24 is now the only aim. He said: “It’s the target. We need one point or three points. We go to Paris to try to do it and the last game at home.” Veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said after the game he felt City were suffering from a loss of confidence but Guardiola dismissed his player’s comments. “I am not agreeing with Ilkay,” he said. “Of course it is tough but, except one or two games in this period, we’ve played good.” City now face a further test of their resolve as they host rivals Manchester United in a derby on Sunday. "We played well" Pep Guardiola trusts in his squad despite 2-0 loss to Juventus... 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/VrmTzcTrEF — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024 Gundogan told TNT Sports: “It (confidence) is a big part of it. That’s a mental issue as well. “You can see that sometimes we miss the ball or lose a duel and you see that we drop immediately and lose the rhythm. They (the opponents) don’t even need to do much but it has such a big effect on us right now. “Even more you have to do the simple things as good as possible and create and fluidity, then it’s work hard again. This is how you get confidence back – do the small and simple things, (but) in crucial moments at the moment we are always doing the wrong things.” Juventus coach Thiago Motta was pleased with the hosts’ performance, which boosted their hopes of making the top eight. “It was a deserved victory,” he said. “We had to defend as a team and be ready to attack with quality. “We have shown we can compete at this level and now we have to do it consistently.”L.A. Rams star Puka Nacua hosts holiday pizza party for HomeLight familiesMETAIRIE, La. (AP) — If Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi has any definite ideas about who’ll play quarterback for New Orleans against Washington on Sunday, he’s not ready to share that information. Rizzi maintained on Wednesday that there’s still a chance that Derek Carr could clear the concussion protocol and function well enough with his injured, non-throwing left hand to return against the Commanders. Meanwhile, reserve QBs Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler split first-team snaps during Wednesday’s practice, which Carr missed, Rizzi said. “We’re not going to name a starter right now,” said Rizzi, who also made a point of noting that Carr would not be placed on the club’s injured reserve list and would not need surgery. “We’re going to see how that progression plays out, first with Derek and then obviously with Jake and Spencer.” Carr, whose latest injury occurred when he tried to dive for a first down during Sunday’s 14-11 victory over the New York Giants , has already missed three starts this season because of a separate, oblique injury. New Orleans lost all three of those games, with Rattler, a rookie, starting and Haener, a second-year pro, serving as the backup. RELATED COVERAGE Chargers QB Justin Herbert does not practice because of left ankle injury Bills defense out to prove against high-scoring Lions that it’s better than its dud vs. Rams Aaron Rodgers suggests a ‘curse’ might be the reason for the Jets’ losing ways In his three starts, Rattler completed 59 of 99 passes (59.6%) for 571 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Haener has gotten sporadic work this season in relief of both Carr and Rattler, completing 14 of 29 passes (48.3%) for 177 yards and one TD without an interception. Rizzi said he finds the 6-foot-1 Haener and 6-foot Rattler “very similar in a lot of ways,” adding that whichever of those two might play “doesn’t change a whole bunch” in terms of game-planning. The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . “They’re both similar-size guys. Their athletic ability is very similar,” Rizzi said. “They’re similar-style quarterbacks. We’re not dealing with opposites on the spectrum.” The Saints also signed another QB this week — Ben DiNucci — to help take scout team snaps at practice, now that Rattler and Haener are not as available to do that while competing to possibly start if Carr is indeed unable to play. The Saints (5-8) have won three of four games since Rizzi took over following the firing of coach Dennis Allen. That allowed New Orleans to remain alive in the NFC South Division, currently led by Tampa Bay (7-6). Rizzi said Carr has not had any setbacks this week in terms of progressing through the NFL’s concussion protocol. “By the end of the week, if’s he’s not able to get any reps in any form or fashion, then obviously we’ll go with one of the other guys,” Rizzi said. NOTES: RB Alvin Kamara did not practice on Wednesday because of an illness. ... WR Chris Olave, who is out indefinitely because of concussions this season, has returned to meetings at Saints headquarters. He as not, however, made plans to return to practice yet because he still plans to meet first with neurological specialists to try to assess the risks of returning to action during what’s left of this season. Rizzi said the possibility of Olave playing again this season remains “on the table” for now. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Equity positioning remains above average, with US stocks in lead: Deutsche BankSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The bird flu virus was detected in a retail sample of raw milk from a dairy in Fresno, California, state health officials said. The sample obtained at a store tested positive Nov. 21 during routine screening by Santa Clara County health officers, the state Department of Public Health said Sunday. The dairy, Raw Farm, issued a voluntary recall for one batch of cream top, whole raw milk with a best buy date of Nov. 27. “Consumers should immediately return any remaining product to the store where it was purchased,” the state health department said in a statement. Pasteurized milk remains safe to drink, the department said. On Friday, health officials confirmed bird flu in a California child — the first reported case in a U.S. minor. The child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication and is recovering, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. There have been at least 55 U.S. bird flu cases this year, including 29 in California, the CDC said. Most were farmworkers who tested positive with mild symptoms. Related Articles National News | Is Outlook down? Thousands of Microsoft 365 users report outage issues National News | Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgender National News | FDA authorizes clinical trials to study cannabis use for veterans with PTSD National News | Thanksgiving travel live updates: Airport strikes, winter storms expected to cause delays National News | Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely in the U.S. among wild birds, poultry and a number of other animals over the last few years. It began spreading in U.S. dairy cattle in March. California has become the center of that outbreak, with 402 infected herds detected there since August. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Underground fire still burning at Williamsburg Premium Outlets; officials advise caution Underground fire still burning at Williamsburg Premium Outlets; officials advise caution 7 people in custody after barricade situation in Norfolk 7 people in custody after barricade situation in Norfolk Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse at Williamsburg Premium Outlets Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse at Williamsburg Premium Outlets One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? Teel: Return as columnist at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press is a privilege Teel: Return as columnist at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press is a privilege Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Scrabble,’ dies at 83 Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Scrabble,’ dies at 83 Corey Hairston retires as Warwick football coach; defensive coordinator Thomas Sykes is named successor Corey Hairston retires as Warwick football coach; defensive coordinator Thomas Sykes is named successor Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump Virginia live election results Virginia live election results Newport News man dies, 1 seriously injured in Isle of Wight crash Newport News man dies, 1 seriously injured in Isle of Wight crash Trending Nationally Holiday homecoming for 1,300 Camp Pendleton Marines brings smiles One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? Lizzo shows off dramatic weight loss in new photos Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Florida. Here’s why After bankruptcy court, Spirit sees future as a higher value airline ‘for years to come’
With the New York Yankees addressing their need at first base with Paul Goldschmidt, the stove has gone from red-hot to ice-cold for Brian Cashman, who has spent $64 million through numerous trades and signings. Their work isn’t done yet, as according to Jon Heyman, they’re still involved in the bullpen market with left-handed veteran relievers Andrew Chafin and Tim Hill being at the top of their list of free agent targets. While the bullpen is a strength for the Yankees right now, they have some redundancy due to the flurry of right-handed arms in that group. Hill, who spent last year with the Yankees as an unsung hero, is the fan-favorite incumbent option, but Chafin brings a veteran arm as well as he posted a 3.51 ERA and 28.5% strikeout rate in his age-34 season with the Tigers and Rangers. Tim Hill and Andrew Chafin Garnering Interest From Yankees It’s easy to see why the Yankees would want Tim Hill back, who served an extremely valuable role in the Yankees’ bullpen as their primary lefty with a strong sinker and excellent groundball numbers. While he had just a 10.7% strikeout rate between Chicago and New York, he posted a 3.36 ERA and had a 68.2% groundball rate, improving his production with the Yankees mid-season. In 35 appearances with the Bronx Bombers, Hill posted a 2.05 ERA and 69.9% groundball rate, being even better in the postseason where he was a reliable weapon for manager Aaron Boone in their biggest games. Hill posted a 1.08 ERA with a 55.6% groundball rate across 10 playoff appearances, showing off his elite sinker even though he sits at around 90-91 MPH with it. Entering his age-35 season, he’s only a few months older than Andrew Chafin , who brings some more swing-and-miss thanks to his wicked slider. He posted a 3.51 ERA last season with a 28.5% strikeout rate, struggling in Texas after a strong first half with the upstart Tigers who sold at the deadline. Andrew Chafin has elite swing-and-miss numbers, running a 34.5% Whiff Rate which ranks in the 96th Percentile for pitchers. His gyro slider produced over 43 inches of vertical drop and generated a Whiff Rate north of 50% as a result, with batters slugging a measly .186 against the pitch. Chafin’s four-seamer and sinker didn’t have the same kind of success, as his fastball velocity has sunk from 93-94 MPH in his younger years to about 91-92 MPH. He still generates a good amount of horizontal movement on his sinker and vertical movement on his fastball, but perhaps the Yankees are able to get some value out of him by finetuning his fastballs or adding to his repertoire with a cutter. The Yankees would love to improve his groundball numbers from the last two seasons, and they might be able to by shifting his sinker locating a bit. Perhaps having him attack inside to right-handed batters and away from lefties could play up his cross-fire delivery, but that’s an adjustment that would be left up to more informed people such as Matt Blake and Sam Briend. Second base (or third base) remains a hole on the roster for the Yankees to address as well, although suitable options to upgrade with aren’t as apparent on the market right now with the team over the fourth threshold. This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.
City slumped to their seventh defeat in 10 games in all competitions as they were beaten 2-0 at Juventus in their latest European outing on Wednesday. Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie at the Allianz Stadium left Guardiola’s side languishing in 22nd place in the standings. Juventus beat Man City 💪 #UCL pic.twitter.com/H4KL15iCke — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 11, 2024 With just two games of the league phase remaining, a place in the top eight and automatic last-16 qualification looks beyond them and they face a battle just to stay in the top 24 and claim a play-off spot. City manager Guardiola said: “Of course I question myself but I’m stable in good moments and bad moments. “I try to find a way to do it. I’m incredibly honest. If we play good (I say) we played good and today I thought we played good. “Our game will save us. We can do it. We conceded few chances compared to the Nottingham Forest game that we won. We’re making the right tempo. “We missed the last pass, did not arrive in the six-yard box (at the right time) or have the composure at the right moment. “But I love my team. This is life, it happens. Sometimes you have a bad period but I’m going to insist until we’re there.” City now face a crunch trip to Paris St Germain, who are also at risk of failing to qualify, next month. Guardiola accepts the top 24 is now the only aim. He said: “It’s the target. We need one point or three points. We go to Paris to try to do it and the last game at home.” Veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said after the game he felt City were suffering from a loss of confidence but Guardiola dismissed his player’s comments. “I am not agreeing with Ilkay,” he said. “Of course it is tough but, except one or two games in this period, we’ve played good.” City now face a further test of their resolve as they host rivals Manchester United in a derby on Sunday. "We played well" Pep Guardiola trusts in his squad despite 2-0 loss to Juventus... 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/VrmTzcTrEF — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024 Gundogan told TNT Sports: “It (confidence) is a big part of it. That’s a mental issue as well. “You can see that sometimes we miss the ball or lose a duel and you see that we drop immediately and lose the rhythm. They (the opponents) don’t even need to do much but it has such a big effect on us right now. “Even more you have to do the simple things as good as possible and create and fluidity, then it’s work hard again. This is how you get confidence back – do the small and simple things, (but) in crucial moments at the moment we are always doing the wrong things.” Juventus coach Thiago Motta was pleased with the hosts’ performance, which boosted their hopes of making the top eight. “It was a deserved victory,” he said. “We had to defend as a team and be ready to attack with quality. “We have shown we can compete at this level and now we have to do it consistently.”
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A southeast Louisiana official has been accused of committing perjury for failing to disclose information related to a controversial grain terminal in the state's Mississippi River Chemical Corridor in response to a lawsuit brought by a prominent local climate activist. St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard denied in a deposition that she knew her mother-in-law could have benefited financially from parish rezoning plans to make way for a 222-acre (90-hectare) grain export facility along the Mississippi River. Hotard also said in court filings, under oath, that no correspondence existed between her and her mother-in-law about the grain terminal, even though her mother-in-law later turned over numerous text messages where they discussed the grain terminal and a nearby property owned by the mother-in-law's marine transport company, court records show. The text messages were disclosed as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by Joy Banner, who along with her sister, Jo Banner, successfully led efforts to halt the $800 million grain terminal earlier this year. It would have been built within 300 feet (91 meters) of their property and close to historic sites in the predominantly Black community where they grew up. The legal dispute is part of a broader clash playing out in courts and public hearings , pitting officials eager to greenlight economic development against grassroots community groups challenging polluting industrial expansion in the heavily industrialized 85-mile industrial corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans often referred to by environmental activists as “Cancer Alley.” “We are residents that are just trying to protect our homes and just trying to live our lives as we have a right to do,” Banner said in an interview with The Associated Press. The Banner sisters gained national attention after cofounding the Descendants Project, an organization dedicated to historic preservation and racial justice. In the text messages turned over as part of Joy Banner's lawsuit, Hotard, the parish president, says that she wished to “choke” Joy Banner and used profanities to describe her. Hotard also said of the Banner sisters: “I hate these people.” Hotard and her attorney, Ike Spears, did not respond to requests for comment after Tuesday's filing. Richard John Tomeny, the lawyer representing Hotard's mother-in-law, Darla Gaudet, declined to comment. Banner initially sued the parish in federal court in December 2023 after Hotard and another parish councilman, Michael Wright, threatened her with arrest and barred her from speaking during a public comment period at a November 2023 council meeting. “In sum: a white man threatened a Black woman with prosecution and imprisonment for speaking during the public comment period of a public meeting,” Banner's lawsuit says. It accuses the parish of violating Banner's First Amendment rights. Wright and his lawyer did not respond to requests for comment. Hotard and Wright have disputed Banner's version of events in court filings. At the November 2023 meeting, Banner attempted to highlight Hotard's alleged conflict of interest in approving a zoning change to enable the grain export facility's construction. Banner had also recently filed a complaint to the Louisiana Board of Ethics against Hotard pointing out that her mother-in-law allegedly would benefit financially because she owned and managed a marine transport company that had land “near and within” the area being rezoned. In response to a discovery request, Hotard submitted a court filing saying “no such documents exist” between her and her mother-in-law discussing the property, the grain terminal or Joy Banner, according to the recent motion filed by Banner's attorneys. Hotard also said in her August deposition that she had “no idea” about her mother-in-law's company's land despite text messages showing Hotard and her mother-in-law had discussed this property less than three weeks before Hotard's deposition. Banner's lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial early next year. Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96
Elon Musk calls Justin Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post - CTV NewsTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce take their relationship to the next level with life-changing move READ MRORE: Staggering amount Beyonce was paid by Netflix to perform By ERIC BLUM Published: 22:49, 26 December 2024 | Updated: 23:09, 26 December 2024 e-mail 8 View comments Now that Taylor Swift has officially concluded her near-two-year Eras Tour, the 14-time Grammy winner has reportedly decided to spend most of her time in her Nashville residences, to be closer to NFL boyfriend Travis Kelce . Swift also has homes in New York City and Los Angeles , but putting down roots only a 90-minute flight away from Kelce appears to be her main priority now that she is not traveling most of the time. Kelce, by playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, owns a $6million mansion in Leawood, Kansas, where Swift has frequently stayed since their romance began. Much like her time after her last worldwide tour wrapped in 2019, Swift took time to herself and stayed low-key, which is believed to be her plan moving forward, per Page Six. Swift and Kelce have been dating since last September when she appeared in a luxury suite at a Chiefs game next to Donna Kelce, Travis' mother. Swift has appeared at nearly 20 of Kansas City's games since her relationship with Kelce began. Taylor Swift is reportedly ready to settle down in Nashville next year to be close to Travis Kelce Swift and Kelce have been dating since last September after she appeared at one of his games More to come. Travis Kelce Los Angeles Taylor Swift Grammys Share or comment on this article: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce take their relationship to the next level with life-changing move e-mail Add comment
Awards season has arrived in the form of the Golden Globes nominations. The awards, which honor both movies and television programs, is often viewed as a preview of the upcoming Oscars. In this week's episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz go over the list, focusing largely on the movies, which tend to shine brightest at the ceremony. But they also take time to review a few of the TV shows, including the great, but rarely funny "The Bear," which is again in the comedy or musical category. We also have an interview with "Nickel Boys" director RaMell Ross, who spoke with Miller prior to the film receiving a nomination for best drama. Miller also talked with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who starred in the film. “Wicked”; “Anora”; “Emilia Perez”; “Challengers”; “A Real Pain”; “The Substance” “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown,”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part Two”; “Nickel Boys;” “September 5” Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Hugh Grant, “Heretic”; Gabriel LaBelle, “Saturday Night; Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness”’ Glen Powell, “Hitman”; Sebastian Stan, “A Different Man” Amy Adams, “Nightbitch”; Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”; Karla Sofia Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”; Mikey Madison “Anora”; Demi Moore, “The Substance”; Zendaya, “Challengers” Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl′′; Angelina Jolie, ”Maria”; Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”; Tilda Swinton, “The Room Next Door”; Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”; Kate Winslet, “Lee” Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”; Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown’; Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”; Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”; Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice’’ “Alien: Romulus”; Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”; Deadpool & Wolverine”; “Gladiator II”; “Inside Out 2”; “Twisters”; “Wicked”; “The Wild Robot” “All We Imagine As Light′′; ”Emilia Pérez”; “The Girl With the Needle”; “I’m Still Here”; “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”; “Vermiglio” “Flow”; “Inside Out 2”; “Memoir of a Snail”; “Moana 2”; “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”; “The Wild Robot” Selena Gomez, ”Emilia Pérez”; Ariana Grande, “Wicked”; Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”; Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”; Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”; Zoe Saldaña, ”Emilia Pérez” Yura Borisov, “Anora”; Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”; Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”; Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”; Jeremy Strong, ”The Apprentice”; Denzel Washington, “Gladiator II” Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Edward Berger, “Conclave”; Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Payal Kapadia, “All We Imagine As Light” Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, “The Brutalist”; Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Peter Straughan, “Conclave” Volker Bertelmann, “Conclave”; Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist”; Kris Bowers, “The Wild Robot”; Clement Ducol, Camille “Emilia Pérez”; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “Challengers”; Hans Zimmer, “Dune: Part Two” “Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl” (music/lyrics by Andrew Wyatt, Miley Cyrus, Lykke Zachrisson); “Compress/Repress” from “Challengers’ (music/lyrics by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Luca Guadagnino; “El Mal” from EL MAL” from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, Jacques Audiard; “Forbidden Road” from ”Better Man′′ (music/lyrics by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler, Sacha Skarbek); “Kiss the Sky” from “The Wild Robot′′ (music/lyrics by Delacey, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack, Ali Tamposi); ”Mi Camino′′ from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille) “Shogun”; “The Diplomat”; “Slow Horses”; “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; “The Day of the Jackal”; “Squid Game” “Abbott Elementary”; “The Bear; “Hacks”; “Nobody Wants This”; “Only Murders in the Building”; “The Gentlemen” Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent”; Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”; Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”; Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”; Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman” Kathy Bates, “Matlock”; Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”; Maya Erskine, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”; Keira Knightley, “Black Doves”; Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”; Anna Sawai, “Shogun” Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”; Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”; Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”; Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”; Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along”; Jean Smart, “Hacks” Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”; Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”; Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jason Segel, “Shrinking”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jeremy All White, “The Bear” “Baby Reindeer”; Disclaimer"; “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; “The Penguin”; “Ripley”; “True Detective: Night Country” Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer''; Jodie Foster, ”True Detective: Night Country"; Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin''; Sofia Vergara, ”Griselda"; Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”; Kate Winslet, “The Regime” Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”; Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”; Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”; Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Ewan McGregor, “A Gentleman in Moscow”; Andrew Scott, “Ripley” Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”; Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”; Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”; Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”; Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”; Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country” Tadanobu Asano, “Shogun''; Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”; Jack Lowden “Slow Horses”; Diego Luna, “La Maquina”; Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear” Jamie Foxx, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was”; Nikki Glaser, “Nikki Glaser: Someday You'll Die”; Seth Meyers, “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking”; Adam Sandler, "Adam Sandler: Love You"; Ali Wong, “Ali Wong: Single Lady”; Ramy Youssef, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” —List compiled by The Associated Press Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
Alberta's refusal to share pension survey data being investigated by privacy commissionerDULUTH – On Fridays, Mary Murphy lunched. The longest-serving woman in the Minnesota House, retired just two years, routinely sat alongside other politicians and laborers at a downtown restaurant and talked shop — and listened. The weekly lunch dates, first initiated by the late Judge Gerald Heaney , a labor-lawyer turned federal appellate judge here who has a courthouse named for him, have been going on for decades. “People always like to hear her point of view, her history,” said longtime friend Beth McCuskey, vice president of the North East Area Labor Council, who in recent years drove Murphy to the casual get-togethers. “When Mary would have something to share, the table would listen.” Murphy died Wednesday, days after she had a stroke and a “second series of complications,” according to Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman , DFL-Brooklyn Park . Murphy was 85 and just two years removed from politics. The Democrat from Hermantown was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1977 — and she held onto the position through 2022. She also taught at the former Duluth Central High School for more than 30 years. “She was a wonderful state representative and human being,” Hortman wrote on social media. “So many people will miss her and remember her and her accomplishments fondly.” Murphy had been active in local DFL politics for more than a decade in June of 1976 when she first announced her intention to run for a spot in the Minnesota House, supporting parts of St. Louis and Carlton counties. At the time, she was also teaching social studies. Murphy was in her mid-30s when she won the seat. In more than 40 years of state government , she had a hand instituting early-childhood programs, helped establish Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and initiated legislation to establish wind power in Minnesota. She won countless awards for her work as a teacher and in politics. Murphy also went to all community events, from Proctor’s Hoghead Festival to community parades to spaghetti dinners. “She showed up,” McCuskey said. One of Murphy’s successes in recent years was a $1.87 billion bonding bill to pay for hundreds of state infrastructure projects that passed in 2020. At the time, Murphy, who sponsored the bill and chaired the House Capital Investment Division, said they had heard from more than 250 communities and agencies looking for assistance. “I can’t imagine how many water treatment plants she visited,” said Jeff Anderson, who worked alongside Murphy on campaigns, during his time as a Duluth city councilor and as a lobbyist. “It’s a real hallmark of her time. She believed in investment in the state.” Murphy lost to Republican Natalie Zeleznikar in the 2022 general election by just 33 votes — but it wasn’t the end of her political interests. Anderson said she continued to follow the Legislature closely. She was one of the state’s 10 electors during the Electoral College Assembly just more than a week ago in St. Paul. State Sen. Grant Hauschild said Murphy was one of the first people he connected with when he moved to Hermantown. He found a leader focused on children and the future and someone he could learn from. “I think her legacy will be that compassionate approach to politics,” he said. “Focusing on people, focusing on labor. I think her biggest legacy will be kids and education.” McCuskey described her as “a great listener.” “When you had a conversation with her, you knew she was paying attention to you,” she said. “She was listening; she stored it.” Murphy lived in the home she grew up in, one of Hermantown’s signature Jackson Project homes built in the 1930s as sustainable properties. Much of her home’s interior resembled what it looked like when she was growing up, according to those close to her. She was especially proud of her flower gardens. Lee Cutler, of the North East Area Labor Council, remembered Murphy as a devout Catholic. “It’s fitting that she died on Christmas,” he said. A few years ago, Murphy took Cutler for an hourslong walk along the grounds of her home, where she mowed her own grass with a tractor. “She loved anything that grew, even weeds,” Cutler said. “Much to the chagrin of her gardening friends, she let the weeds grow.” Murphy famously lived most of her life with just a landline telephone. A little-known secret: In recent years she had gotten a cellphone. “I think only three people had the number,” Cutler said. Murphy attended Hermantown Public Schools and the College of St. Scholastica and did graduate work at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Macalester College, the University of Wisconsin-Superior, American University and Indiana University, according to a Minnesota Legislature biography. When it was her turn to lead a prayer, she read the book “Old Turtle,” a bestselling fable by Douglas Wood with art by Duluth artist Cheng-Kee Chee. The state’s political leaders took to social media to remember Murphy. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar described her as being ahead of her time in “so many ways.” “She was a strong advocate and so often the only woman at the table in northern MN,” Klobuchar said on social media. On Facebook, Gov. Tim Walz described her as “a true champion for the Northland.” In a statement, Hermantown city officials lamented her loss. “Hermantown will always be Mary’s hometown, and her contributions to the community will always remain,” the statement said. The Friday lunches will go on, even without one of the group’s stalwarts. McCuskey said she feels fortunate for the time spent in the car alongside her friend. This week, Murphy’s signature order will go unrealized: a side salad with French and ranch dressing and just three croutons, no more, no less, according to Cutler.
The House is expected to vote on a yearly defense bill on Wednesday, which includes a ban on sex-mutilating drugs and procedures for minors. The provision of the 1,800-page National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) prohibits coverage under TRICARE, a healthcare program for service members, for “certain medical procedures for children that could result in sterilization.” “Affirming hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and other medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18,” the bill reads. The legislation details how $895.2 billion will be allocated toward defense and national security, with much of it focusing on bipartisan quality-of-life improvements for service members as the military continues to struggle with recruitment . Now, Democrats are faced with either supporting the bill as is, or putting up a fuss over the Republican-led provision banning experimental sex change drugs and procedures for confused minors. The internal battle come after Republicans successfully campaigned on Democrats’ transgender extremism. Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) put out a statement on Sunday saying he would reconsider his support of the bill because of the transgender provision. “Blanketly denying health care to people who clearly need it, just because of a biased notion against transgender people, is wrong,” Smith claimed. “This provision injected a level of partisanship not traditionally seen in defense bills. Speaker Johnson is pandering to the most extreme elements of his party to ensure that he retains his speakership. In doing so, he has upended what had been a bipartisan process.” READ MORE: Biden Administration Promotes Transgender Sex-Change Surgery, Puberty Blockers for Minors The side effects for sex change drugs and procedures can be severe , including irreversible mutilation and infertility. Some of these so-called treatments include double mastectomies (the removal of healthy breasts), female and male genital mutilation and removal, facial feminization and masculinization, hormone treatments, and puberty blockers that can cause chemical sterilization. Puberty blockers can also have long-term impact on bone growth, bone density, and growth spurts, according to Mayo Clinic. Many people who have undergone these sex change drugs and procedures as minors and later decided to reverse course, called detransitioners , have begun speaking out about the irreversible physical damage and mental torment they have experienced . RELATED: Detransitioner: Genital Surgery ‘Destroyed My Life’ — ‘You Need to Be Insane’ to Think This Helps Patients In the United States, the top-down push for minors to obtain sex-mutilating drugs and surgeries under the misleading moniker “gender-affirming care” is clear, promulgated by President Joe Biden’s White House , academia , large hospitals , and major medical organizations . Transgender activists frequently claim that such sex-mutilating drugs and procedures for confused minors reduce suicides and improve mental health — dubious claims which increasingly appear untrue as more studies and data come to light. Other research has indicated that a majority of children who are confused about their sex grow out of that feeling by the time they become adults. European countries that pushed sex change drugs and surgeries for minors before the United States are notably reversing course over concerns about long-term impacts. At the root, these actors, along with the proliferation of gender ideology on social media, ultimately promote the false idea that human beings can be a different sex than what they were born as. Even further, the gender ideology complex claims these individuals should take sex-change drugs and get sex-change procedures to align their outward appearance with how they feel on the inside. While the push toward transgenderism is heavily ideological, a report released in December 2020 found that the U.S. sex reassignment surgery market size was valued at $267 million in 2019 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 14.4 percent from 2020 to 2027. President-elect Trump has vowed to reverse course on the Biden administration’s embrace of gender ideology and has promised to protect women’s sports and spaces, and to protect children from mutilating sex-change drugs and procedures. Many of his cabinet selections have a history of supporting the biological reality of two sexes, and with control of the House and Senate, Republicans have expressed plans to do the same. Katherine Hamilton is a political reporter for Breitbart News. You can follow her on X @thekat_hamilton .Watchdog ruling denies free speech and fair comment