
Halle Bailey goes undercover to catch a showing of her new film 'The Little Mermaid' in theater
Halle Bailey, 23, slipped into a movie theater to experience the film with an unsuspecting audience on opening day
2023-05-28 18:56

Russian governor reported to police for speaking out over Putin’s ‘unnecessary’ war against Ukraine
A Russian governor who said that Moscow had not prepared for its invasion of Ukraine and did not “need” the continuing war has been reported to the police. Natalya Komarova, a member of president Vladimir Putin’s governing United Russia party and the governor of Russian Khanty-Masiysk region, on Saturday criticised the conflict that has stretched to nearly 600 days during a meeting with residents of the Siberian city of Nizhnevartovsk. Ms Komarova was confronted by the wife of a mobilised Russian man fighting in Ukraine who had asked why her husband was not provided with the necessary equipment to fight. “Are you asking me (why your husband does not have equipment) knowing that I’m the governor and not the minister of defence?” the official said. She added: “As a whole, we did not prepare for this war. We don’t need it. We were building a completely different world, so in this regard, there will certainly be some inconsistencies and unresolved issues,” according to a video of the event posted on social media. The comments, captured on video, were circulated widely online and prompted pro-war activists to condemn Ms Komarova for “discrediting Russia’s armed forces”. A letter has been sent to Russia’s minister of internal affairs by the director of a Siberian non-profit organisation, Yuri Ryabtsev, asking the ministry to further investigate Ms Komarova’s comments, reported Russian news outlet Sibir.Realii, stating that its journalists had seen the letter. An activist has also filed a report with the local police, demanding Ms Komarova be held accountable under Russia’s Code of Administrative Offences for “discrediting” the army, the news outlet reported. The Russian politician has not issued any fresh remarks on the issue. Russia approved a law last year making it illegal to describe the conflict in Ukraine as a “war” or an “invasion” by Russia. Mr Putin called it a “special military operation” when he ordered the attack on Ukraine in February last year, and the law has been used to compel Russian media, businesses and citizens to follow suit, as well as to penalise critics of the war. The legislation also outlaws “disparaging” the military and the spread of "false information" about Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Several critics of the war have already been handed fines or jail terms under the law, while experts say it has made it increasingly difficult to gauge levels of public support for the invasion. Sasha Skochilenko, an artist and musician with serious health issues, was arrested in April last year for replacing supermarket price tags with antiwar slogans, charged with spreading false information about the military. Former FSB agent and battlefield commander Igor Girkin, known as a prominent Russian hardline nationalist, was detained on charges of extremism in July this year after he accused Mr Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine. Russia media have been extensively covering the Ukraine conflict yet at the same time prohibited from calling it a “war”, while protesters using that word on placards are hit with steep fines. Independent news sites have been blocked, as were Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. A prominent radio station has been taken off the air, and the Novaya Gazeta newspaper, led by 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov, has also lost its licence. Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin suffers serious losses in largest offensive in months As the conflict in Israel rages on, the world must not forget about Ukraine Putin's visit to Beijing underscores China’s economic and diplomatic support for Russia Ukraine’s Avdiivka ‘completely ablaze’ as Russia pounds city for fourth straight day Could Putin be arrested? President to leave Russia for first time since international arrest warrant issued
2023-10-16 13:15

First gene therapy for deadly form of muscular dystrophy gets FDA approval for young kids
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first gene therapy to treat a deadly form of muscular dystrophy
2023-06-23 05:56

A mother and businesswoman whose LGBTQ advocacy cost her her life: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
On Friday, 18 August, police were alerted to a report of a person being shot at a clothing store. Officers identified the victim as the store’s owner, Laura Ann Carleton, who had suffered a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said there had been an altercation at her store over an LGBTQ Pride flag that she was displaying. The suspect, now identified as 27-year-old Travis Ikeguchi, had made “several disparaging remarks” about the flag before shooting her, police said. Ikeguchi fled the scene after shooting Carleton, but was found by sheriff's deputies several miles away and was fatally shot in a confrontation. Authorities later revealed that Ikeguchi had posted a series of homophobic comments on social media. The attack has sparked outrage across the community and social media. Carleton was a mother, business owner, fashion enthusiast – and a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate. Who was Laura Ann Carleton? Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California. According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years. She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor. Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain. The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture. Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.” The couple lived in Studio City, Los Angeles, and also own a 1920s fisherman’s cabin on Lake Arrowhead. Her website sayd: “With a penchant for longevity, Laura has been married to the same man Bort for 28 years. She is an amazing mother of a family of nine children, the youngest being identical twin girls.” What have people said about her? Hollywood director Paul Feig – whose movies include Bridesmaids and The Heat – led tributes to the mother-of-nine, remembering the much loved “true ally”. Under a picture of the two of them together, Feig wrote: “We are all devastated for her husband Bort and her family and the LGBTQ+ community, for whom Lauri was such a true ally. Her alleged murderer was later shot and killed by the San Bernardino police and so no longer poses a threat to the community. But this intolerance has to end. “Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realize their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people. Let’s all keep moving forward with tolerance and love. Let’s not let Lauri’s tragic death be in vain.” A charity organisation, Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+, said in a statement that Carleton was an ally for the community. It said: “Lauri did not identify as LGBTQ+ but spent her time helping & advocating for everyone in the community. She will be truly missed. From what we understand the suspect is no longer a threat.” Carleton’s daughter, Ari, put out a heartbreaking message in homage to her “fearless, cool and compassionate” mother. The post was coupled with several photos of Carleton with her loved ones, with the caption: “Make no mistake, this was a hate crime. Her flags had been torn down before and she always responded by putting up a bigger one. Our family is broken. “We have a long road ahead of us as we navigate this new reality without our loving matriarch. We find peace in knowing she passed quickly in a place she cherished, doing what she loved while fiercely defending something she believed in. She was fearless, cool and compassionate – always putting others first.” The post continued: “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that our family has received from loved ones and strangers alike, it has provided hope and light in our darkest days. We will continue to advocate for love, equality and acceptance in everything that we do. Love will always triumph hate.” “I feel deeply saddened by this,” actor Jamie Lee Curtis said on Instagram. “This is our country now and we can’t look away. Rest in peace Laura Ann Carleton, a mother of nine. Thank you for your allyship.” Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR and Sex and The City star Kristin Davis said Carleton’s murder is a “hate crime” and added: “I cannot comprehend what has happened and I can only imagine what her family and close friends are going through. We cannot rest in our work towards love and understanding and equality for every person. It is abundantly clear that divisive senseless hate is the only motive for this hate crime. “Lauri was a strong ally, when her Pride flags were stolen she quickly replaced them. To think that she was murdered for her support of our LQBTQ+ family tears my heart into pieces. I want Lauri to be known as the HERO she was and is. I want her family to know we are thinking of them and for everyone to know that we must continue to stand up for what is right! #lovewins.” Tributes from the community Comments from members of the community also began to pour in after daughter Ari made the post about her mother, sharing her pain and grief with the world. One person wrote: “My husband and I met your mom 3 weeks ago as we stumbled into her store. She was kind, and generous and such a force. She spoke so highly of her two girls and told us about all the times she drove you up to lake arrowhead during HS to make memories with you. She made us feel like we were family in a 30 min conversation. I am so sorry for what has happened. She was an angel on earth and now a real one.” Another said: “I am so grateful for angels like your mother who so selfless took care of others. As a gay man my heart goes out to you and your family even more so that she has been such a fearless warrior for my own personal acceptance in this world. I truly love you and your family. My heart is hurting, but I will take the advice I just got from her well-spoken, beautiful, brave daughter. That is to stay focused on positivity and love and to honor her legacy.” Read More Laura Carleton shooting – latest: Travis Ikeguchi’s anti-LGBT+ online history revealed after Pride flag murder A California man spewed anti-LGBT+ hate online. Then he murdered a mom-of-nine over a Pride flag A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
2023-08-23 01:24

China Belt and Road: Indonesia opens Whoosh high-speed railway
The project under Belt and Road links the capital Jakarta with the economic hub of Bandung.
2023-10-02 12:15

'Fox & Friends' host Will Cain calls out US Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka over 'equal pay' remark
This comes after Aryna Sabalenka made a huge statement on the gender pay gap between men and women athletes in the tennis world
2023-09-11 13:15

'False positives': Colombian army apologises for killing civilians
More than 6,400 civilians were killed and falsely passed off as enemy combatants between 2002 and 2008.
2023-10-04 19:52

'Live With Kelly and Mark' host Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos 'disgust' their children with kiss prank
After asking husband to pose naked, 'Live With Kelly and Mark' host Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' French kiss prank leaves kids in disgust
2023-05-26 13:20

2 injured when a fire rescue helicopter crashes in Pompano Beach, Florida
A Broward County, Florida, sheriff's fire rescue helicopter crashed Monday morning, sending two people to the hospital, local authorities said.
2023-08-28 22:50

Jay Johnson made all the right moves to quickly build LSU into a national champion again
LSU's Jay Johnson became the first baseball coach to win a national championship before his third year at a school
2023-06-27 22:51

'Lahaina belongs to its people': Hawaii governor insists fire-ravaged Maui community will be rebuilt as search efforts continue
Amid concerns that speculators may snap up destroyed land, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green insisted Friday that the years-long undertaking of rebuilding Maui's historic Lahaina community will prioritize residents' desires over those of property developers.
2023-08-19 16:23

Former telenovela star looks to ignite Mexico's right in presidential bid
By Brendan O'Boyle MEXICO CITY Eduardo Verastegui, an outspoken Mexican actor and right-wing activist who calls Donald Trump
2023-09-29 21:46
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