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☆ Opinion: Mike Johnson is testing to see if the MAGA Republican fever can be broken
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Julian Zelizer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson is moving forward with a legislative package to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been beating the drums to vote Johnson, who is himself also an extreme right-wing Republican, out of office. When GOP House members adopted this lower threshold in exchange for accepting McCarthy, experts understood that the rule would create extreme instability within the Republican caucus. On July 28, 2015, Tea Party Republican Rep. Mark Meadows from North Carolina filed a motion to vacate but the House never voted on the resolution. The time of Republican speakership keeps shrinking as right-wing ousters have become increasingly common.

Persons: Julian Zelizer, Mike Johnson, MAGA, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kevin McCarthy of, “, McCarthy, can’t, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, Jim Wright, Wright, Gingrich, Bill Clinton, Gingrich’s, Robert Livingston, Dennis Hastert, John Boehner of Ohio, Jim Jordan, Mark, Boehner, ”, Paul Ryan, Ryan, Michael Kerr, Theodore Pomeroy, Republican speakership Organizations: CNN, Princeton University, New York Times, America, Twitter, CNN —, MAGA Republicans, Congress, Georgia Republican, Republican, House Republicans, Rep, GOP House, Republicans, Republican Party, GOP, Democrats, Democratic, Louisiana’s, Tea Party Republicans, Tea Party Republican Rep, Wisconsin Rep Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Russia, Iran, China, Kevin McCarthy of California, New, Illinois, Ohio, Mark Meadows, North Carolina

☆ Many Renaissance portraits were hidden behind panels — this new exhibition explores why
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Eileen TravellToday, we think of Renaissance portraiture as paintings on canvas or church walls, viewed openly. But an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, “Hidden Faces: Covered Portraits of the Renaissance,” reveals how many works of art from the period were deliberately covered by painted panels or shutters, or contained additional compositions on their reverse side. “These multisided and covered portraits have never been the subject of an exhibition before,” said the show’s curator, Alison Manges Nogueira, in a video call with CNN. On the reverse of this portrait, the artist Hans Memling painted one of the first independent still lifes, according to the exhibition. Museo Nacional Thyssen-BornemiszaThe exhibition includes works by Albrecht Dürer, Titian and Hans Holbein.

Persons: Martin Luther, He’d, Lucas Cranach, Katharina von Bora, Friedrich the Wise, Saxony, Anna Rasper, Eileen Travell, ”, Alison Manges Nogueira, Metropolitan Museum of Art “, ” Nogueira, that’s, Nogueira, Hans Memling, Albrecht Dürer, Titian, Hans Holbein, Cupid, Jacometto, —, it’s Organizations: CNN, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museo Nacional Thyssen Locations: New York, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain

☆ Ancient giant dolphin discovered in the Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

And though there are Amazonian freshwater dolphin species alive today, they aren’t close kin to that ancient cetacean. There’s the South Asian river dolphin (Platanista genus) and the Amazon river dolphin (Inia genus), also known as the pink river dolphin, and the two groups include several species and subspecies. Researchers discovered the Amazonian dolphin fossil in 2018, near the Napo River in Loreto, Peru. At first, they thought it would turn out to be an ancient relative of modern Amazonian river dolphins. “That was a moment where everybody freaked out, because it wasn’t an Amazonian river dolphin,” Benites-Palomino said.

Persons: ”, Jorge Velez, ” Velez, Juarbe, Aldo Benites, Palomino, John J, Flynn, Palomino “, John, freaked, Benites, yacuruna, Rodolfo Salas, Gismondi, ” Benites, Pebanista, ” Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN, American Association for, Advancement of Science, Juarbe, of Los, International Union for, Nature, IUCN, University of Zurich’s Department of Paleontology, American Museum of, of, World Wildlife Fund, Velez, Scientific Locations: Peruvian, South Asia, America, of Los Angeles County, Loreto , Peru, New York City, Peru, of Lima, Amazonia

☆ Opinion: Mitch McConnell’s unconditional surrender
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Julian Zelizer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Mitch McConnell has bowed to political reality and announced that he is relinquishing his role as leader of Senate Republicans. (Chao served as transportation secretary under former President Donald Trump, before quitting the post following the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.) The anti-Trump coalition within the Republican Party is small and hanging on by a thread, and there is little chance of that changing in the short term. Now, one of Haley’s most generous benefactors, the conservative political action committee Americans for Prosperity, funded by the Koch network, has withdrawn its funds. And now, like other Trump opponents, Romney finds himself heading for the exit at the end of his current term.

Persons: Julian Zelizer, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Elaine Chao, Chao, Donald Trump, ”, It’s, he’s, invectives, MAGA, Trump, Merrick Garland, Barack Obama’s, — McConnell, SCOTUS, Roe, Wade, Dobbs, Lindsey Graham, Sen, Dick Durbin, —, that’s, Gingrich’s, Nikki Haley, Haley, couldn’t, Koch, Mitt Romney, Romney, convicting Trump, Trump’s, Romney’s Organizations: CNN, Princeton University, The New York Times, America, Republicans, Julian Zelizer CNN, Trump, Ukraine, GOP, Republican Party, Republican, NATO, Tea Party, MAGA, UN, Prosperity, Old Party Locations: Washington, life’s, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Kentucky, South Carolina, Utah

☆ Can Germany’s sputtering economy be revived in 2024?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Europe’s biggest economy shrank last year for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. And the outlook isn’t much brighter: the International Monetary Fund predicts that Germany will be the slowest-growing major economy in 2024, eking out an increase of just 0.5%. “Germany needs a fundamental economic transformation,” Marcel Fratzcher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research in Berlin, told CNN. Carsten Koall/Getty ImagesHomegrown troublesAlongside an external environment that has become more hostile to Germany’s outward-facing economy, the country’s internal political climate has worsened. Businesses such as these, which can find new markets and applications for their know-how, may hold the key to reviving Germany’s moribund economy.

Persons: What’s, ” Marcel Fratzcher, ”, Carsten Brzeski, Jens Schlueter, Constanze Stelzenmuller, Christian Lindner, Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, Carsten Koall, Michael Probst, Karl Haeusgen, ” Sebastian Shukla, Chris Stern Organizations: London CNN — Trains, Lufthansa, International Monetary Fund, European Union, European Commission, German Institute for Economic Research, CNN, ING, Brookings Institution, Volkswagen, Biden, Free Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party and, Green Party, Deutsche, LinkedIn, Investors, SAP, chipmaker Infineon, Intel, MAN Energy Solutions, Germany’s Machinery, Equipment Manufacturers Association Locations: Europe’s, Germany, Ukraine, Berlin, Europe, China, Zwickau, United States, Russia, “, Japan, masse, Frankfurt, ”, Hamburg, Jungheinrich, Augsburg, Munich, Esbjerg, Denmark

NEW YORK (AP) — Executive producer Ryan Murphy is known for creating vivid TV worlds where high drama feels completely normal. Costume designer and producer Lou Eyrich has helped him bring these worlds alive, and their latest collaboration, “Feud: Capote vs. Eyrich said Watts, who plays Babe Paley, “got hit the hardest” as the main character besides Capote. While the real Paley wore a designer dress with a fur coat to the ball, Posen made adjustments. “She took everybody’s notes really to heart and she really wanted it to be collaborative.

Persons: Ryan Murphy, Lou Eyrich, ”, Truman Capote, Babe Paley, C.Z, Lee Radziwill, ” Tom Hollander, Capote, cavorting, Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Demi Moore, Chloe Sevigny, Molly Ringwald, Laurence Leamer, Watts, Eyrich, “, ” Watts, Hulu —, Murphy, “ Ryan, ” Eyrich, Erich, Babe, Gucci loafers, Zac Posen, Posen, ” Posen, Jim Henson, Fellini, Zeffirelli, Paley, it’s, Van Cleef, Cartier, Verdura, I’m, ” Moore, Ringwald, —, ” Ringwald, “ I’m, ” Sevigny, Eyrich’s Organizations: —, Manhattan, AP, Hulu, American Locations: New York, turtlenecks, Givenchy

☆ Caspar David Friedrich: The German artist’s rise from obscurity to fame
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Catherine Hickey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Caspar David Friedrich's work "Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon." Staatliche Museen zu BerlinThe Berlin exhibition, “Caspar David Friedrich: Infinite Landscapes,” will examine the Nationalgalerie’s role in rediscovering the artist at the beginning of the 20th century. Thanks to the royal purchases, Berlin has one of the most significant collections of Friedrich works in the world. SHK/Hamburger Kunsthalle/bpkThe German museums were in discussion about loans from Russia before February 2020, Verwiebe says. In 1974, long queues formed for a Friedrich exhibition at the Hamburger Kunsthalle marking his 200th birthday.

Persons: —, Caspar David Friedrich, Alte, Dresden’s, Caspar David Friedrich's, “ Caspar David Friedrich, Birgit Verwiebe, Friedrich, Clemens Brentano, Heinrich von Kleist, Frederick William IV, ”, Frederick William III, Charlotte, Tsar Nicholas I, Friedrich's, Verwiebe, — Hitler, London’s Tate, Christina Grummt, Friedrich sketchbook, Gerhard Richter, Julian Charrière, Olafur Eliasson, Ulrike Rosenbach, Kehinde Wiley, “, ” Grummt Organizations: The Art, CNN, Hamburg’s Kunsthalle, zu, Berlin Academy, SHK, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Staatliche, Villa Grisebach, Kunst, Metropolitan Museum of Art Locations: Germany, Weimar, Greifswald, Friedrich’s, zu Berlin, Berlin, Dresden, Oakwood, ”, Russia, Hermitage, St Petersburg, Hamburger, Ukraine, German, Villa, Greenland, Hamburg, Winterthur, New York

☆ Did syphilis originate in the Americas? Ancient DNA offers some insight
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In France, it was named the “Neapolitan disease” after the French army got infected during its invasion of Naples, Italy, in the first documented syphilis epidemic. A complex disease caused by a complex bacteriumWithout treatment, syphilis can cause physical disfigurement, blindness and mental impairment. Others believe T. pallidum bacteria always had a global distribution but perhaps grew in virulence after initially manifesting as a mild disease. Some bones had marks characteristic of infection with T. pallidum — the bacteria effectively eat away at bones, leaving concave lesions. “The modern tools available for extracting DNA from ancient samples, for enriching the treponemal DNA, and obtaining deep sequencing from samples has rapidly increased our understanding of the Treponema.”

Persons: Christopher Columbus, Treponema pallidum, ”, Brenda J, Baker, Jose Filippini It’s, Molly Zuckerman, wasn’t, ” Zuckerman, “, it’s, Columbus, Europe ’, Sheila A, pallidum, Verena Schünemann, Schünemann, Mathew Beale, Beale, ” Lukehart Organizations: CNN, Research, Arizona State University, Bioarchaeology Laboratories, Mississippi State University, University of Washington, University of Zurich’s Institute of Evolutionary, Wellcome Sanger, Columbus Locations: France, Naples, Italy, Europe, Americas, Brazil, New, Laguna, Santa Catarina, Africa, Columbus, Finland, Estonia, Netherlands, Asia, Cambridge, England

☆ Marie Irvine, Makeup Artist to Marilyn Monroe, Dies at 99
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Penelope Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Marie Irvine was 99 years old when a chapter in her long-ago career became a TikTok sensation. During a crucial period late in Marilyn Monroe’s life, Ms. Irvine had been her makeup artist in New York City. When a TikTok star learned her story, it blew up the internet. In 1958, Life magazine commissioned Richard Avedon to reimagine Ms. Monroe as the screen and stage sirens Clara Bow, Marlene Dietrich, Theda Bara, Jean Harlow and Lillian Russell. It was Ms. Irvine who assisted with her makeup — turning her into Ms. Russell’s candy-box pinup, and Ms. Dietrich’s steamy Lola Lola from the film “The Blue Angel.”It ran in the Dec. 22 issue of the magazine, with a piece written by Ms. Monroe’s husband at the time, the playwright Arthur Miller, with the headline, “My Wife Marilyn.” He described the photos “as a kind of history of our mass fantasy, so far as seductresses are concerned.”And when Ms. Monroe, having been sewn into her skintight sequined gown, sang a breathless “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy at a Democratic fund-raiser at Madison Square Garden in May of 1962, it was Ms. Irvine who prepared her beforehand in Ms. Monroe’s apartment on East 57th Street, and then rushed to the Garden later with the star’s drop earrings, because she had left them behind.

Persons: Marie Irvine, Marilyn Monroe’s, Irvine, Richard Avedon, reimagine Ms, Monroe, Clara Bow, Marlene Dietrich, Theda Bara, Jean Harlow, Lillian Russell, Dietrich’s steamy Lola Lola, Monroe’s, Arthur Miller, Marilyn, ”, John F, Kennedy Organizations: Democratic, Garden Locations: New York City, Madison

☆ Israel’s far-right wants to move Palestinians out of Gaza. Its ideas are gaining attention
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Mick Krever | Jomana Karadsheh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —The Israeli soldiers stand rifles in hand, arm over shoulder, speaking to the camera. “We must promote a solution to encourage the emigration of the residents of Gaza,” far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on January 1. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also holds a position in the Defense Ministry, says that Israel “will rule there. If Palestinians in Gaza are “post-Jihad, pro-Israel, and want to live that good life in that beautiful soil, there should be an opportunity for that,” he said. That color was adopted in 2004 and 2005 by the movement protesting Israel’s disengagement from Gaza.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, “, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel “, Antony Blinken, Dahlia Scheindlin, Itamar Ben Gvir, restoking, Netanyahu, ” Scheindlin, Diana Buttu, Netanyahu’s, ”, Ariel Sharon’s, Katif, Yishai Fleisher, ” Fleisher, we’ve, Fleisher, –, Jordan, ” Israel, Gush Katif, Hanan Ben Ari serenaded, Ben Gvir, Gila, Mahmoud Abbas, ” Omer Bartov, Buttu, ” Netanyahu, ” Tzvi, Melech, Ben Gvir’s Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Palestinian Authority, Gaza . Social Media, ”, Likud, National, Defense Ministry, United, Haaretz, Israeli, National Security, Settler, West Bank, “, Israel, Norwegian Refugee Council, United Nations, International Court of Justice, Israel Defense Forces, Gush, Social Media, Oregon State University, City University of New, Brown University, Smotrich’s, Ben Gvir’s Jewish Power Party Locations: Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Ramallah, Authority, ”, United States, Palestinian, Qatar, “, Hebron, Turkey, South America, South Africa, The Hague, Jerusalem, Gush, Israeli, Nova Beach, City University of New York, Israel’s

DENVER (AP) — The shooter who killed five people and endangered the lives of over 40 others at a LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs was charged with federal hate crimes Tuesday. Aldrich, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, also pleaded no contest to state charges for hate crimes charges under a plea agreement. The plea was an acknowledgment there was a good chance Aldrich would be convicted of those crimes without admitting guilt. The federal charges follow an FBI investigation into the shooting that was confirmed after Aldrich’s sentencing in state court. At the time, District Attorney Michael Allen said the threat of the death penalty in the federal system was a “big part of what motivated the defendant” to plead guilty to the state charges.

Persons: Anderson Aldrich, Aldrich, Michael Allen, ” Organizations: DENVER, Q, Associated Press Locations: Colorado Springs

☆ Opinion: Psychology explains why the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is so intractable
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Opinion Nafees Hamid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —As fighting continues between Israel and Hamas, many may wonder why this war — and, more broadly, the decades-long Israeli–Palestinian conflict — is so intractable. A feature of sacred values is that they cannot be traded-off with profane values like material incentives to compromise. When each side was offered foreign aid to incentivize the deal, it produced a backfire effect among those who held sacred values. When a symbolic concession was offered, those holding sacred values were less angered and disgusted by the deal, and support for violent opposition plummeted. Carrot-and-stick policies, such as the promise of foreign aid coupled with the threat of sanctions, backfire when presented to those holding sacred values.

Persons: Nafees Hamid, one’s, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Khaled Meshaal, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel ”, Israel, Bezalel, it’s, Netanyahu Organizations: King’s College London, CNN, UN, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Defense, Administration, West Bank, Palestinian, New School for Social Research, Jewish, Israel, Tel Aviv University, Bank Locations: Israel, US, Qatar, Palestine, Gaza, Jordan, Russian Republic of Dagestan, Berlin, Jerusalem, Israeli, Palestinian

☆ Unseen Polaroids shine a new light on ’90s icon Winona Ryder
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Leah Dolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —In the 1980s and ’90s, Winona Ryder was a dark-haired waif against a sea of preppy blondes. Robert Rich Robert Rich Ryder and Rich would be seen out at restaurants, out shopping or at parties together. Robert Rich The book, published by IDEA Books, is filled t the brim with Polaroids snapped by Rich of Ryder. Robert Rich Rich never dated or labeled any of the Polaroids he took, and so the book is a back and forth journey through time. Robert Rich Unseen photographs shine a new light on 90s icon Winona Ryder Prev NextThere are no captions or timestamps for any of the images featured in “Winona,” mainly because Rich, by his own admission, failed to make detailed notes.

Persons: Winona Ryder, Ryder, ”, “ Bram Stoker’s, “ Edward Scissorhands ”, Marc Jacobs, Robert Rich, Marc Jacobs ’, ” Rich, Grace Jones, Kate Moss, Rich, Robert Rich “ I’ve, Polaroids, “, Francesca Sorrenti, ’ ” Ryder, Robert Rich Robert Rich Ryder, Rich of Ryder, Robert Rich Rich, wasn’t, Winona ”, Johnny Depp, Joyce Byers Organizations: CNN, Mercer, IDEA, IDEA Books, Netflix Locations: Manhattan, Winona, SoHo, “ Winona

☆ ‘High on the Hog’ Returns With Stories of Food, Resistance and Legacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Korsha Wilson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Georgianne Thomas, 80, an author and adjunct professor of humanities at Clark Atlanta University, pushes aside the yellow bracelet adorning her wrist to reveal a burn mark, the table of people she’s dining with are stunned. “It did something to me, but it didn’t stop me,” Dr. Thomas says, as Stephen Satterfield, 38, the writer and founder of Whetstone Media, wipes tears from his eyes across the table from her. The conversation is part of the second season of Netflix’s “High on the Hog,” a docuseries exploring African American influence on cooking and cuisine in the United States. Over a meal at Paschal’s, a longtime soul food restaurant in Atlanta, Dr. Thomas, Charles Black and Marilyn Pryce Scott, all in their 80s, talk to a visibly moved Mr. Satterfield about joining a protest led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. demanding service at the segregated Rich’s Department Store.

Persons: Georgianne Thomas, ” Dr, Thomas, Stephen Satterfield, Charles Black, Marilyn Pryce Scott, Satterfield, Martin Luther King Jr Organizations: Clark Atlanta University, Ku Klux, Spelman College, Whetstone Media, Rich’s Locations: Atlanta, United States

☆ Opinion | Progressives Aren’t Liberal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Pamela Paul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Remember when “liberal” was a dirty word? In a presidential primary debate in 2007, Hillary Clinton called herself instead a “modern progressive.” She avoided the term “liberal” again in 2016. But the way “liberal” is being used now is more confounding than ever. Never Trump conservatives tout their bona fides as liberals in the classical, 19th century sense of the word, in part to distinguish themselves from hard-right Trumpists. Others use “liberal” and “progressive” interchangeably, even as what progressivism means in practice today is often anything but liberal — or even progressive, for that matter.

Persons: ”, Ronald Reagan, Newt Gingrich’s, GOPAC, Hillary Clinton, Gallup pollsters, Trump

☆ U.S. political violence driven by new breed of ‘grab-bag’ extremists
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +25 min

The incidents involve violence emanating from across the political spectrum, including dozens of cases of substantial property damage by leftists at political demonstrations. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump, didn’t respond to questions from Reuters about the former president’s remarks and the impact of his rhetoric. But those who study extremism say psychiatric problems alone rarely induce political violence. “How could I take care of a brother in arms if I couldn’t even take care of myself?” Aldrich told the court. In the summer of 2022, Aldrich told the group he wanted to build a website to “promote freedom of speech,” Arroyo said.

Persons: Anderson Lee Aldrich, ” Gilbert Arroyo, Aldrich, Arroyo, ” Arroyo, “, ” Aldrich, Ted Kaczynski, ”, Brian Hughes, Donald Trump, Michael Jensen, Trump, Mark Milley, Steven Cheung, Milley, Rory Banks, Banks, Jacob Ware, Jensen, Stephanie Clark, Ashley Paugh, Barack Obama wasn’t, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, John F, Kennedy, Matt Kriner, Troy Burke, Elwell, Burke, Jessica, Joe Biden, Sarah Huyser, John D, Cohen, Nathan Allen, Allen, Terence Delehanty, Audrey Mazzola, Allen texted Mazzola, Mazzola, Ramona Cooper, David Green, Green, “ Saint Nathan Allen, Aaron Brink, Brink, Aldrich’s, Laura Voepel, Carrie Thompson, Voepel, John Redgrave, Discord’s, ” Redgrave, “ Andy, ” Luke Simpson, Jonathan, Pamela Pullen, didn’t, Nick Brooks, Brooks, Pepe, Blacks, Simpson, ” Simpson, Michael Bowman, Joseph Archambault, Aldrich texted, Ned Parker, Peter Eisler, Joseph Tanfani, John Emerson, Paulo Prada Organizations: Reuters, Q, American University, Washington , D.C, ” Reuters, U.S, Capitol, Jan, Trump, University of Maryland’s, U.S . Joint Chiefs of Staff, ., Council, Foreign Relations, Republican, Middlebury College’s Center, Terrorism, Counterterrorism, Public Religion Research Institute, REUTERS, Central Intelligence Agency, U.S . Constitution, Department of Homeland Security, Facebook, ” Winthrop Police, Smith, Wesson, Air Force, SWAT, Prosecutors Locations: Colorado, Colorado Springs, Washington ,, United States, Nevada, Wheaton , California, Washington, Maryland, Vietnam, Mexico, mainstreaming, Monterey , California, Michigan, Gratiot County, U.S ., Winthrop , Massachusetts, California, Texas, San Diego, Ohio, Illinois, Australia, Florida, Buffalo , New York

☆ Zac Efron’s ‘Iron Claw’ transformation continues to impress
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Marianne Garvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Zac Efron’s transformation for new wrestling film “The Iron Claw” turned heads in a 2022 set photo, and it’s still the talk of moviegoers. The actor looked virtually unrecognizable with huge muscles and a bowl haircut as he was on set in Louisiana to play wrestler Kevin Von Erich last year. And a just released cover for Entertainment Weekly has renewed awe about the “High School Musical” star’s new form. “The Iron Claw” follows the Von Erich family and they deal with family drama, overdoses, death and suicide. See the trailer for “The Iron Claw” below.

Persons: Zac, ”, it’s, Kevin Von Erich, Efron, Von Erich, Von Erich’s, Sean Durkin Organizations: CNN, Entertainment, “ Locations: Louisiana

☆ Chicago Blackhawks sued by player accusing former coach of sexual assault
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | Jennifer Henderson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A second former player has sued the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, accusing the team of overlooking his complaints that then-video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him leading up to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. Attorneys for the unnamed player, who is referred to as “John Doe” in the lawsuit, say he was inspired by former Blackhawks player Kyle Beach, who sued the team in 2021 over its handling of similar sexual assault allegations Beach made against Aldrich in 2010. The Blackhawks declined to comment on specific details of the suit, in a Monday statement, citing ongoing litigation. The report concluded that Aldrich had engaged in sexual misconduct in 2010 and senior Blackhawks leaders failed to “promptly and thoroughly investigate” Beach’s assault allegation. Aldrich resigned from the Blackhawks in 2010.

Persons: Brad Aldrich, John Doe ”, Kyle Beach, Aldrich, “, John Doe, ” Doe, ”, Doe, Aldrich “, John Doe’s, –, Beach –, Antonio Romanucci, ” Romanucci, “ John Doe, Romanucci, CNN’s Joe Sutton, Kevin Dotson, David Close, Wayne Sterling Organizations: CNN, NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, Blackhawks, “ Stanley, Black Aces, Stanley, “, Chicago Blackhawks, The Blackhawks, Beach, NHL, ” Locations: Houghton , Michigan

☆ Opinion | How Will Israel Pay for Its War?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Peter Coy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

There, lawmakers and government ministers are tussling over how to pay for the war against Hamas. Coalition funds are an obvious potential source for the war effort because they’re not required for the basic operations of government. More recently, though, Smotrich has shown little interest in diverting funds intended for the ultra-Orthodox and the settlers to pay for the war and for aid to displaced civilians. “There really isn’t a lack of money,” Smotrich said, according to an article in TheMarker, a business daily published by Ha’aretz. Impatience with those two groups was rising even before the war.

Persons: There’s, Bezalel Smotrich, Benjamin Netanyahu, they’re, Smotrich, ” Smotrich, “, let’s, ”, isn’t, It’s Organizations: Hamas, West Bank ., Coalition, Ha’aretz Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, TheMarker

☆ ANALYST VIEW Argentina vote headed for runoff between ruling Peronist and radical Milei
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Argentina's presidential candidate Sergio Massa addresses supporters as he reacts to the results of the presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 22, 2023. REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - A stronger-than-expected showing by Argentina's ruling Peronist coalition at a general election on Sunday has set the stage for a run-off vote on Nov. 19 between Economy Minister Sergio Massa and far-right radical Javier Milei. First, any announcements by the two candidates advancing to the second round. MARIANO MACHADO, PRINCIPAL AMERICAS ANALYST, VERISK MAPLECROFT, MALAGA"It is true that in the first round, societal mood shied away from radical change; but in the second round, pro-change voters may shift to Milei to oust Kirchnerism from power." The combination of a libertarian candidate pushing for dollarisation, with minister Massa hiking the money-printing machine to produce a political miracle for ‘candidate’ Massa could finally push macroeconomic variables off the cliff’s edge."

Persons: Sergio Massa, Mariana Nedelcu, Argentina's, Javier Milei, SERGIO ARMELLA, GOLDMAN SACHS, Massa, Milei, DIEGO W, PEREIRA, Patricia, Bullrich’s, Juan, MARIANO MACHADO, VERISK, Kirchnerism, ’ Massa, Karin Strohecker, Kirsten Donovan, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Peronist, JPMORGAN, NEW, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, AMERICAS, VERISK MAPLECROFT, MALAGA, Rosario

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House plans to return for a second round of balloting for House speaker on Wednesday morning as Jim Jordan fights to win over his many holdouts for the job to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy. The House had never ousted its speaker before Kevin McCarthy, and the lawmakers are in rarely tested terrain. Two former Republican House speakers, Newt Gingrich and John Boehner, have come out in support of the idea. Gingrich said that while he likes Jordan, he has “no faith” the nominee can get much beyond the 200 votes he won in the first vote. Both were chased to early retirement by threats of ouster from right-flank insurgents like those who toppled McCarthy.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Kevin McCarthy, Jordan, Jim Jordan’s, McCarthy, Patrick McHenry of, Newt Gingrich, John Boehner, Gingrich, ” Gingrich, Fox News ’ Sean Hannity, Boehner, “ Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Trump, GOP, Republican House, Republicans, Fox News Locations: Patrick McHenry of North Carolina

Eric Ulrich rose through the ranks of city government with modest momentum, first elected as a city councilman before Mayor Eric Adams appointed him a senior adviser and, finally, his commissioner of the Department of Buildings. At each stop, prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney’s office said on Wednesday, he used his positions to benefit friends and associates, and harvested more than $150,000 for himself. They said he reaped New York Mets season tickets, a custom suit, a painting by an apprentice of Salvador Dalí and cash for gambling. The district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, said in a statement that Mr. Ulrich had accepted or solicited the bribes over just two years. And a court filing said that Mr. Ulrich had engaged in conduct antithetical to his oath of office “on an almost daily basis.”“At every possible turn,” Mr. Ulrich used his taxpayer-funded positions “to line his pockets,” Mr. Bragg’s statement said.

Persons: Eric Ulrich, Eric Adams, Salvador Dalí, Alvin L, Bragg, Ulrich, Mr, Eric Ulrich’s, ” Organizations: of Buildings, New York Mets Locations: Manhattan, City of New York

A few months before he was elected mayor of New York City, Eric Adams was feted at a $1,000-a-head fund-raiser at Russo’s on the Bay, a plush wedding venue overlooking the water in Howard Beach, Queens. Among the hosts was Eric Ulrich, a city councilman whom Mr. Adams would eventually appoint as buildings commissioner. In addition to Mr. Ulrich, those facing indictment include Anthony and Joseph Livreri, who own a Queens pizzeria that has drawn the attention of prosecutors investigating gambling and organized crime activity. The Livreris were also hosts of the fund-raiser, as was Michael Mazzio, a towing-company operator and friend of Mr. Ulrich’s who is also under investigation. Law enforcement officials had previously identified Mr. Mazzio and the Livreri brothers as having connections to organized crime.

Persons: Eric Adams, Eric Ulrich, Adams, Ulrich, Anthony, Joseph Livreri, Michael Mazzio, Mr, Ulrich’s, Mazzio Locations: New York City, Russo’s, Howard Beach , Queens, Manhattan, Queens

☆ Billionaire investor Leon Black is accused of raping teen in Jeffrey Epstein’s NY townhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —A woman is suing the billionaire investor Leon Black, accusing him of raping her at Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse when she was 16 years old. The lawsuit describes in gruesome detail the woman’s account of a sexual assault that left her bleeding and sobbing. A spokesman for Black, Whit Clay, echoed Estrich’s denial, saying the law firm “has an agenda” and that its credibility has been impugned by the dismissal of the previous suit. An internal Apollo investigation that documented his $158 million payment to Epstein found no wrongdoing. The latest suit is the third to publicly accuse Black of rape.

Persons: New York CNN —, Leon Black, Jeffrey, Jane Doe, ”, Black, Susan Estrich, ” Estrich, Whit Clay, “, Jeanne M, Christensen, ” Black, Epstein, Cheri Pierson, ” Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sen, Ron Wyden, ” Black’s, Doe, — CNN’s Elisabeth Buchwald, Ramishah Maruf Organizations: New, New York CNN, Apollo Global Management, New York Times, Street, CNN, Finance Locations: New York, Manhattan, New York City

Lawmakers, including Yariv Levin, the Justice Minister, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security, at the Knesset in Jerusalem after the vote on Monday. Israel’s nationalist right celebrated a hard-won victory Monday after seven months of struggling to advance the contentious plan to weaken Israel’s judiciary in the face of mounting opposition. Many on Israel’s right say Israel’s Supreme Court is staffed by activist judges who have tied the hands of elected leaders. Right-wing voters commonly say they “vote for the right and get the left” and blame the courts for striking down popular policies. A weakened court would allow Mr. Ben-Gvir to fulfill such campaign promises, he said.

Persons: Yariv Levin, Itamar Ben, Gvir, ”, —, Benjamin Netanyahu —, Rafi Sharbatov, Ben, Arnon Segal, Segal, “, we’ve, Bezalel Smotrich, God’s, Mr, Smotrich, Smotrich’s, Dan Odenheimer, Odenheimer, “ It’s Organizations: of National Security, West Bank, Air Force, West Locations: Jerusalem, Israel’s, Israel, West Bank, Efrat

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