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☆ Robert Downey Jr.'s 'showboating' performances in 'The Sympathizer' are polarizing critics. Here's what reviews are saying about HBO's new series.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The series follows an agent referred to only as the Captain (Hoa Xuande), who's half-Vietnamese and half-French. Aligned with North Vietnam, he's embedded within the South Vietnam army. Critics have generally praised the series, particularly Xuande's performance and Park's direction (in addition to showrunning duties, he directs the first three episodes). Here's a breakdown of where some reviewers stand ahead of the series premiere on HBO Sunday evening. AdvertisementVariety's Alison Herman says that splitting Downey into parts both "deploys and diffuses" the impact of his celebrity on the series.

Persons: Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer, Hoa, Critics, —, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Chan, Don McKellar, he's, Robert Downey Jr, Xuande, Hopper Stone, Alan Sepinwall, IndieWire's Ben Travers, Tran Bui, Beth Dubber, weren't, Robert Downey's, Laura Sirikul, Sirikul, Variety's Alison Herman, Herman, Christopher Nolan's, Oppenheimer, Nick Schager, Downey, Sandra Oh, Park Chan, Nguyen's, Judy Berman, Rory Doherty, lauds, Doherty, Inverse's, Fred Nguyen Khan, Duy Nguyen, Sepinwall, IndieWire's Travers, Richard Lawson, Schager, Thanh, Fair's Lawson, Marina Fang Organizations: HBO, Viet Thanh, Service, Downey, Stone, Daily Locations: Viet, North Vietnam, Vietnam, United States, Korean

☆ Robert Downey Jr. was so committed to method acting as the method actor Kirk Lazarus in 'Tropic Thunder' that he even peed in character, his co-star said
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewRobert Downey Jr. was so committed to method acting his part as the method actor Kirk Lazarus in "Tropic Thunder'" that he went to the toilet in character, according to his costar Danny McBride. Downey Jr. wore blackface for this role, a decision that has been criticized in recent years because of its racist history. McBride said he heard Downey Jr. saying in character: "I'm gonna go drain the snake." In 2009, Downey Jr. received a supporting actor Oscar nomination for his performance in "Tropic Thunder." AdvertisementRobert Downey Jr. has defended wearing blackface in 'Tropic Thunder'Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller in "Tropic Thunder."

Persons: —, Robert Downey Jr, Kirk Lazarus, Danny McBride, Downey Jr, Downey, McBride, Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Tom Cruise, Oscar, Rob Lowe, Stiller, Lazarus, Joe Rogan Organizations: Service, Business, Office, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Pictures Locations: Australian

☆ This US state is not covered by the NATO treaty. Some experts say that needs to change
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Because in a quirk of geography and history, Hawaii is not technically covered by the NATO pact. Mengshin Lin/AP“People tend to assume Hawaii is part of the US and therefore it’s covered by NATO,” he says. The exception is spelled out in the Washington Treaty, the document that established NATO in 1949, a decade before Hawaii became a state. It also says any island territories must be in the North Atlantic, north of the Tropic of Cancer. Hawaii, Guam, Taiwan and North KoreaSome experts say times have changed in the decades since the Washington Treaty was signed – and argue today’s political situation in the Indo-Pacific might require a rethink.

Persons: “, ”, David Santoro, Mengshin Lin, ” Santoro, –, China’s, Xi Jinping, —, Joe Biden, John Hemmings, ” Hemmings, Hemmings, Forum’s Santoro, Amy Picard, Luis Simon, Simon, ” Simon Organizations: CNN, NATO, Hawaii, Pacific Command, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Aloha, Pacific Forum, Sailors, USS Arizona Memorial, USS, 82nd, Treaty Organization, Washington Treaty, Tropic, Cancer, US State Department, United, Argentine, South Atlantic, Communist Party, Taiwan Relations, White, Center, New, New American Security, Foreign, USS Arizona . US Navy, Interim, Andersen Air Force Base, Korean, . Air Force, 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Force, . Air Force ‘ Coalition, Research Centre, Security, Brussels School, Governance, NATO Command, Union Locations: Sweden, United States, Hawaii, Pearl, Honolulu, USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu , Hawaii, California , Colorado, Alaska, North America, Washington, Europe, Argentina, Falkland, British, South, Guam, Taiwan, North Korea, New American, China, Beijing, Oahu, USS West Virginia, USS Tennessee, France, Nazi Germany, Japan, Italy, Korean, Soviet Union, Belgium, Ukraine

☆ Robert Downey Jr. says it was for the best that he didn't win an Oscar back in the '90s
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewRobert Downey Jr. thinks it's good that he didn't win the first time he was nominated for an Oscar in 1993. Back then, Downey Jr. was nominated for best actor for his role in "Chaplin," but lost to Al Pacino, who won for his role in "Scent of a Woman." Related storiesIn the years following his first Academy Awards nomination, Downey Jr. had numerous brushes with the law. AdvertisementEarlier this week, Downey Jr. was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role as Lewis Strauss in "Oppenheimer." This is his third Oscar nomination: He was also nominated for best supporting actor in 2009 for "Tropic Thunder," but lost to Heath Ledger, who played the Joker in "The Dark Knight."

Persons: —, Robert Downey Jr, would've, Downey, Chaplin, Al Pacino, California Jerry Brown, Lewis Strauss, Oppenheimer, Downey Jr, It's Organizations: Service, Business, LA Times, New York Times, Burger, Heath Locations: LA, California

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A busy hurricane season that saw the National Hurricane Center in Miami issue the first-ever tropical storm warning for the coast of California and hurricane warnings as far north as Nova Scotia is coming to a close Thursday night. “The 2023 hurricane season does show that we can get impacts just about everywhere," said Michael Brennan, director of the hurricane center. A year earlier, a strong storm surge during Hurricane Ian resulted in multiple deaths and significant destruction across southwest Florida. She said she's more than relieved hurricane season is ending. “So it's either hurricane season, or you're getting ready for the next hurricane season," he said.

Persons: —, Michael Brennan, Hurricane Lee, Hurricane Otis, ” Brennan, Brennan, Ian, Danielle DeLoach, Nicole, DeLoach, “, they’re, ” DeLoach, they'll, ___ Fischer Organizations: National Hurricane Center, Hurricane, Florida Gulf, U.S . East, Atmospheric Administration, Ocean Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Miami, California, Nova Scotia, Southern California, Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, U.S . East Coast, New England, Mexico, Acapulco, Atlantic, Gulf Coast of Florida, Florida's, Tropic Shores, Daytona Beach Shores

NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Dorsey, a former police and courts newspaper reporter who found lasting fame as the creator of the crime-comedy novel series starring Serge A. Storms, an energetic fan of Florida history and an ingenious serial killer, has died. Dorsey, who published 26 novels, died Sunday, according to Danielle Bartlett, a publicity director at William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins. Fans of Dorsey appreciated his clever observations and satirical pokes at the weirdness of Florida. He was part of a trio of former newspapermen from Florida — including Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen — who found a rich vein of absurdist humor in the state. “It was a privilege and honor to work with Tim Dorsey.

Persons: — Tim Dorsey, Serge A, Dorsey, Danielle Bartlett, William Morrow, Dave Barry, Carl Hiaasen —, Tim Dorsey, Serge, Storms, Emily Krump, Coleman, Florida grifters, ”, “, ’ ”, Bruce DeSilva, Kurt Vonnegut, hasn’t, ” Dorsey, ___ Mark Kennedy Organizations: HarperCollins, Maltese, Torino, The Associated Press, “, Auburn University, The Alabama, The Tampa Tribune Locations: Florida, Tabasco, Indiana, Tribune’s Tallahassee

☆ How Superheroes Took Over the Multiplex
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Downey lost the Oscar (to Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight”), but Marvel won the day. On this week’s episode, Gonzales and Robinson join the host Gilbert Cruz to talk all things Marvel. “We definitely, of course, wanted to write for the Marvel fans,” Robinson says. “But also we wanted to write a book for Marvel skeptics. We wanted to write a book for people who maybe fell in love with Marvel once upon a time, but are maybe slightly falling out of love with it.

Persons: Robert Downey Jr, —, Tony Stark, Downey, Knight, ”, “, Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, Gavin Edwards, Gonzales, Robinson, Gilbert Cruz, ” Robinson, Marvel, Marvel agnostics Organizations: Marvel Studios, Marvel, Hollywood Locations: Heath

☆ Asia’s best bars for 2023 announced
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Asia comprises about 30% of the world’s land mass. In addition to ranking the top 50, the 50 Best organization – which also rates restaurants and, soon, hotels – acknowledged “best in destination” prizes for bars that were the highest rated from their country, city or region. It was his first-ever visit to Hong Kong. 50 Best/William ReedAsia’s 50 Best Bars 20231. COA (Hong Kong)2.

Persons: Jay Khan, Ernest Hemingway, Beckaly Franks, Hong Kong's, William Reed, Hong Konger, ”, Franks, “, Rohan Matmary, Trigona’s, Matmary, Singapore’s, Khan, Ajit Gurung, “ We’re, William Reed Asia’s, Aubrey Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Pontiac, Native American, CNN Travel, Bars Academy, BKK Social, Tropic, Sago, Cham, SG, Analogue Initiative, Chamber, Employees, Southside, Hope, Sesame, House Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Asia, Asia, Hong, American, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Tropic City, Taipei, Vesper, Republic, Delhi, Jakarta, Manhattan, Pantja, Manila, Mumbai, Copitas, Bengaluru, Guangzhou, Vender, Taichung, Kyoto

☆ When is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere? Find out what it is, and its meaning
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Marianne Guenot | Shayanne Gal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The 2023 summer solstice happens on Wednesday 21 June at 10:58 a.m. It is due to Earth's tilted axis as it orbits around the sun. How the summer solstice worksThe summer solstice is the point when the sun will stay closest to the horizon all day. Shayanne Gal/Business InsiderOn the summer solstice, the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, where the sun rises earlier and sets later, meaning countries will get the longest day of sunlight they will get all year. Why it's so celebratedRussians celebrating the 2015 summer solstice with a bonfire.

Persons: —, Shayanne, Dmitry Feoktistov Organizations: Service, NASA, Cancer, Heritage Locations: China, Sweden

☆ El Niño is here and could bring warmer temperatures, more extreme weather patterns
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño La Niña Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, that occurs across the tropical Pacific Ocean roughly every five years. El Niño generally causes drier conditions in Australia and Southeast Asia, and wetter and warmer conditions in the Americas. El Niño ("little boy" in Spanish) and La Niña ("little girl" in Spanish) are weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean that can impact weather conditions around the globe. NOAA said there is an 84% chance of an El Niño with a greater than moderate strength and a 56% chance of a strong El Niño developing by the winter. While these regions may see warmer temperatures, Schmidt was careful to point out that El Niño does not guarantee a heat record in any region.

Persons: Niño, El Niño, We've, Gavin A, Schmidt, El Organizations: El, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, CNBC, Tropic, Cancer Locations: Australia, Southeast Asia, Americas, United States, California, Gulf, Pacific Northwest, Ohio, El, Indonesia, South America, Eurasia

☆ The Most Exciting Young Athlete on Earth Isn’t Playing in America
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

We interrupt these amusingly Florida-centric hockey and basketball playoffs—the Panthers and Heat, who saw this tropic thunder coming—to pivot to the soccer pitch. Specifically, I want to pivot to the most thrilling human currently on two cleats, I mean boots:

☆ Winter Solstice 2022: When It Is and How It’s Observed
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Aylin Woodward | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The annual winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which this year occurs on Dec. 21, marks the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year in that half of the world. It coincides with the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, which marks the start of summer and the year’s longest day there. In the months leading up to the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, the sun’s rays gradually shift southward from the equator until the sun reaches its most southerly point in the sky at the Tropic of Capricorn, a mapmaker’s line that parallels the equator at 23.5 degrees south latitude. After a brief pause at that line on the solstice, the sun appears to reverse direction and begins its journey northward.

☆ Winter Solstice 2022: When It Is and How It Is Observed
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Aylin Woodward | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

In the early 2010s, Mr. Mellow set out for still more distant shores, traveling to many famous surf breaks in the South Pacific. Mr. Abdul-Rashed and Mr. Danian traveled to Hawaii to connect with Mr. Mellow, their spiritual guide and Pacific expedition leader. Mr. Mellow posted an ad on Facebook and Craigslist offering $10,000 for passage to the South Pacific. Mr. Schmidt was in sync with the young seekers when it came to fear of Big Brother and vaccines, but dreading port officials brandishing nasal swabs struck even Mr. Schmidt as a little unhinged. When asked if he was at all responsible for what had happened to Mr. Danian and Mr. Abdul-Rashed, Mr. Mellow looked genuinely confused.

The fall equinox happens when the sun's warming rays square up perfectly with the earth. Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyThursday is this year's fall equinox. This astronomical event, which happens every year, means the day is about as long as the night. How the fall equinox worksIn June and December, the Earth hits its solstices — the longest and shortest days of the year. Matt Cardy/Getty ImageCelebrating equinoxFor some, equinox is more than a day that comes with the return of the pumpkin spice latte.

☆ All the best products we’ve tested in 2021 (so far)
▼ + stars: | 2021-11-03 | by ( Cnn Underscored Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +62 min

Best coffee subscription: Blue Bottle (starting at $11 per shipment; bluebottle.com)Blue BottleBlue Bottle’s coffee subscription hit all of our marks during the testing process. This mask, though, formed the best seal around the edges, blocking out more light than any other mask we tested. Not only does it keep your drinks hot or cold for many hours, it’s solidly durable and has the best lid we’ve ever tested. Best smart display: Amazon Echo Show 8 ($99.99, originally $129.99; amazon.com)AmazonThe Echo Show 8 is the best smart display we tested, with a versatile 8-inch screen in a build that really fits anywhere. Best smart thermostat: Nest Learning Thermostat ($223, originally $229; amazon.com)GoogleThe Nest Learning Thermostat studies your habits and controls the temperature in your home automatically.

☆ 65-year-old retiree left the U.S. for Mexico: 'I now spend $160 a month on eating out and shopping—here's a look at my typical day'
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-01 | by ( Janet Blaser | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

I slip into my flip-flops, and coffee in hand, walk half a block to the beach to check out the waves. Being right on the Tropic of Cancer, the blue sky is gorgeous practically every day of the year! Joggers, dog-walkers, cyclists, fishermen, surfers and others all take advantage of the cool morning air before the sun comes up. Paola, the barista at my favorite coffee shop, starts my iced Americano as soon as she sees me. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards After a morning swim, hair still wet, I'd rather eat at my favorite coffee shop than cook at home.

☆ На освобождение Суэцкого канала отвели несколько недель
▼ + stars: | 2021-03-23 | by ( Mld Media Srl | Степанов Георгий | ) noi.md time to read: +2 min

Чтобы освободить Суэцкий канал от севшего на мель контейнеровоза Ever Given, может потребоваться много времени. Как пишет lenta.ru, накануне администрация Суэцкого канала сообщила, что контейнеровоз пытаются снять с мели восемь буксиров. В настоящее время разблокировки канала ожидают 16 танкеров, на борту которых находятся 870 тысяч тонн нефти и 670 тысяч тонн нефтепродуктов. Через Суэцкий канал проходят порядка трети контейнеров и десять процентов всех грузовых морских перевозок. Российский МИД также ожидает, что последствия нынешнего ЧП удастся ликвидировать только за несколько недель.

Persons: Питер Бердовски, Бердовски Organizations: Reuters, Совкомфлот, МИД Locations: Суэцкий канал, Африка, Россия

☆ Gwyneth Paltrow accidentally said the wrong cruise company was collaborating with her on 'Goop at Sea'
▼ + stars: | 2020-01-23 | by ( Jacob Sarkisian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Gwyneth Paltrow spoke to Seth Meyers on "Late Night With Seth Meyers" on Wednesday. The Oscar-winner also spoke about her recently announced "Goop at Sea" cruise, but credited the wrong cruise company that she is collaborating with. The chat show host brought up the recently announced "Goop at Sea" cruise, and asked Paltrow if she's ever been on one herself. Paltrow and Meyers continued to discuss what exactly a Goop cruise would entail — "healthy good, wellbeing programmes" — when Paltrow realized her mistake. Once the company name had been confirmed, Paltrow delivered the "Goop at Sea" promotion again with Meyers' help.

☆ The December solstice is here. Here's how it works and why it starts winter and summer at the same time.
▼ + stars: | 2018-12-21 | by ( Marianne Guenot | Shayanne Gal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The 2022 winter solstice happens on Wednesday 21 December at 4:48 p.m. It is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere but the summer solstice in the southern. This is due to Earth's tilted axis as it orbits around the sun. How the December solstice worksThe winter solstice is the point when the sun will stay closest to the horizon all day. At that point, the sun's most direct rays reach the Tropic of Cancer, summer starts for the northern hemisphere, and winter begins for those south of the equator.

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