
In his new book 'The Fall,' author Michael Wolff foresees the demise of Fox News
The next book from “Fire and Fury” author Michael Wolff is both a recounting of the recent past and a prediction for the near future
1970-01-01 08:00

Pride flag killing suspect's social media included anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-police content, authorities say
The man accused of fatally shooting a Southern California clothing store owner after an argument about a rainbow Pride flag hanging outside her business, had social media accounts containing anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-law-enforcement material, sheriff's office officials said in a Monday news conference.
1970-01-01 08:00

Behind ‘Bottoms,’ the wild, queer and bloody high school sex comedy coming to theaters
Two unpopular friends, PJ and Josie, are eager to lose their virginity to two beautiful cheerleaders in the wild new comedy “Bottoms,” which opens in theaters Friday
1970-01-01 08:00

Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato ditching Scooter Braun arrives on two big Taylor Swift anniversaries
In a pretty spooky case of coincidence, news that Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato have both reportedly parted ways with their manager Scooter Braun comes almost four years to the day after Taylor Swift confirmed she planned to re-record her first five albums - from her debut to 1989. On 22 August 2019, the 'Cruel Summer' singer told Good Morning America she was “very excited” to be able to release her own versions of her back catalogue, after Braun bought her former record label Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) and, with that, the rights to the masters of her earlier work. She said: “It’s something I’m very excited about doing because my contract says that starting November 2020 – so next year – I can record albums one through five all over again.” When that month came around, Swift alleged Braun sold the master rights and “100 per cent of my music, videos, and album art” to a private equity firm known as Shamrock Holdings. The musician is now with Universal Music Group’s Republic Records, and is continuing to re-release past albums with the additional stamp of ‘Taylor’s Version’ on them. We’ve already had revamped versions of Fearless, Red and Speak Now, with Swift recently announcing that 1989 (Taylor’s Version) would be coming later this year. Although she told Good Morning America she would re-record her first five albums, Swift eventually had six records under her belt when she parted ways with BMLG, meaning fans can still expect Reputation and her debut, Taylor Swift, to be re-released. And Swift hasn’t held back from making her feelings known about Braun in recent years, with the music video from her track “The Man” – from her seventh album, Lover – showing Swift in prosthetics as a male protagonist urinating against a wall featuring the names of past albums graffitied onto it. There’s a sign banning the riding of scooters (wink, wink), and another which reads: “Missing: if found return to Taylor Swift.” Ouch. Now things haven’t been much better for Braun, as on Monday 21 August – close to four years since that Good Morning America interview - it was reported both Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato have split from the music manager, and last week there were rumours Justin Bieber would do the same. Although representatives for Lovato, Grande and Braun all declined to comment when approached by Billboard, the outlet cites sources who have confirmed the artists’ dramatic decision. Of course, Swifties have been absolutely relishing what they consider to be an incredible case of “karma” – conveniently, the name of a song by Swift herself: And as if the anniversary of Swift’s Good Morning America interview matching the ditching of Braun by Lovato and Grande wasn’t enough, one Swiftie pointed out that the star announced the release of her album Reputation – famed for its rumoured digs at the likes of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian – on 23 August 2017. This is Taylor Swift’s world and we’re all just living in it. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Olivia Dunne shares throwback pics from epic summer vacation as she heads into senior year, trolls ask 'these pics photoshopped too?'
Olivia Dunne seems to have had an extremely eventful summer vacation
1970-01-01 08:00

Is Bianca Censori going to be arrested? Calls mount for Kanye West's wife to be charged with 'public indecency'
Bianca, known as Kanye's wife, has raised eyebrows with her outfits in Italy, which is a traditionally conservative Catholic country
1970-01-01 08:00

A California man spewed anti-LGBT+ hate online. Then he murdered a mom-of-nine over a Pride flag
Travis Ikeguchi had been spewing anti-LGBT+ content on social media for quite some time. Behind his keyboard, the 27-year-old California man was posting images of burning Pride flags and lashing out at the LGBT+ community as well as law enforcement. Then, he came out from behind his online persona and murdered a mother-of-nine fashion entrepreneur over the Pride flag she had dared to hang outside her own store, according to authorities. On Friday, Ikeguchi went to the Mag.Pi store on Hook Creek Road owned by Laura “Lauri” Ann Carleton, according to police in San Bernardino. He confronted her about the rainbow flag, tearing it down while screaming homophobic slurs at her. Then he pulled out a gun, shooting the 66-year-old. Officers arrived on the scene to find Carleton suffering a single gunshot wound before she died in the street. By this time, Ikeguchi had fled the scene before he was tracked down by police. A standoff ensued and he opened fire on the officers before he was shot and killed by law enforcement. Carleton’s senseless murder has since led to an outpouring of grief and anger from her children and family members, Hollywood stars and the LGBT+ community members who have warned that her killing is a marker of the anti-LGBT+ hate currently being spread across the US. Now, officials have confirmed the killer’s history of anti-LGBT+ comments on social media. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said that Ikeguchi – from Cedar Glen, California – had made many posts online that were critical of the LGBT+ community and law enforcement. Public information officer Mara Rodriguez said that the posts were made on multiple different social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, and the far-right platform Gab. “The content of Ikeguchi’s social media posts contained posts critical to the LGBTQIA community,” said the officer. Accounts on X and Gab under Ikeguchi’s name, reviewed by The Independent, appear to match the hateful posts referred to by authorities. In one post, dated 13 June and pinned to the top of the X account, Ikeguchi appeared to post an image of a burning rainbow flag. “What to do with the LGBTQP flag?” the chilling post was captioned. In another post on 28 June, the user took aim at same-sex marriage and abortion. “Abortion and same-sex marriage are both immoral and are design to destroy humanity one by one,” the tweet read. “So if someone is pro-abortion and pro-LGBTQP, they are at war against the foundation of family values. –Travis Ikeguchi 6/23/2023 6:39am.” In a post the same day, he revealed a deep-rooted paranoia for law enforcement. “Do not follow their traps they want to know everything about you to catch you and used against you in court and lie about you. Watch out their sociopathic schemes,” the post read. Over on Gab – the site popular with extreme right-wing figures – the account believed to belong to Ikeguchi regularly shared anti-LGBT+ and anti-law enforcement rhetoric. One harrowing post shared on Friday – the day of Carleton’s murder – read: “America must repent for a lot of things we allow; abortion/baby killing, sexual immortality, pornography, same-sex marriages, LGBTQP/pedophilia, freemasonry, religiosity, politics, wars, colonialism, the federal reserve.” The anti-LGBT+ content went back as far as two years, with a 2021 post reading: “We need to STOP COMPROMISING on this LGBT dictatorship and not let them take over our lives!” In another violent post also from 2021, the user spoke of killing police officers. “I know it’s controversial for me to mention the option to kill a police officer, but these police officers are not the servants for the people they are the servants for the laws,” the post read. The Independent has reached out to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for comment on the accounts. A sheriff’s spokesperson told NBC News that Carleton’s murder is now being investigated as a hate crime. The Californian community has been left reeling from the mother-of-nine’s murder, which comes at a time of increased anti-LGBT+ right-wing rhetoric. Friends have said that Carleton had been faced with people ripping down the Pride flag hanging outside her Cedar Glen clothing store ever since she opened the store two years ago. But, the well-known LGBT+ ally refused to be undeterred, and would simply get a new flag and hang it right back up. Never did anyone expect that her bravery in the face of hate would end with her brutal murder. Her daughters Ari and Kelsey released a statement on Instagram saying that their mother, who was married to husband Bort for 28 years, was “murdered over a pride flag that she proudly hung on her storefront”. They remembered her as a “fearless, cool and compassionate” human being. “Make no mistake, this was a hate crime,” they wrote. “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 read. “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 over hate.” Many other friends and Hollywood celebs echoed their sentiments. Hollywood Director Paul Feig, whose works include Bridesmaids and The Heat, posted a tribute on Sunday in memory of his very close “wonderful friend”. “We are all devastated for her husband Bort and her family and the LGBTQ+ community, for whom Lauri was such a true ally,” he wrote. “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.” Sex and the City actress Kristin Davis, Star Trek actor George Takei and Jamie Lee Curtis also echoed these words. Meanwhile, outside the store where she was killed, loved ones, allies and community members showed their own defiance in the face of hate. As well as flowers, cards and photos of the popular store owner and mother-of-nine, multiple rainbow flags are now proudly on display. Read More Laura Carleton shooting – latest: Travis Ikeguchi named as gunman who killed mother-of-nine over Pride flag A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention When people ripped her store’s Pride flag, Laura Carleton hung up another. This time it ended with her murder
1970-01-01 08:00

Manchester United made the right Mason Greenwood decision for all the wrong reasons
Manchester United were drawing 0-0 with West Ham in January 2022 when, with the minutes ticking down, Ralf Rangnick brought on Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial. It proved a fine double change, with each involved in Marcus Rashford’s injury-time winner. Its significance now, however, is rather different. Mason Greenwood was one of those removed: now his 129th United appearance will prove his last. What should have been a glittering career at Old Trafford in effect ended a few months after his 20th birthday. For now, he is still under contract, but in limbo. A six-month investigation has brought the conclusion that Greenwood will not play for United again. He may be sold or loaned out. His contract could be paid up. He has not been sacked, which United say they would have done had they determined he was guilty of attempted rape, assault or coercive and controlling behaviour, the charges first levelled and then dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. But in January 2022, a week after Greenwood’s last game, pictures emerged of a bruised, bleeding woman, audio of a man seemingly threatening to rape her. That remains impossible to forget; to forgive, for many. Greenwood will not play for United again and nor should he. And so it is possible they reached the right decision, perhaps in the wrong way, possibly for the wrong reasons. There were plans to bring Greenwood back – though United insist they simply considered a variety of scenarios – and perhaps the most telling phrase in chief executive Richard Arnold’s statement was: “Further, this case has provoked strong opinions, and it is my responsibility to minimise any distraction to the unity we are seeking within the club.” Had Greenwood played again, it would have been Manchester Divided, not United. There were protests before Monday’s game against Wolves; there would have been far more were he to return to the team. The television presenter Rachel Riley said she would have stopped supporting United had Greenwood represented them again. She would not have been alone in that, either. The Manchester United Supporters Trust backed the decision not to bring him back, though not the lack of consultation for fans. There were staff at Old Trafford who felt it would be wrong to recall him, some of whom would not have wanted to encounter Greenwood in their line of work, maybe some who would have considered quitting their jobs. Perhaps United originally underestimated the strength of feeling. Perhaps, too, there were commercial considerations; the club’s image would have suffered considerable damage if he played, and has already been tainted. Because there is a tendency – often a wish – to celebrate footballers. But could United fans have cheered if Greenwood scored for them again? Would they have been in the awkward position of loving the shirt, hating the man wearing it? Footballers are imperfect people, as we all are, and some more than most, but there is a matter of character. The word is often used in football – when a team gets a late equaliser, when a player makes a comeback from injury – but there is a deeper meaning. If there is a moral test, Greenwood has failed it. Those who have been convicted of criminal offences have a right to work, let alone those who have not, but playing for Manchester United is not merely a job: it is a privilege. And if that invites questions as to at which level of football, if any, that stops being true and there is no definitive answer as to where Greenwood should be allowed to play, there could be a similar reaction at other clubs in England, should they try and sign him; it is still harder to imagine a scenario where he adds to his one cap for England. None of which makes him the victim. United argue they conducted a thorough investigation, showing concern for the woman in question, who has lifelong anonymity for legal reasons, speaking to her mother, showing her their findings, as well as a duty of care to Greenwood. Arnold said he was “satisfied that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with”. None of which necessarily makes Greenwood innocent in the court of public opinion; as he accepted himself, his behaviour was wrong. “I fully accept I made mistakes, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post,” he said. Yet if time is required to see if he does, as he has pledged to do, lead a better life and if there are reasons to keep some of the detail confidential, it would help to know if he has, for instance, spoken to a counsellor, or to victims of rape and domestic abuse, or donated to suitable charities. And if not, why not; these would not be automatically be admissions of guilt, but they would be a recognition he took the issues seriously. His other concern may seem trivial in comparison, though football can be a juxtaposition of the relevant and the irrelevant. But he has to find a club, with United pledging their help to do so. If his prime responsibility is to be a better partner and a good father, as he vowed, he may have a duty to himself to try and rescue his career and realise some of his potential. The teenage prodigy – the man Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deemed the best finisher at Old Trafford – had the talent to be a United great; he has not been found guilty of a crime or sacked by United, but it is still his fault he never will be. Read More Mason Greenwood will not play for Manchester United again, club announce Mason Greenwood speaks out on Manchester United exit: ‘I made mistakes’ Mason Greenwood timeline: How the Manchester United star fell from grace
1970-01-01 08:00

Who is in charge of Britney Spears' well-being? Insider reveals 'last people standing' in pop star's life amid split with Sam Asghari
After her split from Sam Asghari, Britney Spears faced a diminished support system, underscoring the importance of self-care and stability
1970-01-01 08:00

Cambodia country profile
Provides an overview of Cambodia, including key dates and facts about this South East Asian nation.
1970-01-01 08:00

Who is Timothee Chalamet's sister? Actor's sibling appears to throw shade at Kylie Jenner in cryptic post
Timothee Chalamet's sister Pauline seemingly took a dig at Kylie Jenner's lavish lifestyle, which includes a $72M private jet
1970-01-01 08:00

The Witcher director Marc Jobst explains why he believes Henry Cavill quit as the fantasy series' lead
Marc Jobst believes the role had become too "draining" and "demanding" for the Hollywood star.
1970-01-01 08:00