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  • Rapper A$AP Rocky faces shooting assault trial in Los Angeles


    An assault trial begins on Friday against rapper A$AP Rocky, who is accused of firing a gun at a former friend in Los Angeles.

    The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faces 24 years in prison if convicted on two felony assault charges in the 2021 incident near a Hollywood hotel.

    The Grammy-nominated hip-hop star, who is also a fashion mogul and the longtime partner of singer Rihanna, has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.

    The victim, fellow artist and childhood friend Terell Ephron, testified last year that bullets grazed his knuckles and he decided to seek medical treatment at a hospital after flying back to New York.

    A jury of seven women and five men was selected over the course of three days this week before the opening arguments kick off on Friday. The trial is expected to last about three weeks.

    Authorities say the shooting happened on 6 November in 2021 after a “heated discussion” in Hollywood between the rapper and Terell Ephron, who were both part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective and have known one another since their time together at a New York high school.

    The rapper is alleged to have first pulled out the weapon in a threatening manner during a physical argument outdoors, just one block from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to the charging documents.

    Prosecutors say he later fired the weapon twice in the direction of the victim, who sustained a minor injury.

    The rapper rejected a plea offer ahead of the trial and said the weapon he was accused of firing was a “prop gun” incapable of firing real ammunition, according to US media. The AP news agency reported that this would have meant agreeing to 180 days in prison.

    His attorney told US media that they are ready for the trial and look forward to putting it behind them.

    “We’re ready to go. It’s been a long time,” his attorney Joe Tacopina told the Associated Press. “It’s been something that’s waiting over Rocky’s head and Rihanna and their family’s heads for a while. We’re anxious to get this thing underway and get this behind him.”

    A key point of contention in the case is the police investigation and Mr Ephron’s injuries. The rapper’s attorneys argued in court documents that the case should be dismissed over Mr Ephron taking multiple days to report the incident.

    Authorities who responded to the shooting did not find any shell casings when surveying the area but Mr Ephron returned to the scene later and gathered two shell casings he said he found in the area. He brought them when he reported the incident two days later.

    The gun allegedly used in the incident was not located.

    Mr Mayers’s lawyer also questioned the wound Mr Ephron had on his hand and allege it may have been from a punch.

    The trial is happening at a crucial moment for A$AP Rocky, who has two children with singer Rihanna.

    In May, he is set to co-chair the 2025 Met Gala alongside big names like Anna Wintour, British race car driver Lewis Hamilton, singer Pharrell Williams and basketball superstar LeBron James.

    Later this summer, he is also set to appear in a film directed by Spike Lee called “Highest 2 Lowest” with acting legend Denzel Washington.

    The star was previously given a two-year suspended sentence for his role in a brawl in Stockholm in August 2019.

    The rapper and two members of his entourage were convicted of kicking and beating a 19-year-old man after an argument. They said they acted in self-defence, but the court rejected their argument.

    The case drew worldwide media attention after US president Donald Trump unsuccessfully tried to secure Mr Mayers’s release from prison as he awaited trial.

    Born in New York, Mr Mayers was one of the biggest break-out stars of the 2010s, earning eight platinum singles in the US including Wild For The Night, Everyday, LSD and A$AP Forever.

    He rose to fame after being championed by Drake, and has worked with artists including Alicia Keys, Lana Del Rey, Skepta, Selena Gomez and Kendrick Lamar.

    The BBC’s Mark Savage contributed reporting.



    Rapper A$AP Rocky faces shooting assault trial in Los Angeles

    American rapper A$AP Rocky is set to face trial in Los Angeles for a shooting assault that occurred last year. The incident, which took place at a music festival in the city, has sparked controversy and legal action against the artist.

    A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and is facing a potential prison sentence if found guilty. The rapper has maintained his innocence and has stated that he acted in self-defense during the altercation.

    The trial is expected to draw significant media attention and could have a major impact on A$AP Rocky’s career and reputation. Fans and critics alike are closely following the developments in the case, with many expressing their support for the rapper.

    As the trial unfolds, the music industry will be watching closely to see how A$AP Rocky’s legal battle plays out and what implications it may have for other artists in the industry. Stay tuned for updates on this high-profile case.

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  • Sarah McBride, Congress’s First Transgender Member, Faces the Trump Era


    Representative Sarah McBride, Democrat of Delaware and the first openly transgender member of Congress, realized shortly after she won her race that going to the bathroom on Capitol Hill was going to pose a problem in her new job.

    “The more I thought about it, I realized that it would not be safe for me to use the restrooms,” she said Monday over coffee, after attending President Trump’s inauguration.

    That morning, she sat on her hands in the Capitol Rotunda as Mr. Trump received a standing ovation for stating that “there are only two genders: male and female.” On her way out, Ms. McBride ended up walking next to Pete Hegseth, the embattled defense secretary nominee who has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military.

    “Surreal,” was all she had to say about that.

    But such awkward interactions are a reminder of the complicated position Ms. McBride occupies in Washington. She has entered Congress as a barrier-breaking representative of a small and vulnerable population at a time when L.G.B.T.Q. rights are under assault and Republicans, who now hold a governing trifecta, see political gains to be made in rolling back the rights of transgender people in particular.

    It has already given Ms. McBride more of a spotlight than the average freshman lawmaker in the minority — and prompted her to be very careful about when and how she uses her singular position.

    Two months ago, when Ms. McBride came to Washington to attend congressional orientation and had yet to be sworn in, Representative Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, saw an opening and marked her arrival by introducing a measure to bar transgender individuals from using women’s restrooms and changing rooms in the Capitol complex.

    (Ms. Mace has since tried to keep the issue and herself in the news, attacking Ms. McBride on social media and traveling to Wilmington, where Ms. McBride lives, to accuse transgender individuals of trampling on women’s rights.)

    The bathroom gambit was not a particularly novel move; such bans are already in place in 13 states under Republican control. Still, it was a notable way to welcome Ms. McBride to Congress.

    Ban or no ban, Ms. McBride said she was never going to use the public restrooms in the Capitol, because she realized long ago that “there would be a bounty on my head.”

    The move against her may have come faster than she anticipated, “but it was hardly a surprise,” she said. “This was an attempt to gain attention at the expense of a brand-new member of Congress.”

    On Monday, Mr. Trump signed an executive order making good on his promise that the federal government would only recognize two sexes and that they were not changeable. One of the first bills that House Republicans brought to the floor in the opening days of the new Congress was to bar transgender women from participating in school athletic programs designated for female students.

    Those issues hit close to home but had little to do with why Ms. McBride ran for Congress. During her campaign, she focused on paid family and medical leave, reduced child care costs and a higher minimum wage. She barely spoke about her identity and would like to continue the same approach in Congress, if possible.

    Ms. McBride chose not to speak on the floor about the bill targeting transgender individuals in sports.

    “I want my first speech to be about the issues I campaigned on: the economic issues this country is facing,” she said.

    Over coffee, Ms. McBride said that “there are absolutely legitimate questions that need to be answered around what are the rules of the road for participation in different athletic programs.”

    It’s just not an issue for Congress, she argued. The groups that should be making those decisions, she said, are athletic associations, not federal lawmakers lumping together every sport and every athlete, from kindergarten through college.

    Ms. McBride came out in 2012, after her junior year at American University, when she wrote an opinion piece in the student newspaper divulging what she called “my deepest secret: I’m transgender.”

    Back then, Ms. McBride was a political wonk, the president of the student body and — much in the mold of Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary and onetime presidential candidate — someone who had been watching “Meet The Press” since she could talk and forever planning a career in government and politics. Before she came out, Ms. McBride thought she would have to sacrifice that; it didn’t seem possible to her that someone like her could have a future in public life.

    “I thought, ‘If I can do as much good as I can in my life, it will make it OK for me to not come out,’” she said of her thinking at the time. “I had told myself for a while that a professionally and civically fulfilling life would compensate for a life in the closet.”

    But it didn’t work that way. When she declared that she was transgender, she said: “I mourned the loss of any kind of future political career. But the pain was too much to not.”

    Today, she considers herself lucky to have what she describes as an “authentic” and a “fulfilling” life as an openly transgender lawmaker.

    “The only references I had as a young person were dead bodies in a drama or punchlines in a comedy,” she said. “I know how much it would have meant to me as a young person.”

    Then she corrected herself: “Honestly, I don’t know how much it would have meant to me. It was incomprehensible to me.”

    Behind the scenes, Republicans have not exactly apologized for the antics of Ms. Mace and other hard-right lawmakers who have made her a target. But, she said, “there has been clear intentionality about when they say ‘Welcome to Congress, looking forward to serving with you.’”

    “Honestly, every Republican I’ve interacted with has been warm and welcoming, save for a couple,” she added.

    In the elevators, Ms. McBride regularly introduces herself to interns as “Sarah” and asks them where they are from. Many of them seem to have no idea who this overly enthusiastic stranger is, and she’s fine with that.

    “There’s a weird line between members and staff that feels overly distant,” she said as she made her way to the Dunkin’ Donuts in the basement of the Longworth House Office Building for coffee on Tuesday. “We’re all colleagues — let’s get to know each other!”

    Ms. McBride is bubbly and in her element, eager to talk shop or discuss her current favorite television show, the reality game show “Traitors,” with anyone she can convince to watch it. (So far, that’s none of her staff.) Mostly, she’s eager to win back the majority in two years and thinks Democrats must grapple with how to appeal to voters amid a broader shift to the right that is happening around the world.

    “No one runs for Congress to be in the minority,” she said. “In retrospect, you look at the global political dynamics, and it was naïve to think that the United States would be different. We have to see people’s pain.”

    Ms. McBride loves Delaware almost as much as former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. does. She is close with Mr. Biden because of her onetime bond with his son Beau Biden, the former state attorney general who died of brain cancer in 2015 and whose campaigns she worked for.

    “One of the last conversations Beau and I had, he was trying to decide whether to run for governor,” she said.

    Unsurprisingly, given her connection to the Bidens, Ms. McBride defended Mr. Biden’s decision to pardon his family members in his final hours in office.

    “It’s incredibly sad that we have a politics where elected officials seem more focused on punishing the family members of their political foes,” she said. “It’s a sad indictment of our politics that it is an understandable fear.”

    As for Ms. Mace, the two have not yet interacted with each other in person, but Ms. McBride is willing to extend her colleague some grace.

    “No one is their worst action — everyone is trying to figure things out,” she said. “That doesn’t excuse what they are doing. But everyone has a story, and experiences that impact their decision-making.”



    Sarah McBride made history in November 2020 when she was elected as the first openly transgender member of Congress. As a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community, McBride’s victory was a significant milestone in the fight for equality and representation in government.

    However, with the Trump era coming to an end, McBride faces new challenges and obstacles as she prepares to take her seat in Congress. Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump and his administration have rolled back protections for transgender individuals, attempted to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military, and promoted discriminatory policies that have targeted the LGBTQ+ community.

    As a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, McBride is sure to clash with the remnants of Trump’s agenda and work tirelessly to undo the harm caused by his administration. Her presence in Congress will be a beacon of hope for transgender individuals across the country, showing that representation matters and that their voices deserve to be heard.

    Despite the challenges ahead, McBride remains determined and dedicated to fighting for equality and justice for all. As Congress’s first transgender member, she is poised to be a powerful force for change and a fierce defender of the rights of marginalized communities.

    Tags:

    Sarah McBride, transgender politician, LGBTQ+ advocate, Trump administration, political representation, transgender rights, LGBTQ+ community, US Congress, political activism, social justice, LGBTQ+ visibility, transgender representation

    #Sarah #McBride #Congresss #Transgender #Member #Faces #Trump #Era

  • Cori Clingman faces 13 charges related to Khyree Jackson’s death


    • Kevin SeifertJan 23, 2025, 06:07 PM ET

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        Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia. You can follow him via Twitter @SeifertESPN.

    A driver involved in the crash that killed Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two others was arrested Thursday and charged with 13 counts, including DUI and criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, the Prince George’s County (Maryland) state attorney said.

    Cori Clingman, who was 23 at the time of the accident, remained in custody as of Thursday evening and will have a bond hearing scheduled soon, attorney Aisha Braveboy said.

    “This was a horrific tragedy that should not have occurred,” Braveboy said. “This really just starts our fight to get justice.”

    The three-car crash occurred at 3:14 a.m. on July 6, 2024. Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr., two high school football teammates of Jackson’s, were also killed.

    Hazel, 23, played at Maryland and Charlotte. Lytton, 24, played at Florida State and Penn State.

    Maryland State Police said last summer that Hazel was driving a Dodge Charger with Jackson in the passenger seat when their car was struck by an Infiniti Q50 driven by Clingman, who was attempting to change lanes at a high speed. Clingman’s car also struck a Chevrolet Impala. The Charger left the road and struck multiple tree stumps. According to police, Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton was transported to a hospital before being pronounced dead by hospital personnel.

    Clingman, the two passengers in her car and the driver of the Impala were uninjured.

    Braveboy said Thursday that she could not add many details because the investigation is “ongoing.” She did not reveal Clingman’s exact blood alcohol content but confirmed it was “at least” above the legal limit of 0.08% in Maryland.

    Jackson, who was one month away from his 25th birthday at the time of his death, was the Vikings’ fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He attended spring OTAs and minicamp and endeared himself to a veteran team with his enthusiasm and confidence.

    The Vikings donated $20,000 toward expenses for Jackson’s funeral and also paid out his $827,148 signing bonus to his estate.

    A contingent of players and staff members attended his funeral, during which coach Kevin O’Connell was one of the featured speakers. Players wore a “KJ” sticker on the back of their helmets throughout season, while coaches and staff members wore pins with the same initials.

    “You felt [Jackson] had such a laser focus on what his mission and what his plan was,” O’Connell said during training camp. “It really showed up in the spring. He had a very, very good spring and was really looking forward to coming back to training camp and being well on his way [and] on that path to having a big impact on our team for this year. Just some of my personal dialogue with him and the work he was putting in throughout the summer, you just knew he was going to come back and do that.”

    In an ESPN feature story that aired earlier this month, O’Connell said he “fell in love” with Jackson during his brief time with the team this spring and that players and coaches rallied around his memory.

    “We’re all grieving and we all grieve in our own ways,” O’Connell said. “But there’s not thing more powerful than grieving together, and we’re going to do it in the way that best honors Khyree and his family.”



    Cori Clingman, a 27-year-old woman from Detroit, is facing 13 charges in connection to the death of 9-year-old Khyree Jackson. Jackson was found dead in his home on February 15th, and an investigation revealed that he had been severely abused and neglected.

    Clingman, who was dating Jackson’s father at the time of the boy’s death, has been charged with multiple counts of child abuse, torture, and murder. Authorities believe that she played a significant role in the abuse and neglect that ultimately led to Jackson’s tragic death.

    The community has been shocked and outraged by the details of this case, and many are calling for justice to be served for young Khyree Jackson. As the legal proceedings move forward, we can only hope that those responsible for his death are held accountable for their actions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Khyree Jackson during this difficult time.

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  • Scale AI Faces Third Worker Lawsuit Alleging Psychological Harm – Next Unicorn


    Scale AI, a company valued at $13.8 billion last year, is facing its third lawsuit in just over a month, with the latest allegations highlighting claims of psychological trauma suffered by workers reviewing disturbing content without adequate safeguards. Filed on January 17 in the Northern District of California, the class action complaint adds to the growing scrutiny of the company’s labor practices.

    The six plaintiffs in the case claim they were tasked with creating and reviewing graphic prompts about violence and abuse, including child abuse, while working on Scale’s platform, Outlier. According to the lawsuit, these workers lacked proper psychological support and faced retaliation when seeking mental health assistance. They also allege that they were misled during hiring about the nature of the work, which led to long-term mental health issues such as PTSD. The plaintiffs are seeking the establishment of a medical monitoring program, new safety standards, and unspecified damages and attorney fees.

    This lawsuit follows two earlier complaints filed against Scale AI. In December 2024, a former worker accused the company of misclassifying contractors and paying below minimum wage. That complaint’s lead plaintiff, Steve McKinney, is also involved in the latest filing. Earlier this month, another lawsuit raised similar allegations regarding worker misclassification and unfair compensation.

    Scale AI relies heavily on contractors to perform tasks like evaluating AI model responses. While the company asserts that it complies with labor laws, the lawsuits raise questions about the treatment and support of its workforce.

    Joe Osborne, a spokesperson for Scale AI, pushed back against the claims, calling the legal arguments from Clarkson Law Firm “misguided.” Osborne noted that Scale has “numerous safeguards” to protect workers, including advanced notice of sensitive material, the ability to opt out, and access to health and wellness programs. He also emphasized that Scale does not engage in projects involving child sexual abuse material.

    This is not Clarkson Law Firm’s first lawsuit against a tech company. The firm previously filed a class action against OpenAI and Microsoft, which was dismissed after a judge criticized it for being overly lengthy and containing irrelevant details. Osborne referenced this in his comments, stating, “Clarkson Law Firm has previously — and unsuccessfully — gone after innovative tech companies with legal claims that were summarily dismissed in court.”

    Glenn Danas, a partner at Clarkson Law Firm, countered these statements, accusing Scale of exploiting workers and failing to ensure a safe workplace. “We must hold these big tech companies like Scale AI accountable or workers will continue to be exploited to train this unregulated technology for profit,” Danas said.

    As the lawsuits unfold, Scale AI faces mounting pressure to address concerns over worker treatment and workplace safety.

    Featured image courtesy of LinkedIn



    Scale AI, the machine learning startup known for providing data for AI development, is facing its third lawsuit from a former worker alleging psychological harm. The lawsuit, which was filed by a former employee, claims that the company’s workplace practices led to severe emotional distress and mental health issues.

    This latest lawsuit comes on the heels of two previous cases filed by former workers who also alleged mistreatment and psychological harm while working at Scale AI. The company, which is valued at over $7 billion and is often touted as the next unicorn in the tech industry, has come under fire for its alleged toxic work environment.

    The lawsuit highlights the growing concerns around workplace culture and mental health in the tech industry, particularly in companies that are at the forefront of AI development. As more and more workers come forward with their stories of mistreatment and psychological harm, it raises important questions about the responsibility of companies to prioritize the well-being of their employees.

    Scale AI has not yet responded to the latest lawsuit, but it is clear that the company’s reputation as a rising star in the tech industry may be tarnished by these allegations. As the case unfolds, it will be important to see how Scale AI addresses these issues and what steps they take to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.

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  • Furman Faces VMI Keydets in Key Southern Conference Showdown


    Furman Men’s Basketball is set to face VMI on Wednesday night as part of a two-game Southern Conference road trip. The game will take place at 6 p.m. at Cameron Hall and will be streamed on ESPN+. Furman enters the matchup with a record of 15-4 overall and 3-3 in SoCon play, following a recent 75-71 loss to Chattanooga. VMI, currently at 8-11 and 2-4 in the conference, comes in on a two-game winning streak. The Paladins have a 71-37 lead in the series and have won the last five encounters.

    By the Numbers

    • Furman has a 15-4 overall record this season.
    • VMI is entering the game with an 8-11 record and a two-game winning streak.
    • Furman has won the last five meetings against VMI, with the last game resulting in a 75-62 victory.

    Yes, But

    While Furman has dominated the series recently, VMI’s current form and home-court advantage may pose challenges. The Keydets have shown resilience by winning their last two games, fueled by standout performances from players like Rickey Bradley Jr.

    State of Play

    • Furman aims to bounce back from a narrow loss against Chattanooga.
    • VMI seeks to extend its winning streak and capitalize on its home advantage.

    What’s Next

    Following the VMI game, Furman will travel to Macon, Ga., to take on Mercer on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. This next matchup will be critical for maintaining their competitive standing in the Southern Conference.

    Bottom Line

    Furman must leverage its recent success against VMI while adjusting strategies to counter the Keydets’ momentum. A win in this game is essential for reaffirming Furman’s position in the conference and boosting morale after the recent loss.





    Furman Faces VMI Keydets in Key Southern Conference Showdown

    Get ready for a thrilling Southern Conference matchup as the Furman Paladins take on the VMI Keydets in a highly anticipated showdown. With both teams vying for a top spot in the conference standings, this game is sure to be a hard-fought battle from start to finish.

    The Paladins, led by their talented roster and strong coaching staff, have been impressive all season long. With their high-powered offense and stifling defense, they have proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the conference. Meanwhile, the Keydets have also been putting on a show with their explosive play and tenacious defense.

    As these two powerhouse teams clash on the court, it’s bound to be an intense and exciting game that fans won’t want to miss. So mark your calendars and tune in to see who will come out on top in this key Southern Conference showdown between Furman and VMI.

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    • Key Southern Conference showdown

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  • ADL faces backlash for defending Elon Musk’s raised-arm gesture | Politics News


    Washington, DC – After Elon Musk made an apparent Nazi salute at an inauguration rally for United States President Donald Trump, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) rushed to defend the SpaceX founder.

    The self-described anti-Semitism watchdog and “leading anti-hate organization in the world” dismissed Musk’s raised arm as “an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm” in a social media post on Monday.

    Months earlier, however, Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the staunchly pro-Israel ADL, compared the Palestinian keffiyeh to the Nazi swastika.

    Activists say the contrast between the ADL’s hurried defence of Musk and its efforts to demonise Palestinians and their supporters shows that the group is more focused on silencing voices critical of Israel than it is on fighting anti-Semitism.

    “The ADL is being crystal clear about where it stands,” said Beth Miller, political director at Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP).

    “They have made it as clear as possible that they are not a reputable source of information when it comes to anti-Semitism. They are not actually prioritising the protection of Jewish communities at all.”

    Miller called the ADL a “hateful group” dedicated to smearing Palestinian rights advocates.

    For years, the ADL has been a go-to NGO for government agencies and the corporate world when it comes to anti-Semitism, hate crimes and broader civil rights issues.

    The group has hosted top Israeli and US politicians, FBI directors, celebrities and businesspeople.

    The group’s annual “audit” of anti-Semitic incidents in the US — which last year included “certain expressions of opposition to Zionism, as well as support for resistance against Israel” — often gets cited by government agencies and legislation.

    Still, Palestinian rights supporters and US-based Muslim groups have long sounded the alarm about the ADL and its stalwart support for Israel.

    In recent years, the group has come under increased criticism for the perception that it has gone soft on right-wing figures accused of bigotry, as long as they support Israel.

    Those accusations escalated after Musk’s gesture on Monday.

    “Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity,” progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on social media in response to the ADL’s defence of Musk.

    “People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now.”

    Musk’s gesture

    While speaking at the Capital One Arena following Trump’s inauguration, Musk put his hand to his chest, then swiftly raised his arm as he thanked the crowd for electing the Republican president.

    The 53-year-old billionaire then turned around and did it again.

    His motion resembled the Nazi gesture — known as the “Sieg Heil”, German for “hail victory” — which has roots in an ancient Roman salute.

    “My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured,” Musk said.

    While it is not uncommon for politicians to extend their arms to greet an audience, the combination of Musk’s rhetoric about “civilisation” and the repeated gesture raised many eyebrows.

    Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University who writes about fascism and authoritarianism, said in a social media post that Musk’s gesture was “a Nazi salute — and a very belligerent one too”.

    Musk has not provided a detailed explanation of what happened, but he did brush off the accusations, saying that his critics “need better dirty tricks”.

    “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” Musk wrote on X. He later shared a post showing Democratic politicians with their arms raised and dismissed legacy media as “pure propaganda”.

    But Matan Arad-Neeman, a spokesperson for IfNotNow, a Jewish progressive group, rejected Musk’s apparent denial.

    “I’m descended from Holocaust survivors, and I know a Nazi salute when I see one, and that was absolutely what Elon Musk was doing,” Arad-Neeman told Al Jazeera.

    He added that the ADL’s defence of Musk was “obscene”. He juxtaposed the group’s response with its reaction to antiwar protesters pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has pursued a devastating military campaign since 2023.

    “It’s not surprising — although it is shameful — that the ADL has spent recent years focusing their attention on egging on a crackdown on protesters for Palestinian human rights and antiwar protesters,” Arad-Neeman said.

    ADL-Musk feud

    The ADL’s backing of Musk would have been unthinkable less than a year and a half ago, when the billionaire entrepreneur threatened to sue the pro-Israel group over allegations that it was preventing companies from advertising on X after he acquired the platform.

    Musk’s attacks, which the ADL described as “dangerous and deeply irresponsible”, were also perceived by critics as anti-Semitic. Some criticised Musk for blaming a Jewish group for his new company’s shortcomings.

    But weeks after accusing X of “elevating” anti-Semites, the ADL welcomed what it called the platform’s “intent” to address anti-Semitism.

    In October 2023, Greenblatt described Musk as an “amazing entrepreneur and extraordinary innovator”, positively comparing him with the pioneering industrialist Henry Ford, who is widely believed to have espoused anti-Semitic views.

    Even after Musk and the ADL appeared to bury the hatchet, the X owner responded to a post accusing Jewish communities of promoting “dialectical hatred” against white people by writing: “You have said the actual truth”.

    Musk visited Israel in November of that year, weeks into its war on Gaza, and met with the country’s leaders.

    Musk
    Tesla and SpaceX CEO Musk gestures during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, on January 20 [Angela Weiss/AFP]

    Arad-Neeman said bigots should not be able to “wave away their anti-Semitism” by saying that they support Israel.

    “It’s unacceptable,” he told Al Jazeera. “It is offensive to the vast majority of American Jews who are terrified by people like the Proud Boys, by people like Elon Musk, by people like Donald Trump who cosy up to white supremacists and fascists.”

    Besides his comments on the Jewish people, Musk has voiced support for far-right groups across the world.

    Last month, he sparked outrage when he said only Germany’s far-right party, the AfD, could save the country.

    Musk has also taken up the cause of the British anti-Muslim campaigner Tommy Robinson, who is in jail for contempt of court as part of a libel case. A court found that Robinson had falsely accused a Syrian refugee schoolboy of attacking “young English girls”.

    The ADL recently denounced Robinson, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as an “anti-Muslim bigot”.

    ‘Censoring our speech’

    Abed Ayoub, the executive director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), said he wished the ADL would extend the same careful approach and benefit of the doubt it offered Musk to members of Arab and Muslim communities.

    “This organisation has a history of censoring our speech and going after our speech and our freedom of expression, and it has made life difficult for many Arabs, Palestinians, Muslims and our supporters in this country,” Ayoub told Al Jazeera.

    The ADL opposed a proposed mosque in New York in 2010 because it was close to the site of the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center, siding with far-right and Islamophobic groups.

    The group has admitted more than a decade later that its position on the mosque was “wrong”.

    More recently, the ADL has accused protesters supporting Palestinian rights — including left-wing Jewish groups — of promoting anti-Semitism.

     

    Earlier this month, the ADL featured on its website a Jewish insider story slamming CBS News for interviewing Josh Paul and Hala Rharrit, two former US officials who quit their government jobs as a protest against Washington’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza.

    The article emphasised a vague connection that Paul and Rharrit have with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a civil rights group.

    Last year, Greenblatt slammed members of then-President Joe Biden’s administration for meeting with Osama Siblani, the publisher of the Michigan-based Arab American News, over what he called “sympathy” for Hezbollah and Hamas.

    The ADL has also been an uncompromising supporter of Israel’s war on Gaza, which rights groups and United Nations advocates have described as a genocide.

    Ayoub said it is easy to get behind the ADL’s “mission on paper”: to fight hatred and bigotry. But more people are becoming aware of the group’s actual positions, he added.

    “We’re starting to see a crack in their support, and we’re starting to see people call them out, especially on things like defending Elon Musk at the speed at which they did,” Ayoub told Al Jazeera.

    The ADL did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment by the time of publication.

    On Tuesday, Bend the Arc, a progressive Jewish group, started circulating a petition calling for the ADL to retract its defence of Musk.

    “The ADL claims to be an expert on antisemitism,” the petition reads.

    “They are quick to defame pro-Palestinian students, Black and brown elected officials, writers, and professors over accusations of antisemitism. But when the world’s wealthiest man performed a Nazi salute while the world watched, they came to his defense?”





    The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is facing backlash after defending Elon Musk’s recent raised-arm gesture during a Tesla event. The controversial gesture, which some have interpreted as a symbol of white supremacy, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.

    Many critics argue that the ADL’s defense of Musk’s gesture is tone-deaf and undermines their credibility as a leading anti-hate organization. They believe that the gesture, which has been associated with the alt-right and white nationalist movements, should not be brushed off or excused.

    In response to the backlash, the ADL has released a statement clarifying their position and reaffirming their commitment to fighting hate and bigotry in all forms. However, the damage has already been done, and many are questioning the organization’s judgment and integrity.

    This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals and organizations accountable for their actions, especially in today’s increasingly polarized and politically charged climate. It also highlights the complexities and challenges of navigating issues of race, identity, and symbolism in a society that is deeply divided.

    Tags:

    ADL, Elon Musk, raised-arm gesture, backlash, Politics News, anti-Semitism, social media controversy, public opinion, criticism, defensive statements, controversy resolution, internet backlash, Elon Musk controversy, ADL response

    #ADL #faces #backlash #defending #Elon #Musks #raisedarm #gesture #Politics #News

  • Vintage Anne Pinkerton Blouse Womens Size 10 Rayon Faces Made in Japan



    Vintage Anne Pinkerton Blouse Womens Size 10 Rayon Faces Made in Japan

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    Are you a fan of vintage fashion? Check out this stunning Anne Pinkerton blouse in a women’s size 10. Made from luxurious rayon fabric and featuring a unique faces print, this blouse is sure to make a statement.

    Made in Japan, this piece is not only stylish but also high quality. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is evident in every stitch.

    Whether you’re a collector of vintage clothing or just looking to add a pop of retro flair to your wardrobe, this Anne Pinkerton blouse is a must-have. Don’t miss out on this rare find – shop now before it’s gone!
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  • Central Oregon faces Arctic blast, Pacific Power offers tips | Local News


    A blast of Arctic air is expected to bring extreme cold to Central Oregon in the coming days.

    Pacific Power is preparing for a much higher demand for electricity than usual as people crank up the heat to stay warm. The utility is urging customers to take steps to avoid overwhelming the power grid.

    Here are the recommendations from Pacific Power:

    • Set the thermostat to 68°F when you’re at home. Lower the temperature by several degrees when you are away from home and at bedtime. 
    • Clean or replace furnace filters often.  
    • Weatherstrip exterior doors and caulk around window frames to seal air leaks. 
    • Close drapes and blinds at night to keep heat in.
    • Avoid use of portable space heaters.
    • Limit use of appliances like ovens, dishwashers and clothes dryers in the morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
    • Set your water heater to 120°F and use efficient showerheads. 
    • Turn off lights, computers and electronics when not in use. 



    Central Oregon is bracing for an Arctic blast in the coming days, with temperatures expected to plummet well below freezing. In light of this cold snap, Pacific Power is offering tips to help residents stay safe and warm during this frigid weather.

    One of the most important things to do during extreme cold weather is to make sure your home is properly insulated. Check for drafts around windows and doors, and consider adding weather stripping or caulking to keep the cold air out. It’s also a good idea to keep your thermostat set to a consistent temperature to prevent pipes from freezing.

    Speaking of pipes, it’s crucial to protect them from freezing and bursting. Make sure any exposed pipes are insulated, and consider letting faucets drip during the coldest parts of the day to keep water flowing. If you’re leaving town, consider shutting off your water supply and draining the pipes to prevent any potential damage.

    In addition to these tips, Pacific Power recommends keeping emergency supplies on hand, such as extra blankets, non-perishable food, and a flashlight with fresh batteries. And don’t forget to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors to make sure they’re staying warm and safe.

    As Central Oregon prepares for this Arctic blast, it’s important to take precautions to stay warm and safe. By following these tips from Pacific Power, residents can weather the cold weather with confidence.

    Tags:

    Central Oregon, Arctic blast, Pacific Power, tips, local news, winter weather, energy conservation, weather advisory, power outage prevention

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  • Georgetown Men’s Basketball Faces Villanova on Martin Luther King Jr. Day


    WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University men’s basketball team will be back in action on Monday, January 20 as the Hoyas travel to Villanova, Pennsylvania to face the Villanova Wildcats at Finneran Pavilion. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on FS1. Georgetown enters Monday’s contest with a 12-6 record overall and a 3-4 mark in league action following a 73-68 loss against DePaul on Friday night at Capital One Arena. 
     
    FOLLOW THE HOYAS

    • Monday’s game can be seen live on FS1 with Alex Faust calling the play-by-play and Jim Spanarkel providing analysis.

    • The game can be heard locally on Team 980 and on the SiriusXM app with Rich Chvotkin on the call in his 51st season.

    • A link to the live stats can be found on GUHoyas.com. 

     
    ABOUT THE HOYAS

    • On Friday, the shorthanded Hoyas couldn’t complete the comeback against the DePaul Blue Demons, falling 73-68 at Capital One Arena. Drew Fielder and Malik Mack led a quartet of Hoyas in double figures with 19 points apiece. Caleb Williams and Curtis Williams Jr. rounded out those in double figures with 10 and 10, respectively. Micah Peavy led the squad on the glass pulling down 10 rebounds followed by Fielder with eight. 

    • Sorber leads a quartet of Hoyas averaging double figures posting 14.2 ppg, a mark that ranks 15th in the BIG EAST. Mack chips in 13.9 ppg, followed by Micah Peavy (13.3 ppg) and Jayden Epps (13.2 ppg). Georgetown is the only institution with four players ranking among the top 30 in scoring in conference play. 

    • Sorber leads the squad on the glass managing 8.6 rpg, which leads the league, followed by Fielder (6.1 rpg) and Peavy (5.4 rpg). 

    • Mack paces the offense dishing out 4.8 apg with Peavy behind him at 3.7 apg. 

    • Peavy is 23rd in the country and ranks second in the BIG EAST in steals per game, picking 2.33 pockets per game. 

    • Sorber has five double-doubles to his name, tied for second in the league. The five double-doubles are tied for fourth nationally among freshmen. 

    • Defensively, the team leads the BIG EAST and ranks 15th in the nation in field goal percentage defense (38.7%). The Hoyas are third in the league in steals per game (8.3) and are forcing opponents to commit 14.11 turnovers per game, which ranks third in the conference. 

    • In league games, Georgetown is fourth in the BIG EAST in field goal percentage, boasting an impressive 46.3% shooting efficiency.

     
    ABOUT WILDCATS

    • In its most recent outing, Villanova (12-7, 5-3 BE) defeated the Providence College Friars 75-73 on Friday night in Philadelphia. Eric Dixon led a quartet of Wildcats in double figures with 23 points followed by Jhamir Brickus (18), Wooga Poplar (15) and Jordan Longino (13). Poplar led the Wildcats on the glass pulling down 13 boards, while Brickus paced the Villanova offense with four assists. Villanova shot 43.3% (26-60) from the field, while knocking down seven shots from behind the arc. 

    • Dixon leads the Wildcats and the nation in scoring, averaging 24.7 ppg. Poplar follows Dixon with 14.5 ppg while Brickus and Longino average 11.3 ppg and 10.6 ppg, respectively, rounding out the Wildcats in double figures. 

    • Poplar leads Villanova on the glass grabbing 6.8 rpg, followed by Enoch Boakye (6.3 rpg). 

    • Brickus paces the offense, dishing out 5.5 apg, which ranks fifth in the conference. 

    • Villanova is led by Kyle Neptune, who is in his third season at the helm of the Wildcats. 

     
    ABOUT THE SERIES WITH VILLANOVA 

    • Monday night’s matchup will be the 97th all-time meeting between the two teams dating back to the 1921-22 season. 

    • Georgetown trails 51-45 in the all-time series. The Blue & Gray’s last victory over Villanova was in 2021 when GU defeated the Wildcats 72-71 in the BIG EAST Tournament. 

    • Head Coach Ed Cooley is 8-19 against Villanova in his career and is 2-2 all-time against Kyle Neptune. 



    Join us as the Georgetown Men’s Basketball team faces off against Villanova on Martin Luther King Jr. Day! This exciting matchup is sure to be a thrilling game as two powerhouse teams battle it out on the court. Don’t miss out on the action and come support the Hoyas as they take on the Wildcats in this highly anticipated game. Let’s honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by coming together to enjoy some exciting basketball and celebrate his message of unity and equality. Go Hoyas! #HoyaSaxa #MLKDay #GeorgetownBasketball

    Tags:

    Georgetown Men’s Basketball, Villanova, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, college basketball, Big East Conference, rivalry game, Georgetown vs Villanova, NCAA basketball, Hoya Saxa, Wildcats basketball, MLK Day basketball matchup, Georgetown Hoyas, Villanova Wildcats, basketball game preview

    #Georgetown #Mens #Basketball #Faces #Villanova #Martin #Luther #King #Day

  • Remote Work for Civil Servants Faces a Challenge Under Trump


    When the Social Security Administration agreed to a five-year extension of work-from-home arrangements for tens of thousands of employees in early December, many at the agency expressed relief.

    But the reprieve may be short-lived. At a news conference two weeks later, President-elect Donald J. Trump railed against the deal and said he would go to court to undo it. “If people don’t come back to work, come back into the office,” he said, “they’re going to be dismissed.”

    The back-and-forth previewed what is likely to be one of the earliest points of contention of Mr. Trump’s second administration. Over the past few years, many federal workers have organized their lives around hybrid arrangements that help them juggle work and family responsibilities, and have gone so far as to demand that the Biden administration preserve the status quo. Some have rushed to join the roughly one-quarter to one-third of federal workers who are unionized, so that telework policies will be negotiable.

    But to the president-elect and his allies, the work-from-home arrangements are not only a glaring example of liberal permissiveness run amok — “a gift to a union,” Mr. Trump said — but also a tantalizing opportunity to clear the federal government of obstructionist workers and to vastly shrink its reach.

    In a Wall Street Journal column in November, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the businessmen tapped to lead Mr. Trump’s government efficiency commission, said they would welcome “a wave of voluntary terminations” triggered by forcing federal employees to work from an office five days a week.

    Many private-sector employers have recently announced such policies, arguing that in-person work improves communication, mentoring and collaboration.

    The looming collision has heightened the tension across Washington as Mr. Trump heads into his second term. One government employee involved in a union campaign seeking to preserve work-from-home arrangements said union officials worried that, as with the Social Security Administration, press coverage of the effort would put a target on the agency involved and inspire the Trump administration to crack down.

    “We are not ready to discuss all of this publicly just yet,” said a representative of the union, the National Treasury Employees Union.

    Mr. Trump will not be the first president to chafe at his employees’ attachment to working from home. The Obama administration adopted a policy making it easier for federal employees to work remotely, but it could not envision the scale that would become common during the pandemic. By 2022, President Biden was seeking to dial it back.

    Mr. Biden proclaimed in that year’s State of the Union address that “the vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person,” and his administration issued memos laying out a new approach in 2023. Whatever the substantive merits, it surely wasn’t lost on Mr. Biden that Republicans had made a political issue out of “bubble bath bureaucrats” who lounged around their homes at taxpayer expense, as a news release from Senator Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, put it.

    But change was slow to come. A study of federal buildings found that they were typically under one-third of their prepandemic occupancy in 2023. The White House chief of staff, Jeffrey D. Zients, repeatedly grumbled that “we don’t yet have the return-to-work levels that we should have,” as he said in an April 2024 interview. About 15 to 20 percent of civilian federal workers are based in the Washington area.

    Overall, Washington’s weekly occupancy rates were below average for 10 large metro areas last year, outpaced by places including New York and Chicago, according to data from Kastle, the building security firm. (Average occupancy across the 10 areas is still about half the prepandemic level, according to Kastle.)

    Part of the explanation may be that Washington is politically liberal, even by the standards of a major American city — Vice President Kamala Harris won more than 90 percent of the vote there against Mr. Trump in November, versus about 82 percent in Manhattan and 77 percent in Chicago. It also skews somewhat young. Polls suggest both characteristics correlate with a preference for working from home.

    When the president of the Brookings Institution announced in late October that the Washington-based think tank would require most employees to work from the office at least three days a week beginning in March, younger employees expressed concern that the burden would fall disproportionately on them, since commuting and child care costs could eat up a higher portion of their relatively low salaries.

    The consequences will be “felt differently across the employee base,” one research fellow warned the Brookings president, Cecilia Rouse, at a meeting with employees to discuss the change.

    “We have four months,” said Dr. Rouse, a former top White House economist under Mr. Biden. “And I sincerely hope that that gives enough time for people to find a way to make that work.” Dr. Rouse noted later in the meeting that employees at the conservative American Enterprise Institute were already expected to go to the office five days a week.

    Beyond age and political orientation, the attachment to working from home may reflect the unique sociology of the capital, which is filled with earnest grinders who are passionate about their work and, all things equal, prefer to spend more time on it, not less.

    “If I’m mission-driven, why would I want to waste two hours in the car?” said Kenneth Baer, who was a senior official at the Office of Management and Budget under President Barack Obama.

    In 2023, after the Justice Department indicated that it would soon require employees to spend two or three days in the office a week on average, up from one, a group of department lawyers wrote to their leadership saying the shift would be self-defeating.

    In anonymous testimonials, more than two dozen lawyers expressed enthusiasm for their work — “I love my job” was a common sentiment — and went into exquisite detail about the productivity gains that telework had brought by sparing them long commutes and office banter.

    “I can write briefs in approximately 60 percent as much time as when I am in the office,” one lawyer wrote. “The first year of maximum telework was one of the two most productive of my 12 years in the department — and that’s even though I had two children under 4 at home with no reliable child care.”

    Several said they had effectively split the work-from-home dividend between themselves and the government: They did more work, but also spent more time tending to children and their mental health. The testimonials align with a survey in mid-2020 by the Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom and two colleagues, who found that the typical office worker saved about 80 minutes a day when working from home, about 40 percent of which was used to do more work. A recent Labor Department study found that industries with higher rates of remote work had larger increases in productivity.

    The determination to protect these work-from-home prerogatives has led to a series of standoffs between federal employees and their overseers during the final months of the Biden administration.

    Lawyers in the Justice Department divisions that focus on civil rights and the environment sought to unionize last year to help preserve their remote-work arrangements and to protect themselves in case Mr. Trump follows through on his declared intention to revive an executive order that would make it easier to fire civil servants.

    The civil rights lawyers had to overcome opposition from their leadership, which initially argued that department lawyers were unable to form a union because of restrictions on workers involved in national security matters, according to Bloomberg Law. They voted last week to unionize.

    The Justice Department declined to comment.

    Hundreds of employees at the Federal Trade Commission voted in September to unionize, partly because they hoped to protect their work-from-home arrangements under future administrations. But after quickly recognizing the union, the agency’s chair, Lina Khan, let months pass before engaging with it, according to a labor source familiar with the negotiation. Contract negotiations began in earnest only this week, according to the source, amid pressure from labor leaders and friendly politicians.

    A person briefed on Ms. Khan’s thinking said that the agency received a concrete contract proposal only in mid-December and that it had to digest the details while filing cases and making orders final before the administration ended.

    Still, it is unclear how much the push by employees will help them. Mr. Trump’s choice to lead the Office of Management and Budget has said allies of the new administration hope that bureaucrats will “not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains” and that they will be “traumatically affected.”

    Donald Kettl, an emeritus professor at the University of Maryland who is an expert on the civil service, said that while federal employees’ efforts to retain their working conditions through unionizing and negotiating new contracts carried some weight in principle, he expected the Trump administration to disregard them in many cases.

    “Anything that’s not enshrined in the law, I think they’ll want to challenge,” Dr. Kettl said, referring to civil service protections. “And if it is enshrined in the law, I think they’ll go after that as well.”



    With the recent changes in leadership at the federal level, remote work for civil servants is facing a new challenge under the Trump administration. As the new administration takes office, there has been a push to bring more federal employees back into the office and away from remote work arrangements.

    This shift in policy has raised concerns among civil servants who have been working remotely for various reasons, such as health concerns, family obligations, or the need for a flexible work schedule. Many employees have found remote work to be a successful and productive arrangement, allowing them to balance their work and personal lives effectively.

    However, with the new administration’s push to bring employees back into the office, many civil servants are now grappling with the uncertainty of their remote work arrangements. This has created a sense of unease and anxiety among employees who rely on remote work for various reasons.

    As the debate over remote work continues, it is important for the new administration to consider the needs and preferences of civil servants who have found remote work to be a successful and beneficial arrangement. Finding a balance between the needs of the government and the preferences of employees will be key in ensuring a smooth transition for civil servants as they navigate this new challenge under the Trump administration.

    Tags:

    1. Remote work for civil servants
    2. Trump administration challenge
    3. Civil service remote work
    4. Telecommuting in government
    5. Remote work policy changes
    6. Government work from home
    7. Challenges for civil servants
    8. Remote work under Trump
    9. Civil service telework
    10. Remote work trends in government

    #Remote #Work #Civil #Servants #Faces #Challenge #Trump

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