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David Mixner, fierce fighter for gay rights, has died at the age of 77

Sabir Ansary — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:59:57 +0000

David B. Mixner, a political strategist who played a prominent role in the anti-Vietnam War movement and in the uphill battle for gay rights, and whose decades of influence with Bill Clinton spanned both eras, died Monday at his home in Midtown Manhattan. He was 77.

The cause was complications from the prolonged Covid-19 crisis, said Steven Guy, a close friend.

Mr. Mixner, born three days after Mr. Clinton and raised in similar rural hardships, met the future president when they were in their early 20s. He later arranged for Clinton to deliver the first public speech by a major presidential candidate to a gay and lesbian audience in 1992.

His political acumen was such that he convinced California’s leading conservative, Ronald Reagan, to oppose a 1978 state initiative to ban gay teachers. The measure’s defeat was the most important victory for gay rights in the country at the time.

“When I met him when he was young,” Mr. Clinton said of Mr. Mixner in 1999, addressing an LGBTQ group, “I thought I had never met anyone whose heart burned with the fire of social justice that was so strong.”

The son of a farm worker in southern New Jersey, Mr. Mixner dropped out of college to work as a political organizer, and in the late 1960s he seemed to be everywhere, including as part of Eugene McCarthy’s 1968 presidential campaign and as presenter. at the Democratic convention in Chicago that year. He was one of four national co-chairs of the Moratorium to End the Vietnam War, a series of major protests in the fall of 1969.

Mr. Clinton met Mr. Mixner that year at a retreat for moratorium supporters on Martha’s Vineyard. The two men bonded over a walk on the beach, in part because of their humble backgrounds, which set them apart from the upper-middle-class Ivy League students who played a dominant role in the anti-war movement.

Mr. Clinton, an Arkansas native and a 23-year-old Rhodes Scholar then studying at Oxford, slept on Mr. Mixner’s couch when he visited the moratorium offices in Washington. He volunteered to help with a satellite protest at the U.S. Embassy in London. Mr. Mixner later visited him in Oxford, where he lay on the floor of a house Mr. Clinton was renting.

A Democratic insider at a time when almost all homosexuals were closeted in politics, the 1960s and early 1970s, Mr. Mixner dreamed of a career in the public sector but was convinced that his “terrible secret” of homosexuality wouldn’t allow it. he wrote in a memoir, “Stranger Among Friends” (1996).

So he largely played behind-the-scenes roles. In the 1970s he moved to Los Angeles, where he brought his organizational and strategic expertise to California politics. He worked on campaigns for Harvey Milk, the first openly gay candidate elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and for anti-war activist Tom Hayden. He was the campaign manager for Tom Bradley’s successful bid for re-election as mayor of Los Angeles in 1977.

While still largely closeted, Mr. Mixner in 1976 helped found the Los Angeles Municipal Election Commission, the nation’s first gay and lesbian political action committee. Politicians at the time often returned money from openly gay donors.

Two years later, California Republicans, hoping to exploit a backlash against the rising gay rights movement, placed Proposition 6 on the ballot: a proposal to ban gay men and lesbians from working in public schools.

The measure, also known as the Briggs Initiative (named after its sponsor, Senator John Briggs), received broad support in the polls. Mr. Mixner set out to oppose it. In a letter to friends, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, he announced that he was gay and asked for donations to fight the proposal.

It was Mr. Mixner who crafted an argument to convince Mr. Reagan to oppose Prop 6, according to the book “Out For Good: The Struggle to Build a Gay Rights Movement in America” by reporters Dudley Clendinen and Adam Nagourney from The New York Times.

As a former Republican governor of California, Mr. Reagan prepared to run for president as an anti-government conservative. At a meeting, Mr. Mixner made it clear that the initiative was not about gay rights at all; it was, he said, a matter of government interference and privacy and would open the door for disgruntled students to blackmail their teachers.

Mr. Reagan agreed and publicly expressed his opposition to Proposition 6. Overnight, public opinion turned. The initiative was convincingly defeated.

The 1980s and early 1990s, the height of the AIDS epidemic, claimed many leaders of the gay rights movement, including Mr. Mixner’s romantic and professional partner, Peter Scott, who died in 1989. After years of inaction on AIDS by the White Houses of Mr. Reagan and his successor, George HW Bush, there was cautious hope among LGBTQ activists for the 1992 presidential election. Most gay and lesbian leaders favored Paul Tsongas, a liberal former U.S. senator from Massachusetts. But Mr. Mixner’s old friend, Mr. Clinton, asked him to raise money on his behalf and build support in the gay community.

At first, Mr. Mixner hesitated. “I said, ‘Bill, I’ve lost more than 180 friends to AIDS,’” he told The New York Times in 1992. “Before I can get behind this campaign, I need to know where you stand on this, where you stand on AIDS and our fight for our freedom.’”

A key issue for Mr. Mixner was ending the ban on gay men and lesbians serving in the military. In a interview in 2023, he told Time magazine that he agreed to help Mr. Clinton on the condition that he lift the ban.

In May 1992, Mr. Mixner introduced Mr. Clinton to 500 gay donors at a fundraiser in Los Angeles. To loud applause, Mr. Clinton said: “What I came here today to tell you in simple terms is: I have a vision and you are part of it.” He reiterated that he would end discrimination in the military based on sexual orientation.

But once in power, Clinton faced fierce opposition to that plan. He compromised with a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which banned the harassment of closeted gay soldiers while banning openly gay people from serving.

Mr. Mixner felt betrayed and expressed his anger on the ABC News program “Nightline.” In his memoirs he describes how he was ostracized by the Clinton administration because of his criticism.

In July 1993, Mr. Mixner helped lead a protest against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” outside the White House, where his arrest as a known “friend of Bill” received news media coverage.

He and Mr. Clinton eventually healed the rift. During a meeting in the Oval Office, Mr. Clinton jokingly said he had considered handing him a pair of handcuffs from his arrest, Mr. Mixner recalled in his book. (Congress lifted the military ban on gay men and women in 2011.)

David Benjamin Mixner was born on August 16, 1946 in Salem County, NJ, the youngest of three children. His father, Ben, worked long hours on a commercial farm growing and packaging frozen vegetables. His mother, Mary (Grove) Mixner, was a bookkeeper for a John Deere tractor dealer.

Mr. Mixner is survived by a brother, Melvin.

In the fall of 1964, Mr. Mixner arrived at Arizona State University as a freshman and became involved in political activism. He organized students to support a strike by local sanitation workers. He transferred to the University of Maryland to be near the center of the anti-war movement in Washington, and volunteered as an organizer of the 1967 March on the Pentagon, where demonstrators chanted, “Hell no, we won.” t go!” to Vietnam to fight.

He dropped out of college soon afterward and became a $320-a-month organizer for Mr. McCarthy’s presidential campaign.

After Clinton’s presidency, Mr. Mixner supported Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic primaries. In 2009, he helped lead a march on Washington for equal rights, speaking alongside Lady Gaga and Cynthia Nixon.

When he received an award from the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD in 2008, he recalled his life trajectory in an interview with the news website SFGateexpressing pride in his political activism, but also striking a sad tone about the toll of AIDS on his generation of gay men.

“All my peers died of AIDS, and I have no one to celebrate my past or my journey, or to help me pass on stories to the next generation,” he said. “We have lost a whole generation of storytellers.”

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John C. Bahnsen Jr., 89, deceased; Fierce commander during the Vietnam War

Sabir Ansary — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:56:53 +0000

John C. Bahnsen Jr., a retired Army brigadier general who received nineteen awards for valor during the Vietnam War, mainly for his reckless, hands-on command of an air cavalry troop that saw heavy fighting, died Feb. 21 at his home. at home in Rochelle, Georgia. He was 89.

His wife, Peggy Bahnsen, a retired lieutenant colonel, confirmed the death. She said he had congestive heart failure.

General Bahnsen was one of the most decorated combat veterans in American history. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest award for heroism after the Medal of Honor; five silver stars; four Legions of Merit; three Distinguished Flying Crosses; four Bronze Stars (three for bravery); two Purple Hearts; and the Army Commendation Medal with a “V” device for valor.

He earned most of these honors during the second of two tours in Vietnam, when he led a force from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment commanded by Maj. Gen. George S. Patton, son of Gen. George S. Patton Jr. World War II fame.

The younger Patton’s battle motto was: “Find the motherfuckers and pile on them.” Temperamentally, General Bahnsen, then a major, seemed perfectly suited for the job. As James Noe, one of his pilots, recalled, when General Bahnsen took command of his troops, he asked, “Who wants to wrestle?” (No one did.)

He was also blunt in describing their mission: to kill as many North Vietnamese soldiers as possible, even as protesters at home called American troops “baby killers” and worse.

“We are not here for people’s hearts and minds,” Mr. Noe said in an interview. ‘We are there to kill the enemy. That’s what he put into our psyche.”

Unlike fellow commanders who led from a desk, General Bahnsen led troops from his own helicopter – a tactic that allowed him to coordinate air and ground forces simultaneously, which he did while firing his rifle and grenades from his window dropped.

“We sometimes thought he had a death wish,” Mr. Noe said.

He did, but not for himself.

“The enemy of my country is my enemy, and our mission was to kill them,” General Bahnsen said an interview from 2013 with the American Veterans Center. “You could catch them if you could. We captured many in my units, but we also killed them. And my feeling was: that is our job.”

He was relentless. He often landed his helicopter to fight alongside his ground troops. One day he was shot three times. Each time he ordered the delivery of a replacement helicopter so that he could attack again.

General Bahnsen “created a legend around himself,” wrote General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, the top American commander in the Gulf War, in the foreword to “American Warrior” (2007), General Bahnsen’s autobiography. “No one I know has ever doubted his dauntless courage and boundless energy in mingling with the enemy.”

General Bahnsen received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during a battle in early 1969.

After his crew chief was seriously wounded by heavy gunfire at low altitude, General Bahnsen evacuated him, refueled and rearmed.

“I was mad as hell!” he wrote in his autobiography. “I thought those bastards just killed my crew chief.”

Not knowing whether the crew chief was alive or dead (he survived but was paralyzed), General Bahnsen returned to the battlefield.

“He forced them into a closed area, marked their position and launched five air strikes against them, while simultaneously controlling four separate rifle platoons,” he said. award quote is reading.

Enemy fire crippled his helicopter, so he returned to his base and grabbed another.

Upon his return, the citation says, “he landed to escort the lift ships carrying an additional infantry unit, then led a rifle platoon through dense terrain to personally capture two enemies attempting to escape.”

He ordered the prisoners to be evacuated by helicopter while he remained on the ground, and led his squad on foot more than a mile to a safe position.

John Charles Bahnsen Jr. was born on November 8, 1934 in Albany, Georgia, and was given the lifelong nickname Doc by his grandfather, a Danish immigrant and veterinarian who owned a dairy farm. His father was a soil conservationist and an Army reservist. His mother, Evelyn (Williams) Bahnsen, managed the household.

He graduated from Marion Military Institute in Alabama in 1952 and was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was, by his own admission, not a particularly good student; he graduated 406th out of 480 students with a commission as a second lieutenant in the infantry.

After basic officer training, he attended airborne school and served as a pilot in the Third Aviation Company of the Third Infantry Division in Germany. He later switched to armored warfare and led a tank company.

His first tour in Vietnam took place in 1965, when he commanded a fighter platoon.

The following year he returned to the United States and served as a staff officer in the Pentagon’s Army Aviation Directorate. While there, he reconnected with the younger General Patton, who had been one of his senior officers at West Point.

When General Patton, then a colonel, took over the 11th Armored Regiment in Vietnam, he brought General Bahnsen with him to lead an air cavalry troop. General Patton, an intimidating, hard-to-please figure like his father, thought General Bahnsen was worthy of praise.

“He is one of those rare professionals who truly enjoys fighting, taking risks and sparring with a cunning enemy,” General Patton wrote in an evaluation of General Bahnsen, adding that he was “the most motivated and professionally competent leader was with whom I served. in 23 years of service, including the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam.”

General Bahnsen later served in Germany and South Korea. He retired in 1986 with one star.

He married Patricia Fitzgerald twice, in 1956 and, after they divorced, again in 1972. Their second marriage also ended in divorce. In between those marriages, he married Phyllis Shaughnessy in 1969; that marriage also ended in divorce.

He married Margaret Miller, better known as Peggy, in 1974. Lt. Col. Bahnsen was the first woman to serve as a regimental tactical officer at West Point. She was also a professor of military science at West Virginia University.

In addition to his wife, General Bahnsen is survived by three children from his first marriage: Chris, LeeAnne and Jimi Bahnsen; another child, Minh Nelson Bahnsen; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Peter.

In the last weeks of General Bahnsen’s life, Mr. Noe returned for duty and helped dress and care for him.

One day, while helping to clean General Bahnsen’s buttocks, Mr. Noe noticed that he had kissed many generals’ buttocks but had never wiped one.

“He had a good laugh about it,” he said. “It was an honor to be there for him.”

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FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier: Fierce India succumb to world number 27 Iran

Sabir Ansary — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 18:21:44 +0000

India put up a spirited battle against a much higher ranked Iran in their Group E match of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers but ended up on the losing side

FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (credit: Twitter)

New Delhi: India put up a spirited battle against a much higher ranked Iran in their Group E match of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers but ended up on the losing side of a 53-86 scoreline at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.

India were ranked 81st in the FIBA rankings and were underdogs against 27th-ranked Iran, but the hosts started on a high note as the packed stadium cheered them on throughout the hour-long match. Striker Pranav Prince impressed with the interceptions in the opening minutes as the hosts took a two-point lead in the opening minute.

Taking time to get into their rhythm, Iran pushed on and used their superior physicality to get past the Indian defense, but the hosts were certainly in the game, trailing by just three points at the end of the first quarter.

The Indians tried to counter Iran with quick runs and converted more than 40% of their two-pointers, but struggled to satisfy Iran with the rebounds and paid the price. India, who had lost their group opener against Kazakhstan, trailed 32-42 at half-time.

Pranav Prince top-scored for the hosts with 11 points, with Arvind Kumar Muthu Krishnan and Muin Bek Hafeez contributing nine points each.

For Iran, Benham Yakhchali scored 15 points, while Mohammad Amini and Salar Monji added 14 points each for the team.

Commenting on the team’s performance, Serbian Vaseline Matic, head coach of the Indian team said, “India has talent, we need more experience. We now have some head start for the next qualifier in November and the national team will participate in the club championship and several other exposure trips. We are confident that we can deliver a winning performance.”

When asked which Indian player impressed him the most and in response to the Iranian coach, Hakan Demor spoke highly of the young Indian team. He said he was very impressed with Indian striker Pranav Prince.

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Gisele Bundchen looks fierce in a black leather trench coat as she celebrates the new Frame denim campaign with fashion stars for NYFW

Sabir Ansary — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 06:25:20 +0000

Gisele Bündchen sent temperatures soaring in otherwise chilly New York City when she stepped out in a sizzling black leather trench coat on Monday evening.

The 43-year-old supermodel put on a leggy show in the edgy look, which she wore to a party hosted by Los Angeles-based denim brand Frame.

Gisele hosted a party at popular French-Vietnamese restaurant Indochine for the jeans maker after being named Frame's brand ambassador for its Spring 2024 collection.

While the label is best known for its flagship denim items, Gisele was dressed in Frame's leather trench coat, which costs a whopping $2,798 on its website.

The double-breasted coat was made from soft lamb nappa leather and reached just above the Brazilian beauty's ankle.

Gisele Bündchen sent temperatures soaring in otherwise chilly New York City as she stepped out in a sizzling black leather trench coat on Monday evening

The 43-year-old supermodel put on a leggy display for a party hosted by LA-based denim brand Frame. Gisele hosted a party at French-Vietnamese restaurant Indochine after being named Frame's brand ambassador for its Spring 2024 collection

While the label is best known for its flagship denim pieces, Gisele was dressed in Frame's leather trench coat, which costs a whopping $2,798 on the website.

She avoided the buttons and simply tied the belt around her midriff, rolling up the sleeves for a playful look.

Gisele appeared to be wearing a black mini dress underneath the coat, but it was minuscule enough to barely peek out from underneath.

The 6-foot-2 runway star elevated her towering figure with a pair of knee-high black leather boots.

She carried a wide black patent leather clutch that shimmered in the light.

Tom Brady's ex-wife added some extra sparkle to her ensemble with several modest gold earrings and ear cuffs, which complemented her multiple chunky gold bracelets on both wrists.

She wore her blonde locks in a casual style with a center parting and a flowing ponytail, while dangling locks framed her impeccably made-up face.

Gisele previously modeled for Frame for the brand's Fall/Winter 2023 campaign, which she celebrated at a party hosted by Frame last September.

All eyes were on her thanks to her oversized denim jacket, which she wore as a dress with seemingly little else on.

The double-breasted coat was made from soft lamb nappa leather and reached just above the Brazilian beauty's ankle

She avoided the buttons and simply tied the belt around her midriff, rolling up the sleeves for a playful look. Gisele appeared to be wearing a black mini dress under the coat, but it was minuscule enough to barely peek out from underneath

The 6-foot-2 runway star elevated her towering figure with a pair of knee-high black leather boots

She carried a wide black patent leather clutch that shimmered in the light. Gisele added extra sparkle with modest gold earrings and ear cuffs, which complemented her chunky gold bracelets on both wrists

She wore her blonde locks in a casual style with a center parting and a flowing ponytail, while dangling locks framed her impeccably made-up face.

Gisele previously modeled for Frame for the brand's Fall/Winter 2023 campaign, which she celebrated last September at a party hosted by Frame

Gisele's new Spring 2024 campaign marks her second collaboration with the fashion brand

Gisele's new Spring 2024 campaign marks her second collaboration with the fashion brand.

She was joined by a bevy of models and fashion insiders at the chic restaurant.

Ashley Graham showed off a casual-cool look that matched the brand with a set of flared, relaxed-fit, high-waisted jeans.

She contrasted the light blue design with a sheer black top and a cool black leather bomber jacket with a fleece collar.

The model completed the look with black open-toed heels and wore her brunette locks parted in the middle and running down over her shoulders in thick waves.

Glee star Diana Agron looked smart in a black double-breasted suit jacket and flowing black trousers.

Poppy Delevingne looked cozy in a padded black down coat that reached her ankles.

She paired it with wide black pants and a chunky gray sweater for extra warmth.

Ashley Graham showed off a casual-cool look that matched the brand with a set of flared, relaxed-fit, high-waisted jeans. She contrasted the light blue design with a sheer black top and a cool black leather bomber jacket with a fleece collar

The model completed the look with black open-toed heels and wore her brunette locks parted in the middle and flowing down over her shoulders in thick waves.

Glee star Diana Agron looked smart in a black double-breasted suit jacket and flowing black trousers

Poppy Delevingne looked cozy in a padded black down coat that reached her ankles. She paired it with wide black pants and a chunky gray sweater for extra warmth

Rachel Zoe stood out in a brown, beige and black animal print dress, teamed with a more casual puffy brown jacket

The model Taylor Hill was unmissable in a thick furry brown coat, although it was not clear whether it was real or faux fur

She contrasted it with a figure-hugging, loose-fitting black dress and accessorized with a small black handbag adorned with a silver bow, and she sported a sleek brown bob.

Rachel Zoe stood out in a brown, beige and black animal print dress, teamed with a more casual puffy brown jacket.

Model Taylor Hill was unmissable in a thick furry brown coat, although it was unclear whether it was real or faux fur.

She contrasted it with a figure-hugging, loose-fitting black dress and accessorized with a small black handbag adorned with a silver bow.

She completed the stylish look with a sleek brown bob.

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Should Prince Harry return to public duties? Fierce debate erupts over GMB as royal experts claim there is no turning back after his 'damaging' tirades against the institution

Sabir Ansary — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:41:21 +0000

Guests on Good Morning Britain became embroiled in a fierce debate about Prince Harry and whether he should return to royal duties following his father's cancer diagnosis.

Presenters Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid were joined by royal commentator Emily Andrews and social commentator Imarn Ayton to discuss the topic on today's show.

It was confirmed on Monday that King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and is currently undergoing 'regular' outpatient treatment.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, rushed from LA to be at his father's side, leaving GMB guests wondering if this is an appropriate time for Harry to return to royal duties.

However, there was a lack of consensus on the show, and although Imarn hypothesized that Charles' ill health should encourage Harry to act as a son and return to work, Emily refuted the idea.

Should Prince Harry return to royal duties? Journalist Emily Andrews (pictured) said 'absolutely not' because of the damage he has caused to the institution

When asked whether Harry should return to royal duties, royal journalist Emily said: 'He should not return to royal duties, mainly because he has said himself that he does not want to do so.

“If we go back to the Sandringham summit four years ago, Harry and Meghan wanted a half-in, half-out situation.

“They wanted to represent the monarch, but they also wanted to make their own money and do their own thing, and the late Queen Elizabeth, and even the then Prince Charles, said, 'No, there's no half in, half out. all-in or you're all-out.”

The journalist concluded: 'Harry has been very public since then and his feelings about the institution, the hierarchy, the toxicity, he has said some very damaging things about the institution. So how can he therefore come back and represent the organization he walked away from?”

Imarn disputed Emily's position, saying: 'It's about context. This was before the diagnosis of late. Let's always put things in context.

She continues, “That was at a time when there were a lot of problems in the family, and that was at a time when things were quite tumultuous.

'Now we find ourselves in a situation where his father has been diagnosed with something very serious.

“So for me personally, this is his opportunity to act as a royal, to act as a son. It's a chance for him to take some of the burden off William with everything he's going through with Kate,” she added.

Meanwhile, social commentator Imarn Ayton (pictured) said it's time for Prince Harry to step down and return to life in the royal fold

The Duke of Sussex, 39, took a transatlantic trip to visit his father, King Charles, after the shocking news of his cancer diagnosis broke

Imarn continued, “You ultimately conclude that you cannot criticize an institution and work for them at the same time. Both things can be true.

“You can criticize an institution and then support your family when necessary.”

Imarn concludes: 'As far as I'm concerned, his father is ill and that is the only priority.'

Good Morning Britain also gave viewers the opportunity to share their views through a poll.

The show asked the audience the following question: 'Time for Prince Harry to return to royal duties?'

The results showed that a whopping 78 percent said no, while 22 percent of voters said yes.

Presenters Richard Madeley (left) and Susanna Reid (right) revealed the results of the poll on the same question asked to the audience, with the majority agreeing that Harry should not return

Social media users took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts – and there was a lack of consensus on whether Harry should return

Social media users have since shared their thoughts on X, formerly Twitter.

A cancer patient, who had his family around him to meet their needs, said, “The king will want his two sons. Media and public need to stay out of it and understand this and think about how they would feel! Let them heal privately! There is too much hate in the world…Harry definitely needs to step up.”

A second added: 'In my opinion no. Harry has brought chaos, shame and pain to his own royal family.”

“Just because he was born into the royal family doesn't mean he has to be one of them, let him live his life the way he wants to,” said another.

Another disagreed, saying: 'Do you think we want him back after he trashed the royal family every chance he got? Real….'

“Before this happens, some kind of family unity needs to be established,” said another.

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Video: Haley prepares for fierce confrontation with Trump in South Carolina

Sabir Ansary — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:18:01 +0000

Jazmine Ulloa, a Times reporter, analyzes Nikki Haley's campaign strategy as she focuses her efforts on her home state of South Carolina.

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Jay-Z launches a fierce attack on the Grammys for NEVER giving his wife Beyoncé Album of the Year – despite a record 33 other wins – saying 'some nominees will be robbed tonight – and some should never have been nominated'

Albert Elence — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 04:04:03 +0000

Jay-Z used his acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards to condemn the academy for not giving his wife Beyoncé the best album prize despite her 32 wins in other categories.

The Brooklyn-born rapper was honored with the Dr Dre Global Impact Award for his contributions to the music industry.

With his 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy next to him on stage and wife Beyoncé watching from their table in the audience, Jay-Z spoke about the importance of dreams, drive and ambition.

He said there were more important things in life than winning Grammys, noting they were subjective – and pointing out that his superstar wife had never won best album.

“I don't want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone and has never won Album of the Year,” Jay-Z said. 'So even according to your own statistics that doesn't work. Think about that. Most Grammys; never won Album of the Year. That does not work.'

Jay-Z delivers an impassioned rebuke of the Grammys for not giving his wife Beyoncé the best album award

Jay-Z, 54, is seen with his 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy on stage at the Grammy Awards

The camera cut to Beyonce, who looked slightly worried at the audience.

Jay-Z has been nominated for 88 Grammy Awards, of which he has won 24. Six of his nominations were for Album of the Year.

Beyonce has also been nominated for 88 competitive Grammy Awards, winning 33 of them.

Like her husband, Beyoncé has been nominated six times for Album of the Year, but has never won.

In 2015, when Beyoncé lost album of the year to Beck, Kanye West pretended to storm the stage in protest.

The moment drew parallels to West's actions in 2009, when he famously interrupted Swift as she accepted the award for Best Female Video and told her, “Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you.” …but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.”

West pretended to storm the stage again in 2015, protesting that her album “Beyonce” lost out to Beck's “Morning Phase.”

Recording Academy voters choose who wins Album of the Year, and in 2015 the voter base was split between Pharrell, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. Beck's support was united, leading to Beck's victory.

West, a Jay-Z protégé, insisted in 2015 interviews that Beyoncé had been robbed.

“All I know is that if the Grammys want real artists to come back, they have to stop playing with us. We're not going to play with them anymore,” he said.

“Beck needs to respect his artistry and he should have given his award to Beyoncé, and at this point we are fed up.”

Jay-Z said Sunday that the prizes were subjective but fun to win.

Early in his speech, he joked that his Grammy Awards used to be used as drinking cups for Blue Ivy, but now “she has her own Grammys,” he said.

She won her first Grammy at age 9, with a writing credit for Brown Skin Girl, which won for her mother in 2021.

Jay-Z continued, “How far have we come from Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff winning their first Grammy in '89 and boycotting it because it wasn't televised.

“And then they went to the hotel and watched the Grammys. I didn't even understand it. It wasn't a great boycott.”

He said he did something similar then.

“But then, in '98, I took a page out of their book. I was nominated for best rap album and DMX had released two albums that year. They were both number one – shout out to DMX – and he wasn't nominated at all.

“So I boycotted and watched the Grammys.

“I'm just saying, we want you all to do well. We love you all. We love you all. We love you all. We want you all to do well. In any case, make sure it's as good as it gets.'

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Should your boss be able to measure your waist? Fierce debate erupts on GMB over Japanese practice, with worker insisting her performance is all that matters and not her weight

Sabir Ansary — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 04:19:15 +0000

By Maria Chiorando for Mailonline

Published: 06:03 EST, January 23, 2024 | Updated: 06:22 EST, January 23, 2024

Under a new program called Around the World in Two Ways, overweight Britons travel to Japan, where employers measure workers' waists to keep their country slim.

Around the World in 80 Weighs follows six people from across Britain, each living with obesity, as they travel across continents to learn about the obesity crisis in different countries.

A debate in GBM this morning asked whether we should do the same to tackle the obesity crisis here?

Debating the topic were businessman and winner of The Apprentice Tim Campbell, and radio host and broadcaster Danielle Broadbent. Danielle said employee weigh-ins are “ridiculous,” while Tim said he supports them.

He said: 'I think employers have a duty of care to their employees to ensure they are as productive as possible. And part of productivity is about absenteeism.'

Announcer Danielle Broadbent (pictured, left) and businessman Tim Campbell (pictured, right) had differing opinions on whether employers should measure their employees

Under the program, employers in Japan can measure their employees to monitor their health

Tim continued: 'Measuring around your waist is an important indicator of health challenges or health problems like blood pressure, cholesterol, anything we want.

'I want my employees to be as healthy as possible. And that is my job as an employer.'

Host Susanna asked Danielle, “In Japan they have record obesity rates, so they're doing something right, right?;

Danielle responded, “They are doing something right, but I strongly believe that if they are [I don’t have the waist size] they want the women to have it in Japan, that doesn't mean I'm not productive.

“I'm a top biller in every company I've ever worked at.

“So it's a sense of, you know, I think if you're motivated… and happy in your work and productive, it doesn't matter… what size clothes you wear.”

She continued: “I've got my review on Monday and I've definitely achieved my goals this year, but I've put half a brick in, it's like, oh, well, you know what, we're going to do that and we'll be fired .'

Tim responded, “For me as an employer, I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to support all my employees.”

The majority of viewers agreed with Danielle that employers should not measure their employees in this poll on X (formerly Twitter)

The majority of viewers agreed with Danielle.

A quiz on

'Companies are legally required to measure the waist of their employees annually and some employers also assess BMI, weighing their employees.

'Should weighing employees be mandatory at work?'

Only 20.4 percent of people said yes, while 79.6 percent said no.”

The post Should your boss be able to measure your waist? Fierce debate erupts on GMB over Japanese practice, with worker insisting her performance is all that matters and not her weight appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Terrifying footage shows 100-foot waves crashing over the luxury Atlas World Voyager cruise ship as it navigates a fierce storm with 115 mph winds off the coast of Antarctica

Albert Elence — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 14:42:30 +0000

Terrifying new footage has emerged of a luxury cruise ship experiencing a fierce storm off the coast of Antarctica, capturing the moment waves measuring nearly 100 feet (30 meters) wrecked the ship and swamped the deck with icy seawater.

The cruise ship Atlas World Voyager was traversing the Drake Passage – the place where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet between the southern tip of South America and Antarctica – when it was hit by a massive storm.

Winds of up to 185 km/h roiled the sea, causing 30-metre waves to crash into the luxury yacht during the perilous journey on December 2, 2023.

The heartbreaking clip, taken from the deck, shows the yacht being lifted to the crest of huge waves before capsizing and plummeting several floors.

Tables, chairs, deck chairs and all kinds of other rubbish were floating around after the deck was swamped by the deluge.

Fortunately, the crew skillfully navigated the treacherous waters and the yacht reached its destination – Ushuaia in southern Argentina – without sustaining major damage.

Winds of up to 185 km/h roiled the sea, causing 30-metre waves to crash into the luxury yacht during the perilous journey on December 2, 2023.

Tables, chairs, deck chairs and all kinds of other rubbish were floating around after the deck was swamped by the deluge

“It was the toughest crossing many crew and staff had ever had… We returned safely to Ushuaia accompanied by our expert captain,” said one tourist.

World Voyager – the latest luxury yacht to join the Atlas Ocean Voyages fleet

Tourist Rich Bush, who was on board the yacht and was forced to brave the storm in the Drake Passage, said: ‘We had strong winds gusting at 115 miles per hour. Also 10 meters of waves and one wave that washed over bridge level. The captain estimated it to be 100 feet.

“It was the toughest crossing many crew and staff had ever had… Returned safely to Ushuaia accompanied by our expert captain,” he wrote on Facebook.

World Voyager, the most modern and advanced addition to the Atlas Ocean Voyages fleet, is specially designed to handle such harsh conditions.

With a length of 130 meters and a weight of almost 10,000 tons, the decadent yacht has more than just luxurious equipment.

It has been specially designed to sail the toughest seas, with state-of-the-art retractable fins designed by Rolls Royce providing extra stabilization when traversing an angry churning ocean.

World Voyager is also equipped with a top-of-the-line sonar system that allows it to navigate through potentially dangerous polar regions.

Despite the unforgiving environment, the yacht was able to traverse the Drake Passage without incident.

The same cannot be said of MS Maud, a Norwegian cruise ship that was sailing through the North Sea just days before Christmas when a freak wave hit the ship with such force that it lost power and was left adrift.

MS Maud was sailing about 160 miles off the west coast of Denmark and about 220 miles off the east coast of Britain when the monster wave shattered the windows of the bridge.

The ship, which was carrying 400 passengers and crew, had embarked on a 14-day Northern Lights expedition from Tilbury on December 9 and was due to return to Essex port on December 23.

Dramatic images obtained by MailOnline show the exact moment the wave hit, making the ship impossible to navigate and having to be towed to Germany.

One passenger, who was filming the bridge camera at the time, captured the moment the ‘rogue wave’ struck MS Maud

Terrifying footage shows how the huge wave crashed into the Norwegian ship, causing a power outage

MS Maud (pictured) had embarked on a 14-day Northern Lights expedition from Tilbury, UK, on December 9 and was due to return to Essex port on December 23.

The passenger who filmed the moment said: ‘I showed the bridge camera on the TV to try and stop the dizziness and randomly decided to film it!

‘As soon as the wave hit, the TV screen went black and the distress signal from the ship’s horn sounded, so I knew something was wrong.’

The holidaymaker, who expected it to be a ‘tough ride’ after overcoming several more big waves, described passengers, permanent tables and chairs being sent flying.

Another passenger, Betty Little, was traveling with her 96-year-old mother Jessie when the wave hit. She praised the crew for their response as they are both disabled and needed extra support amid the panic.

Mrs Little told MailOnline: ‘When we had to go to the collection stations we received help almost immediately. One crew member, with the further assistance of four others, helped my mother down the stairs on her back, and I was helped by two people. We were given help putting on our survival gear and made as comfortable as possible.

“Later, water was provided, cans of Coca-Cola and ginger ale, and sandwiches. Absolutely amazing crew!’

Other stomach-churning footage shared by passengers showed how choppy the conditions were, with the ship rocking aggressively up and down as it was buffeted by huge waves.

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Chris Bowen’s recognition for Country in Dubai sparks backlash – as Energy Minister lashes out at fierce critic: ‘Racist and disgusting’

Albert Elence — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 03:33:56 +0000

Chris Bowen has called for the resignation of fierce critic Andrew Bolt, saying the Energy Secretary was ‘indulging the primitive’ by opening a speech in Dubai with a modified Acknowledgment of Country.

Bowen hit back at Bolt on Thursday, claiming the barb crossed the line and was a “racist and disgusting” attack on First Nations people.

“Like most Australians, I tend to ignore Andrew Bolt,” Bowen wrote.

‘But on this occasion I won’t. His attack on First Nations people as “primitive” is racist and disgusting. News Ltd should fire him.”

The word Bowen objected to was in the context of Bolt condemning the amended ‘Recognition of Country’ he gave to ‘Indigenous peoples around the world’ when he spoke on Saturday at last week’s UN Cop28 climate talks in Dubai.

“Doesn’t Bowen and the Prime Minister himself realize that many Australians are tired of this bowing to the primitive?” Bolt wrote.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has called for the resignation of Conservative pundit Andrew Bolt, accusing him of calling Indigenous Australians “primitive”.

While Acknowledgment to Country is normally the recognition that non-Indigenous people are on Aboriginal land, Mr Bowen made it much more general and inclusive before his Cop28 speech.

“I begin by recognizing that at the heart of action on climate change must be deep respect for the people who have cared for our respective lands for millennia – indigenous peoples around the world,” Mr Bowen said on Saturday.

“I reaffirm our government’s commitment to engaging our First Nations people in our response to climate change and the future of clean energy.

“Recognizing that respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices is critical,” he said.

Bolt branded Bowen’s gesture as “mindless posturing” and “race-based tribalism with his ruinous crusade against oil and gas.”

“Everyone in Australia is undoubtedly connected to Indigenous peoples somewhere on the planet from the past,” he argued.

‘Does Bowen seriously demand ‘profound’ respect for the ‘native knowledge’ of every Celt from England, every Saxon from Germany, every Gaul from France, or every Roman from central Italy?

“Or are the ‘indigenous people’ he flatters only people who are not white?

In the tweet, Bowen labeled Bolt’s column attacking him as “racist and disgusting”

“In fact, Bowen’s little homily is not only racist, but also anti-science, making him a threat to Australia.”

Bolt argued that the “indigenous peoples” of Europe and Asia had “left behind their ‘indigenous knowledge’ as they used reason and science to devise better ways to live without dying early and poor.”

“In contrast, we must show ‘deep respect’ for the ‘indigenous knowledge’ of Aboriginal people,” Bolt wrote.

‘Some of them are now trying to stop a $5.6 billion offshore gas project in the Federal Court by claiming that an undersea pipeline will disrupt a man-made crocodile that they claim has been living in that patch of ocean since the Dreamtime has lived.’

Bolt said that by firing Mr Bowen, the Prime Minister could show that his “government is guided by reason, and not by this new racism, tribalism or pagan earth worship that makes it seem so dangerously out of the control of voters.” ‘.

The Cop28 climate talks concluded in Dubai but took an unplanned extra day to finalize an agreement that for the first time will require countries to transition away from fossil fuels ‘in a just and orderly manner’, but without a specific timeline.

Bolt has urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to fire Bowen because he is “anti-science.”

Sultan Al Jaber of the United Arab Emirates, who is also head of giant state-owned oil producer Adnoc, is credited with brokering an agreement after the summit deadlocked over whether countries would commit to phasing out fossil fuels to phase’.

While most countries, including Australia, wanted the summit to agree to “phase out” fossil fuels, oil-producing countries, especially Saudi Arabia, wanted an agreement that committed to “phasing out” fossil fuels and other ways can be used to reduce emissions.

Veteran climate activist and former US Vice President Al Gore tweeted that the compromise agreement was “an important milestone” but also the “bare minimum we need and is long overdue.”

“Whether this is a turning point that truly marks the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era will depend on the actions that come next and the mobilization of financial resources necessary to achieve them,” he wrote.

Speaking at the Cop28 conference, Mr Bowen said phasing out fossil fuels is crucial for the Pacific region.

“We also live in the Pacific Ocean, and we will not see our brothers and sisters being swamped and their countries swallowed up by the seas,” he said.

The Alliance of Small Island States, which represented a number of small Pacific countries at Cop28, expressed bitter disappointment at the conclusion of the deal.

“We see a litany of loopholes,” the Alliance statement said.

‘It will not lead to a reduction in subsidies, and it will not take us any further than the status quo.’

“We don’t see any commitment or even an invitation for parties to peak emissions in 2025.”

Mr Bown opened his speech to the Cop28 climate talks with a ‘recognition’ of all the world’s indigenous peoples

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