‘Tangerine spray tan': Comedian mocks Trump after citizenship threat
Rosie O'Donnell, who won Emmy awards as a US television host, likened Trump to a malign king with a 'tangerine spray tan' in reply to his social media post calling her a threat to humanity.
The exchanges renewed an enmity that has lasted for almost two decades, while also highlighting how Americans ranging from television stars to scientists have moved to Europe because Trump has regained the presidency.
Eight American researchers arrived at the University of Aix-Marseille in late June after it issued an open invitation in March for scientists to relocate if they were concerned about academic freedom under Trump.
O'Donnell moved to Ireland with her family in April and has returned to stand-up comedy in Dublin in recent weeks, but she has also kept up her criticism of Trump in the media.
'People say, you moved to Ireland, just forget about Trump. I can't, the crimes are too big,' she told The Irish Times in a feature on the weekend.
She also posted a TikTok video blaming Trump for cutting early warning systems before the recent floods in Texas, a charge fiercely contested by the president's supporters.
Trump responded by saying she should stay in Ireland.
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Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Congo, rebel group step closer to permanent ceasefire
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group have set a deadline to sign a peace agreement at a ceremony in Doha - a sign of progress as outstanding details are negotiated. Representatives of both sides signed a declaration of principles on Saturday, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, agreeing to an August 18 deadline. The ceremony followed months of Qatari mediation since talks began in April. The United States, which has hosted separate talks between the governments of Congo and Rwanda, has exerted pressure to finalise a durable peace deal in Congo. President Donald Trump has made clear he hopes that will spur Western investment in a country rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium and other minerals. The Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers signed a peace deal in June and met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump had invited Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Washington at the time to sign a package of agreements, potentially including economic deals. The rebel group M23 has controlled eastern Congo's largest city, Goma, since late January - the latest in a series of uprisings - and made gains across North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Rwanda has long denied allegations it has helped M23, which has seized more territory in Congo than it ever previously held. The fighting has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more this year, while escalating the risk of a full-scale regional war. Several of Congo's neighbours had troops deployed in eastern Congo when the advance began. Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi told reporters Saturday's declaration "lays the groundwork for a new phase of partnership among the various components of society in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - including armed movements that have chosen to prioritise the greater national interest". The declaration was brought about by talks that followed a surprise meeting between Congolese leader Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Kagame, brokered by Qatar in March, during which they called for an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire. Congo had previously rejected the idea of holding talks with M23, branding it a terrorist group. While denying it has supported M23, Rwanda has said its forces have acted in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Sources in both delegations have expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations in Doha and the lack of progress on confidence-building measures including the release of M23 members held by Congo and the re-opening of banks in rebel-held territory. The declaration of principles does not resolve those issues, instead committing the parties to "creating the necessary conditions" to eventually do so. It also does not address bigger questions concerning the possible Rwandan and M23 withdrawals from eastern Congo. It says Congo and M23 agree that state authority should be restored "on all national territories" as part of an eventual peace agreement but does not elaborate. The declaration "takes into account the red lines we have always defended, including the non-negotiable withdrawal" of M23, Congo government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said in a post on X on Saturday. Negotiations for a peace agreement are to start no later than August 8, according to the declaration, which would give the parties less than two weeks to finalise a deal if they stick to their new August 18 deadline. "We are confident and we are hopeful," Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters after Saturday's ceremony in Doha, adding Tshiskedi and Kagame "have both committed to resolving this".
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Coldplay kiss cam another viral moment for morality police
Gone are the days when you could have an affair or yell at a flight attendant or bully your neighbours in peace. In the internet age, the cameras are always rolling, and people's worst moments draw millions of eyeballs as online audiences flock to weigh in. Such is the case for Andy Byron, CEO of tech company Astronomer, who on Wednesday night was filmed cuddling with his human resources chief at a Coldplay concert in Boston. Mr Byron and his co-worker appeared on the arena video board in a 'kiss cam' segment before looking uncomfortable and ducking out of sight as Coldplay front man Chris Martin quipped that the two might be having an affair. Another concert attendee posted the clip to TikTok, where it's drawn more than 62 million views and thousands of comments attacking Mr Byron, who appears to be married. Commenters quickly identified both Mr Byron and his co-worker Kristin Cabot, with many also naming Mr Byron's family members and sharing details from a personal Facebook page. The moment was captured and went instantly viral. Credit: Unknown / TikTok 'This is an example of God looking out for the people (Mr Byron and Ms Cabot) are betraying,' said one comment with 100,000 likes. Attempts to reach Mr Byron and Ms Cabot on Friday were unsuccessful. Both appear to have deactivated their LinkedIn pages. 'Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability,' the company said in a post on X, adding that its board will investigate the clip. It's the latest in a stream of viral moments centred around a regular person's perceived moral failings. From 'West Elm Caleb', a man in New York City who blew up online after dating multiple women at once, to 'JetBlue Karen', a woman who tried to cut in line on a crowded passenger fligh, online audiences are presented with an ever-rotating cast of characters to adjudicate and (usually) despise. Public castigation isn't new, but the internet now turns everyday transgressions into entertainment fodder for millions, some cultural critics say. It raises new risks and ethical questions, especially since the online attention machine doesn't always differentiate between serious abuses and smaller interpersonal conflicts, they say. People online have flooded en masse to the comment sections of alleged cheaters, rude customers and even poor party hosts, at times harassing the assumed-guilty parties by contacting their employers and families. When a Texas mother felt snubbed after attending a neighbourhood party where other attendees didn't appreciate her antipasto salad, users quickly found the host, who later uploaded and then deleted an apology video. The automated search suggestion on the original video contains the first and last names of the party host and her husband. At the same time, the prevalence of doorbell cameras, video boards and retail and government surveillance systems create more ways for people to be filmed. With the massive growth of video devices in all environments, 'this particular incident will certainly create new awareness for people in public spaces,' Elizabeth Parks, president and chief marketing officer for Parks Associates, a consumer technology market-research firm, said. Public shaming campaigns — like the one directed at Mr Byron — share some qualities with cancel culture, a term usually invoked when a well-known figure gets publicly criticised for offenses that in the past went unpunished, like workplace harassment or offensive language. Unlike the condemnation directed at Harvey Weinstein for preying on young actresses or US celebrity chef Paula Deen for using a racial slur, however, Mr Byron is a private citizen without a public persona. Former film producer Harvey Weinstein. Credit: Etienne Laurent / AP As of Saturday morning, 'CEO caught cheating' was the third top-trending Google search across the U.S. For many internet onlookers, the case is already closed, and some went so far as to contact Mr Byron's wife and children, according to comments on TikTok. It reveals an audience desperate for its next hit of adrenaline and unconcerned with the effect its attention may have on the real-life characters involved, says internet culture critic Rayne Fisher-Quann, who writes a popular Substack newsletter. Infidelity, public meltdowns and bad parenting are all ripe for viral moments because viewers feel they're peeking behind the scenes of another person's private life and helping enact the punishment they (ostensibly) deserve, Ms Fisher-Quann said. When she first wrote about the online 'panopticon' — wherein social-media users monitor for bad behaviour and indiscriminately share footage of people who didn't agree to be filmed — audiences were still discussing whether it's right or wrong to meddle in a stranger's life on such a large stage, she said. Now digital surveillance from corporations and the US Federal Government has normalised constant monitoring, and interpersonal surveillance is a natural outcome, she said. At the same time, algorithmic apps have accustomed us to a steady stream of highly stimulating content, she said. A public gaffe or betrayal provides a perfect opportunity for audiences to get their fix, Ms Fisher-Quann said, as they rush to get involved in the story, like an 'interactive, choose-your-own-adventure, detective-style game'. The impact of public shaming on its subjects has already been studied. As early as 2015, writers such as Jon Ronson were documenting what happens to regular people when they find themselves on the wrong side of an online mob. Many lost their jobs and experienced lasting mental health problems, according to Ronson's best-selling book So You've Been Publicly Shamed. Some scholars, meanwhile, argue that public shaming can serve both good and bad functions, depending on the offense and the scale of the backlash. The phenomenon also affects participants, experts say. Therapists who work with Gen Z say their clients increasingly use digital tools to monitor their romantic partner's every online interaction, creating a pattern of mistrust and paranoia. Stories of parents, friends and partners misusing location-sharing features, meanwhile, highlight how interpersonal surveillance can injure relationships. No one knows how this story will end for Mr Byron, Ms Cabot and their families. By the time the dust settles, the internet will have fixed its gaze on a new villain — or at least someone who had the bad luck to mess up in public. -The Washington Post
West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Andy Bryon: No escaping the morality police in the internet age of vicious voyeurism
Gone are the days when you could have an affair or yell at a flight attendant or bully your neighbours in peace. In the internet age, the cameras are always rolling, and people's worst moments draw millions of eyeballs as online audiences flock to weigh in. Such is the case for Andy Byron, CEO of tech company Astronomer, who on Wednesday night was filmed cuddling with his human resources chief at a Coldplay concert in Boston. Mr Byron and his co-worker appeared on the arena video board in a 'kiss cam' segment before looking uncomfortable and ducking out of sight as Coldplay front man Chris Martin quipped that the two might be having an affair. Another concert attendee posted the clip to TikTok, where it's drawn more than 62 million views and thousands of comments attacking Mr Byron, who appears to be married. Commenters quickly identified both Mr Byron and his co-worker Kristin Cabot, with many also naming Mr Byron's family members and sharing details from a personal Facebook page. 'This is an example of God looking out for the people (Mr Byron and Ms Cabot) are betraying,' said one comment with 100,000 likes. Attempts to reach Mr Byron and Ms Cabot on Friday were unsuccessful. Both appear to have deactivated their LinkedIn pages. 'Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability,' the company said in a post on X, adding that its board will investigate the clip. It's the latest in a stream of viral moments centred around a regular person's perceived moral failings. From 'West Elm Caleb', a man in New York City who blew up online after dating multiple women at once, to 'JetBlue Karen', a woman who tried to cut in line on a crowded passenger fligh, online audiences are presented with an ever-rotating cast of characters to adjudicate and (usually) despise. Public castigation isn't new, but the internet now turns everyday transgressions into entertainment fodder for millions, some cultural critics say. It raises new risks and ethical questions, especially since the online attention machine doesn't always differentiate between serious abuses and smaller interpersonal conflicts, they say. People online have flooded en masse to the comment sections of alleged cheaters, rude customers and even poor party hosts, at times harassing the assumed-guilty parties by contacting their employers and families. When a Texas mother felt snubbed after attending a neighbourhood party where other attendees didn't appreciate her antipasto salad, users quickly found the host, who later uploaded and then deleted an apology video. The automated search suggestion on the original video contains the first and last names of the party host and her husband. At the same time, the prevalence of doorbell cameras, video boards and retail and government surveillance systems create more ways for people to be filmed. With the massive growth of video devices in all environments, 'this particular incident will certainly create new awareness for people in public spaces,' Elizabeth Parks, president and chief marketing officer for Parks Associates, a consumer technology market-research firm, said. Public shaming campaigns — like the one directed at Mr Byron — share some qualities with cancel culture, a term usually invoked when a well-known figure gets publicly criticised for offenses that in the past went unpunished, like workplace harassment or offensive language. Unlike the condemnation directed at Harvey Weinstein for preying on young actresses or US celebrity chef Paula Deen for using a racial slur, however, Mr Byron is a private citizen without a public persona. As of Saturday morning, 'CEO caught cheating' was the third top-trending Google search across the U.S. For many internet onlookers, the case is already closed, and some went so far as to contact Mr Byron's wife and children, according to comments on TikTok. It reveals an audience desperate for its next hit of adrenaline and unconcerned with the effect its attention may have on the real-life characters involved, says internet culture critic Rayne Fisher-Quann, who writes a popular Substack newsletter. Infidelity, public meltdowns and bad parenting are all ripe for viral moments because viewers feel they're peeking behind the scenes of another person's private life and helping enact the punishment they (ostensibly) deserve, Ms Fisher-Quann said. When she first wrote about the online 'panopticon' — wherein social-media users monitor for bad behaviour and indiscriminately share footage of people who didn't agree to be filmed — audiences were still discussing whether it's right or wrong to meddle in a stranger's life on such a large stage, she said. Now digital surveillance from corporations and the US Federal Government has normalised constant monitoring, and interpersonal surveillance is a natural outcome, she said. At the same time, algorithmic apps have accustomed us to a steady stream of highly stimulating content, she said. A public gaffe or betrayal provides a perfect opportunity for audiences to get their fix, Ms Fisher-Quann said, as they rush to get involved in the story, like an 'interactive, choose-your-own-adventure, detective-style game'. The impact of public shaming on its subjects has already been studied. As early as 2015, writers such as Jon Ronson were documenting what happens to regular people when they find themselves on the wrong side of an online mob. Many lost their jobs and experienced lasting mental health problems, according to Ronson's best-selling book So You've Been Publicly Shamed. Some scholars, meanwhile, argue that public shaming can serve both good and bad functions, depending on the offense and the scale of the backlash. The phenomenon also affects participants, experts say. Therapists who work with Gen Z say their clients increasingly use digital tools to monitor their romantic partner's every online interaction, creating a pattern of mistrust and paranoia. Stories of parents, friends and partners misusing location-sharing features, meanwhile, highlight how interpersonal surveillance can injure relationships. No one knows how this story will end for Mr Byron, Ms Cabot and their families. By the time the dust settles, the internet will have fixed its gaze on a new villain — or at least someone who had the bad luck to mess up in public. -The Washington Post
