Sen. Blackburn calls out 'gaslighting' Comey, FBI for Clinton probe
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Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Crisis of trust': Epstein furore to hurt Republicans
The uproar over disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is undermining public trust in the Trump administration, as well as Republican hopes of retaining control of Congress in the 2026 mid-term elections, two congressmen say. Republican Representative Thomas Massie and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, who want the House of Representatives to vote on their bipartisan resolution requiring full release of the government's Epstein files, said the lack of transparency is reinforcing public perceptions that the rich and powerful live beyond the reach of the judicial system. "This is going to hurt Republicans in the mid-terms. The voters will be apathetic if we don't hold the rich and powerful accountable," Massie, a hardline conservative from Kentucky, told NBC's Meet the Press program. Republicans hope to add to their current 219-212 House majority - with four seats currently vacant - and 53-47 Senate majority in November 2026, although the US political cycle traditionally punishes the party of the sitting president during midterm elections. The Washington Post reported that Trump was increasingly frustrated with his administration's handling of the furore around Epstein. Even so, the president was hesitant to make personnel changes to avoid creating a "bigger spectacle" as his top officials underestimated the outrage from Trump's own base over the issue, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources. Khanna said Attorney General Pam Bondi triggered "a crisis of trust" by saying there was no list of Epstein clients after previously implying that one existed. The change in position unleashed a tsunami of calls for her resignation from Trump's MAGA base. "This is about trust in government," the California Democrat told Meet the Press. "This is about being a reform agent of transparency." President Donald Trump has been frustrated by continued questions about his administration's handling of investigative files related to Epstein's criminal charges and 2019 death by suicide in prison. Massie and Khanna believe they can win enough support from fellow lawmakers to force a vote on their resolution when Congress returns from its summer recess in September. But they face opposition from Republican leaders including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sent lawmakers home a day early to stymie Democratic efforts to force a vote before the break. Johnson, who also appeared on NBC's Meet the Press, said he favours a non-binding alternative resolution that calls for release of "credible" evidence, but which he said would better protect victims including minors. "The Massie and Khanna discharge petition is reckless in the way that it is drafted and presented," Johnson said. "It does not adequately include those protections." Massie dismissed Johnson's claim as "a straw man" excuse. "Ro and I carefully crafted this legislation so that the victims' names will be redacted," he said. "They're hiding behind that." Trump has tried and failed so far to distract attention from the Epstein controversy six months into his second term. On Saturday, Trump repeated his claims without evidence that 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and other Democrats should be prosecuted over payment for endorsements from celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce and the Reverend Al Sharpton. Last week he accused former president Barack Obama of "treason" over how his administration treated intelligence about Russian interference in US elections nine years ago, drawing a rebuke from an Obama spokesperson. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Bend It Like Beckham' sequel in the works more than 20 years after the original
'I'm pretty certain that everyone's going to want to come back," director Gurinder Chadha said. Goal! Gurinder Chadha is working on a prequel to Bend It Like Beckham, the 2003 sports cult classic about a young Indian woman (Parminder Nagra) whose dreams of playing pro soccer clash with her strict immigrant parents' ideals. In the comedy, Nagra starred as Jess Bhamra, a teenager who goes against her parents' wishes and competes in matches in secret once she's enlisted by fellow player Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley) for a semi-pro team. Jonathan Rhys Meyers also starred as Jess' coach, Joe, whom she takes a liking to. Stars Nagra and Knightley, as well as Archie Panjabi (who played Pinky) and Juliet Stevenson (Paula), are "aware that a sequel is being developed," Chadha told Deadline, but "want to see a script before they commit." "I'm pretty certain that everyone's going to want to come back," Chadha said. "Everything hinges on the script and if the original cast likes it. I am working really hard to make sure every character I bring back has a decent arc." No plot details yet, but Chadha intends to once again co-write the screenplay with husband Paul Mayeda Berges. She also collaborated with Emma Hayes, head coach of the U.S. women's national soccer team, to help shape the script. The goal is a 2027 release to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the film's U.K. 2002 premiere. The original film, its title a nod to none other than former soccer player David Beckham, was a box office hit, grossing $76.6 million against a budget of roughly $6 million. It even inspired a 2015 West End production. 'I think people underestimated the power of girls wanting to see films where they were empowered,' Chadha told Entertainment Weekly of the film's enduring success in a retrospective in 2018 ,alongside stars Nagra and Panjabi. 'Those hardly ever existed.'"People love a story about an underdog," Nagra added. "Billy Elliot did it. Rocky. Somebody who has to struggle and is going up against everybody else's version of what they think that person should be. And I think that's what resonates with people: If you put the hard work in and the persistence, eventually it'll pay off." Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Forbes
15 minutes ago
- Forbes
From Mop To Musical: Lorin Latarro Finds The Heart In ‘Joy'
Betsy Wolfe plays the title role in the new musical Joy Lorin Latarro was on her way to the first rehearsal for the musical Joy when her seven-year-old daughter came down with a fever. Between arranging babysitters and calling the doctor, she was also preparing to direct the show and bring a musical to life. For Latarro, that kind of whirlwind morning felt uncannily like the opening scene of the show—Joy Mangano trying to get her family out the door before heading off to make her dreams take flight. 'All the mothers in our rehearsal room would laugh at how familiar the choreographed chaos is,' says Latarro. 'It's a chaotic but also deeply satisfying.' Lorin Latarro That mix of chaos and purpose drew Latarro to Joy, A True New Musical. The story centers on the real-life inventor and entrepreneur whose unstoppable tenacity transformed her life—and the lives of those around her. After reading Mangano's book and speaking with her on the phone, Latarro was deeply moved by the story of the single mother and inventor who turned a mop into a multimillion-dollar empire. Directing the show now playing at the Laura Pels Theater wasn't just about telling the story of a woman who created a self-wringing mop. It was about showing the strength it takes to build something from nothing—especially when no one believes in you at first. Latarro, who began her career as a Broadway dancer in 14 shows and ultimately became a director/choreographer, was drawn to the honesty of the story. She found inspiration from the complicated family dynamics, the financial pressures, the vulnerability and resilience it takes to keep going. Betsy Wolfe in the title role leads the talented cast which includes Jill Abramovitz, Honor Blue Savage, Adam Grupper, Brandon Espinoza, Paul Whitty, Charl Brown, Jaygee Macapugay, and Gabriela Carrillo. Joy is a story about believing in yourself, even when the odds say otherwise. Also, Latarro hopes that audiences see Joy and feel empowered to take charge of their lives. 'My hope is audiences walk out of the theater and finally listen to their inner voice and begin a new project, idea, or business,' she says. 'Or they push forward through whatever obstacles are currently in their way toward their goal, whether that goal is personal or business related.' Jeryl Brunner: Can you share more about how you got inspired to direct Joy? Lorin Latarro: I met with Ken Davenport, who is a prolific producer and one of the writers of Joy, along with AnnMarie Milazzo. I also read Joy's book, then spoke to Joy on the phone and fell head over heels in love with her determination, grit, kindness, and exuberance. Brunner: Joy is about much more than inventing a mop. It explores family, ambition, and perseverance. How did you build that journey onstage?Latarro: Joy's onstage family is imperfect, as is every family, in their own way. Joy manages to love them and keep them together, even through the messiness of their mistakes and shortcomings. Through Joy's determination, she shifts a generationally learned behavior for her daughter, which is not an easy thing to What was one of the messiest or most magical rehearsal moments you will never forget?Latarro: We all wanted to pour liquid onstage so the audience could see the mops actually work. It's notoriously difficult onstage to deal with watery substances because actors can slip, and it's messy to clean up. We tried many different substances for the various things that we spill onstage, including orange slushies, motor oil, and chocolate syrup. We ended up with an oobleck-type substance. After much messy trial and error, we were all happy we found a solution! Brunner: You are a choreographer and a director. How does each skill fulfill you?Latarro: Choreographing is more surgical. When choreographing, you live inside bars of music, and no matter the libretto, you can structure a song and dance number well. Each song is almost its own little musical with its own beginning, middle, and end. Alternatively, directing is like shooting an arrow through Jell-O. You can be fully prepared and have all these ideas walking in the room, but it all changes based on writers, actors, and collaborators, and 'what works' as you read down a scene. Directing feels more irised out than choreography, and a more holistic experience of the show and its dramaturgical needs. Directing is deeply satisfying in a new way. Communication is key so everyone is stylistically creating the same show. Brunner: How did you know that Betsy Wolfe was your Joy?Latarro: Betsy and I had the pleasure of working together on Waitress. I am a big fan. She's incredibly smart and has genius comic timing. Betsy is also a great leader in the room who works hard and always has a smile on her face. She loves the work. Her vocal chops are truly astonishing too! Brunner: You have directed revivals, brand-new musicals, and now a show based on a living inventor. What tells you a project is worth the time and energy?Latarro: If I am moved by a story, I want to work on it. I don't want to get pigeonholed doing the same thing over and over. It was one of the reasons I wanted to collaborate with choreographer Josh Bergasse on Joy. I wanted to focus completely on directing and feel the collaborative experience from another point of view. Also, I like all kinds of styles of musical theater. Sometimes I spend time inside dark shows like Tommy or Assassins, sometimes comedies like Heart of Rock and Roll, and sometimes I love finding new ways into revivals like Into the Woods. At the end of the day, I believe great theater makes people feel big feelings. I look for shows that have a lot of heart and soul. Theatre can change minds and open hearts. Brunner: When you begin dreaming up a scene, what is your starting point?Latarro: I always start by reading the script and lyrics without listening to the songs. I don't want to be seduced by the music before I experience the story. Then once I understand the story, I go back and reread the script with the interpolated song demos. Then I listen to the music over and over again. Brunner: What kind of creative environment do you try to cultivate?Latarro: I love the art of collaboration. It excites me endlessly. I like being in a room with people who also love the work. I am into the 'yes and' mentality. Someone has an idea, and we work on it until it grows and grows. I work hard because if I'm going to be away from my family, then I'm going to make it count. From left: Jill Abramovitz, Honor Blue Savage, Brandon Espinoza, Jaygee Macapugay, Brandon Espinoza, ... More and Adam Grupper
