Latest news with #KatherineNewman
Metro
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Masterful' thriller finally completely free to stream after 3 years
A nail-biting thriller is finally landing on a free UK streaming platform. Starring Uma Thurman, all eight episodes of crime drama Suspicion are being added to ITVX next month. The show follows five ordinary Brits who must prove their innocence after being accused of kidnapping the son of prominent US media mogul Katherine Newman (Uma Thurman). Based on the Israeli series False Flag, Suspicion first landed on Apple TV Plus in 2022. On Google, viewers have hailed the thriller as 'incredibly addictive' and 'outstanding.' Among them was David Samuel, who wrote: 'Brilliant series. Yes, it's complicated at times, but that's the point, it's meant to be. It's a nice change not to be spoon-fed the plot but actually have to use your brain.' Echoing their sentiment, Maya Gutierrez said: 'An incredibly addictive series in a genre that often disappoints! The character proves to be a strong point for sticking around, as their depth and complexity keep you guessing. It's a classic 'who done it?'! Each episode builds on the tension that is built from the last without fluff! I would recommend to anyone who is very into the genre and is looking for something to be breezy fun!' Ric Souza added: 'This was an outstanding suspense thriller with a superb cast. If you like your stories simple, with tidy endings, Suspicion may not be for you. It is a master mystery thriller that leaves you with several final Suspicions as to who the true mastermind(s) are. There is no doubt as to the ethical, moral, and especially the scientific/political messages that reveal how our world has reached the current state of dangerous mistrust and cynicism. Brilliantly done!' However, not everyone was sold on Suspicion, with some viewers complaining it had numerous 'plot holes.' Seth shared: The setup in the first couple of episodes was intriguing and got me hooked. Unfortunately, it takes a steep decline, and by the time we get to the last episode, it's turned into complete garbage. The story turns into an incoherent mess that I lost all interest in, and the conclusion was so stupid and had so many plot holes. Monique Roberts-Drape commented: 'Ok, this series is complete trash. The acting was decent (although the 'trained killer' dude, Sean, put the over in over-acting), but the plot and the twist at the end were wholly improbable and quite frankly, stupid.' It also failed to impress critics, earning 48% on Rotten Tomatoes. If you can't wait until Suspicion arrives on ITVX on June 15 for your next thriller fix, viewers have been binge-watching the second season of Malpractice. It follows the investigation into Dr James Ford (Tom Hughes), who could be responsible for the 'devastating outcome' after he juggles treating an anxious new mother and the sectioning of a psychotic patient. More Trending 'New series of Malpractice on ITVX is excellent. Recommended,' X user Brian Bromley shared on Google. Echoing their sentiment, Andi wrote: 'Absolutely brilliant but so distressing.' 'Enjoyed that, have queued up the TV for the rest of the episodes,' Queen of Green declared. View More » Suspicion is coming to ITVX on June 15. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I want to like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning more than I do MORE: Britain's Got Talent star quits competition after pulling out of semi-finals MORE: Channel 5 detective drama that's 'better than Vera' returning for season 2
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The University of California has stopped requiring diversity statements, earning mixed reactions
Administrators of the University of California higher educational system on Wednesday eliminated an element of its hiring process that required job applicants to submit diversity statements, reported the Los Angeles Times. This change affects multiple campuses affiliated with the University of California, including UCLA, UC-Berkeley and UC-Irvine, among others. Under the previous requirement, job seekers had to submit essays describing their commitment to and previous work supporting diversity in their fields, including in matters of race, gender and sexual orientation. The requirement dates back to the early 2000s, though it went mainstream in the 2010s. 'The requirement to submit a diversity statement may lead applicants to focus on an aspect of their candidacy that is outside their expertise or prior experience,' wrote Katherine Newman, UC provost, in a letter published Wednesday. 'Our values and commitment to our mission have not changed,' announced Janet Reilly, chair of the University of California Board of Regents. 'We can continue to effectively serve our communities from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds and points of view without requiring diversity statements.' Reactions to the change have been mixed. The diversity statement requirement was controversial during its time, accumulating a great deal of negative media attention and even a lawsuit. Some Californians are pleased by the change. The Hill reported that UC-Berkeley rejected 76% of qualified applicants solely because of their diversity statements in 2020. Professors disparaged the diversity statement as a political 'loyalty oath' or 'litmus test.' 'Rather than helping achieve inclusion, these DEI rubrics act as a filter for those with nonconforming views,' wrote UC-Davis mathematics professor Abigail Thompson. Other Californians were upset by the change. Brian Soucek, a UC-Davis law professor and longtime diversity advocate, told the Los Angeles Times that he believes the removal of the statement is a capitulation to the Trump administration. 'It can only be explained as an attempt at advanced appeasement of the Trump administration's current threats,' Soucek said. 'There is nothing else that possibly motivates this change in general or this change being done in this particular way at the current moment.' It is possible that financial tensions may underscore the University of California's decision. The state of California recently announced an 8% budget cut to the University of California school system, per the National Review. This, combined with the federal government's new policy preventing federally funded schools from using racial preferences as a factor affecting admissions, students and faculty, may have played a role in ending the diversity statement requirement at the University of California. 'Schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, may no longer make decisions or operate programs based on race or race stereotypes in any of these categories or they risk losing access to federal funds,' stated the Department of Education in a press release. The University of California is not the first institution to comply with the Trump administration's effort to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion-based hiring and admissions. Other universities have: Scrubbed language like 'bias,' 'racism,' 'gender' and 'women' from their databases. Eliminated DEI offices and programming, including centers for belonging, which are common at universities.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
University of California ends diversity statement requirement
(NewsNation) — The University of California said Wednesday it is doing away with a requirement that faculty applicants submit a diversity statement. The announcement comes after the Trump administration said it would revoke federal funds from schools with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Many departments at University of California campuses previously had prospective employees write testimonials about how they worked to support racial and other kinds of diversity in their fields, the Los Angeles Times reported. The LA Times wrote that school officials announced the decision during a meeting at the University of California, Los Angeles. In a letter to campus provosts, Katherine Newman, university provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said that although requiring diversity statements will 'no longer be permitted,' faculty candidates can still choose to 'inclusive academic achievements in teaching, research, and service.' Georgia teen missing for over a year found alive in Tennessee 'The regents stated that our values and commitment to our mission have not changed,' the letter said, according to the LA Times. 'We can continue to effectively serve our communities from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds, and points of view without requiring diversity statements.' Janet Reilly, chair of the university's board of regents, said in a statement that the 'values and commitment' to the system's mission have not changed, the New York Times reported. 'We will continue to embrace and celebrate Californians from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds and points of view,' Reilly said. Multiple current faculty members at the university said they believe President Donald Trump's actions against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were a 'significant factor' in the regents' decision, the LA Times reported. Brian Soucek, a law professor at UC Davis, told the newspaper, 'There is nothing else that possibly motivates this change in general or this change being done in this particular way at the current moment.' He said the statements are meant to 'look for ways in which our specific fields may be falling short in producing scholarship that addresses the needs of a diverse public.' During his second term, Trump has signed executive orders banning diversity practices across the federal government and educational institutions. Trump will order a plan to shut down the US Education Department Last month, the Department of Education sent schools and colleges a letter warning of funding cuts for schools with diversity programs, according to NewsNation partner The Hill. During Wednesday's meeting of school officials, university president Michael Drake said the university system identified 'three primary risks' to its federal funding. These included the potential freezing or decreasing of federal contracts and grants; potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid that would have 'significant impacts on the UC Health enterprise' and its patients; as well as threats to the 'university's values.' In addition, Drake said, the university is planning for a state budget cut of nearly 8% — or $396.6 million. Drake said the university will soon implement a systemwide hiring freeze to help 'manage its costs and conserve funds.' The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
