Latest news with #Lerner
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
250 years ago, religion played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Today, clergy are resuming the fight
'All of us are deeply concerned about the preservation of democracy, because without democracy, faith cannot flourish,' said Reverend Fred Small, a community minister at Arlington Street Church in Boston. 'Christian nationalism is not a future that any of us embrace, although there are many — the majority of us — are Christians.' The group was specifically protesting the Trump administration's Advertisement Among all Christians, 51 percent disapproved of Trump's job as president in an April Advertisement The march drew inspiration from religious leaders' prominent involvement in the American Revolution and the Civil Rights movement, Lerner said. Specifically, the group called for legislative protections for vulnerable communities as the Trump administration intensifies its 'In our country, having people taken off the streets and no opportunity to defend themselves — that is not an America we have been working on for thousands of years,' Lerner said. In the American Revolution, parishioners across religious sects used scripture to 'Clergymen were using their churches to talk about how this struggle against Britain was not just a political battle over taxes and tariffs,' Lerner said. 'It was one they saw through a moral lens, a religious lens, a spiritual lens.' Churches in the South also played a Clergy drew On Friday, the group of clergy stopped several times along the 12-mile route, drawing more than 300 people throughout its march, said Rabbi David Lerner, senior rabbi at Temple Emunah. Some joined for a few miles while others committed to the long walk. Advertisement While resting in Cambridge, Small, who walked all 12-miles, said he was feeling the exhaustion. He has arthritis in one knee and was wearing a knee race under his black clerical suit. 'It is a trivial sacrifice that I'm making compared to people who are presently incarcerated in an ICE facility, or worse yet, a Gulag in El Salvador,' he said. Speakers at the march cited scripture in their speeches and said Trump's actions are antithetical to their religions. Small held a sign reading reading 'Welcome the stranger,' referencing Matthew 25:35. 'The reason we have separation of church and state is not that they should live in separate spheres, but we can do our thing — worship, have integrity — and have a moral voice and stand up for justice,' said Willie Barnett, a pastor at Great Road Church in Acton. Barnett said his participation in the march doesn't indicate partisanship, but having 'a moral voice for liberty.' Small said it was important to him to not only confine his religion to a place of worship but practice it in the world. 'Universally, all faith traditions call for justice — visiting the prisoner, comforting and uplifting those who are suffering,' he said. 'The current administration seems to preach and live a gospel of cruelty.' As the group walked toward the Longfellow Bridge to enter Boston, cars honked and people rolled down their windows, cheering. As the group approached Boston Common, rain started to drizzle. It gave way to the sun as about 100 people gathered in front of the Embrace statue, praying and listening to speeches. Advertisement Mariama White Hammond, the founding pastor of New Roots AME Church in Dorchester and former chief of energy, environment, and open space under Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, led the protesters in several songs. Barnett said the walk was encouraging. 'A lot of us as ministers right now can be discouraged about the state of the world and also what it means to lead our congregations in these times,' he said. 'There's a great community coming together, sharing experiences as we walk, and finding hope.' Emily Spatz can be reached at
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Daisy Ridley's ‘Young Woman and the Sea' Among 30 Projects to Shoot in Bulgaria in Two Years: ‘That Was the Start of a Good Relationship With Disney'
At the Variety Global Conversations Summit held on Friday at Lucia Beach in Cannes, Stefan Prohorov, international relation expert at the Bulgarian National Film Center, reported that more than 30 projects — including Disney+'s 'Young Woman and the Sea,' which stars Daisy Ridley and is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer — have been awarded Bulgaria's 25% cash rebate since it launched two years ago. Prohorov added that the incentive 'is fully functional and has been operating really well and rather fast.' More from Variety Japanese Producers Call for Safety Investigation After Cannes Falling Palm Tree Accident Julia Ducournau's 'Titane' Follow-Up 'Alpha' Gets Thunderous 11.5-Minute Cannes Ovation After Premiere Sees Attendee Carried Out on Stretcher 'Alpha' Review: A Potentially Infected Tattoo Sparks a Tortured AIDS Allegory in Julia Ducournau's Rotten Follow-up to 'Titane' Bulgaria has other benefits, he said, including 'an incredible variety of locations […] we have any kind of natural environment.' Crews are another plus. 'We have excellent infrastructure in terms of crew, highly professional at, I would say, very competitive rates, and it's constantly growing,' he said. 'It's a very young industry. The mid-age of professionals is under 40 among the fully employed people.' Nu Boyana Film Studio is the main production facility with eight stages, five workshops, a water tank and 'everything you can find in terms of the infrastructure of filmmaking … lots of nice toys to play with,' Yariv Lerner, CEO of Nu Boyana, said. Among the many Hollywood productions that have shot at the studios, Lerner wanted to highlight 'Young Woman and the Sea,' the true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel. 'It's a beautiful story. But the nice thing about that movie is it was filmed all in Bulgaria, half in Sofia and our studios, and the other half in Varna,' he said. 'We managed to utilize the entire country. And at the time, the Ukrainian war started, and a lot of displaced people came, and we were employing 5,000 people on top of [our core crew] as a result of Disney coming into the country and filming.' 'And the one reason they came is they checked the box, and the Disney executive said, 'Do they have a rebate? Yes, okay, we'll come and film there.' And that was the start of a good relationship,' Lerner added. Krassimira Belev, a Bulgarian actor, producer and writer, who is premiering her first feature film 'The Therapy' at Cannes, said the country also has plenty to offer independent filmmakers. 'Bulgaria gives the opportunity to create a film if you don't have a large budget, which is what we did because of the lower cost of making a film in Bulgaria. I think it's kind of a gem in the way that this is where you can actually make a film with a lower budget and still have a very talented crew and cast in it.' She added: 'The experience has been amazing. It's just been really, really wonderful. And people get excited about filming [in Bulgaria]. You can have so many locations, and then when you go and, like, you just talk to people as an independent filmmaker, they get it, they get excited. So they just let you film.' Bulgarians have a positive mental attitude, Prohorov reiterated. 'We are problem solvers. I mean, you don't need to look for a fixer. Almost anyone can be your fixer in Bulgaria.' Lerner referred to the country as a 'hub of creativity,' and added: 'So many people that come as filmmakers actually want to buy houses there and live there, and they love Sofia. I liken it to the beginning when Berlin first came on the map after the fall of the Soviet Union. It's got that vibe to it.' Martin Petrov, festival director of International Film Festival Glasgow, said his event has a permanent section devoted to the cinema of the Balkans, which includes Bulgaria. 'We see amazing talent submitting their films to the festival and wanting to see them being successful internationally. And in terms of Bulgaria, we've seen recently a lot of films doing very well at the box office,' he said, citing last year's 'Gundi: Legend of Love.' Last year, Bulgarian co-production 'The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent' won the Palme d'Or at Cannes for best short, and nabbed an Oscar nomination. Prohorov said: 'We practically have some sort of Bulgarian co-production at every major European award and festival every year.' Petrov added: 'We've noticed about 70% of the Bulgarian films that we receive at the festival to view are co-productions, and it is very telling of the collaborative mindset that exists there.' The Bulgaria panel was moderated by Leo Barraclough, director of international features at Variety. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Sydney Morning Herald
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
AFL 2025: Fremantle Dockers captain Alex Pearce shared a post from Kneecap, this is what happened next
A clip emerged showing a band member on a London stage in November draped in a Hezbollah flag, another video surfaced of a band member appearing to shout during a gig 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah', while the group posted a social media photo in February of a balaclava-clad group member reading a book of statements by slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin called on Kneecap to 'urgently clarify' their position, to which the band quickly responded: 'Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah'. Kneecap: Mo Chara, DJ Provai and Moglai Bap, in Melbourne. Credit: PENNY STEPHENS Pearce was soon criticised by members of the Perth Jewish community in an article in The West Australian for causing them anger and disappointment because he shared Kneecap's social media post. By the time Fremantle played their next game, a 61-point loss to St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on May 2, the controversy had spilled into Melbourne. Freelance journalist Ronny Lerner, who works as a contributor for the Herald Sun , asked Dockers coach Justin Longmuir whether Pearce would apologise at 'any stage' for causing the Jewish community 'significant offence and distress'. Lerner has expressed strident pro-Israel views on social media, posting on X in December that 'Israel's a liberal democracy fighting a war of self-defence'. But Longmuir deflected Lerner's question. He said the club had held discussions with the captain, but he would not elaborate any further. A refusal to acknowledge the issue in AFL circles has become a standard response. Fremantle, Pearce's manager Tim Hazel, the AFL and the AFL Players Association have all declined to comment. One of the few groups willing to discuss Pearce's situation was the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, a peak body that represents about 200 Jewish schools, synagogues, sporting clubs, and cultural organisations. Caleb Serong and Alex Pearce leave the field after their loss to St Kilda. Credit: AFL Photos 'It is immensely disappointing when someone who is admired for their skill and talent and has amassed a wide platform on that basis, uses that influence to advance divisive, objectionable political positions,' ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told this masthead. 'Mr Pearce will probably feel his endorsement of Kneecap is an expression of support for free speech or concern for Palestinians. 'But backing a group that fawns over Hezbollah and Hamas and used the occasion of a music festival to vilify Israelis when hundreds of young Israelis were slaughtered and violated at a very similar event, is jarring. 'I hope Mr Pearce will take the time to engage with the Jewish community to understand our perspective and perhaps make better choices in future.' Whether Pearce will heed that suggestion is unknown. On The Agenda Setters TV program, The Age 's Caroline Wilson said members of the AFL's Jewish community were offended by Pearce's actions, but no individuals have been identified publicly. Fremantle are not a club known for having major sponsors with links to the Jewish community. Nor is the club known to have high-profile Jewish supporters. It has been more aligned, according to one former club insider, to Indigenous culture. But there was one person inside the AFL who was prepared to express an independent view – AFLW reporter and digital news producer Sophie Welsh. She posted on X: 'As a Jewish person in the AFL community, I'm very upset that people are conflating being against mass slaughter perpetrated by Israel with anti-Semitism. As a people, we have been subject to genocide ourselves, and perpetrating genocide in Judaism's name is revolting.' It was a similar sentiment offered in February by sportsman Usman Khawaja, the first Muslim and Pakistan-born cricketer to represent Australia. 'Standing up for the people of Gaza is not anti-Semitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions,' Khawaja posted on Instagram. 'It has everything to do with justice and human rights.' There are other individuals who have supported Pearce, such as former independent member of the Australian parliament Phil Cleary, who was a member of Coburg's 1979 premiership side and coached the club to consecutive VFA/VFL premierships in 1988-89. Former independent MP for Wills and Coburg premiership coach Phil Cleary. Credit: Luis Ascui 'Alex Pearce simply retweeted a Kneecap post that reflected what millions of people around the world – Jewish people included – think about what the Israeli army is doing in Gaza,' Cleary told this masthead. 'It was a post in defence of innocent women and children, not terrorism. 'Since the murder of my sister, Vicki, nearly 38 years ago, I have condemned the murderous war on women and children ravaging our society, and I'm not about to turn a blind eye to it in Gaza, or anywhere else. 'It took great courage for the Fremantle captain to stand in solidarity with the children – and the women – of Gaza. 'It makes him the kind of man, I'd want to be standing alongside at the annual, Vicki Cleary – End Men's Violence Against Women – Day, at Coburg.' It is easy on face value to see how Pearce was drawn to Kneecap, a band who attracted more than 10,000 people to Melbourne's Federation Square for a free concert in March. Pearce is one of six Indigenous players to have captained an AFL club, having traced his heritage to the Palawa people of Tasmania. Kneecap – Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin), and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) – have outspoken views on colonialism and the British rule of Northern Ireland. They are supportive of Indigenous cultures throughout the world. Usman Khawaja has supported the people of Gaza. Credit: AP Clips have been shown of the band waving an Aboriginal flag on stage, and 32-year-old Ó Cairealláin was quoted as saying: 'There has been such a shame around Indigenous languages for so long because obviously western societies would like to claim it was savage'. The problem for Pearce is that Kneecap are a political minefield for a footballer who might want to express his own political views. When they performed at 170 Russell in Melbourne this year, the severed head from a statue of King George V, stolen from King's Domain last year, was brought on stage. That was one of their less controversial moments. After Coachella, they were accused of being dangerous, amoral and spreading hate speech. It led them to post the three-page statement on Instagram that was shared by Pearce. It read: 'Since our statement at Coachella – exposing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people – we have faced a co-ordinated smear campaign. For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes. 'The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods. We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts. 'We do not give a f--- what religion anyone practices. We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are. What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes – and we will not stay silent. Loading 'No media spin will change this. Our only concern is the Palestinian people. The 20,000 murdered children and counting. The young people at our gigs see through the lies. They stand on the side of humanity and justice. And that gives us great hope.' Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
The Age
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Alex Pearce shared a post. Jewish groups took offence. The AFL said nothing
A clip emerged showing a band member on a London stage in November draped in a Hezbollah flag, another video surfaced of a band member appearing to shout during a gig 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah', while the group posted a social media photo in February of a balaclava-clad group member reading a book of statements by slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin called on Kneecap to 'urgently clarify' their position, to which the band quickly responded: 'Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah'. Pearce was soon criticised by members of the Perth Jewish community in an article in The West Australian for causing them anger and disappointment because he shared Kneecap's social media post. By the time Fremantle played their next game, a 61-point loss to St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on May 2, the controversy had spilled into Melbourne. Freelance journalist Ronny Lerner, who works as a contributor for the Herald Sun, asked Dockers coach Justin Longmuir whether Pearce would apologise at 'any stage' for causing the Jewish community 'significant offence and distress'. Lerner has expressed strident pro-Israel views on social media, posting on X in December that 'Israel's a liberal democracy fighting a war of self-defence'. But Longmuir deflected Lerner's question. He said the club had held discussions with the captain, but he would not elaborate any further. A refusal to acknowledge the issue in AFL circles has become a standard response. Fremantle, Pearce's manager Tim Hazel, the AFL and the AFL Players Association have all declined to comment. One of the few groups willing to discuss Pearce's situation was the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, a peak body that represents about 200 Jewish schools, synagogues, sporting clubs, and cultural organisations. 'It is immensely disappointing when someone who is admired for their skill and talent and has amassed a wide platform on that basis, uses that influence to advance divisive, objectionable political positions,' ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told this masthead. 'Mr Pearce will probably feel his endorsement of Kneecap is an expression of support for free speech or concern for Palestinians. 'But backing a group that fawns over Hezbollah and Hamas and used the occasion of a music festival to vilify Israelis when hundreds of young Israelis were slaughtered and violated at a very similar event, is jarring. 'I hope Mr Pearce will take the time to engage with the Jewish community to understand our perspective and perhaps make better choices in future.' Whether Pearce will heed that suggestion is unknown. On The Agenda Setters TV program, The Age 's Caroline Wilson said members of the AFL's Jewish community were offended by Pearce's actions, but no individuals have been identified publicly. Fremantle are not a club known for having major sponsors with links to the Jewish community. Nor is the club known to have high-profile Jewish supporters. It has been more aligned, according to one former club insider, to Indigenous culture. But there was one person inside the AFL who was prepared to express an independent view – AFLW reporter and digital news producer Sophie Welsh. She posted on X: 'As a Jewish person in the AFL community, I'm very upset that people are conflating being against mass slaughter perpetrated by Israel with anti-Semitism. As a people, we have been subject to genocide ourselves, and perpetrating genocide in Judaism's name is revolting.' It was a similar sentiment offered in February by sportsman Usman Khawaja, the first Muslim and Pakistan-born cricketer to represent Australia. 'Standing up for the people of Gaza is not anti-Semitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions,' Khawaja posted on Instagram. 'It has everything to do with justice and human rights.' There are other individuals who have supported Pearce, such as former independent member of the Australian parliament Phil Cleary, who was a member of Coburg's 1979 premiership side and coached the club to consecutive VFA/VFL premierships in 1988-89. 'Alex Pearce simply retweeted a Kneecap post that reflected what millions of people around the world – Jewish people included – think about what the Israeli army is doing in Gaza,' Cleary told this masthead. 'It was a post in defence of innocent women and children, not terrorism. 'Since the murder of my sister, Vicki, nearly 38 years ago, I have condemned the murderous war on women and children ravaging our society, and I'm not about to turn a blind eye to it in Gaza, or anywhere else. 'It took great courage for the Fremantle captain to stand in solidarity with the children – and the women – of Gaza. 'It makes him the kind of man, I'd want to be standing alongside at the annual, Vicki Cleary – End Men's Violence Against Women – Day, at Coburg.' It is easy on face value to see how Pearce was drawn to Kneecap, a band who attracted more than 10,000 people to Melbourne's Federation Square for a free concert in March. Pearce is one of six Indigenous players to have captained an AFL club, having traced his heritage to the Palawa people of Tasmania. Kneecap – Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin), and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) – have outspoken views on colonialism and the British rule of Northern Ireland. They are supportive of Indigenous cultures throughout the world. Clips have been shown of the band waving an Aboriginal flag on stage, and 32-year-old Ó Cairealláin was quoted as saying: 'There has been such a shame around Indigenous languages for so long because obviously western societies would like to claim it was savage'. The problem for Pearce is that Kneecap are a political minefield for a footballer who might want to express his own political views. When they performed at 170 Russell in Melbourne this year, the severed head from a statue of King George V, stolen from King's Domain last year, was brought on stage. That was one of their less controversial moments. After Coachella, they were accused of being dangerous, amoral and spreading hate speech. It led them to post the three-page statement on Instagram that was shared by Pearce. It read: 'Since our statement at Coachella – exposing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people – we have faced a co-ordinated smear campaign. For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes. 'The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods. We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts. 'We do not give a f--- what religion anyone practices. We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are. What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes – and we will not stay silent.
CBS News
05-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
3 HELOC rate scenarios experts say to watch right now
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. A few different HELOC rate scenarios could occur this month, experts say, and that could have a big impact on the cost of borrowing. Getty Images/iStockphoto If you've been weighing your borrowing options, chances are that you're well aware of how expensive borrowing is overall in today's high-rate landscape. But while rates on credit cards and loans are high, the rates on home equity borrowing products, like home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) have remained significantly lower on average and have even been dropping recently. For example, in late March, HELOC rates hit a two-year low of 8.03% — a rate that was significantly lower than most other borrowing rates. After all, today's average credit card rate is hovering near 22% currently and personal loan rates are averaging over 12%. So even at over 8%, HELOCs were one of the most affordable borrowing options to consider. And, HELOC rates kept dropping from there. By the end of April, the average HELOC rate stood at 7.95% — where it remains today. But the Federal Reserve has kept the federal funds rate stable throughout 2025 — and that benchmark interest rate has a ripple effect on HELOCs. When there are rate hikes or decreases from the Fed, borrowing rates tend to follow. And, the most recent Consumer Price Index data showed that inflation is cooling and the jobs report came in better than expected. These broader economic factors can also influence HELOC rates. So, what HELOC rate scenarios could occur right now? Compare your home equity borrowing options online now. 3 HELOC rate scenarios experts say to watch right now The Federal Reserve is set to convene again on May 6 and 7. What the Fed does next with the federal funds rate impacts where HELOC rates are headed. Here's what could happen, experts say. HELOC rates could fall further HELOC interest rates have dropped by a couple of percentage points over the past year, with average rates just below 8%. The potential for HELOC rates to fall further is there, experts say, but if that's the case, it's likely going to result in a nominal difference. "Almost every lending institution ties their HELOC rates to prime. So typically, prime moves and fluctuates based on decisions that are made by the Federal Reserve and in general, those have been recently trending downward," says Jason Lerner, branch manager at First Home Mortgage. The forthcoming Federal Reserve meeting will set the stage for what's to come. "We've got some important meetings coming up, but I think in general the feeling is that there's going to be a downward trend, maybe gradual based on market factors, maybe accelerated based on political factors," says Lerner. "I think there's going to be a small drop in May." Compare the top HELOC rates available to you now. HELOC rates could rise Home equity lines of credit generally have variable rates, and, as such, they change over time based on the overall rate environment. HELOC rates have seen a steady decline over the past year, and while it's unlikely HELOC rates will rise over the short term, a rate increase could still happen depending on a number of factors. "There are two components to an interest rate, especially for HELOCs. There's the index and the margin. For the rates to rise due to the index, that would mean that the indexes have to be increased, which would mean the Fed raised interest rates. That would be a tough sell," says Mason Whitehead, a senior loan officer and branch manager with Churchill Mortgage. "Now what lenders can do… is they price based upon risk … so the banks and lenders and investors can raise the margin on top of the index if they see higher risk thresholds." HELOC rates could stay the same The CME FedWatch tool indicates that the majority of experts believe that no changes will be made to the federal funds rate in May. Sarah DeFlorio, the vice president of mortgage banking at William Raveis Mortgage, agrees. "It is my belief that specifically for the month of May that they will likely stay the same. I think there is just too much uncertainty," DeFlorio says. While the general belief is that the Fed rate is unlikely to change rates in May, DeFlorio acknowledges that current expectations are that the Fed will conduct two more rate cuts before the end of the year. And, while the Federal Reserve's actions may keep rates in a holding pattern overall, the process in which HELOC lenders set rates is nuanced. "There are many, many lenders and typically they all have their own guidelines, especially when it comes to HELOCs," says DeFlorio. "What we do see is a number of lenders try to incentivize people to choose their bank specifically by offering an introductory fixed-rate period." The bottom line While the Federal Reserve's actions do impact HELOC interest rates, it's not the only thing HELOC lenders consider. "In general, with HELOCs, it's all about risk-based pricing. So the better credit scores, the better debt-to-income ratio, the better combined loan-to-value, the better pricing you get," says Whitehead. If you're interested in opening a HELOC, you can shop around and review rates from multiple HELOC lenders. As part of your research, "ask the question if there's a floor. Because if rates do drop, some home equity lines of credit are going to have a floor, meaning the rate won't go below a certain number," says Whitehead. And, there's another borrowing option to consider as well: a home equity loan. Home equity loan rates stay the same throughout repayment, as they're fixed, which can be a big benefit to certain types of borrowers. Similar to HELOCs, though, you should research options from various home equity loan lenders to find competitive rates.
