Latest news with #LosAngelesMagazine
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Fugitive narco ex-Olympian ‘linked to Kinahans' has plastic surgery to evade cops
The FBI in Los Angeles believes Ryan Wedding, who has a $10 million US bounty on his head, has changed his appearance The FBI's Wanted poster for Wedding in Spanish Wedding as an athlete and (right) on the run A wanted Olympic athlete-turned-narco trafficker 'with links to the Kinahans' is suspected of having plastic surgery in Mexico in a bid to evade capture. It has been reported that the FBI in Los Angeles believes Ryan Wedding, who has a $10 million US bounty on his head, has spent his time on the run changing his appearance. A major manhunt is underway for the former Olympian snowboarder, who may have gone under the knife to hide his identity. "Investigators believe Wedding may have undergone plastic surgery, particularly since he has financial means," Laura Eimiller, the spokeswoman for the LA FBI field office, told Los Angeles Magazine. "It's not uncommon for high-profile fugitives." The bureau added Wedding, who is also connected with the deadly El Chapo cartel, to its 10 Most Wanted list in March while also making public the US State Department's staggering award offer. Wedding as an athlete and (right) on the run News in 90 Seconds - August 14th It was made just days after one of Wedding's right-hand men was linked to the Kinahan Cartel in documents filed by US attorneys in a Canadian court. Like Wedding, the US government are also offering a reward for the arrest of the Kinahans – with $5m bounty available for information on Christy snr and his two sons Daniel and Christy jnr. Ex-Canadian snowboarder Wedding (43) whose aliases include 'El Jefe" and "the Giant," is accused of running a violent international cocaine trafficking ring that moved 60 tons of cocaine a year from Colombia through Mexico and California to Canada. Federal prosecutors in California's Central District have called his murderous empire one of the 'most sophisticated drug trafficking networks in North America." Before turning to crime, Wedding was a well-known figure in winter sports and had competed in the Parallel Giant Slalom in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics where had finished in 24th place. The FBI's Wanted poster for Wedding in Spanish The FBI is focusing its worldwide manhunt for Wedding in Mexico where it released new 'Most Wanted' posters in Spanish last week. In October 2024, Andrew Clark, a top lieutenant in the massive drug operation and Wedding's reputed right-hand man, was captured near Mexico City a dramatic armed takedown by the Mexican military and Interpol. Clark was extradited to Los Angeles earlier this year and remains in custody at Metropolitan Detention Center. According to Los Angeles Magazine, investigators fear Wedding could kill witnesses while he remains on the loose. 'Prosecutors told a federal judge how Wedding is tied to some of the world's most dangerous co-conspirators, including Hezbollah, ex-KGB agents, Hells Angeles and vicious killers tied to Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who was found guilty in the US on charges related to his own murderous network,' Los Angles Magazine reports. The capture of Wedding's right-hand man Andrew Clark The government was asking the judge for a protective order in the case to protect its witnesses, warning that anyone caught up in "Operation Giant Slalom" who agrees to cut a deal could be in danger. Assistant Director of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office Akil Davis said Wedding was a 'very dangerous man.' 'Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada,'. 'The alleged murders of his competitors make Wedding a very dangerous man." Wedding has been on the run since he was charged with US officials along with 15 of his key associates last June. During previous bail hearing for one of his alleged gang members, Gurpreet Singh, the Kinahan Cartel were named in a document from federal prosecutors in Los Angeles and filed as evidence in Superior Court in Toronto. US officials told the court that Singh has "extensive organized crime connections within Dubai, including relationships with members of the Kinahan gang, which is a well-known, violent organized crime group operating throughout the world." In the document, assistant US attorneys Maria Jhai and Lyndsi Allsop also claimed Wedding continues to be involved in cocaine smuggling while on the run. "Investigators are aware that Wedding continues to traffic drugs while in hiding. "Wedding should not be granted access to an additional loyalist through the release of Singh on bail." Wedding Last year, shockwaves were sent through the sports world after a warrant was issued for Canadian snowboarder Wedding (43) for allegedly smuggling tons of cocaine into the US through Mexico. Wedding's fall from grace has been big news in the US with extensive profiles on his life of crime being carried in all major newspapers and TV stations. Just like the Kinahans, Wedding has links to some of the world's most infamous drugs cartels and terrorist organisations. They include ex-Russian KGB agents, Hezbollah and the Sinaloa Cartel. A wanted poster for the Kinahans Wedding is said to have had connections to elite Iranian money launderers in Vancouver who have ties to Columbian cartels. Last June, a US grand jury indictment charged Wedding with numerous felonies related to cocaine smuggling. Matthew Allen, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles division, claimed Wedding's gang were responsible for a wave of crimes. 'They have triggered an avalanche of violent crimes, including brutal murders. 'Wedding, the Olympian snowboarder, went from navigating slopes to contouring a life of incessant crimes.' US officials also directly tied Wedding and his second-in-command, Andrew Clark, to a number of gangland hits. 'Wedding and Clark allegedly directed the November 20, 2023, murders of two members of a family in Ontario, Canada, in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment,' the U.S. Attorney's Office has claimed. Another person was killed in May over an unpaid debt, on Wedding and Clark's orders, it is claimed. The trial for Wedding's associates is currently scheduled to begin in a Little Tokyo courtroom in February 2026, according to a court docket.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved 'Rocky Horror' Star, 79, Seen During Extremely Rare Appearance
Rocky Horror actor Tim Curry was recently seen during a rare outing in Los Angeles. In the photos obtained by Daily Mail, the beloved 79-year-old British actor was spotted being pushed in a wheelchair as he left Gelson's supermarket after picking up some groceries. . The actor has largely kept out of the spotlight following a life-changing stroke in his home in 2012 that affected his speech and left him partially paralyzed on one side, requiring the use of a wheelchair. His illustrious career, dating back to the 1970s, has been marked by memorable performances such as the aforementioned The Rocky Picture Show, which shot him to fame, along with Clue, Home Alone 2, the film adaptation of Annie, Pennywise in the miniseries It, Muppet Treasure Island, Charlie's Angels, Scary Movie 2 and more. In 2015, nearly three years after his health scare, the legendary stage and screen actor was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 19th annual Actors Fund Tony Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles. At the time, he told Los Angeles Magazine that the honor "sort of solidifies the kind of work the American acting community has given me for years now. It's very gracious of them, I think.' He has made several other limited appearance over the years, including in 2021 as he posed for photos with fans during Emerald City Comic Con and in 2019 at GalaxyCon Raleigh. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Airbnb Launches Innovative Services, Enhanced Experiences, and a Redesigned App in Los Angeles, Featuring a Special Collaboration With Rocky's Matcha
In a transformative move that signals a new era for the travel and hospitality industry, Airbnb has unveiled a suite of comprehensive innovations designed to elevate the user experience and expand its global presence. Under CEO Brian Chesky's visionary leadership, the company has introduced Airbnb Services, reimagined its Experiences program, and released an entirely new mobile application."We're moving beyond simple matching to truly understanding what makes each stay special for our users," Chesky explained during the recent product launch. "AirbnbServices anticipates needs before users even articulate them."The platform now features a virtual concierge that provides guests with real-time assistance throughout their journey—from addressing pre-booking questions to offering in-stay support, creating a seamless travel experience from the beginning to end. , originally launched in 2016, has undergone a significant transformation. The platform now organizes experiences into specialized collections including Culinary Experiences, Photography, Health and Beauty. The expanded premium service offerings include: Personal Chef Services: Fully customizable in-home meals prepared by professional chefs Professional Photography: Personalized photo sessions with experienced photographers Wellness Services: Certified massage therapists offering Swedish, deep tissue, and reflexology treatments Spa Treatments: Licensed estheticians providing facials, microdermabrasion, and body scrubs Fitness Coaching: Personal training sessions including yoga, strength training, and HIIT with renowned fitness professionals Beauty Services: Professional haircuts, makeup application, and nail care from industry experts Culinary Options: Ready-to-eat meals and/or full-service catering with custom menus and setup What makes this evolution particularly notable is its accessibility—Los Angeles residents can utilize these services through the app even without booking an Airbnb stay. A new verification system ensures consistent quality, while an enhanced revenue model provides experience hosts with improved earning potential and support Los Angeles Magazine received an exclusive preview with Chesky and Rocky Xu, founder of Rocky's Matcha. I joined Chesky on a Matcha-making experience in LA with Rocky, where we learned to craft the perfect matcha drink directly from Rocky, followed by a meditation session—The value of this experience goes for $125, which includes a take-home "Matcha Making Kit.""Experiences are the natural extension of our accommodation marketplace," noted Chesky. "They transform a place to stay into a complete travel journey that creates lasting memories. 'Technology should enhance human experiences, not replace them," Chesky recently stated. "Everything we build aims to facilitate meaningful interactions between hosts, guests, and communities.".So download the app today and enjoy your staycation!
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor Karen Bass Talks Resilience, Recovery, and the Road to the Olympics at the Milken Institute Global Conference
At this year's Milken Institute Global Conference, Los Angeles Magazine publisher Christopher Jelinella sat down with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for a wide-ranging conversation that offered Angelenos an intimate look at their city's leader. 'People think I've been an elected official forever,' Bass said, 'but I was a nurse, and a physician assistant in the trauma unit at County Medical Center.' That background, she explained, deeply informs her work with the city's unhoused and vulnerable populations. A born-and-raised Angeleno (she went to USC and was a policy fellow at UCLA), Bass is grounded in the city's spirit and geography—from her Hamilton High School roots to her favorite local Italian spot (Marino's on Melrose) and her preferred way to unwind: biking from Washington Boulevard to Will Rogers State Beach. 'If you told me I had the rest of the day off, that's where I'd be,' she said. Bass spoke about Los Angeles' road to recovery following recent wildfires. 'We're moving along as fast as we can,' she said, 'but trauma doesn't move along. My job is to make the rebuilding quick and roadblock-free.' Her administration's response included a disaster recovery center serving over 9,000 residents, complete with on-site mental health ahead to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, Bass outlined efforts to unite the city. Through monthly citywide service events like "Shine LA," and facilitating infrastructure improvements to the city's Metro rail systems and airport, her goal is 'to mirror the spirit we had when we won the World Series, where we saw 200,000 people out in front of City Hall.'Despite political polarization nationally, Bass maintains strong ties to both Democratic and Republican administrations. 'One of the reasons we're ahead in fire recovery is because the Trump administration supported Los Angeles' efforts,' she noted. She also emphasized how her longtime Congressional service and relationships across the aisle have helped facilitate critical federal support. Bass also shared that she's taking her grandchildren to see Annie and reflected on being featured on LA Magazine's 2022 cover: 'It was the first time anyone asked me to be on a cover. I was nervous. I wanted everything to be right.'
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-Trump Podcaster Calls Joe Rogan ‘Jerk' Who ‘Spreads Lies'
Ben Meiselas flamed rival podcaster Joe Rogan during a discussion about whether Kamala Harris should have appeared on Rogan's show during the 2024 campaign. 'To me, Rogan's a jerk and he spreads lies,' Meiselas said on a new episode The People's Cabinet podcast, slamming the pro-MAGA podcaster. Meiselas co-hosts the left-leaning MeidasTouch podcast with his brothers Brett and Jordan. The show dethroned The Joe Rogan Experience in February to become the top podcast in the country—and has hovered near the top of the charts ever since. 'I don't think [Harris] should have went on Rogan or any of those right-wing shows,' Meiselas stated. 'The moment you go on a Rogan or a Charlie Kirk they are already going to be framing things in terms of issues that really aren't the issues that need to be discussed.' Meiselas, who also co-owns Los Angeles Magazine, pushed back on efforts to create a liberal counterpart to Rogan. 'We shouldn't be chasing 'Who could be the next left version of Joe Rogan,' he said, adding, 'Someone on the left shouldn't be like, 'Well I need to be a jerk and punch down.'' Instead, Meiselas—whose podcast racked up 125 million downloads and views in March, nearly double Rogan's 64 million downloads—called for building a 'healthy, vibrant, pro-democracy, pro-truth ecosystem.' Rogan has faced criticism for spreading COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation and hosting conspiracy theorists. On a recent episode of his podcast, British conservative columnist Douglas Murray confronted him for hosting Ian Carroll, a YouTuber known for pushing antisemitic conspiracy theories. 'If you throw a lot of s--t out there, there's some point at which [saying] 'I'm just raising questions' is not a valid thing,' Murray said. 'You're not raising questions. You're not asking questions. You're telling people something … I feel you've opened the door to quite a lot of people. You've now got a big platform and have been throwing out counter-historical stuff but a very dangerous kind.' Rogan invited both Donald Trump and Harris onto his show during the 2024 campaign. Only Trump made an appearance, after Rogan declined an invitation from the Harris team to travel to her for an hour-long interview, rather than sit for a three-hour interview in his Austin, Texas studio. He endorsed Trump on the eve of the election.
