Latest news with #TurningPoint
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is Candace Owens? Right-wing commentator sued by French President Macron for defamation
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation case against American hard-right podcaster Candace Owens. The couple, as per a filing in the Delaware state court, alleged that Owens had profited off spreading rumors that the French First Lady was born a biological male, Politico reported. Conservative influencer Candace Owens has been accused of defamation by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.(AP) The suit also claimed that Candace Owens had used the rumor to 'promote her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money.' She also launched an eight-part podcast, Becoming Brigitte, focusing on various conspiracy theories about the Macrons and their relationship. According to the Financial Times, the Macrons are ready to appear for a trial in Delaware. As the controversy rages on, here is a look at who Candace Owens is. Also read: French president Macron sues influencer for claims that first lady was born male Who is Candace Owens? She is a right-wing influencer who often supported Donald Trump in his first presidential term. She has taken a critical tone over the past few months, particularly on matters like the president's links with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, The Hill reported. Owens has worked for conservative organizations such as media outlet Daily Wire and the student group Turning Point. She launched her own podcast in 2024, the BBC reported. The influencer spent many of her early years in low-income housing in Connecticut's Stamford, a period she described as 'dysfunctional' to the New Yorker in 2023. Her family moved in with her grandparents when she was nine. Owens' grandfather, Robert, became a powerful influence in her life. Candace Owens is married to British-American entrepreneur George Farmer, who is the son of Baron Michael Farmer. The duo met while Owens was serving as the communications director of Turning Point in the US, while Faermer was working for the group's UK branch. They have three kids together, as per a People report. Baron Michael Farmer, a former Conservative Party treasurer and House of Lords peer, has distanced himself from some of Owens' views, the BBC said. Owens' political views have often thrust her into the limelight. She has promoted conspiracy theories regarding COVID-19 vaccines, the moon landings, and even the Holocaust. The 36-year-old influencer remains popular on social media, with over 6 million followers on Instagram and 4.47 million subscribers on YouTube. She had recently made headlines for calling President Donald Trump's comments on the Epstein files 'outright embarrassing.' Also read: Which MAGA figures are criticizing Trump's handling of Epstein files? Full list Candace Owens and the Marcons Owens, in 2024, had doubled down on her claims regarding Brigitte Macron. She said that she would 'stake [her] entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man,' the Guardian reported. Since then, she has continued to make controversial claims about the French First Lady. The lawsuit filed against her by the Macrons has asked for unspecified damages. It has also named her Delaware-headquartered companies in the matter. Under US law, the Macrons will need to prove 'actual malice' for defamation, meaning that the defendant knew the information was false, but broadcast or published it regardless. FAQs: 1. Who is Candace Owens? She is a right-wing influencer who is at the center of a lawsuit filed by the Macrons. 2. What has Candace Owens said about Brigitte Macron? She has claimed that the French First Lady was born as a biological male. 3. Where have the Macrons filed a lawsuit against Candace Owens? The lawsuit was filed in a Delaware court.
Axios
a day ago
- Business
- Axios
Campaign finance reports show early state of governor's race for Hobbs, Robson, Biggs
Gov. Katie Hobbs is sitting on a massive war chest, Karrin Taylor Robson self-funded a multimillion-dollar ad campaign, and Andy Biggs is getting significant outside support, newly filed campaign finance reports in the Arizona governor's race show. Why it matters: Money isn't everything in political campaigns, but it counts for a lot, and the early figures — the primary election is more than a year away — provide a peek under the hood for the three main candidates vying for the governor's office next year. By the numbers: Robson, a Republican, has pulled in the most overall, nearly $2.8 million, but about $2.2 million was her own money. She has a little under $900,000 on hand. Hobbs raised the most from contributors in the second quarter of 2025, collecting about $1.3 million. The Democratic incumbent had about $4.7 million on hand as of the end of June. Biggs, another Republican, raised $429,000 in the second quarter, less than Hobbs or Robson, but he improved on his first-quarter total and his campaign touted it's the most he's raised in a single quarter during his political career, which includes five U.S. House campaigns. Zoom in: Robson's self-funding was nearly identical to what she spent on television, radio and digital ads last quarter. She began her ad campaign around the time President Trump announced his dual endorsement of her and Biggs. Before that, he'd backed only Robson. The intrigue: Robson's media blitz ended around the start of June, and she's been off the air since then. Conventional campaign wisdom holds that candidates shouldn't advertise on TV until they can afford to stay on the air. However, Robson consultant Jeff Glassburner told Axios the point of the ads was to set the tone of the race early and get the message out that she has Trump's endorsement. Flashback: Robson spent $22 million of her own money in her unsuccessful bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2022. Between the lines: Biggs has already benefited from nearly $459,000 in outside spending by the conservative organization Turning Point's political action committee.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
How the cost-of-living crisis is making younger Aussies ditch expensive alcohol for a deadly drug
Overdoses related to the deadly 'don't wake up' drug have skyrocketed among Australians in recent years as some fear financial pressures may be pushing young people towards hard substances. Gamma hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is being used by an increasingly large number of younger Aussies. Many believe its low cost, accessibility, and mind-altering effects are making it an increasingly popular alternative to alcohol. The drug has attracted global attention due to the notoriously small margin of error between the amount used for an average recreational dosage and an overdose. The effects - relaxation, sociability, euphoria and an increased sex drive - can be felt within 15 minutes. But, even a slight overdose of the drug can prove fatal. The number of GHB-related ambulance callouts has surged across Australia in recent years according to new research from Monash University and Turning Point. Victoria is the national capital for GHB-related ambulance attendances, with 65.8 attendances per 100,000 people in 2023. It represented a 67 per cent increase from the year prior, following a 147 per cen t increase across the state between 2012 and 2019. Attendances also spiked in Tasmania, increasing by 346 per cent between 2022 and 2023. Reformed ice dealer Braiden Tonks recently told Daily Mail Australia GHB was on the rise nationwide for its sought-after side-effects. 'It just slows your heart right down, puts you into a completely relaxed state where your heart will just slowly beat and just slowly just stop, that's how you die from it,' he said. 'It's not like an instant bang of being stabbed, I'm dead. It's just slow, just like, go to sleep, don't wake up.' Young people are more likely both to abuse the drug and to require emergency help following GHB use. Affordability aside, some believe financial pressures are contributing to an appetite for harder substances. Canberra emergency consulant Dr David Caldicott told ABC News its promise of 'escape' from reality was more influential than its afforability. 'I think young people are looking for an escape from what really does not appear to be a very attractive future for them,' he said. 'I think that's probably a considerably more important element than the cost.' Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said financial pressures were engendering a 'need for relief'. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she told NewsWire. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey told NewsWire cost-of-living pressures can create circumstances where substance use is seen as more acceptable. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.'
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Worrying party trend on the rise
Monash University has reported a worrying increase in GHB usage among young people in Australia, particularly across Victoria and Tasmania, indicating a worrying trend as the cost-of-living crunch continues to cripple the nation. In conjunction with Turning Point, a report from Monash University revealed a startling spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among Australians aged between 25 and 34 in the past three years. GHB-related ambulance call-outs are on the rise in Victoria and Tasmania, new research suggests. Credit: News Corp Australia Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is a party drug that was originally intended as an anaesthetic, targeting the central nervous system and causing feelings of distress, confusion, vomiting and blackouts. Frequently presented as a tasteless and odourless liquid, it's commonly used in drink spiking and, due to its high dosage and undetectable nature, can be fatal. Turning Point National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit strategic lead and Monash University researcher Rowan Ogeil said it would only take a small amount of the drug to lead to an overdose. 'The difference between the amount to reach the desired effect and an overdose can be very small,' he said. 'Our research team has previously shown that this leads to high rates of overdose or loss of consciousness in GHB users.' Young people are more likely to take party drugs than older generations. Credit: Supplied According to the study, there has been a 67 per cent increase in GHB-related ambulance call-outs in Victoria between 2022 and 2023. While areas in Melbourne such as the Stonnington and Yarra regions – which are home to Chapel St and its stretch of nightclubs – have some of the highest rates of GHB-related ambulance call-outs, Geelong now accounts for 31 per cent of all GHB-related ambulance attendances. The study found the number of GHB-related ambulance call-outs had increased tenfold in the span of five years across Geelong, expanding from 20 incidents in 2018 to 200 in 2023. GHB-related ambulance call-outs also spiked in Tasmania, with the Apple Isle reporting a 346 per cent increase between 2022 and 2023. Dr Ogeil added that young people were largely the subjects of the call-outs. 'Our research has found that it is young people who are most affected,' he told NewsWire. 'In our study, people under 30 were more likely to require emergency help from paramedics following GHB use.' As the cost-of-living crisis continues to ravage the country, an increasing number of young Australians are finding cheaper ways to enjoy themselves on a night out. According to Drinkwise, 65 per cent of Gen Z want to drink less alcohol, with almost 23 per cent choosing to stay away from the bottle altogether. However, young Australians are also more likely to partake in casual party drugs than other generations, according to the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said there were many reasons young people were turning away from alcohol and towards party drugs, including anxiety triggered by rising costs. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she said. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' Penny-pinching partygoers may be turning away from alcohol and heading to cheaper – and in many cases, more dangerous – methods for a night out on the town. 'However, the risks are significant, and what often starts as a way to momentarily escape or enhance an experience can spiral into dependency or harm,' Ms Tse warned. GHB is a drug often used in social settings, and is commonly used to spike drinks. Credit: Supplied One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey said the cost-of-living crisis may be driving young people toward alternative ways of seeking a 'buzz'. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'This normalisation happens through social media, peer groups, and cultural messaging that frames substance use as a reasonable response to unreasonable circumstances. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.' Better knowledge of drug safety can also be found prominently on social media, which Ms Rosey said may sway younger generations towards swapping out drinks for party drugs, including GHB. 'This generation has grown up with easy access to information about substances through the internet,' she told NewsWire. 'They know way more about dosages, drug interactions, and staying safe than older generations did. This knowledge makes them feel safer and more in control, but that feeling might be false.' Despite young people having better information at their disposal, Dr Ogeil said the increase in GHB-related ambulance calls signified a lack of harm-reduction services. 'These patterns show us where and when people need support most,' he said. 'Rather than waiting for emergency situations, we need accessible harm-reduction services that can engage with people before harms escalate.' Drinking/substance abuse helplines
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Calls for action after spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among young Australians
Monash University has reported a worrying increase in GHB usage among young people in Australia, particularly across Victoria and Tasmania, indicating a worrying trend as the cost-of-living crunch continues to cripple the nation. In conjunction with Turning Point, a report from Monash University revealed a startling spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among Australians aged between 25 and 34 in the past three years. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is a party drug that was originally intended as an anaesthetic, targeting the central nervous system and causing feelings of distress, confusion, vomiting and blackouts. Frequently presented as a tasteless and odourless liquid, it's commonly used in drink spiking and, due to its high dosage and undetectable nature, can be fatal. Turning Point National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit strategic lead and Monash University researcher Rowan Ogeil said it would only take a small amount of the drug to lead to an overdose. 'The difference between the amount to reach the desired effect and an overdose can be very small,' he said. 'Our research team has previously shown that this leads to high rates of overdose or loss of consciousness in GHB users.' According to the study, there has been a 67 per cent increase in GHB-related ambulance call-outs in Victoria between 2022 and 2023. While areas in Melbourne such as the Stonnington and Yarra regions – which are home to Chapel St and its stretch of nightclubs – have some of the highest rates of GHB-related ambulance call-outs, Geelong now accounts for 31 per cent of all GHB-related ambulance attendances. The study found the number of GHB-related ambulance call-outs had increased tenfold in the span of five years across Geelong, expanding from 20 incidents in 2018 to 200 in 2023. GHB-related ambulance call-outs also spiked in Tasmania, with the Apple Isle reporting a 346 per cent increase between 2022 and 2023. Dr Ogeil added that young people were largely the subjects of the call-outs. 'Our research has found that it is young people who are most affected,' he told NewsWire. 'In our study, people under 30 were more likely to require emergency help from paramedics following GHB use.' As the cost-of-living crisis continues to ravage the country, an increasing number of young Australians are finding cheaper ways to enjoy themselves on a night out. According to Drinkwise, 65 per cent of Gen Z want to drink less alcohol, with almost 23 per cent choosing to stay away from the bottle altogether. However, young Australians are also more likely to partake in casual party drugs than other generations, according to the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said there were many reasons young people were turning away from alcohol and towards party drugs, including anxiety triggered by rising costs. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she said. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' Penny-pinching partygoers may be turning away from alcohol and heading to cheaper – and in many cases, more dangerous – methods for a night out on the town. 'However, the risks are significant, and what often starts as a way to momentarily escape or enhance an experience can spiral into dependency or harm,' Ms Tse warned. One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey said the cost-of-living crisis may be driving young people toward alternative ways of seeking a 'buzz'. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'This normalisation happens through social media, peer groups, and cultural messaging that frames substance use as a reasonable response to unreasonable circumstances. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.' Better knowledge of drug safety can also be found prominently on social media, which Ms Rosey said may sway younger generations towards swapping out drinks for party drugs, including GHB. 'This generation has grown up with easy access to information about substances through the internet,' she told NewsWire. 'They know way more about dosages, drug interactions, and staying safe than older generations did. This knowledge makes them feel safer and more in control, but that feeling might be false.' Despite young people having better information at their disposal, Dr Ogeil said the increase in GHB-related ambulance calls signified a lack of harm-reduction services. 'These patterns show us where and when people need support most,' he said. 'Rather than waiting for emergency situations, we need accessible harm-reduction services that can engage with people before harms escalate.'
