Latest news with #APNews
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Pedro Pascal, 50, has heartbreaking response to fans who think he's 'too old' for Fantastic Four role
Pedro Pascal has responded to critics who say he's 'too old' to have been cast in the newest Fantastic Four film. The 50-year-old actor — who was recently mobbed by fans when he was seen for the first time after JK Rowling took a swipe at him — discussed the subject with AP News, revealing that the online comments have taken a toll on him. Pascal explained that while he typically ignores negative comments relating to his work, being hurt by backlash sometimes 'comes with the territory.' 'I think that sometimes the outside will find you, no matter how much you try to protect yourself from it, and it just comes with the territory,' the A-lister reasoned. 'I think maybe my nerves were bigger than they usually are, and so I think I just was a little bit more sensitive to the love that people have for stories like this, because I know that they wouldn't exist if it weren't for the love that people have for these characters,' he explained on the red carpet of a Fantastic Four fan event in London this week. He added that he felt pressure to 'fulfill expectations' as he portrayed Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic. Pedro Pascal has responded to critics who say he's 'too old' to have been cast in the newest Fantastic Four film; pictured on July 10 in London Pedro said, 'I think that it's very important for me that expectations be fulfilled. 'But I also know that the only way to do that is to give it all my focus and all my heart and my body and my soul, and so that was the best I could do.' The Fantastic Four: First steps will hit theaters on July 25. The Last of Us sensation called age 50 'the best time' of his life. 'It is the best time of my life. Just, I don't know, look around. It's an incredible reflection of what I'm experiencing right now. I'm having a really amazing time,' he gushed to the outlet. In February Marvel fans were delighted to see the first-look trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. They took to social media to give their opinions on the latest installment of the superhero franchise, with one person writing on X: 'Okay the Fantastic Four trailer wasn't bad. I'm pleasantly surprised.' Another added: 'I'm not even a Fantastic Four fan, but this looks really sleek. It's nailing the period setting in the same way that First Avenger did.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pedro Pascal he/him (@pascalispunk) Pascal explained that while he typically ignores negative comments relating to his work, being hurt by backlash sometimes 'comes with the territory' 'I think maybe my nerves were bigger than they usually are, and so I think I just was a little bit more sensitive to the love that people have for stories like this, because I know that they wouldn't exist if it weren't for the love that people have for these characters,' he explained on the red carpet of a Fantastic Four fan event in London this week; pictured July 11 Someone else weighed in: 'Watched the Fantastic Four trailer and I actually excited for a Marvel movie again.' And another social media user described the Fantastic Four comic series as 'the only ones I've been able to stomach,' adding, 'The trailer looks so great. I need this.' 'I've felt a little burnt out on superheroes but f4 are my ride or die,' one fan revealed. 'I'm so happy the movie looks good.' Others praised the teaser for its 'nostalgic' feel and looking 'very cinematic.' In addition to Pedro, the movie also stars Vanessa Kirby, Julia Garner, Joseph Quinn, and John Malkovich.
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Trump's China Reset: Diplomatic Olive Branch Or Strategic Feint?
In a scene that would've been unthinkable during the height of the U.S.–China trade war, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat down today with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur. The high-level dialogue, happening in the shadow of Trump's sweeping new tariffs, could mark the beginning of a more complex and transactional phase in U.S.–China relations. According to Reuters, the two sides discussed "managing differences" and reaffirmed their interest in "peaceful coexistence," even as economic tensions escalate. Rubio described the tone as "constructive" and hinted that a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping "is likely before year's end." This encounter, part of the ASEAN summit sidelines, comes just days after Trump proposed new tariffs on Canadian and Asian imports—some reportedly as high as 40%. It raises a fundamental question: Is the U.S. gearing up for confrontation—or negotiation? A Two-Track Strategy Trump's China playbook appears to follow a familiar pattern: turn up the pressure in public while quietly exploring diplomatic off-ramps. The tariffs are real. Trump has floated new levies on Chinese semiconductors, batteries, and strategic minerals. But Rubio's tone, and his very presence at the ASEAN meeting, sends a clear signal that Washington is leaving the door open for dialogue. As The Guardian notes, Rubio is walking a delicate tightrope—tasked with soothing Asian allies while defending a trade policy many in the region see as economically aggressive. Countries like Vietnam and the Philippines are already pushing back against tariff threats, even as they remain critical partners in the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. Meanwhile, China is responding with both defiance and diplomacy. Wang Yi labeled the tariffs "economic coercion," but emphasized the need to prevent "miscalculation," according to AP News. Beijing's approach is increasingly global: China has now surpassed the U.S. in the number of diplomatic posts worldwide, and it continues to expand its footprint via BRICS, the Belt & Road Initiative, and partnerships across Africa and South America. Reading the Chessboard From a strategic lens, this diplomatic thaw doesn't mean tensions are easing—it means they're being managed. As Reuters points out, Rubio's team also pressed Wang on China's ties with Russia and military activity near Taiwan. The subtext is clear: the U.S. sees economic diplomacy as intertwined with national security, and China's global alignments are under scrutiny. There's also a strong domestic overlay. Trump's tariff push plays well with his base and puts Democrats in a tricky position on trade. But the White House is likely aware that too much pressure without negotiation could spook markets, alienate allies, and risk global economic blowback. Global Reaction: Cautious Optimism Markets have been whipsawed by the conflicting signals. U.S. stock futures dipped following the Canada tariff announcement, but stabilized after Rubio's Asia remarks. The Chinese yuan strengthened modestly on signs of thawing diplomacy. Regional allies, while wary, welcomed the opportunity for dialogue. According to Chinese diplomats are making a full-court press at global summits—countering the U.S. narrative and expanding influence in multilateral forums where Washington's messaging has grown more combative. POV: Is This Smart Diplomacy—or Tactical Theater? The optics of today's meeting suggest a thaw. But it may be more optics than outcome—at least for now. Rubio's charm offensive is unlikely to reverse the structural divide between Washington and Beijing. But it shows that the Trump administration wants to avoid a full-scale rupture—and possibly use diplomacy as leverage in trade negotiations. In other words, today's handshake in Malaysia might be less about harmony—and more about holding position while keeping options open.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Greg Abbott Was Asked Who's To Blame For The Texas Floods, And His Response Is Going Viral For Being "Tone-Deaf" And "Insane"
Central Texas is continuing to deal with the devastating fallout of massive flash floods as deaths continue to mount, and at least 173 people remain missing. Related: Since Friday, the media and citizens across the country have demanded answers as to why there was not a county-wide siren system in place to warn Texans of the flood, which could have potentially saved lives. According to AP News, Kerr County's top elected official said that the county had considered implementing a tornado-like siren for floods years ago. Still, the idea never came to fruition due to costs. "We've looked into it public reeled at the cost," Judge Rob Kelly said. On Fox News, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick also admitted that flood warnings were issued via text for those who "signed up," forcing some residents to warn each other. "There were alert warnings that went out, we believe, by the locals. But if you were a resident and you signed up for it, you got it. But, if you happen to be a stranger who just came in for the Fourth of July weekend, you might not have had that [warning]." Well, Texas Governor Greg Abbott was confronted directly by a reporter who asked him who was to blame for the tragedy, and his comments are going viral: CNN / Twitter: @Acyn Related: "You ask, I'm going to use your words: 'Who's to blame?' Know this. That's the word choice of losers." "Let me explain one thing about Texas. And that is, Texas, every square inch of our state cares about football. You can be in Hunt, Texas, Huntsville, Texas, Houston, Texas, any size community, they care about football. High school Friday night lights, college football, or pro." Related: "Every football team makes mistakes. The losing teams are the ones who try to point out who is to blame. The championship teams are the ones who say, 'Don't worry about it, man, we got this.' We're going to make sure that we go score again and we're gonna win this game. The way winners talk is not to point fingers. They talk about solutions." In response to the clip, people have been ripping into Abbott for his "callousness" during a tragedy. "You don't get to play the 'everyone makes mistakes' card when this was avoidable," another person wrote. "Nothing says strong leadership like using a football analogy to downplay the death of dozens of children," this person wrote. Related: This person pointed out the Texas government's unwillingness to use budget money on a siren alert system. "Calling people losers for wanting answers and making a fucking football analogy when 100+ people are dead and 160+ are missing is insane. Fuck him and his wannabe tr*mp ass," this person wrote. This user called Abbott's analogy "tone-deaf." What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below. Also in In the News: Also in In the News: Also in In the News:
Associated Press
5 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Ground Game: Trump and Netanyahu meet as Gaza war looms, tariffs and trade
This newsletter was originally sent out via email to our Ground Game subscribers on July 7. You can subscribe at any time at This newsletter was originally sent out via email to our Ground Game subscribers on July 7. You can subscribe at any time at
Hypebeast
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
最新裁決出爐，Diddy 在五項重罪指控中僅兩項被判有罪
美國嘻哈巨頭Sean 'Diddy' Combs的審判已正式宣判，經過七週的審理，陪審團在 7 月 1 日晚間對五項重罪指控中的四項達成部分裁決。最終，陪審團於第三天商議後，判定 Diddy 在兩項涉及運送他人從事賣淫的指控上罪名成立，但對更嚴重的敲詐勒索陰謀及性販運指控則被判無罪。這些較重的性販運及敲詐指控若成立，可能導致他面臨終身監禁。 Diddy 創立的 Bad Boy Records 曾引領嘻哈音樂風潮，但此次審判揭露其個人生活爭議。針對兩項運送他人從事賣淫的罪名，每項最高可判處 10 年徒刑，總計可能面臨 20 年刑期。根據 NBC News 報導，檢察官 Maurene Comey 表示將尋求最高 20 年的刑罰。 目前 Diddy 已被拒絕保釋，將持續被拘留在紐約布魯克林的聯邦監獄，等待 10 月 3 日的量刑聽證會。 根據AP News報導指出，完整的指控與裁決如下： COUNT ONE – Racketeering ConspiracyNOT GUILTY COUNT TWO – Sex Trafficking of Casandra VenturaNOT GUILTY COUNT THREE – Transportation to engage in prostitution – Casandra VenturaGUILTY COUNT FOUR – Sex Trafficking of JaneNOT GUILTY COUNT FIVE – Transportation to engage in prostitution – JaneGUILTY 相關報導 >「超規格 17 人編制」韓國跨界團體 Balming Tiger 世界巡演「台灣站」倒數計時 >網羅日韓全明星陣容，JP THE WAVY 發行全新專輯《WAVY TAPE 3》 >ARMY 們準備好了嗎？BTS 正式宣佈將於 2026 春季「全員回歸」
