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Year in review: Biggest pop culture phenomena of 2023

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

David Matthews | (TNS) New York Daily NewsWith yet another year in the pop culture history books, let’s look back on the wild ride that was 2023 — a year in which not one, but two of the biggest stars in the world somehow outdid themselves, film and TV production came to an abrupt stop, and a ridiculous celebrity court case captivated the nation.Taylor SwiftTaylor Swift put her stamp on 2023 numerous times, having the type of year seldom experienced even entertainment icons. First, her blockbuster Eras Tour conquered the United States and the world at large, before her ensuing concert film took over the box office. (Even Beyoncé went to the premiere.)Within that, she somehow found the time to rerelease two more albums (“Speak Now” and “1989”) as part of her ongoing efforts to regain control of her catalog. Oh, and she started dating some football player. It truly was “2023 (Taylor’s Version).”BeyoncéSpeaking of star-studded tours, Beyoncé had one as well with her Renaissance World T...

Pro-Palestinian protesters block airport access roads in New York, Los Angeles

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — Pro-Palestinian protesters briefly blocked entrance roads to airports in New York and Los Angeles on Wednesday, forcing some travelers to set off on foot to bypass the jammed roadway.As U.S. airlines contended with a rush of holiday travel, the demonstrations snarled traffic on the outskirts of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. In New York, activists locked arms and held banners demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas war and expanded rights for Palestinians, bringing traffic to a standstill on the expressway leading up to the airport for about 20 minutes.Video posted to social media showed passengers, some carrying suitcases, leaving vehicles behind and stepping over barriers onto the highway median. One woman could be heard saying that she was “sorry for what’s going on in another country,” but she had to get to work, using an obscenity.Twenty-six p...

Minor haul: Social media raked in $11B advertising to kids

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

Social media companies collectively made over $11 billion in U.S. advertising revenue from minors last year, according to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.The researchers say the findings show a need for government regulation of social media since the companies that stand to make money from children who use their platforms have failed to meaningfully self-regulate. They note such regulations, as well as greater transparency from tech companies, could help alleviate harms to youth mental health and curtail potentially harmful advertising practices that target children and adolescents.To come up with the revenue figure, the researchers estimated the number of users under 18 on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube in 2022 based on population data from the U.S. Census and survey data from Common Sense Media and Pew Research. They then used data from research firm eMarketer, now called Insider Intelligence, and Qustodio, a pare...

Patriots down 3 starters at Wednesday practice before Bills game

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

FOXBORO — Patriots left tackle Trent Brown, running back Rhamondre Stevenson and safety Jabrill Peppers were the only players missing at the start of practice Wednesday.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bailey Zappe trying to prevent another Patriots viral video with Bill Belichick New England Patriots | Bill O’Brien provides update on Mac Jones after Patriots QB benching New England Patriots | Hunter Henry’s injury played a factor in Patriots’ latest roster move New England Patriots | Patriots-Broncos film review: How Bailey Zappe is changing the offense New England Patriots | What has impressed Bill Belichick most about Patriots budding superstar Stevenson (ankle) and Peppers (hamstring) both missed last Sunday’s win at Denver, where Brown was limited to 21 offensive snaps in a rotation with backup Vederian Lowe. The 6-foot-8, 380-pounder has been battling ankle and h...

Bailey Zappe trying to prevent another Patriots viral video with Bill Belichick

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe and head coach Bill Belichick have moved past handshakes.A video went viral after the Patriots’ Week 14 win over the Steelers showing the contrast in how Zappe celebrated with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and Belichick. Zappe and O’Brien slapped hands and hugged with big smiles on their faces, while Zappe walked up to Belichick stonefaced to shake the head coach’s hand.The difference between how Zappe greeted O’Brien and then Belichick after Thursday’s win is just so good.O’Brien? Like he’s one of the boys.Belichick? Like he’s Zappe’s military father-in-law who will never forgive Zappe for not asking for his blessing.(via @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/7QEn0NeUvV— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) December 8, 2023Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots down 3 starters at Wednesday practice before Bills game New England Patriots | Bill O’Brien provides update on Mac Jones after...

Missing San Ysidro couple found dead in casino parking lot

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A missing persons case involving a married couple from San Ysidro has evolved into a murder-suicide investigation, according to authorities.Officers from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol called the San Diego Police Department around 12:25 p.m. Tuesday to report a vehicle that was found in the Golden Acorn Casino parking lot at 1800 Golden Acorn Way in Campo. Drivers’ warning: CHP to implement Maximum Enforcement Period for new year In that vehicle, authorities discovered man, 52, and a woman, 45, who were both deceased. The two individuals, a married couple who were said to have been living separately, were reported missing last week by family members. The exact nature of what occurred and why they were missing is still under investigation. However, police said there was likely a domestic violence incident prior to the couple disappearing.Detectives from the SDPD’s Southern Division and the Homicide Unit responded to the scene to investigate. Based on preliminary eviden...

25 Southern California restaurants added to Michelin Guide in 2023

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KSWB) -- Southern California foodies looking for their next bite can now take a look at the Michelin Guide's collective picks for 2023.As the year inches closer to its end, only a select few establishments across the country were officially recognized, including more than a dozen restaurants across SoCal.Here's a 2023 recap of the region's must-go-to spots, according to suggestions from the Michelin Guide: These California cities are among richest in US: report New One-Star Rated RestaurantsThese ratings are given based on the Michelin star system. Simply put, stars are awarded to restaurants offering outstanding cooking.Five universal criteria are taken into account when rating restaurants. According to the Michelin Guide, this includes the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine, and consistency both across the entire menu and over time.-- Heritage (...

Man attempts to evade Halton police by jumping into Lake Ontario, hiding in pipe

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

A man has been arrested despite efforts to evade Halton police by jumping into Lake Ontario and hiding in a pipe.Police say they received a call around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday regarding a 35-year-old man who was allegedly in breach of court conditions and in possession of a stolen vehicle in the area of Spencer Smith Park.When officers arrived, the man jumped into Lake Ontario and concealed himself within a pipe. With the assistance from nearby marine units, Halton police were able to remove the man from the water.He was placed under arrest and was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for hypothermia.

North Dakota lawmaker who used homophobic slurs during DUI arrest has no immediate plans to resign

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota Republican lawmaker has no plans to immediately resign, despite party leaders’ calls for him to step down after he railed against police with profane, homophobic and anti-migrant language during a recent traffic stop that ended in his arrest on a charge of drunken driving.In a statement Wednesday, Republican state Rep. Nico Rios, of Williston, said he is “seriously mulling all aspects” of his future.“As I weigh my future in the legislature, I am going to spend the next few months addressing my issues with alcoholism and getting the help I need,” he told The Associated Press in an email. “Any decision I make going forward will be made with a sober mind and deliberative clarity. To do so, I will be prioritizing breaking my chemical dependency on alcohol, improving the interpersonal relations I have strained, and listening to our community.”Rios also said he takes responsibility for his “disgusting actions” during the Dec. 15 traffic sto...

2 models of Apple Watch can go on sale again, for now, after court lifts halt over a patent dispute

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:20:16 GMT

Two higher-end models of the Apple Watch can go on sale again after a federal court temporarily lifted a sales halt ordered by the International Trade Commission over a patent dispute. The ITC, a federal agency, ordered the halt in October to block Apple from using specific technologies underpinning a blood-oxygen measurement system in its Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches. Apple has been embroiled in an intellectual property dispute with the medical technology company Masimo over those technologies.Apple cut off online sales of the watches in the U.S. on last week just days from the Christmas holiday to comply with the ITC ruling. The court’s action will allow sales of the two Apple Watch models pending its decision on whether to also permit sales as it weighs Apple’s appeal. As of 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, neither of the Apple Watch models in question were available at Apple’s online store.This isn’t the first patent roadblock the Apple Watch has run into as the company m...