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By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -A federal judge blocked U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from carrying out his executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and ordered it on Thursday to reinstate employees terminated in a mass layoff. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston at the behest of a group of Democratic-led states, school districts and teachers' unions issued an injunction blocking the department from moving forward with a mass termination announced in March of over 1,300 employees, which would cut its staff by half. "The record abundantly reveals that defendants' true intention is to effectively dismantle the department without an authorizing statute," wrote Joun, an appointee of Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. Lawyers with the Justice Department argued that the mass terminations were not an effort to shutter the agency but a lawful effort to eliminate bureaucratic bloat while fulfilling its overall statutory mission more efficiently. But Joun said the cuts were having the opposite effect, as the "massive reduction in staff has made it effectively impossible for the department to carry out its statutorily mandated functions." "This court cannot be asked to cover its eyes while the department's employees are continuously fired and units are transferred out until the department becomes a shell of itself," the judge wrote. He ordered the administration to not just reinstate the workers but also to halt implementation of Trump's March 21 directive to transfer student loans and special needs programs to other federal agencies. Education Department spokesperson Madi Biedermann said in a statement that the Trump administration would immediately challenge the ruling, which she said came from "an unelected judge with a political axe to grind." Skye Perryman, whose liberal legal group Democracy Forward represented the school districts and unions, said Thursday's ruling means "disastrous mass firings of career civil servants are blocked while this wildly disruptive and unlawful agency action is litigated." The department, which Congress created in 1979, oversees $1.6 trillion in college loans, enforces civil rights laws in schools and provides federal funding for needy districts. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced the mass layoff, known in government parlance as a "reduction in force," on March 11, which her agency said was being carried out as part of the Education Department's "final mission." Those job cuts were announced a week before Trump signed an executive order calling for the department's closure, following a campaign promise to conservatives aimed at leaving school policy almost entirely in the hands of states and local boards. In combination with 600 employees who took buy-out offers, the Education Department said the job cuts once implemented would leave it with 2,183 workers, down from 4,133 when Trump took office on January 20. In an interview at the time with Fox News, McMahon said Trump's "directive to me, clearly, is to shut down the Department of Education." She said that while Congress would be needed to close it, the layoffs were "the first step of eliminating what I think is bureaucratic bloat." Democratic attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia as well as school districts and teachers' unions then sued, saying the cuts rendered the department unable to meet its duties of administering funding for schools and college student loans and enforcing civil rights law. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Mark Porter, Rod Nickel, Daniel Wallis, Alexia Garamfalvi and Deepa Babington)

North Korea's newest warship was severely damaged during a launch ceremony Wednesday, with leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the accident, saying it brought shame to the nation's prestige and vowing to punish those found responsible, state media reported. In a rare admission of failure, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said a malfunction in the launch mechanism caused the stern of the as-yet unnamed 5,000-ton destroyer to slide prematurely into the water, crushing parts of the hull and leaving the bow stranded on the shipway. Kim called the launch failure "a criminal act" and blamed it on "absolute carelessness" and "irresponsibility" by multiple state institutions - including the Munitions Industry Department, Kim Chaek University of Technology and the central ship design bureau. According to a South Korean military analysis, the vessel is lying on its side in the water, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) spokesperson Lee Sung-joon said during a press briefing on Thursday. Naval analysts said the damage incurred by a vessel in such a launch malfunction could be "catastrophic." State media did not immediately release images of the accident. "If the ship does not move together, the stresses will tear the hull apart," Sal Mercogliano, a professor at Campbell University in North Carolina and a maritime expert, told CNN. Naval analyst Carl Schuster in Hawaii, after reviewing the KCNA account, said he thinks the stresses would "warp the hull, induce cracks and (possibly) snap the keel depending on where the greatest stress falls." The launch failure marks a setback for what analysts have viewed as North Korea's most ambitious naval modernization effort in decades. The ship was to be the second major navy surface vessel revealed in quick succession byNorth Korea. In April, Kim unveiled the Choe Hyon, the country's first newly constructed destroyer in decades, and declared his ambition of building more destroyers and various cruisers and frigates. The Choe Hyon, described as a "new generation" warship, was presented with significant fanfare with state media saying it would strengthen naval readiness amid what Pyongyang calls rising threats from the United States and South Korea. Western defense analysts noted that the Choe Hyon marked a departure from the aging Soviet-era vessels that dominated the Korean People's Navy. While details remain scarce, satellite imagery and footage suggested the Choe Hyon could share design elements with similar Russian navy ships. Lee, the South Korean military spokesperson, said the vessel damaged on Wednesday was thought to be equipped like the Choe Hyon. Wednesday's incident could cast doubt on the country's ability to scale its navy. Kim said the damage would be addressed not only through technical repairs, but political accountability. He ordered the destroyer to be restored before the late June plenary session of the ruling Workers' Party, calling the matter one of national honor. However, considering the potential degree of damage, analysts said that it would be nearly impossible to meet Kim's deadline. Retired South Korean Adm. Kim Duk-ki told CNN that North Korea appeared to lack the necessary infrastructure – a dry dock – to launch a 5,000-ton destroyer, let alone recover and repair it. A dry dock is a basin facility that can be filled with water to float a ship or drain out to build or repair one. "Dry dock is an expensive facility, and North Korea probably doesn't have one… It's easy to repair a ship in a dry dock after draining water, but they don't have the facility," the retired admiral said, adding that restoration could take over four to five months. South Korean lawmaker and defense analyst Yu Yong-weon said rushing the launch of the ship likely led to the problems encountered on Wednesday and warned hasty repairs could cause more problems down the line. Schuster said repairs, if possible, are more likely to take months, rather than weeks. An accident investigation group has been formed, and senior officials may face censure at the upcoming Party Central Committee meeting, an account from KCNA reported. North Korea's navy is often seen as the least developed branch of its military. The hastened pace of destroyer development has surprised some outside observers, raising questions about how much of the technology is functional versus symbolic. Mercogliano, the US professor, said it's unclear whether Pyongyang's new warships even have engines as state media has provided no images of them underway. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

Sportscaster Erin Andrewsis sharing an intimate story of loss. During a May 22 episode of "Calm Down with Erin and Charissa," the podcast she co-hosts with fellow sports journalist Charissa Thompson, Andrews revealed that the surrogate who was carrying her second child had suffered a miscarriage. Andrews,who sharesa son, Mack, 2,with husband Jarret Stoll, told listeners that she was at first hesitant to share the news but decided it might be therapeutic. "I have dealt with this before," she said, "but things were going really, really well. And her little heartbeat and her numbers were really good – so much so I even told you guys (her podcast team) a couple weeks ago because we thought we had such good news." Erin Andrews responds to ageistcomment that she's 'too old' for sportscaster role "I've been trying really hard to pay attention, I've just been tearing up the whole time and trying to stay focused," she said of the podcast episode. "But I'm also really, really good at suppressing my feelings and work really helps me with that. "I kind of made a promise to myself … that I was just going to be honest with people," she said, revealing this is not the first time a surrogate for her and Stoll had suffered a miscarriage. "When I was first dealing with all these infertility issues and loss … I just wanted to let other people know that we're dealing with them, that I get it and I understand,"Andrewscontinued. "And I'm going to do that again. This really, really sucks but so many people are dealing with it, so if you feel alone and you feel like a failure, I do, too. But you're not the only one." Erin Andrews opens up about new baby,'10 years of hell' battling infertility She admittedshe "didn't want to be back here in the loss column," but pressed the importance of sharing her journey and others feeling emboldened to do the same. The loss has also made her more grateful for her son Mack, Andrews said, who was also delivered via surrogate. Surrogacy,which has become more common in recent years, refers to the practice of a woman, contracted by a couple or individual, carrying an embryo to term that they do not have a biological relationship to. The processhas grown in popularity as the conversation around fertility struggles breaks from a whisper to an outspoken roar andas celebrities like Andrewsshare their experiences with surrogacy. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Erin Andrews reveals surrogate suffered miscarriage

Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Paul Mescalis calling out the repeated comparisons betweenBrokeback Mountainand his new gay romance film,The History of Sound. During a recent press conference at theCannes Film Festival, theAll of Us Strangersstar spoke out againstreviewsthatdraw connectionsbetweenthe two films, calling them "lazy and frustrating" and denying any similarities. "I personally don't see the parallels at all withBrokeback Mountain, other than we spent a little time in a tent," Mescal quipped in video footage of the event. "[Brokeback] is a beautiful film but it is dealing with the idea of repression, and this film is fundamentally pointed in the opposite direction." "So, to be honest, I find those comparisons relatively lazy and frustrating," he continued, "but for the most part, I think the relationship I have to the film is born out of the fact that it's a celebration between these two men's love and not a film about their repressed relationship with their sexuality." Oliver Hermanus'The History of Soundfollows two musicians who travel to New England during the summer of 1919 to record folk songs. Mescal stars alongsideJosh O'Connoras Lionel and David, respectively, who meet while attending the Boston Music Conservatory in 1917 and decide to travel together after World War I. Alongside Mescal and O'Connor, the film stars Chris Cooper, Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, Briana Middleton, and Gary Raymond. Fair Winter LLC Ang Lee's critically acclaimedBrokeback MountainstarsHeath LedgerandJake Gyllenhaalas two cowboys who form a secret romance in 1960s Wyoming, despite eventually meeting and marrying two women (Michelle WilliamsandAnne Hathaway). At the time of its release,Brokeback Mountain's nuanced portrayal of queer romance was hailed as one of the best films on the subject, by bothcritics and audiences alike. So it's no surprise thatHistory of Soundis drawing comparisons to the award-winning film considering the emphasis on connection and the complexity of romantic relationships. Both films are also adapted from short stories. That focus on love is what drew Mescal to the script, which he recalled first reading when he was 24 years old — four years before they would eventually shoot the film. "Love is a very complicated — what's the thing, Andrew Scott's speech inFleabagabout love at the end at the wedding. That's what I think about," Mescal said. Kimberly French/Focus Features Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free daily newsletterto get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. "It's a very hard thing to pin down," he continued. "What I found so moving about the screenplay is that it's never really described in words, it's described in actions and things you don't see ... That's something I've learned in my own life, kindness is wildly underrated in romantic relationships and should be celebrated." Watch Mescal's full comments onBrokeback MountainandThe History of Soundin the video above. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

Authorities in Louisiana areon the hunt for five out of 10 inmates who busted out of a New Orleans jailand are still on the run for the seventh day on May 22. The inmates escaped in the early morning hours of May 16, ripping out a toilet and sink unit and going through a hole in the wall, officials said. Since then,three other people have been charged with helpingthem: a maintenance worker who allegedly shut off the water at their request, and two women accused of helping them with transportation or food after the jailbreak. Authorities nabbed three of the men – Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis and Kendall Myles – by the end of the first day of the search. A fourth inmate, Gary Price, was taken into custody on May 19 while thefifth, Corey Boyd, was recaptured on May 20. 'Fear of retribution' in New Orleans:Mass jail escape brings a big uneasy The inmates still at large are Derrick Groves, Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Lenton Vanburen and Antoine Massey. Vanburen, Donald and Groves have been charged with second-degree murder, officials said. "We will NOT slow down. You will ALL be captured," Gov. Jeff Landry said in a post to social media after the fifth inmate was located. Jermaine Donald, 42, was charged with second-degree murder, according to parish records. The governor's office said he also faced charges of aggravated battery and possession of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty in April 2024,the Times-Picayune/NOLA.comreported. Derrick Groves, 27, was convicted of two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder in October in connection with a shooting during Mardi Gras in 2018, according to astatementfrom the district attorney's office. Groves has been awaiting sentencing on a manslaughter charge since October, according toa news release from the governor's office.He also faces a charge of battery against a correctional facility employee, theAssociated Pressreported, citing court records. Antoine T. Massey, 32, is charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle, according to Orleans Parish records. There also is a warrant for his arrest in St. Tammany Parish for second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse involving strangulation and violation of a protective order involving battery stemming from an incident in November, a spokesperson for the parish sheriff's office told USA TODAY. Leo Tate, 31, was charged with burglary and drug possession, parish records show. The governor's office said Tate also was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and was sentenced in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm.NOLA.comreported Tate has also been sentenced to 10 years in prison for obstruction of justice, citing jail records. Lenton Vanburen, 26, was arrested on charges of second-degree murder and armed robbery,New Orleans police said. Vanburen also faced charges of possession ofsuboxone, an opioid often used to treat addiction, and battery of a correctional officer, according to parish records. Contributing: John Bacon, Jorge L. Ortiz and N'dea Yancey-Bragg,USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:New Orleans jailbreak: 5 inmates still at large as search continues

Atlantic hurricane season 2025is almost here and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says a "confluence of factors" are set to fuel tropical cyclones in coming months. NOAA officials saidto prepare for danger nowas they released a forecast that predicts a 60% chance of an above average season. Specifically, NOAA is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 6 to 10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). A typical year averages about 14 tropical storms, seven of which spin into hurricanes, based on weather records that date from 1991 to 2020. Before announcing the 2025 outlook, NOAA's acting administrator Laura Grimm said last year's outlook was "right on the money." In 2024, 18 named storms formed, including devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With more than 400 fatalities, 2024 was the nation's deadliest hurricane season since 2005, said National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan. It was also the third-costliest on record, after 2017 and 2005. The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through November 30. The first storm name will be Andrea. The season is expected to be above average due to a "confluence of factors, including continued ENSO-neutral conditions, warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes," NOAA said in a media release. What's ENSO?Major climate pattern shifts ahead of hurricane season, bringing new risks ("ENSO" is short for "El Niño - Southern Oscillation," the overall term for the El Niño / La Niña climate cycle that affect weather worldwide. "ENSO-Neutral" means neither El Niño nor La Niña conditions are present.) "All of these elements tend to favor tropical storm formation," NOAA said. MeteorologistAndy Hazeltonof the University of Miami, writing on X, said that it was a "pretty reasonable outlook for the season from NOAA. I'm a little surprised they are this confident that we will be above average but the fact that we seem likely to be cool neutral ENSO at worst for peak season means that (wind) shear should be pretty low." He added that the Atlantic Ocean temperatures will probably determine if the season is closer to the lower numbers or the higher numbers of storms in the prediction. Other top forecasters are predicting an active season.Colorado State University's hurricane forecasting team, led by Phil Klotzbach, predicted 17 total named storms, of which 9 will be hurricanes, in its April forecast. AccuWeather's forecast, which came out in March, calls for 13-18 named storms, of which 7-10 will be hurricanes. The record for most actual named storms in a season is 30, set in 2020. Though no tropical cyclones have formed in the Atlantic or Pacific so far this year, theNational Hurricane Centersays a tropical depression could form in late May in the eastern Pacific Ocean south of Mexico. It's too soon to say if the system would impact any land areas. The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before hurricane season begins, the National Hurricane Center said. It is vital to understand your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and wind. Here isyour checklistof things to do before hurricane seasons begins. Here are some USA TODAY links to bookmark onhow to prepare your home for a hurricaneandhow to prepare a go-bag in case you need to evacuate. Here's what you should do:Prepare now for hurricanes, Trump warns. With a U.S. death toll of at least 241, Helene was the continental United States' deadliest single storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when about 1,400 people died. Other deadly storms in 2024 includedHurricanes BerylandMilton, each of which killed over 40 people in the United States. NOAA forecasters also released their prediction for the eastern Pacific Basin, saying that a below-average season was most likely. An average eastern Pacific hurricane season produces 15 named storms. Eastern Pacific storms and hurricanes primarily stay out to sea and seldom affect the U.S. mainland, although some storms do hit the west coast of Mexico. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NOAA hurricane season 2025 forecast says Atlantic primed for storms

Beyoncé Knowles-Carteris on the third leg of herCowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour,and the groundbreaking show has brought out massive crowds, unforgettable moments and a wave of viral memes. The Grammy-winning singer will kick off her first of five concerts at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on May 22. The remaining shows there will take place on May 24, 25, 28 and 29 on the same stage. Beyoncélaunched her "Cowboy Carter" tourat SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with39 songs on the set list. She played five shows there before heading to a three-night stint atSoldier Field in Chicago, where shebraved severe weather conditionsandchilly temperatures. Her shows have proved to be aspectaclefilled with family,fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary. Here are some unforgettable moments and memes from the tour so far. Beyoncé and Jay Z's 13-year old daughter Blue Ivy Carterhas blown fans awaywith her fierce performances and stellar moves throughout the show. OH YOU ATE DOWN BLUE IVY CARTER! AND ON "DEJA VU" AT THAT, YES! YES!@Beyonce•#CowboyCarterTourpic.twitter.com/CZsp3MLcgW — ηow that's ηick 🤠 (@Creat1ve)April 29, 2025 Each night she has floored the audience and fans online, taking the stage as a lead dancer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by bey's groove 𐚁 (@beysgroove_) The show-stopping highlights from the young superstar are endless. Even when Blue Ivy isn't dancing she has had the internet buzzing. Blue Ivy sprang into action after her earring got caught in Beyoncé's hair at 'Cowbow Carter' tour.pic.twitter.com/DeHFpD7hsb — Pop Crave (@PopCrave)May 17, 2025 Whether its approving the title "manager Blue" in an adorable clip or thinking on her toes after getting her earring stuck in Beyoncé's hair onstage, Blue has shown the world she is the moment and she is a star — not in the making but right now. Beyoncé's daughter 7-year-old daughter Rumi Carter has been a highlight of the show. She appears alongside her mom and sister Blue as Beyoncé performs her song "Protector." 😭💕pic.twitter.com/yLbblXlY6w — dani (@kordeilogy)April 29, 2025 The song features sentimental lyrics like, "Even though I know someday you're gonna shine on your own / I will be your projector." Blue, Rumi and Beyoncé end the song standing together as they share smiles with one another. Following the performance, a montage of Beyoncé and her children appears on the screen, leaving fans in tears each night. AWW RUMI INTERACTING WITH THE HIVE 🥹🥹🥹❤️❤️pic.twitter.com/H9KtjiY6iy — THUGGA (@THUGGABEY)May 5, 2025 Fans have begun looking forward to seeing Rumi light up the stage with her radiant smile and infectious energy. Beyoncé's concerts have been filled with high-tech production. Fans have been watching every detail, especially after a robot arm missed Beyoncé's cup while pouring her a glass ofSirDavis whiskeyduring her last Los Angeles show. BEYONCÉ IS A TRULY HILARIOUS WOMAN LMFAOOO😭😭😭😭😭pic.twitter.com/UaXXB46mrv — 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘆🫧💚 (@beyoncegarden)May 18, 2025 The moment instantly sparked playful reactions across the internet. Since then, fans have been jokingly watching each night to ensure the robot hits its mark. Even Beyoncé made light of the moment at concerts after the spill. In Chicago, Beyoncé smized at the robot arm and watched carefully as it poured her whiskey. She couldn't help but laugh as the robot performed its job properly, and she even appeared to give it a little "thank you." In her movie"Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,"Blue Ivy — who fans joke is Beyoncé's manager — convinced her mom to keep her 2008 hit "Diva" on the final set list. During the Renaissance World Tour, and now again on the "Cowboy Carter" tour, Beyoncé has been playfully scanning the crowd during the song, declaring, "She ain't no diva!" when pointing to a fan. This time around, she makes sure to also spotlight someone who fits the title — proudly singing, "She's such a diva!" Known for her standout performances on Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour, ballroom dancer Honey Balenciaga recently sent theBeyhive buzzingagain after a candid post about how she planned to approach the "Cowboy Carter" era. "I'm trying to figure out what energy to exude on stage. I was so wild and dangerous, I want to show growth in this new tour. I keep tryna recreate that feeling but this is Cowboy Carter," she wrote in a post. "I need my ballroom family to recharge my creative juices. Im trying to put on the best show for yall. I'll be ready for Chicago!" 🚨 HONEY BALENCIAGA#CowboyCarterTourpic.twitter.com/Q1cN611ADX — Beyoncé Access | Fan Page (@beyonceaccess)May 16, 2025 Well, Honey was indeed ready for Chi-town as she set the stage ablaze for her solo ballroom number, which has been a highlight of each show. It's not a Beyoncé concert without high fashion and show-stopping looks, andthis tour is no different. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LOEWE (@loewe) Each night, Beyoncé continues to blend high fashion and cowboy couture, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as they anticipate a new look. There's been lots of Western-glam with sparkly chaps, cowboy hats, boots and piles of fringe. The megastar also has used her wardrobe to send powerful messages. The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finaletaking place in Las Vegason July 26. Beyoncé has alreadymade history with her scheduled tour dates, including by playing the most dates at SoFi Stadium of any artist. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, onInstagram,TikTokandXas @cachemcclay. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean:Beyoncé 'Cowboy Carter' tour forges ahead: Top moments, memes and more

ActressValerie Bertinelliis best known for showsOne Day at a Timein the 1970s/1980s and theBetty WhitesitcomHot in Clevelandin the 2010s, plus her various Food Network shows from over the years. But in the 1980s, in what looks like it was perhaps after One Day at a Time went off the air, Bertinelli starred in a rather famous play in Santa Barbara, California. On Wednesday, May 21, the actress posted a photo to Instagram of herself in a production of "Vanities" by playwrightJack Heifner. "#waybackwednesday mid '80s Stage production of 'Vanities' in Santa Barbara. Just a short run and a whole heck of a lot of fun," wrote Bertinelli. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Valerie Bertinelli (@wolfiesmom) Though it was a "short run," according to Bertinelli, the playwright is very aware that she starred in it. In 2022, Heifnerdid an interview with Breaking Characterwhere he talked about his play, which originally debuted in 1976, and how it's still relevant today. In doing so, he managed to name-drop a lot of big stars who have starred inVanities, including Bertinelli. "The original cast was brilliant withKathy Bates, Susan MersonandJane Galloway. The Los Angeles cast opened withSandy Duncan, Stockard ChanningandLucie Arnazand they were dazzling," said Heifner, adding, "Some of the other wonderful actresses to play the roles wereSally Field, Elizabeth Ashley, Priscilla Lopez, Kelly Bishop, Annie Potts, Cybil Shepherd, Tyne Daly, Barbara Sharma, Annette O'Toole, Valerie Bertinelliand almost every woman of that age at that time played it somewhere. It was the most produced play in the USA for several years." That is quite some good company that Bertinelli is in. The play is about three women named Joanne, Kathy and Mary. The first act is about them in high school, the second is when they are in college and the third act is what has become of them after college. Honestly, we're dying to know which part Bertinelli played and with whom she co-starred in the production. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 In the comments of Bertinelli's Instagram post, her fans can't believe how beautiful she looks in the photo. "I grew up during that time and you are just as beautiful now as you were back then. Word 😎🤘🏼," wrote one fan. Another added, "Beautiful then and even more so now. Thank you for sharing." "Wow! You're causing a memory tsunami!" wrote a third fan. Another wrote, "I do remember, you were the 'it' girl back then. You wanna know something, you're still that good looker today. My crush❤️❤️."

By Ana Mano and Roberto Samora SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazil began a 28-day bird flu observation period on Thursday which it hopes will show the country's chicken farms are free of the disease after local authorities said a farm where its first outbreak was detected had been fully disinfected. The outbreak in the world's largest chicken exporter, detected in the town of Montenegro in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, triggered trade bans from multiple countries. "It is under control, we have no evidence of new notifications," said Rosane Collares, a director at the state's agriculture secretariat. She said authorities will remain on watch because the incubation period of the bird flu virus is two weeks and they don't want to be caught off guard. The report from state authorities late on Wednesday that the farm was cleared means that if no other cases of bird flu are detected on Brazilian commercial chicken farms over the next 28 days, the country may be considered free of the disease. The count starts on Thursday, authorities said. "We need to ensure that the 28 days of observation occur without new outbreaks," Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said after a meeting with Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite this week. "We are reinforcing actions to ensure that everything is perfectly safe," he said. Eleven active investigations into potential bird flu cases in Brazil are ongoing, including two on commercial chicken farms in Santa Catarina and Tocantins states. On Wednesday, Tocantins state authorities ruled out an outbreak of bird flu in the farm where the investigation was being conducted, citing preliminary test results. However, the federal government is conducting additional tests, according to the agriculture ministry's website. Wagner Yanaguizawa, an analyst at Rabobank, said the next few days will be decisive in determining whether the outbreak has been contained. "After 28 days, if there are no new cases from then on, Brazil can declare itself free of the disease," he said, adding that it will then be up to the importers to lift existing trade bans. "But then trade flows will most likely return to normal," Yanaguizawa said. (Reporting by Ana Mano and Roberto Samora in São Paulo; Additional reporting by Débora Ely in Porto AlegreEditing by Philippa Fletcher)

SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — An unusual Maynor'eastersoaked New England on Thursday and threatened to bring snow to higher elevations as the states prepared for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Nor'easters usually arrive in the end of fall and winter and bring high winds, rough seas and precipitation in the form of rain or snow. This week's nor'easter could bring wind gusts over 40 mph (64 kph) and up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain in some areas. Forecasters said snow was possible in the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. The storm brought dark skies to New England during a time of year usually reserved for sunshine and cookouts. The storm was expected to linger into Friday. What is a nor'easter? A nor'easter is an East Coast storm that is so named because winds over the coastal area are typically from the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The storms can happen at any time of the year, but they are at their most frequent and strongest between September and April, according to the service. The storms have causedbillions of dollarsin damage in the past. They usually reach the height of their strength in New England and eastern Canada. The storms often disrupt traffic and power grids and can causesevere damageto homes and businesses. "We have a stronger jet stream, which is helping intensify a low pressure system that just happens to be coming up the coast. And so that's how it got the nor'easter name," said Kyle Pederson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Boston. Rain arrives, and snow could follow The storm hit Boston with heavy rains and stiff wind on Thursday morning. Southern Massachusetts was also dealing with heavy rains that made for a messy morning commute. The heaviest rain was expected to fall in Rhode Island and southern and eastern Massachusetts, Pederson said. Localized nuisance flooding and difficult driving conditions were possible Thursday, but catastrophic flooding was not expected. Coastal flood advisories and gale warnings were issued for many coastal areas of New England and New York on Thursday. The storm was then expected to pass, leaving light rain and patchy drizzle, on Friday. "It's just really a nice dose of rain for the region — not expecting much for flooding," Pederson said. Snow is expected to be confined to mountainous areas, but accumulations there are possible. Why nor'easters are rare in May Nor'easters are usually winter weather events, and it is unusual to see them in May. They typically form when there are large temperature differences from west to east during winter when there is cold air over land and the oceans are relatively warm. But right now there is a traffic jam in the atmosphere because of an area of high pressure in the Canadian Arctic that is allowing unusually cold air to funnel down over the Northeast. The low pressure system off the East Coast is being fueled by a jet stream that is unusually south at the moment. "It really is a kind of a winter-type setup that you rarely see this late," said Judah Cohen, seasonal forecast director at the private firm Atmospheric and Environmental Research. If this type of pattern in the atmosphere happened two months earlier, he said, "we'd be talking about a crippling snowstorm in the Northeastern U.S., not just a wet start to Memorial Day weekend." ___ O'Malley reported from Philadelphia. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP'sstandardsfor working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas atAP.org.

It was supposed to be the happiest day ofChicago PDfans' lives—a moment 12 seasons in the making—but following the season finale, they were left feeling frustrated and disappointed. Leading up toChicago PDSeason 12 Episode 22, titled "Vows," Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Adam Ruzek's (Patrick John Flueger's) wedding was heavily teased, and though fans knew that it wouldn't take up the full episode as Intelligence still had tobring Reid (Shawn Hatosy) downand get their revenge after he got the unit suspended for "misconduct" and attempted to destroy their careers, they still had high expectations. After all, it was going to be one of the "happier" episodes ofChicago PD, considering there's never been a proper wedding on the police procedural. And then, after Squerciati and Flueger spent so much timehyping fans for the big moment, the vows were cut off, with the showrunner,Gwen Sigan, explaining toTV Linethat they were "difficult to fit in," but that "Ruzek and Burgess have exactly what they would want," which, as you can imagine, didn't sit well with viewers. "Difficult to fit in?!" 😒 "…I think we managed it… Ruzek and Burgess have exactly what they would want." 😒 1. No you didn't. Don't speak for the fans. 2. No TF they didn't. Paddy and Marina deserve better and so do we.#BurzekWedding#ChicagoPD#OneChicagohttps://t.co/25GX4ffXw6 — Chicago PD Fans (@ChicagoPDFans)May 22, 2025 The Chi-Hards took to social media to express their disappointment, withone adding a photoof a kiss between the bride and groom that did not appear on screen, noting, "is this why marina gave us so many pics bc she knew we wouldn't even see it happen?!?! WHAT ABOUT THIS MOMENT ARE YOU KIDDING ME#ChicagoPD" Another remainedoptimistic, stating, "I'm HAPPY but alittle PISSED," as asecond noted, "I'm so so so mad they deserved better and we deserved better." "these scenes were stolen from us for showing VOIGHT???? that's nasty stop playing with us#ChicagoPD"another declared, referring to the camera panning to Voight (Jason Beghe) and Nina Chapman (Sara Bues), who was emotional after piecing together that Voight "sanctioned" Reid's death, stating, "That's not who you are. I know you. You told me you believed there could be more," to which Voight coldly replied, "I don't get more." The disappointment kept flowing, withbold commentssuch as"girl we had TWELVE YEARS OF MATERIAL .. FOR THAT" and "You know what? SCREW YOU, CHICAGO P.D.! You make this big deal about the#Burzekwedding, and then you STILL screw over the characters and the fandom, and they still don't even get their moment! WTF WAS THAT?!" The beloved TV couple may have gotten their happy ending at last, but it's safe to say, you do not want to cross Burzek fans. Chicago PDreturns for season 13 this fall on NBC. Related: 'Chicago Med' Fans Express Shock After Season 10 Finale Cliffhanger

Robert Voets/CBS Warning: This article contains spoilers from theSurvivor 48season finale. TheSurvivor 48finale began with five players still clinging to dreams of glory, that they could have their name etched into history as a Sole Survivor and their bank account increased thanks to the $1 million prize. Joe Hunterhad challenge wins and leadership skills to flaunt should he make it to the end.Eva Ericksonhad idol and advantage procurements to show off.Kyle FraserandKamilla Karthigesuhad a stealthy partnership that influenced key votes they could point to. AndMitch Guerrahad the underdog card to play — a card that oftenworks well with jurieswho respect players able to get to day 26 without power in the game. But, in the end, there could be only one. And that one winner ofSurvivor 48was Kyle Fraser. CBS The finale began with Kamilla making a furious comeback in the last portion of the first immunity challenge, dominating the fire puzzle to win after being in last place for the entirety of the competition. That set the stage for a unanimous vote-out of Mitch, who was told straight up by his jury-managing tribe mates he was next to go. And go he did. It was at this point that day one secret duo Kamilla and Kyle began to split, with Kamilla informing Kyle she would be putting him into fire if she won the final immunity contest. Of course, that gave Kyle license to do the same thing to her shouldhewin, which he did on the classicSurvivorcontest of Simmotion. Kyle's plan was to bring Joe to the final three and force Kamilla and Eva to battle at fire, but those plans became complicated when Eva broke down in screams and tears while getting frustrated when she could not get a flame while practicing at camp. Joe offered to take her place in the fire-making competition, while Kyle also began to rethink the personal consequences of his decision. "It's hard to hear somebody go through something like that and know you have a part to play in it," Kyle said. "What I thought was going to be an easy decision and what I treated as an easy decision is anything but that." Kyle even proclaimed he was prepared to put himself in the fire-making to spare Eva, but the secret PhD candidate was insistent on fighting through the situation herself. "This has to be me. I have to learn to do it myself. I have to do this." And she did exactly that, defeating Kamilla in fire at Tribal Council — but not without some additional drama when Eva's huge lead evaporated at one point, sending her temporarily spiraling before she rebounded to seal the deal and earn her spot in the final three next to Kyle and Joe. Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free daily newsletterto get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. All three finalists performed well in front of the jury at final Tribal Council as the momentum swung back and forth between the finalists, but a key moment was when Kyle (with a huge assist from Kamilla) was able to undercut Eva's argument that she and Joe had made a big strategic move invoting out Shauhin, when it was in fact Kyle's deception over a non-existent Shauhin idol that made the move happen. The jury responded most to Kyle's story, giving him a 5-2-1 victory over Eva and Joe and making him the franchise's latest winner. Keep your eyes peeled for all of EW'sSurvivor 48finale coverage, including interviews with the final five andJeff Probst, an exclusive deleted scene, as well as your first look atSurvivor 49. Plus, for tons more intel and insight, make sure to check out our interviews withthe juryand thefinal five. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

Russia and Ukraine have scheduled no further direct talks on ending theirmore than three-year war, the Kremlin said Thursday, almost a week after thefirst face-to-face engagementbetween their delegations since 2022, and days after U.S.President Donald Trumpannounced they wouldstart ceasefire negotiations "immediately." "There is no concrete agreement about the next meetings," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "They are yet to be agreed upon." During two hours of talks in Istanbul last Friday, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, in what would be theirbiggest such swap. Apart from that step, the meeting delivered no significant breakthrough. Several months of intensified U.S. and European pressure on the two sides to accept a ceasefire and negotiate a settlement have yielded little progress. Meanwhile, Russia isreadying a summer offensiveto capture more Ukrainian land, Ukrainian government and military analysts say. Putin's proposals Putin said earlier this week that Moscow would "propose and is ready to work with" Ukraine on a "memorandum" outlining the framework for "a possible future peace treaty." Putin has effectively rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has accepted. He has linked the possibility to a halt in Ukraine's mobilization effort and a freeze on Western arms shipments to Kyiv as part of a comprehensive settlement. The major prisoner swap is a "quite laborious process" that "requires some time," Peskov said. But he added: "The work is continuing at a quick pace, everybody is interested in doing it quickly." Peskov told Russian news agency Interfax that Moscow had provided to Kyiv a list of prisoners it wants released in the swap. "We have not yet received a counter list from Kyiv. We are waiting," he told Interfax. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that preparations are underway for the potential prisoner exchange, which he described as "perhaps the only real result" of the talks in Turkey. Peskov disputed a report Thursday in the Wall Street Journal that Trump told European leaders after his phone call with Putin on Monday that the Russian leader wasn't interested in talks because he thinks that Russia is winning. "We know what Trump told Putin, we don't know what Trump told the Europeans. We know President Trump's official statement," Peskov said. "What we know contrasts with what was written in the article you mentioned." Russian capital targeted by drones for the second night Apart from the continuing war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, which has killed tens of thousands of troops on both sides, the warring parties have been firing dozens of long-range drones at each other's territory almost daily. Russia's Defense Ministry said that it had shot down 105 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 35 over the Moscow region. It was the second straight night that Kyiv's forces have targeted the Russian capital. More than 160 flights were delayed across three of Moscow's four main airports, the city's transport prosecutor said, as officials grounded planes citing concerns for passenger safety. The attack prompted some regions to turn off mobile internet signals, including the Oryol region southwest of Moscow, which was targeted heavily on Wednesday. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that air defenses downed 485 Ukrainian drones over several regions and the Black Sea between late Tuesday and early Thursday, including 63 over the Moscow region, in one of the biggest spates of drone attacks. It was not possible to verify the numbers. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force said Russia launched 128 drones at Ukraine overnight. Among the targets were Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region, damaging an industrial facility, power lines, and several private homes, regional governor Serhii Lysak said on Telegram. In Kyiv, debris from a Russian drone fell onto the grounds of a school in the capital's Darnytskyi district, according to the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko. No injuries were reported. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine athttps://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

BERLIN (AP) — Global reactions poured in Thursday in the hours after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were shot and killed Wednesday evening while leaving an event at a Jewish museum. Authorities say the suspect yelled,"Free, free Palestine" after he was arrested. The violence was condemned by world leaders. Here's what they said: What did U.S.President Donald Trumpsay? "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!" Trump posted on social media early Thursday. "Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA." What did Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say? Netanyahu's office said Thursday that he was "shocked" by the "horrific, antisemitic" shooting. "We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel," he said in a statement. What did U.S. Vice President JD Vance say? Vance said "my heart breaks" for the victims. "Antisemitic violence has no place in the United States," he wrote on social platform X. What did former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris say? "I stand with the entire Jewish community in condemning this sickening violence," she wrote on X. "Antisemitism and violence have no place in our country. We all must come together and fight hatred." What did Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, say? "It is just a horrific tragedy, an act of terror, and another way in which we have to recognize Jewish people all over the world are being singled out for these kind of horrible attacks," Huckabee said in an interview on Fox & Friends. Huckabee went on to push back against critics of Israel's execution of the war in Gaza, blaming Hamas for the war dragging on. "We've got a lot of ignorant, idiotic people who don't seem to understand the difference between right and wrong," Huckabee said. "It shouldn't be that complicated." What did British Prime Minister Keir Starmer say? Starmer said "antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears. My thoughts are with their colleagues, family and loved ones, and as always, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community." Starmer's spokesperson said the government has "offered its full support to the Israeli embassy in London." In April, a man carrying a knifetried to break intoIsrael's London embassy. Abdullah Sabah Albadri was charged with a terrorism offense. This month five Iranian men were arrested over an alleged plot to attack the embassy. They were later released, and police say the investigation is continuing. What did French President Emmanuel Macron say? Macron says he has reached out to his Israeli counterpart after the killings in what the French leader called "an antisemitic attack." Jean-Noël Barrot, France's foreign minister, called it "an abhorrent act of antisemitic barbarity" and said "nothing can justify such violence." France's government on Thursday instructed police and military officials to put "visible and dissuasive" security in place around Jewish sites. The instructions were issued by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and published by his ministry. The minister said security should be reinforced around Jewish sites – he specified synagogues, schools, shops, media and cultural events – following the shooting. "The measures put in place … should be visible and dissuasive," his instructions to police and defense officials said. "I know I can count on your mobilization." What did German Chancellor Friedri ch Merz say? Merz, in a post on X, said he was "shocked" by the news. "Our thoughts are with their families," Merz wrote. "At this stage we must assume an anti-Semitic motive. I condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms." What did Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani say? Italy strongly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the Israeli government and victims. "Antisemitic violence that is the child of hatred against Jews is not acceptable and must be stopped," Tajani said in a statement. He said Italy was committed to fighting all forms of hatred and discrimination and promoting "a culture of respect and peaceful coexistence through education, remembrance and the firm defense of human rights." What did Kaja Kallas, the European Union's top diplomat, say? "There is and should be no place in our societies for hatred, extremism, or antisemitism. I extend my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Israel," Kallas, EU foreign policy chief, said. What did the Czech Republic's foreign ministry say? The Czech Foreign Ministry said it "condemns the vile antisemitic attack." It added: "Our heartfelt condolences go to the families and loved ones of the victims." What did South Korea's Foreign Ministry say? "The government of the Republic of Korea expresses deep concern over the occurrence of a barbaric criminal act, which cannot be justified under any circumstances," the ministry said. What did Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard say? "This act of violence is yet another horrifying example of why hate and antisemitism must never be normalized," she wrote on X.

Christopher Polk/Getty That time in 2017, when Oscar presentersWarren BeattyandFaye Dunawayaccidentally announced the wrong Best Picture, was ashocking momentfor anyone watching. For actorsMichelle WilliamsandBusy Phillipps, who were out in the audience, it was truly memorable. The longtime close friends — and regular awards show dates — had been on their way out of the ceremony, but they were turned away because the big award was about to be given out, Philipps recalled during a recent conversation the two had on QVC+ HSN+'sBusy This Week. See their exchange below. "We knew, cause we were right there in the front row," Phillips said of theBonnie and Clydestars having called outLa La Land, after having been given the wrong envelope. "We knew something weird was happening.Ben Affleckwas next to me. You reminded me just earlier of what I said to him, which I totally forgot." What she said was not so much to Affleck himself, but to one of the characters he's played. "You turned to him," Williams explained, "and said, 'Do something! Do something!' Because he was Batman, and he was going to save the rest of us." She added, "He was just as shocked as the rest of us." Philipps confessed that it was something like that. Affleck portrayed the Caped Crusader in multiple films, including 2017'sJustice League. "He was literally looking back atMatt Damon," Philipps said of Affleck's close friend, "who was sitting right behind his brother [Casey Affleck], who was, like, two doors down from you. And I don't know Ben Affleck. I just was like, 'He's Batman. He's a movie star. He can go onstage and handle it.' He could not. It turns out, it was very difficult to handle." Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. La La Landproducers were already delivering their acceptance speech when, not Batman or the star of 2016'sThe Accountant, but Brian Cullinan, an actual accountant for Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Oscar crew members took the stage, too. The wrong envelope had been handed over. Moonlightwas the true winner. Philipps said her show couldn't afford to use an image of her, Williams, and Affleck at the ceremony that had gone viral, so she and Williams simply recreated it. They crossed their legs and dropped their mouths open. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

Julia Stiles—she's just like us! The10 Things I Hate About Youstar detailed the "crazy" run-in she once had withTaylor Swiftin the Wednesday, May 21 episode of the podcastHow to Fail, where she begrudgingly opened up about meeting the superstar at a "game night party" they were both invited to. Stiles, 44, joked, "God, I hate myself right now," as she dove into the tale. "The biggest name-dropping I could do—but it happened and it's awesome." Swift, she said, just "has that presence" where you "could just feel" her entering the room. She wasn't planning on bothering the Eras Tour artist that night, but as she was getting ready to leave, someone intervened, letting her know that Swift was interested in saying hi to her. Related: Beloved Songwriter Recalls 'So Pathetic' Run-in With Taylor Swift "...he was like, 'She really likes your work,'" the actress recalled, adding that she "blacked out" as they shook hands. "I don't remember, actually, what happened after that—but she said something very nice to me." Stiles further "dissociated for a second" while the two chatted, but eventually "worked up the courage" to praise the musician. "You're amazing; this is crazy," she told her, recalling the way she "looked like she genuinely appreciated it." While "there used to be a part of [her]" that insisted she "play it cool" when crossing paths with another actor or artist that she admired, more recently she's "discovered that everybody that's a performer wants to know people are listening to their music or watching their movies or care at all." Now, she's "totally, unselfconsciously ready to say" how fantastic she thinks somebody is. "Even somebody like Taylor Swift, who is the biggest star on the planet, seems humble enough or just positive enough to be like, 'Yeah, I'm glad that bazillions of people like to listen to my music,'" she pointed out. "They don't take it for granted." Related: Taylor Swift Fans Clap Back at Critics Over Newly Surfaced 'Drunk Karaoke' Video

The murders of two Mexico City officials, in a rush-hour shooting on a busy avenue, were meticulously planned by experienced gunmen, prosecutors said Wednesday, as more details emerged of the worst attack against public officials in the capital in recent years. At least four people were involved in thekilling of the personal secretary and a close adviserof Mexico City's Mayor Clara Brugada, the capital's police chief said Wednesday. Pablo Vázquez Camacho said investigators had identified and found a motorcycle and two other vehicles used in the escape of the gunman who killed the two officials Tuesday morning as they traveled in a vehicle along a busy thoroughfare. Brugada's personal secretary, Ximena Guzmán, and an adviser, José Muñoz, were shot dead in Guzmán's car, authorities said. Mexico City chief prosecutor Bertha Alcalde Luján said the gunman had fled on a motorcycle that was hidden nearby and then changed vehicles twice as he and others fled into neighboring Mexico State. Clothes were recovered in the vehicles and were being analyzed, but investigators could not yet offer a possible motive, the prosecutor said. She said Guzmán was shot eight times and Muñoz four times. Alcalde said that given the circumstances, investigators believe "it was a direct attack and with an important degree of planning and those who killed them had previous experience." One suspect was seen carrying out surveillance of the victims in the area of the attack in preceding days, she added. Still, she said investigators could not yet propose a motive or say who was behind the killings. "We cannot conclude that this is tied to organized crime, much less speak now of a particular organized crime group," Alcalde said. Both officials said Wednesday that investigators had detected the presence of an individual at the site of the attacks days before they occurred, which would suggest knowledge of the victims' routines. The attack, which happened at around 7 a.m., left four bullet holes clustered on the driver's side of the windshield. One body lay on the pavement. Vázquez Camacho said that neither Guzmán nor Muñoz had any special security measures, but both had received training about protecting themselves. "They are people who worked very closely with the people ... and they did their work without fear," he said. President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is an ally of Brugada and a former mayor of Mexico City before winning the presidency last year, had declined to speculate on the possible involvement of organized crime during her press briefing earlier Wednesday. Passersby describe "trauma" At the scene of the attack Wednesday morning, hundreds of commuters passed with most oblivious to what had occurred a day earlier. Some, however, noticed the handwritten signs with messages of remembrance to the two victims and flowers and candles left on the sidewalk. University student Loretta García Oriz said she had passed the site Tuesday when Guzmán and Muñoz's bodies were still at the scene. "Passing here gives me the same trauma," she said Wednesday. Oscar Sánchez's taco stand isn't far from the crime scene, but said Wednesday he didn't know what had happened until another vendor told him and police began to set up a perimeter. The attack showed that it doesn't matter if you're an official or an average person, he said. "It's all the same." Pablo Vazquez, the city's police chief, said that in recent weeks authorities had made "very significant arrests of leaders of criminal cells" in the capital. "These arrests will continue, and the dismantling of criminal cells will continue," he told reporters. Mexico City's mayor is considered second in political importance only to the president. The mayor's office has long been a stepping stone to the presidency, something true for Sheinbaum and her predecessor. But for years, the idea has prevailed of Mexico City as a relatively peaceful oasis protected from the brutal drug cartel violence prevalent in other parts of the country. There has always been street crime, but the cartels, while present, maintained a lower profile in the capital. That illusion was partially dashed in 2020 with the brazen ambush of Mexico City's then police chief on another central boulevard. Omar García Harfuch was wounded, but two bodyguards and a bystander were killed in the attack involving more than 20 people and heavy weaponry. García Harfuch, who is now Sheinbaum's national security minister, immediately blamed theJalisco New Generation Cartelfor the attack. There had not been another such attack on public officials in the capital since then. But politicians and their supporters are frequently targeted elsewhere in Mexico. Earlier this month, a mayoral candidate and three other people wereshot deadat a campaign event in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz. Like Mexico City's mayor, Yesenia Lara was a member of President Sheinbaum's Morena party. In April, Jose Luis Pereira, a senior member of the Teocaltiche city government, wasshot and killedwhile dining at a restaurant in Jalisco. In December 2024, a Mexican congressman who was a member of the ruling coalition wasshot deadin Veracruz. Two female politicians were targeted soon after Sheinbaum took office. In June 2024, a localcouncilwomanwas gunned down as she was leaving her home in Guerrero. Her murder came a few days after the mayor of a town in western Mexico and her bodyguard werekilled outside of a gym, just hours after Sheinbaum was elected president. Agence France-Presse contributed to this report. Trump confronts South African president during White House meeting, repeats genocide claims Watch: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asked what habeas corpus is in Senate hearing Watch: Rubio and Van Hollen get into testy exchange during Senate hearing

A nor'easter in late May? Yes, they aren't just wintertime events as one impacting the Northeast with a nasty mix of rain, gusty winds and chilly temperatures will continue to demonstrate into Friday. -The Setup:Two areas of low pressure will affect the Northeast through late week – one across the eastern Great Lakes, and another low that's developed along the coast. The coastal low is the nor'easter that will continue to strengthen as it lifts northward along the coast of New England into Friday. -Remember:The only requirement for a coastal storm to become a nor'easter is winds coming from a northeast direction off the Atlantic. Nor'easters can range from intense, with heavy snow like we sometimes see in winter, to nuisance ones like this, which mainly bring rain and gusty winds. (MORE:Nor'easters 101) -Timing The Rain:Periods of rainfall will affect much of the Northeast through Thursday night, but the most soaking downpours will be in New England, including Boston, Hartford and Providence. Maine will continue to see wind-driven rain early Friday as widely-scattered showers affect the rest of the Northeast, especially across the interior. The highest summits of northern New England could also see snowfall at times Thursday into Friday. -Rain Impacts:Rainfall could be heavy at times, so pencil in extra time if you are traveling. Some locations could see totals of 1 to 2 inches. Localized nuisance flooding is possible, especially in urban and poor drainage areas of southern New England, but we don't expect a widespread threat. -Wind:Gusts over 45 mph are possible on the New England coastline Thursday, and some minor coastal flooding can't be ruled out from Chesapeake Bay to southern New England. -Keep That Jacket Handy:This weather pattern will also keep high temperatures 10 to 15 degrees colder than average, with highs only in the 50s for much of the region. Eventually, highs will rise into the still somewhat cool60s through the Memorial Day weekend. Chris Dolcehas been a senior digital meteorologist with weather.com for nearly 15 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty John Corbett arrived at theAnd Just Like That…season 3 premiere in New York City on Wednesday, May 21 But the actor appeared in an unrecognizable look — a gray scruffy beard! Corbett stars in the series' new season, which premieres on Thursday, May 29 John Corbettis rocking a whole new look. The 64-year-old actor arrived with his wife,Bo Derek, at the New York City premiere of the upcoming season ofAnd Just Like That…on Wednesday, May 21. But theMy Big Fat Greek Weddingstar was nearly unrecognizable when he appeared with a gray beard. Corbett has already been spotted for years with his gray and brown hair. He's also known for his clean-shaven look, making his Wednesday appearance a new look for him. TheSex and the Citystar styled his gray hair with an effortless, messy sweep-back. He donned an all black ensemble, with a black blazer, black trousers and a black Oxford shirt with an exaggerated collar that replicated the look of a popped collar. He also sported a pair of gradient brown aviator sunglasses and black leather boots. Jamie McCarthy/Getty His wife also stepped out in a sleek suit for the occasion. The model wore a white jacket and black wide-leg pants, both of which included stud detailing on the seams. Her look was completed with a black lace shirt, a black leather clutch and matching pointed-toe pumps. Corbett andSarah Jessica Parkerwerespotted on set togetherahead of the HBO Max series' return. In photos obtained by PEOPLE, the actors, who play Aidan Shaw and Carrie Bradshaw, respectively, were seen holding hands and smiling while filming on location in New York City's Queens borough last July. Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Fans can expect to see the new season pick up after Carrie and Aidan decided to take a break in their relationship. During the season 2 finale, he previously told her he could no longer divide his time between NYC and Virginia in the aftermath of his son Wyatt's serious accident, saying they needed to put their rekindled romance on hold for five years until his youngest son reached adulthood. As a result, Carrie tries to navigate life without him. Duringthe season 3 first look, Aidan sent Carrie a postcard that contained "nothing." However, Miranda later notes that she "kinda caught a little vibe" between Carrie and her neighbor, leading Carrie to say, "It's complicated with Aidan, but I'm trying to figure it out." HBO While fans will have to remain patient to see if Carrie pursues someone aside from Aidan, Parker said in a May 2024Today with Hoda & Jennaappearance, that the new season "has a sort of soufflé quality to me this year." "It just feels really lovely," she smiled. "So there will be layers and complexities and complications as there always are — especially in Carrie's life." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. And Just Like That…season 3 premieres on Thursday, May 29 on HBO Max. Read the original article onPeople

Modern FamilyalumAubrey Anderson-Emmons, who was just four years old when she landed the fan-favorite role of Lily Tucker-Pritchett, is making a major career pivot five years after the comedy series went off the air. The young actress, now 17, has featured in a variety of musical theater productions since then, as she documents on her TikTok account, and now she's announced another new venture: a brand new original song called "Telephones and Traffic," out this Friday, May 23. Anderson-Emmons took to the social media platform multiple times this week to tease the new track, sharing a preview of the song and music video that fans are already calling "ethereal." "Such a dreamy song 💭✨ love it!" one fan complimented in the comments, as another called the tone "majestic" and someone else declared, "this is ethereal 💖." "THIS IS SO HEAVENLY," someone else exclaimed. Her singing was praised as "amazing," with one fan calling her voice "smooth...like warm honey." "I think this is going to be my new fav song!!" someone even boldly declared. Others felt it was the perfect fit fortheHunger Gamesseries—specifically to play during the credits ofthe upcomingSunrise on the Reaping. "Telephones and Traffic" follows a single called "Maps," which was released last year. Related: 'Modern Family' Star Unrecognizable in New Video 5 Years After Show Ended

By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -Flour and other food aid will start reaching some of Gaza's most vulnerable people on Thursday after Israel let some trucks through, but nowhere near enough to make up for shortages caused by an 11-week blockade, Palestinian officials said. Israel said it allowed 100 trucks also carrying baby food and medical equipment into the enclave on Wednesday, two days after announcing its first relaxation of the restrictions under mounting international pressure. Israel imposed the blockade on all supplies in March, saying Hamas was seizing deliveries for its fighters - a charge the group denies. The UN said a quarter of Gaza's 2.3 million people were at risk of famine. "Some bakeries will begin receiving flour to produce bread, and we expect the distribution of bread to begin later today," Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, told Reuters. He said just 90 trucks had got through. "During the ceasefire, 600 trucks used to enter every day, which means that the current quantity is a drop in the ocean, nothing," he said. Bakeries backed the U.N.'s World Food Programme would produce the bread and the agency's staff would hand it out - a more controlled system than previously when bakers sold it directly to the public at a low cost, he added. "The idea is to try and reach the most needy families, those who are desperate, as it is just the start," Shawa said. ATTACKS REPORTED As the first aid arrived since the blockade, Israeli military strikes on Gaza killed at least 35 Palestinians across the enclave on Thursday, local health authorities said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the reports. It has repeatedly said it seeks to avoid civilian casualties and targets militants. In Beit Lahiya on the northern edge of the enclave, a tank shell hit a medicine warehouse inside Al-Awda Hospital and set it ablaze, the health ministry said. Rescue workers had been trying to extinguish the fires for hours, it added. Tanks are stationed outside the hospital, medics say, effectively blocking access to the facility. The Gaza healthcare system has been barely functioning, with most of the medical facilities out of order, because of repeated Israeli military strikes, raids and the ban on the entry of medical supplies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday Israel would be open to a temporary ceasefire to enable the return of hostages taken by Hamas-led fighters. But if they were not returned, he said it would press ahead with a military campaign to gain total control of Gaza. "Netanyahu continues to stall and insist on pursuing the war. There is no value to any agreement that doesn't stop the massacres in Gaza permanently," senior Hamas official Sami Ab Zuhri said in response to Netanyahu's comments. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people by Israeli tallies and saw 251 hostages abducted into Gaza. The campaign has since killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip, where aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by AndrewHeavens)

By Michel Rose PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to south east Asia to pitch France and Europe as reliable partners with "no strings attached" as the U.S. and China use more aggressive ways to gain influence in the region, officials said. Macron is set to arrive in Hanoi on Sunday, the first trip to Vietnam by a French president in nearly a decade, move on to Indonesia and finish up in Singapore, where he will speak at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top defence conference. Macron will present France and Europe as defenders of international cooperation and rules-based trade, at a time when other world powers such as the U.S. under President Donald Trump and China use more "coercive" or "predatory" methods. "As far as we're concerned, we defend the idea of rules for international trade, we don't advocate for the law of the jungle, where it's about survival of the fittest," a French presidential adviser said on Wednesday. Export-reliant Vietnam was caught off guard by the threat of high tariffs from the U.S. and France, and is keen to diversify its supply sources and markets to rely less on China. Dozens of deals were being prepared and could be signed during the three state visits, the Elysee told Reuters earlier. Macron is following leaders of China, Japan and other European countries in visiting the region in recent weeks, in a sign of south east Asia's strategic importance amid uncertainties on global supply chains and trade. The French leader will also use a speech to Indonesian students and the Singapore conference to dispel "misunderstandings" about the European position on conflicts beyond the region, denying any double standards on Gaza and framing Ukraine as not solely a European issue. Macron's criticism of Israel has become more strident over recent months, calling Benjamin Netanyahu's action in Gaza "shameful", which French officials hope will resonate in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country. Asked whether Indonesia, which has bought French-made Rafale warplanes, may need reassuring after at least one similar jet from the Indian army was downed by Pakistan, the French presidential adviser said the trip was not about specific "news items". "Unlike with the United States or other countries, French partners know there's "no strings attached" with (our material)," he said. (Reporting by Michel Rose, editing by Ed Osmond)

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty; Nicola Peltz/Instagram Nicola Peltz shared a series of Instagram Stories on Wednesday, May 21 which showed her low-key picnic date with her husband, Brooklyn Beckham The actress shared "I love you so much baby," across the snap of Brooklyn and also added "thankful for the angels in my life," alongside a figure of an angel Nicola's posts come amid the ongoing rumors of tension between herself and Brooklyn and his parents, David and Victoria Beckham Nicola PeltzandBrooklyn Beckhamare enjoying a low-key picnic date amid ongoing rumors offamily tensionsbetween them and the wider Beckham family. Nicola, 30, shared a series of Instagram Stories on Wednesday, May 21, which showed her and her husband of three years' takeout, picnic date night. The pair enjoyed what appeared to be curry and rice dishes eaten from their plastic containers on the grass in their backyard. The actress tagged interior designerMichelle Finkelsteinin the pictures, so it appears she joined them too. "Best kind of night," Nicola wrote across one of the images while she added, "I love you so much, baby," across the image of Brooklyn lying on the grass wearing a baseball cap and a T-Shirt bearing the logo of hishot sauce brand, Cloud 23. Nicola Peltz/Instagram Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. An earlier Instagram Story post from her showed an angel figure alongside which the star had written, "Thankful for the angels in my life." The statement seems particularly relevant given the ongoing rumored tensions between Nicola and Brooklyn and his parents,DavidandVictoria Beckham. A source told PEOPLE earlier in May that there are"tensions between Brooklyn and Nicola and the family." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! And rumors of the family feud picked up steam after Brooklyn and Nicola, who live in Los Angeles, did not attendDavid's 50th birthday celebrationsin March. A source told PEOPLE that the couple was invited to the event, and it is not clear why they weren't present. Allen Berezovsky/Getty But, the first source added, "The relationship is definitely not beyond repair. They love and are always there for him. They're just hurt and disappointed that he's now playing no part in family life." Appearing to extend an olive branch, formerSpice GirlVictoria, 51,shared a photo on May 19 featuring all four of her children: sons Brooklyn, 26,Romeo, 22, andCruz, 20, plus daughterHarper, 13. In the snap, Brooklyn stood next to his sister with his arm around her shoulder. "We both love you all so much," Victoria wrote on top of herInstagram Storiesphoto, seemingly speaking for herself and husbandDavid Beckham, 50. Brooklyn and Nicolaexchanged vowsin 2022 and recently marked theirthird wedding anniversary. Karwai Tang/WireImage The PEOPLE Appis now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! There have been whispers of bad blood between the formerBates Motelactress and fashion designer for many years, but Nicola denied there was any "feud" during a March 2023 interview withCosmopolitan. "I've said this so many times:There's no feud," she said. "It's really weird, actually, whether it's my life or someone else's life or whatever, when you know the truth and then you read something totally wrong," she added. Read the original article onPeople

Cindy Ord/Getty Tom Cruise has reacted to a viral video of himself eating popcorn The clip of the actor had the Internet talking, with fans commenting on the way Cruise eats the snack "They know when I'm going to these movies that I'm watching, I'm eating popcorn," Cruise said of the viral moment Tom Cruise's snacking habits are setting the Internet ablaze! The actor, 62, has gone viral for the way he eats popcorn, thanks to avideoposted by user @seifwtf on X. In the clip, Cruise could be seen frantically throwing popcorn into his mouth while at a screening ofMission: Impossible - Falloutat the BFI IMAX in London on May 11. Towards the end of the video, Cruise smiled as a voice in the background could be heard saying that he was being awarded theBFI Fellowship, before continuing to shovel the popcorn into his mouth. "This is how my dad eats popcorn," commented one, while another added, "Tom Cruise eating popcorn like he an uncle with a handful of peanuts." Disclaimer: There is a profanity used in the below video. "I'm eating that popcorn@DariusJButler" 😂😂@TomCruise#PMSLivehttps://t.co/hjKVYTz2lopic.twitter.com/EhJXqjWg2G — Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow)May 21, 2025 Cruise later addressed the viral video while appearing onThe Pat McAfee Showwith Darius Butler on Wednesday, May 21. "I've never seen anyone eat popcorn this like," Butler, 39, told theMission: Impossiblestar. "Are you actually eating popcorn or are you full of s--- right here, TC? I've got to know." "Man, I'm eating popcorn," Cruise said while laughing. "They know when I'm going to these movies that I'm watching, I'm eating popcorn." According toRolling Stone, at a screening of Cruise's latest movie —Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning— he asked the audience if they had popcorn and admitted, "I normally eat two big buckets myself during a movie." Meanwhile, anotherinteractionshared on X showed Cruise urging a fan to "go get some more" popcorn after noticing their bucket was empty. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu via Getty It's not the first time Cruise's love of popcorn has circulated. In a 2023promotional videoduring the press run for the seventhMission: Impossiblefilm,Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1, Cruise declared, "I love my popcorn. Movies. Popcorn," while eating from a large bucket of the snack on a leather sofa. "Four cities. Four screenings. We had so much fun at the first fan screenings for Mission: Impossible! Thank you to everyone who came out," Cruise captioned the video on X. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoningis in theaters May 23. Read the original article onPeople

By Laurie Chen BEIJING (Reuters) -It is "arrogant and ignorant" to call Taiwan a country and its future can only be decided by China's 1.4 billion people, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday in a rebuff to the democratically-governed island's foreign minister. China views Taiwan as its own territory and says the island is one of its provinces with no right to be called a state. It has stepped up military and political pressure to assert those claims, including increasing the intensity of war games. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Wednesday that China had no authority to decide whether Taiwan was a country because the island chooses its own government. He added that he would be happy to shake the hand of his Chinese opposite number, Wang Yi, in friendship. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Taiwan had never been a country. "The relevant remarks only reveal that certain somebody's arrogance and ignorance, and they are naked provocations for Taiwan independence," she said. "The future of Taiwan can only be decided by the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots, and China will and must be reunified eventually, which is a historical trend that no force can stop." Taiwan's formal name is the Republic of China, the name of the government which in 1949 fled to the island after losing a bloody civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who established the People's Republic of China. Taipei says Beijing has no right to speak for the island nor claim it as its own. In a video released on Thursday by his office, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told military officers that "precious" freedom and democracy must be guarded by strength and constant vigilance. "Freedom and democracy are not gifts that fall from the sky; they are the fruits of the perseverance and sacrifice of generations of courageous people," he said, in footage filmed on Friday when Lai was visiting the armed forces in southern Taiwan. Lai, who China describes as a "separatist", is this week marking one year since he took office. China has rebuffed repeated offers from him for talks. (Reporting by Laurie Chen; Writing and additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Kate Mayberry)

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Thecivil war in Myanmar,maritimedisputes in the South China SeaandU.S. tariff hikeswill top the agenda of a two-day Southeast Asian summit next week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said. The meeting in Malaysia, the current chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, on Monday will be followed by a summit on Tuesday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The GCC already has strong links with the U.S. and "wants to be close to China too," Anwar said. "We want to have that synergy to enhance trade investments, more effective collaboration," Anwar said in a media briefing late Wednesday. ASEAN countries have been hit byU.S. tariffs ranging from 10% to 49%.U.S. PresidentDonald Trumplast month announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs, prompting countries including Malaysia and Singapore to swiftly begin trade negotiations with Washington. Anwar said the U.S. has promised to review Malaysia's case "sympathetically." He said ASEAN is also working together to see how it can negotiate with the U.S. as a bloc. At the same time, he said that ASEAN must build its economic resilience by deepening links with other partners such as China, India and the European Union. Anwar said the U.S.-China rivalry would not split the bloc as the region continues to engage both superpowers. He also downplayed territorial disputes between ASEAN members and China in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety, and Myanmar's conflict since the 2021 military takeover. Anwar met last month with Myanmar military chief Gen. Ming Aung Hlaing in Bangkok and held virtual talks with the opposition National Unity Government. Even though the talks were currently focused on humanitarian aid, Anwar said he hopes they could eventually push a peace process forward. Min Aung Hlaing has been barred from attending ASEAN meetings after the military refused to comply with ASEAN's peace plan, which includes delivery of humanitarian aid and negotiations. Opponents and critics of the military government say aid is not freely allowed into areas not under the army's control, and accuse the army of violating its self-declared ceasefire with dozens of airstrikes.

If you're stuck on today's Wordle answer, we're here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle 1433 ahead.Let's start with a few hints. There are three vowels out of the five letters in the word today. Today's Wordle begins with a consonant. Yes, there are double letters in today's Wordle. Marching band members know these music sheet holders well. They're great for holding any kind of paper, though. OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!Related:16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 HoursWe'll have the answer below this friendly reminder ofhow to play the game.SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed. Today's Wordle answer on Thursday, May 22, 2025, is FOLIO.How'd you do?Up Next:-Catch Up on Other Wordle Answers From This Week-Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT's 'Mini Crossword' Puzzle

PARIS (AP) — The moment that changed queer history occurred on a sweltering summer day in early 1950s Algeria. An effeminate teenage boy named Jean-Pierre Pruvot stood mesmerized as traffic halted and crowds swarmed around a scandalous spectacle unfolding in the conservative Algiers streets. All had stopped to look at Coccinelle, the flamboyant "transvestite" star of Paris' legendary cabaret, the Carrousel de Paris, who strutted defiantly down the boulevard, impeccably dressed as a woman, sparking awe and outrage and literally stopping traffic. What Pruvot — who would become famous under the female stage name "Bambi" — witnessed was more than mere performance. It was an act of resistance from the ashes of the Nazipersecution of the LGBTQ+ communityin World War II. "I didn't even know that (identity) existed," Bambi told The Associated Press in a rare interview. "I said to myself, 'I'm going to do the same.'" Decades before transgender became a household word and "RuPaul's Drag Race" became aworldwide hit— before visibility brought rights and recognition — the Carrousel troupe in the late 1940s emerged as a glamorous, audacious resistance. Bambi soon joined Coccinelle, April Ashley, and Capucine to revive queer visibility in Europe for the first time since the Nazis had violently destroyed Berlin's thriving queer scene of the 1930s. The Nazis branded gay men with pink triangles, deported and murdered thousands, erasing queer culture overnight. Just a few years after the war, Carrousel performers strode onto the global stage, a glittering frontline against lingering prejudice. Remarkably, audiences at the Carrousel knew exactly who these performers were — women who, as Bambi puts it, "would bare all." Elvis Presley, Ava Gardner, Édith Piaf, Maria Callas and Marlene Dietrich all flocked to the cabaret, drawn to the allure of performers labeled "travestis." The stars sought out the Carrousel to flirt with postwar Paris's wild side. It was an intoxicating contradiction: cross-dressing was criminalized, yet the venue was packed with celebrities. The history of queer liberation shifted in this cabaret, one sequin at a time. The contrast was chilling: as Bambi arrived in Paris and found fame dancing naked for film stars, across the English Channel in early 1950s Britain the code-breaking geniusAlan Turingwas chemically castrated for being gay, leading to his suicide. Evenings spent with legends Today, nearing 90, Marie-Pierre Pruvot — as she has been known for decades by some — lives alone in an unassuming apartment in northeastern Paris. Her bookshelves spill over with volumes of literature and philosophy. A black feather boa, a lone whisper from her glamorous past, hangs loosely over a chair. Yet Bambi wasn't just part of the show; she was the show — with expressive almond-shaped eyes, pear-shaped face, and beauty indistinguishable from any desired Parisienne. Yet one key difference set her apart — a difference criminalized by French law. The depth of her history only becomes apparent as she points to striking and glamorous photographs and recounts evenings spent with legends. Such was their then-fame that the name of Bambi's housemate, Coccinelle, became slang for "trans" in Israel — often cruelly. Once Dietrich, the starry queer icon, arrived at the tiny Madame Arthur cabaret alongside Jean Marais, the actor and Jean Cocteau's gay lover. "It was packed," Bambi recalled. "Jean Marais instantly said, 'Sit (me and Marlene) on stage' And so they were seated onstage, legs crossed, champagne by their side, watching us perform." Another day, Dietrich swept in to a hair salon. "Marlene always had this distant, untouchable air — except when late for the hairdresser," Bambi says, smiling. "She rushed in, kissed the hairdresser, settled beneath the dryer, stretched her long legs imperiously onto a stool, and lit a cigarette. Her gaunt pout as she smoked — I'll never forget it," she says, her impression exaggerated as she sucked in her cheeks. Perhaps Dietrich wasn't her favorite star. Then there was Piaf, who, one evening, teasingly joked about her protégé, the French singing legendCharles Aznavour, performing nearby. "She asked, 'What time does Aznavour start?'" Bambi recalled. "Someone said, 'Midnight.' So she joked, 'Then it'll be finished by five past midnight.'" Reassignment surgery Behind the glamour lay constant danger. Living openly as a woman was illegal. "There was a police decree," Bambi recalls. "It was a criminal offense for a man to dress as a woman. But if you wore pants and flat shoes, you weren't considered dressed as a woman." The injustice was global. Homosexuality remained criminalized for decades: in Britain until 1967, in parts of the U.S. until 2003. Progress came slowly. In 1950s Paris, though, Bambi bought hormones casually over-the-counter, "like salt and pepper at the grocery." "It was much freer then," but stakes were high, she said. Sisters were jailed, raped, driven into sex work. One comrade died after botched gender reassignment surgery in Casablanca. "There was only Casablanca," she emphasized, with one doctor performing the high-risk surgeries. Bambi waited cautiously until her best friends, Coccinelle and April Ashley, had safely undergone procedures from the late 50s before doing the same herself. Each night required extraordinary courage. Post-war Paris was scarred, haunted. The Carrousel wasn't mere entertainment — but a fingers' up to the past in heels and eyeliner. "There was this after-the-war feeling — people wanted to have fun," Bambi recalled. With no television, the cabarets were packed every night. "You could feel it — people demanded to laugh, to enjoy themselves, to be happy. They wanted to live again … to forget the miseries of the war." In 1974, sensing a shift, Bambi quietly stepped away from celebrity, unwilling to become "an aging showgirl." Swiftly obtaining legal female identity in Algeria, she became a respected teacher and Sorbonne scholar, hiding her dazzling past beneath Marcel Proust and careful anonymity for decades. 'I never wore a mask' Given what she's witnessed, or because of it, she's remarkably serene about recent controversies around gender. This transgender pioneer feels wokeism has moved too quickly, fueling a backlash. She sees U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpas part of "aglobal reactionagainst wokeism… families aren't ready… we need to pause and breathe a little before moving forward again." Inclusive pronouns and language "complicate the language," she insists. Asked about Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's anti-transstance, her response is calmly dismissive: "Her opinion counts no more than a baker's or a cleaning lady's." Bambi has outlived her Carrousel sisters — April Ashley, Capucine, and Coccinelle. Still elegant, she stands quietly proud. When she first stepped onstage, the world lacked the language to describe her. She danced anyway. Now, words exist. Rights exist. Movements exist. And Bambi, still standing serenely, quietly reaffirms her truth: "I never wore a mask," she says softly, but firmly. "Except when I was a boy."