Openly gay comedian Jessica Kirson has issued a public apology after performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, a nation where homosexuality remains illegal and punishable by imprisonment or death. Kirson told The Hollywood Reporter that her decision to participate “has weighed heavily” on her conscience, saying she now “deeply regrets” performing under a government that “continues to violate fundamental human rights.”
During ESPN’s broadcast of the WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, analyst and WNBA veteran Rebecca Lobo apologized on-air after saying, “That’s what makes America great.” The remark came in response to a review call by officials with which Lobo disagreed.
Families who lost loved ones during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal are rallying behind Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense.
Los Angeles County is grappling with five major wildfires that have consumed over 27,000 acres, destroyed nearly 2,000 structures, and displaced over 130,000 residents under evacuation orders.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of shooting down Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, which crash-landed in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Christmas Day. The incident claimed the lives of 38 passengers and crew out of the 67 onboard. Aliyev alleged that evidence points to Russian surface-to-air missiles as the cause, though he clarified there is no indication the attack was intentional.
On Thursday, Oklahoma executed Kevin Ray Underwood, the man convicted of murdering 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin in 2006, despite attempts by his defense team to blame the horrific crime on autism and mental health issues. Underwood, who turned 45 on the day of his execution, was pronounced dead after being administered lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
George Stephanopoulos, the prominent host of This Week on ABC News, may be out of a job after a defamation settlement involving former President Donald Trump. The deal, authorized by Disney CEO Bob Iger, includes a $15 million payout to Trump, plus an additional $1 million to cover Trump’s legal fees. This settlement stems from a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump earlier this year after Stephanopoulos inaccurately claimed that Trump was “found liable for rape” in the E. Jean Carroll case.
ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump for $16 million, according to court filings made public Saturday.
