Joe On Firing Of AG Sally Yates: Using The Word "Betrayed" Is Frightening | Morning Joe | MSNBC
Not many people know what its like to publicly say no to the most powerful man in the world, who also happens to be your boss.
sally yates does. on monday, Yates, a holdover from the Obama administration, refused to defend President Trumps controversial refugee and immigrant ban. Hours later, he fired her from her post as acting attorney general.
William Ruckelshaus also knows what its like.
He was deputy attorney general in 1973 when he refused an order from President Nixon to fire the special prosecutor who was investigating Watergate.
In my judgment the decision to fire Archibald c*x was fundamentally wrong, as far as the president was concerned, Ruckelshaus, 84, who lives in Medina, said in a phone interview Monday night. I couldnt in good conscience do it.
Ruckelshaus and Attorney General Elliot Richardson were both fired the night of Oct. 20, 1973, which became known as the Saturday Night Massacre.
Ruckelshaus recognizes the parallels between the two situations. Both he and Yates were asked to carry out a presidential order and refused. In Ruckelshaus case, however, he was asked by the president to thwart an investigation into the president. Yates was only asked to defend the presidents policy in court.
Ruckelshaus, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, says he doesnt know enough about the specifics to judge Yates actions, but it comes down to that concept of fundamentally wrong.
Just because you dont get your way with the president doesnt necessarily mean you refuse to take his orders, refuse to carry out his commands, he said. What Ive seen on television is theyre mostly arguing the legal points, and for me thats not as important as whether, under all the circumstances involved, she was asked to do something that she believed was fundamentally wrong. I dont know that.
Disobeying the president isnt an action to take lightly.
The president, after all, is elected; you werent, Ruckelshaus said. Whether or not hes carrying out the wishes of the people that elected him is a matter of some (debate), you could argue about that.
Ruckelshaus knew the moment he defied Nixon he would be fired. Hed sent a letter of resignation along with his refusal to fire c*x. That night, Nixons chief of staff announced Ruckelshaus was fired. The next day Nixon announced Ruckelshaus had resigned.
Depending on your point of view, I was both fired and resigned, he said.
Yates firing was not a surprise to him.
If he ordered her to carry out one of his orders, and she refused to do it, he doesnt have an awful lot of choices if he wants the order carried out, Ruckelshaus said.
Ruckelshaus, who has voted Democratic since President Obamas first election, had one bit of advice for Trump.
I would just, without being too effrontery about it, caution the president to exercise a little more care in these types of orders, he said.
Because they can end this way, and that doesnt help him discharging his responsibilities.
John Mayer - You"re Gonna Live Forever in Me (Audio)
It may still be cold outside, but the rock concert thaw has begun.
John mayer will bring his world tour to madison Square Garden on April 5, as he rolls out music from his upcoming The Search for Everything one wave at a time. The first EP of songs, including the hit Love on the Weekend, has already topped the charts. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Ticketmaster.
Mayers pal Eric Clapton has decided to add another run of 50th anniversary shows at Madison Square Garden following the overwhelming demand for his shows there on March 19 and 20. Clapton will now also play The Garden on Sept. 7 and 8, with tickets going on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through Ticketmaster.
PhotosMadison Square Garden concertsCONCERT DATESLukas Graham and more upcoming LI, NYC showsPhotos13 sites offering discounted, free LI, NYC tickets
Jones Beach Theater has also added a string of rock shows for this summer, including Steve Miller Band with Peter Frampton (June 17), Kings of Leon (Aug. 1) and Deep Purple & Alice Cooper (Aug. 26). Tickets for those shows go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Live Nation.
WARNING: Some would classify the images in this post as NSFW. If you"re offended by nudity or don"t feel comfortable having it on your screen at work, read this instead.
conan exiles lets you play with yourself like no other game has.
Like most RPG-flavored video games, Conan Exiles includes a robust set of options for character customization. But there"s one category where this character creator differs: the "endowment" slider.
For male characters, the slider tweaks the size of your twig and berries, ranging from a micropenis to a Magnum-filling flesh rope. For female characters, it"s a b**b slider.
Observe the male slider in action (with thanks to PC Gamer).
Conan Exiles is an open world survival game, in the vein of past releases like H1Z1, DayZ and Rust. The last of those also famously does some fun things with in-game penises.
The Conan game is still in early access, meaning what you can buy right now is unfinished and still in active development. We may well see an expansion of the game"s character creator in the coming months.
There"s never been anything quite like this "endowment slider" in other games. The closest the industry has come was with Saint"s Row: The Third"s clothing-covered "s*x appeal" slider. Rust treated the player"s package as a randomly generated asset and other games such as Soulcalibur V have given players the tools to cheat their way to testicular greatness, but nothing so overt as this.
If Joaquin El Chapo Guzman thinks hes going to escape from an American prison like he did from a Mexican penitentiary, hes got another thing coming, a federal official said Friday.
I can assure you no tunnel will be built leading to his bathroom, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Angel Melendez announced during a press conference at Brooklyn Federal Court.
Melendez was referring to Guzmans infamous 2015 Houdini-like escape from a Mexican maximum-security prison when he rode a motorcycle on a track through a tunnel after he slipped out of his cell through a hole he carved in the bathroom. He was recaptured after six months on the lam.
At the press conference, Eastern District U.S. Attorney Robert Capers said that Brooklyn was the best venue for Guzman to be tried for his multitude of crimes despite the fact that the kingpin has been indicted in several other jurisdictions from coast to coast.
When asked by a reporter why Brooklyn was chosen over other jurisdictions, Capers fired back, Because its Brooklyn! prompting laughter from everyone in the room.
Sorry, I couldnt pass that up, Capers said, adding, There were several multi-ton seizures of narcotics, heroine, cocaine and methamphetamine that occurred here in this district.
Another reporter asked whether Sean Penn would be called as a witness. The Hollywood star interviewed Guzman for Rolling Stone magazine while the drug lord was still on the lam in 2015.
Capers didnt deny that Penn might make a cameo at the trial, saying only that more than 40 witnesses will be called to testify.
Guzman will be arraigned Friday afternoon in Brooklyn Federal Court on a 17-count indictment charging him with money laundering and the manufacturing and distribution of cocaine, heroin and other deadly drugs.
a screen shows el Chapos involvement in the United States.Paul Martinka
He was extradited to New York on Thursday night, flying under heavily armed guard in a military plane to Macarthur airport on Long Island.
If convicted, Guzman faces life in prison.
Melendez said he and other top federal officials were present when El Chapo was hauled off the plane at Macarthur Airport. He provided reporters with a vivid account of the now diminished drug lord.
As he deplaned, the most notorious criminal of modern times, as you looked into his eyes, you could see surprise, you could see shock and to a certain extent, you could actually see the fear as the realization started to kick in that hes about to face American justice, Melendez said.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge William Sweeney said at the presser that Guzman ruled with an iron fist in Mexico creating a worldwide empire using murder intimidation and bribery to remain at the top.
AMD today made available a new set of ReLive drivers, version 17.1.2. They"re primarily aimed at Radeon graphics card owners who plan on playing early builds of Conan Exiles, which hits Steam early access tomorrow, and Ghost Recon Wildlands, which kicks off its closed beta on February 3.
You won"t find any reference to conan exiles or Ghost Recon Wildands in the release notes, though AMD told us directly that the new drivers add support for both games. They also contain stability improvements and over a dozen bug fixes. Here is a look at them all:
AMD FreeSync technology may experience performance issues with Borderless Fullscreen application support when a secondary display is attached and has dynamic content running such as video playback in a web browser or if other applications or game launchers are running on the primary screen in the background. A workaround if this issue is experienced is to minimize all other running applications that are on the primary desktop display or on non-primary extended displays.
Radeon ReLive may fail to install during installation on some system configurations.
Battlefield 1 may experience flashing or corruption when running in Multi GPU with Radeon RX 400 series.
Instant Replay fails to enable itself after it has been turned off due to content protection.
Radeon Settings may not load on system boot for some system configurations.
Fixed some errors in translations for Radeon Settings and Radeon ReLive.
Audio recorded by Radeon ReLive may sometimes exhibit slow motion when played back.
Radeon ReLive may experience recording issues or issues toggling the Overlay/Toolbar when Frame Rate Target Control is enabled. Users are suggested to disable Frame Rate Target Control when using Radeon ReLive.
Mouse cursor may stutter in recorded video when there is limited on screen activity outside of minor mouse movement.
In AMD Multi GPU configurations the secondary graphics product will exit the low power state when Radeon ReLive is enabled.
Radeon ReLive may sometimes not be able to take screenshots of secondary displays.
Chromium may fail to utilize hybrid decode for VP9 content.
DOTA 2 may experience game corruption when performing a task switch while recording with Radeon ReLive in AMD Multi GPU configurations.
Radeon ReLive Overlay/Toolbar will not launch or Record when running League of Legends in Administrator Mode and Windowed Borderless Fullscreen.
Long ping times may be experienced with some WiFi adapters.
There are just as many known issues, some of which are specific to ReLive"s features. One of the bigger issues that AMD is working to resolve is that the Xbox DVR application can conflict with ReLive. If you"re running into that issue, AMD suggests disabling Xbox DVR for now as it works on a fix.
AMD is also aware of an issue where flicking is present on extended ReLive recordings that last for several hours.
First Take - Lebron James RIPS Apart Charles Barkley Attacking Him Personally
The Phoenix Suns finally made their 2016-17 national television debut Monday night.
That, in itself, isnt a bad thing.
Of course, it meant a late start time 8:45 p.m. local time, meaning basketball fans on the east coast would likely stick with the contest as long as it was a good game.
It wasnt.
The Suns lost their fourth straight game, 115-96, but the final score wasnt exactly indicative of the flow of the game. Memphis, who shot a blistering 57 percent (16-of-28) from three-point range, led by as many as 30 points in the second half.
Posible FUGA de "El Chapo" Guzman en EU en vivo parte 1
Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman arrives at Long Island MacArthur airport in New York, January 19, 2017, after his extradition from Mexico. Reuters
Sinaloa cartel chief Joaqun "El Chapo" Guzmn has spent much of the last three years locked up in Mexico, jail time that culminated in his extradition to the US in January.
While those stints in Mexican prison ostensibly took Guzmn out of the picture, his presence, and influence, still loomed over the country"s narco landscape.
Now, however, with Guzmn in the USfor good, a new dose of uncertainty has been injected into relations between Mexico"s cartels, and with Guzmn out of the way, a new round of drug-related violence seems likely.
The Jalisco New Generation cartel, a relatively new cartel that blossomed from a former Sinaloa cartel factionand has never shied from violence during its rapid expansion, seems likely to seize on the moment.
Over the last two years, the CJNG, its initials in Spanish, has challenged the Sinaloa cartel in parts of Mexico, including in Tijuana, the crown jewel in Mexico"s drug-trafficking businesses.
The Sinaloa cartel "is still strong," Mike Vigil, the former chief of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration, told Business Insider in the days after Guzmn"s extradition, and the cartel"s horizontal structure, which has allowed it to endure personnel changes, may also help it survive in the near term.
Nemesio Oseguera, aka "El Mencho," the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. Screenshot
"But I think that Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," from the New Generation cartel, will perceive it as weakness," Vigil said, "and one of the things that Mencho wants to do is he wants to control the drug routes along the 2,000-mile border" between the US and Mexico.
Oseguera "needs to control as much of that area as he possibly can," saidVigil, author of "Metal Coffins: The Blood Alliance Cartel."
"They may decide to go on an all-out offensive on the Sinaloa cartel now that Chapo is no longer in the country," he told AFP.
In addition to Tijuana, where the CJNG"s partnership with an old Sinaloa cartel foe haspushed violence in Baja California to new highs, the CJNG and Sinaloa cartels are clashing elsewhere in the country.
In tiny Colima state, on Mexico"s west coast, the Sinaloa cartel reportedly showed up in late 2015, partnering with remnants of another cartel to challenge the CJNG for control of the state"s port and trafficking routes in the area. Since then, drug-related violence has pushed the body count in the state to new heights.
Colima"s homicide rate rose from just under 14 per 100,000 people in 2014 to over 23 per 100,000 in 2015. It then nearly quadrupled in 2016, hitting 81.55 per 100,000, nearly five times the national rate.
Mexican government data
Both groups appear to be involved in violence in Veracruz, on Mexico"s Gulf coast.
In that state, where the CJNG made a significant push several years ago, Vigil said, a panoply of cartels is vying for control over the state"s large port, which facilitates the import of precursor chemicals for synthetic drugs, as well as over the smuggling routes that criss-cross the state.
Recent violence in Quintana Roo, in Mexico"s far southeast, has also cast light on another area of CJNG-Sinaloa competition.
While two recent shootings don"t appear to have involved Sinaloa and CJNG, they were the latest in a series of violent events that CJNG and Sinaloa have contributed to.
As with the CJNG"s advance on Tijuana, its designs on Quintana Roo, home to tourist hotspots of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, are likely part of its north-south expansion efforts, as the statehas long been a major transshipment point for drugs coming from South America destined for the US.
The CJNG and the Sinaloa cartel also have home turf in adjacent parts of Mexico"s west coast. The Sinaloa cartel emerged from and remains dominant in Sinaloa state, while the CJNG has its stronghold in Jalisco, farther south.
Their geographical proximity and growing conflict appeared to come to a head in August last year, when at least one of Guzmn"s sons was kidnapped from an upscale restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, which is in Jalisco state.
Guzmn"s son was released unharmed several days later, and while that kidnapping appears to have been orchestrated by low-level members of the CJNG, the incident shows that the Jalisco cartel is within striking distance of the Sinaloa cartel.
Footage of gunmen entering a Puerto Vallarta restaurant during the kidnapping of "El Chapo" Guzmn"s son, August 2016. Omar Gonzalez/YouTube
In addition to external threats, internal clashes seem be a threat to the Sinaloa cartel"s stability and cohesion, and in turn to the security of the areas it operates in.
Despite his prominence, Guzmn was not the only Sinaloa cartel leader. Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada andJuan Jose Esparragoza Moreno, aka "El Azul" both reclusive and the latter rumored to be dead have long been considered Guzmn"s peers at the top of the cartel.
Now Zambada andGuzmn"s sons are believed to be vying for control, reportedly competing with Guzmn"s brother for control of Sinaloa state itself.
Zambada "continues being the principal director of the [Sinaloa] federation and he is the most important narco in Mexico," Mexican security analyst Alejandro Hope told El Pas in October, "but right now it is not known what is his position" in the cartel.
Screenshot via D.E.A
"I still say that Ismael "Mayo" Zambada has literally been running the Sinaloa cartel," Vigil told Business Insider after Guzmn"s extradition.
"This conflict (between the cartels) will continue," Hope told AFP. "But it could accelerate with an internal conflict."
According to security officials who spoke with Mexican news site El Debate, Guzmn"s sons appear to be the cartel"s current leaders, but Aureliano Guzmn Loera, aka El Guano, their uncle and Guzmn"s brother, actually has the most power within the cartel.
El Guano is considered most violent and reportedly controls several key territories in Sinaloa state, including the La Tuna municipality, where Guzmn was born and where his mother lives.
He was reportedly involved in an ambush on September 30 that left five Mexican soldiers dead.
That attack is now thought to be an effort by Zambada"s faction to stir up trouble in territory control by Guzmn"s sons, his rivals for control of the cartel.
Other former Sinaloa members and former allies have taken aim at the cartel in recent months as well, likely emboldened by Guzmn"s arrest.
While the CJNG looks set to grow in power, and may perhaps soon eclipse Guzmn"s organization, the Sinaloa cartel"s internal disputes, which have boiled over into bloodyconfrontations in recent months, may be the most proximate cause of the cartel"s eventual demise.
Internal rivals, like external foes, are all likely to see Guzmn"s extradition, as well as the continued uncertainty aboutfigures like Zambada, as opportunities to pursue control, which is sure to escalate the violence.
"So there some internal dissension, and a lot of that is driven by like plaza bosses that are not happy, and then you have "Mayo" Zambada and then you have "Chapo" Guzman"s sons, and they"re all vying for power," Vigil told Business Insider. "So unless something breaks, the disintegration of Sinaloa, if you will, will not be external. It will be internal."
RADFORD, Va. (WDBJ7) It"s been a historic week on Wall Street. The Dow Jones is above 20,000 for the first time.
Investors are calling this a "Trump rally" after the new administration started forming its agenda. Some say it"s the anticipation of the new president"s promises to encourage more business friendly policies.
"Certainly the business community did think that regulations had grown quite a bit over the last eight years or so," said Steven Beach, Radford University"s associate dean of the College of Business and Economics.
He says fewer regulations on businesses is more positive for the economy.
Change in the administration is being mirrored in the stocks. Just this week President Trump signed executive orders to revise trade agreements - at the same time the Dow rose higher.
"Financials are going to do well generally in an environment where we expect it to be a pro-business, pro-economy administration. Furthermore when we look at it that way we can expect there to be inflation also and that is what"s driving a lot of this," Beach said.
This has impacts on us all, even people not invested in the market place. First, Beach says, it can generate tax revenues that help fund state and federal services. Also, the stock market usually predicts upcoming trends in the economy.
"And if that"s truly the case and it"s correct, then this is a sign that we should expect the economy to be growing," Beach said.
Wall Street is expecting the stock prices to climb higher if investors stay optimistic about the future.
that every single person denied a visa could file a legal claim because they could not enter the U.S. He said such people who fall into this category enjoy no legal benefits.
"The immigration orders were drafted by a team of some of the most qualified, talented lawyers in the USA," Miller said on Monday"s edition of Tucker Carlson Tonight on the FOX News Channel. "I am proud to have the opportunity tonight to stand up for President Trump"s order and to defend the action as lawful, necessary and important."
Miller said the decision to fire acting Attorney General Sally Yates further shows Trump"s cabinet nominees need to be confirmed, namely U.S. Attorney General designate Jeff Sessions.
"It was a betrayal of her office and [Sally Yates] is being replaced with somebody who will enforce the laws of the U.S," Miller announced.
Professor who called Trump election now predicts impeachment
Even as Donald Trump took the oath of office on Jan. 20 and the national conversation turned to foreboding interpretations of his inaugural address, a very different story was unfolding. Two public interest nonprofits launched a campaign to begin an impeachment investigation into the new president.
At issue are Trumps businesses, both at home and abroad, which may result in payments from foreign governments or from the U.S. or state governments. Thats something many legal scholars believe is explicitly forbidden by a clause in the U.S. Constitution that reads:
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
The two groups, Free Speech for People and RootsAction, have a website (impeachdonaldtrumpnow.org) with model legislation they want to see introduced in Congress, as well as a petition and a host of other ways to take action. I spoke with John Bonifaz, co-founder and president of Free Speech for People, to learn more about the campaign. Bonifaz is an attorney and political activist specializing in constitutional law and voting rights. Hes based in Amherst, Massachusetts.
James Trimarco: Whats the emoluments clause?
John Bonifaz: There are two emoluments clauses in the U.S. Constitution. The Foreign Emoluments Clause makes clear that the president or any other elected official shall not receive any gifts or payments from foreign governments. Thats there because we want our elected officials, including the president, to be beholden to the people of the United States and not to foreign governments.
Its clear with Donald Trumps business empire all over the world144 businesses in 25 countries that he either owns or receives licensing income fromthat he has foreign payments coming to his business on a regular basis. He also has debts to many of those foreign countries. He has a nearly $1billion debt to the Sovereign Bank of China, the state-owned bank of China.
He has a nearly $1billion debt to the Sovereign Bank of China.
The second emoluments clause is the Domestic Emoluments Clause, which applies solely to the president and makes clear that he or she shall not benefit from any gifts from the federal government or from state governments and that the salary alone is what the president shall receive. Thats because we do not want a president whos serving his or her own personal financial interests in carrying out the duties of the presidency.
Trump is in violation of that one, too. For example, he has received $885million in tax breaks since 1980 from the New York state government for his businesses there. If he continues to get those and other tax breaksand he willthose are essentially gifts from the states to the president.
And then, when he makes decisions on behalf of the federal government that benefit his business, hes created a conflict of interest.
If he decides, as has been reported, to overhaul the executive order that the Obama administration issued on overtime pay, that will directly benefit the bottom line profit of his businesses at the expense of workers. That is an example of a policy that is clouded by a conflict of interest.
The emoluments clauses are anti-corruption provisions in the Constitution and this new president is in direct violation of them. These violations are impeachable offenses.
Trimarco: Is there any historical precedent for a president being in violation of these clauses?
Bonifaz: There have been findings in the past of presidents who have taken gifts and been seen as in violation of the Foreign Emoluments Clausebut not in recent times. This is an unprecedented situation in modern American history, where we have someone so flagrantly violating both of these clauses in the Constitution.
The reason is that for decades, before they took the oath of office, presidents have divested from their businesses and put those assets in a blind trust. Jimmy Carter famously sold his peanut farm. And this president has been warned repeatedly that he, in fact, needed to do that before he took the Oval Office, or he would be in violation of the Foreign Emoluments Clause on day one. And yet, he decided not to.
His refusal to fully divest from his business means hes on the road to an impeachment investigation.
Hes come up with a so-called plan to address it, which involves his two sons running the company. But he still owns the company. So this has not been remedied in any way whatsoever. What is happening here is we have a president who is treating the office of the presidency like a profit-making enterprise. The president is a public servant, and Mr. Trump does not seem to understand that basic concept.
At this point, he can either resign the office of the presidency and resume his role as a businessman, or he can face impeachment. But his refusal to fully divest from his business means hes on the road to an impeachment investigation.
Trimarco: When it comes to the campaign that your group, Free Speech for People, is doing together with RootsAction, what steps have you taken so far?
Bonifaz: We launched this campaign with RootsAction on the day Trump took office. Were already past the 200,000 point in petition signatures. I expect those numbers to grow exponentially as people learn about this campaign and learn about these direct violations of the Constitution.
We anticipate that a member of Congress will step forward and have the courage to introduce our proposed resolution, which formally starts the impeachment process with the call for an impeachment investigation.
That resolution will have to be approved by members of Congress. And we recognize that there are Republicans who will need to come on board with this resolution. But as time goes forward, and more and more evidence comes forward as to the defiance that this president exhibits toward the Constitution, I think there will be Republicans who are willing to step forward.
Trimarco: I saw a story on Breitbart that claimed that there were connections between this campaign and George Soros Open Society Foundation. How do you respond to that criticism?
Bonifaz: Theres no connection whatsoever. It is a fiction. Free Speech for People has received a total of $25,000 from the Open Society Fund, which we received in 2015 to support a symposium we were doing on money in politics at Loyola Law School. Free Speech for People is not a major recipient of funding from the Open Society Foundation; that is the only grant we have received from them. I am not aware of RootsAction being a major recipient of Open Society funding. Im not talking to staff at the Open Society Foundation. I have no idea whether they support this or not.
Trimarco: If there are readers who want to get involved in this, what are some of the steps you would suggest?
Bonifaz: We have on our Take Action page on the website a number of ways for people to get involved. The first way is to sign the petition. Then share it with friends and networks to spread the word about this campaign, to post it on Facebook and Twitter, to send it around to your friends and neighbors. We also are urging people to call their members of Congress and urge that they introduce this resolution oronce its already been introducedto support the impeachment investigation.
Right now our strategy is to get this moving right away.
We have on our website in that section a draft model resolution that we urge people to get passed in their local communities. Go before your city council, or county commission, or state government, and get your community on record calling for this impeachment investigation to begin in the House of Representatives. We need the support financially of people from around the country to help lift up this campaign, to do this organizing, legal, and communications work.
Trimarco: Do you feel this would be more likely to pass through the Judiciary Committee if the House were to flip to the Democrats in 2018? Is that part of your strategy?
Bonifaz: Right now our strategy is to get this moving right away. Waiting two years is not acceptable. This is a president who is flagrantly in violation of the Constitution from day one. He needs to face these impeachment charges now, not two years down the road.
I have to say that, with respect to the skeptics who say theres no way this could get through the House of Representativesthere were plenty of people who thought there was no way Donald Trump would be the nominee for the Republican Party. There were plenty of people in this country who thought there was no way he could win the election. So we are living in unprecedented times. For people who care about our democracy and our Constitution and want to defend our republic, at this point that means moving forward with impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
James Marsden"s scary horseback riding moment in "Westworld"
Excitement is building for Green Lantern Corps, a movie that promises to give us not one but two Green Lanterns in what"s been teased as "Lethal Weapon in space". In terms of casting the most famous Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, fans are tossing around names like Tom Cruise, Joel McHale, Armie Hammer, Jake Gyllenhaal, and even Ryan Reynolds! But one report indicates a veteran superhero actor could well be in for the role...
Meet James Marsden
A seasoned actor, #JamesMarsden made his superhero debut in 2000"s X-Men, where he was cast as Cyclops. He played the role through the first #XMen trilogy, but it"s not really viewed as his best work; he was only really given a chance to show his acting skills in the last film, when Jean Grey"s resurrection brought the repressed Cyclops"s emotions to the surface. Unfortunately for Marsden, that was also the scene where his character was killed off!
The problem, you see, was that like Bryan Singer himself Marsden had been drawn to another project: Superman Returns. This was really Marsden"s breakout role, as he played Lois Lane"s fiance, who had to deal with the return of the Man of Steel - and the fact his fiance was in love with Superman! He was soon taking on major roles in films like Hairspray and Enchanted.
A very different James Marsden in "Enchanted". [Credit: Disney]
#Westworld has given Marsden"s career another boost. Marsden played Teddy Flood, a major figure in the sci-fi drama, and right now the sun is shining on all things Westworld. Superhero fans may not have been impressed with marsden"s performance in x-men, but in the years since, he"s proven himself to have real star caliber. Personally, I think he"d play a great Hal Jordan.
How Likely is This?Hal Jordan. [Credit: DC Comics]
Warner Bros. is undoubtedly considering a whole range of options for the role of Hal Jordan, one of the two stars of Green Lantern Corps. Trying to confirm the initial reports about the casting shortlist from The Wrap, We Got This Covered reached out to sources inside Warner Bros. - and they named James Marsden.
"Ive heard one more name, too. Ever since Westworld Marsden has been pretty hot around here. Theyve discussed him for Hal as well."
Now, it"s worth noting that this is one unconfirmed report, and that according to this, Marsden"s name is only being "discussed". In truth, Warner Bros. will only be at the first stage of casting right now throwing out names to see which ones fit. What"s more, the studio won"t just be considering actors in isolation; Green Lantern Corps has two stars, not just the one, and the dynamic between these two actors is what will really sell the role.
Green Lantern John Stewart. [Credit: DC Comics]
This is where I think Marsden shines. He"s proven that he can build strong rapport with his co-stars Superman Returns, Enchanted and Westworld all demonstrated that. His star is on the ascendant after Westworld, and he"d pretty much be a perfect fit for this kind of partnership movie.
See also:
Of course, right now this is only an interesting rumor. In my view, James Marsden is easily due for a return to the superhero genre; although his experience with the X-Men franchise wasn"t the best, he"s an actor of far greater caliber than that role demonstrates. He proved that on Westworld, and I for one hope he gets the chance to prove it as Hal Jordan as well!
Do you want James Marsden to play Hal Jordan in "Green Lantern Corps"?
(Source: We Got This Covered; Poll Image Credit: DC Comics)
MOSQUE SHOOTING - QUEBEC CITY - 5 DEAD - TRUDEAU IMMIGRATION - TRUMP MUSLIM BAN
QUEBEC CITY (AP) A shooting at a Quebec City mosque during evening prayers left six people dead and eight others wounded in an attack that Canadas prime minister called an act of terrorism. Police arrested two suspects.
More than 50 people were at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre when the shooting erupted Sunday night. Some of the wounded were gravely injured, Quebec provincial police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe said early Monday. The dead ranged in age from age 35 to 70, she said, and 39 people were unharmed.
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One suspect was arrested at the scene and another nearby in dOrleans, and police said they did not believe there were other suspects. Police didnt release names of the suspects or give a possible motive.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard both characterized the attack as a terrorist act, which came amid heightened tensions worldwide over President Donald Trumps travel ban on several Muslim countries.
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We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a center of worship and refuge, Trudeau said in a statement. It is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence. Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear.
Boston police boost security around mosques
No known threat has been issued against Boston mosques in the wake of the terror attack in Quebec City.
Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country, he said.
Canada is generally very welcoming toward immigrants and all religions, but the French-speaking province of Quebec has had a long-simmering debate about race and religious accommodation.
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The previous separatist government of the province called for a ban on ostentatious religious symbols such as the hijab in public institutions.
In the summer of 2016 a pigs head was left on the doorstep of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre in the middle of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Practicing Muslims do not eat pork.
The Muslim community was the target of this murderous attack, Couillard said at an early morning news conference. He said solidarity rallies would be held across Quebec on Monday.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume, appearing shaken, said, No person should have to pay with their life, for their race, their color, their sexual orientation or their religious beliefs, Labeaume said.
Cultural Centre President Mohamed Yangui said the shooting in occurred in the mens section of the mosque. He said he wasnt at the center when the attack occurred, but he got some details from people on the scene.
Ali Hamadi said he left the mosque a few minutes before the shooting and said a friend, Abdelkrim Hassen was killed. He said Hassen, who worked in information technology for the government, had three daughters and a wife, whom he had to notify of the death.
quebec city police spokesman Constable Pierre Poirier said the mosque had been evacuated and the situation was under control.
Trudeau had earlier reacted to Trumps visa ban for people from some Muslim-majority countries by tweeting Saturday: To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.
Trudeau also posted a picture of himself greeting a Syrian child at Torontos airport in late 2015. Trudeau oversaw the arrival of more than 39,000 Syrian refugees soon after he was elected.
The mayor of Gatineau, Quebec, near Canadas capital of Ottawa, said there would be an increased police presence at mosques around his city following the attack.
The New York Police Department also said it was stepping up patrols at mosques and other houses of worship.
NYPD is providing additional protection for mosques in the city. All New Yorkers should be vigilant. If you see something, say something, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Twitter.
Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together, de Blasio said in another tweet.
Canadas public safety minister, Ralph Goodale, said on Twitter Sunday that he was deeply saddened by the loss of life. His office said no motive had been confirmed.
Francois Deschamps, an organizer of a refugee-support group in Quebec City, said the motive for Sundays attack was unknown, but right-wing groups are very organized in Quebec City, distributing fliers at the university and plastering stickers around town.
Deschamps said he has received death threats after starting a refugee support group on Facebook and people have posted his address online.
Im not very surprised about the event, Deschamps said. The Canadian Council of Imams said in a statement that Islamophobia has killed innocent Canadians.
We ask all decent people to stand against hatred of Islam and Muslims in any forum, the statement read. Our message to anyone in the Canadian Muslim community who may experience Islamophobia is not to suffer in silence.
Andre Pichette/EPA
Police hung up paper to cordon off the crime scene at the mosque.
Rob Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Sean Farrell in Montreal contributed to this report.
Donald Trump mocks Chuck Schumer for crying "fake tears"
"If the nominee is out of the mainstream, we will do our best to keep the seat open," Schumer, D-New York, told CNN"s Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" of the Supreme Court vacancy that Trump will get a shot at filling after majority Republicans blocked former President Barack Obama"s nominee for a year.
"I"m hopeful that President Trump may nominate someone who is mainstream and could get bipartisan support," Schumer said. "But if they don"t, yes, we will fight it tooth and nail, as long as we have to."
Schumer also said he"ll oppose eight or nine of Trump"s Cabinet nominees, and potentially more.
He specifically said he opposes Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump"s pick for attorney general, and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Trump"s nominee to helm the Environmental Protection Agency.
"We certainly feel that we have to bring to the American people how different this Cabinet is -- how hard-right, how many conflicts of interest, billionaires," schumer said.
his comments come the same day Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham announced they will vote to confirm Trump"s pick for secretary of state, former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson.
"Listen, this wasn"t an easy call. But I also believe that when there"s doubt the president, the incoming president, gets the benefit of the doubt, and that"s the way I"ve treated every president that I"ve had the obligation to vote for or against as a member of the United States Senate," McCain said on ABC"s "This Week."
Graham tweeted shortly after: "I will vote to confirm Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State."
That decision could mean Democrats won"t have the votes to stop Tillerson"s nomination. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has also been on the fence, but Democrats would likely have needed all three -- McCain, Graham and Rubio -- to block Tillerson"s confirmation.
Democrats alone do not have enough votes to sink any of Trump"s nominees, and Schumer noted it will be up to Republican opposition to actually block picks.
Schumer also said he"s worried Trump is "using populist rhetoric to cover up a hard-right agenda."
He criticized Trump"s actions over his first 36 hours as president, complaining to the CIA of media coverage of the size of his inauguration crowd.
"President Trump is now president. He"s not campaigning anymore," Schumer said. "And instead of talking about how many people showed up at his inauguration, he ought to talk about how many people he"s going to bring into the middle class."
John Lynch Is 49ers GM! Free Agents are Next & draft picks, 49ers Fans Weekly meeting
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers made a surprise hire to fill their general manager void Sunday, hiring former NFL safety and Fox television analyst John Lynch to replace Trent Baalke.
Lynch comes into the job with no front-office experience, having gone straight from the playing field to the broadcast booth. But after a lengthy search that included interviews with nine other publicly identified candidates, team CEO Jed York settled on Lynch.
ESPN first reported the deal, saying Lynch had gotten a six-year contract.
After playing for former Niners coach Bill Walsh in college at Stanford, Lynch went on to have a stellar 15-year career with Tampa Bay and Denver that included three All-Pro selections and one Super Bowl title with the Buccaneers. He"s a finalist this year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Since retiring in 2008, Lynch has been an analyst at Fox.
Now he will be tasked to rebuild a once-proud franchise that has fallen from NFC champions in 2012 to a 2-14 record this past season that matched the worst in franchise history. That led to the firing of Baalke and coach Chip Kelly as York set to overhaul the operation after the struggles the past few years.
The 49ers made three straight trips to the NFC title game from 2011-13 under coach Jim Harbaugh, but got rid of him after an 8-8 season in 2014, in part because of a rift with Baalke. Jim Tomsula lasted one year as coach and then Kelly was also fired after one season, leading to this current search.
York said he was open to hiring either the coach or general manager first. He said the primary goal in the search is finding a coach and general manager who can work well together.
All signs point to Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan getting the head coach job. He had a second interview with York this weekend and is the only remaining candidate. He can"t sign a contract with San Francisco until after the Falcons play the Super Bowl next Sunday against New England.
Lynch played for Shanahan"s father, Mike, for four seasons in Denver.
York also gave second interviews this weekend to the two other general manager candidates: Minnesota assistant GM George Paton and Arizona vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough.
But after meeting with them and Shanahan, York decided to go with Lynch for the job. Lynch played the final four years of his career in Denver, where Shanahan"s father, Mike, was head coach.
Lynch will need to rebuild a depleted roster that has few building blocks and holes at nearly every position. The biggest void is at quarterback where Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert both struggled this past season and can leave as free agents in March.
San Francisco has the No. 2 overall draft pick and plenty of salary cap room to make additions.
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Miss France Iris Mittenaere Crowned Miss Universe 2017!
Some of the most beautiful and talented women in the world turned out to compete for the title of Miss Universe on Sunday, and after the pageant came to a close, Miss France Iris Mittenaere went home the victor.
Steve Harvey once again hosted this year"s pageant -- despite his mistake last year when he declared the wrong contestant Miss Universe and then had to redact the announcement minutes later -- but he made sure not to drop the ball two years in a row.
MORE: Miss Universe 2017: Everything You Need to Know!
As Mittenaere"s name was called as this year"s Miss Universe, it seemed clear that the 24-year-old model was shocked to be crowned the winner. She marks the first European Miss Universe since 1990.
Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier, who enthusiastically hugged Mittenaere after she won, was the first runner up, while Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar came in as this year"s second runner up.
Mittenaere, who cried tears of joy as she was given her sash and bouquet, received the coveted crown from outgoing Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach, who represented the Philippines when she won the title last year.
WATCH: Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach Opens Up About "Confusing" Miss Universe Win
Congrats to the new Miss Universe!
For more on last year"s pageant fail and its aftermath, check out the video below.
The Raw and SmackDown Live brands will converge Sunday night for the 2017 Royal Rumble, one of WWE"s four signature pay-per-views each year and the start of the Road to WrestleMania 33.
Royal Rumble begins with a Kickoff Show at 5 p.m. ET and continues with the main card when the pay-per-view begins an hour earlier than usual at 7 p.m. ET live from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Six of WWE"s nine titles will be on the line Sunday -- click here for royal rumble predictions -- and the Royal Rumble match itself features three big names in Goldberg, Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker. With only 22 of the 30 entrants announced, there is also the potential for some big-time surprises in the main event.
How to watch
Kickoff Show -- 5 p.m. ET: WWE Network
Royal Rumble -- 7 p.m. ET: WWE Network or pay-per-view [List of providers]
WWE Network: Web | Apple TV | Roku | Amazon Fire | PlayStation | Xbox | iOS | Android
Royal Rumble matches Participants Match / Title Stipulation(s) 30 entrants* Royal Rumble Over-the-top-rope eliminations Kevin Owens (c) vs. Roman Reigns Universal Championship No disqualifications, shark cage^ AJ Styles (c) vs. John Cena World Championship Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Bayley Women"s Championship (Raw) Rich Swann (c) vs. Neville Cruiserweight Championship Becky Lynch, Nikki Bella, Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Natalya Cesaro & Sheamus (c) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson Tag Team Championship (Raw) Two referees (Kickoff Show) Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax (Kickoff Show) * The Undertaker, Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Dean Ambrose, The Miz, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Big E, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Cesaro, Sheamus, Big Cass, Rusev, Mojo Rawley, Baron Corbin and eight unannounced entrants^ Chris Jericho will hang in a shark cage above the ring during the match.
POLÊMICA! AZEALIA BANKS ataca RIHANNA e elas trocam farpas nas Redes Sociais | HoraPop TV
Had a busy weekend and couldnt keep up with entertainment reports? Heres a roundup of all the biggest stories in music and movies from over the weekend.
Emma Stone grabs Best Actress award at the Screen Actors Guild awards plus more highlights
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La La Land actress, Emma Stone has scored another win following her Golden Globes win only few weeks ago.
At the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild awards, Emma walked away with theOutstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role award. In her acceptance speech, Emma thanked the other actresses nominated in the category including Meryl Streep and Natalie Portman.
She also sent some love to her La La Land co-star, Ryan Gosling, Ryan, you are the best. Thats just the truth. Nobody can argue that.
Meanwhile, Denzel Washington picked up his first ever SAG award for Best Actor in a motion picture for his role in Fences. As he received the award, he said, You know, I am a G*d-fearing man. Im supposed to have faith, but I didnt have faith. G*d bless you all, all the other actors. Id say, You know, young boys are going to win, you aint going to win. So I didnt even prepare. But I am prepared!
Other winners of the night are Hidden Figures (Outstanding performance by cast in a motion picture), Viola Davis (Outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role), Orange is the new Black (Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series).
Between Harrysong, Five Star music and all the contract breach drama
The weekend was filled with controversy and dispute between former Five Star music artiste, Harrysong and the music label owned by E-money.
On Friday, the Reggae Blues singer was reportedly picked up by the police to meet with the states Assistant Inspector General who was in charge of settling the case between both parties.
The management of Five Star Music cited breach of contract and fraud as offences committed by Harrysong but his own management under his newly-formed record label, Alterplate have debunked the claims adding that Harrysong never approached Five Star to sign him but instead was begged by Kcee on bended knees to join the company and help save the latters dying career.
According to his management, Harrysong wrote and co-produced all of Kcees hit tracks, including Limpopo.
In a comeback statement, Five Star have warned the general public against doing business with Harrysong as he never fulfilled the terms of his contract with the label, one of which included releasing three albums. The label also claimed to have spent a lot of money on the artiste but never got any returns.
Azealia Banks shades Rihanna on social media over US Muslim ban comments
A large percentage of Americans are filled with rage over President Donald Trumps ban on Muslim immigrants into the US and pop star, Rihanna doesnt feel any differently, so she took to her Twitter page to share her thoughts.
Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes! What an immoral pig you have to be to implement such BS!!
Rihanna (@rihanna) January 29, 2017
But Azealia Banks who has over time shown her support for President Trump took it upon herself to question Rihannas status as an American and then went ahead to explain why Trumps policies are acceptable.
Rihanna has responded in a few cryptic messages on instagram and azealia seems to be enjoying the attention she is getting from the pop star, as she has not hesitated to fire back.
Osita Iheme popularly known as PawPaw sets up his own record label
Osita Iheme
From comic actor to record label boss, Osita Iheme has now taken his career to the next level with the launch of his own music label, Yung Boss Records.
Just so you know this is no joke, the label already has two artistes, Barr. Max and Charisma signed to it. Barr. Max has, infact, released his first single under the label and he calls it, Congratulations.
MMMG boss, Ubi Franklin survives accident
Ubi Franklin took to Instagram on Sunday night to thank G*d for surviving what he called a scary accident.
Details of the accident are not known.
Dotman drops new video featuring Davido
Fast rising artiste, Dotman who got us all enthralled with his 2016 hit single, Akube is back this new year with another track that already sounds like another success.
The new track titled Escobar features DMW artiste, Davido and is already getting talkability among fans.
Dotman got the chance to perform the song at Big Brother Naijas live show in South Africa on Sunday night.
Tears of joy for Roger Federer | Australian Open 2017
Switzerland"s Roger Federer serves against Spain"s Rafael Nadal during the men"s singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2017. Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Switzerland"s Roger Federer serves against Spain"s Rafael Nadal during the men"s singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2017.
Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Roger Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title and put some extra distance on the all-time list between himself and Rafael Nadal, the man he beat 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a vintage Australian Open final on Sunday night.
It was the 35-year-old Federer"s first major title since Wimbledon in 2012, his first in Australia since 2010, and it reversed the status quo against his nemesis, Nadal.
Both players were returning from extended layoffs Federer for six months after Wimbledon with an injured left knee; Nadal for a couple of months with an injured left wrist and were seeded 17th and ninth respectively.
"It"s been a different last six months, I wasn"t sure I was going to make it here but here I am we made it," federer said after accepting the trophy from Australian great Rod Laver, who lends his name to the main stadium at Melbourne Park.
"I would have been happy to lose too, to be honest. The comeback was perfect as it was. Tennis is a tough sport, there"s no draws. If there was going to be one, I would have been happy to have it tonight and share it with Rafa, really."
Federer had lost six of the previous eight Grand Slam finals he"d played against Nadal, and had only previously beaten the left-handed Spaniard in 11 of their 34 matches.
Nadal remains equal second with Pete Sampras on the all-time list, with the last of Nadal"s 14 majors coming at Roland Garros in 2014.
He missed his chance to be the first man in the Open era to win each of the four Grand Slams twice. Instead, Federer became the first man in the Open era to win three Grand Slam titles at least five times (Wimbledon 7 titles, U.S. Open 5, Australian Open 5 and French Open 1).
After four sets where the momentum swung alternately from one player to the next, the fifth had all the tension and drama that these two players are famous for.
Nadal went up an early break and it seemed as if the injury time-out Federer needed after the fourth set may have been an indicator of things to come.But the Swiss star rallied, and broke back in a pivotal sixth game and took control in a period when he won 10 straight points.
Nadal saved three break points in the eighth game but lost momentum again when Federer finished off a 26-shot rally the longest of the match with a forehand winner down the line.
Consecutive forehand errors gave Federer the pivotal break for 5-3, but Nadal made him work for the very last point.
Serving for the match, Federer had to save two break points with an ace and a forehand winner.
At deuce, he was called for a double-fault but challenged the out call on his second serve. The call was overturned, and he got to play two.
Not long after, he fired an ace to get his second match point and hit a forehand crosscourt winner to finish off.
His celebrations were delayed, though, when Nadal challenged the call. Federer watched the replay on the tournament screen, and leaped for joy when it showed his last shot was in. His 100th match at the Australian Open ended with his fifth title at Melbourne Park.
"Congratulation to Roger ... Just amazing, the way he"s playing after such a long time of him not being on the tour," Nadal said. "For sure, you have been working a lot to make that happen. So congratulations."
Nadal spent two months recovering from a left wrist injury before heading to Brisbane for a warmup tournament, breaking his usual routine. He reached the quarterfinals there, and had no expectations of reaching the final in Australia.
"I had some hard time not being able to compete in full condition. ... some injuries, well not new for me, but still tough when it happens," Nadal said. "I fight a lot these two weeks. Today, a great match, probably Roger deserved it a little bit more than me."
No two players had met more often in Grand Slam finals in the Open era, and Nadal had previously dominated. But they hadn"t met in a major final since the 2011 French Open, won by Nadal.
Three months ago, they were both on breaks when Federer joined Nadal in Mallorca for the opening of the Spaniard"s tennis academy and the pair joked about ever being able to contend for majors again.
Yet here they were, first Grand Slam tournament of the season, renewing the classic rivalry that saw them dominate tennis a decade ago.
The long-odds final No. 9 against No. 17 unfolded after six-time champion Novak Djokovic was shockingly upset by No. 117-ranked Denis Istomin in the second round and top-ranked Andy Murray, a five-time losing finalist in Australia, went out in the fourth round to left-handed serve-volleyer Mischa Zverev.
Federer beat Zverev in the quarterfinals and U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka in an all-Swiss semifinal to reach the championship match. The six years between his Australian titles set a record, too, longer than the five years that both Boris Becker and Andre Agassi had between championships in Melbourne.
It capped a remarkable weekend for 30-somethings all four singles finalists were 30 or older after Serena Williams beat her sister Venus Williams in the women"s final to capture her Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam title.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. With two hours left of 24, the IMSA WeatherTech Rolex 24 at Daytona is entering its decisive phase.
While any of the first 22 hours can create a loser, the final two or three stints usually determine the winner of this day-long endurance contest.
Teams need to strategize: when to pit, which drivers to use, whether to take ties for greater speed or double-stint and save track position. Should the team short-fill to gain track position and hope to hold it on a full final stop, or plan for a timed fill for the last stop? If a caution comes, should the car come in or stay out?
Any team with a car still running now has a chance to make the efforts of the previous 22 hours pay offand an equal chance to make all that effort pointless.
The entire race before noon on Sunday is prelude. Now the race really begins.
The #10 WTR Cadillac has been leading since the fourth hour of the race. . (Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times)
Wayne Taylor Racing Secure in the Lead
The #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac DPi V.R has led since 6:30 Saturday evening. According to Jordan Taylor, the team has worked with the car for longer than any otger Cadillac team, which is why they have the strongest of the Cadllacs, and havwe had no mechanical problems, while the other two Cadillacsthe #5 Mustang Sampling and the #31 Whelen Engineeringhave lost time in the pits.
The #90 VisitFlorida Riley/Multimatic-Gibson ran strong in the early morning, but penalties and problems have left the car a lap down. The 2016 winner, ESM, is also a lap down. Either team could get the lap back with a caution period, and could mount a serious run for the winbut the WTR Cadillac has managed to hold them off so far.
The #66 Ford GT fights off the #62 Risi Ferrari to retain the lead in GT Le Mans. (Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times)
The #66 Ford GT has basically led from the green flag. The car has run flawlessly, the drivers and crew have made no major mistakes.
The #62 Risi Ferrari has taken a few turns at the front. The Corvettes have shown G*d speed, and always race with total dedication and professionalism. Still, the Ford GT looks like the safest bet for GTLM winner.
Its great to have allies. (Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times)
The #33 Riley Motorsports-Team AMG Mercedes leads GTD but there are many, many strong contenders. (Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times)
The #38 Performance Tech Oreca-Chevrolet has been in command of the Prototype Challenge class for most of the race.
On Saturday night, Ubers New York City Twitter account notified riders that the company was turning off surge pricing for trips at JFK Airport, the site of protests against President Donald Trumps executive order blocking some Middle Eastern travelers and refugees.
Critics swiftly accused the ridesharing company of attempting to undermine or profit from a work stoppage by taxi drivers that had been called by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, an AFL-CIO affiliate that represents many immigrants, and whose work has been largely focused on stopping the encroachment of ride-hailing companies like Uber.
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What followed was a firestorm of online anger and calls for a boycott of Uber. Well into Sunday morning, #deleteuber was a top trending topic on Twitter, with many commenters sharing screenshots of their deletions or account cancellations.
A spokesman for Uber, however, has told Fortune that the decision to turn off surge pricing was made specifically to avoid profiting from increased demand during the protest. The company has previously made a similar commitment to limiting surge pricing during disasters, after being accused of taking advantage of riders in times of need.
Ubers notification regarding surge pricing went out at 7:36 Eastern Time, after the end of the taxi drivers announced work stoppage.
In addition to the taxi stoppage, transit to JFK was roiled on Saturday by temporary restrictions on the AirTrain system that connects the airport to the citys subway. At least some protesters reported using Uber to get to the protests while train access was restricted. If those riders had experienced unusually high fares, Uber could have risked accusations of attempting to either suppress or profit from the protest.
Some promoting the Uber boycott also criticized Uber CEO Travis Kalanicks decision to serve on an economic advisory panel to President Donald Trump. However, Kalanick swiftly issued a strong response to the Trump administration order, saying that dozens of Uber employees and thousands of drivers who use the platform could be affected. He said Uber will offer direct financial support for drivers impacted by the travel restrictions.
Some promoting the uber boycott said they would give their business to either traditional taxis or to Uber competitor Lyft. Lyft co-founder and CEO Logan Green voiced his companys opposition to the immigration ban on Saturday, and the company announced a $1 million donation to the ACLU, which has successfully obtained a court injunction against the travel restrictions.
While the current anger at Uber may have been triggered by a misunderstanding of the companys motivations, it was also fueled by a succession of disputes the company has had with city governments, taxi drivers, and its own workers. That includes accusations that its business model drives down wages and erodes worker protections, claims for which the evidence is mixed.
PROBOWL 2017 DRAFT!!! - Madden 2017 Draft Champions
It"s Pro Bowl day! Try not to get too excited because the San Francisco 49ers will not be represented in todays game. You would think someone would be found as an alternate, but the 49ers season was plenty bad that nobody got the call. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. PT on ESPN. Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden will be calling the game. I am curious to see how much Gruden can pump this game up. You can watch the game via live online stream on WatchESPN.
How many folks will actually watch the game without any 49ers to watch? Would that even impact your viewing decision in the past? I have no plans on watching it, especially with an 8 p.m. ET kickoff out here on the east coast. Ive been watching Downton Abbey for the first time, so I might just watch two or three episodes of that instead. But dont let that stop you from enjoying the NFLs All Star Game!
How to Watch
When: 5 p.m. PTWhere: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FLTV: ESPNCommentators: Sean McDonough, Jon GrudenOnline: WatchESPN
RACHEL MADDOW SHOW Racist red flags follow Trump Breitbart hire, Steve Bannon
Donald Trumps senior adviser Steve Bannon said the media should "keep its mouth shut"after being "humiliated"by a surprising election outcome.
"The media should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for awhile," Mr Bannontoldthe New York Times.
"I want you to quote this,"Mr Bannon added.
"The media here is the opposition party. They dont understand this country. They still do not understand why Donald Trump is the president of the United States."
Mr Bannon, who said last July that he had founded Breitbart as a "platform for the alt-right", was propelled into the White House as Mr Trumps right-hand man, and has been a key adviser on appointees to the cabinet and policy.
He said the media got the election "dead wrong"and they represented the "opposition party"to Mr trumps administration.
mr bannon rarely gives interviews - apart from to Breitbart - and tends to stay out of the spotlight.
His comments come off the back of press secretary Sean Spicers angry rant at the media on Saturday, blaming them for accurately reporting Mr Trumps relatively small inauguration crowd size.
"It was the largest crowd size in American history. Period," he said.
Mr Trumps senior adviser, Kellyanne Conway, defended her colleague and said Mr Spicer had just provided reporters with "alternative facts".
In a heated interview with NBC, Ms Conway said the government "might have to rethink its relationship with the press".
Mr Trump, during his first official stop at the CIA headquarters, said he had a war with the media, labeling them as the "most dishonest people"he had ever met.
During the campaign and after the election, the President has routinely called individual reporters "sleazes" and "liars".
He has called BuzzFeed"a failing pile of garbage", CNN is "fake news", and ranted against Vanity Fair for giving his restaurant a bad review.
Odell Beckham Jr Mic"d Up at Pro Bowl Practice (2017)
It"s Pro Bowl day! Try not to get too excited because the San Francisco 49ers will not be represented in todays game. You would think someone would be found as an alternate, but the 49ers season was plenty bad that nobody got the call. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. PT on ESPN. Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden will be calling the game. I am curious to see how much Gruden can pump this game up. You can watch the game via live online stream on WatchESPN.
How many folks will actually watch the game without any 49ers to watch? Would that even impact your viewing decision in the past? I have no plans on watching it, especially with an 8 p.m. ET kickoff out here on the east coast. Ive been watching Downton Abbey for the first time, so I might just watch two or three episodes of that instead. But dont let that stop you from enjoying the NFLs All Star Game!
How to Watch
When: 5 p.m. PTWhere: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FLTV: ESPNCommentators: Sean McDonough, Jon GrudenOnline: WatchESPN
A FedEx driver who saved two American flags from being burned in protest will be able to keep his job, the company said Saturday.
On Thursday, Matt Uhrin while still wearing his FedEx uniform walked into a group of protesters in Iowa City, Iowa and grabbed an American flag before it could be burned. When the protesters attempted to light a second flag on fire, Uhrin returned with a fire extinguisher and took that flag as well.
Following the incident, Uhrin did not issue a comment to the Iowa Press-Citizen, except to say his actions were not related to his employer.
After a scuffle, two protesters were arrested for violating the citys burn ordinance. The protestors say they were demonstrating against American imperialism, racial and social injustice and the threat of Fascismunder President Trump. They maintain they were not protesting military veterans.
uhrins actions prompted social media reaction from all sides of the political spectrum.
I will only use Federal Express now. THANK YOU, FED EX MAN! https://t.co/ZYTWJ8szdk
Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 27, 2017
I applaud @FedEx for standing behind driver Matt Uhrin. What he did was right and American.
Pastor Greg Locke (@pastorlocke) January 28, 2017
@sgrubermiller He should be arrested for assault. If they fire him, that"s his fault. I def don"t want a psycho delivering to my house.
Blake Biller (@blake_biller) January 27, 2017
An online petition also circulated, urging FedEx to continue to employ Uhrin. It quickly reached its goal of 10,000 signatures.
On Saturday, FedEx tweeted that they had reviewed the incident and had no plans to terminate Uhrin.
We have reviewed the matter in Iowa City involving driver Matt Uhrin. He remains a FedEx employee & we have no plans to change his status.
FedEx (@FedEx) January 28, 2017
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
OJ Howard in the 2017 Reese"s Senior Bowl (Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Brendan Langley #31 of the North team breaks up a pass intended for Travin Dural #83 of the South team during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Lorenzo Jerome #22 of the North team intercepts the ball as O.J. Howard #88 of the South team defends during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: AP / Brynn Anderson)
North squad wide receiver Zay Jones of East Carolina (7) catches the ball against the South during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, in Mobile, Ala.
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John Johnson #9 of the North team tackles Freddie Stevenson #43 of the South team during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: AP / Butch Dill)
North squad wide receiver Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington (10) carries the ball as he gets around South squad defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon of Villanova (92) during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
(Credit: AP / Brynn Anderson)
South squad quarterback Josh Dobbs of Tennessee (11) runs the ball as North squad cornerback Aarion Penton of Missouri (11) attempts the tackle during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, in Mobile, Ala.
(Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Taywan Taylor #82 of the South team is tackled by John Johnson #9 of the North team and Desmond King #14 during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: AP / Brynn Anderson)
South squad safety Damarius Travis of Minnesota (7) and South squad inside linebacker Alex Anzalone of Florida (34) tackle North squad running back De"Veon Smith of Michigan (44) during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, in Mobile, Ala. (
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South squad running back Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State, center is tackled during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game against North, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, in Mobile, Ala.
(Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Amara Darboh #82 of the North team catches the ball as Dwayne Thomas #23 of the South team defends during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Josh Reynolds #81 of the South team celebrates a touchdown with Jon Toth #72 during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl against the North team at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: AP / Brynn Anderson)
South squad inside linebacker Harvey Langi of Brigham Young, right, celebrates with South squad defensive end Keionta Davis of UT-Chattanooga, left, after Davis sacks a North squad quarterback during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, in Mobile, Ala.
(Credit: AP / Butch Dill)
South squad running back Matt Dayes of North Carolina State (20) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by North squad outside linebacker Vince Biegel of Wisconsin (47) and North squad inside linebacker Ben Gedeon of Michigan (42) during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
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Zay Jones #7 of the North team attempts to catch the ball during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl against the South team at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: AP / Brynn Anderson)
South squad wide receiver Travin Dural of LSU (83) misses the ball against the North squad during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, in Mobile, Ala.
(Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Josh Reynolds #81 of the South team catches the ball for a touchdown as Brendan Langley #31 of the North team defends during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Davis Webb #7 of the South team throws the ball during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl against the North team at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Nate Peterman #4 of the North team throws the ball during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl against the South team at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Bachman)
Mike Roberts #80 of the North team catches the ball as Dwayne Thomas #23 of the South team defends during the first half of the Reese"s Senior Bowl at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama.
(Credit: AP / Butch Dill)
South squad quarterback Josh Dobbs of Tennessee (11) throws a pass against the North squad during the first half of the senior bowl ncaa college football game, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
jerome Bettis, Ray Lewis (AFC) and Tony Gonzalez and Charles Woodson (NFC) will lead their respective teams in theNFL all-star game.Giants representatives include Odell Beckham Jr., Janoris Jenkins, Landon Collins and Dwyane Harris.
Here"s what you need to know:
Who: AFC vs. NFC All-Stars
When: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017
Where: Orlando Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida
Time: 8 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
Pro Bowl replacements
The NFLand its players were looking for ways to spice up the Pro Bowl, so they decided to have San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throw b***s at opponents.
Dodge b***s.
After moving the game to Orlando this year and returning it to the traditional AFC-NFC matchup, the NFLalso is bringing back the skills competition, with some activities that might be more closely associated with elementary recess than NFLskills.
The "competitions" include made-for-television activities like the drone drop, power relays and dodge ball - yes, dodge ball - as part of Pro Bowl Week at Disney"s sports complex.
In keeping with the unusual, 20 players representing the NFC and AFC went head-to-head in dodge ball. The winner received a monetary prize, though only fans who attended Wednesday"s workouts know who that is, everyone else will have to wait until it airs on Thursday night.
NFC Pro Bowl roster
There were some actual football skills competition fans m might remember from a decade ago, including quarterback challenge and a hands competition for receivers.
But dodge ball?
Rivers was among the players who competed, though the 35-year-old said he hadn"t played since he was in elementary school.
"We use to play on Fridays and we called it "bombardi,"" he said. "It was fun."
Maybe Browns lineman Joe Thomas is onto something with this dodge ball thing. "Fun" is not a word often used to describe any on-field activities associated with arguably one of the worst all-star games in sports.
Fun and making it more exciting for the fans was the point when a players focus group led by Cleveland"s left tackle tossed out the idea of the players competing in non-football related events such as dodge ball. A dunk tank was also proposed but it didn"t make the NFL"s chopping block.
AFC Pro Bowl roster
Thomas wanted to have skills events that even offensive and defensive linemen could get involved in.
"People will definitely tune in to watch stuff like dodge ball," Thomas said. "You can find some skills for linemen that aren"t going to get them hurt."
Not that this dodge ball was completely safe. There was mixture of size, quickness and agility, ranging from Rivers, to Thomas to Colts speedy T.Y. Hilton. All 20 of the competitors were jammed in a fenced-in area and the yellow b***s became virtual projectiles as players were not holding back in the made-for-TV spectacle.
ESPN, which brought in its Monday Night Football crew to film the activities, captured nearly three hours of footage that it will breakdown to 47 minutes to be shown Thursday night.
Peter O"Reilly, the NFLsenior vice president of events said believes it will be compelling TV.
"The players are into, the fans are into it," he said Wednesday. "It"s a win-win."
Orlando residents Juan and Marisol Rodriguez, proudly decked out in Raiders gear, enjoyed the show - at least in person.
"It was nice to see the personalities out here," Marisol said, adding she took off work to be there Wednesday. "You see them on television but it was actually nice to see their personalities showing up in person."
New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham, Jr.enjoyed himself, even lifting his self-imposed no media policy.
"We got to do the hands competition, the drone drop and we get to play dodge ball so it is cool to be able to do these things," he said. "Everybody wants to see the skills."
While it might stretching it to call dodge ball a skill, at least when it comes to NFLplayers, there were some activities fans associate with football, including a passing competition and a receiving challenge, but even they had a twist. Instead of throwing at stationary targets, quarterbacks including Rivers, Andy Dalton, Drew Brees, and Dak Prescott threw footballs at spinning and moving targets that had varied points attached depending on the difficulty of the throw.
Receivers like Beckham and Jarvis Landry took part in a hands competition where they had to catch footballs one handed, two handed and sideline passes without stepping out of bounds.
The drone "competition" was developing. It took quite a while for the drone to pick up a football and hover starting at 75 feet above the field before dropping the ball to an awaiting player. The height increased in increments of 10 feet, until only player remained standing. That sounds painful, though not as painful as it was waiting for the drone to reach its height.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
