Late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury would be turning 77 this fall if he were still alive, and a big party is planned in his honor.
The Official 77th Freddie Mercury Birthday Party 2023 is going down September 2, three days before his real birthday on September 5. It will be held at the Casino Barriere in Montreux, about two hours outside of Zurich, Switzerland. The bash will feature a live performance by the United Kingdom Queen tribute band Live Killers, who’ll celebrate the golden anniversary of Queen’s 1973 self-titled debut album by playing it in its entirety. They also promise Queen hits and some deep cuts.
Tickets for the event go on sale January 27, with proceeds benefiting the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which raises funds for the fight against HIV/AIDs. It was founded by Queen’s Brian May, Roger Taylor and their manager Jim Beach in memory of Freddie, who died from the disease in 1991.
Hard to believe but Nicolas Cage has never starred in a Western, until now. The Old Way, in theaters and streaming on demand, features Cage as a ruthless killer, hell bent on revenge, with his tween daughter — played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong — in tow.
When asked by ABC Audio why this is his first foray into the genre, Cage didn’t have an answer, but said it was something he’d always wanted to do.
“I grew up watching great movies like Once Upon a Time in the West with Charles Bronson as Harmonica, and I certainly wanted to homage him and that performance, that movie,” he explains. “So yeah, you’re going to pay me to dress the way I like to dress and wear a cowboy hat and homage some of my favorite movie stars. Well, hell, yeah, I’m there. My stomach rumbles like anyone else’s.”
As for why the 59-year-old actor chose this as his first Western, he shares, “I like family dramas, and what was at the heart of this Western, traditional Western really, was this unusual relationship between two social misfits who happen to be biological father and daughter, but both have this inability to feel love, and propensity towards violence. And yet somehow on through this tragedy and through this road trip, they go on together, they learn to love. And that to me was a had that that that had some my heartstrings for me.”
The Old Way also stars Noah Le Gros, Clint Howard, Abraham Benrubi and Nick Searcy.
(NEW YORK) — Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said Friday that it will cut about 12,000 jobs from its global workforce, affecting approximately 6% of the company’s employees.
“I have some difficult news to share,” Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai wrote in an email to Google employees on Friday morning. “We’ve decided to reduce our workforce by approximately 12,000 roles … This will mean saying goodbye to some incredibly talented people we worked hard to hire and have loved working with. I’m deeply sorry for that. The fact that these changes will impact the lives of Googlers weighs heavily on me, and I take full responsibility for the decisions that led us here.”
Employees who are being laid off in the United States will be paid during the notification period — a minimum of 60 days — and will also receive a severance package starting at 16 weeks salary plus two weeks for every additional year they spent at Google.
Google also said that they would pay out the 2022 bonuses and remaining vacation time to the employees that are being laid off as well as “six months of healthcare, job placement services, and immigration support for those affected.”
“As an almost 25-year-old company, we’re bound to go through difficult economic cycles. These are important moments to sharpen our focus, reengineer our cost base, and direct our talent and capital to our highest priorities,” Pichai said. “Being constrained in some areas allows us to bet big on others. Pivoting the company to be AI-first years ago led to groundbreaking advances across our businesses and the whole industry.”
Pichai said that in spite of the layoffs, Google is “getting ready to share some entirely new experiences for users, developers and businesses.”
“Google’s products are better than ever,” he wrote. “We have a substantial opportunity in front of us with AI across our products and are prepared to approach it boldly and responsibly.”
Said Pichai: “When I look around Google today, I see that same spirit and energy driving our efforts. That’s why I remain optimistic about our ability to deliver on our mission, even on our toughest days. Today is certainly one of them.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
As previously reported, Crosby, Stills & Nash’s Graham Nash has already paid tribute to his late bandmate David Crosby, who died Thursday at the age of 81, and now their fellow bandmate Stephen Stills has offered his thoughts on Crosby’s passing as well.
Stills shared in a statement:
“I read a quote in this morning’s paper attributed to compose Gustav Mahler that stopped me for a moment: ‘Death has, on placid cat’s paws, entered the room.’
I shoulda known something was up.
David and I butted heads a lot over time, but they were mostly glancing blows, yet still left us numb skulls..
I was happy to be at peace with him.
He was without question a giant of a musician, and his harmonic sensibilities were nothing short of genius. The glue that held us together as our vocals soared, like Icarus, towards the sun.
I am deeply saddened at his passing and shall miss him beyond measure.”
(NEW YORK) — Fullei Fresh has issued a voluntary recall of alfalfa sprouts after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted an unannounced inspection that found a strain of E. coli in the fresh vegetables.
The recalled products’ lot number is 336, according to a company recall announcement on the FDA’s website. Affected products were shipped to distributors and retailers in Florida between Dec. 9-23, 2022.
The recall was made with the knowledge of the FDA and the Florida Department of Agriculture.
Consumers who may have purchased the sprouts can locate the lot numbers, which are printed on the 4-ounce retail packs and on 5-pound bulk cardboard boxes, in the barcode. If products are among those impacted by the recall, the last 3 digits will read “336.”
The FDA testing detected “Shiga toxin producing E.coli (STEC) — an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it,” according to the recall announcement.
In the company statement, Fullei Fresh said that STEC “is a bacterial strain that is not part of our routine microbial testing conducted in compliance with the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule Subpart M on every lot we produce,” adding that it was “detected upon sampling of finished product by the FDA.”
The company said no known illnesses had been reported in connection with the product.
The company has urged people to discard the products if they are in their possession.
People can become sick one to 10 days after consumption of STEC bacteria. Symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people recover within a week, while some may develop a more severe infection.
(JACKSON, Miss.) — Reports of children in Mississippi who found and ate marijuana-laced candies and chocolates at home resulting in emergency room visits increased sharply last year, the state’s poison control center said in a statement.
In 2019, the medical center received two calls concerning the ingestion of edible marijuana products. By 2022, the total number of calls had spiked to 36. Fourteen of those calls were in children ages 0 to 12 and three were in teenagers ages 13 to 19, according to Jenna Davis, the managing director of the Mississippi Poison Control Center which is part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
“In the past 10 days, we’ve already had four calls for kids ages 0-6,” Davis said in a statement Tuesday. “And statewide, these cases are underreported.”
The medical center warned the calls will continue to rise with marijuana dispensaries slated to open across the state this year.
Davis also warned that products laced with THC such as candy, gummies and chocolates appeal to children and adults should store them like they would medication, in a secure place out of the sight and reach of children.
“It’s hard to overdose on marijuana, but some of these gummies contain very large doses and some kids are eating a whole lot of them,” Davis said.
In addition to central nervous system depression, overdoses can cause rapid heartbeat, vomiting, confusion, difficulty walking and drowsiness, and in extreme situations, respiratory distress and seizures, Davis said.
Davis said there is a growing number of children who get their hands on the products containing Delta 8 THC which are available online and in convenience stores and are not regulated.
“It has very similar effects to the other components of marijuana that produce euphoria,” Davis said. “We receive tons of calls on this, and it’s increasing, for all ages.”
An study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics earlier this month found there was a surge in reported cases of children exposed to edible cannabis resulting in acute toxicity from 2017 to 2021.
In 2021 there were reported 3,054 cases, up from just 207 reported cases in 2017, representing a 1,375% increase in cases. Seventy percent caused central nervous system depression, according to the article.
MORE: Reports for child marijuana use rose 245% over past 20 years
Most exposures happened in a residential setting, according to the article.
Of all the reported cases, nearly 23% of patients were admitted to the hospital, according to the article.
(NEW YORK) — The holiday shopping season began with a boom but ended with a whimper.
U.S. retail sales fell in December, offering the latest sign of an economic slowdown driven by elevated prices and rising interest rates.
Year-over-year retail sales dropped by about 1% last month, extending a nearly identical fall in November. The prolonged decline followed a buying surge in October, when many Americans seized on discounts for holiday purchases.
“Consumers finally have this fatigue from inflation,” Mickey Chadha, a retail analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, told ABC News. “Rising prices are taking a chunk out of disposable income.”
Consumer spending accounts for nearly 70% of U.S. economic activity. A sustained drop off in retail sales foretells a sluggish period for the broader economy, and in return signs of a downturn drag on sales, Chadha said.
“The economy is definitely slowing down,” Chadha said. “When consumers are worried about whether there will be a recession, they always pull back.”
The sales downturn battered stores across the sector. Sales at department stores fell more than 6% compared to a year prior; while sales at furniture stores fell 2.5% and sales at auto dealers dropped 1.4%.
Sky-high prices have eased in recent months but continue to hover near a 40-year high. Consumer prices rose 6.5% last month compared to a year ago, marking a significant drop from a summer peak.
The Federal Reserve imposed a string of aggressive rate hikes last year that aimed to slow price increases by cooling the economy and choking off demand. The approach, however, risks tipping the U.S. into a recession.
Consumer spending defied the economic headwinds for much of last year, as pandemic-era savings and robust wage gains fueled purchases. But the pace of wage gains trailed the inflation rate, drawing down household savings and ultimately forcing cutbacks in spending.
“Consumers have finally started to see cracks in that resilience,” Chadha said.
The personal savings rate fell to 2.3% in November, the lowest rate in nearly two decades, according to data from the Commerce Department.
In addition, the sluggish sales in December sprang in part from the push forward of holiday spending into October, when many retailers offer significant discounts and consumers fear missing out on the cost gains, Chadha said.
“There was some pull forward on holiday buying in October, primarily because consumers were looking for bargains,” he said.
In all, the fall in retail spending offers a cautionary note as the U.S. economy begins a year in which many economists expect a recession, Chadha said.
“Consumers are definitely getting pickier and getting a lot more skeptical about prospects in 2023,” he said.
The music world is mourning the loss another rock legend with the death of David Crosby Thursday at the age of 81, and many took to social media to pay tribute to the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
Melissa Etheridge, who had two children with ex-Julie Cypher thanks to Crosby’s sperm donation, shared a picture with Crosby, writing “I am grieving the loss of my friend Beckett and Bailey’s biological father, David,” adding, “He gave me the gift of family. I will forever be grateful to him, Django, and Jan. His music and legacy will inspire many generations to come. A true treasure.”
The Beach Boys‘ Brian Wilsonalso remembered Crosby, noting, “I don’t know what to say other than I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby,” adding, “David was an unbelievable talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just am at a loss for words.”
And Carole King also paid tribute, sharing, “My old friend David is gone, but he left us with his words, his music and his beautiful voice,” adding, “My deepest condolences to Jan, Django and everyone who loved David Crosby.”
Other tributes include:
Roseanne Cash – “I can’t begin to say how influential Crosby, Stills and Nash were for me. I’m grateful David Crosby lived, and so very sad he’s gone.”
E Street Band memberSteven Van Zandt – “RIP David Crosby. As a member of The Byrds, 1 of the historically essential Artists that created the Artform of Rock. The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Who, Beach Boys & Yardbirds, showed future generations like us what was possible. We owe him, and them, everything.”
Marianne Faithfull – “‘I don’t like greed, I don’t like ignorance. I really don’t like anger. But I love love.’ – @thedavidcrosby. Rest in peace to the brilliant David Crosby. He will be greatly missed.”
Tom Petty’s official Twitter account – “Tom counted David Crosby as a friend and a hero. He visited often at his house in the valley. He was funny, provocative and electric with talent. His contribution to music will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and love to his family, bandmates and fans.”
The Doors – “The world has lost yet another ethereal fixture of the ‘60s peace and love movement; a legend within his own right, and every group he was a part of. Coming up in the same era as The Doors, David Crosby had the voice and song writing abilities that made him completely unique…”
Sebastian Bach – “As much as I loved his music I loved his thoughts on Twitter as well. Rest In Peace David Crosby ✌️ thank you for the lifetime of inspiration.”
Jason Isbell, who performed with Crosby on Red Rocks in 2019 – “Grateful for the time we had with David Crosby. We’ll miss him a lot.”
Hanson – “We are so sad to hear of the passing of the legendary David Crosby, a man of unbelievable talent. As a small tribute, here’s our cover of CSNY’s ‘Teach Your Children’. Rest in Peace, David.”
Michael Des Barres– “David Crosby stuck to his guns. A difficult and gifted man. Whose talent and taste was immense. His harmonious voice still echoes in Laurel Canyon. A proud man who said what he said, and felt what he felt with no apology. A brilliant songwriter, and an American Icon, RIP.”
Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
(NEW HAVEN, Conn.) — Yale University has announced changes to its policies to support students’ mental health, including allowing students the ability to take time off from school.
The Connecticut-based, Ivy League school said in an email to students Wednesday they are now permitted to take a medical leave of absence from school due to medical reasons rather than withdrawing.
In addition, students are now eligible for four terms of leave, an increase from two, can transition to affiliate coverage for health insurance while on leave and can utilize campus resources, like the library, also while on leave.
“I wish that no students ever had to face situations like these, but some of you may,” Dean of Yale College Pericles Lewis said in an email, citing situations like family emergencies and illness. “If you do, I hope these revised policies ease any concerns about your student status, allowing you (and the people supporting you) to focus on what is important.”
Yale has been reviewing its withdrawal polices since September, Yale’s president said in a statement last November.
The new changes come less than two months after a lawsuit was filed against Yale, alleging it discriminates against students with mental health disabilities by failing to provide necessary accommodations and pressuring them to withdraw.
The lawsuit, filed Nov. 30, features accounts by two current students, three former students and a nonprofit group, Elis for Rachael, representing several dozen others.
The nonprofit was founded last year after the suicide of freshman Rachael Shaw-Rosenbaum, who had contemplated the consequences of withdrawing from Yale in multiple online posts prior to her death.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue the university’s withdrawal policies foster a punitive rather than supportive environment for students with mental health disabilities, deterring many from seeking help. Their accounts detail the “traumatic” experiences of being forced to leave school, then the hurdles they had to face just to return.
If students disclose their mental health disability while seeking support and demonstrate severe symptoms, the university has often pressured them to voluntarily withdraw until they can apply for reinstatement at least a semester later. If the students refused, the university’s policies allow for “involuntary withdrawals,” forcing students to take leave without “deference to treating professionals or consideration of whether withdrawal will cause harm,” the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit also claims that some students may never seek needed aid, fearing they’ll be subject to the university’s withdrawal policies if their mental health disability is known.
The lawsuit was filed just a few weeks after a Washington Post article detailed similar allegations from students and alumni.
In addition to making it easier to take medical leave, the changes announced by Yale on Thursday, also first reported by the Washington Post, also make it easier for students to return from leave.
Students no longer need letters of reference, and the university has removed the requirement that students stay “constructively occupied” during their leave, according to Lewis’s email. Students on personal withdrawal and medical leave also are no longer required to pass every course they take in the first two terms after their return.
The newly-announced changes at Yale University come amid data showing that student’s mental health needs remains at a low on college campuses across the country.
According to one national survey, nearly three-fourths of college students reported severe to moderate psychological distress in 2021.
The Healthy Minds Study, which looked at over 350,000 college students over a span of eight years, found that in the 2020–2021 school year, more than 60% of college students met criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to Monitor, a journal by the American Psychological Association.
(DAVOS, Switzerland) — Speaking Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, FBI Director Christopher Wray described how his agency saw an increase in cyberattacks from Russia at the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine last year and he hammered the Chinese for their artificial intelligence program.
At the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in February 2022, the FBI observed a growing number of Russian attempts to carry out cyberattacks, Wray said.
“We did see, as the conflict erupted and increased, effort by the Russian intelligence services — which have been conducting malicious cyberactivity against U.S. infrastructure for years,” he said.
Wray also took aim at another U.S. competitor: China.
He predicted that China’s artificial intelligence program would be used by the country for more harm than good. Chinese officials have previously pushed back on criticism of its cybersecurity, calling such comments “groundless attacks” and “malicious smear[s].”
“The Chinese government has a bigger hacking program than any other nation in the world,” Wray said. “And their AI program is not constrained by the rule of law and is built on top of massive troves of intellectual property and sensitive data that they’ve stolen over the years and will be used, unless checked, to advance that same hacking program — to advance that same intellectual property — to advance the repression that occurs not just back home in mainland China but increasingly as a product that they export around the world.”
During his time as FBI director, Wray has used his bully pulpit to raise the specter of China’s growing international influence as well as the ability of so-called hack and steal programs to advance their goals.
Last month, the Justice Department charged a Chinese national with allegedly harassing a Chinese dissident in Boston.
Wray also said at the forum that he is concerned by the amount of data that is collected by autonomous vehicles and how it could be used to harm citizens.
