The Shanae show continued on Monday’s episode of The Bachelor, leading to a two-on-one date between her and one of the other ladies to determine who stays and who goes home.
But first, Clayton needed to get to the bottom of a confrontation between Shanae and some of the other ladies during last week’s group date. Shanae, after hearing the others plotting to get her sent home, found herself on the losing side of a football game — resulting in her team going home and the winners spending time with Clayton. Worried the others would talk about her without the chance to respond, she crashed the afterparty, angering the others.
Before the rose ceremony, Clayton heard both sides of the story — first from the winning team, then from Shanae — in an effort to sort things out. Shanae delivered an award-winning apology that afterwards, in a reveal, she’d admit was an act.
When the roses were handed out, Shanae would stay, while Jill and Lindsay W. were sent home, along with Siera, whose parting words to Clayton were to choose “the right girl” and not “be stupid.”
The international journey continued in Toronto, with a group date featuring some of the ladies roasting each other, although Shanae — who wasn’t even on the date — took most of the heat. The date rose went to Rachel.
A pair of one-on-one dates went to Serene and Gabby, who each walked away with roses as well.
The episode ended with a one-on-one date at Niagara Falls featuring bitter rivals Shanae and Genevieve, delivered with the ominous message: “Into the falls your journey goes…only one comes out with a rose.”
However, the date may also carry consequences for Clayton, whose decision could change their feelings about him.
The Bachelor continues Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated Alabama’s new GOP-drawn congressional map over the objection of civil rights groups and decisions of two lower courts finding that it dilutes the influence of Black voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act.
The vote to temporarily stay a lower court order blocking the map was 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts joining the court’s three liberals in dissent.
The decision means Alabama will not immediately have to redraw its political lines to include a second majority-Black district, as had been ordered by a District Court judge, allowing the original maps to take effect for midterm elections.
At the same time, the Supreme Court’s majority said it would take up the Alabama redistricting case on the merits later this year.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a statement concurring with the decision, argued that the court should stay out of the political process so close to an election, insisting the decision makes “no new law regarding the Voting Rights Act” and simply allows time for a full briefing and oral argument.
“To reiterate: The Court’s stay order is not a decision on the merits,” he said.
The court’s liberals, however, weren’t buying it.
Justice Elena Kagan, in a pointed dissent, accused her colleagues of going “badly wrong” and forcing “Black Alabamians to suffer what under that law is clear vote dilution.”
“That decision does a disservice to our own appellate processes, which serve both to constrain and to legitimate the Court’s authority. It does a disservice to the District Court, which meticulously applied this Court’s longstanding voting-rights precedent,” Kagan wrote. “And most of all, it does a disservice to Black Alabamians who under that precedent have had their electoral power diminished—in violation of a law this Court once knew to buttress all of American democracy.”
Roberts also wrote in dissent that he would have allowed the District Court’s order to stand given that its analysis of the case in his view “seems correct.”
“We are disappointed by today’s decision. The fight for fair representation for Black voters in Alabama has been a winding road, generations long,” said Evan Milligan, an Alabama voter who helped bring the legal challenge to the state’s new map. “We won’t dishonor their legacy by putting down the torch they have handed to us. We will continue striving to ensure that our legislature honors the Voting Rights Act and that Black Alabamians have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.”
In a highly fact-intensive review, the lower court concluded Alabama’s maps likely violated the Voting Rights Act by depriving Black voters of influence. Section 2 of the landmark civil rights law makes it illegal to deny minority voters equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice.
Just over a quarter of Alabama voters are Black, according to Census data, but under the proposed maps the state would have just one majority-Black district out of seven. The appeals court panel said an additional Black-majority district needed to be added.
“Black voters have less opportunity than other Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice to Congress,” the panel wrote.
All three judges were appointed by Republican presidents — two by former President Donald Trump, one by former President Ronald Reagan.
Alabama is appealing the decision, saying it would force the state to draw lines based solely on race and at a “late hour” ahead of midterms, creating voter chaos. Republicans allege the claims are less about racial representation than they are about Democrats trying to take back power.
Experts say the Supreme Court’s reasoning in the case, after it’s argued and decided on the merits, could potentially have a sweeping impact, serving as the basis for challenges to maps in California, Texas, New York, North Carolina and other states where maps face similar objections from minority voters.
(BEIJING) — Karen Chen was lovely in lavender during day three of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games for this year’s Women’s Single Skating Free Skating Team event.
While she wowed spectators with her performance and look, the Olympian also revealed that her costume was crafted by her mother.
Her free skate dress was embellished with glowing gems, crystals and jewels, and, on Team USA’s Instagram, she shared more details on the origins of how her latest ensemble came to be.
Alongside the short clip, Chen said that her mother probably does 90% of the work in creating her costumes, while she does about 10%.
“I just tell her that looks good, or that doesn’t look good, and she does all the hard work, and she puts in blood sweat and tears into it,” she added.
Chen said her favorite part of the look was a cluster of dazzling stones in the shape of a butterfly near midriff.
“She strategically picked the stones and arranged them in a way so it looks like a butterfly because my free program I’m skating to a ‘Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto’ and so I just want to be a pretty butterfly on the ice,” she continued.
While incorporating head-turning combinations while gracefully gliding across the ice, the Team USA figure skater ended with a total overall score of 65, placing fourth and winning a silver medal for this season’s free skate event.
Chen shared her gratitude on Instagram, saying, “truly hat a journey of so many emotions these past few days.”
She continued, “so proud & thankful to be a part of this team.”
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Toronto 116, Charlotte 101
Miami 121, Washington 100
Golden State 110, Oklahoma City 98
Phoenix 127, Chicago 124
Utah 113, New York 104
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Ottawa 4, New Jersey 1
Toronto 4, Carolina 3 (OT)
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Arizona 91, Arizona St. 79
Virginia 69, Duke 68
Texas 79, Kansas 76
Watching football and eating snacks go hand in hand… Just don’t let those snacks go from your hand – to your dog’s mouth! Here are the football snacks that are toxic to dogs:
Onions are extremely poisonous to dogs… and frying them makes it worse. Onions contain thiosulphate which is toxic to cats and dogs. It causes red blood cells circulating through your pet’s body to burst… and the fried outside of an onion ring is will give them diarrhea.
Also, be careful with the guacamole! Avocado contains a compound called persin, which is extremely toxic to birds and rabbits. It may not kill your dog – but he will get an upset stomach. Plus, guacamole usually contains onion – which we just talked about as being very dangerous for dogs – and tomato. The tomato flesh is okay for dogs – but if they get any part of the greenery, it contains solanine, which IS toxic. That’s important to know, too, if you have tomatoes in your garden.
If you’re having guests over, don’t serve anything with a toothpick sticking out – like mini-meatballs. Ingesting a toothpick can cause choking or fatal damage to the GI tract.
Also, keep the mixed nuts off the coffee table. Macadamia nuts and walnuts can cause vomiting, paralysis and death.
And the game-day staple, chicken wings, can be dangerous. Chicken wings are a major choking hazards for dogs because of the small bones. The bones can also splinter inside your dog’s GI tract, which can cause serious punctures and tears.
What did you get for Valentine’s Day? The gift your partner chose says a lot about your relationship, everything from “just friends,” to “seriously in love!” You can also apply this to birthday gifts. Let’s start with the real romantic stuff:
First: Perfume. The experts say that means, “Be my girlfriend!” Perfume is an intimate gift, and it means he wants to be close enough to smell you.
Another Valentine’s Day gift that speaks volumes: An electronic device, like a tablet. If you needed a tablet, it shows he’s thoughtful and practical, and thinking about your needs.
So, what if he arranged a weekend getaway? It means he’s feeling super-romantic, and wants to boost those “falling in love” feelings by spending some quality time with you.
And if you got diamond earrings for Valentine’s Day? Our experts say: “You’re engaged to be engaged.” It’s like a diamond ring for your ears. And he’ll probably wait for a day that’s not a major holiday to pop the question.
Okay, so what are the not-so-romantic gifts you might have gotten?
First: A-dozen red roses. Flowers could mean one of three things: 1. He’s traditional. 2. He couldn’t think of anything creative or original. Or 3. It could be all about him. After all, flower arrangements are big and showy. And since you probably plopped them front-and-center on your desk, it makes everyone think he’s wonderful for sending them. It’s all about looking like a great guy – even if he’s not.
So, what if your Valentine gave you a box of chocolates? It probably means: “Let’s be friends.” After all, he could’ve given the same gift to his grandmother, or his 6-year-old niece.
Finally: What should you think if your Valentine gave you something super-practical, like a frying pan? Our expert says it means: Break up with me — I’m an idiot.
One way to help promote good mental health is to use interior design to feel calmer, safer, and more supported! So, here are some evidence-based design tips from Cornell’s College of Human Ecology:
First, focus on your view. Of course, we’d all love to gaze out our windows at majestic mountains or ocean landscapes, which are proven to calm the mind and lower cortisol levels. But the fact is, ANY exposure to nature is helpful… even if it’s just a potted plant in the corner. And whenever possible, fill your environment with plants like rosemary and lavender, whose scents promote relaxation.
Also, when it comes to your bedroom, the rule is: The quieter the better. For example: Most new hospitals have strict limitations on medical equipment in patient rooms, since the extra lights and beeping noises add stress that delays healing. So, take the same approach in your bedroom, by making it a strict no gadget zone!
And mental health experts recommend having smaller bedrooms and larger communal rooms. The thinking is your bedroom should provide quiet sanctuary when you need it, but it shouldn’t be so cozy that you stay there and avoid life!
(NEW YORK) — Even in the face of mounting backlash, streaming giant Spotify is standing by embattled podcast host Joe Rogan.
While the controversy initially centered around the spread of COVID-19 misinformation emanating from Rogan’s namesake podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” a viral video of the host using a racial slur dozens of times has intensified calls for action in recent days. The video was posted by Grammy award-winning musician India.Arie, who said she was joining fellow musicians in seeking to remove her music from Spotify because of Rogan. Spotify made headlines back in 2020 for reportedly licensing a $100 million deal to exclusively host Rogan’s often controversial digital talk show.
In the wake of the ever-evolving saga and immense social media backlash against Rogan, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek apologized to staffers in a memo Sunday obtained by ABC News. Ek said Rogan chose to remove several episodes from Spotify, but made clear that: “I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer.”
“There are no words I can say to adequately convey how deeply sorry I am for the way The Joe Rogan Experience controversy continues to impact each of you,” Ek wrote. “Not only are some of Joe Rogan’s comments incredibly hurtful — I want to make clear that they do not represent the values of this company. I know this situation leaves many of you feeling drained, frustrated and unheard.”
Ek said Spotify has had conversations with Rogan and his team about his “history of using some racially insensitive language,” and that Rogan made the choice to remove some past episodes from the streaming platform.
“While I strongly condemn what Joe has said and I agree with his decision to remove past episodes from our platform, I realize some will want more,” Ek added. “And I want to make one point very clear — I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer. We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but canceling voices is a slippery slope.”
Ek said that one of the company’s core values is having an open platform, and because of this, they “must also believe in elevating all types of creators, including those from underrepresented communities and a diversity of backgrounds.”
The chief executive also said the company is committing to an “incremental investment of $100 million” for the licensing, development and marketing of music and audio content from historically marginalized groups.
“While some might want us to pursue a different path, I believe that more speech on more issues can be highly effective in improving the status quo and enhancing the conversation altogether,” Ek wrote.
In a video posted to Instagram on Saturday, Rogan said his past use of racial slurs is “the most regretful and shameful thing that I’ve ever had to talk about publicly.” He said the video compilation of him using a certain racial slur is “made of clips taken out of context” from 12 years of conversations on his podcast.
“Now I know that to most people, there’s no context where a white person is ever allowed to say that word, never mind publicly on a podcast, and I agree with that,” Rogan said. He added that he hasn’t used the racial slur “in years” and “never used it to be racist,” though he acknowledged that “I clearly have f—– up.”
“I can’t go back in time and change what I’ve said, I wish I could, obviously that’s not possible,” Rogan added. “But I do hope that this can be a teachable moment. For anybody that doesn’t realize how offensive that word can be coming out of a white person’s mouth, in context or out of context.”
Spotify previously responded to backlash over Rogan’s COVID-19 misinformation last week by saying it will add a “content advisory” label to any podcast episode that includes a discussion about COVID-19 and directs listeners to its “COVID-19 Hub” for up-to-date information on the virus as shared by public health authorities. Rogan also promised to add more guests with “differing opinions.”
While Spotify has managed to avoid the same level of scrutiny as fellow tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter for years, the firestorm of controversy surrounding Rogan has put the streaming giant at the center of a renewed public debate over the platform companies give to characters like Rogan.
Fall Out Boy‘s Andy Hurley lends his drumming skills to a new cover of the Van Halen song “Unchained.”
The recording was spearheaded by Jordan Olds, aka Gwarsenio Hall, who hosts the popular metal-themed Two Minutes to Late Night YouTube channel. Other artists featured on the cover include Matt Pike of High on Fire and Sleep, and Mike Sullivan of metal instrumental outfit Russian Circles.
Previous Two Minutes to Late Night covers include Halestorm‘s Lzzy HalesingingPantera‘s “Mouth for War,” and an all-star prog lineup of Tool‘s Danny Carey, Primus‘ Les Claypool, Coheed and Cambria‘s Claudio Sanchez and Mastodon‘s Bill Kellihertaking onRush‘s “Anthem.”
Fall Out Boy, meanwhile, has been quiet since wrapping up their Hella Mega tour with Green Day and Weezer last year. Their most recent album is 2018’s M A N I A.
The recently announced auction of six one-of-a-kind Beatles– and John Lennon-themed NFTs focusing on memorabilia from the personal collection of Lennon’s son, Julian, took place today, bringing in an impressive $158,720.
Among the audio/visual digital tokens sold was one that featured the animated image of Paul McCartney‘s handwritten studio notes for “Hey Jude,” which fetched $76,800 — the highest price ever paid for a Beatles-related NFT at an auction.
In addition, NFTs of a Gibson 1959 guitar that John gave to Julian as a gift, as well as an Afghan coat that Julian’s dad wore during the filming of the Magical Mystery Tour special, both sold for $22,400, while NFTs of a black cape that John wore in the Beatles film Help! and a Gibson Les Paul copy guitar that he gave to Julian as a Christmas present in 1973 brought $12,800 each.
The sixth NFT, which focuses on a Gibson Les Paul 25/50 guitar that John gifted to Julian, sold for $11,520.
A portion of the proceeds raised by the “Lennon Connection: The NFT Collection” auction will benefit Julian’s White Feather Foundation, and will be used to support the charity’s efforts to help reduce global carbon emissions. You can check out full details of the auction at JuliensLive.com.
The sale was organized by Julien’s Auctions in partnership with the YellowHeart NFT marketplace.
Julien’s Auctions president and CEO Darren Julien says, “It’s been an honor partnering with Julian Lennon and YellowHeart in this first-ever event which confirms the growing interest and value of Beatles memorabilia as one-of-a-kind NFT collectibles.”
