The fantasy series The Wheel of Time hits Amazon on Friday, based on the wildly popular novels by Robert Jordan. The streamer is hoping the series will be the next Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, and Zoe Robbins, who plays the sorcerer Nynaeve al’Meara, says to bring on the comparisons.
“It’s incredibly different from a lot of the other fantasy stories that we know,” she tells ABC Audio. “I think in particular, it’s so character-driven and the power dynamics and the gender dynamics and everything that we explore is, I think, quite different to what we’re used to in the fantasy genre.”
Robbins adds, “I think we all expect that the comparisons will happen, but I think I think ours is quite different and special.”
What makes The Wheel of Time different from fantasy series that have come before it? The gender and power dynamics, for one. Madeline Madden stars as Edwene Al’Vere in the series, a villager just learning how to tap into her powers. She reveals what makes this world unique.
“The Wheel of Time is set in a world where magic exists, but only women are allowed to touch this magic or wield it,” says Madden. “So obviously there is a power struggle between the genders that is explored throughout the course of the series.”
“There is this streak of the matriarchy throughout the world. And you know, it is that struggle between men and women, light and dark, but at the core of The Wheel of Time, it’s really a story about balance and finding that balance,” the actress adds.
Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Ralph Lauren, Karwai Tang/WireImage
It seems the beef between Kanye West and Drake has officially been squashed.
On Tuesday, both rappers took to social media to share a video of themselves hanging out. In the short clip, the two are standing next to each other and at one point, the “Way 2 Sexy” artists wraps his arm around Ye.
Drake, who shared the clip to Instagram, along with a video of Dave Chappelle, captioned it, “You have reached your destination.”
The Certified Lover Boy tagged the location as Toronto, and according to Chappelle’s speech, he gathered “some of the biggest stars on earth” at his home in the Canadian city — including West — sparking rumors the two have reconciled.
The reunion of the two artists comes after Ye recently extended an olive branch to Drake, inviting him to Los Angeles on December 7 to participate in a benefit to free former gang leader Larry Hoover from prison.
“I’m making this video to address the ongoing back and forth between myself and Drake. Both me and Drake have taken shots at each other. It’s time to put it to rest,” said Ye. “I believe this event will not only bring awareness to our cause but prove to people everywhere how much more we can accomplish when we lay our pride to the side and come together.”
(NEW YORK) — It’s perfectly acceptable for 5- to-11-year-olds preparing to receive a vaccine against COVID-19 also to receive other protective shots they may have missing during the pandemic lockdown.
For some children, that could mean five or six shots in a single visit, but it’s safe to do so, doctors told ABC News.
“You can’t overwhelm the immune system with these vaccines,” said Dr. Margaret Fisher, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in New Jersey and chair of the AAP Global Immunization Advocacy Project.
Autumn is often less hectic at pediatricians’ offices, which is serendipitous for parents looking to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
“We’re kind of in a sweet spot,” said Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatric specialist in Kansas, with most children flooding doctors offices for back-to-school checkups over the summer.
Routine childhood vaccinations — jabs that help stave off devastating illnesses such as polio, measles, diphtheria and pertussis — are carefully laid out in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and all states require these vaccines for children attending public school.
While most kids are up to date on routine vaccines, according to Burgert, a significant number missed appointments over the summer. In August, the nonprofit group Health Efficient estimated that community health centers would need to increase the number of childhood vaccinations by 265% to match pre-pandemic levels — and maintain that pace for at least six months.
“If kids need routine shots, either we are giving them at the same time, or we are prioritizing the COVID shot right now,” Burgert added. “This is still a global emergency.”
Pediatricians of children who need to get back on a regular vaccination schedule should consult the CDC schedule for vaccine catch-ups, even if that means some kids will be getting their shots slightly later than would be ideal, said Dr. Alok Patel, a pediatric hospitalist at Stanford Children’s Health.
“I also have parents that prefer to space them out,” said Burgert, especially kids historically more reactive to the flu shot. “Parents are a little bit more hesitant to do both at the same time, just because they don’t want them to feel bad. And I understand that.”
Patel said he hears similar concerns: “A lot of parents say, ‘Hey, this is too many shots for my child to handle.'” But spacing out the vaccines, Patel added, is not without risk.
“The problem with spacing out the vaccines is you leave your child at risk to get the diseases while you’re spacing them out,” said Fisher, the pediatric infectious disease expert. “There’s no advantage. There’s no evidence that giving them at the same time increases the adverse events. And the disadvantage is you leave your child susceptible.”
According to Patel, parents should focus most on “getting their children the right protection, and getting them fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible, but also making sure that they’re getting complete protection against the other major vaccine-preventable illnesses.”
Pediatricians are urging eligible patients to seek out COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible — and to stay up to date on other routine vaccines.
“The last thing we want to do,” Patel told ABC News, “is see a resurgence of these preventable diseases because of lapses in coverage.”
Burgert also noted how children are eager to do their part.
“These kids have been living all of this stress with us,” Burgert said. “They have been living through it, and they want it to be over too. They want it to be over for their friends, and they want it to be over for their parents.”
Lauren Joseph, a student at Stanford Medical School, is a contributor to the ABC News Medical Unit. Dr. Tushar Garg and Dr. Jay Bhatt contributed to this report.
(WASHINGTON) — The question of whether President Joe Biden and other Catholic politicians who publicly support abortion rights should receive Holy Communion is at the center of a controversial draft document the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is expected to vote on Wednesday.
The vote is the culmination of year-long debate between America’s largely conservative bishops and the Vatican about whether punitive measures should be taken against public officials who contradict the church’s teaching on abortion.
Biden, only the nation’s second Catholic president, who has said his “personal” views were a “private matter,” has openly professed his faith throughout his political career — diligently attending Sunday Mass, infusing speeches with scripture and wearing his late son Beau Biden’s rosary beads.
After his meeting last month with Pope Francis before the G-20 summit, and amid criticism from conservative bishops, Biden said that the pope told him that he should continue receiving Communion and said the pope called him a “good Catholic.”
Some bishops, however, see things differently, citing Biden’s vocal public support of abortion rights as a key reason why clarification on who can receive Communion is necessary.
Prominent Catholic politicians, including Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have typically been careful about where they attend Mass so as to avoid controversy.
While Cardinal Wilton Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington has said that he doesn’t plan to deny Biden Communion, he has publicly questioned whether the president is living up to Catholic Church teachings on controversial issues, including abortion.
“The Catholic Church teaches, and has taught, that life — human life — begins at conception,” Gregory told journalists at the National Press Club in September. “So, the president is not demonstrating Catholic teaching.”
While the document is expected to make no mention Biden or other pro-abortion rights Catholic politicians by name, its intent is to issue a stern rebuke of individuals, especially of public officials, who present themselves for Communion after breaking with church teaching on fundamental issues.
In a leaked draft of the document before the conference, the bishops write “there are some sins, however that do rupture the communion we share with God and the Church.”
“As the Church has consistently taught, a person who receives Holy Communion while in a state of mortal sin not only does not receive the grace of the sacrament, he or she commits the sin of sacrilege by failing to show the reverence due to the Body and Blood of Christ,” the document said.
An official at the bishop’s conference insisted that they are staying true to their mission of defending church teachings, pointing to the conference’s outspoken disagreement with the Trump administration’s policies regarding undocumented migrants.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, many American Catholics are divided about whether Biden should be denied Communion over his support of abortion rights.
A majority of U.S. Catholic adults say Biden should be allowed to receive Communion during Mass, while nearly 30% say Biden should not be allowed to receive Communion.
The divide underscores a growing tension amongst American Catholics about who they see as the true authority on matters of faith and what they should believe.
“The U.S. bishops, and Pope Francis see things in very different ways,” said Massimo Faggioli, a theology professor at Villanova University. “American Catholics for the first time in many decades have to decide if they want to follow Pope Francis or U.S. bishops, which is new, because U.S. bishops are traditionally very Roman, loyal to the pope.”
(WASHINGTON) — After a 34-day protest garnered local and national attention, Howard University said it has reached an agreement with its students, who demanded better living conditions in on-campus dormitories.
On Oct. 12, Howard students began occupying the Blackburn center, a student hub and cafeteria located in the central yard of the campus, transforming the area into a “tent city.”
The protests continued until Monday, Dr. Wayne Frederick, president of Howard University, said, and would come to be known as #BlackburnTakeover across social media platforms.
Several students told ABC News that they faced a host of health concerns, including mold, infestations, and flooding in some college dorms. In October, Howard University officials listed 34 reports of concerns related to discoloration, or suspected fungal growth, across more than 5,050 beds — 0.67% of all on-campus beds.
The problems were allegedly so bad that many students preferred to sleep outside, in tents and sleeping bags, rather than in the university’s dorms. That is how the “tent city” protests began.
Students take action
“About one month ago, student protesters initiated their occupation of Blackburn. Today, they agreed to leave,” Frederick said in a statement Monday, adding that he also expected non-student protesters to depart the surrounding area and end their occupation of the campus.
The agreement came after days of negotiations and various threats of legal action from the students.
“I was shocked that they were willing to have a conversation, because it took them a long time to even say anything to us about the protest,” said Lamiya Murray, an 18-year-old freshman and the main organizer of the demonstration.
“The students have achieved the objectives and something meaningful. What they got by their personal sacrifice was sunlight put onto Howard in a way that a private academy normally wouldn’t receive,” Donald Temple, the students’ attorney, told ABC News. “Howard is private, and so is Howard’s policy and procedures, but the accountability from students, faculty and alumni are bigger.”
Temple, a Howard alumnus, said he’s represented Howard University student protestors for years, including during a 1989 protest in which they were advocating for similar demands.
“This double standard exists within these HBCUs, and students are attending these colleges which are underfunded when all these kids are saying they want competitive education and proper conditions,” Temple added.
Demonstrators such as Murray and Deja Redding, a Howard University graduate student and director of The Live Movement, a campus-based organization focused on advocating for racial equity in education, said they faced verbal threats from University administrators due to their involvement in the movement. They were even told they could face expulsion.
Murray, who spent nearly 33 nights in a tent outside the center, said she was worried about the wellbeing of the students and fearful of what the outcome of the protests would be.
“I ended up having to talk myself into doing a lot of stuff anywhere from sleeping outside to using the bathroom and Porta Potty,” Murray told ABC News. “Am I willing to sit here in the cold for these demands? I had to talk myself into it most nights, and I just realized that what I’m doing is bigger than just me, bigger than Howard, bigger than an HBCU; it’s revolutionary.”
In their protests, students demanded an in-person town hall with Howard’s president and other officials, the permanent reinstatement of student, alumni and faculty affiliate positions that are being removed from the school’s board of trustees, a meeting with university leaders about housing and legal, disciplinary and academic immunity for protesters. Student organizers also want to weigh in on Howard’s new housing plan.
“As we close in on the Thanksgiving holiday, I am encouraged and excited about the work we have accomplished — and the work we will continue to do — together to reinforce Howard University,” Frederick said in his statement Monday. “I look forward to sharing details soon on our ideas that will address concerns and build a culture where all are heard.”
He added that Howard plans to make improvements throughout the campus, and is committed to maintaining “safe and high-end housing.”
Even though they reached an agreement with the university on Monday, students said the school did not agree to all their requests, specifically the re-election of the student and alumni on the board of trustees.
Murray and Redding said they plan to take legal action.
Protest goes viral
Howard, known to some as “The Mecca,” is one of the most notable Historically Black Colleges. The students’ outcry sparked attention from high-profile Howard alumni including Yandy Smith, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Debbie Allen.
“The leadership saw these students as renegades who did not represent the larger student body, even though their issues affected thousands of kids,” Temple said. “They weren’t by themselves. The alumni and the nation were right behind their shadows.”
Because Howard provides priority housing for freshman and sophomores, the alumni network plays a prominent role in providing additional housing resources to Howard’s juniors, seniors and graduate students.
“Some of the behind-the-scenes things that people don’t know or see is that alumni activated a platform to house a lot of these students who are unable to live in their dorms or just weren’t able to get housing,” Redding said.
Now, Howard students hope their successful movement inspires others at HBCUs in need of improvements to speak up.
“These students should be able to hold their administration accountable. Plenty of other HBCUs have reached out with the intention to go ahead and start moving towards holding a demonstration on their campus, maybe not to the magnitude of Howard’s, but they’re looking to have a demonstration of some sort on their own needs that they have,” Redding said.
Howard’s student organizers told ABC News, they’re expected to hold a town hall with the University on March 1, 2022, as part of the agreement.
They are also calling for Frederick’s resignation.
ABC News’ Adia Robinson contributed to this report.
(WARNER ROBINS, Ga.) — A search for five “violent” inmates who were at large days after escaping from a Georgia jail has ended, authorities said.
The Warner Robins Police Department announced via Twitter that its officers along with a fugitive task force from the United States Marshals Service had captured the fifth and final escapee on Tuesday night.
Tyree Montan Jackson, 27; Dennis Penix Jr., 28; Brandon Pooler, 24; Lewis Wendell Evans III, 22; and Tyree Williams Jr., 33, all fled the Pulaski County Jail in Hawkinsville, about 130 miles south of Atlanta, on the night of Nov. 12, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
All five inmates have “violent criminal histories,” including two who are charged with murder, the GBI said. They had two Tasers when they escaped and were seen traveling in a stolen white van, according to the GBI.
One of the escapees, Jackson, was captured Sunday. A second inmate, Evans, was taken into custody late Sunday night in Warner Robins, about 100 miles south of Atlanta, the GBI said.
As the search continued for the three other inmates, the U.S. Marshals Service offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to any arrests.
While the last remaining escapee was taken into custody Tuesday night in Warner Robins, it was unclear where and when the other two were captured.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Golden State 117, Brooklyn 99
Utah 120, Philadelphia 85
LA Clippers 106, San Antonio 92
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Florida 6, NY Islanders 1
NY Rangers, 3 Montreal 2
Buffalo 2, Pittsburgh 1
Toronto 3, Nashville 0
Philadelphia 2, Calgary 1 (OT)
San Jose 4, Minnesota 1
Arizona 3, St. Louis 2
Winnipeg 5, Edmonton 2
Dallas 5, Detroit 2
Carolina 4, Vegas 2
Anaheim 3, Washington 2 (OT)
Ottawa at New Jersey (Postponed)
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Seton Hall 67, Michigan 65
Villanova 100, Howard 81
Purdue 96, Wright St. 52
Duke 92 Gardner-Webb 52
Memphis 90, Saint Louis 74
BYU 81, Oregon 49
Kentucky 80, Mount St. Mary’s 55
Alabama 73, South Alabama 68
Houston 67, Virginia 47
North Carolina 94, Coll. of Charleston 83
Southern Cal 78, Florida Gulf Coast 61
This time last year, TikTok star-turned-pop star Tai Verdes had never given a concert. But thanks to the success of his hit “A-O-K,” this year, he did festivals, opened for other artists and is now on his first-ever headlining tour. For Tai, learning to play live has been the final step in his evolution as an artist.
“I’m, like, 60 shows deep now,” he tells ABC Audio. “It really makes a difference. Like, a huge difference. Like, if any artist is put in a position where they perform so many times, you automatically are going to get better because it’s just practice.”
He notes, “That was kind of the last thing that I needed to show — not necessarily people, but kinda myself. [I was] like, ‘If you want to be an artist, you have to be able to perform your songs as well.'”
Tai’s touring to promote his debut album TV, but he just released a new single, “Let’s Go to Hell,” that he says is part of his “new era.”
“These next couple tracks, like ‘Let’s Go to Hell,’ it just signifies the continuation of the story that I was telling with TV, but in a different way — in a way that’s ‘high definition,'” he teases.
While Tai knows that releasing new songs while “A-O-K” is still doing well means he’s competing with himself, he says it’s all part of his master plan.
“I think about longevity a lot…just because I am a business,” he points out. “So in order to keep yourself growing, you got to be creating a product…you’ve got to be planning and you’ve got to be organizing and you’ve got to be putting out music. So I just want to see what happens when I put out more music!”
Genesis‘ The Last Domino? tour arrived in the U.S. on Monday night. But unlike the last time the British legends toured, back in 2007, frontman Phil Collins, 70, is performing while sitting down, due to nerve damage that affects his hands and back. However, Phil’s band mates say so far, the singer’s been a real trouper.
“He’s done well,” bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford says of the European dates the band has already completed. He tells USA Today, “Funny enough, we almost got through the [European] tour and I got COVID, but Phil was perfect. He’s doing fine. When you see the show, he definitely holds the crowd.”
Keyboard player Tony Banks adds that Phil’s 20-year-old son, Nicolas, who’s taken over for his dad on drums, “really plugs the gap very well,” adding, “The visuals work in a way that a seated Phil isn’t as noticeable.”
“People come to the show and say they forget Phil isn’t moving around,” adds Rutherford.
As for whether or not The Last Domino? tour will live up to that question mark, both Banks and Rutherford say that it will.
“We’d always say never say never, but there comes a point…,” says Banks. “When we do the final show next year, that will be it.”
“I think there will be a lot of tears…It’s been nice for the three of us to spend some reconnected time together,” notes Rutherford. “It makes you solidify things. There are things that only the three of us understand because we lived it.”
“It’s important to know when to stop something,” Banks adds. “So I’d say if you want to see Genesis, don’t put it off ‘til the next one. We’re not like the [Rolling] Stones.”
If you’re looking for a gift for the burgeoning punk rocker in your life this holiday season, Billie Joe Armstrong is here to help.
The Green Day frontman has announced the launch of the Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior, a new, signature electric guitar in partnership with Epiphone.
Modeled after Armstrong’s own beloved Epiphone, which he memorably played on Green Day’s Bullet in a Bible concert film, the Les Paul Junior features a Classic White finish, and features the “Basket Case” rocker’s signature on the back of the headstock.
“Working with Billie Joe Armstrong over the years has been an absolute honor for our team,” says Aljon Go, Epiphone Product Manager. “The new Epiphone Billie Joe Armstrong signature guitars will help inspire a whole new generation of guitarists with an accessible, quality instrument to blaze their path in making music, just as Billie has throughout his Grammy Award-winning career.”
The Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior is available now for $549 via Epiphone.com.
Armstrong recently got off the road playing stadiums on Green Day’s Hella Mega tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer. The “American Idiot” outfit is set to return to the stage next year in February to play the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest.
