NASA discovers new Earth-like planet just 31 light years away
Nasa’s planet spotting telescope has uncovered another three planets, which scientists say include the first nearby super-Earth. The planet, called GJ 357 d, orbits a star around 31 light years away in the so-called habitable zone, an area far enough from its star to not be too hot but close enough to not be too cold. In this region, it is possible for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet if it is rocky, although further research is needed to work out whether GJ 357 d’s atmosphere is dense and warm enough to host liquid water.
Salt-N-Pepa Respond to Lawsuit from DJ Spinderella
The rift between Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella is getting deeper as the Hip-Hop duo state they attempted to look after their DJ, however, it would always backfire.
The Blast received court documents with the response to the Spinderella issued lawsuit from Pepa (real name Sandra Denton) and Salt (Cheryl James).
“After decades of friendship, Spinderella has embarked on a smear campaign, and sued her friends, based on blatantly erroneous assertions,” Salt and Pepa said. “The truth, however, is that Salt and Pepa have always tried to do right by Spinderella.
“Spinderella decided to quit performing with Salt and Pepa years ago and asked to rejoin the group ‘Salt N Pepa’ in December 2013. Nostalgia and the desire to help a friend motivated Salt and Pepa to agree. They offered to pay Spinderella on a per show basis to perform with the group. Spinderella, grateful for the opportunity, agreed, and they performed together again.”
In July, Spinderella sent a lawsuit to her former group mates stating that she has been on the short end of receiving money dating back to 1999. Funds she states she missed out on include performances, royalties and more. You can read the details of the lawsuit from the legendary DJ here.
Article via TheSource
Salt-N-Pepa Sued by DJ Spinderella Over Unpaid Royalties And Feeling LEFT OUT!
The Model Who Lied About Being Transgender After Making Anti-Trans Comments Said She Is “Taking Full Responsibility”
Article via BuzzFeed
In her first comments on the controversy, Savage X Fenty model Carissa Pinkston told BuzzFeed News, “I definitely feel like a trans person in a way — in high school I was really bullied.”
The 20-year-old model who became a face of the Savage X Fenty brand — and who recently admitted to lying about being transgender to cover up for anti-trans comments she made on Facebook in May — told BuzzFeed News she is now “taking full responsibility for what [she] said.”
In her first comments about the controversy, Carissa Pinkston opened up to BuzzFeed News, saying, “I definitely feel like a trans person in a way — in high school I was really bullied.”
“I remember being in school being little and taking tissues and trying to put them in my shirt,” she claimed in a phone interview. Pinkston initially demanded payment for an interview; when BuzzFeed News declined, she called back to talk.
Pinkston didn’t say if she
identifies as transgender. However, in response to admitting over the
weekend to falsely coming out, she told BuzzFeed News: “I’m taking full
responsibility for what I said.”
The initial lie, then the apparent justification for the lie, all spun out earlier this year when a high school friend named Cecelia Jinks screenshotted and tweeted anti-trans comments Pinkston made on her personal Facebook page suggesting that transgender women are not women.
Jinks told BuzzFeed News she was friendly with Pinkston, and shared
mutual friends with her when they attended school in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania. She said she found the Facebook comments to be anti-trans
and “utterly disappointing.”
But when she saw her old classmate falsely saying she was transgender last week in an Instagram post that’s now deleted, she felt she had to say something and began tweeting @SavageXFenty.
“I double-checked with all my friends who have known her for years and years, and when I was finally 100% sure she was lying I was horrified,” Jinks said. Pinkston denies knowing Jinks or being friends with her at all.
Jinks added, “Not only was I appalled that she lied about something so sensitive to so many people, but that she did so to cover up her mistake of making transphobic posts on social media.”
Fellow models also chimed in on social media.
Check out some Lovelyti videos:
Ginuwine gets called Transphobic for turning down a kiss from a Transgender woman
Lil Duval Doubles Down on his Breakfast Club comments +Charlamange Targeted by Transgender Activists
YouTube ‘King of Random’ dies in paragliding accident
YouTuber Grant Thompson, star of the “King of Random” channel, has died in a paragliding accident.
The 38 year old, whose channel had 11 million subscribers with billions of views, failed to return from a trip in Utah on Monday.
Thompson had a GPS device which helped locate his body the next day.
His YouTube channel was known for its creative – and sometimes dangerous – experiments such as “What does Liquid Nitrogen do to Your Face?”
Thompson’s death was officially announced on his Instagram page, with calls for his fans to “do a random act of love or kindness today in honour of The King of Random”.
In an interview with MediaKix in 2017, Thompson explained how he was bullied at school but eventually became a pilot. After flying planes for more than a decade, he went into real estate, became “semi-retired” and started his YouTube channel.
“I started making videos on YouTube showing people what I was tinkering with and what I was coming up with,” he said at the time.
Some of his most successful videos include “How to Make LEGO Gummy Candy!”, “What Happens When You Boil The Ocean?” and “How To Make Magic Mud – From a Potato!”
Tributes to Thompson started pouring in from fans and fellow YouTubers after his death was announced, including Logan Paul, who said he was “heartbroken.”
Article via BBCNews
Tamar Braxton Defends BF David Adefeso’s Honor After Video Of The Couple At Nigerian Wedding Goes Viral
Tamar Braxton and her boyfriend, David Adefeso, are having the time of their lives while in Nigeria.
Via social media, Tamar shared a video where she looked stunning as she danced with David at a wedding.
Tamar penned this caption: “And y’all was all paranoid & had me looking for a wife and kids and shit????? ??♀️ just kidding my @david.adefeso is a dream come true and coming home was the BEST thing I’ve done in a long time I’m so honored to be apart of this spectacular family ???”
One person had this sweet comment: “He loved you through your pain. And it takes a real man to do this. Did you go get married lady?? ???? good to see you look so happy!”
Fans stepped out in force to defend David. One of them replied: “You said they allow their side chicks meet their parents! Lies!!! What’s the meaning of a side chick? A married man can never bring his side chicks home. Nigeria is a conservative country, and marriage to us is respected and honored. As a married woman, this I can tell you! We honor and respect marriages. Side chicks are hidden and not open. Girl!!!!! They kill me with that one!!!! You look like LOVE Tamar! Happy for you.
Another commenter stated: “Where did you read this? In your mind? And why would David marry before and take Tamar again? He is Harvard educated, richer than Tamar and a citizen of the United States. What would he want from Tamar if not love? Do you think you are watching 90 days fiancé? He is from a very wealthy home and a prince! Stop this nonsense. Simply beautiful!!!! So happy for You and David!!!! You both Deserve it!!!! ENJOY.”
Article via CelebrityInsider
Bette Midler calls African American Trump supporters ‘blackground,’ is slammed as ‘racist’
Bette Midler is facing backlash after suggesting that President Donald Trump paid African American supporters to add “blackground” to his rally.
The outspoken Trump critic took to Twitter Wednesday to share a photo of a group of black men standing in the crowd behind Trump during one of his reelection rallies.
“Look, there are African American men in this shot! How much did he pay them to be ‘blackground’?” Midler, 73, tweeted to her 1.7 million followers.
Her remark was instantly slammed as “racist” and “really sick.”
“Wow, Bette! That’s some racist crap right there. I guess an old, white woman like yourself gets to decide what and how black people should believe and vote,” @staceybeast tweeted, while @Sammurica wrote: “People of different races are allowed to support whoever they want. Shocking, I know.”
User @derek_mafs added: “Wow this is a disgusting comment on so many levels? ‘blackground?’ Really? You are really sick, Bette.”
Midler hasn’t deleted the controversial tweet from her account, where she has since tweeted about former special counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony.
She also replied to a user who posted a screengrab of her tweet and called her “#BigotBette,” writing, “Those who scream the loudest (and drop the most F-bombs)…”
Ignoring the swipe at her commentary, Midler responded to the mention of her cursing.
“As many as I feel like! Personally, I enjoy swearing. Why don’t you try it, you uptight…..ha!” she wrote.
Trump hasn’t addressed her tweet yet.
“Your wit and good nature really lifted my spirits; as a newly washed up psycho, I am very grateful for your thoughts and prayers,” she added.
Midler is a frequent and outspoken critic of Trump. The Oscar-nominated actress/singer caused waves on Nov. 14, 2018 when she went after first lady Melania Trump by sharing an image from the former model’s steamy shoot with British GQ in 2000.
Article via USAToday
Kim Kardashian CLAPS BACK @BetteMidler @ChloeGMoretz @piersmorgan for making fun of her N*DE SELFIE
Four teens charged in attack on flight attendant and American girlfriend who refused to kiss
Four teenage boys have been charged with an aggravated hate crime after brutally beating two women who refused their demands to kiss while aboard a bus in London last May, authorities said Thursday.
The teens attacked 28-year-old Melania Geymonat, a flight attendant from Uruguay, and her American girlfriend, Chris, on the upper deck of a bus traveling through West Hampstead, London, in the early hours of May 30. The women were beaten and robbed. A photo after the incident showed their bloody facial injuries.
Two 16-year-olds, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were charged with an aggravated hate crime under the Public Order act, the Metropolitan Police Service announced in a statement. The identities of the teens were not released.
One 16-year-old faces an additional charge of theft and handling stolen goods, while the other is accused of possessing cannabis. The 15-year-old was also charged with theft and handling stolen goods.
The teens were scheduled to appear in Highbury Corner Youth Court on Aug. 21.
Speaking after the attack, Geymonat said the teens demanded the women kiss while making crude sexual gestures and throwing coins at them.
“The next thing I remember was Chris in the middle of them and they were beating her,” Geymonat said. “I didn’t think about it and went in. I was pulling her back and trying to defend her so they started beating me up.
“I felt blood, I was bleeding all over my clothes and all over the floor.”
Both women were taken to a hospital and received treatment for facial injuries.
Article via FoxNews
North Carolina Reaches Settlement In Long Battle Over Bathrooms And Gender Identity
A federal judge in North Carolina has approved a consent decree that enshrines the right of transgender individuals to use bathrooms that match their gender identities in North Carolina public buildings.
The agreement was reached between senior state officials and the plaintiffs, led by a transgender man named Joaquin Carcaño. The judge said the parties agree that nothing in a controversial state law “can be construed by the Executive Branch Defendants to prevent transgender people from lawfully using public facilities in accordance with their gender identity.”
“After so many years of managing the anxiety of HB 2 and fighting so hard, I am relieved that we finally have a court order to protect transgender people from being punished under these laws,” said Carcaño.
The settlement also states that any outstanding legal claims against the state officials by the plaintiffs, including the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, are now dismissed.
“We are thrilled to obtain some clarity and relief for transgender North Carolinians who have been suffering under HB 2 and HB 142 for years. While this part of the court fight may be ending, so much urgent work remains as long as people who are LGBTQ are denied basic protections from violence and discrimination simply because of who they are,” said Irena Como, acting legal director of the ACLU of North Carolina.
Lawmakers passed the original “bathroom bill,” HB 2, in 2016 under Republican Gov. Pat McCrory. It required that public agencies clearly indicate that multiple occupancy restrooms, showers and changing areas in their buildings must be used according to the sex listed on a person’s birth certificate.
The bill drew intense backlash. That included pullouts from major businesses that, according to an estimate from The Associated Press, could have cost the state some $3.76 billion over the course of 12 years.
In 2017, the newly elected Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper repealed major portions of it with a new bill, HB 142.
However, as NPR has reported, the updated law remained controversial with rights advocates because it left state legislators in charge of policy on public restrooms. And like the preceding bill, it also blocked “local jurisdictions from passing anti-discrimination measures protecting LGBT people — but only until 2020, instead of indefinitely.”
Carcaño, the case’s lead plaintiff, said it “remains devastating” that local jurisdictions can’t implement such measures yet. “The fight for full justice will continue.”
The North Carolina General Assembly, which passed these bills, opposed the consent decree, according to a court filing. Cooper and several other senior state officials were in favor of the settlement, while the University of North Carolina and its president didn’t take a position.
Check out some Lovelyti videos:
Lil Duval Doubles Down on his Breakfast Club comments +Charlamange Targeted by Transgender Activists
Ginuwine gets called Transphobic for turning down a kiss from a Transgender woman
Cardi B under fire for her Transphobic Colorist and Racist Comments
Kim Kardashian finally addresses allegations against photographer Marcus Hyde
Kim Kardashian has broken her silence on the recent allegations that her personal photographer, Marcus Hyde, offered a model a free photoshoot in exchange for nude pictures.
“I have been reading all of the messages and stories from women regarding inappropriate and inexcusable behavior of a photographer that I have worked with in the past,” Kim wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday. “My own experiences have always been professional, and I am deeply shocked, saddened and disappointed to learn that other women have had very different experiences.
“I stand in full support of every woman’s right to not be harassed, asked or pressured to do anything they are not comfortable with,” she continued. “We cannot allow this type of behavior to go unnoticed and I applaud those who speak out.”
On Monday, Los Angeles-based model Sunnaya accused Hyde of trying to bribe her into sending him nude pictures in exchange for a free photoshoot. If she didn’t send the nudes, he would’ve charged her $2,000, she claimed. Sunnaya shared screenshots of a conversation allegedly between her and Hyde that ultimately ended with him allegedly telling her to “find someone else. I’ll keep shooting celebs.”
Ariana Grande, who frequently collaborated with Hyde, slammed him over the accusations, as did Bella Thorne, drag queen Aquaria and Michelle Visage.
The famed shutterbug survived a near-fatal car crash last year. During his recovery, Kardashian and husband Kanye West donated $25,000 to alleviate his medical costs, and in April he attended West’s Sunday Service performance at Coachella.