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Daniel Craig’s Bold Transformation in ‘Queer’ at Venice Film Festival

Discover Daniel Craig’s striking transformation in ‘Queer’ at the Venice Film Festival. Explore his captivating performance, fashion choices, and the impact of his role on LGBTQ+ representation in cinema.

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Daniel Craig’s Bold Transformation in “Queer”

If you’ve primarily known Daniel Craig as the suave, enigmatic James Bond, brace yourself for a shock with his latest film, “Queer.” Directed by the acclaimed Luca Guadagnino, this gripping narrative premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday, showcasing a side of Craig that is raw and unfiltered. In this film, the 56-year-old actor embodies a drug addict whose tumultuous journey through addiction and sexual encounters is depicted with stark authenticity.

However, for those familiar with Craig’s earlier work—before he donned the tuxedo of Her Majesty’s Secret Service—this new role may resonate more deeply. Craig’s filmography includes daring, sexually charged projects such as “Love Is the Devil” and “The Mother,” which laid the groundwork for his artistic persona. At the film’s Venice press conference, he hinted at the significance of “Queer” in his career, stating, “If I wasn’t in the movie and saw this movie, I’d want to be in it. It’s the kind of film I want to see, I want to make, I want to be out there. They’re challenging but hopefully incredibly accessible.”

“Queer,” adapted from William S. Burroughs’ novel of the same name, tells the story of Lee (portrayed by Craig), an American expatriate who finds himself languishing in the vibrant yet oppressive atmosphere of Mexico City. Lee’s existence is a relentless pursuit of highs, whether he’s indulging in excessive drinking at dive bars, cruising the streets for handsome strangers, or isolating himself with heroin in the confines of his apartment.

Dressed in elegant linen suits, Lee ambles through life like a well-dressed specter, until he crosses paths with Allerton (Drew Starkey), a captivating drifter whose own sexuality seems fluid and undefined. The ambiguity of Allerton’s feelings—does he genuinely like Lee, or is he simply drawn to the attention?—adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. Allerton speaks very little, further deepening Lee’s fascination.

As Lee’s obsession intensifies, he tempts Allerton into a quest for a mythical drug purported to induce telepathy; perhaps, through this substance, he might finally uncover what the object of his desire truly thinks and feels.

While Burroughs’ original novel, written in the early 1950s but published posthumously in 1985, is a brief and gritty exploration of its themes, Guadagnino takes a more expansive approach. The director constructs lavish sets that breathe life into the story, with a recreation of Mexico City built at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, infusing the film with a sweeping romanticism that contrasts sharply with the darker undertones of the narrative.

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Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial

Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.

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Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial

In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.

“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.

Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.

Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.

Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.

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Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms

Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.

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Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets

In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.

Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.

Statement from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”

For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.

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Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing

Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.

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In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.

“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.

“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”

Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges

The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.

The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.

The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.

While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.

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