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Trump says he’ll put tariffs on aluminum and steel imports : NPR

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President Trump boards Air Force One in Louisiana as he returns to Washington after attending Super Bowl LIX.

Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images


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Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump told reporters he will issue a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports on Monday. He made the announcement on Sunday while flying on Air Force One to watch the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Additionally, he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on “everyone” on Tuesday or Wednesday: “If they charge us, we charge them. That’s all,” he said. “Every country will be reciprocal.”

It’s not clear if they’ll be implemented immediately or later. “Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff. Aluminum too,” Trump said.

He also said that no other country should have a majority stake in U.S. Steel, but he encouraged Nippon Steel to make a major “investment” in the company.

He confirmed he would be meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

He also said he plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “at the right time,” but declined to detail when and how often he has spoken to Putin already.



This story originally appeared on NPR

Newsom: Homeowners should benefit from interest on insurance payouts

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As Los Angeles reels from the devastation of the Palisades and Eaton fires, Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to sponsor a bill that would ensure that homeowners, not lenders, benefit from interest earned on insurance payouts for destroyed or damaged properties, according to his office.

“Homeowners rebuilding after a disaster need all the support they can get, including the interest earned on their insurance funds,” Newsom said in a statement announcing the planned bill.

The state bill will be authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena). A spokesperson for Newsom’s office said the bill is expected to be introduced by the end of the month.

Insurance payouts can accrue significant interest while the money sits in escrow during rebuilding, bill proponents say. California law already requires lenders to pay homeowners the interest on escrowed funds for property taxes and insurance but not for insurance payouts held in escrow, according to the governor’s office.

A spokesperson for Newsom’s office said that interest rates are typically about 2% annually, which would amount to roughly $20,000 a year for a $1-million payout for a destroyed home.



This story originally appeared on LA Times

8 upgrade-worthy features rumored for the Phone 17 lineup

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We’re halfway to the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup. Here are the most compelling rumors so far that may push you to upgrade.

September is iPhone season. This year, rumors say we’ll see iPhone 17, iPhone 17 “Air,” iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Rumors have been swirling fast this year about the upcoming models. With many pro-level features trickling down and redesigns in the works, it’s going to be an interesting cycle.

Of everything we’ve heard, these are the rumors that been most compelling.

This new change may finally put an end to the constant feedback Apple faces every year. The base model phones will no longer be capped at 60Hz.

Apple will be bringing ProMotion to all iPhone 17 models with the ability to adjust the refresh rate on the fly, up to 120Hz.

The comments come every time we talk about or review base models. Many are indignant that a phone would ship with 60Hz in modern times.

We’ve long maintained your average user does not care about this. They don’t know their refresh rate, let alone get fired up at how low it is.

We still stand by that sentiment.

But what this does, is allow those who do care about this to get on a more affordable device. And that’s certainly a win.

48MP telephoto

Apple is finally getting around to upgrading that third camera on iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Completing the trio of shooters.


The new pro-level phones will have three 48MP cameras

All three rear-facing cameras will be 48MP. Right now, only the ultra wide and wide lenses are 48MP while the tele lens is 12MP.

This means not only will we get higher resolution zoom shots, but we could get more digital zoom at the same time. You’ll be able to crop in and still have a usable image.

It’s not going to be 100X zoom that are on some Android devices, but this will be more practical and increase the look of all telephoto shots.

All-new Air model

One of the biggest ways Apple will spur upgrades is with a whole new device. Speculatively named the iPhone 17 “Air” or iPhone 17 “Slim.”

This phone will replace the existing Plus model, as it’s the lowest performing model of the lineup with reportedly only 8% of iPhone 16 sales.

Three modern smartphones in gold, silver, and green, displayed at various angles, showcasing rear cameras and sleek design on a gradient blue background.
A mockup of the iPhone 17 Air

Apple will hope to woo customers with a more affordable price point than the Pro duo in a new super-slim design.

Recently, Samsung revealed its prototype Galaxy S25 Edge. While not official, it seems to be roughly 5.8mm thick.

Two metallic rectangular objects shown sideways, one thicker at 8.26 mm and one thinner at 5.5 mm, each with a button on the side.
The iPhone 16 Pro (left) and the rumored thickness of the iPhone 17 Air (right)

There’s been plenty of speculation on how thick the iPhone 17 Air will be, but the latest say Apple may be targeting a thickness of 5.5mm.

Comparably, the iPhone 16 Pro is 8.25mm. 5.5mm would shave off more than a third of this.

Before everyone assumes “Bendgate 2.0” is coming, Apple tests these things. It knows what people are saying and will be amply prepared.

Sure, it will be guaranteed to bend with enough force, but the new design and middle-of-the-road price tag will probably make it incredibly popular.

Upgraded cooling system

Before you skip past the new cooling system, hear us out. It’s much more important than its boring name implies.

It’s no secret that iPhones get very warm, which impacts everything from performance to battery life. Apple finally got serious about this with the iPhone 16 lineup, which does stay cooler than previous models.

But the iPhone 17 will go even further with a vapor cooling chamber. These are liquid-filled blocks inside the device that replace a traditional heatsink

Cross-section of a heat pipe showing labeled sections: condenser (heat out), evaporator (heat in), liquid return, and liquid turning to vapor, with arrows indicating flow directions.
How vapor cooling chambers work. Source: Celsia Inc.

When heated, the liquid evaporates and moves around the chamber as vapor, spreading the heat around. That vapor condenses down to a cooler liquid, which returns to a wick structure to be heated again at the source.

If your phone runs cooler, it will charge faster, battery will last longer, it will keep higher sustained performance, and high-end games will maintaining better performance and higher frame rates.

A new thermal system doesn’t sound like something fun, but — holy smokes — does it have a lot of implications in use.

A19 chipset

Speaking of performance, we’ll also have Apple’s latest silicon – the A19 and A19 Pro.

By the sounds of it, the iPhone 17 and 17 Air will use the A19 while the A19 Pro will be yet again reserved for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Person holding a smartphone, playing a video game featuring a character navigating a sunlit outdoor marketplace, with text and icons displayed on screen.
Playing Assassin’s Creed on iPhone 16 Pro

Early on, it seemed the A19 chips would rely on a new 2nm process. But yields aren’t up to snuff yet, meaning it may not yet be feasible for Apple to use.

Even if Apple doesn’t move to 2nm in 2025, the new processors are always one of the reasons to upgrade.

They include so many crucial elements of the phone from the Thunderbolt controller for the Pro phones, to the Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence, to the ISP for picture quality.

It includes the memory too, which will increase to 12GB on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, sticking with 8GB for the others.

Rest assured, Apple will make a big deal about the upgraded performance of the whole iPhone 17 lineup. If you have an older phone, faster may be what you’re looking for.

Always-on display

Backtracking, we need to revisit that new universal ProMotion display. Everyone talks about the higher 120Hz refresh rate, but equally important is the lower frame rates.

This is what enables your phone to save battery life and to even support the always-on display. You’ll finally be able to see your battery, widgets, and more while your phone is in its “off” state, just like the Pro phones.

Smartphone displaying 9:33 with a purple background, surrounded by plants and decor, including playing card art.
StandBy mode can be always on for all phones

Even better – StandBy mode will now always be on. Right now, users put their phones in StandBy mode only to have it automatically shut off after a few moments.

The only way for it to stay on is for the phone to have an always-on display. And the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 air will get that.

Redesigned Pro models

Early on, the purported iPhone 17 Air gave us pause. It was going to have this big redesign, but would be priced below the Pro phones.

We’d be surprised if Apple reinvigorated the budget models without also giving some sort of new design to the Pro phones too.

Smartphone CAD rendering with a large camera and button layout on a black background. Tweet text and details visible on the left.
Majin Bu shares a rumored redesign coming to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro

According to Ming Chi Kuo, and the sometimes reliable Majin Bu, Apple may be doing just that.

The two pro-level phones will get a new aesthetic that has a primarily glass back with a metal camera bump on the top. That camera bump will also run the full width of the phone, rather than be left-aligned.

This will help visually distinguish them from older models and will be the first change to the back of the iPhone since the iPhone X era.

There’s been much debate on how this will look, how the cameras will be oriented, but the rumor seems to be catching on as we inch towards release.

New front-facing camera

Finally, Apple is also finally ready to upgrade the front-facing camera on all four models. Apple used to use a 7MP camera until the iPhone 11 when it finally moved to a 12MP sensor.

But that was the last real upgrade. Now they will all reportedly have 24MP sensors, doubling the resolution.

Person holding a smartphone capturing a selfie; reflection shows a camera on a tripod beside them.
The selfie camera will be getting a long-awaited upgrade

Selfies are really important for users. We have many treasured photos ourselves of our partners and kids that while heartwarming, are technically bad photos.

They always suffer in low light and 12MP isn’t much when the other cameras are all going to be at 48MP. We also love how this won’t be gatekept behind the Pro models.

More “Pro” for less

We’re going to have vapor cooling, promotion, A19 chip, better front-facing camera, and an always-on display for the non-pro phones. That is going to make them a lot more compelling to users.

While many will still be excited for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air, the inclusion of all these “pro” features and the iPhone 17 Air, we may see more people upgrade than usual for the lower-cost devices.

Stay tuned to find out how things come together.



This story originally appeared on Appleinsider

Monday Morning Hangover: What’s next for Sean Strickland after bruising loss at UFC 312?

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UFC 312 blew the roof off Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, this past weekend (Sat., Feb. 8, 2025), leaving several fighters feeling the post-fight blues. Among them was Tatiana Suarez, who was unable to fulfill her championship dreams after she was dominated by reigning women’s Strawweight champion, Zhang Weili.

And Justin Tafa, who was absolutely obliterated by Tallison Teixeira in 35 seconds (see it again here). But, which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now a few days removed from the show?

Sean Strickland.

Coming into his rematch against Dricus du Plessis, “Tarzan” undoubtedly heard the noise (it was loud) about getting a chance to reclaim the Middleweight title so quickly against “DDP,” especially since he never had a successful 185-pound title defense before coughing it up.

Nevertheless, when gifted an opportunity like that, almost anyone would have accepted it. Unfortunately for Strickland, it was worse than the first fight, with a few more bumps and bruises to show off in the rematch.

For 25 minutes, the fight stayed on the feet with the exception of one takedown from “Stillknocks.” Strickland did stay busy, but du Plessis was more than up for the task, matching his foe’s intensity. The South African champion, however, was more tactical and precise, doing more than enough — including shattering Strickalnd’s nose in six places in round four — to secure the unanimous decision win.

After the defeat, Strickland posted a positive message on Instagram for all his loyal fans.

“What’s up, guys?” Strickland began the video. “We’ve been here once or twice. I’m so grateful for you guys’ support. You guys are so awesome, win or lose, you guys always ride and I appreciate you. Dricus, f—king hats off, hell of a fight, broke my nose in six places. The silver lining is my nose is so broken it’s really easy to reset, so that was a new experience.

“I’ll be quick,” Strickland added. “I get so many messages from fans, friends, family, like, ‘Hold your head up, it’s OK.’ I’m good. Losing sucks, but we all lose in life. And I talk to so many people whether they lose their job, their girlfriend breaks up with them, and they just find themselves in this hole, but me, I love the misery. I love the suffering, because when you’re miserable, when you’re in pain, when you’re suffering, the moment that’s gone — and it will end, it will be a new day, a better day — life’s good.

“So, I’m grateful and being grateful kind of keeps my head up,” he concluded. “For you guys going through it, look at me, I just broke my nose in front of millions of people. It f—king sucks, I lost a fight, and I’ve still got to wake up tomorrow and hold my head up and be, like, ‘Hey man, it’s a new day. Got to sack up and be a man.’ So. for you guys going through it, look at me, and I hope that, f—king, your day gets better.”

Strickland now finds himself in a tough position because the road to another title fight will long and arduous. In fact, if “DDP” remains on the throne, it’s almost out of the question that Strickland can secure a trilogy fight after such a poor performance “Down Under.” Sure, Strickland can work his way up, but his best bet for another title bout will be based on if du Plessis coughs it up.

For now, Strickland will take some time to heal his nose. When he does return, perhaps a rematch against Israel Adesanya is in order. Strickland dethroned “The Last Stylebender” at UFC 293 in back in Sept. 2023, and the two men never go a chance to run it back. With both coming off tough defeats, perhaps now is as good a time as any to make it happen.

Just make sure everyone is healthy.


For complete UFC 312 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.



This story originally appeared on MMA Mania

Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ the Last Movie? – Hollywood Life

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Image Credit: Getty Images

Tom Cruise is back in action to take on another nearly impossible task in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Since the film’s title was initially Dead Reckoning: Part Two, fans wondered if the switch to “final reckoning” indicated that it could be the last Mission: Impossible installment. The full trailer, which aired during the February 2025 Super Bowl, teased that this could be “one last time” with the Impossible Mission Force. So, is it true — is MI8 the last movie of the franchise?

The action film, which will also star Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg and Vanessa Kirby, comes nearly 20 years after the original Mission: Impossible premiered in 1996.

Get all the details about Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning below.

Mission: Impossible 8 Premiere Date

The eighth film is set to be released on May 23, 2025.

Why Was the Title Changed to Final Reckoning?

Initially, the film was intended as “Part Two” of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. While it continues the story, the title was changed to Final Reckoning, although many expected it to be “Part Two.”

When the seventh film was released, Cruise wrote on his Instagram, “I am so grateful to be able to travel the world to bring these films to you.” He truly embraced his role and took on a Mission: Impossible-worthy challenge by traveling to four U.S. cities—Toronto, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Miami—to surprise fans at screenings in 2023.

Is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning the Last Movie?

While the word “final” suggests this may be Ethan Hunt’s (Cruise’s character) last mission, it’s still unclear whether this will be the final film in the franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount wanted to promote the film as the “final” chapter to boost engagement. However, the trailer features Tom asking the others of the IMF to join him “one last time.”

As one of Hollywood’s most accomplished stuntmen, Tom has performed some of the most dangerous stunts in cinematic history while filming the MI movies. For the eighth installment, the actor told Empire he “passed out” a few times while filming a scene hanging on the wing of a 20th century Boeing Stearman biplane. That sequence was shot 10,000 feet in the air.

“When you stick your face out, going over 120 to 130 miles an hour, you’re not getting oxygen,” Tom told the publication in February 2025. “So, I had to train myself how to breathe. There were times I would pass out physically; I was unable to get back into the cockpit.”




This story originally appeared on Hollywoodlife

Absolutely beautiful village that’s ‘trapped in time’ ranked among UK’s greatest | Travel News | Travel

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undefined (Image: Getty)

Despite the widespread loss of historic buildings across the country, replaced by towering blocks and sprawling housing estates, Kent still boasts pockets of preserved history that transport visitors back in time.

Some villages are so steeped in antiquity, one might feel as though they’ve arrived via a Tardis rather than conventional transport.

Chilham is one such gem, nestled along the idyllic Great Stour River, a mere nine miles from the historic city of Canterbury.

More akin to a medieval hamlet than a 2025 village, Chilham’s charm lies in its impeccably maintained old-style wooden beam buildings, crowned with striking orange triangular roofs.

The village appears suspended in time, its authentic Tudor aesthetic lending itself perfectly to the silver screen. It has served as the backdrop for numerous films and TV shows, including Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’, Agatha Christie’s ‘Miss Marple’, ‘Poirot’, ‘A Canterbury Tale’ and even ‘Top Gear’.

A pub in Chilham, Kent

Chilham, Kent (Image: Peter Thompson/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Surrounded by stunning countryside, Chilham isn’t just a stone’s throw from Canterbury—it’s also the starting point for several local walks and pilgrimage routes.

The Pilgrims Way, a path trodden by many religious devotees heading to Canterbury Cathedral, winds its way through this picturesque village.

The revered English martyr, St Thomas Beckett, is believed to be interred in the local churchyard after his remains were relocated following the destruction of his Canterbury Cathedral grave during the Reformation.

The village also boasts a stunning medieval square, part of the Pilgrims Way, which is an essential stop for any visitor.

Tudor houses in Chilham Kent

Chilham, Kent (Image: Peter Thompson/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Chilham, like any medieval settlement worth its salt, is home to a castle. Although the castle itself is privately owned, its exquisite formal gardens and parkland are open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday during the season from May to September.

After exploring the village, two traditional pubs, the Woolpack Inn and The White Horse, offer ideal locations for a meal or a drink. Both establishments date back to the 16th century; the Woolpack offers everything from simple pub fare to hearty rustic dishes, while The White Horse has been awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award.

Patrons have lauded its ‘cosy and quirky atmosphere’ and ‘attentive service’.

As for property prices in the village, the average price of homes sold in Chilham over the past year stands at £596,250, according to Rightmove. Detached properties accounted for most sales, with an average price of £778,333, while semi-detached properties fetched an average of £414,167.

Truly, Chilham is ‘one of Britain’s greatest villages’.

The Telegraph made headlines last year with its definitive top 30 ranking of Britain’s most charming villages. The selection, curated by travel gurus, shone the spotlight on areas across the UK, lauding those quiet spots that have managed to dodge the pitfalls of ‘overtourism’ and maintain their tranquil allure.

The newspaper explained, “Britain has no shortage of eye-catching villages, but a combination of good looks, convenience for day trippers and a few influential endorsements can be enough to turn what was once a peaceful retreat into an overtourism battleground inundated with selfie stick-wielding tourists from April till October.”

It highlighted Castle Combe in the Cotswolds and Polperro in Cornwall as prime examples where the influx of tourists has surged.

But The Telegraph assured readers, “Fortunately, there are still plenty of beautiful but uncrowded British villages that do retain their authentic character, where medieval pubs and churches remain the beating heart of the community, and where welcoming shopkeepers stock treats from local producers.”

a house in Kent

Chilham made it on to a list of the most beautiful villages (Image: Getty)

Distinctly, only Chilham from Kent nabbed a spot on this prestigious list.

The publication did not hold back praising Chilham’s idyllic qualities: “There’s a medieval square lined by pleasingly wonky timber-frame buildings, two good pubs, a cute tea room, a post office and a historic church that was the last known resting place of the shrine of St Augustine after the Reformation.”

Another standout feature of the village is the impressive Jacobean mansion, constructed on the grounds of an eighth-century castle.



This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk

Here’s how someone could start investing in 2025 with just £1,000

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Image source: Getty Images

Before the internet, people needed a fair chunk of cash to start investing due to high brokerage fees. Today though, anyone can get going with modest sums. Technology’s democratised stock market investing.

Therefore, £1,000 is easily enough to get the ball rolling this year. 

Little acorns

With such an amount, the go-to option in the UK would be a Stocks and Shares ISA. This marvellous account shields returns — both dividend income and share price gains — from the taxman. Obviously, this enables a portfolio to grow and compound far more quickly.

The annual contribution limit is £20,000. But the good news is that it’s possible to build long-term wealth on nearly half that.

For example, someone who invests £1,000 a month would reach a £1m ISA in just over 23 years, assuming all dividends were reinvested and a 10% average return was achieved.

Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.

Dividend stock to consider

The average ISA provider offers a world of investing options, ranging from US growth shares like Amazon to UK dividend stocks like Lloyds.

For cautious investors who like the idea of receiving dividends, I think Legal & General (LSE: LGEN) stock’s worth considering. It carries a towering 9% forecast dividend yield for 2025!

Of course, dividends are never guaranteed, and in a financial meltdown the insurance and asset management group could face increased liabilities and decreased asset valuations.

Nevertheless, I think the income potential looks strong, particularly after the firm just sold its US protection business for $2.3bn.

From this, it has earmarked £1bn for a new share buyback programme. And it plans to return the equivalent of 40% of its market capitalisation — over £5bn — to shareholders through dividends and buybacks by 2027.

Based on current forecasts, a £1,000 investment in Legal & General shares could yield roughly £152 in dividends over the next 18 months.

Growth stock to consider

For more adventurous investors, I think Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU) is worth a look. Commonly known as Nubank, this is Latin America’s leading fintech firm and the largest digital bank platform outside of Asia.

Incredibly, the Warren Buffett-backed company now has over 100m customers in Brazil alone, while also expanding rapidly in Mexico and Colombia. In fact, it’s doubled its customer base in Mexico over the past 12 months!

In 2024, revenue’s expected to have jumped 47% year on year to $11.8bn, while net profit rocketed 84% to $2.2bn.

Naturally, the branchless bank cannot grow at such a blistering pace indefinitely, and it faces above-average risks of hyperinflation and wild currency swings in Latin America. Such issues could knock earnings and dampen investor enthusiasm.

Still, analysts have annual revenue heading above $21bn by 2027, with profits growing at an even faster rate. And Nu is expanding beyond banking, recently launching mobile phone services in Brazil under the NuCel brand.

As we make progress in our execution, we are preparing ourselves to consolidate Nu as the world’s leading digital services platform, going beyond financial services. 

David Vélez, founder and CEO of Nubank.

Enticingly, the stock trades at 23.5 times forecast earnings for 2025, with the multiple falling to 17 by 2026. For a growth machine like this, I think the valuation looks far too cheap.

I’m looking to add more shares to my own portfolio before the summer.



This story originally appeared on Motley Fool

Sandra Bullock’s Flop Action Comedy ‘Miss Congeniality’ Is a Hit on Streaming

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Before becoming a romcom icon, thanks to leading roles in The Proposal and The Lake House, Sandra Bullock was a bona-fide action star during the ’90s and 00s, with major roles in Demolition Man, and the Speed franchise. But, one of Bullock’s often-forgotten, and vastly underappreciated action flicks came six years after Speed, when Bullock starred in Miss Congeniality

. For those that have never seen the action comedy, or won’t pass up an opportunity for a long-overdue re-watch, it’s currently a hit on streaming.

Miss Congeniality was recently added to Netflix, and flew up the streamer’s Top 10 most popular movies of the week list. At the time of writing, Miss Congeniality is the 4th most popular movie on Netflix

. The film sits behind Amy Schumer’s latest comedy, Kinda Pregnant, in 1st, with The Menu and Back in Action in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Released in 2000, Miss Congeniality was directed by Donald Petrie, and put an action spin on the Hottie and the Nottie (which is a real film) story arc that was popular during that era, and has thankfully been lain to rest.

Sandra Bullock stars as Gracie Hart, an untypically feminine detective who is sent on a mission to infiltrate the Miss United States beauty pageant. In order to do so, she must lose her tomboyish ways and become (in the eyes of 00s societal standards) a real “woman.” Alongside Bullock, Miss Congeniality also starred Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, Heather Burns, Candice Bergen, Ernie Hudson, and Steve Monroe. The official synopsis reads:

“Gracie Hart, a tomboyish detective, is made to infiltrate the Miss United States beauty pageant as a contestant after her department learns that the event is under threat from an anonymous bomber.”

‘Miss Congeniality’ Was a Critical Flop

Despite building enough of a fan base for Warner Bros. to green-light a sequel (2005’s dreadful Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous), the original Miss Congeniality was slated by many critics. The movie holds a 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes, from a blend of reviews from 2000, and from more recent readings of the film.

Related


Long-Awaited Nicole Kidman & Sandra Bullock Sequel Conjures a Bewitching Update

Returning stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock have both worked with the director before.

Even when it was released, some took issue with the film’s questionable presentation of feminism and misogyny. Elements like Gracie’s “tomboyishness” and the stereotypes of female models have all frustrated critics and audiences. In his 2000 review of the film, esteemed film critic, Roger Ebert, described Miss Congeniality as a middle of the road comedy, that is neither terrible nor great. “Miss Congeniality is harmless fun of a silly sort. It isn’t bad so much as it lacks any ambition to be more than it so obviously is,” he wrote.

Despite the bad reviews from critics, audiences mostly liked Miss Congeniality. Adjacent to its rotten critics score sits an audience rating of 69%. However, both fans and critics turned on the franchise with the sequel, Miss Congeniality 2, which holds an even worse critics’ rating of 16%, with audiences giving it a slightly better 43%. Even Sandra Bullock has admitted that Miss Congeniality 2 was a mistake, and ruled out any hopes of completing a trilogy. “God no, no. No. [Miss Congeniality] 2 shouldn’t have been done… That one should’ve remained a one-off,” the actress said.


miss-congeniality_movie_poster.jpg

Miss Congeniality


Release Date

December 22, 2000

Runtime

109 Minutes

Director

Donald Petrie






This story originally appeared on Movieweb

Marvel’s Thunderbolts* Trailer Reveals First Look At Sentry As The MCU’s Misfit Superheroes Assemble To Save New York City (Again)

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Marvel Studios has just released a new trailer for Thunderbolts*. The past week has been a big one for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After a major event set up the release of the first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel has continued that with a new look at the cast of Thunderbolts* in action. Fan-favorite characters like Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, and more star in the new MCU footage. Alongside them is the first peek at one of Marvel’s most powerful characters, Sentry, who makes his MCU debut in the upcoming Marvel film.

Marvel Studios released a new trailer for Thunderbolts* at the Super Bowl, showing more of the team in action and teasing a dark new threat, as well as a new poster.

Check out the poster below:

Check out the trailer below:

The trailer evidences more of the story of Marvel’s Thunderbolts*, as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine speaks to congress about how the Avengers will not come to stop an emerging threat, suggesting that the Thunderbolts will be the team the rises to the occasion. While the film’s main villain is not fully shown, the trailer does tease that there will be a major plot twist to it.

What The New Thunderbolts* Trailer Reveals From The MCU Movie

Sentry Makes His MCU Debut With A Twist

The Thunderbolts* trailer shows why the team gets together. A major new threat emerges to destroy New York City, with Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes needing a team to help him stop it. Previously, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed that Bucky would be the field leader of the Thunderbolts. The trailer cements that. It also shows how Sentry, who is played by Lewis Pullman, will likely see his dark side take over at some point in the film, making one of the MCU’s most powerful new heroes also the major threat of the film.

Related


10 Coolest Marvel Hero Debuts You’ve Totally Missed If You’ve Only Been Watching The MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe brought many fan-favorite heroes to life, but outside the MCU, other Marvel projects did as good of a job.

In the comics, Sentry has a dark side, the Void, who kills millions. With an unknown darkness spreading over New York and a floating character transforming people into shadows, killing them, it seems like the Void will be the major twist of the MCU movie. The new Thunderbolts* trailer also confirms that the film solves a major MCU mystery. After several years, it has been revealed that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine was the one who bought Avengers Tower. The new trailer shows outside shots of the iconic MCU location, adding to previous internal shots with the Thunderbolts.

Sentry’s MCU Debut Could Mean Death For The Thunderbolts

Marvel Is Debuting Its Version Of Superman

Sentry is a hero, but his unpredictable dark side, the Void, makes him quite a threat to the new MCU team. The character is one of Marvel’s answers to DC’s Superman, meaning he will soon become one of the MCU’s most powerful characters when he debuts. That is a problem for the Thunderbolts, as the team does not possess the necessary firepower to take him down. The MCU’s Thunderbolts have three super-soldiers — Bucky, Red Guardian, and U.S. Agent — and three hand-to-hand fighters in the form of Yelena Belova, Taskmaster, and Ghost.

Confirmed Thunderbolts Cast Member

Character The Actor Plays

Sebastian Stan

James “Bucky” Barnes, A.K.A. The Winter Soldier

Florence Pugh

Yelena Belova, A.K.A. Black Widow

Wyatt Russell

John Walker, A.K.A. US Agent

David Harbour

Alexei Shostakov, A.K.A. Red Guardian

Hannah John-Kamen

Ava Starr, A.K.A. Ghost

Olga Kurylenko

Antonia Dreykov, A.K.A. Taskmaster

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Contessa Valentina Allegra De Fontaine

Harrison Ford

President Thaddeus Ross

Lewis Pullman

Bob (Sentry)

Geraldine Viswanathan

Unconfirmed

With the new Thunderbolts* trailer revealing that Sentry will turn into the Void at some point in the movie, the Thunderbolts will be in way over their heads. Due to the film’s dark nature and the disposable nature of the team, multiple characters might die before Sentry comes back to his true self. In February 2024, The Hollywood Reporter claimed that early versions of the Thunderbolts* script featured the characters going on a mission that was supposed to see them die. Fighting Sentry as the Void could very well be the new version of that.

Our Take On The New Thunderbolts* Trailer’s MCU Reveals

Nobody Is Safe In The MCU’s New Team-Up Movie

Avengers Tower Thunderbolts in Thunderbolts Trailer

With the Void being the villain the Thunderbolts fight, I’m afraid about the team’s chances of surviving. It already seems like Taskmaster will die early, as the character is not present in any scenes in the trailers for the film besides the initial sequence from when the characters meet for the first time. Sentry is basically Marvel’s Superman in terms of power, so his evil side being let loose could spell doom for some MCU fan favorites. The confirmation that Valentina bought Avengers Tower is exciting, and it seems like Thunderbolts* will serve as The Avengers 2.0, saving New York.

After so many years of waiting to find out who bought Avengers Tower, Valentina had become an easy answer to that question after her string of MCU appearances over the past years. Still, seeing it realized on-screen is thrilling, and the character should have quite a few obscure plans to be unraveled in the MCU movie. The Thunderbolts coming together to face a threat too big for a single hero at a time when the MCU still does not have an Avengers team sounds like the perfect setup for the film, making me very excited for Thunderbolts*.



Thunderbolts (2025) Official Poster


Thunderbolts*


Release Date

May 2, 2025

Director

Jake Schreier

Writers

Lee Sung-jin, Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo




All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

Source: Marvel Studios



This story originally appeared on Screenrant

Irv Gotti, Def Jam hip-hop exec and Murder Inc. co-founder, dies at 54

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Irv Gotti, the Def Jam record executive behind the Murder Inc. label, has died. He was 54.

In a statement posted to Gotti’s Instagram, his family wrote, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Irving ‘Irv Gotti’ Lorenzo, on February 5, 2025. Surrounded by family and friends, he departed this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives he touched. Our dad was an incredible man, a true visionary who transformed the hip-hop industry and changed the game for artists and fans alike. His passion for music and dedication to his craft inspired many, and his contributions will continue to influence future generations.”

The statement did not include a cause of death, but Gotti had suffered several strokes and diabetes-related issues in recent years.

Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. on June 26, 1970, was a key figure in the sound of ‘90s and 2000s hip-hop, when brash lyricism and outsize personalities blended seamlessly with pop hooks and R&B tenderness.

Gotti came to prominence as an A&R rep at Def Jam, where he helped sign and cultivate era-defining acts like Jay-Z , DMX and Ja Rule. After founding his own label imprint, Murder Inc., in 1998, his trademark sound — pairing gruff rap vocals with gentler R&B choruses — yielded crossover hits like a pair of remixes of “I’m Real” and “Ain’t It Funny” from Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule; Ja Rule and Ashanti’s “Always on Time”; and Ashanti’s own “Rain on Me,” “Foolish” and “Mesmerize.”

In a statement posted to social media, Def Jam said, “His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder Inc., helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip-hop and R&B. His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.”

Gotti’s own production work included the song “Can I Live” off Jay Z’s 1996 debut, “Reasonable Doubt,” and tracks by Kanye West, Fat Joe, Memphis Bleek and Christina Milian. His genre interests extended beyond hip-hop: In 2007, he released “Heroes and Thieves” from singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton, after changing his label name to the Inc.

His career as a mogul was in doubt after an FBI investigation in the mid-2000s, one that culminated in a raid of Murder Inc.’s offices. The FBI was investigating alleged ties to drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff. Gotti was acquitted, and he ultimately moved into TV production with “Tales,” a BET hip-hop anthology series,

Gotti is survived by his children, Angie, Sonny and Jonathan Wilson; his Murder Inc. co-founder and brother, Chris Lorenzo; mother Nee Nee Lorenzo; and sisters Tina and Angie.



This story originally appeared on LA Times