Al Pacino is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. Though he is now 84 years old, Pacino got his start in acting in his late 20s, when he played a role in the 1968 television series N.Y.P.D. Only four years after that debut, Pacino became best known for playing the role of Michael in The Godfather. This earned Pacino an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and later Best Actor for the sequel The Godfather Part II. It would not be until 1993, however, that Pacino first won an Oscar, for Scent of a Woman.
Pacino has also won two Tony awards and two Emmy Awards, giving him three of the coveted EGOT letters (he is missing a Grammy). This is a huge achievement that few actors have been able to accomplish. Impressively, Pacino’s career continues today, and he even got a Best Supporting Actor nomination in 2020 for The Irishman. Despite all his accolades, however, there was one key film that Pacino did not get any Oscar recognition for, and it is coming to a new streaming home soon.
Scarface Is Being Added To Prime Video This Month
It Was Previously Only Available On Amazon MGM+
Scarfaceis soon being added to Prime Video. The 1983 movie was directed by Brian de Palma, and stars Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who transforms himself into the best drug smuggler in Miami, while also grappling with his own addiction. The movie is a remake of the Howard Hawks film from 1932. Despite the acclaim that Pacino got for his role, he was not nominated for an Oscar for playing Tony. In fact, the Academy neglected to give Scarface any nomination attention that year.
Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are two of the greatest actors of all time, and here are their movie collaborations ranked from worst to best.
As per Collider, Scarface can now be seen by a wider audience again as a streaming home change is announced. Scarface will be available to watch on Prime Video at the end of this month, beginning on January 31. Previously, the movie was only available for Amazon MGM+ subscribers, and now will be available for general Prime Video subscribers.
Why You Should Watch Scarface On Prime Video
Scarface Has Become A Classic
Though Scarface did not get awards’ attention at the time, it is now considered a classic over four decades after its release. Though it came out years after The Godfather, Scarface was pivotal in turning Pacino into the seasoned star that he is known as today. For those looking to catch up on some of the most important crime movies in film history, Scarface is one to watch. In a time of the year when there is a derth of movies to watch in the theaters, it will be interesting to see if Scarface does well on streaming.
The things that the Lakers and LeBron James are going to like best about Dorian Finney-Smith are the things that have kept Finney-Smith from appreciating his battles against the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
“This is probably the most I ever said something to him. I’ve been guarding him for nine years, but I’m just not too friendly on the court,” Finney-Smith said Monday in Los Angeles.
Just because Finney-Smith is known for his toughness, his willingness to take on brutal defensive assignments, that doesn’t mean his first chat with James would be about the battles the Lakers would fight now that they’re teammates.
Instead, Finney-Smith saw an opportunity.
“I just have to pull that shade down and ask him ‘give me some of those shoes.’ I can finally ask for some of that gear,” Finney-Smith said. “We never know when he’s going to hang it up. It was fun to be able to ask him for something, knowing I ain’t got to compete against him tomorrow.
“… He said he got me. The hard part out the way. I asked. I broke the glass.”
He’s got the gear, now he’s ready to play big-time games.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m back to playing some meaningful basketball. It’s been a while, but I’m excited.”
The Lakers broke the glass on their trade market Sunday, sending D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round picks to Brooklyn for Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.
Finney-Smith, 31, has played in 20 games this season and is averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds while attempting 5.4 threes per game and making 43.5% of them. Milton, 28, is averaging 7.4 points in 27 games for the Nets this season while making 38.9% of his three-point shots.
The two players attended — but didn’t participate in — the team’s practice Monday with the hopes of playing Tuesday against Cleveland, provided that all physicals are completed. The Lakers are also expected to get center Jaxson Hayes back from an extended absence because of an ankle injury. Lakers guard Gabe Vincent didn’t practice Monday and is questionable to play against the Cavaliers.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said he plans on using Finney-Smith as a backup for the time being, electing to keep Rui Hachimura in the starting five.
“I already talked to him about it. You know, we’re in a good spot with our starting group right now. So [Finney-Smith will] play and he’ll come off the bench,” Redick said. “And like I’ve told you guys several times, I want consistency with that group. But I’m not gonna be stubborn and locked into something if it’s not working. But it’s working right now, and Doe is a guy that can fit in very easily with any lineup and any sort of roster. He’s easy.
“He has a desire to win and compete and it doesn’t matter to him if he’s starting or coming off the bench.”
Typically, in-season trades are a shock to any player’s system, but for Finney-Smith, he’s been in trade rumors for most of the last two years after Dallas included him in their deal to acquire Kyrie Irving from Brooklyn.
“You hear the noise. But I’m one of them guys, last year I got fed up. I was tired of hearing the noise. You start paying attention to it a little too much and you lose sight of where you’re at,” Finney-Smith said.
“And that’s what happened last year. I thought I was gonna get moved and I ended up staying in Brooklyn. So this year, I just wanted to be where my feet was at. And that was in Brooklyn. So I was just trying to — even though I’m human — you gonna think about it. But I just tried to stay where I was at and that’s in Brooklyn. So I knew the chance of me getting traded was high.
“So it didn’t matter where it was going to be at, I was gonna be ready to go because, again, I was already mentally prepared to get moved. But I’m happy I’m here. I’m not — I don’t wanna say that cause — but if you played for Brooklyn, you know what I mean. You don’t wanna be the little brother in the city. So I’m finally with the big bros.”
Finney-Smith and Milton, strangely enough, were both teammates of Redick’s during his time as a player.
“It gives you a lot of confidence because he knows what you can do so you ain’t got to go out there and try to do nothing you can’t,” Finney-Smith said. “So I just go out there and be me. Sometimes what I do, like you say, won’t show up in the stat sheet. But as long as we win, I’m happy. So that’s all I want to do here is win, bring good vibes, bring that winning mentality, and have fun doing it.”
Khris Middleton came off the bench to score eight points in 21 minutes and the Milwaukee Bucks won their second consecutive game after losing four of five, beating the San Antonio Spurs 121-105 on Wednesday night.
Coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Middleton’s bench role against the Spurs had more to do with his health and a minutes restriction after he had bilateral ankle surgeries over the summer than his production on the court.
“It’s just not improving to the place he wants it or we want it, so we just got to monitor,” Rivers said about Middleton’s health. “We’re cutting his minutes back a little bit and just trying to make sure he gets through this.”
Middleton, 33, was 2-of-7 from the field with one 3-pointer and added 5 rebounds and 3 assists in helping the Bucks to the comfortable win. He missed the first 21 games of the season after offseason surgery on both ankles. He has played in 13 games, making his season debut in early December, but had been in the starting lineup in his previous seven games before missing Monday’s game in Toronto due to ankle tendinitis.
“I think it just makes us an even stronger team. Khris coming off of surgery and missing some time, we had to get settled a certain way,” point guard Damian Lillard said.
“He’s going to be in a position to do more in that second group and it also makes us that much better. … It just gives you an opportunity where you don’t have to have me and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] on the court one or the other hard time. You got another great player out there, and it’s hell for the other team’s bench to have to deal with. So I think it just makes us better and it just creates a lot of balance for us.”
Taurean Prince took Middleton’s place in the starting lineup. Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Andre Jackson Jr. were also in action after being listed on the injury report heading into the game.
Middleton is averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 23.8 minutes this season, but the Bucks have not found a consistent rhythm with him on the floor. Milwaukee is just 3-4 this season in games where Middleton has started.
However, Rivers said he has had too small of a sample to judge Middleton yet, especially while he’s juggling limited playing time.
“The bottom line is just not moving every night the way you like to,” Rivers said. “One night you see, moving great. One night, he’s not. Minutes go up and down.
LIV Golf League captain Joaquín Niemann is headed back to the Masters in April, along with rising PGA Tour star Nicolai Højgaard, after the golfers received invitations to play in the first major championship of the season.
Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley announced the golfers had accepted special invitations on Wednesday, bringing the current field to 87 players.
The Masters will be played April 10-13.
“In support of Augusta National’s efforts to develop interest in golf globally, deserving international players not otherwise qualified have been invited throughout the tournament’s history,” Ridley said. “The tradition continues as we welcome Nicolai and Joaquin back to the Masters, as both players have showcased their talent while competing around the world. We look forward to their arrival this April.”
Niemann, 26, will be making his sixth consecutive Masters start; he made the cut in each of the past four. Last year, Niemann was the only LIV Golf player to receive a special invitation to the Masters after he won the Australian Open on the DP World Tour in December 2023.
Neimann tied for 22nd at the 2024 Masters at 4 over, 15 strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler.
Niemann, from Chile, was a two-time winner on the LIV Golf circuit last season. He also tied for ninth in the Paris Olympics. In the final two months of 2024, Niemann tied for seventh in the DP World Tour Championship and for fifth in the Australian Open, before winning the Asian Tour’s PIF Saudi International on Dec. 7.
Højgaard, from Denmark, was in the top six on the Masters leaderboard after each of the first three rounds in his debut in 2024. He carded a 5-under 67 in the first round and briefly held the lead in the third. He tied for 16th at 2 over.
Ranked No. 60 in the world, Højgaard closed 2024 with five consecutive top-25 finishes on the DP World Tour. He was runner-up at the Farmers Insurance Open in January 2024 and had two top-25s in 18 starts on the PGA Tour.
Højgaard’s twin brother, Rasmus, will make his Augusta National debut in April. It will be the first time twins compete in the same Masters tournament.
At least one amateur, the winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship on Jan. 16-19, will be added to the field. Winners of upcoming full-point PGA Tour events who aren’t otherwise eligible will also be invited, along with any golfers in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking that is published the week before the Masters.
“I’m gay so I can’t do the guitar solo,” quips Sam Buck.
A grin plays across his face as the unmistakable jangle of Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It” wafts through the room. Members of the audience chuckle knowingly — the tall, bearded musician could absolutely shred it if he wanted to, but on this night, fun trumps virtuosity.
Buck stands under the soft glow of Tiffany-style fixtures, his guitar slung casually over his shoulders and his brown cowboy hat casting a shadow over his black denim jacket. Behind him, silver tinsel sparkles, a Nashville-glam backdrop to the intimate stage at Permanent Records Roadhouse, a cozy bar-cum-record store in Glassell Park. He’s kicking off the KFM Karaoke Country Revue, a monthly celebration where honky-tonk culture meets the queer community to toast, twang and tumble through songs like old friends in a Garth Brooks ballad.
“What I love about this show is that it’s like Goldilocks — it’s never just right,” Buck says before announcing the night’s singers.
Rosie Ruell sings “El Toro Relajo” at Karaoke Country Revue.
This isn’t just a showcase; it’s a haven. A place where country music, with all its contradictions and complexities, embraces its messiest, queerest, most joyful self. Trans, nonbinary, queer, gay, cis and straight performers all take the stage with the same goal: to make space to celebrate country music for those who aren’t usually embraced by its stubbornly conservative circles.
Over its two-year run, KFM, named after Buck’s podcast KFM Country Radio, has drawn talent like Julianna Barwick, Dougie Poole and Jae Matthews of electronic duo Boy Harsher. One of the night’s guests, Amber Coffman, the former co-frontperson of the Brooklyn-based indie band Dirty Projectors, stirs the crowd with her rendition of “Hard Candy Christmas,” a Dolly Parton classic from 1978, which she officially covered in 2020.
Attendees cheer performers at Karaoke Country Revue at Permanent Records Roadhouse.
L.A.-based singer Sedona, wearing a vintage T-shirt that says “Rodeo Girls,” performs a rocking version of Bonnie Raitt’s “Angel From Montgomery.” And Loren Kramar, an up-and-coming orchestral singer-songwriter, smolders through Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.”
The microphone isn’t only for seasoned performers; however, Buck ensures that the show runs smoothly by curating the lineup and requiring everyone to rehearse beforehand. The setup feels like karaoke, with Buck cueing backing tracks, but there is no lyrics screen to lean on. “Bad karaoke can be so rough if someone’s wasted or they don’t know the song,” Buck says. “[KFM performers] have to learn the song, and there is some care that needs to go into it.”
For example, comedian John Early belts out the Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces,” prancing about dramatically to choreographed moves, while Nicholas Braun from HBO’s “Succession” watches from the audience.
Comedian John Early, who starred on the HBO Max show “Search Party,” belts out the Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces.”
Other shows have featured comedians like Kate Berlant and Casey Jane Ellison. Longtime KFM regulars like Chloe Coover and Maddie Phinney, hosts of the popular perfume podcast “Nose Candy,” bring their own fabulous flair — Phinney leaves a trail of Céline’s sophisticated Black Tie perfume, and Coover is dressed in a full-length ball gown while she sings NewSong’s fascinatingly sentimental Christian country ballad “The Christmas Shoes.” Artist Erin Bagley takes on Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 country-rock “Silver Springs.” And Buck’s partner, JT Friedman, leads a raucous rendition of Alan Jackson’s “Honky Tonk Christmas” while passing out candy canes from a stocking.
Rosie Ruel, a hopeful pop star who sunlights as an energy worker and a real estate agent, belts out the bombastic bullfighting song “El Toro Relajo” (The Toublesome Bull), that both floors the audience and underscores a tenet of KFM: that the genre’s lines are meant to be toed. Mariachi is really just Mexican country music, Ruel later tells me.
Sam Buck gives Maddie Phinney a birthday present after Phinney sang Squeeze’s “Tempted” at the Karaoke Country Revue.
Mary Rachel Kostrova, owner of the vintage eye-wear boutique Eyefi, delivers a sultry performance of Melissa Etheridge’s “I’m the Only One,” her voice dripping with raw emotion. Growing up in Georgia, Kostrova witnessed country music’s polarizing presence — ubiquitous, yet embraced only by those unafraid to claim it openly. Among her peers, she recalls the familiar chestnut about listening to all genres but rap and country. A wry smile forms on her face. “And now a lot of people are like, ‘I only listen to rap and country,’” she says.
“Country is in such an interesting place,” muses Buck, who is playing a show with Mercedes Kilmer (the singer-songwriter daughter of Val) at Zebulon on Feb. 9. Pop stars like Beyoncé and Post Malone are experimenting with the genre, while country’s own Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift drift closer to pop. Meanwhile, the industry is cautiously diversifying, but the support is uneven. “There’s not any mainstream gay musician,” says Buck. “I am not sure there ever will be.”
Buck’s journey into the genre is its own kind of outlaw story. Born and raised in coastal Massachusetts — a place far removed from the South’s storied hollers — he grew up feeling like an outsider for being a Miranda Lambert fan. “I’m a Yankee through and through,” he says. “But anyone from a rural place knows that country doesn’t have to come from the Deep South. In terms of stolen country valor, I’ve probably stolen more than most.”
JT Friedman, right, talks with Chloe Coover after Coover’s performance.
KFM began as a pandemic-era podcast. Buck spins country records, tells meandering stories and indulges in sharp gossip about county elite. “I have to be careful,” he jokes. “If I talk about [so-and-so’s] ex-cop husband and his disgusting bow-tie pasta, I don’t want that getting back to her, just in case I end up playing a show with her.” He doesn’t shy away from skewering controversial figures like right-wing influencer Brittany Aldean (“She only believes in evil things,” he says), but the podcast’s charm lies in its mix of irreverence and authentic reverence for country music.
For Buck, who also works as an artist (and recently showcased paintings of architecturally significant L.A. homes at the historic Echo Park restaurant Taix), the appeal of the KFM Karaoke Country Revue — the next one takes place Jan. 23 — lies in its intimacy and chaos. “It’s messy, it’s beautiful, it’s small,” he says. “People feel like they connect with each other here. And in a time when everything’s about getting bigger and louder, I think small things are good.”
And as the night rolls on — voices rising, drinks flowing and silver tinsel shimmering under the lights — Buck reflects on the strange universality of country music. “The more time goes on, the more I realize that everywhere is country. Especially Los Angeles.”
As multiple devastating wildfires continue to spread through the greater Los Angeles region, music and music-related events — including several tied to the current film awards season in the city — are being canceled or postponed out of both safety concerns and respect for the unfolding situation.
As postponement and cancellation announcements continue to come through, we’re keeping track with the updating list below. (These are listed in descending order of announcement, so you can find the latest cancellations at the top.)
(For health alerts, evacuation updates and shelter information, check out L.A. County’s emergency website here.)
Jeff Arcuri at The Wiltern
Arcuri’s shows scheduled for Wednesday (Jan. 8) and Thursday (Jan. 9) at The Wiltern were rescheduled to Tuesday (Jan. 14) and Wednesday (Jan. 15), the venue announced on Wednesday: “All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date. For any further ticket inquiries please reach out to point of purchase.”
Quinn Sullivan and Hamish Anderson at The Troubadour
Sullivan and Hamish’s Troubador show scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 9) was postponed, with a new date to be announced, Anderson announced via Instagram Stories. “I’ll have new information to share very soon,” he wrote.
Annika Rose at The Troubadour
The storied West Hollywood venue postponed Rose’s show from Wednesday (Jan. 8) to Jan. 23, the singer-songwriter announced via Instagram Stories. “Let’s prioritize the health and safety of the community and we will get back to live music as soon as it’s safe to do so,” Rose wrote.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The ABC late-night series canceled its taping Wednesday night (Jan. 8), according to Variety. Scheduled guests included Wicked star Cynthia Erivo and musical guest Victoria Canal.
Bad Bad Hats at The Echo
The indie pop band announced on its Instagram Stories that its show scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 9) at The Echo in Los Angeles’ Echo Park neighborhood has been postponed. “We and the venue have decided to postpone tomorrow’s scheduled show @theechola,” the band wrote on Wednesday (Jan. 8). “The venue will be in touch with you directly with more information. We hope everyone is staying safe. We’ll come back to see you soon.”
Rod Wave at Intuit Dome
The rapper’s concert at Intuit Dome in Inglewood scheduled for Wednesday (Jan. 8) was canceled due to the wildfires, the venue announced on X. “The health and safety of our fans and employees will remain the top priority,” the venue said in a statement. “Tickets will be refunded at the original point of purchase.”
Igor Levit at The Walt Disney Concert Hall
The classical pianist’s concert scheduled for Wednesday (Jan. 8) at the downtown L.A. venue was postponed, with the LAPhil stating on its website, “A new date and additional information will be communicated to ticketholders via email as soon as it is arranged. Tickets for the January 8 concert will be valid for the new date yet to be announced and no action is needed on your part. For other ticket options, including exchange, account credit, donation or refund, please contact Audience Services at information@laphil.org or 323 850 2000.”
Oscar Nominations Announcement
On Wednesday (Jan. 8), Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences CEO Bill Kramer announced that the nominations voting window for the 97th annual Oscars would be extended two days to Tuesday (Jan. 14) due to the wildfires and that the Oscars Nominations Announcement would also move from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19. “We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California,” said Kramer in a statement. “So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.”
Wicked sing-along screening
A special screening of the musical blockbuster hosted by the film’s composer John Powell and including an audience of background vocalists and behind-the-camera talent from the movie was canceled. It had been set to take place at the Universal Studios backlot.
Better Man premiere
Paramount Pictures canceled the L.A. premiere of its forthcoming Robbie Williams biopic Better Man on Wednesday (Jan. 8), with a studio spokesperson stating, “Due to the dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles we are canceling tomorrow’s premiere of ‘Better Man.’ Our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating fires resulting from these conditions, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and follow guidance and orders from local officials and government agencies.”
Critics Choice Awards
The annual film and TV awards ceremony — which boasted nominees including Miley Cyrs, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Selena Gomez and Maren Morris in the Best Song category — was postponed from Sunday (Jan. 12) to Jan. 26 at the Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hangar. “This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected,” said Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin in a statement.
Unstoppable premiere
A red-carpet screening of the wrestling drama starring Jennifer Lopez set for the DGA in West Hollywood on Tuesday night (Jan. 7) was also canceled due to the fires. “In light of today’s safety concerns around heightened wind activity and fire outbreaks in Los Angeles, we regret to inform you that we are canceling tonight’s premiere of ‘Unstoppable,’” said the studio in a statement. “As much as we were looking forward to celebrating this wonderful and inspiring film with you, safety is our first priority. We encourage everyone to watch ‘Unstoppable’ on Prime Video, which will be available globally on January 16. Thank you for your understanding and please stay safe.”
Emilia Perez music event
An event in Hollywood to celebrate the music of the Netflix film starring Selena Gomez that was set to be attended by songwriters/composers Camille & Clément and star Karla Sofía Gascón was canceled by the streamer.
A Complete Unknown screening and dinner
A screening and dinner for the Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothee Chalamet set to take place at the San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood on Thursday (Jan. 9) was postponed.
American Cinematheque Tribute to the Crafts
The ceremony, which celebrates individuals in 14 filmmaking categories from the past year, including music, was postponed from Thursday (Jan. 9) at Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre, with a new date to be announced later. “We have made the decision to postpone tomorrow’s (January 9th) Tribute to the Crafts at the Egyptian due to the dangerous ongoing fires and wind conditions. We will update you on a new date as soon as we know,” said a statement released by the organization.
Selena Gomez’s Rare Pop Up
A pop-up event slated from Friday to Sunday (Jan. 10-12) at Complex LA to celebrate five years of Gomez’s Rare album was postponed.
ALTer Ego Show
Alt 98.7 and iHeartRadio announced on Thursday (Jan. 9) that the concert — which was set to feature Cage the Elephant, St. Vincent, Incubus and many more on Jan. 11 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood — had been canceled due to the wildfires. “The devastation from the fires is beyond comprehension,” the statement, which was shared on Instagram, read in part. “We love our city and are putting health and safety first.”
We all know pups are good to cuddle and can perk you up when you’re feeling low – but it turns out the man’s best friend can also identify when you’re ill.
In a wave of new research, scientists are discovering that dogs can detect everything from minor health worries to potentially life-threatening diseases in humans. And the findings are opening up new therapies and treatments. Here we reveals all about the amazing medical power of pooches.
Stress: Canines seem to know if their owner is stressed. It’s down to the fact that their sense of smell is up to 10,000 times better than ours.
It’s hoped the findings will lead to the training of therapy dogs to help ease anxiety. Petting a dog has been shown to lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, too.
Migraines: These severe headaches often come with additional symptoms which can be debilitating, such as nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Taking painkillers early in an attack can help ease their severity and length, so it could be particularly handy to have a pup around as it seems they can provide early warnings.
Covid: Remember those endless Covid tests we all had to do? If there’s another pandemic we might end up using dogs to detect the lurgy. In a study published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, it was found that our four-legged companions could sniff out Covid-19 – and even do so more accurately and faster than a PCR test.
The scientists found that some dogs were even able to detect the virus in pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. This could pave the way for non-invasive tests for viruses in the future.
Diabetes: It’s thought that there are about 4.4million people living with diabetes in the UK, where the body can’t make the hormone insulin to regulate its blood sugar levels and can sometimes lead to seizures and cause people to become unconscious.
Scientists at the University of Bristol also found that trained alert dogs could identify 83% of episodes, helping those living with the condition to take preventative action. It’s even been shown that some of the furry geniuses can even beat the machines, sometimes outperforming blood sugar monitors.
Parkinson’s: The progressive brain condition, which affects one in 500 Brits, causes tremors and weakness, has no cure and is hard to diagnose. But with their 300m smell receptors, dogs may be coming to the rescue. In tests, dogs were able top pick out the scent of Parkinson’s in 90% of cases and it’s believed that they may be able to spot it years before symptoms even set in, offering better treatment options.
Epilepsy: Seizures in epilepsy, which affects over 600,000 people in the UK, are associated with a specific odour that dogs can pick up on. A 2021 study, reported in the journal MDPI Animals, suggested that pups can predict epileptic seizures, which could potentially save their owners’ lives.
Some dogs have now been trained up as seizure-alert dogs, to sense and notify their human companions of an oncoming seizure up to 45 minutes or more before one starts.
Pups have also been able to detect cervical cancer from human urine, while in 2013 it was reported that an Alsatian dog suddenly began licking their owner’s mole, which prompted them to go and see a doctor. On medical examination, it was found that the mole had developed malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. About 30% of melanomas begin in existing moles.
Unfortunately, one thing that might have to be addressed on Denise’s show is that Aaron is currently facing a lawsuit involving his Malibu wellness center, Quantum 360.
The widow of one of Aaron Phypers’ patients is suing him for fraud and breach of oral contract
Photo Credit: @deniserichards via Instagram
According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Aaron’s being sued for alleged fraud and breaking a verbal agreement related to treatments at his wellness center, Quantum 360, in Malibu. This is just another of the several times that Aaron’s business has faced legal issues.
Rupert Perry filed the lawsuit on November 13. It accuses Aaron of not delivering on promises he made about cancer treatments for Rupert’s late wife, Elina Katsioula-Beall. Sadly, Elina passed away from cancer in May 2024 after undergoing treatment at Quantum 360 the previous year.
Elina was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2019. It’s a rare cancer affecting bones and soft tissues. Desperate for help, she turned to Aaron’s Q360 Club in 2023 for a stem cell treatment. Rupert claims Aaron promised the treatment would “cure or at least ameliorate [Katsioula-Beall’s] condition.” He even boasted about a “98 percent success rate.” On top of that, Rupert alleges that Aaron guaranteed that if the treatment didn’t work, he’d refund half of the $126,000 they paid.
The treatments happened between July and September 2023. However, by December, the couple learned the treatments weren’t working. Elina’s tumors had actually grown. Rupert says they immediately reached out to Aaron in writing, asking for the promised $63,000 refund.
However, Rupert’s filing claims that Aaron, “ignored [Elina’s] request and instead proposed that she undergo another round of treatment.” He alleges that Aaron also ignored further refund requests.
The filing continued, “On May 21, 2024, Ms. Katsioula-Beall succumbed to her illness and died. On June 28, 2024, Mr. Perry spoke with [Phypers] by telephone, who acknowledged the debt but proffered a series of excuses for his failure to pay the $63,000.”
Rupert, who’s asking for a jury trial, is accusing Aaron of worsening his wife’s condition and causing additional hardship. He claims in the lawsuit that Aaron’s actions were “despicable,” and done without any regard for the situation they were already going through.
Aaron has yet to legally respond to the lawsuit. Neither he nor Denise have provided comment on the matter. Google lists his Q360 Club as “permanently closed.”
A Christmas reunion doesn’t mean that Jill Dillard (née Duggar) and Derick Dillard have patched things up in their relationship with her father, Jim Bob Duggar.
After the trio was seen conversing in the background of one of James Duggar’s 2024 Christmas Day photos, Derick set the record straight on whether he and Jill were back on good terms with Jim Bob.
“Just so people know, Jim Bob approached me while we were there on Christmas Day for about 5 minutes, and I do not respect him,” he wrote in the comments section of an Instagram post that referenced the reunion. “I don’t think that is considered ‘mingling.’ There were over 100 people, the house is 8000 square feet, and Santa Claus was there, so this isn’t your typical intimate family gathering.”
He continued, “I have spoken with him less than 10 minutes since the last time we were at that house, which was over a year ago. We’re trying to be civil for the sake of our family, but that doesn’t mean everything is all hunky dorey [sic], and it sure doesn’t mean that I’m not going to comment when people try to warm reality for their own purposes.”
The Dillards have been estranged from Jim Bob since they took part in the Prime Video docuseries Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets in June 2023. “My dad does control a lot of things in the family,” Jill said in one scene. “Family relationships were already kinda rocky. Everything within the family dynamic has shifted, and not for the better.”
James Duggar/Instagram
A few months later, the couple continued to expose secrets about Jill’s upbringing in their memoir, Counting the Cost. Among other bombshells, they claimed that Jim Bob didn’t pay them to appear on the family’s reality shows, 19 Kids & Counting and Counting On.
In November 2024, Jill admitted that her relationship with her parents is still “complicated.” However, she added, “I feel like we are in a rebuilding phase now with healthy boundaries still in place. We try to hang out whenever it works well and we have the bandwidth to navigate things.”
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When I first entered public relations in 2005, my work centered on guiding CEOs through traditional media interviews and speeches — brief moments of visibility. After the spotlight was off, executives and company leaders could retreat back to their work in relative anonymity.
With the advent of social media and artificial intelligence, however, company leaders are now under constant public scrutiny as they navigate a landscape dominated by artificial intelligence, misinformation and polarized public discourse.
As we approach 2025, the stakes have never been higher for those in the C-suite who manage their personal brand and, by extension, the reputation of the organizations they represent.
The role of a CEO has expanded beyond leading a business — it’s about being the face of a brand in an age where one misstep can spiral into a reputation crisis.
Below, we explore five of the most pressing reputation risks CEOs should prepare for in the coming year and how they can proactively address them.
The rise of deepfakes and AI-generated content is blurring the line between fact and fiction. In fact, a study by Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative found that 87% of respondents believe AI-generated content makes it harder to distinguish fact from fiction. CEOs are particularly vulnerable to having their likenesses manipulated to spread false narratives, leading to confusion and mistrust among stakeholders.
To counteract this, leaders must establish a “single source of truth” on platforms like LinkedIn, where their voices can be directly heard. By regularly sharing authentic updates, engaging with stakeholders and reinforcing company values, CEOs can mitigate the impact of false narratives. Leveraging CEO public relations to maintain transparency is crucial in today’s environment.
The rapid adoption of AI and emerging technologies has heightened consumer demands for innovation, personalization and ethical behavior. Stakeholders now expect leaders to balance innovation with social responsibility.
A recent Harvard Business School study revealed that 77% of consumers are motivated to purchase from companies that are committed to the world, and 73% of investors consider environmental and societal efforts in their investment decisions.
CEOs who fail to communicate how their companies are addressing these demands risk being seen as out of touch. Proactive executive communications can bridge this gap by highlighting company initiatives that align with consumer values, such as sustainability or responsible AI use.
Social media algorithms have amplified echo chambers, making political discussions more divisive than ever. For CEOs, any public statement on socio-political issues can alienate employees, customers, or investors. At the same time, stakeholders are expecting company leaders to speak out. FTI Consulting found that 92% of investors report what a CEO says publicly about societal issues that impact their opinion of the company.
Leaders must weigh the risks and rewards of speaking out. Whether they choose to remain apolitical or take a stand, their approach should align with their executive brand and corporate goals. Developing an executive communications strategy that addresses the potential fallout of their decisions is an essential safeguard.
Cancel culture continues to pose a significant threat to leaders. A single misstep — whether a poorly phrased tweet or a controversial statement — can spark a social media backlash that damages a CEO’s credibility and, by extension, their company’s reputation.
The best defense is a strong offense. A recent report by corporate advisory firm Brunswick showed that 80% of employees prefer working for a CEO who uses social media and that 82% research the CEO before joining the company.
Every interaction, post or public statement must reflect the CEO’s carefully curated personal brand. Leaders who consistently share thoughtful, authentic content are less likely to provoke public outrage. Treating communication as an extension of their identity fosters trust and resilience during reputational challenges.
5. Privacy breaches and leaks
From hacked emails to leaked internal memos, CEOs must operate with the assumption that anything they say or write could become public. In a hyper-connected world, even private communications are at risk of going viral.
CEOs and their teams must adopt a zero-trust mindset. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures and designing a crisis management strategy to address potential leaks. By anticipating vulnerabilities and practicing transparency, leaders can minimize the impact of such incidents.
As the challenges of 2025 loom, CEOs must embrace a proactive approach to reputation management both online and offline. This includes leveraging CEO public relations and executive communication strategies to communicate their values, navigate crises and cultivate personal brands that inspire trust.
