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Few winners in ‘Hunger Games’ prequel

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

Ah, Panem, how I have longed to return to your shores (kidding).Who is responsible for “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” the prequel to those mostly awful “The Hunger Games” films of 2012 through 2015 directed by Gary Ross (“Seabiscuit”) and Francis Lawrence (“Constantine”) and starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson based on the novels by Suzanne Collins? Well, director Lawrence is back (as well as series producer Nina Jacobson). But the cast of this latest effort is new.Englishman Tom Blyth of TV’s “Billy the Kid,” who, with his blonde ‘do, bears a resemblance to Irishman Peter O’Toole aka Lawrence of Arabia, plays Coriolanus “Coryo” Snow, the impoverished son of the late Capitol warrior Crassus Snow. “Coryo” lives in genteel poverty with his “Grandm’am” (Irish screen and stage legend Fionnula Flanagan) and cousin Tigris (Hunter Schafer, TV’s “Euphoria”). The older Snow is played by Donald Sutherland is the earlier films...

How to grow your social network as you age

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

Friends sitting around a table, talking and laughing. A touch on the arm, as one of them leans over to make a confiding comment. A round of hugs before walking out the door.For years, Carole Leskin, 78, enjoyed this close camaraderie with five women in Moorestown, New Jersey, a group that took classes together, gathered for lunch several times a week, celebrated holidays with one another, and socialized frequently at their local synagogue.Leskin was different from the other women — unmarried, living alone, several years younger — but they welcomed her warmly, and she basked in the feeling of belonging. Although she met people easily, Leskin had always been something of a loner and her intense involvement with this group was something new.Then, just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it was over. Within two years, Marlene died of cancer. Lena had a fatal heart attack. Elaine succumbed to injuries after a car accident. Margie died of sepsis after an infection. Ruth passed away after...

Story: Congress wants more tariffs ahead of holidays

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

Millions of American consumers and businesses will be part of the paradigm shift sweeping through e-commerce this holiday season. With the click of a button, they will order directly from manufacturers around the globe — skipping the red tape, warehouses, supply chain delays, and, importantly, the taxes and fees that come with them. Unless Congress gets in their way.Right now, Congress is debating whether to take away consumers’ and businesses’ ability to import products duty-free under $800. Known as the “de minimis threshold,” this law that Congress passed in 2016 allows American small businesses to overcome barriers to entry that complex supply chains have historically created. It empowers them to compete in a world dominated by big box stores and mega distribution centers.In 2016, Congress foresaw the e-commerce wave and raised goods defined as “low-value” from $200 to $800.Despite its name, de minimis is a significant provision that can easily be discarded to score political po...

Editorial: Hunter Biden’s new tactic – blame Trump

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

Hunter Biden is going for a Hail Mary Pass. Unfortunately for him, reality is poised to intercept.As Politico reported, Hunter Biden asked a judge Wednesday to approve subpoenas for documents from Donald Trump and former Justice Department officials, claiming the former president applied political pressure to a criminal investigation of him.Biden’s attorneys allege there were “certain instances that appear to suggest incessant, improper, and partisan pressure applied” by Trump to his then-Attorney General William Barr and two top deputies, Jeffrey Rosen and Richard Donoghue.The acorn clearly doesn’t fall far from the tree. Hunter’s dad blames Trump for his problems, too.While charges against Hunter were not brought until this year, the investigation into his taxes and a gun purchase began in 2018, while Trump was still president. The court filing cites public comments made by Trump, information from the House panel that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. C...

Lucas: Joe Biden’s running because he can’t stop

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

President Joe Biden is running for re-election whether Democrats like it or not.And why not?He has only one candidate to beat, and that is Donald Trump.He is also running to stymie Republicans going after him and his family on corruption charges. And to do so, Biden must remain in power as long as possible.Not only is the Eternal Footman knocking on the door, so is Kentucky Rep. James Comer, the bulldog chairman of the House Oversight Committee, with a handful of subpoenas in his hand.So old Joe will hang in there as long as possible.  As president, Biden controls the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI. As ex-president he does not.Even a hint or announcement that he is not seeking re-election would instantly make him a lame duck with diminished authority over events that could lead to his impeachment at the hands of the Republicans in the House.So, he has to run, or at least give of the impression that he is running, to hold off, in his mind, the barbarians led by Trump who are pou...

Get your glam on – it’s holiday party season

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

Of course we strive to look our best all year. But the holiday season gives us an excuse to kick things up a notch.And that means a little something shiny. Possibly a few sparkles. More gloss than you’d usually wear during daytime. A darker eyeliner and an unabashedly contoured cheekbone. And no one will bat a (bejeweled and extended) eyelash at any of it.Here’s some of the latest and greatest wizardry in this year’s holiday makeup to play with. Have a blast.First up is the Too Faced Under The Christmas Tree Breakaway Makeup Palette And Mascara ($99.99 on amazon.com). It’s three palettes that add up to 18 eyeshadows, a stunning bronzer, a blush and highlighter, plus a deluxe-sized Better Than Sex Mascara that will have your lashes looking luxurious.On the shine-for-days front, Benefit Cosmetics Twinkle ‘n Jingle Palette ($44 on bloomingdales.com) is the way to bring the glow to every party you’re headed to. The collection of three blushes includes a dandelion baby-pink brighte...

Dear Abby: Mom still lies about son’s real dad

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

Dear Abby: I was born 40 years ago and raised by my mother to believe that her husband was my birth father. She divorced him and raised me while receiving court-awarded child support, based on her insistence to all involved that she had not had an affair. As the years went on, it became increasingly evident this wasn’t true, so I took a genetic test. The result came back with a 99% likelihood that I had a different father. I soon made contact with the brother of the man I believed to be my birth father. He had personal knowledge of the affair and did a confirmational genetic test to show his genetic relationship to me.My mother continues to insist on what is now certainly a lie, perhaps to save face with me and others, and to avoid perjury charges and support repayments that might follow. I have not had contact with her for many years and changed my last name to my biological father’s. He was a loving father figure to me in secret and is now deceased.My problem is, I can...

Mass. lawmakers do not reach deal on shelter funding in $2.8B spending bill

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

Massachusetts lawmakers did not reach a deal Wednesday night, or even early Thursday, on a $2.8 billion spending bill that shuttles hundreds of millions to state shelters for homeless and migrant families, leaving in limbo crucial funding for temporary housing as winter quickly sets in.After the House and Senate found themselves in disagreement this week over how many guardrails to put on $250 million for the Healey administration to respond to the shelter crisis, top Democrats did not produce a compromise by the time formal sessions drew to a close for a holiday break.As midnight hit in Massachusetts, the Senate voted to meet into Thursday. But the House did not attempt to keep going with 20 minutes until 1 a.m Thursday, instead moving to appoint three lawmakers to a formal negotiating committee and adjourning to meet next Monday in an informal session.Legislators on Beacon Hill can still attempt to advance the bill during their holiday break but could run into issues as any one la...

Texas inmate faces execution for 2001 abduction and strangulation of 5-year-old girl

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas inmate convicted of strangling a 5-year-old girl taken from an El Paso store and then burning her body nearly 22 years ago is scheduled for execution Thursday evening.David Renteria, 53, was condemned for the November 2001 death of Alexandra Flores. Prosecutors said that Alexandra was Christmas shopping with her family at a Walmart store when she was abducted by Renteria. Her body was found the next day in an alley 16 miles (26 km) from the store.Renteria has long claimed that members of the Barrio Azteca gang, including one named “Flaco,” forced him to take the girl by making threats to his family — and that it was the gang members who killed her.Authorities say Renteria’s lawyers did not raise this defense at his trial and evidence in the case shows that he committed the abduction and killing alone. Prosecutors said that blood found in Renteria’s van matched the slain girl’s DNA. His palm print was found on a plastic bag that was put over her head before her...

Alabama to execute man for 1993 slaying of friend’s father during robbery

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:34 GMT

ATMORE, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama inmate scheduled to be put to death Thursday by lethal injection for the shooting death of his friend’s father urged young people to take a pause before making life-altering mistakes.Alabama is scheduled to execute Casey McWhorter, 49, for the Feb. 18, 1993, death of Edward Lee Williams, 34. Prosecutors said McWhorter, who was three months past his 18th birthday at the time of the killing, conspired with two younger teens, including Williams’ 15-year-old son, to steal money and other items from Williams’ home and then kill him. The jury that convicted McWhorter recommended a death sentence by a vote of 10-2, which a judge, who had the final decision, imposed, according to court records. The younger teens Edward Lee Williams Jr. and Daniel Miner, who was 16, were sentenced to life in prison, according to court records. Prosecutors said McWhorter and Miner went to Williams’ home with rifles and fashioned homemade silencers from a pillow and a...