After Exposing Their Past, Elon Musk And Johnny Depp’s Ex-Wife Plan To Attend UFC 310 Together

December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

After Exposing Their Past, Elon Musk And Johnny Depp’s Ex-Wife Plan To Attend UFC 310 Together

Elon Musk and Amber Heard‘s relationship has long been a subject of public intrigue, and their personal history has remained in the limelight. Their on-and-off relationship, which began in 2016 and ended in 2018, was filled with drama, public confrontations, and media attention. However, despite their tumultuous past, it appears that the two exes are planning a social outing together once again, this time for the highly anticipated UFC 310 event.

A Surprising Reunion

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Amber Heard, the Hollywood actress known for her roles in Aquaman and The Rum Diary, have maintained a complicated dynamic after their breakup. While their romance was short-lived, it was marked by public emotional turmoil and disputes. Musk described their relationship as “brutal” in his biography, revealing the struggles and heartbreak he endured during their time together.

Despite these revelations, the news that the two might be attending UFC 310 together has raised eyebrows. Sources report that both Musk and Heard, who have remained cordial but distant since their breakup, have expressed interest in going to the event together. The UFC 310 fight, which is set to take place in Las Vegas in December 2024, features some highly anticipated matchups.

The decision to attend such an event is curious, given their history, but also suggests that their relationship, although strained, might have matured into a more platonic one over time.

UFC 310: The Draw of Combat Sports

For Musk, who has made headlines recently with his ventures into various high-profile events, the UFC 310 card offers a unique chance to experience one of the biggest fighting spectacles in the world. Known for his high-tech pursuits and ventures, Musk is also a fan of physical challenges and competition, making the UFC a fitting entertainment choice.

Amber Heard, on the other hand, has stayed relatively low-key after her high-profile legal battles with Johnny Depp, and her appearance at such an event might mark a public return to her personal life post-trial. The UFC, known for attracting celebrities and high-profile individuals, could serve as a way for Heard to regain her public presence in a setting that isn’t connected to her past controversies.

The History Between Musk and Heard

When Musk and Heard first began dating, their relationship seemed like an unlikely pairing. Musk, who is known for his focus on business and technology, and Heard, an actress with a reputation for being in the middle of highly publicized relationships, seemed to attract attention from the media and fans alike. However, their relationship quickly became strained, with Musk admitting feeling “broken” by the breakup. Their time together was fraught with allegations, social media posts, and high-profile clashes that overshadowed their romance.

Their relationship ended in early 2018, but the bitterness surrounding their split seemed to linger. Musk has since moved on to other relationships, including his high-profile marriage to singer Grimes and later his relationship with actress Natasha Bassett. Heard, meanwhile, has navigated her own challenges, including legal battles with her ex-husband Johnny Depp.

What Does This Mean for Their Relationship?

Although it is difficult to predict how Musk and Heard’s outing to UFC 310 will unfold, it signals that they may have reached a level of comfort with each other despite their past. Attending a major public event like UFC 310 together suggests that there may be no animosity between them and that their past issues could be behind them.

It is important to note that both Musk and Heard have always been fiercely private about the details of their personal lives. Therefore, it’s unclear if this outing is more of a reunion or just a casual event where the two former lovers are attending as acquaintances. Regardless, their participation in such an event raises further questions about their current relationship status and whether they have truly moved on from their romantic history.

As Elon Musk and Amber Heard prepare to attend UFC 310 together, their past relationship continues to captivate public attention. The fact that the two are now planning to enjoy a thrilling night of combat sports together reflects a shift in their relationship dynamics. Whether this outing will mark the beginning of a renewed friendship or remain a one-off social appearance, only time will tell. The public’s eyes will undoubtedly be on the two as they make their way to the event, keeping everyone guessing about their future interactions.

Health / News

What is perioral dermatitis and how is it treated?

December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

What is perioral dermatitis and how is it treated?

Perioral dermatitis is a skin condition that causes a rash around the mouth. Perioral dermatitis may also occur around the eyes, nose, or genitals, but this is much less common. Treatments may include certain creams, lotions, or gels.

What is perioral dermatitis?

Dermatitis refers to an inflammation of the skin, while perioral means around the mouth.

Perioral dermatitis is most common in females between the ages of 20 and 45 yearsTrusted Source. Older adults, males, and children can also have the condition, but it happens less frequently.

Perioral dermatitis belongs to the broader category of periorificial dermatitis, which can affect the skin predominantly around the eyes, the nostrils, the mouth, and occasionally the genitals.

However, when medical professionals discuss the condition affecting specifically the skin around the mouth, they use the term perioral dermatitis.

Types of perioral dermatitis

In most cases, perioral dermatitis affects young adults and adult females up to the age of 45Trusted Source. But when it affects children, health experts call it childhood perioral dermatitis.

Lupoid perioral dermatitis is a more severe version that results in a person developing denser groupings of bumps that can be red and brown on both light and darker skin tones.

Another related type of condition is granulomatous periorificial dermatitis. While it primarily occurs inTrusted Source children with darker skin tones, it can also present in children with light skin tones. It usually appears as flesh-colored, yellow-brown papules.

What are the symptoms of perioral dermatitis?

Perioral dermatitis is a rash that developsTrusted Source around the mouth and tends to be bumpy or scaly.

These bumps generally do not affect the skin right next to the mouth but appear a short distance away from the lips. They may also form a ring around the mouth.

Sometimes the rash can appear around the nose or eyes. It can occasionally appear around the genitals too, but this is rare.

What does it look and feel like?

Some people with perioral dermatitis may only get a few bumps, and their rash may not be very discernible. Others may have many lumps forming a noticeable rash.

The bumps may be skin colored or hyperpigmented and may appear red or pink in people with fair skin. Although they might resemble pimples, the bumps are not the same as acne. The rash may look inflamed, with the underlying and surrounding skin appearing red, pink, or flesh toned.

The rash may be itchy or non-itchy, but it does not usually hurt. Some people with perioral dermatitis may feel tightness or mild burning in the affected skin, which may be dry or flaky.

Granulomatous periorificial dermatitis is more common in darker-skinned people, who may experience less evident skin flushing and color changes. This condition has associations with burning, so individuals with darker skin may experienceTrusted Source this symptom more frequently.

Perioral dermatitis is a common facial skin problem.
Photo by DermNet New Zealand

It presents as tiny red papules around the mouth and chin.
Photo by DermNet New Zealand

The condition is commonly treated with facial ointments and creams.
Photo by DermNet New Zealand

The skin is usually dry and itchy, with the papules presenting in clusters.
Miroslav Lukic/Shutterstock

The condition can be caused by many things, including creams, soaps, and other external exposures.
© 2021, Diehl et al/NCBI

Healing time varies for each individual but usually takes 2–4 weeks.
The Korean Dermatological Association and The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology/NBCI

What causes perioral dermatitis?

There is no underlying condition that causes perioral dermatitis, and it is not contagious. Although the exact cause is unknownTrusted Source, researchers think it may relate to the use of topical corticosteroids.

Topical corticosteroids are steroid ointments, creams, or gels that people use to treat skin conditions. However, individuals should only ever use topical corticosteroids as a short-term treatment, and most of them are not suitable for applying on the face. Sometimes, a person uses corticosteroids for longer than they should or use them on their face. This can result in skin damage.

A 2021 studyTrusted Source showed that topical corticosteroids may have a link to a variety of skin conditions, including perioral dermatitis. Research from 2017Trusted Source that explored the effects of the misuse of topical corticosteroids on facial skin also showed that perioral dermatitis was one of the adverse effects.

Additional possible causes of perioral dermatitis may include:

a problem with the skin’s protective barrier
a change in the bacteria on the skin
bacteria getting into the hair follicles
an allergic reaction
irritation resulting from a skin care product or fluorinated toothpaste
hormonal changes
strong winds
UV light
in children:
- lip licking and chewing
- thumb sucking
- drooling
chewing gum
inhalingTrusted Source nasal steroids

More research is necessary to understand the exact causes of perioral dermatitis, but using heavily-scented toiletries or skin care products or wearing heavy makeup can trigger the condition.

Other possible risk factors can include young age, being female, hormonal imbalance, topical steroid use, and a history of allergies.

News

Donatella Versace Debuts with a “NEW FACE” — She Looks Unrecognizable!

December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Donatella Versace Debuts with a “NEW FACE” — She Looks Unrecognizable!

Donatella Versace’s recent appearance at the Devil Wears Prada Opening Gala Night caused quite a stir. The 69-year-old diva surprised everyone with her changed look, and people suspected she might have undergone some procedures.

Donatella became the star of the evening, dazzling in a short dress and showcasing her stunning figure. But what really caught the attention was her new hairstyle — she moved away from ash blonde to a more natural shade and changed her styling. Even more attention was drawn to her noticeably improved face.

People were quick to express their admiration in the comments. One wrote, “You look stunning Donatella! ” Another added, “You’ve never looked better!” One noted, “That new face looks beauty!” Someone asked, “Did Donatella remove her fillers ?” One even joked, “She surely took the substance!” Another commented, “People, someone needs to find out who this doctor in Hollywood is who is performing these miracles.😱”

Here’s how Donatella’s journey to the top began.

No one can argue that Versace is one of fashion’s biggest and most luxurious brands, but first and foremost this family’s story shows us the importance of family values.

The story of this fashion empire started with designer Gianni Versace, who grew up inspired by his mom, who was a dressmaker. In 1978, at 32 years old, Gianni established his own company with his brother Santo as CEO and his sister Donatella as a designer and vice president.

The relationship between Gianni and Donatella, who is 8 years his junior, was always so special. She was his closest adviser, most trustworthy friend, and biggest muse. He was also the one who advised her to dye her hair platinum blonde, a look that became her forever iconic trademark. Gianni even once declared, “If I were to marry, I would look for a girl like Donatella.”

When tragedy struck

Following Gianni’s tragedy, it was declared that Donatella would assume creative control of Versace. The then 42-year-old felt extremely overwhelmed by this heavy responsibility, and her insecurities as a designer made her not feel ready to carry this burden. She admitted, “For the first 5 years, I was lost,” She noted, “I made a lot of mistakes.”

With fame and fortune on one hand and her self-critical nature on the other, Donatella gave in to a lot of temptations and distractions in order to deal with the pressures that came with her position. This eventually made her life spiral out of control.

However, a few years later, the designer realized that she had to believe in herself and her capabilities and take control of the future of the empire. Otherwise, her beloved brother’s legacy would be in serious danger.

Finding her own voice

And luckily, Donatella ended up finding her true voice and identity in the fashion world. Because at the start of her career, she admitted, “I tried to follow in his footsteps. But it was not exactly my style.”

Thinking back on her first challenging years, she’d advise herself to “Be strong, and stay true to yourself… But most of all, follow your own instincts, and don’t try to be Gianni.”

The 3 elements that set her creations apart from her brothers’ were the use of less bright colors, less revealing clothes, and less decoration. And needless to say that it took a lot of courage for Donatella to get rid of them.

In fact, being a woman who is designing for women made Donatella “understand exactly what women want to wear.”

The beauty and the challenge of being a woman

UnitedHealth's social media was flooded with scathing comments after the apparent assassination of its executive in New York City.

News

Bitter Americans React to UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Murder: ‘My Empathy Is Out of Network’

December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

UnitedHealth’s social media was flooded with scathing comments after the apparent assassination of its executive in New York City.

Screenshot showing the laughing emojis on a Facebook post by UnitedHealth about the death Brian Thompson. — Screenshot showing the laughing emojis on a Facebook post by UnitedHealth about the death of Brian Thompson. Screenshot: UnitedHealthcare / Facebook

When the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was killed in a targeted shooting Wednesday morning in New York, politicians from his home state of Minnesota posted sympathetic messages on social media. But those responses of support were soon drowned out by a very different tone, as people shared horror stories of being denied coverage by the health insurance company and made morbid jokes comparing the CEO’s death to the ways they’ve been mistreated by the U.S. health care system.

A Facebook post by UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, said it was “deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson.” But that post has garnered over 11,000 laughing emojis as of the time of this writing, far outweighing the more somber emojis used to express condolences. Comments have been turned off for that post, but shares included comments like “I would offer thoughts and prayers, but they are not covered as they are out of network.”

An Instagram post from the company was similarly locked down, stopping average users from commenting directly, but other posts on the platform also had scathing comments. On a post from last week, which discussed ways to manage holiday stress, commenters didn’t hold back: “My empathy is out of network for this one.”

“Sorry. But my insurance and Medicaid don’t cover thoughts and prayers,” read one comment with hundreds of likes, echoing the sentiment that had turned into a meme.

“Judging by the public reaction, I think the bigger story should be why this doesn’t happen more often,” read another comment.

Other comments got more personal, with people sharing their stories of being denied coverage by UnitedHealthcare and having to pay large sums of money to survive: “My uncle paid you guys for 22 years without missing a single payment, and then when he died you denied his life insurance claim. You even had the nerve to cash a check from him the week he died. Scum bags. Sometimes you get what you deserve. I hope all of you suffer the way my mom has for the past year; she has had to endure the nightmare of losing her brother and then almost filing for bankruptcy due to your denial of a life insurance claim paid punctually and faithfully for 22 years. Then you turn around and spit on his corpse. Your empathy claim has been denied. I hope you all get what’s coming.”

Others made dark jokes: “It seems like that hole in his chest was a pre-existing condition. You’re going to have to deny coverage.”

UnitedHealthcare insures over 49 million Americans, and the company generated $281 billion in revenue last year, according to the Associated Press. The insurance giant is notorious for denying coverage, deploying an artificial intelligence tool that has an error rate of roughly 90%, according to a lawsuit filed last year.

There were also videos on Instagram making note of the fact that the UnitedHealth conference in Manhattan started on time at 8:00 a.m. ET, despite Thompson being killed around 6:45 a.m. The conference was eventually stopped a little after 9:00 a.m. And some tweets on X outright celebrated the death of the CEO, with videos promoting the killer’s fashion choices and backpack.

But the reactions weren’t all gleeful. There were plenty of people who objected to celebrating a murder. Thompson reportedly had two children and a wife, who told NBC News that he had been getting death threats recently, possibly related to “a lack of coverage.”

“For those people who laughed at this post, shame on you. That family has lost a loved one, and yet you have to be a dick. Just remember, karma is a bitch,” one comment on Facebook read.

The reactions feel like a significant shift in the tone of the country, however imperfect a barometer social media comments might be. Normally, trolling and sadistic glee over a person’s death are relegated to the margins on extremist sites like 4chan or X ever since Elon Musk purchased the platform. But Wednesday’s wave of anger and frustration at the health care system could be seen openly across the internet.

It makes sense that Americans might be more loose with their sense of decorum these days. The re-election of Donald Trump to the presidency signaled a kind of right-wing populist nihilism as the Republican leader embraced conspiracy theories, threatened to go after his political enemies, and demonized immigrants in wildly racist ways. The sometimes celebratory attitude of such a broad swath of Americans on Wednesday felt like an embrace of that same sort of nihilism.

The history of the U.S. is one of tremendous violence, but the past two decades have been relatively stable when it comes to blood being spilled domestically for political purposes. The U.S. was averaging about five bombings a day in the early 1970s, according to the FBI, a simple fact that isn’t often remembered here in the 21st century. And a century ago, it was completely normal for dozens of people to be killed at once during labor actions in the U.S., as workers and bosses fought for control. All of which is to say this is likely the beginning rather than the end of people embracing political violence, especially as Trump prepares to take power with promises of retribution. Peace and stability are not the norm.

The person who shot Brian Thompson is still at large, and the NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. But even that news made for another opportunity for people on social media to point out how they’ve been harmed by UnitedHeath’s policies. As one user wrote on Bluesky, “The reward out for the person who shot United Healthcare’s CEO isn’t even enough to cover 1/9 of the bill we got for 28 days of radiation.”

News

Grandma and Stranger, Who’ve Been Celebrating Thanksgiving Together Since 2016, Share a Heartbreaking Update

December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Grandma and Stranger, Who’ve Been Celebrating Thanksgiving Together Since 2016, Share a Heartbreaking Update

Almost a decade ago, a grandmother accidentally invited a stranger to Thanksgiving dinner. He agreed, and since then, the duo haven’t spent a single holiday apart. The two went from absolute strangers to a cherished family, and this year, they shared some heartbreaking news, saying that they can’t celebrate annual holidays together. But what really made many people cry was their cherished bond and their sincere feelings for each other, that are staying strong even in the toughest times for both.

Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton became unlikely friends nearly a decade ago.

Nearly a decade ago, Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton formed an unexpected friendship when she mistakenly invited him to Thanksgiving dinner, believing she was messaging her grandson. Wanda Dench accidentally texted a teenage Jamal Hinton—and they’ve been celebrating together ever since!

At 17, Hinton received the unexpected message from an unknown number and found it “pretty funny, but kinda weird.” The text of the fateful message said, “Thanksgiving at my house” and it was from a grandma, but Jamal thought, “When did my grandma learn to text!?”

He said, “So I asked her for a picture, and it definitely was not my grandma.” Hinton explained that Dench’s grandson had recently changed his contact information, and Hinton ended up getting his old number.

Everything took a heartwarming turn when Jamal playfully replied, “Can I still get a plate, tho?”

“It was so unexpected, but she was just so sweet about it,” Hinton recalled, adding, “It reminded me that there are still good people left in this world.”

And since then the pair started celebrating Thanksgiving together right after that life-changing accidental text. Hinton recalled that once Dench extended a genuine invitation to Thanksgiving dinner, he knew he was “definitely taking her up on her offer.”

“She’s a very sweet lady,” the then-Desert Vista High School student said. “She told me her husband was a veteran and that she always invited his friends over for dinner, so she’s used to having a lot of people around. I just got a vibe from her that made me feel at home.”

What happened in 2016 was just the beginning of Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton’s heartwarming story. In 2017, Hinton shared in an interview that the two had been “keeping in touch here and there,” even celebrating milestones like his high school graduation.

However, not everything went as planned. One year, Hinton confessed he forgot to pick up the pumpkin pie. But for that year’s Thanksgiving, he made up for it by bringing not only the beloved dessert but also his girlfriend. “I guess you can say Thanksgiving was one for the books,” Hinton captioned that year’s photo, commemorating another special holiday together.

Jamal and Wanda have become real kindred spirits, supporting one another during tough times.

Over the years, as they continued celebrating Thanksgiving together, Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton grew closer, forging a bond that went beyond friendship. Through both joyful and difficult times, they’ve remained committed to their cherished tradition.

“It’s not really a friendship. We’re more like family now,” Hinton commented back then. “It means the world. We talk about anything and go through everything together.”

Hinton showed unwavering support when Dench’s husband, Lonnie, passed away in early 2020. In turn, Dench welcomed Hinton’s girlfriend into their growing family circle. Their connection deepened even further when Hinton accompanied Dench to get matching body art, symbolizing the unique bond they share.

“Her first tattoo is a little bit smaller than my first one, but we’ve jumped through everything together, and I think that’s what really makes us family: that we’re not just together on Thanksgiving,” Jamal said. “We kind of try to hang out anytime we can.”

The duo initiated some lovely and kind traditions together.

In 2023, Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton added a fresh twist to their annual tradition: they decided to be the ones inviting a stranger to Thanksgiving dinner.

Partnering with Airbnb, they welcomed a special guest who booked a stay at Dench’s home in Prescott, Arizona, for just $16—a nod to 2016, the year they first celebrated together.

“I think it’s perfect,” Hinton told PEOPLE. “Personally, I love meeting new people and building new friendships.”

As always, they commemorated the occasion with a selfie, which included their guest, identified as Arseni.

This year’s Thanksgiving held special significance for Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton, marking their first celebration together since Dench publicly shared her breast cancer diagnosis. In October, Hinton announced the news on X, revealing that the 67-year-old grandmother had been diagnosed earlier in the year and was undergoing chemotherapy.

Dench expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of her loved ones, writing, “Friends and family quickly came to my aid and have supported me through everything.” Despite the challenges, she found valuable lessons in this journey.

“Just because you may be older, we still have a lot of life to live,” Dench wrote during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She also encouraged others to “continue getting your check-ups, and continue to live YOUR life!” True to their enduring tradition, Dench confirmed that she and Hinton would still be gathering for Thanksgiving in November, saying, “as we have every year.”

During this year’s celebration, the lovely friends reunited on Instagram Live. Jamal wrote, “Wanda wants people to join us on Live next time!!! Dm me if you’re interested, and I’ll give you a time and date! Thank you to everyone that joined in today! See you guys next time!”

Scientists have determined that the diet of a Clovis woman who lived in North America 13,000 years ago included a substantial portion of mammoth and other large game.

History / News

Mammoth Meat Powered Ice Age Humans, Study Finds

December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Scientists have determined that the diet of a Clovis woman who lived in North America 13,000 years ago included a substantial portion of mammoth and other large game.

An artist's rendition of Clovis people eating mammoth, and the December 4 cover of the journal Science Advances. — An artist’s rendition of Clovis people eating mammoth and the December 4 cover of the journal Science Advances. © The image was created in a collaboration between the artist, Eric Carlson (Desert Archaeology, Inc.) and archaeologists Ben Potter (University of Alaska Fairbanks) and Jim Chatters (McMaster University).

Have you ever wondered what prehistoric humans ate 13,000 years ago? Researchers in the United States and Canada have presented evidence suggesting that some of the earliest inhabitants of North America preferred their steak large—like, mammoth-sized large.

A team of scientists, led by James C. Chatters of McMaster University and Ben A. Potter from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, has presented the first direct evidence that Clovis people consumed large animals, such as mammoths, for food. Their findings, detailed in a December 4 study published in the journal Science Advances, could help explain early humans’ rapid expansion throughout the continent and shed light on their possible role in the extinction of large mammals at the end of the last ice age.

Sites Relevant To Clovis Diet Study — Location of the Anzick child discovery, study faunal samples (circles), and important Clovis sites (triangles). The white is the glacial ice around 12,800 years ago. © Chatters et al., Sci. Adv. 10, eadr3814 (2024)

Clovis refers to a prehistoric culture in North America known for its distinctive stone tools that emerged toward the end of the last Ice Age. Clovis people are widely considered to be the ancestors of today’s Indigenous people of the Americas, but their diets have become a contentious topic among experts. While some scholars argue that Clovis people thrived on foraging and small game, others claim they were “megafaunal specialists,” the researchers wrote in the study, meaning big-game hunters. The results of the study confirm the latter theory.

The team analyzed isotopic data, measuring atoms in samples to uncover their origins and ancient eating habits. They studied pre-existing isotopic data from the 13,000-year-old remains of a Clovis infant previously discovered in Montana and reconstructed his mother’s diet. They then compared that inferred diet to the isotopic data of foods that would have been available to her in that region.

“Isotopes provide a chemical fingerprint of a consumer’s diet and can be compared with those from potential diet items to estimate the proportional contribution of different diet items,” Mat Wooller of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, who participated in the study, said in a university statement. In other words, Wooller and his colleagues were able to estimate the proportions of different food sources within the woman’s diet.

According to the study, 40% of the Clovis woman’s food came from mammoths. Most of the remainder came from other large animals, such as elk and bison, with only a small fraction coming from small mammals. This is the first direct evidence of Clovis people’s preferred meals—previous research had only inferred this via secondary evidence, including stone tools or animal remains.

The scientists then compared these results to the diet of other omnivores and carnivores from the same period and found that the woman’s diet was most similar to the scimitar cat—a big cat that notoriously preyed on mammoths. Coincidence? The researchers (and Edna Mode) would think not.

“What’s striking to me is that this confirms a lot of data from other sites. For example, the animal parts left at Clovis sites are dominated by megafauna [large animals], and the projectile points are large, affixed to darts, which were efficient distance weapons,” Potter said.

The megafauna theory is also consistent with several other elements. Since animals like mammoths existed across the Americas, they would have been a reliable source of fatty protein for migrating people—such as the Clovis—in a way that smaller regional animals could not.

“The focus on mammoths helps explain how Clovis people could spread throughout North America and into South America in just a few hundred years,” Chatters said. The Clovis people’s preference for big game could have also had a hand in the extinction of large animals that took place at the end of the last ice age.

“If the climate is changing in a way that reduces the suitable habitat for some of these megafauna, then it makes them potentially more susceptible to human predation. These people were very effective hunters,” Potter said. Indeed, as the last ice age waned and vast tundras transformed into dense forests, the mammoths were already struggling—and humans hit them while they were down.

“This study reshapes our understanding of how Indigenous people across America thrived by hunting one of the most dangerous and dominant animals of the day, the mammoth,” said Shane Doyle, executive director of Yellowstone Peoples. The team reached out to Native American tribal governments in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho to involve them in the study of their ancestors.

film / News

Disney Got Its Groove Back With ‘Moana 2,’ but Troubled ‘Snow White’ Could Halt the Momentum

December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Evere

When Bob Iger returned to the Disney CEO throne at the end of 2022, his first order of business was to dismantle a structure that saw the studio’s distribution and creative divisions operating separately. Instead, he put distribution and marketing under the control of Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. One year later, Iger made clear that Disney would stay far away from the culture wars that had taken a toll on the company’s stock price amid a revolt from conservative consumers. “Creators lost sight of what their No. 1 objective needed to be,” he said at the DealBook Summit. “We have to entertain first. It’s not about messages.”

Fast-forward to 2024, and “Moana 2” marks the fulfilment of those two adjustments—a movie able to pivot from its planned release on Disney+ and escape the wrath of right-wing influencers who believe the studio had been pushing a “woke” ideology, a perception stoked by activist shareholder Nelson Peltz. The animated sequel, which features a voice cast led by Dwayne Johnson—an actor whose appeal straddles both sides of the political divide—shattered Thanksgiving box office records en route to a $386 million worldwide haul. Disney appears to have gotten its groove back following misfires like “The Marvels” and “Wish.”

“Disney had been for a long time on top, and everything had been smooth sailing,” says box office analyst Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations. “And then they ran into some rough waters. And this is ‘Moana’ sailing away from that and back to the promised land.”

Less than a year ago, the “Moana” follow-up was poised to be a streaming series rather than a feature theatrical release. Moving it posed a risk that could have backfired, but Bergman felt the project was worthy of a cinematic bow. In February, the animated sequel relocated from Disney’s Vancouver studio to a production facility on the Burbank lot, with everyone working on an aggressive timeline to keep the Nov. 27 release date. With a renewed emphasis on the theatrical strategy, the studio also reversed course on this year’s “The First Omen” and “Alien: Romulus,” which were intended for streaming.

Though Disney at times has struggled post-COVID across all its divisions, including Pixar (“Lightyear”) and live action (“The Little Mermaid,” “Haunted Mansion”), the idea that it had lost its mojo may be an overstatement. After all, the studio was No. 1 at the global box office from 2016 to 2022. In 2023, Disney lost the top spot to Universal by just $80 million despite releasing seven fewer movies. And the studio delivered two enormous hits this past year with “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2,” which amassed more than $3 billion combined.

Still, Disney began to surrender the narrative, with the likes of Peltz and Elon Musk criticizing the studio for pushing liberal values over storytelling. The ensuing social media noise often created a self-fulfilling prophecy of a bomb before a film opened, as happened when conservative commentator Ben Shapiro targeted “Lightyear” for giving significant screen time to a lesbian couple who were not part of the “Toy Story” franchise.

“Moana 2” didn’t stray far from the original and didn’t spark political outrage. The sole blip came via the film’s voice actress, Nicole Scherzinger: When Russell Brand posted on Instagram a photo of himself in a MAGA-style hat that read “Make Jesus First Again,” she replied enthusiastically, “Where do I get this hat!!!?” Left-wing voices objected to the Election Day missive, and Scherzinger deleted it. Things died down.

Looking ahead, analysts believe that a live-action “Mufasa” and “Lilo & Stitch” and an animated “Zootopia” sequel will extend the studio’s streak. But one upcoming release, March’s live-action “Snow White,” has been dogged by expensive reshoots and controversies related to star Rachel Zegler’s social media posts. The actress declined to take down a tweet thread that promoted the $240 million movie with a “free palestine” postscript but did apologize for a “Fuck Donald Trump” and “May Trump supporters… never know peace” Instagram post. Wading into divisive issues, as Zegler has done, isn’t part of Disney’s new playbook.

“We just had an election, and in very rough terms, half of the voters supported one side and half supported the other side,” says Guggenheim Securities’ Michael Morris, speaking generally and not about Scherzinger or Zegler specifically. “And if I am a company that is trying to connect with the broadest potential audience and I cut that addressable market in half before I even release the product, I’m really limiting my ability to maximize the value of the product. That’s why it’s important to entertain first and foremost.”

With the success of “Moana 2,” the studio has set the table for a live-action feature based on the property set for July 10, 2026. Disney’s ability to turn its beloved homegrown animated favorites into live-action hits—like “The Jungle Book” and “Beauty and the Beast”—has become a cornerstone of the studio’s economic health—a symbiotic loop with the original driving awareness for the adaptation and the adaptation pushing audiences back to view the original on Disney+. Case in point: “Moana” was the No. 1 movie in all of streaming in 2023, seven years after it landed in theaters, according to Nielsen.

Meanwhile, the live-action division headed up by David Greenbaum will continue to mine some of the most valuable IP in Hollywood. All eyes are trained on the $4.53 billion “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise and the prospect of another sequel.

VIP+ Analysis: Why ‘Moana 2’ Opening Signals Brutal Year-End Battle With ‘Mufasa’

Sources say the studio has not engaged with Johnny Depp, the franchise’s biggest draw, who found himself exiled by Disney after ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of domestic abuse. But Depp prevailed in a 2022 defamation case against the actress and has been on the comeback trail.

“Pirates” producer Jerry Bruckheimer is developing two versions of the script on parallel tracks, one that could bring Depp back into the fold if the actor and Disney can reconcile.

“Nothing has been ruled out,” says one knowledgeable source.

Entertainment / News

LA is a Clown Town Why are clowns everywhere? We explore…

December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

A group of five people stand on stage looking out at the audience. In the center is a bald man wearing a black tank top lifting his arm and shining a flashlight out towards the audience.

Chad Damiani performs his opening act at Stand Up and Clown at the Elysian on Nov. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.

(Carlin Stiehl/LAist)

Right now, clowns are experiencing a cultural moment. You’ve seen the memes.

A video game character from "Animal Crossing" looks into a mirror and sees a cartoonish clown.

You’ve read the Paper Magazine interview where pop sensation Chappell Roan says, “I’ll show you a clown, if you want to see a clown!” when describing her iconic makeup look. Maybe you even bought a harlequin print cardigan during the height of the clowncore aesthetic trend in 2022. And, post-election, clowns are also showing up as descriptors of our political moment.

If anything, the clown cultural moment is only getting bigger and bigger. And if clown is everywhere right now, its contemporary center is arguably right here in L.A. More specifically, the Elysian Theater in Frogtown, where clowns are teaching classes, workshopping shows, and looking for a change from the grind of Hollywood.

A marquee with text that reads "7:30 THANKS BUT NO THANKS../ 8:30 IAN BUILDS A SHOW/ 9:30 STAND UP & CLOWN."

Let me break it down for you.

La La Land? More like Clown Town

First things first: clowns are a century-old theatrical symbol of foolishness and naiveté that can be used to question power and institutions. That makes the artistic practice sound incredibly highbrow, but I need you to picture Lucille Ball, Jim Carrey, or Beetlejuice. It’s a highly skilled form of comedy that really utilizes physicality—pure, honest, commitment to the bit.

So, it makes sense that here in Hollywood—an industry town currently ravaged by productions shutting down during the pandemic, the Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America strikes last summer, ever-increasing usage of AI, more and more adaptations of existing IP and fewer original works, productions leaving California all together, and the seeming destruction of a working class in entertainment—writers and performers would turn to clown.

Three people on stage wearing layered winter clothing.

It’s an art form that’s grounded in humanity and absurdity.

I myself turned to clown in 2022 after signing up for The Elysian’s mailing list. One upcoming class that winter was called “Clowns on Acid: Eating Your Panties.” I was sold. After finishing grad school with a degree in journalism in May of 2020, I was feeling a bit… dissuaded and lost. Years of academic rigor followed by navigating a rapidly changing field in a world that was not the one promised to me as a young adult? Tough! I wanted to embrace the absurdity, reconnect with my theater kid roots, and try something new.

So I let longtime clown and performance artist, the incredibly tall and beautiful Kira Nova, lead me and a small group of fellow wannabe clowns into the mountains as the start of a weekend clown intensive. I was particularly taken in by a (now deleted) ten-minute video she had posted on Instagram shortly prior to the workshop, wherein she described wanting to break Americans “out of the matrix” — a world dominated by capitalism, created by a dearth of arts education and funding.

That’s a sentiment echoed by Chad Damiani, a well-known clown teacher and performer in the scene.

From professional screenwriter to father of clowns

After teaching one of his incredibly popular workshops at The Elysian, the charismatic and almost professorial Damiani said, “Clown tends to exist at times when there are people with great power who need to be taken down a few notches or institutions that seem to be completely suffocating a culture.”

A man with a gray beard and mustached wearing a black tank top sticking his tongue out and looking up.

Think Court Jesters, or even Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator. Damiani says that “clowns can go in, and their job is to break all the rules and show you that the system, the institution, is actually a lie.”

Damiani’s career has ranged from editorial assistant to an announcer for World Championship wrestling. Eventually, he landed in L.A. as a working screenwriter, taking improv classes in the evenings. That is, until he and his writing partner JP Levin sold a movie pitch based on the popular mobile phone app, Fruit Ninja.

The film never got made.

“There’s no denying what we’ve become. We are so part of the system,” said Damiani, reflecting on the experience of writing and pitching the Fruit Ninja movie.

The failure of that film is what led him to be “all in on clown.”

“I had this fruitful, amazing life at night, performing these experimental shows… And it became harder and harder to ignore how much happier I was at the things that I was making no money doing,” Damiani said.

A bald man wearing a black tank top stands on stage and shines a flashlight at an audience member.

This clown ethos also extends beyond live performance.

“The People’s Joker” rises

Filmmaker, writer, and comedy editor Vera Drew is the epitome of clown in her debut feature film, The People’s Joker.

A woman wearing a navy dress and long black socks stands on a bed with a red curtain behind her and a window to the left of frame.

After years of working in comedy as an editor on everything from The Eric Andre Show to Who Is America, Drew was ready for a change. She says she was starting to feel “compartmentalized to being in this very straight cis guy-dominated comedy circle” and was ready to lean into sincerity rather than irony.

During the lockdowns in 2020, as Drew was experimenting with makeup and clown aesthetics, Todd Phillip’s Joker became a comfort film. She says it felt like watching her own story and jokes that she’s seen it “8,000 times.”

This led to the creation of a feature-length length Joker parody in Drew’s idiosyncratic, alt-comedy style and enlisted the help of hundreds of artists from around the world to provide animation ranging from CG to rotoscope. The result, The People’s Joker, is a kaleidoscopic queer coming-of-age story that reimagines the Joker as a trans woman and functions as a takedown of comedy institutions like Saturday Night Live and the improv school Upright Citizens Brigade.

A strongly worded letter from Warner Bros., the studio that owns the DC Comics intellectual property (and is infamously known for throwing finished films in the trash for tax write-offs), attempted to shut down distribution of Drew’s film.

But clowns beat the system: The People’s Joker was ultimately acquired by a small film distributor and has played in theaters, received a physical release, and is also streaming online. And Vera Drew just won Best Breakthrough Director at the Gotham Awards. You can’t keep a clown down.

A woman with dark hair wearing eye make up pops her head out from behind a red curtain.

Filmmaker Vera Drew inside her apartment on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Pasadena, CA.

(Carlin Stiehl/LAist)

Two hands hold a DVD of a Joker and titled "The People's Joker"

Filmmaker Vera Drew holding her film “The People’s Joker” inside her apartment on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Pasadena, CA. (Carlin Stiehl/LAist)

All this to say, in a world where it’s becoming easier and easier to get swallowed up by machines, to remove human touch and connection from art and our day-to-day lives… Vera Drew and Chad Damiani’s work affirms the necessity of clowns in our moment: making crude jokes but also asking us to think outside the frameworks of our current systems.

News

“Look Like an Egg,” Johnny Depp’s Daughter Sparks Harsh Comments After Latest Appearance

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

“Look Like an Egg,” Johnny Depp’s Daughter Sparks Harsh Comments After Latest Appearance

Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, captivated onlookers at the 2024 Governors Awards. The 25-year-old Nosferatu star stunned in an archival Chanel gown from the brand’s Fall 2018 couture collection.

Hahn-Nebinger-Orban / ABACA / East News

The gown showcased a striking pink floral appliqué at the bustline, adding a vibrant pop of color to its refined cream-and-black design. Though her outfit was widely praised for its elegance, her hairstyle stirred a mix of opinions online.

Lily-Rose faced criticism for her slicked-back hairstyle, with some suggesting it was unflattering. Harsh comments from online trolls included one saying, “Her hairstylist should be fired. They always make her look like an egg,” while another compared her to a fictional character, stating, “It’s not a good look! She looks like the Queen of hearts in Alice in Wonderland.” However, her fans didn’t hesitate to defend her, celebrating her beauty and distinctive style.

Fans of the actress were quick to admire her stunning appearance, with many noting her striking resemblance to her famous parents. “Her facial bones are really a mix of her parents,” one fan observed, while another commented, “Forehead of the mum, eyes of the dad.” True to form, Lily-Rose once again demonstrated her ability to take bold fashion risks and effortlessly command the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Jocelyn Wildenstein, often nicknamed “Catwoman,” shared a rare photo offering a glimpse of her appearance before undergoing her well-known transformations.

News

UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot outside Manhattan hotel, no arrests

December 4, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot outside Manhattan hotel, no arrests

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in the chest

NYPD Crime Scene Unit arrives at the scene where United Healthcare CEO was shot to death in Manhattan

NEW YORK, N.Y. – UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, Fox News has confirmed.

A manhunt is underway as the suspect remains at-large.

Sources told Fox News that Thompson was shot in the chest and leg shortly before his UnitedHealthcare annual investors meeting.

The sources said the shooting was not a random incident.

HACKERS BEHIND UNITEDHEALTH GROUP CYBERATTACK REPORTEDLY IDENTIFIED

Thompson was reportedly in town from Minnesota.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the now defunct Democratic vice presidential candidate, reacted to news of Thompson’s killing, decrying the shooting as “horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” according to the New York Times.

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New cameras captured NYPD officers attempting to revive Thompson. | Fox News

Without identifying the victim, the New York City Police Department told Fox News Digital that a 50-year-old man was shot in the chest outside the Hilton Hotel on 6th Ave. at approximately 6:46 a.m. and was transported to Mt. Sinai West hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

News cameras captured video of NYPD officers working to revive Thompson on the sidewalk outside the Hilton before he was transported to the hospital.

UnitedHealthcare CEO image over shooting scene photo

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot and killed in NYC, sources say. (Fox News Digital/ UnitedHealthcare / Fox News)

A police press conference is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

The New York Post first identified Thompson as the shooting victim.

Thompson’s sister, Elena Reveiz, told The Times via a phone interview that she was still processing hearing that her brother had been killed.

“He was a good person, and I am so sad,” Reveiz reportedly said, adding that Thompson was a loving father to his two children.

According to ABC News, police say the shooter was wearing a ski mask and fled down an alleyway near West 55th St.

The scene where the CEO of United Healthcare was shot to death in what looks to be a targeted attack.

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Scene near the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, NY where a man was shot to death, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. | Fox News

The suspect is described as a skinny man, standing at about 6-foot-1 and wearing all black.

Fox News Digital reached out to UnitedHealthcare but did not immediately hear back.

This 2017 file photo of Brian Thompson was released via Businesswire when he was named Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Unit in 2017. (Businesswire / Fox News)