Latest news with #Dropout
Vox
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Vox
A court ordered Trump's team to free an activist. They refused.
This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration is defying a federal judge's order that it free a pro-Palestinian activist, attacking both the rule of law and the Constitution's guarantee of free speech. Catch me up? In March, the Trump administration arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, and designated him for deportation over his participation in campus protests. Mahmoud was a legal permanent US resident, but the administration argued it has the right to revoke Khalil's green card on the grounds that his presence constitutes a threat to US foreign policy. Khalil sued to stop the deportation, and the two sides have been in court ever since. So what happened this week? On Wednesday, a federal judge ordered the administration to free Khalil. But today, the administration said it would not free him, arguing unconvincingly that it's still detaining Khalil for a different violation. (The judge's ruling to free Khalil explicitly anticipated this strategy and described it as legally unsound.) What's next? The administration says that it will appeal the order to a higher court — and keep Khalil detained in the meantime. What's the big picture? If Khalil had conducted all the same protest actions on behalf of a cause favored by the administration, he'd still be free. That means that, under Donald Trump, immigrants are facing consequences for expressing political opinions that the administration objects to — a clear violation of the First Amendment. And with that, it's time to log off… I'm in desperate need of a long walk with my dog and a podcast, so I'm excited about the new episode of Today, Explained. The episode is focused on Dropout, a streaming platform whose fans are so dedicated that some of them are actually asking to pay more for the service. (You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and elsewhere.) I hope everyone has a safe and fulfilling weekend, and I'll see you back here Monday.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Phil Robertson, ‘Duck Dynasty' Patriarch, Dies at 79
Phil Robertson, the patriarch of TV's 'Duck Dynasty' reality show, has died. He was 79. In December, Robertson's family said on the 'Unashamed With the Robertson Family' that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. More from Variety 'Duck Dynasty' Revival Lands at A&E With 20 Episode, Two-Season Order 'Duck Dynasty' Producers Reach Settlement With ITV Studios ITV Vs. 'Duck Dynasty' Producers: Judge Cites 'Ambush' But ITV Wins Management Rights Appeal His daughter-in-law Korie Robertson posted the news to Facebook Sunday, writing, 'We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord. He reminded us often of the words of Paul, 'you do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.' Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus. We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again. We know so many of you love him and have been impacted by his life. We're having a private service for now, but we'll share details soon about a public celebration of his life.' 'Duck Dynasty' aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017. more to come… Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chris Brown Released From British Jail on £5 Million Bail Agreement
Singer Chris Brown was released from a British jail Wednesday on a £5 milion bond after being charged with inflicting an 'unprovoked attack' on a man in a London nightclub in 2023, according to the BBC. As part of his bail conditions, Brown, 36, who had not been asked to enter a plea at the time of this article's publication, can now launch his world tour next month. 'From the cage to the stage!' he wrote on Instagram after Wednesday's bail hearing. More from Variety Chris Brown Arrested in Manchester Over Alleged Bottle Attack on Music Producer Chris Brown Sues Warner Bros. for $500 Million Over Sexual Assault Allegations in Docuseries Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Marshmello Allegedly Misused Pandemic Grants to Pay Themselves or Throw Lavish Parties The singer was not present at Southwark Crown Court, where the judge said he must pay a £5 million security fee to the court; a security fee is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court. Brown could be asked to forfeit the money if he breaks the bail agreement. His tour is scheduled to start in Amsterdam on June 8. Brown was arrested on May 15 in Manchester, England, over an alleged bottle attack that occurred in 2023. He was accused of an unprovoked attack on producer Abe Diaw at London's Tape Nightclub in Feb. 2023, when he allegedly struck him with a tequila bottle several times and punched and kicked him while he was on the floor. Most recently, Brown, who has a long history of violence-related arrests, was sued for $50 million after allegedly assaulting four concertgoers backstage in Texas. The suit, filed in July 2024, alleges that Brown and his crew severely beat the plaintiffs following the singer's performance in Ft. Worth, Texas. After one of the accusers approached him backstage to congratulate him on the show, a member of his entourage reminded Brown that they had issues. The suit states that Brown and seven to 10 members of his team proceeded to assault the victim as well as others in proximity. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Steven Paul, Who Developed Voight Plan for Hollywood, Buys L.A. Studio Facility
Steven Paul, one of the architects of actor Jon Voight's plan to save Hollywood, has acquired a small production facility in Van Nuys and intends to film there in a vote of confidence for the local industry. Paul is Voight's manager and production partner, and worked with him on a package of incentives and targeted tariffs that was presented to President Trump on May 3-4. More from Variety Trump Whisperers Steven Paul and Scott Karol on a Foreign-Made Film Tariff: 'I Would Hope That Would Not Be the Final Takeaway' Jon Voight Gives First Interview on Trump's Bombshell Film Industry Tariff Proposal: We Can't Let Hollywood 'Go Down the Drain Like Detroit' (EXCLUSIVE) Draft of Voight Plan Included 10% Federal Incentive, 'Cultural Test,' Fin-Syn Rules On Tuesday, Paul announced the acquisition of Avenue Six Studios, which has four soundstages and a backlot resembling a New York street. Paul has filmed many of his recent productions in Bulgaria, but said he intends to make three films at the Van Nuys lot. 'I won't film everything there, but I'll be able to utilize it,' he said in an interview. Paul and his partner, Scott Karol, crafted a proposal for a federal tax incentive for production, along with a host of other ideas such as a restoration of the old financial interest and syndication rules, which were eliminated more than three decades ago. Trump seized on a single element of that plan — tariffs — and announced that he would impose a 100% tariff on all films produced overseas. In the wake of that move, a coalition of industry unions urged Trump to support three limited tax deductions that can be used to incentivize production. The unions are also supportive of a federal production subsidy, but see that as a longer-term goal. In the interview, Paul said that the team continues to meet with industry leaders on the initiative. 'We're all working together as one united voice to try to make something happen,' he said. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
L.A. Aims to Lower Production Costs by Requiring Only One City Staffer on Film Sets
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is aiming to reduce production costs by requiring only a single city staffer on film and TV sets. Bass will issue an executive order on Tuesday that is also intended to streamline the permitting process for film shoots. Under current practices, multiple city staff — including firefighters and retired or off-duty police — may be required to serve as on-set monitors. More from Variety Karen Bass Plugs Hike in Film Tax Credit: 'Let's Bring Hollywood Back' L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Appoints Steve Soboroff to Lead Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Efforts Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, LA28 Chief Casey Wasserman Talk 2028 Summer Olympics Plans Political leaders are looking for ways to make Los Angeles a more attractive place to shoot, as the industry confronts a global production downturn. 'The City is taking bold action to support our legacy industry,' Bass said in a statement. 'Keeping entertainment production in LA means keeping good-paying jobs in L.A., and that's what we are fighting for.' Last month, the city council instructed staff to develop recommendations on how to make the permitting process more efficient and cost-competitive. The request included a suggestion that the number of public safety officers could be reduced. Most city-owned property is available to shoot for free. However, it can be more difficult to get permission to shoot at certain iconic locations, such as Griffith Observatory and the Central Library. Bass' order includes a provision to establish guidelines for those high-profile locales and to shorten review timelines. The order also calls for a reduction in fees. Councilman Adrin Nazarian has also called for enforcement action against parking lot owners who engage in 'price gouging' of film productions. Some in the industry complain that parking lot owners charge excessive rental fees for crew parking, though it is not clear that the law provides a remedy for that. 'Film friendliness' is a perennial issue at L.A. City Hall, as elected leaders face pressure to accommodate a signature industry. Mayor James Hahn issued an order to streamline the permitting process in February 2004. 'I know we have done this before,' he said at the time, according to a 2004 article in the Hollywood Reporter. 'A lot of people have said, 'Yeah, we have seen this; been here, done that. But whatever happened out of it?' We will make sure that the suggestion and the policy that we develop will be followed through.' The California Legislature is also looking to expand the state tax incentive for film and TV production from $330 million to $750 million per year. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
