Celebrity
Barbara Kingsolver wins Women’s Prize For Fiction With Appalachian Novel ‘Demon Copperhead’
LONDON — American author Barbara Kingsolver’s “Demon Copperhead,” a Dickens-inspired story about a boy’s struggle against the odds in an area of America ravaged by opioid addiction, won the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction on Wednesday.
At a ceremony in London, Kingsolver’s Appalachian coming-of-age story was named the recipient of the 30,000 pounds ($38,000) prize.
Kingsolver, 68, also received the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for literature for the book, which relocates “David Copperfield” from Charles Dickens to contemporary southwest Virginia, the author’s home state.
Kingsolver had already won the Women’s Prize in 2010 for “The Lacuna,” therefore this was her second triumph.
She accepted the prize and remarked, “Lightning strikes twice.”
Kingsolver stated that she wanted to share tales from the Appalachian Mountains region of the United States because it is frequently ignored or dismissed as “just a joke.”
According to Kingsolver, “we’re the last group of Americans that progressive people are permitted to laugh at.” And it has made us angry.
Kingsolver, 68, also received the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for literature for the book.
Kingsolver has a history of including social themes in her books, such as “The Bean Trees” and “The Poisonwood Bible,” she was instrumental in creating the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Last year, Oprah Winfrey selected “Demon Copperhead” for her book club.
The Women’s Prize judging panel’s head, journalist Louise Minchin, called the winning book “a towering, deeply powerful and significant book.”
From addiction and poverty to family, love, and the power of friendship and art, “Demon Copperhead” covers universal topics, according to Minchin. According to critics, it has a triumphant emotional impact and will endure the test of time.
According to Kingsolver, the book was inspired by a desire “to tell the story of this place where I live and what has been done to it.”
“Appalachia has been so particularly exploited, almost treated as an internal colony,” she said, calling the opioid crisis “one more turn in this exploitation trade.”
Kingsolver, 68, also received the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for literature for the book.
“Telling this narrative is difficult. And I believed it was completely impossible for years. Then it occurred to me that Charles Dickens had done exactly that. Why not share his story in my own words and at my place?
According to Kingsolver, the renowned novelist, who documented the extremes of poverty and wealth in Victorian Britain, wouldn’t object if she used his plot.
She remarked that I adored his rage and sensed him telling me to do this.
Kingsolver defeated five other Women’s Prize nominees, including Laline Paull’s dolphin drama “Pod” and Maggie O’Farrell’s Italian Renaissance story “The Marriage Portrait.”
The award, which was established in 1996, is available to all female English-language authors. Zadie Smith, Tayari Jones, and Susanna Clarke have all won before. A Canadian-American novelist, Ruth Ozeki won the award the previous year for her work on “The Book of Form and Emptiness.”
SOURCE – (AP)
Celebrity
2024| Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Washington – Pras, On Friday, a court denied a request for a fresh trial in a multimillion-dollar political conspiracy lawsuit against Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly determined that his defensedefense attorney’s employment of a generative AI software during closing arguments and other errors made throughout the Washington, D.C. trial did not constitute a substantial miscarriage of justice.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel was found guilty of ten counts after a jury heard testimony from witnesses, including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. On the most serious charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison. He is free until sentencing, which has yet to be decided.
The Grammy-winning rapper was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financier through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then attempting to deter a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China during the Trump administration.
The defense said Michel received lousy advice as he attempted to support himself while recreating himself in politics.
His defense attorney, David Kenner, who has previously represented rappers like Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg, pleaded guilty to leaking grand jury evidence to reporters.
Michel hired a new lawyer, who claimed Kenner had made several errors, including deploying an “experimental” generative AI software that botched closing arguments by misattributing a lyric from his client’s influential 1990s group.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel, however, failed to prove that Kenner’s handling of the case influenced the jury, according to Judge Kollar-Kotelly.
She accepted that some of Michel’s faults were valid, but they did not neutralise the prosecution’s extensive evidence against him or render the nearly month-long trial unfair.
Michel’s representative had no immediate comment on the ruling.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Julian Ortega, a Spanish actor best known for his role in the popular Spanish-language Netflix drama series “Elite,” has died, according to the country’s actor and actress union. He was 41.
“Our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the union said in a statement Monday.
The sun
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Ortega, the son of Spanish actress Gloria Muñoz, was born in Madrid in 1983. According to the organization, he attended acting school in the Spanish capital.
He began his career in Spanish-language films, including the 2000 drama “El Otro Barrio” (“The Other Side”) and the 2008 horror fantasy “La raíz del mal.”
He appeared in various Spanish television programs before becoming well-known internationally after appearing in six episodes of Netflix’s Elite.
Ortega played a restaurant manager in the murder-mystery-infused high school thriller, which follows privileged pupils at a prestigious school.
His most recent performances were in drama programs like “The Countryside” (formerly called “El Pueblo”) and “4 estrellas.”
“You were a great man; humble, always smiling, generous, and thoughtful…” I have a great colleague. “Thank you for everything,” wrote his “Countryside” co-star Ruth Diaz in an Instagram post.
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
According to the Spanish Theatre in Madrid, Ortega has worked on theatre ventures, including the 2021 play “Ira,” which he created and co-starred in with his mother.
The reason for the death has not been officially confirmed.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Selena Gomez Reacts To Taylor Swift Cameo Rumors in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Selena Gomez has recently put a fun twist on rumors swirling about a potential cameo by Taylor Swift in the fourth season of Only Murders in the Building. In an interview with E! News, Gomez responded to the speculation with her signature humor and charm.
Laughing off the rumors, Gomez quipped, “You’re hilarious. She’s a little busy, you guys.”
Her playful tone continued as she added, “Oh dear, I love that,” while still chuckling. Gomez’s light-hearted response showcased her easy-going nature and her ability to handle fan speculation with grace.
Gomez’s co-stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short, also joined in on the playful banter. Martin, in a comedic twist, said, “Listen, she calls us every day. Here – she’s calling right now. Ahh I’ll take it later.”
‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Martin Short added to the jest, joking, “No, I was talking to Taylor around 3:00 a.m.” Their jokes highlighted the camaraderie and fun atmosphere among the cast.
Beyond the jokes, Martin took a moment to genuinely praise both Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez for their poise.
He commented, “Taylor Swift handles everything perfectly and so does Selena. In the situations I’ve seen—politically, trolls, everything—she just seems to have a wisdom about how to do something quietly, effortlessly.”
The interaction underscores not only the strong bond between the cast members but also their mutual respect and admiration for each other.
Gomez and Swift’s friendship, along with their shared ability to navigate public life with elegance, continues to be a topic of interest and admiration among fans and colleagues alike.
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