Entertainment
NY Times Doubles Down on Defense of Nicholas Kristof’s Controversial Op-Ed
The New York Times doubled down on its defense of Nicholas Kristof’s controversial op-ed, titled “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians,” calling it a “deeply reported piece of opinion journalism.”
“Nicholas Kristof’s deeply reported piece of opinion journalism starts with a proposition to readers: ‘Whatever our views of the Middle East conflict, we should be able to unite in condemning rape,’” a spokesperson for the Times wrote on Wednesday. “He draws together on-the-record accounts and cites several analyses documenting the practice of sexual violence and abuse conducted by various parts of Israel’s security forces and settlers.”
The statement continued: “The accounts of the 14 men and women he interviewed were corroborated with other witnesses, whenever possible, and with people the victims confided in – that includes family members and lawyers. Details were extensively fact-checked, with accounts further cross-referenced with news reporting, independent research from human-rights groups, surveys, and in one case, with U.N. testimony. Independent experts were consulted on the assertions in the piece throughout reporting and fact-checking.”
The storied outlet issued the additional statement regarding Kristof’s article one day after Israel’s Foreign Ministry slammed it as an “biased” piece that relied on “unverified sources tied to Hamas-linked networks.”
“This isn’t journalism. It’s Hamas propaganda, a distortion of the truth and the facts all serving an anti-Israel agenda,” the Foreign Ministry wrote on X Tuesday, adding, “A politically driven smear campaign by a biased paper designed to support efforts to blacklist Israel. This disgusting shameful piece must be removed immediately.”
As we previously reported, the Times first spoke out in defense of Kristof’s article — which alleges that Palestinians are regularly abused in Israeli prisons — on Tuesday, amid sharp criticism and calls for the column to be retracted. Specifically, a spokesperson for the Times made it clear there was “no truth” to retraction rumors and touted Kristof’s accolades and expertise.
“Nicholas Kristof is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has reported on sexual violence for decades, and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best on-the-ground reporters documenting and bearing witness to sexual abuse experienced by women and men in war and conflict zones,” the Times spokesperson wrote. “He traveled to the region to report firsthand on the stories of Palestinians who suffered abuse, and his article collects accounts in the victims’ own words, backed by independent studies.”
Kristof himself responded on Tuesday to the outcry, writing on X, “I appreciate the intense interest in my column. For skeptics, why not agree on Red Cross and lawyer visits for the 9,000 Palestinian ‘security’ prisoners? If you think these abuse allegations are false, such monitoring visits would be protective. So why not?”
>
Entertainment
Stephen Colbert Busts Out His ‘Last Biden Impression Ever’ to Mock Trump
Stephen Colbert busted out his impression of former President Joe Biden for likely the last time, as “The Late Show” is set to conclude its run next week.
The late night host donned a pair of aviator sunglasses and channeled the 46th president of the United States in order to roast President Donald Trump’s low approval rating on Wednesday.
“Trump’s war in Iran has also pushed America’s economy into what financial experts call the poop shoot,” Colbert said while discussing Trump’s stats. “Voters have noticed that. Right now, 70% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, and more than two-thirds of Americans say the country feels out of control.”
He added: “Oh, come on. Things are completely under control. Donald Trump may seem unstable, but I’m sure he has a plan. What is your plan, Mr. President?”
Editors for the “Late Show” then played a clip of Trump making a funny sound with his mouth, prompting Colbert to mention that Trump’s poll numbers are “not good.”
He then aired CNN’s Harry Enten declaring that Trump is facing the “five worst polls ever for any president,” noting that Joe Biden is not included.
At this moment, Colbert threw on his aforementioned shades, a favorite of Biden’s, to impersonate the former POTUS.
“That’s right, Jack. I’m not in there ’cause I’m in here. That’s right. How’s it going, Barack?” Colbert said. “I’m in here asking: Remember how much better it was when I was in charge? ‘Cause, I’ll be honest, folks. I do not.”
“Last Biden impression ever,” he added before moving robotically and slowly around the stage. “Let’s dance, everybody. Come on.”
In January, CBS locked in the final air date for “The Late Show,” which will be May 21. The decision followed CBS’ announcement last summer, in which they shared that “The Late Show” would be coming to an end shortly after Colbert mocked Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump, blasting the move as a “big fat bribe.”
However, CBS executives noted at the time that the cancellation decision was purely a financial one.
Watch Colbert’s full monologue above.
“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS.
>
movies
Léa Seydoux in Marie Kreutzer Cannes Film Clip From ‘Gentle Monster’
The title of the new film from Austrian auteur Marie Kreutzer (Corsage) tips us off that we will have to get ready to face potential horrors and uncomfortable questions – Gentle Monster.
World premiering in the competition program of the Cannes Film Festival on Friday night, the movie focuses on two women, portrayed by French star Léa Seydoux, with French icon Catherine Deneuve playing her mother, and German actress Jella Haase (Berlin Alexanderplatz, Kleo), in a cinematic exploration of love, trust, loyalty, power and our potential blind spots for our loved ones.
Pianist Lucy (Seydoux) is supporting her husband Philip, portrayed by Austrian actor Laurence Rupp, after his burnout. They have moved to Germany’s countryside near Munich with their son Johnny. The new life has an impact on her career, but soon, this will not be Lucy’s biggest worry. Meanwhile, special police investigator Elsa (Haase) lives for her job and must also deal with the challenges that her father’s dementia causes her. But both beloved men may have a dark side lurking beneath the surface.
Kreutzer wrote and directed Gentle Monster and worked on it with such regular creative collaborators as cinematographer Judith Kaufmann (Yellow Letters, Late Shift), editor Ulrike Kofler (Gina) and producers Alexander Glehr and Johanna Scherz of Film AG. Komplizen Film and Kazak Productions are also backing the film, while mk2 Films is handling international sales on Gentle Monster.
THR can now premiere an exclusive clip from Gentle Monster. Get ready to witness the first meeting of Lucy and Elsa under anything but relaxed circumstances – in an early morning police visit to Lucy’s family home. As she wakes up, the police are already asking Philip about his phone and say they must seize certain materials. Lucy has questions for her husband, and, as you will see, she even voices one. To find out what is going on, you will have to watch the film. But to get a first sense of the not-so-gentle vibes that await the two female protagonists, check out the exclusive clip from Gentle Monster below.
>
Entertainment
FIFA World Cup 2026: Madonna, Shakira and BTS Named Halftime Show Headliners
Madonna, Shakira and BTS were named the halftime show headliners for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Wednesday.
In a video update posted across social, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Sesame Street’s Elmo declared that the three acts were set to perform in the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Watch the announcement below.
More to come…
The post FIFA World Cup 2026: Madonna, Shakira and BTS Named Halftime Show Headliners appeared first on TheWrap.
>
-
Fashion9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Fashion9 years agoAccording to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Fashion9 years agoYour comprehensive guide to this fall’s biggest trends
-
Fashion9 years agoModel Jocelyn Chew’s Instagram is the best vacation you’ve ever had
-
Fashion9 years agoA photo diary of the nightlife scene from LA To Ibiza
-
Fashion9 years agoEmily Ratajkowski channels back-to-school style
-
Fashion9 years ago9 Celebrities who have spoken out about being photoshopped
-
Fashion9 years agoThe tremendous importance of owning a perfect piece of clothing
