Brooklyn rapper Casanova is wanted by the New York FBI after authorities connected him to a gang known as the “Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation.” On their Twitter page, the institution revealed that 18 members of the gang were arrested and charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics, firearms, and fraud offenses. They then called for information on Casanova, who is allegedly a part of their gang, and the only one who has not been taken into police custody.
18 Members Of The “Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation” Gang Charged With Racketeering, Murder, Narcotics, Firearms, And Fraud Offenses
ADIC Sweeney: “Gorilla Stone is actually not ‘untouchable.'”
We are still looking for Caswell Senior, aka Casanova, in connection with this case. He has connections to both NY and NJ. If you have information about his whereabouts, please call us at 1-800-CALL-FBI. pic.twitter.com/W38fCnBFpt
Assistant Director In Charge William F. Sweeney also shared additional information on the “Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation” gang in a statement posted to their Twitter page.
As the indictment alleges, the violence and drug activity committed by these gang members threatened the safety of our communities and placed innocent lives at risk. Their unabashed criminal behavior, as alleged, included the murder of a 15 year-old and even extended to defrauding programs meant for people suffering economic hardship due to the pandemic. But thanks to the partnership and hard work of all law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, we were able to stop this violent criminal organization — and show that Gorilla Stone is actually not”untouchable.”
You can read the tweets from the New York FBI above.
In just a matter of two years, Lil Nas X has become one of music’s most popular names, thanks to the smash hit “Old Town Road.” The track has currently sold 13X Platinum, and it holds the record for the longest streak at No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart, racking in nineteen weeks. The singer is rolling out his next project, but before it arrives, he took a moment to honor two artists who helped ensure he felt like he belonged in the music world.
During a sit down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Lil Nas X thanked Frank Ocean and Tyler The Creator for allowing him to express his true self to the world. “I think artists like Frank in general and, like, Tyler and whatever, they made it easier for me to be where I am, comfortably,” he said, adding that he hopes his coming out will push other queer artists to do the same.
I was just getting signs, “OK. It’s time we do this thing.” Because it’s like I’m already moving forward and I’m becoming more free with everything I do, so let’s take this to the next level and do this. Because I mean, it was either going to be that or what? Pretend this for the rest of my entire life? … And also being one of those people that was like, “OK, I want to make room for you now.” So everybody who’s coming behind me, “OK. This is going to be cool. It’s going to work out fine.” Yeah. But that’s another reason why I knew that I had to do it. Because the day before I was like, “Damn, should I really do this? Is this what…” And I’m like, “No, this is definitely what I should do.” Especially given my platform, where I am, the communities that I stand in between. It’s like little shit like this shouldn’t be a problem
He also showed love to Billie Eilish, calling her “f*cking amazing and talented,” saying she does “whatever the f*ck she wants” without “apologizing for it.”
Humans, by nature, do their best to adapt, and that’s what society has tried to do during the pandemic. Even frivolous things, like awards shows, have been forced to evolve. The BET Awards and the Emmys even created some of their most charming and watchable telecasts with shows done mostly remotely, with armies of equipment actually mailed to nominees all over the world. It’s a lesson, alas, that one major awards show is not taking to heart.
As per Variety, next year’s Academy Awards will not be a virtual affair, with casts and crew delivering impassioned speeches from their couches. “The Oscars in-person telecast will happen,” a source bluntly told the publication, suggesting the show will go on as it did in the before-time, in a bygone era when there wasn’t a highly contagious virus running roughshod over the planet.
Early into the pandemic, the Academy bumped the show back from late February to April 15, hoping that a year was enough time for humans to sort this out. Humans did not sort it out. Perhaps they’re remaining optimistic, hoping that the public health crisis that is currently worse than it ever has, and with no end in sight, could still get better in the next four and a half months. But they’ll still need to cram untold stars into the Dolby Theatre’s 3,400 seats, and a good number of them are definitely in the immunocompromised bracket.
Of course, it’s still December, with a month — still, somehow — left in this cursed year. Maybe once Jack Nicholson says he’s not risking his life to fête some movie that never got the chance to play in an actual movie theater, the Academy may sing a different tune.
The Godfather is back in the news! Granted, it’s always sort of in the news, the saga always playing somewhere on cable at any given moment. But we’re about to get a new, pretty different cut of the trilogy’s semi-infamous threequel. And at some point in the future we’ll get to binge The Offer, a limited series for the forthcoming streamer Paramount+ that looks at its making. And as per The Hollywood Reporter, when it lands it will star no less than pretty boy Armie Hammer.
The Call Me By Your Name vet won’t be playing director Francis Ford Coppola, nor any of its legendary actors. Heck, he won’t even take on impersonation-friendly super-producer Robert Evans. He’s playing [drum roll] Albert S.. Ruddy. If you have no idea who that is, he was one of the big cheeses responsible for the first film existing at all — a producer whose credits include a number of Burt Reynolds vehicles, Million Dollar Baby, and, of course, The Godfather, though not the sequels. (He also tried to get Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged made into a movie, but, alas, his version failed.)
Ruddy’s experiences have, as per the press released, never been made public, and if you’ve read Robert Evans’ The Kid Stays in the Picture, you know there’s definitely more trashy intel about how the first Godfather came to be. Speaking of Coppola, how long will it be till someone gets around to a splashy behind-the-scenes on the far, far more chaotic making of Apocalypse Now, in which multiple key players suffering heart attacks aren’t even Top 10 events. In the meantime, you can see Hammer try to live up to Laurence Olivier in Netflix’s new remake of the Alfred Hitchcock Best Picture winner Rebecca.
Nate Robinson getting knocked out by YouTuber Jake Paul on Saturday night on the undercard of a Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. exhibition fight became the story of the sports world over the weekend. That is somehow a real sentence and is kind of a perfect encapsulation of the strangeness of this year.
Robinson got knocked out cold by Paul in the second round of their fight, and while he ended up being OK, the way he dropped face first to the canvas was something you knew would lead to jokes and memes on the internet. Some of his fellow NBA colleagues even got in on the jokes, as they couldn’t help themselves, but also made sure to offer Nate some support and point out his resiliency, which Robinson offered appreciation for in his post-fight social media post.
Robinson’s rather disastrous boxing debut will always be something folks remember, but eventually the jokes and memes will go away. For now, though, people will continue to poke fun at the knockout and the jokes have made their way to TikTok where the Nate Robinson Challenge has arrived, with people laying face down on whatever surface they can in a number of different ways.
My personal favorite is the guy who goes full commitment collapsing onto the box in the first video. It’s all in good fun, and Robinson’s friends in the league have said he’s taking all of the jokes in stride, which is good to hear. The irony of all of this is you just know someone’s going to actually hurt themselves by overcommitting and faceplanting on the ground for this TikTok challenge, and, in turn, play themselves trying to make fun of Nate.
True rum aficionados get all of this. They won’t be surprised by rum-centric gifts, no matter how cold the weather is.
The rum-adjacent presents below are focused on actual bottles of rum, beautiful bar essentials, cool design pieces, and a few rum-infused favorites. Some of these offerings are budget-friendly, others are a bit spendier (but worth the splurge). If you’re feeling especially generous, pair one of our recommended rums with a rum-adjacent accessory. And if the rum lover in your life is you, feel free to forward this guide to the people who love you best.
Coconut Cartel Special Rum
Coconut Cartel
Price: $34.49
If your giftee is a sucker for pretty bottles holding quality rum, then this one’s for you!
This premium aged Guatemalan rum is distilled with sugarcane molasses before being barreled and aged for up to 12 years in new, charred American white oak barrels. Using fresh, locally sourced coconut water, they then proof the rum blend from cask strength down to 40% ABV bottle strength. While you can enjoy this in a spirit-forward cocktail, it’s best sipped neat.
Rum Curious: The Indispensable Tasting Guide to the World’s Spirit
Barnes & Noble
Price: $25
World-renowned spirits author Fred Minnick knows his stuff when it comes to booze. In this book, he breaks down the origins of rum, how to properly taste it like a pro, and guides you in building your appreciation for the spirit’s wide variety of styles. The final section of the book includes distinctive rum-based cocktail recipes that go beyond the usual mojito or pina colada.
Give Rum Curious to the person who values a good book and an equally good rum.
Spoonable Spirits, the name behind this booze-infused pudding shot, was launched in 2017 by Kelli Lipson. She was inspired to start the company based on her nostalgic college memories of Jell-O shots. The puddings are all made fresh to order out of Long Island City with tequila, vodka, whiskey, and rum, depending on the flavor.
Though the Rum ‘N’ Cookie is rich, it comes in the perfect 2oz. serving so you don’t feel overstuffed after all those Zoom dinner parties this season.
Godinger Silver Art Co. Ship in a Bottle 4 Piece Beverage Dispenser Set
Wayfair.com
Price: $69.95
Decanting and aerating rum opens up its aromas, resulting in a more enjoyable tasting experience. That’s where this beautiful cylindrical decanter comes in. It even has an antique ship on the inside, conjuring the seafaring history of the spirit.
We’re suckers for spiced anything during the cold months. Rum is no exception. This rum is distilled from organic sugarcane, then infused with whole organic spices for a spicy and warming palate, made perfect with hints of vanilla and allspice. The added perk is there are no artificial flavors or ingredients and it’s USDA certified organic, so you’re getting a high-quality product at an incredibly reasonable price.
This expression is bottled at full 80 proof, so there’s a nice bit of kick for that hot buttered rum cocktail.
This literally has “rum lover” in the product title, so this takes any challenging guesswork out of the equation. The kit includes citrus, mint, and cinnamon flavor blends, alongside a glass infusion bottle and a stainless-steel tasting straw. All the recipient needs to do is add rum and voila! They’ll have their very own bespoke rum infusions, made to order.
Rolling Fork is the perfect rum for those who typically opt for whiskey. The Kentucky Cask Series takes rum distilled in El Salvador and ages it in former Kentucky bourbon barrels, rye whiskey barrels, and sherry and port French oak casks. The result is a complex and well-balanced rum with subtle sweet notes of caramel and vanilla, plus baking spices.
You’ll definitely want to snag a bottle for yourself as well.
1937 Mount Gay Eclipse Rum Vintage Look Metal Sign
Etsy.com
Price: $18.95
Everyone has that relative or friend with a cool house. You know, the one with the epic taste in design and furnishings? Add some vintage-inspired flair to their abode with this aluminum metal handmade Mount Gay Rum sign. It’s chic inside a home office and durable enough to withstand the weather if it’s best suited for the patio.
What’s better than an actual glass of rum? Nothing. However, if we had to choose our pick of the next best thing, rum-scented body lotion seems like a pretty solid call. It’s lightweight yet hydrating… also: smelling like rum is cool.
We know Tortuga has been around since the beginning of time (okay, since 1984), but hear us out. Their desserts cross over from delicious to divine, especially the coconut rum cake. Cake and rum are a match made in heaven. Each rum cake is hand glazed with oak barrel five-year-old aged Tortuga Gold Rum. It’s a boozy treat you can eat while slow-sipping your favorite dark rum.
I have tasted a lot of rum in my time. It’s my spirit of choice and I’ve often led rum tastings at industry events. In all that time, I’ve never tasted a rum that tastes so clearly of rich butter, vanilla, and maple. Seriously, this is a decadent breakfast in a single sip. It’s basically syrup.
This season, I’ve been using Cutwater’s dark rum for rum cakes, caramels, sticky pudding, and, of course, as an after-dinner sipper. Cutwater claims that the butter-nature comes from cutting the dark rum with white rum and while I’m not quite sure I track how that works on a scientifically level, I’ll take their word that there are no synthetic additives.
If you or someone you love enjoys their rums tasting like filtered French Toast, this is the bottle to buy.
It’s been nearly a month since the 2020 presidential race was called for Joe Biden, which is to say it’s been nearly a month since his predecessor, Donald J. Trump, has refused to concede. For weeks, the outgoing commander-in-chief has brayed unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, though he and his Keystone Kops legal team have yet to produce a shred of evidence to back their claims. And just this afternoon Trump’s own attorney general, Bill Barr, announced that after several investigations, the Justice Department has found no evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election.
There’s been fear that the Trump gang’s baseless accusations could erode democracy or inspire violence. And after a young voting machine worker in Georgia was sent death threats, a high-ranking election official has said enough is enough.
As per The New York Times, Gabriel Sterling, Georgia’s voting system implementation manager, held a press conference after a contractor for Dominion, the voting machine company that has been the subject of debunked conspiracy theories floated by Trump and his legal team, was sent a noose, plus a note saying he should be hanged for treason. The contractor was transporting a report for batches in Gwinnett County. The news made Sterling livid.
“It. Has. All. Gone. Too. Far,” says @GabrielSterling with Georgia Sec of State after a Dominion tech’s life was threatened with a noose. “Mr. President, you have not condemned these actions or this language….all of you who have not said a damn word are complicit in this.” pic.twitter.com/OnHaxgpJx6
“It’s all. Gone. Too. Far,” Sterling told reporters. “Mr. President, you have not condemned this language or these actions. This has to stop. We need you to step up, and if you’re going to take a position of leadership, show some.”
Sterling’s words come the day after one of Trump’s lawyers, Joe DiGenova, called for violence against former White House cybersecurity official Chris Krebs, who was fired by Trump after calling the election the safest in history. DiGenova said he should be “drawn and quartered” and taken out at dawn and shot.”
As threats of violence by Trump allies and supporters have rose, Republican lawmakers have largely been quiet as Trump has made called the election “rigged” and challenged courts in multiple states to overturn Biden ballots. All but one of those has resulted in defeat.
Sterling called for an end to all this. He’s Republican, like Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger, who has been singled out for attack by Trump and his allies. But that didn’t stop him from saying he should stop the madness and let America move forward without him.
“Mr. President. It looks like you likely lost the state of Georgia,” Sterling said. “We’re investigating. There’s always a possibility. I get it. And you have the rights to go through the course. What you don’t have the ability to do — and you need to step up and say this — is stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence. ”
Someone is going to get hurt,” he added. “Someone is going to get shot. Someone’s going to get killed. And it’s not right. It’s not right.”
Sterling continued:
“Mr. President, as the secretary said yesterday, people aren’t giving you the best advice what’s actually going on on the ground. It’s time to look forward. If you want to run for re-election in four years, fine, do it. But everything we’re seeing right now, there’s not a path. Be the bigger man here. And stop. Step in. Tell your supporters: don’t be violent. Don’t intimidate. All that’s wrong. It’s un-American.”
Of course, we all know how pleas of decency go over with Trump and his minions.
JaMychal Green leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to join the Denver Nuggets wasn’t exactly one of the biggest moves anyone made in free agency this year. His absence hurts the Clippers a little and he brings value to the Nuggets, but while he’s a good player, his move didn’t make waves during a frenzied free agent period.
Still, Green did make some waves on Tuesday afternoon during his introductory press conference in Denver. As basketball fans recall, the Nuggets rallied back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Clippers in the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals, a shocking result in which Denver just kept fighting en route to a major series upset. Green brought this up in his presser, saying that he was so impressed by what he saw in that series that he was inspired to make the jump.
“Blowing the 3-1 lead, you know they had heart. It wasn’t a tough decision.”
This is obviously a way for people to clown on the Clippers and a major source of pride in Denver, but it’s also interesting to see how this narrative hangs over L.A. The team was expected to, at the very least, make the conference finals for the first time in franchise history, and despite having one foot in the door, they were unable to make it there. This narrative will — rightly, to be clear — hang over them for some time. There’s only one way to shake it, and we’ll bet they wouldn’t mind having to beat the Nuggets to make that happen.
After the NBA made it all the way through the seeding games and the playoffs in Orlando without a single positive test inside the Bubble, the league made the decision that the 2020-2021 season would not resume in a similar isolated environment, but rather return to some semblance of normal with teams playing in arenas.
But given the surge in cases in recent weeks, the prospect of safely allowing fans inside the arenas remains in question. Some teams, like the Lakers, have announced that they won’t permit fans at Staples Center to start the season, while the Warriors have submitted a bold plan that would allow them return to 50 percent capacity at Chase Center, but has to this point been rebuffed by local officials.
With the vastly reduced offseason and the December 22 start date is fast approaching, teams have begun preparations to start training camps with players returning to their home markets and starting individual work on Tuesday, but they are already hitting some snags relate to the pandemic. On Tuesday, the Warriors announced that they were postponing their team-wide first practice after two players reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
Warriors GM Bob Myers just announced that Golden State’s first practice will be delayed one day from Sunday to Monday after two Warriors players tested positive for COVID-19
The report did not specify which players tested positive, and likely most teams will not for positive tests prior to the season beginning, but we’ll continue to update the story as new information becomes available. The Warriors will certainly not be alone in dealing with positive tests, particularly early in camp, and everyone is still learning to work and adjust to new procedures for what happens when there’s a positive test.
NBC’s Peacock has edited out controversial jokes about Selena Gomez from its new Saved by the Bell reboot that launched over Thanksgiving week. During a recent episode, the show made multiple references to Gomez (who has lupus, an autoimmune disease) receiving a kidney transplant, which sparked intense backlash from her fans. While Peacock initially apologized on Sunday for the ill-advised attempts at humor, the streaming service has now taken the extra step of scrapping the scenes completely. An edited version of the episode is now streaming. Via Vulture:
Peacock responded to the controversy, saying in a statement, “We apologize. It was never our intention to make light of Selena’s health. We have been in touch with her team and will be making a donation to her charity, the Selena Gomez Fund for Lupus Research at USC.” Gomez herself has not yet responded to the situation.
One of the questions raised during the outrage is how the jokes made it onto Saved by the Bell to begin with, and more than once. The controversial episode contained a scene where the words “Does Selena Gomez even have a kidney?” are spray painted on a wall, which was then followed by the characters speculating whether Justin Bieber’s mom or Demi Lovato donated a kidney to Gomez. To make matters more uncomfortable, Gomez been candid about her struggles with being self-conscious with her surgery scars.
“When I got my kidney transplant, I remember it being very difficult at first showing my scar,” Gomez wrote on Instagram. “Now, more than ever, I feel confident in who I am and what I went through… and I’m proud of that.”
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