Category: Worldwide

How was your weekend? Did you relax before the holiday rush? Did you mourn the sudden departure of Cecily Strong from SNL? Or did you spend it making your already chaotic social media service even battier? If it was the latter, then congrats: You’re Elon Musk, the second richest person on the planet. The Tesla/SpaceX dude is a month-and-a-half into his headache-inducing tenure as lord of Twitter, and over the weekend he was evidently in a pissy rage, briefly suspending yet another journalist’s account and enacting a new rule even his predecessor thought was weird.

First up is Taylor Lorenz, the Washington Post tech reporter who’s become the scourge of the far right, as well as the increasingly right-ish owner of Twitter. Last week, Musk temporarily suspended a number of reporters’ accounts, accusing them of doxing the location of him and his family. (They didn’t.)

One person spared was Lorenz — but turns out he was saving her ban for later. On Saturday her account was frozen without explanation and despite her not having shared any links that could even be interpreted as doxing. Lorenz had even wiped her feed clean of all but a few anodyne posts. Musk later explained he had it banned due to her past doxing, specifically revealing the identity of the rightwing extremist account “Libs of TikTok.” The next day, however, Lorenz was back on Twitter.

So that was fun. But even more fun was this: On Sunday, the Twitter Support account unveiled a new rule prohibiting users from linking to other social media services, including Facebook, Instagram, Donald Trump’s rink-dink Twitter clone, and places that have become popular Twitter alternatives, like Mastodon and Post. Even Nostr, the new decentralized service set up by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, is now verboten.

It’s a pretty severe new rule, and it even takes into account clever workarounds. For instance, if a tweet spells out a link — e.g., Mastodon dot com — said tweet can be deleted. Ditto posts that include screenshots. (If you’re wondering if this will affect the aforementioned “Libs of TikTok,” whose entire gimmick is linking to another social media service, the answer is no, as TikTok is not one of the outlawed services, yet.) He’s also reportedly planning on removing accounts he feels exist solely to link to now restricted rivals.

Like almost all of Musk’s decisions, the move was widely dragged by users of Twitter. Among them was Dorsey himself, who had two comments: “Why?” and “doesn’t make sense.”

Perhaps the reason for the move is because Musk wants to make it harder for people to flee elsewhere, especially given all the people he’s been recklessly banning then un-banning. One good way to stop a potential mass exodus, of course, is for Musk to stop acting the way he has been.

(Via Time and The Verge)

The Cowboys went on the road to face the Jaguars on Sunday, looking to keep slim hopes of winning the division alive as they needed a win to keep pace with the Eagles (who escaped a tough test from the Bears.

Early on it looked like they might be on their way to another dominant win, taking a 21-7 lead into halftime, but Trevor Lawrence led a furious second half comeback to force overtime. After the Jags were unable to do anything on the opening possession of overtime after winning the coin toss, Dallas found itself with a chance to win on a field goal. After moving the ball out near midfield, Dak Prescott looked to hit Noah Brown on a 3rd-and-4 crossing route at the sticks, but the ball bounced out of the hands of Brown and directly into the waiting arms of Rayshawn Jenkins for his second interception of the day and the game-winning pick-six as there were no Cowboys able to get between Jenkins and the end zone.

It was a wild finish to a crazy game that say Lawrence throw three touchdowns to Zay Jones, Prescott lead the Cowboys back in front on a late touchdown march, and then Lawrence set up the game-tying field goal with an impressive one-minute drill. With the win, the Jaguars move to 6-8 and pull to 1.5 games back of the Titans for the AFC South lead, keeping their playoff dreams alive for another week. The Cowboys, meanwhile, see the Eagles move to three games ahead with three games to go, all but assuring them of a Wild Card spot and a road game to open the playoffs.

It looks likeH.E.R.’s trademark shades aren’t the only thing the Grammy-award-wining singer is shedding. During a recent interview, the singer revealed that she is in a “new chapter “of her life and has plans to shed her musical alias. H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Wilson, stopped by Good Morning America to discuss her recent role as the bookish Belle in ABC’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration and how the part has allowed her to redefine herself.

“I’ve been re-finding my voice,” the singer said. “Now I’m not wearing glasses. I can’t be acting and wearing glasses, so I think it’s time for people to really get to know the person behind H.E.R.”

“H.E.R. is me, but at the same time, it’s a new chapter of my life, and I think I’m really finding that connection, and I’m allowing people to see under the layers a little bit,” she continued.

Later in the clip, Wilson, who is Black and Filipino, opened up about the significance of being a woman of color cast as Belle, who has historically been portrayed as white in the cartoon.

“I never thought I could be a Disney princess,” she said. “Of course, every little girl wants to be a Disney princess, but I’ve never seen one that looks like me — so I get to be that to little girls now.”

Snoop Dogg opened up in a recent interview about why Nipsey Hussle didn’t appear in the 2015 film Straight Outta Compton. The hip-hop veteran stopped by 85 South Show to chat with hosts Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly, and Chico Bean about his exchange with the late rapper. Snoop reveals that Nipsey was worried about being in the rapper’s shadow and thought it would be better to cultivate his own identity.

“I hit him up,” Snoop said. “[I said,] ‘Nip, lemme holla at you! Pull up on me!’ He come over to the spot. ‘Cuh, they want you to play me in the Straight Outta Compton movie!’ I’m happy as fuck to tell him.”

“He like, ‘No disrespect, big homie, but I can’t play you in the movie ’cause then people just gon’ know me for being you. I gotta be me. All that’s with all due respect.’ And I was like, damn, that was gangsta. I [called Dre and Cube back and] said, ‘Y’all gotta go find somebody else!’”

The role of Snoop would ultimately go to Oscar-nominated actor Lakeith Stanfield, and Straight Outta Compton went on to gross over $200 million at the box office.

Unfortunately that would be Nipsey’s last opportunity for a role on the big screen. The California rapper was gunned down in front of Marathon Store in his hometown of Los Angeles in March 2019.

The trial against Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has been highly publicized over the past few days, with fans and celebrities alike airing their opinions about the case. One star in particular seems to be “unsure” about the sincerity of Megan Thee Stallion‘s recent testimony. And that person would be 50 Cent.

On Saturday 50 Cent hopped on social media to post a meme featuring a teary-eyed Megan The Stallion from her interview with Gayle King that took place this past spring. The image then moprhed into former Empire star Jussie Smollett.

“Damn, i’m confused [about] all this sh*t going around, ” the rapper wrote on his Instagram. ” [I] don’t know what to think. LOL”

The meme is in reference to the controversy surrounding Smollett’s 2021 case, where he was sentenced to five months in prison for allegedly faking a hate crime, stemming from an incident in 2019 where the actor said he was the victim of an alleged hate crime.

The rapper’s followers didn’t seem to agree with him and had no problem sharing their thoughts. “Confused about what exactly? It’s clear that she was shot. All parties have agreed to that FACT,” one fan wrote in the comments.

Comedian and media personality Jessie Woo suggested that maybe 50 cent needs to direct his energy to another party. “Maybe I’m lost, but…. Shouldn’t this meme have the face of the witness who keeps changing their story?? Not Megan,” she wrote.

Even Julia Fox stepped into the rapper’s comment section to offer thoughts, writing, “Damn, It really is ALL men.”

Birdman goes by many names — Baby, Stunna, and Beatrice, to name a few — but it looks like he will be getting another one soon. The difference this time: He’ll be altering his birth name.

Birdman, whose real name is Bryan Christopher Williams, recently shared with the world that he has plans to restore his birth name from Williams to Brooks. The rapper and Cash Money record executive shared a video on social media explaining the decision.

“2023, I’m changing my name,” Birdman said in the video. “I was born Bryan Brooks. My momma died, and my daddy pulled me out [of] the boys’ home, and I became a Willams. And I love my daddy with every piece of my soul. But [in] 2023, I want to die, Bryan Brooks. Not saying I’m about to die. I’m just saying I’ma change my name to Brian Brooks. In February 2023, I won’t be Williams no more. I’ll be Bryan Brooks.”

The rapper isn’t the only one who has plans to change their name. Singer and TV personality Ray J said he would be changing his to Tron, according to XXL.

“My real name is Willie. Willie Ray Norwood Jr. I’m a junior, so Ray Jr.,” he said during a recent appearance on The Talk. “But my dad has owned Willie. That’s his name. That’s my dad’s name. He’s Willie. So, I’m Ray J, but I’m changing that too.”

“I’m going with a new name at the top of the year,” he continued. “Ray J, he’s lived, you know what I mean. It’s time to evolve,” he said. “My new name will be Tron.”

Austin Butler hosted a special SNL this weekend: It was both the final episode of 2022 and the swan song of Cecily Strong, the longtime stand-out performer who surprised viewers with news that she was done. It was a bittersweet affair, more sweet than bitter, especially when the star of Elvis donned some drag to freak the hell out of someone else doing The King: Sarah Sherman, who gave the world “Jewish Elvis.”

Butler plays one of a room full of horny residents of a retirement home who welcome to the stage a version of Presley not seen before. He changes the words to his classic songs. He banters about schvitzes and schmutz. The geriatric ladies lap it up, none moreso than Butler’s retiree, who keeps shouting things like “I’m so horny I’m gonna frickin’ explode” and “Ruin me Jewish Elvis, Ruin me!” Eventually the actor who played Elvis himself on the big screen joins her/him, doing a twist on “Suspicious Minds.”

Strong was also present, playing another face in the crowd who gets all hot and bothered by the idea of a Semitic Elvis. She’s game all the way to her last episode, a reminder that when the show returns in 2023, they’ll do so without one of their best performers, and not just because no one does Judge Jeanine Pirro like her, not even Judge Jeanine herself.

You can watch the sketch in the video above.

Argentina are World Cup champions for the third time in the country’s history and the first time since 1986, as Lionel Messi added the final, elusive accolade to cement GOAT status in the world of soccer.

Messi was at the center of a thrilling win in penalties over France, as the two teams put forth one of the most dramatic World Cup Finals in recent memory. The first goal of the game came off the left foot of Messi, as he took advantage of an early penalty decision against France to push Argentina up 1-0.

He was also the spark for Argentina’s second goal, flicking a ball into space at midfield to set up a gorgeous goal from Angel Di Maria to push Argentina ahead 2-0 late in the first half.

It seemed for most of the second half that would be the final score line, as France couldn’t even so much as muster a shot on goal going into the final 10 minutes of the game. However, a penalty gave Kylian Mbappe a look from the spot and he rocketed home the first goal of the game for France, which he followed up one minute later with an equalizer that absolutely stunned the crowd in Qatar.

From there, both teams had great looks at go-ahead goals in stoppage time, but neither could produce the game-winner sending us to extra time.

After a few chances went begging for Argentina in extra time, they finally retook the lead thanks to another goal by Messi in the 108th minute.

However, once again Argentina gave up a penalty, this time on a blatant handball in the box, allowing Mbappe to again rip a penalty into the side netting to tie the game.

France then had two unbelievable chances at winners, but Emi Martinez made the save of the tournament on the second to preserve Argentina’s chance at penalties.

The two stars of the game stepped up first and both put home pens, with Mbappe taking the same approach with all three of his penalty goals in the game, while Messi was much cheekier, simply rolling the ball home after the keeper made his move.

Argentina would continue making its penalties, but France missed their next two, setting up Argentina with a very simple equation of just needing to hit 4 successful penalties to ice the game and win the World Cup.

They would do just that, with Gonzalo Montiel getting the honors of hitting the game-winning penalty.

It was, truly, one of the greatest men’s World Cup games of all-time, with both of the superstars of the game showing up and showing out, with Argentina finally fulfilling the promise of the Messi era with a World Cup title in what is likely his final time at the tournament.

The Los Angeles Lakers have finally started to look like a threat to make the play-in in the West over the last month, largely thanks to some stellar play from Anthony Davis.

The Lakers’ star big man is averaging 27.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game on the season, doing so with a career-best 60.3 effective field goal percentage. Unfortunately, Davis will not play on Sunday for the Lakers after suffering a right foot injury in the second quarter of Friday’s win over the Nuggets.

While the initial hope was that Davis would be able to return fairly quickly, multiple reports emerged on Sunday that pointed to a longer absence for Davis. Shams Charania reports Davis is expected to miss a month, while Chris Haynes says Davis will be out “indefinitely” with a right foot injury.

While the Lakers have been much improved of late, they still have a 5-5 record in their last 10 games and are 12-16 on the season, 1.5 games back of the 10-seed in the West currently. They already faced an uphill battle in trying to get into playoff contention, but now will have to go without their best player (so far this season) and try and make a bit of a run just to be in the play-in conversation when he comes back. One also has to wonder how this impacts the Lakers’ pursuit of reinforcements, as they now have a glaring hole in the frontcourt and while they’d been linked to various 3-and-D types, it’ll be interesting to see if this changes the calculus on who they pursue and how aggressive they are in the trade market.

Donald Trump’s third presidential campaign has gotten off to an inauspicious start. His business was found guilty of fraud, he spent Thanksgiving dinner with anti-Semites, and his “MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT” last week turned out to just be a bunch of crappy NFTs. The latter was such a creatively lame move that it got prime real estate on the last SNL of 2022, first during the Cold Open, then during the opening stretch of Weekend Update.

Co-host Colin Jost began by pointing out that the digital trading cards — which depict him as things he isn’t, like a cowboy, a superhero, and “most incredible of all, a guy who didn’t dodge the draft” — should help the “semi-retired maniac” avoid jail time. After all, he said, “he’s pretty much locked down that insanity plea.”

He then tied it back to another recent Trump boondoggle, saying, “It’s such a funny move to get into NFTs after the whole market just crashed. It’s like getting into Kanye now — which Trump also kind of did.”

Elsewhere, Michael Che took on Sam Bankman-Fried, the crypto king who is accused of funneling money from customers to make large political donations. “That money,” Che joked, “will now be used to make sure the cameras outside his jail cell aren’t working.”

Later Jost took on another, actually wealthy freak: “A new study found that using screens to stop a child’s tantrums can harm their ability to control their emotions. The study is titled ‘Elon Musk.’”

Elsewhere on Weekend Update, Cecil Strong swung by as one of her beloved characters, the very opinionated Cathy Anne, which wound up being her farewell to the show on which she’s appeared since 2012.

You can watch Weekend Update in the videos above and below.