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Sunday, December 1, 2019

Demi Moore, Lori Loughlin & More Stars Attend Memorial For Harry Morton After His Tragic Passing At 38

Friends and family gathered together in Beverly Hills on Nov. 30 to mourn Harry Morton, a week after the Pink Taco founder suddenly died at just 38.

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Pete Davidson Requires Fans to Sign $1 Million NDA Before His Comedy Shows: Reports

If you want to see Pete Davidson perform, you may have to be willing to sign a $1 million nondisclosure agreement.

Over the weekend, the comedian, 26, reportedly required audience members to sign an NDA before his Nov. 27 show at the Sydney Goldstein Theater in San Francisco.

Stacy Young, who had purchased a ticket for the performance, shared a copy of the NDA on a Facebook post for the event, saying that she was first notified about the agreement on the day of the show.

The NDA notes that “by signing this agreement, you are agreeing not to discuss any details of the show you are about to watch or your experiences at this event,” specifically prohibiting posts on blogs and online outlets as well as social media platforms. Any breach of contract would “require payment of $1 million in damages” as well as any resulting legal feeds.

In addition to signing the document, attendees were also asked to provide their contact information as well as the names of their social media accounts, and had to hand over any phones or recording devices during the actual performance.

“I understood and was willing to consent to the initial request of locking up any phones or cameras brought to the event, but I think this a bit ridiculous and over the top,” Young wrote on Facebook. “I get that comedians are protective of their jokes and don’t want their routines rebroadcast, but it’s rather Orwellian to not allow anyone to share an opinion on it. Don’t perform for the public if you don’t want people to have an opinion about it!”

Young, who did not sign the NDA, told Variety she was given a full refund by the venue. “I didn’t want to sign it because it was basically saying that I wasn’t able to comment on it or have an opinion,” she said. “The most you could say is ‘no comment.’ ”

An employee at the venue told the San Francisco Chronicle that the venue had only learned about the NDA the day before the show.

Consequence of Sound, which first reported on the news, noted that according to various Twitter posts, Davidson has been requiring audience members to sign NDAs since Nov. 7, when the Saturday Night Live star performed at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis.

Sources confirmed to Variety that Davidson also used the NDA before his show on Saturday at the Vic Theater in Chicago.

A rep for Davidson, the Sydney Goldstein Theater, the Varsity Theater and the Vic Theater did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

Davidson’s next show is scheduled for Dec. 9 in Hollywood, Florida.

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Yang Hengjun: Australia criticises China for detainment of 'democracy peddler'

Australian citizen Yang Hengjun, a former diplomat, has been detained in China since January.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2OFgU7E

Louis van Amstel Says His Son, 11, Was Told 'Homosexuality Is Wrong' by Substitute Teacher

Louis van Amstel, who is finalizing the adoption of his son, is opening up about a troubling experience the child faced at school.

In a video recently posted on social media, the former Dancing with the Stars pro dancer, 47, recalled an incident during which the 11-year-old, who is in fifth grade, shared what he’s grateful for with his classmates ahead of Thanksgiving.

“The substitute teacher asked all the kids what they’re thankful for, which is sweet right?” he said in the clip. “Well — and I got choked up when he said it — is thankful that he’s finally being adopted his two dads.”

However, van Amstel claimed the child’s substitute teacher allegedly expressed disdain in her response. “The substitute teacher was giving her very clear opinion about two men is wrong, homosexuality is wrong and yeah so you can imagine that set us off. We are not letting this go,” the star said in his video, adding that he’s “proud” of how the school handled the matter.

“Not only did they let go of the teacher, they said this woman is never going to teach in this school ever again,” van Amstel continued.

View this post on Instagram | PLEASE READ THIS | this story is too important and hits too close to home not to write about. When our son Daniel answered the substitute teachers question ‘What are you thankful for with: I’m thankful for finally being adopted by my two dads’. The teacher went onto sharing her own views on Homosexuality and that it’s wrong. three girls asked her multiple times to stop. When she didn’t they went to the principles office to complain. I’m proud of the three girls and school for standing up for our family against this bully. Im disgusted that the bully is the teacher in a public school #equalrights #allfamilies #allfamiliesmatter
A post shared by Louis van Amstel (@louisvanamstel) on Nov 22, 2019 at 1:38pm PST

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He further explained that “three girls” in the same class stood up to the substitute teacher. “Three girls asked her multiple times to stop. When she didn’t they went to complain. I’m proud of the three girls and school for standing up for our family against this bully. I’m disgusted that the bully is the teacher in a public school,” van Amstel wrote, adding the hashtags #equalrights, #allfamilies and #allfamiliesmatter.

A rep for van Amstel did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

On Friday, van Amstel spoke with the Salt Lake Tribune about the incident involving the child, identified as D.M., at the Deerfield Elementary School in Cedar Hills, Utah. “She also tried to blame our son and told him that it was his fault that she went off,” he said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous and horrible what she did. We were livid. It’s 2019 and this is a public school.”

Van Amstel and his husband Joshua Lancaster are scheduled to appear with D.M. at his final court hearing on Dec. 19, according to the outlet.

“He was so fearful that this could make us think that we don’t want to adopt him. That’s definitely not going to happen. But this situation really hurt him. This person really hurt us,” van Amstel added.

David Stephenson, a spokesman for the Alpine School District, told the Salt Lake Tribune he could not speak about personnel issues but noted that “appropriate action has been taken.”

Stephenson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Staffing company Kelly Services, which the school district uses to hire substitute teachers, released a statement to PEOPLE on Sunday: “We are concerned about any reports of inappropriate conduct and take these matters very seriously. We conducted an investigation and made the decision to end the employee’s relationship with Kelly Services.”

In addition, Stephenson told the outlet that substitute teachers go through “extensive training” with Kelly Services entering a classroom. “ committed to having the best employees who care about all children in our schools, whether it be the teacher, the custodian, the secretary or a substitute teacher,” Stephenson said. “Obviously, when situations come up like this, we quickly investigate and take appropriate action. That was done in this situation.”

PEOPLE exclusively confirmed in 2017 that the couple wed in Sundance, Utah. Guests in attendance included van Amstel’s season 9 partner Kelly Osbourne, who served as the flower girl.

Lancaster and van Amstel met in 2009 in Los Angeles, where van Amstel lived while shooting DWTS, and dated long-distance for four years. The couple currently resides in Utah.

from PEOPLE.com https://ift.tt/37UHPUt

Sarah Hyland Pays Tribute to Her Late Cousin on the Anniversary of His Death

Sarah Hyland, PCAs Beauty Trend, 2019 E! People's Choice Awards

Sarah Hyland has a lot on her mind. The Modern Family actress took to Instagram Stories on Sunday to honor her late cousin, Trevor Canaday. Around this time last year, the 29-year-old...

from E! Online (US) - Top Stories https://ift.tt/2qUfUDO

Gabrielle Union Speaks Out After NBC Says It's 'Working with' the Actress Following Her AGT Firing

Gabrielle Union is calling for change from America’s Got Talent after her controversial departure.

On Sunday, the actress shared a tweet from freelance writer and host Joelle Monique and commented on the proper way to apologize, shortly after Simon Cowell’s company, Syco Entertainment, NBC and production company Fremantle released a new statement about Union’s unexpected firing from the show.

In her tweet, Monique outlined what makes for a “solid apology”: “1. Sincerely admit wrong doing directly to the offended party. 2. Be twice as loud correcting your mistake as you were making the mistake. 3. Lay out steps to correct your behavior in the future. Anything less is covering your own a–.”

Union retweeted Monique’s post, adding, “This! This! AND THIIISSSSSSS!!!!!!”

This! This! AND THIIISSSSSSS!!!!!! https://t.co/RCrtKtkQ4L

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) December 1, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Prior to the 47-year-old actress sharing the tweet, Syco Entertainment, NBC and Fremantle said in a statement, obtained by PEOPLE on Sunday: “We remain committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees and take very seriously any questions about workplace culture. We are working with Ms. Union through her representatives to hear more about her concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps may be appropriate.”

News broke on Nov. 22 that Union and Julianne Hough — who joined the season 14 AGT judging panel in February, replacing spots vacated by Mel B and Heidi Klum — would not be returning for the show’s upcoming 15th season. (It has yet to be announced who will replace Hough and Union for the upcoming season.)

A day later, a report by Variety claimed that while working on the show, Union had expressed concerns over racially insensitive situations during her time as a judge, including a joke guest judge Jay Leno allegedly made that was later edited out of the episode.

Union and Hough, 31, were also both subject to “excessive notes” on their physical appearance, sources alleged in Variety‘s report.

A spokesperson for NBC and Fremantle previously responded to such claims with a statement to PEOPLE on Nov. 26, saying: “America’s Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show. The judging and host line-up has been regularly refreshed over the years and that is one of the reasons for AGT’s enduring popularity. NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously.”

Representatives for Hough, Union, and Leno have not responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Blog Love B Scott was first to report about complaints Union had allegedly made prior to her departure, with an NBC source saying that she had spoken out about “problematic” situations on set.

According to Variety, during a taping of AGT over the summer, guest judge Leno allegedly made a joke about a painting on the wall that featured Cowell, 60, — who serves as a judge and executive producer — surrounded by his dogs.

Sources on the series told the outlet that Leno allegedly joked the dogs looked like something one would find “on the menu at a Korean restaurant,” alluding to the stereotype that all Asian people eat dog meat.

Multiple people who were on set during the joke, Variety reports, including one Asian staffer, were offended and made uncomfortable by it.

Union also soon learned of the joke and allegedly urged producers to report the joke to NBC’s human resources department in an effort to bring awareness to the problematic issue, three sources told Variety. Despite her push, several insiders told the outlet that it was never addressed by HR. It was eventually cut by producers from the Aug. 6 episode.

In another instance, sources told Variety that Union found herself again speaking up against racial insensitivity when a white male contestant auditioned with an act where he portrayed people of color and impersonated singers through multiple quick costume changes.

Variety‘s report went on to describe claims that Union and Hough often received “excessive notes” on their appearance — noting that Union was allegedly told that her ever-changing hairstyles were “too black” for AGT‘s audience, while Hough reportedly received constant criticism on her hair, makeup and wardrobe.

However, in a statement to Variety, Hough denied that she had a negative experience working on the show. “I had a wonderful time on America’s Got Talent, I loved working with the cast, crew, and producers. I am happy to continue my working relationship with NBC,” said Hough, who is set to star in two upcoming NBC Christmas specials. “I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”

Union broke her silence on her controversial departure last Wednesday, thanking her followers for their support during this difficult time. “So many tears, so much gratitude,” she tweeted. “THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone… you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever.”

from PEOPLE.com https://ift.tt/2R5u5k1

Carly Steel Is Engaged! See the TV Host's Proposal Photos in Front of the Eiffel Tower

Wedding bells are in the air for Carly Steel!

The TV host, 32, and her fiancé Jacob Andreou recently got engaged in Paris, PEOPLE confirms exclusively.

Andreou, the Vice President of Product at Snapchat, got down on one knee to propose to his beloved in front of a gorgeous view of the Eiffel Tower.

As the iconic tower twinkled in the City of Love, Andreou slipped the diamond engagement ring on Steel’s finger. After she said yes, the pair shared a kiss and cuddled up on a balcony overlooking the city.

Prior to sharing the big news, Steel, who became a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight in 2016, had shared a photo from the same balcony on her Instagram last week.

Steel, who was featured in the 2015 film Mortdecai, first shared a photo of her now-fiancé on Instagram in March, when the couple attended a Los Angeles Lakers game together.

Later that month, the couple took a trip to Qatar together, with Steel sharing photos from a desert safari. The trip seemed to kick off their many adventures, including a trip to Salzburg, Austria, and Saint-Tropez, France.

During many of their trips, Steel and Andreou were accompanied by Steel’s close friend Rebel Wilson. In one post, Andreou jokingly called himself a third wheel to the ladies.

RELATED: See Celebrity Jeweler Neil Lane Show Off These Amazing Engagement Rings!

In his first post with Steel, Andreou paid tribute to her on her birthday, calling her “the girl who changed everything.”

“A celebration of the girl who changed everything, told through a series of photos where I’m (sometimes) not wearing all black. Happy birthday baby ,” he wrote in August alongside a slideshow of photos of the couple.

from PEOPLE.com https://ift.tt/35SZ7zD

Home for Christmas: Jailed Norwegian spy released from Russia

A pensioner convicted of spying in Moscow says he shouldn't have trusted the Norwegian agent.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2P5Jv4S

In pictures: Bhopal 35 years on

Judah Passow's pictures of those living with the after-effects of the Bhopal chemical disaster of 1984.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2Y4P6N4

Reform and repression go hand in hand in Saudi Arabia

Sweeping social reforms have been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent, says Sebastian Usher.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/35UGmM2

Letter from Africa: Is Kenya building bridges to nowhere?

Politicians have been given key recommendations to heal Kenya's deadly divides.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2P2CNNb

Jana Kramer and Husband Mike Caussin Celebrate Their Son's 1st Birthday

Jana Kramer and husband Mike Caussin are celebrating their youngest son today! Their little one, Jace Joseph Caussin, turns one today and his party looked like it was a hit. On...

from E! Online (US) - Top Stories https://ift.tt/2Ra8WFq

Wikipedia article of the day for December 2, 2019

The Wikipedia article of the day for December 2, 2019 is USS Chesapeake (1799).
Chesapeake was a 38-gun wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She was one of the original six frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794 and designed by Joshua Humphreys as the young navy's capital ships. Launched at the Gosport Navy Yard on 2 December 1799, Chesapeake began her career during the Quasi-War with France and saw service in the First Barbary War. On 22 June 1807 she was fired upon by HMS Leopard of the Royal Navy for refusing to allow a search for deserters. Chesapeake's commanding officer, James Barron, was court-martialed, and the United States instituted the Embargo Act of 1807 against Great Britain. The Chesapeake–Leopard affair and the Embargo Act were two of the precipitating factors that led to the War of 1812. Chesapeake captured five British merchant ships early in the war before being taken by HMS Shannon. Her timbers, sold in 1819, are now part of the Chesapeake Mill in Wickham, England.