'we will conclude our refugee resettlement grant agreements with the U.S. federal government'

News Reptilia Reptilia: Florida Mermaid Movie Casts Mikey Madison and Kirsten Dunst It’s the mermaid-dental hygienist love story you never knew to ask for. By Vanessa Armstrong | Published on May 12, 2025 Credit: Magnolia Pictures Comment 0 Share New Share Credit: Magnolia Pictures Anora and Scream 5 actor Mikey Madison is set to star in the indie thriller Reptilia, joining actor Kirsten Dunst (Civil War, pictured above in 2011’s Melancholia) in front of the camera, with Alejandro Landes Echavarría (Cocalero, Porfirio, Monos) serving as co-writer and director for the production. The Hollywood Reporter describes the film as a story about “a dental hygienist seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade.” You had me at Florida (because of course a story about a dental hygienist falling for a mermaid takes place in Florida). THR doesn’t clarify who will be playing the mermaid or the dental hygienist, or even if those are the two roles that Madison and Dunst will be taking on. I’d bet a goldfish, however, that Madison is playing the mermaid. Or maybe the dental hygienist? It’s truly a mystery, and I’m here for it either way. Echavarría co-wrote the script with Duke Merriman, the latter’s first feature writing credit. It’s backed by the companies Pastel (Moonlight) and Imperative Entertainment (Killers of the Flower Moon), AF Films, and Landes Echavarría’s company, A STELA CINE. Filming will reportedly start sometime this fall. No news yet on when we’ll see this one swim its way into theaters.[end-mark] The post <i>Reptilia</i>: Florida Mermaid Movie Casts Mikey Madison and Kirsten Dunst appeared first on Reactor.

American negotiators sidelined Israel in securing the release of the last living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza in yet another sign of tension between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump’s administration brokered a deal for the emancipation of Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old dual American Israeli national with the help of Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Israel, meanwhile, was sidelined and learned of the deal only Sunday night. Unlike previous hostage exchanges, Alexander’s release did not accompany or come under the framework of a broader ceasefire agreement. Rather, Netanyahu is gearing up to expand Israel’s operations in Gaza after receiving approval from Israel’s security cabinet last week. Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday evening to announce the deal that ultimately secured Alexander’s release. “I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family,” the president wrote. “I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen. This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators—Qatar and Egypt—to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones. Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!” Netanyahu, meanwhile, credited Alexander’s release to not only Trump’s diplomacy but also to “the military pressure of IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip.” An unnamed Hamas official told NPR that the United States made certain guarantees to secure Alexander’s release. NPR added that, while the Hamas official did not go into detail, the official hinted that the U.S. would help secure the release of some Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli captivity, facilitate the delivery of some aid into Gaza, and negotiate a broader end to the war. Following Alexander’s release, Hamas published a statement saying, “the Al-Qassam Brigades have just released the Israeli soldier holding American citizenship, Edan Alexander, following communications with the U.S. administration. This comes as part of the mediators’ efforts to reach a ceasefire, open the border crossings, and allow the entry of aid and relief for our people in the Gaza Strip.” “The ball is now in the American and Israeli court. We gave the Americans what they asked for. They need to get the other side to give things too,” the Hamas official told NPR. Netanyahu contradicted the Hamas official, claiming Alexander was released “without anything in return.” An Israeli Defense Forces unit received Alexander from Hamas on Monday and took the 21-year-old to a facility in Re’im for a medical and psychological evaluation. Alexander, a soldier for the Israeli Army, was captured by Hamas at his military post on the morning of October 7, 2023. The New Jersey native moved to Israel after high school to serve in the Israeli military. Trump has changed America’s approach to pursuing a Middle Eastern peace agreement, opting to negotiate directly with Hamas and other belligerents in the Israel-Gaza conflict without Israel present. Last week, American negotiators brokered a deal with Houthi militants in Yemen. The U.S. will end missile strikes in Yemen as long as the Houthis end strikes on American vessels in the Red Sea. This deal apparently surprised Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, and Netanyahu posted a video statement on X that said, “Israel will defend itself by itself. If others would join us, our American friends, very well. If they don’t, we will defend ourselves.” Trump’s decision to cut Israel out of the negotiations with the Houthis represent a response to Israel’s actions following the breakdown of the ceasefire brokered by Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, just prior to Trump entering office. That ceasefire, which would have continued to facilitate the return of hostages on both sides, started to falter in March. Israel accused Hamas of returning the wrong hostage remains, and Hamas made grotesque public showings of the hostage returns. Hamas, meanwhile, accused Israel of delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners and blocking aid headed for Gaza. The ceasefire evaporated on March 18 after Israel launched a large-scale aerial attack, which Israel justified by claiming Hamas militants were preparing for another attack. After the U.S. negotiated Alexander’s release, Netanyahu met with Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee in Jerusalem to discuss a broader hostage deal and an end to hostilities. The Israeli government said hostilities will not end during future negotiations: “The Prime Minister made clear that negotiations will take place only under fire.” Trump departs from Washington on Monday for the Middle East, the first major international trip of his second term. The president will visit Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi—crucial players in ongoing Middle Eastern diplomacy—but not Jerusalem. Is it a snub to Netanyahu, or simply because Netanyahu has already visited Trump at the White House twice already this year? Regardless, the apparent tensions between Trump and Netanyahu are unlikely to be alleviated anytime soon. Hamas still has 20 living and an estimated 40 dead hostages, which the terror group continues to hold as leverage for negotiating the end of the war, but Israel shows no signs of slowing down. The post Deal to Free Last Living American Hostage Another Sign of Strain in Trump-Netanyahu Relationship? appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Poland Accuses Russian Intelligence of 2024 Arson: 'We Will Get You All!'

The Aztecs used obsidian for ritual purposes as well as everyday tools.

We’ve got a brand new, fun interactive series for the new year called Worst Media Take of the Week, where you — our loyal NewsBusters visitors and MRC supporters — get to vote on which leftist journalist or celebrity had the worst media take of the week.   Much appreciation to all who voted last week via NewsBusters and the MRC’s various social media sites (Facebook, Instagram and X.com).   The results of the Worst Media Take of the Week are in and the winner is… Kristen Welker! NBC’s Meet the Press moderator won with 47 percent of the vote. Welker took home first place with this loaded question to President Donald Trump:  “What do you say to those who believe you are taking the country down an authoritarian path?” PBS contributor and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart finished in second place with 35 percent of the vote. Documentarian Ken Burns finished third with 18 percent.  The following is a montage of all the nominees:      WINNER (47 percent of the vote)   Kristen Welker to Trump: Are You Taking the Country Down an “Authoritarian Path?” “People who have lived in countries like the Philippines, Hungary, Russia, they look at some of your actions, going after civil service, going after universities, law firms, the media, they say it’s out of an authoritarian playbook. What do you say to those who believe you are taking the country down an authoritarian path?”— Moderator Kristen Welker to Donald Trump as aired on NBC’s Meet the Press, May 4.   SECOND PLACE (35 percent of the vote)   Trump’s “Fundamental Attack On Our Constitution” “I think what the President is doing, it is a fundamental attack on our Constitution, on the foundation of this country.….When you have a President of the United States who is making it his mission to attack the free press, we should all be concerned, whether we are at PBS or whether we are at MSNBC, because he’s focused on us too.”— Washington Post associate editor/PBS contributor Jonathan Capehart on PBS’s News Hour, May 2.   THIRD PLACE (8 percent of the vote)   Ken Burns: PBS “Puts the Us in the U.S.” “The enrichment that PBS has brought to my life, to our collective lives is just undisputable. I think PBS is part of the pursuit of happiness machine….This is the Declaration of Independence applied to broadcasting….It’s just one of our crown jewels, like higher education that you mentioned at the beginning, like our national parks. This is who we are. It puts the us in the U.S.”— Documentarian Ken Burns on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, May 2.   Thanks again to all who participated!    Funded by James P. Jimirro

NBA commentator Charles Barkley said he will not have his free speech impeded in any way when he joins ESPN next fall.Barkley hosts "Inside the NBA" on TNT alongside former NBA greats Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith, as well as broadcaster Ernie Johnson. With the group, especially Barkley and O'Neal, known for their uncensored rants, Barkley was asked if he feared having his freedom stifled as the crew prepares to move to ESPN for the 2025-2026 NBA season."I'm not gonna change. I'mma do what I wanna do," Barkley firmly stated. "Nobody's gonna tell me what to say or what to do."Barkley then recalled a recent rant about fellow analyst and former NBA player Kendrick Perkins and referred to him as a guy who "don't know his a** from a hole in the wall."Using that as a base example of how he would not be coerced into changing his tone, Barkley said his personality will not be dulled for ESPN, nor did he think the network would be in a position to fire him if he was too controversial."I'm not gonna change my personality," Barkley continued in an interview with Dan Dakich. "They can't fire me. I make too much money to get fired." (L-R) Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley in 2017. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TNTThe hit show's move to ESPN coincides with the NBA's new TV deal with Disney Networks, NBC, and Amazon. The 11-year, $76 billion agreement will see "Inside the NBA" be independently produce by TNT Sports in Atlanta, but it will air on ESPN, the network announced, per the El Paso Times.Sports reporter Alejandro Avila told Blaze News that he expects clashes between the network and its soon-to-be star anchors. "ESPN hasn't changed its model to stray from its progressive programming. To uphold their identity, they’ll need to crack a whip on anyone who doesn’t get in line," Avila said.Barkley and O'Neal offer far more "common sense" than the network is used to, the reporter continued. He added, "The mother ship would prefer that didn't happen."Barkley explained that while he will likely opt out of his contract after two years, it includes the option to extend it to seven years. Therefore, If ESPN did choose to fire him, the network would owe him seven years of salary."So they can't fire me. First of all, if they fired me, they gotta pay me for seven years, and I'mma quit way before then. But if they want to fire me, I would love for them to do that," Barkley laughed.After insisting his paycheck was too powerful, Barkley reaffirmed, "Nobody at ESPN is gonna tell me what to say or do. Period."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

As reconciliation talks continue, House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith revealed that the Republican-led tax bill will hike up Harvard University's endowment tax, in addition to codifying many of President Donald Trump's campaign promises. During a members-only GOP conference on Capitol Hill, Smith told members that Harvard's current 1.4% endowment tax under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will be bumped up to 21%, according to a source on the call. Harvard continues to be in the hot seat after the Trump administration announced they would be canceling millions of dollars in federal grants, noting that taxpayer funds are a "privilege." 'We're delivering on no tax on tips, no tax on overtime pay for the 80 million workers affected, and achieve tax relief for seniors.' Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesIn addition to the increased endowment tax on Harvard, the GOP tax bill is also aiming to codify Trump's incredibly popular policies like no tax on tips and no tax on overtime, according to a source on the call. Other line items are focused on boosting pro-family policies, like indexing the child tax credit for inflation and improving adoption tax credits. "We're delivering on no tax on tips, no tax on overtime pay for the 80 million workers affected, and achieve tax relief for seniors," Smith said during the call. The legislation is also focused on reinvesting in Americans and includes 100% immediate expensing for new factories in the United States, according to a source on the call. The bill further bolsters American manufacturing by including deductibility of auto loan interest for American-made cars. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesThese provisions mirror Trump's directives to incentivize American manufacturing while renegotiating international trade deals to benefit the United States. In just the last week, Trump has finalized major trade deals with both the United Kingdom and China. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

As the threat of artificial intelligence looms, artists of every medium are beginning to worry that their craft may no longer be a craft — and that like many others, their professions may be in trouble. However, Stephen Limbaugh, a composer and concert pianist whose work has been performed by the Russian Philharmonic, has been featured at the White House and the Golden Globes, and is releasing an upcoming symphony for America’s 250th birthday, doesn’t share that concern. “Authenticity is what people still crave, whether it’s their pop stars, or their composers, or their movies, or ... any form of artist,” Limbaugh tells James Poulos on “Zero Hour.” “Somebody who it doesn’t feel like they’re just setting themselves up to sling a perfume on Instagram.” “So, you’re not worried at all?” Poulos asks. “No, because you can’t make art by calculation. You got a concert pianist in a concert, solo concert, he’s going to play a sequence of thirty-something-thousand notes, and he’s going to play it with like 99.5% accuracy, if he’s great, which is remarkable that he’s going to do that from memory,” Limbaugh explains. “He’s not going to make a single calculation. AI cannot attempt that without making calculations. So, whenever the inspiration is striking, whenever you have the producer in the room,” he continues, “AI is never going to be able to make a suggestion like that. They might be able to take a bunch of information about how records were made and all this, and then they’ll calculate a suggestion for this and that.” “Not worried about it, because it’s not going to be right,” he adds. Want more from James Poulos?To enjoy more of James's visionary commentary on politics, tech, ideas, and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced in Tampa the latest steps to bolster Florida's plans to help the Trump administration carry out mass deportations, hoping those plans are able to be replicated in other states.DeSantis revealed more than 100 Florida Highway Patrol troopers have been sworn in as special deputy U.S. Marshals, a designation that allows them to execute federal warrants to help remove criminal illegal aliens and carry immigration duties up until an illegal alien is removed by the federal government. As long as they have a warrant, those FHP troopers can target specific illegal aliens on their own without needing a federal immigration agent with them.'This is an extra layer of added authority that will be very useful in the future.'"There is no one else in the country where they're doing that," DeSantis explained. "These guys now at FHP, they can do operations, they can get illegals, and they can do everything that an immigration officer will do up until they get processed for removal." DeSantis added that Florida has also offered the federal government assistance for transporting illegal aliens out of the country. — (@) Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Director Dave Kerner, who oversees FHP, told Blaze Media after the press conference that this new move warns illegal aliens in the state it is only a matter of time before they will be caught."There's nowhere to hide in the state of Florida, whether you're a criminal illegal alien with a violent, felony past, or you have an active order of deportation, or you're just here unlawfully. ... The chances are very high you're going to interact with a member of state government. ... The chances of you being caught and detained under federal law is increasing every day," said Kerner.Kerner said the current number of FHP troopers who are also special deputy U.S. Marshals will remain the same for the time being, as the U.S. Marshals requested that number to fit their needs."They can also enter into that person's home or conveyance or anywhere else where that person may find shelter that the warrant allows them to enter the premises to execute that warrant," Kerner continued. "This is an extra layer of added authority that will be very useful in the future."Kerner echoed DeSantis' calls to increase detention space, a major hurdle during immigration enforcement operations that has limited the number of people who can be taken into custody. Florida has offered the federal government options and resources to help increase capacity.Kerner and Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement Executive Director Larry Keefe said between the successes of Operation Tidal Wave, a large joint task force between Florida and federal law enforcement, and the fact that Florida accounts for over half of the 287(g) agreements nationwide, the Trump administration views Florida as the model for the rest of the country.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!