North Korea has claimed that its first spy satellite to be launched into space has been able to photograph the White House‚ the Pentagon‚ and various U.S. naval stations. Bloomberg reported that the nation's reconnaissance probe was launched on November 21‚ and since then‚ it has allegedly been able to photograph Andersen Air Force Base‚ Pearl Harbor‚ and even the U.S. Navy's USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier. However‚ none of the alleged photographs taken by North Korea have been confirmed by any other country. It is not even certain that the piece of tech is fully functional. North Korea has also claimed that its reconnaissance mission is prepared to go into effect on December 1‚ barring significant issues. But the official Korean Central News Agency stated that the "fine-tuning process of the satellite is being hastened to end one or two days earlier."South Korea said that North Korea's satellite capabilities could not be verified. The development comes after South Korea prepared to launch its first spy satellite into space on a U.S. Falcon 9 rocket but was delayed due to weather. Reuters reported that Dave Schmerler‚ a satellite imagery expert with the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies‚ suggested that it was not out of the realm of possibility for North Korea's spy satellite to have the ability to spot large areas or warships."It's a big leap for [North Korea] going from zero to something‚ but until we can see the images they're collecting‚ we're speculating on its use cases‚" Schmerler said. Jeffrey Lewis‚ who is also a researcher at the CNS‚ noted a state media photo that captured Kim and his daughter suggest that the photos could be panchromatic‚ meaning that they are taken in black and white and sensitive to all wavelengths. However‚ this speculation has not been confirmed.While it is possible that the probe can likely take photos‚ it is uncertain whether its quality is high enough to see images that would be of any military value‚ according to Jeon Ha-kyu‚ South Korea's Defense Ministry spokesperson. Adrienne Watson‚ White House National Security Council spokesperson‚ said that the U.S. cannot verify the claims made by North Korea. She went on to say: “We strongly condemn the DPRK for its launch of a space launch vehicle using ballistic missile technology‚ which is a brazen violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions‚ raises tensions‚ and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region and beyond." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

As we polish off the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers‚ yet another reason for our gratitude: this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade got its biggest TV audience ever‚ with a staggering 28.5 million viewers tuning in. Not only does this make it the most-watched entertainment program of the year‚ it also surpasses some NFL numbers — "Lift Every Voice and Sing‚" indeed. This auspicious win for humble‚ wholesome tradition becomes all the sweeter when you consider TV's biggest losers. Emmys ratings hit an all-time low last year (the strike has postponed this year's broadcast until January)‚ while the MTV VMAs couldn't quite crack a million viewers (a far cry from the 2011 peak of 12.4 million). Most satisfying is the dismal viewership for this year's Oscars‚ which despite a 12% bounce to 18.7 million viewers was the third-least watched Academy Awards in its history (last year's Will Smith hissy fit edition was the second-worst). This of course has to do with all the seismic changes the internet has caused. But it also has at least a little bit to do with our increasing disinterest in watching our supposed moral superiors celebrate each other in a bloated‚ self-important ceremony that lasts longer than the average Easter Vigil. Not even the promise of more celebrity-on-celebrity violence is enough to justify spending three and a half hours in the company of that human COVID vaccine Jimmy Kimmel. The hokey‚ yet comforting display of yesteryear's intellectual property gliding serenely above Sixth Avenue is another matter. And why not? Parade floats don't express their poorly considered political views (although this year some "pro-Palestinian protesters" tried and failed to impose their artistic direction)‚ make stale‚ labored jokes‚ or indulge in ginned-up controversy. Nor do they demand our rapt attention. They're perfectly happy to float on in the background of our annual family gathering while we attend to the more important matter of talking and eating and‚ yes‚ even arguing. What is this media-driven obsession with Thanksgiving table combat‚ anyway? It's as if the media want us to dread this family time as much as possible‚ to see it as an onerous obligation to be gotten over with so we can get back to the endless scrolling and clicking and commenting that keep them relevant. The truth we risk forgetting is that in normal‚ in-person interaction‚ people instinctively focus on what they have in common‚ not what divides them. The most talked-about "star" of this year's parade was a giant inflatable acorn. It used to be paired with a float of Scrat‚ the animated prehistoric squirrel whose doomed pursuit of this treasure was a running joke throughout the half-forgotten "Ice Age" franchise of the 2000s. Both floats were retired after 2017‚ but in 2021 parade organizers realized the acorn worked just fine on its own. How delightfully generic it is‚ unmoored from any dreary invitation to consume. An acorn: a symbol of fall and the harvest. But also maybe a symbol of our — and our country's — potential for new growth after destruction. An acorn‚ after all‚ becomes an oak‚ a mighty tree whose extensive root system and thick bark allow it to survive even the most devastating fires. But maybe I'm reading too much into a simple parade. It's remarkable how the mind wanders once you clear a path for it.

Natalie Portman discouraged children from becoming actors due to possible harm‚ adding that she doesn't believe children should work at all.Portman‚ who first starred in "Léon: The Professional" at 12 years old and "Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace" while in high school‚ told Variety that she's heard too many horror stories about children involved in acting."Would you encourage your children to get into this industry? Or do you see enough change that it feels safe for them if they choose to get into it?" a host from the outlet's podcast asked Portman."I would not encourage young people to go into this. I don’t mean ever; I mean as children‚" Portman began. "I feel it was almost an accident of luck that I was not harmed‚ also combined with very overprotective‚ wonderful parents. You don’t like it when you’re a kid‚ and you’re grateful for it when you’re an adult."Portman also explained that she's "heard too many bad stories" to think that children should be involved in acting. The actress is the mother of two children‚ ages 12 and 6‚ according to the New York Post."Having said that‚ I know all the conversations that we’ve been having these past few years. It’s made people more aware and careful. But ultimately‚ I don’t believe that kids should work. I think kids should play and go to school‚" she concluded.When Portman appeared on actor Dax Shepard's podcast "Armchair Expert" in 2020‚ she revealed that she felt sexualized as a child actor."Being sexualized as a child took away from my own sexuality because it made me afraid‚" she told Shepard. In fact‚ Portman feared objectification in her youth so much that she purposely developed a "super-serious and prude and conservative" persona as a safety mechanism."I consciously cultivated that because it was a way to make me feel safe. If someone respects you‚ they’re not going to objectify you."The actress also recalled how a radio station made the creepy decision to publicly anticipate her 18th birthday. "A countdown was started on my local radio show to my 18th birthday‚ euphemistically the date that I would be legal to sleep with. Movie reviewers talked about my budding breasts in reviews‚" Portman also explained.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Robert De Niro was supposed to do what he does best Monday night when taking the stage at the Gotham Awards in New York City: read off a script‚ celebrate his own work‚ and glad-hand with Hollywood elites. Instead‚ he botched his remarks‚ reflexively attacked former President Donald Trump‚ and expressed contempt for those he was supposed to thank. The Oscar-winning script reader introduced the Gotham Historical Icon and Creator Tribute award for Martin Scorsese's new film‚ "Killers of the Flower Moon‚" in which he stars alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Relying upon a teleprompter‚ De Niro‚ long a Hollywood proponent of the debunked Russian collusion narrative‚ said: "Watching the news these days makes one think‚ from a political point of view anyway‚ that we actually are living in a post-truth society. Filmmakers‚ on the other hand‚ at least aim for the truth." "We have no agenda other than to engage‚ enlighten and entertain‚" continued De Niro‚ who previously stressed to propagandist Michael Moore that the former president needed to be humiliated and revealed to Stephen Colbert his desire to star in a favorable film about disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). After setting up filmmakers as neutral paragons of virtue‚ the octogenarian began to grow visibly confused‚ slurring words and stumbling through his delivery. Vanity Fair reported that in a portion of the speech De Niro delivered‚ which appears to have been trimmed out of the video posted to the Gotham Film and Media Institute YouTube page‚ De Niro paused to say‚ "I'm sorry. Okay‚ there was a mistake in this. I'll keep going. Just keep scrolling." Later‚ De Niro circled back to account for his apparent difficulty in reading off the teleprompter‚ saying‚ "I just want to say one thing. The beginning of my speech was edited‚ cut out. I didn't know about it and I want to read it." De Niro then launched into a tirade denouncing "alternative facts" and "conspiracy theories." Besides suggesting that "young students are taught that slaves developed skills which could be applied for their personal benefit" in Florida and denigrating the late anti-communist actor John Wayne‚ De Niro returned to an old crutch — criticizing Trump. "The former president lied to us more than 30‚000 times during his four years in office‚ and he's keeping up the pace in his current campaign of retribution‚" said De Niro‚ just minutes after discounting the possibility that those in his industry have an agenda to advance. "But with all his lies‚ he can't hide his soul. He attacks the weak‚ destroys the gifts of nature‚ and shows disrespect‚ for example‚ by using Pocahontas as a slur." Trump has in recent years referred to Democratic Sen Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) as "Pocahontas" because she‚ along with various other leftists including Buffy Sainte-Marie‚ Sacheen Littlefeather‚ and Hollywood producer Heather Rae long benefited from pretending to be Indian. Rediscovering the point in his speech where he previously choked‚ De Niro said‚ "So I'm gonna say these things‚ but to Apple and thank them and all that‚ Gotham‚ blah‚ blah‚ blah‚ Apple‚ but who — I don't feel like thanking them at all for what they did. How dare they do that actually." The film‚ which Variety indicated would be "branded a flop" if treated as a traditional studio release on account of its failure to yet become profitable‚ is an Apple Studios production distributed in part through Apple TV+. Neither Apple nor the Gotham Awards appear to have responded to Vanity Fair's requests for comment. “KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON” Receives The Gotham Historical Icon &; Creator Tribute youtu.be Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The body of a man who had been missing since October was found on Sunday inside the ventilation system of a Michigan community college. Jason Anthony Thompson‚ 36‚ was discovered in the ventilation system at Macomb Community College on Sunday. NBC News reported that the body was found in the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts after authorities were called after complaints of a "foul odor." College police Chief William Leavens reportedly does not believe there is any evidence of foul play‚ but the college police are currently awaiting the cause of death from the Macomb County medical examiner.While there is still much that is not known about the case‚ Thompson was not affiliated with the campus in any way‚ according to college spokesperson Jeanne M. Nicol.Thompson's family reported him missing on November 1‚ but he had not been seen since October 25. Nicol said that "the college community extends heartfelt condolences during this difficult time to Mr. Thompson's family and friends.""Jason was a father to two beautiful children‚ Killian and Kiara‚" Thompson's sister Shelby said. "He was a son‚ uncle‚ brother‚ cousin‚ but most important he was loved by his family and friends and will be missed."Thompson apparently vanished after leaving Shelby's apartment on October 25‚ wearing black pants‚ Adidas shoes‚ and a hoodie‚ according to the Daily Mail."Never in his life has he ever gone without contact with our family for more than 24 hours‚ not once‚" Shelby apparently wrote on Facebook. "This is completely unusual for my brother‚ someone knows something- what will it take for you to speak?"The discovery of the body has reportedly horrified students who attend the community college‚ and it has left Thompson's family with more questions than answers. Former business studies student Sean Kalil appeared to be shocked when the authorities claimed that there was no foul play‚ saying: "So the dude just went in the vent himself and said this is where I'm choosing to spend my final days? That all sounds fishy to me."Thompson did not have the cleanest criminal record. He had been arrested a number of times‚ and he had even spent nine years in jail for armed robbery in 2008. He was also on probation for retail fraud‚ according to the Daily Mail.The investigation is still ongoing.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Moderna is monitoring celebrities for spreading "anti-vaccine beliefs‚" according to a Monday report by independent journalists Lee Fang and Jack Poulson.The journalists revealed that the biotechnology company hired Nikki Rutman‚ a former FBI analyst‚ to head its "disinformation department‚" tasked with compiling internal reports about celebrities who criticized the COVID-19 vaccine‚ spoke out against vaccine mandates‚ or otherwise shared anti-vaccine sentiments. The journalists noted that Rutman is one of many former law enforcement agents now working for Moderna.The department's reports are color-coded and ranked from "low-risk" to "high-risk" based on how problematic their narratives are to vaccine confidence. "Low-risk" reports "don't currently warrant any action‚" according to Moderna's department. When a response is required‚ the company's "team will notify the appropriate stakeholders with recommendations."Celebrities that made Moderna's "high-risk" list include Russell Brand‚ Elon Musk‚ and Novak Djokovic‚ the report found. It noted that the pharmaceutical company's department created a report titled "Djokovic Crowned Anti-vaccine Hero after US Open Win."Djokovic‚ a tennis star‚ was unable to participate in the 2021 and 2022 U.S. Open tournaments — which Moderna sponsored — after he refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna's report stated‚ "The optics of Djokovic‚ whose vaccine opposition barred him from competing in the 2022 US Open‚ returning to and winning the Moderna-sponsored competition bolsters anti-vaccine claims that vaccines — and mandates — are unnecessary."The company labeled news regarding Djokovic "high-risk" because "vaccine opponents" were "celebrating" the tennis player's stance. The report also noted that Moderna was being mocked for sponsoring the tournament. Another report obtained by the independent journalists found that Moderna also deemed Musk "high-risk" for posting a video on his social media platform‚ X‚ questioning the pharmaceutical companies' claims that the COVID-19 vaccines were "100% effective." According to Moderna‚ the video noted that "deception by health authorities and health care providers during the pandemic" would "lay the groundwork to sow distrust in credible sources on vaccine safety and effectiveness."One report accused Brand of spreading "anti-vaccine beliefs" partly because he criticized the pharmaceutical companies for making "$1‚000 of profit every second" during the COVID lockdowns. Moderna's report stated that Brand's views "circulated in anti-vaccine spaces where he is viewed as a truth-teller and threat to authority."The journalists further stated that Moderna closely monitors news outlets and online vaccine discourse. The company hired Talkwalker‚ a technology firm‚ to use its Blue Silk artificial intelligence to automatically track vaccine-related conversations across 150 million websites.Moderna did not respond to a request for comment from Fang and Poulson or the New York Post.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Disney has released its latest film‚ “Wish‚” and as expected‚ it did not impress. The film follows the story of 17-year-old Asha‚ who lives in a land called Rosas‚ where residents share their greatest wishes with King Magnifico in the hope that they will come true — and almost none of them ever do. “I’m not going to bury the lede here: This is a bad movie‚” Lauren Chen says‚ adding that the film was “poorly written” with a plot that “does not make much sense.” In Rosas‚ there’s a ceremony when every citizen turns 18 in which they give the king their biggest wish. Sometimes he chooses to grant those wishes‚ and sometimes he doesn’t. This concept is portrayed as wrong in the film trailer‚ which Chen notes shouldn’t be. “Not all wishes are good‚ and they shouldn’t all be granted‚” Chen says. “Like what are you trying to tell kids? That it’s bad if not all of your wishes are granted by some‚ like‚ magician somewhere?” However‚ the film itself goes deeper into this concept — which Chen doesn’t think is a good thing either. When the citizens give their wishes to the king‚ they forget about their wishes until and unless they are granted by the king. “In addition to that whole wish concept‚ much like Planet Fitness actually‚ everyone is welcome to Rosas. They accept people from all over the world who want to move to Rosas just to take part in the kingdom and to potentially have their wishes granted‚” Chen explains. When we find out “this whole benevolent wish facade‚ it actually hides‚ somewhat similarly to Planet Fitness as well‚ a cruel tyranny under the surface.” The movie only makes less sense as it goes on. “All the people who were writing the script — they did not have a coherent idea as to‚ like‚ what exactly the message or the theming was going to be here‚” Chen says. “This film is ultimately just a great example of how Disney is floundering in the modern era‚ and it’s not even due to wokeness.”Want more from Lauren Chen?To enjoy more of Lauren’s pro-liberty‚ pro-logic‚ and pro-market commentary on social and political issues‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

Sports Illustrated was accused of publishing articles by "fake‚ AI-generated writers" whose profile images were found for sale on a website that sells AI-generated profiles and photos.Futurism pointed to two in particular allegedly from Sports Illustrated. The first was a man purported to be Drew Ortiz."Drew has spent much of his life outdoors‚ and is excited to guide you through his never-ending list of the best products to keep you from falling to the perils of nature‚" the writer's profile reportedly read. "Nowadays‚ there is rarely a weekend that goes by where Drew isn't out camping‚ hiking‚ or just back on his parents' farm."However‚ the very same photo was allegedly found by the outlet for sale on an AI face generator website.This was also true for Sora Tanaka‚ whose Sports Illustrated profile allegedly said she "has always been a fitness guru‚ and loves to try different foods and drinks."Tanaka's photo was also reportedly found for sale on the same website. Sports Illustrated has been publishing fake articles written by writers that don\u2019t exist‚ complete with AI generated headshots. When asked about it‚ Sports Illustrated deleted everything. (Futurism) — (@) Futurism spoke to two people purported to be involved with the creation of content at Sports Illustrated; both remained anonymous."There's a lot‚" one said about fake authors. "I was like‚ what are they? This is ridiculous. This person does not exist.""At the bottom [of the page] there would be a photo of a person and some fake description of them like‚ 'oh‚ John lives in Houston‚ Texas. He loves yard games and hanging out with his dog‚ Sam.' Stuff like that‚" the alleged employee added.A second person said it's not only photos that are generated by artificial intelligence; articles have been as well."The content is absolutely AI-generated‚" the second source said‚ "no matter how much they say that it's not."The outlet pointed to an Ortiz-written article that reportedly warned that volleyball "can be a little tricky to get into‚ especially without an actual ball to practice with."Sports Illustrated's publisher‚ the Arena Group‚ provided a statement alleging that a third-party contractor was to blame for any discrepancies."An article was published alleging that Sports Illustrated published AI-generated articles. According to our initial investigation‚ this is not accurate‚" the statement began. "The articles in question were product reviews and were licensed content from an external‚ third-party company‚ AdVon Commerce. A number of AdVon's e-commerce articles ran on certain Arena websites."The company then claimed that although it takes steps to "continually monitor" its partners‚ the company was "in the midst of a review when these allegations were raised.""AdVon has assured us that all of the articles in question were written and edited by humans. According to AdVon‚ their writers‚ editors‚ and researchers create and curate content and follow a policy that involves using both counter-plagiarism and counter-AI software on all content. However‚ we have learned that AdVon had writers use a pen or pseudo name in certain articles to protect author privacy — actions we don't condone — and we are removing the content while our internal investigation continues and have since ended the partnership."Futurism also alleged that the AI-generated authors disappeared from Sports Illustrated's website without explanation. The outlet also claimed that other websites operated by the Arena Group‚ such as the Street‚ routinely rotate in new AI-generated authors.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

MMA legend Conor McGregor is fed up — and not with fighting. McGregor verbally attacked Leo Varadkar and Ireland’s leadership for allowing rampant immigration‚ which he and many others believe has led to the stabbing of three children in Dublin. The renowned fighter took issue when Israeli hostages were released by Hamas‚ including 9-year-old Emily Hand. Varadkar tweeted in response to her release that she had been “lost” and was now “found and returned.” “She was abducted by an evil terrorist organization. What is with you and your government your paid for media affiliates constantly down playing / attempting to repress horrific acts that happen to children. You are a disgrace. The day after a stabbing of children in Ireland‚ NOT ONE PAPER HAD IT ON THEIR FRONT COVER. We will not forget‚” McGregor tweeted in response. She was abducted by an evil terrorist organization. What is with you and your government and your paid for media affiliates constantly down playing / attempting to repress horrific acts that happen to children. You are a disgrace. The day after a stabbing of children in Ireland‚\u2026 — (@) He was referencing the stabbing of three children by an Algerian refugee‚ which caused riots in Ireland that the media are now referring to as “far right.” “Of course‚ they’re now far right because they’re defending the children of their country‚” Dave Rubin comments‚ disgusted. John Kavanaugh‚ who was McGregor’s MMA coach for many years‚ is also fed up. Kavanaugh tweeted that the attacker was a “demented scumbag” who needed to be “deported immediately and never allowed back” or “just hang him.” McGregor quote tweeted Kavanaugh‚ writing just: “Torture and death.” “I think people‚ in light of what happened in Israel‚ are suddenly looking at their borders‚ looking at their country‚ seeing people call for genocide‚ having Algerians stab their children‚ and a whole bunch of people are going ‘I think we have had enough‚’” Rubin says. McGregor hasn’t stopped there. The fighter has continuously taken to X to draw attention to the pitfalls of immigration in his country. In one tweet‚ he referenced Michael Martin‚ who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ireland. After Irish woman Ashling Murphy was murdered by an immigrant‚ McGregor wrote‚ “Correct this or you are all finished. The straw has broke the camels back. Your clock is ticking.” Want more from Dave Rubin?To enjoy more honest conversations‚ free speech‚ and big ideas with Dave Rubin‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

Ray D’Ariano was just 25 when he got his dream job. One month into his gig at MCA Records‚ he was alone backstage with two of the world's biggest music stars The post Elton John and John Lennon at MSG in 1974: Behind-the-Scenes appeared first on Best Classic Bands.