NBC parent Comcast is exploring developing its struggling cable network business, including left-leaning MSNBC, President Mike Cavanagh said Thursday.
Cavanagh revealed during the third-quarter earnings call that the media giant is considering creating a “new, well-capitalized company owned by our shareholders and comprised of our strong portfolio of cable networks.”
Cable networks include MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, E!, Syfy, USA Network and Oxygen True Crime.
Comcast President Mike Cavanagh said the company is exploring a spin off of its struggling cable networks.
The potential split would not include the NBC broadcast network or the Peacock streaming service, Cavanaugh said.
“We chose not to participate in the M&A process around Paramount earlier this year. But we would consider broadcasting partnerships,” he added.
Shares of Comcast rose more than 3% in midday trading on Thursday, after the company also reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings on the back of box office hits and an increase in ad sales fueled by the Olympics .
The executive’s comments come as cable customers continue to cut their traditional TV packages in favor of streaming.
In recent years, Comcast has focused on building its Peacock streaming service, which received a shock during the third quarter when it exclusively broadcast the Summer Olympics in Paris.
Earlier this year, Paramount Global — which owns cable TV networks Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and MTV — agreed to merge with Hollywood production company Skydance Media in a deal that signaled a changing of the guard in the industry.
“We are now exploring whether the creation of a new well-capitalized company owned by our shareholders and comprised of our strong portfolio of cable networks would position them to take advantage of opportunities in the changing media landscape,” Cavanagh said. .
The company said it may spin off from MSNBC, CNBC and a host of other networks such as Bravo and E!. ymgerman – stock.adobe.com
During the quarter, Comcast’s media business saw a $1.9 billion increase in revenue from the Paris Games — the highest ever for an Olympics — largely due to increased brand advertising.
Meanwhile, Peacock added 3 million paid subscribers in the quarter, bringing its total to 36 million.
Comcast’s total revenue was $32.07 billion, above estimates of $31.66 billion.
However, Comcast also lost 365,000 cable TV subscribers, compared with expectations for 420,300, according to FactSet, as consumers switched from traditional TV to streaming services.
Parent NBCUniversal-Comcast continues to get squeezed as customers cut their cable packages and opt for streaming. Getty Images
In August, Warner Bros. Discovery booked a large $9.1 billion write-down of its television networks, caused by the revaluation of the segment’s book value.
Analyst firm MoffettNathanson estimated there were 4 million traditional pay-TV subscriber losses in the first six months of the year, calling it “a staggering total.”
That includes 2.4 million losses in the first quarter, considered the worst quarter ever for package departures.
“Like many of our peers in media, we are experiencing the effects of the transition in our video businesses and have been studying the best path forward for these assets,” Cavanagh said. “We’re not ready to talk about any specifics yet, but we’ll get back to you as and when we come to certain conclusions.”
As autumn proves and Robert Frost reminds us, “Nothing gold can stay.”
In October, the daylight fades, the fields empty and much of the Northern Hemisphere turns to full memento mori.
All this death is not without ceremony, which is most commonly found in Halloween, a holiday whose origins date back to the Iron Age and a fire festival.
Samhain, dig up the dead. Teodor Lazarev – stock.adobe.com
Samhain or Samhuinn, pronounced sow-wen, is the pagan precursor to Halloween, a holiday that honors the end of the harvest, the beginning of winter, and the start of the “dark half” of the Celtic calendar year.
The word Samhain translates to “summer’s end” and as witch Dacha Avelin eloquently describes it, “It is the threshold of the season of Death.”
Despite this, Samhain coincides with the sun’s journey through Scorpio, itself a threshold sign that rules the eighth house of sex, death and regeneration.
Samhain traditions
During the ancient Samhain celebrations, household hearths were lit using torches lit from the communal fire. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sitting squarely between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, Samhain was observed as one of the four annual “fire festivals”.
In ancient tradition, while the last crops were gathered, hearth fires in individual homes were left to burn. After the harvest was complete, “celebrants joined Druid priests to light a community fire using a wheel that would cause friction and sparks.”
The original Samhain celebrations involved a bonfire with a take-home flame, a “this little light of mine” colored kind of atmosphere.
“The wheel was considered a representation of the sun and was used in conjunction with prayers…participants took a flame from the communal fire in their home to light the hearth.”
This torch provided warmth and protection for the home, a kind of “this little light of mine” colored atmosphere.
I can dig.
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Obligatory inflection
Modern Pagans delight in the spotlights and traditions of Samhain. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Some sources claim that the OG Samhain celebrations were a bit tame, a few days full of excessive mead drinking and free feasting. A Taurus poem.
Attendance was compulsory and the punishment for abstention came in the form of death and sickness given by the gods of old.
Anyone who used a weapon or committed a crime during the Samhain festival faced a death sentence. Sharp chastisement for those who would harden the gentle.
Further, Samhain was held sacred and kept separate from violence; anyone who used weapons or committed a crime during the festival faced a death sentence. Sharp chastisement for those who would harden the gentle.
Hungry ghosts and animal hideouts
During the Iron Age, Samhain celebrants disguised themselves in animal skins to fool marauding spirits, a tradition that gave birth to Halloween costumes. Getty Images
The ancient Celts believed that during this auspicious time of year, the proverbial veil that separates the living and the dead, the gods and the creatures, was most permeable.
The word “fire” comes from bonfire, the practice of offering animal bones to ceremonial flames. Very heavy metal.
Food was left on doorsteps and forest edges to honor the dead, appease hungry spirits and protect the living, while crops and animals were offered as ritual burnt offerings.
Modern practitioners of Samhain. artem – stock.adobe.com
Fun fact: the word “fire” comes from bonfire, the practice of offering animal bones to the flames. Very heavy metal.
Divination was thought to be aided by this thinning of the veil, and fortunes were cast by the light thrown from the high fires.
The well-known tradition of wearing Halloween costumes arose from these early revelers who disguised themselves in animal skins to trick the spirits who sought to harm them.
Christian propaganda campaign: Samhain becomes All Saints’ Day
Dancers perform at the Samhain Fire Festival in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. Getty Images
As Christianity invaded Celtic communities, the form and function of Samhain changed.
The Church, recognizing that renaming was more effective than total eradication, gave new meanings to old practices and sacred places. In nature, Samhain became All Saints’ Day, when martyrs and saints were honored, rather than the free-range spirits of the dead.
Catholic saints became an easy and supernatural substitute. Me. You. – stock.adobe.com
This replacement was pseudo-quiet, as Saints often have an air of the supernatural about them – a veritable mixed bag of reborn virgins, necromancers, stigmatics, incorruptibles and dragon slayers.
What the pagans called magic, the Catholics called miracles, the same but different.
What the pagans called magic, the Catholics called miracles, the same but different. The night leading up to All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows Eve, later Holy Night, and eventually, Halloween.
History of fraud or dealing
The practice of trick-or-treating can be traced back to Samhain traditions. Rustam – stock.adobe.com
The Samhain tradition of leaving food for the spirits became the new practice of offering food and drink to the poor.
Post-Christian intervention, revelers would visit the homes of the wealthy and receive “soul cakes,” pastries given in exchange for a promise to pray for departed family members. This knock and promise of exchanging sweets became known as “spiriting”, planting the seeds to be treated.
In Scotland and Ireland, children avoided the promise of prayer and instead performed a “trick,” reciting a poem, singing a song for the dead, or otherwise performing for their “treatment,” which took the form of common fruits, nuts and seeds and spare change.
In the 19th century, Irish immigrants fleeing the certain death of the potato famine brought the practice of “cheating” to the strange shores of America.
The story of the jack-o-lantern
Today, the jack-o’-lantern has continued to evolve from its spiritual roots. Tomas Tkacik / SOPA Images / Shutterstock
Carving scary faces into vegetables has its roots (pun intended) in Ireland and Scotland, where turnips served as early paintings.
Jack-o’-lanterns are associated with the Irish legend of Stingy Jack (a possible Twin), who cleverly tricked the Devil into captivity on several occasions.
Each time he trapped him, Jack traded the preservation of his mortal soul in exchange for the Dark Lord’s release. When he finally reached the end, Jack was banished from heaven for being a suspected fraud, and according to his bargain with Beelzebub, he could not be taken to hell.
Jack O’ Lantern is named for the marauding spirit of Stingy Jack. Getty Images
Legend has it that the Devil sent Jack into the dark night of eternity with only a burning coal to light his way.
Jack placed the coal in the core of a carved turnip and has been roaming the earth with the ghostly lantern ever since.
The Irish called this creature “Jack of the Lantern” and eventually “Jack O’Lantern”. The people of Ireland and Scotland began making their own carved lanterns, placing them in windows and doorways to ward off Stingy Jack and any other marauding vampires who might come knocking.
How to celebrate Samhain
Headwear is encouraged but not required. Getty Images
The growing popularity of Wicca and other forms of modern Paganism that began in the 1980s saw the revival of early Samhain traditions.
Wiccan celebrations of Samhain vary and include fire ceremonies, feasts, clothing, and rituals that honor the dead and honor the natural world.
Modern Samhain celebrations usually begin on the evening of October 31st and continue until November 1st.
Interested in celebrating Samhain? There are several ways to incorporate ancient and modern practices that honor the dead and transition from the season of plenty to the winter of scarcity.
Celebrations can be joyous while also maintaining an air of reverence for all that is lost as the night wears on. Some options to consider:
Build an altar
During Samhain, the veil between the worlds is thinnest. Manyapha – stock.adobe.com
Samhain can be a time of great closure for them who have recently lost a loved one or increased communion time for those who wish to connect with the dead.
Altar offerings may include images, candles, items that remember or belonged to the deceased, bread, and clothing. This ancestral communication ritual it can be performed during Samhain celebrations or during the dark (new) moon.
For more information on dialogue with the dead, see our guide.
Light a fire
Bonfires are a great way to warm up while respecting the traditions of Samhain. tiagozr – stock.adobe.com
If space permits, light your fire outside. Consider a habit, personal obstacle or harmful narrative that you want to leave behind, commit it to paper and offer it to the flame. Look at that burning mother and imagine yourself free from her.
Prepare a Samhain celebration
Samhain calls for feasting on seasonal foods and reveling in the state of being alive. sonyakamoz – stock.adobe.com
Prepare a meal for your loved ones, emphasizing seasonal fruits and vegetables, foraged items, wild animals, and black bread. If you drink, pour cider or red wine. Eat by candlelight and consider that the life we live is as much a harvest as the harvest we gather.
Eat by candlelight and consider that the life we live is as much a harvest as the harvest we gather.
Reflect on how you’ve grown and what you’ve taken away in the past year. Offer gratitude for the company you have around you and stories about the departed who can no longer be invited to the table. When you are done with your meal, put your leftovers outside as an offering to the dead.
As we welcome winter, remember that death is necessary, new life is inevitable, and honoring what has been ensures the arrival of what is yet to come. Let your fires burn brightly.
Astrology 101: Your Guide to the Star
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and reports candidly on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
The United Arab Emirates of Dubai is forever in the headlines for its hyperbolic endeavors: the world’s tallest skyscraper, the first ski slope in the Middle East, the largest shopping mall in the region. In this desolate city—one of the fastest growing in the world, where 88% of the population is foreign-born—conventional wisdom has long held that the more gilded, the more wrapped, the more dazzling, the more more luxurious. But that’s all about to change with the opening of Dorchester’s Lana Hotel.
In 2012, Mahdi Amjad had a modern vision for his adopted country. (He was born in Iraq.) As Dubai became an international business and entertainment hub, the developer believed that so would the tastes of its residents. After the global financial crisis had passed, the government dug a canal from the Dubai Creek to the east, to the downtown location of a planned (and destroyed) military base. The expansion enabled the development of a new quarter, the Marasi Marina in Business Bay, anchored by a lagoon directly opposite the Burj Khalifa (the aforementioned skyscraper in the world) and the “cultural” center known as the Dubai Mall (which billed itself as the most visited country in the world in 2023). The cranes went up – and with them, Amjad’s first step towards building a luxury hotel that would defy the gloom that dominates every other resort in the city, from the Palm Jumeirah to the Burj Al Arab.
With a sparkling rooftop pool, Lana brings a luxury ethos that doesn’t need to gild the lily to Dubai. Courtesy of The LanaThe hotel is part of a floating building in the air designed by Foster + Partners. Courtesy of The Lana
Amjad scoured the planet for a partner who shared his vision, eventually joining forces with London’s ultra-stylish Dorchester Collection hotel group. “I come from a residential background, so I always think about living spaces first, even in a hotel,” says Amjad, who is the founder and executive chairman of UAE development company Omniyat. “It doesn’t matter how extraordinary you create a building. If you don’t have an exceptional level of service, you don’t have an exceptional living experience.” And the boy delivered Dorchester.
Guests at Lana – the Dorchester Collection’s 10th hotel and first in the Middle East – enter through a porte cochere, where doormen decked out in breakfast suits with top hats offer a gloved hand to help them alight from the usual estate Rolls-Royces. Inside the 104-room, 121-suite accommodation, they are greeted in the Gallery (aka the Lobby) by sandy hues that reflect the Arabian desert – and zero gold.
The luxury here is not in the gilding, but in the textures, artwork, craftsmanship and amenities. Foster + Partners designed the stunning building, and while it stands out, sways and frames every enviable view of the city, it remains understated and graceful. French designers Gilles & Boissier dressed in a four-story draped chandelier, coffered ceilings, trolley-only bar service, intricate tile work and pink banquettes for afternoon tea.
The hotel offers 104 rooms and 121 suites – all elegantly appointed – from $925 per night. Courtesy of The LanaCulinary delights include pastries from world champion Angelo Musa. Hein van Tonder
A reflective wavy ceiling makes everyone look great at Jara, the hotel’s Basque restaurant (another first for Dubai), designed by 12-star Michelin chef Martín Berasategui, using wood-fire techniques. He’s in good company: French star chef Jean Imbert runs the hotel’s Côte d’Azur-inspired restaurant, Riviera, on the fourth floor, and High Society, an infinity pool with an adjacent cocktail bar on the 30th-floor rooftop. of, influenced by the ancient kingdoms that worshiped the sun. Upstairs, world pastry champion Angelo Musa cooks up an amazing tater tot that may be the best on the menu at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, where he is executive pastry chef. There is also a speakeasy where the bar manager can put whiskey in your favorite cigar for your next visit.
But where Lana really departs from the pack is in her spacious guest rooms. No detail has been overlooked: freestanding bathtubs with views, Vispring beds (just like British royalty sleep), Dyson hair dryers with custom colors in the suites, floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies (even in the entry-level rooms ) and an amenity we’ve never seen in any hotel anywhere: a double electric clock. (We see you, Hublot fans!) You’ll be tempted to never leave the spacious rooms that start at 600 square meters, but the Dior Spa and gym on the 29th floor await.
Spacious guest rooms offer breathtaking views and freestanding bathtubs. Courtesy of The Lana
Lana officially opened in February, and despite the high prices, the brand says it’s doing brisk business. (As are the adjacent full-service residences.) It’s a marked departure from the Atlantis and the Taj and other top Dubai beach resorts, but if this urban oasis can’t sway Emirati design preferences and immigrants, we are not sure what can. European snobs are already sold. “It’s so beautiful, it’s like a dream,” Alexa tells French pastry chef Musa. “I wanted to cry when it opened.”
You probably won’t cry, but you might recalibrate your feelings about this fast-growing Emirate and its new approach to luxury. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself booking a return trip to the desert oasis before you even get out. Dubai, it seems, has come a long way, honey. And Lana is in charge. Rooms from $925; The Dorchester Collection
A union representing Google employees is demanding that the tech giant lift what it called an “illegal gag order” barring them from discussing landmark antitrust cases that could upend the company’s business.
On August 5, US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google is a “monopolist” with an illegal stranglehold on the Internet search market.
That same day, Google’s president of global affairs, Kent Walker, instructed employees not to comment on the case inside or outside the workplace.
Google’s president of global affairs, Kent Walker, told employees not to comment on the case. Getty Images
The Alphabet Workers Union alleges Walker violated a federal labor law with “overly board directive” in an effort to “increase workers’ say” in antitrust battles, according to a copy of the Aug. 15 filing obtained by The Post.
“Our employer continues to demonstrate a blatant disregard for federal labor law and our right to discuss working conditions with co-workers – up to and including proposed settlements of federal antitrust actions that could affect many of our jobs in Google,” said Parul Koul, one. Google software engineer and president of the Alphabet Workers Union.
Mehta is expected to decide on legal remedies to address Google’s search monopoly by next summer.
The Justice Department recently indicated it could seek a breakup of Google through a forced divestment of parts of its business, such as its Chrome web browser.
Google disputed the union’s complaint.
“We respect the rights of Google employees to speak out about their terms and conditions of employment,” Google spokesman Peter Schottenfels said in a statement. “As is standard practice, we are simply asking that employees not speak about ongoing litigation on behalf of Google without prior approval.”
The Verge was the first to report on the complaint.
Google is accused of stifling workers’ discussion of pending antitrust cases against the company. Christopher Sadowski
The labor complaint is the latest sign of discord between Google and its workforce. In April, the tech giant fired dozens of employees who were involved in anti-Israel protests at its offices.
A separate DOJ antitrust case targeting Google’s alleged monopoly over digital ad technology is also underway. Closing arguments in that case are scheduled to begin next month.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has acknowledged that the company will likely be tied up in court for many years as it fights the cases.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said the company will be tied up in court for many years. AP
In a lengthy statement, the Alphabet Workers Union said it is “important that workers are engaged and that our views and interests are taken into account during the decision-making process around antitrust remedies.”
“That hasn’t happened yet,” the union added.
Google has vowed to appeal the judge’s decision and has waived the legal remedies proposed by the DOJ – calling it a “radical” framework that would go “far beyond the specific legal issues in this case”.
A beloved Texas news anchor who was described as a kind, funny and warm presence has died suddenly at the age of 51, his news station announced Wednesday.
NBC affiliate KCEN 6 News — a local Texas television station where Kris Radcliffe worked for 22 years — revealed his sudden death during the evening newscast.
“Chris sat in the chair next to me, and he was the best, he was just the best,” said Radcliffe’s co-star Lindsay Liepman, holding back tears during an emotional tribute.
The popular news broadcaster died suddenly on Wednesday at the age of 51. Youtube/KCENNnews
“Funny, true and smart. I looked forward to working with Chris every night and I think you could all tell at home. We had fun here. Chris loved this community and never took his role for granted.”
“If I had known that yesterday would be our last news show together, I would have ignored the cues from our producers to rap and laughed a little longer at all his jokes,” Liepman said between of tears
“I would have thanked him for everything he taught me and gave to all of you, the viewers, but that’s how life goes now.”
Radcliffe worked at NBC Texas affiliate KCEN 6 News for 22 years. Youtube/KCENNnews
The station paid tribute to their fallen colleague before a sister station in Austin took over the remainder of the broadcast.
“I just can’t get through the newscast tonight, and I hope you understand,” Liepman concluded.
The cause of his death was not disclosed.
Radcliffe’s co-host Lindsay Liepman announced the news during an emotional on-air tribute. Youtube/KCENNnews
Radcliffe, a California native, joined KCEN in 2002 as a sports anchor and went on to become the morning anchor for “Texas Today,” a daily morning show covering local news, entertainment, sports and weather, for nine years, according to KCEN.
The well-known newscaster then became an evening news anchor, covering the latest headlines and breaking news for his central Texas audience.
Radcliffe was named the Waco Tribune-Herald On-Air Television Personality of the Year six years in a row. Youtube/KCENNnews
During his two decades at the station, he notably covered the Baylor men’s basketball scandal, Columbia’s upset over Texas, the Lady Bears’ three national championships, two Fort Hood shootings, the West Fertilizer plant explosion and the exchange of bike fires in Twin Peaks, outlet reported.
Radcliffe also hosted and produced 200 episodes of “Money Talks” — a weekly segment focused on educating viewers about their finances — for the station and for six consecutive years was named the Waco Tribune-Herald On-Air Personality of the Year.
Prior to his time at KCEN, the veteran journalist worked in broadcasting in Nebraska and California and was a graduate of California State University, Long Beach.
He also directed and produced 200 episodes of Money Talks, a weekly segment on finance. Youtube/KCENNnews
“KCEN and the Central Texas community lost a truly wonderful person,” said Rob Dwyer, president and general manager of KCEN/KAGS.
“Kris Radcliffe, husband, father, grandfather and anchor to KCEN and the community will be missed. Kris was a kind and generous person who lifted up everyone around him. It’s hard to say goodbye.”
Radcliffe is survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren, who asked for privacy as they mourn the sudden loss.
Radcliffe is survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren. Youtube/KCENNnews
His sister, Libby, posted a statement on Facebook on behalf of Radcliffe’s grieving wife, Kris.
“On behalf of my sister, she wanted me to pass on our deepest thanks for the incredible outpouring of love and support for her, her daughters and their families,” she wrote.
“She’s getting and reading your texts and posts, but it’s just too hard to respond right now.”
Details about memorial and funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.
While Libra, writer and avowed lover of the spectacle, Oscar Wilde once declared, “A mask shows us more than a face.”
Headed, and oh so in time as the nights grow longer, the days colder and the feelings more chilling.
This Halloween, let the stars guide your get-up. Oleg – stock.adobe.com
Indeed, Halloween is on the horizon, signaling the time of year when spirits are lost and the spirit of dressing up is just around the corner. In this season of masks and masquerades, we ask why be who you’re not when you can instead be who you are—your zodiac sign.
From DIY tutorials to one-stop shopping, inflatable centaurs to lion tamers and pajama crabs to creepy twins, we’ve got your astrologically inspired costumes ready for all kinds of trick-or-treating, mischief-making and mayhem-seeking.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Aries leads with its head and horns and has no problem scaring children. Amazon.com
As a cardinal fire sign represented by the golden-leaf ram, Aries can bring the horns to Halloween by crowning their stubborn skulls with a faux set like Aries Aries Lady Gaga decided to do during her Born This Way tour “.
The average Aries can’t sit low enough to wield a throne, but they look great in a robe and a crown, so channeling the emperor tarot card that Aries is associated with would also be a subtle but powerful nod to their sun. sign.
TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)
@_ciara_nicole__ proves that every Taurus is one set of horns and one septum ring away from self-actualization. Instagram/_@_ciara_nicole__
I have great news for Taurus, who always wants to look good, feel comfortable and exert minimal effort. Your lookalike is just a pair of clogs, a set of horns and a fake septum ring away from bringing your sign symbol to a full bull life.
If you prefer a gentler approach, consider that Venus, named for the goddess of love and beauty, is the ruling planet of Taurus. Bulls can go full pastoral deity in a white tunic, distributing the goodies associated with the goddess of flowers, berries and pine cones to your humble supplicants.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)
It’s Gemini for the win and Gemini all day in a costume inspired by The Shining. IMDB
Gemini is symbolized by twins, so consider channeling the creepy Grady sisters from “The Shining” this Halloween.
In the Major Arcana of the tarot, Gemini is represented by the Lovers card, which depicts a scantily clad couple, looking like Adam and Eve. For Uninhibited Gemini, all you need is a partner in crime and a few strategically placed loin leaves to bring the card to life.
CANCER (June 21 – July 22)
Cancers will appreciate that dressing up as their sign for Halloween translates into wearing pajamas. Amazon.com
Cancer is ruled by the moon, and natives may bow to their celestial ruling body by dressing up as la luna for Halloween. Or, in a nod to the nautical and lunar, Sailor Moon herself.
Another option is to channel your sign’s crab vibes into an homage to Sebastian, the tough and ultimately underappreciated crustacean from The Little Mermaid. Bonus: this crab suit is essentially a one-piece pajama outfit, so Crabs can feel at home and cozy AF whether they decide to go out or not.
LEO (July 23 – August 22)
Lions can roar or role play in a lion tamer suit. ravefix.com
Leo is guided by the sun, loves a scene and delights in the sound of applause. As such, locals tend to go all out for costumes and the holy occasion of Halloween. The possibilities for lions to stand for their sign abound, from a deified look for the sun itself, to a makeup ode to Scar from The Lion King, to a tame lion/leo couples costume. Put on the top hat, wield the whip and welcome the gore!
VIRGO (August 23 – September 22)
Madonna performed “Like a Virgin” at the 1984 Video Music Awards. Getty Images
Virgo is Latin for Virgin, and for this ilk, I suggest paying homage to Madonna (a Virgo moon) by dressing as a Material Girl in her “Virgin Like” era complete with a lace corset and toy belt buckle for the boy.
Alternatively, conservatively and with an eye toward gender neutrality, Virgos can channel their ruling tarot card, the Hermit, by either abstaining from going out altogether, or donning a hooded cloak and a lantern and moving misanthropically. across the masses.
LIBRA (September 23 – October 22)
A Libra inspired headpiece from Jezebels Fascination. Etsy/JezebelsEnchantment
Associated with the Greek goddess of justice, Libras may represent their sign by wearing robes and holding a set of scales and a symbolic blade in each hand or by incorporating these symbols into a headdress.
For further inspiration, look no further than Libra, ladies and gentlemen, Doja Cat who dressed up as her sign in the video for her collaboration with The Weeknd, “You Right.”
SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21)
Secret-keeping, grudge-holding, undead Billy Butcherson is Scorpio energy to a tee. Amazon.com
Ruled by Pluto, the planet of transformation and represented by the tarot card for death, Scorpios can be on brand and true to their sign with any immortal aesthetic; zombies, mummies, vampires, skeletons, voodoo priests/priestesses or Billy Butcherson, the stitched lip lover from “Hocus Pocus”.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21)
Sagittarius is represented by the mythical toxophilitic centaur. halloweencostumes.com/
Sagittarius is symbolized by the mythical centaur, a horse/man hybrid that represents the animal instincts and divine aspirations that live and gallop within each person.
The hoof archer’s bow and arrow is a reminder to all of us to aim high and fire our respective shots with a healthy mix of optimism and banter. On the other hand, this puffy unisex number is the perfect choice for any Sag looking to personify their sun sign.
CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19)
Capricorn is associated with the Devil tarot card and can channel his horned sign and hellfire. Amazon.com
In the major arcana of the tarot, Capricorn is represented by the Devil card, and TBH I don’t think these guys get enough credit for being rock n’ roll.
For every John Hughes-type capitalist Goat, there’s a whiskey-swilling, leather-clad, speed-calling orgy Lemmy Kilmister. In honor of the last expression, I suggest that a Beelzebub rises to wear the Cap folk costume.
AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)
The symbol for Aquarius is the water bearer, easily channeled with face paint and a plump drinking vessel. Twitter/@wigisfashion
The constellation Aquarius is associated with the mythical water bearer Ganymede, a handsome youth who took libations to the gods.
Aquarians can channel this energy by rocking a platoon, painting the three-line sperm of their sign on their forehead, and filling their respective vessels with craft water or well liquor, liquid LSD, or lemonade, and drawing out the goodies of the gods. according to the circumstances.
For details on the above makeup by Ann-Sofie, click here.
PISCES (February 19 – March 20)
Pisces is ruled by the planet Neptune, named for the god of the sea. Amazon.com
Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet of dreams, opiates and illusions named for the bearded god of the sea. Symbolized as they are by fish, mermaids and mermaids, of royal, celestial or plebeian rank, make an excellent choice of costumes for the people of Pisces.
Astrology 101: Your Guide to the Star
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and reports irreverently on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
Giorgio Armani recently celebrated his latest silhouettes on the runway — and in the sky.
The legendary Italian designer presented his Spring 2025 fashion show to 650 glittering guests at the Park Avenue Armory and celebrated the opening of his spectacular new building at 760 Madison Ave. Last week’s high-profile runway event marked the first time the Italian esthete presented his ready-to-wear outside of Milan.
The dashing 90-year-old welcomed a star-studded crowd to his black-tie extravaganza, which was followed by a Chaka Khan concert and lavish party. Pamela Anderson sat alongside Amanda Seyfried, Brie Larson, Carmelo Anthony, Steven Yeun and LaKeith Stanfield. Looking dapper in their tufts were Brett Goldstein, Orlando Bloom and Liev Schreiber, while Lili Reinhart, Meghann Fahy and Brooke Shields dazzled in the evening’s finery.
From left: Pamela Anderson, Brie Larson and Brooke Shields attend Armani’s star-studded party. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Giorgio ArmaniOther celebrity guests included LaKeith Stanfield (left) and Steven Yeun. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Giorgio ArmaniThe show drew 650 glittering guests, including (from left) Amanda Seyfried, Brett Goldstein and AnnaSophia Robb. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Giorgio ArmaniIn celebration of the openings, Armani hosted its first-ever Spring 2025 ready-to-wear runway show in NYC.The show took place at the Park Avenue Armory. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post
“New York, for me, has always been associated with many films that have deeply shaped my imagination,” Armani said in a statement. “Thinking about the city in the 30s and 40s never ceases to inspire, and I evoke that mood in the new Giorgio Armani women’s collection.”
That glamorous era is reflected in the completely redesigned limestone and bronze building. The 12-story structure houses a world of refinement: Giorgio Armani boutiques and Armani/Casa, Armani/Ristorante (opening next month), and 10 luxury residences curated by the designer and created in collaboration with CookFox Architects and SL Green Realty Corp.
Apartments (all sold) have 10-foot ceilings, picture windows and modern amenities, including a concierge, fitness center, treatment room and tea lounge. Armani himself bought a unit.
The new 12-story building at 760 Madison Ave. is home to a new luxury Armani flagship along with an Armani/Casa store, an Armani/Ristorante and 10 carefully curated luxury residences – including one for the legendary Italian designer himself. Courtesy of the designer
The flagship occupies two levels and carries womenswear, evening wear, accessories, eyewear, beauty, fragrances, fine jewelery and a selection of Armani/Dolce confectionery products, alongside the men’s line. Very importantly, there is a private VIP shopping area and also made-to-order programs for women and men.
The new store and Bergdorf Goodman will carry an Exclusive New York Collection of 80s costumes, jewelry and custom pieces made in honor of the opening.
Armani/Casa, meanwhile, showcases the designer’s timeless furniture, fixtures and decor, along with wallpaper and fabrics.
Armani/Ristorante will open next month. Courtesy of the designerArmani’s new flagship is stocked with fine apparel, accessories, beauty and jewelry. Courtesy of the designer
Nearly 50 years after unveiling his first collection, Armani continues to shape fashion. In the 70s, he revolutionized suiting by simplifying the dress and relaxing the tailoring. In 1990, he introduced red carpet fashion as we know it by dressing five actresses for the Academy Awards. Since then, the designer has dressed everyone from Zendaya, Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, Denzel Washington and Leonardo DiCaprio in stylish outfits.
Whether you need a celebrity dress, an elegant suit, a soft-touch leather sofa or pasta del giornohead to Madison Avenue and 65th Street.
Eric Schmidt, the billionaire investor and former CEO of Google, said it’s time for the US military to ditch tanks, artillery and mortars in favor of aerial drones like the ones he’s building to help Ukraine.
“I read somewhere that the US had thousands and thousands of tanks stored somewhere,” he told the Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
“Give them to me. Buy a drone instead.”
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt thinks the US military should ditch drones in favor of tanks. Reuters
Schmidt’s comments were reported by Bloomberg News.
Schmidt was ranked by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index as the 51st richest person in the world with an estimated fortune of $33.3 billion as of Wednesday.
The former Google boss said the Russia-Ukraine war has shown how “a $5,000 drone can destroy a $5 million tank.”
Earlier this year, Forbes reported that Schmidt is the founder of White Stork, a military startup that is building a “kamikaze drone” that is designed to roam the battlefield before being sent to destroy its target.
“White stork” is also a reference to a species of bird commonly found in Ukraine, where Schmidt has taken an important role in helping the country’s defense efforts to repel Russian invasion.
According to Forbes, the company has developed a mass-produced drone that uses artificial intelligence to zero in on a target even in environments where communications are disrupted by GPS jamming.
In July of last year, Schmidt wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal declaring drones to be “the future of warfare.
Schmidt is the founder of a military startup that is developing “kamikaze drones” to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion. APSchmidt said the US military should hand over its tanks. The image above shows a Ukrainian tank during a training exercise on October 27. AFP via Getty Images
According to Schmidt, Ukrainian forces have “succeeded” because of their drone deployment – this despite the fact that Russia has a 3-to-1 advantage in soldiers as well as air superiority.
While Ukraine has suffered heavy losses, it has “constantly renewed the enemy”.
Schmidt served as Google’s CEO from 2001 to 2011, a time of rapid growth for the California-based technology company.
He later became executive chairman of Google, and in 2015, of its new parent company, Alphabet, before stepping down as chairman in 2018.
An anti-Donald Trump website has slammed a statement from the former president that appeared to condemn the death of internet celebrity squirrel Peanut — only for those close to the Republican candidate to confirm that the inflammatory post was actually fake.
The liberal news site Mediaite published a now-deleted article on Saturday based on the strangely fake press release that appeared to be from the Trump campaign that was first posted on X by Gentry Genvers.
“It’s a false statement,” Karoline Leavitt, of the Trump team, told The Post on Saturday afternoon.
Mediaite published a now-deleted article on Saturday based on the fake press release about Peanut. mediaite.com/The fake press release that appeared to be from the Trump campaign was first posted on X by Gentry Genvers. gentrywevers/X
“He didn’t actually say that,” Leavitt clarified of the statement in question, which described Peanut – who was euthanized after being captured by his owners in New York this week – as “innocent on all counts” and compared the creature to a migrant.
“Mediaite is fake news,” Leavitt scoffed.
Mediaite did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on the misprint.
Gevers’ original X post was shared as a response to Elon Musk, who wrote that, as president, Trump will “save the squirrels.”
Mark Longo’s beloved pet Peanut was seized by the NY Department of Environmental Conservation and euthanized. AP
In the fake comment, Trump apparently complained that Peanut and Fred Raccoon were taken from their owner, Mark Longo, and “executed by New York State” thanks to their “terrible governor,” Democrat Kathy Hochul.
“If Peanut had told them he was from Mexico, they would have sent him on his way and given him a hotel room and a $500 gift card to Buddy Squirrel,” the gossip added.
Trump, 78, is known for his tough stance against illegal immigration — and has repeatedly publicly blamed the influx of new arrivals for violent crime in the US.
Peanut, 7, was a gray squirrel rescue who amassed a devoted following on social media.
He and Fred Rakun were put to death so they could be tested for rabies, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
The DEC alleged that Peanut, who was known to be very docile, bit one of the investigators on the hand when he was confiscated from Longo’s Elmira home on Wednesday.
Investigators were reportedly responding to anonymous complaints about wild animals living in the home.
Longo memorialized the squirrel in a moving online tribute.
“Peanut was the best thing that ever happened to us,” a tearful Longo said in the video, with his girlfriend by his side.
“RIP BEST FRIEND. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life. Thank you for bringing so much joy to us and the world. I’m sorry I failed you, but thank you for everything,” he wrote in the caption of the post.
Longo rescued Peanut after seeing the squirrel’s mother get hit and killed by a car.
The couple’s close bond inspired Longo to move to New York, where he founded P’Nut’s Freedom Farm, an animal shelter and rescue operation.
A remarkable new device promises to make cancer detection cheaper, faster and more accessible than ever before.
As described in an upcoming issue of Lab on a Chip, researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) say they have developed a system that can detect cancer markers in the blood with greater responsiveness than current diagnostic methods.
Known as a paper-in-polymer-pond (PiPP) device, the new test platform combines paper similar to that found in coffee filters with a plastic frame.
The new test promises to provide accurate results using a single drop of blood. bunyarit – stock.adobe.com
Using a drop of blood from a patient, PiPP targets two cancer markers: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which is associated with colorectal cancer, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which indicates prostate cancer.
CEA and PSA appear in the blood in the early stages of cancer, making them historically difficult to detect. However, the new device can pick up these markers at low concentrations, making them roughly 10 times more sensitive than test kits on the market.
“Our new biochip device is low-cost—just a few dollars—and sensitive, which will make accurate disease diagnosis accessible to anyone, rich or poor,” lead author XiuJun (James) Li , a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UTEP. said in a statement.
“It’s portable, fast and eliminates the need for specialized instruments,” added Li.
This promising development comes on the heels of a surprising new study that suggests Gen X and millennial Americans are at higher risk of developing 17 cancers compared to older generations.
Known as a paper-in-polymer-pond (PiPP) device, the new test platform combines paper similar to that found in coffee filters with a plastic frame. Lab on a chip
Colorectal cancer, which the PiPP device may be able to detect in its early stages, has steadily increased in adults under 50 since the 1990s. Young people who develop colon cancer tend to be diagnosed at later stages of the devastating disease — and have more aggressive types of tumors — but PiPP’s promise of earlier detection could equate to lifesaving intervention.
Prostate cancer is similarly driving the current cancer epidemic, with 10% of new diagnoses in the US occurring in men under 55.
Prostate cancer deaths are expected to increase by 136% from 2022 to 2050 worldwide. As with all cancers, early detection is key – and the new PiPP device could prove to be a game changer.
And the device not only provides early diagnoses, but quick results. Compared to the 16 hours that traditional testing takes, PiPP provides results in just one hour, and those results can be read with a smartphone.
Colorectal cancer, which the PiPP device may be able to detect in its early stages, has steadily increased in adults under 50. AC – stock.adobe.com
Researchers note that developing countries often lack access to cancer screening methods and resources such as laboratory equipment and providers, a limitation that makes early detection difficult and mortality rates higher.
However, the PiPP device – which is affordable, reusable and user-friendly – helps level the playing field for early diagnosis.
Robert Kirken, dean of the College of Science at UTEP, said the innovation “significantly improves point-of-care diagnostics by reducing detection time and the need for costly instrumentation.”
“This makes it ideal for resource-limited settings, which will improve early diagnosis and lead to better cancer outcomes. I look forward to seeing what this innovation leads to,” he added.
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While the potential is promising, it may be several years before the PiPP device is commercially available.
The prototype will be tested for efficacy and safety through clinical trials and will eventually seek approval from the US Food and Drug Administration before being made available to healthcare providers.
