All posts tagged: American

White House ramps up defense of embattled Muslim American judicial nominee

White House ramps up defense of embattled Muslim American judicial nominee

WASHINGTON — Facing a potentially devastating Democratic defection in the Senate, the White House is ramping up its fight to confirm an embattled judicial nominee who would be the first Muslim American ever to serve as a U.S. federal appeals court judge. The White House is touting a wave of new law enforcement endorsements for Adeel Mangi to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, building on seven similar organizations that have already backed Mangi, in an attempt to counter what they describe as a Republican-led smear campaign predicated on his religion. “Some Senate Republicans and their extreme allies are relentlessly smearing Adeel Mangi with baseless accusations that he is anti-police,” White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients said in a statement to NBC News. “That could not be further from the truth, and the close-to-a-dozen law enforcement organizations that have endorsed him agree.” On Wednesday, a third Democrat came out against Mangi’s nomination: Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., who joined her home state colleague, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and centrist Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., in …

Central American, Mexican Families Mourn Missing Bridge Workers

Central American, Mexican Families Mourn Missing Bridge Workers

AZACUALPA, Honduras —  The construction workers who went missing in the Baltimore bridge collapse all hailed from Mexico or Central America before they settled in the Maryland area. Police managed to close bridge traffic seconds before a cargo ship slammed into one of the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s supports early Tuesday, causing the span to fall into the frigid Patapsco River. There wasn’t time for a maintenance crew filling potholes on the span to get to safety. At least eight people fell into the water and two were rescued. The other six are missing and presumed dead, but the search continued Wednesday. The governments of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras confirmed that their citizens were among the missing. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, was the youngest of eight siblings from Azacualpa, a rural mountainous area in northwestern Honduras along the border with Guatemala. Eighteen years ago, he set out on his own for the United States looking for opportunities. He had worked as an industrial technician in Honduras, repairing equipment in the large assembly …

Who Is Jenn Tran? Everything to Know About ‘The Bachelorette’s First Asian American Lead

Who Is Jenn Tran? Everything to Know About ‘The Bachelorette’s First Asian American Lead

Jenn Tran is your new Bachelorette. During Joey Graziadei‘s season finale of The Bachelor, Charity Lawson and Jesse Palmer announced the physician assistant student as the leading lady for season 21 of The Bachelorette. The 26-year-old Miami local burst onto the scene on Joey’s season of The Bachelor, and quickly became a fan favorite. “I’m overwhelmed. It’s crazy. It feels so surreal to be sitting here,” she said of landing the Bachelorette role. “Honestly, I feel like just yesterday I was literally in the emergency room, in my scrubs, working, and now here I am in stilettos, in this little gown.” Jenn’s casting as the latest Bachelorette makes her the first-ever Asian lead for the show, something that means a lot to her. “It’s honestly incredible,” she said. “I feel so, so grateful and so honored to be the first Asian Bachelorette in this franchise. Growing up, I always wanted to see Asian representation on TV. I feel like it was really sparse. Anytime Asians were in the media, it was to fill a supporting character role, to fulfill some …

In video ad, Donald Trump endorses ‘God Bless the USA’ Bible for every American home

In video ad, Donald Trump endorses ‘God Bless the USA’ Bible for every American home

(RNS) — During Holy Week, Donald Trump says he has the perfect solution to America’s troubled soul. A patriotic, God Bless the USA Bible. “We must make America pray again,” the former president said in a YouTube and social media promotional video for the Bible, named after country singer Lee Greenwood’s 1984 hit song. Along with a King James Version translation of the Christian Scriptures, the God Bless the USA Bible also features the text of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance and the chorus to Greenwood’s song. All for $59.99. In the promo, Trump, who is seeking a return to the White House, laments the decline of organized religion in the United States. A new poll from Gallup found that more than half of Americans rarely or never go to church, while projections from Pew Research indicate that by 2070, fewer than half of Americans may be Christians. Most Americans believe religion is on the decline but are split on whether that is a good or bad thing. “Religion and …

Meghan Markle to sell makeup and body lotions through new brand American Riviera Orchard: report

Meghan Markle to sell makeup and body lotions through new brand American Riviera Orchard: report

Meghan Markle is ambitiously expanding her horizons beyond merely emulating Martha Stewart, aiming to rival Gwyneth Paltrow in the realm of beauty as she introduces cosmetics and beauty products into her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, according to a trademark application extension reported by DailyMail.com. Meghan, at the age of 42, is unveiling a comprehensive array of products under her Duchess of Sussex moniker.  The list is exhaustive: from fragrance sachets to lavender sachets, non-medicated skin care preparations, bath and shower gels, salts, hair preparations, bath soap, bar soap, non-medicated hand soaps, body creams, bath oil, body lotions, cosmetics, body oil, and extending to scented oils, air fragrance reed diffusers, room fragrances, incense, and even non-medicated veterinary grooming products like pet shampoo and conditioner.  This range ensures that even pets can indulge in the luxury offered by Meghan’s brand. © InstagramMeghan was seen baking in her kitchen during the promotional video The brand’s introduction was marked by a tantalizing advertisement showcasing Meghan in her element, arranging sumptuous flowers and engaging in kitchen activities, all captured …

Katharine McPhee turns 40 – see American Idol alum’s then-and-now photos

Katharine McPhee turns 40 – see American Idol alum’s then-and-now photos

Katharine McPhee is ringing in a milestone birthday today warranting a walk down memory lane in her honor. The star has come a long way from her days on American Idol when she was runner-up to winner, Taylor Hicks, on season five. Despite narrowly missing out on the win, Katharine  went on to carve out a successful career in the entertainment industry as both an actor and a singer.  You may also likeWATCH: Inside Katharine McPhee and David Foster’s beautiful home She’s also happily married to music producer, David Foster, 74, and they adore parenting their son, Rennie, three. Here’s how she’s blossomed in her style, career and personal life since she burst onto the scene at the age of 21. © GettyKatharine with her husband David American Idol  Katharine was convinced to audition for American Idol by her eventual husband, Nick Cokas, and her parents. She was an instant hit when she rocked up to the San Francisco auditions and sang “God Bless the Child”. Katharine on American Idol in 2006 Her cute, girl-next-door style was virtually …

Juan Pablo Galavis’ Daughter Camila Becomes Season’s Youngest ‘American Idol’ Contestant at 14

Juan Pablo Galavis’ Daughter Camila Becomes Season’s Youngest ‘American Idol’ Contestant at 14

Juan Pablo Galavis played the role of a proud dad during Sunday’s final audition episode of American Idol. The Bachelor alum’s 14-year-old daughter, Camila Galavis, auditioned for the ABC music competition and became the youngest contestant on this season.  The freshman in high school introduced her reality star dad, telling judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, “My dad, he’s a manager in the social media industry because he was on The Bachelor.” After Camila revealed who her famous dad is, Bryan quipped of Juan Pablo, “He’s dreamy!”  Of course, Juan Pablo made a cameo, sitting in on his daughter’s audition. He claimed that he was hesitant to have his only child head into the world of television.  Camila and Juan Pablo Galavis on 'American Idol' – ‘American Idol’/YouTube “She’s been singing since she’s little. The opportunity came. She wanted to do it, and I said, ‘I don’t know if you’re old enough.’ That was last year. They said, ‘Maybe next year,’” Juan Pablo recalled.  Singing “Rabia” by Joaquina, Camila belted out the track as …

‘Bachelor’ Juan Pablo Galavis’ Daughter Auditions for ‘American Idol’

‘Bachelor’ Juan Pablo Galavis’ Daughter Auditions for ‘American Idol’

The daughter of former Bachelor star Juan Pablo Galavis is now an American Idol contestant. Camila Galavis, who was 4 when her father starred on the ABC reality show, is now a freshman in high school and auditioned on Sunday night’s episode of the network’s singing competition for judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Camila, who hails from Venezuela, lives in Miami. Asked if she hailed from a musical family, Camila revealed the identify of her dad, who was on hand at the audition.  “You know what it’s like to be on reality television — [are] you trying to throw her in this lion’s den?” Perry asked Juan Pablo, who said it was all her idea.  “She’s been singing since she was little, and the opportunity came, and she wanted to do it,” he said. He stayed in the room while she sang, with her saying she was more comfortable with him there. (“Just make yourself right at home on ABC,” Perry quipped.) Camila sang “Rabia,” a Spanish-language song by Joaquina, for her audition. …

Kevin Hart Emotional as He Accepts Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Kevin Hart Emotional as He Accepts Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Kevin Hart wiped away tears on stage as he looked up from the bronze bust on a pedestal to the trio of comedy legends who had come to witness his professional highlight. In the VIP balcony of the Kennedy Center opera house, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle sat side by side, watching Hart accept the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy Sunday night. “I didn’t start doing what I was doing to get awards,” Hart said. “I just fell in love with the idea of comedy.” Hart rose from the open mics and comedy clubs of his native Philadelphia to become one of his country’s most recognizable performers — honing a signature style that combines his diminutive height, expressive face and motor-mouth delivery into an arena-packing stand-up act. He became the latest recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a raucous ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Celebrities and prominent comedians joined in the tribute to Hart, with several specifically citing the comic’s work ethic, positivity and …

Comedian Kevin Hart Honored With Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Comedian Kevin Hart Honored With Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

WASHINGTON —  Kevin Hart, who rose from the open mics and comedy clubs of his native Philadelphia to become one of the country’s most recognizable performers, will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at a gala performance Sunday at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Hart, 44, has honed a signature style that combines his diminutive height, expressive face and motor-mouth delivery into a successful stand-up act. In Hollywood, Hart made his movie debut in the 2002 film “Paper Soldiers” and came to mainstream fame through a string of scene-stealing cameos in hits such as 2005’s “The 40-Year-Old-Virgin.” Hart’s films have grossed more than $4.23 billion globally. Now in its 25th year, the Mark Twain Prize annually honors performers who have made a lasting impact on humor and culture. Honorees receive a bronze bust of Twain, the iconic American writer and satirist whose real name was Samuel Clemens. Mark Twain recipients are honored with a night of testimonials and video tributes, often featuring previous award winners. Other comedians receiving the lifetime achievement …