World News

Sen. Coons badgered about Gaza strikes and cease-fire on Amtrak ride on November 13, 2023 at 11:41 pm

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2023

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) was badgered on an Amtrak ride Monday about his position on calling for a cease-fire in Gaza by a passenger who claimed to be a journalist and who repeatedly ignored the senator’s requests to leave him alone.

In a video posted Monday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Andrew Maté, who works for controversial news site The Grayzone, asked Coons nearly a dozen times why he would not call for a cease-fire, as Coons repeatedly told him to “please stop talking to me.”

Sitting directly across from Coons in what they both indicated was the designated “quiet car” of the Amtrak train, Maté began filming as Coons appeared to be working on his device.

“Senator, I’m sorry to put you on the spot, but why not call for a cease-fire in Gaza?” Maté asked.

Coons appeared surprised at the question and briefly glanced over his shoulder, before asking him, “Who are you?”

Maté introduced himself briefly, and Coons shook his head and began to say, “I’m not” then saying, “This is a quiet car. You’re not supposed to be talking to me.”

“I know it’s a quiet car, and I apologize for abusing [it]. I understand, but children are dying. Children are dying, sir. More than 46, why not call for a cease-fire? They’re being killed with our weapons. U.S. weapons are killing kids in Gaza.”

Coons asked again for him to identify himself. When he did, Coons replied, “Nice to meet you, Aaron. Please stop talking to me.”

“Likewise,” Maté interrupted to say, then adding, “I’m sorry, sir, it’s of dire importance.”

“Aaron, please stop. Please stop. Aaron, you’re bothering me and everyone else around,” Coons said, as Aaron continued to pester him about calling for a cease-fire.

The back-and-forth continued, with Coons repeatedly asking Maté to stop and Maté refusing to do so.

“Please stop. I’m asking you to stop. This is not an appropriate place for you to interview me. You’re bothering everyone else around us,” Coons said, adding, “I’m not going to call for a cease-fire. I strongly support humanitarian pauses. I’ve urged the Israeli government to target their campaign against Hamas, but you need to stop. “

“Please stop or I’m going to have you thrown off this train. Please stop doing this. You’ve asked me 10 times. You’re getting as professional, measured and appropriate an answer out of me as you can. This is not professional journalism. Please get up and leave now.”

Maté still was not satisfied with that response and continued pressing Coons.

When Coons slammed Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Maté took issue with parts of his argument as well. Maté asked again about a cease-fire, prompting Coons to eventually get up.

Calls for a cease-fire have been rising in the United States, with demonstrations taking place throughout the country. Threats to lawmakers have also been on the rise in the last couple years.

The Grayzone has been criticized for publishing pro-Russia news and also downplaying the human rights violations of the Chinese government on the Uyghur people.

Coons’s office has not immediately replied to an inquiry from The Hill.

Politics

Donald Trump Named TIME’s 2024 Person of the Year

Published

1 week ago

December 15, 2024

Bolanle Media Staff

Donald Trump has been selected as TIME magazine’s Person of the Year for 2024, marking his second time receiving this distinction. The former president, who won a historic comeback victory in the 2024 election, was chosen for his significant impact on global affairs and American politics.

TIME editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs explained the decision, citing Trump’s “comeback of historic proportions,” his role in driving “a once-in-a-generation political realignment,” and his reshaping of both the American presidency and the country’s global role. This recognition comes after Trump’s unprecedented achievement of reclaiming the White House after losing reelection four years earlier.

The selection process involved an extensive interview with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November, covering a wide range of topics including the economy, foreign policy, and his plans for a second term. Notably, TIME took the unprecedented step of publishing a comprehensive fact-check alongside the interview transcript, examining 15 distinct assertions made by Trump.

Trump’s relationship with TIME has been tumultuous over the years. While he expressed honor at receiving the title in 2016, he has also criticized the magazine’s selections and even claimed he refused a potential Person of the Year offer in 2017. Despite this, Trump participated in the process this year, granting TIME access for an in-depth interview.

To commemorate the announcement, Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This event marked a significant moment in Trump’s career, as it was his first time participating in this Wall Street tradition.

Trump’s selection as Person of the Year reflects his continued influence on American politics and his ability to reshape the political landscape. As the country prepares for his return to the White House, all eyes will be on how Trump’s second term might further impact both domestic and international affairs.

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Film Industry

Jay-Z Denies Allegations Amid Lawsuit

Published

2 weeks ago

December 9, 2024

Bolanle Media Staff

Jay-Z, the renowned rapper and music mogul, faces serious allegations in a recently amended civil lawsuit. According to ABC News and NBC News, the suit accuses him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000.

The lawsuit, initially filed in October 2024, was updated on Sunday to include Jay-Z as a defendant alongside Combs. The plaintiff, identified only as “Jane Doe,” claims she was assaulted after being driven to the party following the awards show.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, vehemently denies the allegations. He released a statement on X calling the lawsuit a “blackmail attempt” and questioning why it was filed as a civil case rather than a criminal one. The rapper expressed concern about the impact on his family, stating he and his wife Beyoncé would need to discuss the situation with their children.

Combs, who is currently in federal custody on separate charges, has also denied the accusations through his attorneys. The lawsuit alleges that an unidentified female celebrity was present during the incident but did not intervene.

The case has garnered significant media attention, with both artists’ reputations at stake. As the legal process unfolds, the music industry and public await further developments in this high-profile case.

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Business

David Sacks: The New White House AI and Crypto Czar

Published

2 weeks ago

December 6, 2024

Bolanle Media Staff

According to CNBC and NBC News, David Sacks, a prominent venture capitalist and former PayPal executive, has been appointed as the White House AI and Crypto Czar by President-elect Donald Trump. This newly created position underscores the incoming administration’s focus on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency as critical areas for American competitiveness.

Role and Responsibilities

Sacks will be tasked with several key responsibilities in his new role:

Guiding policy for the administration in AI and cryptocurrency
Establishing a legal and regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency industry
Safeguarding free speech online, and steering away from Big Tech bias and censorship
Leading the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology

Trump emphasized that Sacks will focus on making America the clear global leader in both AI and cryptocurrency.

Background and Qualifications

David Sacks brings a wealth of experience to his new position:

Former Chief Operating Officer of PayPal
Founder of Yammer, which was sold to Microsoft for $1.2 billion in 2012
Co-founder of Craft Ventures, a venture capital firm
Investor in major tech companies including SpaceX, Palantir, Uber, and Airbnb

Sacks is also known for his close associations with tech entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, being part of the “PayPal Mafia“.

Political Involvement

Sacks has been a vocal supporter of Trump during his campaign:

Hosted a fundraiser for Trump at his San Francisco estate, with tickets priced at $50,000 each and a more exclusive $300,000 tier
Delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July 2024
Wrote a detailed essay on X explaining his reasons for supporting Trump

Implications for AI and Crypto Industries

The appointment of Sacks signals a potential shift towards more crypto-friendly policies and regulatory clarity for the digital asset industry. This move, along with Trump’s nomination of crypto advocate Paul Atkins to head the Securities and Exchange Commission, marks a departure from the stricter oversight approach seen under the previous administration.

As the White House AI and Crypto Czar, Sacks is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of these rapidly evolving technologies in the United States, potentially influencing their development and adoption on a global scale.