Trump-appointed judge blocks National Guard deployment to Portland, Oregon

Trump-appointed judge blocks National Guard deployment to Portland, Oregon

A federal judge temporarily blocked PresidentDonald Trumpfrom deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to the city of Portland, Oregon, in response to a lawsuit on Saturday, Oct. 4, according to Reuters and CNN. The ruling came fromTrump-appointed U.S. District Judge Karin Immergutin Portland, a Republican, as Trump has sought to dispatch the military to cities he describes as lawless over the objections of their Democratic leaders. Democratic Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield's office filed the lawsuit on September 28, a day after Trump said he would send troops to Portland to protect federal immigration facilities from "domestic terrorists." President Donald Trumpsaid he is sending troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, inthe latest deploymentof forces to a U.S. city. The move followsweeks of protests outside ICE's field officein South Portland opposing Trump's mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.U.S. Border Patrol Agents detain a demonstrator during a protest outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in south Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. In a Sept. 27 post on Truth Social, Trump said he directed Secretary of WarPete Hegsethto "provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists." He added he authorized the military to use "Full Force, if necessary." Lawyers from the Oregon attorney general's office had told federal officials that the Portland protests were "small and sedate," resulting in only 25 arrests in mid-June and no arrests in the three-and-a-half months since June 19. Oregon's lawsuit said that Trump announced the troop deployment after Fox News showed video clips from "substantially larger and more turbulent protests" in Portland in 2020. The stark divide in how the two sides described the situation on the ground in Portland was evident at a court hearing before Immergut on Oct. 3. Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek said she made it "abundantly clear" in recent conversations with Trump and Homeland Security SecretaryKristi Noemthat the city and state "can manage our own local public safety needs." Caroline Turco, an attorney for Portland, said that there had been no violence against ICE officers for months and that recent ICE protests were "sedate" in the week before Trump declared the city to be a war zone, sometimes featuring less than a dozen protesters. "The president's perception of what is happening in Portland is not the reality on the ground," Turco said. "The president's perception is that it is World War Two out here. The reality is that this is a beautiful city with a sophisticated police force that can handle the situation." Portland's lawsuit is the latest legal challenge to Trump's deployments of military forces to Democrat-led cities, including Los Angeles and Washington. Earlier in the day, the Trump administration told Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker of their plans tofederalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard. Pritzker said he would be defying the suggestion. "I will not call up our National Guard to further Trump's acts of aggression against our people," he said. "Illinois, we will do everything within our power to look out for our neighbors, uphold the Constitution, and defend the rule of law." The president deployed800 National Guardtroops to Washington, DC, on Aug. 11, declaring a public safety emergency. Contributing: Reuters and USA TODAY's Joey Garrison, Sarah Wire This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Judge blocks Trump's plan to deploy National Guard to Portland

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October 04, 2025

Trump-appointed judge blocks National Guard deployment to Portland, Oregon

Trump-appointed judge blocks National Guard deployment to Portland, Oregon A federal judge temporarily blocked PresidentDonald Trumpfrom dep...

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Oregon judge temporarily blocks deployment of the National Guard to Portland

Oregon judge temporarily blocks deployment of the National Guard to Portland

A federal judge in Oregon has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from sending the National Guard to Portland after thepresident said he would send troops to the city to handle "domestic terrorists." U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, issued the temporary restraining order, which is set to expire on Oct. 18, according tocourt records. The plaintiffs say a deployment would violate the U.S. Constitution as well as a federal law that generally prohibits the military from being used to enforce domestic laws. Immergut wrote that the case involves the intersection of three fundamental democratic principles: "the relationship between the federal government and the states, between the military and domestic law enforcement, and the balance of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. "Whether we choose to follow what the Constitution mandates with respect to these three relationships goes to the heart of what it means to live under the rule of law in the United States," she wrote. Generally speaking the president is allowed "a great level of deference" to federalize National Guard troops in situations where regular law enforcement forces are not able to execute the laws of the United States, the judge said. However, she concluded that in the situation in Portland, the president "did not have a 'colorable basis' to invoke § 12406(3) to federalize the National Guard because the situation on the ground belied an inability of federal law enforcement officers to execute federal law." Plaintiffs were able to show that the demonstrations at the Portland immigration facility were not significantly violent or disruptive in the days or weeks leading up to the president's order, the judge wrote, and "overall, the protests were small and uneventful." The judge added that, "The President's determination was simply untethered to the facts." The Defense Department had said it was placing 200 members of Oregon's National Guard under federal control for 60 days to protect federal property and personnel at locations where protests are occurring or likely to occur after Trump called the city "war-ravaged." The state of Oregon filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Sunday following the president's announcement that he would send troops to Portland. The lawsuit argued that Mr. Trump lacks the authority to federalize the National Guard. "Oregon communities are stable, and our local officials have been clear: we have the capacity to manage public safety without federal interference," state Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has pushed back on Mr. Trump's plans to send troops to Portland and told reporters at a news conference last week that the city "is a far cry from the war-ravaged community he has posted on social media." Earlier in September, Mr. Trump had described living in Portland as "like living in hell." The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland has been the site of nightly protests, and the demonstrations and occasional clashes with law enforcement. A handful of immigration and legal advocates often gather at the building during the day. At night, recent protests have typically drawn a couple dozen people. The order Saturday comes after a broader effort from the administration in what Mr. Trump has characterized as a crackdown on crime in Democratic-led cities. Mr. Trump deployed the National Guard and active-duty Marines toLos Angelesover the summer and as part of his law enforcement takeover in the District of Columbia. On Saturday,Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker saidthat the Trump administration intends to federalize 300 Illinois National Guard members after he was offered an ultimatum to deploy the troops himself but refused. Last month, Mr. Trumpsigned a presidential memorandummobilizing federal law enforcement agents to Memphis, Tennessee, at the request of the Tennessee governor. A look at the booming business of Taylor Swift and her brand Rite Aid closes all stores nationwide 2 children killed, 2 others hurt in shooting near Houston

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October 04, 2025

Oregon judge temporarily blocks deployment of the National Guard to Portland

Oregon judge temporarily blocks deployment of the National Guard to Portland A federal judge in Oregon has issued a temporary restraining or...

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Dozens killed in Gaza despite Trump's call for Israel to halt bombing

Dozens killed in Gaza despite Trump's call for Israel to halt bombing

By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Dozens were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza on Saturday, local health officials said, despite a demand from U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpfor Israel to stop bombing in response to a declaration by Hamas that it was ready to free hostages under his plan to end the two-year-old war. At least 36 people were killed in bombardments and airstrikes in the devastated Palestinian enclave since Trump demanded Israel halt its attacks late on Friday. Eighteen people died in sporadic incidents, while 18 people, including children, were killed and several others wounded in an Israeli strike on a house in the Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City, medics said. The attack damaged several buildings nearby. Israel said it had targeted a Hamas militant who had posed a threat to its troops in the area, and that reports of casualties were under review. The military "regrets any harm caused to uninvolved civilians and works to mitigate harm to uninvolved civilians as much as possible," it said in a statement. TRUMP URGES HAMAS TO MOVE FAST ON HIS GAZA PLAN On Saturday, Trump said he appreciated that Israel had "temporarily stopped the bombing," and he urged Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, to move quickly on his plan "or else all bets will be off." "I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let's get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!" Trump said on his Truth Social platform. Hamas had drawn a welcoming response from Trump on Friday by saying it accepted certain key parts of his 20-point peace proposal, including ending the war, Israel's withdrawal, and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives. But the group has left some questions unanswered, such as whether it would be willing to disarm, a key demand from Israel to end the war. In Washington, a White House official said on Saturday that Trump was sending his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Egypt to finalize the technical details of the hostage release and discuss a lasting peace deal. Egypt will also host delegations from Israel and Hamas on Monday to discuss the anticipated exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation late on Saturday after the Sabbath ended, confirming that negotiators would be sent to Egypt, and said the intention was to limit negotiations to a few days. Netanyahu said he hoped to announce the return of the captives, all while the Israeli military remained deep in Gaza. Hamas would be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, Netanyahu said, according to his remarks carried by Israeli media, warning that it would happen either politically or militarily. Trump's plan sees the military eventually withdrawing to Gaza's perimeter but does not lay out any time frame. The prime minister spoke as tens of thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv in support of a deal to end the war. Hamas' response to the plan drew a chorus of optimistic statements by world leaders, who urged an end to the deadliest conflict involving Israel since its creation in 1948 and called for the release of Israelis still held in the enclave. Another possible boost to peace hopes came with a supportive statement from the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which is smaller than Hamas but seen as more hardline. The group, which also holds hostages, on Saturday endorsed Hamas' response – a move that could help pave the way for the release of Israelis still held by both parties. PALESTINIANS LOOK FOR 'RAY OF HOPE' AFTER HAMAS RESPONSE Hamas' stance, and its backing by Islamic Jihad, may raise the spirit of Gazans, who had watched one ceasefire effort after another fail as Israeli strikes hit the strip over the past two years, creating a humanitarian crisis and displacing millions. "May the suffering lift off the people of Gaza, the people of Gaza are among the oppressed of the earth, and any ray of hope for the oppressed people is a victory," said Sharif al-Fakhouri, resident of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. Some Palestinians expressed fear that Netanyahu, who heads Israel's most far-right government ever, will ultimately withdraw from any plan to end the war. "What is important is that Netanyahu does not sabotage this, because now that Hamas agreed, Netanyahu will disagree, as he usually does," said Jerusalem resident Jamal Shihada. WORLDWIDE SUPPORT FOR END TO 'HORRIFIC WAR' Israeli media reported that the country's political echelon had instructed the military to reduce offensive activity in Gaza. Trump has invested significant political capital in efforts to end the war that has left U.S. ally Israel increasingly isolated on the world stage. Trump said on Friday he believed Hamas had shown it was "ready for a lasting PEACE" and he put the onus on Netanyahu's government. Domestically, the prime minister is caught between growing pressure to end the war — from hostage families and a war-weary public — and demands from hardline members of his coalition who insist there must be no let-up in Israel's campaign in Gaza. Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on X that halting attacks on Gaza was a "grave mistake," saying it would play into Hamas' "time-wasting." Israel began attacking Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel says 48 hostages remain, 20 of whom are alive. Israel's campaign has killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. "It's time to end this horrific war and bring every single hostage back home. We are for rebuilding and the rehabilitation," said Efrat Machikawa, an active member of Israel's hostage families forum and the niece of Gadi Moses, a hostage who was released in January. (Additional reporting by Mohammed Torokman, Mussa Qawasma, Pesha Magid, Rami Amichay, Alexander Cornwell and Maher Hatem; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Susan Fenton, William Maclean, Rod Nickel)

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October 04, 2025

Dozens killed in Gaza despite Trump's call for Israel to halt bombing

Dozens killed in Gaza despite Trump's call for Israel to halt bombing By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Dozens were killed in I...

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Nectar's, the Vermont venue that launched Phish, closes on a quiet note after 50 years

Nectar's, the Vermont venue that launched Phish, closes on a quiet note after 50 years

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — As a Greek immigrant who came to the United States in 1956, Nectar Rorris never imagined the Vermont restaurant and music club he opened 50 years ago would become synonymous withPhish, but he credits the jam band with giving Nectar's a national spotlight and making it a place sought out by local and traveling musicians alike. "Phish made Nectar's," the 86-year-old Rorris said recently. Phish meanwhile credits Rorris with their early success, giving them a stage to experiment on when they were starting out in the early '80s. But now, the iconic Burlington venue that fostered a community of diverse artists has closed its doors, despite negotiations to keep the music going. Nectar's announced it was taking a pause in June, citing "immense challenges affecting both downtown Burlington and the local live music and entertainment scene." Several weeks later, the venue announced on social media that it was closing for good. The post immediately drew hundreds of comments and tributes from musicians, former employees and fans. "As a musician, you want to move up. You get a few fans; you go toa bigger club. That's what Nectar's was," said Chris Farnsworth, who covers Burlington's music scene for the Vermont newspaper Seven Days. Farnsworth noted that the venue — a brick building with a neon sign — "holds a very important place"in Phish lore. The band's 1992 record was titled "A Picture of Nectar" as a tribute to the venue and to Rorris, who gave the fledgling band a residency for nearly two years. "The guys from Phish were very good to us," said Alex Budney, who started at Nectar's in 2001 as a cook when he was 19, making their famous gravy fries and later working almost every job in the building over 20 years. "My college band would play there on Monday nights and it would be like nobody there. But the keyboard player from Phish would come down in a snowstorm and sit at the bar and watch us play and talk to us," Budney said. Phish bassist Mike Gordon, who still lives in the area, even popped in during singer-songwriter Maggie Rose's sound check last September and joined her band for two songs that night. Rose had rerouted her tour just to be able to play at Nectar's. "It was the perfect excuse to go to this legendary venue in this amazing, creative, artistic town," said Rose. "The lore of Nectar's did not disappoint. It truly was just one of those surreal moments." Phish declined to comment on the venue's closing, as did the current owner. Rorris opened Nectar's in 1975 with two partners. "They borrowed money from their parents. I did the same and we closed the deal," he said. In the beginning, Rorris focused solely on the restaurant, leaving the music booking and finances to his partners. Eventually, his partners wanted to move on, so the three sold the business to a new owner who only lasted six months. Rorris decided to buy the business back and ran it by himself until 2003, when he decided to sell for personal reasons. "The bands were real thrilled to see that I was taking it back and that I was going to hire them back," he said. "From then, it took off." Though Phish made Nectar's famous, the venue also hosted such artists as Vermont's own Grace Potter and Anais Mitchell, B.B. King, Spacehog, Blind Melon and the Decemberists. And it was known for regular music series including Metal Mondays; Dead Set Tuesdays — a tribute toThe Grateful Dead; blues, jazz and reggae nights; comedy shows and Sunday Night Mass, a production showcasing electronic artists from around the world. Nectar's ownership and management changed repeatedly, but it remained a place todiscover new music. Budney said Nectar's supported emerging artists with residency opportunities to play weekly for a month or more and build a fan base. "We'd provide tools for bands to make it," he said. The venue itself ultimately couldn't make it as costs rose and construction in downtown Burlington reduced foot traffic and turned away business. It's unclear what will happen to it next. But those who played a role in the club's history say its legacy is undeniable. "Fifty years is an amazing run for a nightclub," said Justin Remillard, who booked artists for Nectar's electronic music series for 25 years. "The only constant is change, and what has happened with Nectar's and the building closing, we have to figure out what's next."

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October 04, 2025

Nectar's, the Vermont venue that launched Phish, closes on a quiet note after 50 years

Nectar's, the Vermont venue that launched Phish, closes on a quiet note after 50 years BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — As a Greek immigrant who c...

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‘The Simpsons Movie 2’: Cast, Release Date, Plot, More

'The Simpsons Movie 2': Cast, Release Date, Plot, More

¡Ay, carumba! It's official, folks! After 20 long, grueling years, we're finally gettingThe Simpsons Movie 2. Fans have been begging for the follow-up to the 2007 smash hit film based on television's longest-runninganimated series for years, and now we finally have confirmation that a sequel is on the way.Disney-owned 20th Century Studios broke the news on September 29,  sharing a photo of Homer holding a doughnut decorated with number 2 sprinkles and the words, "Homer's coming back for seconds,"  scrawled across the top. Towards the bottom of the photo, in creator Matt Groening's signature font, are the words, "In Theaters July 23, 2027." Naturally, fans (myself included) went wild.Outside of the release date and the fact thatThe Simpsons 2is taking the place of an untitled Marvel project, though, we don't know much else about the upcoming film. It's speculated that the show's long-running main cast of voice actors will reprise their roles in the upcoming movie, and we might be in for a treat with a few celebrity guests, according to the film's IMDb profile. Beyond that, everything else has been pretty much kept under wraps.While we'll just have to wait and see what clues we get next about the upcoming film, a few eagle-eyed fans have already spotted aneaster egghiding in a previously aired episode of the show. Shortly after the original film's release, in the opening credits of Episode 1, Season 19, Bart is seen writing on the chalkboard the phrase "I will not wait 20 years to make another movie." Thus, the lore behindThe Simpsonsuncanny ability to predict the futurecontinues.We'll keep our eyes peeled for any further announcements. But in the meantime, keep scrolling to learn more aboutThe Simpsons 2, including its rumored plot, when it arrives in theaters, who will be in the cast, and more. 🤩📺SIGN UP forParade's Daily newsletter & get the scoop on the latest TV news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🤩🎥 The Simpsons Movie 2is in pre-production, with an expected release date in July 2027. The sequel comes 20 years after the first and only Simpsons Movie was released in 2007. No plot details have been announced aboutThe Simpsons Movie 2just yet, but we'll make sure to keep this space updated as we get more info! Given that news of the sequel was announced just this past Monday, we can only speculate that the series' regular cast will reprise their long-standing roles inThe Simpsons Movie 2. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, theIMDb profilefor the sequel does hint at possible celebrity guests and gives a bit more insight into familiar voices to be on the lookout for. In addition to the voice talent listed above,Tress MacNeille,Maggie Roswell,Pamela Hayden,P.T. Walkley, andJess Harnellare also speculated to have roles inThe Simpsons Movie 2, although their particular roles are not specified. True toThe Simpsonsusual format, of course, we're sure there will be plenty of other surprise guests and recognizable voices to come. We'll keep you posted! The Simpsons Movie 2is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 23, 2027. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 20th Century Studios (@20thcenturystudios) So far, the only insight we have into the film is a post on Instagram fromThe Simpsonsand 20th Century Studios announcing the sequel. There isn't a trailer forThe Simpsons Movie 2yet, but we'll make sure to keep an eye out for it once it drops! Related: An Iconic Sitcom's Movie Sequel Nabs Marvel's Summer Release Date — What We Know This story was originally reported byParadeon Oct 4, 2025, where it first appeared in theMoviessection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.

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October 04, 2025

‘The Simpsons Movie 2’: Cast, Release Date, Plot, More

'The Simpsons Movie 2': Cast, Release Date, Plot, More ¡Ay, carumba! It's official, folks! After 20 long, grueling years, we...

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All the References Taylor Swift Made About Elizabeth Taylor in Her “The Life of a Showgirl” Song, Explained

All the References Taylor Swift Made About Elizabeth Taylor in Her "The Life of a Showgirl" Song, Explained

Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott ; Silver Screen Collection/Getty Taylor Swift's second track fromThe Life of a Showgirlis an homage to Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor The Grammy-winner featured specific references to Taylor — from her relationship with fame to her favorite restaurant Swift has expressed admiration for the Oscar-winning actress and called her a "role model" Taylor Swifthas a new batch of songs for fans to analyze withThe Life of a Showgirl. The Grammy-winner released her 12th studio album on Oct. 3, which features a song called "Elizabeth Taylor," named after the late Hollywood icon,Elizabeth Taylor. The song, which is the second track on the album, makes several references and nods to some of Taylor's famous life, while also seemingly relating them to Swift. Though this track is her first to directly reference the Oscar-winner, Swift has previously paid homage to Taylor. On her 2017 albumReputation, she sang, "And he can be my jailer, Burton to this Taylor," on the song "Ready for It?" which was a reference to Taylor's relationship with Richard Burton. After releasing her latest album, Swift reflected on her admiration for Taylor and explained the meaning behind the song named after her. "In this record, there's a song called 'Elizabeth Taylor,' which is sort of my emotions and my issues with fame through the lens of cosplaying the life of Elizabeth Taylor, so you kind of meld the two experiences together," she said in an interview with Z100'sElvis Duran Show. Swift continued of Taylor, "She is always someone that I've looked up to as being this very glamorous, very beloved, but for some reason a polarizing figure, which I found myself in that place, too." From Elizabeth Taylor's physical appearance to her love life, here's everything to know about how Taylor Swift referenced the late Hollywood icon in her song. Mert Alas & Marcus Piggot Swift opens the song "Elizabeth Taylor" by directly addressing her. "Elizabeth Taylor / Do you think it's forever?" and later adding, "Tell me for real, do you think it's forever?" Swift leaves the lyrics ambiguous, but it is possible she is referring to whether the constant scrutiny of fame or her happiness in love will last forever. Just like the singer, Taylor had both herpersonal life and her successful careerwidely scrutinized. Taylor, who died in 2011, was one of the most famous movie stars in the 20th century who won two Oscars and various lifetime achievement awards. However, her love life was also under the microscope, as she wasmarried eight times to seven different menand was at thecenter of a few scandalous affairs. Similar to Taylor, Swift's love life has also been a topic of conversation among the public. Now, Swift has found the one withTravis Kelce, whom shegot engagedto in August 2025. In her song, Swift could be asking Taylor if her relationship with Kelce will last "forever." On a similar note, Swift could also be asking Taylor about the constant attention and complicated level of fame and wondering if that will also last "forever." "Oftentimes it doesn't feel so glamorous to be me / All the right guys promised they'd stay / Under bright lights, they withered away, but you bloom," she adds in the song. REPORTERS ASSOCIES/Gamma-Rapho via Getty One of Swift's more direct references to Taylor is when she sings, "That view of Portofino was on my mind when you called me at the Plaza Athénée." Portofino, Italy, was famously one of Taylor's favorite places to vacation, and she even spent a number of her honeymoons there. The Italian vacation hub was also where Burton proposed to Taylor for the first time. The second half of the lyric refers to the Plaza Athénée, a five-star hotel in Paris, where Taylor and Burton lived for six months in 1971. API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty In another direct callout to Taylor, Swift sings, "I'd cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor." From the beginning of her career, Taylor was recognized for her breathtaking eyes, which appeared to have a "violet" hue. Taylor's eyes, which were naturally deep blue with gray tints, often appeared to look violet because of her lower levels of melanin in her iris, perLive Science. Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott Another reference to Taylor came in the lyrics, "We hit the best booth at Musso & Frank's." Musso & Frank's Grill is a restaurant in Los Angeles that has been serving celebrities since 1919. Taylor was a frequent diner and would step away from the spotlight by heading into the restaurant's "famous Back Room," per the restaurant'swebsite. Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott ; Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty While Taylor may most famously be known for her on-screen roles, she also made history as one of the first celebrities to introduce her own fragrance line. Her perfume, released in 1991, was calledWhite Diamondsand brought in over $1 billion in sales before her death, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. Swift seemingly paid homage to Taylor's innovation and legacy by adding in the song, "All my white diamonds and lovers are forever." Bettmann/ Getty Taylor was one of the first major celebrities to have all aspects of her life scrutinized in the press, and Swift shared with host Elvis Duran that she related to Taylor and has thought of her as a "role model" in the midst of her own stardom. "In the papers, on the screen, and in their minds," she sings. Of course, in the lyrics, Swift could be referring to any number of things — from people who date her forever being cemented as her partner or ex, to every piece of her life getting written and spoken about. "She was funny," Swift said of Taylor. "I think she's just a fabulous role model and person that I hope my fans will look her up and see how much she went through and how she was making her best art. Even at the midst of people's outrage over something in her life, she continued being at the top of her game in terms of her artistic output." People For more on Taylor Swift, pick up PEOPLE's newly updated special editionTaylor Swift A to Z: A Showgirl's Life,out now. Read the original article onPeople

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October 04, 2025

All the References Taylor Swift Made About Elizabeth Taylor in Her “The Life of a Showgirl” Song, Explained

All the References Taylor Swift Made About Elizabeth Taylor in Her "The Life of a Showgirl" Song, Explained Mert Alas & Marcus...

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Tens of thousands march in Barcelona to protest against Israel's war in Gaza

Tens of thousands march in Barcelona to protest against Israel's war in Gaza

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of people are marching in Barcelona as Spain, Italy and Portugal gear up for mass demonstrations to protestIsrael's war in Gaza. Protests in Spain's second-largest city as well as in Madrid were called for weeks ago, while calls for demonstrations in Rome and Lisbon followed widespread anger after the Israeliinterception of a humanitarian aid flotillathat had set sail from Barcelona, trying to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory. Over 40 Spaniards, including a former Barcelona mayor, are among the 450 activists that Israel removed from the flotilla's boats this week. Italy already sawmore than 2 million peoplerally on Friday across the country in a one-day general strike to support the residents of Gaza. Spain has seen an upsurgeof support for Palestiniansin recent weeks while its left-winggovernment intensifies diplomatic effortsagainst the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu. Protests against the presence of an Israeli-owned cycling teamrepeatedly disrupted the Spanish Vueltalast month, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchezcalled the destruction in Gaza a "genocide"and asked for the ban of all Israeli teams from international sporting events. The calls for protests in Southern Europe come as Hamas said it has acceptedsome elements of the planlaid out by U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpto end the two-year war, which has leftGaza's largest city in famineand stirredaccusations of genocideagainst Israel. Barcelona's town hall said police estimated that 70,000 turned out for Saturday's demonstration. People packed Barcelona's wide Passeig de Gracia, the city's main central boulevard. Many families turned out, along with people of all ages. Protesters carried Palestinian flags or wore t-shirts supporting Palestine. Hand-held signs bore messages like "Gaza hurts me," "Stop the Genocide," and "Hands off the flotilla." While the protests will likely not sway Israel's government, protesters hope they could inspire other demonstrations and encourage European leaders to take a harder line against Israel. María Jesús Parra, 63, carried a Palestinian flag high after making an hourlong trip from her home in another town to Barcelona. She wants the European Union to act against what she described as the horrors she watches on televised news on a daily basis. "How is it possible that we are witnessing a genocide happening live after what we (as Europe) experienced in the 1940s?" Parra said. "Now nobody can say they didn't know what was happening." A protest in Rome is also underway, organized by three Palestinian organizations along with local unions and students. The protesters will march from Porta San Paolo and end at San Giovanni. Police expect tens of thousands to attend, state broadcaster Rai reported. The protests in Madrid and Lisbon are to follow later on Saturday. There are also protests called across many other Spanish cities. A protest is also being staged in Athens Saturday afternoon, although police believe a bigger one will take place Sunday, to coincide with a pro-Israeli one. The war in Gaza started after Hamas's attack in October 2023, which left around 1,200 people dead, while 251 others were taken hostage. Israel's retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has so far killed over 67,000 people and wounded nearly 170,000 others, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government. U.N. agencies and many independent experts view its figures as the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. ___ Demetris Nellas contributed to this story from Athens, Greece.

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October 04, 2025

Tens of thousands march in Barcelona to protest against Israel's war in Gaza

Tens of thousands march in Barcelona to protest against Israel's war in Gaza BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of people are mar...

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