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Famed Nollywood  Actress Sharon Stone  Attacks ‘Uneducated’ Americans Without Passports

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Hollywood millionaire Sharon Stone launched a blistering critique of American voters at the Torino Film Festival, characterizing them as “uneducated” and “ignorant” while citing low passport ownership rates among her criticisms.

The 66-year-old “Basic Instinct” star delivered her pointed remarks during a press event in Turin, targeting what she described as an “arrogant adolescent” America following the recent presidential election. “We are in our ignorant, arrogant adolescence,” Stone declared, specifically noting that “80 percent” of Americans don’t have passports.

“Americans who don’t travel, who 80 percent don’t have a passport, who are uneducated, are in their extraordinary naivete,” Stone said, comparing America’s relative youth to Italy’s long historical experience with political movements.

The millionaire actress, who earlier this year pledged to leave America for Europe if Donald Trump won the election, expanded her criticism to include warnings about “dangerous, violent men.” Stone had previously announced plans to purchase a house in Italy, calling it “an intelligent construct at this time” in response to political developments.

Her nearly three-minute commentary drew swift backlash on social media, with critics labeling her comments as elitist. “Hollywood elite are out of touch and have become irrelevant,” one user posted on X, formerly Twitter. Another observed that her attitude “is exactly why Americans voted for Trump – he stood up for everyday people ignored by these self-proclaimed experts.”

“I guess she hasn’t heard. We don’t give a rats a** about Hollywood anymore, esp an irrelevant has been,” another social media user added to the chorus of criticism.

Stone had previously characterized the current political climate as “one of the first times in my life that I’ve actually seen anyone running for office on a platform of hate and oppression.”

Lewandowski Gets Historic 100-Goal Mark in Barcelona’s 3-0 Win

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Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th Champions League goal Wednesday night, leading Barcelona to a commanding 3-0 victory over Brest that lifted the Catalans to provisional second place in their group.

The 36-year-old striker became only the third player in Champions League history to reach the century mark, joining former Barcelona star Lionel Messi (129) and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo (140) in the elite club. Lewandowski achieved the milestone in his 125th appearance in the competition, spanning his time with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund.

“I am very happy, many years ago I did not think I could score more than 100 goals in the Champions League,” Lewandowski told Movistar after the match. “For me the most important thing is that we try to win every game, if I can score, then that’s the perfect solution.”

The Polish international opened scoring in the 10th minute from the penalty spot after Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot fouled him following Pedri’s cross. Dani Olmo doubled Barcelona’s lead in the 66th minute, displaying skillful footwork to evade Brendan Chardonnet before beating Bizot at the near post. Lewandowski added his second late in the match, clinically finishing for his 101st Champions League goal.

The victory marked a return to form for Barcelona after recent La Liga struggles. Coach Hansi Flick had called for his team to “eliminate” mistakes, and they responded with a dominant performance despite missing teenage sensation Lamine Yamal through injury.

Brest, previously unbeaten in the competition and fresh off a 4-0 victory over RB Salzburg, saw their best chance ruled offside when Mathias Pereira Lage’s strike was disallowed. The French side remains in contention for at least a playoff spot despite dropping down the group standings.

Under Flick’s guidance, Lewandowski has rediscovered his scoring touch this season, notching 22 goals in 19 appearances across all competitions. Barcelona now faces crucial matches against last season’s runner-up Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, and Atalanta as they aim to secure direct qualification to the last 16.

Arsenal Cruises Past Sporting CP in 5-1 Champions League Display

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Arsenal secured their first Champions League away victory of the season Tuesday night, overwhelming Sporting CP 5-1 in a dominant performance that saw five different Gunners find the net.

The visitors established control early when Gabriel Martinelli tapped in Jurrien Timber’s precise cross at the far post in the seventh minute. Kai Havertz doubled the lead midway through the first half, converting Bukayo Saka’s roll across the penalty area after Thomas Partey’s incisive through ball created the opportunity.

Arsenal extended their advantage before halftime when Gabriel powered home a header from Declan Rice’s far-post corner, giving the English side a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.

Sporting briefly threatened a comeback when Goncalo Inacio flicked in a near-post corner past David Raya early in the second half. However, Arsenal quickly reasserted control when Saka converted a penalty following Ousmane Diomande’s foul on Martin Odegaard with 25 minutes remaining.

Leandro Trossard completed the rout in the 82nd minute, heading home a rebound after substitute Mikel Merino’s initial shot was saved by Franco Israel.

The comprehensive victory marked a stark contrast to Sporting’s recent form, which had included a victory over Manchester City before the international break. The Portuguese side, playing their first match since manager Ruben Amorim’s departure to Manchester United, struggled to contain Arsenal’s organized pressing and clinical attack throughout the evening.

Man City 3-3 Feyenoord: Champions Collapse in Stunning Draw

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Manchester City surrendered a commanding three-goal lead Tuesday night in a shocking 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium, extending their winless run to six games.

First Half

City dominated early proceedings with Ilkay Gundogan seeing the game’s first chance deflected wide. Erling Haaland had a header denied by Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther and the post, while Phil Foden forced another save with a long-range effort. The breakthrough came five minutes before halftime when Haaland converted a penalty after Quentin Timber’s foul.

Second Half

City appeared to seal victory early after the break. Gundogan doubled the lead with a deflected shot off David Hancko, and Haaland soon added his second, converting Matheus Nunes’ low cross for a 3-0 advantage.

The Comeback

Feyenoord’s remarkable revival began with Anis Hadj Moussa capitalizing on Josko Gvardiol’s poor backpass to round Ederson and score. Santiago Gimenez tapped home with eight minutes remaining before Hancko headed in on a counter-attack to complete the stunning turnaround.

Historic Collapse

The result marked the first time in Champions League history a team has failed to win after leading in the 75th minute, and City’s first surrender of a three-goal advantage since May 1989. Haaland’s brace came despite touching the ball just 26 times, at least 29 fewer than any other City outfield starter.

New York Authorities Bust $2M International Shoplifting Operation

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Law enforcement officials announced Tuesday the dismantling of a sophisticated shoplifting ring that stole nearly $2 million in merchandise from major U.S. retailers and resold the goods in New York City and the Dominican Republic.

Five New York residents face felony charges including possession of stolen property and conspiracy, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. The operation targeted high-end makeup, perfume, beauty products, and designer clothing from retailers including Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty over approximately two years.

Prosecutors identified married couple Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista as the operation’s leaders, alleging they directed crews to steal specific merchandise from stores across the East Coast, including locations in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. The group also allegedly paid truck drivers to divert products from manufacturer warehouses to locations under their control.

Operating from a Queens residence, the ring resold stolen goods online and through a physical store called Yvelisse Fashion in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The couple and two other defendants pleaded not guilty at their Saturday arraignment and were released pending January court dates, according to their attorney Vince Scala.

“When a deal seems too good to be true, I guarantee you, it’s too good to be true,” Katz warned holiday shoppers at Tuesday’s announcement.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, joining law enforcement officials, noted this case marks the first prosecution under a recently enacted law criminalizing the fostering of stolen goods sales. “This is real simple. We’ve had enough with criminals preying on our citizens,” Hochul said. “We are sick and tired of our citizens feeling they’re vulnerable to random crimes on the streets or these sophisticated organized crime rings. And we are coming after you.”

The governor cited national statistics showing businesses lose approximately $100 billion annually to organized retail theft, with the average family paying $500 more yearly due to its impact. The case announcement comes amid Hochul’s broader initiative to address retail crime, including recently signed measures increasing penalties for assaulting retail workers, funding specialized law enforcement teams, and providing security camera tax credits for businesses.

The arrests reflect growing national concern over retail theft. Earlier this month, California voters passed a measure making shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders, partially rolling back a decade-old law that had reduced penalties for thefts under $950.

Former Youth Center Official Convicted in Historic Assault Case

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A New Hampshire jury on Tuesday found former youth detention center leader Bradley Asbury guilty of holding down a 14-year-old while the teen was sexually assaulted in 1998, marking a significant conviction in a broader investigation into institutional abuse.

Asbury, 70, was convicted on two counts of being an accomplice to aggravated sexual assault after three days of jury deliberation. Each count carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. The former house leader at Manchester’s Sununu Youth Services Center will remain in custody until his January sentencing.

The case centered on testimony from Michael Gilpatrick, now 41, who described being restrained on a staircase by Asbury and another colleague while a third staff member raped him and a fourth forced him to perform a sex act. “I can see it happening, but I can’t do anything,” Gilpatrick testified, describing an out-of-body experience during the assault. “I was just not there. But there.”

Asbury’s conviction represents the second criminal trial stemming from a sweeping 2019 investigation into abuse at the center. He is among 11 former staffers from the Manchester facility and an associated Concord center who face criminal charges.

Defense attorney David Rothstein argued the assault could not have occurred unnoticed on an open staircase and suggested Gilpatrick was motivated by money, noting he had received over $146,000 toward an anticipated civil settlement. Prosecutor Adam Woods countered that Gilpatrick’s recollection of the key event remained consistent, though he couldn’t report it at the time because Asbury held authority.

The case connects to extensive civil litigation involving more than 1,100 former residents alleging abuse across six decades. In May, the only civil trial to date resulted in a $38 million verdict for David Meehan regarding 1990s abuse, though the state seeks to reduce this to $475,000.

After Tuesday’s verdict, Gilpatrick embraced family members, stating through tears, “God is good and the truth prevailed. And I was believed.” Asbury, who maintained his innocence, thanked supporters as officers led him away in handcuffs.

Appeals Court Ends Trump Documents Case as Federal Prosecutions Halt

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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at the National Guard Association of the United States' 146th General Conference, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday dismissed efforts to revive the criminal case accusing Donald Trump of illegally retaining classified documents, following prosecutors’ decision to abandon their appeal against the president-elect.

The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals order marks the end of both federal prosecutions against Trump as he prepares to return to the White House on January 20. A federal judge had already dismissed a separate case Monday that accused Trump of plotting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led both prosecutions, cited long-standing Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents in court filings explaining the dismissals. The classified documents case had initially been thrown out by a Florida federal judge who ruled Smith’s appointment as special counsel improper.

Prosecutors indicated they will continue appealing that ruling as it relates to Trump associates Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, who were charged with attempting to obstruct the investigation. Both aides pleaded not guilty, as did Trump, who has denied wrongdoing in all cases.

Australian Senate Committee Backs Youth Social Media Ban, Rejects ID Requirements

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An Australian Senate committee endorsed legislation Tuesday to ban social media access for children under 16, while recommending against forcing users to submit passports or other personal identification for age verification.

The government plans to test an age-verification system potentially using biometrics or government identification, representing some of the world’s strictest social media controls. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government aims to pass the bill by Thursday’s end of the parliamentary year, with broad opposition party support.

The Senate’s environment and communications legislation committee said in its Tuesday report that platforms “must set out alternative methods for assuring age as reasonable steps with consideration given to the age assurance trial.” The communications minister must submit a progress report on the age verification trial by September 30, 2025.

Committee Chair Senator Karen Grogan emphasized youth involvement in implementation: “Young people, and in particular diverse cohorts, must be at the centre of the conversation as an age restriction is implemented to ensure there are constructive pathways for connection.”

The proposed legislation would require social media platforms to implement reasonable age-verification measures or face fines up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for systemic violations. Major platforms have opposed the rapid timeline, with Google, Meta, TikTok, and X all expressing concerns through submissions.

Some independent lawmakers have criticized the government’s accelerated timeline, noting the bill was introduced last Thursday, with submissions closing Friday and a brief hearing Monday.

FBI Most-Wanted Terror Suspect Captured in Wales After 15-Year Search

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British authorities have arrested Daniel Andreas San Diego, an alleged animal-rights extremist who has been on the FBI’s most-wanted terrorist list since 2009, ending a 15-year manhunt connected to California biotechnology firm bombings.

San Diego was apprehended Monday in Wales during a coordinated operation involving Britain’s National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, and North Wales Police working with the FBI. He remains in detention pending extradition proceedings.

The suspect faces charges stemming from an August 2003 bombing at Chiron Inc. near Oakland, California, where authorities also discovered and disabled a second explosive device potentially meant to target first responders. Investigators accuse San Diego of planting a third bomb at another California company the following month. No injuries resulted from any of the incidents.

A group calling itself Revolutionary Cells claimed responsibility through statements on a pro-animal rights website, citing the targeted companies’ alleged connections to Huntingdon Life Sciences, a firm criticized for animal testing practices that is now part of Inotiv.

A 2004 federal grand jury indictment charged San Diego with two counts each of destroying or attempting to destroy property with explosives and using a destructive device in a crime of violence. The FBI has previously stated San Diego openly advocated using violence to advance animal rights movement goals.

“There’s a right way and a wrong way to express your views in our country, and turning to violence and destruction of property is not the right way,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said, adding that the arrest demonstrates the bureau’s commitment to pursuing suspects regardless of time elapsed.

Russia Makes Significant Advances in Eastern Ukraine

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Russian forces are advancing in Ukraine at their fastest pace since the early days of the 2022 invasion, capturing an area half the size of London over the past month, according to analysts and military observers Tuesday.

The Russian army seized approximately 235 square kilometers (91 square miles) in the past week alone, setting a 2024 record, reported independent Russian news group Agentstvo, citing data from combat footage analysis group DeepState. November’s total captured territory reached 600 square kilometers (232 square miles).

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the capture of another village, Kopanky, in Kharkiv region Tuesday, though Ukraine’s third separate assault brigade claimed via Telegram it had cleared the area of Russian forces. Ukrainian military spokesman Nazar Voloshyn reported repelling a Russian advance on the logistics center of Kupiansk, the second such defense this month.

The main thrust of Russian advances has focused on Donetsk region, with forces pushing toward Pokrovsk and into Kurakhove. Russia currently controls 18% of Ukraine, including all of Crimea, over 80% of Donbas, more than 70% of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and just under 3% of Kharkiv region, according to open source maps.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has identified Putin’s main objectives as occupying the Donbas region, spanning Donetsk and Luhansk, and ousting Ukrainian troops from Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine maintains control of about 800 of the initially held 1,376 square kilometers.

Ukrainian military officials acknowledge the situation in the east is at its worst point this year. Zelenskiy attributed the challenges to several factors, including year-long delays in equipping brigades, partly due to prolonged U.S. Congressional deliberation over assistance packages.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s military reported repelling 23 Russian attempts to advance along the Kurakhove front line Tuesday evening, along with 25 attacks near Pokrovsk. Russian military bloggers suggest that breaking Ukrainian defenses around Kurakhove could enable a westward push toward Zaporizhzhia while securing rear positions for movements toward Pokrovsk.

Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, claimed Russia now holds “complete strategic initiative on the battlefield,” as the conflict enters what Russian and Western officials describe as potentially its most dangerous phase.

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