WASHINGTON — In a surprising turn for two men who once traded some of the harshest insults in modern politics, President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appeared side-by-side in the Oval Office on Friday, speaking warmly about shared goals and a mutual desire to help New Yorkers struggling with affordability issues.

The meeting marked the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Mamdani — a pairing once defined by long-distance political combat. Mamdani had famously branded himself “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare,” while Trump fired back by mocking him as a “100% Communist Lunatic” and “total nut job.” Yet on Friday, both men exchanged praise, signaling a strategic shift that created political opportunity for each.

A Calculated Political Reset

For Mamdani, a rising figure who was relatively unknown outside New York until his victory, the White House sit-down offered a rare chance to project executive-level seriousness and go toe-to-toe with the president on national television.

For Trump, the meeting allowed him to pivot toward kitchen-table issues at a moment when he faces pressure to show progress on inflation, affordability, and cost-of-living concerns that helped fuel his 2024 presidential win.

“I think he is going to surprise some conservative people,” Trump said as Mamdani stood beside him. The democratic socialist, who had once called Trump’s administration “authoritarian,” echoed the sentiment, noting that the discussion focused on “shared purpose” rather than the long list of issues dividing them.

Trump Plays Defender as Mamdani Faces Tough Questions

Throughout the appearance, Trump repeatedly intervened to shield Mamdani from pointed questions — a remarkable twist, given their previous antagonism. When reporters pressed Mamdani on past comments accusing Trump of acting like a fascist, the president cut in with a chuckle.

“I’ve been called much worse than a despot,” Trump said, telling Mamdani, “That’s OK. You can just say yes.”

Trump also stepped in when a reporter asked Mamdani why he chose to fly to Washington rather than use lower-emission transportation. “I’ll stick up for you,” the president interjected, drawing laughs in the room.

A Shared Focus on Affordability

Mamdani said he requested the meeting to push for solutions related to housing costs, groceries, and utilities — the same economic pressures that shaped both his mayoral campaign and Trump’s political messaging.

“Some of his ideas are really the same ideas that I have,” Trump said, signaling surprising policy overlap.

Though Trump had previously threatened to cut federal funding to New York if the two clashed, he walked back that hardline stance. “We don’t want that to happen,” he said. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Elle Bisgaard-Church, Mamdani’s former campaign manager and incoming chief of staff, later told NY1 that the men disagreed on plenty but aligned on public safety and economic relief. “We kept it at where we could find agreement on making the city affordable,” she said.

A Dramatic Election Backdrop

Trump’s presence loomed large during New York’s mayoral race. In the final stretch, he endorsed independent candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, claiming Mamdani’s victory would give the city “ZERO chance of success.” He even questioned Mamdani’s citizenship — despite Mamdani being a naturalized U.S. citizen — and suggested he could be arrested if he refused to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Mamdani fired back by portraying Cuomo as Trump’s “puppet” and positioning himself as the only candidate willing to confront the president. “I am Donald Trump’s worst nightmare,” he said during a heated debate.

But after Mamdani defeated Cuomo and shook up the city’s political landscape, Trump shifted tone, predicting the incoming mayor could become “one of the best things to ever happen to our great Republican Party.”

Past Tensions Give Way to a Calm Encounter

The cordial meeting was especially notable considering Trump’s history of tense Oval Office showdowns. Earlier this year, he clashed publicly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and later dimmed the lights during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa while playing a controversial video.

A senior administration official said Trump had not heavily prepared for the Mamdani meeting but still viewed withholding federal dollars as an option “on the table.”

Yet Mamdani appeared unfazed beforehand, saying the White House invitation was an opportunity to advocate for New Yorkers despite “many disagreements.” Ultimately, the meeting unfolded without fireworks — an outcome that surprised political observers on both sides.

A Moment of Political Calculus for Both Leaders

Both men have reputations for confrontational politics. Mamdani, who lives in Trump’s hometown of Queens, even adopted a Trump-like edge during the campaign, pointing out in a debate that one of Cuomo’s accusers was in the audience — a move critics said mirrored Trump’s own combative tactics.

But during Friday’s meeting, tensions faded as Trump expressed support for Mamdani’s goals to expand housing. “People would be shocked, but I want to see the same thing,” the president said.

Whether this newfound warmth represents a temporary truce or the start of a longer-term political realignment remains unclear. Supporters from both camps may have mixed reactions, but for now, Trump and Mamdani appear to have traded barbs for cooperation — at least on affordability and public safety.

Source: AP News – Trump and Mamdani go from adversaries to allies after White House meeting

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LONDON – Actor and comedian Russell Brand has been granted conditional bail following his appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he faced multiple charges, including rape and sexual assault, involving four women.

Brand, 49, did not enter a plea at this first hearing, maintaining his previous stance of denial against the accusations. The allegations, which were brought to light last month, include one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault.

As Brand arrived at court, he was swarmed by photographers. He listened intently as the charges were read out, but spoke only to confirm his identity, date of birth, address, and understanding of his bail conditions. He appeared in casual attire—an open shirt and jeans—while Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring outlined his bail terms.

Brand has been ordered to appear at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) on May 30. His bail conditions require him to stay in contact with the court, providing information on his whereabouts, whether in the U.K. or the U.S. Brand currently resides in Florida but is expected to attend all future hearings. Failure to comply with these conditions could result in being remanded in custody.

The allegations against Brand date back to between 1999 and 2005. They include incidents in Bournemouth and Westminster, London. The women making the accusations have not been publicly identified.

Brand has denied the charges, including the claims of non-consensual sexual activity. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.

The specific allegations include an incident in 1999, where a woman claims Brand raped her in a Bournemouth hotel room after a Labour Party conference. In another case from 2001, Brand is accused of attempting to drag a woman into a male toilet at a London television station. A third accuser, a television worker from 2004, alleges Brand groped her before pulling her into a toilet and sexually assaulting her. The final complainant, a radio station worker from 2004-2005, accuses Brand of forcibly kissing her and groping her.

These charges follow a joint investigation by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times published in September 2023.

Brand, known for his provocative stand-up comedy, has had a varied career, including hosting radio and television shows, writing memoirs, and starring in films like Get Him To The Greek. His high-profile marriage to pop star Katy Perry between 2010 and 2012 also garnered significant media attention. However, in recent years, Brand has distanced himself from mainstream media, focusing on an online following built around wellness content and conspiracy theories. He recently relocated to the U.S. and continues to post regularly to his audience.

Source: AP News – Russell Brand granted conditional bail after appearing in London court on rape and assault charges

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Tiger Woods has sensationally started dating Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

The 15-time major champion, 49, and Vanessa, 47, both reside in Florida and have been romantically involved since Thanksgiving. They live just 20 minutes apart in the wealthy enclave of Palm Beach and were recently spotted together at a golf tournament.

According to sources, Woods and Vanessa are enjoying each other’s company but are keeping their relationship private.

“She comes to his place on Jupiter Island a few nights a week,” a source revealed. “They love spending time together, having dinner, and enjoying each other’s company, but they’ve decided not to go public just yet.”

Their families are also becoming more intertwined. Vanessa’s eldest daughter, Kai, 17, and Woods’ children, Charlie, 16, and Sam, 17, all attend The Benjamin School, a prestigious private institution with a tuition of $38,595 per year. Other members of the Trump family are aware of the relationship.

Kai Trump and Charlie Woods are both aspiring professional golfers, further strengthening the connection between their families.

Last month, Vanessa and Kai were seen supporting Woods at the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines in California. Kai even wore an outfit from Woods’ clothing line, a clear sign of support. In February, Vanessa also took Kai to watch a round of the TGL, the golf league co-founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump played a round of golf with Woods last month, further highlighting the close ties between the families.

Despite his personal happiness, Woods’ golf career suffered a blow when he ruptured his Achilles tendon while preparing for a comeback. The injury, which occurred at his home in Florida, required surgery on Tuesday. He is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the Masters next month.

Vanessa Trump filed for an uncontested divorce from Don Jr. in March 2018. Since their split, she has largely stayed out of the public eye romantically. Meanwhile, Don Jr. had a long-term relationship and engagement with former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, now the U.S. Ambassador to Greece.

By September, however, Don Jr. was seen with West Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson. After Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, he and Guilfoyle officially ended their relationship, and he began dating Anderson publicly.

Sources say both Don Jr. and Anderson are aware of Vanessa’s relationship with Woods. While Vanessa and Don Jr. remain connected due to their five children and political events, tensions reportedly arose between Vanessa and Anderson, who were once friends before Anderson started dating Don Jr. However, those familiar with the situation suggest that any ill feelings have eased since Vanessa began seeing Woods.

With Woods and Vanessa keeping their romance relatively low-key, the question remains—will they soon step into the public spotlight as golf’s new power couple? Only time will tell.

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Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are facing human trafficking and rape charges in Romania, have left for the United States after Romanian authorities lifted their travel restrictions, an official confirmed on Thursday.

Legal Troubles in Romania

The Tates—dual U.S.-British citizens with millions of followers online—were arrested in late 2022 and formally indicted in 2023 for allegedly operating a criminal ring that lured women to Romania, where they were sexually exploited. Andrew Tate, 38, was also charged with rape. They have consistently denied all allegations.

In December 2023, a Romanian court ruled that the case could not proceed to trial due to multiple legal and procedural irregularities by prosecutors. However, the case remains open, and authorities have launched a second investigation into the brothers for additional alleged crimes, including:

• Human trafficking
• Trafficking of minors
• Sexual intercourse with a minor
• Influencing statements
• Money laundering

Travel Restrictions Lifted, Assets Unfrozen

Romania’s anti-organized crime agency (DIICOT) confirmed that prosecutors approved a request to modify the travel restrictions but did not specify who made the request.

The brothers remain under judicial control, meaning they must appear before authorities when summoned. DIICOT warned that any violation of these conditions could result in stricter legal measures, including detention.

On the same day, a Romanian court ruled in favor of the Tates’ appeal to lift the seizure of multiple assets, including:

• Six luxury vehicles
• Land and properties
• Company shares
• Frozen bank accounts

While some assets remain under seizure, Tate spokesperson Mateea Petrescu called the ruling “a significant step toward justice.”

Political Influence? U.S. Interest in the Case

The Tates’ departure follows reports that a Trump administration official expressed interest in their case at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month. Romania’s Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu confirmed the conversation but denied that any political pressure influenced the decision to lift their travel restrictions.

Andrew and Tristan Tate are vocal supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Andrew has frequently claimed that the Romanian prosecution is part of a political conspiracy to silence him.

International Legal Battles Continue

The Tate brothers face legal issues beyond Romania:

• U.K. Lawsuit: Four British women have accused Andrew Tate of sexual violence and physical abuse and are suing him after the Crown Prosecution Service declined to pursue criminal charges. The women said they feel “re-traumatized” by the decision to lift his travel ban.
• Extradition to the U.K.: In March 2024, a Romanian court approved the U.K.’s request to extradite the Tates, but only after legal proceedings in Romania are completed. The allegations stem from cases of sexual aggression dating back to 2012-2015.
• Unpaid Taxes in the U.K.: In late 2023, a U.K. court ruled that authorities could seize £2.6 million ($3.3 million) in unpaid taxes from the Tate brothers. Andrew Tate called it “outright theft” and “a coordinated attack on anyone who challenges the system.”

What’s Next?

While the Tates have left Romania, their legal troubles are far from over. They remain under investigation and could still face trial in Romania, the U.K., or both.

As authorities continue to monitor their movements, the question remains: Will the Tates return to Romania when summoned, or will their legal battles take a new turn abroad?

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A woman who accused hip-hop moguls Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her in 2000 when she was 13 has dropped her civil lawsuit.

Case Dismissed with Prejudice

On Friday, a filing in Manhattan federal court confirmed that the plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe, voluntarily dismissed the case with prejudice—meaning she cannot refile the lawsuit in the future.

Tony Buzbee, the woman’s attorney, declined to comment on the decision.

Combs Faces Other Legal Battles

While this lawsuit has been dismissed, Sean “Diddy” Combs remains entangled in multiple legal battles. Currently, he is in a Brooklyn jail awaiting a May 5 criminal trial on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

Additionally, Combs still faces dozens of other civil lawsuits—filed by both women and men—who have accused him of sexual assault and other misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and continues to deny all allegations.

Jay-Z Declares Victory

Unlike Combs, Jay-Z was only named in this one lawsuit, which he aggressively fought against. In a statement posted via his entertainment company, Roc Nation, Carter expressed relief over the case’s dismissal:

“Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere.”

Carter also mentioned that the lawsuit caused distress for his wife, Beyoncé, and their children.

Combs’ Legal Team Responds

Combs’ lawyers also issued a joint statement emphasizing his innocence:

“Sean Combs has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone. We will continue to fight these baseless claims and hold those responsible. This is just the first of many that will not hold up in a court of law.”

Allegations and Lawsuit Details

Jane Doe had alleged that both Carter and Combs raped her at an afterparty following the 2000 MTV Music Video Awards. She claimed that the traumatic incident led to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social withdrawal.

With the lawsuit now dismissed, Jay-Z is free of legal claims, while Diddy continues to battle both criminal and civil cases.

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Elon Musk, 53, has reportedly welcomed his 13th child, according to author Ashley St. Clair. In a surprising revelation, St. Clair announced on Friday, February 14, that she gave birth to their child five months ago.

Ashley St. Clair’s Announcement

St. Clair shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that she had initially kept the birth private to protect her child’s safety.

“Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father. I have not previously disclosed this to protect our child’s privacy and safety, but in recent days, it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause.”

She urged the media to respect their child’s privacy, adding:

“I intend to allow our child to grow in a normal and safe environment. For that reason, I ask that the media honor our child’s privacy and refrain from invasive reporting.”

Her post was captioned with the Latin phrase “Alea Iacta Est”, meaning “The die is cast.”

Who Is Ashley St. Clair?

St. Clair is best known as an outspoken conservative author. She wrote the children’s book Elephants Are Not Birds, published by BRAVE Books. The book, which promotes conservative and Christian values, follows a character named Kevin who learns that despite being able to sing, he is not a bird—challenging ideas about identity.

According to the BRAVE Books website, the company collaborates with figures who uphold “moral integrity” to help teach children traditional values.

Musk’s Growing Family

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has fathered 13 children from multiple relationships. His children include:

• With ex-wife Justine Wilson (Canadian author)
  • Nevada Alexander (died at 10 weeks old)
  • Twins: Vivian and Griffin (20)
  • Triplets: Kai, Saxon, and Damian (18)
• With singer Grimes
  • X Æ A-12 (4)
  • Exa Dark Sideræl (3)
  • Techno Mechanicus (age undisclosed)
• With Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis
  • Twins: Strider and Azure (3)
  • Another child, born early 2024 (name undisclosed)

With this latest revelation, Musk’s family continues to expand, adding yet another chapter to his already complex personal life.

Source

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Major Surf and Skate Brands Face Store Closures

Quiksilver, Billabong, and Volcom—three iconic brands in the surf and skate industry—are set to close their U.S. retail stores in 2025. The move comes after Liberated Brands, the company operating these stores, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday.

As a result, over 100 stores across the country will shut down, marking a significant shift for the once-thriving action sports retail sector.

Why Are These Stores Closing?

According to a bankruptcy filing, several economic challenges contributed to the closures, including:
Inflation pressures affecting operational costs
Changes in consumer spending habits
Shifts in the global retail landscape

Liberated Brands acknowledged these difficulties in a statement, saying:
“The team has worked tirelessly over the last year to propel these iconic brands forward, but a volatile global economy and rising cost of living have taken a heavy toll.”

Despite the closures, the Quiksilver, Billabong, and Volcom brands will continue to operate under new management, the company confirmed.

Wider Trend: Retail Struggles Across the U.S.

The shutdown of these stores reflects a broader retail downturn, with other major chains also closing locations.

Recent Retail Closures:

Macy’s – Closing 66 locations in early 2024, with nearly 150 stores set to close over three years under the Bold New Chapter strategy.
Kohl’s – Shuttering 27 underperforming stores by April 2025.

Macy’s and Kohl’s both cited efforts to reshape their business models and focus on profitability amid shifting shopping trends.

What’s Next?

While brick-and-mortar locations are disappearing, the Quiksilver, Billabong, and Volcom brands will continue under new ownership, offering products online and through select retailers.

Retail experts predict that the action sports industry will continue evolving, with digital sales and direct-to-consumer strategies becoming more dominant in the future.

Key Takeaway: The closure of over 100 Quiksilver, Billabong, and Volcom stores marks the end of an era for surf and skate retail, reflecting the larger challenges facing traditional retail businesses in today’s economy.

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John Krasinski has officially been named PEOPLE’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive—a title he’s taking with a sense of humor and humility. When he first got the news, the 45-year-old actor was stunned. “Just an immediate blackout. Zero thoughts,” he tells the magazine in this week’s cover story. “I thought maybe I was being punked. That’s not exactly how I wake up, thinking, ‘Is today the day I’ll be asked to be Sexiest Man Alive?’ But hey, you guys did it, so I guess the bar’s been raised.”

Krasinski’s wife, actress Emily Blunt, was equally thrilled by the announcement. She’s even joked she’d wallpaper their entire home with the magazine cover. “Do we have that on camera? Because that’s like a binding contract, I think,” he quips. “My kids will love that—won’t be weird at all!”

Despite his heartthrob status, Krasinski insists he’s just a husband and dad who loves Netflix documentaries and bedtime stories. He shares a home in Brooklyn with Blunt, 41, and their daughters, Hazel, 10, and Violet, 8. Known for his nine-year role as Jim Halpert on The Office, Krasinski has since proven himself as a Hollywood powerhouse. He co-wrote, directed, and starred alongside Blunt in the 2018 thriller A Quiet Place, which led to two sequels. He also transformed himself physically for Michael Bay’s 13 Hours and then took on the role of Jack Ryan in Prime Video’s hit series, now expanding to a feature film.

This year, Krasinski starred in, wrote, produced, and directed the film IF, further establishing his status as a multi-talented filmmaker. He recalls the challenges of moving from comedy to directing: “I had to pitch the studio like 54 times for A Quiet Place before they said yes,” he jokes. “Someone even asked, ‘Wait, is Jim from The Office really going to direct this?’ And I said, ‘Well, it’s John, but we’ll get there.’”

These days, Krasinski is grateful for the journey he’s on with Blunt. “It’s that beautiful thing where, when you’re married, you’re constantly learning, changing, and evolving. I’m so lucky to go through all that with her,” he says.

So, what does the Sexiest Man Alive title mean for his daily life? Not much, according to Krasinski. “I think it just means I’ll be doing more household chores,” he laughs. “Emily will probably say, ‘All right, now you’ve got to really earn it here at home.’”

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Sting has clarified that the recent allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs do not impact his feelings toward “Every Breath You Take,” The Police’s iconic hit famously sampled by Diddy for his Grammy-winning track, “I’ll Be Missing You.” In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Sting emphasized that the song remains meaningful to him, regardless of its association with the music mogul.

When the interviewer noted that fans continue to enjoy hearing “Every Breath You Take,” Sting responded, “Absolutely.” He explained his broader perspective on sampling, pointing to a recent collaboration on 2023’s “Dreaming” with Pink and Marshmello, which includes elements from his solo song “Fields of Gold.”

Asked why he thinks his music keeps attracting younger artists, Sting admitted he doesn’t know the reason but appreciates it. “I have no idea, but when somebody wants to interpolate or whatever it’s called, I never object,” he said. “I always learn something new about the song that I hadn’t known or anticipated. And I get paid, so why not? It keeps the songs current.”

Sting added, “Songs are living organisms—you have to keep breathing life into them or giving them new bedfellows.”

Diddy, who collaborated with Sting at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards after sampling “Every Breath You Take,” has been facing serious legal issues. In September, the 55-year-old was arrested on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution following nearly a year of investigations, home raids, and lawsuits alleging abuse. Currently held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, Diddy’s attorney filed a motion for bail, which remains pending after an earlier $50 million bail request was denied.

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