In a surprising turn of events, the legal battle between iconic musical duo Hall & Oates took a dramatic twist on November 29. Daryl Hall filed court papers accusing his partner, John Oates, of a betrayal he termed the “ultimate partnership betrayal.” The court declaration, obtained by Billboard, sheds light on a complex web of disputes, personal feelings, and a looming sale of their joint venture.
The dispute, initially shrouded in mystery, revolves around Oates’ alleged secret move to sell his half of their joint venture, Whole Oats Enterprises, to music company Primary Wave. Hall described this as an “ambush” that left him “blindsided,” filing a lawsuit in Tennessee seeking to block the sale.
Hall’s unsealed declaration not only revealed details about the alleged betrayal but also highlighted ongoing issues in their musical partnership. He accused Oates of engaging in the “ultimate partnership betrayal” by attempting to sell assets without obtaining his consent. The filing hinted at a broader “divorce” between the two partners, with Hall expressing disappointment over Oates’ recent adversarial behavior.
The declaration disclosed Hall’s strong objection to partnering with Primary Wave, citing concerns over the company’s focus on exploiting copyrights, trademarks, and name and likeness rights. Hall emphasized the highly personal nature of these assets, expressing deep upset at the potential forced partnership.
Furthermore, Hall disclosed that Oates never discussed selling his share in Whole Oats Enterprises during discussions about dissolving their touring company and other joint ventures. Oates, in response, refuted accusations of breaching their agreement and insisted that Hall’s claims were not true.
The legal dispute has gripped the public’s attention since news of the lawsuit first surfaced, leading to days of speculation. A court hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning in Nashville, promising further revelations and potentially bringing clarity to this unexpected rift between the legendary musical partners.
Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X, has been marked by significant changes and challenges over the past year. Musk, initially a fervent Twitter user, made headlines with a $44 billion bid for the platform, facing legal battles when attempting to backpedal on the deal due to fluctuations in tech stocks.
Since closing the debt-heavy deal on October 27, 2022, Musk wasted no time implementing substantial alterations. This includes an 80% reduction in staff, a renaming of the company to “X,” and modifications to the blue check-mark system, now reserving “verified” status for $8-per-month X Premium subscribers. Additionally, Musk initiated a test to charge users $1 per year for posting, citing the need to combat bots.
However, the aftermath of Musk’s takeover has been marked by a decline in user engagement. Numerous users, including celebrities, have reportedly left X/Twitter in response to the dramatic changes. Monthly active users for X/Twitter saw a 15% drop worldwide (18% in the U.S.) year-over-year in September 2023, according to SimilarWeb. Sensor Tower reported a 16% decrease in mobile daily active users to 183 million in the same month.
Advertising on X/Twitter has also experienced a significant downturn, with U.S. ad spending dropping by 54% from September 2022 to August 2023, according to Guideline. Musk’s decisions, such as reinstating banned accounts and his own unconventional posts, have left advertisers cautious.
Musk attributes the decline in ad sales to activist groups, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), accusing them of harming X’s advertising business. Despite a threat to sue the ADL for defamation, tensions seem to have eased, with the group acknowledging X’s intent to address hate speech.
In March, Musk stated that Twitter’s value had decreased by more than half, reaching $20 billion. Admitting to a cash-flow negative status in July, Musk, with an estimated net worth of $220.8 billion, expressed his commitment to transforming X into an all-encompassing platform, handling users’ entire financial lives.
Facing criticism and controversies, Musk hired Linda Yaccarino as X’s CEO in the summer, overseeing ad sales and business operations while Musk retains control over technology and product decisions. Yaccarino, however, faced challenges in staying aligned with Musk’s plans, as evidenced in her apparent lack of awareness regarding Musk’s announcement of a fee for all users.
Despite the challenges, Yaccarino remains optimistic, highlighting achievements in a blog post and claiming that X is regaining “advertiser momentum.” The company aims to launch a global payment system, with licenses secured in several states.
As X celebrates its one-year anniversary, Musk’s ambitious vision for the platform’s future and its financial outlook remain uncertain.
On Wednesday, the firm representing Henry Kissinger announced the passing of the influential diplomat at the age of 100. Kissinger, who served as secretary of state and national security adviser under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, continued to be a significant voice on foreign policy matters long after leaving government service in 1977.
Known for his approach of “realpolitik,” engaging with the world based on practical objectives rather than moral ideals, Kissinger played a key role in the secret diplomacy that facilitated a thaw in U.S.-China relations. However, he faced accusations of war crimes for actions such as the bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War and support for Pakistan’s actions in Bangladesh.
Born as Heinz Alfred Kissinger in Germany in 1923, his Jewish family fled Nazi Germany in 1938, settling in New York City. After serving in the U.S. Army, where he became a naturalized citizen, Kissinger embarked on a distinguished academic career, eventually joining Harvard’s faculty.
In 1968, Nixon appointed Kissinger as his national security adviser, and later, he became secretary of state, holding both titles simultaneously in a historic first. Kissinger’s diplomatic efforts with the Soviet Union and China are credited with reshaping the direction of the Cold War, including landmark agreements like the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
While he received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his role in Vietnam War talks, Kissinger faced criticism for his involvement in controversial actions, such as the U.S. carpet-bombing of Cambodia and support for undemocratic regimes in Chile and Pakistan.
After leaving government, Kissinger remained a prominent figure in foreign policy, advising multiple presidents and offering insights into global events. Even in his late 90s, he continued to contribute to discussions on international affairs.
Survived by his two children from his first marriage, Elizabeth and David, and his wife, Nancy, whom he married in 1974, Kissinger’s passing marks the end of an era for American diplomacy. His legacy is celebrated by some, while others remember the controversies surrounding his influential career.
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) is closely monitoring a robust storm system currently sweeping through our region this morning and expected to persist into the evening.
REMINDER: Stay Weather Aware Today! Anticipate heavy rainfall across the majority of our area, with residents likely to experience 1-3 inches of rain, while isolated areas might receive up to 5 inches. Damaging wind gusts and large hail are also plausible, but the primary concern is the potential for isolated tornadoes. The likelihood of severe weather is highest from late morning through early evening.
Stay tuned to various media outlets for up-to-date information on severe weather conditions. Follow weather safety guidelines from the National Weather Service (NWS) and other authorized sources. In the event of a Tornado Warning, seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of your building and steer clear of windows. Stay in place until the danger has passed. Additional tornado safety tips can be found at www.ready.gov/tornadoes.
Be aware of the possibility of street flooding in areas with the heaviest rainfall today. Before hitting the road, consult the Houston TranStar live traffic map for updates on road conditions.
Brief, intense periods of rainfall may result in temporary rises along our network of streams and bayous. Stay informed about real-time waterway conditions through the Harris County Flood Control District Flood Warning System.
Take a moment today to ensure that your mobile devices are configured to receive wireless emergency alerts (WEA). The NWS will utilize these alerts to notify residents in the path of potentially hazardous weather. WEA messages play a crucial role in saving lives. Make sure your devices are set up: Apple | Android
HCOHSEM will provide timely updates through social media, ReadyHarris Alerts, and ReadyHarris Accessible Alerts. Stay informed and stay safe.
The Multicultural Education and Counseling Through the Arts nonprofit organization, better known as MECA, a Houston-based nonprofit deeply rooted in Latino culture, proudly announces the appointment of Gumaro Armando Silva as its new Executive Director. Silva will succeed Alice Valdez, who announced in October 2023 her intention to retire from MECA after leading the organization for 46 years. MECA Founder Alice Valdez served as Executive Director since 1977 and will continue to serve in an advisory role until her retirement at the end of 2023.
Armando joined MECA in 1991 as an aspiring ballet and modern dance student while attending the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. With unconditional support from Alice Valdez, Armando was accepted into Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he continued his dance studies. Thanks to MECA’s ongoing support, he later received a full-ride scholarship to attend the Ailey Dance School in New York, NY before moving back to Texas, where he spent a decade with the Dallas Black Dance Theater.
Throughout the years, Armando has held a number of positions across the organization, quickly moving into key leadership roles including the assistant to the Executive Director and, most recently, serving as the Acting Executive Director. Some of his responsibilities prior to stepping into the Executive Director role included co-curator of the MECA Presents Performances Series, Festival Chair of MECA’s Annual Día de Muertos Festival and Director of MECA’s Sunburst Summer Arts Camp, an 8-week camp that blends arts education and academic techniques to address the learning loss that often occurs when students are out of school for the summer.
Armando’s extensive personal and professional knowledge of MECA positions him well to continue the long tradition of fostering the healthy development of families through arts and cultural programming, academic excellence and community building.
“I am 100% proof that the work that was done by Alice Valdez, the incredible MECA instructors and staff, and the Board of Directors is powerful and it works. As my part of the legacy, I aim to continue this work and expand on it. I invite you to be a part of the community, whether it’s volunteering, taking or teaching classes with us, we would love for you to join us. There’s always so many great things happening at MECA,” shares Armando.
Armando’s vision for the future of MECA is based on his unique understanding of the value MECA brings to all those whose lives are transformed by its rich cultural programming. His mission is to continue working on the following projects:
Dow School Rehabilitation
Fostering relationships with current and future funders
Encouraging the Houston community to be a part of MECA
Please join us in congratulating Armando in his new role! To hear directly from Armando about his mission and vision for MECA, please watch this video. Official headshots and photographs of Armando’s journey at MECA can be found here.
About MECA: Established in 1977, Multicultural Education and Counseling Through the Arts (MECA) is a nonprofit organization deeply rooted in the community, housed within the historic Dow School building situated in Houston’s Old Sixth Ward. MECA is dedicated to fostering the well-being and growth of underserved youth and adults by offering diverse arts and cultural programs. In 1979, MECA received 501(c)(3) status and was formally incorporated.
In 1993, MECA relocated to its present location in the historic Dow School building, a structure built in 1912 and proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, this school is undergoing a restoration process through MECA’s Dow School Rehabilitation Project. Today, MECA extends its offerings through the Out-of-School Program, encompassing a wide range of courses that include classical and cultural instrumental studies. Additionally, MECA provides essential support services for families in the community.
In 2019, MECA took on the management of the former Talento Bilingue de Houston (TBH Center), a 10,000-square-foot facility adjacent to Guadalupe Plaza Park in Houston’s East End. Presently, MECA’s East End campus (TBH Center) operates seven days a week and serves as a hub for diverse dance companies and theater groups, offering rehearsal spaces and performance venues for various organizations. For further details about MECA, please visit our website at meca-houston.org.
The Houston Fire Department is pleased to announce the commencement of in-store shopping for Operation Stocking Stuffer (OSS) 2023! The shopping season kicks off with the OSS title sponsor, Shell Oil Company. Additionally, a portion of the toys purchased during select in-store shopping trips will be donated to teenagers under care and treatment at the Ronald McDonald House.
In the coming week and a half, numerous volunteers will join forces with Houston firefighters at various Target stores to shop for those in the greatest need. Target is the official brick-and-mortar retailer for the OSS toy drive.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to our corporate sponsors who will actively participate in filling baskets with toys, contributing to the joy of thousands of children in the Houston area this Christmas.
Scheduled Shopping Dates:
December 1st:
Shell Oil: 9am-11am, Location: Target Memorial City
In a historic feat, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans has been named both AFC Offensive Player of the Month and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for November by the NFL. Stroud joins an elite group as only the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to achieve the AFC Offensive Player of the Month accolade and one of just five players ever to secure both honors in the same month, alongside Barry Sanders (1989), Edgerrin James (1999), Mike Anderson (2000), Kareem Hunt (2017), and Deshaun Watson (2017).
Throughout November, Stroud delivered an array of record-breaking performances, completing 106 of 154 pass attempts (68.8 percent) for 1,466 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions, earning an impressive passer rating of 109.9. His stellar performances propelled the Texans to a 3-1 record during the month, including an impressive three-game winning streak, making him the quarterback with the most victories in November.
During Week 9, Stroud established a new rookie record by amassing the most passing yards in a single game (470) in NFL history. Notably, he became only the third player ever to achieve 470-plus passing yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a single game. In Week 10, Stroud continued his remarkable run with a come-from-behind victory against Cincinnati, securing his place as the only rookie in the last 40 years to lead game-winning drives starting in the final two minutes of regulation in consecutive games. Additionally, he became just the second rookie in NFL history to surpass 800 passing yards in a two-game span.
Finishing the month as the conference leader in numerous key passing categories, including completions, yards, passer rating, touchdown passes, yards per attempt, and big pass plays, Stroud capped off his outstanding November by setting an NFL record for the most passing yards (3,266) through a player’s first 11 career games.
This recognition marks Stroud’s fourth league honor this season, following his AFC Offensive Player of the Week award in Week 9 and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for September. He now joins the ranks of Texans legends Deshaun Watson (2017, 2019), Andre Johnson (2008, 2012), and Arian Foster (2010, 2011) as the fourth player in franchise history to receive the AFC Offensive Player of the Month distinction.
In his rookie season, the Texans’ second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has started all 11 appearances, completing 249 of 391 pass attempts (63.7 percent) for 19 touchdowns with just five interceptions, boasting a passer rating of 100.8. Additionally, Stroud has contributed 29 carries for 132 yards and three rushing scores.
Today, District Attorney Kim Ogg of Harris County announced a $269,000 grant from her office to a local organization. This funding aims to quadruple the organization’s staff of forensic sexual assault interviewers, with the goal of providing a more sensitive and less intimidating experience for crime victims.
Ogg collaborated with experts in the field of interviewing sexual assault victims to elaborate on the process of “adult forensic interviewing.” This method involves highly trained professionals meeting with victims to gather the necessary information for identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators without exacerbating the fear and trauma associated with sexual assault. Adult forensic interviewers work in coordination with law enforcement to conduct interviews in a secure, neutral, and less intimidating environment compared to traditional settings like police stations or hospital interview rooms.
The result is that victims often feel more comfortable sharing detailed information compared to a more aggressive law enforcement interview.
Ogg emphasized the invasive and traumatizing nature of sexual assault, stating, “Anything we can do to lessen that trauma and still obtain the information needed to apprehend these attackers is money well spent.”
Khara Breeden, the founder and CEO of the Forensic Center of Excellence, mentioned that Ogg’s office has been supporting the center’s Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners adult forensic interviewing programs for over two years. With the grant from the District Attorney’s Office, the agency will be able to hire three additional full-time forensic interviewers, bringing the total to four. The center is based in offices located in the Upper Kirby District.
El éxodo de X está llegando más allá de los grandes anunciantes.
En los últimos días, varias marcas de medios prominentes no solo han pausado sus campañas de marketing pago en la plataforma social propiedad de Elon Musk, sino que han dejado de publicar en ella por completo, guardando silencio en el sitio que alguna vez fue esencial y que buscaba ser el sitio más importante del mundo. plaza de la ciudad digital “.
Las cuentas emblemáticas de Disney, Paramount, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures, Universal y Warner Bros. Discovery (la empresa matriz de CNN) no han publicado en la plataforma en aproximadamente 10 días, tras el inquietante respaldo de Musk a una teoría de conspiración antisemita, que todavía no se ha disculpado por.
El bloqueo de X se extiende más allá de las cuentas corporativas de estas empresas, en algunos casos. Por ejemplo, las cuentas de más alto perfil afiliadas a Disney han dejado de funcionar en X, como @StarWars, @Pixar y @MarvelStudios, que anteriormente publicaban varias veces al día en la plataforma para sus millones de seguidores. En cambio, estas marcas se han pasado al rival Threads, propiedad de Meta, donde han comenzado a publicar activamente.
Por ejemplo, cuando “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” compartió el lunes la noticia de que el presentador Stephen Colbert estaría fuera del aire esta semana debido a apendicitis, el programa lo hizo en Threads. Sin embargo, antes de que Musk respaldara una publicación antisemita, el programa de Colbert estaba principalmente activo en X, publicando regularmente videos y otro contenido. Ahora bien, ocurre lo contrario.
Cuando se contactó con él para hacer comentarios el lunes, un representante de X no respondió directamente a las preguntas sobre la pérdida de los gigantes de los medios en la plataforma, lo que debe estar haciendo sonar las alarmas dentro de la empresa de redes sociales. Ya es bastante malo para una empresa en dificultades quedarse sin ingresos publicitarios. Es aún peor si también carece de contenido, particularmente de entidades domésticas que han ayudado a que la plataforma sea el centro de discusión en tiempo real durante años.
Por supuesto, es posible que estas empresas cambien de rumbo en el futuro y reanuden la publicación e incluso la publicidad en la plataforma. No sería la primera vez que esto sucede después de que los anunciantes huyen en masa de un medio. Pero también es posible que eso no suceda.
Con Musk al mando de la plataforma en el futuro previsible, supervisando las decisiones críticas que han llevado a un aumento del discurso de odio (al tiempo que también contribuye personalmente a la terrible retórica), el cálculo de riesgo versus recompensa sobre si involucrarse o no con la compañía ha cambiado. cayó en picada. La situación no es diferente a cuando Tucker Carlson ahuyentó permanentemente a la mayoría de los anunciantes de la hora de las 8 p.m. de Fox News durante su tiempo en la cadena.
Y si más empresas y otras figuras notables abandonan la plataforma de Musk por otras redes sociales, se extinguirá el atractivo que alguna vez tuvo, proporcionando otra razón más para que los usuarios promedio abandonen la problemática plataforma.
“Cada día, más marcas se dan cuenta de la realidad de que Twitter está muerto y X es un pozo negro”, dijo Casey Newton de Platformer. “La plaza mundial está ahora dispersa en muchas plataformas diferentes, y cada vez más las conversaciones más relevantes tienen lugar en otros lugares”.
Forty-one construction workers emerged from a collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi, a town in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, on Tuesday, concluding a 17-day ordeal that captivated the nation and required an extensive rescue operation. The workers, who were stranded following a landslide, walked out to jubilant crowds and celebratory firecrackers after receiving a brief medical examination.
Nitin Gadkari, the minister of road transport and highways, expressed relief and joy in a video posted on the social media platform X, commending the well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies in what he termed one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years.
The collapse of a section of the 4.5-kilometer tunnel occurred about 200 meters from the entrance on November 12, caused by a landslide. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported. The workers, trapped near the tunnel entrance, were provided with essential supplies, including food, water, and oxygen through pipes. A team of doctors, including psychiatrists, monitored their health throughout the ordeal.
Initially expected to last only a few days, the rescue operation faced setbacks, extending the workers’ time underground. The final stretch involved manual digging by a team of rescuers after the machinery used for the operation broke down. The workers were eventually extracted individually on a wheeled stretcher through a meter-wide tunnel of welded pipes.
All 41 workers emerged in good health, receiving checkups at a makeshift medical camp before being transported away in ambulances. Most of the workers were migrant laborers from various parts of the country, and their families had gathered at the site, anxiously awaiting their rescue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to some of the workers, praising their courage and patience, while also commending the collaborative efforts of those involved in the rescue mission. The tunnel was part of the Chardham all-weather road project, connecting Hindu pilgrimage sites, and has been a flagship initiative of the federal government. Critics argue that such projects may contribute to fragile conditions in the upper Himalayas, where towns are built atop landslide debris.
