free html hit counter USA Update – Page 563 – My Blog

USA Update

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

Harvard got $49M from feds to fund unlawful DEI programs, discrimination suit claims

America First Legal, along with the Department of Justice's Office of Civil Rights, claimed that the Ivy League school was violating Title VI, Title IX of federal law, along with President Trump's executive actions and the US Supreme Court's 2023 ruling outlawing race-based affirmative action.

Read More »

Godfather trilogy director Francis Ford Coppola breaks silence after being ‘rushed to hospital’ in Italy

THE Godfather trilogy director Francis Ford Coppola has broken his silence after he was reportedly rushed to hospital in Italy.

The legendary American filmmaker, 86, shared a health update with fans following his shocking hospitalisation in Rome on Tuesday.

Francis Ford Coppola at the Oscars.
Francis Ford Coppola has broken his silence after he was reportedly rushed to hospital in Italy
Francis Ford Coppola at the AFI Life Achievement Award Ceremony.
Coppola’s most notable work includes Apocalypse Now and The Godfather trilogy
Francis Ford Coppola's social media post announcing his health update.
Instagram/francisfordcoppola

Coppola was reportedly admitted to public hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata after a screening of his film Megalopolis in Calabria.

But the Hollywood giant has now taken to social media to reassure fans of his condition.

On Tuesday night, he said on Instagram that he had visited hospital for a scheduled procedure with Dr. Andrea Natale – a renowned heart specialist who has treated him for over three decades.

He also posted a photo of himself smiling and looking relaxed, along with text that read: “I am well.

“Da Dada (what my kids call me) is fine, taking an opportunity while in Rome to do the update of my 30-year-old AFib procedure with its inventor, a great Italian doctor – Dr. Andrea Natale!”

Reports suggested that the renowned director was admitted to hospital for a possible heart procedure tied to a mild cardiac arrhythmia.

This would line up with Coppola‘s mention of updating his long-standing AFib treatment. 

But this speculation has not been officially confirmed.

Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, and Giancarlo Esposito star in the Coppola’s latest, decades-in-the-making film, which has stirred considerable controversy.

He financed the $120million movie himself and premiered it at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

The passion project has proven something of a flop, broadly disappointing critics and audiences, and is the subject of an upcoming documentary called Megadoc.

Coppola has spent considerable time in Italy this year, partly to scout locations for another new film he planned to shoot in the autumn.

The director is considered one of the greatest filmmakers ever and has collected five Oscars in his career.

Among his numerous successes in the film business, Coppola directed iconic films including The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather and its acclaimed sequel The Godfather Part II.

Coppola’s wife, Eleanor, died last spring.

Francis Ford Coppola directing Robert De Niro on the set of *The Godfather Part II*.
Coppola guides Robert De Niro in a scene in The Godfather Part II, 1974 New york
Francis Ford Coppola holding two Academy Awards.
Francis Ford Coppola in his younger years

Born in Detroit, Michigan, to a father who was a flautist in the local orchestra, he is a second generation Italian immigrant.

He spent most of his childhood in Queens, New York.

His first success was with the 1968 film Finian’s Rainbow, starring Petula Clark and Fred Astaire.

But his breakthrough was with The Godfather in 1972, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Robert Duvall.

The film won three Oscars – including Best Picture – and was a box-office phenomenon, grossing $291million worldwide making it the highest grossing movie ever made at that point.

Further cementing his legacy, Coppola followed that triumph up with a 1974 sequel The Godfather Part II which, despite only grossing $98m, was lauded by movie critics.

With some experts even calling the four-hour opus superior to the original, it won an astonishing six Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.

Coppola’s other monumental achievement is Vietnam war epic Apocalypse Now which cost a huge $31.5m to make in 1979.

By comparison, Star Wars was made for just $11m two years earlier.

Starring Brando and Martin Sheen, the film was thankfully a financial success grossing $150m worldwide. It was awarded the prestigious Palme d’Or at the ’79 Cannes Film Festival.

Francis Ford Coppola on the set of Apocalypse Now.
Coppola during the filming of Apocalypse Now in the Philippines in 1976

Read More »

Philadelphia Eagles receive incredible news after landing star from rival who is ‘most underrated young CB in NFL’

THE Philadelphia Eagles have gotten rave reviews for their latest trade acquisition of a cornerback.

The Eagles continue to make moves for the upcoming season as they try to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Howie Roseman, general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, speaking at a press conference.
Getty
The Philadelphia Eagles, led by general manager Howie Roseman, have made a trade as the 2025 regular season approaches[/caption]
Jakorian Bennett #0 of the Las Vegas Raiders warming up.
Getty
The Eagles finalized a trade in which they acquired cornerback Jakorian Bennett[/caption]

Late Monday night, the Eagles traded defensive lineman Thomas Booker to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for cornerback Jakorian Bennett.

The move came as a surprise as Philadelphia traded the 25-year-old Booker, who was a rotational player from their Super Bowl-59 winning squad.

Booker played in 21 games, including the playoffs, for the Eagles, but never started a single game due to the presence of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.

But Philly’s new addition, Bennett, is seen as a cornerback with plenty of potential.

The 24-year-old has started in 11 games over the past two campaigns.

The Maryland product Bennett is the only cornerback in the NFL with 300-plus defensive snaps without allowing a touchdown last season.

The 2023 fourth-round pick also allowed less than 5.5 yards per target.

And opposing quarterbacks posted a passer rating of just 57.9 against him.

Bennett also played through a torn labrum, which made his season even more impressive.

Fans have praised the Eagles’ addition of the third-year veteran on social media.

“Bennett is a stud… nice work Eagles,” one wrote.

“Knowing the Eagles, Bennett will become an all pro,” a second added.

“Great trade for the eagles this guy was very good, on a bad raiders secondary last year,” a third said.

“The Raiders just handed Philly one of the most underrated young CBs in the league…,” a fourth added.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (#0) in uniform.
Getty
Bennett seen during Week 1 of the 2024 season[/caption]

Read More »

Every single US state will crack down on ‘stop arm’ law from August 11 on – drivers can get up to a $1,500 fine

DRIVERS need to be extra cautious as the school season nears due to a nationwide crackdown on passing school buses

Americans will need to watch out for school buses as the stop-arm law goes into effect during the school year.

Traffic stopped behind a school bus letting children off.
Alamy
Drivers are required to stop when a bus deploys its stop-arm[/caption]
School bus stop sign.
Getty
If a driver violates the stop sign, they can face hundreds in fines[/caption]

While each state has slightly different restrictions on the stop-arm law, passing school buses is illegal nationwide

The stop-arm rule requires all traffic to stop when a school bus puts out its stop sign to pick up students.

The law is meant to help students, and those who violate it can be fined or, in some states, face jail time

The law takes effect in some states as early as August 11, when schools first reopen.

Drivers caught violating the stop-arm law by buses equipped with cameras can face fines of $250 $300.

Those caught by law enforcement officers can face fines of thousands of dollars or more.

Passing a bus while its stop sign is out is the equivalent of going through a red stoplight, according to Bus Patrol.

Drivers should always be prepared to stop once the school bus activates its flashing yellow lights, which act as a cautionary warning.

When the bus begins to flash its red lights and extend the stop arm, the bus driver is indicating that students will be getting on or off the bus.

A study conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services found that there were more than 43.5 million illegal school bus passings in the United States during the 2022-2023 school year. 

To reduce drivers passing the buses, states began raising the fees for violators. 

In New York State, a first-time conviction will result in a $250 to $400 fee.

However, those who are repeat offenders within three years can be fined up to $1,500.

Repeat offenders are also at risk for serving jail time and getting their license immediately suspended.

What is the stop-arm law?

During the school year, drivers need to be aware of when school buses are stopping to let out students. All drivers are required to stop when a school bus deploys its stop arm. If a driver does not stop, they may face fees and jail time.

In Florida, the minimum fine was raised from $265 to $465 if a driver passes on the side where children are walking. 

In the event of an accident resulting in bodily harm, the driver would be fined $1,500.

Some drivers may need to perform community service if they violate the law. 

Drivers living in Utah may face charges for a Class C misdemeanor, carrying a minimum fine of $1,000.

In every state, multiple violations can result in additional points being added to a driver’s license.

The law will begin later in other states such as Washington, where public schools don’t open until September 3.

Read More »