Best Bets • 12-06-24

Newly declassified MI5 files have revealed that film star Dirk Bogarde had been warned by security services that the KGB had identified him as a “practising homosexual” and he could face being compromised in a sting operation. The files show that his name appeared on a list of six British gay men given to the Russians by a source who had himself been blackmailed during a visit to Moscow in the late 1950s. The document goes on to describe the actor as “clearly disturbed” by the news.Bogarde never publicly came out but lived with his manager and life partner Anthony Forwood.

In collaboration with six activists, the HSE has launched ‘You, Me and HIV,’ a powerful new campaign aiming to address misconceptions and combat HIV-related stigma in Ireland.

When Andrew Joseph White, a 26-year-old transgender author, released his third novel, “Compound Fractures,” a young adult thriller, last fall, it became an instant New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller.

passed her firefighter exam) or that the department’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives took money away from firefighting efforts.Experts believe that the wildfires currently ravaging Southern California are caused by climate change, which has altered wind and rain patterns in the region, and, when combined with a lack of rainfall, hot Santa Ana winds that have dehydrated vegetation, and a series of extended droughts that have plagued California in recent years, creates fires that are more severe and harder to contain.Additionally, the Los Angeles infrastructure contains an abundance of flammable materials, including low-hanging power cables and wooden telephone poles, that make perfect fuel for a fire. Due to these conditions, any small spark can lead to an out-of-control fire.Still, according to conservative news outlets, the wildfires are an example of “death by DEI,” in which either allegedly unqualified individuals are promoted to positions where they are ineffective in stopping natural disasters or preventable crimes, or where people in positions of power have prioritized diversifying their workforce over promoting people on “merit.”Newsmax host Rob Finnerty claimed last week that Crowley was “incompetent” at her job, citing, as evidence for this claim, the fact that the Los Angeles city website notes she is the first female and LGBTQ fire chief in the city’s history.Finnerty appeared to link Crowley’s sexual orientation to DEI, alleging that Crowley was more concerned about promoting pro-diversity hiring efforts than preparing for “wildfire season” by ensuring there was enough water in fire hydrants.

@maddow Show returns to 5 days a week for the first 100 days of the incoming Trump administration https://t.co/agIyNfOF1IIn other inauguration-related news, it emerged yesterday that singer Carrie Underwood will perform at the event in DC next week. She will sing “America The Beautiful”.In an official statement, Underwood said, “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event.“I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”While MAGA diehards have hailed Underwood a patriot for taking part in the inauguration, others have criticized the former American Idol contestant.