Blog

Dean Cain slams James Gunn’s ‘immigrant’ comments about ‘Superman’

Dean Cain isn’t too pleased with how James Gunn is portraying the Man of Steel in his new film.

Cain famously played Superman from 1993 to 1997 in the television series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.”

In a recent interview with TMZ, the actor weighed in on the new film hitting theaters this weekend.

Dean Cain and Terri Hatcher in “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.” (promotional image)

“What cracks me up is that people don’t like Superman, he was traditionally called the ‘Big Blue Boy Scout’ and Superman’s inherent weakness is his goodness. I mean, sorry, those are great values, in my opinion, and I root for that,” he told the outlet.

He then switched gears to address director James Gunn’s recent comments about the famous superhero in an interview with The Times U.K. In the interview, Gunn mentioned how “Superman is the story of America.”

“An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost,” he explained. “It’s about human kindness and obviously, there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them.”

The outlet noted that the comic book hero was developed in 1933 by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, American sons of Jewish immigrants.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Nicholas Hoult, left, David Corenswet, center, and director James Gunn on the set of “Superman.” (Jessica Miglio/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Gunn’s comments caught the ire of Fox News’ Jesse Watters, who then commented that the new Superman’s cape reads MS-13, referencing the transnational gang that has been designated as global terrorists.

Cain, who praised Watters, said he believes Watters’ comment was to point out, “How woke is Hollywood going to make this character? How much is Disney going to change their Snow White? Why are they going to change these characters that exist for ‘the times.’”

The 2025 version of “Snow White” drew controversy over the lead actress, Rachel Zegler’s ethnicity. She’s of Colombian descent.

Cain, a supporter of President Donald Trump, also had issues with other changes to the lore of Superman.

“For Superman, it was truth, justice, and the American way. Well, they dropped that. They let (that trademark on that) go. They came up with truth, justice and a better tomorrow,” he continued. “Changing beloved characters, I don’t think, is a great idea. I think if you want to create a new character, go ahead and do that, but for me, Superman has always stood for truth, justice and the American way, and the American way is immigrant-friendly, tremendously immigrant-friendly, but there are rules.”

He then dove into his own opinions about immigration into the U.S. before circling back to how he feels Gunn did the movie a disservice with his comments.

“I think bringing Superman into it, it was a mistake by James Gunn to, you know, say it’s an immigrant thing. I think it’s going to hurt the numbers of the movie. I was excited for the film. I’m excited to see what it is, because James Gunn seems to have a sense of humor, and the last iterations of Superman didn’t have much humor. So I’m rooting for it to be a success, but I don’t like that last political comment.”

He doesn’t believe it will “tank like Snow White,” but he doesn’t think it “will help the numbers.” He also felt “people really need to be educated on this immigration situation because we are the most immigrant-friendly country on this planet, by far.”

Variety posted a story about Cain’s comments on Instagram, which prompted some in Hollywood to weigh in as well.

“Superman was born on another planet and migrated to Earth on a spaceship. He happened to have landed on Earth. That is a fact,” commented Oscar Nuñez of “The Office.”

“How is it divisive calling a literal illegal alien an ‘immigrant in the context of the story and the comic? It is accurate. Superman doesn’t shy away from it. They don’t have to create a new character when that’s how the character exists. Read the comics,” wrote Marcel Spears of “The Neighborhood.”

Actress Yvette Nicole Brown just wrote, “*sigh*.”

“Superman” hits theaters on Friday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.

Continue Reading

July 10, 2025
Actor Julian McMahon’s official cause of death revealed

CNN
—

As friends and former costars continue to mourn actor Julian McMahon, more details about his death from cancer have been revealed in a new medical examiner’s office report.

The actor, 56, died from lung metastasis as a consequence of head and neck metastatic cancer, according to a cremation approval summary report from the medical examiner’s office in Pinellas County, Florida.

The report, obtained by CNN, said McMahon died on July 2.

McMahon’s wife Kelly McMahon announced on July 4 that her husband died “peacefully… after a valiant effort to overcome cancer.”

McMahon starred in the Ryan Murphy-created “Nip/Tuck” and was also known for a pivotal role in TV’s “Charmed.”

Additionally, he played Dr. Victor Von Doom in the “Fantastic Four” movies costarring Jessica Alba and Chris Evans from 2005 and 2007.

Alyssa Milano, who starred in “Charmed” and was McMahon’s character’s onscreen spouse, wrote in a tribute last week on social media that she was “heartbroken” to learn of his passing, calling her former costar “magic.”

“That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence. He walked into a room and lit it up—not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding,” she wrote. “We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other.”

Ioan Gruffudd, who costarred as Mister Fantastic opposite McMahon’s Dr. Doom in the “Fantastic Four” movies, also paid tribute to him on Instagram.

“Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together. Every encounter with him was a joy,” he wrote.

Continue Reading

July 10, 2025
Pentagon takes stake in US rare earth company – Arab News PK
1. Pentagon takes stake in US rare earth company Arab News PK
2. US government to invest in rare earths production BBC
3. Pentagon digs deep to mine SPAC of last resort Breakingviews
4. Why Energy Fuels Stock Popped Today Yahoo Finance
5. Magnets, missiles and mines: How MP Materials became the Pentagon’s secret rare earths weapon for next-gen The Economic Times
Continue Reading
July 10, 2025
The 10 Best Dressed Stars From Couture Week

In Paris these past few days, the fall 2025 shows at couture week took over the City of Light. As luxury fashion houses showcased the finest craftsmanship they can offer, VIP celebrities took in the glorious designs from the front row. And given that couture week is no average fashion week (it is ultra exclusive), stars were sure to bring their sartorial A-game to the presentations—delivering bold, avant-garde looks that were all about the art of the fashion transformation.

The best dressed stars of the week were those who understood that attending couture is a privilege—and that your looks for the week should be a moment. Nobody did this better than Cardi B: The rapper attended several shows in a series of bold, striking looks. Her Schiaparelli outfit, however, was certainly the most-discussed. The star showed up in a pearl-fringed, three-dimensional cape, and carrying a live raven. (The bird has become a recurring motif while teasing her upcoming album, Am I the Drama?).

But Cardi was not the only star to bring the drama (pun intended) to the shows. At Balenciaga, Lorde sported a sheer metallic slip gown; At Chanel, forever-chic filmmaker Sofia Coppola and her two teenage daughters—Romy and Cosima Mars—coordinated in pastel hues. As for one of the most fashion-forward models on the scene this week? Supermodel Alex Consani brought impeccable style as she ran from one show to the next. Her couture wardrobe was filled with casual-cool pieces like slouchy jeans and itty-bitty Alaïa bags.

Below, the 10 best dressed stars from couture week.

Cardi B

‘2025 Getty Images’

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Lorde

Video: Courtesy of Vogue

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian

Video: Courtesy of Vogue

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

The Coppolas

Photo: Getty Images

Tessa Thompson

Video: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Alex Consani

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Naomi Watts and Kai Schreiber

Photo: Getty Images

Continue Reading

July 10, 2025
Switzerland break new ground at EURO 2025 by reaching knockout stage

How Switzerland bounced back at the right time

Until today, Switzerland had never reached the quarter-final stage of any international tournament.

Coming into this one, it didn’t feel as though they were going to make it out of the group.

Before July, they had won just one of their last seven games on their way to being relegated to League B of the UEFA Nations League.

By all accounts, they were carrying the form of a team far and away from their best.

So, what changed?

The answer is simple: the power of hosting.

In the last two editions of the EUROs, the winning side was the nation who hosted the competition.

It just invokes something special within a team, as it has with this year’s host, a side that has shown real fighting spirit in front of their home crowd.

Even in their opening defeat to Norway, a game of fine margins, they demonstrated that they should not be discounted.

Thursday proved to be the biggest test of their character, trailing to Finland late on in a game where they needed to avoid defeat by all means necessary.

They did not panic. They believed. The fans believed. Every attack roared home by the Geneva crowd, who rallied behind them.

Pia Sundhage’s management prowess paid off, calling on the right substitutes at exactly the right moments.

Record-breaking crowds, a 14,000 strong fan march… this was a performance that paid back the faith supporters have shown in the squad.

This is more than just a draw for the Swiss – this is history.

Continue Reading

July 10, 2025
T20 Blast: Wins for Hampshire, Leicestershire and Worcestershire

After being put in and losing Tim Robinson without a run on the board, Northants’ David Willey was then dropped on nought with Sam Wood parrying the ball over the rope for six.

He went on to make 27 with Bopara scoring 53 from 40 balls and Saif Zaib smashing 30 from 18 balls as the Steelbacks reached 100-2 in the 11th over.

They collapsed to 129-7 at the start of the 15th before Luke Procter and Ben Sanderson steered them to 171-7.

There were two wickets apiece for England’s Josh Hull, Logan van Beek and spinner Josh Thomas, who is on a short-term loan from Somerset.

Rishi Patel also fell without scoring to start the Foxes reply but Shan Masood and Sol Budinger added 71 inside seven overs before Masood was strangled down the leg side for 25 and Budinger holed out for 40 from 22 balls soon after, both off George Scrimshaw.

Ahmed and Louis Kimber guided the Foxes to 100-3 in 11 overs but Kimber (17) was bowled by Scrimshaw who ended with 3-33, leaving Ben Cox (21* from 10) to join Ahmed to see the hosts to the line.

The England all-rounder hit three sixes in his 30-ball unbeaten 52 not out.

At Derby, Worcestershire made it back-to-back wins to move within four points of the top four.

They might have been regretting choosing to bat first when they fell to 10-4 in the third over, with Zak Chappell (3-26) in fine form, however Roderick made 71 from 59 balls and steadied the ship with Ethan Brookes (43 from 26) before a late flurry from Ben Dwarshuis (33* from 18) and Tom Taylor (14* from five) saw the visitors post 174-6.

Despite two early sixes from Caleb Jewell (16), the Falcons lost wickets at regular intervals and although 41-year-old Madsen hit 10 fours and cleared the ropes twice, his side were unable to keep up with the required rate thanks to some stifling bowling.

When Martin Andersson was run out by Adam Hose with 28 still needed from 13 balls the game was up and Madsen was left on 77 from 53 balls as the Rapids saw it out.

Continue Reading

July 10, 2025
S&P 500, Nasdaq post record closes, Nvidia closing valuation $4 trillion – Reuters
1. S&P 500, Nasdaq post record closes, Nvidia closing valuation $4 trillion Reuters
2. How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 7/10/2025 The Washington Post
3. US stocks edge to fresh records despite tariff fog Inquirer.net
4. Stock markets rise to new records thanks to the one-two punch of airlines and Big Tech Yahoo Finance
5. The Nasdaq Is Mirroring the 1990s. It Isn’t a Bubble This Time. Barron’s
Continue Reading
July 10, 2025
The UN warns millions will die by 2029 if US funding for HIV programs isn’t replaced

LONDON (AP) — Years of American-led investment into AIDS programs has reduced the number of people killed by the disease to the lowest levels seen in more than three decades and provided life-saving medicines for some of the world’s most vulnerable.

But in the last six months, the sudden withdrawal of U.S. money has caused a “systemic shock,” U.N. officials warned, adding that if the funding isn’t replaced, it could lead to more than 4 million AIDS-related deaths and 6 million more HIV infections by 2029.

A new UNAIDS report released Thursday said the funding losses have “already destabilized supply chains, led to the closure of health facilities, left thousands of health clinics without staff, set back prevention programs, disrupted HIV testing efforts and forced many community organizations to reduce or halt their HIV activities.”

It also said that it feared other major donors scaled back their support, reversing decades of progress against AIDS worldwide — and that the strong multilateral cooperation is in jeopardy because of wars, geopolitical shifts and climate change.

A ‘lifeline’ removed

AP AUDIO: UN says if US funding for HIV programs is not replaced, millions more will die by 2029

AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports on the impact of cuts to US funding for international HIV programs.

The $4 billion that the United States pledged for the global HIV response for 2025 disappeared virtually overnight in January, when U.S. President Donald Trump ordered that all foreign aid be suspended and later moved to shutter the U.S. AID agency.

Andrew Hill, an HIV expert at the University of Liverpool who is not connected to the United Nations, said that while Trump is entitled to spend U.S. money as he sees fit, “any responsible government would have given advance warning so countries could plan,” instead of stranding patients in Africa where clinics were closed overnight.

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, was launched in 2003 by U.S. President George W. Bush, the biggest-ever commitment by any country focused on a single disease.

UNAIDS called the program a “lifeline” for countries with high HIV rates, and said that it supported testing for 84.1 million people, treatment for 20.6 million, among other initiatives. According to data from Nigeria, PEPFAR also funded 99.9% of the country’s budget for medicines taken to prevent HIV.

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Angeli Achrekar, a UNAIDS deputy executive director who was PEPFAR’s principal deputy coordinator until January 2023, said the program is under review by the Trump administration though Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a waiver “to continue life-saving treatment.”

““The extent to which it will continue in the future, we don’t know,” she told a video news conference with U.N. reporters in New York. “We are cautiously hopeful that PEPFAR will continue to support both prevention and treatment services.”

A gap impossible to fill

In 2024, there were about 630,000 AIDS-related deaths worldwide, per a UNAIDS estimate — the figure has remained about the same since 2022 after peaking at about 2 million deaths in 2004.

Even before the U.S. funding cuts, progress against curbing HIV was uneven. UNAIDS said that half of all new infections are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Tom Ellman of Doctors Without Borders said that while some poorer countries were now moving to fund more of their own HIV programs, it would be impossible to fill the gap left by the U.S.

“There’s nothing we can do that will protect these countries from the sudden, vicious withdrawal of support from the U.S.,” said Ellman, head of the group’s South Africa medical unit.

Experts also fear another significant loss — data.

The U.S. paid for most HIV surveillance in African countries, including hospital, patient and electronic records, all of which has now abruptly ceased, according to Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of the Global Health Institute at Duke University.

“Without reliable data about how HIV is spreading, it will be incredibly hard to stop it,” he said.

A new drug revives hope

The uncertainty comes in the wake of a twice-yearly injectable that many hope could end HIV. Studies published last year showed that the drug from pharmaceutical maker Gilead was 100% effective in preventing the virus.

At a launch event Thursday, South Africa’s health minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the country would “move mountains and rivers to make sure every adolescent girl who needs it will get it,” saying that the continent’s past dependence upon US aid was “scary.”

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, called Yeztugo, a move that should have been a “threshold moment” for stopping the AIDS epidemic, said Peter Maybarduk of the advocacy group Public Citizen.

But activists like Maybarduk said Gilead’s pricing will put it out of reach of many countries that need it. Gilead has agreed to sell generic versions of the drug in 120 poor countries with high HIV rates but has excluded nearly all of Latin America, where rates are far lower but increasing.

“We could be ending AIDS,” Maybarduk said. “Instead, the U.S. is abandoning the fight.”

___

Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

___

A previous version of this story was corrected to show that the name of the drug is Yeztugo, not Sunlenca.

Continue Reading

July 10, 2025
Dolly Parton takes break from songwriting after husband’s death

Dolly Parton is putting new music on hold following the death of her husband, she disclosed on the podcast “Khloé in Wonder Land.”

The 79-year-old country legend sat down with host Khloé Kardashian to discuss her faith, career and life advice on Wednesday’s episode. Though famously private about her marriage, Parton opened up about her decision to press pause on music while she grieves her husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March at 82.

“Several things I’ve wanted to start, but I can’t do it,” Parton said. “I will later, but I’m just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas. But I think I won’t finish it. I can’t do it right now, because I got so many other things and I can’t afford the luxury of getting that emotional right now.”

Parton and Dean wed May 30, 1966, and remained together until his death. Despite Parton’s fame, Dean avoided the spotlight and was rarely seen in public.

“We were so good for each other, because he’s a total loner,” Parton told Kardashian. “We could just be in the house all day and say two or three words, didn’t matter. Or we could talk all afternoon or lay in bed and talk at night “

“I really think that there’s just certain personalities that are great for each other. And we were together 61 years,” she said. “We were just so different, but we were so similar.”

Parton also noted that their zodiac signs were compatible: She’s a Capricorn and he was a Cancer.

The “Jolene” singer won her first Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) award in 1966, the year she and Dean married. He rented a tuxedo and got dressed to go to the ceremony but ended up taking it off before making it out the door, Parton said.

“I knew right then that I’m just gonna keep him private as best I can, never ask him to do nothing,” she said. “But he was very proud of me. We got along great, because we didn’t have nothing to fight over like that.”

Parton released a song dedicated to Dean, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” days after his death.

“Oh you are my rock / A soft place to land / My wings, my confidence / You understand / Your willingness / Beyond compare / No I wouldn’t be here / If you hadn’t been there,” she sings on the heartfelt track.

Kardashian is a longtime Parton fan. In 2024, her sister Kim Kardashian threw her a “Khloéwood”-themed 40th birthday party inspired by Dollywood in Tennessee. Kardashian and Parton collaborated earlier this year on a new denim line for Kardashian’s Good American fashion label: Dolly’s Joleans.

“They make your butt look good,” Parton said of the jeans, which she was wearing during the interview. “Even if you don’t have a good butt, they make it look good. And if you got a good butt, it’s amazing.”

During the hourlong conversation, Parton and Kardashian discussed everything from the singer’s love of makeup to Whitney Houston’s cover of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Parton also shared her reaction to Beyoncé’s version of her 1973 hit “Jolene,” which appeared on “Cowboy Carter” last year.

“She flipped it around, thinking, ‘You think you can take my man?’ ” Parton said. “But she’s that cool. … I loved it, because as a songwriter, you love to hear how other people interpret your songs. And the fact that she did it, I knew I was gonna make a lot of money.”

In February, Parton was featured on the deluxe edition of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet.” She joined the 26-year-old pop star on a twangy reimagination of her chart-topping single “Please Please Please.”

When asked about her plans for the future, Parton said she didn’t know but that she has faith there’s more in store for her.

“I always look at my life like it’s been a tree. It had roots, deep roots, then it had all the limbs, then it had all the little leaves. Everything branches out to something else,” Parton said. “I know God’s gonna give me something else. I try to leave myself wide open. I try to keep myself very private in my world so I can hear what I’m supposed to know. And that I can act on. And I’ll go for it, and I’ll work it to death.”

Continue Reading

July 10, 2025
The Netherlands triumph in the Low Countries derby and keep the Finals in sight

With the victory and the three points earned against the Belgians, the Netherlands moved three spots up in the standings, going from 12^th to ninth with five victories and 13 points. They closed the gap to seventh-placed Germany (five wins, 16 points) and eighth-placed the United States (five wins, 14 points), which both still play on Thursday. Belgium are 14^th, with three victories and eight points.

The good work of setter Sarah van Aalen was instrumental in the Dutch victory as she helped each of the team’s five starting hitters end the match with double digits in scoring – team captain Nika Daalderop led them with 18 points, followed by fellow outside hitter Helena Kok (14), opposite Elles Dambrink (12) and middle blockers Britte Stuut (12) and Suus Gerritsen (11).

“I’m very happy that we got to play for this crowd in this city that feels like home to me,” said Gerritsen, who played for Apeldoorn’s Draisma Dynamo from 2020 to 2025. “We had some difficulties in the third set, but I’m happy that we picked it back up in set four. That was a great job from our team, but Belgium also fought hard and played an amazing game.”

Continue Reading

July 10, 2025