Apr 28

Why Scientists Named These Plants After Arnold Schwarzenegger And Danny DeVito

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When a research team in Australia made a fascinating discovery about a pair of plants, they immediately thought of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito  ― and their 1988 movie “Twins.” 

That’s because the scientists found out that two “twin” plants they had studied for years, known as egg and bacon pea flowers, are even more different than they previously believed.

Schwarzenegger and DeVito’s roles in the ‘80s comedy ― about an experiment to create the perfect embryo that goes awry and results in two very different people  ― inspired scientists to rebrand the two plants “Daviesia schwarzenegger” and “Daviesia devito.” They’re two of 131 sub-species within the Daviesia genus.

“We discover early on in the movie that the embryo split in two, but it didn’t split equally. All the purity and strength went into Schwarzenegger’s character, Julius, while the dregs went into Vincent, DeVito’s character,” Australian National University researcher Professor Mike Crisp told Deutsche Welle.

The two Daviesia plants are also quite different, according to the researchers’ paper in the journal Phytotaxa. One is big, robust and more upright; the other is little, Crisp explains in a video. And recent DNA analysis revealed that they’re actually more closely related to other species than they are to each other.

Crisp also said scientists wanted to honor Schwarzenegger for his work as governor of California in “pioneering the reduction of carbon emissions and for advising the Australian government to do the same.”

Sadly, both plants are at risk of extinction because they grow in an area increasingly cleared for wheat farming in Australia’s Mallee region. But they’re also extremely important to the local ecology because they fix plant-nurturing nitrogen into the soil.

As for their names, there could be a bit of a problem. The twins played by Schwarzenegger and DeVito turn out not to be twins after all. They’re actually triplets, according to a sequel planned for this year. Their third brother will be played by Eddie Murphy.

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Apr 28

Young Ballerinas Lose It When Misty Copeland Surprises Them On TV

Posted in: Today's Chili

A group of young ballerinas from the Mayfair Performance Company on Chicago’s south side joined Steve Harvey on his talk show (airing Friday) to show him their best moves. But Mr. Harvey had a surprise in store: introducing the gifted dancers to their role model ― ballet icon Misty Copeland. 

Copeland has devoted her life to disrupting ballet history’s of privileging white bodies and European traditions. After learning ballet at the Boys & Girls Club growing up, she moved to New York when she was 17 years old and joined the American Ballet Theatre, the only black dancer in a company of 80.

In 2015, Copeland was declared a principal in that same company, becoming the first black female principal in its 75 year history. Copeland has written a children’s book and memoir about her journey to break into a field that historically excludes women of color and has spoken extensively about her mission to diversify the ballet landscape for future generations. 

“You know one day, if you study this long enough,” Harvey told the Mayfair dancers, after they declared their love of Copeland. “One day you could meet her. One day you could be her. Wouldn’t that be exciting?”

He then asked the ballet dancers to turn around ― adorable hugging and crying ensues. 

The Mayfair girls showed Copeland their own skills on the show, performing a stunning number for the ballet icon, as well as for Harvey and the studio audience. These gifted and passionate young women certainly deserve an equal opportunity to dance professionally. There is still far more work to be done in the ballet world, but Misty Copeland and other bold dancers putting pressure on ballet to change, and fast, are helping to make this possible. 

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Apr 28

Emma Watson Did The Worst Thing You Can Do On Jimmy Fallon's Show

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With all the dudes named Jimmy in late-night TV, who can keep anyone straight?

Emma Watson definitely can’t. 

The actress dropped by “The Tonight Show” on Thursday for her new movie, “The Circle,” and she remembered her first time on Jimmy Fallon’s show didn’t go so well.

Fallon was still doing “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” at the time, and while exchanging pleasantries Watson recalled she told him, “I love that Halloween candy thing that you do.” 

It was followed by silence.

After some confusion, Fallon realized, “That’s Jimmy Kimmel.”

Every year Kimmel does a segment where he has parents say they stole their kids Halloween candy. It’s pretty hilarious, but it’s not Jimmy Fallon.

Like she was hit with a Confundus Charm, Watson mixed the two up.

(No, Hermione! Noooooo!)

“It was the first time we met,” said Fallon.

“And I died inside,” said Watson.

The host saw the actress was uncomfortable and let her go out and restart. When she came back, he started the interview by asking her, “Do you watch a lot of late-night television?” At the time, everyone lost it. Like, really lost it.

If you watched it and weren’t in on the mixup, you’d probably laugh along too, like you were some freshman in high school chuckling at a senior’s lame joke you didn’t get. But it’s high school. You gotta fit in. If you play your cards right, you’ll be sitting at the cool table with Regina George and the Plastics in no time!

Thanks to our handy-dandy time-turner (called the internet), there’s no need for feigned laughter. We can go back and laugh along because now we’re all the cool kids in on the joke.

If you’re cool now, just remember: On Wednesdays, we wear pink.

”The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Apr 28

Blake Lively Trolls Ryan Reynolds With Her Undying Love For John Legend

Posted in: Today's Chili

All those years toiling away at the Constance Billard School for Girls among the Blair Waldorfs of the world have clearly paid off, because Blake Lively has mastered the art of the perfect burn. Her latest target? Husband and serial social media jokester Ryan Reynolds.

The “Deadpool” actor was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People this year among a list of honorees, including John Legend, who also scored one of the coveted magazine covers. 

To celebrate, Legend, Reynolds and their wives, Chrissy Teigen and Lively, gathered for a gala event with the other 98 honorees on Tuesday night. And that’s where things got interesting.

The “Love Me Now” singer was tapped to perform some of his hits to close out the night, and if you’ve ever heard Legend live before, you know that he’s essentially irresistible to anyone with a pulse in his 50-foot vicinity. 

Lively apparently got a little too close to the magic as she later jokingly shared a photo of her new crush to let Reynolds know he has some competition. 

“Congratulations to the most influential person in my life. The best man I know… you deserve this @time 100 honor,” she captioned a photo of Reynolds standing in front of Legend onstage. “If only my husband wasn’t blocking you in this shot. I’m so sorry @johnlegend.”

What can we say? She learned from the best. 

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Apr 28

Yet Another GOP-Run State Introduces Anti-Protest Bill, And This One Targets Students

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In the ongoing GOP drive against demonstrations and protesters, a Republican bill in the Wisconsin legislature aims to punish hecklers who disrupt speakers at events.

The measure comes after GOP lawmakers in some 18 states introduced bills that would block protests and increase penalties for arrested demonstrators. Bills in two states would eliminate liability for drivers who run into protesters — as long as it’s “accidental.” State lawmakers in Tennessee introduced such a measure shortly after a Nashville driver struck a safety worker protecting people protesting against President Donald Trump. Arizona’s Republican state senators voted for legislation that could hit some protesters with racketeering charges. 

In the Wisconsin bill legislators are pushing this week, University of Wisconsin students who disrupt speeches and demonstrations could be expelled, and campuses would have to remain neutral on political issues, The Associated Press reports.

Tensions are mounting at colleges across the U.S., particularly those with a history of progressive activism such as the UW-Madison campus and the University of California at Berkeley. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter cancelled a speech Thursday at Berkeley amid security concerns in a city that has been rattled by violent political confrontations in recent weeks. In February, Berkeley protesters stopped former Breitbart senior editor Milo Yiannopoulos from speaking. And in November, UW-Madison students shouted down former Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro who spoke on campus.

States including Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia are now considering campus bills. The measures are based on guidelines that the Goldwater Institute created. The Goldwater plan would prevent college administrators from disinviting speakers “no matter how controversial,” and impose sanctions on students who “interfere with the free-speech rights of others.” Such “interference” apparently includes speaking out at a speech.

Colorado passed a law this month that ensures the right to demonstrate, organize or speak concerning a political issue anywhere on campus. Though Republicans viewed as protecting conservative speakers launched the measure, it was ultimately also backed by some Democrats, who saw it as protecting the rights of progressive activists on campus. The university system had previously limited demonstrations to specific “free speech zones.”

Wisconsin Republicans say their anti-heckling bill “protects the freedom of expression on college campuses.”

The head of the progressive One Wisconsin Now called the bill’s sponsors “fragile snowflakes” — an insult conservatives typically use against liberals.

“Now, these Republicans want to make our campuses safe spaces for Republicans to be free of criticism and subject students to legal sanctions if they speak out,” executive director Scot Ross said in a statement Thursday.

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Apr 28

Selena Gomez Stands Behind '13 Reasons Why' Amid Controversy

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Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why” gained popularity almost instantly after being released on the streaming platform March 31. But as more and more people are watching the series, controversy has surfaced surrounding its sensitive subject matter. 

“13 Reasons Why,” based on the best-selling book by Jay Asher, follows the story of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), who takes her own life after facing numerous traumatic experiences in high school. She records 13 tapes to give to the individuals she says played some sort of role in her decision, leaving her friend Clay (Dylan Minnette) to uncover the harsh reality behind her heartbreaking death. 

Due to the fact that the show is being binge-watched by the youngest generations, many, including experts in the field of suicide and assault, are worried that the graphic content of Brian Yorkey’s series is simply too much. 

Now, executive producer Selena Gomez is speaking out about her decision to join the project and put it out into the world. During an interview with E! News at a WE Day event Thursday, the 24-year-old said she’s “a little overwhelmed and very surprised” by the success of the show and stands behind its message to inform teens about the harsh realities of the world.

“I believed in the project for so long and I understood what the message was,” she said. “I just wanted it to come across in a way that kids would be frightened, but confused ― in a way that they would talk about it because it’s something that’s happening all the time. So, I’m overwhelmed that it’s doing as well as it’s doing.”

One of the show’s stars, Kate Walsh ― who plays Hannah’s mother ― recently spoke with HuffPost about the controversy, saying, “Parents and teachers and students [should] watch this and have conversations about sexual assault, about bullying, about LGBTQ issues, race issues, gender issues, suicide, depression and mental health, because largely in our country as we see now, it’s still in the shroud of shame or silence.” 

There is already buzz that “13 Reasons Why” will receive a second season, despite being based on a single novel. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix is close to renewing the series, with sources saying that “a writers room for the sophomore run has been up and running for a few weeks.”

When asked about a Season 2, Gomez smirked and told E!, “Maybe?”

We’ll have to wait and see what happens next. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the
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Apr 28

Samira Wiley, Alexis Bledel Go Inside 'The Handmaid's Tale's' Disturbing LGBTQ Treatment

Posted in: Today's Chili

[This story contains spoilers from the first three episodes of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, “Offred,” “Birth Day” and “Late.”]

Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, which launched its first three episodes Wednesday, delivered one of the most stunning commentaries about LGBTQ rights on the small screen. 

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Apr 28

This Slice Of Pizza Heaven Contains Over 100 Varieties Of Glorious Cheese

Posted in: Today's Chili

If Cheetos are dangerously cheesy, this is downright diabolical. 

A pizza shop in Oregon put its clientele’s lactose tolerance to the test this week, offering a pie with over 100 varieties of cheese.

Scottie’s Pizza Parlor dreamed up the gooey masterpiece in honor of the “Ninja Turtles” and the 2017 Portland Pizza Week. The specialty pie with a stuffed crust was available for one day only at two dollars per slice.

Owner Scott Rivera actually used so much cheese for the pizza, he may have lost count. When reached by HuffPost, he conceded that there actually may have been as many as 103 cheese varieties on the advertised 101-cheese pizza. Rivera was still in the process of finalizing that count.

Regardless, to illustrate just how much cheese that is, here a screen grab from Scottie’s website listing the many varieties of cheese on the pizza.

The cheese list included a 55-cheese shredded blend, house ricotta, 36 additional soft cheese varieties, nine grated cheeses, and aged part-skim mozzarella in a stuffed crust. A version minus the stuffed crust was available for the rest of pizza week.

“The Centouno Formaggio pizza is inspired by the Novantanove Formaggio (99-cheese) pizza which was depicted in 2014’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film,” Scottie’s explained on their website. “The year of the film’s release, world champion pizzamaker Johnny di Francesco of 400 Gradi Pizzeria in Melbourne, Australia created a 99-cheese pizza, simply to provie that it was not a ‘culinary impossibility,’ as exclaimed by Donatello in the film.”

Rivera created the extreme pie as an attempt to break the world record for most cheese varieties on a pizza. Initial plans to invite a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records melted away due to fees and scheduling conflicts, The Oregonian reported.

“That’s fine with me,” he told the newspaper. “We know we broke the record.”

Even so, Rivera is still in contact with Guinness and hopes to make it official. He says that the record for most cheese varieties on a pizza would be a new one for the Guinness books.

World records aside, Rivera is especially proud of his staff and the pie they put together.

“All the cheeses in the 100 cheese pizza are really nice cheese,” he said. “Our cheese supplier is a huge cheese buff and worked really hard selecting them for us. He tasted every single one.”

And in the end, that hard work paid off.

“There’s twelve of us including me and my wife and we were all just working so hard non-stop,” Rivera said. “Everyone worked overtime that week. My wife and I were up until 4 a.m. shredding cheese.”

After all that hustle, Rivera is fairly sure he will never make the 100-plus cheese pie again, but he is certainly sharper for the experience.

“There’s so much story behind each cheese, it’s been such an educational experience,” he said. “It kind of blew my mind.”

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Apr 28

Home Depot left customers' unprotected personal data online

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It’s been awhile since hackers broke into Home Depot’s servers and stole 56 million customers’ credit card information back in 2014. But recently, a tipster pointed business watchdog site Consumerist to a web address under the HomeDepot.com domain. T…

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Apr 28

Facebook creators will profit from people stealing videos

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Facebook’s video platform has grown like a weed, mainly thanks to auto-plays and a significant rise in accounts presenting other people’s work as their own. In 2015, the company introduced a video matching system aimed at curbing the practice, and no…

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