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Radiohead, Dua Lipa Petition UK Government to Cap Ticket Resale Prices
Music

Radiohead, Dua Lipa Petition UK Government to Cap Ticket Resale Prices

by jummy84
written by jummy84

A group of more than 40 British musicians, including Radiohead, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay, have signed a statement to the U.K. government asking Prime Minister Keir Starmer to honor his pledge to tackle “extortionate and pernicious” websites that resell concert tickets.

In the statement, artists like Sam Fender, PJ Harvey, The Cure’s Robert Smith, Iron Maiden, New Order, and Nick Cave asked the government to take action against “secondary ticketing” platforms like Viagogo and StubHub.

“For too long certain resale platforms have allowed touts to bulk buy and then resell tickets at inflated prices, forcing fans to either pay above the odds or miss out entirely,” they wrote. “This erodes trust in the live events sector and undermines the efforts of artists and organizers to make shows accessible and affordable.”

The statement asks for a hard cap on on resale prices to “help fix elements of the extortionate and pernicious secondary ticketing market that serve the interests of touts, whose exploitative practices are preventing genuine fans from accessing the music, theatre and sports they love.”

Other signees include organizations like UK Music, FanFair Alliance, and the Football Supporters’ Association. The letter, created in tandem with a study from consumer group Which?, notes that the end of for-profit resale would make it “easier for fans to spot illegal behavior” and would not encourage fans to seek resale tickets on less regulated sites.

“Today’s joint statement makes clear that artists, fan organizations and consumers reject the broken ticketing market that has allowed touts to thrive for too long,” Lisa Webb, Which? consumer law expert, said in a statement alongside the letter. “The Prime Minister pledged to protect fans and a price cap on resold tickets will be a critical step towards fixing this industry, but he must commit to this legislation by including it in the next King’s Speech. Further reforms are also needed to ensure sellers actually own the tickets they advertise before listing them, that resale platforms ensure the identities of sellers and key information about a ticket are verified and that the new rules are effectively enforced.”

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Starmer’s Labour government promised during the last general election to cap ticket resale prices, however hasn’t taken the necessary action yet. In January, the government launched a consultation on a cap amount that would limit the price increase to between zero and a 30 percent on the face value of a ticket.

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A government spokesperson told the BBC, “This government is fully committed to clamping down on touts and is going further to put fans back at the heart of live events. We have carefully considered evidence provided in response to our consultation earlier this year and will set out our plans shortly.”

Which? also released the results of a consumer study that took place in August and September. The organization looked into traders selling tickets for some of the biggest U.K. events on Stubhub and Viagogo. It found that many resale tickets were aggressively inflated in price. For instance, Oasis tickets for the band’s Wembley Stadium shows were listed for £3,498.85 on Stubhub and £4,442 on Viagogo. A ticket for the All Points East festival in London’s Victoria Park, headlined by Raye, was listed for £114,666 on Viagogo.

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When Will the House Vote on the Shutdown? Government Pause Updates – Hollywood Life
Hollywood

When Will the House Vote on the Shutdown? Government Pause Updates – Hollywood Life

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Image Credit: Getty Images

The 2025 government shutdown gradually spread panic across the United States as it dragged on for more than 40 days. From October 1 through mid-November, certain services were impacted while Republican and Democratic lawmakers struggled to compromise on a funding bill. Now that flights have been reduced ahead of the holiday season, travelers have expressed concern, and others have wondered whether their SNAP benefits and healthcare are at risk. At long last, however, a group of eight Senators sided with Republicans on a new proposal that would effectively end the shutdown — provided the House of Representatives approves the bill.

Among those eight Democrats who voted to approve new legislation on November 9 was Senator Tim Kaine, who spoke to reporters that night from Capitol Hill.

“I have long said that to earn my vote, we need to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ health care mess and to protect the federal workforce,” Kaine said, according to The Hill. “This legislation will protect federal workers from baseless firings, reinstate those who have been wrongfully terminated during the shutdown, and ensure federal workers receive back pay, as required by a law I got passed in 2019. That’s a critical step that will help federal employees and all Americans who rely on government services.”

However, other Democrats disagreed with their colleagues’ vote because the deal with Republicans would not ensure an extension of certain health premiums. Senator Bernie Sanders said in an X video that it was a “very, very bad vote.”

Below, we have the latest information on when the House should vote to end the shutdown.

When Will the Government Shutdown End?

There was no precise end in sight to the 2025 government shutdown. More than 40 days into the pause, this became the longest shutdown in American history, and it’s due to a stalemate between the Democrats and the Republicans.

When Will the House Vote on the Government Shutdown?

After the Senate adjourned late at night on November 9, House members were informed that votes regarding government funding were expected to take place that week. On November 12, the House approved the deal.

Which Democrats Voted With Republicans on the Shutdown?

The Democratic Senators who reached a deal with Senate Republicans are John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada, Jacky Rosen from Nevada, Dick Durbin from Illinois, Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire and Tim Kaine from Virginia.

Independent Angus King from Maine also voted on the deal with the Democrats.

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Jon Stewart Slams Democrats for Ending Government Shutdown
TV & Streaming

Jon Stewart Slams Democrats for Ending Government Shutdown

by jummy84
written by jummy84

On this week’s episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart came after Democrats for voting to end the government shutdown without extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, which is the primary issue the Left has fought for throughout the 41-day stoppage.

“They fucking caved on the shutdown,” Stewart said, fuming. “Not even a full week removed from the best election night results they’ve had in years, seven Democratic senators and an ‘Independent’ voted with their Republican counterparts to end the shutdown and reopen the government. And did they get their extended healthcare subsidies?”

Stewart turned to a sound bite from ABC 7 for the answer, “Democrats wanted the deal to include extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. Instead, they got a promise to vote on it at a later date.”

“I cannot fucking believe it,” Stewart continued. “You had the wind at your back! Election victories all over the country. The new Sydney Sweeney movie was box office bupkis! Apparently, her new MAGA fanbase didn’t show up in droves to see a biopic about a lesbian professional boxer who overcomes domestic violence to live her truth. Who could have seen that coming? Democrats, you sold out the entire shutdown not to get what you wanted, but for a promise to not get what you wanted later.”

The legislation to end the nation’s longest government shutdown in history passed in the Senate Monday night. However, it still needs to pass through the House and then get a signature from Donald Trump. With a Republican majority in the House, it is likely to pass, and Trump is expected to sign the bill with full support from the Right.

Watch the entire monologue below.

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Bill Maher
TV & Streaming

Bill Maher Issues Brutal Takedown of Supreme Court Amid Government Shutdown

by jummy84
written by jummy84

What To Know

  • Bill Maher criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for appearing partisan.
  • He highlighted the contrast between federal district courts frequently ruling against Donald Trump and the Supreme Court’s tendency to favor him.
  • Maher compared the Constitution to the Bible, suggesting both are revered but often ignored in practice.

Bill Maher issued a brutal takedown of the U.S. Supreme Court amid the government shutdown — while making a bold comparison of the Bible and the U.S. Constitution in the process.

On the Friday, November 7 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, the comedian, 69, spoke at length about the Supreme Court’s recent track record.

“The Supreme Court has to recognize that they have one last chance to not look like a bunch of partisan hacks who are no different than the other two branches of the government,” he said. “This week, the court is hearing about a case that will definitively tell us if they really are a separate branch of government — or whether when the founders said you are a check on executive power, they thought it meant a blank check.”

That’s when Maher compared federal district court rulings to the U.S. Supreme Court rulings over the summer on things like “withholding money that Congress specifically authorized and suspending due process for non-citizens.” Between May 1 and June 23, federal district courts ruled against President Donald Trump 94.3% of the time (82 out of 87 cases), versus Trump’s 17-case winning streak in the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Which is funny because during the [Joe] Biden years, the court was all about reigning in presidential power,” Maher pointed out.

On Friday, the Supreme Court also granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown — after a federal judge gave the administration until Friday to make a payment to fully fund SNAP.

After skewering Trump for tariffs and declarations of nine national emergencies since taking office, Maher compared the U.S. Constitution to the Bible, tying back to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“The Constitution: Is it still a real thing, or is it just a vibe now?” he wondered aloud. “The Supreme Court has to decide: Are you going to be Democracy’s last line of defense, or is the Constitution now — really, let’s  be honest — just like the Bible. Just a sacred, old text that everyone name-drops with reverence but no one actually reads or even feels bad about ignoring.”

Maher continued, “Both testaments, the old due in the sky, and his hippie son — both have many commandments and pronouncements about slavery, and none of them are, ‘Don’t do it.’ The thing is, the Constitution is pro-slavery, too. But the difference with science and faith is, with the Constitution, we could amend it and did.”

To conclude his thoughts, the comedian added, “I could live with the Bible and its Bronze-Age nonsense as long as we also had the greatest document from the Age of Enlightenment. But now I fear they are both like a hot dog: Something Americans love, but they don’t know what’s in it, and they don’t care.”

Real Time With Bill Maher, Fridays, 10/9c, HBO

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Air Traffic Controllers Begin Resigning Amid Government Shutdown: "They're Stretched So Thin for So Long"
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Air Traffic Controllers Begin Resigning Amid Government Shutdown: “They’re Stretched So Thin for So Long”

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Air Traffic Controllers Begin Resigning Amid Government Shutdown: “They’re Stretched So Thin for So Long”

The head of the air traffic controllers’ union says the ongoing government shutdown is driving some controllers to quit as stress and financial strain mount.

“We’re seeing air traffic controllers resign,” said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, in an interview with CNN. “We are 400 fewer controllers today than during the 2019 shutdown… they’ve been stretched so thin for so long that they’re actually resigning from the profession.”

The shutdown — now in its 37th day — has left federal employees unpaid. Democrats are demanding a deal that maintains Affordable Care Act subsidies, while President Donald Trump and Republicans have refused, leading to stalled negotiations.

The FAA confirmed an increase in sick calls and has slowed air traffic at 40 airports to manage staffing shortages. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the growing fatigue: “They’re working six days a week, 10 hours a day… you’re going to get burned out.”

Daniels said the financial impact is especially hard on new hires. “They’re calling their employer saying, ‘I have no gas today. I cannot pay for my child care,’” he said. “They’re already maxing out credit cards and taking out loans.”


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bitchy | Donald Trump blamed the Blue Wave on the government shutdown
Celebrity News

bitchy | Donald Trump blamed the Blue Wave on the government shutdown

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Donald Trump hosted a breakfast meeting with Senate Republicans this morning after the Blue Wave crashed down on his ugly face last night. Democrats scored huge wins across state and local elections around the country. Virginia elected our first-ever female governor and first-in-the-nation Muslim woman to hold state office. Virginians even elected Jay Jones, who was mired in a “scandal” in which he texted that Republicans should just f–king die. I’m so focused on Virginia because there were so many factors here: Northern Virginia is the DC Beltway, with tons of federal workers who have been furloughed because of the government shutdown, or seen DOGE slash their jobs or their departments. Well, as you can imagine, Trump has not taken any of the election results well. Last night, he ranted about “voter reform” and banning mail-in ballots. He also wants to terminate the Senate filibuster. That was a subject he brought up again this morning:

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the government shutdown played a “big role” in Democrats’ victories Tuesday night and urged Republicans to kill the Senate filibuster to quickly restore federal funding.

“If you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor, negative for the Republicans,” Trump said during a breakfast with Senate Republicans at the White House. “Last night, it was not expected to be a victory, it was very Democrat areas. I don’t think it was good for Republicans. I don’t think it was good for anybody. We had an interesting evening and learned a lot.”

He cited outside pollsters who have attributed the GOP losses to the fact that Trump wasn’t on the ballot, depressing turnout among the MAGA base. “I don’t know about that but I was honored that they said that,” he added.

Trump used his candid autopsy of the election results to urge Republicans to kill the Senate filibuster to quickly reopen the government and then enact their agenda, including a national voter ID requirement. He acknowledged that it’s an unlikely proposition as most Senate Republicans oppose the move but warned that he believes Democrats will do so the next time they’re in power.

“It’s possible you’re not going to do that, and I’m going to go by your wishes,” he said. “You’re very smart people. But I think it’s a tremendous mistake. It would be a tragic mistake, actually.”

On Wednesday, the shutdown stretched into its longest in U.S. history, with the previous 35-day shutdown set during Trump’s first term in 2019. Republican and Democratic lawmakers are locked in a stalemate.

[From Politico]

“If you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor, negative for the Republicans…” I can’t believe Trump is giving the Beltway media a permission structure to talk about how people blame Republicans for the shutdown! The media has worked hand-in-hand with MAGA Republicans to blame the shutdown on “evil Democrats,” but it turns out that voters cut through that noise and placed the blame squarely where it belongs: the Republican Party. The lesson is not “we must stop people from voting and end the filibuster.” The lesson is: if Republicans continue to do sh-tty things, voters will continue to punish them. The whole reason the shutdown is happening is because Trump and MAGA Republicans want to take away people’s healthcare. It really is that f–king simple.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images.

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How the Government Shutdown Could Affect Your Holiday Flights – Hollywood Life
Hollywood

How the Government Shutdown Could Affect Your Holiday Flights – Hollywood Life

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images

As the U.S. government shutdown stretches into its fifth week, millions of travelers are beginning to feel uneasy about their upcoming holiday flights. With hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed, including TSA agents and FAA staff, airports across the country are already reporting longer lines, reduced staffing, and growing uncertainty ahead of Thanksgiving. Sean Duffy, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, said that if the impasse continues into next week, parts of U.S. airspace may have to be shut down to keep the system safe.

While airlines insist that flights will continue as scheduled, experts warn that the ripple effects of the shutdown could soon cause widespread delays, slower security screenings, and potential disruptions just as the busiest travel season of the year begins. The U.S. Travel Association echoed those concerns in an open letter, warning that the ongoing shutdown is “likely to significantly suppress travel demand and spending” just as the Thanksgiving rush approaches.

Here’s what to know about how the ongoing government shutdown could impact your holiday travel plans.

How Long Has the Government Shutdown Been Going On For?

As of November 4, 2025, the U.S. government has been shut down for 34 days, making it one of the longest in modern history. Lawmakers have yet to reach a budget agreement, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed and critical services stalled just as the holiday travel season begins.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 1: A sign indicating that the Library of Congress is closed due to the government shutdown, on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC. Congress could not agree on a budget to fund government at midnight, causing the first shutdown since 2018. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 1: A sign indicating that the Library of Congress is closed due to the government shutdown, on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC. Congress could not agree on a budget to fund government at midnight, causing the first shutdown since 2018. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)

What’s the Longest Government Shutdown in History?

The longest U.S. government shutdown took place from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, lasting 35 days during the Trump administration. With the current 2025 shutdown nearing that record, concerns are growing that history could soon repeat itself if Congress doesn’t reach a deal.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 30: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), joins fellow House Democratic leaders and members to rally on the House Steps of the U.S. Capitol on September 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. House Democrats demanded that Congressional Republicans negotiate with them on spending to avoid a federal government shutdown that is set to begin at midnight if no deal is struck. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 30: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), joins fellow House Democratic leaders and members to rally on the House Steps of the U.S. Capitol on September 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. House Democrats demanded that Congressional Republicans negotiate with them on spending to avoid a federal government shutdown that is set to begin at midnight if no deal is struck. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Are Flights Still Going During the Government Shutdown?

Yes, commercial flights are still operating, but the shutdown is straining the system. While air traffic controllers and TSA agents are working without pay, staffing shortages and low morale have already caused sporadic delays and longer security lines at major airports.

How Will the Shutdown Affect My Flight?

If the shutdown continues, travelers could face longer security wait times, reduced customer service, and potential disruptions over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Experts warn that extended furloughs could also slow FAA safety inspections and training programs, all of which could ripple across the busy holiday travel season.

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UK Government Urged To Introduce Tax Relief On Indie Movie Advertising
TV & Streaming

UK Government Urged To Introduce Tax Relief On Indie Movie Advertising

by jummy84
written by jummy84

UK chancellor Rachel Reeves, who will deliver a landmark budget in less than a month, has been urged by the influential Culture, Media & Sport Committee (CMSC) to introduc a tax relief for the print and advertising costs of indie movies.

In a letter published this morning, CMSC chair Caroline Dinenage said there are “countless films that end up not getting the audiences they deserve” due to these high costs.

The committee’s idea is that any movie that applies to the recently-introduced 40% indie tax relief would be eligible for a 25% tax relief to support the distribution and exhibition of British features.

“Even top-quality films cannot find an audience without distributors and their investment in promoting films,” wrote Dinenage. “Cinemas will not programme films without marketing spend attached, as the risk would be too great. The IFTC [indie film tax relief] will successfully offset the risk of making independent British films, but alone it will not offset the challenges of distribution and exhibition.”

Dinenage highlighted the success of British movies like Oscar-winner Conclave and StudioCanal’s recent I Swear but said while they play “to packed audiences nationwide, there are countless films that end up not getting the audiences they deserve.”

Dinenage’s letter came complete with some positive mathematics. She quoted the Film Distributors Association, which commissioned modelling of the potential impact of the proposal and found a return of more than £7 ($9.20) for every £1 spent on the relief, including a net positive return to Reeves’ Treasury department. The cost of the intervention would equate to just 2% of the total amount of film tax relief claimed on production costs, according to Dinenage.

The gamechanging 40% indie tax relief was introduced by the previous Conservative government and has had a huge impact on the indie movie sector. The current Labour government also rubberstamped additional VFX relief but has been relatively cold on introducing any more tax reliefs for the sector. TV industry bods have been calling for improvements to the high-end TV tax relief amid spiraling drama costs but ex-Culture Minister Chris Bryant recently told us this is unlikely.

Reeves’ budget will take place on November 26 and is being seen as a huge moment 18 months in to this Labour government, which has been slipping further and further in the polls.

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SZA Speaks on Environmental Disaster, Al, & Human Suffering: "My Government Doesn't Give a F* If I Live or Die"
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SZA Speaks on Environmental Disaster, Al, & Human Suffering: “My Government Doesn’t Give a F* If I Live or Die”

by jummy84
written by jummy84

SZA Speaks on Environmental Disaster, Al, & Human Suffering: “My Government Doesn’t Give a F* If I Live or Die”

SZA is voicing her frustration with the state of the world — from politics and the environment to social issues — in a passionate message that quickly went viral.

In a lengthy post shared online, the Grammy-winning artist expressed deep concern over a wide range of global crises, from oil drilling in Alaska’s wildlife preserve and child marriage laws to mass layoffs affecting Black women and environmental collapse.

She highlighted topics including toxic waste dumping, the coral reef’s decline, and humanitarian crises in Sudan and the Congo, writing that people seem more focused on distractions than real issues.

“People starving and dying in Sudan + Congo but nobody cares cause they’re Black + everyone wants the new iPhone,” SZA wrote.

The “Kill Bill” singer also warned against AI misuse, mass pollution, and online propaganda, saying the constant cycle of negativity is mentally exhausting:

“I feel crazy tryna sell anything, drop anything, think anything, be anything but stressed the f*** out… but we persist I guess chile. Y’all okay? Imma get off the net lol.”

SZA’s candid message sparked wide discussion across social media, with many fans praising her for articulating the anxiety and disillusionment many people feel amid today’s chaos.


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What's Going On? SNAP Benefits At Risk Of Being Stopped Next Month Amid Government Shutdown (VIDEO)
Celebrity News

Food Stamp Benefits At Risk Amid Government Shutdown

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Now hold up…we’ve heard about shutdown chaos before, but this one is hitting way too close to home. With the federal government still at a standstill, nearly 42 million Americans are at risk of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as early as next month.

RELATED: What’s Goin’ On?! United States Government Shuts Down For The First Time In Six Years

SNAP’s Running Low And The Clock Is Ticking

According to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the SNAP program — also known as food stamps — will reportedly run out of money in just two weeks if funding isn’t restored. Let that sink in: millions of families could be left without the help they depend on to eat. Rollins told reporters that the government shutdown has pushed the program to the brink. She said, “So you’re talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown.” While the Trump administration has found money to temporarily keep other services going, it’s not clear if they’ll do the same for SNAP. And, people are watching very closely.

Politics First, Food Stamps Second?

Like many others in the Trump camp, Rollins is pointing fingers at Democrats. The secretary claimed that they’re more focused on political agendas than feeding families. But Democrats are clapping back, too. The party claims that Republicans are the ones blocking a spending deal that would keep programs like SNAP afloat. And while the political blame game plays out, the USDA is already telling states to pause November food stamp payments. Now, that move has left state officials scrambling. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul didn’t hold back. She called the decision “deliberate and unprecedented” and accusing the administration of using hunger as a political weapon.

Thanksgiving Is Coming — But Will Families Eat?

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the USDA is juggling numbers. With only $6 billion in backup funding, and an $8 billion price tag just for November’s benefits, there’s a serious shortfall. And unlike WIC, which was temporarily saved by a $300 million shift in funds, there’s not enough money left to cover both programs. That means 17 states have already had to stop accepting new SNAP applications. All this comes just weeks before Thanksgiving, a time when families rely heavily on these benefits. And unfortunately, food banks are already stretched thin. “We can’t let households who need help purchasing food become another casualty of this shutdown,” said Ty Jones Cox of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

RELATED: Wayment! President Trump Sends The Timeline Into Meltdown Mode After Speaking On His Place In Heaven (WATCH)

What Do You Think Roomies?

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