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Former LA Detective Mark Fuhrman, Notorious for OJ Simpson Trial Perjury, Passes Away

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Former LA Detective Mark Fuhrman, Notorious for OJ Simpson Trial Perjury, Passes Away


Mark Fuhrman, a former Los Angeles police detective whose involvement in the O.J. Simpson murder trial left an indelible mark on the American legal landscape, has passed away at the age of 74. Fuhrman’s death was confirmed by Lynn Acebedo, the chief deputy coroner in Kootenai County, Idaho, though the specific cause remains undisclosed, consistent with county policy.

In 1994, Fuhrman was one of the initial detectives dispatched to the crime scene of the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles. During his investigation, he reported discovering a bloody glove at O.J. Simpson’s residence, a piece of evidence that became central to the trial. However, his credibility was severely challenged when Simpson’s defense team suggested he harbored racial biases.

The trial took a pivotal turn during Fuhrman’s cross-examination. While on the stand, he insisted he had not used racial slurs against Black individuals in the previous decade. This claim was later undermined by recordings that revealed a history of such language, casting a shadow over his testimony and the evidence he presented.

Despite the controversy surrounding his testimony, prominent attorney Alan Dershowitz, a member of Simpson’s famed “Dream Team” defense, acknowledged Fuhrman’s investigative skills, remarking that he was “a much better detective than he was a witness.” Fuhrman’s legacy remains complex, intertwined with the high-profile trial that captivated and divided a nation.

Alan Dershowitz, a prominent lawyer and law professor who was a legal strategist on Simpson’s defense “Dream Team,” said Fuhrman was a “much better detective than he was a witness.”

“He’s very smart, and you know, a very, very aggressive detective. Ultimately his actions helped us win the O.J. case because of his use of the ‘n’ word,” Dershowitz said Monday evening. “I got to know him later, after it was all over, and we had a cordial relationship.”

Fuhrman retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after Simpson’s 1995 acquittal. He subsequently moved to Idaho with his family and set up a 20-acre (eight-hectare) farm, raising chickens, goats, sheep and llamas.

In 1996, Fuhrman was charged with perjury and pleaded no contest. He later became a TV and radio commentator and wrote the book “Murder in Brentwood” about the killings.

A criminal-court jury found Simpson, a former star NFL running back and actor, not guilty of murder in 1995, but a separate civil trial jury found him liable in 1997 for the deaths and ordered him to pay $33.5 million to relatives of Brown and Goldman. He served nine years in prison on unrelated charges and died in Las Vegas of prostate cancer in 2024 at the age of 76.

Kato Kaitlin, a friend of Brown who also testified in the murder trial, wrote in a post on X that he wanted to respectfully acknowledge Fuhrman’s death and that he hopes Fuhrman’s loved ones can find peace.

“While we were never close personally, our lives were indelibly linked through our roles in the O.J. Simpson trial over thirty years ago. It was a deeply complex and painful chapter for everyone involved, but any loss of life is a time for reflection and solemnity,” Kaitlin wrote.

Fuhrman’s father left when he was 7 years old, and Fuhrman often cared for his younger brother while his mother worked. As an adult, he joined the Marines and then the Los Angeles Police Department.

____

Golden reported from Seattle.

Urgent Recall: Enoki Mushrooms Sold in Florida Pose Listeria Risk – What You Need to Know

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Urgent Recall: Enoki Mushrooms Sold in Florida Pose Listeria Risk – What You Need to Know

TAMPA, Fla. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for Enoki mushrooms distributed in Florida due to concerns over potential listeria monocytogenes contamination. This announcement came last Thursday, alerting consumers to the possible health risks.

Officials reported that 120 cases of these possibly contaminated mushrooms were distributed to wholesalers in both Texas and Florida. Marketed under the brand HH Fresh Trading, these mushrooms are packaged in 150-gram plastic bags.

Father Faces Charges After 9-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots 5-Year-Old While Searching for Pokémon Pens

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Father Faces Charges After 9-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots 5-Year-Old While Searching for Pokémon Pens

A troubling incident in Florida has resulted in the arrest of a father after his 9-year-old son accidentally shot a 5-year-old cousin. Authorities allege that the firearm involved was not stored securely, leading to the unfortunate event.

Robert R. Giles faces charges of culpable negligence, as outlined under Florida Statute 784.05-3. Court documents reveal that Giles has entered a plea of not guilty to these charges.

The incident occurred on March 25, when deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to an emergency call at a residence in Palmetto. The young child had been shot in the chest, an alarming detail confirmed through an electronic arrest warrant obtained by Oxygen.

A spokesperson from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, speaking to Oxygen, clarified that the victim is the cousin of the 9-year-old boy involved. The investigation revealed that the firearm, located in the primary bedroom, was unintentionally discharged when the boy found it.

This case underscores the critical importance of responsible gun storage, especially in homes where children are present. As legal proceedings continue, the community is left grappling with the consequences of this tragic accident.

Giles’ son allegedly told investigators that he entered his father’s bedroom in search of Pokémon pens and instead found a gun on the floor under the bed, according to the warrant.

The boy allegedly said he intended to put the gun away, but it unintentionally fired, per the warrant. The bullet struck the 5-year-old boy’s clavicle and pierced his lung before exiting his body.

The younger child was rushed to the hospital where he was intubated for five days, per the warrant. He is currently recovering, the sheriff’s spokesperson told Oxygen.

Giles, however, told responding officers in the warrant that the Canik 9mm handgun—with a round in the chamber but without a magazine—had been stored in his nightstand next to his bed.

He was in the kitchen when he heard a loud “pop,” Giles allegedly recalled, per the warrant, then discovered the 5-year-old boy shot. Then, Giles allegedly locked the gun in a bedroom safe. 

Giles provided investigators the access code to the safe where they found the weapon, along with multiple other firearms, according to the warrant.

Prior to the shooting, “The firearm was not secured in a manner that would prevent access by a minor,” investigators wrote in the warrant.

Additionally, they wrote, the 9-year-old boy “described in his interview to have located the firearm under the bed and mentioned nothing about removing it from [the] holster or any other secured location.”

Giles was booked into the Manatee County Jail on April 2, according to jail records and he was released one day later after posting a $2,500 bond. 

Under the conditions of release, Giles is not allowed contact with the victim or to possess any firearms or ammunition. 

An attorney for Giles did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Oxygen.

UK Business Invasion: How British Enterprises are Taking the Global Market by Storm

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UK Business Invasion: How British Enterprises are Taking the Global Market by Storm

This week marks a significant moment as the largest British trade delegation ever to visit the United States arrives in Los Angeles. The group, which includes leaders from 230 companies, is here for “Greater Together LA,” a summit focused on enhancing trade and investment ties with America.

Following closely on the historic state visit of Their Majesties The King and Queen to the East Coast, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Greater Together LA event highlights the role of innovation, capital, and enterprise in driving future prosperity for both nations.

California serves as the perfect backdrop for this gathering. Known for its forward-thinking spirit, the Golden State is intertwined with Britain’s story of innovation. For the past two years, the United Kingdom has been California’s leading foreign investor, with British enterprises generating more than 130,000 jobs in the state by 2025.


Building illuminated with the Union Jack flag at night.
The headquarters of JPMorgan Chase lit up in the UK flag in honor of King Charles’ visit on April 29, 2026. Christopher Sadowski for NY Post

To American investors, our message is straightforward: Britain is ready for business. In a world filled with uncertainties, the UK stands as a reliable haven for capital and innovative ideas.

Ranked as the world’s sixth-largest economy, the UK is home to $13.5 trillion in capital and hosts the second-largest financial hub after New York. Global business leaders consistently rank the UK as the most appealing investment destination in Europe, and four of the top ten universities globally are located within its borders.

In the first three months of 2026, the UK economy grew faster than that of any other G7 country. Planning reform; regulatory simplification; sustained investment in infrastructure and skills; and a renewed focus on attracting the world’s top talent are turning innovation into productivity, and productivity into growth. 

The UK and US have one of the most integrated economic relationships in the world: $430 billion in annual trade, growing at 4% last year; $1.7 trillion invested in each other’s economies; and millions of jobs supported on both sides of the Atlantic. Britain is the largest foreign investor in 21 US states. The United States, in turn, is the single biggest investor in the UK. 

Our tech ecosystem is now valued at $1.3 trillion. From AI and quantum computing to life sciences and clean energy, British and American talent is combining to push the frontier of what is possible. A new UK–California agreement signed this year strengthens cooperation on clean energy technology. 

But Greater Together LA is not just about investment. It is also about culture and people, the unexpected connections that spark innovation. 


King Charles III in a grey suit and Queen Camilla in a blue outfit interacting with people.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet people during a parade and block party event on the final day of the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on April 30, 2026 in Front Royal, Virginia. Getty Images

Simon Cowell, Cindy Rose, Mira Murati, Sir Jony Ive, Sir Paul Smith, Sir Lucian Grainge, and astronaut Major Tim Peake will all be in the room alongside the CEOs of British Airways, American Airlines and News Corp. 

Greater Together LA will feature a celebration of the UK’s Film and TV industry; the British Council’s showcase of world-class British universities; and exclusive experiences with the Premier League and British Music Embassy (BME).   

Connectivity between the UK and the US is unmatched. We have the highest transatlantic airline capacity, nearly double that of the next closest country pair, and over 250 flights operating daily between Britain and America. 

Back in 1776, the year of the US Declaration of Independence, a British economist named Adam Smith published another revolutionary work, “The Wealth of Nations.” His insight was simple and enduring: When ideas, goods, and people move freely, we all get richer. 

And that’s why the British are heading West this week, following the King and Queen’s East Coast visit: to strengthen our two countries’ enduring bonds of prosperity, creativity and friendship for decades to come.  

When the UK and US combine our talent, our capital and ambition, we don’t just watch the future unfold. We write the script.  

Starting in California.

Sir Christian Turner is the British ambassador to the United States, following a distinguished career in a variety of diplomatic roles.

Lara Flynn Boyle Steps Out in LA: Catch a Glimpse of the Actress at 56!

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Lara Flynn Boyle Steps Out in LA: Catch a Glimpse of the Actress at 56!

Lara Flynn Boyle made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles on Sunday, marking her first sighting in nearly a year.

The 56-year-old actress, known for her preference for privacy, was spotted taking a stroll with her cherished 12-year-old rescue dog, Shrimp.

Embracing her Irish roots, Boyle donned a grey sweatshirt emblazoned with the word “Irish,” showcasing her heritage with pride.

The Emmy-nominated star from “The Practice” completed her laid-back look with oversized dark sunglasses, white jeans, and coordinating sneakers.

During her outing, Boyle was also seen enjoying a cigarette, adding a touch of personal routine to her day.

Missing from the Iowa-born brunette’s side was her second husband, real estate developer Donald Ray Thomas, with whom she also lives in Texas part time.

Lara Flynn Boyle was photographed out in Los Angeles on Sunday for the first time in almost a year

Lara Flynn Boyle was photographed out in Los Angeles on Sunday for the first time in almost a year 

Lara Flynn Boyle went for a stroll through her Los Angeles, California neighborhood on Sunday in her first public sighting since June

Lara Flynn Boyle went for a stroll through her Los Angeles, California neighborhood on Sunday in her first public sighting since June

Flynn Boyle is pictured at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, where she famously wore a pink tutu

Flynn Boyle is pictured at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, where she famously wore a pink tutu

Boyle divorced her prior husband, John Patrick Dee III, in 1998 after two years of marriage.

After brief romances with Kyle MacLachlan and David Spade, the self-described ‘scrapper’ famously dated Jack Nicholson from 1999-2000, who was 33 years her senior.

Last year, the 89-year-old acting legend’s daughter Lorraine Nicholson penned a Vanity Fair essay about how she viewed Boyle as a kind of Mary Poppins when she was a child.

‘They were actually falling in love,’ the 36-year-old nepo baby wrote.

‘I’ll never forget the first day Lara was introduced to us children. She came down the outdoor staircase to join us by the pool…I remember what Lara wore – a thong bathing suit with flames licking up the crotch.’

Lorraine – whose mother Rebecca Broussard was suffering from alcoholism – remembered how Boyle actually played Barbies with her on Christmas while her famous father ‘had no interest in playing with dolls.’

‘When I looked over at her a few minutes later, I was shocked to find she was smashing the dolls faces together – my Barbies were kissing,’ the W Magazine reporter wrote.

Join the discussion

Has Hollywood failed older stars like Lara Flynn Boyle, or is its focus on youth justified?

After brief romances with Kyle MacLachlan and David Spade, the self-described 'scrapper' famously dated Jack Nicholson (L, pictured in 2002) from 1999-2000, who was 33 years her senior

After brief romances with Kyle MacLachlan and David Spade, the self-described ‘scrapper’ famously dated Jack Nicholson (L, pictured in 2002) from 1999-2000, who was 33 years her senior

The Emmy-nominated actress finished off her casual attire with white jeans and matching sneakers

She shielded her face with large dark sunglasses

The Emmy-nominated actress completed her casual look with large dark sunglasses, white jeans and matching sneakers

The part-time Texas resident was walking her beloved 12-year-old dog, Shrimp

The part-time Texas resident was walking her beloved 12-year-old dog, Shrimp

Boyle - who used to be covered in head-to-toe freckles - proudly showcased her heritage by sporting a grey 'Irish' sweatshirt

Boyle – who used to be covered in head-to-toe freckles – proudly showcased her heritage by sporting a grey ‘Irish’ sweatshirt

But the three-time Actor Award nominee refuses to watch herself onscreen: 'If you want to call me Norma Desmond, go for it. Whenever I catch a reflection of myself in a lens, I'm like, "Oh, cut"'

But the three-time Actor Award nominee refuses to watch herself onscreen: ‘If you want to call me Norma Desmond, go for it. Whenever I catch a reflection of myself in a lens, I’m like, “Oh, cut”‘

Lorraine also remembered she could talk to Boyle about self-harming and made her ‘feel like my pain mattered,’ she would join her in an uncomfortable bunk bed and she cried when she disappeared one day.

‘For this article, I asked Lara if I could see her for the first time in more than 20 years to talk about the time we shared,’ she wrote.

‘She declined. Of course, this feels like being rejected by Mommy. But the truth is, whether I see Lara again or not is almost irrelevant, because I carry so much of her in me.’

Last year, Nicholson's daughter Lorraine (L, pictured in 2002) penned a Vanity Fair essay about how she viewed Boyle as a kind of Mary Poppins when she was a child

Last year, Nicholson’s daughter Lorraine (L, pictured in 2002) penned a Vanity Fair essay about how she viewed Boyle as a kind of Mary Poppins when she was a child

The 36-year-old nepo baby - whose mother Rebecca Broussard was suffering from alcoholism - remembered how Boyle actually played Barbies with her, shared bunk beds with her and made her 'feel like my pain mattered'

The 36-year-old nepo baby – whose mother Rebecca Broussard was suffering from alcoholism – remembered how Boyle actually played Barbies with her, shared bunk beds with her and made her ‘feel like my pain mattered’ 

Boyle is best known for her breakout role as Laura Palmer's (Sheryl Lee) best friend Donna Hayward in David Lynch and Mark Frost's surrealist mystery Twin Peaks, which aired for two seasons spanning 1990-1991 on ABC

Boyle is best known for her breakout role as Laura Palmer’s (Sheryl Lee) best friend Donna Hayward in David Lynch and Mark Frost’s surrealist mystery Twin Peaks, which aired for two seasons spanning 1990-1991 on ABC 

She also memorably played Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble for five seasons of David E. Kelley's legal drama The Practice, which also aired on ABC

She also memorably played Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble for five seasons of David E. Kelley’s legal drama The Practice, which also aired on ABC

Boyle hasn’t acted since portraying impatient chainsmoker Linda in Niclas Larsson’s 2024 dismally-reviewed family dramedy Mother, Couch which only earned a measly $50,163 at the global box office.

The big-screen adaptation of Jerker Virdborg’s 2020 Swedish novel Mamma i soffa also starred Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans, Taylor Russell, Lake Bell, F. Murray Abraham and Ellen Burstyn.

Two years ago, Boyle told People that that she doesn’t blame Tinseltown for icing out aging actors. 

‘It’s not Hollywood’s fault. It’s all of our fault. Myself included. I like looking at pretty people on the camera,’ she said. 

But Boyle refuses to watch herself onscreen: ‘If you want to call me Norma Desmond, go for it. Whenever I catch a reflection of myself in a lens, I’m like, “Oh, cut.”‘

Boyle is best known for her breakout role as Laura Palmer’s (Sheryl Lee) best friend Donna Hayward in David Lynch and Mark Frost’s surrealist mystery Twin Peaks, which aired for two seasons spanning 1990-1991 on ABC.

She memorably played Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble for five seasons of David E. Kelley’s legal drama The Practice, which also aired on ABC.

Boyle is also known for her roles in Wayne’s World (1992), Threesome (1994), Happiness (1998), Fox’s Ally McBeal (1998-2002), Men in Black II (2002), Showtime’s Huff (2004-2005) and NBC’s Las Vegas (2005-2006).

Prepare for Wet Weather: Rainy Days Loom as El Niño Threatens to Impact Climate Patterns

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IN BRIEF:

  • A low-pressure trough is set to bring wet weather to Australia’s east coast.
  • The BoM’s long-range forecast predicts a warmer and drier winter, with the possibility of El Niño forming by the end of the season.

After enduring its second-driest April on record, eastern New South Wales is finally seeing a significant amount of rainfall.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has indicated that a low-pressure trough is responsible for the wet conditions currently affecting the eastern region, with the forecast suggesting more rain in the days ahead.

This shift in weather comes after the nation recorded its lowest April rainfall since 2018.

The BoM attributes this dry spell to prolonged high-pressure systems that have consistently prevented rainfall from reaching the east coast and Tasmania.

However, the BoM cautions that this week’s rain should not be seen as an indication of future weather patterns, as most of the country is expected to face a warm and dry winter.

What’s in store for parts of the east?

NSW can expect rain across much of the state, and especially in the north-east over the next 24 hours, with the trough bringing a risk of storms and minor flooding to the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers.

A minor flood warning has been issued for catchments in the region, with river levels expected to rise on Monday evening.

The BoM has warned residents to stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.

A man in the rain holding a green umbrella
There is more wet weather ahead for parts of NSW. Source: AAP / Steve Markham

Further south, the trough means that Sydney can expect showers tomorrow and a high of 22C.

Melbourne can expect a foggy, cool Tuesday with a high of 17C and developing showers.

Southern parts of Queensland, including Toowoomba and Brisbane, will have a wet Tuesday before it clears later in the evening.

In Adelaide, showers are easing and the BoM forecasts a top temperate of 19C on Tuesday, while over in the west, Perth is forecast to be sunny and 25C.

Low rain and high temperatures ahead

Last week, the BoM issued its long-range forecast for June to August.

It predicts below-average rain for much of Australia, including south-east Queensland, coastal NSW and South Australia, and eastern Tasmania. Only western Tasmania could see above-average rainfall.

At the same time, there’s a higher chance of warmer weather, with a 70 per cent chance of unusually high maximum temperatures across most of the country.

The forecast follows speculation of a “Super El Niño” later in the year, which could bring hotter and drier conditions to Australia.

The BoM says there are early signs of a developing El Niño, which could begin at the end of winter.

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Tragic Shooting at San Diego Mosque: 3 Victims and 2 Teen Suspects Found Dead, Police Report

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Tragic Shooting at San Diego Mosque: 3 Victims and 2 Teen Suspects Found Dead, Police Report

In a tragic incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, three adults lost their lives, and the two teenage suspects also died.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed that the suspects were aged 17 and 19. During a press briefing, Wahl stated that preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Importantly, he noted that no officers discharged their firearms during the standoff, although the investigation is still underway.

Among the casualties were three adults who were present at the center. Chief Wahl highlighted that one of the victims served as a security guard, who valiantly contributed to mitigating the potential severity of the attack.

Following the shooting, a heavy presence of police and SWAT vehicles was observed around the Islamic Center of San Diego as authorities responded to the active shooter situation. (KSWB)

Aerial view of police officers, SWAT vehicles and emergency response units outside the Islamic Center of San Diego.

Police and SWAT vehicles gather outside the Islamic Center of San Diego after reports of an active shooter on Monday. (KSWB)

Earlier in the day, officers were on scene at the mosque in the 7000 block of Eckstrom Avenue and urged the public to avoid the area as the situation unfolded.

A large police and SWAT presence gathered outside the Islamic Center, according to FOX 5 San Diego, while San Diego Fire-Rescue crews also responded to the scene.

Children from nearby schools were seen being evacuated as officers established a perimeter around the area, the outlet reported.

Mayor Todd Gloria said on X that he was aware of the situation.

“I am aware of the active shooter situation at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont and am continuing to receive updates from law enforcement,” he wrote on X. “Emergency personnel are on scene and actively working to protect the community and secure the area.”

In another post, Gloria wrote, “Please avoid the area and follow instructions from public safety officials. We will share updates as more information becomes available.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office said the governor has been briefed on the “evolving situation” at the Islamic Center.

“The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (@Cal_OES) is coordinating with local law enforcement,” Newsom’s team wrote on X. “We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities.”

The Islamic Center of San Diego describes itself on its website as the largest mosque in San Diego County.

The mosque shares an address with the Lower Campus of Bright Horizon Academy, a private Muslim school serving pre-K through 12th grade students, according to the school’s 2025 annual report.

Bright Horizon Academy reported enrollment of just over 350 students across its campuses. It was not immediately clear which grade levels are housed at the Lower Campus adjacent to the mosque, though the school’s high school operates at a separate location.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.

Rediscover These 5 Timeless ’70s War Films That Pack a Punch

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Rediscover These 5 Timeless ’70s War Films That Pack a Punch



Hollywood has long been fascinated with war, using film as a platform to illustrate the numerous military conflicts in the history of the United States. During the Second World War, the film industry almost acted as a propaganda machine, producing movies that highlighted America’s courageous efforts to combat global fascism. These films laid the groundwork for the war genre for years, featuring iconic heroes like John Wayne (who, interestingly, never served in the military) who epitomized the struggle against evil with valor and American spirit. However, as society evolved, so did cinema. The 1970s ushered in the New Hollywood era, where many films began to present a more skeptical view of the U.S. military.


United Artists

This shift toward a more intricate and sometimes critical portrayal of war was largely influenced by the Vietnam War, which was vividly depicted in the media every night. The anti-war movement gained momentum throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with many young men refusing to participate in what they saw as an unjust war. Those who did return from Vietnam often bore deep physical and psychological scars, leaving many to question the true purpose of their service. Although John Wayne attempted to offer his own perspective on Vietnam with “The Green Berets,” the era of uncritical portrayals of U.S. military actions had ended. Here are five impactful war films from the 1970s that continue to resonate, several of which are considered among the greatest war movies ever made.

In the midst of World War II, General George S. Patton, played by George C. Scott, takes command of the II Corps in North Africa following their defeat at the Battle of Kasserine Pass. A lifelong military officer, Patton believes he is reincarnated from legendary warriors, and he demands strict adherence to rules and discipline from his troops. His leadership style, however, often draws criticism, particularly after he slaps a soldier he accuses of cowardice. Despite the controversies, Patton’s strategic prowess leads the Allied forces to triumph over the Axis powers. His unfiltered opinions eventually lead to his dismissal after he controversially likens American politics to the Third Reich.

Released in 1970, “Patton” emerged alongside Robert Altman’s dark Korean War satire “M*A*S*H,” marking the dawn of New Hollywood. Consequently, Franklin J. Schaffner’s WWII saga is often seen as the more traditional of the two. Nevertheless, this view overlooks George C. Scott’s commanding portrayal of the contentious general, whose strategic genius is rivaled only by his ego. Regarded as one of the top World War II films, “Patton” garnered 10 Academy Award nominations and won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay (by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North), and Best Actor for Scott, who famously declined the honor.

Patton


Bettmann/Getty Images

Set during World War II, German army Corporal Rolf Steiner, portrayed by James Coburn, receives the prestigious Iron Cross. The newly appointed Captain Stransky, played by Maximilian Schell, is eager to earn an Iron Cross himself, a desire he openly shares with Colonel Brandt, played by James Mason. Tension mounts between the noble-born Stransky and Steiner over the fate of a captured Russian soldier: Stransky advocates for execution, while Steiner hides the boy. The conflict escalates as Steiner leads his men into battle on the Eastern Front, while Stransky, lacking courage, claims credit for a brutal military maneuver. When Steiner thwarts Stransky’s ambition to earn the Iron Cross, Stransky retaliates by sending Steiner’s unit on a perilous mission through enemy lines.

“Patton” was released in 1970, the same year that Robert Altman’s pitch-black Korean War satire “M*A*S*H” helped usher in the New Hollywood. As such, Franklin J. Schaffner’s WWII epic is often remembered as the stuffier war movie of the two, and in all fairness, it’s as old-fashioned a Hollywood epic as you can get. Yet that discounts the tremendous power of George C. Scott’s performance as the controversial general, whose brilliance for military strategy is matched only by his own inflated sense of self. One of the best World War II movies of all time, “Patton” earned 10 Oscar nominations and won seven prizes, including best picture, best director, best original screenplay (Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North), and best actor for Scott, who famously refused his award.

Cross of Iron


EMI Films

During WWII, embittered German army Corporal Rolf Steiner (James Coburn) receives one of the country’s highest military honors: the Iron Cross. The newly arrived Captain Stransky (Maximilian Schell) desperately wants an Iron Cross of his own, which he makes no secret of to Colonel Brandt (James Mason). The aristocratic Stransky clashes with Steiner over the handling of a Russian soldier his platoon captured: Stransky wants the boy shot, while Steiner hides him in a bunker. Their feud continues as Steiner leads his men into battle on the Russian front, and the cowardly Stransky takes credit for a gruesome military attack. When Steiner squashes Stransky’s hopes of receiving the Iron Cross, he takes his revenge by forcing Steiner’s platoon to make a dangerous trek through enemy territory.

Although most WWII movies center on the brave efforts of the Allied forces, Sam Peckinpah’s “Cross of Iron” views the war from the German perspective, dramatizing the class conflict between the high-society Nazis and the grunts forced to fight their battles for them. Released in 1977, it’s as violent and bleak as war movies get, and its impact is all the more powerful for focusing on the futile efforts of losers fighting for a dishonorable cause, whether they want to or not. Among its fans were Orson Welles, who likened it to the 1930 Oscar-winning classic “All Quiet on the Western Front,” and Quentin Tarantino, who used it as inspiration for one of his best movies, the Nazi-bashing “Inglourious Basterds.”

The Deer Hunter


Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images

In 1968, lifelong friends Mike (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken in one of his most memorable roles), and Steven (John Savage) prepare for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Before they deploy, the Pennsylvania steelworkers attend Steven’s lavish Russian Orthodox wedding and go deer hunting one last time. While in Vietnam, they are captured and placed in a POW camp, where they are forced to play Russian roulette. The three are separated after making a daring escape, with Mike returning home and forging a tentative relationship with Nick’s sweetheart, Linda (Meryl Streep). He finds Steven confined to a wheelchair in a veterans hospital, and returns to Saigon during its chaotic fall to rescue Nick, who has become an underground Russian roulette champion.

“The Deer Hunter” had a seismic impact when it hit theaters in 1978, only a few short years after the end of the Vietnam War. Clocking in at three hours, Michael Cimino’s epic drama dramatized the impact of the war on the ordinary men and women who fought it in devastating detail. Although it has been criticized for its portrayal of the Vietnamese people and dubious depiction of Russian roulette as a POW torture technique (most notably by Jane Fonda, whose Vietnam drama “Coming Home” was released that same year), there’s no denying the awesome power of everything else surrounding it. The film earned nine Oscar nominations and won five prizes: best picture, best director, best supporting actor (Walken), best film editing, and best sound.

Apocalypse Now


Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images

As the Vietnam War rages on, Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) spends his nights getting drunk in a cheap motel room, unable to deal with his trauma. He is recruited by a shadowy military group to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a high-ranking special forces officer who has reportedly gone rogue. Traveling by riverboat with the crew of a Navy patrol boat, Willard’s journey becomes increasingly hallucinatory and violent, from an air raid with the surf-obsessed Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall) to the massacre of a Vietnamese family aboard a fishing boat. He finds Kurtz in the jungles of Cambodia, where he lords over the natives in a decrepit temple riddled with dead bodies. As he attempts to kill Kurtz, Willard confronts his own heart of darkness.

Released in 1979, “Apocalypse Now” was Francis Ford Coppola’s attempt to make the definitive film about the war that had dominated the better part of two decades. Taking its inspiration from Joseph Conrad’s novella “Heart of Darkness,” it’s less about the Vietnam War and more about the very nature of warfare itself, from the devastation of its carnage to its impact on the human psyche. Although the many bizarre things that happened on set nearly ruined its director (detailed in the documentary “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse,” directed by Coppola’s wife, Eleanor), its power is overwhelming, and its images are awe-inspiring. One of the best historical movies of all time, “Apocalypse Now” earned eight Oscar nominations, including best picture, and won prizes for its cinematography and sound.

The Tin Drum


Oskar bangs his drum in 'The Tin Drum' (1979)

United Artists

While in his mother’s womb, German baby Oskar Matzerath (David Bennent) refuses to come out until he’s promised a tin drum. So his mother, Agnes (Angela Winkler), gifts her son the desired instrument on his third birthday. Reluctant to enter a world filled with adult problems, Oskar refuses to grow older and remains stuck inside the body of a three-year-old boy as the years pass. Angered by the dishonesty and treachery surrounding him, Oskar bangs his tin drum in protest, screaming as he clangs it louder and louder. As the years pass, Oskar matures as his body remains the same, fighting back against impending adulthood even while engaging in its many troubles. His desire to remain unsullied intensifies with the rise of Nazism and the chaos of WWII, which he responds to by beating his drum.

Adapted from the novel by Günter Grass, “The Tin Drum” employs magical realism to examine the horrors of WWII. Director Volker Schlöndorff takes a darkly comedic approach to the material, which stands in stark contrast to the bleakness of its subject matter. Yet in many ways, satire is the only rational way to deal with such tragedies, much like Oskar’s banging on the drum is the only way to respond to hypocrisy and injustice that goes unpunished. Released in 1979, “The Tin Drum” won the Oscar for best foreign language film and tied another 1970s war movie, “Apocalypse Now,” for the prestigious Palme d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival.



Scientists Sound Alarm as Glacier Nears Collapse

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Scientists Sound Alarm as Glacier Nears Collapse
One of the planet’s largest glaciers is about to break apart, and it could have serious repercussions in Australia and abroad.
Thwaites glacier in Antarctica, sometimes nicknamed the “doomsday glacier”, is about 120km wide and covers nearly the same area as Great Britain.

The enormous ice shelf that provides critical support to the Thwaites Glacier appears to be on the brink of breaking away. This development could have significant implications for the glacier’s stability.

Antarctica's Thwaites glacier is known as the "Doomsday glacier," due to the serious risk it poses during its melting process.
The Thwaites ice shelf is ‘shattering’ as it detaches from the glacier. (NASA)

Recent satellite imagery reveals that the Thwaites ice shelf, an expansive 45-kilometer-wide structure of floating sea ice adjacent to the glacier, is showing signs of separation. The images highlight severe fractures around the area where the ice shelf is anchored to the sea floor and abuts the glacier itself.

In addition to these fractures, the ice shelf is now moving at a much faster pace, further indicating its imminent detachment from its current position. This accelerated movement is a red flag, suggesting that the shelf may soon part ways with the glacier it helps stabilize.

“Suddenly, large areas are just falling to pieces,” remarked Christian Wild from the University of Innsbruck in Austria during an interview with NewScientist.com. Such observations underscore the urgency of monitoring this critical ice mass as it undergoes rapid changes.

“Suddenly, large areas are just falling to pieces,” Christian Wild at the University of Innsbruck in Austria told NewScientist.com.

“It looks like a windscreen that’s shattering.”

Thwaites glacier Antartica
Antarctica’s Thwaites glacier is nicknamed the ‘doomsday glacier’ due to the serious global risk it poses as it melts. (AP)

The British Antarctic Survey predicts the ice shelf’s “final demise could happen suddenly” and has even prepared an ‘obituary’ press release for it.

Though it’s impossible to predict exactly when the ice shelf will rip away from the Thwaites glacier, scientists expect the impact of it detachment will be significant.

It could even open the door to the glacier itself collapsing.

Without the ice shelf to buttress it, the Thwaites glacier is predicted to start moving and shrinking at a rapid rate.

It’s been shrinking for years and is currently responsible for about 4 per cent of all global sea-level rise.

That number is predicted to spike when the Thwaites ice shelf detaches.

The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica
If the Thwaites Glacier collapses, it could change Australia’s coastline forever. (Alexandra Mazur / University of Gothenburg)

It could rise to catastrophic levels if the glacier itself collapses, which scientists say could happen suddenly and without warning.

If or when the Thwaites glacier collapses, it’s expected to set off a domino effect across the West Antarctic ice sheet that could result in sea levels rising by more than 3m.

That would change coastlines across the globe and may put some of Australia’s most iconic beaches underwater.

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Brother of Murdered Grandmother Takes the Stand in Jordan Allen Trial

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Brother of Murdered Grandmother Takes the Stand in Jordan Allen Trial


GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — During the opening day of Jordan Allen’s murder trial, the defense and prosecution presented contrasting approaches to the jury.

Allen stands accused of the April 2022 murders of his 7-year-old brother, Jessie Allen, and his grandmother, Sherry Cole, in Greene County. At the time, Allen was 16 years old.

Charged with two counts of first-degree murder, Allen’s case was transferred to criminal court to be tried as an adult, despite him being a minor when the alleged crimes occurred.

Once the jury was assembled on Monday, both sides made emotional appeals. The defense team, consisting of public defender Todd Estep and Ally Richie, portrayed Allen as a “traumatized, exhausted, and isolated child” who was coerced into confessing to crimes he did not commit.

The defense referred to 2022 court filings that stated Allen confessed to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents about the murders of his brother and grandmother, allegedly admitting he had planned the acts.

Prosecutors relied on that alleged confession in their opening arguments.

Allen’s defense also told jurors about his own account of April 24, 2022. Allen alleged that his grandfather, Bill Cole, killed Jessie Allen and Sherry Cole.

Three witnesses were called to the stand on Monday to either testify to Allen’s character and upbringing or recount their experiences related to the deaths.

One of the witnesses who testified on Monday was Greene County sheriff’s deputy Rick Williams, who is also the brother of Sherry Cole. Williams arrived at the scene the night of the alleged murders as an off-duty officer.

“They were both just facedown, side by side,” Williams said. “And I know what death looks like, so I stepped away and continued talking to 911, telling them we needed everybody and just get everyone out there to help.”

Williams also said he did not believe Bill Cole was responsible for the deaths of Jessie Allen and Sherry Cole. According to Williams, he had never witnessed Bill Cole raise his voice or lose his temper toward his wife or grandsons.

The trial will continue on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
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