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Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian known for stirring controversy, particularly before the 2024 presidential election, is set to premiere his comedy specials on Netflix on April 7. The 40-year-old comedian's agreement with Netflix includes three comedy specials styled after his popular podcast, Kill Tony. In this podcast, aspiring comedians perform a 60-second set and then face roasts from Hinchcliffe and a panel of comedians. The first special was recorded at the Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas. Beyond the three Kill Tony specials featuring various comedians and celebrity guests, Hinchcliffe will also have a one-hour special. "We can't wait to Netflix and Kill," Hinchcliffe stated in a Netflix announcement on March 10. The specials are likely to be controversial among liberal viewers, joining other Netflix comedy specials that have sparked debate. In recent years, Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais have faced criticism for jokes about the trans community in their Netflix specials. Here's what you need to know about Tony Hinchcliffe, significant moments in his career, and the new wave of comedy he represents. How Tony Hinchcliffe got famous Hinchcliffe grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, admiring comedians like Bill Burr and Bill Cosby. Like many comedians, his humor started from a place of sadness. He told Variety in 2024, "Anytime my father, who would visit sometimes, would come around, my goal was to make him laugh because I thought that would make him visit more." In 2007, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. After opening for comedians such as Joe Rogan and Jeff Ross, he secured a writing position on "Comedy Central Roast," gaining recognition, particularly for the jokes he wrote for Martha Stewart to roast Justin Bieber in 2015. In 2013, he launched the Kill Tony podcast with Brian Redban at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles. Hinchcliffe became famous for randomly selecting people from a "Bucket of Destiny" and then roasting them. The weekly podcast has over 700 episodes. Hinchcliffe's comedy differs from typical celebrity roasts because of his targets, according to Matt Sienkiewicz, co-author of That's Not Funny: How the Right Makes Comedy Work for Them. "Hinchcliffe is mostly roasting people you've never heard of, which can make it feel much meaner." The question of where comedians should draw the line in their jokes is not new and doesn't seem to exist for Hinchcliffe. Three years after facing backlash for using a slur to describe Asian-American comedian Peng Dang, he stood by his actions, telling Variety in 2024, "my stance is that comedians should never apologize for a joke, should never stop working if everyone comes after them and should never slow down. In fact, they should utilize anything that happens to them for more material." "The comedy world tended to be dominated by center and center-left personalities broadly, and now we're seeing a real incursion of right wing voices who use aggressive, offensive joking as cover for free speech principles," says Nick Marx, co-author of That's Not Funny: How the Right Makes Comedy Work for Them. Why Hinchcliffe is having a moment Hinchcliffe went viral in October when he referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage" at a Madison Square Garden rally for GOP nominee Donald Trump. Celebrities like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and even the Mayor of San Juan, criticized his comments. Trump's campaign even released a statement saying, "These jokes do not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign." However, others argued that people should be able to take a joke, with Vice President Mike Pence stating, "We have to stop getting so offended." Hinchcliffe also gained attention for making homophobic remarks and jokes about slavery during a roast of Julian Edelman, star of the NFL's New England Patriots, at a Netflix comedy festival in May. "Being an outrage comic, a roast comic, an insult comic, somebody who wants to push buttons on race, anti-semitism, homophobia—that's sort of timeless and ageless," says Sienkiewicz. But Hinchcliffe, and similarly provocative podcaster Joe Rogan, are connecting with an online audience in new ways. While liberal comedians have traditionally dominated TV, many successful right-leaning comedians have built their audience through podcasts, YouTube, and by collaborating with other right-wing media figures. These comedians resonate with young men at a time when a significant percentage of them voted for the incumbent president. Clearly, Netflix is aiming to attract more of this audience to its platform. When questioned in March about Dave Chappelle and whether there were any lines for standup specials he would not cross, Netflix's co-CEO Ted Sarandos said, "The cost of entry is you do have to be funny for enough people, so there's a bit of a juice worth the squeeze argument… I was always a big standup comedy fan, and I knew that the art form itself always needed a safe place to try things out." He drew parallels between the controversy surrounding Hinchcliffe and past criticism of boundary-pushing comedians like Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Richard Pryor. "I think comedians define the culture in a bunch of ways, and they do that by figuring out where the lines are and the joke is." As Marx puts it, Hinchcliffe has a "knack for eliciting a reaction from that audience, and that's what Netflix wants. They want engagement. They are not going to be as invested in the ideology of their performer, as long as it keeps people subscribed and logged into Netflix."

` tags. I recently got an invitation to a party, and my first thought was to find a reason not to go. Maybe I'd say I was traveling, or that my kids needed me, or that I was getting sick. But even as I thought of more excuses, I said "yes," resigned myself to going, and put on a forced smile. My friend would be glad I came. I went to the party with a plan: get in and out in an hour. I'd greet the host, spend some time with her, and then get a glass of Prosecco. After that, I'd make awkward small talk with strangers, asking how they knew the host. We'd talk about the weather, what shows we were watching on Netflix, and then the weather again. I'd do my duty and leave. I didn't leave until three hours later. During the cocktail hour, I couldn't get away from someone who wouldn't stop talking about their "incredibly successful" business. Then, I was forced into a seated dinner, stuck between two close friends who talked over me and refused to switch seats when I politely asked. My friend gave me a quick hug and rushed off to host. I wondered if she'd even remember I was there. On the way home, I wished I'd listened to my gut and declined the invitation. For a long time, I thought I was an introvert. Only in the last few years have I realized I'm not an introvert; I'm socially selective. Being socially selective means choosing quality over quantity in my interactions with my community, including family, friends, and neighbors. I don't want to socialize just to be social, to stay busy, to have a good picture for social media, or to please others. I want to see my loved ones because I want to, not out of obligation or guilt. I want to be fully present and genuinely happy to be there for my community, not looking for a way out. Recently, a new conversation has started about how we should best support our communities. On the one hand, we should with our and our so we can balance our responsibilities to ourselves with our responsibilities to others. We should say "no" more often. But sometimes, we need to push ourselves and make compromises to build community. Over the last few decades, technology has made it easier to live isolated and independent lives, avoiding the messiness of being in community with others. You can order groceries online and avoid crowded stores. You can call a taxi without having to explain where you're going. You can find a date without the awkwardness of approaching someone at a bar. However, as Divya Venn writes, "being annoyed is the price you pay for community." "It means having guests when you'd rather be alone, letting someone live with you even when they annoy you, attending events you'd rather skip, and turning the other cheek." Of course, it's okay to be annoyed, to accept being annoyed, and to do things that annoy us. Accepting some discomfort is part of the social contract in most communities. But this constant annoyance can turn into deep resentment over time, damaging relationships and our connection to the community. For me, nothing is more irritating than participating in social activities just to check a box instead of making real connections. I know I owe a lot to my family, friends, and community. We support each other in the unglamorous, everyday moments: arranging playdates when school is closed, delivering meals when someone loses a loved one, giving a neighbor a ride when their car won't start. I don't find any of this inconvenient or annoying because that's what community is for, and that's how we support each other. But if I did find any of these things annoying, I would need to rethink what's really bothering me. Maybe it's not helping a neighbor with her packages; maybe it's that I don't feel valued by that person. Ultimately, this discussion about what we owe our communities and the price we should pay to be part of one should focus on how important these relationships are to us. We shouldn't see making meals for a sick friend or walking someone's dog as an annoyance because these "annoyances"—the tough, boring, and mundane moments—become the foundation of our connections and what it truly means to be part of a community.

Despite widespread concerns about the potential for a recession due to President Trump's trade policies, the "slow fashion" movement could benefit. Slow fashion promotes environmentally friendly and ethical retail practices, such as buying secondhand items. It involves a greater awareness of the impact of products on workers, communities, and ecosystems, as Kate Fletcher described in the Ecologist in 2007. Fast fashion, which prioritizes low costs and rapid shipping for inexpensive, short-lived items, has historically overshadowed slow fashion. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that clothing production will triple from 2017 to 160 million tonnes by 2050. Many Gen Z consumers shop at companies like and , and over a third make monthly purchases from TikTok Shop. However, the fast fashion industry faced challenges on April 2 due to additional tariffs on Chinese goods and a new rule signed by President Trump. The elimination of the "de minimis exemption" for goods from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2, closes a loophole that allowed companies like Shein and Temu to send millions of packages to the U.S. without duties. This exemption previously waived customs declarations and duties for small packages valued at $800 or less shipped directly to consumers. According to the Congressional Research Service, the number of these small, duty-free shipments from China increased by 1,145% between 2018 and 2023. Resale companies believe that the de minimis exemption has fueled the affordability and ease of fast fashion, hindering the wider adoption of slow fashion. GoodwillFinds CEO Matt Kaness told Glossy that resale companies view fast fashion as their main competition because of its low prices, poor quality, and negative environmental impact. Now, resale companies may have an advantage. Venturen advisor Luca Cipiccia noted on LinkedIn that resale companies are relatively insulated from the broader Trump tariffs because they do not rely on global supply chains for sourcing. ThredUp's chief strategy officer, Alon Rotem, told Trellis that their clothing comes from the closets of Americans. While shares of most retail companies fell after Trump announced tariffs on goods from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, The RealReal has largely withstood the impact, and ThredUp's shares have slightly increased since April 2. The SPDR S&P Retail ETF fell 8% last Thursday; , , and PDD Holdings, which owns Temu, also saw their stock . ThredUp CEO James Reinhart called the end of the de minimis exemption for China a long overdue "leveling of the playing field." The company stated that this policy is a win for both the environment and the future of sustainable fashion because the de minimis loophole has given fast fashion retailers an unfair advantage by allowing them to flood the market with cheap, short-lived items while avoiding import duties.

BANGKOK — Global stock markets experienced a sharp decline on Monday following the increase in U.S. tariffs and subsequent countermeasures from China, triggering widespread selling. European markets followed the downward trend set by Asia, with Germany's DAX dropping 6.5% to 19,311.29. In Paris, the CAC 40 fell 5.9% to 6,844.96, while the UK's FTSE 100 decreased by 5% to 7,652.73. U.S. futures indicated continued weakness. The S&P 500 future declined by 3.4%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average future by 3.1%, and the Nasdaq future by 5.3%. On Friday, market turmoil intensified, with the S&P 500 falling 6% and the Dow dropping 5.5%. The Nasdaq composite decreased by 3.8%. President Trump reaffirmed his stance on tariffs on Sunday, stating that while he didn't desire market declines, he wasn't worried about the sell-offs, suggesting that "sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something." Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index fell nearly 8% shortly after opening, briefly suspending futures trading. It closed down 7.8% at 31,136.58. Mizuho Financial Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group experienced significant losses, with shares falling 10.6% and 10.2% respectively, amid investor concerns about the trade war's impact on the global economy. Rintaro Nishimura of the Asia Group stated that the uncertainty surrounding the tariffs' effects is driving the decline in stock prices. Chinese markets also experienced declines. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 13.2% to 19,828.30, while the Shanghai Composite index decreased by 7.3% to 3,096.58. Taiwan's Taiex fell 9.7%. Kenny Ng Lai-yin of Everbright Securities International suggested that the declines may reflect a catch-up from Friday's market closures in China. E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holdings fell 18%, and tech giant Tencent Holdings lost 12.5%. South Korea's Kospi decreased by 5.6% to 2,328.20, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 4.2% to 7,343.30, recovering from a steeper drop. Asia's reliance on exports, particularly to the U.S., is a contributing factor to the market downturn. Gary Ng of Nataxis noted the potential crises for small, trade-dependent economies and emphasized the importance of Trump reaching agreements with countries soon. Oil prices also declined, with U.S. benchmark crude down $2.03 at $59.96 per barrel and Brent crude down $2.03 to $63.55 a barrel. Currency exchange rates fluctuated, with the U.S. dollar falling to 146.24 Japanese yen and the euro rising to $1.0970. Market observers anticipate continued market volatility in the near future due to the unlikelihood of a quick resolution to the trade war. Nathan Thooft of Manulife Investment Management predicted retaliatory tariffs from more countries, leading to prolonged negotiations and market uncertainty. Heavy selling was triggered by China's response to President Trump's tariff increase, escalating the trade war and raising recession concerns. Even positive U.S. job market data couldn't halt the decline. China's Commerce Ministry announced a 34% tariff on imports of all U.S. products beginning April 10, in response to U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. The trade war between the U.S. and China, the world's two largest economies, raises concerns about a potential global recession, which could further depress stock prices. The S&P 500 was down 17.4% from its February record as of Friday. President Trump acknowledged that Americans may experience "some pain" from tariffs but argued that the long-term benefits, such as increased manufacturing jobs in the U.S., are worth it. The Federal Reserve could potentially mitigate the impact of tariffs by cutting interest rates, but Chairman Jerome Powell noted that this could also lead to increased inflation. The duration of Trump's tariffs and the reactions of other countries will be crucial factors. Some investors remain hopeful that he will lower tariffs after securing favorable trade deals. Stuart Kaiser of Citi suggested that earnings estimates and stock values don't fully reflect the potential impact of the trade war, indicating further downside risk. The Trump administration has not indicated any intention of easing the tariffs, despite the significant financial losses they have caused. White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, appearing on Fox News Channel, echoed the president's sentiment, urging investors to remain calm and allow the market to find its bottom, predicting a significant stock market boom as a result of the administration's trade policies. ```

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — According to medical personnel, Israeli forces struck tents near two major hospitals overnight, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals, including a local journalist, and injuries to nine others, including six journalists, on Monday. Hospitals reported fifteen additional fatalities from separate strikes throughout the Gaza Strip. A strike on a media tent outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis at approximately 2 a.m. caused a fire, resulting in the deaths of Yousef al-Faqawi, a reporter for the Palestine Today news website, and another person, as stated by the hospital. Six reporters sustained injuries in the same strike. The Israeli military stated that they targeted a Hamas militant but provided no further details. They maintain that they attempt to avoid civilian casualties and attribute such deaths to Hamas's presence within residential areas. Reports from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah indicate that Israeli forces also struck tents on the hospital's periphery, wounding three people. Nasser Hospital reported receiving thirteen additional bodies, including those of six women and four children, from separate strikes occurring overnight. Al-Aqsa Hospital reported two deaths and three injuries resulting from a strike on a home in Deir al-Balah. Israel has been conducting extensive strikes across Gaza and maintaining ground forces since last month. Israel has been restricting the entry of essential supplies, including food, fuel, medicine, and humanitarian aid, since the beginning of March. Throughout the 18-month conflict, thousands have sought refuge in tents erected within hospital compounds, under the assumption that these locations would be less likely targets for Israeli forces. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of utilizing hospitals for military purposes; these allegations have been refuted by hospital staff. The conflict was initiated by a Hamas-led incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023, which involved attacks on army bases and farming communities, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians. 251 individuals were abducted, with 59 still held captive – 24 of whom are believed to be alive – after the majority were released during ceasefires or other agreements. Israel has pledged to maintain military pressure until Hamas releases the remaining hostages, surrenders its weapons, and withdraws from the territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated his intention to implement U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate a significant portion of Gaza’s population to other countries through what he describes as “voluntary emigration.” Palestinians have expressed their desire to remain in their homeland, and human rights experts have cautioned that implementing the Trump proposal could constitute mass expulsion. Netanyahu was scheduled to visit Washington on Monday to discuss issues relating to Gaza, among other topics. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children. The ministry does not specify the number of militants versus civilians among the deceased. Israel claims to have killed approximately 20,000 militants, but has not provided supporting evidence. The offensive has caused extensive destruction throughout Gaza and, at its peak, displaced around 90% of its population. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. ```

Jay North, best known for his role as the mischievous Dennis on the television series Dennis the Menace, which began airing in 1959 and continued for four seasons, has passed away at the age of 73 in Lake Butler, Florida. According to Laurie Jacobson, a close friend, and Bonnie Vent, his booking agent, North died on Sunday at his Lake Butler, Florida residence after a battle with colon cancer. Jacobson shared a tribute on Facebook, saying that North had a huge heart, deeply loved his friends, frequently called them, and always ended their conversations with "I love you with all my heart." North was cast at age 6 to play the smiling troublemaker in the CBS sitcom based on Hank Ketcham’s popular comic strip, which was set in a typical American suburb. Dennis, often seen in a striped shirt and overalls, frequently annoyed his retired neighbor George Wilson, played by Joseph Kearns, with his antics. Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry portrayed Dennis's understanding parents. The show aired on Sunday evenings before its cancellation in 1963. Afterward, it remained popular for many years in syndication. North later made appearances in TV shows such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Lucy Show, My Three Sons, Lassie, and The Simpsons, as well as films like Maya (1966), The Teacher (1974), and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003). He is survived by his third wife, Cindy, and three stepdaughters.

A Minecraft Movie has given Hollywood a much-needed boost with its successful opening weekend, greatly reducing the box office shortfall for the year. The film's performance exceeded all expectations, earning an impressive $157 million in the U.S. and Canada during its first weekend, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. Its international earnings added another $144 million, bringing its worldwide debut to a total of $301 million. With spring breaks still in progress, A Minecraft Movie is poised for continued success. Pamela Abdy, co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, expressed her delight, stating, "We’re just thrilled that audiences are responding and that everyone’s going to the theater." A Minecraft Movie not only marks the biggest opening of 2025 but also surpassed The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($146 million) to become the highest-grossing video game adaptation. Prior to the weekend, analysts predicted a potential $80 million opening for Minecraft, but the film nearly doubled that projection. Michael DeLuca, also co-chair and CEO, emphasized the importance of the film's appeal: “You can’t underestimate the value of earnest, entertaining, joyous cinema. People really want an escape, especially when it involves the whole family.” While success in the movie industry is never guaranteed, a film based on the best-selling video game of all time had a strong foundation. Despite the game's lack of a traditional narrative, its enormous player base of 200 million active monthly players flocked to see the movie. DeLuca noted that it's one of the "broadest playing movies" they've ever seen, performing well in cinemas of all sizes around the world. The PG-rated film, directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), is a joint venture between Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros., with a production budget of $150 million, excluding marketing expenses. The cast, led by Jack Black and Jason Momoa (along with Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen), portrays characters who journey to the Overworld, a fantastical realm, embarking on a comical and perilous quest to return home. DeLuca stated, “We made the movie for the fans and the fans exceeded our expectations.” While critical reception was mixed, audiences gave A Minecraft Movie a promising B+ CinemaScore and a 4/5 star rating in PostTrak exit polls. Men accounted for approximately 62% of the audience, with 64% being under the age of 25. Warner Bros. launched a large-scale release, showing the film in 4,263 locations domestically and 36,000 screens internationally. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, commented on the draw for younger viewers: “Younger audiences love going to the movie theater, believe it or not. This is the perfect small screen to big screen alliance. It became a must-see theatrical event. Awareness was off the charts.” Recent years have seen significant successes in video game adaptations, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the Sonic films, and Five Nights at Freddy’s. “Video games were once a genre that had very mixed results at the box office, but the code has finally been cracked,” Dergarabedian observed. In other box office news, A Working Man, starring Jason Statham, secured second place with $7.3 million in its second week. The second installment of The Chosen: Last Supper series took third place, earning $7 million over the weekend. The final set of episodes will be released in theaters on April 11. Snow White dropped to fourth place in its third weekend, adding $6.1 million to its total, which now exceeds $168 million globally. Hollywood and movie theaters have faced a challenging start to 2025, with disappointments like Snow White and Mickey 17. However, a single hit can significantly shift the momentum, particularly with the summer movie season approaching in May and its associated in-theater marketing campaigns. Prior to this weekend, the box office was lagging 13% behind last year's figures. This hit has narrowed the deficit to 5%.