Bjorn Andresen, Reluctant ‘Most Beautiful Boy,’ Dies at 70

THE NEW YORK TIMES: At 15, he played the muse to an ailing composer in Luchino Visconti’s film “Death in Venice.” He later said he’d felt sexualized by the director.

Bjorn Andresen, a Swedish actor who as a teenager played an ailing composer’s object of unrequited desire in the 1971 film “Death in Venice,” but who resented being objectified by the film’s director, Luchino Visconti, who called him “the most beautiful boy in the world,” died on Oct. 25 in Stockholm. He was 70.

The cause of death, in a hospital, was cancer, said his daughter, Robine Roman.

Mr. Andresen (pronounced “an-DRAY-son”) was 15 and had long blond hair and high cheekbones when he was cast as Tadzio, a Polish boy who visits Venice with his family, in Visconti’s adaptation of Thomas Mann’s 1912 novella.

Tadzio’s mere appearance bewitches the composer Gustav von Aschenbach, played in the film by Dirk Bogarde. They meet in an elevator, leaving Aschenbach spellbound as they lock eyes but do not speak. Aschenbach then follows Tadzio around the city and fantasizes about him as a kind of artistic and romantic muse, before growing sick and dying in a beach chair as he reaches toward the boy.

In his 1983 autobiography, “Dirk Bogarde: An Orderly Man,” Mr. Bogarde described Mr. Andresen as “the perfect Tadzio” and said that he had “an almost mystic beauty.”

But, he added, “the last thing that Bjorn ever wanted, I am certain, was to be in movies.” » | Richard Sandomir | Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Related video and links here.

Le prince Andrew était-il le fils préféré de la reine Elizabeth II ?

MADAME FIGARO : Troisième enfant de la reine Elizabeth, le prince Andrew a toujours été considéré comme son préféré, à tel point que la souveraine aurait fermé les yeux sur les scandales à l’origine de sa chute de son fils.

Au cœur des scandales depuis les révélations autour de l’affaire Epstein, le prince Andrew aurait longtemps bénéficié de la clémence de sa mère, la reine Elizabeth II. Il aurait même toujours été son fils préféré. Né en février 1960, alors que sa mère est sur le trône depuis 7 ans, le prince Andrew est celui de ses quatre enfants avec qui la souveraine elle aurait passé le plus de temps. Plus aguerrie à son quotidien de monarque, Elizabeth II a pu en effet s’investir davantage dans la vie de ses deux plus jeunes fils, le prince Andrew et le benjamin de la fratrie, le prince Edward, né en mars 1964. Contrairement au prince Charles et la princesse Anne, qui avaient respectivement quatre et deux ans au moment du couronnement de leur mère, en juin 1953. » | Par Louise Ginies | jeudi 30 octobre 2025

What Life Is Really Like for North Korean Elite

Oct 27, 2025 | Behind Pyongyang’s spotless skyline lies a secret world of unimaginable privilege and silent terror. From million-dollar Mercedes convoys and $30,000 cognac to private zoos, smuggling networks, and fear-based loyalty — this is the untold story of North Korea’s élite.

Discover how the “Little Royals” live like kings while the rest of the nation survives on two bowls of rice a day. Explore a world built on contradictions — where luxury meets paranoia, and privilege depends on obedience.

Are We in a Golden Age of Sycophancy?

Oct 22, 2025 | Globe and Mail features writer Ian Brown joins host Andrew Zucker to discuss his latest piece, “We Live in a Golden Age of Sycophancy.” Brown discusses global leaders’ use of flattery with Trump, how Canada reacted to the Carney-Trump meeting, and the dangers of bootlicking in business and beyond.

California Republicans Go Quiet as Prop 50 Continues to Gain Traction after GOP Power Grab

Oct 29, 2025 | Marc Elias, Founder of Democracy Docket and David Graham, Staff Writer for The Atlantic join Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House with reaction to the growing support for Prop 50 in California as it seems Republicans in the state have accepted that it is likely to lead to redrawn maps favoring Democrats in the same way that the Trump Administration strong armed states with Republican state legislatures.

Jeffrey Epstein’s Wishes …

All is explained here.

Centre-left Party Leads Far-right in Netherlands Election Exit Poll

Oct 30, 2025 | Exit polls in the Dutch general election show the result is too close to call.

The pro-European, centrist D66 party and the far-right Freedom party are neck and neck with more than 90 percent of the votes counted. They need 76 seats to form a government, and neither is close to that number.

Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen reports from Leiden, Netherlands on what it means.

The Dutch Election Results Explained

Oct 30, 2025

Trump’s Not Okay

Heather Cox Richardson explains why.
This is a recurring problem when you keep on electing and re-electing geriatrics to the White House! — © Mark Alexander

Centrist D66 Party Set to Win Most Seats in Dutch Election, Exit Poll Suggests

THE GUARDIAN: Result would pave the way for the Netherlands’ first out gay prime minister and end far-right populist Geert Wilders’ time in power

The liberal-progressive D66 party was on track to become the largest in the Dutch parliament, according to an exit poll, after a snap general election in which Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom party was seen losing a third of its seats.

The poll, with a one- to two-seat margin of error, gave the centrist party an estimated 27 MPs in the 150-seat assembly, possibly clearing a path for its 38-year-old leader, Rob Jetten, to become the Netherlands’ youngest and first out gay prime minister.

The result, if confirmed, would mark a historic comeback for the almost 60-year-old party, which won just nine seats in the last 2023 election, and a serious setback for Wilders’ anti-immigraton Freedom party (PVV), forecast to slump from 37 MPs to 25. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Meet Nicolás Keenan & Rob Jetten, the Couple Giving ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Vibes at Paris Olympics »

Republicans Now OPENLY Admit Trump Is Planning a Coup!

Oct 29, 2025 | Jesse talks about remarkable treasonous comments from Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who talked to a reporter about Donald Trump’s “openness” to a coup attempt in the form of trying to run for office for an unconstitutional 3rd term. Tuberville said, “If you read the Constitution it says it's not BUT he says he has some different circumstances that he might be able to go around the Constitution!”

According to the BERLINER ZEITUNG today, Trump has accepted that he cannot hold office for a third term You can read the German article here. But Trump’s word is not to be trusted here, of course. He could well change his mind, as is his wont. — © Mark Alexander

Who's Really Paying for Trump's White House Ballroom?

Oct 29, 2025 | President Trump has always said he would pay for the White House East Wing ballroom himself, yet it is unclear how much he’s contributed to the project, reports New York Magazine's Intelligencer senior editor Margaret Hartmann writes.

Naff is as naff does! — © Mark Alexander

Ceasefire on the Brink: Israel Launches New Strikes on Gaza after Truce Violations.

Oct 29, 2025 | In a dramatic escalation, Israeli warplanes struck targets across Gaza after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered “powerful strikes” in response to alleged Hamas ceasefire breaches. The attacks hit multiple neighborhoods, including near Al-Shifa Hospital, killing several civilians and reigniting fears of renewed full-scale war. This report breaks down the events leading to the strikes, the political pressure driving Netanyahu’s decision, and the fragile U.S.-brokered truce that now hangs in the balance.

Watch an Anti-Trump Protest Break Out in Tokyo!

October 29, 2025

Trump äußert sich über dritte Amtszeit als US-Präsident

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Donald Trump hatte in der Vergangenheit immer wieder öffentlich mit einer dritten Amtszeit geliebäugelt. Nun weist er die Idee erstmals klar zurück. „Es ziemlich eindeutig“, sagt er über die Verfassung.

Nach zahlreichen Andeutungen, er könne vielleicht einen Weg für eine weitere Amtszeit finden, hat US-Präsident Donald Trump am Mittwoch eingeräumt, er dürfe nicht erneut kandidieren. Auf dem Flug nach Südkorea sagte Trump amerikanischen Medienberichten zufolge, es sei klar, dass ihm die Verfassung eine erneute Kandidatur nicht erlaubt. „Wenn man sie liest, ist es ziemlich eindeutig“, sagte Trump am Mittwoch gegenüber Reportern an Bord der Air Force One auf dem Flug von Japan nach Südkorea. „Ich darf nicht kandidieren. Schade.“

Diese Einschätzung gab am Vortag auch der republikanische Sprecher des Repräsentantenhauses, Mike Johnson, ab. Demnach sagte er gegenüber Reportern am Dienstag im US-Kapitol, er sehe „keinen Weg“, dass Trump für eine dritte Amtszeit kandidieren könnte. Seit der Verabschiedung des 22. Verfassungszusatzes im Jahr 1951 ist in den USA vorgesehen, dass „niemand mehr als zweimal“ zum Präsidenten gewählt werden darf. » | Sophie Barkey | Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2025

Cambriolage au Louvre : les deux suspects interpellés ont «partiellement reconnu» les faits, les bijoux restent «introuvables»

LE FIGARO : Les deux hommes, connus de la police pour des vols et qui résidaient à Aubervilliers, avaient été interpellés samedi soir, au terme d’une intense traque. Celle-ci continue de mobiliser une centaine d’enquêteurs.

Dix jours après le casse du Louvre au retentissement planétaire, et dont le butin est estimé à 88 millions d’euros, «les bijoux n’ont pas été retrouvés», a déclaré Laure Beccuau, procureure de la République de Paris, dans une conférence de presse, ce mercredi. «Je veux garder l’espoir qu’ils seront retrouvés, et pourront être rendus au musée du Louvre et à la Nation. Ces bijoux sont bien sûr aujourd’hui invendables. Il est encore temps de les restituer.» » | Par Rozenn Morgat | mercredi 29 octobre 2025

#1 Heart Surgeon: HEART DISEASE Is Preventable through the FOOD We Eat | Dr. Philip Ovadia

Oct 25, 2025 | In this ‘Thrive Talk’ podcast episode, I welcome Dr. Philip Ovadia, a heart surgeon, author, and founder of Ovadia Heart Health.

In our conversation, Dr. Ovadia challenges the conventional view of heart disease, clarifying what cholesterol does for the body and emphasizing the need for more awareness around inflammation and insulin resistance. He discusses the drawbacks of weight loss medications, like Ozempic and Mounjaro, promotes the benefits of whole foods and animal protein, and shares the importance of early detection when it comes to issues of blood vessels and the heart.

Dr. Ovadia also speaks on the misconceptions about statins, the importance of cholesterol quality, and shares actionable steps for optimizing metabolic health.

Tune in to this perspective-widening conversation about heart health and the ways we can not only live healthier, but prevent heart disease in the process. His book, Stay off My Operating Table, teaches you the 7 principles of metabolic health and shows you how to eat metabolically healthy with just about any popular diet.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines

October 29, 2025

Anand GiridharadasTrump and Zohran, Demolition and Rebuilding

Oct 27, 2025 | Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat returns to help us parse Trump's latest gambits, including the spectacle of a White House demolition and the soft launch of a third-term fantasy

Tödlicher Polizeieinsatz in Rio de Janeiro

Oct 29, 2025 | Brennende Autos und Drohnen tragen zu kriegsähnlichen Situationen bei. Die Aktion in zwei Armenvierteln der Stadt richtet sich dabei gegen die kriminelle Gruppe Comando Vermelho. Menschenrechtler kritisieren den Einsatz. © REUTERS, AP