Pat Finn was a beloved character actor and one of his most memorable roles was on Seinfeld.
Finn appeared in the season 9 episode titled “The Reverse Peephole,” which aired in 1998. Finn played the group’s friend Joe Mayo. In the episode, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and George (Jason Alexander) are looking for a housewarming present for Joe and the trio decide on a massage chair.
George decides he wants to save a few bucks, so he buys the piece of furniture from Delaware. However, the chair does not arrive in time for Joe’s party, so the group shows up empty-handed.
While at the get-together, Elaine becomes in charge of the coats after being embarrassed by on-and-off boyfriend David Puddy’s (Patrick Warburton) fur coat. Elaine secretly throws out the fur coat but later learns it was actually Joe’s coat that she tossed. Joe demands that Elaine get him a new jacket.
Following the party, the massage chair is delivered to George’s house by mistake. George is suffering from back pain so he delays giving his friend his gift so he can use it instead.
As Elaine is figuring out how to get Joe’s coat back to him, Kramer (Michael Richards) tells her that Newman (Wayne Knight) found the piece of clothing. Elaine goes to Newman to try to convince him to give her the coat but he had already given the item to the wife of their landlord, Silvio (Jon Polito), whom Newman was having an affair with.
Silvio later learns about the affair and threatens to evict Newman and Kramer over it. Kramer attempts to save himself by telling Silvio the coat belongs to Jerry. After Jerry goes along with the ruse, Elaine finds him wearing Joe’s coat and asks him why he is wearing the item. Silvio then believes Joe is responsible for the affair and vows to get revenge on him. The episode ends with Silvio ambushing Joe with a sock of pennies.
Before landing the role, Finn and his wife, Donna, were big fans of the comedy. During a 2021 interview with “This Podcast is Making Me Thirsty,” Finn shared that Seinfeld was playing on the TV when Donna gave birth to their daughter long before he would appear on the series. (The couple share three kids.)
“[Our daughter] was born and Seinfeld was on in the room. So we always knew it was like eight o’clock or whatever. We knew cause Seinfeld was on,” he recalled.
When Finn appeared on the show years later, he gushed about how welcomed he felt by the cast.
“When I was done with the scene, I’d go over to this table in the middle where they had magazines and newspapers and I just stayed there one so I could listen and kind of learn from their rehearsal,” he explained. “And the other [reason] was in case they needed me and I wasn’t too far away so they wouldn’t think I was a snotty actor. The cast would gradually come [over] like Jason sat down.”
Finn added that when someone would sit with him they would get to know him.
“It was so nice because they didn’t have to but to be welcomed into any group is nice, especially that group,” he recalled. “You especially want them to be nice because you put them on such a high pedestal.”
Finn died on Tuesday, December 24, following a battle with cancer. He was 60.
“It is with profound sadness and grief that the Finn family announces the passing of beloved comedic actor, Pat Finn,” Finn’s rep said in a statement to the New York Post. “In 2022, Pat battled bladder cancer, went into remission, but the cancer returned and metastasized. He was a warrior in every sense of the word.”
TMZ reported that Finn passed away at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by his family. The actor is survived by wife Donna and their three children.
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Kate Hudson just reminded Us why a classic cable-knit never goes out of style. The actress was recently spotted in Los Angeles wearing a cream sweater version that instantly earned a spot on our winter wish list. It’s cozy, classic and the kind of winter piece you’ll reach for on repeat.
Hudson wore her sweater to The Ralph Lauren Holiday Experience pop-up on December 5, pairing it with a silk slip skirt for an elevated cold-weather combo. While her version is likely designer, we tracked down this chic lookalike that’s currently 34% off on Amazon. Consider this your sign to copy the look now!
Get the Leani Cable-Knit Turtleneck Sweater for $29 (originally $44) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, December 23, 2025, but are subject to change.
The Leani Cable-Knit Turtleneck Sweater is the perfect way to recreate Hudson’s look while staying on budget. It has a nice turtleneck and knit-blend fabric that makes it as warm as it is cozy. And with its simple Irish-style stitch, the versatile sweater is great option to wear with endless winter outfits.
Throw it on with jeans and booties for dinner with friends, or dress it up with trousers and heels for the office. You could even style it like Hudson for a holiday party with a satin skirt. And if cream isn’t your thing, the sweater comes in other equally seasonal shades like burgundy, olive and more.
We’re not the only ones impressed; over 700 shoppers gave it their stamp of approval, too. One reviewer raved about its “beautiful and classy” woven design, saying that they’ve “received many compliments” while wearing it.
Another customer, who normally will “pay a lot more money” for sweaters at big retailers loves the quality of this now-$29 find. “I love this sweater. It is so incredibly soft and has the right amount of interest in its design,” they wrote.
“Since she wants to be petty and be an a**hole, I think I am just going to go ahead and say that grandpa Bret likes to drink her piss like it is dirty soda,” Jessi said in an Instagram Story video on November 25. “He gulps it down like water. And that is what ‘Fruity Pebbles’ means.”
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight published on Thursday, December 4, Demi confessed that Jessi outing her and Bret made things a little awkward around the dinner table at Thanksgiving.
“It’s an awkward topic, not gonna lie,” Demi told the outlet. “I had to go to Thanksgiving the next day. It was not ideal.”
Despite her initial shock at Jessi going public with the couple’s sex act, Demi said she and Bret decided to lean into the controversy.
“Fruity Pebbles has been a topic that we’ve all teased and talked about for so long and as much as it was a private moment, and we never planned on sharing this ourselves, we have nothing else left to do other than just own it and have fun with it,” Demi said.
She continued, “I think I just thought that it’s out there and it’s going to be talked about … I was able to handle the comments and everything with just more levity, which was nice.”
Disney/Pamela Littky (2)
Demi and Jessi fell out during season 2 of Mormon Wives, with their relationship only deteriorating further in season 3, which saw Jessi reveal her affair with Vanderpump Villa’s Marciano Brunette. Marciano also claimed he kissed Demi, which she has denied.
“There are things that people have seen on camera, there’s things that people haven’t seen, and I’m kind of at peace with it,” Demi said of her feud with Jessi. “Whereas, I do feel like Jessi does take a lot of time out of her life to make it a point to dislike me.”
The influencer said she hasn’t closed the door completely on her friendship with Jessi.
“On my end, 100 percent,” Demi responded when asked if there’s a chance of the two reconciling. “If Whitney[Leavitt] and Mikayla[Matthews] can become friends again, there’s hope for Demi and Jessi.”
“And at the end of the day, like, I never wish anyone ill will and I don’t want to ever see anyone fail or suffer. I want to see her do well and I hope she is doing well,” she added.
At the time of Jessi’s Fruity Pebbles revelation, Demi issued a statement via Instagram, writing, “What my husband and I did one time behind closed doors was a consensual and private experience in our marriage.”
“I won’t let a private act between my husband and I be a distraction from a serious act that I did not consent to,” she added, referring to her allegations that Marciano touched her without consent.
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Fishermen gliding on a canoe off the coast of Dar es Salaam. Photo by Kizito Makoye
NICE, France, Jun 17 2025 (IPS) – With less than six harvest seasons left to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the urgency to find transformative solutions to end hunger, protect the oceans, and build climate resilience dominated the ninth panel session at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
In a moment emblematic of growing African leadership in ocean sustainability, Tanzania took center stage during the panel titled “Promoting the Role of Sustainable Food from the Ocean for Poverty Eradication and Food Security.” The panel offered not only a scientific and policy-rich exchange of ideas but also a rare glimpse into how countries like Tanzania are positioning aquatic foods as engines of economic recovery, public health, and ecological sustainability.
A Defining Voice From the Swahili Coast
Co-chairing the session, Shaaban Ali Othman, Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar, part of the United Republic of Tanzania, laid out his country’s blueprint for harnessing ocean resources without compromising marine ecosystems.
“Our survival is intimately tied to the ocean. It feeds us, it employs our people, and it holds the promise to lift millions out of poverty,” Othman said, advocating for a redefinition of how the world views aquatic food systems. “But this can only happen if we manage them responsibly.”
He emphasized that for Tanzania, the blue economy is not a buzzword—it is a foundational strategy woven into national development planning. As climate change intensifies and traditional farming struggles under erratic rainfall, coastal and inland aquatic foods offer a viable, nutrient-dense alternative for the country’s growing population.
“Communities in Zanzibar and along the Tanzanian coastline have fished for generations, but now we must ensure those practices are not just traditional, but also sustainable and inclusive,” Othman said.
He pointed to Zanzibar’s push to increase seaweed farming, particularly among women, as a double dividend for nutrition and gender equity. He also highlighted new investments in cold storage and fish processing facilities aimed at reducing post-harvest losses—currently among the highest in the region.
The Global Science Backs Tanzania’s Approach
His remarks resonated with the scientific panelists, particularly Jörn Schmidt, Science Director for Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems at WorldFish, who urged countries to bring aquatic foods “from the margins to the mainstream.”
“Aquatic foods are one of the few tools that can simultaneously tackle poverty, hunger, and climate risk,” said Schmidt. “But they are often left off the table—both literally and figuratively.”
Schmidt called for urgent action on three fronts: nutrition, production, and equity. He cited research showing that even modest increases in aquatic food consumption in the first 1,000 days of life could significantly reduce stunting and improve cognitive development. For production, he recommended low-impact, high-return systems such as seaweed and bivalves. On equity, he urged secure tenure for small-scale fishers, gender inclusion, and expanded social protections.
Barange noted that in 2023 alone, global fish production hit 189 million tons, delivering about 21 kilograms of aquatic animal protein per capita. However, an alarming 23.8 million tons—almost 15 percent—was lost or wasted due to poor handling and inefficient distribution systems.
“These losses are not just about food—they are lost nutrition, lost income, and lost opportunity,” said Barange, adding that if properly managed, aquatic foods could be the backbone of a global “blue transformation.”
Tanzania’s Call for Equity and Innovation
Othman used the opportunity to underline that the success of aquatic food systems must also address inequality—particularly the role of women and youth in the sector.
“Across Tanzania, from Kigamboni to Kilwa, women are drying fish, farming seaweed, and selling aquatic produce in markets. But they need access to capital, to better technology, and most importantly, to decision-making spaces,” he said.
To that end, Tanzania has begun piloting aquatic food training centres aimed at equipping youth with climate-smart aquaculture skills, including sustainable pond farming and low-carbon feed techniques.
“This is how we move from potential to prosperity,” Othman said.
A Blueprint for Global Action
The panel also featured a range of high-level contributions aimed at linking aquatic foods to broader development frameworks. Rhea Moss-Christian, Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, underscored the economic lifeline that tuna fisheries represent for small island developing states. She emphasized that tuna is not just a food source, but a pillar of public finance, especially in the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.
“Let’s be clear,” she said. “In some Pacific nations, tuna revenue funds schools, hospitals and roads. A healthy tuna fishery is existential.”
Her message echoed Tanzania’s own struggle to balance economic imperatives with conservation, especially in the face of illegal fishing and weak monitoring infrastructure. Minister Othman called for stronger regional cooperation in fighting these threats, including shared surveillance and satellite-based monitoring systems.
CGIAR and the Seaweed Solution
Adding another layer of urgency, Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted of CGIAR warned that the world is “falling behind on SDG 2 and SDG 14.” She championed seaweed as a sustainable aquatic superfood with enormous potential, particularly for South Asia and Africa.
“Tanzania, with its long coastline and established seaweed culture, is ideally placed to lead in this domain,” she said.
She called for more public and private investment to scale innovations, support local entrepreneurs, and integrate aquatic foods into school feeding and public procurement programmes.
“Let us not miss this opportunity,” she added. “The sea can feed us—if we let it.”
Resilience in the Face of Crisis
Ciyong Zou, Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), highlighted the broader resilience benefits of aquatic food systems. He noted that aquatic foods support over 3 billion people globally, yet post-harvest losses—up to 30 percent in developing countries—undermine their potential.
He offered case studies from Cambodia and Sudan, where targeted investments in processing and training led to higher incomes and improved child nutrition. He announced UNIDO’s voluntary commitment to expand technical support to 10 additional coastal nations by 2030.
“For countries like Tanzania, this could mean new tools, cleaner production methods, and more resilient livelihoods,” Zou said.
Call to Action
As the panel drew to a close, one theme stood out: aquatic food systems are not merely about fish or seaweed—they are about dignity, sovereignty, and survival.
“We need to democratize access to data, empower communities, and ensure that small-scale fishers, especially women, are not left behind,” Othman insisted.
Back in Tanzania, the ripple effects of such commitments are already being felt. In Kisiwa Panza, a small island in Pemba, a women-led seaweed cooperative recently began exporting to Europe, thanks to technical support from local NGOs and government backing. “It’s a new life,” said Asha Mzee, one of the cooperative’s founders. “Before, we fished only what we needed. Now, we grow for the world.”
With nations like Tanzania stepping forward, the ocean—so long exploited—is being reimagined as a source of renewal. But the clock is ticking.
“In 2030, we’ll be asked what we did with these six remaining harvests,” Othman said in his final remarks. “Let’s ensure our answer is-we used them to feed people, protect our planet, and leave no one behind.”
Li Junhua, Conference Secretary-General, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Arnoldo Andre Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Costa Rica and Olivier Poivre D’Arvor, Special Envoy of the French Republic for UN Ocean Conference address the final press briefing of UNOC3. Credit: Kizito Makoye/IPS
NICE, France, Jun 13 2025 (IPS) – With the future of the world’s oceans hanging in the balance, global leaders, scientists, and activists gathered in the French Riviera city of Nice this week for the historic UN Ocean Conference, where France declared a new era of high seas governance and marine protection.
At a press briefing on Thursday, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, France’s Special Envoy for the UN Ocean Conference, said the global gathering marks a turning point for ocean conservation, with 174 delegations and 64 heads of state rallying behind a common goal—to transform the world’s oceans from a lawless expanse into a protected global commons governed by science, cooperation, and binding treaties.
“The high seas are no longer a playground. They are now a protected space,” d’Arvor told reporters, announcing that the UN’s landmark treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) will officially enter into force by early January 2026.
Dubbed the “Treaty of Nice,” the pact seeks to place nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean under international governance, a move hailed by conservationists as the biggest step forward for marine protection in decades. With 56 countries having ratified the treaty and 14 more expected to follow before the ceremonial launch in New York on September 23, the agreement meets the 60-country threshold required for it to become law.
“This is a foundational moment,” said d’Arvor. “Nice could become for ocean governance what Rio was for climate and biodiversity.”
The treaty, negotiated over 15 years, aims to regulate the high seas—areas beyond national jurisdiction that have long been vulnerable to overfishing, pollution, and unregulated extraction. It also lays the groundwork for the first-ever Ocean COP, expected by the end of 2026, where signatory countries will finalize implementation protocols, establish a permanent secretariat, and begin real enforcement through satellites, naval fleets, and drones.
Despite tensions in multilateral diplomacy, France—with co-host Costa Rica and the UN—has managed to galvanize widespread support. In a strong show of unity, even geopolitical rivals such as China, India, and the European Union endorsed the treaty, while Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Indonesia ratified it during the summit.
D’Arvor also used the occasion to caution against a renewed push for deep-sea mining, particularly in light of a recent U.S. executive order authorizing a preliminary exploration mission. “The deep sea is not for sale—no more than Antarctica or Greenland,” he warned, pledging that a coalition of 40 countries would continue to block any attempt to adopt a mining code without consensus under the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
“Those who hoped the code would be adopted at Kingston this July have lost the battle. I hope they’ve lost the war,” he added.
In parallel with the treaty’s legal strides, the conference saw the launch of the European Ocean Pact, a collaborative ocean exploration initiative unveiled by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The pact, backed by countries including India and China, aims to correct the stark imbalance in research funding—currently, ocean exploration receives 250 times less funding than space programs.
By bringing together oceanographic institutes, space agencies, and private sector players, the initiative promises to generate a shared global database to help map and understand the ocean in unprecedented detail. “In 15 years, we aim to fully understand the ocean—or at least enough to truly protect it,” said d’Arvor.
He stressed that science—not political posturing—will be the new compass for ocean policy. “This is the victory of science. The ocean has long been a victim of exploitation and ignorance. But now, it can become a platform for cooperation and peace.”
Yet challenges remain. While Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) are relatively well managed, questions linger about compliance and enforcement. The true test, observers say, will be translating high-level pledges into measurable progress.
Still, the momentum in Nice has brought renewed hope for ocean defenders around the globe. “We are not there yet,” said d’Arvor. “But for the first time, we are truly moving forward—and there is no turning back.”
Greenpeace banner sign against deep sea mining at UNOC3 in Nice on June 11, 2025.
Credit: Greenpeace
NICE, France, Jun 13 2025 (IPS) – The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) concluded today in Nice with an urgent call for governments to translate bold words into concrete action to protect the world’s oceans. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the summit brought together more than 15,000 participants, including 50 heads of state and government, civil society leaders, scientists, youth, and Indigenous communities in an 11-day event hailed as both a milestone for ocean diplomacy and a test of global resolve.
“This conference has been a resounding success,” said Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, France’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. “We close not just with hope, but with concrete commitments, clear direction, and undeniable momentum.”
Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco emphasized the breadth of participation and the centrality of science in shaping decisions. “Together with France, we worked toward an action-oriented conference where all actors are represented and where finance and science go hand in hand,” he said.
Under-Secretary-General Li Chunhua, the Secretary-General of the conference, stressed the need for implementation: “The real test is not what we said here but what we do next. The wave of change has formed. Now, it is our collective responsibility to propel it forward.”
Key Outcomes and Announcements
One of the most anticipated achievements of the conference was progress on the High Seas Treaty—officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. With 51 ratifications confirmed and 60 needed for entry into force, the treaty promises to enable the creation of marine protected areas in international waters, a crucial tool to achieving the goal of protecting 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030.
Additionally, 800 new voluntary commitments were registered across the 10 multi-stakeholder Ocean Action Panels, addressing issues from marine pollution and deep-sea ecosystems to ocean finance and the role of Indigenous peoples.
New and strengthened initiatives launched at UNOC3 include:
The One Ocean Finance Facility is aimed at closing the multi-billion-dollar funding gap for ocean conservation.
The European Ocean Pact, which reinforces regional cooperation for sustainable ocean management.
The Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition, supporting vulnerable communities on the frontlines of sea-level rise.
The conference also saw mounting support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, with four more nations joining the call, bringing the total to 37. “More and more countries are listening to science and the demands of youth for their common heritage over commercial interests,” Tinoco noted.
Civil Society: ‘Fine Words Must Now Translate into Action’
Despite these commitments, environmental groups expressed frustration that the conference stopped short of stronger legally binding decisions, especially on deep-sea mining.
“We’ve heard lots of fine words here in Nice, but these need to turn into tangible action,” said Megan Randles, head of Greenpeace’s delegation. “Countries must be brave and make history by committing to a moratorium on deep-sea mining at next month’s International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting.”
Randles welcomed the ratification progress of the High Seas Treaty but said governments “missed the moment” to take firmer steps against industries threatening marine ecosystems. “The deep sea should not become the wild west,” she added, referencing UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ recent remarks.
Activists also stressed the importance of upcoming negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, resuming in Geneva this August. Ninety-five governments signed the “Nice Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty,” but concerns remain that lobbying from oil and petrochemical interests could water down the deal.
“The world cannot afford a weak treaty dictated by oil-soaked obstructionists,” said John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director at Greenpeace USA. “Governments need to show that multilateralism still works for people and the planet, not the profits of a greedy few.”
Indigenous Voices and Ocean Justice
Coastal and Indigenous communities were visibly present throughout the conference, particularly in the “Green Zone” in La Valette, which welcomed more than 100,000 visitors and hosted grassroots events, youth forums, and artistic exhibitions.
Nichanan Thantanwit, Project Leader at the Ocean Justice Project, highlighted the continued marginalization of traditional ocean custodians: “There is no ocean protection without the people who have protected it all along. Governments must recognize small-scale fishers and Indigenous peoples as rights-holders and secure their role in ocean governance.”
She also called for an end to destructive industrial practices like bottom trawling and harmful aquaculture, which she said “drive ecological collapse and human rights violations.”
Mixed Reviews for France’s Leadership
While French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his call for a deep-sea mining moratorium—calling it “an international necessity”—some ”conservationists argued that France failed to fully lead by example.
“This was France’s moment, but instead of making a splash, its impact was more of a ripple,” said Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and founder of Pristine Seas. “We heard many policymakers speak about what needs to be done—yet few took the bold steps necessary to protect the ocean.”
Sala did praise governments that announced new fully protected marine areas but said the conference was “heavy on rhetoric, light on resolve.”
What to expect
The anticipated “Nice Ocean Action Plan,” a political declaration accompanied by voluntary commitments, will be released later today. Although non-binding, it is expected to influence key decisions at the ISA meeting in July and the Global Plastics Treaty talks in August.
Chunhua announced that South Korea and Chile have expressed readiness to host the next UN Ocean Conference. “We want the positive momentum generated in Nice to amplify even further in UNOC4,” he said.
As UNOC3 closes, the spirit of the event remains optimistic—but its legacy will depend on what happens next.
As Greenpeace’s Randles put it, “This must not be where it ends. It must be where it truly begins.”
