Drug counselor who delivered the fatal dose of ketamine to actor Matthew Perry is up for sentencing
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A licensed addiction counselor who helped sell ketamine to “Friends” star Matthew Perry is set to be sentenced. Prosecutors are asking for Erik Fleming to be sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. He has pleaded guilty to distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Fleming connected Perry with drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Fleming cooperated with authorities and gave up Sangha. He delivered 25 vials of Sangha's ketamine to Perry four days before his death. Fleming's attorneys have asked the Los Angeles federal judge to sentence him to three months in prison and nine months in a residential treatment facility.
20 years after a 22-minute ovation, Guillermo del Toro and 'Pan's Labyrinth' return to Cannes
CANNES, France (AP) — Twenty years ago, Guillermo del Toro premiered “Pan’s Labyrinth” at the Cannes Film Festival. He went in anxious. It was toward the end of the festival and many journalists had left. The movie’s production had been a nightmare. Then the audience gave it a 22-minute standing ovation, the longest in Cannes history. Del Toro returned to Cannes on Tuesday to screen a restoration of one of his most beloved films. A 4K restoration of “Pan's Labyrinth” will be rereleased in theaters in October.
Alternative shows counter Eurovision amid protests over Israel's participation
BRUSSELS (AP) — Calls to boycott Eurovision over Israel's participation have led to alternative concerts across Europe. In one such event, artists and activists gathered in Brussels on Tuesday to protest Israel's inclusion, citing its military actions in Gaza. The event featured performances by European and Palestinian artists. Israel's participation has sparked protests and boycotts, with five countries refusing to participate. Amnesty International has called for Israel's expulsion, similar to Russia's in 2022 in reaction to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Organizers of the Brussels concert said similar alternative events are happening in Austria, Germany, and Spain.
Who are the 5 people convicted in connection with Matthew Perry’s death
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The prosecution of five defendants stemming from the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry is coming to a close. They've all pleaded guilty for their various roles in supplying the actor with ketamine, the drug that was the primary cause of his 2023 death at age 54. Two doctors and an admitted drug dealer prosecutors say was known as “The Ketamine Queen” have been sentenced. The final two will receive their sentences in the coming days. They are Perry's live-in personal assistant who helped him acquire and inject the drug and an addiction counselor who made a ketamine connection for the actor.
Corleone crime family returns in a new 'Godfather' novel for 2027 release by Random House
NEW YORK (AP) — The Corleone crime family saga is getting a new chapter. Random House has acquired a “Godfather” novel authorized by Mario Puzo's estate, written by bestselling author Adriana Trigiani. Scheduled for a fall 2027 release, “Connie” will focus on the Corleone family member played by Talia Shire in the films. Trigiani says the novel explores how Connie forges her own path in a world that underestimates her. Paramount retains film rights. The Puzo estate sought out Trigiani for her unique perspective on the Corleone women. Anthony Puzo, the author's son, expressed excitement about Trigiani's vision.
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Mýa returns with her first album in 8 years, the throwback 'Retrospect.' She says it's all about joy
NEW YORK (AP) — R&B singer Mýa will release her tenth studio album and first full-length in eight years on Friday. It is titled “Retrospect.” It features throwback sounds channeling ’70s and ’80s Minneapolis funk, pop, R&B and soul. During the pandemic, Mýa revisited music from her childhood, which influenced the album's direction. She found inspiration in Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the S.O.S. Band, Prince, Teena Marie, Michael Jackson and more. She told The Associated Press that her album is about spreading joy and offering introspection. Mýa says she hopes to one day join forces with Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim and Pink for a “Lady Marmalade” reunion. Their platinum-selling version of the song celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026.
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera reunite on Day of the Dead in new Met Opera production
Frida Kahlo returns from the dead in the opera “El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego,” premiering at the Metropolitan Opera this week. The Spanish-language opera imagines Kahlo's reunion with Diego Rivera three years after her death. Rivera, weary of life without her, summons her spirit on the Day of the Dead. Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard stars as Kahlo, with music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting. The opera, two decades in the making, avoids conventional approaches, leaning into magical realism. The set design draws inspiration from Kahlo's painting “Tree of Hope, Remain Strong,” symbolizing the link between life and death.
Israel and favorite Finland advance to the Eurovision final as 5 countries are sent home
VIENNA (AP) — Ten countries have advanced to the Eurovision Song Contest final after the first semifinal. They include favorite Finland and Israel, whose participation has spurred a boycott by five nations. Israeli singer Noam Bettan was met with shouts of protests amid the cheers in the auditorium when he performed the rock ballad “Michelle." Finland advanced with “Liekinheitin,” or “Flamethrower,” a mashup of pop singer Pete Parkkonen’s anguished vocals and violinist Linda Lampenius’ fiery fiddling. Greece, Serbia, Moldova, Croatia and Sweden were also voted into the final, while Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal and San Marino were eliminated. The second semifinal will be Thursday. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators plan to protest Israel's participation ahead of Saturday's final.
Sandra Oh, Kumail Nanjiani and Bowen Yang are in a HBO doc on being Asian American, Pacific Islander
Timed for release during AAPI Heritage Month, “The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas” has dropped on HBO Max. It’s the latest in “The List Series” created by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. The franchise has previously produced documentaries on prominent Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ Americans. Director Eugene Yi captures no-frills, intimate interviews with 15 people of AAPI heritage across industries. They include TV broadcaster Connie Chung, Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth and DJ Rekha. Actors Sandra Oh, Kumail Nanjiani and Bowen Yang also shared their thoughts about identity and belonging.
Princess Catherine arrives in Italy on first solo trip abroad after cancer goes into remission
REGGIO EMILIA, Italy (AP) — Britain’s Princess Catherine is making her first overseas trip since announcing her cancer is in remission. She arrived in Italy on Wednesday for a two-day tour to spotlight early childhood education. The princess, commonly known as Kate, arrived in Reggio Emilia in northern Italy to learn about its child-centered approach to early years education, which has become a focal point for educators around the world. The trip is part of what her office called an international “fact-finding mission” to explore different approaches to supporting young children and their carers.
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