Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65
NEW YORK (AP) — Perry Archangelo Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the influential goth band The Cure, has died. He was 65. The band announced his death on their official website on Friday. Bamonte worked with the band as roadie and guitar tech from 1984 to 1989. He officially joined the band in 1990 when keyboardist Roger O’Donnell quit. He played guitar, six-string bass and keyboard. Having joined just after the mainstream breakthrough, 1989’s “Disintegration,” Bamonte is featured on a number of The Cure’s albums, such as the 1992’s “Wish,” including the hits ″Friday I’m in Love″ and “High.” He is also featured on the 1996’s “Wild Mood Swings,” 2000's “Bloodflowers” and 2004's self-titled release.
Times Square to feature patriotic crystal ball for New Year's Eve, kicking off US's 250th birthday
After the crystal ball drops on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it will rise again, sparkling in red, white and blue. The patriotic touch kicks off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. The head of America250, a bipartisan commission overseeing the anniversary, says there will be a second confetti drop afterward. Another ball drop is also planned for July 3. It will mark the first non-New Year's Eve drop in 120 years. Organizers say the celebrations aim to unite the nation with events ranging from fireworks to community programs, engaging millions across the country.
ICYMI: Close out 2025 with these great reads from AP
As 2025 wraps up, The Associated Press has curated a list of memorable stories and enjoyable reads published this year. You may have missed them in the flurry of news and the busyness of living. There are storybook endings and heartbreak. Some are stranger than fiction, and others take you behind the scenes. Even if you read them the first time around, the stories on this “in case you missed it” list are worth revisiting.
New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns and influencer Jordyn Woods are engaged
NEW YORK (AP) — Influencer Jordyn Woods and New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns are engaged. The couple announced the news Thursday in a joint Instagram post captioned with the pun “Marry Christmas” and including 15 proposal photos taken on a rooftop in New York City. The couple have been dating for five years. Woods is a model and actor best known for her appearances on the reality shows “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Life of Kylie,” the result of her close friendship with Kylie Jenner. Towns is a four-time All-Star who began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last year the team traded him to the New York Knicks.
From red donkeys to vibrant art: Fernando Dávila's colorful journey as a colorblind painter
DORAL, Fla. (AP) — Fernando Dávila, a 72-year-old artist in Florida, paints vibrant works despite being colorblind. As a child in Colombia, he failed a drawing class for painting donkeys red. Now, he embraces color with the help of special glasses developed in the 1980s. Dávila initially painted in black and white due to his condition, which makes distinguishing colors difficult. He studied graphic design and has exhibited internationally, influenced by artists like Rembrandt. His work explores themes of duality and human relationships. Dávila continues to share his passion for art, saying color is vital to his life.
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‘Heated Rivalry’ series mixes hockey and queer romance and is scoring big audiences
NEW YORK (AP) — The television adaptation of Rachel Reid’s novel “Heated Rivalry” is making waves with hockey romance fans. Since its debut in November, the show has dominated social media and become the No. 1 series on HBO Max. The story follows a secret decade-long romance between Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov. Jacob Tierney, who developed the series, describes it as “pure queer joy.” The show has sparked renewed interest in Reid’s “Game Changer” book series and sports romance fiction. It's already been renewed for a second season and is praised for its diverse casting and authentic portrayal of hockey.
Soprano Asmik Grigorian to lead 'Carmen' and sing mezzo-soprano role this summer
NEW YORK (AP) — Soprano Asmik Grigorian is to sing the title role in Georges Bizet's “Carmen,” a mezzo-soprano touchstone, for the first time at the Salzburg Festival this summer. Getting ready for a concert this weekend at New York's Carnegie Hall, the singer said this was the right time to sing in a lower vocal range than the parts that earned her renown, such as the title characters in Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” and “Manon Lescaut,” and in Richard Strauss’ “Salome.” She says: "I never know if I can sing something before I start to do it, so maybe it will be my failure? Who knows? Let’s see.”
Jimmy Kimmel jokes about fascism in an 'alternative Christmas message' for Britain
LONDON (AP) — Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel takes aim at U.S. President Donald Trump in a message to U.K. viewers. The address, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas day, warns about the rise of fascism. Kimmel reflects on Trump’s second term, saying he acts like a king. He notes, “Tyranny is booming over here.” Channel 4 has aired alternative Christmas messages since 1993. Kimmel has criticized Trump since returning to the air after ABC suspended his show in September. Trump celebrated the suspension, calling it “great news for America.” Kimmel urges the U.K. not to give up on the U.S.
Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert canceled after Trump name added to building
NEW YORK (AP) — A planned Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center has been canceled. Musician Chuck Redd, the show's host, says he called off the performance after the White House announced President Donald Trump's name would be added to the facility. The building's facade now reads The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Scholars say this violates the law. The law prohibits the board from making the center a memorial to anyone else. Numerous artists have canceled performances since Trump returned to office, including Issa Rae and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Timothée Chalamet wants to be great. ‘Marty Supreme’ might get him there
NEW YORK (AP) — Since his breakthrough performance in 2017’s “Call Me By Your Name,” Timothée Chalamet has been on an ever-ascending path that seemed to reach a culmination when he declared that he’s “in pursuit of greatness” while accepting the best actor award from the Screen Actors Guild for his performance as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown. “But “Marty Supreme” is yet another new level for Chalamet. His Marty is far from a period-piece study. He's a blur of forward motion. He’s a quintessentially American hustler, and it’s probably the defining performance of Chalamet’s young career. A year after he come so close, it may win him his first Academy Award.
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