Wireless Festival boss stands by Ye headlining concerts as sponsors pull out
As sponsors pull out from London’s Wireless Festival over headliner Ye, its organizer is standing by the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Festival Republic's managing director, Melvin Benn emphasized forgiveness and second chances in a statement Monday. The rapper formerly known as Kanye West is scheduled to perform for around 150,000 attendees on mid-July. He has drawn widespread condemnation in recent years for antisemitic remarks and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler but apologized in January. Sponsors like Pepsi and Diageo have withdrawn from the festival but Benn noted Ye's music is widely accessible and emphasized the focus on performance, not opinions.
Man cleared in the killing of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay could soon be freed
NEW YORK (AP) — A man who was convicted and then cleared of killing of rap star Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC could be freed within days. A judge granted Karl Jordan Jr. $1 million bond on Monday. Jordan wasn’t automatically freed after he was cleared because he still faces drug charges unrelated to the pioneering DJ’s 2002 death. For now, he remains behind bars while prosecutors consider whether to appeal the bond decision. Federal Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall gave them until Friday to decide. Jordan's lawyers declined to comment after court. Some 17 of Jordan's loved ones have agreed to cosign his bond. If released, he will be under electronic monitoring.
Savannah Guthrie returns to 'Today' anchor desk for first time since mother's disappearance
NEW YORK (AP) — Savannah Guthrie has returned to NBC’s “Today” show anchor desk for the first time since her mother's disappearance more than two months ago. Guthrie said “it is good to be home.” Guthrie has acknowledged being a changed person a little over a week ago. She also says it’s hard to go forward not knowing what happened to her mother. There has been no sign of the 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie since she was reported missing from her Arizona home on Feb. 1. Authorities continue to believe she was abducted in the middle of the night. But they have not released any new evidence in weeks.
It’s-a-hit: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ box office blasts off with $372.5 million globally
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” has scored the biggest opening of the year for a Hollywood film. Studio estimates on Sunday say the Illumination and Nintendo co-production earned $130.9 million over the weekend and $190.1 million in its first five days in North America. Released globally on Wednesday, the film capitalized on kids’ spring break vacations. It earned an estimated $182.4 million from 80 overseas markets, totaling a $372.5 million debut. Despite mixed reviews, audiences were enthusiastic. The movie features returning voice actors like Chris Pratt and Jack Black. It played in over 4,000 theaters in the U.S. and Canada.
Mahreen Sohail's story collection 'Small Scale Sinners' wins the PEN/Faulkner prize
NEW YORK (AP) — Mahreen Sohail’s short story collection, "Small Scale Sinners," has won the PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction. The collection features stories set in diverse locations ranging from college campuses to training camps for child soldiers. On Monday, the PEN/Faulkner Awards Committee praised the book for its sharp prose and exploration of humanity. Sohail is originally from Pakistan and now lives in Washington, D.C.. She said she spent a decade working on the book. She aimed to explore ways of being an independent woman. The award includes a $15,000 prize and has previously honored authors including Philip Roth, Don DeLillo and Ann Patchett.
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Celebrity birthdays for the week of April 12-18 includes Patricia Arquette and Seth Rogen
Celebrities having birthdays during the week of April 12-18 include actor Patricia Arquette, singer Win Butler of Arcade Fire and singer-designer Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls. Actor Sarah Michelle Gellar turns 49, actor Rob McElhenney hits 49 and actor Andy Garcia welcomes 70. Other celebrities with big days include country singer Vince Gill, actor Seth Rogen and Broadway actor Kelli O’Hara. Actor Sadie Sink of “Stranger Things” turns 24, actor-comedian Martin Lawrence hits 61 and actor Jennifer Garner reaches 54. Others celebrating include TV personality Kourtney Kardashian and talk show host Conan O’Brien.
A timeline of the Nancy Guthrie disappearance and investigation
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Savannah Guthrie has returned to hosting the “Today” show for the first time since her mother disappeared from her Arizona home more than two months ago. Savannah Guthrie opened Monday's episode by saying, “Here we go, ready or not. Let’s do the news.” Her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing on Feb. 1. Authorities released camera footage from her Tucson-area porch showing a masked man with a backpack, but there has been no sign of Nancy Guthrie since she vanished. Her family has pleaded for her safe return.
Canada's Artemis II astronaut gives thumbs-up to 'Project Hail Mary' starring Canadian Ryan Gosling
HOUSTON (AP) — The new space movie “Project Hail Mary” starring Ryan Gosling is getting rave reviews more than halfway to the moon. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen said Saturday that he and his Artemis II crewmates got to watch the film with their families before launching on the lunar fly-around. He said it was really fun watching the movie while getting ready for his own space adventure. Gosling, a fellow Canadian, sent best wishes to the four astronauts ahead of Wednesday's liftoff.
Lil Nas X enters a mental health program intended to lead to dropped charges of attacking police
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has allowed Lil Nas X to enter a mental health diversion program that could lead to the dismissal of charges against him. The rapper and singer behind the hit “Old Town Road” was charged with attacking Los Angeles police officers in August. Judge Alan Schneider told him Monday that if he sticks to his treatment program and obeys all laws for two years, his four felony counts will be dismissed. The judge found that the incident was linked to his bipolar disorder. Lil Nas X pleaded not guilty to the charges. He said outside court that he was “thankful” and “it could have been much worse.”
Pressure mounts on Ye to be pulled from his headline role at a summer festival in London
LONDON (AP) — Pressure is mounting for the American rapper Ye to be pulled from his headline role at a London music festival this summer. U.K. Minister Keir Starmer criticized the rapper's scheduled appearance. Pepsi already has withdrawn its lead sponsorship role of the Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park in north London between July 10-12. Other sponsors of the event including Budweiser and PayPal are being urged to follow suit. Pepsi didn't provide an explicit reason Sunday for its decision to pull out of the event. Starmer said that it was “deeply concerning” that the rapper was booked to perform at the long-established festival.
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