Kevin James Explains How His Performance with Jelly Roll Came to Be: 'He's a Wonderful Human Being' (Exclusive)New Foto - Kevin James Explains How His Performance with Jelly Roll Came to Be: 'He's a Wonderful Human Being' (Exclusive)

taylorteaguee/TikTok Kevin James tells PEOPLE he and Jelly Roll are friends and calls the country star a "wonderful human being" The two stars performed together in Ohio earlier this month when Jelly Roll brought him onstage James joined Jelly Roll for "Need a Favor" at the Buckeye Country Superfest Kevin James' hilarious performance withJelly Rollwas a case of "right place at the right time." During an event to celebrate thereturn ofHeathers the Musicalto the stageon Monday, June 30, in New York City, PEOPLE asked theKing of Queensstar, 60, how hisviral performance with Jelly Roll in Columbus, Ohio, came to be. "I'm a good friend of his," James tells PEOPLE, later adding that the country superstar, 40, is a "great friend of mine" and a "wonderful human being." "We just happened to be in Columbus together and we just went out and had fun," James tells PEOPLE. Back on June 21, Jelly Roll brought James out to the Buckeye Country Superfest to join him onstage for "Need a Favor." The two stars looked alike, even dressing in head-to-toe black as James showed off his dance moves. The video could serve as James' Broadway audition, as he tells PEOPLE the only way he'd star in a Broadway show is if it involved dancing. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "I was born to dance, so if there's a dancing show, then I would be interested in," James says. "Other than that, I can't be bothered. It's got to be full dance." taylorteaguee/TikTok James was among the stars attending a gala performance ofHeathers the Musicalto celebrate the show's return to Broadway. It is being performed Off-Broadway at New World Stages through Sept. 28. The show is based on the 1989 cult film of the same name, and centers on high school student Veronica Sawyer, who suddenly becomes popular after she joins the Heathers. She soon meets the rebellious J.D., who shows her that popularity isn't all it's cracked up to be. TheGrown Upsstar will be taking the stage himself, although not to dance. His stand-up comedy tour returns to the road in September and tickets are on sale athis website. He also stars in the upcoming action-packed movieGuns Up, out on July 18. Jelly Roll is also on tour, with stops planned throughout the summer and fall. His most recent album,Beautifully Broken, was released in October 2024. Read the original article onPeople

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June 30, 2025

Kevin James Explains How His Performance with Jelly Roll Came to Be: 'He's a Wonderful Human Being' (Exclusive)

Kevin James Explains How His Performance with Jelly Roll Came to Be: 'He's a Wonderful Human Being' (Exclusive) taylorteaguee/Ti...
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Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixed ResultsNew Foto - Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixed Results

There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solvetoday's puzzlebefore reading further!Mixed Results Constructor:Dennis McCartney Editor:Amie Walker JAPAN (8A: Country made up of 14,125 islands) JAPAN is an island country that extends along the Pacific coast of Asia. Four of its 14,125 islands, are considered "main islands." Those are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The islands of JAPAN stretch across a distance of 1,900 miles. Approximately 260 of the islands are inhabited. GURU (14A: Sikh spiritual leader) Sikhism is a religion that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent in the late 15th century. GURU Nanak, born in 1469, was the founder of Sikhism. He was succeeded by nine other GURUs. The tenth GURU affirmed the sacred scripture, Adi Granth, as his successor, ending the line of human GURUs. The central religious scripture of Sikhism, GURU Granth Sahib, is regarded as the final, sovereign, and eternal living GURU. IOWAN (18A: Person from Des Moines) Greetings from an IOWAN who lived in Des Moines (the state's capital) many years ago, but now lives elsewhere in the state. ARIANA (22A: "Yes, And?" singer Grande) ARIANA Grande released"Yes, And?"in January 2024. The song debuted at the top ofBillboard's Hot 100 chart. The lyrics of "Yes, And?" focus on self-confidence, and address negative press Ariana Grande received during 2020 to 2023. SIDE (23A: A Mobius strip only has one)  I find Mobius strips fascinating. You can make a model of a Mobius strip by taking a long, narrow piece of paper and giving one end a half twist before taping the ends together into a loop. To demonstrate that the Mobius strip only has one SIDE, draw a line down the center of it. Without lifting your pencil or pen, you will meet your starting point. If a MOBIUS STRIP is cut in half (along the line you drew down the center) it will result in a long loop with two twists in it, rather than two loops. CERAMIC (30A: Like some tile) We just saw CERAMIC in the puzzletwo days agoclued as [Made of fired clay]. When I wrote about it then, I commented that I don't usually consider bricks as being CERAMIC even though they fit the definition. I am familiar with CERAMIC tile, though, as we have a lot of it in our house. POGO (39A: ___ stick (bouncing toy)) Several years ago (while writing a clue for POGO in a puzzle I was constructing), I learned aboutextreme POGO. Now that's what I think of anytime POGO sticks are mentioned. I am not a coordinated person (my family frowns on my use of ladders...), so I don't think extreme POGO is in my future. It's fun to watch though. CALYPSO (41A: Harry Belafonte genre) I just mentioned Harry Belafontethree days agowhile writing about the song "Hava Nagila," so it was fun to see his name pop up in the puzzle today. Harry Belafonte (1927-2023) was a singer, actor and activist whose third studio album was titledCALYPSO(1956). He is credited with popularizing CALYPSO music, a style of music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the early to mid-19th century. Harry Belafonte's nickname was the "King of CALYPSO." MOD (45A: Online admin who might wield the "banhammer") "Banhammer" is an informal term used to refer to the power of a MOD (short for moderator) to block a user from participating in an online community. The term is especially popular in the online gaming community. SRY (48A: "oops, my b") and OUCH (49A: "That hurt!") These consecutive clues seem to go together. ALOO (58A: ___ tikki (potato snack)) I will occasionally give the reminder that ALOO is a South Asian word for potatoes and is often seen in the names of dishes that contain potatoes. I give these reminders for clues such as this. If a dish contains potatoes, it's quite possible the name of the dish includes the word ALOO, as is the case with ALOO tikki, a croquette made of potatoes, peas, and spices. SLIP (61A: Freudian ___) A Freudian SLIP is an error that in psychoanalysis is attributed to a subdued unconscious wish or thought. One time when I was in college, a friend of mine dressed up as a Freudian SLIP for Halloween. She wore a SLIP and pinned a picture of Freud onto it. LINDT (63A: Swiss chocolate brand) Just highlighting this to say that LINDT chocolate truffles are some of my favorite chocolates. NASCAR (1D: Daytona 500 org.) The headquarters of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) are located in Daytona Beach, Florida. Since 1959, the Daytona 500 has been held annually at the Daytona International Speedway. PAW (10D: Cat's foot) My cat, Willow, will sometimes place her PAW on my arm. I like to imagine that it's to remind me I am hers. AMA (11D: Reddit Q&A) Reddit is an online social site for news aggregation and discussion. AMA stands for "ask me anything," a genre of interactive interviews that are especially popular on Reddit. NIN (12D: Author Anais)I wrote about Anais NIN a couple of months ago. ODE (21D: "___ to Our Ocean" (Amanda Gorman poem)) Amanda Gorman wrote"ODE to Our Ocean"in 2020 for World Ocean Day. It's always a good day to be reminded of this powerful poem and to take a few moments to read it. CHE (33D: Activist Guevera) CHE Guevara was a major figure in the Cuban Revolution. He served as Minister of Industries of Cuba from 1961-1965, and was executed in Bolivia in 1967. POP ART (42D: Andy Warhol's genre) POP ART includes imagery and themes from popular culture. Andy Warhol (1928-1987) was a leading figure in the POP ART movement. One of his most famous works isCampbell's Soup Cansa 32-painting series in which each painting depicted a can of Campbell's soup, representing each of the varieties offered by the company at the time. DALLAS (47D: Texas home of the WNBA's Wings) The DALLAS Wings are a WNBA team founded in 1998. They have won three WNBA Championships, in 2003, 2006, and 2008. SOIL (54D: Makeup of some beds) Think garden beds here, rather than beds that you sleep in. ASL (55D: Language in the film "CODA") The 2021 movie,CODA, stars Emilia Jones as Ruby Rossi, a hearing "child of deaf adults" (CODA). Sian Heder, who wrote and directedCODA, learned ASL (American Sign Language) while working on the movie, and about 40% of the screenplay was in ASL. Emilia Jones also learned ASL before the filming ofCODAstarted. CODA won an Academy Award for Best Picture. A couple of other clues I especially enjoyed: FEDORA (51A: Hat for a film noir detective) SUSHI CHEFS (7D: Culinary artists who might punnily say "That's how we roll!) CULTURE SHOCK (19A: experience for some travelers in new surroundings) RULES THE ROOST (35A: Has complete control) APPLE STRUDEL (53A: Fruit-filled Viennese pastry) MIXED RESULTS: Each theme answer contains an anagram of the word RESULT: CULTURE SHOCK,RULES THE ROOST, and APPLE STRUDEL. The word MIXED in the title is a hint that this might be a hidden anagram theme. Indeed, each of the three theme answers contains the MIXED up letters of the word RESULT: LTURE/S, RULES/T, and LE/STRU. Congratulations to Dennis McCartney making aUSA Todaycrossword debut! Thank you, Dennis, for this enjoyable puzzle. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Crossword Blog & Answers for July 1, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

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June 30, 2025

Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixed Results

Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixed Results There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solvetoday...
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Will Smith Shares NSFW Photo in Honor of the 26th Anniversary of "Wild Wild West "

Murray Close/Getty Will Smith shared a hilarious throwback photo in honor of the 26th anniversary ofWild Wild West The steampunk action comedy film was released in 1999, and co-starred Kevin Kline, Salma Hayek, and more Smith previously said thatWild Wild Westwas his "worst" film Will Smithis keeping the west wild. In honor ofWild Wild West's 26th anniversary, Smith, 56, shared a cheeky still from the film in which he was clad in nothing but a strategically placed cowboy hat. The actor captioned the June 30 Instagram photo: "Wild Wild West came out 26 years ago today- sorry this is the only photo I could find." One user wrote in the comments, "My favorite scene. Explanation not needed." Another wrote, "You were one of my early childhood crushes. Well done on on building a career that truly had and still has an impact. 💜✨" Murray Close/Getty Wild Wild Westwas released in 1999. The film, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, was loosely based on the 1960s CBS show of the same name created by Michael Garrison. The film followed two secret service agents (Smith and Kevin Kline) as they protect President Ulysses S. Grant from the growing unpredictable threats of the American western frontier. Smith once referred toWild Wild Westas his worst film. In a 2021 interview withGQ,the actor answered a question about what he thinks is his best film and his worst film. He said, "For the best, I think it's a tie between the firstMen in BlackandPursuit of Happiness. For different reasons, those are the two almost-perfect movies." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. As for the worst, he said, "I don't know,Wild Wild Westis a thorn in my side." "To see myself in chaps… I don't like it," he added, laughing. The choice to star inWild Wild Westcame the same time he wasoffered the role of Neo inThe Matrix. Smith turned down the role in the film, which turned out to be a mega-hit, to do the steampunk Western action comedy.Keanu Reeveswent on to star inThe Matrixin his place. Read the original article onPeople

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June 30, 2025

Will Smith Shares NSFW Photo in Honor of the 26th Anniversary of “Wild Wild West ”

Will Smith Shares NSFW Photo in Honor of the 26th Anniversary of "Wild Wild West " Murray Close/Getty Will Smith shared a hilariou...
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Philadelphia city workers strike after contract talks failNew Foto - Philadelphia city workers strike after contract talks fail

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia who collect trash, answer 911 calls, maintain city pools and perform other jobs went on strike Tuesday after contract negotiations broke down. District Council 33 President Greg Boulware said the city hadn't agreed to a high enough wage increase,WPVI-TVreported. Mayor Cherelle Parkersaid the city would suspend residential trash collection, close some city pools and shorten recreation center hours, but vowed to keep the city running. Police and firefighters are not on strike. Parker, a pro-labor Democrat, promised that Fourth of July celebrations in thenation's birthplacewould go on as usual. "Keep your holiday plans. Don't leave the city," she said at a Monday afternoon news conference that followed hours of last-minute negotiations. City officials urged residents to be patient and not hang up should they need to call either 911 or the city's non-emergency helpline. They said they would open drop-off sites for residential trash. Parker said she had offered raises that amount to 13% over her four-year term and added a fifth step to the pay scale to align with other unionized workers. District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is the largest of four unions representing city workers. "We believe it's a fair offer and still fiscally responsible for the people of this city," said Parker, who took office last year. Union leaders, in their initialcontract proposal, asked for 8% annual raises each year of the three-year contract, along with cost-of-living hikes and bonuses of up to $5,000 for those who worked through the pandemic. The union also asked the city to pay the full cost of employee health care, or $1,700 per person per month. "District Council 33's members contribute as much blood, sweat and tears as does anyone else," they said in a demand letter. "We all make the city work. Our contract must reflect that reality." In November, thecity transit systemaverted a strike when the parties agreed to a one-year contract with 5% raises.

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June 30, 2025

Philadelphia city workers strike after contract talks fail

Philadelphia city workers strike after contract talks fail PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia who collect trash,...
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Thailand's king approves new Cabinet for coalition government shaken by leaked phone callNew Foto - Thailand's king approves new Cabinet for coalition government shaken by leaked phone call

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's king approved the appointments of new Cabinet members Tuesday in the coalition government shaken by a major party's departure over the prime minister'sleaked phone callwith Cambodia's former leader. The reshuffle came during speculation over whether the Constitutional Court will take a petition accusing Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of a serious breach of ethics over the leaked call. The court could suspend her from office pending the investigation. Paetongtarn said she would accept and follow the process although she didn't want to see her work interrupted. "If you ask me whether I'm worried, I am," she told reporters Monday. The endorsement of her new Cabinet by King Maha Vajiralongkorn was published in the government gazette. The reshuffle replaced former Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, which had held several Cabinet positions but left the coalition over the leaked call. Anutin was replaced by Phumtham Wechayachai, who had been defense minister for the past year and also will lead the Interior Ministry. The Defense Ministry post was left blank, with the deputy minister becoming the acting minister instead. Paetongtarn took the position of culture minister. She said she wanted to promote Thai culture on a global scale. Before she became prime minister, Paetongtarn had promoted Thailand's "soft power," highlighting its food, culture and sports. The Constitutional Court last yearremoved her predecessorover a breach of ethics. Thailand's courts, especially the Constitutional Court, are viewed as a bulwark of the royalist establishment, which has used them and nominally independent agencies such as the Election Commission to cripple or sink political opponents. Paetongtarn also faces investigations over an alleged breach of ethics by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, whose decision could also lead to her removal. Outrage over the call mostly revolved around Paetongtarn's comments toward an outspoken regional army commander and her perceived attempts to appease Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen to easetensions at the border. Thousands of conservative, nationalist-leaning protestersrallied in central Bangkokon Saturday to demand Paetongtarn's resignation.

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June 30, 2025

Thailand's king approves new Cabinet for coalition government shaken by leaked phone call

Thailand's king approves new Cabinet for coalition government shaken by leaked phone call BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's king approved th...
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Iowa's civil rights protections no longer include gender identity as new law takes effectNew Foto - Iowa's civil rights protections no longer include gender identity as new law takes effect

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa became the first stateto remove gender identityfrom its civil rights code under a law that took effect Tuesday, meaning transgender and nonbinary residents are no longer protected from discrimination in their job, housing and other aspects of life. The law also explicitly defines female and male based onreproductive organs at birthand removes the ability for people to change the sex designation on their birth certificate. An unprecedented take-back of legal rights after nearly two decades in Iowa code leaves transgender, nonbinary and potentially even intersex Iowans more vulnerable now than they werebefore. It's a governing doctrine now widely adopted byPresident Donald Trumpand Republican-led states despite themainstream medical viewthat sex and gender are better understood as a spectrum than as an either-or definition. When Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Iowa's new law, she said the state's previous civil rights code "blurred the biological line between the sexes." "It's common sense to acknowledge the obvious biological differences between men and women. In fact, it's necessary to secure genuine equal protection for women and girls," she said in a video statement. Also taking effect Tuesday are provisions in the state's health and human services budget that say Medicaid recipients are no longer covered for gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy. A national movement Iowa's state Capitol filled with protesters as the law went through the Republican-controlled Legislature and to Reynolds' desk in justone week in February. Iowa Republicans said laws passed in recent yearsto restrict transgender students' useof bathrooms and locker rooms,and their participation on sports teams, could not coexist with a civil rights code that includes gender identity protections. Abouttwo dozen other statesand the Trump administration have advanced restrictions on transgender people. Republicans say such laws andexecutive actionsprotect spaces for women, rejecting the idea that people can transition to another gender. Many face court challenges. About two-thirds of U.S. adultsbelieve that whether a person is a man or woman is determined by biological characteristics at birth, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in May found. But there's less consensus on policies that target transgender and nonbinary people. Transgender people say those kinds of policies deny their existence and capitalize on prejudice for political gain. In a major setback for transgender rights nationwide, the U.S. Supreme Court last monthupheld Tennessee's banon puberty blockers and hormone treatments fortransgender minors. The court's conservative majority said it doesn't violate the Constitution's equal protection clause, which requires the government to treat similarly situated people the same. Not every state includes gender identity in their civil rights code, but Iowa was the first to remove nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. Incidents of discrimination in Iowa, before and after July 1 Iowans will still have time to file a complaint with the state Office of Civil Rights about discrimination based on gender identity that occurred before the law took effect. State law requires a complaint to be submitted within 300 days after the most recent incident of alleged discrimination. That means people have until April 27 to file a complaint about discrimination based on gender identity, according to Kristen Stiffler, the office's executive director. Sixty-five such complaints were filed and accepted for investigation from July 2023 through the end of June 2024, according to Stiffler. Forty-three were filed and accepted from July 1, 2024, through June 19 of this year. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, a Democrat and the state's first openly transgender lawmaker, fears the law will lead to an increase in discrimination for transgender Iowans. "Anytime someone has to check your ID and they see that the gender marker doesn't match the appearance, then that opens up hostility, discrimination as possibilities," Wichtendahl said, naming examples such as applying for a job, going through the airport, buying beer or getting pulled over in a traffic stop. "That instantly outs you. That instantly puts you on the spot." About half of U.S. states include gender identity in their civil rights code to protect against discrimination in housing and public places, such as stores or restaurants, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Some additional states do not explicitly protect against such discrimination, but it is included in legal interpretations of statutes. Five years ago,the U.S. Supreme Court ruledLGBTQ people are protected by a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace. But Iowa's Supreme Courthas expressly rejectedthe argument that discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on gender identity. Changing Iowa birth certificates before the law took effect The months between when the bill was signed into law and when it took effect gave transgender Iowans time to pursue amended birth certificates before that option was eliminated. Keenan Crow, with LGBTQ+ advocacy group One Iowa, said the group has long cosponsored legal clinics to assist with that process. "The last one that we had was by far the biggest," Crow said. Iowa's Department of Transportation still has a process by which people can change the gender designation on their license or identification card but has proposed administrative rules to eliminate that option. Wichtendahl also said she has talked to some families who are looking to move out of state as a result of the new law. "It's heartbreaking because this is people's lives we're talking about," Wichtendahl added. "These are families that have trans loved ones and it's keeping their loved ones away, it's putting their loved ones into uncertain future, putting their health and safety at risk."

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June 30, 2025

Iowa's civil rights protections no longer include gender identity as new law takes effect

Iowa's civil rights protections no longer include gender identity as new law takes effect DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa became the first ...
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Rosie O'Donnell Calls Out Oprah for Attending Jeff Bezos' Wedding: 'How Is That Possible? He Treats His Employees With Disdain… He Is Not a Nice Man'New Foto - Rosie O'Donnell Calls Out Oprah for Attending Jeff Bezos' Wedding: 'How Is That Possible? He Treats His Employees With Disdain… He Is Not a Nice Man'

Rosie O'Donnell wrote in an Instagram post that she was sickened by Jeff Bezos' lavish wedding to Lauren Sanchez in Venice, Italy. The days-long event featured a ton of A-list celebrities, from Sydney Sweeney to Leonardo DiCaprio, and promptedwidespread backlashand protests from Venice locals. "The Bezos' wedding. It turned my stomach seeing all these billionaires gathering in the gross excess of it all. The show of it," O'Donnell wrote before calling out Oprah for her attendance at the event. More from Variety Italian Press Plays Up 'No Space for Bezos' Versus 'Welcome, Mr. Amazon!' Plus a Bomb-Sniffing Dog Named Elvis The Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding Extravaganza Is the Ultimate Billionaire Flex by a Couple Flying Above Cost-Cutting Times Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Forge Ahead With Venice Wedding After Activists Threaten to Block a Canal With Inflatable Crocodiles "Is Oprah friends with Jeff Bezos? Really? How is that possible? He treats his employees with disdain. By any metric he is not a nice man. And his fake fem bot wife who looks like that… Why would he choose her after the salt of the earth Mackenzie [Scott]? Sold his soul is what it looks like from here. The devil is smiling at all his conquests." Oprah attended the Bezos wedding with longtime friend Gayle King, who is well-acquainted with Sanchez after theirspace flight togetherearlier this year courtesy of Bezos' Blue Origin company. O'Donnell expanded on her anti-Bezos thoughts in a post on her Substack page. Other celebrities who criticized the Bezos wedding include Oscar winner Charlize Theron, whomade a quipabout Bezos' wedding guests while hosting her annual party for the Africa Outreach Project. She told attendees: "I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the Bezos wedding. But that's ok because they suck and we're cool." O'Donnellmade headlinesearlier this year for revealing she fled America after the re-election of Donald Trump. She currently lives in Ireland and toldVarietyshe has no plans on returning to the U.S. until Trump is out of office. "With the current political climate, when would it be safe to come back with my child?" she asked. "I'm not going to push it before this administration is completely finished, and hopefully held accountable for their crimes." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rosie O'Donnell (@rosie) Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

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June 30, 2025

Rosie O’Donnell Calls Out Oprah for Attending Jeff Bezos’ Wedding: ‘How Is That Possible? He Treats His Employees With Disdain… He Is Not a Nice Man’

Rosie O'Donnell Calls Out Oprah for Attending Jeff Bezos' Wedding: 'How Is That Possible? He Treats His Employees With Disdain… ...
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James Gunn Says Adria Arjona Would 'Be a Great Wonder Woman'New Foto - James Gunn Says Adria Arjona Would 'Be a Great Wonder Woman'

DC Studios head James Gunn may have revealed his first choice to play Wonder Woman. In a recent interview withExtra, the "Guardians of the Galaxy" director discussed "Hit Man" star Adria Arjona and teased where he sees her fitting in to his revamped DC Universe. More from Variety Matt Reeves Finally Completes 'The Batman 2' Script James Gunn Says 'Superman' Won't Confuse Moviegoers With So Many Characters: 'Oppenheimer' Had 'Three Times as Many Speaking Roles' James Gunn Says 'I'm Irritated by People' Outraged Over 'The Batman 2' Delay: 'Get Off Matt Reeves' Nuts... He Doesn't Owe You Something Because You Like His Movie' "I follow Adria on Instagram, but everybody came out [and thought], 'He just followed her, that means she's Wonder Woman,'" Gunn shared. "She'd be a great Wonder Woman, by the way." "She was in a movie that I made seven years ago," he added. "We've been friends and have known each other since that time. I followed her then, I didn'tjustfollow her." Earlier in June, Gunn told Entertainment Weekly thata new feature film following Wonder Womanis "being written right now." He added that the movie would come in addition to an HBO series about Wonder Woman's home of Themyscira. Gunn said that the TV project is "slow moving, but it's moving." The Wonder Woman movie is only one of many feature films in development at DC Studios. "Superman," written and directed by Gunn and starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, is set to release in July. "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" is scheduled for release in June 2026, directed by Craig Gillespie. "Clayface," a horror film and origin story of the titular Batman villain, is also in the works and set for release in September 2026. James Watkins is set to direct with a script from Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

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June 30, 2025

James Gunn Says Adria Arjona Would ‘Be a Great Wonder Woman’

James Gunn Says Adria Arjona Would 'Be a Great Wonder Woman' DC Studios head James Gunn may have revealed his first choice to play W...
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Robert De Niro Adorably Brings His 2-Year-Old Daughter Gia to Meet the Wiggles — See the Cute Photos!New Foto - Robert De Niro Adorably Brings His 2-Year-Old Daughter Gia to Meet the Wiggles — See the Cute Photos!

John Nacion/Getty Robert De Niro was photographed meeting The Wiggles alongside his 2-year-old daughter, Gia, ahead of their New York City show The actor and his daughter were seen playing with bubbles and listening as the children's band sang a few songs De Niro shares his youngest daughter with Tiffany Chen Robert De Nirois winning major dad points! The actor, 81, and his 2-year-old daughter,Gia, metThe Wigglesbefore their New York City concert. While posing with the children's band, De Niro sweetly holds his daughter up in one photo as they sit between two of the members. Other photos show De Niro, Gia and the toddler's mom, Tiffany Chen, sitting together amongst a few bubbles, getting ready to watch the show. The Wiggles also shared a few photos on their Instagram from their time with De Niro, including a video of the actor and his daughter shaking hands with some of the Australian singers. Later, De Niro can be seen playing around in the bubbles with his toddler daughter and listening as group sang a few tunes. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. John Nacion/Getty "It was such a thrill to spend some time with the legendary Robert De Niro and his family before our concert here in New York City ✨," The Wiggles wrote intheir Instagram caption. TheAcademy Awardwinner has seven children. De Niro and his first wife,Diahnne Abbott, are parents to daughter Drena, 53, and son Raphael, 48. In 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 29, with his former girlfriend, model and actress Toukie Smith. De Niro shares son Elliot, 26, and daughter Helen Grace, 13, with his ex-wife,Grace Hightower. In April 2023, the proud father welcomed a baby girl, Gia, withTiffany Chen. Back in February, De Nirofirst shared that he watchesThe Wigglesand other kids' television series with his youngest daughter while speaking with Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2'sThe Scott Mills Breakfast Show. John Nacion/Getty At the time, theZero Dayactor and executive producer noted that he doesn't watch as many movies as he should because he's busy watching the news or TV shows with Gia. "I just want to keep up, but I watch current events, if you will news [and] stuff like that," he told Mills. "Now I watch, with my little girl,The Wigglesand Ms. Rachel." "I didn't know of them until I started seeing them and my daughter loves to watch them," he added. "But they're great!" Shortly after welcoming his youngest daughter, De Niro reflected onbeing a father of seven. While chatting withAccess Hollywoodat the premiere of his new filmAbout My Fatherin May 2023, the actor opened up about being a dad and shared his wisdom about being a good father. "Sometimes I don't think people really know what being a good father is, you know you have a responsibility, but it's a mystery, it's a lot of excitement but scary and you do your best," he said. Read the original article onPeople

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June 30, 2025

Robert De Niro Adorably Brings His 2-Year-Old Daughter Gia to Meet the Wiggles — See the Cute Photos!

Robert De Niro Adorably Brings His 2-Year-Old Daughter Gia to Meet the Wiggles — See the Cute Photos! John Nacion/Getty Robert De Niro was p...
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Mexican authorities discover 20 bodies, some decapitated, on Sinaloa highwayNew Foto - Mexican authorities discover 20 bodies, some decapitated, on Sinaloa highway

Prosecutors in northern Mexico's Sinaloa state are investigating the discovery of 20 male bodies with gunshot wounds – including five that were decapitated – on a bridge over a federal highway. Local media reported that a message was also found hanging over the bridge in Culiacán. The prosecutor's office told CNN it had no comment on the message but would investigate. Sinaloa Secretary General Feliciano Castro Meléndez called the case a "regrettable situation" and said it was "part of the violence and insecurity that Sinaloa is experiencing." Since 2024, Culiacán has been the epicenter of armed clashes between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel. Two of the most prominent factions are La Mayiza, which is loyal to the cartel's alleged co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, and Los Chapitos, which is loyal to the sons of former drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. The violence in Sinaloa escalated after Zambada and one of El Chapo's sons, Joaquín Guzmán López, werearrestedlast year by US authorities in El Paso, Texas. An official familiar with the operation told CNN at the time that Guzmán López had organized his arrest along with that of Zambada by luring him on a flight to examine a piece of land he thought was in Mexico. Instead, the plane landed in El Paso, Texas, where federal agents arrested them both. Former Mexican Secretary of Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez said Guzmán López had reachedan agreementwith one of his brothers, Ovidio Guzmán López, who is in US custody, "So that they would go to the United States to surrender." However, an attorney for Ovidio told CNN that Rodriguez's claim was "a complete and utter fabrication." An attorney for El Mayo said he "neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the US government" and described the flight to the US as a violent kidnapping. Ovidio had been extradited to the US in September 2023 to face drug trafficking charges over his alleged role in the Sinaloa cartel. Days after his extradition, he pleaded not guilty to the charges in a US court. But in May, he reached an agreement to change his plea, according to a court document reviewed by CNN. Later that month, several members of his familyentered the USas part of an apparent "negotiation or plea deal opportunity provided by the (US) Department of Justice itself," Mexico's Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said. Two other sons of El Chapo, Ivan Archivaldo and Jesus Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, are still at large. The US has accused them of leading large-scale drug trafficking operations for the cartel and has issued $10 million bounties for information leading to each of their arrests. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

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June 30, 2025

Mexican authorities discover 20 bodies, some decapitated, on Sinaloa highway

Mexican authorities discover 20 bodies, some decapitated, on Sinaloa highway Prosecutors in northern Mexico's Sinaloa state are investig...
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Iran foreign minister doubtful talks with U.S. will resume quicklyNew Foto - Iran foreign minister doubtful talks with U.S. will resume quickly

President Trump recently indicateddiplomatic talks with Iran could restartas soon as this week, although the White House noted no talks were officially scheduled. AfterU.S. airstrikes on some of Iran's nuclear facilities, followed days later by aceasefireto end what Mr. Trump called the12-day war between Iran and Israel, Iran's foreign minister seemed less certain about a speedy return to diplomacy. "I don't think negotiations will restart as quickly as that," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS News through a translator. "In order for us to decide to reengage, we will have to first ensure that America will not revert back to targeting us in a military attack during the negotiations," Araghchi said in his first interview with an American media outlet inside Iran since the bombings. "And I think with all these considerations, we still need more time." However, Araghchi also insisted, "The doors of diplomacy will never slam shut." Mr. Trump said during a televised address following the American strikes on June 21 that Iran's Fordo nuclear enrichment site and the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated." Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a news conference, "Initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction." Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agencytold CBS Newsthe U.S. strikes caused "severe damage, but it's not total damage." Grossi said Iran could likely start enriching uranium again within a few months. "One cannot obliterate the technology and science for enrichment through bombings," Araghchi said. "If there is this will on our part, and the will exists in order to once again make progress in this industry, we will be able to expeditiously repair the damages and make up for the lost time." When asked if Iran intends to continue enriching uranium, Araghchi said the country's "peaceful nuclear program has turned into a matter of national pride and glory. We have also gone through 12 days of imposed war, therefore, people will not easily back down from enrichment." After 12 days of missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneideclared victory, writing on social media, "I offer my congratulations on the victory over the fallacious Zionist regime," andclaimingIsrael's government was "practically knocked out and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic." Mr. Trumpresponded on social media, calling Khamenei's declaration a lie, saying Iran had been "decimated" and claiming he prevented both the U.S. and Israeli militaries from assassinating the supreme leader. Mr. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to meet at the White House next Monday. Mr. Trump has also indicated he could order strikes on Iran again should it resume enriching uranium beyond a certain level. Araghchi questioned the legality of such action and said Iran was prepared for more attacks. "We showed and proved during this 12-day imposed war that we have the ability to defend ourselves, and we will continue to do so should any aggression be launched against us," he said. Saving money vs. saving lives The true cost of the Senate spending bill New Tennessee laws make it illegal to shelter undocumented immigrants

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June 30, 2025

Iran foreign minister doubtful talks with U.S. will resume quickly

Iran foreign minister doubtful talks with U.S. will resume quickly President Trump recently indicateddiplomatic talks with Iran could restar...
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USDA grant cuts leave food groups, farmers scramblingNew Foto - USDA grant cuts leave food groups, farmers scrambling

Four days a week, Maile Auterson and one of her employees drive hundreds of miles across Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas to deliver fresh produce to food deserts. Auterson's nonprofit, Springfield Community Gardens, helps underservedschools, food pantries and senior centers. One center in Ava, Missouri, is the only place for many where they can get a hot meal. Springfield Community Gardens isone of many organizationsthat relied on grants from the United States Department of Agriculture to distribute produce to schools and low-income communities through two pandemic-era federal programs. They provided about $1 billion in funding to schools andfood banksto buy food directly from local farms, ranchers and producers.But in March, the USDA abruptlycanceled the programs, calling the decision a "return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives." Now, Auterson says, "some of the most vulnerable people" are without adequate access to food, including children and senior citizens. "We are not past the effects of the pandemic," Auterson added. The impact of the recent cuts are also trickling down — aid groups used USDA grants to buy food from small farms like the one owned by Liz Graznak. "It was devastating. I don't know those families, but I know those families are desperate for the food that they were getting," Graznak said. Graznak said the grant programs were "huge" for her farm. She rented an extra 16 acres to harvest more onions, garlic and peppers to keep up with demand. "A quarter of my annual sales were going to those programs, and when they said that that money is gone, I thought, 'Oh my god, well now what do I do?'" Graznak said. Nationwide, more than 8,000 small farmers were supported by the programs. Advocates warn the cuts could ripple through food deserts, rural communities and urban areas where access to healthy food is miles away. With food insecurity in Missouri above the national average at 15%, according to Feeding America, local farmers help bridge the gap. Auterson says they will still be able to feed people, but "not nearly as many." Saving money vs. saving lives The true cost of the Senate spending bill New Tennessee laws make it illegal to shelter undocumented immigrants

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June 30, 2025

USDA grant cuts leave food groups, farmers scrambling

USDA grant cuts leave food groups, farmers scrambling Four days a week, Maile Auterson and one of her employees drive hundreds of miles acro...
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The best movies of 2025 so farNew Foto - The best movies of 2025 so far

The year started a little quietly, but come spring, the box office was in full swing with hits includingA Minecraft Movie,Sinners, and Marvel's introduction of the "new Avengers" inThunderbolts*. Audiences have been treated to a few live-action remakes of animated favorites:Lilo & Stitch,How to Train Your Dragon, andSnow White. And AI technology has been at the center of movies includingCompanion,M3GAN 2.0, andMission: Impossible —The Final Reckoning,Tom Cruise's eighth (and last?) in the franchise. But what are the movies that have risen above all the others as the best of 2025 so far? Here areEntertainment Weekly's top 10, in alphabetical order. Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. Miya Mizuno/Sony Pictures Entertainment 28 Years Later, which reteams directorDanny Boylewith screenwriterAlex Garlandafter both sidestepped to producer roles for the 2007 sequel28 Weeks Later, shows both men working at the peak of their powers — and in absolute sicko mode. This new chapter (starringAaron Taylor-Johnson,Jodie Comer,Ralph Fiennes, and Alfie Williams) is strange, unpredictable, gloriously revolting, darkly funny, and, when you least expect it, rather touching. It's a full package, and one of the richest horror movies in a very long time.—Jordan Hoffman Read EW's review of28 Years Later. Alistair Heap/Courtesy of Sundance Institute This little gem of a movie premiered at Sundance in January before landing quietly in theaters in March. Written by British comedy duo Tom Basden and Tim Key, it follows eccentric lottery winner Charles Heath (Key), who seeks to reunite beloved folk duo Herb McGwyer (Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan). What starts as a misguided attempt to bring the band back together only dredges up old wounds, but it turns out to be a beautiful way for Charles to process his grief and feel closer to his late wife. It's a lilting, charmingly funny, touching meditation on love, loss, and finding our way back to ourselves.—Maureen Lee Lenker Claudette Barius/Focus Features Black Bagis a spy film unlike any other. When intelligence agent George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) learns his wife, Kathryn (Cate Blanchett), also a spy, is suspected of betraying the nation, he must decide between his country and his marriage. Despite its refreshingly short runtime (just over 90 minutes!), the film deftly packs a lot in. Gone are the usual prolonged, fiery action sequences, and in their place are talky — but no less fraught — games of cat-and-mouse at an elegant dinner table. And there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, but the film's true (dare we say?)secretweapon is that, at its heart,Black Bagis really about a marriage brought enchantingly to life by the mesmerizing hot, hot, hot chemistry between Fassbender and Blanchett, who go toe-to-toe in ways that make it impossible to look away. Go on, we dare you. —Lauren Huff Warner Bros. Pictures Genre storytelling has always been a ripe space for exploring potent social and political issues, andCompanionis no exception, even if its message gets muddled at times. Drew Hancock's feature directorial debut is a hell of an invigorating revenge fantasy, made all the more satisfying by its own winking self-awareness. Bathed in a pink-pop glow, its pastiche of romance and horror collide in a viciously mischievous parable of technology and control that speaks to these most anxious times.—Maureen Lee Lenker Read EW's review ofCompanion. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/Apple Original Films F1literally just drove into theaters, and it already pushed, pushed, pushed its way onto this list — for good reason. DirectorJoseph Kosinski's love letter to Formula One racing starringBrad Pittisn't just one of the best films of the year (so far), it's also one of the best sports competition movies ever made. Despite the often-predictable limitations of the genre, Ehren Kruger's script avoids feeling formulaic (sorry). The story, the action, and the editing are all crisp and pitch-perfect, set to an appropriately pulse-pounding soundtrack and score (created by the inimitableHans Zimmer, of course). In short: It rules! The best part? It doesn't matter whether you're an F1 superfan who can name every single background cameo (of which there aremany), or you have no idea what "box, box" means — this is the ultimate summer blockbuster for audiences looking for a breathtaking, globe-trotting, edge-of-your-seat drama. Buckle up … but watch your speed while driving home from the theater.—Sydney Bucksbaum Read EW's review ofF1. NEON WithLife of Chuck, directorMike Flanagansteps away from horror — but not fromStephen King. The adaptation of King's 2020 novella tells the story of Charles "Chuck" Krantz, an accountant whose life is cut heartbreakingly short at 39 from a brain tumor. But it's far from a straightforward story. The movie's three acts, told in reverse chronological order, weave in sci-fi, fantasy, and supernatural elements that may have you scratching your head at the beginning and tearing up by the end. It's hard to say much more about the film without giving awaythe twist— but we can tell you it's worth watching for starTom Hiddleston'sfive-and-a-half-minute dance numberalone.—Ashley Boucher Courtesy of Sundance Institute Another Sundance darling,Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymoretells the story of deaf actressMarlee Matlinand her struggles as a child born to hearing parents to making history as the first deaf actor to win an Oscar and beyond. Director and producer Shoshannah Stern is also deaf, which allows her to tell Matlin's story from the deaf perspective. Using American Sign Language and subtitles throughout, as well as her own onscreen conversations with Matlin, Stern foregrounds the deaf experience in her filmmaking, making it not just a compelling portrait of a groundbreaking artist but an innovative approach to documentary storytelling on the whole.—Maureen Lee Lenker Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures The most talked-about movie of the year, and for good reason.Ryan Coogler'sSinnerssank its teeth into our necks in April and hasn't let go since. Set in 1930s Mississippi, and loosely inspired by the director's family's real-life experiences in the Jim Crow South, the film is much more than your typical vampire story. In fact, the vamps don't even show their real fangs until the third act, which culminates in a fiery, blood-soaked showdown of epic proportions. Instead, we spend most of our time with not one but twoMichael B. Jordans, playing twins Smoke and Stack, two prodigal sons returned home from Chicago with plans to open a juke joint for the local community. Sexy, scary, and seductive, the film explores themes of race, ancestry, and violence, all set to the propulsive blues music that forms its beating heart.—Mike Miller A24 Perhaps you're one of the many who became a fan ofEva Victorover the last 10 years because of her satirical, deeply funny tweets and viral videos. Her feature directorial debutSorry, Baby, in which she also stars and wrote, is rife with her sharp humor, all layered throughout a profound examination of a traumatic event that forever changes her character, Agnes. The laughs are a necessary tool — coping mechanism, even — to help Agnes move through life as she navigates a myriad emotions. It's complicated and unassuming in the same beat, making this Sundance favorite one of the most thoughtful and unforgettable of the year.—Gerrad Hall Courtesy of Marvel Studios We get it, "superhero fatigue" is a real thing. But superheroes, the Thunderbolts are not — and that is part of the reason Marvel's latest is one of its best in years. Centered onFlorence Pugh's Yelena Belova, who we find lost, depressed, and ready to get out of the assassin business, she leads an unlikely new team of antiheroes to face down the person trying to take them out — while also facing their own inner demons. The unexpected emotional gut punch, along with huge laughs and exciting action, easily makes this one of the best trips to theaters this year. By now you hopefully know thatthe asterisk of the title isNew Avengers, and we can't wait to see Yelena, Bucky Barnes/the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), U.S. Agent/John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) lead the franchise into its next phase.—Gerrad Hall Read EW's review ofThunderbolts*. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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June 30, 2025

The best movies of 2025 so far

The best movies of 2025 so far The year started a little quietly, but come spring, the box office was in full swing with hits includingA Min...
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Slander or 'trash-talking'? Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud has a day in courtNew Foto - Slander or 'trash-talking'? Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud has a day in court

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge is pondering the nature of rap battles and the cutting wordplay inKendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," the megahit diss track that spurred adefamation lawsuitfrom his fellow superstarDrake. Drake sued Universal Music Group — both his and Lamar's record label — over "Not Like Us," saying the company published and promoted a song he deems slanderous. Universal says the lyrics are just hyperbole in the tradition of rap beefing, and the label is trying to get the case dismissed. Judge Jeannette Vargas didn't immediately decide after a lively hearing Monday, when the raw creativity ofhip-hopbrushed up against the staid confines of federal court. "Who is the ordinary listener? Is it someone who's going to catch all those references?" Vargas wondered aloud, addressing a legal standard that concerns how an average, reasonable person would understand a statement. "There's so much specialized and nuanced to these lyrics." Neither artist attended the hearing. The case stems from anepic feudbetween two of hip-hop's biggest stars over one of 2024 biggest songs — the one that won therecord of the year and song of the year Grammys, got the most Apple Music streams worldwide and helped make this winter'sSuper Bowl halftime showthe most watched ever. Released as the two artists were trading a flurry of insult tracks, Lamar's song calls out the Canadian-born Drake by name and impugns his authenticity, branding him "a colonizer" of rap culture who's "not like us" inLamar's home turfof Compton, California, and, more broadly, West Coast rap. "Not Like Us" also makes insinuations about Drake's sex life, including "I hear you like 'em young" — implications that he rejects. Drake's suit says that the song amounts to "falsely accusing him of being a sex offender, engaging in pedophilic acts" and more. Contending that the track endangered him by fanning notions of vigilante justice, the suit blames "Not Like Us" not only for harming Drake's image but for attempted break-ins and the shooting of a security guard at his Toronto home. The mansion was depicted in an aerial photo in the song's cover art. "This song achieved a cultural ubiquity unlike any other rap song in history," Drake lawyer Michael Gottlieb said. He argued that Universal had campaigned and contrived to make it "a de facto national anthem" that didn't just address hip-hop fans who knew the backstory and were accustomed to over-the-top lyrical battling. The average listener could be "a 13-year-old who's dancing to the song at a bar mitzvah," Gottlieb suggested. "That would be a very interesting bar mitzvah," the judge opined. (The song has indeed been played at some such celebrations.) Universal, meanwhile, has emphasized that "Not Like Us" was part of an exchange of barbs between Drake and Lamar. "Context is key," label lawyer Rollin Ransom argued Monday, at one point apologizing for having to use profanity while reciting some of the lyrics Drake aimed at Lamar in a track called "Taylor Made Freestyle." "What you hear in these rap battles is trash-talking in the extreme, and it is not, and should not be treated as, statements of fact," the attorney said. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Drake also went after iHeartMedia, claiming in a Texaslegal petitionthat the radio giant got illegal payments from Universal to boost airplay for "Not Like Us." IHeartMedia hasdenied any wrongdoing. That disputewas resolvedin March. Drake hasn't sued Lamar himself.

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June 30, 2025

Slander or 'trash-talking'? Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud has a day in court

Slander or 'trash-talking'? Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud has a day in court NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge is pondering the nature of ...
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No verdict on first day of jury deliberations at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trialNew Foto - No verdict on first day of jury deliberations at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Jury deliberations got underway on Monday in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking trial and hit a snag almost as soon as they started. But, by the end of the day, jurors indicated they were making progress weighing complex charges that could put the hip-hop mogul in prison for life. The first day of deliberations saw a flurry of notes from the jury and Combs and his supporters bowing their heads in prayer in the courtroom — but no verdict. The juryof eight men and four women are sifting through seven weeks of sometimes graphic and emotional testimony about therap, fashion and reality TV impresario's propensity for violence and his sexual predilections, including drug-fueled sex marathons dubbed "freak-offs" or "hotel nights." About an hour in, the foreperson reported that a juror might be having trouble following the 61 pages worth of instructions the judge had just read to them. "We are concerned (the juror) cannot follow your honor's instructions," the foreperson said in a note to Judge Arun Subramanian just after 12:30 p.m. After the judge originally proposed asking the jury foreperson the nature of concerns about the fellow juror, defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo suggested caution and that it was better to say less than more. "We can always ratchet it up. We can't ratchet it down," Agnifilo said. Subramanian sent his response to the jury around 2 p.m., reminding the panel to deliberate and to follow his instructions on the law. The jury sent another note about three hours later asking for clarification on the part of the instructions addressing drug distribution — an allegation included in Combs' racketeering conspiracy charge. As deliberations were happening, Combs prayed with his family and friends in the courtroom. Wearing his customary sweater and khakis, he stood facing his contingent in the audience and bowed his head with them. As they finished, they applauded, along with Combs. Combs also showed off two books he's reading: "The Power of Positive Thinking," by Norman Vincent Peale and "The Happiness Advantage," by Shawn Achor. As he sent the jury to deliberate, Subramanian told the five alternate jurors to remain on standby at home in case they're needed at a later point. Jurors were provided with a laptop loaded with all of the exhibits shown in court, including text messages, photographs and videos of the sexual encounters at the heart of the case. Combs, 55, haspleaded not guiltyto federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking — relating to two of his ex-girlfriends — and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly his girlfriends and sex workers across state lines. In closing arguments last week, federal prosecutors and Combs' defense team took their last shots at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founder of Bad Boy Records. "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,"Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik said. "He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law." She said that he used his "close inner circle and a small army of personal staff, who made it their mission to meet the defendant's every desire, promote his power and protect his reputation at all costs." Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilocountered, "This isn't about crime. It's about money." He noted that one of Combs' accusers in the criminal case also sued him in civil court. "He is not a racketeer. He is not a conspirator to commit racketeering. He is none of these things. He is innocent. He sits there innocent. Return him to his family, who have been waiting for him," the lawyer told jurors. In all, 34 witnesses testified, headlined by Combs' former girlfriendsCassie— the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura — and "Jane," who testified under a pseudonym. Both women said he often was violent toward them. Cassie said he forced her into hundreds of sexual encounters with paid male sex workers while Jane recounted numerous "hotel nights." Jurors also saw now-infamoussecurity camera videoof Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 and clips from videos of sexual encounters. Combschose not to testify, and his lawyers didn't call any witnesses in their defense case. His attorneys elected instead to challenge the accusers' credibility during lengthy cross-examination questioning. The defense has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, buthis lawyers maintainthat the sex acts were consensual. They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs' personal life and that he's done nothing to warrant the charges against him.

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June 30, 2025

No verdict on first day of jury deliberations at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial

No verdict on first day of jury deliberations at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial NEW YORK (AP) — Jury deliberations go...
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Judges consider whether Trump can use wartime act against Venezuelan gang Tren de AraguaNew Foto - Judges consider whether Trump can use wartime act against Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua

Immigrationand administration lawyers on Monday battled over whether PresidentDonald Trumpcan use an 18th century wartime act against a Venezuelan gang in a case that is likely to ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The attorneys sparred before a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, the latest step in a tangled legal battle over Trump's March invocation of theAlien Enemies Act of 1798against theTren de Araguagang. The law has only previously been used during World Wars I and II and the War of 1812. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt told the three-judge panel that Trump's use of it is inappropriate. "This has only been invoked three times in major, major wars, and now it's being invoked in connection with a gang," Gelernt said. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign, arguing for the administration, said that courts cannot second-guess a president's determination that the U.S. faces a threat from abroad and requires extraordinary measures to protect itself. He noted that the only time the high court weighed in on the act was in a case that dates from after fighting in Europe ended in World War II, when the court said it could not second-guess then-President Harry Truman's assertion that suspected Nazis should still be held under the act because the war was still continuing. "The president is due the utmost deference" in matters of foreign affairs and security, Ensign said. Trump's invocation has already been twice before the nation's highest court on more technical issues. First,the court foundthat those accused of being TdA members deserved a "reasonable" amount of time to challenge that designation in court, but that their deportations could only be challenged in the locations they were held. That eliminated a national bar against deportations under the act issued by a federal judge in Washington, who later foundthe administration possibly committed contemptwhen itdisregarded his ordersand continued to fly some held under the AEA to a prison in El Salvador. Then, after the ACLU and its allies began filing suits all around the country and winning rulings barring deportations under the measure, the high court stepped in a second time. In April it issuedan unusual post-midnight rulingstopping the administration from deporting people from a slice of north Texas where there was yet no active ruling against removal. Asmultiple lower court judgesfound the AEA couldn't be used against a gang, the high court directed the 5th Circuit to consider the issue and how much time those held should have to challenge their designation. The government, which initially provided minimal notice, now says the standard should be seven days to file an appeal. The ACLU argued for 30 days, the amount of time given to suspected Nazis held during World War II. The panel that heard Monday's arguments was comprised of one judge appointed by Trump, one by former President George W. Bush and one by Biden. Whatever it rules can be appealed to either the entire 5th circuit — one of the most conservative federal appeals courts in the country — or directly to the high court. Trump has argued that TdA is acting at the behest of Venezuela's government. The Act allows its use to combat either an "invasion" or a "predatory incursion." But the ACLU argues that the connection between the gang and the Venezuelan government is tangential at best, and that an assessment by 17 different intelligence agencies found little coordination between TdA and the government in Caracas. Gelernt contended that, by the standards laid out by the administration, the AEA could have been used against the mafia or any other criminal organization with tangential ties to other countries that has operated in the United States over the past 200 years.

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June 30, 2025

Judges consider whether Trump can use wartime act against Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua

Judges consider whether Trump can use wartime act against Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua Immigrationand administration lawyers on Monday bat...
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Satellite imagery reveals ongoing work at Iranian nuclear site bombed by USNew Foto - Satellite imagery reveals ongoing work at Iranian nuclear site bombed by US

New satellite images show continuing work at Iran's Fordow nuclear enrichment plant, which was struck by US B-2 bombers just over a week ago. The imagery was collected by Maxar Technologies on Sunday. Maxar said it "reveals ongoing activity at and near the ventilation shafts and holes caused by last week's airstrikes on the Fordow fuel enrichment complex." The pictures show "an excavator and several personnel are positioned immediately next to the northern shaft on the ridge above the underground complex. The crane appears to be operating at the entrance to the shaft/hole." According to Maxar, several additional vehicles are also seen below the ridge and are parked along the path that was built to access the site. Earlier this month, American B-2 bombers dropped more than a dozen bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites, while Tomahawk missiles launched from a US submarine hit theIsfahan sitein central Iran. The US Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs targeted the two ventilation shafts at Fordow, according to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine. He told a Pentagon briefing last week that most of the bombs dropped at Fordow "were tasked to enter the main shaft, move down into the complex at greater than 1,000 feet per second, and explode in the mission space." Former nuclear inspector David Albright, who now leads the Institute for Science and International Security, said that imagery from Fordow on Saturday showed "the Iranians are actively working at the two MOP impact sites penetrating the ventilation shafts" at the plant. Albright assessed that the activity "may include backfilling the craters, as well as conducting engineering damage assessments and likely radiological sampling. The craters above the main shafts remain open." "We have observed that the Iranians have also rapidly repaired the bomb cratering damage on the main entrance road from only a few days prior. However, there are yet no indications of any efforts to reopen any of the tunnel entrances," Albrightposted on X. On Sunday, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog said US strikes on Iranfell short of causing total damageto its nuclear program and that Tehran could restart enriching uranium "in a matter of months," contradicting President Donald Trump's claims the US set Tehran's ambitions back by decades. The comments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi appear to support an early assessment from the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency,first reported on by CNN, which suggests the United States' strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites last week did not destroy the core components of its nuclear program, and likely only set it back by months. While the final military and intelligence assessment has yet to come, Trump has repeatedly claimed to have "completely and totally obliterated" Tehran's nuclear program. CNN's Laura Sharman and Sophie Tanno contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

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June 30, 2025

Satellite imagery reveals ongoing work at Iranian nuclear site bombed by US

Satellite imagery reveals ongoing work at Iranian nuclear site bombed by US New satellite images show continuing work at Iran's Fordow n...
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6 killed in a crash of a small plane in Ohio, officials sayNew Foto - 6 killed in a crash of a small plane in Ohio, officials say

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — Four adults from one family heading out on vacation were killed along with their pilot and co-pilot when a small plane crashed minutes after taking off from an Ohio airport, officials said. The twin-engine Cessna 441 turboprop crashed near Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport on Sunday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. There were no survivors, Western Reserve Port Authority Executive Director Anthony Trevena said at a news conference. The agency owns the airport. Agency records show the plane was registered to Meander Air LLC of Warren, Ohio. Trumbull County Coroner Lawrence D'Amico on Monday identified the victims as the pilot, Joseph Maxin, 63; co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55; and passengers Veronica Weller, 68; her husband, James Weller, 67; their son, John Weller, 36, and his wife, Maria Weller, 34. Blake and the passengers were all Hubbard residents, while Maxin lived in Canfield. D'Amico said the family — which owns steel manufacturing plants in the Youngstown-Warren area — was heading for a vacation in Montana. Maxin was the port authority's director of compliance and also a former assistant prosecutor for the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office. A statement issued by the authority called Maxin "a selfless public servant and pilot (who) dedicated his life to serving the Mahoning Valley." The plane crashed in heavy woods, making access to the site difficult, Howland Township Fire Chief Raymond Pace said. "This is an extremely tragic situation, but it could have been worse," Pace said, noting that there were three houses near where the plane crashed. Publicly available flight tracking data showed that the plane's destination was Bozeman, Montana, said Michael Hillman, president of aviation company JETS FBO Network. "These were the best of the best in terms of the folks here at the field, as well as the pilots. I can't say enough about them," Hillman said at the news conference. "I'd give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead." The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating but have not speculated on a possible cause. They have asked residents to contact them if they have surveillance video showing the crash or other information that may be relevant to the investigation.

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June 30, 2025

6 killed in a crash of a small plane in Ohio, officials say

6 killed in a crash of a small plane in Ohio, officials say YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — Four adults from one family heading out on vacation were...
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Quinta Brunson Addresses If She's Considered Ending "Abbott Elementary" as She Knows Cast 'Would Love to Pursue Other Projects'

Disney/Gilles Mingasson Quinta Brunson opened up toBustlefor her June 30 cover story about the future ofAbbott Elementaryafter it was renewed for season 5 earlier this year As a star and the creator of the series, Brunson explained that she has considered ending it to give the cast the opportunity to take on other jobs She also admitted she wants her next role to be the "opposite" from what she has been used to on the beloved comedy Quinta Brunsonis optimistic about the future. In her June 30Bustlecover story, the 35-year-old reflected on the popularity ofAbbot Elementary —which she created and currently stars in. As the hit seriesheads into its fifth season, Brunson revealed if she has any plans to bring it to an end. "We are so fortunate and blessed to be on a network TV show for five seasons, and for people to still be fans," she noted. "That being said, I have cast members who would love to pursue other projects, and our show is very time-consuming. We shoot about seven months out of the year. That can stop people from being able to do a lot of other things." Phillip Faraone/FilmMagic "Right now, I'm receiving scripts, and waiting for that moment that feels like, 'Oh man, this is exactly what I've been looking for,'" she explained. "Abbotthas been so successful, and I want to use that success to get other people's projects off the ground." "I'm always interested in playing against type," she added. "I think that's any actor's dream. Right now my type is 'Janine' and 'teacher.' I'm looking forward to moving away from that a little bit." The school comedy, in which Brunson plays a second-grade teacher, first debuted in 2021 and quickly became a fan-favorite. New episodes have previously synced with the school year, although a premiere date hasn't yet been announced. There also has not been any confirmation on casting for the upcoming season, but the main cast is expected to return for new episodes. The roster includes Quinta Brunson,Tyler James Williams,Sheryl Lee Ralph,Janelle James,Lisa Ann Walter,Chris PerfettiandWilliam Stanford Davis. "Season 5, here we come! 🫡 Join your favorite staff and students for more #AbbottElementary on ABC and stream on Hulu," the Instagram postsharing news of the renewalread. Pamela Littky/Disney In February 2024, Perfetti told PEOPLE that he was in no rush to move on from his role. "Right nowI'm feeling very attachedto myAbbottfamily. It is a real gift to be able to play a character for as long as I've been able to be Jacob and these people are my family now — there was a connection from the get-go," he gushed. In October of that same year, Walter revealed to PEOPLE that the cast even received salary increases ahead of the season 4 premiere. "Yes,we got a little more moneyin there and all the Hot Pockets we could eat," she quipped. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Abbott Elementaryis available to stream on Hulu. Read the original article onPeople

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June 30, 2025

Quinta Brunson Addresses If She's Considered Ending “Abbott Elementary” as She Knows Cast 'Would Love to Pursue Other Projects'

Quinta Brunson Addresses If She's Considered Ending "Abbott Elementary" as She Knows Cast 'Would Love to Pursue Other Proj...
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'Love Island USA' Season 7 cast list: See every islander so farNew Foto - 'Love Island USA' Season 7 cast list: See every islander so far

Contestants are not afraid to lock lips and test their relationships on "Love Island USA" Season 7. After returning to the villa, islanders are living in theaftermath of the drama-inducing Casa Amor.Four bombshells packed their bags, and the remaining islanders continue to navigate their connections, both old and new. In the latest episode, the group held nothing back during a staple challenge of the series. Throughout the season, USA TODAY will keep fans updated on all the tea inside the Fijian villa. Here's a recap of some highlights from the last few episodes and a list of all the islanders who have entered the villa for "Love Island USA" Season 7 so far, including those who debutedsince last week's update. 'Love Island USA':People can't stop talking about Huda. Will we ever learn our lesson? Islanders Olandria and Nic were paired after being dumped in Episode 20. Neither of them were selected to recouple with a new Casa Amor bombshell. However, in another twist, Olandria and Nic were picked up in a G-wagon and taken to a secret garden in Episode 21. Faced with the option to join forces and couple up or officially leave the show, they decided to couple up and were able to return to the main villa. At one point in the villa − while Olandria was still trying to keep Taylor from turning his head and while Nic was thinking about Cierra − the two decided to explore whether there was a romantic connection. "I think there's a strong physical connection between Olandria and I," Nic said in his confessional. "She's one of the most attractive women I've ever seen in my lifetime." They eventually share a passionate kiss in Soul Ties, but later mutually agree in Episode 22 that they are just friends. when I tell people about coupled up Nicolandria#LoveIslandUSApic.twitter.com/0zdY5ES8eU — T (@teewatterss)June 28, 2025 JD and Huda's connection crumbled in Episode 22 after he confronted her about her approach to the "Kiss-Off" challenge. "I can tell you like being dominant," JD told Huda while smiling. "I had to lead your (expletive) to help you," she responded. "You was trying to be dominant and I'm not someone who likes to be dominated. It was like combative," JD continued. "So find someone submissive," Huda responded, adding, "Sure. Okay, good talk." Theclip of the interactionwent viral on social media. Huda has been at the center of other popular moments from the season, includingher clash with her former partner Jeremiahand her"I'm a mommy" conversationwith Nic. Four islanders, all of whom entered the villa as Casa Amor bombshells, were dumped from the villa in Episode 22. Coco: Had a connection with Ace Zac: Had a connection with Iris JD: Had a connection with Huda and Amaya Vanna: Had a connection with TJ Women: Chelley, 27, from Orlando, Florida Huda, 24, from Raleigh, North Carolina Olandria, 27, from Decatur, Alabama Cierra, 25, from Arizona(Bombshell, Episode 2) Amaya, 25, New York City(Bombshell, Episode 4) Iris, 25, from Los Angeles (Bombshell, Episode 9) Andreina, 24, from Jersey City, New Jersey(Bombshell, Episode 15) Clarke, 24, Columbia, South Carolina(Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode 19) Jaden, 25, Los Angeles(Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode 19) Gracyn, 25, Bristol, Virginia(Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode 19) Men: Ace, 22, from Los Angeles Taylor, 24, from Oklahoma City Nicolas, 24, from Jacksonville, Florida Austin, 26, from Northville, Michigan Pepe, 27, from Los Angeles(Bombshell, Episode 9) TJ, 23, from Pleasantville, New York(Bombshell, Episode 15) Elan, 23,Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada(Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode 19) Chris, 27, Los Angeles(Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode 19) Bryan, 28, Boston(Casa Amor Bombshell,Episode 19) Zak, 29, Roi Et, Thailand; Manchester, U.K.(Casa Amor Bombshell,Episode 19) Dumped: Yulissa, 27, from Miami(Left the villa) Belle-A, 22, from Honolulu(Dumped, Episode 6) Charlie, 27, from the United Kingdom(Bombshell, Episode 2)(Dumped, Episode 12) Jalen, 27, from Sparta, Georgia(Bombshell, Episode 9)(Dumped, Episode 14) Hannah, 23, Tucson, Arizona(Bombshell, Episode 4)(Dumped, Episode 18) Jeremiah, 25, from Los Angeles(Dumped, Episode 18) Zac, 26, Portland, Oregon (Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode19) (Dumped, Episode 22) JD, 23, Dallas, Texas(Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode19)(Dumped, Episode 22) Coco, 24, Los Angeles(Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode 19) (Dumped, Episode 22) Vanna, 21, Salt Lake City, Utah(Casa Amor Bombshell, Episode 19) (Dumped, Episode 22) Couples: Chelley and Ace Amaya and Zak Jaden and Austin Cierra and Nic Gracyn and Pepe Huda and Chris Iris and TJ Taylor and Clarke Andreina and Bryan Single Islanders: Olandria Elan In Episode 24, the islanders played dress-up and participated in the "Hearts on Fire" game, also notoriously known among fans as the heart rate challenge. This season's contestants completed the challenge as a couple. Women: Iris' heart rate was raised the most by Nic Amaya's heart rate was raised the most by Pepe Andreina's heart rate was raised the most by Pepe Jaden's heart rate was raised the most by Nic Chelley's heart rate was raised the most by Chris Huda's heart rate was raised the most by Elan Gracyn's heart rate was raised the most by Nic Cierra's heart rate was raised the most by Elan Olandria's heart rate was raised the most by Chris Clarke's heart rate was raised the most by Ace Men: TJ's heart rate was raised the most by Gracyn Zak's heart rate was raised the most by Cierra Bryan's heart rate was raised the most by Cierra Austin's heart rate was raised the most by Amaya Chris' heart rate was raised the most by Chelley Pepe's heart rate was raised the most by Andreina Nic's heart rate was raised the most by Iris Elan's heart rate was raised the most by Cierra Taylor's heart rate was raised the most by Olandria Ace's heart rate was raised the most by Huda Winning couple:Cierra and Nic New episodes come out onPeacockeach night Thursday to Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, meaning the only day without a new episode is Wednesday. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Love Island USA' Season 7 cast: See every bombshell, islander

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June 30, 2025

'Love Island USA' Season 7 cast list: See every islander so far

'Love Island USA' Season 7 cast list: See every islander so far Contestants are not afraid to lock lips and test their relationships...
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Diddy's star-studded trial: The celebrities mentioned in courtNew Foto - Diddy's star-studded trial: The celebrities mentioned in court

NEW YORK — Before his precipitous downfall,Sean "Diddy" Combswas apop-culture supernovawithinnumerable starsin his orbit. Like it or not, that's part of the reason we've all been so glued to his criminal trial, as theonce-untouchable music mogulawaitsa verdicton fivecharges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. It's why journalists dashed breathlessly through the halls of Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on June 13, in an attempt tocatch a glimpse of rapper Ye as he made a fleeting appearance to show his solidarity with Combs. It's also why dozens of social media influencers waited for nearly four hours in the pouring rain in the early morning hours of May 22, hoping to land a spot in the main courtroom asmusician Kid Cuditestified about analleged arson attack by Combs. Throughout nearly two months of testimony, attorneys and witnesses alike havename-checked several celebritiesas they've excavated nearlytwo decades of Combs' apparent criminal past. They've recounted nights ofpartying with Prince, Stevie Wonder, Muhammad Ali and Rita Ora, some of which ended in Combs allegedly assaulting his girlfriends orforcing them into "freak offs" with escorts. Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross were referenced in court, as defense tried to highlight the powerful connections that Combs helped afford to his ex-lover, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine.Michael B. Jordan,50 CentandSuge Knightwere all subjects of Combs' ire, whileUsherandDanity Kane's Dawn Richardwere both on the sidelines of allegedly violent incidents. Diddy trial bombshells:What his inner circle said about baby oil, 'freak offs' There were name drops that sparked dry amusement from reporters, too, like the revelation that Combs once had ecstasy pills shaped like the face offormer President Barack Obama. Or that the rapper gave his staff an annual paid holiday on the Notorious B.I.G.'s birthday. (Checking into hotels, Combs often used the alias Frank Black ‒ a nod to Biggie Smalls' nickname, Frank White.) Combs' lawyer also mentioned Beyoncé in his closing statement. "I don't expect we're going to see Beyoncé in CVS," lead defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said as he argued Combs' employees were not part of a criminal enterprise and that they instead were just doing their jobs. Here are just a few of the most notable A-listers to find their way into the Diddy trial: "Mia," a former assistant of Combs who testified under a pseudonym, told jurors that she had been abused and assaulted by the rapper throughout her employment. In a series of texts read aloud in court, sheinvoked the name of disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly, who is in prison following his own sex-crimes trial. Jurors saw an exchange from 2019, in which Mia wrote toCombs: "I had a nightmare. I was trapped in an elevator with R. Kelly and you came to rescue me." In a lengthy text that she sent Combs around 2020, Mia described some of their most "magical, hilarious" and "hysterical" memories together. One was of a night in Paris when Mick Jagger tried to take her home; another was of a night when Jennifer Lopez wouldn't stay out. Mia also referenced a high-stakes poker game between the hip-hop mogul andDiCaprio. She wrote that Combs said, while cursing: "That 'Titanic' (guy) doesn't know (anything). He won $10,000, I won $650,000." What to expect:Diddy trial is ending, jury deliberation underway In a message from August 2020, Mia texted Combs, "Thinking of you withChadwick Boseman," following the actor's death. Mia said on the stand that Combs was "auditioning for the role" of James Brown in the "Get On Up" biopic that Boseman ended up playing. In a text exchange shown to jurors, Mia told Combs that she had his audition tape and would send it to him. Mia alleged that in 2012 she witnessed a discussion between Combs and Ventura Fine escalate at the premiere of theBrad Pittfilm "Killing Them Softly," during the Cannes Film Festival in France.She claimed she saw Combs grit his teeth while digging his nails into Ventura Fine's arm, and eventually insisted that Ventura Fine leave, which she did. On the stand, Mia said that over the years, she saw Combs take molly, MDMA, ketamine and prescription drugs. Although she said it was "mostly in party situations," she once claimed to see him high at a board meeting. On another occasion, she alleged that he was so high at aChelsea Handlershow that she pulled him aside. "You look a little crazy right now," Mia told Combs. More:All the witnesses who took the stand in the Diddy trial, including Cassie and Kid Cudi On the stand, Combs' ex-personal assistant Capricorn Clark was asked whether she thought Ventura Fine was "very talented." Clark responded "no," adding that she thought the rising R&B star merely had "talent." "Very talented to me is Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey," Clark told jurors. "Very talented is that level of performer, entertainer. Cassie was more of a studio artist." During Ventura Fine's lengthy testimony, jurors saw a text that she sent to Combs in July 2013. At the time, she had been dating Combs for roughly seven years, and expressed frustration that she wasn't integrated more into his family life with his children. "As much as you think you're Bruce Willis, you aren't," Ventura Fine texted Combs. "He's married, and before he was married, the family as a whole went on trips together or just him and his woman." "Eddie Murphy and Paige (Butcher) took his kids away on their own," the message continued. "I don't think you sympathize with my feelings. I understand you feeling like you need to protect your children. But after a while, it's like, for what?" Surviving abuse:Cassie Ventura Fine and the unlikely bond with her mother-in-law Kerry Morgan, a model and former friend of Ventura Fine, testified that Combs once attacked her in Cassie's California home, choking her and hitting her in the head with a wooden hanger. She also told the court she saw Combs assault Ventura Fine several times, and she pleaded with her friend to leave the rapper. During cross-examination, the defense showed a number of photos of Morgan and Ventura Fine hanging out with groups of people. One snapshot included Morgan, stylist Deonte Nash, producer Rob Holiday, and "Nope" actress Keke Palmer. Defense asked whether they all had fun together: "We had a lot of fun," Morgan said. "We look like a loving bunch," although "I didn't love all these people." On the stand,Combs' ex "Jane," who also testified under a pseudonym, said that she, Combs and one of the escorts they allegedly hired used the nickname "trifecta" when they had sex. Jane claimed she was Kobe Bryant; Paul, the entertainer, was Shaquille O'Neal; and Combs was Michael Jordan. Jurors were also read a series of flirty text messages between Jane and Combs, where she likens their relationship to the NBA legends. In the exchange, Jane thanks Combs for making "me very happy" and giving "me so much love." "You're my Michael Jordan and I'm your Kobe Bryant," Jane texted Combs. "We're the greatest." More:Diddy's defense claims he was just 'swinging.' These swingers are appalled. In another frisky text exchange read aloud to jurors during testimony, Jane compared herself to former Playboy models. "It's giving Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra," Jane texted Combs, adding two melon emojis. Jane frequently referenced famous figures in her text messages to Combs. Some of their other nicknames for each other: Bert and Ernie from "Sesame Street." In court, Combs' attorneys pressed Ventura Fine about a time when the hip-hop heavyweight suspected she was cheating on him. "He found out you were dancing with another person in the entertainment industry? Do you remember the incident where he suspected you of dancing withChris Brown?" defense asked, referencing an unspecified occasion in 2013. Ventura Fine said she did not remember the incident, but she "was not dancing" with the singer. Defense showed an exhibit to help jog Ventura Fine's memory of a time when Combs allegedly took the "Me & U" singer's phone after he suspected her of dancing with Brown. After looking at the evidence, Ventura Fine said, "It says that in the message, but I don't really remember it." Ventura Fine is close friends with Karrueche Tran, the actress and model who won a five-year restraining order against ex-boyfriend Brown in 2017. Diddy lawyerMarc Agnifilo compares 'freak offs' to couples drinking lemonade Cassie Beyoncé Rihanna Michael B. Jordan Barack Obama Georgina Chapman Mike Myers Will Smith DJ Whoo Kid Dallas Austin 50 Cent Suge Knight Prince Usher Britney Spears Common Madonna Jimmy Iovine Dawn Richard Kalenna Harper Kid Cudi French Montana Too Short Chris Brown Biggie Smalls Ryan Leslie Brad Pitt Keke Palmer Pamela Anderson Carmen Electra Whitney Houston Mariah Carey Chris Gethard Jay-Z Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Shaquille O'Neal Bruce Willis Eddie Murphy Leonardo DiCaprio Mick Jagger Jennifer Lopez Chelsea Handler R. Kelly Chadwick Boseman Rita Ora Nicki Minaj Lil Wayne Yung Miami Contributing: USA TODAY staff This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy trial celebrities ranged from Beyonce to Brad Pitt and Kid Cudi

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June 30, 2025

Diddy's star-studded trial: The celebrities mentioned in court

Diddy's star-studded trial: The celebrities mentioned in court NEW YORK — Before his precipitous downfall,Sean "Diddy" Combswa...
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About 60,000 units of multivitamins recalled for risks to children. See impacted items.New Foto - About 60,000 units of multivitamins recalled for risks to children. See impacted items.

iHerbissued arecallon June 26 for about 60,000 units of California Gold Nutrition Iron Supplements due to a potential risk of child poisoning. Therecall, posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, states that iHerb recalled daily prenatal and women's multivitamins for not containing child-resistant packaging, which is required for products that contain iron under thePoison Prevention Packaging Act. No deaths have been associated with the recall, an iHerb spokesperson told USA TODAY on June 30. Here's what to know about the recalled products, which were sold by online retailers. Can't access the chart above in your browser? Visitpublic.flourish.studio/visualisation/24010518/. The California Gold Nutrition Daily Prenatal Multivitamin bottles are white with a white lid and gold border label. The bottles contain 60 fish gelatin soft gel dietary supplements, the recall states. The California Gold Nutrition Women's Multivitamin and Women's 50+ Multivitamin have dark purple packaging with a gold border label. Both products contain 60 capsules in blister foils, according to the recall. The recalled products were sold online by Amazon, Walmart, Target and other websites from January 2019 through April 2025 for between $8-18, the recall states. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should immediately secure them out of sight and reach of children. Then contact iHerb at ProductRecall@iherb.com or 888-430-4770 for a refund and information on how to safely discard the product. The recall number is25-354. To receive a refund, email ProductRecall@iherb.com with the subject line "Iron Supplement Refund" and provide the following information: Name Product name(s) and quanity Evidence of destruction: Initial and date each product package and include a photo with your initials and the date visible Optional: Provide the order number associated with the purchases, which can be found by logging into a customer's account and viewing "Order History" iHerb is also contacting all known purchasers directly, the recall states. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her atgcross@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Vitamin recall: About 60K women's and prenatal multivitamins recalled

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June 30, 2025

About 60,000 units of multivitamins recalled for risks to children. See impacted items.

About 60,000 units of multivitamins recalled for risks to children. See impacted items. iHerbissued arecallon June 26 for about 60,000 units...
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ICE detains more non-criminals, new data analysis showsNew Foto - ICE detains more non-criminals, new data analysis shows

Detentions of immigrants without criminal histories have risen sharply since May amid a broader push to expand immigration enforcement, according to a CBS News analysis of data from the Department of Homeland Security. White House adviser Stephen Miller announced a push for a new, higher target of 3,000 arrests daily in late May. From the first week of May to the first week of June, new ICE detentions of people facing only civil immigration charges, such as entering the country without authorization, rose by over 250%. President Trump has repeatedly said his administration is focusing deportation efforts on criminals. Until recently, federal agents working to enforce his orders have detained more immigrants with criminal convictions or pending criminal charges than those without them each week, the data shows. But even among those with criminal convictions — about 40% of detainees since Jan. 20 — the majority were not for violent offenses. Overall, roughly 8% of all detainees had been convicted of violent crimes, CBS News found. "What we're doing is we're really going after the criminal aliens, of which we have plenty to work with," Mr. Trump said at an event promotinghis legislative packageon Thursday. At a White House news conference with the president Friday, Attorney General Pam Bondi was asked about enforcement and said, "The violent criminals in our country are the priority now." However, top White House officials, including "border czar" Tom Homan, have also said anyone who entered the country illegally could face removal. Homantold CBS Newsin May that while ICE would prioritize public safety and national security threats, "If you're in the country illegally, you're not off the table," adding, "It's a violation of law to enter this country illegally." More than 97,000 people have been detained over Mr. Trump's first five months in office, CBS News' analysis found, while ICE arrests, which do not always result in detentions,topped 100,000earlier this month. Arecord 59,000 peoplewere currently being held in ICE detention as of June 23 — nearly half of them with no criminal record, CBS News reported last week. The data CBS News analyzed for this report comes from ICE and was released to theDeportation Data Project, a group of academics and lawyers who collect and publish immigration data. The group sued to obtain the data after filing a Freedom of Information Act request. ICE did not respond to a request for comment. Since the first week of June, the number detained with only civil immigration charges was double that of individuals with criminal convictions. This represents an abrupt reversal from the first four months of Mr. Trump's second term, when the number of immigration detainees with a criminal record outnumbered those detained on civil immigration charges. The new target of 3,000 daily arrests announced by Miller is a sharp increase from the the 660 daily arrests made on average during Mr. Trump's first 100 days in office. Out of the more than 97,700 people ICE has detained since Mr. Trump took office, more than 39,500, or about 40%, had criminal convictions. Of those, nearly 23,000 were removed as of mid-June. Among those with criminal convictions, about 8,200 — 8.4% — had convictions for violent crimes, including 478 convicted of homicide and about 6,800 convicted of assault or sexual assault. Violent offenses, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, include crimes that are "threatening, attempting, or actually using physical force against a person." Additionally, about 5,000 had drug-related convictions. Traffic-related offenses made up the largest category of crimes among those with prior convictions, with driving under the influence of alcohol the single most common violation. In aninterviewwith CBS News's Major Garrett in May, Homan blamed "sanctuary city" policies for leading to more arrests of those without criminal convictions. "When sanctuary cities force us into the neighborhood to find that bad guy, many times that person is with others that are illegally in the country but may not be a criminal target," he said. "Well, they're going to go too." Homan hascalledthese "collateral arrests." People without criminal convictions are also easier targets for removal, said Ariel Ruiz Soto, a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. That's because they tend to be easier to find and more concentrated in one place, he added. "It requires significantly more resources to go after one person who may be armed and dangerous as opposed to going outside a Home Depot and trying to gather a larger number of people," he told CBS News. ACBS News pollcompleted in early June indicates that mass deportation of non-criminals is unpopular among Americans. The poll found that Americans who believe Mr. Trump's deportation efforts are focused on dangerous criminals support those efforts. But among those who do not think criminals were the focus, support dropped dramatically. Heightened ICE activity has sparkedprotestsacross the country in recent weeks, especially in Los Angeles, where Mr. Trump called in the National Guard in response. California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsomaccusedthe administration of "indiscriminately targeting hardworking immigrant families, regardless of their roots or risk." Some Republican elected officials have also expressed concern. Six GOP members of Congress wrote aletterto ICE acting director Todd Lyons requesting that ICE reveal how many convicted criminals have been deported since January. "Every minute that we spend pursuing an individual with a clean record is a minute less that we dedicate to apprehending terrorists or cartel operatives," they wrote. Ruiz Soto, of the Migration Policy Institute, told CBS News that based on Homan's statements on immigration enforcement, he isn't surprised that detentions are predominantly non-criminals. "There's been a disconnect from the beginning about the rhetoric from President Trump that seems to emphasize a focus on violent and the 'worst of the worst' criminals compared to what his cabinet and DHS has been saying from Day One," he said. "When you look at the numbers it's very clear that has not been the case since the beginning." Saving money vs. saving lives Woman who refused Trump pardon for Jan. 6 riot speaks out Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Trump budget bill, Zohran Mamdani

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June 30, 2025

ICE detains more non-criminals, new data analysis shows

ICE detains more non-criminals, new data analysis shows Detentions of immigrants without criminal histories have risen sharply since May ami...
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