Son of Asia’s richest man throws most lavish wedding of the year
MUMBAI, India (AP) — The youngest son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, has married his longtime love in what has been described as the wedding of the year. Global celebrities, businessmen and politicians attended the ceremony, highlighting the billionaire’s enormous wealth and growing influence. Wedding ceremonies, including an exchange of garlands and a walk around a sacred fire, began on Friday and ended just after midnight. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding took place at Ambani’s Geo World Convention Centre and his family home in Mumbai. Guests included former British prime ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake and David Beckham, according to local media.
Alec Baldwin thanks supporters in first public comments since trial ended early
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Alec Baldwin has made his first public comments since the surprising early conclusion of his trial for the murder of a cinematographer in New Mexico. “There are so many people supporting me right now that I can’t thank enough,” Baldwin said in an Instagram post Saturday, adding, “You have no idea how grateful I am for your kindness to my family.” The post was accompanied by a photo of the actor in a Santa Fe, New Mexico, courtroom, where a judge a day earlier had dismissed the manslaughter case against him. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that prosecutors improperly concealed ammunition evidence from Baldwin’s defense team.
Griff has opened for some of the biggest names in pop, and now she’s set to hit the road with her debut album.
British singer-songwriter Griffith’s career has been undeniably dizzying. Less than two years after releasing her first single, she won the Brit Award for Rising Star. She’s since opened for Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Taylor Swift. In between those gigs, intimate solo shows and single and EP releases, she was working on what would become her debut album, “Vertigo.” The 23-year-old, whose full name is Sarah Faith Griffiths, told The Associated Press that the steps a new artist typically takes were upside down for her. On her new album, she tracks the dizzying emotions that have haunted her journey. “Vertigo” is out now.
LL Cool J re-learned how to rap with his first album in 11 years, “The Force.” Here’s how:
NEW YORK (AP) — Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor and writer LL Cool J will release his first new album in 11 years, “The FORCE,” on Sept. 6, marking the fourth decade of his hip-hop career. He told The Associated Press that while he’d always tinkered in the studio, his pursuits have become more serious in the past two years. A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dogg appeared to him in a dream, which led to LL Cool J asking Dogg’s bandmate, Q-Tip, to produce the album. The album is out Sept. 16. He says the album is meant to show people that rap veterans can still contribute and influence modern hip-hop.
Angry birds battle drones that monitor sharks and swimmers in distress on New York beaches
NEW YORK (AP) — A new initiative to use surveillance drones to monitor swimmers and sharks on New York City beaches is drawing backlash from shorebirds. City officials say that since the initiative began in May, the drones have been repeatedly attacked by the birds, forcing pilots to repeatedly land their drones. The city is now avoiding known nesting sites, but the attacks haven’t stopped. Wildlife experts warn that the drones could cause a stress response in the birds, leading them to abandon their nests. The attacks are primarily committed by American oystercatchers. The beaches are also home to American plovers, a federally endangered species.
These Picassos sparked a gender war at an Australian gallery — and now the curator claims he painted them
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — An Australian museum curator has revealed that he is the artist of three paintings he exhibited as works by Pablo Picasso that sparked a sex discrimination lawsuit because only female gallery patrons were allowed to view them. The paintings are part of an exhibition called “Ladies Lounge” at Tasmania’s Old and New Art Museum, and curator Kirsha Kaechele said this week that she came forward after the Picasso Administration contacted her about the works. The paintings have been on display at the museum for more than three years.
Serena Williams to host ESPY Awards ceremony celebrating landmark year for women in sports
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Led by host Serena Williams, the ESPYS celebrated a landmark year in women’s sports Thursday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with award winners including Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Kaitlyn Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins. ABC’s three-hour show was delayed due to a late start to President Joe Biden’s nationally televised news conference. Host Serena Williams told jokes during her monologue and then performed a song. The show suffered technical difficulties in the final minutes that resulted in Williams’ goodnight speech and the credits cutting off during the live broadcast in the Eastern and Central time zones. ABC said it would fix the issue for delayed viewing in the West via pre-recorded broadcasts.
‘The Shining’ and ‘Nashville’ star Shelley Duvall dies at 75
Shelley Duvall, the spunky Texas-born movie star, has died at age 75. Her wide eyes and affable presence made her a staple in Robert Altman’s films and her co-star in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining.” Duvall died in her sleep Thursday at her home in Blanco, Texas, according to her longtime partner Dan Gilroy. Friend and publicist Gary Springer said the cause was complications from diabetes. Duvall attended junior college in Texas, but Altman’s crew ran into her at a Houston party in 1970 while preparing to shoot “Brewster McCloud.” She went on to become Altman’s protégé.
On stage, one of Japan’s leading Kabuki actors changes roles in an instant. Behind the scenes, it’s been decades in the making.
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s kabuki theater’s biggest star, Ichikawa Danjuro, is a master of role-switching onstage. In his latest production, he plays 13 roles, including a princess, a sushi chef and a fox. He limps off the stage as a frail old man, then dashes back on again a moment later as a fierce warrior. He engages in a few sword fights, suffers multiple tragic deaths and flies through the air on wires. But offstage, he wonders if it’s time to change the kabuki star’s rigid roles. Danjuro has made efforts to modernize kabuki in “Hoshiai Jusandan,” which runs through July 24 at Tokyo’s Kabukiza Theater, cutting long scenes and modernizing some lines.
Turkey’s booming TV drama industry captures hearts and minds around the world, boosting tourism
ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey has emerged as a major exporter of TV dramas, boosting the country’s international image and drawing millions of viewers and tourists to the historical and cultural sites that serve as the backdrop for many of the shows. Its success has propelled a burgeoning, multi-billion-dollar industry that experts say significantly boosts Turkey’s soft power on a global scale. Global demand for Turkish drama series grew 184% between 2020 and 2023, according to a leading analytics firm. Markets include the United States, Canada, Greece, India and Pakistan. Hayley Uganadi, founder of a fan platform called “Dizilah,” said the appeal of the shows lies in the themes that focus on family, friendship and love.
