The Colombian singer, long associated with FIFA’s biggest tournament, once again drew attention for her performance, which quickly generated widespread discussion on social media.

Shakira has previously spoken about what makes a World Cup anthem successful, saying it needs rhythm, danceability and a strong chorus that encourages fans to sing along.

Her relationship with the tournament spans two decades.

She first appeared in 2006 with Hips Don’t Lie during World Cup festivities in Germany, before delivering one of the most recognised modern football anthems with Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) in 2010.

She followed it up with La La La (Brazil 2014), further strengthening her association with FIFA World Cup events.

In 2026, her latest performance marks her fourth World Cup appearance overall and her second opening ceremony performance, reinforcing her status as one of the most consistent musical figures linked to the tournament.

Social media reactions highlighted her stage presence, with fans praising her performance and engagement during the show.

Shakira is also scheduled to perform on July 19 at a halftime show, where she will co-headline alongside BTS and Madonna.

“It’s about to die, and that’s why I feel so passionately about this issue,” he said.

Conover was a featured speaker on Saturday at an event billed as the first stop in a three-city “Main Street vs. The Merger” tour bringing together entertainment workers, small business owners and politicians who ​oppose Paramount Skydance’s plan to absorb Warner Bros. Discovery in a $110 billion transaction.

About 100 people gathered at Lumiere Music Hall in Los Angeles for the ​event, which was organised by advocacy groups, the Writers Guild of America and industry workers who wanted to voice their concerns ⁠about the merger.

US antitrust regulators appear poised to approve the combination, amid assurances from Paramount Skydance that the deal would not hurt other studios or creative talent.

CEO David Ellison has pledged that the combined Paramount and Warner studios would stay productive by releasing at least 30 films a year.

But a group of US states, including ​California and New York are preparing a lawsuit to block the deal, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

Conover knows firsthand the toll of cost-cutting from media mergers.

After AT&T’s 2018 acquisition of Time Warner, his TruTV show Adam Ruins Everything was cancelled, putting employees, “countless” contractors and more than 100 others out of work.

The job losses reflect an entertainment industry where employment has declined since ​its peak in late 2022.

California has been especially hard hit, shedding 17,234 positions from 2019 through 2023, according to the Milken Institute.

It concluded that a combination ​of factors — including shrinking television ad revenue and stagnating streaming growth — convinced studios to look for less-expensive places to make movies and series.

The occupancy rate in Hollywood’s sound stages has fallen ‌to 62% ⁠in the first half of 2025, down from nearly full occupancy in 2016, according to Film LA, the non-profit organisation that coordinates filming in greater Los Angeles.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents 170,000 behind-the-scenes professionals, has said its members worked about 36% fewer hours than in 2022.

Matt Radecki, a co-founder of the Different by Design post-production facility in Los Angeles, fears a Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger will result in fewer buyers for documentary films such as the Oscar-winning Navalny, which was ​produced by two Warner units, HBO Max ​and CNN Films.

“This is the biggest ⁠thing that we’ve faced,” Radecki told attendees on Saturday.

“The places we work with are closed … They’re gone, and they’re never coming back, and we don’t want to see that happen to HBO or CNN or CNN Films.”

Former Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya ​expressed optimism that California Attorney General Rob Bonta could block the merger. Bonta could argue that the Paramount Skydance-Warner deal ​lessens competition among film ⁠studios, thereby indirectly affecting workers.

But it is also possible in the US to block a merger by arguing it would decrease competition for specific types of labour.

Antitrust authorities did so once before, in the case of publisher Penguin Random House’s bid to buy rival Simon & Schuster in 2022.

California could point to that precedent in any labour-focused challenge, said Ioana ⁠Marinescu, a ​University of Pennsylvania economist who wrote the Biden-era Justice Department’s guidelines on labour market issues.

“For some workers, ​it could be that jobs at these two companies are really special, and this is really what they want,” she said.

“And there isn’t necessarily a very close substitute. And those are the people for whom ​it’s going to make an adverse impact.”

West, also known as Ye, has faced a wave of cancellations across Europe this summer following years of antisemitic ​remarks, including statements praising Adolf Hitler and the ​release of content using Nazi imagery.

In his first appearance ⁠in Europe since 2014, and his first in Turkey, ​Ye performed for two hours in Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium ​to an audience of 118,000, state-run Anadolu Agency said.

Among the audience were fans from Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Poland and ​the Middle East, Anadolu said.

The 48-year-old rapper is set ​to perform in the Netherlands on June 6 and 8.

Ye has faced a global ‌backlash, ⁠not least for his release of Heil Hitler, a song promoting Nazism.

In April, Britain denied Ye entry because his presence would not be conducive to the public good, forcing the ​cancellation of ​a planned appearance ⁠at the Wireless Festival in London.

Later that month, he also postponed a show in Marseille after ​reports that the French government had sought ​to block ⁠it, and a concert in Poland was also subsequently cancelled.

In January, Ye took out a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street ⁠Journal ​renouncing his past admiration for Hitler ​and apologising for his behaviour, which he attributed to an undiagnosed brain injury and ​untreated bipolar disorder.

The streaming platform ⁠announced the move in an SEC filing on ​Friday, saying Hoag assumed the role following its ​annual shareholders meeting on June 4.

Netflix said in April that Hastings is quitting the company in order to ​focus on his philanthropy and other ​pursuits.

Hastings transformed Netflix from a DVDs-by-mail business to a ‌global ⁠streaming goliath that revolutionised the distribution of movies and television series.

He also steered it through the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted its growth ​even as ​other entertainment ⁠companies struggled.

Hoag co-founded TCV, a growth equity firm, which has been an investor ​in Netflix for many years.

Hoag has ​served ⁠on Netflix’s board since 1999 and was the lead independent director for more than ⁠a ​decade.

He currently serves on the ​boards of Zillow Group and Peloton Interactive.

Bangaranga, sung by Dara, came ahead of second-placed Israel when points from a public vote and national juries were tallied.

The grand final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest was held at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle arena, where Bulgarian singer Dara clinched first place with her performance of Bangaranga, earning 516 points from a combination of juries and public votes.

Israel finished second with 343 points, while Romania took third place with 296 points.

Protests and boycotts

Five countries — Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Ireland — boycotted the contest in protest of Israel’s participation.

During the final, Israeli performer Noam Bettan, who appeared third on stage, faced protests inside the arena as audience members waved Palestinian flags.

Booing was also reported when Israel’s public vote results were announced.

Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard condemned Israel’s involvement during the broadcast, stating on social media: “There should be no stage for Israel at Eurovision while there is an ongoing genocide, unlawful occupation and apartheid.”

In Vienna, more than 1,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered at Christian Broda Square and marched toward the arena, carrying banners reading “Don’t celebrate genocide” and “Israel, killer of children and people,” while chanting slogans such as “Boycott Israel” and “No stage for genocide.”

Activists, artists, and civil society groups urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel from the contest.

They called on countries, including Austria, to end political, economic, and military cooperation with Israel.

A separate event, Song Protest – No Stage for Genocide, took place on Friday at Maria-Theresien Square in Vienna, drawing international artists and activists expressing solidarity with Palestinians and criticising the EBU’s stance, according to Anadolu news agency.

Broadcasters speak out

Several European broadcasters also voiced criticism.

Spain’s RTVE displayed a message supporting “peace and justice for Palestine” at the start of its broadcast, temporarily blacking out the screen to deliver the message in both Spanish and English.

Belgium’s Flemish public broadcaster VRT warned it may reconsider future Eurovision participation unless the EBU changes its policies on contested entries.

Declining viewership

The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation coincided with a drop in television ratings across several countries.

In Italy, 1.87 million viewers watched the first semifinal on RAI, down from 2.49 million the previous year.

In the Netherlands, viewership fell 42% compared to 2025, marking the country’s lowest-rated Eurovision semifinal since 2012.

Fall in viewership was also reported in the UK, Sweden, and Belgium.

The sisters were referenced in a December 2015 email exchange between the convicted sex offender and an unidentified individual.

In the emails, the person asked Epstein about the sisters’ modelling success, writing, “How did the Hadid sisters become models and make so much money?! I don’t understand…”

Epstein replied, “You know,” to which the individual responded, “The father paid the agency.”

Epstein refuted this, stating, “No,” and later added, “Because they follow directions, it’s that simple.”

These emails were part of the millions of documents released earlier this year by the US Department of Justice as part of its investigation into Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019.

Gigi addressed the matter on Instagram after a fan commented that they had unfollowed her because she had not publicly responded.

In her now-deleted comment, the 30-year-old said the emails “made me sick to my stomach” and described the experience as “horrible to read someone you’ve never met speak about you that way. Especially in this context.”

She added that she had refrained from commenting initially to avoid overshadowing the voices of Epstein’s real victims.

Gigi also acknowledged her privileged upbringing, noting that her parents, Dutch model Yolanda Hadid and property developer Mohamed Hadid, helped her secure meetings with modelling agencies, leading to her signing with IMG Models in 2012.

She stressed, however, that she “worked hard every moment since.”

Concluding her statement, Gigi emphasised that she was around 20-21 years old when the emails were written and firmly stated, “I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being.”

Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.

Shares ​traded down 14.5% at ​294,000 won as of 0210 GMT, their lowest ​since December ​16, 2025.

They will post ‌the ⁠biggest percentage fall since June 15, 2022, if the ​loss ​holds.

Some ⁠40,000 fans showed up at ​BTS’ first concert in ​more ⁠than three years on Saturday, far ⁠smaller ​than the 260,000 ​expected.

The intense bidding war for the studio behind Batman and Harry Potter has reached a fever pitch, with the board signalling that Netflix may lose its place as the preferred suitor.

Paramount enticed Warner’s board back to the bargaining table last week by raising the possibility of an improved cash offer for Warner shareholders.

In its revised bid, Paramount raised the termination fee it would pay should the deal fail to gain regulatory approval to $7 billion — up from $5.8 billion.

It also agreed to pay Warner shareholders 25 cents per share per quarter, for every quarter beyond September 30 that the deal does not close.

The rival bidder also agreed to contribute more equity, should banks raise concerns about Paramount’s ability to finance the deal when it closes.

Warner’s board said it has not determined whether the revised Paramount proposal is superior to the merger with Netflix, but that directors will engage further. Should a superior deal emerge, Netflix has four business days to revise its offer.

Netflix declined to comment.

“Paramount welcomes the WBD Board’s determination and looks forward to continuing to engage constructively with WBD to deliver the benefits of Paramount’s proposal to WBD shareholders, the creative community and consumers,” Paramount said in a statement.

The fight over Warner Bros is complicated by the fact that Netflix and Paramount are bidding for different sets of assets.

Paramount’s bid, now at $31 per share in cash, is for the whole company.

Netflix has offered $27.75 per share in cash, a total of $82.7 billion including net debt, for the movie and television studios, its catalog and HBO Max streaming service.

Warner Bros plans to spin off its television division into a separately traded company, Discovery Global.

The value of Netflix’s bid depends partly on the debt level of Discovery Global and its equity value once it starts trading.

Warner’s board estimates Discovery Global could fetch between $1.33 and $6.86 a share, potentially lifting the total return to shareholders above Paramount’s earlier $30 a share offer.

“We expect shareholder lawsuits if Netflix is the ultimate winner, and because the deals are not apples to apples—with the suitors not vying for identical assets and other details surrounding the respective bids requiring discretion—determination of which deal is better will always be subjective,” wrote Matthew Dolgin, senior equity analyst at Morningstar.

Demand for alternative energy, like solar, has increased as the country grapples with a worsening fuel crisis.

Warner Bros will publish quarterly results this week, potentially giving a better picture of the cable television assets’ value. Paramount reports results on Wednesday.

Shares of both potential buyers have fallen during the saga. “Given how much the market cap for Netflix and Paramount have fallen since this bidding war started, it is reasonable to question if an increased bid from either company is actually driven by business interests rather than ego,” said Ross Benes, senior analyst at eMarketer.

HIGH-STAKES BATTLE FOR HOLLYWOOD’S CROWN JEWEL

Either deal will reshape the power structure of Hollywood by handing the suitor one of the industry’s most coveted studios and an extensive content library, as well as lucrative entertainment franchises such as “Game of Thrones” and DC Comics.

Netflix has ample cash and could bump up its offer for the HBO Max owner.

Paramount, though, has argued it has a clearer path to US regulatory approval than Netflix, and it earlier indicated that if Warner Bros rejects the new bid, it would be ready to launch a board challenge at this year’s annual meeting.

One of its possible director candidates could be one of Warner Bros’ biggest shareholders, Pentwater Capital Management’s chief executive Matthew Halbower.

Separately, activist investor Ancora Holdings, which owns a small stake in Warner Bros, has stepped up pressure on the HBO owner by saying the company did not adequately engage with Paramount.

Warner Bros has previously said that its board has a track record of acting in the best interests of the company and shareholders.

The company earlier this month said it would hold a shareholder vote on the Netflix deal on March 20.

The bidding war for one of Hollywood’s most coveted assets, including the “Harry Potter” and “Game of Thrones” franchises, has raised the stakes for dominance in the streaming-led market.

Paramount’s new bid — which improves its initial offer of $108.4 billion, or $30 per share, for the whole company — seeks to address Warner Bros concerns about the certainty of its financing, the source said.

Reuters could not immediately determine how the bid was revised. Warner Bros and Paramount declined to comment, while Netflix could not immediately be reached.

Warner Bros’ chosen suitor, Netflix, which offered to buy the studios and streaming assets for $27.75 per share in cash, or $82.7 billion, is allowed to match the latest bid from David Ellison-led Paramount.

Netflix has ample cash and could bump up its offer for HBO Max owner, while Paramount’s rival bid is backed by Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison.

The CBS parent was asked to submit its “best and final offer” after Warner Bros rejected an enhanced bid that included paying the $2.8 billion in termination fee to Netflix and adding a 25-cent per share quarterly “ticking fee” from next year to compensate Warner Bros shareholders for any delay in deal closure.

Warner Bros had said Paramount’s February 10 offer still falls short of what its board would consider a superior proposal and gave a seven-day deadline until February 23 to submit a revised offer.

MoffettNathanson analysts had earlier said that an offer in the range of $34 per share from Paramount would end the bidding war and “avoid further debate over Discovery Global’s value.”

Warner Bros plans to spin off its cable TV assets, such as CNN and HGTV, into Discovery Global, which could fetch between $1.33 and $6.86 a share, according to Warner Bros estimates.

Netflix said its offer gives Warner Bros shareholders added upside from the Discovery Global spinoff, which WBD argues will add value by giving the new company greater strategic, operational and financial flexibility.

However, Paramount has said the cable spinoff central to the streaming giant’s offer is effectively worthless.

The David Zaslav-led Warner Bros came under pressure from Ancora Capital after the activist investor built a roughly $200 million stake in the HBO owner and accused the company of failing to adequately engage with Paramount.

The investor warned that if Warner Bros refuses to re-enter discussions with Paramount, it will vote against the Netflix deal and hold the company’s board accountable during its annual meeting.

Shares of Paramount rose 1.3% to $10.70 in extended trading.

Regulatory scrutiny

Warner Bros shareholders were set to decide the fate of Netflix’s offer on March 20, with the vote expected to be a pivotal moment in the high-stakes bidding war to seal the future of one of Hollywood’s most iconic movie studios.

A green light from investors would move the deal forward, but it would still face intense scrutiny from US and European competition authorities, who must assess whether combining Netflix’s global streaming power with Warner Bros’ century-old studio assets would reduce competition or limit consumer choice.

A bipartisan array of lawmakers has raised concerns about the potential harm to consumers and creatives.

Paramount said it has already secured foreign-investment clearance in Germany and is in talks with antitrust regulators in the US, the European Union and the UK.

Paramount has repeatedly argued it has a clearer path to regulatory approval than Netflix.

Paramount’s bid will create a studio bigger than market leader Disney and fuse two major TV operators, which some Democratic senators say will control “almost everything Americans watch on TV”.

It will also hand control of CNN to the conservative-leaning Ellisons, soon after they acquired CBS News and installed Bari Weiss as its editor-in-chief.

For Netflix, a combination with HBO Max would make it the biggest global streaming player, with roughly half a billion subscribers.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has voiced confidence in winning approval, saying the company’s bid would be better for Hollywood as it would avoid job cuts in an industry already hit by fewer productions and uneven box-office returns.

The streaming pioneer said during deal talks that the potential combination of its streaming service with HBO Max would benefit consumers by lowering the cost of a bundled offering.

But the argument that it needs Warner Bros to compete with YouTube, America’s most-watched TV distributor, is likely to face pushback from the Department of Justice.

As part of its regulatory review, the US Department of Justice is examining whether Netflix engaged in anti-competitive practices.

Netflix has cited statistics from media analysis firm Nielsen showing that Google’s YouTube accounts for more viewing time on US televisions than other streaming services.

It beat home favourite, the tearjerker Hamnet, and vampire thriller Sinners, which has a record number of Oscar nominations, in the big two categories in the ceremony, where Prince William and Princess Kate were guests of honour.

“We have a line from Nina Simone that we stole in our film. She says ‘I know what freedom is, it’s no fear’,” Anderson said.

“So let’s keep making things without fear, it’s a good idea.”

Anderson also picked up the award for best adapted screenplay, while Sean Penn beat his co-star Benicio del Toro, among others, for best supporting actor.

The critical hit also won best cinematography and best editing to total of six prizes.

Sinners, which has 16 Oscar nods, won best original screenplay for writer and director Ryan Coogler, best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku, and best original score.

Surprise in best actor category

The biggest surprise was Robert Aramayo beating Timothee Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Ethan Hawke and Jesse Plemons to win best actor for his acclaimed performance as Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson in I Swear.

He accepted the award — his second of the evening after picking up the rising star prize — in tears, saying, “I absolutely can’t believe it.”

Asked before the ceremony what it would mean to him to win, Aramayo told Reuters: “I haven’t even engaged with that thought to be honest with you, I just feel really, really lucky to be on that list of names.”

Favourite Jessie Buckley won best actress for playing Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, in Hamnet, based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell and directed by previous Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

The film also won outstanding British film, but it lost out on the two major awards, including best film, where its home advantage had made it a favourite.

The awards, hosted by Alan Cumming, were the first joint engagement for William and Kate since William’s uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday.

William, president of the film academy, presented the BAFTA Fellowship to Donna Langley, studio head at NBCUniversal.

For 15 years, Dane played a plastic surgeon nicknamed “McSteamy” by the show’s female characters. He also starred in the series “Euphoria,” and said after the diagnosis, he would still return to the set for its third season.

“Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family said in a statement, according to People magazine and other media.

“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world.”

ALS is a progressive disease in which a person’s brain loses connection with the muscles. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the Hall of Fame baseball player who died from it in 1941 at age 37.

“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight,” Dane’s family added.

Dane and his wife, actor Rebecca Gayheart, the mother of their two children, separated in 2018 after 14 years of marriage.

But last March, just before Dane announced his diagnosis, Gayheart sought to dismiss her divorce petition, People said, citing court documents.

Eric William Dane, the older of two brothers, was born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, to an architect father and a homemaker mother, his biography on IMDB.com shows.

His first television role was in “The Wonder Years” in 1993, while 2005 brought his big break with “Grey’s Anatomy.” His big screen credits include “Marley & Me” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.”

The company said this “means there is no statutory impediment in the US to closing Paramount’s proposed acquisition of WBD,” but the expiration of the 10-day waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act does not end the US Department of Justice’s review.

The DOJ can continue investigating the deal, request more information and still sue to block the transaction before it closes.

In 2023, the department sued to block the proposed JetBlue-Sprint merger months after the waiting period had expired.

Paramount, however, does not have a definitive agreement with Warner Bros, which has signed a deal with Netflix that has offered to buy the studios and streaming assets for $27.75 per share, or $82.7 billion.

“Paramount Skydance continues to mislead stockholders and distract from the facts,” Netflix chief legal officer, David Hyman, said.

“They have not secured the approvals needed to close, and they are a long way from doing so.”

The Netflix deal will also face intense scrutiny from US and European competition authorities, who must assess whether combining the company’s global streaming power with Warner Bros Discovery’s century-old studio assets would reduce competition or limit consumer choice.

The award follows the success of the megastar’s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, which, according to Billboard, sold more copies in its first week than any other album in the modern era.

Billboard cited data from Luminate.

Swift saw worldwide engagement across streaming, physical and digital formats with the release of The Life of a Showgirl and the documentary of her tour The End of an Era, IFPI said.

She was first named the IFPI global recording artist of the year in 2014, and then in 2019 and from 2022 to 2024.

Swift has now won the award as many times as all other artists combined over the past ten years, which reflects both her creative consistency and the long-term global strategies supporting her releases, the IFPI said in a statement.

The award is calculated by looking at an artist’s or group’s worldwide sales across streaming, download and physical music formats during the calendar year and covers their entire body of work, according to the organisation.

K-pop group Stray Kids took the second spot for 2025, while Canadian rapper Drake took third place.

Members of Warner Bros’ board are discussing whether Paramount could offer the path to a superior deal, the Bloomberg report said, adding that the board has not decided how to respond and may stick to the current deal with Netflix.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Paramount, Warner Bros and Netflix did not respond to requests for comment.

Paramount had enhanced its Warner Bros bid last week by offering shareholders extra cash for each quarter the deal fails to close after this year.

It also agreed to cover the breakup fee that HBO’s parent would owe Netflix if it walked away, even though the CBS owner did not raise its per-share offer.

Paramount said it has offered shareholders a 25-cent-per-share quarterly “ticking fee” (about $650 million) in cash starting in 2027 until closing and agreed to cover Warner Bros’ $2.8 billion breakup fee to Netflix.

However, it did not raise its $30-per-share offer, valuing the deal at $108.4 billion including debt.

Both Netflix and Paramount covet Warner Bros for its leading film and television studios, extensive content library and major franchises such as “Game of Thrones,” “Harry Potter”, and DC Comics superheroes Batman and Superman.

Activist investor Ancora Holdings, which has built a nearly $200 million stake, last week said it plans to oppose the Netflix deal, arguing the board did not sufficiently engage with Paramount over its rival bid, which includes cable assets like CNN and TNT.

Arnold said in a May 2025 social media video that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage clear cell renal carcinoma that had spread to one of his lungs.

3 Doors Down cancelled their planned 2025 summer tour because of his illness.

3 Doors Down, formed in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi, rose to popularity in 2000 with the Arnold-penned single “Kryptonite,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Other hits included “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You,” both top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band has been described as post-grunge, alternative rock and hard rock.

“As a founding member, vocalist and original drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners,” the band said in a statement posted on its official Instagram account.

Arnold died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Jennifer, according to the statement.

The statement did not state where Arnold died.

“Above all, he was a devoted husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humour and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him,” the band’s statement said.

“Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith and deep love for his family and friends.”

“We’re not aliens,” he said on stage, after being honoured for his album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos“ with the best music urbana award. “We are humans, and we are Americans,” he added.

Often referred to as the “King of Trap,” Bad Bunny said that love is more powerful than hate and urged people to confront cruelty with compassion. “We love our people. We love our family,” he added.

Bad Bunny has openly criticised President Donald Trump’s administration for its immigration policies and has drawn backlash from right-wing conservative groups for being the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show performer, including from US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Bad Bunny skipped the continental United States on his recent concert tour, saying he feared federal agents would show up to arrest his fans.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Minneapolis, and students across the United States staged walkouts on Friday to demand the withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota following the fatal shootings of two US citizens.

Other attendees at the 2026 Grammy Awards made similar remarks.

Billie Eilish, who wore an “ICE out” pin, also used her time on stage accepting the award for best song of the year to call out ICE, which stands for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said on stage after having her song “Wildflower” recognised.

“Fuck ICE,” the “bad guy” singer added.

“Right now, feeling any sense of joy and lightness feels a little bit irresponsible,” lead vocalist of the band OK Go, Damian Kulash, told Reuters on the red carpet.

“Our own government has raised an army of, like, masked anonymous men to attack its own people, and that feels utterly irresponsible for us to be celebrating anything right now,” he added.

Songwriter Amy Allen, who has written songs for top singers like Sabrina Carpenter and Harry Styles, walked the carpet wearing an “ICE out” pin.

She said the pin has a message that should be important to everybody because there is so much going on in this country that is “horrific to see.”

“I think it’s really important for all of us in the music industry, in any industry. So I’m very happy to be wearing it today and hopefully see a lot of other pins out there, too,” she added.

The London-born Dean, 26, edged out fellow newcomers Leon Thomas, KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, sombr, Alex Warren and Lola Young in the Grammy race to crown the greatest performer among a field of rising new talents.

Accepting her award from the stage of the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, Dean paid tribute to her grandmother, who immigrated to Britain from Guyana as a teenager seeking a new life.

“I must say I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” she said, evoking cheers from the star-studded audience.

“I am a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We’re nothing without each other.”

Lamar, 38, the West Coast hip-hop sensation regarded as one of the greatest rap artists of all time, entered Sunday’s Grammy Awards with nominations in nine categories and immediately clinched the award for best rap album with “GNX.”

Lamar’s “GNX” was also vying for the top award of the night, album of the year, facing stiff competition from Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and pop chameleon Lady Gaga.

Bad Bunny was competing for best album with “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which could make history as the first Spanish‑language winner in that category.

The award went last year to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter.”

If Lamar wins for “GNX,” he would be the first solo male rapper to win the top award. Only two hip-hop musicians have been honoured in the category - female artist Lauryn Hill and the duo Outkast.

For Gaga, the best album prize would be the first of her celebrated career.

She has never won any of the top four Grammy trophies despite more than two decades in the music business.

This year, she is competing with the album “Mayhem,” described by critics as a return to her dark dance-pop roots.

Trevor Noah returned to host the festivities for a sixth time, which he has said would be his last Grammys gig.

The show aired live on the CBS network from the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

IMMIGRATION FEARS SHADOW SINGER’S PICK FOR SUPER BOWL

Bad Bunny’s Grammy night recognition carried strong political overtones.

The singer-producer skipped the continental United States on his recent concert tour, saying he feared federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents carrying out US President Donald Trump’s deportation drive would show up to arrest his fans.

“ICE out,” he said from the stage, accepting the award for best album of Latin urban music for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”

His selection to perform at the coming Super Bowl halftime show next Sunday drew objections from Trump and other critics who argued the National Football League championship game’s entertainment should be performed in English.

The world of K-pop also earned a Grammy for the first time.

“Golden,” the smash hit from the Netflix animated movie “KPop Demon Hunters,” won an early award for best song written for visual media.

It was also competing for two of the top awards of the night - best record and best song.

The song is performed by a fictional band named HUNTR/X. Its real-life members are EJAE, Audrey Nun and Rein Ami.

The best record and best song contests also include “APT.,” a duet between Bruno Mars and K-pop singer Rosé.

Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, 79, achieved EGOT status — one of the rarest honours in the entertainment industry — after winning his first Grammy award for best music film for “Music by John Williams,” which he produced. EGOT stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

Grammy winners are chosen by the roughly 15,000 voting members of the Recording Academy — industry peers including artists, songwriters, producers and engineers — whose ranks have been revamped over the past seven years to increase diversity.

About 1,000 Latin Grammys voters became eligible to vote this year, and 73% of members have joined since 2019.

The 31-year-old pop star performed Yukon from his 2025 album Swag, debuting an acoustic version of the track on stage.

Bieber delivered a memorable moment by shedding his black red-carpet suit and appearing on stage wearing only his boxers, creating one of the night’s most talked-about visuals.

The performance signalled his comeback to live shows as he prepares to headline Coachella in the coming months.

Earlier on the red carpet, Bieber and his wife, Hailey Bieber, drew attention in coordinated black outfits, with many fans calling them the “power couple” of the night.

Fans praised the singer’s return on social media, with one writing, “A real, earnest performance from Justin Bieber. Showing maturity, artistry and restraint.” Another commented, “He was perfect. He sang so well. His voice is so beautiful.”

The Grammy ceremony also featured performances from several other artists, including Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Addison Rae and KATSEYE.

The couple is seen happily applying haldi to each other in the photos.

Laiba Khan posed in a charming orange silk gharara adorned with dabka and tila work, paired with traditional gold jewellery, while her husband wore a cream and off-white kurta pyjama with a light-colored coat.

Laiba also revealed her husband’s face to fans for the first time, writing, “Happy now? Mashallah, please say.”

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The event included her sister, Iman Khan, and was part of ongoing wedding celebrations that included Nikah, Dholki, Dua-e-Khair, and a Bridal Shower.

Fans responded with best wishes and congratulations, marking a shift from earlier criticism when her husband’s face had been hidden in previous wedding photos.

In a joint Instagram post shared on January 30, the couple posted pictures believed to be from their nikkah ceremony, which took place outdoors in the presence of close friends and family.

The setting appeared simple and celebratory, with balloons and a vintage car used as part of the décor.

Shahnawaz was seen wearing an off-white traditional outfit with an embellished coat, while Sabeena chose an off-white gharara paired with a dusty rose antique dupatta featuring gold and silver embroidery.

In December 2025, the couple had earlier shared a series of pictures on Instagram indicating that their ring ceremony had taken place.

Sabeena Syed began her acting career in 2017 and has appeared in dramas including Muqaddar and Yakeen Ka Safar.

Khaqan Shahnawaz entered the entertainment industry in 2023 and is known for his roles in Yunhi, Sukoon and My Dear Cinderella.

In an interview with GQ, the 39-year-old actor said his perspective on children changed completely after becoming a father.

Pattinson and his longtime partner, actress and singer Suki Waterhouse, welcomed their daughter in April 2024.

The Batman star admitted he was not fond of kids before fatherhood, saying he “wasn’t the biggest fan of kids” and would mostly tolerate them.

He said that outlook has shifted entirely over the past two years.

“Now I think it’s the most fun thing. I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” he said.

Pattinson also spoke about changes to his daily life, saying he now sleeps earlier and has become more disciplined with time management.

He said being away from his daughter for more than 10 days causes him physical discomfort.

He added that his daughter has already seen many of his and Waterhouse’s projects and is currently watching his 2025 sci-fi film Mickey 17 instead of children’s shows like Cocomelon.

However, Pattinson joked that she does not recognise him on screen.

“I’m not getting any respect,” he said, adding that when he points himself out in films, she responds with a blank stare.

A representative from the office of her manager Marc Gurvitz confirmed the death of O’Hara, who earned the 2020 Emmy for best comedy actress, helping to propel Schitt’s Creek to TV awards season dominance at the 2021 Golden Globes.

The BBC, citing a statement from Creative Artists Agency, reported she died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.

O’Hara portrayed Kate McCallister, the mother of Macaulay Culkin’s character in the movie Home Alone, and Delia Deetz in the film Beetlejuice.

Culkin paid homage to O’Hara on the social media platform Instagram.

“Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later,” Culkin wrote alongside images of the two of them.

PMs mourn her loss

Carney wrote on X: “I join Canadians and fans across the world in mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara.”

His predecessor, former prime minister Justin Trudeau, called her “a beloved Canadian icon with a rare gift for comedy and heart” on X and added: “She made people laugh across generations.”

His post included a photo of the two of them.

O’Hara was born on March 4, 1954, and grew up in Toronto as the sixth of seven children.

She began her acting career in 1974 as a cast member of the improvisational theatre troupe called “The Second City” in Toronto.

Two years later, the troupe created the sketch comedy television show SCTV, which often featured O’Hara’s performances.

She offered her voice for numerous animated projects, including Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Pinktail in The Wild Robot, Brook Ripple in Elemental and multiple voices in Frankenweenie, including Mrs Frankenstein.

More recently, O’Hara joined the cast of Seth Rogen’s 2025 Hollywood satire series The Studio as Patty Leigh, the fired head of a Hollywood film studio. She also delved into some dramatic roles, including the 1997 film Hope.

O’Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, whom she met in 1987 on the set of Beetlejuice, and their two sons.

Minaj told the audience that criticism of Trump does not affect her and motivates her to support him more.

Trump joked about her wealth and the $16 billion in contributions to Trump Accounts, while the White House later posted a photo of the two together with the caption: “BARBZ x MAGA.”

Minaj announced she would contribute $150,000 to $300,000 to fund her fans’ Trump Accounts, a Section 530A individual retirement account program providing $1,000 for children born between 2025 and 2028 if parents enrol them.

She previously described the program as promoting “early financial literacy & financial support for our children.”

The rapper’s public support of Trump follows a series of appearances endorsing conservative causes.

In December, Minaj appeared at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, praising the administration and calling Trump “handsome and dashing.”

She also criticised support for trans youth, voiced concerns about boys being discouraged from traditional masculinity, and emphasised her Christian faith during the event.

Minaj’s support has divided her fan base, known as the “Barbz,” as she continues to openly back the president and conservative policies.

The toymaker has more than a dozen movies in development as it looks to reinvigorate its brands and spur demand.

“Masters of the Universe” is Mattel’s second major theatrical release after “Barbie”, which grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide and won an Academy Award.

The toy launch builds on momentum from the new movie’s first teaser trailer, released last week, which has since racked up more than 30 million YouTube views.

Roberto Stanichi, Mattel’s chief global brand officer, said there was a lot of nostalgia for a toy line that first came out in the 1980s.

“So we’ve been waiting for the right moment to bring it back in a way that really delivers on the legacy”, he said at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany.

The decision to relaunch the brand was driven by Mattel finding the right team to make the movie, led by Oscar-nominated director Travis Knight, he told Reuters.

The action figures - including He-Man, Skeletor and Evil-Lyn - will retail for about $25 and roll out globally from April, around two months before the movie, starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, hits theatres.

The cast includes Jared Leto as the villain Skeletor, as well as Idris Elba, Alison Brie and Camila Mendes.

In a new interview with Vogue, Cameron revealed details about her engagement and wedding vision.

She recalled that during the proposal, she was completely barefaced and casual, wearing a big T-shirt with damp hair.

“I had no idea that it was gonna be that day,” she said. “It was very sweet because I am usually very made-up and done-up, but this time I wasn’t.”

Cameron emphasised that for her wedding day, she wants to avoid conventional “soft” bridal makeup.

“Honestly, I don’t want to do something too traditional,” she told Vogue.

“Every time I have my makeup done in a pretty, gold-wash style with slight eyeshadow and a little mascara, I don’t feel like myself.”

She added, “I’d rather wear literally no makeup or a smudgy eye, like I threw on some eyeliner myself and messed it up—it feels more me.”

The 30-year-old announced her engagement to Maneskin frontman Damiano David earlier this month, though the proposal occurred privately in October.

The couple kept the news quiet for months, with speculation first arising in late October when Cameron was spotted wearing a ring in Sydney.

“Everyone wants to go,” Sheinbaum said at her daily morning press conference on Monday, adding that she had sent a diplomatic letter to South Korea’s Lee seeking more concerts.

“Around 1 million young people want to buy tickets, but there are only 150,000 tickets available,” she said.

The chart-topping band is set to embark on a global tour in April, shortly after they launch their first new album in three years.

The band has been on hiatus since 2022 while its members undertook South Korea’s mandatory military service.

The new tour launched a worldwide scramble for tickets, particularly in Mexico, one of K-pop’s largest fan bases, where many people missed the initial rush, and others complained to the consumer watchdog about problems with sales.

Mexico’s consumer watchdog said it has launched a probe into Ticketmaster and is sanctioning resale platforms StubHub and Viagogo for “abusive and disloyal practices” over the BTS ticketing process, without giving more details.

Tickets were selling on Ticketmaster from about 1,800 pesos to as much as 17,800 pesos for VIP tickets (around $100 to $1,030), but on resale platforms on Monday, the tickets were selling from 11,300 to 92,100 pesos (more than $5,300).

The companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The watchdog agency said it would help develop new guidelines to better regulate ticket sales to concerts and festivals, with prices and locations established ahead of the tickets’ release.

Ticketmaster, which is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, has faced other controversies in Mexico, including in 2022 when it reimbursed around $1 million to customers after more than a thousand fans reported being denied access to a Bad Bunny concert at Mexico’s Estadio Azteca.

At the time, Ticketmaster criticised resellers and fraudulent ticket vendors and called for stronger control measures.

BTS’s new album “Arirang” is slated for release in March, and the world tour will begin in Goyang, South Korea, on April 9.

Just three concerts have been scheduled in Mexico, all in Mexico City’s GNP Seguros Stadium, from May 7 to May 10.

The Netflix original, its most-watched ever, tells the story of a Korean girl group defeating demons with their songs.

Ejae co-wrote and recorded several tracks, including the Golden Globe-winning anthem Golden, which is also up for multiple Grammys and an Oscar.

She provides the singing voice for the film’s protagonist, Rumi.

Ejae’s path wasn’t easy. Signed to one of South Korea’s largest agencies at age 11, she endured over a decade of intense training, but never debuted. “I worked hard… but I just didn’t make my mark,” she told CNN.

After leaving the agency, she felt hopeless, having devoted her youth to a dream that hadn’t materialised.

Determined to stay in the industry, she reinvented herself as a songwriter.

Returning to New York, she taught herself music production and began writing songs professionally, eventually working with K-pop acts like Twice, Suzy, Aespa, and Red Velvet.

Her journey mirrors the film that made her famous.

KPop Demon Hunters reflects the highs and pressures of the K-pop industry — the strict schedules, intense training, and high stakes of stardom.

“Rejection is redirection, so never give up,” Ejae said during her Golden Globe acceptance, celebrating a career that turned disappointment into global success.

Today, her songs are heard worldwide, from streaming platforms to diplomatic events, proving her resilience and creative vision.

The honour places the pop superstar, winner of 14 Grammys, among the most celebrated songwriters across generations.

Swift will be inducted alongside Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and Kiss bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, with the ceremony set for June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, the organisation announced on CBS Mornings.

“They’ve literally written the soundtrack to our lives.

The songs we dance to, cry to and rock out to,“ culture correspondent Anthony Mason said on CBS Mornings before announcing the inductees.

Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame requires that inducted songwriters have a notable catalogue of songs to qualify for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.

The Bad Blood singer has won four Grammy album of the Year.

Her latest release, The Life of a Showgirl, sold more copies than any other album in the modern era during its first week of release, according to Billboard, which cited data from Luminate, a firm that tracks music sales.

In May 2025, Swift announced that she bought her music rights, officially reclaiming ownership of all her master recordings, including her first six albums.

Later that year, Swift’s record-breaking Eras tour spawned a concert film and a six-part documentary series that chronicles the success of the tour on Disney+.

Her 2024 The Tortured Poets Department album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, sold the equivalent of 8 million albums in the United States, according to Luminate.

According to newly unsealed court documents obtained by CNN, Lively spoke openly with friends about the difficulties she allegedly faced during the film’s production.

She has accused Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of sexual harassment and orchestrating a “plan” to damage her reputation.

The documents reveal that in one exchange, Lively referred to Baldoni as her “doofus director.”

In a later conversation, Swift texted Lively ahead of a New York Times story detailing the on-set issues, writing, “I think this bitch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin,” while referencing an Instagram post from People Magazine highlighting Baldoni’s claims of being “sexually traumatised.” Swift reportedly likened the situation to “a horror film no one knows is taking place.”

Lively’s legal team, led by attorney Sigrid McCawley, stated that the documents show concerns were documented as early as Spring 2023 and that Wayfarer failed to investigate, instead allegedly retaliating against Lively and others who spoke up.

Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, countered that the evidence does not support the claims and maintains confidence in clearing his client’s name.

The legal battle began after Lively filed a Civil Rights Department complaint in December 2024. Baldoni subsequently filed a $400 million defamation suit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging that they “hijacked” his film and tried to ruin his career.

A judge dismissed Baldoni’s suits against the couple, as well as a suit against the New York Times, in June 2025.

The court documents also highlight Swift’s involvement in the case.

In May 2025, it was revealed that she had been subpoenaed after text exchanges bearing her name were included in Baldoni’s suit.

The judge denied Baldoni’s request for additional time to depose Swift in September 2025.

Swift’s connections to Lively extend beyond friendship. Lively directed the music video for Swift’s song I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version), and the singer is godmother to Lively and Reynolds’ three daughters.

Swift also attended events with the couple and her fiancé, NFL player Travis Kelce.

Other cast members, including actress Jenny Slate, are said to have raised concerns about the production.

Slate allegedly described the shoot as “a really gross and disturbing” experience.

The trial for Lively’s suit against Baldoni has been postponed from March 9 to May 18.

Police said the incident occurred between 8:30 and 9:00pm near Makati Shower Road, Juhu.

Reports indicate that a speeding Mercedes car collided with an auto rickshaw, which then crashed into a car that was part of Akshay Kumar’s convoy.

Videos of the crash quickly went viral on social media, showing the rickshaw badly damaged and a car overturned.

Locals and bystanders assisted the injured while police and fire brigade personnel helped upright the vehicle.

The auto rickshaw driver was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition, according to ANI.

The driver’s brother told the media that the rickshaw was destroyed and requested proper medical care, necessary medicines, and compensation for the vehicle.

Juhu police have registered a case against the Mercedes driver for speeding and negligent driving, and investigations are ongoing.

Police confirmed that neither Akshay Kumar nor any family member was in the convoy car at the time; only security staff were present.

The convoy was reportedly escorting Akshay Kumar’s wife, Twinkle Khanna, home from the airport after her return from abroad.

Neither Akshay Kumar nor Twinkle Khanna has stated the incident.

Akshay Kumar, like many Bollywood stars, employs personal security, and reports suggest heightened safety measures were in place due to specific security concerns.

He was also seen under security during the recent municipal elections in Mumbai.