Ariana Grande on decision to withdraw from the public eye: 'Not a reactive or impulsive thing'
NEW YORK (AP) — Ariana Grande addressed fans during her Chicago concert Monday night, clarifying her upcoming break from the public eye. She explained that the decision to step back after her “Eternal Sunshine” tour was thoughtful and planned, not reactive. On Sunday, producers announced her withdrawal from a London production set for 2027. A representative for Grande stated she will take a break from public-facing work after the tour. Grande reassured fans on stage that negativity isn't affecting her, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries. Her recent breakup and album release have fueled speculation about her health and appearance.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos lead $200M project to save 100 of globe's most threatened species
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Foundations funded by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have launched a $200 million initiative to revive 100 of Earth's most threatened species. Organizers announced Tuesday that DiCaprio's Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund are leading the Phoenix Species Project. They call it the largest single fund dedicated to recovering critically endangered species across continents. The initiative aims to sustain species like the golden-crowned sifaka, the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander and the Visayan warty pig. The project's goals include providing long-term support to successful but fleeting smaller efforts, offering a global platform and technical support.
Bono, Eddie Vedder among mourners at the funeral of Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard
DUBLIN (AP) — Irish musicians and entertainers were among mourners who packed into a Dublin cathedral for the funeral of Glen Hansard, the Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter killed last week in a motorcycle crash, aged 56. Actors Steve Coogan and Chris O’Dowd joined musicians including Bono and Hozier for the service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Tuesday. Hundreds more watched on big screens outside. The ceremony featured performances, including one by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. Hansard was known for his work with The Frames and The Swell Season and won an Oscar for “Falling Slowly.” Tributes poured in, with Bruce Springsteen expressing heartbreak over the loss.
Princess Eugenie has given birth to a girl in Portugal, palace says
LONDON (AP) — Princess Eugenie has given birth to her third child and first daughter. Buckingham Palace announced the birth Tuesday. Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, welcomed the 6-pound, 9-ounce girl on Monday in Lisbon, Portugal. The baby has not been named yet. The couple has two sons, August and Ernest, who are 5 and 3 years old. Eugenie is the younger daughter of the former Prince Andrew and the niece of King Charles III. The palace said the king and other family members were delighted by the news.
AI-driven Ring Cycle sparks boos at 150th anniversary Wagner Festival
BAYREUTH, Germany (AP) — Artificial intelligence sparked boos at the 150th anniversary performance of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. The audience was frustrated that the software could integrate images but not drama. The staging was subtitled “From Myth to Code." It was intended to be a history of “Der Ring des Nibelungen," a series of four operas about the destruction of gods by humans, giants and dwarfs. Computers were fed about 1,000 images from 15 prior Bayreuth Ring productions. After Saturday night's concluding “Götterdämmerung,” the conductor and cast were greeted with a 17-minute ovation interrupted by 30 seconds of booing.
Comedian Jenny Yang uses a comedy tour to uplift immigrants, one grocery store at a time
Comic Jenny Yang has turned cultural grocery stores into comedy clubs for her summer tour. She's been performing in these unique venues to entertain and support immigrant communities. The Good Egg Immigrant Grocery Store Stand Up Comedy Tour is partly a response to immigration crackdowns. Yang's performances have expanded from an initial five to nearly 20 shows. She started in Los Angeles and has traveled to cities like Minneapolis and Phoenix. The tour will wrap up in L.A. on Sept. 26. Yang's goal is to bring joy and highlight the importance of these cultural spaces.
Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical and will take a break from the public eye
LONDON (AP) — Ariana Grande has pulled out of an upcoming stage musical in London. Grande was set to star alongside Jonathan Bailey in “Sunday in the Park With George” at the Barbican theater in 2027. Empire Street Productions said Sunday that Grande will no longer be part of the production. A representative told People magazine that the 33-year-old singer will step back after completing the Eternal Sunshine Tour to take a break from “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.” Grande has been the subject of rampant online speculation about her health and appearance. Her tour is due to wrap up in London on Sept. 1.
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ beats ‘Avengers: Endgame’ box office record
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” has broken the “Avengers: Endgame” record for the biggest North American opening weekend. Sony Pictures says Monday that the film earned $360 million in ticket sales from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. This marks a new milestone, surpassing the previous $357 million record set by “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019. The success of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey” has contributed to a record weekend for theaters. The domestic box office is up over 15% from last year, with over $6.2 billion in ticket sales to date.
Former '60 Minutes' correspondents Pelley, Alfonsi go from newsroom to classroom
Sharyn Alfonsi and Scott Pelley, two correspondents recently ousted from "60 Minutes," will be moving from the newsroom to the classroom. Columbia Journalism School announced Monday that the two will serve as Journalists in Residence for the upcoming academic year. Alfonsi and Pelley, who lost their "60 Minutes" positions two months ago amid a major shakeup engineered by CBS News leader Bari Weiss, will mentor students, give lectures and contribute to the Columbia Journalism Review. Dean Jelani Cobb said students would now have access to two of the best investigative journalists in the field.
Singapore bans 2 Massive Attack members after pro-Palestinian display at concert
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Singapore has banned the two core members of the British band Massive Attack from reentering the country. This follows their display of a Palestinian flag and support for a political cause during a concert last week. Singapore police said the men were investigated for their actions during the July 29 concert, including shouting “Free Palestine” on stage. They received stern warnings and were blacklisted. The police emphasized the importance of maintaining racial and religious harmony. Massive Attack expressed surprise and disappointment, stating they were proud of their actions and urged freedom of expression without fear of persecution.
