UK fans are speculating whether Taylor Swift will bid farewell to London after the Eras Tour
LONDON (AP) — Taylor Swift fans are known for dissecting the singer-songwriter’s lyrics for clues about her love life and emotional state. However, U.K. Swifties didn’t need to analyze her latest album closely to pick up on the fact that Swift may have grown tired of the country’s capital, which she has made her second home. The fifth track on the album is titled “So Long, London.” As Swift brings her Eras Tour to the city on Friday, some fans are questioning if this signals the start of a prolonged goodbye. London is the only city on the tour where Swift is making two stops. She is set to return for six nights in August to conclude the tour’s European leg.
Donald Sutherland, the iconic actor known for his roles spanning from ‘M.A.S.H.’ to ‘Hunger Games,’ passes away at 88
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Sutherland passed away at the age of 88. Sutherland’s agents announced that he died in Miami on Thursday after battling a long illness. The Canadian actor’s career ranged from “M.A.S.H” to “JFK” to “The Hunger Games.” He was celebrated for his unconventional characters and embodied the unpredictable, anti-establishment cinema of the 1970s. However, over the years, Sutherland transitioned into a career as a revered character actor, finding more challenge in those roles. He maintained a prolific work schedule, appearing in nearly 200 films and series, and was honored with an Oscar in 2017.
Gleaming monolith discovered in Nevada desert, the latest in a series of mysterious structures
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A peculiar monolith has been uncovered protruding from a remote mountain peak near Las Vegas. This finding comes several years after a similar structure appeared in Utah and disappeared just 10 days later. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently investigating whether the latest monolith remains in place. This discovery was made by a Las Vegas police search and rescue unit over the weekend in an area of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge’s acting manager has advised against attempting to locate it, as an influx of visitors could disrupt the delicate ecosystem.
Retired Azzurri star Roberto Baggio experiences home robbery during Italy’s defeat to Spain
ROME (AP) — Retired Italian star Roberto Baggio was the victim of a home invasion at gunpoint while watching Italy’s match against Spain at the European Championship. Reports from Italian media indicate that at least five armed robbers stormed into Baggio’s villa near the city of Vicenza around 10 p.m. on Thursday. Baggio was struck on the head with a gun when he confronted the robbers. They proceeded to lock Baggio and his family in a room while they stole jewelry, watches, and cash. Italy ultimately lost to Spain 1-0.
Celebrations honor Willie Mays and Negro League players ahead of MLB game at Rickwood Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Fans gathered to commemorate Willie Mays and other Negro League players in a series of events surrounding the historic Rickwood Field. Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, hosted its inaugural Major League Baseball game between the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, dubbed “A Tribute to the Negro Leagues” by MLB. The aim was to pay homage to the legacy of Mays and other Black baseball legends who made a lasting impact on the sport. The festivities began well before the game and continued throughout the pregame ceremony.
Rapper Travis Scott arrested following disturbance on a yacht in Miami Beach
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Miami Beach police arrested rapper Travis Scott on charges of trespassing and public intoxication. Scott was allegedly intoxicated and yelling at individuals on a yacht at the city marina, refusing to leave despite police orders early Thursday. The 33-year-old Scott, a prominent figure in hip-hop, posted bail of $650 and was released from jail before noon. His lawyer asserted that the arrest stemmed from a misunderstanding. Scott was involved in a tragic incident at a 2021 concert in Houston’s Astroworld amusement park, where ten people were fatally crushed in a crowd surge. The final lawsuits related to these incidents were settled recently following a police investigation that resulted in a grand jury declining to indict Scott.
Kendrick Lamar transforms victory lap concert into unity celebration in LA after Drake battle
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kendrick Lamar didn’t just bask in his triumph after prevailing in his recent feud with fellow rap superstar Drake. Instead, Lamar turned his Juneteenth “Pop Out” concert into a celebration of unity in Los Angeles. The 37-year-old rapper curated a three-hour livestreamed concert featuring a mix of emerging LA rappers and established stars like Dr. Dre and Tyler, The Creator. He performed his diss tracks aimed at Drake before concluding with “Not Like Us,” which he performed in full four times. The audience at the Forum in Inglewood, California included The Weeknd, LeBron James, Ayo Edebiri, and Rick Ross.
New York enacts limits on ‘addictive’ social media feeds for minors
New York’s governor signed into law a measure that empowers parents to block their children from receiving social media content suggested by platforms’ algorithms, with the goal of curbing feeds that critics argue are addictive. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Thursday, though it will not take immediate effect. The legislation mandates that social media feeds for individuals under 18 years old be restricted to content from accounts they follow, as opposed to material suggested by automated algorithms. A tech industry trade group has criticized this law, viewing it as an unconstitutional limitation on free speech.
TikTok challenges federal agency in legal dispute over potential US ban
TikTok revealed a letter it sent to the government in April, accusing the federal agency, which once had influence over the platform’s fate, of engaging in “political demagoguery.” Internal documents from TikTok disclose negotiations held between January 2021 and August 2022 with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. These negotiations resulted in a 90-page draft national security agreement requiring TikTok to implement enhanced protections for U.S. user data. Nonetheless, attorneys for TikTok alleged that the agency terminated substantive talks with the company after receiving the draft agreement in August 2022.
Stonehenge remains undamaged following protest paint incident; site prepared for solstice celebrations
LONDON (AP) — The ancient Stonehenge monuments, standing for millennia, show no visible signs of damage after climate activists were arrested for painting them orange. Nick Merriman, CEO of English Heritage, confirmed that the roughly 4,500-year-old monument was cleaned and remained unharmed. The UNESCO World Heritage Site reopened and anticipated hosting numerous revelers commemorating the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. A 73-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were released on bail after being arrested the previous day for suspicion of criminal damage, damaging an ancient monument, and obstructing lawful activities. The climate change activism group Just Stop Oil has claimed responsibility.
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