Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating
NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial says it has reached a verdict on four of five counts against the hip-hop mogul. The jury was stuck on the top charge, racketeering conspiracy. Tuesday's partial decision remains under wraps. Jurors are are due to continue deliberating about the racketeering conspiracy charge Wednesday. Prosecutors, Combs’ defense team and Judge Arun Subramanian reasoned that after just two days of deliberations, it was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts. So rather than taking a partial verdict, Subramanian told the jury to continue weighing the remaining charge.
2025’s best movies (so far) include 'Sinners,' 'Sorry Baby' and 'One of Them Days'
Often the best movies of the second half of the year come almost preordained as the Oscars Industrial Complex revs into high gear. The first half, though, can offer more of a thrill of discovery. The first six months of 2025 have offered plenty of that, including indie gems, comedy breakouts and sensational filmmaking debuts. Here are our 10 favorites from the year’s first half. The picks by Associated Press Film Writers Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle include the Wales-set charmer “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” the vampire hit “Sinners,” the comedy breakout “One of Them Days” and the delicate, disarmingly funny indie drama “Sorry, Baby.”
Jennifer Aniston will star in series inspired by Jennette McCurdy's memoir 'I'm Glad My Mom Died'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jennifer Aniston will star in a new Apple TV+ original series inspired by Jennette McCurdy's bestselling memoir “I'm Glad My Mom Died.” McCurdy rose to fame as a co-star on Nickelodeon shows “iCarly” with Miranda Cosgrove and its spinoff “ Sam & Cat ”opposite Ariana Grande. Her memoir recounts being “emotionally, mentally and physically abused” by her mother throughout her childhood. McCurdy wrote the 10-episode series with film producer Ari Katcher. The pair will serve as co-showrunners and will executive produce the series alongside Aniston. Aniston also stars and executive produced The Morning Show, another Apple TV+ series. The show’s fourth season is set to premiere Sept. 17.
What the key witnesses at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial told the jury
NEW YORK (AP) — The jury deliberating at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial heard testimony from 34 witnesses over the last seven weeks. They included Combs’ ex-girlfriends Cassie and Jane, who said he forced them into drug-fueled sex marathons they called “freak-offs” and “hotel nights,” a sex worker they knew as “The Punisher,” personal assistants who said they witnessed his violence and facilitated his sexual exploits, and other women who accused him of abuse. All of the witnesses were called by the prosecution. Combs waived his right to testify — not unusual for criminal defendants — and his defense team declined to call any witnesses of their own. Instead, they sought to undercut the allegations via cross-examination during the prosecution’s case.
Movie Review: In 'Heads of State,' a buddy comedy with statesmen
Say what you will about the Idris Elba-John Cena vehicle “Heads of State,” but it’s surely the first buddy comedy about the fraying bonds of NATO. The potential collapse of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization plays a surprisingly pivotal role in this fitfully diverting, for-background-noise-only, straight-to-streaming movie, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. Elba plays the embattled British Prime Minister Sam Clarke, while Cena co-stars as the recently elected U.S. president Will Derringer, a former action star. “Heads of State” is rated PG-13 and debuts Wednesday on Prime Video.
BTS will return in spring 2026 with a new album and world tour
NEW YORK (AP) — Their reunion? It’s smooth like butter. The K-pop septet BTS will return in spring 2026 with a new album and world tour. Members Jin, RM, V, Jimin, J-Hope, Jung Kook and Suga made the announcement Tuesday during a livestream on Weverse. That is an online fan platform owned by BTS management company Hybe. It was the first time all seven members have broadcast live together since September 2022. The news arrives a few weeks after BTS superstars RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook were discharged from South Korea’s military after fulfilling their mandatory service. Suga returned from an alternative form of service soon after.
Rap-punk duo Bob Vylan says it's being targeted for speaking up about Gaza at Glastonbury
LONDON (AP) — Rap-punk duo Bob Vylan has denied allegations of antisemitism over onstage comments at the Glastonbury Festival. Chants calling for “death” to the Israeli military have triggered a police investigation and sparked criticism from politicians, the BBC and festival organizers. The British government called the chants “appalling hate speech” and U.S. authorities revoked the musicians’ visas. The band said in a statement Tuesday that it was being “targeted for speaking up” about the war in Gaza and it was not calling for the death of any group. But Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said “the airing of vile Jew-hatred” by the BBC was a moment of “national shame.”
‘Jurassic World’ needed a restart. Steven Spielberg knew who to call
NEW YORK (AP) — In the 32 years since penning “Jurassic Park,” David Koepp has established himself as one of Hollywood’s top screenwriters not through the boundlessness of his imagination but by his expertise in limiting it. Koepp is the master of the “bottle” movie — films hemmed in by a single location or condensed timed frame. From David Fincher’s “Panic Room” to Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence," he excels at corralling stories into uncluttered, headlong movie narratives. Koepp can write anything, as long as there are parameters. “Jurassic World Rebirth” is a fresh start for one of Hollywood’s biggest multi-billion-dollar franchises. But just as he did 32 years ago, Steven Spielberg turned to Koepp to write it.
No verdict on first day of jury deliberations at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial
NEW YORK (AP) — Jury deliberations got underway in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial and quickly hit a snag. But, by end of day Monday, 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 several notes from the jury and Combs and his supporters bowing their heads in prayer in the courtroom — but no verdict. The jury of eight men and four women are sifting through sometimes graphic and emotional testimony about the rap, fashion and reality TV impresario’s propensity for violence and his sexual predilections, including drug-fueled sex marathons dubbed “freak-offs.”
Movie Review: 'Jurassic World Rebirth' puts a wobbly franchise back on track with superb installment
The latest “Jurassic Park” installment, “Jurassic World Rebirth,” brings fresh life to the franchise, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp, it recaptures the awe of the original film. The story follows mercenaries, played by Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, hired to extract dinosaur DNA for a pharmaceutical company. Set on a decaying island research station, the plot mixes heist elements, genetics and thrilling dinosaur encounters. Stunning visuals, nods to classic blockbusters and well-paced action elevate the film. At the end, it even adds a monster movie. Opening Wednesday, it’s rated PG-13 and runs 133 minutes.
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