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Kim Kardashian Set to Shine on Broadway: Discover Her Latest Role

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Kim Kardashian Set to Shine on Broadway: Discover Her Latest Role

Charli D’Amelio, who first gained fame on TikTok, took her talents to the Dancing With the Stars stage in 2022. She then transitioned to Broadway, making her debut in October 2024 in the musical & Juliet.

Originally scheduled to conclude her role as Charmian in January 2025, D’Amelio’s performance was so well-received that her stint was extended twice.

“Joining the Broadway community is beyond exciting for me—it’s been a dream since childhood,” D’Amelio expressed in a September 2024 statement, anticipating her nearly year-long engagement. “Debuting on Broadway, especially in & Juliet, is a dream come true, and I’m eager to share this moment with everyone.”

Though this was her first time gracing a Broadway stage, playing a dance-intensive role as a member of William Shakespeare’s Company of Players felt like a natural progression given her dance background.

“Dance has always held a special place in my heart,” she shared with ABC7 in November. “It’s a way for me to express myself when words fall short.”

Though, it was still hard to grapple with such a prestigious honor.

“I spent so much of my time growing up, never thinking that I would get to be in a room like this, and always doubting myself,” Charli—who also won her season of DWTS—said. “I’m just so thankful for everyone that helped get me here, and for my mom. She was driving me to dance classes. She was driving me to dance competitions. Just kept reminding me that I could get somewhere with dance even when I doubted myself.”

Florida Woman’s Absence from Work Leads to Tragic Discovery in Suspected Murder-Suicide

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Florida Woman’s Absence from Work Leads to Tragic Discovery in Suspected Murder-Suicide

A Florida community is grieving the loss of a woman whose life was tragically cut short in an apparent murder-suicide involving her husband. The incident has left coworkers and friends in shock.

On April 6, authorities in Gulf County discovered the bodies of Jarrott and Lorelei Strickland in their residence. Concerned colleagues of Lorelei had requested a welfare check after she failed to show up at work, as stated in a press release from The Gulf County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies visited the home that afternoon but found no one answered their knocks and observed “no immediate signs of foul play,” according to the authorities.

While investigators sought to gather more information from Lorelei’s colleagues and explore other potential locations, family and friends proceeded to the house, where they managed to enter. Inside one of the bedrooms, they found both Jarrott and Lorelei deceased, the statement detailed.

Officials reported that the couple appeared to have died from gunshot wounds and had been deceased for an extended period.

“No signs of forced entry were noted,” the sheriff’s office said. “Initial findings from Investigators and the Medical Examiner’s Office indicate that Mr. Strickland shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself.”

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. 

In the aftermath of the alleged murder-suicide, Lorelei’s coworkers described her death as a “heartbreaking loss.” 

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our sweet Lorelei who meant so much to all of us. She was more than just a coworker—she was family,” they wrote in a GoFundMe fundraiser. “A light in our workplace, a friend in our community, and a deeply loved member of her family. Her kindness, laughter, and genuine spirit touched everyone she met, and her absence has left a space that can never truly be filled.”

They’ve now turned their focus to helping her family.

“If you had the privilege of knowing her,” they added, “you know how special she was—the way she could brighten a room with her smile, offer a listening ear without hesitation, and make everyone feel seen and valued.”

Revitalize Thigh Strength After 60 with These 4 Effective Bed Exercises

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Revitalize Thigh Strength After 60 with These 4 Effective Bed Exercises

If you’ve been neglecting leg day, it’s time to rethink your fitness plan.

Thigh workouts are often overlooked at the gym, possibly because they remain hidden most of the year except during beach season. However, this approach is quite misleading. Strong thighs are crucial for maintaining an active and independent lifestyle. They play a vital role in your overall metabolic health and assist you in performing everyday movements such as walking, standing, and climbing stairs. Beyond these functions, your thigh muscles, including the hamstrings and quadriceps, are essential for good posture and joint health. So, if leg day isn’t part of your routine, it’s time to make a change.

We’ve taken the initiative to consult with Denise Chakoian, a certified fitness trainer from Rhode Island and owner of Core Cycle and Fitness LaGree. With over 16 years of experience training people across all ages and fitness levels, she shares four effective bed exercises designed to strengthen your thighs more swiftly than squats, particularly after the age of 60. It’s never too late to begin!

“For many older adults, squats can be daunting due to knee problems, balance issues, or joint discomfort, making them more discouraging than beneficial—especially with the fear of falling,” Chakoian explains. “Bed exercises eliminate the need to support body weight and maintain balance, allowing the muscles to engage without putting the nervous system on high alert. Exercises like straight leg raises, supine leg presses against a footboard, and resisted hip flexion performed while lying down can directly target the quads and hip flexors. Plus, you can incorporate resistance bands to increase the challenge as you progress.”

“For a lot of older adults, squats are a non-starter. Bad knees, balance issues, or joint pain make them more discouraging than helpful, and that’s before factoring in the fear of falling,” says Chakoian. “Bed exercises remove the load of body weight and the balance demand, so the muscle can actually work without the nervous system being on high alert the whole time. Straight leg raises, supine leg presses against a footboard, and resisted hip flexion done lying down can target the quads and hip flexors pretty directly—and you can add resistance bands to make it harder over time.”

Consistency is more important than intensity in this phase of life, and people are much more likely to stick with something they can do before even rolling out of bed each morning!

Straight-Leg Raises

  1. Start by lying flat on your back with your arms extended overhead and legs out straight.
  2. Activate your core as you lift one leg off the mattress, keeping it extended and your lower back pressed into the surface.
  3. Hold for a moment at the top.
  4. Use control to lower your leg.
  5. Repeat on the other side.

Supine Leg Press

  1. Begin by lying flat on your back.
  2. Place a resistance band under the soles of your feet and hold the ends in each hand.
  3. Press both feet forward against the resistance of the band.
  4. Hold for a few seconds before releasing.

Inner Thigh Squeeze

  1. Lie flat on your back with bent knees and feet flat on the mattress.
  2. Place a pillow between your knees and squeeze them together.
  3. Hold the squeeze for 5 to 10 seconds before releasing.

Heel Slides

  1. Start by lying flat on your back with your legs on the mattress.
  2. Place your arms at your sides and gently press your lower back into the mattress.
  3. Slide one heel back toward your hips before lengthening it back out.

Resisted Hip Abduction

  1. Begin lying flat on your back, feet flat on the mattress, with a loop resistance band placed around the thighs.
  2. Press your knees apart against the resistance of the band.

Report Criticizes Southport Murderer’s Parents for Failing to Alert Authorities

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Report Criticizes Southport Murderer’s Parents for Failing to Alert Authorities

The tragic incident in Southport might have been prevented if the killer’s parents had fulfilled their ‘moral’ obligation to alert authorities, according to a critical report released on Monday. This revelation has cast a harsh light on a series of failures leading up to the attack.

Axel Rudakubana’s parents were aware for at least a year that their son was amassing a stockpile of weapons, including machetes. Despite this knowledge, they chose to remain silent, a decision that has come under scrutiny by the public inquiry’s chairman, Sir Adrian Fulford.

The report highlights a constellation of systemic breakdowns, including missteps by law enforcement, social services, mental health teams, and various government bodies. These oversights allowed Rudakubana, just 17 years old, to carry out a brutal attack, taking the lives of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in the seaside town of Merseyside, July 2024.

One of the critical findings of the report is the inappropriate use of Rudakubana’s autism as a rationale for his violent tendencies. Agencies were criticized for focusing excessively on the potential harm he might inflict on himself, neglecting the serious threat he posed to others.

As the report surfaced, the families of the victims—Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine—expressed their profound devastation. They are grappling with the heartbreaking knowledge that their children’s deaths might have been preventable.

They said it had been ‘deeply distressing’ to read the scale of ‘systemic and individual failures’ and how the attack was both ‘predictable and preventable’.

The report’s findings, in relation to Rudakubana’s parents, were ‘unequivocal,’ they said, in a statement issued through their lawyers.

‘AR’s (Rudakubana’s) parents failed in their responsibility to society,’ they said.

Axel Rudakubana was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 52 years, at Liverpool Crown Court in January

Axel Rudakubana was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 52 years, at Liverpool Crown Court in January

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were all murdered in the atrocity on July 29, 2024

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were all murdered in the atrocity on July 29, 2024

‘He had not left the house for two years except when armed or seeking to cause harm, yet they allowed him to leave on that day knowing he was likely carrying a weapon.’

Chris Walker, a lawyer from Liverpool-based Bond Turner, which represents the parents of Bebe, Elsie and Alice, added: ‘Seeing the extent of the failures in black and white is devastating.’

Sir Adrian said Rudakubana’s parents, taxi driver Alphonse Rudakubana, 50, and laboratory worker Laetitia Muyzaire, 54, knew their youngest child, who had stopped going to school and was violent towards them at home, had been hoarding weapons for at least a year before the atrocity.

They had ‘repeated opportunities’ to warn police but instead obstructed officials who tried to intervene in their son’s care, were ‘too ready’ to excuse his actions and failed to stand up to his behaviour, the report found.

He accused the pair, who sought asylum in Britain from Rwanda in 2002, of giving ‘dishonest evidence’ to the inquiry to try to justify their actions.

‘If AR’s parents had done what they morally ought to have done, AR would not have been at liberty to conduct the attack,’ Sir Adrian added. 

He said their ‘total avoidance of responsibility’ means ‘they bear a very considerable degree of responsibility’ for the attacks.

Merseyside police confirmed no charges would be brought against them on Monday night.

Sir Adrian said it was ‘frankly depressing’ that no public agency, including Lancashire Police, Lancashire County Council, the Government’s Prevent de-radicalisation programme, and NHS mental health teams, ‘stood up and accepted responsibility’ for Rudakubana’s case.

Rudakubana pictured in the distinctive green hoodie he wore on the day of the attack. CCTV cameras caught him outside the Hart Space dance studio, in Southport, shortly before he launched the mass stabbing

Rudakubana pictured in the distinctive green hoodie he wore on the day of the attack. CCTV cameras caught him outside the Hart Space dance studio, in Southport, shortly before he launched the mass stabbing

The teenager was ‘passed from one public sector agency to another’ in a ‘merry go round of referrals, assessments, case closures and hand-offs’, the chairman added.

‘If appropriate procedures had been in place and if sensible steps had been taken by the agencies and AR’s parents, this dreadful event would not have happened,’ Sir Adrian concluded.

Rudakubana was known to agencies from October 2019, when he was 13 and made several calls to Childline and admitted taking a kitchen knife into school on ten occasions. 

Police were called and he was expelled but two months later, he returned armed with a hockey stick and broke another pupil’s wrist.

He was sent to a special school, which made three referrals to Prevent over concerns about what he was consuming online. 

He was also repeatedly referred to mental health teams and family and well-being services.

But the Prevent referrals were dismissed because he did not have a fixed ideology and the reclusive teenager was reluctant to engage with officials, who effectively gave up trying to see him.

Rudakubana was jailed for life at Liverpool Crown Court in January last year and ordered to serve a minimum of 52 years in prison before being considered for parole.

Harry Brook Addresses Nightclub Incident and Vows to Fans After ‘Final Warning’ as England’s White-Ball Captain

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Harry Brook Addresses Nightclub Incident and Vows to Fans After ‘Final Warning’ as England’s White-Ball Captain

Harry Brook recently revealed he was worried about losing his position as England’s white-ball captain following an incident with a nightclub bouncer during their New Zealand tour last October.

The confrontation took place just hours before England’s third and final ODI match against the Black Caps in Wellington, which ended in defeat.

Brook was denied entry by a bouncer who believed he was intoxicated, leading to a dispute during which the England captain was hit.

In response, Brook reported the incident to team management himself, while photos of several players at a rooftop bar began circulating on social media.

The 26-year-old was reportedly issued a stern warning regarding his conduct and was nearly stripped of his captaincy. Instead, he was fined £30,000, the maximum penalty possible.

Speaking to the BBC, Brook admitted he was fearful of being sacked as white-ball captain following the incident.

Harry Brook admitted he feared being sacked as England's white ball captain after an altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand back in October

Harry Brook admitted he feared being sacked as England’s white ball captain after an altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand back in October

Brook was fined the maximum £30,000 but avoided being sacked following the incident

Brook was fined the maximum £30,000 but avoided being sacked following the incident 

‘It was definitely playing through my mind,’ Brook said.

When asked if he considered resigning, Brook responded: ‘No, it never came into my mind. I left that decision to the hierarchy. 

‘If they’d have sacked me from being captain, then I’d have been perfectly fine with it as long as I was still playing cricket for England.’

Brook admitted he needed to earn back trust from team-mates and fans following the incident, which he labelled as a ‘terrible mistake’.

He stated that the fans had a right to be annoyed at him, but pledged to be more professional moving forwards.

‘I’ve put myself in a situation which I shouldn’t have done. Did it affect my cricket? I don’t think so. I’d have still played the same way. Obviously, I didn’t get a score that I’d have liked [in the Ashes], but I still played the same way,’ Brook said.

‘I’m extremely sorry to all the supporters for what I did in New Zealand. I’ve got to try and regain their trust again in my ability, in my cricket on the field and off the field. I’m hoping that they can expect I’ll be slightly different away from the game. I’ll be more professional.

‘That’s what I’ve got to do now for the rest of my career, hopefully. I just want to be back playing as good cricket as I possibly can be.’

News of Brook’s off-the-field misdemeanour emerged after England’s 4-1 loss by Australia in the Ashes.

Video footage emerged online of England batsman Ben Duckett drunk in Australia last month

Video footage emerged online of England batsman Ben Duckett drunk in Australia last month

Multiple drinking incidents blighted five Test series, which took place across seven weeks in Australia.

During a six-day mid-series Ashes break in Noosa compared to a stag do by some witnesses, video footage emerged of an inebriated Ben Duckett seemingly uncertain of either where he was or where he needed to get to late at night.

There were also reports of high alcohol consumption by England players during their time in Perth, where they stayed in a casino complex hotel.

Daily Mail Sport later revealed that England’s managing director Rob Key had closed the investigation into Noosa, with the players deemed to have no case to answer. 

On Sunday, Daily Mail Sport exclusively revealed that Brook’s England squad will be subject to a midnight curfew for the rest of the winter.

There will be no formal notification of rules for expected behaviour during the twin white-ball series versus Sri Lanka and next month’s Twenty20 World Cup, Daily Mail Sport understands they will be reminded of their responsibilities as international sportsmen upon arrival in Colombo.

One guideline that Harry Brook’s squad, who were due to fly out of London on Sunday, will have to adhere to, however, is ensuring that they are back on team hotel premises before 12am daily unless agreed otherwise in advance.

Brook said the curfew had been a ‘group decision’.

Justin Bieber’s $10M Coachella Set: How the Pop Star Mastered Minimalism and Still Thrilled Fans

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Justin Bieber’s $10M Coachella Set: How the Pop Star Mastered Minimalism and Still Thrilled Fans

Justin Bieber made a highly anticipated return to the stage over the weekend, taking the spotlight at Coachella after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus due to health issues that halted his 2022 tour.

However, instead of the triumphant comeback many had anticipated, Bieber’s performance was criticized, with some labeling it as “the worst in the festival’s history.”

The 32-year-old artist reportedly secured a $10 million payday for his headlining gig at the iconic festival. Despite this, his performance mainly involved singing along to tracks played from a laptop, leaving audiences disappointed.

In stark contrast, Sabrina Carpenter, who headlined on Friday, delivered a vibrant set with a Hollywood flair, earning praise for her “Sabrinawood” themed performance. Notably, she received just half of Bieber’s fee.

Fans have since voiced their concerns over what they perceive as “double standards” in the treatment of headliners. They argue that the industry’s sexism allowed Bieber to get away with a lackluster show while Carpenter’s efforts were undervalued.

How Justin Bieber got away with a 'lazy' Coachella set as he was 'paid $10M to skip through songs on a laptop'

How Justin Bieber got away with a ‘lazy’ Coachella set as he was ‘paid $10M to skip through songs on a laptop’ 

Many fans questioned why he'd been paid such an eye-watering amount, and called for a production on par with previous headliners such as Sabrina Carpenter

Many fans questioned why he’d been paid such an eye-watering amount, and called for a production on par with previous headliners such as Sabrina Carpenter

Justin's hotly anticipated comeback at Coachella fell flat with many of his fans as he performed his set in a hoodie and streamed songs from his laptop

Justin’s hotly anticipated comeback at Coachella fell flat with many of his fans as he performed his set in a hoodie and streamed songs from his laptop

Many took to X to explain: ‘If Sabrina Carpenter did what Justin Bieber is doing right now, her career would be over’,

‘Justin’s Coachella set is a prime example of how women have to work harder than men in the music industry. Sabrina Carpenter gave it her all last night, while Justin Bieber is putting on a snoozefest with his Swag songs’,

‘If sabrina carpenter, addison rae, pinkpantheress, katseye or any female artist at coachella dare to do what justin bieber did y’all would be saying that their careers are over’,

‘Justin Bieber is the highest-paid artist for performing at Coachella (more than Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, or Sabrina) And he just gave the worst performance I’ve ever seen in my life, double standards are awful’,

‘Justin Bieber playing songs from his laptop on stage while Sabrina Carpenter delivered multiple outfit changes, visuals, choreography and vocals’,

‘They didn’t even pay Sabrina half of what they paid Justin at Coachella, and there’s no comparison between the two performances, but men still think misogyny doesn’t exist.’

However, some defended the star, writing: ‘I feel like Justin Bieber is healing his inner child with this Coachella performance right now and it’s genuinely beautiful to see.

‘Seeing him look at his younger self with nothing but love?? Like I’ve never seen him this relaxed and happy performing’.

‘This Justin Bieber set is goated wow’.

‘JUSTIN BIEBER REALLY PLAYED BEAUTY AND A BEAT IRL @ COACHELLA. (I MIGHT’VE CRIED).’

‘Justin Bieber is paying himself a tremendous tribute at #Coachella’.

Others said: ‘Him playing music from his computer was the most Justin Bieber thing he ever done’; ‘Y’all will never get how emotional it makes me hearing Justin Bieber singing his old song cover next to his younger self’;

‘He is Justin Bieber his voice alone is enough, it was amazing to see him sing with his younger self’; ‘Only Beliebers know how significant that show was. Our boy made it & never left, like we never left him. This bond is forever, Justin Bieber is forever’.

‘Justin Bieber, the singer you are! Most expensive Coachella booking, opened the stage and did whatever the hell he wanted, love you, damn it’;

‘This is the first time Coachella is being spoken about since Covid. Justin Bieber is the reason Coachella is so talked about this year. He doesn’t need to give a huge performance for fans to genuinely enjoy it. He already did everything all the new artists are doing’;

‘No amount of production or money will top Justin Bieber bringing out that laptop just to laugh and reminisce where his career started’.

Join the discussion

Does the music industry hold women to higher standards than men when it comes to live performances?

Much of the backlash on Justin's performance has been centered on the 'double standards' in the industry, drawing in comparisons to Sabrina, who reportedly only got paid $5M

Much of the backlash on Justin’s performance has been centered on the ‘double standards’ in the industry, drawing in comparisons to Sabrina, who reportedly only got paid $5M

However, some defended the star, writing: 'I feel like Justin Bieber is healing his inner child with this Coachella performance right now and it's genuinely beautiful to see'

However, some defended the star, writing: ‘I feel like Justin Bieber is healing his inner child with this Coachella performance right now and it’s genuinely beautiful to see’

Taking to the stage in just a hoodie, Justin ditched a band, background dancers for a laptop with a simple light show. 

Justin began the set with his song 2025 song All I Can Take, which the Canadian pop act performed amid psychedelically flickering blue and white lights.

He then served up a rendition of his defiant 2025 number Speed Demon, which took a derisive attitude to the public speculation about his well-being.

In an insistence that his musical output should speak for itself, he crooned: ‘They try to say I’m out of my mind, but now they singing every line.’

During an interlude, he vaunted the ‘beautiful faces in the audience tonight,’ and sweetly asked those watching the livestream: ‘How you guys doing at home?’

He then offered fans the opportunity to ‘help me with the songs tonight’ by picking their ‘favorites’ and posting them in the stream’s rolling comments.

The eerie set was filled with smoke, with a sloping pearl grey topography that made him look as though he were walking across another planet.

Justin delivered renditions of his songs First Place and Go Baby, both of which are loving tributes to his wife Hailey Bieber, who has been seen dashing about Coachella with her gal pal Kendall Jenner in the run-up to his show.

Among the other new songs he performed were Walking Away, rumoured to be addressing the divorce rumors between him and Hailey, his song Petting Zoo, which some fans interpreted as being about their couple’s quarrels, and another number of his called I Do, an apparent affirmation of their commitment.

He gave a crowd-pleasing performance of Stay – his 2021 smash single with The Kid LaROI – which was apparently a viewer request from the comments.

He then transitioned from there to an acoustic run of lesser-known material such as his 2020 love song Come Around Me about intimacy with Hailey.

Justin then moved into a couple of more songs from last year, his spiritual GLORY VOICE MEMO and his soulful ballad Zuma House.

After the acoustic segment, he threw a bone of fan service to the crowd by performing a medley of his old hits.

Standing at his laptop, he threw on some videos of his beloved songs and sang along to them, with selections including Baby, Favorite Girl, Beauty and a Beat, Never Say Never, Confident, All That Matters.

He then went back the old YouTube singing videos he had recorded as a child before he was famous, leading to his discovery by Usher and Scooter Braun.

One went back ’19 years,’ he noted, and showed Justin as a child covering the 2006 song Ne-Yo – as the adult Bieber stood onstage at Coachella singing along.

He then offered the crowd another of his classics, the 2015 song Sorry, and then his successful collaboration with Skrillex, Where Are U Now.

He made a show of falling down a rabbit hole of his old embarrassing YouTube videos, such as old footage of him walking into a glass door, falling through a stage and yelling at a paparazzo he accused of trying to ‘provoke’ him.

Then he was back to his newer, comparatively obscure material, crooning Yukon – a tip of the hat to the GMC Yukon, the car Hailey drove when they were dating.

Festival goers were so excited to see the headliner perform that the whole event had been dubbed 'Bieberchella' among fans, who couldn't wait to see his stage return

Festival goers were so excited to see the headliner perform that the whole event had been dubbed ‘Bieberchella’ among fans, who couldn’t wait to see his stage return

He closed the show with one of his newest singles, Daisies

He closed the show with one of his newest singles, Daisies

He then sang another paean to his wife called Devotion, a collaboration with Dijon, whom he brought onstage for a duet that ended in a heartwarming embrace.

Justin played a private, invite-only concert around a week before his Coachella set to warm up for the festival at the The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles.

It marked his first full-length live set in nearly four years, after performing brief shows at the Grammys and a Super Bowl event earlier in 2026.

During his music hiatus following the cancellation of his 2022 world tour, Justin popped up at several low-key events as a surprise guest but this marked the beginning of his big comeback.

Meanwhile, Sabrina’s stage design included visual elements that resembled film sets, city backdrops, and a stylised version of the Hollywood Hills.

Throughout the show, the setting shifted between different scenes, including a studio, a bar, and a stage-like cityscape. 

She packed 20 songs into a Tinseltown-inspired set complete with A-lister cameos and vintage film props.

Actor Susan Sarandon delivered a spoken segment that fit into the show’s storyline, while Sam Elliott and Will Ferrell also made appearances.

Sabrina will return this Friday for weekend two of Coachella, with Justin following on Saturday and Karol G on Sunday.  

JUSTIN BIEBER’S FULL SET LIST 

1. All I Can Take

2. Speed Demon

3. First Place

4. Go Baby

5. Butterflies

6. Walking Away

7. All The Way / 405 / Too Long / Petting Zoo / I Do

8. Stay (with The Kid LAROI as special guest)

9. Things You Do

10. Glory Voice Memo

11. Zuma House

12. Dotted Line

13. Everything Hallelujah

14. Baby

15. Favorite Girl

16. That Should Be Me

17. Beauty and a Beat

18. Never Say Never

19. Confident

20. All That Matters

21. With You (Chris Brown cover)

22. So Sick (Ne-Yo cover)

23. Sorry

24. Where Are U Now

25. I’m The One

26. Yukon

27. Devotion (with Dijon as special guest)

28. I Think You’re Special (with Tems as special guest)

29. Essence (Wizkid cover with Wizkid and Tems as special guests)

30. Daisies (with Mk.gee as special guest)

Controversial AI Image of Trump as Pope Sparks Backlash Among Chicago Catholics on Truth Social

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Controversial AI Image of Trump as Pope Sparks Backlash Among Chicago Catholics on Truth Social

Pope Leo XIV’s recent remarks on the persistent conflict in Iran have ignited a strong rebuttal from President Donald Trump. The president took to social media overnight to express his displeasure and reiterated his stance during a Monday address from the White House.

In Chicago, the Catholic community is abuzz, not only about the exchange but also due to an AI-generated image of the president that has attracted criticism.

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Originating from the Chicago area, Pope Leo is no stranger to Trump’s criticisms. Back in 2015, when Trump was running for office, he also directed sharp words at Pope Francis. However, the current exchange between Trump and Pope Leo has caught many Catholics by surprise, with the controversial AI image adding another layer of tension.

Amidst his four-nation tour of Africa, aimed at advocating global peace, Pope Leo has found himself under fire from the president for his recent statements. He suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” is driving the Iranian conflict.

“I have no fear of the Trump administration, nor of speaking out loudly about the message of the gospel,” declared Pope Leo, standing firm in his convictions.

Trump, in a lengthy overnight social media post, called the pope weak and said he was terrible at foreign policy. Later, from the White House, the president said he does not owe the pope an apology.

“No, I don’t, because Pope Leo said things that are wrong. He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result,” Trump said.

At Loyola University, where Pope Leo sent a letter of encouragement that Cardinal Blasé Cupich read at a last month’s International Peace and Reconciliation conference, the president’s harsh words were disappointing to those on campus.

SEE ALSO | Pope Leo XIV says he does not fear Trump, citing Gospel as he pushes back in feud over Iran war

“I don’t think it’s helpful, especially an environment that we’re all kind of hungry for peace. I think it’s kind of kicking the nest, as it were, and making enmity when you should be looking for friendship,” said Loyola University Professor of Theology Michael Murphy.

And an AI-generated image of Trump, looking Jesus-like while putting his hand on the head of a man in a hospital bed, offended a number of Loyola students.

“That’s a messianic move. That is a big no-no. That really, really bothers Catholics of all stripes. That’s a bridge too far,” Murphy said.

The president posted it and later took it down.

“I saw the image this morning when I woke up, and it was pretty disturbing,” said Loyola University student Ruby Tewahade.

“I think it is pretty blasphemous. What I think is, it’s really insane how Trump is trying to pick a fight with the pope,” said Cally, another Loyola University student.

At Our Lady of the Holy Family Church in Little Italy, some attending evening Mass also criticized Trump on Monday night.

“I believe he’s got no shame. He has just, he has no shame,” said attendee Dahyana Hoagland.

“This is kind of like a continuation of, like, an abnormal kind of like leadership in the highest office in the country,” said attendee Stephen Ontko.

Trump blamed what he called fake news for misinterpreting the image.

“I just heard about it, and I said, ‘How did they come up with that? It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better,’” Trump said.

Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, appeared on Fox News Channel.

“I think the president was posting a joke, and of course, he took it down, because he recognized a lot of people weren’t recognizing his humor in that case,” Vance said.

But some supporters of the president remain critical. Minnesota Bishop Robert Barron said the president should apologize, and Republican Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood said in a statement, “Faith teaches us to show grace and respect, even when we disagree. The President’s comments toward Pope Leo fell short of that mark.”

Meanwhile, the pope made it clear that he will not shy away from speaking out against the war in Iran.

“The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone, and the message of the gospel is very clear, blessed are the peacekeepers,” Pope Leo said.

While the pope intends to keep speaking his mind, Murphy expects he will be artful and circumspect.

“And so, I think the Pope has the truth on his side, and that is doing what he’s doing, fostering peace. And I think somehow this president feels threatened by that,” Murphy said.

He also thinks the president’s comments could cost him and his Republican allies some Catholic votes in the November election.

A majority of Catholic voters cast their ballots for Trump in the last election. It is unclear how this controversy will impact that support.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Ja Rule’s Daughter Brittney Aitken Celebrates Joyous Baby Shower with Husband – Exclusive Photos Inside!

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Ja Rule’s Daughter Brittney Aitken Celebrates Joyous Baby Shower with Husband – Exclusive Photos Inside!

Brittney Aitken, the daughter of renowned rapper Ja Rule, is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her newborn.

This past weekend, Brittney and her husband, Tevin Aitken, marked the joyous occasion with a strawberry-themed baby shower. This delightful event took place at The Grand Lux Venue in New Jersey, setting a charming and festive backdrop for the celebration of their soon-to-arrive baby girl.

Surrounded by loved ones, the couple enjoyed the company of family and close friends, including Ja Rule, his wife, and their two other children, making it a memorable family gathering.

On Sunday, Brittney offered a glimpse into the celebration by sharing a series of photos on her Instagram stories. The images captured her and Tevin posing in front of vibrant red and pink balloon arrangements and whimsical oversized strawberry decorations.

For the occasion, the couple sported matching red attire, with Brittney’s form-fitting outfit elegantly highlighting her baby bump, adding to the day’s festive spirit.

The event comes after Ja Rule shared news of the pregnancy last year. During an appearance on Sherri, he revealed that he was preparing to become a grandfather for the first time.

“I’m about to be a grandfather,” he said, adding, “That don’t even sound right.”

He also recalled how Brittney shared the news with him and his wife.

“It was very cute the way she did it. She put the sonogram in a box and it was a card that said, ‘You’re now grandma and grandfather,’ and the sonogram was in the thing,” he explained.

“And she said, ‘I got a gift for you guys.’ And we thought it was a real gift,” he continued. “So, we go into the room … and we open it up and she got the camera on.”

“You can see my expression, see me and wifey’s expression,” he added. “And it was an amazing moment.”

Ja Rule also shared that he already has a nickname in mind.

“I think I’m going to steal my name from the Notorious B.I.G. Yeah. I love it when they call me Big Poppa,” he said.

In October, Brittney and her husband hosted a gender reveal and announced they are expecting a baby girl.

“This has been such a beautiful journey so far and we are soooooo excited. Can we get a Drummmmmm rollllllllll please lol ….. and the gender isssss?! We can’t wait to meet our sweet little baby.”

Florida Teen’s Cruise Ship Tragedy: Stepbrother Charged with Murder and Sexual Abuse in Adult Court

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Florida Teen’s Cruise Ship Tragedy: Stepbrother Charged with Murder and Sexual Abuse in Adult Court

In a tragic turn of events, the stepbrother of a Florida teenager who died on a Carnival cruise ship is now facing serious charges, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. The young man, aged 16 and referred to in legal documents as T.H., is being tried as an adult.

T.H. stands accused of committing a horrific crime against his stepsister, 16-year-old Anna Kepner. The charges, which include first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, stem from allegations that he sexually assaulted and deliberately killed Anna on the Carnival Cruise Line’s Horizon ship.

Originally, T.H. faced charges as a juvenile following the February 2 incident. However, given the gravity of the accusations, he will now be tried in adult court, where a conviction could lead to a life sentence.

Anna Kepner smiles in a selfie.

Anna Kepner, who was lovingly nicknamed “Anna banana” by those who knew her, was on a family vacation when the tragedy occurred. Accompanying her were her father, stepmother, grandparents, and several siblings. Her untimely death has left a profound impact on her family and community.

The charges come months after the teen, affectionately called “Anna banana,” was found dead onboard the cruise ship during a family vacation with her father, stepmother, grandparents and several siblings.

In February, T.H. was seen arriving in federal court in Miami. The teenager walked into the courthouse in a camouflage hoodie, his face concealed beneath a low-pulled baseball cap and a hood wrapped tightly around it.

Anna Kepner’s stepbrother and his attorney walking outside of a Federal Court building in Miami.

Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother outside a federal court building in Miami, Florida, Feb. 6, 2026. The teen is accompanied by his attorney. He was charged in connection to the death of his stepsister on a Carnival Cruise in November last year. (Fox News)

Kepner was discovered dead around 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 7 inside her cabin aboard the cruise ship. Authorities later ruled her death a homicide caused by “mechanical asphyxiation,” according to documents previously reviewed by Fox News Digital.

According to investigators, Kepner was found under the bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets. The cabin was shared with her stepbrother.

Anna Kepner sitting at a beach parking lot wearing a black top and jean shorts

Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, during a vacation with her family. (Anna Kepner/Instagram)

Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, previously told PEOPLE that he hoped that his stepson “faces the consequences” of his alleged actions.

“I want him to face the consequences … I will be fighting to make sure that does happen,” Kepner told People.

Anna Kepner’s stepbrother and his attorney walking outside of a Federal Court building in Miami.

Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother walks with his attorney outside a federal court building in Miami, Florida, Feb. 6, 2026. (Fox News)

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters. We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to T.H.’s attorneys for comment.

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Tragic Accident: Toddler Killed and Expectant Mother Injured as Car is Severed in Half by Street Racing Incident, Authorities Report

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Tragic Accident: Toddler Killed and Expectant Mother Injured as Car is Severed in Half by Street Racing Incident, Authorities Report

Background: News footage of the scene in Tucson, Ariz., where a deadly speed race killed a 3-year-old girl (KOLD). Inset: Anna (GoFundMe).

An Arizona man has been taken into custody following his alleged involvement in a street race that resulted in a tragic accident. The incident, which occurred in Tucson, led to a fatal crash, and the suspect now faces serious charges.

Christian Isaiah Randall, 22, faces charges including second-degree murder, two counts of endangerment, and two counts of aggravated assault. These charges stem from a collision that took place on Friday in Tucson. According to a press release from the Tucson Police Department, which was reported by Univision, surveillance footage captured Randall as one of two drivers who were speeding significantly over the posted limit.

Authorities allege that Randall was driving a Hyundai Genesis when it collided with a Toyota Camry. Inside the Camry were a 3-year-old girl and her mother, who was nine months pregnant at the time.

Local CBS affiliate KOLD reported that the force of the crash was so severe that the Camry was split in two. Tragically, the young girl, identified as Anna by her family on a GoFundMe page, lost her life, while her mother remains hospitalized with injuries. Police confirmed that Anna was securely fastened in her car seat when the collision occurred at the intersection.

KOLD also obtained footage allegedly showing the Hyundai Genesis racing another vehicle. The second driver, however, reportedly fled the scene and has yet to be identified.

Just two days before the crash, the Tucson Police Department issued a warning on Facebook that said street racing activities were becoming a “serious public safety issue.” KOLD reported that three people were killed and one seriously injured at the same intersection on March 1, allegedly the result of an illegal street race.

Police said Randall was also injured in the crash and treated at the hospital. After he was released, he was booked into the Pima County Jail, where he is being held on $500,000 bond. His next court date was not immediately available.
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