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'Swift Mania' takes over Los Angeles for Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

"Swift Mania" is officially taking over Los Angeles as Taylor Swift's “The Eras Tour” kicks off at Sofi Stadium this week.Diehard fans, dubbed “Swifties,” will be enjoying the 33-year-old singer’s sold-out six-night stay at the Inglewood venue starting Aug. 3.In anticipation of the pop superstar’s concert, L.A. Metro has added additional service to shuttle the massive crowds.Trains will be running until 2 a.m. on concert nights with free bus shuttles from the C Line and K Line to SoFi Stadium.The Citadel Outlets in Commerce raffled off two floor tickets to one lucky Swiftie for the Aug. 7 concert on Tuesday night as fans gathered at the outdoor shopping center.“I just crossed my finger and was like, ‘I hope I get them because I want to see her,’” said an ecstatic Frances Suavillo, the lucky ticket winner. Taylor Swift reportedly gives ‘Eras Tour’ truckers six-figure bonuses Swifties in line for the merchandise truck for Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour." (KTLA)Frances Suavillo, ...

Hollywood Studios and Writers May Continue Negotiations Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

Representatives for Hollywood production studios may meet with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) Friday to resume contract talks, according to a Deadline report.Hollywood writers have been on strike since May 1, as a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) could not be agreed upon.The AMPTP represents film and TV production companies such as Netflix, Disney, Apple, Amazon, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony. Additionally, the AMPTP could not come to terms on a new contract with Hollywood actors, leading to a July 15 strike from members of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).The mass entertainment work stoppage has already been felt in the industry, as leading actors have not been allowed to promote new movies over the past two weeks.It was also announced that the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards would be postponed due to the strike.The awards show was scheduled for Septe...

Bronny James Home After Suffering Cardiac Arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

Bronny James, son of Lakers star LeBron James was discharged from the hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during USC’s basketball practice on July 24.The 18-year-old was treated on-scene and then rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he spent a stint in the intensive care unit, before being stable enough to be placed in general care.“Thanks to the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff, Bronny James was successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest,” a statement from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center read. “He arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable. Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly-trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting. Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support.”Days later, LeBron James gave an update on Bronny, thanking fans for their c...

A’s hit 3 HRs but can’t beat Dodgers in LA series opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

By BETH HARRIS, AP Sports WriterLOS ANGELES (AP) — The A’s hit three three home runs off Lance Lynn in his Dodgers debut, but  Mookie Betts hit his 28th homer and Los Angeles beat Oakland 7-3 on Tuesday night.“We won, so it was good. That’s all that matters,” Lynn said. “Whenever you come to a new team, you want to make a good impression.”Traded last week by the Chicago White Sox, Lynn retired the first seven batters he faced. But he soon surrendered his 29th, 30th and 31st homers of the season.Zack Gelof went deep in the sixth. Brent Rooker homered on Lynn’s first pitch of the seventh. One out later, Jordan Diaz’s solo shot pulled the A’s to 4-3 in their first visit to Dodger Stadium since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.Lynn (7-9) allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked one while eating up precious innings for a team that needs its starters to go deep to preserve the bullpen.“It’s ...

India’s top court hear petitions challenging government’s removal of Kashmir’s special status

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s top court Wednesday began hearing a clutch of petitions challenging the constitutionality of the legislation passed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in 2019 that stripped disputed Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, scrapped its separate constitution and removed inherited protections on land and jobs.The five-judge constitutional bench that includes the Supreme Court’s chief justice is simultaneously hearing a series of petitions challenging the special status granted to the region after its accession with newly independent India in 1947. Such petitions were filed before the 2019 changes.The unprecedented move divided the region into two federal territories — Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir, both ruled directly by the central government without a legislature of their own. The move’s immediate implications were that the Muslim-majority region is now run by bureaucrats with no democratic credentials and lost its flag, criminal code and constitution.“The case i...

GW Parkway set to reopen as cleanup nearly complete following Saturday’s storm

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

Listen live to WTOP for the latest on storm damage and outages.The D.C. region continues to recover after Saturday’s severe storm ripped through the area, toppling trees, and knocking out power for thousands across the area. Here’s what you need to know.Traffic Impact: The George Washington Memorial Parkway is set to reopen between 5 and 6 a.m. Wednesday after work crews cleared more than 500 tons of trees, branches and other debris after Saturday’s severe storm ripped through the area.Current Outages: As of Wednesday morning, the number of customers without power continued to dwindle as power companies work to restore electricity to residences. In Prince George’s County, Maryland, over 500 users are still in the dark.GW Parkway cleanupThe southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway are expected to reopen later Wednesday morning, according to 7News who spoke with the National Park Service.Part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway reopened Tuesda...

Trump puede ser candidato a unas elecciones imputado, incluso si acaba en prisión

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

WASHINGTON DC- El expresidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, podría concurrir a la contienda de 2024, como es su intención, e incluso si acaba entre rejas, pese a haber sido imputado este martes por tercera vez con cargos penales por sus supuestos esfuerzos para revocar el resultado de las elecciones de 2020.Pese a los numerosos pleitos contra él y ser el primer exmandatario del país en afrontar acusaciones penales, Trump por el momento sigue siendo el gran favorito entre los republicanos para hacerse con la nominación de su partido para las elecciones presidenciales de noviembre de 2024, muy por delante de su principal contrincante, el gobernador de Florida, RonDeSantis.Y parece que legalmente no existe nada que le impida presentarse a las primarias republicanas del próximo año ni concurrir a los comicios generales. Fiscal especial prevé un “juicio rápido” contra Trump por el asalto al Capitolio Biden y Trump igualarían de cara a las pres...

The Schemer: Macron’s man is plotting to run the EU

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

BRUSSELS — When Thierry Breton first floated the idea of becoming European Commission president, not even he seemed to take the idea very seriously.“I may be able to consider a new Plan B assignment,” the internal market commissioner replied with a smile, when asked at a POLITICO event whether he wanted the top job, prompting laughter.But as the European Parliament election draws closer, Breton’s “Plan B” pitch to take over leadership of the EU executive is coming into greater focus.A former minister and tech CEO who was France’s second choice for European commissioner, Breton amassed a vast amount of power within the Berlaymont building where the commissioners sit, putting his stamp on everything from COVID vaccines to artillery shells for Ukraine’s war effort to enforcement of the EU’s digital rules. His job — overseeing the hallowed single market of the 27 EU member countries — is one of the most critical portfolios in Brussels, and previous occupants of the post have includ...

Mets complete disappointing trade deadline day with 10th inning loss to lowly Royals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

KANSAS CITY — You’d never know that the Mets were considered preseason World Series contenders based on the lineup they put out Tuesday for the first game of a series against the Kansas City Royals, and based on the way they lost.Brandon Nimmo was out with quad tightness. The Mets used fringe guys like DJ Stewart, Rafael Ortega and Danny Mendick in place of lineup regulars. Such is life after the trade deadline, which passed just two hours before the Mets lost, 7-6, in 10 innings at Kauffman Stadium.With the bases loaded, the Mets brought in left-handed rookie Josh Walker. He balked without even throwing a pitch and the Royals walked off with the win.Walker’s balk was the result of a PitchCom issue. Walker was unable to obtain one when he ran out to the mound. They didn’t have them in the bullpen.“I didn’t have a PitchCom in my ear so me and [catcher Francisco Alvarez] didn’t have communication, so I was trying to relay that to him,” W...

Foreign nationals evacuate Niger, as regional tensions rise

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:51 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Foreign nationals lined up outside an airport in Niger’s capital Wednesday morning waiting for a third evacuation flight, while a regional bloc continued to talks about its response to the coup that took place last week.French forces in the capital, Niamey, evacuated hundreds of mostly French nationals to Paris on two flights Tuesday, following concerns that their citizens and other Europeans risked becoming trapped by last week’s military coup, which ousted and detained President Mohamed Bazoum. France, Italy and Spain all announced evacuations for their citizens and other Europeans. The United States has yet to announce plans for an evacuation, however some have left the with the help of the Europeans. An Italian military aircraft landed in Rome Wednesday with 99 passengers, including 21 Americans and civilians from other countries, said the Italian defense minister. The first of two French flights that landed in Paris overnight had 12 babies among 262 p...