Entertainment
Quincy Jones, Legendary Musician and Producer, Passes Away at 91
Quincy Jones, the iconic American musician and producer who helped shape the sound of generations through his work with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and many more, has died at the age of 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones “passed away peacefully” on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family said in a heartfelt statement. “Although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Jones’ influence in the world of music was monumental. Best known for producing Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, his career spanned over 75 years. He earned 28 Grammy Awards and was named by Time magazine as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.
His groundbreaking work included collaborations with Frank Sinatra, transforming Fly Me to the Moon into a swing masterpiece. He discovered and nurtured the talent of a young Michael Jackson on the set of The Wiz, later producing Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, solidifying Jackson’s legacy in pop history.
In 1985, Jones organized and co-wrote We Are the World, bringing together 46 of the era’s biggest stars, including Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and Cyndi Lauper, to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The song became a cultural touchstone, echoing the power of music to unite and uplift.
Quincy Jones leaves behind a towering legacy, one that will be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.
Entertainment
Céline Dion Announces Comeback Shows After Health Battle: “I’m So Ready for This”
Céline Dion has announced a highly anticipated return to the stage, four years after being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a condition that affected her voice and mobility.
The global superstar will perform a 10-night residency at the Paris La Défense Arena in Paris this September and October. The announcement coincided with her 58th birthday, which she described as “the best gift of my life.”
Speaking to fans, Dion said she feels strong and ready to return: “I’m so ready to do this… I’m feeling good, I’m strong, I’m feeling excited—and of course, a little nervous.”
She also shared an update on her health, saying she is managing the condition well, has resumed singing, and is even doing “a little bit of dancing.” She expressed gratitude to fans for their continued support during her time away from performing.
Dion has not headlined her own concert since March 2020 in Newark, after her Courage world tour was halted by the pandemic and later cancelled following her diagnosis in December 2022.
Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare neurological condition affecting roughly 8,000 people worldwide. It disrupts communication between nerves and muscles, leading to severe muscle spasms and mobility challenges. There is currently no known cure.
To accommodate her health, the upcoming shows are spaced out over several days to reduce physical strain. Tickets are set to go on sale from 7 April, with demand expected to be extremely high.
Entertainment
Woman Accused of Shooting at Rihanna’s Home Pleads Not Guilty
A Florida woman accused of opening fire at the Los Angeles home of pop star Rihanna has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and multiple related charges.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, entered her plea in Los Angeles County Superior Court, denying allegations that she tried to kill Rihanna and others during the incident on 8 March at the singer’s mansion in Beverly Crest.
Prosecutors allege Ortiz fired a semiautomatic rifle at the property, targeting not only Rihanna but also her partner A$AP Rocky, their three young children, and others present at the home and a nearby residence. No injuries were reported.
According to court documents, the victims listed include Robyn Fenty and Rakim Mayers—the legal names of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky—as well as Rihanna’s mother and several additional individuals.
Ortiz faces a range of serious charges, including attempted murder, 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Each assault charge corresponds to an individual allegedly targeted during the incident.
Authorities say Ortiz drove to the residence, fired multiple shots, and then fled the scene. She was later arrested at a shopping centre in Sherman Oaks after her white Tesla was located approximately eight miles away.
She remains in custody with bail set at $1.875m (£1.4m) and could face life imprisonment if convicted. A judge has also barred her from practising as a speech pathologist in California.
Ortiz is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on 8 April. Her legal team has not publicly commented on the case, and representatives for Rihanna have yet to respond.
Entertainment
BTS Comeback Concert on Netflix Draws 18.4 Million Global Viewers
A livestreamed comeback concert by K-pop superstars BTS attracted 18.4 million viewers worldwide on Netflix, highlighting the group’s enduring global influence.
The one-hour performance marked the first time all seven members—Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—had performed together since October 2022, when they paused group activities to complete mandatory military service in South Korea.
Held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, the free concert drew about 104,000 attendees, according to entertainment giant Hybe Corporation—below earlier projections of 260,000.
Despite the slightly lower turnout, the event marked the launch of the group’s sold-out 82-date world tour and was streamed live to audiences in more than 190 countries. Only around 22,000 fans gained access to the main venue, while others watched via large outdoor screens set up nearby.
The broadcast quickly climbed to the top of Netflix rankings in 24 countries, underscoring the group’s massive international reach. The concert also forms part of Netflix’s broader push into live programming, following major events such as the 2024 boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, which reportedly drew over 108 million viewers.
Security was tight, with around 7,000 police officers deployed, including specialised units equipped with anti-drone systems to manage the large crowds.
Financially, the comeback is expected to be significant. Analysts estimate that BTS and their label could generate over $1bn (£740m) from reunion-related activities, including touring, merchandise, album sales, and streaming. The group remains the primary revenue driver for Hybe, which saw profits decline during their hiatus.
However, investor expectations appeared to shift after the event, with Hybe’s shares dropping by 15.5% on Monday despite months of gains leading up to the reunion.
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