'Duck Dynasty' returns with Willie Robertson hunting for successor

'Duck Dynasty' returns with Willie Robertson hunting for successor

The Robertson family is back with their revival of"Duck Dynasty." The A&E show aired its first episode on June 1, showing Willie Robertson, his wife Korie Robertson, and their children and grandchildren transitioning into the new "Duck Dynasty" chapter. Willie is currently the CEO of the Duck Commander hunting company, which Phil Robertson founded in 1972 and was a vital part of the original "Duck Dynasty" series. The television show premiered 40 years later, in 2012, before it ended in 2017. The first episode kicked off in West Monroe, Louisiana, with Willie,Silas Merritt "Si" Robertsonand Jase Robertson doing what they do best – duck hunting. 'Duck Dynasty' Star Phil Robertson Dead At 79: 'Legacy Of Love For God' Si gave Willie a hard time for not hunting as much and not going into the Duck Commander headquarters for over a year, which prompted him to pay a visit and reevaluate his role in the company. Read On The Fox News App Willie announced that he is "semi-retiring" as CEO of Duck Commander and is looking for someone to take his place. He took his children, John Luke, Bella, Sadie and Will, duck hunting to find out who would be the best person to replace him. Watch Duck Family Treasure Online | Stream Fox Nation His youngest son, Rowdy, was away at college and his daughter, Rebecca, was pregnant and couldn't make the hunting trip. App Users Click Here On the trip,Sadie sharedthat her father never took them duck hunting when they were kids, which Willie blames on technology and cellphones as the reason they weren't outdoors in their youth. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News The episode concluded with a big family dinner, where everyone met the new addition to the family, Rebecca's son. She gave birth to her third child, Xander, in November. On May 25, Korie Robertson took to social media to sharePhil's passingafter months of health concerns. "We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord. He reminded us often of the words of Paul, 'you do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him,'" her post began. Korie Robertson added that the family will have a private service but will share details "about a public celebration of his life." "Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus," she added. "We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again." During a December episode of"Unashamed with the Robertson Family,"Robertson's diagnosis withAlzheimer's diseasewas announced. Willie later spoke with Fox News Digital, saying that Phil was "battling a lot of different things right now." Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter "He's got a blood disorder, and then he's got the mental issues that could be early [on-set] Alzheimer's… and probably some ministrokes because of his blood," Willie explained. "And so, it could be some stroke stuff happening, that has happened. So, we're still checking on all that." "But then he also has a back issue. He's fractured his back and that's where the pain's at. So, he's kind of battling many different things at the same time." "Duck Dynasty: The Revival" airs Sundays on A&E network at 9/8c. Original article source:'Duck Dynasty' returns with Willie Robertson hunting for successor

byAdministrator

in

June 02, 2025

'Duck Dynasty' returns with Willie Robertson hunting for successor

'Duck Dynasty' returns with Willie Robertson hunting for successor The Robertson family is back with their revival of"Duck Dyna...

Read More

K-pop has been banned in China for almost a decade. Until now, maybe.

K-pop has been banned in China for almost a decade. Until now, maybe.

HONG KONG — The concert was set to be small but significant: the first by an all-KoreanK-popband in mainlandChinaafter an unofficial ban on such shows for almost a decade. That was exciting news for fans like Haerin Ouyang, a university student in the coastal Chinese city of Fuzhou, where the South Korean boy band Epex had been scheduled to perform on Saturday. But the show was canceled earlier this month, less than two weeks after it was announced, leaving Ouyang "heartbroken." "The venue is only a 10-minute ride from my school, and it would have been fun to go with friends," she said. C9 Entertainment, which manages Epex, cited "local circumstances" in announcing the cancellation on May 9, dashing hopes that China was opening its doors to K-pop shows for the first time since 2016. The ban, which China has never officially acknowledged, began afterSouth Koreaannounced the deployment of an American anti-ballistic missile defense system that China said was aimed at constraining its power in the region. Before the ban, China — thesecond-biggest music market in Asiaafter Japan — was one of the fastest-growing markets for K-pop and other South Korean pop culture, whose rapid rise in global popularity is known as the Korean Wave, or hallyu. "In the K-content and K-pop markets as well, China's consumer power is regarded as top-tier," said Kang Soyoung, a professor at Seoul Digital University. The China ban is estimated to have cost the South Korean economy almost $16 billion since 2016, she said. But the Epex concert's cancellation does not necessarily reflect the official position of the Chinese government, Kang cautioned, as China has been gradually reopening to South Korean culture after years of tension. While K-pop acts have been blocked, other South Korean bands have been allowed to play. In April, the South Korean hip-hop trio Homies became the first all-Korean act to perform in mainland China in eight years. A South Korea-based Korean American musician in a one-man indie rock band performed in the Chinese cities of Xi'an, Wuhan and Zhengzhou in late 2024 and early 2025. A large-scale K-pop joint concert is also scheduled to be held in September at a 40,000-seat stadium in the Chinese island province of Hainan. The Korea Entertainment Producers' Association, which announced the event in April, did not reply to an email asking whether that concert is still going ahead. Kang said she believed the hallyu ban would soon be lifted and the Hainan concert would "proceed without issue." There are also signs of growing business ties. Hybe, the South Korean entertainment company that manages the global K-pop sensationBTS, recentlyopened an office in Beijing, according to South Korean media. On Friday, China's Tencent Music was set to become the second-largest shareholder in the other major K-pop label, SM Entertainment, after Hybe said in a regulatory filing that it would sell Tencent its entire stake. "It shows that there is a greater opportunity for collaboration between the two countries, especially in the entertainment industry," said Ellen Kim, director of academic affairs at the Korea Economic Institute of America. "It might be a starting point for industry-level cooperation that could open more doors between the two countries." The diplomatic thaw extends beyond culture. In November, China said it would grant visa exemptions for South Korean visitors, and South Korea has said it will do the same for visitors from China. China's growing friendliness toward South Korea might be partly motivated by the unstable situation on the international stage, Kim said. Both countries face increasingly hostile and unpredictable U.S. trade policies under PresidentDonald Trump. In addition, China is struggling with weak domestic consumption that would be aided by K-pop's high-spending fans. China has also been strengthening its own entertainment industry and has more confidence in it, Kang said, pointing to the record-breaking success this year of the Chinese film "Ne Zha 2," the world'shighest-grossing animated film ever. "It now has robust resilience against the 'invasion' of foreign content," she said. China's potential thaw toward South Korean entertainment comes as it further restricts the number of Hollywood films allowed to be screened in its theaters in response to Trump's tariffs. China-South Korea ties could also get a boost from next week'sSouth Korean presidential election. The front-runner,Lee Jae-myung, is considered friendlier to China than his predecessor. "If he wins, it might be a matter of time that things will change, which will allow the Korean entertainers to come into the country and play their music," Kim said.

byAdministrator

in

June 02, 2025

K-pop has been banned in China for almost a decade. Until now, maybe.

K-pop has been banned in China for almost a decade. Until now, maybe. HONG KONG — The concert was set to be small but significant: the first...

Read More

Diddy trial live updates: Ex-aide Mia says Diddy assaulted Cassie at Brad Pitt movie premiere

Diddy trial live updates: Ex-aide Mia says Diddy assaulted Cassie at Brad Pitt movie premiere

This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Despitemounting allegations of sexual and physical abuse, attorneys forSean "Diddy" Combsare pushing back against the abuse claims amid the hip-hop mogul'scriminal trial. Heading into its fifth week, the sweeping federal sex-crimes case resumed in Manhattan court on June 2 with Combs' legal team grilling the Grammy-winning rapper's former assistant, awoman going by the pseudonym "Mia,"during cross-examination. The anonymous witness painted a picture of long-term emotional and professional manipulation, which Combs' attorneys challenged with past social media posts she made about Combs and warm messages she sent to her former boss. "I was still brainwashed," Mia explained on the stand, telling jurors she was "constantly seeking" Combs' approval. Similar to other former employees of Combs, Mia has described a workplace dynamic in which Combs allegedly made repeated threats to maintain control. The ex-assistant, who worked for Combs from 2009-2017, also claims the Bad Boy Records founder sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. Combs, 55, wasarrested in September 2024and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Jurors saw texts from 2019, in which Mia wrote toCombs: "I had a nightmare. I was trapped in an elevator with R. Kelly and you came to rescue me."Kelly,a fellow hip-hop artist, is currentlyserving a 30-year prison sentenceafter being convicted of sex trafficking and racketeering, both charges Combs also faces, in 2022. "Why are you reaching out to Mr. Combs, telling him this?" defense attorney Brian Steel asked Mia, pressing her on why – if Combs allegedly terrorized her – she would write to him in such a way. "Puff used to be my protector," she replied, adding that Combs, sometimes referred to as "Puff Daddy," had recently lostlongtime partner Kim Porterand she wanted to let him know she was thinking of him. "Kim had just passed away and I felt horrible for him, she said. Porterdied in 2018from pneumonia. Noting that the text came months after Porter's death, Steel said: "It's five months later and you are having thoughts that he's your savior, and you're sending him all the love in the world?" She replied that she didn't think five months was that long of a time frame, explaining that Combs would grieve Porter, with whom he shares four children, for a lifetime. Combs' attorney Brian Steelquestioned Mia about a friendly text message exchange with Combs from 2020, years after her employment with him ended. At the time, Mia texted Combs that she had "so many funny" memories, as well as videos and notes on her phone from when she would write down things he said. Combs replied, "I love it. Glad you're well," adding, "I only remember the good times." Mia wrote back, "Love you too, and the only things to remember are the good times, and those are the only ones I have." Steel asked Mia why she did not respond to Combs by saying, "Well, I remember the bad times." Steel argued she should have told the rapper that he "should remember what you did to me," in light of her violent allegations against him. But Mia said on the stand, "No, I would never respond that way." Steel shot back that this is "because it's not true," but Mia maintained that she has "never lied in this courtroom, and I will never lie in this courtroom." She continued, "I was still brainwashed," noting that she was "constantly seeking" Combs' approval. In a May 14, 2020, text, Mia told Combs: "Puff, my heart is broken about Dre," seemingly about the late Uptown Records founderAndre Harrell, letting Combs know she was thinking of him and that she wanted him to "continue on his message." In a message from August 2020, Mia texted Combs, "Thinking of you withChadwick Boseman," following the actor's death. Mia said on the stand that Combs was "auditioning for the role" of James Brown in the "Get On Up" biopic that Boseman ended up playing, and she said she texted Combs saying that she had his audition tape and would send it to him. In other texts to Combs, Mia went on to describe some of their "magical, hilarious" and "hysterical" memories together: One was of a night in Paris whenMick Jaggerapparently flirted with her; another was of a night whenJennifer Lopezwouldn't stay out with them; yet another was of a high-stakes poker game between Combs andLeonardo DiCaprio. In the text message she wrote that Combs said, while cursing: "That 'Titanic' (guy) doesn't know (anything). He won $10,000, I won $650,000." As former assistant Mia's testimony continued June 2, she alleged that in 2012 she witnessed a discussion between Combs and Ventura Fine escalate at the premiere of theBrad Pittfilm "Killing Them Softly," during the Cannes Film Festival in France. She claimed she saw Combs grit his teeth while digging his nails into Ventura Fine's arm, and eventually insist Ventura Fine leave, which she did. As Combs' trial stretches into another week, several new names will take the stand. Among the expected witnesses are two men named Enrique Santos, a radio personality, and Frank Piazza, whose connection to Combs remains unclear. Two employees of the InterContinental Hotel, where video captured the music mogul assaulting Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine are also expected to take the stand. Hotel security supervisor Eddie Garcia will testify under immunity and hotel custodian Sylvia Okun is also expected to speak out. During cross-examination on May 30, Combs' attorneyBrian Steelshowed Mia a number of old social media posts. One was a tribute for Combs' 45th birthday, where she wrote, "Happy birthday, Puff Daddy. Thank you for being the good kind of crazy," adding that she loved him with all her heart. Steel remarked that this was five years after Combs first allegedly sexually assaulted her. "When the highs were high and the goods were good, you tried so hard to stay in that," Mia said. Steel pressed her multiple times, saying, "Haven't you said you've been sexually assaulted so many times that you can't even remember?" Mia responded: "I don't remember phrasing it that way." Diddy on trial newsletter:Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. In more emotional testimony on May 30, Mia said she hired an employment lawyer to try to get a settlement from Combs after her work with the music mogul ended, requesting a payment of $10 million; ultimately, she only received $400,000, half of which was taken by lawyers. The woman said she never disclosed her alleged sexual assaults in those transactions, even though she mentioned some of Combs' violence. She told the court that she would have taken her assault allegations aimed at Combs to her grave. While taking the stand on May 30, Mia said Combs emotionally abused her to the point that she now suffers from "complex severe PTSD." Due to her post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, Mia said she can't get or keep a job because she is triggered by the most minor things, like somebody asking where she is. "I would have to leave (work) because I would be triggered by very normal situations with an overwhelming fear of being in trouble," the witness told the court. She added that "all of those feelings of getting in trouble come flooding back." 50 Centis looking to givePresident Donald Trumphis two cents aboutCombs. In anInstagram post on May 30, the "In da Club" rapper said he'll reach out to Trump after the president said he would "look at the facts" in Combs' case, suggesting a pardon could be on the table. 50 Cent shared a clip of the president's comments in his post and wrote that Combs "said some really bad things about Trump," adding that he will "reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy." In a follow-up post, 50 Centsuggested Combs' past commentsabout Trump could prevent a potential pardon. "Donald doesn't take well to disrespect, and doesn't forget who chooses to go against him," he wrote. He alsoshared a screenshotof an article suggesting he was trying to "nuke" Combs' chances of pardon, clarifying, "I didn't say I would nuke anything, I simply said I will make sure Trump is aware." No, despite recently handing down a flurry of pardons, including one for reality starsTodd and Julie Chrisley,Trumpdid not include Combs on that list. But thatdoesn't mean he can't. According to Michigan State law professor Brian Kalt, Trump would be within his presidential rights to extend a preemptive pardon to Combs. "These are federal charges so that's the main limit,"Kalt tells USA TODAY. "The matter has (to) be federal, it has to be criminal vs. civil, and related to something that's already been done. But the person doesn't have to even be charged yet or convicted. TheSupreme Courthas said preemptive pardons are OK." When asked about a possible pardon during anOval Office press conferenceon May 30, Trump said he hadn't been approached about the legal matter but added, "I know people are thinking about it." Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He wasarrested in September 2024and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all five counts against him. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed attargeting multi-person criminal organizations,prosecutors allegethat Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in"freak offs"— sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom.Sign up for our newsletterfor more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault,RAINNoffers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy trial live updates: Brad Pitt, 50 Cent, other celebs mentioned

byAdministrator

in

June 02, 2025

Diddy trial live updates: Ex-aide Mia says Diddy assaulted Cassie at Brad Pitt movie premiere

Diddy trial live updates: Ex-aide Mia says Diddy assaulted Cassie at Brad Pitt movie premiere This story contains graphic descriptions that ...

Read More

An Israeli strike on Gaza kills 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, hospitals say

An Israeli strike on Gaza kills 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, hospitals say

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli strike on a residential buildingin the Gaza Stripon Monday killed 14 people, mostly women and children, according to health officials. The Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals confirmed the toll from the strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, saying five women and seven children were among those killed. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militant group is entrenched in populated areas. The Israel-Hamas war began when Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Hamas is still holding 58 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of the population. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli pullout. Israel has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned, and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. It has said it will maintain control of Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what it refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population. Palestinians and most of the international community have rejected the resettlement plans, viewing them as forcible expulsion. ___ Follow AP's war coverage athttps://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

byAdministrator

in

June 02, 2025

An Israeli strike on Gaza kills 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, hospitals say

An Israeli strike on Gaza kills 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, hospitals say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli strike...

Read More

Mount Etna erupts with huge plume of ash; tourists seek safety

Mount Etna erupts with huge plume of ash; tourists seek safety

A volcanic eruption in Italy left people scurrying for cover from what officials are saying is a pyroclastic flow. Several videos circulating online show people running as smoke from the side of Mount Etna, an active stratovolcano volcano in Sicily, filled the air on June 2. Footage and photoswere also sharedby the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in Italy. The government agency wrote in a translated post that a pyroclastic flow, acombination of ash, rock, and gas,"probably produced by the collapse of material from the northern side of the Southeast Crater." The INGV added that the "explosive activity" has "moved to "a lava mountain." According to GB News, an international news outlet, a spokesperson for the institute explained that "the values of the tremor amplitude are currently high with a tendency to increase further." Previous Mount Etna eruption:Skiers glide by flowing lava Europe's largest and most active volcano, Mount Etna, islocated on the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy,in the province of Catania, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The active stratovolcano is known for its frequent and persistent eruptions, and volcanic activity in the region can range from explosive eruptions to lava flows and ash emissions, USGS says. Earlier this year, skiers were captured going down the slopes while lava flowed in the background. Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com. (This story was updated to include video.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Mount Etna eruption prompts tourists to seek safety: See photos

byAdministrator

in

June 02, 2025

Mount Etna erupts with huge plume of ash; tourists seek safety

Mount Etna erupts with huge plume of ash; tourists seek safety A volcanic eruption in Italy left people scurrying for cover from what offici...

Read More