CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush is calling for a broad military buildup and says the U.S. armed forces have been left ill-prepared to defeat the Islamic State, blamed for the Paris attacks that killed at least 129 and wounded hundreds more. The former Florida governor is projecting himself as a potential … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — P.F. Sloan, the troubled songwriter behind such classic 1960s tunes as Johnny Rivers’ “Secret Agent Man” and Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction,” has died. He was 70. Howard Wuelfing, a spokesman for Sloan, said the singer-songwriter died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles after battling pancreatic cancer for several weeks. … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Calling a group of artistic youth the “next generation of fabulous,” Michelle Obama presented national arts and humanities awards to 12 after-school programs from across the country and one international program from Honduras. Honorees included a musical theater program co-created by comedian Rosie O’Donnell that serves low-income students in New York City. … Continue reading
SALEM, Mass. (AP) — A teenager killed his math teacher and did “unspeakable things” to her body, but he was driven by severe mental illness, his defense attorney told jurors at his murder trial Monday. Philip Chism, 16, is charged with murder, rape and robbery in the October 2013 slaying of Colleen Ritzer. The body … Continue reading
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Pandora says it is acquiring technology and intellectual property from Radio and will add new features to its Internet music streaming service by late next year. The $75 million cash deal depends on Radio seeking bankruptcy protection and gaining court approval for the deal. Radio will wind down its service. It … Continue reading
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Carrie Underwood is pure poise on the red carpet, on stage and on TV — but she’s finding it hard to strike a balance these days, she says. “I think mom guilt is rampant in my life,” said Underwood, whose son Isaiah was born in February. “I am sure it is … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Selena Gomez, Carrie Underwood and 5 Seconds of Summer will be performing at the American Music Awards. Dick clark productions announced Wednesday that the pop acts will each take the stage at the Nov. 22 show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. All three have new albums out this month. … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Jay-Z and Beyonce were joined by a slew of artists including Nicki Minaj and Usher at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Tuesday night for a charity concert put on by the streaming service Tidal that covered rap, R&B, reggae and even a little country. The concert, “TIDAL X: 1020 Amplified by HTC,” … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The music publishing company that has been collecting royalties on the song “Happy Birthday To You” for years does not hold a valid copyright on the lyrics to the tune that is one of the mostly widely sung in the world, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. U.S. District Judge George H. … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — A landscape Vincent van Gogh created a year before his death will lead So the by’s impressionist and modern art sale in New York this fall. “Landscape Under a Stormy Sky,” painted in 1889, depicts a field in Arles in the south of France. It’s estimated to bring $50 million to … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York auction house says it has sold the first recording contract ever signed by the Beatles for over $90,000. Heritage Auctions says the 1961 contract was for a recording of a rock and roll version of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.” The single from the recording session in … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — The art collection of celebrated writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou sold for nearly $1.3 million on Tuesday. A painted story quilt that hung in Angelou’s Harlem home and was commissioned by Oprah Winfrey for Angelou’s 61st birthday brought $461,000 at the Swann Galleries sale. “Maya’s Quilt of Life” by … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Usher, Laverne Cox and Katie Holmes have been added to this month’s Global Citizen Festival starring Beyonce and Pearl Jam in New York City. Connie Britton, Freida Pinto, Gayle King and Sophia Bush have also been added to the host committee for the Sept. 26 event. Previously announced hosts include Stephen … Continue reading
Nominees announced Tuesday in the top categories for the 10th annual BET Hip-Hop Awards: ___ Best Hip Hop Video Big Sean featuring Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $Ign – “Play No Games” Big Sean featuring Drake & Kanye West – “Blessings” Fetty Wap – “Trap Queen” Kendrick Lamar – “Alright” Nicki Minaj featuring Beyoncé – “Feeling … Continue reading
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Some faces are pensive; others are proud. Some are known; others are obscure. All are black. Rare, striking and never-before-seen portraits of black citizens in Victorian-era England are going on display for the first time in the U.S., and organizers say the photographs have a powerful message for contemporary Americans riven … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 