Author: Alex Maschino

Kristin Chenoweth’s unique spin on the national anthem proved divisive ahead of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Chenoweth, 56, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers tipped off at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center on Sunday, June 22.  Chenoweth, an Oklahoma native, seemed to puzzle some basketball fans with her dramatic take on the song.  “Completely ruined the anthem with whatever that high note was at the end,” a viewer argued via X, with another person calling the moment a “difficult listen.”  Related: The Most Memorable ‘Star-Spangled Banner‘ Performances Over the Years Getty Images (3)…

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As NATO leaders prepare to gather in The Hague on Tuesday, efforts to satisfy United States President Donald Trump’s call for a big new defence spending goal may be overshadowed by the repercussions of US military strikes on Iran. Trump has demanded that NATO allies commit to spending 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence at their two-day gathering, starting on Tuesday. The summit is also intended to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that NATO is united, despite Trump’s previous criticism of the alliance, and determined to expand and upgrade its defences to deter any attack…

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HSBC Holdings Plc is forecasting hundreds of millions in extra real estate costs as it considers asking more of its employees to return to the office, potentially hindering the bank in its bid to find $1.5 billion in annual cost savings. Chief Executive Officer Georges Elhedery will have to make a series of decisions in the coming weeks over whether to acquire more desk space for the lender’s staff in London, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Guangzhou, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing internal deliberations. Securing the required space to support a return to three days…

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Hailey Bieber appears to be sending mixed signals about the state of her marriage. Days after she was photographed not wearing her wedding ring, Hailey reposted a video from her beauty brand Rhode via Instagram on Sunday, June 22, that very clearly showed her wearing her ring, which was prominently displayed. Hailey, 28, was photographed ringless several times while in New York City with friends Camila Morrone and Suki Waterhouse on Friday, June 20. Hailey appeared to intentionally hold her left hand in front of her, making it easy to photograph. Hailey has not commented on her husband Justin Bieber’s…

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Do the Vancouver Canucks really like Marco Rossi? Sportsnet: Mike Halford and Jason Brough talking about the Vancouver Canucks and if Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi would be a good fit. ** NHLRumors.com transcription Halford: “… which begs the question is a, is Rossi a guy they really like, or anyone they’re thinking of acquiring, or did they like him because he’s available and they went out and said they’d get something? Brough: “The answer is obviously the latter. This is, we’ve talked this death about, you don’t necessarily get the great shopping deals when you only give yourself a…

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I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding, and example. Queen Elizabeth’s was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also…

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One of the music industry’s biggest challenges today is the increasingly large volume of AI-generated content on streaming platforms.In April, Spotify rival Deezer disclosed that more than 20,000 AI-generated tracks are being delivered to its platform alone every day – around double the 10,000 daily AI uploads Deezer reported in January.The flood of low-cost, low-quality algorithm-produced tracks to music streaming services risks diluting royalty payments and reducing discovery opportunities for artists.Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier said today (June 20) that the platform has “detected a significant uptick in delivery of AI-generated music only in the past few months”, adding: “We see no sign of it…

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Jed Duggar and his wife, Katey Duggar, are ready to slow down after having four children in four years. “Now we’re in survival mode, like, ‘Let’s raise these kids,’” Jed, 26, joked during an appearance on his sister, Jinger Duggar, and her husband Jeremy Vuolo’s “Jinger & Jeremy Podcast” on Wednesday, June 18. Jed and Katey, 26, tied the knot in April 2021 and now share son Truett, 3, daughter Nora, 2, and 6-month old twin daughters, Elsie and Emma. Katey admitted on her in-laws’ podcast that she’s fascinated by how rapidly her relationship with Jed has progressed. “We’ve known…

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