Singer and actor Shonka Dukureh, best known for playing Big Mama Thornton in the Baz Luhrmann film “Elvis,” is dead at 44. Police said the gospel-singing mother or two was found dead in her Nashville, Tennessee, home shortly before 9:30 a.m. Thursday. …
Rep. Lee Zeldin back on campaign trail for NY governor after attack suspect released
ALBANY, N.Y. — U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin hit the campaign trail Friday, hours after an upstate man accused of attacking the Republican gubernatorial candidate was released without bail. The congressman is continuing his “Unite to Fire Hochul” bus tour, maki…
Review: ‘The Kite Runner’ on Broadway fails to soar on the winds of truth
NEW YORK — “A land mine,” observes a sardonic character in “The Kite Runner,” now landed on Broadway in the summer heat. “Is there a more Afghan way to die?” That shocking line, taken directly from the 2003 novel by Afghan American author Khaled Hossei…
New York records first US polio case in almost a decade
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York health officials confirmed Thursday that a case of polio was recently recorded in Rockland County, the first time the highly infectious virus has been reported in the U.S. since 2013. The nearly eradicated disease, which can aff…
U2, George Clooney, Gladys Knight among 2022 Kennedy Center honorees
Those behind this year’s Kennedy Center Honors have found what they’re looking for in Irish rockers U2 and four other artists. The band will join actor and filmmaker George Clooney, soul and R&B singer Gladys Knight, Christian pop artist Amy Grant and …
Amber Heard files to appeal defamation verdict in Johnny Depp trial
Amber Heard plans to ask a Virginia court to throw out a jury’s verdict against her in Johnny Depp’s defamation lawsuit over domestic violence allegations. The “Aquaman” actress filed a notice to appeal Thursday, a week after a judge refused to grant h…
5 indicted in investigation of guns smuggled from South to NYC
NEW YORK — Five people have been indicted for running guns from Tennessee to New York City, the Queens district attorney’s office said Thursday. The details of the probe will be laid out in an afternoon news conference by DA Melinda Katz and NYPD Commi…
Ricky Martin’s harassment case dismissed after nephew drops claims of incest, domestic violence
Ricky Martin’s nephew has withdrawn claims of incest and harassment against the singer, ending a case that made global headlines last week. On Thursday, a judge in Puerto Rico declined to extend a temporary restraining order against Martin, which was i…
OANN’s contract with Verizon, its last major cable carrier, set to expire July 30
The ball appears to be in Verizon’s court. Far-right media outlet One America News Network has only days to work out a new deal with the communications giant, which is the only major cable provider still doing business with the doggedly Trumpian channe…
NYC Mayor Adams takes aim at 5 top US weapon makers during anti-gun summit: ‘Profit over our public safety’
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams and several of his counterparts from other cities vowed Wednesday to hold five top U.S. weapon manufacturers accountable for their role in the country’s gun violence epidemic — and hinted that legal action against the firear…