Diddy's twin daughters graduate high school amid dad's sex-crimes trial

Diddy's twin daughters graduate high school amid dad's sex-crimes trial

Sean "Diddy" Combs' twin daughters have graduated high school amid their dad'ssex-crimes trial. Jessie and D'Lila Combs, better known on social media as"The Combs Twins,"graduated from Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles on May 22. The twins' older brothersJustin "Prince" CombsandChristian "King" Combs, stepbrotherQuincy Brown, older sisterChance Combsand little sisterLove Combsall attended the celebration. Photos of the family affair were shared by"Good Morning America" hairstylistMerylin Mitchelland reposted on Combs' ex-partnerMisa Hylton'sInstagram story. NBA playerScottie Pippenand"Real Housewives"starLarsa Pippen'sdaughterSophia Pippenwas also featured in one Mitchell carousel. The 18-year-old Combs twins are the embattled "I'll Be Missing You" rapper's daughters with his late, longtime ex-girlfriendKimberly "Kim" Porter, who died in 2018. The twins attended federal court on May 12 for opening statements and on May 13,the first day of testimony fromCombs' other ex-girlfriendCasandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine. These Diddy family members have been incourt amid his sex-crimes trial Sierra Canyon School was famously attended byKylieandKendall Jenner, another set of A-list sisters. Los Angeles LakersstarLeBron James' eldest sonBronny Jamesgraduated from the school in May 2023, and his middle sonBryce Jamesalso graduated from Sierra Canyon on May 22. Diddy on Trial newsletter:Step inside the courtroom with USA TODAY as Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces sex crimes and trafficking charges. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Merylin Mitchell (@msmerylin) Hours before the duo graduated, their dad's federal trialcontinued with star-studded testimonyfrom "Sad People" hitmakerKid Cudi. The rapper, whose real name isScott Mescudi, briefly dated Ventura Fine in 2011. But she told the court last week that when Combs learned of their relationship, the Bad Boy Records founderlunged at her with a corkscrewand kicked her in the back. These Diddy family members have been incourt amid his sex-crimes trial On May 22, jurors heard Mescudi's recollection of Combs' alleged abuse. Mescudi took the stand,claimingthat Combs broke into his home and locked his dog in a bathroom – and that his vehicleblew up in another incident– after the embattled mogul found out he was datingVentura Fine. Federal prosecutors believe that the alleged incidents are among the laundry list of inappropriate, illegal actions Combs engineered during a 20-year scheme to coerce women, including Ventura Fine, to take part in drug-fueled sex partiesknown as "freak offs"and prevent them from leaving his orbit. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied the allegations against him. Contributing: Patrick Ryan, Aysha Bagchi, Anna Kaufman, Taijuan Moorman, Brendan Morrow This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy trial: Sean Combs' twins graduate high school

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 23, 2025

Diddy's twin daughters graduate high school amid dad's sex-crimes trial

Diddy's twin daughters graduate high school amid dad's sex-crimes trial Sean "Diddy" Combs' twin daughters have gradua...

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Jussie Smollett Speaks Out After Reaching Settlement with City of Chicago, Paying $50K to Charity: 'Onward'

Jussie Smollett Speaks Out After Reaching Settlement with City of Chicago, Paying $50K to Charity: 'Onward'

Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Jussie Smollett is speaking out after agreeing to make a $50,000 charitable donation to settle a civil lawsuit with the city of Chicago The lawsuit stemmed from Smollett's allegations he was the victim of a hate crime in 2019 In a statement he shared to Instagram, the formerEmpireactor said he's made an additional $10,000 donation and is looking "onward" Jussie Smolletthas agreed to pay a $50,000 charitable donation to settle a years-long legal saga with the city of Chicago, stemming from his allegations he was thevictim of a hate crime in 2019. The formerEmpirestar shared a lengthy statement toInstagramon Friday, May 23, explaining how this resolution came to be, why he chose the charity he donated to and his thoughts on his future now that this chapter is behind him. "Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City Officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself. This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear," he began. "These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear….They have received neither." Smollett went on to say the decision to settle the civil lawsuit with the city "was not the most difficult one to make." "After repeatedly refusing to pay the City, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed," he continued. "Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over 5 years and the people became my family. Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support." Smollett then announced he'd made a $50,000 donation toBuilding Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, which he described as "a local nonprofit doing incredible work nurturing self expression, creativity and exploration of the arts for Chicago youth." "This organization was of my choosing and I'm comforted that there will be at least one winner from this experience," he added. Though theconvictions against him were overturned by the Illinois Supreme Courtin November 2024 and the city's civil case against him will now be dismissed, Smollett said he's "aware that it will not change everyone's mind about me or the attack I experienced." E. Jason Wambsgans-Pool/Getty "However, despite arduous and expensive attempts to punish me, I am innocent in the eyes of God and our criminal justice system. What I have to do now is move forward," he continued. "I will continue creating my art, fighting passionately for causes I hold dear and defending my integrity and family name with the truth." Smollett then said he was "grateful to have had the resources to defend myself" and acknowledged that "many do not." "They are backed into corners to take deals or confess to crimes they did not actually commit," he explained. "In their honor, I am donating an additional $10,000.00 to the Chicago Torture Justice Center who provides resources to communities healing from the violence and the Chicago Police Department. To anyone who has had to prove they have in fact been violated, you know how difficult this can be to navigate. I stand with and for you." Smollett ended his post with a message of thanks to those who supported him throughout the years. "Your prayers and belief in me mean more than words can properly express. I will never take it lightly and will never forget," he concluded. "Onward." More than six years ago, Smollett, who identifies as a gay Black man, claimed that on Jan. 29, 2019, he was the victim of a hate crime. He alleged he was attacked by two men late at night on his way to his home in Chicago, claiming the men yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him, put a noose around his neck and doused him with bleach. Scott Olson/Getty Following an investigation conducted by law enforcement, prosecutors alleged that Smollett staged the attack to get media attention and paid two brothers, Abimbola "Bola" and Olabinjo "Ola" Osundairo, to help him pull it off. Smollett wasfound guiltyof five felony counts of disorderly conduct for filing false police reports following a jury trial in 2021. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail in March 2022 as well as hit with a $25,000 fine and ordered to pay more than $120,000 in restitution to the Chicago Police Department. He served six days of his sentence before he was released on bail. Smollett has maintained his innocence over the years, opening up to PEOPLE in September 2024 — about a month before the Supreme Court of Illinios overturned his conviction — abouthow he was dealingwith being at the center of the high-profile case. "People can say what they want about you, but they have no control," he said at the time. "They can do whatever they want, they can even put you behind bars. They can control your physical, but they can't control my mind. They can't control my spirit. They can't control my soul, and they can't control the knowledge that I have of who I am." Read the original article onPeople

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 23, 2025

Jussie Smollett Speaks Out After Reaching Settlement with City of Chicago, Paying $50K to Charity: 'Onward'

Jussie Smollett Speaks Out After Reaching Settlement with City of Chicago, Paying $50K to Charity: 'Onward' Shane Anthony Sinclair/G...

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John Krasinski Reveals the Person He’d Do ‘Absolutely Anything for’ in His Career (Exclusive)

John Krasinski Reveals the Person He'd Do 'Absolutely Anything for' in His Career (Exclusive)

John Krasinskiis a ride-or-die type of guy. TheOfficealum, 45, opened up about the person he'd do "absolutely anything for" in his career while chatting exclusively withParadeon the red carpet at the New York City premiere of his new Apple+ action film,Fountain of Youth, on Monday, May 19. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 When asked what aboutFountain of Youthstood out to him most and why he was excited to star in the film, Krasinski toldParadeit was directorGuy Ritchiethat was ultimately the deciding factor. "That's the biggest difference. Working with him was something l've always wanted to do, and you get to see his process," theJack Ryanstar said. "He's so energetic and so positive. He's got a great calm set. I learned a lot from him, and you just find yourself doing absolutely anything for him." Related:Martha Stewart Chimes In With Bold Declaration About John Krasinski's New 'Sexiest Man Alive' Title Along with Krasinski,Fountain of YouthstarsNatalie Portman,Eiza González,Domhnall Gleeson,Arian Moayed,Stanley Tucciand more. Krasinski and Portman, 43, portray estranged siblings who join forces to find the legendary Fountain of Youth. Though the film does not have a theatrical release, it can be streamed on Apple+ beginning Friday, May 23. John Krasinski Reveals the Person He'd Do 'Absolutely Anything for' in His Career (Exclusive)first appeared on Parade on May 23, 2025

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 23, 2025

John Krasinski Reveals the Person He’d Do ‘Absolutely Anything for’ in His Career (Exclusive)

John Krasinski Reveals the Person He'd Do 'Absolutely Anything for' in His Career (Exclusive) John Krasinskiis a ride-or-die typ...

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Federal investigators comb site of San Diego plane crash in neighborhood of military housing

Federal investigators comb site of San Diego plane crash in neighborhood of military housing

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The weather alert system and runway lights weren't working at a foggy San Diego airport where a private jet was planning to land before it crashed into a neighborhood, but the cause of the crash remains unclear, officials said Friday. Dan Baker of the National Transportation Safety Board also said investigators haven't determined a cause of Thursday's crash that likely killed all six people aboard. Baker said the weather alert system at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport was down at the time of the crash due to an unrelated power surge. He said the pilot instead got weather information from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar about 4 miles (6.44 kilometers) north, but he was aware of the fog. The runway lights were also down. The plane crashed about 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) from the airport. Music talent agentDave Shapiro,and two unnamed employees of the music agency he co-founded, Sound Talent Group, were among the dead along with the former drummer for metal band The Devil Wears Prada. Shapiro, 42, had a pilot's license and was listed as the owner of the 1985 Cessna 550 Citation that plowed into the neighborhood of U.S. Navy housing shortly before 4 a.m. Thursday. The crash added to along list of aviation disastersthis year. They include amidair collisionthat killed 67 people near Washington, D.C., in January, anairliner that clipped another planein February while taxiing at the Seattle airport and a sightseeinghelicopter that broke apart and crashedinto the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey last month, killing six people. Federal officials have tried to reassure travelersthat flying is the safest mode of transportation, which statistics support. But a cascade of aviation mishaps has drawing increasing attention. Shapiro's aircraft was trying to land in foggy weather at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it struck power lines about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) southeast of the airfield, Elliot Simpson of the National Transportation Safety Board. The flight took off from Teterboro, New Jersey, near Manhattan, at about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and made a fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing on to San Diego. That overnight schedule wouldn't be allowed for an airliner under federal crew rest rules, but those regulations don't apply to private planes. Former NTSB and FAA crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti said he thinks the dense fog and fatigue after Shapiro flew all night long were likely factors in the crash. "This accident has all the earmarks of a classic attempt to approach an airport in really bad weather and poor visibility," Guzzetti said. "And there were other airports that the crew could have gone to." Fragments of the plane were found under power lines that are about a half block from the homes. It then lost a wing on the road directly behind the homes. Guzzetti said even if the plane had missed the power lines it may have still crashed because it was coming in too low in the fog. A terrifying wakeup The crash site shows more damage on the front side of those homes, including a smashed stone landscaping wall and an incinerated truck that was parked across the street and shoved into the living room of its owner's home before catching fire. Ben McCarty and his wife, who live in the home that was hit, said they felt heat all around them after being woken up by an explosion. "All I could see was fire. The roof of the house was still on fire. You could see the night sky from our living room," McCarty, who has served in the Navy for 13 years,told local ABC affiliate KGTV. Flames blocked many of the exits so they grabbed their children and dogs and ran out the back but the burning debris blocked the gate so neighbors helped them climb over the fence to escape. "We got the kids over the fence and then I jumped over the fence. They brought a ladder and we got the dogs," McCarty said. Meanwhile, fiery jet fuel rolled down the block igniting everything in its path from trees to plastic trash containers to car after car. McCarty's home was the only one destroyed, though another 10 residences suffered damage, authorities said. Eight residents were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and injuries that were not life-threatening, including a person who was hurt climbing out a window, police officer Anthony Carrasco said. McCarty said his family used to enjoy living under the flight path so they could watch the planes pass overhead. "Us and our kids would sit on our front porch and we'd look up and my sons would always be excited saying 'plane plane' watching the planes go by and ironically right where we were sitting is where that plane hit," McCarty said. Now, he wants to move. "I'm not going to live over that flight line again — it's going to be hard to sleep at night," McCarty said. It could have been much worse NTSB investigators are gathering evidence to determine what happened. "Given it happened in a densely populated suburban area and the time of day when most people are asleep at home, it is surprising there were no deaths on the ground," Rod Sullivan, a transportation expert, said. But Guzzetti said in his experience there often aren't deaths on the ground when a plane crashes in a residential area unless people are right where the plane hits. The crashof a medical transport flight into a Philadelphia neighborhood in January shows what can happen when there is a direct hit in a populated area.Two people on the ground diedand about two dozen others were hurt when that plane slammed into the ground and caught fire. Six people abord that plane also died. At least 100 residents in the San Diego neighborhood were evacuated and officials said it was unclear when it would be safe for people to return. On Friday, some residents were escorted back to their homes to get essentials, like their military IDs to get back on bases after they left them in the rush to escape. Thursday's crash comes only weeks after a similar one in Southern California. Asmall plane crashed into a neighborhood in Simi Valleyon May 3 killing both people and a dog aboard the aircraft and igniting two homes, but no one was reported hurt on the ground despite residents being inside the residences at the time. The community is located nearly 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. In October 2021 a twin-engine planeplowed into a San Diego suburb, killing the pilot and a UPS delivery driver on the ground and burning homes. ___ Funk contributed to this report from Omaha, Nebraska.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 23, 2025

Federal investigators comb site of San Diego plane crash in neighborhood of military housing

Federal investigators comb site of San Diego plane crash in neighborhood of military housing SAN DIEGO (AP) — The weather alert system and r...

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Trump administration must restore health articles scrubbed for transgender mentions, judge rules

Trump administration must restore health articles scrubbed for transgender mentions, judge rules

By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -A federal judge ordered the Trump administration on Friday to restore articles by doctors and medical researchers that were removed from a government-run website focused on patient safety because they contained references to transgender people. U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston sided with two doctors at Harvard Medical School whose patient-safety articles were scrubbed from the website after Republican President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring agencies to remove all statements and policies promoting "gender ideology." The articles had been published on the Patient Safety Network (PSNet), an online patient safety resource. It is run by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The judge agreed with the doctors that the removal of the articles was a "textbook example" of viewpoint discrimination that violated the free speech protections of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. "This is a flagrant violation of the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights as private speakers on a limited public forum," the judge, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama, wrote. Sorokin ordered the administration to restore not just the two doctors' articles to the PSNet but all other content authored by private parties that were removed from the website pursuant to Trump's executive order following a word search for items that contained certain terms. Rachel Davidson, a lawyer for Drs. Gordon Schiff and Celeste Royce at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, in a statement called the ruling "a victory for free speech and public health." HHS did not respond to a request for comment. Trump signed the executive order on his first day back in the White House on January 20, forcing the government to "recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male." Among the articles that were removed from PSNet were ones co-authored by Schiff and Royce, who sued after articles they co-wrote focused on suicide risk and the disease endometriosis were removed because they included brief references acknowledging transgender patient populations. Sorokin said even passing references to people who identify themselves as transgender were deemed contrary to Trump's order, and deleting the offending words was a non-negotiable prerequisite for the articles to be reposted to PSNet. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Diane Craft)

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

May 23, 2025

Trump administration must restore health articles scrubbed for transgender mentions, judge rules

Trump administration must restore health articles scrubbed for transgender mentions, judge rules By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -A federa...

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