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Former Stanford forward Kiki Iriafen has committed to the University of Southern California Trojans as a transfer, shaking up the collegiate women’s basketball scene. The news was first reported by ESPN’s noted NBA source Adrian Wojnarowski.

Iriafen’s decision to join the Trojans is expected to have a big impact on both the team’s performance and her future career path. With her projected as a top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, her acquisition is expected to boost USC’s national championship chances.

USC has steadily built a powerful squad under the supervision of head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. With Iriafen partnering with standout point guard JuJu Watkins, who made waves during her rookie season, the Trojans are set to make a strong push for the championship.

Furthermore, Iriafen’s ties to Los Angeles provide a fascinating hometown story to her transfer choice, which could strengthen local support for the Trojans.

Iriafen’s on-court abilities were highlighted during the 2023-24 season when she emerged as a standout player for the Stanford Cardinal. Iriafen’s effect was clear, as she averaged 19.4 points per game and started all 36 games she played. Her contributions, combined with an average of 27.7 minutes per game, highlight her importance as a valuable addition to any club fortunate enough to have her.

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CHICAGO (AP) — The singer R. Kelly was correctly sentenced to 20 years in prison on child sex convictions in Chicago, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

Jurors in 2022 convicted the Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, on three charges of producing child sexual abuse images and three charges of enticement of minors for sex.

In his appeal, Kelly argued that Illinois’ former and shorter statute of limitations on child sex crime prosecutions should have applied to his Chicago case rather than current law permitting charges while an accuser is still alive.

He also argued that charges involving one accuser should have been tried separately from the charges tied to three other accusers due to video evidence that became a focal point of the Chicago trial.

Federal prosecutors have said the video showed Kelly abusing a girl. The accuser identified only as Jane testified for the first time that she was 14 when the video was taken.

The three-judge panel from the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Friday’s ruling noted that jurors acquitted Kelly on 7 of the 13 counts against him “even after viewing those abhorrent tapes.”

The appeals court also rejected Kelly’s argument that he should not have been prosecuted since the allegations occurred while Illinois law required prosecution of child sex crime charges within ten years. The panel labeled it an attempt by Kelly to elude the charges entirely after “employing a complex scheme to keep victims quiet.”

In a written statement, Kelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean said they plan to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the decision and “pursue all of his appellate remedies until we free R. Kelly.”

“We are disappointed in the ruling, but our fight is far from over,” she said.

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Prosecutors in Kelly’s hometown of Chicago had sought an even tougher sentence, asking for 25 years. They also wanted a judge to not let that time begin until after Kelly completed a 30-year sentence imposed in 2022 in New York for federal racketeering and sex trafficking convictions.

Judge Harry Leinenweber rejected that ask, ordering that Kelly serve the 20 years from the Chicago case simultaneously with the New York sentence.

Kelly has separately appealed the New York sentence.

In arguments last month before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, attorney Jennifer Bonjean asked the panel to find that prosecutors improperly used a racketeering statute written to shut down organized crime to go after the singer.

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5

Inter Miami CF showcased their dominance with a resounding 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night, continuing to build momentum early in the regular season. The match witnessed a record-setting performance from captain Lionel Messi, who etched his name in MLS history books with a brace and an assist.

The evening unfolded with Inter Miami playing in front of a record crowd at Gillette Stadium, with 65,612 fans setting a new attendance record for a New England Revolution home game.

Inter Miami’s starting XI saw two changes from their previous win over Nashville SC, with notable returns from injury for attackers Leonardo Campana and Robert Taylor. Messi led the attacking line alongside Taylor, flanking striker Campana.

The hosts took an early lead in the first minute, but Inter Miami quickly responded with Taylor providing a crucial assist to Messi in the 32nd minute, leveling the score at 1-1. Messi’s goal marked his eighth of the regular season and his 10th across all competitions, setting a new MLS record for the most goal contributions in a player’s first seven games of a season.

The second half belonged to Messi, as he continued his scintillating form. In the 68th minute, a precise through ball from Sergio Busquets set up Messi for his second goal of the night, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 lead. This goal made Messi the first player ever to register five consecutive matches with multiple goal contributions.

Inter Miami further solidified their lead with goals from substitutes Benjamin Cremaschi and Luis Suárez, sealing a convincing 4-1 victory. Cremaschi, making only his third appearance this season after recovering from surgery, capitalized on a rebound in the 83rd minute to extend the lead, while Suárez added the final flourish with a sublime finish.

The win keeps Inter Miami atop the Eastern Conference standings as they look ahead to their next challenge against the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium on May 4th.

Head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino praised his team’s performance, highlighting their confidence and dynamic play. With Messi leading the charge, Inter Miami CF continues to make waves in the MLS, showcasing their title credentials early in the season.

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16

Taylor Swift has once again asserted her dominance in the music industry with her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” In a spectacular display of her star power, Swift secured her 12th Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart in the UK, solidifying her status as one of the greatest artists of all time.

After 15 years since her debut on the UK chart, Swift continues to shatter records and defy expectations. The Official Charts Company revealed that “The Tortured Poets Department” has amassed a staggering 270,000 chart units in just seven days, surpassing Swift’s own personal best and outselling the rest of the Top 10 combined.

Notably, Swift’s latest masterpiece has surpassed Adele’s 2021 release, “30,” to achieve the biggest opening week in the UK in seven years. With 12 Number 1 albums now to her name, Swift joins the ranks of legends like Madonna and Bruce Springsteen, cementing her place in music history.

What’s even more remarkable is that Swift’s achievement extends beyond her records. “The Tortured Poets Department” marks the biggest opening week for an international act in the UK in 18 years, a feat that even surpasses iconic acts like The Beatles.

Swift’s rapid ascent to superstardom is unparalleled, as she becomes the fastest artist to accumulate 12 Number 1 albums in Official Chart history, outpacing even The Beatles. Furthermore, she extends her record as the only artist to claim 12 Number 1 albums in the 21st century, all achieved consecutively.

In addition to her album’s success, Swift also dominates the Official Singles Chart with her track “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone, marking her fourth Number 1 single in the UK. With two songs in the Top 5, Swift reaffirms her position as a powerhouse in the music industry.

Martin Talbot, Chief Executive of the Official Charts Company, praised Swift’s remarkable achievements, emphasizing the significant impact of her return to music. He remarked, “This is truly Tay-Tay’s moment – and we are all here for it.”

As “The Tortured Poets Department” continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Taylor Swift’s reign as the ultimate music sensation shows no signs of slowing down. With each record-breaking release, she cements her legacy as an icon for generations to come.

Official Chart Round-up

In the wake of Swift’s monumental success, other artists have also made waves on the Official Albums and Singles Charts. Pearl Jam’s “Dark Matter” debuted at Number 2, marking their highest-charting UK album in 11 years, while UB40’s “UB45” entered at Number 5.

On the Singles Chart, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” climbed to Number 5, becoming her first UK Top 5 single, while rising star Mark Ambor continued his ascent with “Belong Together,” reaching Number 12.

Meanwhile, Drake’s controversial track “Push Ups” debuted at Number 14, and Shaboozey earned his first career entry into the Top 40 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” rising to Number 16.

As the music landscape continues to evolve, Taylor Swift’s unparalleled success serves as a testament to the enduring power of her artistry and influence.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Bernie Williams was in the center, just like the old days at Yankee Stadium. Only this time he was at Lincoln Center alongside conductor Gustavo Dudamel and making his New York Philharmonic debut.

After spending 16 years gaining fame while roaming the grass where Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle once trod, Williams was on the stage made famous by Leonard Bernstein and where guitar great Andrés Segovia once played.

Williams performed “Moving Forward,” a jazz-infused work he composed in 2009 that was newly arranged by Jeff Tyzik as part of the orchestra’s spring gala on Wednesday night at David Geffen Hall, a public exclamation of the former All-Star outfielder’s second career as a classical guitarist.

A day before the performance, he recalled going to the Manhattan School of Music from 2012-16 to learn his new trade and earn a bachelor’s degree.

“A lot of these people were running laps around me and I had to come to the realization that I had to work as hard as I have ever worked upon anything, including being a Major League Baseball player,” he said. “I had to put in the work, and none of that stuff that I did prior was going to help me here. I really had to reinvent myself. In learning all of the stuff that I learned being a professional baseball player, some of the stuff really helped me in performing under pressure, putting in the work in and being relentless.”

Dudamel, who becomes music director in 2026-27, gave Williams a glowing introduction that was repeatedly interrupted by applause as he recounted Williams’ background at an event to raise money for music education.

“Bernie grew up in Puerto Rico and I think that maybe he had some other opportunities outside music,” Dudamel said.

Wearing a dark suit and tie with patent leather loafers, Williams played his 4 1/2-minute composition backed by the Philharmonic, joined by student musicians.

Now 55, Williams signed with the Yankees on his 17th birthday in 1985, made it to the major leagues six years later and became a four-time World Series champion, five-time All-Star and the 1998 AL batting champion. He hit .297 with 287 homers, 1,257 RBIs and 147 stolen bases for the Yankees from 1991-2006.

He began playing guitar when he was 6 or 7 in Puerto Rico, learning from his mother’s friends, and listened to the guitar work of his dad, Bernabé. Bernie brought his guitar to the ballpark and played in the clubhouse lounge to MTV tunes picked by teammate Derek Jeter.

“When you’re on the road, there’s a certain amount of time that you spend in the room,” Williams said. “A lot of people play video games, a lot of people just watch TV. So I used to kind of like split time between watching TV, ordering room service and playing guitar between.”

He used to play in a paint room under the right-field stands at the old Yankee Stadium, where Ron Guidry had left a drum set that Paul O’Neill took over. Williams brought an amplifier, and they jammed after batting practice and during rain delays.

A particular thrill occurred before a game against Minnesota in 1998, when Bruce Springsteen walked into the clubhouse, spoke with some of the Yankees players and signed Williams’ guitar, writing: “To Bernie, If you ever get tired of baseball …” The two joined to play “Glory Days” at Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation gala in 2007.

By 2003, Williams released his first recording, “The Journey Within.” His second, “Moving Forward,” earned a Latin Grammy nomination in 2009 for best instrumental album, and he’s contemplating his third, which he hopes will have more daring playing and writing.

“Anybody can enjoy a good piece of music and some of that music is able to move people in ways that nothing else can,” Williams said. “So understanding those emotions that come with being a musician I think has taken me in a great journey and it’s just such an awesome process to have in contrast to what I used to do in sports. It’s great to have an opportunity to do both things in one lifetime.”

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His mother was adamant about him going to college. Williams received a degree in 2016 after the four-year undergraduate program. He studied guitar with Christopher Rosenberg, harmony, composition and improvisation with Garry Dial and writing with John Pagano. Williams now serves on the school’s board of trustees.

Ahead of this week’s performance, Williams spent from April 9-13 performing at the Café Carlyle, the celebrated Upper East Side nightspot where Bobby Short entertained New York’s high society from 1968-2004.

“Everybody’s so close and you hear a pin drop and everybody’s so attentive,” he said. “It’s such a unique experience, at least for me. I’m used to playing in front of 50,000 people, everybody yelling and screaming their hearts out. So it’s, yeah, quite a contrast.”

Philharmonic CEO Gary Ginstling said after Wednesday morning’s rehearsal that 30 orchestra musicians lined up to get balls, caps and shirts autographed by Williams as he posed for photos. Cellist Patrick Jee rehearsed in a Yankees jersey already signed by Torre and Jeter.

“I’ve never seen them all so giddy about one of our artists,” Ginstling said.

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We don’t always stan when nepo babies use their parents’ fame to advance their lifestyle and career. (See the recent discourse about Maya Rudolph’s career, as reported by Unilad and an older nepo baby primer for Gen Z from The Guardian.) But when they use those same powers to connect with their favorite artists, as Usher’s 15-year-old son, Naviyd, did recently, it’s sorta-kinda cute.

Usher told the tale in his IG stories this week: “So a week or so ago, my son, Naviyd, stole my phone so he could DM his favorite artist @pinkpantheress,” he said. “I just so happened to check my DMs earlier this past week and saw a message exchange from someone with a Powerpuff girl as their profile pic…so I’m like, the hell is this? I open it, and I’m like, oh, this boy done DMd this girl from my d*mn phone…”

Usher shared screenshots of Naviyd’s exchange with the singer, including one message that said, “I’m your true biggest fan” and asked for a follow back.

Usher took over to steer the conversation with “I’m so sorry … my son is a super fan. PinkPantheress backed up her “no apology necessary” response with an offer to host the father-son duo at her show in Nashville. And though Usher at first pretended he wouldn’t allow Naviyd to attend because of the trust violation, Daddy relented.

Naviyd even got a little in-person time—and photos—with the British songbird, which he shared on his own IG and TikTok.

“I will never trust him around my phone, but I should have known better,” Usher concluded in this IG stories series. “Nonetheless, I appreciate the hustle and [his making] it happen. From a text, to a concert, to the artist. He masterminded this whole thing and made it happen. #HustleHard.”

How Usher handled Navyid’s sneaky phone theft might not be part of any Parenting 101 curriculum, but Naviyd has clearly studied at his famous father’s feet on the best ways to shoot his shot. We ain’t mad.

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Anitta, an international superstar and Grammy-nominated artist, proudly releases her long-awaited new album, “Funk Generation,” today through Republic Records/Universal Music Latin Entertainment, marking a watershed point in the spread of Brazilian funk to a global audience.

“Funk Generation” positions Anitta at the forefront of spreading Brazilian funk to a new generation worldwide. The album features hit songs such as “Grip,” “Fria,” and “Ahi,” including a collaboration with Sam Smith. To celebrate the release, Anitta has dropped a fiery new music video for the track “Grip.”

Anitta spoke about the album, saying,”‘Funk Generation’ embodies all the nuances of this 100% Brazilian musical genre that has shaped my journey as a person and as an artist. Funk is rooted in the culture of those living in the Brazilian favelas, where I come from, and has often been unfairly judged as lacking artistic value, even associated with organized crime. It reflects the classism and racism that plague our society. I belong to a generation that embraced the rhythm, emerged from the favelas, and conquered Brazil.”

“My new project is very special because it signifies my intention to create an international funk album, something I’ve always dreamed of. It’s gratifying to see funk now serving as a source of inspiration and art in the global music scene, a genre with value, awards, and admiration.”

“With infectious rhythms, ranging from strong to melodic, the songs on my album draw from various influences, from funk carioca to pop and electronic music. I made sure to collaborate with renowned Brazilian funk producers. Together, we’ve created something that can be enjoyed, danced to, and sung along with.”

The album comes after a string of critically acclaimed performances, including last night’s appearance at the Latin American Music Awards, where she performed the singles “Double Team” and “Sabana,” and a surprise performance at Coachella last Friday, where she joined Peso Pluma on stage to perform their hit “BELLAKEO.”

Furthermore, Anitta has recently announced the “BAILE FUNK EXPERIENCE TOUR,” in which the international diva will provide a one-of-a-kind funk experience at exclusive intimate venues in cities throughout the world, giving fans a real taste of Brazil’s renowned funk parties.

Anitta’s first North American tour, which begins on May 18 in Mexico City, will include stops in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago, and Toronto, among others. Tickets for many of the gigs, including those in Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, and New York, sold out quickly after they went on sale last week.

A second New York concert on June 3rd has been added. Following the North American phase, Anitta will take the BAILE FUNK EXPERIENCE to South America and then Europe, stopping in Bogota, Buenos Aires, London, Paris, Ibiza, and other cities. Tickets for the worldwide superstar’s appearances in Berlin, Amsterdam, London, and Paris have already sold out. The full tour itinerary is available below.

“Funk Generation” follows Anitta’s three-track compilation “Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story,” which was released in 2023 as a prelude to the new album. The three songs, “Funk Rave,” “Used To Be,” and “Casi Casi,” became fan favorites. Following the successful release, Anitta released “BELLAKEO,” a collaboration with Peso Pluma; watch the official video here. “BELLAKEO” was Anitta’s highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 to date.

To cap up 2023, Anitta released “Joga pra Lua,” a collaboration with producers Pedro Sampaio and DENNIS. Anitta just gave her fans a taste of what to anticipate from FUNK GENERATION with the blistering lead single “Double Team” (feat. Brray & Bad Gyal) and an official music video (watch here). Botlok produced the tune, while Sam Hayes directed the music video.

The FUNK GENERATION has arrived.

BAILE FUNK EXPERIENCE TOUR:

18.05.24 Mexico City, MX Salón LA

21.05.24 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern

23.05.24 Miami Beach, FL Filmore

26.05.24 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live

28.05.24 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway

29.05.24 Toronto, ON HISTORIA

06.01.24 Chicago, IL Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

06.02.24 New York, NY Brooklyn Paramount

06.03.24 New York, NY Brooklyn Paramount

06.07.24 Bogota, Colombia Lourdes Music Hall

06.09.24 Lima, Peru CCB

14.06.24 Santiago, Chile Basilea

16.06.24 Buenos Aires, Argentina Vorterix

25.06.24 Berlin, Germany Metropol

26.06.24 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg

28.06.24 London, UK O2 Kentish Town Forum

29.06.24 Paris, France Elysee Montmartre

07.01.24 Ibiza, Spain Pacha

07.03.24 Madrid, Spain Sala La Riviera

07.04.24 Barcelona, Spain Razzmatazz

07.07.24 Milan, Italy Fabrique

07.08.24 Ibiza, Spain Pacha

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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors in Texas asked the state’s highest criminal appeals court on Thursday to reverse a ruling that overturned a Fort Worth woman’s voter fraud conviction and five-year prison term for casting an illegal provisional ballot.

Last month, Crystal Mason’s illegal voting conviction was overturned by the Second Court of Appeals. Now the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office is asking the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to reverse that ruling.

Mason was convicted in 2018 of illegal voting in district court. Prosecutors maintained that Mason read and signed an affidavit accompanying the provisional ballot affirming that she had “fully completed” her sentence if convicted of a felony.

But the Second Court of Appeals ruled that even if she read the words on the affidavit, she may not have known that being on probation for a previous felony conviction left her ineligible to vote in 2016.

Tommy Buser-Clancy, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, which has been one of Mason’s representatives in the case, said in a statement that the request for further review of Mason’s case was “disappointing,” but they were “confident that justice will ultimately prevail.”

“The court of appeals’ decision was well reasoned and correct. It is time to give Ms. Mason peace with her family,” Buser-Clancy said.

The ACLU of Texas said Mason wasn’t doing interviews on Thursday.

Mason, a former tax preparer, had been convicted in 2012 on charges related to inflating refunds for clients and served nearly three years of a five-year sentence in prison. Then she was placed on a three-year term of supervised release and had to pay $4.2 million in restitution, according to court documents.

Mason’s long sentence made both state Republican and Democratic lawmakers uneasy. In 2021, after passing a new voting law measure over Democrats’ objections, the GOP-controlled state House approved a resolution stating that “a person should not be criminally incarcerated for making an innocent mistake.”

Texas is among dozens of states that prevent felons from voting even after they leave prison.

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