Category Entertainment News

The jury is still waiting to decide the most serious racketeering conspiracy charge, which carries a life sentence, though Sean Diddy’s sex trafficking trial is almost over.

The jury in Sean ‘Diddy’ Comb’s sex trafficking trial have reached a verdict on four out of five counts against the disgraced star, but they say they are currently unable to reach a decision on the most serious charge.

The judge instructed the jury of 12 to continue weighing the charge of racketeering conspiracy, insisting that two days of deliberations were too soon to reach a verdict on all counts.

Judge Arun Subramanian received a note at 4.05 p.m. on Tuesday confirming that the jury had “unpersuasive views” on both sides and that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Juries have a right to deliver a partial verdict, but they were encouraged to continue deliberations, given they had only started on Monday. As soon as the note was delivered in court, the hip-hop mogul’s lawyers surrounded him to explain the situation as he appeared agitated, with the moment captured by a courtroom artist.

Racketeering: What is it?

Making money off of organized illegal activities is known as racketeering. Since at least 2008, Combs has been accused of operating a criminal enterprise that has committed crimes like sex trafficking and forced labor.

Combs wanted to coerce and abuse women and people around him to satisfy his sexual desire while also keeping his behavior a secret, the government claimed. The most difficult charge is the one involving the racketeering conspiracy because it requires the jury to determine whether he organized a “racketeering enterprise” as well as whether or not he engaged in any or all of the various crimes, including kidnapping and arson.

Rico, what is it?

The charge is referred to as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which is most frequently used in cases involving organized crime and drug cartels. The singer’s defense attorneys contend that the prosecution is attempting to criminalize his swing lifestyle and that his actions could constitute domestic violence but not federal felonies.

The 55-year-old could spend life behind bars if found guilty of all charges, which would entail a maximum sentence. The jury is reviewing the critical testimony of Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who he had been dating for about 11 years.

Jurors’ questions answered

About 75 minutes into the second day of the trial, witnesses alleged that Combs used his wealth, violence, and celebrity to coerce two girlfriends into drug-fueled sex marathons with male sex producers known as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights” to demand the testimony.

Eight men and four women from the panel requested Ms. Ventura’s account of Combs beating, kicking, and dragging her in a hotel in Los Angeles in 2016 — an assault that was captured on infamous security camera footage.

They also requested to hear Ms. Ventura’s account of a 2013 incident where she claimed Combs accused her of abusing her and had kicked her off their yacht at the Cannes Film Festival in France. She claimed that he threatened to release explicit videos of her having sex on their return to the US.

P Diddy charges in full.

Combs has denied all of the allegations brought against him, including:

• Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy
• Victim 1 (Cassie Ventura) is the subject of Count 2 – Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
• Count 3 – Transportation to engage in prostitution in relation to victim 1 (Cassie) and professional sex workers
• Count 4 – Sex trafficking perpetrated by force, fraud, or coercion (victim 2).
• Count 5 – Transportation to engage in prostitution, relating to Victim 2 (Jane Doe) and professional sex workers

Two and four count for a minimum of 15 years. Life is the maximum sentence permitted by the counts. Three and five count for ten years in prison.

Taylor Swift’s double album, The Tortured Poets Department, was released 14 months ago, and fans now think they have found clues about the title of its follow-up album.

Taylor Swift’s most recent album, The Tortured Poets Department, wowted fans in April 2024 when The Eras Tour made its way to Europe, which has been delayed by more than a year. The American star has since found love with Travis Kelce and left her ties to Matty Healy and Joe Alwyn.

Fans had hoped the romance would quickly inspire the 35-year old to pen new material, particularly as Tortured Poets Department came so soon on the back of her previous record, Midnights. However, nothing has been forthcoming since Taylor embarked on a well earned break after performing a staggering 152 dates around the world.

Now, however, fans believe they have spotted a number of “Easter eggs”, which point to the name of her 12th album and its imminent release.

Superfan Britton Rae took to Twitter to say that the Shake It Off singer’s album would be titled “Postcards” and would be released in August.

Taylor Swift’s website has undergone a bit of a rebrand, with new font, new color, and blue and white font, Britton explained in a video.

If you bought anything, you could get these postcards, two of which are in black and one of them is in color, according to Britton. The only music video we received from Tortured Poets Department was in black and white, which may be related to the fact that it is a double album. “

The color image, according to Britton, might represent the coming “new era,” which would leave the black and white behind and enter a new era of color into the day.

She also highlighted the new font on the back of the postcard, whilst a QR code takes you to the Bad Blood singer’s website, which states ‘Discover more’. “It could be saying discover more merch, but perhaps it’s literally saying ‘more’ is coming,” Britton said, before telling viewers she’d seen a Reddit discussion in which it had been proposed that ‘Postcards’ would be a collection of memories she had made on tour.

“Just think about what this could be mean – each postcard could be a letter to her fans back home and all of her listeners,” Britton added. “It makes perfect sense to me because there is some level of continuity that Taylor Swift maintains throughout all her eras.

She frequently refers to her songs as letters because “we can think of so many songs where she has said something similar to writing letters.” What if she continues to lean into that for the rest of her life after doing it before? “

For instance, Britton cited the fact that Midnights’ final song, Hits Different, ends with the lyrics, “Have they come come take me away? ” Following Fortnight’s, “I was supposed to be sent away, but they forgot to come and get me,” the Tortured Poets Department follows.

Who was the first artist to feature in “Fortnight”? Britton referred to Post-Malone. “Post. And in the final phrase of The Manuscript, it says, “The only thing left is the manuscript/One last souvenir from my trip to your shores,” which is a common souvenir? Postcards ! “

Briston concluded, “This just makes too many Easter eggs make sense to me. “

Another fan said, “THIS is an easter egg that makes sense, not the other ones that involve complicated and nonsensical math.” “

What if Postcards were the live performances of the acoustic surprise songs? “

The Wanted’s Max George, who announced that he had a pacemaker fitted last year, has shared an update with fans just months after undergoing heart surgery for a second time

Singer Max George has shared an update with fans just months after announcing that he had heart surgery for a second time. He revealed this morning that he has returned to hospital, with him sharing a photo from the visit.

Max, 36, had a pacemaker fitted in December after sharing with fans that he had a ‘block’ in his heart. The Wanted member then revealed in February that he had a second surgery after having “physical symptoms” in his chest.

He has kept fans updated throughout the experience through posts on social media, like over his return to work. It included Max joining his partner Maisie Smith on the UK tour for Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds earlier this year.

Max has now shared another update on Instagram. This morning, he shared a photo from the Cardiology & Chest Clinic at an undisclosed hospital. It showed an empty corridor outside the clinic and Max didn’t write a caption.

He has previously spoken about having check-ups after having his pacemaker fitted last year. Max told fans shortly after the initial procedure in December: “I’m in the hospital tomorrow for another check-up because I’ve been getting this like flicking feeling in the left hand side of my chest.”

Max asked fans if they had any experience with the symptom. He also said: “Maybe it’s touching a nerve and it will go away in time, or they may have to move the wires slightly but I’m all ears because all I’m doing at the moment is y’know doing research and stuff cause I know nothing about pacemakers.”

His first pacemaker surgery came just just weeks after he had announced that doctors had found “issues” with his heart. Max had previously shared with his followers: “I felt really unwell and was taken in to hospital. Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart.”

He revealed that he had the pacemaker fitted weeks later. Max said in a post on Instagram at the time: “Pacemaker is in. Operation took around 2 and a half hours. The main issue being some of my veins had collapsed where the wires were meant to go … but I’m hoping everything turns out ok.”

After subsequent updates, Max shared in February that he had his second procedure. He said: “A few weeks ago I had to go back into hospital after having some physical symptoms in my chest. It turned out that one of the leads was placed too far into my heart. The second pacemaker surgery took about 2 hours.”

Max added: “It’s been a setback, but it’s just one of those things. I’ve had a few complications the last couple of months but I’m having loads of tests to make sure everything is all good. It could take a few weeks / months for the inflammation of my heart to subside, but I’m sure I’ll be back on top form in no time.”

The following month, just days before posting about going “back to work,” Max said that he was feeling “stronger”. He wrote in a post that was uploaded in March: “Round 2 seems a distance memory … feeling so much stronger every day!”

Some customers who believed they had secured a jar of Meghan Markle’s new apricot spread were sent emails saying their orders could not be fulfilled

Meghan Markle has been forced to give away some of her jam for free after an awkward glitch on her As Ever website. Last month, Meghan dropped brand new items from her lifestyle brand, including an apricot spread, as well as restocking other products including her flower sprinkles.

But it has emerged that some customers who thought they had secured the £7 apricot spread have now been sent emails telling them that they would not be receiving the products, due to high demand. And to rectify the situation, not only would they be receiving a full refund but also be sent a jar of the spread for free when it is back in stock.

The email sent to customers said: “‘Due to high demand, we are unable to fulfil your order of the apricot spread at this time. We are refunding the purchase of this item by the end of this week.

“In addition to the refund, we want you to know that when the apricot spread is back in stock, you will be the first to receive it, free of charge.”

The glitch emerged as Meghan’s new rose wine, which is said to “capture the essence of sun-drenched outdoor moments” and costs more than £20 a bottle, sold out within an hour yesterday.

Meghan launched her As Ever Napa Valley Rose 2023, described as having “soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality, and a lasting finish”, on Tuesday. The beverage, priced at more than £65 for a minimum three-bottle order, had only appeared to be available for US customers to buy, with shipping addresses limited to America.

The wine went on sale at 4pm UK time, but the site was updated less than an hour later to signal stocks were sold out.

In a post on Instagram, the duchess’ As Ever brand said: “It’s here! Raise a glass to the newest addition to the As Ever family. Our beautiful Napa Valley rose is now available”. A short clip showed the wine being poured into a glass, with an accompanying sound.

The pale pink wine, in a clear bottle with a white gold-rimmed label, was launched on a dedicated wine.asever.com where an over-21 birth date must be inputted to enter and where the drink was described as: “A delicately balanced rose with soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality, and a lasting finish.”

The site adds: “Reminiscent of the finest Provencal styles, it’s crisp, pale in color, and effortlessly elegant – crafted for slow afternoons and golden-hour gatherings. This rose captures the essence of sun-drenched outdoor moments through its thoughtfully crafted blend.”

The wine was not available to buy in orders of less than three bottles. Three bottles cost 90 US dollars (£65.64), six bottles cost 159 dollars (£115.97) including a 12 per cent discount, and 12 bottles are priced at 300 dollars (£218.81) including a 17 per cent discount.

Shipping, which begins on July 9, costs an additional flat rate 20 dollars (£14.59) per order. Napa Valley wine country is in northern California, around 50 miles from San Francisco.

Love Island bombshell Helena Ford looks unrecognisable in a selection of throwback snaps as she embarks on her second love triangle in the villa with Harry Cooksley

Helena Ford is almost unrecognisable in throwback photos that have resurfaced from her past. The 29-year-old blonde bombshell has been making waves in the Love Island villa, catching the attention of both Harrison Solomon and Harry Cooksley.

Fans of the popular ITV2 dating show have dug up old photos of a younger Helena, showcasing a drastic transformation. A TikTok user shared a series of pictures, leaving many fans stunned.

The comment section was flooded with reactions, with one user exclaiming: “I gasped (shocked emoji)”. Another fan added: “No way,” while a third person typed: “She’s such a stunner.”

Helena is currently paired with bombshell Giorgio Russo, but has found herself in her second love triangle in just three weeks. She made a move on Harrison, earning her the label “sneak b***h” from love rival Toni Laites, who was coupled up with the footballer.

Helena and Harrison shared a steamy kiss in the Hideaway, leading Toni to end her romance with him over his “sneaky” snog. However, it seems Helena still has “unfinished business” with former flame Harry, which has left his partner Shakira Khan fuming, reports OK!.

During a game of Snog, Marry and Pie, Helena chose to snog Harry, saying: “It’s been a while and I wanted to test the waters.” Harry left his partner Shakira shocked when he chose to kiss Helena, candidly confessing, “There’s undeniable sexual chemistry.”

Tensions rose again with the return of the Heart Rate Challenge. Helena got closer to Harry with a rather explicit proposition in an attempt to spike his heart rate.

As she sucked on his finger, she whispered naughtily: “I can’t wait to f*** you!” – a comment that visibly rocked Harry. Dejon Noel-Williams was seen gaping as Harrison relayed Helena’s risqué remark, leading everyone to question whether it’s merely a strategic move to influence his pulse or if her attraction to Harry is real.

On Monday night, the power was given to the boys as they were able to pick who to couple up with. It was Ben who made a shock move as he chose to couple up with Helena, leaving Harrison in the dark.

Despite having snogged Helena in the previous challenge, Harry chose to recouple with Shakira, but the villa was in for a shock when Ben chose to couple up with Helena. It was then down to Harrison, and without the option of Helena, he decided to couple up with Toni once again.

That left Conor and Alima in a friendship couple, after both Megan and Remell were sent home earlier in the week. Fans were left shocked with Ben’s choice, and although he said he needed to go with the girl he was vibing with the most – fans suspected it meant they were the next to be dumped.

After the recoupling, Helena went over to speak to Harrison, who said he had prepared to pick her, even having planned out his whole recoupling speech.

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