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By Angelica Medina SANTA CLARA, California, Feb 8 (Reuters) – Bad Bunny transformed Levi's Stadium into a vibrant homage to Puerto Rico during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a high-energy journey through the island's culture complete with a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga and a tribute from reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee. Clad in a white suit, Bad Bunny opened with "Tití Me Preguntó" while walking through vignettes of Puerto Rican life – farmers in traditional pava hats, domino players, and boxers – before launching into "Voy a Llevarte Pa PR." The performance hit its stride at a secondary stage dubbed "La Casita," where he sang "Safaera", before blazing through Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" and his own hits "EoO". A staged wedding featuring the iconic La Rana Concho that appeared on the stadium screens set the scene for Lady Gaga's surprise entrance, with the pop superstar joining him for "Baile Inolvidable" before transitioning to "New York" in what appeared to be a nod to his recent Grammy win. Ricky Martin emerged for "Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawai" as Bad Bunny hoisted the Puerto Rican flag and performed "El Apagón," the stadium erupting in light before he delivered "Café Con Ron." "The only thing more powerful than hate is love," was shown in the stadium, closing with the title track from his Grammy-winning album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos." The halftime spectacular marked a historic moment for Latin music on America's biggest stage, following last year's record-breaking Kendrick Lamar performance that drew more than 130 million viewers, with Bad Bunny using the platform to celebrate his heritage while cementing reggaeton's place in mainstream American culture. The choice of Bad Bunny, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, to feature in the halftime show drew a rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump and other conservatives over the entertainer's outspoken criticism of U.S. immigration policy. Seattle were leading New England 9-0 at halftime. (Reporting by Angelica Medina in Santa Clara; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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By Angelica Medina SANTA CLARA, California, Feb 8 (Reuters) – Bad Bunny transformed Levi's Stadium into a vibrant homage to Puerto Rico during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a high-energy journey through the island's culture complete with a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga and a tribute from reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee. Clad in a white suit, Bad Bunny opened with "Tití Me Preguntó" while walking through vignettes of Puerto Rican life – farmers in traditional pava hats, domino players, and boxers – before launching into "Voy a Llevarte Pa PR." The performance hit its stride at a secondary stage dubbed "La Casita," where he sang "Safaera", before blazing through Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" and his own hits "EoO". A staged wedding featuring the iconic La Rana Concho that appeared on the stadium screens set the scene for Lady Gaga's surprise entrance, with the pop superstar joining him for "Baile Inolvidable" before transitioning to "New York" in what appeared to be a nod to his recent Grammy win. Ricky Martin emerged for "Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawai" as Bad Bunny hoisted the Puerto Rican flag and performed "El Apagón," the stadium erupting in light before he delivered "Café Con Ron." "The only thing more powerful than hate is love," was shown in the stadium, closing with the title track from his Grammy-winning album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos." The halftime spectacular marked a historic moment for Latin music on America's biggest stage, following last year's record-breaking Kendrick Lamar performance that drew more than 130 million viewers, with Bad Bunny using the platform to celebrate his heritage while cementing reggaeton's place in mainstream American culture. The choice of Bad Bunny, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, to feature in the halftime show drew a rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump and other conservatives over the entertainer's outspoken criticism of U.S. immigration policy. Seattle were leading New England 9-0 at halftime. (Reporting by Angelica Medina in Santa Clara; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Angelica Medina SANTA CLARA, California, Feb 8 (Reuters) – Bad Bunny transformed Levi's Stadium into a vibrant homage to Puerto Rico during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a high-energy journey through the island's culture complete with a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga and a tribute from reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee. Clad in a white suit, Bad Bunny opened with "Tití Me Preguntó" while walking through vignettes of Puerto Rican life – farmers in traditional pava hats, domino players, and boxers – before launching into "Voy a Llevarte Pa PR." The performance hit its stride at a secondary stage dubbed "La Casita," where he sang "Safaera", before blazing through Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" and his own hits "EoO". A staged wedding featuring the iconic La Rana Concho that appeared on the stadium screens set the scene for Lady Gaga's surprise entrance, with the pop superstar joining him for "Baile Inolvidable" before transitioning to "New York" in what appeared to be a nod to his recent Grammy win. Ricky Martin emerged for "Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawai" as Bad Bunny hoisted the Puerto Rican flag and performed "El Apagón," the stadium erupting in light before he delivered "Café Con Ron." "The only thing more powerful than hate is love," was shown in the stadium, closing with the title track from his Grammy-winning album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos." The halftime spectacular marked a historic moment for Latin music on America's biggest stage, following last year's record-breaking Kendrick Lamar performance that drew more than 130 million viewers, with Bad Bunny using the platform to celebrate his heritage while cementing reggaeton's place in mainstream American culture. The choice of Bad Bunny, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, to feature in the halftime show drew a rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump and other conservatives over the entertainer's outspoken criticism of U.S. immigration policy. Seattle were leading New England 9-0 at halftime. (Reporting by Angelica Medina in Santa Clara; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Jack Queen NEW YORK, Feb 7 (Reuters) – Brad Arnold, a founder and lead singer of American rock band 3 Doors Down, died on Saturday, nine months after disclosing that he had kidney cancer, the group said. He was 47.  Arnold said in a May 2025 social media video that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage clear cell renal carcinoma that had spread to one of his lungs. 3 Doors Down canceled their planned 2025 summer tour because of his illness.  3 Doors Down, formed in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi, rose to popularity in 2000 with the Arnold-penned single "Kryptonite," which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other hits included "When I'm Gone" and "Here Without You," both top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The band has been described as post-grunge, alternative rock and hard rock.  "As a founding member, vocalist and original drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners," the band said in a statement posted on its official Instagram account. Arnold died peacefully surrounded by loved ones including his wife Jennifer, according to the statement. The statement did not state where Arnold died. "Above all, he was a devoted husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humor and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him," the band's statement said. "Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith and deep love for his family and friends." (Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Sergio Non and Will Dunham)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Steve Gorman Feb 6 (Reuters) – Actor Timothy Busfield, known for his U.S. prime-time roles on "The West Wing" and "Thirtysomething," was indicted on child sex offense charges on Friday, accused of groping a young boy on the set of a television show he was directing and producing. The four-count indictment, returned by a grand jury in New Mexico, came a little more than two weeks after a state court judge found the evidence previously lodged against Busfield by prosecutors to be "neutral" and ordered him freed from pre-trial detention. Busfield, 68, who surrendered to authorities last month in Albuquerque when he was first charged in a criminal complaint, has steadfastly professed his innocence, calling the allegations against him "lies." Prosecutors alleged in an affidavit accompanying the original complaint that Busfield had improperly touched two young cast members – twin boys – while directing the Fox TV drama "The Cleaning Lady." The show was filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city. The twins, now 11, reported that the alleged contact had occurred over a two-year period, when they were aged 7 and 8, during breaks in production, prosecutors said in the complaint. According to the affidavit, one of the boys reported multiple instances of Busfield touching his "private areas" over his clothes. His brother also reported being touched by Busfield, but was less specific, the affidavit said. The grand jury indictment, which supersedes the complaint, contains four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child, a third-degree felony in New Mexico, and is based on allegations that Busfield groped only one of the brothers. The indictment also contains no general charge of child abuse, as the complaint did, though the complaint carried just two counts of criminal sexual contact, rather than four. Busfield, who was an executive producer of the show and began directing episodes around the end of season two in 2022, said in a videotaped statement he released prior to his arrest last month, "I did not do anything to those little boys." In court last month, defense attorney Christopher Dodd described the boys' mother and father in court as "scam artists" who were out to exact "revenge" on Busfield after their sons were replaced in the cast of "The Cleaning Lady." Dodd also asserted that both boys had denied they were sexually abused by Busfield when they were first questioned by a law enforcement officer. An arraignment, in which the actor would enter a plea to the charges, was set for Feb. 16, according to Dodd. Busfield is best known for his prime-time television roles as a White House reporter on the NBC political drama "The West Wing," which ran from 1999 to 2006, and as an advertising agency executive on the 1980s ABC ensemble series "Thirtysomething." He also appeared in the 1989 baseball fantasy film "Field of Dreams." He is married to Melissa Gilbert, an actor and former president of the Screen Actors Guild. (Reporting and writing by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Paul Simao and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

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VEGA BAJA, Puerto Rico, Feb 6 (Reuters) – In the small coastal Puerto Rican town of Vega Baja, the global megastar who is about to command the world's biggest stage on Sunday is still just known as "Benito." Bad Bunny – whose given name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio – will make history when he headlines the Super Bowl LX halftime show in Santa Clara, California, bringing Spanish language and reggaeton rhythms to the annual American football spectacle. In Vega Baja, where street art depicting the superstar dots the landscape, locals remember the quiet kid who bagged groceries and served as an altar boy. At the Santisima Trinidad church in the Almirante Sur neighborhood, minister Jorge Rodriguez recalls young Benito attending mass with his mother. "He always came with his mom. For a while he served as an altar boy," Rodriguez said. "He was always very quiet, and he was always attentive to everything going on, with this drive to do things well and make them nice." At Juan Quirindongo Morell high school, janitor Nidia Vazquez remembers a responsible student. "He liked to write a lot. I think that even back then he was already writing to become what he is now," she said. After graduating in 2012, Bad Bunny worked at the local Econo Plaza supermarket, starting as a bagger before becoming a cashier. Four years later, he shot to international fame, going on to sell over 100 million records worldwide. Yet he hasn't forgotten home. Indeed, his latest, Grammy-winning, album is called "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" (I should have taken more photos) and is a celebration of his roots. Community leader and personal friend Edwin Marrero Santiago, sporting a "Mi barrio se levanta" (My neighborhood rises up) shirt, described Bad Bunny's charitable work, including rebuilding houses after Hurricane Maria. "For a kid from here in the neighborhood, raised here in this same community where I grew up… to see him succeed today on a worldwide level is without a doubt a pride," Marrero Santiago said. The community leader beamed about Bad Bunny's commitment to performing in Spanish at the Super Bowl. "That he truly carries the flag for our language, and not just Spanish, but the distinctive Spanish that we Puerto Ricans have… I am sure it is going to be something spectacular." (Reporting by Ricardo Ortiz, Paul Vieira, and Andrea Rodriguez. Writing by Angelica Medina; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VEGA BAJA, Puerto Rico, Feb 6 (Reuters) – In the small coastal Puerto Rican town of Vega Baja, the global megastar who is about to command the world's biggest stage on Sunday is still just known as "Benito." Bad Bunny – whose given name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio – will make history when he headlines the Super Bowl LX halftime show in Santa Clara, California, bringing Spanish language and reggaeton rhythms to the annual American football spectacle. In Vega Baja, where street art depicting the superstar dots the landscape, locals remember the quiet kid who bagged groceries and served as an altar boy. At the Santisima Trinidad church in the Almirante Sur neighborhood, minister Jorge Rodriguez recalls young Benito attending mass with his mother. "He always came with his mom. For a while he served as an altar boy," Rodriguez said. "He was always very quiet, and he was always attentive to everything going on, with this drive to do things well and make them nice." At Juan Quirindongo Morell high school, janitor Nidia Vazquez remembers a responsible student. "He liked to write a lot. I think that even back then he was already writing to become what he is now," she said. After graduating in 2012, Bad Bunny worked at the local Econo Plaza supermarket, starting as a bagger before becoming a cashier. Four years later, he shot to international fame, going on to sell over 100 million records worldwide. Yet he hasn't forgotten home. Indeed, his latest, Grammy-winning, album is called "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" (I should have taken more photos) and is a celebration of his roots. Community leader and personal friend Edwin Marrero Santiago, sporting a "Mi barrio se levanta" (My neighborhood rises up) shirt, described Bad Bunny's charitable work, including rebuilding houses after Hurricane Maria. "For a kid from here in the neighborhood, raised here in this same community where I grew up… to see him succeed today on a worldwide level is without a doubt a pride," Marrero Santiago said. The community leader beamed about Bad Bunny's commitment to performing in Spanish at the Super Bowl. "That he truly carries the flag for our language, and not just Spanish, but the distinctive Spanish that we Puerto Ricans have… I am sure it is going to be something spectacular." (Reporting by Ricardo Ortiz, Paul Vieira, and Andrea Rodriguez. Writing by Angelica Medina; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Danielle Broadway LOS ANGELES, Feb 6 (Reuters) – American rapper Lil Jon said on Friday that his son, Nathan Smith, has died, the record producer confirmed in a joint statement with Smith’s mother.   "I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother (Nicole Smith) and I are devastated,” the statement said. Lil Jon described his son as an “amazingly talented young man” who was a music producer, artist, engineer, and a New York University graduate.  “Thank you for all of the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last several days. Thank you to the entire Milton police department involved,” the “Snap Yo Fingers” rapper added.  A missing persons report was filed on Tuesday for Smith in Milton, Georgia, authorities said in a post on the Milton government website.  Police officials added that a broader search for Smith, also known by the stage name DJ Young Slade, led divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department to recover a body from a pond near his home on Friday. "The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office,” the post continued.  While no foul play is suspected, the Milton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division will be investigating the events surrounding Smith’s death.  Lil Jon is a Grammy‑winning rapper known for a string of chart‑topping hits and collaborations, including “Get Low,” “Turn Down for What” and “Shots.”  (Reporting by Danielle BroadwayEditing by Rod Nickel)

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By Keith Weir, Elvira Pollina and Julien Pretot MILAN/CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 6 (Reuters) – Italy launched the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday with a slick and colourful ceremony that celebrated the country's history, arts and fashion but where global political tensions surfaced in the crowd reaction. Italian President Sergio Mattarella formally declared the Games open at the main event in Milan's San Siro stadium as part of an unprecedented show that also linked to celebrations in co-host Cortina d'Ampezzo, more than 400 km (250 miles) away in the Dolomites. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among the crowd in the iconic soccer stadium for the performance entitled "Armonia" (Harmony) that lasted three and a half hours. Vance, who has been strongly critical of Europe, drew jeers in the stadium when an image of him waving the U.S. flag appeared on a big screen. The announcement of the Israeli team prompted some booing in Milan over the loud soundtrack, but there were cheers in Cortina. Israel has a team of 10 in Italy. The group of five athletes from Ukraine in Milan drew huge cheers. TWIN CAULDRONS LIT IN MILAN AND CORTINA International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said the Games should bring people together. "Let these Games be a celebration of what unites us – of everything that makes us human." "This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be – together," she added. For the first time, two Olympic cauldrons, one of the symbols of the Games, were lit simultaneously and will burn throughout – one at Milan's Arco della Pace (Peace Arch) and the other in Cortina's Piazza Dibona. Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, two of Italy's most successful Alpine skiers who both won three Olympic gold medals, lit the cauldron at the 19th century Milan monument. Sofia Goggia, one of Italy’s top medal hopes for these Games, did the honours in Cortina. She became the first Italian woman to win an Olympic downhill gold at the 2018 edition. MARIAH CAREY GOT THE PARTY STARTED U.S. pop diva Mariah Carey had got the party started in a unique opening ceremony combining elements from the co-hosts, seeking to reflect both city and mountain life. Carey performed the 1950s Italian song "Nel blu, dipinto di blu" ("In the blue, painted in blue") with its famous "Volare" ("To fly") refrain to cheers in the stadium. Mattarella had been introduced to the fans via a recorded video clip in which the 84-year-old was seen travelling through the city on one of Milan's historic trams. The show also included a tribute to the late Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who made Milan his base and died last September. The ceremony celebrated the diversity of Italian life, from fashionable Milan to the smaller mountain towns in the Alps that host the outdoor events at the Games, which run until February 22. Athletes also paraded in the mountain venues of Livigno and Predazzo, in a Games spread over 22,000 square kilometres. INITIAL CONFUSION IN CORTINA There was some initial confusion over access in Cortina. Loredana Vido, from Padova, owner of a second home in Cortina, was blocked at the start of Corso Italia, the town's main street, and said: “We were not told that everything would be closed off. We were told it was free entry.” But some competitors in Cortina were pleased to get a slice of the action without having to trek to Milan, and they mixed with one another after their parades.  "Do I wish I was at the full one? Kind of. Am I happy I don't have to spend 10 hours on a bus that day? Yes," said Austin Florian, part of the U.S. skeleton team. In the outdoor event in Livigno, at the foot of the snowboard and freeski runs, a thin crowd of locals and tourists gathered to watch the main ceremony in Milan on screens, as athletes in the small Alpine town walked in the snow, in sync with delegations at the San Siro. PROTESTS IN MILAN A series of protests took place on Friday, with more planned over the weekend, in the Italian financial capital to oppose the presence of analysts from a department that falls under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Italy's government has said the controversy is unfounded, with ICE personnel not on the streets during the Olympics and only operatives from its Homeland Security Investigations in Italy working out of U.S. diplomatic missions. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has also said no agents from ICE were providing security for Team USA. More local issues such as the closure of schools and streets in the city have also irked some Milanese. (Additonal reporting by Giselda Vagnoni in Milan and Mitch Phillips in Cortina;Writing by Keith Weir; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Toby Davis and Alison Williams)

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By Keith Weir, Elvira Pollina and Julien Pretot MILAN/CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 6 (Reuters) – Italian President Sergio Mattarella officially opened the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday during a colourful ceremony that celebrated his country's history, arts and fashion but where political tensions surfaced. Mattarella, 84, spoke at the main event in Milan's San Siro stadium as part of an unprecedented show that also linked to celebrations in co-host Cortina d'Ampezzo, more than 400 km (250 miles) away in the Dolomites. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among the crowd in the iconic soccer stadium and political controversies were evident in some of the crowd reactions. Vance drew jeers in the stadium when an image of him waving the U.S. flag appeared on a big screen. The announcement of the Israeli team prompted some booing in Milan over the loud soundtrack, but there were cheers in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Games co-host that was part of a unique joint opening ceremony. Israel has a team of 10 in Italy. The group of five athletes from Ukraine in Milan drew huge cheers. CALL FOR UNITY International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said the Games should bring people together. "Let these Games be a celebration of what unites us – of everything that makes us human." "This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be – together," she added. U.S. pop diva Mariah Carey had got the party started in a unique opening ceremony combining elements from the co-hosts, seeking to reflect both city and mountain life. Carey performed the 1950s Italian song "Nel blu, dipinto di blu" ("In the blue, painted in blue") with its famous "Volare" ("To fly") refrain to cheers in the stadium. CEREMONY SPREAD ACROSS VENUES Mattarella was earlier introduced to the fans via a recorded video clip in which the 84-year-old was seen travelling through the city on one of Milan's historic trams.  The opening stages also included a tribute to the late Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who made Milan his base and died last September. Cortina played a supporting role in the celebrations in a spectacle entitled "Armonia" (Harmony) designed for a huge global audience on television and online. Athletes also paraded in the mountain venues of Livigno and Predazzo, in a Games spread over 22,000 square kilometres. The ceremony celebrated the diversity of Italian life, from fashionable Milan to the smaller mountain towns in the Alps that host the outdoor events at the Games, which run until February 22. There was some initial confusion over access in Cortina. Loredana Vido, from Padova, owner of a second home in Cortina, was blocked at the start of Corso Italia, the town's main street, and said: “We were not told that everything would be closed off. We were told it was free entry.” But some in Cortina were pleased to get a slice of the action without having to trek to Milan and back. "Do I wish I was at the full one? Kind of. Am I happy I don't have to spend 10 hours on a bus that day? Yes," said Austin Florian, part of the U.S. skeleton team. In the outdoor event in Livigno, at the foot of the snowboard and freeski runs, a thin crowd of locals and tourists gathered to watch the main ceremony in Milan on screens, as athletes in the small Alpine town walked in the snow, in sync with delegations at the San Siro. TWO CAULDRONS TO BURN For the first time, two Olympic cauldrons, one of the symbols of the Games, will be lit simultaneously and burn throughout – one at Milan's Arco della Pace (Peace Arch) and the other in Cortina's Piazza Dibona. Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, two of Italy's most successful Alpine skiers, have been tipped to have the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldrons, but the names of those involved and the format have not been disclosed. A series of protests took place on Friday, with more planned over the weekend, in the Italian financial capital to oppose the presence of analysts from a department that falls under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). More local issues such as the closure of schools and streets in the city have also irked some Milanese. Milan enjoyed a sunny afternoon and the mood outside the stadium was festive as crowds built up. David Arwood, 59, from Washington, D.C., was attending his fifth opening ceremony and did not expect political controversies to spoil the party. "The Olympics always reflect what's going on in the world," said Arwood, who was wearing novelty glasses featuring the five Olympic rings. "But I think once the Games start, people tend to forget most of that stuff. It's controversial beforehand, but once the ceremony starts, once the athletes come in I think everybody has a good camaraderie," he added. ($1 = 0.8462 euros) (Additonal reporting by Giselda Vagnoni in Milan and Mitch Phillips in Cortina;Writing by Keith Weir; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Toby Davis and Alison Williams)

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