BIGBANG brings songs to Coachella in their long-awaited festival appearance
BIGBANG brings songs to Coachella in their long-awaited festival appearance
MANILA (UPDATE) — K-pop superstars BIGBANG unleashed a succession of hit songs as they took the Coachella stage on Monday, completing a long-awaited appearance that coincided with the group’s 20th anniversary celebration.
The group had been scheduled to perform at the popular US event in 2020; however, the show was canceled because of the COVID-19 epidemic.
G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung took the stage at the festival’s Outdoor Theatre on Monday for their much-anticipated performance.
Their performance lasted slightly over an hour and included a combination of music that drove them to South Korean chart success as well as international attention.
“It is very lovely to finally meet you in person.” “This is a moment I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time,” Daesung shared at the beginning of the performance.
With flames exploding from the stage’s perimeter, the group began their performance with the high-energy “BANG BANG BANG” before transitioning to their other iconic singles “Fantastic Baby” and “Sober.”
The atmosphere became more casual when they performed “A Fool of Tears” from their debut full-length album in 2006, followed by “Loser,” “Haru Haru,” and “Lies.”
Taeyang and G-Dragon each took the spotlight with their own stages, performing Ringa Linga and Power, before coming back together to deliver Good Boy as a duo.
Daesung, meanwhile, introduced trot, a prominent South Korean genre, to the Coachella stage with performances of “HANDO-CHOGUA” and “Look at Me, Gwisun.”
The trio’s 16-track compilation culminated in the song “Still Life,” which featured the vocals of former member T.O.P., who announced his “withdrawal” from the group in 2023.
BIG THINGS TO COME!
Before closing up, Taeyang stated that their Coachella performance “means a lot to us.”
BIGBANG brings songs to Coachella in their long-awaited festival appearance
“I’m so grateful to share our music and our passion with all of you,” he told the audience, which included several BIGBANG fans waving light sticks.
G-Dragon, the group’s leader, teased: “This year marks BIGBANG’s 20th anniversary, and it has only just begun.” “We’ve got some big things coming up.”
Yang Hyun-suk, executive producer of BIGBANG’s company, YG Entertainment, had announced that the group would go on a global tour this year to commemorate their 20th anniversary.
BIGBANG wasn’t the sole K-pop group to take the stage at Coachella. Taemin of SHINee performed on stage at the Mojave Tent the day before.
Meanwhile, KATSEYE, a transnational female group affiliated with K-pop due to their co-management with HYBE, played on the Sahara Stage.
BIGBANG will perform at Coachella again during the festival’s second weekend.
BIGBANG, one of South Korea’s most famous boy bands, debuted in 2006 and has sold at least 140 million records worldwide.
BIGBANG, which was originally a five-member group, lost Seungri in 2019 when he departed from show business owing to several issues, including prostitution mediation and embezzlement.
Montana meets myth: The "Yellowstone" fantasy has a price tag now
Montana meets myth: The “Yellowstone” fantasy has a price tag now
Montana’s ranch area, formerly typified by vast terrain, productive cattle ranches, and calm valleys, is being altered by Hollywood narrative and a growing demand for a very specific type of Western ideal.
At the heart of it is a 357-acre ranch near Darby, Montana, known as Two Feathers Ranch, which is loosely associated with Yellowstone and is currently marketed for $16.3 million. Set in the Bitterroot Valley, the ranch combines irrigated pastureland, Black Angus cattle operations, and sweeping mountain views that have come to represent Montana’s cinematic identity.
With over 200 acres of irrigated crops, almost 2,500 feet of Tin Cup Creek frontage, and a 7,000-square-foot main residence, as well as guest and manager homes, it is a rare blend of working ranch and luxury estate.
The property’s attractiveness stems not only from its size but also from its proximity to the show’s real-world setting, acreage related to the actual Chief Joseph Ranch, which helped anchor the fictitious Dutton universe. Though it appears just briefly on screen, its association with the series has contributed to its market value, as purchasers increasingly seek residences that seem like they fit in the world they’ve seen on television.
Montana meets myth: The “Yellowstone” fantasy has a price tag now
That impact has become a defining factor in Montana real estate. According to industry representatives, the “Yellowstone effect” has helped transform ranch listings into high-demand properties, attracting purchasers looking for more than just property; they want ambiance, character, and a Montana molded by story as much as location.
Even after the performance ends in 2024, its cultural impact lingers throughout the state. Tourists continue to visit filming locations, and ranch agents indicate a strong interest in assets associated with the series.
What was formerly predominantly cattle country has become a symbol of ambition, with Montana’s landscapes being conceived, marketed, and increasingly sold as part of a modern Western narrative.
2026 NBA playoff bracket: matchups, schedule, and postseason field finalized
2026 NBA playoff bracket: matchups, schedule, and postseason field finalized
The NBA playoff bracket for 2026 has been decided. All 20 seeds have been locked in, and the postseason begins on Tuesday with the Play-In Tournament. On Sunday, the Raptors clinched the final top-six seed and a playoff berth in the East, while the Nuggets defeated the Lakers to secure the No. 3 seed in the West.
The Play-In Tournament will run through Friday, with the first round of the playoffs beginning on Saturday (April 18). The play-in will determine the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference, but we already know four of the eight first-round games.
In the East, the No. 3 Knicks will face the No. 6 Hawks, while the No. 4 Cavaliers will take on the No. 5 Raptors. In the West, the Nuggets face the Timberwolves in the conference’s 3-6 matchup, while the Lakers face the Rockets in the 4-5 matchup.
The Pistons, Celtics, Thunder, and Spurs await the victors of the Play-In Tournament. The Celtics, as the East’s second seed, will play either the 76ers or the Magic in the first round, while the Spurs will face either the Suns or the Trail Blazers in Victor Wembanyama’s playoff debut.
Here’s the now-official 2026 NBA playoff bracket.
2026 NBA Playoff Picture and Postseason Bracket Play-in Tournament
East:
No. 7 76ers vs. No. 8 Magic; No. 9 Hornets vs. No. 10 Heat. 10 Heat
West:
No. 7 Suns vs. No. 8 Trail Blazers | No. 9 Clippers vs. No. 10 Warriors.
East first round:
No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 8 TBD, No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 TBD, No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Hawks, No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Raptors.
2026 NBA playoff bracket: matchups, schedule, and postseason field finalized
West first round:
No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 TBD, No. 2 Spurs vs. No. 7 TBD, No. 3 Nuggets vs. No. 6 Timberwolves, and No. 4 Lakers vs. No. 5 Rockets.
Play-In Tournament Schedule Tuesday, April 14.
Hornets vs. Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime—The loser is eliminated from the postseason.
Suns vs. Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. ET, Prime—The winner of this game will receive the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. Wednesday, April 15
76ers against. Magic, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime — Winner receives the East No. 7 seed.
Clippers against. The game between the Warriors and the Clippers starts at 10 p.m. ET on Prime, and the loser will be eliminated from the postseason.
Friday, April 17.
76ers/Magic vs. Hornets/Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime—Winner receives the East No. 8 seed; loser is ousted from the postseason.
Suns/Trail Blazers vs. Clippers/Warriors, 10 p.m. ET, Prime—Winner receives West No. 8 seed; loser is ousted from postseason. 2026 NBA playoff schedule All times are Eastern. Fubo streams ABC and ESPN games (try it for free).
Saturday, April 18.
No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Raptors, 1 p.m., Prime
No. 3 Nuggets vs. No. 6 Timberwolves, 3:30 p.m., Prime
No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Hawks, 6 p.m., Prime
No. 4 Lakers vs. No. 5 Rockets, 8:30 p.m., ABC/fubo
Sunday, April 19:
No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Raptors, 1 p.m., Prime; No. 3 Nuggets vs. No. 6 Timberwolves, 3:30 p.m., Prime; No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Hawks, 6 p.m., Prime; No. 4 Lakers vs. No. 5 Rockets, 8:30 p.m., ABC/fubo.
No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 TBD, 1 p.m., ABC/fubo; No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 TBD, 3:30 p.m., ABC/fubo; No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 8 TBD, 6:30 p.m., NBC; No. 2 Spurs vs. No. 7 TBD, 9 p.m.
Key dates for the 2026 NBA playoffs.
April 18-19: First-round series begins.
May 2-4: The second round begins.
May 10: 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.
May 19: The Eastern Conference Finals begin.
May 20: The Western Conference Finals begin.
June 3: NBA Finals Game 1
June 19, NBA Finals Game 7
Ezequiel Avila has +230 anytime goal odds, and Real Betis needs a finisher against Osasuna
Ezequiel Avila has +230 anytime goal odds, and Real Betis needs a finisher against Osasuna
Ezequiel Avila enters Real Betis’ next LaLiga encounter against CA Osasuna with anytime goalscorer odds of +230, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The game is scheduled for April 12 at 8:00 a.m. ET at Estadio El Sadar and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The betting market represents a player with a modest but significant scoring record this season. Avila has one goal in LaLiga, and his anticipated goal total of 1.0 corresponds closely to that production.
Avila’s +230 pricing suggests a less-than-longshot likelihood of scoring, but it does not imply that he is the obvious favorite to score. In prop betting jargon, the number usually indicates a player with some finishing potential but enough uncertainty to keep the price appealing.
Anytime goal goalscorer chances are +230.
Expected goals this season: 1.0.
Actual goals this season: 1
Penalty goals: 1 in 1 attempt
Total shots: four.
Shots on target: One.
These results are significant since they represent a small yet efficient scoring sample. Avila hasn’t taken many shots, but he has converted one of them, including a penalty.
Form and Team Context
Real Betis enters following a 0-0 tie with Espanyol, in which it outshot its opponent 17-8 but was unable to break through. That outcome demonstrates Betis’ ability to generate volume, which strengthens the case for attacking players even when the final score remains modest.
Betis had 44 goals in 30 league games, ranking sixth in LaLiga in this statistic. Osasuna’s defense has allowed 37 goals in 30 games, ranking sixth in the league.
This matchup is important for goal props because both teams have shown strong offensive and defensive capabilities.
Osasuna’s own attacking and defensive numbers contribute to a balanced profile for the game. The club has scored 36 goals in 30 matches and has a goal differential that keeps it in the center of the league, implying that this game will not be lopsided in favor of one team.
Ezequiel Avila has +230 anytime goal odds, and Real Betis needs a finisher against Osasuna
Avila believes that minutes, service, and shot volume are the most important questions. A player with only four total shots this season can still cash an anytime scoring prop, but they usually require efficient chances or a set-piece opportunity to do so.
Betting props remain volatile because odds fluctuate quickly and individual scoring opportunities are strongly influenced by lineup decisions and match flow. Avila’s profile implies a narrow but viable scoring path, particularly if Real Betis maintains possession and converts its shooting volume into cleaner opportunities in the final third.
Avila’s price is consistent with a player who has demonstrated enough efficiency to stay on the board, while the team’s overall attacking figures and Osasuna’s defensive record provide context for why he remains important on the market.
Tracker Season 3 Confirms Major Character Returns for Finale
Tracker Season 3 Confirms Major Character Returns for Finale
Justin Hartley is the driving force behind the popular CBS series. The actor portrays Colter Shaw, an experienced tracker who travels the United States assisting local police enforcement and other organizations in exchange for a salary. The popular series is based on Jeffery Deaver’s 2019 book, The Never Game.
Despite being portrayed as a lone wolf, akin to Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher in Prime Video’s globally popular action series Reacher, Hartley’s Colter Shaw has a cast of characters that form his support squad. This approach has resulted in athletes such as Teddi Bruin, Velma Bruin, Bobby Exley, Reenie Greene, and Randy appearing in many seasons. However, another figure is more intimately associated with him, and he will return.
CBS has revealed the official details for Tracker season 3, episode 22, “The Best Ones,” stating that Jensen Ackles will reprise his role as Russell Shaw, assisting his brother, Hartley’s Colter, in finding the victim of a malicious research experiment. The season finale of the CBS series will air on May 24 at 9 p.m. ET. Ken Olin directed the Tracker season 3 finale, which Elwood Reid and Travis Donnelly wrote.
Ackles, who is now playing Soldier Boy in the fifth and final season of Prime Video’s superhero blockbuster The Boys debuted as Russell Shaw in Tracker season 1, episode 12, “Off the Books.” Their interaction helped Colter realize that his brother was not involved in their father’s death, bringing an end to their estrangement.
Ackles reprised his role as Russell in the first two episodes of season 3. He was last seen on October 26, 2025, in the film “Leverage,” in which Russell and Colter attempted to uncover the secrets of The Process. It was a system that blackmailed people into committing crimes or facing the death of their loved ones.
Tracker Season 3 Confirms Major Character Returns for Finale
By the end of season 3, episode 2, the duo had destroyed the algorithm that powered The Process, effectively dismantling the blackmail system and saving countless potential victims from being coerced into crime.
At the time of writing, Tracker season 3’s next episode is “Struck,” the season’s 16th. The CBS action series’ first season had only 13 episodes. Tracker was renewed for a second season of 20 episodes following its giant success. That number has increased even more in season 3, with the Shaw brothers’ final team-up being the 22nd episode.
While episode 22 will mark the conclusion of Tracker season 3, viewers of the CBS action series can expect more team-ups between Hartley and Ackles in the future. After all, Tracker was renewed for a fourth season on January 22, ensuring that the most-watched show on broadcast television remains on the air for the foreseeable future. The Shaw brothers’ reunion should provide insight on Tracker’s future.
What you should know about changes to the US military draft registration
What you should know about changes to the US military draft registration
The United States is revising Selective Service registration but has not revealed intentions for a draft.
The registration modifications were necessitated by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026.
Selective Service is transitioning to automatic registration for those who are eligible.
After Congress approved automatic registration in last year’s defense policy bill, which was signed into law in December, the Selective Service System presented guidelines in late March.
The SSS expects automatic registration of eligible men by December, which means that 18-year-old men in the United States will be automatically enlisted in the Selective Service’s database rather than having to fill out a form. The goal, according to SSS, is a “streamlined registration process.”
Driven by new regulations in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, this transition will transfer registration from something individuals do to something the government performs automatically using available federal data.
While some critics argue that the shift is a substantial alteration to Selective Service that might make it much simpler to seek the draft if necessary, politicians who support the reform have presented it as an update to bureaucratic systems that will save time and money.
What is Selective Service?
The United States adopted its first national conscription system during World War I and its first peacetime draft in 1940, before entering World War II, enrolling millions of men. The draft was employed for decades, particularly during the Vietnam War, when conscription became exceedingly unpopular.
The US military transitioned to an all-volunteer force in 1973, putting the Selective Service System on “deep standby” status, though registration was resumed in 1980 in case a draft was ever needed again.
Selective Service registration of eligible males—women are currently ineligible for the draft, though some have lobbied to modify this—is meant to allow for rapid mobilization in the event of a national emergency requiring a draft.
What you should know about changes to the US military draft registration
Failure to register for the draft is a felony charge punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a loss of benefits; however, prosecution is rare.
What is the draft?
The United States last used the draft in 1973, at the end of the Vietnam War. The Selective Service System now maintains a list of men aged 18 to 25 who may be called up if the draft were revived.
Approximately two-thirds of US military troops who served in Vietnam were volunteers, yet the draft still looms large in memories of the battle, having been a major source of dispute at the time.
More recently, discussions of a possible draft revived amid US military action against Iran, as concerns arose about whether the conflict may escalate and the US put soldiers on the ground in Iran.
The US carried out Operation Epic Fury, which is presently on hold due to a fragile ceasefire, without sending boots on the ground, but that potential loomed big, especially as thousands of Marines aboard amphibious assault ships arrived in the vicinity.
Early in the battle, Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business’ “Sunday Morning Futures” queried White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt about a draft and the likelihood of deploying American troops in Iran.
Karoline Leavitt said the idea isn’t included in the current strategy, though she emphasized that the president prefers to keep all possibilities open. Officials within the Trump administration have also declined to dismiss options that may seem unlikely, such as resuming conscription, which would require Congressional authorization, according to the Selective Service.
Around the same time, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” “You don’t tell the enemy, the press, or anyone else your limits on an operation,” he said.
The US military deployed soldiers to Iran to recover two downed airmen, but there has been no large-scale land operation, such as that required to seize major Iranian oil facilities or destroy highly enriched uranium.
For the time being, the United States continues to rely on a military force made entirely of volunteers. Changes in Selective Service affect record-keeping procedures. They do not decide whether Americans will be drafted.
What's the latest on rapper NBA Ben 10, who was reportedly shot inside a Houston restaurant?
What’s the latest on rapper NBA Ben 10, who was reportedly shot inside a Houston restaurant?
According to sources, rapper NBA Ben 10 was shot inside a Houston eatery called Confessions.
Rapper NBA 10, an affiliate of rap artist NBA Youngboy, was reportedly shot inside a Houston eatery called Confessions. OG Monique confirmed on Instagram that Ten is alert, despite initial fears over his condition. “Please stop making up stories.”
In July 2025, the website Secret Houston characterized the restaurant Confessions, where rapper NBA10 was allegedly shot, as “the new it place to dine, attracting serious star power, from 50 Cent to GloRilla.” It further stated that “Confessions Restaurant & Lounge was founded by Houston-based entrepreneur and event curator veteran Sterling Lewis.” Lewis has previously worked with luxury hospitality businesses and top singers such as Usher, Tyrese, and Trey Songz.
Following news that rapper NBA Ben 10 had been shot, followers have taken to Instagram to leave messages. One wrote, “Keep praying, bro! Jesus is real! “Prayer changes things.”
Ben Anthony Fields, also known as rapper NBA 10, is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. NBA 10 is an acquaintance of rap superstar NBA Youngboy. NBA Youngboy is also from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is well known for hits like Untouchable and No Smoke.
What’s the latest on rapper NBA Ben 10, who was reportedly shot inside a Houston restaurant?
NBA Youngboy, whose real name is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, was pardoned by President Donald Trump last year after being sentenced to just under two years in jail on weapons charges. In a statement shared online, he expressed gratitude to President Trump for issuing a pardon, saying it allowed him to continue growing personally, as a parent, and in his artistic journey.
When NBA Youngboy was interviewed by Billboard in 2023, he described his constant release output as a “sickness” and stated, “I literally cannot help myself. I tell myself occasionally, ‘I’m not going to stop till months later,’ but it’s addictive. I wish I had known when I was younger how bad this was for me. Whatever energy I had inside me, I would have channeled it into something else.”
In what has become a treasured tradition at HITS and an annual irritation for publicists, we asked some of our favorite Coachella artists to share memories of their first gigs, juicy information about their tour riders, and who they can’t wait to see at this year’s desert festival.
This year’s acclaimed panelists include Bichota/Interscope headliner KAROL G, chart-topping Atlantic artist/producer PinkPantheress, billion-streaming Island singer-songwriter Gigi Perez, Roc Nation’s Grammy-winning hip-hop combo Clipse, and Epic’s breakout rapper BIA.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
In 1997, I attended my first performance in La Macarena in Medellín, featuring the Venezuelan group Salserín. My parents purchased bogus tickets, which we discovered upon arrival.
My father did everything he could to find new ones since we were so excited. We had our clothes set, including bell-bottom pants and shoes from Las Juanas, a popular Colombian television show at the time. We eventually got in, had pretty nice seats, and had a great time.
PinkPantheress: Panic! at the Disco performed at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on my birthday in 2015.
Gigi Perez: Bruno Mars performed at the American Airlines Arena in Miami in 2013. It was my friend’s 13th birthday, and her mother transported us all in a pink, zebra-striped limousine. The adult chaperones were clearly worried about how much I enjoyed it.
Malice, Clipse: The Run-D.M.C. and Beastie Boys Together Forever Tour at the Norfolk Scope in 1987. It was my second performance, but it was the most memorable because I waved to Run, and he began to approach me until Rick Rubin instructed him not to “go down there!”. It made me quite angry… Run-D.M.C. is my all-time favorite!
BIA: TLC’s FanMail tour at TD Garden in Boston, 2000.
You can travel back in time and attend any concert. What artist and when?
KAROL G: I’d have loved to see Selena Quintanilla live. She is one of my inspirations. I remember viewing her movie when I was really little, and it made such an impression on me. It inspired me to dream, think that it was possible, and recognize the value of family support in this path.
Pink Pantheress: The first My Chemical Romance tour in 2007. They’re my favorite band, and seeing them then would have been incredible.
Perez: Jeff Buckley performs at the Cabaret Metro in Chicago on May 13, 1995. My friend Nicco sent me the YouTube video, which transformed my life.
Pusha T, Clipse: I’d go back to 1996-97 to watch The Notorious B.I.G. BIG was on a tear, preparing to release the best double album ever, Life After Death. I would have loved to watch him perform the freestyles and remixes that preceded his incredible sophomore effort.
Malice and Clipse: Michael Jackson. The greatest to ever do it.
Coachella 2026: HITS Questionnaire
BIA: Aaliyah. I have always admired her style and choreography.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever witnessed while playing on stage?
KAROL G: During the MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO event in Miami, right before I started singing “GATÚBELA,” I said into the microphone, “Why is it so hot?” and it started pouring. The rain became part of the act, as if it had been planned that way. Nobody worried; instead, everyone felt as if they were sharing one of the most memorable moments of their lives with me, dancing in the rain.
PinkPantheress: In Dublin, a fan removed their prosthetic leg and presented it to me onstage to be signed. I admire their dedication!
Pusha T, Clipse: At Coachella, the desert heat burned my DJ’s laptop on stage. It was scorching hot that day.
Malice, Clipse: While touring with the Deftones, I had to halt the show three or four times due to people passing out. I wasn’t sure if they were getting crushed, high, or trolling.
BIA: In this furious mosh pit in Germany, there was a guy wearing in a chicken suit.
What was your first Coachella experience and who was your favorite act?
KAROL G: My first Coachella was in 2022, where I performed on the main stage, and it was a fantastic experience. I understood right away that I wanted to pay gratitude to the Latin artists that helped us get started. Now, as a Coachella headliner, I have the opportunity to continue representing my Latin community around the world.
It wasn’t the same year, but in 2025, I saw Lady Gaga. I’ve been a Little Monster fan for years, and seeing her live—the production, staging, music, storyline, and, most importantly, seeing her perform—was tremendously motivating.
PinkPantheress: I saw Basement Jaxx last year, and it was great.
BIA: I can’t recall my first Coachella, but one of my first Coachella memories is Kali Uchis pulling me up onstage to play her song “Miami” in 2018. From then on, I knew I wanted to perform my own set at Coachella.
Who are you most excited to watch play at this year’s Coachella?
PinkPantheress: I’m so excited to see Alex G. My friends and I had the pleasure of seeing him perform at Laneway, so I’m excited to see him and his band play again.
Perez: FKA Twigs, Little Simz, and KAROL G.
BIA: Karl G. and Justin Bieber.
What is the most “rock star” item on your rider?
KAROL G: My tequila, for sure. My colleagues and I have made it a ritual to drink 200 Copas by Casa Dragones before coming on stage. However, having a candle-lit dressing room is very me. I’m really romantic, and I enjoy creating a calm, serene environment.
PinkPantheress recommends Martini olives.
Perez: No rock stars, just ginger shots and cucumbers.
Pusha T, Clipse: Brazilian nuts. Must have.
BIA: Premium tequila with chocolate-covered strawberries.
Do you have a ritual before going on stage?
KAROL G: I like to interact with my entire team before going out. We hug, celebrate, and replenish ourselves with vitality. Then I pray and present my show to God. I also spend a few minutes alone. I enter a another condition, as if I’m undergoing a transition just before taking the stage. My fans’ enthusiasm and love give me a powerful emotion that I miss even when I’m not on tour.
PinkPantheress: To center myself, I normally favor stillness and solitude. I still get nervous before a performance, but quiet time helps me prepare.
Perez: We’re always singing Celia Cruz’s “La Vida Es Un Carnaval.”
Malice, Clipse: We all pray that the show is a success and that our fans have a safe, joyful, and inspiring experience!
BIA: I pray with the team and then take a moment by myself to absorb everything and contemplate in silence. Going onstage with a clear mind calms my nerves.
What are your plans between Coachella weekends, and can we join you?
KAROL G: To be honest, we never stop over the two weekends. Work, rehearsals, recordings, and show preparation take up a lot of my time.
PinkPantheress: I’ll be on tour throughout April and May, so I’ll be preparing and performing in between Coachella weekends, assuming you don’t mind dance practices!
Pusha T, Clipse: My wife is due to deliver our newborn on April 6, so any free time will be spent at home with the family. And, no, you cannot accompany me. Too germy.
BIA: I intend to rage, so yeah, of course…if you can hang!
Takeaways from the Gilgo Beach case: Rex Heuermann pleads guilty to seven killings and admits to an eighth.
Takeaways from the Gilgo Beach case: Rex Heuermann pleads guilty to seven killings and admits to an eighth
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) — A Long Island man who committed a series of murders known as the Gilgo Beach killings pleaded guilty to murder charges this week, putting an end to the long-unsolved case more than 30 years after the first homicide.
Rex Heuermann, an architect who lived a secret life as a serial murderer, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of intentional murder in Seven women lost their lives in incidents that occurred over the period from 1993 to 2010.
Heuermann, 62, appeared unconcerned and did not look back at the packed gallery of victims’ family as he entered the pleas. He also acknowledged killing an eighth woman.
In June, he will be condemned to life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
Here are several important lessons from the case:
Heuermann admits to the eighth killing.
The discovery of many sets of human remains along Long Island’s South Shore began in late 2010, sparking a global search for a probable serial killer. As the inquiry stretched on for more than a decade, the families of the victims grew skeptical about the possibility of apprehending their perpetrator.
Heuermann was arrested in 2023 following a DNA match.
He claimed on Wednesday that he strangled eight female victims, mutilated some of them, and dumped their bodies along secluded parts of the New York coastline. Several of his victims were sex workers.
Heuermann acknowledged killing Karen Vergata in 1996, but he has not been charged in her death.
Takeaways from the Gilgo Beach case: Rex Heuermann pleads guilty to seven killings and admits to an eighth.
The remains of six victims, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, and Megan Waterman, were discovered along Ocean Parkway at Gilgo Beach. Sandra Costilla’s remains were discovered more than 60 miles (100 kilometers) away in the Hamptons. Vergata’s remains were discovered on Fire Island, more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) west, in 1996 and again near Gilgo Beach in 2011.
DNA extracted from discarded pizza crusts
In 2022, detectives identified Heuermann as a suspect after utilizing a car registration database to connect him to a pickup truck seen by a witness when one of the victims went missing in 2010.
Police retrieved cellphone data indicating that Heuermann was in communication with some of the victims just before they vanished, according to police. His online search history also indicated a strong interest in the Gilgo Beach killings.
A surveillance crew followed him around Manhattan, where he worked, and observed as he threw a package of partially eaten pizza crusts into a sidewalk rubbish can. They hastened to retrieve the box and send it to the police lab, where it matched the DNA of a hair found on burlap used to restrain one of the victims.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney revealed Wednesday how investigators attempted to keep the investigation quiet so that Heuermann didn’t realize they were looking into him. “We wanted the murderer, the one person who mattered, to believe that everything was proceeding as normal,” Tierney stated.
As part of his guilty plea, Heuermann vowed to fully cooperate with the FBI’s behavioral analysis team in catching other serial killers.
As part of his guilty plea, Heuermann vowed to fully cooperate with the FBI’s behavioral analysis team in catching other serial killers.
Victim’s families express relief.
Several victims’ families were in court on Wednesday, and some of them wept as Heuermann described the crimes.
Among them was Taylor’s mother, Elizabeth Baczkiel. Her 20-year-old daughter was living in Manhattan when she disappeared in 2003. Later that year, Taylor’s remains were discovered 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Gilgo Beach near Manorville.
Melissa Cann, the sister of victim Brainard-Barnes, expressed her gratitude for the long-awaited justice served for her sister, whose body was discovered in 2010.
Heuermann’s ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and their daughter were also in court when he filed his guilty pleas. Ellerup stated that her condolences were with the victims’ families and requested solitude for her own family. Ellerup and her daughter, Victoria, had no knowledge of or involvement in the crimes, according to their attorney, Robert Macedonio.
Fox scores 25 points to lead short-handed Spurs to defeat the Trail Blazers 112-101.
Fox scores 25 points to lead short-handed Spurs to defeat the Trail Blazers 112-101.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 25 points, and the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 112-101 on Wednesday night, despite the absence of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle due to injury.
San Antonio (61-19) is 28-3 since February 1 and has its best record since 2017, when it made its final appearance in the Western Conference finals during a 22-year playoff run that includes five NBA championships.
Deni Avdija scored 27 points and Scoot Henderson added 20 for the Trail Blazers, who have lost two straight games following a three-game winning streak.
Portland (40-40) is still tenth in the West, only two and a half games ahead of Golden State (37-42) entering the last weekend of the regular season.
San Antonio has six players in double digits to compensate for the absence of the NBA’s previous two Rookie of the Year winners. Keldon Johnson scored 20 points, while rookie forward Carter Bryant added a season-high 17.
Fox scores 25 points to lead short-handed Spurs to defeat the Trail Blazers 112-101.
Wembanyama bruised a rib on Monday, and Castle is out with right knee pain. San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson says the Spurs aim to have both players available for Friday’s home game against Dallas.
Wembanyama has to play at least 20 minutes in one more game to meet the league’s 65-game minimum for award eligibility.
The Spurs began the game slowly, missing their initial three shots and committing a turnover within the first two minutes.
Fox got them started, scoring 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting in the first 4:13 to give the Spurs a 12-8 advantage. Fox was 10 for 20 from the field and led San Antonio in scoring for the first time since March 1.
San Antonio finished the first quarter with an 8-0 run, establishing its first double-digit lead in the opening seconds of the second.
San Antonio completed the third quarter on a 13-2 run to build a four-point lead and cruise to its second straight victory.
The Trail Blazers will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
