Attorneys for rapper Travis Scott say he was not responsible for safety at deadly Astroworld concert

HOUSTON (AP) — Attorneys for rap star Travis Scott argued in court Monday that he should be dismissed from hundreds of lawsuits filed over the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, saying he was not responsible for safety planning and watching for possible dangers at the Houston event. ...

Water guns are in full blast to mark Thai New Year festivities despite worries about heat wave

It's water festival time in Thailand where many are marking the country's traditional New Year, splashing each other with colorful water guns and buckets in an often raucous celebration that draws thousands of people, even as this year the Southeast Asian nation marks record-high temperatures...

Judge dismisses lawsuits filed against rapper Drake over deadly Astroworld concert

HOUSTON (AP) — Hip-hop artist Drake has been dismissed from a lawsuit over the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival in Houston in which 10 people were killed, a judge has ruled. Drake was a special guest of rap superstar Travis Scott, who had headlined the festival. He performed with...

Pakistan deploys more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces ahead of Eid al-Fitr

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani authorities have deployed more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces at mosques and marketplaces across the country ahead of the massive Eid al-Fitr holiday, officials said Tuesday. Eid al-Fitr, which means feast, will be celebrated in Pakistan on...

Markus Hinterhäuser given third 5-year term through 2031 as Salzburg Festival artistic director

Markus Hinterhäuser has been given a third five-year term as artistic director of the Salzburg Festival, extending his tenure in one of Europe's most influential cultural roles to the longest since Herbert von Karajan's reign from 1956-89. The festival said Thursday that its board...

Jay-Z’s Made In America festival canceled for the second year in a row

Jay-Z’s annual Made in America festival, held in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend, has been canceled for the second year in a row. The festival announced the cancellation on social media and its official website Wednesday. A specific reason was not outlined, and a representative...

Travis Kelce brings back music festival in Kansas City with Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Diplo as headliners

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Travis Kelce is keeping himself busy: On the heels of winning his third Super Bowl, earning a Webby nomination for his podcasting endeavors and garnering headlines for his newfound relationship with Taylor Swift, the superstar tight end will continue living his best life with...

On French Riviera hillsides, the once-dominant Menton lemon gets squeezed by development

MENTON, France (AP) — When the French Riviera town of Menton prepares to host its lemon festival each year, it assembles more than 140 tons of citrus to build the ornate floats and showy park displays that attract thousands to the Fete du Citron. But none of it is the actual Menton lemon, a...

A bus carrying people to an Easter festival in South Africa plunges off a bridge, killing 45, authorities say

One month out, New Orleans Jazz Fest begins preparations for 2024 event

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Fair Grounds Race Course, which plays host to the 2024 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, begins its annual transformation in earnest Tuesday as organizers prepare to take over the field this spring for two weekends of music, food and fun. “Jazz Fest...