AP Entertainment Digest for Friday, Dec. 18

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FRIDAY, Dec. 18

UPDATES with MEDIA-TIMES-CALIPHATE, FRANCE-BROADCASTER’S FAREWELL, MICK JAGGER-HOME PURCHASE, MYSTIKAL RAPE CHARGE, GERMANY FILM FESTIVAL, BRITAIN-DUCHESS OF SUSSEX

YE--PHOTO GALLERY-ENTERTAINMENT – 2020 started out with the usual flow of fashion shows and awards ceremonies, but as the coronavirus pandemic took root, Associated Press photographers documented the way the entertainment industry and its stars responded. SENT: 300 words, photos.

MEDIA-TIMES-CALIPHATE — The New York Times says it was wrong to trust the story of a Canadian man whose claims of witnessing and participating in atrocities as a member of the Islamic State was a central part of its award-winning 2018 podcast “Caliphate.” The 12-part series began to unravel when Canadian authorities in September arrested Shehroze Chaudhry on charges of perpetrating a terrorist hoax. By Media Writer David Bauder. SENT: 614 words, photo.

MYSTIKAL RAPE CHARGE — Prosecutors have dropped rape and kidnapping charges against New Orleans rapper Mystikal, who was released from jail on a $3 million bond almost two years ago. The rapper whose given name is Michael Lawrence Tyler had been indicted in 2017. But on Thursday, a second Caddo Parish Caddo Parish grand jury returned a no true bill against him. SENT: 206 words, photo.

MEDIA-LESTER HOLT — In this troubled news year, NBC’s Lester Holt has decided that telling stories isn’t enough. He’s introduced commentaries to his normally straight newscast. By Media Writer David Bauder. SENT: 700 words, photos.

MICK JAGGER-HOME PURCHASE — Is Mick Jagger now a Florida Man? The Rolling Stones front man recently purchased a mansion south of Tampa as a Christmas present for his girlfriend, ballet dancer Melanie Hamrick. SENT: 148 words, photos.

BRITAIN-DUCHESS OF SUSSEX — A news and photography agency has agreed not to take pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son, Archie, the High Court in London has been told. The agreement is part of a settlement between the former Meghan Markle and U.K. company Splash News and Picture Agency of a case she filed in March over photos of her and her son taken in a Canadian park in January. SENT: 225 words, photo.

GERMANY FILM FESTIVAL — Organizers say the annual Berlin International Film Festival is being put off this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and split into two parts later in 2021. The “Berlinale” had been scheduled for February in the German capital but cannot go ahead due to the likelihood that coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings will continue, organizers said Friday. SENT: 118 words.

FRANCE-BROADCASTER'S FAREWELL — After nearly 33 years of telling the stories of deepest France, making small-screen stars of its ordinary folk, the country’s most famous and likely most adored news presenter became the story himself Friday as he anchored the 1 p.m. bulletin for the last time on channel TF1. Jean-Pierre Pernaut came equipped with a handkerchief sent by a fan for what proved to be an emotional farewell. By John Leicester. SENT: 438 words.

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FILM REVIEW-WONDER WOMAN 1984. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. SENT Tuesday: 809 words, film stills.

FILM REVIEW-ASSASSINS. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. SENT Wednesday: 655 words, film stills.

MUSIC REVIEW-PAUL McCARTNEY. By Scott Bauer. SENT Monday: 280 words, album cover

BOOK REVIEW-FOOL ME TWICE. By Jeff Lindsay. Reviewed by Bruce DeSilva. SENT Monday: 340 words, cover image.