GRUNGECAKE

Category: News

  • Nas and Resorts World receive unanimous vote for proposed casino in Queens

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    On September 25, 2025, Nas and Resorts World NYC cleared a major milestone in their casino expansion efforts in Queens, winning unanimous approval from the Community Advisory Board for their $5.5 billion proposal. The vote was 6-0 in favour, a signal that the project has strong support among local stakeholders.

    The proposal aims to transform the existing racino at Aqueduct—which currently offers electronic gaming machines—into a full-integrated resort featuring live table games. Among the planned amenities: A 7,000-seat concert and entertainment venue, some 30 food and beverage outlets, a sports and media complex dubbed “The Jet Center” by NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith, additional hotel rooms, and other public‐infrastructure enhancements.

    The economic figures are ambitious: the developers say it could create roughly 24,000 new jobs, ranging from construction to ongoing operations, and generate at least $1 billion in incremental revenue for New York State within the first year of full operation. If all goes according to plan, parts of the facility are expected to begin opening by mid-2026.

    Still, the approval of the Community Advisory Board is not the final step. Next, the proposal must be reviewed by the Gaming Facility Location Board before a full commercial casino license can be granted.

    The vote also drew media attention for its timing and context. A competing Times Square casino bid backed by JAY Z was recently rejected; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards took the moment to quip, “Sorry Jay-Z. We win again.”

    Overall, this is a strong win for the Nas-Resorts World partnership: The unanimous vote suggests broad local buy-in, and the scale of the proposal places it among the largest private development efforts under consideration in New York.

  • Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Benjamin Glaze sentenced to 25 years on child porn charges

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    Benjamin Glaze, who once drew viral attention on American Idol when judge Katy Perry kissed him during his audition, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in connection with child pornography charges.

    Glaze pleaded guilty on September 15, 2025, to one count of aggravated possession of child pornography. Under the terms of his sentence, he will serve fifteen years behind bars, whilst 10 years are suspended. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender.

    The case originated in 2024, when Tulsa’s Sexual Predator/Digital Evidence Recovery Unit received a tip leading to a search warrant. Law enforcement found more than seven hundred images and videos of minors in Glaze’s possession on his smartphone. He was arrested and booked in Tulsa County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

    Glaze first entered the national spotlight during Season 16 of American Idol, when he revealed he had never kissed a girl, and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie voted not to send him to Hollywood.

    However, his moment of fame exploded after Perry kissed him on stage, which generated controversy and online debates. Initially, Glaze said the kiss made him uncomfortable; later, he said he did not consider it a sexual assault.

    The sentencing marks a dramatic fall from public fascination to public disgrace. His case also underscores the broader challenges that law enforcement faces in identifying and prosecuting digital sexual exploitation crimes, especially as investigators increasingly rely on tips, digital forensics, and cross-jurisdictional cooperation.

  • TV station owners reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s show after ban

    [/media-credit] Jimmy Kimmel

    In a dramatic reversal, two of the country’s largest television station owners—Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group—have reinstated Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their ABC-affiliated stations after earlier banning the show. The dispute traces back to provocative remarks Kimmel made in a recent monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The comments drew sharp backlash from political figures and prompted ABC and its parent company Disney to suspend the show.

    Although ABC lifted the suspension and restored the show network‑wide, Sinclair and Nexstar initially held out, citing concerns over content and community expectations. But mounting pressure from viewers, advertisers, community leaders—and perhaps the specter of regulatory and financial implications—appeared to shift the calculus. On September 26, both broadcasting groups announced they would end their boycott and return the show to air.

    Sinclair, which had previously demanded an apology from Kimmel or a donation to the Kirk family, emphasised that its decision was made independently, asserting that “free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations.”

    Even so, the episode raises broader tensions between editorial autonomy, broadcast accountability, political pressure, and the public interest. With station groups capable of pulling major network programming, the balance of power in US media is once again under scrutiny. It remains to be seen whether this reinstatement is the end of the road—or merely a truce in a larger cultural standoff.

  • Spotify deletes 75 million spam tracks as company tightens rules around AI music

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    Spotify has made a sweeping move against spam content on its platform by removing over 75 million tracks deemed “spammy” over the past year. The decision comes amid rising concern about the misuse of AI tools to generate fraudulent or misleading audio content. Many of these tracks were ultra-short, duplicated, or clear imitations generated via AI—uploaded in bulk to exploit streaming royalties. The goal has often been to capitalise on Spotify’s revenue model: Any track longer than 30 seconds can generate payouts, meaning that these low-effort uploads siphon attention and earnings away from legitimate artists.

    In response, Spotify is introducing new safeguards. First, a music spam filter is being rolled out to detect suspicious uploads and prevent them from appearing in recommendations—or sometimes from ever being uploaded. Second, the company is tightening its rules around vocal deepfakes and impersonations: artists must give explicit permission for their voice or likeness to be used; tracks that impersonate artists without consent are disallowed.

    Third, Spotify is working with the standards organisation DDEX to create voluntary industry metadata standards for labeling AI-assisted content. While disclosures won’t yet be mandatory, the company says this step is about building trust rather than punishing responsible creators.

    Spotify emphasises that despite all this spam and potential for AI misuse, current engagement with AI-generated content on the platform remains very low. The company says it is not seeing meaningful impacts on user listening behavior or on royalty distribution to human artists.

    As AI tools for music become more accessible, Spotify’s latest policies reflect an attempt to balance openness to innovation with protection of artist integrity and listener trust. Whether they will be enough to stem growing concerns over deepfakes, fraudulent uploads, and AI impersonation remains to be seen.

  • Ben & Jerry’s founder Jerry Greenfield quits, says company’s activism has been silenced under Unilever

    [media-credit name=”Ben & Jerry’s” link=”https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/why-ben-picked-jerry/240012″ width=2000 align=”center”]Ben & Jerry's founders Ben Cohen (left) and Jerry Greenfield (right)[/media-credit]

    Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has announced his resignation, citing a fundamental breakdown of the brand’s independence and its ability to speak out on social issues. The decision comes after nearly five decades of co-founding and growing a company famously rooted in activism and social justice.

    Greenfield, in a letter posted by his longtime partner Ben Cohen, asserted that Unilever, which acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000, has undermined the merger agreement that was supposed to protect Ben & Jerry’s unique social mission. Under that deal, Ben & Jerry’s retained certain rights: A board meant to safeguard its values, and latitude to speak out on human rights, environmental justice, and equity issues. Greenfield contends that over recent years, freedom has been eroded.

    Tensions escalated in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s declared it would stop selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied territory, a move met with backlash from Unilever. In subsequent years, the brand has also made public statements about the Gaza conflict, even using strong language such as “genocide”, which further strained its relationship with its parent company. Ben & Jerry’s has even filed a lawsuit against Unilever, alleging that Unilever attempted to prevent it from publicly supporting certain causes.

    Greenfield said he could no longer remain “in good conscience” with the company he founded if it no longer stood by its core mission. He called his departure “one of the most painful decisions” of his life.

    Unilever (now reorganising its ice-cream brands into a unit known as The Magnum Ice Cream Company or TMICC) has disputed Greenfield’s characterisation, saying it disagrees with his view and is engaging in dialogue with the co-founders.

    The conflict raises complex questions about what happens when socially driven brand values enter tension with corporate ownership. Greenfield’s exit underscores the challenge of preserving activist identity within a large corporate structure—especially when decisions by higher-ups seem to limit or alter what was promised. It also highlights how merger agreements intended to protect values can be challenged when economic, legal, or reputational risks emerge. The outcome of the ongoing legal actions and investor interest in possibly buying or freeing Ben & Jerry’s remains to be seen.

  • Judge dismisses terrorism charge against Luigi Mangione in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson murder case

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    A New York judge has dismissed the state terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, though the broader murder indictment tied to the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson remains.

    Mangione, 27, faces a pair of prosecutions—one at the state level and one in federal court—and has pleaded not guilty on all counts. The state case included charges of first-degree murder and allegations that the killing was “an act of terrorism”, which carries life in prison under New York state law.

    In hearings held this week, Mangione’s legal team argued that the state and federal cases significantly overlap and that pursuing both constitutes double jeopardy. They also pushed for the dismissal of the terrorism count, contending that the evidence does not support the claim he intended to terrorise a civilian population.

    The court agreed to toss out the terrorism enhancement at the state level, though the murder charge stays. Meanwhile, federal charges—which include interstate stalking with possible death penalty exposure—are progressing independently.

    The decision marks a major shift in the legal landscape for the case. By removing the terrorism label under state law, public prosecutors lose one of their more severe tools. However, the core allegation—murder of Thompson—will still be adjudicated. Observers say the case intensifies debates over how terrorism statutes are applied and the balance between state and federal prosecutions.

  • Banksy’s latest mural at the Royal Courts of Justice faces swift removal

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    A striking new artwork by the elusive street artist Banksy has suddenly appeared on the exterior of London’s Royal Courts of Justice, only to be swiftly covered and slated for removal. The mural—revealed in early September 2025—depicts a judge in full wig and gown violently striking a protester who lies prone on the ground, clutching a blood-splattered placard.

    Although Banksy’s signature had not been found on the structure itself, the artist confirmed ownership by posting the mural on his Instagram account—a customary move to validate authenticity. Security personnel rapidly moved to obscure the image with black plastic sheets and metal barriers, whilst surveillance and guards ensured no photographs were taken.

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    Authorities cited the historic and protected status of the Royal Courts of Justice—one of the United Kingdom’s most iconic judicial buildings—as the reason for removal, stating they are “obliged to maintain its original character”. Media reports also noted that police have been notified, as the work has been registered as a case of criminal damage.

    Critics and commentators interpreted the powerful imagery as a comment on the UK government’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism, particularly following the arrest of nearly nine-hundred protesters supporting the group Palestine Action, which had recently been proscribed under terrorism legislation. Activist group Defend Our Juries praised the mural as a “powerful depiction of brutality” and a critique of state repression.

    Though its time in the open has been brief, the mural has ignited debate about freedom of expression, the tension between public art and heritage preservation, and the role of street art in political discourse. Whether the piece will be salvaged, archived, or permanently concealed remains uncertain—but its impact has already been made clear.

  • Walmart launches first branded stores in South Africa this year

    The South African government warmly welcomed Walmart’s announcement, stating that this investment reflects strong confidence in the nation’s growth and stability.

    On September 9, 2025, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) officially unveiled plans to open its first branded retail stores in South Africa by the end of the year. This marks a major expansion for the US retail giant, which has until now operated in the country primarily through its subsidiary, Massmart.

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    These new Walmart stores will offer a wide inventory—spanning fresh groceries, household essentials, apparel, technology, and more—whilst integrating locally sourced products. The initiative combines Walmart’s hallmark Every Day Low Prices and global operational standards with South Africa’s rich cultural and entrepreneurial spirit, according to Walmart International President and CEO Kath McLay.

    Building on its April Growth Summit in Johannesburg—which brought together suppliers from twelve African nations—Walmart has already recruited numerous small and medium-sized African vendors. These partnerships highlight the company’s commitment not only to value-driven retail but also to regional empowerment and local economic development.

    Several store locations are already under development, with official opening dates expected in October 2025. Whilst specific sites and further details on employment and community engagements will be disclosed soon, customers can anticipate digital features designed to enhance the shopping experience.

    By entering the South African market under its own brand, Walmart will directly challenge established domestic retailers such as Shoprite, Woolworths, and Pick n Pay—and even e-commerce leaders like Amazon and Takealot.com.

    The South African government warmly welcomed Walmart’s announcement, stating that this investment reflects strong confidence in the nation’s growth and stability. It supports medium-term development goals by promoting supplier development and job creation.

    As the year draws to a close, all eyes will be on the official opening of Walmart’s first branded outlets in South Africa—an expansion with far-reaching implications for retail, local entrepreneurship, and competition.

  • Watch Lady Gaga’s theatrical performances of ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘The Dead Dance’ at the 2025 MTV VMAs

    À la Disco!

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    There’s a reason why the Queen of Pop was the most-nominated artist, receiving twelve times in 2025! Last night at the 2025 MTV VMAs, the network aired a pre-taped performance from Lady Gaga’s sold-out show at the renowned Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 6. In the clip, she sang two songs—one from her new album ‘Mayhem’ (‘Abracabra’) and another (’The Dead Dance’) from Netflix’s soundtrack for its series ‘Wednesday’.

    It’s been a while since we’ve all had the pleasure of watching Lady Gaga’s showmanship, her warm cheer, the camaraderie she shows to other artists by rising to her feet to clap for them—like she did with Ariana Grande for Lola Young—just ahead of collecting the Artist of the Year award, and how she eloquently addresses the public when she speaks. We celebrate Lady Gaga endlessly, as her concern and support for the general public always seems to come first. Check out the playback of the incredible performance.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHs1LCir63Q&h=315]

  • Watch Doja Cat’s sultry performance of ‘Jealous Type’ with Kenny G at the 2025 MTV VMAs

    “Oh, I’m jealous”

    Giving the world an outstanding performance isn’t new for American superstar Doja Cat! Last night to open the 2025 MTV VMAs, the ‘Jealous Type’ singer-rapper teamed up with the legendary Smooth Jazz saxophonist and musician Kenny G to deliver an electric eighties-inspired performance—laced with sultry and exquisite and choreographed moves fitting to the era—for the lead single from her exciting forthcoming album, ‘Vie’. It was the first time she performed it live. Check out the four-minute-plus video below to relive the moment, or watch it for the first time!

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    It was her third time performing at the VMAs. In 2021, she made her debut singing ‘Been Like This’ and ‘You Right’. Two years later, she performed shortened versions of singles (’Attention’, ‘Paint the Town Red’, and ‘Demons’) from her album ‘Scarlet’. Doja Cat’s album ‘Vie’ comes out on September 26.

    [/media-credit] Vie album cover