D4vd Pleads Not Guilty, Tim Cook Steps Down, 'Wednesday' in Paris

d4vd Enters Not Guilty Plea in Murder Case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

In a shocking development, rising artist d4vd (David Anthony Burke) has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of human remains. The 21-year-old was arrested last week after a months-long investigation began with the discovery of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains inside an abandoned Tesla registered to him. In court, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman alleged that Burke killed the teenager after she threatened to reveal their sexual relationship, which prosecutors say lasted more than a year and could have damaged his rising career.

Prosecutors further allege that Burke dismembered Celeste’s body, hid it in the vehicle, and then left for a world tour. Celeste, first reported missing in 2024, was last known to be alive in April 2025; her remains were found in September 2025 by a tow yard employee after the impounded car was examined. Burke’s attorney, Blair Berk, said the defense will “vigorously defend David’s innocence” and argued that the evidence will ultimately clear him. He remains jailed without bail as the case moves toward a preliminary hearing, while Celeste’s family has asked for privacy and said they will honor their daughter’s memory.

Tim Cook steps down

After nearly 15 years at the helm, Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced he will step down on September 1, 2026, transitioning to the role of executive chair. Cook, 65, who has steered the company through major global expansion and complex geopolitical challenges since succeeding Steve Jobs in 2011, will remain involved by focusing on policy and government engagement. He will be succeeded by John Ternus, Apple’s 50-year-old head of hardware engineering. Cook praised Ternus as a leader with "the mind of an engineer and the soul of an innovator," marking the culmination of a transition plan more than a year in the making.

Ternus, who has been with Apple since 2001, inherits a tech giant that remains highly profitable but faces major questions about its future strategy, especially its approach to the AI boom. While rivals have rushed to capture the artificial intelligence market, Apple has taken a more cautious path, often favoring the integration of third-party tools into its ecosystem. As Ternus prepares to take the stage, he faces the challenge of preserving the company’s legacy while navigating investor pressure to evolve its product line. "I am humbled to step into this role," Ternus said, "and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century."

ICYMI:

• Madonna’s vintage outfit pieces have gone missing after sharing the Coachella stage with Sabrina Carpenter; she is offering a reward for their return.

• Rihanna and her daughter, Rocki, cover The Pop Issue of W Magazine. 

Netflix Unveils First Look at Wednesday Season 3

The Addams family is taking their macabre charm to France. On Monday, Netflix dropped the first official image from the highly anticipated third season of "Wednesday," featuring the titular heroine standing under the Eiffel Tower alongside her trusty companion, Thing. While the streamer is keeping specific plot details under wraps, the snapshot, captioned "From Paris, with dread", has already ignited fan theories suggesting Wednesday’s journey across the channel is part of the ongoing hunt for Enid.

Production on the new season officially kicked off in February, bringing with it a massive expansion of the show’s star-studded ensemble. Joining series lead Jenna Ortega are several high-profile newcomers, including Eva Green as Aunt Ophelia, Winona Ryder, Lena Headey, and Andrew McCarthy. They join an already stacked cast that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, and Joanna Lumley.

POP FACT: On this day in 1989, Madonna’s "Like a Prayer" began a six-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

Disney+ Reimagines Iconic Animated Hits in American Sign Language

In celebration of National Deaf History Month, Disney+ will premiere Songs in Sign Language on April 27, a project featuring ASL-reimagined animated sequences from Frozen 2, Encanto, and Moana 2. Directed by veteran animator Hyrum Osmond in collaboration with Los Angeles’ Deaf West Theatre, the project features over 20 animators working with Deaf performers to translate beloved musical numbers into ASL by prioritizing emotional conceptualization over literal transcription. For Osmond, whose father is Deaf, and artistic director DJ Kurs, the initiative represents a historic bridge between Disney’s global storytelling and the Deaf community, aiming to dismantle communication barriers and inspire future representation through the beautiful medium of animation.

ICYMI:

• Gracie Abrams has teased new music on her social media platform.

• Cardi B has wrapped the ‘Little Miss Drama Tour’. It grossed over $70 million and is the highest-grossing debut arena tour by a female rapper.

• The Onion has reached a deal to take over Alex Jones’ Infowars; the site will be relaunched as a parody of itself.

— Katie Macbeth

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