IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Rapper G-Eazy joins criticism of H&M, cancels partnership
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK » American rapper G-Eazy has cancelled a partnership with H&M after the Swedish clothing retailer was accused of racism over a promotional image of a black child dressed in a hoodie reading “coolest monkey in the jungle.”
The rapper, whose real name is Gerald Earl Gillum, tweeted that he decided “our partnership needs to end” after seeing “the disturbing image,” joining singer The Weeknd, who has said he would end his ties with the company where he has a clothing line.
H&M reiterated Wednesday its “humble apologies,” adding “we have got this wrong.”
The retailer said in an email that “we completely understand and agree with the reactions by The Weeknd, GEazy and others.”
NBA star LeBron James and rapper Diddy were among those who earlier had responded with outrage.
Las Vegas hotels bet on technology to attract, dazzle guests
LAS VEGAS » In the hypercompetitive world of Las Vegas tourism, the staples of hotel-room technology — a phone on a nightstand and a flat-screen TV — aren’t cutting it anymore.
Guests at some Sin City casino-hotels can get towels, food and toiletries delivered to their rooms with just a text. They can also use tablets to control room features like lights and temperature.
Hotels in Las Vegas aren’t the only ones using technology in a push to attract ever-more-demanding guests and keep them coming back. But what sets them apart is the volume of guests they handle, which can test the technology.
Robert Rippee, director of the Hospitality Lab at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says companies are trying to become more relevant to a younger, tech-savvy demographic.
No wedding, no Crown: What’s a royal obsessive to do?
NEW YORK » The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle isn’t until May 19, and the second season of “The Crown” on Netflix is a distant memory for binge-prone obsessives. So what’s a royal watcher to do?
There’s plenty of other films, shows, books and websites covering Queen Elizabeth II and her reign, along with all those other royals in her bloodline.
On Jan. 14, for instance, the Smithsonian Channel will mark the 65th anniversary of the queen’s coronation. It’s the same day the second season of “Victoria” will begin in the United States on PBS. Need more? Well, there is more.