'Thank you for being my rock': Devastated family's shock after 'unique' loving son, 21, found dead

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn what is rapidly becoming a mass music exodus out of Russia, Kobalt became the third major company to announce on Thursday that it is suspending business activity in Russia due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Of the three global major labels, Sony and Warner announced their pullout within an hour of each other on Thursday morning, and Universal made the move on Tuesday.Kobalt’s move is doubly significant because although it is a global company, Kobalt was founded in London by Swedish-born Willard Ahdritz and in many ways is a European company.

Christopher Vourlias Before the Russian army launched an invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, French war correspondent Loup Bureau was embedded in Donbass, the restive borderland in Eastern Ukraine, which since 2014 has been the site of an ongoing conflict between Russian-backed separatist groups and Ukrainian government forces.Reports were circulating of an impending Russian attack. Bureau, who had already spent time in the region while shooting his feature-length documentary “Trenches” – screening next week at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival – expected it to be a localized skirmish.

Addie Morfoot ContributorTrue/False, the preeminent non-fiction festival, returned as an in-person event Thursday, drawing documentary notables and fans of their work to a Missouri college town for the first lineup under the artistic direction of Chloe Trayner.There were 31 features and 19 short non-fiction films at the fest, which had more of an international tilt than usual and concludes March 6. Eight features, including “Fire of Love,” “I Didn’t See You There” and “The Territory,” had previously debuted virtually at Sundance in January, but screened for the first time for public audiences at True/False.Their respective directors — Sara Dosa (“Fire of Love”), Reid Davenport (“I Didn’t See You There”) Alex Pritz (“The Territory”) – were among the filmmakers making the trek to Columbia for the 19th edition of True/False.

K.J. Yossman Russia has passed a new censorship law in a bid to suppress news of its assault on Ukraine.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentNetflix has paused all future projects and acquisitions from Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine, Variety has learned.The streamer had four Russian originals in the pipeline, including a crime thriller series directed by Dasha Zhuk, which was shooting and has been put on hold. The 1990’s set series was Netflix’s first original series filming in Russia.A source close to Netflix said the company was assessing the impact of current events.Elsewhere in the film and TV industry, Russia has been barred from major festivals and award shows.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has issued a chilling warning that any impending world war 'will become nuclear'.

"Dancing with the Stars" Cheryl Burke took a trip down memory lane Monday morning.  Burke, 37, shared with her Instagram followers that she returned to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel, which happens to be the same location that she tied the knot with her estranged husband, Matthew Lawrence, 42.  "Taking a few days alone to focus inward, reflect and really try to feel my feelings - with my partner in crime of course ♥️," she began.  "Dancing with the Stars" Cheryl Burke took a trip down memory lane Monday morning when she returned to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel.This location happens to be the same place she tied the knot with her estranged husband, Matthew Lawrence, nearly three years ago.  (Getty Images) Burke wasn’t completely solo on her trip as she brought along her French Bulldog, Ysabella, to visit the San Diego luxury resort.The professional dancer looked well rested and refreshed in her series of selfies.  Burke went on to address the Russian invasion of Ukraine and urged her followers to help, if possible.  "I think it’s important to note, that I am so fortunate to be able to pause and take this time for myself. As much as I may be going through personally, it is nothing compared to the suffering in Ukraine right now.

Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Tuesday will focus, as they always do, on a laundry list of priorities, but it may end up being the most memorable for what  he says about the unfolding situation in Ukraine.

Major European distributors BBC Studios, All3Media and ITV Studios have put trade with Russia on pause in light of the escalating situation in Ukraine.

Soaking up self-love. Cheryl Burke enjoyed a solo getaway amid her split from Matthew Lawrence — and her destination holds a special meaning for the now-estranged couple.

UK TV trade body Pact has called on its 700-strong member base to suspend all co-operation and trade with Russia.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentReed Expositions (RX), the organization behind the international TV showcases MipTV and Mipcom, has issued a statement saying it “strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine.” Although Reed Expositions is a private business, it said that it will follow “government sanctions and policies in each territory where (it) operates.” In practical terms, it means there won’t be any Russian film and TV outfits attending MipTV which is set to take place in April in Cannes, a source close to Reed Expositions told Variety. “RX stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, particularly with our employees around the world who have family and friends in the Ukraine,” said Reed Expositions.

The Queen is said to have broken royal protocol after Vladimir Putin left her waiting.

Russian film and TV organization Roskino has been banned from next month’s Series Mania and Millennium Media exec Yariv Lerner has issued a call to help Ukrainian film professionals, as the media world continues to react to the conflict.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentRussia’s Roskino, the government-backed advocacy organization for the nation’s film and TV industry, has been barred from participating in Series Mania, the international TV showcase that will unfold in Northern France next month, Variety has confirmed.The Russian org was expected to host a presentation of buzzed-about content at Series Mania’s industry showcase in Lille, which runs from March 18-25. The festival disinvited Roskino after the French culture ministry vetoed its presence at at the event in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The news of Series Mania’s stand against Roskino was first reported by Screen.Roskino has in recent years ramped up its presence at key industry events, reflecting the emergence of new generation of Russian filmmakers on the international scene.