1. TWO EVENTS LEAVE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL IN BOYCOTT OF BRUNEI ANTI-GAY LAWS: The Beverly Hills Hotel has lost two events in the boycott of properties owned by the Sultan of Brunei, sparked by the country’s new anti-gay laws, which include the death penalty. The Special Needs Network and the John Wayne Cancer Institute both dropped the hotel and moved their galas to new venues. TMZ: “S.N.N.’s signature spring event—the 11th Annual ‘a pink pump affair // a Celebration of Women’—was scheduled for May 19 at the swanky hotel ... but they're moving the fund-raiser to the Beverly Hilton. Tons of celebs and politicians attend every year. Meanwhile, the J.W.C.I. is moving its 34th Annual Odyssey Ball—scheduled for May 4—to the Montage Beverly Hills. These are huge blows for the hotel, and big wins for Clooney's boycott, which covers the nine hotels owned by Brunei's autocratic ruler, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The Asian nation recently implemented capital punishment on proven gay citizens.” https://bit.ly/2D6dzbI
2. TRUMP WILL SKIP WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS DINNER FOR THIRD YEAR: President Donald Trump confirmed Friday he plans to skip the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner for a third consecutive year. The president told reporters the event was “negative” and “boring,” and said he would be holding a rally instead of attending the event on April 27. NBC News: “Trump said that a location for the rally has not been determined, but that he has sites in mind for the event in three weeks. ‘I like positive things, okay?’ he added. Last year the White House Correspondents Dinner, a night that is supposed to celebrate the First Amendment, touched off a firestorm after comedian Michelle Wolf made fun of White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. Although comedians typically roast White House officials at the event, some viewed the jokes aimed at Sanders as unfair.” https://nbcnews.to/2Kj7len
3. COACHELLA WORKER DIES AFTER STAGE ACCIDENT: A Coachella stagehand died Saturday after a fall on the festival grounds in Indio, California. According to a statement from festival producer Goldenvoice, the unnamed man had worked for Coachella for 20 years. The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Today, Goldenvoice lost a colleague, a friend, a family member,’ the statement reads. ‘Our friend fell while working on a festival stage. It is with heavy hearts and tremendous difficulty that we confirm his passing. He has been with our team for twenty years in the desert and was doing what he loved. He was a hard-working and loving person that cared deeply about his team. As our lead rigger, he was responsible for the countless incredible shows that have been put on at the festival. We will miss him dearly.’ The Indio Police Department was called to the scene of the accident, on the Empire Polo Club grounds, around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, police sources told the Hollywood Reporter. The rigger was dead on the scene. Cal Fire was contacted, and has notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the incident. Osha is now investigating.” https://bit.ly/2U3tc9a
