ARTS & CULTURE

During the FIFA World Cup Draw in Washington, D.C., guests were treated to sculptures of the world’s greatest soccer players screaming out “GOAL!”

These plaster head busts were created by master craftsman Dante Mortet who proudly showed off what each player looked like after penetrating the defense and placing the ball in the net.

This one time art exhibition by Italian sculptor pays tribute to soccer icons, such as Pele, Maradona, David Beckham, and more.

These masterpieces were commissioned by Ambassador Paulo Zampolii, who is the United States special envoy for global partnerships.

Dante was hard at work for months with his son Lorenzo in the workshop that was started by his family 150 years ago applying his craft the old-fashioned way, with eyes and hands, no computers or 3-D printers.

Dante Mortet is the heir of a dynasty of artists and craftsmen with distant origins: the Mortet family moved to Italy from France in the mid-1800s. The Mortet workshop was founded in Florence by Aurelio Mortet, with some of his children taking up wood carving, while Armando and Dante specialized in the art of chiseling.

Now the works will be on display at various events next year when the World Cup begins in North America.

@kennedycenter @fifa @skyitalia @rai

#italiano #italianart #sculpture #soccerplayer #futbol

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Greatest Soccer Players Ever Come to Life with Special Exhibition

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2025 Kennedy Center Honors: Star-Studded Red Carpet | APB NEWS

Thursday, October 30, 2025 - Washington DC:

The two deadliest engagements of the Iraq War—the battles in Najaf and Fallujah—are now documented in the new 90-minute film, "The Last 600 Meters." The film provides an unfiltered look at these pivotal conflicts, delivering the absolute ground truth of combat through the firsthand testimony of the infantrymen and officers who fought there.

APB News was invited to the action-packed premiere at the US Navy Memorial Museum & Theater. Developed by award-winning producer and director Michael Pack, this powerful production was originally completed 17 years ago and has now finally found its broadcast home on PBS.

Pack stresses that his film contains no political aspects, focusing instead on the reality of the experience: the fear, the danger, the brotherly bonds, and the post-combat challenges that followed. Standing as an important historical work, The Last 600 Meters utilizes interviews, archival footage, and on-the-ground media to allow the soldiers to speak in their own words, depicting the invaluable combat experience that often molds these young men into savvy and thoughtful leaders upon their return to mainstream society.

The documentary airs nationally on PBS on November 10th, and will be available on Amazon Prime upon demand the following day.

#TheLast600Meters #IraqWar #Najaf #Fallujah #PBS #MichaelPack #CombatVeterans #MilitaryDocumentary #WarHistory #PBSdocumentary #Veterans

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The Last 600 Meters: Iraq War's Deadliest Battles | Washington DC Premiere | APB News

September 2025 - Lower Manhattan NYC

Elected officials modeled the runway wearing designers from their districts in a first-of-its-kind community engagement fundraising fashion show during New York Fashion Week.

As a bipartisan fundraising fashion show, Style Across the Aisle, at New York County’s Surrogate’s Court, in lower Manhattan was created to unite opposing political viewpoints through the power of fashion, Style Across the Aisle helped to foster community spirit by featuring state and city leaders modeling styles brought to life from local designers.

For the second year, political leaders from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints shared the runway, demonstrating that fashion can be a vehicle for dialogue, collaboration and understanding.

NYC VIBE was invited by Skye Ostreicher, founder of Style Across the Aisle, to see first hand how this unique opportunity showcased the talent within the New York City communities while highlighting the common ground that exists beyond political differences. By having elected officials model designs from their own districts, Skye not only celebrated fashion but also fostering the spirit of unity and collaboration that New York needs.

Front and center was former New York governor David Patterson, New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry and Queens Borough president Donovan Richards who told Mike Levinthal afterwards he is deeply concerned with ICE activities in bogus boroughs and working closely with his diverse citizens to help protect them…

Republican candidate for New York City Mayor Curits and Nancy Sliwa were backstage to meet the media and insisted he in the race to the end…

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, now running for New York City mayor on the independent line, took selfies and shook hands backstage and then took the runway in a blue suit by Gina Newman of Bond and Bari.

The annual Style Across the Aisle benefits the non-profit Witness to Mass Incarceration which is dedicated to fostering economic independence for formerly incarcerated, system-impacted, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The Art of Tailoring which is a 2-year training program aimed at empowering formerly incarcerated individuals, system-impacted persons, LGBTQ+ youth, immigrants, and the asylum-seeking population. It consists of three different programs aimed at building entrepreneurial skills, developing essential tailoring skills, and expanding a growing business.

Skye Ostreicher told Mike Leventhal that they raised a record amount of money to help each of the charities associated with this unique fashion show.

⁠⁠@InTheRoomMedia ⁠⁠@thepoliticalpersonality

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NYC Fashion and Politics Unite in Lower Manhattan - Style Across the Aisle Takes to the Runway

Friday, September 5, 2025 - Midtown, Manhattan

Lee Greenwood's story is one of humble beginnings, a successful career in country music highlighted by his patriotic anthem "God Bless the U.S.A.," and a life dedicated to faith and patriotism.

APB News caught up with the award winning entertainer at the recent WABC radio Gala to reflect on his career and his road ahead.

Mike Leventhal asked Lee and his wife, the former Miss Tennessee USA Kimberly Payne, about what it is like now as he performs his hit song on stage when performing throughout the U.S.

When Lee Greenwood wrote God Bless The USA back in 1983, he told us that it was the keeping of promise that he had made to himself.- to write a song that was inspiring for the nation

And after the September 11 attacks in 2001, the song found a new cause and purpose - reaching near the top of the Billboard Top 100 chart and was soon certified by the Recording Industry of America in July of 2015, signifying 1,000,000 copies had been sold.

With America celebrating its 250th birthday next year, the 82 year old performer says he is more motivated than ever and has big plans for all of us.

#LeeGreenwood #GodBlesstheUSA #CountryMusic #AmericanPride #APBNews #WABC

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Legendary Singer Lee Greenwood Has Big Plans for America 250 #LeeGreenwood

August 2025 - East Hampton, NY

The first-ever biography of America’s greatest crime reporter in a newspaper career spanning decades, Jimmy Breslin covered the stories that he knew mattered most: the human stories beyond the front page. From the JFK assassination, to the Son of Sam killings, mafia heists, the Crown Heights riots, and the Occupy movement, Breslin’s influential columns captured the life beat of the second half of the 20th century.

A quintessential New Yorker, Breslin rubbed shoulders with world leaders and neighborhood arsonists, profiled JFK’s gravedigger, and elicited letters from the Son of Sam killer during his reign of terror, all recounted in columns that were personal, blunt, and the truth - at least Jimmy’s version of it.

Jimmy Breslin: The Man Who Told the Truth is the first biography of the legendary writer, vividly portrayed by Richard Esposito, a former colleague of the Big Man. From Breslin’s humble beginnings as a copy boy, to winning the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary, the writer’s life was as fascinating as any of his subjects.

APB News caught up with longtime friend and colleague Richard Esposito at the 2025 East Hampton Library’s Annual Authors Night fundraiser to reflect on Jimmy’s career and why this is an important book for young journalists to discover.

With the full cooperation of Breslin’s estate, and interviews with countless of Breslin’s former coworkers, friends, and enemies, Esposito has crafted a meticulous and revealing portrait of a complex man who bared his soul to the world in column inches.

@libraryvideos

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Jimmy Breslin: The Man Who Told the Truth - Book Debut

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Nobel Peace Prize Laureate & Journalist Maria Ressa is Concerned with U.S. Democracy

The July Fourth weekend in the Hamptons served as a pivotal moment for the New York City mayoral race, with independent candidate Eric Adams taking a leading role. He spent the holiday weekend connecting with supporters and drawing attention to Democratic frontrunner, socialist Zohran Mamdani. Adams spoke to APB News about Mamdani's controversial Columbia University admission claim and publicly questioned the feasibility of his $9 billion tax proposals, citing Governor Kathy Hochul's opposition. As the political season intensifies, New York will be watching closely as journalists uncover more. #NYCMayor #EricAdamsCampaign #HamptonsDebut #PoliticalSeason #ZohranMamdani #NYCNext

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NYC Mayoral Race Kicks Off in Hamptons with Adams at the Forefront

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Eric Adams Lights Up Hamptons: NYC Mayor Kicks Off Mayoral Campaign Blitz | #ericadams

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - Lower Manhattan - New York City comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents at an immigration court after he linked arms with a person that authorities were attempting to detain. The person Lander was walking out of the courtroom was also arrested.

Lander had spent the morning observing immigration court hearings and told reporters that he was there to “accompany” some immigrants out of the building after their hearings.

Lander’s detainment comes a little more than a month after Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge outside a federal immigration detention center in Newark. The charge was later dropped by interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, and Baraka’s fellow Democrat, Rep. LaMonica McIver, was charged with assaulting and impeding federal agents stemming from her role at the same visit as the mayor. A federal indictment charges she grabbed, pushed and blocked officers from arresting the mayor. She’s denied the charges and said she plans to fight it.

Baraka has since filed a federal lawsuit against Habba alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution.

A spokesperson for the FBI deferred comment to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not respond to the media's inquiry.

This is a developing story!

@NYCMayorsOffice @BarnetteLander @NYCComptroller

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New York City Comptroller Brad Lander Arrested by ICE Agents inside Federal Immigration Court #ice

An emotionally disturbed man was tracked down by subway riders who saw him exposing himself to young children on the N train on Monday night.

There has been an increase in violence and shoplifting at TJ Maxx throughout the brought particularly in Queens.

While Governor Kathy Hochul claims reported gun violence across New York State has continued to decline, reaching the lowest level since the state began tracking this data in 2006.

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NYPD Called to TJ Maxx Store in Queens to Confront Disturbed Man #nypd #astoria #apbnews

May 2025 - Manhattan, NY:

APB News was on the red carpet for Academy Award Winner Sean Penn's film debut, War of Words.

Words of War tells the story of world-renowned journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya, whose fearless reporting exposed corruption, human rights abuses, and war crimes - ultimately leading to her assassination in 2006.

The action packed movie is a strong portrayal of the dangers that journalists face in the 21st century and serves as a tribute to all with the courage to risk their lives in pursuit of truth.

@rollingpictures

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Sean Penn-Produced Political Thriller ‘Words of War’ Debuts in NYC

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The 2025 St. Patrick's Day Parade Goes Up Fifth Avenue

Champions of the Golden Valley is an inspiring sports fable of people in deep transition.
Filmmaker Ben Sturgulewski masterfully captures the art of a sports rivalry mixed with the narrative of a community grappling with profound change – revealing what it means to be a champion, in all its forms.

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Skiing Through Chaos: Afghanistan’s Untold Sports Rivalry | Tribeca Film Festival

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Ukrainian Musicians Turn War Into Resistance—Songs of Survival! #apb_news

@lindelltvlive @ElonMusk-FanZone @CPACplus
#ElonMusk #MuskPainting #TrumpPainting #trump2025

February 2025 - National Harbor, MD:

The visionary painter and tattoo artist who created the portrait of Elon Musk says he wants the DOGE leader to return it - so he can finish it.

Word is that Elon found out about the magnificent piece - titled: "Elon Musk: Visionary Genius" A Limited Edition Artwork and instructed his security people to “borrow” it so he can see it after he spoke on stage at CPAC 2025 this past week.

The painting was handed to Elon who then held it up in joy and left the stage - but the artist wants it back.

Mike Dillon and Seth Leibowitz , co-owners of ArtForm gallery, told APB News that there was much more to do to complete the work. Many more hours required to finish - declaring it a work in progress,

The painting celebrates one of the greatest minds of our lifetime with this stunning painting, not yet finished, honoring Elon Musk and his extraordinary contributions to the world.

From revolutionizing space travel to advancing sustainable energy, this piece captures the essence of a true innovator.

The artist says when he finishes the work, he will gladly hand it back to Elon.

In addition to this painting, Seth just completed a portal of President Trump titled - “PRAYING FOR THE FUTURE"

Celebrating faith, patriotism, and at a pivotal moment in history this work captures President Donald Trump in a moment of heartfelt prayer, embodying strength, leadership, and unwavering devotion to God and country.

This is more than art - it’s a testament to the power of prayer, the resilience of a nation, and the guiding hand of faith in leadership.

Seth is reaching out to the White House to arrange handing the canvas to the President in person.

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Artist Behind Elon Musk Portrait Wants the Painting Back!

Monday, February 17, 2025 - Astoria, Queens:
By APB Staff Field Team

Residents of this quiet Queens neighborhood woke up on Sunday morning to discover five cars had their tires slashed overnight. The crime took place along a block by the intersection of 42nd Street and 23rd road. The location is just one block from the famous Christo’s Steakhouse. At least two residents have already reported the slashing to Police in the 114 Precinct with others expected to do the same. One victim identified as Joe told ABP News that when the NYPD arrived, the officer refused to write a report because he couldn’t see the punctured holes in the tires. However, Joe showed APB the receipt for the replacement tires he had to buy.

Another resident's SUV sustained more than $500 dollars in damage to the vehicle’s tires.

Last week, six cars were vandalized with flat tires on Sound Street and 23rd Road. The victim also tried to file a police report but the dispatched cops said they couldn’t see any damage so they wouldn’t take one down. The cops said they thought that someone just deflated the tires and not slashed them but the car owner had the tires inflated and saw it lost air within 15 minutes but the police already left.

Also, At least two people had their car tires slashed near Astoria Park - A tow truck driver who picked up the vehicles said it is part of an ongoing problem.

Eli Barreto, with Country Wide Auto Collision, said he has towed several cars with slashed tires from the same spot on Shore Boulevard at the intersection with Astoria Boulevard South over the past several months. Barreto confirms there are knife slashes on the side of each tire.

APB observed a house with many security cameras facing booth streets that might have captured the vandals in action. APB has been knocking on the door of this residence for two days with no response.

APB has reached out to the 114 Precinct for an explanation as to why a detective has not been assigned this case as well to DCPI in Manhattan for comment.

This is an ongoing case that APB will stay on top of.

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Vandals Continue to Slash Tires in Astoria, Queens

Over the holidays, Dayle Haddon, supermodel, actress and advocate for the global education of girls, died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Pennsylvania.

The 76 year old was the only model to have four major contracts as the face and international spokesperson for L’Oréal, Revlon, Estée Lauder and Max Factor. She posed for over 100 magazine covers and wrote two international bestsellers, and was a UNICEF Ambassador and who founded Women1One, a nonprofit devoted to creating positive change in the world by educating girls around the world.

APB News caught up with Dayle in Saudi Arabia a few years ago at the gathering of living Nobel Peace prize winners to discuss and help try to solve the world's issues.

Dayle’s daughter, Ryan Haddon, wrote a beautiful tribute to her mother. In part it reads: “In conversation, she could go to the deepest of places and also soar the highest heights of spiritual understanding. She held so many up, saw their greatness, sometimes hidden to them, and always built bridges with her own connections to help them ascend. She was everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.”

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Remembering Dayle Haddon

December 31, 2024 - NY Times Square:
By: Mike Leventhal APB News Team

Final preparations are now underway for New Year’s Eve, the iconic Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball was illuminated and sent up the 139-foot pole atop One Times Square this afternoon.

Colonel Jack Jacobs, a Medal of Honor Recipient, will flip the giant switch to initiate the spectacular, kaleidoscope lighting effects, illuminated by more than 32 thousand energy efficient LEDs and enhanced by 2,688 crystal triangles.

APB News was invited to take the elevator ride up to see the Ball which is capable of displaying a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns that creates the spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.

The other day, CleanBoss co-founders Joy Mangano and Pitbull joined the co-organizers of Times Square New Year’s Eve to help install newly designed Crystal Triangles on the New Year’s Eve Ball.

Pitbull, a GRAMMY®-winning artist and entrepreneur, urged his followers to celebrate with a healthy start to the new year.

The New Year’s Eve Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds. The Ball is covered with a total of 2,688 crystal triangles that vary in size, and range in length from 4 3/4 inches to 5 3/4 inches per side. For Times Square 2025, all 2,688 crystal triangles that adorn the Ball will be replaced for this New Year’s Eve celebration, showcasing one of two special patterns that highlight what’s to come at One Times Square.

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Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is Ready! #nye #timessquare #2025

@nycnightlifegov @NYCMayorsOffice

September 2024 - Upper East Side, NYC - Elected officials were the models on the runway wearing designers from their local districts in a first-of-its-kind community engagement fundraising fashion show during New York Fashion Week.

As a bipartisan fundraising fashion show, Style Across the Aisle, at Gracie Mansion was created to unite opposing political viewpoints through the power of fashion, the runway show helped foster community spirit by featuring state and city leaders modeling styles brought to life from local designers. For the first time, political leaders from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints shared the runway, demonstrating that fashion can be a vehicle for dialogue, collaboration and understanding.

APB was invited by Skye Ostreicher, founder of Style Across the Aisle, to see first hand how this unique opportunity showcased the talent within the New York City community while highlighting the common ground that exists beyond political differences. By having elected officials model designs from their own districts, Skye not only celebrated fashion but also fostering the spirit of unity and collaboration that New York needs.

The inaugural Style Across the Aisle benefits the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, an organization dedicated to preserving the historic Gracie Mansion and promoting its use as a cultural and civic hub for the people of New York. The landmark home, known as "The People's House," is where New York City Mayor Adams hosts a wide variety of community engagement and cultural events - but never a fashion show.

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On the Runway - New York City's 'Style Across the Aisle' Brings Fashion & Politics Together

#highwire #worldtradecenter #artistry #50thanniversary

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Philippe Petit Celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his Walk Between the World Trade Center Towers

Trump Announces “Patriot Games” as Part of U.S. 250th Birthday Celebration

Mayor Eric Adams’ Former City Hall Official Earned Six-Figure Daycare Salary While Working in City Government

Rep. Elise Stefanik Suspends NY Governor Campaign, Will Not Seek Re-Election to Congress

Walk Away Foundation Launches Plan to Save NYC from Democratic Socialism and to Stop Zohran Mamdani in his Tracks!

Diddy’s Legal Battle: What’s Next After Conviction? Bail Denied, Sentencing Confirmed for October 3rd

Adams Battles for NYC Mayor, Takes Aim at Socialist Rival in Hamptons Fundraiser Blitz

Diddy Verdict Day: Hip Hop’s Conspicuous Absence and a Shifting Legal Landscape

NYPD Deploying Specific Patrols after the U.S. military strikes Iran

New York City Mayoral Election: Mamdani Catches Cuomo In Rank Choice Voting According to a Emerson College Poll