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The assistant director of Rust has told a court he missed a final safety check on the gun that killed the film’s cinematographer – as footage of Alec Baldwin firing blanks before the fatal shooting was shown.

Hannah Gutierrez, the armourer responsible for the weapons on the set, is currently on trial in New Mexico and has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence.

Baldwin, the star and co-producer of the western film, denies involuntary manslaughter and faces a separate trial in July. He has maintained that he never pulled the gun’s trigger.

Alec Baldwin
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Alec Baldwin faces a separate trial later this year

Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died in October 2021 after a gun held by the Hollywood star, 65, went off during a rehearsal on the set on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

On Thursday, jurors were shown footage of Baldwin waving a gun before the fatal shooting.

They also heard from assistant director David Halls, who last year entered a plea bargain for negligent use of a deadly weapon, receiving a six-month suspended sentence.

He was emotional at times as he told Gutierrez’s trial: “I was negligent checking the gun properly.”

Halls told the court how Gutierrez showed him the rounds in the reproduction Colt 45 revolver and that he recalled “seeing three to four what I believed to be dummy rounds”, which looked “very distinctive” and different from live rounds.

However, he said he did not remember Gutierrez “fully rotating” the gun cylinder to show him all six rounds.

Asked if he let the safety check pass, he said: “I did.”

Defendant Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, former armorer on the set of the movie "Rust", walks back to her seat after speaking with District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer before her trial at District Court, Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. Gutierrez-Reed is charged with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence in the October 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of the Western. (Luis Sánchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, Pool)
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Hannah Gutierrez denies all the charges against her. Pic: Luis Sanchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican/AP

Gutierrez then gave Baldwin the gun, he told the court. Gutierrez has not testified but told investigators she left the loaded gun in the hands of Halls.

His testimony also included an account of standing about a metre from Ms Hutchins when the single gunshot rang out. As she was on the ground, he asked if she was all right.

“She said, ‘I can’t feel my legs’,” he said.

Halls said he struggled to understand how a live round could have been fired. “The idea that it was a live round of ammunition that went off… it wasn’t computing,” he said.

A photo of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is displayed during the trial against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, in First District Court, in Santa Fe, N.M., Thursday, February 22, 2024. Gutierrez-Reed, who was working as the armorer on the movie "Rust" when a revolver that actor Alec Baldwin was holding fired killing Hutchins and wounded the film’s director Joel Souza, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evid
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Photos of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins have been shown during the hearing. Pic: Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal/ AP

Halls and props supplier Sarah Zachry both told the court they did not recall Gutierrez rattle-testing rounds on set to check they were dummies.

Halls also defended Baldwin, saying the actor did not endanger safety by rushing production, as prosecutors allege.

Jurors were also shown footage of Baldwin waving a gun and firing blanks in front of crew members on the film set.

The actor can be heard shouting: “One more! One more! One more! Right away! Let’s reload!”

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Firearms expert Bryan Carpenter was taken through the footage and told the court Baldwin appeared to be firing “full flash” blanks.

Mr Carpenter said he believed Baldwin was “entirely too close” to crew members.

Lawyers for Gutierrez say problems on the set were beyond her control. Prosecutors say she is to blame for bringing live ammunition on set.

The trial continues.

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Which celebrities are attending Donald Trump’s inauguration?

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Which celebrities are attending Donald Trump's inauguration?

Donald Trump will be sworn in as US president on 20 January in Washington DC, to being his second stint in the biggest job in politics.

A national holiday thanks to the fact it coincides with Martin Luther King Jr Day, spectators can expect an event full of pomp, pageantry and entertainment.

Donald Trump and his family walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House
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Donald Trump and his family on inauguration day in 2017

Back at his first inauguration in 2017, Mr Trump appeared to struggle to rustle up celebrity attendees – so who might we see turn up second time around?

Political figures and world leaders

Outgoing president Joe Biden, 82, will attend his successor’s inauguration. It was a pleasantry not performed by Mr Trump during Mr Biden’s inauguration in 2020, which Mr Trump – who claimed the election had been stolen from him – chose to skip.

It’s also traditional for all living former presidents to attend the inauguration, so Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton are all likely to attend. Former first lady, Michelle Obama, however, will not be attending.

Mr Trump has also invited world leaders this year for the first time.

Mr Trump’s new efficiency tsar and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, is attending the event and reportedly will be seated alongside fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has confirmed his attendance, and says he hopes to “mend any broken fences” with Mr Musk after a recent social media spat between the two.

Nigel Farage and Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy with Elon Musk. Pic: PA
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Elon Musk and Nigel Farage have ‘fences to mend’ following a row on X. Pic: PA

Official acts

The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee kept its cards close to its chest until just a few days before the inauguration.

Musical performances are a staple of the event, with a marching band, and various inauguration galas throughout the evening. Stars including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and John Legend have been part of past shows for previous presidents.

This year’s acts have a distinctly Country flavour, with big names including Billy Ray Cyrus and Kid Rock – both of whom endorsed Mr Trump at the 2024 election.

Kid Rock speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at the National Guard Association of the United States' 146th General Conference, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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Kid Rock speaking ahead of Donald Trump at the National Guard Association Conference in August. Pic: AP

Rock, 53, whose real name is Robert James Richie, has been a vocal supporter of the Republican Party and the president-elect for many years.

He previously sang ahead of Mr Trump’s speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention in July and joined Mr Trump’s entourage at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in November.

Billy Ray Cyrus. Pic: AP
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Billy Ray Cyrus. Pic: AP

Rock will join country singer Cyrus, 63, who is the father of pop star Miley Cyrus – a vocal critic of Mr Trump – at the Make America Great Again Rally at Capital One Arena in Washington on Sunday, along with a choir from Liberty University, which is a private evangelical Christian school in Virginia.

Alongside being Miley’s dad, Billy Ray is most famous for his 1990s country hit Achy Breaky Heart.

Jason Aldean speaking at a Republican rally in October. Pic: AP
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Jason Aldean speaking at a Republican rally in October. Pic: AP

They will be joined by country singer Jason Aldean, singer and saxophonist Lee Greenwood and The Village People at The Liberty Ball on Monday night, along with a “surprise musical guest”.

Aldean, 47, is a five-time Grammy nominee and the performer of the controversial country song Try That In A Small Town, which he dedicated to Mr Trump after the attempt on his life in July.

Greenwood sang God Bless The USA at the inauguration eight years ago and was a staple at Trump campaign rallies last year. He has said he’s “excited” to sing for his “friend” Mr Trump “yet again”.

Meanwhile, country group Rascal Flatts will be at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, focused on military service members, with Texas-based singer-songwriter Parker McCollum.

Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox wrote on Instagram that he was “happy and humbled and grateful for the opportunity”. LeVox played at Mr Trump’s first inauguration and promised it will be a “night to remember”, thanking South Dakota governor Kristi Noem in his post.

The Starlight Ball, which focuses on high-worth donors, will feature a performance from Gavin DeGraw, a singer-songwriter best known for the song I Don’t Want To Be, which was used as the theme song for the TV show One Tree Hill.

Carrie Underwood performing in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Pic: AP
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Carrie Underwood performing in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Pic: AP

Previously confirmed acts include American Idol star Carrie Underwood who is arguably the biggest name on the bill.

The eight-time Grammy winner will sing America The Beautiful alongside the Armed Forces Choir and the US Naval Academy Glee Club shortly before Mr Trump takes the oath of office.

Commenting on her part in the day, Underwood said in a statement: “I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event”. The 41-year-old singer has previously kept her political views private.

Classical singer Christopher Macchio will sing Oh, America! before the vice-presidential oath of office with JD Vance, and will close the ceremony with a rendition of the American National Anthem.

Victor Willis and the Village People perform during the Festival d'ete de Quebec in July 2019. Pic: AP
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Victor Willis and the Village People perform during the Festival d’ete de Quebec in July 2019. Pic: AP

Victor Willis, frontman of the Village People, previously announced the band had accepted an invitation to perform at the inauguration, telling their fans in a post on Facebook: “We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear, however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.

“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost,” he added.

“Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music, which is why Village People will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J Trump.”

Willis last month defended Mr Trump’s use of Y.M.C.A. at campaign rallies and denied that the song is a “gay anthem”.

The 1978 disco hit spiked in listenership in November after it secured a spot on Mr Trump’s campaign playlist, according to Sky News’ US partner, NBC News.

Mary Millben singing on the first day of the Republican National Convention. Pic: Reuters
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Mary Millben on the first day of the Republican National Convention. Pic: Reuters

Who else could be there?

Actor Jon Voight, who was recently appointed as “a special envoy” to Hollywood following the California wildfires and who is a vocal supporter of Mr Trump, spoke at his last inauguration – so it seems possible we could see a repeat performance.

And singer Mary Millben sang the national anthem at both Mr Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally and the Republican National Convention back in July.

One wildcard potential guest could be Kanye West, who has been a vocal supporter of Mr Trump in the past, and who met with him in the Oval Office back in 2018.

When asked earlier this year if he would be voting Republican, West told reporters: “Yeah, of course. It’s Trump all day.”

Jackie Evancho singing at Mr Trump's first inauguration in 2017
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Jackie Evancho singing at Mr Trump’s first inauguration in 2017

Who performed at Trump’s last inauguration?

Classical singer Jackie Evancho, a former America’s Got Talent contestant, sang the national anthem at Mr Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, calling it a “huge honour” to perform for the president.

But the young star, who has a transgender sister, did later say she was “disappointed” by Mr Trump’s decision to roll back on transgender rights.

Meanwhile, country singer Toby Keith was arguably the biggest name on the bill the first time around. He died from stomach cancer last February.

Other acts who performed in 2017 include The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, rock band 3 Doors Down, DJ Ravidrums and musical group The Piano Guys.

Prime-time TV show?

In 2021, Joe Biden’s inauguration included a prime-time inauguration day TV programme hosted by Tom Hanks.

Celebrating America featured performances from acts including Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake.

It’s not known if a similar programme will be aired following Mr Trump’s inauguration this year.

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Director Claire van Kampen dies on husband Mark Rylance’s birthday

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Director Claire van Kampen has died, aged 71, on the 65th birthday of her husband, Sir Mark Rylance.

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Cameron Diaz says retirement from acting was ‘best 10 years of my life’

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Cameron Diaz says retirement from acting was 'best 10 years of my life'

Cameron Diaz has said her decade-long retirement from acting was “the best 10 years of my life”.

The actress, 52, has partnered with Jamie Foxx for the Netflix blockbuster Back In Action, marking her first role since playing Miss Hannigan in the 2014 remake of Annie.

Speaking on the BBC’s Graham Norton Show alongside Foxx, Diaz said of her temporary retirement: “Oh my God, I loved it. It was the best 10 years of my life.”

She said she was “just free” to be a mum, a wife and to live her life somewhat privately.

“It was so lovely,” she added, saying that her eventual return to acting “made sense for my family” as they wanted to “switch it up a little bit”.

The Hollywood star, whose acting debut came in 1994 hit comedy The Mask, said she had turned down roles for years during her retirement until people “stopped asking” – but added she didn’t want to turn down the role alongside Foxx.

Diaz and Jamie Foxx pose at photo call for Back in Action on Friday. Pic: 	Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP
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Diaz and Jamie Foxx pose at photo call for Back In Action. Pic: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

“If I’m going to leave my family for 10 hours a day – I want to do it with… the most talented man in entertainment,” she said of Foxx, 57, who she also co-starred alongside in Annie.

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The Holiday star added: “It’s just a privilege to do this. I thought to myself, if I just like, let this go away, all of this goodwill that I got to build over so much time, the passion that I have for entertaining people and making movies that make people smile and laugh and have a good time… if I don’t engage in that again… then I would be a fool.”

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Diaz, who had her second child with husband Benji Madden in March last year, told Norton she was back for “at least” this film, later adding: “This is maybe the beginning, maybe I’ll tiptoe in, maybe I’ll just go like gung ho! I don’t know.”

She has also filmed the upcoming Apple TV+ black comedy Outcome alongside Keanu Reeves and Jonah Hill.

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