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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

50 Cent accepting bitcoin for latest album

From Wire Reports

Rapper and entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson announced that he would begin accepting bitcoin for his newest album, “Animal Ambition.”

The album, released Tuesday, can be purchased using bitcoins from shop.50cent.com. Bitcoin payment service provider BitPay is handling transactions, and Jackson’s record label primarily will convert bitcoin payments into cash.

The partnership is Bitpay’s first arrangement with a musician.

In a Q&A on Reddit, Jackson said he is accepting bitcoin to keep current with the times.

“Technology is what’s changing the business gotta get with it,” he wrote. “I take money no matter if its coins or dollars.”

Throughout his career, Jackson has sold more than 30 million albums including the Grammy Award-nominated “Get Rich or Die Tryin,” and “The Massacre.”

Actor Hill says he’s sorry for gay slur

Jonah Hill has apologized for using a gay slur with a paparazzo in an encounter caught on video.

A video posted Tuesday by TMZ shows a photographer pestering Hill, who eventually responded with muttered expletives and an anti-gay expression. On “The Howard Stern Show” on Tuesday, the 30-year-old actor acknowledged that he said “a disgusting word.”

Hill said the word “does not at all reflect how I feel about any group of people.” He said that he’s been a gay-rights activist “from the day I was born.” Earlier this year, Hill promoted a Human Rights Campaign effort opposing anti-gay laws in Russia ahead of the Winter Olympics.

Hill said he had been harassed by the photographer, claiming he said “hurtful things” about Hill and his family.

Stiles to star in ‘Phoenix’ play

Julia Stiles is returning to the New York stage in a quirky little comedy about a one-night-stand that has long-term implications.

The Cherry Lane Theatre said Tuesday the star of “10 Things I Hate About You” and David Mamet’s “Oleanna” on Broadway will next star in Scott Organ’s “Phoenix.” James Wirt will play her love interest. “Phoenix” begins performances on July 28 and opens Aug. 7.

Stiles has appeared in such movies as “Save the Last Dance,” “Silver Linings Playbook” and the Bourne film series.

The birthday bunch

Sex therapist and media personality Dr. Ruth Westheimer is 86. Actor Bruce Dern is 78. Actress-singer Michelle Phillips is 70. Actor Parker Stevenson is 62. Actor Keith David is 58. Opera singer Cecilia Bartoli is 48. Actor Scott Wolf is 46. Comedian Horatio Sanz is 45. Actor Noah Wyle is 43. Actor-comedian Russell Brand is 39. Actress Angelina Jolie is 39. Rock musician JoJo Garza (Los Lonely Boys) is 34. Model Bar Refaeli is 29.