Judge blocks Trump order to end funding for National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service.U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s executive order to cease funding for NPR and PBS is unlawful and unenforceable. The judge says the First Amendment right to free speech “does not tolerate viewpoint discrimination and retaliation of this type.” Last year, Trump said at a news conference he would “love to” defund NPR and PBS because he believes they’re biased in favor of Democrats. NPR claims the Republican president wants to punish it for the content of its journalism.
Movie Review: 'The Drama' squanders Robert Pattinson and Zendaya on a grim, poorly thought set-up
Kristoffer Borgli’s film “The Drama” follows a soon-to-marry couple whose relationship falls apart after a drinking game reveals a shocking secret. The Associated Press' Mark Kennedy says in his review that the movie wastes the star power of Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. After Zendaya's character admits she once planned a school attack as a bullied teen, her would-be husband spirals and grows paranoid. He doubts their future marriage and even struggles with intimacy. Kennedy says the film sells itself as a sexy rom-com, but it turns grim and chaotic and adding a school shooting plot is tone deaf. The R-rated movie opens in theater Friday.
John Green is writing his first novel for adults
John Green is writing his first novel for adults. It's also his first novel in nearly a decade. “Hollywood, Ending” will be published Sept. 22. Penguin Random House imprint Dutton Books says the novel centers on two young actors and how their lives change through their roles in the biopic “Andy Warhol Never Gets Old.” The book is about celebrity and the attention economy, as well as love and loss, as Green says. In 2024, the author of young adult favorites “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Looking for Alaska” said he expected to be moving away from writing for that age group.
Prince Harry's final suit against British tabloids could hang on private eye's disputed statement
LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry’s final lawsuit against the British tabloids is now in the hands of a High Court judge. Justice Matthew Nicklin said Tuesday that he will rule later on the privacy invasion case brought by Harry and six others against the Daily Mail publisher. The outcome could hinge on the credibility of private investigator Gavin Burrows. The lawsuits were filed after a statement purportedly signed by Burrows said he did hundreds of jobs for the Mail. He testified that the statement was fabricated and his signature was forged. Harry’s lawyer says there is plenty of other evidence of illegal tactics without Burrows' statement. The publisher denies wrongdoing and says claims were filed too late.
Iris Rainer Dart returns to tell her epic story of female friendship with 'Beaches' on Broadway
NEW YORK (AP) — Iris Rainer Dart brings her tearjerker story “Beaches” to Broadway, and she says it still proves how deep women’s friendships can run. The new musical opens after more than a decade of development. Dart co-writes the book and adds lyrics to music by Mike Stoller. The show follows Cee Cee and Bertie from childhood through love trouble, breakups, parenting and illness. “Beaches” draws on the real-life close friendship Dart developed with her cousin, Sandy. Dart keeps the movie hit “The Wind Beneath My Wings” in the Broadway score but surrounds it with new music. “Beaches” opens April 22 on Broadway.
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JD Vance has a new book about his religious faith, 'Communion,' coming out later this spring
Vice President JD Vance has a new book about his religious faith and adult conversion to Catholicism. HarperCollins Publishers tells The Associated Press the book is called “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith” and comes out June 16. Vance says the book explains how he lost his faith and regained it. Vance has said he evolved from Christianity to atheism to Catholicism, linking the change to finding purpose. The publisher says Vance wrote the book himself starting in 2019 and included material on his time in politics. The “Hillbilly Elegy” author was elected to the Senate as a Republican from Ohio in 2022 and became Donald Trump's running mate two years later.
Trump attending opening night of 'Chicago' the musical at the Kennedy Center
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is attending the opening night of the musical “Chicago” at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday night. It could be one of his last visits there for a show before he closes the performing arts institution for a two-year renovation in July. Trump is set to attend the performance alongside his wife, first lady Melania Trump. It will be their first time together at the Kennedy Center since the premiere of the documentary “Melania” in January. Set in the 1920s, “Chicago” is a scathing satire of how show business and the media make celebrities out of criminals. “Chicago” will run at the Kennedy Center Opera House through April 5.
Cardi B and Steph Curry earn Webby Award nominations, along with Sydney Sweeney's bathwater
NEW YORK (AP) — This year’s Webby Award nominations highlight the internet’s wildest hits, from celebrity campaigns to strange viral products. On Tuesday, the academy announced nominees from more than 13,000 entries across 70 countries. Several stars earn nods, including Cardi B, Stephen Curry, Dwayne Johnson and Justin Bieber. Kendall Jenner’s Fanatics Sportsbook ad competes with Sydney Sweeney’s bathwater soap stunt. Duolingo’s fake mascot death also landed nominations. The academy picks most winners, while fans vote for the People’s Voice Award. Voting stays open until April 16. Winners will be announced April 21 and the awards ceremony is on May 11.
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Fox News in sick leave dispute with fired journalist
WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge in Washington has dismissed a lawsuit against Fox News. Fox was sued by a fired journalist who had accused the network of violating sick leave law and also targeting him for political views. Jason Donner lost the sick leave claim Monday, the last remaining issue in the dispute. Donner was fired in 2022. He was accused of failing to give proper notice when taking a sick day and having a contentious, unflattering phone conversation with his boss about it. Earlier in the litigation, Donner also said he was fired as part of a purge of employees who refused to report only information to “appease” President Donald Trump.
Eurovision Song Contest is expanding with an Asian edition later this year
BANGKOK (AP) — The Eurovision music spectacle is expanding to Asia. Organizers said artists from at least 10 countries are confirmed for the Asian edition of the singing competition to be held in Bangkok later this year. Eurovision’s director said the expansion marks the contest’s 70th anniversary. Artists from Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan have confirmed their participation so far. The finale will be in November. The main gala with mostly European participants will be held in Vienna in May. It is being boycotted by five countries due to discord over Israel's participation.
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