Disability rights activist and author Alice Wong dies at 51
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Alice Wong, a disability rights activist and author who championed people with disabilities, has died. She was 51. She died Friday in a hospital in San Francisco because of an infection, said Sandy Ho, a close friend. Wong was born with muscular dystrophy. She used a power wheelchair and an assistive breathing device. She was a funny person and humorous writer who wanted people with disability to have independence and a voice for themselves, her friend said.
SS Rajamouli unveils time-travel adventure film ‘Varanasi,’ with elements of Hindu mythology
HYDERABAD, India (AP) — Known for hits like “RRR” and “Baahubali,” filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has unveiled his most ambitious film yet. Announced Saturday in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, “Varanasi” promises a visually rich time-travel adventure drawing parts of its storyline from Hindu mythology. The film features a star-studded cast, including Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Thousands of fans gathered to see the first look, which showed Babu as a fierce warrior. The Telugu-language film industry is known for its grand visual style and has gained global attention in large part thanks to Rajamouli's imaginative storytelling. “Varanasi” is expected to release in 2027.
Americana troubadour Todd Snider, alt-country singer-songwriter, dies at 59
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A beloved figure in American roots music, Todd Snider has died at 59. His record label announced Saturday that Snider died Friday. Known for his cosmic-stoner songwriting and freewheeling tunes, Snider's career spanned three decades. He combined folk, rock, and country, creating songs recorded by artists like Jerry Jeff Walker and Tom Jones. Snider was diagnosed with pneumonia after a violent assault led to a canceled tour. He was later arrested in Salt Lake City for threatening hospital staff. Snider's albums showcased his unique style and humor. His last album released in October.
Pope Leo XIV celebrates cinema with Hollywood stars and urges inclusion of marginal voices
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has welcomed Spike Lee, Cate Blanchett, Greta Gerwig and dozens of other Hollywood luminaries to a special Vatican audience. Leo encouraged the filmmakers and celebrities gathered in a frescoed Vatican audience hall to use their art to include marginal voices. He called film “a popular art in the noblest sense, intended for and accessible to all.” The encounter was organized by the Vatican’s culture ministry and follows on similar audiences Pope Francis had in recent years with artists and comedians. But it also seemed to have particular meaning for history’s first American pope, who grew up in Chicago in the heyday of Hollywood.
A new Netflix doc offers an intimate portrait of Selena, straight from her family's vault
NEW YORK (AP) — A new Netflix documentary offers an intimate portrayal of the life and career of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. “Selena Y Los Dinos: A Family’s Legacy” hits Netflix on Monday. It is a project from director Isabel Castro and is executive produced by Selena’s siblings Suzette Quintanilla and AB Quintanilla III. The film features tons of never-before-seen archival footage straight from the family's personal collection. They call it “the vault.” Suzette Quintanilla and Castro told The Associated Press they hope the film furthers Selena's cultural legacy as well as introduces her to new generations of viewers.
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Ken Burns and Lin-Manuel Miranda offer history lesson to NYC students at Trinity Church
NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of New York City high school students gathered at Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan for a lesson led by filmmaker Ken Burns and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The event Wednesday was tied to Burns' new documentary, “The American Revolution,” which premieres Sunday on PBS. Burns emphasizes the importance of telling stories from all perspectives, not just from the top down. The documentary features an impressive cast of narrators and historians. Burns and Miranda, who have been friends for about 10 years, share a mission to educate through storytelling, aiming to broaden historical narratives.
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys merge their parallel lives for 'The Beast in Me'
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys have teamed up for the first time in the new Netflix series "The Beast in Me." The show, now streaming, features Danes as Aggie, a Pulitzer prize-winning author struggling with writer's block and personal loss. Rhys plays Nile, a real estate tycoon with a mysterious past. The series explores their complex relationship as Aggie proposes writing a book about Nile to clear his name. Danes and Rhys share an intriguing chemistry, with their characters challenging each other intellectually. The show reunites Danes with some of her "Homeland" team, adding to the excitement.
SAG Awards change name to the Actor Awards starting in 2026
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Screen Actors Guild Awards are now called the Actor Awards. The show, commonly known as the SAG Awards, will officially become the Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA on March 1. Netflix will stream the event, as it has since 2023. The change was announced Friday to the board of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing U.S. movie and television actors. Since starting in 1995, the SAG Awards have become a key part of Hollywood's awards season. SAG-AFTRA explained that aligning the show's name with its iconic statuette, The Actor, provides clearer recognition for audiences.
How chummy is too chummy? Epstein emails shine light on relationships between journalists, sources
The emails to and from Jeffrey Epstein that were released this week shine a light on the relationship between reporters and their sources — and that light isn't always flattering. Messages between journalists and the convicted sex offender who died in 2019 were frequently chummy. In one case, Michael Wolff is shown giving Epstein advice on how to deal with the media. Wolff said it was in service of trying to get the story of the relationship between Epstein and President Donald Trump. People often see journalists working in public — in an interview or news conference. The relationships can be different in private, but ethical rules remain the same.
Reaching 67 points is creating a '6-7' frenzy at college basketball games across the country
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma coach Jennie Baranczyk hears the popular catchphrase “6-7” all the time at home, possibly more often than please and thank you. Getting an earful of it at a women’s basketball game, well, that was new for the mother of three. Baranczyk and the sixth-ranked Sooners became the latest college team to send fans into a frenzy when they hit 67 points in an 89-61 victory against North Alabama on Friday. Hundreds of students on a field trip screamed their approval along with the ubiquitous phrase and juggled their hands up and down to mimic a video that went viral earlier this year.
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