Hegseth's comments are a reminder that government isn't always eager to show the human cost to war
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn negative attention for his comment that the press has emphasized casualties in the Iran war because it wants to make President Donald Trump look bad. Journalists dispute that, noting that it's part of the story when you're covering a war. It's also a reminder of something enduring: the longstanding tension between government and journalists about news that reminds Americans that there's a human cost to war. In many respects, it dates back to the graphic images beamed into American living rooms during the Vietnam War. These days, American military action is most likely to be seen from afar, if at all.
Who will win at the Oscars? AP’s film writers make their predictions
The Oscar race has tightened after surprise wins at the Actor Awards, and Associated Press film writers Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle say the top prizes now look less settled. On Sunday, March 15, the academy reveals its winners. Final ballots close on Thursday. Both writers still pick “One Battle After Another” for best picture, but they say “Sinners” looks like a contender. They agree Jessie Buckley wins best actress, Michael B. Jordan takes best actor and Teyana Taylor wins supporting actress. But they disagree on supporting actor and best international film.
Britney Spears arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol near her Southern California home. Authorities say Spears was pulled over after reports that her BMW was driving fast and erratically on a highway on Wednesday night. The California Highway Patrol says she was jailed after taking a series of field sobriety tests. A representative for Spears calls the incident “completely inexcusable” and says she plans to comply with the law and seek help. Jail records show she was booked early Thursday and released later in the morning. The district attorney will decide on charges.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. added to Oscars presenter lineup
Oscars producers say Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. will join Chris Evans, Javier Bardem, Maya Rudolph and last year’s acting winners as presenters at the next Oscars. On Thursday, they also added Anne Hathaway, Will Arnett and Paul Mescal to a group that already includes Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña will hand out trophies. The ceremony takes place on March 15 with Conan O’Brien as host. This year, “Sinners” leads nominations with a record 16. Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo are the “Sinners” cast members up for acting trophies.
A Lagos rave rewrites the rules of nightlife, drawing young Nigerians priced out of club culture
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nightlife in Nigeria's economic capital Lagos can be very expensive with its table culture where revellers are divided into a multitier system and compelled to buy very expensive drinks. Young people have turned to cheaper rave parties in response that focus primarily on dancing and enjoying themselves. Raves are also powered by house music. DJs blend African sonic elements with electronic dance music.
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B2K and Bow Wow's Boys 4 Life Tour is powered by forgiveness and accountability
NEW YORK (AP) — The platinum-selling R&B group B2K has reunited for the upcoming Boys 4 Life Tour, and they’re co-headlining with fellow 2000s superstar, Bow Wow. The tour will visit 28 cities beginning March 6 in Louisville, Kentucky. It marks the first major tour for B2K since 2019. It will also be only the second time they’ve toured with rapper-actor Bow Wow. B2K has gone through internal dysfunction, public disses and yearslong periods of not speaking. The “Bump, Bump, Bump” singers say maturity, accountability and having “hard conversations” paved the way for the new tour. They say a new album will be released in the spring. B2K's last album was in 2004.
How to watch the Oscar nominees, from 'Sinners' to 'Sentimental Value'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Academy Awards are Sunday, March 15. That means time is running out to watch the nominees before the Oscars get handed out. Most of this year's nominees are now streaming. That includes “Sinners,” the lead nominee getter up for 16 awards, which is on HBO Max. “One Battle After Another," up for 13 awards, is also streaming on HBO Max. The 97th Academy Awards will themselves be streaming on Hulu.
VistaVision, a vintage format left for dead, is revived in 'One Battle After Another' and more
NEW YORK (AP) — VistaVision, the large-scale film format used largely in the 1950s, is enjoying a big-screen revival. At the Academy Awards on March 15, a movie made largely with decades-old antique film equipment is poised to win best picture. “One Battle After Another” is the first film in more than 60 years largely shot with and projected in VistaVision. Another best-picture nominee, “Bugonia,” was also shot on VistaVision. Even in 2026, when most films are shot digitally and AI has begun filtering into moviemaking, the films have showed that a vintage, analog film system can still astonish moviegoers.
Peter Jackson to receive honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival will honor filmmaker Peter Jackson with an honorary Palme d’Or at the upcoming French festival. Organizers announced Jackson as a recipient Thursday for what it hailed as “a body of work that blends Hollywood blockbusters and films d’auteur with extraordinary artistic vision and technological audacity.” The “Lord of the Rings” director, in a statement, called the honor “one of the greatest privileges of my career.” Last year, Cannes gave honorary Palme d’Or prizes to Robert De Niro and Denzel Washington. This year’s edition runs May 12-23.
Rachael Ray is harder to find but hardly slowing down
MIAMI (AP) — Rachael Ray knows she's harder to find these days, but she's not slowing down. Ray famously walked away three years ago from the Food Network and her syndicated daytime talk show. She wanted to do food her own way. And she says she's still happily doing that. Ray drew crowds at the recent South Beach Wine and Food Festival. She has a production company, Free Food Studios, and is in several new shows on platforms like YouTube, A&E and Disney. She does miss the interaction with a live audience. Ray says her message has always been that people shouldn't be scared to cook. If it doesn’t come out all right, she says, who cares? It’s just dinner.
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