AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 8:53 a.m. EDT

Despite Iran tensions, King Charles III will follow his mother's lead in celebrating US-UK bonds

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III embarks on a state visit to the U.S. on Monday, aiming to strengthen ties between the two nations. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, set a high bar with her 1991 speech to Congress, highlighting shared democratic values. Charles is likely to echo these themes as he celebrates America's 250th birthday. The visit includes a commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks and a tribute to fallen service members. Despite political tensions, Charles will seek to emphasize the enduring friendship between the U.S. and the U.K. His speech to Congress will likely aim to unite lawmakers across party lines, focusing on long-term bonds over short-term disputes.

Jake Reiner describes the 'living nightmare' of losing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jake Reiner has shared his heartbreak over losing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. A Substack post on Friday represents the first detailed public account of his experience since his parents' killing in December. He recalls the shock of learning about their deaths when his younger sister called him while he was at a close friend's funeral. He says the aftermath has been a “living nightmare.” Jake briefly mentions his brother Nick, who has been charged with killing their parents. But he focuses more on the love and memories his parents left behind. Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty.

TMZ is flexing in Washington, with high-profile results. What took so long?

WASHINGTON (AP) — TMZ is making a splash in Washington, D.C., bringing its Hollywood-style paparazzi tactics to politics. The tabloid site is capturing candid moments of lawmakers, like Sen. Lindsey Graham holding a wand at Disney World during a political crisis. This move comes as Washington's political scene is rife with scandals and low approval ratings. TMZ's approach, which includes paying sources, raises ethical questions but has also produced newsworthy content. The site's presence highlights the blurred lines between politics and entertainment.

Correspondents' Dinner's biggest moments involve laughs, cringing and high-stakes politics

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has produced viral moments that were funny, cringeworthy or undeniably tense and that endure across social media. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush welcomed jokes, while George W. Bush brought some of his own. Comedians Stephen Colbert and Michelle Wolf created tension in the room. And President Barack Obama's mockery of Donald Trump set the stage for the reality TV star's move into politics. The dinner began a few years after World War I. Some years were forgettable and relegated to C-SPAN archives.

Prosecutors used rap lyrics to help send a man to death row in Texas. It's not an uncommon tactic

Attorneys for a Black man scheduled to be executed in Texas say the introduction of rap lyrics he wrote biased an almost all-white jury when they decided to sentence him to death. Using rap lyrics in court is not an uncommon practice. Researchers found that rap lyrics have featured in hundreds of court cases in more than 40 states over the past 50 years, but judges often exclude other forms of creative expression from being used as evidence. Experts say treating rap lyrics as diary entries minimizes their artistic value while playing on negative racial stereotypes to influence jurors. James Broadnax's execution is scheduled for April 30.

South Korean prosecutors deny police request for arrest warrant for K-pop mogul behind BTS

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors have rejected a police request for an arrest warrant for music tycoon Bang Si-Hyuk. He's the chairman of the agency behind K-pop supergroup BTS. Prosecutors on Friday questioned whether detention is necessary as Bang faces a high-profile investigation into alleged investor fraud. Bang has been barred from leaving the country since August. But he's not seen as a realistic threat to flee. Bang’s legal troubles are a public relations setback for Hybe. They come as BTS launches a global tour after a nearly four-year hiatus as its seven members served their mandatory military service.

Music Review: Noah Kahan's 'The Great Divide' meets the moment as a 'Stick Season' successor

American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan will release his fourth studio album, “The Great Divide,” on Friday. It follows the success of 2022’s “Stick Season.” That album propelled him to mainstream acclaim. “The Great Divide” is a 17-track foray back into the folksy woods Kahan ventured into with “Stick Season.” It picks up where that album left off, The Associated Press’ Mike Catalini writes in his review. It might not be possible to recreate the blazing success of its predecessor. He says it is instead a kindred spirit to “Stick Season.” The album doesn’t endeavor to rehash the past.

Movie Review: In 'Michael,' the King of Pop is resurrected, sans complications

“Michael” slides a sequin glove over the pop star’s tarnished legacy, shrouding Michael Jackson’s complications with a conventional biopic that, if you cover your ears, sounds great, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. Antoine Fuqua’s movie is sanctioned by Jackson’s estate and its producers include the estate's executors. So it is, by its nature, a narrow, authorized perspective on the King of Pop. “Michael” doesn’t even subtly nod to more difficult facts about Jackson's life. It moonwalks right past them. The result is a kind of fantasy film, one that relives the extraordinary highs of Michael Jackson while turning a blind eye to the lows.

Japan's Haruki Murakami to publish first new novel in 3 years with 'The Tale of KAHO' in July

TOKYO (AP) — A new book by Haruki Murakami set to be released in early July will mark the first time a full-length novel by the Japanese author features a female main character. “The Tale of KAHO” is Murakami's first book in three years. The story centers on a 26-year-old picture book author named Kaho. Shinchosha Publishing Co. said Thursday she is the first lone female protagonist featured by the writer. The book will be released July 3 in print and digital formats. Shinchosha Publishing says the 352-page book brings together Murakami's four-parts series released in a monthly magazine and gives them a new life.