Celine Dion completes her first full concert in 6 years after overcoming rare illness

NANTERRE, France (AP) — Celine Dion has returned to the stage, performing her first full concert in over six years. She sang "All By Myself" as an encore, a song she's been known for since 1996. Dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in 2022, a rare disease affecting her throat. Her comeback concert in Nanterre, France, included 25 songs over 2 hours and 15 minutes. The show is part of a punishing schedule of 16 shows in five weeks. Despite the challenges, Dion delivered powerful performances of hits like "My Heart Will Go On." Fans were emotional, celebrating her triumphant return.

'Woman Unknown' wins Golden Lion, Malkovich 'humbled' by best actor award at Venice Film Festival

VENICE, Italy (AP) — “Woman Unknown,” directed by May el-Toukhy, wins the Golden Lion at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. The drama is about a woman in Denmark after the Nazi occupation. The Maggie Gyllenhaal-led jury announced winners Saturday, including John Malkovich, who wins best actor for “Wild Horse Nine.” Malkovich, filming in Montreal, sent a video message expressing gratitude. Mathilde Arcel wins best actress for her role in “Woman Unknown.” Lee Chang-dong’s “Possible Love” wins the Silver Lion grand jury prize. The documentary “NAZA” receives a special jury prize. Ilya Krzhanovsky wins the Silver Lion for directing “Dau.”

Trump wants the Smithsonian Institution to install George Washington statues and exhibit

President Donald Trump wants the Smithsonian Institution to install a colossal statue of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History. In late night social media posts Friday, he also asked for a special exhibit honoring Washington to run through Feb. 22, 2032, marking the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. He suggested replacing the current “Infinity” sculpture in front of the museum with a 30-foot statue of Washington. It’s unclear if Trump has the power to enforce these changes, as the Smithsonian operates outside the executive branch.

What's happening at TIFF: 'I Play Rocky scores a knockout, and a victory lap for 'Obsession'

TORONTO (AP) — Eight years after “Green Book” took the Toronto International Film Festival by storm, Peter Farrelly may have done it again. Farrelly’s “I Play Rocky,” a boisterous tale about the making of Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky,” was an immediate crowd-pleasing hit Saturday night at TIFF. Its raucous reception at the Princess of Wales Theatre suggested Farrelly may have again thrown a dark horse contender into the Oscar race. At the least, “I Play Rocky” is sure to be a top contender for TIFF’s top prize, the People’s Choice Award. In 2018, Farrelly’s “Green Book” picked up that festival-goer-voted award on its way to winning best picture at the Academy Awards.

‘CODA’ didn’t change Hollywood's attitude about disability. Siân Heder hopes ‘Being Heumann’ can

TORONTO (AP) — “CODA,” the first film featuring a largely deaf cast to triumph at the Oscars, marked a watershed moment for the film industry. But five years later, its director Siân Heder has seen any momentary embrace by Hollywood of the those with disabilities come and go. In “Being Heumann,” the opening night film of TIFF, Heder again strove for authenticity in a cast peopled with disabled actors. The film is about disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann and the 28-day sit-in she led with more than 100 other demonstrators in 1977. It's Heder’s attempt to not only pay tribute to the relentless, hardscrabble protest movement, but to challenge the way movies are made.

Rapper Lil Durk acquitted of murder-for-hire at Los Angeles trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal jury has found rapper Lil Durk not guilty of attempted murder for hire of rival rapper Quando Rondo. The shooting at a Los Angeles gas station resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin. The jury deliberated for three days before acquitting Lil Durk of conspiracy and murder for hire. Supporters including Machine Gun Kelly and Ye attended the trial. Durk remains in custody pending a racketeering trial. Prosecutors alleged Durk paid to have Rondo killed after a member of Rondo’s entourage fatally shot rapper King Von in 2020. Durk's legal name is Durk Banks.

GOP and Democratic officials in Nashville unite over renaming airport for Dolly Parton

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In Nashville, Tennessee, Republican and Democratic leaders are in an ugly partisan battle over who controls the city's airport, but they agree on one thing. It should be renamed to honor the state's favorite daughter, Dolly Parton. Parton, who passed away two weeks ago, has previously declined such honors. On Friday, the state-controlled Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority unanimously approved a motion to begin the renaming process. Nashville officials say a competing city-controlled authority is also in favor. Officials say the renaming process could take a year or more. Hurdles include working with Parton’s estate to determine how they might split profits from merchandise sales, among other things.

At the Venice Film Festival, grappling with the state of the world and crying with Oasis

VENICE, Italy (AP) — The Venice Film Festival this year focused more on global issues than Hollywood. Elon Musk appeared frequently in films often as a symbol of modern challenges. Movies like “NAZA” and “My Undesirable Friends: Part II—Exile” reflected on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The festival highlighted social consciousness and regret. Even in Hollywood projects. Rock stars Liam and Noel Gallagher stole the show by bringing nostalgia and emotion. Actors John Malkovich and Robert Pattinson gained Oscars buzz. Politics and artificial intelligence were hot topics with stars like George Clooney and Susan Sarandon sharing their views. Ellen Burstyn received the Golden Lion award and expressed deep gratitude.

Kenya's quest to host Africa Recording Academy hub gets boost from Grammy organizers

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s quest to host an Africa Recording Academy headquarters has received a boost, with Recording Academy officials saying key milestones have been completed. Now, Kenyan mentee artists can travel to the United States to get acquainted with the international music business. Recording Academy President Panos A. Panay says Africa’s place in the global music industry is a project that could not be measured by a single launch date, but by the work being put into building a foundation. The Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammys, now wants to expand its presence in Africa by establishing an Africa Recording Academy headquarters, which Kenya will host.

Movie Review: 'Practical Magic 2' should have stuck with the original spell book

Nearly 30 years after “Practical Magic” came out, the film franchise is back with a sequel starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in a reprisal of their roles as the Owens family witches. A new generation of Owens women sets out to undo the curse that has afflicted the family for generations. It makes any man who falls in love with them die tragically. Like the original, the sequel has charming and tender moments, largely thanks to its returning cast. But it falls short of reviving what made the first film so beloved. “Practical Magic 2” also features Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, Joey King, Maisie Williams and Lee Pace.