'Doctor Who' season finale surprises fans with an exit — and a familiar face

LONDON (AP) — A familiar face to “Doctor Who” fans is rejoining the long-running British sci-fi series as Ncuti Gatwa exits the lead role after two seasons. In Saturday’s season finale, Gatwa's Time Lord regenerated and fans got a glimpse of Billie Piper. Piper played the character Rose Tyler for 35 episodes between 2005 and 2013. Tyler was a companion to versions of the doctor played by Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. Producers are keeping her new role secret — for now. Piper says “Doctor Who” has provided some of her best memories and she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to come back.

Opal Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand crowned Miss World 2025

HYDERABAD, India (AP) — Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand has been crowned Miss World at a glittering contest that was held in India. Chuangsri topped a field of 108 contestants in the contest held in India’s southern Hyderabad city. Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia was the first runner-up in the competition. Chuangsri received her crown from last year’s winner Krystyna Pyszková. The 72nd Miss World beauty pageant was hosted by Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle and Indian presenter Sachiin Kumbhar. India hosted the beauty competition last year as well. India’s Nandini Gupta exited after making it to the final 20.

Strauss' 'Blue Danube' is beamed into space as Vienna celebrates with a concert

VIENNA (AP) — Strauss' “Blue Danube” waltz has finally made it into space, nearly a half-century after missing a ride on NASA's Voyagers. The European Space Agency's big radio antenna in Spain beamed the waltz into the cosmos Saturday. Operators aimed the antenna at Voyager 1, the world's most distant spacecraft more than 15 billion miles away. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra performed the “Blue Danube” during the transmission. Launched in 1977 and now in interstellar space, each of the twin Voyager spacecraft holds a Golden Record full of music but nothing from the waltz king.

Netflix reveals details about Lady Gaga on 'Wednesday,' 'Squid Game' and 'Stranger Things' finales

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Netflix has unveiled unveiled details about its upcoming slate of offerings at a live event in Inglewood, California. The streaming giant announced release dates for the final episodes of its hits “Squid Game” and “Stranger Things" and revealed that Lady Gaga will play a teacher on “Wednesday.” The streaming giant assembled actors including Jenna Ortega, Oscar Isaac, Lee Jung-jae, Kerry Washington, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for its annual Tudum event. Musical performances bookended the show, with Hanumankind opening with “Run It Up” and Gaga closing with a medley and the announcement of her latest acting gig.

Loretta Swit, Emmy-winner who played Maj. Houlihan on pioneering series 'M.A.S.H.,' has died at 87

NEW YORK (AP) — Loretta Swit, who won two Emmy Awards playing Major Margaret Houlihan on the pioneering hit TV series “M.A.S.H.,” has died. She was 87. Swit played the demanding head nurse of a behind-the-lines surgical unit during the Korean War and along with Alan Alda was the show’s longest-serving cast member. Publicist Harlan Boll says Swit died Friday at her home in New York City, likely from natural causes. Swit was able to shift the character away from the sex-crazed “Hot Lips” Houlihan character in Robert Altman’s 1970 film.

Taylor Swift has regained control of her music, buys back first 6 albums

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift says she’s has regained control over her entire body of work. In a lengthy note posted to her official website on Friday, Swift announced that all the music she’s ever made now belongs to her. According to the note, the pop star has purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through Big Machine Records — from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount. Over the last few years, Swift has been rerecording and releasing her early albums in an attempt to regain control of her music.

Shakira performance for World Pride opening concert abruptly canceled due to technical issues

WASHINGTON (AP) — One day before the kickoff concert for World Pride 2025 in the nation’s capital, headlining performer Shakira has abruptly canceled due to equipment difficulties. The multiplatinum singer had been scheduled to headline the opening celebrations Saturday night at Nationals Park. The reasons are apparently an extension of equipment issues related to her Thursday night concert in Boston’s Fenway Park, which was also canceled hours before it was set to begin. A Friday night concert at Fenway for country star Jason Aldean was also canceled.

What to watch for at the Tony Awards, Broadway's biggest night

NEW YORK (AP) — The Tony Awards this year will be held Sunday, June 8, from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It will be broadcast live to both coasts on CBS and Paramount+. Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo will host. There are new six new musicals hoping to win: “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Dead Outlaw,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Maybe Happy Ending” and “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.” For new plays, it’s “English,” “The Hills of California,” “John Proctor Is the Villain,” “Oh, Mary!” and “Purpose.” Audra McDonald, the most recognized performer in the theater awards’ history, could possibly extend her lead as most decorated actor.

Alf Clausen, Emmy-winning composer who wrote music for 'The Simpsons' for 27 years, dies at 84

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alf Clausen, the Emmy-winning composer who provided the music for “The Simpsons” for 27 years, has died at age 84. Clausen's daughter says he died in Los Angeles on Thursday. Clausen began providing the music for the animated antics of “The Simpsons” in its second season in 1990, and wrote the scores for nearly 600 episodes. He won two Emmys and was nominated for 30. He also composed the music for the TV series “Moonlighting” and “Alf.” “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening once called Clausen “one of the unacknowledged treasures of the show.”