Welcome to wplace: A chaotic, collaborative digital canvas where users 'paint the world'

NEW YORK (AP) — A new online platform called wplace invites users to “paint the world” on a massive digital canvas. This ever-evolving map allows people to create art using a limited number of pixels over time. Many team up to produce larger and more elaborate images. Users have painted tributes to pop culture and symbols of local identity, as well messages of protest and global conflicts. Experts say this reflects an ongoing desire for collaboration and expression in digital spaces. However wplace also faces challenges with content moderation. Some have raised concerns about hate speech, as well as frustrations about others “griefing” their artwork.

Andy Richter, Hilaria Baldwin, Corey Feldman and Jordan Chiles join 'Dancing with the Stars' cast

NEW YORK (AP) — Corey Feldman, Hilaria Baldwin, Danielle Fishel and Jordan Chiles are set to compete on the new season of “Dancing with the Stars.” They were announced Wednesday on “Good Morning America.” The season premieres September 16 on ABC and Disney+. Baldwin, a fitness enthusiast, will dance with Gleb Savchenko. Feldman will pair with Jenna Johnson. Fishel, known for “Boy Meets World,” will partner with Pasha Pashkov. Elaine Hendrix, Baron Davis, Dylan Efron, Scott Hoying, Lauren Jauregui and Andy Richter are also joining. Previously announced contestants include Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, Whitney Leavitt, and Jen Affleck.

Radiohead returns after 7 years, announce 20 new live dates

NEW YORK (AP) — Move over, Oasis. Another British rock band is reuniting for a few live performances. Radiohead have announced 20 shows taking place in five cities across Europe. There will be four shows apiece in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen and Berlin this November and December. The band, which is made up of vocalist Thom Yorke, guitarist/keyboardist Jonny Greenwood, guitarist Ed O’Brien, bassist Colin Greenwood and drummer Phil Selway, last performed in 2018. Registration for tickets begins Friday at Radiohead.com and will close 72 hours later.. The regular ticket sale will begin a week later, on Sept. 15.

In the shattering ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab,’ the story of a 6-year-old killed in Gaza

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania's” The Voice of Hind Rajab” is debuting at the Venice Film Festival Wednesday. The film tells the tragic story of a six-year-old girl who was killed in Gaza City in early 2024, using the real audio from her distress call to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Ben Hania felt compelled to make the film after hearing the audio, which has also inspired songs and protests. The film has been selected by Tunisia as its candidate for next year's Oscars and has a slew of famous supporters, including Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix.

James Patterson's new initiative gives emerging authors up to $50,000 to finish their books

NEW YORK (AP) — James Patterson has launched an initiative to support emerging authors. On Wednesday, he announced the first 12 recipients of grants from his “Go Finish Your Book” campaign. Authors will receive up to $50,000 to help complete their manuscript. Patterson said he wants to give writers time and space to finish their stories. The program is organized with PEN America, the Authors Guild, and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Recipients are working on various genres, including memoirs and graphic novels. One author, Jungin Angie Lee, plans to finish a short story collection.

'Ketamine Queen' accused of selling fatal dose to Matthew Perry is set to plead guilty

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman charged with selling Matthew Perry the ketamine that killed him is set to plead guilty. Jasveen Sangha will become the fifth and final defendant charged in the overdose death of the “Friends” star to plead guilty after an agreement with federal prosecutors. The plea means the 42-year-old will avoid a trial that had been planned for September. Prosecutors cast Sangha as a prolific drug dealer who was known to her customers as the “Ketamine Queen.” According to court documents she sold Perry 25 vials of ketamine four days before his death from an overdose of the drug.

Cardi B wins case filed by security guard who claimed rapper assaulted her

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury has ruled in favor of Cardi B in a lawsuit where a security guard accused her of assault during the rapper's first pregnancy. On Tuesday, the jury in Alhambra, California, deliberated for about an hour before finding Cardi not liable. Emani Ellis claimed Cardi cut her face with a fingernail and spat on her in a Beverly Hills doctor's office in February 2018. Cardi admitted they argued but denied it turned physical. Ellis sought damages for medical expenses and emotional suffering. A receptionist supported Cardi's account, and the jury sided with the rapper.

US media quickly forced to revisit a thorny question: How should a president's health be covered?

At President Donald Trump's news conference, Fox News' Peter Doocy asked something that surely baffled those who avoided social media over Labor Day: “How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?” Doocy referred to questions about Trump's health that swirled through social media over the weekend. With a 50-minute appearance, Trump certainly put to rest rumors that he was dead or seriously ill. But for the news media, it quickly renewed questions about whether they were being diligent enough in investigating questions over a president's health — a year after they dealt with the same issues with Joe Biden.

Thomas Schumacher, who led Disney Theatrical Group to historic success, is leaving the company

NEW YORK (AP) — Thomas Schumacher, who led Disney Theatrical Group for decades, is leaving the company. Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, announced the departure in an email to staff on Wednesday, calling it the “end of an era.” Schumacher will leave at the end of September. During his tenure, Disney shows won 20 Tony Awards and 60 nominations. They have three of the 15 longest-running shows in Broadway history. Schumacher has been with Disney's theatrical arm since 1994. He recently transitioned to a creative role, leaving leadership to Andrew Flatt and Anne Quart. Schumacher expressed confidence in their leadership.

Graham Greene, a trailblazing Indigenous actor best known for ‘Dances with Wolves’, dies at 73

NEW YORK (AP) — Graham Greene, a trailblazing Indigenous actor whose long and successful career on the big and small screen included an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Kicking Bird in “Dances with Wolves,” has died. He was 73. Greene died Monday in Stratford, Ontario, after a long battle with an unspecified illness. Greene was born in June 1952 in Ohsweken on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario. He became an actor in the 1970s, beginning with the 1979 Canadian drama series “The Great Detective” and the 1983 film “Running Brave.” He is best known for his role as Kicking Bird in the 1990 film “Dances with Wolves.” The performance earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor in 1991.