Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley lead 2026 ACM Awards nominations dominated by women

NEW YORK (AP) — Megan Moroney leads the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards with nine nominations. That includes a first-time nomination for the top prize of the night, entertainer of the year. Women appear to dominate the nods. Moroney is followed by Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards history, with eight. Then it is Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson tied with seven. The nominations for the 61st annual ACM Awards were announced Thursday. The awards ceremony will take place May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Performers will include Lambert, Wilson, Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Riley Green and more.

Films by Almodovar, Pawlikowski and Hamaguchi lead an auteur-heavy Cannes Film Festival lineup

New films by Polish filmmaker Paweł Pawlikowski, Japanese writer-director Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Spain’s Pedro Almodovar will premiere at the 79th Cannes Film Festival next month. Organizers for the South of France festival laid out a lineup heavy on big-name international auteurs at a news conference Thursday in Paris. This year, 21 films will vie for the Palme d’Or. That includes “Fatherland,” a Cold War drama starring Sandra Hüller; “Sudden,” the French language debut for Hamaguchi; and Almodovar’s “Bitter Christmas.” Cannes is so far light on Hollywood releases and American filmmakers, though Ira Sachs, Jane Schoenbrun and Ron Howard will debut films. The festival runs May 12 through 23.

Thousands of fans gather as BTS launches world tour in South Korea

SEOUL (AP) — BTS is kicking off their long-awaited world tour with a concert near Seoul. The K-pop supergroup returns to the stage after nearly four years. The tour follows the release of their new album, "ARIRANG," their first since members completed South Korea's mandatory military service. Thursday's concert attracted tens of thousands of fans, who braved the rain to see the group perform. The tour will include shows across the United States, Europe, and Asia. BTS, known for their global hits, will continue their tour in Tokyo next, with stops planned worldwide.

'Ketamine Queen' gets 15 years in prison for selling Matthew Perry the drugs that killed him

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge has handed down a sentence of 15 years in prison to a woman who pleaded guilty to selling “Friends” star Matthew Perry the ketamine that killed him in a 2023 overdose. Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett sentenced 42-year-old Jasveen Sangha on Wednesday. Sangha is the third defendant to be sentenced of the five people who have pleaded guilty in connection with the 54-year-old “Friends” star’s death. Prosecutors had recommend a 15-year sentence for Sangha. They cast her in court filings as a “Ketamine Queen” who had an elaborate drug operation catering to high-end clients.

Judge orders rapper Pooh Shiesty to remain in custody in case involving rapper Gucci Mane's label

DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge ordered rapper Pooh Shiesty to remain in custody after he and eight others were accused of kidnapping three music industry professionals and robbing them at gunpoint in Texas during a contract dispute involving rapper Gucci Mane’s record label. U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver told Pooh Shiesty, whose legal name is Lontrell Williams Jr., during a hearing Wednesday that she found the “weight of the evidence against you is strong.” During the hearing, the rapper’s attorney raised questions about much of the prosecution’s evidence.

'Malcolm in the Middle' returns after 20 years with questions of legacy and its trademark craziness

NEW YORK (AP) — Hulu has revived “Malcolm in the Middle” with a four-part series subtitled “Life’s Still Unfair.” The show picks up 20 years after the original, with Malcolm now a father trying to protect his daughter from his chaotic family. Original creator Linwood Boomer and his wife, Tracy Katsky Boomer, developed the revival, focusing on Malcolm's struggles as a parent. Some of the original cast members, including Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek, return to their old roles. Director Ken Kwapis says original cast members “slipped back into their roles effortlessly.” The revival explores family dynamics and the legacy passed to children. Episodes premiere Friday.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyers appeal his conviction with First Amendment argument

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers are poised to try to persuade federal appeals court judges that the hip-hop mogul was treated unfairly at a trial last year that sent him to prison on prostitution-related charges. Oral arguments before a panel of three federal appellate judges are scheduled Thursday morning in New York. Combs is in federal prison in New Jersey. He's challenging his conviction and his more than four-year prison sentence. His attorneys say his conviction should be reversed, or he should at least be freed and resentenced to less time. Prosecutors oppose the arguments.

Vilma Jää Brings herding calls and mocking songs to Met Opera’s production of 'Innocence'

NEW YORK (AP) — Vilma Jää never expected to play a major role in one of the 21st century’s most acclaimed operas when she enrolled at the Sibelius Academy to study folk music. Finland’s leading opera composer, Kaija Saariaho, was working on “Innocence” and wanted a character to sing in a Finnish folk style. Jää’s audition tape impressed Saariaho, leading to her role as Markéta. The opera premiered in 2021 and is now playing at the Met Opera through April 29. Jää’s unique folk singing style adds a distinctive element to the opera, blending Finnish traditions with Saariaho’s composition.

Movie Review: Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel are razor-sharp in art comedy ‘The Christophers’

Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel lead Steven Soderbergh's new movie “The Christophers,” about a famed artist and the unfinished paintings his estranged kids want to inherit. Coel plays an artist hired for her forgery skills, but things don't go exactly as you expect in this taut two-hander. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that “it’s a meditation on art, legacy, creativity and the oh-so-touchy subject of who has the right to critique” with a “razor-sharp script” brought to life by the inspired cast. Rated R, “The Christophers” opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles.

'SNL' season closes out with plenty of Olivia Rodrigo, Matt Damon, Will Ferrell and Paul McCartney

NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Damon, Will Ferrell and Paul McCartney will help close out the “Saturday Night Live” season, with Olivia Rodrigo hosting and performing on May 2. This marks Rodrigo's hosting debut and third time as musical guest. Damon will host on May 9, with Noah Kahan as the musical guest. Ferrell will host the 51st season finale on May 16, marking his sixth time. McCartney will be the musical guest for the fifth time. Colman Domingo and Anitta are set for this Saturday. The NBC sketch comedy show airs at 11:30 p.m. Eastern and streams live on Peacock.