Voice of America and Radio Farda's Persian services cover Israel-Iran conflict despite cutbacks

Despite the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle or sharply cut back on U.S. government-run news outlets like Voice of America, two Persian-language services have been called into duty to report on Israel's war with Iran to Iranian audiences. Radio Farda, part of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has even debunked a false report on Iranian state media that an Israeli pilot had been captured. Voice of America's Persian-language employees, who were put on administrative leave in March, were suddenly called back to work last Friday. Their employees are producing news for television and social media without knowing how long — or whether — their jobs will continue.

'Jaws' changed movies forever, but Hollywood could still learn from it

NEW YORK (AP) — Fifty years after “Jaws” sunk its teeth into us, we’re still admiring the bite mark. Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film, his second feature, left such a imprint on culture and Hollywood that barely any trip to the movies, let alone to the beach, hasn’t been the same since. “Jaws” established — and still in many ways defines — the summer movie. And yet the “Jaws” legacy is so much more than being Hollywood’s prototype blockbuster. It’s not possible to, 50 years later, watch Spielberg’s film and see nothing but the beginning of a box-office bonanza, or the paler fish it’s inspired. It’s just too good a movie — and too much unlike so many wannabes since –— to be merely groundbreaking.

Nezza's anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium ignites debate over team's immigrant support

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After Latin pop and R&B singer Nezza's viral controversial performance at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers fans have grown frustrated over the team’s lack of vocal support for local immigrant communities impacted by the rise of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests and raids. The baseball team has a long history with immigrant communities in Los Angeles, boasting a huge Latino fan base and hosting multiple heritage nights honoring various communities. Some fans have since called for a boycott online. Some are pushing for a more permanent boycott, while others say they’d be willing to return if the team spoke out in support.

Movie Review: In '28 Years Later,' a zombie pandemic rages on

In “28 Years Later,” director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland return to their apocalyptic pandemic with the benefit of now having lived through one. But recent history plays a surprisingly minor role in this far-from-typical, willfully shambolic, intensely scattershot part three, writes Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. Where other franchises might have added gloss or gone global, the iPhone-shot "28 Years Later” has remained in the U.K., now quarantined from the “rage virus.” Buried here are some tender reflections on mortality and misguided exceptionalism, and even the hint of those ideas make it a more thoughtful movie than you’re likely to find at the multiplex this time of year.

Jeezy reflects on the legacy of his commercial debut, the classic 'Thug Motivation 101'

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeezy is launching his orchestra-backed “TM:101 Live” tour on June 27. It celebrates the 20th anniversary of his commercial debut and classic “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101.” Through vivid storytelling of street life, Jeezy displayed his gift of motivation inspiring a vast cross-section of fans.The critically acclaimed “TM:101” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with singles like “Soul Survivor” featuring Akon, and “Go Crazy” with Jay-Z. Jeezy had a contingency plan in case his musical aspirations failed but he tells The Associated Press that he had a feeling the album would be life-changing.

The world according to Wednesday, your new favorite alt-country indie rock band

NEW YORK (AP) — North Carolina alt-country indie rock band Wednesday is an exemplar in evocative songwriting. Whole worlds are found in their short lyrical lines delivered with lap steel, guitar fuzz and folksy and jagged vocals. On Sept. 19, they will release their sixth and most ambitious full-length, “Bleeds.” In the band's first interview about the new album, Wednesday’s singer and songwriter Karly Hartzman tells The Associated Press that the main difference between this record and their others is that her songwriting has sharpened. She says there is a newfound emotional immediacy on “Bleeds.” AP ranked Wednesday's last album, 2023's “Rat Saw God,” as one of the best of the year.

Jeff Ross to make his Broadway debut this summer in one-man show that's far from a roast

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff Ross, the comedian known for hosting brutal roasts of celebrities, is coming to Broadway this summer with a one-man autobiographical show that will offer fans a softer side. The show will explore Ross’ close relatives, especially his maternal grandfather. Ross calls him “the hero of my childhood,” who stepped up after the comedian’s parents died when he was a teenager. The title comes from the days when Ross was living with his grandfather in New Jersey and the older man would urge the budding comedian to pack a banana.

Music Review: HAIM return with a superb and salty breakup album

HAIM has declared this season to be “single-girl summer” and offered us the soundtrack. Heartsick never sounded so good, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy. “I Quit,” the fourth full-length album from the trio, is a breakup collection that never gets too weepy. You can dance to a lot of it. Even the song “Cry,” which name-checks the seven stages of grief, is an upbeat bop. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim found themselves all single for the first time in a long time, looking back with equal parts venom and guilt.

From the Greek mountains to Manhattan: folk music icon Petroloukas Chalkias honored after death

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Fans in Greece are paying their respects to clarinetist Petroloukas Chalkias, whose hypnotic, note-bending performances over the course of seven decades made him a hero of mountain folk music. Chalkias, who died at 90, will lay in state Wednesday at Athens Cathedral, a rare honor. The musician took up the clarinet at as a boy of 11 and eventually caught the attention of jazz greats in the United States. Greek President Constantine Tassoulas describes Chalkias as a “legendary figure.” Musicians paying their respects say he was generous with his time in helping fellow artists.

Tyler Perry sued by actor on 'The Oval' for sexual assault and harassment

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An actor who worked on the Tyler Perry-created TV drama “The Oval” has filed a lawsuit alleging Perry leveraged his power in the entertainment industry to sexually assault and harass him. The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by actor Derek Dixon seeks at least $260 million in damages. The lawsuit says Perry used the fear of Dixon's character getting killed off to keep him quiet amid constant sexual harassment and several sexual assaults. Perry's lawyer said Dixon's claims are fabricated and are an attempt to shake down Perry.