Vladimir Kara-Murza memoir 'One Day Free' to be released May 18

NEW YORK (AP) — Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza has written a memoir he's calling “One Day Free.” Public Affairs announced Wednesday that the book will be published May 18. Kara-Murza describes it as a personal testimony and historical chronicle of life under President Vladimir Putin. The book examines Putin's rule and those who supported or opposed it. Kara-Murza, an activist and journalist, was arrested in 2022 for opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and sentenced to 25 years. He was released in 2024 and now lives in the United States. He says he remains optimistic about Russia's future.

Christina Applegate says her doctor told her she was misdiagnosed with MS

NEW YORK (AP) — Christina Applegate has revealed her doctor says she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She shared this Monday on her podcast "MeSsy" with co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler. Applegate first announced her MS diagnosis in 2021. She still experiences symptoms like needing a wheelchair despite the misdiagnosis. She says the news is confusing, especially since she and Sigler have become advocates for MS awareness. Applegate feels she has let people down. Applegate has been open about her health struggles in her memoir.

'The Simpsons' resurrects Apu after nearly a decade of silence

The Halloween-themed episodes of “The Simpsons” have always been a treat of spooky stand-alone storylines. On Sunday, the show surprised viewers with the resurrection of Apu. The beloved Indian Kwik-E-Mart operator had not been heard onscreen in almost a decade. Once voiced by Hank Azaria, he's now voiced by Indian American actor Sunil Malhotra. Apu’s surprise return is a remarkable twist to a long-running discourse about the character representing a painful stereotype to some South Asian Americans. Comedian Hari Kondabolu made the 2017 documentary “The Problem With Apu.” He commended “The Simpsons” on bringing Apu back.

CNN threatens new legal action, saying it's still being denied access to Air Force One

CNN has threatened further legal action if its journalists continue to be denied access to Air Force One. The network has been in a legal battle with Donald Trump’s administration since the president banned it and two other outlets from White House grounds, calling their content “Fake News.” Last week, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction against the ban. However, CNN remains barred from TV pool coverage of Trump’s travel on Air Force One. CNN attorney Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. wrote a letter Monday to the Justice Department threatening additional legal action. The department did not respond to a request for comment.

A new Beatles attraction is coming to Liverpool as interest in the Fab Four surges

LONDON (AP) — Liverpool is set to get a new visitor attraction dedicated to The Beatles. Apple Corps Ltd. plans to open an expanded Beatles Story museum in 2028. Its opening will coincide with a quartet of feature films by Sam Mendes about the band. The museum will move to a larger site near the Lime Street train station and feature immersive technology, original artifacts and reconstructions the Cavern Club and Abbey Road Studios. The St. Johns Beacon tower nearby will become a "Yellow Submarine"-themed attraction. Surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr support the development. The Beatles' legacy has boosted Liverpool's economy, but experts warn against over-commercialization.

Movie Review: In 'Wildwood,' tons of stop-start work build a world the story can’t match

“Wildwood” is an ambitious stop-motion animated film that stretches over two hours, featuring 230 hand-controlled puppets across 132 sets. The movie is based on a 2011 fantasy novel by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis. It follows a teenager, Prue McKeel, who lives in Portland, Oregon. When crows snatch her baby brother, she ventures into a magical forest to rescue him. AP critic Mark Kennedy says the film dazzles with its technical achievements but struggles with its storytelling. Despite its impressive visuals, the movie's message about not rushing to grow up feels weak. The PG-13 film opens in theaters on Oct. 23.

Movie Review: 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem' is more than a staggering time capsule

The new film “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” is a staggering documentary event. As AP Film Writer Jake Coyle writes in his review, the movie is about a single day in 1972 when the filmmaker William Greaves gathered luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance for a cocktail party at Duke Ellington's town house. The result is less an act of preservation than a lively and dynamic reminder that history is an ever-unfolding continuum. Coyle says it's a miracle of a movie. For decades, the footage sat unused. Only after Greaves' death in 2014 did the 16 mm film get restored and ultimately assembled into a documentary by the director's son, David Greaves.

John Turturro, thief of New York characters, stars in 'The Only Living Pickpocket in New York'

NEW YORK (AP) — John Turturro grew up in Hollis, Queens, and has lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn, since 1988. Through his life as a New Yorker, his most reliable reservoir of inspiration has been the sidewalks and subway cars around him. Turturro’s latest New York character, an aging pickpocket in “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” has brought him something rare for the much-loved but relatively seldom-honored actor: Oscar buzz. His soulful performance could land him his first nomination.

Richard Riehle, dependable TV and film character actor who was in 'Glory' and 'Office Space,' dies

NEW YORK (AP) — Beloved character actor Richard Riehle has died at 78. Wright Entertainment Inc. announced Monday that Riehle died on Oct. 15. Riehle's career spanned nearly five decades, with memorable roles in “Office Space,” “Glory,” and “The Fugitive.” He often played authority figures but was equally skilled in comedy. He began acting at the University of Notre Dame and later earned a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota. Riehle appeared in three “Star Trek” series and on Broadway. He is remembered for his talent, kindness, and support for emerging actors.

Written originally for Lincoln, 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing' now revered as Black National Anthem

In 34 lines, James Weldon Johnson told of the pain, anguish, frustration, faith and hope former slaves and their descendants experienced in a land and country they were forced to call home. He did it in “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” a poem that later became a song and is now widely referred to as the Black National Anthem. Johnson's manuscript is held at a Yale University library. It was written in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of a celebration in 1900 for President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Johnson's brother composed the music. It has become a standard in Black churches and in Black History Month programs across the United States.