Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion
NEW YORK (AP) — An autistic Barbie is joining Mattel's line of fashion dolls that's intended to celebrate diversity. The toymaker says it developed the new Barbie in partnership with a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights and better media representation of autistic people. A staff member with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network who worked on the prototype says creating the Barbie was a challenge because autism encompasses a broad range of behaviors and varies widely in degree. The doll that goes on sale on Monday has eyes shifted slightly to the side to avoid direct eye contact. It also has articulated elbows and wrists to acknowledge the gestures some autistic people use to process sensory information.
Reference to Trump's impeachments is removed from the display of his Smithsonian photo portrait
WASHINGTON (AP) — References to President Donald Trump’s two impeachments have been removed from his photo portrait display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington. It's the latest apparent change at the collections of museums that he's accused of bias as he asserts his influence over how official presentations document U.S. The wall text had summarized Trump’s first presidency and noted his 2024 comeback, as well as the impeachments. That text was available online Sunday. At the museum, a different photo now appears without any accompanying text block. The White House didn't say whether Trump or aides asked for the text to be removed or changed.
'Avatar: Fire and Ash' tops box office for fourth straight week with newcomer 'Primate' second
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to dominate the box office, holding the top spot for a fourth consecutive week. The film earned $21.3 million in North America over the weekend, bringing its total to $342.6 million domestically and $888 million worldwide. Paramount's horror film “Primate” was the top new release, earning $11.3 million domestically. Disney’s “Zootopia 2” remains a global hit, nearing Disney’s highest-grossing animated film record with $1.65 billion globally. Lionsgate's “The Housemaid” also performed well, earning $11.2 million. Hollywood's focus is on the Golden Globe Awards, with “Avatar” and “Zootopia 2” each nominated for two awards.
Caleb Williams rallies Bears from 18 points down for 31-27 playoff win over rival Packers
CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams came through in his playoff debut, throwing a go-ahead, 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore with 1:43 remaining, and the Chicago Bears rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the rival Green Bay Packers 31-27 in a wild-card playoff game. The NFC North champion Bears extended their resurgent first season under coach Ben Johnson with their seventh fourth-quarter comeback victory. Chicago trailed 21-3 at halftime and 21-6 through three quarters, only to outscore Green Bay 25-6 in the fourth on the way to its first playoff win in 15 years.
Veteran actor T.K. Carter, known for 'The Thing' and 'Punky Brewster,' dies at 69
DUARTE, Calif. (AP) — Veteran actor T.K. Carter, known for his roles in "The Thing" and "Punky Brewster," has died at 69. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported that deputies responded to a call about an unresponsive male in Duarte, California, on Friday evening. Police have not disclosed a cause of death but said no foul play is suspected. Carter gained fame as Nauls the cook in John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic, "The Thing." He also appeared in the 1980s sitcom "Punky Brewster" and films like "Runaway Train," "Ski Patrol," and "Space Jam."
Man convicted for carrying Pelosi's podium during US Capitol riot seeks Florida county office
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — A man who is known for grabbing Nancy Pelosi's podium during the U.S. Capitol riot is running for a county office in Florida. Adam Johnson filed to run as a Republican for the Manatee County Commission on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot. Johnson says the timing was intentional to generate buzz. He pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building during the riot and served 75 days in prison. Johnson says he regrets the action only because of the sentence. He says he's running because of high property taxes and overdevelopment, claiming current county administrators are wasteful.
Hollywood couple Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors gain Guinean citizenship
CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Hollywood couple Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors have received Guinean citizenship after tracing their ancestry to the West African country. They were awarded citizenship in a private ceremony in Conakry on Friday. The couple plans to tour the country's tourist sites on Sunday. Djiba Diakité, head of the president's cabinet, praised them as worthy representatives of Guinea. Majors, once on track for Hollywood stardom, faced setbacks after a 2023 arrest and subsequent conviction. Good, who began dating Majors in 2023, supported him during his trial. They married last year. Guinea's citizenship offer follows similar initiatives by other African countries.
Actor Timothy Busfield accused of child sex abuse in New Mexico
Authorities in New Mexico have issued an arrest warrant for director and Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield to face a child sex abuse charge. An investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department said in a criminal complaint Friday that the child reported that Busfield touched him inappropriately. The acts allegedly occurred on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” a TV series Busfield directed and acted in. The complaint says the child’s mother told Child Protective Services the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024. Busfield’s attorney and agent did not immediately respond to email messages seeking comment late Friday.
Judge dismisses Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit to reclaim master recordings from Universal Music Group
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit to reclaim ownership of their master recordings from Universal Music Group. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote sided with the recording giant, stating the group never owned the copyrights to their sound recordings. UMG argued the recordings were “works made for hire,” preventing rights reclamation. Salt-N-Pepa claimed their agreements indicated otherwise. The duo, Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, became Salt-N-Pepa in 1985. They signed with Next Plateau Records, now under Universal’s Republic label. The judge found no evidence they granted the label copyright that can be reclaimed.
Meta lines up massive supply of nuclear power to energize AI data centers
Facebook parent Meta has reached nuclear power deals with three companies as it continues to look for electricity sources for its artificial intelligence data centers. Meta struck agreements with TerraPower, Oklo and Vistra for nuclear power for its Prometheus AI data center that is being built in New Albany, Ohio. Meta announced Prometheus, which will be a 1-gigawatt cluster spanning across multiple data center buildings, in July. It’s anticipated to come online this year. Financial terms of the deals with TerraPower, Oklo and Vistra were not disclosed.
