Amateur archaeologist finds Germany’s biggest hoard of ancient Roman silver coins
BERLIN (AP) — An amateur archaeologist has discovered a significant hoard of Roman silver coins in western Germany. Oliver Riedl found 934 Roman silver denarii in a field near Wesseling, south of Cologne. The local archaeological office confirmed Tuesday that it's the largest coin treasure from the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian found in Germany. The coins, weighing 3.1 kilograms, are now on display at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn. Experts believe the coins were buried deliberately in the second century A.D. The pay of Roman legionaries provides a reference for the hoard's value, though its exact worth remains unclear.
New book by Princess Diana's brother prompts war of words with King Charles III
LONDON (AP) — A new book by the late Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, has made headlines with damning allegations about King Charles III. In “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” Spencer claims he argued with Charles over plans for Prince William and Prince Harry to walk behind Diana's coffin in 1997. Spencer says Charles dismissed concerns. He claims the prince “went ballistic” during the argument, and told him: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” Buckingham Palace responded with a rare statement, suggesting grief can cloud judgment. Spencer insists he's telling the truth. The book revives tensions between the palace and the Spencer family, highlighting Diana's enduring impact on the royals.
Presley Gerber, model and son of Cindy Crawford, dies at 27
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — The son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, Presley Gerber has died at age 27. Medical examiner records show Gerber died Sunday at a rehabilitation facility. An autopsy was performed, but the medical examiner's website said more testing is required before investigators can give a cause. Santa Monica police said they were investigating Gerber's death as a suspected overdose. A spokesperson for Crawford and husband Rande Gerber said the family is asking for privacy. Presley was a model in his own right and the older brother of model and actor Kaia Gerber. He had been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse.
Taylor Swift will become the most awarded artist in MTV VMAs history: A guide to the 2026 show
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift will break records at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. She will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, making her the most awarded artist in VMA history. Currently, Swift is tied with Beyoncé, each having 30 awards. The new honor will bring her total to 31. The awards show will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Madonna leads with 11 nominations, followed by Swift with nine. The event will feature performances by Madonna and others. Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award. Fan voting ends September 25. The two-hour show will broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
The Sparks honor Lisa Leslie with a bronze statue outside the arena
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lisa Leslie left her mark on the Los Angeles Sparks franchise as one of the top players in its history. The organization honored her Sunday with a bronze statue outside the arena, immortalizing the WNBA great. She became the 16th person honored with a statue in Star Plaza in a ceremony that featured Magic Johnson, Candace Parker and Michael Cooper and others. Leslie, who starred for the Sparks from 1997-2009, is the first Sparks player to be honored with a statue. The 11-foot statue with a 4 1/2 foot base depicts Leslie’s signature dunk that was the first in WNBA history.
Sound of Music museum opens where the von Trapp story met Hollywood
SALZBURG, Austria (AP) — An Austrian museum is now alive with “The Sound of Music.” The first-ever venue devoted to the 1965 film has opened Sunday in Salzburg. The museum is housed in the 17th-century Hellbrunn Palace, where many scenes were filmed. It distinguishes the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical from the real-life von Trapp family story. Visitors can see nearly 450 objects, including props, costumes and the famous gazebo. Fans of the film, which won five Oscars, have long flocked to Salzburg. The exhibition is open daily until Nov. 1 and will reopen next March.
Tiny wild cat newly identified as a species draws curious visitors in Bolivia
COROICO, Bolivia (AP) — A tiny wild cat newly identified as a species in Bolivia has become an unlikely tourist attraction. Visitors have flocked to a wildlife sanctuary near La Paz hoping to catch a glimpse of Tigrino. The small, spotted feline species was described by scientists last week. Most visitors won’t get the chance to see it, though. Tigrino is easily stressed by people, so caretakers keep him out of public view. The cat weighs just 3 pounds and is smaller than the average house cat. Scientists say Leopardus tilcayo is the first living wild cat species to be described in more than a century.
Former husband and in-laws of Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi stand trial in her killing
HONG KONG (AP) — A murder trial has begun for the former husband and in-laws of Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi. The trial opened Monday more than three years after the discovery of parts of her dismembered body at a house shocked the city. Choi’s ex-husband Alex Kwong, his father Kwong Kau and his brother Anthony Kwong are accused of killing her in 2023. They face life imprisonment if convicted of murder. They are also charged with preventing the lawful burial of a body. The trial is expected to last 45 days.
'La Bola Negra' wins TIFF's People Choice Award, putting it on Oscar path
“La Bola Negra,” the Spanish queer epic about the intertwined lives of three gay men, won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, confirming its status as a major Oscar contender. TIFF’s top award is voted on by festivalgoers, and it’s become known as one of the most iron-clad Academy Awards predictors. Since 2012, all but one winner of the People’s Choice Award has gone on to score a best-picture nomination at the Oscars.
For Palestinian aid groups, Macklemore's $1M pledge brings relief and attention to ongoing suffering
NEW YORK (AP) — Macklemore's $1 million donation pledge is coming at a critical time for Palestinian relief nonprofits. The Grammy-winning rapper committed to donate his net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after he was dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage. With his gift, Macklemore wants to shift the attention now to where he says it belongs: the Palestinian people. More than a funding windfall, the recipients' leaders welcome the renewed public awareness to the ongoing suffering they continue to treat amid a fragile ceasefire.
