Japan’s royal family, world’s oldest monarchy, makes debut on Instagram

Japan’s royal family, world’s oldest monarchy, makes debut on Instagram

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s imperial family made an Instagram debut with a barrage of posts on Monday, hoping to shake off their reclusive image and reach out to younger people on social media. The Imperial Household Agency, a government agency in charge of the family’s affairs, posted 60 photos and five videos showing Emperor Naruhito … Read more

No joke: UK comedian told to remove hot dog from subway poster over junk food ban

No joke: UK comedian told to remove hot dog from subway poster over junk food ban

LONDON (AP) — On the London Underground, hot dogs are no joking matter. Comedian Ed Gamble has been ordered to change a subway station poster campaign for his new standup show because the image of a hot dog violated the transit network’s ban on junk food advertising. The poster for the show, “Hot Diggity Dog,” … Read more

India celebrates Holi, the Hindu festival of color, marking the reawakening of spring

India celebrates Holi, the Hindu festival of color, marking the reawakening of spring

NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of Indians celebrated Monday the Hindu Holi festival, dancing to festive music, exchanging food and drink and smearing each other with red, green, blue and pink powder, turning the air into a joyful kaleidoscope of color. Widely known as the Hindu festival of colors, Holi marks the arrival of the … Read more

Kate and William ‘extremely moved’ by support since the Princess of Wales’ cancer revelation

Kate and William ‘extremely moved’ by support since the Princess of Wales’ cancer revelation

LONDON (AP) — Kate, the Princess of Wales, and her husband, Prince William, are said to be “extremely moved” by the public’s warmth and support following her shocking cancer announcement as tributes continued to pour in Sunday from around the world. After weeks of frenzied speculation on social media about her health and well-being, Kate … Read more

Netflix’s recent forays into live sports not expected to create any big waves soon

Netflix’s recent forays into live sports not expected to create any big waves soon

After being on the sidelines, Netflix has started dipping into live sports. Over the past few months, the streaming giant has aired exhibition events in golf and tennis. It is also slated to air the July 20 bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. Beginning next year, Netflix will start carrying World Wrestling Entertainment’s flagship … Read more

Behind the Scenes: What you didn’t see at the 2024 Oscars

Behind the Scenes: What you didn’t see at the 2024 Oscars

LOS ANGELES (AP) — There is a whole other show that happens offscreen at the Oscars that the home audience doesn’t see on television. Here’s what The Associated Press saw that the cameras did not capture. THE OSCARS START AT… 7ISH? Things got off to a late start, about 6 minutes behind schedule and not … Read more

Steve Lawrence, singer, entertainer and half of popular stage duo Steve & Eydie, dies at 88

Steve Lawrence, singer, entertainer and half of popular stage duo Steve & Eydie, dies at 88

NEW YORK (AP) — Steve Lawrence, a singer and top stage act who as a solo performer and in tandem with his wife Eydie Gorme kept Tin Pan Alley alive during the rock era, died Thursday. He was 88. Lawrence, whose hits included “Go Away Little Girl,” died from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease, said … Read more

Chris Mortensen, longtime NFL reporter for ESPN, dies at 72

Chris Mortensen, longtime NFL reporter for ESPN, dies at 72

Chris Mortensen, the award-winning journalist who covered the NFL for close to four decades, including 32 as a senior analyst at ESPN, died Sunday morning. He was 72. ESPN confirmed Mortensen’s death on Sunday. There was no immediate word on the cause or place of death. “Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and … Read more

Scandinavian Airlines medevac plane lands in Malaysian island where Norwegian king is hospitalized

Scandinavian Airlines medevac plane lands in Malaysian island where Norwegian king is hospitalized

LANGKAWI, Malaysia (AP) — A Scandinavian Airlines medical evacuation plane arrived on Friday in Malaysia’s northern resort island of Langkawi, where the Norwegian king is in hospital and being treated for an infection. King Harald V, Europe’s oldest monarch at 87, was hospitalized after he fell ill during a vacation, the royal palace in Oslo … Read more

LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says he is married and that his new bride is Japanese

LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says he is married and that his new bride is Japanese

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani announced on his Instagram account that he is married. The two-way player joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in December on a $700 million, 10-year contract. He wrote on Instagram in Japanese: “The season is approaching but I would like to announce to everyone that I have gotten married.” He said his … Read more