Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald lead the pack for 2026 Hall of Fame
Quarterback Drew Brees and receiver Larry Fitzgerald have advanced to the next stage of consideration for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in their first year of eligibility. Six other players in their first year of eligibility have also advanced from the original list of 128 modern-era nominees to the 52 that will be considered by the full selection committee. The full 50-member selection committee will reduce the list to 25 and then 15 finalists, who will be voted on by the committee before the Super Bowl in February. Brees and Fitzgerald are the top new candidates this year.
Trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland hangs up her pointe shoes after performing for adoring crowd
NEW YORK (AP) — Ballerina Misty Copeland has taken one last passionate spin on the ballet stage before saying goodbye. American Ballet Theatre feted the trailblazing dancer Wednesday evening with a grand farewell gala. It included performances and speeches by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, who said Copeland hadn't just performed ballet — she had changed it. Copeland was the first Black female principal dancer in the company's 75-year history, and helped bring diverse audiences to the ABT stage. The 43-year-old told The Associated Press in a June interview that she felt it was time to “move to a different stage” and work toward diversity in the dance world through her Misty Copeland Foundation and also her books for young readers.
Prince Harry, Meghan join call for ban on development of AI 'superintelligence'
Prince Harry and Meghan have joined a diverse group, including Steve Bannon and Glenn Beck, to call for a ban on AI "superintelligence" that threatens humanity. Released Wednesday, their joint letter targets tech giants like Google, Meta and OpenAI. It urges a prohibition on developing superintelligence until safety and public consensus are assured. The letter highlights concerns about AI's potential risks, including economic disruption and security threats. Signatories include AI pioneers, celebrities, and political figures. The debate over AI's future continues, with concerns about both its potential and the hype surrounding its capabilities.
Auction house to sell Gene Hackman's Golden Globes, watch and paintings he collected and created
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An auction house plans to sell off a variety of actor Gene Hackman's possessions. They include Golden Globe, a wristwatch and paintings he collected and created himself. Live and online auctions next month follow Hackman's death in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this year at age 95. The two-time Oscar winner enjoyed painting and wrote novels in his later years. Auction items include a still life painting of a Japanese vase by Hackman and awards from roles in “Unforgiven” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Hackman's art collection highlights postwar and contemporary masters.
Loggins demands removal of Trump's AI-generated video using ‘Danger Zone’
NEW YORK (AP) — Kenny Loggins is objecting to the use of his music in a social media post featuring an artificial intelligence-generated video of President Donald Trump. The video was posted on Trump's Truth Social platform and shows the Republican president dumping excrement from a fighter jet on the “No Kings” protests. The video uses Loggins' song “Danger Zone” from the 1986 Tom Cruise movie “Top Gun.” Loggins says he was not asked for permission and wants the video removed. As of Tuesday morning, the video remained on Truth Social. The White House has responded to a request for comment with a still from “Top Gun” with the caption “I FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED," paraphrasing a line from the movie.
Finding the jewels and the brazen thieves in the Louvre heist is now a race against time
PARIS (AP) — Experts say France's royal jewels may be gone forever after a daring heist at the Louvre. On Sunday, thieves stole eight pieces, including crowns and necklaces, in just four minutes. These jewels, dating back to the 16th century, were significant symbols of France's wealth and power. Experts believe the gems are likely being dismantled and sold off. The theft has left the French government scrambling to address security concerns at the museum. The heist is being called "the heist of the decade" and has sparked a race against time for authorities to recover the treasures.
Memoir by Prince Andrew's accuser reignites a scandal that has long dogged UK royals
LONDON (AP) — The British royal family is under intense scrutiny as Virginia Giuffre's memoir hits bookstores. Giuffre, an accuser of Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, died by suicide in April. Her book, "Nobody’s Girl," doesn't reveal new details but reignites accusations against Andrew. He recently announced he will stop using his titles, including Duke of York, but denies Giuffre’s claims. Giuffre alleges she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions when she was underage. Andrew settled a lawsuit with her in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing. Buckingham Palace faces pressure to strip Andrew of his titles.
OpenAI launches Atlas browser to compete with Google Chrome
OpenAI has introduced its own web browser, ChatGPT Atlas, putting it in direct competition with Google. The new browser, launched Tuesday on Apple laptops, aims to make ChatGPT a gateway to online searches. This move could increase OpenAI's internet traffic and advertising revenue. CEO Sam Altman describes it as a chance to rethink browser use. Atlas will eventually be available on Windows, iOS, and Android. The browser faces a tough challenge against Google's Chrome, which has about 3 billion users.
New York police seek woman for questioning after baby is abandoned at Penn Station subway stop
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police released images of a woman wanted for questioning after an infant girl with her umbilical cord still attached was abandoned at a busy midtown Manhattan subway station. Authorities on Tuesday asked for the public's help in identifying the woman, who is seen on a 2-second video clip carrying something that is bundled. The baby was found unattended and wrapped in a blanket at the 34th Street-Penn Station subway station in midtown Manhattan on Monday morning. She was taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition. Police are calling it a case of endangering the welfare of a child.
Kevin Federline says his sons with Britney Spears are the reason for his new memoir
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears' ex-husband Kevin Federline is telling his side of their time together in a new memoir being released Tuesday. Federline says in an interview with The Associated Press that he remained silent because of their two sons, but now that they're adults he feels an obligation to tell the whole story. In the book he describes the media frenzy that came with their two-year marriage. He writes that Spears called her ex Justin Timberlake the night before their wedding. He writes that she frightened their sons with erratic behavior that sometimes tipped into abuse. Spears says Federline's book is full of “white lies” aimed at making money.
