Picasso portrait of muse Dora Maar in vivid hat, long hidden from view, sells for 32 million euros
PARIS (AP) — A long-hidden Picasso portrait of muse Dora Maar has sold for 32 million euros at an auction in Paris. The vividly hued portrait had remained out of view for more than eight decades in a family collection. Auctioneer Christophe Lucien called Friday's sale to a buyer in the room “an enormous success." Painted in July 1943, “Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat (Dora Maar)” depicts Maar in a brightly colored floral hat. She had been the artist’s muse for about seven years, and the relationship was coming to a painful close. The work was purchased in 1944 and had not been on the market since.
Sports betting is a booming business. The FBI's NBA probe is putting it in the spotlight
NEW YORK (AP) — The stunning indictment that led to the arrest of more than 30 people — including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and other NBA figures — has drawn new scrutiny of the booming business of sports betting in the U.S. The multibillion-dollar industry has made it easy for sports fans — and even some players — to wager on everything from the outcome of games to that of a single play with just a few taps of a cellphone. But regulating the rapidly-growing industry has proven to be a challenge. Professional sports leagues’ own role in promoting gambling has also raised eyebrows.
King Charles III prays with pope in historic visit, a welcome respite from royal troubles at home
VATICAN CITY (AP) — King Charles III and Queen Camilla have visited the Vatican to pray with Pope Leo XIV. This historic meeting aims to strengthen ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The event on Thursday marked the first time since the Reformation that the heads of these two churches have prayed together. The visit comes amid renewed scrutiny of the British royal family over Prince Andrew’s ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Charles' and Camilla’s visit had been planned for earlier in the year but was rescheduled after Pope Francis's illness and death. The meeting included discussions on ecological sustainability, a priority for both Charles and the Vatican.
Microsoft hopes Mico succeeds where Clippy failed as tech companies warily imbue AI with personality
Remember Clippy? Microsoft's infamous paper clip assistant might have been before its time. The software giant has introduced a new AI character called Mico (pronounced MEE'koh), designed to embody its Copilot virtual assistant. Mico, a floating cartoon face shaped like a flame or blob, aims to balance personality with functionality. This launch comes as AI developers navigate how to present chatbots in an engaging way without causing harm or annoyance. Unlike Clippy, which Microsoft pushed on desktop computer users at the turn of the 21st century, Mico is also easy to turn off.
Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, Kenny Loggins and David Byrne are among Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, LL Cool J, Pink, Sarah McLachlan and Talking Heads’ David Byrne are among the impressive list of nominees for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame class. It is an eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop, folk and rock innovators. Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America are also nominated. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the glam rock band Kiss are also on the list of nominees. Eligible voting members have until midnight Eastern on Dec. 4 to turn in ballots.
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.
Misty Copeland hangs up her pointe shoes after performing for adoring crowd at retirement show
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.
