ENTERTAINMENT

Stars, royalty and a ‘Poppenheimer’ showdown. Here’s what to expect at Britain’s BAFTA film awards

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LONDON – Prepare for Poppenheimer. “Poor Things” and “Oppenheimer” are the leading contenders for the British Academy Film Awards, which will be handed out Sunday in front of an audience of filmmakers, movie stars and the heir to the British throne. Yorgos Lanthimos’ gothic fantasia is up for 11 trophies, while Christopher Nolan’s atom-bomb epic … Read more

A Black author takes a new look at Georgia’s white founder and his failed attempt to ban slavery

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SAVANNAH, Ga. – Michael Thurmond thought he was reading familiar history at the burial place of Georgia’s colonial founder. Then a single sentence on a marble plaque extolling the accomplishments of James Edward Oglethorpe left him stunned speechless. Within a lengthy tribute to the Englishman who died in 1785, the inscription read: “He was the … Read more

New book on ‘whistle-stop’ campaign trains describes politics and adventure throughout history

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CRESTLINE, Ohio – From its earliest days as a village, Crestline was synonymous with trains. A railroad station inspired this northern Ohio town, railroad workers populated it and the passengers who flocked here helped it grow. So it seems only fitting that a politician’s stop in Crestline would go on to popularize the word “whistle-stop.” … Read more

‘Malcolm in the Middle’ star Frankie Muniz back at Daytona and rising up the NASCAR racing ladder

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Frankie Muniz was running late. Or so he thought. The 38-year-old actor-turned-race-car-driver was wandering through the Daytona International Speedway infield on Friday with no idea where to go. He was lost, essentially feeling like “ Malcolm in the Middle ” of nowhere. He asked for help and quickly got pointed in … Read more

Got back! Paul McCartney’s stolen bass is found and returned to the Beatle after more than 50 years

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LONDON – Paul McCartney no longer gently weeps for his original bass guitar. A five-year search by the manufacturer of the instrument that was aided by a husband-and-wife team of journalists helped reunite The Beatles star with the distinctive violin-shaped 1961 electric Höfner that went missing a half century ago and is estimated to be … Read more

Everything you need to know about this year’s Oscars

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NEW YORK – After a winter barrage of award shows — the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Grammys — the grandaddy of them all, the Academy Awards, are around the corner. The 96th Oscars may be a coronation for “Oppenheimer,” which comes in with a leading 13 nominations, though other films, including “Barbie,” “Killers of … Read more