Sinead O’Connor Died of Natural Causes, London Coroner Says

LONDON — Irish singer Sinead O’Connor, who was found unresponsive at an address in London in July last year, died of natural causes, the coroner said on Tuesday.  O’Connor, known for her stirring voice, outspoken views and 1990 chart-topping hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” was pronounced dead at the scene. Police had said her death, at…

Franz Beckenbauer, World Cup Champion as Player and Coach for Germany, Dies at 78

Munich — Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as player and coach and became one of Germany’s most beloved personalities with his easygoing charm, has died, news agency dpa reported Monday. He was 78. “It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in…

‘Oppenheimer’ Dominates Golden Globes, ‘Poor Things’ Upsets ‘Barbie’ in Comedy

BEVERLY HILLS, California — “Oppenheimer has dominated the Golden Globe Awards, taking home the night’s top honor. Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” has won best comedy or musical at the 81st Golden Globes, an upset victory over the category favorite, “Barbie.”  Emma Stone also won for her performance in “Poor Things.” On the television side, “Succession” and…

List of 2024 Golden Globe Winners

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — BEST MOVIE DRAMA: “Oppenheimer” BEST MOVIE MUSICAL OR COMEDY: “Poor Things” TELEVISION COMEDY SERIES: “The Bear” TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES: “Succession” LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION: “Beef” CINEMATIC AND BOX OFFICE ACHIEVEMENT: “Barbie” MALE ACTOR IN A MOVIE MUSICAL OR COMEDY: Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers” FEMALE ACTOR IN…

‘Wonka’ Is No. 1 at Box Office Again as 2024 Gets Off to Slower Start

LOS ANGELES — Timothee Chalamet and “Wonka” topped the box office charts for the third time in its four weekends in theaters. Warner Bros.’ family-oriented musical added $14.4 million in ticket sales according to studio estimates Sunday, bringing its total domestic grosses to $164.7 million.  “‘Wonka’ is following in the tradition of a film like ‘The…

Hollywood Festivities Return as ‘Barbie’ Vies for Golden Globes 

BEVERLY HILLS, California — Margot Robbie, Oprah Winfrey and Leonardo DiCaprio will mingle with other top stars on Sunday at the Golden Globe awards, Hollywood’s first big celebration since twin strikes shut down most of show business last year.  The red carpet, champagne-fueled awards ceremony will honor the best of film and television selected by a…

Asian Restaurant in US Battles Racist Stereotype of Dog-Eating

FRESNO, Calif. — David Rasavong’s cultural pride is evident all throughout his restaurant. It’s on the wall of family portraits and where a stunning mural depicts his family’s journey from Laos to California. It’s on the menu filled with Lao and Thai dishes like the crispy coconut rice salad of Nam Khao and the stir-fried rice…

Pope Francis Warns Against Ideological Splits in Catholic Church

VATICAN CITY — Amid resistance to some Vatican policy by more conservative factions of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis on Saturday cautioned the faithful against fracturing into groups “based on our own ideas.” He issued the call to abandon “ecclesiastical ideologies” in his homily in St. Peter’s Basilica during Epiphany Day Mass, the last major Christmas…

Glynis Johns, ‘Mary Poppins’ Star, Dies at 100

NEW YORK — Glynis Johns, a Tony Award-winning stage and screen star who played the mother opposite Julie Andrews in the classic movie Mary Poppins and introduced the world to the bittersweet standard-to-be Send in the Clowns by Stephen Sondheim, has died. She was 100. Mitch Clem, her manager, said she died Thursday at an assisted…

South African Athlete Oscar Pistorius Released from Prison

PRETORIA, South Africa — Officials say South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison on parole and is now at home. The Department of Corrections gave no more details of Pistorius’ release. The announcement came at around 8:30 a.m., indicating officials released the world-famous double-amputee Olympic runner in the early hours. Pistorius has served…

Lancashire Heeler Newest Breed to Join American Kennel Club

NEW YORK — It’s small in stature, big on activity and known for a “smile,” and it’s ready to compete with 200 other dog breeds. Say hello to the Lancashire heeler, the latest breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. The organization announced Wednesday that the rare herding breed is now eligible for thousands of U.S.…

California Rose Parade Features Float for Armenian Mothers

Armenian Americans in Southern California celebrated their culture with a flowered float in the annual Rose Parade, moving on from a turbulent year that included Armenians’ exodus from their former enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh inside Azerbaijan’s borders. Genia Dulot has our story from Pasadena. …

New Women’s North American Hockey League Launches

Montreal — Women’s ice hockey kicked off 2024 with the launch of a new professional league that debuted Monday with a match between the Toronto and New York teams. The Professional Women’s Hockey League “rings in the New Year with the very first regular season game in league history,” the PWHL said in a press release.…

‘Wonka’ Back Atop North America Box Office in Weak Film Year

Los Angeles — Fantasy musical “Wonka” bounced back to the top of the North American box office this New Year’s weekend as an otherwise pallid film year came to an end, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. The Warner Bros. film took in an estimated $24 million for the three-day weekend in the U.S. and Canada,…