An AI-rendered Val Kilmer will posthumously appear in a new film
NEW YORK (AP) — A year after the actor’s death, a generative AI version of Val Kilmer will co-star in an independent film. It's one of the boldest uses yet of artificial intelligence in moviemaking. First Line Films announced Wednesday that Kilmer has posthumously joined the cast of a film titled “As Deep as the Grave.” The producers said that before his death, Kilmer had signed on to perform in the movie but was unable to do due to his health. Kilmer’s estate gave permission for his digital replication, and is being compensated for it. Kilmer died last April from pneumonia at the age of 65.
Making menstrual leave official: 2 paid days off a month for period pain
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Nairobi County has introduced Kenya’s first menstrual leave policy for female government staff, aiming to boost health and productivity. Gov. Johnson Sakaja says the national government and other counties are watching closely. The new policy, which has applied since December 2025, gives employees two paid days off each month for period pain. County leaders say the policy has little cost because teams cover for each other. Supporters call it a no-questions-asked option that reduces stigma. Some workers still feel awkward telling managers. Critics worry it could discourage hiring women but the governor disagrees.
What if the bar came to you on St. Patrick's Day? These mini Irish pubs make it a reality
READING, Mass. (AP) — Two Massachusetts brothers have built a fleet of miniature Irish pubs on wheels. They tow the miniature bars to backyards, weddings and neighborhood parties across New England. The business began during the pandemic when brothers from Reading started building an authentic-looking pub in a driveway. Now the Wee Irish Pubs travel from March through December, serving as the centerpiece of St. Patrick’s celebrations, bachelor parties and family gatherings. Inside, church pews, antique decorations and a bar made from an 1864 piano recreate the feel of a traditional Irish pub. For many hosts, the miniature bars offer a place for neighbors, friends and family to gather and celebrate together.
Seven-ton meteor that fell from the Cleveland sky could be seen several states away
CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) — A 7-ton meteor that sped across the Cleveland sky at 45,000 miles per hour on Tuesday broke apart in a thunderous boom that startled residents who feared an explosion. People several states away reported seeing the bright fireball even though it was 9 a.m. The American Meteor Society said it received reports from Wisconsin to Maryland. NASA later confirmed that it was a meteor nearly 6 feet in diameter. Astronomer Carl Hergenrother says meteors typically fall about once a day in the U.S. The meteor was first seen about 50 miles above Lake Erie.
Rome's Colosseum gets a fresh look that recreates the footprints of long-gone columns
ROME (AP) — The Colosseum has a bright new look following a restoration using the same travertine marble of ancient Rome to recreate parts of columns from 2,000 years ago. The project focused on a semicircular piazza outside the arena, where Roman spectators crowded under two arcades comprised of marble columns stretching up to 50 meters (164 feet) high. People stood in these arcades as they waited to pass through the entrances and take their seats. Those arches are long gone, collapsing over the centuries. But now, tourists will be able to sit on large travertine marble slabs where the columns once stood and read reproductions of the Roman numerals that indicated seat sections.
Amazon offers 1-hour and 3-hour deliveries for US customers willing to pay an extra charge
NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon says it has started offering faster U.S. deliveries of selected products for a fee. The e-commerce colossus said Tuesday that customers in more than 2,000 cities, towns and suburban areas can now get orders from among 90,000 items delivered in three hours. They include pantry staples, clothing, over-the-counter medications, cleaning supplies and electronics. The charge is $4.99 for Amazon Prime members and $14.99 for nonmembers. One-hour delivery slots also are available in hundreds of places, including major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, and smaller cities such as Des Moines, Iowa and Boise, Idaho. Amazon says Prime members will get charged $9.99 for the one-hour service, which costs nonmembers $19.99, Amazon said
NBA owners will work on expansion again next week with Vegas and Seattle the targets, AP sources say
The NBA may move a step closer to adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas next week when expansion will be again discussed by the league’s board of governors, two people with knowledge of the matter tell The Associated Press. It is expected that a vote on whether to go forward with those two cities as the sole targets for expansion at this time takes place next week as well, the people said. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because those were not released publicly. It would take a three-fourths majority of governors to go forward.
Boston celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with one of nation’s largest Irish heritage events
BOSTON (AP) — Thousands of spectators lined the streets of South Boston on Sunday for the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, one of the largest celebrations of Irish heritage in the country. Marching bands, veterans’ groups, local organizations and floats made their way along the traditional route through the neighborhood. City officials coordinated security, traffic restrictions and public transit plans for the large crowds gathered for the event. The parade is a major annual tradition in Boston, a city with deep Irish roots, and often coincides with celebrations of Evacuation Day, which commemorates the departure of British troops from Boston in 1776. Evacuation Day this year is on Tuesday.
‘Hoppers’ holds onto the No. 1 box office spot as 'Reminders of Him' overperforms
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pixar’s “Hoppers” held onto its spot atop the box office, bringing in $28.5 million in its second weekend. That's according to studio estimates released Sunday. After its $45.3 million debut, The Walt Disney Co.’s “Hoppers” dipped a modest 37% in its second weekend, a promising sign for an animated movie. The weekend results also show Colleen Hoover’s “Reminders of Him” added to the author’s box-office streak. The Universal film debuted in second place with a better-than-expected $18.3 million. The film is the first from a screenplay that Hoover co-wrote, but not the first of her novels to successfully translate to the big screen. “Undertone,” a micro-budget horror movie from A24, opened with $9.3 million.
Austin Reaves come up with perfect execution to miss free throw in Lakers' OT win over Nuggets
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Trailing 118-116 with 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation, the Los Angeles Lakers knew Austin Reaves would intentionally miss his second free throw attempt against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. Recovering it to hit a game-tying floater with 1.9 seconds to go, propelling the Lakers to a vital 127-125 overtime victory, that was something else entirely. Lakers superstar LeBron James described it as “the perfect miss.” Reaves’ execution helped the Lakers extend their winning streak to five games and pick up a crucial tiebreaker over the Nuggets as they jockey with them, Houston and Minnesota to be as high as the third seed in the Western Conference.
