National Entertainment

Political polarization. Economic struggles. Inequity. Climate change. War. In an often-bruising world, you can hardly blame people for seeking out ways to cushion themselves.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Annette Bening, a two-time Golden Globe winner who recently received her fifth Oscar nomination , was named Thursday as the 2024 Woman of the Year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

ROME (AP) — Street artist Maupal, whose cartoon-like depictions of Pope Francis as a “Super Pope” have graced buildings around the Vatican for a decade, got an official stamp of approval on Thursday when he appeared at a Vatican news conference.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A dissident Russian rock band angered by Moscow's war in Ukraine has arrived in Israel after being deported from Thailand under suspected pressure from the Kremlin, the performers said Thursday.

TORONTO — Few music producers hold the magic touch for shaping a pop hit quite like Henry Walter.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Pearl Jam blasted out their forthcoming album to a few hundred family, friends, industry insiders and reporters Wednesday, and the tracks showed they are doing anything but mellowing with age.

NEW YORK (AP) — At this moment in the 2024 election cycle, complaining about Fox News — even if for different reasons — may be what unites Donald Trump, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis the most.

A checkered mesh of mysteries have accompanied the release of Matthew Vaughn’s “Argylle.

Sexual predators. Addictive features. Suicide and eating disorders. Unrealistic beauty standards. Bullying.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.