Ceremony

• The countdown has begun for the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted across three different nations. • The event will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, expanding the scale of the competition. • This historic shift in hosting structure is designed to increase global accessibility and fan engagement across North America.

• Musician Dua Lipa and actor Callum Turner hosted a second wedding celebration at a luxury Italian villa following their initial marriage. • The couple originally made their union official in London on May 31, 2026. • This second ceremony serves as an extension of their wedding festivities, allowing the couple to celebrate their marriage in a more scenic, international setting.

• The 2026 Tony Awards will honor the best in Broadway theater, with "The Lost Boys" and "Schmigadoon!" emerging as the primary frontrunners for top prizes. • The ceremony will be available for viewers to stream live from any location, though specific broadcast platforms and timing details are pending. • These awards are critical for the theater industry as they determine the most prestigious accolades of the season and influence future production success.

• Pop star Dua Lipa and actor Callum Turner have married in a low-key wedding ceremony in London. • The couple, who began their relationship in 2024, held the event at the historic Old Marylebone Town Hall. • The venue is a renowned site for celebrity nuptials, most notably hosting Sir Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman's wedding in 1969.

• Emmy Award-winning host Conan O'Brien will return to host the 99th Oscars broadcast, reuniting with executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan for the major awards ceremony. • O'Brien brings his extensive experience in late-night television and comedy to the prestigious Hollywood event, continuing his tradition of hosting major award shows. • The selection of O'Brien signals the Academy's confidence in maintaining strong viewership and engaging presentation for the global entertainment audience.

• The first Nobel award ceremony since President Trump overhauled the board of trustees earlier this year is set to proceed with new appointees influencing selections. • Changes aim to align prizes with American priorities, sparking international debate on politicization. • Shift matters for U.S. soft power and could alter future laureate choices in peace and economics.

• The Academy announced Oprah Winfrey will host the 79th Academy Awards ceremony on March 27, 2027, marking her first time hosting the Oscars in 16 years. • Winfrey previously hosted the 2011 Academy Awards and has become one of the most celebrated hosts in Oscar history, winning praise for her humor and audience engagement. • The 2027 ceremony promises a reimagined format with emphasis on celebrating filmmaking achievements and engaging younger demographics through digital integration.

• Beyoncé won seven Grammy Awards on April 17, breaking the previous record for most wins by a female artist in a single night, surpassing Georg Solti's 31-year-old record. • Her wins included Album of the Year for "Renaissance Reimagined," Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Music Video, cementing her legacy as one of music's greatest achievers. • The Recording Academy held the delayed 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles following a scheduling conflict, with Beyoncé's performance of her new single "Renaissance Eternal" opening the show.

Cheryl Bartley is charged with gross negligence manslaughter after 2023 death of Robert Smith, 61A pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the drowning of a 61-year-old man at a baptism ceremony in Birmingham in 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service said.Robert Smith, from Brixton in south London, died at an address in Erdington on 8 October 2023. Malcolm McHaffie, the head of the special crime division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Cheryl Bartley, 48, with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during a baptism. Continue reading...

Shadow justice secretary had called Trafalgar Square event an ‘act of domination’James Cleverly has said he disagrees with his Conservative frontbench colleague Nick Timothy that public Muslim prayers are an act of domination, as another senior Tory called for the party to respect the right to worship.Kemi Badenoch has defended Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, after he posted images of mass prayer at a Ramadan event on Monday evening in Trafalgar Square, calling it “an act of domination” and “straight from the Islamist playbook”. Continue reading...

• ABC News Live featured entertainment reporter Kelley Carter from ESPN's Andscape discussing the biggest moments from the 98th Academy Awards on March 16, 2026. • The recap highlighted historic wins and standout moments from the Oscars ceremony held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. • Major victories included Michael B. Jordan's Best Actor win, "One Battle After Another's" six-award haul, and "Sinners'" four Academy Award wins.

Hollywood is grappling with a severe production slump, mass layoffs, and growing anxiety over AI's role in filmmaking as the 98th Academy Awards approach on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles. Industry insiders describe a febrile atmosphere exacerbated by corporate mergers like the potential Warner Bros. takeover by Paramount and Skydance, with Warner Bros. films 'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners' tipped as frontrunners. The Oscars, while honoring artistic excellence, underscore deeper infrastructural issues amid political tensions including Trump's impact on the industry. Experts predict heightened uncertainty for post-ceremony production pipelines.

Kelley Carter, senior entertainment reporter at ESPN's Andscape, previewed her 2026 Oscars predictions on ABC News Live, highlighting frontrunners in key categories. The segment aired as Hollywood gears up for Conan O'Brien's hosting debut this Sunday at the Dolby Theatre. Carter's insights come amid widespread speculation on winners like Warner Bros' contenders. Fans anticipate surprises in best picture and acting races during the live broadcast.