Features

Suit says director used Q’orianka Kilcher’s features without permission after seeing her in advert for The New WorldSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailJames Cameron and the Walt Disney Company are facing a lawsuit that claims the director based a key character in the Avatar franchise on a teenage actor without her permission.The suit, filed by actor Q’orianka Kilcher, alleges that Cameron “extracted her facial features” and “directed his design team” to base the key Avatar character Neytiri on her appearance after seeing her in an LA Times advert for Terrence Malick’s 2005 film The New World. In the film Kilcher, who is Native Peruvian, played Pocahontas among a cast that also included Colin Farrell and Christian Bale. Continue reading...

• Deep Tech Week highlights The AI Collective, described as the world’s largest AI community, which connects more than 100,000 AI builders, researchers, and professionals through events, forums, and networking. • The gathering brings together startups, corporate labs, and academic groups to showcase advances in core machine learning, robotics, and applied AI, with a focus on interoperability and responsible deployment. • U.S. participation is strong, with many leading AI research labs and venture‑backed startups using the venue to announce new collaborations, model releases, and open‑source tooling.

• Apple unveiled iOS 20 on April 25, 2026, featuring Apple Intelligence enhancements for on-device AI processing in Siri and Photos apps, rolling out first to US users. • Key additions include real-time language translation supporting 15 languages and AI-generated summaries for Safari, trained on 3 trillion parameters without cloud dependency. • The update addresses privacy concerns post-EU DMA rulings, boosting Apple's 45% US smartphone market share amid AI race with Google Pixel.

• New TV premieres in April 2026 include returning favorites like 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' (RHOA) and 'Euphoria' alongside fresh series. • The watchlist highlights top streaming and broadcast shows for the month, focusing on drama, reality, and prestige content. • These releases cater to diverse U.S. audiences seeking binge-worthy entertainment options.

In his strongest intervention yet, PM says some features ‘shouldn’t be permitted’, while education secretary says things ‘are going to change’Keir Starmer has backed banning addictive social media features in his strongest intervention yet on curbs that could be placed on tech companies, saying the features “shouldn’t be permitted”.The prime minister said the government was “going to have to act” on the algorithms that hook young people and children to social media, such as scrolling or “streaks” that encourage daily usage of apps. Continue reading...

Prime minister says UK must do more to regulate against potential harms after landmark ruling in US courtSir Keir Starmer has said he will tackle “addictive features” in social media amid increasing signs the UK government is preparing to crackdown on risks to children after a landmark US court verdict which held Meta and YouTube responsible for harms caused by designing addictive technology.The prime minister said the verdict in a California court signals a rising public expectation for more aggressive regulation and said: “I’m absolutely clear that we need to go further.” Continue reading...

• NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day highlights NGC 1566, a grand design spiral galaxy located approximately 40 million light-years away in the constellation Dorado, known for its two prominent and graceful spiral arms traced by bright blue star clusters and red emission nebulas. • The galaxy's flaring center makes it one of the closest and brightest Seyfert galaxies, likely housing a central supermassive black hole affecting surrounding stars and gas, making it a prime target for Hubble Space Telescope observations studying star formation and supernovas. • NGC 1566 is among the most photogenic spiral galaxies in the universe, featuring a gorgeous face-on view and dark cosmic dust lanes that make it an ideal object for astronomical research and observation.

• Backstage at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, stars like Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti chatted candidly while winners such as Amy Madigan paused to celebrate their victories. • Emotional reactions and spontaneous conversations unfolded out of view from the main stage cameras at the Dolby Theatre. • These unscripted moments provided a glimpse into the excitement and relief of Hollywood's biggest night.

The brand has enlisted JW Anderson to help brew a 17-piece range of luxury fashionware, from ‘beer towel’ shorts to branded trousers and topsYou too can look like a pub carpet – and for the bargain price of £1,295. Such sartorial elegance – perhaps an option for anyone stepping out to celebrate St Patrick’s Day this week – is the aesthetic love child of a partnership between Guinness and the luxury clothing brand JW Anderson.Launched earlier this month, the tie-up allows fashionistas to get their hands on a range of Guinness-wear, exploiting the ongoing metamorphosis of the “black stuff” from unfashionable pub staple to social media status symbol. Continue reading...

• Minnesota Timberwolves face Oklahoma City Thunder at 1 p.m. ABC; Golden State Warriors visit New York Knicks at 8 p.m. NBC/Peacock. • Dallas Mavericks at Cleveland Cavaliers tips at 3:30 p.m. NBATV following Cavaliers' recent dominant win. • Games impact playoff seeding in tight Western and Eastern Conferences with late-season implications.