Business

Apple and Google restore ability to download TikTok app

Feb. 14, 2025

Apple and Google have restored access to the TikTok app after removing it briefly last month. The app was removed from mobile stores to comply with a ban on the social media platform following a requirement for the Chinese technology company ByteDance to sell or shut it down. At issue was the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a law passed by Congress last April with wide bipartisan support. The law gave TikTok nine months to either divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or be removed from U.S.-based app stores and hosting services.

Business

China’s animated blockbuster smashed box office records at home. Now it’s hitting Western cinemas

Feb. 14, 2025

An unruly Chinese boy who battles dragons and defies destiny has made his way to Western cinema screens after smashing box office records in China. “Ne Zha 2,” an animated blockbuster loosely based on Chinese mythology, is now the world’s highest-grossing movie of all time in a single market, racking up a staggering $1.4 billion in ticket sales in China since its January 29 release. It dwarfs the previous record held by “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which netted $936 million in the United States and Canada in 2015. The Chinese production is also the first non-Hollywood film to break into the all-time global top 20 of highest-grossing films.

Entertainment

Catch up on the drama before your next visit to ‘The White Lotus’

Feb. 14, 2025

Less a ‘whodunnit’ than a ‘whowasitdunnto,’ “The White Lotus” features the discovery at each season’s opening of a dead body (or bodies) at an eponymous upscale resort, followed by a reset to one week prior, which slowly fills in the pieces of what happened, how it happened, and most importantly, to whom. While viewers are packing their bags to embark on the Mike White-created series’ next mysterious and dangerous luxury excursion – set to begin in Thailand on Sunday night – it may be helpful to flip back through some old vacation memories (the good, the bad and the cringe) from the previous two outings, in Hawaii and Sicily, to remember where we’re at.

Business

The White House bans the AP indefinitely over the use of ‘Gulf of Mexico’

Feb. 14, 2025

The Trump White House said Friday that The Associated Press is banned from the Oval Office and Air Force One indefinitely. The AP, one of the world’s biggest news outlets, was singled out by the White House earlier this week over three words: “Gulf of Mexico.” President Donald Trump said last month that the US government would rename the body of water the “Gulf of America.” The change has taken effect at government agencies. But other countries do not recognize the new name, and the AP has customers around the world, so it still refers to the Gulf of Mexico while also acknowledging Trump’s decree.

Sports

Mickie James reveals the 'last thing' a pro wrestler should want to be as she gears up for 'WWE LFG'

Feb. 13, 2025

James had a lasting and memorable career with WWE, with her first stint ending in 2010 and her second stint ending in 2021. She was a five-time WWE women’s champion and one-time WWE Divas champion. She was in TNA, Global Force Wrestling and a few other indie promotions in between runs with WWE. James’ vast experience in professional wrestling made her the perfect choice as a coach in the upcoming television show "WWE Legends and Future Greats," also known as "WWE LFG."

Business

CBS and several other Paramount channels set to go dark on YouTube TV

Feb. 13, 2025

Several channels owned by Paramount Global, including CBS, Comedy Central and MTV, will soon disappear from YouTube TV on Thursday if the two companies don’t reach a contract renewal. YouTube TV, owned by Alphabet, told its customers that it’s “working hard to reach a fair agreement with Paramount that allows us to keep their channels,” but despite negotiations, it hasn’t “been successful yet.” The channels will go dark tonight if a deal isn’t reached.

Sports

Pro wrestling legend Booker T sets expectations for next great superstar ahead of 'WWE LFG'

Feb. 13, 2025

Legendary professional wrestler Booker T will be one of the four coaches tasked to find the next top competitor on the upcoming A&E series "WWE Legends and Future Greats." The show, also known as "WWE LFG," takes 16 budding professional wrestlers and lets them learn under the guided eyes of Booker T, Mickie James, Undertaker and Bubba Ray Dudley. While each coach has their own styles and backgrounds, Booker T has experience as a coach.

Business

Trump’s world is all happening on X

Feb. 13, 2025

Elon Musk once bragged that his social network X “is by far the most interesting place on the Internets.” The company’s CEO Linda Yaccarino said “if it’s happening in the world — it’s happening on X.” More recently, the slogan “it’s all happening at X” has been commandeered by critics of the platform who say X is full of racist rhetoric, disinformation and other objectionable material. But for anyone who wants to know what’s happening with President Trump’s return to power, it’s true – it’s all happening on X.

Entertainment

Lady Gaga was born to conquer monstrously spicy wings on ‘Hot Ones’

Feb. 13, 2025

Applause is in order for Lady Gaga, for her performance on “Hot Ones.” The “Abracadabra” singer appeared on Thursday’s episode of the hot wing interview show, and she took on the so-called “wings of death” like a true rock star, only showing weakness with a mere giggle. Perhaps what was most impressive is that a self-proclaimed “fashion-impaired” Gaga ate each of the wings with just one hand – on which her monstrously large engagement ring sparkled – and didn’t get a drop of sauce on her imposing beige-colored outfit, which blocked her other arm and could have been an art installation on its own.

Entertainment

‘Saturday Night Live’ plans a massive 50th anniversary special. Who’s coming and how to watch

Feb. 13, 2025

The 50th anniversary celebration of “Saturday Night Live” is so big, it’s not even on Saturday. Airing Sunday and spanning three hours, the, yes, live “SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration” will assemble a dream team of stars who have helped the show become an enduring pop culture force, including alumni like Tina Fey and Eddie Murphy, notable hosts like Dave Chappelle and Steve Martin and at least four of the surviving original cast members: Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman. The show will also pack in musical guests, with Paul McCartney, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny and Miley Cyrus among those scheduled to appear, as well. The special is double the usual 90 minutes of each “SNL” episode. With so much television and comedy history to cover, here are some key things to know about the “SNL50” show.