AP

Welcome to Cannes. The annual film festival is always a spectacle, but 2024’s edition may be the most combustible in years. The 77th Cannes red carpet unfurls against a backdrop of war and protest. The #MeToo movement, so slow to take root in France, is now quickly tearing through the country’s film industry. Festival workers have threatened to strike. And yet, the usual cavalcade of celebrities and filmmakers from around the world are descending upon the French Riviera over the course of two weeks. And so is The Associated Press. This year, we’re keeping a running diary of life at — and in — Cannes.

AP

It was Lainey Wilson’s night, in many ways. She took home female artist of the year and the top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards. The awards were handed out Thursday at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, just north of Dallas. Hosted by Reba McEntire, the 59th ACM Awards were a star-studded event with performances from artists including Kane Brown, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Post Malone and more. The ACMs streamed live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch Live.

AP

PEN America gathered Thursday night for its annual gala, a high-profile event raised even higher because some wondered if it would be held at all. The literary and human rights organization has faced ongoing criticism over its response to the Israel-Hamas War, with hundreds of writers alleging that PEN showed limited concern over the suffering of Gaza residents and the deaths of Palestinian writers and journalists. PEN has already canceled its spring awards ceremony after dozens of nominees withdrew and its World Voices festival after hundreds signed an open letter saying they wouldn’t participate.