Category: General

General

Today’s daily horoscopes: March 3, 2025

Mercury’s cross into Aries gives a different energy to communication and commerce. In weeks past, we came to understandings and deals by feeling around for the value of things and being sensitive to signals about what people were willing to pay to solve problems. Now the costs are changing; deals are communicated with directness and precision.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ve a talent for connection. You’ll keep things light and skim the surface of topics until you find the one that rings. That’s when you’ll go deeper, but only slightly… just enough to get the rapport that starts a relationship rolling.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a bit of a tangle today: ambition, responsibilities, reconciling certain aspects of a relationship with your self-image — it’s all a lot, but that’s the thing about tangles. One snip of the scissors can free up the whole thing.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll strike an excellent balance in relationships, helping but not imposing or enabling. Your presence, care and effort matter, but true connection isn’t about carrying the full weight; it’s about walking alongside each other, offering support without taking over.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The biggest barrier to progress? Certainty. Check your assumptions. The willingness to change one’s mind is a sign of intellectual humility, showing openness to growth and to learning from others, our experiences and our mistakes.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Being wrong isn’t fun, but it’s definitely inevitable, as no one is right 100% of the time. People who know they are flawed are less flawed than the ones who believe they are beyond reproach.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Some memories are like insects caught in amber, perfectly preserved — untouched by time, unchanged by retelling. You’ll revisit such a moment, and your recollection is accurate, but the facts will mean something different to you now.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It’s always nice when the kind words and the true words are one in the same. You’ll also stumble across truths that have the potential to land badly, and in that case, you’ll apply your famous finesse and save the day.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Life has shaped a certain kind of longing, and that longing latched onto something that seemed to promise excitement and tenderness. Now comes the big question. If you close in on this, will the reality be as beautiful as the dream?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Expand your vision beyond what just one source can provide. For instance, instead of waiting for one person to be the answer, put the question out wider. There are many who will want to show up for you and they won’t need to be lured with incentives.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). While one part of you craves intellectual growth, physical excellence and spiritual enlightenment, another just wants to binge a good streaming series. The good news? These desires don’t have to compete. Inspiration and renewal come from unexpected places.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It is kind to test the light of awareness. You’re dancing around a truth today and not sure how much of it to bring into the light. James Thurber said, “There are two kinds of light — the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The best things in life aren’t free; they’re earned through dedication, loyalty, passion and respect. Meaningful connections and opportunities will be bartered using these emotional currencies today in exchanges that deepen your sense of purpose.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 3). This is the year your vitality surges, fueling bold moves and exhilarating adventures. More highlights: A stroke of good fortune transforms a relationship into something deeper and more rewarding. Your natural magnetism draws in people who uplift and delight you. A creative pursuit brings unexpected acclaim, and you’ll revel in the joy of being truly seen. Leo and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 12, 29, 38 and 44.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Ira Glass continues to engage audiences with new insights, recently in the live event “Seven Things I’ve Learned,” a reflection on his three decades of storytelling. Glass has profoundly influenced modern media through his creation of the storytelling style showcased in “This American Life.” His ability to connect with people on an emotional level and to convey complex narratives in a compelling way aligns with deeply empathetic traits associated with Pisces.

Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

General

Asking Eric: Nephews fail $10k gift ‘test’

Dear Eric: We have two nephews, 17 and 21, and felt it was time to teach them money management skills and saving for retirement. At Thanksgiving, we funded two brokerage accounts for each – a $7,000 Roth IRA and $3,000 brokerage. We also gave two books on long-term investing.

Given the 40-plus years until they retire, the funds, if added to, could easily grow to more than a million dollars and be tax free. For Christmas we gave each a new laptop. After much effort, I was able to finally walk them through how to use some of the tools in their brokerage account for research and how to purchase a stock.

In addition, I was able to show the younger one a separate stock-charting program. Until recently, I sent one-to-three weekly articles on financial news that would be of interest. I gave them a list of 50 well-rated ETFs (Exchange-traded funds) and told them to select 10 to 14 for their Roth. I put together in my account a $7,000 portfolio of 13 ETFs and shared the weekly gains I was getting and encouraged them to beat me.

Their response has been almost zero. And they have indicated they don’t do email and only read very short texts. This was a test, and we hoped to contribute to their Roth this year and perhaps put them in our wills, but I’m thinking we’ve made a bad investment and the timing is wrong. Any ideas, or write them off?

– Invested Time

Dear Time: This is quite a generous gift; your nephews are lucky to have you, but it’s important to right-size your expectations. It’s only been a couple of months. While you have the benefit of years of experience, conceptualizing compound growth over 40 years when one is 17 or 21 is sometimes hard. So, I’d caution against cutting them out of the will just yet.

What you’re offering is foresight. (Well, foresight and quite a bit of money.)

It’s not your job to teach your nephews the value of wise financial planning, but this is the task you’ve set out for yourself. If you want to continue, good pedagogy suggests you start with assessing where the students are. Also clarify your objectives. Are you testing them to determine a skill level or to make sure they have the same interests as you?

Ask them what they are hoping to accomplish. If, for instance, they’re saving for a purchase or for school, a CD or bond might be an accessible entry point that teaches a graspable lesson. This will have a more modest rate of return, obviously, but it may grow their interest (excuse the pun) and help to reinforce what you’re trying to teach. Like any worthwhile fund, teaching financial literacy can be a longer-term investment but it pays off.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

General

‘Anora’ wins best picture at 97th Academy Awards

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Anora,” a strip club Cinderella story without the fairy tale ending, was crowned best picture at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, handing Sean Baker’s gritty, Brooklyn-set screwball farce Hollywood’s top prize.

In a stubbornly fluctuating Oscar season, “Anora,” the Palme d’Or-winner at the Cannes Film Festival, emerged as the unlikely frontrunner. Baker’s tale of an erotic dancer who elopes with the son of a Russian oligarch – unusually explicit for a best-picture winner – was made for just $6 million.

But Oscar voters, eschewing blockbuster contenders like “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two,” instead added “Anora” to a string of recent indie best picture winners, including “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “CODA” and “Nomadland.”

For a film industry that’s been transformed by streaming and humbled by economic turmoil, Baker and “Anora” epitomized a kind of cinematic purity. On the campaign trail, Baker called for the return to the 90-day exclusive theatrical release.

“Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater,” Baker said Sunday. “Filmmakers, keep making films for the big screen.”

In personally winning four Oscars on Sunday, Baker tied the mark held by Walt Disney, who won for four different films in 1954. That Baker and Disney share the record is ironic; his “The Florida Project” took place in a low-budget motel in the shadow of Disney World.

“Long live independent film!” shouted Baker from the Dolby Theatre stage.

Eight of the 10 movies nominated for best picture came away with at least one award at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, in a ceremony that saw the acting wins go to Madison, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña.

Twenty-two years after winning best actor for “The Pianist,” Brody won the same Oscar again for his performance as another Holocaust survivor in Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist. His win came over Timothée Chalamet (“A Complete Unknown”), who had the chance of becoming the youngest best actor ever, a record owned by Brody.

“I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and othering,” said Brody. “I pray for a healthier and happier and more inclusive world. If the past can teach us anything it’s to not let hate go unchecked.”

Madison won best actress for her breakthrough performance in “Anora,” a victory that came over the category favorite, Demi Moore (“The Substance”). Both she and Baker spoke, as they did at the Cannes Film Festival where “Anora” won the Palme d’Or, about honoring the lives of sex workers.

Netflix’s beleaguered contender “Emilia Pérez,” the lead nominee going into the show, weathered the scandal caused by offensive tweets by star Karla Sofía Gascón, to pick up awards for best song and best supporting actress, for Saldaña.

“I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands,” said Saldaña. “I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.”

An expected win and an upset

The night’s first award, presented by Robert Downey Jr., went to Kieran Culkin for best supporting actor. Culkin has cruised through the season, picking up award after award, for his performance alongside Jesse Eisenberg in “A Real Pain.”

“I have no idea how I got here,” said Culkin, “I’ve just been acting my whole life.”

Culkin spent most of his speech recalling an earlier, hypothetical promise from his wife Jazz Charton, that they could have a fourth child if he won an Oscar. Culkin used the opportunity to take Charton — “love of my life, ye of little faith” — up on the offer.

The biggest upset early on came in the best animated feature category. “Flow,” the wordless Latvian film upset DreamWorks Animations’ “The Wild Robot.” The win for “Flow,” an ecological parable about a cat in a flooded world, was the first Oscar ever for a Latvian film.

“Thank you to my cats and dogs,” director Gints Zilbalodis accepting the award.

‘Wicked’ wins two

“Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo kicked off the ceremony with a tribute to Los Angeles following the wildfires that devastated the Southern California metropolis earlier this year. Grande sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Erivo performed Diana Ross’ “Home” before the “Wicked” stars joined together for “Defying Gravity” from their blockbuster big-screen musical.

Later, “Wicked,” the biggest box-office hit among the best-picture nominees, won awards for production design and costume design.

“I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award,” said costume designer Paul Tazewell, who couldn’t finish that sentence before the crowd began to rise in a standing ovation. “I’m so proud of this.”

Best makeup and hairstyling went to “The Substance” for its gory creations of beauty and body horror. “Dune: Part Two” won for both visual effects and sound, and its sandworm — arguably the star of the night — figured into multiple gags throughout the evening.

Brady Corbet’s sprawling postwar epic “The Brutalist,” shot in VistaVision, won for its cinematography, by Lol Crawley, and its score, by Daniel Blumberg.

Politics go unmentioned, at first

Though the Oscars featured the first time an actor was nominated for portraying a sitting U.S. president (Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump in “The Apprentice”), politics went largely unmentioned in the first half of the ceremony.

The president’s name was never uttered during the nearly four-hour ceremony. While the show featured several striking political moments, much of this year’s Oscars was more dedicated to considering the fluctuating place of movies in today’s culture, and in Los Angeles’ resilience following the devastating wildfires of January.

Host Conan O’Brien avoided politics completely in his opening monologue. The first exception was nearly two hours in, when presenter Daryl Hannah announced simply: “Slava Ukraini” (“Glory to Ukraine!”)

“No Other Land,” a documentary about Israeli occupation of the West Bank made by a collation of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, won best documentary. After failing to find a U.S. distributor, the filmmakers opted to self-distribute “No Other Land.” It grossed more than any other documentary nominee.

“There is a different path, a political solution, without ethnic supremacy, with national rights for both our people,” said Yuval Abraham, an Israeili, speaking beside co-director Basel Adra, a Palestinian. “And I have to say, as I am here, the foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Why? Can’t you see that we are intertwined, that my people can’t be truly safe if Basel’s people aren’t truly free?

Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here,” a portrait of resistance under the Brazilian military dictatorship, won best international film. At one point, that award seemed a lock for “Emilia Pérez,” the lead nominee with 13 nods and backed by a robust campaign by Netflix.

But while “Emilia Pérez” collapsed, “I’m Still Here” rode a wave of passionate support in Brazil and political timeliness elsewhere.

O’Brien scores in opening

O’Brien, introduced as “four-time Oscar viewer,” opened the ceremony with genial ribbing of the nominees and the former talk-show host’s trademark self-deprecation.

“‘A Complete Unknown.’ ‘A Real Pain.’ ‘Nosferatu.’ These are just some of the names I was called on the red carpet,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien, hosting for the first time, avoided any political commentary in his opening remarks, but the monologue was a smash hit. O’Brien lent on the disappointed face of John Lithgow, a full-throated “Chalamet!” from Adam Sandler and a gag of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos being delivered to the red carpet in a cardboard box.

O’Brien’s most sincere comments were reserved for Los Angeles, itself, in speaking about the enduring “magic and grandeur” of film in wake of the wildfires. O’Brien, whose house in the Pacific Palisades was spared by the fires, then segued into a musical routine, singing: “I won’t waste time.”

An unpredictable Oscar year

This year’s Oscars, among the most unpredictable in years, unspooled after a turbulent year for the film industry. Ticket sales were down 3% from the previous year and more significantly from pre-pandemic times. The strikes of 2023 played havoc with release schedules in 2024. Many studios pulled back on production, leaving many out of work. The fires, in January, only added to the pain.

Last year’s telecast, propelled by the twin blockbusters of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie,” led the Oscars to a four-year viewership high, with 19.5 million viewers. This year, with smaller independent films favored in the most prominent awards, the academy will be tested to draw as large of an audience.

The ceremony took place days following the death of Gene Hackman. The 95-year-old two-time Oscar winner and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday at their New Mexico home. Morgan Freeman, his co-star in “Unforgiven” and “Under Suspicion,” honored him.

“This week, our community lost a giant,” said Freeman, “and I lost a dear friend.”

By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer

General

Social media takes issue with Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ song, omissions

Morgan Freeman had everyone’s attention Sunday when he paid tribute to his “dear friend” Gene Hackman during the 2025 Oscars.

The tribute led into the annual “In Memoriam” segment, which left viewers venting on social media over the song choice and the omission of actress Michelle Trachtenberg.

The song was Mozart’s “Lacrimosa,” which many didn’t care for.

Meanwhile, other viewers were more interested in why Trachtenberg missing from the montage.

There were many honored, including including Dabney Coleman, Shelley Duvall, Louis Gossett Jr., James Earl Jones, Joan Plowright, Gena Rowlands and Maggie Smith.

Trachtenberg, known for her roles on “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was found dead by her mother in her apartment in New York City around 8 a.m. last month.

While a cause of death is not known, no foul play is suspected. The actress, 39, has recently underwent a liver transplant.

TV Line listed a number of performers who were not included in the montage, including John Ashton, Michael Cole, Shannen Doherty, Linda Lavin, Martin Mull, Nicholas Pryor, Morgan Spurlock, Lynne Marie Stewart, Tony Todd, Michelle Trachtenberg and Gwen Van Dam.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

General

Oscars: Morgan Freeman pays tribute to Gene Hackman

Morgan Freeman honored Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman during the Oscars telecast on Sunday.

“This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,” Freeman said. “I had the pleasure of working alongside gene on two films, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Under Suspicion.’ Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone’s work.

“Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,‘” Freeman continued. “I think I speak for us all when I say, ‘Gene, you will be remembered for that, and so much more.’ Rest in peace, my friend.”

Hackman was found dead Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Freeman, Hackman’s colleague and friend, gave a brief tribute to the deceased actor before the Oscars’ in memoriam segment.

Hackman and Freeman worked together on Clint Eastwood’s 1992 film “Unforgiven” and again in 2000 in Stephen Hopkins’ “Under Suspicion.”

“One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman,” Freeman posted in tribute to his late co-star on X. “And of course… Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Hackman earned two Oscars over his 60-year career of five nominations.

General

2-year-old killed in fiery Alabama crash that injured 5 children, 2 adults

A toddler has died follow a head-on crash in Escambia County.

The 2-year-old died Saturday, four days after the wreck that also injured five other children and two adults.

The wreck happened shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, on U.S. 31, about one mile west of Atmore.

ALEA Sr. Trooper Joshua Thompson said the 2-year-old was a passenger in a Cadillac SRX that collided head-on with a Chrysler Pacific.

The driver of the Cadillac, 31-year-old Sara E. Janes, of Atmore, was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. A 4-year-old in the passenger was also injured and hospitalized.

The driver of the Chrysler van, 38-year-old Brittany N. Colley of Mobile, and her four children – ages 15, 12, 9 and 6 – were also taken to the hospital with varying degrees of injury.

A GoFundMe for the Colley family said the van caught fire after the collision.

The investigation is ongoing by troopers.

General

Conan O’Brien takes shot at Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud during Oscars with pedophile comment

Conan O’Brien celebrated the halfway point of the Academy Awards on Sunday with a shot at musical performers Kendrick Lamar and Drake.

“Well, we’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile,” O’Brien joked.

After the laughter died down, O’Brien also said, “Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up.”

The reference, of course, was to Lamar’s performance during halftime of the Super Bowl.

Drake and Lamar have been feuding for years. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” diss track won multiple Grammys. The track includes accusations against Drake and his associates for being predators. Drake sued for defamation.

Lamar performed “Not Like Us” during his Super Bowl halftime show.

General

Daryl Hannah goes off script at Oscars, shows support for Ukraine

Actress Daryl Hannah, who was presenting Sunday, during the Oscars, appeared to go off script with a shout out to the people of Ukraine.

“Slava Ukraine,” she said as she stepped to the microphone during the Academy Awards.

The battle cry translates as “Glory to Ukraine.”

Hannah was presenting the best editing award, which went to “Anora.”

Her tribute got a round of applause from the audience attending the awards ceremony.

The comment comes just two days after President Donald Trump called out Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” in an Oval Office meeting, then abruptly called off the signing of a minerals deal that Trump said would have moved that country closer to ending its war with Russia.

During his visit with Trump, Zelenskyy had planned to sign a deal allowing the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, then hold a joint news conference. Instead, Ukraine’s leader left the White House shortly after Trump shouted at him, showing open disdain.

General

Conan O’Brien’s Karla Sofía Gascón joke goes viral as actress reacts

Conan O’Brien left no stone unturned Sunday during his Oscars monologue.

O’Brien, 61, had some fun at the expense of Karla Sofía Gascón, who was in attendance.

“I loved ‘Anora,’” he started. “I really did. Little fact for you, ‘Anora’ uses the ‘F’ word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist,” he said. “You tweeted what?!

“I’m having fun. Karla Sofía Gascón is here tonight.”

The “Emilia Pérez” actress, who was sitting in the audience, bowed her head and blew a kiss and said, “Thank you.”

Gascón, 52, came under fire for old social media posts criticizing Muslim culture, George Floyd, diversity and more. Her X account has been deactivated.

The “Emilia Pérez” star, nominated for best actress, issued an apology for her old social media posts after they went viral, saying she was “deeply sorry” for them.

General

Conan O’Brien calls out Adam Sandler’s Oscars wardrobe

Adam Sandler stole the show Sunday during Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue at the Oscars.

The actor, 58, made a surprise appearance at the 97th Academy Awards when he appeared in a hoodie and basketball shorts.

“You’re dressed well, Adam,” O’Brien said to start the comedy bit.

“Conan, what’s up?” Sandler responded. “My brother, what’s going on, man?”

“Adam, what are you wearing?” O’Brien asked.

“What are you doing right now?” Sandler responded.

“I’m asking you what you’re wearing,” O’Brien deadpanned.

Sandler went full Sandler.

“Nobody even thought about what I was wearing until you brought it up.

“I like the way I look because I’m a good person. I don’t care about what I wear or what I don’t wear. Did my snazzy gym shorts and fluffy sweatshirt offend you so much that you had to mock me in front of my peers?”

O’Brien apologized to Sandler

“It’s not you, no, it’s not you,” Sandler said to the audience. “It’s him. He’s the one who caused this.”