Myanmar's military government pardons 10,000 prisoners before parliament opens

BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar's military government granted amnesty to more than 10,000 prisoners and reduced the sentences of others to mark a holiday, state-run media reported Monday.

There was no sign former leaderAung San Suu Kyi, who was ousted in the military takeover in 2021 and has been held virtually incommunicado since then, would be freed.

The amnesty comes two weeks before parliament isset to convenefor its first session in more than five years following the recent election that critics said was neither free nor fair.

State-run MRTV television reported that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government, pardoned 10,162 prisoners, including 7,337 convicted under a counterterrorism law, on Peasants' Day, a national holiday honoring farmers.

A separate statement said 12,487 people who were either being prosecuted under that law or were in hiding, will receive amnesty and have their incitement cases closed.

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The law carries a potential death penalty and was widely used to arrest and imprison political opponents, journalists, and others involved in dissent since the 2021 army takeover.

Ten foreigners will also be released and deported from Myanmar, it said in a separate statement.

Mass amnesties to mark holidays are not unusual in Myanmar. The prisoner releases began Monday but may take a few days. The identities of those released were not immediately available.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts, more than 22,800 political detainees were in detention as of last Friday.

They include the 80-year-old Suu Kyi, who is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted in what supporters have called politically tinged prosecutions.

byCreto Bactum

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March 01, 2026

Myanmar's military government pardons 10,000 prisoners before parliament opens

BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar's military government granted amnesty to more than 10,000 prisoners and reduced t...

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Factbox-US uses Anthropic AI, B-2 bombers and suicide drones in Iran strikes

March 1 (Reuters) - The United States unleashed an array of weaponry against Iranian targets on Saturday, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, stealth fighters, and for the first time in combat, low-cost one-way attack drones modeled after Iranian designs.

U.S. Central Command released photographs showing Tomahawk missiles, F-18 and F-35 ‌fighter jets alongside details of the strikes on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The Pentagon used artificial intelligence services from Anthropic, including its ‌Claude tools, during its attack on Iran, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The operation came a day after the U.S. declared Anthropic a supply chain risk, implying it is a threat to national ​security. President Donald Trump on Friday also directed the government to stop working with the start-up.

Reuters could not determine how the tools were used in the war effort. The Pentagon and Anthropic did not immediately return a request for comment.

Anthropic's AI has been in use across the intelligence community and armed services, and it was first among peer AI companies to work with classified information, through a supply deal via cloud provider Amazon.

As the Pentagon intensified its bombings of Iran's military, it deployed B-2 stealth bombers from the U.S. to strike ‌at hardened, underground Iranian missile facilities with 2,000-pound bombs.

The B-2, ⁠a $2-billion flying wing built by Northrop Grumman, played a key role in delivering strikes on Iran's nuclear sites last June. With a 172-foot (52.4 m) wingspan and stealth profile, the B-2 can fly 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, but most missions require multiple mid-air refuelings.

The ⁠U.S. military said it used suicide drones that appear identical, based on photos released by the Pentagon, to the new LUCAS (Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System) manufactured by Phoenix, Arizona-based Spektreworks. The company did not respond to requests for comment.

In a first, CENTCOM used one-way attack drones modeled after Iran's Shahed drones, the Pentagon said.

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Kamikaze drones are inexpensive and are meant to be ​produced ​by several manufacturers, the Pentagon has said.

The price of the LUCAS is around $35,000. Drones have become ​an increasingly important part of warfare as Russia's invasion of Ukraine ‌has pushed U.S. and other countries towards a new strategy known as "affordable mass" - having plenty of relatively cheap weapons at the ready.

The U.S. also used much more expensive MQ-9 Reaper drones and counter-drone systems.

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is a long-range cruise missile typically launched from sea to attack targets in deep-strike missions. The precision-guided Tomahawk cruise missile can strike targets from 1,000 miles (1,600 km) away, even in heavily defended airspace. The missile measures 20 feet (6.1 meters) long with an 8.5-foot wingspan and weighs about 3,330 pounds (1,510 kg).

RTX's Raytheon unit makes the Tomahawk missile - which are not nuclear-armed - which can be launched from land or sea. According to Pentagon budget data, the U.S. plans ‌to buy 57 such missiles in 2026. They have an average cost of $1.3 million each. There ​is also an ongoing effort to spend millions to modify and upgrade the weapons including the guidance ​systems.

A recent agreement between Raytheon and the Pentagon aims to increase production ​of Tomahawk cruise missiles eventually to 1,000 units annually.

U.S. and allied militaries have flight-tested the GPS-enabled Tomahawk and used it in an ‌operational environment including when the U.S. and UK Navies launched Tomahawk missiles ​at Houthi rebel sites in Yemen.

FIGHTER JETS

U.S. ​Central Command released photographs and video footage showing F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets being used in the strikes on Iran.

The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter capable of evading radar detection and carrying precision-guided munitions.The United States has deployed F-35s extensively across the Middle East. The F-18, made by Boeing, is ​a multi-role fighter that can conduct both air-to-air and air-to-ground ‌missions, carrying a variety of bombs and missiles.

The F-35s can carry a wide array of missiles such as those which can seek out and ​destroy radar installations to blind the enemy. The jets are also in use by the Israeli Air Force.

(Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman in San Francisco ​and Mike Stone in Washington, editing by Chris Sanders, Deepa Babington and Nick Zieminski)

byCreto Bactum

in

March 01, 2026

Factbox-US uses Anthropic AI, B-2 bombers and suicide drones in Iran strikes

March 1 (Reuters) - The United States unleashed an array of weaponry against Iranian targets on Saturday, including Toma...

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The Actor Awards Announces Presenters Timothée Chalamet, Chase Infiniti, and More

ELLE is officially partnering with The Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, for the upcoming ceremony.

Jacob Elordi Will Present at the 2026 Actor Awards Gareth Cattermole - Getty Images" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

This builds on an existing relationship, following ELLE and The Actor Awards' co-hosting ofThe Actors Nightin December. The glitzy gathering brought together Hollywood's buzziest talent in the weeks leading up to nominations, which wereannouncedon January 7.

The collaboration speaks to a broader celebration of performance alongside style, artistry, and influence, both on- and off-screen. "ELLE has a long history with Hollywood, and we have always championed both emerging talent and established stars," says editor-in-chief Nina Garcia. "Our vision of fashion is forever intertwined with what we see on-screen, so I'm thrilled that ELLE is joining The Actor Awards as its first-ever fashion partner. We're excited to bring our distinct editorial point of view to an event that celebrates creativity, craft, and the power of storytelling."

The partnership will debut at the 32nd annual Actor Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA, which will stream live globally. Below, find out everything to know about the ceremony and ELLE's role in supporting this year's show.

When is the 2026 Actor Awards?

The Actor Awards will take place at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 8 P.M. ET / 5 P.M. PT. Red carpet arrivals will begin at 5 P.M. ET / 2 P.M. PT.

Where will the event stream?

For the third consecutive year, The Actor Awards will stream live exclusively on Netflix. The ceremony will be available on the platform globally, allowing audiences around the world to tune in.

Who will be honored at the 2026 Actor Awards?

This year's Actor Awards will recognize impactful on-screen performances, with nominees including Michael B. Jordan (Sinners),Teyana Taylor(One Battle After Another), Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), and the casts ofThe Pitt,Frankenstein,The Studio, andAbbott Elementary, among others.

Harrison Ford will also be presented with the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award in honor of his decades-long career and contributions to Hollywood.

Who will host the ceremony and present the awards?

Kristen Bell will host.

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Deadlinereported on February 27 that Sterling K. Brown, Lisa Kudrow, Chase Infiniti, Timothee Chalamet, and Wunmi Mosaku will present at the Actor Awards.The Wrapalso confirmed on February 27 that Jacob Elordi, Damson Idris, Yerin Ha, and Samuel L. Jackson will present at the ceremony.

How is ELLE involved in the 2026 Actor Awards?

As part of its exclusive partnership with The Actor Awards, ELLE will collaborate across several of the show's most meaningful moments to deliver bespoke content. We will play a central role on the red carpet, shaping coverage that highlights what nominees and presenters are wearing, as well as how their personal style connects to performance and cultural impact.

Our involvement also extends beyond the broadcast itself. During show week, ELLE and The Actor Awards will collaborate on Actors Rising, an event spotlighting the next generation of performers making their mark. Following the live ceremony, ELLE will host the Official Post-Awards Gala at the Shrine, bringing together winners, nominees, presenters, and industry leaders to close out the night in celebration.

"As The Actor Awards continue to evolve for a global audience, partnering with ELLE allows us to elevate fashion as a central part of the show's creative expression," says Jon Brockett, the showrunner and executive producer of The Actor Awards. "It's an opportunity to align the red carpet, the show, and the culture around it into a single, cohesive moment."

What is the red carpet dress code?

For the first time in the ceremony's history, The Actor Awards will have an official red carpet dress code set by ELLE. The theme, "Reimagining Hollywood Glamour From the '20s and '30s," draws inspiration from an era defined by cinematic elegance and bold expression.

The dress code aligns with the overall creative vision of this year's show and invites attendees to reexamine classic ideas of glamour reimagined for a modern red carpet. Expect sensual gowns, dramatic silhouettes, and fluid, boundary-pushing designs, all inspired by the timeless Art Deco spirit that defined early Hollywood.

This story has been updated.

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The Actor Awards Announces Presenters Timothée Chalamet, Chase Infiniti, and More

ELLE is officially partnering with The Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Aw...

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'Bachelor' alumni to return for mansion makeover. Who's in the cast?

Jesse Palmeris bringing a little bit of the"Bachelor"toHGTV.

A dozen"Bachelor" alumniwill reconvene at the Bachelor Mansion forHGTV'snewestdesign competitionseries "Bachelor Mansion Takeover," which premieres on March 2.

"One of the most famous homes in television history," according to HGTV, will "receive a long overdue makeover" with help from some of people who've walked down those very halls.

Contestants will get the chance to flex "their design and renovation skills" as they work to transform "iconic and never-before-seen Bachelor Mansion spaces" in weekly elimination challenges.

In addition to weekly elimination challenges, competitors will take "bold design risks, form alliances and face shocking eliminations" as series' judges Tayshia Adams, Tyler Cameron and a surprise guest judge evaluate their creativity and craftsmanship.

In the end, though, only one "Bachelor" alum will win bragging rights and a $100,000 cash prize.

"For the first time ever we're pulling back the curtain and revealing the mansion as you've never seen it before," Palmer said in a statement. "Our 12 contestants have already lived through the twists and turns of 'The Bachelor' franchise."

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"They know this is not going to be easy. And the clock is ticking because this renovation has to be finished before a new season of 'The Bachelorette' begins," Palmer added.

Here's everything to know about "Bachelor Mansion Takeover."

'Bachelor Mansion Takeover' cast

From the "Bachelor" to the "Golden Bachelorette," here are the 12 "Bachelor" contestants who will return to the mansion for the design competition:

• Dean Bell

• Joan Vassos

• Jill Chin

• Noah Erb

• Allyshia Gupta

• Tammy Ly

• Sandra Mason

• Sam McKinney

• Brendan Morais

• Courtney Robertson Preciado

• Jeremy Simon

• Christopher Stallworth

Joining the contestants and Palmer at the mansion are series' judges Tayshia Adams and Tyler Cameron. Each week, a surprise guest will arrive to "tour and evaluate the renovated spaces" alongside the trio.

Surprise guest judges include Former "Bachelorette" Hannah Brown, designer Nate Berkus, actress Rachel Bilson, former "Bachelorette" JoJo Fletcher, HGTV host and designer Christina Haack and former "Bachelor" Sean Lowe.

Where to watch 'Bachelor Mansion Takeover'

"Bachelor Mansion Takeover" premieres March 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV. New episodes will be available to stream on HBO Max and discovery+ the day after it airs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Bachelor Mansion Takeover' premiere on HGTV is near. What to know

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March 01, 2026

'Bachelor' alumni to return for mansion makeover. Who's in the cast?

Jesse Palmeris bringing a little bit of the"Bachelor"toHGTV. A dozen"Bachelor" alumniwil...

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'SNL' takes on BAFTAs incident, mocks J.K. Rowling's trans 'obsession'

In a sketch that didn't make it to air, "Saturday Night Live" tackled the controversy surroundinglast week's BAFTAs, while also mockingJ.K. Rowlingand other controversial figures.

The sketch show on Sunday, March 1 posted a sketch to its YouTube channel that was cut for time on this weekend's episode, hosted byConnor Storrie. The sketch addressed anincident at the Feb. 22 British Academy Film Awardswhere Tourette Syndrome advocate John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur while two Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo from "Sinners," were on stage.

The premise of the "SNL" sketch was that the BAFTAs incident inspired a series of scandal-ridden celebrities to reveal that they, too, suffer from Tourette's and that it was the reason for controversial things they have said and done. First up was Mel Gibson (Andrew Dismukes), who declared that Tourette's "explains a lot of the things I've said or yelled through the years."

Other celebrities depicted as claiming to have Tourette's included Jill Zarin, Louis C.K., Bill Cosby, Ye and Armie Hammer. Storrie portrayed Hammer, who in the sketch claimed that cannibalism is a side effect of Tourette's. "Since it's Tourette's, I guess I have to be forgiven, if not celebrated," he said.

Delroy Lindoaddresses racial slur aimed at him and Michael B. Jordan

Ashley Padilla also played "Harry Potter" authorJ.K. Rowling, who has drawn controversy in recent years for heroutspoken views against the transgender community.

"Tourette's isn't just blurting out an offensive word," Padilla as Rowling said. "It can be yearslong obsession with something like trans rights, and a deep anger that someone who is born with a wand in their pants would want that wand removed and replaced with a Horcrux. But now you know, it was all the Tourette's fault, and not a bet I made with Bill Belichick to see who could destroy their legacy faster."

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Host Alan Cumming explained during the BAFTAs that guests may notice "some strong language in the background" while Davidson was in attendance for "I Swear," a movie about his life that received multiple BAFTA nominations. But the BBC and the BAFTAs received criticism for not removing the racial slur, which Davidson shouted while Jordan and Lindo were presenting, from the broadcast, even though the ceremony aired on a two-hour delay.

Lindoaddressed the incidenton Feb. 28 at the NAACP Image Awards, saying he appreciates "all the support and love we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend," and calling it a "classic case of something that could be very negative becoming very positive." Davidsonpreviously told Varietyhe "felt a wave of shame and embarrassment" over the involuntary tic but stressed there was "zero" intent behind it. "What you're hearing is a symptom — not my character, not my thought, not my belief," he told Variety.

'SNL' takeson Iran attacks and Khamenei killing in cold open

Davidson has Tourette's with Coprolalia, which involves involuntary outbursts of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, according to theTourette Association of America. The majority of people with Tourette syndrome do not have Coprolalia, with a prevalence of 10-33% of people, according to the National Library of Medicine.

"SNL" also addressed the BAFTAs incident during "Weekend Update," with anchor Michael Che joking, "Today is the last day of Black History Month, sponsored by Tourette's."

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Pamela Avila and KiMi Robinson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'SNL' Tourette's sketch addresses BAFTAs racial slur incident

byCreto Bactum

in

March 01, 2026

'SNL' takes on BAFTAs incident, mocks J.K. Rowling's trans 'obsession'

In a sketch that didn't make it to air, "Saturday Night Live" tackled the controversy surroundinglast week...

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'One Battle After Another' wins at PGA Awards, setting up awards-season sweep

"One Battle After Another"remains undefeated.

Paul Thomas Anderson's ragtag revolutionary drama took top honors Saturday night at the 37th annual Producers Guild Awards, setting it on course to triumph in two weeks at theAcademy Awards.

In winning the guild's Daryl F. Zanuck award for best feature film, "One Battle After Another" is poised to sweep the major prizes of awards season. It's won at the Directors Guild, the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. The Screen Actors Guild is to present its awards on Sunday night.

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The PGA Awards andthe Academy Awardshave a long history of correlating. Since 2009, both groups have used a preferential ballot to pick a winner from 10 nominees. For five years running, the PGA winner has matched the best picture winner at the Oscars. In the last 10 years, they've diverged only twice.

Accepting the award, Anderson alluded to the recentsale of Warner Bros. Discovery to Paramount Skydancewhile thanking Warner Bros. film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy.

"Long may you wave, whatever the future holds," said Anderson. "It is one battle after another."

The PGA Awards were held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood. The group also named "KPop Demon Hunters" best animated film, "My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay" best documentary, "The Pitt" best drama series and "The Studio" best comedy series.

byCreto Bactum

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March 01, 2026

'One Battle After Another' wins at PGA Awards, setting up awards-season sweep

"One Battle After Another"remains undefeated. Paul Thomas Anderson's ragtag revolutionary dram...

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Connor Storrie Makes “SNL” Debut with Help from “Heated Rivalry” Costar Hudson Williams and Team USA Hockey Players

Connor Storrie made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut on Feb. 28

NEED TO KNOW

• His Heated Rivalry costar Hudson Williams made various appearances throughout the episode

• Team USA hockey players Megan Keller and Hilary Knight from the women's team, plus brothers Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes from the men's team, also appeared during the opening monologue, poking fun at post-2026 Winter Olympics controversy with President Donald Trump

Live from Studio 8H — it'sConnor Storrie!

The actor, 26, made hisSaturday Night Livehosting debut on Feb. 28, when he was joined byMumford & Sonsas the musical guest.

Storrie was supported by hisHeated RivalrycostarHudson Williams, who appeared inone sketchandhelped introduce a Mumford & Sons performance. Williams, 25, was also by Storrie's side as the episode ended.

Team USA hockey players also made cameos during theopening monologue, withMegan KellerandHilary Knightfrom the women's team appearing, as well as brothersQuinn HughesandJack Hughesfrom the men's team.

Both teams scored gold medals during their2026 Winter Olympicshockey matches, and the group poked fun at the controversy surrounding PresidentDonald Trumpfor how he responded to each win.

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Storrie stars as Ilya Rozanov and Williams portrays Shane Hollander inHeated Rivarly, the LGBTQ+ romance-hockey drama adapted from author Rachel Reid'snovelof the same name from her popular seriesGame Changers.

The actors play two of the biggest stars in the National Hockey League (NHL) who navigate an intense rivalry on the ice — and a steamy connection outside of the rink.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Storrie and Williams, as well as fellow costarsFrançois ArnaudandRobbie G.K., were thrust into international fame whenHeated Rivarlybegan streaming on HBO Max in late 2025.

Show creatorJacob Tierneysaid on the Feb. 26 episode ofCBS Morningsthat season 2 of the show will "start shooting in August," and a spokesperson for the streaming service Crave toldEntertainment Weekly, "We are aiming for a spring 2027 premiere."

Saturday Night Liveairs weekends on NBC. Season 1 ofHeated Rivalryis available to stream on HBO Max.

Read the original article onPeople

byCreto Bactum

in

March 01, 2026

Connor Storrie Makes “SNL” Debut with Help from “Heated Rivalry” Costar Hudson Williams and Team USA Hockey Players

Connor Storrie made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut on Feb. 28 NEED TO KNOW His Heated Rivalry costar...

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