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Members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have sued Penske Media and others, claiming they engaged in fraud to acquire the Golden Globe Awards. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in California, alleges that Penske Media and owner Jay Penske colluded with Eldridge Industries to devalue the Globes and deceive the HFPA into a pressured sale. The lawsuit accuses them of hiding Penske's involvement in the 2023 deal. Penske Media's assets include major entertainment publications and awards shows. The lawsuit seeks at least $150 million in damages and aims to cancel the agreement to dissolve the HFPA. Penske Media has denied the claims.

It’s a cold, lonely new world for Peter Parker when we join him in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” The action picks up four years after Parker, in a supreme act of self-sacrifice, erased himself from the world’s memory. That means Peter’s beloved MJ has no idea who he is, nor does his best buddy, Ned. Far from the surprise-a-minute 2021 “No Way Home,” this latest film is a more somber and slower-moving affair. Its best reward is a very human, vulnerable Tom Holland in his latest outing as Peter, Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck writes in her review.

Justin Herbert has his first ring, and it's not on the football field. The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback and singer-songwriter Madison Beer have announced their engagement in an Instagram post. It included a photo of Herbert proposing to Beer. The couple was first seen together last August. Beer attended some Chargers games last season, and they were spotted at Dodgers and Lakers games. Herbert appeared in Beer's “lovergirl” video this spring. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been supportive of their relationship. Herbert begins training camp Wednesday for his seventh season with the Chargers.

The man on trial in the stabbing of Salman Rushdie has chosen not to testify or call any witnesses in the federal terrorism case. Hadi Matar’s lawyer told a court Tuesday that the 28-year-old wouldn’t take the stand. Closing arguments are expected Wednesday morning in Buffalo, New York. Rushdie, the prize-winning author and free speech advocate, testified last week about the 2022 attack that left him blind in one eye. Prosecutors contend that Matar was acting upon a former Iranian leader’s 1989 call for Rushdie’s death because of his novel “The Satanic Verses.” Some Muslims considered it blasphemous. Matar has pleaded not guilty. He already has been convicted of state-level attempted murder and other charges.

Booker Prize winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart are in the running for the 2026 edition of the prestigious fiction award. The list of 13 semifinalists announced Tuesday for the $66,000 prize includes James’ “The Disappearers” and Stuart’s “John of John.” Elizabeth Strout, a Pulitzer Prize laureate, is also on the list with “The Things We Never Say.” The longlist features authors from Britain, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States, including three debut authors. Historian Mary Beard, head of the judging panel, described the list as literary “dynamite.” Six finalists will be revealed September 22 and the winner will be announced on November 9.

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is drawing moviegoers to Prague for its rare 70 mm IMAX experience. This film is the first feature made entirely with IMAX cameras. Prague is one of only three cities on the European continent with such a screen. The Czech branch of Cinema City offers multiple daily screenings to meet demand, with most sold out. By Monday, 22,000 film fans from 15 European countries had visited. The IMAX 70 mm format is Nolan’s favorite format, offering what he calls the “best possible experience.” Despite challenges, this format remains a unique draw for cinema fans.

Spicy drinks are trending, and bartenders are getting creative. Turner Greaves from New York’s Sip and Guzzle describes his tequila highball, Doctor Green, as herbaceous and slightly bitter, with tomatillo, green apple and serrano pepper. Customers can adjust the spice level with a dropper. James Stevenson from London’s Brutes of Mayfair also notes a shift toward savory cocktails. His mezcal-based Bagheera is a spicy margarita with fresh chile and coriander. Agave spirits like tequila and mezcal pair well with spice due to their vegetal profiles. Bartenders are also using ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns and gochujang.

Celebrities having birthdays during the week of Aug. 2-8 include “Everything Everywhere All at Once” star Michelle Yeoh, singer Charli xcx and actor Daniel Dae Kim. Actor-turned-princess Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, turns 45, actor-director Greta Gerwig hits 43 and “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn reaches 60. Others celebrating are “Seinfeld” actor Wayne Knight, singer Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden and actor David Duchovny. Actor Charlize Theron turns 51, singer Shawn Mendes welcomes 28 and guitarist The Edge of U2 reaches 65. Others celebrating are drummer Rikki Rockett of Poison and rapper Kool Moe Dee.