US, Venezuela agree to re-establish diplomatic ties

WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) - The United States and interim authorities in Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplomatic ‌and consular relations, the U.S. State Department said ‌on Thursday, aiming to foster a peaceful transition to elect a new ​government in the South American country.

"This step will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela," the State Department said in ‌a statement.

"Our engagement is ⁠focused on helping the Venezuelan people move forward through a phased process that creates the ⁠conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government."

After months of heightened tensions, the U.S. captured Venezuela's President ​Nicolas Maduro ​in January, setting off a ​chain of changes in ‌the country, including the swearing-in of interim President Delcy Rodriguez.

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The two countries have since gradually resumed bilateral relations, after Rodriguez's interim government expressed interest in rebuilding ties with Washington with diplomatic missions in both countries following Maduro's capture.

"The ‌Bolivarian Government reaffirms its willingness to ​move forward in a new ​phase of constructive dialogue ​based on mutual respect, sovereign equality of ‌states, and cooperation between our ​peoples," the Venezuelan ​government said in a statement shared on Thursday.

"Venezuela expresses its confidence that this process will contribute to strengthening ​understanding and ‌opening opportunities for a positive and mutually beneficial relationship," ​it said.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Writing by Daphne ​Psaledakis; Editing by Sonali Paul)

byCustos Caelorum

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March 05, 2026

US, Venezuela agree to re-establish diplomatic ties

WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) - The United States and interim authorities in Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplo...

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“Amazing Race” Contestants Jonathan Towns & Ana Towns File $8M Defamation Suit Against Paramount, CBS, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films

'Amazing Race' season 37 contestants Jonathan and Ana Towns filed a defamation suit against World Race Productions, CBS, Paramount, ABC Signature and Jerry Bruckheimer Films

NEED TO KNOW

• The couple alleges the show falsely portrayed Jonathan as abusive, and claims the production defamed him through manipulated editing and omissions

• They are seeking $8 million, citing reputational, emotional and professional harm caused by the broadcast portrayal

Amazing RacealumniJonathan and Ana Townsfiled an $8 million lawsuit against production companies affiliated with their season.

The Towns starred in season 37 of the CBS competition series and filmed from May through June 2024. They earned third place, and the season aired from March through May 2025.

On Wednesday, March 4, they filed a defamation lawsuit against World Race Productions, CBS, its parent company Paramount, ABC Signature (which was absorbed by 20th Television in 2024) and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. ABC Signature is a Disney Television Studios company.

Paramount offered no comment when contacted by PEOPLE.

PEOPLE reached out to Jonathan Towns, World Race Productions, CBS, ABC Signature and Jerry Bruckheimer Films for comment.

Jonathan and Ana, who are representing themselves, allege the defendants created a "smear strategy so audacious and immoral that would shock the conscience of even the most cynical propagandist," according to the Los Angeles Superior Court complaint obtained and shared byDeadline.

They are seeking a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief and "all other available remedies" from the defendants' alleged "systematic, deliberate, and malicious defamation" of Jonathan, in connection with the defendants' "production, editing, marketing and national broadcast" ofThe Amazing Raceseason 37.

They state that the lawsuit isn't about "editorial judgment or discretion," and instead allege that the defendants "falsely portrayed Jonathan Towns, a private individual with no antecedent public profile, as a morally depraved, brutal and abusive spouse" and distributed it to CBS' "tens of millions of viewers."

The complaint alleges that the defendants had the necessary evidence to portray Jonathan "accurately and completely," but rather opted for the "deliberate determination to suppress those materials and to substitute in their place a constructed, false, and highly damaging portrayal."

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Jonathan and Ana claim that he tried to leave the competition after suffering a "meltdown" and "clear emotional anguish," due to the alleged "psychological toll of production personnel bias." He went to human resources, the lawsuit alleges, and was reassured that the competition was being administered fairly. Jonathan, in "reasonable reliance" on HR's response, continued in the race.

The suit then claims that after filming, the Jonathan and Ana learned that he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. They claim that Jonathan's "behavioral manifestations" were "not volitional acts of cruelty or intentional interpersonal aggression," but rather a result of the diagnosis.

The complaint alleges that production did not provide access to a licensed medical health professional, or "any support whatsoever of medical, psychological, or pastoral nature" during and after filming; nor did they make any changes to his portrayal that was broadcast in light of his diagnosis.

The defendants made the "deliberate editorial determination to designate" Jonathan as the "singular negative narrative focus of Season 37," by allegedly excluding "all competing positive content," and including "negative content of other cast members," the lawsuit alleges.

Jonathan claims the "defamatory broadcast" resulted in previous and ongoing "harm of a reputational, professional, psychological, and economic character" and that he "suffered severe and irreparable damage to his personal and professional reputation."

He says he's been the target of harassment, threats, mockery and hostility from members of the public who "accepted the false portrayal as truthful" while Ana has experienced her own reputational harm and emotional distress from the show, according to their filing.

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Both have "sustained harm to their familial relationships, professional opportunities, and personal wellbeing" and are attending "ongoing professional psychiatric and therapeutic treatment."

The pair is requesting a trial by jury.

Read the original article onPeople

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March 05, 2026

“Amazing Race” Contestants Jonathan Towns & Ana Towns File $8M Defamation Suit Against Paramount, CBS, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films

'Amazing Race ' season 37 contestants Jonathan and Ana Towns filed a defamation suit against World Race Producti...

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Billy Porter says he was 'dead for three days' amid brutal sepsis battle: 'They had to cut me open'

Billy Porteris opening up about his life-threatening brush with sepsis, which was even more harrowing than he previously indicated.

Fans first became aware that thePosestar's health had taken a turn for the worse when hepulled outof Rebecca Frecknall's production ofCabareta mere weeks before its closing date on Broadway in September. He cited a "serious case of sepsis" at the time, and in December, shared a lengthier update about the"challenging four months"that followed.

On Tuesday, Porter appeared on TS Madison'sOutlawspodcast, revealing shocking new details about the ordeal, including the infection putting him in a coma that left him "dead for three days."

Porter explained that he first contracted a urinary infection during his run asCabaret's emcee on the West End in London, which lasted from Jan. to May 2025. Because "the medicine in the U.K. is trash," Porter said, that infection progressed from his urinary tract to his kidneys, but finally went away.

Then he entered rehearsals for the Broadway production of the Weimar-era fantasia at the August Wilson Theatre, and "the kidney stone pain [came] back."

"By Tuesday, I checked myself into the hospital because I'm in so much pain," Porter recalled, having to stop as he got choked up with tears. "They saw that the kidney stone was trapped in my urethra... put a stint in, redirected the urine, [and] blasted me with real antibiotics."

That should have done the trick, but the worst was still to come.

"When they got in there, there was so much pus, and bile, and infection behind the stone. It bubbled up, and I went uroseptic in minutes," he recalled, adding that he was then hooked up to life support.

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"I was dead for three days. I am a miracle. I'm a walking miracle," he shared.

Still, Porter's ordeal wasn't through. "When I woke up, they told me my leg had gone into compartment syndrome, which is when the muscles close in on themselves and cut off the oxygen. So they had to cut me open on either side of my leg while I was in a coma, and from my knee to my hip, leave it open for two days so they could save my leg."

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Porter said he is now doing completely fine, and "so grateful to be here."

Broadway'sCabaretrevival ended about a month earlier than originally planned after Porter pulled out. The West End production, however, where Porter made his debut as the emcee, is currently still running at the Kit Kat Club.

The Broadway revival was nominated for nine Tony awards in 2024, including Best Actor in a Musical for Eddie Redmayne, whose role Porter eventually took over. Porter can next be seen on the big screen inThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

You can watch Porter's full appearance on theOutlawspodcast above.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byCustos Caelorum

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March 05, 2026

Billy Porter says he was 'dead for three days' amid brutal sepsis battle: 'They had to cut me open'

Billy Porteris opening up about his life-threatening brush with sepsis, which was even more harrowing than he previo...

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Selena Gomez Says She'll 'Always Be There' for Martin Short and Steve Martin in Poignant Photo Post

Selena Gomez is sharing a kind message about her Only Murders in the Building costars

NEED TO KNOW

• The actress and musician shared a thoughtful black-and-white image to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, March 4, calling Steve Martin and Martin Short her "favorite guys"

• "Love you Steve and I love you Marty," she wrote

Selena Gomezis showing love toSteve MartinandMartin Short.

On Wednesday, March 4, the singer and actress shared a black-and-white photo with herOnly Murders in the Buildingcostars on her Instagram Stories, showing the trio sitting on the floor together.

"My favorite guys," Gomez, 33, wrote over the snap. "I'll always be there for them as they have been for me."

"Love you Steve and I love you Marty," she concluded.

The message comes days after the trio of actors from the Hulu series were absent from the 2026Actor Awardsfollowing a recent family tragedy for Short, 75, who was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. The cast also earned a nod in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series category. That award went to the cast ofThe Studio.

Short won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series in 2025, and the cast received the award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series that year as well.

The actors did not attend the 2026 show as Short mourns the loss of his daughterKatherine, whodied at the age of 42on Feb. 23. Katherine was one of three kids Short shared with his late wife, Nancy Dolman, whodied of ovarian cancer in 2010. He's also dad to Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36.

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"It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time," the Short family previously told PEOPLE in a statement. "Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world."

Gomez, Short and Martin, 80, have shared a close bond since first appearing alongside each other on the Hulu comedy in August 2021. Back in March 2025, the "Same Old Love" singer was asked byHot Oneshost Sean Evans which "old man tendency" she picked up from her costars. "I sit there and read the news with them every day," she said, before Gomez's now-husbandBenny Blanconoted that their eating habits are now similar, too.

In April 2024, Short and Martin raved about the "remarkable" Gomezwhile chatting with PEOPLE, with Short explaining that their bond "just gets deeper and deeper and deeper."

"She is so lovely as a human, she's so remarkable as a talent, and she just has an aura and this lovely spirit," he said. "Our friendship grows and grows."

"We didn't really know Selena, we didn't know what we're getting into," Martin added. "I knew she has a fabulous personality, she's very smart. But she is never late."

He continued, "And that's a very big deal when you're making a movie, if people are standing around like, 'Where is so-and-so?' She is on the mark...We all march down the steps together. It's fabulous. But it gives you an insight into her own personality and professionalism."

Read the original article onPeople

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March 05, 2026

Selena Gomez Says She'll 'Always Be There' for Martin Short and Steve Martin in Poignant Photo Post

Selena Gomez is sharing a kind message about her Only Murders in the Building costars NEED TO KNOW The actr...

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French Actors Join 'The White Lotus' Season 4

Creator Mike White is hard at work at the fourth season ofThe White Lotus. Before season three premiered, HBO confirmed it had renewed the series for a fourth chapter. It was soon revealed that season four will be in the South of France, with production set to take place this summer. Here's what we know so far aboutWhite Lotusseason four:

The cast members are slowly being announced.

The first cast announcement includes Alexander Ludwig and AJ Michalka, in unspecified roles.

Other announced cast members includeSandra Bernhard, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Coogan, Caleb Jonte Edwards, Marissa Long, and Chris Messina.

In March, three French actors joined the cast: Vincent Cassel, Corentin Fila, and Nadia Tereszkiewicz.

Filming will take place at Château de La Messardière.

In January 2026,Varietyreported filming will be at the Airelles hotel in Saint Tropez, The Château de La Messardière. The publication added, "As with other seasons, this one will not shoot entirely in a single property as White is meticulous about crafting unique backdrops that combine different venues. As such, the Château de La Messardière is one of several places that will host the HBO production. The story will unfold along the French Riviera, with some scenes also filmed at a Paris hotel."

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Production will begin in April.

No further details have been shared, but production is expected to take place between April and October 2026.

Will any cast members return?

Only a few cast members have appeared in multiple seasons; Natasha Rothwell's Belinda is in seasons one and three, Jennifer Coolidge's Tanya was in seasons one and two, and Jon Gries's Greg has appeared in all three. For season four, RothwelljokedtoGood Morning Americashe'd return "if I survive this season…"

Connie Britton, who appeared in season one, has expressed interest in returning. "[Mike White] wanted me to be in the second season, and there was an idea that I loved for the character," Britton toldDeadline. "Our intention is to do it in the third season. A piece of casting didn't work in the second season and we're hoping to [do] that in the third season. I would love to see a spinoff on every character in that show." We now know she didn't appear in three, perhaps she'll appear in season four.

"I've heard rumors of them doing an all-star season," season three star Patrick Schwazeneggersaid, to which White said he'd "love" to do that. Bloys added, "Maybe Molly Shannon's character and Victoria Ratliff know each other? There are so many connections between all these awful people."

We'll update this as we learn more about The White Lotus season four.

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byCustos Caelorum

in

March 05, 2026

French Actors Join 'The White Lotus' Season 4

Creator Mike White is hard at work at the fourth season ofThe White Lotus. Before season three premiered, HBO confirmed ...

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