BET Awards to Honor Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Kirk Franklin

Snoop Dogg is seen at an event at the Paris Olympics. (Reuters)
Snoop Dogg is seen at an event at the Paris Olympics. (Reuters)
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BET Awards to Honor Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Kirk Franklin

Snoop Dogg is seen at an event at the Paris Olympics. (Reuters)
Snoop Dogg is seen at an event at the Paris Olympics. (Reuters)

The BET Awards will celebrate its 25th anniversary by honoring four legendary performers — Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Kirk Franklin.

Carey, Snoop, Foxx and Franklin will receive the Ultimate Icon Award at next month's awards show, where Kendrick Lamar is the leading nominee.

BET says the Ultimate Icon recipients were selected due to their impact on entertainment as well as their community impact and advocacy.

Here’s more to know about the show:

Who's nominated at the BET Awards?

Lamar earned 10 nominations earlier this month, including an album of the year for his highly-acclaimed project “GNX.” His ubiquitous diss track “Not Like Us,” emanating from the Drake feud, received nominations for video of the year and viewer's choice award.

The rap megastar made waves with his Grammy triumph, winning song and record of the year for “Not Like Us.” He followed up with a groundbreaking halftime show, becoming the first solo hip-hop performer to headline the coveted slot. He is currently on the Grand National Tour with SZA.

Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla tied for the second-most nominations with six. Metro Boomin pulled in five nods, while SZA and The Weeknd each scored four.

Who are the show's performers?

Rap icon Lil Wayne, rapper GloRilla and singer Teyana Taylor will hit the BET Awards stage.

The lineup of performers also includes rapper Playboi Carti and singer Leon Thomas.

Who will host the show?

Kevin Hart is expected to bring the funny as host of the awards show, celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The comedian-actor, who hosted the BET Awards in 2011, called this year's ceremony a “black-tie affair.”

“It’s a chance to reflect, cherish and honor life’s unforgettable moments,” Hart said in a statement. He has a history with the network, hosting “Comic View: One Night Stand” in 2008. He was an executive producer and one of the stars of “Real Husbands of Hollywood” and launched adult animated comedy “Lil Kev” on BET+.

Will there be any tributes?

The BET Awards will offer tributes to former popular hosts and performances, including the network’s once-flagship program “106 & Park.”

“'106 & Park' was more than just a music countdown show; it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest-rated BET programs for over a decade,” said Scott Mills, BET's president and CEO. The weekday show launched in 2000 and lasted for more than a decade.

The show thrived with a video countdown, interviews and performances.

The show will reunite past hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J. The tribute will feature performers such as Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I. and Mr. 106 & Park.

It is not yet known whether Carey, Snoop, Foxx and Franklin will receive individual tributes during the ceremony.

The awards will air live on June 9 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. EDT.

Are there any other standout nominees?

There's a competitive list of top-notch actors looking to take home the top award in their category.

For best actor, the category includes Aaron Pierre, Aldis Hodge, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Joey Bada$$, Kevin Hart, Sterling K. Brown and Will Smith.

For best actress, the nominees include Andra Day, Angela Bassett, Coco Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis and Zendaya.

Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Simone Biles, Angel Reese and Jalen Hurts are among the sports stars competing for awards.



'Godfather' Star Al Pacino to Receive Life Achievement Award from Actors' Guild

FILE - Honoree Al Pacino appears at the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award event in Los Angeles on June 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
FILE - Honoree Al Pacino appears at the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award event in Los Angeles on June 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
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'Godfather' Star Al Pacino to Receive Life Achievement Award from Actors' Guild

FILE - Honoree Al Pacino appears at the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award event in Los Angeles on June 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
FILE - Honoree Al Pacino appears at the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award event in Los Angeles on June 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

Celebrated actor Al Pacino will receive a lifetime achievement award for his career achievements and humanitarian work next year, the actors' union SAG-AFTRA has announced.

The American actor, best known for playing Michael Corleone in "The Godfather" films is the 62nd recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award. The union will present the award to him in Los Angeles at the 33rd Actor Awards on February 28, 2027 as part of a ceremony to be live-streamed on Netflix.

Pacino's recognition follows a career spanning more than six decades across film, television and stage. He is known for numerous memorable characters, including real-life police officer Frank Serpico ⁠in 1973's "Serpico," Miami ⁠mobster Tony Montana in 1983's "Scarface" and more recently Hollywood agent Marvin Schwarz in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood."

The award is presented annually to an actor who embodies the "finest ideals of the acting profession," according to the union.

"I wondered and wandered most of my life but have always felt at home with a script ⁠and my fellow actors," Pacino said in a statement from the actors' union.

"It's the work and the actors along the way that have been among the greatest joys of my life. It's an honor to be recognized by SAG-AFTRA in celebrating the journey," he added on Thursday.

Pacino won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in the 1992 film "Scent of a Woman," and has also won multiple Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe awards.

"Like so many actors, I have spent my life in awe and appreciation of the ⁠force of ⁠nature that is Al Pacino. When you watch him perform, you are witnessing a student and a master," SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin added in the statement.

Pacino also participated in the "America: A Tribute to Heroes" telethon following the September 11, 2001 attacks, and in 2009 received the Arthritis Foundation's Jane Wyman Humanitarian Award for his charitable work.

The 86-year-old actor was born Alfredo James Pacino in New York. He struggled throughout the 1960s to find steady work before his eventual film breakthrough in 1972's "The Godfather."

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, influencers and other entertainment and media professionals.


Ailing UK Director Mike Leigh Wishes He Could Make ‘100 More Films’

English screenwriter and film director Mike Leigh attends the premiere of "Tender Loving Care" at the BFI London Film Festival 2026 in London, Britain, 15 October 2026. (EPA)
English screenwriter and film director Mike Leigh attends the premiere of "Tender Loving Care" at the BFI London Film Festival 2026 in London, Britain, 15 October 2026. (EPA)
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Ailing UK Director Mike Leigh Wishes He Could Make ‘100 More Films’

English screenwriter and film director Mike Leigh attends the premiere of "Tender Loving Care" at the BFI London Film Festival 2026 in London, Britain, 15 October 2026. (EPA)
English screenwriter and film director Mike Leigh attends the premiere of "Tender Loving Care" at the BFI London Film Festival 2026 in London, Britain, 15 October 2026. (EPA)

British filmmaker Mike Leigh told AFP Thursday he regretted he could not make "another hundred films" because of ill health, as he attended the London premiere of his prize-winning latest work.

Leigh, 83, has myositis, an autoimmune disease that affects the muscles, and now uses a walking stick.

"It's only because I have a medical condition that makes it difficult to do stuff, but otherwise I'd love to make a hundred more films," he told AFP on the red carpet at the London Film Festival ahead of the screening of his film, "Tender Loving Care".

"But it may not be possible, just from a practical point of view."

Leigh won the top prize last month at the San Sebastian film festival for the drama about social workers supporting vulnerable people, expected to be his last feature.

He won top prize at the Cannes film festival in 1996 for "Secrets and Lies" and at Venice in 2004 for "Vera Drake".

Actress Alice Bailey Johnson, one of the new film's stars, said she was "heartbroken" at the prospect that this could be the socially engaged filmmaker's final work.

"But if it is, then I can't express how honored I feel to be part of it," she told AFP before the screening.

"It's just a wonderful moment, and I will treasure it forever."


Bollywood Actor Imran Khan Asked to Leave India after Participating in Protest

12 October 2026, India, New Delhi: Protestors confront the police during a demonstration by members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the All India Students' Federation (AISF) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Photo: Yousuf Sarfaraz/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
12 October 2026, India, New Delhi: Protestors confront the police during a demonstration by members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the All India Students' Federation (AISF) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Photo: Yousuf Sarfaraz/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Bollywood Actor Imran Khan Asked to Leave India after Participating in Protest

12 October 2026, India, New Delhi: Protestors confront the police during a demonstration by members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the All India Students' Federation (AISF) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Photo: Yousuf Sarfaraz/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
12 October 2026, India, New Delhi: Protestors confront the police during a demonstration by members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the All India Students' Federation (AISF) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Photo: Yousuf Sarfaraz/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Indian authorities ‌have asked Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave the country by the end of the month, saying he breached immigration laws after joining a protest against the election commission chief, local media reported on Thursday.

-Khan, 43, is a US citizen, the Indian Express newspaper reported. Under Indian law, foreigners' participation in political protests may be treated as a violation ‌of immigration and ‌visa rules.

- Khan was given ‌until ⁠October 28 to ⁠leave the country, the Times of India newspaper said

- The actor participated in a rally in Mumbai on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over voter list revisions that critics and opposition parties ⁠say favor Prime Minister Narendra ‌Modi's party

- "Apparently I’m ‌going for a drive," the actor wrote on ‌his Instagram on the same day, with ‌a picture of him posing with a victory sign in the back of what looked like a police van

- A complaint was filed against ‌him at a police station in Mumbai, saying Khan had breached the ⁠law, ⁠and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, a federal government agency responsible for tracking and monitoring foreign nationals in India, sent him a notice to leave based on the complaint, the Indian Express said

- Khan did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters

- A nephew of actor Aamir Khan, and hailing from an illustrious film family, Imran acted in several hit Bollywood films from 2008 to 2015, before suddenly retiring.