Darth Vader's lightsaber to be auctioned off. How to place a bid.

Darth Vader's lightsaber to be auctioned off. How to place a bid.

In a galaxy not so far away,Star Warsfans may be digging through pocket change this week in hopes of cashing in on some iconic props from the original trilogy. Propstore Auction debuts itsEntertainment Memorabilia Live Auctionon Thursday, Sept. 4, and one of the coveted items isDarth Vader's on-screen lightsaberfrom "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi." The prop was used "extensively" by the lateDavid Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original trilogy, and features authentic signs of wear, the Propstore website states. "Far from diminishing its value, these marks serve as compelling evidence of the lightsaber's direct involvement in the action – testament to its film-used authenticity," thelightsaber's descriptionon the Propstore website reads. While Propstore knows the lightsaber was used in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," it could have made some other appearances, too. "It's also possible that the piece or some elements of it were used in the very first Star Wars film, though we cannot be certain," Propstore Chief Operating Officer Brandon Alinger told USA TODAY. "While they had a few lightsaber props, what makes this one special is that it was used for the action sequences – the duels are some of the most memorable scenes in both of those films." Bidding for the lightsaber begins at $500,000, and Propstore estimates the final bid to be$1-3 million. As of Tuesday, Sept. 2, six absentee bids (bids placed ahead of the auction) had been placed, amounting to $1.2 million. 'Star Wars: Starfighter':First look reveals star-studded cast of Ryan Gosling film The lot containing Darth Vader's Screen-Matched Hero Dueling Lightsaber opens on Thursday, Sept. 4, with bidding starting at 10 a.m. PT. The first day of the Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, will be in-person only bidding. During the following two days of the auction, attendees can bid online via phone call or as an absentee (bid ahead of time online). For more information about the bidding process, visit the Propstore website atpropstoreauction.com/auctions/info/id/456. When it comes to sourcing props for its Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, Alinger told USA TODAY that items may come from production companies, film studios or individuals associated with productions. "The consignor who owns this piece has had it for many years and decided the time was right to sell," Alinger said of the lightsaber. Alinger said Propstore was confident the lightsaber was legitimate, but to ensure its authenticity, an "extensive research" was conducted, even going so far as to "take X-ray images to examine the internal structure." Darth Vader's lightsaber is one of more than 1,000 props that make up Propstore's Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction. Here's a look at some other key items: With great power comes an even greater costume. The full-body costume from "Spider-Man"is believed to have been heavily worn by Tobey Maguire while he was on set, according to thePopstore website. Displayed on a custom-made mannequin, the costume's bidding starts at $50,000 and is expected to sell for $100,000 to $200,000. The bid for theiconic circular glassesworn byDaniel Radcliffein "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is starting at $15,000. The glasses are expected to sell for $30,000 to $60,000. The bid for thebullwhip, belt and whip holsterworn byHarrison Fordin the 1989 "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is starting at $125,000. The final bid is estimated to be between $250,000 and $500,000. Thesignature alien-tech toolused by Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent J (Will Smith) in the 1997 cult classic "Men in Black" is up for auction. Bidding starts at $37,500, and the final bid is estimated to land between $75,000 and $150,000. The bid for theoriginal shark tooth clapperboardand two on-set Polaroid photographs from the 1975 film "Jaws" is starting at $20,000. The final bid is estimated to be between $40,000 and $80,000 for the50th anniversaryprop. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her atgcross@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Darth Vader's lightsaber to be auctioned off, bids start at $500K

byMario Satorik

in

September 02, 2025

Darth Vader's lightsaber to be auctioned off. How to place a bid.

Darth Vader's lightsaber to be auctioned off. How to place a bid. In a galaxy not so far away,Star Warsfans may be digging through pocke...

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Idris Elba and Wife Sabrina Steal the Show with a Kiss at the Venice Film Festival

Idris Elba and Wife Sabrina Steal the Show with a Kiss at the Venice Film Festival

Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina shared a kiss as they attended the premiere of Idris' new movieA House of Dynamiteat the Venice International Film Festival Idris and Sabrina met in 2017, got engaged in 2018 and married in April 2019, months after Idris was named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive A House of Dynamiteis in limited theaters Oct. 10 and begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 24 Idris Elbaand hiswife Sabrinaare showing each other love at theVenice International Film Festival. Idris, 52, and Sabrina, 36, stepped out on the red carpet in Venice on Tuesday, Sept. 2 for the world premiere of his new movieA House of Dynamite,alongside Idris' costar Rebecca Ferguson and director Kathryn Bigelow. Idris and his wife paused to share a kiss at the event, with the action star wearing a suave dark gray suit and matching black shoes. Sabrina, the Somali-Canadian model who has been married to Idris for more than six years, wore a simple white dress and matching heels for the occasion. The couple held hands and laughed together as they posed for photos and walked the carpet. Idris and Sabrina first met in 2017 in Vancouver while the actor was in town filming the movieThe Mountain Between Us. As he toldThe Viewin 2019, the pairfound "love at first sight"when he decided to go to a party on his "only day off." The couple made their red carpet debut together at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017 for the premiere of Idris' movieMolly's Game. Idris and Sabrina announced their engagement in 2018 andmarried in April 2019, months after he wasnamed PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock Back in June 2024, Sabrina told PEOPLE in an interview that the couple like to shower together. "I love showering together, although we have some really funny memories showering together," she said at the time. "When we can get up at the same time and someone doesn't have to be up super early, it's really nice, because we can get into the shower and enjoy that moment, have a coffee together, which doesn't feel like it happens enough, unfortunately," she added. "I think selfless self-care when it's with community and your partner and with anyone feels really nice." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Daniele Venturelli/WireImage An official synopsis for Idris' new movieA House of Dynamitereads: "When a single, unattributed missile is launched at the United States, a race begins to determine who is responsible and how to respond." The movie is Bigelow's first feature film since 2017'sDetroit; Bigelow, 73, previously won twoOscarsin 2010 for directing and producing the war movieThe Hurt Lockerand received another nomination in 2013 forZero Dark Thirty. Prior toA House of Dynamite's premiere, Idris last appeared in this year's action-comedyHeads of Stateopposite John Cena. He also voiced a dog in the Netflix movieFixed. Idris costars inA House of Dynamite, which is in select theaters Oct. 10 and begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 24, alongside a large cast that also includes Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Jonah Hauer-King, Moses Ingram, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke, Malachi Beasley, Brian Tee, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Willa Fitzgerald, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Kyle Allen and Kaitlyn Dever. Read the original article onPeople

byMario Satorik

in

September 02, 2025

Idris Elba and Wife Sabrina Steal the Show with a Kiss at the Venice Film Festival

Idris Elba and Wife Sabrina Steal the Show with a Kiss at the Venice Film Festival Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina shar...

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Ukraine will never agree to legalise Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia plant, ministry says

Ukraine will never agree to legalise Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia plant, ministry says

(Reuters) -Ukraine will never agree to legalise the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops is the only way to guarantee safety there, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. A ministry statement made no direct reference to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's statement during a visit to China that Moscow was ready to cooperate with the United States at the plant, seized in the first weeks after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. "The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is and will remain an integral part of the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Any attempts by Russia to question this fact are legally null and void and politically pointless," the ministry said. "The only way to restore nuclear safety is the immediate and complete withdrawal of Russian military and other personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant." (Reporting by Ron Popeski, Editing by Nick Zieminski)

byMario Satorik

in

September 02, 2025

Ukraine will never agree to legalise Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia plant, ministry says

Ukraine will never agree to legalise Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia plant, ministry says (Reuters) -Ukraine will never agree to legalise...

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China's Xi, flanked by Putin and Kim, holds military parade in defiance of West

China's Xi, flanked by Putin and Kim, holds military parade in defiance of West

By Laurie Chen BEIJING (Reuters) -China kicked off its largest-ever military parade on Wednesday, a show of its growing firepower and geopolitical clout as President Xi Jinping seeks to cast Beijing as the custodian of a post-U.S. international order. Flanked by Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, a smiling Xi strolled up a red carpet to take his seat for the lavish event at Tiananmen Square to mark 80 years since Japan's defeat at the end of World War Two. More than 50,000 spectators packed into stands joined a vast choir singing patriotic songs as the dignitaries took their seats on the tribune overlooking the Square. Wearing a suit in the style of those worn by former leader Mao Zedong, Xi earlier greeted the more than 20 leaders saying "Nice to meet you" and "Welcome to China" in English. Indonesia's president, facing widespread protests at home, made a surprise appearance. The highly choreographed "Victory Day" spectacle comes as U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" stance and trade wars have strained Washington's long-standing alliances. Asked whether he sees the parade as a challenge to the United States on Tuesday, Trump said he didn't and reiterated his "very good relationship" with Xi. "China needs us much more than we need them," he added. The 70-minute showcase is set to feature aerial displays, marching troops as well as cutting-edge military equipment such as hypersonic missiles, unmanned drones and outfitted tanks. Xi will review the troops lined up in formation before delivering a keynote speech. Major roads and schools have been closed in Beijing for the parade, the culmination of weeks of painstaking security preparations and midnight rehearsals. VISION FOR NEW GLOBAL ORDER Xi has cast World War Two as a major turning point in the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", in which it overcame the humiliation of Japan's invasion to become an economic powerhouse. He is expected to highlight China and Soviet Russia's triumph in defeating fascism and its role upholding the postwar international order during his speech at the ceremony. Earlier this week, Xi unveiled his vision of a new global order at a regional security summit, calling for unity against "hegemonism and power politics", a thinly veiled swipe at the United States and Trump's sweeping tariffs aimed at both friend and foe. Putin has already used the occasion to seal deeper energy deals with China, while the gathering offers Kim an opportunity to gain implicit support for his banned nuclear weapons. Kim, debuting in his first major multilateral event, will become the first North Korean to attend a Chinese military parade in 66 years. His daughter Ju Ae, whom South Korean intelligence consider his most likely successor, is making her international debut after years of being seen next to Kim at major domestic events. Nothing has been left to chance for the milestone gathering. Local governments nationwide have mobilised tens of thousands of volunteers and Communist Party members to monitor for any signs of potential unrest ahead of the parade, estimates based on online recruitment notices show. "President Xi will use this opportunity to showcase how the military is clearly, unmistakably behind him," said Wen-Ti Sung, fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub. (Reporting by Laurie Chen; Editing by John Geddie, Alex Richardson and Lincoln Feast.)

byMario Satorik

in

September 02, 2025

China's Xi, flanked by Putin and Kim, holds military parade in defiance of West

China's Xi, flanked by Putin and Kim, holds military parade in defiance of West By Laurie Chen BEIJING (Reuters) -China kicked off its ...

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The Untold Story of the Lost Opening to ‘I Love Lucy’

The Untold Story of the Lost Opening to 'I Love Lucy'

For generations, reruns of I Love Lucy have kept Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in living rooms everywhere. Even people who never sat down to watch an episode know the iconic opening: a heart floating on velvet with the show's title written across it. It's one of television's most familiar images, almost as lasting as Lucy's wide-eyed reactions or Ricky's exasperated "Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do!" But that famous heart wasn't always part of the show. In fact, the real original opening has been missing from reruns for decades. The reason why says a lot about how television used to work—and how it changed forever. The first season of I Love Lucy didn't begin with a floating heart at all. Instead, audiences were greeted by animated versions of Lucy and Ricky. The two cartoon stick figures danced around a giant pack of Philip Morris cigarettes, occasionally climbing down ropes or pulling stunts to grab attention. The scene even came with an enthusiastic voice-over proudly announcing, "Philip Morris presents the Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show!" That animated opener wasn't a random creative decision. In the early 1950s, television shows were often directly tied to a single sponsor. For I Love Lucy, that sponsor was Philip Morris, and the opening sequence doubled as an advertisement. The animation itself came from William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, who would later create Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and other cartoon classics. So why don't most viewers today remember Lucy swinging on cigarette packs? Part of the answer is sponsorship. Philip Morris dropped out in 1955, and the show no longer needed an animated ad attached to every episode. By the late 1950s, I Love Lucy had already proven itself as one of the biggest hits in television history, so CBS began rerunning the series with a new, more neutral opening. That's when the velvet heart appeared. The other part of the story came years later. In 1970, the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act banned television ads for tobacco products. By that point, reruns were already using the heart design, but the law ensured the original cigarette-themed animations would never return to mainstream broadcasts. Image via Photo Images/Jupiter Images Even the music we now associate with Lucy had its own strange path. The signature I Love Lucy theme didn't appear in the very beginning. Instead, season one used classical music, a section of Ferde Grofé's Grand Canyon Suite, over the animated sponsor sequence. During the second season, the jaunty melody we all know was written by Eliot Daniel, though he asked to remain uncredited at first due to his contract with another studio. Only later did his name appear, thus allowing him to collect royalties for the rest of his life. The theme even had lyrics written for a season three episode where Ricky sings "I Love Lucy" to celebrate Lucy's birthday. That version never became the standard opening, but it showed how deeply the tune had already lodged itself in pop culture.

byMario Satorik

in

September 02, 2025

The Untold Story of the Lost Opening to ‘I Love Lucy’

The Untold Story of the Lost Opening to 'I Love Lucy' For generations, reruns of I Love Lucy have kept Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz i...

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Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams' Daughter, Matilda, Is Her Dad's Twin in New Photo

Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams' Daughter, Matilda, Is Her Dad's Twin in New Photo

Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic; Elder Ordonez/INSTARimages Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams' daughter Matilda looks just like her late dad The 19-year-old was photographed biking around New York City recently Matilda was last photographed walking around Brooklyn in January Heath LedgerandMichelle Williams'daughter Matilda is her late father's spitting image. The 19-year-old was recently photographed biking around New York City, wearing red flats and a blue and white striped sweatshirt. She was later seen shopping around the city, wearing a black tank top and a denim midi skirt. Matilda looked just like her late dad as she walked down the street, holding her phone and carrying a green bag in the rare photos. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Elder Ordonez/INSTARimages This past January, Matilda wasphotographed taking a walk outsidein Brooklyn, New York, wearing a green puffer jacket and blue jeans. Matilda accessorized with a red purse, strolling down the street with a friend. The teenager was also seen texting on her phone, walking alongside a brick building. Matilda's January outing came one week before the anniversary of Ledger's death. The late actor wasfound dead on Jan. 22, 2008. A toxicology report revealed afatal mix of prescription drugsin the 28-year-old's system. Alongside Matilda, Williams is mom to son Hart, 5, and a second child whose name has not been revealed yet with husband Thomas Kail. Earlier this year, Williams announced she'dwelcomed her fourth baby, her third with Kail, via surrogate. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic In April, Williams and her family of six were spotted around their New York neighborhood, and a source told PEOPLE that she and her husband welcomed their little one via surrogate six weeks prior. "They couldn't be happier to expand their family, and Matilda has been doting on her younger siblings," the source said. A rep for Williams could not be reached for comment at the time. While making an August appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!, Williams wascomplimented on her figureby guest hostTiffany Haddish, who said that she looked like she'd never had any children. "Then I've got to give a big shout out to Christine, cuz this last baby did not come through my body," Williams responded, referring to her surrogate. "But the miracle of our little girl is thanks to Christine. Maybe you're watching out there; thank you, Christine." She continued, adding, "Thanks to Christine, I have three under 5 at home." Read the original article onPeople

byMario Satorik

in

September 02, 2025

Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams' Daughter, Matilda, Is Her Dad's Twin in New Photo

Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams' Daughter, Matilda, Is Her Dad's Twin in New Photo Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic; Elder Ordonez/INSTA...

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The 150-year-old law that governs military's role in local law enforcement

The 150-year-old law that governs military's role in local law enforcement

The Posse Comitatus Act is a nearly 150-year-old federal law that limits the U.S. military's role in enforcing domestic laws. At its core, experts say the law reflects America's long-standing belief that law enforcement should remain in civilian hands, separate from military power. PresidentDonald Trumphas tested the law's limits in the first few months of his second term, as heexpands the footprintof the U.S. military on domestic soil. Here's what to know about the law. Posse Comitatus Act stops military from enforcing US law The criminal statute prohibits military enforcement of domestic law. It also prevents the military from investigating local crimes, overriding local law enforcement or compelling certain behavior. There are key exceptions. Congress can vote to suspend the act, or the president can order it suspended in defense of the Constitution. The Insurrection Act of 1807 allows the president to deploy troops during invasions, rebellions or when local authorities can't maintain order. National Guard members are under state authority and commanded by governors, so they're generally exempt. However, the Posse Comitatus Act applies to National Guard forces when they're "federalized," meaning the president puts them under his control. That's whatDonald Trumpdidin Californiaover the governor's objections. The military is allowed to share intelligence and certain resources if there's an overlap with civilian law enforcement jurisdiction, according to the Library of Congress. There's also an exception for the U.S. Coast Guard, which has some law enforcement responsibilities. Law was enacted after the Reconstruction era The law was enacted in 1878 following the post-Civil War era known as Reconstruction. At that time, segregationist lawmakers didn't want the U.S. military from blocking Jim Crow laws that imposed racial segregation. But the spirit of the law has roots going all the way back to the Revolutionary War, when the nation's founders were scarred by the British monarchy's absolute military control, said William C. Banks, a professor at the Syracuse University College of Law. "We have a tradition in the United States — which is more a norm than a law — that we want law enforcement to be conducted by civilians, not the military," Banks said. Courts have rarely interpreted the Posse Comitatus Act, leaving much of its scope shaped by executive branch policy and military regulations rather than judicial precedent. Steve Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, notes that this lack of legal rulings makes the law unusual. "There is no authoritative precedent on exactly where these lines are, and so that's why over the years the military's own interpretation has been so important," Vladeck said. New tests for the law A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administrationviolated federal lawby sending troops to accompany federal agents onimmigrationraidsin Los Angelesthis summer. The ruling does not require the remaining troops to withdraw. Trump administration attorneys argued the law doesn't apply because the troops were protecting federal officers, not enforcing laws. Trump also sent 800 troops to Washington D.C., sayingwithout substantiationthat they were needed to reduce crime in the "lawless" city. In Washington, a federal district, the president is already in charge of the National Guard and can legally deploy troops for 30 days without congressional approval. Trump has since discussed sending the National Guard to other Democratic-led cities likeChicago, Baltimore and New York. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.Report for Americais a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

byMario Satorik

in

September 02, 2025

The 150-year-old law that governs military's role in local law enforcement

The 150-year-old law that governs military's role in local law enforcement The Posse Comitatus Act is a nearly 150-year-old federal law ...

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