Life & Style | Apple, Google continue inclusive push with new emoji

Apple and Google are rolling out dozens of new emoji that include cute critters, of course, but also expand the number of images of human diversity.

Apple Inc. is releasing new variants of its holding hands emoji that allow people to pick any combination of skin tone and gender, 75 possible combinations in all. There are also wheelchairs, prosthetic arms and legs, as well as a new guide dog and an ear with a hearing aid.

And then there’s the sloth, the flamingo, the skunk, the orangutan, as well as a new yawning emoji.

Google, meanwhile, will offer 71 versions of couples with different skin tones once the additions are completed. Google is also adding an emoji for the Diya lamp so that Diwali can be celebrated alongside Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Earlier this year the Unicode Consortium approved 71 new variations of emoji for couples of color. Apple and Google unveiled their designs Wednesday to coincide with World Emoji Day.

Anyone can propose an emoji.

Paul McCartney writing ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ stage musical

Paul McCartney is writing his first stage musical, an adaptation of the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The ex-Beatle is collaborating with “Billy Elliot” playwright Lee Hall and West End producer Bill Kenwright.

McCartney said he’d never considered writing a musical, but after meeting Kenwright and Hall three years ago, “found myself thinking this could be interesting and fun.”

Hall said McCartney’s “wit, emotional honesty and melodic brilliance brings a whole new depth and breadth to the classic tale.”

Frank Capra’s 1946 film tells the story of George Bailey, a small-town banker wracked with regret who is shown the value of his life by a guardian angel.

Producers said yesterday they are aiming for a late 2020 launch for the show. Its dates and venue have not been released.

Spacey case sank by accuser’s refusal to testify

Prosecutors said they were forced to drop the indecent assault and battery charge against Kevin Spacey because of the accuser’s decision to invoke his right not to testify.

The Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office said in an emailed statement yesterday [Macau time] that prosecutors met with the accuser on Sunday, days after a hearing during which the man refused to testify about text messages the defense says were deleted.

Prosecutors say they told the accuser that if he continued to refuse to testify, they couldn’t move forward with the case. They say he “elected not to waive his right under the Fifth Amendment.”

Spacey denies the allegations.

Mitchell Garabedian, a lawyer for the man, said in an email that he and his family “have shown an enormous amount of courage under difficult circumstances.”

Garabedian said he had no further comment.