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51 years ago today,David Bowiemade a move that few rock stars at the height of their fame would dare attempt.

On February 21, 1975, the released "Young Americans," a single that signaled a dramaticdeparture from the glittering glam personathat had defined his early '70ssuccess. The man who had soared into pop culture as Ziggy Stardust pivoted sharply into what he famously called "plastic soul," embracing American R&B with aconfidencethat both surprised and divided fans.

The track—later featured on theYoung Americansalbum released a month later in March 1975—wasn't just an experiment. It was a reinvention. Bowie traveled to Philadelphia to record at Sigma Sound Studios, immersing himself in the rich textures of the city's soul movement. ProducerTony Visconti, who had worked with Bowie since 1968, recalled the initial resistance they faced. "We were going to the birthplace of so many hits," Visconti toldThe Postin March 2025."But [Kenny] Gamble and [Leon] Huff, they didn't want to work with us." He added, "They actually said, 'We don't want no white boy stealing ourmusic' or something like that."

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Undeterred, Bowie built his own soul-infused band, bringing in musicians likeAndy Newmark,Willie Weeks,David Sanborn, and a risingLuther Vandrosson backing vocals. And that reinvention also led to an unexpected chart milestone later that year.

During theYoung Americanssessions in New York,John Lennonstopped by the studio—and what began as a loose jam sessionturned into something much bigger. Bowie and guitaristCarlos Alomarhad been working on a groove when Lennon started improvising over it, playfully repeating a word that caught Bowie's attention: "Fame."

The song went on to become Bowie's first No. 1 hit in the United States, topping the Billboard Hot 100, proving his reinvention paid off at the highest level.

Bowie died in 2016 at 69 from liver cancer.

This story was originally published byParadeon Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.

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NEED TO KNOW

• The Backstreet Boys were formed in the early '90s and tell PEOPLE their pre-show ritual looks different from what it did 30 years ago

• When talking to PEOPLE, the band says that they all stretch before their shows

• "90% of the show is full-out dancing. So we gotta be as limber as we can be," McLean says

TheBackstreet Boysare back, and they're doing a few things differently than before.

The band — composed ofAJ McLean,Kevin Richardson,Howie Dorough,Nick Carter, andBrian Littrell— tells PEOPLE they've added a few things to their pre-show ritual during their residency at Las Vegas' Sphere that they didn't do when they were younger, mainly, "stretching."

"I think everybody's different. I know for me personally, I try to just have a complete quiet stretch, I do a quick little meditation and I've got some weights that I'll do a little bit of weightlifting and stretching and whatnot," McLean, 48, shares.

Scott Dudelson/Getty

"For a long stretch there, I would look at all of us in the dressing room, and maybe one of us might be stretching, but for the most part, we weren't," he adds. "Now I'm pretty sure we're all stretching before a show, before vocal warmups. About 90% of the show is full-out dancing. So we gotta be as limber as we can be."

While they've always prayed before their performances, even that looks a little different now.

"We pray that we don't fall, we pray we don't break an ankle, we get the lyrics, pray we don't pop [an] Achilles heel," Carter, 46, says.

No matter what, McLean notes that they make sure to have a moment together before stepping on stage.

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"We've always had a circle up, whether it's just us five or it's us and our crew, our management, families, our close-knit team. No matter what, us five circle up, that's something we do unified," McLean shares.

The band has changed a lot since they formed in 1993, and they are the first to admit it.

"I sounded like Mickey Mouse back then. I just had a very different voice," Carter shares. "I was younger, so all of our voices have matured. I think the 30-something years, how many shows that we've done, how many albums we've put out... I mean, it's just a natural progression of getting a little bit better. So I think maybe a better version of ourselves."

Dorough, 52, adds that they "maybe have an extra wrinkle or two as well."

"Well, a little bit more back pain, but aside from that, yes," McLean responds.

Recently, the Backstreet Boys teamed up with comedian Druski and musicianMGKfor aT-Mobile adat this year'sSuper Bowl LX, for which they reworked the lyrics to their song "I Want It That Way."

"You don't take moments like this for granted. We've been fortunate to perform all over the world, and coming together in Times Square to shoot a Super Bowl commercial with T-Mobile was a pretty surreal experience," Richardson, 54, tells PEOPLE. "Seeing the response from the fans and feeling that love year after year is a beautiful thing."

Read the original article onPeople

Everett (3)

Finding a movie that the whole family wants to watch isn't easy. Luckily, HBO Max has a treasure trove of family-friendly films to choose from, including classics likeThe Wizard of Oz(1939) andTime Bandits(1981), and modern animated favorites likeThe LEGO Batman Movie(2017) and the Oscar-winnerFlow(2024).

The streamer also carries several works from the beloved Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, whose films provide a refreshing alternative to Disney and DreamWorks fare. Ahead, find our guide to the 13 best family movies streaming now on HBO Max.

Blue Beetle(2023)

Warner Bros.

The first superhero movie with a Latino protagonist,Blue Beetlestars Xolo Maridueña as Jaime, a recent college grad who accidentally ends up bonding with an ancient alien relic that turns him into a high-flying vigilante. But Jaime isn't alone in fighting against evil corporate androids: When he needs help, his Mexican American family works together to rescue him.Entertainment Weekly's writer appreciates how"Blue Beetleis one of the rare opportunities to celebrate a specific part of the Latin community, and it revels in that specificity, only adding more heart to Jaime's journey to becoming a hero."—Danny Horn

Where to watchBlue Beetle: HBO Max

EW grade:B+

Director:Ángel Manuel Soto

Cast:Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, George Lopez, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Guillén

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie(2024)

Ketchup Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection

This hysterical sci-fi comedy had the honor of being the first original all-animatedLooney Tunesfilm released in theaters.The Day the Earth Blew Upfinds Daffy Duck and Porky Pig trying to ward off an alien invasion. After learning of a clever chewing gum-related mind control scheme devised by the mysterious Invader (Peter MacNicol), Daffy and Porky desperately try to warn the skeptical public. Packed with meta humor (our heroes are well aware they're in a movie) and fun references to cult classic B-movies of the '50s, the film skillfully rides that classic Looney Tunes line of appealing to kids and adults alike. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watchThe Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie: HBO Max

Director:Pete Browngardt

Cast:Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Peter MacNicol

Flow(2024)

Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films

This dialogue-free Latvian animated film speaks to the power of visuals to tell a universal story. The film centers on a cat that tries to survive a devastating flood alongside a diverse group of animals, including a capybara, a lemur, and a Labrador Retriever. With no humans in sight, the animals must rely on their own instincts to find safe ground as the water continues to rise. Even if you're not a cat person, it's nearly impossible not to be by the film's end;Flowalso made history in 2025 as the first independent film towin the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. —K.J.

Where to watchFlow: HBO Max

Director:Gints Zilbalodis

Kiki's Delivery Service(1989)

A warm-hearted anime fromStudio Ghibli,Kiki's Delivery Servicefollows the titular 13-year-old witch (Minami Takayama;Kirsten Dunstin the English dub) as she leaves home with her black cat, Jiji (Rei Sakuma; Phil Hartman in the English dub), and embarks on a year-long journey of self-discovery in another village. Using her magic broom, Kiki opens a flying courier service and begins to experience both the satisfaction and the difficulties of independence and self-reliance. Kiki's struggles with self-consciousness and doubt will be familiar to any kid who's had to adjust to a new situation, and the exquisitely rendered character animation makes the film an enchanting trip.—D.H.

Where to watchKiki's Delivery Service: HBO Max

Director:Hayao Miyazaki

Cast:Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds

The LEGO Batman Movie(2017)

A buzzy sugar rush of villains, explosions, and bat-guitar solos,The LEGO Batman Moviesets out to be the ultimate kid-friendly superhero comedy, deftly skewering every pretentious, bloated summer blockbuster. The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) is crushed when Batman (Will Arnett) refuses to admit that he's the hero's "greatest enemy," so the offended clown prince of crime recruits every baddie in the multiverse, including velociraptors and Voldemort.

EW's critic writes, "Seventy-five percent of the film's carpet-­bomb campaign of pop culture meta punchlines will ricochet over the target audience's head, but parents dragged along for the ride will no doubt be grateful for Arnett's rat-a-tat send-ups of Adam West and superhero clichés."—D.H.

Where to watchThe LEGO Batman Movie: HBO Max

EW grade:B+

Director:Chris McKay

Cast:Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes

My Neighbor Totoro(1988)

Tokuma Enterprises/Kobal Collection

My Neighbor Totoroisn't the only Studio Ghibli film on this list, but it's arguably the sweetest. Two young girls move with their father to a house in the country while their mother is recovering in the hospital, and they discover a giant, furry wood spirit in the nearby forest. Totoro doesn't speak, but he's a gentle and reassuring presence who creates magical, dream-like experiences for the girls. It's not a fast-moving film, but the whimsical and even sometimes scary elements make for a fun, imagination-inspiring watch.—D.H.

Where to watchMy Neighbor Totoro: HBO Max

Director:Hayao Miyazaki

Cast:Tim Daly, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Lea Salonga

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Ponyo(2008)

In another stunning Studio Ghibli anime, a little boy and a magical goldfish princess form an unlikely friendship. Ponyo's desire to become a human girl and join Sosuke on land is so strong that it overpowers her wizard father's enchantments, leading to an explosion of aquatic energy that endangers Sosuke's seaside village. As the waters rise, the two children set out on a quest to save the town and restore the balance of nature. DirectorHayao Miyazaki's lush, colorful backgrounds give the film a hand-crafted feel, blurring the distinction between land and sea.—D.H.

Where to watchPonyo: HBO Max

Director:Hayao Miyazaki

Cast:Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Frankie Jonas

Porco Rosso(1992)

Porco Rosso has all the markings of a cynical World War I veteran...except for the fact that he's been mysteriously cursed with a pig's head. As such, the Italian fighter pilot now spends most of his time as a bounty hunter hired to attack air pirates. He eventually meets his match when the pirates hire an American pilot, Donald Curtis, to take him down. Animation legend Hayao Miyazaki crafts a clever historical fiction story that appeals to both kids and adults, with eye-popping aerial battles and potent themes of war and political resistance. And let's never forget Porco Rosso's timeless words: "I'd rather be a pig than a fascist." —K.J.

Where to watchPorco Rosso: HBO Max

Director:Hayao Miyazaki

Cast:Michael Keaton, Cary Elwes, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Susan Egan, David Ogden Stiers

Shaun the Sheep Movie(2015)

Alamy Stock Photo

This delightful stop-motion comedy from the world ofWallace & Gromitbrilliantly tells its story without a word of dialogue. The film centers on the titular farm sheep as he devises a plan to make the farmer fall asleep so he and his flock can finally have a day off from work, though the scheme quickly goes awry. When the farmer is accidentally driven away in a van and bumps his head, he loses his memory, prompting his flock to try to find him and make him remember who he is. Packed with cleverly devised gags that entertain audiences of all ages,EW's critic callsShaun the Sheep Movie"contagiously cute." —K.J.

Where to watchShaun the Sheep Movie: HBO Max

Directors:Mark Burton, Richard Starzak

Cast:Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Omid Djalili

Spirited Away(2001)

Walt Disney Pictures/Everett Collection

If you've ever wondered why it's a bad idea to visit an abandoned roadside amusement park, Studio Ghibli has the answer: Your parents will turn into giant pigs, and you'll be left on your own to deal with the resident ghosts, witches, and river sprites.Spirited Awaycreates a new, fascinating mythology with its own mysterious rules and customs, pitting 10-year-old Chihiro against dragons and demons with only her strength of will to guide her. The film can get a little scary at times for younger viewers, but both parents and kids will be captivated by its haunting beauty.—D.H.

Where to watchSpirited Away: HBO Max

Director:Hayao Miyazaki

Cast:Daveigh Chase, Jason Marsden, Suzanne Pleshette, Michael Chiklis

Time Bandits(1981)

Twentieth Century Fox/Everett Collection

A young boy is swept into a wild adventure when six squabbling dwarves appear, looking for a magical portal on the other side of his bedroom wall. The intruders have swiped a map from the Supreme Being, which they're using to travel through space and time, stealing the treasures of history. Together, Kevin and the Bandits meet Napoleon Bonaparte and Robin Hood, and visit ancient Greece and the sinking of the Titanic. Directed byMonty PythonalumTerry Gilliam,Time Banditsincludes cameos from fellow Pythons John Cleese and Michael Palin, as well asSean Conneryas King Agamemnon.—D.H.

Where to watchTime Bandits: HBO Max

Director:Terry Gilliam

Cast:Craig Warnock, John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Katherine Helmond

The Wizard of Oz(1939)

One of the most beloved films of all time,The Wizard of Ozdelivers visual spectacle, winning characters, and an emotional sincerity that still retains its charm decades later.Judy Garlandsparkles as a girl from Kansas who drops out of the sky into the magical land of Oz, where she teams up with a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion to fight a witch and find her way home. With unforgettable songs like "Over the Rainbow" and "If I Only Had a Brain," the film has delighted generations with its imagination and wit.—D.H.

Where to watchThe Wizard of Oz: HBO Max

EW grade:B+

Director:Victor Fleming

Cast:Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Margaret Hamilton, Jack Haley

Wonka(2023)

Warner Bros./Everett

A sparklingTimothée Chalametheadlines this prequel toWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, embodying the whimsical candy maker at the start of his ambitious (and delicious) career. He's opposed by the establishment Chocolate Cartel and tricked by his devious landlady into indentured servitude, but you can't keep a born dreamer down. "In many ways,Wonkais far more delightful than it has any right to be,"EW's critic writeswhile also praising Chalamet: "He's a warm and winning Wonka, infusing the character with a fanciful sense of humor and a guileless enthusiasm."—D.H.

Where to watchWonka: HBO Max

Director:Paul King

Cast:Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

A powerful nor'easter is expected to intensify into a "bomb cyclone" this weekend, bringing blizzard conditions, heavy snow, and damaging winds from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.

Blizzard warnings have been issued across the East Coast from Virginia to New Hampshire, including all five boroughs of New York City.

You can track Winter Storm Hernando's movementshere. We're recommending that anyone in the region avoid travel, as dangerous road conditions are expected through Monday. As snow piles up and winds rise, power outages and flight cancellations are expected.

We'll be bringing you live updates of the storm as they happen, covering every angle of this storm.

(02:15 p.m. EST) Shovel Smart, Not Hard

From Content Writer Toby Adeyemi

A quick reminder for snow shovelers out there:

Push, don't lift. Slide snow to the side instead of picking it up, this will save your back and your energy. Bend with your knees, not your back. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and let your legs do the work. Don't twist your body. Move your feet to face where you're tossing the snow, twisting is how people get hurt. Go light. Only fill the shovel halfway, especially if it's wet or packed. Shovel often. Clear snow early and frequently before it gets heavy or icy. Clear around fire hydrants. Keep a 3-foot radius open so emergency crews can access them fast if needed.

(01:45 p.m. EST) Transit To Halt In New Jersey

New Jersey Transit has announced that bus and light rail service will be halted at 6 p.m. tonight.

(01:20 p.m. EST) Delays Mount At Airports Along The East Coast

We began the day with hundreds of flight cancellations at each of the New York City area airports and now delays are beginning to mount along the East Coast. More than 15,000 delayed flights have already been reported today across the country. Expect that number to continue to rise as gridlock begins to cascade across airports.

Some travelers, like this one below at LaGuardia Airport, are settling in for a long wait.

(12:54 p.m. EST) NYC Announces Travel Ban

A travel ban will go into effect at 9 p.m. tonight in New York City, with all roads and bridges closed to non-essential traffic.

(12:48 p.m. EST) Cutting It Close

As Winter Storm Hernando slowly inches toward the coast, shoppers at a hardware store in Quincy, Massachusetts were seen picking up last minute essentials this morning, including snowblower fuel, rock salt, and this snow shovel. If you still need supplies before this blizzard, there isn't much time left.

(12:22 p.m. EST) Schools, Broadway Announce Cancellations In New York

Closures and cancellations are just beginning to roll in across New York City. All Broadway performances at 6 p.m. have been cancelled ina joint announcementAfter a small delay, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also announced that public schools will be closed on Monday.

(11:55 a.m. EST) How To Save On Heating During A Blizzard

From content writer Toby Adeyemi

During Winter and especially during Blizzards, people tend to see an uptick in their energy bills. Here's how to save some coins during the winter months

Don't ignore your heating system!

Get the maintenance done, it'll save you in the long run! Change air filters regularly, clear vents of dust, and schedule a professional tune-up.

Close the doors and vents

Keeps warm air circulating in the spaces you actually live in

Smart Thermostat = Smart Heating

Program your thermostat to lower while you're asleep or away, then warm up before you return.

(11:25 a.m. EST) New York City Hiring Locals To Shovel Snow

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford

New York City has had its fair share of snowstorms, and they have a creative idea to help keep the city from completely shutting down.

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They are offering people part-time jobs paying 19 dollars an hour to help shovel snow.

(10:53 a.m. EST) Grocery Lines Stretch Down City Blocks

New Yorkers were lining up for groceries early on Saturday morning to gather supplies and prepare for the blizzard.

(10:21 a.m. EST) Boston Facing Historic, Destructive Winds

It isn't all just snow. The NWS forecast for Boston includes some extremely dangerous wind gusts, potentially reaching as high as 70 mph.

(09:55 a.m. EST) Snowfall Forecast To Reach Between 16 And 24 Inches

The latest snowfall forecast from the National Weather Service includes some eye-popping totals, including 20 inches in New York City.

(09:30 a.m. EST) Things To Do For Your Car Before Going Outside In A Blizzard

If you absolutely have to get in your car during blizzard conditions, don't forget these essential safety tips.

Check your lights. Test headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and flashers because visibility will be low. Top off windshield wiper fluid. Use winter-grade fluid with de-icer and replace worn blades. Check your coolant. Make sure it's full and meets manufacturer specs. Stock an emergency kit. Pack a snow shovel, ice scraper, sand or kitty litter for traction, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, first aid kit, and blankets. Keep your tank full. For gas vehicles, stay near full; for electric/hybrid, keep your battery charged so you're not stranded.

(09:05 a.m. EST) Sanitation Workers Outfit Garbage Trucks With Plows, Chains

New York City Department of Sanitation workers were up late last night outfitting garbage trucks with tire chains and snow plows in preparation for Winter Storm Hernando.

(08:50 a.m. EST) National Weather Service Predicts Extreme Impacts

It doesn't get higher than that folks. As the NWS is warning, we're expecting "widespread disruptions to daily life" as this storm passes through.

(08:35 a.m. EST) Timing of Snowfall For Major Northeast Cities

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford

For New York City and Philadelphia, the heaviest snowfall is expected through the overnight hours. Snowfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour and winds could gust to 55 mph.

For Boston, the heaviest snowfall is expected through the day on Monday, specifically between 5 am and 4 pm. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are possible with some areas potentially seeing snowfall up to 3 inches per hour.

(08:05 a.m. EST) Rhode Island Expecting Biggest Snowfall Of The Season

From Content Writer Toby Adeyemi

Rhode Island is about to catch its biggest snowstorm of the season. A winter storm watch is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning, with Providence potentially seeing 15 inches of snow. Rhode Island has been warned to expect possible blizzard conditions, total accumulations between 14 and 18 inches, and wind gusts up to 55 mph. The snow's expected to be wet and heavy, so power outages are definitely on the table. Right now's the time to lock in your prep.

(07:42 a.m. EST) Flight Cancellations

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford and Wyatt Williams

Flight delays and cancellations will be a major issue as Winter Storm Hernando moves up the East Coast. As of this morning, New York City leads the way with more than 60% of flights into JFK and Laguardia airports already canceled for the day. Boston Logan International, Philadelphia International and Ronald Regean National in D.C. are also seeing hundreds of flight cancellations.

So far, delays have yet to stack up, but we expect to see major issues as the day goes on. We'll update you when we know more.

(07:05 a.m. EST) What Is A Blizzard?

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford

A blizzard is defined as meeting the following criteria:

• Blowing and/or falling snow

• Winds at least 35 mph

• Reduction of visibility to quarter mile or less

• These conditions last at least 3 hours

Blizzard warnings are in place for New York City from Sunday morning to Monday morning. Snowfall totals over a foot and winds gusting to 55 mph will cause major impacts on commutes.

(07:15 a.m. EST) It Has Been A Snowy Winter

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford

If you are wondering if this winter has been snowier than average, you would be correct. Some major metropolitan areas have seen above-average snowfall this year and crushed last years snowfall.

The most impressive is Boston, which has seen over 40 inches of snowfall this year so far. That is more than 8 inches above average and greatly tops last year's 28.1 inches.

New York City is also above average this year with a snowfall total of 22.3 inches. They only saw 12.9 inches all of last winter, so it looks like the city will double their snowfall from last year.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The next round of talks between the United States andIranwill be Thursday in Geneva, Oman's foreign minister said Sunday, shortly after Tehran's top diplomat said he expected to meet U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff then.

Iran Daily Life

Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said on social media he was pleased to confirm the development, "with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal." Oman previously hosted theindirect talkson the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and facilitated the latest round in Geneva last week.

There was no immediate comment from the White House.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had told CBS in an interview aired Sunday that a "good chance" remained for a diplomatic solution on the nuclear issue, adding it was the only matter being discussed.

The Trump administration has been pushing for concessions from its longtime adversary and has built up thelargest U.S. military presence in the Middle Eastin decades.

President Donald Trump warned on Friday thatlimited strikes against Iranare possible, even as Araghchi at the time said Tehran expected to have a proposed deal ready in the next few days.

Araghchi told CBS that Iran was still working on the draft proposal. He added that Iran has the right to enrich uranium. On Friday, he said his U.S. counterparts had not asked for zero enrichment as part of the latest round of talks, which is not what U.S. officials have said publicly.

Both Iran and the U.S. havesignaled they are prepared for warif talks on Tehran's nuclear program fail.

Minutes after Oman's confirmation of talks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on social media that "recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario."

The U.S. has said Iran cannot have nuclear weapons or the capacity to build them and that it cannot enrich uranium. Tehran has long insisted that any negotiations should onlyfocus on its nuclear program, and that it hasn't been enriching uranium sinceU.S. and Israeli strikeson Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Although Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, the U.S. and others suspect it is aimed at eventually developing weapons.

Talks were deadlocked for years after Trump's decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw the U.S.from Iran's 2015 nuclear dealwith world powers. Since then, Iran has refused to discuss wider U.S. and Israeli demands that it scale back its missile program and sever ties to armed groups.

New protests in Iran

Confirmation of new talks came as new anti-government protests began inIran, according to witnesses, as university students in Tehran and another city demonstrated around memorials for thousands of people killed in acrackdown on previous nationwide demonstrationsabout six weeks ago.

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Iran's state news agency said students protested at five universities in the capital, Tehran, and one in the city of Mashhad on Sunday. The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.

Iran's government has not commented on the latest protests.

Many Iranians have held ceremonies marking the traditional 40-day mourning period in the past week. Most of the protesters are believed to have been killed around Jan. 8 and 9, according to activists tracking the situation.

Iranians across the country are still reeling withshock,griefandfearafter the earlier protests were crushed by the deadliest crackdown ever seen under the rule of 86-year-oldSupreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Thousands of people were killed and tens of thousands are believed to have beenarrested.

Although the crackdown tamped down the largest protests, smaller ones are still occurring, according to protesters and to videos shared on social media.

Duringthe 1979 Islamic Revolutionthat toppled the shah andbrought the Islamic Republic to power, 40-day memorials for slain protesters often turned into rallies that security forces tried to crush, causing new deaths. Those were then marked 40 days later, with new protests.

Posts on social media Saturday and Sunday have alleged that security forces tried to restrict people from attending some 40-day ceremonies.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says at least 7,015 people were killed in the previous protests and crackdown, including 214 government forces. The group has been accurate in counting deaths during previous rounds of unrest in Iran and relies on a network of activists there to verify deaths.

The death toll continues to rise as the group crosschecks information despite disrupted communication with those inside the Islamic Republic.

Iran's government offered its only death toll from the previous protests on Jan. 21, saying 3,117 people were killed. Iran's theocracy in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from past unrest.

The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, given authorities have disrupted internet access and international calls in Iran.

Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Tel Aviv, Israel.