The Japan Times

Five things to watch for on Grammys night Sunday

Grammys night is sure to deliver top-notch performances, in-your-face fashion, a few poignant moments -- and maybe even some music history.

'Schitt's Creek' star Catherine O'Hara dead at 71

Emmy-winning actress Catherine O'Hara, who starred in "Schitt's Creek" and "Home Alone," has died at the age of 71, her management agency said Friday.

Paris show by late Martin Parr views his photos through political lens

The last major exhibition prepared by British photographer Martin Parr before his death last month opened to the public on Friday in Paris, exploring the often overlooked political message in his five-decade career.

Trump, first lady attend premier of multimillion-dollar 'Melania' documentary

US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump and top administration officials attended the premier Thursday night of the first lady's new movie promising a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her husband's return to power.

Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga face off at Grammys

Superstars Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga are primed to make history on Sunday in Los Angeles at the 68th Grammy Awards, honoring the best in music.

Vietnam designer makes history as Paris Haute Couture wraps up

Vietnam's Phan Huy became the youngest-ever designer to present a collection on the official Haute Couture calendar in Paris aged just 27 on Thursday, rounding out a week of major fashion debuts and celebrity sightings.

Phan Huy: the prodigy putting Vietnam on the fashion map

Phan Huy had a thrilling -- but quite stressful -- journey to making history at Paris Haute Couture Week on Thursday, where he became the youngest ever and the first Vietnamese designer to present a collection on the official calendar.

Show must go on: London opera chief steps in for ailing tenor

A theatre boss -- still dressed in his everyday workwear of jumper and chinos -- stepped in mid-performance to make sure the show went on at London's Royal Opera house after its star tenor was taken ill, a report said Thursday.

'Watch the holes'! Paris fashion crowd gets to know building sites

One of the hottest trends in fashion right now is hosting catwalk shows in empty office blocks or disused car parks.

South Africa drops 'Melania' just ahead of release

South Africa's main cinema houses have pulled a documentary about US First Lady Melania Trump just ahead of its release, with the distributor citing "the current climate", local media reported.

Phan Huy: the fashion prodigy putting Vietnam on the map

Phan Huy has had a thrilling -- but quite stressful -- journey to making history at Paris Haute Couture Week on Thursday where he will become the youngest and the first Vietnamese designer to present a collection on the official calendar.

Online platforms offer filtering to fight AI slop

As "AI slop" floods the internet, efforts are mounting to stem an online deluge of shoddy images and videos made using increasingly advanced tech tools.

'No. 1 fan': Rapper Minaj backs Trump

Rap icon Nicki Minaj declared Wednesday she was Donald Trump's "number one fan," adding that "hate" directed at the US president made her support him more.

US YouTuber IShowSpeed gains Ghanaian nationality at end of Africa tour

Ghana has granted citizenship to US YouTuber IShowSpeed, the country's foreign minister announced, as the influencer wraps up a month-long tour of Africa.

Judge reopens sexual assault case against goth rocker Marilyn Manson

A judge in Los Angeles has reinstated a lawsuit against shock rocker Marilyn Manson under a new law enabling old sexual assault cases to be heard in court.

Amazon closing Fresh and Go stores in Whole Foods push

Amazon on Tuesday said it is closing its Go and Fresh real-world stores to focus on its Whole Foods markets and online grocery delivery.

Philip Glass pulls Kennedy Center premiere after Trump takeover

Renowned US composer Philip Glass has become the latest artist to sever ties with Washington's Kennedy Center following its takeover by President Donald Trump, withdrawing a major new work from the institution as political controversy continues to engulf the once-nonpartisan venue.

Jury selection begins in landmark social media addiction trial

Jury selection begins Tuesday for a landmark trial that could establish a legal precedent on whether social media companies deliberately designed their platforms to addict children.

'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners' top BAFTA nods

"One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" led the shortlist Tuesday of films competing at Britain's BAFTA awards next month, ahead of the Oscars in mid-March in which both also dominate the nominations.

'American Doctor' tells of brutality in Israel-Hamas war

At the start of "American Doctor," a new documentary about US medics working in hospitals in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, director Poh Si Teng initially declines to film pictures of dead Palestinian children that one of the doctors is trying to show her.

Clickbait and 'AI slop' distort memory of Holocaust

An emaciated and apparently blind man stands in the snow at the Nazi concentration camp of Flossenbuerg: the image seems real at first but is part of a wave of AI-generated content about the Holocaust.

'Come more often!' Mexico leader urges K-pop stars BTS on sold-out tour

Around the world, hundreds of thousands of fans of K-pop megastars BTS are nursing disappointment after failing to secure a ticket for their highly-anticipated comeback tour.

Victoria Beckham honoured in Paris amid family rift

Victoria Beckham escaped the bitterness of a family feud with a trip to Paris on Monday to receive an award from the culture ministry for her contribution to the fashion and entertainment industries.

Anderson channels nature in Dior Haute Couture debut

Dior designer Jonathan Anderson drew inspiration from nature and his love of ceramics for his debut Haute Couture collection on Monday, just days after mixed reviews for his menswear.

EU says WhatsApp to face stricter content rules

WhatsApp is set to face greater EU scrutiny after the European Commission on Monday added the platform to its list of digital firms big enough to face stricter content rules.

Social media giants face landmark trial over addiction claims

A landmark trial beginning this week in Los Angeles could establish a legal precedent on whether social media companies deliberately designed their platforms to addict children.

Men's fashion goes low-risk in uncertain world

Paris Men’s Fashion Week, which wrapped up Sunday, saw designers opt for often pragmatic and timeless styling, reflecting a low-risk approach at an uncertain time for the industry, experts said.

'Mercy' debuts atop N.America box office, dislodging 'Avatar'

Sci-fi thriller "Mercy" starring Chris Pratt debuted atop the North American box office with $11 million in ticket sales, ending the five-week reign of "Avatar: Fire and Ash," industry estimates showed Sunday.

American daredevil free-climbs Taiwan's tallest building

An American climber took on Taiwan's tallest building on Sunday, without ropes or safety gear, in a daring feat that drew hundreds of spectators to the tower's base and many more online through a live Netflix broadcast.

Saudi Arabia's UAE 'mudslinging' threatens new Gulf crisis

A Saudi Arabian media campaign targeting the UAE has deepened the Gulf's worst row in years, stoking fears of a damaging fall-out in the financial heart of the Middle East.

This is spinal... brat? Charli xcx stars in mockumentary 'The Moment'

What's a megastar to do when she has defined an entire summer, produced a multi-million-selling album and even persuaded the dictionary eggheads to declare "brat" a word of the year?

Lula revived Brazilian cinema, says 'The Secret Agent' director

Brazil's latest Oscar-nominated thriller "The Secret Agent" has resonated with audiences around the world as a universal tale of authoritarian regimes using their power "to crush people," director Kleber Mendonca Filho told AFP in an interview.

The Japan Times - Culture (English)

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