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Ancient Greek theatre revives legendary Callas opera Medea

Sixty-five years after it last hosted an opera performance, Greece's renowned ancient theatre of Epidaurus is revisiting the seminal 1961 performance of Medea, headlined by Maria Callas in one of the legendary soprano's career highlights.

Archaeologists discover 'never before seen' pre-Hispanic ruins in Mexico

Mexican archaeologists unearthed ancient ruins with signs of Mayan culture as well as "never before seen" characteristics in the eastern state of Veracruz.

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James Burrows, prolific innovator in US TV comedies, dead at 85

US director and television creator James Burrows, who worked behind the scenes on "Friends," "Cheers," "Taxi," and many other beloved comedies, has died, People magazine reported on Friday. He was 85.

Japan doctor-turned-author moots amputations to ease care crunch

Like the protagonist in his taboo novel, former doctor-turned-author Yo Kusakabe believes chopping off elderly patients' useless limbs could help prevent a potential collapse of super-ageing Japan's overstressed care industry.

Novelist Kundera and wife buried in Czech home city

The remains of Czech-French novelist Milan Kundera and his wife Vera were buried in the writer's native city of Brno on Thursday, the city hall said.

Comedian Jordan Klepper wishes satire was harder in age of Trump

Skewering the oddities of president Donald Trump's administration and his devoted American supporters has made comedian Jordan Klepper a household name in the United States, as a host of late-night satire "The Daily Show."

Swamp Thing: Algae mess with Trump's pool project

One of President Donald Trump's pet beauty projects for Washington was supposed to make the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool look blue, like part of the US flag.

New Asian pop and folk categories announced by music's Grammy Awards

Next year's Grammy Awards will feature five new categories, the Recording Academy announced Tuesday, along with redefined rules that could affect the future of the coveted Best New Artist prize.

Singer Bonnie Tyler out of coma

Singer Bonnie Tyler, known for mega-hits "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero," has come out of a coma following emergency surgery last month, her family said.

Prayer, psalms -- and rap: Kinshasa priest engages youth

Clad in his black cassock and energised by the frenetic beat, Jean-Pierre Mongambi, Kinshasa's "rapping priest", roamed underprivileged districts using rap to bring the gospel to the city's youth.

Murdochs' Fox to acquire US streaming giant Roku

Fox Corporation will acquire streaming platform provider Roku in a cash and stock deal worth $22 billion, the companies announced Monday.

Abdullah Ibrahim, world-renowned South African jazz pianist

Pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim, who died Monday aged 91, escaped apartheid-era South Africa to be discovered by jazz great Duke Ellington, becoming highly influential with a distinct musical style and touring the world into his nineties.

Hope for peace with North, but not unification at S. Korea festival

A stone's throw from the barbed wire and minefields that separate the two Koreas, thousands gathered for a music festival this weekend to sing about peace in a place synonymous with conflict.

UK PM promises 'bold action' on failing social media status quo

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday pledged to "call time" on a social media system failing children amid curbs by a number of countries and calls by parents for an under-16s ban.

Musical therapy: Classical concerts in New York for dementia sufferers

In his early sixties, Rob Kaufman suffered a medical emergency that caused him to faint and hit his head on a wood floor, resulting in a traumatic brain injury.

Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' debuts atop N. America box office

Steven Spielberg's latest sci-fi thriller, "Disclosure Day," debuted in first place at the North American box office with $44 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center arts venue

Workers removed President Donald Trump's name from the facade of the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington on Saturday -- a stinging defeat for the US leader who has eschewed political tradition to affix his name and likeness across public spaces.

An Astronaut, movie stars and a knight: US brings glitz for WC opener

The World Cup arrived in the United States on Friday in a blizzard of celebrity and glamour, with Los Angeles pulling out all the stops for the opening game between Team USA and Paraguay.

US betting firm sponsorships spark election integrity fears

A US mayoral race triggered a flood of misinformation from online influencers sponsored by betting companies -- exposing a new threat analysts warn could undermine the integrity of future elections.

Florence's Giotto frescoes restored to glory after renovation

Giotto's Santa Croce frescoes are receiving the final touches of a four-year restoration in Florence, with scaffolding poised to be removed ahead of an official reveal in September.

British art 'giant' David Hockney dies aged 88

British artist David Hockney, one of the most influential and defining figures in contemporary art, whose paintings captured the world in brilliant colour, has died aged 88, his publicist announced Friday.

David Hockney: contemporary master of brilliant, bold colours

British artist David Hockney's paintings captured the world in brilliant colour, from carefree 1960s California to the bucolic landscapes of his native Yorkshire.

Taylor Swift becomes youngest woman in Songwriters Hall of Fame

Taylor Swift on Thursday became the youngest woman ever inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star's record-breaking career.

First leather bag made from T-Rex cells fails to sell at Paris auction

A leather bag made from Tyrannosaurus rex cells failed to sell on Thursday, the Paris auction house Drouot said, commenting that bids were well below expected.

Singer Taylor Swift courtside as Knicks duel Spurs in NBA Finals

Pop diva Taylor Swift was courtside at Madison Square Garden to cheer on the New York Knicks in game four of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.

Canada moves to ban under-16s from social media, regulate AI

Canada's culture minister on Wednesday introduced legislation that would ban children under 16 from having social media accounts and require AI chatbot services to limit production of harmful content.

World Cup blends soccer with global music stars

The World Cup isn't only about soccer: FIFA is drawing on music stars to elevate the competition into a global cultural event, broadening its reach beyond sports fans.

Frasers makes 2-bn-euro offer for Hugo Boss

British clothing group Frasers announced Wednesday a nearly two-billion-euro ($2.3 billion) offer to acquire outstanding shares in German men's premium apparel firm Hugo Boss.

FIFA accredits French journalist detained in Algeria: RSF

FIFA has issued World Cup accreditation to French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who has been detained in Algeria for a year, Reporters Without Borders told AFP on Wednesday.

Six Georgians tried in France over theft of rare Russian books

Six Georgian nationals went on trial in Paris on Tuesday for the theft of rare editions of Russian literary classics from prestigious French libraries, including works by Alexander Pushkin.

Kennedy Center drops Trump name from website

The Kennedy Center on Monday dropped US President Donald Trump's name from the website of the performing arts venue.

'Liberation' and 'Schmigadoon!' top Tony Awards

Bess Wohl's play "Liberation," a look at second-wave feminism, and musical "Schmigadoon!" earned the top prizes on Sunday at the 79th Tony Awards, the highest honors in American theater.

Sky-high ticket costs can't cool the cauldron of Madison Square Garden

Soaring ticket prices and extra security for US President Donald Trump do not alter the electric energy of fabled Madison Square Garden as it hosts games three and four of the NBA Finals.

Hundreds of Charlie Chaplin lookalikes gather in Switzerland

More than 400 people donning black bowler hats, toothbrush moustaches and canes gathered in Switzerland Sunday seeking to break the record for the biggest ever assembly of Charlie Chaplin lookalikes.

The Japan Times - Culture (English)