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Ed Sheeran set to return to stage after Palestinian controversy

Chanting protesters greeted concertgoers Saturday in Philadelphia ahead of pop superstar Ed Sheeran's first show since his tour plunged into turmoil ignited by his opening act's pro-Palestinian comments.

Germans arrested for Louvre stunt in Mona Lisa hall

Two Germans were arrested Saturday after they stuck two paintings on a wall of the hall that hosts the Mona Lisa in Paris's Louvre museum, police sources said.

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How a Dostoevsky novella took TikTok by storm

Marcelo Nogueira is not well versed in the classics but the 27-year-old Brazilian book influencer was seduced by Fyodor Dostoevsky's "White Nights," a 19th-century tale of love and loneliness at the center of an unlikely TikTok craze.

Westerners test their mettle at World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan

From wrestling horseback to battling for control of a headless goat, Central Asia's unique sports have been in the spotlight this week as Kyrgyzstan hosts the World Nomad Games, a biannual competition dedicated to nomadic traditions.

Pierre Cardin museum brings designer's futurist style to Venice

Hundreds of style-setting creations from the late designer Pierre Cardin will fill his Venice palazzo later this month in a new museum celebrating the cutting-edge vision of fashion's futurist.

Mara sisters channel childhood energy for twins performance at Venice

Real-life actress sisters Rooney and Kate Mara said Thursday they drew on their instinctive closeness for new film "Bucking Fastard" that sees them talk and move in unison for almost their entire time on screen.

Malta PM urges 'caution' after acquittal in journalist's murder

Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela on Thursday called for "caution" amid growing public anger over the acquittal of a wealthy businessman accused of masterminding the car-bomb killing of top investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Hugh Jackman in talks to buy stake in Norwich football club

Hollywood star Hugh Jackman says he is in talks to buy a stake in Norwich -- and could soon be squaring up against fellow A-lister Ryan Reynolds in the second tier of English football.

EU lawmakers demand Brussels force Meta to 'protect' European children

European lawmakers demanded that the European Union executive force Meta to change the "addictive" design of its platforms in Europe, as the giant has promised to do in some US states, according to a letter seen by AFP on Thursday.

Clooney turns AFP photographer in jokey red carpet switch

George Clooney handed his lifetime achievement award to AFP photographer Tiziana Fabi and took a turn with her camera in a humorous exchange at the Venice film festival.

Outrage mounts in Malta after acquittal over journalist's murder

Hundreds of people demonstrated in the Maltese capital Valletta after a wealthy businessman was found not guilty of masterminding the murder of an investigative journalist.

Grammy-Winning Jazz Vocalist Cassandra Wilson Dies at 70

Cassandra Wilson, the acclaimed jazz singer, songwriter and producer known for a deep contralto voice and an expansive approach to American music, has died at age 70.

Philadelphia Natural History Museum Prepares to Close After Two Centuries

Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is preparing to end public museum operations in September after more than two centuries of natural-history work and nearly 200 years as a public museum.

Indonesia protesters targeted by coordinated disinfo

Disinformation about recent anti-government protests in Indonesia has inundated social media in what researchers say is a coordinated attempt to spread propaganda about the one-year-old movement.

In Ghana, larger-than-life coffins tell the stories of the dead

Frederick Teiko Ofori spent a large portion of his life with a guitar in his hands, so when the Ghanaian musician died in a road accident, his family decided that the instrument should accompany him on his final journey.

Medieval Europe and Africa collide in Sao Tome traditional theatre

A carved bamboo flute trills before the percussion picks up the pace as the performers on Sao Tome bring a medieval European tragedy to life on the island off Africa's west coast.

George Lucas unveils art galaxy at his new LA museum

George Lucas, the legendary creator of the "Star Wars" saga, on Wednesday showcased his long-awaited Museum of Narrative Art, the culmination of nearly two decades of work and numerous obstacles.

Outrage as Maltese tycoon acquitted of reporter's murder

A Maltese court on Wednesday acquitted tycoon Yorgen Fenech of orchestrating the car-bomb killing of investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia, sparking outrage from her family and media freedom advocates.

Dolly Parton to get new Hollywood star after vandalism

Late country music legend Dolly Parton will get a new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, after the original one was vandalized, officials have announced.

George Clooney: a Hollywood icon and campaigner

George Clooney was a late bloomer in Hollywood who now frequently uses his platform as an industry icon to promote political and humanitarian causes close to his heart.

Rupert Murdoch 'very happy' to be played by Guy Pearce in new film

Australian-born media mogul Rupert Murdoch is "very happy" to see compatriot Guy Pearce play him in a new, largely sympathetic movie about his early business life, the actor said on Wednesday.

Branagh takes on action role in Apple's Cold War comedy 'Mayday'

Kenneth Branagh, the British actor whose career has been built on weighty roles such as Shakespeare's Henry V, is perhaps an unlikely action hero.

30 years on, 'Tomb Raider' reboot sees Lara Croft through a 'modern lens'

Thirty years after bursting onto the video game scene, Lara Croft returns in a new "Tomb Raider" that plays up the pistol-wielding architect's "complicated" character.

King Charles, Macron to view Bayeux Tapestry as French leader starts UK visit

French President Emmanuel Macron begins a two-day visit to Britain on Wednesday, viewing the landmark Bayeux Tapestry exhibition with King Charles III and becoming the first EU leader to be hosted by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Venice jury head Maggie Gyllenhaal questions lack of women directors

The head of this year's Venice Film Festival jury Maggie Gyllenhaal questioned Wednesday why only two women directors had been selected for the main competition at the Italian event this year.

Macron in Britain to help unveil tapestry, hold Burnham talks

French President Emmanuel Macron begins Wednesday a two-day visit to Britain, inaugurating a landmark exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry and becoming the first EU leader to meet new Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Downing Street.

Boat builders keep Pakistan's fishing heritage afloat

The rhythmic hammering of nails and the whine of saws echo around a coastal Karachi neighbourhood, where small figures of men work atop massive wooden fishing hulls that loom beneath a pale summer sky.

Naomi Watts to receive lifetime award at top Spain film fest

Hollywood star actor and producer Naomi Watts will receive a lifetime achievement award at Spain's top film festival next month, organisers announced on Monday.

Galliano pulls Met Gala exhibit after antisemitism backlash

Top fashion designer John Galliano announced Monday he was cancelling an exhibition of his work that was to kick off New York's Met Gala next spring, following criticism from donors and political leaders over his past antisemitic remarks.

Jury hears closing arguments in Tupac Shakur murder trial

A jury heard closing arguments on Monday in the trial of a former Los Angeles gang leader accused of involvement in the sensational murder three decades ago of chart-topping rapper Tupac Shakur.

John Galliano pulls US exhibition after antisemitism backlash

Top fashion designer John Galliano announced Monday he has withdrawn from a planned exhibition of his work at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, following criticism from donors and political leaders over his past antisemitic remarks.

Venice film preview: Clooney, Oasis and Musk

The Venice Film Festival kicks off Wednesday with few Hollywood productions but plenty of indie gems, heavy-hitting documentaries and A-listers.

Chinese guitar capital's stairway to export heaven

It doesn't take long to guess the main industry of the Chinese town of Zheng'an. A giant guitar sculpture dominates the central square, guitar murals adorn walls and pavements and even the rubbish bins are shaped like guitars.

Trump calls for 'punishment' of NBC reporter

President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened a prominent NBC broadcast journalist with possible punishment by US media regulators as the Republican expressed disappointment with coverage of his candidate endorsements ahead of November's midterm elections.

The Japan Times - Culture (English)