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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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A lasting Dolly Parton legacy: childhood literacy

To nine-year-old Zenaida, it wasn't Dolly Parton's storied country music career that made her so great.

Therapy Culture Performance: How the Lindsay Clancy Trial Sparked a Trend of Viral Maternal Distress

The trial of Lindsay Clancy has become an unlikely focal point for a growing social media phenomenon among mothers. Rather than focusing on the legal details, many women are using the case to validate their own struggles with parenting, turning personal exhaustion into viral content. This trend highlights a shift in how maternal stress is perceived and shared online.

Japan's 'polka dot queen' artist Yayoi Kusama dies aged 97

Japan's Yayoi Kusama, one of the world's most celebrated contemporary artists, has died aged 97, her company said Thursday, triggering tributes from fans around the world.

Yayoi Kusama: Japan's kaleidoscopic, troubled 'polka dot queen'

The dotty pumpkins and kaleidoscope rooms of Yayoi Kusama, who has died aged 97, were as vibrant as the artist herself, but her exuberant work was the expression of a long battle with mental illness.

Brazil sues Discord for $100 mln in child safety case

The Brazilian government on Wednesday said it was suing the Discord messaging platform for nearly $100 million in damages over its alleged failure to protect children from harmful content and demanded it adopt stronger safeguards.

Meta settlement puts social media industry on notice: 'There will be more'

Wednesday's historic settlement between Meta and dozens of US states could be just the start of a wave that will ripple across the social media industry, putting TikTok, YouTube and Snap under pressure to make similar changes to their apps for teens.

Brazil sues Discord over child safety measures, demands $100 mln in damages

The Brazilian government on Wednesday filed a lawsuit to force the Discord messaging platform to adopt stronger measures to protect children, and is seeking almost $100 million in "collective moral damages."

At Dollywood, superfans honor the late singer and local hero

"Years and years ago, my sister and I made a pact that when Dolly died we'd come to Dollywood immediately," Rebekah Donchatz said. "We just needed to be here."

'Rocky Horror Picture Show' star Tim Curry dead at 80

Tim Curry, the English actor best known for his star turn as Dr Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic musical film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," has died at the age of 80, US media reported Wednesday.

What could change for US teens on Instagram and Facebook

In a landmark development, Meta reached a proposed settlement Wednesday with US states over claims it designed Facebook and Instagram to hook children.

Reclusive Hungarian author Peter Nadas dies aged 83

Hungarian author Peter Nadas, renowned for his epic surrealist meditations on the darker chapters of 20th-century European history, died on Wednesday aged 83, his publicist told AFP.

America unites in mourning for Dolly Parton

Americans of all stripes united to grieve the death of country music legend Dolly Parton, offering a rare moment of agreement as presidents of both parties joined entertainment and business giants in paying her tribute.

LIGHTWAIT Exhibition Explores Vulnerability and Connection in London

Artists Daphne Gale and W. H. Morgan are presenting LIGHTWAIT, an interdisciplinary exhibition that combines photography, installation art, and original music to explore themes of vulnerability, recovery, and human connection. The project invites visitors to slow down and engage with the space between inner and outer worlds through a curated environment designed for deep observation.

Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After Brief Cancer Battle

Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her representatives confirmed Tuesday. Parton passed away at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by family and friends. Her sudden death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow celebrities alike.

Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data

Australian under-16s are increasing their use of social media apps such as Instagram and Tiktok despite a world-leading ban, data provided by a parental control software company showed Wednesday.

Trump raises prospect of demolishing iconic Kennedy Center

President Donald Trump's administration suggested Tuesday that the Kennedy Center in Washington could be demolished if courts block his plans to overhaul the performing arts landmark.

United States of Dolly: how a country queen bridged America's divide

The death of country music icon Dolly Parton, who kept her distance from the political debates gripping America, offered a rare moment of unity to a divided nation on Tuesday.

Brazil fines TikTok $30 mn in 'powerful signal' over child safety

Brazil's data protection agency on Tuesday fined TikTok nearly $30 million for failing to implement child safety measures in what it said was a "powerful signal" to social media companies.

US country music legend Dolly Parton dies at 80

Dolly Parton, the American country music singer who rose from poverty in Tennessee to become a US cultural giant with hits like "Jolene" and "Coat of Many Colors," has died at 80, her family said Tuesday.

'Shocking' book about Putin's private life wins French literary prize

A taboo-breaking book about Vladimir Putin's rise to power and private life, written by two exiled Russian journalists, won a newly established French literary prize on Tuesday.

West Bank settlers attack AFP journalists

Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Tuesday attacked AFP journalists reporting on tension with Palestinians, in violence that left at least five people injured, the reporters and medics said.

Trees 'giving up': climnate change hammers historic English gardens

At Hampton Court Palace, head gardener Graham Dillamore strode across the burnt beige grass in the spectacular formal gardens southwest of London, laid out in the 17th century.

Australia's top music charts ban AI songs

Music made by artificial intelligence will be banned from Australia's top charts under new guidelines aimed at protecting "the human nature of artistry", an industry body said Tuesday.

Empire State Building climbers kiss outside court after viral proposal

A couple who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and got engaged appeared in a New York court Monday, before giving each other a lingering kiss in full view of the world's media.

Kenyans get creative to join manga cosplay craze

Cosplay has taken hold in Kenya, where fans must often get creative to dress up as their fantasy heroes.

Key facts about Chinese-founded fast-fashion giant Shein

Shein, the Chinese-founded retailer that harnessed social media to chart a meteoric rise in the global fast-fashion industry, will debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange next month in a long-awaited listing that values the group at close to US$27 billion.

Shein to make market debut in Hong Kong in September

Shein will debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange on September 1, the fast-fashion retailer said on Monday, in a long-awaited listing that would value the group at close to US$27 billion.

Latest 'Spider-Man' tops American box office for 4th weekend

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is still riding high in the North American box office, topping ticket sales for the fourth consecutive weekend in cinemas, but sharply down from last week's performance.

Trump takes starring role at Washington's IndyCar debut

US President Donald Trump rode a ceremonial lap in his armored limousine and waved the green flag to start Sunday's IndyCar race through the streets of Washington, capping celebrations of America's 250th birthday.

Pope's 'couturier of the sacred' fueled by faith

Far from the solemn pomp of the Vatican, nestled under the arcades of the mountain town of Santarcangelo di Romagna, a tailor clad all in black leaned over his sketch.

'Aura' battles leap from social media to Latin America streets

In the middle of a cheering crowd in Mexico City, two teenagers are limbering up for battle.

UK court orders Prince Harry, others to pay Daily Mail initial £9.5mn

A UK court ordered Prince Harry and six others Friday to pay an initial £9.5 million ($13 million) after they lost their long-running privacy case against the publisher of British tabloid the Daily Mail.

The Japan Times - Culture (English)