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Arts
Collision in Korea, Redux: Japan lawmaker, ex NFL player bring pro wrestling back to Pyongyang
PYONGYANG, North Korea – Led by a Japanese pro wrestler-turned-politician, about 20 mixed martial artists from around the world — including a former NFL lineman — arrived in North Korea on Thursday to put on a series of exhibition matches this weekend.
Prosecutor: 2 homeless men kill violinist after asking to use phone; Defence reviewing case
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Two homeless men accused of killing a concert violinist during a robbery in her rural home were ordered held without bail Thursday after a prosecutor detailed how the 61-year-old musician was shot twice and stabbed after opening her door to let them use her phone.
Taiwan actor Kai Ko, arrested with Jackie Chan’s son on drug charges, released from detention
BEIJING, China – A Taiwanese actor arrested on drug charges along with the son of Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan was released Friday after two weeks in detention, amid a broad anti-drug crackdown in China’s capital that has ensnared several celebrities.
Rocky’s Philadelphia gets real contender as 9-foot statue of champ Joe Frazier takes shape
PHILADELPHIA – Busloads of tourists line up every day in Philadelphia to take photos with a statue of Rocky Balboa, the fictional heavyweight fighter made famous by Sylvester Stallone.
Philadelphia’s Rocky gets competition as 9-foot statue of Frazier takes shape
PHILADELPHIA – Busloads of tourists line up every day in Philadelphia to take photos with a statue of Rocky Balboa, the fictional heavyweight fighter made famous by Sylvester Stallone.
Attorney: Most pieces in Detroit Institute of Arts donated, out of creditors’ reach
DETROIT – An attorney representing the Detroit Institute of Arts has told a judge that the forced sale of city-owned art “would chill philanthropic giving for generations to come.”
Synth-pop pioneer who wrote ‘She Blinded Me With Science’ now a professor at Johns Hopkins
BALTIMORE – Before composing his 1982 synth-pop hit “She Blinded Me With Science,” Thomas Dolby sketched out the story line for the music video. That’s not just rock-and-roll trivia — it’s one of the experiences Dolby can lean on as he teaches film and music students at Johns Hopkins University, a school known more for medical science and research than the arts.
Teen sentenced to community service for climbing 1 World Trade Center tower, US’s tallest
NEW YORK, N.Y. – A thrill-seeking teenager who made a daring climb up the World Trade Center’s centerpiece tower was sentenced Wednesday to community service for a stunt that raised questions about how well one of the nation’s most security-conscious sites really was protected.
Detroit financial chief testifies in bankruptcy trial,says internal controls were ‘very poor’
DETROIT – The chief financial officer Detroit hired just before the city was allowed into bankruptcy testified Thursday that the office had trouble keeping track of how much money was coming in and going out.
US services firms grew last month at fastest pace since ISM survey began tracking them in 2008
WASHINGTON – U.S. services firms expanded in August at the fastest pace on record.
Obama’s argument for authority to act on deportations has some rock ‘n’ roll roots
WASHINGTON – The argument over President Barack Obama’s legal authority to defer deportations began 42 years ago with a bit of hashish, a dogged lawyer and John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Broadway’s ‘Beautiful’ musical set for London production and a US tour starting next year
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Next year will be a big one for Broadway’s “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” — a London production is due to start and a national tour across America is planned.
China’s ancient, commercially savvy Shaolin Temple seeks media directors to further grow brand
BEIJING, China – Help wanted: Ancient Buddhist temple famed for its kung fu monks seeks media directors to build brand. English and social media skills required. Not necessary to be a monk, practice martial arts or eat vegetarian.
Among the nation’s top champions of writers, Portland’s Literary Arts celebrating 30 years
PORTLAND, Ore. – On one of Calvin Trillin’s past pilgrimages to Portland to read to local fans, he decided to grab a bite at the bar of the hotel where he was staying. He remembers the meal, a Northwest specialty: smoked-salmon hash and a local beer.
Matthew James Thomas and John Rubinstein, Pippin past and present, share the stage in Denver
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Fans of the musical “Pippin” will get a special treat starting this weekend in Denver: They’ll get to see two Pippins for the price of one.
Seeking support early key to success for students with learning disabilities
TORONTO – Samuel Pereira was diagnosed with a learning disability when he was eight, but as he aged and his workload increased so, too, did his challenges in the classroom.
Gerald Wilson, jazz musician who arranged for Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles, dies at 96
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Gerald Wilson, the dynamic jazz big band leader, composer and arranger whose career spanned more than 75 years, has died. He was 96.
APPLE LIVE: 2 Larger iPhones, wearable devices unveiled at Apple show
CUPERTINO, Calif. – For the first time in years, Apple’s iPhones aren’t the star of the show. Apple unveiled a smartwatch called the Apple Watch on Tuesday, a wearable device that marks the company’s first major entry in a new product category since the iPad’s debut in 2010.
Nike is among companies to end business relationships with ex-Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice
Ray Rice’s indefinite suspension from the NFL for domestic violence will cost him income from endorsements in addition to his $4 million in salary.
Detroit, key bankruptcy creditor reach tentative deal to settle debt for 26 cents on dollar
DETROIT – Detroit has reached a tentative deal to pay a key creditor 26 cents on the dollar and offer it valuable leases, a move that that could clear the biggest hurdle in the city’s plan to reduce its debts and emerge from bankruptcy protection.
David Lynch visits Philly for preview of exhibit of his paintings, drawings
PHILADELPHIA – Acclaimed filmmaker David Lynch has visited Philadelphia for a preview of a museum exhibit featuring his paintings.
At 40, director Mel Brooks’ comic take on ‘Frankenstein’ proves forever young
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – “Young Frankenstein” is pushing 40, but is by no means over the hill.
Gaza’s artists look at war amid tiny coastal strip’s other woes of closure, restrictions
GAZA, Palestinian Territories – Palestinian filmmaker Khalil Mozayen’s latest work was already complexly layered — a movie within a movie about a director and screenwriter producing a film about an honour killing in the Gaza Strip.
Former Canadian champ George Chuvalo says boxing needs new exciting heavyweights
WINNIPEG – Boxing may be struggling but it will never lose its loyal fans to mixed martial arts, says Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo.