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Arts
Fighter War Machine to face trial in Las Vegas on 34 felony counts in attack on ex-girlfriend
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A mixed martial arts fighter who changed his name to War Machine was ordered Friday to stand trial in Nevada state court on 34 felony charges including attempted murder, sexual assault and kidnapping that could get him life in prison for allegedly attacking his porn star ex-girlfriend and her friend.
Byelection to fill Flaherty void turns nasty, Tories claim smear campaign
OTTAWA – A closer than expected byelection contest to fill the void left by Jim Flaherty’s death has turned nasty down the home stretch, with the Conservatives accusing the Liberals of running a smear campaign.
Coffee table books: the oft-elusive yet gifty treat for your experts, hobbyists or wannabes
NEW YORK, N.Y. – As self-purchases, coffee table books may seem like pricey indulgences, but as gifts they’re an easy way to please a connoisseur, hobbyist or wannabe.
UFC to visit Canada 3 to 5 times in 2015, including Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver
TORONTO – Taking a page from its Canadian division, the UFC has announced its full schedule for 2015 with 45 fight cards including three to five in Canada.
Benefit draws Melanie Griffith, Amanda Seyfried and Peter Dinklage to make art in 24 hours
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Some two dozen celebrities — including Melanie Griffith, Amanda Seyfried, Peter Dinklage and Pablo Schreiber — threw themselves onstage Monday with little rehearsal and little sleep — and survived.
Longtime Los Angeles Times film critic, arts columnist Charles Champlin dies at 88
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Longtime Los Angeles Times film critic Charles Champlin has died at age 88, the newspaper said Monday.
Thomas King wins Governor General’s Literary Award, capping white-hot year
TORONTO – He’s published over a dozen books and received numerous award nominations, but writer Thomas King says he’s never been on a hot streak like this.
Newly solo Nick Jonas still getting used to being brotherless on stage
TORONTO – Now unchaperoned by his older brothers and usually unaccompanied even by his guitar, the newly solo Nick Jonas can feel a little naked crooning on stage these days.
Gift Guide: Dragons, aliens, robots and superheroes for the gamer on your list
Sony’s PlayStation 4 video-game console has built an impressive lead over its competitors. That’s good news for holiday shoppers because it has driven Microsoft and Nintendo to offer more budget-friendly holiday deals on their consoles.
Stephen Colbert to host the 37th annual Kennedy Center Honors show this year in DC
WASHINGTON – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts says Stephen Colbert will host this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, bringing a new touch to the annual awards show.
Yucatan’s state music director found strangled in southern Mexico 3 days after disappearing
MEXICO CITY – The music director of the southern Mexico state of Yucatan has been found strangled to death, three days after he disappeared.
Iraq: Amid violence, religious extremism, Baghdad ballet school speaks to city’s resilience
BAGHDAD – Ann Khalid did not feel well but she insisted on dancing a brief scene from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake with her classmates. The 12-year-old is determined to one day have a career dancing and teaching ballet, not an easy path in a country torn for years by conflict.
Met Opera ends fiscal year 2014 with $22M deficit; balanced budgets expected for 2015, 2016
NEW YORK, N.Y. – New York City’s Metropolitan Opera says it has ended its 2014 fiscal year with a $22 million shortfall in its budget.
Mourning stage and screen director Mike Nichols, the enemy of mystery, the searcher of truth
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The last time he was on Broadway, director Mike Nichols was asked what his secret was to getting the best from his actors.
Princeton’s Gary Bass wins $75,000 Cundill Prize for ‘The Blood Telegram’
TORONTO – Princeton University professor and journalist Gary Bass has won this year’s US$75,000 Cundill Prize in Historical Literature at McGill for “The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide.”
James Cagney’s 1942 Oscar for ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ fails to sell at auction
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – In the world of auctions, there’s always a chance no one will bite. Such was the case for James Cagney’s 1942 best actor Oscar for his role in “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”
German police officer Nick Hein ready to take on the Texecutioner in Austin
Actor, police officer and MMA fighter. No one can accuse (Sergeant) Nick Hein of not living life to the fullest.
For 1 night on Florida stage, Bill Cosby regains revered status as beloved comedian
MELBOURNE, Fla. – The protesters didn’t show, the would-be hecklers didn’t take the bait, the weeks of headlines about sexual assaults disappeared and Bill Cosby, for 90 minutes at least, regained the revered status he long enjoyed.
Rare jade collection to be auctioned at A.H. Wilkens in Toronto
TORONTO – A rare collection of ancient Chinese jade pieces, some dating back 6,000 years, will be up for grabs in Toronto on Tuesday and are expected to “well exceed” their collective pre-sale estimate of $500,000, says A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals.
‘Mad Men’ stars to present honorary International Emmy to show’s creator Matthew Weiner
NEW YORK, N.Y. – “Mad Men” stars Christina Hendricks and John Slattery will be presenting a special award at the International Emmys Gala to the show’s creator and executive producer Matthew Weiner who’s preparing the final episodes of the 1960s Madison Avenue ad agency saga slated to air in spring 2015.
18 artists, activists, lawmakers, others receive Presidential Medal of Freedom from Obama
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Monday bestowed America’s highest civilian honour on trailblazers in the arts, sports and politics, along with a couple of entertainers who are among his personal favourites.
University of Texas gets archive of Nobel laureate, famed Colombian novelist Garcia Marquez
AUSTIN, Texas – The archive of celebrated Colombian novelist and Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez has been acquired by the University of Texas — meaning the critic of U.S. foreign policy is having his papers end up in a country he wasn’t always too fond of.
Quebec-based Simons to open new stores in B.C., Alberta and Ontario into 2017
TORONTO – After 175 years, Quebec-based Simons is primed to make a major expansion push beyond the province with stores in five new cities across Canada.
British TV’s Dillane, ‘Utopia’ win at International Emmys; ‘Mad Men’ creator honoured
NEW YORK, N.Y. – British TV productions took three trophies Monday night at the 42nd International Emmy Awards, including best actor for Stephen Dillane and best drama for the thriller “Utopia.”