Culture

iCloud Hacking Compromises Coldplay's Unreleased Music Among Other Singers' Creations

In a case that underscores the fragility of digital privacy and the sanctity of creative work, a 22-year-old hacker, Skylar Dalziel, exploited online vulnerabilities to access unreleased tracks from renowned artists such as Coldplay, Shawn Mendes and Bebe Rexha. The thefts began in 2021 when Dalziel hacked into cloud storage accounts linked to ...

Cape Town’s Streets Alive for Historic Minstrel Carnival

Cape Town’s historic streets erupted in a riot of color and music on Saturday, January 4, as thousands of costumed minstrels paraded through the city’s center in an exuberant celebration of cultural heritage and resilience. This annual carnival, deeply rooted in the city’s history of slavery, drew large crowds and cemented its reputation as ...

Female Circus Artists Take Center Stage at the Biennale

A major event in contemporary circus arts, the Biennale internationale des arts du Cirque (BIAC) will open on January 9 across Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, focusing on female-led creations. This year’s edition achieves a milestone, with half of its 66 performances either created or directed by women in an art form historically dominated by ...

British Novelist David Lodge, Passes into His 'Small World'

David Lodge, the celebrated British novelist who earned two Booker Prize nominations, passed away on New Year's Day at the age of 89, his publisher announced on Friday. Known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary, Lodge's works such as Small World (1984) and Nice Work (1988) were both nominated for the prestigious literary award during the ...

'Emilia Perez' Leads Golden Globes with Ten Nominations

Hollywood’s awards season reaches a peak this Sunday at the 82nd Golden Globes, where Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez stands as the front-runner. This genre-bending musical about a Mexican drug lord transitioning to life as a woman leads with 10 nominations, the most ever for a musical or comedy film. Key nods include Best Musical/Comedy, Best ...

Meghan Markle’s Netflix Lifestyle Show Premieres January 15

Meghan Markle, the actress wife of Britain's Prince Harry, will debut her new lifestyle and cooking show on Netflix on January 15, she announced Thursday on social media. "I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it," the Duchess of Sussex wrote on Instagram. Netflix unveiled a trailer for ...

Iranian Artist Adel Yazdi Transforms Shiraz Walls Into Artistic Masterpieces

In the winding alleys of southern Iran, artist Adel Yazdi has taken it upon himself to turn his rustic old neighborhood into a cultural and tourist hub through vibrant paintings and carved relief faces. Narenjestan, a neighborhood characterized by crumbling, uninhabited houses, is nestled in Shiraz, a southern city celebrated for its historic ...

South African Ballet Visionary Dada Masilo Dies at 39

The global dance community is in mourning following the sudden death of South African choreographer and dancer Dada Masilo, who passed away this weekend at the age of 39. According to a statement from her family, Masilo died unexpectedly on Sunday after a short illness, leaving the artistic world in shock and sorrow. Born in the township of ...

Tintin, Popeye, Hemingway, and Ravel Lose Copyright Protection in the U.S.

Every January 1, thousands of books, films, songs, musical pieces, artworks, and comic characters—95 years old—lose their copyright protection in the U.S. This means they can now be freely copied, shared, reproduced, or adapted, without paying a cent in royalties. The Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke University’s law school ...

Joseph Tarrab, Art Critic and Chronicler of Beirut, Has Passed Away

A journalist, writer, theater enthusiast, and art critic, Joseph Tarrab’s career spanned decades, resulting in a remarkable body of books and articles. Bestowed the title of Officer of the Order by Henri Le Breton, cultural advisor and director of the French Institute of Lebanon, on behalf of French Culture Minister Aurélie Filippetti, his ...

Paris, a Shining Star of New Year’s Eve 2024

Closing a year defined by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the French capital brought together over a million people on the Champs-Élysées. Beneath a sparkling winter sky, Paris shone brighter than ever, delivering an unforgettable spectacle. The festivities began with a sumptuous performance by the dancers of the Moulin Rouge, ...

World Celebrated New Year, UK Faced Weather Disruptions

Around the world, every country geared up to welcome the new year with its own distinct customs and celebrations. From the dazzling fireworks in Sydney to the lively parties in New York, cities prepared for a vibrant display of tradition and festivity. In places like Paris, where the Eiffel Tower lighted up the night sky, and in Cape Town, where ...