British novelist and playwright Keith Waterhouse, author of ‘Billy Liar,’ dies at 80LONDON — British writer Keith Waterhouse, a raconteur and wit whose works include the enduringly popular novel “Billy Liar,” has died at the age of 80. IOC awards Spanish TV rights to RTVE for 2014, 2016 Olympics for $100 millionLONDON — Spanish public broadcaster RTVE secured national broadcast rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics on Friday in a deal worth $100 million, another revenue boost for the IOC during the global recession. Guest: Jackson funeral touching, emotional; Paris weeps, Katherine falters at mausoleumGLENDALE, Calif. — Paris Jackson wept as she stepped into the mausoleum where her father, Michael, was to be entombed. Katherine Jackson, overcome by sorrow, turned back when she was faced with her son’s final resting place. Viggo Mortensen leads young Aussie actor on harrowing journey in film version of ‘The Road’VENICE, Italy — Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee play father and son on a harrowing and hopeless journey in the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s devastating novel “The Road,” premiering Thursday at the Venice Film Festival. Soldondz’s ‘Life During Wartime’ assembles ‘Happiness’ characters with new castVENICE, Italy — Todd Solondz assembles the same characters from 1998’s “Happiness” but an entirely different cast for his latest film “Life During Wartime,” premiering Thursday at the Venice Film Festival. YouTube, songwriters resolve dispute on royalties paid in United KingdomLONDON — YouTube and Britain’s performing rights society have reached an agreement on royalties which will end a boycott of the popular Internet video site. Canadian billionaire dubbed ‘first clown in space’ wants frivolity, philanthropy in cosmosMOSCOW — The Canadian billionaire who founded Cirque du Soleil wants to turn cosmonauts into clowns when he blasts into space this month. Tornatore’s heatfelt tribute to his Sicilian hometown ‘Baaria’ opens Venice Film FestivalVENICE, Italy — Giuseppe Tornatore’s heartfelt tribute to his Sicilian hometown, “Baaria,” could be about anyone’s hometown, as long as it’s the center of their universe, the director says. Tony Blair hopping the pond next week for his first appearance on Letterman’s showNEW YORK — Tony Blair is set for his first appearance on David Letterman’s “Late Show.” Venice seeks films that induce laughter, tears; Moore’s ‘Capitalism’ to Tornatore’s ‘Baaria’VENICE, Italy — If there is one criterion for selection to the Venice Film Festival, it’s a film’s ability to captivate, the festival director says. Alive? No way, but German hoax video of Michael Jackson video creates stir onlineBERLIN — A hoax video purportedly showing Michael Jackson emerging from a coroner’s van was an experiment aimed at showing how quickly misinformation and conspiracy theories can race across the Internet, German broadcaster RTL said Tuesday. Freddy Adu loaned to Belenenses among low-key transfers; Kerlon loaned to AjaxLONDON — Freddy Adu’s career faltered again with a low-key loan to Belenenses, and Ajax captured a ball-juggling Brazilian as the transfer window closed on Tuesday. Peter Gabriel, composer Jose Antonio Abreu accept Swedish Polar Music PrizeSTOCKHOLM, Sweden — Peter Gabriel, founder of the rock group Genesis, and Venezuelan composer Jose Antonio Abreu are sharing this year’s Polar Music Prize. Barcelona: Take it all in by cable car, bike, or on a strollBARCELONA, Spain — By metro, tram, bus, bike, car or on foot, taking in the streetscapes, panoramas and often-startling architecture of Barcelona can make for a full itinerary. But while you’re here, you’ll also want to check out what’s inside — art, history, and of course, tapas and wine. In BBC celebrity show former tennis star Martina Hingis out to show she’s a smash at dancingLONDON — Martina Hingis vs. Joe Calzaghe might be a mismatch either on the tennis court or in a boxing ring. Wonderful Isolde not enough to save a Tristan and Isolde scuttled by flat directingBAYREUTH, Germany — Tristan and Isolde, Wagner once wrote, was meant to be a “monument to that most beautiful of dreams” — love. Blockbuster shares jump after rental chain sells Irish retailer Xtra-visionNEW YORK — Shares of Blockbuster Inc. jumped Friday after the chain said it sold Irish entertainment retailer Xtra-vision Ltd. in a deal valued at up to $45 million. Tim McGraw’s message to fans: don’t be abusive to women at my concertsWASHINGTON — Tim McGraw isn’t looking for trouble at his concerts, but there are certain things he just won’t ignore. Madonna’s Gypsy performers ‘pained’ when crowd boos her in Romania; say discrimination on riseBUCHAREST, Romania — A Russian trio performing Gypsy music with Madonna said Friday they were “pained” to see the pop star booed during her Bucharest concert for criticizing widespread discrimination against Gypsies. Madonna’s Gypsy performers say they are sad about the booing in Romania
Better than Wagner? Herheim production of Parsifal a parable of modern GermanyBAYREUTH, Germany — Jackbooted Nazi storm-troopers. A mad magician in drag. And a German history lesson from the days of Bismarck to the time when the vanquished nation rises from the ashes of Hitler and World War II. RAI state TV blocks spots for Swedish documentary deemed anti-BerlusconiMILAN — Italy’s state broadcaster RAI has refused to air ads promoting “Videocracy,” a Swedish documentary examining the influence of television on Italian culture over the last 30 years, because it says the spots are an offense to Premier Silvio Berlusconi. Madonna booed in Bucharest for criticizing discrimination against Roma, or Gypsies
The big tease: As burlesque grows in popularity, some ask: Is it art or X-rated entertainment?CHICAGO — In the Depression-era days of Gypsy Rose Lee, burlesque dancing was about as naughty, and as nude, as it got in public. The emphasis was on the tease more than the strip, until Playboy and harder-core pornography came along in the 1950s. Britain’s Channel 4 axes ‘Big Brother,’ show that spawned national obsession with reality TVLONDON — Britain doesn’t love “Big Brother” the way it used to. Who guitarist Pete Townshend plans new stage musical about aging
Royal Opera House to release recordings of Wagner operas from Bayreuth Festival on DVDBERLIN — Germany’s Bayreuth Festival has agreed to enter a deal with a production arm of Britain’s Royal Opera House to produce and sell DVD recordings of composer Richard Wagner’s operas recorded at the annual festival. Talkin’ bout his generation: Who guitarist Pete Townshend plans new stage musical about agingLONDON — Pete Townshend once wrote “I hope I die before I get old.” Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ is returning to Broadway for the holiday seasonNEW YORK — The stage version of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” is serving up another round of holiday cheer. Michael Jackson’s mother: Global tribute for King of Pop in Vienna is ‘a wonderful idea’VIENNA — The King of Pop’s mother said in a letter made public Monday that next month’s global tribute for Michael Jackson in Vienna is “a wonderful idea” and an event that her son would have loved. Let’s dance! Creamer putt gives US lead after first day and Inkster a recordSUGAR GROVE, Ill. — Instead of dancing, Juli Inkster dropped to her knees. Golden goal: UEFA, elite clubs to share $1.55B as Champions League deals defy recessionGENEVA — The world’s most lucrative club soccer competition, the European Champions League, will earn a record $1.55 billion in marketing and television revenues for clubs and organizer UEFA this season. Mickey Rourke blames himself for career brake but sport helped him to come backSARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Mickey Rourke blames himself for being out of spotlight for over a decade but says his early interest in sports gave him a spirit that allowed him to pick himself up. Fans swamp Web site offering tickets for Michael Jackson tribute in AustriaVIENNA — Fans have swamped the Web site offering tickets for next month’s global Michael Jackson tribute in Vienna. Tito Jackson says he will pay tribute to brother Michael during string of British showsLONDON — Tito Jackson says he plans to pay tribute to his brother Michael during a British tour later this year. |
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Madonna booed in Bucharest for defending Gypsies
