NKorean news agency says Bill Clinton arrives in Pyongyang for talks to free US journalistsSEOUL, South Korea — North Korea’s state news agency says former U.S. President Bill Clinton has arrived in Pyongyang, following reports that he’s headed there to win the release of two detained American journalists. Travel briefsLeaf-peeping in Iowa: Mississippi River, bridges of Madison County No doubt about it: Michael Phelps beats Milorad Cavic again, sets world record in 100 flyROME — Michael Phelps beat Milorad Cavic again. No doubt about it. With a defiant performance in a supposedly inferior suit, Phelps stayed close over the outward lap and rallied on the return to become the first swimmer to break 50 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly, beating the Serbian with a time of 49.82. Sony Pictures invests in new Zhang Yimou movie; remake of Coen brothers’ ‘Blood Simple’HONG KONG — The art house division of Sony Pictures Entertainment says it has invested in Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s first film since he designed the Beijing Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies last year. World economic crisis doesn’t stop glitzy line-up for Venice Film FestivalROME — The world economic crisis hasn’t dulled the glitz of the 66th edition of the Venice Film Festival, which hosts a line-up rich with Hollywood heavyweights. Line-up of films competing at Venice Film FestivalROME — A list of the films in competition for the Golden Lion at the 66th Venice Film Festival, which will run from Sept. 2-12: North Korean TV airs edited SKorean programs to highlight social problems in rival nationSEOUL, South Korea — North Korean state TV has aired South Korean footage edited to highlight social and economic problems in the far richer South in a rare move apparently aimed at quashing rumors among the North’s impoverished people that the rival country is better off. 3 more Chinese films pulled from Melbourne festival amid backlash over Uighur activistHONG KONG — Three more Chinese-language films have been pulled from an Australian film festival to protest the planned appearance of an exiled Uighur activist Beijing blames for inciting recent ethnic violence, organizers said Thursday. 3rd Chinese film pulled from Melbourne festival amid backlash over Uighur activistHONG KONG — A third Chinese director has pulled his movie from an Australian film festival after two other filmmakers backed out to protest the planned appearance of the exiled Uighur activist Beijing blames for inciting recent ethnic violence. ‘Infernal Affairs’ director hopes film scores big in China where he’s still learning marketHONG KONG — “Infernal Affairs” co-director Alan Mak hopes his new thriller will break new ground for Hong Kong filmmakers still learning the tastes of mainland Chinese viewers. Japan says arrival of Uighur activist won’t affect ties with ChinaTOKYO — The visit to Japan of an exiled Uighur activist who China blames for this month’s ethnic riots will not affect relations between Tokyo and Beijing because its approval was not politically motivated, the government said Tuesday. Taiwan’s Lin Hwai-min calls Cunningham 20th century’s greatest choreographerHONG KONG — One of the top modern dancers of the East on Tuesday paid tribute to a giant of the West, as Taiwan’s Lin Hwai-min mourned the death of Merce Cunningham, calling the late American “the greatest choreographer of the 20th century.” ‘Eternal Sunshine’ director Gondry replaces Chow on ‘Green Hornet;” Cage, Diaz may starNKorean TV airs new documentary about leader Kim amid speculation about his healthSEOUL, South Korea — North Korean state TV has aired a new documentary showing leader Kim Jong Il touring industrial facilities in March. Bruce Lee’s siblings authorize Chinese biographical films about late kung fu iconHONG KONG — Bruce Lee’s older sister and younger brother have authorized a Chinese company to make a series of biographical films about the late kung fu icon, saying they want to produce a historically accurate account of their brother’s life. Competition aims to make Bruce Lee’s former home, now a love motel, into a museumHONG KONG — The former home of Bruce Lee is now a love motel, renting rooms by the hour. But officials on Monday launched a design competition to turn it into a Hong Kong museum for the kung fu icon. Jackie Chan: Co-star Jaden Smith’s kung fu skills put his own son to shameJackie Chan praises kung fu of Will Smith’s son Tony Leung breaks left arm during training for biopic of Bruce Lee’s kung fu masterBEIJING — Cannes best actor winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai broke his left arm while sparring with martial arts instructors as he prepared to portray Bruce Lee’s kung fu master in a Wong Kar-wai movie, a publicist said Tuesday. Jackie Chan, Will Smith’s son kick off ‘Karate Kid’ remake in BeijingJackie Chan, Jaden Smith start ‘Karate Kid’ remake IMAX taking its big screens to Asia as part of aggressive global expansionTOKYO — Megascreen theater company IMAX Corp. is hoping Harry Potter’s magic touch will help catapult the company itself into a global smash hit. Sharp to boost TV panel production in Japan to meet growing global demandTOKYO — Japanese electronics maker Sharp Corp. said Thursday it will raise production of panels for TVs to meet improving global demand. Richard Gere sees dog, not himself, as lead in movie based on Japanese taleRichard Gere: Dog is hero in film about Japan tale Michael Jackson, international King of Pop, mourned around globe by fans watching LA serviceInternational idol, Jackson mourned around globe Michael Jackson’s international fans mourn idol as Los Angeles memorial beginsLONDON — Fans in Asia stayed up into the wee hours, bars across Europe held Michael Jackson theme nights and television stations from Sydney to Paris cleared their schedules Tuesday to broadcast the King of Pop’s star-studded memorial service live from Los Angeles. Michael Jackson’s international fans mourn idol before Los Angeles memorialLONDON — Fans in Asia stayed up into the wee hours, bars across Europe were holding Michael Jackson theme nights and television stations from Sydney to Paris cleared their schedules Tuesday to broadcast the King of Pop’s star-studded memorial service live from Los Angeles. Michael Jackson’s international fans mourn idol alongside Los Angeles memorialTOKYO — Japanese fans paid tribute to Michael Jackson on Tuesday, watching videos and listening to the pop legend’s songs as devotees around Asia vowed to stay up late into the night to watch the official memorial in Los Angeles. Michelle Kwan will skate in Seoul ice show, skating before audience for 1st time in 3 yearsMichelle Kwan will skate before an audience for the first time in three years when she joins world champion Kim Yu-Na in Ice All-Stars 2009 in Seoul, South Korea, in August. In apparent first, North Korea airs beer commercial on state TVSEOUL, South Korea — In an apparent first, North Korea — a country that struggles to feed its 24 million people — has aired a beer commercial on state television. Japan’s royal couple head to Canada, Hawaii to reach out to Japanese immigrantsTOKYO — Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hope to reach out to Americans and Canadians of Japanese ancestry during a two-week tour that began Friday, but they won’t be going to Pearl Harbor. Not so Dolce Vita: Japanese tourists file police complaint after euro700 restaurant billROME — They were looking for a bit of La Dolce Vita but what two Japanese tourists got in a restaurant in Rome left a bad taste in their mouths. Overseas fans still in mourning for Michael Jackson, await news of a global tributePARIS — Mourning Michael Jackson fans lauded his talent, moonwalked in his honor, sang his lyrics and awaited word Monday on the possibility of a global memorial to the King of Pop. Overseas fans still in mourning for Michael Jackson, saying his talent outshone scandalsTOKYO — Mourning Michael Jackson fans around the world awaited word Monday on the possibility of a global memorial to the King of Pop. Michael Jackson found loyal, generous fans in JapanTOKYO — Despite years of child molestation accusations and deep financial difficulties, Michael Jackson could always count on one nation for unquestioning fan loyalty and lucrative advertising deals — Japan. Grief over Michael Jackson’s sudden death unites the world in mourning, sorrowLONDON — Michael Jackson was due to make his triumphant return to the stage in London next month — but instead his sudden death has left millions of fans feeling they’ve lost a lifelong friend. Michael Jackson’s death spurs sorrow transcending world’s bordersLONDON — Michael Jackson was due to make his triumphant return to the stage in London next month — but instead his sudden death has left millions of fans feeling they’ve lost a lifelong friend. |