Artificial intelligence, or AI, could potentially transform arts and entertainment, from music to movies, but it is also raising concerns. Is AI a creative tool or a threat to creators and artists? VOA’s Mike O’Sullivan examines the question. … Джерело: Купуй!
UK Blocks Microsoft-Activision Gaming Deal, Biggest in Tech
British antitrust regulators on Wednesday blocked Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard, thwarting the biggest tech deal in history over worries that it would stifle competition for popular titles like Call of Duty in the fast-growing cloud gaming market. The Competition and Markets Authority said in its final report that “the…
Fugees Rapper ‘Pras’ Found Guilty of Political Conspiracy
A Fugees rapper accused in multimillion-dollar political conspiracies spanning two presidencies was convicted Wednesday after a trial that included testimony from such witnesses as actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Prakazrel “Pras” Michel was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financer through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection…
Study Details Differences Between Deep Interiors of Mars and Earth
Mars is Earth’s next-door neighbor in the solar system — two rocky worlds with differences down to their very core, literally. A new study based on seismic data obtained by NASA’s robotic InSight lander is offering a fuller understanding of the Martian deep interior and fresh details about dissimilarities between Earth, the third planet from…
У Римі відбудеться Конференція з відновлення України – Шмигаль
Напередодні МЗС Італії анонсувало Конференцію з відновлення України як захід за участі представників бізнесу та міжнародних фінансових установ … Джерело: Купуй!
ЄС надає Україні додаткові 1,5 мільярда євро макрофінансової допомоги
«Кошти надаються на безпрецедентно пільгових умовах для України», заявили в Мінфіні … Джерело: Купуй!
Голова «Нафтогазу» запропонував учасникам ринку ЄС зберігати газ в українських сховищах
«Нафтогаз України» зареєструвався на платформі спільних закупівель газу Aggregate EU … Джерело: Купуй!
Уряд зберіг пільгову ціну на електроенергію для населення ще на місяць – Шмигаль
За чинними нормами, дія тарифів для населення на рівні 1,44 грн/кВт-год і 1,68 грн/кВт-год (у разі споживання від 250 кВт-год на місяць) мала закінчитися з 1 травня … Джерело: Купуй!
Pope Allows Women to Vote at Upcoming Bishops’ Meeting
Pope Francis has decided to give women the right to vote at an upcoming meeting of bishops, an historic reform that reflects his hopes to give women greater decision-making responsibilities and laypeople more say in the life of the Catholic Church. Francis approved changes to the norms governing the Synod of Bishops, a Vatican body…
Harry Belafonte, Activist and Entertainer, Dies at 96
Harry Belafonte, the civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian and conscience of the world, has died. He was 96. Belafonte died Tuesday of congestive heart failure at his New York home, his wife Pamela by his side, said Paula M. Witt, of public…
Trial Begins into Whether Ed Sheeran Stole Marvin Gaye Classic
Jury selection began Monday in a trial to determine whether British pop star Ed Sheeran plagiarized American music legend Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” in his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud.” The plaintiffs are the heirs of Ed Townsend, a musician and producer who co-wrote Gaye’s 1973 soul classic. They allege that there are…
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judge Len Goodman Dies at 78
Len Goodman, the urbane, long-serving judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” has died, his agent said Monday. He was 78. Agent Jackie Gill said Goodman “passed away peacefully,” without giving a cause. A former dancer and British champion, Goodman was a judge on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its…
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Is No. 1 for Third Week
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” continued to rack up coins at the box office, leading ticket sales for the third straight weekend, as the animation hit neared $1 billion after just 18 days in theaters. The weekend’s top new release, the horror reboot “Evil Dead Rise” debuted solidly, launching with $23.5 million, according to studio…
Dame Edna Creator Barry Humphries Dies in Sydney at 89
Tony Award-winning comedian Barry Humphries, internationally renowned for his garish stage persona Dame Edna Everage, a condescending and imperfectly-veiled snob whose evolving character has delighted audiences over seven decades, has died. He was 89. His death in a Sydney, Australia, hospital, where he spent several days with complications following hip surgery, was confirmed by his…
Calling Beer Champagne Leaves French Producers Frothing
The guardians of Champagne will let no one take the name of the bubbly beverage in vain, not even a U.S. beer behemoth. For years, Miller High Life has used the “Champagne of Beers” slogan. This week, that appropriation became impossible to swallow. At the request of the trade body defending the interests of houses…
Did the AI-Generated Drake Song Breach Copyright?
A viral AI-generated song imitating Drake and The Weeknd was pulled from streaming services this week, but did it breach copyright as claimed by record label Universal? Created by someone called @ghostwriter, Heart On My Sleeve racked up millions of listens before Universal Music Group asked for its removal from Spotify, Apple Music and other…
South African Artist’s Play Puts African Role in WWI Center Stage
A man paces a 50-meter stage doing breathing exercises. Crew members chatter while putting together final touches to the set, as a pianist rehearses. Acclaimed South African artist William Kentridge’s play “The Head & The Load” is almost ready for its much-awaited African debut. “Being able to show it at home feels very important,” Kentridge…
Minneapolis Mayor Signs Law Allowing Islamic Call Five Times a Day
Muslims in Minneapolis can now hear their call to prayer broadcast five times a day from mosques around the city, thanks to a new law. From Minneapolis, Mohamud Mascadde has the story, narrated by Salem Solomon. …
K-Pop Star Moon Bin Found Dead at Home
Moon Bin, a singer from South Korean boy band Astro, was found dead at his home in Seoul, his management agency said Thursday. The 25-year-old was reportedly found by his manager who went to the singer’s home Wednesday evening because he wasn’t responding to contacts. Police are investigating his death but have so far found…
Panama’s Geisha Coffee Fetches $100 a Cup
People worldwide have long been paying more for a premium cup of coffee. But what about a cost of over $100 for a cup? From Panama City, Panama, Oscar Sulbarán has the story, narrated by Cristina Caicedo Smit. …
Native American Artist’s Work Stolen, Copied Around the World
Like most Facebook users, I am targeted by advertisements relating to my interests, particularly Native American. So, when an ad popped up recently advertising a “Navajo Tufa Cast Corn Stalk Design Bracelet” cast from 55 grams of sterling silver, it got my attention, especially because its price was an implausible $6.48. “Because of Black Friday,…
Pandemic Hurt Volunteerism in Most Parts of US
The share of Americans who volunteer their time to help charities build houses, serve food, do environmental cleanup, and much else has been on the decline nationwide but nowhere as sharply as in Florida, where only 16% of residents donate their free hours to local organizations, according to the latest available statistics. That’s a drop…
Senegal Musician Maal Named UN Ambassador on Desertification
Senegalese singer-songwriter Baaba Maal on Monday was named a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification. Maal has long been an activist on climate change and refugees. Since 2003, he has been committed to various development challenges in Africa, working with different U.N. family organizations. His NANN-K Trust recently opened a solar-powered irrigation…
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ Closes on Broadway After 35 Years
The final curtain came down Sunday on New York’s production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” ending Broadway’s longest-running show with thunderous standing ovations, champagne toasts and gold and silver confetti bursting from its famous chandelier. It was show No. 13,981 at the Majestic Theatre and it ended with a reprise of “The Music of…
Boston Marathon Poses New Challenge for Kipchoge: Slow Down
World record-holder Eliud Kipchoge has the speed to outclass the rest of the field when he makes his Boston Marathon debut on Monday. To win, he may have to slow things down. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and 12-time major marathon champion knows that the 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to Boston’s Back Bay isn’t like…
American Jazz Piano Great Ahmad Jamal Dead at 92
Ahmad Jamal, a towering and influential U.S. jazz pianist, composer and band leader whose career spanned more than seven decades, died at age 92 on Sunday, according to news reports. Jamal’s widow Laura Hess-Hey confirmed his death, The Washington Post reported, while his daughter Sumayah Jamal told The New York Times the cause was prostate…
‘Mario’ Tops Charts Again; ‘Beau Is Afraid’ Wins in Limited
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” scored the best second weekend ever for an animated movie in North American theaters with $87 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The family-friendly Universal release dropped a slim 41% from its record-making opening weekend. With $94 million from international showings, “Mario’s” global total now stands at…
Pickleball Is Booming in the US, and Not Everyone Is Happy
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States. It’s simple and can be played in small spaces so popular with all age groups. But not everyone loves it. Maxim Moskalkov reports. …